The Missionary Review of the World — September 1902
i ' ro lll M t ).., r y·~ ·' Ma rcus 'V lliu u<ln ,. Blac ksmith Shop Copyr i ght , 1901, h y Si l ve r , Burdett & C o
~[jll The First H ouse The New House WHITMAN'S HOME AT WAIILATPU Missionary Review of the World Old Beries SEPTEMBER New Beries VOL. XXV. No. VOL. XV. No. 9 THE TRUE STORY OF MARCUS WHITMAN * AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE IN FIVE CHAPTEY'S BY BELLE M. BRAIN, SPRINGFIELD, OHIO Author of .. Fuel for Missionary Fires," "Missionary Readings," .. Transformaticn of Hawaii,U etc.
I. The WISe Men from the West As the year 1831 was drawing to a close, there came to the frontier city of St. Louis four Nez Perces chiefs, asking, "Where is the white man's Book of Heaven ? We have heard of it in our wigwams far away in the valley of the Oolumbia, and are come to search for it."
When General Clark, superintendent of Indian affairs for the northwest, heard of the advent of the strangers, he showed them much kindness. Years before he had explored their country and proved himself a good friend to the Indian tribes. And now they had come to him on this extraordinary mission. Two of them were old warriors full of wisdom, two were young braves full of strength.
All winter they were cared for. Food aud clothing were provided with a .liberal hand, and they were royally entertained at the theater * The story of Marcus Whitman is already a twice-told tale. It is retold at this time to commemorate the centennial of Whitman's birth, which occurrea at Rushville, N. Y., September 4, 1802. In telling the story all points have been eliminated save those thoroughly established by reputable witnesses. The political significance of Whitman's ride and th. 'art he took in saving Oregon to the United States have long been a matter of controversy.. Atter a prolonged discussion on the Pacific coast between the years 1880 and 1890, during which the Whitman side had the best of the argument, public opinion settled down to the belief that Whitman was a great national hero and had done all that was claimed for him. In January 1901, the controversy waS reopened by Professor Bourne, of Yale University, in an articl~ in the American Historical Review, entitled: •• The Legend of Marcus Whitman." Somewhat elaborated, it has since been incorporated into his book, .. Essays of Historical Criticism." As an example of modern destructive criticism it is an interesting study, but otherwise has little value. Professor Bourne's attack called forth lin able defense of 'Whitman from the pen of Prof. Henry W. Parker, D.D., son of Rev. Samuel Parker, which appeared in the Homiletic Review for July, 1901. The latest contribution to the discussion is a pamphlet written by Rev. Myron Eells, D.D., the graatest living authority on Oregon history. So strong and convincing is its testimony that it is hoped it may prove the last word in this famous controversy. Those who desire an interesting, reliable, and conservative history of Whitman and his work, with a full discussion of controverted points, will do well to read .. Marcus Whitman and the Early Days of Oregon," by Dr. Mowry (from which our frontispiece is taken). Professor Bourne has pronounced it a "deceptive work," but nine·tenths of the literary critics of the country have declared it thoroughly reliable.-B. M. B.
and other places of amusement. Nor were their spiritual interests wholly neglected, for they were taken to the cathedral and other Catholic churches. But, alas! the real purpose of their coming was totally ignored-their request for the Book met with no response.
St. Louis was a Roman Catholic city, and the Great Father of the Northwest tribes was a member of the Church of Rome.
They asked for bread and were given a stone, and great indeed was their sorrow. "Hearts that had come three thousand miles of toil and peril to be filled with better ideas of God and of the long trail to the hereafter" re- fused to be satisfied with l' eli g i 0 u s forms and earthly pleasures. As spring began to dawn, the old men died and the HE-OK'KS-TE-KIN (RABBIT SKIN LEGGINGS) young men sadly prepared to return to their distant Reproduction of a portrait by Catlin of the only one of the homes. On the eve of Nez Perces chiefs who lived to return to his people their departure, in a fare- after the fruitless journey to St. Louis in search well address to General of the white man's ,. Book of Heaven"
Clark; one of the two poured forth his burden of sorrow in words of pathetic eloquence as follows: I came to you over the trail of many moons from the setting sun. You were the friend of my fathers, who have all gone the long way. I came with an eye partly opened for more light for my people, who sit in darkness. I go back with both eyes closed. How can I go back blind to my blind people? I made my way to you with strong arms, through many enemies and strange lands, that I might carry back much to them. I go back with both arms broken and empty. Two fathers came with us. They were braves of many winters and wars. We leave them asleep here by your great water and wigwam. They were tired in many moons and their moccasins wore out_ My people sent me to get the white man's Book of Heaven. You took me where you allow your women to dance, as we do not ours, and the Book was not there. You took me where they worship the Great Spirit with candles, and the Book was not there. You showed me images of the good spirits and pictures of the good land beyond, but the Book was not among them to tell us the way. I am going back the long, sad trail to my people of the dark land. You make
THE TRUE STORY (j)F MARCUS WHITMAN
my feet heavy with gifts and my moccasins will grow old in carrying them, yet the Book is not among them. When I tell my poor, blind people, after one more snow in the big council, that I did not bring the Book, no word will be spoken by our old men or by our young braves. One by one they will rise up and go out in silence. My people will die in darkness, and they will go on the long path to other hunting grounds. No white man will go with them, and no white man's Book to make the way plain. I have no more words.
At the dock in St. Louis lay the steamer Yellowstone, the first "fire-canoe" to make the long voyage up the Missouri to the mouth, of the Yellowstone. On this historic craft the two Nez Perces chiefs took passage. On board was George Catlin, the famous Indian artist, who took advantage of this opportunity to paint their portraits.* Near the mouth of the Yellowstone one of the Indians died, leaving his companion to complete the journey alone.
Thus ended the" red man's search for the white man's Book." It had apparently been fruitless, yet God did not suffer it to be in vain.
The farewell address of the Nez Perces chief was taken down by a young clerk in General Clark's office and sent to friends in Pittsburg. It would have been published at once had not Catlin, who had returned East, de- clared that it could not be true, since he had heard nothing of it either from General Clark or the In- dians themselves. De- sirous of knowing the facts, Catlin wrote to General Clark, and ere long the answer came: "It is true; that was the only object of their visit, and it failed." Then Catlin said: "Give the H'CO-A-H'CO-A-H'COTES-MIN (NO HORNS ON HIS BEAD) story to the world." The Nez Perces chief who died near the mouth of the Yellow· The hearts of Chris- stone, on his way home from St. Louis. His portrait was painted by Catlin tians everywhere were profoundly stirred. Early in 1833 the Methodist Church appointed the Rev. Jason Lee, then at work in Canada, to undertake an Indian * Visitors to the National Museum at Washington, D. C., will find them there, numbered 1411 and 146 of the Catlin collection.
mission beyond the Rocky Mountains, and in 1834, with a small party of helpers, he started for his distant field. Arriving there in September of the same year, he established a mission in the valley of the Willamette. Meanwhile, in a lonely hill-town in the Green Mountains, the heart of an earnest pastor, Samuel Parker by name, was so filled with a desire to carry the Book to the disappointed red men of the West, that in April, 1833, he wrote to the American Board, offering himself for the work. After long delay the Board took the matter up, and as a preliminary step sent him to explore the region in company with Marcus Whitman, a young physician he had enlisted in the cause.
In the spring of 1835 the veteran pastor of fifty-six and the young physician of thirty-three began the long journey across the plains. At the rendezvous of the fur traders on the Green River, in the heart of the mountains, they met large bodies of Indians, Nez Perces and Flatheads, who were very friendly, and so favorable to the idea of the mission that Mr. Parker continued his explorations alone, while Dr. Whitman returned at once for reinforcements and supplies. As an evidence of good faith, the Nez Perces allowed two of their boys to come East with him. In November, 1835, they reached Rushville, N. Y., Dr. Whitman's boyhood home. It was late Saturday night, and no one knew of the doctor's arrival until Sunday morning, when he appeared at church, the two Nez Percfm boys with him. So astonished was his. good old mother that she involuntarily exclaimed, "Well, well, there is Marcus Whitman! "
So favorable was the report that the American Board decided to establish the mission without delay, and Dr. Whitman made prepara~ tion to return at once. His fiancee, Miss Narcissa Prentiss, shared his missionary enthusiasm, and readily. agreed to go with him. The Board, however, was not willing to allow them to go alone, and counseled delay until suitable companions could be found to accompany them.
2. A Double Wedding Journey Across the Continent.
The first wedding journey across the continent was made in 1836, not in a swift-moving palace car, but in a slow-going emigrant wagon and by saddle. The bridal party consisted of Dr. Marcus Whitman and the Rev. H. H. Spaulding and their newly wedded wives; W. H. Gray, Oregon's first historian; the two Nez Perces boys, and two teamsters. The brides were the first white women to cross the Rocky Mountains.
The story of this wedding journey is full of heroism and not without its touch of romance. In January, 1836, Mr. Spaulding with his bride started on a wedding trip through the wilds of western New York, their destination being the haunts of the Osage Indians. As they neared the little town of Howard, N. Y., speeding over the snow-
THE TRUE STORY OF' MARCUS WHITMAN
fields III an odd conveyance, half sleigh, half wagon, :-1.
cheery voice rang out, "Ship ahoy I you are wanted for Oregon," and a second sleigh drew up beside their own.
It was Dr. Whitman, whom the American Board had sent in pursuit of the young mis- sionaries in the hope of enlist- ing them for Oregon. Driving on to the little hotel in the village, the question was dis- cussed in all its phases, the momentous decision be i n g finally left to the bride. She asked the privilege of going alone to lay the matter before God in prayer, and in ten minutes returned with bright face and cheery voice, saying, "I have decided for Oregon."
Suitable companions having been found, Dr. Whitman went to claim his bride. The wed- ding took place in the church at the close of service one Sab- bath evening in February. Miss MARCUS WHITMAN Prentiss was gifted with a voice of remarkable sweetness, and [From the statue on the Witherspoon Building, Philadelphia] had long been a member of the choir. So dearly was she loved that when the minister gave out the hymn, "Yes, my native land, I love thee," the congregation was unable to sing it. They began bravely enough, but were soon overcome by emotion. The bride alone con- tinued to the end, singing the last stanza in clear, unwavering tones, while many around her sobbed aloud.
Early in March the long wedding trip began. Across Pennsyl- vania t1cey went by stage to Pittsburg. Here Catlin tried to persuade the ladies to go back, insisting that the journey was too severe for any save the strongest men. Nevertheless, they proceeded down the Ohio to St. Lonis, and thence to Council Bluffs, where they expected to join the caravan of the American Fur Company. Owing to vexatious delays, they arrived too late, and found the caravan already six days on its way. Then followed a chase across the plains that sorely tried the faith and courage of the little band. A
month later, however, they caught up with the caravan and all was well: They were now well up in the mountains, with no road save the track of the buffalo before them. At Fort Laramie it was customary to abandon the wagons, but against this Dr. Whitman protested. For the sake of the ladies he insisted on retaining one of the two light wagons belonging to the missionary party. It was a hazardous undertaking, fraught with much difficulty and entailing much labor, yet with indomitable perseverance he succeeded in getting it through to Fort Boise. Here he was persnaded to leave it for a time, but not long after it went through, the first wheeled vehicle to cross the Rocky Mountains. Little did Dr. Whitman guess how famous it was to become, nor what an important part it was to play in the future of the territory.
Perhaps the most notable event of this eventful journey was the celebration of the Fourth of July at South Pass. There was no boom of canon to usher in the nation's birthday, yet rarely, if ever, has it been commemorated in a more significant or fitting manner. Early in the day the little band of missionaries entered South Pass, and a few hours later reached the point in the Great Divide where the waters begin to trickle down westward to the Pacific as well as eastward to the Atlantic. Before them lay the broad expanse of the Pacific Slope, the goodly land they had come to win for Christ and country. With hearts deeply moved they dismounted, and spread a blanket on the grass and raised the Stars and Stripes above it. Then, placing the Bible in the center, they knelt around it, and with prayer and praise reverently took possession of the entire region "in the name of God and the United States." It was a solemn and impressive scene, unsurpassed in the annals of American history.
On July 20th the caravan reached the rendezvous of the fur company at Green River, where Dr. Whitman had parted from Mr. Parker the year before. Here they found about two hundred fur traders and some two thousand Indians, among the latter a delegation from the Nez Perces, who had come to welcome the missionaries and receive back their two boys. The Indians were very friendly to the men who had come to bring them the Book, but most of all were they pleased with the" white squaws who had come over the long trail across the mountains." At the sight of white women the mountaineers, too, were deeply touched, and some of them wept like children. "From that day," said one in after years, " I was a better man."
After a ten days' rest the missionaries began the long descent into the valley of the Columbia. On September 2d, after weeks of weary travel devoid of special incident, they reached Fort Walla Walla in safety, and the heroic wedding trip was ended. Thirty-five hundred
1902J THE TRUE STORY OF MARCUS WHITMAN
miles they had come, consuming seven months upon a journey that can now be made ill less than seven days.
3. At Work in Oregon It was a wonderful country to which these pioneer mIssIOnaries had come-a true land of promise. The whole vast region, thirty-six times the size of Massachusetts, was then known as Oregon, but now comprises the three great states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, besides fifty thousand square miles in western Montana and Wyoming. With millions of acres of fertile soil, vast tracts of valuable timber land and great rivers teeming with fish, it has become one of the most important sections of the country.
When Whitman and Spaulding arrived in 1836 it was practically a foreign land, and they were foreign missionaries. 'rhe United States claimed the territory, but nothing whatever had been done in the WHy of establishing a protectorate over the few Americans who had settled there. The American Board, which worked only in foreign lands, regarded it as a legitimate field, and was careful to secure passports for all missionaries going there.
But to return to the little band at WalIa Walla. After long consultation, Dr. Whitman decided to locate at Waiilatpu, on the Walla Walla River, among the Caymie Indians, and Mr. Spaulding at Lapwai, one hundred and thirty miles to the east, among the Nez Perces tribe. It was a wild, unbroken country, peopled by savages, and winter was coming on. But by December a log house was ready at each station, and the brides who had been left at the Fort came to take possession of them. In her diary Mrs. Whitman writes thus of the home-coming: " We found a house reared and the lean-to inclosed, a good chimney and fireplace, and the floor laid. No windows or doors except blankets. My heart truly leaped for joy as I alighted from my horse and seated myself before a blazing fire. It occurred to me that my dear parents had made a similar beginning, and perhaps a harder one than ours."
Dr. Whitman proved himself an indefatigable worker. In less than three years three hundred acres had been fenced in, two hundred of which were under cultivation and producing abundant crops, and a blacksmith shop, grist-mill, and new house of more generous proportions than the first had been erected. The labor was immense, owing to the fact that timber had to be brought from nine to fifteen miles and boards hewn out and sawed by hand. The Indians were very friendly, and much pleased over the prospect of a church and school, but quite unwilling to help. It was considered a disgrace for men to work.
Meanwhile the spiritual work of the mission was by no means neglected. Notwithstanding the great labor of establishing the station, Dr. Whitman was very active in dispensing medicines, heal-
ing the sick, and endeavoring in every way to win the Indians to Christ. To improve their material condition, he taught them to cultivate their lands and occupy them permanently, and Mrs. Whitman opened a school for the children, in which she soon had not less than fifty scholars. The books used in this school were printed on a press which came from the Hawaiian Islands. It was presented to the Oregon mission by Hiram Bingham's church at Honolulu, and was the first press ever operated west of the Rocky Mountains.
Life in the Oregon mission in the early days was at best by no means easy. Added to the primitive style in which they lived, cut off from the luxuries and comforts of civilized life, was the isolation and loneliness that was hard to bear. A party of additional helpers arrived in 1838, and there were now three stations instead of two, but they were far apart and travel slow and difficult. Letters from home came bnt once or twice a year, and frequently reached their destination long months after they were written.
There was, too, much that was discouraging in connection with the work. A good measure of success had been granted them, but the roving disposition of the Indians made it difficult to accomplish permanent results, and since the advent of a number of Jesuit priests, imported by the Hudson Bay Company. some of them had begun to manifest a spirit of hostility. Added to this, was a lack of harmony among the missionaries themselves in regard to the management of the mission, which began to be apparent in 1840, and continued until the annual meetin?; in May, 1842, when, after a frank and full discussion, all differe>nces were laid aside, and perfect harmony was restored.
But it was too late. In February, 1842, the American Board, to whom the causes of friction had been fully reported, decided upon heroic treatment, and already a letter was on its way from Boston, recalling the Spauldings, and authorizing Dr. Whitman to dispose of the mission property at Waiilatpu and Lapwai, and join the northern station at Tshimakain. The latter action was due to the reported hostility of the Indians and the encroachments of the Jesuits, which the Board feared might imperil the safety and success of its work.
4. Whitman's Ride Crossing the mountains with the Bible in one hand and the flag in the other, Marcus Whitman deserves the name of Christian patriot as well as Christian missionary. Ever mindful of his country's interests in the great Northwest, his services to her have rarely been surpassed. To him behongs the honor of opening a wagon road across the Rockies and adding three stars to the American flag.
The ownership of Oregon had long been a matter of dispute. The rights of the united States were based on the discovery of the Colum-
THE TRUE STORY OF MARCUS WHITMAN -649
bia by Gray in 1792, the first exploration of the river from source to mouth by Lewis and Olark in 1805, and the planting of the first settlement at Astoria by John Jacob Astor in 1811. Strong as was this threefold claim, England contested it, and England in Oregon practically meant the Hudson Bay Oompany, that great money-making corporation, whose policy it was to restrain civilization and keep the territory a wilderness for the production of furs.
In 1818 the matter was temporarily settled by a treaty providing for joint occupancy for a limited time, but it was tacitly understood that the final result would be determined by emigration. Strange to say, the government at Washington was not fully awake to the im- By courtesy of the Laditr Home Jovrnal WHITMAN'S ROUTS TO AND FROM WASHINGTON portance of the situation. Regarding it as a wild and unproductive region, and the Rocky Mountains as an impassable barrier, they questioned whether Oregon was worth saving.
Fortunately, however, the United States had in the territory a true and loyal son who loved her well and was quietly watching the trend of political affairs. As the years wcnt hy, Dr. Whitman saw that the Hudson Bay Oompany was strengthening its own position by bringing small bands of emigrants across the mountains from the Red River country, and weakening the influence of the American missionaries by importing Jesuit priests from Oanada to satisfy the red man's growing desire for white man's religion, without civilizing him and unfitting him for gathering fur. It was clearly the purpose of the company to secure a majority of the voters,establish a provincial government under the protection of England, and hold the country for themselves. Unless vigorous measures were taken, Oregon would
be lost not only to the United States, but to the Protestant faith as well.
In September, 1842, Dr. Whitman learned from A. L. Lovejoy, who came with a party of emigrants from the East, that a new treaty, settling boundary disputes between England and the United States, would probably be signed before Congress adjourned in March, 1843. Thoroughly aroused, he conceived the idea of going to Washington at once to push the claims of Oregon, and bring back emigrants enough to give the United States a majority of voters. It was, too, part of his purpose to go to Boston, where he hoped, by placing the afiail's of the mission properly before the Board, to secure the rescinding of the order recalling the Spallidings and discontinuing the stations at Waiilatpu and Lapwai.
It was a daring plan, for the journey, difficult at any time, was well-nigh impossible in winter. He was, too, risking much, in view of the fact that no missionary was allowed to leave his post without permission, save in cases of emergency, and then only with the written permission of his associates. Nevertheless he decided to go, and on September 26th, at his request, the missionaries met at his station. So hazardous was the undertaking, and so foreign to the ordinary work of a missionary, that at first they refused their consent, telling him plainly that he would better attend to his duties as a missionary and let politics alone. To this he made answer: "I was a man before I was a missionary, and when I became a missionary I did not expatriate myself. I shall go if I have to sever my connection with the American Board." That settled it. Rather than lose so beloved and valuable a worker, they reluctantly gave him permission to go.
On the morning of October 3d, less than a week later, with no companion save his guide and Mr. Lovejoy, who had agreed to accompany him, this ardent patriot bade farewell to home and friends and the wife he loved so well, and started on the long journey across the mountains to Washington. As he mounted his Cayuse pony and rode aW2-Y, his last words were: "My life is of but little worth if I can save thi~ country to the American people."
Less like fact than fiction reads the story of this famous ride. Oovering a period of five long months and a distance of full four thousand miles, it surpasses in heroism that of Sheridan or Paul Revere. In eleven days Fort Hall was reached, and the first four hund'red miles successfully completed. Here ihey learned that the Sioux and Pawnees were at war, and it would be death to pass through their country. Unwilling to turn back, Dr. Whitman decided to take the old Spanish trail through Santa Fe, a change of route that added hundreds of miles to the journey. Forts Uintah and Uncompahgre were reached in safety, but on the way to Fort Taos a terrific storm was encountered that for ten days kept them prisoners in a rocky
THE TRUE STORY OF MAROUS WHITMAN
gorge. While attempting to press on again, another terrific storm overtook them, and they completely lost their way. Death seemed inevitable, and Dr. Whitman, intrepid hero tho he was, gave up in despair. Dismounting, he knelt in the snow, and commended himself and his companions, his precious wife and his beloved Oregon to God. But not yct was Whitman's life to eud. Guided by instinct only, one of the mules led the party through the snow-drifts into the camp of the morning before, and they were saved.
Perhaps the most daring exploit of the entire journey was the crossing of thc Grand River. Frozen on either side for about one- third of the way across, and with a swift and dangerous current in the center, the guide declared it impassable; but Dr. Whitman, nothing daunted, plunged into the icy stream. Both horse and rider disappeared at once, but soon rose again, and with heroic effort reached the farther shore. Then the others took the icy plunge, and soon all were gathered around a blazing fire drying their dripping garments and warming their benumbed and freezing limbs.
Arriving in St. Louis, clad in buffalo overcoat and head hood, buckskin breeches, fur leggings, and boot moccasins, and with hands, face, and feet badly frost-bitten, Marcus Whitman created a sensation. Old trappers and mountaineers who knew the trail could scarce be persuaded that he had indeed come through in mid-winter from l<'ort Hall and the Columbia. In answer to his eager questions about Congress and the treaty, he learned that it had been signed on August 9th, almost two months before he began his memorable ride. But it dealt only with boundaries east of the mountains, and left the Oregon question still unsettled. Exchanging saddle for stage, he pushed on without delay, arriving in Washington early in March.
Just what transpired there is not definitely known, but certain it is that in interviews with President Tyler and other statesmen he impressed upon them the value of Oregon and its importance to the United States, and declared that the Rocky Mountains were not an impassable barrier, since he himself had crossed them foul' times, had taken a wagon through in 1836, and intended to return with a large party of emigrants in the early spring.
Having received assurance that if he established a wagon road through to the Columbia and succeeded with his emigration, the president would use his influence for Oregon, Whitman pushed on to Boston, where he succeeded beyond all expectations. 'fhe Board granted all he asked, tho it is said that at first their reception of him was far from cordial. A missionary who had left his post without their sanction could scarce expect a hearty welcome.
After flying visits to his old home and his wife's relations, Marcus Whitman again turned his face westward. Already there was gathering along the frontier a goodly number of pioneers ready to
start for Oregon. Glowing accounts of the coulltry sent East by the missionaries and other settlers, had turned the thoughts of many westward, and it had been widely advertised that Whitman himself would pilot a company across the mountains.
In May, '18-13, a caravan was organized, ponsisting of nearly nine hundred persons, about two hundred wagons, and some one thousand five hundred head of cattle. By the first week in June they were well under way. With Whitman to guide them they were able to proceed the entire distance with their wagons, an achievement hitherto deemed impossible. At the end of five months the weary travelers and battered wagons descended into the beautiful valley of the Walla Walla, and the long, hard journey was over. A wagon road had been opened through the Hockies, and Oregon was won! Three years later, • on June 15, 1846, a treaty was signed at Washington, whereby Eng- land relinquished her claim to Oregon, and the dispute of half a cen- tury Was brought to a peaceful close.
5. The Whitman Massacre The closing chapter of this heroic story is one of the saddest in American history. Beginning in romance, it ends in tragedy. For eight days from November 29 to December 6, 1847, there was a reign of terror at Waiilatpu, and the newly acquired territory of Oregon was baptized in its hero's blood.
After eleven years of faithful labor, Dr. and Mrs. Whitman were called to join the noble army of m'artyrs above, falling by the hands of the Indians, to whom they had devoted their noble and heroic lives. At the time there were in all seventy-two persons at the station. Of these fourteen were cruelly murdered, and nearly fifty, most of them women and children, taken prisoners. A few only escaped to tell the story of what had taken place. The d.etails of the massacre are much too terrible to tell. Suffice it to say that Dr. Whitman was the first to fall, a tomahawk doing the deadly work, and that a few hours later Mrs. Whitman received the fatal shots that cost her life.
Together in one great grave the bodies of the little band of mar~yrs were laid away to rest, there in the beautiful valley of the Walla WalIa to await the resurrection dawn. For many years the spot was unmarked by monument of any kind, but in October, 1897, the remains of the martyrs were disinterred and placed in a large metallic casket. In January, 1898, a vault having been made ready, the casket was lowered into it with'appropria.te services. On the top was placed a great slab of marble engraved with the names of those interred beneath. On the summit of a small hill near by the grave a monument of granite was erected, a tall and graceful shaft that can be seen for miles in all directions.
But nobler and more enduring than these memorials of stone is
AGGRESSIVE ENTERPRISE IN MISSIONS
the great college that bears the hero-martyr's name, and erected in his honor. Its story forms a romance by itself. In 1859, Father Eells, one of Whitman's missionary associates, came to visit the old site of the station. Standing by the great grave, he registered a solemn vow that he would do something to perpetuate the name of him who slept within. Believing that his old friend would prefer a Ohristian school to a monument of marble, he obtained a charter and bought from the American Board the farm of six hundred and forty acres on which Whitman had labored for eleven years. Seven years later, with money earned by Father Eells' plow and Mother Eells' churn, the first little building was erected and the school opened. Year by year it grew and prospered until now it has become one of the leading educational institutions of the great Northwest.
The centennial of Whitman's birth, which occurs on September 4th, of the present year, will be fittingly commemorated by the people of Walla Walla and by the students of Whitman Oollege. Would it not be well for the Ohristian Ohurch to join them in this, perpetuating the name of the hero-martyr of Oregon by telling the true story of his life and work on the Sunday nearest the anniversary of his birth?
AGGRESSIVE ENTERPRISE IN MISSIONS LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF CECIL RHODES BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The death of Oecil Rhodes, his short but extraordinary career, and the provisions of his remarkable will, with its unique legacy, suggest some important lessons in the art of giving and of successful achievement. This man, not yet a half century old, was one of the leading factors in the making of the new Africa. Perhaps beyond any other one man, he had his hand on the helm of public affairs. Even during decline of health, and with death slowly advancing' toward the citadel of life, he was still master of political and commercial history.
It was a singular path by which he rose to his final position. When pulmonary weakness early exiled him from home, he had the pluck to take a yearly journey from South Africa to Oxford, tm he won his bachelor's degree, meanwhile engaging in mining, getting both property and prominence, and becoming the guiding genius of the Kimberly diamond industry. He was studying political problems, and particularly the race problem, which seems destined to find in the Dark Oontinent its great field of conflict and, we hope, adjustment. lIe watched the Boers and the Kaffirs, the English and the African, until he thought he knew how, only, the solution to the difficulties of South African civilization could be solved. He organized gold-mining corporations, on the one hand, and wielded the influence of a
prime minister in the provincial parliament, on the other, while in a crisis he could act the part of a general-in-chief and organize the Jamieson raid, which might easily have proved a revolution, had Providence permitted.
There are widely different opinions of this man. Some hold him responsible for this disastrous war which has sacrificed two republics and tens of thousands of lives as well as millions of gold, and such see a poetic retribution ill his death at this time, as tho himself only the latest victim of the war he had provoked, dying a disappointed man, and looking from his deathbed over the wide field of carnage and des- " olation, when as yet the Dove of Peace had not settled. Others pronounce him a great man, a statesman by instinct, a philosopher by habit, who saw deeply into the mystery of Africa's political redemption and sacrificed himself to work out a better future for the Orange Free State and the Transvaal.
One thing is indisputable, namely, that Cecil Rhodes was a man of persistent and aggressi"l'e action and enterprise. And in this he is worthy of emulation in the highest sphere of the Master's business. One can not but wish that this man of culture and of insight, of fertile resources and persevering purpose, of great capacity to organize and to administer, of large wealth and singleness of aim, might have turned this energy and activity to the cause of Christian missions, or at least prompt other men to do as much for the Kingdom of Christ as he did for the Kingdom of Britain.
Cecil Rhodes was a man of his times, and he lived for his times. He believed heartily that if the golden age of history has not now come, it is at least easily within reach. He believed that what are called, somewhat vaguely. the Anglo-Saxon peoples hold the scepter that is to sway the race. He watched the rapid growth and march of the English-speaking peoples toward numerical supremacy and the higher supremacy of wealth, intelligence, virtue, and freedom. He conceived that to unite the two great English-speaking nations in a sort of federation or alliance, in which the Empire of Britain and the Republic of the West should mutually befriend, protect, and encourage each other, would be to defy the world; and not only so, but, better still, to reform and remodel the world. He wanted to see these two made one and the new unit command the situation, as a unit in mathematics leads the ciphers and makes them swell its value.
Hence the remarkable legacy, whereby he would provide for the best British, German, and American college boys scholarships at the great English university center for three years, at fifteen hundred dollars a year; the selection to be guided by four standards: brain fiber, manly qualities, fitness for leadership, and athletic proficiency. It is easy to read and interpret snch a legacy by the life of the legator. The great university was, in his mind, only a place of concourse, where
select men from Britain's provinces and Germany's schools and the United States' educational centers might meet, become acquainted and assimilated, and then go forth to work in different parts of the world as leaders of men, helping to compact them into this ideal political federation.
With the sQhemes of Oecil Rhodes we are not now concerned. But we admire the way in which he believed a thing to be desirable and possible, and then Lent every energy and made every sacrifice to achieve it. Our Lord has told us that" the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light"; but He never said it ought so to be. It is time the disciple of Christ learned a little singleness of aim and persistency of effort from the world's devotees and Mammon's worshipers. Why should not Christian men and women value the times in which they live, and put a proper value upon present opportunity? Why should we who call ourselves Ohrist's disciples be so short-sighted as not to see that the open door of the ages is before us? In Protestant Germany, in Britain and her outlying provinces, and in these United States, are gathered millions of believers. They easily command together the wealth, the intelligence, the virtue, the social and political supremacy of the world. United they can, in the best sense, dictate terms to the rest of the race. Any enterprise of a philanthropic or benevolent character in which they joined would be successful. Any national or social evil which they in common condemned and forbade would lose prestige and popularity, and probably be shamed at least out of publicity. Let such nations ~s these combine to send the Gospel round the world, and a generation would not corne and go before every human soul had heard the Gospel.
What if young men were sent forth, our picked men, not simply to study at collegiate centers, where often the atmosphere is fatal to faith and full of naturalism and rationalism, but to missionary trainingschools, where the atmosphere of prayer, the study of the needs of the world, and the power of the Gospel of Christ to meet it, are the grand helps to service ? We should never get our eyes off the Master and on mere methods, nor forget that the aggressive force in all true missions is found neither in wealth nor numbers nor culture, but in the Holy Spirit's consecrating power. We reverently acknowledge that our hope for a world's evangelization is not in the gifts of a wealthy few but the prayer and offerings of the many. But we can not look at a career like that of Cecil Rhodes' without a growing wonder that the Kingdom of God draws so few to it in zeal for its coming, that the spiritual needs of men do not make a far mightier appeal, that the enterprises which run their track into the territory of Eternity do not more powerfully enlist aggressive Christians, that men are not ready to do and dare more for God.
Mr. Rhodes' dying words-" So much to do, so little done "-sound
like a wail of disappointment and defeat. Yet how we stand and look on a world still unreclaimed-still practically unclaimed-for God, with so mush to do and so little done, and with life, not death, before us, seem content to leave it undone! The London Ohronicle well says: "Yon are set on filling the world with the knowledge of the Gos- pel; my r.uling purpose is the extension of the British Empire." So Cecil Rhodes is reported to have summed up the difference between General Booth and himself. The saying is characteristic not only of the man but of the present honr. Why is it that the Kingdom of God and its expansion call forth so little enthusiasm and self-sacrifice, as measured by Christian liberality, compared with its demands, so direct and clear to the simplest mind? Because Christians do not believe in the Divine Kingdom among men as the supreme ideal of the Sovereign of this world, the King of earth's races, as Rhodes believed in the British Empire as a prime factor in the earthly wellbeing of humanity.
For nearly thirty years this leader of men has been gradually but rapidly rising to his throne of influence. From the time when he had his vision of world empire for the Anglo-Saxon race he has bent every energy to realize his dream. He sought university culture to help him to intellectual leadership, for he felt that learning and mental vigor naturally sway ignorance and mental weakness. He sought wealth because he found in money a tremendous lever of practical ,power, a mighty weapon in the war for commercial supremacy. He identified himself with industry because it is the ally of intelligence and virtue as indolence is of ignorance and vice. He preferred peace to war, but he was ready for sword and rifle when they could help to the subduing of hostile elements that opposed progress. Cecil Rhodes early set his mind on a certain goal and never ceased to advance toward it. And when he died his eye was still upon it, and his money was made to act as his successor in carrying out his plans.
If such singleness of aim is not to be commended we greatly misapprehend. We believe that it is just such concentration that is needed in the Kingdom of God. We have a scheme, not of man's devising, but radiant with the wisdom and love of the Eternal God. It is bound to succeed because He is behind it, with His promise, "Lo! I am with you alway." We have His Gospel to proclaim, and His spirit to empower us and enforce our message. We have eighteen hundred years of experimental history, during which the Gospel has proved itself the wisdom of God to enlighten and the power of God to emancipate. 'l'he goal is nothing short of Eternal Salvation, or, as Adolph Harnack says, "Eternal Life lived in the midst of Time, in the strength of God and before His eyes." Here is something worth doing and daring all things for, and it brings us into active cooperation with the One Universal Actor and Worker. It contemplates a
"TAIKYO nENDO" A YEAR AFTER
federation of all believers in a celestial fellowship, for the grandest work ever committed to the sons of men. For the sake of its accomplishment, the Son of God sacrificed the wealth of His imperial glory and gave His life. Let us look at the career of this South African millionaire, and be shamed out of our apathy and lethargy and halfheartedness into the zeal for God that moved Elijah when he ran before the swift steeds of King Ahab and came first to the gates of Jezreel, as tho to show us that when the believer is impelled by the spirit he can more than compete with the enterprise of the world.
"TAIKYO DENDO" A YEAR AFTER BY REV. THEODORE M. McNAIR, D.D., TOKYO, JAPAN Missionary of the American Presbyterian Church (North) The first year of the Taikyo Dendo, or Forward Movement in Japan, has appropriately terminated with a general meeting of the Evangelical Alliance, held from the 11 th to the 14th of April. The meeting was memorable, partly because of its connection with this experience of blessing, which the words " Taikyo Dendo" stand for, and which is now a matter of history and of world-wide Ohristian encouragement, and partly because of its significance from the point of view of Trinitarian belief. '1'he churches and Christian workers of Japan represented in the Alliance, the same that have wrought toget~er during the past months regardless of denominational differ- (lUoes, united overwhelmingly in a confession of faith in Ohrist as God and in the B~ble as the only perfect standard of belief and conduct.
That such a confession should have been thought necessary will not seem strange to those familiar with the controversy that has been carried on of late in Japanese religious circles, and with the fact that avowed Unitarians have been connected with even the Forward Movemert itself, albeit to only a limited extent. The existence of such an anqmaly could not fail to provoke criticism and make a clear statement on the subject of the Alliance a prerequisite to the continued support of the movement by the great majority of Japanese Ohristians and, of course, by the missionaries. One was reminded of the struggles of the early Church when the creeds were in process of formation, and something of a wrench was required to get back into the present after hearing Ohrist set forth as only a sort of demiurge.
The discussion took place on the second day of the Conference, when it was proposed to add to the constitution a definition of jukuin slwgi, or evangelical principles, which should limit membership strictly to Trinitarians. As the constitution now stands, "The object of the Alliance is to increase the concord between the various evan-
gelical churches, to plan for cooperative work, and to manifest in society the mind of Christ." This is the only platform of belief. The rules required a two-thirds majority for amendment, and the motion was lost; but the number fell short by only two in a total of one hundred and twenty-four voting. So large a minority was disappointing, but it by no means represented the strength of the Unitarian element. Some whose orthodoxy is beyond question voted in the negative, because they felt that definitions were unnecessary, that a "peace and work" policy would win in the end without the aid of definition. Others equally orthodox wished to make the Alliance again what it was before the spring of 1900, when th3 Taikyo Dendo plans were formulated. '1'ill then it had serveu chiefly as a means of promoting Christian fellowship, and not as an agency for evangelistic effort. The moral effect of the Yote, however, taken in connection with the discussion preceding, was a victory for loose views regarding our Loru's nature and claims, and it was felt that a reconsideration in some form was imperative. 'rhe Alliance has become too closely connected with Christian work to be withdrawn from active participation in it now, and a moment of controversy oyer a matter of such fundamental importance was no time for men to appear indefinite who held clear views concerning it. So, later in the day, the question was again raised in the shape of a resolution to exclude from membership any whose interpretation of the word" evangelical" was inconsistent with Trinitarianism as commonly receiveu. This resolution was not at once acted upon, but was laid over for consideration after the rest and worship of the Sabbath should have intervened. Then it carne up for final disposition, not as an amendment to the constitution, but as a declaration to those present that the Bible is accepted as the rule of life and that Christ is worshiped as God; after which the question of constitutional amendment was entrusted to a committee of ten members, seven Japanese and three foreigners, to be reported on at the next meeting of the .lliance, held in 1903. When the vote was taken on this joint proposition, one hunured and eighteen rose in its favor and only six appeared in the negative. There were some who did not vote, bu t the minority was at most hopelessly small.
Thus the matter ended for the time being. When it is taken up again a year hence there will doubtless be other changes proposed touching the organization of the Alliance, with a view to making it more fully representative and more effective for the purposes of evangelization, and these may lead to a federation of the churches of which the Alliance is composed. Already the desire for union is finding expression, the most notable insf;ance of which is an utterance of the Japanese brethren who have haa the general direction of the Forward Movement. 'l'heir words are as follows: Here in Japan we have some fifteen or sixteen leading denominations
JAPAN BRANCH OF THE EVANGELICAL
of Christians. Is it impossible for us to unite on some form of work? Surely not. Believing as we do in one Lord and agreeing in all the essentials of religion, there is no sufficient reason why we should not be one. This may yet be impracticable in the 'Vest, bUL in a country like Japan; where Christianity is still new and the sectarian spirit has not had time to grow, why should it not be possible? The Japan Evangelical Alliance is an organization made up of several churches in sympathy with one another and having a responsibility to promote the spirit of union. It has had a successful history in the past, why should it not in the future? Because we have united with the World's Evangelical Alliance, must we therefore limit ourselves to the same work? In proof that we are able to work along original lines, have we not this last year carried on a successful Forward Movement? Must we not, moreover, continue this movement, the different churches uniting and with faith in God advancing to greater victories? The division into so many sects and deilOminations for the evangelization of Japan can not be the wisest plan. It is certainly far from ideal.
As further illustrating the tendency toward a union of some sort, the Tokyo churches connected with one of the principal denominations, being in joint session a few days previous to the meeting of the Alliance, decided to send to it representatives instructed to press for a satisfactory declaration of faith and for a more compact organization than has hitherto existed, and the ideal lately set up for the federation of American churches was expressly mentioned as one worthy of consideration. At present the personnel of the Alliance comprises delegates, two eaeh from as many evangelical congregations as may choose to appoint them, together with all past'Ol's, evangelists, and missionaries who attend its sessions. While the Alliance just held was fairly representative of the Church as a whole, a fact which shows the significance of the decisions reached by it, there is, nevertheless, in the opinion of many, a need for it to be remodeled before it can take the place in the development of organized Japanese Christianity to which it would seem to be destined.
It is providential that just at this juncture there should have come into operation among the several missions at work in Japan a movement which would effectually supplement federated action on the part of the Japanese Christians. A standing committee on cooperation was organized in January of this year, with a working constitution which all the leading missions except the Episcopal have approved. It is designed to "serve as a general medium of reference, communication, and effort in matters of common interest and in cooperative enterprises, . . . to give counsel with regard to the distribution of forces for evangelistic, educational, and eleemosynary work; with regard also to plans for union or cooperatibn on the part of two or more missions in any of these directions, and in general with a view to the prevention of misunderstandings and the promotion of harmony of spirit and uniformity of method among the cooperating missions."
"TAIKYO DENDO" A YEAR AFTER
Furthermore, a union hymn-book is in preparation and will be published shortly, for the use of all the churches throughout the empire, excepting again the Episcopal. A representative committee has the work in charge, and the wide acceptance of the book when completed is already assured. The Episcopalians have participated in this hymnology movement in so far as one hundred and twenty-five of the more familiar hymns are concerned, helping to harmonize the CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE FORWARD MOVEMENT, 1901 translations and inserting the final result in a book recently issued for Episcopal churches.
Incidental to the allied effort represented by the 'l'aikt/o Dendo and to the spirit of union which the movement has unquestionably augmented, was an earnest proposal made in October by two of th~ Anglican bishops, that all the Christians throughout the empire unitedly pray for the realization of the prayer of our Lord, "that they all may be one." December 8th was set apart by common consent for the especial carrying out of this purpose, and was widely observed. There have been other and similar indications of a harmony of desire to this great end, tho no definite and all-embracing plans for giving effect to it have as yet been proposed.
A union of the six or seven Methodist churches in Japan is in pro- CellS of formation, subject to approval by the boards and churches in America, and if consummated it will resemble the union of Presbyterian and Reformed bodies, which was effected twenty years ago and which has had so prosperous a career. It may well be asked why, under existing circumstances, still larger unions are not possible, and why the Evangelical Alliance may not serve as the medium for their accomplishment, as suggested in the Japanese utterance already quoted. The practical union measures oJ the past year, at any rate, are to be continued, and will add to the evidence that Church coalescence is practicable within limits which cover many of the essentials of Christian belief and practise.
Some Results of the Forward Movement First.-The Church of Christ has been greatly aroused. "The movement has brought a new life to a Church that was beginning to doubt its power to wage aggressive warfare." "The Church has found itself by becoming conscious of the strength inherent in it." "There has been a distinct manifestation of missionary zeal and an advance in the confidence of Christians in the faith of the Gospel and in its power." These are some of the comments that have been made by intelligent observers.
8econd.-'l'here is the impulse toward unity among Christians already referred to. The cavil of a disunited Christianity has been effectually disproved.
Third.-The fact that the message preached was for the most part the simple Gospel, was" evangelical in the best sense of the term," has shown how the hopes of the movement as expressed in its motto, " Our Land for Christ," may be realized; that it is by "bringing the people individually face to face with God, with their sins, with Christ, with the Holy Spirit, and with the imperative demands of a holy and righteous life."
Fourth.-It has gained for Christianity a wider attention in Japan than ever before. "It has awakened thousands from religious indifferentism." The seed-sowing was unprecedented and the harvesting has been correspondingly great.
But how great, who shall say? Very large figures have now and again been given for the "inquirer "class-as many as twenty thousand in one estimate. But, to quote from the report of the Alliance committee, "Even if we cut this down by half, we still have a grand total of ten thousand souls within this one year earnestly pressing their way into the Kingdom of God, often through difficulties which foreigners can hardly appreciate." That some shrinkage should have occurred-twenty, thirty, fifty per cent.-was as natural as when the parable of the sower was spoken. Sad to say, moreover, fictitious
"TAIKYO DENDO " A YEAR AFTER
names and addresses were given ill not a few cases. And then, on the other hand, the churches differed greatly in the zeal and the methods with which they conducted, or failed to conduct, the after-work of the inquiry classes and in house-to-honse visitation. Nevertheless, nearly twelve hundred baptisms were reported as resulting from the move- ment up to the middle of De- cember, and this "does not at all adequately represent the proportion of those who will eventually attain to church membership; as in most cases, longer or shorter periods of pro- bation are required. There are many who are still in course of preparation for this solemn cere- mony of admission into Ohrist's Ohurch."
A review of the Tailcyo Dendo movement would be incomplete withou t a reference to the special work for students carried on during the autumn in connection with the visit of Mr. John R. Mott. Audiences numbering some twelve thou- sand in tlie aggregate were JAPANESE REVIVAL POSTER reached in the eight or ten cities where students chiefly gather, The original is large and is printed In many colors. and over fifteen hundred stu- The inscriptions consist of Scripture verses and announcements of th e meetin gs dents' names were added to the rolls of inquirers. Mr. Mott was instrumental, moreover, in carrying the Gospel message by public proclamation into such hitherto forbidden territory as the Imperial University. The addresses helped much toward the removal of a misconception common in Japanese equcational circles, that "Oh~is tianity is losing its hold upon the intelligent and educated classes in the West." 'l'his getting hold of the youth of the land, not only in the meetings held by Mr. Mott, but generally throughout the move- ment, is a feature on which it is natural to place large emphasis, for herein lies the hope of the future; bu t by no means the least of the benefits derived, and one that the meeting of the Evangelical Alliance has helped to demonstrate, is the deepening of the spiritual life of many, who have thus been brought face to face with the living Ohrist.
The churches, while not yet greatly the gainers in point of numbers, are nevertheless many of them on a distinctly higher plane spiritually than they were a year ago.
THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN KOREA* BY REV. HORACE G. UNDERWOOD, D.D., SEOUL, KOREA Missionary of the Presbyterian Church (North), 1885- The most important branch of the work that the Church has in hand is the winning of the world to Ohrist.
We all believe most sincerely in ltuu" " uugnty power, but a few misconceptions as to His use of that power have been removed of late years, and we all now agree that man has his full share in the work of giving to the world a knowledge of salvation. In recent years, moreover, we have begun more and more to realize that in religious affairs as well as in our every-day business, practical common sense must be used, plain business methods must be employed.
This, however, has not always been the case. In the starting of the mission to Korea, the work that the Ohurch undertook was the evangelization of the Hermit Nation. In plain language, we were to go to that country to revolutionize her methods of thought, her ideas of propriety, her ethics, her method 'of living within herself as well as her relations with sister nations; in otter words, to turn the land upside down. And to accomplish this gI'eat work, to bring about this far-reaching result, the Presbyterian Ohurch sent two doctors and a green seminary student-and for five years left them there without any reinforcements.
It is true that God can and does-as in this case He has-overrule our mistakes, but we have every reason to believe that where we put into our work all the practical, clear-sighted wisdom that men can use in their every-day life, still greater results will follow. More and more of late years has our Ohurch been realizing this, and is seeking to get its successful business men to assist in the guidance of its affairs. Every business house studies its markets, the goods demanded, and the signs of the times. This, too, should we as Ohristians do in our work for Ohrist, and I shall endeavor to show you that in view of certain conditions prevailing the business common sense of the Ohurch demands the immediate and, at least in some small way, the adequate reinforcement of the Korean Mission.
First.-Notice the open doors in Korea. The adherence to the old faiths is almost a thing of the past. Oonfucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have no longer a hold upon the people, and the bulk of the Koreans are beginning to believe that a little medicine properly applied in a case of typhoid fever will do more good than the pounding of tambourines or the burning of paper prayers to paper gods.
The old intense hatred of the outside world, which enacted laws making it death to any foreigner found in her coasts, death to any Korean harboring a foreigner, and which has led them to devastate • An address delivered before the General Assembly, Carnegie Hall, New York, May, 1902.
THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN KOREA
their coasts and keep the foreigner out, has been swept away by a power Divine, and has given place to a popular feeling that gives a kindly welcome to the American Protestant missionary in almost every village and home in the land.
The success of the American surgeon opened the door to Korea's officialdom, and this door has been kept open even up to the present time, so that the American missionaries are welcome guests in a large number of the homes of Korean officials.
Realizing that something ought to be done for this class, a year and a half ago I sent out invitations asking a large number of these men to meet in my house, that we might talk together about things concerning their souls' salvation. I hardly expected that many would accept; but on that Sunday afternoon, and for several Sundays following, my parlor and study were filled to overflowing with members of the cabinet, princes of royal blood, and some of the highest nobles in th.e land, who came and sat down and quietly talked over the truth in Christ, showing by their earnest attention and eager, intelligent questions the sincere and deep interest they felt.
The entree to the palace has been ours. Most graciously have your missionaries been received. High honors and royal favors have been bestowed upon more than one, but we have not been able to utilize all these open doors.
With such opportunities before us, with the lower classes looking up to the missionary as a leader, with the middle classes seeking him as a teacher and guide, with the officials receiving him as a friend, and with the emperor himself trusting and honoring him, does not the mere business common sense of the Presbyterian Church demand that we give immediate and adequate reinforcement to the missions in Korea?
Second.-The investment thus far made in Korea has yielded such an unparalleled percentage of interest that it)s well worth a few moments' consideration. The success that has attended the work thus far has been greatly in excess of what might naturally have been expected from the effort put forth. In China they had to wait a score of years before they baptized their first convert, almost a century before they had enough members with which to organize a church. In Japan they waited six years before they baptized their first convert, twelve years before they could gather nine converted men with which to organize a church. In Korea the first Protestant missionary, a physician, arrived in the fall of 1884, the first minister (myself) in the spring of 1885, and yet we were permitted to baptize our fil'st convert on July 11th, 1886, and to organize our first church in Korea, a Presbyterian church, in September, 1887, with almost a score of members.
When I was in America ten years ago I was able to report that
there were a little over one hundred baptized communicants in the land. It is indeed a marvelous record, and to God only must be given all the glory.
Marvelous indeed as was the record of the first seven years, it was as nothing compared to that of the ten years since passed, so that to-day we are able to report between 5,000 and 6,000 baptized com municants, between 3,000 and 4,000 of the catechumen class, and the still larger class who call themselves Christians, but who as yet the missionary has not deemed quite ready to receive even as catechumens, showing that there are in Korea to-day over 20,000 men and women who have given up all their heathen practise and are to-day striving to worship the same God, whose we are and whom we serve.
With such an unparalleled success for the efforts thus far put forth, with the belief that these numbers might have been almost dou bled had the field been more fully manned, with the strong conviction that the field is more ready for the harvest to-day than it was ten years ago, the business common sense of the Presbyterian Church demands large and immediate reinforcements for the missions in Korea.
Third.-Not only the size but the quality of the harvest must be taken into consideration, and I desire to call your attention to three distinctive characteristics of the Korean Church: (1) Its activity; (2) its generosity; (3) its prayerfulness.
First, its activity. The marvelous degree of apostolic activity that has been exhibited by the Korean Church is due in part, we believe, to two rules that have been instituted: first, as to church membership, it is the rule of almost every missionary in Korea. that every applicant for membership in the church must have done some little active work for Christ before he can be received as a full member into the church. In addition to this is a sec:ond rule-that in regard to helpers. While the mission provides a missionary, who may have from twenty-five to thirty churches under his care, one, or sometimes, perhaps, two helpers who are to be to him eyes, ears, hands and feet, almost all the remaining native assistants are provided by the native churches. It is a rule in Korea that the native church must pay for its own native helpers and pastors, and at no distant date its own native teachers in the secular schools.
The Presbyterians having the larger force of workers, have also the larger proportion of converts. These under our denomination are divided into about three hundred churches, which, with only one, or at most two exceptions, are entirely self-supporting. By self-supporting I mean they are building their own churches, supporting their own evangelists, building their own schools, supporting their own school-teachers, and paying all the running expenses of their schools and churches. Illustrations without number might be given of the
natives that have been building their churches, but of these you have constantly heard.
As to their generosity, the very fact that they are so liberal in the building of their churches will speak well for this. But they are not only liberal to themselves; in addition to this, they are most liberal to outsiders-as perhaps you have often heard, they gave largely to famine-stricken India.
In regard to their being a praying Church, I wish that I had the time and space to give examples that would show how they are able to lay hold almost 'upon the very throne of God and get from Him the blessing. They have the power of waiting upon God for an answer, praying at times all night long until the answer comes; then when God gives the assurance of an answer, they, with confidence, simply proceed to wait for Him to make that assurance good, knowing that He will do it. I wish you could hear them as they speak of God. They do not use the term "God" very much, they do not use the term" Heavenly Father ." very much; it is generally simply" Father." A man may be in trouble, and if you should ask him what he did he will tell you that he told" Father" about it. From one of the interior villages persecution had broken out, and the leader of the little group who had suffered hardest, whose only child, a lovely little girl, had died from exposure at that time, "as in my study telling me about it, tears streaming clown his face, and I turned to him and said, " Brother, what did yon do?" I wish you coulcl have seen the smile that broke through that tear-stained face as he repliecl, "I told Father about it, and it will be all right, yon know."
With harvests of such a quality as this, with a Christianity of such a type, with the field all ripe and only waiting to be garnered, the business, sanctified, common sense of the Presbyterian Church demands the immediate reinforcement of the reapers in Korea.
Ji'ourfh.-The imminent risk of a loss of the harvest through lack of reaping in season must also be considered. Looking toward the north, we see where the mighty Empire of Russia joins Korea as its most northern border, and a very superficial study of the politics or the East proves most conclusively that Russia has had, and still has, her eye upon Korea. The history of the world also proves that wheresoever Russia ever proposes to go, there in time she is found; and with this knowledge in mind, we may feel almost assured that despite Japan's opposition and the slight delay that may be caused by the Anglo-Jap alliance, in the end Russia will have Korea. How long will be the delay before this is consummated, how soon our opportunities will be lost we can not say; but with such an open door before us, and with the signs of the times pointing as clearly to the fact that the closing of that door is imminent, the sanctified business common sense of the Presbyterian Church, all the consecration that
we have, all our love for the Master, unite in demanding the immediate and adequate reinforcement of the missionary force in Korea.
Do not imagine that I am offering this as the main reason for the carrying on of mission work. I am simply urging that, as we go forward in our endeavors to obey our Lord and Master's last command, to carry out His wishes, to win the world for Christ-in our efforts to hasten the day when, as a Church, we shall be enabled to place the crown, as King of Nations, upon the Savior's brow, we use all the common sense with which God has endowed us.
Finally.-In connection with the work in Korea, I would call your attention to the fact that the force at present there is absolutely inadequate to the crying needs.
A glance at the map of Korea will show that up to the present time the bulk of the work has been done north of a line drawn from east to west a little below the capital. It seems almost at a glance as tho God had drawn a geographical spiritual line, and has poured out His Spirit in the north and has withheld it from the south. This has not been the fact; but the mission in Korea began its work in the north, and has since been so hampered by lack of members that it has been forced to continually withdraw men from the south and send them to the north.
I verily believe that if the force asked for ten years ago had been granted, and had the Presbyterian Church reinforced the missions as they were requested to at that time, a work equally great would be seen to-day in the south.
In addition to this inability of the mission to properly man the south, we find that the force that has been given for the north is altogether inadequate to meet the demands of even that one section.
Every missionary in Korea will tell you that the only thing which has hindered the progress of the work in his section has been the inability of the missionary himself to physically keep up with the work. All over the land cries are coming for workers. Groups of the villagers ask to be organized into classes for instruction as catechumens, and the missionaries hardly dare to organize them because they have not yet been able to instruct the classes or organize. Dr. Brown, in his admirable report on missions in Korea, says that to meet the present emergency the force in Korea onght to be quadrupled; that would mean one hundred and twenty-five new men to be sent out at once. I do not ask for the whole one hundred and twenty-five, but I do ask that in some little way the adequate reinforcements be supplied. The Board is proposing to send out this year one additional worker for Korea, and he a physician! I wish I had the power to roll this burden of the souls of Korea upon the shoulders of the Christians at home. All I can do is hope and pray that God's Spirit may roll it upon you, so that the Church may arise as one man in this work and go forward in the Lord's service.
THE STORY OF GUCHENG
THE STORY OF GUCHENG-III THE SOUTH SEA ISLAND PIONEER AMONG THE CANNIBALS OF NEW GUINEA BY THE REV. S. McFARLANE, LL.D., SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND Author of "The Story of the Lifu Mission," " Among the Cannibal" of New Guinea," etc.
In the meantime the mission in the gulf suffered from sickness; different islands in the straits and points on the mainland were tried, but all proved unhealthy-even Darnley was far from free from the fatal fever. This led me to seek high land and healthy localities for mission stations up some of the rivers of which I had heard from the natives-the Baxter, the Fly, Imd the Katan; but thcse perilous voyages led to no practical result. Not only was there no high land for hundreds of miles, but there were no signs of natives beyond about sixty miles from the coast for several hundred miles. Then with Gucheng and several other Loyalty Island teachers, we crossed the gulf" and formed a station at Yule Island, but this also proved unhealthy. At Port Moresby, where Mr. Lawes had settled with the Eastern Polynesian teachers, the little mission cemetery of two years' growth, with its eighteen graves, told a sad tale. With sick and dying teachers around us in both branches of our mission, we determined to try the east end of the New Guinea peninsula, hoping to find there a more favorable climate. Mr. Lawes and I made a prospective voyage, found the natives numerous, speaking· a totally different language, and notorious cannibals-just the place for a mission, if the climate would allow us to live among the people.
I determined to try it, and for this purpose selected six Loyalty Island teachers, who were to leave their wives with mine, at our head station in Torres Straits, while we went to establish the mission. Gucheng accompanied me to assist in this work. Before we started Mr. Chalmers arrived to join our New Guinea mission, with a staff of Rarotongan teachers. Some of these he left with Mr. Lawes, and selected six, with whom he accompanied me to take part in the new mISSIOn. Mr. Chalmers took his wife with him, and the Rarotongan teachers took theirs.
We arranged that he, with the Rarotongans, should take the South Cape district, while I, with the Lifu teachers, took that of East Cape. He selected his headquarters at a small village on Stacey Island, near South Cape. I selected an island in China Straits, as being the most central and healthy-looking place in the East Cape district. We each located our teacners at what we considered the most healthy points, and threw ourselves heartily into the work of clearing and building our central stations.
Gucheng threw himself into this work with his accustomed energy; indeed, all the teachers worked well, and we had no difficulty in get-
ON THE SHoRES OF DINNER ISLAND ting native helpers for very moderate wages. Dinner Island, which is now the government settlement in that district, was regarded by the surrounding tribes as neutral ground. We wcre visited from all parts, and sometimes had over a hundred canoes and catamarans at the place at one time. From the first we were greatly encouraged by the attitude of the natives.. They were, nevertheless, a wild set of carmibals, both troublesome and dangerous, easily excited (but fortunately easily appeased), notorious thieves, and evidently anxious that we should remain among them, probably feeling that it would be more profitable to fleece us than to eat us, seeing that we formed the connecting link between them and the land of hoof-iron and beads and hatchets.
We intended Dinner Island to be to the eastern branch of our mission what Darnley Island was to the western. The former had the great advantage of being only a couple of miles from the mainland. Having built two temporary mission houses, and cleared a large space around them for a plantation of bananas and yams, and made a road across the island, we began the formation of mission stations in the district, on some of the large and populous islands in China Straits, in Milne Bay, and at East Cape. In the meantime Mr. Chalmers was doing similar work at Stacey Island, and forming stations between that place and Oranjorie Bay, he working to the west, I to the east. To our great grief and disappointment both districts proved exceedingly unhealthy, especially the South Cape one. Mrs. Chalmers and
THE STORY OF GUCHENG
four of the teachers died, and Mr. Chalmers returned to Port }1"c_"-,JY to take charge of the Rarotongan teachers in that district. All the stations in the South Cape district were broken up, except the 9ne on Stacey Island, where Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers had lived for a time. In the East Cape district some of our teachers died, and others had to be removed, but having a more healthy retreat at Dinner Island, the Lifu teachers were able to continue work at three of the stations. This retreat was also used by the Rarotongan left in charge at South Cape.
I was reluctantly obliged to give up all hope of finding suitable localities in New, Guinea for South Sea Island teachers. It became evident that New Guinea must be evangelized, if evangelized at all, by New Guineans. The responsibility of bringing South Sea Islanders to a place where half of them died was too great, hence my resolve to establish the "Papuan lnstitute," and train a native agency from among the people themselves.
Our mission naturally divided itself into three districts-western, middle, nnd eastern-ill each of which" there should be a central station, in as healthy a locality as possible, to which both native teachers and missionaries might be taken and nursed when suffering from the fever of the climate. The only suitable place in the western district was Darnley Island, where we commenced the mission-at least, it appeared to me the most suitable, after paying many visits all round; and this we secured from the Queensland govemment, at a nominal rental, for our educational work. The shattered and almost hopeless ELEVALA ISLAND, PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA.
condition of our mission, and an urgent letter from the directors, had led me to take up our residence for a time on the more healthy and adjacent island of Murray, with a view of moving to Dandey later on when the mission was firmly established. At the earnest and repeated request of the directors, I had devoted six years to purely pioneer work, becoming acquainted with the savages, forming new stations, and visiting the teachers. When my colleague, Mr. Chalmers, joined the mission, he took up this work, for which he was better fitted, and to whom it was more congenial. I threw myself into the establishment of an industrial school and Papuan Institute for training native agents and developing the mission in Torres Straits and the adjacent mainland of New Guinea, especially in the great Fly River.
Here again my kind, generous friend, Miss Baxter, of Dundee, came to our help, not only providing a schooner for the mission generally, but also providing buildings for the Papuan Institute, and a hundred pounds a year to meet the expenses. Buildings were soon erected, and in company with my faithful helper, Gucheng, we visited all the mission stations in the western district to obtain boys for our industrial school. At first they were not very willing to leave their homes, but we had no difficulty in obtaining pupils after the first year.
From the three newly formed churches in the district, containing an aggregate of over a hundred members, we got a dozen volunteers for the Papuan Institute, earnest young men who were anxious to become messengers of peace to their savage countrymen-altho I dare say at first they would have preferred going anywhere rather than face their old enemies of the Fly River, yet ultimately the Fly River became the sphere of labor of most of them.
Gucheng did good service in the industrial school, which was a very busy, useful, and popular branch of our work. A building had to be erected, sixty feet by twenty, for a workshop, in which we had carpenters' benches, a blacksmith's forge, a turning-lathe for iron as well as wood, with iron bedstead and slide-rest complete, a circularsaw bench with self-acting gear, and all sorts of tools for the work to be done. The weather-board buildings from Sydney were erected. Two rows of cottages for the students built. Doors and windows were made for the chief or any of his subjects who built lath and plaster r,ottages under our direction, which many did.. Boats and improved canoes were built and repaired, and under the guidance of a boat-builder a little schooner of twenty tons was built, which proved a smart, comfortable, and most useful boat in the mission. Three hours a day were devoted to the industrial school, and three to school work, for five days in the week. During the annual holiday the students spent some of their time in evangelistic work on the mainland of New Guinea, and so for five years we were training our
THE STORY OF GUCHENG
first batch of pioneer teachers for New Guinea from among the people themselves.
At the Great F1)' River And now I come to the last stage of the faithful labors of this devoted, energetic pioneer evangelist of New Guinea, of whom not much is known among the churches of civilized lands, but whose record is in heaven. The last scene of Gucheng's labors was in the great Fly River. We had been preparing for some time for the establishment of a mission on the banks of this great waterway to the interior of New Guinea, to be conducted by young men from the institution, headed by two Lifu teachers, with the means of retreat in case of danger from fever or savages. We had reason to hope that for six or eight months in the year our Lifu teachers might remain. During the fever season the young men from Saibai, being accustomed to the climate, could manage themselves. We selected the healthiest season of the year for establishing this important mission. The students selected and set apart for this work were all earnest, intelligent young men, in whose Ohristian character and devotedness I had great confidence. 1'hey had suitable wives, who had been trained in Mrs. McFarlane's school. They were not only the first native missionaries from among the people themselves, but the first converts of our New Guinea mission. As to these men will ever belong the honor of being the first native teachers trained from among the people, their names should be recorded, as the historian of the London Missionary Society has recorded the names of the eight Lifu and Mare men, who were the first South Sea Islanders appointed as pioneers to New Guinea. Their names were: Gauri, Anu, Gabe, Etage, Papi, and Dema.
The first Sunday in September, 1883, will be a memorable day to many of the members of the Ohurch of Ohrist at Murray Island. In the morning I preached with special reference to the students about to leave the institution for pioneer work in and near the Fly River. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was a very solemn and soulrefreshing season. I spoke earnestly to the young men about to leave us, and in the afternoon-without any formal ordination service-I publicly appointed them to their stations, and asked each to give us some account of his conversion, and reason for wishing to become an evangelist, and how they intended to do their work. They all spoke well, the addresses of Gauri and Gabe being particularly appropriate, and led us to feel that they were entering upon their work in the right spirit. On the following day we left, the whole community turning out to see us off.
Gucheng and Wacene were the two South Sea Island teachers appointed to accompany and help the first band of native workers. Our first point was the Katan River, at the entrance and on each side of which a large village is situated, the villages of Katan and
Tureture, where our first mission stations were formed on the mainland in 1871, and where eight different South Sea Island teachers have tried in vain to carryon the work, owing to the fever of that low land. The last trial made was by my faithful Gucheng, who lost his wife there. ThE probability is that we should have lost many lives if we had not had a sanitarium in Torres Straits within boating distance. Now we are taking men who were accustomed to the climate. Gauri, the first convert in the mission, we placed at Tureture, where he had a warm welcome and did a splendid work. Anu we located at Katan under similar circumstances, and proceeded to the Fly River. Here I determined to begin by following the same plan I adopted at the east end of our mission in China Straits, which proved so successful-viz., to commence on neutral ground right in the midst of heathen villages, as we found that tribes at enmity with each other will meet at the mission station and learn to live peaceably.
After carefully feeling our way among the reefs and shifting sandbanks at the mouth of this great river, we found a fine harbor opposite the town of Kiwai, formed by the Mebu and two other islands, sheltered from all winds and safe at all seasons. 'rhe captain of our EllengoUJan pronounced it the finest harbor in the mission, and we named it "Fort Spicer." I have no doubt that it will become an important depot for traders in the future.
We landed on the evening of our arrival, and had a most enjoyable walk on a fine, level, hard, black sandy beach. We selected a site for the mission house about a mile from the anchorage, on a long stretch of high ground, fertile and well wooded, near a deserted village. It was evident that natives from both sides of the river visited this place, but neither dare remain for fear of the other. Next morning the material for the house was landed, and Gucheng was again in his element. There was music in the forest, but it came from American axes, falling trees, and cross-cut saws, mingled with peals of laughter.
Leaving the captain and crew to assist in erecting the house, I went about fifteen miles to locate Etage and his wife at Bampton, which is situated at the mouth of the Fly River. This is the place where the first martyrs of the New Guinea mission suffered-two Lifu men and their wives. The natives were still considered a thieving, treacherous, savage tribe, delighting in skull-hunting. However, they were friendly and intermarrying with the people of Darnley, and Etage was a Darnley Islander whom they were pleased to receive as their teacher.
When we returned to Mibu, Gucheng and his party were putting the -iron roof on their little house, which stood on posts seven feet from the ground, and under some large trees near the beach. When finished we attached a flag-staff to the end of the roof, on which we
VILLAGE, NEW GUINEA-INLAND FROM BOOTLESS
hoisted our flag, amidst three hearty cheers, not annexing the place to any kingdom but that of our Lord and Master, Ohrist.
We left them the Venture, an old decked boat of four tons, which I bought for £30, and which we almost rebuilt at the industrial school, making her a strong and useful craft, in which I have myself spent a month at a time visiting our stations. This was necessary for becoming acquainted with the tribes on both sides of the river-and as a means of escape, if necessary. I knew that Gucheng was capable both of taking care and making good use of this boat. On the night before we left we had a delightful prayermeeting which lives in my memory. It was a beautiful moonlight night, everything around us looking peaceful and lovely, yet the lights at Kiwai and other villages reminded us of the inhabitants and their awful condition. We thought of the message we were taking, and thanked God for it, for all that it had done for similar tribes, and would do for them. As we sailed away next morning the Venture was lying peacefully at anchor with the dove and olive branch flying at.the masthead, and our new little mission house shining among the trees in the glorious morning sun, with the British ensign floating from the roof. 'The place had already a civilized look, a sign of what was to take place at the heathen villages along the banks of the river.
As we expected, Gucheng and the new teachers lost no time in becoming acquainted with the surrounding villages, especially the town of Kiwai, an important center to which we intended removing our station as soon as practicable. As at Dinner Island, in Ohina Straits, at the east end of our mission, so at Fort Spicer, in the Fly RiYer, at the west, the natives visited our teachers from all parts, being kindly treated, and receiving in return for their sago and yams articles of trade which they highly valued. All came to regard our teachers as men of peace, and the word "misonare" had and has still for them that meaning, being the word shouted by the Ohristians when approaching savage and hostile tribes.
The Ellengowan being delayed on the peninsula and a visit to Oooktown for three months, I was obliged to pay my next visit to the Fly River in an ordinary five-oared whaleboat, in which we left Darnley in the morning and arrived comfortably in the evening at Fort Spicer, finding all well and the work advancing most satisfactorily. Taking the Venture, accompanied by the whaleboat, we visited the wild tribes at Kiwai and Samari, the latter village being near the mouth of the river, where we arranged to form mission stations on my next visit, in the meantime taking a few of the many natives from these villages who were anxious to pay a visit to Darnley and Murray, that they might see for themselves the effects of this " Jesus religion," of which they were hearing so much. This was exactly what We desired, knowing that our guests, when they returned with us, would
THE STORY OF GUCHENG
help to remove any opposition to the establishment of mission stations at their villages. The few weeks spent at our headquarters were days of wonder and astonishment to our visitors. Of course, everybody was kind to them, treating them as "distinguished guests!" By the time the Ellengowan arrived, all our preparations were made for forming the two new mission stationlO at Kiwai and Samari, and foul' of the senior students had volunteered to assist and remain with their friends for a time, knowing the Fly River men and the danger of our enterprise. Our guests, tho pleased with their visit, were anxious to return. "No place like home," even to a Fly River man! As we waved good-by to the crowd on the beach, some confident, others MOURNERS .AT 'FliE HOUSE OF THE DEAD IN NEW GUINEA buoyant, all wishing us Godspeed, we little thought of the kind of reception that awaited us at Fort Spicer. Our first sadness was to see the flag on the little mission house flying at half-mast and our grief to learn that the first South Sea Island pioneer to New Guinea had gone to his reward. Our faithful Gllcheng did not live to see and take part in the establishment of the' stations at Kiwai and Samari, but no man did more to make it possible. His record is a noble one, which might be said of many other Polynesian pioneers in New Guinea. His body lies on a lonely island in the middle of the Fly River, where it was laid by loving hands and sorrowful hearts, but I -l heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, 'Blessed are the dead,'" etc. (Rev. xiv: 13).
RELIGION IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS BY REV. CURTIN G. ROOP, ROCHESTER, N. Y.
Introductory The history and state of religion in the Philippines is so identified with the history and state of the races there found, that an account of the former involves an account of the latter. And in order to be at all definite in this required ethnographical treatment of the islands, we must also point out the general geographical features. The archipelago stretches northwest and southeast, from twenty-one degrees to four degrees forty-five seconds north latitude-that is, from the latitude of the southernmost point of Ouba, one thousand one hundred . miles southward. In extent the archipelago is a little more than equal to our own country from Maine to the Potomac, excluding Pennsylvania. The actual land area is estimated at fifty-two thousand five hundred squar~ miles-not far from that of Florida or Arkansas. The islands are hundreds in number. I shall speak of but two by name. The first is Luzon, most important and northernmost, practically the only part of the group with which the Americans have had to do thus far. From Luzon, islands of greater or less size stretch southward to Mindanao, the second largest in the group. From Mindanao southward extends the subordinate group of the Sulu, belonging to the Philippines and reaching to Borneo. The relation between the history and state of the religions and the ethnography and geography of the archipelago will appear throughout our treatment.
Scanty burial relics are found, indicating a prehistoric pre-Malay race. These relics bear Chinese and Japanese resemblances, and, as compared with the most original surviving tribes of to-day, indicate a more advanced race. Such a race is supposed by some to have occupied a Malay continent of prehistoric times now submerged, and to have been a considerably developed people. No traces, however, indicating the religion of these pre-Malays in the Philippines are found, except that the burial relics are such as show a belief in continuance of a life subject to want of food after death, and indicate such reverence as to suggest worship of the dead; especially is this seen in the fact that these relics seem to have been very sacredly-that is, superstitiously-guarded from ,]isturbance.
Aborig'mal Religion Of the people now surviving, the Aetas, or Negritos, are considered to have been the aborigines of the archipelago. They are a small, black race, in height about four feet ten inches. They are spiritless and cowardly, and of a very low mentality. They climb trees like
RELIGION IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
monkeys, swiftly chase the deer afoot, have voices similar to the voices of monkeys, herd together in fifties and sixties, and, in order to protect themselves from the scourge of fieas, sleep scattered about in ashes. One writer says of them: "Their religion seems to be a kind of cosmolatry and spirit worship. Anything which for the time being, in their imagination, has a supernatural appearance is deified. They have profound respect for their dead." Another writer says of these aboriginal Negritos: "They neither worship sun nor stars, nor bow before permanent idols, but adore for the day any rock or tree trunk in which they trace a resemblance to an animal. They have great respect for the aged and the dead. For years after the decease of one of them they place betel-nuts upon the grave, above which the deceased's bows and arrows are hung." Every night, so they believe, he quits his grave to go a-hunting. They have no funeral ceremony, but simply lay the corpse at full length in the grave and cover it with earth. When one is afflicted by a malady deemed incurable, or has been smitten by a poisoned arrow, they bury him alive. In view of their high regard for the dead, and their reverence for old age, which borders toward that state, it is reasonable to suppose that they consider the fatally wounded to be candidates for the awe-inspiring after-state, and therefore to be dismissed from the midst of the living at once by immediate consignment to the grave. One writer says of their religion, that it seems to be, indeed, a kind of ancestor worship. Summing up, it would seem that these aboriginal Negritos, under the influence of a sort of animism, deified natural objects (trees, stones, etc.), and worshiped them, and that they also accorded their dead such awe and regard as with them was equivalent to worship.
These aborigines are now found only in the interior of the islands among the mountains, whither they were driven by the incoming Malays. They nnmber about twenty thousand (some say only ten thousand), and are destined to entirely disappear.
The Mala)" Period The Malays, at a time unknown, came to these islands, probably from iIalasia. Long before Spain's arrival they had driven the Negritos bac.k, and were themselves occupants of the coasts and considerable territory inland – perhaps most of the territory. What the religion of these people was we of course can only partially gather, as we find it spoken of by the first aItd latter visitors to the islands, and as we find it illustrated in the more or less undomesticated tribes of to-day. Let us go to the north and proceed southward.
The Gaddanes are a fierce tribe in the north of Luzon, whose conquest has never been attempted, of whose habits something is written, but of whose religion I found nothing, save that at the season of the
year when the tree popularly known to the Spanish as the" fire tree" bears its fire-red blossoms-these people celebrate their religious feasts and gather scalps and trophies of war.
Proceeding southward, we next me:p.tion the Igorrotes. They are scattered over a considerable part of Luzon. As to their religion, the most noticeable thing distinguishing them seems to be that they are utterly impervious to Christianity-at least, to Spanish Catholic Christianity. The answer one of them made to a priest who was trying to teach him Christianity, and to explain to him the marvelous life of St. Augustine, was characteristic of the tribe when he said, "No colored man ever became a white man's saint." In the religion that never canonized the colored man the Igorrotes desired no "part nor lot."
The Tinguianes are next in approximately geographical order southward. It is concluded from physical resemblances that this tribe is descended from the shipwrecked Japanese who sought refuge in the mountains. One writer says: "They are pagans, but have no temples. Their gods are hidden in the mountain cavities. They believe in the efficiency of prayer for the supply of their material wants. Hence if there be too great an abundance of rain, or too little of it, or an 'epidemic disease raging, or any calamity affecting the community in general, the anito8 (images) are exhorted." They highly regard their dead. According to one writer, they roast them into a dry state, and bury them (generally beneath their dwelling, in a sort of well) in niches, each person in a niche, above his father. They believe in the existence of a soul, and that it detaches itself at death and remains with the family. They worship neither sun, moon, nor stars. When a chief sees a stone, tree, or any natural object of peculiar shape (as, for instance, the shape of a cow or buffalo), he tells the people of his village, and they go forth to worship it. They may, for instance, make a straw shelter over the object worshiped and sacrifice a pig. After worshiping and feasting, they burn down the straw roof from over the fetish, and they go their way and the object is forgotten. From all that has been said, I conclude that the Tingianes had originally a sort of fetishism and, perhaps, ancestor worship.
Coming on farther south in the Island of Luzon, we arrive among the Tagalogs (Tagalas, Tagals). They are at present inhabitants of Manila and the adjacent territory. They are Malays with a considerable blending of Chinese and Japanese-for it is to be borne in mind that the Chinese and Japanese have been on the islands from time immemorable. The Tagalogs are at present the most advanced people of the islands, and have been Christian for about five hundred years. Consequently their original religion can only be learned from the very earliest accounts we have of the islands and from surmises on
RELIGION IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
their close similarity to surrounding tribes, which stretch back into the interior, and still retain, to some extent, their primeval customs.
Such a tribe are the adjoining Bicols, closely related to the Tagalogs in race and lauguage. Such also are the Bisayans (Visayans), stretching still farther south, who, with the Tagalogs (and Bicols), will probably, on account of superior intelligence, ultimately absorb all the other tribes in the northern half of the archipelago. One writer says of the Bicols that they believed in good and evil spirits, witches, circumcision, divination by the stars. Of the Bisayans we have gathered much more. It is evident that they never had temples, but each man performed his religious ceremony in his hut. Some huts may possibly have been used as clan meeting-places-as it were, temples. They prayed to particular gods called "devatas" (anUos among the Tagalogs), and had one devata to govern the sea and another to watch over the children and house. One writer says that they sacrificed to devata as one who appeared to be in rebellion against the deity. A true interpretation would probably be that they sacrificed to devata as if to deity in hostile stage or anger. Hell was called" solad," heaven " ologan." Souls of the departed go to a mountain in the Province of Otou, called" medias," where they are entertained and served. Alongside of the devatas, to which they sacrificed and prayed, they placed their deceased grandfathers and great-grandfathers. Also they reckoned among the gods all who came to death by the sword, lightning, or crocodile, believing that such went to heaven on a bow. They buried their dead in coffins hewed out, fitting closely, so that there should be no unoccupied space requiring to be filled by the death of additional members of ti,e family. 'l'rinkets were buried along, and a jar of rice and one d water were placed by. If distinguished slaves were killed and buried for attendance in the land of spirits the coffins were placed in a grotto, or beneath the house where the treasures are kept, or on a high rock. The caves where they were buried were not disturbed; they were regarded as the dwelling-places of spirits, which especially manifested themselves by precipitating storms upon sailors who passed by and did not reverence them. Sailors feared to pass by a burial cave, lest they also should be drawn after the dead. The aged chose to be buried on some promontory,. where sailors passing by should worship them. Especially were those who had been distinguished by bravery worshiped. Such were called" httmalagar," which corresponds to the Latin "manes"- namely, deified ghosts of one departed. When a man died all of the village were compelled to keep silence for a time, varying according to the rank of the deceased, sometimes until the relatives had killed a sufficient number of victims to appease the spirit of the dead. Such a. practise would seem to be nothing more nor less than human
sacrifice made to appease a worshiped spirit, the statement of some writers that human sacrifice was never practised in the islands to tho contrary notwithstanding. Some say that these Bisayans had idols, others. doubt whether they had anything corresponding to a permanent image recognized by the whole community. 'fhe alleged idols are described as painted, with large teeth (boars' tusks») large faces, concave, or fiat, back, feet turned up. One writer gives these people's account of the creation as follows: "A vulture, soaring between heaven and earth, was unable to alight (the sea mercilessly rose higher and higher), whereat Heaven in anger came to the vulture's rescue by creating iSlands. The vulture then alighted and split a bamboo, out of which sprang man and woman, who then begat children and drove them forth from home."
De Morga, a Spanish writer and traveler of the last part of the sixteenth century, says of the Bisayans: "In their religion they seeJ:ll to have no notion of the true· God. The devil appeared to them in various horrible and fearful forms, and forms of savage animals, so that they feared and trembled at him and adored him, usually by making figures of those forms, which they sometimes kept in caverns and special houses, where they offered perfumes and sweet smells and food and drink." The" devil" of which De Morga thus speaks of being worshiped was evidently a god or gods, since he speaks of their representations of him by the" anito8," which is the Tagalogs name for images of their gods. "Others," he says, "worshiped the sun and moon, making feasts and getting drunk. Some adored a mountain bird marked with yellow, which they called' batala' (bathala being the Tagals name for God the Creator in contradiction to idols, which are called anito8 and lie-has, or statues). In general they reverence and adored the cayman, a mammoth crocodile of the rivers, falling upon their knees wherever they saw it, and raising their hands to it, under the notion that by this it would be appeased and withdraw." They had no temples; each person made, and for the most part kept, his images, without solemnity or ceremony, in his dwelling. There were no priests, if we except a few old men and women (witches and sorcerers); these performed prayers and ceremonies to their idols for the sick and believed in omens. "To those consulting them they answered a thousand absurdities and lies," says De Morga. He says that they were never cannibals, nor did they offer human sacrifice. We have learned from other writers, however, that at least some families of these people killed human victims to appease their dead relatives. "They had little ceremony or ontward religious institutions, which fact made them the more susceptible to Christian missionaries. They believed in another life, with rewards for those who had been valient and done great deeds, and with punishments for those who had done evil; but they did not know how nor where this would be."
RELIGION IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Their dead they buried in their own houses, and kept the bones, especially venerating the skull.
We have now traced the islands from the north southward, past their middle, to the borders of the Mohammedan rule, in Mindanao and the adjacent islands. Mutual hostility has always existed between the Moslem southern part and the Ohristian northern part of the archipelago. Hence Ohristian travelers have not been able to go through the southern islands so freely, and have not given to the Western world very complete accounts of the peoples in the south. We can only assume, therefore, that~ the primeval religion of the south did not differ materially from the more northern islands already described.
To sum up concerning the pre-Ohristian, pre-Moslem religion of the Philippines, then, we should say that in general it consisted in an amorphous mixture of fetish nature worship, spirit worship, and ancestor worship, and perhaps arose in some instances to the plane of the worship of spirits of more general cosmic control. Here were no temples, and the only approach to priests was a species of sorcerers and witches. Belief in the immortality of the soul seems to have been universal.
The Era of Spanish Occupation.
With four hundred soldiers, Legaspi conquered the Philippines for Spain, 1565-71. The conquest, however, was actually accomplished more by the Augustine missionaries accompanying the expedition than by the military force. The natives being without deep-rooted religion, and the Tagalogs especially being of a tractable disposition, they were easily won by the placid persuasion of the friars and the ceremonial trappings of Spanish Oatholicism. A traveler of the time writes that no town resisted conversion, and there were not priests enough available to baptize and shepherd the converts. The Inquisition, having headquarters in Mexico, kept its commissioners in the Philippines, but never found it necessary to exercise severities against the natives. The first preachers were Augustine friars; following them came the Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, and bare-footed Augustines. For thirty or forty years the religious affairs of the islands were under these orders, after which they were placed under the organized administration of secular clergy subject to an archbishop at Manila.
The converts from the first till now have grasped only the form of Ohristianity, not its substance. They attend church on Sunday; they celebrate religious festivals with music, illuminations, and fairs, exploiting relics and trinkets for sale. Outward observance they exaggerate. For instance, on some of the days of the week preceding Easter not a vehicle is allowed to appear on the streets of Manila., (
They confess; they take sacrament once a year at least; and some, especially women, spend one-half their time between Mariolatry and the confessional. But, withal, in matters relating to the spiritual and ethical substance of Ohristianity they are bnt children. For instance, a milkman was accused by one of his customers with having watered the milk brought; when hard pressed he confessed, but plead that he had diluted it with holy water. Thus he felt guilty in the act, but strangely confused Ohristianity and ethics. So do the people in general fail to absorb the spiritual and ethical essence of Ohristianity.
Moreover, a deep substratum of primeval superstition underlies their conventional Ohristianity. Illustrations of this fact abound. For instance, the Tagalogs, the most advanced tribe, believe to this day in an evil divinity, Tic-Balass, dangerous to the man who does not respect him or carry certain herbs about himself. Every time an Indian passes beneath one of the large fig trees, believed to be the favorite dwelling-place of this divinity, he makes a sign with his hand and says, " Tam:t Po" (By your leave, my Lord). Among them Assuan is another evil divinity still thoroughly and almost if not quite universally believed in. This divinity is believed to affect women unfavorably who are in child labor. At such times the Indian may be seen sitting astride his house, cutting and thrusting in the air, sometimes for hours, to drive away the Assuan. Among the Bicols, Ohristianized neighbors of the Tagalogs, Oalapuitan (Lord~of the Bats) is a much-regarded divinity. Bats being found in caves, the natives fear to enter there, and when they do so are careful to respect Oalapuitan by conforming all their movements and talk to this Lord of the Bats. For instance, they would not mention the torch they happened to be carrying except by the formula, "Lord Oalapuitan's torch." '1.'he farther back into the interior, the more rife, of course, is primeval superstition. But even in the metropolis, Manila, it is only the small minority of Spanish and half-castes that are even relatively free from superstition.
As one goes far back into the interior, Ohristianity shades off into paganism, and some sections will be found where the two are blended. Thus there is not only variety but confusion of religions in the islands. For instance, there is a small sect of pagan natives living on the slopes of the volcano Yriga, some of whom are criminal exiles from the villages, but more of whom have voluntarily withdrawn thither on account of aversion to the labor and conventionality of village life. These people, tho pagans, yet decorate their walls with crucifixes as talismans. They say that if these crucifixes were not of some value the Spaniards would not use so many of them. Similar confusion of paganism and Ohristianity is found among the Oimaronese, a tribe found in the central islands, who live not in villages but independently in the forests. These pagan people have adopted a few Oatholic
RELIGION IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
forms. When, for example, according to their primeval custom, they make an offering of rice at each corner of the field after sowing, they use some Oatholic prayers, which suit them just as well as their old heathen forms. They also occasionally have children baptized. Otherwise they are pagan. Among the 'ringuanes an oath is administered to the head men, in some instances by the Spanish, as follows: "Maya pernicious wind touch me, maya flash of lightning kill me, may the alligator catch me asleep, if I fail to fulfil my duty." Thus paganism is retained, tho Ohristianity be partially accepted. Shall we not say that many of the people, then, are Ohristian-pagan, and that not in transition, but in a fixed state, about as old as Spanish Ohristian occupation?
.confining ourselves to the purest general type of Ohristianity existing in the islands, we find the grossest admixture of superstition. The saints have been largely substituted for the old pagan anito8, or idols. Miraculous images, patron saints, marvelous shrines, etc., abound. The oldest miraculous image is the Holy Ohild of Oebu, reputed to have been found on the shore of the Island of Oebu in 1565. It is said to be an image of the holy child Jesus. It is a wooden image fifteen inches long, with ebon features, and is kept in a strongroom in the Ohurch of the Holy Ohild, on the Island of Oebu. When exposed to view before the populace it has the honors of field-marshal accorded to it. During the annual feast held in its honor, January 20th, pilgrims from the remotest islands and from across the sea come to purify their souls at the shrine of the Holy Ohild. By far the most popular shrine, however, is that of the Virgin of Antipolo, now in the parish church of Al1tipolo, not far from Manila. This image was brought from Mexico by a governor-general of the islands. In the month of May thousands repair to this shrine. It is estimated that there is brought hither by devotees about $30,000 during the season of the pilgrimage. The history?f the public celebrations of this image furnishes an extreme picture of superstition, not to say idolatry. The shrine business in general is quite attractive to enterprising priests, for it is about the most lucrative undertaking in the islands.
Patron saints also figure largely. The patron saint of Manila is St. Francis of Tears. Thereby hangs a tale. An image of St. Francis Asissi, kept in the house of a native near Manila, was seen to weep copiously, so that many cloths were moistened by its tears, while with hands outstretched for three hours it asked God's blessing on Manila. Then, on closing its hands, it grasped a cross and skull so firmly that these appeared to be one. Vows were straightway made to the saint, who was styled protector of the capitol. Thus the crassest superstition in the name of Ohristianity itself universally prevails.
The Christian Church in the islands is administered by the Archbishop of Manila. He is a metropolitan, having authority over the Ladrones, Carolines, and Pelew islands besides the Philippines. The parish priest, however, is the chief factor in administration, both civil and religious. For two hundred years he was about the only tie in sympathetic touch with the people, and begets in them perfect submission to his authority, not to say superstitious reverence for him personally. There are, it has been estimated, about twelve hundred Spanish priests in the islands. Most of them have been educated in Spain, where they generally originate from the lower classes. Besides these there are native priests who hold subordinate positions, and are very jealous of their Spanish superiors. This jealousy and division of feeling among the priesthood prevents consolidation of power in the islands, a thing which Spain has always guarded against.
Abuses in the religious administration are by no means lacking. Here might be mentioned the sale of indulgences for reveime; the dishonest and corrupting exploitation of shrines; the wide-spread licentious immorality of the priests; the suppression of intelligence; exorbitant burial and marriage fees, because of which natives must often beg to secure the burial of their dead-indeed, the dead are sometimes disinterred and thrown upon a bone-heap because of failure of relatives to continue burial annuities. And large numbers of the people live in marriage relations without having their union solemnized by any rite, bccause of inability to pay the exorbitant fee of the priest. Much might be said, much has been written, concerning these abuses, and their sum total is perhaps thc cause, together with oppressive taxation, of the late Philippine rebellion against Spanish rule.
In the southern islands, as has already been said, we find the Mussulmalls in possession. When the Spanish arrived some of thE strongest chiefs here werc already Mussulmans. It is supposed that this religion was originally brought to the islands by Arab missionaries. Simultaneous with the arrival of the Spanish in the north there came from Borneo a chief who afterward combined the Mohammedan powers in the south. About thirty or forty years later the Spaniards from Luzon in the north attempted the conquest of these Moslems in the south. The effort failed, and thus was begun a mutual warfare, largely piratical on the Moslem side, which lasted for two hundred and fifty years, or until the middle of thc present century. Only within twenty-five years has the sovereignty of Spain been acknowledged in these southern islands, and then with the explicit proviso that the Moslems are not to be disturbed in their religion. The attempts of the Jesuits (who flourish mostly toward the south) to convert them to Christianity have all been futile, for the Panditas (Moslem priests) and the Romish priests are equally fanatical. The
RELIGION IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Spanish from the first have found in these Moros, as they call them, peoples who, unlike the pagan tribes of the north before encountered and easily converted, had a deep-rooted religion of their own, and would not yield to be converted to Christianity. Only on the northern edge of the island, in Mindanao, has the Christian religion any hold at all. Here are found some Jesuit missionaries. . On the other hand, to say that this part of the archipelago. is Mohammedan would be true in only a qualified sense. It is Mohammedan in the same sense that the northern part is Christian-namely, the coast and the towns are Mohammedan, but in the interior a variety and confusion of religion prevails similar to that in the interior of the northern islands.
The customs and administration of the modified Mohammedanism of the Philippines are less clearly outlined by writers than are the practises of the Christianized portions of the islands. We learn, however, that each Friday is dedicated to worship. On this day the faithful are called to the temple by the beating of a box or hollow piece of wood. They here engage in modified forms of Moslem worship. At the beginning of each year and at important events they hold a very solemn ceremonial. The City of Sulu, on the island of the same name, is their Mecca, so to speak. The original Mecca of the Mohammedan world, however, claims their pilgrimages. Strangers are not allowed in the sultan's mosque at Sulu, and indeed strangers are rarely found in the city. The higher clergy are represented by the sherif, who has temporal as well as religious power. Pundita is the name for priest. He seems to be chief in his district, somewhat as the Spanish parish priests are in the north. He performs all the functions of the priest, receives the vows of the jurarnentados, and expounds to them the mysteries and glories of that better world whither they will go without delay if they die spilling Ohristian blood. These jurarnentado8 are persons who vow to die killing Christians, and believe that meeting death thus they will go to especial bliss. Having thus devoted themselves, they fall upon the first Christians they meet and slay nntil slain. Besides the priestly offices above named, the Pundita usually exercises the functions of physician in the community. The head of authority, however, in Church and State is the Sultan of the Sulu Archipelago, who exercises absolute power. He in turn is said to acknowledge the Sultan of Turkey as his superior.
A complete treatment of the religion of the Philippines requires the separate mention of the Chinese. They have always been in the islands, but with very few exceptions have not embraced the religion of their adopted soil. They have generally come as traders, bringing along with them their idol images as well as their wares. Indeed, it is thought by some writers that some of the images found on the sea-
shore and now exploited at Ohristian shrines were lost at sea by wrecked Ohinamen and washed ashore.
Summing up the present religious state of the Philippines, we find in the northern three-fifths of the archipelago, on the coast and extending inland, superstitious Roman Oatholic Ohristians; in the deep interior, primeval native pagans, and intermediate conglomerates of religion; in the southern two-fifths of the archipelago we find Mohammedanism, modified by Malay superstition; and, in the interior of Mindanao especially, aboriginal Malay paganism holds full sway.
A TRIBUTE TO MISS ISABELLA THOBURN BY MRS. NANCIE MONELLE MANSELL, M.D. Missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church in India To be first on the list of any worthy enterprise is an honor. To be first in influence and usefulness in the most worthy society in the world is certainly the highest honor attainable. Miss Thoburn was the first missionary appointed by the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society after its organization by the elect ladies in Boston, in March, 1869. She was the first in influence with the Home Boards and with the bishops; and in India, first in influence and efficiency among all classes, high and low, educated and illiterate,Ohristian and non-Ohristian. She was facile prima in the important work of education of the most unhonored women in the world. A few months after her arrival in India she was appointed to Lucknow, and in Inayat Bagh began her boarding-school with one girl. This school eventually became the first woman's college in India and in Asia.
She was a called, consecrated, spirit-filled, self-sacrificing missionary, who directed, enthused, and helped missionaries in every branch of woman's work-zenanas, city schools, and Sunday-schools. The poor, the weak, the discouraged, the fallen-all had her thought, her sympathy, her prayers, her care, and all received direction and inspiration from her.
Among her coworkers and helpers and pupils she seemed to have no favorites, and showed no partiality-all were treated in the same friendly, affectionate, and cordial manner. She never depreciated any of the woman's work begun and carried on by others who had wrought so faithfully and successfully in orphanages, zenanas, and schools years before the organization of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, but supplemented and helped forward the work done by them. She was the first deaconess in India, and the first cheerfully to accept the lower compensation of that order. She made her home, Lal Bagh, a very Bethel to all missionaries and to all Ohristians of
A TRIBUTE TO :MISS ISABELLA THOBURN
whatever denomination. Hundreds remember with gratitude and praise the spiritual uplift received in the Sunday evening after-meet- ings and the Christmas early morning prayer-meetings in Lal Bagh.
Her tone and manner, her spirit and kindness, her forgetfulness of self, were irre~istible, and her leadership, acknowledged by all, was as perfect as it was unostenta- tious. She was at one time principal of two English girls' boarding-schools forty miles apart, and made the distance between them reg- ularly three times a week, never once complaining of overwork and never seeming discouraged. She planned and built a most commodious and magnificent college edi- fice which is an ornament to Lucknow, that city of palaces, and which since her call to higher services has been honored by her name. To complete the payment for this structure she returned to America, ISABELLA THOBURN bringing with her one of her native Christian graduates, who was a polished and popular speaker, and a specimen of what higher education can do for the girls of India, and a perfect tribute to the success of Miss Thoburn's life-work. The two raised the funds necessary to cancel the debt on the college, and returned to India to resume work. And then Miss Thoburn went to her heavenly home and to her reward. She is and will be much missed, yet she is and will be in evidence more per- haps than any woman who ever wrought in India. Every pupil who came directly under her influence imbibed her beautiful spirit and formed the high ambition to be like her, and thus she multiplied her- self. So there are many Miss Thoburns now in India among her scholars, and may many of them rise to the highest usefulness possible to them!
THE FRIENDS AND FOREIGN MISSIONS* BY REV. EDGAR P. ELLYSON, MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA Principal of the Christian Workers' Training-school I. Early Missionary Activity-1647-91 George Fox began his activp- ministry in 1647, and for forty years waged a strong warfare against sin. Most of his own effort was put forth in England, but several years were spent in foreign lands, and he succeeded in stirring up quite a far-reaching missionary interest. Thus the Friends foreign missions had its origin one hundred and fifty years before Carey, and more than eighty years before Count Zinzendorf set the Moravian Church on fire with zeal for world-wide evangelization. There was no contemporary Protestant foreign missionary enterprise save that of John Eliot, who began his work among the Indians about the time Fox began his public ministry.
The general belief of those days was that the heathen, Indian, Negro slave, cannibal, etc., had no soul, or at least were not capable of receiving the salvation of Jesus Christ. With such a belief no missionary effort would be expected, and in contrast to it the Early Friends preached a universal atonement, that Jesus died for all men, and that the Holy Spirit operates upon the hearts of all men, inviting them to be saved. The belief in this doctrine led them to have a deep missionary zeal, the earliest manifestation of which is "A Loving Salutation to the People Called Jews," by Margaret Fell, issued in Hebrew about 1654. This was followed by vigorous effort by others. The rapid extension of this work and the vast amount of territory covered and the amount of money expended is remarkable, to say the least. A partial conception of it may be gained from the following quotation, from an address delivered by John S. Rowntree, at the Darlington Missionary Conference, held in the fall of 1896: The magnitude of missionary work in the time of the Protectorate (Cromwell) may be roughly gaged by reference to the minute of a Geneml Meeting at Skipton in 1660. "We have received," says the writer, "certain information from some Friends in London of the great work and service of the Lord beyond the seas, in several parts and regions, as Germany, America, Virginia, and many other places, as Florence, Mantua, Palatine, Tuscany, Italy, Rome, Turkey, Jerusalem, France, Geneva, Norway, Barbadoes, Bermuda, Antigua, Jamaica, Surinam, Newfoundland, through all of which Friends have passed in the service of the Lord, and divers other places, countries, islands, and nations, and over and among many nations of Indians, in which they have had service for the the Lord, who, through great travails, have published His name, and declared the everlasting Gospel of peace unto them that have been afar off, that they might be brought nigh to God." The General Meeting then urges a third subscription to "be sent to London as formerly for the service and use aforesaid." A statement of the receipts and disbursments of one of these early subscriptions has been preserved. The amount expended was nearly £500 ($2,435), representing three times that sum in the coin of the present day (over $7,000).
Possibly the first foreign journey was made by William Caton, to Holland, in 1656. In 1657 we find William Ames at Amsterdam, Christopher Burkhead traveling through France and Holland, George Baily * Condensed from The Christian Messenger_
THE FRIENDS AND FOREIGN MISSIONS
imprisoned and dying in Fr"ance, and George Robinson visiting J eru- salem. In 1660 John Perrot and John Love went to Italy, Mary Fisher had an interview with Sultan Mohammed at Adrianople, and Catharine Evans and Sarah Cheevers were placed in the Inquisition prison at Malta, where they remained three years. In 1661 John Stubbs and Henry Fell attempted to go to China, but only got as far as Alexander.
During all this time George Fox was also very actively engaged in the work, and took a deep interest in foreign missions. In 1671 he sailed for the western hemisphere, where he not only preached to the European settlers, but also held meetings with the Negroes and Indians, apd exhorted the colonists to treat them humanely and instruct them in the principles of the Christian religion. In 1677, and again seven years later, he visited Holland and parts of Germany on Gospel service.
This first period in the history of Friends work ends with the death of George Fox, which occurred in 1691. The amount of good done during these forty-four years and its effects upon subsequent achievements can not be estimated.
2. Missionary Inactivity-1691-I86S While very much activity was manifested in the early period of the Friends history, the method adopted was not such as to put the foreign work on any solid basis. The work was carried on almost entirely by itinerant ministry. Individuals made much of bearing witness to the truth to all men, but had little thought as to the permanent occupancy of the foreign field. When they had preached the truth and people were convinced, they went on to another place instead of standing by the work so grandly begun, and building those up who had already received the truth.
Following the death of George Fox, internal trouble came, persecution continued, the Church grew worldly, proud of its principles and plainness, drifted into the worst of formality (that of the so-called informality), and "Quietism" triumphed. These things brought to an untimely end this first magnificent outbreak of missionary zeal, and for a hundred and seventy-four years the Friends Church was practically inactive as to the foreign mission work.
It would, however, be folly to assume that for this one hundred and seventy-five years the Friends Church did nothing. To this period belongs the work of Thomas Chalkley and John Woolman among the Indians; Stephen Grellet's visit through Europe; James Backhouse and George W. Walker in Africa, Australia, and Van Dieman's Land; Daniel Wheeler's visit to the South Sea Islands, and Joseph John Guerney in the WeJt Indies. These men adopted the same method as their predecessors and established no permanent work. During this period the foreign work was in behalf of the Indians and slaves. The Friends began their opposition to slavery when there were no other open opponents. They faithfully continued this testimony both by teaching and example until the institution was undermined and swept from the English-speaking world. Every Friend was induced to give up his slaves or compelled to leave the Church. This work for the slaves was indirect missionary work, for by their liberation a vast multitude of persons were placed in a condition in which Christian lives became more of a possibility and also opened the way for larger work among them.
The general missionary awakening of 1792 had very little effect upon the Friends. They still continued inactive. Gradually, however, the
barriers gave way, until the Friends were taking their propel' place in this J great work. Individuals becoming interested gave of their means, which went to the foreign field tlirough various channels. This increased until a considerable amount was expended each year, and the rising interest soon began to manifest itself in the work of the Church. In the spring of 1830, West Somerset Monthly Meeting, held at Wellington, passed the following minute: The subject of our societies taking a more active part in communicating Christian knowledge to the heathen having been laid before this meeting and having claimed its consideration, it suggests to the Quarterly Meeting the propriety of proposing ';0 the ensuing Yearly Meeting to give the matter its weighty deliberation on the simple ground of inquiry, whether the time may not be come when our society is called on to take a more decided part, as a body, than it has hitherto done in communicating to the heathen the glad tidings of the Gospel.
The London Yearly Meeting also gave this matter its" solid consideration," but likewise carried the matter over until the following year. In 1831 it was again referred to the next Yearly Meeting. In 1832 it went so far as to appoint a large special committee to consider the subject. This committee reported their interest in the work, but reached the conclusion that no specific method could then be adopted.
The next special effort after this seems to have been made by George Richardson, of Newcastle, who, in his eighty-sixth year, wrote with his own hand sixty lengthy letters to persons in difl;erent parts of the country, presenting in a forceful way the claims of foreign mission work. This resulted in an address being issued by the Yearly Meeting, held at London in 1861, "On what may be due from Friends toward communicating the knowledge of the Gospel to the heathen in foreign lands." This was followed by a pamphlet by Henry Stanley Newman in 1864, proposing the foundation of a Friends Missionary Association. This had the desired effect, and the next London Yearly Meeting appointed a provisional committee to have charge of the work. From this date (1865) the Friends could no longer be charged with inactivity as to the foreign missions.
3. Later Missionary Activity From the appointment of the provisional committee, in 1865, by London Yearly Meeting, we will notice a steady and somewhat rapid advance. While this committee was yet a provisional one, Rachel Mitcalfe offered herself for resident work among the women of India. She was accepted and sent out in 1866, thus becoming the first regular resident foreign missionary of the Friends Church.
This provisional committee, in 1868, gave place to the Friends Foreign Mission Association, which still continues its work in England. The first manifestation of rising mission interest in America w.as not general but individual. Two Friends inMaine, Eli and Sybil Jones, felt called of the Lord to visit Bible lands, and carry the good news of the Gospel of our Lord into that country once trodden by His feet. They sailed from Boston in 1867, reaching Jerusalem some time the next year. From there they visited the adjacent villages. At Ramallah (" The Mount of God") they became very much interested in the boys' school which was being successfully carried on. After laboring there for a short time they were about to proceed on their journey when a young
THE RELIGIOUS SITUATION IN JAPAN
lady made a fervent appeal to them in behalf of the girls, and petitioned for a school for them. This very much impressed Eli and Sybil Jones, and, having some funds entrusted to them for the work, they immedi- ately began a, girls' school, under the charge of the young lady who made the appeal. This being satii:lfactorily established, they proceeded on their journey. At Brumana, on Mount Lebanon, they found still another grand opening for work, which was undertaken by Theophilus Waldmeir. The Friends in England and New England heartily sanctioned their work, and as a result the Syrian mission was founded. These two Yearly Meetings carried on this work jointly until 1888, when New England assumed control at Ramallah and England at Mount Lel:;anon.
The next work undertaken was by London Yearly Meeting's Foreign Board in Madagascar. Joseph S. Sewell, who began work there in 1868, was joined by Lewis and Sybil Street, of Salem, Ohio, sent out by the English Board. Two other American Friends, Elkana and Irena Beard, were sent to India about this time.
Gradually the American Yearly Meetings were becoming interested in the foreign work, and contributed some means through the English Board and other channels. The first regular work undertaken by them was by Indiana Yearly Meeting in 1871, when Samuel A. Purdie and his wife, Gulielma, of North Carolina, were accepted as missionaries by them and sent to Mexico, where they began a work at Matamoras. To this work nearly all the Yearly Meetings sent support for a time, but gradually, one after another, have dropped off, until nearly every Yearly Meeting has a work of its own.
Friends are now doing work among the Indians and in Mexico, Jamaica, Alaska, Syria, Madagascar, China, India, and Japan, and recently opened work in Cuba and Africa. An already established meeting in Cuba, hearing of Friends before they ever saw one, by reading of their doctrines and customs, sought membership with and have been received by the Friends Church.
In tracing this brief history we have followed it in this latter period only in reference to the orthodox branch of the Friends Church, which is not the society of a fixed form of dress and quiet meetings, but is aggressive and evangelical in all of its work. The Friends as a Church are not nearly as large or as popular as many other denominations, but they have exercised a large influence in the world in proportion to their numbers, having been the first positive advocates of several very prominent doctrines in their restoration to the world after the dark ages of Church history.
THE RELIGIOUS SITUATION IN JAPAN* BY REV. R. B. PEERY, SAGA, JAPAN With the influx of Western ideas and civilization into Japan there has naturally come a falling away from the old moral and religious traditions and beliefs. The former foundations of faith have been shaken up, and the result has been a Wide-spread feeling of indifference'to all religious subjects. The intelligent Japanese has for years looked upon religion as something intangible, impracticable, and of little connection • Condensed from the Japan Mail.
with his daily life. Hence he has not cared greatly whether Buddhism or Christianity triumphed; or even if both of them sank into innocuous desuetude, and his country was left entirely without a religion.
But this attitude of indifference is gradually passing away, and the supreme importance of morality and religion is being more and more recognized. The thoughts of leading men are turning to these subjects, and they are being widely discussed both in platform addresses and in the public press. One seldom picks up a newspaper or magazine here now without finding serious and thoughtful articles on morality and religion. Many religious books are being published, and are having an extensive sale. The best-selling novel of last year was a Christian story, portraying the life and experiences of a Japanese pastor and his American wife. It was first printed as a serial in a leading daily paper, and was then brought out in book form. It has already run through ten or twelve editions, and the demand continues unabated.
Perhaps the most influential writer and lecturer on religious subjects in Japan to-day is Prof. Inouye Tetsujiro, of the Imperial University. He stoutly opposes both Christianity and Buddhism, asserting that they contain large elements of superstition, and are in conflict with science and with the progressive spirit of the age. But this doughty professor clearly recognizes an imperative need for a religion of some sort; and he gravely proposes, by the help of his confreres, to construct a new one, which will contain all the good elements of the old ones, and be more in harmony with science, and with the peculiar needs of Japan. Another prominent man, Inouye Enryo, who is an ardent Buddhist of the New School, strongly opposes this plan, and commends earnestly by word of mouth and by his pen for a revival and reformation of Buddhism. He thinks that if Buddhism could be made to pass through some such experience as Christianity passed through in Europe in the sixteenth century, it would be quite sufficient for the needs of this country. These two men represent the feeling of a large part of the Japanese peopledissatisfaction with present religious conditions, and a seeking after something better.
There is another considerable party in Japan which is grossly materialistic, denying both the existence of God and of the soul. This school found a strong advocate in Mr. Nakae Tokusuke, who died at the close of last year. Shortly before his death he published, under extraordinary circumstances, a remarkable book called" Ichi Nen Yu Han" (A Year and a Half). One year ago his physician told him he had only a year and a half to live; and, lying in his bed awaiting death, he wrote this book, which embodies his moral and religious reflections in view of approaching dissolution. The sub-title of the book well expresses the result of his cogitations: "No God. No soul." This man spent many years in France, and imbibed the worst of her skeptical philosophy. After returning to his own country he engaged in business and failed, and then took to drink. His French connection and disappointed life are largely responsible for his depressing opinions. His book has had an enormous sale, and exerts a strong influence upon a certain class of minds. It has been attacked by a,ll religious parties, and satisfactorily refuted-but much of its evil work will go on. When Mr. Nakae was near death a noted Buddhist priest gained admission to his room, and began to read the usual Buddhist ritual; but the dying man showed that he maintained his atheistic convictions to the end by concentrating his
OBSERVATIONS IN INDIA
waning strength in one last effort and angrily hurling his hard little pillow at the priest's head.
This revived interest in religious questions has been strongly reflected in Christian circles. The Christians of Japan were never more united, more self-reliant, and more aggressive than they are to-day. The Forward Movement that was pushed with vigor during the whole of last year stirred up the lukewarm churches, and showed them what can be done by earnest and united effort. It also brought thousands of people within range of evangelical influence, and gave the pastors and evangelists pliable material on which to work. While the results of the movement have not fully justified the extravagant statements that were sometimes made concerning it, they have been most gratifying. Already many of the inquirers have been gathered into the churches, and others will be later. The work t)f preachers goes on apace and preachers in general are in a hopeful mood. Most of them are now sound evangelical men, and are preaching the plain Gospel.
During the last few years attendance upon mission schools has been increasing, and they now have as many students as they ("an care for properly. The disabilities under which these schools have labored have been partially removed, and some of them have already received a quasi recognition from the government, which opens the way for their students to enter the higher government schools.
Christians are still few and weak in Japan, but they exert an influence out of all proportion to their numerical strength. By continually emphasizing the higher things of life, by doing sweet charity, by preaching a lofty morality, and by living clean lives they have obtained recognition as one of the moral and religious forces of the land, and are exercising a great molding and transforming influence on society. And many scholars and statesmen are coming to look hopefully to Christianity as the one regenerating power which can cure all the ills of men, and satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart.
OBSERVATIONS IN INDIA BY HON. JOHN WANAMAKER, NEW YORK * As a result of my recent visit to India, I reached some conclusions that I would like to abbreviate sufficiently to form a telegram to every hardheaded business man-the non-professing Christian, who may be a generous-hearted giver for education; the earnest praying Christian man and woman, eager to do the most that can be done with money, and to every thoughtful college student and Sunday-school scholar.
First. While the British government, from India's tax funds, assists India's schools. colleges, and hospitals, I found the largest proportion of humanitarian religious work going on there traceable to the Christian religion.
Second. Of all the Christian missionaries sent out from other lands, that I saw, or by inquiry learned anything about, I discovered only one person who had given up Christ for the ancient Hindu or Moham~edan * Mr. Wanamaker has recently returned from a visit to India, and at the meeting of the· General Assembly gave his impressions received there. The following report of his address is condensed from the New York Observer.
religion. These old, much revered native religions are not able to win headway with the believers in the Gospel of Jesus Ohrist.
Third. By personal contact with the work and workers, I convinced myself that the work of missionaries, clergymen, teachers, doctors, and Ohristian helpers was healthy, eminently practicable, and well administered.
Fourth. In its business administration it is quite as economically done as any business firm could establish and support business extensions permanently and successfully in lands far distant from home, climate and custom requiring different modes of living. No private business man, in my judgment, can administerJrom the United States properties and finances in India more effectively for less, as a rule, than the Board is administering them at this time.
Fifth. It is an unjust aspersion on the Ohurch and its heroic men and women for any fair person to say that, because the customs of the country oblige missionaries, if they are to maintain influence with the people, to employ servants and live in houses common to hot climates, such as are used by other private families, therefore they live in luxury, idleness, or extravagance. While I saw homes of Ohristian workers in large cities bought, from thirty to fifty years ago, for small sums, now worth much more than they cost, which is to the credit of the wisdom of the fathers and brethren of the Missionary Board, I failed to find any extravagant buildings in use by missionaries or others in the services of the Board. I personally saw while there two spacious, one-floored, highceiIed, large-porched, rough cast, bungalows similar to all that are there, with ten acres of ground and fine old trees, in the heart of the city of Allahabad, sold for 12,000 rupees-a little less than $4,000. This fact is reliable information on the real estate values; and, as to the servants, they board themselves, coming in the morning and going off in the night, for the pay of ten or twelve rupees a month, which on an average is $3.63 a month for house servants. It is impossible to find anywhere in the world simpler and more consistent home living than at the homes and tables of the mission houses.
In all my life I never saw such opportunity for investment of money that anyone sets apart to give to the Ohrist who gave Himself for us. As I looked at little churches, schools, and hospitals, and inquired the original cost of buildings and expense of administration, I felt a lump of regret in my heart that I had not been wise enough' to make these investments myself-yet there are others left. I appropriated some that you can not have, and wished a hundred times I had known twenty-five years ago what I learned a half year ago; but I can take you to many as good, if you will.
What We Have Done and Might Do in India * BY REV. JAMES L. BARTON, D.D. Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Boston, Mass.
1. The supply of missionaries is inadequate. In round numbers India has a population of two hundred and ninetyfour millions, altho in area it equals only about half the size of the United States. There are but two cties of over eight hundred thousand, one of *Dr. Barton has recently returned from a careful visitation of the field in India, and gives some conclusions in a recent number of The Intercollegian.
half that number, and the rest of the cities are much smaller. India's population dwells mostly in villages, which thickly dot its fertile valleys and plains. For this vast and accessible population there are to-day not more than one missionary family for each three hundred thousand souls.
But these are not equally distributed; in the City of Calcutta, for instance, there is a missionary man or woman for each ten thousand of its popula- tion, and in Madras, one to each five thousand people, while the American Board Deputation recently went over his field of labor with a missionary where he was the only ordained white man for a living population of over five hundred and fifty thousand. We were in other regions for which no missionary regarded himself responsible, and in which no Christian work is carried on. We were petitioned by the Hindus for more mission schools, more Christian hospitals and doctors, and one caste sent a delegation urging .that we appoint a missionary to work in .
their caste exclusively, because they felt they were neglected. The people themselves appealed to us for more Christian institutions and more mis- sionaries, and the appeal at times was heart-moving in its earnestness and fervor. One man came over six hundred miles at his own expense to meet the Deputation from the American Board and plead that a mis- sionary be sent to his city. .
2. The two hundred and ninety-four millions of India are practi- cally accessible to the Christian missionary.
There is no other non-Christian country in the world in which so vast a population is so accessible to Christian instruction with external barriers removed. The government is in sympathy with the work of the Christian missionary, and is ready to cooperate in medical, industrial, and educational operations. Large grants in land and in money are made to help on the cause, and the wise missionary is sure of the sym- pathy of the English officials. In many of the native states the rajahs give the missionary warm welcome and substantial aid in prosecuting his work. In one native state near Bombay the rajah recently offered to put into the hands of a missionary the entire educational system of his kingdom.
The Mohammedans are more approachable than in countries under a Mohammedan government. An able Christian superintendent of a large and important "mission district in the Bombay presidency was born a Mohammedan. A Mohammedan commissioner of police told the Depu- tation that, in so far as the Christian missionaries succeeded in their work, his work diminished. He said, "We find that we have little to do with Christians. They do not call for police supervision." There are cases not a few, where wealthy Parsees, Brahmins, and others have con- tributed liberally for the support of work conducted by the missionaries, because they were convinced that the work was worthy.
3. We are not conducting missions in India with Christian con- secration and earnestness.
Weare not giving the impression to the intelligent, educated natives that we believe very much in the universality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are aware that the entire country is open for Christian operations, and are surprised that the Christians of the United States and England show such apathy. It is impossible to explain to a village that promises to give up the worship of idols, and is begging for a Chris- tian preacher to live among them to teach them the Christian way, why a preacher can not be sent. There is no use in attempting to make a
community understand why a Christian school is not opened for the training of their children, when they are ready to send them even with the expectation that they will become Christians. We visited many vil- lages in which there was a Christian congregation which were bravely taking persecution for Christ's sake, and who had no place in which to meet for worship. They had in some cases a site for the building, but could not possibly raise the $25 or $30 necessary to put up a mud- walled prayer-house. There is no use in telling them that there is no money with which to help them. They know that the Christians of America and England have money enough to erect fine churches and cathedrals; that they have elegant homes and travel widely to gratify their tastes, and they can not comprehend why their own desire to learn of the same religion should meet with so inadequate a response. They can not understand why more missionaries and Christian physicians are not sent in reply to their urgent appeals.
As we went over India and saw the unseized opportunities, the unen- tered open doors on every side, it seemed as if we are but playing at missions. The missionaries upon the ground are nobly doing all that they can do with the means at their disposal. 'l'he trouble does not lie with them; it is with us at home.
4. If we were ready to give and sacrifice in accordance with OU?'
talk and prayers, we could easily carry the Gospel message and place Christian institutions within the reach of every child of India inside of twenty years.
A little more than a year ago the census of nearly three hundred million in India was taken in one day, During that one day of twenty- four hours the name, age, race, religion, and a multitude of other things were written down for every individual in that vast empire. It was not an impossible task by any means, its success depending upon a purpose to accomplish the end aimed at, a plan that would make it possible, and a united effort upon the part of all to whom the task was committed.
With proper financial backing, and consecrated men and women l'eady for the work, a missionary home could be planted in every section of India, so that for every twenty-five thousand souls there should be at least one Christian missionary family and a single woman devoted to their education and Christianization. In eight years the language could be learned, and everyone of the twenty-five thousand could be seen and spoken to by the missionaries themselves, and in tWl;lnty years, with the aid of native Christian teachers, catechists, evangelists, and preachers (thousands of whom are now ready), the personal claims of the Gospel could be brought home repeatedly to every individual soul. This number of native workers could be rapidly increased from the more than one hundred thousand pupils at present in the Christian seminaries, colleges, and schools of the country.
We have made no allowance for the continually increasing number of voluntary Christian workers who' by their life and teachings would bring to bear upon other lives the power of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even now, out of every three hundred Indians one is Christian.
If men and money were forthcoming, India could be given Gospel institutions in twenty years sufficient for its evangelization' without departing from the methods now used or cJ::ianging in any pal'ticula;r-'ilu:~:' . . : .~;i':C'1{' well-established principles of mission work.
1902J EDITORIALS
EDITORIALS Meeting Doubt in Mission Fields wonders comport with this supreme fact. But, where the mind is not A correspondent in Japan writes: yet convinced of this supreme fact, a different mode of argument seems I am planning more personal work in this needful. And we here submit the immediate vicinity. Beside the students method we have found always sucthere are many teachers, officials, military cessful with minds not voluntarily men, doctors, etc., who are friendly and will- shutting out light. ing to talk on personal religion. But their religious ideas are so dwarfed, distorted, and The Resurrection of Christ can overlaid with ignorance and prejudice I For be historically vindicated, as an example, the wife of the second judge at the event, as fully and satisfactorily atcourt-house here i. studying Christianity and tested as any other fact of history. really interested. Her husband is a "Sansei Taking the New Testament simply Ka"-that is, one who favors Christianity. as an authentic history, from cred- I called on them with my wife, and I had a long ible sources, and for the time holdtalk with him. The miracles stagger him, as ing in abeyance its Divine inspirathey do many of the more acute minds of tion, we have abundant proof that this people. He said they were out of date in Jesus Christ died, was buried, and this twentieth century. etc.• aud all I could rose again the third day. Moresay seemed of little avail to convince him over, when we con sider that He was that Christ's miracles were facts, not ,. haber" not only seen on various occasions, -pious frauds, mere stories-and were unlike and by many and various parties, the alleged miracles of Shaka (the Buddha). numbering from one to two and He argued quite at length. I did not argue, three, eleven, and even five hundred, but tried to show him how there is an intelli- but was heard by them discoursing gent faith based on reality. He said, finally, of mysteries, giving instruction that he was a hopeless case, too old, etc., but and injunction, and correcting that he wanted his wife and nephew-a fine- erroneous misapprehensions, etc., looking collegian-to become Christians, and and that He nte and drank with urged us to teach them! Another man was them after He was risen, it becomes one of the college faculty, and his difficulties plain that to doubt Christ's Resurwere along much the same line, and also as to rection is to discredit all human the pe'rsonality of God. His ideas were largely testimony ! We must at once relematerialistic, and he confused religion with gate all historic records, especially superstition. I sought to show him that he if they contain anything marvelcould not expect mathematical and scientific ous, however abundantly attested, proof or evidence on moral and spiritual ques- to the limbo of the incredible. tions, and urged him to open his spiritual nature-which he conceded that he possessed- Now, once let the Resurrection of to the God who is a Spirit, and in whom we Christ be put in its place as an unlive and move and have OUf being; who has doubted matter of history, and all made us for Himself, and can satisfy our spir- other miracles become credible, for itual thirst as water does the physical. all others are included in this, as the less in the greater. When Christ This letter we print, not only to rose from the dead, blind eyes saw, show the difficulties confronted by deaf ears heard, dumb lips spake, missionaries in the Orient, but for palsied limbs moved, withered arms the sake also of calling attention to were stretched forth. All that He what we believe is the best way of had done to others was done in meeting these perplexities as found Himself; thus in one stupendous existing in candid doubters. wonder, miracle, and sign setting the seal of truth upon all recorded It seems impossible to vindicate the Bible record of miracles, as such, to a skeptical mind. To one who admits the inspiration of the Word and the Divinity of Christ, miracles are no obstacle. They seem rather to be consistent with the whole situation. If God was really manifest in the flesh, such
marvels of His human history. A Pra7er Union Admit miracles, and prophecy is no longer impossible or improbable, A Pentecostal Prayer Union is in vigorous operation both in Britain a for it is but miracle of knowledge and America. A world-wide circle of prayer was suggested by the as the others are of power. Rev. John O. West, of Warwick, It was some such line of argument England, and began its existence January 1, 1896. And the same that convinced Gilbert West and month the Pentecostal Prayer Lord George Lyttleton, when near Union began its existence under the middle of the eighteenth cen- Rev. H. C. Waddell, of Los tury, they came together to plan an Angeles, Cal., essentially the same assault on Christianity. In order in principle and purpose. to conduct the assault with success, they felt they must march around The inspiring principle of this its fortress and study its defenses, prayer circle may be seen in these to learn theil' weak points. So, words in the call: separating a twelvemonth for careful and searching and critical Bible In the midst of mnch painfnl division, study, they came together again, surely all who can answer to the name Chrisand found that each had, inde- tian can join in seeking the fuller manifestapendently of the other, come to the tion of the presence of the Spirit of God. conclusion that Christianity was . May not the strife, the want of love among true, and instead of opponents Christ's professed people, the censure of agreeing on a mode of attack, they brethren who differ from us, and ·the failure found themselves advocates, pre- to realize our responsibility to Him that we pared to unite in its defense. Gil- should be one with all who truly love Him, be bert West wrote a masterly essay hindering the grace of t·he Spirit of God on the Resurrection of Christ as an among us? He wonderfully displayed His incontrovertible fact, and Lord Almighty power when .. ALL WITH ONE AC- Lyttleton a companion work on CORD" continued in prayer-shortll before the conversion and apostleship of the 1Irst Christian Pentecost, and it IS in the Saul of. Tarsus. West contended hope of binding true believers in Christ in one that there was no accounting for bond at least of love and prayer, that observthe widely prevalent belief in the ance of each 1Irst day of the month, as one Resurrection of Christ except as a of special waiting upon God for the fulness historic fact, and if admitted to of His Spirit's grace, is invited." be such, Christianity is a Divine religion and Christ a Divine Being. The Daily Prayer Union is a Lyttleton, with equal conviction, great prayer fellowship on a true maintained that there is no ade- catholic basis. It was instituted quate hypothesis to account for the in 1879 in honor of the blessed instantaneous conversion of the paraclete. The secretary is a minarch persecutor, unless he actually ister of the Church of England, saw Christ risen-on the way to Rev. Henry Law Harkness, of Damascus. This was 160 years ago W orcestel'. There are 274 honor- -and that same mode of proof will ary local secretaries, with a memconvince, to the end of days, any bership of nearly 150,000, including man who is willing to be convinced. the 21,500 in the United States. We commend to our brethren, both at home and abroad, a weapon of The Pentecostal League is ancandid controversy that, to our other interdenominational and inknowledge, never grows dull and ternational Prayer Union, with never proves ineffectual. Its thrust headquarters in London, England. is keen and its power unfailing. It was formed in 1891. The mem- bers pray daily for the churches and for one another, that the Holy Spirit may fill and nse them, and for a general spiritual awakening. The membership has rapidly in- creased both in England and other parts of the world, and an official organ called Tongues of Fire is published monthly.
EDITORIALS
From among the J_eague mem- prayer." We may add, the high- bers a limited number are selected, who, after a period of candidature est privilege and the mightiest and training, prove themselves to be qualified as Workers of the weapon of power. League. These conduct meetings, missions, and conventions, and es- The Japanese Church and Missions tablish Prayer League Centers. None of these workers are paid for The Tokyo Maishu Shinshi, in their services. an editorial on the "Duty of The founder of this League, Mr. Reader Harris, Q.C., inquires: Lay Evangelism," touches a vital Is there not a need for such a League as point in Japanese Christianity. this? Let us look around us npon present- day facts of terrible import and significance Observers whose knowledge of to every Christian mind and heart_ The world lying in wickedness; the professing Japanese Christianity is less mi- Church, in many cases, feebly battling against the powers of darkness; agnosticiSll, nute and extensive than that of the bold and blatant, seeking a citadel in the Church itself; men and women of intelligence writer of the editorial referred to turning from a half-hearted Christianity to seek satisfaction-if it may be found-in have noted with pain the tendency theosophy, spiritualism, and other forms of mind culture. rather than ie personal union which that writer deplores. As with that Savior, whose words are: .. WhosoeVAr drinketh of this water shall thirst again, this is a point where every worker, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." We turn botbJapanese and foreign, should to God's remedy for all this in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, not only as the give continuous attention, we give Lamb of God, .. beareth away the sin of the world," but who, also, as t,he ascended herewith, in substance, the edi- Savior, .. baptizeth with the Holy Ghost_" torial from the Maishu Shinshi: We regard as one of the most hopeful signs of our day this wide- The twentieth century has come. spread effort to organize union Weare now on the point of enterprayer-meetings, representing all ing upon -the Special Evangelistic denominations, to ask for blessing Movement which we planned last on the Lord's work. At the same year. We desire to urge upon our time, God's people begin to realize, 40,000 or more brothers and sisters as never before, how little they the recognition: of the supreme duty really understand of the power of of the evangelization of our counbelieving prayer. How necessary, try. The last command of Jesus, therefore, that we should seek to preach the Gospel to every creaunderstand how our prayers may ture," was not meant solely for the be "effectual" and avail much twelve apostles, nor solely for the (James v : 16). Let us be careful, immediate disciples of Jesus. It lest we, in presenting petitions extends to every pastor and evanwith our lips, fail to wait in faith gelist not only, but to every disfor the answer. As we have fre- ciple to-day. quently affirmed in these pages, the most important factor in the In our country the Church is still advance of Christ's Kingdom is only in the initial period. Its united and believing supplication. evangelistic work is only in its be- Coleridge, in comparatively early ginning. Its condition is very life, spoke or wrote skeptically of similar to that of the Church in the prayer. But later in life he con- Apostolic Age. It is therefore fessed the folly of his former words, "Go ye into all the world and and said, "The very noblest pos- most deplorable that the mass of sible exercise of the human mind is believers ignore their duty in re- gard to evangelism. This was not so in the Church of Japan twenty years ago. Even ten years ago such general indifference did not exist. Christians of twenty or even ten years' standing can well remem- ber what great importance was attached to evangelism by the be- lievers of that period.
It is now time to return to the "old faith." It is now time to awake out of sleep! At this au- spicious time, the beginning of the twentieth century, when we are
about entering upon this great eagerly at this one brief oppor- union evangelistic effort, our duty tunity of emerging out of his in- as Christ's witnesses requires us to trinsic insignificance by flattering make a complete change at this the expectations of his fellow- point. haters of Christ, who, as he knows, are numbered by millions in the The one need to-day is that the land. He takes good care to name no laity, everyone, should recognize names, and declares that a certain the duty of witness-bearing and number of the missionaries are arise with zeal, uniting with the "ideal characters." Having thus pastors and evangelists in the work put himself out of the reach of the of evangelism. law-the only thing such a fel- low is afraid of-he lets loose his Why are the 40,000 Christians of malignity by de9cribing the whole Japan so inactive? What especial- body of missionaries in China as a ly impresses one in the above edi- worthless set, and many of them as torial is the diminution of the mis- absolutely immoral characters. He sionary spirit as compared with the even gives a wretched interpretastate of the Church twenty years tion to the innocent fact that many or even ten years ago. If the of our naval officers are glad to Church in Japan has suffered a meet with countrywomen of their serious retrograde in pointof evan- own at such a distance, and wait gelistic zeal, it is clear that they on them with courteous gallantry should set about in recovering the when they are on board their veslost ground. The art of setting sels. people to work needs more atten~ tion. It is not enough merely to The shame of such a slanderous get people into the church. They attack is that the newspaper remust be trained and developed as porters, a number of whom seem witness-bearers. Converts, doubt- to hate nothing so much as that less, would gladly work for Christ activity of the Church which bears if they only knew how. More especially the imprint of self-devoattention to the spiritual develop- tion, are eager to communicate at ment of converts after they enter length the details of this man's the church, and to the utilizing absolutely unsupported assertions. and direction of the working power Even newspapers which in other of the laity, is a prime need of the things would disdain publishing hour.-Japan Mail. charges having not a proof as con- trary to fundamental justice-say, Newspaper Slanders the Boston He~'ald-donot hesitate to publish such an assault. When an unknown soldier, a nwre nobody, comes back from China, Missionaries are highly honored and pours out a flood of slander in the churches, and not unfreagainst the missionaries, it usually quently idealized beyond the truth. means simply that an ungodly man, Therefore, say the He~'ald and its hating to be reminded even in a colleagues, let the basest of charges heathen country that there is such a be freely published against them on thing as religion and morality, is de- the mere word of the most worthlighted to revenge himself when he less of men. They have no right comes home by malignant stories, to a reputation. Let the churches carefully guardingagainst detection act together, and such a violation by avoiding all names. This is illus- of common morality would be soon trated in the case of a fellow named suppressed. "Martin," a sergeant or corporal or some such thing, lately come back from the East. The man snatches
BOOKS ]j'OR THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY
BOOKS FOR THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY THE CHALLENGE TO CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. By question, but his book is exceed- Rev. R. E. Welsh, M.A. 12mo, 188 pp. 28. 6d. H. R. Allen~on, London. 1902. ingly able and serviceable. Think- This is an exceptionally fresh, in- ing men and women will do well to telligent, vigorous, and interesting consideration of some of the pres- buy and read it. * ent-day objections to missions which trouble many minds. It is a WORLD-WIDE EVANGELIZATION THE URGENT most convincing answer to critics, BUSINESS OF THE CHURCH. A Report of and at the same time is a brief, the Student Volunteer Convention in pithy, keen, and sound statement of Toronto, 1902. 8vo, 691 pp. $1.50, net. the basis and principles of missions. Student Volunteer Movement, New York.
By way of introduction Mr. These reports of the Volunteer Welsh points out "where the ques- conventions have proved invalu- tion presses." He shows that mis- able as reference volumes to stusionary work is challenged on three dents and pastors, missionaries and grounds: editors. The convention in To- ronto was by far the best that has (1) That it is politically objectionable. ever been held. The spiritual tone, (2) That it is religiously superfluous. the high order of addresses, and (3) That is is socially unsatisfactory. the breadth of vision made it re- markable. Some idea of its strength The author recognized the vari. may be gathered from the articles ous classes of critics and their already printed on the convention many degrees of intelligence and and from the articles on "Africa," honesty. While he finds the final by W. R. Hotchkiss, on "Reanswers to all objections to the sources of the Church," by R. E. principle of missions in Christ's Speer, and on "The Wichita Movegreat commission, he does not deny ment," by J. C. Wilson, which that there are weak points and stiff have recently appeared in the problems in missionary work as REVIEW and were presented at the carried on, and that these give convention. opportunity for criticism. The principal questions discussed in The present report is exceedingly this volume are: rich and full. Besides the addresses already mentioned, are those by Is the missionary a troubler of peace! Prebendary Fox, Bishop Thoburn, Are Eastern religions as good for the East- Principal Craven, John R. Mott, ern peoples? Dr. George Scholl, Dr. H. G. Un- Does liberal thought cut the nerve of mis- derwood of Korea, Janvier of Insions? dia, the Taylors of China, and Are mission converts a failure 1 others. There were also the ses- Are missionaries too comfortable? sions on the "Education of the Home Church," "Financial As- The writer is undeniably a mas· pects of Missions, " the section ter of his theme; he is unusually meetings on various fields, and "Sane and candid almost to a fault. those on tho greQ,t branches of the He assumes the justness of some work. But the unique features of criticism which many would deny. this volume are the "Outlines for He gives undue weight to the ob- Missionary Meetings" and the "List jections of some eminent men who of Illustrative Paragraphs" which have little real knowledge of mis- are appended. These have been sions or of Christianity. Mr. prepared with great care, and en- Welsh is an independent thinker able one easily to make practical and gives expression to some opin- and pertinent use of the mass of ions which missionary leaders will
material here placed at our dis- had a quick eye and a graphic pen, posal. No pastor has an excuse for and his observations and experi- preachh..g a poor missionary ser- ences are well worth recording, tho mon, and no leader a reason for they are not of exceptional interest having a dull meeting, with this or importance. The book does well volume at hand. * for India what Dr. Arthur Smith's AFRICAN WASTES RECLAIMED. By Rebert "Village Life" does for China, but Young, F.R.G.S. 12mo, 268 pp. J. 111. Dent & Co., London, England. it needs an Index. * The story of the Lovedale Mis- TOKYO MISSIONARY CONFERENCE 1900 Map sion of South Africa, which is here Illustrated. 8vo, 1048 Pp.' Methodist given, is one of the most inspiring Publishing House, Tokyo. 1901. and representative in missionary annals. The work has been estab- No pains has been spared to make lished over half a century, and has this report of the General Confertherefore had time to develop and ence of Foreign Missionaries in give evidence of its vitality and the Japan an invaluable compendium wisdom of its methods. In the of the history and present situation main these have been gloriously of Japan from a missionary and manifest. The work at Lovedale educational viewpoint. Not only has been varied, and the workers are the proceedings at the conferhave been ready to adapt their ence reported in full, but the ap- pendices occupy nearly half the methods to the needs of the field. volume. The map shows every Industrial arts have been taught missionary station and the charts most successfully without really indicate the progress along educa- tional and evangelistic lines since interfering with the Gospel work. 1882. Degraded men and women have In the addresses almost every been elevated and taught to elevate subject of vital importance to mistheir neighbors, native churches sionary life and wor" in Japan was presented, and the appendices inhave been founded and made self- clude a history of missions in Japropagating. and the whole nature pan by Dr. Verbeck (a volume in and aspect of the district has been itself), sketches of the work of vatransformed. Tested by its gradu- rious agencies, an abundance of ates, Lovedale Institute has been statistical information, and a coundeniably a success. pious Index.
From a literary standpoint the By the publication of this volume the benefits of the conference are book is a straightforward narrative preserved and extended to thouwithout much adornment or liter- sands who were unable to attend. ary finish. It depends on its facts for interest rather than on the form * of their presentation-the facts, however, are eloquent. * VILLAGE LIFE IN INDIA. Bv Rev. Norman "A YEAR OF PROGRESS IN THE Russell. II!ustrated. 12mo, 251 pp. $1.00, f~. Flemmg H. Revell Co., New York. WORLD'S STUDENT FE D EpRaAmTpIhOlN~t"
by John R. Mott, is a containing the official report of the These" pen pictures from a mis- Christian Student Movements of sionary's experience" give us an insight into the daily life and work the World for 1900-1901. The reof one who has been preaching Christ in India. The author has ports are cheering, in that they just passed away, since the publication of the book, after twelve years' show decided progress at home and service in the foreign field. He abroad in spirituality and attention to Bible study. The recent tour of the secretary of the federation, Mr. John R. Mott, was wonderfully blessed, being marked by revivals * all along the route.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE AMERICA out this great army of foreign-bo',n toilers? They have turned our The Rev. W. G. Pudde·· mills and cultivated our fields. Do we not owe them a debt? Let us rr Forgotten foot, Field Secre- not forget that German names. were illustrious in our " Continental Millions " tary of the Amer- Army." In the war of the '60's the Germans furnished 187,858 soldiers, ican Home Mis- where, according to the census, 128,102 would have been their full sionary Society, recently put these quota. Charles Sumner wrote: "Our German fellow citizens pertinent and solemn questions: throughout the long contest with slavery have not only been earnest You wonder that we spent $700,- and true, but have always seen the 000,000 last year for crime alone in great question in its character and our land. It is because of the importance. Lincoln declared that he could not have been elected waste-places and the forgotten mil- without their almost solid vote. lions in our country. .• We Had it not been for the Germans of were formed for the purpose of St. Louis, the city would have fall- en into the hands of the rebels, teaching the Gospel to the desti- and with St. Louis in their possestute, to those who could never pay sion, who can forecast what the us back, to reach lost souls in ev- course of the war would have been?
ery part of our land and yet so A Beautiful J 0 h n M. Burke, small in number that we can never make a self-supporting church out Benefaction hitherto unheard of of them. That is what we were in the country at formed for. That is what the Lord meant us to do. Said he, "When large, has suddenly come to de- you make a feast don't go and give served fame as a giver of $4,000,000 that feast to folke that. can ask you again and have a bigger spread for for the benefit of certain suffering you,' or words to that effect. "No, and needy ones-to wit, for the no; just you go out and ask the material relief of worthy men and poor and the sick and the infirm that can not even pretend to give women unable through illness or you a supper in return for your misfortune to support themselves, feast, and you shall be recompensed in the resurrection of the just." and especially for such when dis- There is an object-lesson for us. charged from hospitals before re- Are we doing it? No. Are the gaining sufficient strength to per- Methodists doing it? No. Are the Presbyterians doing it? No. Is mit them to return to work. This the Church of God anywhere doing large sum is to be invested and the it ? No, she is not. Why, we have probably 60,000 lumbermen in our income is to be thus expended.
woods to-day. Who cares for their souls?
Our German Mention is often, Young People The conference of Immigrants and properly, made at those engaged in of the confusion and the peril caused by such a vast Lake George enlisting the ininflux of non-English-speaking foreigners, and we are prone to for- terest of young get a brighter side of the matter, brought out recently in an address people in the missionary enterby Rev. M. E. Eversz, of Chicago, who said: prises was held at Silver Bay, What would we have done with- Lake George, N. Y., July 16-25. out the immense army of foreignborn workers? What progress More than 160 delegates from vawould these cities have made with- rious denominational Boards of Home and Foreign Missions, Young People's Societies, Sunday-schools, and churches in the United States
and Canada were present, and took The New Yale As a new and part in the deliberations. It was and Harvard striking phase of distinctively a leaders' conference. Missions the Student Vohm- Nearly every delegate was an ex- teer M 0 v e T!ll e n t, perienced worker in missions or a almost simultaneously two of our diligent student of mission prob- oldest and most famous institu- lems. tions, Yale and Harvard, are Luther D. Wishard presided, and founding each a mission, the one in S. Earl Taylor, Secretary of the China and the other in India. The Young People's Department of the Yale enterprise has for backing a Methodist Episcopal Church, was large body of students, professors, the chairman of the Program Com- and alumni, and has chosen as mittee. Among those who spoke leader Rev. Harlan P. Beach, who during the session of the con- , has already seen service in China, ference were: Robert E. Speer, and with several others will sail Secretary of the Presbyterian soon for the Celestial Empire, and Board of Foreign Missions; the from Peking as headquarters will Rev. Harlan P. Beach, Educational explore and select a field. Tho in- Secretary of the Student Volunteer dependent, they will be in close Movement; the Rev. R. P. Mac- sympathy and cooperation with kay, of the Canadian Church, and the American Board. The Harvard representatives from the Baptist, scheme is of a somewhat different Lutheran, Episcopal, Congrega- character, being largely in the tional, and Methodist Churches, hands of the student body. E. C.
North and South. Carter, their representative, will An hour each day was given to journey to Calcutta and search the study of Home Missions under through Bengal Presidency to find the leadership of the Rev. A. L. fields of service for other Harvard Phillips, and an hour also to the men, whether commercial, educa- study of Foreign Jfissions, with tional, or medical. No doubt these Mr. Beach as teacher. The third fine examples will inspire students hour of the morning was devoted in other schools of learning to be- to the study of practical problems stir themselves in behalf of the connected with missionary work world's redemption.
among the churches. Farewell to For several years in The evening sessions of the con- Outgoing succession the Pres- Missionaries byterian Board has ference were devoted to addresses gathered at the by prominent workers on questions vitally related to the develupment headquarters in New York the misof the missionary idea. A model sionaries under appointment and home missionary meeting was held about to sail, to meet each other on one evening, and a model for- and the Board, to exchange greeteign missionary meeting on an- ings and farewells, and to take other. The interest manifested by counsel together. A few weeks the delegates was intense. Up to since 62 were thus assembled-7 the last day the study classes and bound for Africa, 1-1 for China, 9 the other gatherings were largely India, 11 Japan and Korea, 9 Perattended by a group of earnest, sia. and 4 the Philippines. zealous workers, who were seeking to learn new methods of work Dr. Pentecost Arrangements have wherewith to carryon the mission- Off for Japan been made to have ary propaganda in the home land. the Rev. George F.
-A. W. HALSEY, D.D. Pentecost, D.D., undertake a year's
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
special evangelistic work in the China, Japan, in Africa, in the mission fields of East Asia. He Sudan, and on the Kongo, South expects to start about the middle America, Anam, Porto Rico, and of September for Hong Kong, and the Philippines (the last 3 occuwill spend a year in Japan, China, pied within twelve months); 70 and the Philippines. Most of his missionaries sent out last year; time will be given to Japan, where "616 baptisms and conversions," the work will be under the auspices and" at least 2,500 souls gathered "; of the Congregational and Presby- with 1,100 orphans fed. terian churches. Dr. Pentecost's work will embrace evangelistic Presbyterian The field is vast, services for the foreign community Home Missions extending fro m in cities like Manila, Shanghai, and Yokohama, evangelistic campaigns in Canada Quebec to the Yu· through interpreters whenever kon, and includes such are feasible, as the recent experiences of Mr. Torrey and Mr. not only 1,250 preaching-stations Mott have shown that they are in among English-speaking people, Japan and China, and probably but also work in committees com- Bible conference for missionaries posed of foreigners as follows: 1 and native workers. Dr. Pen- medical missionary and 5 schools tecost's experience in India, and his among the Galicians, of the success in evangelistic work in Dauphen district, 1 Finn mission- America and in Great Britain, give ary, 2 Czech missionaries, 3 Hunground for belief that this will be garian, 2 German, and 2 Icelandic. the means of blessing to many. For all this work nearly $100,000 Christians are asked to pray that is required every year. But, bethe way may be fully prepared for sides all this, the Canada Presbythe work, and that Dr. Pentecost terians, through the Foreign may be divinely guided and blessed Board, are ministering to the in it. Indians and Chinese.
The Fruit Our Baptist An Eskimo in " Many shall run of Saptist brethren are per- Serjeants' Inn to and fro" was a Missions mitted to rejoice prophecy of the lat- and give God ter days. A surprising instance thanks that they have been enabled occurred the other day when an to gather a larger number of com- Eskimo from Northern Labrador municants than any other Christian was brought by Mr. Bilby, of body, these aggregating no less the C. M. S., to Serjeants' Inn. than 111,650 in the 7 missions (all "Joshna"-for that was his name work in Europe being omitted). ~proved to be a convert of the Of this multitude 41,147 are found Moravian missions, who had wanin Burma and 55,210 in South India dered on shipboard as fltr south as among the Telugus. The baptisms Western Australia, and was now were 8,477 last year, an average of stranded in London. The Mora- 163 every week, or enough to form vian Missionary Society, to whom a good-sized church. we applied, very kindly gave him a passage back to Labrador in their The Christian This vigorous and mission vessel.-Greater Britain and Missionary growing organiza- Messenger.
Alliance tion reports $185,- Mexico's First A combined asso- 162 as receipts for Y.M.C.A. ciation for English- speaking railroad last year; work done in India, and city young men has recently been opened in Mexico City with a
membership of 200. The forty- Progress in France.-Says Pastor room building, surrounded by a Charles Merle D'Aubigne: "In 1835 half-acre garden filled with tropical Paris had only 10 Protestant trees and shrubs, was once a fine churches; now, in and around it, old family residence. The United there are 105. In 1857 there were States and Canada railroad associ- 728 Protestant pastors; now there ations contributed $1,400 to its are over 1,200."
establishment, and 3 prominent Evangelical Rev. Frederick H. Americans of Mexico pledged them- Council of 'Wright, Presiding selves for the annual $3.000 rental. Elder of the Metho- Italy EUROPE dist Episcopal Church, Naples, writes concerning The Scotch This venerable body the second meeting of the Evan- Established has no less than 6 gelical Council of Italy, which was Church and missions in India, held in the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. at Rome, June 18th and 19th, and at Missions with 2 also in Af- which there were representatives rica, and 1 in China. from the Waldensian, EnglishW es- Ieyan, English Baptist, Evangelical The missionaries number 53, of Italian, Methodist Episcopal, and whom 28 are ordained; the native American Baptist Churches presagents 229, including 11 ordained ent. Many subjects were discussed, and 25 medical; the communicants among which were the following: are 3,006, and the adherents 11,159; in the schools are 10,498 pupils.
The home income last year was 1. Division of the Missionary £54,875 ($274,37fl). Field.-It was decided that each church should prepare a schedule German The Manual of the Protestant Saxon Missionary showing the geographical position Missions Conference, recent- of every station in the respective missions, in order to avoid dupli- ly published, gives the following statistics of the cating, and so wasting money and strength of German Protestant energy. missions: There are 23 societies, with 834 male and 103 female mis- 2. The Missionary Personnel.- sionaries in the field-the Moravians supplying 200, while the Basel, It has been comparatively easy in the Rhenish, and the Berlin socie- the past for a worker dismissed ties send out upward of 100 eac~, from one church to find employ- ment with another, even tho his and these are aided by 140 native credentials were not very good. pastors, and 4,300 teachers and assistants. Special attention is de- As the result of the discussion on voted to the schools, of which there this point, a clearer understanding are 1,918 (both elementary and higher grade), accommodating 90,- has been arrived at between the 400 scholars. The expenditures of heads of each mission, and they these missions, according to the will be able to avoid similar mislast return, amounts to £350,000 ($1,650,000), of which total the sum takes in the future. of £300,000 is borne by the various 3. Fraternal Relations with All societies, while the balance is made up of contributions from native Evangelical Churches.-This anticchurches and school grants. ipates a desire on the part of some to transfer their membership to other churches. A sifting process is necessary, and the Evangelical Council is a unit in establishing the most cordial relations with all evangelical churches, yet at the same "ime in exercising the greatest care in dismissing or receiving un- worthy persons.
4. Missionary Manuals.-This includes declarations of common principles, a popular creed, and a hymn-book. These subjects are
1902J GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
tentative, it is true, but they indi- ASIA cate a general desire for a true unity, and can not fail to do good. The Tho few mission- A general secretary has already been appointed. Bible Among aries have direct 5. The Missionary Press.-A very Moslems access to Moslems animated discussion was accentu- ated by the proposal submitted by in the Turkish Em- an evangelical editor to publish a paper, bi-weekly, which should pire, the word of God reaches represent the evangelical churches of Italy. The matter was referred many of them. A colporteur in to a sub-committee. Albania came one d:ty upon a party Work on social lines was also of seven Moslems sitting together discussed. The council is only advisory in its character, but in the reading the Bible. Last year 44,000 multitude of councillors there is some wisdom. Bibles were circulated in Egypt, ff Los v('n Rom " It is stated, on the where 92 per cent. of the popula- Once More authority of the Evangelische Kir- tion is Moslem. More than that, there is a Bible depot in Omdurchenzeitung, the official organ of the Protestant Church in Austria, man which sold last year nearly that, in the year 1901, 36 new Protestant preaching-places were added 1,300 copies to the Sudanese. Says to the scores which had been already established. Special church a colporteur: building societies in the interests of the Protestant cause have been One day at Ghizeh a young Mosnewly organized in 10 places and lem bought a Gospel, and began to an Old Catholic society in 1 place. read with a loud voice the Sermon During the year new Protestant on the Mount. Now, there was churches were opened in 7 large towns, chapels were opened in 8 a market in tl::.eplace, so the people other places, and the laying of 11 gathered about the reader, and corner-stones was reported. To the new places thus opened the were pleased to hear him read from Protestants of Germany are E>end- the Gospel. But soon their attening ministers, and the opposition of the Austrian government to the tion was turned to a sheik, who new movement is said to have been came and snatched the book from in a measure withdrawn. Evan- the young man's hand, and, regelical associations of many kinds have been established to cooperate buking him, said, "Why do you with the purely church work. The read to them in the Christian number of converts to Protestantism during 1901 is said to have been book?" "Because it is good," said 6,000 as compared with 4,516 the the other. "Then," said the sheik, year before. The total number of converts from Roman Catholicism "from whom comes this book?" since the beginning of the agitation Then I was pointed out as the man is nearly 19,000, and this does not who sold it. A tumult arose, some include those who go to the Old Catholics. agreeing with the young man who said it was a very good book and others siding with the sheik. The upshot was that three Moham- medans followed me to a distance and bought from me three Gospels.
The Syrian W. H. Carslow, Protestant writing from Bei- College rut, has this to say of this institution, one of the very best in the entire missionary realm : The college buildings, which over- look the sea and are in full view of the Lebanon mountains, cover nearly 40 acres of ground, and are both handsome and commodious. Incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, the college, which is presided over by the vener- able Dr. Bliss and a full staff of eminent teachers, has 5 depart- ments: 1. The preparatory, which is designed to
give a thorough elementary training, espe- read and write. I said 'Yes, if I cially in the use of Engll#!h, which is now the may teach them of Jesus too.' He language of instruction in all departments_ said, 'You may, and you must come every day.' I said, 'I can not 2. The collegiat.e, which provides a liberal come more than once a week unless education in all branches of study included you give me a room in your house in the B.A. degree. for a school and call other girls.' To this he consented; so now we 3. The commercial1 whose aim is to train have between 20 and 30 high-caste the students in habits of accuracy and integ- Brahmin girls, learning day by rity, and to fit them for commercial life. day of the true God, under the very wall of the idol temple."- 4. The medical, which offers thorough pro- C. M. Gleaner. fessional courses of study in medicine and pharmacy. and whose final certificate is now The Growth Dr. Rouse, of the recognized by the Egyptian government, and One Man Baptist Missionary entitles the holder to practise in Egypt. tho Has Seen Society, who is still in Turkey another examination is required working in Calcutfor the degree of M.D. ta, first went out to that field in 5. That of biblical archreology and philol- the year 1862. In the B. M. S. Herogy, which is designed to promote research ald for April he gives an inspiring by advanced students from abroad. picture of progress during the last 40 years in India. In 1861 there In the preparatory and collegiate were 479 foreign missionaries in the departments regular classes are country; now there are 970. In held during the week for the study 1861 there were 97 native ordained of the Bible; while all students, ministers and 1,266 other native whether resident or not, are ex- preachers; now there are 890 of the pected to attend the chapel service former and 4,500 of the latter. But once or twice every day, and on the greatest change is in the num- Sunday special arrangements are ber of lady missionaries. In 1861 it made for Bible instruction. is not known how many there were, but the number was certainly very The Numbering The C. M. S. Intel- small; now there are 1,100. Best of of the Hindus ligencer suggests all, in 1861 there were less than 25,000 native communicants; now truly that "the there are very nearly 300,000. census of India is the greatest statistical operation ever attempted Progress in Rev. J. Duthie, of by man." Tho the figures are not South India Travancore, has reall in yet, these will give some idea of the growth of Christianity in cently told what his that vast and most populous penin- eyes have seen of growth since he sula: The Christian population is joined that mission some forty 2,923,349, an increase of 638,969 years ago. Then there was not a within a decade. Of these 1,209,039 single ordained native pastor. Since are Roman Catholics, 571,327 Syr- then he had himself taken part in ians (Nestorians, Malabar Chris- 81 ordinations. These men had tians), 453,612 Anglicans, 220,863 been sincere Christians, and men of Baptists, 82,994 Methodists, 48,197 influence in the congregations, and Congregationalists, 47,704 Presby- some had been great preachers and terians, and miscellaneous 289,613. expositors of Scripture. When he But these are not all Hindus, for joined the mission there were 141 169,739 are Europeans, and 89,251 unordained preachers, now there are Eurasian (European-Asiatics, were 350; 800 communicants, now or of mixed blood), and so only 2,664,359 are of pure Indian stock.
Beginning of Mrs. McLean, of a School in Azra, in the North- India west Provinces of India, narrates a singular instance of the starting of a mission school through the action of a Hindu priest. "Shortly after my return a Hindu priest in Azra sent for me, and asked if I would teach his five daughters to
GENERAL MISiiIONARY INTELLIGENCE
there were 8,000; 2,500 baptized compassion may grant us. Would adherents, now there were 30,000; that every reader might take part and 15,000 native Christians, now in this work, and as has been said there were 63,000. Thousands were by a veteran of the China mission living a Christian life amid great field, "Stand in the foremost rank temptations. There were more of one of the greatest movements than 100 self-supporting congrega- which the world has ever seen!"- tions in the Travancore mission. H. LEHMPFUHL, Zeitschrift fur The native church at Nagercoil Missionskunde. had not received a farthing of British money for over forty years. Another Trial The Chinese Re- Last year the number of cases for Christian corder for June has treated in connection with the Travancore medical mission was Chinese an article on "The upward of 100,000, which meant a Right Relation of great spiritual influence through- out the country. the Church to the Imperial Lot- tery, " which tells how the govern- A Busy Medical One medical mis- ment is endeavoring to raise money Missionary sionary-a woman by compelling the entire well-to-do -in Bombay treat- portion of the population of the empire to purchase tickets in a ed 3,110 patients last year. Be- gigantic lottery. To each province sides all her ordinary work, she is assigned some thousands to be has professional charge of nearly sold each month, which are sub- 800 children in orphanages and divided between the counties, and boarding-schools. At another mis- again between the towns, and the sion in India one doctor, who was officials thus must buy them them- an eye specialist, treated 12,000 pa- selves, or else persuade (compel) tients during the year, besides the people to invest. Whoever visiting patients in their homes. refuses is marked as a traitor and The daily attendance at the dis- is liable to punishment as such. pensary of this mission made a And so, what counsel shall the total for the year of 31,160. missionaries give?
China Sleeps She is awake at last The Gospel There are 12 mis- No More and t h i rsts for in Shanghai sionary societies knowledge, and she rep res e n ted in will draw that knowledge out of Shanghai, besides the agencies of turbid wells unless the Christian the 2 Bible societies (the American Church gives it to her. Had the and the British and Foreign), the Church taken note of the oppor- Diffusion Society, the Missionary tunity it would have been an easy Home on Quinsan Road, the China thing, 3 or 4 years ago, to have Inland Mission headquarters, flooded the Chinese Empire with Y. M. C. A., and independent Christian literature. This litera- workers. ture would certainly have been read, and might, with God's bless- The Gospel is preached in 36 ing, have brought forth wonderful chapels, distributed as follows: results. We shall probably never have such an opportunity again, In the walled city…………. . . . . . . . . . .. . . 6 but we will at least humbly accept Around the city and in the French Conthe teaching of the past, and dispose ourselves to seize the oppor- cession …………………………….. 8 tunities which God in his great In the English Concession…………….. 6 In Hongkow and suburbs……………… 16 There are 30 outstations around Shanghai which are visited by mis- sionaries, or have native evangel- ists, or both.
Last Octobel' there were 105 mis- the first mission chapel; it will be sionaries in Shanghai, of whom 40 dedicated this month by Dr. Grif- were male and 65 female. It is fith John, of Hankow, to whose understood that many who are indomitable courage it is a monustationed here have no direct work ment. The Wesleyan Methodists among Shanghai people, but are have located here, with Rev. Mr. working for the entire empire, e.g., Cooper as missionary in charge. those engaged in literary work, He bas opened a street chapel for printing, head offices, Bible distri- preaching to the heathen, and it is bution, etc. To purely evangelistic crowded daily. Mr. B. Alexander work 20 workers give their whole (C. & M. A.) has sold over 4,500 caltime, and 20 a part of their time. endars on the streets of the city These hold 127 services per week, since New-year. There is a treor 448 per month. Supposing that mendous movement toward Christhese services are conducted on the tianity in this province, but it will average ten months in the year, require great courage and wisdom we have annually 4,448 meetings at to wepd out the unworthy among which the Chinese are exhorted to the candidates for baptism.-C. N. repent and believe the Gospel. But this only ta,kes account of the for- DUBS. eign workers. There are besides 80 men and 38 women, a total of One of China's The name of Bishop 118,74 of whom give all their time " Apostles " Schereschewsky is to preaching, 26 give part of their widely known. For time to that work, conducting 173 services per week in Shanghai and more than 35 years he has been en- 67 round about, giving a total of gaged in the work of Bible transla- 880 services per month, or 8,800 per tion, and his Chinese version in year of ten months. "Easy Venli," he thinks, will be ready for the press early in March. The following results from this For 20 years he has ~at in the same work in and about Shanghai may chair, having suffered a paralysis be seen: Over 20 churches have of his lower limbs, toiling at his been established and 2,147 adult translation work with a vigor that communicants are on the Church requires two scribes to keep pace rolls. with him. He wrote out his trans- lation of the entire Bible in Roman Changes in One year ago (May letters on a typewriter, tho only Hunan, China 1st) I visited Chang- having the use of the front finger of each hand. This work occupied sha for the first him 8 years. "Here is the patience time. Only one missionary wasliv- and the faith of the saints."-Bible ing inside the city wall at that Society Record. time, and he was guarded by 10 soldiers who lived in his house, " Blind " On the afternoon of from which he rarely ventured out. To-day there are 7 foreign mission- Murray Monday, May 12th, aries living in the city, including one foreign lady. The officials are of Peking one of the rooms of very ktnd and do everything POHsible to protect us. No violence the Christian Instihas been offered so far. Mission work is making substantial prog- tute in Glasgow was crowded with ress in every way. The London mission had the honor of erecting a company of friends assembled to welcome the Rev. W. H. Murray, of Peking. His visit home was a sorrowful necessity. Health had been undermined by the stress of the siege and of subsequent hard- ships and toil. Loss of the right
• GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
eye was also threatened, as well as twice), 2 or 3 Assistant Cabinet Min- injury to the left, and an operation isters, besidesanumber of chairmen was imperative. Happily the oper- of legislative committees, judges 4?f ation in London has been so suc- the appellate courts, etc. In the cessful that the eye did not need first diet there were, out of 300 to be removed, but is seriously members of the lower house, 11 dimmed. Dr. Ross Taylor presided Christians, almost nine times as over the gathering, and voiced its many as their percentage would welcome. His mission to the blind imply. Since then their proporwas the first mission fully reestab- tion has never sunk below four lished after the siege, and on the times their percentage. In the table lay a copy of the first book present diet there are 13 Christians; printed in Peking since the troubles, one of these, in a strongly Buddhist the Gospel of St. John in Chinese district, was chosen by a majority Braille. Mr. Murray mentioned of 5 to 1. In the Executive Comthat of the 35 blind pupils in his mittee of the great Liberal Party home before the siege, 28 had been in 1900, of 3 members 2 were sent from as many different mis- Christians; thi,s year, 1. In the sions to learn his phonetic system army it is said that 155 officers of reading with a view to teaching (that is, 3 per cent.) are Christians. it to the illiterate sighted in their In the navy the captains' of the different districts. two largest men-of-war are Chris- tians. The teachers and students The Railroads Amid all the un- of the universities and high-schools in China rest and rumored are out of all proportion Christian. changes in China The same is true of the young men sent abroad to study.-Monatsthe' progress of railway construc- blatter. tion goes steadily on. At the beginning of this year 100 miles of The Gospel Dr. De Fores t the Shantung Railway had been completed; 540 miles of the Im- Advancing in writes most hopeperial Railways of North China; the Shang-hai-Woosing Railway, Japan fully in the Mis- 11 miles long: the Lu-Han Railway, running out from Peking to Cheng- siona1'y Her a l d, tingfu, 160 miles; and the Great Central China railway has been and gives good grounds for his completed from Hankow, on the Yangtsc River, 100 miles north- hope. Among the rest, he says: ward toward Peking. Thus there are now completed in China 000 One surprise has come to me in miles of railway. the form of a check for $2.50 from a Japanese magazine for a brief Japanese The number of Jap- article on "The Alliance with Eng- Christians an e s e Christians land." I wrote it to show the ethical results likely to appear, and -Protestant, Ro- managed to put in this sentence: man Catholic, Greek-is 120,000, or "Jesus Christ, by his emphatic only one-fourth per cent. of the teaching of the Fatherhood of God, entire population. Their relative deserves to be called the father of influence is, however, enormously the present system of International greater. They have supplied: 1 Cab- Law, with its Red Cross societies in inet Minister, 2 Judges of the Court every civilized land, and with alof Cassation, 2 Speakers of the liances based on the wide belief in House of Commons (one elected the essential oneness of the whole race." To be paid here for an ar- ticle with this sentence in it is without precedent in my life of twenty,·seven years in Japan. You can hardly judge of the vast amount of change in public opinion about Christianity going on in this land. It is quiet, and does not
especially show itself in extranum- altho the danger is that many of bers coming openly into the King- them will stop short of feeling dom of God. But one very decided their need of a Divine Savior. proof of it justcame to hand, which Many are ready to sign their names I enclose for your inspection. It is as inquirers after the truth, but the .first official permission given they should not be counted as con- by the central government to a verts yet. Most of them know al- body of Christians to raise money most nothing of the great funda- anywhere in Japan to build a Chris- mentals of Christianity. They tian church. There is but one brief need teachers of strong faith and sentence in it, all the rest being deep experience to teach them." titles and forms. It says: Christianity During the past 15 As regards the request on the part of the in Korea yea r s Protestant Wakamatsu Christian Church, represented missions have by Pastor Kaneko and eleven others, for per- mission to raise money, it is granted by Baron brought into connection with the Uchiumi, Minister of the Home Department. Christian Church bet.ween 8,000 and 10,000 Koreans. They include men Things to Remember About Japan of every class, from the lowest to the highest. These Koreans have 1. Japan is about the size of California. in a vast majority of cases made 2. It is a beautiful country, and so moun- pecuniary sacrifices in joining the tainous that not more than one-tenth is under Christian Church. They have cultivation. given generously of their money to 3. There are more than 45,000,000 inhabi- build chapels and schools in scores tants, or. more than in Great Britain or of country villages, they have re- France. jected the custom of concubinage, 4. The population is rapidly increasing suffered heavy financial losses without immigration. through ob"ervance of the Sabbath, 5. The government is a constitutional earned the suspicion of their fellow monarchy. Suffrage is limited by property countrymen, broken down the barqualifications. The country is well governed. riers of caste, discountenanced child 6. Japan has all the scientific machinery marriage, destroyed their fetishes, and inventions that mark modern civiliza- established schools, published tion. books, and given almost as much 7. It has an excellent school system, with money for Indian Famine Relief, 81 per cent. of the boys and 51 per cent. of in proportion to their means, as the girls under instruction. the average of nominally Christian 8. Heathenism is still strong in Japan. people in any other country in the 9. The people are without Christ, "walking world. Not more than 2 per cent. in the vanity of th"ir mind, having the under- of them have received salaries out standing darkened, being alienated from of foreign funds, and then only for the life of God through the ignoranc" that is full value received. in them, because of the blindness of their To an unprejudiced mind these minds. l' results, even from a merely social and intellectual standpoint, are 10. Roman Catholic missionaries entered worth the money and the labor exabout 1550, and w!'re expelled in 1597. Prot- pended; but when we consider that estant missions b"gan in 1859, the first con- these are the result of a moral and vert was baptized in 1864, the first Scripture spiritual change which bears in itportion published in 1871, and the first church self the power of self-propagation, organized in 1872. and bids fair to renovate the whole social fabric of Korea, the price Another Token Rev. J. D. Davis of Good writes from Kyoto, Japan: "Agnosti- cism, rationalism, and Unitarianism are all at work here, and they have some following even in the Church, but the majority stand firm for the Divine Christ and for God's Word as 'the perfect rule of faith and practise.' There is a great movement going on, especially among the young men in Japan,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENOE
paid for it is infinitesimal.-Korea even profited by the simultaneous Review. kindness of the English and the Boers. This state of things is due, AFRICA without doubt, to a tacit agreement to leave the natives outside the Presbyterians The annual report. range of hostilities. But it is due on the Kongo of the mission on also to the whole past of the mis- sion, to the respect inspired in all the Kongo of the by a work manifestly blessed of Southern Presbyterian Board is Divine Providence, to the good given in The Missionary for June, name which our missionaries have and is of great interest. This mis- gained through all South Africa. sion has two principal stations on However, our stations could not the Kassai River, Luebo and Ibanj. fail to be saddened by the view of There has been within a year a re- the wretchedness of every kind markable ingathering of souls, 382 which ever follows in the train of having been added to the church, war. The .Tournal has recounted making the present enrollment 854. how our missionaries have had to These new converts have been for practise Christian charity as well months under daily instruction toward English as toward Boers, and have passed a rigid examina- offering to unhappy refugees hos- tion. Most of them are young pitality, preaching to them the people, and they have shown a Gospel, organizing schools for their genuine desire to labor among their children, helping them to gain news own people. The schools have been of their wounded or captured kinwell attended and the transforma- dred. Many friends in France and tions that have taken place in the elsewhere, who do not limit their social life of the people are marked. love to words, have lightened this Ten years ago, in any case of sick- task by repeated contributions. It ness, the witch doctor would have belongs to us to thank them been summoned to point out the warmly." witch, who would have been poisoned and his body burned. This Transformations What a revolution was the universal custom, but the on the Zambesi in the ideas of the past year there has not been a case of giving poison to the witches. blacks when they learn that white men are come to Wesleyans in The late Mr. Will- establish themselves on the banks South Africa iam Mar s h, of of the Zambesi, not to carryon the traffic in human flesh, not to mal- Capetown, made a treat them and abuse them, but to bequest to the South African Wes- bring them the Good News, to morleyan Church of $900,000 for the alize their children by the regular purpose of establishing the" Marsh work of the school, .to care for them Memorial Homes" for the desti- when they are sick-in brief, to be tute white children of South Af- their counsellors, their friends! rica. The South African 1Vesleyan When Christianity is criticized, Methodist Church (not including analyzed, passed through the sieve, the Transvaal and Rhodesia) re- the missionary work which is going ports 7,058 English members, an on in almost all heathen countries increase of 447, and 59,378 native shows overwhelmingly that Chrismembers, an increase of 3,553. tianity has lost nothing of its pow- er or of its force of action. More- Conditions in " Our mission in Ba- over, as concerns the country of Basutoland sutoland," says the Journal des Mis- sions, "has been sheltered from the scourge of war; the Basutos have
the Barotsis, are we to make noth- der, justice and liberty and love ing of the abolition of slavery, the embodied in the Church. More- suppression of the influence of the over, the building will be a center sorcerers, of infanticide, of those from which will radiate to all sec- horrible executions, the very tions and to all people in the islands thought of which paralyzes with the Church's uplifting and conhorror? Shall we count for noth- structive teaching and influence. ing these innumerable lives which Churchmen everywhere will rejoice have been spared, these souls which that Bishop Brent's plans for sehave been saved ?-ALFRED BER- curing to the Church in the Philip- TRAND, Explorer, in Journal des pines a worthy equipment arE thus Missions. greatly advanced. No gift of an equal amount has ever come from ISLANDS OF THE SEA a single donor for the missionary work of the American Church save A Dead Rev. A. J. Brown, once, when the late Harold Brown " Faith " in the after a visit to Ma- chose an unprecedented method of signalizing his coming of age by Philippines nila and the region creating a trust of $100,000, to be around about, tes- used under certain well-defined conditions to aid missionary distifies that" the religion of the Fili- tricts to provide for the support of pinos is only a veneered paganism," their bishops, in order that they might enter upon the privileges and adds: and responsibilities of diocesan life. -Spirit of Missions. I was in a Negros market one evening when "the Angelus" Light and The New Hebrides sounded. Instantly a hush fell Darkness in the Magazine for Febupon the crowded booths, and every New Hebrides ruary, printed at native rose and stood with uncovered head and reverent attitude the Mission Press while the deep tones of the church at Futuna, under the direction of bell rolled solemnly and yet sweet- Dr. Gunn, states that the populaly through the darkening air. It tion is 56,000, of whom 16,000 are was a beautiful scene. But a mo- professedly Christian and 40,000 ment later the people turned again heathen. There are 21 ordained to their gambling and bickering missionaries and 4 medical missionand bino (rice whiskey), evidently aries. The native contributions to without the faintest idea that there the mission in money, produce, and was any connection between wor- labor amounted to £1,862-no small ship and conduct. It will not be sum for such a people. The Roman easy in such circumstances to build Cath()lics in the New Hebrides do up a Church of truly regenerated not go to the heathen, but follow souls, to make the people realize the Protestant missions wherever that a Christian must not gamble they are planted, trying to entice or be immoral, or spend Sunday away any who are offended or disafternoons at cock-fights, but that satisfied with the rules and discihe must seek to know and to follow pline· of the evangelical churches. Christ in his heart and life. They are also doing all they can to get France to take possession of A Large Gift One person, who the islands. The chiefs almost for a Church prefers for the pres- universally desire to be put under British protection. in Manila ent to remain un- known, has pledged $100,000 for a church in Manila. The Missionary Society already holds title to a well-located plot of ground, so that in the near future work may be begun upon a building which shall worthily represent the principles of reverence and or-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
The The official an- charges of all kinds of misdeeds are Fiji Islands nouncement is now made. "Murder will out" is an Evangelized made that this mis- old saying, and on these occasions sion field no longer accusations of murders long ago needs to be cared for by the Wes- committed and undetected have 1eyan Missionary Society. Instead been brought up, then afterward of being a receiver, it has come to be investigated and the guilty party a giver, its contributions for mis- punished. Thus feast-quarreling sionary purposes last year reaching has tended to check crime. After the noble sum of $25,000. This, the food has been apportioned and however, is not the whole story in consumed there is peace and good- connection with the aforesaid an- will.
nouncement. The islands have be- MISCELLANEOUS come nominally Ohristianized and The Bible as H. M. Lane, M.D., civilized; education, commerce, a Missionary who for many years and worship are carried on accord- has had charge of ing to Ohristian ideals. Less than hospitals in Brazil, at Sao Paulo, 70 years ago the Fijians were the recently told us the following: type of human cruelty, degrada- Some time after the Presbyte- rians had established mission work tion, and savagery. Oannibalism, in Brazil, they found in the interior of one of the provinces, quite retreachery, and the most debasing mote from any Protestant work or influence, a community of Bible forms of superstition obtained Ohristians, with an organized church, living harmoniously toamong them. Wesleyan mission- gether without any connection or definite knowledge of any other aries went among them for the first like Ohristian community.
time in 1835, facing martyrdom, Investigating the origin of this society, it was ascertained to be a and some of them obtaining a growth from the reading of a Bible that belonged to some one in the martyr's crown by their fidelity. community, and fell into the hands of a young man. Other young About 80 of the 200 islands forming men joined him in reading it, and became deeply interested. They the group are inhabited, the popu- believed the truths and embraced the salvation thus made known. lation aggregating 121,000, of whom Others were brought under its in- fluence, and after a time they dea round 100,000 are natives. The cided to organize a church accord- ing to the teaching of the apostles, Fijians are doing much for the with elders and deacons. One served as pastor, to whom they paid a natives of other islands in the South moderate salary.
Sea, by way of carrying the Gospel The missionaries found that this Bible was one of an edition of the to men and women who are still in American Bible Society, published in 1834 or 1836, and doubtless was the lowest savagery. taken to the country by Rev. D. P. Kidder, D.D., a Methodist mission- The '0 Pig Feasting in New ary, who was the first one to dis- Test" in Guinea, in which tribute Bibles in Brazil. He was New Guinea one village gives there from the winter of 1837 to the summer of 1840, and it was this feasts, and receives edition which he distributed. No them in turn from another village, other Bibles were sent to thatcounleads ~o unexpected results. There try till several years later. An atis a certain amount of quarreling, tempt was made by the Romish which begins over the size of the pigs alleged to be under scale. As the measurements from previous feasts are kept, it is easy to substantiate or deny this particular statement. Then the taro pyramid is not up to the previous standard. Language grows strong, the gossip of the village is raked up, and
priests to destroy these Bibles, but tion and of education introduced this one and a few others escaped. by the missionaries, wit.hout their This Christian community has been motive-power of love for Christ, so taken in charge by the Presbyte- that there is increasing need of rian mission, and is now included Christian education. in their work. The doors are opening every- A Missionary Round-t h e-w 0 rid where; the fields are white for the Journey journeys in the in- harvest; laborers are waiting to be terest of missions sent; there is only the missing link of consecrated, opened purses to are not unusual investments of bring spiritual help to the spiritual time and strength and bank checks need. On the whole, we note re- in this twentieth century. markable progress in the foreign field, limited only by the lack of In the autumn of 1901 Miss S. D. earnest, vital love for Christ in the Doremus, Secretary of the Wo- lives of those at home, who are man's Union Missionary Society, nominally Christian. started from New York to visit its stations in India, China, and J a- A Sane It is significant that pan. As the daughter of Mrs. Thomas C. Doremus (the founder Religion our English words of this organization) she received peculiar welcome in every land, and "health," "whole," was accorded unusual opportunities to visit and witness differing and "holy" have the same root forms of effort. Sufficient time was allotted to each station, and and are fundamentally allied in no social functions were permitted to steal opportunity or strength meaning. A holy man is a whole from the effort to gain and retain impressions of existing conditions. man, a healthful man, body, mind, Miss Doremus reports that everywhere she found mission work in a and soul full-orbed and dedicated to hopeful condition, with opportunities abundant, and woman's God and his truth and his work. work greatly needed, especially in India, where non-religious schools This is twentieth century religion are being started. In one case the granddaughter of the leader of the and it is .first century religion, Brahmo-Somaj is to found a boarding-school for high-caste girls, apostolic to the core. It is ultimate where no religious teaching will be allowed. The permeating influence religion, for it is the doctrine of the of missions is shown by this general change in the position of wo- divinely perfect Man of Nazareth. men and in the outlook for their education. This influence has been -Congregationalist. recently shown in a most remarkable way in China, reaching even to A Missionary's Dr. Grace Kimball the governing classes. The empress " Constituency" estimates the avhas put herself on the side of the anti-foot-binding movement, and erage constituency many other officials favor it. of a missionary at 500,000. Great Britain and America have sent out In Japan also the nation has 650 medical missionaries, and that adopted many forms of civiliza- is about all there are, scattered among 5,000 mission stations, each with this constituency of half a million, having in charge also the precious lives of the missionaries themselves! Who will say that the work is light?
The Last Half There was a rumor the Best Half that Dr. Stewart, of Lovedale, Sou t h Africa, might retire on account of old age. 'l'his is the veteran's re- ply: "I have long held the view that the latter half of a mission-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
ary's life is for the mission by far country to such an extent that the more valuable and useful half. from the Mikado to the humblest laborer at four cents a day, there is He has discovered his early mis- no man in the island empire who does not directly or indirectly feel takes and set himself earnestly to the influence of the new religion, if not as a spiritual force, at least as rectifying them. He has got sober- a creative energy in politics, indus- ed in his expectations, and under- try, and learning. Statistics never can do more than dimly shadow stands better the difficult nature forth the truth of such a matter. of his work and the n'ecessity for Yet statistics prove that already the faith of the missionaries has more patience. He knows, as he found multiplied thousands of joy- never did before, the weakness of ful adherents, that the mission schools are educating tens of thou- all human agency apart from the sands of Japanese youth, that mis- sionary literature is scattered influence of God's Spirit, to produce broadcast over that fertile field, and that in all the native profes- the only results worth mentioning, sions, in the ranks of the wealthy and these are spiritual results. and powerful, and in all depart- ments of the government, Chris- Most missionaries probably feel tianity is deeply intrenched.
that they had not, at first, the DEATHS experience necessary, and were S. L. Baldwin. Many Christians at unable to set about their work as of New York home and abroad they would, now that they have sorrow deeply over learned a little. Most of them the death of Rev. Dr. Stephen L. therefore probably daily pray to Baldwin, Recording Secretary of God for a little longer time and for theMissionary Society of the Meth- the continuance of strength till the odist Episcopal Church, on Mon- 'last call' comes, when they must, day, July 28th, of typhoid fever. regretfully or not, retire from the Dr. Baldwin was born at Somerfield. Probably nothing else has ville, N. J., in 1835, and entered the sent Dr. Paton, at the age of ministry in 1858. From 1859 until seventy-eight, I believe, back to 1882 he was' a missionary in China, his work in the South Seas." and assisted in translating the A Newspaper This is the verdict Verdict on of the Boston Daily Scriptures, the Discipline of the Missions Advertiser, recently given concerning Methodist Episcopal Church, etc., missions in Japan: into the Fukien colloquial dialect.
Any attempt to estimate this For health reasons he returned to thrillingly interesting phenomenon must fail through inadequacy that the United States with his family does not take largely into account the influence of Christian missions. in 1882. For a year he was pastor Nothing but gross ignorance or invincible bigotry can lead anyone to of St. Paul's Church, Newark, and overlook this aspect of the subject. For there is bigotry of unbelief for two yeal's following he was every bit as stubborn, stolid, and foolish as any bigotry of religion pastor at Nyack. From 1885 to that is or ever was. They who do not know what they are talking 1888 he was pastor of Bromfield about still say that missionaries have made no impression in heath- Street Church, Boston, and was a endom except upon a relatively small fraction of the lower orders member of the New England Conof mankind. They who speak from knowledge say that in Japan, to ference. In June, 1889, he was take that one case, Christian ideas have already permeated the insti- elected Recording Secretary of the tutions and populations of the Missionary Society, which position he had since filled. He had a prom- inent part in the organization of and preparation for the Ecumenical Missionary Conference, held in
New York in 1900, and had never been very friendly with him for fully recovered from the strain many years, and named the college then put upon him. He published " a hall for training useful men." a volume entitled "Foreign Missions of the Protestant Churches." In 1887 Dr. Appenzeller jour- We hope to have a sketch of neyed nearly two hundred miles to Dr. Baldwin's loving and fruitful Pyeng-Yang, being the first mislife in our next number. sionary to undertake a tour in that direction. In 1888 he baptized 11 Norman The news from In- men at Wechoo, the gateway to China, and on his return trip or- Russell. dia of the death of ganized four converts into a class at Pyeng-Yang. His long service of India the Rev. Norman in Korea has been characterized by faithfulness, diligence, and success. Russell, B.A., at Mhow, India, has been sorrow- fully received. His life gave promise of much usefulness. He Gen. A very useful career was born in Toronto, and studied Thomas J. closed when Gen.
in Toronto University and Mani- Morgan Thomas J. Morgan, toba College, where he was grad- of Yonkers, died uated in 1890. The same year he recently at the Ossining Hospital was bent to Indi.., as a mission- at the age of 62 years. He was ary by the Central Presbyterian born in Franklin, Ind., and at the Church of Toronto. outbreak of the Civil War he en- As a missionary he used special listed as a private, and served until efforts for the evangelization of the the end of hostilities, rising until villages, and he was acting chaplain he was a brigadier-general. Under of the British forces stationed in President Harrison he served as his district. "Village Life in In- Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dia," just published by Revell, and was up to the time of his death shows that he was well informed Secretary of the Home Mission So- and a student of men. ciety of the Baptist Church.
H. G. Appen- Dr. Henry G. Ap- R. C. Mr. Robert C. Chap- zeller. penzeller, of Korea, Chapman. of man, of Barnstaple, of Korea was drowned on England very widely known June 16th, in his for his wide-spread forty-third year. He was born at but inobtrusive Gospel labors, Souderton, Pa., and was graduated passed away recently in his from Franklin and Marshall Col- hundredth year, after a paralytic lege and Drew Theological Semin- stroke in June. He remained still ary. He was appointed in 1885, full of praise and looking with joy- with Dr. W. B. Scranton, as one of ful hope to the end. His ex- the first missionaries of the Meth- haustive biography can never be odist Church to Korea. He arrived written. His kingdom came with- at Chemulpo on Easter Sunday, out observation. But over a wide April 5, 1885, and has been one of extent of country he has gone, the most earnest and efficient mis- literally from house to house, in his sionaries there. His greatest ser- ministry to individuals and fami- vice has been as President of the lies; and wherever he was known Pai Chai College at Seoul and Prin- he was loved, and his name is a cipal of the Theological Depart- synonym for Christliness and mis.
ment, also in translating the Holy sionary zeal and ardor, and, most Scriptures into the Korean lan- of all~ believing and prevailing guage. The King of Korea has prayer. A. T. P.
The Missionary Review of the World — December 1900
A PROCLAMATION AT A GREAT PUBLIC ASSEMBLY, ANDORALO
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
Old Series. } DEOEMBER. New Series. VOL. XXIII. No. 12. { VOL. XIII. No. 12.
GOD'S WORKING FOROE IN THE MISSION FIELD.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
God is the One Oenter of all true activity, like the sun in the solar system. But there are also lesser orbits of revolution, with their sub- ordinate centers, as the planets which circle about the snn have their own s'atellites. In a true sense all human history moves about a few great men. God has set them in the social firmament to give light on the earth, and to be for signs and seasons, days and years; so that their lives are controlling influences.
Looking back from this commanding point of view, over the hun- dred years now past, there are certain individual workers who stand out conspicuous for that abundant service which is always the out- come of a Divine purpose, and therefore conditioned upon holiness, and complete surrender to the will of God.
In America there has been felt no little interest in the selection of the few who are considered as entitled to a memorial pillar in the new " Temple of Fame." Were it necessary to select fifty of the most serv- iceable men and women, now dead, whose lives deserve to rank among the dynamic forces in direct mission work on the field, there would be an embarrassment, not of poverty, but of riches. Oertain names would at once crowd to the front, compelling recognition, such as those of William Oarey, Robert Morrison, John Williams, James Hannington, David Livingstone, Robert Moffat, Robert W. McAll, Alexander Mackay, Joseph Rabinowitz, Adoniram Judson, Ooleridge Patteson, Wm. A. B. Johnson, Geo. Bowen, Wm. O. Burns, Oatharine Booth, Wm. Butler, Louise H. Pierson, Samuel Marsden, John Ged die, John Oalvert, Henry Martyn, Alex. Duff, John Wilson, John Scudder, Peter J. Gulick, Titus Ooan, Fidelia Fiske, Asahel Grant, Eli Smith, O. V. A. Van Dyck, Wm. Goodell, John Hunt, John L.
Krapf, Lyman Jewett, rfhomas Ooke, Harriet Newell, Reginald Heber, Karl F. A. Gutzlaff, David Abeel, George D. Boardman, Justin Per- kins, Johann G. Oncken, Peter Parker, Allen Gardiner, Stephen R.
Riggs, Melinda Rankin, John F. O. Heyer, John flogg, John L.
Nevius, Ion Keith FlJ,IQop.er, Cyrul! Hamlin, etc. —
We have named fifty, and could as easily name fifty more. In fact, the missionaries that rise up before the mind's eye come in flocks, like doves to the windows of the dovecote. Their name is legion. Every land where the Church has reared and sent forth her missionary heralds, can present a roll of illustrious names which are her glory and boast. The missionary firmament is one blaze of luster, studded not with scattered stars only, but crowded with constellations. In some lands, like India, China, Africa, there are such hosts of saintly men and women who have there found their sphere of holy shining for God, that we are reminded of those nebulous clusters i"!l which individual stars are lost sight of in the blaze of collective glory, or of the milky way, whose white banner streams across the whole face of the firmament.
More may be said without extravagance or exaggeration. John Bell once briefly sketched his outline of the ideal Esculapius. He ll).ust embrace and combine four excellencies: the brain of an Apollo, the eye of an eagle, the heart of a lion, and the hand of a lady-in other words, intellectual mastery of medical and surgical science, together with a keen-sighted eye, a lion-hearted courage, and a feminine delicacy and tenderness. It was not inaptly said of Sir James Y. Simpson, of Edinburgh, that in all four particulars he filled out the ideal of Dr. Bell.
Of the ideal missionary no one has yet ventured to draw the corresponding portrait, but it would be no very difficult task. Surely there must first of all be a sincere evangelical faith, and that must be accompanied by a life of symmetry and sanctity; and if to these we add a large capacity for self-sacrifice, and a consuming passion for humanity, we shall not be far from having outlined with these four simple strokes of the pen the profile of a model messenger of the cross. For, in all model missionaries there must 'burn these four great Divine yearnings: to know the truth, to be holy, to serve the will of God, and to save the souls of men. These will light an altarfire which burns up the four carnal lusts, of pleasure, of gain, of fame, and of power, those earthly forms of rubbish which make impossible both holiness and usefulness, and quench the very flames of God in the souls of His human creatures.
Yet judged even by such a high standard of measurement, there are not less than five hundred missionaries who, since William Carey's day, have gone to the foreign field, and who deserve to rank among those who have filled out the pattern thus outlined. To prove this, and show how, God has been at work in the preparation and the sending out of His workmen, it may be well to select a few notable names out of the many thousands who have laid down their lives on the Divine altar of missions since the nineteenth century began.
If a few men and women be thus named, let it be distinctly under-
GOD'S WORKING FORCE IN THE MISSION FIELD
stood that it is not to the disparagement of others who are left without mention. It is a trick of the fruit-vender to put his poor and half-decayed fruit at the bottom of the basket and deceive the buyer by a toplayer of that which is exceptionally fair and perfect. But the most honest marketman finds it impossible to put all his fruits at the top, and those which meet the eye of the purchaser, are in such case but a specimen of what he would find if the bottom layer should exchange places with those at the top. The story of missions is in nothing more remarkable than in the high average of missionary character and service. In fact, the demands of the field are such, that incompetency and unworthiness are sooner or later exposed; and in unfit parties the grace of continuance proves fatally lacking.
In the modern missionary host, William Oarey naturally leads the van. In him some characteristic qualities meet, which mark a man who has few rivals, in any age.
First of all, he had an invincible will-an endowment the more princely because his aim was not to further self-interest, but to reach mankind with the Gospel of salvation. Sitting on his shoemaker's bench at Hackleton, he pored over Oook's voyages round the world, till he looked down into that bottomless pit into which earth's millions had fallen, and where they lay hopelessly sunk in the mire of idolatry, superstition, and sensuality. He saw and felt the gross darkness which covered the earth, and he made his own rude map of the world that he might keep before him the vast black spaces where this awful death-shade and night-shade held, and still hold sway. He resolved that the light of God should pierce that midnight, and bring a day dawn. He was" alone," as was Abraham when God "called him." * But" one with God is a majority," and he prayed and studied, and with pains and patience wrought, until he got the ears of his brethren, and they consented to nnite in a distinctly missionary movement. This "young man" would not "sit down" even at the bidding of his elders-in fact, he could not keep still. The Ohurch was like a refrigerator, but even such an icy air of apathy did not chill his ardor and fervor. He prayed, and wrote, and spoke, and pleaded until Widow Wallis' parlor at Kettering became the sanctuary of God's presence, and the spirit of missions had a new incarnation. And, when that first distinctively Foreign Missionary Society of Britain was born, he did not shrink from the severe test of self-offering, and William Oarey himself led the way as Britain's pioneer missionary to India.
A godly talk and a godly walk are sometimes far apart. Many a man talks missions, and even gives, who will not go. But Oarey went. His whole life was one long martyrdom for Ohrist, for whose sake He was killed all the day long. Voluntary poverty, habitual self-denial, *Isaiah Ii : 2.
untiring labor, humble self-oblivion, are some of the gems that shine in this" cobbler's" coronet. He founded the Serampore Mission, whence in less than forty years, in forty Oriental tongues, went forth a quarter million Bibles, besides all the other contributions to a Ohristian literature in the native languages of India. '1'he" Ooyenant" of that Serampore Brotherhood reads like an inspired document, and might have come from apostolic hands.
The "consecrated cobbler" has left his own simple humble record: "I might have had very great possessions, but have given all I had, except what I ate, and drank, and wore, to the cause of missions; and Dr. Marshman has done the same, and Mr. Ward likewise." But far beyond all the material possessions which the Brotherhood thus gave to the work of missions, were the translations of the Word of God in those many tongues of the Orient-a permanent and priceless legacy to the world and the work.
Yet, when young Alexander Duff called on the veteran to pay to the father of modern missions the homage of a younger missionary, Dr. Oarey's last words to him were, "When I am gone, speak not of William Oarey, but of William Oarey's Savior I" He who had not spared himself but denied himself for his Master's sake, would have all men spare him the vain eulogy that calls attention from the Master to the servant. The man who, beyond any other since Paul, perhaps, had counted all but as refuse for Christ, like that same Paul, would have all glory paid to Him. Oarey never boasted. His humility was his crown, as it is always the very diadem of the true disciple. Many an otherwise useful man tarnishes his service to God by his self-consciousness and conceit. He professedly bears the fruit of his toils to his Master's table, and on the way robs the cluster of the richest and fullest grapes to please his own palate. William Oarey gave over forty years to his work and never thought of himself; and he was never further from such self-praise than when the long period of selfdenying service was at its close. When the temptation to self-glory was the greatest, and the justification of it the most abundant, his humility was only the more habitual. He never seemed to himself so little in his own eyes as when he was" great in the eyes of the Lord."
No true historian of the missions of the nineteenth century can pass by Adoniram Judson, t)ne of the ten foremost missionaries since Paul, the apostle, finished his course. He has had few equals and no superior. The first impression he makes upon us is that of a man who has the courage of his convictions. The sense of truth and duty was with him commanding. On his way to the field, and before he set foot on heathen soil, a solemn change of views on baptism and its place in a believer's life separated him to a peculiar loneliness in his walk with God, and constrained him to go out like Abraham, not
GOD'S WORKING FORCE IN THE MISSION FIELD
knowing whither. It was a brave act to burn his bridges behind him, and for conscience's sake cut loose from his supporters in the London Missionary Society, and cast himself on God, and this, too, in a foreign field, when as yet there was no" American Baptist Missionary Union" to stand back of him. It was one of the boldest ventures of faith on record.
All his forty years in Burma exhibit the same costly courage of conviction and the same lofty loneliness with God. The throne might be held by a hostile Buddhist king, who meant to put down all Chris- tianizing work, but Judson was fearless. No prison bars nor heavy chains, nor the threatened death that for two years faced him, could shut his mouth. He must preach the Gospel and translate the Word, that all Burma might hear. His twenty-five years' work in the Karen jungles was owned by the conversion of twenty thousand of those "wildmen of Burma," and when he died, one of the purest heroes ever in any mission field passed away. Three holy, heroic, and gifted women had snccessively joined him in wedlock and work, who are forever inseparable from his service and sacrifice, of whom it is enough to say that they were not unworthy of their great husband. And in order to know how beautifully simple, spiritual, and apostolic Judson's work was in the Karen churches he founded, one needs to read into his epitaph its full meaning : "Converted Burmans and the Burman Bible his monument."
We question whether Judson's true biography ever was or can be written. Aroma can not be put into picture or poem. There is a subtle evasive savor and flavor about such a life which escapes both tongue and pen. Moreover, the best things about such a character and life are unknown, save to God, and can not be told because they are among the secret things which belong to Him. The best men, like Elijah, hide themselves with God, before they show themselves to men. '1.'he showing may have some history, but the hiding has necessarily none, and, in studying Judson's life, even with the best helps, we still feel that its deeper and unwritten history only eternity can unveil.
. William Goodell is another of the "forty year" men. He sailed in 1822 for Beirut, and in 1831 was transferred to Constantinople to begin a new mission to the Armenians of Turkey. After forty-three years of mission work he died peacefully at seventy-five years of age, in 1867, in Philadelphia. Twenty-one words, written of him, so fully sketch his character that we hang in our little gallery this word portrait, just as we find it: He was rarely gifted, full of genial humor, sanguine, simple, courageous, modest-above all, holy. He won hearts and molded lives.
One early experience forecasts the man. His father could not help him to an education for the ministry. In hope of beneficiary aid at
Phillips' Academy, he trudged to Andover, Massachusetts,· but, finding the charity fund already overdrawn, he footed it back, sixty miles, to his home at. Templeton. The next term, without either cash or credit, he put books and clothes in his trunk, strapped it on his back, and started once more on his sixty miles march, and this time was received. The same indomitable pel'severance marked his whole work abroad. He studied Turkish, Arabic, and Armenian, and dared personal perils in the times of war, when ecclesiastical persecution ran riot. He kept at his work of translation, rendering the whole Bible' into Armeno-Turkish, in the first two decades of years after he reached Palestine. When, in 1833, a conflagration which swept over a square mile burned all his property, grammars and dictionaries, commentaries and translations, and manuscripts of all sorts, he began, once more, undaunted. When, six years later, the plague in its most terrible form stalked abroad, and persecution lit its fires; when, in fact, the sultan decreed the expulsion of all the missionaries, and even the British ambassador and the United States consul said it was in vain to resist, he quietly said to Dr. Hamlin, "The Sultan of the Universe can change all this!" and serenely waited. God interposed, and wonderfully. The immediate death of the sultan with the defeat of the Turkish army and a destructive fire, together combined to stop persecution. It was one of the most signal interpositions of God in mission history.
His greatest work was that of translation, and so persistent was he to make his work as far as might be perfect, that he subjected his rendering to repeated revisions, the last one not being completed till four years before his death, and on that day he recorded his joy: "Thus have I been permitted by the goodness of God to dig a well in this distant land at which millions may drink, . to throw wide open the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem to this immense population."
As we have used twenty-one brief words to outline his character, again we have used less than forty of his own to sum up his career.
John Wilson spent nearly forty-seven years at Bombay. He was an exceptional man even among great missionaries. He seems to us a singular example of consecrated and versatile ability. His training was thorough and his scholarship broad and deep. He had extraordinary memory, but not at cost of a well-balanced mind; and he gave himself to the acquisition of the vernaculars of that varied population which thai little world in India presents. Not content with Marathi and Jujarati, and Hindustani, and Hebrew, he studied Portuguese, and Arabic, and Sanskrit that he might reach all classes, even the learned Parsees, and Moslems, and Brahmans, and Jews. He could confute the Brahmans out of their own sacred books, the Mohammed-
GOD'S WORKING FORCE IN THE MISSION FIELD
ans out of the Koran, and the Jews out of the Old Testament. He prepared books, he preached, lectured, aud taught; there was nothing too hard for him and no demand too heavy. He could talk to chil- dren, or discourse to students, or argue with sages. When he visited Britain he completely won the love even of the university scholars and the Anglican dignitaries. And in India everybody from the humblest to the highest held him in respect and delighted to do him honor. The fortieth anniversary of his arrival in India was observed by the leaders of all the communities ill Bombay, European and Asiatic, and a silver salver, the work of natives, was presented to him with an inscription in Sanskrit, recording the universal esteem in which he was held as an educator and philanthropist.
David Livingstone was another of the men who for forty years was, in heart and aim, a missionary. He stands out as the missionary general and explorer, who for two score years poured forth the costly ointment of a holy service on the altar of humanity.
His singular force of character would have made him anywhere a power. His own maxim, " Fear God and work hard," tells his secret. He worked out that maxim in thirty thousand miles of travel in Africa, in his great discoveries and explorations, and his lifelong grapple with Africa's_three curses, fever, tsetse, and slavery. To energy he joined industry. Like Carey he could" plod." He saved fragments of time, from the days in the factory at Blantyre till his death near Bangweolo. He showed patient attention to details in his" lined journal" of eight hundred pages, with its neat entries. His versatility was such that he seemed an adept at every task, yet he claimed no genius, and after many-sided service as traveler, explorer, geographer, astronomer, botanist, geologist, physician, and missionary, he cared for no honors, and hated to be lionized.
Duty was his watchword and service his goal. His strong will reminds us of Carey; his pains and patience have had few equals; his self-oblivion equaled that of General Gordon. One who knew him well pronounced him the" best man he ever knew." His great faith was the power that held him to God as his Pole star. In all his ways he acknowledged Him, and by Him was directed in all his paths. Even seeming calamity could only extort one cry: "Fiat, Domine, volunlas tua ! " He kept his eye on God, and nevel' read or preserved any words of praise, lest they might mislead or inflate him.
He was a pioneer in discovery, but, al ways and only, a missionary, with whom the" end of the geographical feat was but the beginning of the enterprise," He caught the true spirit of missions, the foremost law of which was, to him, "not concentration but diffusion." He was a missionary martyr in spirit for no inconsiderable part of his career, dying daily, yet declaring "I have never made any sacrifice." It was but the year before he was found in his grass hut, dead on his
knees, that he uttered the memorahle words which are now deeply cut into the memorial slab in the aisle at Westminster Abbey: All I can add in my loneliness is, may Heaven's richest blessing come down on everyone, American, Englishman, or Turk, who will help to heal the open sore of the world!
It is no marvel if a man who had such love for Africa should be so loved by her sable sons, that he could travel where no white man had trod, and go unarmed; that he should have molded savages into saints, and made noblemen of God out of degraded slaves of fetish worship. Nor is it strange that the devotion of those simple black men to even his dead body should have led them, having buried his heart beneath the moula tree, as belonging to the Dark Continent, to bear his remains by that long, perilons, and weary way, to the coast, and then to the great British sepulcher. That march to the sea, led by Susi and Chuma, is a fit theme for a great, yet unwritten epic.
Such are a few of the vast host of missionary heroes" of whom the world is not worthy."
We shall give mention to more of them from time to time hereafter.
MADAGASCAR: HEATHEN AND CHRISTIAN.* BY REV. WILLIAM E. COUSINS, D.D.
Formerly a Missionary of the London Missionary Society in Madagascar.
In older days, as a terra incognita, Madagascar appealed to the enthusiasm and enterprise of the Christian Church, and the London Missionary Society began its work there eighty years ago. Later on, during a quarter of a century of trial and persecution, the Martyr church took firm hold on the sympathy of Christians in more privileged lands. In times nearer to us a fresh interest in the island was called forth by the conversion of Queen RanavaIona II. (1869) and by the sudden influx of tens of thousands of nominal Christians into our churches. And now once more, through the great changes brought abont by the war of 1895, Madagascar appeals to our hearts, and presents to our contemplation a series of difficult and interesting problems. How will the great change ill the government of the country affect the progress of the Gospel? Will the land aronnd which so many affecting associations have gathered in past years continue to move forward in the direction of a deeper and fuller religious life, or will it relapse into godlessness and darkness? Is Madagascar sufficiently Christian to bear the severe testing that will arise from the • "Madagascar: Heathen and Christian" is the title prefixed to this paper; and we shall consider how far Madagascar, or any part of it, may be called Christian; and what are the prospects of the remaining !;eathenism being conquered by the Gospel. We shall try to estimate the value of the forces at present in operation, and to form a just idea of the peculiar difficulties that ;ust now beset missionary work in the island.- W. E. C
MADAGASCAR: HEATHEN AND CHRISTIAN
new conditions in which it is now placed? These and similar questions are constantly arising in the minds of those interested in the progress of the Gospel in this land.
Descriptions of Madagascar as a heathen land may be found in the writings of early travelers and missionaries. Up to 1820, notwithstanding the early Roman Catholic missions, no appreciable victories had been won by the Christian religion; and the pioneer Protestant missionaries found a people utterly ignorant of the very name of Christ. Some knowledge of the Supreme God existed, the remnant of a primitive tradition, or more likely, the result of intercourse with Arab settlers. But, speaking generally, the land was utterly heathen.
The Hovas, among whom the early work of the London Missionary Society was carried on, had much to distinguish them from the other tribes, and possessed qualities that greatly attracted those who visited them. We have, recently, through a paper reprinted in the "Antananarivo Annual," been enabled to look at our friends, now so well known to us, with the eyes of a French traveler, named Mayeur, who was the first European to visit and describe them, 120 years ago. In 1777 he made his way from the East coast to the valley of Betafo in N. Betsileo, and finally to Antananarivo. The one thing that strikes us in reading his account is, how much remains unchanged after the many years that have passed since his visit was paid. The great weekly market south of Tanjombato, through which he passed, is described almost exactly as it might be by a traveler seeing it today. M. Mayeur also gives an admirable account of the general characteristics of the people. He says: The Havas had not the warlike disposition of the other tribes of the island; mild and peaceable in character, they preferred to devote themsel ves to industry and to useful occupations; but they were greedy of gain, artful, and very mnch given to thieving, pillaging, and cheating travelers, and selling by false weights and measures. . . .
The Europeans who frequent the coasts of Madagascar would hardly believe that in the center of the island, a hundred miles distant from the sea, in a country up to the present time unknown, and surrounded by wild and savage tribes, there is more enlightenment, more industry, more efficient government, more advanced civilization, than on the coasts. .
All who came into contact with these people spoke of their kindness and hospitality to strangers, and praised them for their gentleness and politeness. Le Sage, the first British agent to visit Antananarivo (1816), speaks in the warmest terms of the kindness shown him by Radama I. When he was suffering from an attack of fever the king remained almost constantly by his bedside; and the kindest attentions were shown to all the members of his party. Testimonies of this kind might easily be multiplied. The Havas have also a strong family
GROUP OF SAKALAVA, MADAGASCAR.
feeling, and parents show much love for their children. To be childless is regarded as a lot greatly to be deplored.
There exists among the people a belief that in far-off times there was a golden age, when all dwelt together in mutual confidence and amity, and when the rights of property were so fully recognized that a man might leave his spade in the field and be surc of finding it the next morning. This golden age has long vanished, however, and present day experience makes us somewhat skeptical as to its past existence.
Pleasant as it is to dwell on the good features of the character of the Hovas, we must confess that there was, and still is, a darker side of the picture. These gentle and attractive Hovas were sadly lacking in uprightness and truthfulness; they were full of envy and jealousy, and they were the slaves of licentiousness and impurity. Their morals as a whole were probably no higher than those of other heathen peoples. Polygamy was common; divorce was absolutely in the hands of the husband; gross licentiousness prevailed among young people; slavery existed, and thousands of captives taken in war were sold to European slave traders. Cruelty, treachery, and impurity were the most characteristic features of the life of the people in the days of their heathenism.
Tho the Gospel has now been taken to most of the main divisions of Madagascar, there are many tribes that remain almost entirely heathen still, such as the Ibara in the South, the Sakalava in the
MADAGASCAR: HEATHEN AND CHRISTIAN
West, and the Antakarana in the North. Among these still heathen tribes the grossest superstition exists, and the state of morality is deplorable. Speaking generally, we may say these tribes stand on a lower level than the Hovas did even in their pre-Christian days. In one respect, however, it has been claimed that they are above the Hovas, viz., in that they are less crafty; and in one tribe (the Tanosy) it is said that a higher standard is maintained in all that pertains to the relations of the sexes.
In Central Madagascar, as we know it to-day, we can happily no longer speak of heathenism in the old sense of the term. No outward idolatry exists, and indeed, no religious rites of any kind are practised but those belonging to the Christian religion. What remains of heathenism is just what exists in a smaller measure in lands that have known the Gospel for centuries; that is, the prevalence 'of many superstitions, and the low standard of morality with which too many are content.
There is little fear of any renewal of the outward profession of idolatry in Imerina. We had in the rebellion of 1896 a last dying struggle of the old heathenism, but it was defeated; and those who were carried away by the evil influences of the time learned by bitter experience how utterly powerless to help them were their old charms and idols. What we have to fear just now is that many will be con- NATIVE PASTORS AT ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR.
tent to live without any religion at all, and will give themselves up to utter indifference and immorality. Let us not be led away by any rose-tinted pictures of the heathen world stretching out eager hands for the bread of life. Greatly as the masses around us need the Gospel, few desire it. The Bible account of the human heart is the only true one, aud we have not simply to supply a deeply felt need, but rather to lead men to know their own sinfulness, and their utter helplessness apart from the Savior.
VICTORIES OF THE GOSPEL.
The Gospel has undoubtedly won great victories in Madagascar. Idolatry has been overthrown in all the central regions. Many evil eustoms have been swept away. Education has made great advances. Christian churches are to be found in almost all the principal towns. But we must beware of forming too favorable an estimate of the advantages already gained. Before the outbreak of the war in 1895, the most hopeful estimate formed of the proportion of Christians to heathens was, that out of a population of about four millions perhaps one-tenth were under Christian teaching. This estimate, however, would be far too favorable at the present time, as the trou bles following the French annexation have reduced the number of those attending Christian services to less than half what it was in 1894. Much of the work carried on in connection with the Tamatave and East Coast mission and also that of the native missionary society has for a time ceased to exist. The churches in all parts have also been passing through a time of sifting, and it is no surprise to the missionaries that so many thousands of their adherents have fallen away. 'fhat the missionaries as a whole never formed a very high opinion of the value of the nominal profession of Christianity by so many thousands of the people might easily be shown by collecting passages from their reports in past years. The superficial character of much of the Christian profession was always regarded as one of the great hindrances to their work. We are not, therefore, surprised that many have left us. The surprise should rather be, that after the trying experiences of 1896 and 1897 so many remain faithful.
One important fact may be noticed as affording ground of hope for the future. Great as has been the faIliug away, the majority of our churches in Imerina and Betsileo still exist. They have been weakened, but not destroyed. In the time of greatest need the Paris Society came nobly to the aid of the Protestant cause, and took charge of the threatened districts, and they have now under their care a larger extent of work than that of the London Missionary Society. Many of the churches that might have been destroyed have thus been saved. In 1895 there were about 1,100 congregations in Imerina under the care of the London Missionary Society and the Friends
MADAGASCAR: HEATHEN AND CHRISTIAN
Society. There are in this district at the present time under the care of these two societies and the Paris Society about 900 congregations. These will form centers of Christian life, and we may look for a time when a revival of religion will take place, and bring into the now poorly attended churches those who for a time have wandered away from us, and who will come back, not because their rulers wish it, but because they can find in the Lord Jesus Christ the Savior they so much need.
A distinct ground of encouragement at the present time is, that as the result of the trials through which the Protestant churches have . been passing the missionary forces at work in the island are larger than ever before, and the five or six societies at work are represented by a body of aQout one hundred European workers. Times of diffi- LONDON MIS8[ONA.RY SOCIETY HOSPITAL, IIADAG.A.SCAR.
culty and distress have called forth sympathy, and have brought new workers into the field.
Not only have we received this encouragement from without,-but among our native friends during the days of darkness and' confusion following the French occupation we have had new proofs that the martyr spirit has not been extinguished, but that to many in this land the work of Christ is dearer than life itself.
The Rev. W. Huckelt, formerly of Vonizango, tells of a faithful evangelist in that district, of whom he says: Ratsimikotona, altho knowing the fanaticism of the rebels, relying on the promise of protection, ventured back to his home, and at the
weekly market told the people what the authorities had said. To show his reliance on their promises he returned to his house. Two days later a band of heathen madmen surrounded the house before sunrise, burnt the roof and doors, and bound him and his two sons with cords. They were conducted to a camp some two hours away; there they were offered their lives if they would forswear their religion and Ohrist. " We will never deny our Ohrist, so do what you will," replied Ratsimikotona. His two sons suggested that money should be paid as a ransom. "No." said Ratsimikotona, "we will neither buy our lives, nor sell our religion. Let us speak no more, but pray. It is God's will." The two sons were silent, and dropped their heads in acknowledgment. It is uncertain whether they were tortured first, or mutilated afterward; but gashes all over their bodies told a brutal tale.
At Isoavina, Mr. Peake's station, a faithful old Ohristian named David, a leper, was killed by the rebels, because he would not renounce his religion. He had formerly been an evangelist; and on his becoming a leper, and entering the leper settlement near Isoavina, Mr. Peake made him superintendent. During the time of rebellion some money was sent to him for the purchase of food for the lepers in the settlement. The rebels got to know of this, and attacked the place. They seized David, stole his money, and stripped him of his clothing. They then required him to renounce Ohristianity, and to throw in his lot with them. On his refusing to do this, they cut off his head, and then burned his body.
The accounts of some of our native missionaries in distant parts also give abundant proofs of fidelity in the midst of great trial and danger. All religious meetings were prohibited, but these men managed to hold secret services in the forest; and by visiting quietly from house to house they encouraged the faith of many. Rainizanamavo of Analalava writes: One day we were in great danger of being killed. A certain Ohristian was appointed to go as a soldier, and he sent for his family and for us to join in prayer with him before he started. When we had entered the house, and had begun our simple service, a crowd gathered around for the purpose of seizing us. But by God's gracious protection their purpose was changed. They crouched quietly around the house, and as they listened to our singing, some sighed, and one was heard to say: " Why should such a good thing as this be hindered?" When our service was over, they stole away one by one. Some of these native missionaries and their families were in hiding for months in the forest, subsisting on yams and wild fruits, and in one caSe feeding a small baby on wild honey and water.
It has been impossible to gather any complete record of these sad days; but many cases of true heroism occurred, and clear proof was given that Madagascar still has those who would not count their lives dear unto them in maintaining their loyalty to their Savior.
In some of the distant parts of the country, where these native
MADAGASCAR: HEATHEN AND CHRISTIAN
missionariee were at work, the churches and schools were for a time quite broken up. But now that the country is settling down under its new rulers, efforts are being made to resume some of this inter- rupted work; and in May last, three men were appointed to stations in the north and northwest of the island.
In Antananarivo and its neighborhood there has never been any absolute interruption of Christian work. There was a considerable falling off in some congregations, while others never suffered much. And now there are many evidences of a revived interest in religion. Much has been done during the past year with a view to deepen the spiritual life of the churches, and missionaries have been greatly encouraged by the results of their efforts. Mr. Thorne wrote quite recently: It is becoming clear to us that the changes are not all for the worse. A very violent storm has indeed passed over the country; but now we begin to take stock of our losses, we see that what has perished was mostly very perishable, and not greatly to be regretted, while all that is essentially good has remained. We have many things to encourage us now-the steadfastness of many of the Christians in our congregations, the improved moral and spiritual tone of the Church in consequence of the sifting, and the growing liberality of those who remain.
The conditions of the country districts is also improving. The people are beginning to see that now that martial law has come to an end, there may be under French rule true religious freedom, and they are no longer living in the state of constant terror that prevailed three or four years ago. A recent letter from Madagascar says: The gigantic and unscrupulous efforts of the Jesuits to destroy Protestantism have resulted in a magnificent failure. The country people tell me that their converts are leaving them just now in crowds, and that the numerous huge churches built in the hope of getting the whole population stand empty.
From all quarters we hear the cheerful news of congregations being employed in the work of rebuilding the churches destroyed by the rebels. The time of destruction has come to an end, and an era of rebuilding and restoration has set in.
In all the Protestant missions a process of adaptation and readjustment is going on, and all are doing their utmost to make the best of the changed conditions of work. Within a few years all missionaries in Madagascar will have a fair knowledge of French, which is now of so much importance there. Already French is well taught in one high school, and never were these schools so well attended as at this present time. Between two and three thousand pupils are now in daily attendance in the various Protestant high schools in Antananarivo. And in some of the recent government examinations in the French language some of our young men have taken very high places.
Another thing that is a ground for thankfulness is, that the strong
anti-English feeling shown by many of the French officials seems to be passing away, and from some of them the missionaries receive friendly recognition and help. It has become clear to them that the English missionaries are not the political agents they were supposed to be; and that their presence and work tend to promote order and quiet among the people. The tribes that are causing trouble to France at the present time are the non-Christian semi-barbarous tribes, like the Takalava. Even on political grounds, therefore, Frenchmen should have no quarrel with the missionaries.
Undoubtedly, the French conquest has brought with it many things that are for the good of the people, especially as regards the development of the material resources of the country, and the general administration of the government. But at the same time it has indirectly raised up fresh difficulties to missionary work. There are, for instance, questions affecting the great educational work of the missions, the observance of the Lord's Day, marriage relations, especially the irregular so-called marriages between French settlers and native women, the sale of strong drink, and other things. It is evident that the work of the future will be different, and in some respects more arduous than that of the past. But the distinction between the Church and the world will become deeper, and we believe that those who call themselves Christians will be more spiritual and more distinctly Ohristian. Our hope and prayer is, that the Lord of the Harvest may yet have gathered into his garner from Madagascar many sheaves full of golden grain; and we look for the time when the church of the martyrs will become a strong and earnest missionary church for those large portions of this land that still remain heathen.
COOPERATION IN MISSION WORK.
A ROUND-TABLE, BY REV. J. T. GRAOEY, D.D.
What Bismarck called the" psychological moment," has come, in the matter of increased solidarity in missions. Conditions favor closer practical unity of operation. The old sentiment of fellowship among foreign missionaries on the field is strengthening, and developing into intenser communal action. Bishop Potter ran up a weather signal when as the metropolitan of New York, the day after the great Ecumenical Oonference, he introduced into the pulpit of old Trinity Church, at the head of Wall Street, a Baptist minister, Rev. Dr. William Ashmore, and a Presbyterian layman, Mr. Robert E. Speer, to speak on missions. The crisis in China has fostered a fellowship of suffering. Laymen are bringing to bear the pressure of business methods in the conduct of mission economics. They are warmly
COOPERATION IN MISSION WORK
welcomed in the councils of missionary boards. Merchants of Liver- pool and London who can spend two hundred thousand dollars in merely prospecting a line of business in West Africa, before spending any other dollar in establishing it, represent the type of mind that can count all that has been done in foreign missions as only data from which to infer how to lay broad plans. But those mistake who fancy that missionaries have been dull in like studies and efforts.
Here are a few samples of sentiment.
COMITY A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
Much interest has been expressed in an article on "Some Early Beginnings of Missions," in the March number of this REVIEW. A part of this consisted of a note on the back of one of Dr. Ryland's sermons about his baptizing William Oarey. There lies before the writer the original manuscript of a sermon preached by the same Rev. John Ryland, D.D., president of the Baptist Oollege, Bristol, England. He, with William Oarey and Andrew Fuller, founded Bap- tist missions. Dr. Ryland also was one of the founders of the London Missionary Society. On the back of this manuscript is the following: " Our brethren in India have uniformly discovered a spirit of kindness toward their fellow laborers sent by other societies. Nor is there anything for which I more sincerely and earnestly pray, than that they and we may ever be kept from all party spirit, respecting selfishness or vainboasting.
" Never may we listen to that spurious moderation which requires a dereliction of principle or a disregard to what we believe to be most agreeable to the Vord of God; but never may we lay an undue stress on those thillgs wherein they may differ, who worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Ohrist Jesus, and place no confidence in the flesh. All who love our Lord Jesus Ohl'ist in sinceritv shall share in our love; all who appear to be led by the Spirit of God shall be acknowledged as the children of God, and as our dear brethren, yet will we follow none of them farther than we see them follow the footsteps of Christ-nothing in which bad men can unite shall unite us so closely, or those things in which good men can not disagree.
"On the behalf of our dear brethren we rejoice in their success, their diligence, their concord, their humility; and we bless God for what he has done for them and by them. But if we should honor them more and more we pray that they and we may rejoice with trembling. We are aware that no man should glory in men; were lOe to give them the honor which belongs to their Lord. they would be grieved if they knew it, and be alarmed lest we should bring a blast on their labors; and were they to begin to ascribe the honor to themselves, we would expect that they would meet with a more certain and severe rebuke.
"The zeal of the Lord of Hosts has done all that has been wrought. This zeal is combined with omnipotence; His zeal is combined with infinite wisdom; His zeal is the flame of infinite love. Our zeal is but a spark, kindled by the rays of that Sun of Righteousness which warms and illumines all the realms of bliss. And hence it is that we
hope to see all the earth enlightened in His glory; all nations shall submit to His government; all the tribes of mankind shall rejoice in His salvation. A multitude which no man can number, redeemed out of every kingdom, and nation, and tongne, shall make the East and the West, and the North and the South, to resound with t.his song of Isaiah, ' Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given,' etc.; and with the song of John, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor and glory,' etc. Amen."
REV. DAVID DOWNIE, D.D., OF INDIA.
Dr. Downie, one of the editors of The Baptist Missionary Review a very vigorous periodical published in India, is an experienced mis- sionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union, who has had twen- ty-seven years of service in India. He has this to say: "I think a good deal of misunderstanding exists as to what comity really is. Comity is not organic church union. That may come some day, but I do not expect it before the morning of the first day of the millennium. Comity is not 'fusion.' Comity is simply Christian courtesy, and surely that is attainable.
"The oneness for which Christ prayed is not a loss of personality or identity, but rather a oneness of character.
"If the spirit which marked the Ecumenical Conference and which characterises the International Missionary Union, now in the eighteenth year of its history, were carried into all our missionary fields of operation, both at home and abroad, there would be no need of any further discussion of this question of comity.
"But I think that we need and ought to have some sort of Interdenominational Bureau or Board looking to federation for concerted action relative to public movements, and civil and political matters affecting missions, to which questions affecting the relatiOlis between different societies and missions could be referred, not for decision, but for counsel. What such a council would recommend would carry such weight and force as to secure in almost every case an amicable adjustment of all differences, and concentration of plans and purposes."
REV. A. D. GRING, OF JAPAN.
Rev. Mr. Gring, after twenty-two years of service in the mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Japan, which covers the years of most of the modern history of missions in that land, has no hesitancy in uttering the following vigorous words: "There is no doubt but that the divisions of Christendom are a great injury to our work abroad.
" The Japanese, of course, know how their Buddhism is divided into sects, but that does not help us much, for we should be able to show them something better. We do try to live as peaceably as possible and thus lessen the evil of our unseemly divisions. It was thought at one time that the union was to be effected on the field. But this will never be so long as the Church is divided at home and the missionaries are obliged to represent their home boards and their churches. It must be done at home; water will run no higher than its source.
" In Japan affiliated Ohristian bodies have made a laudable effort to unite. The Church of England and the Episcopal Church in
America are laboring together for the strengthening of the Native Holy Catholic Church of Japan, the' Nippon Sei Kokai.'
" The Presbyterian bodies have joined to aid the ' Union Church of Christ in Japan.' 'fhe Methodists have also attempted to unite but have failed so far, I believe.
"But God alone some day will bring to pass so great and solemn a demand upon the faith and love of His people, to Christianize the Orient, that men will forget their differences in their desire to meet the call, as is witnessed in a great calamity. Theu men forget their differences under an all-absorbing desire to escape it."
REV. C. C. BALDWIN, D. D., OF CHINA.
Rev. C. C. Baldwin, D. D" who entered the service of the American Board in Fuchau, China, in 1847, and continued therein until 1895, making forty-eight years in connection with that board, and who still maintains his interest in that work, is competent to secure a hearing.
He says: "Cooperation is indeed a vital principle (1) vital to a true economy of funds of the Church, (2) vital to a true economy of the missionary power, and therefore (3) to a genuine and large success.
" It will he easy to show this in the various departments of missionary labors, as in schools of various grades; in literary work, such as translation of the Sunday-school lessons; in all which a right distribution of the required work demands a wise cooperation. All this is aside from, yet in harmony with, the dividing-up of the territory of districts.
"It is needless to point out the huge evils of unholy competition and jealousy in this heaven-given work for the salvation of the heathen. There is a pressing need of much sanctified good sense as well as of applied Christianity.
"Failure here may mean some years of waiting and humble working to efface bad impressions on the heathen, as well as the Christian mind. I may say that my own observation, limited to the single Fuchau field during over forty years, bears testimony to the good results of comity, and the evil results of friction in the work from want of it -the latter being pretty well disposed of by patient delay and conference."
W. HENRY GRANT, OF NEW YORK.
Mr. Grant has been earnestly endeavoring, as secretary of the Mis- sionary Officers' Union, for seven years, to effect the most cordial coordination of missionary activities of the societies of the United States and Canada; and as assistant secretary of the Ecumenical Con- ference, on whom devolved so much of the organization and mobilizing of that conference, he never lost sight of the bearings of it on future practical union in work throughout the world-field. He makes the following practical suggestion: "If each board would concentrate its work around strong central stations, instead of scattering over a far larger field than there could be reasonable hope of being able to work, a good many of the difficulties due to lack of concerted action would be obviated. Many
societies have not only opened work in different parts of the world- field, but have so scattered their forces over each country that no other body can corne into the country to work without overlapping. Any society concentrating its work would not only tend to produce comity, but would find it far better for the work of its own society."
J. HEYWOOD HORSBURGH, OF CHINA.
Mr. Horsburgh, who has been in China for seventeen years, and represents experience in the extreme west province Sz-chuen, writes from Mien Cho: "I long for the day when the missionary societies shall say to their missionaries, ' We represent different branches of Christ's Church at horne, but remember we do not send you to heathen lands to set up onr different churches there. We have given up some, and are pre- pared to give up more, of those non-essentials which distinguish us from one another, rather than cause divisions among the little flock for whom we are collectively responsible. 'fake heed, therefore, in the country to which you are going, to do nothing which shall endanger the oneness of God's people. Make it yonr aim to unite all Christians everywhere, and to build up with your fellow workers one undivided Church of Christ.'
"If one undivided Church of Christ is indeed Utopian, an ideal which in this world can never be realized, is the whole matter therefore at an end? Are we now justified in going each one our own way, independent of one another, starting divisions in all directions? Can we do nothing? We can do a great deal. Not to get as near the ideal as we can, because we say the ideal can not be fully realized, is inexcusable neglect. Surely, we are bound to see to it that the points of division among Christians, which we say are inevitable, shall, at any rate, be as small and as jew, and as inconspictlons as possible."
REV. O. H. GULICK, OF HAWAII.
Rev. O. H. Gulick, of the celebrated missionary family of that name, who has served the American Board in Japan and the Hawaiian Islands for thirty years, says: "In personal appearance and in dress we differ one from another; our coats may be of different hues, but these are little trifles, for at heart we are one, and unless we are specifically told, we can not tell who is a Methodist, who a Baptist, or who a Congregationalist.
" Some good may perhaps corne from plans spoken of for guiding the missionary campaign aright, for coordinating the missionary work; but I believe that the Savior is the Great Commander in this grand campaign, and tho we may make blunders, or think we do, the Master knows what He is about and He is guiding the battle aright."
THE ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE ADDRESS.
At the close of the great meetings of the Ecumenical Conference, an address was officially prepared and read in Carnegie Hall, in which the whole body was made to " speak as a conference to the churches of evangelical Christianity," which they represent. In that address was the following paragraph: i' We rejoice to testify to the Ohurch that in all essential matters
COOPERATlON IN MISSION WORK
we are of one mind. We believe that the supreme aim of missions is to make Jeslls Ohrist known to the whole world with a view to the salvation of men for time and for eternity, and to the establishment in every nation of a true and living Ohurch. We believe that Jesus Christ as Lord is Himself the authority and power of .missions, and the Sllre promise of absolute success. We believe that He lives and rules, and that we are but working under His present kingdomship and control. We believe in the spirit of love and of brotherhood in our service, 'doing nothing through faction or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind, each counting other better than himself, not looking each of us to his own things, but each of us also to the things of others.' We believe in recognizing the due bounds of one another's activity, in avoiding both the reality and the appearance of rivalry, and in so disposing our forces that we may the more speedily reach the whole world with the Gospel. We thank God that we have found this unity of heart and purpose compatible with great diversity of temperament and wide difference of practise in many matters; that in the midst of diversities of gifts we have had and shall have ever the same Spirit; of diversities of ministration the same Lord; of diversities of working the same God who worketh all things in all."
On May 2, the day following the formal closing of the Oonfer- ence, at a public meeting held in Oentral Presbyterian Ohurch, after considerable discussion, but scarcely with ideal deliberation, the meeting passed a resolution requesting the executive committee of the Ecumenical Oonference in New York and the corresponding com- mittees in London, Germany, and Scandinavia, "to consider the question of appointing an international committee, who by conference or correspondence, or both, shall deal with certain practical questions of cooperative work on the mission fields, and shall make known the results of their deliberations to the societies which have been repre- sented in this Conference."
WHAT ONE BOARD HAS SAID.
The Executive OO,mmittee of the Ecumenical Oonference, took this action of the meeting at Central Ohurch into most earnest con- sideration, and started a process of investigation in many quarters to ascertain what is considered desirable and practical. The results of that solicitation of information and suggestion will in due time and place be made known. Meanwhile-whether in connection with this, or independently of it, is not material-on May 15, the Presbyterian Board formulated a deliverance on the subject of cooperation, which was subsequently approved by the General Assembly of that church. They say: "In the view of the board, the object of the foreign missionary enterprise is not to perpetuate on the mission field the denominational distinctions of Ohristendom, but to build up on Scriptural lines, and according to Scriptural principles and methods, the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Where church union can not be attained, the board and missions will seek such divisions of territory as will leave
as large districts as possible to the exclusive care and development of separate agencies. It is believed that in other regards also, missionary comity should be given large range: (1) Salaries of native workers should be so adjusted among missions as not to introduce an element of dissatisfaction among the workers of any mission, or to tempt them away from the mission with which they are connected. (2) Each mission and the churches connected therewith should recognize the acts of discipline of other missions, and the churches connected with them. (3) In cooperative educational work, and especially where the schools of one mission train helpers for other missions, the latter should render some compensatory service. (4) Printing establishments are in many missions required by the missionary work. Such should not be unnecessarily duplicated. The printing establishment of one mission should, if possible, be made to serve the needs of all others in the same territory. (5) A hospital invariably opens wide opportunities for evangelistic work. Until these are properly utilized, it is not judicious or economical to establish other hospitals, the results of whose establishment will be to multiply further unutilized spiritual opportunities. (6) Fellowship and union among native Ohristians of whatever name should be encouraged in every possible way, with a view to that unity of all disciples for which our Lord prayed, and to which all mission efforts should contribute."
REV. ARTHUR EDWARDS, D.D., OF CHICAGO.
Dr. Edwards, editor of the Northwestern Ohristian Advocate (Methodist Episcopal). Ohicago, is a warm champion of missions, and has carefully studied all phases of them for at least a quarter of a century. He writes: "It is matter for regret, if literally true (and it is too nearly correct), that thirty-five different, and in some sense competing, Ohristian missionary societies have been at work in that land, as large and populous as it may be. Deprecate or defend the facts and motives as we may, the best and most kindly rebuke of this excess of zeal and consequent abundance of insistence upon the anise and cummin in modern dogmatic formulas, even in some missions, is implied in the safe prophecy that we probably will be guilty of no such theological foolishness in the near future. Weare not insistent concerning creed shortening and simplification, and verbal identity for home uses, but it would seem that there are power and safety and actual conditions for success in the entire suppression of evangelical creed differences among those who go abroad as Ohrist's messengers from the Ohurch at home."
Dr. Edwards calls upon the mission authorities of his own church to consider the question of reorganizing their entire work in Ohina.
He thinks the time opportune. He says, " Big fires often do wonders for a vigorous young city. They vacate lots, settle the issue when buildings are worth too much to tear down, but really are in the way, and almost unsalable." He suggests that his own board may profit- ably_consider if they_can not afresh coordinate their entire Asiatic work. .
COOPERATlON iN MISSION WORg
MISCELLANEOUS MENTION.
If this is profitable for one board it may be for others, for one board cannot do all it ought without taking into account correla- tion with the work of others.
Missionary boards have done something of this from time to time.
The American Board made over its Bulgaria Mission, north of the Danube, perhaps not with satisfactory results, to the Methodist Epis- copal Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church made over to the British Wesleyans its inspiring and successful work among the sol- diers of the Italian army. It cost a twinge in the home church to part with what had been the subject of a good deal of missionary platform oratory in America. The IVesleyan Methodists have within four years made over to the American Methodists, their work in Ger- many, on which they had spent many thousands of dollars, not because it was not successful in their hands, but that there might be only one Methodism in Germany.
Providence is here and there wresting mission work from one society and giving it to another. The nations are growing jealous of the influence of languages. Dr. Warneck is reported to have said that in England and America the revised reading of the Gospel is," Go into the world and teach-English." The French on the west coast of Africa and in Madagascar, have made the palimpsest to read, "French." The necessity developed the opportunity for the cooper- ation between the English and French evangelical missionary societies and the transfer of work. The Nicaragua command for exclusive use of Spanish in schools may require temporary brotherliness from some Spanish-speaking missions to the Moravians. These things have only welded evangelical missions.
When the American Methodists first entered India, they practically let Alexander Duff decide where they should locate. They have gone wide afield since then, much as Dr. Edwards says, like making" addi- tions," the parts that have been added being" remedial, adjustive, and often with the immediate aim of obviating embarrassments and incon- veniences." 'l'here are missions of other boards that are in like case.
'ro our way of thinking, those persons miss the crucial point who think that it is theologies that keep the churches from cooperation.
The real crux lies in the treasuries. It is not easy to keep aflame the zeal of contributors for joint operations. Many branches of the work are tied historically with special contributors or local societies who have nurtured them for years. The financial is the most serious question in the attempt at practical redistribution of work and read- justment for denominational cooperation. It remains to see whether the constituency of the societies are even yet intelligent enough, and self-denying enough, to sustain any considerable readjustment. Dr.
Edwards thinks they are. "The one great condition," he says, "for obtaining money from the home church, is the positive assurance that money is being used just where it will do the most Divine good."
That is broad and business-like, if only it is true tbat the churches are up to that level now. .
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF BANZA MANTEKE-II.
BY REV. HENRY RICHARDS. Missionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union.
When I began to translate Luke's Gospel I told them, "We white people have thousands of books, some good and some bad, and I have a perfect right to accept or to reject anything I like in them. But it is different with this book. 'l'his is God's book-not the white man's book. It is God's letter to the world, and every word in it is true." Now the people were not only thieves, but notorious beggars. They would ask for anything they saw-my only blanket, my only plate, my only knife-anything. I refused to give them these things, saying, . "No; I am a white man; I can't do without them." But when they saw me write a note, and send a porter down to the other station, and saw the things brought back, they thought, "All the white man has to do is to write a book, and send a man down, and up the things come. Isn't he mean not to give the things to us? If he won't give them to us we will steal them." They told me afterward that they thought all our things came from the sea.
"GIVE TO EVERY MAN THAT ASKETH OF THEE."
When I came to the sixth chapter of Luke and the thirtieth verse, "Give to every man that asketh of thee," I. thought, "What shall I do with a verse like that among these people? " I dismissed the man who was helping me translate, and went into my room to pray about it. If I lived that, the people would take all that I had, and I should starve. Then the thought carne, " Why not pass over that verse?" But my conscience said, "No, that is not right. If you can not live this Gospel, you have no business preaching it." A happy thought carne to me just as the people were waiting for me to come. I would begin again. So I said to the people, "We will begin with Luke's Gospel again." That gave me time for consideration and prayer. I went to one commentary to see what it said about this verse, and found nothing at all. Another said something like this: "This verse can not be taken literally. What it means is that we must be kind and generous, and give to those whom we know to be in real need. We are to use our common sense. If we gave to everybody indiscriminately, we would encourage idle:ness and drunkenness-in fact, we would do a great deal of harm." "But," I thought, "if that is what Jesus meant, why did He not say so? He was not an uneducated man who could not express His thoughts correctly. If we are to interpret Scripture in that way, we can take any doctrine or ism we like out of it."
After a fortnight's cons1deration I came to the conclusion that the Lord meant just what He said, and I determined to read it to the peo-
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF BANZA MANTEKE
pIe. Of course, I had to make a confession, and that was rather humiliating to a missionary who went to teach heathen; but it does not do any harm to be humbled. So I said to my congregation, "Now God has set before us in His Word a very high standard. It will take me a whole lifetime to live up to it, but I intend, by the grace of God, to live what I preach to you." I then read to them the text, and said, "God means what He says." The people all over the congregation began to smile. I did not interpret the text, but they did. They nnderstood it if the man who wrote the commentary did not.
When I had finished preaching they came up and began to ask for some things. One said, "Give me a piece of soap;" another wanted a reel of cotton, another a piece of cloth-and so on.
I gave them the things they asked for, but there was one consolation; I had very few things there.
Next day I had a much larger congregation – if you do not believe it, try that plan and see-and when I had finished preaching, they began to beg in the same way.
This went on for a day or two, and I wondered if AFRICAN GRAVES NEAR THE KONGO.
I would be able to live The natives have the custom of putting on their graves their up to that standard after Idols and fetishes. Here may be seen the cause of many all. What if they came deaths and the objects of worship – rum bottles and Jugs from England and America.
into my bedroom and took everything? Still I could not see that the text meant anything else than what it said.
One day the people were waiting, and as I looked at them from behind the curtain of my bedroom, I saw them showing each other the things I had given them the day before. One man said, "I am going to ask for that to-day." But the chief's son, who was among them, said, "You mustn't ask that white man for anything more. He will give all he has. If you want anything more now you must buy it." When I had finished preaching, not one of them asked for a thing, and they very rarely begged for anything after that.
When our work had extended, a missionary came up from the other
station and asked how it all began. I told him my experience and he said, "Do you take that text literally?" "Certainly," I said; "I have never been able to see the figure. Can you?" "Well," he said, "these people know you. You have lived here seven years, but if you would come to Mpalabala they would ask for your house and you would have to live in thc grass." I went down a short time after this and stayed for a fortnight, and no one asked for a thing, altho I knew from previous experience that they were great beggars.
People have said to me, "When you go to England you will not be able to live up to that text." But that was in 1886, and I have found no difficulty in living it in England and in America; and if I only gave when I was asked, I would give very little. Since I began this I have never, to my knowledge, had a man come to me for money to buy strong drink. When I go into a degraded district and see tramps about me, I pray, "Now, Lord, if you don't wish me to give to them, don't let them ask;" and I believe that if they ask, the Lord has allowed them to come to me. We have no right to put in any" ifs" and "buts." God is always giving. Jesus gave Himself, gave His life. I think I am beginning to understand the real meaning of that text. One might give material things and not obey the spirit of the text at all. If we have knowledge, if we have the Gospel, we are to give. "Freely ye have received, freely give." The Christian life is a life of giving. Jesus means us to give in its fullest extent, even to our life, if necessary.
PREACHING CHRIST CRUCIFIED.
I went onwith the translation of Luke until I came to the account of the crucifixion of our Lord. I shall never forget the effect of that in the chief's town. After reading the account I said, "Now it comes to this. I have talked to you about this loving One, who always went about doing good, and never did any wrong. Even Pilate said, ' I find no fault in Him.' But there He is dying on the cross for your sins and for mine. Do not tell me that you have not sinned. While the Scribes and Pharisees are scoffing at Him, and the soldiers who nailed Him to the cross are mocking Him, and the chief is reviling Him, listen to what He says, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' Did you ever hear anything like that?" The people seemed electrified. No one spoke; and I should not have been at all surprised if they had said, " We believe." But they did not move, and I left them deeply impressed. I went to another town, and read the same account, and saw the same impression. Now I understood what Jesus meant when He said, " And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me." I now knew why Paul said, "I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus, and Him crucified."
One day, when I had finished, the man who had helped me in
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF BANZA
translation got up and spoke to the people for the first time. He said. "Now, this white man has been here a long time, and the words he has spoken are true words, and yet you do not believe." "You are a strange man," I thought; "you do not belief yourself." Previous to this, when the man was helping me with the translation, he would sometimes say, " I believe," but I saw no change in his life. I would say, " No, Lutete; a Christian means one who lives a Christian life; and you keep your fetishes and charms, and go on with your ways the saIlle as ever." But this day, as we were going through the wood he began to sing one of our hymns. I turned around, and we met each other face to face; and he said to me, "I do believe those words. I do believe Jesus has forgiven my sins. I believe He has given me life, and I am so joyful here, pointing to his heart." I could see from the man's countenance that he was a saved man. I said, "Give me your hand, Lutete." I gave him the name Barnaba (Barnabas), for he was a "son of consolation" to me. That man was the first convert after seven years of work. He went to his town, and told his people that he was a Ohristian; but his wife, and children, and his people, all turned against him, and the men bound themselves together to poison him; and so he had to leave his town, and put a little house outside the mission station. He went with me to the towns and told the people what the Lord had done for hini.
CONVERSION OF THE CHIEF'S SON.
One day, when I had finished preaching at the station, the chief's son-the one who told the people not to beg any more-remained behind after the others had gone, and said," Oan you help me?" pointing to his swollen face. He had been to all the witch doctors he knew, and had tried all the idols and charms, but got no better, tho he had spent all that he had. I said, "Let me look in your mouth." I looked in his month and saw that he had decayed teeth. I extracted them, and he felt better. He went home and put his idols away in the grass. He said afterward," When I went to sleep that night, I trembled as I lay down, because they tell us that if we offend the charms, the spirits and witches will come, and we will die. 'rho I did not believe that, yet I feared." In the morning he did not find himself dead, so he went and put his idols farther away in the grass; and as nothing happened, he entirely lost faith in them. One day, when I had finished preaching, he remained to talk with me. I told him to give his heart to Jesus. He thought I meant he must give his physical heart, and did not know how. The next day he remained behind, and I explained to him what I meant. Then I took him into my room, and said, "Let ns kneel down and pray." After I had prayed, I said to him, " Now you pray." He prayed, and gave his heart to God. He went to his town with me, and told his people that
he no longer believed in idols and charms, but that he was a Ohristian. His father and all his people became very angry, called him all t.he names they could thin~ of, and said he was a traitor, who wanted to bewitch them and kill them. It was all very well to listen to what the white man said; but to say that all their customs that they had inherited from their forefathers were nothing but an illusion, that was more than they could bear. Before he had been honored; now he was hated. So he had to leave his town, and put up a house beside Lutete's.
Another man came one day, and brought his charms and put them on the table, saying he wanted no more of those things. He spoke in quite a savage way. I reminded him that he would have to come as a little child. But he was in real earnest, and after I had pointed out the way of salvation, he gave his heart to the Lord, and remained faithful and won many souls. The next convert came down and said that he had not been able to rest, because he had been thinking over all the bad things he ever did. He wanted to know if Jesus would forgive him. I said, "Yes; it is His business to forgive sins." Then and there he knelt down and gave his heart to the Lord. He has remained faithful ever since, and is now an ordained native pastor, and has about a hundred Ohristians under him. He goes into the villages, among the people who can not come to the station, and baptizes those who are ready for baptism, and sits at the Lord's table with the believers in those outlying places, when the missionary can not go to them.
'l'his went on until there were ten converts-fine young men. Then I thought it was time to shut up the station and go about preaching in the villages all day long. There was quite a stir in the district, and the people came to the station in such numbers that we could not go out into the towns much. They came in the morning before we were up, some of them saying that they could not sleep because of thinking of their evil deeds. Ah, that was the Spirit at work. The Gospel was indeed proving the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. The law does not convict of sin. "By the law is the knowledge of sin"; but" when the Spirit of Truth is come, He shall convict the world of sin." The Scribes and Pharisees had knowledge of sin, but did they feel that they were sinners? "This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them," they said. Evidently they thought they were not sinners. It is the Spirit's work to convict of sin when Jesus and Him crucified is preached. The attraction of the cross is the greatest power on earth.
I organized two preaching services a day, morning and evening, and inquiry meetings all day long. You might have seen large groups of inquirers, with our first converts in the center, trying to teach them the way of life. This continued until hundreds left
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF BANZA MANTEKE
heathenism and became followers of Christ. Those people who had not known about sin now kn ew that they were sinners.
The Gospel is now being preached within a radius of thirty miles. At our station during the last year we had three hundred and thirty. nine converts, and at another station over four hnndred. Altogether in our mission over nine hnndred and fifty were baptized last year, and we do not baptize without probation. To-day there are one thou sand five hundred church members at our station, two thousand persons have been baptized, and we have fifty preachers and t eachers at work. We have a training-school for preachers and teachers carried on nine months in the year. There are twenty-five out-stations, about thirty schools, and a large medical practise and hospitals. Our A BAPI'ISMAL SERVICE' IN THIC WOODS, BANZA MANTICKB.
object is to organize self-supporting and self-extending churches. The people, poor as they are, last year gave eight hundred and forty. four dollars toward the work, which is sufficient to support all the native preachers in charge of Christian congregations. Of course, the schools are not self-supporting, as the children have nothing to pay, and the work of sending out preachers must be kept up, for of course the heathen will not support them. But so far as our work among Christians is concerned, it is self-supporting.
I like to think of the promise in Daniel, which is yet to be fulfilled: And there was given to Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting kingdom, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed.
THE FOURTH ZIONIST CONGRESS AT LONDON.
BY ARTHUR W. PAYNE, LONDON.
" Zionism" expresses the burning desire and determined e:fl'ort on the part of a vast nnmber of Jews of all lands, in hearty unison to obtain Palestine for their home, and Jerusalem for their capital, and to restart their national life as speedily as possible. The rapid growth of the movement, and its unquestionable expansion in the immediate future, recall to mind the words of the prophet Isaiah, repeated by the apostle Paul: "There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob;" also, the significant statement of our Savior that when they see the fig-tree (a type of Israel as a nation) shooting forth her leaves, His disciples are to "lift np their heads," for then their "redemption draweth nigh."
1. We note first, the character and circumstances of tltis Oongress. This shaking among the dry bones and their coming together, bone to his bone, is only a national and political movement, and has not at present necessarily, if at all, a religious or spiritual meaning; truly "there is no breath in them." Yet, in the central city of the British empire, the capital of the world, on the eve of the twentieth century, Jehovah, who had millenniums ago declared: "I will open your graves;" permits representatives of His people, Israel, to congregate in what has been called the finest auditorium in London-the Queen's Hall, Langham Place, W.-to proclaim through speech and through the press, before the civilized world, their soul-stirring ideal.
On entering the building on the first day of the congress, one was struck with the fact that it was the" Victorian age" which witnessed such an assemblage; for, in the center of the platform, out of the midst of ferns and palms, rose a lifelike bust of Her Majesty, the queen. Hanging from the organ and the galleries, were seen banners and flags of the various London and Provincial Zionist societies, in blue and white, with mottoes in Hebrew, and decorated with twelve stars, emblematic of the whole house of Israel, and also a symbol strangely suggesting the Trinity. There was a crowd of foreigners, mostly of Oriental type of features; a mixed company of old and young, rich and poor (tho this is an organization of the masses rather than of the classes), clllturedand unrefined Jews, male and female, conversing in the most emphatic and excited manner, and in various languages. In the area of the building were gathered four hundred delegates, deputed to represent Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia, Russians and English sitting side by side, while, next to the large group of reporters, were a number of lady representatives.
About 10.30 A.M. on Monday, August 13, a bell rang, and the confusion was hushed ~s th~ crowQ. took seats. Shortly Dr. Theodol'~
THE FOURTH ZIONIST CONGRESS AT LONDON
Herzl, the" Moses" of this proposed latter-day exodus, stepped on the platform followed by Dr. Max Nordau (who, like a second Aaron, is the chief speaker), accompanied by many other Jewish celebrities. The enthusiastic reception given to these leaders surpassed description, and as the president delivered his opening address, and Dr. Nordau followed speaking on the" general position of the Jews," each sentence was listened to with intense alertness. The solemn and vivid review of the Jewish disabilities throughout the world, evoked naturally more tears than cheers; and at times, as Dr. Nordau depicted the terrible hardships of his Rumanian brethren, one vast sob seemed to rise from the great audience.
THE MEANING OF THE MOVEMENT.
2. We notice next, the "morale" or momentous meaning of this movement. God lIDd the Scrip- tures are not given a primary, or perhaps even secondary place in connection with these Zion i s t congresses, though there had been more acknowl- edgment of Him and of His prophets in the last assembly than in the three previolls gatherings in Basel. On the Jewish sabbath preceding this congress, a service was held in the synagog, Qt. St. Helen's, where Rev. S. Levy, B.A., preached from Isaiah 40: 1: "Oomfort ye, comfort ye, my people," and, while lamenting that the immediate future seems to cast shadows upon the Jews, he said it was a THEODORE HERZL. happy thonght that the con- Founder and President of the Zionist Movement.
gress should be held in the week immediately following the Sabbath of Oomfort and that the delegates should on that sabbath attend divine service; and, while quoting the Hebrew saying, "It may not be thy fate to complete the work, neither art thou free to desist from it;" he declared "the present congress to be probably the first real reunion of the scattered members of the House of Israel ever witnessed in England."
On Saturday evening, that great center of Ohristian mission work in the East End of London, Oharrington's Hall, was the scene of an immense concourse of Zionists, so enthusiastic that, as it was said1 to
calm them was like putting out a fire. Mr. J. Goldsmith sang a solo, " Blessed is He that cometh;" and Mr. Israel Zangwill, the "Charles Dickens" of the Ghetto, in supporting the resolution, praying for the blessing of the Almighty on the proceedings of the Congress, declared that the movement was as much a problem to give an ideal to the rich as to give bread to the POOl'. Dr. Herzl said that when Jerusalem was destroyed the Torah (the copy of the Law) was placed in a coffin and buried (}Utside the city walls, and this coffin was compared to Judaism. This was his reply, "They had now to open the coffin and breathe new life into Judaism, and return to their country." Dr. Max Nordau said he could best illustrate the position of affairs caused through the Anti-Semitic spirit of Europe by the case of a man traveling on an ocean liner, who after some days, approached the captain and asked for a berth-" Go sleep where you have slept the past four days." "Impossible," was the reply, "I slept on a sick man, and llDW the man is recovered and won't stand it." The wave of nationalism sweeping over the Jews had aroused latent hatred against them, and they were reduced to starvation unless they would become again agriculturists and industrialists; so they had now Hobson's choice, either Zionism or death.
At the official reception the delegates drank to each other's health in Palestinean wine, and drank to the return to Palestine, while, at,their social gatherings" Rule Britannia" and" God Save the Queen" were sung. Dr. Herzl said to the Congress, "England, great free England, commanding all the seas, will understand our aims." What, if the B~itish nation as representing" the isles and the ships of Tarshish" (Isaiah 60), should yet help on this movement by sending back the Jews in her ocean liners to their homeland! The situation is becoming so grave that something must be done shortly, for as Dr. Nordau declared," Anti-Semitism, which, according to the smiling assurances of the heads of the committees of the Jewish people, is only an ugly and passing fashion of the day, spreads to all parts of the world like a prairie fire, which rages the more as the circle widens." In Bohemia quite recently a Jew was actually condemned to death on the charge of having committed a ritual murder, and in the Czech districts Jews are greeted in the streets with the signs of throat-cutting. In France the " Universal Anti-Semitic League" has been formed, at present composed of members from France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, and Spain, and its one object is to get rid of the Jews. Dr. Nordau says, " Jews are to be placed in a position compared to which that of the gipsies and even of the lepers in the middle ages was resplendent; and the pleasant hope is expressed that placed in such a position, even the wiry Jews will, with the exception of a few, be in one generation destroyed both body and soul." How near the day of Jacob's trouble seems to be! The callous spirit of
the European nation toward the sufferings of this people was well illustrated by the Afghan fable: « A fox fell into a lake. In his fear of a violent death, he called out, ' W0, the world fs coming to an end!' A peasant standing on the bank, who heard him, smilingly replied, , You are mistaken, friend, for the world is not coming to an end; I only see that a fox is being drowned.' "
Dr. Nordau, in his powerful peroration implored through the assembly, the wealthier portion of the Jewish community to work with them to conquer a home for the Jewish people. "You are able to do it," he said, "you have only to will. You have the millions; you have the connections; you have the influence; and you have the experience of great undertakings. Do for your own people a thou- sandth part of what you have done for all other nations."
Mr. L. J. Greenberg, representing England, and speaking on the statns of the Jews in this land, gave two causes for the happy position of his people here, one economic, and one religious; first, free trade, and second, the Holy Scriptures. He said, "In no European country to-day is the Bible so entirely part and parcel of life as among large sections of the English people. Those who laid the foundations of Bible literature, and preserved it throngh ages of moral darkness and ignorance-guarded it with their life's blood-are not likely to suffer persecution at the hands of those to whom the Bible is a cherished, a precious, and a sacred heritage." Yet, toward the close of this address, he spoke of the" perversions" of Jews to Christianity, and complained of the lavish expenditure employed "to make bad Jews worse Chris- tians." 'rhe veil is still upon the heart of Israel; may it soon be taken away!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL.
3. We note the opportu1l1:ties ajforded of offering the Gospel at the gatherings. Those who know the close connection between the land, the Book, the people, and their Lord, are only sadly certain that there can be no true safety or lasting satisfaction for the Jews in Jerusalem, apart from the salvation and presence of their Messiah. It was with the object of discreetly emphasizing this fact that lectures on the Holy Land, illustrated by beautiful paintingR, were given by Rev. J. Neil, M.A., ex-chaplain to the Bishop of Jerusalem, and lantern views were shown by Rev. Samuel J. Wilkinson, of the Mildmay Mission to the Jews. These meetings, held twice a day, were largely attended, and afterward opportunity offered for personal contact and conversa- tion with those present. Models of the Tabernacle and the temples of 'Solomon and Herod were also on view, and specimens of the flora and fauna, and other products of Palestine, as well as illustrations of the customs and costumes of the East. Here friends of Israel, such as Rev. Jas. Sprunt, had opportunities of helpful intercourse with interested groups of Jews or individuals.
Rev. Marcus Bergmann, the translator of the Old and New Testament into "Yiddish" (the colloquial language of so many) distributed many copies of the Scriptures, which were most eagerly received, specially by the bright little Jewish children.
Open-air meetings were held, and from the steps of the Rev. F. S. Webster's church, All Souls, Langham Place, addresses were given in German, Yiddish, and English by Hebrew Ohristians and others, interspersed with the singing of Gospel songs. There was open opposition on the part of the more bigoted Jews. Yet it can hardly be doubted that a deep spiritual impression was made upon many by the preached and printed Word of God.
How great a debt Ohristendom owes to the Jews, through whom came originally the Scriptures, for "to them were committed the orades of God," and from them first shone forth the light of Gospel truth. "Salvation is of the Jews," and most of all Jesus, the Lord Himself, was a Jew, and was crucified for the Jews, and will yet be crowned as the King of the Jews. The Gospel is still "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile." This was the order of the Pentecostal age, and even of the apostle to the Genhles Himself, who reminds fellowbelievers that, through their mercy, Israel is to obtain mercy.
We believe the recognition of the position of Israel and her King is the secret of successful mission work as well as the key to the mysteries of the history and prophecy of Holy Scripture. Professor Kennedy, D.D., of the Ohurch of Scotland, speaking at the S. V. M. U. Oonference, 1900, declared that every student of Jewish history and life is ready to acknowledge that many of the more unlovely traits in the character of the typical Jew to-day are the products of centuries of oppression and repression on the part of Ohristian Europe, and he reminded us that probably nine-tenths at least of modern Jewry hold fast to the twelfth article of their creed: "I believe with a perfect faith, that the Messiah will come; and altho His coming be delayed, I will await His speedy appearance." " Next year at Jerusalem" is the hopeful note with which they close their most solemn services; but, apart from individual repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Ohrist, there will be no true and permanent success in their Zionist movement. May the curse they called down on themselves, "His blood be upon us and upon our children," be speedily turned into a blessing.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Until thou turn again And seek with penitence of heart The Lamb thy sons have slain; Till to the Savior of mankind, Thou humbly bow the knee; Jerusalem I Jerusalem! Our tears shall flow for thee.
CHURCH BURNING IN CHINA
CHURCH BURNING IN CHINA.
llY PROF. ISAAC TAYLOR HEADLAND, PEKING UNJVERSITY.
Wednesday night of June 13th witnessed the destruction of church and mission property which it has taken fifty years to accumu- late. Five days before, on June 8th, all the missionaries from the more remote parts of the city of Peking, 'because of the rapid devel- opment of the Boxer troubles, and the orders of their various minis- ters, had fled for safety to the Methodist compound, which is within a half mile of the nearest legation, and within three-quarters of a mile of the British and American.
They began at once to fortify themselves by bricking up all the gateways to this compound, digging ditches, and stretching barbed wire fen c e s around within a few feet of the wall, cut- ting loopholes in the upper part of the large church, and gathering in- to this building all such provi- sions, stores, and clothing, as a siege might de- mand. Thiscom- pound is the largest in the METHODIST CHURCH AT TSUN·HUA., CHINA. city, containing six dwellings, one This 18 one of tbe h uUdlng8 r eported destroyed.
hospital and dispensary, one large school building, together with a litrge number of dormitories and native residences, an electric-light plant, and the church, which cost $12,000. The seating capacity of the church is two thousand, divided by rolling screens into main auditorium and Sunday-school room. There is probably no better built church in China. The outside is of pressed brick, built with- out mortar, with imitation stained glass windows, corrugated iron roof, the latest style of chair seating, decorated with elaborately carved Chinese mottoes in black and gold, finished in natural wood with board ceiling. It is furnished with electric light as well as oil chandeliers, and in every way forms a most attractive church-home.
Just three months before the Boxer troubles began in Peking a most gracious revival service was held in this church, in which all the missions of Peking and T'ung Chou joined. At this service there was a regular congregation of eight hundred. Every evening, kneeling
around the platform, the altar, and the first two rows of seats, were from one hundred and sixty to one hundred and seventy-five seekers, among whom were two Buddhist priests, old men and women of seventy and boys and girls of ten or twelve. All knelt at the close of the exhortation, and did not arise nntil the close of the meeting. All over the house they were kneeling two and two, a Ohristian and a heathen, and from that vast audience went up one chorus or prayer from the beginning to the close.
In this church there is a Ohristian Sunday-school of about eight hundred, and a heathen Sunday-school in the afternoon which sometimes reaches fifteen hundred, composed entirely of street waifs and their parents and friends. It is the church-home of more than three hundred students, boys and girls, and from it has gone ont as graduates of the Peking University, twenty-eight yonng men, twenty of whom are preaching the Gospel, or teaching, on salaries from onethird to one-tenth what they could be getting in business. Some of these are having seventy-five to one hundred and twenty baptisms a year. One of these young men during the recent siege was shot through the head and killed instantly. When the one hundred girls of the Girls' High School were shut up in this church, they went to their teacher, who was worrying about them, and told her not to do so, saying, "If we must die, how nice it will be for one hundred of us all to go to heaven together."
Rev. Oourteney H. Fenn, of the American Presbyterian Mission, writes that on the evening of June 13th, as they came out from supper, they noticed the street chapel belonging to this mission, about two hnndred yards from this large church, going up in flames. This chapel is also new. For many years the mission had applied to the board for a new chapel, but every year it was" cut out." Rev. J. F. Hayner was so enthusiastic in his desire for a new chapel, and so earnest in his work as a preacher, that Miss Douw, a lady who supports an entire mission at her own expense, gave him 1,000 titels (ounces oj silver) to build this chapel.
While it was building, one of the student graduates, already mentioned, who had given up a salary of fifty ounces of silver a month, and was preaching for ten, gave up that ten ounces, preached for nothing, taught English for a living, and during his first year teaching English he gave ten ounces toward the building of this chapel, ten ounces more toward the building of a dispensary in connection with the only chapel in the southern city, and collected two hundred ounces more from outside friendly officials, and completed the building of the dispensary. And these are two of the chapels and dispensaries which are burned to the ground. Self-sacrifice was represented by every brick and by every ounce of mortar that was in the walls of those buildings. The young man who was pastor of this street chapel
CHURCH BURNiNG IN CHINA
gave up an offer of forty dollars a month when he graduated, and began preaching for two dollars and seventy-five cents, and the young man who was pastor of the south city chapel, the only Christian chapel in a city of nearly a half million inhabitants, gave up an offer of one thousand dollars a year, and began preaching for eighty-four dollars a year, and out of that gave enough to support a student in the univerHity.
As the missionaries from the various other missions sat on the roof of this large, fine church in the Methodist miss ion and looked to the nor t h, northwest, and west, and toward the very center of the city, they could see their churches and their hom e s blaze 11 p furiously for a few hours, and then die down to a dull glow. All the i r possessions, all the keepsakes 0 f dear ones, were I~=====;;;;;;;;=========;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;i;;;;=~ destroyed by the GRADUATES FROM THE PEKING UNIVERSITY.
fire. Churches which had. been built with the pennies of Sunday-school children throughout the English-speaking world, with the rich man's liberality and the widow's mite, were alike destroyed, and self-denying, selfsacrificing natives who had endured lifelong persecutions for faith's sake, were ruthlessly murdered. The next few days were among the saddest, perhaps, Peking has ever known. There came to the compound where the missionaries were gathered parents without children, children without parents, wives without husbands, and husbands without wives, and many of those who found not their loved ones already there, returned to the places of destruction to search for them, dead or alive.
In the Presbyterian mission were two well-equipped hospitals, one for women and one for men, built up both of them very largely by the liberality of Dr. B. C. Atterbury, who spent many years of his life
BOtTSE OF' A MISSIONARY OF' THE AMERICAN BOARD IN PEKING (DESTROYED).
there, and thousands of dollars of his fortune. There was a boys' and a girls' school in which brigbt intelligent young men and women were preparing for a life-work of self-sacrifice, like those we have already named. There were also in some of the store-rooms all the earthly possessions of some families, who, having spent their ten years in faithful service in Ohina, had come to the homeland for a year's rest, or because of broken health, and there were keepsakes given to the missionaries by some of their college friends in Vassar, or Princeton, H amilton, Washington and Jefferson, or Rush, for most of them were graduates of these institutions.
At the American Board compound there was gathered all the lIIaterial for the building of a church similar to that in which the missionaries were gathered. For years the old chapel had been too small, and they had just seenred funds and purchased brick and lime, wood and iron, to build a new church. The foundations had already been laid and the walls built, but the structure was not yet completed. In that compound there was also a large printing-press which sent out hundreds of thousands of pages of Ohristian literature annually, and connected with it was the Bible Society where the emperor sent :five years ago to C( buy the kind of Bibles that were being sold to his people." There was a bookstore in which His Maj esty had purchased other Ohristian books; there was a hospital and dispellsary, and homes of both the families of the American Board representatives and those of the Woman's Board, and finally there was the Bridgeman School for girls, from which have gone out educated young women, who, with the graduates of the North Ohina Oollege, have established homes which are to the ordinary home of the heathen what an arc light is to a tallow dip.
CHURCH BURNING IN CHINA
At the London mission of both the east and west side of the city there are churches, hospitals, and dispensaries, and boys' and girls' schools. The dispensary and hospital at this mission are liberally subscribed to by the diplomatic circles in Peking and by the pro-foreign officials, and from it physicians have been invited into the forbidden city to perform operations on some of the favored eunuchs. From it have gone out men who have prepared medical works which were purchased by the emperor in his search for foreign books, and in its chapels has been done some of the most devoted street chapel preaching that has been done anywhere in China.
Miss Douw's mission on the west side was supported entirely by her own private fortune, and was doing a most beneficent work among the women.
The South Cathedral (Roman Catholic) was erected at a cost of eighty thousand dollars, and the East Cathedral at a cost of sixty thousand dollars, to say nothing of the hospitals, dispensaries, orphanages, and schools that w~re connected with them.
The S. P. G. Mission, three of whose members have been murdered by the Boxers, was in the west city, and was well equipped with church, school, hospital, and homes. Near it was the International Institute, presided over by the Rev. Gilbert Reid, whom I have known to live on ten cents a day in his efforts to economize that he might realize his hopes for a "mission to the higher classes." All of these, together with all shops and stores which had anything to do with foreigners or SLEEPER DAVIS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, PEKING.
Hospital for women and children Includes waiting rooms, dispensary, operating rooms, and surgical and special wards. Reported destroyed.
which kept foreign goods, were burned, showing the magnitude of the Boxers' plan to rid the country of every trace of the foreign devil and his wares.
It is impossible to describe in detail the property scattered throughout these two northeastern provinces which has been destroyed-the great college building at T'ung Chou, one of the finest buildings in China, Durbin Hall in Peking, in which there was a valuable library, all the mission buildings, houses, hospitals, and dispensaries in T'ung Chon, the valuable property at 'l'sun-hua, one hundred miles east of Peking, where there are four residences, a large girls' school, a hospital and dispensary, and two chapels, all are destroyed. Throughout all the country villages the chapels have been destroyed and the Christians massacred. The summer resorts at the western hills, fifteen miles west of Peking, and all the houses and the large hall at the newly opened summer resort at Pei Tai Ho on the seashore, near Shanhaikuan, have likewise been looted and destroyed. Why? Because a superstitious secret society took it into their heads to rid the country of foreigners, and a foolish conservative party with an ambitious woman at its head encouraged them to do so.
It appears from the most reliable evidence now at hand, that almost all the property of foreigners in the provinces of Shantung and Chihli, situated in country places, or remote from the foreign settlements in the cities, has been destroyed. The property of the American Board at T'ung Chou was all destroyed, except a small street chapel, and that proved to be a rented building. In Peking nothing was left. At Wei Hsien in Shantung, one church, six dwellings, boys' and girls' boarding schools, and most of the hospital were all destroyed. At I-Chou fu the latest reports indicate that the place has been looted but not burned. At Pao-Ting fu letters discovered in the viceroy's yamen in Tientsin said that the property had all been destroyed. It appears from the conduct of the Boxers in T'ung Chou, and from the fact that the rooms of Mr. Pethick, private secretary of Li Hung Chang in Peking, were found just as he left them, the remains of his lunch still on the table, that the Boxers were well instructed as to which was foreign property and which was-not, and all Chinese property which had been used by foreigners, was not destroyed.
IN THE HEART OF BRAZIL.
BY JAMES A. GRAHA~f, ~f.D.
Among the many almost unknown tribes of aborigines, practically lost to sight and forgotten, in the vast regions of interior Brazil, are the Caraoh Indians, who inhabit the forest land on the banks of the Manoel Aves Pequefia River, a tributary of the Tocantins. Fifty years ago the tribe was settled on the Rio Somno in charge of a friar, into
IN THE HEART OF BRAZIL
whose hands their education had been committed by the imperial government. '1'hey remained under his care for some years, but withdrew into the forest when their chiefs saw the evil effects which resulted among their people from contact with the whites. A pioneering expedition has just been made to their headquarters by James A. Graham, M.D., of the South American Evangelical Mission, and t.he following accou nt of his visit to them is full of interest.* We neared the Indian encampment, which had been our goal, and in the distance heard the yelling and monotonous singing. We rode to the house of the capitao, and found the old man sleeping, but he arose and greeted us. I think this is the ugliest man I ever saw. He is not a pure Indian, having some Negro blood; his hair in consequence, unlike the Indians', is stiff and frizzled. This, with a long pointed beard, one blind eyc, aud the other squinted, a broad face and a tall body, was indeed a picture, ugly enough, tho at the same time to some extent majestic. This man seems to have the village in thorough good order, and under discipline. As well as a heathen man knows how, he cautions the people not to steal, and seems to support justice to some degree. At first things did not look very welcome. The children and women were conspicuous by their absence, tho they later on appeared in great numbers; the men were nearly all painted and armed with clubs, guns, bows and arrows, etc.; they stood at some distance from us, and did not seem at all friendly, but after I had presented the chief with a large knife, and several of the others with smaller knives, they began to gain confidence, and were completely disarmed when I gave a spoonful of gunpowder to all the young men who dared to come for it, beads to the women, and fish-hooks to the boys. " They then became very friendly, and soon we were the recipients of about a wagon load of bananas, peanuts, etc. The chief's son was very ill with fever, so I gave him some medicine, and then set out to visit the other sick people in the village, escorted by a guard of twelve naked Indians, armed with clubs, and marching in regular military style, headed by the chief and some other officials. Arriving at the sick people's doors, they would form line on either side, and let me pass in.
On returning to the chief's housl:', we had coffee with him, and talked, in Portuguese, far into the night, about God, and Jesus and His relation to God. I read a little to him from John's Gospel, and left a copy with him, telling him to ask anyhody he might meet to read it to him. He was quite willing that we should start a school in his village, and that some one should come to teach the people about God and Heaven, only he did not ~oant a friar. During this conversation, the chief explained that some people had told them we wanted to steal their children, and take them away to Oarolina on pretense of * The Secretotry of the Mission, 58 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, will be glad to give further information with regard to these Indians.
taking them to school, but that really we wanted to steal the children to take them away to England as slaves. Of course, he said, he did not believe this any more, and saying" good night," he retired behind a palm-leaf partition to rest. Outside the Indians continued dancing, and stamping on the ground to mark time to their chants, keeping up a constant rattling of their war rattles. At twelve o'clock everything was quiet, except for the occasional yell of the night sentinel, but by three o'clock in the morning the dancers were at work again, and continued this laborious exercise until the sun rose at six o'clock.
One thing of the previous evening amused me much; this was a whole household in tears; the tears fairly rolled down their cheeks while they wailed piteously, the women vigorously rubbing the side of their heads, and the men their foreheads. I asked why they wept, and was told that a child of the family had been lost for three days, but" that now they had found him, and were weeping to show their joy at the lost being found. This incident gave me a text to tell about joy in Heaven over the lost ones coming home.
These children of the forest have one good trait, and that is love for their offspring, while the children have equal love for their parents. They never take delight in ill-treating a child, in fact, they say the spirit of an Indian must not be broken, but be always free and wild; hence parents refrain from chastising their children, and it was really touching to see how the sons of an aged sick Indian were concerned about their old father, and begged me to save him if I could. I am convinced these poor creatures have hearts which, if touched with God's Spirit, would simply blaze with love to Him. The Brazilians are cruel and hard-hearted, with an inhumanity that is scarcely credible, but I have much kindlitU' thoughts of these poor, naked, Indians.
This Caraoh tribe has three villages, called respectively (Portuguese), Serraina (Little Mountain); Gammelleira (the name of a tree); and Domeseilla (Dame or Virgin). We visited the largest, Serraina, which is composed of a large circle of twenty houses, but with a big space between each, and a wide, clear space in the middle. Every house contains a generation, not less than five families in each. The other two villages are smaller in point of size, tho I doubt if they are less numerous in population, as these people accommodate themselves to any kind of circumstance. Each village has a chief, to whom the Indians are responsible for conduct. This chief is despotic and all powerful, tho all of them recognize two revolutionists, who were prominent in the late local rebellion. They are much under the power of these two dangerous men, who are most bigoted Catholics, believing that to kill an enemy of the church is the same as killing a snake on Good Friday. I mention this, not to discourage work among the Indians, but to discourage any unsuitable worker coming out. Let
men come who know they are immortal till their work is done. Let them come, willing if need be, to live and die without seeing much visible fruit, as the amount of preliminary clearing of the ground, before much harvest can be seen, is great, very great indeed. I advise two men to come together, who know each other well.
The morning we left, the Indians were preparing for a great feast, and the chief warmly invited us to stay, but, of course, we could not, so the chief ordered them off in bands, some to fish, some to hunt, and some to gather forest fruits-the pilot declared some to steal, and all to beg. They had just received these instructions when another messenger called them together to see us off, also declaring that the Doctor did not eat farina and dried beef, hence eggs would be acceptable as a parting gift.
As a result they came with their eggs, which turned out to be nearly all with chickens inside.
This I learned was quite a com- pliment, as nearer to the present of a chicken than a fresh egg; the Indians eat them thus, and think them more "substantial." We had mounted, when we were asked to name the chief's grand- son after me, in remembrance of the visit, so in the midst of the assembled villagers, I declared the boy's namc was James. This they all repeated, but the father pro- tested it was not enough, so I CHARANTE INDJAN1 BRAZIL. added Alexander Graham, and From a photograph by Geo, R. Witte.
rode off while they continued to shout "Farewell," "Happiness,"
" Return another time," etc.
The Indians, to the number of twenty, have since returned my visit, bringing presents of bows and arrows, walking sticks, whistles, a war rattle, etc., etc. One of the chief's sons conversed with me a good deal, and as far as I could judge, they have an idea of a Great Spirit whom they call "Putu." They think he is angry when it thunders, but the idea of "Putu" loving them was new. The young Indian to whom I explained how much God loved them said, "Ah, we do not know this, but I want to know." This young man and I became very friendly; he took great delight in teaching me the names of familiar objects in his native language, and used to say, "You teach me about' Putu,' and I teach you about the Caraoh." We long to see two young men established among these Indians; our hearts warm to them with real affection, yet clearly our principal work for the present is among the Brazilians.
A BABEL OF TONGUES IN HAINAN.
BY REV. WILLIAlf J. LEVERETT, NODOA, HAINAN, Cl'IINA.
Missionary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions (North).
In the Chinese Empire, Province of Kuantung, there is a market town named Nodoa, in the northwest part of the Island of Hainan, which surely deserves to be called "a modern Babel," for within a radius of thirty miles there are at least eight different dialects or languages spoken. In this district there are, also, differences in the character of the people, differences in customs, and often differences in dress.
Taking the island as a whole, the language t of probably the majority of the people on Hainan is, with slight dialectic differences, what we call Hainanese. Hainanese is, in fact, the" Lingua Franca" of Hainan. Many hundred years ago Hainan was colonized by immigrants from the mainland of China, opposite Formosa, so that the Hainanese of the present time is nearer like the dialects spoken at Amoy and Swatow than of the people of any other part of China. To the south and west of Nodoa is a settlement of Hak-kas (language number 2) who came over from the mainland comparatively recently; in fact, they are still immigrating. The Basel Mission have a very successful work among the Hak ka people in the northern part of the province, where they are said to number seyeral millions. One custom in which the Hak-kas of Hainan differ from some of their neighbors is that they do not bind their girls' feet, except for a short time when they are about to be married. The people of Nodoa itself call their native speech Mandarin (language number 3). This language is spoken to the north and west of Nodoa, in the district city, and several large market towns, where, in some cases, it almost entirely excludes the Hainanese. 'rradition says that this" Mandarin" was brought direct from Peking many years ago by the exiled poet-official Siu Dan-po and his followers. But whoever transplanted it from its far northern home, friends from the north, who have visited Nodoa, say that it has wofully departed from its pristine beauty. To the north of Nodoa there is a place where the people speak a dialect of the Cantonese (language number 4). They come from Kau-ciu, which is situated on the mainland, nearly half way from the Hainan Straits to Canton.
The Loi or Li, the aborigine of Hainan, talks an entirely different t Several times, for convenience, I use the word language rather loosely, for, technically, however greatly they may differ from one another, the forms of speech of different parts of China are generally known as dialects, on account of the peculiar nature of the common written language. Properly, only three languages have been enumerated in my article, the Chinese, the Loi or Li, and the Miau-tse.-W. J. L.
A BABEL OF TONGUES IN HAINAN
language from the Chinese, and also from the Miau-tse or aborigines of the Chinese mainland. His words, and possibly also his disposition, are much more like the Siamese or Laos. We generally distinguish the Lois as "Wild J.Jois" and "Tame Lois." The Wild Lois, who inhabit the mountainous interior of the island, live a wild life, and are still in tribal relations. Tribe differs from tribe in dialect, in the pattern tattooed on the women, and, when they come up to market, in the style of coat and skirt they wear. The men, except for different modes of doing up their hair, behold each other on their native heath, differing only as God made them to differ. Without doubt, the Wild Lois, even within thirty miles of Nodoa, belong to several TEACHERS AND SCHOLARS AT THE PRESBYTER]A~ MISSION IN NODOA, HAINAN, CHINA.
Those seated in the mlddJ e row are a preacher, two teachers, Rod students.
different tribes, but from lack of certain knowledge on that point we will class them all together (language number 5).
The region inhabited by the Tame Lois lies to the north of the mountains and between them and the sea. Like the Chinese, they live in villages, cultivate the land, have prosperous market towns, and schools with scholars that have taken degrees in the prefectural ana provincial examinations. The Tame Lois are known as Dam-ciu Lois, Lim-ko Lois, and King-toa Lois, so-called from the names of the thirteen districts on Hainan. The Dam-cius (language number 6) and Limkos (language number 7) make up a large part of the population about Nodoa, the former to the northwest, and the latter to the north-
east. Besides differing in speech, they have evident differences in customs. The Lim-ko peasant women wear the plain Ohinese cuat and trousers of dark blue cloth. The Dahl-ciu women, on the other hand, wear a long coat and a skirt, often white, are inveterate betel nut chewers, and are much more likely than the Lim-kos to leave their husbands at home on a market day, and come up to town to do the trading.
There still remain those who are called by the Cantonese the "Miau-tse," the aborigines of the Ohinese mainland (language number 8). There are many villages of them in the hills, where they cultivate mountain rice and follow out their own peculiar customs. They can be often seen on the mission compound, the women gaily attired with curiously embroidered headkerchiefs and jackets, and their skirts stamped prettily with an odd pattern; for the Mian, unlike the Loi, by an ancient treaty with the Ohinese, may wear his native costume openly in the market towns. Such is the" Babel" of eight languages, which is not lessened any by a scattering of Hunanese soldiers, Oantonese shopkeepers, and King-toa Loi carpenters.
This "Babel" may seem a rather strange place in which to open a mission station, but when Nodoa was occupied there were already over one hundred applicants for baptism to start with. Time proved that almost all these had come from unworthy motives, but through them were brought others who have made it possible, after getting rid of the unworthy ones, to establish a substantial work. Last year the increase in the number of Ohristians was fifty per cent. The attitude of the literati and officials is very encouraging. The former in time of danger from famine and again from insurrection have come to us for counsel and moral support, and the latter, when Nodoa was actually attacked by several hundred robbers, garrisoned the mission compound with their soldiers, and when the danger was over handed back the premises and all they contained without even a tea cup missing-a fact that will mean a good deal to those familiar with the ways of Ohinese soldiery. The people among whom we work seem, moreover, to be more willing than in many parts of Ohina, to give financial proof of their appreciation of a Ohristian education and foreign medical treatment.
This Babel also brings in part its own remedy, for a boy educated at Nodoa must be indeed dull if he can speak but one language. So that the gift of tongues, if it has not been bestowed on the missionaries at Nodoa, yet comes quite easily to those who are probably the most effective evangelists in Ohina-the missionaries' native helpers.
THE CAUSES OF THE CRISIS IN CHINA
THE CAUSES OF THE CRISIS IN CHINA.* BY THE REV. J. S. WHITEWRIGHT, CHING CHOU FU, SHANTUNG, NORTH CHINA.
Missionary of the Baptist Missionary Society.
The writer of the following very remarkable paper, having lately returned from the interior of Sh.antung province, and having lived since 1881 close to the region where the so-called "Boxer" movement took its rise, is competent as few others are to write as to the origin and development of the present anti-foreign struggle in China. He has had special opportunities for meeting with large numbers of Chinese of the official and literary classes, and gives mainly facts within his own knowledge, quoting also the opinions of Chinese of all classes which throw light on the conditions that have led up to the present terrible crisis. Those who have seen this paper and who are most competent judges pronounce it unsurpassed as a clear exhibition of the subject.-EDITOR.
Three distinct stages are clear in this present anti-foreign movement. 1. Soon after the seizure of Kiao Chou by Germany, a good deal of ill feeling arose, and active opposition was shown by Chinese; German surveyors wel'e attacked, and reprisals were made by German troops. 2. 1Vhen the Governor of Shantung last year gave the Boxers his moral support by ordering the troops he sent against them not to fire, and to be careful not to hurt them in any way. This governor refused to see a deputation of the gentry of his own capital, who came to petition that he would take vigorous action against these rebels. 3. When, to the horror of the whole world, the Chinese government deliberately threw off the mask and made war on the civilized world.
The whole history of China, in its relations with other powers, shows a state of intolerable pride and insolence, profound ignorance, together with unparalleled duplicity and inhumanity on the part of Chinese officials. The primary cause of the present state of affairs is, then, to my mind, to be found in this pride, ignorance, duplicity, and inhumanity of the Chinese government. The immediate cause is the seizures of Chinese territory by European powers, and the attempt to open up China for purposes of trade.
It is needless to go into the history of Chinese diplomacy. The English embassy under Lord Amherst, in 1816, was summarily dismissed because its members refused to knock their heads on the ground nine times in succession to the Chinese emperor. In 1860 Mr. (afterward Sir Harry) Parkes, together with a number of other envoys were seized and brutally tortured. He was questioned while kneeling with his arms twisted behind him, and only escaped prolonged torture by pretending to faint. During the recent war with Japan, and while the victorious Japanese were driving the Chinese armies before them, an insolent proclamation was issued by the Chinese government, stating that "the dwarfs had rebelled, but there are not many of them; let them therefore be l3urrounded," etc. There is nothing new whatever in the present attitude of the Chinese government. It is only that matters have come to a head and are now on a colossal scale.
A Chinese well acquainted with foreign affairs once propounded the question: "How is it that our officials so often get the better of yours in … Condensed from the Baptist Missionary Herald, London.
diplomacy?" He added, "Your officials are men of high character, ability, and education, and yet ours, vastly their inferiors, get the better of them." He replied to his own question by saying that the Englishmen were men of honor, who did not know how to tell lies, but that the Chinese officials gloried in lying and deceit, and congratulated one another when they deceived the foreigner.
Their standard of honor and honesty may be judged by their dealings with their own people. When the. Tai Ping princes surrendered to Li Hung Chang, on the solemn promise that their lives would be spared, they were immediately beheaded. The fierce wrath of Gordon when he heard of the foul deed will be remembered. This is the value of the word of honor of a great and representative Chinese statesman.
The number of different theories put forward in this country as to the causes of the present condition is astonishing. British ambassadors and consuls have been blamed, the ministers of other powers, the governments of Germany and Russia, the English government for not interfering before, again for interfering too much. Li Hung Chang'S tour round the world has been suggested as the cause of it all. The fact that German soldiers have been used to drill Chinese troops, that missionaries appealed to their consuls too often, and finally the Christian religion itself, has been blamed.
There are people who seem to think that the explanation of great world movements, and even of great campaigns, is to be found in the particular wording of a par:ticular despatch or in the revision of a telegram. To understand the present war in South Africa we have to go back at the very least half a century, and the same principle applies to China.
During the last five years China has lost Formosa and its suzerain state, Korea, while bodies of Russian troops have been sent into the great province of Manchuria "to guard the railway." The Chinese may be excused in interpreting the phrase about guarding the railway as meaning something else, even tho they have brought it on themselves by the exceedingly doubtful protection afforded by Chinese troops to foreigners engaged in construction. The territories thus lost are very rich and extensive.
It may surprise some to learn that in the two years previous to the present disturbances, a vastly greater number of Europeans penetrated into the interior of North China, among the foreign-hating, foreigndespising Chinese, than were seen in these regions in the previous two centuries. This sudden influx of foreignerll, many of whom are engaged in making or guarding the railways that have so long been dreaded by .the Chinese as the means that foreigners desired to use in bringing in troops to take their country, is sufficient of itself to account for a great deal of the intensely anti-foreign feeling recently manifested.
The conclusion might be arrived at that the sole cause of the present trouble is to be found in the seizure of Chinese territory. No doubt this, together with the irresponsible discussion as to the division of the whole of China among the powers of Europe, has been the immediate cause of the present crisis. How comes it to pass that they took such action, from the seizure of Hongkong sixty years ago up to the seizure of Kiao Chou by the Germans? It has to be remembered that the governments of Europe had borne very long with China-with its dishonesty, incapacity, and deceit. This ought to be said, even when it is held, as I strongly
THE CAUSES OF THE CRISIS IN CHINA
do hold, that these recent seizures were a mistake, to say nothing more; and that concessions such as at Shanghai, involving no government or tracts of territory, would have served all purposes of trade, and have been also to the very great advantage of China and the whole world. It may be that the nations of Europe have attempted recently to go too fast.
With regard to the attitude of the German authorities at Kiao Chou, the writer had a conversation with a Christian convert of fifteen years' standing. He had worked for Germans at Kiao Chou during the whole of last winter. He said: "I had heard that the Germans treated the Chinelle badly; and now, after having lived among them and worked for them, I say to you that the Germans treat the Chinese far better than the Chinese treat each other." The native contractors used to keep back part of the wages of the workmen; and when this was discovered, German officials took the trouble to pay into the hands of each workman, at considerable labor to themselves, his just wages. It did not accomplish altogether what was sought, as everybody who has lived in the interior would know, but that was not the fault of the officials in question; they did all in their power to do what was right in the matter. My friend told me, further. that the prices paid for contracts were not only fair, but generous; but that the contracts were secretly sublet and the workmen ground down.
Last year, in the course of a long conversation with an official of rank, who had been sent by the Chinese government to settle difficulties of a serious nature that had arisen on account of the prosecution of the railway in Shantung province, he stated that the men to blame for the disturbances were the native officials, who neglected to inform the people of the rights which the Germans had acquired, and of their aims and objects. They allowed the people to remain in ignorance, and with the most disastrous misconceptions with regard to foreigners generally, and the Germans in particular. This man was one of the few liberal and enlightened officials. He was very despondent about the progress of his country, and when it was pointed out to him that it only needed a larger number of men with ideas like his own to help to bring about a gradual change for the better, he replied, that there was absolutely no hope for the present; that the high authorities were, the majority of them, men who knew practically nothing about affairs outside China, and were determined to have no change and no reform. Pointing to his son, a lad of nineteen, he said: "There is the hope of China; it is in the next generation." As the" Boxer" movement began in the German" sphere of 'influence," it may be well to keep such facts in mind. During the Japanese war an official, in the course of a confidential conversation, gave as his view that the lamentable condition of affairs at that time was to be traced to the "utter insincerity" of the central government. A leader of a Chinese religious sect expressed himself in almost identical t6rma some time after.
With regard to the statement that the action of missionaries had tended to produce the present state of affairs, we have heard of Buddhist and Mohammedan, and other missionaries in England; and even if they were to come in numbers-say as many as fifty men to forty millions of Englishmen, which would be aquivalent to fifty missionaries to a population of over forty millions in a given section of China-it is very evident that the irritation caused by the presence of these few men in Eng-
land would be infinitesimal when compared with that produced by the seizure of English ports, with large hintedands and perpetual talk about the dividing up of England among other powers. The said missionaries might fare very badly when the English people came to believe in the designs of governments to which they belonged; but that would hardly be their fault.
The Baptist Mission in Central Shantung, close to the region where the present anti-foreign movement began, succeeded in establishing very friendly relations with the people in the district where its work was carried on. This is well known throughout China among all who have paid any attention to these questions. It is the rule of the mission that every man should make himself acquainted with Chinese etiquette, etc., so as to be able to conform himself to the manners and customs of the people. No man is given the status of a full missionary by his society until he has served three years' probation on the field, and passed four examinations in the language. They have exerted themselves in various ways to enlighten the people and make friends with them, knowing very well that enemies and people who are filled with suspicion can not be made converts. Both friends and converts were made. Appeals to consuls have been discouraged, and have only been made when other efforts have been exhausted. These appeals have been very rare indeed. In the early days of the first station great caution was exercised. In those days they seldom went out without hearing some unpleasant epithet addressed to them; and it is evident that it is to the interest of the missionary in the interior, if only for his own comfort, to try to produce a better state of things. The missionaries did their utmost to establish friendly relations, and before long succeeded. This year, February 7, the writer left his station for Europe on furlough. The leaving was a very pleasant contrast to the treatment of eighteen or nineteen years ago. Neighbors came out, not to revile, but to bid farewell in most friendly fashion, and to say they would be glad to see him back again. This is only mentioned as typical of the experience of missionaries in the interior when they have been enabled to establish themselves and gain the confidence of the people. The troubles that have come to missionaries almost invariably come from people outside, from those beyond the reach of their influence.
The Marquis of Salisbury lately spoke some very wise words of counsel to missionaries. The writer has the honor to belong to a mission which has done not only what the prime minister advises, but a good deal more. He would desire with profound respect to add to the advice given to missionaries, also "all residents in the East, and especially all travelers in the interior." It has to be remembered that missionaries are, after all, few, and the others very many. Up to three years ago missionaries were living in the central and eastern sections of Shantung province in great peace and quietness, our relations with the people improving year by year. The district referred to is inhabited by over twenty millions of people. Then came the occupation of Kiao Chou. At first the Chinese did not seem to be able to understand what it meant, but gradually, as the surveys for the railway were pushed on, and as miners, prospectors, surveyors, travelers, began to move about the district, they began to realize the position. Their ideas were further accentuated when land was purchased for the railway, and Chinese officials deliberatelr, on the testimonr of men of their own number, kept infor-
THE CAUSES OF THE CRISIS IN CHINA
mation from the peasantry which would have facilitated matters. The missionaries who were there before all this, with few exceptions, wore the native costume, they all spoke the Chinese language, and were thor- oughly acquainted with the manners, customs, and prejudices of the people. In previous years a foreign traveler was very rarely seen; but now in one fortnight more foreign travelers in foreign dress passed over the main roads than were seen in twenty years previously. Some of these, without having any idea whatever that they were doing anything at all offensive, some who were commendably anxious to conciliate the Chi- nese, did things which gave rise to a great deal of suspicion and unrest.
To give a few typical instances within my own personal knowledge. Two travelers in foreign dress, wearing the short tight-fitting jacket which the Chinese in the interior think to be hardly decent, and which they so dislike and despise, rode up to the door of a missionary's house, with their sporting rifles over their shoulders. They had to the Chinese mind the appearance of foreign cavalry soldiers. It did ncit much mat- ter in the city in which we lived, as we were on good terms with the magistrates and people, but it might have mattered a good deal if they had happened to travel into a hostile district.
It may be well to note here with regard to taking the life of animals in sport that it is contrary to the religious ideas of very many of the Chinese, and while the people in the neighborhood of treaty ports may have got used to the idea that some foreigners are sportsmen and may even have ceased to care about it, it is by no means so in the interior. In January of this year, another traveler was staying a night at the house of a medical missionary. He produced a pair of Mauser revolvers for inspection, and explained their capabilities, hitherto unknown at that station, which possessed no weapons. He called attention to a dent on the but of one of the revolvers, and explained that he had seen a dog that morning eating part of a human body, and was so disgusted, that he shot the dog. He fired two shots, but the dog did not die at once, so he hit him over the head with the revolver and killed him. Now, the horror and disgust was very natural, especially in a man who was not accustomed to such a spectacle, but the dog belonged to some one who, tho he might have no care for his dog, would very much resent his being killed by a foreigner. His shooting at all was the serious thing-it called attention to the fact of his being armed with superior and deadly weapons.
Another traveler was taking photographs in a promiscuous manner as he traveled. Now, some Chinese have a superstitious fear of being photographed. No one who understood the people would think of taking photographs in the interior of China except where he was very well known and with the consent of the people, One of the worst cases was when a party of travelers was observed to measure the city walls of the city of Wei Hsien. Strolling on the embankment, it was perhaps only to decide an idle bet, and tho nothing was done at the moment, for days after the whole city was in a furor of indignation at what they regarded as an outrage. The travelers in the meantime passed on, and, doubtless, reported that all was quiet. They did not hear what was said, and would not have understood it if they had; but the American missionaries, who have a large station just outside the city, had to bear the brunt of it all.
Within my own experience I have known of more unwise things
being done in a month by travelers and others than by the whole mis- sionary body in Shantung in twenty years. Indeed, there is no com- parison: no missionary would dream of doing such things as above men- tioned. It should be very clearly understood that in many cases it was simply ignorance of the language, manners, customs, and prejudices of the people, that was the reason of the offense given. If a missionary, after nineteen years of application, feels that he has a great deal to learn, what about the man who has not been nineteen days in the country and does not feel at all called upon to seek advice and learn how to comport himself ?
In Manchuria Scotch and Irish Presbyterians have a large mission work, but there also, during the last three years, the missionaries have been very few, and other foreigners, surveyors, engineers, etc., not to speak of large numbers of Cossack soldiers, have been very many. In a district where there are, say, half a dozen missionaries, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Cossacks. As I am speaking mainly of my own experiences, and have not lived in Manchuria, I will not venture on any opinion as to how far the Cossacks are likely to seek to attempt to accommodate themselves to the manners, customs, and prejudices of the Chinese. I will leave all that to the historic imagination of my readers. With regard to the mi3sionaries, Mrs. Bishop, a traveler of a very different stamp from some of those mentioned above, who spent some time among the mission stations making a study of their work, speaks of the esteem in which they were held, and states that "on all public and private occasions, they were treated with respect."
A good deal is said as to the confusion that must be caused by the differences between the various Christian churches. It is not so "confusing to the Chinese philosophic mind with a religion adapted to its own needs" as is supposed. The Chinese have not one religion, but several. The writer has often stood on a mound from which could be seen Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist temples, also a Mohammedan mosque. There were also other temples that it would be difficult to class under the head of any religion. The Chinese have also many religious sects, and the general idea is that all these religions are seeking to do good and save men from sorrow. The Chinese are well accustomed to the idea of various religions and sects, and they tolerate Christianity more readily than perhaps any other nation in history, when once thev come to have any accurate idea as to what Christian doctrine really is. It has also to be remembered that among all Protestant missions there is a tendency to draw more and more together: The relations of English and American missionaries in the Shantung district are of the most cordial character. With regard to German missionaries, the only fault. that their American and English colleagues have to find is that there are so few of them. Those on the field have worthily carried on the scholarly traditions of their country. There are no books more highly appreciated by all missionaries than the ahle works of the late Dr. Faber. The" confusion" has been exaggerated.
It may be difficult to gain a hearing for a good word on behalf of the Chinese people at this time-that is, for the Chinese as a whole, regarding them as distinct from the present governing class. With regard to the present government it is sufficient to say that the cup of its iniquity has long been full to overflowing. It by its own action in making war on the civilized world has demonstrated the truth of the statement made
19oo.J THE CAUSES oF' THE CRIsIS IN OtttNA
at the beginning of this article that the primary cause of the present horror is to be found in the boundless pride, ignorance, duplicity, and inhumanity of the rulers of China. It is not fair, however, to class all the Chinese with the present governing authorities. Many could speak of great kindness shown to them by Chinese. The writer's own relations with the Chinese of all classes of society have been in the main very happy, and they have been more and more so as the years went by. After living a few years in China I was taken ill. It was worth some suffering to receive the kindly congratulations of heathen neighbors on recovery. Servants are very often found faithful and loyal, especially in times of trouble and illness. Our whole mission in Central Shantung is indebted to a native gentleman who hal:! come forward again to serve us. He comes to my mind just now, as a message from the kindly old Confucianist has recently reached me through a colleague. He expresses the hope that I have" reached England in peace, and that while there he hopes there will be safety from the Boers." (His geography il:! vague.) After famine relief many missionaries received very cordial expressions of gratitude, yet it has been said that the Chinese people are destitute of gratitude. There may be reasons for contrary experience in ordinary intercourse with the Chinese-it may be the old attempt to "hustle the East" on a small scale.
There is a growing" Reform Party" even in China, and numbers of the younger officials have come under its influence. It was an infinite pity that the young emperor could not have received the united support of all civilized powers when he started on his career for the renovation of his country.
The Chinese have no more loyal friends, and none who have such faith in their future as a race, than the members of the missionary body. One has only to mention the names of Prof. Legge, who undertook and brought to completion the colossal task of translating into English the whole of the Chinese classics; the great scholar Chalmers; Muirhead, who for over half a century has labored in Shanghai, honored and beloved by all who know him; Griffith John, great preacher and translator. Among the Americans, the names of Nevius, Mateer, and Corbett readily occur. Scores of others could be mentioned, both English and American, who have grown old in the service of the ChineEe. The few names just mentioned represent together over three hundred years of service-evangelistic, educational, and literary.
There are those of us living in the interior of China, trying to become Chinese to the Chinese, to speak their tongue, to appreciate their sacred books, to think their thoughts, to do all in our power to heal their diseases, to help them in time of famine, to enlighten their ignorance, to show them the value of Western science and civilization, and, above all, and supremely, to give them that religion which we believe alone can lead men to the highest moral, intellectual, and material advancement. Still, we have not forgotten that we are of the English blood, and have tried to live so as in no way to dishonor our flag. While keenly conscious how far we fall short of our ideals, we have sought to live in a manner worthy of our churches and the glorious traditions of the missionary body, to belong to which we regard as our highest honor.
LIST OF PROTESTANT MISSIONARIES KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN MASSACRED FROM THE BEGINNING OF "BOXER" MOVEMENT TO SEPTEMBER 11, 1900.
BY REV. JOHN R. HYKES, SHANGHAI, CHINA.
SHANTUNG, December 31, 1899; Church of signed" C. W. Price," and dated August England Mission. (S. P. G.) 13, which said: .. This man will tell our situation and is trustworthy." The mes- Rev. S. M. Brooks. senger said: .. A party. of three men, four CHIHLI, about June 1, 1900; Church of Eng- women, and three chIldren, left that city under escort on the 15th of August, and land Mission. (S. P. G.) they are reported to have been shot." Rev. H. V. Norman. TAIYUENFU, June 27; .. Sheoyang" (Inde- Rev. C. Robinson. pendent Baptist) Mission. PAOTINGFU, June 30; American Presbyte- Miss Coombs. (The evidence of her death is a letter in rian Mission. German, dated July 6, and seen by Mr. Rev. and Mrs. F. E. Simcox, (three chil- Stevenson, the Deputy Director of the Chilla Inland Mission, in which it is stated dren). that there was a riot June 27, and that C. V. R. Hodge, M.D., and Mrs. Hodge. Dr. Edwards's Hospital was destroyed, G. Y. Taylor, M.D. and Miss Coombs killed. The letter was PAOTINGFU, July 1; American Board Mis- sewn in the sole of the messenger's shoe, and altho he was repeatedly stripped and sion. searched, it was not found.) Rev. H. T. Pitkin. Miss A. A. Gould. T~r:o~~ITrr~~ ~¥~r:;A1;:[~;~n Board. Miss M. S. Morrill. PAOTINGFU, July 1; China Inland Mission. TAIYUENFU, July9; "Sheo Yang " Mission. Rev. and Mrs. B. Bagnall, (one child). Dr. and Mrs. Lovitt, (one child). Rev. William Cooper (of Shanghai). Rev. and Mrs. C. W. Stokes. HSIAO YI, SHANSI, June 3u; China Inland Rev. and Mrs. J. Simpson. Rev. A. J. Hoddle (Independent). Mission. Miss DuvaI. Miss Whitchurch. Miss Stewart. Miss E. E. Searell. NEAR THE YELLOW RIVER (while fleeing TAIYUENFU, July 9; English Baptist.
from Shansi), July 15 or 16; China Inland ~:;: :~g :~:: .f.ar'{j~!er~~gd.children). Mission. Rev. and Mrs. G. McConnell, (one child). Rev. and Mrs. Whitehouse. Miss King (of Yang-chou). TAIYUENFU, July 9; China Inland Mission. Miss Burton. (Miss F. E. Nathan, Miss M. R. Nathan, Dr. and Mrs. Miller Wilson, (one child). and Miss Heayman, of the C. I. M., are Miss J. Stevens (of Ho-chou). supposed to have been with this party, Miss M. E. Clark. and to have shared their fate. TAIYUENFU; British and Foreign Bible So- K'U CHEO, CHEKIANG (Chu-chou). July 21 and 22; China Inland Mission. ciety. Rev. and Mrs. D. B. Thompson, (two chil- Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Beynon, (three children). dren). Miss Desmond. (The above are believed to have been Miss Manchester. massacred at Taiyuen on the 9th of July, Rev. and Mrs. G. F. Ward, (one child). for the following reasons: Miss Sherwood. Miss Thirgood (of Chang-shan). 1. The last word received from any for- EN ROUTE TO HANKOW FROM SHANSI, eigner in the city was the letter of July 6, July 13; China Inland Mission. referred to above. Miss Rice (of Lu-Cheng). Mr. Saunders' children, Isabella and Jessie, 2. A number of .. urgent" telegrams July 27 and August 8. sent from here between the 1st and the Mrs. E. J. Cooper, August 6, (child Aug. 17). 10th of July have not been answered. Miss Huston, August 11. Two of Mr. Lutley's children. 3. The missionaries who have escaped TAIKU, SHANSI, July 31; American Board. from the cities nearest to the capital re- Rev. and Mrs. D. H. Clapp, (one child). port a general massacre in the city. Rev. G. L. Williams. Rev. F. W. Davis (of Fen-Chou-Fu). 4. No less than three despatches from Miss R. Bird. officials in Taiyuen have been seen in the Miss M. L. Partridge (of Li-man). yamens to which they were sent, in all (The evidence of their death is a messen- of which it is stated that 37 foreigners ger sent from Fen-Chou-Fu by Rev. C. and 30 native converts were murdered on W. Price, who said he was perfectly trust- the 9th of July. worthy. FEN-CHOU-FU, SHANSI; American Board. 5. Pere Robert has information of the Rev. and Mrs. E. R. Atwater, (two children). massacre having occurred on that date Rev. and Mrs. C. W. Price, (one child). (July 9), and he gives the names of two FEN-CHOU-FU; China Inland Mission. ~::~~~~~~m~d.and Fatosati), known to Rev. and Mrs. A. P. Lundgren (Kiai-hsin). Miss Eldrid (of Yang-chou). 6. L'Echo de Chine, the French news- paper published at Shanghai, has pub- (These three memhers of the China In- lished a detailed account of the massacre land Mission are known to have been vis- as furnished by its own correspondent at iting at Fen-Chou-Fu in June. Letters Hienhien. He confirms the date, July 9. have been received from them up to June IANG-KAO, (date unknown); Christian and 28, in which they say that there had al- Missionary Alliance. ready been a riot at Mr. Atwater's place, Mr. and Mrs. O. Bingmerk and that all were congregated and barri- SHEO YANG, SHANSI, (date unknown); caded in Mr. Price's house. The evidence Sheo-yang Mission. of this massacre is a messenger who ar- Rev. and Mrs. W. W. Pigott. rived at Tientsin on the 2nd of Septembp-r (News has been received here that two from Fen-Chou-Fu. He brought a rag foreigners have been murdered in Sheo· yang. This was Mr. Pigott's station. and it is probable that he and his wife were the victims.)
CHRIST OWNED AND DISOWNED IN lNDIA
CHRIST OWNED AND DISOWNED IN INDIA.* BY MISSIONARY HOCH.
Even a superficial glance at what is going on in India will easily persuade the observer that at present the utmost animation and activity are prevailing in the religious sphere. As if in anticipation of a coming storm, the old and crumbling structure of the ancestral religion is undergoing a close examination, in the view of strengtheningand renewing the foundations, of repairing breaches, of covering exposed angles. Here and there a turret also, in the most modern style, is built on, and the building receives a new coat of stucco. It is as if the people, long enthralled under the spell of idolatry and caste, were now beginning to awake out of their sleep of many ages. The dead bones are stirring, everything is becoming fluent, there appears a previously unknown seeking and inquiring after reform in the religious and social sphere.
We take the .view-point of the evangelical missionary labor of the now closing century. The leaven of the Gospel has penetrated as a mighty ferment into the sinews of the people, before so dead, and we can see with our eyes how it has leavened the lump. True, it "is not the preaching of the Gospel alone which has induced this change. The invading power of Western culture and civilization has essentially contributed, in bringing the Indian people to a consciousness of the contrast in which the old Hindu religion stands in many particulars to the simplest dictates of the healthy human reason, and at the same time of the hindrance which it forms to the national well-being and the urgent social reforms. It has brought the cultivated Hindu into that inner schism of a peculiar double life-a double life that is pressed between what, as an enlightened man, he thinks and speaks in his enthusiasm for reform and freedom, and what, as a slave of caste and his family, he is constrained to do. It is a hybrid position which, by reason of its untruthfulness is, in the long run, untenable, and must lead either to moral bankruptcy or to a radical breach with the unworthy situation. Alas! the Western culture, which has been variously introduced to the Indian people in divorce from Christianity, nay, in antagonism with it, has aggravated this innate discord, which, in some way or other, must, in time, have come to view, by a precipitation of it, before the people had gained the inner strength to overcome it, and at the same time, by withholding from them that means which is alone in a position to supply them with this strength.
It is, therefore, a Divine disposition that the Gospel, partly before the migl;tty invasion of Western culture, partly together with it, could unfold its activity, partly to tear down, partly to build up, for the transformation of the Indian people. For we need not fear contradiction in saying that the Indian people, so religiously disposed, will not be permanently satisfied with a religionless civilization. And, altho in the last decades, many cultivated men have gone over, after their faith in their ancestral religion had been shattered, to the atheism and materialism imported from the West, yet this has come about not so much out of irreligiousness of principle, as out of a more or less instinctive opposition to Christianity. Their wish was to defend themselves thereby against the claims of the Gospel. On the other hand, men are now coming to perceive that enlightenment and cultivation without religion, not only undermine faith in the ancestral religion, but also indirectly level the way for Ohristian- • Extracts from Evangelisches Missions-Magazin.
ity; for the more the Indian religion loses credit with its adherents, the more it stands out against such appropriate reforms as may render it acceptable even to the cultivated, the less prospect it has of being able to check the mighty advance of Christianity. The present watchword, therefore, is: Return from the materialistic philosophy of the West to the monistic philosophy of the ancient Rishis, a relief philosophy sprung out of the religious genius of the Indian people. Accordingly, endeavors are made to bring the present generation again into the knowledge of their ancestral religion; the youth, now growing up, ought, it is held, to obtain an impression of the rich treasures of deep wisdom and genuine piety contained in the ancient religious books. Sanskrit schools are opened, and prizes proposed, as an encouragement to the study of the Shastras. Attempts are also made to elevate the priesthood. " As missionaries and soldiers are trained for their respective calling," so declares, for instance, an association of the adherents of the .Madhwajari sect in South India, "so it is also our design to bring on priestly Muthas by instruction in the Vedanta Shastras, so that they may be in a position to instruct us seculars also, and others. The times when one worshiped dumb idols are gone by. Accordingly, our priesthood ought to be zealously conserved to develop itself thoroughly for its calling, so as to gain from other classes the consideration due to it." People begin to be ashamed of the uncultivated priests and high priests (Swami) and of their reactionary measures, such as excommunication of such as have taken up residence in England, and demand of them, in recognition of the signs of the time, to put themselves at the head of the reform movements.
This deeply-felt need of social reform serves no less to bring the religious questions into the foreground of the public interest. For most of the social evils of India are so thoroughly fused with religion, that every attempt to remove them comes in conflict with a religiously sanctioned order. In such a case the ultimate question is whether Hinduism shall or shall not continue to subsist in its traditional order. Yet the craving for social reforms, such as the modification of caste, the elevation of the female sex, the abolition of the joint family system, etc., are the inevitable result of the incoming 'Vestern civilization, and of the necessities of the new life which it has aroused. The strait-jacket of ancient haste no longer fits the enlightened view of life; it has already had to suffer many rents, and even yet it is not wide and elastic enough. Will not in the end the new most completely shatter the ancient wine-skins II And what then? Thus the social problems likewise make urgent a reformation of the outworn religion.
It lies in the nature of the case, that these modern reform movements within the Indian religion stand in conscious antagonism to Christianity. For their impelling motive is resistance to the latter, and the problem which they seek to solve is: to assure to the Indian people the enjoyment of the Western culture without the acceptance of Christianity. Yet every reasonably penetrating observer will recognize in thesejDovements the mighty influence of previous missionary effort, and this so much the more, as it is unmistakably for the most part truths borrowed from Christianity, with the help of which the effort is making to reanimate Christianity. It is becoming little by little the mode, to read Christian thoughts into the old religious books of India. In this respect these people are merely following the fashion set by Swami Vivekananda at the Congress of Religions in Chicago.
CHRisT OWNED AND DISOWNED IN iNDIA
A peculiar inst,ance of this is offered in the essay of K. Sundaram, M.A., an eminent Brahman, esteemed as orthodox, a professor in the state college at Kumbakonam. The essay bears the interest;ng- ,;itle: "The Mission of Jesus in the Light of the Vedanta Philol!o(>phy." The author proceeds from the assumption that Jesus was an Asiatic, and that therefore it is to be assumed that his views concerning "the prob- lem of eternal life" have been influenced by his Asiatic t;emperament, his Asiatic sympathies and environments. He is inclined to assume that Jesus has been influenced by Indian teachings, but is also honest enough to allow that such an influence is not historically demonstrable. What now, according to the Brahman's view, is "Asiatic" in the teaching of'
Jesus? First, his conservatism, which he thinks appears in his saying that He came not to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfil. From this he draws the conclusion, that Jesus has rejected no form of religious truth whatever as error, but, like the Vedantists, has only acknowledged higher and lower gradations of truth. He speaks then of Jesus' moral teaching, and finds it comprehended in the double commandment of love. In this latter, he thinks, lies the newness of Jesus' teaching, and thereby He has set the principle of inwardness in place of the outward ceremonialism of the Old Testament religion. But for India, he maintains, this principle is nothing new; the Indian religion has from of old had and cherished a mystical, spiritual element, indeed he will have it that this is its soul, and the deepest reason why it has been able to maintain itself to this day. Especially, in his view, is the commandment of love the essential import of the Bhagavadriter and of the Vedanta philosophy. He then passes to the Sermon on the Mount, in "illustration of the new spirit with which Jesus endeavored to kindle the glow of the spiritual nature in the heart of men." Yon feel how Jesus has inwardly laid hold of him and brought him into warm agreement with himself in reading his exposition of Jesus' interpretation of the commandments: "Thou shalt not kill;" "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Jesus says he does not content himself with condemning the external outbreak of the sin, but follows up the sin to its deepest root in the heart, insisting therewith on an inner renewal, altho still maintaining the outward law and the traditional faith. "Thus example is piled on example in the Master's exposition of the principles of the higher righteousness which constitutes the Kingdom of God, until, as crown of the whole, the principle is laid down: Love your enemies." Yet even this highest he finds fulfilled in the Vedantic view of Sathva: "The highest grade in the spiritual development of a man, the state of perfection, in which the votary, dissolved in God, free from all self-seeking, and every striving of enmity toward any living being whatever; regards, accepts, and loves all creation as something possessed of God, and therefore as something which must be holy and dear to himself."
It would lead us too far, to test the justness of this comparison of the teaching of Jesus with the pantheistic teaching of the Vedanta. Moreover, it needs no proof, that the Brahman has not only completely overlooked the high spiritual character of the Old Testament, but also idealizes Vedantism, and ascribes to it Ohristian ideas which, according to the unity of the system, are either foreign to it or can only belong to it in a sense alien to Ohristianity. Yet we may well agree with a South Indian native newspaper, in regarding this essay as a significant sign of the times. It observes: "A remarkable transformation is now accomplishing itself among thinking Hindus in their attitude toward Ohrist. He is to them no longer the despised Nazarene, no longer merely the Savior of the Pariahs and casteless, as aforetime. They render to the person of Ohrist the deepest reverence. It is, no doubt, in the first place the ethical Ohrist who is so attractive to our Hindu brethren, not the eternal Son of God, who is come to redeem mankind. Yet there can be no doubt that the spirit of thinking Hindus has been most profoundly improved and apprehended by the moral greatness of Ohrist."
EDITORIALS.
The New Oentury. was to vacate the evening and leave the business men to do with With January, 1901, begins the it what they pleased. Theyorgan- 20th century according to the pres- ized a great meeting and put it ent mode of reckoning. Our hope through with telling effect. and prayer is that it may be a cen- tury of new and ever increasing It was intended as an initial fidelity to duty, of prompt recep- movement of laymen further to the tion of truth and acceptance of new responsible front in mission admin- opportunities, of self-denial, and of istration. It will we are sure in- effectiveness in service of God and terest business men to read of the man. For the MISSIONARY RE- organization of a company of busi- VIEW we crave greater usefulness ness men in Rochester, N. Y., for in the Kingdom of God through- a little work on their own account, out the world. It will be our en- while they diminish nothing of deavor to deal carefully with all what they have been accustomed subjects which directly bear on to do for the support of the Church the progress of the Gospel at home and all its benevolences. We can and abroad, especially where the do no better than to let their or- Church of Christ is not firmly es- ganization speak through its own tablished. text, which, at our solicitation, the secretary, Horace McGuire, Esq., During the coming year we plan has placed at our disposal. to have valuable articles on the various mission fields of the world, THE BUSINESS MEN'S MISSIONARY CIRCLE the missionary problems of the new century, the organizations which OF CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, are sending out and maintaining soldiers of the cross, methods of ROCHESTER, N. Y. work in foreign lands, as wea as biographical sketches and stories This Circle was formed Dec. 20th, 1898. It of mission work. Maps and photo- consists of ten business men. It is hoped to graphs will be extensively used to continue its membership at ten, no more, no give interest and vividness to the less. Each member is an active willing memsubjects treated. We have made ber, and the membership fees are one hunarrangements for securing the lat- dred dollars per year from each member. est items of intelligence from the The pastor of the church is to be, ex officio, various fields as promptly as pos- an honorary member. We may have a pressible, and in other ways to make ident, a secretary, and a treasurer, to be the REVIEW of the utmost value to elected annually by ballot. Meetings of the Christians everywhere. Circle are to be held as often as any business requires a meeting, upon a call by the presi- Buslness Men to the Front. dent.
Nothing was more impressive, The Object of the Circle. nor perhaps more hopeful in the whole series of meetings of the We have been impressed with the idea that Ecumenical Conference, than the as business men we have not taken the inter- Business Men's Session. It was est in foreign missions which the great subplanned and executed wholly by ject demands. That the Presbyterian business men. All that the pro- Church of the United States is about to make gram or executive committee of a H forward movement" in foreign missions. the Conference had to do with it, That as new fields &re being opened, the Gos- pel of Jesus Christ should follow our flag, if not precede it, into every new possession acquired either temporarily or permanently by our country. That there is no better way to enlighten a people, or to enable them to be- come self-supporting and capable of self-gov- ernment, than by the dissemination among them of the Word of God. That the vital truths taught in God's Word, and exempli- fied in the lives of men, will ennoble a people and lift them up from semi·barbarism to a
EDITORIALS
Christianized civilization. That we have the establishment in France. Were all ability, and it may be our great pleasure to the French missionaries in Ohina materially assist in this work. as humble as no doubt many of them' are, France would compel That the Board of Foreign Missions of our church will welcome our material assistance, and aid us in acquiring all necessary informa- them to be instrumental of her tion which will tend to quicken our activities aggressive policy, whether they and stimulate our efforts. would or no.
The Aim 01 the Oircle. However, it is ridiculous to pre- tend that modest humility is a We shall pay to the support of a foreign common mark of Roman Oatholic missionary in the Philippines $1,000 a year. If by death or resignation we shall lose a member, we shall at once seek a new man to missions. Rome has never broken fill the vacancy. Applications for member- the connection with the Middle ship may be placed upon the waiting list and Ages, in which temporal and spirselected to fill vacancies, in the order of fIl- itual aims were inextricably intering applications.
We shall hope to know all about the man woven. That the temporal power whom the Foreign Board shall assign to us. should always hold itself ready to We shall feel free to write to him individu- support an interest defined by the ally or through our secretary, and shall try church as spiritual, is almost a to keep fully informed of the kind and char- acter of the work done by him. Our prefer- Oatholic commonplace, at least ence is for a medical missionary. with the clergy. Modern France, that is her government, cares little At our meetings it is hoped we shall have about spiritual interests, but information gathered by the members from any and all sources, and given to us. That we shall each endeavor by our private read- abroad she is very ready to answer ing to become well informed as to the work every appeal of the church, for she of our church in the Philippines, and inter- finds her own accounts in it. change views on the subject. But above all Ohurch and state, therefore, aggrawe shall aim to be loyal members of the Church of Christ upon the earth, and put vate each other to aggressiveness. forth an honest effort to bring about that Moreover, French Oatholics, who *. time when all men everywhere shall believe were chief in the Orusades, have kept up the crusading traditions to in His name, and be guided by His spirit.
Papal Missions in Ohina. this day. The crusading instinct was not very humble, nor were its In discussing how far missions in immediate aims or its instruments Ohina are answerable for the re- spiritual.
cent outbreaks, it is very thought- The Orusade contemplated the less to forget that there are two erection of Ohristian states in the profoundly different missions in East, and the Roman Oatholic mis- Ohina, and that an accusation sions in Ohina, supported by against one might be wholly inap- France, do very much the same plicable to the other. thing. The missionaries require One of the missions, the Roman their converts to pay a certain trib- Oatholic, is almost wholly con- ute to the Ohinese authorities, ducted by Frenchmen,and predom- and after that they regard them as inantly by Jesuits. It has there- virtually the subjects of France.
fore all the advantages and all the Every complaint of the converts temptations implied in religious that can be defined as involving and national unity. Except in the their religion-and hardly any- northeast, where Germany con- thing can not-is brought to the trols, France has the avowed pro- consular courts, and, for obvious tectorate of aU Roman Oatholic' reasons,commonly decided in favor interests. The attempt of the Vat- of the Roman Oatholics, and that ican to secure them for itself was by France, not by Ohina.
foiled by a significant threat of dis- Who can wonder, therefore, that
THE :M:ISSIONAR~ RE~tEw OF THlll wORL
the Chinese are deeply embittered will progress toward God and truth, at finding almost a million of their but it will be in spite of those who countrymen virtually withdrawn wish to shut out the Gospel. from the national authority? The expression of their anger is horri- Imagine the result of giving the ble because all their punishments Chinese a foreign-drilled army, are horrible, but the displeasure in European guns and warships, moditself is thoroughly warranted. ern factories, telegraph lines, and railroads-in fact, a knowledge of Now how can such things be laid all the modern arts andappliancesto the charge of the Protestant without even attempting to give missionaries? Some few of these them the Christian ideals and prinmay be arrogant and meddlesome, ciples which to some degree, at but their unsupported efforts die least, restrain the use of this power out, and thus far in public matters in wrong directions. Had China they have not been combined or waited ten years longer before decombinable. They are English- fying the world, and in the meanmen, Americans, Germans, and time had continued to develop her Swedes, and, we believe, Danes. army and navy and to unify the Here are five nations, at least, no empire, without a corresponding one of which pretends to any right progress in the acceptance of Chrisof a common protectorate over tian faith and practise, it seems Protestantism, or would be suffered possible that she would have been by the others to assume it. The able to resist all Europe for an in- Protestants, therefore, have not definite period. She could easily the power, nor the temptation, to have put into the field an army of any such political aggressiveness 1,000,000 men, which would have as the Roman Catholics, to raise no been well nigh invincible. But question as to the relative spiritu- God did not permit that. China ality of their missionary theories. must be won to Christ. He will conquer. t Ohina Without Ohrist. Lessons for Missionaries.
It is appalling to think what It is well for missionaries to inwould be the result of allowing quire of God what He has for them the antagonists of missions-Ori- to learn from these outbreaks and ental and Occidental-to have their persecutions. Have we been blameway and exclude Christian mission- less? Have we been "wise as seraries and the Gospel from the pents, and harmless as doves" in Chinese empire. China is certain our dealings with the Chinese? to move; the only question is, will Have we always used heavenly she move toward righteousness, wisdom, and been constant in and peace, and true prosperity, or prayer? Have we boasted of success will she move forward only in or thought that our own self-sacgreater shrewdness and duplicity, rifice and tact and power was at all more skill in warfare, and increased responsible for the progress of the worldly wealth and wickedness? Kingdom? Shall we not, at Her doors have been opened to home or abroad, rely more abso- Western ideas of life and civiliza- lutely upon the arm of the Lord tion, and many of her brightest and less upon the arm of flesh? young men have grasped the idea Shall we not move forward in the of bringing the nation out of her strength of His might and preach sleep of conservatism and stagna- His Gospel, leaving results with tion; the land is awakening and Him, and giving Him the praise?
EDITORIALS
The Egypt Mission Band. that of conversion by theological argument.' This is so far from Some of our readers have prob- the actual fact that our report even expressly states 'as a rule we ably seen in the Nineteenth Cen- refused to enter into controversy' (page 6), and in further contradic- tury an article on the subject of tion I would say that we would not only have the idea of adopting missionaries in Egypt, which con- other methods, but actually do adopt them, and at the present time tains some very serious misstate- we have two flourishing boys' schools with many Mohammedan ments, and charges of "amazing pupils.
.imprudence" are brought by the ,.That suchmisstatements should be made seems to indicate either writer against Mr. J. Martyn culpable ignorance on the part of the writer, or else a deliberate Cleaver, secretary of the Egypt attempt to mislead the British public." Mission Band. Errors Noted. '.rhe writer states that Mr. Dr. Maud Mackay was not killed at Pao- Cleaver had a certain controversial ting-fu as stated in our November number. She was in Peking at the time and so escaped. tract translated into Arabic, and The article by Mr. Masterman on medical having obtained the addresses of missions was written some three years before it appeared in our November number; con- the principal Mohammedans in sequently several slight errors are found in it. Our attention is called to some of these Egypt, "forwarded to them copies by the author, who is now stationed in Jeru- salem; others are mentioned in a letter from of the tract enclosed in wrappers Dr. Lankester, Secretary of the Medical Committee of the C. M. S. He says in part: which bore an unfortunate re- " The Medical Mission Auxiliary of the C.M. – semblance to those in which gov- S. was started in December, 1891, and the ernment circulars are sent," imply- ~r~~~t~~7'::,~l~~~~ ~~jh:lls~~Jr;,~le::s':f~~ ing, as his subsequent argument matters connected with the society's work. There are clergy, doctors, and laymen on the shows, that the object was to lead committee. I think this plan is a much better one than that of having only medical those to whom the tract was sent to men sitting ~on its medical committee. I believe that it came from the l~~~~~tl~~ ca~~r!U~~~~T~1ra';'i!~~o:~~k government. Mr. Cleaver says in in Damascus, and has a training institution in Agra, but the London Medical Mission reply: Association has no foreign work of its own, but makes grants in aid of the work carried "Certainly, if this were the case, on by other societies. The main work of both I should be the first to admit that it these societies is that of training men and was not only an act of 'amazing women for medical missionary work, whereas imprudence' but even gross folly. the princinal work of the C. M. S. Medical Not only was the tract not sent Committee is to collect and administer funds out in wrappers resembling those for the carrying on of the work done by the in use by the government, butthey sixty C. M. S. medical missionaries. In addiwere not sent out in wrappers at tion, they do make grants toward the eduall, the address beingsimplywritten cation of suitable male and female missionon the folded pamphlet. And to ary candidates. The income of the Medical completely identify the tract with Mission Auxiliary was last year £10,500 our mission, our name and address exclusive of centenary gifts." was impressed by means of a rubber stamp on the outside of It was erroneously stated in our November each copy. number that the Congregational Home Mis- sionary Society, organized in 1826, was the "Besides, the postage stamp first home missionary SOCiety in America. would sufficiently indicate that it Our attention is called to the fact that the was not official, as in Egypt there is Presbyterian Church began home mission a distinct government stamp. By work under a committee in 1816, ten years anyone understanding the alphabet before. of missionary enterprise such a course of action as the writer at- Donations Received. tributes to us, would be deemed too ridiculous for even a 'young Eng- No. 226. Water Street Mission ………. $2 50 lish missionary.' Our constant No. 226. Chinese Christians…………. 2.50 care is to dissociate ourselves from No. 227. Indian Famine Fund. ………. 5.00 all connections with the govern- No. 228. Kongo Balolo Mission ………. 35.00 ment, and to insist on the purely spiritual character of our message.
"The writer goes on to say that we 'had not the faintest idea of adopting any other method than
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LAND$.
CHINA'S ONLY HOPE. An appeal by Chang tomed to look upon as pertaining Chih-Tung. Translated by Samuel 1. only to "foreign devils." Woodbridge. Introduction and appendix by Griffith John, D.D. Portrait. 12mo, The book was the result of the 151 pp. 75 cents. Fleming H. Revell Co., Chinese-Japanese war, which hum- New York, Chicago, and Toronto. bled the great empire and opened the eyes of some of her statesmen Noone who desires to understand to her weakness. When published, the Chinese can afford not to read 1,000,000 copies are said to have this appeal by her most enlighten- been sold and circulated among ed viceroy, who has recently been the Chinese, many of them by the appointed one of the peace com- emperor himself. His interest in mISSIOners. From a missionary, this reform movement was largely as well as from a general viewpoint, the cause of his deposition, and it is extremely interesting and en- the temporary overthrow of the lightening, since it reveals the best reform party. Dr. Griffith John, solution that Confucianism can in his introduction says, that the suggest to the difficulties which at chapter on "Religion Toleration" present bind China, hand and foot. might well be published by the The viceroy advocates a revival of China Religious Tract Societies, Confucianism and the adoption of and used for general distribution. Western science and methods. The It would cause a change of senticonsideration of the ethical occu- ment in all thoughtful Chinese. pies the first nine chapters in the The book is destined to be influbook, and the consideration of the ential in the making of new China. " practical" fills in the last eleven chapters. This is China's Only THE CRISIS IN CHINA. Map and illustrations_ Hope according to her most en- 16mo, 271 pp. $1.00. Harper and Bros. lightened and least selfish viceroy. A dozen of the ablest essays that Of course, the solution offered is have appeared in the current disinadequate to meet the case. A cussion of affairs pertaining to real and lasting reformation can China compose this volume. It only be brought about by the new would not be easy to name a dozen birth of individual Chinese-a writers more competent to thoughtspiritual regeneration through re- fully and interestingly present pentance and faith in Christ. The the live issues of the present missionaries, who have been so situation in China than Mr. Colqucruelly persecuted, have been offer- houn, Rear-Admiral Lord Charles ing the true solution of the problem. Beresford, Rt. Hon. Sir Charles W. China's only hope is Christ. Dilke, Hon. John Barrett, late minister of the United States to Chang Chih-Tung, the viceroy of Siam, and the others who con- Hupeh and Hunan, seems to be a tribute to this book symposium. strong and pure character and a There is not a better article in the deep and clear thinker. Only a book than that of missionary Rev. wise, brave, and powerful states- George B. Smyth, president of the man would have dared to write as Anglo-Chinese College, at Fuhe has done, advising the abandon- chau, China. The map of China ment of many corrupt and estab- is reduced from that in Lord Bereslished customs, advocating radical ford's "The Break-up of Ohina." reforms in education and politics, defending foreigners and praising much that the Chinese have accus-
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS
These essays are a contribution to get-up of the book is also rather the permanent literature on China, cheap and inartistic. The half-tone and should be read and studied. ** illustrations give an excellent idea of the work at Tuskegee, but the My LIFE AND WORK. Booker T. Washington. woodcuts are not a desirable addi- Illustrated. 8vo, 424 pp. $1.50. J. L. tion. Nichols & Co. (Napierville), Chicago, Ill. Nevertheless this stands as the The story of Booker Washing- only detailed and authentic record ton's early life is one of great inter- of the career and achievement of a est; it carries with it many sug- remarkable man. Mr. Washington gestive and valuable lessons, and has had many honors thrust upon we are thankful that he has put in him, and has really achieved great. print this record of his early ex- ness, yet he tells the story with a periences and achievements. He straightforward simplicity and has well been called the "Moses" modesty that awakens respect and of the negro race; he might be confidence. called their "Washington" figuratively as well as literally, for FORBIDDEN PATHS IN THE LAND OF OG. under his leadership they are mak- "The Otherwiseman." Illustrated. 12mo, ing greater strides toward intellec- 258 pp. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co. tual, industrial, and social freedom than they have ever made hereto- Here is a very readable account fore. Tuskegee Institute has al- of a tour in Bashan-a tour which ready had an immense influence in the author says" requires hope for the elevation of the colored race. its inception, experience for its preparation, patience for its man- Booker Washington was born of agement, and time for its ccmplea slave mother whose memory he tion." Three American missionhighly honors. His father was a aries took a vacation tour into forwhite man. The story of the bidden land, east of the Jordan. emancipation of Booker and his Besides being full of information in mother, the boy's early struggles to regard to an almost unknown counobtain a living and an education, try people, the narrative throws his seeking entrance to Hampton many sidelights on Scripture pas- Institute, his subsequent career, sages and brings us more into the founding and development of touch with places referred to in the Tuskegee in spite of many dis- Old and New Testament, e. g., Citcouragements and hardships, his ies of Refuge, Gadara, Mispah, Tibetravels, honors, and addresses- rias, Magdala, etc. The Scriptural these and much more are all inter- index refers to about 150 passages estingly told. in the Bible.
Unfortunately the literary qual- A glimpse of missionary life is ity of the book is not high. The given in the first chapter. The story is interesting and the record missionaries' duties include those is valuable, but is for the most part "theological, educational, pastoral, poorly written. Constant repeti- political, financial, medical, practions of the same words where tical duties to the young, duties to synonyms should have been used; the old, duties to the living, duties the excessive personal references to the dead; duties to the rich, and acknowledgment of obliga- duties to the poor; duties to the tion; the minute detail in the story learned, duties to the ignorant; of the founding and growth of the duties to the single who wish to be Institute mar the book from married, duties to the married who a literary standpoint, and for its wish to be single." In spite of these general and permanent value. The many duties, nay, because of them,
the missionary must take a vaca- pIe, not one of whom was a Gention. The one here recorded has tile, can hardly be deemed" a Genborne good fruit in a book which tile dispensation." might well find place in Biblical and missionary libraries. The fact is, the Church t:>-day is so much occupied with herself, CHRISTIAN EFFORTS AMONG THE JEWS. Facts first and foremost of all; secondly and figures collected by Rev. Louis with the outside world of the Gen- Meyer, Hopkinton, Iowa. Leaflet. 5 tiles, upon which all her super- cents. fluous energy is bestowed, that she has no time or thought for the This is the most complete list of Jew. But in God's estimation this missions to the Jews which we is the order for the believer, "the have ever seen. It was gathered Jew, the Gentile, and the Church by Mr. Meyer with much care and of God." The Christ-centered labor, and contains the names of Christian will always keep in mind British, American, and other socie- that He was a Jew, and seek to reties working for the Jews, together pay a little of the debt we owe to with the date of establishment, the Jewish people.-James E. the location and number of mis- Mathieson, President of Prayer sionaries, the auxiliaries, publica- Union for Israel, formed 1880. tions, and anlOunt of income. There is also a brief statistical table. Monthly Missionary Bibliography.
In a brief review of Rev. John CHINA'S ONLY. HOPE. Viceroy Chang Chih· Wilkinson's pamphlet, "The Jew Tung. Translated by S. I. Woodbridge. and the World's Blessing," there Portrait. 12mo, 151 pp. 75 cents. Flem· are sentences calculated to lead ing H. Revell Co. New York, Chicago, readers to refuse to listen to the Toronto. teachings of the pamphlet. . . . CHINA AND THE PRESENT CRISIS. Joseph Wal- Altho a careful perusal of the ton. Map. 12mo, 319 pp. $2.00. Impamphlet would prove the con- ported by Charles Scribner's Sons. trary, it seemed to be assumed that Saul had given up the Jews as a THE REAL CHINESE QUESTION. Chester Hoi· bad job, because at Antioch in Pis- colme. $1.50. Dodd, Mead & Co. idia, Acts xiii: 46, when Jews refused his message, he said, "Lo, we . CHINA'S OPEN DOOR: A Sketch of Chinese turn to the Gentiles." Yes, he did Life and History. Rounsevelle Wildman. so, and spoke then to the Gentiles 12mo, 318 pp. $1.50. Lothrop & Co. in Antioch, but he did not then leave off preaching to the Jews, for CHINA. Wm. B. Parsons. Illustrated. 12mo. at Iconium, Acts xiv: 1; at Thessa- McClure, Phillips & Co., New York. lonica, xvii: 2, "as his custom was;" at Berea, xvii: 10; at Athens, THE AWAKENING OF THE EAST. Leroy-Beauxvii: 17; at Corinth, xviii: 4where lieu. Translated. 12mo. McClure, Philonce more he said [verse 6], " I will lips & Co. go unto the Gentiles") ; yet, again, at Ephesus, xviii: 19, "he entered BRIEF HISTORY OF EASTERN ASIA. I. C. into the synagog;" again, xix: 8, Hannah. T. Fisher Unwin, London. for three months he taught in the synagog at Ephesus; and at Rome, TRAvEr..s IN TARTARY, TIBET, AND CHINA. xxviii: 17 (R. V. margin) "he called together those that were of the Huc and Gabet. Translated from the Jews first," and he enjoined the French. 688 pp. $1.25. Open Court Church of God to offer the Gospel Pub. Co., Chicago. " to the Jew first, and also to the WRONGS OF INDIAN WOMANHOOD. Mrs. M. B. Gentile." . . . . Fuller. Illustrated. 12mo, 302 pp. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co. The other blemish in the brief A LITTLE AMERICAN GIRL IN INDIA. Harriet notice is the assertion that" this is A. Cheever. Illustrated. 12mo, 281 pp. a Gentile dispensation!" It is no Little, Brown & Co. such thing; this is "the Christian BUDDHA AND BUDDHISM. Arthur Little. 12mo, dispensation," in which it has 233 pp. Charles Scribner's Sons. pleased God to "make of twain FORBIDDEN PATHS IN THE LAND OF OG. one new man," that is to bring Travels of Three Wise and Otherwise into the Church Jew and Gentile Men East of the Jordan. Illustrated. alike; and a dispensation ushered 12mo. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co. in by the conversion of 3,000 peo- AT HOME AND ABROAD. (Missions to the Jews.) W. T. Gidney. Illustrated. Maps. 8vo, 246 pp. 18. London Jews Society. ECHOES FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. Dudley Kidd. Illustrated. 8vo. 28. 6d. Marshall Brothers, London. RUSSIA AND THE RUSSIANS. Edmund Noble. 12mo, 150 pp. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. THE BIBLE IN SPAIN. Geo. Borrow. 8vo, 823pp. $2.00. G. P. Putnam's Sons. THE PAPACY IN THE XIX. CENTURY. Frederick Nippold. 8vo, 372 pp. G. P. Putnam's Sons_ SOUTH AMERICA. Social, Industrial, Political. Frank G. Carpenter. 8vo, 625 pp. $3.00. Saalfield Pub. Co. RECOLLECTIONS OF A MISSIONARY IN THE GREAT WEST. Cyrus Townsend Brady. 8vo, 200 pp. $1.25. Charles Scribner's Sons. A REPORTER AT MOODY'S. Margaret B. Robin- son. Illustrated. 12mo, 140 pp. 5Oc. Bible Institute Colportage ASSOCiation.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
AMERICA. The legacies were $154,884. The board has 20 principal missions, Our City According to the with 102 stations where mission- Population. figures of the Cen- aries reside, and 1,268 out-sta- tions; 166 ordained missionaries. 40 sus Bureau, there physicians (men and women), 336 are 6 cities in the United States women, including 170 wives, 239 having over 500,000 inhabitants, 15 native pastors, besides numerous with more than 250,000, and 29 over other native assistants; 495 100,000. while the total population churches with 51,699 members, of of the 29 cities is more than 13,000,- whom 4,523 were added during the 000 and increasing at a rapid rate. year. There are 14 theological seminaries, or classes, with 196 stu- The Chicago This, our second dents for the ministry, III b,oard- ing and high schools, with 7,839 Babel. largest city, covers pupils; and 40,598 children in com- mon schools. 193 square miles, and contains a population of 1,698,- 575, among whom no less than 60 languages are spoken. .The Ameri- cans and Germans number about Churches and The following sta- 500,000 each; the Irish, 250,000; Schools in tistics have been Swedes. 112,000; Poles, 100,000; Utah. secured by a com- Bohemians, 90,000; Norwegians, mittee'of the minis- 50,000; Russians, 40,000; Italians, terial association of Salt Lake City, 25,000; French, 20,000, etc. Poland in order to ascertain as far as pos- has no city containing so many sible the results of evangelical Polacks, and only Berlin holds so labors among the Mormons. The many Germans. These hosts of report is incomplete, as not all the foreign-born dwell together largely churches reported, but the figures by nationalities, each race or people given afford a fair representation in a ward or section of its own. of the work being accomplished: Chicago is ministered to religiously 0:1 0:1., 0"0:1 by 718 churches, of which 605 are CHURCH ., ….8=,- S0 ", ., STATISTICS …," ~"0!:1g) oE'oSo,S~: .o.= Protestant and 113 are Roman ..= .,s.0,:.10" S .0.:.':~: £~ r.o;.,"-o='rSt;o, ~se~§.~..=~ Catholic. 6]" (Denominations) … 0", bIlO The The oldest of our Zo r>;-,1,0,,~OCI-oI American foreign missionary Presbyterian …. 9 811 117 476 Episcopal. ……. 4 529 155 582 Board societies held its Methodist ……. 14 549 69 163 Congregational. 5 582 31 49 Meeting. ninetieth a nn u a 1 Baptist ………. 6 546 58 109 meeting in St. Louis Christian …….. 1 160 11 25 Lutheran …….. 1 43 13 13 October 9-12. It was reported that ., 40 3,220 514 1,417 during the year 40 new mission- 0:1 10 aries had been sent out, 11 men and 0 t.0;,.., S SCHOOL …."=,, """., "0 <st1:;.;:;i: 29 women, while 39 missionaries STATl6TICS ., ., ~~ r.o;.,,S,to, had returned after a furlough at (Denominations) 0 ..0= ."to, B rS.o;.,rSa;to, home. The total receipts for the "00 E- 00 year wer:e $737,957, an increase Presbyterian……. 6 19 580 275 143 Episcopal. ……… 1 10 175 10 70 from last year of $93,756. Of Methodist ……… 5 7 342 240 22 this sum $516,536 was in regular Congregational. … 3 9 168 104 18 Baptist ………… 4 15 424 120 46 donations, a gain of $26,128, and Christian……….. N:?ne $214,774 was from the Woman's Lutheran ……….
Boards, an increase of $14,664. 19 60 1,689 749 299
The Friends The m iss i onary being primarily a work of educa- tion much emphasis is laid upon the and efforts of the introduction of missionary litera- ture in both homes and churches. Missions. Friends are carried In the 3,048 homes visited by work- ers, 624 books were sold and 779 on in a quite pecu- magazine subscriptions received. One hundred and thirteen libraries, liar way. There is no general soci- containing 1,844 volumes, costing $1,133, were placed in churches. As ety, but each yearly meeting a further means of education, 23 missionary committees, 50 monthly appoints and su~tains its own rep- missionary meetings, and 78 mis- sion study classes were inaugurated resentatives. Thus the New Eng- in C. E. societies. Thirty-six mis- sionary societies were organized. land section has 6 men and women "The introduction of systematic giving in 51 churches and 20 C. E. in Ramleh, Syria; Ohio, 7 in China societies hrought in immediate returns, $904, while the gifts of and 3 in India; New York, 2 in 10 churches marked an increase over former contributions, and 13 Mexico and 2 in China; Iowa, 12 in churches were led to give to foreign missions for the .first time. While Jamaica; Indiana, 6 in Mexico; statistics can not tell of the awakened interest and renewed Wilmington, 6 in Alaska; Phila- consecration, they help one to read between the lines. God has owned delphia, 4 in Japan; the Western, and blessed this work. A similar campaign will be conducted during 10 in Mexico; or 12 meetings have the winter months. Persons who wish a campaign worker to visit in all 62 missionaries. the churches of their presbytery should address: F. M. Stead, 37 Salvation The value of the Randolph St., Chicago, Ill.
Army property he 1d by Property. the Salvation Army in the United States is rated at $600,000, which is mort- gaged to the amount of $300,000.
The personal property is rated at $195,000. Three farm colonies have been established by the organiza- tion-situated at Fort Amity, Col- orado; Fort Ramie, California; and Cleveland, Ohio. The first was originally valued at $13,370, and 480 acres have been sold to colon- ists for $13,850. The second cost $25,952, and 200 acres have been sold for $16,800. The value of the third is rated at $25,000. Roman Nearly 200,000 Presbyterian The Student Mis- Catholics and Rom a n Catholics Student sionary Campaign, the Freedmen. are to be found Campaign. which is now or- ganized in most of among our colored the denominations, is a natural population, as Mary E. Holmes inoutgrowth of the Volunteer Movement. Its program is systematic forms us in The Herald and Presvisitation of the churches by students who have given themselves byter: to the cause of foreign missions. The Presbyterian campaign of "There are 21 sisterhoods teachthe past summer was conducted in ing in over 120 schools, with nearly ten states. Sixteen workers made 575 addresses in 279 churches, and 10,000 children. Four' communiheld 371 conferences on practical methods of work with various mis- ties' are especially devoted to the sionary agencies. The campaign negroes: the Sisters of St. Francis of England, the Sisters of the Holy Ghost, San Antonio, '.rexas; the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Mother Katharine Drexel's com- munity, and the Mission Helpers of Baltimore; St. Joseph's Seminary of Baltimore, and its 'feeder,'
Epiphany College, Highland Park,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
are training young men for negro The A recent number of missions. There are also 3 exclusively colored sisterhoods in the "Fragrant " the American Mes- United States; the 'Oblates,' 'Holy Family,' and 'Sisters of Church of senger contains the St. Francis.' The 'Oblates' were founded in Baltimore in 1829 Metlakahtla. following interestand have 'houses' in Washington, Baltimore, St. Louis, and ing s tat e men t : Leavenworth; the 'Holy Family' was founded in New Orleans in "There is said to be a church at 1842. At their golden jubilee in 1892, 50 colored sisters were pres- Metlakahtla, Alaska, built by the ent." civilized and Christianized Indians, Over 90 young men have been that exhales perpetually a fratrained to work among those of grapce as if the finest incense was their color, and 31 are now study- being burned within its walls. ing in a single seminary, "The St. This exquisite odor proceeds, not J 0 s e phS 0 c i e t y of the Sacred. from anyone quarter, but from the Heart," in Baltimore. entire building, which is made throughout from the wood of the giant arbor-vitro, Thuga gigantea.
It is continuous, unvarying in quantity and intensity, and will A Tribute The following son- last as long as the sacred edifice to Booker net, written by the stands."
Washington. colored poet, Paul The Mission The Rev. E. J. Peck Laurence Dunbar, Nearest the is the well-known celebrates this leader of his race. North Pole. C. M. S. missionary It appears in The New England to the Eskimo of Magazine: Blackhead Island, Cum bel' I and The word is writ that he who runs may read. Sound, to the north of Hudson's What is the passing breath of earthly fame? Bay. He has been working for 23 But to snatch glory from thc hands of years in the frozen north, (j of them in this remote island, which can blame,- only be reached by a whaler once a That is to be, to live, to strive indeed. A poor Virginia cabin gave the seed, And from its dark and lowly door there came year. This much-enduring man A peer of princes in the worldIS acclaim, A master spirit for the nation's need. has recently written: Strong, silent, purposeful beyond his kind, The mark of rugged force on brow and lip, "Some are probably aware that Straight on he goes nor turns to look be- for the last 6 years I have lived at our barren station at Blackhead hind, Island-one of the most isolated, if Where hot the hounds come baying at his not the most isolated, mission sta·· tions now existing. This fact will hip; be obvious when I say that after With one idea foremost in his mind, leaving England again about mid- Like the keen prow of some on-forging ship. summer this year, on my return journey, I can receive no letters Medical Course for Delayed Mis- from home for 14 months. In such sionaries.-A special accident and isolation it is well indeed to have emergency course has been arrang- that Eternal Word which gives ed, open to evangelical missionaries comfort to one's own soul, and of both sexes, at a total charge for proves also a fountain of blessing instruction, with board and rooms, to the Eskimo."
of $100 for six months, from Five Curses Even a brief resi- November 1st to May 1st. Some of Brazil. dence in Brazil dis- medical missionaries from China closes in a very and other countries will be on the short time the five great evils staff of teachers. Address, Dr. G. which blight this people, namely, D. Dowkontt, medical director, 288 immorality, drunkenness, shiftless- Lexington Avenue, New York City. ness, ignorance, and superstition.
Throughout Brazil, a medical Portuguese, Italian, and French man meets with an incredibly large sailors, 1 to Scandinavians, 1 to number of persons with diverse Asiatics and Africans, and 7 to forms of venereal diseases. This Jews. gives prima facie evidence of the shockingly low state of morality ANable The D u c h e s s of among the Brazilians. The vilest Woman. Sutherland, say s sort of home-made rum, known as caxaca, is found everywhere, even the ClwisUan Herif there is not another thing to be ald, is one of the many members of had. The laziness and shiftless- the aristocracy who are interested ness of the low-class Brazilians is in the welfare of humanity, and almost incredible. In a country who try to make the world happier abounding in natural wealth, the than they found it. The cause of people have absolutely nothing. temperance, labor reform, and kin- The traveler who attempts to pass dred movements have received her through the interior, expeeting to sympathetic support, and she has buy his food on the way, stands a given unlimited time and labor in fair chance of starving, for, instead befriending the women engaged in of selling to you, the people expect the white lead and other deadly to buy from you, whenever you industries. At 'l'rentham and Dunmake a landing. robin she does a good deal for the tenants, and the rooms at Stafford The last two evils, ignorance and House, her beautiful home in Lonsuperstition, go hand in hand, and don, have several times been placed it is frequently claimed that the at the disposal of the different inpeople of Homan Catholic countries dustries and charities in which she are charged with ignorance by is so deeply interested. Protestant missionaries from motives arising out of our religious Free Church The annual report prejudices, and that the pieture is Missions. of the Free Church generally overdrawn. Critics of of Scotland foreign that sort ought to come to the interior of Brazil. It is a good place missions is prefaced by an interestin which to study a people over ing historical outline, recalling imwhom the Homan Catholic clergy portant events, and showing the has had undisputed sway for cen- progress made. The main source turies, entirely free from anarchis- of income is congregational contritic and atheistic influences. I have butions. Of a total of 1,070 Free found a great deal of atheism Church congregations, 880 have among the Brazilian merchants, quarterly associations in operation but they dare not profess it openJy; -Dr. Duff's suggestion-While the fear makes them bow to the dic- remaining 190 congregations adtates of the church, tho they se- here to the annual collection at the cretly despise its shallow teachings. church door. The missionary in- -Geo. R. Witte. come from Scotland has risen from £7,046 in Disruption Year (1843-44), EUHOPE. to £68,759 in 1899-1900. The growth of income abroad has been from City Missions The London City £6,387 in 1843-44 to £44,498 in 1899- in London. Mission has 14 mis- 1900. The report says, "Never sionaries to foreign- were the church's missions more successful, never were the funds ers and Jews in the metropolis-l more prosperous, and never was to the French, 2 to the Germans, 1 the interest in foreign missions to the Italians, 1 to the Spanish, greater than now."
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
United The formal union when the figures were looked up, it was found that within the last Free Church of the Free and decade that seemingly preposterous number had been reached and of Scotland. United Presbyter- passed, for 1,002 have actually been secured. ian C h u I' C h e s of Scotland was consummated at the joint meeting of the Free Church Assembly and the United Presby- Women's Not less than 737 terian Synod in Edinburgh. The Work Christian worn e n ministers marched from their re- in Berlin. are engaged in spective halls to the Royal Insti- works of love and tution, then proceeded to Waverley mercy in the capital city of Ger- Market, and held the first meeting many. Of these 555 received their of the United Free Church of Scot- training in the 8 mother nOllses, land. Large crowds witnessed the while 182 came from 8 other dea- procession. Some three thousand coness houses, 60 of them from ministers took part in the proces- Kaiserswerth. While 368 care for sion, and dense crowds along the the sick and teach children, 105 are route cheered them repeatedly. on duty as nurses, and 157 labor as The hall where the uniting act was Bible workers and visitors in con- signed was draped with crimson nection with various churches.
and yellow and liberally bedecked with flags used by the Covenanters. German The Indian Wit- Women and ness makes this The Earl of Aberdeen, Dr. Missions. criticism with re- Parker, "Ian lVlaclaren" (the Rev. , gard to one serious John Watson), and delegates from defect in the management of mis- sions in Fatherland: " In pre- Canada, Australia, Jamaica, Af- Christian times the Germanic peoples treated their women with rica, France, and other countries conspicuous respect. In this par- ticular they were in advance of took part in the proceedings. The other contemporary races. The development of woman's position Rev. Dr. Robert Rainy was chosen in Germany has not kept pace with that of man. Compared with the moderator of the United Free place woman occupies in the social and public life of Great Britain and Church. The small minority which America, her status in the Father- land is very backward. As a reopposed the union met in a separate sult, the Christian women of Ger- many do comparatively little for hall and constituted themselves a the cause of missions. Pastors fear that somehow they may get Free Church Assembly. out of their sphere and lose their womanly modesty. It is rare if The Greatest Including some 23 not unknown, for a committee of of Societies. missionaries wh 0 women of any kind to be presided over by one of their own sex. All were transferred to public meetings of ladies' missionit by auxiliary associations, the ary and benevolent societies are Church Missionary Society of Eng- usually presided over by men, not land during the past year accepted even a report of the work done be- 122 candidates for service. Of the ing read by a lady. This is the 99 new appointees nearly one-half were men, 25 of the whole number being ordained. Some ten years ago it "happened" that somebody threw out the suggestion to the friends of this 0 I' g ani z a t ion, "Within a few years why not send out 1,000 missionaries?" No definite action was taken to secure this result, and no especial thought was given to the matter, but recently,
practise in other countries besides forbidding the duello, but it is a Germany. 'Ve trust the day is dead letter." not distant in those lands when all apprehensions regarding the effect The Priests A rather interestof public effort upon womankind in Spain. ing piece of news shall vanish, and earnest Ohristian women shall be allowed to use their comes from Spain talents in the cause of Christ and to the effect that the lower priestfor the good of His Church with- hood have begun to organize with out unnecessary hindrance." a view to bring their grievances before their hierarchical superiors A Swedish Probably very few through the public press. Accord- ing to accounts, the organiza- Society. have any adequate tion, known as the Institucion Sacredoial, counts already upon idea of the magni- the adhesion and active coopera- tion of 11,000 Roman ecclesiastics tude of the work which is being car- scattered throughout the penin- sula, and possesses two official ried oil by the Swedish Missionary organs, El Regional, published in Figueras, and El Urbion, which Church. It represents the 3 church- issues from Barcelona, besides hav- ing, of course, the support of some es of the country, and commenced political papers in Madrid and the provinces. These publications are operations in the valley of the full of abuse, litigation, and dis- putes, the outcome of a keen Kongo, and now it has there 5 struggle which is going on between the conscience of the subordinate principal and 45 subordinate sta- clergy and the despotism of the higher ranks. It is not by any tions. In connection with these means pleasant reading; yet as the reformation of,the sixteenth centhere are 24 European missionaries, tury, which, beginning by a quarrel over the sale of indulgences, led to 270 were last year received into the a revision of all the doctrines of Rome, no one can tell what such church' by baptism, and the total movements as these may sometimes bring in their trail.-F. Castells. membership now in fellowship ASIA. with the mission amounts to nearly Christian PreRident Fuller in 1,000. Education in his annual report of Dereliction Before Protestants Turkey. Central Turkey Col- of the are excluded from lege says: "Our Italy as wicked in- Papacy. graduating class num bers 11, 6 Prot- estants and 5 Gregorians; of the truders, or at best Protestants, 5 are church members and 4 are desiring to study for the their presence and cooperation not ministry; of the Gregorians, 2 are needed, the pope will do well to intending to become priests. More than two-thirds of the whole class ponder this fact: are available for teaching service. The total number of students en- " During the last few week duels rolled is 124-52 boarders and 72 have caused a perfect slaughter in Italy. In one day 4 duellists were killed in different Italian towns. Statistics show that last year 2,400 duels were fought in Italy, in 480 of which death resulted to one or both of the combatants. The ordeal of the sword or pistol is the usual method of settling points of honor (as questions of personal character are called) among the Italians. For instance, public accusations in a newspaper seldom lead to a lawsuit. They generally result in a duel between the writer of the article or the proprietor and the person who feels himself injured. Most of these combats are fought by officers and soldiers of the army. and frequently on the most trivial pretexts. There is, of course, a law
1900.J GENERAL MisSIONARY
day students-78 in the college, and marveled that our ears were not 46 in the preparatory department; bored. They thought it a great 80 are Protestants, and 42 Gre- pity that we were not married, gorians, 1 Catholic, and 1 Greek with a house and children. Our Orthodox; 62 are from Aintab, 10 not accepting the offered cigarettes from Marash, 7 from Oorfa, 7 from did not hinder their enjoyment of Hadjin, 5 from Kessab, and the those which they smoked to the' remainder from 11 different places. " full extent of their capacity. The women of all classes adorn them- Rebuilding of At Harpoot in Asi- selves extravagantly with gold and Euphrates at i c Turkey the silver, and their ears are sometimes College. buildings a fEu – split by the weight which is eus- phrates College, 6 pended therefrom by a dirty string." in number, were destroyed by vio- lence in 1895, at the time of the Presbyterians This is the sum- Armenian massacres. Indemnity for this destruction has never been in Persia. mary of Presbyter- paid, but President Gates was resolved to see them rebuilt. At ian missions in Perfirst the Turkish government refused its consent; but in April last sia, according to the last report: the authorities at Constantinople gave the required permission. Missionaries. . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. •. 47 Then the sub-governor began to put in objections. At last these Stations, 4; out-stations…… 131 have been overcome, and if President Gates can raise the necessary Churches………. . ………. 24 $25,000, the college will be rebuilt soon. Communicants…………… 2,768 Henry Martyn Just eighty-eight Added to the church, '98-'99.. 228 Memorial. years ago died at Tocat, in Asia Schools, lOS; pupils……….. 2,666 Minor, the famous Cornish youth Patients treated. …….. ….. 24,039 and senior wrangler, Henry Martyn, whose name still shines as a Pages printed…………… , .1,264,100 missionary of the first rank. His best work was the translation of Moslem Gift to Medical Missions. the New Testament into the lan- -H. R. H., the Hla:l-ud-Dowleh (a guage of the Bible. land, Persia. nephew of the shah) recently visit- His grave is in the ground of the ed the hospital at Yezd. He went American mission, whose mission- in state with his brother, H. R. H. aries appeal for contributions in Hormuz Mirza. He was much aid of a much-needed memorial pleased with all he saw, and handed building to his name. Dr. White 2,000 krans Uibout £40) for the hospital funds. Visit to Miss Foote, of a Harem. Oorfa, was recently INDIA.
taken by a female Heartless A missionary who friend into the harem of a Turk, Hindus. has been touring in where she was welcomed, as she the ::1adura district says. "something as I fancy Barnum's circus might be welcomed, writes: """Ve hear much about and only on a smaller scale. The women we see constantly much of the pov- erty of this people, but here is another picture. It is twenty years since I last visited these regions. At that time, two of the towns of these Chetties were small and un- pretentious. In one there were about half a dozen large, fine houses, and in the other, only one. To-day the former of these is a large town, containing some 50 fine residences, most of them averaging in cost about Rs. 50,000 each; while in the
other town a couple of dozen much. Let not Ramabai's message princely abodAs are found. Out- to her friends be in vain. "He side of the city of Madras there is, that giveth unto the poor shall not perhaps, no other town which com- lack." pares with these in wealth-many millions of rupees being repre- Funds should be sent to the sented by each. And while the treasurer of the Association, Mr. E. charitable Christians of Western Hayward Ferry, 2'22 Boylston St., countries are generously sending Boston. millions of rupees to relieve the terrible suffering of the famine- A Famine This description is stricken millions of this land, I Scene. taken from real ha1!e yet to learn of a rupee being life: "As for clothcontributed by these wealthy shylocks for their famishing brethren ing, generally sp8aking, very many in the North. This is the" true of the women and elder girls fruit of Hinduism. It is not hard have dirty shreds of rags hangto contrast it with the best efforts ing around their loins, in quanof Christian charity, such as we see tity not sufficient for young at home to-day." children; some are a little better off and have old pieces of colored Ramabai's What is this work? cloth over their chests (saris). Work in India. Nearly two thou- Younger girls, boys of nearly all ages, and often the men too, have sand women an d nothing but a small strip of cloth girls saved by Ramabai from ruin about the loins. At night time and death, to be fed, clothed, and the poor creatures have to lie on sheltered; to be taught how to the bare ground; those women who meet evil and conquer it (alas! they possess remnants of saris or chadknow too well what evil is); to be dars carefully spread them on the taught how to care for their own ground and lie on top, thtH' having bodies and souls, that they may something between the damp cold know how to care for others; to be earth and their skir::s, but there is placed on a self-respecting, self- no covering for the body. Really supporting plane, and become ob- in practical language one may say ject lessons to India in what that the majority, day and night, Christianity, education, and honest are almost in a state of nudity. Is work can do for its women, espe- it to be wondered that many die cially its" despised widow." For through the night, and that if there all this a large a nd an assured has been any rain, the number of annual income is needed. Will deaths is greater? " not the American people, into whose hands God gave the be- Brahmans Mrs. E. G. Hume, ginning of this wonderful work and the of Bombay, writes: twelve years ago, again respond Plague. " In Poona, for promptly and generously to its three months, the increasing needs? Will not ministers, churches, societies, women's plague made terrible havoc. In clubs, etc., include it in the work the city and cantonment (where they are now planning for human- most of the Europeans reside) there ity? The formation of new circles, were at least 200 deaths a day for the strengthening of old circles, an weeks. A Brahman family of 6 or increase of annual contributors 7 persons all had the plague; 2 had and contributions, will accomplish been buried and the mother was dying. The father died first, and on hearing this, four Brahman priests, stout men, came in and
1900·1 GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
said, 'This woman must be shaved, tressing picture of the agricultural in order that her husband's soul shortage in India, losses that must may attain heaven.' She was too inevitably have led to wide-spread weak to resist. They took hold of famine. He states that the wheat her, broke her bangles, took her crop of India usually averages jewels, and holding her by main 6,000,000 tons, and is valued at force, as in her terrible sufferings $120,000,000. But during the agriwith the plague she would have cultural year just closed the wheat fallen over, they rudely shaved the crop only yielded 3,000,000 tons. In widowed sufferer, and while abus- other years the average value of ing her in every way possible, she the cotton crop is $60,000,000; but dropped dead. But who could do this year its value was only $25, anything? The government must 000,000, a loss of $35,000,000. These not interfere! It was a religious facts apply to all India. Coming rite! Those priests would lend no to provinces, the Presidency of hand to bury the woman, but they Bombay alone shows a loss in tortured her to death, that the breadstuffs of $60,000,000, with a dead man's soul might not, by the loss of $15,000,000 from cotton. disgrace of her having a hair left on Again, equally disastrous to the her head, be kept swimming around farmer has been loss in his cattle. hopelessly in purgatory!" In the famine districts only 300,000 cattle survive out of 1,300,000. In An The Rev. J. Wyck- two of the most sorely stricken states, Rajputana and Gujerat, Experiment in off of Arcot Mis- almost all the cattle have perished. These figures give -a doleful picture Banking. sian, In d i a, and of stricken India.
Rev. D. Rees of the The Indian ' 'On July 30th," says Wesleyan Mission, Karur, India, Government the r owng JJlen of have started successful small banks and Y. M.e.A. India, "the govern- men t of Bengal for the Christians, that have proved made an appropriation of Rs. 5,000 a great blessing to their people. toward the College Young Men's Christian Association buildillg. The Christians form themselves In view of the many calls made at this time, due to famine, war, and into a sort of joint-stock banking other exigencies, the gift conveys the warm interest and sense of company, with the missionary as need felt in this work for Bengal's students. We may very safely expresident. A fair rate of interest pect that from time to time the gov- ernment will make other appropriis given to depositors and de- ations until the whole .'1mount of Rs.40,000 asked for shall have been manded from borrowers who can given. The last mail brings word from Mr. White that a total of Rs. give the needed security. The box 50,000 has just been secured in England for the proposed new Cenin which the missionary keeps his t l' a 1 Building on Chowringhee. We in Calcutta should certainly be securities resembles somewhat a very grateful to England's gener- ous-hearted and public-spirited pa,wn shop. The goods accept'ld are not such as a bank at home or even a government one in India could receive, but they represent the wealth of the poor borrower and are worth more to the bank than he is allowed to take out, and so it works to the satisfaction of all classes.
Agricultural A missionary of the Shortage in Canadian Pre s by- India. terian Church, writ- ing in the August number of the Record, gives a dis-
men for the interest they have all many cases, our friends have been along taken in this work." rioted out of their stations, and have barely escaped with their A Brutal Bishop Warne, of lives. In other cases, the English Statement. the Methodist Epis- and American consuls have issued orders recalling the missionaries, copal Church, en and they have been forced to reroute to his field of episcopal over- tire from their stations. In still sight in southern Asia, writes to other cases, the directors of the the New York Christian Advocate mission in China have thought it that when Consul-General Good- advisable to send for the workers, now, with Dr. Hykes of the Bible as their position in the interior had Society acting as an interpreter, become dangerous, and hence these went to call on Li Hung Chang also have returned to the coast. in Shanghai to ask whether he As a result of these various causes, could give them assurances respect- there must be gathered at Shanghai ing the safety of foreigners in Pe- between 400 and 500 workers of our king, in order that they might reply mission, while others are constantto anxious friends in the United ly arriving. Our large mission States, Li Hung Chang pleaded home there, is full to overflowing. ignorance. When asked regarding Four houses have been rented in missionaries and their families, the the city to provide for these ~xtra tourists and other foreigners in numbers, while some of the frIends Peking, Li Hung Chang placid- have gone to Japan." ly smoked on, waved his hand nonchalantly, and replied: "They Missionaries In certain quarters are of no importance. I do not know." When asked whether he in China. the speech of the was willing to have this remark cabled to the United States, he Marquis of Salisanswered: "Yes, they are not worth taking into account. They bury has been regarded as if it conwill not count in the .final reckoning." Urged again to give some tained a salutary rebuke to those opinion as to the state of affairs in Peking, he replied: "It is of no im- who are engaged in missionary portance to me: I look at it as a Chinese, you look at it as a for- effort. Others have treated it as eigner." tho Lord Salisbury regarded the The Chief D 0 u btl e s s more Sufferer in damage has been missionaries as almost exclusively China. done to the work of responsible for the present unsatis- the China Inland factory condition of affairs in Mission than to any other by the Boxer uprising, and mainly be- China. cause its work waf' more extensive. Its representatives include almost The mission with which it is my one-third of all the missionaries at work in the empire. As China's privilege to be associated, was Millions says: born in 1865 to open up work in "We have advice that most of our mission workers have been obliged the eleven interior provinces of the to leave the interior of China, and to come down to Shanghai. In Chinese empire, which were, at that time, without any Protestant mis- sionaries. The following excerpt from our" Principles and Practi;e "
indicates the attitude of the China Inland Mission with reference to those in authority: While availing himself of any privileges offered: by his own or the Chinese govern- ment, he (i. e., the missionary) must make no demand for help or protection, tho in emer- gencies he may need to ask for it as a favor. Appeals to consuls or to Chinese officials to procure the pnnishment of offenders, or to demand the vindication of real or supposed rights, or indemnification for losses, are to be avoided. Should trouble or persecution arise inland, a friendly representation may be made to the local Chinese officials, failing
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
redress from whom, those suffering must be timacy with the people, this mission has, at satisfied to leave their case in God's hands. the same time, shown the true way of spread- Under no circumstances may any missionary ing Christianity in China.-WALTER B. SLOAN on his own responsibility make any written in The London Times. appeal to the British or other foreign authorities. Should such an appeal be Gospel for Blind men are not, thought necessary, it m~st first be submitted the Blind as a rule, to be ento the Qhina director or his deputy through Chinese. vied, but in China, the superintendent, and receive his authorization. according to The Examiner, it seems to be a con- During the past thirty-five venience for some purposes. Rev. years, 125 stations have been opened W. H. Murray, who, it was by us in ten of the provinces, and in feared, had been murdered in the course of this work, most of China, became interested in the which has bepn carried on far be- condition of the blind in that counyond the immediate influence of try many years ago, and for their "gunboats," only one of our mis- sake he invented a system of repsionaries has lost his life through resenting the sounds of the Chinese the violence of' the people. The language by raised dots. It was cases have been very rare, indeed, found that by this means 8, blind when any of our missionaries have Chinaman could learn to read in appealed to the British consuls for less than three months, whereas a their protection; altho in some Chinaman who can see takes years instances the consuls have felt it to master the ordinary written to be their duty to interfere on our language, for there are 4,000 charbehalf as being British subjects. acters in Chinese, tho only 480 sounds. Mr. Murray opened The following extract from the schools in Peking, in which a conreport of Her Majesty's consul in siderable number of blind boys, Han-kow for the year 1880 (see who otherwise would have starved China, No.3, 1880) may serve to in the gutter, have been trained show how large a part missionaries for educational and missionary have taken in opening up the in- work. terior of China. And in the face of such testimony it must surely be AFRICA. admitted that not a little tact and prudence have been mingled with Mission With the American the zeal of the missionaries: Schools in (United Presbyteri- Apart from this increased care on the part of the mandarins, this improved state Egypt. an) Mission in the of affairs is due to the fact, that the natives are becoming more accustomed to the pres- land of the Nile are ence of foreigners among them, much of the credit of which belongs to the members of connected 180 schools, with 12,872 what is called the China Inland Mission, instituted by the Rev. Hudson Taylor, M.R.C.S., pupils, and Asyut College as the some dozen years ago . . . Not only do the bachelor members of the mission visit crown; 612 students are enrolled places supposed to be inaccessible to foreigners, but those who are married take their at the college, of whom some 515 wives with them and settle down with the good will of the people in districts far remote have been boarding students in from official influence, and get on as comfortably and securely as their brethren of the the college dormitories; and 112 older missions under the shadow of a consular flag and within range of a gunboat's towns and villages in the valley guns; and, while aiding the foreign merchant by obtaining information regarding the un- of the Nile contribute these stuknown interior of the country and strengthening our relations by increasing our in- dents, those who come as board- ing students bringing their own bedding, etc., providing their own books, and paying for their tuition and board as they are able. On account of the great poverty of the Egyptians, they pay from nothing to $28 per student for the term of
eighteen weeks. and by far the mission field. It is a formidable greater part of them pay not more danger for the African Church herthan $2.50 for the term, and sweep, self; but it is a very serious one wait on table, teach primary for our poor mission, already so classes, etc., for the balance of sorely tried." their tuition and board. A very large part of the students bring Natal Native The first meeting of their own bread, according to the Congress. the Natal Native Egyptian custom, at the first of Congress was held the term, which lasts until the end of the term, being kept dry and on August 3d in Maritzburg. hard by the intensely dry atmos- There were present 100 delegates phere of Egypt; it is moistened in from 23 native associations. Chief water just before it is eaten. Mkize, president of the congress, opened the meeting with prayer. The Khartum The Missionary As- The subjects discussed were native Mission. sociation of Egypt, representation, education, and at the sum mer occupancy of land.
meetin'k in RamIe, after much Resolutions were passed asking prayer and careful deliberation, the colonial government for four selected the Rev. J. Kelly' Giffen Europeans elected by natives to as missionary to Khartum. He represent their interests in the accepted the appointment, and ex- Cape Parliament. Resolutions were pected to set out for his new field offered requesting that no restricas soon after the middle of Septem- tions be placed on teachers as to ber as he could get affairs in his the exact instruction to be given station at Tanta arranged. The natives, and holding that withevangelistic committee of the Syn- drawal of grants for higher standod of the Nile appointed a young ards than those required by the native laborer to accompany Mr. government is unjust. The desire Giffen. If he accepts the appoint- of the natives is to have their ment he will go at the same time. children trained to read, not to turn Feeling the need of a medical mis- them from farming but that they sionary at once in this mission, the may he able to read the Bible and association requested the board to assist in civilizing South Africa. appoint Dr. H. T. McLaughlin, The congress also asked for rights who had been for two years in of personal property for natives to Egypt, and the appointment has inspire thrift. The conditions since been made. should be monogamy and personal tenure. Peril from the Many of our read- "Ethiopian ers have heard of Boy Teachers Perhaps the most Church." the formation of in Uganda. remarkable devel- the E t h i 0 pia n opment of the work Church in South Africa. Regard- in Uganda has been that among ing it M. Coillard says: "There is children, about 10,000 of whom are a dark cloud on the horizon. It is under instruction (not including 'Ethiopianism' which threatens one large district from which reus, brought hither by our Basuto turns have not been received). A evangelists. Unfortunately this number of the older boys have been movement, initiated by African picked out to be trained as teach- Christians, which ought to rejoice ers, the church and the katikiro us, is based on racial hatred, and (prime-minister and one of the on those grounds is invading every regents acting for the infant king) providing them with food and
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
clothing. The katikiro also lent Norway, and the self-sacrifice at a house and garden near the church home that had led to all this. for the boys to live in. Then the " They sat and listened attentively, church council discussed the ques- astonished to hear of all the meet- tion, "Who was to act as father to ings in Norway, and how the the boys, and see that they kept money was collected, and how it out of mischief in their homes?" was so often the widow's mite that Of the man chosen, Mr. C. W. Hat- had made the work among them tersley writes: " An ordination possible, that they had never candidate, whose name is Jacob thought of! They sat and ponderthe Elephant, an extremely nice, ed over what they had heard; then sensible man, was suggested, and I an old patriarch rose and said that was much struck by his reply when that day they had Iived to see more asked if he would undertake the than they ever expected, but with post. He at once said, 'Is it for God's help it should only be a beme to choose my work ? You tell ginning. It was the first harvest me what to do, and I am ready to festival they had had; the next obey.'''-G. M. S. Gleaner. should be far better."-Norsk Mis- sionstidende. Calamity on In February, 1899, the Zambesi. 17 new workers ac- THE ISLANDS OF THE SEA.
companied M. Coil- A German The Rhenish Mislard to Barotseland, on the Upper Mission sionary Society oc- Zambesi. They formed an additional force representing the in Malaysia. cupies in Borneo 9 French Protestant missions. They stations, with '1n reached the Barotse country safely, but already the Central African aggregate of 1,900 members. The climate has claimed its victims, missionaries express themselves and while 3 have succumbed to frankly about the slow growth and fever and dysentery, 6 have had to poor results of their labors. The leave the field to save life. One population is sparse and scattered outstanding difficulty is the lack of over a large area, hence difficult to medical help. reach; but bondage to material in- terests, inertness, obtuseness, and The Spirit of The Norwegian -as regards the Dajak tribe-im- Giving in mission at Ihosy, morality and drunkenness, present far graver difficulties to the spread Madagascar. among the Bara, of the Gospel. Last year has been after long waiting, almost throughout a disappointing year; at two stations the missionis beginning to reap fruit of its ary has been practically left to labors in a quite unexpected way. himself, while at others the mem- Not only among the young, but bership consists almost entirely of among aged men who have gone to traders, who spend a few weeks at church for many years without be- their stores and then absent theming able to bring themselves to the selves for prolonged journeys into decisive step, a general desire for the interior or to the coast. The baptism is declaring itself. At the frank reply of a native, in response harvest festival, which was held at to an invitation to attend worship, Christmas, the gifts were so liberal "Christianity has no value for me, and hearty, that the missionary as it brings me no temporal advanwas moved almost to tears, and tage," expresses the prevailing senconstrained to tell the people the timent.-L. M S. Chronicle. story of the missionary cause in
The Austral- Through much of ary force of the church was mainly ian Common- the century 6 colo- directed toward maintaining and extending the work which in 1848 wealth. n i e sun d e r the was commenced by Bishop George Sou the r n Cross Selwyn in Melanesia, with the re- suIt that the seed sown 50 years ago have been steadily developing into in those islands, now bears much independent states, and now all are fruit, as may be gathered from the confederated into a commonwealth fact that the last published returns covering an area almost as great as state that the staff consists of the the American Republic, and con· bishop, an archdeacon, 14 English taining a popUlation of 3,625,000. and 11 native clergy, 2 English lay- How wonderful is it all, when we men, 7 ladies, and 404 Melanesian remember that a hundred years ago lay workers. Australia was only Botany Bay, a synonym for degradation and The missions that may be regardcrime! ed as distinctively Australian are to the heathen residing among us Church Jubilee The jubilee of the and those who are adjacent to our in Australia. Australian Board shores. The former include the aborigines of the land, together of Missions (August with the Chinese, who represent a 19-26) is an event of interest. population of 46,000 in Australasia, On January 26, 1788, the English nearly one-half of which are withflag was hoisted in Sydney Cove. in New South Wales and Victoria. The Church of England was repre- The heathen adjacent to us include sented by one of her authorized Eastern Polynesia and the eastern clergy, the Rev. Robert Johnson. coast of New Guinea, both of which From that day to the present time are the appointed spheres in which the church has never ceased her the Church of England has to do ministrations. For 38 years her its mISSIOnary work.-Sydney history may be regarded as being lI'Iorning Herald. specially missionary in its character, and the work of consolida- Good Things In this group the tion may be considered as begin- About Samoa. London Society has ning in 1836, with the consecration of the first bishop of Australia. over 8,000 members The missionary spirit of the first who in the main are Bible-loving. chaplains appointed by the home The complete Bible was given to authorities is evidenced in the life the people in 1855. It had been of the Rev. Samuel Marsden-often previously given in portions, as called the Apostle of the Maoris- each book was translated and who, between 1814 and 1837, visited printed on the islands. In less than New Zealand seven times, amid seven years an edition of 10,000 much danger and great difficulty, copies of the complete Bible was on missionary work. In 1Sn the sold, for which over £3,000 was paid first bishop for New Zealand was to the British and Foreign Bible consecrated. The bisho_ps met in Society, Very soon another edi- Sydney in 1850, and altho much tion of 10,000 copies was sold. missionary work has already been There is scarcely a family where undertaken by the church among the Bible is absent. The Samoan the aborigines of Australia, the Church has given scores of her Maoris of New Zealand, and the sons and daughters to go as mis- Papuans in the South Pacific, that sionaries to far-distant islands. meeting formed 11 Board of Mis- Some 30 married couples are now sions for Australasia. The missiondoing good work in New Guinea, MISCELLANEOUS.
over 2,000 miles from their native The Perils or, Peace hath her land. They know that they have of Peace, destructions as well a new language to learn, and often a savage people to teach, and that as War. The Engmany of their people have died of lish army in South Africa numbers diseases that they wot not of in upwards of 200,000 men; the number their own land, and yet we have no of railway employees in the United lack of offers of service from our States is 227,547. The total of killed trained teachers. This indicates a and wounded in the English army love for the Gospel and an eager in Africa from October 1899 to July desire to tell to others the story of 1900 is estimated at 15,000; the a Savior who has done so much for number of railroad employees killed them.-The Chronicle. or wounded in the United States during the year ending June 30, Cannibalism Rev. F. J. Paton 1899, was 37,133 (killed, 2,210; wounded, 34,923). The ratio of in the says that in the death or injury in the railroad serv- ice is more than twice as great as New Hebrides. New Hebrides in the army in active warfare. A comparison with our army in the every island which Philippines gives similar results. ,Ve have had 63,000 soldiers there, is not Christian is yet cannibal, and the casualties have been 1,640. The railroad employees are foul' and genuine fondness is displayed and a half times as numerous, the casualties in railroad service are for human flesh. The grossest at 23 times as many.
times are kindly disposed toward him and hospitable. Once, after a night in a certain village, the chief gave him a spear which had been handed down for generations, and also a beautifully carved and well polished spoon. He soon found Chief Cause "If anybody will that the spoon had been used only of Poverty. take charge of all at cannibal feasts to dig out of Boston's poverty the cooked bodies the choice por- and crime which results from tions of meat! Hence the polish! drunkenness," says Edward Ever- Depopu!ation Among the5e same ett Hale, "the South Congrega- in Progress. islands sickness and tional Church, of which T have the honor to be the minister, will alone death have been take charge of all the rest of the terribly common, especially on poverty which needs relief in the Aneityum, Futuna, and Epi. On city of Boston." East Epi the ratio of deaths to births has been almost 4 to 1, on The Money At the recent meet- Aneityum 4.3 to 1, and on Futuna Cost of ing of the National 57:) to 1. On Aneityum this mor- Crime. P r i son Congress tality has pressed very sorely on an expert statisti- the elders and deacons. Thus, cian and penologist of established within foul' and a half years, out of reputation, MI'. Eugene Smith,esti- a total of 31 no less than 21 have mated that out of a revenue of died. This heavy mortality also $90,000,000 in 1899 New York City seriously affects the statistics of the spent $20,000,000 of it as the result miSSIOn. Thus during the year, of crime, its detection and punish- at one station. 42 members were ment. The same authority esti- added to the roll; but 40 died in the mates that in a recent given year same time, leaving only a net in- the United States spent $200,000,000 crease of 2. for the same reason-$I05,OOO,OOO
being raised by city taxation, $45,- occurred at Shanghai, where he has 000,000 of it by county taxation, labored since 1847. Dr. Muirhead, and $50,000,000 of it by federal and who has thus completed 53 years state taxation. Estimating the of active service, was born at Leith, income lost to the country by the on March 7, 1822. In addition to choice of a criminal career by the evangelistic preaching in Shanghai 250,000 criminals in the country as itself, he has made repeated tours $400,000,000, he thus makes the to- into the country beyond, on one tal loss to the country, through occasion narrowly escaping death crime, at $600,000,000 per year. at the hands of a Chinese mob. For some years he was pastor of Is Not a Man Rev. T. L. Gulick Union Chapel, Shanghai. As early Better than in The Evangel'ist as 1866 he visited Peking, and from a Giraffe? calls attention to there made a tour into Mongolia. he has in the course of his, long the fact that the missionary career prepared numernations of Europe are beginning to ous educational and other works in unite in arrangements to pro- the Chinese language, and also a tect from destruction the larger book for English readers on animals 'of Africa, such as the ele- "China and the Gospel." During phant, rhinoceros, giraffe, ostrich, the recent troubles in China the etc., and innocently inquires (is he burden of anxiety on account of sarcastic ?) if it would not be proper missionary colleagues weighed and fitting for Christian govern- very heavily upon him, and greatly ments to unite also in forbidding taxed his strength. When he the importation of firearms, rum, arrived in China in 1847 there were and opium, and the like into the 20 Protestant missionaries in the Dark Continent and other such empire, now there are over 2,000. regions, that men may be saved. Dr. L. M. The Rev. Dr. La- Dr. Paton's While addressing Illness. meetings in the Gordon fayette M. Gordon, Presbytery of Chat- of Japan. an able missionary ham, Canada, the venerable Dr. Paton was taken suddenly and of the American seriously ill. He was obliged to cancel his near engagements, but Board for twenty-eight years, died hoped to fill those more distant. After lying for a week in Chatham, November 4th. Dr. Gordon was however, his physicians peremptorily forbade further work, al~d ad- born JUly 18th, 1843, at 'Vaynevised him to return at once to Britain. He has followed their advice, burg, Penn. He served three years and sailed from New York, but we are thankful to say that his health in the army, from 1861 to 1864, in has been improving. connection with a Pennsylvania OBITUARY. regiment. He was graduated from Dr. Muirhead, We hear with sor- of Shanghai. row of the death of Andover Theological Seminary in the Rev. William 1871 and studied medicine before he Muirhead, D.D., the veteran of the London Missionary Society, which sailed for Japan in 1872. He re- turned to the United States on a furlough last year, and it was expected that he would be trans- ferred to the Hawaiian Islands, but his health failed. Dr. Gordon was the author of a very interesting and suggestive book "The Ameri- can Missionary in Japan." He was a very lovable character.
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1900
OPENING SESSION OF THE GREAT ECUMENICAL
At this session Gen. Benjamin Harrison presided, and among others on the platform who made addresses were Dr. Judson Smith, Rev. Wardlaw Thompson, of London, Dr. Jacob Chamberlain, of India, Dr. Schreiber, of Germany, and Dr. Joseph King, of Australia. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
Old Series. t JUNE. J New Series. VOL. XXIII. No.6. f 1 VOL. XIII. No.6.
THE GREAT ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE ON FOREIGN MISSIONS IN NEW YORK CITY.* BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
How awe-inspiring is the perpetual recession of events toward the past eternity lOne of the greatest assemblies of history is now locked in its chambers of silence and darkness, never again to emerge into the busy world of active life; and the Ecumenical Conference of Missions is no longer a reality of the present, but a memory of the past.
It is both natural and needful, however, to review what has passed before us. Happily there is little to regret or repair, while the grounds of gratitude and gladness are countless. The weather, rainless, and almost cloudless, was a symbol of the smile which beamed upon us from a higher heaven and a greater Sun. The audiences are estimated to have reached a grand aggregate of about 170,000, and the visitors at the exhibit over 50,000. The total number of meetings held from April 21st to May 1st, was seventy-five, exclusive of those outside the conference proper, but which were also addressed by delegates.
The constituency of any gathering is what gives it character, since it constitutes the very assembly, and this conference was great, first of all, by reason of the men and women who composed it.
There were missionaries from all parts of the world field, to .the number of 600, and fifty cOllntries were represented; but the most impressive sight was that of the veterans fror ''far-off lands. They reminded one of the first great Ecumenical Con'ttcil, at Nice, nearly sixteen centuries ago, "the great and holy synod," the older and major part of whose members had passed through'the last and worst of the persecutions, and came up to the council like a remnant from some fearful fight or siege, their ranks decimated, their bodies mutilated by the hardships of the campaign and the cruelties of their foes, bearing the scars of sufferings under torture as well as of wounds * The photographs which illustrate this article were kindly loaned by the New York Tribune, which has gathered together its excellent reports of the conference in an Extra edition of 16 full pages, illustrated with numerous views and portraits, Copies may be had at 10 cents each, Address The Tribune, New York City,-EDITORS,
in battle. Seldom have a score of men and women been fou nd in one gathering, who have given to the work of missions snch a length of life and snch a depth of love. There was John C. Hepburn, M.D., who sixty years ago went as a medical missionary to Singapore, thence to Amoy, and afterward to Japan, where, after flfteen years of medical work as a pioneer, he entered the educational field and gave the Sunrise Kingdom a grammar, a lexicon, and a vernacular Bible. There was Cyrus Hamlin, the grand old hero of Turkey; John G. Paton, the white-haired" St. John" of the New Hebrides. There were three missionary bishops-Ridley, of Caledonia, B. C., Penick, of Cape Palmas, South Africa, and Thoburn, of India and Malaysia. There were the two Chamberlains-Jacob, of India, and George W., of Brazil. There were William Ashmore and D. Z. Sheffield and J. Hudson Taylor, of China; Joseph King, of Australia; Robert Laws, of Livingstonia; William E. Cousins, of Madagascar; George Washburn, of Robert College, at the Golden Horn: and such women as Isabella Thoburn, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Howard Taylor, Dr. Mary P. Eddy, and Corinna Shattuck. In the persons of such as these we felt that we were in touch with the great fields of the world, and with the major part of the mission century.
What a contrast was suggested with that feeble few who, a century ago, began to kindle the fires of missionary zeal on the altars of an apathetic and even antagonistic Church! Here a hundred and fifteen mission boards and societies were represented by fifteen hundred delegates, besides the missionaries themselves, and vast multitudes for ten days thronged the places of assembly eager to hear every word spoken. Could William Carey have sat on that platform, and glanced over those enthusiastic and intelligent crowds, he would have seen the strange folly of the conservatism that bade the" young man sit down, and leave God to convert the heathen!" And could Sydney Smith have been there, he would have found Carey's schemes something more than" the dreams of a dreamer who dreams that he has been dreaming," and have seen how vain it was to attempt to "rout out" a "nest of consecrated cobblers" when God's Spirit brooded over the nest!
The conference was memorable for the presence and cooperation of distinguished Christian laymen, who were friends, supporters, and advocates of missions. When before has a missionary meeting had for its honorary chairman an ex-president of the United States, who sounded such bugle blasts for missions as Benjamin Harrison, and been addressed at the same time by the actual president of the republic and the governor of the state? But the merchant princes, the men of affairs, were there, such as Morris K. Jesnp, William E. Dodge, William T. Harris, Samuel B. Capen, James B. Angell, Dr. Henry Foster, John Wanamaker, Eugene Stock, of the Church Missionary
GREAT ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE ON FOREIGN MISSIONS
Society, Duncan McLaren, of Edinburgh, and many more of like capacity and sagacity. The kings of the mercantile, educational.• and professional world thus gave sanction and aid to missions as an enter- prise and an investment. Ex-President Harrison, at the reception given at the Hotel Savoy to Lilivati Singh, of India, said that, had he been rich enough to have given a million dollars to missions and got no returns beyond that one educated native woman, he would have reckoned it a good investment! And, as the same distinguished speaker remarked, the great commercial metropolis halted in iLs march of greed, to consider the meaning of this convention, and there was not a great mercantile house in the city in which it was not a theme of interested discussion.
And well might it be so, for a glance at the program will show that the subjects covered were universal in scope and ecumenical in interest. That program was not hastily prepared. It cost months of studious and prayerful preparation. The whole bearing of m!ssions, the conditions of success in evangelistic, educational, medical, and literary work on the field, and of intelligent, prayerful, be'1evolent cooperation at home, with all the mutual relation and interaction of these apposite forms of activity, found a place in the wide range of treatment. Not always, perhaps, in the proportion some would desire, for to every delegate there would be some one or more special phases of the general subject, which seem to need and deserve ampler consideration; but it was easy to see that those who conducted the conference to its actual consummation, had songht to give a just hearing to all that had a claim to a hearing; and the permanent preservation and wide dissemination of this valuable matter in the reports, which will fill two large volumes, and be published at the nominal price of one dollar, will make the conference in a new sense ecumenical, making a vast host of readers virtually delegates who heal' through the eye and attend the sessions at a trifling cost.
Very notable in this conference was the prominence of women, both as delegates and as speakers. Hundreds of the best and most able of the Ohristian sisterhood of all lands took part, admitted to an undisputed equality of privilege; and the manner in which they bore themselves more than justified the prominence accorded them. The epiphany of woman has come-her emergence out of the obscurity of the ages into her true and rightful sphere of influence. Ever since, sixty-six years ago, David AbeeI's trumpet appeal roused British women to plan work for the secluded women of the Orient, Christian womanhood has been moving to the front in missions. All denominations have now their female boards and auxiliaries, and every alive church has its band of earnest women spreading information, gathering offerings, and offering prayers for missions. The papers and addresses of the women ranked with the best of the convention, and
there were at least three of them-and one by a native of India-that few men on the floor of the assembly could have equaled.
Equally notable was the presence and prominence of the younger disciples. The fact compels recognition that the Church army knows no longer any distinction of age, as well as none of sex. Since 1844, when George Williams gave crystalline form to the idea of a Young Men's Christian Association in London, the youth of the Ohurch have been organizing as a department of the Church's working force. '1'he Young Women's Christian Association naturally followed the young men's, and then came the Yonng People's Society of Chris- tian Endeavor, and the Student Volunteer Union, the growth of all of which has been both rapid and gigantic. Fifty years ago who would have thought of putting on such a platform, and even into the chair, such young men as Messrs. Speer, Mott, Duncan, and Guinness, or asking addresses from such young women as Miss Price, Miss Shat- tuck, and Miss Singh? Yet there seemed to be nothing unfitting or unseemly in all this. The utterances of these younger members of the conference were wise, spiritual, mature, and helpful.
It was a cause of devout thanks that, throughout these ten days, uninterrupted harmony prevailed, representatives of all branches of Christ's Church dwelling together in unity, no discordant note or bitter controversial word being heard, tho candor prevailed and existing methods were sharply criticized. Charity and catholicity rose above all preferences, and even prejudices, and there was, from first to last, no offense taken, nor any spirit provocative of it. If, once or twice, the attitude of a speaker seemed almost belligerent, it was seen to be only the earuestness of conviction. Truth was felt to be entitled to a hearing at all costs. All seemed intent on discovering the mind of the Master, and getting at the best working basis for all departments of missions. Hence even Dr. Nevius' "methods," so long held in esteem, were subjected to a heavy fire of criticism, and hindrances of every sort to effective prosecution of missions were fearlessly attacked, even tho sheltered behind the sanction of established custom.
The committees having in charge the various matters of the conference, all received, as they deserved, unstinted praise. The whole vast machinery was complete and worked without friction. Nothing seemed to have been forgotten. A map of the world, gigantic in dimensions, fifty feet long by twenty-five feet high, completely filled the space at the rear of the stage, and was an inspiration. It was made for the conference at the cost of four hundred dollars, and was a specimen of the pains taken to make the occasion fruitful of good. _ The conference compels an outlook, and the view is inspiring. One thing needs no statement: the prejudice against missions can find root only where it grows side by side with ignorance, and ignorance nowadays must be wilful, for the days of darkness are past. Indifference
PIoulcf!ropA,d/or ;4, N … YorR Trihu
W.IIlIlillY GRANT. J. T. GRACXY, D.D. JOHN B. DEVINS, D.D. MISS E. TnXODORA CROSBY.
IN THE SECRETARIES' ROOM AT CARNEGIE HALL.
THE TURKISH COURT AT THE MISSIONARY EXHIBIT. This court contained a model of a Turkish minaret from which the Moslems are called to prayer; Turkish rugs and other articles of interest from the Ottomall Empire. The exhibitors wore Turkish costumes.
can survive only where there is a feeble church life or individual life. The work of missions has conquered not only a peace but a praise; it has won the unhesitating confidence and cooperation of the intelligent and genuine disciple. Not only is the whole Church enlisted but its whole membership feels the claim as never before. We have never heard positions so emphatic and advanced taken at a missionary gathering before, but the more emphatic the assertion of their rightful claims the more demonstrative the applause. Instead of making apologies for missions, it was those who t,ake no part in them that were driven to the wall to find an excuse for apathy. In that atmosphere antagonism and even indifference must have been stifled. Dr. Greer referred to the common excuse for neglecting the heathen abroad that" we have heathen enough at home," and well added tha~ this is proven to be true by the fact that the excuse is itself a heathen one! Charity is like a circle which begins anywhere and ends nowhere. It was a bold advocacy of missions which through ten days admitted no room even for a question as to either their authority or efficacy. No pastor was allowed to be well trained or equipped for his work who has not the missionary spirit, who is not able to lead his people, instructing them in the needs of the world and inspiring them with zeal for its evangelization. The common conviction gradually found expression, with more and more abundant ground as its justification, that with missionary facts well known, and praying and giving well used as God's helpers to preaching of the Word, one decade of years will show more progress than th~ century Boon to be left behind us.
'rhe rich things provided at this feast will be spread in abundance before our readers as far as space permits, and we shall hope to give a choice collection of nuggets of wit and wisdom hom the mines of suggestive thought opened in the conference, even when it may be impracticable to reproduce all the addresses in their completeness. Meanwhile again we recommend to our readers not only to buy the forthcoming reports for themselves but to send quantities of them to those who may thus be made partakers of the wealth of instruction, information, and suggestion which they contain.
'['his conference had an immense" apologetic" value. It was itself an evidence of Christianity, and a proof of a superintending God in history. Those ten days made more than ever gigantic the folly of the atheistic fool who says in his heart "there is no God," and the rationality of the devout believer who sees in everything God present and presiding: The universe is well named (uni-vertens), turning about one center. God is a threefold Creator, and not only the worlds of life which are called beings, and the worlds of space which we call spheres, but the worlds of time which we call ages or cycles or centuries, are products of His creative power. If "the undevout
THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME TO DELEGATES
astronomer is mad" because, while he sees the rolling orbs, he sees not the divine Sun which is the center of their measureless orbits; if the unbelieving biologist is mad because, while he watches life's vital stream, he neither traces it back to its divine fountain nor forward to its divine ocean; surely the faithless historian is also a fool, for he studies the cycles but does not see that all time is but one arc of God's eternity, and that it can be understood only in its relation to an eternal purpose.
The missionary century must be viewed as a cycle of God. We must tread softly along its paths, for everywhere and from all directions they lead to the burning bush where His presence becomes visible and vocal. He is everywhere to be found controlling the worlds of space and of time, !!O as to fit them to the purposes of the worlds of being and all together to His final end as the Redeemer of man. And, in its incentives to such devout study of the past and such reverent watching of the future, lies the main value of the great Ecumenical Oonference of 1900.
THE ADDRESS OF WELOOME TO DELEGATES.* BY GENERAL BENJAMIN HARRISON, LL.D. President of the Conference, former President of the United States.
I count it a great honor-a call to preside over the deliberations of this great body. It is to associate oneself with the most influential and enduring work that is being done in this day of great enterprises.
The gigantic engines that are driving forward a material development, are being speeded as never before. 'rhe din of the hammer and the ax, and the hum of wheels have penetrated the abodes of solitude-the world has now few quiet places. Life is strenuous-the boy is started in his school upon the rUll, and the pace is not often slackened until the panting man falls into his grave.
It is to a generation thus intent-to a generation that has wrought wondrously in the realms of applied science-that God in His Word and by the preacher says: All these are worthy only and in proportion as they contribute to the regeneration of mankiud. Every invention, every work, every man, every nation, must one day come to this weighing platform and be appraised.
To what other end is all this stir among men-this increase of knowledge? That these great agencies may be put in livery and lined up in the halls of wealth to make life brilliant and soft; or become the docile messengers of a counting-house or a stock exchange; or • Condensed from the opening address at the conference, delivered in Carnegie Hall, New York, Saturday afternoon, April 21,1900.
the swift couriers of contending armies; or the conriers who wait in the halls of science to give glory to the man into whose hand God has given the key to one of His mysteries? Do all the great inven- tions, these rushing intellectual developments, exhaust their ministry in the making of men rich, and the reenforcing of armies and fleets? No. These are servants, prophets, forerunners. They will find a herald's voice; there will be an annunciation and a coronation.
The first results seem to be the stimulation of a material produc- tion and a fiercer struggle for markets. Cabinets, as well as trade chambers, are thinking of the world chiefly as a market-house, and of the men as "producers" and "consumers." 'Ve now seldom have wars of succession or for mere political dominion. Places are stra- tegic primarily from the commercial standpoint. Oolonies are corner stalls in the world's market-place. If the product tarries too long in the warehouse, the mill must shut down and discontent will walk the streets.
The propulsion of this commercial force upon cabinets and nations was never so strong as now. The battle of the markets is at its fiercest. The great quest of nations is for "consumers." The voice of commerce is: "And my hand shall find as a nest the riches of the people, and as one gathereth eggs that are left, will I gather all the earth."
But with the increase of commerce and wealth the stress of social difficulties is not relieved, but increases in all of the great nations. The tendency is not to one brotherhood, but to many. Work for the willing at a wage that will save the spirit as well as the body, is a problem of increasing tangle and intricacy. Oompetition forces economical devices, and names wages that are, in some cases, insufficient to renew the streugth expended. It suggests, if it does not compel, aggregations of capital, and these in turn present many threatening aspects. Agencies of man's devising may alleviate, but they can not cure this tendency to division and strife, and substitute a drift to peace and unity. Ohrist in the heart, and His Gospel of love and ministry in all the activities of life, is the only cure.
The highest conception that has ever entered the mind of man is that of God and the Father of all men-the one blood-the universal brotherhood. It was not evolved, but revealed. The natnral man lives to be ministered unto-he lays his imposts upon others. He buys slaves that they may fan him to sleep, bring him the jeweled cup, dance before him, and die in the arena for his sport.. Into such a world there came a King "not to be ministered unto, but to minister." The rough winds fanned His sleep; He drank of the mountain brook, and made not the water wine for Himself; would not use His power to stay His own hunger, but had compassion on the multitude. He called them He had bought with a great price no more servants,
but friends. He entered the bloody arena alone, and, dying, broke all chains, and brought life and immortality to light.
Here is the perfect altruism; here the true appraisal of men. Ornaments of gold and gems, silken robes, houses, lands, stocks, and bonds-these are tare when men are weighed. Where else is there a scale so true? Where a brotherhood so wide and perfect? Labor is made noble-the King credits the smallest service. His values are relative; He takes account of the per cent. when tribute is brought into His treasury. No coin of love is base or small to Him. The widow's mite He sets in His crown. Life is sweetened; the poor man becomes of account. Where else is found a philosophy of life so sweet and adaptable-a philosophy of death so comforting?
The men who, like Paul, have gone to heathen lands with the message" we seek not yours but. you," have been hindered by those who, coming after, have reversed the message. Rum and other corrupting agencies come in with our boasted civilization, and the feeble races wither before the hot breath of the white man's vices.
The great nations have combined to suppress the slave trade. Is it too much to ask that they shall combine to prevent the sale of spirits to men who, less than our children, have acquired the habits of self-restraint? If we must have "consumers," let us give them an innocent diet.
The enemies of foreign missions have spoken tauntingly of the slowness of the work, and of its great and disproportionate cost, and we have too exclusively consoled ourselves and answered the criticism by the suggestion that with God a thousand years is as one day. We should not lose sight of the other side of that truth-one day with Him is as a thousand years. God has not set a uniform pace for Himself in the work of bringing in the Kingdom of His Son. He will hasten it in His day. The stride of His Church shall be so quickened that commerce will be the laggard. Love shall outrun greed. He exacts faith. He will not answer the demand to show a COUfRe of stone in His great cathedral for every thousand dollars given.
But it may be justly asked that the administrators of our mission treasuries justify their accounts; that they use a business wisdom and economy; that there is no waste; that the workmen do not hinder each other. The plowing and the sowing must be well done. These may be aud should be judged; that is men's part of the work. But the care of well-planted seed is with God. We shall have reports from the harvesters showing that He has given the promised increase-some thirty and some an hundred fold. Gifts to education are increasingly munificent. University endowments have been swelled by vast single gift s in the United States during the last few years. We rejoice in this. But may we not hope that in the exposition of the greater neens of the educational work in the mission fields, to be presented in this conference, some
men of wealth may find the suggestion to endow great schools in mission lands? It is a great work to increase the candle-power of our educational arc-lights, but to give to cave-dwellers an incandescent may be a better one.
Not the least beneficent aspect and influence of this great gathering will be found in the Christian union that it evidences. The value of this is great at home, but tenfold greater in the mission field, where ecclesiastical divisions suggest diverse prophets. The Bible does not draw its illustrations wholly from the home or the fields, but uses also the strenuous things of life, the race, the fight, the girded soldier, the assault. There are many fields; there are diverse arms; the battle is in the bush, and the comrades that arc seen are few.
A view of the whole army is a good thing; the heart is strengthened by an enlarged comradeship. It gives promise that the flanks will be covered and a reserve organized. After days in the brush the sense of numbers is lost. It greatly strengthens the soldier and quickens his pace when he advances to battle, if a glance to right or left reveals many pennons, and a marshaled host moving under one great leader to execute a single battle plan.
During the Atlanta campaign of our civil war the marching and fighting had been largely in the brush. Sometimes in an ad vance the commander of a regiment conld see no more than half of his own line, while the supports to his right and ieft were wholly hidden. To him it seemed as if his battalion was making an unsupported assault. '1'he extended line, the reserve, were matters of faith.
But one day the advancing army broke suddenly from the brush into a savannah-a long, narrow. natural meadow, and the army was revealed. From the centre, far to the right and left, the distinctive corps, di vision, brigade, and regimental colors appeared, and associated with each of these was the one flag that made the army one. A mighty spontaneous cheer burst from the whole line, and every soldier tightened his grip upon his rifle and quickened his step. What the savannah did for that army this World's Conference of Missions should do for the Church.
THE WELCOME FROM THE NATION.* BY WILLIAM MCKINLEY. President of the United States.
The story of Christian missions is one of thrilling interest and marvelous results. '1'he sacrifices of the missionaries for their fellowmen constitute one of the most glorious pages of the world's history. The missionary, of whatever church or ecclesiastical body, who devotes his life to the service of the Master and of man, carrying the torch of truth and enlightenment, deserves the gratitude and homage of man- * Extracts from President McKinJey's address, on Saturday evening, April 21, in Carnegie Hall.
SOME EXPECTATIONS OF THE lIUSStONAltIES
kind. The noble, self-effacing, willing ministers of peace and goodwill should be classed with the world's heroes. vVielding the sword of the Spirit, they have conquered ignorance and prejudice. They have been the pioneers of civilization. They have illumined the darkness of idolatry and superstition with the light of intelligence and truth. They have been messengers of righteousness and love. They have braved disease and danger and death, and in their exile have suffered unspeakable hardships, bnt their noble spirits have never wavered. They count their labor no saerifice. "Away with the word in such a view and with such a thought," says David Livingstone; "it is emphatically no ~acrifice, say rather it is a pri rilege." They furnish us examples of forbearance and fortitude, of patience and unyielding purpose, and of a spirit which triumphs not by the force of might, but by the majesty of right. They are placing in the hands of their brothers, less fortunate than themselves, the keys which unlock the treasures of knowledge and open the mind to noble aspirations for better conditions. Education is one of the indispensable steps of mission enterprise, and in some form must precede all successful work.
Who can estimate the value of foreign missions to the progress of the nations? Their contribution to the onward and upward march of humanity is beyond all calculation. They have inculcated industry and taught the various trades. They have promoted concord and amity and brought nations closer together. They have made men better. They have increased the regard for home, have strengthened the sacred ties of family, have made the community well ordered, and their work has been a potent influence in the development of law and the establishment of government.
May this great meeting rekindle the spirit of missionary ardor and enthusiasm to go and" teach all nations;" may the field never lack "a succession of heralds who shall carryon the task-the continuous proclamation of His Gospel to the end of time."
SOME EXPEOTATIONS OF THE MISSIONARIES.* BY HEV. JACOB CHAMBEHLAIN, )I.D., D.D., MADANAPELLE, INDIA.
It is with earnest longing and ardent expectation that we missionaries on the distant forefront of the conflict have been looking to this gathering of Immanuel's followers. Shall I voice a few of the helps to ourselves, to our work at the front, to our home churches as well, for which your missionaries are thus looking?
The first is the impetus of enthusiasm. We look for an enthusiasm that shall nerve your soldiers at the front, whether veterans or * Condensed from a response to the address of welcome, on behalf of the missionaries, delivered in Carnegie Hall, Saturday afternoon, April 21, 1900.
raw recruits, officers or native levies on the field, nerve them to a more impetuous assault on the enemy's entrenchments; a cheer that will smite as with an ague the courage of the foe; a cheer that will cause their Jericho walls to fall flat before the victorious Ohurch of our Joshua Jesus.
Second, we look for help in tactics and strategy. We mission- aries on our various battlefields in the actual conflict are indeed trying diligently to study the situation, planning ever for new aggressive movements, while to the utmost using the forces we have; here utili- zing secular education in the way of siege operations, to cause their ancient faiths and beliefs to crumble; there with girls' schools and zenana work, quietly, unobserved, undermining in the family the bastions of their ancestral superstitions; here with our medical work making a flank attack, getting within the lines of their softened hearts by the merciful power of the healing art; there making a direct assalilt on their strongholds, by the oral proclamation, in their own tongue, of our one Savior and King, in their markets and their fairs, in their city streets and under the shadow of their hoary temples, seeking to win back the adult classes and masses to their allegiance to the King of kings; there, as in an artillery duel, engaging their chosen champions in close discussion, to show. that our God-given system alone can meet the needs of man; yet we know that engrossed and hampered as we are with each day's conflict, we may fail to discover even more available tactics, and that others not in the thick of the battle, viewing the field as from a captive balloon, may perchance discover 9penings for more effective strategy, may discover better measures for sooner planting a self-supporting, self-governing, selfpropagating native church in each new country or part of country won.
We also earnestly hope for more ltJlity, cOlllit.1f, and cooperation, and less of unholy rivalries concerning and on the fields of conflict. Among the missionary forces on the field facing the common enemy there is probably less of denominational jealousies than anywhere else in Ohristendom. Fronting one foe we cannot afford to fight one another, and, as a rule, we stand shoulder to shoulder and lock arms for the conflict. Yet there are sometimes rivalries and interferences, two or three rival bodies elbowing one another in a circumscribed territory, while beyond are unoccupied regions in which one of the rival organizations, removing thereto by direction of its home board, might do far more effective work, reap a far richer harvest. For this greater unity of counsel at home, greater harI1lony of action abroad, do we look and pray.
Again, we believe that the time has come for the world-wide Ohurch in council to recognize, and declare in unmistakable terms, that this conquest of the world for Ohrist is the fundamental object
THOUGHTS ON THE MISSIONARY CENTURY
of the Church's existence,. that the command given to the Ohurch, " Go, evangelize all nations," was not to a subsidiary work, bu t that that was the divine object for which the Ohurch was constituted; that only to the extent in which she fulfils this God-appointed destiny will she be blessed of God; that the time has now come for each church to support two pastors, one for the thousands at home, another for the myriads abroad.
We hope, however, that from this conference will emanate such an influence as shall rivet in the heart of each Christiall, hoping for salvation through Jesus Christ, a new conviction dominating his whole life, a conviction that it is his privilege, his high honor, his exalted duty, to become a junior partner with that Ohrist in the salvation 'of the world. Oh, the glory of the thought that, when Christ might have chosen to accomplish the work without us, He in the infinity of His condescension offered us each, small or great, a working partnership with Him in the establishment of His Kingdom, bidding each believer to go, or send and offer pardon to every creature! Oan we ever again, anyone of us great or small, pray" Thy Kingdom come," without taking hold in some way to help make it come? For such an influence do we look to this conference.
We missionaries on the distant watch towers, at the forefront, planning the attack, seeing the myriads of the enemy, seeing the massive bulwarks of their ancient systems, seeing the paucity of the invading armies, yet believing, for God has said it, that the battle will be won, seem to hear again the voice that Zerubbabel heard saying: "Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." And our eyes and yours are longingly, believingly resting npon this Jerusalem council here assembled, as we mightily pray for such a Pentecostal pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon it, and upon the work here represented in all the world, as has not been witnessed since that Pentecost of old.
THOUGHTS ON 'l'HE MISSlONARY OENTURY.* PROF. WARNECK, D.D., HALLE, GERMANY.
Looking back upon the very small beginnings of the mIssIOnary activity of the nineteenth century, which to-day has assumed truly vast dimensions among the ancient Ohristian churches and in the non- Christian world, the Ecumenical Mission Oonference can not but have the character of a jubilee centenary celebration in the most specific * Condensed from a communication to the Ecumenical Conference on Foreign Missions, which Dr. Warneck expected to attend personally, but was prevented by illness. Prof, Warneck has made the historical and theoretical study of missions his special work for over thirty years, embracing more and more the fuU extent of the field. This work has become his very life, so that as a veteran in mission service, his thoughts and hopes here expressed are especial1y worthy of notice. They are drawn from missionary experience of the past and are of importance for the mission work of the future.-EDITORS,
sense of the word. We can not render sufficient praise to God, that He has opened the door of faith for the heathen in this century as never before. Let our praise be a sincere and humble Soli Deo Gloria, and let us avoid even the appearance of any praise of men. The success of mission work hitherto achieved may be called great or small, according to the light in which it is viewed. In making our estimate let us endeavor to be both careful and sober. Sophrosyne is also a great mission virtue, likely in the long run to win more friends for the mission work at home, and to be of greater service abroad than pious rhetoric endeavoring to startle by exaggeratiou.
The nineteenth century is rightly called a missionary century. In the number of mission workers, the total of mission expenditure, the extent of mission enterprise, and the organization of mission activity, this century has no equal in forming missionary periods. rrhrough God's grace much has been done; but we ought to have the humility and the courage to examine honestly whether everything has been done well. Only a self-righteous adherence to preconceived theories shuts the eyes against the teachings of experience which shows us our mistakes.
The mission century behind us has accomplished great things, but greater things are expected from the one before us. The longer we study them the more clearly should we not only understand theoretically the special mission problems, but also be better able to sol ve them practically. This, however, can not be done by catchwords. Rhetorically dazzling, these catchwords are more apt to confuse than to enlighten, and not seldom they are romantic will 0' the wisps, showing a wrong road on which much generous energy is lavished almost uselessly, and to return from which requires rare courage. Solid work is the only road by which to arrive at an intelligent understanding of the mission problems, and wisdom and discretion alone will help to solve them.
What we need, besides expert mission directors, is above all missionaries really equal to their great work. The general cry is more missionaries-and let me add emphatically, more men. But the petition that the Lord of the harvest should send workers into His harvest also has reference to their q1lality. Missionaries must be weighed, not only counted. Spiritual equipment is of course the chief consideration. But the teaching of more than a hundred years of missionary experience should prevent us from again falling into the mistake of thinking that this alone suffices without a thorough training. More than enough male and female missionaries have been sent out who were not even capable of learning to speak the foreign language fluently.
It is a hopeful sign of the increase in missionary interest that a growing enthusiasm for mission work is spreading among young men
and students. May God raise up from among them large-minded men with real insight into the mission problems, determined to make mission service their calling for l1fe, and not willing to turn aside after the first few years have barely completed their apprenticeship.
Very energetically are the watchwords promulgated nowadays: "expansion," "diffusion," "evangelization of the world in this generation." I will not deny that in view of the present openings all the world over such mottoes are entitled to consideration, and so far as this is the case, I certainly have no wish to weaken their force. But without due limitation and completion I consider them dangerous.
The mission command bids us " go" into all the world, not "fty." FesNna lente also applies to missionary undertakings. The kingdom of God is not like a hothouse, but like a field in which the crop is to be healthily grown at a normal rate. Impatient pressing forward has led to the waste of most patient toil, and more than one old mission field has been unwarrantably neglected in the haste to begin work in a new field. Patience fills a large space in the missionary program, and to patience must be added faithfulness in steadily contimting the great task of building up in the old mission fields. Here are ripening harvests calling for reapers The non-Christian world is not to be carried by storm. Mission history should also teach us not to specify a time within which the evangelization of the world is to be completed. It is not for us to determine the times or the seasons, but to do in this our time what we can and to do it wisely and discreetly. 'I'he watchword "diffusion" is really a caricature of evangelical missions, if its antithesis" not concentration" leads to the destruction of organization. If evangelical missions are suffering from one lack more than another, it is the want of organization, in which the Roman Catholic missions are so much their own superiors. Nor will the great spiritual war, which the missions are waging, be decided by hosts of francs-tireurs, but by organized concentration. The many so-called free-lance missionaries are not an addition of strength to the evangelical missions, but a waste of strength. Neither is it well to go on establishing new missionary societies; rather let the watchword be join and support the old and experienced ones. Nothing is more painful than for old-established societies to be obliged to reduce their work, because new undertakings are absorbing men and means without making up for their losses by their own successes.
Perhaps the greatest of all mission problems is the implantation of Christianity into the foreign soil of heathen nations in such a way that it takes root like a native plant and grows to be a native tree. No doubt the first object of mission work is to bring the individual heathen to the faith, and through faith to salvation. But the object of mission work must also be national and social, to permeate whole heathen nations with the truth and the power of the Gospel? to gather
in them a Christianity, and to sanctify their social and natural relations. If the native Uhristians become estranged from their national and popular customs, Christianity will never become a national and social power. There is a great danger of confounding the spread of the Gospel with the spread of European and American culture, and as far as I can see this danger has by no means been avoided everywhere. If I am not greatly mistaken, a chief reason why the success of missions is not greater is to be found in the fact that the national character is lacking to-day in so large part of the Christianity of mission lands. A not inconsiderable percentage of native helpers, Chinese perhaps excepted, and of the young people who have passed through the higher schools, is more or less denationalized and miseducated. Hardly any mission has been saved from this experience, but it is chiefly noticeable in many English and American mission fields. We must have the courage to see this, if there is to be an improvement. Where the evil is not even seen, how can it be corrected?
While a proper position as regards the customs of the natives has in many cases not yet been fonnd, another side of the problem in question claims particular attention, viz: the fostering of their own languages. Without doubt evangelical missions of all nationalities and denominations, have in the course of this century produced excel- lent results as regards native languages; there are among evangelical missionaries linguists to whom is due a position of honor in the science of languages. Also the principle is generally accepted: each nation has a right to hear the Gospel in its mother tongue. But on the other hand the fact can not be denied that this principle is not always put into practise in our preaching and teaching. There are plenty of missionaries who never become independent of the help of the interpreter, nay more, who had scarcely understood the language problem at its real root. This problem is the difficulty of becoming so completely acquainted with the spirit, the whole mode of thinking and reasoning of the foreign people, as to be able to render Scripture terms into the native language so correctly that the truth of the Gospel, natnrally foreign to them, shall be fnlly understood by the natives. This is perhaps the greatest intellectual task demanded of the missionary. As a foreigner to them, he must himself understand the natives before they can understand him. English has become the language of intercourse throughout the wide world, but that must not . tempt us to make it the language of missions. The missionary com- mand does not say: Go ye and teach English to all nations. Not more, but less English in the missions; that should be the watchword of the great missionary problem to be solved.
In conclusion one more point. It is now generally acknowledged among exangelical missions that the aim of the work is the formation of independent churches of native Ohristians. This has only been
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF MISSIONS TO WEST AFRICA
perceived in the course of the work; the beginning of missionary activity seldom took the roads to reach this goal. And to this day there is, in mallY missions, a neglect in this respect which should be remedied. On the other hand too much haste and 1£nwl:se impa#ence have been shown in placing native churches on an independent footing, especially where republicanism has joined hands with ultraindependent theories. The result has been unsatisfactory everywhere, it has even damaged the young churches, because they were not yet ripe for full independence. 'fhe latest experiment of this kind, the so-called Ethiopian Church in South Africa, is generally admitted to be a danger actually threatening Christianity there. Here we have another great mission problem toward the solution of which catchwords will not help. It can only be solved by slow and solid work carried on with patient wisdom, and keeping the end aimed at always in view. The great majority of those upon whom our missionary efforts of to-day are exercised can not be treated as Englishmen or as Americans, nor as the Greeks were treated in Apostolic times; differences of race, of education, and weakness of character forbid it. Let us pray for both patience and wisdom, that we may under the guidance of the Holy Spirit become in every respect true educators and not spoilers of the nations to whom by the will of God we are permitted to bring the Gospel.
UNIQUE ASPEUTS 0}1' MISSIONS TO WEST AFIUCA.
BY REV. ROBERT HA!ULL NASSAU, D.D., GABUN, WEST APRICA. Missionary of the Presbyterian Board.
There are some respects in which missions to Africa are unique. First.-As to health, their conditions are the most insalubrious, not excepting those of Siam. It is with no satisfaction that, in the effort to be a truthful recorder, I admit this bad eminence. Other countries have each their special causes of ill-health.. For instance, lower and middle India, their fearful heats and their liability to scourges of cholera. But for general prevalence of malarial conditions, with the certainty that foreigners will, all of them, suffer from intermittent fever, and the expectation that many will sicken with bilious remittent (otherwise called pernicious or malignant) fever, and the probability that some will die of the globo-hematuric fever, the African missions, eastern and western, both on the coasts and up the rivers, have had a sad record. When, forty years ago, I offered myself for foreign service, with an expressed preference for Africa, I was accepted, partly because of that preference. So much had the fear of Africa's fatality to white life impressed the public, that few parents were willing to allow
their children to go. The foreign board itself was so far influenced by this public opinion that it rarely took the responsibility of asking the theological seminarians to go to Africa, much less of turning their thoughts thither from other fields. In the case of other missions, candidates for foreign missionary service were turned aside from one field at the call of special necessity in another, e. g., for China as against India, or for India as against Syria, or for Syria as against Persia, etc. But rarely from anyone of these countries for Africa. She got only those who offered for her. If they succeeded in escaping, overcomiug, or disregarding the opposition of relatives and acquaintances, they themselves assumed all responsibility of taking A NATIVE CANOE ON TRE OGAWAI RIVER, WEST AFRICA.
In these canoes the missionaries travel thousands of miles on preaching tours, and traders journey in search of ivory and india-rubber.
their lives in their hands. That responsibility was not shared by the board.
It was at that time also currently believed by the public, and by many missionaries themselves, that white maternity was necessarily' fatal in Africa. That idea sent me to Africa a celibate. Oelibacy, for the kingdom's sake, is not a possibility for all men. Some gave up the mission. Others, whose wives survived, were faced with another then universally-accepted belief, that white infant life could not be preserved in Africa. They, therefore, returned with their families to America. In all cases the recorded reason for return, and for resignation from service, was African" ill heal th." Poor malarious Africa had a terrible record run up against her account.
I have admitted the charge of preeminence in bad malarial condi-
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF MISSIONS TO WEST AFRICA
tions, but I wish to minimize some of the specifications. It is not true (myself have proved it untrue) that white maternity is necessarily fatal, or that continued missionary infant existence is impracticable in Africa. Only there are needed, as they are needed ill healthful America, and as provided by the considerate forethought of attentive husbands and fathers, certain comfortable, restful prenatal surroundings of nurse, companionship, special foods, and appropriate medicines.
For the safety of foreign lives in Africa, my experience of thirtyeight years there shows me that it is important to have 11 reasonable knowledge of physiology (not necessarily of Il]edicine), and of the fUllctions of our chief organs-stomach, liver, kidney, bowels, and skin. A careful daily observation to see that these organs, like parts of an engine, are each uncongested and in harmonic exercise of their offices, goes far to prevent the development of malarial germs, or furuishes good ground for effective operation when the need for the employment of medicine is actually indicated.
It is also just to Africa that the foreigner shall not eat, drink, dress, work, and live exactly as and how he does in his own country. In all these matters he should make modifications and limitations. I have had occasion to see reason for criticism on these points, even in the lives of fellow-missionaries. As to the other foreigners, traders, and government officials, so utterly unhygienic, not to say reckless, are the lives of most of them, that, friendly as are my business and social relations with many of them, I wonder, not at their death, but at their existence at all.
A DESPISED RACE.
Second.-Africa and its people are outside of public sympathy. This quiet, if not expressed, contempt for a race, unconsciously extends itself to the men and women who go with the Gospel to that race. 'J'hey may be respected for their devotion, but they are pitied for their" folly." Shortly after I had been accepted by the Loard for Africa, in making a good-by call on the home of some friend, I met ladies visiting, and I joined them in a summer evening stroll. I mentioned my expected departure for Africa, and, considering its insalubrity, the probability that I could not live to return. I remember, as yesterday, the scorn of the thin curved lips that tllrned on me with, " And you ought to die for being fool enough to go to such a country!" The acme of the folly being that I was going to " niggers" and "darkies." (May my negro friends forgive me for writing those two words. I never speak them. I feel hurt when they are spoken, sometimes by lips that should not utter them. "Black,"" African," "colored," and "negro," are all of them good, kind, respectable, Ohristian words; leaving neither right or duty for the use of the two above-named offensive ones.)
HEATHEN DANCERS OF THE FANG TRIBE, GABUN, WEST AFRICA…
These men and women are cannibals arranged Jor an immoral heathen dance. Thefr musical instruments are two drums, which are also used as signal drums in time of war. The dancers hold sticks In their hands, with which they beat time.
Had I gone to proud philosophic India, or to Syria redolent of sacred story, or to esthetic Japan, or to celestial China, or even to American Indians, noble under the glamor of romance, I should have been given at least sentimental sympathy. There would be no "disgrace" in acknowledging acquaintanceship with a missionary to those countries and their pp,oples. Even to-day, observe the distinction that would be held against a negro from Africa, as compared with mission pupils from other countries. Let a missionary, to please a pupil, or for foreign missionary interest, or under family necessity for a servant to assist in care of young children in returning on furlough to this country, bring a young man or young woman, a Hindu, or Syrian, or Japanese; or of other nationality. He has little difficulty in finding transport for them on railroads, or entertainment at hotels. Even in private houses, most patrons of foreign missions are willing to give them food and lodging, the house servants do not rebel at serving them, and the family is pleased to exhibit their foreign curiosity, albeit there be Japarrese and Chinese on the street galore. But, when I returned in 1891 with my six-year-old motherless daughter, accompanied by the educated native African Christian woman, who with rare skill and utter devotion had nursed, saved, trained, and guarded my child, and whose aid I needed on the 6,000
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF MISSIONS TO WEST AFRICA
miles from Gabun to Liverpool, on her pleading still to be allowed to care for my little one in America, I refused to bring her hither, knowing that a negro would not be kindly treated. Unkindness to one wljose incomparable service has made me always her debtor, would have hurt me more than unkindness to myself.
White missionary men, for reasons good and sufficient to themselves, have married a yellow Ohinese, a dark Armenian, a bronze Hindu, and a half-breed red Indian, and their names and work are held in special praise, and honors are heaped on them.
There are instances of French, German, and English missionaries marrying negro women who had grown up in their mission schools to be refined lady-like companions. These marriages were eminently useful, the women furnishing their husbands intimate information, counsel, advice, and warning about and even against their native peoples, which gave those men special knowledge and power. But, if an American missionary should contract such a negro marriage, he would be condemned to perpetual exile; and probably a petition would come to the board, requesting that he be dropped from the service.
Third.-Missionaries in Africa are off the line of the world's travel, and thus fail to obtain the interest and cooperation which arise from intelligent acquaintanceship. Only four classes of persons go to the east and west coast of Africa. (The northllrn and southern ends, A CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE IN LIBREVILLK, GABUN, WEST AFRICA.
The bride and groom are In the center and belong to the better class of the native community, The bride Is a native of Dr. Nassau's church, and the groom Is a member of the congregation.
being in healthy temperate zones, are constantly visited by all classes of tourists.) Those four are: (1) Missionaries, for sake of the Gospel; (2) traders, for sake of wealth; (3) government officials, for political position, and (4) travelers, for science. Men, and even women, come to search in the almost untrodden paths of African zoology, botany, geology, and entomology. Miss Mary II. Kingsley, a niece of the late Canon Charles Kingsley, was sent out to investigate the single branch of fresh-water fishes. Along with that she gratified her own literary interest in ethnology and comparative religion by a research into fetishism, in the pursuit of which she exposed herself to all the usual and possible risks under which men so often sink, of heat, storm, swamp-malaria, hunger, thirst, dangers of all kinds, isolation, travel, robbery, and wild heathen nature. In this she experienced most of the adventures met by any of our missionaries, came successfully through, and all for science. She has told a most graphic story in her "Travels in West Africa," a book that repays reading, however much most Christians will differ from her conclusions on some points of African sociology.
The government officials, most of them, with no love for, little understanding of, or slight interest in the negro as a person, or Africa as a place, are willing to come and worry through their two specified years of what they, with profane expletive, call an "exile," for the sake of promotion on the civil list, these years in Africa counting almost double £01' service elsewhere.
The young white clerk of eighteen years of age comes, at a small salary, on a two or three years' contract, at the end of which he has a six months' furlough and goes home, sometimes in debt, rarely with much money to his credit. What could have been saved by economy, has gone in drinks and dissolute revelry. If he has not followed the majority in death by the way, he returns again at a better salary~his experience in trade commanding a higher figure-and he is on the road to an agency with its power and wealth.
But rarely a visitor, Christian or otherwise, visits any of the mission stations on the entire eastern or western African coasts. Visitors-Christian gentlemen and ladies of means and literary tastes-frequently tour to China, they constantly go to India, they throng Japan, they overrun Syria. 'l'hey personally inspect, and some are entertained at the mission stations in those countries. It is a recreation and a social blessing for the missionary to have their intellectuallife to vary and brighten the routine of his life. The missionary is pleased to go to some unus(lal expense at table in order to entertain his guests. And the guests come back to their country with glowing missionary interest, and tell a story that helps to swell the next annual collection.
I am sincerely glad those countries have that benefit. But in all
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF MISSIONS TO WEST AFRICA
my thirty-eight years-tho we frequently have visits of passengers spend ing a few hours ash ore from the steamer in port, members of adjacent missions going to and from their furlough s, newly-arrived traders or scientists-there has been bu t one Christian visitor who came solely for friendship ancl without any personal ax to grind. The late Rev. Dr. Pinn ey, formerly of Liberia, after many years of retirement, wished, in the closing years of his life, to look on t he land where had been spent the strength of his manhood. H e revisited Liberia, and coutinned his journey as far south as the Equator, giving the Gabun and Corisco mission, for a few days, the benison of his presen ce, counsel, and patriarchal prayer.
Why East and West Africa are avoided by tourists, I do not know. Perhaps because we can show no gems in architecture, no magic of music, no grace of art, no monuments of the past; perhaps because THK MISSJON B OUS E, LIBREVILLE, GABUN, WEST AFRICA.
The ho use Is built of Imported timber aDd thatcbed wi tb palm leaves. The trees In froy ' are coco-palms a.nd those in the rear are breadfruit and mango plum trees. Nearby are tbe l1agstali aDd tbe ch urch bell.
the negro is not by most persons regard ed as a thing of beauty; perhaps because of the dreaded malaria. Whatever the reason, the enormous fact stands that the missionary, in going to East or West Africa, is left severely alone there by all the world, exeept the board's secretaries and treasurers, and his few loving friends, who write him the monthly letter that is one of the ropes by which they help to keep him from sinking in the depths of obscurity and often depression. His song is often a De Profundis; the Te DeU111S come just in time to save him.
Fourth.-Something is noticeable about our mission finance. Our payments to natives are mostly in barter. To only It few of the more educated, or only in part to others, do we pay wages in hard
cash. 'l'hus the salaries and expenses of our African missions (except in ~uch civilized cities as Freetown, Sierra Leone, with its 20,000 inhabitants, and Lagos, with its 40,000, and other cities) are less than in any other country. The preposterous slander that "it takes a dollar to send a dollar," if it could possibly be true of any mission, is expressly untrue in Africa. That it is true nowhere, any candid mind that desires to know the truth can easily find by reading the annual audit of the treasurer's accounts of foreign missionary boards. It is true, indeed, that five per cent. is retained at the Presbyterian Board office, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. The remaining ninetyfive cents go out in bills of exchange on London or Paris, and are cashed at Hongkong, Beirut, Bombay, and other cities, and in the missions in the countries of those cities native employees are paid 1Il actual cash.
At the financial center of our mission in the Gabun, these bills of exchange are thp.~ accepted for us by the English, German, Portuguese, and French merchants of the town of Libreville, the headquarters of the French colonial government of the Kongo FranQais. But instead of cash, we take, in part payment, large amounts of trade goods, calico prints, hardware of all kinds, crockery, utensils, and haberdashery. 'rhese require for each of our stations a little shop; the missionary in charge of each station is, at least for an hour a day, a shopkeeper who buys native food and supplies, and pays native workmen and evangelistic assistants. Just as do all business men all over the world, we add to the invoice price of these goods a per cent. of from forty to sixty. No injustice works to the native. He prefers to have the goods. The gain does not redound to the pecuniary benefit of the missionary personally. It reverts to the mission treasury, and, in our actual operations makes the church's ninety-five cents equal one hundred and forty cents. Only in the case of the missionary purchasing his daily food, or paying a personal employee, silCh as cook or laundress, does the pel' cent. assist him pecuniarily. Because of that assistance he is able to live on a salary less than is given to any other foreign missionary.
A PLEASANT COMPENSATING FACTOR.
Fifth.-It is worth while to point out as a pleasant compensating factor in this unique life of the missionary to Africa, the ease with which the native language can be acquired. 'rhis is especially true of the mission located below the 4th degree of north latitude. All Africa below that line is covered by the Bantu negro stock, the grammatical structure of whose language is the same, however the dialectic variations may differ, among the thousands of tribes, from the Benga on the west to the Ki-Suahili on the east, and down to the Zulu in the south. These variations are only of vocabulary; a simple exercise of memory acquires them. Any missionary living in any part of that
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF MISSIONS TO WEST AFRICA
entire southern third of Africa., and speaking the dialect of anyone of its tribes, could, in a few months after removal to any other tribe, speak the dialect of that tribe. Any missionary of university education and of ordinary diligence, can, within a week after his arrival at his station, read (of course, in a parrot fashion) the native language, and thus be ahle to conduct a religious service with Bible and hymnbook. If he does not do that within one month, I would regard him, if not incapable, as open at least to the charge of unfaithfulness and lack of diligence. One who will promptly on arrival, and with A CIVILIZED FAMILY IN WEST AFRICA. This Is a well-to-do Impongwe family of Libreville, Gabun_ They are dressed In tbe best African style, the children are In European clothes_ ordinary daily zeal, take up the practise of the language by actual attempt of conversation with the village natives, can be preaching in a twelvemonth. No new characters have to be learned, as in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and other languages. The pioneer of our Gabun and Corisco mission, the Rev. J. L. Wilson, D.D., found that the Roman letters would express almost all the sounds found in Bantu. The spelling is phonetic, with the signs for vowels the same as in continental Latin. Every vowel sound has its own separate sign. There are only two or three rules for pronunciation. The formations of verbs and of other parts of speech are wonderfully regular. There are few
strange or unusual sounds. No" tones" to mislead by their shadowy differences. Everything is distinct, clear, indisputable, and regular.
The Bantu is Semitic in its structure; the negro ancestors may have derived it from Semitic sources. If themselves evolved it, they must have been a cultivated race, to have formed a language so full in its verb forms. No less wonderful is the preservation of that same unwritten language in its beau tiflll regularity by the tribes in their gradual dispersion, subdivisions, and descent to their present low stage in which civilization and Christianity have found them.
ASIA'S GHEAT NEED.* BY Mm;. ISABELLA BUW BISHOP, LONDON, ENGLAND. Author of" Korea and Her Neighbors," "The Yangtze Valley and Beyond," etc.
The great creeds of Asia and their founders undoubtedly started with much that was noble in their teachings, and with ethical standards higher than the world then knew. But the good has been lost out of them ill their passage down the ages, and even Buddhism, the noblest of ali, in its eastern IIlarch of triumph, has incorporated so much of the gross idolatry, .mperstition, nature-worship, and demonism of the nations which it subordinated, that in the crowds of idols in its temples, in the childish superstitions of its votaries, in its alliance with sorcery and demonolatry, and in the corruption and gross immorality of its priesthood, it is now little raised above the cults of the inferior races.
The study of these Oriental crecds and their fruits compels me to the conclusion that there is no resurrection power in any of them, and that the sole hope for the religious, political, and moral future of the countries of Asia lies in the acceptance of that other and later Oriental creed which is centered in that Divine Person, to whom, in spite of her divisions, Christendom bows trle adoring knee.
Among the prominent and outstanding fruits of these religions, which have fallen so low, are shameless corruption, and infamies of practise past belief in the administration of government, which have obtained the sanction of custom. Law is simply an engine of oppressiDn, and justice a commodity to be bought and sold like any other, and which the poor have no means of buying. Lying is universal, and no shame attends the discovered falsehood. There are polygamy and polyandry, with their infinite degradation, and the enthronement and deification of vice, many of the deities of India being the incar- • Condensed from a paper by Mrs. Bishop, read at the Ecumenical Conference by Mrs. Joseph Cook, in Carnegie Hall on Thursday evening, April 26, 1900.
ASIA'S GREAT NEED
nations of unthinkable wickedness. There are unbridled immoralities and corruptions, and no public opinion to condemn them or to sustain men in doing right. Infanticide is openly practised. '1'here is no truth and no trust between man and man, and no man trusts any woman. Every system of medicine in the East is allied with witchcraft, sorcery, and demonolatry; immorality prevails universally. Some of the nations are given up to unmentionable infamies, and nearly always the priests and monks are in advance of the 'people in immoral practises. Superstitions, childish or debasing, linked with every circumstance in life, enslave whole populations, and piteous terrors of malignant demons or offended ancestral spirits shadow this life, while a continual dread of being exposed hereafter to their full malignity darkens the prospect :of the next. Speech, the index of thought, is foul with a foulness of which, thank God, we have no conception, and each generation from the cradle is saturated with an atmosphere of pollution. The distinction between right and wrong is usually lost, and conscience is deposed and destroyed. '1'he corrupt tree of the dead and degenerate faiths of Asia brings forth corrupt fruit from the Black to the Yellow Sea, and from Siberian snows to the Equator. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint, and for the grievous hurt there is no balm in Gilead, and no physician there.
Let us bear in mind that to-day, nineteen centuries after the birth of our Lord, one thousand and fifty millions of our race are un-Christianized, and eight hundred millions have never even heard His name. Let us also steadily bear in mind the fact, that tho during this century nearly four million persons won by missionary effort, have been baptized into the Christian Church, there are now more than one hundred million more heathen and Moslems in the world than when the century began. We must face the truth. Much as we congratulate ourselves, missionary effort has but touched the fringe of the darkness of this world-the 10 pffians of victory are not for us to sing.
Of the ChristIess popnlation O'f the world over five hundred million are women. Throughout Asia, the natural distrust of women by men, and of the degrading views held concerning women is seclusion behind high walls, in separate houses, known to us as the harem, the zenana, and the and ron. I have seen much of tbe inmates of all, owing to detentions in traveling, which have "'made me frequently their un willing guest, and have unveiled for me the mysteries of their secluded lives. Such contact has banished from my mind, so far as Asiatic countries are concerned, all belief in purity in women and innocence in childhood. We know what Christianity has done for us. We know, or rather guess, but that only in part, what Islam and heathenism have done for our sisters. May God give us sympathetic instincts, by which alone we may realize their contrasting lives.
I have been a storm or peril-bound guest in more than fifty women's houses, including the women's tents of the large nomadic population of Persia. In all the arrangements, so far as means allow, a~e the same. '1'he women's rooms are built around a yard and have no windows to the front; a room near the entrance is tenanted by eunuchs, or by an old woman who acts as custodian or spy in the husband's interests. Such secluded women can never stir outside except in rigidly closed chairs, by day, or in some cities on foot at night, properly attended, along streets from which men are excluded. In many countries it is a crime or folly to teach a woman to read; in some, a lady loses caste by employing her fingers even in embroidery. They know nothing; they have no ideals. Dress, personal adornment, and subjects connected with sex, are their sole interests. They are regarded as possessing neither soul nor immortality; except as mothers of some they are absolutely despised, and are spoken of in China as "the mean ones within the gate."
With dwarfed and childish intellect, is combined a precocity on a gigantic scale in the evil passions of adults-hatred, envy, jealousy, sensuality, greed, and malignity. The system of polygamy, the facility for divorce and the dread of it, the fiendish hate, the vacuity and apathy, and the tortures inflicted by the ignorance of the native female doctors, specially at the time of "the great pain and peril of childbirth," produce a condition which makes a piteous appeal to every woman here.
In a rich man's harem there are women of all ages and colors, girl children and very young boys. There are the favorite and other legitimate wives; concubines, who have recognized but very slender rights; discarded wives, who have been favorites in their day, and who have passed into practical slavery to their snccessors; numbers of domestic slaves and old women; daughters-in-law, and child or girl widows, whose lot is deplorable, and many others.
I have seen as many as two hundred in one house, a great crowd, privacy beiug unknown, grossly ignorant, with intolerable curiosity, forcing on a stranger abominable or frivolous questions, then relapsing into apathy but .rarely broken but by outbreaks of hate and the results of successful intrigue. It may be said that there are worse evils than apathy. There are worse evils, and they prevail to a great extent in upper-class houses. On more than fifty occasions I have been asked by women for drugs which would kill the reigning favorite, or her boy, or make her ugly or odious. In the house of the Turkish governor of an important vilayet, where I was storm-bound for a week, the favorite wife was ill, and the husband besought me to stay in her room lest some of the other women should make away with her. My presence was no restraint on the scenes of fiendishness which were enacted. Scandal, intrigue, -fierce and cruel jealousies, counting
jewels, painting the face, staining the hair, quarrels, eating to excess, getting rid of time by sleeping, listening to impure stories by professional reciters, and watching small dramas played by slaves, occupy the unbounded leisure of Eastern upper-class women. Of these plays, one of which was produced for my entertainment, I can only say that nothing more diabolically vicious could enter the polluted imagination of man, and it was truly piteons to see the keen, precocious interest with which young girl children, brought up amid the polluting talk of their elders, gloated over scenes from which I was compelled to avert my eyes.
Yet these illiterate, ignorant women, steeped in superstition, despised as they are in theory, wield an enormous influence, and that against Ohristianity. They bring up their children in the superstitions and customs which enslave themselves. They make the marriages of their sons and rule. their danghters-in-law. 'rhey have a genius for intrigue, and many a man, in the confidence of a ruler or another, loses his position owing to their intrigues. 'rhey conserve idolatries, and keep fetish and demon-worship alive in their homes. They drag the men back to heathen customs, and their influence accounts, perhaps, for the larger number of the lapses from Ohristianity. It is impossible to raise the men of the East unless the women are raised, and real converts among Asiatic women, especially among the Ohinese, make admirable Ohristians.
But owing to social customs, mission work among Eastern women can only be done by women. The medical woman finds ready access into their houses; for the non-medical woman the entrance into snch a mixed crowd as I have described is a matter of difficulty, and requires not only the love of onr sisters for Christ's sake, bnt for their own, much, very much, of what has been 'well named" the enthusiasm of humanity." Everywhere I have seen that it is the woman richest ill love who is the most successful missionary, and that for the unloving, the half-hearted, and the indolent there is no call and no room.
The magnitude of the task, not only of conquest but of reconquest, which lies before the Ohristian Ohurch, is one that demands our most serious consideration. To bring five hundred millions of our fellowwomen to the knowledge of a Savior is the work especially given to women. I will not make any plea either for funds or workers. The Master, whom we all desire to honor, ~as made a distinct declaration: "He that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal," a promise of a reward for work which can never fail. Yet, far away, on a thousand harvest fields, earth's whitened harvests, ungarnered, die!
THE PRESENT SITuATION IN CHINA.
REY. ARTHUR H. S!lIITH, D.D., TIENTSIN, CHINA.
Author of "Chinese Characteristics" and'" Village Life in China."
The second month of this last year of the century marks the opening of what is known as the XXVIth year of Kuang HSil, a term which denotes" Continuance of Glory," in allusion to the title of the third emperor preceding, whose reign was designated by the title "Glory of Reason" ('fao Kuang). So far as the present emperor is concerned, it would be difficult to fix upon a style for a reign which should embody more satire in compact compass. lIis majesty, despite the highly unfavorable conditions under which he was brought up, proved to have an active mind with a high degree of intelligence. There is no dOll bt that it was his sincere desire to extricate China from the slough of humiliation into which she had fallen, and that the general line of policy which he had outlined was based upon real patriotism, animated by considerable acquaintance with the actual condition of his realm, and the nature of the obstacles which he would have to front. Principal among them was his dowager aunt, and in the twinkling of an eye she proved too much for him, and the emperor wa~ instantly snuffed out.
In the long annals of this great empire there is no parallel to the situation of the past year and six months. The emperor has not been made way with, he has not been deposed, there is no sign of a definite plan to name a successor. He has simply been caged and put under effective guard, his name used when it happened to be convenient, and ignored at all other timeR.
The reaction against the causes which led the emperor to desire reform began nearly a year and a half ago. It is idle to speCUlate what would have happened had it not crystallized. China is a country hard to understand. Movements, which in China are propagated from above downward, do not necessarily spread like" wild fire," as in some 'Western lands under the same conditiolls. They do not even advance with the slow motion of water on a slightly sloping plain. They may mther be compared to the progress of lava after it has lost something of its original propulsive force, yet retains enough to give it some of the properties of solids and some of liquids, making it practically irresistible.
The Germans had two Shantung missionaries killed in 1897, and they pounced upon Chiao Chou. The Russians had not anyone killed, so they pounced upon Port Arthur. The British for a similarly cogent reason pounced upon Wei Hai Wei. The French merely wished "the earth." 1'he Italians, ashamed not to be "in it," asked for a bay that nobody ever heard of, and which to this day we can not find on the map. It is called simply San Men (" South Side "). At
THE PRESENT SITUATION IN CHINA
this point the Chinese government (of the dowager section of it) drew a line. It is said that" one has to draw a line somewhere," and she drew it at "San Men," altho the Peking authorities knew no more where it is than the rest of us. For the first time in the series of aggressions, the Chinese refused to grant anything. This made matters serious. The" face" of Italy as well as that of China was at stake. Reports have been somewhat contradictory as to what Italy intends to do. 'fhere is little doubt that China means to resist. There have been wild rnmors that the Italian fleet was off this coast and off that, and the mass of the Chinese people seem to have got an idea that at last a firm resistance is to bc made to somebody about something, and in their sluggish lava-like way, they have resolved to bear a hand.
More than two hundred and fifty years ago, when the Manchus first got into the Chinese saddle, there were phenomena like this. A swarm of "sects" originated then, which have survived ever since,' and have adopted the "practise of virtue" as their motto and aim. The shrewd Manchus know "virtue" when they see it (from descriptions of it in the classics) and forbade all these societies with rigid impartiality. Potential treason lurked in them all. Within one hundred and fifty years past there have been uprisings of what were styled" Fists of Just (or Public) Harmony," meaning societies to do something pro bono publico (in theory), by extensive cooperation. As a rule the Chinese are as ignorant of the" public good" as of fluxions, and the government took pains to wipe out these risings, which had their origin in a superstitious belief that the laws of nature can be repealed in favor of spirits when adroitly worshiped, so that the worshipers can be made impenetrable to bullets and sword-proof. To the Chinese this program has an ever fresh attraction. The belief in it has one of the peculiarities which we are accustomed to associate with" kind words "-it "can never die." Last year it came to the front with amazing power, and strange to say, in the face of an hundred defeats remains there still.
There is no doubt that the behavior of the Romanists throughout China has been smoke to the Chinese eyes, and vinegar to the Chinese teeth, and not without reason. After all allow:mce has been made, it is certain that the Roman Catholic Church in China is almost everywhere an irritant in a sense not true of any species of Protestantism. There is no space here to present the overwhelming evidence for this fact, but the fact itself must be borne well in mind in order to understand the courRe of current events. Within a few months the Chinese government has conceded to the hierarchy of the Homan Church the right to interview the high Chinese officials upon equal terms, in cases appertaining to church interests. By way of balance to this, a like privilege was offered to Protestants. The latter have no head center,
but there is a certainty that as a body the Protestants would not take the privilege under any conditions, altho not altogether at ease as to the advantages which the Roman Church will thus gain. The concession thus made must have been a potent ingredient in the active hostility of the government to foreigners in general, and apparently to missions in particular. A little more than a year ago the empress was issuing stern decrees denouncing attacks UPO!l missionaries and mission~, declaring that they" must cease." This seems to have really meant that no more excuse for Chiao Chou aggressions must be given. But it would not be strange if it should eventually prove to have been an understood thing that altho missions could not be openly assailed, yet they could be got rid of otherwise. If an animal will not leave his den, smoke him out. If an undesirable lodger will not vacate his apartments, set the house on fire and he will be glad to go.
THE « FIST" ORGANIZATION.
The" Fist" organization (called for brevity" Boxers") began their attacks upon Chinese Christians in the province of Chihli last June, and in Sept.ember they began to be heard from in Shantung. They have been antagonized by troops and shot down by hundreds, yet the rising is not stopped, even if it is seriously checked. The Manchu governor of Shantung fostered the Boxers by his removal of all officials who actively operated against them, and by his release of those who were captured, with the exception of three, who, after long delay, were beheaded. It became known later that this governor has sent a secret memorial to the throne, saying that the Boxer movement was too strong to be put down, and should. rather be utilized to drive out foreigners withal. Soon after this governor was removed, but he was ordered to Peking, where, instead of being impeached and degraded, as he deserves, he has been loaded with honors, recommended to the throne as an exceptionally trustworthy official by another favorite of the empress, who has been exalted to a new and important post; and unless he is punished at the imperative demand of foreign powers is likely to have a long and a dangerous lease of obstructive opportunity.
The appointment in his place of the phenomenally able and energetic Gen. Yuan Shih-k'ai led to strong hopes of the prompt disappearance of the Boxer rebellion as a factor in current history, Events have shown that the web is too tangled to be so easily unraveled. He had scarcely taken over the seals of office and set himself to his work, before the new governor began to have orders not to be too rash or too impetuous, not to confound. harmless militia with rebels and the like. As a matter of fact, rebels under guise of militia constitute one of the greatest dangers of the government in China, because the most formidable opposition to law may thus be secretly fomented and perfected without detection, much less prevention. As a rule, the
government has wisely forbidden militia organizations, except under strict surveillance. The relaxation of its restrictions must have a settled purpose. .
The barest recapitulation of the injury done to Christians in Chihli and Shantung would occupy far more space than we could afford at this time. Suffice it to say that throughout distances of hundreds of miles there do not seem to be any Roman Catholic fami- lies who have not been pillaged or else heavily fined, and scarcely a chapel which has not been either looted or demolished, unless it had been turned into a species of fortress and defended. In the region under the care of a single Italian priest, he reports that between five hundred and six hundred families had thus been plun- dered, ten persons killed, and fully five thousand persons rendered homeless refugees.
Three Protestant missions have also suffered, that of thc London Mission in Chihli, which has had ahout one hundred families robbed· or fined; the American Presbyterian Mission in Chi Nan Fu, whose sufferers, scattered over a large territory, are almost or quite as numerous; and two stations of the American Board, one in the village of P'ang Chuang, the other in the city of Lin Ch'ing, who have had forty or fifty families plundered and fined. These three missions have also had, perhaps, a score of chapels looted or wrecked, and in one case a building intended as a temporary home for missionaries when tour- ing to a great degree was also destroyed. An English missionary was murdered barbarously, which brought Great Britain to the forefront.
The sufferings of the poor Christians have been severe, not only from the most inclement winter ever known in North China, but from the still greater bitterness of neighbors and relatives who have turned to fierce foes, adding insults to reduplicated injuries. It would not be strange if under such treatment, often long continued, some of the weaker Christians fell away, as has been in some cases the resnlt. But for the most part they have been surprisingly loyal in the face of tests to which it might not be safe to subject many churches in" nominally Christian lands."
The beginning of the Chinese New Year finds large districts occu- pied by troops for the restoration of order. Mission stations are guarded by companies of soldiers for the first time in thirty years'
experience. Many Christian communities are yet in imminent peril, and there are still bold threats that in the spring there will be a for- ward movement, when the Boxers will advance upon Tiflntsin,cooper- ating with the foreign-hating Gen. Tung Fu-hsiang, and drive all foreigners into the sea. Such an extended program is probably beyond their powers, but the situation is full of serious peril. The government studiously refrains from doing the only thing which could put an end to the rising at once-arrest the main leaders and
hold them to a strict responsibility through influential bondsmen, who are strong enough to take the risks involved. Long before these lines can get into print something decisive must be done, but the existing conditions ought to be comprehended by all who wish well to China.
It is not in the north only that these ominous risings take place. 'rhe empire is so large, and so loosely interrelated, that there may be extensive rebellions, of which even well-informed foreigners in China never hear, owing to the lack of any means for diffusing intelligence. The causes which have produced this state of unrest being general, the results might naturally be exp.ected to be so also. In the northern part of the empire there is in addition an unexampled failure of rain in the autumn, and for the first time in the remembrance of most Chinese, no winter wheat of any consequence is to be seen, and grain is high. Fortunately the superabundant supplies elsewhere will prevent a famine, but the cold has been intense beyond example, and the sufferings of the poor everywhere have been greater than usual.
Mission work of almost all varieties has been suspended. Schools have been disbanded, and school-buildings and hospitals turned into barracks. The incidental expenses of this anomalous state of things have been heavy, and the strain upon the nerves of sympathetic men and women has been such as without the manifold grace of God giving strength according to the day, must have been insupportable.
All friends of China who are students of Christian history will feel sure that out of this apparently chaotic welter of wild forces, the Lord intends to bring some greater good. "The future is the present of God, and to that future He sacrifices the human present. Therefore it is that He work& by earthquakes. Therefore it is that He works by grief. O! deep is the plowing of earthquakes! O! deep is the plowing of grief. But oftentimes less would not suffice for the agriculture of God. Upon a night of earthquake He builds a thousand years of pleasant habitations for man. Upon the sorrow of an infant He raises ofttimes for human intellects glorious vantages that could not else have been. Less than these fierce plowshares would not heve stirred the stubborn soil."
THE VALUE OF MEDICAL MISSIONS.* BY GEORGE E. POST, M.D., BEIRUT, SYRIA.
If the Good Samaritan had sat down by the side of the wounded man who fell among thieves, and preached the law and the prophets, our matchless parable would never have been told, and the lawyer would have been as uncertain as ever as to who was his neighbor. But when the Samaritan bound up the wounds and poured over the bandages oil and wine, the best antiseptic dressing in his power, and • Condensed from a paper read at the Ecumenical Conference, in Carnegie Hall, Monday morning, April 30, 1900.
THE VALUE OF MEDICAL MISSIONS
then made an ambulance of his ass, and took the injured man to the nearest inn, and made provision for his nourishment and nursing until his return, he became a true medical missionary, and gave to our Savior a luminous illustration of His own Golden Rule.
Nothing is clearer in the story of Ohrist's life than the fact that human suffering appealed to His sympathy and stimulated Him to the exercise of His power. He healed from the instinct of kindness, and made no previous conditi~ns as to whether or not his sick folk would hear the Gospel. We believe that medical missions will have their full and legitimate influence only when they follow the same order, and show forth the same spirit, heal the sick, and preach the Gospel to them by the act of healing a suffering brother, then tell him that Christ sent you because He loved him and yearned for the salvation of his body and his soul. _ Medical missions are the natural and inevitable expression of Ohristianity; that is, of the Golden Rule. It is the glory of Ohristianity that its author and finisher is the" Son of Man," and that he lost no opportunity of showing his regard for the welfare of the bodies of men as well as their souls. He fed them, healed them, raised them from the dead. He took their form, bore their pain, and shared their temptations. His principles have emancipated man and woman, abolished polygamy and slavery, built innumerable hospitals, asylums, orphanages; reclaimed the vicious and restored them to virtue. The humanity of Ohristianity, as much as its godliness, is capturing the hearts of men.
Medical missions are the pioneers of evangelism. They can be planted where no other branch of evangelical work is possible. They are founded on a need which is universal. The doctor, therefore, has welcome access to vast numbers who neither wish nor will have any intercourse with other missionaries. Some savages can not be per- suaded by a lifetime of effort to be decently clothed. Many can never be induced to sit on a stool. The desire for education, especially of girls, is often a very slow growth. Above all, a yearning for the higher spiritual life usually comes after long and patient training, and then only to a comparatively small number of those who hear the saving message of the Gospel. But from the moment that the doctor pitches his tent in an Arab encampment, or by an African kraal, or opens a dispensary in a Hindu village, or itinerates among the teeming multitudes in Ohina, or open;; a hospital in any of the cities of heathendom or Islam, he is besieged by applicants for his healing skill. Often those who have for their lifetime scoffed at Christ and spit upon his followers, will beg in the name, and for the sake of Jesus, that the doctor would take pity on them, or their father or brother or child. A doctor may live in security among rob- bers and thugs. He can visit districts closed to all else. He is called
to the inmost recesses of the harem and the zenana. He is a welcome guest in the hOllses of Jewish rabbis, of Mohammedan ulema, of Druse 'akkals, of Hindu and Buddhist priests. He is regarded as a guardian angel by the poor, and he stands as an equal before rulers and kings.
Medical missions are permanent agencies of evangelism. Were the offices of the doctor merely a bribe to induce men to listen to the Gospel, they would soon lose their power to draw men to Christ. Long after the work of preaching, printing, teaching, and civilizing has been firmly established, medical work should be continued. In many instances its form may advantageously be changed. Instead of being pushed through the country by foreign doctors, schools of medicine may better be established by means of which native men and women may be trained to carry forward the good work. Model hospitals and dispensaries are required to make possible the ripest results of modern science, and to give opportunity for prolonged instruction both in medical treatment and medical evangelism.
MEDICINE VS. QUACKERY.
Medical missions are the only efficient opponents of the quackery which is so intimately associated with religious superstition. Those living in Christian lands can have little mmception of the extent and power of quackery in the unevangelized world.
Among the lower types of humanity in Africa, Polynesia, and aboriginal America, religion is quackery. The abject fear of the unknown on the part of the people, and the devilish cunning and malice of the sorcerers and the medicine men or witch doctors, have given to the latter an incredible power for evil. The people believe that woods, fountains, caves, rivers, are inhabited by malignant spirits, or the ghosts of dead men. They believe that disease is produced by such spirits, and that wizards and witches have the power to afflict their victims with all sorts of complaints. The witch doctors diligently foster these superstitions, and pretend to be able to find out by their incantations who the wizards and witches are. If the witch doctor can not exorcise the sick person, the friends usually torture and kill the alleged wizard or witch. These somber beliefs beget a contempt for human life and for suffering. In proportion to the rank and power of the afflicted parties is the number of victims saOl'ificed to promote recovery, or revenge death, or provide for the repose of the dead. Human beings, sometimes by the hundred, are hacked to pieces, pierced by spears and javelins, poisoned, drowned, burned, or buried alive, during the sickness, or at the burial of the chief. This compound of medical and spiritual quackery destroys the sentiment of human brotherhood, and annihilates sympathy for suffering, prevents the sick man and his friends from attributing disease to its
true causes, and seeking rational means of relief. By fostering suspicion, cruelty, and revenge, it developes the worst qualities of the soul, and urges it more and more into the path of sin.
Medical missions break the power and destroy the prestige of the medicine men and witch doctors. They teach the true nature of disease and death, and their independence of the malignant spirits which are supposed to be their cause. They urge the use of the means which God has given to men to cure the one and ward off the other. The care aud tenderness of the missionary doctor and nurse for the sick enhance the value of human life, and teach sympathy with suffering. Thus through beneficence to the body the doctor undermines the quackery which has so long crushed the soul, and unveils the face of a merciful God, who seeks to save body and soul together from suffering and sin.
H is not only among barbarians, however, that quackery prevails in intimate association with superstition. The masses of Asia, notwithstanding the ethical principles of Brahmanism, Buddhism, and the other ethical religions, are sunk in a quagmire of bodily and spiritual quackery. The belief in the transmigration of human spirits into the bodies of animals, emphasizes the kinship of man with the brutes, and tends to lower man to their level. If a child sickens in China, at first the parents may go to much trouble and expense to treat it. The quacks prescribe disgusting mixtures of ordure, pnnctures with hot needles into the joints and cavities of the body, searing with hot irons, the use of amulets and charms. If the child gets well, the quack assumes all the credit. If he becomes worse, the parents are assured that he never was their child, and they lay him on the floor near the door, and pay no more attention to him llntil death relieves him of his sufferings. They then throw him iuto the street to be devoured by dogs, or picked up by the scavenger, and thrown out on the garbage heap outside the town, to be carrion for hyenas, jackals, and vultures. How different is it with the missionary physician! His potent medicines soothe pain, cool fever, assuage thirst, remove weakness, bring back health and vigor. His surgical operations restore sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, make the lame to walk, remove all manner of tumors, and repair all sorts of lllJuries. The power which works such wonders seems little short of miraculous to those accustomed to the crudities and cruelties of the native charlatans.
Medical missions are peculiarly adapted to work iu Moslem lands. The intense fanaticism of Mohammedan men makes direct evangelism well nigh impossible. Street preaching is wholly out of the question. The death penalty always impends over a com-ert from Islam. The mere fact that a Moslem is reading the Scriptures, or couferring with a Christian, exposes him to most serious peril. But Moslems sicken
and suffer pain like other men, and, notwithstanding the fatalism which leads them to attribute disease to direct divine appointment, they have a traditional respect for doctors. The missionary physician is a privileged person among them, and when his healing work is done, he can fearlessly explain to them the person and doctrines of Christ.
Mohammedan women are no less fanatical and far more difficult of access than men. Medical missions, however, have broken down this barrier. Under the stress of pain and danger the doctor is called, or the sick woman comes to him, and so hears the Gospel of Christ. Nothing is more encouraging ill all our labors than the eagerness with which,Mohammedan and Druse men and women listen to the story of Christ from the lips of their doctor in our mission hospitals and dispensaries.
All the influence of medical work should be diligently utilized for the winning of souls to Christ. The ministry of healing has a motive and an end in itself, and to be effective as an evangelistic agency it must be unencumbered by any conditions as to religious teaching. But the ministry of healing has also a motive and an end above itself, which raises it to the highest plane of Christian service. This motive and end are the saving of the soul from sin and death. There is a peculiar appropriateness in the association of bodily and spiritual healing. During sickness the soul is usually open to conviction of sin, and after the restoration to health, is often strongly moved by gratitude to God. The physician who has given his knowledge and strength to the sick man, has a special right to speak to him on the state of his sonl, and the patient will listen to him with a confidence and affection which he can have for no other man. If the doctor is filled with love for souls, and has the gift of utterance, he can never fail for illustrations to enforce his appeal. Even if he has the gift of healing, but not of teaching, his brother missionary stands npon the vantage ground won by the doctor's skill and devotion, from which to reach and capture the healed man for Christ. It may be safely said that no opportunity is more carefully used in mission work than that growing out of medical relief.
Missions of every Christian nation and of all denominations have, by a common consent and an unerring instinct, established and developed medical work, and every year sees a wider extension of its sphere and usefulness. WorldlJ people, who look askance at other forms of mission work, applaud medical missions, and give of their substance to sustain them. Kings and rulers in Mohammedan and heathen lands have built hospitals, and given means for their endowment. Far out on the picket line of evangelism heroic men and women gather around them such crowds as collected on the pathways where Christ was wont to walk. Fearless of death, they grapple with cholera,
SOME ASPECTS OF MISSION COMITY
plague, leprosy, smallpox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, and other contagious diseases. In the tainted atmosphere of the dispensary they toil on hour after hour to relieve the mass of misery. 'l'hey go late to sleep, and often rise a great while before day, to watch the crisis of disease and operations. They remain in sultry, fever-stricken cities of the coast during the long tropical summer, if haply they save some of God's poor. They travel under the burning snn, or through blinding storms to reach new centers, and open up the way for a farther extension of the work. 'rhe church which sends them knows the value of that work. The sick whom they cure have given proof of it. He who maintains them in all their arduous labors will say to them: " I was sick, and ye visited Me. . . . Forasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, My brethren, ye did it unto Me."
SOME ASPECTS OF MISSION COMITY.* BY REV. A. SUTHERLAND, D.D., TORONTO, CANADA. General Secretary of Missions, Methodist Church of Canada.
In discussing the subject of mission comity it is not to be assumed that there is any friction between the boards at home, or any conspicuous lack of brotherliness among missionaries abroad. There are no breaches to be healed-no quarrels to be made up. But in the rapid development of missionary enterprise now taking place, and the still more rapid development that may be expected in the near future, it is quite possible that mistakes made in the home fields may be repeated on a larger scale abroad, resnlting in waste of money, waste of effort, the retarding of self-support, and the creation of jealousies and antagonisms among missionaries of different boards. The conviction is evidently growing that a time has come when these possibilities shonld be honestly faced, and such mutual understanding reached, as will obviate the overlapping of work, and the unnecessary multiplication of agencies in fields that are fairly well supplied, so that destitute fields may be more quickly reached and occupied.
It should also be understood that the advocates of an enlarged measure of comity in foreign mission work are not aiming at a comprehensive organic union of Protestant churches at home, or even abroad, but only at such mutual adjustment of plans, and distribution of territory, as will result in efficient work, rapid extension, and economical administratioll. However much we may seek to minify the differences which separate the great divisions of Protestantism, it still remains true that each division stands forth as the exponent of certain aspects of truth which it regards as fundamental; and it would not be reasonable, nor in accord with Christian charity, to expect men to * Condensed from an address delivered at the Ecumenical Conference, Carnegie Hall, New York, Thursday morning, April 26th, 1900.
surrender, at a word, even methods which they deem important, much less principles which they hold sacred. It is believed, however, that without the surrender of principle it is quite practicable to substitute cooperation for competition in the foreign field, if not in directly evangelistic work, at least in those undertakings in which concentration tends to efficiency, such as printing and publishing, hospitals, and higher education.
At the same time we should not forget that there has always been a tendency in human nature to exalt opinion into dogma, and to mistake prejudice for principle; and this tendency is responsible for not a few of the divisions so characteristic, alas! of Protestant Christianity. When closely and impartially investigated, the causes which keep evangelical Christians apart shrink into small proportions, too small to plead as a justification of rivalry, wasted resources, and vast proportions of the vineyard left untilled. And altho the time may not be opportune to introduce the large and complicated question of the organic union of Protestant Christendom, yet in presence of the colossal problem of the world's evangelization there are strong reasons why at least churches holding the same general system of doctrine and church order should consider whether a closer or even an organic union would not be in the interest of the work of God among the heathen. The comparatively recent union of five Methodist bodies in Canada and of the Presbyterian churches in both Canada and Japan are illustrations of what may be accomplished in this direction, if only there be first of all a willing mind.
As to the desirableness of comity and cooperation in foreign mission work there is now a remarkable consensus of opinion among missionaries, and also among leading members of the home boards. This indicates not so much a change of opinion as a growth of conviction. A quarter of a century ago it was only an occasional voice that could be heard echoing the sentiment of Dr. Duff denouncing rivalry and pleading for comity; but this was not because the missionaries were opposed to a policy of comity and mutual helpfulness, but because few of them had come as yet into personal contact with the evils arising from the undue multiplication of agencies and the organization of rival churches. Until recently there has been a strange misapprehension as between boards and missionaries on the question of comity. Boards seemed to think that cooperation was desirable but impracticable because of opposition on the mission field, while missionaries thought it quite feasible if only the boards would consent. At the present time there need be no doubt as to the attitude of these two parts of the missionary force. The almost unanimous approval given to the report of the committee on comity and unoccupied fields by the conference of mission board representatives in New York, in 1899, shows clearly that the principal boards, on this con-
tinent at least, are prepared to consider practical proposals; the pronounced utterances at the Ecumenical Missionary Conference in London, in 1888, show that the trend of thought across the sea is in the same direction, while the desire of the missionaries finds expres- sion in numerous letters and addresses, and also in tho action of such assemblies as the mission conferenoes at Bombay, Shanghai, and Chungking. Assuming thon that comity and cooperation in the foreign field at least is both desirable and praotioable, the way would seem to be open for a consideration of underlying principles, of the direction and limits of praotical oomity, and of the methods to be pursued to accom- plish the best results. Among the prinoiples to be kept in view are: the following: 1. That the supreme aim of all missionary effort is the establishment and extension of the kingdom of God among the heathen; hence, every-· thing which does not contribute to this end should be studiously avoided.
2. That in prosecuting this aim each mission has rights which every other mission is bound to respect, and the measure of that respect is: indicated by the precept, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do, unto you, even so do ye also unto them."
3. That rivalry in the Lord's work, or striving against each other, is. altogether foreign to the spirit of the Gospel. " For one is your Master,. even the Christ, and all ye are brethren."
4. That wasting resources is as much to be deprecated as hoarding' them; hence all unnecessary expenditure is to be avoided if we would escape. the guilt of the unrighteous steward who was accused of wasting his: Lord's goods.
If these principles are valid, the application of them will go far toward solving the problem of mission oomity. They also indicate to some extent the soope and limits of the problem. But in what direc- tion and to what extent is practioal comity possible? In direotly evangelistic work, perhaps only to a limited extent-at least at the present .time. Missionaries of different boards have their own methods of working, and may not be disposed to change them; and each mis- sionary, as things now stand, will feel an obligation to gather his con- verts into his own denominational fold; but this need not hinder- has not hindered-meetings for mutual consultation and prayer, nor need it hinder united efforts in evangelistic services, and a frequent interchange of preaching between missionaries of different boards.
These are measnres well calculated to promote the spirit of oomity, and would probably bring before native converts a wider range of truth than under the labors of a single missionary.
But there are other direotions in which practioal comity may be worked out in a more definite way. Among these may be reckoned: 1. Printing and Publishing Inte1'ests. On the very face of it, it is vastly cheaper to equip and maintain one printing and publishing house than two or three, and where one mission has established a press sufficiently equipped to do all the work required by the various missions, it should be an understood principle that no other mission should enter the same field.
2. Hospitals and Dispensary Work. Even in large, populous centers, one commodious hospital, well equipped and weI! manned, with outlying dispensaries where really needed, would be far better and would do far more efficient work than several half equipped institutions could possibly do.
3. Higher education. Here, if anywhere, the principle of cooperation should not be difficult of application. There is no sectarianism in mathematics, and it would be difficult to import denominational pecu- liarities into the classics or the sciences.
4. The Division of Territory. It should be an understood principle that where a town or village is so occupied that the religious needs of the people are fairly well provided for, other missionaries shall refrain from entering; and even where there is room and need for additional workers there should be consultation as to the ability of the existing mission to provide reenforcements; and only in case of its inability to do so should another mission feel justified in planting a station. There might also be a readjustment of boundaries, or even exchange of stations, when, by so doing the work of God will be promoted; and when by the union of several weak congregations, belonging to different missions, a strong selfsupporting church can be formed, there should be no hesitation in taking steps to that end. The policy of several missions competing for a foothold in communities where agents of one society can reach all the people, is utterly without excuse, either at home or abroad.
5. The Employment and Rernnneration of Native Helpel's. Comity demands that the agent.s of one mission shall not offer inducements to the native helpers of another mission to change their church relations, either by promise of preferment or higher pay. An approximately uniform scale of remuneration would hinder native workers from seeking transfers from mercenary motives, and in any case transfers should not take place without the consent of the mission directly concerned.
What has been said is sufficient to indicate the principal directions in which practical comity is desirable in the foreign mission field. A word or two in regard to the best methods of achieving the desired results will now be in place.
Methods like the following would be found helpful: (1) Instructions from the home boards to their missionaries.
(2) Conference between representatives of the home boards as to the lines on which comity and cooperation are especially desirable.
(3) Instructions from the home boards to their missionaries not only to cultivate assiduously the spirit of comity, but by conferences with other missionaries to promote the policy or cooperation 1Il mIS- sion work.
(4) The formation in each foreign field of a committee of con- sultation and reference, composed of representatives from each mis- sion willing to cooperate, such committee to consider the larger questions of practical comity, The judgment and recommendation of said committee to be embodied in a report, and sent to the home boards for approval or otherwise, A universal acceptance of such suggestions as I have made is hardly to be expected in the immediate future. Indeed, some may consider the whole thing as visionary and impracticable, but I submit that nothing has been suggested beyond what ought to be done, and I cherish the unwavering belief that what ought to be done can be done, and in the not distant future will be done. If in this way we can
1900.J AN OBJECT-LESSON IN SELF-sUPPORT
reduce to a minimum the evils of rivalry and competition, guard against the sin of wasting our Lord's money, give increased efficiency to existing agencies, spread the Gospel more swiftly in the regions beyond, unify the aims and efforts of the native churches, and demonstrate before the world the essential oneness of Protestant Christianity, such results will justify a far larger sacrifice of denominatioual preferences and prejudices than we have yet been asked to make, and will do much to hasten the fulfilment of the Savior's dying prayer, "that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that Thou didst send me."
AN OBJECT-LESSON IN SELF-SUPPORT.* BY REV. HORACE G. UNDERWOOD, D.D., SEOUL, KOREA.
Every church in its mission work is desirous of establishing in the fields in which they have missionaries a self-supporting, self-propa- gating, and self-governing church. The question is, whether self- support can be most satisfactorily accomplished by the granting of generous aid at the beginning, or by pushing the idea of self-support from the very opening of the work. This paper presents an object- lesson of a field and mission where the self-support principle was strenuously pushe9, from the very first. The Koreans are not rich, but extremely poor. There are no large guilds of wealthy merchants, and a small sum of money is a fortune in Korea. A man with a capital of one or two hundred dollars, would be considered well-to-do, and almost a gentleman of leisure. The poorer classes, from whom in the main our church members come, live largely in low, thatched mud huts with one or perhaps two small rooms, eight feet square each, . with a hole in one side covered with paper, in lieu of a window, and a small rough lattice door. As we sailed down the Yalu River, with China on the one side and Korea on the other, the contrast was most marked. On that side the Chinaman with his stone-built and well- tiled house, strongly made, expensive boats, his well-built wagons, the wheels of which were studded with iron nails, his fur clothing and ,.:every aspegt of substantial means, while on our own side we saw the Korean with his thatched mud huts, and their little paper windows, '. his poor rickety boats, his cotton clothing, and every appearance of poverty. It cet·tainly can not be said that the measure of success that has been meted to our work is due to Korea's wealth.
The general principle on which we work is, that the missionary is a leader who has to gather his workers from among the people-that each missionary shall be allowed one paid personal helper, but no one • Condensed from a paper read at the Ecumenical Conference, Carnegie Hall, New York, Friday morning, April 27, 1900.
shall be used as a paid helper unless he has proved himself qualified for the position. When a man's work becomes so large, that with thirty or forty churches to oversee he is unable to superintend the work: with only one helper, he may, by vote of the mission, be granted an extra paid helper. No evangelist or pastor is paid with foreign funds-i. e., with the board's money, funds provided by friends at home or drawn from the missionary's own pocket. The missionary needs his helper to keep in touch with his field and to properly over- see his work, but the real evangelistic work and the paying of evan- gelists, and the carrying of the Gospel into new districts, we place on the shoulders of the native church. The building of their churches and chapels, as well as their primary schools, is borne by the natives, and during the last few years we have asked the natives to carryon the native church schools, altho in the beginning assistance may be rendered to the extent of one-half their expenses. We have tried from the start to put the burden of propagating the Gospel on the natives. We have striven to make every Korean realize that the Gospel has been given to him not for himself alone, but in order thai he might carry it to his neighbor, and that it was his p1'ivUege to become a coworker with God.
When we started out with this plan we were almost startled, and tempted to think that we would have to wait a long while before we could see any great results, but I believe the progress of the work here is very largely due to God blessing the meiltod that we have adopted. The very fact that the burden of preaching the Gospel is put upon the natives has given to us a church of earnest Christian workers, who are fast carrying the Gospel throughout the whole land. To-day we have in Korea, out of 188 imperfectly organized Presbyte. rian churches (last September's figures), 186 that are entl:rely self- . supporting. In them we have an adult membership of 2,873, of whom 865 were added during the year. They contributed for Congregational expenses……. Yen 2,525.90 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411.89 Church buildings and repairs …… 3,099.53 Home and Foreign Mission.. . . . . . . . 237.11 A total for the year of ……… Yen 6,274.43 (about $3.200).
These do not represent a large amount given in grain, eggs, products of various kinds, and a great deal of voluntary labor, not only in preaching, but in the building of churches, etc.
It should be noticed that in the capital, and in the open ports, where labor commands a higher wage than anywhere else, the wages of an artisan will be about fifty sen (about 25 cents), and of a laborer not more than 30 sen a day. Thus, in a place where the laborer gets $1.50 a day, the above amount would represent 62,744 yen and 30 sen ($32,000).
AN OBJECT-LESSON IN SELF-SUPPORT
THE SORAl OR CHANG YUN CHURCH.
Some ten or more years ago, when this church had a membership of ten or a dozen, they sent a delegation to Seoul, to let me know that they were desirous of securing a church building for their neighbor- hood. I expressed joy at their decision, but when I found that they were expecting the mission to provide them with a church, I soon disabused their minds, and informed them that they must put up their own building. When in reply they said it would be impossible, I pointed to the fact that they had wood on their hills, axes and tools in their homes, God-given muscles in their arms, and told them that if they had decided to build a church, and would let me know when they were going to begin, I would come down and lend a hand in cut- ting down the trees, and in erecting the chapel.
A few years later the Rev. Mr. McKenzie, from Canada, arrived in Korea, and settled in the little village of Sorai. His earnest Christian life there soon brought a change among the villagers; Christians that had become cold in the Lord's service soon had their faith rekindled as they saw his devotion, and it was not long before they decided to build a church. One gave the trees as they stood, others offered to go and cut them down, others volunteered the use of their ox carts to haul them to the site, a poor widow woman gave the lot on which the church stands, others gave grain to feed the men who volunteered their labor, a few gave money. Brother McKenzie did not live to see the completion of the work; the same messenger from Sorai brought me a letter from him asking me to go there to dedicate the church on the first Sunday in July, 1895, and a notification of his decease.
This church, the result of so much native labor, the proof of so much zealous love for the Master, W3S dedicated July 7th. It was a substautially built chapel, 35 by 20 feet, with a tiled roof. It was in the center of a farm village of about sixty houses. Before a month was passed, under the unpaid ministrations of Brother So Kyeng Jo, the building was too small, and steps were taken for its enlargement. Before a year was out its capacity was doubled, and two neat class- 'rooms were added.
'rhe church to-day is one of the strongest that we have in Korea. It has become the center for the whole of the Chang Yun circuit, and from it has grown twelve other churches. This church, in addition to paying all its own expenses, supports an evangelist, who, under the direction of the elder and deacons, travels from church to church, and from village to village, and for whom they have built a house. It supports its own church school, which, through the generosity of the church members, has from time to time received endowments in fields which now almost meet the entire school expense. In addition to this, they are very liberal in assisting other churches and chapels, from time to time send out companies of Christians to preach Ohrist
in villages where He is not known, and they take up collections for mission work, and on two occasions, that of the Indian famine and the 'rurkish atrocities among the Armenians, collections were voluntarily taken up. When it is remembered that the people are largely paid in kind, and that their wage is not ten cents a day, the above voluntary contribution alone represents no small deprivation. Brother So Kyeng Jo, the elder in this section, has informed me that if the native convert would but be as generous in the worship of the true God as he was formerly zealous for the heathen deities, the Korean Ohristians would have more than enough money to build their own churches, carryon their own native schools, pay for their own books, and when all this was done, they would have quite a sum left over toward the salaries of the missionaries whom they need as leaders.
THE SAl MUN AN CHURCH.
About the same time that Mr. McKenzie began planning for his church, the little building on the mission compound in Seoul became too small, and it was necessary to enlarge it. In a city like Seoul, where everything was so dear, and where all our members were poor, we thought that we might make an exception to the general rule, so we called the church together, and told them that we were planning for a building that would cost ill the neighborhood of one thousand yen. We asked them what they could do. After considerable discussion, our hearts were very much cheered when the latter told us that they had raised a little over twenty yen. We thought that the little handful of people in our Seoul church had done nobly, and the missionaries took steps toward raising the balance of the money for the new building among themselves. A site was secured, and we were getting ready to begin work, when one day, at a little prayer-meeting, our deacon, Yi Chun Ho, startled the Koreans, as well as the missionary, by the suggestion that the natives should put up the new church without foreign aid. I at once said: "You have raised twenty yen, and believed that you had done all you could; it will take almost one thousand yen to put up the church. Can you do it?" I felt strongly rebuked by his quiet reply: " We ask such questions as 'can you do it' about men's work, but not about God's work." The following Sunday one or two members made the proposition to the people, and, in several strong speeches, proposed that they put their shoulders to the wheel, that those who could not give money, should give labor; and those who could not give labor or money, should gather the materials, and that all of them should unite and make up their minds that they could put lip a church for themselves.
The proposition was enthusiastically accepted, and they determined to see what could be done. The women, of their own accord, agreed to have in the kitchen a Lord's basket, and of everything that
they cooked or made they set aside a small portion, which was to be sold for the church. Boys, who had no means at all, gathered up stones that could be used in the building. Men who had never done a stroke of work volunteered to do what they could. It was decided to begin operations just as soon as there were any funds to commence with, and to go as fast as the funds would allow. Some Ohristian carpenters, men who are simply day laborers, said, as. their families were dependent upon them, they could not do so every day, but they would gladly work for nothing every alternate day. The mission gave nothing but the site, tiles, and a few timbers from an old building. The missionaries threw off their coats and assisted in the work, and on Ohristmas day of the same year we wer.e privileged to dedicate the Sai Mun An church that had been put up entirely by the natives. at the cost of seven hundred and fifty yen. It is only thirty. five by twenty-five feet, but the natives look upou it as their own church. From the very start we have been crowded, and, did the lot allow it, we would have ere this commenced the erection of a more commodious building. The example set by the Ohang Yun and Sai Mun An churches, and almost at the same time by one or two congregations in the province of Yeng Yang, has been followed all over the land wherever Presbyterian work is starting, and it is not an uncommon experience, and certainly a pleasant one, for the missionary, on his visiting a station, to find that the natives have ready a church or chapel for him to dedicate. These are but samples of what is being done in Korea, and the way in which the Koreans are helping on the work of the Lord. The above instances were chosen simply because they were best known to the writer, but they are by no means exceptions.
SOME PLANS FOLLOWED IN OUR WORK.
First.-We do not foist a completely organized church upon the native infant church. '1'he organization is as simple as possible, and the leader may be one of the deacons or an elder, if they have them.
Second.-We endeavor to plan our church architecture in accordance with the ability of the natives to build, and the styles of houses generally used. This is a very important feature in the successful carrying out of this plan of self-support.
Th£rd.-We try to place the responsibility of giving the Gospel to the heathen upon the Ohristians. Our aim is that every Ohristian shall become an active worker. We try to make everyone feel that it is his privilege to tell to others of Ohrist, and in fact, we refuse to receive into church membership a man or woman who tells us that he has never tried to lead others to Ohrist. As a result, from a num~ ber of congregations the most intelligent Ohristiana win be seI;1t Qut
to other places; in some cases the expenses are paid by the natives, in some cases they pay their own expenses.
Fourth.-Wherever congregations warrant it, there are church schools supported by the church, and under the supervision of the missionary in charge, stewards, deacons, or elders, as the case may be. It is the aim of the mission to make all its church schools entirely self-supporting. They are for the sons and daughters of the Christians, but they are also patronized by outsiders, and thus are becoming a valuable evangelistic agency.
Fifth.-The mission has now a number of church primary schools, which are largely supported by the natives, and from which there are coming out young men and boys who have a strong desire for further instruction, who are ready to work to obtain it. It is the aim of the mission to provide high schools or academies at its larger stations; the mission must provide the foreign teacher, the salaries of most of the native teachers, the beginning of an educational plant, but from the start the current expenses, the lighting and heating, janitor's wages, and the board of the pupils, will be entirely borne by the natives.
Si:cth.-In the training of our workers we meet with the most serious problem and the one as yet unsolved, but we believe as we go on step by step, God will solve it for us. We see no reason to believe that in the early church there was a regular stated pastorate, and we are not yet urging this upon the Koreans. However, some few years ago the Sai Mun An church did issue a call to one of our most able workers to come up and take charge of its work, and the little Chan Dari church has now for the past two years told the young man who started the work thcre to give most of his time to preaching of the Word, and has promised to supply whatever he or his family may lack.
Once or twice a year the leaders in our country and city work are gathered together in Bible and training classes. These classes generally last about a month, and with the Bible as text-book, we try to direct the studies of our leaders and to fit and prepare them for their work. One or more missionaries are usually associated in these classes, and church history, outlines of systematic theology, and Bible exegesis are taught. The practical is never lost sight of and these class meetings are always made times of special evangelistic activity in the cities in which they are held.
In addition, on our evangelistic tours, a number of these men accompany us, sometimes at their own expense, sometimes at the expense of the church to which they belong, and sometimes the expense is borne by the missionary. In this way, these men receive a practical training in preaching and organization, that they could get in no other way.. The foreign missionary with such a company has
MISSION WORK AMONG LEPERS
his peripatetic school, and generally finds himself forced to be prepared to answer questions on almost every subject and in almost every SCIence.
At the present time it is our aim to take the picked leaders, and by means of this summer and winter training and Bible classes, supplemented by the practical training that we can give them by associating them with us in our work, and having them accompany us in onr itinerating evangelistic tours and assist us in the organization of churches, to train up a class of thoroughly equipped leaders, well grounded in the faith, who know their Bible and are able to give a reason for the faith that is in them.
Seventlt.-A decidedly new departure in mission work has been made in the matter of books and. pu blications for the natives. They not only pay for them, but pay a price that very nearly approximates to the cost of production.
Eigldh.-The same element is mad.e to appear largely ill our medical work. Medicine is given to the poor, but the rich are expected to pay full price for medicine and for visits to their homes.
After fifteen years of work in Korea, the Presbyterian churches who have followed this system are able to report one hundred and eighty-six out of one hundred and eighty-eight self-supporting nati ve churches with a baptized membership of over three thousand, contributing during the year nearly seven thousand yen, and almost entirely supporting and carrying on their own work.
MISSION WORK AMONG LEPERS.* BY WELLESLEY C. BAILEY, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. Secretary and Superintendent of the ~ission to Lepers in India and the East.
Lepers abound in the world in the present day; there is scarcely a country where the disease is not to be found. Even in Great Britain a few lepers are always to be discovcred if one takes the trouble to look for them. India is said to have half a million lepers, Ohina has probably a like number. In the former country the disease is more evenly distributed than in the latter, being found from the Himalayas to Oape Oomorin, in the mountains and in the plains, inland and on the sea coast, in dry arid regions as well as in the damp and swampy places, tho it must be allowed that the damp regions seem to favor the disease. In Ohina leprosy is more prevalent in the south and southeast than in the north and northweHt. Japan has two hundred thousand officially registered cases of leprosy, and it is known to abound in the Malay Peninsula, Siam, the Malay Archipelago, and the Philippines, also in Korea; so that, speaking of India and the East, *'.C9,ndensejl from a paper read at tile Ecumenicl,t! Cooference, May 1, 1900.
we are well within the mark if we place the leper population at one million and a half.
The disease is found to a large extent in Africa and Madagascar; more or less in North and South America; in the West Indies and in the Hawaiian Islands. In Hawaii and the Philippines, the United States will find themselves face to face with a very serious leper problem.
Without going into any further statistics, it will be seen that here is a vast field for missionary effort if we are to reach the lepers with the Gospe1.
It is now generally admitted that the leprosy of the present day is the same disease as that of which we read so much in the Word of God, tho from the Old Testament records it is quite evident that there was a good deal of confusion in the minds of the pcople as to what constituted true leprosy. But may not the same be said of the ideas prevalent in the present day? Many people are still of opinion that a leper is of a sickly white color, while there are some who believe that there is a special mark upon his upper lip.
The fact that at no time in the world's history from the first mention of the disease, have we been without leprosy, also goes to show that ancient leprosy and present day leprosy are one and the same disease.
Leprosy is undoubtedly contagious, tho not infectious. It is conveyed from the diseased to the healthy by actual contact; but it can not be highly contagious, for very few of those who have been ministering to lepers have ever contracted the disease, so few indeed, that we may almost say that all workers among lepers are exempt.
The nature of the contact necessary to produce risk, and the manner in which the bacillus lepra is received into the system are matters still hotly debated in the medical world. A very popular mistake about leprosy is that it is hereditary. And yet in the report of the commissioners appointed by the National Leprosy Fund, under the presidency of H. R. H., the Prince of Wales, K. G., we find the following: 1. No authentic, congenital case has ever been put on record, nor was one seen in this country (India).
2. Many instances occur of children being affected while their parents remain perfectly healthy.
3. The percentage of children, the result of leper marriages, who become lepers, is too small to warrant the belief in the hereditary transmission of the disease.
4. The facts obtained from the Orphanage of the Almora Asylum (a home for the untainted children of lepers) disprove the existence of a specific hereditary predisposition.
5. Only five or six per cent. of the children, born after manifestation of the disease in the parents, become subsequently affected.
MISSION WORK AMONG LEPERS
The histories of the brothers and sisters of leper p·trents with a true or false hereditary taint seem to show that little importance can be attached to inheritance in the perpetuation of the disease.
The disease may certainly be regarded as incurable. 'fhe Berlin Conference in October, 1897, says on this point: "The disease has hitherto resisted all efforts to cure it."
The condition of lepers in the present day is scarcely less terrible than at the most barbarous age of the world's history. Certainly, while one can not but acknowledge that comparatively speaking, a great deal is being done to ameliorate the unhappy lot of the leper, there are yet instances occurring from time to time in different parts of the world which go to show that the unfortunate leper is still treated with as great barbarity as ever he was. In China, a missionary tells us: "Many years ago a mandarin determined to stamp it out, and took the following manner of doing so. He invited all the lepers to a great feast, set fire to the building, and all who escaped the fire perished by the swords of the troops surrounding the building." While within the last few months a terrible story has reached us from one of the missionaries of the Rhenish Missionary Society of the burning alive of at least four lepers in Sumatra.
We are told by lepers from Nepal in the Himalayas that to be a leper there is to incur the death penalty, and in order to avoid this fate they sometimes flee into British territory. Even in many places where the leper is not allowed to be put to death he is treated with great barbarity. In Japan they are called" hinim," which means "not human." In India they are often driven out of house and home, sometimes being" stoned away" from their villages.
The writer has himself come across them in different parts of India, in a Il}ost helpless and hopeless condition, wandering about without a friend in the world. After they are driven away from their village they will wander away into the jungle, where they build themselves a little mat or reed hut, and eke out a terrible existence, living on roots or on whatever may chance to be thrown to them by passers-by. They will sometimes take up their abode in a cave or in a hole under some great rock. It must be borne in mind, too, that these pitiable objects are sometimes women and children of tender years. Sometimes a mother will be hunted from her home with a babe at her breast. In many instances the victims of the disease are absolutely helpless, having lost fingers and toes, or even hands and feet, leaving nothing but useless stumps, which continue to waste and slough, and the disease will sometimes have robbed them of sight and almost of the power of speech.
Then consider that these people are not only without hope of bodily relief in this life, but that the unknown future upon which they are to enter is without one ray of light, and I think we have
established this fact that there is no class in all the world more needing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He was specially tender in His dealings with the leper. He not only relieved the poor body of the victim, but also led the sufferer to Himself. Surely, with this example before us, we are bound to follow in the Master's footsteps. As of old, the leper cried to Jesus, " Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean," so to-day they seem to cry to His followers, " Christians, if you will, you can make ns clean. You, in the name of your Master, and in the power of His Holy Spirit, can cleanse us with a better cleansing than any mere bodily healing." Missionary work among lepers naturally falls, like medical mission work, into two grooves, the physical and the spiritual.
Mission work has been carried on among lepers for many years. Roman Catholics in olden times were very devoted in their attention to lepers, and all the lazar houses were looked after by priests or nuns. Roman Catholics still have institutions for lepers in different parts of the world.
Among Protestants the Moravians were probably the first to take up this work, as far back as 1819, when they began their noble work at Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) in South Africa. Their first regular missionary was Leitner, who, with his English wife.. entered the leper settlement. For six years did Brother Leitner continue his arduous and Christ-like work in that terrible abode of living death, a work that resembled in most respects that of Damien; and, like him, he fell at his post, tho, happily, not a leper.
At present, as is pretty generally known, the Moravians have an interesting leper home near Jerusalem, where there are men and women who, for Christ's sake, are in hourly attendance on the suffering inmates of that institution.
In India and Ohina, individual missionaries and others have for many years been ministering to lepers as they found opportunity, and have done noble service in this direction. Such names as Ramsay, Budden, of the L. M. S. ; John Newton, American Presbyterian; Vaughan, C. M. S., were well known in India fOl' their devotion to the leper; and in the present day one might mention among many others working in connection with the mission to lepers, Hahn and Uffmann, of Gossner's Mission; Nottrott, of the German Evangelical Missionary Society of the United States; Bulloch, of the L. N. S.; Cullen, Guilford, and Main, of the C. M. S.; Herron, of the Reformed Presbyterian; Bestall, of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and Byers and Mary Reed, of the Methodist Episcopal Society, whose pathetic story has sent a thrill of sympathy through the world. These are just a few of the outstanding workers, but they by no means exhaust the list.
It remained, however, for the" Mission to Lepers in India and the
MISSION WORK AMONG LEPERS
East" to be the first to enter this field as a society, founded wholly and solely for the benefit, physical and spiritual, of lepers. This society, founded in Dublin in the year 1874, was origiually aimed at reaching lepers in India only, but as time went on, the work extended to Ohina and Japan, and so the title of the society was enlarged from that of the Mission to Lepers in India to its present one-Mission to Lepers in India and the East.
The society is now at work in fifty-six centers: in India, Burma, Oeylon.• Ohina, and Japan, and is about to extend its operations to the Korea and Sumatra. It has twenty-four asylums or homes of its own, fourteen homes for the untainted children of lepers, and aids fifteen other institutions.
It is interdenominational and international in its constitution, and in its working. It carries on its work in cooperation with the missionaries of twenty-two different societies, among which are several American and German societies. Its principal offices are in Edinburgh, ScotlanJ; London, England; and Dublin, Ireland; while it has auxiliaries, not only in Great Britain and Ireland, but also in the United States and Oanada.
The most effective way of reaching lepers has been found to be by gathering the helpless of them into asylums or homes, and there ministering to their wants, spiritual and temporal, and where this is being done the results are truly marvelous.
The writer has recently been making up some statistics of the work for the year 1899, and finds some remarkable facts. Of a total of one thousand, three hundred and twenty lepers, and one hundred and eighty-eight untainted children of lepers, gathered into nineteen Ohristian institutions, watched over by missionaries, there are one thousand, one hundred and forty-seven professing Ohristians, of whom three hundred and sixty-five have been baptized during the year!
In other nineteen institutions aided by the society, many of which are government 01' municipal, and in some of which there are only occasional visits from missionaries, the results are very different. Of one thousand, one hundred and thirty inmates, only foul' hundred and thirty-four are professing Ohristians, while the baptisms were only thirty for the year. This clearly shows the immense advantage of having such institutions completely under Ohristian control.
DEPARTMENTS AND METHODS OF WORK.
'fhe two main departments in the work of this mission are: (1.) That of ministering to those actually afflicted with the disease, Hnd (2.) That of saving the as yet untainted children from falling victims to the disease. For the former we can do but little, from the physical point of view, at least, so far as any hope of cure is concerned. At the
same time, we can do a great deal to relieve suffering, and to improve their general health; and then we have for them the great consolations of the Gospel. For them, of all people, surely it is sweet music to hear: « Come unto me all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;" or, "Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty and the inhabitant shall not say, 'I am sick.'" But for the latter we have, thank God, a double salvation.
If the children of lepers, who are as yet untainted with the disease, can be separated from their leprous relatives, and can be taken out of all leprous surroundings, there is every reason to hope that such children may be saved. Acting on that idea, the mission to lepers has for some years been making efforts to save the children. The method adopted is to build, in connection with asylums for lepers, homes for their untainted offspring, and to invite the lepers to give up their children into the charge of the missionaries. 'rhis has been carried on now for a considerable time with very marked success; with one or two exceptions, nOne of the children thus separated having since developed the disease. Many of them are now in the world doing for themselves; some of them are married and have children of their own. Not only are these children saved from the physical taint of leprosy, but, through the grace of God, many of them are being saved from a far worse moral taint. This work for children, therefore, is most hopeful, for not only are we saving the children for their own sake, but we are assisting largely in putting an end to one of earth's greatest scourges.
A third and very important branch of the operations of this society is that of providing religious instruction for the inmates of government and municipal asylums, where otherwise they would have no opportunity of hearing the Gospel.
From every point of view, the results of this leper work are most striking. It is a work upon which God seems to have set a special seal. As a class the lepers are easily reached, and as a class they readily respond to the Gospel invitation. Many splendid trophies of Divine grace have been won from among them. To this almost every one who works among them bears testimony. In a word, this work gives quick returns of a good quality. Not only are the results good as regards the poor sufferers themselves, but they are good in their effect upon others. This work has a wonderful effect upon the surrounding heathen, and influences them in favor of Christianity. A Christian leper asylum is a sermon in itself. To see a European or American lady binding np the sores of a poor leper. or a medical missionary operating on a deceased limb, in order to give even temporary relief, is an object lesson not easily forgotten by the heathen. Many missionaries bear testimony to the fact that this leper work has been an effective agency in opening the way to heathen hearts and homes.
WHY DO NOT MORE HINDUS ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST
The results of this work upon the Christian converts too are very good, for when they see their missionaries ministering with their own hands to the poor outcast leper, it teaches them a wonderful lesson in self-sacrifice, and helps to make them willing to deny themselves for others.
We have tried to give some idea of "the little done" and of the marvelous results that have followed; bu t how are we to give even the very least conception of the" undone vast! " Who can tabulate that! Wh€l1 one thinks of the terrible agony, mental and physical, in which many hundreds of thousands of these unfortunate sufferers drag out their miserable existence, and realizes that a great amount of that might be relieved and is not, when 011e knows that there are hundreds of thousands of these people who might be trophies of Divine grace and are not, who might have the comforts of the Gospel and have not, but are dying unrelieved and absolutely hopeless; when one thinks of the hundreds of thousands of little children living in leper haunts of vice and misery, in surroundings that appal us even to think of. in hourly danger of contracting this loathsome disease, and realizes that these, His little ones, might be rescued and are not, one wonders how long it will be before the Church of Christ fully realizes the importance of Christ's command to his apostles, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers."
WHY DO NOT MORE HINDUS ACCEP'l' JESUS CHRIST?
BY DR. WILBERT W. WHITE.
More than once during my recent tour in India, I addressed Hindus on this topic. In the introduction, I stated that my purpose was not controversial, but that as a fellow-student I desired to inquire earnestly and faithfully into the actual situation for the benefit of myself and my hearers. I stated my belief that human nature is the same in every country, and that many of the reasons to be given in India why Jesus Ohrist was rejected would be the same as those assigned in other countries. I intimated that in a little while the meeting would be thrown open for anyone to give reasons why more Hindus do not accept Jesus Christ. Thus I songht to make my hearers feel as much at home as possible, so that they might speak frankly· and freely on the subject.
The first two considerations which I stated were those that would not likely be cited. (1) It is not because Jesus Christ is not willing to receive all Hindus who would come to him. He included members of every race when he said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden." "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto myself." (2) It is not because He is not able to save Hindus. Thousands of
THE MISSI0NAltY ltEVIEW OF 'rItE WOltLlJ
lIindus who have experienced His saving power, testIfy that He does not lack ability to save. " even to the uttermost."
When the meeting Was opened for responses, the following reasons were given: (1) The Hindu mind is inclined to study into the phil- osophy of religion, and is not disposed to be practical.
(2) National pride, caste pride, and personal pride are in the way of accepting Jesus Christ.
(3) Inconsistent lives of Christians.
(4) Fear of persecution.
(5) Lack of historical sense.
(6) Disposition to emphasize objections, and to ignore positive evidence.
(7) No deep sense of sin.
These are the chief reasons given, and from them the reader may be able to understand something of the religious situation among the educated Indians.
In going among the college students of various lands, I have been struck by the fact, – that the needs and difficulties are, in the main, everywhere the same. A successful personal worker in India needs the same qualifications which are required in Canada or in the United States.
After drawing out the hearers, I proceeded to give reasons which the Gospel by John presents why the Jews of Christ's time did not accept Jesus Christ. I verily believe that, in that Gospel, every case of unbelief of the present day can be explained. Let me mention a few of the reasons there found. (1) Merely superficial and intellectual knowledge of the Scriptures: John vii: 41, 42; v: 38. (2) Because few of the great believe: vii: 48. (3) Fear of losing position and influence: ix:21, 22. (4) National pride: xi:47. (5) They sought the glory of one another, and not the glory of God: v: 44. (6) They had no deep sense of sin: see passages in the eighth chapter. (7) They lacked a sincere desire to know the truth: v: 42. (8) Inability to explain processes: iii: 9; vi: 42, 52. (9) A bad life: iii: 19- 21. (10) Unwillingness to do the will of God in the face of ample evidence: v: 40; viii: 31.
AWAKENING GREEKS.
BY REV. GEO. E. WHITE, MARSOVAN, TURKEY.
If a church sleep shall it wake again? -'rhis is 011e of the most important questions in the East, where the Greek and other Oriental churches exhibit so beautifully the form of Christianity with oftell so little of its power. Awakening must begin with individuals, alld there are hopeful cases.
A few years ago a new priest came to the Greek community in one of the cities of Asia Minor, occupied as a station of the American Board. He soon became a frequent attendant at the Protestant church, and his striking figure with the long hair and beard, the solemn robe and cap of the Orthodox Church, was often seen in the
AWAKENING GREEKS
devotional or other exercises of the missionary p,chools. Indeed he might be called the chief patron of a primary department, opened to prepare pupils who mostly came from his congregation for the regular classes.
Some of his congregation advised him not to attend such services, urging that it did not look well for him, the priest of the Orthodox, to frequent places of Protestant worship and educ!),tion. He answered them in effect: "Friends, you know that I am a villager, and have always been a village priest until the opening here brought me to this city. At home I have my own house, and field, and vineyard. I was glad to come here, chiefly because I hoped in the city to learn something. I want to learn enough to save my own soul, if I can not save anyone else. And where in this city can one learn anything except at the Protestant church and the schools of the missionaries? I am not dependent upon the support that you give me. I can return to my village, and live in my own house on the produce of my field and vineyard. But while I remain here, I can not neglect my opportunities to learn of God, His Word, and the way of salvation."
He has now tasted theological instrnction, and firtds it good. He is in the habit of daily attendance on the expository exercises in Isaiah and Romans, and is drinking in the truth they convey. He is a simple-minded, simple-hearted man, apparently led by the Divine Spirit.
There are others. At the other end of the same plain is another Greek community, which was visited some time ago by a theological student. A friendly priest invited him to preach in his church. He did so, and subsequently met with a storm of threats and opposition. They lay in wait for him with stones and clubs. But he was not harmed and he did not fear. He stayed some time in the town, preaching in another place, and spending most of his evenings with the teacher of the Orthodox school. They talked of God and prayed together. The teacher is now engaged to preach this year, as he did last, every Sabbath day in the Greek church. The priests perform the prescribed ceremonies; the teacher has the mind and heart that fit him to preach. He is believed by those who know him best to be a regenerate man, prepared by his own spiritual experience to be a spiritual guide to t)thers.
A Greek Protestant preacher on the Black Sea coast has recently left his little congregation to preach to each other, while he made a fifty days' evangelistic tour to towns not often hearing the Gospel. In one of these, the most spiritually alert person, except the one Protestant brother of the place, was the Greek priest. His congregation declined to allow the visitor to address them.
These are, of course, the scattered Greeks of Asia Minor, who have been left, as it were a Christian seed, among Mohammedans. So far, most of them who have accepted evangelical truth, have come out, or been driven out, of the old churches into the Protestant organizations. Hopes of the old churches becoming reformed and revivified from within, vary according to the nature of the observer. '['he great Greek Church is a standing challenge to the prayers of evangelical Christians that God may breathe through its venerable forms the breath of divine life an~ activity.
From a Plwtograp!, by Molinari.
A VIEW FROM A HOUSETOP IN TANGlb;RS.
SELECTED ARTICLES.
MOROCCO AS A MISSION FIELD.* BY BUDGETT MEAKIN, LONDON, ENGLAND.
Author of "The Moorish Empire," "The Land of the Moors," etc.
Protestant mission work in Morocco is of altogether recent introduction. The first society to enter the field was the" London Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews," which established its only station in Mogador in 1875, under the Rev. J. B. Ginsburg, who fitted up, at his own expense, a large room as an English church. This still continues to be used, and is the only permanent church hall in the country, except one in Tangier, where, in 1885, a temporary iron structure was erected by subscription as the pro-church of St. Andrew. Recently thilj was sold to the- North African Mission for the Spanish Protestant congregation, and a building of stone was begun in the later morisco style. The chaplaincy, maintained by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, assisted by local contributions, is usually only occupied in winter, and is inclllded in the diocese of Gibraltat·.
For definite work among the Moors the British and Foreign Bible Society was first in the field, appointing an agent to Tangier, in 1883. Next year the mission to the Kabyles and other Berber races of North Africa-now known as the North Africa Mission-acquired a valuable property on the Marshim plateau outside Tangier, which has since been its headquarters for Morocco. The work later extended to Azeelah, under the most capable direction of Miss Emma Herdman, who, in 1888, took two other ladies to Fez. There, in the face of every obstacle and * From" The Moorish Empire." By Budgett Meakin. The Macmillan Co.
MOROCCO AS A MISSION FIELD
discouragement, they bravely settled and established a medical mission, which they still carryon, having since been reenforced by others.
Medical work from the first formed part of the operations in Tangier, and in 1867 the Tulloch Memorial Hospital was erected beside the mission house there. Laraiche, Tetuan, and Casablanca were made stations during the next few years, and at present the mission supports in Morocco ten male, and twenty-seven female workers, three of the former, and one of the latter, being doctors. In Tangier they have a second hospital for women only, supported by the Countess of Meath, and a general one in Casablanca. In Tangier there are also elementary schools for children, and an incipient boys' industrial home, and a shelter for beggars at the market. One branch of the labors of this mission lies among the Spaniards in Tangier, and it is here that visible results are greatest.
In 1886 the Presbyterian Church of England established a mission at Rabat, directed by Dr. Robert Kerr', who in 1894 resigned his connection with that body, and has continued his work as the" Central Morocco Mission," which is steadily making practical Christianity known among the Berber tribesmen who crowd in to the good doctor's dispensary, and bid him welcome to their homes. In 1888 the Southern Morocco Mission came into existence as a result of the interest in the country of Mr. John Anderson, of Ardrossan, whose sturdy Scotch friends have earned an excellent name for themselves and their Master in Mogador, Saffi, Mazagan, and Marrakesh, their headquarters, where they have a small hospital. Spasmodic efforts have been made from time to time by the Mildmay Mission to the Jews, the efforts of which are, as its name implies, restricted to one race, tho their representatives have always lent assistance to the others. Finally, in 1895, the Gospel Union of Kansas City, U. S. A., sent missionaries to Morocco, under the direction of Mr.
From a P……..p4 br Dr. Ruddock.
HOMES OF' THE MIXED RACE OF CENTRAL MOROCCO.
Nathan, a Christian Jew, who, from Tangier, supervises stations in Mequinez and EI Kasal'.
Only the first-named society is denominational, and all work together in harmony, their only object being to set forth Christ, and not to spread sectarianism. Altho from the nature of the ground they occupy speedy results are not to be anticipated, numbers of conversions have taken place, and there can be no doubt that only the fear of the powers that be keeps many more from confessing Christ. The prejudice and misconception in the native mind as to the facts and aims of Christianity are so great that it is not till they have long and closely watched the lives of those who come to teach it that they can be influenced by their message. If nothing else had been achieved during these years beyond raising the Moorish ideas of Christians, a good work would have been accomplished. That this has been the case wherever they have gone, and often far beyond the limits of their journeys, I am abundantly able to testify from personal experience, and I am always proud to count among my friends the emissaries of the Christan Church among the Moors.
The methods employed by all the agencies at work in Morocco are identical, consisting chiefly, in addition to the medical work, in visitation of the women by their Christian sisters, who are able to enter doors closed to men, and all having some practical acquaintance with medicines and nursing, are made heartily welcome where there is suffering; invariably in itinerating through the villages, which affords the best of opportunities for personal dealing and the dissemination of the Scriptures; in tending beggars and providing for orphans, and in elementary schools, tho educational work meets with most opposition. Sometimes the missionaries wear the garb of the country, especially in the interior, where "Christian clothes" excite more curiosity than is convenient, and more prejudice than is desirable. Most Moors appreciate the brotherly feeling shown by adopting their dress, and those who find themselves at home in it experience a wonderful bridging over of the gulf between east and west.
Some years ago, when stations were first opened up country, and there were signs of an increased activity, effort.3 were made by the Moors, with the support of France and Germany, to prevent a further extension of mission work. It was alleged that it seriously menaced the peace of Morocl"o, and that European lives and property were threatened; but experience has thus far proved the fallacy of these alarms, political rather than genuine, and no trouble need be feared till there comes a Pentecostal wave of conversion, for which the missionaries would be willing to lose everything.
THE DECAY OF JUDAISM. * There can be no more effective witness to the hopeless decay of Judaism than Professor Marks, the Nestor of Jewish reform in this country. He was the soul of that movement, when it was started some fifty years ago, with the object of lifting the synagog out of the old rut of Rabbinism, and putting a new, purified life into it. And now, as he looks back upon the fruits of his labors during this long period, he cries out, in the bitterness of his heart: "Alas! the sanctuary is nowadays almost deserted. As for the Sabbath of the Decalogue-that outward and * From Jewish Missionary Intelligencer.
THE DECAY OF JUDAISM
visible sign of the inner spirit of Judaism-its observance threatens to become almost obsolete. A large and increasing number of Jews do not hesitate, on the one hand, to sacrifice to the pursuit of materinl gain, and on the other hand to regard its observance as a pure matter of con- venience. ,,* So far has the neglect of the Sahbath gone that even Truth, which is not noted for its religious zeal, says" that it is time public attention were directed to the ignoring of all religious and moral laws by Jews who open their warehouses, especially in Houndsditch, seven days in the week. It is a scandal and disgrace that they can not be made to close at least one day in the week. From early morning till late at night these shops are open for trade all the year round. On the Kippur (Atonement) day alone. do they close."
Still more emphatic, if possible, is the orthodox rabbi of the Hempstead synagog, who says: "With exceptions, of course, but with appalling generality, there is sweeping over modern Judaism such a strong wave of callous, contemptuous indifference, that we are beginning to wonder, how much of that religious tenacity that we praise in the past may have been due to religious persecution from without, rather than to religious conviction from within. It is impossible to find anything more degrading than the attitude of the modern Israelite in this country to what is called-poetically or sarcastically, as you please-the faith of his fathers. The rabbi administers a synagog service that he knows to be replete with incongruities. He preaches the word of God in synagogs, where the only response he is encouraged to feel is the echo of his own voice out of the hollowness of an empty building. He sees the most cherished institutions of Judaism flagrantly violated, all of them growing into desuetude, some almost forgotten. The membership of the Jewish community in London threatens to degenerate into a merely superstitious tie to the Burial Society of tlie United Synagogue; (i. e., its one and only object is to secure interments among Jewish rela- tives); the United Synagog itself is wholly absorbed by its balance sheets, with no soul above pounds, shillings, and pence."t To what extent religious worship is neglected in the provinces may be seen at Card:ff. There, according to a report in the Jewish World (August 11), a synagog has been built at a cost of £8,000, in which a service, held once a week, is attended by fifteen worshipers all told, out of a population of 1,000 Jews.
And these services are generally debased by the indecorous behavior of the few who do attend. "On the great Day of Atonement," writes one,::: "when the building was crowded, the scene was at times painful in the extreme. Groups of three and four men were to be seen in all parts of the building, holding converse with each other in such a loud tone as to interfere with and annoy those whose thoughts were centered on the solemnity and importance of the great day. And this was carried on during the entire twelve hours over which the service extended." The reason he assigns for "this deplorable state of affairs, which prevails in many of the metropolitan and provincial places of worship, is the utter ignorance of the great bulk of the worshipers-shall I say nine-tenths? -of the sacred tongue in which the prayers are offered up. Personally, I know scores of young men who attend a place of worship only on one * * Jewish Chronicle, September 8, 1899. t Ibid, February 3. Ibid, October 6.
day in the year, but who are unable to read a line of Hebrew, while a great many others who can, with difficulty, read that tongue, do not in the least understand the meaning of what they read." * The ignorance, however, of the Hebrew language, tho a powerful, is not the primary cause of the rapid decay of Judaism. It is itself the result of another factor which all thoughtful Jews perceive, tho none dare, or care, to say so explicitly. The study of Hebrew is abandoned, because the belief in the supernatural origin of Judaism is almost gone; and what remains of that creed are the wornout rags of the old religious habits. Orthodox and Reform Jews, whom secular education has taught to think for themselves, are alike told that they can obtain favor with God by their own unaided efforts, without the help of any medium whatever. All they have to do is to resist evil and do that which is good. And if wrong has been committed, which one would think is the more unpardonable, as it can be easily avoided, provided it is not an indictable offense, for somehow human law will exact its penalties, if it is not to be mere advice-repentance and amendment, and, where possible, restitution will set the offender right again. In other words, religion is confounded with ordinary bocial morality. vVhat need, then, is there for creeds or supernatural religion? If it is for the sake of a deterrent or an operative sanction, is not this abundantly supplied by the police courts and the dread of social disgrace? And if there is no need for creeds, there is none for the study of Hebrew, except for archeological purpos6s, and none also for religious ordinances and observances.
THE BOERS AND CHRISTIANITY IN SOUTH AFRICA.t BY NINE MINISTERS OF THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTH AFRICA.::: I. Misunderstandings.-History proves too clearly that reforms can never be forced upon nations, states, or individuals. In every free country political, social, municipal reform has had to proceed slowly from precedent to precedent. To expect from a young republic in a few months what has cost European nations years of constitutional struggle, is certainly unreasonable. The massing of troops on the borders of the republics was naturally considered by their respective governments as a menace to their independence and the admitted right of internal selfgovernment. vVe can not but regret that the suggestion made by the Transvaal government to submit the questions at issue to arbitration in the spirit and on the lines suggested by the Peace Convention, recently held in Hague, was rejected; more especially, as all parties are now fairly agreed, that the proposals of the Bloemfontein Conference had been virtually accepted by the Transvaal.
• Jewish Chronicle, October 8, 1899. t Condensed from The South African News, Wednesday, February 28,1900. :j: The authors of this paper are ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church, occupying influential positions in South Africa, who consider it their duty to give public expression to their views regarding the present war between Her Majesty's government and the two republics. Their names are: J. H. Hofmeyl', A. Moorrees, J. P. Van Heerden, Andrew Murray, J. H. Neethling, N. J. Hofmeyr, J. 1. Marais, P. G. J. De Vos, C. F. J. Muller. They are members of the Moderamen of the Synodical Mission Board, and professors of the Theololl'ical Seminary.
1900.J THE BOERS AND CHRISTIANITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mr. Chamberla:n is reported to have said before the war: "To go to war with President Krueger in order to force upon him reforms in the internal affairs of his state, with which successive secretaries of state standing in this place have repudiated all right of interference, that would have been a course of action as immoral as it would have been unwise."
Had these principles been acted upon by the British government, the war would have been prevented. We put on record our solemn conviction, that war might have been prevented by a little more patience or a little more consideration for the rights and privileges of the two free and independent republics on the part of the British authorities.
II. Accusations have been freely made against the Colonial and Republican Dutch, which, in our opinion, can not be borne out by fact.
1. It has been said that before the outbreak of hostilities, a combination against Her Majesty's government existed among the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of the queen's dominion. No proof for such an assertion has been forthcoming; not a trace of such conspiracy has been found to exist. Knowing South Africa intimately, coming into daily contact with its people, speaking on behalf of thousands and tens of thousands of our church members, we maintain, without fear of contradiction, that the paramountcy of Great Britain was unchallenged and undisputed by Her Majesty's subjects of Dutch extraction before the war.
2. To aggravate the difficulties of the present situation, the Republican Boers have been represented as "barbarians," "vermin to be exterminated," "slave-drivers," and "slave-owners," or prospective slave-owners, eagerly watching their opportunity to enthrall the natives dwelling in their midst_ Stories of Boer atrocity, as outrageous as they were imaginary, have been the order of. the day. Perhaps a few facts and considerations coming from ourselves as men well acquainted with the Boer's character and with the Boer history, may not be out of place: (1) British soldiers wounded on the battlefield have met with every consideration at the hands of their foes_ Prisoners of war at Pretoria have been treated with uniform kindness. Those who know them and have won their confidence, have learned to respect the Boers_ (2) Slavery is not tolerated in the Transvaal. It is as contrary to Republican as it is to British law.
(3) Even the so-called "apprentice-system," tolerated in the colony under the British flag, was shorn of many of its abuses by the moderation and watchfulness of ecclesiastical and political authorities.
(4) The late Rev. Lion Cachet, for many years a prominent member of the Dutch Reformed Church in the Transvaal, remarked: * "Sometimes Kafir children were removed by Boer commandos after a war, and apprenticed. The Kafirs do not wage war like civilized nations; women fall as well as men; the weak and the children are left behind in sudden flight. The Boers had frequently to choose between leaving them to die of hunger, or else removing them. According to existing laws, such children are apprenticed in the Republic till their majority. This system was certainly liable to abuse. On the borders, Kafir children were • exchanged' by traders. It is true, also, that a Boer here and there did exchange 01' accept in exchange such children. But this happened in direct transgression of the law of the land_ The Boers themselves have • Worsteistrijd der Transvaiers.
made an end to this practise. It is, therefore, unreasonable and immoral to rake up the past, and bring this accusation against the present generation."
(5) More recent still is the testimony borne to the Boers by the " Aborigines Protection Society "-an organization by no means predisposed to faVOl' the Transvaal. Its official journal, the Aborigine8' Friend, for November, says: "The treatment of blacks on Boer farms, and also on the' Dutch' farms in Cape Colony, contrasts favorably with that of the blacks in the employment of many English and other settlers in South Africa. Cases of cruelty are far more frequent than on the farms of easy-going and more or less lethargic 'Dutchmen,' whether in our own colonies or in the Boer Republics."
(6) That the wars of the Boers were not wars of extermination, nor mere marauding raids for securing cattle, even men by no means partial to the Boer methods of government, have freely testified. '!'hese testimonies are borne out by Boer traditions. When the emigrant farmers left the colony and sought a home in the desert, they published a manifesto, of which the following clauses have more than ordinary significance: We are resolved, wherever we go, that we will uphold the just principles of liberty; but, whilst we will take care that no one is brought by us into a condition of slavery, we will establish such regulations as may suppress crime and preserve proper relations between master and servant.
We solemnly declare that we leave this colony with a desire to enjoy a quieter life than we have hitherto had. We will not molest any people, nor deprive them of the smallest property; but. if attacked. we shall consider ourselves fully justified in defending our persons and effects to the utmost of our ability against every enemy.
That this purpose was carried into effect, as far as possible, is borne out by historical testimony. Indirectly by their kindness and humanity, the Boers were instrumental in introducing the Gospel into Basutoland. At any rate, they prepared the barbarians for looking with favor upon the European missionaries who came shortly afterward to minister in Basutoland.
Bearing all this in mind, we, as ministers of the Gospel of Salvation, which knows no distinction between barbarian and Scythian, bond and free, solemnly declare that the fear of slavery and oppression of the natives by the Boers is chimerical. We are devoutly thankful to God that a better spirit is being extensively manifested, and that Boer and black have been drawn more closely together in the bonds of the Gospel.
III. Boer and Mi88ionary.-It has been said that the advancement of God's Kingdom, the salvation of the heathen, the extension of mission work, necessitate th~ prosecution of this war to its bitter end, because the Boers are intensely hostile to the missionary and the Gospel he preaches. This accusation is frequently made in ignorance of the real facts, and has its origin in a one-sided view of the relationship between Boer and black, or is based on events which have happened in a distant and forgotten past. In other cases it rests on flagrant. culpable, and malignant misrepresentation and distortion of facts.
We deny most emphatically that the Boers resist the spread of Christianity among the heathen, or display an indiscriminate hostility to the missionary as such. They have sometimes come into collision with individuals, but not with the cause they represented. A careful examination of all the facts will sh.ow that the fault did. uot. always li~
THE BOERS AND CHRISTIANITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
with the Boers, but often with the missionaries themselves. And yet instances are by no means rare of missionaries commanding the highest respect of the early Dutch settlers.
Full liberty to minister to the heathen is granted in both Free State and Transvaal. The Berlin and Hermannsburg societies are largely represented there. At the end of sixty years the stations of the former in South Africa numbered fifty-five, half of them in the Transvaal.
The colonial branch of the Dutch Reformed Church is represented in the Transvaal by several stations and out-stations; their missionaries are honored and respected by the neighboring Dutch farmers.
Among the Natal Dutch the same spirit prevails. Many of them are emigrants from the colony or descendants of emigrants who had escaped the dreadful assegai of the Zulu. Not long ago the Natal Boer Mission was started for the evangelization of the natives in the Umvoti district. A congregation of Kafirs exists as a fruit of the labors of these Dutch Boers.
In the Orange Free State mission work has been fairly organized. In almost every village or township either the pastor of the Boer congregation, or an ordained missionary with a number of native evangelists, labors among the blacks. Lately that church has gone further afield, and is now supporting two missionaries in Central Africa.
The history of missions in South Africa is in many respects a sad one. But for the last sixty or seventy yea,rs this country has been in a state of political turmoil. Racial problems are still unsolved among us, prejudice and suspicion are strong forces of disintegration; patience and conciliation are sadly needed. Good and earnest men sit in judgment upon the Boer, ignorant of his history, his language, and his political, social, and religious institutions; ready to find fault, and to magnify abuses which time will and must efface; censuring harshly where the blame is not rightly apportioned. The Boer again, smarting under constant misrepresentation, is equally liable to give way to prejudice, not distinguishing between the cause advocated and the advocate of the cause. In the missionary he sometimes discovered the political pamphleteer, who appealed by his writings to a European court, where the Boer's voice is never heard.
We are thankful to God that Boer and black have come to llnderstand each other better than ever before. It is sad to think that Boer and Briton are at dreadful feud.
IV. The Dutch Reformed Church and Missions.-The attitude of the Dutch Reformed Church toward mission work has been strangelymisunstood, and sometimes ignorantly or wilfully misrepresented. Perhaps we ourselves are to blame in the matter, inasmuch as we have never courted publication or advertisement in foreign periodicals or religious journals. We stand alone, receiving no support from any European organization, and responsible to no religious body across the sea. Our missionaries have to be found within our own domain; have to be trained in our own institutions; are supported by our own church members. They have to be sought in our own homes, to be gathered from our own farmsteads. With increasing gratitude to God we have found our congregations responding to our call, awaking to their responsibilities; while their sons and daughters are yielding themselves to the work of the Lord among the heathen at our doors, and further away in the heart of this continent.
No church in South Africa takes a keener interest and is more heartily in mission work than ours. Our church clerk reports that the colonial branch of our church, with 98,144 communicant members and 223,000 souls under its charge, contributed to missions in the past year £10,150, i. e., at the rate of more than two shillings per communicant.
The number of missionaries supported by onr church throughout South Africa is about sixty, with an equal number of evangelists and lay helpers. These numbers do not include the work done by the Transvaal, Free State, and Natal.
From this it will appear that there is a measure of missionaryactivity in the church for which it has hitherto received little credit. 'Ve have. not gone very far afield, but OUi' work has been carefully organized. The Colonial Church has two committees, appointed by its synod: a Foreign and a Home Mission Committee. The foreign field lies in the Transvaal, in Mashonaland, Bechuanaland, and the Lake country of Central Africa, with some thirty-five missionaries and lay assistants, and a number of native evangelists. This work is gradually extending, and embracing an increasingly wide area. The home mission includes all that is done by us among the Dutch-speaking colored natives in the colony. Thirty-five of these congregations have been formed into a "Mission Church," embracing a number of parishes, having its own synod, its own presbyteries, administering its own affairs, subject, however, to the control of the Home Mission Committee of the Dutch Reformed Church. Several congregations have not as yet been organized, and therefore are not affiliated to the General Assembly of the Mission Church. Year by year this are::1 also increases, as the Mission Church enlarges its borders.
The example set by the colony has been followed by the republics and Natal. There, too, the church as such undertakes mission work, and tho the area of its operations is by no means large. yet the missionary spirit is by no means absent, missionary enthusiasm is by no means lacking. The same process of gradual extension and organization, so characteristic of our colonial work, is met with in the Transvaal and the Free State; and the day, we hope, is not far distant when the republican " Mission Church" will show itself equal to the task of organizing and consolidating the work within its own special domain.
Various agencies within the church contribute their share toward extending our operations. A" 'Voman's Mission Bond" was started in 1889, with the special object of supporting lay teachers and native evangelists. The" rheological Students' Missionary Society" has its field in Natal, where a school for training evangelists has been started. Our Young Men's Christian Associations have a mission branch among their various agencies, and support a missionary in our foreign field. A Children's Missionary Society has been organized, whose contributions are not to be despised. The Societies for Christian Endeavor, which have their representatives even in the Transvaal, are actively engaged in Christian work, and take their share in building up the missions of the church. The Christian Students' Union, with its branch of missionary volunteers, has taken strong hold of the hearts of our, young men and young women, with the gladdening result, that more than one department of the work in the foreign field has been strengthened by accessions from their rank,S.
As long as the Dutch Reformed Church was unable to fill her own
A JAPANESE VIEW OF JAPANESE CHRISTIANITY
pulpits she had to cooperate with European societies in their labors among the natives beyond the borders of the colony. Up to 1852 her own mission work had been confined to the colored classes in the colony. Attention was now turned to the heathen world beyond. But how to obtain laborers for that field was the perplexing question; for the supply had to be obtained from Holland, where Dutch colonists had to be prepared for the ministry of the Vord. Hence, when in 1857 the committee entrusted with the mission work of the church reported that the time had not yet come for extending our missionary operations beyond the boundaries of the colony, the synod appointed a new committee to take the matter in hand, and determined upon establishing its own theological college at Stellenbosch. The college was opened in 1858, and not long after the Rev. Dr. Robertson was sent to Holland and Scotland to obtain ministers and missionaries to inaugurate the new departure undertaken by the church. Rev. H. Gonin, from Switzerland, was sent to the Rustenburg district in the Transvaal, where he still labors with great acceptance; and the Rev. McKidd, from Scotland, who had married a Dutch lady, went north to the Zoutpansberg district, where he died not long afterward, and was succeeded by the Rev. S. Hofmeyr, whose labors have been eminently blessed to white and black alike. This was the beginning of a work which has since extended in all directions.
Prejudice against mission work still exists; but it is not confined to the republics, nor to the Dutch Boer. As our own sons and daughters are entering the mission field that prejudice dies awny. Outside of the Dutch Ohurch the.number of colonial-born missionaries is small; within our church the number of such missionaries is increasing year by year.
These are dark days for South Africa; the century closes in deepest gloom. There are ruined homes, shattered lives, and broken hearts among us. Our sons, our brothers, our relatives have settled down in the republics; many of them have been called to the front. Some have already laid down their lives in fighting for their adopted country. How long is this to last? It rests with the Ohristians of England to make themselves heard. If they persist in fanning the flames of race-hatred and national pride, if they echo the cry for vengea,nce which is heard everywhere, the war will be pursued to its bitter end. But it will leave behind a long track of wo and of sorrow which years will not efface.
A JAPANESE VIEW OF JAPANESE CHRISTIANITY."
AN INTERVIEW WITH REY. T. MIYAGA WA, KOBE, JAPAN.t PaRtor of one of the leading Congregational churches h Japan.
Globe-trotting Englishmen frequently give us their hasty impressions of Eastern lands and peoples, but it is not often that we learn how the Occident strikes an intellectual Oriental. Japan is the enigma of the nine- * Condensed from The (ffiristian World.
t Mr. Miyagawa. is now on a grand tour round the world, upon which he has been sent by his church. SIt a celebration of its silver jubilee. A splendid snecimen of Japallese intellectualism is this keenly observant traveler. His face is an index to his mental alertness and reeeptifity. He speaks excellent English, and tho his accent is distinctly foreign, the scope of his vocabulary and his faculty for using, not appropriate words, but exactly the right words to express his meaning, prove his grasp of our language. He attended the recent International Congregational Council in Boston.
teenth century, and the Japanese are the most fascinatingly mysterious people of our time. The civilization of Japan is scarcely half a century old, and yet Japan is the England of the Pacific Ocean, and the Japanese the most progressive and strenuous people of the Orient. Mr. Miyagawa is but forty-three years of age, but his memory carries him back to what we Europeans call the Japan of barbarism. Mr. Miyagawa resents that idea. "Europeans," he says, "are surprised to see that Japan has become a civilized nation; but they ought not to be surprised. They forget that for the last 300 years Japan has had a civilization of its own. We retain the best of our old Oriental civilization and have adopted the best of your Occidental civilization. Ve took our public school system from America, founded our military system upon those of Germany and France-but improved on both, and now have a system peculiarly our own; we planned our navy on the British model and constructed our railways on the English plan, but introduced German and American methods. We have now 4,000 miles of railways, of which 1,000 belong to the state. We have our telegraph system, which is state property; our mail system, with the penny post in operation; and our police system, which, I think, is ahead of anything I have seen in Europe or America. We have adopted your Vestern civilization while retaining what is hest in our old Japanese civilization. "
Is Christianity making great strides in Japan? Mr. Miyagawa answered the question by recalling a little of recent Japanese history. "Ten years ago," he said, "there was a great opening in Japan for the Christian missionary. The government wanted the coutltry Europeanized, and the growth of European influence which resulted from that policy acted favorably toward the spread of Christianity in Japan. A large numbel' of Japanese came into the Christian churches, but, unfortunately, a great many of them were merely nominal Christians, with no real faith in Christianity. Then a reactionary movement set in. The Buddhists, – Shintoists, and educators worked againRt the European influence and against Christianity. The nominal Christians then dropped out of the churches. So the Japanese Christian churches have been sifted like wheat. We have been going through a stern discipline and trial for the laRt eight years, but what we lost in quantity we gained in quality. But las~ year another change of policy was made. The extra-territorial law was abolished, and the whole country was opened to foreigners who are willing to conform to Japanese law. The immediate consequence has been an alteration in the official attitude toward Christianity. Up to that time Christianity was considered to be an illegal religion; the govern- ment did not recognize it. Last year, however, the government reversed that policy, publicly recognized Christianity as one of the religions of Japan, and declared the Christian pastors entitled to all the privileges enjoyed by the priest of other churches-Buddhist and Shintoists."
Has the new policy affected the outlook of Christianity in Japan? "Unquestionably. It has made a great difference in the attitude of the people toward the Christian religion. But, unfortunately, the educators are still opposed to Christianity, and the minister of education has issued instructions that no religious teaching shall be given, or religious ceremony performed in the schools. Buddhists, Shintoists, and Chris- tians alike are forbidden to teach their religions to the school children. Our system of education is consequently severely secular. The education minister's instruction has had a most damaging effect on the mission
CONVERAION OF A CHINESE JAILER
schools, which were started to teach Christianity, and are now unable to fulfil the object of their foundation. Personally, I am in favor of the education minister's instruction, so far as government and public schools are concerned, but I hold that the private schools ought to have the privilege of teaching any religion they wish. Of course, the private schools can teach religion if they forego the privileges given to the national schopls, i. e., the exemption of their scholars from compulsory military service for certain years, and the opportunity of passing to the higher grade schools and state university. If the mission schools want to teach Christianity they must forego these privileges; but if they do that they get no good students. So, practically, the mission schools are being ruined."
Is it true that the Congregational churches of Japan are rationalistic in their theology? "We have a very broad theology in our churches, and for the last seven or eight years we had a great deal of difficulty, because some of our pastors read German theological books-Strauss, Bauer, Kine, and Pfleiderer-and their preaching became rationalistic. The missionaries raised a hue and cry, and the Congregational churches were said to be going to pieces on the rocks of rationalistic tendencies; but there are still thousands of faithful Israel who do not bow down to Baal, and faithful pastors who try to build up their converts in good Christian faith."
Can you give me an outline of the Christian theology generally taught in the Japanese churches? "We do not care to teach theological views, but we do endeavor to teach the fundamental truths and principles of Christianity, such as the existence of a personal God, the Sonship of Jesus Christ, the sinfulness of sin, the way of salvation by belief and trust in Christ, the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and the infinite love of Jesus Christ as the motive power for ethical training. We do not spcak of the Atonement. There are so many stories and theories of the Atonement that we do not care to use the word, but we teach 'the way of salvation,' which really includes the Atonement. Our teaching is religious, moral, and ethical, not dogmatic and theological."
Do you teach the doctrine of the Trinity? "Oh, we do not say much about the Trinity, but we say that in the Bible we find the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and we teach the Fatherhood of God, the Sonship of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We emphasize Bible facts first; but we hope that in some future time great Japanese theologians will arise, who will teach theological doctrines."
Japan presents many difficulties to the missionary, but the outlook for Christianity in the islands was, :Mr. :Miyagawa says, never more hopeful.
CONVERSION OF A CHINESE JAILER. * The Philippian jailer has lately had a colleague in China, who also, tho not by the shock of an earthquake, found the same Savior with his :Macedonian mate. Like him, tho in another way, he came out of heathenism to a life and death in the faith of Jesus.
This Chinese, named Ti En, had been anything else than a pleasant and considerate custodian. He used to maltreat and half starve his * Translated from Dansk Missions Blad.
prisoners in order to extort money from them or' their friends. Mean- while he had become more and more given up to opiulll, and thereby excessively weakened, so that he himself saw that the habit must be checked, or that it would end in madness. He, therefore, entered the missionary hospital at Pao-Ring, in Si-Chuen. He looked wretchedly emaciated. The physician and other missionaries said to him that he could not by his own strength be raised up and delivered from the yoke of opium, but must seek strength of God. He answered that he would gladly hear and read what the foreigners said and wrote about God, received a book called" The Way of Salvation" to read, and read it attentively. 'l'he first Sunday he was at the hospital he spent in hearing God's 'Vord. The next Friday evening he was again at the meeting, and there the 'Vord took hold of him with power and might. He looked into his own heart, saw his sinfulness and wretchedness, sought out a Chris- tian Chinese, and said to him: "My sins are too many to be forgiven; it is too late for me to turn and serve the Lord." But the Christian to whom he was speaking told him of Peter's fall and Peter's restoration, of the laborers in the vineyards, and exclaimed that we can never come too late to the Lord Jesus, the gracious and long-suffering Savior, if we only mean what we say. The jailer took courage, believed in Jesus' grace, and the next day he came to the missionaries with beaming countenance. Now, also, he had power to strive victoriously against the miserable and destructive opium habit.
Ti En came also to resemble the Philippian jailer in this, that not only he himself believed, but also witnessed before others, before the prisoners in the prison. A number of these were persuaded by him, when their time was out, to listen to the words of the foreigners. The change they could see in the men once so brutal and merciless, supported his testimony, and made a strong impression on those that were in his power. The year after, 1896, both Ti En and his wife were baptized. For awhile he gave up his place and opened a business, but at the solicitation of the missionaries he resumed his former calling, as the new jailer proved incompetent, and there was always an uproar, while the Christian Ti En had known how to keep order and maintain peace. He held on the way of which the Psalm says (in the Danish version): "Believe and confess until the end of the days: this is the way of salvation."
His work, however, was not to continue very long. There broke out an epidemic of typhus in the town, and Ti En too was attacked. When his wife asked him whether he was afraid to die, he answered: "'Vhy should I be afraid to follow Jesus? He comes to take me to Him." And so he died. The Lord, who had called the husband, comforted his widow, so that she could confidently" wait on the Lord's time."
The prisoners contributed money to buy a coffin for the jailer who had been so kind to them, and who had become so dear to them all. The day when he was buried was a general day of mourning in the town. On one side of the coffin was inscribed: "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin; " and on the other: "I shall be satisfied, when I awake in Thy likeness." Two banners were carried, one before the coffin, and one behind. On the one was to be read: "Peace in the faith of Jesus;" on the other: "I shall rise again."
EDITORIALS
EDITORIALS.
The Ecumenical Conference. ..head over all to the Church which is His body. The Ecumenical Conference of Missions was opened, according to It was good for us to be there, the announcement, on the after- but we can not even on such heights noon of Saturday, April 21st, at make our tabernacles. From the half past two, at Carnegie Hall; mount of privilege we must go the audience completely filling that down to the common level of serv- great auditorium. ice a,nd suffering for His sake.
The opening prayer was offered This thought of serving and s~~j' by Dr. Henry C. Mabie, of Boston, fering is the keynote of every con- and was uplifting, and compre- secrated life. They are vitally and hensive, and spiritual. Ex-Presi- inseparably linked.' As Dr. Judson dent Harrison's address was every has reminded us, if we succeed way worthy of the occasion, and without suffering it is because some met with a warm reception from one else has suffered before liS; and the vast audience. It was terse, if we suffer without succeeding, it sagacious, and inspiring. Many of is in order that some one else may its sentences were full of meaning succeed after us. Christ's law and and deserve to be recorded as max- Christ's life both teach us that to ims. He showed a firm grasp of lose life is to save it, as to bury the fundamental principles and a wise seed is to insure the crop. Every comprehension of the vital rela- oak stands in the grave of the tions of Church life to missionary acorn, and every harvest-field has activity. It struck a keynote for its roots in the furrows where the the conference and worthily grain of wheat falls in the ground opened the sessions. It was whole- to die that it might bring forth some and strengthening to have much fruit. But life is not measthe Honorary President remind us ured by length of days, but hy love, in such well chosen and emphatic and love is also the measure of its words of the one greatest need reward, and sets the jewels in its in all work for God-the need of crown. prayer; and to hear him ascribe all permanent power in missions to Our Lord bids us "have faith in the Spirit of God. There was no God," or, as those four words douhtdoubtful theology in the address- less mean, count on God's good no uncertain sound as to the need faith. The prayer that trusts His of mankind or the sufficiency of the word of promise, the faith that Gospel; neither was there any low dares to will what He wills, and to conception of the duty and privi- go where He leads and to do what lege of the Church in relation to the He hids-these are the secrets of great commission. The whole triumph over even impossibilities. address was vigorous. It had behind it brain power and deep spiri- A Committee on Cooperation. tual conviction, and the noble keynote for the conference struck in At a post conference meeting, that address proved a prevailing held at the Central Presbyterian one throughout all its deliberations. church, Wednesday morning, May 2, about two hundred delegates, This great assembly broke up missionaries, and missionary secre- Tuesday night, never again to reas- taries, met. Dr. Ellinwood offered semble until the greater final gath- the following: ering together unto Him who is Resolved, That it be the sense of the meet-
ing, composed of missionaries and repre- H. Greer, Robert E, Speer, Theo- sentatives of missionary boards and societies dore Monod. James E. Mathieson, in Europe, America, Germany, and Scandi.. D. Stuart Dodge, ex-President Har- navia, that the e;xecutive committee of the rison would inspire universal confi- Ecumenical Conference in New York, and dence. the corresponding committee in London, Germany, and Scandinavia, should be re- The Oonference Machinery. quested to consider the question of appointing an international committee, who by cor- Those who have not borne the respondence or conference, or both, shall burden of organizing and carrying deal with certain practical questions of co- to a successful conclusion a great operative work on mission fields, and shall conference, can have no idea of make known the results of their deliberations the amount of thought and labor to the societies which have been represented involved in the executive part of in this conference_ the great missionary gathering, which has recently closed in New This resolution, after debate, was York City. The thanks of deleunanimously adopted. Of course, gates and, indeed, of all Christenit is not of the nature of a legisla- dom, is due to the various comtion, but of recommendation only, mittees and secretaries, who labored meant to promote cooperation and night and day to make the machindecrease friction by eliminating un- ery run smoothly and successfully. wise and ungeneFous competition, The power and wisdom came from which easily degenerates from above, but men and women were wholesome emulation into a carnal the willing instruments by means rivalry. of which the success was attained. Many who labored most untiringly For some years we have advo- received no recognition or word of cated publicly and privately the thanks from the public who benecreation of a sort of interdenomi- fited by their self-sacrifice; but national and international board work well done does not lack for and bureau combined. which shall reward. be composed of twenty-one representatives-ten on this side the sea Twenty-eight hundred delegates and the other eleven on the other- were present, the majority of them to whom all matters needing wise being entertained through the and impartial adjustment shall be Hospitality Committee. Hundreds referred as a sort of committee of of churches were supplied with arbitration, the two committees to speakers on two Sabbaths through confer by correspondence ih all or- the Pulpit Supply Committee. dinary cases, coming together when Daily bulletins' were issued and great issues seem to demand, either hundreds of daily and weekly newsas a whole or by subcommittees. papers supplied with information We have suggested the large num- by the Press Committee. One hunber of twenty-one that all denomi- dred and fifty thousand tickets of nations and interests might be various kinds were issued and disrepresented. And we believe that tributed by the Executive Comsome such arrangement might com- mittee in addition to its other endmand such confidence as to remove less labors. A splendid missionary all occasions of overlapping, inter- exhibit was arranged and kept open ference, alienation between breth- day and night, and freely and fully ren working on the same or con- explained to the public by the Extiguous fields. Such wise and hibit Committee and its helpers. generous men as Eugene Stock, Stereopticon lectures were also Walter B. Sloan, Duncan McLaren, given twice daily. The finances of Wardlaw Thompson, Judson Smith, S. L. Baldwin, Matteo Prochet, Gustave Warneck, David
1900.J EDITORIALS
the conference were largely the Church of Zion and St. Timothy, managed by New York business its parish house, No. 333 West 56th men, who also contributed very street, was offered without charge. largely in other respects to the suc- The three floors of this spacious cess of the conference. The busi- building were well adapted for ex- ness men's meeting was one of the hibit purposes; and as it was less most inspiring of the series. The than two blocks west of Carnegie women's meetings were also of Hall, the location was convenient great interest and value, and the and accessible. women were among the most effi- cient members on many of the com- There were two classes of ex- mittees. hibits: the first including articles: which have to do with the home Many others of the most able activities of the various boards, and addresses and papers we publish in missionary literature not published this number of the REVIEW. The by missionary organizations; the very able paper by Canon Ed- other class being made up of curios, munds, and others of equal value, photographs, models, etc., illuswill appear later. trating the life, surroundings, and work on the mission fields. A col- We wish to express our hearty lection of articles and pictures thanks to the officers of the confer- bearing upon medical missions, ence for their many courtesies. and the methods of nursing, etc., in Christian lands, in contrast The Missionary Exhibit. with those found in non-Christian countries, had special interest for The missionary exhibit in con- physicians. nection with the great conference was a very creditable one, albeit The aim of the Exhibit Comthe accommodations, tho the best mittee was to reproduce in each available, were inadequate. A build- court the environment of the couning of five times the capacity could try to which it is devoted. Its easily have been utilized. The form and ornamentation, as well abundance of material far outran as the curios and pictures, made the amplitude of the space for each of these like a portion of a them. The effort was made to pre- foreign land. The courts were as sent to the eye, by models, maps, follows: Alaska and the North photographs, curios, costumes, American Indians; Latin America; idols, decorations, etc., the actual Oceania; Japan and Formosa; surroundings of the missionary on Korea;' China and dependencies; the various fields of missions; and Siam, Laos, and the Malay Archias far as possible, to present the pelago; Burma and Assam; India contrast between the old and the and Ceylon; Turkey and Persia; new. The Exhibit Committee had Syria, Egypt, and Arabia; Africa entered into correspondence with and Madagascar; medical missions, about 800 missionaries and 500 and the Library and Missionary societies and boards. Many con- Literature Court. tributions that did not arrive in time for this temporary exhibit, To make the exhibits intelligible. will be of use in the permanent they were clearly labeled, and a missionary museum and library, to large corps of helpers were on hand be located in the fine fire-proof build- to answer questions, each court ings of the American Museum of being under charge of a responsible Natural History, on West 77th head. Brief talks were given by street, near Central Park. missionaries at various times in the chapel of the parish house, and, in By the kindness of the rector of
the illustration of the life and work God, for truth, for man's salvation, and for unselfish sacrifice. Withof mission lands, there was a series out going back beyond Carey, it would be easy to name five hunof lectures illustrated by stereop- dred men and women in the mission field of whom the world is ticon views. * not worthy; the uncrowned and untitled heroes of humanity. The London Student Oonference. Man may build them no temple of fame, but they are already pillars A Norwegian has given his im- in the temple of God.
pressions of the recent London Papal and Protestant Missions.
Conference of the Student VOltlll- There seems to have been all through the century an inevitable teer Missionary Union, at which and persistent antagonism between Romish and Protestant missions. some twenty of his countrymen The record is a humiliating and shameful one. No sooner have miswere present. sion stations been established by any Protestant organizations than The strongest and best of these counter-movements have been be- gun in almost every field by repreimpressions was that they met sentatives of the Papacy, and this not in a spirit of emulation or gen- Christ there. He was especially erous rivalry, but of Jesuitical in- terference and opposition, as in moved by the hearty and united Africa, Japan, China, India, and the islands of the sea. singing, which seemed a realization During the closing months of the of the Latin motto on the great year 1899 the Cardinal Archbishop (Moran) of Sydney has been puborgan, "Ut O1nnes unum 8int," lishing a series of letters as to the history of Protestant missions in and a prophecy of the speedy union Oceanica. He has declared it to be his aim to "unmask the humbug of all nations in the coronation of of Protestant missions in the is- lands of the Pacific, and to stop the Jesus as Lord of all. contributions" toward their sup- port and further prosecution. He There are now seven Volunteers has assaulted both the work and the person of the missionaries in in Norway, and all the delegates the Samoan, Fiji, and Hawaiian Islands, etc., in a recklessly abusive received impressions that will never spirit. If Cardinal Moran is to be trusted, they have been carrying be effaced; and one result is a very on a system of trading, and a worse course of habitual drunkenness, strong "misElions-study class," in and their so-called successes have been only an empty shell of prewhich twelve Norwegian students tense. Chiefs have been persuaded nominally to embrace Christianity, are studying Africa. * and their influence has naturally A Missionary Hall of Fame.
Miss Helen Miller Gould has offered $100,000 for the "Hall of Fame" connected with the New York University. It will take one hundred years to fill up the hundred and fifty tablets. 'Ve recall Dr. Bell's famous qualifications of the ideal Esculnpius-that he must combine the brain of an Apollo with the eagle eye, the lion heart, and the woman's hand. 'Ve felt as the great conference was in progress that mission history is itself a temple of fame reared by no human hands, and it has already thousands of immortal pillars inscribed with names that neither God nor man will let die. They have sought no human crowns, or honors, or awards. They have had the four master passions: the passion for
been used to secure a following wide missions. If these false from the natives whom the mission- aries have degraded into practical charges shall only compel a more serfs. The American Board, which has been prominent in this quarter, thorough and intelligent scrutiny has come in for a special fusillade. Their agents have been abused as of mission work, the ultimate outtyrants and usurpers, who have seized the bestlands, enriched them- come will be rather a more enthusiselves at the expense of the poor natives, and used them as beasts of astic support. burden, and one instance is cited in which the "cruel missionaries im- Meanwhile another aspect of posed as a penance the dragging of a heavy wagon by fifteen harnessed Roman Catholicism is claiming pubfemales." lic attention in the trial of the Rev. James D. Murray, writing of this abusive attack, says that Catholic order of the Assumptiontho these charges have been shown to be unfounded or unjust, and to ist Fathers by the Correctional have originally emanated from hostile writers and travelers, there has Tribunal of Paris for sympathy and neither been a word of apology or retraction. Samoan Protestant aid in the recent royalist conspirmissionaries have been by this same cardinal accused of seeking to in- acy. These clericals used their duce British naval commanders to shell Catholic houses of worship, organ, La Croix, to appeal to the which again has been officially de·· nied, but not recalled. The effect army to curse" Jews, Protestants, has naturally been not only to discredit Cardinal Moran with intelli- and traitors," and secure military gent and fair-minded people, but to stir up enmity between Protestants ascendency. The premier has proand Catholics. ceeded against these clericals, and The careful student of missions is not unaware that, mistakes have the outcome is likely to be a serioU:l been committed, and in some cases power has been abused even by the blow to their supremacy and that missionaries ofProtestant societies. There is no work done by the of the Catholic Church in France. ". Church in which serious flaws and blemishes may not be detected. The Service of Holiness. Unworthy men find their way even to the mission field, and so the The following words from Mark vices of the human heart reappear even there. But the student of Hopkins, one of the wisest and best missions also knows that these are the rare exceptions in a long his- men of the century, should be tory of unselfish and Christlike labor. If anywhere on earth the written in letters of light on all spirit of the Master has been reproduced, it is in the field of world- missionary movements.
Vhat should hinder our going forward with increased momentum to the conquest of the world? The obstacles appear to be many. There is but one: The 1'el'Uctance of men to serve the holy God by being holy. The holy God can be served only by being holy. Now Christianity is itself holiness, providing a method for sinners to be holy. But the aversion to this is so great that men either deny the necessity of it, or they substitute for it something which they call religion; something which, substituted for holiness, has been and is one of the greatest obstacles to the progress of Chris- tianity. So it was at its beginning. The Pharisees were religious-spe- cially so-but they crucified Christ when he was on the earth, and have been doing it ever since. Instead of seeking to be what they ought to be inwardly, they sought-and the Pharisees of all times have been doing it-to appear well outwardly, thus substituting formality for holiness. Asceticism, heathen and Christian, is religious. The ascetic
will endure anything, but he sub- owe to Ohrist,ianity-our eternal hope, our knowledge of the Divine stitutes gratuitous suffering for Fatherhood, our Ohristian ideals of manhood and womanhood, and repentance and the love of God. a thousand things besides-is un- doubtedly our bounden duty. It is The merely emotional are religious. surely the height of unchristian selfishness to sit down contentedly They groan and shout in the meet- among our OWH good things, and practically to regard Ohina merely ings, and steal chickens on the as an arena for trade. Is it not also the height of disloyalty and disway home. The true orthodox obedience to our Master, whose last command we have been satisfied to are religious. Their belief is right; leave unfulfilled? "
they will abide by it at all hazards, Christian Journalism.
but they drive sharp bargains and There have been two experiments in Ohristian journalism, by Mr. rent buildings to be used for im- Sheldon and Dr. Joseph Parker, trying to float a daily newspaper moral and infamous purposes. The notwithstanding the supposed too heavy cargo of religious truth and brigand is religious; he will not eat moral reforms. It might be well meat on Friday, hut he will rob you and hold you for ransom. And so it is the world over. Men will do anything and be anything rather than accept Ohrist, fully and wholly as the ground of their salvation, and serve the holy God by being holy. Here, then, is our one ob- stacle. If this is not overcome, no missionary work is done. If indi- viduals are not brought to serve a holy God by being holy, and thus fitting for an eternal life of holiness and joy and higher service, no dis- tinctive and proper missionary work is done. ..
Mrs. 13ishop's Testimony. to remembel that, as another says, M. Eugene Reveillaud has been We have elsewhere referred to doing a work of this sort success- the remarkable confession of Mrs. fully in France for years. His Bishop, in her last book, The paper, Le Signal, is a Protestant Yangtze Valley and Beyond. She daily journal, literary, political, says that during the earlier eight religious. It is the organ of French years of Asiatic travel, the subject Protestantism, defensive as to the of missions had little or no interest faith, aggressive as against -all for her. "I may even," she adds, "immorality, alcoholism, and "have enjoyed the cheap sneers at licentious art and literature." It missions and missionaries which is safe reading for even the young, often pass for wit in Anglo-Asiatic and yet it is full of interesting communities, among persons who J.Ilatter. On the last page is a have never given the work and its standing column, " Our Propa- methods one-half hour of serious ganda," which announces a series of attention and investigation; and in brief tracts on subjects vitally con- traveling, wherever possible, I gave nected with morals and faith, and mission stations a wide berth. On appeals for volunteers to aid in their my last journey, however, which distribution. The paper has no brought me often for months at a Sunday issue. It is outspoken and time into touch with the daily lives fearless, boldly Protestant and of the peoples, their condition, even evangelical, not simply anti-cleri- at the best, impressed me as being cal like M. Bouchard and Gambetta, so deplorable all round, that I be- but dealing in positions rather than came a convert to the duty of using negations, "Pro-testant and not the great means by which it can be merely contra-testant," as Bishop elevated. To pass on to these- Doane says. M. Reveillaud has nations, the blessings which we been a power in the Evangelical
EDITORIALS
Protestant community of France 'Varren Olark, at Shid-zuoka for t.wenty years and more, with plantation. Another party, Mr_ his uplifting daily journal; and the Thomas Hall, has offered a thou- movement known as the decatho- sand dollars' worth of hotel fittings.
lization of France is largely due The climate and the gulf are so like to his leadership. During the year Japan, and the fisheries so inex- past forty-five villages have asked haustible, that it is thought the for Protestant teaching and Japanese, who are great fishermen preaching. and farmers, will eagerly embrace Rev. Mr. Myers writes: "In some the opportunity of colonizing here.
instances practically the whole Should this dream materialize, we community has abandoned Roman- shall watch its progress with deep ism and placed itself under the interest; but we have some doubts preaching of the Gospel. A nota- as to its practibility, partly from its ble example of this kind is the remoteness of location from the village of Madranges, in the de- great seaports. * partment of Oorreze."
There is no more hopeful or fruit- Indian Famine Fund.
ful missionary field in the world No. 156. Indian Famine Sufferers …… $ .50 than France. The Franco-Ameri- " 157. . ….. 22.00 can Oommittee of Evangelization " 158. .60 (of which the Rev. David J. " 159. 5.00 Burrell, D.D., of New York, is " 160. 5.00 president) collects money and sends " 162. 7'.00 " 163. it to the united committee of several " 164. 3.00 " 165. 5.00 missionary societies, and so helps " 166. 5.00 " 167. …… 16.50 the descendants of the old Hugue- " 168. …… 20.00 nots to give the Gospel to their …… 6.75 own countrymen. And when the " 169. 6.01 " 170. Reformed Ohurch of France sends " 171. …… 10.00 " 172. a missionary to a place, the preach- " 173. …… 1.00 " 174. ing of the Gospel usually results in " 175. …… 25.00 " 176. …… 9.00 the organizing of a church. which " 177. …… 10.00 becomes a permanent lighthouse " 178. …… 12.15 " 179. for all the region in which it " 180. …… 6.60 " 181. stands. * …… 1.00 Japanese Immigration. …… 10.00 A correspondent writes that, since the treaty of last July in …… 10.00 Japan, there is a marked trend in the direction of immigration to …… 8.00 America. One Japanese, Ko-mori, went from Portland, Oregon, …… 20.00 to Lake Jackson in Tallahassee, Florida, walking two hundred miles Since January 1st we have received and of the way, hoping to further a despatched to India $389 76, which has been plan for a Japanese Ohristian distributed as follows: colony in the United States. He has a consuming desire and prayer To Rev. J. S. Stevenson, Gujerat ……$162.15 for this, and land and buildings " Rev. C. S. Thompson, Rajputana … 60.00 have been offered him free on the " Dr. Colin Valentine, Agra………. 53.00 thousand acres of Prof. Edward " G. S. Eddy, Calcutta……………. 37.01 " Presbyterian Board Missionaries. .. 27.60 " Bishop Thoburn Fund………….. 23.25 " American Relief Committee…….. 20.00 This money has been contributed by many of our readers and has often meant real sacrifice to them. The recipients have written lett.ers of warmest appreciation, which tell of the suffering relieved and the lives saved by t.his timely aid. Some of these letters we will print later.
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS.
JAPAN: COUNTRY. COURT, AND PEOPLE. By STUDENTS AND MISSIONARY PROBLEMS. 8vo, J. C. Calhoun Newton, D.D, Published 591 pp. 88. Student Volunteer Mission- at Nashville, 1'enn , by the M. E. Church, ary Union, London. South. Price $1.00. This is a volume of addresses This book is written by a man given at the students' late conferresident in Japan and engaged in ence in London, January, 1900, missionary and educational work, published at 22 Warwick Lane, in and its aim is to help readers to London. It is a noble volume of understand that Sunrise Kingdom, 550 pages, and contains much notaits needs and iis risks, and the great ble matter. We have found special opportunity it offers for evangel- help and inspiration in Dr. Maule's ization. The author traces its his- address on the Presence of the Evertory from its mythical beginnings, living Christ, and Rev. R. J. Campits governmental changes, its arts, bell's on the Inadequacy of the nonsciences, costumes, and customs, its Christian Religions. Dr. George popular life and religions, and gives Smith is always inspiring and helppart third to the new Japan. The ful, so is Rev. E. A. Stuart, who last chapter is occupied with the spoke on giving. Dr. J. H. Bernard outlook. Ve might not agree with treated of the advance in missionall the author's views as to the ary education, etc. The appendix outlook, but the book is entitled to is very valuable, with its biblia careful reading, and is full of ography, diagrams, etc. information. He makes Joseph Neesima the greatest of Christian PIONEERING ON THE CONGO. Rev. W. Holman Japanese, and prophesies that Bentley. Map and Illustrations. 2 vols. Japan will be the first great Oriental 8"0. 168. Religious Tract Society, Lonnation of modern times to embrace don. $500. Fleming H. Revell Co, the religion of Jesus, and will have New York a tremendous influence on China and Korea. Many books have been written on the Kongo region of Africa, and MARY REED, MISSIONARY TO THE LEPERS IN the opportunities and progress in Christian missions to the heathen INDIA. John Jackson. Illustrated. 12mo, of that 'dark territory, but none of 128 pp. 75c. Fleming H. Revell Co., them is as complete as that by New York. Mr. Bentley, and few are as authori- tative, especially from a mission- This pathetic story is one of ary standpoint.
heroism in doing and enduring. It In the last twenty years the Kongo basin has been wonderfully is already familiar to the women of opened up to civilization and to Christianity. Unfortunately these our churches especially, and to all terms are not always synonymous, since so-called civilized nations are who take any special interest in responsible for many evils which prevail in West Africa, notably, missionary service and sacrifice.. bloodshed and the liquor traffic. Mr. Bentley has known the Kongo Miss Reed during a visit home dis- for over twenty years, and while he views things from a Christian covered that she had lepr·osy. She standpoint, this only enables him to see them more clearly in their kept the secret to herself until she true relations and proportions.
was once more on her way to the East, and went to the very home of the lepers, henceforth to identify herself with them. Ample refer- ence has been made in these pages to this romantic life story. (See vol. XI., p. 337.) *
1900.J RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS
This book is historical and de- five years of labor in China, was an scriptive, beginning with the able and devoted IDissionary of the ancient history, so far as it is L. M. S. in Hong Kong. The sketch known, and narrating the impor- of his life portrays a man of modest tant events down to the present but noble character, who served year. The country, people, and Christ in China amid many perils religions, and the progress of polit- and hardships, and after a brief ical and missionary movements are furlough in England returned to all described in a graphic and China at the age of 84 to continue interesting style. The illustrations his work. He was, however, called are very numerous, and many of home while on a visit to his son in them are unique. Korea.
No missionary library, and no ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE REPORTS. 16 pp. library on Africa, is complete with- 10 cents. New York Tribune. out this book, and all will be repaid in reading it. This Tribune" Extra" gives an excellent idea of the greatest mis- W,NTER ADVENTURES OF THREE Boys IN sionary conference ever held. Full THE GREAT LONELAND. Rev. Equeston reports of many of the addresses R. Young. Illustrated. 8vo, 377 pp. $1.50. are included, with extracts from Eaton & Mains, lew York. others, and descriptions of all the numerous meetings held. One of Mr. Young;s books are always in the valuable features, which will demand for old and young. He not be contained in the bound volhas already a reputation in Britain ume. is the large number of porand America for his thrilling stories traits of speakers and officers, views of life and adventures in Northwest of the sessions, the places of meet- Canada. This volume is a sequel to ing, and the missionary exhibit. "Three Boys in the Great Northland," and is quite equal to its pred- Monthly Missionary Bibliography. ecessor. The interest never flags, and incidentally a great deal of in- ARABIA: The Cradle of Islam. Rev. S. M. formation is given on the mission- Zwemer, F.R.G.S. Illustrated. 8vo, 400 ary work among the Indians of that pp. $2.00. Fleming H. Revell Co. vast territory. It is a book which brings the p€Ople and the work HISTORY OF THE MELANESIAN MISSION. E. S. closer home to our hearts. Armstrong. Illustrated. 8vo, 372 pp. lOs. 6d. Isbister & Co., London. THE SKY PILOT. "Ralph Connor." $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co. JAPAN: The Country, Court, and People. J. C. Calhoun Newton, M.D. Illustrated. This tale of the foot-hills is very 8vo, 43:) pp. $1.00. Publishing House of nearly as strong and fascinating as M. E. Church, Nashville, Tenn. "Black Rock." It gives a picture of life in Western lumber camps LIFE IN JAPAN. Miss Gardner. Illustrated. which will not be forgotten. The Quarto, 187 pp. $1.50. Cumberland Presneed for Christian men to preach byterian Publishing House, Nashville. Christ among these rough, often hard but manly workers, is power- MODERN SPAIN. Martin A. S. Hume. illusfully shown. One chapter, "Gwen's trated. 12mo. $1.50. G. P. Putnam's Canyon" would make it worth Sons while to read the book. The conception and description are ex- liODERN ITALY: 1748-1898. Pietro Orsi. Illustremely beautiful and inspiring. trated. 12mo. $1.50. G. P. Putnam's Sons. A LIFE FOR CHINA. Memorial Sketch of Rev. John Chalmers, LL.D. By George Cou- THE COBRA'S DEN. Jacob Chamberlain, M.D., sins. 18. L. M. S. London. D.D. Illustrated. 12mo, 270 pp. $1.00. Fleming H. Revell Co. Dr. Chalmers, who died last year at the age of 84 after over forty- ADDRESSES ON FOREIGN MISSIONS. Richard S. Storrs, D.D. 12mo, 187 pp. A. B. C. F. M. Boston.
THE C,TY FOR THE PEOPLE. Frank Parsons. 8vo, 597 pp. C F. Taylor, Philadelphia.
OUTLINES OF PRACTICAL SOCIOLOGY. Carroll D. Wright, LL.D. 8vo, 431 pp. Long- mans, Green & Co.
HEAVENLY SUNLIGHT. 113 Sacred Songs and Hymns. 12c. ellch. $9.50 per hundred. MacCalla & Co., Philadelphia.
ABOUT lly FATHER'S BUSINESS. Austin Miles, $1.50. The Mershon CQ., N~w ¥ork:,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
AMERICA. of the benevolent gifts of the year, which that va.luable annual of late Ecumenical These statistics are has compiled and published sys- Conference only approximate, tematically and carefully. The Statistics. but they will serve table shows a total of nearly $62,- 750,000 given to educational, philan- to show something thropic and religious institutions of the magnitude of the great during the. year 1899, in sums of Ecumenical Conference which met $5,000 or more, which added to the during the last ten days of April gifts similarly contributed during in New York City: the years 1893–98 gives a total of $266,550,000. Boards and Societies represented …•…… 115 Countries represented …………………. 48 Union Social Union Theological Delegates …………………………… 1,500 Settlement. Seminary' of New Missionaries…………………………… 600 Number of meetings held ……………….75 York City has a Estimated attendance ……………… 163,000 flourishing social settlement located Attendance at Exhibit………………. 50,000 at 237 East 104th St., in which are combined more than a score of such A Good Word Albert Shaw, in his forms of service as these: Settlefor Hampton. article on Hampton ment houses, fresh air work, kindergarten, mothers' meetings, Ins tit ute in the sewing school, Sunshine Club, April Review of Reviews, says that cooking class, athletic club, Sun- "if he paid $10,000 a year for it he day-school, Sunday afternoon could not possibly give his small preaching service, library, fresh boy anywhere in or about New air home, etc. About a dozen men York City the advantages of as and women are residents, and had good a school as tl1e raggedestlittle 140 friends as assistants during the negro child of Phcebus, Va., freely last year. enjoys whose education is under the care of the Hampton Insti- Missionary The Union Missiontute," and he affirms unhesitatingly Training ary Training Instithat "by all odds the finest, Institute. tute of Brooklyn is soundest, and most effective educa- designed to supply tional methods in use in the United States are to be found in certain those wishing to be missionaries schools for negroes and Indians, with opportunities for Bible, misand in others for young criminals sionary, medical, and linguistic in reformatory prisons." And this instruction to fit them for work in because they give what he calls foreign lands. There are 24 instruc- "integral education." He saw no tors, and 76 students have already evidence at Hampton of that gone to 16 countries under 12 mis- "pressure or anxiety, or that piti- sionary societies. The expenses are able condition that results in only $100 per year. schools where learning is merely based on books, and where the " Missionary The Christian and supreme test of knowledge is the Standpoints of Missionary All isuccessful passing of examina- the Alliance. " ance in a recent tions." issue gives' these as Large Gifts The New York the peculiar features of the evanfor Education. Times has procured gelizing work it represents: The obligation of missions is para- froIp. the publishers of Appleton's Annual Encyclopedia advance sheets of the estimate
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
mount and constitutes the princi- lished in 1870, and now includ- pal work of the church. This ing 22 churches, with 518 mem- work is looked at from the pre- bers; Mexico, begun in 1880, and millennial standpoint, and the now returning 26 churches, with object is to gather out of the na- 1,091 members; Brazil, begun in tions a people for His name. It 1882, the series of 23 churches and believes only in "Holy Ghost mis- 30 out-stations being planted along sions," the Spirit calling, and quali- a distance of more than 3,000 miles, fying for the work, and being the and recording 1,524 members; and divine administrator therein. The Japan, where the mission is ten principle of faith is recognized in a years old. The board has in its very direct way, the society trust- service 82 missionaries and 122 ing to God to send its resources. native workers, supplying 100 The principal of economy is rigidly churches and 140 out-stations, with followed. Its missions are evan- which are connected 5,347 church gelistic rather than educational, members and 2,446 members of aiming to give the message speedily Sunday-schools. to all men than to establish perma- nent institutions. "The spirit of Growth of Southern Presbyterian sacrifice is the deepest element of Missions.-The following tabular power." statement shows the growth of the work and its cost per missionary Disadvantage A Catholic tem- for the past ten years: of Teetotalism. perance apostle of …: ~ .w.., «~.o..o, Q«)>~. Buffalo, N. Y., ina 000 dispute with Archbiship Corrigan '"Q) ·~·c .!2- "",oQ) P..-.<,0" quotes a communication regarding ~'ffi the letter published in The Catholic ~ )ii'" Q) .;!i S News, of New York City, last Sep- Q)ii tember: "His grace, the Archbishop "Q) A of New York, told us that the — clergy of his diocese did not propa . ~ $111,795 gate temperance societies because 121,225 $1.817 it was found that when a man — — —– 143,165 1,188 became a teetotaler and began to 1891 85 $112,795 140,500 save up money, he did not con- 133,710 1,350 tribute as liberally to church pur- 1892 102 133,015 141,235 1,080 poses." Probably that is due to 154,405 the fact that they are not made to 1893 106 133,900 146,841 990 "do penance" as much as formerly. 145,343 1,000 The intervention of the priest is not 1894 180 143,775 1,029 thought to be as urgent as before. 1895 135 133,330 947 Southern The Southern Bap- Baptist Mis- tist Board of Foreign 1896 141 142,100 937 sions. Missions has mis- 1897 150 143,710 sions in China, estab- 189S 155 146.478 lished in 1845, with centers at lS9!} 155 Canton, Shanghai, and Pintu, 22 145,236 churches, 33 out-stations, and 1,892 members; the Y oruba coun- 1900 163 161,162 try, Africa, begun in 1850, with 6 churches, several out-stations, It will be seen from this stateand 341 Ill(llI).bersj Italy, estl).b- ment that within this period the missionary force has increased from 85 to 163 and the annual receipts from $112,795 to $161,162.
Presbyterian The Presbyterian Work forthe Church was among Negro. the first to begin ed llcational and evangelistic work among the Freed- men. The Committee on Missions for Freedmen, which afterward became the Board of Missions for Freedmen, with headquarters in Pittsburg, Pa., has been working for thirty-five years in estab- lishing schools and organizing cbl.lrches among these people.
There are now about 330 churches Bible women in Madura, the instiand missions under the care of tutions for educating Negroes and 200 colored Presbyterian ministers. Indians in Hampton and Carlisle, These churches have a member- and the work of Bishop Hare in ship of about 20,000. Schools are North Dakota. These classes have being supported to the number of heard addresses from a number of 70, in which are gathered nearly well-known experts in missionary work, such as Robert E. Speer and 10,000 pupils. " Henry van Dyke. Five mission classes for mission study in Welles- A Hudson Bay According to the ley College meet weekly with Miss Woolley, and number about 80. Bishopric. G rea t e r Britain They have been studying Japan with text-books published in con- Messenger, Arch- nection with the Student Volunte6r movement, which is this yearrepredeacon Lofthou.3e recently stated sented by 5 members in the college. Bost-on University has classes for that the new diccese of Keewatin similar studies, and supports work in missionary fields. These exam· takes in the wh. ;e of the country pIes might be multiplied, and we believe the time is corning when it on the west side of Hudson Bay, will be considered an essential part of a liberal, education to know what and also a great pl rt of the Indian is being done in the name of Christ to uplift humanity in every part of work in Rupert's . ~lld. His own the world.-The Congregationalist.
little parish COVel ''VI square EUROPE.
miles. The nearest .~ outlying Education and That our system of Crime, government is not parishes to which he has to minis- perfect may be free- ter, is just 200 miles away. He ly conceded. We are even accused by our Continental neighbors of thinks nothing of sno ·~l,oe tramps being as greedily aggressive as Russia. But this at least can be of 500 or 600 miles, sle•.mg at night said, that we do not absolutely shut our eyes to the wants of the in the woods, with th thermome- horne population. Among other things, we have given some attenter all the time fron. twenty to tion to their education. And we have had our reward. Sir George forty, or even fifty, ,)elow zero. Kekewich, the Secretary of the Education Department, is reported The fal' north is entirely barren, to have said a little while ago: " Every time I hear of a new school and can never be opened for settle- being opened, I say to myself, , There goes another prison.'" The ment, unless minerals are found. exclamation sounds a little over- sanguine. But the following re- Food has to be brought from Win- markable table, prepared by The Schoolmaster, shows it to be justinipeg. costing four dollars per hun- fied: dred pounds for freight. Never- theless they have some flourishing mission stations.
World-wide Probably never be- Interests of fore have students College Stu- in New England dents. Christian colleges been so well in- formed as now concerning the per- sonal life of men and women in foreign countries, nor so interested in promoting their highest welfare.
In all these institutions are defidtL, efforts to instruct students in ChI is- tian missions. In Smith College 2 well-attended mission study classes meet weekly, studying the work not only in well-known lands but in regions less known. Among their beneficiaries are a medical mission- ary in China, a scholar in Calcutta,
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Years. Scholars. Prisoners. Scotch United The statistical re- 1870……….. 1,690,000……….. 20,050 Presbyterian turns received from 1880……….. 2,893,000……….. 29,719 Mission Work foreign m iss ion 1890……….. 4,804,000 ……….. 19,806 1899 .•.•……. 8,901,000 ……….. 17,087 fields again show a If the ratio of prisoners had kept gratifying increase in the number pace with the population, there of communicants. The total mem- would have been 40,000 in prison bership is returned as 30,330, or to-day, in place of 17,000. In 1870 3,359 more members than were re- one in fifteen was at school, and ported for 1898, the increase being one in 775 was in prison; now one more than double that reported by in six is at school, and one in 1,833 the congregations and stations of is in prison.-Free Church Monthly. the home church. In everyone of the fields (except Japan, whose re- Drinking in Dr. Cun n i n g ham turn is not yet to haIled) an increase Great Britain. Geikie gives the fol- of communicants is i'eported; Man- lowing saddening report of the prevalence of drink- churia, however, contributing more ing habits in England: "Temperance has done much in the last geri- than two-thirds ofJthe total addieration to oppose this mad passion, but even in America victory is still tion, and now pl.." ving nearly as far ahead. Here in England the woes of intemperance may be large a m'v,'" is reported by judged by its sad commonness, for the consumption of strong drink in the Jamaica';;". i. There are 22,- the States is not much more than half, per head, of that with us. 189 scholars in the Sabbath-schools Were our outlay on alcohol no higher than yours, it would save of the 6 fields reporting, an increase us no less than $285,000,000 a year -and how many woes would that for the year -" "119; and there are heal? Our drink bill for 1898 was nearly $772,500,000, which comes to 6,923 inquirers; . nearly $33 for every living creature old enough to crave such drink. In Church Union'The leading quesmy parish I found many workmen in Germany. J tion in evangelical who drank over $7.00 a week out of a wage of $10.00. Workingmen circles in Germany are three-fourths of our population, is that of union among the various and it is believed that they spend national churches. All the pro- $500,000,000 yearly on worse than vincial synods of Prussia are to useless drink. An American in my consider the matter. A paper of congregation told me he had to Professor Beyschlag, of Halle, on close a factory opened by him at the subject has been spread through Wolverhampton. from his work- all Germany, and many are talking men never making a whole week, of a " Church of the Empire." Assome coming to work only on Wed- sociations of "volunteers" are to nesday, and even then they would be formed first, then a national get boys to smuggle beer into the conference is to be called of all factory. No wonder we have 126,- Protestants; and the resolutions of 000 public houses in the United this conference are to be presented Kingdom, with a capital of $1,150,- to the church authorities for their 000,0001 " action. An article in the Decem- bez: number of the N. Kirch. Ztjt., h0w~ver, argues that "the forma- tion.of a legal union among the Ger- man evangelical national churches is r,ot an urgent necessity of the times, but rather a threatening danger or the times. The danger consists in sacrificing evangelical truth to unity of church organiza- tion. Such union is urged (1) to
better provide for Germans in for- The total number of Christians coneign lands; (2) to better present nected with the missions runs up to church matters to the imperial and 11,000. The mission work is supother governments; and (3) to de- ported by well-wishers from the velop uniformity of procedure in various countries in the proportion church work." The statemelitseems shown by last year's income: Norincredible, and the fact approaches way contributing £1,215; Denmark, perilously near to the scandalous, £1.230; Sweden, £345; Scandinathat" at present there is no bond vians in America, £825; friends in of union, official or recognized, be- this country, £170. The income tween the four dozen state churches from all sources amounted to nearly of Protestant Germany, nor do they £4,OOO.-Missionary Record. cooperate in any work or enterprise!" And yet the Redeemer's Berlin Society The Mission Semiprayer was, that they may be one. J11bilee and nary of the Berlin Scandinavian One of the most in- Santa) teresting of all the John Janicke. Society (I) has late- Mission. Scandinavian mis- ly celebrated its sions is the Scandi- semi-centennial jubilee. It has navian Santal Mission, or, as it is sent out in all 230 missionaries. known in this country, the Indian About 100 are still working for the Home Mission to the Santals. The society. The founder, John mission is supported not by one Janicke, was the son of a Bohemian country alone, but by Norwegians, brother, banished for his faith. At Danes, Swedes, at home, and Scan- the time of his death (July 21, 1827) dinavians in America. Santalistan an English sheet remarked that is a region some 250 miles north of Berlin had never known what she Calcutta, occupied by a race 3,000,- possessed in this man. However, 000 in number, belonging to one of at his funeral it did not look as if the original Indian peoples of low Berlin was unconscious whom they grade, but interesting because they were burying. For on Tuesday, have retained their independence July 24th, one could not see to the and ancestral customs. They differ end of the multitude of people who from the Hindus in being st>:,ongly had gathered before the door of the built, almost black, with low brows, Bohemian manse in the Wilhelmsmooth black hair, dark eyes, thick strasse. Before the coffin went lips. They are semi-naked, dull, maidens. three and three, strewing lazy, given to drink, but not dis- flowers. A choir of boys followed. honest or deceitful. The women A band played chorals. Just beare on a higher stage than most fore the body, went a missionary heathen people. In 1867 work was carrying the Bible; twelve pupils begun among them by Skrefsrud of the Seminary, twelve University and Borressen, and a Baptist mis- students, and twel ve Bohemians sionary, Johnson. The mission acted as relays in beaJ:'ing the coffin. employs 10 Scandinavian mission- Then a number of clergymen in anes, 5 native pastors, 13 catechists, their robes-among them Schleiersome 20 deaconesses, and about 150 macher, whom the deceased had so native preachers. Nearly 500 young often publicly attacked as an heresimen and women are being trained arch – then a long train of mourners, as teachers. Work is being carried followed by 30 or 40 coaches. The on at 30 stations; and last year up- head of the procession had already ward of 220 baptisms took place. arrived at the distant cemetery, when the rear was yet before the manse. Thus did ~erl!n honor that
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
man in death whom she had mocked occurred in that land within the and contt'mned while alive. Here present century, and that it is the was one of those " prophets, " most severe of the entire number. stoned in their lifetime, but It thus appears that almost every honored with monumental sepul- second year the scourge has come, chers in after times.-Der Miswions- and that its coming instead of Freund. growing less frequent is occurring oftener as the years go by. There Swedish Sweden has a popu- have been 16 famines, affecting Missions at lation of only 5,000,- more or less of the country, in the Home and 000 or something last twenty-one years. This in- creasing affiiction, too, has been Abroad. over, but mission- occurring under the beneficent ary interest and ac- British government, and notwith- standing all its efforts to improve tivity are fast increasing there, the condition of the country. Had from Queen Sophia and the Prince it not been for the expenditures and Princess Bernadotte down. We of the government in the line take the following from the Nol'- of irrigation, and the employing of disk Missions – Tidskrift : "The tens of thousands of people in ac- Evangeliska Fosterlands Stiftelse complishing this, the suffering from (Evangelical National Institute), the famines in late years would during the years of its existence have been much greater than has (from 1856), has advanced to a truly been experienced. many – sided and comprehensive activity. Within its first and Giving for Touching incidents original field of effort, the Inner Famine Relief. of self-sacrifice, in Mission, there are now laboring about 160 traveling agents and col- orderthatthestarvporteurs, whose business is to pro- ing millions in India may be fed, claim and diffuse God's Word, to continue to come to hand. The visit the sick and poor, and also to list of acknowledgments this week endeavor to wOl'k for living Chris- includes one gift of $30 from a tianity and love to missions. More- laboring man whose daily earnings over, the Stiftelse acts as a Bible are $1.50. Another man is sending and tract society of no mean ex- each week as much as his board tent; its depositol.'yof religious costs him. A father forwards cerbooks is, indeed, the next largest tain sums of money which had after that of the Bdtish and of the been given his little son, who died American Tract Society. Thirdly, nine months ago, and writes that the Stiftelse has in hand the 'Outer he knows of no better use to which Mission,' as it is called froIll of old. to put them. A similar spirit In this is to be reckoned the sea- prompts a mother to send what men's mission, from 1869, with 8 had been put in the bank for her stations in foreign ports; also its little girl, who also has passed mission in East Afdca, resolved on away recently. Certainly the chiland prepared for from 1861, begun dren in one way and another are 1865; its mission in India, open~d having a splendid share in this in 1898." relief work.-The Congregation- alist. ASIA. The Horrors Famine rep 0 r t s The Greatest By statistics lately Increasing. from India are more Famine of the compiled in Lon- gloomy every week, Century, don, it is shown that more than 4,500,000 people are now the present famine in India is the forty-fifth that has
subsisting on government relief. study. The punishment entailed is "No such number of persons," that he and his wife shall not enter says Lord Ourzon, "has ever be- any temple nor touch a tank or well, fore been simultaneously relieved and their families even are pro- by any government in the world's hibited the temples, until the case history." It is becoming very evi- is disposed of. dent that many missions which at first seemed outside the famine Not " Rice-Christians." "From area, are threatened with serious first to last during my sojourn distress. in India I saw many native Ohris- tians. Those that I saw are a re- The Curse When it was pro- markable and impressive body of of Caste. posed, at Ahmed- men and women. I was always saying to myself, • They are like nagar, to open an the people of the Bible."'-Julian industrial school, it was a great Hawthorne. surprise to me to find strong opposition to it amung the native Ohris- Some Hindu Christians were once tians. They considered manual holding an evening prayer-meeting labor a mark of servitude, or at in a dimly lighted room. They least of poverty. About fifteen were reading the Bible together, years ago, an English officer visiting choosing especially those texts Ahmednagar, offered to teach a which treat of the love of God trade to any native Ohristian boy as impelling to the love of all that I might send to him. In a men. All at once they were starfew days I sent a young man, the tled by a rushing noise, and out of brother-in-law of the pastor, to a dark corner sprang up a heathen learn blacksmithing. Imagine my man and burst out into the night, surprise when, a week later, I was flinging behind him as he weBt told by this pastor, with sobs, that the words: "This stands written I had ruined his influence forf'ver. in your book; but you do it not." " What," said he, "will my congre- -Evangelisch-Lutherisches Misgation think of me when they learn sionsblatt. that my own brother-in-law is a blacksmith, and what respect can A Sacrifice to An Indian news- I look for from Hindus after this? a Steam- paper reports a case If you had made him a preacher or Engine. of a Hindu laborer a teacher, I would have thanked who lodged a comyou as long as I live; but a blacksmith I Oh I Oh I What shall I plaint at the police office at Hingoli. do?" This pastor reflected the pre- He was horribly burned about the vailing sentiments of the time and head, arms, and chest, parts being place regarding manual labor. He absolutely charred. He complained echoed merely what he had been that as he was passing a cottonhearing all his life. We mission- ginning mill, some men (natives) aries felt that the opposition of the asked him to enter the compound, native Ohristians was another and and then seized him and forced him an overwhelming reason for found- into the furnace. He managed to ing an industrial school.-Rev. free himself, and got back to his James Smith. house and to the police station, but eventually died of te~anus. The A Crime to Learn. The Rajah unanimous opinion among all the of Oochin issued a proclamation natives is that the wretched man against a Madras gentleman be- was offered as a sacrifice to the cause he had been to England for steam-engine, which had not been working satisfactorily.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIG:::NCE
The Christian But tho difficult founded ten years ago, the results of its work have been remarkable. Conquest of the task and slow Viceroy Chang Cheh-tung in 1894 sent 1,000 taels ($800), and other in- China. the progress, the :f]uental Chinamen, unasked, have sent smaller sums to aid the so- faithful effort to ciety's work. 'Vith its headquarters at Shanghai, the society has come arouse the Chinese to their need into contact with many Chinese of high standing, including Li Hung for the Gospel can have but one re- Chang and many of the doctors of Chinese literature. The province sult. When we recall that modern of Hunan has been for many years the hotbed of anti-Christian literamissions in China began less than ture, but after two years perusal of the society's books, the chancellor a century ago, and that it was not of education for the whole province has invited the society's Chinese till18d0 that the country became in editor to become professor in the chief college of the provincial any general sense open to outside capital.
influence, while now there are more The Growth of These statistics re- One Year. late to communithan 80,000 native Christians, there cants received in need be no discouragement. " It Kwang-tung and· Kwong-sai dur- ing 1899: took eight centuries," says Dr. Ar· Presbyterian Mission. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 575 thur Smith, "to develop the Roman Baptist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. 546 Berlin 1. ……………………… 373 Empire. It has taken about as Congregationalist. ……………. 265 'Vesleyan…………………….. 143 long to mold Saxon, Danish, and London (L. M. S.) …………….. 113 Church (C. iVI. S.)……………… 87 Norman elements into the England United Brethren……………… 24 Christian Alliance. … ………… 20 of to-day. Each of these race- American Scandinavian……… .. 17 stocks was at the start barbarous. Total.. …………………… 2,163 The Chinese are an ancient, and a Manchuria In the Missionary for Christ. Record (U nit e d highly civilized race, a fact which Presbyterian) Rev. may be in some respects a help in Mr. Douglas reports a wonderful readiness to listen to the Gospel. th€;ir Christianization, and in oth- On his tours he finds the people not merely ready to receive him, . hut ers a hindrance. Taking into ac- forward in their preparations for Christian work. Of one place he count the intensity of Chinese pre- says he was met at the door of a blacksmith's forge by a company of judices, the strength of Chinese men who, Jed by the blacksmith, took him to a neighboring house conservatism, the vast numbers in- which had been beautifully fitted up as a place of worship. There volved, and their compact, patriar- were no baptized persons there and no preacher, but there were 20 or challife, we should expect the first steps to be very slow. . . . Put- ting aside all consideration of the time element, what Chris- tianity has done for us it will do for the Chinese, and under condi- tions far more favorable, by reason of the high vitalization of the age in which we live, its unfettered communication, and the rapid transfusion of intellectual and spir- itual forces. The forecast of re- sults like these is no longer the iri- descent dream which it once ap- peared. It is sober history, ration- ally interpreted."
The Opening The Chinese Re- of Hunan to corder states that the Gospel. tho the Society for the D i ff us ion of Christian and General Knowledge among the Chinese was only
30 young converts who were wait- the Y. M. C. .A. in Tokyo. In the ing for the missionary. It was a faculty of the imperial university surprise to find that the women there are 3 or 4 Christian professors, came fot'ward with the same eager- and in the agricUltural college the ness as the men. .At another place president and a large part of the where 5 persons had been previously teachers accept the GospeI.-Rev.
baptized, there was a company H. Loomis.
waiting his arrival at the door of a church of their own providing, and A Shogun on Says a Japanese along with them some 50 new can- a Bicycle. paper:" One of the didates whom they had gathered sights of Tokyo is round them. .At another place, Prince Tokugawa Keiki, the last of where Mr. Douglas was once the Shoguns, riding on a bicycle.
mobbed, he had a reception which The prince is some sixty-four years he speaks of as "more like that of of age, but time has dealt lightly a high-grade official than of a with him. He can do his twenty humble missionary." .At this place, miles on a bicycle or tramp by too, they had provided a church at the covert's side from dawn to their own expense. Many of these darkness, gun in hand, without people have suffered much persecu- giving any indication that his years tion. In one place a man was found have become heavy to carry.
unable to leave his bed, having There are, happily, many veterans been beaten nigh to death because as hale and hearty as the prince, he had followed the new faith. But but there is only one last of the he said to Mr. Douglas, "Is it not Shoguns who rides a bicycle; and enough for the di~ciple, pastor, that to us who remember what the Sho- he be as his Master?" One of this gun's court was thirty-two years man's daughters came forward for ago, how sacred was his person, baptism. She was a girl of fifteen how inviolable the seclusion in and was asked, "What if you which he lived, how austere and should have to suffer like your elaborate the ceremony that at- father?" and her quick answer tended his least important goings was, "Has not our Lord said, 'Re- and comings, this spectacle of the joice and be exceeding glad, for once magnificent ruler bestriding great is your reward in Heaven?'" a vulgar bicycle almost crowns the When converts are made of such pinnacle of Japan's radicalism."
stuff as this, it is not strange that the kingdom advances. Will Japan The Jiji Shimbo, Capture China? a Japanese paper, Some Japanese In the present Jap- states that a num- Christians anese Diet there are ber of influential men, tugether in High Posi- 13 or 14 Christians. with leading physicians and medi- tions. The pre sid e n t of cal societies, have arranged to send the lower house is doctors and nurses to China.
a devoted elder in the Presbyterian "Just as Europeans send mission- Church, and the recent chief justice aries, we send these, because the is a member of the Congregational • Chinese are more susceptible to Church. The minister of foreign bodily benefits than to spiritual."
affairs and the secretary of the The Japanese believe that they will prime minister are Christians. The thus gain a greater influence over captain of the largest vessel in all classes, especially the manda- the navy is a Presbyterian elder, rins, than Christian missionaries who was also for a time president of have done.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Impressions of Prince Konoye, of of the Lord." Twenty-one years a Japanese Japan, has recently ago there was hardly a mile of good Prince. made an extended wagon-road in Egypt. Within visit to Europe. On seven years England has built more than 1,000 miles of good roads and his return to Japan he gave an ac- 1,400 miles of railroad. She has count of his impressions. It is changed the oppressive taxation particularly interesting to note which has reduced the peasantry that he made one discovery that to the most wretched poverty to a has led him to serious reflection. moderate amount, and the Egyp- He "found," says the Japan Mail, tian farmers are now thriving anti "that when people in Europe spoke contented. Egypt is again export- of a 'gentleman' they referred to ing surplus grain to the neighbol'- a man's moral qualifications rather ing lands. But the evangelistic than to his material condition. A effort which is to change the char- , gentleman' was a man of honor acter of the country is still more who scrupulously fulfilled all his remarkable. A great preparatory engagements, and who forfeited work has been done by the Unite'] his right to the title at once if he Presbyterians of America, and committed any of the acts which there are now evangelical schoob in Japan are condoned or over- in everyone of the 180 provinces, looked. The prince thinks that an with 12,800 pupils. Of these, i!l immense reform is needed in this 1898, over 2,000 were Moslems, and country. He disclaims any advo- nearly 4,003 were girl8! There are cacy of the introduction of Chris- 83 chief towns, and Christian work tianity, but he had no hesitation is going on in 55 of them. Nearly whatever in asserting that the 19,000 Bibles were distributed in , gentleman' of the Occident is a Egypt last year. product of Ohristianity, Christianity taught in the nursery and Heathen It is amusing to permeating the atmosphere of the Fetishes. note the varying schools and universities, as well as of society in general." degrees of confi- dence or mistrust with which the Episcopal Missions in Japan.-An heathen regard their fetishes. article in the Japan Mail says that Thus in 'Vest Africa a man who of all the missionary work carried had a piece of paper inscribed with on in the empire, that of the Epis- Arabic characters, and sewed up in copalians stands first as regards a bag, declared that it rendered rapid development. The number him invulnerable to bullets, and of baptisms for the past year was that experience had confirmed its 518. This includes baptisms in the value. He was asked if he would Church of England mission as well wear it and let himself be shot at, as those in the American Episcopal but declined. However, he hung Church mission. it up on a tree and defied the chal- lenger to hit it. Unluckily for AFRICA. him, the first shot struck it and went through the tree. The second Light in While all eyes are knocked it to pieces, and brought Egypt. now turned upon down a good piece of the tree. Such repeated ordeals at last des- the unhappy strife troy superstition, provided there is in South Africa, there are peaceful a positive faith to offer, and prorevolutions going on in the North. vided there is not, as in Christen- Egypt is being evangelized. During her suzerainty there, England has literally been "preparing the way
dam before the corning of Anti- Portuguese This province of christ, the wide-spread love of a Evangelizers Angola is a large lie, ready to believe the most driv- in Angola. field, and has been eling imposture rather than to rest in the Son of God. under Portuguese control for more than 400 years. Payment The temptations Rev. E. C. Withey, who has spent Made in put before Chris- sixteen years in Angola, says; Slaves. tian converts in "Portuguese rule has put an end to many barbarities practised un- mission fields are der the old native regime, and in often very great, and the wonder the present day at least it is not in is that they are so often resisted. Africa intolerant of Protestant Mr. Stover, of Bailundu, West missionary work. On the other Africa, writes that one of their hand, the Portuguese policy has young men has become so skilful never been to study the good of the in the building of houses that the conquered country, and many Portuguese and the" half-breeds" cruelties have been inflicted by are presenting to him all sorts of them in the prosecution of the inducements to give up the Chris- slave trade, which still exists, tho tian work and build houses for carried on covertly under guise of them. One man offered Keto three the 'contract system.' The govslaves if he would build his house ernment has been and continues t9 for him, to which offer the reply be one of oppression and extortion, was made: "The servants of the and is corrupt. Almost no im- Americans do not deal in slaves." provements in the line of roads, The incident illustrates the charac- bridges, etc., have been made in ter both of the converts and the the country during all these years, Portuguese. so that for transportation, people in the interior are still dependent A Prosperous About fourteen upon the primitive mode of carry- German years ago, when ing things on the head." Mission. the German gov- ernment took pos- The White Population of German East Africa, in 1899, was found to session of Kamerun, the mission be 1,058, of whom 842 were Gerwork of the English Baptists there mans. There were 164 male, 33 was taken over by the Basle So- female missionaries, 29 wives of ciety. The work was only in the missionaries, 15 female nurses. pioneer stage, and the methods of The negro population is reckoned English missionaries seemed to at seven or eight million. their successors too democratic and casual; but they acknowledge that Missionary While the cry of in all the stations there were good " Luxury" in missionary luxury Christian elements, and that the reputation of the English stood Uganda. is sometimes raised, them in good stead when the work the opposite charge was extended into the interior. The last ten years have been full of of neglect of our missionaries' comprogress. There are now three fort is also made now and then. times as many European mission- One illustration of the reasonable aries and head stations. The sub- care which the committee take of stations have increased to 129, the the missionaries will be interesting 160 church members to 2,025, the to our readers. It is well known 233 children in schools to 3,278. that on the journey up to Uganda it has been difficult, if not im- possible, to employ beasts of burden
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
successfully. The committee, feel- passes had to be made out to men ing that the lady missionarips who were going out of the territory ought to be saved the strain of to look for work in the villages or marching some hundreds of miles mining towns of the neighboring under an African sun, have hit colonies. This means that a fifth upon the ex"pedient of supplying of all the men went abroad to seek them with one or two fim'ikishas- work. in reality a form of light wheel chair-elch to be drawn by one News from A recent comer to man. The experiment has been Wellington, this famous educarendered feasible by the construc- South Africa. t i on al ce n ter tion of a good path to Mengo, which 'replaces the narrow and writes: "Mr. Murwinding tracks of old time.-C. M. ray's schools here are nlOre numer- S. Gleaner. ous than I knew. First, there is the girls' seminary, started twenty- From Night to One of the mission- six years ago by Miss Ferguson and Day in Africa. aries of the Basle Miss Bliss, with five or six buildings as dormitories and class-rooms, in- Society at Coomas- cluding Goodnow Hall, a fine recisie gives a pretty account of an ex- tation building with a large audicursion – half school treat, half ence room. Then the college in preaching tour-made in what was Cummings Hall; the Institute, over a few years ago one of the blackest .which Mr. Clinton Wood presides and bloodiest districts in Africa. -a real 'Bible Institute;' a For two days this man marched normal training school for teachwith his school children, two and ers; a large boys' boarding school; two, clad in white garments, and and what is called an industrial singing as they went, from village .school, where poor girls get a little to village, visiting sixteen in a schooling, and also training in short circuit. Everywhere there housework, sewing, etc., such as was a welcome, a brief. talk about will make them good servants or the Gospel, and the children were house mothers. All these schools, regaled with fruit and other native including over 700 students, are delicacies. Order and peace seem under Mr. Murray's sbpervision, now to reign in this once savage and are for the white population. region. Eighteen young men and 6 young women are training for mission The Blacks in Bas u t 0 I and, in work in the institute, and 50 have Basutoland. which the French already gone into the mission field. Besides that number there are Protestants are the multitudes going from the college chief missionary influence, is. as and seminary who carry the miswe know, nnder British supremacy, sion spirit into their home towns, indeed, but perfectly free in its and are doing beautiful service for inner affairs. The official reports- the Master. The strong tempernot merely those of the mission- ance spirit emanating from the aries-show, as is remarked by the schools here is a great blessing in Missions-Freund, that the blacks this wine-producing land." develop better under white influence but without compulsion Anniversary of the Hereroland from the whites, than where-as in Mission.-The station of the Rhenthe Transvaal-they are under ish Missionary Society at Ujimcoercion. Agriculture is increasing, bingue, Hereroland (German S. W. many Basutos are learning trades, Africa), has celebrated its fiftieth and during the last year 30,274
anniversary. During the half cen- the neighboring Boer farms. The tury it has been more than a dozen schools are prosperous, often having times attacked, plundered, burned. 200 to 300 children. Besides the More than once it has seemed to missionaries the teaching is done have perished. Yet, by God's by colored teachers, male and mercy, it not only survives, but is female, who have passed exami- the center of a Christian congre- nation before the government ingation of 752 souls.-Rheinische M. spectors. They accomplish as much G. Ber'ichte. as our county schools. The pupils are well-behaved, courteous, obe- The admirable German governor, dient, and fond of their teachers. LieutenaI,t Leutwein, we are glad I have stayed in the schools whole to see, is still in the colony. days, enjoying the scholars' an- swers. Bible -history, catechism, Christians of Pastor Dietrich, of proverbs, psalms, hymns, sit fast in South Africa. B re i tun g e n, in their memory, and in answering _Bible questions the children show Thuringia, a mem- much justness of apprehension." ber of the committee of the Berlin -Calwer Monatsblatter. Society, gives a pleasant account of a visit to the native congregations MISCELLANEOUS. in the Cape Colony. Says he: "God, in myoId age, has fulfilled Business Men If as business men a wish of my youth: I see and am and Missions. we can not serve journeying through the land in ,yhich our Berlin Society since 1834, Christ as direct along with other societies, has been ambassadors, we can serve Him working for the kingdom of God. by sending others, and promoting The brown and black people, among His work. When interest in whom I and my wife are daily missions is sincere, when the obpassing to and fro, are for the ligation is fully realized and met, greater part baptized Christians, and when business men apply our evangelical brethren. I have to the work of missions, the same already preached twelve times in energy and intelligence which govtheir ha~dsome and pleasant ern in their commercial ventures, churches. then the proposition to evangelize the world in this generation will "I have visited a good deal be no longer a dream.-John H. from house to house. Their rooms Converse. look neat and cleanly; the table is aJways decked with nosegays, pro- The World's Mulhall, the most cured from their pleasant gardens. Wealth. noted of statisti- The favorite flowers are roses, cians, has recently geraniums, mignonette, narcissus, pomegranate blossoms, and callas. revised his figures representing the They show much pleasure that one wealth of the leading nations in of the 'Fathers' (of the society) is the world, with the following revisiting them. Church attendance sult: United States, $81,750,000,000; on the Sunday and in the week may G rea t Britain, $59,030,000,000; be said to be very good; the houses France, $47,950,000,000; Germany, of worship are filled, and the con- $40,260,000,000; Russia, $32,125,000,- gregations very attentive to the 000; Austria, $22,560,000,000; Italy, sermons. Many have to travel two $15,800,000,000; Spain, $11,300,000,- or even three hours to reach church. 000. The foregoing computations are based upon values shown by "The people are diligent workers, real estate record>:, buildings, mereither on their own land or on chandise, railways, and the circu-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
lating medium of each nation. He Christianity vs. Heathenism.-We notes the fact that, while most must never forget the great European nations have attained contrast, already expressed: In their growth, the United States is heathenism man seeks God; in the apparently at the threshold of an Gospel, God seeks man. And industrial development which it only thus can man find Him. has never dreamed of before. Ac- cording to Mr. Mulhall, the wealth Christianity The Christian relig- of the United States in 1850 was the Only Re- ion is the only $7,136,000,000; in 1860, $16.160,000,- ligion of Song. religion of joy in 000; in 1870, $25,982,000,000; in 1880, $43,642,000,000; in 1888, $61,600,000,- the world, and 000; in 1898, $81,750,000,000. The in- hence t~e only religion of song. crease of wealth during the past No hymns are sung in Hindu tem- ten years is nearly half as much as ples, Buddhist pagodas, or Moham- the total in 1880. medan mosques. Even in Jewish synagogues the tendency of the The Papacy Why is it that lllUsic, as I have observed, is to and Foreign Protestants display drop into the minor. It was a Christian apostle who said: "Be Missions. greater zeal for the filled with the Holy Ghost, sing- world's evangeliza- ing." Real Christian praise is the beginning of celestial and eternal tion than Catholics do? While from psalmody. Such was the song of Protestant sources missions re- Paul and Silas in the prison at ceived la:;t year nearly $15,000,000, Philippi, when, as their biographer the great Propaganda was able tells us, "the prisoners heard to gather from all Catholic them," the poor captives, loaded peoples together only a paltry with chains, raising themselves up $1,338,311, which is less by $500,000 from the cold ground to listen with than the income of the Church wonder to the unwonted sound Missionary Society alone, is not of those two voices pealing forth much more than the Methodist and the praises of Christ in the midthe Presbyterian churchel;l in this night darkness of the dungeon. country give, and only about twice Heaven, too, listened to that song, the receipts of the American Board. and answered with the earthquake, The giving of Catholics by countries which opened every door and S3t is in this order: France, $818,417; every captive free, as tho to teach Germany, $79,516; Belgium, $72,- the lesson that the liberation of 779: Italy, 56,936; United States, the soul which finds its expression $53,642; South America, $32,894; in joyful Christian praise is the Spain, 27,202; British Isles, $25,860; prelude of every other form of Holland, $19,485; Austria, $12,578; liberty.-Henry Grattan Guinness. Mexico, $12,253; Portugal, $5,056, etc. Bible Socie- There are 73 Bible The Samaritan Hospital of Stock- ties. societies in the holm has been notified that it is to receive a $30,000 legacy by Jennie world, chiefly, of Lind-Goldsmidt. Otto Goldsmidt, one of the executors of his late course, in Europe and America. wife's will, writes from London that the executors have selected The most prominent of these are the Samaritan as the institution coming within the terms of the the British and Foreign Bible Solegacy. ciety and our own American Bible Society. The former was organ- ized in 1804 and has since that time printed and circulated 160,000,000 copies. The American Society wa~
founded in 1817. Its output has dependent development. On the been 66,000,000 volumes. It is whole, missions seek to spare and estimated that the combined circu- strengthen national peculiarities, lation of all Bible societies is about so far as they are not evil. It has no 280,000,000 copies. And trustworthy interest in bringing about a uniauthorities say that adding to that formity in which they shall perish, of the Bible societies the output of but much interest in the various private firms, 500,000,000 copies of and manifold riches which God has the Sacred Scriptures have likely deposited in the one nature of been circulated in the world during m!Lnkind, and in which the riches the present (entury. To-day indi- of the one Gospel are variously recations are that in the coming flected. Altho missions well know century the spread of the Bible will how to value the culture which for astound even the most hopeful. many centuries back has grown up on Christian grounds, yet they Missions and Missions have an in- do not cling superstitiously to the Nationality. born sense for the special European culture. The Savior of the world was, after the articulations of flesh, not of European stock, but mankind for nationalities. . Go of Semitic; He means that other hence and make all nations my races and other peoples shall also disciples, saith the Lord. And have somewhat to accomplish, and Pentecost lays on the Church the shall have their contribution also charge of proclaiming the mighty to make, and that, perhaps, by no works of God before all the races means an insignificant one, to the under heaven in the tongue wherein collective life of mankind.-Gusthey were born. A predominant TAV JENSEN, Nordisk Missionsrace, as now the European, will Tidskrift. always be inclined to impose its culture and its speech oppressively Missions and Missions give an upon the subordinate peoples, and Idealism. important addiso to bring about a uniformity, tional influence to which is not of the nature of mankind. 'Vhen missions come to a the intellectual and spiritual life of heathen people their first business our age by their ideal character. is to learn that people's own tongue, There is no surer death for all into speak its own tongue, to render tellectual life than the materialistic this its tongue capable-often with way of thinking, which only asks great labor-of giving expression how one can best enjoy the world to the lofty maxims of the Gospel, that now is, and get the most satisand to seek out the points of con- faction out of it. Missions are in nection within this people's human thorough antagonism to materialtraditions, from which the Gospel ism, inasmuch as they induce men can most easily and naturally be to give up many or all the advanproclaimed before it. And mis- tages involved in civilization and sions proceed to give the people easy circumstances, in order to the Holy Scripture translated carry ont the high aims of God's into its own tongue, and thereby, Kingdom. In the circle of home when the necessary conditions they have force to lift men above of vital energy and of a measure the often very narrow bounds of previous culture exist, mis- which close in upon their life, and sions supply the basis on which to bring them to serve the highest there may arise a new Christian interests of universal mankind. people, with its comparatively in- Business enterprises, tho legiti-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
mate, nevertheless aim at reaping missionary work is not retroceding gain among the non-Christian peo- within the Christian Church, but ples, with whom they corne in con- is, as we hope, vigorously advanc- nection. The great European states ing. Let me mention a sign from are appropriating to themselves as the world of science. The well- much as they can of these peoples' known German missionary theo- territories, in order to give an out- logian, Dr. Warneck, demands let to their overflowing population, that missions shall not be put on a and to secure and extend their level with any single branch of position in the clash of interests. church work here at home, but Even the famous discoverers, whose shall, as representing advancing names we mention with admiration and conquering Christianity, have and gratitude, are seeking some- a right to an equal sum of energy thing, namely, knowledge, which and means with the whole of the urges them forward, amid toil and upbuilding forces of Christianity self-sacrifice, through the unknown within Christendom. There is also regions. They have little to give another feature to be noted out of those to whom they come. practical church life: the now Missions alone come not to take familiar movement among the anything, but to give. They come, student youth of the Christian as was said of old, without money nations, which largely bears the and without price, to give that missionary imprint, and even venwhich is greatest: a part in the tures to speak and work for the kingdom of heaven. It is super- fullest development of missionary fluous to speak of the privations action within a nearer future than and sacrifices which missionary is commonly accounted possible. laborers have to go through for Yet a greater thing will it be than the sake of the cause; in some of any particular signs if the whole their places of labor there is now Christian Church, with voluntary a reasonable measure of security, devotion, will, with growing in others, little or none. Yet it energy, raise up missions among must be 'acknowledged, that mis- the nations as her second grand sions as a whole, in their compre- concern alongside of herupbuilding hensive work over the whole earth, work at home. For this we hope are a very especial witness to un- in God. Then will missions have a, selfish devotion for ideal interests. firmer position, and enter more They are thus a distinct protest deeply into the spiritual life of the against all materialistic, soul-kill- twentieth century than they have ing, ways of thinking, and a quick- yet been able to do in the century ening leaven of all noble human which is hastening to its end.- life and aims.-GuSTAV JENSEN, Ibidem. Nordisk Missions-Tidskrift. Missions and The two words- Missions in It must be acknowl- Civilization. . Civilization and Church Life. edged that missions Missions-wh i ch in church life are are here conjoined, most commonly as yet far from having secured the call up the image of an antagonism, position which appertains to them, a conflict, between rivals, not to and, therefore, the position which say enemies. But however strong belongs to them in the intellectual a warrant present facts may seem and spiritual life of our time as a to lend to this apprehension, we whole. Yet there are signs that must not forget that these are facts the sense of missionary duty and which ought not to be, and that
their mutual relations offer other zation we are thinking of in bring- aspects, other possibilities. It is ing together the two words civiliza- an opposition between near kin- tion and missions. It is that dred, indeed, you might almost say civilization which has become the between the child and its mother, possession of the white race and at least its foster-mother. The civ- the Christian peoples, and which ilization of which we are here now, with this imprint upon it, is speaking, and which is now making journeying out among the other the circuit of the heathen world, races. This civilization has not whose missions are doing their grown up on heathen, but on work, is itself the child, or at least Christian soil. It may, indeed, the foster-child, of missions. We derive its descent from the ancient have not here in mind the original Greco-Roman culture, but it has heathen civilization, which has its only reached us after having been home in the great communities of adopted, cleansed, and transformed South and East Asia. This also is in the crucible of the Church. It a mighty antagonist to missions, has been brought to us along with an antagonist whose strength and Christianity, and is among us only power of resistance are decidedly as its child, or, at least, as its pupil, undervalued by most friends of even tho it may in part have formissions. These talk much too saken its mother and learned to airily about Christianizing India despise her. And now it is roamor evangelizing China, as if it could ing around in strange parts of the be accomplished all at once. They world, largely like a truant and do not consider, that these are degenerate child, that has forgotten lands, or rather grand di visions of his Christian training and learned the world, whose population makes evil Lhings of the street boys. up half mankind. They confront With all its disorders it too is, in missions, not in a state of barbar- its way, a missionary force in the ism, not with a feeling of deep des- heathen world, only its missionary titution and longing for the gifts influence is not for Christianity, of the Christian world, but with but for the culture of the Christhe proud consciousness of an an- tianized whites. This culture it cient culture, deeply rooted in the displays to the heathen not in its hearts, and in the social develop- nobler form, as raised and cleansed ment of each people. This culture by the Gospel, but largely in its they are not in the least minded to degenerate distortion, its apostasy exchange for the new foreign doc- from Christianity. This is that trine. Missions have thus far missionary work of culture, which hardly taken a true aim against in the outposts of civilization, this antagonist. Still less have abroad in the heathen world, enthey dealt it a mortal wound. It counters the missions of Christianwill be the great question for the ity. And this encounter is often missionary history of the next cen- antagonism and conflict. One tury to answer, whether missions must be blind not to see that civilwill then win or merely approach, ization in this form raises up great the decisive victory over this cul- obstacles to missions and hampers tivated paganism, while the now their work. But we should none expiring century has only been the less be blind not to see that witness to the partial victory of this is not the normal, divinely missions over uncultivated pagan- intended relation between civilizaism. tion and missions.-V. S. Nordil$k !311t it if:! not this heathen civili- jJfissions-'.fidskriff•
The Missionary Review of the World — February 1899
Explanatory
1lISSIONARY MAP Provincial Capita1a • NAN KINe OF Department Capitals, or Fu • 8U-CHOU CHINA Tin&, District Capitala._. – – – .• Liell-hua Compiled by Chou.District Capltals.. ___ .. o Hal Hsien District Capital• … __ . 0 Wei Market Towns, Villages, etc•• T'uni·hsln Port. are underscored Harlan P. Beach These desIgnation. should be added to the names aD the map when read, as Su.chou F1IJ Llen·bua Tlog. Hal ChOU, Wei tislen CItIes not occupied by MlsslolUU'iea, II…-..;;;….-..;;.;;;–…..;;;.;;;,–~;…….,..;;.;F-….. thus, WeI. The rank of these place. I. IDdi- cated by the desIgnations ot Fu (S). Tlnl (.), Chou (0), etc., whIch mark theIr positIOn.
by TO APPaoXUlAn raOlCUNcunos 0" cmxUB WOaD( (ACCOBDU1G TO TBII l'KI<U1G AiANDAl/.U1 DlALIWr).
a .. iD father. au u in BOUnd. at .. in a.isle. p .. b. CIO AI ow in nOW. p' .. p in pi,n. cI& u , in jar. rI…. M' iii boM'. cA~ .. in cll.aDp. sa .. in hLu. h. III perdJ. t u d. e .eAev, ain,tubfltDI. 7At wben.. t' .. t in,tin. d III t. .. da in … . uto'….diBn caU. lU .. ABo III Io(l)alnll" [alone). , AI in machine (when bal or in …. tz' all ts in Cata. , before n &8 in pin. to .. eo In 'l'tology. u .. 00 i ne0wtionionm. twoeo taoueou m me out. 110 .. M OIL. L k .. in .ieeta. uaj .. 0 eua ~::'~j.(l;).. ::1:…. &':f'1;,_.
f .. the lint r III repla. a. II .. II III Ameri…. l: .. g III game. iI …….lIdI " or Genua :u.. .It .. Ie in kite. i10 .. French u pia Q. in GIl. ~~ &t:r~::'~E:~R.
MIssIons
INDEX
Adaf>ted from ..Dawn 011. the HiU8," and med by permiBai01l. oJ Rev. H. P. Beach, 0/ T'CIftIJ.
By means of this index all names of cities and towns can be readily found on the map. Note the following directions: The letters following the names indicate the rank of the place. Thus, C. means provincial cap~l; F. means a fu city; T., a ting city; c., a chou city; h., a. hsien city; and m., a market-town or village. or one whose rank could not be ascertained. (See William's "Middle Kingdom,"Vol.l,pp. 58, 59.) Places in italics are noli occupied. as missionary stations.
The question mark <?) following lIome of the places indicates that either their Romanization or rank is unknown to bhe compiler. Numerals following the names of places indicate the board or boards having resident missionaries there. The numerals ~ the sam8)&S those prefixt to the list of missionary societies given on page m. · , The capital letter and numeral following each name at the extreme right of the column indicate tHe square on the map where the place is located. In some cases mission stations could not be located on the map, and hence the name of the province in which thet are has been placed in the right-hand margin of the column. I Provinces are printed in ca.pita.lletters; thus, SHANG-TUNG, and the numerals following their nameli show what missionary societies labor in them.
Amoy T. (port) 5,24,28,83..•….•. E 5 Dang-seng (t), 83………………. E 4 K·a!·yilaD h. 32…………………F 1 Ning-hal c. (ShiJI-twlg) Iit •••••….F II T'ai-p·'ngF…………… ……… 0 5 Anh.27……………………….. B3 K.algan (Chang-chia K'ou) T, 1, 15.D 1 Nlng-hslaF.15…………………C 2 An-ch'ing Fu C, 8, 51…………… E 3 F@n-cMng m.17……………….DS Xafl-clwu F ……………………BI! Nlng-lruo F .lil…………………E 3 T:a.t-ts·ang C. 9….•••••••.•••.•.••F S AN-HUl, If. 4, 14, 15, 40,51. FAn-chouF. 1. ………………… D II Kang-hou m. (t) 4………………D 5 Ning·po F. (port); 2, 4, 27, BIi, 51. .••F 4 T al-yllan"Fu O. 26, SO•••••••••••••• D II FGng-ch@nT. 15……………….. D 1 Xangapul (1) 42…………………D 5 Ning-U h. fIT…. ………………. F 4 Ta-kiJ. m. 81. …………………… E 2 1~~1~,n::. ~~.:::::::::::::::::::::::~: FGng-hs'lang E. 51. ……………. C 3 K.u!-su, 15, 51. Niftg-"" c………………………E 4 Ta-ku Shan h. 5O………………. FlI FAng-hua h. 51 ………………… F 4. Koo-chou F ..•..•….•.•.•.•…..•.D 5 Mng-tO'If F …………………….D II Ta-ku-t'ang m. 51. …………….. E 4 An-shun F. 51. ………………… C 4 FI!nJr-kang m.51 ……………….1:4 Ka?'YU c. 51.. ………………….E 3 Ninq-'II~:J'••• , ………………. B 4 An-tung h. 51. …………………E 3 Fo-Tiang T … …………………..D II .Nio£.:M'UAlh. (port) …………..F 1 Ta-li F.51 ……………………..B4 Fo-shall T.l!II…………………..D I) Khi-fA!lhl1ng (1) 41 ……………….1> I> NodolD1. (: .4………………….06 Canton Fu C. (port) 1, 4,7.16,24,27, F'uc…………………………..02 Klooc ………………………… F2 Nyen-AAII8'" (1) 41 …………….. E 5 Ta-mlng F •.. ….. .. .. . . …….. E 2 Fu-oBlEN, 1, 5, t!t.24, 26, 27,28,88,88. Tan c.••.•• .••…••••••..••…..•.•• C 6 29,45………………………..D5 Fu-ch·ing.b. O,·;<{ ………………. E 4. Kirln C. 36……………………… G 1 Pac.Ii1 ………………………… CS Chal-ch'i h. 51. …………………F 8 Fu-chou Fu C. (port), 1, 6, 26,27. K'o-lan c…. …………………..D 2 Ta-nlng h. 51 ………. , ………… D 2 Chan-hua h. 31. ………………..E 2 Kuan h. 51…………………….. B 8 Pamgo.d!a..A..n..c.l.l.o.f.t.l.t.ta..(.L.o.-.h.s..ln..g.-.t.'a) E4 Ta-ting F •…………………….C 4 Chang-chou F. 5, 24 ….•……….. E 5 88……………………………E4 Kuangc •••..•…•••••••••••••…… ElI P·aIIg-ehlalilrm. l ……………..E 2 Ta-tnng h. 15………………….. E 3 Kuang-chl,29 ……………… Hu-pel Ta–t·unIrF.5t………………….D 1 Ohang-ch'un m. 86……………..G 1 Fuk-wing (f), 42………………..D 5 ]Cuang-f@ng h. 5t……………….E 4 P'ang-hal ru.1I1 ……………….C 4 Te-an F.29…………… » D8 …….. Ohang-pa m. (1) 27.•…••.•..•…… C 3 Fu-~ m. (t)1…4e..•••••••••• : .••••• D 5 KUANG-HBl, 8, 15, 25, 29. • ~.~ . . .-.I.I)…………………………….. Chang-p'u h. 28……………….. E 5 Fu-lDbl4u·•••………. Sht'ng-chilur Knang-nan F ………………….C 5 a PPaaoo–Ua.nCoc… TG-ch:!ng h. (Cbe-Chiang ») 9 ……..1l' 8 Chang-sha F'u C.. ……………… D 4 Eu-Ding E……………………..1'4 Kuang-nlng h. 36………………. F 1 D 2 Kuang-M C. 51 ……••…….•…..• E 1 D 1 TG-ch mg c. (Kuang-tung ,22…… D 5 , ,Fu-tAJuk,pbai (1)<41 ••..•…. , ……. D 5 KUANG-TUNG. 1. 2, 4, B).15).16, 22, 24, .Pao-cI,. A. ( B·hall……………C Tl!ng-chou F. 4, 8………………. F 2 Ch'ang-shan h. 51. ……………..:E 4 Pao–cI/i'M/1 .. :………………..D 4 T'l!ng-ylleh T. 51. ……………… A 5 Chang-shu m.51. ….. : …………E4 I'u-yin T8'uJ1.~….•………Shen-hsi 95,26,27,28,29,41, 411l, 4», 44. Thong-thau-ha (t), 49 .. .. … … … D 5 Chang-t@ F. 12…………………D 2 KUllng-tzl'l-mng (f) 29………. Hu-pel Pao-nl.nl' ""..61. ………………… C 3 T'len-chllng r), 15 …………Shan-hsi Ch'ang-t~ F .15,28…•………….• D 4 I t. c………………………….E3 Kuang-ytlan h.ll1 ………………C 8 PaoorI-'hOh-abo tt) 15………Shan-hsi -ch'ADIr h; 112……………….. F 1 Kuei c…………………………D3 Pllb-llhan h. t ……………………F 8 T1:~~sI; Jr.~~): .~'.~: ~~.'.~~'.~: .~'E 2 Ch'ang-wu h. 51. ……………….C 2 Haa-ch'ODgh. 48, 51. ……………D II Kuei-ch'i h. 51. ………………… E 4 Pao-t'oo (1) U ……………..Sban-hsi Chang-yeh h. 15……………….. B» Hau-chungF. 25, 61. …………… C 3 KUEl-CHOU, 51. l'a().~ h",,e>.-.:..1.,.4.,.5.1… ……………………..AE 2 T'o-t'o-Ch'@ng (1),15…………•.. D 1 Chao-chia K'ou m. 25,51. ……….E 8 Hau-eh'uan h.1III……………….D S Kuei-cho..F …. ……………… D 8 4 T8aoll. •.•••••.•••…………..••••• E2 "'J,': Ch'ao-chou F. ~28…………… :.EIi ~-chou I'll C. tport), ~10,27.•. F S Kuei-hua T. 15……………….. D 1 PG-t'ang TMlO-chou F …. ………………..E II Xuel-lin Fu C ……………. ……D 4 f:t~,·t..11~i~ki·:·~:~,::~g TIi'wg-shul-ho-tsl If), 111.•..••Shan-hsi Chao-t'ung F …", 51. …….. .1H I:~~.(W.~):.~.~: .. .'.~'.~~::~ = Kuel-p'lng h. 15……………….. C II '!'song-hang·lruog (1), 41 ………•.. D 5 Chao-yang h. 24……………….F 1 Kuei-UF………•..•…………..E3 '1'son~un (f), 41.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E 5 CHi-cHIANG, 2,4,9,10,27,85,43, 51. Xuei-yang c (Hu-nsn).•….•.•.•..•D 4 Tso-yiln h.5f……………………D 2 ………………………. Haa-yaq F.II,IIII………………D8 Kuel-yang Fu C. (Kuel-chou), 111 •••04 11,1,111, '1,LU" '.l.-..M…………………EE 5l Tsun-hua o. 6………………….. E 1 ~~~-~Jcp.~-~~). ~.r~~,.~: .S:'.~~·t:~: H~F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D4 Kunfl,-ch'ang F ••••••.••..•.•……•B 8 Ph~g thO!llr. TsutHF………………………. 04 Ii… M Ch@n-chlangF.(port), 6, B. 10, 83, Ku-t ien (Ku-cheng) h. 6, 27,88…..E 4 PiIi-k'eh·ts'f(?li lO…………Shan-hili T'ung C. 1… … .. ……………. E 2 »:~ D2 Ku-yfJafI c•••••…•.•………•…..O 2 Pi-.·OU m.IIO•• , •••••.••.••••.••••••F II 2'ung"-ch'ang F …………………E II Ch'en chottF. 51. ………… · …. I …………………….E2 T'ung-chou F. 46~~1. .•.•••..•…… D II ~'iA c……………………..C5 !.aI-an h. 51. ……………………:E8 Pin 0.1>1 ……. , ………………..C II '!'uni-ch'lUUI F. lN, 51. …………. B 4 Ch'@ng-ku h. 51. ……………… :0. Lai-c1t.ou F .•••……••••••.••….•.E II P'~nJ-l! F … .._l.: ……………… D 5 T'ung-hsln 1II.51 ………………. F 9 Ch'2'1£g-t~ (J2–ho)F……………..U "'_-u ~1I.1il………………….D9 LaII-ch'1 h. 51……………………F 4 P'ing-liang F. Ii( ……………… C S T'utlfl-j2'1£ F …………………….C4 Ch2'1£g·ting F ……………….. …D1J· BOok'OIl 1D.>51. .•…•.•••.•••.••••••E 4 LaII-chou Fu 0.51. ……………..B 2 Plng-lo (f) 111……………….KAn-su Tungok11a.n h. 42……………….. D 5 ~h'eng-tu Fu C. 6. 19, 51 ….•….••BI (f). 4& .. … ………….. InIl x.n-t·len h. 51. …………………C 8 TUng-tsun (1) 15 •••••••••••• Kuang-hsi 1le;Iin-lIoh-~ T. (1) 15 .•••….•••••. 5 Lao"K'6u~.; …… ;…. ~ ~-1Ian 11. 1!7………………… E 4 Tunii:-un (1) 15……………… KaD.-su qheng-~ang Kuan T 51 ………… 8 1 Lei-chou F …………………….D 5 t P'lDg-tu c. 8••• ,•.•.•.•••••••…•..• E II Tu-slmn c.51 …………………… C 4. JIo-Iwr. 19, 15, 61. LII-llng h. 31 ……………………E II Tut-yiiA F ………… ……………C 4 CMn-ytian h. (Kan-SU) 51 ….•.••••0.1 B_",F. …………………….D8 L@-t·lfigh. 31 ••••……••••.••••••.. E 2 P~)'IUlg ~b (Ch@-chiang) •••.•.F 4 (Jh2ng-lliiafl F. (Kuei-choul…… f.04> Uc.(Hu-nan) …………………. D4 ~:~=~~.in~.~~~I~:~.I:::.::::~: Li h. (Kan-su) …••••••..••••••••… C II n.· Chic. 51. …………………… -rD. ~g, 1~ 1M, 115, 911, 1!7, 41, 43 … D 5 Liang-chou F. 51 ………………. B 2 = . Ho-BU-'!fan (1}41. ………………. D 5 Llao-yang C. 32…………………F 1 OAiac ………………………. • Jllilc.lIt •• -;';:;~ :-~:7. C .., .-c.·..>••-'&'e Li-chiang F ………•..•.•.•…•…B 4 PPPoi·-Uoi~o-l~hl.n1m'MY….)..~..'…………….._………………….S..h…a…n..-..t..1nBmI§i WWaann hC.. ~{J~:!-B1tlu~1niIfil.1)7I"1I'•"••.•,••"•"•..:-.;-.;.-;D-o-6a- c a Haiah. 46……………………… D 2 Llenc.4 ……….•..••.•…••••••.. D5 8tt'a:slf.'fsr..~?………………:..~: Li!ln-chiang h. 27………………. E 4 Port Arthnr,50……………….. F'lI Chiang c. 5t. ………………Shan-hsi Lum-h-uo. T …….. …………….. D 4 P'u-an T(t)……………………C4 Wan-chl(!), 111……………… Kan-su CCHIUI.ANNQQ-B-l£W, 8,8,42. 56,5, 17., 8, II, 10, 11, 13, HHsBlia-nang-Fcuh'O~.n2g51n8. 05,15.1… …………. …………. D3 Lien. p'ing c……………………D 5 P·u-er1l. I .. …………………….B 5 Welall'Shan-tung), 4…………..E 2 =f~e.':.(:!.~::::::::::::::~~ Wei Co SSi1-ch·uan) ……………. BS 14, 18, In, 24; 25, 27, 38, 415, til, 53. L!-long (?) 41. ………………….D 5 Wi -welh ………………….F. ChIang-yin h.l0………………..F 3 L.n-a… li'…………………•…•.BIt W-neteii–h-n.i.ni gFc…………………….,……………………..DB Chla-ttngF.2, 19,51,……………B4 Hslao-kan h. 24………………… D II Lin-chiang F. 51. ……………… E 4 Sah-la-ts'l (It, 15…………. ,Shan-8h1 2 Chla-ylng c. ~l41. . ……………..E II Hsiao-mel m. 48 ……………….. E 4 Lin-ch'lng c. 1. …………………E 2 Sang chia Chuang m. 51 ………… C 8 4 Chieh c. (f), 40, 51. …………….. D 3 Litlfl c……•…• •••….•..•.•….••C 2 San-shul h. 51. ………………… C 2 Wei-yUcm T ……………………B 5 Hslen-yu h. 38…………………. El4 LlDg-wu (?) 10………………….li' 3 San'yilan h. SO…………………. O S Chieh-hsiu, 51. ……..•••….Shan-hsl BIll-fAng CMn m. 51 ……………. 0 2 LhJ'ing F ……………………..O 4 Slo-ke If) 5…. __ ……………….. E 5 Wen.:chou F. 35,51.. …………….F 4 Ch·lenc_51. ……………………C3 Hsl-hsiang h. 51. ………………. 08 Li-l'ang m……………………..B 4 &-p'lng 11'.51 ………………….D 1 Wong-buaq(l) SS…………….. F4 Chiench·angF………•………..E4 HBin C. 80.. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. … … D 2 Liu-an c. a1. ………………….E 3 SllaD.g-ch'illl'm.II1…………….. E 4 Wu-cn'ang Fu O. 8, 15. »4, 29, 47.••D 3 Chien nlng F. 27, 88……………. J!: 4 Hsin-ch'ang h. 51. …………….. F 4 Li'IJ-ChouF…….. ……………..C5 Sbanghai h. (pqrt)l.!i, ~17. B, II. 11, Wu-ehing·fu m. 28•.••….•.••••••. E Ii HIIin-chAn, 12……………… Ho-nan Long-heu (fl 41 …………………D 5 Wu-chou F. (port), B. 15,25,2II….. D 5 Chien-p'lng h. 51. ………………E 8 HaIn'ch'Gng (1),10……………..F 8 Lo-tlng c.15…………………..D 5 18, il, 24l 25~ 117, 40, 411, 51. •••..•••F 8 WU-hu h. (port), 6, 15,40,51……..E S Chien-Who 51. …………………lila Hsing-an, 51. ……………..Shen-hsl Lo-yilan h. 27, SS……………….F 4 ~B.r, 1,10, IlIi, 80, 46; 51. WU-hslleh m.IliI••••••••••••••••••••E 4 Ch'ien-yang h.51. ………………0 3 lIsing-hua F. 6, 1l7, 38………….. E 4 Lu<l.51. ………………………C4 SBA»-TUNG, 1,4. It,. 80, 81, 84, 51. Oh'ih-chou F. 51. ……………….E 8 Using-IF. 51……………………04 Lu-anF. 51. …………………… D 2 Shall"1ang(r)II&. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E " Cussm, 3-4L,l5,l1,, 4, 6, 18, 16. 21, 24, 25, 81, Hsing·p·lng h. 1i1. .. …. …. .. . …. C 2 Lu-ch·@nil:h. 51. ………………. D 2 Shao-chou p.29………………..D 5 Va-chou F.2…………………..B8 52. Han-hUll h … ………………….D 4 Ltt-chou F.14………………….E 8 Shoa-hsltlgJ'. 9, I'lt 51…………..F S Yai 0 ………………………….06 Hsin-hsing h. 8…………………D 5 Lnng c. 51. ……………………. 0 2 Sbao-wuF.l…………………..E 4 Yangh.51 …………………….. 011 Chin c. 36………………………F 1 HBi-nlng F. 51. ………………… B II Lung-chou T. (port) ……………. O 5 8ba-ri-ts'ifig (tllll………………D 1 Yang-chiang T. 4……………….D 5 Ch'in c. 51. ……………………. 0 3 Hsln-tien-tllli1 m. 51. ……………. C 8 Lung-ch'uanh. 48……………… B4 Shaft (f) IpOrlj…………………D 3 Ch'ing-chiang h. (port). 7.51•.•.••.E 3 Hsin-tu h.27…………………..B8 She-ch'l 'l'ien m. 21 …………….. D 3 Yang-chou F. 6, B, 51……………E 3 HBi-yang (f). 88……………….. E 4 Macao (port) 15……………….. D 5 She-hung, 40………………….. C 8 Y!IJlg-k'ou m.51………………..E 4 Ohing-tzi1 Kuan. 51. …………….D 8 Hstlim-hua ]'.15……………….. D 1 Mel h. 1i1. ………………………0 3 Shb/.c ………………………… EIl Yen.-an F …………… …………02 Ch·'ng-yiianF………………….O 5 HsII-ch'!en h. 10……………….. J: 8 Mhw-tzu h. (port)……………… B 5 SrdNa-clwtG,25, III, 81, 50. Chi-nan Fu C. 4………………..EII Hslt-chou F. (Ohiana·su),lO…•….E 3 M@n::)r·ou-liangm. S….•….•……E 5 t"en-ch'a T …………………….C2 Hsll-chouF. (Ssfl-ch'uan), 2,51. ….B4 Mlenc. 27……………………..B3 =~r.r~F~:~:.~~'…………..0 4 Ten-p'lngF.27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E4 Ching C. (Hu-nan) ………………C 4 Hual-an F. 10………………….. E 8 Mlen-chu h.Il7••••••••………•.••• BS Yen-shan h. 24…………………E 2 Ching c. (Ran-su) 51 ……………. C 2 Hua.-ching F ………………….D ill Min c. 15………………………. B S Shih-ch·ftat!. h. 27. . ……………. B 8 Ch'ing-chou F. 8O……………….E 2 Hual-lu h. 51 ………………….. D 9 Min-ch'lng h. 6…•••••••••••••.•…E 4 SIIih-nanF…… ……………….0 S Yin-chia Wei m.51……………..C 3 Huangh.B…………………….. F2 Mi-yfJn h ………………………E 1 Shun-eh·lngF. 51………………. 03 Ylng c. 51. ……………………. D I Ching-ning c. 51… .. …………C 2 Huang-yen h. 2………….•…….F 4 Moi-l.im (f) 41. …………. · …….. E 5 Ying-chou F. 51……………….. E 3 Ching-shanh. 2f. ……………….D 3 Hu-chou F. 2…………………..F 8 Mo-tl-chleh m. 51. ……………… D 8 ~~n:t:w. ft:::::::::::::::::::::::~~ Ch'ing-yang h.l5………………lil8 Hni-chou F. 5t. ………………..E 4 Mukden C. 25, 32, 36……………. F 1 Ylng-k·ou. 36………………….. F 1 Hul-lic………………………..B4 StIU-ch'2'1£g F . ………•…•……… C 5 Ylng-shan, 81 ••••••••••••••Ssl'l-ch·uan Ching-ylian m. (1) 43 ……. Cbe-chlang HU-NAN, 15, 28. Nan-an F ……………………..D4 Ssll-o.u·uAN,2,6, 18, 19, 24, 27,83, 40, Yin.-tao c………………………B 2 Chln-buaF.1, 51………. ……….E4 Hung-tung h. 51 ……………….. D 2 Nan-ch'ang Fu C. 51. ………….. E 4 Chi·nlng c. 4 …………. .. ……..•.•. .. .. .. n:IIl II Hun-yiian, 51. …………..•.Shan-hsi Nan-k'ang F. 51……………….. E 4 51. Yo-chouF……………………..D4 Ch'in-shou Chiang m. 49 .. 8 HU-PEl,2,8, 15, 17,24,29, 83, 37, 47, Nanking Fu O. (port), 4,6, 14, IB ..•E S &11-2'1£:1'•.••••••••••.•••..••…….. C 5 Y12c • • • • . . • • . • • . . . . . • • • • . • • • • • . . • . . . E I I Nan-ning F ……………………C 5 &!u-mao T (port) … ……………. B 5 Yiian-cho.. F. (Chlang-hsi)………D 4 Chiu-chiang F. (port), 6, 25, 51. ….. E 4 49, iiI. Nan-hsiung c. 44 •….•••.•..•.•.•..D 4 8.u-nan :I'……………………..C 4 Yiian.-chou lJ'. (Hu.nan) …………(14 Ch·iu-J.. 1: …………………… EII Hu-wei, 44…………………….. D 5 Nan-ling h. 15…………………. J: 3 Su-chou F. (port) (Chiang-su), 4, B, YI2eh-8t£'T….. …………………B 4 Chiung-chouF. 4 ………………D 6 Nan-wa h.I!7…………………..E 4 Ohou-chih h. 51.. ……………….0 S 11,10, 14……………………… F3 Ylleh-yangh.51. ……………….D2 ~~~~i ·(Ch@:.ch!imgi::::::::~ ~ Su-chou F. (Kan-su) ….••.•….•… A II Y12-lin c ………………………. D5 Ohou-p'ing h. SO ………………..E II Sui-tec ……………………….. D2 Yil-lj..F ……………………….C2 Chou-t'ang-ao, 44………………. D 5 S ..i-ting F •……………………. C 3 YlIn-ch·tlngm. 51. ………………D 2 Sung-chlangF. 9……………….F 8 Ch'u c. 14……………………… E S Sung-p'an T. 51………………… B 3 Yung-ch.·ang F …………………A 4 CMl c ………………………….E2 Sung-yang h. 48 ……………….. E 4 Yung-ch·illlLh . 34 ………………E2 Oh·ft h. 51 ……………… Ssi1-ch·uan Swatau (port), 2, 28 ••••••••••••••••E 5 Chuang-lang T …………………B 2 lang-kao (1) 15…………….Shan-hsi Yunil-chou F •………………….J) 4 l-ch'ang F. (port) 3,37,47,51…….D 8 Yung-ch·unc.28……………….:E4 Chu-chi h.27…………………..F4 I-chou F.4….. .. …………..E2 Yung-k'ang h. 51. ………………F 4 Chu-ch·ih …………………….. DS I-ningc………………………..D4 Yung-knng m' (1) 1……………. E II Ch'u-chou F. 48……………….. E 4 l-shilih.51 …………………….D2 Oh·u-hd..ng F .. ……………….. B 4 I-yang h. 51 …………………… E 4 Yung-'l£ing c … ……………….D2 Yung-P'1ng F. 81……………….E If Chung-ch'lng F. (port), 6, 13, 24,83, J"ao-chou m. 51. ………… Chlang-hsl YUAg-shun F ••• ………………..D 4. 40,51. ……………………….. 04 J@n·ts·unm. 1………………….D 2 Ch'u-wang, 12.•••••••••••••••• Ho-nan Ju-ning F ……………………..D 3 Ta-chien·lu T. iSl ………………. B S Ylin-ho h. 48 ……………………E4 T'aic …………………………. F3 Y1hf-NAN…8. 9,51. Ob'tian-ehou F. 28………………E 5 T·ai-anF. 34, ………………….. E 2 Ylin-nan l:"U C. 89, 51…………….B 4 Ch'll-ching 1'.51……………….B 4 Yiin-yang F ……………………D 3 Ch'll-chou 1r.lil………………..E4 T'al-chou 1!'. 27, 51……………… F 4 Ch'll-wu h. 51…………………. D 2 Yll-slian h. 51 …………………..E 4 K'ai-fbtg F'u O…………………D S T'al-ho h. 51. ………………….. E 3 Y1I-11aftg .c.51(1•)••.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.nC 4 Cheng·bau (1), 88……………….E 4. K'ai-Ana F …………………….B 5 T'ai-kl&ng h. IIl …………………E 3 Yu-wu m 2 'l"ai-ku h. 1…………………….D 2 MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: Old Series. } FEBRUARY. New Series. VOL. XXII. No.2. { VOL. XII. No.2.
CH'ANG-THE BLIND APOSTLE OF MANCHURIA.
BY THE EDITOR IN CHIEF.
The simple story of Ch'ang's conversion and apostolic labors is in itself a whole volume of evidences of Christianity. He was a member of the Hun Yuen, a sect of Buddhists that abstained from both flesh and wine, as vegetarians, and are, in their way, very earnest, devout, and zealous. They form one of many secret organizations in China, and because of this principle of secrecy, are under suspicion by the government as involving danger, possibly, to the imperial rule. Their rites of initiation, like those of freemasonry, are profoundly secret.
Ch'ang was a blind man, but tho outwardly blind, the inward eye was opened to the truth wherever he could find it. He was well trained in the teachings not only of Buddha but of Confucius, but as is too often the case, these systems of ethics failed to touch his heart or rule his conduct, and among other vices which ruled him was an inveterate attachment to gambling.
In 1886, when about thirty-seven years of age, his sight began to fail rapidly and he was threatened with t9tal blindness.
He lived in Tai-ping-kou, a remote mountain village; but the report of the wonderful cures accomplisht by Dr. Christie, a medical missionary of the United Presbyterian Church at Moukden, Manchuria, penetrated to his distant home. In hopes that his sight might be restored, he undertook a journey of more than one hundred miles, groping his way as a blind man over weary roads, to place himself under Dr. Christie's care and treatment.
In order to pay the debts incurred in gambling, he had sold whatever he possest, and took with him what remained, to pay for his lodging, etc., in Moukden; but, falling among robbers, he was despoiled of everything on the way, and left to starve. Nevertheless he plodded on, weak and weary, until one morning, destitute and desolate, and with scarcely any clothes left upon him, and in the last * This periodical adopts the Orthography of the following Rule, recommended by the joint action of the American Philological Association and the Philological Society of England :-Change d or ed fiDaI to t when so pronounced, except when the e aJIecta a preceding sound.-PuBLlSHEBS.
CH'ANG-THE BLIND APOSTLE OF MANCHURIA
stages of dysentery, this poor blind man was found at the gate of the mission hospital. The beds were all full, but so great was the compassion awakened in his behalf, that the native evangelist gave up his own couch, that Ch'ang might be provided for. lIe received the best care and nursing, fmd before long his health was restored.
The treatment of his eyes issued in a partial cure, so that he was able to see a little, but, soon after he left the hospital, a Chinese friend and adviser assured him that he would regain his sight by pricking his eyes with a needle! Poor Ch'ang submitted to the operation, but the very natural result was that, instead of remedying his blindness, it now became total and incurable.
However, his reception at the mission hospital was not in vain. He had heard some Ohristian instruction, and the seeds of the kingdom took root in his very soul. He had known enough of Buddha and Confucius to find whatever was helpful in their teaching, but he now saw that Ohrist alone was able to feed and fill the longings of his soul, and he at once received Him not only as Savior, but as Master and Lord. Desirous to fulfil all righteousness, he asked to be baptized; but as a month had not then expired since his conversion, his teacher felt that it was wiser to put him on probation, deferring his baptism until his piety had been subjected to a longer test. How pathetic was the reply of this blind disciple: " None of my people have ever heard even the name of ' Jesus, or of His offer of the gift of eternal life; and do you think I can keep that to myself any longer? I do wish for baptis~:l, but I can not delay my return."
So this poor blind man was dismist without having received the outward sign and seal of his new discipleship; but his friend, Rev. James Webster, comforted him with the promise that he would by and by seek him out in his remote mountain village, and there administer the ordinance. There were, however, only three missionaries in Moukden, and the duties incumbent upon them were more numerous and onerous than they could properly discharge. So that a half year had elapst before Mr. Webster could go to Tai-ping-kou,. and even then he found the journey very difficult. What was his astonishment, as he approacht this distant abode of Oh'ang, to find that, altho blindness is so common in China-it is supposed that there are 500,000 blind people in the empire, or an I verage of about one in every six hundred souls-this poor blind )'!;.an Eeemed to be a famous character in the vicinity, and, when at lengt.b. he reacht the village which no foreigner appeared ever to have visited before, instead of being received with the usual signs of aversion, caned" foreign devil," etc., the village schoolmaster, Mr. Li, gave him a cordial welcome, as the expected "pastor" whose visit had been promist, and who had at length come to fulfil his promise. From him Mr. Webster learned that Oh'ang had gone forth on his daily occupation, itinerating from village to village, unhindered by the muddy swamps, rugged hills, and crooked paths, which even to those who had sight proved so wearisome and ctifficult, and that the sole work of Ch'ang was to witness for the new Jesus whom he had found, and to tell the people about his Savior and Lord. Sometimes in the evenings he gathered hundreds of hearers beneath the shade of willow trees, or availed himself of such smaller gatherings as he could assemble in private houses.
His experience had been of a somewhat varied character. He was at first met with ridicule, or with pity, as one who was not only blind, but crazy; but he persevered, meanwhile giving the higher witness of a holy life and a transformed character. Public opinion was divided, some blessing and some cursing, but still he kept on in his blessed work, living for God and walking in His fellowship, praying in faith for help from above, and singing the one hymn that he had learned in the hospital: This I know, that Jesus loves me.
These daily journeys were taken alone-a blind man, with no com- ' panion but his staff, and no guide but his invisible Master, unweariedly telling the simple story of good news of eternal life in Jesus Christ to all whom he could induce to listen.
Mr. Li, already referred to as the village schoolmaster, and himself the first convert won to Christ by Ch'ang, testified that the result of these simple apostolic journeys was, that a large number first inquired earnestly about the doctrine that Ch'ang taught, and then became sincere believers, and desired to be faithful followers of this new Master.
When Ch'ang came back from his day's work, his delight on learning that Mr. Webster had come was most touching to behold. From his sightless eyes tears flowed down, as he exclaimed:" Oh, pastor, I always said you would come!" his words showing that others had met with scoffing his confidence in his friend's promise. Very soon he had sent messengers in every direction to the various villages roundabout, and his converts soon arrived. One by one, in their own simple way, but with deep feeling and earnest resolution, they told of their faith in Jesus, and gave such proofs of genuineness that, on the next day, nine of them, with their blind teacher at the head, received baptism, and thus outwardly put on Ohrist, altho such obedience to His commands exposed them not only to ridicule and opposition, but to the risk of persecution even unto death, and in forms atrociously cruel. Others likewise wishing baptism, they were told to wait until they could be more fully taught in the things of God. Let us hear Mr. Webster's own testimony: One thing of which I am well assured, is this: Blind Ch'ang, of Taiping-kou, with little knowledge, but with a heart thrilled to the core with the truth which he knew, had in these months done more work and better work for the kingdom of heaven than half-a-dozen foreign missionaries could have done in as many years. And this is only one of many proofs that China must be evangelized by the Chinese.
Oh'ang told Mr. Webster of a night-vision which he had, soon after leaving the mission, and which had been a great source of comfort. He had seen the Savior in white garments and with a dazzling crown, approaching him with a book in His hand, which He gave to him with a smile, and straightway vanisht. Mr. Webster interpreted his vision-the Word of God was now to be given to the blind, and if he wisht to teach others, he must himself learn to read the book. He then told him of Mr. W. H. Murray's school for the blind* at Peking, and encouraged him to go there as a student.
The thought of learning to read and write seemed to Oh'ang like a myth, but to please his teacher and pastor, he promist that he would do his best; and, led by a blind lad, he undertook on foot the hundred miles' journey over the mountains tQ Moukden; then he took boat to Niu Uhwang, and by cart, from Tung-chow to Peking. He was greeted with a warm welcome by Mr. Murray, and, within three months, he had so mastered the arts of reading and writing, and also of writing and reading music, that he himself undertook to instruct a pupil. Mr. Murray desired Ch'ang to remain for a longer course of teaching, but the blind lad, who had conducted him, continued to be ill, and his own longing to go back to his countrymen and impart the knowledge of Jesus to them impelled him to return. He said: "My countrymen are all heathen, and I must go and show them what Jesus has done for me, and teach them His precious Gospel." He started for home, provided with such portions of the Scriptures as had then been stereotypt by the blind students, and with a new writing frame, and soon gladdened Mr. Murray's heart by a letter from his own hand in embost type. Again he began his daily journeys, reading the Word of God to crowds of his countrymen, who were surprised to see a blind man read with his finger tips.
Four years later he returned to Peking for further instruction, and, since then, has been working as a pioneer in the Manchurian mountains, at one time reaching a district fully two hundred miles eastward. His work has been prospered in a most remarkable degree, and many thank God that Oh'ang became blind, for otherwise there might have been no Ohristians as yet in that vicinity.
Rev. John Ross, D.D., well known for his apostolic labors in .Manchuria, visited Tai-ping-kou in 1890, and thus testified to those converted through Ch'ang's preaching: One of those baptized, named Lin, was at one time a highway robber. He was also a heavy opium smoker, and guilty of most of the vices of • See vol. XI., p. 91 of this REVIEW (February, 1898). vicious China. His was a decided case of thorough conversion. A look into the man's face showed what a change had come over him.
Next to him stood a native doctor, close upon seventy years of age, who had come from a long distance to ,ask for baptism. He had heard the story of the cross from an old member. He wondered whether it was possible that God could display such mercy as to forgive the sins of a lifetime. Simple-minded as a child, this man received the truth with joy.
Beside him was a man named Chao, who had from youth up earnestly sought after truth. He had become a strict ascetic at an early age, and always meditated on "The True." His influence afterward became so great that over a thousand disciples followed his lead, and practised the same austerities and religious forms. His word with them was law. (He was the local leader of the Hun Yuen sect.) A more modest man I have not met in Manchuria, nor a man who had dived so deep into the treasures of truth. The questions which he constantly presented showed him to be a profound thinker. His one great regret was that he had led so many men in search of peace" on the wrong way."
Most of his disciples are well-to-do, and he loses a large income by becom- ing a Christian.
Close by this man stood a man of twenty-two, a disciple of the last mentioned. His father is one of the largest land owners in that region.
His parents were quite willing that he should be baptized, being them- selves secret believers, also disciples of Chao. • The fifth was a blind man, formerly a schoolmaster, whose peace of mind was well displayed in a face always shining with the light within.
Bcfore a year is over, each of these will have his own fruit borne, in bringing others in.
There was in all a company of twenty-foul' believers, who met twice daily for Christian instruction. They certainly seemed like thirsty ground drinking in the refreshing rain. For an hour each time I spoke on some Christian truth, and when done, I was plied with questions to elicit further instructions.
In 1891, Rev. James Webster once more visited the district of Taipingkou, and we add his testimony: Ch'ang was looking stout and ruddy, as if his frequent fastings had done him no harm. Where six years ago we stood and viewed the wide surrounding country wholly given to idolatry, without a single believer, there are now upward of 150 baptized converts, and as many more who believe, and who will ere long proclaim themselves for Christ. But that does not tell half the story of blessing, for from that valley rays of Gospel light have streamed out to other villages which were sitting in darkness, but are now rejoicing in the light. Many are the imperfections of the converts, and great is their need for further instruction, but their work has been wonderfully owned of God. Truly this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
In 1892, the year of persecntion, Ch'ang's converts were found to number over three hundred, and about three years later, fully five hundred. In the early years of his work, Mr. Li, his first convert, was his assistant in teaching and preaching; and in 1897 Mr. Webster thus sums up the results of Ch'ang's preaching: The work in Mai-mai-gai was certainly begun by him, and so we may say that indirectly the church in that region owes its existence, under God, to blind Ch 'ang. Several years ago he went to another district, 200 miles further east, and began a work there which has prospered year by year, and is one of our most hopeful stations at the present moment. Ch 'ang has his failings like everybody else, but take him all around, there is no more earnest or successful lay evangelist in Manchuria, or one who has been more blest of God in winning men to Christ. Hundreds in
CHINA AS A MISSION FIELD
Manchuria owe their Ohristian faith t.o his direct agency, and hundreds more are in the church to-day as the fruits of the seed he was privileged to sow. He has been the means of winning more men for Ohrist than any other man I know.
The memory of this blind man is surprising. He now knows by heart the whole of the New Testament, the Psalms, and several other Old Testament books, and can quote them with such amazing exactness, that if you mention a chapter and ask him to repeat, say from a certain verse to the end of another, he faultlessly quotes what lies betwp,en these limits, even to the exact words which begin and end the passage. Surely this blind apostle of Manchuria is, as we said at the beginning, himself an all-convincing argument for the truth and power of the Gospel, and his zeal for God and passion for souls put more favored disciples to shame. Who can estimate by any mathematical calculation the worth of one such convert to the kingdom of God? How vain to raise that carnal question, "Do Missions Pay?" in view of results like these, which only eternity can measure or weigh!
OHINA AS A MISSION FIELD.* REV. HARLAN P. BEACH, NEW YORK. Educational Secretary of the Student Volunteer Movement.
A Ohinese proverb, referring to Ohina and her history, says: "If you wish to be acquainted with the past and with the present, yon must read five cart-loads of books." It is the aim of the present article to lighten such Herculean labors by calling attention to but three topics well worth considering from a missionary point of view, and also by suggesting from the "five cart-loads of books" bearing on Ohina and Ohinese missions, a few accessible and helpful volumes in connection with each main topic.
I. IMPORTANT PERMANENT FACTORS CHARACTERISTIC OF CHINA.
Those named will doubtless be permanent so long as Ohina remains a mission field, and each of them is more truly characteristic of that empire than of any other land occupied by Protestant missions.
1. Ohina's material resources are in themselves sufficient to make an already great nation still more strong and prosperous.
(1) From that remote period, more than 4,000 years ago, when their industrious ancestors tilled the district neal' the bend of the Yellow River in modern Shan-hsi province, the Ohinese have been an agricultural people; and so rich is the soil, and so gracious the climate, that vast populations have ever since been supported by agriculture alone, or rather by gardening and horticulture. On the Great Plain, occupying a strip of country in the northeastern portion of the • In this article we follow the author's system of spelling, which, tho differing from those of atlases, is consistent throughout. See key to pronunciation on map (Frontispiece).-EDlTOR. empire, about equal in area to the New England and Middle States, plus Maryland and Virginia, live in comparative comfort an estimated popUlation of 177,000,000, mainly farmers, as over against a little more than 20,000,000, who, in 1890, inhabited the states mentioned as its American equivalent, among which are some of the most densely . populated districts in the country. This average of 850 inhabitants per square mile should be compared with Bengal's 471 per square mile, and Belgium's 571, the former heading the list in populous India, and the latter in Europe.
The common experience of missionary boards shows that the most A BUDDHIST TEMPLE NEAR NINGPO, CHINA.
permanently fruitful fields are found among the farming classes, rather than among savage tribes or dwellers in cities, tho larger numbers of converts are sometimes gained among the lowest savages. A drawback to work with farmers is often found in the sparseness of population, which prevents the missionary from reaching large numbers of them, while an additional difficulty in many lands, as in India, and portions of Africa, is their dense ignorance. Neither of these obstacles exists in China, as scholarship is omnipresent, and about onehalf her inhabitants are densely crowded together on the farms of the Great Plain. Moreover, Ohinese farmers are preeminently peaceable and open to new ideas, as is proven by the prevalence of secret religious sects among them.
(2) Next to her agricultural resources, is Ohina's vast mineral wealth, as yet scarcely toucht, owing largely to the senseless and destructive belief in geomancy, or fi!ng-shui. All the common metals, except platina, are found, but coal and iron are most important. The famous coal measures of Great Britain are but one-twentieth as extensive as those of China, while the abundance and close proximity of iron ores, coal, etc., that have made Pennsylvania such a key to the iron and steel industry of the globe, are eclipst by the vast iron and coal plateau of Shan-hsi. Professor Keane does not go beyond the facts when he says that "next to agriculture, the main resource of China lies in the ground itself, which harbors supplies of ores and coal sufficient, some day, to revolutionize the trade of the world."
China has been endowed from the beginning with resources commensurate with the teeming populatiou which God had destined for its occupancy. There is thus the possibility of their continuance and increase, as is not the case with some other fields, Oceana for instance. In the manufacturing era which is just dawning, the Middle Kingdom has beneath her feet the materials which not only make her the desire of the nations, but which provide for her myriads the means of sustenance and of growing international power. Christian missions have here to do, not with decadent races, but with a people who have every requisite for prolonged and increasing influence in the world.
2. A second permanent element tending to make China a most important mission field, is found in the character of the people.
(1) Physically and industrially considered, they seem among the fittest to survive. Whether China's unparalleled army of willing and patient laborers toil in the unhealthful tropics, 011 Arctic ships, as navvies constructing' American railways on our alkali plains, or in their native land, they have thriven where all save the Anglo-Saxon have failed. Slow they may be and unused to machines, yet they are· imitative. and will perhaps prove the tortoise in the race with the: Oriental hare of the twentieth century. If the reader doubts this: statement, let him study the eastern laundryman, or the Celestial truck-gardener and factory operative on the Pacific slope.
(2) Intellectually the Chinese have millenniums of scholarly progenitors to impart to them any advantages accruing from heredity. Unlike India-where the Brahmans have held an almost exclusive monopoly of scholarship and intellectuality, while other castes, especially the lowest and most numerous, have been consigned to age-long ignorance-China ~as offered impartially to practically all of her inhabitants the rewards of intellectuality. Learning is deified; it sits on the dragon throne; its priesthood is found in the magistrates of every city and hamlet in the empire; official expectants hovel' about every ya-menl a million students appear each year at her great civil service examination centers, while a still greater host of teachers and scholars are the willing servants of Confucian scholarship.
Granting that at present Ch inese learning is mainly a matter of memory, of faultless caligraphy, and of ability to put together intel- lectual patchwork, it is yet su- perior to that of any other non- Christian nation, except Japan.
It must also be admitted that Chinese scholars lack imagina- tion, so essential for working hypotheses, and ingenuity, equally necessary in an age when so much is learned in laboratories. Yet, ill spite of these admissions, their ability to laboriously plod and unerringly retain the data thus gained, the records made by stu- dents rightly trained, the proofs afforded by the writings of the T'ang and Sung dynasties, when ~HE" IMAGE OF' LAUGHING BUDDHA," PEKING.
Europe was groping in the dark- ness and intellectual torpidity of the Middle Ages, and by the superior ethics and philosophy of the venerable Ohinese classics-all these facts are sufficient to make China a most hopeful field for intellectual con- quests. Where printed paper is almost worshipt, and teachers are hon- ored equally with the parent, in a country abounding with ready-made scholars, and where printing outfits cost less than $2.00, and can be packt in a hand-bag, Christian missions enter with a vantage which requires decades of laborious effort to gain in most missionary lands.
(3) One can not speak in such glowing terms of China's moral condi tion. For eighteen centuries Buddhism of the Northern type has cast a fitful gleam about the dying bed and held out doubtful hopes of a West.ern paradise. During 2,500 years Taoism-first a sys- tem of Transcendentalism, and later as a borrower from Confucianism and Buddhism, and an inventor of magical charms, elixirs, and demons-has imparted groundless hopes and equally groundless ter- rors to Ohina's millions. K'ung Fu-tzl't-Confucius-the thronelesE'
king of the empire, gathered from Chinese history-largely antedating the reign of King Saul, and mnch of it tha time of Abraham-a sys- t em of ethics and government that stands snpreme to-day among the sacred books of non-Christian nati ons. A possible monotheism, which preceded Confucius by many centuries, exhibits its sublime survival in the imposing ritual and sacrifices performed by the emperor as Son of Heaven at the winter solstice. Surely if great ethnic faiths and a superlative system of ethics can save a nation, Oonfucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and the hoary relics of a primitive monotheism, have had an unexampled opportunity to prove their power in Ohina. Have they succeeded in so doing?
Read the answer in the facts so humorously and truly presented in Arthur H. Smith's" Ohinese Oharacteristics," and in the statement of Dr. Williams, than whom there is no more trustworthy authority. He writes: On the whole the Chinese present a singular mixture; if there is something to commend, there is more to blame; if they have more glaring vices, they have more virtues than most Pagan nations. . . . Female infanticide in some parts openly confest and divested of all disgrace and penalties everywhere; the dreadful prevalence of all the vices charged by the Apostle Paul upon the ancient heathen world; the alarming extent of the use of opium . . . destroying the productions and natural resources of the people; the universal practise of lying and dishonest dealings; the unblushing lewdness of old and young; harsh cruelty toward prisoners by officers, and tyranny over slaves by masters-all form an uncheckt torrent of human depravity, and prove the existence of a kind and degree of moral degradation of which an excessive statement can scarcely be made, or an adequate conception hardly be formed.
In Isaiah's phrase, "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and festering sores."
And it is also true that" they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil." Taoist and Buddhist priests have ceast to preach and teach; even officials rarely comply with the law requiring the reading and exposition of the sacred edicts of Oonfucianism on new and full moons. So far has the conception of God departed from their thought, in spite of the lofty utterances concerning the Supreme Ruler and Heaven found in the classics, especially the Book of History, that Oatholics for three centuries, and Protestant missionaries for one-third that time, have carried on an intermittent logomachy as to the term, which will best couvey to Ohinese minds the conception of God-a controversy which speaks volumes as to the essential atheism of the Ohinese. Other facts concerning the people might be stated, but enough has been said to indicate on the one hand the wonderful possibilities inherent in the Mongolian race, and on the other their unspeakable need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But will they accept any new light, especially from foreigners?
II. NINETY-ONE YEARS OF PROTESTANT MISSIONS IN CHINA.
Indigenous indications that China will receive higher religious teachings than her best faith, Oonfucianism, can give, are found in the eagerness with which Taoism's teachings, concerning retribution and ever-present spirits, aml Buddhism's doctrine of Karma and the western paradise, were received, and in their survival in the face of imperial decrees and bitter persecution. A still more valuable indication is furnisht by the existence of secret sects, many of which apparently exist because of the unsatisfied longing for further religious light. Not a few converts from these sects have received Ohristianity with such readiness, and propagated it with such spontaneity, that one can not doubt that they are only the forerunners of a great host.
The question receives a more definite answer in the imperial favor shown Nestorian Ohristianity 1,100 years ago, and in the success of Romanism at its first entrance under John de Montecorvino, and especially in its palmy days under the famous Emperor K'ang Hsi, two centuries since. Olearer still is the evidence supplied by Protestantism's efforts during the past ninety-one years, some facts concerning which may be suggestive.
(1) Stages of j}fissionary Occupation. – (1) Robert Morrison, Protestantism's pioneer, was never permitted to labor outside Oanton, Hongkong, and Macao. He and his successors were compelled to do a preparatory ·work within the empire, tho without its confines considerable was done for Ohinese colonists. When this first period closed with the treaty of Nanking, in 1842, thus ending the so-called opium war, three British and four American organizations had some twenty representatives, who had labored in Macao, Oanton, Hongkong, Amoy, and in adjacent Ohinese colonies, while six converts composed the entire Protestant Ohinese church.
(2) From 1842 to 1860 constitutes the period of entrance, tho mission work was still confined mainly to a few ports forming the entrepOts of the four littoral provinces of Kuang-tl1ng, Fl1-chien, Ohe-chiang, and Ohiang-su. When in 1800, the close of the" Arrow War" came with the investment of Peking by the allied forces, the seven missionary boards had increast to nineteen and the missionaries to about 160, each of which had on an average a following of six converts.
(~) The seventeen years preceding the first Shanghai conference of 1877, were years of development and wider entrance into new fields. Nine provinces were still unoccupied, tho treaties permitted missionaries to labor everywhere. Yet during this period educational and medical work had been greatly developt, while woman's work came into prominence for the first time, and several strong churches were in existence, thus doing away with much of the isolation of Ohristians of earlier days. The conference roll-call showed resident missionaries at ninety-one centers, 312 organized churches, containing 13,035 communicants, and, presiding over them, 473 missionaries from twenty-nine societies.
(4) Again after thirlcen years the missionaries gathered at Shanghai for the conference of 1890 to sing Te Deums for victory all along the line. Famines and opportunity to come into close contact with Christianity in its manifold forms of mercy and blessing had largely done away with the old prejudice. Forty-two societies were now on the field and 1,296 missionaries, who had in charge 522 churches with a membership of 37,287. Ohristian schools had in training 16,836 scholars, and 1,657 Ohinese Christians were proving Aarons and Hurs to the missionaries.
(5) To-day, after a further lapse of eight years more, the work is progressing in a manner that would have staggered the faith of the early missionaries. Every province is occupied, anti-foreign Hu-nan not excepted, and the dependencies of Mongolia and that hermit of hermit nations, Tibet, have a handful of foreign missionaries.
2. Turning from this survey of the gradual occupation of the empire to a more careful consideration of the forces of to-day, we find the following facts.
(1) While every province has its missionaries, the supply is still wofully inadequate. Thus Shan-hsi, the best provided of all the provinces, has but one station to 1,285 square miles; that is the same as if Rhode Island contained but one church whose pastor and members were responsible for the evangelization of the entire state and a considerable fringe of Oonnecticut besides. Kan-su has but one station to 10,454 square miles; Kuei-chou, one to 12,911 square miles; Yun-nan, one to 17,995 square miles; Kuang-hsi, one to 19,1l62 square miles; and Hu-nan one to a territory equal to that of Maryland and the two Virginias. Verily, there is yet much land to be possest.
(2) Of the places occupied only 247 are walled cities, the total number of which is 1,746, Formosa being included, which belongs now to Japan. Their importance from a governmental standpoint and as the centers to which almost a million scholars go up for residence at examination seasons for a period of a fortnight at least, shows what golden opportunities Ohristianity is losing by our sloth and apathy. The eighty-eight villages and unwalled towns in which missioI).aries reside are even more immediately promising, tho not as influential perhaps.
(3) At least fifty-four organizations now have their representatives in Ohina, women's boards and other societies working in cooperation with these parent organizations not being reckoned. Twenty-three of these are American, seventeen are British, ten are Oontinental, and four receive their missionaries and support from more than one land. The force sent ont by these organizations numbers 2,461 missionaries, of whom 38.4 per cent. belong to American societies, 24.8 per cent. to British organizations, 5.7 per cent. to Oontinental boards, and 31.1 per cent. are members of international societies.
Analyzing that portion, this force, concerning whom information is given, 526, or 21.5 per cent., are ordained; 518, or 21.2 per cent., are laymen; 674, or 27.6 per cent., are wives of missionaries, and ,; ~~ :e .; ~" ;':": 0 .; '0 0 .0= 'il zi .""s .~:: d ~,,~:; .s ~ Ii: i Ii: " "s ;""; ~".0.. 00 m 0 "..". ~ .0.. ~" ~ -s"" 0 )ii " … -c 'Ef "" " 1": "S "-z oj ~ ,,- ~f ~" ~ … 'S .; "00 " ~ ~" .,,~ "" r~; ~ "" "I..l.;. .0.".0. NAME OF SOCIETY. "'" e"" ~" .~=.~.. ,; """"E .A…. -~c~" .0… ' i l .a'; .0.. .0.. ~ "0 1s..5.:'":2' ~"0 ss" 0… .."=~ " §" … "S .0 ~s ..:1t,1 .s"0 .=- .0 ,,~ " "" !… i" "" '.S.. "..:1 rn ~ -s"""" "00 ,,'" …. ~"" ;; .::.= 0 " "" " P 0 Z"P'01 " " I;) Z z;;a z;; Eo< Z Z Z — – – – – – – – – — – – — – — – – ~ ~*~~~~~;Ig~;:~~~~~~I~ai~j~1~gt~·~M~ia•l•Jioo~ii~.jh.Ly:·u:h:i:o:n:::'il~= ~ ~ ~ 1~ 1~~ ~I i~ 1~~ ~~ 1~ ~gl 1~1 68~ II~i 1 ~ M ~~ 4t ;~ 1~ 5~4 I~ ~ g~ ~t ~~~ll11 ~~ "'9 ~ Reformed Church in America…….. ,1842 5 …. 4 8 I…. 17 45 8 88 1304 15 284 8 265 Ii Ir ~ ~;,t~n~~~~~P1:;~8:L~.~~:.c.~.(.~~.~~~~llru 41 … ~ 4~ 5~ .. ~~ 15~ 6~ 18/f 2082~ 47~ 6~~ 2~ 12l:j SWro~ut.t:hJe,r~n~~BAfarpt6tsi s~gt fCcaoJnfvsehon't:iiot~n~..(..~.~.~.t..~.~'l1l8~4~7~ 1~5("'~ 1~5 1l0~ 2~ 40 43 10 50 H99 31 816 8 ~ 44 62 6 18 751 58 13101"'6 '55~ … 18 186 ..8178 f,';.°emsba~~~~~i3~::~~,i3~~ld~~.~i.~~~.ll~~~ 1~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~.:::? 1~ 11:::: 121 13 Ameryican Bible Society…… .. …. .. I1876 "'9 "'2" 5 . "'2 11 … 4. . . • .. … 3??1 1……..
1 5 …. .. …… .. 24 … 9………………… 1……..
l~ ~g~f~tl~nC~~~~i~s~~~~~n1.ili~n"cce·.:,l:~ ~ J ~ 3~ l …~ l~t …~ J ~ …~?: …: …::~ "'~I"~~ 16 United Brethren in Cpr!st………… 11889 3 3 1 3 I 2 10 18 1 I 19 4 148: …… .. 17 Swedish-American MlsslOn~ ……… 1890 3…. 2………… 5…. I…. I ………. ,…… .. 18 American Friends' Board ………… 1891 "6 7 1 2 50 6 IGOr …… .. 19 Methodist Episcopal Church, Canada ,1891 61………………..6 …. 2 6…. 2…. 10 ………….. I.. .. 20 Gospel BaptistMisslon~ ………….. ,1892 3'…. 8…. 3 1 …. 1…. 12 ………………………….. ,.. .. I…. . .. I 21 Y. M. C. A. in Foreign Lands……… 1895 …. 3 3…………
2'2 Heformed Presbyterians…… .. …. .[1896 2…. 2 …….. = -~ ~0:l27' Totals of American Societies………. 6 …. 3 . . . . 'I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I………….. 23 Cumberland PreSbyterian·………. ·iI897 1 1 1…. 11…. 4 …. I ………. '………. I.. .. 3…. 1 ……….
276 126 310 256 68 96721241155 849 1082 16310 74i8819 1 24 London Missionary Society……….. 1807 45 3 36 24 12 3 103 291 16 140 1097 117 25301 …… .. I…. 25 British Bible Society……………… 1886 4 11 12………… 27 270 10 …………………… ', .. .. 26 Female Education Society………… 1837 …….. 1 6…….. 6 511601 2 8 .. _… 17 400, …… .. 27 Church Missionary Society……….. 1845 40 23 43 60 12 …. 166 26 8 4911 250 88231 6 62 28 English Presbyterians …………….. 1847 12 I 48 112 7 122 3790 I 29 Wesleyan Missionary Society II…… 1852…. 6, 12 18 7 I *30 129 18 37 …. I 31 174, 51 44 13……. 3 896, 4 .. .. 30 Baptist Missionary Society ………. 1859 26…. 18 7 1.. .. 51 188 6 287 4088…. 1128i …… .. ~~ ;l~gl ~~ ~~' ~~ 6 ……………….. I…… .. lrsg I…. M ! …: .. ~~ ~e;f:,hd~~ii:d;.~~{;':f::f:n:::::::::: 33 Scotch Bible Society ……………… 1863 lZ "'4 I~ "io :;"'4 I~~ 1 18 7 …….. 16 170i 34 Society for Propagation of the Gospel 1863 8 4…. 5 …. I 17 7 6 …. 400 14 …… 1…. I' .. ..
t … 1;J …. ,:::: 85 Methodist Free Church t …………. 1884 4 2…. 3 2…. 9 63 2, 49 996 5 77 1 18 ~ g-~~~g~~bl~~n:~~·::::.:::::·:::::::: l~~~ ~ t ~ : ~ 2~ 1~ II' 4~ m 1~ 88 Zenana Missionary Society……….. 1884 …. …. …. 37.. .. 1 37 25 11………. 2 …… ……. . 3…….. 39 Bible Christianst…………………. 1885 7…. 4 3 I…. 14 4 3 ~ 28 2 70 …… .. 40 Friends' F. M.ABsoclation………… 1886…. 6 5 14 7 21" 5 2 162 … .'1 .. ..
~2 Totals of Briti.h Societies…… _…… – l74 85 166 183 50 6252159 133 866 29644 547 10678 18 165 1 41 Basel Missionary Society…………. 1847 21 2 13…. I…. 36 127 13 49 3000 47 1121 21 55 g ~~;W~~~~!~~:~li~~~~~iety§."::·: l~~ …9 ~ ~ ~ …2 :::: r"'s 44 Berlin Missionary Society ~……….. 1882 4 2…………… I~ ..~? ~ …~ …~:~ …~ ….~~ …~, …~ 5 29 479 18 270 5 81 ~~ ~;~d~ha:rf:~I~~P:~~.~iS~:~~~~.~..~ l~ 6 50 ! :::: ….601 …4:::::: ::::':::: Congregational Church of Sweden ~'11890 "'6 "ij "'2 :::: German China Allfancet…………. 1891 I 2~"U 47 8 9 2 4 …. …. 2 …. 9 3 82 …. '.. .. 48 . . … . 5……. 13…. 6 3 45 ………….. ,.. .. 49 Norwegian Luther.n …………….. 1891 1 4 I 2 …….. 16 4 ..3T,………………. :1._…… 50 Danish Missionary Society………… 1892 5…. 2 2…….. 8 …. 32 251 9 …. 3 ….
Totals of Continental Societies…… _ – 52 28 82 33 5…. 145 205 43 91 39971 79 1539 9 -144 g~ 2gm:s~~fl~~~As:il~~·c::::::::.:.: l~~~ r 3jl.~~ 17~ .~~~ ..~~ …: 77~ .~~ 14~ .~~~ ..:~~:I.~~~ ..:~~ 1~ I …. I ………… 2 …. 1 ………. :…. _……… I1…. …. 53 Dijfusionof Christian Knowledge … 1887 I1 1………… S…. I …………………… 54 Internationallnstitute …………… 18!1l 41.~~ 88 297 179 274 16 1 783 605 152 169 71471114 1589 Totals of International Societies….. – Net Totals of all Societies…………. 527 519 675 724 136 5624615071 4701969 8068211766 30046 10514285 " Totals correct, though not fully explained. t These societies associated with China Inland Mission. ~ Statistics from" China lIlission Handbook,"' 1896. § Dean Vah!'. "Missions to the Heathen," 1897. II Society's report for 1896; it includes statistics of missionaries only of the Central China Lay Mission and of the Joyful News IIllsslon. 724, or 29.7 per cent., are unmarried women. Of the above 136 are male physicians and 56 are female practitioners.
(4) The missionaries are located at 335 main stations, whence they go forth to regular appointments at 1,969 out-stations, not to mention a far larger number of cities and villages irregularly visited. As a result of these efforts 80,682 converts are found in Protestant churches, an average of one Ohristian to 4,824 of his fellow countrymen. At these stations are 1,766 day schools, with 30,046 pupils, and 105 institutions of higher grade, attended by 4,285 young men and women. A native contingent of 5,071 faithful Ohinese men and women aid the missionaries in their work. If these totals seem large, remember that Ohina still has but one foreign worker to a parish of 158,362 souls, while if native assistants are added, each has an average of 51,071 unevangelized neighbors!
3. Taking the years named above, with the exception of those preceding 1860, when the empire first became accessible to missionaries, and calculating the percentage of increase ~f the native chtlrch membership, we find that, from 1860 to 1877, the annual rate of increase was 69 per cent.; from 1877 to 1890 it was 14 per cent. a year, and from 1890 to 1898 it was 14.5 per cent. per annum. It may, therefore, be said that missionary effort, judging from the record of the past twenty-one years, is annually rewarded by an increment of 14 per cent. in its membership. ,Vhen the difficulties are remembered, this increase will be regarded most thankfully.
III. THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THE EMPIRE.
The most casual reader must have been imprest with the marvelous changes which are daily reported from the Orient. The Japanese war of 1895 may be taken as the terminus a quo from which this transformation dates, tho its seeds lie farther back in time. The stirring events that have so changed the condition of the empire within the' past three years, particularly those preceding the coup d'etat of September 21, 1898, cannot be summarized here, but will be found in the columns of current periodicals, especially in an article by W. E. Curtis in the December Review of Reviews, and in one by A. Michie in the National Review for November, and in A. R. 001quhoun's "Ohina in Transformation." See also Dr. Noyes's article in the November (189R) MISSIONARY REVIEW. Reference must be made, however, to the bearing of these changes upon the cause of Ohristian missions in Ohina.
1. At first thought it would seem that the missionary's relation to the common people would be seriously compromised by rumors of war, and the more practical fears entertained for labor-saving machinery and railways. The writer well remembers the excitement arising from a survey of the railway from Tientsin to T'ung Chou, the junk port of THE COVERED ALTAR FOR THE WORSHIP OF HRAVENl PEKING.
Peking. So fearful were carters and boatmen that their trade would be taken away by the "fire-wheel cart," and so apprehensive were the inhabitants of T'ung Chou lest the opportunity to steal tribute rice in transit through their city might be lost, that only a strong proclamation from the viceroy, and caution about appearing on the streets, prevented a mob, in which missionaries might have seriously suffered. The right to erect mills granted Japan at the close of the war, and hence to other countries by virtue of the most-favored-nation clause, naturally seems to ignorant laborers in an already congested labor market a fatal measure which means speedy death to multitudes whose bread is thus taken away. And there is little doubt but that disastrous consequences would follow were such machinery introduced too speedily, and before the people could become adjusted to the new conditions, if we may judge from the outcome from England's experience under somewhat similar circumstances in the early part of the century. Just as the proposed T'ung Ohou railway was attributed to us missionaries, so now multitudes will with equal unreason lay to the missionary's charge the impending evils which they think are sure to come.
On the other hand violence to missionaries has cost Ohina Kiao Chou Bay, and is responsible for French demands, which threaten even worse conseqmmces at time of writing. What wonder, then, that the empress dowager has ordered condign punishment to be visited upon an official who failed to protect a missionary, while the foreigner was carried about in a progress, and high honors were bestowed upon him. Probably, in proportion to the danger which new conditions impose upon the missionary, will be the amount of care taken to protect his life and his reputation, which has suffered so much from official libels and obscene insinuations.
In case the age of machinery is soon to be ushered in, it is possible that even more emphasis will need to be put upon work among the farming class, which will be little influenced by such a change. This, as the Germau missionaries think they have proven, will be a blessing in disguise to China. Industrially, also, the Chinese will soon see that the exploitation of mines, the initiation of new industries of a mechanical sort, and the cheapened means of transportation, permitting the people to remove to more favored localities, have been a benefit rather than a bane to the masses. Then the maledictions which were heapt upon the missionaries as supposed authors of their sorrow, will, with equal groundlessness, give place to grateful benedictions, and missions will be found to have gained in the affections of the populace.
2. As to the reformers, missionaries h'ave hitherto been their chief allies, and any progress in the near future will bring to men like Timothy Richard, Gilbert Reid, Young J. Allen, Dr. W. A. P. Martin, and others their highest gratitude. The young Cantonese sage, K'ang, not only made Mr. Reid's paper, OMnese Progress, a powerful instrument in awakening the people, but he has influenced the emperor to take those energetic measures that remind one of the Peter the Great whom K'ang urged him to become for China, under whose spell Kuang Hsft has issued edicts that sound almost like the utterances in the missionary periodicals which he has so assiduously read. The nearly 200 Christian books bought by the emperor can only hasten reform, and their authors will in consequence be held in esteem.
3. It is with the literati that missionary operations must most contend. Few, besides third-degree men, attain to offices of great emolument, and to reach that degree years of unwearied application must be given. Tens of thousands who have climbed thus high on the ladder, are suddenly cast to earth by the introduction of science and even Biblical history into the final examinations. Callow youths in mission schools know more about these subjects than members of the Han Lin or National Academy. This means possible ruin to the whole host of expectants, and naturally it is with them war to the death.
Indirectly the decreed system of education, which thus far the empress dowager has not annulled, must awaken their grave apprehension. Secondary temples must be transformed into schoolhouses; a system of education, wholly foreign in its aim and including the study of English, drives out the old learning; few scholars in the empire are competent to instruct in such schools, and so even the teacher's occupation is gone. As the missionary has hitherto been almost the only teacher and agitator of the new learning, upon his head must descend the curses of the scholarly classes. 4. The government has already suffered many misfortunes of recent date because of missionaries. Riots have for years centered about them, and what has happened at Kiao Chou, with its train of evils, is likely to occur again almost anywhere. The immense cost in money and reputation of protect- ing foreign missionaries must be burdensome in the extreme.
Yet the emperor, and the empress dowager as well – for she has been an unseen reformer and agitator for years, in spite of her present fear that the emperor 11as gone altogether too far toward revolution in his reform- ing tendencies-are per- fectly aware that Chris- tianity is the salt of the empire, and that its dis- pensers must be favored, FOUR GENERATIONS OF CHRISTIAN CHINESE. if the corrupt body politic is to be saved. Having reapt the benefits of Christian honesty in the customs service, and seen the awful consequences of its lack in the Japanese war, they will secretly welcome the accredited teachers of so profitable a religion.
5. Meanwhile God reigns. The Powers plot and propose; the throne trembles and belongs to no one-save Jehovah; rebellions and uprisings are multiplied; but through it all the messenger of the cross pursues his peaceful way and meets with a success which has never been equaled in China's history. Pentecosts in Manchuria, thousands longing to be shepherded within a few miles of the awful missionary massacre of 1895, missionaries, and even boy pupils who know something of science and the Bible, called to the aid of ambi- tious scholars, a deepening dependence upon God forced upon them by retrenchments at home-these are some of the elements in the missionary situation which demand thanksgiving, an army of recruits, and a praying Church behind them all. The cloud is still as small as a man's hand, but it is big with blessing, and the Christian must, like Elijah, gir~ his loins and run before the chariot of the King of Kings as He enters majestically into the open gates of earth's greatest empire.
Bi~liollraphy for Section I. George N. Curzon: Problem~ of the Far East, eh. V.III. ,. F. D~vJs: ~he Chu,l.(;se, vol. I., ehs. V., VI. R. K. Douglas: C~ma, eh. I. Ene:!,elopedla Brlttanmea, Nmth EditIOn, vol. V., pp. ~29-6!i3. ~'. H. Gray: Chma, vol. I., ehs. I.,JV., V., and vol. II., eh. XXXII. A. H. Keane: ASia (1896 editIOn), vol. I., pp. 24tHl61, 366-383, 43'2-439. MIS- SIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD (1894), pp. 80-89; (1895), pp. 84-S9; (18)6), pp. 96-100. A. E.
lIJou1e: New China and Old, ehs. I., VI., VIII. J. L. Neviu~: China and the Chinese, chs. t.,
WILLIAM ROYI: AN AFRICAN BAVED BY GRACE
III., rV.,Ic.,hXs.III.-IIAI.., H. Smit h: Chinese Characteristics. S. Wells Williams: Middle Kingdom vol. V., VL, and vol. IL, chs. XVII., XXI.-XXVI.
Bibliography for Section II. E~.isM.s.ioBnsl,isLs:o Concise Hi story of Missions, pt II ch VI Centenary Conference on F?reig:n ndon, 1888, vol. I. , pp. 220-238, and voi'. II.; PP: 266-272,.3O!Hl15. Encylopedla ~f MIssIOns, vol. I., pp. 265-271. J. A. Graham: Missionary ExpansIon SlDce the ReformatIOn, pp. 139-160. E. A. Lawrence: Modern Missions in the East, pp. 57-70. D. L. Leonard: A Hundred Years of Missions, pp.307-332. R. Lovett: Primer .of Modern.. British Missions, ch. V. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD (1896), pp. 87-96. J. L Nevius: China and the Chinese,pp. 3()(Hj31, chs. XXII.-XXV. S. W. Williams: Middle King: dom, vol. IL, pp. 318-1171, chs. XXII.-XXVI. R. Young: Modern Missions, Their Trials and Triumphs, pp. 100-138.
Bibliography for Section III. J. H. Barrows (editor): World's Parliament of Religions, vol. II., pp.1134-1144. G. N. Curzon: Problems of the Far East, chs. IX., X. P. S. Gundry: China, Present and Past, chs. IV., V., X. B. C. Henry: The Cross and the Dragon, ch. XXV. W. A. P. Martin: A Cycle of Cathay, pt. II., chs. XL-XV. MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD (1800), pp. 100-106, 510-512; (1897), JlP. 95-102, 116-120,764-769; (1898), pp. 52-55, 127-232, 678-680, 684-688. J. R. Mott: Strategic Pomts in the World Conquest, ch. XV. J. L. Nevius: China and the Chinese, chs. XXVII., XXVIII. A. H. Smith; Chinese Characteristics, ch.XXVII. R. E. Speer: Missions and Politics in Asia, Lecture III.
WILLIAM KOYI: AN AFRIOAN SAVED BY GRAOE.
BY W. A. ELMSLIE, M.B., C.M., F.R.G.S., LIVINGSTONIA.
In that truly wonderful record, "Lovedale: Past and Present," defined on the title-page as "a register of two thousand names, a record written in black and white, but more in white than black," we meet the following biief notice of a very remarkable man: William Koyi was born of heathen parents at Thomas River, in the year 1846. His mother died a Christian. He left his home during the cattle-killing mania in 1857, and went to seek employment among the Dutch farmers in the colony, earning half a crown a month as a wagon leader. About this time his father died, and five years later his mother and two sisters. He left his Dutch employer and workt for five years at one of the wool-washing establishments in Uitenhage, and was promoted to be overseer. From thence he went to work in the stores of Messrs. A. C. Stewart & Co., Port Elizabeth, where he remained for about the same number of years. He had never attended school, but now felt the need of education, and, therefore, set about learning to read Raffir. He had about this time (1869) been converted and admitted a member of the Wesleyan Church at Port Elizabeth.
He came to Lovedale in 1871, and his case is one of the most remarkable results of Lovedale work. A stray leaf of the Isigidimi Sama-Xosa, which he pickt up and read during his dinner hour at Port Elizabeth, was the first cause of his attention being directed to the place. On inquiry he found it was 150 miles distant, and he then resolved to walk to it and seek admission. He had friends in Tshoxa, Rev. Mr. Liefeldt's station, and it was from that missionary he brought a note of recommendation. He attended the first, second, and third years' classes, and during his stay at Lovedale he was active, willing, and trustworthy, caring for duty and not popularity among his fellows.
He came to regard Lovedale as his home, and to be regarded as a humble, but valuable, worker, who could always be depended on, and needed no pushing to his work or pressure to keep at it and do his best, and make himself generally useful. After. a time he was appointed assistant overseer of the work companies of the native boarders.
In 1876 he offered, along with thirteen others, to go to Livingstonia as a native evangelist. Only four, including hiJnself, were chosen. lie has steadily continued, these nine years, at the work at Lake Nyasa, and shown considerable energy and natural intelligence, and has thus proved to be of great service to the Free Church mission in Central Africa.
The foregoing was printed in 1886, in which year William died on the 4th of June, after a brief, but distressing, illness, which he bore with Ohristian fortitude, and a few notes of his life and character in Livingstonia, may serve to shew how God's grace and power may be manifested in and through the much-despised African native.
William's first service in Livingstonia was rendered when the mission was located at Oape Macleao, on the southern shores of Lake Nyasa. One of his native companions from Lovedale died there, and the other two were invalided home. Despite the trying climate, and the frequent severe fevers, he persevered in his work, and in many departments rendered important service. He sought to serve the Lord in all that he did, not counting any task too humble to require full consecration in doing it. He was taken by Dr. Laws, the late Mr. James Stewart, and Mr. John Moir on their important journeys of exploration on the west side of Lake Nyasa, and onward as far as Tanganyika, a great part of which country is now the field of the Livingstonia Mission. When the second station of the mission was opened half way up the lake, at Bandawe, William proceeded there and renewed his faithful labors in founding it.
THE RAID OF THE NGONI WARRIORS.
Some incidents connected with his work will illustrate his character. On one occasion, not long after the mission had opened the Bandawe station, report of a large Ngoni war party being on its way to attack the people around the station, was brought from a village some miles distant. On such occasions the terror-stricken natives rusht to the vicinity of the station, in hope of protection. Thousands of helpless women and children croucht among the brushes around the station, or crawled into holes among the rocks on the neighboring hill, or lay on the beach ready to take to water as a last chance of life. On one such occasion not only were the natives alarmed, but so threatening were the circumstances that the missionaries hastily put together a few things and launcht the boat ready for escape to the rocky island some hundreds of yards off.
When the report above referred to reacht the station, a consultation was held, and William Koyi volunteered to go out and meet the war party and endeavor to turn it back from its purpose. He walkt on for some hours, and at last met the party at a little stream, where it had made a temporary camp, to await a favorable opportunity to attack the village of Matete, some two hours' march from the mission station. It was composed of a section of the Ngoni, with whom the mission party had, on one of the journeys of exploration, come in contact. They were, it was stated, not only intending to attack the natives of the Bandawe district, but also the mission station, in order to secure the wealth of cloth, beads, and other goods they fancied were stored there. When William met the party, and before he could open his mouth, the young warriors began to engage in war dancing. On such occasions the slightest indiscretion in speech or movement which might be interpreted as defiance, would have led to an immediate attack.
There, with only a few friendly boys, William beheld the aweinspiring war dance of Ngoni. They danced in companies and they danced singly, each warrior clad in hideous-looking garb, which, with their large war-shields, almost hid their human form and made them more like war-demons than men, as they leapt and brandisht their broad-bladed stabbing-spears, with which they fight. William stood for a time watching them, utterly unable to decide what to say or what to do to effect the purpose for which he had come out. Secretly praying to God for guidance and success, he sat down on the bank of the stream. Still at a loss to know what he should do, he took off one of his boots and stockings and began to wash his foot. That done, he as leisurely, and still puzzled, put on his boot again; but still the dancing went on, and there was no opportunity to speak, even had he known what to say. He then proceeded to wash his other foot, and the warriors sat down. He thereupon found the opportunity for speech, and remarkt in an off-hand manner: " Now, you are sensible people to rest yourselves on this hot day." This produced a burst of laughter from the warriors. The spell was broken; the war-like intentions of the party were frustrated; free and· open speech was found. The result was that war was averted, and a section of the party was conducted to the mission station, when it was arranged that William and Albert Namalambe, who was at that time at Bandawe, should go back with the party and see Mombera with a view to a permanent residence among the Ngoni. Thus, in the providence of God, the war party that left home bent on war and plunder, returned as guides and escort of the messengers of the Gospel of peace. This incident, which well illustrates the valuable work of our departed colleague, was the prelude to the commencement of the work among the Ngoni, the success of which has been very remarkable. Mombera, the Ngoni chief, once said to me, "My army, when away from home, are like mad dogs; they can not be kept in, but bite small and great the same;" and only those who past through the fire of the pioneering days at Bandawe and in Ngonilan, can measure the service done that day, not only to the thousands around Bandawe, but toward the success of the Livingstonia mission. Years afterward, when I was one evening encampt at the village near which the Ngoni army was met, the chief related to me the story, and sent a bunch of bananas for William Koyi, to show that he had not forgotten what hEl h&d done for them. When William accompanied the warriors back to Ngoniland, he and Albert were introduced to Mombera, and resided in a hut in one of his villages. The Ngoni took some time ere they gave them a welcome, as there was one party favorable to, and another aga.inst, their being allowed to stay. They were exposed to many insults and threats, and their position was at times extremely critical. They often feared to be both asleep at the same time, and took turns in watching on account of the threatening attitude of the people. In all those days William's knowledge of the Kaffir language was invaluable. Mombera, the chief, despite his rough man1?-ers and despotic behavior, was very fatherly and fond O'f children, and formed a remarkable attachment to Albert, who had a very attractive appearance and manner. This Albert, it should be noted, was the first convert in the Livingstonia mission, and has, since Cape Maclear station was vacated by Europeans in 1880, carried on the work there, many having been added to the church through his labors.
William Koyi was known among the Kgoni by the native name Umtusan£, and from love to him Mombera had a son named after him. Mombera was very kind to him, and altho he often made sport of what was told him of the Gospel, he always showed him great respect, and was often in hot water with his head men on account of his attachment to him.
AT AN NGONI WAR DANCE.
On the occasion of the last great tribal function, the ceremony of " crowning" those who, having been out to war and proved their valor, were henceforth to take their places as men in the affairs of the nation, there was a gathering of several thousands of armed men, in the royal kraal. William attended, as it was politic never to show any signs of fear. A clamor was raised in one of the military parties that he should be killed, as he had come to throw dust in the chief's eyes. One of the most famous of the Ngoni generals, named Dawambi, led off a great war dance which was very well fitted to make one's hair stand up. This valiant's war whoop was "submit." His movements, as I witnest on another occasion, were terrible to behold. We were wont to call him Belshazzar, as in his war dancing H he lifted up himself against the Lord of Heaven." With spear in hand he began by walking with uplifted proud look, round and round in front of his warriors, while they continued beating their shields with their war clubs. Then, kicking the dust of the cattle-fold over :those around, and pointing his spear at them in seeming indignation, ihe cried, "submit." The assembled thousands of warriors, beating their shields, cried "submit." Proceeding, he named the several :surrounding tribes; the hills and mountains; the sun, moon, and stars; his fury seemingly waxing stronger, and the clouds of dust flying., while at each call the warriors beat their shields and cried " submit." The elements of nature, rain, thunder, lightning, were all called upon to submit; and, amid the increasing din of shieldbeating and roaring of the warriors, the climax of his dance and his daring blasphemy was reacht, when, pointing his spear to the sky, he cried, as the foam flew from his mouth, "Thou who art above, submit." The tumult was as if all assembled had turned into demons, and it is not surprising that great fear fell on William Koyi, who was alone at the time. Mombera saw his discomfiture, or perhaps feared for his life, and, rising up went and took him by the hand and led him to his own place, and sat down beside him.. It was what, probably, saved his life on that occasion, for if once a cry for blood went out in a company of warriors fired by such dancing as that of Dawambi, they indeed became as mad dogs, or worse. Such scenes have forever past away, but in those days they always ended in bloodshed.
ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT.
William was in perils oft. On a visit to Ngoniland of some of the members of the Bandawe staff, one of the party in a very natural manner toucht the head of one of Mombera's children, and remarkt how fine a child he was. To do such a thing is considered unlucky. it so happened that when the party left William, to return to Bandawe, the child sickened and died. The cry was raised that he had been bewitcht when he was patted on the head. The matter was threatening enough at the time, and it revealed something of Mombera's character when he secretly informed William, and said that he himself did not agree with those who said the child had been bewitcht. The matter was of great importance, and the council summoned the divining men who fortunately blamed some evil spirit, and not the member of the mission: The council were not satisfied, and more than likely the party opposed to the mission conceived the idea of seizing on this as a pretext for driving William out of the country, if not for killing him. Secretly, Mombera informed him of all that was going on. The council insisted on having recourse to the poison ordeal. Fowls, to represent the mission party, had the poison administered to them. They all vomited, which sign had to be taken as clearing the accused. But so determined, apparently, were the council to obtain a conviction, that they remembered that the usual test as to whether the presiding doctor was giving true poison (mwave) had not been carried out. They treated one other fowl to the poison, and the result establisht the innocence of the missionaries. The incident serves to show how insecure from man's point of view the position of our hero often was, but to one who walkt with God there was in all these things great spiritual help.
These were not the only occasions on which our colleague was WOMEN WITCH DOCTORS OF SOUTH AFRICA..
placed in trying circumstances, which required great wisdom, manliness, and devotion to duty; but all through there was no wavering or weakness shown. . He understood his position, and the trust which was placed in him, and with characteristic humility and absence of seH-seeking, he went through it all, counting it an honor to be a messenger of the cross to Ngoni. Those who have to deal with natives understand how many, who are otherwise good and trustworthy, lose themselves entirely when entrusted with a little authority. But William Koyi never forgot" the hole of the pit whence he was dug," and the character for steadiness, humility, and devotion to duty, which Dr. Stewart gave him, was fully borne out to the very end.
In those early years of the work among the Ngoni, William had to bear the chief burden of the frequent outbursts of Ngoni pride and impatience. If he was not there alone, and baving to meet them himself, he was, till near his death, required as interpreter and chief speaker. I became aware, ou several occasions, that he hid from others and from me much of the anger, ha~a words, and evil intentions of the Ngoni. He was, as a native, able to discount what they said; but his kindly nature was shown in his rather suffering obloquy himself than that his white friends should be distrest.
WILLIAM AS AN EVANGELIST.
William Koyi was a devoted evangelist, and, so far as liberty to carryon mission work was given, he was eager to embrace everyopportunity for telling of the love of Christ. His life was a sermon which made the people wonder, question, and think. More by personal talks than by set discourse he exercised an influence over the thought of the people, which we can never fully measure. While they were willing to twist our statements to fit them in with their own practises, and to ignore the real object of our presence, he kept our object ever before them, and compelled their attention to it, in a way at once effectual and without irritating them. He was a diligent student of the Word of God, and with much warmth of Christian experience he. was ever a happy Christian. He had persevered to acquire a very fair use of the English language and literature. A common Kaffir- U a mission Kaffir "-to be sneered at by white men not in possession of a tithe of his manliness, or moral character, he was one with whom it was a privilege to associate, and from whom, I acknowledge with pride, I received unmeasured help, and to whose achievements in those early days the success we can now chronicle is in a large measure due. He died before he saw much fruit of his labors among the Ngoni. He lived in the assurance that the day would soon come when the work would be allowed to go on unhindered by the council. He could take a comprehensive view of the aims and work of the mission, looking beyond the immediate future, to a degree very remarkable for a native. He strongly urged upon his fellow-countrymen in the colony the importance and character of the work, and the call for them to give themselves to it. The following is part of a letter written in 1883: It will be a great day when the native Christians of South Africa will willingly undertake the work here, and give up their lives to come and teach their countrymen at Lake Nyasa. I wish I had a better education; I would give myself wholly to my countrymen here. Here is work for Christ standing still. You (native Christians) have received much, and have received education. I do not say you do not work with that education where you are, but can you not spare even two to come and teach these people who are dying in darkness? What am I to think, and what encouragement will my poor soul receive, if no attempts are made by you to second my poor efforts P My great wish* is that there was a white and also a native missionary here, and then the work would progress. I think there should be more coming to help in this great work.
*This" great wish" was the conviction of Dr. Laws also, and my being sent out in 18S4 was the response to it of friends at home. A TRIUMPHANT DEATH.
And his death? How died the faithful soldier of the cross? As he had lived, strong in faith and in the assurance of acceptance with God through the merits of Jesus Christ. The sickness from which he died ran a rapid course. Having to go to Bandawe, I left him convalescent from an attack of fever. I had only been gone a few days when his condition became serious, and he exprest a desire to have me with him. I hurried back and found, to my dismay, that a dangerous affection of the heart had supervened. He rallied for a time, and tho still confined to bed, he was full of hope that he was to be raised up again for his work. One day toward the end, a large deputation of the chief's head men were seen ascending the hill to the station. From previous experience we had only too good reason to be anxious as to their object. Great was William's regret that he could not take his wonted place when the deputation arrived. It was the first occasion on which I had been deprived of his help. I was very anxious, but soon the occasion was one for glad thankfulness to Almighty God. They had come to proclaim that we were now free to teach the children and to go about in the country. As soon as they left, I hastened to the sick chamber to give the good news to my dear colleague. As I entered (he was sitting propped up in bed on account of his labored breathing) he said eagerly, "What is it ?" "Can you believe it," I said, "we have now full liberty to carryon all our work and open schools?" Clasping his hands, and taking up' the words of the aged Simeon as he beheld the Savior, with a never-to-be-forgotten gleam of joy lighting up his wasted countenance, he said, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation." He was overcome and lay for a time as if dead. The words he uttered were his prayer, and it was answered two days afterward, when, in peace he was taken to the higher service of the sanctuary above. "My Savior is with me," were his last words. The words he uttered were also his thanksgiving, and his resignation. During the interval till his death, quite contrary to his former hopefulness of recovery, he was assured he was to die. Once he said he would like to be raised up to see the work in progress, but he knew it was to be otherwise, and he said it was best.
So died William Koyi, a humble and faithful follower of the Savior; a trophy from heathenism, and the pioneer of the Gospel in Ngoniland. It was meet that, his work done, his dust should rest where he had fought the battle, and his grave become the title-deed to "Ngoniland for Christ." His was the first mission grave opened there.
John Ruskin says, "The lives we need to have written for us are those of the people whom the world has not thought of-who are yet doing the most of its work, and of whom we may learn how it can best be done."
DEMOCRACY IN CHINA
DEMOORAOY IN OHINA.
BY REV. ARTHUR H. SMITH, TIENTSIN, CHINA.
Missionary of the American Board.
The government of Ohina was once supposed to be an absolute despotism. It is now sufficiently well known that every emperor upon the Ohinese throne is held in check by a variety of forces, and that, like other mortals, he can not escape from his environment. He is himself governed by precedent, and by the existing circumstances in which he finds himself, and he is trammeled by the ponderous machineryof boards and departments. If all the high officials in the empire could but agree to keep comparative silence, the emperor would have no means of even knowing what is going on in any part of his dominions. The truth seems to be that, while he is "absolute" in theory, he is so in theory only, and that, like other rulers, he practically shares his rule with a small, but powerful, body of officials whom he himself appoints, and whom he can at any moment remove, but upon whom, as long as they hold office at all, he is yet wholly dependent. This state of things is a serious abatement from absolutism. The real government of Ohina is that of a carefully-balanced oligarchy.
But the oligarchy has a powerful and efficient check of a sort which might not have been expected. It is found in the people. The most ancient Ohinese classics recognize with the utmost distinctness the proposition that the people are the end for which the sovereign should rule. Some of these passages are so explicit in terms, and so far· reaching in meaning, that they might also be taken as the remote suggestion of modern declarations of independence.
In the book of history there is a great deal to show that" the peopIe" were much in the thought of the writers. "Heaven sees as my people see; heaven hears as my people hear." "'What the people desire heaven will assuredly comply with." And, perhaps, not less significant than other messages is the memorable saying: "The people are the root of a country; when the root is firm the country is tranquil." When the emperrr takes occasion to confess his official sins to heaven, by the decree of which he rules, he always mentions that, through his remissness, calamities have come upon the people.
THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATES.
When we come to inquire how this theory is reduced to practise, we ascertain that in all ordinary affairs the Ohinese government does not meddle with the people. The empire consists of more than 800 cities, and of innumerable villages. The cities are subdivided into wards, as in Occidental lands, and so, too, are the towns, if they are of any size. The affairs of these wards and villages are managed by head men, whom the people not only choose for themselves, but whom they are required to choose in order that responsibility may be fixt. The only official with whom ninety-nine out of every hundred Chinese come into contact is the district magistrate, who is to the people the direct and visible representative of the imperial power. Of these magistrates there are about 1,300 in service, and as theirs is only seventh among the nine grades of rank, lookt at from above they appear to be very insignificant officials. Viewed on the other hand, from the stand point of the people, the district magistrate is practically a much more important person than the emperor, who is to them only a name in which taxes are collected, and which is sometimes found on coins, and always in the notation of dates. The district magistrate is vicariously called the father and mother of the people. Like the emperor himself, he is hedged about by restrictions, but within his limits his word is, for the time, law. Gaze upon the mighty throng~ of Chinese gathered at every religious festival, or at any great fair A STREET IN PEKING, CHINA.
and consider that there are a very few out of all these vast multitudes whom, if he set himself to do so, the district magistrate could not either beat or fine. Appeal from his decision is indeed always open, but, owing to distance, expense, constant bribery of officials, and their invariable collusion with one another, such a resource is adopted in but a small proportion of cases, and when adopted probably succeeds in an equally small proportion. It is proverbia.l that a district magistrate can, with impunity, commit murder-which is, indeed, an every day occurrence-and that a prefect can exterminate whole families. The tyranny of the Chinese oligarchy is nowhere so conspicuously manifested as in officials of minor rank.
The medium through whom the district magistrate communicates with the people is the local constable, and this man again is not only chosen by the people themselves, but they are as responsible for him as he is for them.
Altho secret societies are contraband, and altho the government keeps a firm hand upon things in general, there is no restraint either upon public assemblages nor, as a rule, any espionage on what is there said and done. To outward appearance the people might spend all their spare time holding parliaments, for all the officials care. Still there is the standing warning in the tea-shops, "Do not talk about public affairs." This serves well to illustrate the union of apparent indifference and potential interference. While the liberty is not abused it remains. But everyone is aware that it might be instantly withdrawn for no assigned reasons. The people, like individuals, have· the right of petition, and of this they constantly avail themselves, and by this means they sometimes get redress in summary ways. But.
there are many checks upon the exercise of this right, just as there are· to any other mode in which forces act. There is the initial difficulty in getting a hearing. There is no way of sending the petition, a tele- gram, or any communication whatever, to anyone in authority, with- out running the gauntlet of a great many persons who will thoroughly sift the message, and will do their best to suppress, or, at least, to'
counteract, whatever runs counter to their views or interests. One of the reforms most needed in China is a speedy and certain way to get the ear of those in authority. If their petitions are persistently disre- garded, the people have the right of appeal, and this also is in constant use. It is true that the corruption of the mandarinate renders this privilege too often nugatory, but this evil is by no means confined to, the far East. '
It is not always remembered how much easier is the lot of the average Ohinese in the item of taxation than that of other Ori-· entals. It is rare to hear even the Chinese themselves complain of the: amount which they are obliged to pay to tlie government. The exac-· tions of extortionate officials in years of flood and famine are, illdeed'~ common topics of dissatisfaction, but these are abuses of a good the- ory. The government levies for transportation, as boats, carts, etc., and for materials, such as stalks for the repair of breaches in the river banks, can hardly be termed oppressive, especially for an Asiatic coun- try, and under a rule which is clast as "absolute despotism."
'rhe people are, therefore, a factor theoretically of considerable importance in the Ohinese state. We do not, it is true, hear anything about" the consent of the governed," yet if the people express united, emphatic, continuous discontent at the proceedings of their rulers, then regard must be paid to such protest.
Mutual distrust renders it always difficult and generally impossible for large numbers of Ohinese to combine against regularly appointed officers, and then only under a popular leader. The Chinese are, phenomenally patient uuder gross misgovernment and maladministra- tion, partly from native inertia, partly from deep-seated respect for constituted authority, and partly because of ages of painful experience of the difficulty of securing cohesion among the opponents of injustice. . But pusht to extremities they will proverbially rebel (kuan pi, min fah). The official who does not deal fairly with the people in districts ruined by drought or floods, in securing them remission of taxes which they can not pay, will eventually excite their fury. It is remarkable that no cases seem to be reported of attacks upon officials for failure to give relief, which the people know to be hopeless, but only for exading from them money and grain which they have not. Should he remain obdurate, the people will frequently raise a posse, seize the sedan-chair of the official, and carry him beyond the boundaries of his jurisdiction, perhaps even to the provincial capital itself, with the emphatic message to the governor, "We will not have this man to rule over us." The leaders in this "rebellion" will be punisht, but their object will be gained. 'rhe official will be removed, and perhaps permanently degraded for not knowing how to "tranquilize the people," and what is of much greater importance, his successor will profit by his example.
UPRISINGS OF THE PEOPLE.
Very little of what takes place in China comes to the knowledge of foreigners, or finds its way into newspapers. Yet within a period of six months during the year 1892, reports of five cases were publisht, in each of which attacks upon Chinese officials were made by the people, and these five cases occurred in five different provinces from Hupeh to Kuangtung, for it is in this part of China that such occurrences seem to be most frequent. In .one instance the Ningpo students, angry at a district magistrate who, by the untimely and pro- tracted funeral of a superior officer, was prevented from giving out an examination theme at the set time, became an infuriated mob, broke into the examination buildings, smasht everything in the kitchen, beat the head cook, and demolisht all the furniture in the hall of the classics. Upon the arrival of the magistrate the scholars seized his chair and hustled it out of the premises. In Kiangsu a yamen was wreckt, and the magistrate put to flight because the people were exasperated at his cruelty, and they refused to pay taxes until he was removed. In Kuangtung the extortions of a magistrate in the Namhoi district led the people to attack him in his chair with stones, and if his soldiers had not come to the rescue, he would have been killed. In Hupeh a Chinese gunboat was assailed by furious villagers, who captured the dragon flags, seized the boarding pikes and with them beat the sailors unmercifully. In Fukien a rising against the collection of an extortionate salt tax assumed the dignity of a small rebellion. Three thousand villagers attackt a yamen and reIeast their leader. When the. higher authorities sent soldiers with the magistrate to recapture the prisoner, the people met the troops and defeated them, and killed the magistrate.
It thus appears that while a district magistrate seems in ordinary times to be an emperor in miniature, he is liable at any time to be dethroned by his own subjects. In two important respects he is singularly helpless. He generally has at his disposal a militia force, for the most part badly armed, badly drilled, illpaid, and few in nnmber. Cases constantly occur in which the yamen is attackt by bands of robbers and the treasury sackt. In this or in other serious cases, the magistrate is comparatively helpless until more troops can be summoned from the nearest camp. Of these camps there are many scattered over the land, but in comparison with the vast masses of the peaceful population the number of soldiers is next to nothing. Whenever any rising of the people takes place, such is the theoretical sacredness of human life in China, that the magistrate dare not take the risk of firing even upon the rioters, for the consequences might be to him doubly ruinous. He is, therefore, reduced to the necessity of administering to them good advice-the Chinese form of "reading the riot act" ; and if this is of no avail, we sometimes have the strange spectacle of the district magistrate upon his knees, and making continuous k'o-tows to the mob which he is supposed to govern, begging them as a personal favor to him to disperse and do no further violence!
One of the most conspicuous ways in which the democracy of the Chinese manifests itself, is in the combinations intended to resist what they regard as aggressions. The empire is full of officials, each one of whom has had a long and a difficult road to travel in getting to his post. He has been an "expectant" longer than he can remember, and he has incurred more obligations of a financial nature than it is convenient, or indeed possible for him to recall. To everyone of these mandarins inevitably occur8 the happy thought to recoup himself by his very first term of office, aye, even in the first year of that term. As the adage runs, "When one is newly appointed to be a superintendent of a granary, he sits up all night to boil rice to eat." Now if all the officials who entertain this" happy thought" were to carry it out, nothing else would be carried out. The Chinese remedy is the very negative, and yet very positive one of refusing to do business at all until the wrong is righted. Of this an instance was recently reported from the city of Canton, where the pawnshops had been bullied by the Tartar soldiers and refused to open their doors, enormously inconveniencing a dense population, until assurances were given that the grievance should not be repeated. In this they were entirely successful. The customs Taotais in the important ports of China sometimes attempt to enforce unjust and unprecedented taxes until all the leading business houses shut their doors. Then there is an investigation from the higher authorities, the traders generally carry their point, and the tax is abandoned. Cases of this sort are constantly occurring all over China, for human nature is everywhere the same. The Chinese theory about "the people" being what it is, there is an inevitable embarrassment when the government has resolved on something which "the people" do not want and will not have. We have heard of lines of telegraph pulled down in the province of Hu-nan, which prides itself upon its exceptional independence of imperial control. While the lines may be put up at a later date, it is very certain that the government has a certain respect for fear of the people. We have not forgotten that railway bridge begun in Tientsin a few years ago, and demolisht before it was half done, by the authorities themselves at the behest of alleged Ningpo junkmen. And if that event had past quite out of remembrance, there is the present circuitous route of the railway from Tientsin to Peking, running through a region where nobody lives who could use it, so as not to interfere with the business along the route!
The government knows how to use all these forces with great skill to thwart foreign demands, even to adducing the hostility of the monkeys on the Upper Yangtzu as a reason for refusing to authorize the introduction of steam navigation on that stream. But the resident forces are just as real as if the Chinese government denied instead of affirming them. The officials greatly dread to have a vast number of homeless poor invading their yamens, insisting upon redress. So when the order goes forth for the pulling down of a forest of mat-sheds built by" squatters," the latter can raise such a disturbance that the mandate is permanently rescinded.
THE POWER OF THE LITERATI.
Oligarchy and democracy are thus in China rival forces, but between them interposes a third, which is allied to each, but more powerful than either. This is the literary class, forming a pyramid, of which the base is composed of all the scholars oll the district, the middle of the graduates of high rank, and the apex of officials, either permanently retired or permanently out of office. The organization of the upper strata of the Literati, like all other Chinese organizations, is very efficient, and the lower strata can be readily aroused when" the bias of class" is wounded. If a graduate of the lowest ·degree is beaten by some ill-advised district magistrate, all the graduates of this rank throughout the district are up in arms to attack the official, who must have powerful backing to withstand them.
The Chinese people have an innate respect for literature. The Literati are to them the embodiment of the grandeur of Chinese literature in the mighty past and the representatives of its present potency. When, therefore, the Literati, acting as a unit, mark out a line of action, it is almost as certain that the people will do their bidding as that the leaves of the aspen will quiver in response to the upspringing breeze.
Here, then, are the chief forces interacting within the Chinese empire. An emperor who (when in power) is {( absolute" ruling a people for whose well-being alone the empire exists. The people, when united, are practically irresistible, but upon occasion are molded by the Literati to do their will, and, perhaps, for the time to thwart the decrees of the emperor. Whenever the popular fury, adroitly fanned by the Literati, bursts out against foreigners, we find the officials of all grades pleading their absolute inability to control the people, as if China were an acknowledged democracy. That there is a real difficulty in the matter is obvious upon the face of it, but of the real nature and extent of the embarrassment felt by rulers of different grades, it is difficult for foreigners to judge. In the end the government cuts off the heads of some persons-often of those having no real connection with the disturbance-and things go on as before, the impetuous foreigners having been duly warned to beware of "the people." Is it any wonder that under such a government, working upon such materials, rebellion should be, as was long since pointed out, a part of the inevitable routine of the empire, so that when the prejudices of the Chinese are once more aroused, there should be destructive riots? And considering the great quantities of social dynamite lying loosely about in China, should we not rather be surprised that antiforeign outbreaks are not more numerous, and that when these tremendous explosions do occur, the loss of life is almost invariably small ?
Chinese democracy is a very mixt thing, but it is a very real thing. Perhaps unlike Occidental democracy it docs not add to its strength year by year, or even century by century, but when it is aroused it always asserts itself. Dynasties come and dynasties go, but the democracy of the Chinese people is a factor which must always be reckoned with, and of this none are better aware than those who hold the reins of Chinese power.
The great need of China is neither more men, nor yet more machinery, to develop her vast and unused resources. What she lacks, and what she must have, is a unifying force to replace segregated selfishness by cooperative unity. This we may be certain she will never get by any other means than those which have secured it for the lands of the West-a clear and a controlling sense of the Fatherhood of God and of the brotherhood of man.
DONALD MUNRO DRYSDALE. H3
DONALD MUNRO DRYSDALE, 'fHE MERCHANT EVANGELIST.
BY D. E. ANDERSON, · ~I.D., PARIS, FRANCE.
On Christmas Eve, 1897, at the age of sixty-three, Donald Munro Drysdale, of Silvermere, Prince's Park, Liverpool, timber merchant, entered into the presence of his Master, at Mentone, southern France.
Mr. Drysdale was intimately connected with the religious move- ment that began twenty-three years ago with the visit of Messrs.
Moody and Sankey to Great Britain. It was he, in fact, who first induced these brethren to cross the Atlantic, and start those revival missions which were so abundantly owned of God. He had heard Mr. Moody in Chicago, and on returning to Liverpool he assembled a few merchants, bank- ers, and ministers, and they formed the committee which invited the revivalists across, and arranged their plan of campaign. Mr.
Drysdale was the honorary sec- D. M. DRYSDALE.
retary of that committee, and on Mr. -Moody's second visit to Europe he was vice-chair~an.
On leaving Liverpool, Mr. Moody, who had the knack of finding out the best men in his congregation and of setting them into the right work, persuaded Mr. Drysdale to carryon the large meetings which had night after night met in the immense wooden hall, tempo- rarily erected. This was no new work to the Liverpool merchant, for on Sundays it had been his habit for several years past to preach in the open air in Wavertree Park. He now hired at his own cost the large Hengler's Circus, and during the next sixteen winters, without missing a single Sunday night, he addrest a crowded house of five to six thousand persons, God working mightily through him for the conversion of souls. The Holy Spirit burned in him, his tongue was loosened, and thousands hung on the words of grace that flowed from his lips. The after-meeting was invariably the birth-place of scores of souls brought to a clear knowledge of the redeeming work of their Savior, through the instrumentality of His humble servant. But the usefulness of this man of God did not stop here. Churches, chapels, and other meeting-places in and out of Liverpool called him to their help, on week-nights, after a hard day's labor at his ow:a business. He was a keen and prosperous merchant, upon whom not only his own family depended, but Illany others besides, not taking into account the numerous religious and benevolent societies to which he generously subscribed.
The characteristic trait in our brother's Ohristian career did not lie so much in his acquired gift as a preacher as in his incessant boldness in speaking in season and out of season, for the Master. In the streets, in the trains, trams, buses, lifts, steamboats, and other public vehicles, wherever he had an audience of two or more, he would, after a few preliminary remarks, ask his hearers if God were to take them away that day, whether they knew where they would go; then in a few clear, concise words he would tell them of the way of salvation through the blood of Jesus. Of course this method of imposing one's thoughts upon the public, whether the latter wisht to hear him or not, constantly gave offense, but our brother used to say that he had reason to believe during the thirty years that he had thus daily testified for the Master, that the majority were glad to hear him, and many a time, a thank you, or praise the Lord, an Amen, or an approving smile, or shake of the hand had encouraged him not to mind the disapprobation of the few. If he had 110 audience, he would accost individuals in the street and asking them politely to accept one of his tracts, put the question, "Is your soul saved ?"
In the summer holidays, whilst resting at the week-end at some seaside health-resort, he would never Illiss his opportunity of thus reaching the masses individually, and it was whilst thus engaged that he came across the late Professor Huxley, to whom he offered a tract and put the familiar question. The professor thereupon lost his temper and tearing the leaflet replied that his soul's salvation was his own business and not another's. Mr. Drysdale, who did not know whom he was addressing, simply apologized for having given offense, and added: "You have well said: 'Your soul's salvation is your own business,' but it is the greatest business of your life." 'l.'he next day the daily local papers contained a letter from Professor Huxley against tract distribution, and even some of the London papers took up the cudgel for and against the 'l.'ract Society. In the meantime, the worthy inhabitants of the little sea~ide town showed with which side they sympathized by literally swamping the place with tracts; in every nook and corner, on every public bench were deposited these messengers of the Gospel. As aforesaid, to everyone man that objected being talkt to on spiritual things, ten welcomed Mr. Drysdale's words, and only after the resurrection shall it be known how much good and how very little harm was done by this speaking in season and out of season.
One illustration will suffice to show that God did use His servant to bring at least one soul to repentance by this method. A few years ago Mr. Drysdale, accosting a policeman, askt him if his soul was saved. "Yes, Mr. Drysdale," replied the policeman; "I thank God you put that question to me some ten years ago when I was a stevedore on the quay by the riverside. I was not saved then, but your question troubled my conscience, and I did not rest until I had found peace through the blood of Jesus Ohrist."
Mr. Drysdale was a Baptist, and every Sunday evening he could be seen in his pew with his family at Prince's Gate Ohapel. In his ser- mons he was simple and practical, and the three cardinal considerations that seemed to impress him most were, 1st, that the Oreator was a liv- ing and observant God, 2d, that at the judgment day he would have to give an account of all his actions during life, and 3d, that he, as much as the earliest Ohristians, must preach the Gospel to every creature. During his college days he was an athlete, and later on he was chosen to play cricket for Liverpool against the All England ·eleven, and right on to the last days of his illness he took great interest in cricketing and football. In business he was a successful merchant, and had traveled over 50,000 miles in the United States and Oanada in connection with the timber trade. At his beautiful home, Silvermere, in Prince's Park, he was genial, kind, and hospitable, as a great many workers of different nationalities in the J..Jord's vineyard will testify. A few years ago he added a large hall to his house, in which religious and temperance meetings were frequently held. Mr. Drysdale was a strict teetotaler. From the day of his conversion, which happened thirtythree years ago, at the death of his first wife (the daughter of Mr. Wm. Millner of Huddersfield), altho always of an abstaining character, he had considered as a great hindrance to spiritual growth, inveterate drinking.
Mr. Drysdale was in the full enjoyment of vigorous health until six months before his death. He had never known what a day's illness meant until it was perceptibly evident that the strain of an extensive business, unrelieved by any long holiday, coupled with his arduous labor in the Lord's vineyard on Sundays and week-evenings, was shattering beyond any remedy, the resisting powers of his constitution. It was thought that the bracing air of Scarboro' and Harrogate would cure him, but he returned home in the antumn unbenefited, and as a last measure his medical advisers sent him to bask in the sunshine of Mentone, where at first he seemed to rally, but toward the middle of December, 1897, he rapidly sank, and on Ohristmas Eve, with his wife (daughter of the late Aaron Brown of Liverpool), daughter and son-in-law (Dr. and Mrs. D. E. Anderson of Paris), and his grandchildren, around his bed, he quietly fell asleep in Jesus. Spared excessive pain such as he might have been expected to suffer, he was sustained through weeks of gradually progressive decline in entire submission to the Divine will, and joyful anticipations of being "forever with the Lord." His grasp of truth was just as tenacious in sickness as in health. When at length the end came, no cloud of doubt or fear disquieted him.
He fell asleep in Christ his Lord: He gave to Him to keep The soul His great love had redeemed, Then calmly went to sleep.
And, as a tired bird folds its wing, Sure of the morning light, He laid him down in trustful faith, And did not dread the night.
MISSIONARY DHJEST DEPARTMENT
n.-MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT.
ASIA AT THE CLOSE OF 1898. * BY ROBERT E. SPEER, NEW YORK.
The Spirit of God has been moving upon the face of Asia. There has been such a shaking of old things as has not been seen since Japan broke her bands and turned her face toward her new inheritance. Where there was light at the beginning of the year just closed, the light is brighter now, and jagged streaks of dawn tear the darkness where all was gloom.
China, especially, has astonisht those who deemed her dead, and startled even those who knew that life was stirring deeply in her. The year began with the excitement aroused by Germany's seizure of territory in Shantung. For months the supreme question was one of diplomatic fencing between the foreign ministers, each striving for major influence and the choicest concessions. But suddenly the internal reform movement, which has been growing for years, and which is the result of the visions and knowledge supplied by missionaries and mission presses, broke forth with a daring of spirit and a possibility of consequence which overshadowed the petty game of national pilfer and intimidation that had been going on. The emperor was with the reform party. He was urged to behead Yung Lee, the nominal head of the only foreign-trained and equipt army in China, to occupy with this army Peking and the palaces, to remove and confine the empress dowager; and some of the reformers testify that the emperor was in favor of declaring Christianity to be the religion of the empire. It was inevitable that the giant revolution involved in the reforms of the educational system, which sounded the knell of the Confucian classics as the tyrant of the Chinese mind, should collapse. But the final result is sure, and the interrupted movement has left behind fresh edicts for the protection of missionaries, the encouragement of Western education, and the enlightenm"nt of the people. The dead giant is waking, and shaking his grave-clothes. It is the great day for missions.
Japan, meanwhile, has taken an advance step, smiled with satisfaction, tript badly, grown angry, and tangled the lines of her purposes. Party government was establisht during the year. The cabinet was to be responsible now to a parliamentary party. The prospect pleased everyone. In four months the new cabinet collapst. But that was only an episode. Party government will come the more quickly for it, and all such discipline is sobering. The most interesting feature of the year has been the continued revival of Buddhism. A new society has been organized, whose significance lies in its being representative of a wide movement in Japan, and whose aims are- 1. To encourage the priests of the various sects to promote their learning and to correct their evil habits. 2. To induce the government to publicly recognize Buddhism. . . . 4. To persuade the government to take the publicly-recognized faith under its protection, subjecting it, at the same time, to strict supervision. 5. To make careful scrutiny into social conditions, and to promote works having benevolent and society-improving aims. 6. To work for the spread of Buddhism, and to thrust aside everyone, whether official or layman, attempting to place obstacles in the path.
There is no prospect that the Japanese constitution will be set aside .. Condenst from the Sunday-school Times, Dec. 24, 1898.
ASIA AT THE CLOSE OF 1898
for these men, but the new year begins with Buddhism a more alert and aggressive foe to Christianity. On the other hand, the leading classes in Japan, tho resolutely progressive, are growing soberer and saner with increasing knowledge of the perplexities of Japan's position and the great changes hovering over the East.
Korea, midway between Japan and China, is like an imbecile child. Russia took off her hand early in th61 year, so placating Japan, with whom then she covenanted to leave Korea alone for a while. Left alone, the weak, silly, corrupt king, surrounded by weak, silly, and corrupt men, is conducting a government which is the laughing-stock and the despair of all who would help it. As the ablest man of Korea said not long ago, "One resolute man with a pistol could capture the Korean government. But what would he do with it? There are no capable men with whom he could conduct the state." The progressive men compose what is known as the "Independence Club," an organization which makes daring propositions near of kin to sedition, and whose desires are right, tho capacity and confidence are wanting. Meanwhile, throughout the whole land, the missionaries continue to lay deep and strong foundations on which in time a new Korea will rest.
In Siam the Gospel has been carried northwest to Cheng-tung in the British Shan states, and northeast into Luang Prabang, and the Sip Sung Pun Nah in French territory. It was hoped that the French would not object to the Protestant missions, but when at last the old missionary, who for years had been working northward in the hope of reaching the unreacht peoples, endeavored to begin his station he was obliged to leave almost with broken heart. Under British rule, and in Siamese territory proper, there has been peace through the year, and no man has hindered the Gospel.
The Mad Mullah of Swat is disturbing the peace of the border side in the northwest of India again, and the bubonic plague still curses the land. Agitation never dies in India, and restlessness and discontent are fed from a thousand springs. Over against all this, the mission movement has been doing its conciliating work among low caste and high caste alike, alllong Hindu and Moslem.
The great event of the year in Moslem lands has been the visit of the German emperor to Turkey and to Palestine. William II. has taken to heart the ruler whom the rest of the world execrates, and Abdul Hamid, caliph and sultan, puts his Mohammedanislll behind his back, and becomes a Christian infidel's friend. Still, missions and the movement of life have lost nothing. The Anatolian railway is to be extended, it is hoped, to Bagdad. The new American minister has sent his vice-consuls into Asia, and the representative of the New York Herald has discovered what had not been concealed, "that the missionaries are doing more for Turkey to-day than all of the European powers combined." • In Persia a very intelligent man, and a warm friend of the missionaries-the Amin-i-dowleh-retired from the premiership during the year, and his predecessor, the Amin-i-Sultan, succeeded him. The civil government, accordingly, has been tolerant of a tactful missionary work. But the ecclesiastics have been as violent and virulent as ever, and within Islam sects have warred with sects as from time immemorial in schismatical Persia. There has been the beginning of a new chapter of history among the Nestorians. A Syrian bishop and two priests were consecrated in the Greek Church in St. Petersburg, and a deputation of Greek Church
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
priests has come back to reside permanently among the Nestorians. Sci enters Russia. What will have to withdraw to give her room?
And across the whole of Northern Asia great Siberia spreads. With his back against the Arctic Circle, impregnable from behind, the Russian bear reaches out southward. His railroad grows steadily, and his destiny as steadily expands. It can not be that God is permitting the mighty growth of Russia in Asia only for evil. Surely, God's purpose is to bring out of the expansion of the Slav a new enlargement of His Church. But missions have not found their place yet under the double eagles of the czar.
Most signi:(icant of all the changes of the year, perhaps, has been the passage of the Philippines under the American flag. The United States assumes thus a part in the development of Asia. Most of all is this new development significant as opening the Philippine group to free missionary effort, and marking the assumption by America of responsibility for more than trade development or diplomatic assistance, even for definite missionary work on a national scale, in both religion and good government.
The lines of God's purposes in Asia are too entangled as yet for us to unravel. But each year all Asiatic history bears more clearly the imprint of Christ. Every new development works ultimately toward Him, and all disturbances and overturnings merely furnish fresh evidence of the inworking vitality of Christian missions, or supply them with larger opportunity.
THE WOMEN OF ASIA. * MRS. ISABELLA BIRD BISHOP.
In Asiatic countries, the birth of a girl is at the best a subject for condolence with parents, and none who have heard it can ever forget the wail of the Chinese mother for sorrow that a woman is born into the world. The birth of a girl is a token that the gods are displeased with the mother, and both parents regard them as a bitter well-spring of anxietyand expense. At a very early age the girl is secluded in the women's apartments, and at her marriage at twelve or thirteen is removed to the seclusion of those of her mother-in-law, where she spends her time in menial offices. She prepares her husband's food, but he does not demean himself by eating with her.
Faithfulness in the marriage relation is not incumbent upon men, and is believed to be impossible for women without the protection of the harem walls. It would not be possible to put into words the deep distrust which all Orientals, especially Moslems, have of women. Woman is regarded as of no account, not destined to immortality; motherhood her only title to a species of respect. In China, to teach her to read is counted the height of folly, and she is habitually spoken of as "the mean one within the gates." Polygamy, facilities for divorce, the disgrace which attaches to widowhood in India, and child marriage, enhance the degradation of the lot of our EalOtern sisters.
The woman's house has none of the sanctity of home. In rich men's houses there are often as many as 200 inmates. Privacy is unknown and impossible. There are legitimate wives and wives who have few legal * Condenst from Women's Work for Women, January, 1899.
ROMANISM AND CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA
rights; slave wives, discarded wives who are practically slaves, female slaves; aged women who act as spies and duennas, girl children, daughters-in-Iaw, and women of several colors and races. They are totally illiterate; the favorite wives in rich men's houses are precluded by rigid custom even from such a light occupation as embroidery; they are without any possible outgoings in the direction of philanthropy or kindness, and never cross the threshold of their dwellings except in closed chairs. Their chief occupations are playing with their children, counting their jewels, changing their dresses, eating sweetmeats, dressing their hair, painting their faces, staining their fingernails, smoking, sleeping, and practising petty tyrannies and cruelties upon their slaves. Their recreations are the performances of singing and dancing girls and fortune tellers, shopping at home, and small dramas acted by their servants, full of a vileness of language and suggestion perfectly astounding.
In intellect these socluded women are not higher than children, but their circumstances foster an early and gigantic growth of the worst passions which deform humanity-envy, hatred, malignity, unbridled jealousy "strong as death and cruel as the grave," revenge, slander, greed, impurity-a leprosy of unholiness which affects well-nigh every home and heart, a foul atmosphere in which every generation receives its earliest impulses. There are no ideals, no examples of goodness to be studied, nothing to raise the thoughts. Influence is represented by intrigue. There are no duties in life other than those to children and parents-in-law, and no true companionship can exist between husband and wife. To be the mother of boys is a woman's highest aspiration.
In all the countries of continental Asia, girlhood with its charm, its brightness and sweetness; its aspirations and enthusiasms; its frequent alacrity of service, and the bright possibilities for the future, is altogether unknown. There is no middle platform between childhood and the loveless seclusion of wifehood. All that is good in a woman's nature is undevelopt and blighted; all that is evil is developt as in a forcing-house.
To give anything like a correct idea of Oriental womanhood, this sketch ought to have its details filled in and to be painted in much darker colors. The imperfect picture I have given represents womanhood under Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Demonism, and is a purely Oriental one.
ROMANISM AND CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA.* We have before spoken of the serious difficulties imposed upon Protestant missionaries in China by the Catholic propaganda of Rome. This propaganda has achieved, in appearance at least, important successes. But it may be well to examine somewhat more closely the value of these successes, for many of them will be found to be far from resembling moral triumphs. Le Missionaire gives this view of the case: This very often is the way in which the question presents itself to the heathen Chinese. It is in vain that they have intrencht themselves in the citadel of Confucianism. The most intelligent of them begin to perceive its weaknesses. The late political events have dealt the power of the old philosopher a stroke from which it will probably never recover. The literati, the" readers of books," the obstinate disciples of the sage so long held divine, have not known what to do to save their country, or to shelter her from the keenest affrontb.
* Translated and condenst for the MISSIONARY REVIEW from an article by M. Lechler in Le Missionaire (Basel), by Rev. C. C. Starbuck.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
They begin then to allow that it might not be so bad to give over this decrepit system, and to borrow some new principles, perhaps even a new religion, from these abominable foreigners, these men so long condemned or even driven out with stones. In a word, missions may well be lookt into as, perhaps, a means of saving the empire.
But which missions? There are two, Roman Catholic and Protestant. Which shall be preferred? Naturally, they think, that which lays on its disciples the less burdensome yoke; that which puts up with the least costly conversion, or is even not unwilling to dispense with conversion, provided that certain outer forms, and these not too numerous, are taken up in outward practise. Very well. These more convenient requirements are those of the Roman mission. And the Chinese have that old -and easy beat of the human heart, which inclines them to this side. "The Catholics," say they, "render Christianity more easy." And they add, with a naivety of which they are not always conscious: "The Evangelicals have the truth, but the Catholics have the power."
But the two chief obstacles to Protestant missions in China are these: In the first place, the power of Chinese heathenism resides at present, not in the worship of idols, but rather in the worship of ancestors. The false gods have decidedly lost their influence. The worship of them becomes colder and colder; facts have shown, only too well, their utter good-for-nothingness. But ancestors I In them is gathered up all the family, and thereby all the commonwealth. Not to give them homage any longer, not to offer prayers to them-in short, to give over treating them as divinities, would be to shake the pillars of the state. And there are Chinese who have received baptism, having strong claims on our confidence, who are still entangled in these meshes, which are so incredibly strong. Secondly, a considerable number of former disciples of Confucius are to-day ready to embrace Christianity, not by reason of a real conversion, but by enlightened self-interest. They have not come to this willingness through a feeling of sin; genuine repentance may have grazed their souls, but nothing more; Jesus is not in their view as the one Savior. Ask them why they wish to become Christians. They will placidly answer you: "Because Christianity is good." Only, this adjective good has for them a meaning wholly earthly, nay grossly earthly. It means with them that the Gospel opens the way to good places and good friends; in other words, is a fairer road to prosperity than idolatry. We must, at all costs, stand for a deeper Christianity in our churches and give to our flocks guides thoroughly surcharged with the Spirit of God. This is now one of our chief duties.
THE DECLINE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC NATIONS.* Is the Roman Catholic religion responsible, and if so, to what extent is it responsible, for the decline of power among the Latin nations? The present plight of France and Spain and the gradual decline in power of It aly and Portugal, in contrast with the national condit ions in Germany, England, and the United States, have brought the above question up again for discussion. Mr. H. Henley Henson treats the subject in the London Spectator in part as follows: Cardinal Newman devoted one of his twelve lectures on "Anglican • Condenst from The Literary Digest.
1899.J THE DECLINE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC NATIONS
Difficulties" to arguing that" the social state of Catholic countries is no prejudice to the sanctity of the church." His contention is briefly this: That the church has no proper responsibility for social and political development; that her work is different from that of the world, more difficult of attainment than that of the world, and secret from the world in its details and consequences; that ,. not till the state is blamed for not making saints, may it fairly be laid to the fault of the Church that she can not invent a stemll-engine or construct a tariff.l'
The lecture is a singularly brilliant example of the cardinal's rhetoric, but his contentions, in so far as they are sound, are not relevant to the point at issue; and in so far as they are relevant, they are not sound. The New Testament seems to ascribe to the Church a double function, and to authorize mankind to demand a double evidence of her divine claims. Primarily the Church is the society of disciples, certified to be such by their behavior, notably by their mutual love. "By this," said Christ, "shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John xiii.: 35). Next, and inevitably, the Church is a healthful and illuminating influence in the general life of the world. " Ye are the salt of the earth," said our Lord. "Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew, v.: 13, 14). The Church must not only produce saint.s, but also command the homage of the general conscience hy the wholesome consequences of her doctrine and discipline.
The charge against the Roman church may be stated in this way: National greatness is ultimately determined by national character; the main work of religious systems is the discipline and development of character; but precisely where the Roman Church has had a free hand, national character has degenerated, and, by inevitable consequence, national greatness has declined. The political consequence is so obvious that it arrests the attention, and is advanced as primary in the argument; really its whole significance is the witness it provides to the moral state of the nation. It may, of course, be argued that the Roman Church has the inferior ethnical material on which to work, while the superior has been almost wholly in Protestant hands; but this argument raises a more serious question than it answers, viz.: "Vhy did the morally stronger peoples generally repudiate the Roman system? The state of mind discovered by recent events in Italy, in Spain, and in France does set one to thinking. In every instance the Church is a potent factor. The policy of the Vatican in Italy does in the main strike one as morally wrong not less than politically unwise. The reports of the methods of Romanism in the Philippines suggest that the moral effect of the church has been bad. The conduct of the church throughout this hideous Dreyfus scandal points the same melancholy moral. The best intellect and the best conscience of the Latin nations grow increasingly hostile to Roman Christianity. A very acute and well-informed writer, himself a Rom~n Catholic, concludes a singularly interesting account of the Vatican Council with some reflections on the actual effect of the Roman system, which the council, so far from reforming, had stereotyped. I will confine myself to the following quotation: A good Catholic finds such a voluminous codex of what is relatively good and evil to be consulted, so many customs prescribed by time to be respected; so much of the learning of our age now familiar to us to be abandoned; so many things to be renounced; scientific opinions, political principles, and not rarely even one's country to be given up; so many difficulties to be overcome regarding the institutions that govern us, that it is requisite to have two consciences, one to judge on matters of religion and the other on civil government. Intelligent minds are driven to rebel; they are followed instinctively by the multitudes, and
MIssiONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
consequently both one and the other are deprived of the substantial benefits of religion, and remain embittered and forsaken, withont guidance and without comfort. The church is still before them,-the church that educates their children and guides their wives, but which denies to them that peace and equanimity which is only possest when all the feelings and faculties of the mind meet with their due recognition. The Church withholds from them this peace, because they profess some ideas or opinions which may not perhaps be faultless in themselves, but are yet of a nature that raises and ennobles the human mind; while she does not deny her blessings to souls stained with the greatest crimes when they implore her mercy. Hence it comes that Catholicism has shown itself unequal to the difficulties it must face and impotent against contemporaneous social evils. We see not only that coups d'etat, but the most inhuman revolutions recur among Catholic nations; we see them have recourse to such vi'llent measures as the ax, petroleum, brigandage, and summary executions, and the Church has nothing wherewith to calm their fury but vain declamations and tardy lamentations; or descending to practical efforts her only remedies are such as Peter's pence, the French pilgrimages, mystical associations, and periodical religious demonstrations. Fighting itself, and unsuccessfully, among the combatants already so numerous, Catholicism has only become another element in the social war, which it is unable either to restrain or to bring to a victorious close.:I: Reading such a description of Romanism, can one avoid connection with it the ominous words of Christ: "Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewithal shall it be salted? It is thence- forth good for nothing, but to be cast off and trodden under foot of men."
THE FRENCH PROBLEM IN CANADA.t BY REV. S. RONDEAU,::: MONTREAL.
Quebec, the oldest province of the Dominion, one of the fairest jewels of the Confederation, possessing great natural resources, colonized by hearty pioneers from the rural populations of France, inhabited by an intelligent, thrifty, and industrious people, is, nevertheless, behind her sister provinces in all matters pertaining to agriculture, manufacture, wealth, education, public morals, and religious freedom. Why so ? It is undoubtedly because of the ecclesiastical thraldom into which her people have been brought and in which they are sedulously taught to find their happiness.
How can this people be put into possession of all that is best in education, morals, and religion? How can they be taught to assert, to win, and to use their freedom, so as to work out their own and their country's salvation, with all their intellectual and spiritual powers so long kept in bondage? That is the French problem, which, in its last analysis, is a religious problem and the pure Gospel is its solvent.
Those who antagonize the movement (for the conversion of Roman Catholics) on the ground that it is a work of sectarian proselytism, are fighting a man of straw. They are attacking windmills, mistaking them for a company of cavalry. We do not aim at making proselytes any more than did Philip when he said to Nathaniel: "Come and see." "Ve are not so stupid as to ask Roman Catholics to become Protestants.
What we do is simply this: We offer the Gospel to the Roman Catholics. We tell them that it is the Word of God, and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. "Ve ask them to read this book, to study ,it, to follow its teachings, to *" Eight Months in Rome during the Vatican Council," by" Pomporio Leti."
t Condenst for THE MISSIONARY REVIEW from The Presbyterian Record (Canadian). t Mr. Rondeau is the son of a French Canadian Christian, and is pastor of O'le of the French mission churches in Montreal.
'rHE FRENCH PRoBLEM IN CANADA
live up to its requirements. Those who accept the 'Vord and study it carefully, soon discover the errors in which they have been brought up. Some confer with their priests. They are told that they must choose between the Gospel and the church. They cannot keep the Gospel, and remain in the church. Then they confer with the missionary who has given them the Gospel. They ask what they should do. The missionary answers: "Judge ye whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto your priest more than unto God." Those who love the praise of God more than the praise of men are put out of their church and become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the whole story.
But, apart from the great bulk of the French people, who are sincere Roman Catholics, and who become Protestants out of conviction and from necessity, a large number of French-Canadians, especially in the cities, are no longer Roman Catholics. Nominally they are Roman Catholics, but at heart they are unbelievers. They profess no creed. They attend no church. They hold in contempt the only Christianity with which they are acquainted, namely, that of the Church of Rome. To them all should be agreed that we have a mission. To these we present the Gospel as the solvent of doubt, the only rule of faith, the only standard of conduct, and the sure foundation of sound morals.
Difficulties and discouragements are met with in the pursuit of our work. Among the Protestants there is a great deal of apathy and some antagonism manifested. Many are for peace at any cost. They have many words of praise for the early Jesuit missionaries to the Indians, but not a word of sympathy for a French Protestant colporteur who has been stoned and driven out of a French Canadian village. They give a handsome contribution to the building fund of a Roman Catholic church, but not a cent to build a French mission hall.
Another discouragement is to be found in the attitude of the Protestant secular press. It is, as a rule, most sympathetic to the institutions of Romanism, and utterly indifferent, if not hostile, to our missionary endeavors.
Then there is the attitude of Protestant employers of labor. Those of our converts who belong to the laboring classes, can not, except in rare instances, expect to secure employment from Roman Catholics. As soon as their religious status is found out, as a rule they are dismist. Hence many of our converts, unable to secure employment here, are compelled to emigrate to larger labor markets, causing in our congregations a constant drain which is most discouraging to our missionarieil.
The misplaced zeal of other missionary bodies is also a hindrance to the successful prosecution of French evangelization. In some fields occupied for years by one church, other Protestant churches have seen fit to send missionaries to set up a new church alongside of it, not only to win new converts, but to steal those already won. The priests make the most of such an occurrence. They point out the divisions in the Protestant church as proof that she errs, and that the only true church is the old" unvarying Catholic and Apostolic church."
Then there are difficulties arising from Romanism itself. The greatest obstacle to the progress of our work is the attitude of the clergy toward the reading of the Word of God. It is universally prohibitive. In spite of the pope's commendation of the Word, in spite of the people's desire to read it, the priests forbid their people to buy it, to have it in their possession, to read it. They tell their people that it is a bad book,
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
and command them to burn it. If it were not for this stand of the clergy, there would be hope that the light would soon dispel the darkness. Only let the people freely read the Bible, and in the next twenty-five years there would be in this province an upheaval which would shatter the Church of Rome to its foundations.
But in the meantime the situation is this: We offer the Bible, we distribute a number of copies of it, we sow the seed, but before it has had time to take root, the enemy not only sows tares in the field, but he picks up all the seeds he can find and burns them. Only such people as have stiff backbones dare resist the pressure of their priests. They read the Bible, and, in many instances, follow its teachings. But the great bulk of the simple, obedient, rural populations are as clay in the potter's hand, and continue to be molded and fashioned by their religious leaders.
Another very effectual hindrance to our work is the dense ignorance which prevails among the rural populations. Education has always been controlled by the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church. And they have chosen for the people a system of education which does not educate. Children who have attended school four or five years come out with a fair knowledge of the catechism and the church prayers. But their intellect is intact. It has not been toucht by the breath of knowledge. It is quite a feat in after life to be able to sign one's name. A few years ago a bill was introduced in the provincial legislature making it compUlsory for school trustees to be able to read. The bill was thrown out on the plea that if it were allowed to pass, some municipalities would be unable to secure school trustees!
Because of this illiteracy of the masses our colporteurs do not sell as many copies of the Scriptures as they would otherwise do. They often meet with people who would read the Word, but can not. It is also difficult to convey spiritual ideas to people who have always dealt in the concrete. Spiritual worship is well nigh meaningless to those who have been taught by symbols, beads, scapularies, crucifixes. Hence the objection we often hear that our churches are naked. "Ve have no images, no crosses, no holy water, no incense, no tapers. We have nothing to feed the senses. The common people are slow to understand and to practise a worship which is in spirit and in truth.
Besides these general obstacles to the progress of the work there are some special ones, such as the boycott to which our converts are subjected, social ostracism, the loss of their neighbors' respect, of their relatives' affection, persecution in various forms. All these are sufficient to make a man think twice before forsaking the multitude to cast his lot with the despised few.
But in spite of these difficulties and many others known to those cngaged in this work, the progress of our missions has been constant, thc results encouraging, and the present outlook is hopeful. Statistics might be given to show that numerical progress of a most encouraging nature has been made. "Ve have to-day 93 mission stations, a Sabbath attendance of 2,415, 928 families, 1,079 church members, 990 pupils in our Sabbath-schools. In our missH)n-schools there is an attendance of 809 pupils. But these statistics fail to give an idea of actual results. There are many families and individuals who are no longer under the care of our missionaries. Thousands of them have removed to the United States or are scattered throughout the Dominion. It is a reasonable estimate which places at 25,000 the number of French converts. They
THE FRENCH PROBLEM IN CANADA
are to be found in all the walks of life,-farmers, traders, druggists, doctors, lawyers, ministers, professors. As a rule, the convert is not slow to testify ·to the saving power of the Gospel. Thus every convert becomes a missionary to his own people.
The particular results have begotten general results. There is a spirit of toleration abroad in this province. Our converts are no longer openly persecuted. This spirit of toleration, the disappearance of fanaticism, the loosening of the priest's grip on the exercise of the fran- chise, the demand for better schools, the broadening of the mental vision -these are important results bearing Oil the national life of the Province and of the Dominion, and for which we claim some credit. And the presence of this reaction among the people bodes well for the future.
The people have won their political freedom, but in religious matters the priest continues to reign supreme., In the eyes of the people the man and the priest are two different beings. The man may be bad, a notor- ious profligate, but he is still a good priest. He can still absolve from sin, consecrate the host, and transform it into a god. It is not a matter of conduct, but of dogma. As long as the French people believe that, no degree of degradation on the part of the clergy will drive them in a body out of their Church.
Another matter must not be lost sight of. To-day questions of dogma do not impassion men as they did three centuries ago. It is felt by many that Christianity is more a matter of life and conduct than a mere matter of dogma. Why encounter the ill-will of the masses and the anathemas of the Church for the sake of such a small matter? Apart from this, free thought is making headway among the French people.
Many have thrown overboard the cumbrous baggage of Romish super- stitions and vain ceremonies. They have built for themselves a relig- ious system which satisfies their conscience, while it does not bring them into open antagonism with the Church. But they go no further, because if they did they know full well that their bread supply would be cut off. Needless to say that they are not the stuff out of which Protes- tants are made in a hurry. .
But besides these reasons which antagonize the belief in the speedy conversion of the French Canadians, there is another reason, universal in its application and stated by the Master Himself to explain a still greater unbelief: "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were eviL" It is even so now. The call to a holy life is heard by many.
It is heeded by few. The worldly-minded, the selfish, the self-seeking, the grossly immoral are in no hurry to welcome principles which antagonize their beliefs and condemn their conduct. The great bulk of the population seek an easy way of salvation through bodily exercise rather than through godliness. They wish to be saved, but it must be through the manipulations of the priest, the sacraments, the extreme unction, rather than through the living faith in Christ, working out a perfect character, fruitful in good works. It is true that there is a spirit of inquiry among the French people, that our missionaries find more numerous openings and a more cordial reception, and that is hopeful, but the field is not yet ripe for a wholesale harvest.
But whether the French people accept the Gospel in a body or one by one, our duty is clear: "Go and preach the Gospel." The seer who has visions and does not prophesy will cease to have visions, and the gift of prophecy will be taken away from him. The Church which has life and neglects to impart it will die of paralysis. It is not whether we have few or many converts, but whether, having the light, we put it under a bushel or let it shine. We have the Gospel, let us make it known, and when the French Canadians have broken their shackles and entered into the freedom of the children of God, the French problem, solved by the Gospel, will be no more.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
RECENT ARTICLES ON M~SSIONS AND MISSION LANDS.
AFRICA-Opportunities in West Africa, J. T. F. Halligey, Wesleyan Missionary Magazine (December, 1898); Recent Glimpses of So. Africa, E. Ashley, National Review (December, 1898); The Niger and the Nile, Henry Birkenough and Egypt and Tunis-a Study of Interna· tional Law, by Dr. Jno. MacDonall, Nineteenth Century (January,1899); Wife Selling in Africa, Congregational Work (January, 1899); A Glimpse of Nubia, T. C. Speedy, Harper's Monthly (January, 1899); The Egyptian Sudan, C. T. Wilson, Church Miss. Intelligencer (Januaay,1899); Spiritual Expansion of the Baganda, Bishop Tucker, Church Miss. Intelligencer (January, 1899).
ALASKA-Witchcraft in Alaska, by Gov. J. G. Brady, The Independent (December 29, 1898); The Yukon Country, P. T. Rowe, Chautauquan (January, 1899).
AMERICAN INDIANS, NEGROES, ETc.-The Indian Question, by E. H. Heinemann, Open Court (December, 1898); National Dealing with the Indian Race, by Lyman Abbott, North American ReView (December, 1898); Protest of the Pillage Indians, by F. E. Leupp, Forum (December, 1898); The Wild Indian, G. B. Grinnell, Atlantic Monthly (January, 1899); The Race Problem in the South, by R. J. McKelway and Kelly Miller, The Outlook (December 31, 1898); The Negro and Menial Pursuits, by Prof. Scarborough, The Forum (December, 1898); The Race War in North Oarolina, H. L. West, Forum (January, 1899); The Mountaineers, Church at Home and Abroad (December, 1898); Mormonism vs. Christianity, Congregational Work (January, 1899); Mormonism Under Statehood, H. K. Carroll (Dec. 8, 1898); California and the Californians, by D. G. Jordon, Atlantic Monthly (December, 1898); Review and Statistics of the Church for 1898, Independent (Jan. 5, 1899).
CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE WEST INDIEs-Some Central American Indians, Chambers's Journal (December, 1898); Schools of Porto Rico, by C. E. Waters, Education (December, 1898); Life and Society in Old Cuba, by J. S. Jenkins, Century (December, 1898); Social Con· ditions in Cuba, Felix Oswald, Open Court (December, 1898); Cuba and Her Young Men, by J. H. Edwards. Men (January, 1899); Cuban Reconstruction, R. J. Hinton, North Am. Review (January, 1899); A Ride into Cuba for the Red Cross, C. R. Gill, Scribner's (January, 1899).
CITY MISSIONS ANn SOCIOLOGY-Preaching Christ at Yale, Christian Herald (December 28, 1898); The Study of Causes of Distress, by P. W. Ayres, Charities Review (December, 1898); The Poor in Great Cities, by A. W. Winthrop, Rosary (December, 1898).
CHINA-Fifty Years in China, by Joseph Edkins, Chinese Recorder (November, 1898); Present Situatipn in China, by N. J. Plumb, Review of Missions (December, 1898); Manners and Customs of the Flowery Land, by I. C. Blackwood, Church of Scotland Record (Decem. ber, 1800); Chinese Children at Home, by Miss Reid, and The Opium Curse in China, by H. W. Webb-Peploe, China's Millions (December, 1898); American Leaven in Chinese nloss, by W. E. Griffis, Outlook (December 24, 1898); Shall the Open Door be Closed, by Gilbert Reid, National Review (January, 1899); Divine Deliverances, by J. S. Adams, Baptist MilSionary Magazine (January, 1899); Where the Wicked Chinese Go to, J. A. Fraser, New Illustrated Magazine (January, 1899).
EUROPE-France of To·day, by J. H. Robinson, Political Science Quarterly (December, 1898); Present Condition of France, by H. W. Warren, and Education of Boys in Italy, Chautauquan (December, 18981; Glimpses of Life in France, Clifton Johnston, Outlook (Jan. 7, 1899); Christian Martyrs, Aylmer Maude, The .~'ew Voice (Jan. 7, 1899); The Czar's Peace Mes· sage, b~ E. E. Hale and W. T. Stead, New England Magazine and American Review of Reviews (January, 1899); The Regeneration of Spain, by M. de Unamuno, Espana Moderna (November, 1898).
INDIA, BrRMA, SIAM, ETc.-Our Indian Empire, by J. A. Murray, Mission Field (London, December, 1898); Spedal Despatches to Home Churches, Baptist Missionary Magazine, (Jan· uary, 1899); A Tribe of Laos Highlanders, by Mrs. W. C. Dodd, Women's Work (January, 1899); Missionary Exploration in Indo·China, by W. C Dodd, Independent (December 29, '98); Work Among the Lower Classes in the Punjah, OkurckMiss.Intelltgencer (January, 1899); Religious Situation in India, Vamadeo Shastre, Furtnightly Review (December, 1898).
ISLANDS OF THE SEA-Friars in the Philippines, by A. Coleman, Rosary (December, 1898); Facts about the Philippines, Church at Horne and Abroad (December, 1898); Kusaie, the Gem of the Pacific, Missionary He"ald (January, 1899); The Dawn of Hawaii, by F. F. Ellinwood, Review of Missions (December, 1898); In Dreamy Hawaii, George Merrill, Cosmopolitan (January, 1899); Languages of the Philippines. F. de P. Castells, Bibte SOCiety Reporter (January, 1899).
JEws-Missions to Israelites, Jewish Missionary Intelligencer (December, 1898); The Pro· gress of Zionism, by H. Bentwich, Fortnightly Review (December, 1898); Jews in Jerusalem, E. S. Wallace, Cosmopolitan (January, 1899).
JAPAN-Christianity and the Students of Japan, by G. M. Fisher, Independent (December 22, 1898); What Americans Have Done in Japan, by W. E. Griffis, Outlook (December 31,1898).
MEDICAL MISSIONs-American F"iend, Double Cross (December, 1898). ROMAN CATHOLICISM-Catholicism in the United States, Revue des Deux Mondes (Nove",· ber, 1898); The Catholic Church and the New Possessions, Catholic TVorld (December, 1898); Features of Roman Catholicism, South American Messenger (December, 1898). SOUTH AMERICA-Woman's Work in Brazil, by Miss Glenn, Review of Missions (D~c., 1898); Protestant Mission in Brazil, Tk~ Brazilian Bulletin (December, 1898). TURKEY AND ISLAM-The Sultan at Home, by Sidney Whitman, Harp","s Monthly (Janu· ary, 1899); How Mohammedans Pray, World Wide Magazine (January, 1899); The Disintegra' tion of Islam, W. H. Hulbert, Bib/totheca Sacra (January, 1899). GENERAL-Asia at the Close of 1898 (see p. 116); Christianity and Womanhood (see p. 118); How to Deal with Persecution, by Griffith John, Chinese Recorder (November, 1898); Home Church and Foreign Missions, Church at Home and Abroad (December, 1898); The Divine Force in Missions, by Alex. McKenzie, Missionary Hemld (January, 1899); The Unoccupied Fields of Eastern Asia, Christian and Misrionary Alliance (January, 1899); The Great. Commission and its Fulfilment, J. J. Reed, Gospel in All Land8 (December, 1898); The Problem of the Native Church, Bishop of Victoria, Church Miss. Inte/ligencer (January, 1899). III.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
Some Missionary Conferenoes of 1898. regular intervals, and which con- vened August last at Buitenzorg, BY J. T. G. with some twenty-five missionaries present. These brethren labor Under this caption it was our among 25,000,000 of people. They intent to pass in review most of now enroll 20,000 native Ohristians the gatherings of missionary bodies and 4,000 pupils in their schools, of 1898 of more than usual interest, and have treated within the year not already considered, but we find medically some 4,000 patients. Java enough to smother us. is an island about the size of Ouba, which has been under the rule of 1. The British Medical Associa- Holland for two and a half centution, which met in Edinburgh in ries. There are besides the millions July, and the Edinburgh Medical of Javanese on this island, Euro- Missionary Society conceived the peans, Ohinese, and Arabs. The idea of making at that time an exhi- Arabs have so far succeeded in bition of articles of missionary in- imposing their religion on the terest, illustrative of the work of population, that a distinct form of medical missions in particular, and Mohammedanism, which has grown of the missionary enterprise in to extended proportions, has begeneral. come the religion of the Javanese race. Among the reliquire were David Livingstone's pocket Bible, with 3. Quite an interest has been his autograph, loaned by his shown in a missionary conference daughter, Mrs. A. L. Bruce; the convened on Mount Lebanon, Syria, Bible of William C. Burns, l?earing Aug. 9-14, 1898. It was called a his name and date, 1847. Mrs. " Oonference of the Ohristian Isabella Bird Bishop loaned curios Workers in the Levant," and was collected in Japan, Sir William held at Brummana, a village on the Muir articles of Indian a.pparel; top of the lower ranges of Mount the surgeon-general of the Royal Lebanon, facing the sea. The place Infirmary of Edinburgh contributed is about three hours distant from articles from Egypt and the Sudan. Beirut, by carriage. This confer- Miss Tawse contributed an Indian ence originated with the American poem supposed to be four thousand Presbyterian Mission in Syria at years old. written on palm leaves its annual meeting December, 1897, with an iron stylus, which was which issued invitations to it, and found in a temple in Rangoon, arranged a program. The attend- Burma, in 1853, and there was an ance of member-s and visitors numindescribable variety of aeticles bered some 200 persons, more ladies from other lands. It was pan- than men being present. Four sesdenominational, pan-scientific, pan- sions were held daily, the vesper, missionary, andevenpan-demonial, or sunset service, being for perfor there were images of all sorts sonal consecration. The meetings of gods, good and bad. were held in the open field of the Friends' Mission premises, under 2. We are becoming increasingly canvas cover. It was proposed to interested in the island world of hold another conference three years Southeastern Asia, and have read hence-in 1901. with delight of the Netherlands India Missionary Conference, which meets in the island of Java at ir- 4. The second Zionist Congress, Syria. The bank is not philanheld in Basle last fall, was considered thropic, but commercial, looking by those interested in ita landmark to opening factories, working the in the history of the Jews. Seven coal and iron mines, and making hundred members were present as fertile the whole desert from the the representatives of- 900 associa- Jordan to the Euphrates, the huge tions. Every association having granary which might produce power of sending a delegate must grain enough to feed a continent. possess at least 100 members. The majority have over 500, some of them 5. The,"Vorld's Students' Christian 2,000 and even 3,000 members, there Federation Convention at Eisenach, being thus about 300,000 Zionist Thuringen, at the foot of the Castle members, each the head of a He- of Wartburg, is reported in the brew family, and as these families Me88enger, publisht in three lanare proverbially large, it is esti- guages by the Central International mated that about 1,500,000 Jews Committee of the Young Men's were represented in this second con- Christian Association. Over 100 gresR in Basle, or about one-fifth of delegates were present, representall the Jews of the world, the ing 60 different universities and 24 delegates coming from every corner nationalities. This convention,July of the eadh: Transvaal, Egypt, 13th, 14th, followed that held at India, South America, United Basle. The Grand Duke of Saxe- States, Russia. There were seven Weimar congratulated the students lady delegates with the right of on their glorious enterprise, and vote and discussion. The leader, bade them be faithful to the doc- Dr. Herzl, is a well-known journal- trine set forth by Luther from the ist and author. A writer calls it Castle of Wartburg so many centuthe Jewish "House of Commons." ries ago. He describes the leaders in " evening dress," a group of Polish rabbis IN INDIA. "in long kaftans and payuss or orthodox locks; East and West the 6. The second annual convention old and the new seemed united." of the South India Christian En- He also calls it the first Jewish Par- deavor Union, August 31st, Septemliament since the destruction of ber 1st, at Vellore, showed a growth Jerusalem. The object of the con- from 59 societies in 1897, to 104 in gress was "to discuss the means 1898, and of members from 1,500 to of securing a legal and safe·guarded 2,423. home for Jews in Palestine." A question before them was, how to 7. The South India Missionary Aseducate a homogeneous mass of sociation, March 26, 1898, showed isolated units into the best possible an increase of members from 74 to condition, mentally, morally, and 231 within the year. There are physically, so as to be in a position about 600 Protestant missionaries to form themselves in an inde- in the area of these associations,and pendent state, and how to secure those present represented as delethat state by all lawful means. gates some 30.different missionary They formed a Jewish colonial bank bodies, American and European, the with a capital of $10,000,000, to be Church of England and of Scotland, used in starting commercial enter- vVesleyans, the German Evangelprises, banks, mines, ins.urance; ical, Danish Lutheran, the Ameriestablish companies, railways, as can Board, and the American Methwell as coloni-es in Palestine and odist Episcopal being of the num- ber. They appointed a standing committee of skilled missionary educationists to give advice to any persons of the association on all educational mattllrs, and 110 watch a schedule which included the dis- the interests of missionary educa- cussion of such topics as the follow- tion generally. They voted unani- ing: "The Present Attendance of mously in favor of a memorial to Educated Hindus," "Self-govern- the government in reference to ment of the Native Church," peasant settlements, and adopted " Training of Students in the Ver- measures looking to a general nacular for Evangelistic Work." examination board for examining missionaries in some of the South 10. The monthly meeting of the Indian vernaculars. Calcutta Missionary Conference is the largest missionary body meet- 8. An article which appeared in ingmonthly in the world. At one of the REVIEW from Rev. Dr. Cham- these meetings Rev. J. W. Warne berlain gave a sketch of Kodai- introduced "Connecting Links of kanal as a missionary health the Home Church, or Special Gifts resort. An annual conference for Special Objects." He traverst is held there during the heated the objection usually made to these season, when many missionaries plans, such as that they take away are obliged to visit the hills. At money from the work of primary last summer's meeting Rev. J. S. importance, that they cause une- Chandler read a paper on "Mission- qual distribution of aid, that they ary Comity," alluding to the grow- are given in the spirit of enthusiasm ing evil of Christians migrating that does not last, and that the from their native villages to other special work finally falls back on districts, there living in obscurity the general fund; that donors exwithout having any desire or ma- pect too much and lose interest, king any attempt to declare them- because nothing peculiar occurs in selves as followers of the Lord the work they are supportl!ng; that Jesus. No practical steps had been native workers or students often taken to meet the danger, and to have their heads turned by being help these erring souls. He discust in communication with friends at also the spheres of influence and home; that personal interest is apt effort. The sentiment of the meet- to drive out of sight the grand ing did not favor the occupation of principle of Christ's command, large towns or tracts of country which should underlie all efforts. unless the missionaries that claimed the exclusive right had an We have not room enough to adequate staff to cover the whole show the masterly way in which work. Another missionary treated Mr. Warne dealt with these objecthe difficulties surrounding the task tions. of emancipation of the Pariah. His serfdom and mental degradation 11. Many of the missionaries have raised the warning note against the come to hold summer conferences wholesale and indiscriminate char- for the development of special ity which tends to pauperize and spiritual life. One of these was make them cringingly servile. Still held at W otacamuni, India; ananother paper was presented on other which has been held for sev- "Caste in the Indian Church," eral years at the summer resort of showing the existence of the caste the Japan missionaries at Arima, feeling and prejudice amongst this year included such topics as many Indian Christians. these: 9. There are some missionary con- "The Lord's method of dealing ferences which are held monthly in with inquirers." India. That at Bengalore presented "The character and mission of the prophet Jeremiah."
"The place of singing in Christ- ian life and work." "Moses in his intercourse with there were Not 20 Christians in all God." China. Rev. D. W. Nichols said he could have taken into the Church " Our ascended Lord, His present this year 3,000 people, but had acwork." tually received but 100. He had be- sides these enrolled 700 as proba- "The work of the Holy Spirit as tioners. He had sold Bibles to nearly revealed in the Book of Acts." all the officials in the Nan-ch'ang prefecture. He had refused the IN CHINA. application of 500 Roman Catholics to join the mission. 12. The Missionary Conference held at Kuling, Central China, in Rev. G. G. Warren, of Hankow, August, with Rev. Griffith John as thought the state of things pointed chairman, was one of special im- out by Dr. John existed only in one portance. Dr. John's address on district. In his section there was a " The Present Aspect of Missionary strong anti-foreign feeling; large Work in China, viewed from the numbers flockt to them from thli Evangelistic Standpoint," was an other districts, but when he refused. encouraging survey and outlook. to fight their causes in the courts, He had been a missionary for forty- 99 per cent. of them fell away. three years, and if he could multiply these years by ten he would Dr. Gillison, of Hankow, made give all for China. "Men have some good points on medical misdisappointed us, methods have dis- sionary work. It brought in conappointed us, attempts have disap- tact with the missionaries a mass pointed us, but the work has not of people not otherwise coming to disappointed us. Its progress has them. It was a suitable form of been wonderful in the past, but the charity for the Church to underprospects are brighter to-day, take. It taught the high value than they ever were before." There Christianity placed on the human was a changed aspect of the work. body, where Buddhist teachings When he arrived in China in 1855, had an opposite tendency. It disitinerations of missionaries were pelled many superstitious delusions limited to twenty-four hours. Ki- from the minds of Chinese. Of the angsu was as tightly closed against varieties of medical work he missionaries then, as Hunan is thought the itinerant the least valnow. He and Dr. Williamson com- uable. The dispensary work was menced the first inland mission in not productive of evangelistic re- China. In 1861 he opened the work sults as was that of the hospital. in Hankow, then the farthest inland During his 15 years of service, of station. When, in 1868, he made a between 80 and 90 converts made journey of three thousand English directly through medical agency, miles through Hupeh, Szchuan and only one came through the dispen- Shensi, he met with neither a mis- sary, and he a doubtful one. sionary nor a convert. The provinces are now all open except Hunan, Rev. Joseph S. Adams' address and that is opening rapidly~ But on "How to Deal with Persecunothing startling occurred in con- tion," was an able treatment of the ' nection with their work until recent theme, and we wish we could transtimes. Now hundreds and thou- fer a full report of it to these sands in Manchuria,Fukien, Hupeh, columns. and Kiangsi were flocking into the Church, and this revival would This able pan-denominational probably cover the land. missionary conference for Central China meets again in the early part Rev. J. N. Hayes, of Suchow, of August, 1899. spoke on the same subject. In 1847 13. Still another union missionary money while they were as poor as conference was held in Shantung, they are. On the question of mis- at Wei-hien, in October, the pro- sionary comity he thought when gram of which provided discussion one mission was making reforms, of important themes, snch as the others ought to keep their hands " Practical Methods of Breaking off and not take their converts. New Ground," "Speediest and Most In new fields it was possible to Efficient Methods of Evangelizing start on the basis of self-support. the Heathen," "Special Revival This had been done in Korea. Services Among the Churches," "Best Means of Deepening Spirit- We have not been able to review ual Life," "How Far is Federation the conferences of the denomina- Practicable Among the Native tions; that of the Baptists was Churches? " A discussion of the treated; those of the American "Nevius' System," "Should Mis- Board, and of the Methodist Epissionaries Try to Keep All Church copal Church, would have furnisht Troubles Out of the Courts" [the valuable reading. We did cover in Yamen], "To What Extent May part the Student Volunteer Meet- Chinese be Expected to Support ing, and the International Mission- Educational Work of Missions?" ary Union, as well as the Officers' Union sixth annual meeting. The subject of "Self-support of Native Churches" received some 14. We strongly desired to cover illumination. Rev. G. G. Warren the very suggestive treatment of reminded the conference that the missions in the Canada Methodist Apostolic Church at Jerusalem was General Conference, but Olympus not self-supporting, and self-sup- refuses to be crusht into a nutshell. port was not an essential of a true church under all conditions. He COMING CONFERENCES. knew churches whose whole membership were extremely poor. This The year 1899 promises some rich speaker revealed a state of things conference features. Fancy a genhitherto little known. Churches eral missionary conference in 'Vest were offered large sums of money China, on the extreme limit of the from native Chinese business firms country near Tibet, at Chungkingl if they might be allowed to use the It was set down for January 11-15, name of the mission in their busi- and there are twenty important ness, that they might avoid paying topics on the program. Still antaxes, theater fees, or that, as mem- other conference is put down for bers of some secret society, they 1OOl-another general conference might save themselves from im- for all China. The year 1900 was prisonment. One firm of beef- preferred, but that was yielded butchers offered the Wesleyan Mis- because of the Ecumenical Confersion the sum of a hundred thousand ence proposed to be held in April, cash (about $100) annually, if they 1900, in New York. An entirely would allow them to use their name. new movement is that for the in- Rev. D. N. Lyon said the question auguration, in September next, of of self-support was not a pominent a Moody-Northfield Conference at one in the early Church. Paul's aim Landour, India, possibly to be exwas not to consider how the Church tended to other hill stations. should be self-supporting, but how to make the Gospel free of charge. Activity of Buddhist Priests in Japan. He labored for his own support. A correspondent in Japan, whose He hesitated to ask the Chinf;lSe fo!, name is withheld for special rea- sons, in a letter just at hand says: "There is a great deal of talk about 'when the new treaties come in,' At a recent meeting of the High 1. 1'0 encourage the priests of all Council it was found to be thus sects to promote their learning and divided, twenty-six to thirteen to correct their evil habits. against allowing foreigners to carry on primary schools; twenty-four 2. To induce the government to to fifteen against the same proposal publicly recognize Buddhism. for middle schools, and twenty-two to seventeen against their recogni- 3. To urge the government to tion in the general field of educa- speedily and clearly proclaim the tion. But so far as I can learn the policy it intends to pursue toward vote was taken in a rather irregular religion. way, because when president Kato called for the affirmative vote on 4. To persuade the government the first proposition thirteen arose, to take the publicly recognized faith and he, concluding that all who under its protection, subjecting it were not for were against, called for no negative vote. This, how- at the same time to strict superever, was not the true state of vision. affairs. There were several who thought the question ought not to 5. To make careful scrutiny into be debated by the council at all; social conditions, and to promote others who did not understand the nature of the vote, and some who works having benevolent and sowould vote neither way until they ciety-improving aims.
6. To work for the spread of Buddhism and to thrust aside every one, whether official or layman, attempting to place obstacles in the path.
7. To cooperate earnestly, not merely with all sects of Buddhism, but even with the persons of other creeds who sincerely sympathize with our purpose for the improve- ment of society.
had had time for reflection. There- "I believe the real aim of the fore I think the vote is hardly society is written in numbers 2,3, representative and I think will so '" and 6. For in the thousand years be considered by the government. which are behind them, the Bud- "I think the devil is making a dhists of Japan have had ample strong pull now for Japan, and he opportunity 'to lead society to the is working through the Buddhists. light of civilization.'
The Buddhists have lately organ- " I believe it is the Buddhist who ized a young men's association is trying to put down Count somewhat corresponding to the Y. Okuma's liberal and progressive M. C. A., only the members are not policy. I do hope that he will not laymen, but expectant priests. be forced to resign. I saw the Another association, which organ- funeral here in Fukuoka of the ized on October 29th with five young man who, ten years ago, hundred members, calls itself the tried to kill Count Okuma, but 'Buddhists' Club.' This club will only succeeded in crippling him receive not only Buddhists of all for life. The funeral was very sects but anyone 'whose heart solemn and impressive. Flowers has felt the influence of Buddhism.' and banners and chanting of priests The great and noble aim of this and the minor wailing of flutes and club is to bring into evidence the long line of mourners accompanied true complexion of Buddhism, and the enshrined ashes of the mur- by its improving influence to knit derer to their last resting-place. I together the national strength; to say murderer, because he died by promote genuine prosperity; to his own hand, in the firm belief elevate the country and to lead that he had killed the count.
society to the light of civilization. " In the present rupture in the " In order to do this the following constitutional party I believe the steps tire recqmmended : Buddhists are working under tl1'l surface against Count Okuma. He "To me this all iDef.tnS that the is prime minister, and doubtless devil sees that God is about to do the most progressive man in Japan. something in this country, and he I hope and pray that he will still will frustrate it if he can. It seems remain prime minister. . to me now is the time to sanctify ourselves so tha t in the near future "Here is a little quotation taken God may work wonders with us. from a pamphlet written against And just now we especially need Christianity: the prayers of the Church. I think the home people have grown cold " 'Now missionaries come over to toward us, I mean the Japanese. Japan, spend their strength, time, Dr. Carroll gave the gist of the and great sums of money in spread- matter at the International Mising their religion, running through sionary Union, when he said, the land from west to east, not rest- 'Christian work has, perhaps, not ing night or day, but for what pur- met the expectations of the Church, pose? They follow the ancient say- more, however, because.the Church ing: If you desire to get, first give. did not improve the blessed oppor- Having in mind the great reward tunity of giving the Gospel which to come afterward, they do not she had twelve or fifteen years care for small results just now. ago.' Now I believe we have an- Their intention is none other other opportunity, and if we sancthan to accomplish their desire to tify ourselves now, God will give take the country and to seize terri- us back the years which the canker tory. Should half of our honor- worm has eaten." able countrymen be converted to Christianity, in spite of all that The above shows the animus of could be done, they would come to the Buddhists of Japan. As there love the foreigners, and, in case of now and again drops into the pubwar, all who have entered this lic press the suggestion that the faith would assist the foreigners, United States government might secretly at least. India is a recent sell the Philippine Islands to Japan, example. Is it not a fearful re- it may be well to ask what guaranligion ? Foreign governments, tee C!f religious freedom for the looking carefully to future events, Filipinos Japan can afford. We such as preparation for war, use are told that Buddhists are rapidly missionaries as a method to seize coming to dominate the people of countries. To give a recent occur- Formosa by means scarcely to be rence, why did the Russian govern- indorst. Dr. McKay, of Formosa, ment give several hundred thou- gives the following among other sand roubles to Nicolai and send devices of Buddhist missionaries in him to this country? Undoubtedly Formosa: to act as a spy and conspirator.' 1. Natives are threatened to be " From this the author goes on to reported as rebels if they do not becall us and the native Christians, come members of the Buddhist names that are anything other community. than complimentary or true. Now, while such a book as this, doubtless 2. Natives are assured of safety compiled from Chinese books which from officials and soldiers by enused to be written against Chris- rolling their names. tianity, will do no harm among the educated people who have come in 3. Natives are reminded that they contact with foreign Christians, it are Buddhists anyhow, so do not will have its effect on the more need to change much. ignorant people of the interior. 4. A picture of an idol on paper is stampt, and given as a pledge of in rank, and a man whose influence security. Some native,s frame and reputation are not only nathes,~, and hang them in a con- tional, but a credit to his country. spicuous place in the house. Mr. Kataoka is a man of strong It strikes us that the Filipinos convictions, and when once decided have had enough of that sort of that any particular course is rule, and it is scarcely worth while right, he pursues it without questo swap friars for Buddhist priests. tion as to the results. From the first he took a decided and promi- J. T. G. nent position in religious matters, and was a recognized leader in the Count Itagaki, the Christian Statesman. Church. He has also been not only active, but influential in bringing BY REV. H. LOOMIS, D.D., YOKO- others to accept the same faitll.
HAMA, JAPAN. Some time after his conversion he came to Tokyo with one of his Several years ago the leaders of political associates, who was also a the Liberal party in Japan decided Christian, to present a petition to that the ~rganization ought to be the emperor. Just at that time discontinued, and accordingly re- some young men from the same signed their positions and retired province had been the cause of from active participation in polit- much trouble in the city, and an ical affairs. This action was due to order was issued that all people the rash and disgraceful conduct of from Tosa who were temporarily some of the young men who had staying in the capital should leave allied themselves with that organ- at once. ization, and thus brought all connected with it into disgrace. Mr. Kataoka and his companion felt that the order was unjust, and The leader of the party was Mr. refused to leave until they had ac- (now Count) Itagaki, and his heroic complisht the purpose of their visit. devotion to the principles which he' They were, therefore, arrested and advocated, as well as the views imprisoned. This seemedat the time which he exprest, won for him a a most unfortunate affair, because large and influential following. Christians would consequently be This was especially the ca~e in his accused of being unwilling to obey native province of Tosa. the laws of the country, and thus the work would suffer. Pre:;ious to his retirement from public life he had become convinced But God overruled it all for the that Christianity was good and its best. These two men were permitintroduction would be a benefit to ted to have a Bible, and the time his country. So when he was about spent in prison was devoted to a to return to his home, he invited Dr. careful and prayerful study of Verbeck and others to go and teach God's precious Word. Others were his friends and followers this new instructed in its truths, and when religion. Mr. Kataoka and his companion were releast, they came out thank- His presence at the services, and ing God that this season of freedom sanction of the preaching, secured from the cares and duties of ordilarge and attentive audiences, and nary life had brought them such a the results were most positive and new and wonderful 1;evelation of gratifying. Among the converts the riches of God's grace as revealed were some of his intimate and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From trusted friends and followers. One this time forth they have teliitifi~d of these was Mr. Kataoka Kenkichi, who was next to Mr. Itagaki as never before of the joy and com- the students in Christian schools fort that they experienced in the are to be given the same privileges study of the Holy Word, and in as those in government institutions. daily communion with God. Hitherto they have been subject to disabilities that have seriously In the course of time the Liberal affected the attendance and interparty was reformed and became the fered with the work of Christian most powerful political organiza- education. tion in the country. As in former years, Mr. Kataoka was chosen the Count Itagaki is the minister of vice-president, and has steadily home affairs, and it is announced grown in the respect and esteem of that prison reform is to be insisted the people of all classes. He has upon and Christian teachers are to be employed in all the chief been c' member of the House of prisons of the empire. A man who has been prominent in Christian Representatives at every session of work in London has recently been the Diet since its first establish- entertained by Count Itagaki, and ment, and a trusted and recognized in this way public approval is given leader. In the Diet before the last to such teachings, as never before. he was chosen vice-president, and Japan is not yet Christianized, but at the last he was chosen president. the prospects are becoming brighter every day. There was some fear that the new and important position which The National Armenian Relief he was thus called to fill would Committee issue a little quarterly result in his being less zealous and called The Helping Hand Series, prominent as a Christian. But the at ten cents a ;year. It is edited by true and noble qualities of the man George P. Knapp, Barre, Mass. In have shown forth as never before. the number for December, 1898, we Like Daniel, in the court of a Per- find the following: sian monarch, he has not denied his Lord, but in the face of every obsta- "Since the issue of our last recle gone boldly forward in the path port, 'Save the Remnant,' eight of duty. This is the same man who, months ago, the war with Spain at the close of his term of office, has been waged and won. During invited his Christian associates and this time the attention of people other friends to the official resi- on this side of the water has been dence for a prayer-meeting, and somewhat diverted from the needs then announced publicly that he had of the Armenians, and yet those not sought the office, but accepted who marcht at the sound of conflict it as a duty given him of the Lord, have not forgotten the orphans and he had gone forward trusting they were supporting. The movein Divine strength and guidance. ments of a private in the United States army could be followed from This man has been recently a fort in Texas, through several chosen one of a committee that de- camps, to Manila, as he sent money cides what is to be the policy of the for the two orphans he has undernew party, arnd as the cabinet are taken to support for five years. A under party control it means that volunteer from Colorado sent his Mr. Kataoka is one of the four men last remittance from Camp Merritt, who practically decide the course San Francisco. of the present administration. " Now that the Cubans have been Already is the influence of such freed from the Spanish yoke after men being shown in the conduct of 30 years of intermittent fighting affairs. One important result is the announcement by the new minister of education that henceforth on their part, the unrighted wrongs or four times, but many times, that of the Armenians seem greater the localofficials mustprotectthem; than ever, while their need of help that the gentry and people of all continues the same. They ask not for liberty, but for life; and this the provinces must sympathize talented people depend on disinter- with our desire for mutual benevoested foreign benevolence to save lence; that they must treat them them from practical extermination. truthfully and honestly, without The Great Powers of Europe, which dis1ike or suspicion, with the hope 20 years ago perfunctorily promist of lasting peaceful relations. them reforms, beheld their gradual extinction with indifference, and "Recently there have been disdeserted them in theil' recent great turbances in the provinces which it trial. England has just brought has been impossible to avoid. There to justice and hanged twelve Mo- have been several cases of riot in hammedans who lately killed a few Szechuan, which have not been set- British marines in Crete; but no tled. The stupid and ignorant peo- Mohammedan has been seriously ple who circulate rumors and stir punisht for the slaughter of tens up strife, proceeding from light to of thousands of helpless Armenian grave differences, are most truly to men, women, and children, in Tur- be detested. On the other hand, key. The sultan has refused to the officials, who have not been help the multitude of destitute or- able at convenient seasons to propphans, but he can lavish money on erly instruct the people and prevent his imperial German guests. Em- disturbances, can not be excused peror William spends millions in a from censure. pilgrimage to Jerusalem, while countenancing no collections in the "We now especially decree again, German churches for the Armeni- that all high provincial officials, ans." wherever there are churches, shall distinctly instruct the local officials The Empress Dowager and Missionaries to most respectfully obey our sev- in Ohina. eral decrees, to recognize and pro- tect the foreign missionaries as In the December REVIEW, 1898, they go to and fro, and to treat p. 932, appeared a decree of the em- them with all courtesy. peror of China, issued July 14, 1898. It becomes important to know what "If lawsuits arise between Chithe attitude of the empress-dow- nese and native Christians, they ager, who has turned back the dial must be conducted with justice and of progress in so many particulars, speedily concluded. Moreover, they is in the matter of government must command and instruct the protection of missionaries. The gentry and people to fulfil their following is a decree which she duties, that there may be no quarissued, as it appeared in the Peking Gazette, October 6, 1898: rels or disagreements. "Wherever there are foreigners "From the opening of ports to foreign trade to the present time, traveling from place to place, they foreigners and Chinese have been must surely be protected and the as one family, with undivided in- extreme limit of our hospitality terests, and since missionaries from extended. foreign countries are living in the interior, we have decreed, not three " After the issue of this decree, if there is any lack of preparation, and disturbances should arise, the officials of that locality will be se- verely dealt with. Whether they be viceroys or governors or others, they shall be punisht, and it will not avail to say we have not in- formed you." IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTME.NT.
Visits to the Foreign Field. midst of· the chill of unhelief, ~r;p8rstition, and worldliness; of the difficnlt. uphill work The visitation of the mission in which they are engaged; of th'3 patient fields by religious leaders from bearing of scoffing and indi;'l!;,ence; of the England and America is becoming constant demand for faith in fJver3' plan and more and more frequent, and a rec- every act; of the need of wa teJJfulness against ognized power in giving an intelli- temptation, and of hope tA) cbf'.er j~hem on- gent understanding of the problems these have been tous ser11lfJU, indeed, Above of the work in foreign lands, in in- all, perhaps, the thought d the converts, creasing the sympathy between the young and old, and their oJfl,culties, and of laborers at home and abroad, and the unspeakable blessing which a deeper in quickening the spiritual life of Christian life would bo to n,em, has opened the missionaries and giving them up a wide and cheering Jlrospect of usefulnew hope and courage. Such visits ness in such missions as O-drs. as those of Dr. Mabie, of the Baptist Missionary Union; Dr. Judson In addition to these remarks of Smith, of the American Board; Mr. Dr. Cumming, we venture to sug- Speer, of the Presbyterian Board, gest that, in the mi<!.st of surand others, have brought untold rounding heathenism and devitalblessing to those who are often ized Christinnitty, missionaries tempted to feel themselves shut off themselves are often in danger from the sympathies and prayers of either of losing faith altogether, or Christians at home, and have been of becoming formal and perfuncthe means of developing greater in- tory-of 10ding life in its deeper terest and efficiency in all lands. sense. MifJsionaries have confest to the writer that the visits of godly Another kind of visitation is and anointed men from Christian quite as important and productive lands have been to them in their of good results, viz., tours of mis- isolation like a new breath of fresh sion fields by men who have been ail' in a stifling atmosphere, and especially blest in quickening the Mr. Hudson Taylor has said that to spiritual lives of Christians. A be comparatively alone in the midst nUInber of Keswick leaders have of the worst forms of idolatry and been going out from England to paganism is calculated to make even hold meetings especially for mis- missionaries atheists, or drive them sionaries and native Christians, to madness. and the blessing has been rich and widespread. Rev. F. B. Meyer is Days of Prayer for Mission Fields. now in India and Rev. Charles Inwood in China. Dr. Elder Cum- A hopeful sign in modern misming, who has recently returned sionary work is the number of earnfrom Syria and Palestine, writes of est calls to prayer which come from the purpose of these visitations as the mission fields and missionary follows: leaders. Why should not special days of pmyer be 0bserved through- The mission from Keswick to the mission out Christendom for India, China, fields has in view the pressing upon Chris· Africa, and other lands, when all tians the need of a life closer to God and Christians would unite in interceslived more entirely in the power of the Spirit. sion for the missions, native Chris- It is a delicate task, and may sometimes seem tians, and heathen, in those lands? a presumption in view of the deep spiritual- Such special days have been apity of many of the missionaries in these pointed and observed to a limited lands. But we are everywhere welcomed to extent for India. close fellowship and sympathy. The missiollal'ies'.description of their loneliness in the Some time ago a call to prayer was sent out by the Synod of North China in view of the present crisis Japan is said to advise that forin that empire. Their appeal is, in eigners be forbidden to conduct schools in Japan; whether this inpart, as follows: cludes theological schools does not yet appear. The reason is said to At this time, when China is in the midst of be "the influence of foreigners in dedifficulties, we beseech the Christian "breth- nationalizing the youth of Japan." ren of all nations that, in harmony with the The national spirit, already manilove of God for men, and in obedience to the fested in other departments, seems teaching of the Savior of men, they will unite likely to affect the educational syswith one heart and mind to pray for us. tem.
(1) We ask prayer for the emperor and his Two opposite tendencies have for high officers. He has examined many new years been at work in this island books, amongst which were not a few religious empire; one in favor of a fellowbooks, which things may possibly prove the ship of nations, and the other beginning of faith and bring a blessing to intensely and narrowly Japanese, China. Ask God to give him a clear under- and miscalled patriotic. The latter standing that he may know for a surety that seems for the time to prevail. more essential than Western learning, is the general diffusion of divine truth, and renova- Missionaries to Moslems. tion of men's hearts, that prince and people, high and low, may all be of one mind, which Students of missions are becomis the great thing. ing more and more convinced of the necessity of studying with sci- (2) We ask prayer for the literary examin- entific precision and diligence, the ers, and for all schools which honor Western problems of work both at home learning. and abroad. One of the latest evi- dences of this is the appointment (3) We ask prayer for all the people that by the Church Missionary Society they may put away the old and accept the of a special order of missionaries new, and that, attending to their legitimate to deal with "the toughest probpursuits, there may be no disorder in any lem the Christian Church is called on part of the land. to face "-Mohammedanism. The Rev. A. E. Johnston, of Benares, (4) We ask prayer for the Church that, is to start the mission, and others altho there are many suspicions and much are askt to join him. With 57,- unrest in the minds of the people, the Chris- 000,000 of Moslems in India, Great tians may be more zealous and persevering Britain has a rare opportunity and in prayer; that they may be extra careful a serious responsibility. The Indian not by any means to presume on their posi- Standard says: tions to insult others, and so make an occa sion for trouble. It has been remarkt lately that a move- ment seems to be going on among Moham- (5) We would ask prayer for all the several medans in India. There are signs of a stirnations that their intl,rcourse with China may ring among those very dry bones. In Poona be in harmony with truth and right; that at several young Mohammedans of culture have the specified time they may return the terri- been approaching various of the missionaries tory they have taken, and that none may en- to inquire about the truth. Some of these tertain the design of dividing out or swallow- attend a Sunday Bible-class in connection ing up China. with the Presbyterian Church.
Altho our country is helpless and weak, yet Self Support. we have faith that the prayers of the righteous will prevail and that God will care for As to self-support on the mission us. We beseech you, pray earnestly for us, field, Mr. C. B. Ward writes from and then let the will of God be done-and Yalander, India: now let the gracious Holy Spirit intercede for us according to the will of God, and God has made immediate attention to this may our risen Lord intercede for us without matter compulsory. Not a society at work ceasing at the right hand of God. Amen.
Committee. { Tso LI WEN, CHANG FENG NIEN.
JOHN WHERRY, Moderator.
The Outlook in Japan.
New treaties with Japan are to go into effect this year, which will probably largely influence educational missionary work in the empire. The educational council of n India with any vigor or success can but there are a hundred reasons possibly carryon its present work with the why all such estimates are both financial help the treasury supplies. For dishonoring to God and misleading some years many missionaries have been compelled to look to God and outside friends to men. We have not one werd in for help to keep their work going. But even this goodly stream is too small. The solemn Scripture to justify any such mateconviction is coming home to many mission- rialism in our estimate of God's aries that God himself is trying to bring His messengers in heathen lands to carryon work. Who shall ever tell us the the work of evangelizing the heathen with worth of Saul's conversion to the the resources of the soil. Church and the world? Think of One of India's most successful leaders a financial reckoning of the value recently wrote that he was imprest that he must drop the search for money and devote of Luther to the ages! his every energy henceforth to the spiritual interest of the work and leave the "con- Spirituality VB. Formalism. sequences l' with God. A missionary organ of my own church declares that the "great No one can watch the present need of the kingdom of God to-day is gold, currents of ecclesiastical and religgold, gold." It is a secretarial utterance, ious life in Britain just now without too. An incfeasing number of missionaries afe coming to the conviction that the supreme seeing a powerful reaction in progneed of the home church and the mission field is the Holy Ghost. ress against the ritualizing, l'ation- Opening a new station in India, with a alizing, and Romanizing tendencies foreign missionary, his home, and other of the Anglican Church. An exbuildings, the support of himself and staff of helpers, cost in the first five years, sayan ample has recently come to our average of $20,000. At the end of five years there is an imperative need for au annually notice which to a remarkable increasing appropriation for the maintenance of the mission, if the work succeeds at degree exhibits the power of a all. There are to-day in needy places in the simple Gospel, anointed with Indian empire where hundreds of thousands have never yet heard the Gospel. one hundred prayer and preacht by a man who localities, where the present cash value of mingles boldness and tenderness in $20,000, or say $15,000, can be so invested as capital on productive bases that at the end of his remonstrance against formfive years the resources neededfor the Chris- alism and secularism, while he tian and missionary work ot an ordinary mission station can be thereafter annually dares to undertake to advocate a realized, and there be thenceforth no need for annual approptiatlons. return to apostolic simplicity.
Cash Cost of Converts. A certain young vicar found him- self in charge of a parish where a Often the mathematical Chris- predecessor had given loose rein to tians of our day attempt to depre- ritualistic tendencies of the most ciate missions by making out the ultra sort, and with them secular cost of conversions to be unduly tendencies of equally pronounced dear. In the November issue of character. The previous vicar had the Baptist Missionary Magazine even encouraged a dance among his appeared a series of statistical young people on the Saturday tables, showing the results of the evening before the Eucharist as a past eight years in the foreign work means of attracting them to the of the United States Baptists, church. Fairs, festivals, bazaars Congregationalists, Methodists, and and all the like group of worldly Presbyterians. The last of these schemes were the common resort columns contains an estimate of for raising money, but the spirit the cash cost of each convert. of prayer and the Spirit of God had little exhibition or administrative The statistics may be interesting, control.
The congregation was large, and the outward signs of prosperity were abundant. But the new vicar felt that it was all a deceptive ex- ternal shell, and that there would be no true life, health, and growth where such sort of church conduct existed. Accordingly he at once, with much prayer, began to preach against compromises with the his own chaplain in the vestry, in- world, and the use of worldly quired of one of the churchwar- methods, and insisted vigorously dens as to the number of communi- cants. The party inquired of was on a Scriptural, spiritual, prayerful a humble blacksmith, and repre- Holy Ghost life and walk and sented a congregation of poor work- service. ing people like himself; and he answered the bishop, "We never The church began to empty, and count our communicants; but when so rapid was the decline in the the Lord's supper is celebrated, few, congregation that a deputation of if any, go out, and the church is always full." " But, said the twelve men, representing the offi- bishop, "how do you keep your cers, churchwardens, etc., went to communicants together, seeing you the bishop )0 protest against the have no guilds and societies and festivals?" """VeIl I'll tell you, my new vicar's methods. The bishop lord," said the simple workingsent his wife, a gifted woman, to man, "our vicar first gets his peovisit the parish and especially the ple soundly converted, then he gets vicar. She was kindly received, 'em cleansed, and then he gets 'em .filled with the Holy Ghost, and and inquired as to his reasons for then the Holy Ghost keeps 'em and the course he was pursuing in de- we don't have to keep 'em at all!" molishing the Lord's work as he The bishop, turning to his chaplain, found it in the parish. Withaffec- remarked, "We have nothing like this in the diocese." tionate frankness he proceeded to show how far the former ways of Further inquiry developt the conducting the church were from fact that in raising money, for ex- ample for missions, no appeals are Scriptural methods. Then kneel- made. The people are reminded of ing with the bishop's wife, he their privilege of contributing on earnestly sought light from above. the following Lord's day to the Lord's cause; and thus poor people, He prayed in the Holy Ghost, and whose average wages do not exceed in the midst of his prayer his com- sixteen shillings stel'ling per week, panion said: "Pray no longer; you in that one missionary offering are right, and I am wrong." gave one hundred and fifty pounds. They support six missionaries The vicar went on with his re- abroad, and one of them is kept in forms-until there were none left the field by a class of three hundred to reform. He went into church poor working women. The vicar one morning to find but two per- says he has more money than is sons present. They were in sym- needed for all church expenses, and pathy, however, and in place of only New Testament methods ale the usual service, tho8e three spent encOl~raged. A prominent mc.n, an hour and a half in prayer. whose work for God calls him to go They pleaded with God to take off into all parts of the land on mission work, and who has watcht the them the burden of responsibility, history of this church, says that he and Himself take charge of the knows nowhere anything tb.at so church. closely resembles and reproduces the apostolic times. A powerful work of the Spirit at once began. The first-fruits were We give prominence to this incithe conversion of the twelve men dent, as an illustration of great that had waited on the bishop to have the new vicar removed. weight, to prove and exemplify the The church filled up with a new true remedy and resort for those congregation in part, and in part with a transformed body of people, who, in dismay at the worldly formerly pursuing secular methods spirit in the churches, despair of betand moved by a worldly spirit. terment. When the Holy Spirit Prayer came to be a prevailing administers a church the most forhabit, the Holy Spirit was recognized as the presiding officer in all midable obstacles soon give way bechurch life;. voluntary offerings fore His all-subduing omnipotence through simple boxes placed at the church door, and labeled, "For of- of love I ferings from the saints." A simple, primitive Gospel was preacht without the inventions of formalism and secularism, and God's blessing conspicuously rested on all the work. Subsequently the bishop himself visited the parish, and sitting with
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS
V.-RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS.
CHINA AND TIBET. for Christianity, Protestant Occu- DAWN ON THE HILLS OF T'ANG, or Missions in pation, Missionaries at Work, and The Dawn-setting forth the diffi- China. By Rev. H. P. Beach. Map. culties, and encouragements of the 12mo, 181 pp. $1.00. Student Volunteer present situation and outlook. The Movement, N. Y. appendixes are devoted to adescrip- tion of the Provincial Divisions of One of the most hopeful signs of China proper, the prominent events the times is the increasing number of historic dynasties, and a scheme of carefully prepared missionary for studying denominational mis- studies which set forth in a con- sionary work in China. There is denst, systematic, thorough, and also a statistical table giving the suggestive manner the various mis- work of all the various societies, sion fields of the world, and the and an excellent map with an index, missionary methods and achieve- giving mission stations and the ments of the Church. societies laboring in each. This map and index we reproduce, in Under a somewhat obscure title, part, as our frontispiece. the educational secretary of the Student Volunteer Movement has While this volume can not, of given us a first-class text-book for course, take the place of more exuse of mission study classes, and haustive treatises on China and the students of missions in general. Chinese, it is invaluable from a The scope of the book is so broad missionary standpoint. The systhat the subject is necessarily treat- tem of spelling used in the map ed only in outline. But in spite of and text may confuse some, but it the fact that there is so much con- follows one system throughout– denst within so small a compass, something which most maps and the style is far from dry reading, books do not. There is great need and many of the sections are in- for the general adoption of some tensely interesting. one method of spelling for Chinese names, and we doubt not that the In the study proper, Mr. Beach one followed by Mr. Beach is the describes The World of the Chinese best. Those who read the article -the various names of China, its on page 86 of this issue of the REsituation, area, physical features, VIEW, will need no further recomclimate, resources, etc. One of the mendation to possess and study most interesting sections is that this book. giving the "Chinese view of the world," and its influence on their IN THE FORBIDDEN LAND. By A. Henry Savattitude toward foreigners. Chi- age Landor. 2 vols. 8vo. Illustrated. na's Inheritance fr01n the Past, as $9.00. Harper & Bros., New York. revealed in its own historical records and other sources is suggest- This is a story of a journey into ive, especially the sections devoted Tibet, and through the southwestto "Key Characters in Chinese ern part of the country, below the History," and "Present-day Sur- range of the Gangei Mountains. It vivals of China's Past." The Real is a tale of resolute, if not reckless, Chinaman is interestingly set forth adventure, with capture by the laindividually and coIIectively in va- mas and soldiers, imprisonment, ried surroundings and pursuits, as cruel torture, almost fatal in its viewed by themselves and by for- effects, followed by release and offieigners. cial inquiry by the government of Other chapters deal with the Reli~ions of the Cl).inese, Preparation India, etc. The book is superbly this conduct toward natives with gotten up, almost without regard the uniform forbearance and gento expense; and the two volumes tleness of Africa's great missionary contain some two hundred and general and explorer, who, amid sixty illustrations, seven of which all the provocations to resentment are colored plates, to all of which is and retaliation, never once forgot added a map of southwestern Tibet. his mission of love, to feel the im- measurable distance between Liv- Without doubt these volumes ingstone in the Dark Continent and furnish a valuable addition to our Landor in the Forbidden Land. knowledge of this hermit nation, There are some other features of and the great closed land which is the narrative which are obnoxious guarded as the shrine of Buddhism to criticism, but we would not on and Lama worship. As to missions, this account deprecate a work the author furnishes no direct con- which exhibits minute and painstribution, except as he enables us taking research, and the gathering to understand the customs, man- of material for which cost such a ners, and notions of this peculiar price in personal suffering. Mr. people. He seems to have spared Landor's tortures were indeed met no pains to make a scientific survey, with a heroic self-control worthy of and we have seen no book which so a martyr, and it is remarkable that fully portrays the Tibetan country he escaped with his life. As a prodand people. uct of the press, these volumes do great credit to the publishers, Har- There is one blemish in the book, per & Bros. however, perhaps rather a blunder in the author's course while in PICTURES OF SOUTHERN CHINA. By Rev. J. Tibet. That we may do him no Macgowan. Illustrated. Religious Tract injustice, we may leave him to tell Society, London. his own story. Referring to a stalwart Tibetan, who had the impu- The author of what is probably dence to enter his room and attrib- the best "History of China" has ute to the English cowardice and given in this volume some interestfear of the Tibetans, etc., he says: ing sketches of the cities and peo- ple of the coast towns-Shanghai, This remark was too much for me, and it Foochow, Kushan, Amoy, Swatow, might anyhow have been unwise to allow it Hongkong, and Canton. It is fully to pass unchallenged. Throwing myself on illustrated from excellent and very him, I grabbed him by his pigtail and landed instructive photographs. Author in his face a number of blows straight from and publisher have combined to the shoulder. When I let him go, he threw make an exceedingly attractive volhimself down, crying, and implored my par- ume. It is not distinctively a misdon. Once and for all, to disillusion the Ti- sionary book, except in so far as it betan on one or two points, I made him lick serves to awaken a more intelligent my shoes clean with his tongue in the pres- interest in China, and to give a ence of the assembled Shokas. This done, he clearer idea of the characteristics tried to scamper away, but I caught him of these cities and their inhabionce more by his pigtail and kickt him down tants. the front steps, which he had dared to come up unasked. THE LAND OF THE LAMAS, or the opening of Tibet to the Gospel. By Rev. D. W. If this is a fair specimen of Mr. Le Lacheur. Paper. Christian Alliance Savage Landor's treatment of men Publishing Co., Nyack, N. Y. in Tibet, continued even after his pardon was implored for a previous The first missionary to enter insult, a part of his name would "The Forbidden Land" from the seem to have more than an acciden- West here describes his journey of tal propriety, for it certainly was seven months through Western savage. One needs only to contrast China into Eastern Tibet. Mr. Le a bright and entertaining little Lacheur received a passport from narrative, "The Penny .Man and the lama at Labrang-probably the His Friends "-bandages, needles, first of the kind ever issued to an clothing, etc.-tell of their many American. The following is a trans- experiences in medical mission lation: work in foreign lands. It is a book well calculated to interest children, In accordance with an edict, given by the young and old, in both the physical command and order of his gracious, exalted, and spiritual needs of the suffering Heaven appointed majesty, the Emperor non-Christian world. Kang Hsi and the Emperor Kuang Hsu, we command and proclaim as the incarnation of CHOSEN OF GOD. By Rev. H. W. Lathe. the imperial minister No Mon Hang of the Fleming H. Revell Co., New York and Stag-dge temple called arr-rgyas-gling_ At Chicago. this time we give a passport to an American as follows: This is a book that is meant to incite to mission work of all kinds, This man having come a distance of 35,000 Ii and in all fields, by first exciting a (12,000 miles) via Peking, Mongolia, and China wholesome aspiration for more to Tibet, should there be any injurious Christlikeness. The author exenemy who would rob or steal, you yourselves plains the central thought and pur- know with your five senses there is capital pose to be to impress the fact of punishment and you shall not escape right- God's gift of life to His beloved, eous sentence. All should separate from an and to help lift disciples to the injurious heart and cleave to a useful heart. heights of their true privilege as Given, written, and sealed in the twenty-third involved in such a bestowment and year of the reign ()f the Emperor Kuang Hsu, endowment. We might not give the "chicken" year, seventh moon, fifteenth adherence to every sentiment this day, at the court of Stag-dge temple. book contains, while recognizing in it an abundance of valuable matter, May you have great happiness. and ample proof of devout and care- This passport contains a drop of gold. ful study of the Word of God.
The pamphlet is a brief but inter- THE AUTOBlOGRAPHY OF CHARLES H. SPUResting story of the first successful GEON. Compiled by his wife and his attempt to carryon Christian work private secretary. 4 vols. Bvo. $10.00. within the eastern borders of this Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. " great closed land." Mrs. Spurgeon, with the aid of GENERAL. his private secretary, has edited this work, from materials left by her WrrH ONE ACCORD, or the Prayer-Book in the husband in the form of letters and Mission Field. By Edith M. E. Baring- sermons, diary, and other records. Gould. Illustrated. The Church Mission- We have lookt expectantly for ary Society, London. this great undertaking to present its first-fruits, and here they are, While especially adapted to mem- and a fine specimen they are of the bers of the Church of England, full harvest. This first volume is this little volume is full of informa- a good-sized quarto, and covers the tion and inspiration for us all. It years from 1834 to 1854, when the gives the history of the making of great London pastorate began. the Prayer-book, and describes its The illustrations are abundant and use in various places throughout choice. No one personality has the world. The contents are care- made an equal impression on the fully studied with especial refer- world from the pulpit of our generence to foreign missions, and vivid ation. Charles H. Spurgeon here pictures are given of Christian speaks to us; we recognize his worship in heathen lands. The unique illustrations add materially to its value.
THE H PENNY MAN" .AND HIS FRIENDS. By Eleanor F. Fox. Illustrated. Church Mis- sionary Society, London.
Missionary books for children have an important office to perform. In this Great Britain is far a.head of America. In the form of hand-his delicate touches of Monthly Bibliography. humor and pathos, his bold strokes of genius and originality-his evan- THE LAND OF THE PIGMIES. By Captain Gny gelical spirit and spiritual beauty Burrows. Introdnction by Henry M. and insight. We see here his com- Stanley, M.P. 8vo, 260 pp., portrait and mon sense and his uncommon sense, illustrations. $3.00. T. Y. Crowell & Co., his intelligence and high-mil ded- New York and Boston. ness, his nearness to God, his childlike simplicity, his genuineness and PILKINGTON 0>' UGANDA. By C. F. Harfordmarvelous power to mold others. Battersby, M.A., M.D. 8vo, 346 pp., illus- The book is a garden of spices, trations and maps. Marshall Bros., Lonwhere the breath of a beloved part- don. ner blows softly like a breeze, and invests the whole with rare fra- IN UGANnA FOR CHRIST. The life·story of grance. Surely the one person best Rev. John S. Callis. By Rev. R. D. Pier· fitted to do this work is doing it, pont. 3 shillings. Hodder & Stoughton, and doing it artistically, sympathet- London. ically, beautifully. It may well be Mrs. Spurgeon's last work, as it THROUGH ARMENIA ON HORSEBACK. By Geo. will be the perpetuation of his. We H. Hepworth. 8vo, 355 pp., illustrations shall await the other volumes with and maps. $1.50. E. P. Dutton & Co., impatience. New York.
JOHN G. PATON. Missionary to the New THROUGH ASIA. By Sven Hedin. 2 vol.. 8vo. Hebrides. Part III. Fleming H. Revell Illustrat,ed. $10.00. Harper & Bros., New Co., New York. York.
This volume contains a brief IN THE FORBIDDEN LAND (TIBET). By A. narrative of the author's life during Henry Savage Landor. 2 vols. 8vo, the last twelve years. It has the illustrations and maps. $9.00. Harper & same fascinating interest as the Bros. previous two volumes from the same hand. Dr. Paton is a very JOHN CHINAMAN: HIS WAYS AND NOTIONS. By uncommon man. He belongs to an Rev. G. Cockburn, M.A., formerly of almost extinct· genus-the mis- Ichang. J. Gardner Hitt, Edinburgh. sionary heroes of faith, of the Livingstone, Judson, Carey stamp. CAMPING AND TRAMPING IN MALAYA. By Am- Missionary heroism survives, but brose B. Rathmore. Macmillan Co., there is a type of it that is very New York. rare nowadays, the primitive, simple, apostolic type, which re- ACROSS INDIA AT THE DAWN OF THE TWENTIETH minds one of Paul, and Peter, and CENTURY. By Lucy E. Guinness. 8vo, John. Dr. Paton has no patience 260 pp. Illustrated. Religious Tract Sowith the advanced theology, criti- ciety, London. cism, and churchly innovations now so prevalent, and his books CHRISTIAN MISSIONS GEOGRAPHY-India. 8vo, show it, undisguisedly. This third 12 pp. Map. Paper. Foreign Missions part of his autobiography adds Library, New York. probably the finishing touches to his life-story, and with deep interest PARSI, JAINA, AND SIKH-Some Minor Religthe reader will follow the white- ious Sects in India. By Douglas M. Thornhaired apostle of the Islands of the ton. 12mo, 96 pp. Religious Tract Soci- Sea in his "Round the World for ety, London. Jesus," HISTORY OF TIlE W ALDENSES. By Sophia V. Bompiani. 8vo, 175 pp. $1.00. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York.
SERVIA THE POOR MAN'S PARADISE. By Her- bert Vivian, M.A. 8vo, 356 pp. Long- mans, Green & Co., New York.
THROUGH ARCTIC LAPLAND. Cutclifi'e Hyne. $3.50. Macmillan Co., New York.
THE STORY OF BEAUTIFUL PORTO RICO. By C. H. Rector. Maps and illustrations. $1.25. Laird & Lee, Chicago, Ill.
THE NEGRO IN AMERICA. By T. J. Morgan. $1.00. American Baptist Publication So- ciety, Philadelphia.
THE AMERICAN BOARD ALMANAC OF MISSIONS FOR 1899 is the fourteenth number of this annual and surpasses all previous issues in attractiveness and value. In addition to the usual illustrations it contains twelve small maps of mission fields and the most complete tables of all foreign missionary work. This Almanac will answer scores of questions which are constantly askt concerning missions. It is beautiful, useful, and cheap. Price 10 cents, postpaid, or $1.00 per dozen. AdC dress: Charles E. Swett, Room 100, Coo- gregatioDal House, BostOD.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
VI.- GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D. TRANSLATIONS BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK.
THE KINGDOM. tion they are generally receiving is calculated to sharpen their mental AMONG THE GODS THERE IS NONE faculties at the expense of their religious and moral sense. It feeds LIKE UNTO THEE, 0 LORD; NEITHER the head while the heart is starved." Will he now tell us what is the ARE THERE ANY WORKS LIKE UNTO trouble with the education of the Filipinos who have been killing and THY WORKS. ALL NATIONS WHOM torturing the friars ?-Independ- ent. THOU HAST MADE SHALL COME AND -Sydney Smith did not hold mis- WORSHIP BEFORE THEE, 0 LORD; sions in very high esteem, but this suggestion of his pertaining there- AND SHALL GLORIFY THY NAME. to is sound nevertheless: "Yes! you will find people ready enough FOR THOU ART GREAT, AND DOEST to act the 'Good Samaritan' with- out the oil and the twopence." WONDROUS THINGS; THOU ART GOD -The Church Missionary Gleaner ALONE. says that fifty years ago the world laught at missions as a fantastic -Prof. W. Douglas Mackenzie exhibition of superfluous and ab- says in !tis Christianity and Prog- surd charity; now it seems the ress of Man: "It is in the work of movement is to be treated with foreign missions that the Church respect, at least, and occasionally has done most to prove its social even with sympathy. Then the • influence; for Christianity is now Church still treated foreign mis- : at work practically in every land. sions as the fad of the few; now we o Amongst the rude savages and are within measurable distance of under the shadow of hoary institu- their being considered an essential · tions it is seeking to establish itself, part of every Christian's duty, o and its success has been so remark- while the idea of the evangeliza- able, its religious and social influ- tion of the world in this generation 'ence so undeniable, that every is beginning to be seriously enter- thoughtful man who had rejected tained. its claims is bound in the mere name of his intellectual integrity -There is, perhaps, no more to pause and face the facts afresh." remarkable missionary genealogy than that of the late Mrs. Baker's -Of a truth, this is in accord family. In 1757 the elder Kohlhoff, with the mind of the Master: "Do a Danish Lutheran missionary, not speak of certain races as the went out to Tanjore, and labored 'despised races' or 'inferior races' for 33 years. Before the close of or even 'deprest races.' They are his long career, in 1787, the younger · rather undevelopt races. They Kohlhoff began his missionary life • have not past through the hot of 57 years. His niece, the grand- crucible of modern civilization. daughter of the first Kohlhoff, For aught we know they have in married Henry Baker, C. M. S. mis- them just as much stuff for the sionary to Travancore, in 1818. o making of manhood and culture as the English, the Germans, or the French. All they need is the chance of becoming developt."
-Cardinal Gibbons has written a letter in which he says the trouble with the negroes which causes the race conflicts is this: "The educa- Henry Baker died in 1867, after 49 -Our Roman Catholic friends are years of missionary work. But his too impatient, when allusion is made widow remained in the field until to the want of a pure morality in 1888-a missionary life of 70 years. the South American priesthood. In August, 1885, we gave a picture Three hundred years back Las of Mrs, Baker, senior, with her Casas, while extolling the friars. school groupt round her. She con- spoke very disparagingly of the tinued to teach it till within a few secular priests. Now the Jesuit, Coldays of her death. Her son and berg, describes them, at least in daughter-in-law, the Mr. and Mrs. Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as Baker of whom we have written, having fallen into slothfulness spent 35 and 53 years respectively together, from which dissolutein the same field. And Miss Baker, ness is not far removed. Father who returns to Travancore this Huonder, at the late Catholic Conautumn, has already given 32 years gress of Germany, says: "There of her life to the Lord's work there. are millions there who only need a Hers is a missionary genealogy good priest to become again zealextending over 5 generations and ous Catholics. 0 Germany, thou 141 years, while the collective mis- canst help. Thy poor and moral sionary service of all the members men and women are the true aposof the family, including some whom tles that are here required."-C. C. we have not mentioned, amounts S. from Allegemeine Mission Zeitto considerably more than 300 schrift. years.-C. M. S. Gleaner. -Dr. Henry Holtzmann, in the -This is what the native nurse Zeitschrift fur Missionskunde, said when the missionary was blest speaking of the entire lack of the with a little daughter: "Oh, Missi, proselytizing instinct in theJudaism Missi, you are young and will live of to-day, whereas the New Testato forget this day I You must not ment shows us Judaism in aposfret about having only a girl this tolic times as intensely proselytime. You know you have had tizing, observes that even then it two sons already, and may have was not national Judaism t.hat many more before you die. We all proselytized. It was the Judaism have to bear the same disappoint- of the Dispersion. This not only ment. We can not always have threw the national elements of sons." Judaism into the background (hesi- tating even in the requirement of -The statement that some years circumcision), but largely attacht back went the rounds of the mis- itself to the noblest remembrances sionary magazines, that the late and highest morality and purest Cardinal Lavigerie, we think at religious apprehensions of the Gen- Lyons, had declared that, in his be- tile world. It was, in fact, a vague lief,Protestants raised twenty times anticipation of Christianity. As as much for foreign missions as we know, it largely served as a Roman Catholics, must either have bridge over which the Gospel past been an error of the cardinal's, or, into the heathen world. When the more probably, a misreport of his Gospel came, bringing the news, speech. Dr. Warneck, from sta- not of a salvation divinely extistics and careful estimates founded pected, but of one now accomplisht, Jlp6n them, makes out that the and embodied in the Son of God, Protestants, who are to the Cath- retaining the historical confidence olics as '150 to 210, raise between four of Israel, but dismissing everyand five times as much.-C. C. S. thing simply national, Judaism aided by the princes, uprooted slowly lost the confidence and in- Protestantism from Protestant stinct of missions. The ground Austria, and won back one-third of was cut from beneath its feet. The Germany. However, as Dr. Holtz- loss of the missionary instinct was mann says, the present Judaism has not so rapid as some think. In the no thought of missions.-C. C. S. first five centuries after Christ the Jews not only made large spiritual -Those missionaries, male or conquests in the kindred Arabia female, who want to Europeanize, and Syria, but carried on an ob- or even to Anglo-Americanize, scure but vitally important mission their converts, are so far not Chris- in Sarmatia. Half the present tians, but Jews. Nay, they are not Jews are Poles or Russians, show- even so proud as the ancient Jews ing, we are informed by Prof. of the Dispersion. We once knew George F. Moore, the true Slavic of a missionary's wife in the West type. Even in Gaul many defec- Indies. who sternly insisted that on tions occurred from Catholic Chris- the Sunday her female domestics tianity to Judaism. In Spain the should exchange the smoky handravages of Judaism, baffled by kerchief-turban for a bonnet, which Mohammedanism, in the Catholic they hated. Their hatred of the folds, hardly ceast before the fall bonnet soon became a hatred of of Granada. Gradually, however, their mistress. She left the island, the proselytizing disposition died having done little good and not a out.-C. C. S. little harm.-C. C. S.
-The Judaism of to-day largely YOUNG PEOPLE. persecutes active Christianity, -The Student Volunteer has Protestant and Catholic, by the been recently metamorphosed into means at its command, by financial the Intercollegian, and the Decempressure, by the use of propriety ber number of this paper is a marrights and the rights of eccle- vel for richness and fulness of siastical patronage, by affiliation information and suggestion relawith secret societies, and, above ting to student work for missions. all, by virulent attacks in a press which is more and more under its -Men in its new form, changed control. Yet it does not seem to from a weekly to a monthly, has have in mind the propagation of fairly blossomed out into beauty Judaism, but the extermination of and excellence of various kinds. Christianity. The belief of the fathers, that as Christ was a Jew, -Rome, Italy, has a Y. M. C. A. so Antichrist will be a Jew, is by which entered a building last year no means unreasonable. costing $20,000, the gift of James Stokes, New York, who also gave A Jewish journal in 1882 de- months of toil to establish the assonounced the present writer as ciation. Including associates, there "deeply depraved" for suggesting are 144 members, with Catholics, such a possibility. How the opin- Greeks, and Jews among them. ion, even if erroneous, is an evidence This same Mr. Stokes was the chief of depravity, we fail to see. The agent in securing a building for the journal askt how 7,000,000 or 8,000,- association in Paris, France. 000 Jews could hope to overturn Christendom. Not alone certainly, -There is arising tide of missionbut as marshalling many forces. ary interest among the Epworth Twenty-two thousand Jesuits, Leagues of our Church. The recent student campaign among our leagues has stirred our young peo· pIe deeply. More than 500 mission- bers, to which must be added unafary libraries of 16 volumes each filiated societies, bringing the total membership up to 55,000. Of these have been sold, and hundreds of 3,148 joined the Church during the year, and 1,461 associates became missionary study classes have been active. The Wesleyan Methodists formed. The subjeGt of missions lead with 535 societies; then come is foremost in the league prayer- the Baptists with 150; the Congremeetings, and finds frequent ex- gationalists with 131; the Presbypression in exhortation and conver- terians and Primitive Methodists with 110 each; the Bible Christians sation. The legal bondage in which with 89; the Church of England, 27. the league is held, prohibiting it from taking collections for any- AMERICA. thing except league purposes, United States.-" Spain has yieldshould be ended at the earliest pos- ed, and our troubles are over!" So exclaims an editor in startling sible day. Our young people are headlines. He is mistaken. Our ready to obey the command, "Go troubles have only begun. "Colointo the world" with the Gospel nial possessions" stand for much message, and their zeal must not be care and worry under the best consupprest. Loose the league, and ditions. But, under the serious conditions we are now facing in the let it go that its warm heart may Philippines, it means years of infin- ite patience and effort. The great quicken the missionary zeal of the distance from this country, the unwhole Church.- World Wide Mis- healthful climate, the pagan charsions. acter of the people, the assump- tions and impudence of the Roman -It is very significant that since Catholic Church, now in full posthe Presbyterians began to make a session; the jealous plottings of special effort to induce their Chris- European governments – the s e things will all complicate the situatian Endeavor societies to adopt tion. No; our troubles are not and support individual foreign mis- over. This nation is facing the most delicate and vital experiment sionaries the sum given has stead- it has ever undertaken. May God give wisdom!-Epworth Herald. ily increast year by year. The following figures most eloquently tell -It's a stiff gale, but Providence wunt drown, the tale of what has been done and An' God wunt leave us yet to sink or swim, Ef we don't fail to do what's right by Him. what any denomination can do This land of ourn, I tell ye, '8 got to be A better country than man ever see. when it undertakes to reach the hearts of the responsive young peo- -Lowell. ple of the societies of Christian En- -The situation as touching the deavor: aggressions of the Mormon Church is nothing other than exceedingly In 1891. ……………………. $ 5,264 grave. There is the shameless attempt to thrust upon the na- " 1892…………………….. 14,227 tion a confest polygamist as one of our legislators, and in keeping "" 1188939.4………………………………………….. 24,808 with it such missionary activity 29,242 in many of the states as has not been known for years. This state- " 1895……………………. 33,160 .. 1896…………………….. 35,629 .~ 1897. ….. ………………. 42,650 -India has more than 400 En- deavor societies, the number having much more than doubled within the twelvemonth. In addition to Tamil, Telugu, and Kanarese, the model constitution is to be put into Malayalam, another language of Southern India. It is now found in at least 10 different languages of India.
-Australia reports 1,722 Endeavor societies, with 52,340 memment comes from the South: Park. The members of synod felt " Apostle L. enjoyed the reputation as never before the responsibility of securing more votes for McKinley of securing funds. The result of the in Utah than any other man, and agitation has been that in New was going to call on the president. Jersey alone 13 salaries have been He showed me their letters of in- undertaken by 13 congregations. troduction and commendation from the governors of Utah and Idaho, -In Brooklyn recently a council and the three pl'esidents of the was held for the recognition of the Mormon church. With these he new Spanish church, to be known had visited the governors in the as the Iglesia Congregational Southern states, making it a point Hispano-Americano, and for the he told me to get on good terms installation of the pastor, Rev. S. with legislators, judges, clerks of M. Lopez Guillen. The new church courts, etc. He spoke with great has a membership of nearly 100 and satisfaction of giving an address owes its existence in great part to before legislators in Jackson, Miss., the Home Missionary Society, and his gift for ingratiating himself which is certainly justified for its with people is certainly remarkable. effort in the fact that there are He warmly urged me to visit him thousands of Spanish – speaking in Utah, promising to open to me peoples in Greater New York, with any of their churches in the State. scarcely a place of worship of any, I exprest my regret that I could sort in their own tongue. There is not, on account of his doctrine, a Sunday-school of about 60, and a' offer him similar hospitality. Our weekly prayer-meeting is maindifferences he minified and courted tained in a private house. The reciprocity. " vote in favor of recognition was a hearty one. Mr. Lopez Guillen was -Probably no other school so born in Madrid, where he was conmixt in color, race, and speech was verted. He was educated in France ever seen before or since, as that and at Princeton. establisht at Cornwall, Connecticut. Of the 30 to 40 students there -The Mills Hotel No.1, in New taught, 8 were Hawaiians, 2 were Greeks whom Pliny Fisk had found York city, recently celebrated the at Malta, 3 were Chinese, 3 or 4 were from India, 2 from the Society first anniversary of its opening. Islands, and 1 from Portugal. But the majority were from different The manager, J. S. Thomas, tribes of American Indians in the Eastern and Middle States and reported that 1,550 rooms have been Canada, and especially from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Osage, and occupied nightly and the hotel has Miami reservations of the South and YVest. At the annual examina- been continuously filled since Detions it was not uncommon for the people of Qornwall to listen to a cember, 1897, to the present time. pentecostal variety of speeches in 8 or 10 different tongues. Its financial condition is entirely -From Princeton Seminary last satisfactory. Probably fifty cents October, 15 men offered themselves for foreign work to the synod a day will here furnish a man with of New Jersey which met at Asbury good lodging and decent and health- ful fare. '
-Two homes for the children of' (Presbyterian) foreign missionaries are found in Wooster, Ohio, and for five years have been doing a beneficent work. Boys and girls to the number of 32 are now cared for coming from China, India, Siam: and Mexico. [THESE statistics are designed to include only Missions among either non·Christian or nonreduced. Accuracy has been sought but also completeness, therefore conservative estimates within the space afforded by two pages of this Magazine, a large number of the smaller and -.
….0<~i 00 "'" "" = ….~ …. .~~ .'t" . "a5'~ NAMES OF MISSIONARY SOCIETIES IN o-:e <i ~S ", 0 ,,'"",",00. ~~ ~.~ '.E"a~a'lro;;l SO .~ Z~ GREAT BRITAIN AND UPON THE CON- ."S».a..l ~I'« .~ ~ TINENT, WI1'H SUMMARIES FOR ASIA, Aaal.b".l.e <Ii o.;a .; al'~ -;03 0 ~ al » … C;~ ",,"" ¢;Q AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, ETC. S ~ .':": S~ ¢al Eo< Eo< 0 ~ ,"".., —- — — — — — — Baptist (England) ………………… 1792 392,730 107 43 95 6 251 70 850 London Society (L. M. S.) …………. 1795 579,595 162 30 157 69 418 924 5,1 98 Church Society (C. M. S.) …………. 1799 1,657,990 893 86 294 253 1,026 840 9,157 Propagation Society (S. P. G.) ……. 1701 1,190,674 558 70 470 170 1,168 180 8,310 Universities' Mission ……………… 1859 160,625 40 17 1 28 86 13 138 The Friends' Society……………… 1867 72,560 0 31 24 23 78 0 464 Wesleyan Society ………………… 1816 523,536 130 270 216 125 741 175 2,936 Methodist New Connection ……….. 1859 27,735 10 0 4 0 14 5 77 Primitive Methodist ……………… 1869 30,058 11 0 8 0 19 0 15 United Methodist Free Churches ….. 1887 49,185 27 7 11 2 47 5 270 Welsh Calvinistic ………………… 1841 46,840 16 2 13 6 37 5 328 Presbyterian Church of England ….. 1847 123,375 23 13 20 25 81 15 136 Presbyterian Church of Ireland …… 1840 96,920 27 4 20 0 51 12 270 China Inland Mission …………….. 1865 187,606 70 233 160 213 77'J 18 605 Establisht Church of Scotland …….. 1829 204,336 20 12 23 80 135 10 530 Free Church of Scotland ……. ______ 1843 327,430 66 58 70 74 268 15 1,171 Reformed Presbyterian …………… 1842 4,145 2010 30 9 United Presbyterian ……………… 1847 209,340 66 25 70 42 203 18 388 1,071,000 110 278 139 657 1,186 54 3,380 Other British Societies……………. ….
Paris Society…………. _………… 1822 94,800 32 5 31 7 75 28 318 Basle Society ……………………. 1815 240,098 140 42 109 7 298 36 940 Berlin Society ……………………. 1824 93,912 80 6 76 10 176 2 180 Breklum (Schleswig-Holstein) …….. 1877 19,566 12 0 10 0 22 0 49 Gassner's Society………………… 1886 40,230 18 14 20 3 57 19 590 Hermannsburg Society …………… 1854 58,159 58 1 51 0 110 0 ,471 L eipsic Society …………………… 1886 97,200 38 3 32 3 74 22 249 M oravian Church ………………… 1732 125,347 100 84 152 17 353 19 1,524 N orth German Society ……………. 1836 31,200 16 2 10 7 35 1 54 R henish Society (Barmen) ………… 1829 119,500 112 4 94 13 223 22 338 Seven other German Societies…….. …. 71,270 62 18 28 92 202 2 66 Twelve Netherlands Societies…….. …. 12'2,585 96 0 40 0 136 12 886 F ifteen Scandinavian Societies……. …. 305,650 82 69 93 69 313 75 1,534 …. 589,430 380 337 352 90 1,157 437 11,816 1,764 47,742 -…-. —- — – — — — — — $8,964,632 3,064 2,894 2,091 9,816 2,534 — —- — — Societies in Asia1Africa,Australia,etc.
– – – – – — — Totals for Europe, Asia, etc………. …. $5,549,340 1,249 499 1,359 1,291 4,394 1,651 16,673 — — —- — — — – – — – – 'f.otals for America ……………….
T'otals for Christendom …………… …. $14,513,972 4,313 2,263 4,253 8,382 14,210 4,185 54,420 Protesbant peoples, and hence the figures of certain societies doing colonial work have been have been made concerning certain items omitted from some reports. Mainly in order to keep special organizations have been groupt together.] .S I "c<"ela<.9il +a>i ,..,.,-ci I o<jl '" i +>.,<l .,.,,..; 0- en+> "8 <l>oj ai Countries in which I ~o'~~ "oj ""oj Missions are Sustained. "s :Q~g~).~c.ec·~:Cl ~ 1il c…e,+~> :3rf? ~""t>3< S .q 0 0 '0 0 .5~ .o..j XlO 0 '""0 '""0 0 Eo< r/J. r/J.
–. –. — ——— 1,101 1,035 53,284 3,365 170,000 650 37,826 India, China, Palestine, Africa, West 75,541 1,850 156,982 1,160 Indies. 5,612 867 64,411 1,626 240,876 2,257 37,000 4,300 208,000 8!'iO 52,715 China, India, Africa, Madagascar, 10,283 3,460 Polynesia. 1,800 100 3,324 72 4,478 4,500 83,877 Persia, China, Japan, India, Africa, North America, etc. 224 35 38,000 India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Africa. West Indies, etc.
3084 Africa (Lake Nyasa and Zanzibar).
542 31 2,783 249 15,283 441 12,000 Palestine, India, China, Madagascar, 3,677 2,558 44,637 1,970 150,000 880 57,000 India, China, Africa, (West and 91 123' 2,123 305 15,000 South), West Indies.
41 529 China (Shantung, Tien·tsin).
34 28 1,256 40 3,000 3 40 Africa (Fernando Po, Zambesi).
315 68 8,651 310 22,000 20 1,200 China, Africa, East Australia, 365 333 3,265 389 11,520 210 5,619 N. E. India, France (Brittany).
217 187 5,46e 708 17,000 10 250 India, China, Malaysia.
321 84 1,462] 179 3,200 58 5,613 China, India (Kathiawar), Syria.
378 318 7,147 1,325 25,000 73 1,589 China (Sixteen Provinces).
665 128 2,083 130 6,000 273 15,680 India, East Africa, Palestine.
1,439 322 10,624 376 33,000 492 36361 India, Africa, South and East, Arabia, 45 5 Palestine, New Hebrides. 12 2 100 3 23,404 2,376 130 Syria (Antioch, etc.). 585 345 20,493 1,982 39,000 333 18,773 India, China, Japan, Africa, West and 4,479 300 50,000 1,020 South, West Indies.
38,500 393 198 13,368 333 40,000 345 9,428 Afr-ica, South and West, Tahiti.
1,238 474 18,903 1,420 30,740 360 15,049 South India, China, West Africa.
316 205 15,654 1,058 32,462 130 6,239 Africa, East and South, China.
71 15 85 12 458 11 360 India (Telugus).
627 50 14,250 840 37,221 124 2,800 India (Ganges, Chota Nagpore).
5~ 158 24,961 482 41,751 100 6,478 India, South Africa, New Zealand. 7,598 649 16,719 323 206 33,505 1,655 94,812 266 6,770 South India, Burma, British and Ger· 1,201 169 2,040 man East Africa. 28,562 813 68,124 1,8 182 1,398 121 260 24,425 South Africa, Australia, South Am- 4,000 erica, Vest Indies, Eskimo.
86 30 38 969 West Africa, New Zealand.
1,561 265 264 12,322 Africa, East Indies, New Guinea, China. 266 78 35 2,070 522 51? 77,540 3,380 210,000 32 1,300 1,847 370 34,441 2,800 95,000 427 41,382 12,975 1,480 250,375 7,800 500,000 1,850 150,000 — — – – – – -.. — —- —- 43,120 2,342,612 13,098 69S,468 18,952 887,216 — — — — — – – – – – 58,519 –. – – 367,846 32,124 1,030,379 7,130 245,962 – – – – – . 21,072 -7_,11.8 —- — —- — 79,591 25,070 1,255,0521 75,244 3,372,991 20,228 944,430 Canada..-Father Chiniquy still tage of the offers of free tuition in lives and toils, with Montreal as American colleges, which have his home, tho in his 90th year. A come so generously and sponta- letter from him lately appeared in neously since General Wheeler first the Australian Christian World, broacht the idea. The association thanking friends for a gift of $20. makes appeals for funds with which to sUI}port students unable to sup- -Twenty men have offered them- port themselves-worthy and ambi- selves as missionaries to the com- tious young men whom the vicissi- mittee of the Presbyterian Church, tudes of the Cuban revolution have' and $15,000 are called for to send left penniIess.-Congregationalist. them. -At the Tuskegee Normal In- -In the life of John Horden, mis- dustrial Institute provision has sionary bishop to the Hudson Bay already been made for the training Indians, the following anecdote is of a number of students from Cuba related: "Soon after his return as and Puerto Rico in academic, indusa bishop, a curious interruption trial, and religious branches. Alstopt for a moment one of his serv- ready a number of students are at ices. He had been up the bay, Tuskegee, and more will be admitwhen, during the journey, he saw a ted as soon as funds are secured for body of Indians in the distance. their expenses. As usual, he at once arranged a service for them. A good many -When the lamented Colonel. young people were present, to Waring visited Havana, he estiwhom the bishop spoke, urging mated that it would require $22,- them to obey their parents. Sud- 000,000 to clean the city and put it denly there was a stir amongst the in good sanitary condition. It is_ hearers, and cries were raised. He the filth of Cuba, as of most Southstopt for a moment in astonish- ern countries, and not the climate, ment, but then their voices told that causes the dangerous diseases him the cause of the tumult. The of these lands. Uncle Sam must mothers were making the most of become one of Colonel Waring's his advice. 'Do you hear?' they "white angels" with a long broom. cried to their daughters; 'isn't this -Christian Endeavor World. what we are always telling you?' Then the daughters were hauled to -The Archbishop of Havana is the front, whilst their mothers evidently a man who believes, ~ot shouted: 'Come here, that he may only in recognizing facts, but in see you; let him see how ashamed accepting them with a cordial grace you look, you disobedient chil- which will go far to make his dren.' This interlude over, the ser- future relations with the new govmon went on to a happy end." ernment as pleasant as possible. He has issued a pastoral letter to West Indies.-Already the Cuban the churches under his jurisdiction, Educational Association of the in which he recognizes the change' United States has been formed, of administration and considers it ' with men like Gen. Joseph Wheeler, as an act of divine will and, there- ' Prof. Nicholas Murray Butler, of fore, for the advantage of the coun- Columbia University; AlbertShaw, try, altho the church will never of the Review oj Reviews, as spon- cease its love and feeling for Spain. sors for its financial and moral integrity. It has for its motive the -The Methodist General Missionguardianship of young men from ary Committee, ~t its recent session Cuba who may care to take advan- in Providence, gave its official sanction to the establishment of a writes, General Kitchener's promission in Puerto Rico, and a con- posed school at Khartum in his tingent appropriation of $5,000 was mind's eye; made for that purpose. The missionary board at New York, at its For Allah created the Engli~h mad, the November meeting, appointed a committee on Puerto Rico, with maddest of all mankind. Bishop Andrews as chairman, to They do not consider the meaning of things, have this work specially in charge. they consult not the creed or clan, The secretaries were requested to I make this statement: As soon as $5,000 shall have been sent to the Behold they clap the slave on the back and, treasury work will be inaugurated. behold, he becometh a man. They terribly carpet the eart" with dead,and – In the" Handbook of Jamaica" before their Cannon cool the following figures are given of They walk unarmed by twos and threes to the membership of the leading de- call the living to school. nominations of the island: Episco- Certainly they were mad from of old, but I palian, 41,872; Church of Scotland, think one new thing 1,600; Baptist, 36,308; Presbyterian, That the magic whereby they work their 11,317; Congregational, 3,624; Wes- magic, wherefrom their fortunes spring, leyan Methodist, 24,519; Free Meth- May be that they show all people their magic odist, 3,527; Christian Church, and ask no price in return; 1,779; Moravian, 7,254; total, 131,- Wohehruebfosrhee,es, mce ye are b ound to th a t magic, 800. There are also independent make h~ste and l earn. congregations not attacht to the conference, native Baptist and -The Bible Lands Missions' Aid Wesleyan churches, and the Salva- Society, of London, was founded in tion Army, and Society of Friends, 1854, and has for its unselfish purnot included in the figures given pose the aiding of American misabove. So that we may say that sions work in the the Levant. 140,000 persons in Jamaica are en- Their income last year was .£8,212, rolled as members of some Chris- which included a mite for work in . tian church, or one in ·five of the Arabia. entire popUlation. -A remarkable memorial is be- EUROPE. ing distributed for information, Great Britain.-Lord Kitchener's signed by 336,250 women of the project of founding a college at United Kingdom, drawing atten- Khartum has excited profound in- tion to the need of some official terest, and the half million of dol- public control over the convents lars for which he askt has been and nunneries in this country, in practically secured. That he should which the 20,001' .uns who have want a college throws an interestc entered them are practically incaring light on the man's ideals as an cerated. It points out that num· English soldier, and that the Eng- bel'S of young girls of tender years lish people should respond so are induced to enter these places in promptly shows the English con- moments of enthusiasm, and to ception of the duty of a civilized take upon themselves solemn and toward an uncivilized country. life-long vows, whose significance they are not capable of understand- -Rudyard Kipling puts this sen- ing. They are then consigned to timent into the mouth of a Hindu "hopeless imprisonment." Many Mohammedan who is addressing of the convents are surrounded by. a Sudanese Mohammedan, and high walls and have underground' cells, and it is said that there are in use "steel-spiked whips and other' terrible instruments of torture."-· London Christian.
-Our associate editor, Rev. F. B. Meyer, has "recently become a co- director of Dr. Guinness' Missionary Training Institute in London. The name of the institute will be changed to "Regions Beyond Missionary Union." This is in keeping nearly 1,200 had gone out, and of with the broadening scope of the these 800 were sent during the last work of the institute both at home eleven years. and abroad. It has now four training colleges and two missions on -The Women's Guild of the the Kongo and in Peru, beside the Church of Scotland has undertaken work in the East End of London. to provide a home in Scotland for the children of missionaries in -This comes from Dr. Barnardo's heathendom, whose real homes are own lips: "A little while ago, hav- beyond the seas, in India, or China, ing had the facts and figures burnt or Africa. Nearly £1,000 have been into my very soul, a number of us subscribed, and £3,000 are sought, decided to divide London into dis- with which to secure suitable tricts, and spend the night search- quarters. ing the places where the homeless little ones congregate. We gath- The Continent.-The universal ered in one night alone 76 children. exhibition to be held in Paris in 1900 One was Chinese, 3 German, 5 Irish, is to be markt by p temperance 3 Scotch, a few Italian and Ameri- demonstration. A company is can, 33 from the provinces, while 26 being formed to erect a very large were London born; 8 were hopeless temperance restaurant, and also cripples. One little girl had a back to open on the exhibition grounds shaped like the letter S. There she refreshment kiosks, with the title lay, a beggar's child, exploited for " Kiosques de Temperance" visibly gain. In spite of all we are trying placarded thereon, from which to do, there was this little army of all alcoholic drinks shall be exunhappy children." cluded, and to arrange with other temperance restaurants situated -In a recent address Eugene on or outside the exhibition Stock, says the C. M. S. Gleaner, grounds, so as to insure hospireviewed the condition of spiritual tality, under the best conditions, life in England half a century ago, to the temperance and abstemious and the picture would cause no visitors hailing from the different one to long for a return of those parts of the world. "good old times." For instance, fifty years ago prayer in an uncon- -According to the London Chrissecra;;ed building was illegal! He tian, the corrupt state of the religtraced rapidly the various steps by ious world in Spain may be judged which religious life was manifested from a recent remarkable enactand grew-the beginnings of open- ment of the Spanish minister of air preaching, Bishop Tait's inno- justice to the effect that all pensions vations in that direction, the de- granted to nuns in 1837 shall be velopment of evening services and henceforth null and void, except of lay work, the founding of the where the party interested can be annual week of prayer. He then proved to be alive. The reason of showed the influence of this on this is that in that year it was pro- • missionary work, and concluded vided that every nun at that time by pointing out the relatively enor- living should have a pension for mous progress of foreigIl missions life, and that since then not a single during the closing years of the last death has been notified by the half century. In the first seventy- Roman Catholic authorities to five years of the society's history government! As the oldest nun in only 750 missionaries had been sent 1837 was seventy years of age, the out. During the last twenty-five Spanish minister is growing skepti- cal about her existence. -It is interesting to note that 223, over $28,000 of which were already offers of service are coming provided by receipts from the to the American Board from trained students. Greek students come men and women in Spain who are from all along the shores of the ready and eager to go to Puerto Black Sea, northern and so Russian, : Rico for Christian or educational as well as southern, which are: work. One of the young ladies Turkish. Others have come from offering is from the institute at San the islands of Greece. Evidently Sebastian, and is fitted to occupy the reputation of the institution is' any position in this country or in spreading. Dr. Washburn says Puerto Rico which can be filled by that he believes. the high religious an educated, refined, Christian and moral tone of the college has woman. When the Board began had much to do with its widening work in Spain and Mexico, the popularity. Says W. T. Stead: Lord was leading in ways that we "That American college is to-day knew not. The vision now begins the chief hope of the future of the to enlarge as we catch glimpses of millions who inhabit the sultan's the possibilities of the Spanish- dominions. They have trained and speaking countries opening to the sent out into the world thousands Christians of the United States. of bright, brainy young fellows -Missionary Herald. who have carried the leaven of the American town meeting into all -The sixtieth annual report of the provinces of the Ottoman emthe Missionary Christian Church pire. Robert College men are turnof Belgium supplies interesting ing up everywhere. If the good information of its year's work. work goes on, the alumni of this There are in connection with this American institution will be able body 34 churches and preaching to supply the personnel of the civilstations. For'some time 7 of these ized administration which must had been vacant, but during the some day supersede the barbaric past year pastors were found for horror that is at present misnamed all. At 98 places on Sabbaths and the government of Turkey. So week days the Gospel was regu- markt, indeed, has been the inflularly preacht. Nearly 400 persons, ence of this one institution, there adults and children, comprising 70 are some who say that of all the refamilies, have been added to the sults of the Crimean war nothing church. The net increase to the was of such permanent importance membership has been 100. as the fact that it attracted to Con- stantinople a plain American citi- ASIA. zen from New York."
Islam.-Robert College, Constan- -The German Syrian Orphan tinople, the first college founded in House originated thus: "Father" the Turkish empire, has just com- Spittler. one of the founders of the pleted its thirty-fifth year. Last Basel Missionary Society, in his year an unexpected increase of 50 large – heartedness, suggested a students was all that could be ac- chain of mission stations from commodated, and a number more Jerusalem to the heart of Abyssinia, were refused admission. The total to be called" The Apostles' Street." enrolment was 250, of whom 88 Jerusalem was to be the startingwere Greeks, 87 ArmenIans, 49 point of this long chain of stations. Bulgarians, 10 Turks, the remain- Schneller was sent to Jerusalem der being made up of English, to make a beginning, and there he American, Israelites, and Austrians. The expenses were $37,- built up a solid mission work, tho should be of good family, and nothing came of Spittler's large belong to anyone of the 11 castes scheme. In 1860 came the dreadful given below. Preference will be massacres of Christians by Druses given to one belonging to any of- in the Lebanon, in which 20,000 the first 10 castes. Apply, etc. were killed. Schneller gathered some of the orphans. He began -Calcutta has the largest num- with 10, but soon increast to 280. ber of college students of any city The Syrian Orphan Home is the in the world. The University of largest Protestant institution in the Calcutta examines over 10,000 stu– Holy Land. For thirty-six years dents annually, the first and third he conducted this work, till his year men not being counted. There death in 1896. Thousands have are 24 colleges and 74 high schools. been educated in this home, and At least 20,000 more have been stu- are scattered over Syria and Pales- dents, and are accessible through the tine. English tongue. The great major- ity of all the students, represent- –Sakineh, the _first female Per- ing 100,000,000 people, are trained sian convert, brought her infant at Calcutta. girl to be baptized by Bishop Stuart on September 16. Writing from The Y. M. C. A. college there has Julfa on the following day, the the most valuable association prop- Rev. C. H. Stileman says: "We erty in the world, it being worth have at least 30 or 40 Moham- $85,000. The largest regular attend- . medans in church every Sunday ance of non-Christian students in' morning, and a great deal of time the world gather at its gospel meetis occupied in teaching inquirers." ings. The average weekly attend- ance of non-Christian students is India.-The government of Ma- 600. Such an opportunity is incaldras has issued supplementary culable in its responsibility. orders that a plague officer entering an occupied house for any purpose -Baptist missions in India are should, if possible, be of the same gradually learning the lesson of religion or caste as the occupants; self-support and independence. In also that Hindus should be em- an address of the Bengali Native ployed in those parts of a city Christian Community, which met where Hindus predominate, and at Serampore, to the British Mohammedans where Mohammed- churches, the following sentences ans are in a majority. Patients occur: ., Our churches are becommay be segregated in their own ing independent. Signs of more houses if such isolation be practi- power are appearing among them. cable. The internal management of Through the efforts of the missioncaste hospitals and camps is to be aries and evangelists, our comleft to native medical practitioners. munity is getting to understand the duty of caring for the salvation -Under the heading" wanted" a of the souls of their darkened' Madras paper advertises for "re- neighbors. Your labors and prayers spectable young Brahmans of any are yielding fruit. Filled with sect to marry two educated Brah- hope, joy, and encouragement, weman virgin-widows. None but those have to-day been singing the inwho can afford to maintain a family augural hymn of our new Indian need apply." A Lahore paper under Baptist missionary society, 'Jesus, the same heading advertises" for India's only Savior.'" a girl of 14 years, caste Khatri, a match aged 19 or 20 years. He -Bishop Foss, with president Goucher, of Baltimore, ret-urning 1899.] GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
after a visit to India and Malaysia, into the city. The Germans have has made a report on Bishop charge of it.
Thoburn's administration, compar- -A number of British and ing the record for ten years. Dur- German friends are subscribing to ing that time the number of com- support a new mission with headmunicants has risen from 7,940, to quarters in Kashgar and Yarkand, 77,963; the number of baptisms two cities of Chinese Turkestan, during the year from 1,959 to 29,- and the work is to be carried on not 396, while the entire Christian among the Chinese, but among the community now numbers 109,489 Mohammedans, who are in a large instead of 11,000. The number of majority in that district. The new native preachers has increast from mission is interesting, in that it is 168 to 635; teachers from 308 to an attack upon China from the 1,078; day schools from 545, with west. Two German missionaries, 16,412 scholars, to 1,259 with 31,879 accompanied by a doctor and a scholars. Sunday – schools have native Christian, will arive in grown from 703, with an attendance Kashgar next spring and begin of 26,585, to 2,485, with an attend- work. It may be added that the ance of 83,229. British and Foreign Bible Society -" There is no lack of conver- is at present printing the four sions here," writes a missionary of Gospels in the dialect of Chinese the Basel Society from Calicut. Turkestan, and that in all prob- "Almost every day people come ability they will be ready before the asking for religious instruction. new mission is settled at Kashgar.
Not long ago we were surprised by -Rev. Arnold Foster, of Hankow, the arrival of a 'counter-preacher,' working under the London Mission- a Hindu, who had been sent by a ary Society, says: "I remember on religious society of his country- one occasion I had been translating men to preach against Christianity. a Chinese book bearing on opium For a long time he did so; but he smoking, and I said to my Chinese ended by feeling himself con- writer and teacher, 'Now I want strained to acknowledge the truth you, if you will, to get me some of the Gospel. He askt for bap- book that represents the other tism, expressing the wish to become side.' He said, 'What other side?'
himself a preacher of Christ. He 'Why,' I said, 'there are a great now dwells at Talacherri. Another many of my countrymen who say man came lately from Chittata- that opium does not do harm in all raka, who three years ago, when he cases, but this book gives a very saw his son embrace Christianity, bad account of what opium does.
, had serious thoughts of killing him I want to heal' the other side.' He and the missionary too. His two said, 'There is no other side.' I sons had been received into the said, 'My countrymen say there is.'
church at Talacherri, and work The Chinaman replied, 'No China- now as tailors. Well, the father man says so, and you could not has now joined them, and his wife find a book in which such a state- also, having completely changed ment occurs.' "
his views."-Le Missionaire. -A young Chinese woman was China.-The railroad depot at compelled to eat an entire full- Peking is about two miles from the grown dog'as a medicine supposed nearest city gate; so an electric car to correct some internal trouble.
line is being built from the depot -A correspondent of The China Mail says: "On Sunday afternoon the attention of missionaries in the Ohinese celebrated the golden Egypt to the occupying of that jubilee of Dr. Kerr, the veteran region by our church. Rev. S. O. missionary, as a medical practi- Ewing wrote earnestly on the sub- I tioner, because for forty-four years ject from Ramleh, Oct. 1. Egypt • of the half century since he obtained is certainly the natural basis for his diploma he has been a most missionary operations in the Su- devoted medical missionary in and dan. Some of the members of our around Oanton. The commodious church in Egypt are already living i hospital chapel at Kuk Fau was in that region. Some of the Sudan- I crowded to overflowing at the ser- ese have come down to Egypt, and vice, and the happiness depicted on have been educated in our schools. the faces of all present showed that At least one of our native ministers the Ohinese had thoroughly enter- is from the Sudan. The cordial ed into the spirit of the festive oc- feeling between our country and casion, and had come to do honor Great Britain is favorable to our to the veteran missionary, whom working in territory controlled by they hold in the highest esteem. the latter." The presents were displayed amidst plants and flowers, so as to make a -In the December Spirit of Mis- really effective exhibition of native sions, Bishop Ferguson tells of his embroidery, in all imaginable col- episcopal visitation to the Oape ors. The gifts included a large, Palmas district, in which he con- handsome four-folding blackwood firmed, on the first Sunday in Octo- screen, by his students past and ber, 16 persons at Rocktown, the present, scroll from the Sz Ui mag- service being held in the open air, istrate, whose son is now studying under a large cluster of mango medicine at the hospital, a scroll trees, the church edifice having fal- from heathen friends in Oanton, len a prey to the ravages of white and from Ohristian Ohinese two ants and the weather. At Oavalla banners resplendent with mirror- station 6 young men and an equal ettes. Eulogies and good wishes number of young women were con- were workt by dexterous fingers firmed; at St. Mark's, Harper, the on all the gifts, and in several in- rite was administered to a class of stances, the sentiment was exprest 16, of whom 14 were pupils of both in English and Chinese." Epiphany Hall; in the afternoon of the same day, 16 others were AFRICA. confirmed at St. James', Hoffman station, and, a few days later, 1 at -The government authorities in Mt. Vaughan Ohapel, making in all Egypt have given permission for a 61 in the seaboard stations only. party of O. M. S. missionaries to proceed up the Nile, tho they have -In South Africa there is a coun- not yet formally consented to the try larger than all of the United opening of a mission hospital in States east of the Missouri River, Khartum itself. The party will in which a new Anglo-Saxon em- consist of Dr. Harpur of Old Oairo, pire is developing. Already there the Rev. Dr. Sterling of Gaza, and are 700,000 white people, about a new missionary, the Rev. Doug- equally divided between the Eng- las M. Thornton, together with a lish and their descendants, and the native dispenser and catechist. Holland Dutch and their descend- ants. In this section there are now -Says the United Presbyterian: more than 6,000 miles of railroad. "The opening up of the Sudan by Oape Town, Port Elizabeth, Dur- the Anglo-Egyptian army, turns ban, in the far south and southeast, trict, the people gathered in the are splendid cities, while 650 miles evenings for their obscene dances. north of Cape Town lies Kimberley, But now nearly 200 people are with its 20,000 people, the greatest meeting in a clearing in the wood diamond center in the world, fl'om every day at sunrise and sunset to which $15,000,000 worth of dia- worship God, and the dances have I monds are shipt every year. Far- been abolisht." ther north lies Johannesburg, the great gold center. South Africa -Bishop Tucker wrote on Aug. leads all other nations in the world 4, from a station on Lake Albert in its gold output.-Bishop Hart- Edward, Fort Katwe, about 300 zell. miles west of Mengo, and close to the boundaries of the Kongo Free -The Bishop of Zululand (S. P. State. He and Dr. A. R. Cook G.) not long since assisted at the were the guests of the Nubian gar- laying of the corner stone of a rison at the fort, and were being church at Rorke's Drift, at which most kindly entertained. He says: 2,500 were in attendance and marcht "It is hard to believe that these in procession after a baptismal ser- are of the same force which mur- vice held the same day, when 200 dered the European.;; at Luba." were baptized. The collection amounted to £90, with some 2,500 ISLANDS OF THE SEA. coins cast in. The next day 176 were confirmed, and 200 were ad- -The work among the Battak mitted as catechumens. people of Sumatra by the Rhenish -James Henderson writes from Livingstonia of the Ngoni mission: Missionary Society has been mar- "The deep blessing which God gave to us during the days of .our May vellously blest. The conversions communion season is with us still, but in fuller measure. It has ener- of the Mohammedans became more gized our schools and teachers with a .cordial and hardworking spirit, frequent year by year. In 1884, and has made a strong aggressive movement possible. Ten new 134 Mohammedans were baptized. schools have been opened, and about 2,000 children added to our There are now 19 missionary sta- roll. No less than 13 schools are being erected by the people them- tions, 22 European missionaries, selves. Some of them are of con- siderable size, one being able to ac- and about 400 native workers, of commodate about 1,000 people. Their collections are becoming whom about 100 are paid. The larger every month. At present it requires nearly 100 boys and girls church members number 21,779. to carry to us the monthly contri- butions of the out-stations. These Dr. Schreiber, the secretary of the do not realize a high price when re- sold to the natives. In the new society, says: "I do not know of districts the speedy change that has come over the people is very any other part of the mission field, noticeable. When I was at Chinde's six months ago opening up the dis- with the exception of some parts of Java, where such large numbers of Mohammedans have been won for Christ as among the Battaks of Sumatra." , -Two pounds ten shillings, by the sale of arrowroot, was raised for Bibles for the New Hebrides, by the missionary committee of the St. Paul's Presbyterian Wangauni Christian Endeavor society, New Zealand.
– According to the following statement the English language is not spoken correctly in the New Hebrides: Mr. Lang was lately requested not to take any more jew's-harps to the market, where present situation has been brought we buy yam and taro, until the taro planting is over; because, about chiefly through those two "Mary (term for woman in general) make him jew's-harp all time, no influences. Mr. Hykes is sanguine work along taro. Bym by plant him taro finish, we speak him, you of excellent work for the Bible bring him." A bush lad working with Mr. Bowie came to him society, and reports that the Amerithe other day for medicine for a sore on his leg. When told that he can military and naval officers was injuring his health by over much eating, he replied, "What express their hearty interest in the name you make him? This fellow, him no belonga kaikai." That is, work and their anxiety that it he did not put food into his sore leg. The same lad being called, should begin at once. but not hearing the call, soon came with the question, "You talk along -The British and Foreign Bible me ? One fellow he speak me, you talk along me. Me no hear him Society has also sent an agent to you talk. This fellow (tugging at his ear) along me fas" (fast); mean- look over the ground, B. C. Randall, ing that he was dull of hearing. It whose report is most encouraging. is very difficult to get some of the He says: "I have sold, this first students to give up this style of day, 20 Bibles, 17 Testaments, and speaking. Among themselves we 45 portions in Spanish, besides a frequently hear such phrases as, Bible and Testament in English. " Him he here. " "That fellow be- Many persons wisht to buy, but longa me." "'Vhat for you make dreaded the displeasure and malehim that fellow?" "What name dictions of their priests. The you make him?" etc. Filipinos themselves are crying from every side, 'Teach us English; -Many do not realize that the we want schools; we want to learn area of the Philippines is almost English.' 'Vhatever their motive, equal to that of Japan, tho their there can be no question as to this population is less than one-fourth desire–a desire so intense that not that of the mikado's empire. all the power of the priesthood could prevent crowded attendance -The American Bible Society at mission schools wherein the has received from its agent in English language would be taught,' China, the Rev. J. R. Hykes, a report on a recent visit to Manila -Bridgett Meakin writes on the to investigate the Philippines as a same theme in the London Chrisfield for Bible work. He makes a full tian: "Already the Madrid branch and lengthy report, dwelling upon of the Bible Society is preparing a the varied characteristics of the Tagali version of the Scriptures, people, the opportunities for de- for the use of some 4,000,000 of the velopment of the country, and natives. The translation of St. especially for mission and Bible Luke's Gospel has just been comwork. He goes into some detail pleted, and will soon go to press. with regard to the official rapacity In Barcelona Mr. Pundsack, a busiof the government and the sacer- ness man, has taken special interest dotal despotism, showing how the in these natives, and has laid him- self out to get in touch with those who had found their way to that great port. By means of adver- tisements in the papers, offering them New Testaments in Spanish gratis at his private house, he has come in contact with many, and is laying foundations for work in the island. Several of those interested have undertaken the translation of Scripture portions for him, and also a specially written tract into 'ragali, Visaya, and Pampango, the three most widely used Philippine tongues. Two of these Filipinos who had been expelled from Manila as freemasons and liberals, educated men, are now returning, delighted to take back with them a supply of these tracts for distribution."
The Missionary Review of the World — May 1898
SAVONAROLA
F rom a painting by FI a Bartolemmeo in Savonaro}a'8 cell ill San lIarco. M,SS,ONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOL. XXI. No. 4.-Old Series. – MAY – VOL. XI. No. 4.-New Sm·ies.
GIROLAMO SAVONAROLA: THE FRIAR OF FLORENCE.-I.
BY RE'. GEORGE H. GIDDIKS, Author of "Paxton Hooo. : Preacher and Poet," "The Christ in the Canvas of Gustave Dore,"
etc. Secretary of the Evangelical Continental Society.
'1'he " City of Flowers" and. "Flower of Cities," filled., as it is, to repletion with fascinating memories, has none more fragrant, more picturesque, amI pathetic than that of Girolamo Savonarola, tlte fuu?' lWlld7'edth ullnil'ersury of wlioso martyrdom Florence oLsenes this month. The story of his stormfnl life has Leen told so often and so eloquently that to speak here and now at any length, or in any very detailed way, concel'lling his life and time is quite unnecessary; bnt on so auspicious an occasion as this, it may not Le inappropriate to sketch as briefly as possible the wond.erfnl career of this" reformer before the Heformation," this marvelous, mally-sided man, who so strangely Llended the mystical monk and the practical patriot; whose name is yet a talisman, whose influence yet lives.
A strange fascination fastens around the personalities of the great 'churchmen of the medieval age-Francis, of Assisi; Bernard, of Cl,tirvaux; ALelard in Paris, Savonarola ill Florence. As we tread the tortuous streets beneath the quaint gables of timber-fronted houses of old world cities like Houen and Antwerp, I3rugeH and Nuremberg, Bologna and Verolla, what kaleidoscopic pictures shape thell1sel yes of the dim days when freedom was first breaking from the somber shadows in which it had been envelopt so closely and so long.
In Italy. in the beginning of the fifteenth century, the awakening of the slumlJering giant was attended with more striking phenomena and significant tokens than in any other land. If for long ages doomed to it denser darkness than elsewhere, the twilight was to be of shorter duration when ollce the dawn had corne. On all hands there were mallifestations of an unwonted energy; angnries of still more stupendous change.
Two great events had conspired mainly to bring all this about.
* This periodical adopts the Orthography of the following Rule, recommended by the joiut action of the American Philological A~sociation and the Philological Socidy of England :-Change d or ed Jinal to t when so prononnced, except when the e a1l'ects u preceding souud.-PuBLlsHERs.
GIROLAMO SAVONAROLA: THE FRIAR OF FLORENCE
tn the North, the invention of printing had been the signal for ,the great crusade against tyranny and darkness, under which men for long ages had been groaning; while in the East, the capture of Con- stantinople by the Turks had contributed in no small degree to that revival of letters of which Italy was destined to be the theater. This conquest, while driving learned Greeks from the old Byzantine capital, had filled the Italian cities with the glories of the ancient Attic literature, and everywhere from these two causes a thirst for light and liberty had been created, that was only to be assuaged by the most copious draughts. The inertia of the dark ages was stirred, the gross ignorance, like a sable cloud, was drifting before the freshen- ing breeze, and the dawn-glory of the Renaissance had come.
Everywhere there were glimpses of a gladder life; the air seemed palpitating with new ideas and radiant with new enthusiasms.
Learning had revived; the old, disused, and half-forgotten classics were dragged from the dust of their long oblivion. Art, with palette and pencil, chisel and mallet, lute and song, was softening asperities into new forms of beanty. The draught was a Circean one, and men seemed ill danger of being more fatally blinded by an excess of light.
Minds that had found their only pabulum in monkish legends, the grotesque presentments of the lives of saints, or the crude effigies of credulous and ecstatic artists on canvas or in stone, now found them- selves in reach of the more virile aliment of classic literature.
Things grew with startling rapidity in those early days of the great revival. Beneath its Ithuriel touch new arts sprang into lovely life, and, better still, new thinkers rose who, looking closer into things, with clearer scrutiny and no longer through smokt lenses of the priests, saw in many of them their worthlessness and hollow pretense.
The principalities and powers that the Prospero wand of designing ecclesiastics had sufficed ,to summon into existence and terrify with their portents, melted into thin air, like mists at morn. The people were awakening, and even already anticipating the famous formula of Heine: "The human spirit has its rights, which are eternal, and will not be hemmed in by dogmas or rockt to sleep by the lullaby of church bells. Men can not now be put off with promissory notes upon heaven."
Dante was the first to herald the now evangel, as he had been to ntter the anathemas which had shaken to its foundations the meretri- cious structure of the Church.
Florenoe, in spito of all its treasurea memories of painters.
sculptors, statesmen, and orators, boasts no greater names than those of its poet and prophet;-Dante, greatest of poets in all those years that witnest the auroral brightness of the Renaissance, and Savona- rola, greatest of prophets in that corrupt and skeptical age.
Florence and Savonarola are forever inseparable. The Tuscan capital and the brave Dominican friar, around whose pet'sonality is circled so strong and strange a charm, are linkt in closest of all possi- ble bands.
The old world city that throws its shadow into the ArlIO made Savonarola the interesting figure that he was, even as he, in no mean measure, left his impress on its history and molded the moods of tho men of his time. And very stirring times, ind eed, were t hose into which his troubled life was cast. When Savonarola en terod Florence, Lorenzo il Magnifico was the all-powerful rul er of Tuscany. Per- petuating the splendid traditions of his ancestor, Cosmo de Medici, the founder of the Platonic Academy and the Laurentian Library, he was the Mrecenas of men of letters, a liberal patron of art, and adding to the other qnalities of his great family, the graces of a frank and dignified add ress, a resistless eloquence, poetic ability -altho degraded to the compo- sition of the corrupt Oanti Om'- nascialeschi-and lavish expendi- ture in the embellishment of the capital, he won the warm affec- tion s of the major pOI"tion of his people, and succeeded in investing his singularly striking personality with an interest almost unique.
But the Florentines, enamored of their prince, fell beneath the spell of his enchantments, and, be- LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO. cause the links were golden, failed, From a painting In the Utllzl Galler y.
t ill the chafin g became too acn te, to recognize the fetters with which they were bonnd. Altho magnifi- cent, cou r teons, generous, and accomplisht, his rule was none the less a disastrous one. Luxury enervated the moral tone of the people, and year by year Florentine f reedom was abridged, until at length it li ved only as a tradIti on and a name.
Upon the papal throne sat Alexander VI., the infamous Roderigo Borgia, of all bad popes the worst. Bom in 143l at Valenzia, in Spain, by the purchase of votes of some of the more venal members of the Oollege of Oardinals, h e was elected pope in 1492. By an adulterous connection with a married woman, Van ezza, a noble lady of Rome, he had a daughter, the no torio ns Lucrezia Borgia-married by her father's connivance fonr times-and four sons.. one of which, the infamous Oresar Borgia, who, in spite of haTing murdered hi s sis- ter's third husband, and thrown his own brother Louis into the Tiber, became a cardinal and Duke of Valentinia. To this pope is due the establishment of the Index Expurgatori1ts, that mighty engine for the enthrallment of the Catholic world. Almost every vice with which the annals of history have been stained may be fairly attributed to this successor of St. Peter. His extravagance was only met by utmost unscrupulousness in regard to all laws, human and divine, by the sale of indulgences, and even by the stiletto or the phial and potion of the poisoner, to which the Borgias had so frequent a recourse. Profligate plays, by the most shameless prostitutes of the city, were enacted before him in his palace, and he is credited with having committed adultery with his own daughter. After a life of matchless debauchery he died August 18, 1503, having partaken in error of a poisoned dish prepared by himself and son for an obnoxious cardinal, of whom he desired to be rid.
Ulric yon Rutten said later of Rome what was preeminently true of it at the period of our sketch: " Everything there is for sale-God, the sacraments, the kingdom of heaven, and everything is there allowed, except poverty and truth, which are regarded ::;s the only two mortal sins. There are three things which Rome does not belieye in: the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the dead, and hell. There are three things which Rome trades ill: the grace of Christ, the dignities of the Church, and women." And Machiayelli said at Florence: "The greatest symptom of the approaching ruin o~ Christianity is that the nearer we approach the capital of Christendom, the less do we find of Christian spirit in the people. '1'he scandalous example and the crimes of the court of Rome haye caused Italy to lose every principle of piety and every religious sentiment. We are principally indebted to the Church and to the priest for having become impious anu profligate."
Girolamo Savonarola was born at Ferrara, September 21,1452. The ancient city is rich in memories of the illustriolls author of the "Orlando Fnrioso," Ariosto, and the still more famous Torquato Tasso, who, while winning for it imperishable renown by the printing of the "Aminta" alld the" Gerusalemme Liberata," has left in the memory of his imprisonment, in the stone cell of the hospital of Santa Anna, an eternal disgrace upon the city which was honored by giving him birth.
As we walk along the gloomy grass-grown ways of this husht old city, it is with difficulty we can conceive of it as ever having been the scene and canter of exuberant life. A hundred thousand citizens lived then within its walls. A noble university drew to it students from every town of Italy. The luxury of the reigning family of the Este knew no bounus. The court was the constant scene of riot and revel. When the Emperor Frederic III. arrived within the city walls, it was to be received upon a veritable field of cloth of gold, and when, later stilI, Silvio Piccolomini (Pius II.) came hither, the popular fetes excelled in splendor all that had ever gone before. The successor of St. Peter and follower of the lowly Nazarene entered beneath a canopy of gold; along the flower-strewn streets, rich silks and tapestries depended from every balcony, and when he stept from his gilded barge the place of landing was enricht with statues of the pagan gods.
All this was noted by the studious lad deep in the study of the Bible and Aquinas. He knew, too, that within the palace, bright with a thousand lamps, festooned with flowers, and eloquent with song, fair forms, in soft diaphanous drapery, moved in the mazes of delicious and delirious dance, and that beneath, in dungeons deep and dark, the sobs of breaking hearts and clang of iron fetters were the only sounds that broke the awful stillness of the scene. Such contrasts as these awoke within his young heart the first strains of those protests for civil and religious freedom which were to echo in the years to come in trumpet tones.
While still in Ferrara, and in his twentieth year, there shone out upon him the bright eyes of a fair Florentine girl, the daughter of the exile Strozzi. Their glance enkindled the first fires of passion in his heart. But his suit was unsuccessful. He was too poor, too studious, and too sad, and when his proferred love was spurned with something like disdain, his fate was most significantly sealed. A few years later, on a visit to Faenza, he heard a stirring sermon from an Augustinian eremite, and some strong and forceful word strnck home. By violent contrasts between the professions and practises of religion; by the harsh dissonances of gilded salon and gloomy dungeon in the fortress palace, and by the smart and disappointment of unrequited love, th~ soil had been made ready, and when the good seed fell into its furrows, it immediately took root. He returned home with new thoughts and aspirations, now vague, but daily growing into distincter light, and on the 23d of April following, while all Ferrara was busy with the festa of St. George, he left his home, journeyed to Bologna, and there sought and found admission to the Dominican convent in that city. The young enthusiast and scholar who had learned Hebrew in the Ferrara University, and was already all courant with the writings of Aquinas, was received with every manifestation of respect and cordiality by the prior and his monks, and three days after IllS admission he had assumed the monastic garb under his new name of Friar Jerome.
As a boy he appears to have eschewed the ordinary pastimes and occupations of youth, and "melancholy markt him for her own." He inherited a fine, chivalrous nature, with the added quality of a peculiarly keen sensitiveness that was to develop later into that strong sense of right and justice which urged him forward in his bold and brave career. Of studious rather than athletic tastes, he delighted to listen to the stories of ancient chivalry, or, better still, of medieval martyrs, with a strDng and strange proclivity for mystical visions and asceticisms. Nursing such fancies and indulging the vague hopes that are born of such, with a far tenderer interest in the aureole of the saint than in the lance and scarf of the knight; with an education little fitting him for the robust life of the soldier or the gay career of the courtier, small wonder is it that we find him early entering the convent, and, in its shades, endeavoring to find that rest and realization of childhood's dreams which he might not hope to attain elsewhere. He had studied the subtle dialectics of Aristotle, but had early renounced the errors of the Stagyrite for the more satisfying philosophy of Plato. Bnt Thomas Aquinas was thc favorite in these early days. From his" Commentaries on Aristotle" his own early repugnance was deepened, and his" Sum of Theology·" weaned him from philosophy to divinity in his earliest and most impressionable days.
Thus he resolves to enter a religious order, and, as he has determined to be a preacher, he chooses the order of Dominicans, the order of preaching friars par excellence. At the age of twenty-three then, on the 23d of April, 1475, he becomes a novice in the White Friars' Monastery, at Bologna, the grand and gloomy old city, with its twelve great gates, its grass-grown moat, and lichened walls, birthplace of Guido and Guercino, Francia and Domenichino. He is drawn, as we have seen, to the Dominicans, but as we read his character as the strangely-colored life unfolded it, or look into that cowl-encircled face as Fra Bartolommeo painted it, there seems to have been more of St. Francis than of St. Dominic about him. The seer's instinct allied him closely to the" seraphic saint" of Assisi. What a study is that face! A marvelous commingling of tenderness and strength, full of bravery and endurance, of heroisms and spiritualities, a far-off look that tells of pathetic yearnings; a lip that quivers with snpprest feeling and speaks of the quench t fires of passion; eyes that betoken inextinguishable ardors and unrelaxing faiths; the whole face, even in the repose of the picture and unlighted by the quick alternations of opposing passions, such as charmed the husht m llItitudes in the Duomo, evidencing a lire that had its beginnings and its ultimate developments in generous and full-souled self-surrender.
The apparition of the young neophyte in the Bologna cloister was an unwonted experience for the monks installed therein. Never was abnegation of self more complete, never were aims higher and purer, never had braver heart sought refuge here. Like Bernard of Clairvaux, he is willing, nay desirous, to become a servant; to stoop to lowliest offices while aspiring to ansterities more rigid than them all. He soon finds fame, compelling it by the winsomeness of his char- &cter &nd the palpable reality of his vocation. Within the cloister his austerities are very pronounced, his clothing of the· coarsest, his food of the plainest, and so protracted are his vigils that he sleeps but four hours in the twenty-four. When not employed in his menial ta.sks, he divides his time between prayer and fast and vigil, and the reading of St. Augustine and the Bible. He becomes lecturer to his own and neighboring convents on classical literature, and for seven long years performs his monotonous duty bravely, tho with an ever-deepening sense of sorrow in his soul. The Bible and the religious life of the monastery seem strangely at variance, and the apathy of his brother recluses is a constant cause of trouble. Before quitting his convent he abandons all other study for that of the Bible, and to the mastering of this applies his whole energy. Fired with the martial stories of the Old Testament, and inspired by the passionate poems and mystical visions of the prophet bards, he deter- mines to follow his un- doubted vocation of a preacher, and the better to aid him in this pur- pose, becomes a priest.
Quitting the monas- tery, he is sent as a preach- ing friar to Ferrara. With all the enthusiasm that is born of sincere convic- tion and consecration, and trained by his apprentice- ship oE obedience and THE CHURCH OF SAN MARCO, FLORENCE.
penance, he proclaims his message with fiery fervency and zeal; but soon the heart grew faint and the spirit sore as he found, to his intense disappointment, that his words fell upon deaf ears, and rang with no responsive echoes in hearts all filled with the business and pleasure of a purely mun- dane life. Not here, then, is his place, and so, with characteristic celerity, he turns his steps toward Florence, bright, beautiful, dis- solute, skeptical Florence, and euters the convent of San Marco. But what hope of success was there here for the dreamy anchorite, in a city where Marsilio Ficino is attracting all that is highest in mental attainment and culture to his lectures on Greek philosophy; where Agnolo Poliziano is unfolding the ancient literature of Rome, and Pico della Mirandola, the Mezzofanti of his age, is teaching an almost encyclopedic knowledge in two and twenty languages; where all who are not immersed in commerce are steept in classic lore, or all aglow with newly awakened enthusiasm for art? Not here yet is the field for his labors, and so 110 journeys away into distant villages of Lombanly, and attempts again his task of extempore exposition. The ill success that would effectually have dampt the spirit and daunted the courage of lesser men only gave fresh impetus to his enthusiasm. He quitted Florence then, bearing his" burden" to others of the Italian cities, proceeding from one to another with the same message, in many minor keys, but ever with the same refrain. The tOile of th8 mall, so strange and yet so real, his hardy persistency, his unflinchillg boldness, told in time. '['he six years of wandering brought fame, the echoes of which reacht fair and fitful Florence at length, and he was recalled thither.
It is in Brescia, the fine old city filled with glorious torsos of antiquity, that he speaks for the first time wi·th comparative freedom, and there, in apocalyptic speech, there escape from his lips words that are full and significant, that heave and pierce and burn.
In 1487 he attended a provincial chapter of Lombardian Dominicans at Reggio, in Modena, and there he gained the notice of Pico della Mirandola, who urged Lorenzo to invite him to Florence and to Cosmo di Medici's splendid convent of San Marco. Here in the cloister garden, amid the laurels and the climbing roses, he attracted immense crowds of listeners, as also in the cathedral church of Santa Maria del Fiore.
His sermons seem rugged at times, as we read them through the harsh medium of translation, or even in the mellifluous lingua 1'uscana in which they were delivered; but they are faithful words, words that glint and glow, that rush out like sparks from the anvil, that scorch .and sear. His action, too, was fervid; every gesture was THE CLOISTER GARDEN OF SAN MARCO. indicative of the fire that burned within him as he is borne along on the quick tides of his emotion. Guicciardini and Vasari, the Italian historians, dwell upon the voice of the great predicat01·e. In later days, whcm for a month he preacht evening after evening at San Marco upon the building of Noah's Ark, and prophesied the after calm when the purified Church should become an ark for faithful Florentines, the immense multitudes who thronged to hear him were spellbound by his passionate appeals, swayed by his eloquence, in turn were toucht to tears or roused to frenzy. Pico della Mirandola says of the sermon from the text, " Behold, I will bring a flood of waters npon the earth," that he shuddered as he listened. He had not long been engaged in this serious business of preaching before the thought that was uppermost in his heart found full expression from his lips, and he pronounced boldly against the tyranny of the Medici, and declaimed against the excesses and shameless vices of nobles in the state and of dignitaries in the Church.
Very soon he is chosen prior of his convent. Instinctively, " il j1fagnifico" discerns in the eloquent Dominican a possible, nay certain foe, and so is desirol1s of a"erting the threatened danger by some show of patronage. Savonarola accepts the appointment, but with characteristic independence. III accordance with the custom of the time he should have presented himself before his patron and, swearing fealty, sought with all humility the grace and protection which he knew wOl1ld not have been refused. Btl t not of such material is this man made. He has lIot learned the rl5lf. of the sycophant, and he will not go. The frati implore him, and Lorenzo, incenst at his refusal, commands his SI1bmission; but the sturdy preacher ends the matter by declaring, " God, not Lorenzo, has elected me prior."
His contemporaries have left us a very detailed portraiture of the man: Of middle stature, with ruddy face and fair hair, and with a bold, broad forehead, deeply plowed with furrows. His eyes, deep blue, were filled at times with fire. A large, aquiline nose, denoting strength, and quiverillg under lip, betokelling nervous force aud passion, held with difficulty in check. Of upright IIlien, grave, gentle, and yet with featqres sufficiently mobile as to display an endless variety of aspect and play of all the passions. A man of inflexible will, a staunch republican in politics, with an enthusiasm that readily glowed to a white heat, and which easily overleapt the barriers dividing it from sheer fanaticism. He seems to have been possest of just that ensemble of physic~l, mental, moral, and spiritual qualities that endow a man with the power of fascinating ar~d compellillg men. Whatever else he may have been, there was an ever-predominating air about him that made men instinctively to know that a real man was before them, one who believed all he said, one who saw deeper ill to the hearts of things than others, and one who was ready not only to
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
do battle for his convictions, but to die, if need be, in defense of them. Notwithstanding his popularity, but scant success of any abiding kind in those early days followed the predication Gf the prior; but knowing the tone and temper of the man as time has revealed him, it is not astonishing to hear him say, "Elegance of language must give way before simplicity in preaching sound doctrine." He possest the one essential to all success-belief in the truth and ultimate triumph of his convictions; and so, in spite of disappointment, chagrin, weariness of body, and sorrow of soul, with magnificent persistency he quails not nor looks back from the plow to which he has put his hand.
(To be concluded.) SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY.- MISSION WORK AMONG LEPERS.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
When Spirit-moved men and women undertake mlSSlOn work among lepers, they reach and touch the lowest depths of human degradation, wretchedness, and hopeless misery.
Of all human maladies, leprosy is the one, unique, solitary disease, that has borne, throughout all time, the brand of peculiar curse, as "the scourge of God." Technically" it is a chronic skin disease, whose main characteristics are two: ulcerous eruptions, and succcssive desquamations of dead skin. The name is now usually restricted to elephantiasis. It is clearly hereditary, and overwhelming facts seem to show that under some circumstances it is contagious; that, at least, where there is habitual contact and association, as between parents and children, it is communicated, whereas separation prevents its development even where there is a leprous parentage.* A leper is a walking parable of guilt and death. To the Jew especially, leprosy was the sign and seal of sin, already bearing its visible judgment. A leper was unclean, and he was obliged to proclaim his own uncleanness. His touch was defilement, his garments were spotted by the flesh, and he lived apart from others, and could not even come near to the altar where sin was expiated by blood. Miriam, tho the sister of Moses and Aaron, was shut out of the camp when the leprous brand appeared on her brow, and King U zziah was shu tout * There are believed to be 500,000 lepers in India, 100,000 in China, as many more in Japan, 1,200 in the Hawaiian Isles, 27,000 in Colombia, South America, 500 in the United States, as many more in Cuba, 2,000 in Norway, etc. Isolation is the only known means of eradication. There is a growing sentiment in favor also of the separation of the sexes, that there may be no propagation of offspring that have predisposition to the taint of this horrible disease. It seems as tho no measureS were too drastic to stamp out this malady.
1898.J MISSION WORK AMONG LEPERS
from his palace, and "lived in a separate house until the day of his death." Trellch, in one awful sentence, sum s up the matter: " Leprosy is nothing short of a living death, a poisoning of the springs, a corrupting of all th e humors of life ; a dissolution li ttle by little of the whole body." No lang uage can describe the horror and terror inspired by the sight of a cro wd of abject leprous beggars, as they are seen throngin g the Jaffa gate of the sac red city, and reaching out the stumps of handless arms, their faces ghastly, with sockets from which the eyes have dropt ou t, perhaps wi thout ears, and their bodies in every state and stage of actu al physical defect. The leper is the slow, sure victim of a death th at kills one member at a t im e, and severs it from the body like a dead limb, that drops off from a tree by its own rottenness. Dante, in his visits to the Inferno, never beheld any sight that so su gges ts the awful curse that follows sin to the third and fourth generation, if not the fortieth, or compares with this in indescribable repulsive- ness. Surely it is no accident that, in that eighth chapter of Matthew-Sc1'!jJtuJ'a jlfiraculosa, as Ambrose called it – the first recorded miracle is one ill which the great H ealer not only made the leper clean, but by tou ching him, thus identifying himself with his uncl eann ess and becoming A LEPER.• ceremonially himself a leper ! No wonder I sailth, foreseeing H is glory and speaking of Hiin declares, "Himself t ook our infirmities and bare our sicknesses."
We can not appreciate the Christlike self-sacrifice and passion for souls that must have moved holy men and women to approaeh a leprous community, ami even become permanen tly iuentified with their relief and salvation, unl ess we fi rst get a tru e glimpse of the actual condition in which lepers were fo und . And here again words fail. There are no terms quite equal to th e description. F or example, when Miss Ka te Marsden went on her mission of charity t o Vilil1sk, in Siberia, th e frightful state of the lepers in t he pro vince was found t o be worse cven than as set fOl' th in the report of th e medical inspectol'.
They were found dri ven in to exile in vast forests, almost nude, and closely packt in dirty YO lll'tas. So great is the dl'ead of this dis- ease that people sufferin g from other ail ments are often exiled with • From" lIawaii, Our New PossessioDs. " FUDk & WagnaJls Co.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
the lepers and forced to abide with them, through mistakes of the natives when defining leprosy; aud awful brutality is practist, under plea of banishing a leper from society, where greed is the motivesome small fortune left by a relative being thus seized by the persecutors, a leper being treated as one civilly dead, and having no right to property. A supposed child-leper was starved to death, for the sake of a few cows left him by his parents. An uncle, whose ward he was, first murdered his sister, and then persuading his neighbors that the boy was a leper, drove him into a forest in the depths of a Siberian winter, and there, with no shelter but a sort of kennel, a few sticks lightly covered with cow dung and snow, starved, half-frozen, and on the verge of madness, the boy was left to die. When found the body was but skin and .bones, with a little clay in the stomach which had been devoured in the pangs of hunger, and there was not a sign of leprosy or any other disease!
The crowding together of these outcasts in the same filthy yourta, makes physical cleanliness and moral purity alike impossible. The yourta or yurt, is often only a pen in which human beings and cattle herd together, men, women, and children, all alike. It is made of logs, covered with earth and moss, and partly sunk in the ground, one of the most primitive human habitations, and having nOlle of the qualities of a comfortable or decent dwelling. Miss Marsden fOllnd the Siberian lepers clad in cast-off garments of the Yakuts (members of the Turkish race, of the basin of the Lena, E. Siberia), these garments being generally fur-skins filled with vermin, filthy beyond words, and at best a mass of tatters.
The leper is so accustomed to being avoided and shunned that, even when approacht by the mes~engers of love and pity, he shrinks as in terror, or as tho some violence or insult was intended. He feels himself an outcast, doomed to be an exile from all clean society. One visit to the ,-ile and small huts where lepers dwell is enough to fix itself forever 011 the mind of the visitor. There is almost no light, a door so low that one can not enter without bowing, and the air is foul to suffocation with the leprous exhalati.ons, and the odors of rotten fish that are their chief diet, and which even the fire can not purify. No beds or linen, but benches, no robes but rags, and all this for years at a time. In a small horel, six men and three women were often found hllddled together. Of course, such abodes are absolutely without sanitary pro¥isions and swarm with vermin, and often the only places to sleep are rude trunks of trees covered with planks, on which these outcasts lie, packt together, the head of one opposite the feet of the next. And here they eat, cook, sleep, live, and die. It is customary for a dead body to be kept in the hovel for three days, and in a visitation of smallpox, four dead bodies were thus kept during such time in the same room with the living!
MISSION WORK .AMONG LEPERS
Mr. Guilford gives a similar account* of his own visit to the leper asylum at Tarn '1'aran (India) with its 234 wretched inmates. There he met a surging crowd of deformed, mutilated human beings, in whom all the dire effects of sin ever wrought on the human frame seemed presented in one mass before his eyes. '1'0 stay long in such a scene was impossible, but he said that until death the sight would haunt him. It was a living charnel house.
Various efforts have been made in behalf of the lepers, in which we are not surprised to find the Moravians leading us all. Always ready to dare the worst climates, and the most hopeless conditions, before the first quarter of the century had past, in 1822, they began work at Himel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth), in South Africa. Four years before, the colonial government, fearing the spread of leprosy, had built a temporary asylUlll in this valley, whose weird name suggests its isolation, far from human abodes, and so hemmed in by rocks as to be opened only to the sky. '['he hospital having been enlarged, Governor Somerset sought for a Moravian to manage the institution and to teach the inmates Christian truth. Rev. Mr. Leitner and wife took up this work, and supposing it to involve risk of contagion, they virtually entered this asylum, thenceforth to be themselves rankt as lepers.
The transformations were marvelous. Industry and intelligence and cleanliness provcd to be the handmaids of piety, and neat gardens surrounded the hospital, and an aqueduct was built to supply water. During six years Mr. Leitner baptized 95 adults, and on Easter-day, 1829, while baptizing a convert, he suddenly past to his reward. For ten years more the Moravians were in charge; and in 1846 the hospital was enlarged, improved, and removed to Robben Island, near Cape Town. '1'he duties of the missionaries were henceforth restricted to the educational and spiritual government, officials being in general charge. A school was begun, whose first teacher was a leprous young Englishman, John Taylor, who after five years of earnest work died in 1866. The Moravians continued identified with this hospital at Robben Island until 1867, when a chaplain of the Church of England was appointed to the religious oversight of the imtitution.
The Moravians have been similarly connected with the leper Home at Jerusalem, erected outside the Jaffa gate, and which owed its suggestion to Baron Von Keffenbrinck-Ascheraden's visit to the Holy Land. He and his wife saw these wretched outcasts, dependent on the alms of passers-by, lodging amid abject poverty, and dying in unsoothed agony. And again, when a small home was provided, the United Brethren gave Mr. and Mrs. F. Tappe to become father and mother to the loathsome and incurable lepers. This asylum, opened in 1867, was enlarged in 1875 and 1877, and a new and larger build- * "The Lepers in Our Indian Empire." W. C. Bailey.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THI;; HALF CENTURY
ing erected on a new site in 1887, at cost of $20,000. In 1884 Mr. Tappe's health having compelled his retirement, Fritz Muller and wife took charge. Out of about twenty MOl'avians who gave themselves to this sacrcd ministry not one has taken the disease. 1'he leper-home at Jerusalem has issued its twenty-sixth report. Since 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Schubert have been in charge. The year 1896 began with 19 patients, ten of them being men and nine women; and during the year, fifteen more were admitted, and one died. Diligent study and effort are now directed to the medical treatment of leprosy.
We can not within such limited space give the complete history of missions to lepers; but, in this great work, Wellesley O. Bailey, of Edinburgh, the well-known secretary of the Mission to Lepers in India, must have a conspicuous mention. It is now twenty-four years since, returning from mission work in India, he told Dublin friends of his efforts to help and save lepers. His tracts on the subject, half a milli on of which were circulated, united with his personal appeals, kindled such interest, that in 1878 a committee was formed in Dublin, and the work reorganized and enlarged, nine years later. No one who has been at all familiar with this grand work needs to be told that from 1875 onward, ill Ohamba, in the Sabathu asylum at Ambala, in the Punjab, in Almora., at Dehra, at Oalcutta, at Lohardngga, and Purulia, Ohota Nagpore, at Travancore, at Rurki, at Pithora, at Allahabad, at Rawal Pindi, at Madras, in Neyoor, etc., etc., this society has either built or aided asylums. A little over ten years ago the work of separating untainted children from their parents was begull, SABATHU LEPER ASYLUM, INDIA.
MISSION WORK AMONG LEPERS
and retreats were providea for such children at AJmora) Pithora; Lohardugga, Purulia, etc. 'rhe aim of this organization is twofold, philanthropic and evangelistic, its supreme aim being not only to better the temporal condition of the lepers but to save their souls.
One of the most humane results of the mission to the lepers, has been the separation of children, born of leper parents, from their original surroundings. Most medical men are now agreed that the disease i.~ undoubtedly contagious,* and that the worst condition of such contagion is where children continue to live in the leprous homes where they were born. Before reaching majority it has been found that the great bulk of such offspring develop the loathsome disease, so that of all who were born in the asylum at Tarn Tiran, during thirty years, and who were left there, only two did not become confirmed lepers. At Almora, however, for years past children have been separated from their parents, and only one child has shown signs of leprosy,t proving how much can be done to stop the spread of this scourge. No wonder Mr. Guilford pronounced it the saddest of sights to see a bright, innocent, untainted child fondled by a leper mother, and fed from hands that are a mass of corruption; and yet in India thousands of sights like this may be seen daily.
Can the souls of such wretched outcasts be reacht? Let Mr. Guilford again testify.! At one time the asylum at 'l'arn Tiran was in charge of a native doctor, whose hatred of Christianity was proverbial, and when some converted lepers sought a home in the asylum, in a rage he drove them away until they should renounce their faith. Hear their answer: "If you refuse us admission unless we deny our Lord and Master, we are content to go and sit on the highway and die." And there they sat for eight long days, with no shield from the intense sun save the trees, and with scarce a morsel of food, and this inhuman native doctor would not even allow the asylum shop to sell them food! In the asylum at Purnlia, Mr. Bailey met a bright, happy audience of Jepers, where only five out of 116 were even nominally heathen, and • This seems to be a good point at which to refer to the recent Leprosy Conference at Berlin. It was called by the first Leprologists in the world, and the following conclusions were reacht : 1. The disease is communicated by the bacillus, but its condition of life and methods of penetrating the human organism are unknown. Probably it gains entrance through the mouth or mucous membranes.
2. It is certain that mankind alone is liable to the bacillus. 8. Leprosy is contagious but not hereditary. 4. The disease has hitherto resisted all efforts to cure it. Observe, that in affirming the contagiousness of the disease, it is probably meant that it is contagious by some form of inoculation only, such as receiving into a cut or abraded surface some particle from a sore or ulcer of a leper. We must not confuse contagion and injection. Medical missionaries and others freely handle lepers and dress their wounds, yet no one has ever been known to contract the disease. Children of lepers probably have a hereditary predisposition to the disease, and if left to live in the same huts, sleep in the same beds, and eat out of the same vessels, run great risk.
t "The Lepers in Our Indian Empire." Bailey, p. 107. :I: Ibid. ~ailey, p. 10&
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
nineteen came forward for baptism in one service. What a sight to see these lepers Lowing at the communion of the Lord's supper, where the bread had to be dropt into their hands or put into their mouths, because they had no hands, and the 'cup' served to them by a spoon! "
Without the Camp states that the Mission to Lepers in India and the East works in connection with 18 societies or denominations and 40 stations in India, Burma and Ceylon, and 7 in China and Japan. Of asylums and hospitals of their own they have: 14 in India and Burma; 5 in China and Japan; with 14 homes for untainted chil- ( d1'en ; they aid 11 other insti tu tions and have 15 places open to them for Christian instruction. In all, 2,700 persons l'ecei 'e help.
Were the history of missions to the lepers fully written, it would THE LEPER S ETTLEM ENT AT MOLOKAI, HAWAII.* supply some of the most pathetic tales of heroism ever record ed even in missionary history. We all remember the interest which centered abou t "Father Damien's" work among the lepers on the island of Molokai. Tho there was thought to be some fal se glamor or halo about this man, especially after hi s death, the Prince of Wales presided over the committee formed to raise a monument to this deparLed worker, to establish leper wards in hospitals, and to send out physicians to cope with the terrible (wil and study its cure or relief.
Leprosy was brought to the Sandwich Islands by a traveler from Asia early in this century, and spread so fast that the governm ent, in 1865, decreed the banishment of every tainted man, woman, and child to the island of Molokai, alld in thirty years more than 3,000 have thus been exiled to await death ill this lonely seagirt home.
* From" Hawaii, Our New PossessJoDs." FUDk & 'Vagnalls Co.
MISSION WORK AMONG THE LEPERS
When, in 1873, Father Damien went there he found these lepers given over to every form of sloth, lawlessness, and vice. Before his death he saw very great improvement, and arollsed not only the Hawaiian government to a sense of shame and duty, but awakened all civilized peoples to a sense of sympathy for these outcasts. His own hands became so crippled by the disease that at the last he could ollly sign letters that he could no more write. Father Damien was wont to speak to the unhappy inmates of the island as "we lepers;" and when he took the disease, he told them it was God's way of bringing him and them closer together. Through his work miserable huts were exchanged for clean cabins; there is a hospital, costing $10,000, with skilled physicians.* Those who have read the heroic story of .Miss Mary Reed, will not need to be reminded of its indescribable pathos. She is an American missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church in India, and, her health giving way, she came home, but for a year had no suspicion of the real nature of her illness, which baffled all the seience and art of medicine. God himself, in midnight vision, revealed to her that it was leprosy, and made plain to her that she was henceforth to be a messenger of mercy to a leper community in the mountains of India. A specialist subsequently confirmed the impression of the vision, and all her suspense was over. To lessen the pain of parting, she left her father, mother, brothers, and sisters without revealing her secret, save to one sister, and on her way wrote home the terrible news. Then she went on to Pith ora, in the Himalayas, and has been finding in those mountain heights – what they mean- " heavenly halls." Here is a refined, cultl~red young woman, smitten with this awful malady, exiling herself for the sake of these outcasts. She went among them and, with hot tears, said, but without a tremor in her voice, and with a heavenborn smile: "I am n01lJ one of you." There on the heavenly heights of Chandag, 0,000 feet above the sea, she is pointing outcast lepers to the Friend of outcasts, and her heart finds joy never known before in her Christlike work. She may be found daily binding up with her own hands the wounds and sores of lepers, while she ponrs the oil of God's consolation into their souls. She was found with 73 inmates in the asylum, and 500 within ten miles radius, whom she aims to get under the same blessed shelter.t • An interesting description of this settlement is found in Jno. R. Musick's" Hawaii: Our N~w Possessions. "
t Those who would read more fully on this terrible yet fascinating theme, may find in the following books more ample information: ~. The Lepers in Our Indian Empire," "" Mission to Lepers in India and the East" and" A Glimpse at the Indian Mission-Field and Leper Asylums," etc. ,V. C. Bailey. John F.Shaw, London. "On Sledge and Horseback to Outcast Siberian Lepers. " Kate Marsden. Cassell Pub. Co. New York. " The Story of the Mission to Lepers in India." H. S. Carson. London. "European Lepers in India." Miss Lila Watt. "Without the Camp." Magazine, Lombard Street, Toronto, Canada, and Edinburgh, Scotland. "Encyclopedia of Missions." Funk & Wagnalls. "Picket Line of Missions." Eaton & Mains. New York.
THE GOSPEL IN THE NEW HEBRIDES
THE GOSPEL IN THE NEW HEBRIDES.* BY REV. JOHN G. PATON, D.D.
Pioneer Missionary in the New Hebrides.
Geographers have arranged the South Sea islands under three divisions: Polynesia, the manyeaetern islands between 180 degrees and South America; Melanesia, the black islands, from the dark-brown color of their inhabitants-they include Fiji and all the islands west, with New Guinea; Micronesia, all the small islands north of the line from Hawaii on the east to China on the west. 'rhe Sonth Sea islands are inhabited by only two races, the Malay Polynesian and the Papuan. The Malays appear to be of Asiatic origin, and are the superior race, with well-developt, powerful persons, yellow in color, and with straight, glossy, black hair. The Papuans are so called from Papua, or New Guinea. They occupy the western islands, and are not generally so tall and handsome in person as the Malays. They are of a darkbrown color, with dark, curly hair of different shades, and appear to be allied to the negro; but have plump, pleasant features, unlike the negro and the aborigines of Australia. The Malays all speak one language, with dialectic differences, all musical and liquid, like the Italian. Every word ends in a vowel. The Papuans speak a different language on almost every island, or dialects differing, so that the natives of one island can not understand those of another; and on some islands two or eyen three dialects are spoken on the same island, so different that the inhabitants of the one district can not understand those of the other. Nearly the whole, if not the whole, population of the Sonth Sea islands were cannibals, in a state of nudity, when * Balboa, governor of Santa Maria, discovered the Southern Ocean in 1513, named it the South Sea, and took possession in the name of the king of Spain. Six years later Magellan sailed through a large portion of it, and called it the Pacific Ocean. In 1569 Mendana discovered and named the Solomon group, and in 1595 the Queen Charlotte group. The New Hebrides were discovered in 1606 by QUiros, who thought he had discovered a great southern continent, and called it the Land of the Holy Spirit. He anchored in port Philip Santo, and tried to establish a city (New Jerusalem) on the bank of the large river Yor, which runs into the bay. But the Spaniards quarreled with the natives and left it. Quiros sailed to Mexico, but Torres, the senior officer in command, sailed west, discovered and past through Torres Straits, which bear his name, between Queensland and New Guinea. Boginville discovered that itwas not a continent, but a group of islands, that Quiros had discovered, and he named them the Great Cyclades. Bent on discovering new lands, about that period many <>minent navigators sailed in the South Sea, but we hear nothing more of the New Hebrides till, in 1767, the famous Captain Cook sailed on his first voyage to observe the transit of venus at Tahiti. In 1773 Captain Cook returned, and sailed twice through the group, spending 46 days in exploring and describing every island and the natives with an accuracy scarcely yet surpast. Believing he had discovered the most westerly group in the South Sea, he gave it its present name, the New Hebrides; but 200 miles southwest he afterward discovered another large island, and called it New Caledonia. He took possession of it in the name of his sovereign, King George the Third; but in 1854, when Britain was engaged in the Crimean war, France took possession of it, and turned it into a large convict station at the door of Australia, to which, by escaped convicts, it is a source of danger and pollution.- J.G.P missionary work was begun on them, yet even there, by God's bless- ing, almost every society and chur()h engaged in the work has been used and honored in the conversion of many thousands, and now each is working on an independent portion of New Guinea for the salvation of its natives, and with encouraging success.
The New Hebrides consist of about thirty inhabited islands, with many small ones adjoining. The group lies south-southe~,st and northnorthwest, extending over 400 miles of ocean, between 21 degrees and 15 degrees south latitude, and 171 degrees and IGG degrees east longitude. The Solomon group, which is the center of the Church of England's mission, is about 200 miles northwest from the New Hebrides. New Caledonia is about 200 miles southwest, Fiji about 400 miles, Auckland about 1,000, and Sydney, Australia, 1,400 miles distant from our group. In l]er first charter to New Zealand, Britain included the New Hebrides, but, appal'ently by some mistake, they were afterward left out. Yet, except to New Zealand and Australia, the group is of little commercial value to any other country, on account of the great distances of all others from it.
As the natives have got nearly all the blessings of Christianity and civilization which they possess from British missionaries and suhjects, they unanimously plead for British anr.exation and protection, while, from their oppressive cruelty to the natives, and suppression of Protestant schools and mission work on the Loyalty group and on other groups annext, they fear and hate the French. There are other cogent reasons, for the French Senate past a resolution" to send 100,000 of France's lowest criminals to the New Hebrides, as freed men and women, to live as they could and go where they would, on the one condition that they do not return to Franca." Against this Australasia and Britain protested so decidedly that the scheme was not carried out; but the resolution to deport them was renewed, and for the present the destination is kept secret. The French have recently been sending Roman Catholic priests to the New Hebrides, apparently as political agents. A few months ago the heathen natives of one of our islands eagerly desired a Protestant missionary to settle among them, and give them the teaching of Jesus and His salvation, and when they were selling our missionaries a site for the station, two priests gave them much abuse, and told them of all the fearful calamities which would befall them if they allowed the Protestant missionaries to land on their island. They also gave the missionaries much abuse, and at last offered the natives three Sniders (rifles) and two large, fat hogs for the site, if they wonld forbid the Protestant missiollaries to settle on the island. Tho, above everything else, the heathen islanders desire Sniders and such fat pigs, yet they rejected the priests' offer, and sold the station to our missionaries. The highest French officials in these colonies have sent a man-of-war to the spot to investigate this case, and their report proves that it was correctly st:-tted by us.
In 1839 the famous John Williams and Mr. J. Harris, of the London Missionary Society, sailed to try and begin mission work on the New Hebrides, but on landing on Erromanga both were murdered by the savages, who feasted on their bodies. In 1843 Drs. Turner and Nisbet were by the London Missionary Society settled on Tanna, but about six months after, by a passing ship, they had to escape for their lives. After this Samoan and Raratongar. native teachers were again and again placed on the group, but they were either murdered by the savages, or died in the damp, unhealthy climate (compared with their own), or in sickness had to be taken home again. So no effective mission work was done on the group till in 1848 Dr. John Geddie and in 1852 Dr. John Inglis were landed on Aneityum, where God spared and used them in bringing 3,500 cannibals on that island to serve onr dear Lord Jesus Christ; and until they had translated and carried through the press the whole Bible and other books in their language. For the printing and binding of this Bible the converted natives paid the noble British and Foreign Bible Society £1,200 sterling($6,000), earned by them preparing and selling arrowroot.
In 1857 the ReI'. G. N. and Mrs. Gordon were placed on Erromanga, where Williams lost his life. By them God brought some fourteen young men and as many young women to renounce heathenism and serve Jesus, but in 1851 the savages one morning tomahawkt both to death. Their young converts wept and wailed over their loss, laid them in the grave, and vowed over it that they would conquer Erromanga for Jesus, or die, as their missionaries had died, in the effort. In 1864 the Rev. J. D. Gordon, going to convert, if possible, tlle murderers of his brother and his wife, was placed on Erromanga, and after much successful work, the heathen there killed him also with the tomahawk in 1872. The Christian party laid his body in the grave, wept and wailed over it, and renewed their vow and wrought and prayed till they ll1lve, indeed, conquered the island for Jesus Christ. Now every family there daily sings the praise of His redeeming love, and tries to serve him devotedly.
In 1858 the Revs. Joseph Copeland, J. W. and Mrs. Matheson,John G. and Mrs. Paton, and in 1859 S. P. and Mrs. Johnston were all placed on Tanna, but soon after Mr. Copeland went to Aneityum. From the first on 'l'anna, as on other islands, the native priests gave much opposition to the missionaries' teaching. This priesthood is powerful and profess to have and, by sorcery, to exercise all the powers of God. After the murder of the Gordons, a 'fanna "holy" man, prejudiced by white traders, clubbed an Aneityllm chief, a native teacher, and he died soon after, rejoicing in Jesus Christ. Also from the effects of a savage attack upon my life and hj~, Mr. Johnston never rallied, but died soon aftor, l)aving been only about four months on the island. In 1862, after much suffering, bereavement, and many attempts upon onr lives, and the loss of all earthly property, except our pocket Bibles, Mr. and Mrs. Matheson, the teachers, and I escaped by a passing ship. After reaching Aneityum Mrs. Mfltheson died in March and he died in June that year. I left for Anstralia, to get, if possible, more missionaries and a mission ship for our mission. 'rhcre the Lord, by His people, gave me £5,000. The new Dayspring* was bought with £3,000 of it, and the remaining £2,000 sent and supported more missionaries. Since that time island after island has been occupied, and the Lord has prospered our work, till we have now the large staff of 26 earnest, educated missionaries, 5 of them medical men and 5 lay helpers, besides about 3eo native teachers, all educated by our own missionaries for their work. In the mission we have a teachers' trainillg institution, with 46 students, under the care of Dr. Annand and his lay teachers, and we have a hospital under the care of Dr. Lamb and his lay helpers. By our missionaries the whole Bible has been translated into one language, and the New Testament into several. The portions of Scripture so translated, hase been printed, and are now read by the natives in over twenty languages of the group. This is a great work, which makes our mission laborious and expensive compared with others having only one language to conquer. Onr islanders had no written language when we began the Lord's work among them. A nnmber of the translations have been printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society, but onr natives try to pay it for all it does for them.
As results of the work, our dear Lord Jesus has given our missionaries ab0ut 1(;,000 convertf', and the blessed work is extending among some 40,000 or 50,000 remaining cannibals on the group. In our synod year of 1895-96,1,120 savages renounced idolatry and embraced the worship and service of Christ. One missionary baptized 200 out of his communicants' class of 400, after a long and careful preparatory Scripturc training. We never baptize and teach afterward, but educate and wait till they give real evidence of consecration to Jesus Christ, and then, at their desire, baptize, and continue teaching them to observe in their life and conduct all things Jesus has commanded. Hence, we have only about 2,500 communicants, tho 10,000 attend our day and Sabbath-schools. All of our converts attend church regularly. In 1896 they contributed about £900, and last year over £1,300 by money and arrowroot, and a number of the islands now support their * The Dayspring was lost last year, and the need of a new vessel is sorely felt by the mis- sionaries, who must now depend entirely on Godless traders and vicious sailors who trade on Sabbaths, and whose contact with the natives often does incalculable harm. They supply natives freely with rum, and directly oppose the missionaries. The Presbyterian Assembly of Australia has recently voted to postpone decision as to securing another ship until next year. It is earnestly hoped that then the much·needed vessel will be furnisht.-Eo. own native teachers. Yet they have no money but what they get by selling pigs, fowls, cocoanuts, and copra to passing ships. God has gi ven four of Ollr present missionaries each from 1,'100 to 2,000 converts; alid at all onr more recently occupied stations the work is very encouraging, and enjoys the divine blessing. Our chief concern <at present is how we are to get money to keep our large staff going on, but we trust in Jesns to provide all as it is needed.
Never since J eSllS Christ gave the great commission, have so many of His servants been proclaiming the blessed Gospel, and never before in heathen lands has it shown more vitality and power in its grand results. Yet what large portions of the world are yet in heathen darkness! Oh, for a new Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Spirit to all branches of the Church, to lead her to try to " preach the Gospel to every creature," and by the Gospel conquer the world for Jesus Christ. A small book, showing the extension and glorious fruits of Christian Protestant missions during the last half century wonld do much to silence the infidel and the enemies of Protestant missions to the heathen, enlighten the indifferent, and draw forth the united praise and prayers, and increast money support, and personal, zealous cooperation of Christians in all lands, so to conquer the world for Jesus Christ by His own appointed means. It would show that the Gospel is not only the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, high and low, of every color and of every country, but that, wherever found, it is the only real and lasting civilizer of man. Had Britain felt her responsibility, and improved her privileges by spending a twentieth part of what her present wars will cost her to snbdue her rebellious subjects, in giving them the Gospel teaching of Jesns while under her care, it might have prevented those wars, and saved her the loss of life and treasure and carnage in sn bdning her heathen revolted sn bjects, and the feelings of revenge that remain and foster in the hearts of the surviving relatives and tribes of the subdued. Armies may conquer and sweep the opprest into eternity, but Christ's teaching ell lightens the mind, influences the heart by creating it anew, and leads all so brought under its power to feel their responsibility to our God, the Supreme Judge of all. Thus it lifts them above heathen superstitions, prejudices, cruelties, and discontent, filling the heart with gratitude to God for His love and mercy in Jesus Christ, and so leading them to love their benefactors. and to do to others as they would have others do to them. Tho our New Hebridean savage cannibals, as they all were when our work began among them, have lost many thousands of lives, and suffered much oppressi ve cruelty by the sandalwood traders and by the shocking Kanaka labor traflic* • The ,. Kanaka Inter·island Labor" will form the subject of a future article by Dr< Paton. It is little better than a system of slavery, and is cruel in the extreme. Natives are brought from various islands to work under contract for traders and planters on unsupervised islands. Some of these natives have been flogged to death by theIr employers. This system calls loudly for reform.-ED.
THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO
which followed, yet because of British missionaries so many of them have been brought to serve Jesus, that now the remaining population all plead for British annexation and protection. And lately, on a recently occupied island, where all under the missionaries' charge were painted savages, after several acts of kindness by the missionary, the war chief was led to hear the teaching of Jesus, and to believe in, and serve Him. He was the first man among some 3,000 or 4,000 to appear at the church and to wear clothing in public. For some reason his savage warriors wanted him to go to war, but he refused. His enemies sent a man to conceal himself by the path and shoot dead one of the chief's men, being one of their usual challenges to war, and many now urged him to fight in revenge, but he said, " I will not fight and shed blood, but leave all revenge to my J eSlls now," and he preacht the Gospel of peace and love to them, and prayed for them all. His life was threatened, but he also left that to Jesus. lIe now teaches a school among his savages, and, following his example, many have begun to wear clothing and attend school and church. The chief and twelve others are now candidates in a class for baptism and ch urchmembership, and a real work of grace seems to have begun allarounrl among the savages. Surely the Divine blessing on the sallle teaching would produce like blessed results among the heathen Sll bjects of all nations, and make them happy, industrious, loyal, loving subjectsa thing which can not be done by cOllquering armies.
THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO.
BY II. GRATTA5 GUINNESS, D.D., LONDON, ENGLAND.
Singapore in "the Straits," as the Straits of Malacca are popularly called, is only eighty miles north of the Equator, and forllls practically the center of communication for the East India Islands, one of the most important and populous groups of islands in the world. The Malay Archipelago is unique in climate and character. Its population equals that ~f South America,.yet there are few parts of the world less known to the ordinary traveler. All ships sailing from Europe and India to the far East must pass through" the Straits," so that Singapore has become an important stopping place; but the islands of Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and Celebes, and New Guinea being off the track are seldom visited, and the missionary work which is being done in them is little studied and understood. Its records are for the most part lockt up in the Dutch language, for the most populous islands in Malaysia are Dutch possessions.
In "the Straits," Penang and Singapore are both British possessions. They lie in the narrow strip of sea dividing the peninsula ot Malacca from Sumatra. With a warm, damp, uniform climate like that of a hothouse, their vegetation is remarkable for its tropical beauty and luxuriance. Palms and flowering trees abound, the air is often laden with the sweet odor of the blossoms, and nature is presented under some of its most attractive aspects.
The variety of races to be found in these two small islands is extraordinary. The larger part of the population is Chinese, but there are Malay, Bengalese, Parsees, Arabs, Javanese, and Jews, besides English, :French, Dutch, Germans, and Americans. In Singapore Bibles are sold in twenty-five languages. Men-of-war and trading vessels of many nations crowd round their beau tiful and extensive harbors, while Mohammedan mosques, Chinese joss houses, Hindu temples, and Christian churches are prominent in the well-kept streets and park-like spaces.
Passage from Hong Kong to Singapore can .be had on some of the best steamers for very low rates, thereby enabling thousands of Chinese to migrate from the overcrowded cities of South China year by year. Thus these cities have a decidedly Chinese aspect. Many of the Chinese merchants in Singapore are rich and prosperous, and the maJority of Chinese emigrants are industrious and successful.
'1.'he American Methodist Episcopal Church, under the supervision of Bishop Thoburn, has a school at Penang attended by 500 Chinese boys, and another at Singapore with 700 scholars on the roll. In both these schools the teaching is chiefly in English. English services are held in the building on Sundays.
At Ipoh in Perak, a native state on the Malay peninsula, under British protection, there is a church which was built by funds loeally 8ubs()ribed; a school of 100 boys (mostly Chinese), and regular services are conducted in English, Chinese, and Tamil. Two native preachers and two colpl)rteurs are working among about 100,000 people, scattered in 30 small towns.
I was interested to observe the degree to which the principle of self-support has been carried by the American M. E. Church in this extensive work under Bishop Thoburn's charge. In some regions self-supporting mission work is at present impossible, but wherever it is possible the principle should certainly be carried out in order that missionary funds may be used where most urgently needed. In Bombay, Poona, and Madras, there are congregations of Eurasians and others under Bishop Thoburn's charge, whieh are practically selfsupporting, and the important school and presswork in the Straits settlements is of the same character. Such work can only be founded and organized by laborers on the spot. No Home Committee thousands of miles away could do it. I was much imprest with the importance of adequate constant supervision of missionary enterprises. It is the testimony of primitive as well as modern times that Christian missions need visitation by wise and godly men charged with the responsibility of oversight, able to avail themselves in their conduct of the work of such knowledge and experience as can be gained only on the mission-field.
Among the larger islands in the Malay Archipelago, most important from the point of population, is Java; the rapid growth of whose population is distinctly traceable to the excellent management of the island under Dutch occupation. At the beginning of the century the population of Java was ouly about 3,500,000, and in 1826 it had advauced to 5,500,000. In 1850, when the Dutch system of cultivation had been in operation 18 years, the population was, by census, 9,500,000, an increase of 73 per cent. in 24 years. In 18;;5 it amounted to over 14,000,000, whil~ in 1894 it had reacht over 25,000,000. The island is 600 miles long, and varies from 60 to 120 miles in width. It has a rail way running half its length, and, according to the testimony of the naturalist Wallace, is "the most fertile, the most productive, and the most populous island within the tropics." The contrast as to population- and prosperity between Java and the islands of Borneo and New Guinea is most striking. The two latter, tho the largest islands in the world, have only 1,300,000 and 600,000 as their estimated populations. Borneo remains to a large extent covered with dense forest, while New Guinea is for the most part in a state of savagery.
Snmatra, also under Dutch government, has a population of 3,000,- 000; the island of Celebes 900,000, while the Philippine islands contain about 7,000,000 inhabitants.* :MISSION WORK IN THE :MALAY ARCHIPELAGO.
1. In the island of JAVA, with a populatioll of about 25,000,000, five Dutch missionary societies are at work.
1. Tlte Netherlands Missionary Association was establisht in 1797. Its principal station is Mcdjowarno in East Java, where there are more than two thousand converts. Including its nine outstations, the native Christians at Modjowarno number between three and four thousand.
The story of the origin of the work is remarkable. A foreign riceseller, whose father was a Russian and his mother a Javanese, was converted about fifty years ago, and called to Christ's service by a dream. His testimony brought him into collision with the local Mohammedan teachers, whom he challenged to public discussion, with the result that many of his hearers were led to accept the Gospel. A German watchmaker living in the neighborhood, named Van Emden, assisted * Wallace, who spent eight years in the East India Islands, has shown that a line drawn in a north·easterly dir<,ction between Ceiebes and Borneo divides the Archipelago into two groups of islands contrasted in character. Sumatra, Borneo, and the Philippines are Indo- Malayan in their fauna, tiora, races, and languages; while Sumba, Timor, Banda, Coranl, Gilolo, and New Guinea belong to the Papuan, or Austro·Malayan group. The former are Asiatic, the latter Australian in their affimties. in the good work, and baptized the converts. When their number had increast they decided to establish a Ohristian village, and for this purpose made a clearing in the forest which superstition had left to the wild beasts. About 100 Ohristian natives there laid the founda- tion of Modjowarno. Brother Poolen, the Russio-Javanese, who had begun the work, died in 1873, at the advanced age of 105.
The .J.l£alaysia Nessage gives the following particulars as to the.
present position of the work at Modjowarno.
" Two missionaries* are now stationed there. The church is a neat, plain building with a spire and belfry, and has an average attendance of 400 adults and 460 children. A well-trained choir of natives, accompanied by an organ, leads the congregation with their sweet singing. The calm impressive Dutch Psalms are sung with remarkable pathos by these redeemed ones, drawing the heart nearer to that God whom they unitedly adore. After the service the members retire with an order which would put many European church-goers to shame. Attacht to the church there is a training-school with fourteen students, who are being prepared for the work of catechists and teachers. Behind the school is a rice storehouse for the poor, conducted by the missionaries on a self-supporting basis. There is also a savings-bank, which was opened in 1889, and a dayschool with 579 scholars, of whom the Christian boys number 215, girls 183, Mohammedan boys 164, girls 17. Facing the mission-house is a newly-built hospital with a dispensary and consulting room; medical relief was administered to 4,700 persons last year; more than 100 outpatients are in daily attendance."
In the province of Pasoeroean there is a station at Kendal-Pajakt with three outstations, and a Ohristian community of 1,400 persons.
The missionary has 21 native helpers.
The m'.ssionaries of the Netherlands Association work in two ways; some adopt the plan of fonnding Ohristian settlements free from Mohammedan influence; while others preach in the streets and offer Bibles and Ohristian books for sale.
2. The Java Oommittee in Batavia,t the capital of Java, has been forty years in existence. A seminary has been founded at Depak for educating native preachers. A number of day-schools are under the oversight of the missionaries. 3. Missions oj the R~forJlled Ohurches, representing the Reformed Missionary Association and the Ohristian Reformed Missionary Asso- ciation, has undertaken work among Eurasians and also among soldiers and sailors in Batavia. It has in addition mission stations in Snrabaya, Poerworedjo, Pekalongan, and Solo, where a hospital is soon to be erected.§ 4. The five missionaries// of The Salatiga Mission receive no fixt salary. Looking to God for the supply of their needs, funds are * Rev. J. Kruit and his son. t Under the care of Mr. J. Kreemer.
t Messrs. Geiszler and Haag are at present in charge of the station in the capital.
§ Under care of Dr. Scheurer.
U Brother Heiden, Kamp, Jungst, Zimmerbeutel, and Heller. ministered to them according to the abilities of the Association in Holland. They have small communities of Christians und er their charge in nine places.
5. The Baptist Missionary Associat'ioll,* or Mennonite Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in the Dutch Colonies, was founded in 1848. 'fhere is now a ChriEtian colony at Mergared ja, and six thousand converts are connected with this mission in ceutr",l Java.
Altogether the missionaries in Java have about 1:3,000 profest converts up.der their charge. The whole Bible has been trauslatcd in the Javanese tongue, and has been printed with the help of the British and Foreign Bible Society. A large num bel' of schools are also under missionary oversight.
II. A mutiny in Borneo was the mean s of starting the SU'IATRA A SCENE IN MALAYSU.
miSSIOn. In May, 1859, heathen Dyaks incited and led by Mohammedan fanatics attackt the mission stations, killing seven mission ari es and several children, and dCRtroying the schools and churches. Four little children of the missionary Hofmeister weJe captured by the murderers and taken to th e jungle, bu t were subsequently ransomed after suffering many hardships and much cruelty. The twenty-five years' work of the Rhenish Mis81:onary Socidy was revived. As the door cont.inued closed in Borneo, the slll"vivors of the mission left Borneo for Sumatra and founded it work among the Battak people. This mission has been marvelously prospered, and in 1874 had nine • Its two first missionaries were Jans? and Schuurmans, and the son of lIfr. J~DSZ is now stationed at Mergoredjo. He is assisted by Brother Fast, who began work in 1890. stations with twelve missionaries and 2,300 baptized members. Tho the work among the heathen Battaks was by far the most successful, the conversion of the Mohammedans became more frequent year by year, and ill 1884 134 Mohammedan converts were baptized, and 340 were under instruction as applicants for baptism.
There are now nineteen missionary stations in Sumatra, in a population of 3,000,000. Twenty-two European missionaries are assisted by 104 paid and 306 unpaid native workers. Church-members number 21,779, and there are many scholars in the mission schools. Dr. Schreiber, the foreign secretary of the Rhenish Mission, says: "I do not know if there is any other part of the mission-field, with the exception of some part of Java, where such large numbers of Mohammedans have been won for Christ as among the Battaks of Sumatra."
III. In spite of the massacre of the Rhenish missionaries already referred to, Dutch missionary work is continued in BORNEO at eight stations under the care of eleven missionaries, with 19 paid and 10 unpaid helpers; there are 1,600 profest Ohristians, of whom about one-half are communicants. There is a special call for work among the Dyaks who are not yet Mohammedan, but who are in danger of becoming such through the influence of the Mohammedan Malays by whom they are surrounded. While the population of Borneo is about 1,300,000, that of British North Borneo is stated to be about 175,000, of whom 34,000 are Dusuns, 11,000 Bajows, 3,700 Sulus, 3,500 Brunei Malays, 7,000 Ohinese, 1,500 Malays, 960 Javanese, and 890 Bugis. As all these tribes speak different languages and are spread over a wide area, the work of evangelizing them 'presents many difficulties.
IV. Between Borneo and New Guinea lies the large island of OELE- BES, with an area of 42,000 miles and a population of half a million. It is a land of mountains and valleys, with a rich soil and salubrious climate, and capable of sustaining ten times its present population. Oelebes is inhabited by various tribes speaking Illany dialects. 'rhe most influential races are the Bugis, in the south, and the people of Macassar. Many of them are strict Mohammedans, others follow a hybrid religion, submitting to some of the rites of Islam, but still clingiug largely to their own superstitions. 'rhe tribes along the eastern coast and in the interior are called AUfuru, many of whom are still heathen. The seat of Dutch government is at Macassar, a place of some importance with a population of 46,000. The first to bring the Gospel to Oelebes were German missionaries, who in 1830 founded a station in the mountains, where at a height of nearly 3,000 feet they fouud a beautiful lake and plateau. Here a church was built and school establisht. Another center of work was fonnd at Langowan, six miles from the lake, and twenty miles from Tondano. The church in Tondano is the largest in Oelebes, and ceats about 2,000 people. Owing to the frequency of earthquakes it is constructed of wood. Every Lord's Day the church is fairly well filled, and at the celebration of the Lord's Supper, which occurs twice a year, it is not large enough to seat the number who gather. In North Celebes, under the superintendence of the missionaries, there are 130 schools with an aggregate attendance of over 7,000 children. 'rhe entire Christian population is estimated at 130,000, and it is the testimony of Mr. Alfred Lee, from whom the above facts are gathered, that among the islands of Malaysia there is "no spot of like dimensions whose people are so well taught, so intelligent, and so well behaved, whose villages are so well ordered and clean; whose houses are so well bnilt and kept in such good repair; and whose women and children are so well cared for."
V. Want of space obliges us to group together onr notices of the remaining islands.
In Dutch NEW GUINEA a mission was establisht in 1885. Three stations are at present workt by seven missionaries connected with the Utrecht ~lIfission. 'rhere are about 230 native converts.
In the island of AMBOINA the number of Christians at the close of 1894 was 66,921, or more than one· fourth of the population, and in the TIMOR residency, 38,560. The Christians in 'l'imor form but a small proportion of the popUlation, and a desire for the Gospel has been exprest among the unevangelized native tribes.
On the island of GREAT SANGIR there are 16 churches with 16,250 adhere!1ts, of whom 857 are church members. At Tagoelandang there are 2,800 in attendance and 690 members. On the island. of NIAS at the close of 1890, there were four mission stations, six missionaries, and 770 converts. Four years later there were eight missionaries at the six stations, with 1,813 converts. Many other stations have to be past over from lack of space.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT.
'rhe question has been seriously agitated of late among the missionaries in Malaysia, whether the government regulations which have in view the material and intellectnal welfare of the native population are, or are not favorable to the work of missions. In a paper read at the quadrennial Missionary Conference in Java it was stated that" it is expressly stipnlated by the government that all native officials mnst be Mohammedans, and that if one of them was to become a Christian he would 00 at once removed from his post." As a result of this" the Dutch Government is hltimatelyassociated with Mohammedanism in the native mind." Christian missionaries are prohibited from worki~~ in Netherlands India without the permission of the government, while" no restriction whatever is placed on the movements of Mohammedan propagandists." « The state forbids itinerat-
PREPARATION FOR MISSIONARY SERVICE
ing missioEaries, or traveling preachers, and also open-air preaching." "Permission from the gnernment is necessary for public religious worship outside buildings and closed places," a permission seldom granted. It is feared that the government may, while assisting mission schools, be of greater help "to the Mohammedan propaganda and other forces which are opposed to Christianity, for there are already 20,000 Mohammedan schools and 350 heathen Chinese schools in Java alone." On the other hand, the number of schools under missionary influence is considerable. In the directory for the Straits Settlements and Indo-China for 1897, it is stated that there are in Netherlands India "502 government vernacular schools, and 578 pri vate vernacular schools, which gi ves instruction to upward of 117,800 pupils. 'rhe greater number of their private schools are managed by missionaries."
PREPARATION POR MISSIONARY SERVICE.* BY REV. J. C. R. EWING, D.D., LAHORE, INDIA. Principal of the Forman Christian College.
The work of winning the world for Christ is a veritable warfare with principalities and powers. The evangelizing of the nations is no light and insignificant task. :11'or its accomplishment the best gifts of the Church are demanded, and for the successful missionary certain definite qualifications are essential. He must be one who can say, not only at the outset, but every day throughout the years, "1'he love of Christ constraineth me." He is giving his life to a work which has in it vastly more of monotony than of romance, and has deliberately chosen to cast his lot amidst conditions calculated to depress rather than to stimulate. If, then, the love of Christ constrain him not, nothing else in the world can do so.
But aside from this spiritual equipment, the call of the Spirit to the work, and the indwelling of the Spirit in the worker's heartwithout which the missionary will be a disappointment to himself and to those who send him forth-is there not something else upon which emphasis ought to be laid? Is mere persOllal devotion to the Lord Jesus always sufficient to guarantee efficiency in the missionary? The obviolls reply to this is precisely the same that would be given relative to the work of Christian leadership in our own country. The thorough presentation of God's Word to the non-Christian worldthis is the work which the Church has undertaken. Side by side with our dependence upon the Holy Spirit to enlighten the dark mind, is the h1wwn side. It is ours to strive to show the reasonableness of * The substance of au address on" The Intellectual aud Practical Preparation of the Vol· ~nteer," delivered at the Student Volunteer Convention, February 24, 1898. the faith which we profess and preach, and to accomplish this, the brightest and best intellectual gifts to be found in the Church are needed.
The missionary goes to stand face to face with hoary systems of faith, some of which have not a little to say for themselves. The disciples of Confucius and Buddha and Mohammed and Laotze and Dayanand Saraswati are by no means ready to accept our statements as to the superiority of Christianity, merely because we utter them. 'fhe preacher not seldom find.; himself confronted by representatives of these faiths, whose familiarity with the doctrines of the Christian Seriptures startles him. 'fhere are also those amongst them who have become familiar with most of what has been urged against the teach- . ings of the Bible by skeptics of this and earlier ages. It is amazing how quickly anything which may seem to militate against the authen- ticity or genuineness of any portion of God's Word finds its way to non-Christian lands, and gains utterance from the lips of those who would oppose the message of the preacher in school, or college, or market-place.
The marvelous spread of the knowledge of our English tongue has made it easy for anyone who fancies that he has anything new to say against Christianity, to say it in quarters where it will meet the mIssIOnary. Western agnosticism and all forms of skeptical specula- tion have, in some quarters, encouraged a revolt against the propaga- tion of the Gospel. 'l'he Bradlaughs and Ingeisolls, the Blavatskys and OlcoUs and Besants, together with the Humes aud Voltaire sand Paines of the past, are striving, with an activity scarcely less than that of the Christian missionary, to influence great sections of the non- Christian world.
As illustrating the desirability of the best possible intellectual and educational equipment on the part of those who contemplate entering upon the work of a missionary, I would suggest: 1. Ability to master a strange awl dffficult langua.rJe is of the utmost importance. While a very imperfect acquaintance with a foreign tongne-familiarity with a few words, supplemented by vigorous gesticulation – may enable one to convey something of his thought to the patient and polite Oriental, who is all the while man- fully resisting the temptation to burst forth into laughter, neverthe- less the fact can scarcely be too strongly emphasized that the preacher or teacher of Christian doctrine falls far short of the highest efficiency who is unable to meet, on the common ground o~ familiarity with the speech of the country, those for whom he believes himself to have God's message.
As a rule, those conscious of markt inaptitude in linguistic study would do well to consider whether, after all, they are not called to sen'e Christ on home fields. A well-known missionary, when askt how long a time was required to master the language of the country in which he labored, replied: "Oh! about thirty or forty years." It is a lifetime's work. No person with less than five years' of hard study can speak to the peoples of Oriental lands as he should. True, he may begin to speak the language after a few months; but lle is almost certain frequently to share the experience of the Indian missionary who, after having discoursed for a quarter of an hour to a street audience, using what he believed to be intelligible Hindustani, was discomfited by the respectful request that he speak Hindustani, as they were not familiar with English.
Imagine a foreigner taking his stand in the market-place of one of our great American cities to preach to a waiting crowd the <1octrines of a strange religion. He hesitates, stammers, violates every rule of English grammar and idiom, and brings good old words into new alJd strange and ludicrous positions. Think of the effect UpOll his audience and of the inevitable and pitiable failure to secure for llis message the candid consideration of even the most thoughtful and earnest of the people. Something quite as ludicrous and sad as this characterizes every attempt of the missionary who fails to use, and to use well, the speech of the people amongst whom he labors.
2. A fair degree of familiarity 'With the false faiths which we aim, in Christ's name, to undermine and to overthrow, is essential. The mere mastery of a language will not suffice. The spirit or genius of the people must be understood. Their institutions, philosophy, literature, and faith we dare not ignore. These must be studied. There can be no effective and true preaching of the Gospel without such study. To pass rapidly from village to village with the announcement of certain great and precious truths, but which the inhabitants fail to undcrstand, because the preacher is unable to appreciate their attitude of mind and spirit, this, I protest, is not preaching the Gospel effectively or in such a way as to discharge our responsibility.
We must know the main currents of thought in order that we may bring the truths of the Bible to bear upon them. Pantheism, polytheism, atheism, idealism, fetishism, materialism, ill their baldest and in their subtlest forms, have to be met. Representatives of onc or, it may be, of ~ll of these, are before the preacher as he stands to deliver the formal discourse, or sits amidst the little group to talk to them of Christ. Power to understand and appreciate in very considerable measure the workings of those minds, imbued as they are with ideas which are thc product of the thinking of many generations of thinking people, is an indispelll:;able condition of real efficiency. A Hindu was beard to express himself thus: "It is an insult to our intelligence that a man should preach to us, and expect llS to accept his religion, when hc himself is unable to give allY red reason f0r supposing our religion to be inferior to his own, since he knows of our religion nothing at all."
3. Ability to reason intelligently with o~iectors, who are often honestly troubled over some of the great mysteries of OClr blessed faith, is another important qualification. Questions of the most tremendous import are often fairly hurled, one after the other, upon the missionary. For example: "Who died upon the cross? Was it God or was it man? If he was God, why did he cry out and say, 'My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?' If he was man, how can we suppose that a man's death could atone for the sin of a whole world full of men? "
"Explain to me, please, the doctrine of the Trinity." "You say that the doctrine of the transmigration of the soul is not true. Will you give me any argument, outside the Christian Scriptures, to prove your position? " "Some of the greatest of the Christians say that a part of the Bible is not God's wOJ.d. "Vhich part is that, and how do you know that the remainder is inspired? " "Will you give me any reason for believing that there is a state of conscious existence after death? Of course, I want a reason outside the Bible, for that book is not with me an authority."
These are but typical of a host of the keenest inquiries which meet the missionary at every turn. No sophistry will be accepted were the preacher so foolish or so wicked as to descend to that. In some countries at least he is in constant contact with a people who can detect a flaw in an argument as readily, and who appreciate candor in discussion as highly as oursehes. Objections of every conceivable type are placed before the missionary, and if he fail to give reasonable answers to reasonable questions, it would seem wiser not to have assumed the part of a teacher, since his failure must result in almost incalculable injury to the cause which he represents.
4. Regarding the great fundamental truths qf Ohristianity, the young missionary should have definite, settled views. 'Ve can not afford to export doubt to foreign countries. Those lands have enough, and more than enough, religious speculation of their own. Faith and a system of vital truth, as opposed to doubt and profitless speculation, must be the su bstance of our message. In a very real sense must the messenger speak that which he knows, and testify of those things which he has seen. Ii it be otherwise, how pitiable is his blind attempt to lead the blind!
Missionaries should, therefore, as a rule, be thoroughly educated men and women. The best natural gifts disciplined and rlevelopt by the training of years are in demand. Let there be 110 short cuts to the mission-field. Seven years of literary and theological training seem long to those whose hearts are throbbing with enthusiasm for Ohrist, and who contemplate with horror the rapid rate at which the unevangelized millions are passing into eternitj without having heard of the world's Savior; but they must be content to wait while God is fashioning them into workmen who need not to be ashamed. Every truth mastered now will count for something by and by.
THE PRACTICAL PREPARATION OF THE MISSIONARY is, perhaps, of but little less importance than adequate intellectual eqlli pment. You are proposing to engage in spiritual work abroad. Have you ever tested your powers oJ, home? Much of your life is to be spent in personal dealing with individuals, in striving to guide men to a point where they will recognize their need of a Savior, and in pointing them to Christ as the great Physician. I believe that skill in thus dealing with men is rarely, if ever, born with ns, but is a distinct attainment. Experience in practical Christian work, in the teaching of God's IVord, personal contact with those who need help and guidance-here is a training-school for the missionary second in importance and faithfulness to no other. All would doubtless deprecate the sending forth of a missionary who himself has had no definite experience of the power of Christ to transform a human life. Second only to personal experience is the ability to guide others over the path which we have trod. The great work of life is to be that of winning souls for Christ. Those who do not succeed in showing some aptitude for this in their own country, give little promise of better success in a strange land.
The value of tactfulness in dealing with men is everywhere obvious. In treating with peoples of national or racial tastes, habits, and affinities other than onr own, practical common sense is mightily effective. One's own countrymen may overlook and forgive the most pronounced idiosyncrasy or failure to adopt oneself to special conditions. In foreign lands such lack of adaptability often stands as a barrier between the Christian and thoee whom he longs to influence.
The Church has arrived at a crisis in the progress of her work among the nations. A new condition is before her. She prayed long years for open doors and for increase in the number of workers who would enter those which were open. This missionary century is nearly gone, and lands long closed have beel! freed from every obstacle. Men and women now stand, only waiting to be sent. The fields are white, the harvest is waiting, the reapers are ready; what hilltlers? 'fhe bour has struck, but the Church is not on time. I have the confidence that the Church will not shrink and falter long. The cry of Peter the Hermit will soon be the cry of the whole Christian Church: "God wills it." – Then, filled with the Holy Spirit and thoroughly equipt for the work, larger llum bers of onr choicest men and women will go forth and carry to every dark corner of this great world the kllowledge of the world's Savior.
HINDRANCES TO INTEREST IN MISSIONS
H.-MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT.
HINDRANCES TO INTEREST IN MISSIONS. * REV. R. WARDLAW THOMPSON. Foreign Secretary of the London Missionary Society.
During the past one hundred years there has been a very markt change in the attitude of the Christian Church toward the great mis- sionaryenterprise. At the end of the last century, the idea of missions to the heathen was regarded only as the peculiar possession of a company of well-meaning but fanatical and foolish enthusiasts. The majority of the members of the various religious communions disapproved of the movement, and their disbelief found expression through very distin- guisht channels. To-day the dream of the enthusiasts is the creed of the Church, and organized missionary effort is a markt feature in every section of the Christian community. This is a change which speaks vol- umes for the advance of Christian life among us, and should be thank- fully accepted as an answer to the pessimism which seems inevitable in the declining years of a century which has seen the birth and progress of many movements, and which has now almost exhausted its vitality.
At the same time it is only too evident that while missions to the heathen have been accepted by the Church of Christ as one of its greatest honors and most pressing duties, the individual members of the churches are not yet all equally alive to the pressing nature of the obligation, or to their personal duty and privilege in connection with it. On the contrary, there is a very large amount of apathy still to be overcome, and there are many who on various grounds hold aloof from any share in this work.
The causes which are operating in many quarters to produce disbelief in missions to the heathen, or at least to make men lukewarm about them, are not obscure.
I. There is the mischievous ignorance of our universal knowledge. The world is so open, and the habit of travel and settlement in every country of the globe has become so common, that multitudes take holiday trips to Africa, India, China, and even to the distant islands of the sea, and multitudes settle do,vn in the midst of non-Christian peoples of the world for the purposes of trade. It is true that the traders live, as a rule, almost entirely apart from the natives of the lands to which they go; that in most cases they come in contact with them only for business purposes and in the most limited way; that in the East, especially, they know very little of their language; and that almost invariably they regard exact inquiry into their beliefs, their morals, and their social relations as being altogether outside the region of their int8rest or duty. It is true also, that the traveler, passing r'tpidly through a country and unable to speak its language, gets only a superficial view of the life of the people, and consorts entirely with the little communities of his own countrymen. But despite such disabilities, not to mention others, the traveler and the trader freely express their opinion with the fearless confidence of our race. They assure people that missions are a failure. and many believe them without question.
II. There has been a silent but very serious change of opinion in many quarters, which has necessitated looking at the whole question of lUii'?- • Reprinted from The Student Volunteer (British).
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
siom; from a new point of view, and this has in many cases produced a suspicion of the real value of mission work, even where there is not an avowed disbelief in the Expediency and duty of sending tho Gospel to the heathen. 'Vhen canons of the Church are found prepared to argue that Mohammedanism is better suited than Chrl'stianity to meet the spiritual requirements of races in Africa who are in a low stage of development, it is not altogether surprising that many others should doubt the propriety of sending the Gospel to such people. The belief in the necessity for individual conversion to God result,ing from conviction and repentance of sin, and from the revelation of God's grace in Christ through the Holy Spirit, has in many quarters apparently slipt into the background, if it has not been utterly discarded. ,,-here this is the case, enthusiasm for missions can not fail to suffer.
III. Perhaps the most distinctly prevalpnt form of objection to missions is to be found in the unsettled state of men's minds on the subject of the future state. In the early dnys of modern missions the appeals of missionnry sermons and speeches were frequently occupied with descriptions of the appalling spectacle of the myriads who die without the Gospel in heathen Innds, nnd who were pnssing away to perdition unsaved nnd hopeless. The pendulum of opinion has swung far in the other direction in more recent years. Geninl optimism has so far affected men's minds that their interest in the salvation of the world seems to hnve died nway. They ask, "Vhy increase men's responsibility by preaching to them a Gospel which every prepossession and influence of past habit leads them to resent nnd reject? ,Vhy not leave them to the slower yet certnin process of natural development, resting assured that God's great purpose of snlvation will assuredly be fulfilled in His own time and wny ?"
THE ANSWER TO OB.TECTIONS.
To my mind, the simplest and most complete answer to nIl such objections is in the plain stntement of facts. Knowledge of the facts of mission history is quite sufficient to remove nIl doubt about the success of missions.
1. The story of what the Gospel has actually nccomplisht in Greenland, in the West Indies, among the many groups of the South Sea Isinnds, and in Mndagasear, is full of wonders. But the results already achieved in the great lands of the Enst, tho not so conspicuous as those of the simpler fields, are renlly more remarknble, when the conditions under which the work has been carried on nre realized. This hns also been admitted by the people themselves in many vigorous efforts to counternct it.
II. Again the facts of the history of nations and races show how hopeless is the dream of the evolution by nntural processes into n condition of permnnent and perfect life. That the course of human life is under the control of Inw is llnmistaknbly evident, but that Inw is the Inw of progression to mnturity and then decay. Nay, more, the very factors in the chnrncter of the race which nt one period in their history are n source of strength and progress, become inevitnbly the menns of their decny after they have nchieved their growth. The only thing which can nrrest the naturnl process of decny, and make life permanently young and vigorous, is the incoming nnd influence of some moral or spiritual principle. It will surely not be disputed that there is not, nor hns there ever been, a spiritunl principle or influence known to the world, at once so elevated,
BUDDHISM AT HOME AND ABROAD
so simple, so universally effective, as that contained in the Christian revelation. The evidences which may be drawn from themission-field of the results of the incoming of Christianity to conserve and to renew are very numerous and very impressive.
III. Once more, the facts of individual life suffice very speedily to prove, that if the gracious saviug and renewing influences of the Gospel are to prove effectual, it can only be as the result of the conscious action of the individual will. Christian education, Christian environment, Christian influence, constantly sustained, will not suffice to make a man a new creature in Christ Jesus, unless he repents of sin, and seeks and accepts the grace of God in Christ, and yields to the influence of the Divine Spirit.
IV. Lastly, the effects of the world's present moral condition show such lamentable evidence of the working out of the stern law of deterioration and death, that theories of the future state are cast in the shade by the urgency of the need of present regeneration. One thing is clear: God is dishonored here and now by man's sin, and the sin of man is daily leading him further from God, and light, and goodness, each sinner destroying much good and making the path of virtue and godliness more difficult for his neigJ:1bors. Christian work becomes, therefore, not a question affecting the future condition of the world and its future relation to God, so much as its present urgent need. If you would have fountains of human life cleansed, if you would have the peoples of the world delivered from the horrible bondage of present corruption, if you would have God glorified in His works, opinions as to the law of God's dealing with men hereafter will have to be subordinated to the duty of taking the Gospel to them here and now. The world is dying in its sin, and only the Gospel of God's grace in Christ can bring to this dying world a healing and vitalizing force sufficient to arrest decay and bring humanity back to the Divine ideal.
BUDDHISM AT HOME AND ABROAD.
American and Asiatic Buddhism may seem much the same in theory, when expounded by skillful apologetes, but the real character and practical results of the doctrines can only be fully seen and studied where they have had full sway for centuries. There the fruits which reveal the true nature of the tree indicate that it is impotent to produce pure, unselfish, and powerful character, however much of truth there may be in it. A correspondent of the New York Sun thus writes, in part, of Buddhism as seen in Ceylon: People who are trying to foist Buddhism on us in the West, are like the bla.se Roman patricians of the middle empire, who went daft over the Syrian sun cultus, and the jaded French noblesse running after the mesmerist Cagliostro, in the latter days of the ancient regime. A trip to Kandy would do them good. In the vestibule of the Kandy templethe center of Buddhism-is a series of painted panels representing the condemned in the Buddhist inferno. 'Voman, as the child bearer and perpetuatrix thereby of human woe, is the chief sufferer. She is cut with knives and axes, sawn asunder, immersed in billows of flame, transfixt on stakes, crucified, torn to pieces by foul birds, eaten of reptiles. Yet there are in London, Berlin, and elsewhere societies composed almost entirely of women for the study and the propagation of the very creed which treats them with such distinguisht consideration.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
When the Buddhist fad was preternaturally active in Boston some years ago, men and women boasting their enlightenment, and scorning effete theologies, could be seen by the hour poring over the Dhammapada and the Vinaya Pitaka. The run in the library for Max Muller's translations and for Sir Edw'in Arnold's versions of Indian poems was unprecedented. Not to know who Siddarta ~as, or what the Bhagavadgita taught, or what the Tibetan mystery of Buddha reincarnate signified, meant social ostracism. Every now and then you would see in the horse-cars pale-faced spectacled youths studying hard on Sanscrit grammars. In ~hort, Buddhism was in the air; Oriental religion was epidemic, and who might be the next victim of the contagion it was impossible to foretell.
An elderly lady, wealthy, socially prominent, and of large literary attainment, was one of the first to fall under the spell. She was so affected by the claims and injunctions of the new belief, and so convinced of the need of a pure and unadulterated Buddhism, that she determined to import from India a learned pundit who should instruct her and her friends in the esoteric mysteries of Asia. Extensive alterations were ordered in the rear of her house, and in due time a sanctum was built, which would have done honor to Agra. Wednesdays and Saturdays were the appointed days of meeting. If you had strayed into these sacred precincts on these occasions, you would have seen a tall, darkfaced Hindu, with an immense shock of hair, holding forth to a cotery of fifteen or twenty ladies, who listened with raptattention to every syllable falling from his lips. You might have said that the discourse was rhapsodical, incoherent, even nonsensical at times. But never mind; you are not initiated. The point of view from which one looks at these things affects one's judgment very seriously.
Now we all agree that religion is not for Sundays alone; and we confess with shame that so often among us Christians piety is laid aside on Monday morning. Not so with our Buddhist friend. The new creed was to permeate daily life with its peculiar vigor. J<Jverywhere and in everything it was to receive recognition. On a certain occasion, therefore, when Mrs. -_. was to give a reception, she decided to show her colors. On the invitations, in the right-hand corner, was engraved the complete symbology of Buddhism, the mystic syllable "Om," the serpents encircling the globe, and much more, which my own slight knowledge of the East could not interpret. Several hundred invitations with the enigmatic characters were sent out, one of which haJ1pened to fall into the writer's hands. Curious to know the entire significance of the hieroglyph, I handed it to a friend born in India, versed in the lore of Indian mysticism, reading Sanscrit as English. Vhat was my surprise and horror to learn that the apparently innocent engraving stood for immoralities which would bring the blush of shame to any modest person's face.
Fortunately the Buddhist fad has to a great degree subsided in America, and is not likely to reappear in force.
Rev. William Upcraft writes from Rangoon, Burma, of the "Concrete Buddhism," as seen in its practical outcome as contrasted with its theoretical teachings as to purity and unselfishness exploited in Occidental circles. He says; Adult Buddhism is in urgent need of strong remedies for internal maladies, rather than the mild exitement of fitful adulation in select circles in
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY IN MALAYSIA
the Occident. Buddhism needs to be rescued from idolatry and its associated evils. Like a nightmare this fearful system sits upon the people, feeding itself on the superstition originated by its own hand. Ability to people this world with malignant spirits, and the world to come with unspeakable horrors, release from which can only be found through priestly office, is a condition from which Buddhism needs to be rescued. From polyandry and the moral obtuseness implied in that condition, from polygamy and the oppression of woman involved in such relations, a like rescue is desirable. From the narrowness of mind, the darkness of heart, and moral inertia in which lying has become a habit, the tolerance of its followers a cloak for the defects of its priesthood, and the temple courts the resorts of gamblers and opium-smokers, Buddhism urgently needs a rescue.
'Vhere is the Buddhist conscience in respect to the illtreatment of animals? Across the hills in Western China one meets with long trains of pack animals, whose raw and fretted backs are a source of constant pain to the creatures, and shame to the men who can stand by ill criminal indifference to the suffering from which the burden bearers find no relief because there is no voice to plead for them. Why is Buddha dumb?
The condition of the women, too, in this land is not a poem. There are evils so well known that recitation of them is wearisome, and it has been reserved for white women from across the seas to voice the need and find a remedy. Again, why is Buddha dumb? There are starving thousands, there are weak and crippled tens of thousands, and crowds of others just as needy to be found in the swarming cities and hamlets of China- and Buddha has been silent save in the drawing-rooms of the West.
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY IN MALAYSIA.
An important statement concerning" The Spread of Islam in the Dutch Indies" appears in a recent number of the Malaysia Message, laying on the Dutch government much of the responsibility for the gathering of converts for the Crescent in their colonies. The report says in part: By far the greater part of the ground Mohammedanism holds at present in the Indian Archipelago it has gained since the Dutch took possession of those regions. In Sumatra, it is true, Achin and Menangkabau had become .Mohammedan before that time, and thence Islam had found its waS to Java; but on both these islands the majority of the people were still heathen when the Dutch took possession of them, and to the islands of Borneo and Celebes Mohammedanism has crept in the time of the Dutch government. At present on Java almost the whole population is Mohammedan, at least in name; a great deal of heathenism still being concealed under the surface. In Sumatra about one-fourth are still heathen. In Borneo and in the Celebes perhaps one-half-but wherever in Dutch India a heathen population is in contact with Mohammedans, Mohammedanism is advancing steadily. Even the official government reports state the progress of Mohammedanism in the Battak country and Telambang, in Sumatra, in West and Southeast Borneo, in Menado, Celebes, and in Ternate, Tidore, Bachan, and several other places.
That it is really the Dutch government itself which spreads and forwards Mohammedanism is clearly shown in the Battak country in Suma-
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
tra. The people of the Battakland have been for centuries not only in contact with the Mohammedan Malays, but several times they have been attackt, and a large portion of their land has been quite desolated by the Malays, in order to win the Battaks for Islam. But all was in vain; the Battaks kept firmly to their heathen creed until, about forty years ago, they became subjects of the Dutch government. Now almost the whole of them, as far as the Dutch government extends, have become Mohammedan, whilst hardly a Mohammedan is to be found beyond the borders of the colony. The Mohammedans of Sumatra themselves believe that Allah has given the rule to the Dutch in order that all heathen nations may be made Mohammedan. Many heathen in Sumatra are quite amazed when told that the Dutch are not Mohammedans; so much is the Dutch government and Mohammedanism one and the same thing to them.* The Dutch can not live in Malaysia without a Mohammedan appendix of lower officers, as clerks, policemen, interpreters, and tradesmen. The Malay language being (outside Java) the language of the government, and being spoken by Mohammedans only, is one of the most powerful agents of Mohammedanism. ",Vherever the Dutch government is establisht, everybody that has anything to do with it, either in court or trade, is compelled to learn the Malay language, and very seldom any one has learnt Malay without becoming Mohammedan at the same time. Very soon, therefore, all the native men of influence, become Mohammedans, and then before long the other people follow them. There are few Mohammedan missionaries in Malaysia, but the Moslems, being zealous in fulfilling their religious duties, and very ardent to propagate their creed, all of them do the work of missionaries, especially the so-called hadjis, whose number increases year by year, on account of the passage to Mecca by steamer being now very cheap and easy. In 1875 there were no less than 5,600 hadjis (pilgrims) from Malaysia.
In corroboration of and in contrast to this is an article in North Africa, by Dr. A. Schreiber, Sec. of the Rhenish Mission, describing work among the Mohammedans of Sumatra. He says in part: In Sumatra the Battak people surrounded by two fanatical Mohammedan nations, the Achinese and the Malays, were almost sure to be swallowed up by them, But things have altered veryomuch since the work of Christian missions was begun among the Battaks about forty years ago. This was done under especially favorable circumstances. There had been a very fanatical sect among the Mohammedans of the Bovenlande of Padang, called the Padries, who had driven the Malays into the holy war against all their heathen neighbors, especially against the Battaks, whose country was laid waste and depopulated to an enormous extent. For this reason some of the Battaks askt for Christian teaching, and welcomed the missionaries when they began their work among the Battaks of Angkola and Sipirok.
I t soon became clear that the heathen belief could by no means stand against the double attack of Islam and the Christian faith; it was giving way very quickly as far as the influence of the Dutch government reacht. In some districts heathenism disappeared in a few years. But by far the greater part decided for Islam and not for the Gospel. What all the * The Dutch may not wilfully propagate Mohammedanism, tho there are some infatuated men among them who, blinded by their hatred against Christianity, really and openly wish good speed to the Crescent.
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY IN MALAYSIA
fanaticism of the Padries had been unable to do was done by the steady influence of the Dutch government.
The missionaries wisely preferred to begin their work as far as pos- sible in those parts of the land where the Dutch government had not yet come, and where the people were still heathen. The result has justified their doing so, since they have been enabled to Christianize one very im- portant region, the valley of Silindung, with a population of about 15,000 souls. In other parts of the country, where they had to work under the influence of the Dutch government, they found the increase of Islam too strong for them, and only a small portion of the population accepted the Gospel.
For almost thp first thirty years everyone that embraced the Mohammedan faith was considered lost to Christianity, altho there had been exceptional cases ip which converts had been won from Islam. But during the last few years things have altered very much in this respect; I do not know if there is any other part of the mission field, with the exception of some parts of Java, where at present such large numbers of Mohammedans have been won for Christ, as among the Battaks of Sumatra.
Several causes have workt together to bring about this happy change. It made a deep impression upon the whole people, that the entire valley of Silindung became Christian, where till recently the only change in religious matters had been their conversion to Islam. But perhaps the behavior of the Christian Battaks, living in the midst of the Mohammedans, has had a still greater influence. The people had been accustomed to have all the same religion, and when most of them had embraced Islam, and only a small portion had become Ohristians, it was quite natural that the Mohammedans considered it their duty to do all in t.heir power to win the Christians over to their faith. They expected with certainty, that the Christians could not withstand their endeavors, because they had all the important chiefs, who are at the same time the judges, on their side in the struggle. But after a time they found that the Christians, however small their number, stood their ground, and showed not the slightest inclination to change their religion for Islam; nay, even more, they were obliged to confess that the Christians knew a great deal more about their new faith than they did themselves, because Battak Mohammedans do not understand Arabic, and get a very poor religious nourishment out of the Arabic Koran. Besides, it must be difficult for a people that were accustomed to pray in their own mother tongue to their former gods, to be compelled, as Mohammedans, to pray in a quite unknown and unintelligible tongue, not knowing the meaning of what they say. The Christians were much better off, being allowed to pray in their own language.
During the last five or six years a great number of Mohammedans have exprest their wish to become Christians, and have come under the instruction of the missionaries and their native helpers. Theirnurnbel' amounted every year to several hundreds, and at present there are more than 500 of them under the care of the Rev. Schutz, of Bungabondar. Nor is that all. 'There is a vast tract of country east of Sapirok, stretching to the Straits of Malacca, called the Padang Bolak (" the wide lowland "), which I had considered as wholly lost and gone over to Islam. But I thought it well to make at least a trial, and to send a native evangelist, Markus Siregar, to visit the district, and to preach
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
the Gospel in all the scattered villages and the valleys of the Padang Bolak. This he did for several years with great zeal and perseverance, and altho he encountered much resistance from the "hadjis" (Mecca pilgrims), he found many willing ears to listen to what he told them. Thus we were encouraged to send a European missionary there, and the Rev. Irle went in 1888, and settled in a place called Sipiongot. He had for his assistants four trained native teachers and evangelists, among them Markus. Mr. Irle has been cautious in receiving people into the church, keeping them generally for several years under instruction, before he baptizes them; but, notwithstanding, he had at the end of 1894, 338 baptized, and more than 500 that wished to be, by far the greater part of whom had been formerly Mohammedans. These people are scattered over a very wide area, and are living in a great number of villages. In some of the villages, where formerly Islam was predominant, it has been expelled altogether, so that the hadjis and the Moslems have disappeared.
There are two peculiar yet hopeful signs for the future of this work. There has been a very great number of the chiefs that have embraced Christianity, among them some of the very first men in the country; and besides, new calls for the Gospel are constantly coming from distant parts of the country, so that the missionary says he ought to have at least twice as many assistants, in order to be able to supply all the wants of his district.
The greatest struggle in our Battak mission is now going on round Lake Toba, where we have planted ten mission stations within the last fifteen years, among a popUlation of about 150,000 souls, almost all still heathen, with only a few that have become Mohammedans during their stay in Delhi or Assahan, on the east coast of Sumatra. Altho the country is n<;rw under Dutch rule and influence, we hope that by far the greater part of that vast popUlation will be won for Christ. Altogether we have (1896) at work now among the Battaks twenty-four European missionaries, besides five single ladies, and more than 150 native trained assistants, of whom nineteen are ordained. The number of our Battak Christians amounts to 31,000, besides 6,600 adherents.
MEDICAL MISSIONS TO THE AFGHANS.* BY T. L. PENNELL, M.D., BANNER, PUNJAB, INDIA.
Afghanistan is one of those benighted countries where the herald of the Gospel has hitherto found his entrance barred. As far as we know, the Gospel has never been publicly proclaimed within its borders. True, some thirty-five years ago the clergyman and traveler Wolfe visited Cabul and preacht in the Armenian church there, and some fifteen years ago the native pastor of Peshawar visited the same place and ministered for a few days to the few Armenian Christians in the city; but since then harder times have come, and the Armenians, tho able to get work under the amiI', and free from persecution so long as they keep quiet, yet are unable to conduct public worship, and their small church has been destroyed.
The present amir is an astute ruler, and thoroughly comprehends * Condenst from Mercy and Truth.
1898·1 MEDtcAL MISSIONS TO THE AFGHANS
the character of the people whom he has to govern, and to what an extent they are ruled by blind religious passion; and, tho probably himself broad-minded and caring more for the affairs and pleasures of the world than the arguments and phantasies of his religion, yet he realizes the necessity of appearing a devout Moslem in the public eye, and visits with no slight punishment any tendency toward heresy or schism from the state religion. There is little reason to suppose that a convert in Afghanistan would be able to make his change of religion known and yet save his life.
The priesthood in Afghanistan are almost the only people in the country possest of any learning, and have been accustomed from countless generations to be the trm;ted advisers of chiefs and people in matters temporal as well as spiritual. They have thus attained 11 tremendous influence, and would scarcely favor any leanings toward a new religion, which would take away their livelihood and their name. Thus these priests, or mullahs, are nearly everywhere our most bitter and rancorous opponents, and not infrequently succeed in stirring up enmity against us and our work where the people were originally and naturally friendly disposed.
Another prominent feature of the people is their division into tribes, which are constantly at war with each other. It has been aptly said that the Afghans are never at peace except when they are at war, for in the face of a common enemy or invader the tribal feuds are dropt, and the bitterest of foes fight shoulder to shoulder till the common danger is averted. Then they again, with unquencht avidity, take up the cudgels against each other.
Nor does this strife end at the tribe, for within that tribe, as in Israel of old, are many distinct families or sections, each with its own grievances and bloodscore against its neighbor; and within the family too often the house is divided against the house, and a man's foes are those of his own household. I have frequently been in a village where my host could not accompany me at night to a different section of the same village, but at every few streets it has been necessary to take a new guide resident in that neighborhood, as all regard a man of a different part of the same village, visiting their street at night, as necessarily doing so for sinister purposes. Only a few days ago I was visited by an influential priest from over the border, and, in addition to the Koran under his arm, he had his rifle and a well-filled cartridge belt, a revolver in his waistband, and a short sword dangling by his side; and when I remarkt on the incongruity of his accoutrement, he said, "Oh, but these things are necessary in our country; there are few houses here which have not their own blood feud."
It can be well understood what an advantage a medical mission has among these people over any other, and no more forcible proof could be given of it than a visit to our hospital. Afghanistan is entirely devoid of anything worthy of the name of surgical or medical treatment, and consequently the area from which we draw our patients has practically no boundary whatever on Ule west; and we may say with thankfulness to God that the mission hospital is a household word in nearly every village and hamlet for a hundred miles around.
The only check on the numbers coming to us is the obligation under which they are laid of listening to the preaching of the Gospel which precedes the giving of medicine, an unwelcome obligation which undoubt-
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
edly largely keeps down the number of those availing themselves of medical relief. Still the daily number of out-patients is seldom below a hundred, and frequently rises to nearly two hundred, and often the worst cases are brought from the more distant parts of the district~ We have gradually increast our beds, till now we have thirty-one, yet not only are these all full with (mostly) operation cases, but many others, urgently requiring in-patient treatment, are kept outside. lYe feel the want of trained nU,1'ses most acutely; most of the patients have either brother or father or wife to attend them, and he or she will sleep on the floor beside the bed of their sick relation, and attend to their wants in a rough but kindly way; but the greasy garments and long unwashen skin of this dilettante nurse send many a misgiving to the heart of the surgeon, especially when he is seen to have bound some very old and dirty rags from his own person round the dressings of an aseptic joint case to make it lie more softly. Yet to dispense with these willing but uncouth, unwashen, and often blundering helpers is quite impossible, as most of the patients would refuse to stop without their friends to care for and guard them.
The same ward illustrates the geographical extent of our work, for six men come from five different tribes, and beyond the British border they could not come into such intimate contact without carrying out designs on each other's lives and effects. When they return to their homes far and neal', they will recount to their fellow-villagers, not only the benefits, the health, the kindness, received in the hospital, but a more or less intelligible account of the Gospel they have heard preacht during their time of sickness; and Christianity, instead of being associated in the minds of the hearers with heresy and strife, will be lookt on as the motive of the love displayed on them, and prejudices will first be mitigated, then softened, and finally dispelled before the purity of Christian light and love. Thus many a time has it been our experience that the presence of an old in-patient has made all the difference in the reception we have received at a village; instead of being turned away or warned off with angry looks or blank defiance, we have been welcomed as their friends, and all the Gospel we have spoken has been received with respect and attention.
The area of Afghanistan is about 20,000 square miles, and its population numbers about four million. At present the only means of reaching them is by medical missions on the border, and by the distribution of portions of the Bible and tracts which have been translated into Pashtu or Afghani. Abdul' Rahman, the present amiI', holds an important strategic position as ruler of the mountainous country lying between Russian Turkestan and the northwestern frontier of India. He is also a man of iufluence in the Mohammedan world, and his attitude in the Indian frontier wars has been of no small im.portance.
As a race the Afghans are handsome and athletic, often with fair complexion and flowing beard. They are brave and warlike, hardy and lawless. While apparently frank and generous, they are really unscrupulous, treacherous, passionate, and cruel. Sohriety and hardiness characterize the people as a whole, but deep and degrading debauchery too often marks the upper classes. Sir H. Edwardes sums up their charact,er by saying, "Nothing is finer than their physique or worse than their nlorals." IlI.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Uprising of Student Volunteers. service, so that fifteen years ago not only the supply of agents for It is not onr intention to givc a foreign service was limited and report of the Third International haphazard, but the call for men Convention of the Student Volun- was spasmodic, and generally on teer Movement for Foreign Mis- very short notice. There were no sions, but rather to review the conditions that turned the minds movement in the light of the addi- of young men and women just tional information and inspiration entering upon their life-work to of that assembly. It is scarcely the foreign mission service, nor was necessary even to outline its history there any security of ultiluate emand present status. ployment in it if they did considel' it, for there was little law of selec- 'Vhen, a century ago, 'Villiam tion by the societies beyond a sort Carey said his "business was mis- of "catch-as-catch-can," within a sions," and he "carried on shoe- few months, as the demand arose. making to pay expenses," the high- This slipshod manner of securing way to the mission fields was not agents left the societies often withyet cast up, and the fields them- out the men when needed, and not selves were not so much as mapped infrequently compelled them to out. But within the century, prac- take those of poorer furnishing tically speaking, the whole world than the case required. was thrown open to the missionary enterprise. The Church's prayer It is a remarkable fact that the for open doors was answered. attempt to regulate this entire sup- ply, and to initiate any system on Two problems, at the close of the which it could be operated, did not first century of foreign missionary arise either in the missionary 0]'- effort, faced the Church: where to ganizations as such, nor in the colfind the men and where to find the leges and theological seminaries,. money to develop these great provi- nor within any establisht ecclesiasdentialopportunities. 'Vark abroad tical organizations, but like the had grown into great dimensions, missionary movement under Carey which demanded a far larger force and that under Judson and his asof missionaries than was forthcom- sociates, was inaugurated by indiing. Two causes among others viduals at :1t. Hermon, ]fass., in superinduced the lack of agents. the summer of 1886, and was not (1.) For some decades the Christian organized till 1888, since when it world had experienced unwonted has been known as the Student development of commercial and V olunteer Movement for Foreign other enterprises, and the oppor- Missions. It is distinctively a mistunities for the accumulation of sionary society, finding its field wealth attracted the most promis- among the Christian students of ing of the youth of the land, so the higher institutions of learning, that candidates even for the minis- among whom it seeks to create and try were found in insufficient num- maintain an intelligent and active bers from the best-trained grad- interest in foreign missions, to enuates of the institutions of learn- roll a sufficient number of students ing. (2.) The Church had not sys- who may volunteer for service to tematically set itself to the special meet the demands of the missionary training of men for foreign mission boards, to aid such intending mis- augmented the supply quite beyond sionaries to prepare for foreign ser- the demand of the missionary so- vice, and yet further to awaken and cieties, while before the supply was deepen the sense of responsibility not equal to the demand. of all other Christians toward foreign missions. The activity of the officers of the society as recruiting agents was Its field is definite, its object is naturally open to the charge that definite. Its results have been they pointed a way which they markt. Ithastouchteight hundred themselves did not go. That could, and thirty-nine of the institutions at any time, scarcely have been of learning, and enrolls at the more than a cavil, but even the present time about four thousand cavil has been abundantly met in men and women who purpose to the statement that of twenty-six enter foreign missionary service different volunteers who have been if permitted by their providential traveling secretaries or members of opportunity. Not all of these will the executive committee within its go abroad; some will be let by Provi- history, including those now in dence. Not all would be accepted office, fourteen have sailed for forby the boards, but the number of eign fields, four are under appointstudents who are expecting to be- ment to sail within eight months, come missionaries now in the col- and three have applied to the leges is five times as great, and in boards and are temporarily emthe seminaries is over two times as ployed by these boards at home, great as it was before the move- and the remaining five are still prement start,ed. It does not follow, paring themselves for foreign serof course, that the whole of this in- vice. crease of perwnal candidacy is to be attributed to this movement, Besides increasing the number of but the larger part of it doubtless is. candidates from which the boards Of those who have been enrolled on might select, there is no doubt this the list of Volunteers by this move- movement is entitled to credit for an ment at the close of the year 1897, improvement in the average quality 1,173 are known to have gone to the of missionary applicants, through mission field under the direction of the introduction among the stuforty-six missionary societies, em- dents of classes for systematic ployed in fifty-three countries in study of missions, which have various parts of the world. grown within four years from thirty to 267, having a present eu- It would be impossible to make rolhnent of 2,361 students; the placsuch analysis as would show what ing of $20,000 worth of missionary number of missionaries would have literature in these institutions, bebeen drawn from these institutions sides which there has been a trainwithin the same ten years irrespec- ing in giving, which has augmented tive of this movement. The growth the miSSionary contributions in the of the demands of the foreign mis- colleges and seminaries from $5,000 sions for men and women and other to $40,000. What the influence has collateral causes, would doubtless been on those who have gon,e out have made the number larger than from these institutions of learning that of any preceding decade; but who remain at home, in giving after all this has been deducted, them an intelligent interest in forthere still is a large residuum at- eign missions, it is impossible to tributable to the activities of this estimate. Altogether the Church organization. It must also be has to face the fact that to-day she borne in mind that this movement has both open doors and a volunteer force of trained recruits, which, closing meeting, sixty-two students if not equal to the opportunities present indicated their expectation abroad, is at least far and away to go to foreign service before the ahead of the financial ability of the year closes; about one-third· of boards to move to the front, and a them were women, 5 were trav- force which can be indefinitely in- eling secretaries of the Volunteer creast by still further aggressive movement, 24 of the number were action of the Movement among 10,- expecting to go to China, 13 to 000 theological students on this con- India, 6 to Africa, 5 to South tinent, 25,000 active members in America, and others to Mexico, the College Young Men's Christian Bulgaria, Arabia, Japan, and Associations, and over 10,000 active Korea. members in the College Young Women's Christian Associations, It may be an open question not more than one in fifteen of whether the greatest good is had whom has yet been brought into re- by so large a convention of stu- lation with this organized effort dents. Might a smaller number, to enroll volunteers or with this more thoroughly sifted, be handled training in mission classes. with a higher degree of ultimate influence, and allow a much larger Of the Third International Con- attendance of the public interested vention there is little need to speak, in missions? Gray's Armory was since it has been so extensively re- crowded to its capacity by the mem- ported through both the secular bers and guests of this convention, and religious press of the country. to the exclusion of multitudes who There were present registered as would have been benefited by the delegates, 1717; college presidents proceedings. On the other hand, and professors, 106; returned mis- there was a splendid influence and sionaries, 89; secretaries of foreign suggestiveness from the great num- missionary boards, 83; representa- bers officially connected with the tives of the religious press and other convention. The secular local press _organizations, 219; making a total gave large circulation in the city of of 2,214 delegates and guests. Such Cleveland to the bulk of good things a body of mature young men and said and done. The Cleveland young women, assembled with such Leader pointed out the apologetic serious purpose, was of itself worth value of such an assembly. It traveling far to see. snift at the suggestion that the Bible is losing its hold upon the Such a vast assembly magnetized educated men and women of the itself, but the mental training of times, "in the presence of this great the schools showed in the self-con- body of young searchers for knowl- trol of the body, even when the edge and wisdom, trying to stand supprest enthusiasm, under the in- in the foremost ranks of the world's spiration of magnetic orators, devotees of learning, filled with the seemed to render it impossible to enthusiasm of youth and subject, avoid an outburst of applause. Not as other men and women of their all of those present, we assume, years, to youth's love of change and were specifically enrolled as volun- friendliness to all that is new and teers, but it would seem difficult untried, standing by the religion of that any should return from that Christ, not as a matter of form, with convention without seriously ask- cold hearts, but as ardent cham- ing what was his individual duty pions of the faith they profess." in regard to enrollment for service. It called attention to the effect such an object lesson must have upon the It was enough to "high-spirit" the Church at large when, at the youth of a country in which educa- may not have created the condition, tion and learning enjoy such pres- but it has hecome a part of their tige as in the United States. It de- environment, as it is an outgrowth clared that the effect must be to of the long and patient, tho irregu- "confirm in their religious princi- lar, development of the missionary ples many wavering believers, to impulse in the churches themselves. shake skeptics, and arouse the in- The movement puts them face to different to the demands of religion, face with a new condition. The when it could thus sway the minds men are wanted abroad; the men and shape the lives of many thou- are ready to go. To turn them back sands of enthusiastic students." It in the face of the storm of energy pointed out, hesides, that the in- out of which they have come to fluence of this Student Movement stand at the door of the missionary in the colleges must be to furnish societies, is not only to fail to meet a strong defense against miscon- emergencies ahroad, but to create a duct and misfortune in the trying new emergency at home. If they days of youth. It said: "Before the are turned back the paralysis of world this great league of students their enthusiasm must needs be in the service of the Christian relig- very great, and the reaction must ion stands as an impressive witness tell on the missionary zeal of the to the power of the Bible and the churches themselves. churches in the institutions of learning, which are often confidently The Student Volunteers stand claimed by skeptics as strongholds ready to do their part in grappling of unbelief." with this problem. It is proposed: 1. That they inaugurate a system The extension of this movement of vacation " campaigning," by into other lands demands special which the enrolled Volunteers shall mention. Within the last nine be systematically directed for the years it has been organized in most spread of missionary intelligence of the countries of western Europe, among the young people's organizain South Africa, in Australasia, tions of the Church, and thus the _ China, India, and Ceylon, not only forces be brought up to the standnational organizations being de- ard-bearers, and not the leaders revelopt, but the incipient organiza- legated back to the forces. It is tion of a 'Vorld's Federation of very easy to see that this scheme Christian Students having been needs the same masterful direction completed. .Mr. Thornton, the dele- that has, up to date, been given to gate from the Student Volunteers every other activity of this Moveof Great Britain, reported that in ment. It must not be done without England they number 1,640, of the cooperation of the local pastors whom 1,000 are making a syste- in every case. It ought not to be matic study of missions in course, done except under some joint cenmore of these Volunteers being tral administration of the missionfound in the medical than in the ary societies and the officers of the theological colleges. movement. Anticipating some infelicities and excrescences, it The Next Problem. seems entirely within the compass of this general leadership to de- There is simply no other way but velop it into at least a temporary that the great missionary force or- subsidiary force for the advocacy ganized and trained, and yet to be of missions. trained through the great Student Volunteer Movement, must be II. It is also proposed that men moved to the front. The churches and women who are deterred from appointment because of the lack of that no part of the same shall be funds, shall seek, among friends got from sources which already supand others, to raise a sum of money ply the current, income of the sociesufficient to place them on the ties. It must be extra and entirely field. supplemental to existing income of the societies. (4.) It is probable that (1.) But no such persons should be a careful oversight of this departallowed to thus solicit aid from ment may require an increase in the their relatives or churches until in administrative force both of the every case they have become ap- movement and of the missionary proved candidates of the society societies; but if it is to go on with into whose field they are to be sent. any considerable momentum, it will (2.) It is equally important that the be absolutely necessary that it come amount of money which is neces- under intelligent and wise direcsary for advancing them to the tion. front shall in each case be well determined. There are demands for In suggesting all this there is not men and women in places where the slightest intention to intimate only enough money to pay for their that the enthusiasm and conoutgoing is needed. In other cases viction out of which the proposal this must be supplemented by has sprung should receive the enough to provide for their housing slightest check. In truth, some of and other contingent expenses. In the missionary societies have alstill other cases even this is not ready, themselves, taken the initiaenough, but the annual cost of tive, and have sought to localize their salary and equipment must the support of missionaries with be provided for. In many cases individual churches, while, in some the placing of a new man on the instances, the candidates themfield involves expenditures for selves have been so situated that school-houses, hospitals, teachers, they could tend€!' their services to preachers, and what not, render- the missionary societies, meeting ing it, on the average, necessary to all of their own personal expenses, furnish an amount equal at least to as is the case with a large number twice that of the personal support ill the service of the Church of of the missionary. Perhaps, from England Missionary Society, and a very rough estimate, it might be with individuals from America now said that the support of a success- scattered over many fields. The ful missionary should not be put Church of England Missionary Sodown at less than $2,000 a year, ciety reports 59 such "honorary" where it is needful to supply the missionaries, besides 19 that are full cost of the work. It can be partly "honorary." It has also 225 readily seen that the integers of missionaries supported by special this sum must vary with the con- gifts from individuals, bands of ditions of the several societies and friends, parishes, and the like. their treasuries, and the endless va- Doubtless among the churches of rietyof the providential niches to America quite a number of "honorbe filled on the several fields. There ary" missionaries could he thus should, ther!!fore, be no loose work, enrolled, especially for a limited by even accepted candidates, in de- term of years. termining what amount of money is necessary to send them forward. III. Still another and, perhaps, (3.) It is also important that all these more radical proposition toward proposed supplemental sums shall mobilizing this force, is that the be raised by methods so restricted societies generally should follow the example of the Church Missionary Society in itself, taking the respons- adopt this policy, certainly it has ibility of leadership in sending these been accompanied with correspond- applicants forward. The principle ing increase in income of the soand the results from its application ciety, as will be seen from the folin the case of the Church Mission- lowing statements of advance by ary Society, was forcibly set forth decades in the March number of the by Mr. Douglas Thornton, secretary Church Missionary Intelligence-r of the Student Volunteer Move- for the current year. In 1887 its ment in Great Britain, who was total income "for use," as stated delegated by them to the conven- by Mr. Thornton, was £207,793; in tion in Cleveland. In the year 1897, it was £297,626; in 1887 (gen- 1887 that society adopted the policy eral), £207,745; 1897, £237,268. The of refusing no candidates on finan- Appropriated [Trust] Funds in 1897 cial grounds. Up to that time it were £59,937; in income from Gleanhad sent out 900 missionaries; in er's Unions advanced from £48 to the ten years since it has added £419; the special funds from £26,- nearly 700 to the roll. Even after 846 to £43,769. This was not availdeducting deaths and retirements, able for ordinary purposes. The the ordained missionaries have in Trust Funds included receipts from ten years increast from 247 to 376; two special funds. the laymen from 40 to 1l0; the women, not including wives, from It would scarcely be fair to attrib- 22 to 244; total from 309 to 730. The ute all this advance to the inspirareport of that society shows aston- tion gained by the adoption of this ishing increase in particular fields "Faith" policy, for it is quite cerwithin the last decade: In West tain that it was seconded by extra- Africa, from II to 44; in Eastern ordinary efforts to increase organ- Equatorial Africa, from 26 to 83; in ized operations in the churches at the Mohammedan lands (Egypt, home. A great and special rally Palestine, and Persia), from 17 to 77; was made to increase the missionin India, from 133 to 244; in China, ary energy of the churches by what from 30 to Ill; in Japan, from 14 to is known as the T. Y. E., or Three 63. The native agency has been cor- Years' Enterprise, which resulted respondingly advanced from bish- in a great advance in the number ops, 1 to 2; clergy, 255 to 341; of missionary unions and bands, agents, male and female, from 3,505 the aggregate advance of which, to 5,319; mission stations, from 260 including 730 Gleaner's Union to 483; mission fields, from 29 to 31. branches, was from 2 unions in The increase in the number of offers 1887 to 894 in 1897. A special correfor service was from 82 in 1887 to sponding cause and result was the 200 in 1897. The acceptances in great increase in the dissemination 1887, 34; in 1897, 156. In 1809 the of information through missionary society enrolled 5 European labor- periodicals. In ten years the ers. It sent out during the next Church Missionary Intell-igencer ten years, 46; the following ten advanced its circulation from 25,- years, 86; the next following, 144; 843 to 48,800; the Gleaner from the next, ll9; the next, 154; the 402,816 to 882,000; the Child1'en's next, 187; and the next (1889), 265. World from 346,272 to 612,000; the In the eight years following they Quarte'rly Pape1' had advanced from sent out 600. In 1889 they enrolled 77,343 to 80,000; A Quarterly Token a force of Europeans on the field of from 751,000 to 874,000. The enor- 310; in 1897 they enrolled 720. mous aggregate of over 3,000,000 copies of periodicals has peen If it required large "faith" to reacht! It appears thus to have been a general advance in faith and The Second Great Requisite. works which justified the continu- ance of this policy. BY THE REV. OHARLES B. OHAPIN, D.D., NEW YORK. While this entire advance is not to be attributed to this zealous There are two great requisites in policy, beca,use it is reasonable to the matter of the evangelization of suppose that some large increase the world. would have been made had no such policy been declared, it must be The first one the Editor-in-chief conceded that a large increment of has been calling attention to in a this advance can be accounted for recent series of articles in THE MIS- only as a result of the adoption of SIONARY REVIEW. Very clearly this policy, tho it is not quite cer- and forcibly has he been pointing tain that the policy has past yet an out, both by precept and illustra- experimental state. tion, the supremely important place the Holy Spirit occupies in Inissions, The challenge is boldly made to and the crying need of the Church the Christian churches to at least to receive more of God's Spirit, that give such a policy a fair trial. If it may become a truly missionary all these men and women of the Church. Student Volunteer forces, as well as those coming from other sources, One is reminded by these articles qualified so as to warrant accep- of an incident told in connection tance of the boards, shall be sent to with Bishop Simpson, of the M. E. the fields, trusting to the churches, Church. Some years ago the bishop and with great faith in God, it is was preaching in Memorial Hall, possible that this plan or policy may London. After speaking for half furnish the solution of what we an hour very quietly, without ges- have designated "The next Prob- ticulation or uplifting of his voice, lem," which is scarcely the next, but he began to picture the Son of God the impending one. 'Ve must go bearing our sins in His own body forward or die in the trenches! on the tree. Then, as if Himself laden with an immeasurable bur- Bishop Dudley's word at the con- den, he stopt, and rising to his full vention is but an oracular utter- height, he seemed to throw it from ance sustained by history: "The him, crying: "How far? As far as principle of foreign missions is the the East is from the West, so far principle that has determined the hath He removed our transgressions course of human history and prog- from us." ress. Every man whom Christ called to be an apostle thought that The effect upon the congregation he had already made other arrange- was electrical. As if moved by an ments for his life-work." Bishop irresistible impulse, all rose, re- Baldwin, of the Province of Onta- mained standing for a second or rio, formulated the spirit of conse- two, and then all sank back into cration for this work in, "God their seats. A professor of elocu- wants the man who has come to the tion, who was present, and who had end of himself," and young Brother come to criticise, was afterward – Volunteer Brockman flung the askt by a friend what he thought of leader's banner to the breeze with the bishop's elocution. the bugle call, "If the Lord calls, and the Boards can not send you, " Elocution?" said he; "that He will raise up someone to provide man doesn't want elocution, he's the means, and, if not, the ravens got the Holy Ghost! " are not all dead yet." Equally true is it of a Church. If it has the Holy Ghost, there will be no need of constant appeals to give, or go, or send. And the Spirit- history of this one great work from filled believer is from the very the times of the apostles until our nature of the case an enthusiast in own. missions. Our third and last proposition re- But there is a second great requi- lates to the manner of increasing site, coming, indeed, after the first, this information. And here the but almost equal to it in impor- writer can speak frOIn some expetance, i.e., information. riE'nce. At the suggestion, he be- lieves, of the Holy Spirit, there ClUlle Dean Vaughan has well said: into his mind a very simple method that for three years has workt so "Know and you will feel. Know well in his own church that he feels and you will pray. Know and you constrained to pass it along to will help. You will be ashamed of others; for it has past its tentative the sluggishness, of the isolation, stage, and is a work that has come of the selfishness which has made to stay. And it is especially adapted you think only of your own people to young Christians, for it is almost and your father's house. Facts are impossible to interest in missions the fuel which feeds the fire of mis- older believers who have never been sions." trained in a foreign missionary at- mosphere. Briefly stated, it is to Why are so many professing secure a good missionary library, Christians indifferent to and, in and to see to it that it is rE'ad; but some cases, antagonistic toward this latter is not always easy. foreign missions? Largely beca use they do not know about them, for An excellent missionary library information always leads to inter- was purchast from the proceeds of est. This is our first proposition, a missionary stereopticon lecture and it needs no further enlarge- on China, the slides and much of ment. It is almost a self-evidE'nt the information of which were seonE'. cured in the Presbyterian Board rooms, now at 156 Fifth Avenue, Our second proposition is that New York. such widespread ignorance as exists ir. the Church to-day is a disgrace. Then the' question was how to Sometime since a young missionary get the books read. A" missionaskt a good-sized audience to indi- ary reading club" was suggested, cate by uplifted hands how many to consist of all who were willing missionary books had been read by to pledge themselves to read fifteen them. He started with some twenty minutes a day, not counJing Sunor more, and not a single hand was days and no ma.king up of lost days. raised_ Then coming down by suc- Then at the. end of the month a roll cessive questions to two books in of honor was to be posted on the number, only two or three raised Christian Endeavor bulletin Doard, their hands, as we remember the containing the names of those who occasion. had not mist a day in the reading, and at the end of the reading year 'Vhat a commentary upon the re- (from October to May, inclusive) ligious intelligence, or ignorance another roll of honor for the entire rather, of that audience! Not one year. The only officer of the club among them but would have been was to be a librarian, herself an enashamed to acknowledge a similar thusiast on missions, who would ignorance of the history of his own not only keep an account of the land. But the one tDO'I'k of God's books taken, but also continually Church is to bring the world to try to increase the membership of Jesus and Jesus to the world. It is a crying shame, therefore, that the majority of God's children are almost altogether ignorant of the the club. These suggestions were suggestion, now has a monthly mis- heartily adopted at once by some sionary meeting, as the young peo- ple feel that they can not wait for twenty-five or thirty young peo- the bi-monthly m eeting provided ple, and the dub, now in its third for in the Christia n Endeavor prayer-meeting topic book. And year, is more prosperous than it these missionary meetings are the fullest and the best meetings of the has ever been before. month. Then frequently in the The writer has always taken the other meetings, t elling missionary illustrations are given by the speakstrong ground with his young peo- ers. 4. A willingness to give. It is, of course, found that the gifts ple that fifteen minutes a day is to missions become more spon- timeous. 5. A w'illingness to go. little enough to devote to a study Already two have definitely decided of the one supreme work of God's to go as missionaries, if the way sha ll open,. and there a re others Church in the world, and that this who would come to such a decision did their circumsta n ces and qualifitime can be found or made, if there cations permit. 6. And lastly, the pTomise of l11'issionary churches ,in is first a willing mind. One can the future for wher ever these young people will go, they will a lways find time for what he is bent carry with them their missionary on doing. enthusiasm, and the contagion can not but spread to their churches A few words in closing as to the and their children! r esults already achieved, and, perhaps, they can best be exprest If such a simple method as the in numerical order. 1. The books above, perhaps changed in some rem'e Tead. At one time, when the spects to suit changed conditions, library consisted of some fifty books, the writer went to it for were universally adopted, the misr eference, and he found four of the sionary problem would be solved, fifty books in, the remainder all being out. 2. The li bTaTY has for the coming generation of givers g1'own. Nearly thirty new books and workers would be a missionary h ave been added since it was sta rted, generation. a nd there is a constant dema nd for more. 3. The m i ss'ionar y interest has constantly increast. The Christian Endeavor Society, at its own THE CT..IFTON S?iUNGS SANITARIUM, NEW YORK. International Missionary Union. time through the kindness of Hen- ry Foster, M. D., the founder of the The International Missionary great missionary remedial institu- Union will hold its fifteenth annual tion at Clifton Springs, it has met meeting at Clifton Springs, N. Y., there substantially as his guest. June 8–14. The edit.or of the Chi- Foreign missionaries of any Evannese ReCOTdeT says: "Every mis- gelical denomination, whether now sionary on a furlough to the United in service, expecting to return to States ought to make it a point to their fields, or retired from their attend one of the annual meetings official connection with the boards, held every June at Clifton Springs, receive gratuitous entertainment. N. Y. More can be learned about No invitations are sent to missionpractical missionary work all over aries to attend these meetings, only the world,by a week at these gath- a simple notification through the THE TABERNACLE AT CLH'TON SPRINGS.
erings than in any other way press and by circular when their known to us. The friendships addresses are known. It is very formed and the interchanges of necessary that missionaries proposprayers are among the incidental ing to attend this meeting shall comblessings of these opportunities. municate with Mrs. C. C. Thayer, No one has any axes to grind, and Secretary, Clifton Springs, N. Y. it isn't often that hobby-horses are allowed the freedom of the rostrum, 'Ve present a cut of the main and then they are speedily turned building of Dr. Foster's sanitarium, out to graze." and also one of the ornate and com- modious Tabernacle, erected by This Union was organized at Ni- him for the speeial use of this Inagara Falls, Canada, in 1884, and ternational Missionary Union, in met there again in 1885, in the one of the three parks attacht to Thousand Islands in 1886–7, in 1888 the sanitarium. in Bridgeton, N. J., and in 1889 at Binghamton, N. Y. Since that J. T. GRACEY, President, Rochester, N. Y.
j,'IELD OJ,' MONTHLY SURVEY
IV. -FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
Siam and Laos,* Malaysia,t Unoccupied Fields,:/: Buddhism,§ Lepers,f Missionary Comity. I BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
Siam and Laos. Siam than in the Laos mission, a Siam is in even greater dan- missionary thus writes * : ger than China of being swallowed "1. The people in the two sec- tions are different. The Siamese up by European nations. The en- are indolent, shiftless, and practicroachments of the English from cally devoid of moral backbone. Physically they are weak and Burma, on the west, and of the small, and greatly inferior to the neighboring races. The Laos, on French from Annam, on the east, the other hand, are more manly, will probably, sooner or later, leave thrifty, and industrious, and pos- sest of a good degree of moral stamthe King of Siam with little or no ina.
territory to govern. "2. The dominating religion of This is uniquely a Presbyterian the Siamese is not the chief spiritual belief of the Laos. Buddhism rules mission field, the principle of com- lower Siam, and from prince to ity having thus far been faithfully peasant few can be found whose spiritual belief and practise may observed by other denominations. ** not be summed up in the two car- Most of the aggressive and suc- dinal tenets of Buddha, viz., 'Help yourself to future bliss,' and 'No cessful work is that carried on in need to be in a hurry about it.' the Laos country, where 163 have The arch-adversary never bound any section of the human race with been added to the church on confes- stronger chains than when he sucsion during the year. Most invit- ceeded in seducing these people to a systematized belief in these two ing doors tel new fields are being doctrines. The principles underly- ing them (8elf-righteOt~sness and opened on every side. The Lord's procrastination) are likewise at the basis of most of the opposition hand was plainly manifested in the which the Church encounters in the home land. The enemy of man and opening of this land to the Gospel, God can want no better weapons against the kingdom of 'God and and in its preparation for future har- His Christ' than such as will lull men into a belief that a Savior is vests. His hand is likewise seen in entirely unnecessary, or that no alarm need be felt if they do not the direction and progress of the make much progress toward eter- nal bliss in this life, as they will have work. As to the reasons for the many more opportunities in future births. Such doctrines as these are smaller degree of success in the held tenaciously in lower Siam.
* NEW BOOKS: "Siam and the Siamese," A. "The Laos, on the contrary, while nominal Buddhists, are practically H. Leonowens. spirit worshipers, and are en- t See also pp. 627 (Aug., '97); 835 (Nov , '97); slaved by dread of spirits and de- mons to a much greater extent 343,359 (present issue). than the Siamese. Buddhism is NEW BOOKS·: ,. Java. the Garden of the secondary with the Laos, while their crude superstitions and fears East," E. R. Scidmore. of demons render them more ready RECENT ARTICLES: .. Ramazall in Malaysia," to accept such teachings as promise absolute relief from the torment Macmillan's (Dec., '97) :j: See also pp. 534, 539.540 (July, '97); 864 * Church at Home and Abroad.
(Nov., '97); 362 (present issue). RECENT ARTICLES: B In Unexplored Asia,"
McClure's (Dec., '97); H Afghanistan," Review of Reviews (Dec., '97).
§ See also p. 357 (present issue). NEW BOOKS: H Buddhismin Translations," H. C. Warren. RECENT ARTICLES: "Buddha and His Doctrinesj" Asiatic Quarterly (Nov., '97); "Buddha and Christ," Methodist Review (Jan.); II. Christianity and t Buddhism," Monist (Jan.); " Buddhism," Progress (Jan.). 'If See also p. 330 (present issue). RECENT ARTICLES: " Leprosy and the Hawaiian Annexation,~' North American Review (Nov., '97), and Cosmopolitan (Mar.); Without the Camp. (Monthly.) II See also pp. 194, 265 (March). •• The Baptists only conduct a mission for Chinese in Bankok. under which they live. It surely Closed Lands. needs no lengthy argument to make it clear that the conversion of a Are there any such, or has the soul from a crude, unorganized Church been lacking in faith,prayer, mass of superstition is far easier, and self-sacrificing z9al? Most of humanly speaking, than the conver- the countries of Asia, Africa, and sion of one from a thoroughly or- South America were once closed, ganized and shrewdly s:; stematized but were opened by God in answer form of belief such as Buddhism. to the importunate knocking of Christian emissaries of the Gospel. " A correct appreciation of the When the Lord says" Go," He will strength of the enemy will help prepare the way, tho it be made toward the final triumph of the manifest but a step at a time. Cross here. Christ is all-pow- Some lands still remain apparently erful, and His hosts will finally closed but they will be opened if we prevail, but we have an instance in but pray and go, pray and enter, the Gospels where he permitted his pray and stay. disciples to suffer mortification and defeat because they underestimated The last closed door of South the difficulty in the way of casting America has at last been opened, out a devil." and now mIssionaries of the Gospel Union of Kansas have begun to There are about five million Laos work in Ecuador.
people, only two million of whom Tibet is still besieged by mission- ary armies, and Miss Taylor has at are in Siam. They are not only last crost the boundaries and is selling Bibles among Tibetan the most receptive of Christianity peoples who are carrying them far into Tibetan territory. of all the peoples among whom the The 2,000,000 miles of unoccupied Presbyterian Church has foreign territory in Africa is gradually growing less as the picket-lines of mission work establisht, and give missions are pusht forward into the Soudan, Upper Kongo, and the largest returns for the spiritual other waiting territory.
investment; but they are so cen- AfghJtnistan still shuts out the Light of Life, but an occasional trally located among the various ray from the Sun of Righteousness penetrates even there in spite of branches of the race-family to governmental edicts. Medical mis- sions on the border are being which they belong, that they are a greatly blest.
pivotal people. Christianize them, The Philippine Islands and some other Papal possessions are still they will reach their neighbors. hostile to the truth, but one by one these countries are shaking off the God has kept them free from yoke of Rome and declaring for freedom of belief and worship. caste, as well as national pride. In Arabia, Northern India, and There is no governmental opposi- 1Vestern China some doors are either closed or there is no one to tion to Christianity, but instead, a enter. Russia prohibits active mis- sionary work except in the way of proclamation of religious tolera- Bible distribution; the Stundists, however, thrive under persecution. tion in that part which is tributary to Siam, and a welcome from Laos officials everywhere. There is no child marriage, almost no poly- gamy. The Laos have no sea-coast, hence are a stay-at-home people- the kind that attend to their own business, and do it well. They are peaceable and polite, refined and receptive, simple in their habits and for heathen, comparatively pure in their lives. All these things that God's providence has done for them help to make easier the part that we, their brothers and sisters, must do for them. The light which they now have is God's; for the darkness we are responsible.
1898.J EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT. 3'i'i
V.~EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
THE FOUR HUNDREDTH ANNI- furnisht; and the average cost per VERSARY of the death of SAVONA- year of conducting them has been ROLA falls May 23d; hence the $130,000. prominence given to this heroic missionary martyr in the present This would seem enough for one issue. This scholarly article will man, but it is only one branch of be completed ill the June Dumber, that tree of life that his prayers and will amply repay careful read- made to grow in Bristol. He esing. Extensive preparations for tablisht Christian schools in Great the anniversary are being made in Britain, Europe, Asia, etc., wherein Florence, even the Roman Catholics nearly 150,000 pupils have been taking part and a Cardinal being taught; pushing the circulation the head of the committee. Thus, of the Word of God into Spain, as of old, "The children of them Italy, and other lands, he had diswhich killed the prophets trihuted over 2,000,000 copies of the build the tombs of the prophets." Holy Scriptures, in part or whole; his scriptural knowledge institu- Death of Rev. George Miiller, of Bristol. tion had scattered over 100,000,000 tracts, books, etc., in various lands March 10, 1898, is a memorable and languages; and he had exday. It was the day of Mr. Miil- pended over $1,300,000 in aid of ler's entrance into the more abun- hundreds of missionaries in foreign dant life beyond. He was in some fields. Besides all this, he himself respects the most conspicuous man traveled into 42 countries, deliverof his generation; and it may be ing his personal message, and witdoubted whether any man since nessing to the God who hears and Paul, or even since Enoch, has more answers prayer. His whole life is truly walkt with God. a modern miracle, more than an answer to all current doubts, and a Born Sept. 27,1805, he was midway demonstration of the fact that the in his 93d year. His life story must God of Elijah still lives, and that be written more at length for these the keys which unlock Heaven's pages; but at this time we briefly gates are in the hands of the discirecord this the most important ple who prays in faith, nothing entry in the necrology of a whole doubting. There is not a land decade of years. He was converted where the name of Christ is adored, at Halle, at the age of 21. There where the shadow of this bereave- Francke's orphan work imprest ment will not fall. Not even the him and ultimately led to his un- thought of the joy into which he dertaking a similar work in Bristol, has entered can prevent the sense of which, as with Francke, the main of a personal loss, to some of us befeature was absohde dependence on yond words, which the death of p1'a,yeT to God rather than appeal to such a man involves. Above perman, for all supplies. The results haps any man of modern times, have been simply stupendous. Five George Miiller was to his generamassive buildings have been prayed tion the prophet of God and the into existence, on Ashley Down, apostle of prayer. which have a total of 500 rooms and can accommodate over 2,000 or- A letter has just come to the phans with over 100 teachers and editor from his beloved personal helpers. These orphan houses cost friend, Rev. James Wright, son-inabout $600,000 when completed and law of the founder of the orphan- work in Bristol, and tho a personalletter, we venture to print it, "Suppose one who has all his life earned his bread by toil gets on to- as any details of Mr. Miiller's ward sixty, and presently will pass translation will be very precious to it. Now Satan begins to trouble him, and says, 'You are getting old a large circle of bereaved friends in now; soon there will be nothing remany lands. maining for you but the union or the workhouse.' " BRISTOL, England, Mal'eh 11, 1898. " How wretched and miserable a child of God is made by the fiery jf'Iy Beloved Brother in Christ: dart! But by using the shield of " The electric cable has, no faith he will be able to quench it.
doubt, before this, made you, and 'If my Father has cared for me many more in America, felluw- when young, surely he will conmourners with us here; as you will tinue to care for me when old and have learned that my beloved father-in-law fell asleep in Jesus sick, now as in the past. Or, as he yesterday morning, March 10. says in the Word, '" I will never "At our united prayer-meeting leave thee, nor forsake thee.'" of the Orphan House helpers, on the evening of the 9th, he had given How quickly this temptation will out the well-known hymns, begin- be quenched! I have seen many of ning God's dear children who were thus troubled. ". The countless multitude on high; , "One instance I remember disand tinctly, though it occurred many years ago. It was that of an aged " •I'll sing of the Shepherd that died.' widow, a child of God, who had " He retired to rest at his usual lived very consistently. She had hour, but yesterday morning at worked hard with her hands in seven o'clock was found lifeless. youth, and now in her old age she "Apparently the spirit had left began to say, 'I shall have to go to its frail tent about an hour before the workhouse.' She had some he was found. money which she had saved of her "During the last six or eight past earnings, and she said, 'When months he has had several attacks this is gone I can earn no more, and of heart weakness, and the recur- I shall have to go to the union.' I rence of one of these was the Lord's sought to comfort her; I reminded call into His presence. her how God had cared for her in " Only last Lord's Day he was re- the past, and how he had promised marking to a friend how mercifully never to leave her nor forsake her; he had been spared all the pains ana disabilities so frequent in ad- and that, as surely as she was a vanced age. child of God, so surelv would he care for her, and that even some of "Tho deeply feeling our loss, we triumph in the certainty of his his own children would be led to vastly added joy; and that he has assist her. 'finished his course' without being permitted to mar his testimony- " But still the temptation contina danger which the histories of ued, and what was the end of it? Hezekiah,Asa, and Solomon always seemed to make him keenly alive Her joy was marred completely for to. years; she was in deep trouble simply by this one thought. Yet "Now he is with the Lord, and the Lord is verily with us, so that see how it carne to pass at last. we do not seem far apart. And, One by one the sovereigns were better than all, the reunion, where used, and at length it carne to the there will be no more partings, is drawing nearer every day. last sovereign; one shilling of that "I am yours in our Lord, was spent when the Lord took her to JAMES WRIGHT." himself, and there was for her no such thing as the workhouse. This brief note of George ~Hiller's " But see how she was losing her departure brings to our mind one spiritual joy, and how her life and of his touching narratives as to her communion with God were marred by this one fiery dart; faith relating to temporal affairs, to whereas, if the shield of faith had which his own life and death give been used, the devil would have been confounded and her last days now a sacred emphasis: would have been in peace. There- fore let us use this shield of faith, with the revelation God has been pleased to make of himself, and we Deep as is our grief at home, the shall soon see the fiery darts of the tidings of his death will be received devil quenched, and have joy." on the mission field 'with some- thing like dismay.' A most interesting account of Mr. Miiller's funeral has reacht us "Our China Mission-in its retoo late for notice in this number. markable growth, in the wise lines It may be looked for in our June on which it is planned, in the stimnumber. ulating memories it has accumu- lated, in the devout spirit which Another death-that of Hugh M. presides over it, and in the honor- Matheson, Esq., in London, Feb. able place it holds among kindred 8th.,-.}eaves another gap not easily enterprises-is the real and lasting filled. Not only is this a loss to monument which Hugh M. Mathethe Presbyterian Church, of which son has reared for himself. By he was an intelligent and earnest it he has laid our church under supporter, and in which for over 50 deep and enduring obligation. By years he held office, but he will be it, so long as the story of the missed in the work of world-wide church is recalled, will his memory missions. Calm, sagacious, busi- be kept green in grateful recollecness-like in method, Christlike in tion." counsel and conduct and spirit, he was identified with every evangel- A Correction. ical movement, the temperance cause, social reform, etc. Principal On page 218 of the March RE- Dykes well said of him that "not a VIEW, The Church Intell'igencer, dozen men in London in his genera- from which a quotation is made, is tion have in an equal degree com- inadvertently referred to, as the bined commercial enterprise and organ of the C. M. S., which pubcapacity with such spirituality of lishes the Church MISSIONARY Inmind. City life with its mad race telligencer. The Church Intenifor wealth and power could not gencer represents a society known vulgarize or mammonize such a as the "Church Association," the man." business of which is to protest against supposed Romanizing in- The one object which, for most of novations and t,endencies in the his public life, supremely absorbed Church of England. him was foreign missions; for thirty years he was in the chair of That the effect of retrenchment the Synod's Committee for the pro- has not been wholly evil is seen motion of this great cause, and lat- from the report of the annual meetterly he bent his energies mainly ing of the Laos Mission. They to build up the China mission. It have been led to devise plans for may be well to add Dr. Dykes' own greater economy in building mis- sionary houses, and have received a words: markt stimulus in the direction of native self-support. The native "Into it he threw his whole Christians have come to see that heart. He fashioned its policy; he supplies of money from America grew intimate with its details; he are not unlimited, and like a boy watched over its expansion with paternal concern. With the mis- sent to shift for himself, are growsionaries his relations seem to have ing stronger by being compelled to been singularly beautiful. In the rely on their own resources. The selection of them he took personal church at home, however, is none pains. He made friends of them; the less to blame for withholding he corresponde'd with them on the more than is meet. field; he sent them forth from his hospitable home and welcomed One of the most beautiful examthem back to it on their furloughs. ples of heroism and self-denial on the part of missionaries and one of the most emphatic rebukes of the that would be the sad spectacle of parsimony of too many "home" a great church still apathetic, in- Christians, may be found in the different to their struggles, and irrerecent facts communicated by Dr. sponsive to this, their practical and touching appeal."
F. F. Ellinwood, of the results of the appeal made in 1897 to the mis- The Indians of Brazil. sionaries of the Presbyterian Board of the United States to join in the The readers of the REVIEW will universal effort to remove its dis- doubtless be interested in the folastrous debt. Dr. Ellinwood says: lowing extract from a report which is translated from 0 EstandaTte, "Up to Sept. 10th, one hundred of Sao Paulo, Brazil, a copy of and one names of Inissionaries which has been sent by Rev. J. Beatty Howell, of Philadelphia: (counting wives as sharers in their husbands' gifts), were entered in the list of contributors, one or two in- "On Friday, the 24th of Septem- ber last, there was held in the city stances of joint subscriptions by sta- of Pernambuco, in the prayertions not included. The hundred per- meeting room of the Evangelical sonal cont,ributions differ widely in amount, but the'i1' average is $'32,86. church, the first meeting of persons The mission fields represented are interested in the evangelization of Syria, Persia, .Mosul, Brazil, Co- our (the Brazilian) Indians. It was lombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Ca1i- resolved to issue an appeal to evanfornia, Japan, Korea, the Shantung gelical congregations in Brazil and and Central missions of China, and in foreign countries to grant spiritthe three missions in India. These ual, moral, and pecuniary aid, so embrace the fields which have suf- that the work may be set on foot, fered most from the cut, and many and that we may be enabled to help of the largest contributors are any who are already found to be at work in this direction." those who have given at least an equal amount for the crippled work.
If anyone is inclined to ask how can they give so much? the reply is (1) Our friend, Mr. George R. ""itte, that anybody can do wonders in whose appeal for the Indians of self-denial if, as Paul says, he be 'willing in himself,' and (2) most Brazil has resulted in his own set- of the subscriptions are paid by ting apart for the work of carrying small monthly instalInents. But them the Gospel, writes from Lis- who can estimate the value of this bon, Dec. 22, 1897, that he was to grand movement of our missionaries? The amount which they have leave for Para, Brazil, March 12.
already given for the debt is over After a month of preparation there, $3,000, but more important than he sets out to reach the Indians of that is the spur which their exam- Gayaz. From his letter we make ple ought to give to the Presbyterian Church. It is a challenge the following extracts: which comes up from the conti- "Dr. Graham, myself, and an- nents and islands of the heathen other will shortly (D. V.) be on the world, and goes on record as such, road to the interior of Gayaz. At to the million Christian professors times it would seem almost as if He of onr cOlllmunion. But more val- had purposely led us into strait uable still is its testimony to the places-like Israel between the sea Inoral earnestness of our mission- and Pharaoh's host-to teach us aries, their deep sympathy for that He is able to make a path those who are their children in where naturally there is none, and Christ, and their faith in the great that man's extremity is God's opwork which they have undertaken. portunity.
As to their sacrifices, they rejoice "Sta,rting out with two dona- in them if they shall lead to the re- tions from readers of the REVIEW, moval of the debt which threatens I have been kept all these months, to despoil their work again next have visited Britain, and am nnw year and the year after that. in Lisbon studying Portuguese. My There is only one thing which could wants have been wonderfully sup- fill them with despondency, and plied, even for purchase of my outfit, etc. A bout $300 will be needful Paul's sphere of missionary labor, wherewith to start from Para in- and shows that in thirteen years land. (Any who wish to help would Paul "fully preached the Gospel"
best send bank drafts on London. *)" (Rom. xv. 19) over an area (Ads xiii.-xx.) of 60,000 square miles, A correspondent calls attention with a population of 1,000,000. He next divides the 15,000,000 square to the danger arising to the mis- miles that he has assigned to the sionary cause from the hasty and Church of 1<Jngland into 500 dis- ill-advised enthusiasm of some tricts of 30,000 square miles each, young students in America and England, who seem to think that on the supposition that the popula- tion of the unevangelized portion of the earth is now twice as dense as they may accomplish the grand in Paul's day. To each of these and gigantic task of the mission 500 districts he assigns one layman and two ministers. Thus each of within a short period. He says: these little companies of 1,500 "I am now 35 years in mis- evangelists would have a parish of sionary service, and still, through 30,000 square miles and the care of God's grace, the fire of mission- 1,020,000 souls. If Paul and his ary zeal is burning in my heart. But I can assure you that the companions,. in t.hirteen years conversion of the heathen world " fully" evangelized an area of is such enormous work that it must be done with the utmost 60,000 square miles, with a populapatience, soberness, perseverance, tion of 1,000,000 souls, it would if it is to produce any lasting seem reasonable to suppose that a fruit. Nothing is more detrimental to it than an overhasty, superficial like company should now evangemanner, the presumption that we lize, in the same period of time, the can make everything, even 'make same population covering only half Jesus King.' No, He is already King of all, and we have to wait the territory. As to the cost of upon Him, and be content to be sending out and maintaining these used by His hand as His humble 1,500 laborers, filling the broken tools, for it is His work." ranks, etc., the writer shows that £150,000 ($750,000), annually, would be sufficient. This is only '/240 of what is spent by England for butter and cheese alone. If each family paying five dollars for butter and "The Evangelization of the World in cheese would at the same time give This Generation." two cents to missions, the £150,000 would be raised. An English clergyman read a paper at a missionary conference at One of our exchanges well says: Stockport, England. The writer referred to esljimates the unevange- "Those who are engaged in ex- lized popUlation of the earth at ploiting the ability and purity of 1,030,000,000, and for convenience of Buddhists and their leaders in In- dia and this country, will find it argument offsets the unevangelized population of America and Aus- tralasia by the Christian communi- difficult to explain the following ties of Asia and Africa, thus COll- statements of 'Swami Vivekanancentrating the entire 1,030,000,000 da,' made to the Buddhists in India on his recent return to that counon the two last-named continents, whose combined area is 30,000,000 square miles. Again, for mere con- try: venience of discussion, the writer " 'The great Srf Ramakrishna assigns half of this area (15,000,000 to-day is worshipt literally by thousquare miles), and half of this pop- sands in Europe and America, and ulation (515,000,000 souls), to the Church of England, assuming that to-morrow will be worshipt by the rest of evangelical Christendom thousands more. will be responsible for the other half. He then takes up the Apostle " , Before ten years elapse a vast majority of the English people will be Vedantists.
• Remittances may be made by drafts on " I helpt on the tide of Vedanta, London to William R. Ronald, 24 Mulgrave which is flooding the world. street, Liverpool, England, or to Rev. John H. Oertel', D.D., No. Z18 West 40th street, " 'In the United States scarcely New York. is there a happy home. There may be some, but the number of un- put no obstacle in MI'. Reid's way, happy homes and marriages is so but we have a fear lest the project large that it passes all description. prove too broad, too secular, too purely educative to be really a " , Scarcely could I go to a meet- Christianizing scheme. The Chiing or a society but I found tbree- nese Rccorder and mission boards, quarters of the women present had we have understood, express disturned out their husbands and trust of MI'. Reid's plan. vVe wait children. It is so here, there, and and watch to see whether in the everywhere.' nineteenth century God blesses a met,hod that had no place in apos- "The audacity and falseness of tolic times. As Rev. Gilbert Reid these assertions should fill his co- was a graduate of Hamilton College religionists with shame." in 1879, the alumni have taken up the cause and propose to enlist in- ",Ve venture to add that they are terest of other colleges in this incapable of explanation, except "educational" movement. on the basis that when Swami Vivekananda was in this country Book Notices. he kept very bad company! The most notable volume that The editor has received a copy of has come into our hands this past "The International Institute of month for review is the first volume China," a pamphlet by Rev. Gilbert of a proposed series of The BacT'ed Reid, who, it will be remembered, Books of the East, edited by Prof. has undertaken a mission among Max Mliller, whose name is itself a the higher classes in China. We sufficient warrant for the care and confess to have had from the outset accuracy with which the series has grave doubts about the script11ral been prepared. The whole collecsanction for a mission that seems tion will embrace twenty-four volto move along lines so exactly con- umes, bound in twelve books, and trary to the principles laid down the price has been reduced more in I Cor. i. 26-31. But we are open than fifty per cent. -the entire to conviction. We know of no series now costing but $30.00 inwork directed to the upper classes stead of $65.50. in heathen lands, that has had any such blessing as may conspicuously The text is that of the edition be traced among' the lower castes, of the Clarendon Press, Oxford, as in the South Seas, Africa, and and the translators are various India. MI'. Reid's "prospectus" well-known Oriental scholars. proposes the establishment in Peking of an International Institute, The Christian Literature Comwith museum, library, class-rooms, pany, 13 Astor Place, New York, and a reception hall, large audito- issues these fine volumes, and the rium, etc. He proposes thus an first volume embraces Part I. of the " intellectual center for diffusion of Upanishads. The Sacred Laws enlightening and liberal influences of the Aryas, the Sacred Books among the mandarins and educated of China, The Zend Avesta, Pahclasses." The project receives much iavi Texts, The Qo'ran, The Insanction from princes and minis- stitutes of Vishnu, The Bhagaters of foreign affairs, and Li Hung vadgita, etc., The Dhammapada, Chang also gives a personal letter of Buddhist Suttas, The Satapatha testimonials. Many of the mission- Brahmana, The Fo-sho-hing-tsanary body in Peking and Shanghai king (Life of Budhha), The Sadcommend the work. MI'. Reid is dharma-pundarika, The Gainaseeking to gather some $75,000 to complete his scheme. We would Sutras, will aJI be included; and, translations are truthful, wherein besides Professor Muller, George nothing is supprest – or varnisht Buhler, James Legge, James Dar- over, however hard it seemed some- mesteter, E. W. West, E. H. times even to write it down. Palmer, Julius Jolly, and other famons Orientalists take part in the Prof. Muller's preface covers translation. The publication of fifty-five pages, and is itself worth the whole series will depend on the the price of the book. One feels receipt of at least 1,500 orders. after reading it that the whole work, therein forecast, is under Prof. Muller in his preface fore- hands not only competent but warns the reader that a careful reverent; and that in this exhibireading of these volumes will be tion of the sacred books of the disappointing, if one has been wont East, neither will any undue par- to think the Vedas, the A vesta, tiality be shown to the Oriental the Buddhist Tripitaka, the Kings faiths, nor any direct or indirect of Confucius and the Koran, to be violence done to that one Sacred fountains of primeval wisdom and Book, of which Prof. Muller has ideal morals; and he declares it elsewhere said that it stands at an high time to dispel such illusions incomparable distance from all the and show these ancient faiths as rest in being the one book that does they are. He acknowledges with not teach Salvation by Works. commendable frankness the temptation too many have yielded to, On the Threshold of Centml to exhibit the gems which the Africa, is a record of twenty years Oriental sacred books contain, and pioneering among the Banyai and conceal, or at least ignore, the refuse Barotsi, publisht by Hodder & and rubbish out of which these Stoughton, of London. A book of gems may be gathered. Much mis- 650 pp., with instantaneous photochief has been done, and the in- graphic views, forty-four in numterests of truth have been sacri- ber, taken by the author, and some ficed, through the enthusiasm of of them of localities explored by a too partial praise. himself.
There is no doubt that these To those who personally know sacred writings contain much that and love, as we do, the writeris not only absurd and unmean- FranQois Coillard-one of the most ing, but too bad for free transla- delightful and Christlike of French tion. This Christian scholar who evangelical missionaries-the book edits these volumes will not consent will need no other introduction or to any varnishing of the facts. As commendation. M. Coillard and he says in his manly preface, "We his now departed wife and colawant to know not their wisdom borer, Madame Christina Mackinonly but their folly also; and while tosh Coillard, stood in the front we must learn to look up to their rank of devoted Christian workers highest points, we must not shrink in the Dark Continent, and the from looking down into their stony letters he wrote to the J 01L1'nal tracts, their dark abysses, their des Missions Evangeliques, proved muddy moraines, in order to com- of such interest and value, that prehend both the height and depth their preservation in this permaof the human mind in its searchings nent form was the natural result.. after the Infinite." A man whose own missionary career extends over forty years, Prof. Muller then adds, both in and whose unpretending work has his own behalf and that of his cola- attracted unstinted praise even borers in translation, that these from the most carping critics and the fact that we are not to measure life or work by figures on a deal, unfriendly observers, is the man but by aims and achievements. Dr. Good has been aptly compared to from whom all lovers of missions Bishop Hannington, and the com- parison is justified. The two were want to hear; and not the less be- alike in natural gifts and traits. Both went to Africa in 1882, and cause his own modesty is embar- both died at 38. Both had the same filial love, fondness for rast by the sense of his own nature, great courage for exploits, love of fun, contempt for cant, "awkwardness and shortcomings." promptness of decision, and innate heroism. Dr. Good excelled in Those who read the introduction caution, demonstration, organizing talent, tact in administration, and will not stop there. It is full of capacity for a missionary pioneer. He was free from fanatical zeal, wisdom and sagacity and the spirit economical of money and strength, and while he burned with holy deof a calm and holy enthusiasm. M. votion for hiR work, evinced in everything a peculiar equipoise of Coillard there explicitly gives his character. One melancholy im- pression this book leaves upon the opinion that if ever Africa is evan- reader; had Dr. Good had prompt and ample help in the matter of regelized it must be by he?' own chU- inf07'cements, one of the most valu- able lives ever sacrificed in Africa dren, and that, to secure and hasten might have been prolonged. And here is a most conspicuous sin this result, the Church ernust send chargeable against the Church of God: men and women are thrust out missionaries. These pages are to the front where the work and war are the most desperately trya sort of sketch of the humble ing to body and soul, and are not supported. Just as they get ready effort to develop an aggressively to conquer they die, because we at home do not keep up "the line of active native chu1'Ch in Africa. communication," and so leave then1 without adequate recruits to hold The Banyai expedition, which led the strategic positions gained, or to take fortresses just ready for occu- . to the founding of the Barotsi mis- pancy. Vhen will the Church learn to keep pushing her volunsion, was not only undertaken but teers to the front. for the relief of the overburdened heroes who are proposed and planned by native face to face with a heathen world?
Christian converts of Basutoland. Donations Aoknowledged.
This one fact both interprets No, 113. Cuban ReJieL ________________ $10,50 and illumines M. Coillard's narra- " 113. McAuley Mission______________ 1.00 tive. So fascinating is this story " 114. "The Greatest Need" ___ 00 ____ 700 that we shall take the liberty to H 115. McAuley Mission ______ . ___ . __ 10.00 reproduce it hereafter, as one of the B 116. McAuley Missioll _____________ 5.00 miracles of missions. . HELP THE STARVING CUBANS 1 How full this book is of heavenly Books Received.
wisdom let one sentence suffice to B Persian Women,'"' Isaac Yonan 8vo, pp. 224. Illustrated. $1.50, Cumberland Presshow: "Consecration, a true and byterian Publishing House. Nashville.
full consecrat'ion, is not a mere .. The Inventor of the Numeral Type for China," Miss C. F. Gordon-Cumming. Glasdoctrine, nor yet a single isolated gow.
act, but the fabric, the very princi- "The Traveller's Guide from Death to Llfe," Edited by Mrs. Stephen Menzie", 8vo, pp. ple of life." 160,25 cents. S. W. Partridge &; Co. London.
Miss Mackintosh has done grand service in her superb translation of M. Coillard's work.
A Life in Afr'ica, by Ellen C.
Parsons, is a sketch of the brief but most useful life of Rev. Adol- phus C. Good, Missionary in Equa- toria,l Africa. Fleming H. Revell Co., N. Y.
We knew Dr. Good, and a very uncommon man and missionary he was. When he died in 1894, he was but 38 years old, and had been twelve years in the field. But that brief period of service illustrates
1898.J EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
VI.- GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
Extracts and Translations From Foreign How much did they know? What Periodicals. judgment did they form? Or were they, indeed, too happy to wait for BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK. the morrow to frame questions and give judgment of bankruptcy? DUTCH EAST INDIES. What a lesson for those who sit in missionary committees! ' M. Lion Cachet, a Netherlands clergyman deeply interested in "Then, in fine, let us add to all missions, has been visiting the is- this-can we say by way of ex- land of Java to inquire why the planation ?-the barriers which the Gospel makes such slow progress government of a Protestant coun- among its 22,000,000 of people. It try opposes to the evangelization is not the want of susceptibility, of the 22,000,000 of Javanese. Those for under the auspices of a Madame barriers are set up under various Philips, the wife of a resident offi- pretexts, in reality in order for the cial, several thousands have been better exploitation of the Javanese, baptized in the central provinces. whose emancipation is dreaded, Unhappily, after her death, the who are governed by intimidation, work fell under the control of one access to whom is forbidden to all of her helpers (she was herself in foreign missionaries, except to a part of Javanese blood), who has few Germans. Let us then pass in set himself up as a kind of divine review the labyrinth of denominaemanation. The missionaries seem tions into which Dutch Christians to have no power to resist him, as are divided, of doctrinal and eccledescribed by Prof. Kruger in the siastical factions. The end can Journal des Missions, and this only be deep emotions of symhopeful beginning seems likely to pathy. We withdraw into ourrun out in deformed fanaticism. selves and breathe forth: 'Have mercy on us, 0 Lord, and-help us.' " Prof. Kruger says in M. Cachet's book*: "When we see defiling Pastor Cachet gives a remarkable before us this series of mission- penetrating view into the profound aries, who are only such after a difference between the Western and manner, or not at all, despite the the Oriental habit of mind. He excellent intentions of some-aIrong says: them; when we consider the train of errors committed by ignorance, "In the preaching of the Gospel by want of tact, by incapacity, but a doctrine is brought to the Javainvolving, aswe soon perceive, none nese which is directly opposite to the less strange falsities and abom· that which this people, from generainable consequences, we remain tion to generation, have held for overwhelmed under this accumula· truth; requirements are propounded tion of irregularities, of preoccupa- to him, promises given, etc., for tions aside from the true end of which, in his language, there are missions, of material cares, of no terms, such as have a widely puerile quarrels over property. At different, often exactly opposite last we exclaim: 'Pray, what have application. This preaching adthe responsible directors of this dresses itself as well to the undermission been doing all this while? standing as to the heart; it involves processes of demonstration. Yet * "Een Yaar op Reis!in Dienst der Zendig." the Asiatic, the Oriental, draws his
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
conclusions in a wholly different tion, resurrection from the dead, way from the Occidental. What are expressions which he is accus- the latter accounts as logical de- tomed to hear and to use. monstration, supported by proofs, which lead to conclusions, is, " If now he hears the Word of God in the eyes of the former, unin- proclaimed, if he hears about the telligible, perhaps confused, un- incarnation of Christ, about sin tenable; while, on the other and redemption, condemnation hand, the Oriental manner of pre- and grace, about regeneration, con- sentation, elucidation, demonstra- version, sanctification, eternal life, tion, conclusion is decried by the he understands the words in the European as longwinded, repeti- meaning which they had for him tious, diffuse, irrelevant. The men before. To him the preacher is of the West are not content with someone who has a new ngelmu a demonstration which lacks a (science), which may very well be ac- sharply-defined and exprest 'conse- cepted alongside of that previously quently,' while often the Asiatic acquired. And so he becomes a does not express that' consequent- 'Kristen,' receives baptism, is a ly,' inasmuch as in his view the final member of the church without result to which one should come having really ceast to- be, in point is clearly set forth by the cause of of religion, what he was before. It proof and the figurative language is not conscious dishonesty that accompanying it. Therefore, to has been the ground of his transi- convince the Javanese of the truth tion to Christianity, but misun- of the Christian doctrine so that he derstanding, a misunderstanding, will understand, de1nonstration, nevertheless, that has the saddest indeed, is necessary, but so con- consequences. Preacher and hear- ducted that he can comprehend it. ers used the same words, indeed, Yet the Javanese language is so but did not apply them in the same excessively complicated and diffi- sense. The preacher said one thing, cult, that not unfrequently a sup- and the hearers heard another. So posed acceptance of Christianity vital is it that the missionary turns out in the end to have rested should master not merely the body on misunderstanding." of the Javanese speech, but the Javanese course of thought."- Pastor Cachet dwells on the Missions- und Heidenbote. strange manner in which layer after layer of religious opinion has MISCELLANEOUS. been superimposed upon the Java- nese, all the earlier layers still re- -" A Catholic guide was askt by mammg. He calls the present the traveler whom he was ef.cort- Javanese an Animist-Hinduist- ing: 'Why is there not a saint Buddhist-Mohammedan. "As a standing on yonder pedestal as Mohammedan he has much to say usual, but the Lord Jesus Himself? ' of Allah, the one God, and along- The guide answered: 'Only see that side of him of a so-called Trimurthi, place is too dangerous, it is too hard a tug for the saints; in such a dani. e., a Trinity in the sense of 'ger as this, no one but the Lord Christ Himself will suffice.'" We Brahmanism: Brahma, Vishnu, may well say that of our age.- Siva. The incarnation of" gods' Berliner Missions-Berichte. is not strange to him; sin, sacrifice, .expiation, conversion, sanctifica- -Der Christliche Apologete of tion, puni.shment, grace, hell, in- Jan. 6 gives an account of the scan- .tercession, paradise, retribution, dalous and persecuting restrictions , election, divine council, regenera- 'which Protestant Saxony still.lays
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
upon the Baptists. It is humiliat- What gentleman would think of ing for all Christians and all Pro- standing upon such trifles, after testants. having experienced the exquisite courtesy which, as everyone as- -Rev. H. H.Clark, D.D., chaplain sures us, reaches its summit of per- U. S. N., in a sermon reported in fection in this regal race, and its the Sailo1'8' Magazine, says of the incomparable embodiment in its late Admiral Worden: "Admiral regal head? Worden believed in religion, and he believed in it for the navy. He We see it stated that this Dr. took care that it was respected on Andrews excuses the Armenian board his ships. To him the Cross massacres on the ground of the imwas a flag that streamed out of the measurable inferiority of the Arhighest heavens and floated above menians to the Turks. This is eviall. He believed in the providence dentlya gross distortion of his lanof God. He saw that God did not guage. We remember, indeed, intend that this splendid people, that at the time of the Bulgarian North and South, should come to massacres some English hangers-on separation. They were too great of the aristocracy declared that and good to live under two flags; such dirty fellows did not deserve the world had too much need of to have anyone interfere in their their magnificent union. and behalf. But this man, perhaps, did brotherhood for God to allow them not even pretend to be a Christian, to be sundered, defeating their and certainly was not a Christian common mission on the earth. So minister. Dr. Andrews professes he believed it was the God of bat- to be both. He may possibly have tles who delayed the orders that said that the Armenians richly dewould have kept him longer in serve extermination, and that if New York, who guided his little they are to be exterminated, they vessel through the perils of the ought to esteem themselves highly deep, and directed him in his action honored to receive their merited on that memorable Sunday in doom at the hands of so magnificent Hampton Roads." a race as the Turks. Weare cer- tain that his language can not have -We see citations from a certain gone a hair's breadth beyond this Rev. Dr. Andrews, whoever he may point, and we doubt whether it be, that has lately been visiting went even so far. Turkey and come back greatly enchanted with the Turks. This is Weare sorry to see that some not strange. The Turks are a race have carelessly identified this Dr. of kings. One has but to listen to Andrews with President Andrews, a few sentences of their majestic of Brown University. Andrews is language to discover that. Like a common name, and doctors of kings, moreover, they have always divinity are not rare in the land. counted their subjects as made for There may easily have been some them, not themselves for their sub- back-country divine, say on the jects. What are fifty or a hundred borders of the Indian Territory, thousand massacres, if their royal that, having vaguely heard of pleasure inclines to the occasional Armenian missions in Turkey, diversion of a wholesale butchery? naturally supposed them directed As Cowper says of the Bastile, to the Mohammedans, and hearing of thousands of mem bers in their " That monarchs have supplied from age to churches, supposed these to be, of age course, Turks turned Christians. 'Ve ourselves remember to have With music such as suits their sovereign ears, The sighs and groans oCmiserable men."
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
once greatly astonisht a minister, Said an Armenian friend to us lateand that not on the Red River, but ly: "Centuries of oppression have in New York City, by explaining made us tricky and equivocating, the actual facts to him. To be but in point of chastity we stand sure, he was not a doctor of above the Americans, and out of divinity, but then he was perfectly sight of the Turks. A Turkish willing to be made one, and, be- gentleman, notwithstanding his sides, he had just returned from social superiority, feels flattered to Turkey, in the same blissful ignor- be askt to visit one of our houseance in which he went out. But holds. He knows that he would such an ignoramus had no prospect not dare to ask one of our men to of being chosen president of Brown enter his house, and that our women University. Pre8ident Andrews, would not dare to cross his threshof course, has always known that old." the Koran punishes apostasy with death, and that the Turkish govern- President Andrews is likely to be ment carries out this penalty re- tempted to wish that he had anle~tlessly wherever it dares, in the other name before he disentangles face of a nodding Europe. Of himself from this unlucky identificourse, he has not been ignorant cation with his unknown namesake all his days of the famous American of the Texas Panhandle. missions in Turkey, which Disraeli, thirty years ago, extolled in Parlia- English Notes. ment. He has known that the missionaries, being forbidden to BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS, M.A. address the Moslem, have applied themselves to the enlightenment The following brief sketch was and spiritual revival of the ancient written at my request by one of the Christian churches of Turkey. To Harley students of the "welcome suppose that he did not know the home" to Dr. Harry Guinness: elementary facts of the religious history of his own country, until he "Seldom has Harley College went to Turkey to find them out, lookt brighter than on Wednesday would be to work right into the morning last, Feb. 9, when it welhands of those that have wisht to comed back its honored director, remove him from his presidency, Dr. Harry Guinness. Dr. Guinness or, of course, are accused of wish- has been absent from the college for ing this. There has been some un- eight months, during which time happy confusion of personalities, or he has paid a missionary visit to some complete misapprehension of South America, touching at many language. of the great centers of Christian work in the States by t.he way. This Dr. Andrews, of undetermined identity, is reported as say- " The 'welcome home' took the ing that the Turks are not only a form of a united breakfast in the nobler race than the Armenians, large hall of the college. Around but a more moral race. This is the tables were gathered the 'large astonishing, indeed. It requires an family' connected with Harley extraordinary genius to discover in House-students, deaconesses from a single visit to Turkey a fact which Doric Lodge, nurses from Brommost Americans living in Turkey ley Hall, and the office-staff. Altoall their lives have not only not dis- gether over a hundred assembled covered, but suppose themselves to for breakfast. have discovered the exact opposite. "After breakfast Rev. Silas Mead, the principal, spoke a few words of welcome. Words of greeting fol- lowed from Rev. James Douglas, Mr. C. C. Brown, Mr. Hayward, spread Thy Gospel among heathen the pastor of Berger Hall, and Mr. nations; Accompl,ny the word of Dodge, one of the students. their testimony concerning Thy atonement with demonstration of "Dr. Harry, on rising to reply, the Spirit and of power; Bless our received an ovation. Taking as his congregations gathered from theme, 'What God hath wrought,' among the heathen; Keep them as he gave a vivid and intensely inter- the apple of Thine eye; Have meresting account of his travels. cy on Thy ancient covenant-people, the Jews; Deliver them from their "The doctor has lookt into the blindness; And bring all nations to problem of the evangelization of the saving knowledge of Thee; Let South America very thoroughly. the seed of Israel praise the Lord; He has traveled thousands of miles Yea, let all the nations praise Him; over the country, interviewing and Give to Thy people open doors to consulting the leading men of the preach the Gospel, and set them to country, and taking the oppor- Thy praise on earth. Amen." tunity of preaching the old, old story by the way. -See how all the ends of the earth are brought together in these "He finds that there will be three days! The editor of The Indian distinct spheres of work in Peru. Witness notes in a recent issue that he took down his lamp made "1. The Spanish peopled coast in Germany, with its chimney line, i.e., from the coast to the made in Japan, filled it with oil foot of the Andes. made in Batoum, and lit it with a Japanese match. Then, taking a "2. Work among the Indians, pad of German paper, he took his the remnant of the old kingdom of American fountain pen and began the Incas, who are scattered here to write on the manufacturing and and there on the Punas, or table- commercial supremacy of Great lands of the Andes. Britain!
"3. Work among the savage -It is told of Thomas Ii Kempis tribes eastward of the Andes, living that once during his student days on the fertile plains of the upper his teacher askt the class, "What sources of the mighty Amazon. passage of Scripture conveys the sweetest description of heaven?" "None of these are in any sense One answered, "There shall be no easy fields of labor. The first is more sorrow there." Another, the pope's parish, the second is not "There shall be no more death." free from his sway, whilst the In- Another, "They shall see His dian dialects are exceedingly diffi- face." But Thomas, who was the cult to learn; and as for the work youngest of all, said: "And His among the savage inland tribes, the servants shall serve Him." difficulties there are almost overwhelming. ' Nevertheless,' the -Samuel Pearce, of Birmingdoctor said, 'they are God's crea- ham, so communicated to his peotures, and we owe them the ple his own zeal for the evangeli- Gospel.' " zation of the heathen that he could say: "At our monthly prayer THE KINGDOM. meetings, both stated and occa- sional, I should be as much sur- -This missionary prayer is prised at the case of the heathen found in the litany of the Moravi- being omitted in any prayer as at an Church, and is used every Sunday in the morning service: "Thou Light and Desire of all nations, Watch over Thy messengers both by land and sea; Prosper the endeavors of all Thy servants to an omission of the name and merits -These are truly mighty words of Jesus." which Bishop Thoburn utters con- cerning the wisdom of trusting the -The mistakes of good men, ability and enlightenment of nalacking in tact and executive abil- tive pastors, and of putting them ity, are always costly, and nowhere on an equality with missionaries: more so than in the mission field. " We have been almost alone," he Horace Mann was wont to say remarks, "among all the missionthat "the dearest thing on God's ary bodies operating in India, in earth is a cheap schoolmaster." receiving among us without hesita- How much more true is this of the tion our ordained native preachers missionary, who is called to Jay the upon precisely the same ecclesiasfoundations of Christian institu- tical footing as that occupied by the tions for the welfare of millions.- foreign missionaries. Y ears ago, Rev. N. G. CLARK. at a time when it was clearly fore- seen that the foreigners must soon -Europe has no less than 3,500,- be placed in a minority, our mis- 000 men under arms, beginning sionaries in Northern India delibwith Russia, 896,000, and others erately adopted the policy of adfollowing thus: Germany, 580,000, mitting Indian preachers. without France, 570,000, Austria, 360,000, any limitations upon their rights Italy, 240,000, Great Britain, 200,000, and privileges, to full membership etc. And these are all " Christian" in the annual conferences. In donations, forsooth! ! ing this, the American missionary placed his character and his eccle- -These words of Rev. N. D. siastical standing absolutely in the hands of his Indian brethren. It Hillis are pertinent to the present was considered a hazardous experi- ment, but the unhesitating confisituation: "If this nation is dence which was reposed by the foreigner in his Indian brother has Christian, it believes in Christ, never in the slightest degree been abused." who did away with the motto, -An impressive moral lies in 'An eye for an eye, and a ship these words of Pundita Ramabai, now in this country, to secure funds for a ship.' . If the sword for her work, and worthy to take rank with Frances ,:Villard and must be drawn from the scabbard, Lady Somer'set: "I have learned that in onr country we have many let its edge be sharpened to cut the lecturers, but few workers. When I felt the impulse to do something bonds of oppression. If the fires of for child widows, I received plenty of advice, but no money, Then I war must be kindled, let them be went to England, and came after- ward to America. I told my friends kindled only for destroying fetters. what I needed. I said I should require $75,000 to carryon work America's mission is to heal for ten years. The friends were so kind that I received the $75,000, wounds, not produce them; to and $8,000 more."
quench wars and not kindle them. -Rev. G. F. Verbeck, one of the And happy shall this people be if through arbitration and peaceable methods it is given to us to open the door of the prison-house, to give liberty to the captive. But if into our hands for the curing of the na- tions God gives a cup bitter and fierce, to be poured out as medi- cine, as in the olden day, so now 'may the iron hand be stretcht forth from a kindly heart,' and may it be a medicine administered by justice, not vengeance; by kind- ness, not fury; by love, and not wrath." first missionaries to enter Japan, AMERICA. and one of the most useful, died in Tokyo, March 9, aged sixty-eight. United States. – There is money Born and educated in Holland, he enough to sustain every good cause; came to this country in early man- the only trouble is that so slight a hood, and in 1859 was commissioned proportion is consecrated and put by the Reformed (Dutch) Church. to the highest uses. The Review of It was his privilege to perform Reviews figures out that not less valuahle services to the Japanese than $60,000,000 will be expended government, and to render excel- by the 100,000 people who will push lent assistance in translating the toward the Klondike this spring. Scriptures. A fuller notice of this Of this sum it is estimated that the able and honored missionary will railroads will get for transporta- appear later in our pages. tion to the coast $5,000,000; the city of Seattle in various ways, $25,000- WOMAN'S WORK. 000; other coast cities, $5,000,000; transportation companies to Alas- -Miss Hamilton, a young Eng- ka, $10,000,000; transportation in lishwoman, studied medicine in Alaska, $15,000,000. All this $60,- Brussels, and then went to Oalcutta 000,000, it is said, will be necessary to practise, hut later she was chos- for actual needs in the way of pro- en to he medical adviser to the visions, equipment, transporta- Amir of Afghanistan. As evidence tion, etc. that her influence is already felt, this ruler has instituted compulsory -The American Baptist Publicavaccination throughout his realm. tion Society is having built the fifth chapel car, 75 women contrib- – The Woman's Missionary uting $100 each. The railroads Friend (Methodist) is twenty-eight haul these mission cars free of all years old, and is so highly appre- cost, and give them place on sideciated as to pay expenses, and, in tracks wherever desired. The soaddition, during the last fifteen ciety considers these cars for the years has been able to contribute distribution of literature about as $30,000 for missionary literature. important as their use for the hold- The society of which it is the or- ing of meetings. A great number gan has 175 missionaries in the of remote stations are reacht, givforeign field, 24 of them being phy- ing meetings and literature to the sicians; 400 day-schools with 12,000 destitute country around. pupils, 50 boarding-schools with 4,000, and 14 hospitals and dispen- -Are missionaries successful? saries. In the schools of the American Board there are to-day studying -Abo~t 1861 Bihle women were for Ohristian leadership among first emploYf'd in Ohina, but were their own people more pupils than soon dispenst with. In 1882 two are now connected with all of the were again set to work, the next 41 Congregational colleges and uniyear 11, and a year later still, 21. versities and the large number of And, behold, in 1897 the Methodists academies in the United States and alone employed 80 in Foochow and Oanada. Hinghua.
-Dr. Mary Stone, of Kiukiang, -The American Missionary As- Ohina, recently treated 414 patients sociation has church and school while on a month's tour, and in a work among the freedmen and single day dispenst medicine to 114- mountain whites of the South, women and children. among the Indians, and among the Chinese on the Pacific coast, of legacy of $250,000 from Mrs. Van- which this is the general summary ~ derbilt. The disbursements for ob- jects within the parish have been Schools ______ ______ __________ 120 $371,149, and for objects outside Pupils ______________________14,064 $77,785. There is a men's club num- Missionaries_ _________ ______ 666 bering 397, a chapter of the Broth- Churches ______ ______ ________ 241 <:lrhood of St. Andrew, and a boys' Church-members ____________ 12,288 club. The men have a gymnasium, a library, a social room, billiard – -The Presbytery of Alaska was room, a debating club, a glee club, organized and held its first meet- and a chess and checker club; also ing September 14, 1884. In 1897 it a baseball team, and a bicycle secreported to the General Assembly tion, while gymnastic and athletic '8 churches, 840 communicants, and contests are held under the direc- 735 Sunday-school scholars. tion of the physical trainer of both the men and the boys. Fifty per -About a year since a mission- cent. of the boys are Romanists, 40 school was opened in " Chinatown," per tent. are members of the parish, Philadelphia. Soon 14 Christian while Italians. Jews, and Armeni- Chinese askt for a room in which ans make up the balance; threeto organize a Y. M. C. A. They quarters are schoolboys, the others met every Sunday, and now, in- are from offices, stores, and factorcluding associate members, there ies. The girls' club is so large that are 165. it is divided into three sections.
–The seventh annual meeting of -Metropolitan Temple in New the Tuskegee Negro Conference York reports over 1,000 members, was held February 23, at which 11 where three years ago there were southern and 5 northern states not 200, and 920 were received durwere represented by delegates, of ing two years and eight months. whom about 2,000 were farmers. Altho the church is near Four- Booker T. Washington, in his open- teenth street, its audiences are ing address, insisted on the follow- large, and the Sunday-night coning points: "Get land;" "Get a gregation is probably the largest decent home;" "Raise something Protestant audience in the city, and to eat;" "Improve your school- people are often turned away. The houses." And he told this story: organizations connected with the One day a lame black woman, sev- church include a musical bureau, enty years old, who was born in kindergarten, Frcebel normal instislavery, hobbled into his office, tute, council, Sunday afternoon holding something in her patcht conference, two large choirs, Brothapron. "Mr. Washington," she erhood of Andrew and Philip, Epsaid, "I'se ignorant and poor, but worth League, reading rooms, ath- I know you is tryin' to make better letic association, literary club, men and women at dis school. I Chautauqua circle, bureau of help, knows you is trying to make a bet- sewing school, and millinery and ter country for us. Mr. Washing- dressmaking class. Fifty services ton, I aint got no money, but I are held every week in the various want you to take dese six eggs, departments. The total contribuand put 'em into de eddication of tions this year will exceed $16,000. one 0' dese boys or girls." Well, this reads wondrously like the story of the widow's two mites.
-In St. Bartholomew's parish, Canada.-The foreign missionary New York, the receipts for last societies in Canada report 89 prinyear were $686,649, including a cipal stations, 227 outstations, 242 missionaries, 506 native laborers, tist ministers in Great Britain and 112 churches, with 9,141 communi- Ireland, 1,556 are reported to be cants, of whom 1,040 were added total abstainers. Out of 2,847 Con- last year. The native contributions gregational ministers in England were $32,339, and the contributions and Wales, 2,364 abstain from in Canada, $283,706. strong drink. In some of the -The Church of England through Methodist bodies the percentage the" C. M. S." is expending $100,000 of total abstainers is still larger."
a year for British Columbia and -The London Times has been Rupert's Land. The total spent by calling attention to the great work the society last year in Manitoba, done by the Bible Society. The the North-West, and British Co- Queen of England is a great lover lumbia was $84,364, and $13,075 was of the Book, and in her jubilee spent in England on outfit grants, year, 1887, selected and wrote out passages, etc. Of the above amount a passage of Scripture to be repro- $34,848 went to the salaries of 3 duced in facsimile in an edition of missionary bishops, about 40 clergy, the New Testament to be circu- and a large number of teachers and lated as a gift am.)ng the scholars catechists. The society is gradu- in the secular state schools of Aus- ally withdrawing its aid, and thus tralasia. The inscription was, "On giving scope for the liberality of earth peace, good will toward men.
churchmen in the older provinces. Windsor Castle, March 8, 1887.
-Among the Chinese in Montreal Victoria, R. I."
there are 16 Sabbath-schools. The -The Society for Promoting average size of these schools is 25 Christian Knowledge (known as scholars and 22 teachers. The con- S. P. C. K.), was organized in 1698, tributions of the schools for the and celebrated its bi-centenary, past year for Presbyterian foreign March 8. Tho known now only mission work were $464. Besides as a publishing house, yet for a this there were other sums given century after 1718 it supported the directly in connection with the Danish mission in India. It has mission and in consequence of it, endowed sees, paid the salaries of amounting to $792, making a total agents, etc. For some years past of $1,156. it has done much to foster medical – The work of the Canadian missions, particularly in the direc- Methodist women in Japan is rep- tion of assisting the education of resented by 15 missionaries. Board- women who wish to become mediing-schools have been establisht in cal missionaries. Tokyo, Shidzuoka, and Kofu, and orphanages in Tokyo and Kana- -The Society for the Propagazawa, while 2 industrial schools are tion of the Gospel (S. P. G.), only establisht in the Kawakami and three years younger than the organ- Daijime districts, each performing ization above mentioned, rejoices excellent work. over an increase of £183,996 over the receipts of 1896. And even when the great Mariott bequest of EUROPE. £177,464 is deducted, the increase Great Britain.-I t might be worse, is £6,532.
hut it ought to be far better. Let -There has been a distinct for- our British brethren make haste to eign mission advance in the Church forge forward and overtake Amer- of Scotland. The General Assem- ican saints in the matter of tem- blies of 1896 and 1897 unanimously perance. For read: "Of 1,955 Bap- and strongly recommended the plan of quarterly collections in accept, but the statistical facts to every congregation, and a special which he refers are absolutely committee of business-men recom- true." mended the formation of local associations in every parish. The -There are 44 deaconess mother- result so far is seen in an income houses in Germany, which have increast by more than £5,000, and 9,714 sisters in active service on in a greater supply of candidates 3,642 stations. Of these" stations" for the field. 1,509 are parishes, 685 hospitals, 237 old people's homes, 28 asylums The Continent.-It is said that a for epileptics and idiots, 725 spirit of restlessness prevails schools, 136 manual training among the priests of Italy as well schools, 66 houses of refuge for as among those of France, and that females, 7 insane asylums, 7 peni- some in both countries are turning tentiaries, 12 asylums for cripples, their faces toward Protestantism. 15 young girls' institutions, 72 or- "Whether that be so or not, some phanages, 12 health resorts, 36 day- statements made in the current nurseries, 9 children's health re- Voice f~'om Italy seem to counte- sorts, 35 homes for servant girls, nance the idea that there is going 51 divers institutions. The oldest on a certain drift from Rome. of the mother-houses is at Kaisers- Statistics are given in that publi- werth, dating from 1836; 5 are in cation showing the membership of Berlin. the Waldensian congregation in 5 of the chief Italian cities; and from -The railway commissioner of these we learn that, while 226 com- Russia has reported to the czar municants in all are Protestants that the Trans-Siberian Railway by birth, as many as 1,331 are Ro- will be finisht throughout its en- man CathoUc conve1·ts. These are tire length to the Pacific Ocean, remarkable figures, and prove that "next summer." It is calculated the Church of the Valleys acted that when this road is opened, a wisely in undertaking aggressive person can go around the world by work in the plains of Italy.-Free the regular lines of travel in 36 Church Monthly. days; and by special trains and fastest steamships in only 28 days. -The Metho&ist Times, London, Starting from St. Petersburg, the thus calls attention to an impor- journey would be: St. Petersburg tant concession of the Pope: '" In to Vladivostok, 10 days; Vladivos- regard to numbers,' continues the tok to San Francisco, 10 days; San pope, 'believing Christians are on Francisco to New York, 4% days; the decrease, .our ranks are being New York to Bremen, 7 days; thinned, the increasing race leaves Bremen to St. Petersburg, 1% days. us fewer recruits and companions in battle, while great crowds are -Thomas G. Allen, Jr., who led into the unbelievers' camp, and traveled across Asia on a bicycle, place themselves under the banner furnishes evidence in the March of the anti-Christ.' Of course, by Ladies' Home Journal, that we , Christians' and 'believing Christ- hold many erroneous ideas regard- ians' Pius IX. meant RDman Cath- ing Siberia and her people. There olics. All those who do not 'owe are fashions and fashionable people allegiance' to the pope are huddled even in Siberia, and, according to together' under the banner of anti- Mr. Allen, one meets as well-drest Christ.' Pope Pius IX. uses expres- women in Siberia as are to be found sions that only his adherents can in any European city. The social forms that exist in the large cities of Russia are observed in Siberia. -There are no fewer than 12 dis- Mr. Allen's pictorial article pre- tinct Presbyterian bodies in that sents an attractive picture of a great country: 1. The Establisht land which the public mind has Church of Scotland; 2. The Free always associated with sterility, Church; 3. The United Presbyterian perpetual cold, and unrelieved hu- Church; 4. The Associate Synod of man suffering. Original Seceders ; 5. The Presbyte- rian Church of England; 6. The Cal- ASIA. vinistic Methodists of Wales; 7. The Presbyterian Church of Ireland; 8. India.-One who reads the papers The Presbyterian Church in Canaof India, including those that are da; 9. The Presbyterian Church of pronounced defenders of Hinduism, the United States of America; 10. will be imprest with the fact that The United Presbyterian Church of they are distinctly apologetic in North America; 11. The Reformed their tone, and that they are advo- Presbyterian Church of Americi; cating doctrines and practises and 12. The Reformed Church in which are entirely at variance America, Reformed (Dutch)Church. with what has been known as or- All these are represented in the thodox Hinduism. They are free council of the Indian Presbyterian to admit that the popular faith is Alliance, which meets triennially.] degenerate, and can not stand in the light of modern times, and they -Cuddapah is the name of a large propose to go back to their earlier district of the Madras Presidency, scriptures, in which, as they claim, a county of that district, and also a the puerilities and obscenities town of nearly 19,000 inhabitants. abounding in their Puranas are not Upward of seventy years ago the found. This change is not toward London Missionary S~lCiety began Christianity, but is clearly the re- work in Cuddapah, and the work suit of Christian teaching.· The has increast in a very wonderful ideas prevailing throughout Chris- way, especially during the last ten tendom are permeating India in years. Before that time there were some good degree, and the new only 203 communicants, now there Hinduism now presented to the are 881. The adherents have more people, in place of their corrupt and than doubled in this decade, while corrupting faiths, is offered them the schools have increast from 29 with the distinct thought that it to 97. But perhaps the most gratiwill prevent the adoption of Chris- fying result of all is that the numtianity. This counter effort is a ber of evangelists, teachers, and significant proof of the widespread catechists has risen from 44 to 126. influence of the Gospel in India. If it were not potent it would not -The bishop of Tinnevelly has be so opposed.-Mi88ionar·y Herald. confirmed more than 2,000 native Indian converts during the past -Rev. J. P. Haythornthwaite, year. Step by step the evangelizaof Agra, in the Intelligencer, esti- tion of India goes on. mates that the recent famine was attended by a financial loss of not -The Indian W'itne88 gives a less than £23,000,000 in food sup- list of Indian missionaries who plies in the Northwest Provinces have reacht a long term of service alone. At one time 1,381,337 per- in that land. It gives the names of sons were employed on relief works, 81 missionaries who have served while 315,385 more were in receipt from 30 to 61 years, the average of of gratuitous relief. the whole being 38~. There were 7 who had been there 50 years or the corpse, one with the ancestral over,8 between 45 and 50, and 11 tablet, and one goes into the spirit from 40 to 45. world. When a member of the family is very ill they think one -The Rev. D. L. Brayton is the soul has left the body. They then oldest missionary in Burma. He go out and wail, loudly and pithas been 70 years in the country, eously pleading for the spirit to and is now in his 90th year. He come back, at the same time, if at was for 13 years a companion to night, holding a lantern to show it Judson, the first missionary to how to return. These mournful Burma; yet he is bright and active, cries are often heard in the night, rising at 4 o'clock every morning of and are really heartrending. One his life. Among other works he tells of the children in one family has translated the entire Bible into going out and begging a little the Pwo Karen language. vVe brother to return, crying, "Little should imagine that Mr. Brayton b-r-o-th-er! little b-r-o-th-er ! " until is the oldest missionary in the others were moved to tears. world.-Freeman (London).
China.-There are now upward of -A correspondent of the Chicago 1,000 schools for natives in China Record reports a new movement of under foreigners. They range from progressive Chinese women. Three the village day-school up to high native young women, educated at schools and colleges. In this .em- the University of Michigan, perpire there are no schools for girls, suaded 10 Chinese women, the wives except those founded by the mis- of mandarins of the highest rank, sionaries. to invite 50 foreign women, the wives of consuls, merchants, and -Are any Chinese women's feet missionaries, to be their guests at unbound in consequence of the ex- luncheon at a restaurant in the ertions of the foreigners? Yes. suburbs of Shanghai, mostly fre- But no more than European ladies quented by foreigners. The purare they going to walk barefoot pose was to discuss ways and means through the streets to convince for the establishment of a school in doubters. And what is far more im- that city in which the daughters of portant, numbers upon numbers of the nobility may obtain a modern little girls are remaining unbound education. At the close of the in missionary schools at Amoy, luncheon, which was served in Eu- Hangchow, and all up and down ropean style, the company listened the river; and at parties, ladies to what is believed to be the first who, as far as we know, are un- public speech ever deli vered by a toucht. by Christian influences, yet Chinese woman of rank. She askt show with pride their soft-footed for the cooperation of the women little girls, saying, "MyoId people of the foreign colony in the estabbound my feet, but I will never lishment of a school in the native bind hers." It is the upper circles section of Shanghai, similar to the of China who are giving up bind- school for peeresses establisht at ing. The man on the streets yet 'fokyo by the Empress of Japan. binds, and loves bound feet, just as in Singapore all the Straits-born -Rev. Dr. Ross, of Manchuria, Chinese have cast off binding, if it writes thus of a recent tour: "This be not the very poorest of the poor. concluded my visitations of the sta- -North China Herald. tions around Moukden, within a radius of 35 miles. I have still to -The Chinese believe that a man go to the remote East Sinping-pu, has three souls-one remains with etc., which, if all's well, I intend to sociable-(bump!)-two of usdo in December. I notice that dur- (bump!)-so much more so thaning the months of September, Oc- (bump and knock on the head!)- tober, and the first half of Novem- the lonely-(bump! bump! Oh!)- ber, I have been privileged to bap- sedan chair-(knock on the knee). tize 613 men, 109 women, and 26 This is awful-(bump! bump! in a infants. Adherents connected with specially ancient rut)-it is enough these who are not baptized at least to kill you poor-(bump over a equal this number, while the num- stone) – missionaries – (bump! ber of applicants for baptism or bump!)-I give it up-(bump!) I catechumens is very large, not less prefer the lonely sedan chair.' The than 2,500. half cannot be told, for while try- ing to defend one's total number of -A Chinaman living near Shang- joints frolI simultaneous dislocahai has been interviewed by the tion, and flying to pieces all at once, Frankfurter Zeitung, and, among by holding on to the posts of the other things, says concerning the cover with both hands, the unex- " barbarian" Europeans: " They pected jolts force your mouth open certainly do not know how to with cries of dismay, and then you amuse themselves. You never see want a third hand to hold a handthem enjoy themselves by sitting kerchief over mouth and nose to quietly upon their ancestors' avoid being stifled with dust and graves. They jump around and odors." kick li/tlls as if they were paid to do it. Again, you will find them Korea.-W. H. Grant, of the making long tramps into the Presbyterian Board, has recently country; but that is probably a re- visited Korea, and writes thus of ligious duty, for when they tramp the advantages which that country they wave sticks in the air, nobody offers as a mission field: "Korea knows why. They have no sense offers a clean field for missionary of dignity, for they may be found enterprise, unembarrassed by a walking with women. They even quarter of a century of paid agents. sit down at the same table with It is a delightful experience to get women, and the latter are served into a mission where self-support first. Yet the women are to be does not have to be advocated, and pitied, too. On festive occasions where the native workers are volthey are compelled to appear unteers, or supported by their own almost naked before every man people." who likes to look at them, and they are dragged around a room to the -Three things conspire to make accompaniment of the most hellish Korea one of the most inviting of music." mission-fields. One is the way the people live, not so much in large -Mrs. S. L. Baldwin, while cities, but in villages, rendering traveling in North China, enjoyed them more easy of access and more the luxury of a ride with a mission- susceptible of being influenced. ary in a Peking cart, and sends Another is the disposition the peohome the following account of her ple have to help themselves. The sensations: " I set out for my first third is, as compared with other experience of riding in a native Orientals, their comparative friendcart, on the broad avenues of the liness. Instead of calling the for- Imperial City of the potentate eigner "foreign devil," as the Chiwhose subjects call him the Son of nese do, they look up to him with Heaven. I began to say: 'How respect, and call him" Tai-in"- great man. At first a little timid these people perhaps get only a and offish, by a little kindness they dollar's wages for a month's work. are easily won to friendship. Almost as soon as work is begun in a Japan.-The New York Tribune new place, it begins to open up, calls attention to the fact that while results begin to appear.-Dr. at the time of Trafalgar Japan was Chester. of no more account in the world than the Fiji Islands, and was hut -The Presbyterians are in re- recently reckoned as a semi-barbarceipt of this good news: "Graham ous country, she is now swiftly Lee has just returned from 2 coun- coming to the fore as one of the try trips, visited 45 places where great military powers, and at the Christians meet on the Sabbath, present rate of progress will in a baptized 151 persons, and received few years rank as the second naval 455 catechumens. At 29 of these 45 power in the world. Japan's inplaces the people have bought or debtedness to Christianity for her erected church buildings." present position, is thus exprest by the Interior: "The empire of the -The American Bible Society Rising Sun, as we see it to-day, has received a report from its mis- could not have existed except for sionaries and colporteurs in Seoul, the ingrafting of new motives and stating that last fall the discovery the supplying of new aims, which was made of many people in the Christianity effected through its southern part of the province of Christian missions." Kiongi who profest Christianity. These people requested a visit from -There has been so much tonceit a missionary. The Rev. Mr. Miller and self-assertion among the Japanand two Korean helpers responded. ese who boast a liberal education, The report states that in one village acquired during the last few years, 140 Koreans enrolled themselves as that the case of Mr. Tokutomi is desirous to become Christians. refreshing. This gentleman, who The magistrate of the city around has just returned from an extena group of visited villages was sive tour abroad, is a graduate of found to be a professing Chris- the Doshisha, and holds an honortian tho he has not joined the able and trusted position under his church. No foreign missionary government. While in Russia he whatever had ever visited any of had an interview with Count Tolthose places. The work seems to stoi. The latter having askt Mr. have grown up entirely through Tokutomi what the ideals of his Christian visitors and books. nation were, he replied: "Rever- ence of the emperor and love of -A Korean paper made an appeal country." To this it is said the old for the India famine fund, and re- count answered: "Too low! too ceived a response from a poor little low! There is no hope for a nanative church, with a membership tion which does not love God, and of about 100, in a country place that has not religion for its ideal." where no missionary resides regularly. Some of the women, for -Every newspaper in Japan has want of money, gave silver pins what is called a "dummy editor," and rings. The whole offering whose only duty is to go to jail amounted to $80. The paper com- whenever the paper is censured and mented on the fact that from other supprest for offending the emperor. Koreans well able to give it had The genuine editor stays at his not received a cent, while many of post, gives the paper a new name, and goes on publishing it. -Mrs. Bainbridge gives us this Catholics. The great majority are description of a meal at a Japanese Copts, who have considerably in- restaurant: "In this land of the creast under British rule. Cairo Rising Sun, the cooking is done has 570,000 inhabitants; Alexan- next the street; this restaurant par- dria, 320,000. Great Britain is lor overlooks a pretty garden in the represented in the country by rear. Call the waiter now. 'Hai! 19,500 persons, but that number in- hai !' Say it quick and sharp, and cludes 6,500 Maltese and 5,000 men slap the palms of your hands to- composing the army of occupation.
gether. Here he comes in stock- -A band of 7 young men, including feet, and bowing most politely. ing J. Martin Cleaver, solicitor, are First in our bill of fare will be a lac- going out from Ireland to Egypt in quer bowl of steaming, fluffy rice. order to devote themselves to mis- Next tea, but do not think of ask- sion work among the Greeks, Maling for milk; fish, perfectly raw tese, and Moslems in the country. fish, and soy, a spicy gravy; and They intend to make Alexandria then soup made of fishes and eggs, for the present their headquarters, and the fish are not cleaned at all; and from thence they expect to and we will try some stewed bam- branch out as the Lord opens up boo sprouts, also a big radish,: and the way. Theyarenotgoingunder you will enjoy the tiny oranges. the auspices of any existing mis- The common Japanese 'Yorking sionary society, and they have class can not live in such elegance been led to give themselves to this as this, for most of them must bring work through special good received their living within five to eight at the Keswick Convention and by cents per day, and hence their prin- coming in contact with the Rev. cipal food is rice and tea. Dried Chas. Inwood. shark meat is considered a delicacy."-King's Messengers. -There are at present 86 mission- -Mrs. L. H. Pierson gives this aries, men and women, laboring account of her last year's work: for Mohammedans in Morocco, Al- "My personal meetings in Y oko- giers, Tunis, and Tripoli. hama and vicinity have numbered 312, but there can be no estimate -The Church Missionary Intelmade, even approximately, of those ligencer gives some interesting deheld at distant stations. There have tails regarding work in the Kongo been 1,144 Bible classes under my Free State: "Since the establishinstruction, that is, 22 during each ment of Protestant missions, week. My evangelistic trips have twenty years ago, 10 Protestant numbered 7, in which 13 towns have denominations have successively "been visited, some of them 2 or 3 created mission posts in the Free times. We have now 15 stations, State. These number 56 in all, and 3 of them having been recently are occupied by 221 agents of both opened." , sexes; the buildings attacht are constructed with skill, and charac- AFRICA. terized by a comfort essentially Britannic. The preachers are -The census, taken in June last, usually zealous, desirous of" well- shows that in Egypt there is a pop- doing, and in certain parts of the ulation of nearly 10,000,000. Of Lower Kongo, towards which gen- these, nearly 9,000,000 are Moslems, eral effort has converged, several 700,000 are Christians, and 25,000 thousands of Kongolese have sub- are Jews. Only a very small pro- mitted to their influence. In addi- portion are Protestants or Roman tion to various literary efforts, a printing press has been set up, and it was with the earnest desire to be from it is issued one journal in a native tongue. Instruction is a foreign missionary. But the given in schools, and English is universally taught. Three steam- needs of the white population were ers on the Upper Kongo are owned by the Reformed Societies. so great that he could not pass them -Dr. Schreiber, of the Barmen over. Yet he made a magnificent Mission, speaks in his annual report of a new undertaking in connection contribution to the mission field, with its African mission. "We have come to the conviction," he for no less than 7 of his grandchilwrites, "that we must ourselves set our hands to make the land dren are missionaries under the which is about to be given to the natives as inalienable property use- Dutch Church, and at least 11 are ful to them; that is, we must ourselves see to the regulating of the student volunteers.-Rev. Donald water supply, the boring of wells, the construction of ponds, and we Fraser. must also teach the people agriculture. This is quite a new task for -When Dr. Prentice was on the us, for which we shall need new powers, and for which we shall Tanganyika Plateau in 1896, one need, in the first place, an engineer who thoroughly understands such day, after a long march, he was matters." The mission has decided to send out a competent person.- resting under a tree along with his Deutsche Kalanialzeitung. boys. Two of them were telling – Most mistaken views are abroad about the missionary spirit of the how the Awemba had raided the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. It is true that in the hills, and the villages were burned, Transvaal and in the Orange Free State there is great prejudice and the cattle stolen, and the peoagainst missions, but in the colony there is both enthusiasm and much ple killed, till men were afraid to missionary activity. Almostevery strong church has its mission for live there. Then the consul ca,me colored people, and good work is also carried on in Mashonaland, in with his soldiers, and the Awemba Bechuanaland, in Natal, and in Nyassaland by the Dutch mission- had ceast their raiding, because aries. In the missionary institute at Wellington from 12 to 20 students they feared the white man's guns. are in training for work either among the colored people or in the Then they turned to an Angoni, who mission field. A great deal of this new interest is directly traceable to was with them, and said: "Who the influence of the Murray family. stopt war down your way?" "The When old Mr. Murray went to doctor," he replied. "How?" they South Africa early in the century, askt. "He came to us with the Word of God, and he told us what they had to say, and now we are living in peace." All the fighting has not stopt, but large parts of the country are completely settled, and the awful and destructive raids on the lake people have altogether ceast.-Rev. Donald Fraser.
-The largest diamond in the world was discovered last year in the Orange Free State, and is on sale in London for $5,000,000. It is three inches long by two and a-half at its thickest part; has a beautiful blue- white color, in shape and brilliancy resembles the most sparkling of icicles, and is one of the most daz- zling objects ever beheld. It is known as the Jaeger-Fontien dia- mond, as it was found at the mine of that name. Its discoverer was a negro truckman, who, the morn- ing before the mine past into the possession of a purchasing syndi- cate, saw the stone, put his foot over it, pickt it up as soon as he could do so without observation, carried it to the house of the man- ager, and delivered it into his hands.
The Missionary Review of the World — February 1898
CHl'RCH AND CONGREGATION OF THE SOUTH GATE, SHANGHAI
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOl.. XXI. No.2.-0ld Series.-FEBRUARY-VoL. XI. No.2.-New Series.
SPIRI~UAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY.- THE CULTURE OF 'rHE GRACE OJ!' GIVING.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
Paul has apparently rescued from oblivion a logion of the Lord Jesus, more valuable than any of those over which Egyptologists have lately made so much ado: "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ' IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.''' t This priceless oracle seems to be one of those sayings, handed down by tradition, but not embodied in the Gospel narratives. Its unique value largely consists in this, that it lifts giving to its highest plane, and crowns it as the true secret of the most exalted blessing to the giver himself.
Nothing needs reconstruction more than modern giving; in fact, the reconstruction must be a revolution, for the whole basis is wrong. A great German, in a clever epigram, contrasts Socialism and Christianity thus: the former says, "What is thine is mine"; the latter, "What is mine is thine." But as the late Dr. R W. Dale said, "The epigram itself needs correction. Christianity really teaches us to say, , What seems thine is not thine, what seems mine is not mine. Whatever thou or I have belongs to God; and you and I must use what we have according to His will.'''
This is the essence of that sublime truth everywhere taught in Scriptnre: God's inalienable ownership)' man's nndeniable stewardship. This is the one corner-stone of the whole Biblical system of giving; and because it is practically denied or virtually obsolete, WE' ne~d to begin at the beginning, if we are to have a new and a true system in the Christian use of money.
So fundamental is this grace in all holy living and holy serving, that whenever and wherever there is spiritual advance, the standard , • This periodical adopts the Orthography of the following Rule, recommended by the joint action of the American Philological Association and the Philological Society of England :-Change d or ed final to t when so pronounced, except when the e affects a preceding sound.-PIIBLISHERS.
t Acts xx. : 35.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY. [February·
of giving is sure to become more worthy of God's people. When Oarey sounded the bugle call for a new crusade of missions a century ago, one of the first signs of a response was found in the thirteen pounds two shillings and sixpence, laid on God's altar in Widow Wallis' parlor at Kettering on that memorable October day in 1792. And" Oarey's penny," the systematic weekly offering, was the re90gnition of the need of a regular, stated, habitual setting apart of the Lord's portion. From that day to this the matter of giving has been one of the three most perplexing problems of our church life: praying, going, giving, being the three.
Many have been the attempts at solution. Most prominent, perhaps, has been the emphasis laid on the tithe system, which has the grand ad vantage of being of God's own original appointment. – Of this, with all its merits, we can only confess, first, that it is much misunderstood; second, that it belongs to law rather than grace, and third, that it fails to answer the demands of Ohristian equity. Oommonly, the titlie, or tenth, is supposed to have satisfied God's claims and man's needs. In fact, the Jewish tithe repreAented not the maximum but the minimum; and he who carefully studies the whole Jewish economy, will find that in some years the actual proportion given to the Lord's purposes roocht two-fifths, if not three-fifths, of the faithful believer's income. Again, the dispensation of grace teaches us a new and blessed ownership of ourselves by God, as redeemed, regenerated, spirit-filled saints, which includes all we have and are. Under this new order the Sabbath is not less God's time, but all days become Sabbatic; the tithe is not less His, but all our money is to be spent for His uses; and all things and all work become part of a consecrated life for His glory. Moreover, while the tithe may be a fair proportion for a poor saint, it is manifestly out of all proportion for the rich, for our giving is, in equity, to be estimated not by what is given, but by what is kept.
Another prominent plan has been the more apostolic way of laying by in store, weekly, or at stated times, according as God has prospered us, not a fixt sum or proportion, but a variable amount, depending on ability at the time. This has many advantages, most obviously the tendency conscientiously to weigh and prayerfully consider what duty is, and how the measure of obligation varies with increasing prosperity. 'l'he obvious defect is the lack of uniform supplies for the work of God, and the risk of too flexible a conscience in the estimate of one's real ability.
In some quarters much emphasis has been laid on a stated season of special restraint upon appetite and other indulgenc6s, as in the "self-denial week," which has yielded such large returns to various benevolent enterprises. But we must candidly admit that there is no Scripture warrant for a method so spasmodic and sentimental. ']'he
THE CULTURE OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
danger is, that after the special "lenten" season is over, indulgence may run riot, as tho there were some new right acquired to pleasure by the self-imposed restraints.
The various individual schemes for promoting true giving we can only mention, since they have so limited a range of experiment. We know some few who devote to the Lord's purposes, pound for ponnd, or dollar for dollar, an equal amouut to that expended for self. Equitable indeed it seems, to make God the partner who shares alike with ourselves in all the outgo of property. But is not this implying, at least, that the half we spend on ourselves is not His, and that the moiety we hand over to Him equalizes all claims? A very few Christians have limited their accumulations or expenditures to what they deem a reasonable sum, and put the whole remainder at the Lord's disposal-a high example of giving, indeed, in contrast with the low level of most saints. But of these and all other methods, more or less current, the question still arises, and will not down at our bidding: Is this God's standard of giving? We feel forced· to look at this grave matter solely in the searching light of the will and words of God. We have come to accept a method-and still worse a notion of giving, which begins in an issue with the universal Owner. We count what we have our own, not His. We think of ourselves as owners, proprietors, not stewards and trustees. We satisfy ourselves with setting aside the Lord's portion, and consider ourselves entitled to determine what that portion is, and treat the rest as our own, to do as we will with it. Hence comes that avaricious hoarding and selfindulgent spending, which are supposed to be legitimate; and that tardy atonement found in the "munificent bequests;' of which Shaftesbury was wont to speak with such contempt, as tho there could be any real munificence in giving- away what one can no longer use, or even keep. Rightly viewed, it is questionable whether there be even such things as "munificent donations," since a "debtor," a "trustee," a "steward "-which are God's own terms for His human creatures – can not make a donation, he can only discharge a debt, fulfil a trust, execute a commission.
If this truth be drastic, it is God's medicine for the deadly disease of greed, and the fatal selfishness of which greed is only a symptom. The teaching of the blessed Word is unmistakable, and may be briefly stated under the following seven "theses," as Luther would have called them: ]. God owns all things and all creatures, and never alienates or transfers His ownership.
2. God claims us, with all we are and have, as His by creation, preservaion, redemption, and endowment.
3. God teaches us that the one goal of our lives, in every detail, is to be not our own pleasure or profit, but His glory.
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
4. Every man is a debtor to all other men, to love and further their well-be'ing even as he love:; and furthers his own.
5. All we possess, being held in trust, is to be used so as to serve the highest, largest, and most lasting ends for God's glory and man's good.
6. Hence the one supreme life of light and love, duty and privilege, houor and blessing, is to lose oneself in the will of God.
7. Giving belongs to this highest plane of privilege. We multiply ourselves in our gifts, as one spring may fill many streams. No miser can be happy, for the very end of reception is impartation.
We do not need to affirm that these laws of giving belong to a code that is practically obsolete with man, yet eternally in force with God, as immutable as Himself. And we feel a conviction as deep as the roots of our being that not only missions, but every other form of work for man's uplifting and salvation, will find its chariot wheels dragging heavily, until the divine idea of giving takes the throne and shrine in our conviction, and sways its golden scepter in our lives. Every cry of retrenchment is an assault on God and an insult to His claims. Even were there the faithful bringing in of the tithes, there would always be meat in His house and boundless blessing on His people. But could His Church once awake from lethargy and rouse from apathy, and feel her debt to a dying world, and see her apostasy in the matter of witRholding what is her's only in trust for the payment of that debt, there would be a river of beneficence flowing into our various channels of Christian service which would overleap all present banks, and demand new and more adequate modes of distribution-a river to swim in.
The fact is that the ministry of money has never yet been appreciated by us. The vast power latent in consecrated wealth is Olle of the great dormant forces ot the moral universe. WeaUh belongs to the material world, but once consecrated it becomes a moral and spiritual motor, a motive power in the realm of the unseen. Out of the mammon of unrighteousness we may make friends; coining money into souls saved, and into good works done for God. Money is the lever of all good enterprises, and represents values of all sorts. It not only provides home comforts, and drives the wheels of industry, but it relieves poverty and misery, promotes education and art, is a great civilizing force, and the handmaid of evangelism. And its abuse is as mighty for evil as its use is for good; indeed, the best, perverted, always becomes the worst.
Who has any conception of the colossal fortunes held by single owners! When a well-known New Yorker died, he left, it is said, two hundred millions of dollars. If that amount were piled up in standard silver dollars, one on top of another, it would represent a column over three hundred miles high. Yet the whisky money of this nation would represent a similar column over three thousand miles high!
THE CULTURE OF THE GRACE OF dIVING
The annual income of the Duke of Westminster would itself support four thousand married missionaries with their families in the costliest fields of the Orient!
And yet, what do these giant fortunes amount to in the retrospect of a selfish life? The vast treasure of A. T. Stewart was all gone, within a decade ·of years after his decease. His body was stolen and his splendid mausoleum is empty. How few to-day rise up and call him blessed! 'fhe inventor of the fire-extinguishing apparatus, called by his name, died in a Oalifornia almshouse at seventy years of age, and that man had received $10,000 a month for royalty on his machines.
Extravagance saps the very foundation of honesty and virtue, and removes all the base-blocks of individual and family life. Decline of marriages, which was one of the chief causes of the fall of the Roman Empire, was due to the cost of living which made it too expensive for a Roman young man to marry. Thus the middle classes were crusht out-which in every nation supply its backbone. The same causes are now contributing to the ruin of two of t.he foremost nations of the earth, and they call themselves Ohristian nations too! The wedding ceremony itself is often an enormous outlay. While Ohina was appeal. ing to the world to help her starving millions in famine, the Emperor's wedding festivities wasted millions of dollars.
Modern extravagance seems to outstrip even ancient waste. An eccentric millionaire was buried not long ago in Massachusetts in a casket which cost $10,000, the funeral, as a whole, costing three times that amount. If the newspapers can be trusted, a banker's wife, in a party at the Oapital, wore a dress covered with one-hundred and fivehundred dollar bills, so as to make it appear one pattern, the waist and sleeves being thousand dollar bonds sewed in ; her fingers were ablaze with diamonds, and she wore a tiara worth $80,000, and the total value her costume represented was, it was said, about $300,000! An English ecclesiastic calls attention to recent art sales in London, where $10,000 were spent for a dessert service, and $50,000 for two rose-tinted vases. Take the single indulgence known as smoking. Nearly twenty-.five thousand smokers are now in the United States alone, and the cost of this indulgence is fifty times what the whole Ohurch of Ohrist spends on missions.
The churches-alas! lead the way in a wrong standard of expenditure. What shall we say of a well-known church that spends $3,000 a year on the choir, and averages $150 a year for foreign missions ! No wonder Bishop Ooxe found a man in his diocese who put five cents a Sunday into the church box, and $800 a season into the opera box. A millionaire could be named who gives a dollar a Sunday, but stops even this payment when he takes his annual winter excursion to the South, where he spends thousands for his own enjoyment!
Where is our zeal for God? The men of this world do not hesitate
SPIRITUAL lVIOVEMENTS 0]<' THE HALF CENTURY
to embark on an enterprise whose profits are at risk, and spend vast sums on an experiment. The ship canal projected from Bordeaux on the Atlantic, to Narbonne on the Mediterranean, would cost $130,000,- 000. When a few years ago 'a new fleet of ninety-two vessels was planned for the navy of the United States, it was expected to call for $20,000,000 a year, for fourteen years! What a work' it was to build the pyramids, employing one thousand men at a time, and occupying twenty years! The Russian war cost England alone $500,000,000. Consider what might have been done in the field of missions with that sum, which represents all that !ws been given ,in the last seventy-five years for world-wide evangelization by the whole Church!
It is a shame that we should find the most munificent givers outside of the Ohurch of Ohrist. Baron Hirsch, of Paris, recently dead, gave to the poor Russian Jews, and their fellow Hebrews in Pol::tnd, Hungary, and Austria, $10,000,000; and shortly after as much more to other charities. His benefactions are yet without a parallel in history. And this famous financier and railroad king, besides giving ten millions to Christian schools and hospitals in Europe, gave $40,000,000 to build commercial schools in the waste lands of the continent for the Jews.
One of the awful facts is that there has been a decline and decay of liberality in the churches. While the membership increast in thirty years three and a half times, there was a decided falling off in the rate of giving, and while the total of gifts increast four times, the amount given by each converted believer went down to about one-half.
God wants self-denying giving. Who can look at the Japanese temple, with its coil of rope,-larger than a ship's hawser, and weighing a ton and a half, made from the hair of Buddha's worshipers, and used to lift timbers and stones to their places in the temple building,-without feeling the rebuke implied to our self-sparing gifts? The wealth of church members in Protestant communions is, by the census, at least $10,000,000,000. Their contributions average onesixteenth of a cent for every dollar, or one dollar in about $l,uOO.
What a sacrifice of vanity was that when the women of Israel gave their metal mirrors to be melted down and recast for the laver of the holy court. As surely as the barnacles ate their way into the oak timbers of the Albatross and sank her, selfishness eats intu and destroys Ohristian character. Mr. Spurgeon had a contempt for all parsimony, and occasionally thundered anathemas against it, and again pelted it with ridicule. One morning he said of some unwilling givers that they squeezed each shilling until the queen's head was well nigh obliteratt3d. The Abbe Roux keenly remarkt, that" It is not as far from the heart to the mouth as from the mouth to the hand," meaning that m:1ny who talk generously give stingily.
On the other side of the sea I found examples of disproportionate
THE CULTURE OF THE GRACE OF GIVING. 8'1
giving very rare in this country-giving which would be thought by most people quite out of proportion to their selfish indulgence. For example: First case-A governess, out of the £100 that she earns, . keeps £50 and gives the other £50 away. Like Zaccheus, she says: "Behold, Lord, the haff of my goods I give to the poor." Second case-" One whose income is £2,000, lives on £200 and gives £1,800 away," thus parting with not only one-tenth, but with nine tenths of what is received. Third case-" Another, who earns £1,500 a year, lives on £100 and gives £1,400 away," and thus £14 out of every £15 are devoted to the claims of religion and charity. Fourth case- "Another, whose income is £8,000, lives on £250 and gives the balance away." What a balance to part with: £31 given back to God out of every £32 received from Him! Mr. Gladstone's brief eulogy of Mr. Peabody was: "One who taught us the most needful of all lessons: how a man may bea master of his fortune and not its slave." There is one lesson even more needful-namely, that we should learn that no man can assume to be the "master of a fortune OJ without virtually disputing the fact of his stewardship.
God wants consecrated capital for consecrated work. When Theresa felt the need of a hospital, she had but three farthings, but she began to build, for while" Theresa and three farthings were nothing, God and three farthings were incalculable."
God wants conscientious and systematic giving. Stonewall Jackson, on the day after the second battle of Bull's Run, in the midst of all the feverish excitement of the war, inclosed his contribution for missions, due on the Sabbath. As he could not be present, he could not neglect the offering.
If one is content to appropriate a certain proportion to benevolent work, let him be sure the proportion increases as the wealth accumulates. More than half a century ago, Nathaniel Oobb sat down in his counting-house in Boston, and wrote the following solemn covenant: "By the grace of God, I will never be worth more than fifty thousand dollars. By the grace of God, I will give one-fourth of the net profits of my business to charitable and religious uses. If I am ever worth twenty thousand dollars, I will give one-half of my net profits; if I am worth thirty thousand dollars, I will give three-fourths; and the whole after fifty thousand dollars. So help me God, or give to a more faithful steward, and set me aside."
This covenant he subscribed and adhered to with conscientious fidelity as long as he lived. On his death-bed he said to a friend, "By the grace of God, nothing else, I have been enabled, under the influence of these resolutions, to give away more than forty thousand dollars. How good the Lord has been to me!"
We should begin the ministry of money when we have but little. As the Persian proverb says:
SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE HALF CENTURY
"Do the little things now; So the big things shall by and by Come asking to be done."
Scriptural giving is worship, and so every worshiper of God must be one of God's givers, whether rich or poor. The mites God values as much as the millions, if they mean prayerful, and devout, and worshipful givipg. Dr. Howard Crosby used to say, "The poor man should no more omit giving, on account of his poverty, than the illiterate his praying because of his bad grammar."
It is more blessed to give than to receive. When disciples learn the true ministry of money, the privilege of giving will swallow up the obligation. To ask unbelievers for gifts to carryon God's work, or even to urge believers to give, is not God's way, and neither will be done by a church that is devout and truly consecrated. Nor will a few large givers be permitted to do all the giving, as tho it were by the amount given that the total is to be estimated.
When we understand our stewardship, we shall see that every dollar belongs to God. Dr. William Kincaid says: "A friend of mine was receiving some money at the hands of a bank officer the other day, when he noticed, depending from one of the bills, a little scarlet thread. He tried to pull it out, but found that it was woven into the very texture of the note, and could not be withdrawn. 'Ah ! ' said the banker, 'you will find that all the government bills are made so now. It is an expedient to prevent counterfeiting.' Just so Christ has woven the scarlet thread of his blood into every dollar that the Christian owns. It can not be withdrawn; it marks it as His. My brother, my sister, when you take out a government note to expend it for some needless luxury, notice the scarlet thread therein, and reflect that it belongs to Christ. How can we trifle with the pric8 of blood r"
How beautiful is the myth of Elizabeth of Hungary, the pioneer saint, martyr! How, when carrying in her robe, supplies of food for the poor, when her husband prest her to know what waE the burden she was bearing, and opened her robe, he saw only heaven's red and white roses, and was dazzled by the supernal glory of her face. In God's eyes how many of our simplest gifts for His poor are really celestial blooms, full of a holy fragrance, as the sweet smell of incense I We must be brought into such vital and habitual sympathy with God that we shall see this lost world through His eyes. That would solve every problem. We should then learn how to pray, for we shOuld share in the travail of the Son of God; we should yearn to go, for the want and woe of mankind would draw us as it drew Him; and we should find it easy to give, and correspondingly hard to keep. In harmony with God each soul will say, as Christ said: "Lo, I COME TO DO THY WILL, 0 GOD!"
WORK AMONG THE CHINESE BLIND
WORK AMONG THE OHINESE BLIND.
BY MISS C. F. GORDON CUMMING, CRIEFF, SCOTLAND.
Among the innumerable inventions of the present day, there is one, seemingly so small and simple, and produced by a worker so humble, that it is in danger of being overlookt; and yet so vast are its latent capabilities that' I have no doubt that this small acorn will, in due season, develop into a wide-spreading 'free of Life-a most valu- able handmaid to all missionary effort in those provinces of Ohina where Mandarin Chinese is spoken-that is to say, in three-fourths of the vast empire, and by a population roughly estimated at three hun- dred millions.* .
The results of this invention may be briefly summarized thus: (t) Work for the blind. (2) Work by trained blind for other blind. (3) Work by the blind for illiterate sighted persons.
The inventor of this simple, but valu- able, invention, Rev. William Murray, was the only son of a poor saw-miller near Glasgow, Scotland. When only about nine years of age, while too fearlessly ex- amining the machinery, his left arm was torn off, thus disabling him and prevent- ing him from following his father's occu- pation. This apparent calamity proved to be the first incident in his calling to mission work of a very remarkable nature. REV. WILLfAM H. MURRAY. As soon as he was old enough to earn his own living, he became a rural postman in the neighborhood of Glas- gow, and day by day he beguiled the tedium of his long tramps by the study of two books-the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Tes- tament in Greek-reserving part of his time for quiet prayer that God would make plain to him His holy will concerning his future life.
He soon became convinced that he must find work in some way con- nected with foreign missions, or Bible-work. Again and again he applied for employment as a colporteur of the National Bible Society of Scotland, but tho greatly attracted by the lad, the secretary feared that one so very unassuming might fail to prove successful. Thus a considerable time elapst ere his services were accepted.
Finally, in 1864, he carried his point, and was told to begin work among the foreign ships lying in the Olyde. Soon the society found that it had never had such a colporteur as the gentle lad who made * This may be an over-estimate of the extent to which this system may be used, but by slight changes it may doubtless be adapted to very nearly these numbers.-En. his way among the sailors of all nations, persuading them to purchase portions of the Scriptures in their own languages. During the seveu years of his apprenticeship as a home colporteur he carried on his own education during the winter months, by going very early to bed, and rising daily at 3 A. M. to study for the classes held from 8 till 10 A. M. at the Old College, ere commencing his long day's work of bookselling on the street or the river. In the summer months he was sent through wild districts in the Scottish Highlands, pushing his Bible cart along many a lonely, hilly tract of bleak moorland-a task which often severely taxt the strength of his one arm. All this time he was longing to be employed in carrying the Word of Life to those to whom it was as yet unknown.
At last, in 1871, he obtained his heart's desire; and was sent to North China, being located first at Chefoo, and then at Peking. The same aptitude for mastering crabbed symbols -ivhich had facilitated his study of Greek and Hebrew enabled this diligent student very quickly to acquire a sufficient knowledge of Chinese to begin his bookselling. In fact, in the first four months, he actually learned to recognize, at sight, two thousand of the bewilderingly intricate' Chinese ideographs, or written characters. Between 30,000 and 40,000 of these are to be found in the writings of Confucius, which embody practically all the learning of China. Before one can read a very simple book in Chinese, such as the Bible, he must be able to recognize at least four thousand of the ideographs. It need scarcely be said that the vast majority of the Chinese never attempt to learn to read, still less would they dream of learning to write. As in the early days of the Church, we may ask incredulously, "Have any of the rulers of the people believed?" The vast majority of Chinese converts to Christianity are quite illiterate, ·so that about 95 per cent. of the Christian men, and all of the Christian women, are unable to read, aud can pnly join in hymns which they have learned by heart. They receive instruction only as they listen to what is read or preacht in the mission churches-few, indeed, can carry home books from which to read for the edification of themselves or their neighbors. From this we can understand something of the importance of the invention of a system so very simple that the most illiterate, both blind and sighted, can learn both to read and write in less than three months-many have done so in half that time. The extraordinary simplicity of the system is due to the fact that it was evolved in two distinct stages, the first being only for the use of the blind.
There are in China a lamentable number of these blind, owing to the prevalence of leprosy, small-pox, ophthalmia, and general dirt. In the streets of all Chinese cities it is a common thing to see a dozen or more blind men or women, walking in single file, the blind leading the blind, making a hideous noise with cymbals and other discordant instruments, in order to extract infinitesimal coins from the deafened passengers or shopkeepers, who pay this tax to induce the unsightly and noisy procession to move on.
The majority of the adult blind are the most degraded of the population, but occasionally one came to Mr. Murray wishing to buy a portion of this" foreign classic of Jesus." When Mr. Murray askt, "What is the use to you of a book which you can not see to read?" . the answer was: "If I have the book, perhaps some day some one will read it to me." Mr. Murray told them how, in Europe and America, blind people were taught to read for themselves, but, naturally, he seemed to them as one that mockt. From that time, however, he never ceast to yearn for some way in which to help the blind, and made it his ceaseless prayer that he might be guided how to do it. He had need of truly God-given patience, for eight years elapst ere he arrived at a satisfactory solution, and during all that time he was ceaselessly selling, to the few who could read them, books printed in the intricate Chinese characters.
Ere leaving Scotland Mr. Murray had studied Moon's system of raised alphabetic symbols for the blind, but as musical notes can not be represented by this type, he saw that it could never satisfactorily render the amazingly fine gradations of sound which form the tones, so maddening to the foreigner seeking to learn Chinese. But in the London Mission, where he lodged, was a little girl who had been born blind, and for her books were sent from England in Braille's system of embost dots. This system expresses fine gradations of sound so clearly that the most complicated music can be written for the blind. By taking a group of six dots, and omitting one or more at a time, sixty-three symbols can be produced. By means of these can be rep- resented the twenty-four letters of the alphabet, which so accurately express the forty-one sounds of the English language, and the remainder of the sixty-three may be used to denote punctuation and musical notes. But as the Chinese have no alphabet, the first step toward a solution of the problem was when Mr. Murray realized that, altho there are over 30,000 Chinese characters, there are only four hundred and eight sounds in Mandarin Chinese-the language of about three hundred millions of the people. But Braille provides only sixty-three symbols, how then ~ould these be made to represent four hundred and eight sounds?
There was then vouchsafed to this .patient seeker after the Lord's guidance what he recognized as a divine revelation. In the broad noonday, while resting from his long morning of exhausting toil among noisy Chinese crowds, he seemed to see a great scroll outspread before him, and covered with Braille's embost dots. The thought seemed to be flasht into his mind, "]J£ake these dots represent numerals, and number the sounds." There, in a nutshell, lies the whole secret. 'fhe same group of dots, differently placed, are used to represent units, tens, and hundreds. Thus, symbols representing the numbers 1, 2, 3, °= = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9,0, stand for units; any two of these symbols (e.g., 4 and 40), represent tens; and any three symbols (e.g., 4, 0, and 8 408), stand for hundreds. Thus it becomes a very simple thing to represent any numeral.
Mr. Murray next numbered the four hundred and eight sounds of Mandarin Chinese. 1 stands for Ah)' 2, for Ai)' 3, for Anj 10, for Chan)' 100, for'Hlwn/ 400, for Yung/ 408, for P'ou. This last sound, which is represented by the highest figure required, has a symbol as surprisingly simple as any of the others. Then, as an aid to memory, Mr. Murray arranged 408 doggerel lines, connecting the numeral with the soundsomewhat as children say: "ONE to make ready, Two to prepare; THREE to be off, FOUR to be there."
The Chinese are all gifted with very retentive memories, and they ••••••• have no difficulty in rapidly mem- I,••••• ••••••••••• .•••••• -.•.••• orizing these lines. Thenceforth they find that the touch of the ."•••,. • .,' .•••• dots representing any numeral .,.'. •••"••.•.••.,,••• instinctively suggests the corre- ..••, :' sponding sound, just as in our • ..,•••• • • own language the sight of a cer- .,••••• • tainletter of the alphabet suggests :: a certain sound.
"• Great was Mr. Murray's joy •• when his years of patient, in- . ' genions toil were thus crowned :. with success. His first four pupils were miserably poor, ignorant MR. MURRAY'S SYSTEM' OF EMBOST DOTS FOR street beggars, whom he brought THE BLIND. to his own lodgings, that he might feed and clothe them, and isolate A portion of a page from one of the Gospels. The dots are raised for the blind.
them from contaminating surroundings. But even these unpromis- ing pupils were able to read and write fluently in three months.
It was at this tirn'e (June, 1879,) that, in the course of pro- longed travels, I was compelled to visit Peking, and, by a totally unforeseen chain of circumstances, found myself the guest of Dr.
Dudgeon, of the London Mission, and heard these blind men, who had been ignorant beggars only about four months before, reading and writing fluently from any page prepared for their use in Murray's numerical type.
After my return to England other matters engrost my attention, so that it was not until the year 1886 that I came to realize that the development of this remarkable and noble work was greatly limited by the fact that Mr. Murray possest nothing beyond his salary as a colporteur. This small amount was intended only for his own maintenance, but on it he was maintaining twelve or more blind students, besides hiring a room in which they could live. This thought led me for the first time to appeal to the public for funds to enable him to extend the work. Tho the amounts contributed have never sufficed to do this on an adequate scale, they have proved sufficient to convince practical men that the system was worth developing and applying. Consequently a number of well-known men in Glasgow formed themselves into a home committee, while others in Peking, well acquainted with Mr. Murray and his work, form his very practical committee on the field.
Until about the year 1890 only Mr. Murray's work for the blind was mentioned. Then came the second -stage in what he loves to call his revelation, namely, his adaptation of the self-same system for the use of sighted persons. Some said to him, rather in " chaff," "What a privilege it is to be blind, and to learn to read and write in three months! Why don't you do something for poor sighted persons, who must needs take about six years to learn to read their own complicated ideographs, and are then far from fluent?" It then suddenly occurred to him that nothing could be more simple. He had only to make the numeral type visible by using BLACK LINES INSTEAD OF THE RAISED DOTS.
Having, with his brush and ink, prepared pages in this manner, he and a native assistant tried teaching several intelligent Chinamen, each of whom mastered the system in a few days!
But everything in China requires patience, and fully a year elapst ere he was able to get these new symbols cast in metal type ready for the printer. He then took these to his blind scholars, who were busily embossing books for the blind, and aGkt if they could tell what they were. After feeling them, the blind students at once replied: "Why. these are our symbols, but you have used lines instead of dots. Why have you done this? "
"Because you blind people are now going to print books for sighted persons, and you are going to teach them how to read! "
This is exactly what is being done, and it would be difficult to conceive of anything more infinitely pathetic. All day long blind compositors (generfl,l1y girls) are preparing column after column of this clear, simple type, and a sighted colporteur comes in the evening to print off the many hundred copies. Then the blind fingers neatly disperse the type into its compartments, and again set up new columns. Thus all the gospels, most of the epistles, many favorite hymns, and sacred literature on a very small scale have already been prepared, and a blind man or a blind woman is ready at any time to instruct any sighted pupils who are willing to be taught.
One of Mr. Murray's first test cases was a class of the oldest, most ignorant converts in Peking. To these he offered 2td (5 cents) a day all the time they were learning, if only they would try. Of course, they thought he was mad, but they were delighted to get so large a daily dole, and would fain have continued drawing it to the end of their lives. But at the end of six weeks they all came to Mr. Murray to say that they could no longer claim it, for they found, to their unspeakable surprise, that all could read and write.
The next experiment was teaching a large class of very ignorant farm women, who came from another province to study at another branch of the London Mission. One blind girl, Hannah by name, L. ~ J// was taken there with a parcel of L..J l.. '" '.. ..J books specially prepared by the .J, /~ 10 ,,- Co – blind students. In less than a week Mrs. Allardyce, wife of the 'r . .tI .. :.1' .J'l r:::: missionary, had mastered the ~, /~1I~/ C",~~'/" ":J system. Of course, she could _/ already speak Chinese fluently. "I 1..1 t.. -..1 '.,I ,, 1-"", In less than ten days Mr. Murray I r "' C – '.. ".J I I received from one of the women a perfectly written letter, without !:or ~, ,-; -10 ~ .. one error, and from another, one " ,-' _/ <, c«; of the Psalms, equally correct. <' – / .. r' I At the end of three months all [J I.. I I SYMBOLS FOR SIGHTED PERSONS IN MURRAY'S these women returned to their NUMERAL TYPE. farms, able to read anything at sight, and to write accurately. A portion of a page from the Book of Acts.
The latter power was soon put to a test. When the war with Japan broke out, Mrs. Allardyce and her sister, Miss Goode, returned to Aus- tralia, to visit their father, and, while there, they received most interesting letters from these poor farm women.
A most important point in this invention for the sighted lies in the fact that its simplicity and the various details which make it acceptable to the Chinese, are due to Mr. Murray's having been led primarily to work for the blind. Had he deliberately gone to work to invent a simple system by which to teach illiterate Chinese, he would doubtless have attempted something reproducing our curved letters of the alphabet, which are so essentially foreig~ as to be ohnox- ious to the Chinese. But the reproduction, in black lines, of Braille's symbols as arranged for blind fingers, gives square and angular forms, which appear to the Chinese to bear a family likeness to the square characters which they so greatly revere, a likeness wondrously simplified, but still suggestive. Moreover, the Chinese take kindly to numerals. They also find that these newly inven ted symboIs can easily be written with the brush and India ink to which they are accustomed.
I would fain multiply details of Mr. Murray's work-his ada12ta- tion of the same system of numerals to shorthand, for both blind and sighted; the manner in which he renovates dilapi- dated pianos and harmoniums, contriv- in g, with 'his one arm, to give them new wires and n ew leathers; how he teaches all his blind pupils both to play and to write music from dictation, so that a number of them are now acting as or- ganists at different mlSSlOn chapels.
'1'he only musical training that Mr.
Murray himself had ever received was sufficient instruction in the t on ic sol-fa system to enable him to t each in a Sun- BLIND PETER. day-school in Glasgow. Organist of the London Mlsflon and F ain would I also tell of the conver- head teacber in the school for the sion and subsequent missionary work of bUnd. Died 18!1O.
Blind Chang, of Manchuria, whose earnest preaching has led upward of fi ve hundred men t o seek baptism, in spite of all the chances of cruel persecution, HAVE FAITH IN GOD which may at any time r esult from thus openly confessing their 2 faith. I would gladly tall how the .. . . . .. 3 TANGl HSIN"" SHANG4 CHU3 first blind w()lnan who mastered 4 ••••-, •• •• the new system was t aught by a •, ••• • small blind boy, so young that he was still allowed access to the 5 •,I women's quarters. Of course, MI'. Murray could not possibly be '" 6 ( J~ , allowed to teach women, but by .7 V this means the difficulty was over- 8 "'" come. This ingenious woman .A. COMPARISON OF SYMBOLS. became the teacher of all blind girls and women, who subse- (1) English. (2) Chinese Ideographs. (8) AI · quently have ventured to come to phabetlc Chinese. (4) Nmllerieal type f or be taught.' blind (embost). (5) Numerical type f or sighted. ,6) Shorthand. (7) Some have faced almost in- Joined shorthand. (8) Short- credible difficulties to secure this hand without tone.
precious power. One blind woman persuaded her husband, another persuaded her father, to wheel her in a cumbersome wheelbarrow, from a remote mission station, all the way to Peking. In each case it was a thirty days' jonrney, in the midst of the bitterly cold winter, and across a country whose roads are practically non-existent. It needed strong faith and determination to face such difficulties as those of .the mere journey, to say nothing of residence with foreigners in a BLIND BANNAII AND ONE OF HER CLASSES OF IGNORANT FARM WOMEN.
strange city, in order to acquire their wondrous new arts. But these blind Christian women persevered, and in due season returned to their homes, not only able to read the Holy Scriptures for themselves, but competent to instruct others also both in reading and writing.* The British and Chinese Bible Society distributes throughout the Chinese Empire the Bible in classical Mandarin, 10 Oolloquial, Katmuck, Mongolian, and Tibetan languages. In 1896 some 540,000 books were printed. 366,000 books were put into circulation, of which 358,000 were sold, and 8,000 given away. The books are nearly always sold at a price to pay for the paper, and it was an indication of the remarkable progress of Christianity that 11,000 New Testaments in excellent bindings were sold.
* Those who wish may order copies of Miss Gordon Cumming's little book" Work for the Blind" (price 6d., postage 3d.), from the publishers, Messrs. Gilbert&·Rivington, Clerkenwell, London. For those who prefer giving direct help to the blind, I may mention that about £10 ($50) covers all expenses for the maintenance of one pupil for a year. Subscriptions will be gladly received by D. L. Pierson, 944 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., whQ will forward them to the treasurer, Prof. S. M. Russell, The University, Peking, China.
'1898.] JlHSSIONARY STATISTICS
MISSIONARY STATISTICS.
BY REV. J. VAHL, NORRE-ALSLEV, DENMARK, President of the Danish Missionary Society.
During recent years much progress has been made in the science of missionary statistics, as well as in all other branches of the work of missions. This science is of comparatively recent development, and it is not strange therefore that it has no place in earlier missionary reports. The first reports in which we find extensive statistics are those of the Wesleyan Missionary Society for 1820, the Church Missionary Society for 1823, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel for 1832.* Gradually the statistics have been made more complete, and have been given by a larger number of societies, altho some are still greatly lacking in this respect. The first statistics, which included the work of all of the evangelical missions, were, so far as we know, those publisht in London in 1861. But the anonymous author (Dr. Moister:s~ys in the preface: "So defective are the reports of some societies, and so various a,re the modes adopted by different bodies for classifying laborers, that it is not possible to gather from publisht documents even the exact number of missionary laborers now employed among the unevangelized. Still more defective and perplexing are returns found to be when an effort is made to ascertain who are male and who are female assistants from Christian lands, and who are native helpers. It would be well if some approach to uniformity were adopted by the various missions in the estimating of laborers and results. Until this is attained, all estimates, however carefully made, will be very unsatisfactory."
In 1874 a new edition of these statistics was publisht with essential emendations, and since that time missionary statistics have mane considerable progress. This is manifested by the very emendated reports of the various societies, by the statistical tables given in the reports of the large conferences in Indilit, China, Japan, etc., by the statiEtical work of Dr. E. M. BIiss,t Dr. Grundemann,t Rev. J. Vahl,§ and by workers in various countries, like Rev. H. Loomis, of Japan, and others.
But are m1'ssionary statistics ~f any use? Much can be read out of the dead figures, and it would be found difficult to express progress and decline in the different departments of missionary work without using them. But, on the other hand, one must take care not to read too much in the numbers. They speak only of quantity, not of the * In a "Larger Outlook" (Uebersicht) of the Moravian Missions of 1833 no statistics are given, but they are found in a short outlook for 183g, They also appear in the reports of the Baptist Missionary Society for 1842; Basel Mission Society for 1853; Presbyterian Board (U, S.), 1855 (perhaps earlier); London Missionary Society, 1856; Methodist Episcopal Society, 186U; Rhenish Missionary Society, 1881; American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 1882 (instead of the summaries); Paris Evangelical Missionary Society, 1887. in some of them statistics about some of the missions have been found before. The three great Presbyterian Churches of Scotland, without doubt, included them at a comparatively early date. as did the Gossner Missionary Society, the Swedish Missionary Union, and others.-J. V.
t "Encyclop",dia of Missions." t Allgemeine Missions Zeitschrift.
§ Nordisk Missiontidschrift, reprinted in " Missions to the Heathen," quality: No one, by means of them, can read how m1lny really faith- ful, efficient missionaries are to be found, how many of the native ministers, helpers, and communicants are consecrated, faithful men, or what is the proportion of true believers to. backsliders and unbelievers. But when we read that the number of native ministers in fifty years has increast from 158 to 4,018 (more than 20 fold), that the communicants have, in the last five years, increast by 200,000, and the number of Christians has increast at a rate much in excess of that of the population, and that the incomes of the societies have, on the whole, been steadily augmented, one must be a foolish and negative critic to underrate their value.
Dr. Moister deplored the DIFFICULTY OF GETTING ACCURATE INFORMATION.
There has been much progress in this direction, and yet there are some small societies, from which it is very difficult, or impossible, to secure accurate information. Especially from the Dutch societies such is generally wanting. In some reports no returns are given from some fields; here an approximate return ought to be given by the secretary, or it ought to be demanded that the missionaries report the items every year. Dr. Moister further complained that the modes of classifying the laborers are too varied and uncertain. Even now this is not at all satisfactory. Some of the societies have foreign missions, not only among the heathen, but also among Roman Catholic or Oriental Chris- tians, and some of them even among evangelical Christians.* In these cases deduction must be made in the general missionary statistics. But in the general tables of statistics, these various items ought all to be treated in the same way.
There is also a difference in the use of tlte name "missionary." Sometimes it is used to denote only the ordained missionary, whereas there may be missionaries, like Borresen and Skrefsrud among the Santals, who for many years remain unordained. The medical unordained missionaries, who also preach the Gospel, shall they not be called missionaries? Some years ago a bishop in the Universalist Mission said, that every white man employed by the mission, even as printer or artisan, did a real missionary work, and should be included under the head of missionaries. And what shall be done with the missionary planters, as in the Zambesi Industrial Mission? Again, what is meant by assistant missionaries? Sometimes these include all female missionaries, wives, and sometimes men, whose work is directed *In the reports of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel no difference is made between missions among colonists and among heathen. The words" foreign missions II are also understood in a different way, the American missionary societies understanding thereby only missions in foreign countries, and counting the missions among the heathen in the United States among home missions, whereas the missions to the heathen in British North America (in the reports of the Church Missionary Society, etc.), are put under foreign missions. The missions among the negroes in the West Indies are, in the reports of the Moravians, United Presbyterians, etc., found among the missions to the heathen, but among the Baptists, Angli· cans, and Methodists they are excluded, and named self-supporting churches, as they really are. but not supported by the society reporting the statistics. Native ministers. are also variously designated, sometimes being counted as ordained ministers, and sometimes as lay preachers. Native assistants sometimes include unpaid helpers, and sometimes even heathen teachers.
Communicants, I think, now always mean the same thing. The Leipzig Missionary Society indicates by this the number of Christians who have communicated during the year (10 persons communing 4 times gives 40 communicants), hut in the last reports there is a special note, entitled" To Communion," which gives the number of comml;lnicants in the common sense of the word. In some reports (Methodist) the communicants are called members, and in the Dutch reports they are not to be found at aIr. The word" Christian" is also used in different senses. With some it is equivalent to baptized adults and children, but with the Baptists it is the same as members. Adherents in some reports indicate* not baptized members, but catachumens, while in other reports these are either omitted or are given separately. t In the same report the sum of the items of the several countries is sometimes different from that given in the general summary.
There is another difficulty.
AN APPARENT SUDDEN DECREASE among communicants may be caused by defections to Romanism through bribery, or may be due to more severe discipline in the Church, which has caused the exclusion of some hitherto counted as Christians. Such seeming discrepancies ought always to be explained.
Thus it will be easily understood that the compilation of a uniform statistical table, which includes the work of the many societies and agencies, is a somewhat difficult task, and that every such work is necessarily imperfect. It can, however, be done with more or less success and accuracy. To get rid of some of the difficulties, it was proposed in the Continental Missionary Conference, held at Bremen, in 1893, to formulate some general rules for the statistics of the different German missionary societies. It might be a great desideratum, if some such rules for the statistics of all missionary societies could be agreed upon at the coming International Missionary Conference to be held in New York in 1900. This would be difficult, but I think that it might be done, in some respects at least.
(1) All societies should give the number of those who can be admitted to the Holy Communion.
(2) Unmarried female missionaries and wives should be given separately. .
• Baptist Missionary Society and American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
t In the A. B. C. F. M. report for 1896, p. 115, the adherents are given as 137,729, and the average congregations as 71,449. (3) The numbers of white missionaries, ordained, ullordained, and medical, should be given separately.
(4) U nordained native helpers should be distinguisht from ordain~d. (5) Only the salaried Christian helpers should be noced, altho others might be given separately. (6) Adherents should be taken to mean only baptized non-communicants, unless otherwise stated. I also deem it desirable and practicable that the work among the heathen be distingllisht from the work among the Christians, even if these were only nominal Christians and practical heathen. This should be done especially where the work is among evangelical Christians. If it were possible to prevail npon the American societies to classify the work among the Indians under the heathen, it would be desirable. It ought also to be a rule that when a mission is considered as having attained its aim it should be so indicated; for it is anomalous that in the same countries (e. g. West Indies) some missions should be put down as missions to heathen, and some as organized churches. It might also be helpful if in some Anglican colonies the work among colonists could be noted separately from the work among the natives.* Another item which should be mentioned is the income of societies. It is important to have these recorded in the yearly budget of the societies, that the statistician may see if progress has been made. From the total income is to be deducted the balance from the previous year, and the receipts from the sale of pUblications issued by the society, so that only the net income may be included in the income of the year. It would also be useful if the donations, collections, etc., were separated from the legacies and interest on investments. It would be interesting to know how much is received from the Church at home and how much from foreign countries. Some German societies receive a large proportion of their income from foreign countries.f The income from the mission field has also begun to be considerable, and ought to be noted. Sometimes it is included in the income of the society, and sometimes it is given as contribution to self-support. Then again the expenses for benevolent purposes are not always separated from those for strictly religious purposes. Gifts other than money are also not generally estimated at their pecuniary value.! It may be next to impossible that the same system should be adopted by all societies for the'tabulating of their receipts, but any move in that direction would go a great way toward making the general statistical review of all societies much more useful and trustworthy.
* This is done in the reports of the Wesleyan South African Conference and of the Dutch Church in Africa, etc. t The Moravians received at least half from this Source in 1895; the Rhenish Mission Society one-eighth (1896). The Lutheran Missionary Society Olle-sixth (1896). The Basel Missionary Society receives about half of its income from Germany.
t With the Plymouth Brethren very much is sent to the missionaries themselves which is not included in the yearly income of the society. The different Bible, tract, and religious literature societies are a great help to the missionary societies, but in the statistics of missions only their expenditure for books in the native language and for the salaries of workers among the heathen should be included in the missionary statistics. In the expenditures of the missionary societies a distinction ought also to be made (as the late Rev. Royal G. Wilder tried to do in the MISSIONARY REVIEW some years ago) between amounts expended for direct missionary work, for administration, on the outfitting of new missionaries, and for sundry expenses.
The following is a comparative statistical table, which may serve to indicate the past progress and the outlook for the future: ~~I 1820 . 1845" I 1859 1889 1895 10 ——– —– Missionaries .. 421' ':1 1,319 2,032 4,135 6,369 1 72 76 1,889 3,390 Unmarried fe- male mission- aries ……… Communicants 21,7872 51,3226 159,000 227,000 850,000 1,057,000 Native minis- ters ………. 7' ? 158 169 3,327 4,018 Native helpers. 166 8507 3,1521 5,785 41,754 61,424 Nat i v e disci- •.•• 1 252,000 864,000 pIes ……… 15,7284 102,275 I Income …….. £121,756 £226,440 £632,000 £918,000 £2,130,000 £2, 807,000 Societies …… .20· 25" 65 98 262 365 1 These statistics are not to be taken as giving a complete showing of the work of the various years, but only as a very incomplete view .thereof, the reports being both very difficult to obtain and in themselves very incomplete. But the progress is very evident, and almost every year it is to be noted in very nearlY every item. In 70 years the number of missionaries has been doubled 15 times, that of the communicants 50 times, that of the native ministers 5,100 times. The income of the societies has been increast twentyfold, and that of the societies and agencies tenfold. Could the reports of the different societies be obtained and thoroughly studied, and could the information thereby obtained be amplified from the archives of the societies. the general statistics could be made more elaborate and trustworthy; but the time and the expense necessary to accomplish this would be too great to permit of its being undertaken.
IMoravian. 83; London Missionary Society. 80; Wesleyan Missionary Society, 77; American Board. 64; Church Missionary Society. 61; Baptist Missionary Society, 34.
'Wesleyan Missionary Society, 20,711; Moravian, London Missionary Society, Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, as the others give no returns.
'SoCiety for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge. 4Very incomplete. ·From some very imperfect returns. Also 13 other societies (mostly book societies from which there are no returns). 'Wesleyan Missionary Society, 34,904; Baptist, 9,940.
~~~~ir~'ft~ ~~c~~~~:iIs.
"For 1845.1~90 vide Vahl, "Der Stand der Heidenmission in fien Jahren 1845 und 1890," Giitersloh, 1892.
IOVahl "Missions to Heathen" Copenhagen, 1890, and yearly.
THE LAND OF THE LAMAS
THE LAND OF THE LAMAS.* BY ERNEST F. NEVE, M.D., Missionary of the Church Missionary Society, India.
The original religion of Tibet, so revered by modern Theosophists, must have been a form of devil worship, but during the first century of the Christian era Buddhist missionaries went from Cashmere and converted that portion of Tibet which is now known as Ladakh. The Chinese pilgrim, Hwen Thseng, who visited Cashmere in 638, A. D., (about the time that Jerusalem was conquered by the Saracens), found the mass of the people given over to Hinduism, and the monasteries of the Buddhists were already deserted. The Mohammedan BEMIS MONASTERY, LADAKH, LESSER TIBET.
conquest of Cashmere completed the ruin of Buddhism in that province, and now the people are nearly all Moslems, altho the ruler is a Sikh or Hindu Prince. But Buddhism survived in· Ladakh, and its capital city Leh is an important center of Tibetan Buddhism.
After crossing the snowy Zoji La Pass, and descending into the hot, dry valley which leads to Kargyl, one meets with the first signs of Lamaism, about ten days' march from Srinagar, the capital of Cashmere. At Sheogol there is a little monastery perched upon the face of the cliff, 300 feet above the stream. Four miles further on there is the monastery of Mnlbek, also built upon an isolated rocky peak. Almost every village has a monastery inhabited by monks with shaven heads and red robes, who take part in services, copy manuscripts, * This paper is prepared and contributed by Dr. T. P. Hughes, of New York. carve stones, turn prayer wheels, and guide the religious life of the people. These monks are great land owners, and by lell(ling money on land securities, they make the peasants their serfs.
On the outskirts of a village there will often be noticed a Buddhist cenotaph or "chorten," in appearance like a large monument with a globular expansion, aud terminating in a point. The whole is usually whitewasht, except the top. The Buddhists burn their dead, and after the body of a deceast Lama (Buddhist priest) has been cremated, the ashes are mixt with clay, molded and stampt into small medallions with images, and are finally deposited in a cavity in one of these cenotaphs. • The people in this r egion have Mongolian features. The men wear pigtails. The women have headdresses of cloth, covered with large turquoises, and balanced ·~ by ear-Haps of lamb's wool; they wear cloaks of sheep skin, and richly colored dresses.
The monasteries are pic- turesque, irregular buildings, whitewasht and built in ter- races and with flat roofs. They are usually located on promi- nent rocks or cliffs. In the valle"y of the Sok Ohu stands the monastery of Suk Sun Dong Gong. It is percht on an isolated rock, at the foot of which -are clustered a miserable collection of mud huts. "The whole thing exemplifies well A BUDDHIST CHORTEN, LADAKH. the state of affairs in Tibet, the comfortable stately monastery in which the well-fed, well-drest, priestly monks reside,and the miserable huts occupied by the poverty- stricken peasants, soul and body the slaves of the monks, and crouching at their feet."
The Lamas object to foreign erR being allowed to enter their monasteries, possibly because they do not wish their wealth to be discovered by foreign conquerors. Occasionally, however, a foreigner may gain admittanee. On the Hoot of one (to which Dr. Neve was admitted) were rows of Hat benches for the monks. Round the walls were shelves and pigeonholes full of books and manuscripts. The rich vestments of the priests hung upon the wall, and here and there were massive copper bowls, jugs, and basins, together with the drums, cymbals, clarinets, and shawms used by the monastery band.
'rhere were wooden blocks for printing boo ks and prayer sheets. The walls and pillars were hung with tapestry, banners, and pic- tures. On a raised platform at one end of the room were rows of images, some of them eight feet high, and made of metal or of gilded or painted clay. The images and everything else about the place had a Chinese aspect. On the walls were also numerous paint- ings illustrating the Buddhist purgatory.
The prayer-cylinders or wheels of Tibet have always attracted the notice of travelers. They are about two feet high and revolve on a pivot. The prayer is either painted on the outside or is written on a piece of paper and thrust into a cavity. As the monks pass these prayer-wheels they set them in motion. Those placed outside the monasteries are kept con- stantly revolving by wind or water-power, thus causing continual petitions to be repeated without trouble to the worshipers.
The " mysteries" or " miracle plays" of the Tibet monks are exceedingly interesting and unique. 'rhe most famous of these was played at Hemis, where three hundred mouks gath- ered to participate in the ceremonies. The object of the plays or masquerades is to impress upon the people the value of priestly ini.er- cession. Maskt monks rep- A MASKT LAMA, DANCING, resent horrible de m 0 n s. Others, in monkish robes and miters, with bells and holy water and incantations, represent the holy priesthood controlling the actions of the demons. Troops of richly drest, but horribly maskt forms march around, some armed with ghastly symbols, models of human viscera, skulls, sickles, canes, hammers, swords, and instruments of torture. At one stage in the exercises they seem to be struggling for the soul of man, which is represented by a dough image. '1'he influence of the evil spirit appears only to partially restrain the incantations of the Lamas. Finally portions of the struggling sonl are given to each actor. Then the whole mystery-play closes with a procession of tiger-devils, ape-devils, and other representations of lost spirits.
The spiritual and temporal head of the Tibetan goverument is the Dalai Lama or grand Lama of Lhasa. He is supposed to come of age at eighteen, but invariably dies before he attains his majority. After death, the Dalai Lama is said once more to become incarnate in a child, and the monks go to look for .him. Assisted by divine inspiration, they finally fix upon some child who, upon reaching four years of age, is tested by being called upon to identify property belonging to the deceast Lama. When the new Dalai Lama is discovered, intimation is sent to the Emperor of China, to whom Tibet is tributary.
The population of Cashmere Tibet may be estimated at from three to four millions. Chinese Tibet, which is not open to travelers, is governed by its own chiefs, and has three or four millions more. Thus the population of Tibet must be about seven million souls.
Tibet itself is closed to Europeans, not by Chinese exclusiveness, but by the power of the Lamas, wielded like that of the Papacy in the middle ages. The Dalai Lama is sup p 0 r ted by tens of thousands of m 0 n k s, re- cruited from the people and living on them-a para- sitic g row t h which crushes all freedom of thought or ac- tion, and under the guise of as- ceticism encour- ages the vilest immorality. A LETTER FROM THE DALAI LAMA. Nothing s h 0 r t The 'outsid e wrapper is stretcht across the paper.
of a military occupation of Lhasa itself by British troops would avail to deliver the country from their yoke. Even in Ladakh the power of ~he Lamas exercises a most baneful influence.
But Tibet has been blockaded by missions plac:ed in strategic points on its frontier, so as to evangelize Tibetan traders. As a base of opera- tions on the Indian side, Sikkim and Darjeeling offBr the advantage of ready communication with Europe, but this is counterbalanced by the jealousy with which the Tibetans watch the frontier. Ladakh is, perhaps, too far west to affect Central Tibet yery decidedly, but the Moravian missionaries there are carrying on a noble work among the Tibetan traders. Christian outposts seem most likely to affect Tibet if placed on the Chinese border. An indigenous Christianity .in Upper Yunnan and Western Sczhuan would most probably spread the Gospel in the beaut.iful and populous valleys of Easter~ ~i~et.
A JOURNEY INTO TONQUIN
A JOURNEY INTO TONQUIN.* REV. WILLIAlII UPCRAFT, SZCHUAN, CHINA, Missionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union.
Among the fields yet unoccupied by the evangelical mission forces, none is more needy and, in some aspects, more promising than the great French possessions in southeastern Asia. The reconstruction which always accompanies the establishment of a new form of govern- ment among a subject people, affords an unusual opportunity for the preaching of the Gospel and its affiliated good offices. At such a time men's minds are apt to be susceptible to new truths, and the new truths are essential, if the reconstruction is to be more than skin deep.
Indo-China, the French possessions in the Orient, has been steadily increasing in extent since Cochin-China was definitely annext, over thirty years ago. It now extends from the Gnlf of Siam, and the delta of the Menam on the south and west· to the southern border of China proper on the north; and by recent treaty with England the Mekong forms its boundary in the northwest. Current interest centers about Tonquin (or Tong-king), owing to its position along the Chinese border, affording thus a convenient base from which to exploit China's western territory. .
The traveler from the north leaves Yunnan-fu (China), capital of the province of same name, in which there is a station of the China Inland Mission, and which is also the seat of the Catholic bishopric, and after nine days'travel through a picturesque but sparsely peopled country, arrives at Mengtze, where are a French consnl and officers of the Chinese Imperial Customs. Mengtze is important as the port of entry for the trade route through Tonquin. The Catholics have a mission here in charge of a French priest, who has come since the place was opened by the French authorities. The interrelation between the missionaries of "the church" and the French officials has a color of suspicion to the Chinese mind, and is thus prejudicial to the best interests of their mission work.
From Mengtze to Manhao, the little Chinese town on the Red River, is a journey of two days, and leads one from the breezy, bracing highlands of the Yunnan plateaux to the stifling, fever-laden atmos- phere of the river valley, which has proved so fatal to French and Chinese alike. The Red River rises near Tali-fn in the western part of Yunnan, and follows a devious and difficult course among the mountains, till it nears the border cif Tonquin. Here it becomes navi- gable for small Chinese boats, and at the frontier is large enough for small steamers. These connect at Yembay with other lines, and so make possible quick passage to the sea and the outer world.
In the almost insufferable inn at Manhao there was a suggestive *Also spelt Tongking and Tonkin. combination that could not fail to be noticed. By the door stood an empty coffin, while near by, on a rude straw pallet, lay a Chinese youth tossing in the fire and partial delirium of fever. At frequent intervals the host came to look upon his guest, and in forcible, oftrepeated request bade the sick man begone. "Don't stay hAre and die; get outside." And why? To die would necessitate a burial, the expense of which would fall upon the innkeeper. A question of cash anywhere will generally stifle the strivings of the Chinese not toorobust humanity.
Next day we found ourselves part cargo of a Chinese boat headed for Lao-kai, the frontier post in French territory. Besides ourselves and such other passengers as could find a place in the nm:row bO:1t, we carried tin, opium, and native medicines. Of the exports through Tonquin, tin and opium make about eighty per cent., and opium is on the increase.
About noon of the second day we came opposite to Shinfang, a little village, the last on Chinese soil, that serves as a kind of feeder to Lao-kai. A shallow, rapid stream flows into the Red River on the left bank, and is the real boundary line between the two countries. Our boat stopt at Shinfang, whence we walkt to the ferry which carried us across the boundary stream, and so we 'stood ON FRENCH TERRITORY.
A couple of reveuue officers awaited us at the ferry landing to search all passengers, an object lesson in French colonial policy.
Lao-kai is a garrison first; all other phases of its life are suoordinate to this. The little town that nestleS in the shadow of the fort exists principally to supply the needs of the military, of whom there is a large force. The fort is built about some old Chinese temples, a part of which we occupied during our stay in the place.
Across the river are the quarters of the Annamese sG.Jiers, who are brought up from the lower country for military duty along the frontier. Slim, lithe, rather under the average height of the Chinese, they have the features of the Celestials, but they lack the characteristic curiosity and impudence of their former masters. Our impression of the people at Lao-kai, which was intensified by further acquaintance, was that this people were broken in spirit, lower than the Chinese in· development, and less markt in character. The women are active, better built thlj.n the men, and seem to take a prominent part in the affairs of life. In some places they contest with the coolies for their share of the hardest of manual labor. The children were there in shoals, merry, mischievous. black-eyed urchins in every stage of undress, and in splendid harmony with their. surroundings.
The trade is mostly in the hands of the Chinese, whose influence and conduct are not for the well-being of Tonquin. From Lao-kai to Haiphong, the port of the province, is three days' journey down stream. '1'he country, for the first day, is little better than unclaimed jungle, so far as one can see, yet there must be many people there who choose to live in the retreat of the jungle rather than in the more conspicuous places by the river's bank. Such a tendency to caution has become strong in them because of past oppression. After leaving Yembay, the prospect opens out more, evidences of cultivation are seen, and every stopping place is busier than the last.
Two things are prominent-the military and the missionary. Soldiers are everywhere, apparently in every condition of disorder and neglect. "The fathers of the church" have a good hold upon the people in the lower country. One earnest, isolated man took great pleasure and pains in explaining to us the character and extent of his field and the results of his work. Later he showed us over the unfinisht cathedral. Then, seeing we did not take either wine or cigars, and much wishing to show us hospitality, he had the church bell rung that we might hear "the sound of the church-going bell," a thing quite unknown in the far land where our work lies.
Hanoi, the capital of Tonquin, is a neat, quiet city, s",anding round a little lake at the head of the delta, less than a hundred miles from the sea. The country between Hanoi and Haiphong is one large, fiat, marshy rice field, intersected everywhere by narrow, deep canals, the connecting lines for different points. The villages, em10wered in the greenest and most graceful bamboos, stand around in profusion on every hand. The local temple serves as a nucleus and attraction. The bamboo walls and brown straw thatch of the miniature houses show in admirable harmony-at a distance – the same distance generally observed by the critical globe trotter, when he writes con amoJ"c of the poetic East.
Along this open highway-the Red River valley-lies a most needy field for missionary work. Tonquin has 60,000 square miles of territory, a population of about ten millions, a stable form of government under French rule, and is within easy communication both East and West. It is probable that, owing to international jealousies and ambitions, nowhere so acute as in the Orient, an Englishman would be lookt upon with suspicion here. Such a disadvantage would not be attacht to an American citizen, and it is to them the appeal comes. It is probable that none of the organized societies are prepared to take up such a work. Shrinkage in receipts, with advance imperatively needed on fields already occupied, quite exhaust all the means at hand. But among individual Christians, with deepening convictions as to their service for Christ, free from home responsibilities, and financially able to bear the cost of their own support, Tonquin offers an inviting and urgently needy field~ The hand of God is in the opening of Asia, and the expanding
THE ISLAND OF HAINAN
rule of Western powers in these strongholds of conservatism and heathenism, is the opportunity, and therefore the obligation, for all who can respond.
France has recently added a new province or two to Tonquin, thus bringing her western frontier up to the eastern limit of British Burma. From the Burmese side the loyal and much-blest missionaries of the Baptist Missionary Union have been working since the days of Judson, and are extending their frontiers toward the sum'ising.
It remains now for some to go in at the eastern seaboard and work their way westward, till the forces of the Presbyterian Ohurch, advancing northward from Siam, the Baptist workers from the west, the Ohinese missions from the north, shall meet the workers from the Tonquin coast, and so southeastern Asia be occupied by the forces of Evangelical Ohristendom for the glory of God and the salvation of the nations there.
THE ISLAND OF HAINAN.
BY ROBERT E. SPEER, NEW YORK, Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.
The war with Japan involved the loss to Ohina of the Korean peninsula and the island of Formosa, or Tai-wan. The island of Hainan also might have gone, had it not been too far to the south, where it lies within the tropics, between the eighteenth and twentieth degrees of north latitude. It constitutes a part of the province of Kwang-tung, or Oa;nton. In Yii-lin-kang bay, on the south of the island, where there are traces of Mohammedanism in a mosque and school, the East India Company used to lay up and repair its ships a century ago. But the island had been little known and uncared for during the present century, until the French in Tonquin collided with the Chinese, and turned covetous eyes toward Hainan, which lies full across the Gulf of 'ronquin, and until Protestant missicrnaries and trade workt their way in, within the last twenty years. The open port of the island, Hoihow, is now connected with Hongkong and 'ronquin by a line of French steamers.
Hainan is the southernmost territory of China, and guards the entrance to the southern rivers. The empire understands the importance of the island, and in recent years had erected lighthouses and forts of modern construction, fitted with Krupp guns, instead of the harmless old structures, which, with exposed cannon and tumbling parapets, add greatly to the picturesqueness of Hoihow harbor.
The island is one of the largest prefectures of the Kwang-tung Province, about one hundred and fifty miles in length and one hundred miles in breadth. There are no roads, however, and the paths and trails over the mountains, in the heart of the island, are circui- tous, so that from Hoihow to Lak-loh is a twenty days' journey. The island is rich in many products, full of palm trees, and productive yearly of many thousands of pigs for the markets of Hongkong and Canton. There is no greater delicacy to the Chinese than pork. The pigs are encased in bamboo crates, each just holding one pig, and are handled like bags of grain and piled on top of each other, four and five deep, on the ships. The Chinese have solved the problem of handiing pigs tractably.
There are three or four strata of population in Hainan. The total population of the island does not exceed 1,500,000. Of these one- third are said to be Lois, who are different from the Chinese and the aboriginal tribes in the central mountains. Hainanese is the Chinese dialect spoken by the Chinese people. The Lois speak their own dia- lect. Dr. Henry supposes them to be the descendants of the Mias-tsz, who were brought long ago from the mountains of Kwang-tung and K wang-si to serve as mediators between the Chinese and the wild Le tribes or the interior. How many of these latter there are is not known, and their origin is hidden. Laos missionaries have maintained that there are sufficient resemblances of character and speech to justify the belief that there is some family relationship between these people and the Laos tribes which border on the south of Kwang-si.
There is great suspicion and dislike toward the Chinese on the part of the Les, who cling to their mountain homes, and are a rude and primi- tive people. Near Nodoa there is a large Hakka population, aggre- gating about 20,000, who speak their IIakka dialect. The Hakkas on the mainland are immigrants from northern provinces, who have never assimilated with the Cantonese, and who constitute about one- third of the population of the province. .
Protestant mission work was begun in Hainan by Mr. C. C. Jere- miassen, a Dane, who had been in the Chinese customs service, and who had withdrawn from it to give himself wholly to Christian work in the island in ISS!. He became a missionary of the Presbyterian Board in 1885, and two years later three other missionaries with their wives joined him-the Rev. F. P. Gilman, Dr. H. M. McCandless, and the Rev. J. C. Melrose, who died last summer. '1'he work at first was confined to Kiung-chow, the capital of the island, a few miles from Hoihow, and to itinerating. Mr. Jeremiassen, in 1882, made the circuit of the island on foot. Since then the field has been more fully opened up. Hoihow has been occupied and Nodoa, while Mr. Jeremiassen has resided and workt at Lak-loh, in the extr~me south of the island. At Hoihow and Nodoa hospitals have been built, a ward for infectious cases at Hoihow having been provided by the small foreign com- munity and Chinese friends, without the knowledge of the mission- aries and with expressions of warm sympathy and commendation. The first converts were baptized in 1885. '['he only church yet gathered is at Nodoa with thirty-five members. The mission numbers now fourteen, and looks forward to a thorough itineration over the whole island.
The Jesuit mission in Hainan is said to have been establisht in 1630. The work was wiped out, however, after a few generations, and was only revived in 1849. At present one Portuguese priest consti- tutes the mission. He is secretive and separate, but his predecessor met the other missionaries on kindly terms, and would even join with them in singing hymns. The road between Hoihow and Kiung-chow is one vast graveyard, containing more dead than the living popula- tion of the island. In this graveyard are the graves of two Portu- guese, who died in 1681, and of one German, who died in 1686, who probably we l' e amml.SoS.nlOg nthane.eesa. rlier Hoihow is the commercial cen- ter of the pre- f e c t u l' e . The trade flows to it and through it, but Kiung-chow is the political capital, and so the city where the Confucian .AT THE TEMPLE GATE, HOIHOW, HAINAN.
examinations are held. The corrupting influences of progress and western learning have not toucht the scholars of Hainan as yet, and they flock to the tests as in olden days. In the district examinations 3,000 students gather.
In the second year about 15,000 came from ten districts. Each third year from all of the thirteen districts, 25,000 gather. They fill the dead old city, thronging the temples and ancestral halls, and crowd into the mission chapels and dispensaries to hear the strange doctrines of the barbarians. It is not any desire for light or learning that brings them to the missionaries' preaching. The ways of old are too dear.
What we call conservatism in America is rcd radicalism compared with the adamantine, blindfolded, invincible satisfaction with the past which reigns in Hainan. Even an educated, English-speaking Chinese in the customs service at Hainan said to me: " We would like to be undisturbed, but OUr country is being cut up now just like meat.
A STRATEGIC POINT IN CHINA
The Hussians are taking the North, and the French are as bad here, making great trouble out of each little pretext. We do not want to fight. We do not want to change. IVe would like to live as our fathers did." This spirit of conservatism has led the officials to throw many obstacles in the way of the peaceful prosecution of missionary work, but these have been more or less overcome.
The people of Hainan are an unresponsive people, and the confusion of dialects and population increases this reserve and suspiciousness. They fear and distrust the French also, and different classes of the popUlation hold aloof from one another. It is not a favorable atmosphere for mission work. The Portuguese priest is greatly discouraged. '1'he Protestant missionaries, however, remember days when Hainan was awake and producing useful men, and they work patiently on in the hope that the Gospel will develop even better men than that lIai-Sui, whose memorial gateway declares that he was, "In prosperous times an upright minister," and "The purest influence of Canton." In the friendlincss of the people which they have won, their readiness to listen, the popularity of the medical work, and the openness of the whole island they find encouragement and good hope.
A STRATEGIC POINT IN CHINA.
BY REV. ARTHUR E. CLAXTON, CHUNGKING, CHINA, Missionary of the London Missionary Society.
Szchuan is important among the provinces of China for its possibilities and promise, both as a commercial and a missionary center. '1'he official estimate of the population is no less than seventy millions, or more than that of any other province.* Szchuan (meaning" four streams") is watered by four very large tributary rivers, as well as by the great Yal1g-tze-kiang. '['hese tributaries–all too large for the confines of Great Britain-are themselves fed by a multiplicity of smaller rivers and streams, so that the waterways, highly ramified and very numerous, afford the best communication possible with the ubiquitous and dense population, both for the missionary and the trader.
Chungking, the metropolis and most important city of the province, had a British resident to watch for trade openings as early as 1880, and the :Foreign Customs Service has been represented here since 1890. Tho this city is some fifteen hundred miles from the coast, and the nearest steamer service is four hundred miles distant, there is now * The London Missionary Society's annual report gives the population of the province as 62,000,000. an American, a Japanese, and a French, in addition to a British consul and his assistant; and special trade commissions from :France, from Great Britain, and from Germany are reporting to their respective conationals the result of their investigations as experts into the prospects of trade extension in Szchuan.
But it is probably not generally known that Christian missions entered the province first; the work has been steadily growing, and has now reacht such results in converts, organizations, and other evidences of well-founded solidity, that mandarins, as well as "the peopIe" are convinced that CHRISTIANITY HAS COME TO STAY.
Missions came first. This means not only the Roman Catholic propagandists, who have been in West China for two or more centuries, bu~ it means modern Protestant missions, the most fruitful and the most frequent pioneers of the advancing hosts of civilization. Chungking was first entered by the China Inland Mission in 1877. The American Methodist Episcopal Church followed in U)81, the London Missionary Society in 1888, and the Friends' Foreign Mission Association in 1890. There are also resident in Chungking agents of the National Bible Society of Scotland, and of the American Bible Society.
Chungking, while not the provincial capital of Szchuan, is the commercial center, and is likely to continue so. It is also the distributing center, and the propelling, throbbing heart which vitalizes the four great western provinces. Hence the reason for founding of missions at Chungking prior to founding them at Chentu, the provincial capital, which is 300 miles further inland. The China Inland Mission, the Canadian Methodist Mission, and the American Methodist Episcopal Church have establisht stations there, and, after being driven out temporarily by the riots of 1895, are now enjoying greater s.uccess than ever before.
Missionary work is not confined to the two chief cities of the province. In the north and northeast are many stations of the Church Missionary Society and the China Inland Mission. In the west, at important centers like Yachou, Kiating, Sueiiu, and Luchou, are missionaries of the American Baptist Missionary Union, of the China Inland, and of the Canadian Missions. The China Inland Mission is extending in the direction of the south. And this year (1897) the London Mission has begun a forward movement eastward from Chungking.
When missionaries first came to Chungking they had no choice but to rent native houses, and make the best of the risks which such abodes multiplied. Thill year the last of the dungeon-dark and damp native dwellings occupied by missionaries has been pulled down and replaced by the eleventh foreign-built house within the city walls. This in itself impresses our neighbors that Christianity has come to stay. We have also chapel and school and hospital buildings, which are by no means" monuments to still life " of missionary vitality, but are daily thronged by multitudes, who, if not appreciative in a high degree of new doctrine and the spiritual character of the work, now show a gi·eat readiness to receive the more tangible benefits which are also introduced with the Gospel. In Chungking itself, the converts, among whom are some capable voluntary workers, number about two hundred"besides inquirers-perhaps one-third of that number. Many others attend services, and are still weighing the pros and cons between their idols and New Testament teaching. Once a month the converts and adherents of the four Protestant missions in the city unite on a weekday for worship. It is then very delightful to see the numbers that come and the keen interest taken in the service, and most of all to hear the voices of our native brethren as they come forward one after another and offer a few words of exhortation or prayer.
As an instance of the reality of THE FAITH OF THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS it might be mentioned that, in order to begin our forward movement, the native members of the London Mission Church contributed from their poverty enough to rent a house for a year at a place thirty miles distant. Two of the most promising of the members accepted appointments as evangelists, and were solemnly set apart to begin systematic work there last February. They have already done well. Opposition and hostility have been quietly lived down. Preaching, book-selling, and conversation have been the chief methods nsed. But, in addition, medicines have been dispcnst occasionally, a day-school of seventeen pupils has been started and carried on, several cures of the opium habit have been effected, and an inquirer's class of candidates seeking baptism and church membership begun. This is only an example of the manner in which new stations may be multiplied, until the whole mass of this vast population is honeycombed with them. First there may be prejudice and hostility, which must be patiently overcome, but there will follow a sure, if slow, recognition that we have a "better way," and in course of time the" new station" will become a new center of propagation. The first requisite is a foreign missionary who will select and equip, and then inspire and direct native workers. 'rhere is need of native Church members who do not enter the Church simply to insure their souls for the next world, but who will be strenuous workers in this. But most of all, there must be such an outpouring of the Spirit as shall fill all the channels of Christian effort and enterprise.
HENRY M. STANLEY ON MISSIONS IN AFRICA
II.-MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT.
HENRY IV!. STANLEY ON MISSIONS IN AFRICA.
The following extracts from Mr. Stanley's valuable article in The Atlantic Monthly for October, give some idea of his opinion of mission- aries and their share in helping forward the progress of civilization in Africa. Mr. Stanley first visited the Dark Continent as a newspaper cor- respondent, and was so imprest with the awful condition, but latent pos- sibilities of the country, that he urged the sending of Christian mission- aries, and has frequently borne testimony to the noble work accomplisht by them there. He says in part: The first body to move toward Africa in answer to appeals was the Church Missionary Society, which sent five missionaries to Uganda. The honor of first mention must, therefore, be accorded the Uganda Mission, not only because it preceded the army of missionaries now at work, but for the splendid perseverance shown by its members, and the marvelous s.uccess which has crowned their efforts. The story of the Uganda Mis- sionary enterprise is an epic poem. I know of few secular enterprises, military or otherwise, deserving of greater praise. I am unable to view it with illusions, for I am familiar with the circumstances attending the long march to Uganda, the sordid pagans who harast it at every camp, the squalid details of African life, the sinister ambition of its rivals, the atmosphere of wickedness in which it labored; when I brush these thoughts aside, I picture to myself band after band of missionaries press- ing on to the goal, where they are to be wofully tried with their motto of "COURAGE AND ALWAYS FORWARD," each face imbued with the faith that, tho near to destruction, "the gates of hell shall not prevail" against them. For fifteen years after they had landed at Uganda we heard frequently of their distress; of tragedy after tragedy, of deaths by fever, of horrible persecution, the murder of their bishop, the massacre of their followers, the martyrdom of their converts, and finally of their expulsion. Still a glorious few persevered and wrestled against misfortune, and at last, after twenty years' work, their achievements have been so great, that the effect must endure.
The letter which invited this mission was written by me April 14, 1875, and was publisht the following 15th of November in the London Daily Telegraph. The editor, in commenting upon it, was almost prophetic when he said: "It may turn out that the letters which bring this strange and earnest appeal to Christendom, saved from oblivion by a chance so extraordinary, had this as their most important burden; and that Mr. Stanley may have done far more than he knew." My letter had been committed to Col. Linant de Bellefonds, who, with his entire companyof thirty-six Sudanese soldiers, was murdered by the Baris. Near the body of the colonel it was found by General Gordon, blood-stained and tattered. The care of the message from Uganda, as well as the wonderful results which followed its publication, was wholly due to another.
Eight days after the appearance of my appeal in The Telegraph the Church Missionary Society was stimulated by an offer of $25,000 to undertake the ent,erprise. A few days later the fund was increast to $75,000. In the following March the mission left England, and on the 30th day of June, 1877, while I was yet six weeks from the Atlantic
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
Ocean, the missionaries entered Uganda. For five years they labored with poor results. In the seventh year twenty-one converts partook of the Lord's Supper, and seventy-five had been baptized. In the eighth year the baptized numbered 108. After eleven years' work the mission- aries were expelled from Uganda by the young Nero, the son of King Mtesa, who had received them. In 1800 th'ey reoccupied it, and by January, 1891, the Christians here numbered 2,000. By January, 1897, Uganda contained twenty-three English Protestant clergymen, 699 native teachers, 6,005 baptized Christians, 2,591 communicants, 57,380 readers, 372 churches, and a cathedral which can hold 3,000 worshipers.
These figures do not represent the whole of what has been achieved by the missionaries, for the church of Uganda imitates the example of the parent church in England, and dispatches native missionaries to all the countries around it. Nasa in Usukuma, south of Lake Victoria, has become a center of missionary effort. In Usoga, east of the Nile, native teachers impart instruction at nine stations. Unyoro, to the north of Uganda, has been invaded by native propagandists. Toro, to the west, has been so moved that it promises to become as zealous as Uganda, and Koki witnesses the power of native eloquence and devotion to the cause. What is most noticeable among all these people around the lake is their avidity for instruction. Every scrap of old paper, the white margin of newspapers, the backs of envelopes, and parcel wrappers are eagerly secured for writing purposes. Books and stationery find ready purchasers everywhere. The number of converts has become so formidable that it would task the powers of a hundred white missionaries to organize, develop, and supervise them properly.
British Central Africa has a native population of 845,000, and covers an area of 285,900 square miles. It has sprung mainly from the reverence which Scotchmen bear the memory of Livingstone. In the year 1856 the British Government confided to Livingstone the task of opening the region about the Nyassa Lake to trade, and at the same time the universities sent out a mission under Bishop Mackenzie to avail itself of Livingstone's experience in missionary work, in which he had spent sixteen years in South Africa. The region at that time was very wild, owing to slave raids and internecine wars. Through overzeal the missionaries were soon drawn into strife with the natives, and what with native fevers and other accidents due to their ignorance of African habits, few survived long. Accordingly, Livingstone was withdrawn, and the universities' mission was transferred to Zanzibar. In 1881 Bishop Steere undertook a journey to Lake Nyassa, and being more practical than his two predecessors, saw enough to justify him in reestablishing the universities' missions in Nyassa Land. The Livingstonian Free Chut'ch Mission planted itself at Blantyre as early as 1875. The Church of Scotland Mission followed in 1876; then 'came the Dutch Reform Church in 1889, the Zambesi Industrial IHission in 1892, and the Baptist Industrial lVIission the same year. Altogether there are now thirty-six white clergy and five white women teachers, who, with 129 native teachers, conduct fifty-five schools, in which 6,000 children are taught.
The following tabulary summary may enable the reader to realize more clearly the difference between the tropical Africa of 1872–77-in which Livingstone, Cameron, and myself were the only white visitors, and which had neither mission school, church. convert, nor any trade-and the Equatorial Africa of January, 1897, exhibiting the following results:
HENltY M. STANLEY ON MISSIONS lN AFRICA•
.S … …. bll. " ~ 000"'..1=~~;.;5<>…l Name of State or Territory. :~E ~s.d.S ,.=>'00 0'; ga;:r.·>S"E"~~~ § oo~ … 0 "", ~g.g ~~…, "''' 'ig~ ·5 Q ~;<:>''<" ~>-<oo –~ ~='"~ :g~5 — $ 250,000 Uganda Protectorate……………… 68 372 97,575 $ 142,000 British East Africa……………….. 90 68 86,000 British Central Africa ……………. 289 …. 6 600 . 1,094,000 100,000 1,87'3,860 Kongo Free State ………………… 1,500 165 55 5,000 611,480 618,109 1,09"2,500 Kongo Fran~aise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 67 10,000 6,226,302 176,705 25 German East Africa ………………. 378 30 2,500 2,261,414 $4,197,174 German Kamerun ………………… 236 …. 15 2,500 2,907,500 5 900 2,419,220 — — — Total ……………………. 2,816 263 545 119,075 $15,661,916 It was only about twenty-five years ago that Monteiro said he could see no hope of the negro ever attaining to any considerable degree of civilization, and it was impossible for the white race to people his country sufficiently to enforce his civilization. Burton wrote, a few weeks before, that the negro united the incapacity of infancy with the unpliancy of age, the futility of childhood with the skepticism of the adult and the stubbornness of the old. The old Athenians employed similar language regarding all white barbarians beyond Attica, and the Roman exquisites, in the time of Claudius, as. contemptuously underrated our British ancestors. 'Ve know to·day how grossly mistaken they were.
When I think of the cathedral church of Blantyre, which, without any exaggeration, would be a credit to any provincial town of New England, and which has been built by native labor; or of the stone and brick mission buildings on the shores of Lake Tanganika; or of the extensive establishments in brick erected on the Upper Kongo by the Bangalas, who, so late as 188.1, were mere ferocious cannibals; or of the civilizedlooking town of Ujiji; or of Brazzaville's neat and picturesque aspect; or of the ship-building yards and foundries of Leopoldville, where natives have turned out forty-five steel steamers-when I contemplate such achievements, I submit that Burton and Monteiro must have been somewhat prejudiced in their views of Africa and her dark races.
Twenty-five years ago the outlook for Africa was dark indeed. Its climate was little understood, and inspired terror in the white pioneer. But to-day travelers go and return by fifties, and they have ceast to generalize in a bitter style. The white men retain kindly memories of the Africans among whom they have lived and labored, and their dearest wish is to return at the end of their furlough to the land once so dreaded. The postbags are weighted with the correspondence which they maintain with their dark friends. It is only the new and casual white who speaks of the African as a "nigger," and condemns the climate of the tropics. The whites have created valuable interests in the land; they understand the dialects of their workmen; and they know that the black who distinguishes himself in his village, by his self-taught art and industry, in fashioning his fetish god, his light canoe, his elegant assegai or sword, may be taught to turn a screw at the lathe, to rivet a boiler plate, to mold bricks, to build a stone-wall or an arch of bricks. No one now advocates, like Monceiro, the introduction of coolies, or Chinese or European "navvies," to show the native Africans how to work. There are 7,200 native navvies on the Kongo railway, and all the stone piers and long steel structures which bridge the ravines and rivers, and the gaps cleft in the rocky hills, have been made by them.
Twenty-five years ago the explorer might land on any part of east or
'MIssiONARY DiGEST DEPARTMENT
west Equatorial Africa, unquestioned by any official as to whither he was bound or what baggage he possest. To-day, at every port, there are commodious custom-houses, where he must declare the nature of his belongings, pay duties, and obtain permits for traveling. In 1872, the whole of Central Africa, from one ocean to the other, was a mere continental slave park, where the Arab slave raider and Portuguese half-caste roamed at will, and culled the choicest boys and girls, and youths of both sexes, to be driven in herds to the slave marts of Angola and Zanzibar. To-day the only Arabs in Africa, excepting some solitary traders, who observed the approach of civilization in time, are convicts, sentenced to hard labor for their cruel devastations.
Twenty-five years ago it took me eight months to reach Ujiji from the coast, whereas now it takes a caravan only three months. Up to four years ago it required five months to reach Uganda from the coast, but to-day loaded porters do the journey in less than ninety days, while bicyclists have performed the journey in twenty-one days. Fourteen years ago the voyage from Stanley Pool to Stanley Falls was made by me, in the first steamer that was floated in the Upper Kongo, in 379 hours. Now steamers accomplish the distance in 120 hours. In 1882-83 I was forty-six days going from Europe to Stanley Pool. The ordinary passenger in these times requires but twenty-five days; and two years hence the trip will take only twenty days.
Throughout the region now known as the Kongo State death raged in every form twenty-five years ago. Once a month, on an average, every village, of the hundred thousand estimated to be in the State, witnessed a fearful tragedy of one kind or another. In each case of alleged witchcraft, upon the death of a chief, a sudden fatality, the outbreak of a pest, the evil effects of debauch or gluttony, the birth of twins, a lightning stroke, a bad dream, the acquisition of property, a drought or flood, ill-luck or any mischance, native superstition demanded its victims according to savage custom. The mganda, or witch doctor, had but to proclaim his belief that expiation was necessary, and the victims were soon haled to the place of death. I should not be far wrong, if I placed these public murders at a million a year for the State, and two millions for the whole of Equatorial Africa. Added to these was the fearful waste of human life caused by intertribal war, the wholesale exterminations under such sanguinary chiefs as Mtesa, Kabba Rega, Mirambo, Nyungu, Msidi, the destructive raids of such famous slavers as Said bin Habib, Tagamoyo, Tippu-Tib, Abed bin Salim, Kilonga-Longa, and hundreds of others. In fact, every district was a battlefield, anto. every tribe was subject to decimation. I do not say that the awful slaughters resulting from native lawlessness and superstition have ceast altogether, but the 540 missions, churches, and schools, and as many little military forts that have been planted across the continent, with the aid of the steam flotillas of the Kongo and the swift cruisers which navigate the great lakes, have completely extirpated the native tyrants and the Arab freebooters; and wherever military power has establisht itself, or religion has lent a saving hand, the murderous witch-doctors can no longer practise the cruel rites of Paganism. But altho in parts of the far interior there yet remains many a habitation of cruelty awaiting the cleansing light of civilization, there is every reason for believing confidently that the time is not far distant when Africa, neglected for so long, shall as fully enjoy the blessings of freedom, peace, and prosperity as any of her sister continents.
JULIAN HAWTHORNE ON INDIA
JULIAN HAWTHORNE ON INDIA.-II.* Mr. Hawthorne's description of the famine scenes in India is so graphic and sympathetic, his insight into the situation so clear, and his tribute to the missionaries so hearty and well deserved, that we give further ex- tended extracts from his valuable and interesting reports. He continues: At Allahabad I was nearly in the center of the famine district. I sent to its address a letter of introduction to a local American missionary,t and in the morning he made his appearance. He was clean, wholesome, and hearty from the core outward. His glance was direct and clear, and his talk succinct and vigorous. Would there were more Americans like him at home; yet I was glad, for the credit of our country, to find him abroad.
"You can't see the famine at the works, or even at the poorhouse," said he; "the place to go to is the native village. I'll take you there, and show you the inside of all my work. You'll have to rough it a little, but you'll see things. We've put in all we've got; we're here for life; we're hard at work; but," he added with a cheery smile, "we're happy." We made an appointment, and he went away.
I spent the afternoon in a visit to the fort. It was not imposing, but is one of the oldest sites and most sacred places in India. I descended some steps into a pitch-dark crypt, the holy of holies of Brahmanism. Three sly and sinister-faced priests met me with servile gestures; they lighted a lamp, and backt before me along a narrow and low pas" sage underground, the smoke of the burning wick streaming in my face with a most villainous odor. The place had the appearance of a noisome, dungeon; but every foot of it was oppressively sacred. At every few paces the Brahmans paused to let me do reverence to some grimy fragment of a statuette, lurking in its little niche. After a while we seemed to have reacht the consummation of holiness. I peept into an aperture and saw the piece of a tree about four feet in length, consisting of a trunk divided into two branches; the diameter was, perhaps, nine inches. It was fitted in between the rock above and the rock below, so as to give the appearance of growing out of the latter and into the former. Behind it, in the depths of the recess, was a square hole, a foot in height, entering the thickness of the rock. What were these things? Why, this was the famous undying banyan tree; and the square hole led direct to the holy city of Benares, distant about one hundred and fifty miles. Under this tree Brahma performed his sacrifices, and through that tunnel, I suppose, the entire Hindu pantheon was wont to march and countermarch ten thousand years ago. In front of the tree was a little dish-pan for offerings, containing withered flowers and small bits of silver. Here, if anywhere on earth, the grand, historic religion of countless millions of intelligent human beings found its most glorious manifestation. Towards this stifling, stinking rat-hole the eyes of all India turned with adoration; at the feet of these sorry potsherds they bowed themselves down in their hundreds of millions, and knew the awful rapture of worship, and this section of a ten-year-old fig-tree, revealed by the flaring oil-wick of * Condenst from The Cosmopolitan.
t Rev. Rockwell Clancy, of Allahabad, is a true American and a true Christian; devoted heart and soul to his work, beloved by thousands of natives as well as by his own native con- verts, and able to account for any sums, placing every cent of it where it will do most good. Bury hini up to the neck in gold, and see how he will turn it into life and happiness. J. H.
l20. MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
the jackal.t'riests, might stand for the hub of the Brahmanical universea wooden lie, annually renewed, fitly commemorating the immemorial desecration of the name of the one true God. I came out of the pit with relief and joy, and there was the sky as pure and young as man's perversions of its teachings are false and subterranean. But I lookt abroad over the illuminable plain and saw in its helpless barrenness, peopled with skeletons, the fruits of idolatry. Visiting India makes one value Christianity.
The following day my life with the missionary at Allahabad began. We first drove to the poorhouse, which was not very different from the one at Jubbulpore. But there was no division between the sexes-the men's huts adjoined those of the women, and even skeletons retain their vicious instincts. But to imagine the squalid and forlorn carnivals that went on after night had fallen in these hovels, made one shudder.
The cry of "not enough to eat" was singularly prevalent; and in MEN AT FAMINE RELIEF WORKS DRAWN UP TO RECEIVE THEIR PAY.
By courtesy of The C08mopolitan.
proof thereof the men would gather up the handful of wrinkled skin over the place where their bellies used to be, and show us that there was nothing but skin there. Nevertheless there were other men, a noticeable minority, who lookt sleek and well-fed; and yet all alike, according to the imperturbable overseer, got their daily pound and a half of grain. When, the empty ones heard the overseer make this statement, they would turn away with a sullen, hopeless gesture. But I saw a look of deadly hatred gleam in the wolfish eyes of one of them; could he have caught the overseer alone, he would have done his best to make carrion of him. The sturdy missionary stood in a reverie for a moment, and then roused himself with a sigh. "Therp's not much I can do here," he remarkt. "If we interfere, the overseer complains to the government that we are trying to convert the people; and the government fears trouble from that. But wait till I show you my converts to-morrow, and
JULIAN HAWTHORNE ON INDIA
then say whether yon don't think Christianity is the best cnre for this kind of trouble that's been found yet."
"Travelers in India," remarkt my friend with a cheery smile, as we drove up to his house, "report us missionaries as living in luxury, waited on by troops of servants, demoralizing native simplicity by an impracticable morality, stuffing them with theological dogmas which they can't understand, forcing them to wear unsuitable and unaccustomed clothes; and that the upshot of our work is to make them hypocritically profess a faith they don't believe in in order to curry favor, and to ruin them with the vices of civilization, instead of saving them with its virtues. Well, now you have a chance to see how it is for yourself."
The household consisted of the missionary and his wife and a young lady who was assisting thepl; three or four immaculate Mohammedan servants, at wages of from one to two dollars a month; a horse and a buggy, a chapel, and, within the wall of the compound, some ranges of neat buildings for the accommodation of the native children who were supported and instructed by the mission. The family sat down thrice a day to a wholesome but Spartan meal. The husband workt with all his might from dawn to dark, and after dark in his study, helping distress, averting evil, cheering sorrow, enlightening ignorance, and praying with heart and soul to the God and Christ, who was more real to him than any earthly thing. His lovely, artless, human, holy wife, with faith like a little child, and innocent as a child, yet wise and steadfast in all that toucht her work, labored as untiringly and selflessly as her husband; and so did the other angel in the house. There were, perhaps, a hundred native children, either orphaned or deserted, who had begun to get flesh on their bones, and were busy and happy in learning to read and write their native language, and in singing hymns of praise to the new living God who loves children, meeting morning and evening in the chapel for that purpose, and to listen to stories about this God's loving dealings with His creatures, told by native Christian teachers and by the missionary himself. They also learned, for tl).e first time in their lives, what it was to live in clean, orderly rooms, and to be fed abundantly and regularly, and to be treated with steady, intelligent, and unselfish affection. These children would have died of the famine, had not the mission found and saved them. Many of them, in spite of their present good appearance, were liable to succumb at the first touch of any illness, for famine fatally saps children's constitutions; but they would be happy while they did live, and have an opportunity of discovering that there is a Divine Spirit outside of cobblestones and brass monkeys. But tho the surroundings and influences were of the loveliest Christian kind, there was no trace of that fanatic hunger for nominal converts-that blind eagerness to fasten the badge of the cross on the sleeve, whether or not it were in the heart – which has often been ascribed to missionary work. I confess that I had prepared myself to find something of the kind. But one must live with the missionaries in India in order to understand what they are doing and how they do it. From first to last during my sojourn in India I saw many native Christians. Those that I saw are a remarkable and impressive body of men and women. I was always saying to myself, "They are like the people of the Bible." Some wore European dress, others did not. Their aspect was simple, sincere, and modest.
In the torrid morning we went by rail to a village a few miles dis-
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
tanto At the station we were met by a smiling, clean, likable native, about five and thirty years of age, who at once entered into an earnest talk with the missionary. He was the local Ohristian preacher, having occupied that position for several years. As he talkt, I scrutinized him soundly for symptoms of humbug, but detected none. A number of villages, in a district covering a hundred or more square miles, are under the missionary's care, and he makes the round of them as often as possible, say, every fortnight. In this village the famine was sore. The order was that every person found starving should be brought to the nanive missionary's house, fed and ministered to, and told to come at least twice a day. Money or grain was supplied to native missionaries by the superior (my friend), and they made their accounting to him for it when he visited them. It was easy to see that the white man and the brown were on terms of complete mutual confidence and respect.
Ten minutes' walk brought us to the native's house-it was rather a somewhat extended hut. The porch, a structure of bamboo poles, covered with palm leaves, gave it a little breadth of shadow in front; within the rooms were dark, but clean. Oleanliness is one of the distinguishing marks of the homes of native Ohristians in India. There were some half-naked figures squatting on the hard, smooth earth of the yard in front of the porch. The missionary carried on conversations, first with one, then with another, translating to me as he went along what was said. The women were modestly silent, unless when questioned directly. They were very gentle and happy-looking women; the expression in their faces was quite different from that of the pagan women. Their eyes met my eyes with a soft, trustful, guileless look. They were drest in flowing garments of dull, harmonious Eastern hues, draped round the body and drawn over the head. A little apart squatted an old woman, one of the skeletons. She had been dismist from the hospital. But for the mission support she must have died. As long as she lived she could come here twice a day and be fed and gently treated. She did not know what Ohristianity was, but she knew that its effects upon her were good.
Before we left, the missionary, looking gravely and kindly upon his audience, said a few words to them, telling them who Ohrist was and what he had done, and then he prayed. It was very primitive and simple -the elements of what good a Ohristian may do to others. The native Ohristians joined devoutly and affectionately-I can not find a better word -in the prayers. Then we returned to the railway station and took the train again.
The only salvation of India, even from the economic point of view, in the opinion of those who have longest and most deeply studied it, is its Ohristianization. Hindu idolatry and Islam are the blights that are destroying the country. The paralysis of caste on the one side, and the fetters of bigotry on the other, delay civilization and obscure enlightenment. England has not fulfilled her duty to the souls of her Indian dependents; and, therefore, her administration has measurably failed to rehabilitate their minds and bodies. Let England inspire India with a veritable Ohristian faith, and nine-tenths of the present difficulties would spontaneously cease. But in order to inspire such faith, one must possess it; and England, conscientious, energetic, just, and proud of her religious history, is not a Ohristian nation, and, therefore, forfeits the measureless power for good which might otherwise be hers,
THIS GENERATION OF THE CHINESE
THIS GENERATION OF THE CHINESE.
BY REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR.
Twenty years ago the missionaries of China, assembled in general conference in Shanghai, appealed to the churches of Europe and America for more workers, in order that an effort might be made to give China the Gospel in this generation. They said, "We earnestly appeal to the whole Christian world for help to do this. It is possible: . the Church of God can do it, if she be only faithful to her great commission."
But alas, since this appeal was made, two hundred millions of Chinese have died without the Gospel!
Fourteen years ago Mr. George King wrote another appeal, based upon that of the conference, entitled, "Shall the Gospel Be Preacht to this Generation of the Chinese?" At that time Mr. King was living in the city of Si-gan-fu, a solitary witness for Christ amidst half a million of heathen; and not only so; he and his fellow-worker, Mr. Easton, who resided in Han-chung-fu, sixteen days distant, were the only witnesses for Christ among all the millions of Shen-si province. Thank God! there has been great advance since that day; now the two workers have become seventy-seven, and there are over twenty stations in the province, while about five hundred have been baptized, not a few of whom are now in the presence of the Lord.
It is impossible to estimate how many in Shen-si have heard the Gos- pel, for there has been great evangelistic activity; but this we know, that there still remain vast numbers who have never been reacht. In this province, were the missionaries equally distributed, there would only be about one worker to each county, and a missionary and his wife would find they had two counties to work. As every county has numberless towns and villages, the impossibility of reaching all without further and special reinforcement is apparent. What is true in Shen-si is a sample of the need in the other eighteen provinces.
As we wrote at the time of Mr. King's first appeal, "Whether all his plans will prove equally practicable, experience alone can decide; much will depend on the extent to which the help and cooperation of mission- aries already in the field can be secured. Unquestionably it would be better, where there is the needful zeal and fitness, for the whole time of a worker to be devoted to the work; and besides those whose own incomes would suffice for their support, thousands .of Christian men, without much self-denial, could have the joy of sustaining a laborer as their own representative in China."
The following extracts from Mr. King's appeal are interesting in this connection, and are as forcible to-day as when first penned: Shall the Gospel be preacht to this generation? That suggests the thought of other generations, for whom our preaching is too late. Oh, merciful Lord, our God, rebuke us not in Thine anger, neither chasten us in Thine hot displeasure, that we have suffered generation after generation to drift unwarned, unheeded, to destruction!
The Gospel preacht to this generation? Then there is not much time to lose if that is to be done. I can't reach them, neither can all our missionary brethren, even with the aid of our dear Chinese fellow-workers.
Seeing that to accomplish so great a work some 1,500 missionary
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
preachers would be all too few, * we .mcounter at the very outset the objection that such' a thought is "Utopian," "impracticable," "unrea-, sonable," and all the other big words by which many a God-inspired thought has been crusht as soon as born. Surely, when God is taken into account, it is no impracticable, unreasonable matter we come to discuss, when we ask, "How may the Gospel be preacht to this genera- tion of the Chinese? "
Now the first step is a thorough and general stirring up of believers, so that the great duty of the Church to disciple all nations may be recognized as the burning question of the day. We may be sure God never intended that a mere sprinkling of earnest souls-a few here and a few there-should be the only ones possest by an intense longing for the salvation of the heathen. Many Christians who might do so, still lack willingness to give themselves first, and then their substance, to the Lord for this mighty work. There are probably not a few of God's children in England, etc., who have a private income. If so, why not live on it among the heathen? t Then in the case of those anxious to go forth, but possessing no pri- vate income, might not the plan be more generally tried of each church sending forth one or more of its members, and looking upon him as its own missionary, tho he might wisely work in connection with the mis- sionary organization preferred by the church sending him forth? A little less-and less ornate-furniture, dwellings not quite so spacious, dress not too scrupulously following the fashion, might wonderfully simplify the question of sending forth more missionaries.
Sometimes a desire has been exprest that (only) men of superior educational and other attainments should be sent to this great mission-field. Ah me! What would be said if the infantry were not allowed to go to war because they were not life-guards? Nelson's renowned signal was, "England expects every man "-seamen and marines, as well as officers and captains-" to do his duty." Does not God expect every Christian to do his duty? And while Satan still usurps the rule Over such immense parts of our Redeemer's dominions, is there much doubt where our duty lies? Does it need a great amount of learning to tell aloor sinner that an Almighty Savior waits to save him? What is neede is, first heart, then head-" heart to heart." As a matter of fact, we find in China, as elsewhere, that it is "the poor" who hear the Gospel gladly; not many wise, not many noble, are called. God still chooses" the weak," "the base," "the despised," "yea, and things which are not;" and to reach and influence these it is not so much learning as the constraining love of Christ and the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, that are essential.
The" Appeal of the Shanghai Conference of 1877," says: "We want China emancipated from the thraldom of sin in this generation. It is possible. Our Lord has said, 'According to your faith be it unto you.' The Church of God can do it, if she be only faithful to her great commission. When will young men press into. the mission-field as they struggle for positions of worlr:ty honor and affluence? When will parents consecrate their sons and daughters to missionary work as they search for rare openings of worldly influence and honor? When will Christians give for missions as they give for luxuries and amusements? 'Vhen will they learn to deny themselves for the work of God as they deny themselves ior such earthly objects as are dear to their hearts? Or, rather, when will t.hey count it no self-denial, but the highest joy and privilege, to give with the utmost liberality for the spread of the Gospel among the heathen? "-Condensed from China's Millions.
* As there were then 1,500 counties still without resident missionaries: perhaps 1,000 might suffice now. t 1I1r. King suggested $250 as a sufficient amount for the support of a single missionary.
This is only true by rigid self-denial and in some parts of China.
1898.J VARIED VIEWS OF THE SULTAN
VARIED VIEWS OF THE SULTAN.
The November number of The Century contains an interesting and apparently candidly written article in defense of Abdul Hamid II., by the late Minister of the United States to the Sublime Porte, Hon. A. W. Terrell. In regard to this" interview," one of our editorial correspondents writes, in part, as follows: While we are perfectly willing that the Sultan and his government should have full credit for every fact that will tend to minimize the verdict of public opinion on the terrible events that have transpired in different parts of the Turkish empire within the last two years, yet we would not forget two things that should be considered in accepting the high official of a foreign government as our intermediary. First.-To all such as the representatives of foreign governments the best possible side is turned to view in all matters where such are brought into connection with the officials of the government to which one is accredited; and especially is this the case if the question is one where difference of opinion is likely to exist or result. Our diplomatic representatives seldom remain long enough in such a country as Turkey to learn the language. If they do not see, to a considerable extent, through an interpreter's eyes, they hear very largely through his ears.
Second.-A diplomatic officer does not generally remain long enough in one place to become thoroughly acquainted with the people. Ex-Minister Terrell tells us, on the strength of the Sultan's assertion, that the Koran forbids cruelty and does not permit that Christians be put to death on account of their religion. It is true that the Koran contains such precepts, but Ex-Minister Te!'rell may not know or has failed to mention another fact, namely, that in Mohammedan mosques, on Fridays, the day of public prayer, the congregation being assembled, there is a portion of the service called "El-Khutbet eth-Thanieh," or " Khutbet en-Naat." This" Khutbet" is a prayer in which the following expressions occur: "In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful. 0 God, aid EI-Islam, and exalt the word of truth and the faith by the preservation of thy servant, and the son of thy servant, the Sultan of the two continents and khakan of the two seas, the sultan, son of the sultan, the Sultan Abdul Hamid. 0 God, assist him, and assist his armies, and all the forces of the Moslems: 0 Lord of the beings of the whole world! 0 God, destroy the infidels and polytheists, thine enemies, the enemies of religion. 0 God, make their children orphans, and defile their abodes, and cause their feet to slip, and give them and their families and their households and their women and their children and their possessions and their wealth and their lands as booty to the Moslems: 0 Lord of the beings of the whole world."
How edifying it would have been if he of the" voice low and musical" had given utterance to the above sentiments while assuring ex-Minister Terrell of the tolerant spirit of Mohammedans toward Christians! Surely "the kindly and sympathetic expression" of that face, "the habitual expression" of which" is one of extreme sadness," would have been" a puzzle" when considered in connection with the previous statements concerning religious toleration as taught by Mohammedanism. In this prayer, which is repeated in thousands of Mohammedan mosques every Friday, we find a much truer explanation of the events that have been transpiring in the Turkish empire, than can be found in the best possible exposition of the dogmas of the Koran respecting religious toleration.
MISSIONARY DIGEST DEPARTMENT
That prayer becomes practice whenever the prejudices of Mohammedans are stirred up against Christians, provided there is no power strong enough to intervene and prevent persecution and massacre. vV-hy should men hesitate to go forward when a way is opened before them for the answer of their prayers? Why should infidels not be destroyed, and their wives and property be given as booty to Moslems? Death in battle is victory, too-sure victory. So there is nothing to lose. The Mohammedan, a fatalist pure and simple, is all his life taught to believe that paradise is the sure and immediate reward of all who die in war against the infidel. " Through the smoke of battle" heaven is seen.
Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, the honored veteran missionary to Turkey and a high authority on this subject, further writes in The Independent con- cerning "Minister Terrell and the Sultan": In this article by our worthy ex-Minister, Abdul Hamid is made to defend himself before the American people. One argument is from the distinguisht kindness with which the Armenians have been treated by his ancestors. What his ancestors have done is rather to his condemnation. Before his day Armenians were in every branch of the public service-in the custom-houses, in every department of the revenue, in the' offices and industries of the army and navy, and in the foreign service. Thousands were thus employed. One of the first and sacred duties of this Sultan, as he conceived, was to weed out all the Armenians and substitute Moslems. He already had Pan-Islamism on the brain; it is there still. He is going to crush the Christian element or convert it to Islam; that is the key to his character and course. His message to his poor terrified Armenian subjects is: "You are all rebels! Now Islam or Gehenna is your choice! "
But the Koran was in his way; and certain treaties with England and with other countries. He felt his way, as to the treaties, with great adroitness; and set one power against the other, so as to disregard them all. Russia furnisht him with the justification against the Koran. She now sent into Turkey some Armenian revolutionists, with Russian passports, which would shield them from Turkish law and justice.
Some weak-headed Armenian youth were doubtless induced to form a society of revolution. These revol~tionists, "Hunchagists," were desperate men. If a rich Armenian would not give what they demanded, they assassinated him. The Sultan knew perfectly well that the wealthy Armenians gave at the point of the dagger. The revolutionists did just what he wanted. He could now destroy them all as rebels. The accusation of rebellion is so absurd that the Sultan must have laught at the simplicity of the world in being deceived by it I Who are the rebels? Two and a half million of loyal, unarmed people. The Sultan has an army of 250,000 trained soldiers. Yet he has been so frightened by the threats of these poor peasants, mechanics, and traders, that he has slaughtered 100,000, often with the most horrible torture! * But "there was no religious persecution." Oh no, that is impossible! No Moslem ever does any such thing. And yet, from the beginning of this outbreak, rescue, safety, shelter, pardon, office, have been offered to all who would abandon their faith and accept Islam. They have almost invariably chosen death. Is such a people worthy of no commiseration?
It is painful to Americans that, in all this tragedy of suffering brought upon an innocent and friendless people, our country's voice, through its minister, was never heard in their defense; but only in defense of the" Great Assassin," and in frantic efforts to keep him from assassinating Americans.
* THere have been 328 Christian churches, Gregorian and Protestant, changed to mosques; 568 destroyed; and 77 monasteries destroyed, the priests and monks being converted or killed; and 100,000 men, women, and children killed; 2,493 villages have been destroyed, and 500,000 driven from their homes and all their property confiscated. What the plunderers could not carry off they destroyed. More than 100,000 more perisht from starvation, cold and typhoid fever. IlL-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
China's Claim Upon the Church in family relations, such as are not America. found in any other land." Chinese character has been so molded by REV. HUNTER CORBETT, D.D.,CHINA. many centuries of study in ancient history, and an unchanging system Without controversy, the at- of religion, science, and govern- tempt to evangelize four hundred ment, that they are a people unique million of the Chinese by expelling among the nations of the earth. manifold superstitions and plant- As in Europe, there are many lan- ing in every heart the ennobling guages, or dialects, in central and and saving influences of the Chris- southern China. The Mandarin, tian religion, is an enterprise which however, is not only the spoken stands high among the glories of language of two-thirds of the em- the century. A moment's glance pire, but is also the language in at the gigantic work to be done, which the plays and novels are and the difficulties to be overcome, written. The Wen li, or the classic will show that heroic faith, un- language, is understood by every swerving courage, and enduring educated man in the empire. It is perseverance on the part of God's a wonderfully expressive and terse people are of vital importance. language, and so flowery as to give That men who do not see God's China the name of the "Flowery hand in history, and have no faith Kingdom." In every school and in the supernatural power of the college is found a tablet to the Gospel, should regard the mission- memory of Confucius, who is worary enterprise as an absurd under- shipt by teachers and pupils. In taking, and worthy of the most 1,700 temples, erected and supported scathing criticism, is no special by the government, probably 70,- wonder. That any who claim Jesus 000 victims of various kinds are Christ as their personal Savior yearly offered in sacrifice. When f110uld look with indifference upon these offerings, with rolls of silk t_le non-Christian world, and make and other valuables, are presented, no worthy effort to reach the un- the mandarins and literary gradusaved, is, indeed, the wonder of ates meet twice annually in the wonders. Confucian temple, prostrate them- selves, and offer the most profound After years spent in walking worship. through the streets of the great and crowded cities, and traveling Undoubtedly the Chinese know thousands upon thousands of miles more of truth than any other nonover vast plains teeming with in- Christian nation. This truth has numerable towns and villages, one been polisht in the finest minds of begins to understand something of many generations, and set in the what "China's millions" mean. most attractive forms. There are The greatness of population is, truly many gems, of which all are perhaps, the least difficult factor justly proud and never weary in in China's evangelization, however. quoting. In spite of the rays of light that flash through here and "In China is found a homogene- there, heathenism is hopeless nighi, ous mass of people bound com- powerless to change the heart and pactly together by bonds of superstition, idolatry, and by tribal and reform this life. To the honor of its existence in China, employed China, neither lust nor vice of any thousands of Chinese, and never kind has ever been deified. So one betrayed his trust or became a pure are the moral teachings of their defaulter. Loans amounting to sacred writings that they might be many millions were paid by the read in any Christian family. The Chinese without the loss of a dollar. Chinese officials are selected from a vast multitude of graduates by An American business man in competitive examinations. China testified that during twenty- five years he never knew a China- Men holding literary or military man to break his word in a busidegrees and undergraduates, who ness transaction. are numbered by hundreds of thousands, are found in every city, vil- The Chinese are preeminently a lage, and neighborhood. They pos- home-loving, law-abiding, indussess tremendous influence. Hitherto trious, and patient people, with this class has united with the offi- brains capable of mastering any cials in opposing or counteracting, task set before them. as far as possible, the preaching and influence of the missionary. For centuries the Chinese have The widespread riots and persecu- been educated in the firm belief tion of native converts are, as a that the golden age existed more rule, traceable to the open or secret than twenty centuries ago, in the efforts of these classes. They write time of Confucius and still more the placards and books defaming ancient sages. The nearer the peo- Christianity, and which have again ple could keep to the customs and and again led to riot and murder. civilization of that age, the more They correspond closely to the prosperous and happy all would proud Scribes and Pharisees who be. Moreover, firmly believing constantly met and opposed our that all people out of China were Savior when on earth. The Chi- barbarians, or, at best, semi-civilnese, like the Jews, are found in ized, with no lessons to teach China, almost every part of the earth. their pride and self-satisfied spirit They are able to speak all lan- ran riot. guages. They remain unchanging in their peculiar nationality and Under such circumstances, what customs. They are industrious, did they care for Western arts and energetic, persevering, and econom- Western civilization, or for the ical. They are able to compete so Christian religion, ignorant as they successfully with all others, that in were of its power to .bring life, many places legislation has been hope, and salvation to all who besecured to restrict or push them lieve? out. It will thus be understood why They are the leading merchants, China has been so fearfully handibankers, and artisans in many of capt, and for centuries remained the countries and islands of the almost stationary. To-day temples East, where they have gone as filled with idols of clay, wood, and colonists. In their own land they stone, and altars to innumerable are proving more than a match for objects of worship, are found not merchants and officials from West- only in cities and towns, but in tern lands. every valley and upon the highest hills and mountain peaks. The It is stated that Messrs. Russell sun,. moon, and stars are all objects & Co., a prominent American busi- of worship. There are gods of ness firm, during the fifty years of wind, rain, thunder, mountains, rivers; the god of war, of litera- ture, the queen of heaven, the god of cereals, of disease, etc., all These facts unite in testifying to worshipt. Long and weary pil- the desperate needs of the people, grimages are yearly made to famous and of the Christian obligation to mountains and sacred places. Mil- give the Gospel, which is still the lions of money are spent yearly in power of God unto salvation, to the support of religion. The Em- everyone who believes. The Gospel peror is still as much the chief is the God-given power to save priest of the nation as in the re- China's seething, surging tide of motest ages. Annually he has at woes, arouse the conscience to know least forty-three different sacrifices and forsake sin, and accept of the to offer. He must fast sixty-four salvation which only can give hope days in the year. The worship of and joy when suffering comes and ancestors is held to be the most passes in the hour of death. sacred of duties. The giving up of ancestral worship is often the chief So much for the past. What stumbling-stone in accepting of about the present and future? Christianity. The popular notion China is a land of great possibiliis that deceast ancestors know ties. China has nearly 3,000 miles nothing but want, which must be of coast-line, and numerous rivers relieved by the living descendants. and lakes abounding in fish. Mines This system sanctions, or at least of gold, silver, iron, coal, and mindoes not discourage, polygamy, so eral wealth of almost every kind common among the official class, abound, but as yet practically unboth civil and military, and also the toucht. rich. Polygamy, wherever practised, degrades women, and gives 8, China possesses almost every vadeath-blow to happy and peaceful riety of climate, from almost perhomes. Whatever degrades women petual summer and tropical vegealso degrades men. The cruel sys- tation in the south, to the coldest tem of foot-binding brings sorrow weather in the north, where not and suffering to every girl, and only plains and mountains, but the adds to life's heavy burdens. De- sea along the shores are held, at nying women the privileges of edu- times, in the icy grasp of winter. cation, and keeping their minds Every variety of fruit, flowers, and dwarft and undevelopt, intensifies grain can be cultivated in some part the burdens which ever press or other of the empire. heavily upon the millions who are living without the Bible, without The beneficial results of the late prayer, without hope, and without war with Japan are daily becoming God. Think of what sickness, want, more apparent. Instead of prejuand helpless old age mean in a land dicing the people against the miswhere there are no asylums for sionary, it has awakened a desire orphans, the blind, the feeble- as never before to receive instrucminded, the widow, the leper, and tion from him. During the war, the insane! Think of neither hos- the newspapers and magazines pubpitals nor dispensaries where those lisht by missionaries, were eagerly in n~ed can receive skilful treat- sought by all classes, as there they ment and care, of the hopelessness expected to find reliable informawhen death draws near; the wail of tionnot to be obtained from Chidespair, everywhere heard, when a nese sources. One Chinese firm life ends, for all believe courts, printed the editorials from a misprisons, tortures, and executions are sionary magazine in book form, to in the unseen world as well as here. supply the demand for such infor- mation. The scholarship and intel- lectual power of western men is now recognized. Many non-Christian parents are pleading to have known to native doctors. Physitheir children educated in the mis- cians are now frequently called to sion schools, tho they know that the treat men holding the highest offi- Bible is a daily text-book, and that cial positions. Lady physicians are those who make it a constant study sent to enter the homes of the will probably become Christians. wealthy and aristocratic, and treat- ed with the deepest respect and Non-Christians have said that kindness. Mission hospitals and none are so blind as not to see that dispensaries are crowded by snfferrr:ission schools teach reverence for ing people, who often show the parents, a love for honesty and vir- truest gratitude for help received. tue, and equip for any special call- In Chow-fu, last year, 19,000 paing, as native schools do not. In tients were treated. The Emperor of the minds of the people education China has conferred the "Imperial is beyond price, and Christianity Order of the Double Dragon" upon and education are aiming to be re- B. C. Atterbury, M.D., of the Presgarded as inseparable, so that when byterian mission. This honor was parents become Christians their in recognition of service in connecsons and daughters are trained and tion with the Red Cross Society educated in such a way as to give during the late war. Not a few of them special advantages. the hospitals, lately erected, have received liberal subscriptions from It is said when Mr. C. D. Tenney Christian converts, and from @ffistarted to secure the most promis- cials and merchants not yet Chrising students for the newly-estab- tians. lisht college at Tientsin, with the view of educating men for govern- Wherever the Gospel has been ment service, the late viceroy, Li persistently preacht, there are not Hung Chang, told him to secure all only communicants, but many sehe could from the Christian schools, cret believers, who have not yet the as there he would find the best ma- grace and courage to meet the perterial. secution which an open profession often brings. The evangelistic, educational, and medical work carried on by mis- The conviction is gaining in the sionaries are effecting changes, minds of many that Christianity is moral, social, and intellectual, truly a power which will help solve the wonderful. During the past year many perplexing problems the peothere has been a growing demand, ple are compelled to face. Many as never before, for all the books are asking what is the secret of the missionaries have written or trans- power, wealth, and influence of lated-such as histories, works on western nations. What can the science, political economy, natural reception of Christianity do for and moral philosophy, and all text- China? It is the remedy for official books for schools and colleges, as corruption and incompetency, rewell as religious books and the garded by many as the chief factor Bible. 100 copies of Review of the in the humiliating defeat China Times now go to Hunan, paid for sustained in the late war. by the literati. There has been an intense desire awakened to learn Beyond doubt China, like a great the English language, and wherever and sleeping giant, is slowly but it IS taught the schools and colleges surely awakening, and will, in no are overcrowded. Many are offering distant day, astonish the world by to pay well for such instruction. radical and manifold changes. The All concede that our physicians and gates, closed for centuries by secluurgeons are possest of sk ill un- sion, selfishness, pride, and ignorance, are now swinging wide open, face. Natives who have dared to and a highway is being prepared sell their property, or even assist for the coming of the Ring of the missionary in securing houses kings. for residences, schools, etc., have, The organization of a complete as a rule, been arrested, thrown postal system has been entrusted into prison, beaten, and shamefully to Sir Robert Hart, who, during the treated, and no redress. When the past one-third of a century, has minds of men have become distort- been at the head of the Chinese ed by prejudice and hatred, no na- customs, and brought the service tive Christian can hope for justice.
to an efficiency and purity unex- In 1843 there were twelve mis- celled in any land. Railroads are sionaries, and, so far as known, only being built, mines opened and oper- six converts to the Christian faith ated by foreign machinery, under in China.
foreign direction. Presses and dies To-day there are upwards of 70,- have already been shipt from 000 communicants in connection Bridgeton, N. Y., so that hereafter with the different Protestant mis- China will have a silver as well as sions in China, and perhaps 300,000 a copper coin. secret believers, who have not yet Nipety years ago Robert Morri- the courage and grace to make an son, a man of heroic faith and cour- open profession, and' endure the age, had the honor and the privi- persecution so often met. The num- lege of being the first Protestant ber of communicants has almost missionary to China. He struggled doubled the past five years. At the against hatred, opposition, and per- same rate of increase, another fifty secution, as few men have ever years will give China more than done, for twenty-seven years. Dur- 60,000,000 of Christians.
ing all that time he was only per- But God does not work by man's mitted to see, as the direct results arithmetic. If all God's people in of his labors; two converts won for America and in other Christian Christ. He died, however, strong lands were to consecrate them- in the faith that China would yet selves, their children, and their pos- become a Christian nation. sessions wholly and unreservedly It was not until the signing of to the Lord, and have their hearts the Treaty at Nanking in August, filled with love for Christ and for 1842, five ports for the residence of perishing souls, so that each would merchants from western lands were feel constrained to do the utmost to opened, and still two years later be- obey the last command our Savior fore the toleration of Christianity gave when on earth-a command was granted. Previous to that time which has never been repealed- a profession of Christianity was re- " Go into all the world and preach garded as a crime worthy of death. the Gospel to every creature," be- The Chinese, acting on the prin- fore another fifty years might not ciple that, as the treaty was forced only the whole of China, but all the upon them, they were under no ob- unsaved world be brought to know ligation to keep it, except so far as and love the Lord Jesus Christ? Is pressure was brought to bear from there anything too hard for the the foreign governments,have made Lord? Has not God long been wait- the work of planting the Church ing for His people to awaken and one of continual struggle and un- take hold upon God's strength, ceasing opposition, difficult to un- claim His promises, and take pos- derstand by any but those who session of the world for Christ? Has have been called to meet it face to not God said, "Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine ceedings are open to the public, inheritance. and the uttermost and the discussions are often of parts of the earth for thy posses- the ablest character. There are no sion" ? prepared papers, nor any formally provided-for public meetings, tho In conclusion, let us neither, on generally one or more such occur the one hand, underestimate the during the annual session of the task which God has given us to do, body. Even the annual report of or exaggerate the viGtories already the society is not issued in congiven, nor, on the other hand, des- junction with this meeting, so that pond on account of the slow pro- this body has nothing which angress we seem to be making. Let swers to the anniversaries of the us, in the spirit of humble obedi- Baptist Missionary Union, nor of ence and quiet confidence, attempt the annual meeting of the Ameriour whole duty to the unsaved, and can Board; but the information persevere in the assured conviction elicited in official statements and that in due season we shall reap if in discussion is widely dissemiwe faint not. Let us, day and night, nated through the secular and dekeep fresh in our memories the vital nominational press, according as truth, "Ye know the grace of our the enterprise of their editors leads Lord Jesus Christ, that, tho He them to secure and use it. Being a was rich, yet for your sakes, He be- strongly connectional body, the came poor, that ye through His General Missionary Society is but poverty might be rich." one of many of the denominational ligaments. Annual Meetings of the Boards. The Baptist Missionary Union The annual meetings of the sev- holds its anniversary in May. Dr. eral missionary societies in this Colby, President of the Union, in country are held at different peri- his address last May said that misods during the calendar year, sions showed our loyalty to Christ, and not, as in Great Britain, in our sympathy with his world-emthe single month of May. The bracing love, our confidence in proceedings of these vary, not all Christ's Gospel and the only power being merely anniversary occa- of God unto salvation, and are a sions. The Methodist Episcopal test of our trust in the Lord's liv- Missionary Society observes no ing providence. This Missionary anniversary, save those of a hun- Union claims 280,000 souls condred or more auxiliary societies or- verted to God as the result of its ganized in the annual conferences. efforts. The General Committee meets annually strictly for business pur- A significant paper was presented poses, receiving the reports of the on the attention paid to missions officers of the Board and making in Baptist institutions of learning. the appropriations in detail for the Rochester Theological Seminary work of the ensuing year, at home has one course of lectures on misand abroad. Its constituency, in- sionary history; Colgate one on cluding all the bishops, represen- missions and one on comparative tatives of the Board, and other religion; Newton has seven courses representatives from fifteen dis- on the subject, and seven collateral tricts into which the church in the courses, fourteen in all, and Chicaentire country is divided, makes go has twenty courses, and countit a very widely representative ing the treatment of missions in denominational body. Its pro- the New Testament department and in Church History. three or four courses are credited to each paganism of Rome vanisht before of the seminaries. This paper the supe"rior Christian faith, so suggests what further might be these religions must give place to attempted, included in which would the more spiritual and energizing be a department of the colleges of religion of Christ. To the sneer Applied and Aggressive Christian- about the lack of capacity of mis- ity, including sociology, so far as sionaries, he answers that within applicable to missionary work. This two years the events which have paper also suggests that the Mis- taken place in the Turkish Empire sionary Concert of Prayer, as it have set the missionary body in originated as a meeting for prayer that land above all charges of inca- in 1784, be restored to its original pacity or lack of character. Against purpose, from which it seems to the charge of imperfection of mis- have declined into a "concert of sionary methods, he challenges any instruction and not prayer." one to point to any spot on the habitable globe, where, by different The admirable discussions which methods, better results have been preface the reports of each mission accomplisht. As to the foreign are of unusual worth and suggest- missionary movement being a failiveness. The American Board is ure, the tremendous revolution the preeminent connexial center of which turned the civilization of the the body of strong Congregational Roman Empire from pagan to churches who contribute to its sup- Christian, was the result of Chrisport, and their Annual Meeting has tian missions, and they are relong stood out as a unique occasion; peating the process steadily and perhaps the most markt annual successfully among all the great meeting of any of the missionary non-Christian civilizations of the organizations of this country. An world to-day. annual survey of the work of the Board is presented by the foreign A "Special Business Paper" secretaries, and carefully prepared came from the Prudential Compapers are read on this occasion, mittee through the Hon. J. M. W. which mayor may not be of a Hall, which contains matter of general character. Two such pa- wide interest to all concerned in pers, presented at the last annual the issues involved in the missionmeeting of the American Board, ary work of the world. Two facts deserve wide reading throughout are declared to stand out promiall the churches. Dr. Judson nently; that the several missions Smith's paper on .. The Success of this Board· never before promist of Christian Missions" gives a such large and satisfactory results, survey of missionary questions in while the apathy and uncertain a candid and catholic discussion, support of too many of the with special reference to current churches of the denomination, so criticisms, such as the assertion seriously affects the revenue as to that as India, China, and Japan make it difficult to sustain the have thriven for centuries under work, even on the reduced approtheir own religions, they may still priations which were made in the thrive without Christianity. Dr. face of the large debt of two years Smith declares that Hinduism,Bud- ago. Out of 5,554 Congregational dhism, and Confucianism have been churches, 2,046 gave nothing to foron trial for centuries, and have been eign missions last year. This is found wanting; that their national attributed largely to a lack of misfruit has been superstition and sionary intelligence and a decastagnation, and that, as the classic dence of missionary spirit. This paper looks, without blinking, at Methodist Episcopal Church South, the serious problem of how far they shall continue to support the well- at its anniversary, also struggled establisht and long-continued missions, some of which missions have with its financial incumbrance, but been maintained for over seventyfive years. In twenty-seven years it has received pledges for the exnot a mission has been graduated. This paper recommends that more tinguishing of its debt, tho we betime be given at the annual.meeting for frank discussion of these lieve these subscriptions extend and other great problems, and that no program should be presented by over a term of five years. The the business committee that precludes this, or restricts freedom of Moravian Missionary Society at inquiry. The very methods which have prevailed at the annual meet- its anniversary had a considerable ing are courageously called in question, as not affording sufficient and debt, and a single member of the fair opportunity for the fuller discussion of the great crises which community offered to pay it all, changed conditions are constantly imposing on missionary boards. with the sole condition that the Yet this paper declares that the time has come for an advance in society should not retrench at any foreign missionary work. It calls a clear halt to the retreating forces point of its work. J. T. G. and narrows the issne to "abandonment or advance." The Indians of Brazil.
The deficit of the year was forty- BY HORACE M. LANE, M.D., five thousand dollars, twenty-one President of the Protestant College at thousand of which was pledged in a few moments in an unpremedi- S. Paulo, Brazil. tated, spontaneous subscription. The opinion was freely exprest The whole subject of South Amerthat the outlook for the Board is ican Indians, in all of its various most auspicious, and there was aspects, ought to be intensely ingeneral cheer in the markt har- teresting to Americans, but the mony of the constituency of the scientific study of the indigenous Board, and the renewed confidence people of America seems to have in the wisdom and efficiency of the gone out of fashion in the mad rush administration. for the North Pole and the hunt for the buried cities of the old We can not follow this review world, while Christian people, capfurther at this time in regard to tivated by the glamour of missions this Board, nor make suitable men- in central Africa, far India, and tion of the similar annUM assem- shut-up China, all most worthy obblies of the other denominations. jects, seem to have lost sight of the The Baptists at their anniversary nati1'e American Pagans at their were borne down with their finan- very door, who are easily accescial embarrassments, but they have sible, and some of whom are actually cancelled the debt of both their asking for light. Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and are greatly rejoiced. During the past year it was our The Missionary Society of the privilege to entertain J oaquin Sepe, a baptized Pagan, head chief of the Cherentes, a grave, dignified, and intelligent man, who reminded us strongly of Chief Joseph, of the Nez-Perces, whom it was our priVi- lege to know. This Chief Sepe brought a group of his people overland from the head waters of the Tocantins to Rio, a journey of many months, and presented them to the president, asking for a teacher and agricultural imple- ments, that his people might be- come civilized. He was on his way back, having failed in the object of his visit, when he made us a visit of several weeks in S. Paulo.
These Cherentes, numbering 4,000 adult men (in giving their numbers the Indians refer to adult males only), and living in fourteen vil- lages on the upper Tocantins and its tributaries, are one of the eight great families into which Von Martius divided the Indians of South America. Along the lower course of the Mortes, at its junction where it is expected the chief will with the Araguaya, is found the have men waiting to accompany powerful tribe of the Chavantes, an him on the long journey up the un- offshoot of the Cherentes, and said navigable part of the stream to Piabanha, the principal village of to be physically the finest race of the Cherentes and residence of men in America. To the south of Sepe. The way is open through them are the Cavapos, and on the the Cherentes for reaching the greaJ. tribes on the Araguaya, north the Canoeiros. All of these Mortes, and the vast region beyond. tribes belong to the Ges or Crans Letters addrest to care of Ameri- (the great people), and are dis- can Consul, Lisbon, Portugal, will tinguisht from the Tupys, or Gua- reach him for the next two months. ranys (the warrior people), and the The small society, under whose Crens or Guerengs (the ancient peo- auspices Mr. Witte is going to cenple) by their intelligence, habits of tral Brazil, seems to have adopted industry, and high character. the plan of not soliciting funds, but to depend upon spontaneous Many large tribes of two of these offerings. This may work weH in great families, the Ges and the the long run, when people know Crens, are still to be found in a more about the work, but it is sure quasi primitive condition, uncor- to work hardship to the early mis- sionaries who go out under it. I rupted by close contact with whites, understand that Mr. Witte's paswhile the Tupys or Guaranys (war- sage is paid to Para, but that he is almost without funds for an outfit rior tribe) received the shock of the and even for current expenses. Portuguese invaders and are scattered; by taking the names of small The China Mission Hand-Book.
chiefs, their identity even is lost. Persons who are familiar with the The same is true, in a lesser degree, records of the Missionary Confer- ence held at Shanghai, in 1877, and of the Crens, tho they may still be that at the same place in 1800, will found in large bodies in parts of need no description of the splendid Matto-Grosso, S. Paulo, and Pa- mission hand-book for China, which rana. has been issued under the auspices of all the societies doing missionary About fifty years ago a Capuchin work in that land, with a view to monk, Rafael Taggia, went among furnishing a similar volume" midthe Cherentes and catechized them way between their great Decennial from a state of wild savagery to Conferences." This handsome rethe condition of tame, without, pertoire includes a sketch of the however, Christianizing them. leading features in the spread of the great religions of the world, Several weeks of close intercourse also a sketch of the leading features in the history of Christian missions with this intelligent Pagan brother in the world, especially in China; showed that, while he had some also the strength and weakness of knowledge of Christian ceremonies the various non-Christian religions in China, other matters of general and the names of some of the interest to missionaries, and sketch saints, he was totally ignorant of reports of various missions, coverthe central truth of Christianity, ing such phases as mission work among the masses, among native and still retained his Pagan beliefs, Christians, among the children, tho holding in affectionate remem- among young men, among women, brance Frei Rafael. He gave many among the sick; mission work by Christian literature, present prointeresting facts concerning the blems and outlook, with statistical language, folk-lore, customs, tradi- tables, evangelistic, educational, medical, and literary; and a series tions, and beliefs of his people, of of maps, illustrating the distribuwhich careful note was taken by tion of mission forces, and a very an intelligent Brazilian scholar. comprehensive bibliography, Eng- lish and Chinese. The special These notes will be translated and publisht at some future time.
Mr. George R. Witte is now on his way to the Cherentes. He was touched by the story of Sepe's fruitless search for a teacher, left his studies in the medical school, and started for the Tocantins with- out any stated support, relying entirely upon the spontaneous contri- butions of Christian friends. He is now in Portugal studying the language. He will leave for Para in time to catch the first nntting steamer up the river to the rapids, papers, among which are one on years, been prosecuted by the Rev. Confucianism, by Dr. Faber; two Thomas Gabriel. There were then on Buddhism, .by Dr. Edkins and but one ordained minister, Rev. Timothy Richards; on Taoism, by Thomas Gabriel, who died a short Drs. Faber and.' Martin; on Mohammedanism, by Drs. Washburne and time after; two unordained preach- Noyes, will be recognized as pro- ers, and three school-teachers. The ductions by masters in these several annual income of the home society departments; while Dr. A. H. for that year amounted to $1,882, a Smith's paper on "The Need of China," and that on "The Foreign portion of which went to the sup- Languages Spoken in China and port of a family then working with the Classification of the Chinese the A. B. M. U. Telugu mission to Dialects," by P. G. Von Mollen- the south. The baptisms of believdorff, and one on "The Riots in ers for the first year numbered 57. China," by Rev. T. Richards, will be found of exceptional interest. Through the 22 years of the mis- It seems as tho persons who have to do with foreign missions in sion's history, 18 men, with their China, whether they be there or wives, and 11 single ladies have here, could scarcely get along with- been sent out from Canada. Of out this volume. It may be pro- these, three men and one married cured by addressing the American Presbyterian Mission Press at woman died, and one single lady Shanghai, or from the Presbyterian and four families have been forced F. M. Library, 156 Fifth Ave., New to retire, owing to ill health, in- York, price, $1.50. cluding the founder of the mission, who is now under the A.B. M. U. Dr. Pierson's " Seven Years in on one of their hill stations. Sierra Leone," the revised life of William A. B. Johnson, receives There are at present 11 families special mention in the Church Mis- and 11 single ladies on the staff. sionary Intelligencer. The editor says that Dr. Pierson's emphatic There are ten stations, of which utterance that, "after a score of three are in Vizagapatam, one in years of research into missionary the Kistna, and six in the Godaveri history and biography," he regards districts of the Madras presidency. the story of Johnson's labors as "the most remarkable story of There are now 11 ordained native seven years of missionary labor ministers, 58 unordained preachers, that he has ever read," seemed to 2 colporteurs, 28 Bible women, 50 him the language of hyperbole. male and 20 female ttJachers, ana 1 He was astonisht to find Dr. Pier- medical assistant, or a total native son repeating this on a later page, where some of the most eminent staff of 170, amongst whom are inmissionary victories were instanced cluded 2 very competent Eurasian as possible parallels. The editor Bible women. declares that" he read these words at first with a certain feeling of The churches number 27, one beincredulity" . . . " but on lay- ing English, and the entire meming Dr. Pierson's book down," he bership totals 2,949. Of these, 472 was " indisposed to challenge received believers' baptism last them." year. The native Christians con- Oanada Baptist Telugu Mission, India. tributed, alone, some Rs. 25,337 in 1896; 2,951 scholars are gathered in BY REV. H. F. LAFLAMME, 931 Sunday-schools. The day schools COCANADA. " number 60, with an average attend- ance of 838. There are 7 boarding- The Telugu Mission of the Bap- schools, with 192 boys and 125 girls, tist Foreign Mission Board, of Ontario and Quebec, Canada, was or a total of 317 pupils. The misestablisht by the Rev. John McLau- sion property is worth about $47,- rin, D.D., with the first station at Cocanada, in the year 1874. He took 000, or at Rs. 3 to a dollar, some over some 150 adult converts and Rs. 141,000. The converts are mostly the work which had, for several from the outcaste classes.
There are two medical mission- aries, one of them being the wife of a missionary. The work amongst the English and Eurasians in Cocanada includes a day and boarding-school for boys and girls, known as The Timpany Memorial School. Only girls are admitted as boarders. Boys up to 15 years of age may attend the day classes. The attendance last year reacht 64.
FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
IV. -FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
Ohina,* Tibet,t Formosa,::: Oonfucianism and Taoism, The Opium Traffic.
BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
The Orisis in China. eclipse of the sun OD the first day of the year betokens an impending calamity. . . • The partition of China is the According to the Board of Astronomy, on the topic of present interest in inter- first day of the twenty-fourth year of our national circles, but to what extent reign (January 22, 1898), there will be yet this is to be carried out is as yet un- another eclipse of the sun. We are filled certain. The murder of German with forebodings at this news and hasten to missionaries in Shan-tung, and the seek within ourselves for sins which may tardiness of China in punishing the have thus brought the wrath of High Heaven offenders and paying an indemnity, npon the land. was the immediate cause or pretext for Germany's seizure of Kiao- We further command that the ceremonies chau. Russia has since then oc- of congratulation usually held on New Year's cupied Port Arthur under pretext Day in the Tai Ho throne hall be curtailed, of seeking a place for wintering her and only ordinary obeisances be made, the fleet, and France has raised her flag place being changed to the Chien Tsing on the island of Hainan (see p. 1(9). throne hall instead of the Taio Ho throne England and Japan seem to be un- hall. The banquet usually given to the imdecided as to whether they will perial clansmen on New Year's Day must also participate in the general" grab" be stopt, and when the eclipse occurs let all or oppose the acquisition of Chinese members of the court wear somber garments, territory by other powers. and assemble in the inner palace before the altar set up to Heaven to pray for forbear- Meanwhile the Emperor of China ance and mercy to the country at large." is in terror because of the approaching eclipse of the sun (Jan. In case European protectorates 22, 1898), which he thinks portends or dependencies are establisht, evil to his Empire. He has issued missionaries in such districts will a decree which reads in part as be relieved of much trouble from follows: local misgovernment, but in any case the effect on the natives will "According to the Chun Chiu (springand probably, for a time, be antagonisautumn annals) it has been stated that an tic to the progress of Christianity. In the meantime markt progress This list of references is not intended to be is reported from many parts of the complete, but is simply to call attention to Flowery Kingdom, especially from some of the principal books and articles of Hunan, which for so long a time the year which have come under our notice. violently resisted all attempts to We note those which have appeared since establish Christian missions there. our last list was given on these subjects, i. e., The change is largely the result of Fe*bSreueariyn, 1897. the efforts of one of the converts, the MISSIONARY REVIEW, pp. 263 Mr. Pengo The opposition has now (April, '97); 349 (May, '97); 764 (October, '97); ceast, and the prefects of Heng- chow, of Heng-yong, and of Tsing- 15,49,52,78, (January); 89, 106, 109, 112, 123, chuan have all issued proclamations 127, (present issue). calling upon the people to respect NEW BOOKS: H China Mission Handbook " the rights and privileges of the mis- (see p. 135); "A History of China," S. sicnaries. More significant still, Wells Williams; "Twenty-six Years of Mis- however, is a long "Proclamation sion Work in China," Grace Stott; HChina Concerning Foreigners Traveling in and Formosa," Rev. James Johnston; HSis- the Siang Valley, Hunan." This document recounts the services of ter Martyrs of Kucheng," D. M. Berry; "Eye- the missionaries, the way repregate," Wm. Wilson; "The Young Manda- sentatives of China have been rerin," Rev. J. A. Davis. ceived in Western lands, and calls RECENT ARTICLES: ~'China, Present and upon all to observe the laws, and to Future," Fortnightly Review (March, '97); extend courtesy to the missionaries, "Chinese Censor," Black'/lJood'. (October,'1I7). and warns them that violence will t See also p. 102 (present issue). be followed by penalty of death. NEW BOOKS: B Pioneering in Tibet," Annie R. Taylor; "On the Threshold of Three Closed Lands," Graham. ~ NEW BOOKS: "China and Fonnosa," Rev.
James JohnstoD. Mr. Timothy Richard speaks, in ment of the rank of mayor and up- ward throughout the empire, and part, as follows in an address before among all the students (they aver- age about 5,000 students for each the "Secretaries' Association" in center) gathered annually at the 200 centers for examiation. The future London, Feb. 17, 1897:- rulers of China are chosen from among these. Prizes are offered to I.-THE CRISIS IN CHINA (due to the students for essays on subjects its defeat by J av.an) has brought dealt with in the books. The rewith it the possibIlity of the speedy sults of the Literary method prove conversiou of the yellow race to it to be rapid, widespread, and pro- Christianity. Since the Japanese found, and yet it has been sadly war, there has been a profound neglected. impression produced compelling reconsideration of their past attitude The Past and Future of Formosa. toward Christianity. The Island of Formosa, now part There are now four competitors of the Japanese Empire, lies about for the yellow race: (1) The modern Materialists and Agnostics, without one hundred miles from the West- God or religion. These are forming syndicates of scores of millions ern coast of China. Its area is about of pounds sterling to exploit China for their own benefit. (2) The 15,000 square miles, or one-half the Romanist, who (in China) are size of Scotland. The climate is Romanist first, French or German second, and Christian last. They mild, the natural resources rich, have a million followers, led by Jesuits, (3) The Russians, with a and the soil fertile. mixture of modern materialism and with devout but dark and loveless The first effort to Christianize medireval Christianity. (4) Re- the inhabitants was made in the formed Christianity, which recognizes the Divine wherever found, seventeenth century by the Dutch, and seeks to bring the pure life, light, and love of God to the who sent 37 ordained pastors to en- Chinese. Protestants have 200,000 gage in missionary work. These followers. were finally driven out, and Chris- H.-THE METHODS OF PROTES- tianity declined. The present Chris- TANT MISSION WORK are in the main four, and they are all indis- tian missions are carried on by the pensable. English Presbyterians (1865) in the (1) The Evangelistic method in- south of the island, and the Canavolves traveling far and wide to secure personal contact with as dian Presbyterians (Dr. Mackay) in many Chinese as possible. Nine- the north. The Japanese Christians tenths of the converts are brought in by the natives themselves. The have also formed the plan of sendmissionary's work, then, is chiefly inspiring, organizing, superintend- ing preachers to their new possesing, and training native evangel- sions. One has only to read Dr. ists. Mackay's remarkable and thrilling (2) The Educational method in- story of his work ("From Far Forvolves the opening of primary or day schools, secondary or boarding mosa ") to be convinced of the transschools, and advanced or theological institutions. forming power of Christianity among these peoples. Under the (3) The Medical method deals with men in an abnormal state. influence of the Japanese, the Chi- Christianity must commend itself to men in health also before pre- nese mandarins and literati have vailing generally. left the island or sunk into obscur- (4) The Literary method deals ity, thus removing disturbing antiwith all the classes that the other methods reach, and some that they foreign elements. The Japanese do not reach. The method of dis- authorities have forbidden the imtributing books to guide the mind portation of opium, and have, in of China is to scatter books among otlier ways, made improvements all the civil officers of the govern- which are calculated to better the material condition of the people, and to promote civilization, if not Christianity. Now is the critical time in the history of the island.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
V.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
The third convention of the Stu- ious press of that country, throughdents' Volunteer Movement will be held in Cleveland, 0., Feb. 23-27, cut which ran one thread of appeal 1898, where the first convention was held in 1891, the second being for believing and united prayer, in Detroit, Mich., in 1894. Each of these was, at the time, the most and this was but the expression of representative gathering of students which had ever met. At a profound conviction felt by hunpresent there is a branch of the movement in almost every nation, dreds of workers, not only throughthe intercollegiate Christian work being affiliated with the World's out the Indian Empire, but through Student Christian Federation. The Volunteer Movement of Great Ceylon, Burmah, and other neigh- Britain held a great convention at Liverpool in January, 1895, boring fields of missions. The apas a result of which the British churches have been wonderfully peal was definite; and, as we expect quickened to greater missionary zeal. The movement in this coun- a great awakening as the Divine try has progrest; the largest force of secretaries which has ever been response to such united supplicaemployed in the cultivation of the American field is at work, one of tion, we give the substance of the these being Robert P. Wilder, who was used of God so largely in the appeal a permanent record: first organization of the movement in America. Large plans are being "We appeal to all Christians, made for this coming convention, whether Europeans or Indians, which promises to be perhaps the whether workers or not, to set apart largest and most representative this day for the special and sacred missionary convention ever held. ministry of intercession, that the Holy Spirit may be manifested in Will not all the readers of this great power, both among Chris- REVIEW remember in daily prayer tians and non-Christians. If the this great convention? Pray espe- Christians in this land can be led to cially that a large and representa- see how much God can do and tive. number of earnest students wishes to do through them, the may be gathered together in a spirit whole of India will feel the throbof prayer and expectation; also bing of this more abundant life. that the speakers may be given clear and powerful messages from "The following objects of prayer God, and that all the plans and are suggested. Opportunity should conduct of the convention may be be given at the meetings for united under the guidance of the Holy prayer for any of these objects to be Spirit. emphasized and others presented: December 12th was observed as a 1. The Christian Church in India; National Day of Prayer for the Consistency, Faithfulness, awakening of India. A series of Fruitfulness. articles had appeared in the relig- 2. The Missionary Agencies at work; Wisdom, Unity, Power.
S. The Christian Workers; Faith, Prayerfulness, The Holy Spirit.
4. The Children of India and the Agencies at work for them.
5. The Young Men of India, espe- cially the Student Classes.
6. The Women of India.
7. The Mohammedans.
8. The Europeans in India, espe- . cially the 80,000 soldiers.
9. The Unreacht Multitudes.
10. THE AWAKENING OF INDIA. The spirit of prayer; the spirit of expectancy; the spirit of revival; the spirit of self- sacrifice; the spirit of victory; above all, and as a means to all, THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
" Considering the possihle results of a day of united, believing prayer throughout the whole Christian A new and important movement Church of the land, WILL YOU NOT has been recently inaugurated by SET APART THIS DAY, SUNDAY, DE- the Evangelical Alliance for the CEMBER 12, FOR WAITING UPON United States. One of the greatest GOD FOR THE AWAKENING OF IN- needs of the times is the education of public opinion and of the popu- DIA? lar conscience. The Alliance now proposes to the pastors of every (Signed,) community to district the same, to THE BISHOP OF LUCKNOW, Alla- enlist their young people as mes- sengers, and to assign one to each habad. district for the monthly distribu- (BISHOP) J. M. THOBURN, Bom- tion of leaflets. If one in ten of these young people should dis- bay. tribute a dozen leaflets a month, T. WALKER, Palamcottah. they could scatter 60,000,000 in a S. SATTHIANADHAN, Madras. year, at least one-half of which ROBERT HUME, Ahmednagar. would reach families who never at- K. S. MACDONALD, Calcutta. tend church, who take no religious K. C. BANURJI, Calcutta. paper, and who presumably see no JACOB CHAMBERLAIN, Madna- reform literature.
palle. The Alliance is now preparing ex- D. L. BRAYTON, Rangoon. cellent leaflets under the general J. FERGUSON, Colombo." heading of "Truths foy the Times." There will be a series for foreign The ordination of Mrs. Maud B. Americans on such topics as The Booth, wife of Commander Balling- Meaning and Value of Naturaliza- tion, The Rights of the Naturalized ton Booth, of the Volunteers of Citizen, The Duties of the Natural- America, at Carnegie Hall, New ized Citizen, The Value of a Vote, York City, in December last, was Fundamental Principles of Ameri- an event that may be more signifi- can Institutions, etc. These will cant than we now comprehend. It be translated into as many lan- seems to us to make a new depar- guages as may be necessary. There ture, especially as it was recog- will be another good citizenship nized, if not actively participated series for native Americans, and in, by clergymen of various denom- still others in the interests of Sab-' inations, for example, Rev. Dr. Mac- bath reform, temperance reform, Arthur, Baptist; Rev. Dr. Amory social purity, etc:* H. Bradford, Congregationalist; Dr. David Gregg, Presbyterian, These are prepared by such and Dr. Josiah Strong, of the Evan- men as Bishop Huntington, Pres. gelical Alliance. Mrs. Booth is, so Andrews, Dr. Washington Gladfar as we know, the first woman to den, and Dr. Josiah Strong. be thus recognized as "minister of the Church of God in general," with Others may be expected from authority to perform ministerial Prof. Woodrow Wilson, Richard functions, including the adminis- Watson Gilder, Dr. Albert Shaw, tration of the sacraments and the Prof. E. J. James, Charles Dudley marriage ceremony. Chauncey De- Warner, and Dr. Charles H. Park- pew presided at the meeting, and hurst. spoke of the work of the V olun.teers from a philanthropic standpoint. * For information and literature address Commander Booth made his report for the year, and Mrs. Booth told the General Secretary of the Evangelical of her work among convicts. .Alliance, United Charities Building, New York. It is a great sorrow to all who love unselfish work to know that this noble woman, as we write, lies .dangerously ill at the hospital. May God give her recovery. Rev. Hunter Corbett, after spend- ries written on 48 Sunday-school lessons, and over 200 letters to ing one-third of a century in mis- friends at home and abroad. Per- mitted to pass on for God over sionary work in China, says: $700, thmr gladdening many sad hearts and sending forth more When I arrived in the province laborers. Of this amount, $128 of Shantung in 1863 there were not used to help the famine sufferers; ten converts in the province. Now $205 to send forth six new workers, there are more than 10,000 com- and provide for two children for a municants in the province. Then year; and $396 to help forty misthe missionaries were not well re- sionaries either t,o do work that ceived; now they are. Of the com- might otherwise be undone, or for municants 4,500 are enrolled in the some personal need that might be Presbyterian church. There are otherwise unmet. thirty – six regularly organized churches. Two hundred preachers During his absence there have are preaching Christ. Thousands been received and remitted over of children are being instructed in $3,000 to missions. The money reour schools, which are popular ceived this year to date, to help among the natives, because they give the Gospel to every creature, see we teach what improves the is over $16,500; of which $2,300 has children in all respects. 'Vith all come from his own congregation, this prosperity the Board has been $3,100 from the Bible classes, and compelled to cut our estimates for the rest from friends in many the present year by $7,665. Last places. year they cut us $5,000, and it lookt as if the work would have to be cur- Jewish fanaticism has had a tailed, but our preachers and teachers kept much work open by con- strange outbreak of late. The rabtributing from their meager salaries, somegiving $25 out of a salary bis took offense at an inscription of $100. We are willirig to make the sacrifices we are called upon on a new hospital built in the subto make, but we are not willing to abandon our work. urbs of Jerusalem by the London And this is but one cry of remon- Society for the Spread of the Gos- strance and appeal, in this new pel Among the Jews, and issued, and posted on public b~ildings, a crisis of missions, when, with doors violent edict against the instituopen as never before, and men and tion, threatening with the ban any women offering in unprecedented Israelite who enters it as patient or numbers, the whole work of mis- attendant. The innocent inscripsions is in danger of disastrous con- tion, which has provoked such a traction at the very hour when ex- storm of hostility and indignation, pansion is most urgently demanded. was simply this: Rev. D. M. Stearns has returned "Hospital of the Society for Spread of from his tour in the mission fields, Christianity Among the Jews. "
and gives his numerous friends a The hospital was opened in the city some years ago, but has been brief epitome of his experiences so largely patronized by the Jews, that this larger structure has been abroad: found necessary. Since the open- ing of this crusade against the Ten days traveling by rail, cover- institution by the hierarchy, the ing 6,470 miles, and sixty days at Jewish patients and attendants sea, covering 17,830 miles; also have left it, so that its existence is about 300 miles by rail in Japan, imperilled, as well as that of the and over 1,000 miles by steamer on school connected with it. The opthe Yang-tse from Shanghai to position has also extended to other Hankow and return, and scores of Jewish schools of the city conmiles by jinrikisha, chair, kano, and trolled by Christians. The uprishouseboat. ing, instigated by the embitt€red rabbis, is a serious setback to the Two hundred and thirty services good work of the London Society, on land and sea: 177 in English and and is greatly to be regretted. The 53 in five different languages, proclamation issued by the rabbis through interpreters; commentahas been justly characterized as "a who departed on August 28. She remarkable illustration of Oriental was the wife and true yokefellow religious intensity and a singular of Rev. John Wilkinson, so well survival of mediawalism in the known as head of the Mildmay modern religious world'. " Mission Among the Jews, London, England. Rev. James Legge, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Chinese in the Uni- Mrs. Wilkinson was converted versity of Oxford, has recently at thirteen, and early exhibited fallen asleep in his home in Eng- that passion for souls which moved land at the ripe age of eighty-two her whole life, and made all labor years. Dr. Legge was born in for the unsaved so sweet. Before Scotland and received the degree hel" marriage she became deeply of Doctor of Laws from the Uni- interested in work among the Jews, versities of Aberdeen and of Edin- and was wont to gather funds in burgh. In 1839 he was appointed a their behalf. She was, therefore, missionary of the London Mission- prepared to join her husband con ary Society to China, and after- amore, in his work for Israel. For ward took charge of the Anglo- nearly twenty years of their wed- Chinese College at Malacca. For ded life he was at home but onethirty years he labored in Hong- third of the year, the other eight kong, until, in 1875, he accepted months being absorbed in pleading the newly-founded chair of the for the Jews all over the United Chinese language and literature at Kingdom. Oxford. Probably no living man was better informed concerning Two aspects of her character dethe languages and religions of China mand notice even in this brief than Prof. Legge, and he has writ- sketch. ten many valuable works upon these subjects. He was always in- First her personality was beautiterested in all that concerned tho ful. Her one text-book was the advancement of the kingdom of Word of God. She believed it God, both at home and abroad, and fully from cover to cover. She tho his active life ended some years studied it for herself and translated ago his influence continues to be it into holy living. She studied it felt. He was a man who compelled for others, and translated it into respect. holy serving. The Holy Spirit was in her the spirit of power and of love Rev. David A. Day, D.D., the and of a sound mind. No one who honored missionary of the Luther- knew her will forget her serene an Church, who has zealously spirit, her unselfish affection, her labored for the past twenty-five well-governed tongue, and her wise years at Muhlenberg, West Africa, judgment. It was her habit of mind died on his way home to America. to give thanks, and her attitude was The funeral services were held in one of confidence and dependence Baltimore on Dec. 21, 1897, and toward God. the body was buried at Selin's Grove, Pa. We hope to have an Second, her influence was farextended account of Dr. Day's life reaching and consecrated. She had and work in a subsequent issue. a mind by no means common" and it was improved by cultu:re. Her Another of the deaths which are trained voice and gifted pen were conspicuous in the necrology of 1897, is that of ANN WILKINSON, with all else put at her Master's disposal. She was invaluable as a correspondent" and even through years of suffering she gave untold help in ~-writing. that most delicate and difficult department of if He wants me to die, I'll die. It's personal and mission work. all right, mamma '-and he threw Nowhere did Mrs. Wilkinson her a kiss with his fingers. These shine more than in the dark days were the last words we heard." when she and her husband were called to walk by faith without de- Father O'Connor has been of un- pendence on man. The time came told service to those who, like him, when it became plain to John Wil- have been reared in Catholicism, kinson that he was to sever a con- and this sorrow may be God's fur- nection with a society, which had nace-fire purifying him, and perlasted a quarter of a century, and cast himself upon God for all sup- fecting him for further work of plies, both for himself and his mis- soul-saving. Let him be made the sion work. Any man who has ever faced a similar crisis, knows that it subject of most earnest and believis well nigh impossible to take that ing prayer, that this great sorrow step without the cordial sympathy and cooperation of the wife and may, in God's wonderful way, open mother of a family.. But her simple faith reinforced his own, and in a new door to service. many respects led the way rather than followed. When the story of One of the most notable men John Wilkinson's work is written, it must be permeated and penetrat- who past away in 1897 was George ed by the golden thread that has so M. Pullman, of Chicago. The long bound these lives together. town of Pullman, founded by him, All the friends of Rev. James A. O'Connor, of Christ's Mission, 142 is his sufficient monument. It was West 21st Street, New York, will be grieved to learn of the death of a daring undertaking to plant a his youngest son, Luther B., a very town on the dreary prairie outside noble and clever lad of eleven years, who was fatally injured by a heav- of Chicago, and a liberality that is ily-laden truck, Nov. 30th, 1897. He died about four hours afterward, but seldom equaled that was willing to in the triumph of faith that was sin- expend upon such a settlement gularly mature for a little fellow of about eight millions of dollars. his years. His father writes: "This unique city," says an ex- "Death is always a shock, but change, "has now twelve thousand our Luther's was so pathetic, in his inhabitants, churches, shaded aveheroic fortitude and clear confes- nues, a public library and hall, sion of faith and trust in Christ, attractive houses, and many other that every thought of him as he lay attractions. To its credit, be it dying, looking into our faces, moves added, that it is without a single the heart to its very depths. saloon, jail, or hospital, and has yet to meet its first tramp or pauper. " I had spoken to him of the Great Financially, the enterprise has Physician, and he said, 'I know been a remarkable success. Some my Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe of those who would cheaply critiin Him, I trust Him, I love Him cize such results should try to do with all my heart. I always did, better. Mr. Pullman himself, like papa.' many pluto – millionaires of the American self-grown type, was "To his mother he said, as she very unassuming and sympathetic knelt at the foot of his couch, 'Why in his personal manners. He would won't you let me die, mamma? If often eat his lunch from off a standing counter, and chat with Jesus wants me to live, I will live; anyone who happened to be next to him. Such familiarity in his case bred not contempt, but cordial regard."
"Oampbellism" in Oarolina.
Weare in receipt of several com- munications' private and printed, which take exception to state- ments made in our November (1897) issue in regard to the "Campbellites," as they are sometimes called, other denominations, especially those who, like the Disciples, have but who are properly known as the congregational form of govern- ment. No comparison was intend- Christians or Disciples of Christ. ed, however, and reference was only made to "the Bluff Mountain Dis- We can see that the statements trict." If the references were" slan- derous," we shall be most happy to as to "the benumbing influence make full apology; if they are true, we hope' this exposure will lead to of Campbellism," and that "the their correction.
Campbellites have discredited be- As to the offensive terms, "Camp- bellites" and "Campbellism," no lief in the Trinity, in regeneration, more offense was intended than if Wesleyan had been applied to Methin the Holy Spirit, and in personal odists or Calvinism to Presbyter- ianism. The titles are those unisalvation," are open to serious mis- versally used in Madison County.
understanding. They are decidedly The article on Malaysia, which appeared in our November (1897) not true of the Disciples as a whole, issue, unfortunately contained sev- eral typographical errors in the and have no foundation in their spelling of names: teachings as set forth by their ac- pp.836 for Macsassar read Macassar.- credited theologians, * among whom H ,~ '" Pulopenanz read Pulopenang. H 837 H Ermels read Ermelo. are such men as Dr. B. B. Tyler, of " doopsgeziinde read doopsgezinde. New York; Alexander McLean, of " 838 " takes read taking. " 839 " Gerrike read Gerike. Cincinnati, and F. D. Power, of " Savo read Bavu. Washington. " Talant read Talaut. The article had, however, especial " 840 H " Hellendoom read Hellendoorn. reference to Madison County, N. C., " Grapsland read Grafland. " Dajabo read Dajaks. and the information in regard to " 841 " Brooks read Brooke. " Marassar read Macassar. the points in question was gathered " " " Berginese read Buginese. " Sangiresa read Sangirese. from' personal conversation with Books Received. those who had labored long in that THE WARNER CLASSICS. Selections from the district. One who is a devout and Charles Dudley Warner Library. Four volumes, 16mo. $1.00. Harper's Weekly charitable Christian worker there Club, 91 Fifth Avenue, N. Y.
writes: SITES AND SCENES: a Description of Missions to Jews in Eastern Lands-Part I. By " I have heard one of the minis- Rev. W. T. Gidney, M.A. 12mo, 200 pp. ters of this denomination say in his The London Society for Promoting Chrispulpit: 'You read Christ's words tianity Among the Jews. and you get Christ's spirit, just as you read the" Tempest," or "Ham- CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM IN RUSSIA. Edited by let," and get Shakespeare's spirit. Vladimir Tchertkoff. 12mo (paper). One Read "Paradise Lost," and you get shilling. The Brotherhood Publishing John Milton's spirit, read God's Co., London, England. Word, and you get God's spirit.' If there is any personality in that A LIFE FOR AFRICA (Dr. A. C. Good). By Miss kind of a spirit, I fail to understand E. M. Parsons. 12mo. $1.00. Fleming H. it. Revell Co., N. Y.
"With regard to regeneration, it PRIMER OF MODl<RN BRrrISH MISSIONS. By is commonly reported, and I believe Rev. R. Lovett, M.A. 12mo, 158 pp. 40c. it, that some of their preachers tell The same. their audiences that if they will hold up their hands and say: 'I be- THE ZENANA: or, Woman's Work in India. lieve Jesus Christ to be the Son of Volume IV. S. W. Partridge, London. God,' and receive baptism, they are saved. • • . . A CENTURY OF M,SSIONARY MARTYRS. Rev. F. S. Harris. JOB. Nisbet & Co., London. " Again, I have heard one well read in their doctrines, say: 'There is no such thing as heartfelt religion.' If these things are not 'benumbing,' I do not know what coldness is."
Doubtless similar errors could be pointed out in certain adherents of * See article in "Scbaff-Hertzog,Encyclo.
predia."
1898.J EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
VI.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
Extraots and Translations From Foreign the world. Born at Constantinople P eriodioals. in February, 1792, he now numbers 106 years. He has been in some By REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, clerical position for 95 years, and MASS. has now attained to the supreme rank of Patriarch. The Alexan- MISCELLANEOUS. drian Patriarch ranks second in the Greek Church, altho he has but a -We learn from Der Christliche handful of adherents, most of the Apologete, the M. E. journal of Cin- small number of Christians still left cinnati, that the municipal council in Egypt being Coptic Monophysof Paris has forbidden the Scrip- ites. The venerable man is even tures to be read to the Protestant yet fresh and sound in body and patients in the public hospitals, and mind. has directed all copies of the Scriptures to be removed from the Prot- -It is deeply to be regretted that estant libraries attacht to the hos- Protestant controversy against pitals. As we know,. the council Catholicism should be so ignorant had previously expelled from the and so absolutely unscrupulous, as hospitals all priests and sisters of it very commonly is. This lamencharity. It is evidently resolved table fact has been remarkt by Dr. that the patients, Reformed or Ro- Schaff, Dean Stanley, Adolf Harman Catholic, shall have no com- nack, and many others. Dr. Schaff fort or advantage of their own declares, and with good reason, religion, during their time of weak- that in this respect it has little to ness, if it can prevent. It has not boast of over Catholic controversy. yet, that we know, forbidden re- Adolf Harnack, himself an extreme ligious conversation with visiting Protestant, raises the question friends, but that will doubtless whether Protestants really believe come next. the Ninth Commandment to be binding on them when dealing with Yet, says the Apologete, when M. Roman Catholicism. The forged Berthelot, the present Minister of and interpolated and mutilated Foreign Affairs, who had been fore- documents whic4 are circulated most in expelling the Sisters of through the Protestant world, are Charity, had a daughter sick, he innumerable. Thus a certain book placed her in a private hospital con- is sold everywhere, accusing the trolled by the Sisters of Charity. saintly Innocent XI., the friend of He could entrust his daughter to Port Royal and enemy of the J esuthe kindness and Qare of Christian its, of sanctioning perjury, the fact women, but he could not entrust being that this Pope recites a cerher to the heartlessnes.s of atheistic tain detestable proposition in order physicians and nurses. to forbid the faithful ever to main- tain it. So we have lately seen a In Italy they are improving on hideous form of cursing heretics, France. Voices are already heard declared to be found in the Roman there calling for the entire abolition Pontifical, as something imposed of the hospitals, that the weak may on priests to recite. Now the Ponperish the sooner. tifical, first, contains no formulas for common priests to recite; it is -Papa Sophsonios, says the Apologete, the Greek Patriarch of Alexandria, is the oldest prelate of
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
intended only for bishops, and, in CHINA. part, for mitred abbots. Next, having carefully examined every -The Rev. Arnold Foster, of Hanpage of the three great volumes, we kow, writing in the Chronicle of a are able to testify that no' such for- Japanese convert who spent some mula is there from first to last. time in America, and whose faith The form of the greater excom- was for a while severely tried by the m~nication, of which it is a hide- gross defects and inconsistencies of ous amplification and distortion, our current Christianity, remarks: briefly declares, using essentially " In due time our convert returned the words of the Savior and of St. to his native land, and toward the Paul, that M. M., having continued end of his book he sums up the refractory to all admonition, is de- general impression made upon him clared excommunicated, and an by his three years' sojourn in anathema is pronounced that he be America. The longer he stayed excluded from the threshold of Holy there, the more he perceived the Church in heaven and on earth, bright side of Christian life and and, if he continue impenitent, be civilization in America. Not that doomed to suffer with the damned he came to think he had exagin hell. The bishop, therefore, gives gerated the evil side of it; but two him over to Satan for the destruc- considerations imprest him during tion of the flesh, that the spirit may the later days of his life in Christenbe saved in the day of the Lord dom, to which he felt he had not Jesus. given due weight at the beginning. The first was the difference between This is the sum total. Not a word the Western and the Oriental naof the horrid details ascribed to the tures, the second the difference be- Pontifical. Not a word of impre- tween the good men of Christencation on the offender's posterity. dom and the good men of heathen- Not a word of his burial with dogs dom. Speaking of the first of these and asses. Not a wish that his two points, he says: 'Two elements, candle may be put out in the day belief and believers, determine the of judgment, but a wish and hope practical morality of any nation. exprest that he may be saved in the Fierce Saxons, piratical Scandinaday of judgment. Whoever has in- vians, pleasure-loving Frenchmen, vented this hideous fiction is a son trying to manage themselves in of Belial. Whoever has been mis- this world by the Divine Man .of led by it, is bound to a solemn re- Nazareth-that is what we witness traction. in Christendom. Lay no blame, then, upon Christianity for their Undoubtedly there have been bar- untowardness, but rather praise it barous priests that have belcht for its subduing power over tigers forth even such cursings as this. such as they. What if these people But Rome has never admitted them had no Christianity?' And then into her Pontifical, has never pre- he goes on to point out how utterly scribed or authorized them. Even feeble and useless Confucianism or the violent imprecations poured Buddhism would be to tame and subout upon Louis the Bavarian by an due the strong, vehement passions A vignon pope, are far removed and natures of "Vestern p;:·ople. from such foulness. Weak and impotent in controlling even the milder, gentler, less in- How can we ask a blessing on our tense natures of the Chinese and efforts to extend Protestantism, if Japanese, these religions would be we show it forth as a spirit of false- infinitely weaker in dealing with hood, malice, and all uncharitableness?
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
Saxons, Teutons, and other races of they who in their country's peril the West. 'It is only by the are the first to lay down their lives Church militant arrayed against in its service; who, when told of a the huge monstrosities of Mormon- new mission enterprise in a heathen ism, rum traffic, Louisiana lottery, land, will give their own railway and other enormities that Christen- fares to the missionary who is undom is kept from precipitating into dertaking it, and return home, immediate ruin and death.' tramping on their own feet, and praising God for their having done " Our convert's remarks upon the so; who, in their big, tearful hearts, good of Christendom and the good understand all the mysteries of of heathendom are very striking Divine mercy, and hence are merciand forcible, and his illustrations ful to all around them. No fierceof what he means are very apt and ness and blind zeal with those men, impressive. ' But if Christendom's but gentleness and cool calculation bad is so bad, how good is its good! ' in doing good. Indeed, I can say he exclaims. 'Seek through the with all truthfulness that I have length and breadth of heathendom seen good men only in Christenand see whether you can find one dom. Brave men, honest men, John Howard to ornament its his- righteous men are not wanting in tory of humanity. ",Ve have heard heathendom, but I doubt whether of our magnates (Japanese) hoard- good men are possible without the ing millions and spending them knowledge of Jesus Christ.''' upon temples, or feeding the poor, for their own future's sake; but a This belongs rather under Japan, George Peabody or a Stephen Gi- but we give it here because Mr. rard, who hoarded for the sake of Foster writes from China. giving, and took delight in giving, is not a phenomenon observable Dr. Hering, in the Zeitschrift among the heathen. And not these fur Missionskunde, draws a very select few only, but widely distrib- interesting parallel between the uted throughout Christendom, tho Chinese and Japanese. In it he necessarily hidden from view, are says: "How different are the two to be found what may be specially people in point of character. The named good men-souls who love Japanese mobile, of eminently sangoodness for its own sake, and are guine temperament; the Chinese bent toward doing good, as mankind slow to take up what is new, howin general is bent toward doing ever evident its advantages, but evil. How these souls, keeping clinging tenaciously to it when themselves from the view of the once taken up; the Japanese, gifted public, are striving to make this with astonishingly practical sense, world better by their efforts and taking up novelties with great adprayers; how they often shed dress, altho often only superficially, tears for the wretchedness of and, therefore, often with unfortuthe state of the people of whom nate results. Yet toward them they read only in the newspapers; from whom they receive these how they lay upon their hearts the novelties they remain full of miswelfare of all mankind; and how trust, bent on scrutinizing everywilling they are to take part in the thing for themselves, from a new work of ameliorating human misery invention to the Gospel. and ignorance-these thmgs I saw with my own eyes, and I can testify "The Chinese are inclined to to the genuine spirit that underlies philosophical speculation. This is them all. Those silent men are shown by the systems of a Confu- cius, a Lao-tsze, a Mencius, as well as by the immense Chinese litera-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
ture, concerning especially geogra- has declared that he knows no one phy and history, and hiding yet unappropriated treasures. The in the whole world that he would Japanese have remained unproductive in the sphere of philosophy, sooner trust than a Chinese merand, indeed, their literature generally will sustain no comparison chant or banker. In the with that of China. Only in the field of myth and legend has it last five-and-twenty years, he rebeen eminent. marks, the bank has had transac- "The Chinese can hardly be called warlike. Her vast territo- tions with Chinese in Shanghai ries China has acquired less by conquest than by colonization. The amounting to hundreds of millions, Japanese, on the contrary, are distingnisht by a great predilection but' we have never fallen in with for weapons and the trade of arms. They are born soldiers, pliable, a dishonest Chinese.' capable of self-devotion, wonted from of old to discipline, abso- " In view of the great extent of lutely intoxicated with warlike renown. the Chinese Empire, the difference "The Chinese inclines rather to of the tribes and dialects, and the the works of peace. In these he is industrious, saving, sober, and great independence of the several thoroughly trustworthy. The Chinese artisan, over and above his provinces, one in China can hardly skilfulness, has the virtue of absolute punctuality. You can not say speak of patriotism, but at most of that of the Japanese mechanic, tho he is just as skilful. As a ser- a consciousness of race, while the vant of the European the China·· man is matchless, working with no Japanese are inspired with a glownoise and with the regularity of a timepiece, faithful and honest, ing patriotism. Should a foreign altho the consciousness of his heaven-wide superiority to the for- power ever attempt to conquer eign barbarian never forsakes him. Inquire of the European merchants Japanese soil, and to take possesof East Asia as to their Chinese and Japanese business correspond- sion of it, it would meet with a reents, and you will find them unanimous in their praise of the sistance compared with which the Chinese merchant and clerk, and quite as unanimous in their com- obstinacy of the Poles, the stubborn plaints of the Japanese. The fact is, that in all the European bank- conflicts in the Caucasus, or the Ining-houses in China and Japan there are Chinese installed, and dian mutiny would be as nothing." that defalcations are as good as unknown. Mr. Chamberlain, for MADAGASCAR. years manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank at Shanghai, -Mr. Jonson, of the Norwegian mission, writing to M. Boegner, of the French Society, remarks: "It must be owned that it is by no means easy to govern the Mala- gasy; they are such liars, and so servily that they lie with the great- est possible address to gain the favor of their superiors; and when this bad habit of character enters into the service of the Jesuits, the result can only be a regular perse- cution, against which we have no help but in the help of our Lord."
-We see from the August Jour- nal des Missions that the French Catholic persecution in Madagascar is making rapid progress. The agents of the Jesuits have, for months, been threatening the Prot- estants that if they did not turn Catholic, they should be shot, but hitherto this has been little more than a threat. Now, however, we learn from the Journal the French
ENGLISH NOTES
are carrying out the threat in mur- populous neighborhood around derous earnest In various districts Christ Church, and has not only of Imerina and Betsileo, the two commended himself to his pastor, central provinces, a number of per- but to the large class of workers sons have been shot, most common- that meet there. The valedictory lyon mere discrimination, without service, which was largely attended, any form of law. Of course, they was characterized by great depth are accused of disloyalty, but every- of feeling and sympathetic interest. thing, communicated alike in the All seemed to know Mr. Geller, and Journal and the Chronicle, makes to hold him in honor as a brother it certain that their disloyalty con- beloved. Nor is this to be wonsists simply in adherence to Prot- dered at, for, tho still a comparaestantism in connection with the tively young man, his zeal for years London Missionary Society. has been conspicuous; and both as superintendent of the Lodging- The Devil, the Jesuits, and the house Mission, and as an open-air French Republic seem thoroughly preacher, his work has been atagreed to break up the chief Chris- tended with signal blessing. tian work in the great island, contemptuously reserving the lesser Outward Bound.-In addition to Protestant societies, especially the Mr. Geller, nine other recruits are Norwegian, to be devoured at lei- outward bound, four for China and sure. These men have been just as five for India. Of these Mr. Bitton, truly murdered by France for their who is appointed for Shanghai, is a Protestantism as the victims of St. distinguisht Hackney student, be- Bartholomew's. Catharine de Me- ing in the honors list of the Theodici was an atheist, flattering the logical Senate and "First Homes bloodthirstiness of Catholic fanat- Jubileeprizeman." Mr. EdwardF. ics, and her Republican successors Mills is a fully qualified doctor, the are just the same thing. son of a Madagascar missionary, was born in the Hova capital, That mischievous assumption and his destination is King-shan, that religion must make itself a Central China. Miss Alice W. servant of nationality, which has Esam has already served four years done so much evil in almost every in the China Inland Mission, and Christian country, seems to be now now, with restored health, is reraging in its fullest virulence in turning to a much-beloved land. France. Miss Mabel Neal is designated for Canton, and has been trained at English Notes. Dr. Guinness's Institute, in Poplar.
BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS, M.A. The appointments to India are Mr. Nathaniel C. Daniell, a Cornish- London Missionary Society.-In man, whose labors as an evangeconnection with Christ Church, list have been greatly blest; Mr. Westminster, of which the Rev. F. Sydney Nicholson, a native of B. Meyer is pastor, a valedictory Yorkshire, and student of Hackney service was held on Thursday, No- College; Miss Annie Budd, of Hovember 3d, when Mr. Wilson H. merton Training College; Miss Geller, a student of Harley House, Maud Pepper, of Doric Lodge, Bow, Bow, and a member of Mr. Meyer's and Miss Annie R. Lloyd, who, church, was formally designated to after ten years' training at Nothis work in Hian-kan, China. Mr. tingham University College, be- Geller has proved a valued coadjutor of Mr. Meyer in his endeavor to came a certificated mistress, and is reach the outlying masses in the now enrolled among the teaching staff of the girls' school in Calcutta.
50 GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
[THESE statistics are designed to include only Missions among either non-Christian or nonreduced. Accuracy has been sought, but also completeness, and hence conservative estimates within the space afforded by two pages of this Magazine, a large number of the smaller and o:i 00 .!:i ~I .e 00 g " ".d~0," NAMES OF M,SSIONARY SOCIETIES IN 0 rg.~ .~ .- ",;" 'd.1e~ GREAT BRITAIN AND UPON THE CON- ..,.~ o:i .i_ll'0" ~ ~I z ~ TINENT, AND SUMMARIES FOR ASIA, ""d0 ._ @§§p: AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, ETC. o~ 'S" Q) 00 "'" p );'iii< ~.~ ,"00 -» 8~1 t~ .~_:1;o>:..~….- 0 S» OJ E'-0< " Q,) ""~"bl) O.;!? ",; );'i H" :.!:::: 0'" H — — ~ — — — Baptist (England) ………………… 1792 $420,890 118 34 118 5 275 40 825 London Society (L. M. S.) ………… 1795 762,215 160 28 152 70 410 398 2,417 Church Society (C. III. S.) 00 ……….. 1799 1,706,975 372 110 293 238' 1,013 361 5,680 Propagation Society (S. P. G.) …….. 1701 667,580 583 70 340 170 1,163 183 3,304 Universities' Mission ……………… 1859 121,620 30 23 1 30 84 10 117 Society of Friends……………….. 1867 59,675 0 28 20 19 67 0 429 Wesleyan Society……………….. 1816 653,779 60 90 120 40 310 150 3,922 Methodist New Connection ………… 1859 22,500 6 2 6 0 14 25 80 United Methodist Free Churches ….. 1837 49,865 25 7 10 1 43 4 10 Welsh Calvinistic ………………… 1841 53,982 15 1 13 6 35 5 314 Presbyterian Church of England ….. 1847 118,310 18 16 24 22 80 15 148 Presbyterian Church of Ireland…… 1840 114,010 22 8 17 16 63 8 261 China Inland Mission……………… 1865 192,000 60 173 270 190 693 14 462 Established Church of Scotland …… 1829 181,470 22 7 21 53 112 10 708 Free Church of Scotland ………….. 1843 425,280 65 51 67 73 256 23 1,343 Reformed Presbyterian…………… 1842 3,735 2010 30 9 United Presbyterian ……….•……. 1847 275,470 77 13 66 39 195 20 385 Other British Societies…….•…….. …. 718,000 35 306 178 4S1 947 35 3,069 Paris Society …………………….. 1822 125,384 37 4 34 0 75 7 310 Basle Society …………………. .– 1815 285,847 153 56 100 7 323 31 1,013 150,998 76 13 75 3 167 0 184 Berlin Society……………………. 1824 Gossner's Society ………………… 1836 45,000 18 14 20 3 55 19 440 Hermannsburg Society.•…..•……. 1854 61,594 56 0 53 0 109 0 402 Leipsic Society …………………… 1836 107,620 37 3 27 4 71 22 619 Moravian Church ………………… 1732 130,570 95 76 156 21 348 19 1,985 North German Society……………. 1836 33,000 17 3 10 8 38 1 50 Rhenish Society (Barmen) ………… 1829 144,480 105 4 86 13 208 23 21lB Eleven other German Societies……. …. 127,000 15 54 38 100 207 5 157 Fifteen Netherlands Societies…….. …. 158,156 57 33 80 2 172 12 601 Nineteen Scandinavian Societies….. …. 303,380 123 38 tj4 72 317 68 1,465 –"'I Societies in Asia,Africa,Australia,etc. …. 573,670 470 531 500 –.—-~ ',W< "'" ",""
Totals for Europe, Asia, etc…. " ….. …. $8,793,655 2-,9-291-,79-6 2,980 1,729 -9-,4-471-,876-43,7-29 — —– Totals for America ……………….. …. $5,255,006 1,372 592 1,521 1,269 4,754 1,767 16,194 Totals for Christendom …………… …. $14,048,661 4,301 2,388 4,501 2,998114,201 3,643 59,923
1898.J MISSIONARY STATISTICAL TABLES
Protestant peoples, and hence the figures of certain societies doing colonial work have been have been made concerning certain items omitted from some reports. Mainly in order to keep special organizations have bee:> grouped together.] -.S "Coo 2i …: 00 00 Countries in which "",a:l "PO'" ~"" Missions are Sustained. <!) ""~.9 '8"'O"J … ~~ 00 o…i 01) ………. '0 &.O..J~"; o "o"~, "S '" "~"g''j'' ~~ '0 .'Zoo .<:l ~~ "~~,~"0 S " >-< ~~·C 0 .<:l bE-< '" 0 ""'~.<:l OJ Q U1 ~0 '" – – – – – – – – – – – – — — — 1,100 1,084 53,284 3,365 200,000 650 38,458 India, China, Palestine, Africa,West 2,827 867 34,473 1,500 133,342 1,278 Indies. 6,693 62,785 4,221 233,110 2,171 4,467 1,483 38,000 3,200 208,000 50,390 China, India, Africa, Madagascar, 2,500 850 Polynesia. 201 1,722 163 6,705 67 30 92,804 Persia. China, Japan, India, Africa, North America. etc.
41,000 India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Africa, West Indies, etc.
3,084 Africa (Lake Nyassa and Zanzibar).
496 70 2,743 280 10,000 400 16,800 Palestine, India, China, Madagas- 4,232 2,652 44,573 2,221 130,000 car. 1,818 94 54 200 8,000 480 22,653 India, China, Africa (West and South), West Indies.
33 464 China (Shantung, Tien-tsin).
53 25 8,419 254 18,OCO 20 1,203 China, Africa, Australia.
349 292 2,948 358 13,245 241 6,542 N. E. India, France (Brittany).
22S 116 4,946 576 17,000 52 3,320 India, China, Formosa, Malaysia.
324 61 1,283 208 5,000 120 5,018 China, India (Kathiawar), Syria.
1,155 277 6,113 1,262 25,000 84 1,077 China (Fifteen Provinces).
800 105 2,077 206 10,000 225 18,811 India, East Africa, Palestine.
1,596 318 9,912 831 30,000 529 25,344 India, Africa (South and East), Ara- 12 bia, Palestine, New Hebrides. 3 248 Syria (Antioch. etc.). 2 43 3 150 580 294 21,028 1,079 50,000 304 18,100 India, China, Japan, Africa (West 4,016 750 12,158 2,200 35,000 and South), West Indies.
530 65,000 385 207 13,368 250 35,000 350 10,000 Africa, South and West, Tahiti.
1,336 520 17,174 1,870 33,740 406 15,049 South India, China, West Africa.
351 202 14,700 858 30,000 200 5,571 Africa, East and South, China.
495 150 13,020 970 28,000 120 3,140 India (Ganges, Chota, Nagpore).
511 147 23,939 1,760 35,250 89 5,579 India, South Africa, New Zealand.
690 205 7,349 355 16,070 216 6,323 South India, Burma, British and 2,333 171 33,301 1,300 94,812 German East Africa. 31 1,032 88 143 2,500 350 24,759 South Africa, Australia, South Am- erica, West Indies, Eskimo, etc.
34 873 West Africa, New Zealand.
506 246 27,464 781 64,317 230 10,982 Africa, East Indies, New Guinea, 50 1,533 China.
364 45 900 140 3,000 773 507 44,918 1,330 150,000 55 1,500 1,782 670 32,156 3,700 90,000 800 33,854 – – – 14,314 1.600 235,304 8,500 – -70-0,0-00- 1,200 155,538 — —- — — — 44,084 .2,_415,-24-1 12,137 685,017 – – 53,151 — — — — 20,946 15,681 -7-72,-950- 26,288 1,143,275 6,672 241,180 — -6,0-91 -3-56,-88-0 — — — – – 74,097 21,772 1,129,830 70,372 3,558,516 18,809 926,197
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
THE KINGDOM. method of reformation, involves not only ignorant presumption, -Our lives would be singularly but practical infidelity.-Dr. Colin incomplete if there were in them A. B1'owning, R.N. no chance for giving as worship. I am of the opinion, and very -General Brinckerhoff, president strongly, that we ought to hail of the National Prison Congress, every opportunity to give some- recently said: "I want to put it on thing for the advancement of relig- record, with all the emphasis I can ion, for charity, for the missionary command, that if we are to make effort of the Church, as a means of any large progress in the reformagrace, a. way of increasing our tion of prisoners, or in the pregenerosity and of reproving our vention of crime, or in the betternatural selfishness. Instead of ment of mankind, we must utilize suffering in ourselves any impa- more fully than we have heretofore tience with the collection box, we the religio'Js element which is inought to hail it with love and joy, herent in the universal heart of remembering the blessing of the man. You may call it a supersti- Lord bestowed upon her who crept tion, if you will, but yet the fact meekly to the treasury and dropt remains that man, altho he may be in her two mites.-Margaret E. a mere animal, 'whose little life is Sangster. rounded by a sleep' and ends with the grave, nevertheless is the only -Christianity can not be, must animal whose life is governed by not be, watered down to suit the what he believes, and who rises palate of Hindu, Parsee, Confucian- and falls in accordance with his ist, Buddhist, or Mohammedan; mental ideas." and whosoever wishes to pass from the false religion to the true can -Practical vivisection without never hope to do so by the rickety anresthetics-that is the apt phrase planks of compromise, or by the by which Dr. J. M. Buckley dehelp of faltering hands held out scribes the cutting down of approby half-hearted Christians. He priations to mission fields in order must leap the gulf in faith; the to avoid debt. living Christ will spread His everlasting arms beneath him, and land -Quoth Bishop McCabe: "How him safely on the eternal rock.- to get the Church to consecrate its Sir Monier Williams. money to God is the question of the hour. We could go swiftly onward -We hear much of various sys- with the work of evangelizing the tems of prison discipline, as the world, if we only had the money to separate, the silent, and the con- send the messengers of salvation. gregate systems, but unless the The total income of the Methodist Christian system be brought to Episcopal Church alone can not be bear, with Divine power, on the less than $600,000,000. One-tenth understanding and consciences of of that is $60,000,000. We give criminals, every other system, pro- $24,000,000 now. We rob God of fessedly contemplating their refor- $36,000,000, or $3,000,000 a month, mation, must prove an utter fail- or $100,000 a day." ure. We willingly concede to various modes of prison discipline -Church at Home and Abroad their just measure of importance, puts it this way: "If all the commubut to expect that human machin- nicants of the Presbyterian Church ery, however perfect, can take the would only deny themselves the place of God's own prescribed pleasure of eating one plate of icecream less every year and give the is no one word to express the idea saving to the Board of Ministerial of chastity, which can be applied to Relief, money enough would be a man; the word which denotes forthcoming to pay all the appro- this can only be used of a woman!
priations for aged and worn-out Neither is there any word which ministers of the denomination in connotes the same thought as our all the world." word' ought,' so that, naturally, -Rev. Myron Eells, missionary Hindi has no word for ' conat Skokomish Indian mission, science.' " Washington, puts himself on record thus: "On a recent Saturday I -And an English Wesleyan miswent by boat 10 miles, then walkt sionary, in Ceylon, writes in Work 12 more to Holly, preacht there and Workers of the exceeding diffi- Sunday morning, attended Sunday- culty of securing a sufficiency of school, preacht again at half-past good Tamil hymns for worship. two, after which I administered The people, in their entire intellecthe Lord's Supper. Then I walkt tual and spiritual make, are so unback 6 miles to Harrison, where I like Anglo-Saxons, and the two preacht at eight o'clock, after tongues are so radically different, which I again administered the that Watts, Wesley, etal., in a Tacommunion. It was the first time mil dress are intolerably senseless it had ever been administered in and dull. South India waits with longing for a native hymnist.
the latter place, and some church -"Provost Vahl calculates that members present had not partaken from 1845 to 1890 the number of of it for fifteen years." male missionaries was multiplied 3 -The intelligence comes that or 4 times, while that of women Prince Oscar and Princess Ebba, of missionaries was multiplied about Sweden, contemplate leaving Frid- 26 times." hem, their beautiful home on Gothland Island in the Baltic, and sail- -When an Armenian comes to ing to Africa as missionaries, in this country, and you find him not response to the appeal from jungle all that you had imagined, please and slave pen in that unhappy remember that for centuries he has land where men, women, and little been ground down by oppression. children are hunted as beasts, and, The bad side of his nature has been like beasts, sold for burden-bearing developt, the good side sadly and to be slaughtered for food. dwarft. Do not judge him by the Anglo-Saxon nineteenth century -An illustration of the variety standard. He can not stand it.' Be of the difficulties which beset trans- . just, and you will have more charlators of the Word of God is given ity. He thirsts for education, and by a veteran missionary in India, he needs the gospel of love. Will who tells us that Hindi "offers you continue to supply his need? special difficulty as a medium for Sometimes the refugees called me the expression of Biblical truth. an angel, and it was delightful that We have no word in Hindi for I could be a tangible angel, with , person,' none for 'matter,' as dis- plenty of English gold in my tinct from' spirit.' The word for pocket.-Miss Katherine Fraser.
'omnipresence' suggests rather YOUNG PEOPLE.
universal pervasion than what we -The International Committee mean by presence. There is often of the Y. M. C. A. reports that in difficulty in finding exact words thirty-one years the number of as- even for moral ideas. Thus there sociations has grown from 00 to 1,429, and the total membership tian Endeavor" was organized at from 15,498 to 248,734. Then there the mountain sanitarium, Ku-ling, were no buildings, now there are near Foochow, China. This society 330, valued at over $17,000,000 ; then is in existence during the tempothe expense of local work was $50,- rary stay of missionaries in this 000, now it is nearly $2,500,000. The healthful spot during the hottest international work in this country, part of the summer. Under their including all superintendence of leadership about 50 Chinese are orthe local organizations and the de- ganized for Christian Endeavor velopment of the departments, was work, which includes going out $522; it is now a trifle over $73,000. among the scattered villages of the mountains, talking to the people, -In the latter part of October an and inviting them to the services. All-India Epworth League Convention was held at Calcutta. There -Schools in the United States were addresses not merely from cost last year $185,000,000. Pupils missionaries who are members of numbered 14,500,000. Of male teachthe Methodist Episcopal Church, ers there were 130,000; female teachbut from representatives of the ers, 270,000. Expended per pupil, Christian Endeavor Society, and $18.92. There are in private schools Christian workers in every depart- 1,250,000 pupils, in public high ment in India. The League of In- schools, 4,000,000, and in universidia and Malaysia is in close affilia- ties and colleges, 100,000. There tion with the parent League in this were 1,500,000 colored children in country. It operates in 14 different the Southern schools. The value of languages in India. school property amounts to $456,- 000,000. -The following resolution was adopted by the General Missionary UNITED STATES. Committee (Methodist) at its meeting in Philadelphia: "We see in -In September last, upon the the million and a half of our young steamship Empress of China, no people organized into Epworth less than 42 missionaries took pas- Leagues and other young people's sage for their fields lying beyond societies, a most inviting field for the broad Pacific. Classified accordthe reception of missionary infor- ing to destination, there were, for mation and inspiration. The brav- China, 22; for Japan, 12, and for ery and heroic adventure that have Korea, 8. There were represented characterized the advancing Church seven societies-Presbyterian, 16, from the earliest ages will be ex- including 1 Southern Presbyterian, ceedingly fascinating to these and 3 going out independently; 13 young minds; therefore, Resolved, Methodists, including 1 from the That we direct our secretaries to do Canadian Methodist Church, and 2 their best to have these young peo- from the Methodist Episcopal ple's societies devote one meeting Church, South; Church Missionary each month to the study of the mis- Society, 6; China Inland Mission, sionary fields and cause." 2; Congregational, 3; 1 Baptist and the Society for the Propagation of -Canada and Great Britain have the Gospel, 1. Classified according past the two – hundred – thousand to homeland, England was repremark in the membership of their sented by 6, Canada by 2, Scotland Christian Endeavor societies at by 2, and the United States by 32. about the same time. -The report of The Tribune -During two years in succession Fresh Air Fund shows that last the "Sojourners' Society of Chris- summer 10,285 children were sent into the country for a longer or sionaries, men and women, assisted shorter period at an expense of by a force of 2,956 native preachers, $26,703, an average of about $2.60 teachers, and other helpers, are each. During the twenty-five years preaching the Gospel in 27 lan- since the establishment of the fund guages, and directing a great evan- it has benefited 161,609 children at gelistic, educational, and medical a cost of $398,491. The first year's enterprise. In 470 churches there record (1877) was 50, the next year is gathered a total membership 1,077, from which there was a very of 44,606, of 'whom 3,919 have steady increase until 1892, when made confession of their faith this the highest number was reacht- year. In 17 theological schools 179 15,236. students are in direct preparation for the work of the ministry. In -The Ohildren's Aid Society has 118 colleges and high schools 6,991 completed its fortieth year, and pickt youths of both sexes are in among many other good things is training, under the most favorable able to report that last year 20 day conditions, for a share in the work, schools and 12 night schools were and 43,221 pupils are under Ohrissustained, with 14,017 children tian instruction in 1,049 common taught and partly fed and clothed; schools." meals to the number of 763,950 were furnisht; in 6 lodging-houses -The American Missionary As- 5,848 different boys and girls found sociation, which occupies a station shelter, to whom 243,590 meals at Oape Prince of Wales, the most were supplied. During the hot westerly point of North America, weather a day's outing was given and has there a herd of reindeer, is to 42,353. One of the "graduates" assisting the United States Governof this institution is now governor ment in efforts to relieve the of Alaska. whalers who are ice-bound in the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska. -The churches are accomplish- The missionary has been authoring great good by their work of ized to render every assistance. education and by the planting of The station has the largest day Ohristian churches in Utah. The school in Alaska, with an average Methodist Episcopal Ohurch has 25 attendance of more than 100. It ministers in that field, 35 churches, has also an industrial department, 1,500 church members, 220·teachers and has aided in training the Eskiand officers in Sabbath schools, mos to herd the reindeer introand 2,165 pupils. The Presbyte- duced from Siberia. rian Ohurch has 28 ministers, 23 churches, 1,116 members, 237 Sab- -The Southern Baptist Convenbath-school teachers, with 2,302 pu- tion has 7 missionaries in Africa pils; 22 mission schools, with 2,300 and 7 native- helpers. There are 6 pupils, 4 of these schools being churches, with a membership of academies, and 1 a college. The 282, who gave last year $393. combined 'forces of all Protestant churches in Utah are 84 ministers, EUROPE. 98 churches, 5,101 members, 115 Sabbath-schools, with 7,653 pupils, Great Britain.-Losses caused to and 42 Ohristian day schools, with charities by the special jubilee col-_ 3,635 pupils. lections are reported in the Quiver. The diminution of income of the -The work of the American Society for the Prevention of Board last year is thus summa- Oruelty to Animals amounts to rized: "In 1,227 centers 543 mis- £10,000; that of the London City Missions to over £5,000; Dr. Bar- world has helpt to circulate these nardo's Homes, £4,900; Church of publications, and in 220 languages. England Home for Waifs and Its work dates from 1797. Strays, £2,600, and the Ragged School Union, £1,500. The British The Continent.-The Paris Misand Foreign Sailors' Society, Brit- sionary Society is straining every ish Home for Incurables, British nerve to meet the present emerand Foreign Bible Society, and gency in Madagascar, where the others, also ascribe a falling off in French government is manifesting receipts to the special efforts in such hostility to the London Misother directions. sionary Society, and is insisting on the use of the French language -The Mission World quotes among the natives. Already they several remarkable' statements on have sent out 9 missionary parties, good authority, among them: the last, which sailed on 10th No- " There are in the Christian Church vember, consisting of M. and Mme. over 100,000 proselytes from Ju- Rusillon, M. Robert, and MIles. daism, and in the Church of Eng- Petrequin and Rousseau. In all 17 land alone 250 of the clergy are men and 13 women have gone. either Jews or the sons of Jews. After deducting for deaths and re- As each Lord's day comes round turns, there are 26 French Protesthe Gospel is proclaimed in more tant missionaries in the field, inthan 600 pulpits of Europe by Jew- cluding missionaries' wives. The ish lips. Over 350 of the ministers Norwegian Missionary Society sent of Christ in Great Britain are out last year to Madagascar 12 N orstated to be Hebrew Christians." wegian missionaries, 2 French mis- sionaries, 2 French teachers, 1 -The Archbishop of Canterbury printer, and 3 women teachers. has dispenst with the use of wines at Lambeth Palace, where, during -The Netherland Missionary Soall Episcopal regimes since the ciety has just celebrated its cen- Reformation, such refreshments tenary. In 1797, under the founder, have been habitually served. Johann Vanderkemp, it commenced operations in friendly relations to -By the will of the late J. T. the London Missionary Society. Morton, of Aberdeen, some £500,- Early in the present century these 000 are left for missions, and seven- two societies jointly sent missionsixteenths of the residuary estate aries to South Africa and to Java, goes to the Moravian Church. Of but the work was soon given up. A this large sum, however, ·none is to little later they began work tobe available for use in work already gether among the Molucca Islands. undertaken, but, being paid in ten The N. M. S. did noble work for annual instalments, is to go to many years, but discontent sprl,lng open and sustain new work. up in 1858, and occasioned the for- mation of 4 societies, viz., the Gen- -The Church Missionary Society eral Missionary Society of the Rehas 48 medical missionaries in its formed Church, the Dutch Missionservice. ary Union, the Dutch Reformed Missionary Union, and the Utrecht -The London Religious Tract Missionary Society. In 1894 the Society sends forth its publications first and third of these societies at the annual rate of 59,000,000, and were united. In 1882 the Dutch its total circulation to date has ag- Lutheran Missionary Society was gregated 3,215,000,000. Every Prot- also founded. estant Christian mission in the – The Methodist Episcopal each with its central station and Church has pr0perty in Rome independent churches. The memworth $200,000, consisting mainly bers on the whole American Telugu of a large and commodious mission field exceed 55,000 in number. house, containing ample rooms for 2 chapels, 2 parsonages, a boys' col- -The first Parsee convert to lege, a printing establishment, etc. Christianity in India is still living. Bishop Foss regards this large in- His name is Dhanjibhai, and he was vestment as supplying ample evi- baptized in the year 1839. He is a dence that the Methodists are in minister of the Free Church of Rome "to stay." Scotland, and is held in high honor even by non-Christians in India. ASIA. He is now an old man still at work, tho of him it has been said, as Dr. India.-The Rev. William Carey, Candlish is reported to have said a grandson of the eminent mission- of Dr. Robert Gordon, "It is far ary of the same name, and now a more important that he should live missionary in Bengal, has issued a for several years more than that he booklet entitled "Christian Endeav- should do any work." His presence or in small Village Communities," is a benediction. in which he shows the value of the Endeavor movement in meeting -A Telugu Baptist Home Misthe needs of such communities as sion Society was formed at the first exist in India. In multitudes of meeting of the Telugu Baptist Consmall viHages where there are a few vention, held at Ramapatam in Christians, too few to maintain a August, at which 400 rupees were preacher, or even a teacher, yet subscribed, and it was voted to specially needing some organiza- send 2 native missionaries at once tion in which they may have fel- to the Chenchus, an aboriginal lowship and mutual help, these tribe of people numbering about Christian Endeavor societies just 6,000, living in the hills of the meet the need. Mr. Carey describes Nellore and Kurnool districts. one section in which there are now This is the first movement of the 54 separate societies, with 621 mem- Telugu Baptist churches toward bers. These small societies are missionary work for others, and is groupt together, and can be visit- a gratifying and encouraging exed frequently by some wide-awake hibition of growth in self-dependevangelist, or, perhaps, by a mis- ence and strength of Christian pursionary. pose.
-A Lutheran exchange states -Sixty-nine rescued famine girls that Superintendent Bahnsen, of who have been under Pandita the Brecklum Missionary Society, Ramabai's care for some time, were attended a church service in Pan- baptized last month by the Rev. dur, India, which lasted four hours, W. W. Bruere at Poona, on the and during which 186 native con- public confession of their faith in verts were baptized, including 32 Christ, together with 4 of the other heads of families. inmates of her Home, and a Brah- min, who has been the Pandita's -More than 32,000 are on the clerk for a number of years. books of the Ongole church (Baptist) as having been connected with China.-The new railroad from it since it was organizea in 1868. Tientsin to Peking is said to be They lived in about 1,200 different realizing more than $1,000 per day, villages. The original Ongole field Crowds of students have been flockhas now been divided into 14 fields, ing to Peking for the triennial ex- too weak to bear even the weight amination. Rather than come on of their clothes."-The Presbyte- the boats as of yore, they rode on rian. open flat cars. It is supposed by the authorities that the road from -I was very much imprest in Tientsin will be an advertisement China-both there and everywhere that will do more for railroads in -by the effect upon Chinese faces China than anything else. The of receiving Christianity. I could students will return to their prov- almost pick from a mixt assem- inces prejudiced in favor of this blage those who were Christians. more rapid and more comfortable There is so much brightness and method of travel. cheerfulness about their faces. And there is another thing I would -The city of Peking is so filthy speak of, and that is, that in China that it is deserted by all people (and I think that missionaries from who can get away from it in the China, from whom I have learnt summer. Our missionary, Dr. Vir- most of what I know, would bear ginia Murdock, who remains there me out in saying so) the converts for medical work, wrote in July have a very great desire to preserve last: "The city is full of smells, their churches pure. It is a re- dirt, and disease. I wish that markable thing how anxious they while most are away, notice could are for purity, and how strong they be given the rest of us in time to are against anything which is in- get out, and that the place could consistent. And I suppose there be cleaned; then have a fire big is no Chinese church in China in enough to take in the city, have a which the excesses and immorali- flood to wash out streets and sew- ties of the Church at Corinth, for ers, and an earthquake to turn in instance, are in any way-even in the whole! It would not be fair to the mildest form-repeated. And mother earth not to have a cleans- that says much for the training ing before turning it under."-lWis- and teaching which the Chinese '"s'ionarY,Herald. converts are having from the mis- sionaries.-Mrs. Bishop. -A placard against the binding of women's feet has been posted all -Rev. JeeGam, of San Francisco, over the city in the province of says of education in his native land: Honan. It was written by a non- "School life is very dull for the Christian Chinese literate, and is boys. They go to school at day- an interesting evidence of a dawn- break, and are dismist at sunset. ing consciousness that they have The schools are all private, except something to learn from the "bar- the universities. The pupils study barians" besides the making of out loud, and recite one by one, with cannons-in which they have, for their backs turned toward the many years, been willing to ac- teacher. If a boy makes four or five knowledge our superiority. Its blunders, his ears are boxt, and if arguments are quaint: "The mis- he makes more than that, the rat- fortune of binding feet makes not tan is brought into use. Should he only women suffer, but men too. make a complete failure, black Before bandits arrive men could rings, giving the appearance of often escape, but they have wives spectacles, are painted around his and daughters whom they can not eyes, and these he must wear until leave behind. Foreign women have school is dismist. Any boy would natural feet. They are fierce and rather take a severe rattaning than can fight. But Chinese women are wear those bogus spectacles. There is no recess, for it is the belief there whole of the tribes living in the that if a boy goes out to play he center of the continent between the will forget all he has learned. They Vaal River and the Zambesi. The are taught not to run, but to walk site of the institution will, of course, like gentlemen. " be in British territory, probably at Mafeking or Vryburg. -A medical missionary tells of several operations which resulted -Fifteen tons! 65,000,000 carats!! in restoring sight to the blind, and $500,000,000! !! of diamonds un- of another operation-the amputa- earthed in South Africa in 30 years, tion of a man's foot. This man, and gold worth $40,000,000 a year, knowing of the successful eye ope- rolling down her sands. rations, concluded that it would be a small matter for the physician to -" German East Africa now give him a new foot, and pleaded reckons 3 Roman Catholic apos- with him to do so. When the doc- tolic vicariats, viz.: Those of the tor confest his inability to furnish 'Vhite Fathers, the Bavarian Bene- him with a new foot, he still insisted dictines, and the Fathers of the upon it, saying that he was not par- Holy Ghost; 3 bishops, an apos- . ticular as to the kind of a foot; in- tolic provicar, 53 priests, 46 broth- deed, he would be satisfied with a el'S, and 43 sisters, a total of 146 cow's foot if he could get no other. missionaries, not including a nu- merous body of native catechists." AFRICA. -The Uganda Book Society is in -A conference of Kongo mission- a very flourishing condition. Dur- aries was held at Ikoko in August. ing the last eight months 13,200 Twelve members of the Baptist Bibles and portions have been mission were present. The fact that bought, and 20,000 natives can now this gathering was possible shows read the Bible. The receipts for how the appliances of civilization books during the past four years are advancing into the interior of have amounted to £3,000, two- Africa. Rev. Joseph Clark, the mis- thirds of which have been received sionary in charge at Ikoko, writes from Uganda. This represents an that these 12 missionaries repre- average of £500 a year paid by the sented an average service of 13 Christians of Uganda for Bibles, years on the Kongo, and 11 chil- prayer-books, etc., a truly wonder- dren in Europe or America that ful fact to be said of a people whose were born on the Kongo, and are civilization has not advanced be- now all doing well. This would yond a currency of cowrie shells seem to indicate that the Kongo is and cloth.-Church Missionary In- not such a deadly place for white telligencer. people as it has sometimes been represented to be. -A missionary in Livingstonia testifies to the importance of seek- -The London Missionary Society ing in education the development is considering a scheme for the es- of the spiritual nature. Intellec- tablishment of an industrial and tual awakening invariably follows educational institute for the civili- the perception and reception of zation of the heathen Bechuanas. spiritual truth, and change of life The new enterprise will be conduct- results from this. Formerly we ed on the lines of the famous Love- may have sought to interest the dale Institution in Cape Colony, people, but a vacant stare or utter and it will embrace within its scope listlessness has been the only resnot only the Bechuanas, but the ponse, while of intellectual ac- tivity or ambition there seemed to be none outside the daily round of -It is very gratifying to learn village life. Especially, as might that the revision of the Malay be expected, is this most markt in Scriptures, delayed for two years the women, who have so long been by disagreement in regard to the lookt upon as the slaves rather than word by which to designate our the companions of their husbands. Divine Lord when he was upon When, however, spiritual awaken- earth in the form of man, will be ing has taken place, the intellectual proceeded with immediately. The faculties remain no longer dormant, choice lay between Tuan and Tubut show themselves in the ambi- han. The Malaysia Message intion of the natives to master the forms us that the revision comalphabet and to read the Word of mittee were unanimously of the God for themselves. Following opinion that Tuhan would be histhis has come the desire for im- torically incorrect, not to say unproved houses and for acquiring truthful, for it is applicable only the arts of civilization-in fact, to the Godhead, and it is obvious the desire for technical instruction. that even those who most firmly believed that He was the Messiah, ISLANDS OF THE SEA. would not have addrest Jesus as " God," which would be the exact -One would not naturally look equivalent of Tuhan. When it to the Island of Mauritius as a became known, however, that the place which should yield a native revisers proposed to make the dis- Christian of high intellectual at- ciples address Jesus as Tuan, tainments, but the Christian Pa- "Sir," a great deal of alarm was triot of Madras states that one of manifested among a number of the the two scholarships awarded to missionaries and agents of the Bithe best students of the Royal Col- ble Society working in this field, lege, Mauritius, has this year been and a petition was sent home to won by an Indian Christian stu- the British and Foreign Bible Sodent. The scholarship entitles the ciety, in which the signatories deholder to pursue any professional clared that they would take no part study he may choose at any insti- in the distribution of a version in tute in the United Kingdom. It is which Christ was addrest as Tuan. of the value of $1,000 per annum, Owing to this disagreement the tenable for a period of four years, work of revision has been at a with a passage allowance of $375, standstill for about two years. Hapand a like sum for the return pas- pily, a compromise proposed by Dr. sage. H. Luering, of the M. E. Mission, has commended itself to the revis- -The work of the W. C. T. U. ers, and it is now believed that the among the native races of New end of the protracted controversy Zealand has greatly helpt in bring- and unfortunate delay has been ing back to Christianity many who, reacht. The proposal is that according to their chiefs, were re- " Lord," as a form of address to turning to their old superstitions. Jesus, shall be translated by the About 3,000 Testaments, hymn and Arabic word Rabbi, which is well prayer-books in the Maori lan- understood by Malays. The word guage have been distributed, 600 Tuan will be retained in a few inpledges circulated, and a quantity of stances as a translation of the protemperance and Gospel literature noun, where a frequent repetition distributed. Six Maori branches of Rabbi would be objectionable.- of the W. C. T. U. are at work Indian Witness. conducting 5 Sunday-schools and 6 Bible classes.
The Missionary Review of the World — May 1897
PETER AND HIS SIGHTED
Peter was organist at the London Mission, and head teacher in Mr. Murray'.
School for the Blilld at Peking. (See page 3.S2.) MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD: VOL. XX. No. 5.-0ld Series. – MAY. – VOL. X. No. 5.-N6'IIJ &'fie8.
THE PROMINENT SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS OF THE LAST HALF CENTURY-THE HOLINESS MOVEMENT. .
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
Like a bold headland at sea, with its lighthouse to guide the.
mariuer, stands in the survey of the past fifty years, the singularly varied attempts to raise the standard of practical godliness. .
Under different names and from divers sources, like mingling streams merged into one flood, the current has been in one direction.
Sometimes these have been called" Holiness Movements," sometimes the name, "Entire Sanctification," or "Second Conversion," or, "Higher Christian Life," has clung to them; they have been stigmatized as "Perfectionism," or as now more mildly described as "for the deepen- ing of spiritual life." As phrases have become obnoxious to criticism, linkt with fanatical extremes, or misleading to the public, others have been adopted. But it must be plain that in all these efforts, the same Holy Spirit has been at work, showing disciples their lack of conformity to God and leading willing souls to new steps of self-sur- render and appropriation of Christ. This, beneath all change of names and variefy of forms, is the essential fact.
The master problem of our day is how to make the possible life of a disciple real? There is an ideal which is to be kept before us as the model and pattern of perfection, and which we shall not reach-which, to reach, would leave no mOre progress possible. When Thorwaldsen had, for once, realized his own conception, he felt that henceforth he could accomplish nothing. But there is a possible life, a measure of actnal approximation to the ideal, which is practically attainable, and has been attained; and it is a great mistake and mischief to count this possible and practicable life as ideal, as is too often the case, because will the level of living is so low, and the habits of living so carnal, that the possible becomes impossible, because of a too weak to resist evil, aud an aspiration that is stifled with the impure air we breathe.
* This periodical adopts the Orthography of t!w following Uule, recommended by the joint action of the American Philological Association and the Philological Society of England :-Change d or ed final to t when so prononnced, except when the e affects a preceding sound.-PuBLISBERS.
PROMINENT !!PIRITUAL MOVEMBNT!!
The purpose of this paper, and of others which precede and follow, is to find and show, if we may, how far a holy life, victorious over sin and restful in God, is withjn reach; and what are the secrets of elltrance upon this Land of Promise, this present inheritance which God would have all His saints' enter and enjoy.
First, let us contrast the average life of disciples with the scrip- tural standard, and, at least, see what is lacking. Socrates held his mission in Athens to be this, to bring men" from ignorance uncon- scious to ignorance conscious," and the first step in all attainment is to see that we have not yet attained. ]'rom at least seven points of view this cDntrast may be studied: 1. The Realization and Verification of things unseen and eternal.
2. The Separation and Sanctification of conduct and character.
3. The 'rransformation of the Inner Life of disposition and tem- per.
4. The Enthronement of Christ as Master and Lord of the Whole Being.
5. The Experience of the Holy Spirit's indwelling and inworking.
6. The Enjoyment of the Rest Life of Faith, and freedom from anxiety. .
7. The Entrance into the Holiest of All, or the right and privilege of Intercession.
If this be not the exact order of importance, and of experience, it is not widely divergent therefrom; and a few words upon each of these several points may help to impress the general theme upon our thought, and to show how natural it is that God's people should feel the kindlings of a higher and holier desire, and feel after some much more advanced attainment.
The sense of the unseen and eternal lies at the basis of spiritual life, which, by its very term, shows its kinship with the invisible and imperishable. This world is real, because it appeals to our bodily senses; the unseen world seems vague and illusive, because it is beyond the realm of sense, and, unless faith makes it real, it will grow more distant and shadowy, till it becomes a mere phantom of fancy. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews rebukes those who have not "by reason of use exercised their senses to discern good and evil." Obviously these are not bodily senses, but higher faculties given us of God, as channels of contact and communication with the unseen world. Reason is the sense of the true and false; conscience, of the right and wrong; sensibility, of the attractive and repulsive; imagination, of the ideal and invisible; memory is the sense of the past, and hope of the future. If these senses are used, they become keener and more acute; if unused, duller and more blunt.
The main office of "closet" communion is the vivid sense of God, and hence our Lord's first lesson in the school of prayer emphasizes "thou" and" thy "-for it is necessary to shut all others out, if we would get the vivid vision of God. Far more important is it to hear Him speak to thee than to speak to Him.* "Wait on the Lord"- literally, "be silent unto Him." This waitiug for a vision prepares us for "the practice of the preseuce of God," which Jeremy Taylor makes the "third iustrument of holy liviug." This vision of God makes the unseen world such a verity, a reality, that it is as assured a certainty as the material universe, and he who thus walks with the unseen God, like Moses, endures as seeing him who is invisible. The weekly Sabbath rest answers a similar purpose: it leaves us ffee to converse with celestial things. As the eye rests itself and improves its vision by occasionally looking away from nearer objects to the far horizon or the farthest stars of heaven, the whole man rests by looking at the unseen and eternal. And he who robs God of holy time by secularizing the Sabbath, cheats himself far more.
So, also, it was expedient for us that Christ should go away, that henceforth He should not be known after the flesh; and that the Holy Spirit should come to dwell within, with all disciples, at all times, and school us to know Christ by that other unveiling of his personal presence through the inner sense, compelling us to walk by faith not by sight, no longer dependent on the grosser and carnal senses.
So soon as we really begin to live in this unseen realm and walk with this unseen presence, every other attainment becomes possiblein a sense natural. To be uuder the eye of God-consciously, constantly-to set God always before us, is to have Him at our right hand, so that we can not be moved. What holy intrepidity, when He is near, and what courage in conflict with evil and confronting barriers to service! The conduct and character become separated unto Him aud sauctified, because it is impossible to siu deliberately when He is not lost sight of. It is when we flee from His presence, like Jonah, that disobedience is habitual. To hold myself directly under God's eye, and to staud before Him with my eye upon Him, waiting for his beck or glance, compels persoual holiness-is itself the very attitude of holy obedieuce. In His presence sin flees as shadows before the light, for transgressions are deeds of darkness..
Even the inmost life of temper and disposition becomes transformed -trausfigured-when we live as in His secret chambers. When He encompasses and enspheres us, He interposes between us and all the foes of our inward peace. Envy, jealousy, malice, uncharitableness, anger, impatience, ungentleness, unloveliness,-all these belong outside of the sphere where God and the saint meet and dwell together. It is amazing how immediate, and even instantaneous, may be the actual entrance into a new atmosphere of inward peace, when once a disciple, after many years of hopeless struggle and wrestle with that inward * See very important text. Numbers VII : 89. tormentor-a vicious temper, an unholy anger, an unsanctified dispo~ sition-suddenly enters into the conscious presence of God-feels that He is a living, present God, and that He can bring under control this wicked and unruly member-the tongue-this even more unruly "member," the temper; so that he just gives it over into His keeping and lets Him subdue it. And then, to see Him do it! and not only conquer it, but· displace it, and in its stead give us outright its very opposite-flooding our hearts with His love-so that instead of a con- stant war against evil, there is a new impulse, a passion for the right, and we wonder that we ever saw any occasion for the childish impa- tience and fretfulness and selfishness of past years!
What a step, too, when the keys of the whole house are surrendered up to the Lord Jesus, and the whole government of the little empire within transferred to His shoulder; when the last lockt room and cupboard, and secret chamber of our imagery and idolatry are thrown open to Him, and He sweeps out all the vile things which the godless life has hoarded and hidden; and then turns the very hiding places of our abandoned idols into the sanctuary of His presence and com- munion. The enthronement of Ohrist in the soul-that is His mani- festation unto the believer, as never unto the world (See that crown of all promises, John xiv.: 23.) Then it is that God "reveals His Son" in us, and shows the vast difference between a Ohrist 10ithin and a Ohrist without-a Ohrist no longer knocking at the door but sup- ping at the banquet board, He with us and we with Him.
Christ ought to be, and may be, on the throne of our inner being, . Master, Lord, Sovereign. And when He is enthroned, self is dethroned.
The self-life is the last inner enemy to be destroyed. It is the root of all forms of sin; and, long after every known sin and weight are put away, it survives; and when every other form of pride is brought into the dust, the subtle survival of the self-life is seen in the pride of humility. What a hydra-headed monster self is! With its self-trust, self-help, self-will,' self-seeking, self-pleasing, self-defense, self-glory, always intruding between the soul and its true Sovereign. To enthrone Ohrist in the inmost life, is to find self-distrust, self-surrender, self- denial, self-r.enunciation, self-oblivion, taking the place of those hide- ous evils we have mi.med.
As to the Spirit's work, how few disciples even understand it! That sublime sentence of ten words: He that is ,"oined unto the Lord 1·8 one spirit (1 Oor. vi.: 17) is the summit of all revelation as to the believer's inseparable wedlock with the Lord, and it is the key which unlocks both Epistles to the Oorinthians. For, inasmuch as the Holy Spirit is one with the believing human spirit, He must evince the unity by the impress of God left upon the believer's inner life and outer life. And so Paul teaches us that God's wisdom is reflected in the disciple's knowledge of divine things; God's ownership, in His possession of the believer as His temple; God's sovereignty, in His distribution of gifts and spheres of service; God's eternity, in the glory of the undying resurrection body; God's power in the believer's ttansformation into His likeness; God's holiness, in His sanctification, and God's blessedness in His ecstatic visions and experiences.* But, besides the Spirit's indwelling, our privilege is to know His threefold inworking: His 8ealing, in our assurance, His anointing, in our illumination, His filling, in our gracious power for service. What a monstrous evil is that, when a child of God, who may know and feel the miracle of such indwelling, inworking and ontworking of the Divine Spirit, lives a life that so grieves and quenches the Holy Ghost, that He is like a silent "voice" or a stifled and scarce burning flame!
As to the Rest Life of Faith, with its casting of all care upon God, and its perfect peace of trust, the fact that such experience is possible ought to fill every disciple with a divine unrest until it is actually his possession. This is the spiritual Canaan, the true land of promise, now to be entered, appropriated, enjoyed. Egypt with its bondage, burdens, sins, and sorrows left behind-the desert, with its wandering barrenness, disquiet and defeats, also left behind, and the Jordan of a new consecration and self-surrender crosst, that He who brought us out may bring us in, into conscious fellowship with God, victory over the Anakim, possession of the promises, and fruitfulness of service. All this disciples have known like Paul, and, thank God, thousands now know; and it is only because unbelief limits God and disobedience limits ourselves, that all who are born of God do not cross this Jordan and march through this Land of milk and honey, vineyards and orchards, forests of timber, and mines of precious metal, and claim it as their own.
And so we come to touch upon that last feature of the possible life in God, the privilege of entering within the rent veil and standing as priests, immediately before the Merc} Seat as intercessors. Prevailing prayer is so rare that it seems to be a lost art. Yet what unequivocal promises offer their crown to the suppliant believer! "Whai80ever ye shall ask in my name "-can anything surpass that? The only limitation to that universal "whatsoever," is "IN MY NAME," which is seven times- repeated for emphasis (John xiv.-xvi.) The Name stands for the Person, and to ask in His name is to ask by right of oneness, identification by faith, withHim ; so that in effect He becomes the suppliant. Whoever authorizes me to proffer a request in His name, himself makes that request through me, and the party of whom it is askt sees him' back of the petitioner. This is our Lord's last lesson in the school of prayer, as closet seclusion was the first; and well it may be the last, for beyond it there is nothing more to be learned or enjoyed.
• See 1 Cor. H., n., TH., xli., xv., and II Cor. iii., Ti., xii. It is only too plain that very few, even among praying saints, do so prevail in prayer, and they knolO it. Thousands of earnest petitions seem wasted, and if we can judge by results, are wasted. Either, therefore, God is untrue or man is unfaithful. The former supposition would be blasphemy; and we are driven to the conclusion that there is little real asking in Jesus' name. Here we tOllch the real core of the difficulty. Unbelief, disobedience, an alienated heart, separate the believer from Christ and the Spirit, so that the bond is practically ineffective; prayer in Jesus' name is too high a privilege and prerogative to be enjoyed without intimate union, a sympathy that Christ himself calls a symphony (Matt. xviii, 19. Greek). Symphony is musical accord, and implies chords, attuned to the same key and to each other. Even a saved soul may live a life so practically unbelieving, unloving, unsubmissive, that there is discord rather than concord-the symphony becomes impossible, and the words ., in Jesus' name" become a mere form, if not a farce.
The teaching of the word is unmistakable. James, and John, and Paul, complete Christ's lesson, and teach that it is only holiness oj life which brings such accord with God as to make possible prayer in Jesus' name. While I continue in sin, neglect known duty, regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord can not hear me, for I sound in His' ear a discordant note. My disobedient life may make even prayer a new affront to God. But so far as we are swayed by faith, love, obedience, zeal for God's glory, the Spirit groans within and our prayers find their way into Christ's censer, and come back in answers with the fire from the altar above.* The believing, obedient disciple may thus enter into the Holiest of aU, and take his stand as a priest-note the meaning of the wordbefore God, he may come to the very Mercy Seat, claim the intercessor's right and place, and, like Noah and Job, Abraham and Moses, Samnel and David, Elijah and Daniel, prevail with God. What wonder that the patriarch of Bristol, sixty-five years ago, gave himself to a life of intercession that he might prove to an unbelieving world and a half believing chnrch that God is a present, living, faithfnl prayer-hearing God.
We have thus, as briefly as was possible, outlined the holiness movement of our century. It is this life of sevenfold privilege, power, and blessing, that the Holy Spirit is urging upon God's people by many forms of appeal, and the fact that extremes and errors now and then appear in connection with human advocacy of a holier life should not serve to obscure the fact that underneath all the worthless driftwood that is borne on by this current, there is a deep, onflowing River of God.
Before this paper closes, we must at least advert to some of the • Rom. vlli.; Rev. viII conspicuous leaders of these holiness movements, if only to mention a few of them.
Oharles Grandison Finney was one of the conspicuous promoters of this advance. He stands especially for the 1'esponsible activity of the human 1oill, versus the passivity of a fatalistic election. He found himself in an age of apathy, when even disciples were idly and indifferently consenting to a life, alike devoid of holiness and power, waiting for some irresistible impulse from above. And he thundered out remonstrance. He emphasized the necessity and liberty of the Human Will, in salvation and sanctification; and carried his doctrine so far, that he maintained that all sin and holiness depend mainly on the attitude of the will, and hence that a perfect choice of God is essentially a perfect life.
Asa Mahan, and others of the same school, represent especially the definite reception oj the Holy Spirit in sanctification and for service. He maintained with singular force and power that an unholy life is one which is inconsistent with the fundamental law of salvation; that there is to be a new {lreation, and that the disposition is to be radically renewed by the grace of God; and that this inner transfiguration may be as instantaneous as the type of it, in Ohrist's transfiguration.
William E. Boardman stands for a higher Ohristian life-a change, corresponding to conversion, and which is often known as a second conversion-in which the change of attitude Godward, conscious wit~ ness of God's indwelling and inworking, and power to work for human salvation, are as unmistakable as the transition from night to day.
R. Pearsall Smith, and others like him, advocated and emphasized non-continuance in sin, abandonment of every 1()eight, even tho not positively sinful, and a definite consecration, whereby the wilderness life is left for the Canaan life.
The Plymouth brethren, with all their divisive, exclusive, and sometimes controversial tendencies, have with uncompromising hos~ tility fought for the Word of God as the final rule of faith and prac~ tise, for a simple apostolic worship, and a literal obedience to Ohrist's teachings. They have done as much as any class of disciples to pro~ mote practical separation from the world, and must not be forgotten in the general estimate of the factors contributing to the great final result, a sanctified and peculiar people for God.
The Methodists deserve recognition, as leaders in insisting on " Sanctification," ever since the days of Wesley, but we are now particularly tracing recent developments without respect to denominations. We should have given the Mystics also a very prominent place in this survey, only that their history reaches back through the ages and demands separate treatment. Yet it is not to be overlookt that every great movement in direction of holier life is inseparable from this great current of thought that is associated with such as Jacob Bohme, St. Theresa, Oatherine of Siena, Madame Guyon, Fenelon, Tauler, and William Law. They who taught "vision by means of a higher light, and action under a higher freedom ,. may have run to extremes, but they got hold of two essential principles that underlie all the highest and 'holiest experiences, and many of them walkt with God.
Among all the leaders of this holiness movement, we regard one, hitherto unnoticed as such, as unsurpast in his way, the late, and widely mourned, Adoniram J. Gordon. Without ever talking much about it, or even thinking of himself as an example or advocate of a holy life, he lived what many others taught, and walkt, while they talkt. Never has the writer known any man whose crystalline beauty and symmetry and transparency of spirit surpast his. How far Dr. Gordon tattgM holiness is seen in his books on the" Twofold Life," the "Ministry of the Spirit,"" How Ohrist Oame to Church," etc. But how he lived holiness, only those know who daily lived in his companionship, and saw his face shine.
Our theme is of sublime practical importance; it is colossal, and overtops all other subjects in its magnitude as related to the triumph of Ohrist in this world. Only a "peculiar people" will ever be" zealous of good works." While we seek to build up missions upon any other foundation than holiness unto the Lord, we are basing our work upon quicksand. All the "enthusiasm" in the world will only be like froth and foam, which overflow and leave nothing behind, a deceptive delusive glow of sentiment, a temporary and untrustworthy excitement that is followed by reaction into more hopeless apathyunless obedience be beneath-and obeuience itself based on the rock of love-a secret sympathy and affinity with God.
It may be well to add, before closing, that the advocates of the "Keswick" teaching desire that it shall not be supposed to advance any new doctrine. All the truths for which Keswick stands are as old as the New Testament; but it is our prayer and endeavor to help others to see that thoy are taught in the word of God, and to claim the promises, and appropriate the power of the Blessed Ohrist. Like the unclaimed riches in the Bank of England, there are mines of unappropriated treasure in the word of God.
If these unworthy words, sent out to be read by thousands of eyes, might be God's call to a new life-might lead our readers to immediate and unconditional commital to the will of God-to a final break with the world, a final abandonment of all known sin, however seemingly trivial; a renunciation of all doubtful indulgences, as "not of faith" and therefore "sin ,.-if the hesitating and unbelieving would take the step into the overflowing Jordan, and test God's power to bring them in and make the promises their own, what fulness of blessing might come to a halting church and a revolted world!
AN OPEN DOOR IN 8lAll-TllE SJlAif
AN OPEN DOOR IN SIAM-THE SHAN STATES.
BY REV. ROBERT IRWIN.
In these days of world-wide missions, when the Ohurch has begun to realize her duty to all nations and peoples in view of her Lord's last command, and has begun in an energetic and systematic way to grapple with the problem of the world's evangelization, it is only necessary to point out some neglected people with their spiritual needs, and before very long the effort will be made to supply them with the Gospel. To call attention to such a land and peoples is the object of this paper.
The SHAN STATES comprise a little larger territory than that of the State of Missouri. They are situated in Eastern Asia, bounded on the North by China, on the East by Tonking, on the South by Laos, and on the West by Burmah. The country is very mountainous and is watered by numerous rivers aud streams. The Maakong divides it into two nearly equal portions. The plains are fertile and rice is the principal crop. Fruits are not abundant; vegetables less so than in Laos or Siam. The people easily make a living. There are two great classes of people, those in the plains and those in the mountains. The plain people are of three principal tribes, closely related to one another and to the Laos-the Lew, the Kuru, and the Ngeeo or Shan. The language of the Lew: and Kuru, both spoken and written, is similar to the Laos. The Lew are by far the most numerous, the Ngeeo and Kuru tribes being confined to the West, and occupying probably not more than one-fourth of the country. In addition to these three main tribes there are a few closely-related smaller tribes scattered throughout, such as the Ti Luang in the extreme North, the Ti Yuen along the East of the Maakong, the Li in the extreme East, the L'wah in the Northeast, the KaHok in Muang Nyong.
Very many tribes inhabit the mountains, and they all differ from the Laos tribes and from one another in dress, customs, language, and religion. The most important of these, so far as we know, are the Kamooh in the Southeast, the Moosur, the Kooey, and Kaw in the central and Southwest, the K'lah, with a thousand fighting men, in the central Northeast, the Lanten, speaking a Ohinese dialect, the Maao and Lamait, south and east and extending into Laos in the vicinity of Chieng Kong. These tribes have no intercourse with one another or with the people of the plains, except in trade, and there are a few in each tribe who can speak the other languages. They are nomadic, remaining two or three years in a place and, impelled by some invisible force, they are migrating steadily southward. Their villages are usually located on or near the summit of a mountaiu, from which they have cleared every vestige of vegetation. In preparing ·rice-fields they display a beautiful abandon. Felling the entire forest, they burn it over and sow among the confused mass of charred logs. No plow is needed. Their civilization is very rude. With the exception of the Lanten they have no books and no written language. One tribe of Moosur say they once had a book of their own, but a stranger visited them and ate it-another way of saying they have lost the art of writing. They have a strange reverence for books. At one village the head man showed us a book bought from a Laos at an exhorbitant price. It was carefully wrapt up and kept on a shelf, and religious offerings made to it. Noone in the tribe could read a word of it, and its meaning was a mystery to them. They were not at all pleased when they found that our Laos could read and understand it, and laugh at the nonsense of worshiping a book. The head man gravely replaced it on the shelf, and changed the topic of conversation. Government is patriarchal, laws are simple, judgment summary, and the customs unchanging. When the matter of accepting the Ohristian religion was presented to one Kaw village, a general council was called, and the question discust for several hours. When it became clear to them that its acceptance meant the giving up of important, immemorial customs, they decided they could not "leave their forefathers." Some of them, notably the Raws, are addicted to drink, and opium, brought from Ohina, is beginning to demoralize some of them. In general, however, they are not grossly immoral.
The civilization of the plain tribes is of a much higher grade, and, like the Laos, is perhaps equal to the Ohinese. They have a large literature, chiefly of a religious nature, much of it translation and semi-translation from Pali. There are numerous histories; and records are kept of all official proceedings. There are also some fiction and poetry. Schools abound in connection with the monasteries (usually called temples), and their teaching is restricted mostly to the rudimentary branches of learning, and to the study of the Buddhist sacred literature, but astrology, demonology, and a practiealuse of the Pali language are also taught. From a third to a half of the male population are more or less educated. There is no oppostion to the education of women, but neither is there provision made for it. Manners and etiquette are cultivated to a much higher degree than with us, and involve speech, posture, position, address, salutation, etc., which must be used between superiors, inferiors, and equals. The science of instrumental music is not well developt, but they have a variety of instruments, and good players are not rare. Tlwir code of laws is elaborate and, in the main, just, but the officials are corrupt. They have a graded system of courts. Litigation is COq1mon, and cases often last for years. Each important prince has a bodyguard of soldiers, and these form the city police as occasio~ demands. There is no standing army, but a system of levy in case of war. In personal appearance the people are of I1verage stature, well-formed, good-looking, of a brownish color, and have not the almond eye of the Chinese. They dress tastily and are sociable and affectionate. Women are respected and sometimes hold high posi- tions. The marriageable age is from sixteen to twenty-two. Marriage is a matter of choice by the persons concerned, but both their families must consent, and the contract must be signed by the heads of each clan. Family life is often harmonious, but adultery and other sexual sins are frightfully common, and the country is full of wrecks of families. Widows and orphans are cared for by relatives. Lepers and persons accused of witchcraft are outcasts.
Just what the political status of the country is now, it is hard to say. Before the last French grab of Sianlese property two years ago, a large part of the Shan States was subject to Britain, part to China, part to Siam,. and part to France, but none of these powers has succeeded in establishing its authority over the scattered tribes, and their rule is only nominal, and amounts to little more than receiving a small annual tribute. In 1893, the British governor, then residing at Fort Stedman on the Salwen, refused Dr. McGilvary and myself a passport to travel through the country, on the ground that the Shan tribes were discontented and turbulent, and his authority over them was so slight that he could not guarantee us protection. The Chinese have no resident official in the country. During our stay in Chieng Hoong, we met the Chinese officer who came for the tribute. The country is divided into petty, independent states. Shortly before we made our trip in 1893, a quarrel, which ended in war, broke out between Muang Lem and Chieng Hoong. The Chieng IIoong people were successful and carried off several large villages of the Lem people as hostages. In general the laws are well administered and lawlessness is not common. The governor of Muang Luang province told us that a man might go alone from one end of the country' to the other and not be molested. Another prince told us that theft was almost unknown in his province. In three months of travel in ten provinces, we certainly saw a well-ordered country. In opening and carrying on mission work it makes little difference to which power the country belongs, except, perhaps, France. It is of no use. to any of them except to keep others from taking it and to secure the right of way into the countries beyond. This is proved by the several easy transfers of large portions of the country made during the late Siamo-French trouble.
The religion of the plain tribes is, as in Loas, a combination of Buddhism and Demonism. The two systems have influenced and modified each other. DemonisDl has peopled the unknown or unexisting Beyond of Buddhism with myriads of good and bad spirits in close touch with mortals, and Buddhism has given a philosophical dignity and structure to the unsubstantial Demonism. vYhile believing in good spirits, tawftboot and tawada, the people think little about them, since they are not much concerned with men, and their whole religious attention is needed to keep themselves out of the clutches of the evil ones. Charms and amulets are worn on the person and placed in the house. In building a house a cabalistic writing is placed on top of the posts under the plate, and a minature house is built on the corner post of the verandah, in which offerings of rice, flowers, little clay animals, etc., are laid daily. "Devil-houses" are erected in consecrated groves and offerings made in times of trouble. Offerings are also made at the temples and in the streets. Buddhist priests prepare the most elaborate offerings of wooden horses, elephants, houses, etc. Strategy is practist to deceive the demons. Streets ;;.re made crooked to bewilder them, and a large party of travelers will sleep in small groups to escape detection. To frighten off the demons, large gongs, the abomination of noises, are beaten day and night in all the temples. On the occasion of an eclipse the whole country is wild with terror, and make every conceivable kind of noise to drive away the demon that is "eating the moon." The other practical religious idea is "tum boon" or making merit. It is a positive doctrine as that of appeasing the spirits is a negative one. To build a temple or a sala,* "booat"t or "pek"t a priest, copy the scriptures, write a book and present it to a temple and to do good deeds of almost any kind, though sometimes it is hard to find the virtue in the deed, are some of the ways of making merit.
In regard to Buddhism as a philosophical system, there are important differences from Buddhism in other countries, which make our work as Christian missionaries easier: A. As to God. Strict Buddhism is atheistic; Laos Buddhism has room for a God, though He does not actually appear in their teachings. They have important personages to perform special functions in the spiritual world. For instance, there is a group of tawaboot who record all the deeds of every man from birth to death, and.• on arrival at the seven-honged! sala in the land of shades, his account (which determines his place of abode until he is reborn into this world), is made up from the books. Again, Poo Ten and Nya Ten (names of a male and female deity) used to have a good deal to do with affairs in this world in the grey dawn of its beginnings, but lately they have retired from actin' life, and now live in some out-ofthe-way heaven with only an indifferent interest in the world or its mortals.
* Rest house.
t To give a son for the prieGthood. The two words are used for ditrerent orders of pritlllts. ; Hong, space between two post•. B. As to the soul. Laos Buddhism makes the soul consist of e., thirty-two "chit ", i. material and mental properties, tendencies, etc. Practically they correspond to the five skandas of other Buddhists, which are dissolved at death, as a candle is blown out, leaving nothing behind. With them it is not strictly true to say that· a man is reborn. His karma, the concentrated extract of life-long actions, fastens itself on a new individual. The Laos* believe their skandes or chit are only scattered at death, and by an inherent power come together again at the proper time, to begin another existence. They are consistent, therefore, in speaking of "wean kuit wean tai ", the endless cycle of births and deaths. This doctrine, however, is inconsistent with the general belief that at death the individual becomes a demon, wandering in the land of shades and ever striving to revisit the earth. No attempt is made to harmonize the two doctrines.
O. As to Kam, the Hindoo Karma, that impalpable something that survives the destruction of everything physical and psychical, the man's record of a life of sin that reappears in a new child with blighting influence and undeserved responsibility. With the Laos it has a double significance. It is fate, an avenging Nemesis, that returns the curse of evil action on the sinner's own head, and it is his "record" that foists in itself npon a new individual to curse its young life. Disaster, actual or impending, is often attributed to kam, and the people fear it more than the demons. Demons may be appeased, kam is inexorable.
None of the mountain tribes, so far as I know, hold the Buddhist faith. The Moosur and Kooey believe in one good Supreme Being and many inferior deities. Their worship is purely spiritual and without temple, priest, form, or rite. The Kamooh, Kaw, and other tribes know of only evil powers, and their worship, if worship it can be called, is of the lowest order. The conception of the grotesque pictures in Dante's ., Inferno" might have been gotten from a Kaw village. Twisted roots and gnarled branches, piled together, represented their idea of the demon's world.
The whole of the Shan States is open to the preaching of the Gospel. In the tour of 1893 all classes of people, from king to beggar, attended worship, and were eager to know about the "new religion." Many invitations were given us to settle among them, and in almost every village and city we were prest to spend some days with them, or at least one night. Several missionaries of the Laos Mission are eager to push up into that country and take it for Christ, but the Board (Presbyterian), owing to the deprest state of the treasury, can not allow any new work to be begun. What a pity! It would not be an expensive mission. One centrally-located station * I use the word in a broad sense to include also the tribes in the plains of the Shan States.
MISSIONARY COMITY IN MEXlOO
with four families, two ministers, and two physicians, could by a system of itineration, and by organizing and training a self-supporting and self-propagating church, care for an,d extend the work into all parts of the land. With the whole country willing to listen to the Gospel, and men, already with a knowledge of their language and customs, begging to be sent to them, will the Ohurch say, by silence, " We can't afford it; let them die in their heathenism?" How then shall she look her Lord in the face? Some one person or church to whom the Lord has committed wealth might easily undertake the support of this work. Who will do so and save God's Ohurch from reproach and future shame?
MISSIONARY OOMITY IN MEXIOO.
BY REV. JOHN W. BUTLER, D.D., MEXICO.
The development of indigenous resources in our respective churches and good fraternal relations between the different missions, to our mind, are two of the most essential factors for laying broad and deep the foundations of such a permanent and prosperous Protestantism in the Republic of Mexico as shall, in .all future generations, be blest of God in the salvation of men and the exalting of the nation.
Ooncerted Protestant work in Mexico dates back to about 1872, tho colporteurs, single-handed missionaries, and the so-called" Ohurch of Jesus" record work some years prior to that date. We believe the following to be about the order in which the different churches planted their missions: The Baptist, Northern Oonvention, 1862; the Ohurch of Jesus, 1868, since disintegrated and one part of it gathered up by the Episcopal Ohurch about 1880; the Friends of the New York Annual Meeting, 1871; the Oongregationalists A. B. O. F. M., 1872; the Presbyterians, 1872; the Methodist Episcopal, 1873; the Southern Presbyterian, 18'(4; the Reformed Associate, 1878; the Baptist Southern Oonvention,18 ; the Methodist Ohurch South, 1874; the Oumberland Presbyterian, ]88',; the Friends' Indiana Annual Meeting, 1888; the Seven Day Adventists, 1893; and the Mission of Mr. Harris in Orizaba, 1894.
No mention is made of the once important work of the lamented James Pascoe.. begun about 1870, as soon after his death his work seems either to have past over to other missions or entirely died out. Mr. Bright, an earnest English lay-worker, did much good for a short time in Mexico-Tehuacan and Orizaba, but left the country for other fields of usefulness, without gathering up fruits which are never visible. The results of the united labors of the foregoing, as far as tbey can be tabulated, are, in pad, as follows: Oongregations, 600; foreign workers, 161; native workers, 467; communicants, Hi,OOO; adherents, 60,000; training schools, 10; boarding schools, 18; children under instruction, 7,000; Sunday-schools, 320; members of Sunday-schools, 10,000; publishing houses, 6; pages of religious literature published from the beginning, 70,000,000.
Medical work at Guanayato (establisht 1891): Dispensaries, 3; medical missionaries, B; lay medical missionary, 1; native helpers, 7; prescriptions from the first, 31,146; patients attended from the first, 12,684.
However scattered the places of our birth, however different our religious instruction, or however distinct some of our church practises, we have one common Lord, and are working in this land for one single aim-the salvation of souls and the glory' of God.. We believe that something may be done along the line of missionary comity which will further aid in reaching this desired end.
To some, the mere announcement of the subject, may suggest the laying of plans and the carving up of the country geographically.
While most will at once say that it is too late for such an arrange- ment, all will doubtless agree that it is not too late to draw a little nearer together, and mutually agree to observe certain rules, which will often serve the cause we love, and hasten on the conquest of our part of the world for Ohrist. In the discussion of this question we mnst not only claim sincerity of purpose on our own part, but concede an equal amount of that desired commodity to all concerned.
Among the reasons why we should attempt something· of the kind may be stated the following:- 1. The sacrifices of our supporters and the faith of our missionary societies suggest that we should make the very wisest use of our time and available funds.
2. The happiness and safety of souls who will die without a true knowledge of Ohrist, if we are unwise in this matter.
3. Our faith in "the coming of the Lord" whose" Day" we'would hasten.
4. Doubtless one of the strongest arguments in justification of our presence in Mexico is the reformation and purification of the old church. Rome will not admit this statement, but the evidence of its truth is already apparent on evcry hand. The founding of new schools and the improvement of old ones, the establishment of preaching services in their more important temples, the multiplication of printing presses, the opening of orphanages; and other like innovations, are eloquent" signs of the times" along this line. Our concerted action can but· multiply these" signs," and accelerate this good work, till Rome will be compelled to teach and preach the Gospel, and put the Bible in the hands of her people. When that glad day comes, saints on earth and angels in heaven will mingle their songs of rejoicing. Fnrthermore, Wtl venture the assertion that, the evangelical misions now working in this country, if wisely supported by their respective societies, according to their day of opportunity, seconded by a sub- stantial growth in our indigenous resources could, through the reform- ation of the old church, and by their own direct and united efforts, bring all the millions of Mexico to Ohrist during the next generation. And who would refrain from participation in such a glorious under- tak.ing?
I. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST.
Several years ago the representatives of those missions having headquarters in the city of Mexico, after weeks of serious and prayerful consideration of the subject, recommended a plan which received considerable attention at the hands of our first General Assembly. This plan, in substance, proposes that workers should not pass from one mission to another without proper credentials; that members should have no unworthy inducements of any kind held out to them to change relationship from one church to another; that no town of less than twentyfive or thirty thousand people should be occupied by more than one Evangelical church for a period of years to come; some suggestions were also made as to possible union of theological schools and presswork. Later, a self·constituted committee, with representatives from several missions, met in Zacatecas, and devoted two days of earnest work to a plan looking toward the foundation of a Union Oollege.
This last scheme was disapproved by most of our home Boards, chiefly on financial grounds. The first three points mentioned above have been religiously complied with on the part of several of the missions, but, in some cases, which might be cited, have been ignored to the serious embarrassment of the participants and, we firmly believe, dishonor to our cause. We have carefully watched, where opportunity afforded, the history of some of these cases, and the truth compels us to say that every such case has resulted iu confusion, if not disgrace, where one church has insisted upon entering small towns previously occupied by another. As to members passing from one church to another, we have known individual cases where falsehood was resorted to in order to cover the steps advised by the minister, and the subsequent history of the family again proved that nothing can permanently stand on a lie-for we watched such families till, with profound sorrow, we saw them lost to both churches. Ooncerning workers we have yet to meet the first one who made the change under any kin:d of pressure, who was either happy in himself, or perfectly useful in his new field.
II. WHAT DO WE PROPOSE?
1. As to territory. National and generally State capitals, chief ports, and large towns may be considered as common ground. Still it is our conviction that while so many towns and cities of the Republic are as yet unentered by any Protestant body, it would be the part of wisdom and courtesy, to confine joint occupancy for the next decadE; to a dozen towns outside the National Capital. Suppose we adopt a recommendation to our several missions that for the next two years no town of less than thirty thousand inhabitants shall be occupied by more than one Protestant body? This may involve the withdrawal of the second party which has establisht itself in some such place, bnt would it not avoid considerable friction, and enable us as different branches of the church acting under a general comity to cover, with t~ same men and means, a much wider range of territory?
2. Just here arises the question as to what constitutes occupancy. If we were to answer briefly, we should say, services conducted with reasonable regularity and a due regard to the customs of the church occupying the town. The mere fact that a missionary has visited a town and carried, for long months, the name thereof in his books and, in'his mind, the intention of some day opening work there can not be considered occupancy.
3. Again, if a mission begins work in the principal town of a cer- tain district and intends, in any reasonable time, as men and means are, theirs to command, to enter aU the towns of that district, only a cordial consent from the first occupant, after full and frank conference, could justify a second party entering that immediate vicinity.
Here, again, brotherly kindness, thoughtful consideration, and true frankness will settle amicably ninety-nine out of every hundred such cases. We could cite several, where arrangements of this kind have been made between the representatives of the Presbyterian and Methodist missions, without a jar to the most cordial of relations and, we firmly believe, economy of funds, men, and time, as well as a greater basis of prosperity than could otherwise have been obtained.
4. Territory open to new missions, coming into this broad field, ,is an interesting subject. Wisdom, the avoidance of possible friction, and their wider usefulness would all seem to point to some one of those important but, as yet, unoccupied centers, where they could freely work without building" on another man's foundation." Here again, the honest zeal of those already in the field will lead them, when askt, to give valuable advice and perhaps native helpers with whom to commence a new work which, in all future years, will bless men and honor God.
The most prosperous mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the far East received, first as a loan, and later as a gift, from the Presbyterian Church, which had preceded it in entering that distant empire, a native preacher who, for forty years has been a power for good and who still lives in advanced age to carryon his work. The venerable superintendent of that mission, as well as all who have joined in that work in all these years, still remember with gratitude that act of Christian courtesy and fraternity in their time of need. 5. What shall we agree to concerning the transfer of members and workers from one church to another?
(a) Members should never be tampered with. Inducements of a worldly character, such as employment, gifts, insinuations against the character or work of those with whom the members in question are connected, and all other like efforts, are simply unworthy of servants of Christ. Sometimes weak brethren will be found who for a miserable pittance will pass from one congregation to another. We personally know of a case where a man past from a congregation to which he belonged for several years to another under the influence of a pastor's eloquence, and the promise of twelve cents a week to help ill his family expenses. The pastor of the receiving church paid nl) attention whatever to his long years of membership in the first church, nor the previous period of probation by which he entered that church, nor yet to the fact that he was an officer in the same. When the missionary made his regular visit to that congregation, the pastor presented this new convert (?) as a recent trophy of his arduous labors! The man and place can be named to any who may have interest in the matter. Brothers, such things are a travesty of Protestant missions. Our members and preachers should act the part of men-of men of God-and as a rule, no member should be received into another church without a regular certificate, or some kind of perfect understanding with the church authorities from whence he comes. Can the pastor who acts otherwise be a true shepherd of souls?
(b) Workers, passing from' one mission to another without proper arrangements or just reason, bring serious injury to the cause. It is our candid conviction, after over twenty years of experience in the field, that nine out of every ten such cases are failures.
If a mission educates a young man for its own work, there, as a rule, he should remain till the Master transfers him to higher spheres of usefulness. If a worker does change, however, let him do so in a manly, open way, so that he can retain his own self-respect as well as the respect of those he leaves and those to whom he goes. But the missionary who receives a worker from another church who fails to present clean credentials, generally breaks the "golden rule," encourages the destructive spirit among infant churches, and commits a fault which his own missionary board would n'ot approve. The missionary who holds out monetary, inducements to either members or workers with a view to bringing abont a change in church membership is guilty of a perversion of sacred funds.
In his relation to all these matters it is the solemn duty of every missionary to consider not only the little advantage which might, for the moment, accrue to his own mission by the coming in of, a new worker by transfer, but also the claim which the other church has on such worker. Just as much his duty to consider the rights of other missions in this respect, as it is to offer his daily devotions to God.
Again, in these times of strenuous effort and studious economy, no missionary board has money to send abroad men who will directly or indirectly debilitate or destroy the good which others are trying to do in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6. I believe that great good would come from a free and frank discussion, in a carefully constituted committee, on the matter of salaries and other expenditures in connection with the employment of teachers and preachers: "The workman is worthy of his hire," is equally as true to-day as when it fell from the lips of the Master. And it is a truth which our congregations, our missionaries, and our preachers, should all be willing to consider.
Perhaps the best word for us to employ is "support." If we could agree to see that our workers are properly supported, and that the missionary society supplements or completes what the people themselves can not give, and on the other hand agree to make a special effort to induce the people to realize the privilege and duty of supporting their pastors and teachers, and drawing from the society only such help as is necessary to supplement their own giving, we would make a long stride toward a self-supporting, independent, and selfrespecting protestantism.
Let us do this, and then we shall all be raising up around us a noble body of teachers and preachers, who, partaking of our true Christian spirit, will teach and preach for love of the work, and not for earthly consideration. Then we will soon find that, all workers being truly happy in their own home, and truly useful in their own sphere, will be beyond the reach of the thoughtless missionary, who might try to entice away a worker with the offer of a larger salary.
7. Church forms, or discipline, is another thing we should honestly respect. Many a young man, who promist well for the future, has been crippled, if not ruined, because, when under the pressure of discipline, some one has lent" a willing ear" to his complaint, and left " the door ajar" in case the young man should be "left out in the cold." This is a serious fault. In such cases we would lift up our voice and cry "hands off." Let the church, which educated him, and knows better than anyone else can possibly know his failings, deal with him. They, not you, can correct him, strengthen him, develop him, and, perhaps, after the exercise of a little more patience, make out of him a great worker. Whereas, if he yields under discipline, and goes to another church, the devil has an excellent opportunity to fill his heart with false pride, unholy ambition, and possibly a little spirit of revenge till, at last, he is ruined. No, no, brothers; let every family arrange its own internal affairs. Time enough for you to look for a physician and an undertaker when some one in your own oirole needs them.
8. Petitions of J)<U kinds should be read carefully Rnd repeatedly. Read, perhaps, between the lines, laid away, and read again the next day. If they come from congregations which are already connected with some one of the organized churches, in a vast majority of cases they had better be put in the pigeon-hole or returned to the senders to be, by them, forwarued through their former missionary connections. While writing, two cases are in ll1.ind. In one case, a question of discipline, originating with a family whose relations were not sanctioned by Scripture, induced said family to send a petition with about a dozen names (half of which were minors) to a sister mission. Learning the facts, we sought an early interview with the Superintendent of that mission, made full explanation, and askt for time to bring the erring ones into line. He preferred to act on the petition. He establisht a small congregation, but in all these ten years the progress of that work has never justified the outlay, while the first mission planted there, without the addition of a single worker, or increase of a dollar, would have done just as much, and possibly more, than the two have done since the second entered. We rarely visit the place without hearing of something which confirms this opinion.
The second case is that of a town where we began work in 1876. The long journey was made entirely on horseback; we gladly shared the meager, but sincere hospitality of our humble brethren. Many nights we slept on the floor, and tried to count the stars through the frail roof. But God was with us, and no king on his throne ever had happier times than we, as we saw a school establisht, a church founded, and souls converted.
As organization proceeded, two or three disaffected brothers, failing to have their own way, got up a petition. The new railroad was a comparatively easy way for the Superintendent of another mission to reach the place. We quietly protested, but he continued. His offer of a new church was more taking than worship in an adobe house, and he won the day-most of the flock followed him. That year our appropriation was overtaxt, so we decided, rather than appear to be a party to a quarrel, to withdraw, and close our school, which had already matriculated nearly 150 children. For a while, things went well, but later difficulties arose. To-day, there is no school there, the congregation is divided, and for five years delegations and peti~ tions are coming to us to return to that place. This we could easily do, for we have five other congregations in the immediate vicinity. But we await a missionary comity that will permit us to do so in a proper way. Names of both these places can be given to interested parties. It is but just to a,dd th~t po Jllissionary at present jll Mexico
18~·1 !J41
is responsible for this history. The brethren now here have simply inherited the mistakes of their predecessors.
Is it not time that we join heartily in some compact that will avoid friction and hasten the spread of Christ's Kingdom ? We have only little to give up, but much to gain. Doing so, we shall extend our borders, multiply trophies of the cross, and inspire Te Deums through all the beautiful valleys, and on all the mountain sides of this magni- ,ficent country, and thus hasten the day, when ME!xico's redeemed mil- lions, together with those from "the East and the West, from the North and the South, will sit down with Abraham and Isaac in the Kingdom of our God to go no more out forever."
The following is a translation of the resolutions on missionary comity, offered by the committee on Dr. Butler's paper, and past by the Conference: The Evangelical workers, gathered in their Second General Assembly in the city of Mexico, respectfully, but at the same time with great earnestness, beg of .all Missionary Societies at work in this country that they come to an agreement as soon as possible concerning the adoption of the means best adapted to the securing of an equitable and economical distribution of territory among the respective missions, in order that the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ may the sooner be preacht to the entire nation.
BUDDHA, AND ANIMAL LIFE.
REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
Sir Edwin Arnold, in a paper lately publisht in the Youth's Oompanion, on Kindness to Animals, takes occasion to eulogize Buddha's "noble" recognition of the right of every sentient being to live. How can the qualification "noble" be justified ? No course of conduct, even where warranted, is noble, which does not rise a good way above the common level. Nothing is noble in the eminent sense, unless it goes against prevailing feeling, at the risk, at least of reputation. Now, according to all the legends, Buddha's long life was one uninterrupted course, first of royal glory, then of religious success. He was venerated, virtually adored, by millions; he made himself the triumphant interpreter of an irresistible reaction against Brahmanic tyranny, and yet skillfully avoided serious collision with the Brahmans; kings, nobles, and multitudes hung on his words, until, at more than eighty yea.rs of age, he dies of an indigestion, brought on by eating too largely of roast pork! Could a more ridiculous anti-climax be imagined, above all to the career of one who is set forth as a "noble" champion of animal rights? This whimsical modification of compassion for lower life has remained to this day as ineffaceably a coloring of Buddh-
BUDDHA AND ANIMAL LIJ:i'B
ism, especially in its authentic Southern form, as the yellow robe itself. The Buddhist monks (priests, properly speaking, there are none in Buddhism) kill nothing, but if you see them eating meat, and tax them with it, they will laugh, and say: "0, well, we didn't kill the poor creature, and what good is its flesh to it now?" They are faithful disciples of their founder. On the same reasoning, they might just as well practise cannibalism, which some English reviewers are beginning to suggest as a desirable addition to the provision market.
Buddhism, though not Buddha, had a long struggle with Brahmanism, and was finally persecuted out of Hindustan. Yet assuredly there was no quarrel over the prohibition of killing animals. Wherever transmigration is held, whether by Brahmans, Buddhists, or Pythagoreans, an unwillingness to take animal life necessarily appears. It becomes murder. You will not then kill a gnat any more than a man, because the gnat is a man. He probably had the human shape yesterday, and will very possibly reassume it to-morrow. Remove the belief in transmigration, or its equivalent, karma, and the foundation of the scruple disappears. Unless transmigration is a noble belief, there is nothing noble, but everything grotesque and fantastical in its derivatives.
To talk about the recognition of a "right" in Buddhism is to talk nonsense. Talking nonsense about Buddhism, indeed, seems to be Sir Edwin Arnold's chief employment. Right signifies a definite place, founded on a supremely wise consideration of places in the scheme of being. The place of even a mosquito in the hierarchy of sentient life is assigned to it by the wisdom of the benignant Creator. To extinguish even such a spark of life, in mere wantoness, is to reverse the course of creative benignity. In Christianity, therefore, even the lowest animal has its right to live, so long as the extinction of its life does not serve the necessities of a higher order of life. But in Buddhism there can be no right to life, for there is no God, and, therefore, no supreme wisdom or goodness which has assigned to each life its place. Existence in every form, high and low, is a misery and an illusion. Release from it is the only good, and the only benignity allowable is that which smooths the way into non-existence. For Buddhism, therefore, to cherish creatures which are useful, friendly, or beautiful, ought to be a crime, for they make our existence pleasanter, and therefore increase our attachment to it. To spare the lives of serpents, tigers, scorpions, tormenting vermin, should be a virtue, for they disincline us to life, alid conceived as endlessly recurring, help to incline us to extinction of being. Indeed, in Dante, they form the eternal torment of those "that have been profitable neither to God nor his enemies." It is not without reason, therefore, that one of the sacred spots of Buddhist pilgrimage is the place where Buddha, in one of his births, gave up himself to be devoured by the starving cuba of the tigress. Considered as prolonging their being, this was a crime, but considered as involving the future extinction of many lives, it was an act of heroic virtue. To be sure, it is all largely abortive, for life, supprest in one form, is always reappearing in another. Yet every attempted annihilation has a certain value, and may well, in the course of innumerable ages, help to bring about the ultimate extinction of the whole illusion of existence.
Buddhism is a reaction and a construction. As a reaction against Brahmanic mercilessness, and a release of natural religiousness and kindly feeling, it has been a great bleEsing. So profoundly devout is the Hindu mind, that even its atheism is more religious than the devilworship of the Dravidians, or the animism of the Mongols. Indeed, its atheism hardly appears to the people, and is greatly inclined to lapse into a vague theism even with many sages. The calm, systematic impermanence of a Professor Rhys Davids, its unreserved assertion of an endless cycle of change, without substance or meaning, without purpose or achievement, as Buddhism appears in his reported presentations of it, is the Buddhism of the rigorously logical Celt, rather than of the dreaming Hindu. The great merit of this religion, therefore, is on its protesting side, its vindication of natural humanity against Brahmanic rigor. In this respect it is not a system at all, and the natural kindliness which it emancipates has no guarantee, no correlating measure, and varies all the way from callous indifference to fantastic, irrational extremes. The infinite benignity of God towards his lower creatures, revealed °in the Old Testament, and exprest and embodied by Christ in His loving allusion to the sparrows, has no motive and no place provided for it in Buddhism. On the other hand, Christ never tolerates the attempt to equalize merely sentient life with spiritual and immortal life. The heedless remark of the Youth's Oompanion, that the lower creatures have as good a right to live as we, is irreconcilably at variance with Christianity, as well as the heedless laudation by the Outlook of those Hindu children, who, being employed to pick off vermin from horses, and bidden to kill the vermin, answer innocently: "0 Sahib, we never kill anything." This, it is true, is grovelling superstition, not cruelty. It is, therefore, less censurable than cruelty to animals, altho so far is it from proceeding out of a loving recognition of the lower animals as our fellow-creatures, that the Hindus, especially the sect of the Jains, a sort of modified Buddhists, are notorious for their hardness of heart to the animals whom they think it a crime to kill. But to say, as the Outlook does, that these Hindu children are better Christians than American children who are heedlessly indifferent to animal suffering, is to use language without meaning. The Hindu children are probably more steadily hard-hearted to animals than the thus censured American youth. Yet, whether they are or not, their scruples about killing them do not rest on either spdntaneous or religious benignity, and have not the remotest affinity with Christianity. Of two devil-worshipers, one, we will say, is a murderer, the other not. The second is less crim- inal than his fellow, but assuredly it would be ridiculous to call him a better Christian, unless you use words in the most insipid vagueness of meaning.
Sir Edwin, in his Oompanion paper, summons us, with great sol- emnity, to the judgment seat of the Universal Life. Now, what under the sun does he mean by this? Does he mean that all the birds and beasts and insects that we have killed-he has, on his own showing, no right to add, "without necessity"-will some day assemble to sit in judgment upon our cruelty? Probably not. It would be hard to say what he means. These" great swelling words of vanity" are a com- mon phenomeuon in the many who are now pressing upon our rever- ence all sorts of gospels, except the Gospel of Christ. At all events, the judgment-seat before which we expect to appear is not the judg- ment-seat of birds and beasts. It is the judgment-seat of the Son of ~. .
Here is the question. Do we recognize all sentient life, in every degree, as proceeding from the goodness of the Creator, and do we cherish towards it, in our measure, the loving kindness of the Father, and of the Son? Then, so far, we are Christians. Do we, on the other hand, with Christ, distingnish simply sentient life in ourselves, and in others, and in the lower creatures, as essentially subordinate, not in degree merely, but in kind, to spiritual and immortal life, and to be unhesitatingly sacrificed where the interests of spiritual and immortal life require? Then, too, we are Christians, not otherwise. Otherwise we may be very good Hindus, Buddhists, Pythagoreans, Jains, or what not, but assuredly we are not Christians.
In Sir Edwin Arnold's paper there are many urgent appeals to a greater heedfulness of animal happiness, and many wise and humane suggestions how to diminish animal suffering, as, for instance, in what he suggests as to the shipment of cattle across the sea. The framework of his paper is not only non-Christian, but distinctly anti-Christian, utterly at variance, like multitudes of such pIe'"as, with the fundamental postulates of Christianity. It recognizes no difference in essence or in right between merely sentient and spiritual life. The author, as judged by his writings, apparently acknowledges no other immortality than an indefinite vicissitude of varying forms of life, with a vague hope of eventual repose, whether with or without consciousness of bliss does not clearly appear. If, in his" Light of Asia," Sir Edwin has exalted Buddha into a sort of Christ, in his "Light of the World" he has unmistakably deprest Christ into a sort of Buddha. Christian, in his scheme of thought, he nowhere is.
We would suggest, therefore, to the editors of the Youth's Oom-
panion, which is almost always excellently Christian, that when they next publish a Buddhist, or other heathen sermon, they should distin- guish the Christian from the anti-Christian parts by a special type, or, say, by a special color, like the Rainbow Bible. Then our children will not be liable to be turned into pagans in spite of themselves.
LIFE AMONG THE LEPERS.
BY LILA WATT, B. A.
Death, not life, seems the more fitting word, for surely it is but a mockery of life that is theirs who are smitteu with this dreadful disease. Some people think of leprosy only as that most terrible disease from which men suffered in Bible times, and they conifortably put the thought of it out of their minds as something with which we now have nothing to do. In America it is indeed wellnigh unknown, though we occasionally hear of the lepers in Canada, in the province of New Brunswick, and in D'Arcy Island, near Victoria, B. C., and of the lepers' colony in the state of Louisiana. But these are only a few isolated cases, which seldom come to our notice. In the East, how- , ever, leprosy is an every-day fact, a thing continually met with-a disease that claims more victims among the poorer people than con- sumption does among us.
Leprosy does exist to-day, and experts say that there probably never was so much of it in the world before, as there is to-day. It is said that there are half a million lepers in India alone, and in Siam, Japan, and China the number in proportion to the population is even greater. Missionaries in India meet with lepers all over the country from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin. The China Inland missionaries tell us that in Southern China they are everywhere fairly "dropping to pieces by the roadside." In Japan and Siam the conditions are similar.
The leper is still an outcast. In India, with few exceptions, when a man is found suffering from leprosy, he is driven out by his friends and left to provide for himself as best he may, until death. In some districts lepers are driven into the jungles to be the prey of leopards and tigers, or to starve to death. Palestine travelers meet sights similar to those seen by Our Lord, outside of Jerusalem and the other cities "without the gate," the little band of lepers, as of old, standing afar off and uttering their peculiar wailing cry, "unclean!"
" And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone: without the camp shall his habitation be." Lev. xiii.: 41), 46.
LIPE A.l{ONG THE LEPERS
In China lepers are not always separated, but go about among the healthy, and are seen everywhere. But they are hated and shunned and sometimes are buried alive. Mrs. Hordes (C. M. S.) writing from Pakhoi, South Ohina, says that within two hours' walk of them three hundred had been put to death in this way. Hudson Taylor tells of a Mandarin who invited all the lepers of his district to a feast, and while they were feasting set fire to the house and burned them alive. In Japan leprosy is considered such a disgrace, that one of the upper classes who develops the disease is immediately shut up in a little room, which he never leaves till death, his relatives giving what excuse they like to those who ask for him. The Japanese word for leper means "not human." In India caste avails nothing to a leper. Wellesley O. Bailey tells of a man who came to him asking to be taken into the asylum. He was askt as usual, to what caste he belonged. "Oh Sahib," he replied, " I was a Brahmin, but now I am a leper."
This disease has thus far baffled the physician's skill to work effectual cure. Many remedies have been reported, but they have been tried, one after another, in the asylums, and always with the same result-no cure. Oouncil after council has been called in India to consider the cause and cure of leprosy, but they have reacht no practical results.* Of course, drugs have been found which greatly relieve the suffering of the diseased; medical treatment cau do much to lessen the pain and to take away some of its repulsiveness, but that is all, thus far.
The disease is not considered contagious or infectious. Missionaries go freely among the lepers, taking proper precautions, of course, do everything for the sufferers, cleanse their wounds, and perform operations upon them without fear. Neither does the disease seem to be hereditary. This is the conclusion reacht by a commission appointed by the Prince of Wales, in whose investigations no expense was spared. It is spread by innoculation, however. The germ of the disease may enter the system through a cut or any break in the skin. This is why the children of leprous parents who are allowed to live with their parents, do develop it, as a rule, at about the age of fifteen.
Leprosy is still the most terrible disease from which men suffer. In the leper asylums, where the patients appea_r clean and comfortably clothed, and looking happy, one may sometimes be tempted to say, "Oh! leprosy is not such a fearful thing after all." But if one should see the advanced cases, which visitors are not allowed to see, he would know that leprosy is indeed the most loathsome disease with which a body can be afflicted; nothing could adequately describe it.
" The Mission to Lepers," of which Mr. W. O. Bailey is secretary, is little known in America, but this society has been working for twenty- .. Perhaps we may hope for more definite results from the conference recently called by Dr. Koch, of Germany. two years, with its headquarters in Britain, and its stations in India. and the East. Its object .is to provide homes in which the sufferers can be made as comfortable as possible and have proper medical care. It is beautiful to see with what tenderness they are cared for in these hospitals, and how fond of them the missionaries become. There seems to be a kind of fascination about this work, which repays all the love and labor bestowed upon the poor outcasts. Frequently one reads sentences from missionaries' letters like the following: "Of all the work I have the privilege to do, somehow I like this leper work the best." Only recently a medical missionary said, that in leaving one station for another his regret was in leaving his lepers. Dr. Pauline Root says, that if ever she feels blue or discouraged, she always goes and finds a leper to cheer her up. Better than the medical attention that is given them, and the personal interest felt in them by the missionaries, is the fact that they have the Gospel preacht to them. What" good news" it must be to those poor people, who have nothing left them in this world, no home, no friends, no hope, and no outlook for the life beyond. One missionary speaks of a woman who "had no hands, and her wrists were raw. She had no feet, and her legs were eaten away to above the ankles. She could not see, her eyes were covered with a horny skin. She was rubbing one knee up and down with the stump of one arm, and swaying backward and forward as she crooned to herself: 0 Lord Jesus Christ! 0 Lord Jesus Christ!" What a privilege to preach Jesus to such misery. "It seems that if ever there was a Ohristlike work in the world, it is this."
Lepers, as a rule, receive the Gospel very readily. Missionaries often say that among no class in India are converts so easily gained as among them; and they make noble Ohristians. One missionary writes: I believe in missions to-day, because I believe in old Mussuwa. And I would like you to know that if ever there was a man whose life had been completely transformed, it is Mussuwa, though he is only a poor, blind, crippled leper.
Of another a missionary says: It was quite an inspiration to me to sit in my study and talk with poor mutilated Padiya, who praised the Lord for His dealings with him and rejoiced in his sufferings, because they had been the means of leading him into the glad service of such 8. blessed Master. He told me of how he had been used by the Master to bring, as far as he knew, one hundred and eighteen persons to Jesus. Another of the lepers said of him, "He is a God-like man." It is not usual for people to speak or think of a deformed, scarred, diseased leper as being a God-like man.
Mr. Bailey founded the mission in 1874. He had labored in India in connection with the American Presbyterian Mission, and a part of his work had been to oversee the leper asylum in connection with the mission at Ambala. He grew very much devoted to -this work, and when at home in Ireland two years later, addrest a public
u n AliONG Tim LEPliins
meeting and some friends undertook to raise $150 annually for work among the lepers. Before returning to India, Mr. Bailey wrote a small tract, "Lepers in India," which was widely circulated, and before the end of the year the promist $150 had increast to $3,000. Year by year the work of the mission grew. It began to build asylums of its own, besides helping those already establisht, till now it has work in forty-five different centers in India, Ceylon, Burmah, China, and Japan.
It works in connection with fifteen prominent Protestant missionary societies of different denominations, English and American. The work done among the lepers by the missionaries of tpese societies is mainly gratuitous and is in addition to their ordinary duties. Thus all money contributed to this mission goes direct to the use of the lepers themselves.
After twelve years in India, Mr. Bailey came back to Edinburgh, where he superintends the work of the whole mission. Six auxiliary societies were formed in Canada in 1892, and these have since increast to twenty-six in Canada and the United States.
There have been a great many pathetic incidents in connection with this work among the lepers. One of the most interesting depart- ments of this work is the effort to save the untainted children of leprous parents from becoming lepers themselves. When the parents are willing, the children are put into separate homes, where they grow up without the disease. There are now nine homes of this kind.
A sad case occurred at Almora, the place of one of the asylums and homes among the Hymalayas. A bright boy, whose parents were lepers, was in the house and thought he had escaped the taint, but one day he burnt his fingers on the stove without knowing it, and all knew that this lack of sensation was a sure sign of leprosy. With much difficulty he was persuaded to go down to the asylum to live. He has since grown to be a fine looking lad with nothing but the hands affected as yet. He is now a Christian, and is acting as teacher in another asylum. Many children have been separated from their parents, and only one or two have shown signs of the disease. .
The mission is supported altogether by voluntary contributions.
That the money is well spent is shown by the following extracts. Rev.
W. F. Johnson, D. D., Allahabad, writes: It is simply dreadful to have these poor lepers sitting for hours, entreating to be admitted into the asylum. When I refuse them for lack of funds, they will not go away, but sit calling for pity and holding out their poor stumps of hands and begging to be taken in. Only this morning there were two new cases asking admission, both quite helpless with the disease. I finally decided to take them In, but with many misgivings as to how the expenditure will be met.
Dr. Hutchison, Chumba, writes: Very sad, indeed, are the sights one sometimes sees when itinerating. There are twenty-four in the asylums who are comfortable and happy and who hear
WORK FOR THE BLIND IN CHINA
every day the message of love. There must be several hundreds throughout the state sitting in their wretched hovels, all a~ from, 'l7W'/'ning to evening, and from, evening to morning. hungry and cold and naked, with no hope either in life or death.
Mr. Leonard, Rurki, writes: I distinctly remember my first visit to the lepers. On the outskirts of the city, on a little mound by the roadside, were eight or ten wretched humanDeings, in such a pitiable condition that it had the twofold effect of first making me sick, and when this had worn off, of causing such a deep pity for them, that it has never left me and never will. I see them now with matted hair and unwasht bodies, crusted with dirt, clothes that had not been washed since they were first put on (perhaps a year previous), here a toeless foot sloughing, there a fingerless hand literally a festering running sore. Here a bloated face and swollen ears, there two holes that once had eyes in them, there a nose eaten away. The stench was too much for me, and nature shrank saying "Room for the leper, room," yet, with a cry to God, I controlled my feelings and preacht to them Jesus, then hastily surplying their bodily wants, sped away, and for days after could not forget the sights and smells.
Later he adds: I had the pleasure ten daysago of clothing eleven men in clean white garments, of such a pattern that simply by inserting their stumps into the short sleeves, it would easily slip over their heads. The poor creatures lookt so pleased and showed their gratitude, folding their arms, and bowing to the ground. It would have abundantly repaid any of you generous coutributors to have seen this sight. Then looking round to one another, they smiled a happy grateful smile; but the pure white against their loathsome, hot, dry, parcht, bursting skin, made my heart ache, and with a prayer to God to make them pure witkin, I left with the words ringing in my heart, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me." * WORK FOR THE BLIND IN CHIN A.
BY MISS CONSTANCE F. GORDON-CUMMING.
A sighted Chinaman learning to read his own book, must be able to recognize at sight, at least 4,000 complicated characters. But in Mandarin Chinese, as spoken at Peking, there are only 408 distinct sounds. Mr. W. H. Murray, an English missionary, much interested in the Chinese blind, therefore, strove to find some method by which to represent these 408 sounds to the fingers of the blind. By the system of embossed dots, arranged by Mr. Braille, and now generally used for teaching the blind to read throughout Europe, sixty-two symbols can be produced. By these he represents the twenty-four letters of our alphabet, and various syllables, also musical notes. But the Chinese have no alphabet, so that it is necessary to represent each of the 408 sounds. Mr. Murray solven this difficulty by MAKING THE BMBOSSED DOTS REPRESENT NUMERALS, the same group of dots * Informa.tion will gladly be given, or contributiOnS received, by JIlrs. Ja.mes Wa.tt, Sunlly .A.Qres, GUelp~ Ontario, Qa.nada., . differently placed representing units, tens, and hundreds. Just as we write 4, 40 or 400, using only ten figures to represent any extent of numbers. Thus it becomes quite simple to represent any numeral whatsoever. HE THEN NUMBERED THE 408 SOUNDS OF MANDAIUN CHINESE.
Thus No. 1 stands for A, No.2 stands for Ai, No.3 represents An, No.6 suggests Oha, No. 13 is Ohang, and so on.
A page from Murray's Primer, giving a sample of the four thousand Chinese symbols, and their simple equivalent In embossed dots, which in no case exceed three groups, representing units, tens, and hundreds.
The pupils having learnt this list by heart (which they do with remarkable facility) thenceforth find that THE TOUCH OF THE DOTS REPRESENTING ANY NUMERAL INSTINCTIVELY SUGGESTS THE CORRES- PONDInG SOUND (just as in our language, the sight of certain letters of the alphabet suggests certain sounds).
The second stage in Mr. Murray's invention, and one which promises to prove of incalculable value, was the adaptation of this same system to ,the use of sighted persons, by the very simple method of USING BLACK LINES PLAINLY VISIBLE TO THE EYE, INSTEAD OF THE RAISED WHITE DOTS, EMBOSSED FOR THE FINGERS OF THE BLIND.
,. … .. … … … .'it •• •• •• • •• ••• • •••• • Specimens of numerical symbols embossed Numerical symbols printed In black for the for the blind. sighted, by filling in the outline between the points.
As it has been fully proved that the most ignorant peasants, both blind and sighted, can by this system learn to read and write fluently in periods varying from one to three months, it is evident that this invention is calculated to prove of the utmost value to the illiterate converts IN ALL PROVINCES WHERE MANDARIN OHINESE IS SPOKEN, AND AS THIS IS THE LANGUAGE OF ABOUT THREE HUNDRED MILLIONS of the inhabitants of Ohina, it must be admitted that the field open to Mr. Murray and his pupils is a pretty large one, and surely all who desire to spread the knowledge of the Gospel in that vast land may well not only wish him success, but also do all in their power to further his very uphill work.
Besides conferring on these poor creatures the ability to read for themselves the Word of God, Mr. Murray trusts that he has herein found the solution of one of his gravest difficulties, namely, how to enable his blind pupils to earn their own living. A few are doing so as organists at mission stations. In common industrial work the sighted Ohinamen can always undersell the blind. But if once a considerable demand arises for books in the numeral type, Mr. Murray hopes to provide an inexhaustible supply of work for his blind as compositors, distributors of type, and teachers. The actual printing has hitherto been done by sighted persons.
The blind pupils are found to be successful teachers of others, both blind and sighted. A striking instance of this was early given, when at the request of Mrs. Allardyee (an Australian lady at one of the other missions at Peking), Mr. Murray sent a blind girl to teach her and a party of very ignorant farm women from a distance. Within one week Mrs. Allardyee had effectually mastered the system, as had also one of her Bible-women, who wrote a letter to Mr. Murray, without a single mistake. The same thing has been done by various other intelligent pupils. As regards the farm women, all the party, taught only by blind Hannah, returned to their homes in periods varying from one to three months, able not only to read anything at sight, but also to write letters to their kind hostess at Peking.
Blind Peter, who has recently died, was one of Mr. Murray's earliest pupils, when the work was quite in its iufancy, and known only to a very few of his immediate neighbors. But the strange fancy of the foreign book-hawker who cared for the blind so practically as to admit several to share his own humble home, soon became known among these poor creatures, and one morning there came to his door two brothers, aged twelve and fourteen, whose parents had recently died of fever, in a town 150 miles distant, leaving their children destitute.
These boys had accordingly begged their way to the capital, and there the oldest brother besought Mr; Murray to take charge of his blind brother, saying that he himself could earn his own living, but could not provide for two without begging, which he shrank from doing. So Mr. Murray agreed to keep this little lad awhile, to see whether he was capable of learning, and the brother promised to return ere long, to see how he prospered. But evidently fearing lest the blind lad should be returned to his care, the elder brother did not return for t~o years, by which time the bright little fellow had proved himself an eminently satisfactory scholar-the best hand at stereotyping, and most reliable in all departments of work,and having, moreover, the markt talent for music, which in due time led to his appointment as organist of the Landon mission at Peking.
When the elder brother returned, Mr. Murray took him into the school, and without speaking a word, placed his hand in that of the younger, who instantly recognized the touch, and great was the joy of both in talking over their varied experiences. Of course, there was no further question of. Peter resuming his travels. It was plain that he was on the way to earn his own living by teaching others, and making himself usefnl in a thousand ways, and thence forward this has been his never-failing record. By degrees he rose to be Mr. Murray's right-hand man in all departments of the school, taking charge of all new pupils on their. arrival, and teaching them most successfully. He was also a very earnest and persuasive preacher.
When in May, 1890, Mr. Murray attended the Great Missionary Oonference, held at Shanghai, he took with him blind Peter, as a most practical illustration of the results of his system of teaching the blind, and Peter's excellent reading, writing, and playing on the church organ, won for him enthusiastic appreciation from that great assemblage gathered from all parts of Ohina.
Naturally, on his return to Peking, Peter's fame went abroad, and doubtless was not without its influence in captivating a very pleasantlooking sighted "girl, who, having been brought up in a Ohristian school, was allowed the unheard-of privilege of selecting her husband from an available half dozen young men. She unhesitatingly selected Peter, as being the best, cleverest, and best-looking of the lot, and they seem to have been a very happy couple during their brief years of married life.
FORTUNE TELLER, NOW
WORK FOR THE BLIND IN CHINA
Alas! while Mr. Murray was absent in Scotland he received letters from Peter, telling of failing strength. He was apparently a victim of the dread consumption, which has proved fatal to so many of the most promising students. He wrote that he feared he would have past away ere his dear friend returned to Peking, but happily, he and they were spared that trial. It was not till about the beginning of March that Peter was translated from his life-long physical darkness to the unspeakable joy of "beholding the King in His beauty" in the land where there is no need of the sun, because the Lamb is Himself the light thereof.
In 1892 the delapidated old Chinese house which was on the little property when it was bought for this mission, was condemned as being unfit to live in, its inhabitants being literally washed out of it, and their goods destroyed by the violent annual downpours of summer rain: Repeated appeals have been made to the public to supply the necessary funds for rebuilding it. But Mr. Murray has all along urged that, instead of spending a considerable sum on rebuilding on the present cramped site, which would necessitate the house being now made two stories high-a detail very seriously objected to by the Chinese-we should endeavor to raise a sum sufficient to secure the adjoining premises, on which are Chinese houses, which can easily be adapted for the purposes required. This would permanently benefit the mission, as it would secure ample space for the extension of the Blind School and development of the printing works, instead of everything being crowded, as it now is, with no space even to accomodate pupils, either blind or sighted, desirous of lodging at the mission while being taught.
There can be no question as to the great advantages involved. Hitherto, however, the subscriptions received have not proved sufficient for even the minor outlay, so that Mr. Murray's larger hope was not seriously entertained till a letter was received from a self-supporting missionary lady to say that she considers the acquisition of this property so essential, that (although the risk of a permanent reduction of her small income is a serious matter to herself) she has decided to guarantee £1,000 of the whole cost, provided that steps are at once taken to secure the property and to raise the balance of the money. Instructions to this effect have accordingly been sent to the Committee at Peking, in faith that the requisite sum-abotlt £1,700wiII be forthcoming, for it is earnestly hopt that those who sympathize with Mr. Murray's work will not allow this generous missionary lady to be called upon to meet her guarantee.* *Since the above article has been printed we have received another much more complete from Miss Gordon-Cumming, which we will print in a later issue. This work strongly deserves our hearty support. Snbscriptions of any amount will be gratefully received by the Treasurer, Mr. James Drummond, 59 Bath Street, Glasgow; or by the editor of this REVIEW.
POLYGAMOUS APPLICANTS
POLYGAMOUS APPLICANTS.-IV.
WHAT MISSIONARIES THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH THEM.
BY REV. DANIEL L. GIFFORD, SEOUL, KOREA.
REPLIES RECOMMENDING ADMISSION OR FAVORING LENIENCY.
China.-Rev. J. Hudson Taylor (China Inland Mission), Shanghai.
The China Inland Mission has no mission rules as to church formation and discipline; being interdenominational, each missionary forming a church organizes it in the way he believes to be most scriptural. The mission secures that the organization adopted by the first missionary or missionaries shall be maintained by his successors. I can therefore only give you my own opinions.
To the first question, I should decidedly reply, No. If there be good reason to believe that a man is regenerate, and has therefore received the Holy Spirit as earnest and seal, the question of Peter, Acts 10: 47, is in point. To the second, I should reply in the affirmative, under the condition that he proved faithful to his wives, did not add to their number, and sought their conversion. Of course, he would be precluded from holding office in the church. As to your third question, so far from being required to put away I should say he was not at liberty to put away any wife to whom he was legally married, unless she had been unfaithful to him. Adultery is the only ground our Savior allows for putting away.
To your fourth question, I should reply, by all means baptize her. Theabove conclusions scem to me sustained by our Savior's requirement that adultery be the only lawful cause of divorce, and by His further statement that a woman divorced for any Qther reason is caused to commit adultery. A man therefore putting away a woman because she is his second wife, being an inciter to adultery ought to be disciplined if he were in the church Cr.'latt. 5 : 32 and 19 : 9). If any of the wives voluntarily wisht to separate from the husband, they could do so by mutual agreement. but such wives must remain unmarrieu, in which case the husband would, of course, be responsible for maintenance. The only case in which separation brings freedom, is that mentioned in 1. Cor. 7: 15, in which the unbelieving husband or wife takes the responsibility and will not dwell with the believer. During an acquaintance of mission work in China of over forty years, I have seen the practical working in our own and other missions, both of the Scriptural method I have referred to above, and of the mistaken one, which some think necessary. In the former case I have known both the wives and all the children converted and living together in a happy home; in the latter case I have seen great hatred to the Gospel developt in the case of the one put away; I have seen such distress occasioned that the husband has felt constrained to take the woman back again, has given up his connection with the church, and instead of being a believer, has become an opponent. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor." Putting away inflicts the most grievous wrong on helpless and unoffending women.
Rev. Httnter Garbett, D.D. (N. Presbyterian), Chefoo.
Some years ago a missionary of mueh experience persuaded an applicant for baptism that it was his duty to put away a second wife previous to baptism. Soon after the missionary received a visit from the second wife, who questioned him somewhat in the following manner. "What authority have you to demand my husband to send me away and dishonor me before all my kindred and people? What sin have I committed deserving of such treatment? What is to·become of my helpless children? .Are they also to be dishonored and treated as outcasts? Does the all merciful and compassionate Savior of whom I have heard, require such a step for admission into the church and into heaven?" etc., etc. The missionary was not prepared with a "thus saith the Lord" in answer to such questions. He began to study his Bible anew on the subject, and was led to change his views, and receive the man without complying with the condition originally laid down. In a late number of the PresOyterian Me8.~enuer, Pittsburg, is an able exposition of I. Tim. 3 :2, Dr. Warfield, of Princeton Seminary, takes what seems to me the only tenable view, viz., that there were undoubtedly members in the Christian church (in the transition period) who had more than one wife, and that class was clearly not eligible for office.
More than twenty years ago two women, the wife of one man, not a Christian and yet not an opponent, applied for baptism for themselves and for their children. What was to be done? They gave good evidence of conversion. Neither could put away her husband, if she had wisht. The question seemed plain. Who could forbid water? They were received. Our General Assembly has been appealed to again and again to decide this question-once when I was a member. The only action thoAssembly could take was to refer the case back to those who have charge of the work on the field, where all the facts are known as they can not be at home. I am aware that the Methodists working in India refuse to baptize a polygamist; but in my judgment they have no more Scripture for this than they have for baptizing adults without any true evidence of conversion.
Rev. O. W. Mateer, D.D. (N. Presbyterian), Tungchow.
My own mind is very definitely settled. When a man has two wives taken before he knew the law of God on this subject, he should be received to the communion of the church without being required to give up either of them. The Old Testament example is enough to prove that true piety is not neces8arily inconsistent with the having of two wives. The heathen are in the same state of ignorance as were the Patriarchs, and their wives are real tDive8, taken in ignorance, still wives, and can not be divorced without sin. The wrong done to a wife divorced under such circumstances would be very grievous, ruining her position for life. The case with the woman asking for baptism is practically the same. She is a wife and she can not and should not be askt to leave her husband. A vast deal of wrong has been done by requiring the breaking up of the marriage relation in such circumstances. Christ never intended that any such violence as this should be resorted to in bringing in faith in him. It is enough that such a relation is a disability for holding office in the church.
India.-Rev. John .N. Forman (N. Presbyterian), Fatehgarh- Ferrukhabad. Referring to the memorial of the Synod of India sent to the General Assembly, he says: "Almost all of our missionaries and native preachers and elders favored the admission of the man having more than one wife to church membership. I have, myself, as yet never been confronted by a case. But I have favored the admission of the man and his wives."
Rev. 8. H. Kellogg, D.D. (N. Presbyterian), Allahabad.
This whole question came up before our Synod, comprising all the missions of our church in India, at the meeting of our Synod last November [1894], in this form-I quote the words from memory: "Resolved, that the General Assembly be askt to modify their action of 1875, so as to allow the question of the admission of polygamists to the church in foreign countries to be left in each case as it may arise to the ultimate decision of the highest church courts in those countries." The question was discust in a debate of markt ability, and at great length. Some took the ground that under no circumstantJe8 whatever was it right to admit any man to the church by baptism having more than one wife. Others, and those as appeared from the final vote, the great majority, thought that every case must be judged on its own merits; and that when the polygamous relation had been entered into in the days of Mohammedan or pagan ignorance, it did not, of itself, constitute a sufficient bar to the admission of a man to baptism and the Lord's Supper. It was the judgment, apparently, of the great majority, in accord with that of all the church fathers of the first two or three centuries, that this view of the matter was sustained, and even required, by I. Tim. 3 : 2. On the ground of this passage, the Synod was unanimously of opinion, that under no ci1"IJumstantJe8 whatever, should any such polygamist communicant be eligible to even the lowest office of the church; and I hardly need perhaps to add, that the Synod was as unanimous in the judgment that any second marriage, the first wife being alive (apart from the case in which there had been divorce of the wife on the ground of her adultery), or any additional marriage by the polygamist himself after admission to the church, would be ground for excommunication here no less than in America and other lands under Christian law.
The Synod resolved, by a vote of 43 to 10, to ask the General Assembly to make exception to their rule requiring the compulsory separation of all the polygamist;s wives but one, as a condition of baptism and communion; and to leave the decision, as to what was to be done in all cases, to the ultimate decision of. our church courts here. This vote meant, that in the judgment of the great majority of Synod, about 4 to 1, a polygamist should not be required to put away all but one wife, as a condition to baptism; and that such a man, while admissable to both sacraments, was forever precluded from receiving any office in the church. With regard to your other questions, I can only answer from the recollection of what came out in the debate, as to opinions held by different members of Synod in the small minority. A few only think the polygamist should be kept outside the church as a perpetual catechumen till all his wives but one have died; a kind of "proselyte of the gate." Question III. (a) by the minority in our Synod, and also by those in other missions, who agree with them. would be answered differently by different men; there is nothing approaching to unanimity of sentiment on the subject; while those who maintain the position indicated in your Question I. [a perpetual catechumen] think it would be quite wrong, often cruelly unjust, to the women and children in our existing condition of society, to require the converted husband to live apart from anyone of his wives. In this position that part of the Synod's minority are quite at one with those of us who agree with the majority of Synod. Of those who think that all the wives but one should be put away, I think all would agree that if one or more wives are to be put away, the man must be required to support them and their children throughout the term of the natural life of the wife, and as long as the children may need a father's support. As to Question IV., I do not recollect that that case came up formally in the course of discussion, but I may say, as a matter of opinion, that the majority would probably hold that the same principle would apply in the case of the wife of a polygamist, when converted, as to himself, whatever that might be. The great majority would probably agree that the circumstances of her husband having other wives, was not, of itself, sufficient to debar her from baptism and communion. It will be of interest to you to know that the ladies of our mission, who were present during our Synod meetings, married and single, were so much interested in this matter, that they took a vote to ascertain the state of opinion among themselves on this subject, which resulted, if my memory serves me accurately, in a vote of 30 in favor of the receiving of polygamists without requiring them to put away their wives. to only 3 or 4 against this being allowed. Of these 3 or 4, one, and, I think, two, were young ladies who had only been two or three weeks in the country. When you remember how, in our conditions of society, these ladies knew much better than we could the practical working of the conditions of zenana life, you will agree that their judgment becomes of much moral force. As for "the rule or practise of our. missions" hitherto, we have had no "rule" one way or the other; it has been.left to the judgment of individual missionaries. In point of fact, those who practise polygamy in India, whether among Mohammedans or Hindus, are but few; and few cases of polygamous candidates for baptism have come before us. In a very few instances. such have been received into the church, without putting away their wives; and no court of our church has ever made objection to their admission, or censured any brother receiving them. As for my own opinion on this subject, which you ask for, I may say that I am emphatically of opinion that:!' Tim. 13 :2 implies inevitably that in the churches referred to, there were men who had more than one wife; and that, therefore, as this is not made a matter of censure by the apostles, inspired authority sanctions, by necessary implication, the admission of men having more than one wife, from non-Christian communities into the church, without requiring them to put away anyone of their wives. To require this of any man, seems to me to require him to do a gross wrong to those whom he should thus put away. Here in India. the woman put away would inevitably be regarded as presumably a harlot; if she keep her own children with her, they are deprived of the Christian nurture, on the part of their father. to which they have no less a claim than for food and clothing; if they are separated from their mother, and kept with the father, this again is a cruel wrong both to mother and children. In short, to require this putting away of anyone of the wives as a condition of baptism, seems to me a clear instance of doing evil that good may come.
SUMMARY OF OPINION.
The vote of those replying, or whose authority has been cited, together with missions that have put themselves on record by special action.
Recommending Excl1lsion.-Bishop E. Bickersteth, M. L. Gordon, J. B. Ayres, J. L. Atkinson, and J. B. Porter, of Japan; J. Bates, '1'. Barclay, W. Gauld, J. N. B. Smith, W. M. Hayes, C. Hartwell, David Hill, A. Foster, H. V. Noyes, and Griffith John, of China. The Presbyterian, Congregational, and Church of England bodies, of Japan, and the English Wesleyan Mission of China.
Recommending Admission, or favoring leniency.-P. D. Bergen, Y. K. Yen, T. Richard, A. G. Jones, D. B. McCarty, H. H. Lowry, J. C. Gibson, J. R. Goddard, John Wherry, J. L. Stuart, R. Lechler, James Carson, J. Ma,cintyre, John Ross, S. F. Woodin, H. C. Du Bose, D. E. Hoste, Stanley P. Smith, Wm. Ashmore, Jr., Wm. Ashmore, H. D. Porter, the late J. L. Nevius, the late A. P. Happer, B. C. Henry, Arth.ur H. Smith, J. Hudson Taylor, Hunter Corbett, and C. W. Mateer, of China; J. N. Forman, and S. H. Kellogg, of India. The Irish and Scotch Presbyterian Missions, of Manchuria; the Basel Mission, American Board Mission, of N. China, and the Sruod of India (N. Presbyterian), by a vote of 43 to 10.
INDIVIDUALISM IN MISSIONARY WORK
INDIVIDUALISM IN MISSIONARY WORK. * BY MISS ALICE KING, COE COLLEGE, CEDAR RAPIDS, lOWA.
Individualism is personality, one's separate, distinct self. Take away from anyone the lights that shine upon him from the protecting love of the home circle, from the glitter of fashionable life, from the fascinations of popularity, or from the glamor of high place and power, and apart from these, see the man as he is, and yon 'have his individuality, himself. That this real self is often very different from the apparent self no one can donbt; the real self is often hard, cold, and nngenerous, when the apparent self is amiable, sympathetic, benevolent. The reverse is also sometimes true: one may seem indifferent or stern, when the real self is intensely earnest. But, after all, disguise it as we may, it is the true self, the individualism, which leaves its impress on our lives and on our work. How true it is that "in the central deeps of our being we are alone!" "Each must take up his life plan alone, and preserve in it with a perfect privacy with which no stranger intermeddleth." This is one of the truest thoughts of life, yet we shrink from dwelling upon it, for it is so awful in its selfreaching, in its issues; yet God Himself has establisht it in that, 'Everyone of us shall give an account of himself to God." Perhaps, we do not think enough about our individualism, nor value it rightly. How few of us know ourselves just as we are! How few are conscious of this individual life-plan, of capacities distinctively our own! Certain it is we shall never discover our individualism by disparaging it as some are wont to do.
A celebrated English novelist, who even when a schoolboy recognized his own genius and determined to lead a literary career, refused to indulge in the follies of his gay companions. But on one occasion he was induced to enter a gambling saloon. It was his first play, and enchanted by its fascinations, and lured on by success, he spent most of the night at the gambling-table, and then went to his room with a purse heavy with his unworthy gains. Going to a casket which stood upon his dressing-table to secure the money, as he turned the key he saw his own face reflected in the mirror. He was startled at its appearance; not only was it pale and haggard, but about the mouth was a sinister expression never there before, and the blue eyes had lost their manly frankness. That moment was the resolve taken, and ever afterward kept, that never again would he yield to the insidious charms of the gambling table. As we see ourselves reflected in the * This paper is the substance of an address given first in Iowa City, then by request repeated before the Ladies' Missionary Societies of the Synod of the State in 1824 at Waterloo, la" and, frequently called for since. It is here given as near as may be, as spoken, andby the special solicitation of many who heard it. The author is e.n intimate personal friend of the editor, and long known by him as one whose modesty is equal to her merit.-EDITOR. mirror of God's word, may not we see there the image of Himself in which He created US, and resolve never to mar that likeness?
Neither should we be discouraged if our individualism is different from that of some one else. The infinite diversity of individualism lies side by sid13 with the infinite diversity in the physical world. No two leaves are ever just alike, no two flowers have just the same perfume, no two fruits have the same flavor, and no two faces exactly similar features; why then should we expect any more sameness in mental qualities, dispositions, and abilities?
Yet while this individualism is so distinctively and entirely our own we can not keep it to ourselves; it is this more than anything else about us that leaves its lasting impress upon others "None of us liveth to himself." Consciously or unconsciously, willingly or unwillingly, for good or for evil, our individualism is effecting others. Have we not all known persons whose very presence changed the atmosphere about them, whose lightest word roused noble aspirations, whose smile cheered, whose gentlest touch gave peace? And alas! the reverse here is true; a word can check our enthusiasm; there is a smile that only debases, a touch that pollutes.
Stanley had heard of the wonderful explorations, marvelous endurance, and generous self-sacrifice of Livingstone, but it was not until he had taken the Missionary Explorer by the hand in the depths of African forests, and seen his daily life of suffering and self-denial for the good of those degraded natives, that Stanley recognized the power and beauty of Christianity, which had prompted and made possible such nobility of life. The sublime sibyls and prophets of Michael Angelo show the strong, rugged character of that great artist, yet none the less truly is Raphael's gentle spirit reflected by the pure Madonna faces which he loved to paint. Walter Scott never could have drawn such magic word-pictures of Scottish life, had he not so loved the Highlands, the dales, the lakes, and heather of his native land. The characters depicted by Byron's genius would not have been so distorted, had he himself not seen all things through a false medium. Shakespeare, who perhaps hides his individualism more than any other author, can not conceal his wondrous knowledge of his fellow-men and his sympathy with all their moods and passions. In Mozart's "Miserere" was there not represented in music the restless longing of his own unsatisfied spirit r in Bethoven's symphonies the desire of his own dull ear for the joy of harmonious sounds? and iu Heiue's pitiful wailings the outcry of his own bitterness of spirit?
Among the missionary names that we cherish most tenderly stands pre-eminent that of Harriet Newell. Why? Not for the sake of her work, for she was not permitted even to begin the work she had hoped to do for God, it is for what she was that we love her; for the devotion that led her in the very bloom of her beautiful womanhood, to prefer a life of self-abnegation in a heathen land to a life of ease in her New England home. Not her work, but herself made her the leader of that long line of Ohristian women who have given their lives to the cause of foreign missions.
The Reformation in Scotland, France, and Germany assumed different phases, because the leading spirit in one was that of the fiery Knox, in another the gloomy Oalvin, and in the third, the large hearted, great-souled I-,uther?
We each have an individualism which must be taken into account. How then may we use this individualism in missionary work. Think for a moment of the great needs of foreign lands. In Ohina proper, with a population of 350,000,000, there is but one missionary to every 500,000; in India, with a population of about 280,000,000, one missionary to 400,000; in Siam, population 10,000,000, one missionary to 1,000,000 persons; some cities with a population of 280,000, have not even a Bible reader or a native teacher; in Western Africa, 90,000,000, and" scarce a missionary," and further south in the Kongo Free State, 40,000,000 who have not seen a missionary; in all Africa, it is said, there are to- day 150,000,000 of people who have never seen a Bible nor heard the first proclamation of the good news. With nothing before us but these few figures, who would miss the opportunity of doing something?
Oonsider, too, the fascinating interest of these lands-Ohina, India, Japan, Siam, Persia, Africa. They have extended plains, pic- turesque and fertile valleys, vast forests producing rare and beauti- ful woods, deep mines stored with precious ores and gems, vast river systems, numerous lakes, harbors fitted for a world's commerce; and mountains of wondrous grandeur. They have populations of whose numbers we have little conception. They have histories, mystic, ancient, tragic. They have political institutions worthy of a states- man's study. They have architectural monuments that might be well numbered among the world's wonders. Many of their kings and princes are clothed in fabrics of such delicate and costly texture as no European loom can weave, and dwell in palaces of marble so delicately wrought, so inlaid with mosaics, so adorned with precious stones, and so furnished with silver and gold and ivory, that one could more easily fancy them the product of a magician's wand, than . the labor of barbaric hands. Their philosophers study a literature that both fascinates and baffies the Ohristian scholar. This is, indeed, the bright side of the picture, but its dark side is even more thrilling, so revolting, so terrible are its shadows of degradation, cruelty, aud vice.
Is there any need even to outline the picture of the home mission regious of our own laud? Oould we draw a veil over the vague historic past, loose sight of the teeming myriads, forget its effete arts aud unprogressive literature, the geographical outline of the far East would serve as well for the far West. There, too, are to be seen vast river systems, magnificent mountain ranges, great lakes, one harbor within the Golden Gate where the world's navies could float at ease, mines of inexhaustible wealth, forests whose woods are simply peerless in their beauty, valleys of matchless fertility, imd plains of almost incredible extent. It is only by comparison that we can at all realize the greatness of the West. You can go by steamboat on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers as far as from New York to Constantinople. Place California on the Atlantic Coast, with her northern boundary on the southern limit of Massachusetts, and the southern edge would coincide with the southern boundary of South Carolina. The greatest measurement of Texas is about equal to the distance between Boston and Chicago. "Lay this same Texas on the face of Europe, and this giant with its head resting on the mountains of Norway, with one palm covering London, the other Warsaw, would stretch himself down across the kingdom of Denmark, across the Empires of Germany and Austria, across Northern Italy, and have his feet in the Mediterranean." Put all the inhabitants of the United States in 1880 into Texas, and the population would be scarcely as dense as that of Germany.
California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Colorado have boundless resources in their mines of gold and silver. Not a State or Territory west of the Mississippi is without iron, only three where lead is not found, and only two without copper. Besides salt springs and salt lakes, there are beds of salt covering thousands of acres. Nevada has borax enough to supply mankind, and Texas yields gypsum enough to' supply a universe. The Colorado River in some places cuts its way through mountains of solid marble, and building stones of all colors are found in immense abundance in the Rocky Mountains. Even to summarize the natural resources of the West is wearisome. Yet amid all this utility grow in regal profusion fruits of delicious flavor and flowers. of such marvelous beauty that the American as well as the Asiatic shore may boast its Flowery Kingdom. And the rapid progress of this great West in all the arts and culture of social life is as phenomenal as are its natural resources. " And as it is without a precedent, so it will remain withont a parallel, for there are no more new worlds-America holds the future."
But this fair Western picture has, like that of the East, some dense shadows. Amid these scenes of sublimity and beauty there may be found such degradation and evil as will make us ashamed of our past and fearful for our future, unless they be overcome through the power of Christianity. We can well believe that" America holds the future," but let us so work and pray that she shall hold it for truth, purity, and Christian righteousness.
What of those who have gone to carry to the East and the West the one thing lacking-the knowledge of God, the obedience to His law? For such a work none but heroes and heroines are worthy, and such has God provided. If there is anything in heroism to attract us, in scholarship to win, in usefulness to enkindle our enthusiasm, or in devotion to inspire, we can find all these nowhere more clearly shown than in the lives of our missionaries. Mark the numbers who are winning a martyr's crown in saintly lives of self-sacrifice in the isolated homes and unappreciated labors of our Western missionaries, or who have already won it on the plains of Africa, Siam, China, India, and the islands of the sea.
The time is past when to be ignorant of missionary enterprises was excusable. In these days not to know the work of missions is to be lacking in one of the essentials of an intelligent member of society. Become acquainted with missionaries. Discover their individualism, that yours may touch it at many points. Once truly interested in some special field or some particular workers, tell others of them, and arouse their enthusiasm. With a consciousness of your own individualism, and of your responsibility for its use, and with a knowledge of the individualism of missionaries, you will not be long in finding out many ways in which the two may be brought together in helpful contact. If we are rich, we can give money; if powerful, our influence; if eloquent, our thrilling words; but I suppose the grandest way of all to use ourselves is to be missionaries. Oh, what a life that must be! What must it be to employ all one's powers for others; one's life freely spent for the uplifting of other lives; one's self all given away that some other self may be saved! It seems to me the height of human consecration-it is like Christ. All have some precious thing that God can use in this great work. Have you a patriotic heart that loves country next to God? Then help win that deal' country for God. Have you skilled fingers to use the needle, the pen, the pencil, the brush, or to touch musical keys? Have you an eye, quick to see the wants of others? an ear sensitive to another's cry for help? a heart thoughtful and sympathetic? Have you a voice eloquent in speech or sweet in song? All these may be used for God if only they are consecrated to His service. God only asks you for what you can do, not for the work of some one else.
"The God who sent men to preach the Gospel of His Son in their humanity, sent each man to preach it in his humanity." And just here comes in another of God's great truths. To use our individualism for God is but to increase its beauty and worth to ourselves; to seek to enlighten another life is to drive away darkness from our own; to seek to lead another soul to Christ is to draw nearer to Him ourselves. Work for others begets nobility of character in the worker. Ruskin says: "The power of the masters is shown by their self-annihilation;" and George McDonald writes: "There is no forgetting of ourselves but in the finding of our deeper, our true self, God's idea of
A CALL FRoM KOREA
us." "The glory is not in the task, but in doing it for Him;" true, but doing it for Him ennobles even the meanest task, and all our work grows in importance, in beauty, and in effectiveness, as we bring this spirit into the doing of it.
This brings us to the crowning truth and glory of this individual work. for an individual end; it is God's own appointed method, and so must succeed. It has often been questioned why there was need of so much preaching in Christian lands. Why home missionaries, when all in America either have or may have the Bible; why must God's truth be proclaimed every week by the mouth of the living preacher? Just because it is God's way. So Christ Himself workt and taught, and He must be our example. It is recorded that great multitudes followed Him, and that from out those multitudes one leper stept and worshipt Him with the prayer, " Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean," and touching him, He said, "I will, be thou clean." Never can we be saved ourselves until personally we come to a personal Savior; never can we do Christ-like work until we learn to follow His example, to stretch out our hand and help.
Let each bring what he or she has to the Master. Only bring it, give it, trusting to His wisdom to find a place for it-for us-in His great plan. Let no false depreciation of our individualism cause us to miss the" blessedness of spending and being spent in His high service, where all loss is gain." Never let us be disheartened because we can do so little. Never forget the words with which our Savior blest the woman who brought her alabaster box to give to her Lord. It was not much, but it was her best, perhaps her all, and He rewarded her deed with the matchless praise, "She hath done what she Jould!"
"God smiles. and takes with equal love Our various gifts, and knows no great nor small; But in His infiniteness sits above, And comprehends us all. "
A OALL FROM KOREA.* BY MRS. ISABELLA BIRD BISHOP.
I came to Korea a fortnight earlier than I had intended in order to attend the Presbyterian Annual Meeting, and I am very thankful that I did so, for I have not elsewhere seen such an earnest, cheerful, whole-hearted body of men and women, with so completely one aim in view and so much in harmony in thf;l way of carrying out. The * We reprint part of a letter from this noted lady traveler and author, written November 2, 1896, to Dr. F. F. Ellenwood, of New York. It has already had extended notice In the religious press, but deserves as wide a circulation as possible. No traveler is more entitled to a hearing than Mrs. Bishop, who for many years has journeyed in the Orient. She is a convert to missions through seeing the need of the heathen and the work accomplisht by missionaries. accounts of work, specially of that in Pyeng Yang district, were absorbingly interesting. The harvest so far has fulfilled the promise of a year ago. 'rhe hearts of all present burnt within them, as we heard these reports, and the feeling of gratitude found fitting expres- sion in the hearty singing of the doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." But I confess that I feel very bad about the pros- pects for Korean work, unless the Ohurch awakes to a sense of what the situation really is. I have no special interest in Korea, and in the three years of travel now drawing to a close, I have visited over one hundred mission stations and am not conscious of having felt a greater preliminary interest in the work at one than at another. But I am bound to say that the needs of Korea, or rather the openings in Korea, have come to occupy a very outstanding place in my thoughts, and I should not be justified in withholding my view of them.
The Pyeng Yang work which I saw last winter, and which is still .going on in much the same way, is the most impressive mission work which I have seen in any part of the world. It shows that the Spirit of God still moves on the earth, and that the old truths of sin, judg- ment to come, of the Divine justice and love, of the atonement, and of the necessity for holiness, have the same power as in the apostolic days to transform the lives of men. What I saw and heard there has greatly strengthened my own faith. But it is not in Pyeng Yang only, but here in the capital, and especially through the women's work, of which Mrs. Gifford is such a noble and faithful representative; that the seed sown so long in tears is promising to yield a harvest, if the reapers come. And tho, in lesser degree, there are signs elsewhere that the leaven of the Gospel is working.
A door is opened wide in Korea – how wide only those can know who are on the spot. Very many are prepared to renounce devil worship and to worship the true God, if only they are taught how; and large numbers more who have heard and received the Gospel are earnestly craving to be instructed in its rules of holy living. I dread indescribably that unless many men and women, experienced in winning souls, are sent speedily, that the door which the Ohurch declines to enter will close again, and that the last state of Korea will be worse than the first. The methods of the missiqn are admirable in the training of the Ohristians to self-help. They' are helping themselves to the limit of their means. Also admirable are the methods used for fitting the Koreans to carry the Gospel intelligently to their brethren. This work alone requires four times the number of men already in the field to carry it on! Yet on it perhaps more than on any other agency hang our hopes for the advancement of Ohrist's kingdom in Korea. Truly" a great door and effectual" is opened; I sadly ask – is it to close again? Your Ohurch is rich in the silver and gold which are the Lord's. The abandonment of a few luxuries on the part of your members, with an increase in the spirit of self-sacrifice, might mean eternal salvation to many in Korea, but what a fearful responsibility it will be if the door closes! There are men and women willing to come to Korea if a moderate sustenance be provided. The money value of a ring, of an evening dress, of a carpet, of a seaside trip, would support a laborer for a year; I write strongly, I dare not apologize. I have been compelled to feel strongly by what I have seen and heard in Korea.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
IL-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
West Ohina. this territory, the popUlation is homo- geneous, and speaks the same language, BY REV. SPENCER LEWIS, CHUNG KING, viz., the Mandarin, or court dialect. CffiNA. Variations there are, but not so impor- tant but that one can travel from the The term West China is usually re- borders of Burma up through the west· garded as including the three provinces ern and northwestern provinces clear of Szchuan (Se-chuen), Kueicheo and to the imperial capitol, Pekin, a jour- YUnnan. Szchuan is the Jargest, and ney of between five aDEI six months, probably the most populous province and still make himself understood with in the whole empire. The figures usu- the Mandarin tongue. It is the lanally given for the population are a cen- guage of about three-fourths of the peotury old, while there is every evidence ple of China, or about 300,000,000. that the population. is constantly on the No language on earth is spoken by so increase. Early in the present dynasty, many people. On the other hand, from which had existed for two centuries and Shanghai to Canton the dialect often a half, frightful massacres left but a completely changes within a distance of sparse population, the vacant places be- 100 miles or less. It is ell,sy to see that ing afterward :filled by a vast influx a region with a common language comfrom adjoining provinces. When a mands points of vantage for missionary Chinaman in Szchuan is askt from labors that a region divided among what province he comes, he will fre- many dialects does not possess. The quently reply, "Hupeh," or "Hunan." aboriginal tribes and the Tibetans, If he is then askt how long since he though they speak languages of their came to the province, a common reply own, through mingling with the Chiwill be "200 years," identifying himself nese for purposes of trade, have become with his ancestors in a very certain more or less acquainted with the Chi- Chinese fashion. The population is now nese language, and many of them might dense everywhere, except in the very be reached by the preaching of the Gosmountainous regions. For a long period pel in that tongue. Thus, when God no war has decimated the population, shall have opened the doors of Tibet to and this province of Szchuan is never the missionaries, there might be Tibetan subject to extensive floods and famines. converts already prepared to preach the The Roman Catholic priests, who have Gospel to their own countrymen. good opportunities of judging, estimate tho population at 45,000,000, Adding With the exception of a few river the population of Kueicheo and Yunnan bottoms and large plain in which is sitwould probably give a total of from uated the capital, Chentu, the province 60,000,000 to 65,000,000, or about the of Szchuan is decidedly hilly or mounpresent population of the United States. tainous. Kueicheo is still more moun- tainous, while Yunnan is mountainous, The territory of Szchuan is 166.800 with great stretches of table lands situsquare miles, and of the three provinces ated six or seven thousand feet above the 339,323 square miles. This would be sea. Though there is so little land, the about equal to the popUlation of seven industrious farmers terrace the hillsides great states of the Mississippi valley, for rice fields, A part of these remain viz: illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michi- filled with water after the rice is hargan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. vested and the rest are planted to winter crops of wheat, opium, peas, etc. The With the exception of the wild tribes and the Tibetans who have come into atmosphere in Szchuan and Kueicheo been accustomed for centuries to subfor the most of the year is so humid that sist almost wholly on what they could there is very little evaporation from the raise from their own soil. Rice is the fields. The cloudy days are more num- chief food of the people, but in mounerous than the sunny ones, which is not tainous regions the people subsist chiefly pleasant to those who are accustomed to on maize and potatoes. Wheat, barley, brighter skies. But passing into Yunnan millet, beans, and peas are grown in lhere is a sudden change. One traveler, considerable quantities. Enough sugar· journeying from Szchuan to Yunnan, cane is raised to supply the home defound himself ankle deep in mud on one mand for sugar, though it is not refined side and ankle deep in dust on the other to suit western taste. Salt is produced side. On the Szchuan side, the clouds in large quantities and exported in all seem to deposit their moisture as they directions, forming a considerable strike the mountains, leaving little for source of revenue to the government the Yunnan side. In the latter province At the place where the most saIt is proit is bright for about ten months of the duced are self-flowing wells several year, as is the case of North China and thousands of feet in depth. Some of the most of India. The rainfall is so these contain brine, and others natural inadequate that large tracts of fertile gas which is used to evaporate the brine. land remain uncultivated, or produce There is an abundane of silk, but cotton but scanty harvests. As a consequence is not largely grown, much cotton, cotthis province has the smallest popula- ton-yarn, and cotton-cloth being importion in proportion to its area of any pro- ted. Sufficient tea is produced for home vince of the eighteen. The masses of consumption and large quantities are the people are poverty stricken as com- exported into Tibet and Siberia. The pared with the prosperous people of Szchuan province is noted for its medi· Szchuan. cines, large quantities of which are ex- ported. Much of the medicines are the In Szchuan the rice crop of 1896 has same as are imported by our mission been nearly ruined by excessive rains. doctors from London or New York, but In the midst of a good harvest the rains they are in a crude state, or not in began and continued, almost without best condition for their use. Most of interruption, for 100 days. The rice the fruits to be found in temperate rotted in the fields, or became moldy in zones are found in West China, though the granaries. Even the straw rotted no berries or currants are cultivated. so that there was none with which to However, most of the fruits, grains, rethatch their houses or feed their cattle and vegetables are inferior to the samc through the winter. In a short time kinds grown in the home lands. While the price of rice had gone up to double in most parts of China the farmers live the usual rate, with the prospect of in hamlets and go forth to their work going higher still. This means great during the day, in Szchuan they live scarcity and suffering among multi- upon their farms or holdings just as tudes of people, though not necessarily farmers do in America. This is doubta great number of deaths from actual less because they have lived at peace for starvation. Other rice-growing fields many generations, and do not need to of the empire are so distant that, with- gather into hamlets for mutual protecout railways, no food can be brought in. tion.
The productions of West China are Provision is made for the vices of the varied and valuable. Nearly everything people. Spirits are made from maize, is produced that is necessary for food, millet, and rice, and tobacco is grown clothing and shelter. With little means extensively, and opium in its season in of communication with the outcr world some parts of the country seems to except through that great artery of com- cover half the land. The last is a growmerce, the Yangtse-Kiang, they have ing scourge, which threatens the Ohinese country. Another decade or two is people with ruin physical, moral, and likely to witness important changes in mental. No opium worth mentioning this respect. May we not believe that all is imported from India to West Ohina, this mineral wealth has been hidden in but every year an increasing quantity is the bowels of the earth till in the pro- sent down river to other parts of Ohina. vidence of God there should be the The native opium is much milder than moral and spiritual uplift of a Ohristian the Indian drug. and so cheap that a civilization? The wealth of the hills is regulation smoke in an opium den costs His and will be forthcoming in His only about one cent. Every year the time. poppy is encroaching on the fields of grain and vegetables, so that when there The exploitation of the commerce of is a poor crop of rice multitudes go hun- West Ohina by railroads is a live quesgry. An alarming proportion ofthe men tion. In Tongking the French, and in and a considerable number of the women Burma the English, are building railare addicted to the use of this pernicious ways which are projected to the Ohidrug. It is a common cause of back- nese borders. It is expected that the sliding among our Ohristians or inquir- Ohinese will build railways to connect ers. Missionaries can not countenance with these, or authorize others to build the opium habit among their converts. them. Yunnan has nothing worth men- It is an insidious foe whose stealthy ap- tioning in the way of navigable rivers; proach can not easily be detected. It but with railroads to develop her minsteals away manhood, selfrespect, fam- eral wealth, she might become one of ily affection, and regard for truth. the richest, instead, as she now is, one of the' poorest of the provinces of the Mining is little carried on, and when empire. Large as the present trade of it is, it is usually by the rudest of West Ohina is, it is but a fraction of what methods. The upper Yangtse has re- it would be if the country were thorceived the name of the" River of the oughly opened up by railways. At Golden Sands," from the gold which is present the most of the trade tinds its brought down by every summer's flood way along the Yangtse river, even and which is washed out of the sands though the river takes such an exorbialong the stream for hundreds of miles. tant toll in wrecked boats and ruined How much gold is yet to be found back goods. Ohungking, the commercial in the mountain recesses, who can con- center of the, West, is the objective jecture? The most of Ohina's supply of point of trade and railway construction. copper has come from. the Yunnan pro- It has been opened as a treaty port, but vince, yet there is reason to believe that steamers 'run only to Ichang, 500 miles only a small fraction of it has been mined. below. At the close of the recent war Ooal is found in abundance in most between China and Japan, the latter parts of Szchuan, and iron ore is plenti- secured a clause in the treaty giving her ful. We have seen good anthracite the privilege of running steamers to coal on the top of a mountain 7,000 feet Ohungking, and it is expected that high, but the price was ridiculously low' steamers will be especially built for the because of the expense of transporting purpose soon. There is depth of water it to market. Ooal at the pit is worth enough for boats of light draught. The little more than what it costs to dig it difficulties are in the numerous rapids out of the earth. We have seen coal and conflicting currents. But we beat the pit selling for 75 cents a ton, lieve that the difficulties are no greater while scarcely 100 miles away it was than modern genius is able to overcome, worth several times that amount. An now that permission has been given to immense development of Ohina's min- try. eral wealth would come if there were railroads to open up the resources of the With steamboats and railways we may hope that the progress of Ohristian missions will be accelerated. Much Savaras still live in a Vflry primit.ive precious time might be saved. Railways style, and love to roam over the hilIs~ would take us in ten hours where now picking up a precarious liveliho"d. ten days are required. A new life would They raise some grain, keep a few throb in those isolated regions. Some- cattle, and gather firewood for sale thing like the prophet's vision of the dry upon the plains; but a good ded Gf bones would take place. Missionary food in the shape of game, nuts, herries, societies must be ready to follow the etc., is pickt up in the jungles. The lines of rail, so that with a new mental Kamper Savaras, on the other hand, activity and material progress there may have become more civilized. They come a moral uplift and a spiritual have imbibed a good many Hindu life. ideas, live better, and dress better. They live by farming chiefly and con- A beginning has been made in mis- sider it quite beneath them to cut wood sion work. Much sowing has already and carry it to the market. If they been done, and a little reaping which is use their mother tongue, it is in a the earnest of the great harvest which corrupt form and with a good many awaits the consecrated energy of the admixtures of Telugu or Orija; but Christian church. This is a noble por- they speak the languages of the plains tion of the inheritance which has been probably more than they do their own. promist to the Son in the uttermost parts of the earth. Let us be strong and The Savaras in their native mountains of good courage and go up and possess have a nationality, history, religion, the land. system of law, and landed property. They used to live independently, giving The Savaras-A Hill-tribe in Southern taxes to no government. Frequently India. they made raids upon the plains below and carried off whatever they could. BY REV. W. v. mGGINS, PARLAKIMEDI, About half a century ago one of the ancestors of the present Parlakimedi INDIA. Rajah led an expedition against them and appointed men, called Bisois, here In Southern India the Savaras oc- and there to guard the passes and recupy an important place among the hill- duce the Savaras to subjection. Since tribes. It is said that there are sixty- that time the British govcrnment has four different bibes of hill-people in extended its territory into those hills the Madras Presidency, with a total and draws a revenue from the people. population of 1,273,947. More than Formerly there were groups of Savara one-seventh of these are Savaras and villagcs under a powerful chief. Even only one other tribe (the Khonds) have at present there are groups of fam· a greater population. The Savaras ilies closely united and under the govnumber 182,295, and are found chiefly ernment of two chiefs, the Gomang in the Garyam District, upon the hills (great man) and Boya. Together they to~'ttie North of Parlakimedi. The discharge the duties of a magistrate, latter place is the most northern station and the Boya is also high priest. These of the Maritime Provinces' Baptist Mis- offices are hereditary and fall to the sion among the Telugus). Originally eldest son. The Boya must be intithe Savaras belonged to one community, mately acquainted with the customs and but have since become divided and ceremonies to be observed at funerals, sub-divided into various classes, which marriages, feasts, etc. On all such might be called castes. However, we occasions his presence is indispensable. may divide them for our present pur- All cases of dispute, transfer of lan.ds, pose into two classes, viz.: Hill Savaras sale of liquor, trees, divorce, etc., are and Kamper Savaras, who live upon settled in the council ot ~l:Cl ~lgel,'S~ the plains at the foot of the hills. The latter have been much more affected by contact with the Hindus. The Hill • under the leadership of the Gomang There seems to have been no punishand Boya. Until forty years ago even ment for immorality committed precases of murder were tried by these vious to marriage. A man may marry chiefs, and they were the sole arbitrators as many wives as he can support; but in every transaction among the villages. polyandry does not seem to be practist. These chiefs receive no fees, and make At the father's death the property is their living from the soil or forest as divided equally among all the sons of others do. But the British govern- the various wives. In taking to himment and the Bisois give distinction to self so many wives the Savara seems to them by presenting occasional gifts. think that women, like beasts of burden, They are exempt from personal service are useful and valuable property. They which other Savaras are required to can work for him and their children render. But the jurisdiction of the will also, in time, be a help to him in Savara chiefs has been largely curtailed his work. His property consists in by the government. It is interesting wives, children, and cattle. A wife, to note the methods which these chiefs who does not like her present husband, adopt for the punishment of offenses. may induce another man, whom she Capital punishment was administered likes better, to buy her from her husto those who burnt villages, thus en- band. In such a case the price to be dangering the lives of the community. paid is a buffalo, or a pig and some Many kinds of tines were imposed for liquor. This prerogative of hers often different minor offenses. These con- acts healthfully upon the tyrannical sisted chietiy in liquor and cattle. The husband, and makes her position more life of a woman was considered as tolerablc than that of a Hindu woman. worth more than that of a man. In When a boy's parents want a wife for this respect we may consider the him, they consult with their relatives, Savaras as more civilized than their and then send to the girl's parents some Hindu neighbors. Hence the tine for outside parties who make known their the murder of a woman was eight request. Soon after they come to the buffaloes, but only seven for a man. girl's home with liquor. Should they A thief might be shot dead if caught find the door closed, it is understood in the act. In cases of adultery it was that the marriage with their boy is not always the man, not the woman, who agreeable. But if consent is obtained, was punisht. In case of a quarrel the the contract is solemnized by all memcontending parties were required to bers of the two families drinking liquor unite in some religious ceremony and together. After drinking the liquor, in the offering of a sacrifice. After the tumeric paste is smeared over certain appointed fine has been paid and the parts of the body. This smearing is sacrifice offered, to continue the quarrel confined to the girl's relations, and is would be offensive to the unseen spirits put on by the boy's relatives. Several and departed ancestors. A Savara vil- visits are made, in which music, danclage, consisting of a row or two of well ing, singing, liquor drinking, etc., are thatched houses, is often changed and participated in. Then comes the final sometimes upon a slight pretext to marriage ceremony, when various gifts another site. For example, if a tiger in clothes, brass jewelry, etc., have to enters a village and carries off a child, be made. One pot of liquor is reserved if a case of small-pox occurs, or if some and, after being decorated, is worshipt. of the cattle die, the village is likely to This is performed by the priest, who be deserted, and another bliilt in a prays to dead ancestors and unseen better place. spirits generallv. He asks for pros- perity upon tIi; newly married couple. Among the Savaras infant marriage The sacred liquor is sprinkled over the is the rule. The girls seldom live un- feet and shoulders of the elders. Then married until they reach maturity. the girl is askt if she will have the hence, instead of medicine, offerings to man. She replies: "Have we not drunk the spirits are beneficial. The dead the liquor? Are we not Savaras? Savara is burnt with his head to the Why should I not marry him?" Then west. At the funeral there is much a festival is proclaimed, and all the drum-beating,· dancing, and drinking. villages take part, each household giv- The ashes are gathered together and ing a present to the bride and groom. put into a pit, on which a stone is After the wedding she is sent as soon placed j and tumeric paste is smeared as possible to her husband's hous~ and upon the stone. Liquor and oil are she is supposed to bring enough gifts also poured over the stone, and often from her relatives to make up for all rice, liquor, etc., are left for the spirit the gifts which her husband's relatives to feed upon. had given. For the temporal and spiritual wel- Widows may remarry, and they often fare of this host of our fellow creatures marry the deceast husband's younger little or nothing is being done. But brother, who inherits his brother's the return for what little labor has been property if he died without children. expended upon them is sufficient to If a widow marries a stranger she must indicate the importance of doing vastly leave behind her her own and her hus- more for them. Mr. G. V. Ramamurti, band's property. Her new husband Assistant Principal of the Rajah's High must also pay a fine (a buffalo or a pig School in Parlakimedi, a Brahman, has and some liquor) to the former husband's taken a very commendable interest in younger brother. This fine is dis- the Savaras. For soine years he has tributed by the priest among all the been learning all he could about the villagers. If anyone marries a widow, tribe, and has pickt up their language. he must offer a sacrifice consisting of a He has made a dictionary and grammar pig and some liquor. This is offered to which, if publisht, wuold be of great the spirit of the dead husband, and the service to those seeking the evangelizapriest thereby propitiates him so that he tion of this tribe. Not long since he will not trouble the widow and her urged the government to do something new husband. The husband is at more for the education and civilization liberty to send off any of his wives if of the Savaras. It is a matter of rethey are extravagant, illtreat the chil- gret that the government did not take dren, quarrel with the other wives, etc. up Mr. Ramamurti's suggestions. It The Savaras believe that departed was objected that in their semi-barbarspirits hover around and often do much ous state the Savaras are contented and injury to those who displease them. that they should not be disturbed. Hence they must often be propitiated, and generally they like to be propiti- The Baptist Missionaries of the Mari. ated with liquor, of which they are time Provinces of Canada have been very fond. In every Savara house working among the Telugus right up there will be found a pot or two daubed to those hills, and they have been with tumeric and covered with a flat hoping some time or other to have a plate. These pots are sacred, as they missionary especially for the Savaras. are the abode of the departed spirits. That hope does not seem likely to be One of these pots is generally kept in realized very soon. However some the corner of the room and another is work has been done among them. suspended from the roof by a string, Years ago a Christian leper lived within down which the spirit is supposed to a mile or two of a Savara village. This descend as it enters the pot. The man of God was bitterly persecuted- Savara knows nothing of good spirits, his house being burnt over his head. but is taught to dread evil ones. All For some time he lived in a hut rudely disease is caused by evil spirits, and built beneath a tree. There he taught a school and his principal pupils came from that Savara village nearby. Eager children and self, the deprivations they for education, and, finding no other are under, as to physical surroundings, school available. these youths came to social, educational, and spiritual privi· sit at the feet of this Christian leper leges, seem to mark their real position beneath the wide spreading tamarind as slaves to the men.
tree. He was the means of implanting One or two sights of the average in their hearts the seed of divine truth Korean house are quite enough to satis- and he won several of them to Christ. fy. Of homes the common people ap- One or two of those boys subsequently pear to know nothing. A house-to- became preachers in the mission. The house as well as a national 0 sqji, (great family belonged to Kamper Savaras cleaning), seems sadly needed. What- and spoke both Orija and Telugu easily. ever the theories of the people, they will As preachers they have been occasion- be compelled to look to Christianity ally making tours over the hills and and its teachings for the emancipation preaching the Gospel in their mother and education of woman, and the ele- tongue. May this interesting tribe of vation of the home. Not a glimmer of aborigines soon be provided with light appears from any other quarter.
Gospel light. The question constantly forces itself First Impressions of Korea. upon the visitor to Korea. Why are nearly all forms of business enterprise BY REV. DAVID S. SPENCER, NAGOYA, in the hands of or under the control of JAPAN. some foreign agency? Are tb.e Koreans incapable of initiating paying business First Impressions! That is all I enterprises? Can they not learn from attempt to write; and as no average examples around them, from their person can reasonably be expected to tutors of one nationality or another, have reacht fixt judgment regarding how to do some paying business? Brief a great people in the experience of a observation leads us to think that not few brief weeks among them, any the lack of capacity. not the lack of opinions here given, concerning Korea, capital chiefly, but a lack of business are understood to be subject to revision confidence, of trust of man, of the with the incoming of additional light. citizen in the government, of the sub- But a cursory glance at affairs seems to ject in the ruler, lies at the bottom reveal an interesting race of natives, the of the present regretable state of male portion of which are about as in- affairs.
dolent as circumstances will allow, To the visitor from Japan, the bar- having the largest percentage of " gentle- renness in Korean stores of anything men of leisure" we have ever seen attractive to the traveler is a surprise.
in any body politic. Yet on every hand Something peculiar to the country, and indications of poverty afford valid rea- desirable to the traveler as a souvenir is sons why these able-bodied men should expected, but the variety from which to work. The evidences of great physical chose is exceedingly limited. All ideas powers manifested everywhere in the of the fine art seem to be rude. One cooley class lead one to the conclusion does not even find toys for children.
that the Koreans can work if they have I do not remember to have seen a boy a reason for doing so. What the in- playing with hoop or ball, a girl with terior might reveal we know not now, doll, or any other toy except what the but the cities visited seem to indicate inventive genius of the little one had that the women are the chief bread- produced. There must be Korean winners of the nation. The burdens fathers who are proud of their sons, they bear everywhere, the pat-a-pat-pat and mothers of their daughters, but I at all hours of the night as with painful quite fail to observe any manifestations care they iron the clothing for husband, of such emotion. , It is as if some evil spirit had blasted the hopes and aspir- conditions in Korea. Through them ations of the people, and all sense of Japan is badly represented to the world. the good, the true, and the beautiful If they are to remain in Korea, and on had fled. no principles of justice can they be easily excluded, the opening of dis- I was permitted to attend a great tinctively Christian work among them mass meeting on the birthday of the is a matter of the highest importance. king. The place, the occasion, the crowd were all remarkable; 3,000 peo- The Christian work done in Korea ple gathered in lind around the large has grown to be II great enterprise. To Hall outside the city wall, in which, in the busy worker on the field, surround- bygone days the king, as head of a ed by difficulties, which none under- tributary state, was wont to meet the stand better than he, oftentimes seem- embassies from China, previous to their ing to have to stand alone for the truth, entry of the capital. On this birthday and always working under the gaze of of the king, the old hall rang with an unsympathetic multitude, the work speeches from the lips of both Koreans may seem to move very slowly; but to and foreigners, in which sentiments one who distinctly remembers when the Christian and patriotic equally blended, first stroke of Protestant Christian work while the manifest sentiments of the was done in Korea, scarce ten years ago, crowd indicated that the day of Korea's the change wrought seems amazing. enlightenment begins to dawn. The Not only in the great meeting above meeting under such auspices and at such mentioned did we discpver rich fruits a time was a splendid idea, and worth of Christian work, but in the ordinary coming a long way to see. It will pay meetings of believers, when addressing the missionaries to make use of all such audiences of native Christians and when national occasions. Nothing imprest visiting the Christian schools, the hosthe writer more than the large number pitals, and the printing establishment, of voices that joined intelligently in the we were much imprest that the mis- Lord's prayer, repeated at the close of sionaries, criticise them as you will, call the more formal invocation. Some mis- them hard names if you must, discount sionaries from somewhere have been their work all you can, and make out doing something in Korea. the worst possible case against them, have done already for Korea a work for I had not been in Korea a week be- which that country to her last day can fore I became convinced that, with cer- never repay them. And I was glad to tain manifest exceptions, the Japanese note that at least some Koreans are not who are there are not at all fairly rep- without a sense of gratitude for the help resentative of their people. A dozen they have received. Let the weary years among them should give one a Christian worker in Korea comfort himright to an opinion. They are by far self with the thought: "Inasmuch as in too great a degree, for the good of ye have done it unto one of the least of either Korea or Japan, mere adventur- these my brethren, ye have done it unto ers, who have found their way to Korea Me." in the hope of making financial gain out of the present and recent past state I can not share with some foreigners of affairs in the peninsula. Without resident in Korea the gloomy view definite aim, without financial or moral which they take of the prospects in this standing, many of them professing to now much-talkt-of country. There is be irreligious, and more of them feeling great hope for Korea, if the Gospel is none of the restraints of moral obliga- allowed to have a chance to bear its tion, and lacking business qualifications, natural fruit on that soil. But aU real they form an element rather dangerous help will have to come from sources inthan otherwise under present social spired by Christi@ sentiment, A Missionary Oonferenoe in Germany. and a town exceedingly rich in historic associations of every kind. The ses- BY D. B. SOHNEDER, HALLE, GERMANY. sions began on the evening of the 22d of February, and continued throughout The writer, an American missionary the next day. Dr. Warneck presided. in Japan, has just had the privilege of attending the Annual Missionary Con- The conference from beginning to ference of the Province of Saxony. In end was of such a character as to give order to make clear what follows it one a profound impression of the deep. may be well to devote a few sentences earnest and wise interest of the German to an explanation of the organization of church in missions. An opening ser- German missionary effort. vice was held in the largest church of the town, which was filled to overflow- First of all are the missionary 8ocieties. ing with an appreciative audience. A Of these there are 16. They have no sermon setting forth the scriptural idea official connection with the state church, of missions was preacht by Pastor yet are the free outgrowth of the spirit Hafner of Elberfeld. Then followed a of missions within the church. It is lengthy meeting in a hall holding about the function of these societies to solicit twelve hundred people. This, too, was and receive funds, and to appoint and filled, so that many were obliged to oversee the missionaries_ Working into stand. After a few introductory re- the hands of each of these societies there remarks by Dr. Warneck on the great is a large number of missionary associa- opportunities and responsibilities of the tions, organizations which correspond hour, an address was delivered by Rev. to our American congregational mis- Dr. Grundemann, who, without official sionary societies, but which here may connection with the work, has out of be composed of members of several pure love for the cause, become Ger- congregations located close together_ many's best mission geographer and These are the rivulets that help to make statistician. His topic was the question, the large stream. Lastly come the " How can we most effectually dissem- missionary conferences, the function of inate a practical knowledge of missions which is solely educational. Nearly among our people?" The speaker every Prussian province has its confer- argued that Germany should become ence, as have also several of the other a missionary nation. In order to do this German states, and every one who is two things are necessary,-knowledge interested in missions, regardless of his and love. Knowledge of missions may connection with this or that society, be spread abroad in various ways. may become a member. The meetings What especially imprest itself upon are annual. Prominent missionary an American ear, was the speaker's adworkers are invited, and such mission- vocacy of the teaching of missions in ary topics' are discust as are intended the public schools. He urged this point to interest especially the pastors and strongly, seeing only one considerable intelligent laymen. difficulty in the way, namely, the already overcrowded state of the curriculum of The conference above referred to is the schools. And the speaker who the conference of the Province (not the followed him in the discussion reem- Kingdom) of Saxony. It was called phasized the point, saying that the into existence eighteen years ago by school readers, the school geograthat great and untiring friend of mis- phies and the school histories should sions, Dr. Warneck, who until this day contain missionary matter. All this, of remains its chief inspiration. The con' course, can only be understood in conference met this year, as it always does, nection with the fact that religion is in Halle, the towu of August Hermann taught in the public schools of Germany Francke and of Tholuch, the town in every day in the week. The devoted which George Muller of England's most famous orphanage, was converted, Moravian missionary superintendent, preparation for Christianity Islam can in Dr. Buchner, who was born in Jamaica, no wise be, partly because of its intrin- sic unfitness. and partly because of its of missionary parentage, and who has sworn enmity against Christianity. traveled in almost every land in visiting Everlasting enmity to all other relig- the widely scattered missions of the ions is one of the essentials of Islam.
Brethren Church, said that there would Hence Islam has shown itself much less be a great gain in knowledge and interest when once there was a missionary in accessible to Christian missions than pure heathendom. Islam, instead of being a bridge between Christianity and the field from every congregation. As a heathendom, is an almost insunnount- member of the Moravian church he able barrier. But a great day for miscould say this with good grace; for sions among the Mohammedans will be although this church numbers only 30,- upon us when once the temporal power of the Sultan and of the Shah of Persia 000 souls, including children, it main- shall have crumbled to pieces. It is tains 173 foreign missionaries, and it is therefore the duty of Christendom to be ready and to begin now to gather her said that there is not a Moravian family forces and prepare them for the task.
that does not have a son or a daughter In concluding, the speaker made a brief or a brother or a sister, or some other statement of the work done among the near relative in the foreign field, and Mohammedans, and said that in India there is not a family, therefore, that is there are now over 17,000 COllverts not in private con'espondence with a from Islam.
The address was a masterly one, and mISSIOnary. It appeared in the course was followed in the discussion by Pas- of the discussion that most of the tor Seller, whose grandfather, Dr.
methods of spreading information were Gobart, was a missionary bishop, and already to it greater or less extent in use whose father is now a missionar:y under throughout the churches of the prov- the Church Missionary SOCIety at ince, and certain it is that there is al- Nazareth, in Palestine, also by an Ar- readr a very extensive and excellent menian Christian pastor, AmiI' Han missIOnary literature in wide circula- Janz, who spoke almost perfect Ger- tion. man. The Armenian massacres were The following day was devoted to referred to by him and by others, es-'
matters pertaining to the work in the pecially by Dr. Lepsius, who has be- field. A continuous day-session of over come known in both hemispheres three hours, and an evening session of through his famous book "Armenia two hours were held; the attendance and Europe." and who has visited Arbeing eyen larger than on the first day. menia in the previous year. It was a An address on the scripture teachings melancholy thought that after the long of missions by superintendent Buchner hesitation on· the part of the European was followed by a report from Dr. powers to interfere, the :first shot at last Warneck, according to which it ap- (two days before) was fired, not against peared that the contributions for mis- the Turks, but against the Christians.
sions in the province had doubled At the evening session representatives during the last twenty years. of three societies gave reports of the The principal address of the day work in German East Africa, and the was delivered by missionary secretary closing address, by Pastor Hafner, was Schreiber, of Barmen. His subject a solemn challenge to holy endeavor for was: "The Relation of Evangelical Christ.
Missions to Mohammedanism." There were present over 800 pastors, Under four important headings he men who bv their appearance and their spoke of Islam: utterances feft the impression that their 1. As a rival of ChIistianity ; interest in the cause of Christ at home 2 As an alleged preparation and pre- and abroad, is a matter of manly con- liminary for Christianity; viction. Besides the pastors there 3. As the sworn enemy of Christian- were present professors, jurists, physi- ity and Christian missions; cians, students, and others, togetherwith 4. As an object of evangelical mis- a considerable number of ladies. Alto- sionary effort. gether the gathering gave evidence that As a rival of Christianity, the speaker Germany is still the land of Luther, said, Islam is without a dOUbt the most and that in the future Christianization dangerous. It is the only religion of the world, she will surely playa part which, like Christianity, seeks to be- that is in keeping with her high place come the religion of the world. A in Christian history in the past.
FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY
III.-FIELD OF MONTHLY SURVEY.
Siam and Laos,* Malaysia, Unocoupied Fields, Buddhism,t Work Among Lepers. + BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
Malay Moslems. BRITISH, DUTCH, ANO SPANISH POSSESSIONS IN One-eighth of the inhabitants of the MALAYSIA. earth are Moslems. These are chiefly to befound in Western and South West· British: Square Popula· ern Asia, and in Northern Africa; in all of which places work among them Miles. tion. is found to be very difficult, if not im- Singapore……….. '" 107 134,554 possible, from the governmental and Penang, etc. . . …. . . . . . 270 235,618 popular opposition to, and persecution Malacca. _….. ……… 1,095 92,170 of, any other religion. Even where Protected Native States: nominal liberty of worship is allowed, Peral<……………. 10,000 214,254 the persecution of converts is so fierce, Selangor….. " . . . •. . 8,000 81,592 thatfew dare to brave the anger of their Sungei Ujong. .•••.. 28,602 countrymen by coming under Christian Negri Sembilan…… 660 41,617 influence and professing Christian be- Johore……. …….. 2,000 300,000 liefs. Medical Missions, and Tract Pahang………….. 9,000 57,462 and Bible distribntion are almost the Labuan……………. 10,000 5,853 only means of work among them. One of North Borneo… . . . . . . • 175,000 the few lands where progress has been 80 made in the work of Christians among 81,106 the followers of Mohammed is in Malaysia, where thirty thousand have re- 67,268 1,411,722 nouncE)d their old religion for the faith Dutch: 24,284,969 as it is in Christ Jesus. American Me· 2,972,388 thodist, German, and Rhenish mission- Java and Madura,….. 50,554 aries, and the Bible Societies have been Sumatra………….. 161,612 382,758 carrying on a glorious work in Java, West Borneo… ……. 55,825 864,860 Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula, and South and East Borneo 156,912 1,450,400 it is believed that these converts will Celebes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,390 1,389,600 not only help in the Christianization of Bali and Lombok…… 4,065 200,000 the Malay peoples, but that they may West New Guinea ….. 151,789 1,120,595 also be the means of converting their bigoted fellow religionists in other Mo- Other Islands …….. " 106,253 hammedan lands. 736.400 32,615,065 The following statistics show the Spanish: political distribution of the Malaysian lands: Philippine Islands….. 114,326 7,000,000 • See pp.214 (March); 329 (present issue.) Lands Without a Missionary. Recent Articles: "The Emperor of Annam and His Capital," Gentleman's Mapazine The last closed country of South (February.); "The Malar. Peninsula,' Macmillan's (February); 'Something About America has recently allowed mission- Siam," Outing (March). aries to begin work there, and it is ar- t See also pp. 182 (February); 341 (present dently hoped that ere long the other issue). New Rooks: "Buddhism-Its History and closed doors will be opened and that Literature," T. W. Rhys Davids; "Primitive the strongholds of satan will be cap- Buddhism," E. A. Reed. tured in the name of the Lord. Tibet Recent Articles: "Philosophy of Buddh· is 'Still besieged by missionary armies *ism," The Monist (January)_ See also p. 845 (present issue). and progress is being made among Tibetan peoples and footing has even been gained in Tibetan territory.
The 2,000,000 miles of unoccupied territory in Africa is gradually growing less as the picket stations of the advance guard of Christendom are penetrating the Soudan and other inviting territory -inviting because of the difficulties to be encountered· and the victories to be won. Afghanistan and Beluchistan still shut out the light of Life, but an occasional ray from the Sun of Righte- ousness penetrates even there in spite of governmental edicts. The Philip- pine Islands and some other Papal possessions are still hostile to the truth, but one by one these countries are fol- lowing the example of the Central and South American republics by shaking off the yoke of Rome and declaring for freedom of belief and worship. In Northern India and Western the Grand Lama and a stay among the crowd of gods and goddesses in all China some doors are still either closed their tawdry glory caused them ~o ~e their folly, and be cured of thell' illor there is no one to enter. Russia fatuation. prohibits active missionary work except in the way of Bible distribution; the pSetrusnedciusttis~n. however, thrive through The Mission to Lepers. Turkey is trying to stamp out Christianity in spite of treaties and The :Mission to Lepers in India and thereby endangers her own' existence. the East was founded in 1874 through On the whole, notwithstanding the the efforts of its present secretary and disastrous retrenchments and curtailing superintendent, Wellesler. C: Bailey.
of establisht work, due to lack of sup- This mission is undenommatlOnal and port from Christian~ at home,. the mi~ international. Its object is to preach sionary host is steadIly advancmg and IS the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lepers, surely if slowly, fulfilling the Lord's to relieve their dreadful suffenngs, comm:md and prediction by the preach- supply their simple wants, and provide ing of the Gospel of the Kingdom homes for untainted children of leprous among all nations. parents. The societ;r ende~v<?rs to uti- lize as much as pOSSIble eXlstmg agen- The Ethics of Buddhism. cies by assisting leper asylums already A careful examination of the Bud- establisht and providing missionaries dhist writings and of the Old Testament with the :neans for carrying on Chris- shows that every valuable mora! pre- tian work in connection therewith.
cept inculcated by Buddha or hIS fol- It makes grants of money towards the lowers was freely taught by Moses and building of new asylums, prayer-rooms, the prophets centuries before Buddha etc. ; and in many instances provides existed' but this is scarcely to be for the entire support of lepers. It has many asylums of its own, .and ai~s wonde;ed baet ~ncot hnrsoidwenrinogf the light which has late on the .many others. It has work In IndIa, extent to which nations in earlier days Burma, Ceylon, and China, and has had intercommunication. The ethics recently sent grants to Japan, where of Buddhism were evidently derived there are said to be 200,000 known from nations with whom the inhabitants cases of leprosy; Altog~ther, it~ opera· of'India had commercial and other re- tions are carned on In 38 different lations, including the Je:vish, which dciefnfteerres~t.anPdrotienstacnotopMeraistsioionnawryithSoc1i4- was in its greatest prospenty five hun- eties. It has 5 homes for the untainted dred years before Buddha was said to children of leprous parents.
have existed; and also later, when the This work is entirely supported by captivity took place, and there arose a voluntary contributions. The Lord has tendency toward the dispersal of that greatly blest the efforts of the society people. in the conversion of souls, oapnerdattihoner.*e is urgent need to extend its From the account of Chandra Das, heorwede-vme~r doenren inference is easily gath- £6 or $30 will support an adult leper Eastern Buddhism is for otone£1y0e0ar~ran$2d50£4to or $20 a child. idolatry. The" Light of Asia" is often £50 $500, will build made to appear a pretty and innocent a small hoine for the untainted chil- philosophy. When the present draw- dren of lepers. About· £150 to £300, ing-room craze for "Esoteric Bud- or $750 to $1,500, will build an asylum dhism" has subsided, perhaps certain for adult lepers. – scholarly and comfoI"!able. people may There are many European leper~, perceive that BuddhIsm IS, after all, especially in India, where there IS merely a gross and degrading worship of urgent need of a separa~e ho~e f?r idols. The great temple at Lhasa is a them, in which they mIght lIve In place of gods many and lords many. privacy and be comfortably cared for All the deities in the Buddhist Calendar in their terrible affliction.
-over 400 in number-are represented, * Contributions will be thankfully received mostly in life-sized proportions. There by the secretary and superintendent, Welles- ley C. Bailey, 17 Glengyle Terrace, Edmburgh, is a colossal figure of the goddess Pal- or they may be sent to Rev. J. S. St0!1e, M.l?, den Thamo. The pope of this stra~ge 40 Washington Square, New York; CIty; MISS Lila Watt, B.A., Guelph, OntarIo; or Rev. religion,. the Grand Lama, was a chIld John Neil 577 Sherbourne street, Toronto. Any frien'ds wishing the a:nnua1 report or of eight years of age, the s1!preme ~m occasional papers of the socIety shoufd ajlply bodiment of modern BuddhIsm. It IS a to the secretary, 17 Glengyle Terrace, Edin· burgh, or to any of the above. They may be pity our devotees of the new-fangled had free of charge.
cult can not be sent to Lhasa and kept there till a course of genuflections before
EDIl'OltlAL
IV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT.
There was at Scranton, Penna., on vindicate. But in them lies the head Wednesday, January 20, a missionary and front of his offending. rally of over forty churches, in one im- The address is stigmatized by some as mense gathering in the superb Elm St. "premillenial,"- a term which is com- M. E. Church. After delivering over ing to be with some people the brand of one thousand addresses on missions, in all that is repellant. To my knowledge this country and England, Scotland, the term was not once used in the ad· etc., the editor has never spoken to a dress. The Scripture itself was appealed to, as warranting no expectation beyond finer or more devout assembly. It was this: that during this gospel age, "God a great tribute to the spiritual type of is visiting the nations, to take out of them piety in Scranton, that such a meeting a people for his name." Acts xv : 14. was possible. The addr~ss, which oc- This is the scriptural position, and the cupied more than an hour, and was scriptural hope. And, if we expect the listened to throughout with close at- conversion of the world under this dis- pensation, we have no authority for it tention, has attracted so much animad- in the Word/ and the facts, after 1900 version-hobweit it was attended with years are utterly disappointing; whereas much manifest blessing, that it will be if we accept the other basis, it is not only scriptural, but historical, for facts bear essentially reproduced in these pages, us out in it, for that is exactly what so soon as there be found time to write God is doing. It is certainly a, very it out, and space to accord it. Mean- remarkable confirmation of this inwhile it may be well to meet two hostile terpretation of Scripture that it is the only one with which historic decriticisms which are going the rounds, velopments tally. If the same God ,and are largely based on misunderstand- who inspired the book, controls events, ings, and find most currency with those we can not but feel that each witness who did not Ma1' the address. In fact, confirms the other. And this it was it seems to us unfair for editors, even of which compelled the writer to abandon religious papers, to indulge in severe the expectation which for many years underlay his activity, that the Gospel judgments upon an address of which was to win the world to God in this age. they have no knowledge, save through He was forced to see that this result was partial and often by no means impar- not reacht nor likely to be; and he hetial, reports, or even more untrust- gan anew to search the word to find God's plan. He found it outlined in worthy rumors. Acts xv., Matt. xxiv., etc., and he found The two positions taken by the Ed- that plan to be exactly what God is now doing. From that day he has been itor of the REVIEW, in that address, working on this plan and has had a, which have awakened most antagonism, new revival of hope and courage.
were these: As to the second suggestion, it is not new. It is brought out by more 1. I said that one reason for discour- than one devout modern writer on agement in missions was that we were spiritual themes, and was recently sometimes working on the basis of an in my hearing solemnly uttered by expectation of converting the world in Prof. F. L. Chapell, of Boston. The this dispensation"whereas the true Bib- thought is essentially this: that the lical hope, authorized in the Word is Holy Spirit is the .t1dministrator of only an outgathering from all nations of a people for God.
2. I called attention to a solemn suggestion, for which no originality was claimed, that the Holy Spirit. grieved by the secular and skeptical spirit prevailing in the churches, is largely withdrawing from them.
Both of these propositions, the writer of these lines is ready to reaffirm and
EDITORIAL i>EPARTMEN'I.'. [Ma.y
the church, but that He may be numbers of dead Parsees, (who expose " grieved" and "quenched" in his work their dead to be eaten by the vultures), in the lXYI'pO'l'ate body of Christ, as well are slowly decomposing in the open air.
as in the individ1lal believer. And that, The vultures having been overgorged when secular men and methods rule in by the great abundance of corpses.
the church, when unspiritual tendencies Already five hundred thousand people and influences are allowed to prevail, out of a population of eight hundred He withdraw8 as the administrator of thousand, have fled from the city and affair8, and leaves the churches to their the exodus goes on. The cemeteries own chosen guides. This does not mean are filled with the dead, which remain that the Spirit wholly forsakes God's unburied for days owing to the refusal people, but that, as a light that is hidden of friends and relatives to handle them.
under a bushel is outwardly quencht, The natives remaining in the city or as a grieved parent may retire within gather to pray by the tens of thousands, his private chamber, leaving his erring while others filled with superstitious children to follow their own wilful fears, escape as best they can. The ways, the Spirit of God, hindered in His scene is unparalleled, and before it Administration of the Body of Christ, science seems to be dumb. The famine seems to have left large numbers of is also terrible and demands instant God's people to the folly and failure of measures for relief by every considera- their own ways. And every existing tion of humanity and piety.
condition in the church at large rather coniirms this impression, that we are A dispatch from Constantinople, Feb.
in danger of a secularism and a skepti- 24, stated that anarchy prevails in the cism that shall leave the church. like disturbed districts of Asia Minor. The the Jewish body of believers before, Turks and Kurds have seized every- as practically abandoned to formalism thing belonging to the Armenians.
and spiritual drought. They compel the latter to plough their own fields for the benefit of their de- The Maroh of Events. spoilers. All who retain a remnant of A terrible famine is raging in the property are squeezed by the tax colnorth of Transvaal, the result of a visi- lectors to the uttermost farthing. It is tation of locusts and prolonged drought. reported that the reservists are harry- Streams never seen dry before are ex- ing the country, and that not the slighthausted. Natives are found, on all est check is put upon their outrages. sides, dead of hunger. The cattle plague Recent massacres and ravages are reis raging also. A sack of maize costs ported and the end is not yet.
40 dollars, usually sold for from two to Rev. W. J. McCaughan, of Belfast, three. Women sell themselves to ob- has accepted a call to St. Andrews Prestain food, and one poor mother drowned byterian Church, Toronto, and the fareher child rather than see it starve. well meetings were held in Belfast, Telegraphic reports from Bombay March 1. He left Ireland, it is not too hint a tale of horrors as to the plague much to say, univCl·:oaIly regretted. He of India. The efforts to stay the pro- is a man who, "or evangelical faith and gress of the disease have been so far evangelistic fervor, had no superior in fruitless, that the death rate is 600 out Belfast, where so many grand men are of 1,000. The native customs add to to be found. Mr. McCaughan is alive the hideousness of the plague. The to his very finger ends with zeal and Mohammedan cemeteries are over- enthusiasm for the Lord's work. He is crowded, and men can not be found to a stirring speaker, an energetic worker, dig graves and bury the dead. The unsparing of himself and full of the sound of dirges is incessant. Large missionary spirit. In a six months' tour of Great Britain in 1896, the editor these missionaries are helping to mold met no man anywhere that seemed to him to have more of the Master's spirit a great nation, and are directing mighty and more of the elements of usefulness. We commend him to the confidence of movements. Of the 61 native pastors, all his brethren. If a speaker is wanted for missionary gatherings, send for him, envangelists, etc., 40 were present at and you will not be disappointed. We hail the coming of such a man to our his meetings, having come from all shores. quarters to attend the conference. The death of Prof. Henry Drum- mond took place at Tunbridge Wells, Dr. White also visited Jerusalem England, on Thursday, ;March 11, at the age of 46. He was personally one He pleads for ten timp,s the funds and of the most lovable of men we have ever met and had immense influence. the force now at the disposal of the Tho not sympathizing with his views of evolution, we pay our tribute to his United Presbyterian Church, which is noble nature and ability, and with thousands of others regret his early at the head of the work in the Nile death. Valley. Received from Rev. John Suycock, of Morden, four dollars for mission He reacht Calcutta at Christmas work in Africa. This was a collection taken in a union prayer-meeting in time, and found a wide door open Morden; it has been forwarded to the Philafrican League, an interdenomi- before him. College stucents' confernational society, which labors for the temporal and spiritual emancipation of ences were arranged at Poona, Madras, the Dark Continent, Allahabad, and Lahore, at all of which Received $2.85 additional from the Shickley (Neb.) Union Y. P. S. C. E. he was to spea.k. for the Armenian sufferers. Prof. White says in his letter to the Rev. Prof. W. W. White, who, as it will be remembered, left Chicago to do editor: a work of two years in Calcutta, writes very interesting and hopeful letters. "The report has been widely circu- He was in Cairo, Egypt, in November, lated in India that Swami Vivekananda where he held a series of meetings on has made many hundred converts in prayer and Bible study_ He held seven- America from Christianity to Hinduism, teen meetings at Assiout. He spoke in in illustration of this I enclose the leadthe native church on a Sunday morning ing editorial of the Indian Mirro'/' of to about 600. He says the spread of to-day. English in Egypt makes it easier to travel and hold communication than ill "What have you to say of the like- France or Italy. He gives a noble lIhood of america abandoning Christribute to Dr. Andrew Watson, who tianity, and adopting either Hinduism acted as his interpreter, and to the or Mohammedanism in its stead? American Mission in Egypt. He says Will you kindly reply to this question?" Prof. White desires to secure from a number of prominent men and women in America, for wide circu- lation in India, a symposium on Hinduism and Mohammedanism in Amm·ica. Or to be more particular, Swami Vivekananda in Amen'ca. He thinks great good would follow send- ing a good, strong ringing testimonial respecting the hold which Christianity has in America, and its prospects for the future, to India. He says, "Dr. John Henry Barrows, now lecturing- in India, has spoken with no uncertain sound on this point." "India has reacht a crisis. The idol worshipers are encouraging each other saying of their gods, • The ~oJdering is ~ood,' and they fasten the idol with naIls that it shall not be moved, (see Is. 41), but Hinduism is doomed so surely as Jehovah lives. Americans, of all people in the world, ought to thank day and night for their rich heritage."
In response to Dr. White's request, we can only say that we have seen no likelihood whatever of America's ex- changing Christianity for either Hinduism or Mahommedanism. The very idea Hampshire, Berkshire, Maine, and Rhode Island Missionary Societies, ' is preposterous. The courtesies extend- until, in 1821, it came under the con- trol of the American Board and has ed to representatives of various relig- since become the well-known Mission- ary Herald. ions at the" World's Parliament" were "There are one or two others of utterly misunderstood, as we feared they which we have specimens only, which it is not necessary to describe further. would be. Politeness toward those who These facts seemed necessary to the truth of history and will, doubtless, be differ, and the according to them of a welcome to Mr. Stock. himself, as well as to you." right to be heard, was construed to mean Rev Chas. E. Faithfull writes lov- indifference toward their errors, if not ingly from Madrid, of his beloved and sympathy with them. And Swami departed fellow worker, Mr. A. R. Vivekananda is simply a specimen of Fenn, whose death has been noticed in the elation and inflation of a weak man these pages-and pays a noble tribute to over the adulation of some silly people. the church of about 100 members and If America ever gives up Christ, it will the school of 400 children, as a most be for the devil, not Buddha or Brahma valuable evangelistic agency. He sends or Confucius. It will be a lapse into also a report of his first year's work as utter apostacy, unbelief and infidelity. brother Fenn's successor. Dr. Henry N. Cobb, secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Dr. H. H. Jessup writes from Hel- Reformed Church in America, writes that in the MISSIONARY REVIEW ouan, Egypt-where he went on ac- (March, page 224) is a statement made by Secretary Eugene Stock, which he count of his health-that he had received questions. "Our secretary from 1802 to 1824, the Rev. Josiah Pratt, started great benefit, and was expecting (Peb. in 1813 the first missionary magazine ever brought out. This was called 7) to reach Beirut, to celebrate the 41st Tile Missionary Register. "There are several missionary magazines," says anniversary of hi8 first arrival in Syria. Dr. Cobb, "in the small library of this Board which considerably antedate He expresses his gratitude for the long this. life in the field, and he says his "faith "There lies before me, as I write, Vol. I. of The Missionary Magazine for in the work of foreign missions 1796 a periodical monthly publication, inte~ded as a repository of discussion has always been strong, and is now and intelligence respecting the progress of the Gospel throughout the world. stronger than ever, because he believes Edinburgh,1796. Vol. III. contains a map of the world with the principal it to be God's work which knows no mission settlements on it. such word asfaU. He adds: "In 1800 the New York Missionary Magazine and Repository of Religious " It is a great privilege to live long in Intelligence was begun. It continued the Christian ministry and every misfour years, and the four volumes sionary who has lived more than forty are in the poss3ssion of the Board. years in the Master's service ought to be They contain reports of then existing the most thankful of men. missionary societies, both American and European, with letters from W m. Every young missionary ought to try Casey and oth"r~ from different parts to live as long as he can; to use the of the world. means for the preservation of his bodily and mental health; to look on the bright, "In 1808 the publication of The heavenward side of everything; to live Panoplist was begun in Boston, Mass., for Christ, as the noblest, purest, 'conducted by an association of friends worthiest character in history, and the to the evangelical truth.' In 1809, only Redeemer, and to be patient as God the magazine underwent a change and is patient, and hopeful as the promises was thence forward publisht as The of God. Panolist [trld }rfissimary Magazine United, 'conducted by an association I can not be too thankful to all the of friends to evangelical truth, under friends of my childhood and youth, who the patronage of the Massachusetts, led me to love the missionary work, nor t@ my parents who prayed me into it. Blessed missionary work, which the an- gels could not do, and we poor frail men are bidden to undertake. After forty·one years I can only say, I would nineteenth century has achieved ap~ like to live forty-one years more. But pears to many Christians' but a faint this I can hardly anticipate. The Lord prophecy of Christian victories that grant us all in the foreign field a fresh await the twentieth. On the 23rd of baptism of the Holy Spirit, new love for June, 1891, Sir Samuel Baker and his souls, new zeal, stronger faith, clearer party were sleeping on the dry bed of vision of Christ, brighter hope, and the Atbara, one of the tributaries of hearts full of tenderness and personal the Nile. In this dry river bed they love for men. had been traveling for days. On thIS night Sir Samuel Baker was awakened There is much land yet to be pas· by a noise like distant thunder. Soon sest. Call for the Joshuas to come his native attendants rusht in upon forward, for the forty years in the wil- him shouting in their terror: •'fhe derness are bringing many a Moses of river,' and with all speed they hastened the Lord's host to the brow of Nebo. to the parcht and sandy shore, and Our work. will soon be done. The soon the torrent which had gathered its Lord's work will not be done until the volume of waters among the snows of triumph is assured." the mountains of Abyssinia, rusht by, and on the morning of the 24th of June, Queen Victoria is immensely gratified when the sun arose, the English travat the responses which have been made, eler lookt out over a river fifteen all over her vast empire, to her wishes hundred feet broad and fifteen to twenty that all gifts in honor to the sixtieth feet in depth, rolling on in freshness year of her reign should be in the form and fertilizing power, and moistening of assistance from lIer richer subjects the roots of ten thousand palm trees. toward the more indigent. So the waters of Christian civilization have been long accumulating on the In 1870 the laws of Japan forbade highlands of Europe and America, and a missionary to ask any native to accept a mighty rushing river has suddenly Christianity, the penalty for any native descended on the thirsty African plains who profest the name of Christ being and over the tropic fields of India and death. And now the Church of Christ the freshly opened provinces of the in Japan is soon to begin missionary Oelestial empire; and the roar of the work in Formosa. President Ibuka, of incoming torrent is a new fulfilment Tokio, and President Ogimi, of Steele of Ezekiel's vision of a sacred stream College, Nagasaki, have been appointed which shall go out into the East counto visit the field and report to the try and down into the desert, healing Mission Board. Three thousand dollars the waters of the bitter sea." are to be raised from the Japanese churches to inaugurate and push for- Book Reviews. ward this new work. Descriptions of the need and progress The first of the lectures which Dr. J. H. Barrows went to India to deliver, ofjrontier mi88ions in the United States was given before a large audience in the General Assembly's Institution, Corn- have had very little place in the vast wallis Square, Calcutta, on Dec. 24. Babu Protap Chander Mazoomdar pre- number of missionary books publisht sidedand introduced the lecturerin a few graceful sentences, recalling the kind- in late years. The subject is of imness he and other Orientals had received from Dr. Barrows when attending the mense importance and thrilling interest, Parliament of Religions in 1893. Dr. BalTows spoke of the universal fitness and we now welcome as a companion of Christianity as a religion and of its progress, concluding thus: volume to Dr. Josiah Strong's stilTing "But all the progress which the books, a valuable and unusually enter- taining description of the work of re- claiming the Western frontier towns from the dominion of satan to the King- dom of God. Rev. W. G. Puddefoot, the author, has been for many years engaged in work on the frontier, and is now well known as the field secretary of the Congregational Home Missionary Society and for his very happy faculty of thoronghly interesting an audience in the subject of his addresses. Tlw Minute Man on ehe F'roneiqr * contains The kindergarten has of late years filled an important place in education; much valuable information in regard its scope has been steadily widened to the character of both the land and and its methods perfected. The latest the people of the new West, the branch to be added to its curriculum is products, and possibilities of the soil, that of Missions. A. D. F. Randolph and the physical, mental, and moral & Co. are publishing a Junior Mission· character and progress of the settlers. ary Extension Course by Stephen L. The illustrations are from photographs Mershon, entitled "Kindergarten in and add greatly to the interest and Mi8sions,"* These studies consist of vividness of the description and narra- twelve villages, the first of which to tive. appear is an Indian village. This com- prises 150 appropriate figures and ob- "The Hope of Israel" isthefirstnum- jects, such as might be seen in the ber of the Jargon Monthly of Volume villages of an Indian tribe, printed in IV, issued by the" Hope of Israel Mis- various colors on thick cardboardsion," Arno C. Gaebelein is the editor, wigwams, squaws, papooses, warriors, 209 Madison street, New York City. ponies, cowboys, United States soldiers, The language in which it is printed is a fOlt, an Indian school, a missionspoken by about seven millions of Jews. ary, etc. These are so arranged that The contents are" scriptural exposi- they may be cut out and made to stand tions, reports of our work, news concern- erect on a table. Accompanying each ing Israel restoration, etc. The Lord has village is a printed description and used this little paper not only in this other information. When the village is country, but also in Eastern Europe, set up the effect may be made very where "the Hope of Israel" is being realistic and will serve the purpose of distributed in hundreds of copies. The emphasizing the story of missio!lary paper has only a few subscribers; it is labor among the Indians. Full and publisht by the voluntary gifts of complete directions accompany each Israel's friends, and we hope it may set. This will be valuable to Sundaysoon enlarge its borders and many school teachers, junior societies, misthousands of copies be printed and dis- sionary bands and the home circle. tributed. The same well-conducted missions publishing various small books The excellent article on 'Foreign Hosand tracts in Hebrew and other lan- pitals and Dispensarie8, by Miss V. F. guages spoken and read by the Jews. Penrose, which appeared in our Sept., And we bespeak for the work the help 1896, issue, has been reprinted in leaflet of all true lovers of Israel. form and is now to be had from the American Board in Boston, the Baptist The April number of the Record of Board in Philadelphia, the Congrega- Ohri8tian Work, which is the first to tion S. S. Publication Society in Chiappear under the editorial management cago, the Presbyterian Board in New of Mr. William R. Moody, shows al- York and elsewhere. It is being widely ready an immense advance over former distributed among the Student Volunissues. Its prospectus promises still teers and Medical Students. further improvement. The editor purposes to make it invaluable along lines The British Government has been of the theory and progress of Christian askt to put a stop to the Mohammedan work and methods and results of Bible pilgrimages from India to Mecca. The Study. Published monthly by Revell pilgrims, it is feared, will spread the at 50 cents a year. plague in Egypt and Arabia. It will * Publisht by T. Y. Crowell & Co., Boston * Publisht at $10.00 per set of 12, or $.100 and New York. $1.25. escl!.. ~. D. F. Randolph &; Co., New York. not be easy to carry out this plan. The cost Borne $30,000 or $35,000, not a penny of compensation is offered! Moslems think they are going to heaven Mr. John R. Mott, the College Secre- straight if death overtakes them on tary of the Intercollegiate Young Men's such a pilgrimage. If a few unbelievers Christian Association, after visiting and can be killed by the plague, the Mos- holding conferences with the Y. M. C. lems will not mind. A.'s of Ceylon, wrote as follows :- French Ideas of Religious Freedom. Colombo, the capital of Ceylon, is a Protestants complain bitterly of the city of great commercial importance. It is the half-way station between the behavior of the Jesuits in Madagascar. West and the far East, as well as along the pathway of the most important line Protestant missions are destroyed, and of approach to the Southern hemisphere. It is more nearly at the crossroads of protestant converts of whom there are the nations than any other port in the world. Every year tens of thousands 400,000, are forced to attend Catholic of travelers from all parts of the earth stream through this city. services. The French protestants are Ceylon has a population of a little now collecting funds for the protection over 3,000,000. Christianity and edu- cation have made greater 'progress here of Protestant missions. than in any other country in the East. About one-tenth of the people, includ- There is a strange inconsistency be- ing Roman Catholics, are Christians. The same proportion would give India tween the proclamation of religious 30,000,000 instead of 2,284,000. In Ceylon ten per cent. of the children of freedom made by French officials, and school-going age are being educated. In India less than one per cent. This the actual experience of Protestant gives Ceylon a position of leadership greater than her size and population Christians, as the following remarkable would cause us to expect. In all parts of India I found Tamil teachers who incident shows: were born and educated in Ceylon. I was informed that Sinhalese and Tamil On Sunday (Dec. 27th), while the lawyers are also numerous in India. Protestant congregation at Ambohima- Ceylon is destined to continue to exert nambold, about 6 or 8 miles east of a special influence on India, owing to Antananarivo, were engaged in their its geographical proximity, its racial ordinary service, the Roman Catholic ties, its educational advancement, and Bishop suddenly appeared at the door the furtherfact that the two countries of the church. He held up his hands are under a common flag. A strong and askt for silence, as he had very im- spiritual work in Ceylon must necesportant business to communicate. He sarily prove a blessin~ to India. Morethen went into the pulpit, and said he over its infiuence WIll extend beyond had been sent for to conduct a Catholic the Indian Empire. As we have seen, service, and was surprised to find any Ceylon is the center of the eastern Protestants in the building. The Prot- world. More than that, it is the sacred estants present said they were all loyal home of Buddhism. Therefore the subjects of France, and they believed work of Christ here will exert a special that as such they had full liberty to influence on Siam, the Straits and even conduct a Protestant service in their China. At different times in the cenown church. The Bishop then appealed turies that are part, multitudes of to the native governor, who stated, that Buddhist missionaries have gone forth by order of the government the build- from this little island to propagate their ing was to be handed over to the Roman faith throughout the vast continent of Catholics. The Protestants replied, Asia. To day in Ceylon there are 10,- that if this was the decision of their 000 Buddhist priests. Should we not rnlers, they would offer no further op- work and pray that the student Chrisposition, and then left the building. On tian movement in Ceylon may in the the following Tuesday, two French of- present and coming generations raise ficers and some soldiers went to Ambo- up and send forth multitudes of volunhimanambold, and fully confirmed teers to be witnesses to Christ unto the what had been done on the Sunday. uttermost parts of the far East? About a dozen buildings in this same district have been taken from the Protestants and given to the Roman Catholics.
Another heavy blow has been dealt to the cause of Protestant missions b,v the seizure of the large Mission Hospital. This has been taken from us by the authorities; and' for buildings that
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, D.D.
Extracts and Translations from Foreign brought piecemeal to J'Iohammed, as Periodicals. occasion required. The Koran was sent from heaven in the Arab tongue, BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, says Abu Khaldre.' It will be seen MASS. that the only attitude possible to the Mohammedan in regard to the Koran is MOHAMMEDANISM. one of absolute, unquestioning accept- ance. All human influence in its com- The Rev. J. R. Bacon, writing in position is denied absolutely, both in 1. he Chronicle in commendation of the regard to matter or form; there is, con- Rev. E. Sell's book, "The Faith of sequently, no possibility of error in re- Islam," remarks: "We are not wish- gard to even the smallest particular. ing to undervalue the work of Islam in Not only is the Koran absolute truth of its early history in Arabia. Mohammed universal application, it is now beyond found Arabia divided by tribal dissen- the reach of any comment whatever. sions and without unity of faith strong To quote again: 'So sacred is the text enough to support a national life. Both supposed to be that only the com- Judaism and Christianity had come in- panions of the Prophet are deemed to direct contact with Arabian life, but worthy of being commentators on it.' neither in the form presented possessed Thus is the immobility of Islam ren- vitality enough to form aud direct it. dered absolute. A few men living in Mohammed founded a system which the seventh century amongst a people gave Arabia national unity, and which but just emerging from a low depth of awakened in the Arabian mind a pas- Polytheism and tribal life, are consti- sionate impulse to compel the new tuted the fount of authority for all the Arabian world into its own mold, So needs of all future ages. This is, of far his system was a success. But the necessity, the logical outcome of the very feature which made Islam a suc- claim that the Koran alone, of all cess in the seventh century-its purely books, was "communicated" to a pro- local color and form-is the very feat- phet by an audible voice.' ure which now makes Islam a cruel and enslaving force, whenever it comes into " Attempts have been made at various contact with progressive thought and periods in the history of Mohammedan social organization. Islam is immobile thought to break this chain which binds and· absolutely inadaptable to the needs it to the imperfect thought of their of the nineteenth century, however well early life. Within the first century of it may have met the needs of the un- Islam men had arisen who questioned cultured Arabic in the seventh. the teaching of the divines in regard to the authority and interpretation of the "To take up one subject only-the Koran. ' During the year 198-232 A. H. Koran-Mohammed was so far above these rationalist interpreters were in his companions in insight that he was high favor at Bagdad.' They arose able to establish a claim to actual direct out of the culture which, for a while, revelation. The Koran was communi- took hold of the Mohammedan mind cated to him by revelation through the under the developing influence of the agency of the angel Gabriel. The pos- wealth and prosperity of the Khalifs of sibility of a human element in the com- Bagdad. They were inspired by no , position of the Koran was thus disposed high motives, and their efforts were of at once and forever. 'The whole divorced from all moral purpose. The Koran,' to quote from Mr. Seil's book, orthodox school at length proved too •is said to have descended to the covert of the seven heavens, whence it was
EXTRA(lTS AND TRANSLATIONS
powerful for them. To use Mr. Sell's "The result was not slow in coming. words: 'This culture was in spite of, In many districts people no longer dare not on account of, the influence of to speak to the English missionaries, orthodox Islam,' andperisht, with all its nor enter their houses. Nay, their very possibilities of reform, in the nature of domestics leave them, because they no Islam, giving us a proof of the absolute longer feel themselves secure under inadaptability of Islam to the changing their roof I needs of progressive human life. " How sadly humiliating for us, the " A movement similar to this one in French, to reflect that France is repre- . the earlier ages of Islam is now taking sented in Madagascar by such men 1 place amongst the Mohammedans in When we see the mass of intimidation British India. It is another expression and coercion of which they avail them- of the same spirit of revolt against the selves to extend their propaganda; immobility of Islam. That was the when we hear them threatening chains, outcome of intellectual culture dis- and see them even bring about the con- associated from moral impulse. The demnation of native governors as rebels, modem movement is the direct result simply because they have not been of the impact of Christianized moral, willing to turn Catholic or favor their social and political life upon the Mo· ferocious proselytism; when we see hammedan rule under the conditions of them falsely accuse the Protestant free thought obtainable in British India. evangelists and teachers, in order to The most enlightened and subtle of our have them thrown into prison, in the Mohammedan fellow·subjects in India hope of thus being able to lay hands on are the supporters of this new move· their churches and schools, we are ment. The object of their activity is obliged to allow that the worst enemies reform of the common law." It is to of France in this country are not the be feared, however, that it will fail like Fahavalos, terrible as they are, but the- the former. Should it succeed, the re- Jesuits." sult would be a new religion, essentially divergent from Mohammed's Islam. MISCELLANEOUS.
MADAGASCAR. -A very respectable jest-book might be made up of the blunders of people M. Escande writes, in the Journal about missions and missionaries. Some de8 MissioruJ for February, 1897: "0, of them are benevolent and ignorant, these Jesui~s I What infernal ability more are malevolent and ignorant. Of they have to draw advantage even from the former was that of a German tradthat which, it should seem, ought to ing company, whose officers, very cordturn against them I There lately ap- ially granting some requests of the peared a proclamation of the govern- Moravian brethren for certain business ment forbidding the mISSIOnaries, facilities, innocently askt whether the wherever they may be, to meddle in Moravian Church had ever had anypolitics. Now in the Malagasy lang- thing to do with missions before I uage the word "missionary" is always Hardly so certainly benevolent was the employed to designate the English blunder of a German colonial authority, pastors of the London Society and the who reproacht the German Protestants Quakers. The Jesuits are known only with doing so little for missions. He as 'fathers;' so that they have a fine took the receipts of the ·smallest of the chance to' repeat everywhere that the eight societies, and publisht them as English missionaries alone were in- the sum total J This is alluded to by tended in the proclamation, that they F. M. Zahn, in the A. M. Z. were k~own to be occupied with politics, and that measures would be taken -The eminent scholar and historian, against them on the first occasion. Dr. Creighton, late Bishop of Peter- . borough, now Bishop of London, in- a recent address, quoted in part in the
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Church Missionary Gleaner, gives, with- the almost inanimate banks which conout having it at all in mind, an effective trol that life and enslave it. We find answer to the great Roman Catholic everywhere that, if there are principles naturalist Mr. George Mivart's strange at the bottom of other religious systems assertion, that every appeal to the than Christianity, those principles have original form of the Church savors of been enslaved and rendered uselessheresy. Undoubtedly the endeavor have been robbed of their power of givafter a mechanical reproduction of the ing vital impulse to the life of those who original Church savors, if not of heresy, profess them. And the history of Chrisyet of narrowness and unintelligence. tianity stands out in contrast with the "When two men do the same thing, it history ofevery other religion. It stands is not the same." Difl'erent generations, out in contrast, because Christianity if they should insist on precisely the alone rests upon principles which are not same forms of worship, or policy, or capable of being enslaved by man's deeven precisely the same human form- vice_ It is true that Christianity shows ulas of doctrine, might become the many times at which its great spiritual more widely alienated in proportion to principles were enslaved by being their outward similarity. Yet surely turned into arbitrary systems; but the there is such a thing as a moon, and a power of Christianity lies, and always deflection from it, Mr. Mivart, as a has lain, in its force for breaking naturalist, would be the first to admon- shackles, in its capacity for renewing ish us that there may be degradation, as its youth, in its desperate instinct to go well as elevation, of a type. And back to its great spiritual principles, in surely, when the realization of that type the fact that in the person of the Lord is committed to human will and intelli- Jesus Christ there remains a power gence, the dangers as well as thepos- which can not be bent by human persibilities are vastly increast. How versity, or destroyed by human frailty, can these dangers be better escaped or lost amongst men's indifference. And than by a frequent visitation from the so I would venture to put before you, great Norm? What exposes to corrup- as simply a fact which may be proved, tion more surely than a hearty determi- which is writ"large on all philosophies nation to maintain that every doctrinal, and on all history, the fact that Christritual, and disciplinary form which ianity stands in a unique position as pleases a particular age of the Church being the only religion which can claim. is a healthy development merely be- and warrant its claim, to be the uni- ,cause it pleases it? Bishop Creighton'S versal religion. words, which. it will be observed, are not in the least controversial, appear to .. Throngh the ages God's purposes contain alike the true principle of a have been made increasingly manifest. Bound development and of rectification Now that we know what mankind is, from an unhealthy one. now that we know all that can be said, now that we see the whole problem of " We see in most nations of the the future of our race before us, with earth-in all non-Christian nations I clearer eyes than man ever saw it in the would be bold enough to say-that times gone past, we have a deeper sense there were once two principles, spirit- of what is our duty and of the means by ual principles, principles that sprung which that duty has to be performed, up in the minds of great men in the and therefore it is that we are bound to past; but we see that they have been have a growing interest in missions-an enslaved by the life that went on interest not in their great and brilliant around them. We see that they have successes, but in tileir slow and gradual become arid and lost their power, that growth. We are invigorated by the instead of animating the life of those knowledge of the way in which God who profest them, they are simply has workt in the past."
ENGLISH ~OTES
English Notes. to the true state of affairs out here, I must no longer delay to write. . . . BY REV. JAMES DOUGLAS, M.A. Now I must tell you something of what we have been trying to do to save life. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. As far' back as last March I opened a 'children's kitchen' at Murwara, our Indian Famt'ne.-C. M. S. Relief out-station, and ever since then about Fund. The specter of famine in the 130 little children have been fed every populous Indian Empire can never be day. I think it would be difficult to safely assumed to be remote, and now exaggerate either by writing or painting in the beginning of the year 1897 the the awful condition into which some of scarcity caused by the failure of the these poor little waifs have fallen belate summer rains of 1896, has wrought fore they began to be fed by us. great distress among the people. The government is not so entirely at a loss "The mortality among these little as in 1877, for owing to the increase of ones is terrible, many of them being in mileage in the railways of the peninsula, so wasted a condition that they can food can be conveyed to the starving never rally, and what little life they multitudes much more quickly than have soon flickers out." heretofore. In spite of this fact, the gen'lral position is of universal distress, The Claims of Uganda.-Rev. J. S, and to alleviate, in some measure, the Pratt writes most encouragingly of the suffering and want of the people, the work done in this part of Africa, urging society have started their relief fund. at the same time that at the present The society's fund, it is needless to say, time this continent is unique in its need is in no sense a competitor or a rival of and its respectability of the Gospel. the public fund. A certain number of He calls for help in this sphere of acthe C. M.S. missionaries are pursuing tion, and this help he states to be needed their labors among many of the suffer- at once. ing and dying, and they are simply unable, even if they wisht to, to stand Lower Zambesi Misswn.-A most inaside as unconcerned spectators of the teresting and promising field of labor is awful scenes around them. The many being entered on very shortly by Mr. feeble aud diseased among the men, and Mrs. W. G. Anderson in the abovealso the helpless women and little chil- mentioned place. For four years }ir. dren, who cannot be employed in Anderson has labored in Africa, three government works, naturally appeal to out of that time in the territory he the missionaries, and a small sum desires to adopt as his future sphere. placed opportunely in their hands may During that time he has acquired the go sursprisingly far in affording relief " Sena" language, and has translated and saving from death. portions of scripture, now in course of publication by the British and Foreign The Rev. C. H. Gill, from Jabalpur, Bible Society, and in addition to this writes: "It is not because there has has compiled a grammar and dictionary been no famine here that I have not preparing for issue by the Society for written to you about it. Famine has Promoting Christian Knowledge: been with us since last Febrnary; but my hands have been too full dealing' The district of the Lower Zambesi and with it, in addition to all our other its tributaries comprises about 400 miles work; and I have been largely occu- of waterway with populous villages pied in obtaining help from the Euro- every few miles, and this whole tract peans in this large station, and applying of country is, from a missionary point it to the starving poor. Now, however, of view, unoccupied. The needs are: as things are getting worse, and as the public at home need to be informed as 1. A sufficient sum-about £250 per annum-to support Mr. and Mrs. An- derson and a coworker.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
2. A further sum of about £100 to for in m!l.ny instances it has been misprovide a boat suitable for evangelizing directed. the villages, or if possible the sum of £800 to provide a house·boat to serve The Directors at their last meeting a3 a home for the workers instead of on took leave of six out-going missionaries, land. who were respectively going to Cal- cutta, Mongolia, Central China and t< It should be stated that the mission Shanghai. The missionaries each spoke will be conducted on strictly evangelical briefly and were then commended in and unsectarian lines. In the raising special prayer. of necessary funds the committee and the workers look to the Lord, and to Regions Beyond.-Mr. and Mrs. Howthe Lord alone; their part being to ard Taylor in writing to the friends at furnish information as to the needs and home, tell of the manifold blessings progress of the work. showered upon them in their work, and the way in which the native converts "It is very desirable that Mr. and in China-T'ai·Kang City-are being Mrs. Anderson should return in April used. l'Irs. Tayl::r writes: "It has next; it is therefore essential that been very wonderful to us during these prompt aid be rendered in order to months to see how the Lord can use, make it possible for them to do so." and has been using, our dear native fellow-workers. Some of them have Uhina Inland Mission.-A large as- been mightily empowered by the Holy sembly gathered in Exeter Hall on the Ghost, and in our absence, as well as evening of January 27th in order to bid when we have been at hand. they have farewell to five friends, who in response been really wonderfully used of God:" to their Master's call, •• Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred and Mrs. Taylor goes on to tell some of from thy father's house into a land the wonders of the power of the Gospel. which I will show thee," obeyed and In one place eight women have congave their lives to serve in China. The fessed their faith in Christ who a week two gentlemen of the party, Mr. Whit- before had never heard His name. field Guinness and Mr. Hyslop, leave England on February 11th, and the Poona.-Dr.. Grattan Guinness has others follow early in March. May the been successfully carrying on a mission Lord abundantly bless them in their in this part some time, and finds the labor of love for Him in the far East. work among these educated Hindus very interesting and encouraging.
THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Kongo Balalo Mission. – This branch of service has snstained a loss in Is Ohristianity Making Way Among the death of Mr. Aitken, who only left Educated Htndus ?-This is a question this country in August last. He, with which just now occupies the minds of other brethren, was on his way up the many workers. Christianity in its usual Kongo from Stanley Pool, where he acceptation is not making way, but was attackt by fever of a more fierce happily the Hindu is able to discern nature than is usual, even in that disbetween Christianity as a name, and the trict. One of the other workers was Lord Jesus Christ as a Savior and Lord, ill too, but he recovered, whereas Mr. and many among the most highly edu- Aitken past away unconsciously on cated have trusted in Jesus for salvation Wednesday, October 14th. . On the even after they had had their minds evening of the same day he was laid at poisoned by having read much of the rest in the little cemetery on the hill literature-so called Christian-which above Bolobo, all gathering around t() has been sent out from this country. witness the last duties being performed for one whom all had loved. The education of the Hindu often is a great stumbling block to the work, THE KINGDOM. in Foochow, in November last, in di- recting the contribution boxes to be -The recent conference of officers of past a second time, "in order to acforeign Boards took steps providing for commodate those who, on second a World's Ecumenical Conference to be thought, find that they had not been held in New York City in the year as generous as they now wish to be." 1900. A committee, which has had preliminary correspondence on this pro- -When Bishop Selwyn askt Sir ject, has received most cardial and John Patterson for "Coley," his son, helpful replies from a large number of then a student at Eton, who afterward missionary organizations in England became bishop of Melanesia, the father and Europe. At a similar general con- cried in anguish: "I can't let him go." ference held in London, in 1888, J39 But as he realized the call of God, he different societies were represented. exclaimed: "God forbid that I should Over 1500 delegates were in attendance. stop him." So he finally consented, saying: "Mind, I give him wholly, not -One-third of those who speak Euro- with any thought of seeing him again. pean languages speak English; one- I will not have him thinking that he seventh speak German; one-eighth must come home again to see me." speak French, and their number is not They never met again on earth. increasing. There are 6 great English speaking nations in sight, if the colo- -A corporation with somewhat of a nies in South Africa, India, Australasia, soul has been discovered. The Chicago and Canada shall develop. With an Burlington and Quincy railroad refused alliance among such nations for liberty to make special rates to the Nevada and evangelical piety, the world will prize fight, because it is an unlawful be enricht. event which should not be encouraged.
-Logically, evangelism always pre- -The Misses Leitch, those indefaticedes education; historically, it must gable Ceylon missionaries, have sent often follow. . . . If we can not be- out a printed communication in which gin where we would, we must begin they throw large responsibility upon where we can. The proper starting mlsslOnary pens. They claim that point is the point of opportunity.-Rev. every missionary ought to send letters E. A. Lawrence. home which would be an active force in sustaining missions. " Quarterly -In the strong appeals which are letters," "manifolded letters," "letters going out for special contributions to to a hundred friends ,. are among the save home and foreign missions from methods they advocate. Say they: crushing debts, should not more em- "If a business firm in this country phasis be put on faith in the good hand had an agent abroad who saL: that he of our God? Our efforts may degene- could not find time to write about his rate into confidence in the arm of flesh. work, and whose pet phrase was, 'Shall Dependence upon human expedients I do the work, or write about it,' how and alliances almost ruined Hez.ekiah long would it be before such an agent of old in presence of Sennacherib. would be recalled? The China Inland While nsing the proper means at com- Mission requires its missionaries to keep mand would it not be the wisest thing a diary, using a carbon paper to make to go first into the house of the Lord a duplicate of each day's entry. At and Hezekiah-like lay the whole matter the end of each month these duplicate before God in agonizing prayer?-North sheets are torn out and sent home to and West. the society."
-It was a happy idea of Mr. Ling, -Bishop Vincent has found in Brazil the Chinese presiding officer at the the results of the " self·supporting " Christian Endeavor Convention held mISSIOn work which Bis-.op Taylor Government had provided 7 medical began there sixteen years ago. It is a men for about 11,000,000 of people. story of pitiful failure. He says: Be- Thirty-nine years ago there were about tween 1880 and 1893 twenty-five differ- 7 medical missionaries, all told, in ent persons came to Brazil under these India. Now there are 140, of whom 64 auspices. To-day 4 of them remain. are women. One "became engrossed in business;" another was soon "engaged to be mar- -Bishop Fowler makes bold to af- ried to an explorer;" another became firm: "It cost less than $1,200,000 to "discouraged by ill health and difficul- Christianize the Sandwich Islands. We ties in the work;" another, "disliking now have from $5,000,000 to $8,000,- the administration of the school, went 000 of commerce, making in net profit to work on his own account." In one annually about as much as the entire case the "furnishings of the school cost of Christianizing them. From the were sold to pay the accumulated debt." South Sea Islands England annually And "none of the teachers were con- receives 10 pounds for every pound she nected with the schools long enough to spends there. From Micronesia the become acquainted with the Portuguese United States receives annually more language." The 4 who remain, while than $40 for each dollar spent on mis- admired for their courage and devotion, sions there. An immigrant is valued are pitied for their sufferings and for in Washington at $800. Each mission- the apparent waste of their lives. ary in the South Sea Islands is worth to England $10,000 each year. It costs the -In 1818, or 80 years ago, there were United States to support the heathen Da- a.lltold 357 missionaries abroad, of whom kotas an average of $120 each per year, 194 were in America (West Indies), 102 while it costs to care for the Christian in Asia, and 61 in Africa. Almost one- Dakotas less than $7.80 each per year." half were Moravians, 71 were under the care of the London Society, 48 that of -Mr. Colton, the chart maker, says the Wesleyan Methodists, 18 of the there is scarcely an exploration in any Church of England Society, and 13 of land that does not acknowlcdge its in- the American Board. Now, the last debtedness to missionaries. Carl Ritter, named society alone has 555 in the for- the celebrated geographer, says he eign fields, 358 of them women. could not have written his great work but for the material furnished by mis- -Says Dr.Valentine, an eminent Eng- sionaries. " lish missionary: When about to finish my medical course, I offered my servi- -The children of Mrs. Stowe object ces to the church to which I belonged, to the proposal to erect a statue of their to be sent as a medical missionary to mother. Her son, Rev. Charles E. India. A dear old gentleman of the Stowe, says on the subject: "If any- mission board, who had himself been a thing is to be done, why could not missionary in India, rose in his place money be raised to found a Harriet and said, that he thought it was quite Beecher Stowe scholarship at Hamp- unnecessary to send out a medical man ton, Fisk, or Tuskegee? Such a me- in connection with their newly-formed morial would, I know, be in keeping mission, as the Government of India with my mother's taste, and far more had made ample provision for the wants useful to man and honoring to God of the community. For many months than some brazen monstrosity scowl- we had to wait an answer to the ques- ing the unfortunate beholder out of tion whether there was room for one countenance from its ugly granite ped- – more medical man in their district. At estal. The ordinary bronze statue last the answer" yes" arrived, and so I ought to be regarded as a terrible pen- was sent out, and on arriving, found that IIlty to be inflicted only on great of- fenders." YOUNG PEOPLE. called for by number, and read. After many of them, short sketches were -Forty prominent speakers have given of the lives of the missionaries already accepted invitations to address from whom the quotations were taken. the British National Christian Endeav- or convention at Liverpool, June 5-8. -M. w., in The Golden Rule.
-The Junior Epworth League of -The Society of the Presbyterian Christian Endeavor of Vancouver sup- Church of Perry, N. Y., has recently , ports a native teacher in Japan, at an adopted systematic giving, the active expense of $50 a year. members pledging 2 cents a week or more, to be given at each monthly con- -An active missionary committee in secration meeting. The November a society in Toronto, Ont., has started offering was between $5 and $6 and a missionary library, has conducted a the society hopes to raise at least $50 study of China lasting for three months for missions the coming year. and closing with an examination, and issues a miniature missionary weekly, -There is a noteworthy society in each number containing a question on the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church of missionary topics, the answers to be Cleveland. Its recent report of a year's called for at the next meeting of the work, showed more than $500 given society. Some special subject for far missions, more than 5,000 books and prayer connected with the missionary periodicals distributed, visits 700 made, work is suggested for each day of the cottage prayer meetings held, an ice- week, and in each prayer, meeting the water fountain maintained on a city topic is considered by some one with street, and 2 members sent abroad as special reference to missions. missionaries, " Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God," is -The Rev. Soo Hoo Nam Art writes the society's motto. in the Pacific Ohristian Endeavor: We have a flourishing Chinese society con- -Three" missionary pigs" are being nected with our Presbyterian mission reared by an Atkins, Ark., Endeavor in San Francisco. It has about 25 society. The proceeds of their sale will active and 30 associate members. We be devoted to misssions. have also Chinese societies in Oakland, Alameda, Santa Barbara, and Los A~iERICA. Angeles, making 5 in all. These are conducted entirely by our Chinese United States. – Satan appears to brethren. be trembling out in the Buckeye State. For the following appeared in the Wine -The Presbyterian Endeavorers of and Spirit News, official organ of the Arkport, N. Y., originated an admir- Ohio State Liquor League, February able missionary social. Printed cards 24, 1897: "You are scarcely aware of were prepared bearing the following the activity of the Anti-saloon League. legend: It is but a little over three years old, and yet in that brief time it has accom- .some can IrO. Most can give. All can pray. plisht more than any other organiza- Y. P. 5. C. E. tion ever formed in a similar time. The first year it held 2,000 meetings, Vhat are you doing for missions? the second year it held 6,000 meetings, and the third 12,000 meetings were held On the back were written quotations in the State of Ohio. In all, the offifrom eminent missionaries, such as : cers and members of this League have "Where Christ leads and directs, I slandered your business and my busicheerfully go. I only desire what he ness in the presence of 300,000 people approves, and to do what he requires, in the three years, or at the rate of 100,- for the remainder of my life."-James 000 every year. The highest number Oalvert, Missiona,ry to Fiji.
These cards were passed around, of saloons in this State at one time was added : 7 shelters for men, 1 shelter for over 13,000; now the total number has women, 2 rescue homes, 3 prison-gate been reduced to less than 9,000. The homes, 1 slum post, 1 hospital, 1 basket Anti-saloon League has reduced the factory, 3 farm colonies. number within the last year and a half, 1,500. In the same length of time they -Miss Serena Rhinelander, of New championed a bill in the Legislature York, has made a tentative gift of a that would have made 60 counties of this new mission home, to be known as St. State vote 'dry' at the very first elec- Christopher house, which is nearly tion, which would have been this completed. It is at the western end of spring. And what is more amazing a plot of ground comprising 14 city lots still, they actually secured 50 votes in on East Eighty-eight St. At the Eastfavor of its passage. Two years have ern end is the Rhinelander Industrial gone by, and we are face to face with School. The conditions stated to govthe same issue again. The same enemy ern this donation are that within three is again in the field better equipt, years the mission shall accomplish with more men and more supplies than enough good in the neighborhood to he was when the Haskell Bill was de- satisfy the donor. If at the expiration feated in the last General Assembly by of that time Miss Rhinelander is the narrow margin of 7 votes. Our pleased, she will extend the probation duty, therefore, as business men, en- to five years_ If then everything goes gaged in the liquor-traffic in this State, well she will deed over the entire propought to be plain. We must fight fire erty to St. James' Protestant Episcopal with fire." Church for St. Christopher's House. The estimated value of the gift is about -The sixth annual session of the $300,000. Tuskegee Negro Conference had a large attendance not only of farmers, mech- -The Sailor'8 Magazine for March anics and others, but of representatives has a most interesting account of the of different institutions and prominent Genoa Harbor Mission, written by Rev. educators. The reports presented Donald Miller, who started that work as showed considerable advance in the far back as 1869 _ A sailor's rest has been purchase of houses and farm lands. built, and a steam launch is now owned The platform urges (1) increased attend- and in use. The annual cost of this ance to improved methods of farming. mission is about $2,700, of which the fruit, stock and poultry raising; (2) sailors contribute about $800. greater economy in living; (3) better preparation to meet competition by -The Tsimshean Mission on Annette skilled labor; (4) increast attention to Island, Alaska, William Duncan's not-, schools; (5) advises that the full force able achievement, dedicated a beautiful of community sentiment be cast church January 3, with 800 in the conagainst immorality; (6) recognizes the gregation. Offerings were made to the mutual interdependenceof the white and amount of $140. The people performed black races and pledges all to do their the building work. A fine choir of 30 utmost to remove the obstacles to mutual members, a brass band of 40, and a progress; (7) advises the organizing of reed band, supply music for New Met- Negro conferences throughout the lakahtla. South, in view of the steady gain noticeable in every department. Spanish America.-Dr. E. S_ Cam- acho, for many years a Roman Catholic -Since March 1. 1896, the following bishop of Tamaulipas, distinguisht for advances have been made by the Sal- his ability, fidelity and purity of life, vation Army along lines of social work has recently, from deep Christian conin the United States, or there have been victions, protested against the idolatry taught andpractist in the Roman Catholic church in Mexico, and has -was simply the clerical party. But publicly withdrawn from its com- a curious incident of the late war be- munion. tween China and Japan led to a revo- lution against this clerical party, and -Mr. Eaton, of Chihuahua, reports last summer this revolution was sucan incident which illustrates strikingly cessful. The leader of the liberal or the changed attitude of the people in revolutionary party, General Alfaro, that city in reference to evangelical was chosen president. He is in favor work. He had recently been invited to of religious liberty, the constitution has officiate at a wedding ceremony, the been re'Vised, and the first Protestant bride being a relative of families promi- missionaries have been permitted to nent for their wealth and official po- enter the country. Almost simultanesition, lind still Roman Catholic. At this ously with this revolution, a body of wedding these relatives were present in Christians in Kansas, known as the large numbers, witnessing for the first Gospel Union, sent out 4 missionaries to time a Protestant marriage ceremony. Ecuador. They have been cordially Mr. Eaton reports that he could not have received by President Alfaro and have been treated by those who were present begun work under favorable auspices. with greater courtesy had he been the bishop himself. When he first reacht EUROPE. Chihuahua, a notice was posted upon the cathedral door, warning men not to Great Britain.-These figures, taken rent rooms to him, nor sell furniture, from reports compiled in 1896, will food, or drink; and not to attend the give some idea of the scope of the work services of the Protestants under pain of the Salvation Army: of excommunication. No Spanish teacher could be secured for five Number of rescue homes ___________ 74 months. Number of homes for children. _____ 10 Number of food depots and shelters __ 79 -The Moravian Me8senger gives the Number of farm colonies ___________ 10 following item of news respecting the Number of factories and workshops __ 44 Moravian mission on the Mosquito Number of employment bureaus ___ .32 Coast)n Central America: "A cloud Number of heathen races reacht _____ 19 looms over our Nicaraguan work, and Number oflanguages used _________ .28 the present government seems deter- Number of Army corps ___ . ______ 5,469 mined to squeeze our mission out of Number of weekly papers _________ .42 Bluefields. It has levied a rate of $53 Weekly circulation about ____ 1,000,000 a month on our people for town-lighting purposes, has fined one of our mis- -The Bible Lands Mission Aid Sosionaries $20 for not keeping the church ciety has rendered most efficient help premises in proper order. Roman in many mission stations of the Ameri- Catholic priests have come to the can Board. It has recently reported capital, amI are working hard to try that, through a special fund for relief and bring the natives to their way of work, it has- forwarded no less than thinking." $34,000 for help at mission stations in Asia :Minor. -The last six months have witnessed a remarkable change in Ecuador. -Since the China Inland Mission For more than three hundred years, was formed in 1865 over $2,000,000 since the invasion and conquest by have been received in answer to prayer, Pizarro and his Spaniards, Ecuador has and without solicitation. In China, been under almost exclusive priestly where the work first began, only 2 of rule. The only religioTJ. tolerated has the inland pfovinces were in any sense been the Roman Cathclic. The dom- open; now, largely through its service, inant political party-the conservative only 2 are in any sense closed. In addi~ion, some 260 stations and out- stations have been establisht; and there afe 342 native helpers working together with nearly 700 missionaries. work in Formosa. The work consists of There are in connection with mission 42 stations, 2 hospitals, a college, and a churches about 5,000 persons. Over number of schools under the manage- 8,000 per,sons have been baptized, and ment of 8 missionaries. The children's Mr. Taylor has recently estimated that mission field requires about £3,000 a between 15,000 and 20,000 men and year to maintain its different agencies. women have been brought to the Lord -Monthly Messenger. through the instrumentality of the ,mission workers. The Continent. – The "liberal" radicals in the French Parliament are -Nearly 300 women last year were urging the government to expcl all turned away from the Industrial Farm Proteatant missionaries from Madagas- Home for women inebriates founded by car. They do not say a word against the British Women's Temperance As· the Jesuit missionaries on the island. sociation at Duxhurst. In the February number of the White Rib?Jon Signal -The Paris Missionary society is Lady Henry Somerset gives an account sending out 5 or 6missionaries to Mada- of a recent visit to the farm Colony, gascar in the Spring. These French which has attracted the earliest atten- Protestants will cooperate with L. M. tion of those in authority as a probably S. missionaries, and will, we trust, be successful solution of the problem of able to rescue the Malagasy from the dealing with inebriate women. The coercion to which they are subjected. scheme differs from all others in being on the village plan, consisting of a -M. Lauga, brought back with him model village of 6 cottages clustering to France 8 Malagasy teachers, who around a large house, on a farm of 180 wish to study the French language and acres among the hills of Surrey. Each methods of education. Four of them cottage is presided over by a nurse have been placed at JIontpellier and the matron from thc Church .Army, and other 4 have entered the l'Iaison des everything of an institutional character Missions at Paris. -Jou1'nal des .1B••ions is carefully excluded. Every patient is Evangelz'ques. .kept one year, and every means that love and ingenuity can devise to build -A wealthy woman of Paris has pre- up the physical, mental, and spiritual sented a large house handsomely fur- health is used to to cure them of the nisht and valued at $130,000 to the deadly disease of alcoholism. Y. W. C. A. of that city. She has also paid off the last remnant of the Y. -The S. P. G. sent out 30 mission- M. C. A. debt, amounting to $3,000. aries in 1896, of whom 11 were clergy- men. Of the number 10 were sent to -The German" Woman's Society for Africa-viz., 2 each to St. John's and the Education of Women in the East" Zululand, and 1 each to Capetown, was founded at Berlin in 1842, and has Grahamstown, Bloemfontein, Mashona- now been sending out missionary teach- land, Lebombo, and St. Helena; to ers for fifty-four years. Tho it wag Asia, 10-viz., 2 each to Chhota Nag- the first society of its kind, it is little pur and Korea, and 1 each to Calcutta, understood and ill supported in Ger- Madras, Bombay, Lahore, Colombo, many. It has now 6 women working in and Borneo; 4 went to America and connection with the C. M. S. in India. 6 the West Indies, 2 to Australia, 1 to with other societies in India, and 1 with Madagascar, and the others to the the Rhenish Mission in Sumatra. A Pacific and Cape de Verde Islands. friend of the society has lately presented it with a training home for missionary -The Presbyterirun Church of Eng- sisters in Berlin.-AUgemeine Mi88wns- land is asking the children of its zei tsclt r ift. schools to support entirely its mission -Be it known that the Orthodox Church of Hussia is the wealthiest in the world. As evidence of this, it is sick; in another village, which had 28() stated "that it could easily pay the houses before the massacre, 250 were national debt of the empire, amounting sick, some 400 having already died to about £200,000,000, or nearly since the massacre. The people in $1,000,000,000, and yet not be im- many of the villages are dying not Se) poverisht." This seems almost incred- much from disease as from want. In ible, but it must be remembered that it Harpoot city two houses have been has some very lucrative SOlH-CeS of opened for orphans, and it is hoped that revenue. One of the most profitable others may be secured. The Arabkir is the sale of candles. Being' <conse- pastor reports that there are in that city crated candles," there is an enormous alone 1,711 orphan boys and girls, and demand for them during the Easter no less than 683 widows, the whole season. number dependent upon charity being over 3,000. It is a significant fact that ASIA. of the £ T. 2,500 in the hands of the local officers from the collections made Islam.-Asiatic Turkey is a Moham- by the government for relief during the medan country. Out of its 18,000,000 past years, the sum of £ T. 1,000 has. inhabitants, barely one-fifth belong to been set apart for the repair of mosques. the various Christian communions, not What remains is being distributed at more than 1,500,000 of these being the rate of from 25 to 45 cents a person. Armenians. Darmesteter, writing of Another fact is significant that, simulthe Afghans, accurately characterized taneously with the giving of governthe religion profest by Afghan and ment relief, the taxgatherers have been Turk alike as teaching "no charity, no specially active. In one place at the self-control, no self-improvement, and door of the room in which the governbest qualified in the damnation of alien ment was giving aid, stood zaptiehs creeds." Naturally there are excep- collecting taxes of those who came out. tions to this sweeping generalization. The officials in other places are more But on the whole, the feeble minority generous, giving to those who had reknown as the followers of "the N az- ceived relief protection from the exacarene" have long represented in Asiatic tions of c011ectors and creditors.-Mis- Turkey the only forces which urge the sionary IIerald. Moslem population to charity, to selfcontrol, and even to self-improvement. -The native churches in Oroomiah gave last year for their preachers about -There are no fewer than 8 cities in $1,200. This is about 20 per cent. in- Turkey in each one of which more per- crease over the sum raised over a year sons were killed by the massacres than and a half ago for the same purpose. fell on the Union side in the terrible 7 days' battle of the Wilderness. In the -The following statement from Rev. fiercest battle of our Civil War, that of J. L. Potter, Teheran, indicates that. Gettysburg, 3,070 fell on the Union the new regime in Persia is not likely side. Twice that number were killed in to be liberal. For this is the first official the 2 massacres at Oorfa. During our order promulgated: entire Civil War 110.070 Union soldiers were slain in battle. During the last « In accordance with the exalted will two and a half years not far from that of the slaves of his most holy, august, number have been killed by the Turks, Imperial }Iajesty, the king of kings, with accompaniments of the most in- of powerful glory (may God perpetuate human barbarity. his realm and his reign), it is enacted as to all sorts of books, such as heavenly -Reports from Harpoot at the begin- and religious books, and other kinds, ning of January reveal some very sad that the import of such books into the cases of destitution. At one village of kingdom of Persia, and the sale and 200 houses there were reported 170 purchase of them, is dependent on the ference consists of the North-West special permission of the Ministry of Provinces east of the Ganges, and the Sciences of this exalted State, and like- Province of Oudh." There are 9 prewise the transport of these books from siding elder districts, and 90 circuits; .anyone of the cities of Persia to other 121 ordained native ministers; 15,t!85 provinces and districts of the exalted members; 22,393 probationers. Total State is also restricted to the permission 38,278. Sunday-schools 764, pupils ,of the Ministry of Sciences and the 38,083; day-schools 497, scholars 10,254; permit of the afore-mentioned Ministry, foreign missionaries, 20; wives of misin which permit the name and number sionaries, 17; foreign missionaries of -of the books and other necessary infor- the W. F. lL S., 20 mation shall be included, and, without the permission and permit of the Minis- -A missionary writes: "One morn· try of Sciences, every book imported ing I past a man lying near the road, into Persia, or transported and delivered and askt him why he was lying there. from city to city, will be seized and He opened his eyes wearily and said, eonfiscated, and the carrier will be 'I am very hungry. I have not tasted liable to punishment. rice for more than three days, and I can not walk any further.' 'Poor fel- The aet was to take effect thirty- low,' I said, 'I'll bring you some food, three days after its date, and so became and then perhaps you will feel better.' operative February 22. Away I went, and presently returned with a leaf plate full of rice-every India.-The Indian Home Mission to grain white and separate as Hindus love 1;he Santhals is under the charge of to have it. ' 'rake a little,' I said. The Messrs. Boerresen and Skrefsrud. man opened his eyes once more, and 'There are in all at the 16 stations of the looking at the rice, oh, so hungrily, mission, 6 European missionaries, 3 San- and at me, oh so piteously, he waved thaI pastors, 113 traveling elders, 15 his hand feebly and said, 'I daren't, I -catechists, 1 native doctor, with 2 as- daren't ; my caste, my caste.' 'But,' I ,sistants, and a dispenser with 2 as- replied, 'if you don't eat it, you will sistants. Mrs. Boerresen, assisted by 20 lose your life, and what then will be ,deaconesses, conducts the girl's school, the good of your caste?' •Sir, came in which there were at the'close of the back the answer feebly, 'if I lose my year 189 pupils. Many of these past caste what will be tM good of my life? ' the government examination with I do not suppose the rice would have eeredit, one girl gaining a scholarship of saved him." 3 rupees per month for two years. The boy's school has 157 pupils, 9 teachers, -Lord Radstock is right when he ~nd 2 monitors, and the efficiency of declares: But few people can realize the teaching and the intelligence of the the magnitude of the distress which boys is proved by the successes at the has come on our Indian fellow subjects. government examinations. In addition The Governor-General informs us that to the work carried on in Santhalistan, 37,000,000 are "in famine districts, a colony of Santhals has beel!- started in where there is not enough to sustain Assam under Mr. Bunkholdt's superin- life, and 44,000,000 men in districts tendence, and now there are 1 Santhal where there is not enough to maintain pastor, seven village elders, 12 deacon- health." For ihese, relief works are -esses, 6 schoolmasters, 2 schoolmis- already open for over 2,000,000. But ttresses, and 1 native doctor with 1 as- according to the Famine Commis- ,sistant. The total number of baptized sioners' report, 15 per cent. of the popheathens is over 9,700.-London Ghrist- ulation of the famine area will event- .ian. ually come on relief for three months, and 7~ per cent. for tweh,e months. -The "North India Methodist Con- There will be thus 5,000,00v practically China :-" We have had a large at-' helped before long. tendance at the hospital. We had some very serious cases last season, that China.-In China are tens of thou- cost us many anxious thoughts and sands of villages with small trace of fervent prayers that we might be Bible influence, but hardly a hamlet guided aright in our treatment, and where the opium-pipe does not reign. that the friends of the patients might It does more harm in a week than all our be led to look more favorably on us missionaries are doing good in a year. and the 'doctrine.' A woman from The slave-trade was bad, the drink is whose face we removed a large growth bad, but the opium traffic is the sum of said one morning, 'Are you glad this villainies_ It debauches more families lump has gone?' and when we said than drink, and it makes more slaves , Yes,' she replied, 'Well, I do not than the slave trade.-Rev. J. H1!li8on understand how it is you are glad, Tal/lor. and yet you are strangers. How is it you are so interested in me? It must, -Among the party of C. E. Z. M. S. be your' new religion.' " missionaries who have recently sailed for Fuh-kien, was Miss Codrington; -The organization of a new Preswhose life was so wonderfully pre- byterian Church, 65 miles from Ningpo, served in the Kucheng massacre. There markt the fiftieth year since Ningpo is also a probability that :Mrs. Saunders, itself was occupied, and makes the the mother of the two sisters who were 'tenth church connected with that staamong the victims of that massacre, tion; total additions last year were 65. will go out at an early date. It may Since the yearly report closed, how. be remembered that this lady heroically ever, there has been a work of grace in said, after hearing of the terrible mur- the church at Yong-YU (also 65 miles der: "If I had two more daughters, I away from Ningpo) which added should wish them to go to China. I 10 to the church and developt a good am only waiting till I am able to go many inquirers. This awakening is myself." It will be a striking object- traced chiefly to one earnest old man lesson to the Chinese of Clll'istian love whose witness-bearing is entirely vol. and forgiveness to see these ladies untary. working among them as witnesses for Christ.-G. M. InteUigencer. -The Grand Lama, living represent. ative of Buddha, rides a bicycle! TO' -The Presbyterian Church, South, such a startling and revolutionary is able to give this report: In the work course, who can predict the end? As. of our medical missionaries there is a for ourselves, we should never have surprising summary. The whole num- credited the statement had it not been ber of patients were: Dr. J. B. Woods, sent us by a senior member of Peking 8,762; Mrs. P. F. Price, 5,763; Dr. J. Mission, who had it from a source con- R. Wilkinson, 4,937; Dr. W. H. Ven- sidered trustworthy.- Woman's Work able, 4,659; :Mrs. Annie Houston Pat- for Woman. terson, M. D., 3,428; Rev. M. B. Grier, 3,000; Rev. R. A. Haden, 2,500; -Doctor Wittenberg is the name of Mrs. H. C. DuBose, 1,200; Rev. J. Y. the Basel medical missionary at Kayin McGinniss, 635; Miss E. B. French, Tshu. The natives come to him in 600; Dr. G. C. Worth, 235; total, crowds, and he has already acquired 35,719. Altogether the reports from fame as a skillful oculist. A heathen our work in China arc a great deal Chinese brought to him his wife for more full of encouragement and whom he had only paid $5 because she promise than they have ever been. was blind. He had bought her on speculation and did not lose anything, -Dr. Mary J. Hill writes as to the for' Dr. Wittenberg was successful in medical mission in Chiningchow, curing her. On his way home, the Rev. Douglas Hooper, but it helps us first man he met exclaimed: " Thirty to see what it costs to be a Christian: dollars!" The value of the wife had risen sixfold. "You will be glad to hear of our Christmas at Jilore. Petro Vuko's Japan.-In 1870 the laws forbade a wife and four bairns were baptized, and missionary to ask any native to accept the next day a man, not of the village, Christianity, and the penalty for any but who has been a catechumen for native who profest the name of Christ some years, came and said he was was death. But now the Church of prepared to part with two of his wives Japan is soon to begin missionary work and live with only one-the senior. in Formosa. President Ibuka, of You may be sure it came to us as a Tokio, and President Ogimi, of Steele blessed Christmas remembrance from College, Nagasaki, have been appointed the Master. Of course this means a to visit the field and report to the mis- much reduced income, amongst other sion board. Three thousand dollars things, as the wives hoe the fields are to be raised from the Japanese which yield the maize, which is the churches to inaugurate and push for- only source of income the man has. ward this new work. Yet, there are He is sending his children to live on the still those who tell us that foreign mis- station, that they may be the better sions are a failure. taught, this means the loss of 60 goats ($120) for each unmarried girl, the -In the Imperial Uuiversity at money paid as dowry by the bride- Tokio, are now about 1,900 students. groom." The time is not far distant when Japan will be able to boast of another uni- -The Thirty-fourth Annual Report versity. Efforts in this direction have of the Sierra Leone Native Pastorate been under way for some time. The Auxiliary Association, was presented new institution is to be in the old capital at the anniversary on April 29th, 1896. city Kyoto, where the Doshislta, a There wtre then 12 clergy, 86 lay Christian college, has been in existence teachers (of whom 35 were females,) for many years. 10,420 Christians, 6,340 communicants -Quotations from the Bible are now and 3,271 scholars in 34 schools. Th~ often used in the same way as are extracts from Japanese and Chinese class- sum of £2,100 was contributed, the ex. ics and Buddhist scriptures. A diary penditure amounting to £1,987. Bishop recently issued by a publishing house in Ingham confirmed 613 candidates dur- Tokio contains a number of passages ing the year. The reports from the from the Bible, tho compiled by non· several districts refer to day and night Christians. schools, Sunday-schools, school libra. ries, Dorcas meetings, cottage meetings, -Rev. E. W. Gilman, secretary of Bible-classes, temperance meetings, etc. the American Bible Society, New York, One of them refers to agoogooism, a has received from the agent of the kind of devil worship, which receives society in Japan a copy of the Gospel of encouragement from some who call St. Luke, prepared for the use of the themselves Christians. blind Japanese. "The volume is the first of a series of parts of the Scriptures -We have received the report of the to lJe publisht under the auspices of North German Missionary Society, the Bible for the use of the blind in which has its headquarters in Bremen Japan. and its mission·field in German and English Eveland, on the Slave Coast of AFRICA. West Africa. Whilst their neighbors of the Basel Mission, whose African -We smile when we read this from field of labor matches with theirs on Eastern Equatorial Africa, written by the Gold Coast and the Cameroons, 10st ten agents by death in as many tho a certain Jew made three attempts months, the NQrth German mission has to prevent her being an exception. had sickness enough, but no deaths. Some received the bad egg in the face, The income of the society was over others on the back, some on the head, £6,000, and the number of baptisms at and so on. Certain Jews who were not the different stations was 107 adults "lewd fellows of the baser sort" were and 24 children, bringing up the total most indignant at the treatment of our number of baptized Christians con- workers. The indoor meeting after nected with the mission to 1,623.-.Yis- this attack was about the best we have sion Record. had, as the questions askt showed a. real desire to know the truth.-&uth -The Rongo railroad has made such African Pioneer. progress during the last few months that the directors feel confident that -The progre~s of the Livingstonia. the locomotive will reach Stanley Pool Mission (Free Church) is becoming very in the fall of 1898. The average rapid. At Bandawe, Nyassaland, the receipts per mile show a continuous numbers in the "hearers" classes had increase from the beginning. About risen, at the close of the last session, 130 miles are in operation. from 456 women and 207 men to 500 men and over 1,000 women. On Easter -Eleven more additions have been Day the number of communicants was reported to the church at Luebo on the 120. Attendances at church have risen upper waters of the Rongo. This to over 1,000. The unnamed missionswells the number of members to about ary who, according to the newspapers, 100. hid 300 native Christians on the mis- sion premises during the late Ngoni -In a letter to "the Assembly of rising, and defied Chikusi's command those who help Nations of Strangers in to surrender them, was probably a Free Resisting Liquors," King Khama ex- Church missionary.-C. M. InteUipresses himself with the picturesque- gencer. ness and force with which we became so familiar during his visit to England. -Bishop Tucker publishes these He is thankful because they' •stand true figures which help to set forth what ill the word they spoke to him in Eng- the Gospel has already achieved in land." He is still struggling against Uganda. Readers of the Word, 57,380; the drink, but fears he will not suc- buildings used for worship, 321; sittings, ceed. He has "Europeans who like 50,000; Sunday attendance, 25, GOO; liquor exceedingly, and they are not the trained teachers, 192; other teachers 533; people who like to save a nation." He catechumens, 2,591; baptized Christhas rejoiced exceedingly to see" the ians, 6,905; communicants, 1,355. path of the train" in his country, but there is something in it which he does ISLANDS OF THE SEA. not like, viz., "the little houses to sell liquor in them." He begs help in this Madagascar.-The Queen of this matter, or it will kill his nation.- island realm for some reason not yet London Christian. made public, has been banisht to Reunion. -The meetings for Jews in Johannesburg h6.ve got to a very satisfactory – The London Missionary Society stage-called by some, ., The rotten has issued an appeal to the Christian egg stage!" We always hold a pre- world setting forth the lamentable conliminary open-air meeting before march- dition into which things have fallen in ing up to our hall. At the last open-air Madagascar on account of Jesuit per-_ meeting nearly every person in the ring secution of extreme "bitterness, aureceived at least one rotten egg. Miss dacity, persistency and unscrupulous- Arnot managed to escape, we believe, ness," and to all appearance because the French authorities desire to have it so. -The Queen under orders from Gen· west of Samoa which first heard the eral Gallieni, has, according to a correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, good news from the lips of Samoan written to the joint committee of the teachers, and in New Guinea there are London Missionary Society and the Society of Friends in reference to the nearly 20 more of these living and Antananarivo Hospital, built in 1890 at an expenditure by the two societies of working amongst the savages there. £10,000: 'Everything connected with the care of the sick which you have New Hebrides.-The "Dayspring" built on my compound belongs to me, missionary ship which was wreckt in and for that reason I inform you that you may not in any way spoil the com· October last on a coral reef near the pound and the houses (i.e. the hospitals) built there, for if you do so it will be a New Caledonia Islands, will in all matter for the law courts. So I ask you to leave my compounds and houses in, probabality, have a successor. From the shortest possible space of time and let me know what day I shall be able the latest issue of "Quarterly Jottings to enter and do as I like." from the New Hebrides," we learn that -M. Escande writes from Madagas. car :-" From four different quarters the insurances effected on the vessel the news has alTived this week that the amounted to £5,000, and as she origin. Jesuits have made simultaneous at· tempts to seize Protestant churches and ally cost £7.000 there is a dead loss of use them for the mass, and to place their own teachers in the Protestant £2,000. On the wreck being reported, mission schools. They give everyone to understand that they are all- powerful friends of the work came forward with with the government. and, unfortun· promises amounting to £1,300. It reately, the help which they got from certain officials gives them a semblance mains with the New Hebrides Mission of reason iIi the eyes of the natives. We are in presence of a very well· Synod and the churches immediately combined plan of attack, and to make head against it we are compelled to responsible to aay whether a new vessel prodigious activity.-Journal des Mis· 8ions Evangeliques. shall be procured.
Samoa.-The Mulua Institution has -From the New Hebrides Rev. Mr. done a noble work for 52 years. The aims of its founders, that every M'Kenzie, of Brakor, sends most pleas· village in Samoa might have a well· trained educated native pastor, and that ant intelligence: "I have had much some of its students might take the Gospel to heathen lands, have been encouragement since you last heard accomplisht. More than 200 Samoan villages are now supplied with pastors from me, for 89 have renounced who have had a four years' course in the Malua College, and some 5,000 peo- heathenism, and now there are less ple of Savage Island have been won to Christ by means of Samoan Evangel. than 12 heathens in my district. lists. There are 16 islands to the north· Most of those who came in this year belong 10 a small island, Meli, where in years gone by they were exceedingly hostile. The change whieh the Gospel has wrought at that village is ,simply marvelous; on several occasions my life was in danger, but now they seem as if they could not do enough for me.
To see those people in their grass school-church, already twice enlarged and still too small, all nicely clothed, so different looking from the days when painted and feathered, and to hear them sing heartily, praising that Name which is above every name, was enough to gladden any missionary's heart, and abundantly reward him for many long years of toil and discouragement. We have now 14 church members in that island. At Erakor, at the communion in July, we had the finest gathering ever seen here. Our church was crowded and about 100 had to remain outside. We have over 200 church members, nearly all of them took their seats at the Lord's Table, and 21 sat down for the first time."
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1893
THE QUESTION OF ENDOWING MISSION CHURCHES. [Mar<'h
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XVI. No. B.-Old &ries.—MAROH. —VOL. VI. No. B.-New &riel.
THE QUESTION OF ENDOWING MISSION CHURCHES.
BY REV. EDWARD JUDSON, D.D., NEW YORK CITY.
The Christian finds himself within the large embrace of three concentric horizons. The outermost is the Spiritual Church, that vague and majestic conception which glimmers here and there in Holy Scripture and reminds us that all souls, whether dwelling on this green earth or in any other world, who turn reverently and obediently to what light they have, belong to one flock and have one Shepherd. It is not to this, of course, that the term church relates, as it occurs in the subject of our discussion. Again, there is a second religious horizon that environs us less remote and more definite. Within the Spiritual Church we find rigid ecclesiastical crystallizations, with one or another of which each one of us has come somehow or other to be identified. We are Romanist, or Anglican, or Wes- 1eyan' or Baptist, or Congregationali.st, or Presbyterian. These social organisms are called denominations or communions, and sometimes in loose and popular phrase, with slight if any vestige of scriptural warrant, churches. It is not to these religious phenomena that we refer when we speak of endowing churches. No one ever thinks, in this country at least, for instance, of endowing the Anglican communion. Our subje~t relates I'ather to what is sometimes called the local church, which constitutes our innermost ecclesiastical horizon. It includes those believers in Christ who habitually meet together for worship. They form a society into which new members are initiated by baptism. It is their custom at stated seasons to take the bread and the chalice in memory of Christ. They remind each other of His teachings, and they praise and adore the Eternal God as foreshortened and revealed to the human consciousness in His personality and character. In these ways they help one another to become like Him. Nor is this all. They endeavor to change for the better the character of the circumjacent community, which they call the world, by bringing into the consciousness of individuals those great truths concerning God and duty and the future life which Christ taught and exemphfied. This they accomplish by preaching, by private conversation, by the symbolism of the sacraments, and especially by their blameless and disinterested r.ehavior, which reflects tt.e image of their Master as the rising sun is mirrored in the glassy surface of a mountain lake. As Whit. . tier writes regarding a departed saint: "The dear Lord's best interpreters Are humble human souls; The gospel of a life like hers Is more than books or scrolls.
.. From scheme and creed the light goes out, The saintly fact survives; The blessed Master none can doubt, Revealed in holy lives."
It is regarding the local Church, then, that we pursue the inquiry whether it is desirable that it should be endowed. . Should large sums of money be bestowed for the purpose of securing to the Church a perennial revenue to be applied to its work and worship ~ It seems to me this depends upon the character of its environment. If a church is imbeddeC' in a community which is predomina.ntly Christian in its spirit, where there exists an underlying consciousness that is responsive and congenial to evangelical truth, then there may be no need of endowment. The ordinary appliances of religion-the worship, the pr.eaching, and the Sunday-schoolwill suffice; and enough decent, church-going people will nat11ralIy flow in to meet the expenses of the establishment. If, however, the Church is situated in a population the inner consciousness of which is heathenish and antagonistic to the Gospel, then will spring up the necessity of an endowment. The best appliances are requisite in the way of preaching, architecture, and music, because the Church is confronted with the difficult task of impressing and attracting those who are essentially indifferent, and even hostile. But it is so poor that it cannot meet the expenses of such appliances. And then the forces that converge against it are so tremendous that, besides paying its ordinary current expenses, it must use at least an equal sum upon its field in aggressive work, or else it will be sure to go to the walL 'Vithout endowment its outlook becomes hopeless.
It seems, then, that there are two different kinds of field open for church work. There are places where the prevailing social influences are favorable to the building up of evangelical churches. If you have a good minister, attractive music, and stately architecture, the church seems to grow itself. Real estate keeps appreciating, decent and respectable ~hurch-going people come streaming into the neighborhood, and they naturally find their way into the sacred edifices that have been prepared for their use. The minister preaches two good sermons on Sunday, delivers his midweek address, performs his round of faithful pastoral visitation, and at the end of a year or two rejoices to see his pews comfortably full. He fancies perhaps that he does it aIL But he is like a boy rowing down stream. The oars are reinforced by the steady, swift current. If he is a shrewd man he will always be careful to select a place where the social currents converge in his favor. He will call it securing a strategic position. He will never know what it is to fail. He knows how to avail himself of a general tendency. But it is as if a workman should use the strongest- tools where there was the easiest work to do, or a general were to train his heaviest guns upon the weakest point in the enemy's line, or a physician were to inject his most potent medicaments into the least dis- eased portions of his patient's body. In pursuance of this policy our evangelical churches have been steadily retreating up Manhattan Island, until it begins to look as if we were to be whipped off the field. We are like a man who in his sleep pulls the bedclothes up around his neck, leav- ing his legs stark and bare. This is not a plea for down-town churches. I am coming to feel that our hardest field is the great middle belt of our city_ If I am not mistaken, all of our churches had better reef themselves up for a long, steady blow. We have made the mistake of huddling our best preachers and our most amply equipped churches in that part of the city where they are least needed; and, on the other hand, just where the population is densest and materialism most strongly entrenched we bring to bear our cheapest and poorest gospel appliances. But the churches cannot escape the great masses which they have left behind. We catch their diseases; they have a saloon on every corner; they outvote us and control our municipal politics; while we, in our Chickering Hall confer- ences, like righteous Lot of old, vex our righteous souls day by day with the filthy conversation of the wicked.
As ancient Rome assumed such an attitude toward the rest of human- ity that she had either to conquer the world or be herself annihilated, so -the Christian Church, in her relation to the huge masses of alien and unevangelical life with which the lower parts of our great cities are being solidly packed, must either penetrate them with her spirit and sub- due them into receptiveness, or confess herself a conspicuous failure. From these ever-widening social swamps there steals upward a dense miasma, which poisons not only our municipal life, but, through that, the State and country at large. Alien forces are gradually engulfing us, as in a case of dropsy the water creeps on and up until the vitals are flooded. The conflict for Christ in the evil neighborhoods of our large cities is simply a Waterloo issue. As Goethe has it : " Thou must rise or fall, Thou must rule and win, Or else serve and lose, Suffer or triumph; Be anvil or hammer."
A church that pulls out of the slums in order to secure a more favorable and congenial environment is like the hard-pres:;ed ostrich, that hides its head in the sand from its pursuers. Such a policy is a violation of the fundamental principles of the Gospel. Such churches cease to be essentially Christian. They are pagan forms of social crystallization, with a thin gilded veneer of Christianity. They have Christ's religion with the bottom fallen out. They spcnd oceans of money in satisfying their own pious sensibilities with fine preaching, exquisite music, and solemn architecture, and yet wonder that they make no converts. They do not touch social sores, and do little or nothing to change for the better the character of the city in which we live. They are splendid illustrations of refined. pious selfishness. The world sees through it all and turns infidel.
The minister or church that pursues this policy may meet with swiftfooted success. At the end of a year or two the pastor will be made glad by seeing beforc him a large audience, and the church officers will have no ugly deficit to wrestle with. But the very swiftness of your success awakens your misgivings. You begin to be suspicious of so speedy a victory. You recall St. John's profound generalization-we know that the whole u)orld lieth in the wicked one-and you wonder that, with this environment, the Church of Christ should advance with such long, easy strides. You begin to ask yourself the question that fell from the lips of the aged patriarch Isaac, when his younger son undertook to palm himself off as the elder, and spread before him the savory but premature dish of venison: "How is it thou hast found it so quickly. my SO'/ll,.2" You proceed to analyze the audience that you have gathered, and you discover tllllt it is made up of individuals who were good church· going people before. You explore the ecclesiastical pedigree of those who fill your pews, and you find that they are ,·egistered. You have only succeeded in getting a handful here and a handful there, from this church and from that. There is no production of new material. It is a mere sleight-of-hand performance. It is as when you turn a kaleidoscope and the same identical pieces of glass shift and only form a new combination. You have really made no impression upon the great non-church-going mass. The acute pleasure you experience in seeing so many people in your church is a good de31 mitigated by the thought that another minister, here and there, is correspondingly depressed by observing their absence from his. Many a so-called successful church is built up at the expense of a score of feebler ecclesiastical growths. Is there in this any real gain to the cause of Christ in the world ~ It is the duty of the Church! then, not to turn itself into a travelling show, but to stick to its field, provided humanity is there, no matter how degraded and unresponsive. Let it change not its place, but its methods, gearing itself anew for the kind of people God sends. Let it cling at least to the edges of our social swamps. The only way in which the ignorant and vicious will ever be improved is by close contact with the intelligent and the pure, who shall come among them in the spirit of the One that laid His glory by and took upon Himself the form of a slave. The Church cannot lift the masses at arm's length. Her methods too often remind us of the grim, heartless joke perpetrated on us in our boyhood when we fell down and were saluted with the cheering words : " Come here, sonny, and r II pick you up."
But the Chutch must not only keep close to the common people, but it must adopt new and aggreSSive methods, educational, philanthropic, and evangelistic. The sermons and addresses and the pastoral work which, in a more congenial field, seemed to accomplish so much, now prove ineffec- tive. Amid the worn-out conditions of our down-town churches, all that the Angel Gabriel could do on the old plan would be merely to retard the process of decay. Some say the simple Gospel is enough. Yes, but how are you going to bring people within the sound of it ~ You are like a per- son ringing a bell in a vacuum. Humanitarian measures are required in order to pull humanity around and direct its sad, averted gaze toward the cross.
'As to the suggestion of definite methods, one becomes instinctively shy and reserved. Fields are so different. What wiII succeed in one place will fail in another. We cannot afford to be dogmatic. We make so many mistakes and must so often noiselessly retrace our footsteps. We have to feel our way along like a ferry-boat entering its slip.
Of one thing, however, we may be sure: it is that the worst need the best. Cheap appliances will fail. We shall never reach the people with our servants' dining-rooms and our cold victuals. They must have the best preaching, the best music, the best architecture. The Salvation Army has made its mistake in this country by trying to palm off on the people a cheap and sensational religion. The persecution which it incurs and glories in is often due to the outraged reverence and sense of decency which you wiII find in the lowest classes. There is truth in Lowell's Yan- kee phrase, " 'T",int a knowin' kind of cattle That is ketched with mouldy corn."
The whole grade of worship and instruction must be kept at its highest level. It is a mistake to suppose that plain people wiII be attracted by cheap and nasty surroundings. They wiII feel happiest and most at home in the finest church edifices, provided, of course, that these are near at hand. The poor enjoy the feeling of ownership and responsibility in a beautiful house of God. I would put the finest churches among the poor and the cheapest among the rich.
But besides the services of the church, which should be frequent, attractive, and inspiring, there should be close at hand social appliances for work among young men-sitting-room, library and reading-room, gymnasium, and other provisions which the Young Men's Christian Association has found so useful. What is more important still, let the churches reach after child-life, especially among foreigners. This can be done by Sunday-schoo18, singing-schools, industrial Ichools, kindergartens, and even primary day-school, as well as day-nurseries. In this way the Church can control the whole educational life of the child, both on Sundays and week-.
'tHE OVKRFLow O]j'
days, from iufancy to the age of ten. This is a much more roundabout and expensive way of changing the character of our city than by legisla- tion; but it is the only way in which the task can be accomplished. And for work of this kind the Church needs endowment. My equation is that a church will need to use on its field each year a sum equal to what it re- quires for its ordinary current expenses. The revenue from its endow- ment should be as rigidly as possible applied not to the· current expenses, but to the aggressive work which it must do in order to breed up and to bring in people who will cheerfully pay the current expenses. If the reve- nue of the endowment be used for the support of the clergy and other ordinary current expenses, the offerings of the people being applied to mission work, the tendency will be >to raise a breed of ecclesiastical paupers and spongers.
The question how to secure an endowment is too wide and varied to be treated in this paper. The thought of endowment may be incorporated in the erection of a church edifice. A part of the ground may be improved with a view to purely ecclesiastical and financially unproductive uses; while the rest may be occupied by a revenue-bearing building. I sometimes think that our churches are very extravagant in their use of property. In a part of the city, for instance, where worldly men are erecting structures from six to sixteen stories above ground, with two or three floors under the earth, and using these buildings during all of the twentyfour hours of every day for business and for residence, you will see the people of God spreading out their edifice with a frontage of one hundred and fifty feet and occupying a single floor, with their church proper and Sunday-school room placed side by side. And this space, which they enclose and shut in from the cheerful habitations of men, they use about ten hours a week. The rest of the time it is occupied by mice, silence, and gloom. It is no wonder that they try to shirk the burden of taxation. A business conducted with such extravagance would be strung up on the reef of bankruptcy within six months. The question arises, Could not a part of this valuable ground be so improved as to secure to the church a permanent endowment for its missionary, philanthropic, and educational needs ~ THE OVERFLOW OF MISSIONS.
BY REV. A. J. GORDON, D.D.
In this closing decade of the nineteenth century the stream of missionary effort seems to be overflowing its banks and making for itself many new channels. The old societies continue their noble work, bllt the rising tide of enthusiasm will no longer confine itself to these. Vast numbers of men and women are being influenced by the Holy Spirit to enter upon the work of foreign missions, and in proportion to the strength of the movement will inevitably be the "differences of administration" and the " diversities of operation" legitimately attending it. In all this the intelligent friends of missions must rejoice and be glad.
The demand for ecclesiastical uniformity which many are now emphasizing is neither according to the teaching of the Spirit nor according to the analogies of nature. The tree does not remain a trunk, but it ramifies and separates its substance into thousands of limbs and branches. ,. The scandal of a divided Christendom," so called, has proved the strength of an evangelizing Christendom in this age of missions. There are scores of agencies now in use for propagating the Gospel among the heathen when there would have been but one if the condition of solid ecclesiastical unity had obtained. Not that we would contend that the division of Christians into sects is the ideal condition-God does not, in this present time, do His greatest work through ideal conditions. Certainly the spectacle of sixty-five missionary societies laboring in India, forty-six in China, and thirty-four in Africa, and all operating by diverse methods, but in substantial good-fellowship with each other, ought to be regarded as a kind of providential compensation for that divided condition of the Christian Church to which we are largely indebted for this number and variety of agencies. So the increasing versatility of method in conducting missions which we are now witnessing augurs. we believe, only good for the great work of giving the Gospel to the world.
This versatility is manifesting itself in the following ways: First, there is a growing tendency for single churches and individual Christians to take up direct missionary work among the heathen. The article on " Decentralization in Missions, '.' which the writer contributed to the June number of the MISSIONARY REVIEW, has called out a large number of responses from Christians of various names. From these it is eYident that the idea is taking root in the minds of lovers of missions, and that it is destined to be more and more widely developed. In the last session of the General Assembly we find the Presbyterians giving considerable attention to this question, and urging its favorable consideration upon their churches. A writer in the Episcopal Recorder for August 4th calls fpr earnest reflection upon this subject, and questions whether this direct participation of the Church in foreign missions might not "work a revolution in the defective and comparatively inefficient schemes which have characterized the method of conducting the work of missions among' the heathen in the past-methods which have failed to reach the heart of the Church, which have obtained hundreds of dollars, where ten thousands should have been gladly furnished from Christian people, whose aggregate incomes run into hundreds of millions." • The idea of direct church-participation in missions is the central one; but this carries many other considerations with it-such as the distribution and consequent increase of missionary responsibility, the development of greater dependence on God, both among the home churches and on'the foreign field, and the resultant strengthening of faith and prayerfulness and consecration among Christians.
The most notable indication of the rising sentiment in these directions which we have seen appears in a prospectus, which now lies before us, of the Baptist Interior Mission. The movers in this enterprise are several men who have won high positions as earnest and successful missionaries in China lInder the Southern Baptist Board. The proposal for a new departure in the work of their denomination in China is not the result of sentiment, but the outcome of practical experience and of deliberate reflection. And remembering that the movers in this undertaking intend to put themselves under their proposed new scheme, their suggestions demand respectful consideration. We make the following quotation from this paper.
After stating their conviction that without a change of method the demands of the field cannot be met, and that under the new plan it is proposed to leave the coast and ports and to plunge into the vast interior, where millions on millions are still waiting to hear the sound of the Gospel, the authors of this prospectus go on to say : 1. We shall receive only a support, not a fixed salary, leaving it for each one to say, when he has come and had time to know what it costs on his field, what the amount shall be. His constituents will rely on his judgment and honor in the matter. We, the missionaries, who identify ourselves with this mission, now or hereafter, may differ in our opinion of the amount needed, and the needs may be different on different fields; but that the churches may have a basis on which to start off, we will say let them arrange to give each missionary annually: For his personal support, $300 (that is, $600 for a married couple), and $100 extra for each child he may have ; but " support" means support in his work; so, for house rent, say $50 ; itinerating, $50 ; and teacher of the language, $50. Total, for a single missionary, $450 (U. S. gold). This is less by $300 at least than is allowed the missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention. Yet it has been tried and proved to be sufficient for a comfortable living. The fact is, that more than jour hundred of China's missionaries are living on less.
2. Our reasons for making this reduction to a support only may be roughly stated to be : (1 ) We appreciate the fact that it is the Lord's money, given to Him mainly by those who are poor. We cannot afford to take this money and indulge ourselves in the comforts of which they denied themselves to give it when it is entirely unnecessary. (2) We wish to be more on an equality with our brethren, the pastors of town and coun- iry churches at home, to whom we look for sympathy and help. (3) Many whom the Lord calls to China seem kept at home for the want of funds. Now, the Lord calls the men and the Lord calls the gifts, and yet they are out of proportion. Are they out of proportion ~ May it not be that the few that go to foreign fields consume too much money on themselves and their work ~ (4) And, especially, because it is a principle of our religion, as was expressed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His mission to the lost He became poor that they might become rich. Among these poor people it is especially expedient, and we are persuaded that he who would be most successful in winning their souls must, like his Lord, become poor (also compare 1 Cor. 9 ; 12). 3. This support, as is expressly stated, is to come fr~m the churches, the divinely appointed agents of the Lord to carry om His command to evangelize the world. The Holy Ghost may now, as of old to the Church at Antioch, say to a church: "Separate Me–=–so and so-for the work whereunto I have called them." Two churches, or a group of churches, may unite in supporting a missionary; much as some churches have to do in supporting their pastors. These churches become responsible to the missionary for his support in his work-i.e., what they give him he gets, and what they do not give him he does not get-and he, in turn, becomes responsible to them for work done. Let mutual responsibility be felt, and just as sure as the living body throws, at every beat of the heart, its warm life-blood to its remotest member, so sure will the Church, the body of Christ, sympathize with and support its far-off evangelist.
4. That this support be a free gift. God not only loves such a giver, but owns and blesses only such gifts. This reverting to the scriptural method, the giver giving as to God and the receiver receiving as from God, will bring into exercise more faith and trust in God. will be more honoring to the Spirit, and will obviate the nuisance of begging. This allowing the churches their divinely appointed functions will insure against centralization of power, whether at home or on the field. It will render unnecessary so much machinery, and relieve the contributions from the tax of lubricating' and running it. No paid agents will be wanted. The pastor alld other officers of the Church will be quite sufficient.
Those of us who have served many years on missionary boards know how many vital points are touched in these quotations. It would not be becoming for us who are living at home, surrounded by all the comforts of civilized life, to impose such a regime upon our missionary brethren. But when, with a full knowledge of the situation, a thorough experience on the field, and a deep sense of the responsibility involved, certain devoted mis- sionaries propose this new departure for themselves, our heart and voice and deepest conviction respond amen to the suggestion. We have no doubt of the rich success of the enterprise, for it is apostolic, and therefore has the guarantee of the Holy Spirit's furtherance j and it is practical, having the experience of several notable missionary enterprises of this century.
No doubt the teaching of that remarkable object lesson, the China Inland Mission, haf influenced the movers in this enterprise as it has affected many other promoters of foreign missiops j for the method out- lined is very much the same. Whether the experience of the China Inland Mission augurs success or not, let these facts answer. This mission is one of forty-six now operating in that great empire, representing the strong- est and wealthiest Protestant denominations. Yet though one of the youngest, this society has one fourth of all the missionaries on the field j has sent out a hundred missionaries in a single year-a reinforcement which not one of our great Protestant societies, with their large wealth and vast co~stituency, has been able to effect j and is receiving annually, with- out solicitation of any sort, the needed funds for the work.
Thus we believe that the new enterprise proposed by these Southern brethren has the evidence of demonstrated success as well as the sanction of Scripture to support it. A widening of the channel of missionary effort is seen also in the in- creasing employment of lay workers on the foreign field. By lay workers we mean especially men and women without college or theological training. The proposal to commission such as laborers among the heathen has always awakened sharp discussion, from the days of Von Welz to those of Gossner and Harms. But the policy condemned by many is as strongly approved by others, both on the ground of necessity and of utility. The necessity appears in thc fact that of the large number of graduates emerging yearly from the universities, so few comparatively are moved to undertake missionary service; and the utility in the fact of the demonstrated success of these humbler laborers.
Dr. Warneck, of Germany, one of the ablest of living writers on missionary themes, speaks strongly on this point. In the midst of a plea for a " fuller representation of the thoroughly trained element on the foreign field," he says: "It is not to the credit of German Protestantism, which indisputably stands at the head of all Protestant churches by its scientific theology, that it sends precisely the fewest theologians into mission service. Do our theologians haply suppose that they are too good for such service?" This statement is a significant one, and his question is a searching one. The feeling is not confined to Germany that it is a waste of high literary culture to bestow it upon bloody cannibals and degraded barbarians. We have even heard the most fervent friends of missions say of some especially gifted and brilliant university graduate, "that with such pre-eminent talents for home service he ought not to go abroad. "
If in these circumstances men possessed of high consecration, but deyoid of high culture, present themselves for foreign service, shall they be discouraged? Dr. Warneck speaks emphatically upon this point. He says: "Not a few missionaries, indeed, who have gone abroad without scieutific training have proved themselves pre-eminently intelligent even in the literary department, and conversely, it is indisputably true that university training affords no general guarantee for important performances. Moreover, it cannot be denied that a considerable proportion of our missionaries, with their seminary training, suffer from a certain narrowness of view, and that thereby their whole acting and bearing is influenced not to the advantage of the great work to which they are called. I am far from desiring none but scientifically educated men for the mission service. We need all sorts of men for it."
We would put especial emphasis on this last· sentence : " We need all sorts of men. ' , There are dialects to be mastered on the foreign field beside the linguistic-the mother tongue of sympathy and fellow-feeling; the universal speech of suffering and pain. He who can conjugate the8e through all their sorrowful moods and tenses has the highest requisite for successfully preaching the Gospel to the heathen. Such missionaries as Burns and Crossett, in China. have read us a memorable lesson on this point. It is a significant touch, in our Lord's picture of the wounded traveller journeying from Jerusalem to Jericho, that while both priest and Levite passed by on the other side, the good Samaritan "came where he Was.'' The missionary who can come where the sin-bruised and dying heathen are, get down close to them and bind up their wounds, is the one most demanded on the foreign field. And it has been repeatedly found that the uncultured missionary has ability in this direction which the learned do not possess, and find it exceedingly hard to acquire. It has been our fortune to know two or three men who, with only the most ordinary educational qualifications, have yet achieved very remarkable success in their labors among the heathen. In every instance the secret has seemed to be in their ability to come close to the heathen, entering into their homes, and journeying for months together among their villages, and so getting " bap- tized into a sense of all conditions." Like fits like, and it is reasonable to suppose that missionaries taken from among the common people should be especially fitted to reach the common people.
Then it should not be forgotten that it is the Gospel, not the preacher, that is "the power of God unto salvation." It is not the magnitude of the man, but the magnitude of the message, which determines the results of preaching. Hence we believe it true that a small man with a great Gospel will do more execution than a great man with a small Gospel. And here is one of the standing wonders which we do well to ponder-the clearness and force and effectiveness with which many of our humble lay preachers are able to declare the Gospel. It is our privilege to be acquainted with a great number of evangelists. By far the larger part of them have never enjoyed the advantages of academic training. Yet it is a constant surprise to observe the simplicity and power with which many such are able to present the Word of life.
If such men prove excellent evangelists at home, why not abroad 1 Their training and habits of life have fitted them to live far less expen- sively than their more cultivated brethren. And here is a very great desideratum-cheaper missionaries and a far greater number to engage in purely evangelistic work among the heathen.
The work which Dr. A. B. Simpson and his co-laborers in New York are doing deserves the thoughtful consideration of the promoters of foreign mISSIOns. His success in raising such great sums of money through the simple agencies of prayer and faith and a deepened spiritual life, and his ability to send out a larger delegation of foreign missionaries in a single year than anyone of our great missionary societies with their vast con- stituency of men and means, constitute another impressive object lesson for the friends of missions. This work was begun as an individual enterprise by the pastor of a single church, and though now it has been organized into a society called the International Missionary Alliance, its methods are – almost identical with those outlined in the prospectus of the Southern mis- sionaries to which we have just referred. The missionaries whom it is sending out are largely non-college and non-seminary men. From our
MISSIONS, THE SALVATION OF THE CRtlRCH
knowledge of them we judge that they are mostly working men and working women, with little of what is called liberal culture j but they are brought under the instruction of thc Missionary Training School of Dr. Simpson, a school where the great essentials-a knowledge of the Word of God and a definite experience of the Holy Spirit's power in the soul-are much insisted on, and with this fitting they are sent forth to the foreign field.
This society, though only five years old, has now about one hundred and fifty missionaries working in foreign countries. About twenty-five went out to the Congo last May, and two other parties, consisting of sixteen persons, went to India in July and August. The Soudan Mission, which this society is operating, is a truly aggressive undertaking. 'The first missionary to this field sailed two years ago under the leadership of Mr. Kingman. Others have since followed, till the present working force is about twenty. Their base of operations is Freetown, Sierra Leone, and their line of advance is up the Rokelle River, which they have already ascended nearly two hundred miles, planting a continuous line of stations. The leader of this movement is Mr. George S. Fisher, of Kansas, whose aggressive work in this enterprise well illustrates our subject, the "Overflow of Missions." Dr. Simpson has received very large donations for his work, $100,000 having been contributed since last August.
In many respects this is an 'original enterprise. Its bold reliance on God and its apostolic methods mark it as an instructive study. We have heard conservatives question whether the kind of recruits it is sending out are likely to succeed. For ourselves, we have no doubt about it. They who honestly attempt to carry out the great commission are bound to succeed. The only palpable and culpable non-success in missions is that of the theorists and critics who stay at home and devote themselves to discounting and disparaging those whose methods they do not approve. There is no danger that too many shall attempt to obey the great commission ; there is no peril in the present missionary overflow.
MISSIONS, THE SALVATION OF THE CHURCH.
BY JAMES E. MATHIESON, ESQ., LONDON.
" For Adam was first formed, then Eve; and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression: but she shall be saved through the childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety" (1 Tim. 2 : 13-15 [R. V.]).
Which things seem to be an allegory concerning Christ and the Church and missions.
"The second man is the Lord from heaven" (1 Cor. 15 : 47). The tempter came unto Him and plied Him with manifold temptations j but He was proof against every seduction of the wicked one, and came forth from the ordeal without taint of sin, holy, harmless, undefiled. He remained the unerring servant, " the faithful and true witness," the obedient son, all through His earthly ministry; and to His Church-by the Word and Spirit-He continues the unerring guide, the" witness to the people, the leader and commander of the people" of God.
Eve is a suitable type of the Church. What is Church history? is it not a continuous record of failure, of defeat through the machinations of the adversary, of disobedience to the command of her Lord and Master, of uncertain, hesitating testimony ? We need not fasten upon the awful departures from truth which we see manifested in the apostate Church of Rome, nor upon the corruptions which disfigure the Greek Church; yet how shameful and how sorrowful that the larger part of Christendom to-day should remain sunken in the deplorable idolatries in which Europe thus lies spellbound, unable to shake herself free! Let us come nearer home, and look at Protestantism. Are Satan's deceivings not visible here, too, though in forms less repulsive and with consequences somewhat less disastrous? Our search for a perfect church, faithfully reflecting the image of her heavenly Lord, will prove a vain quest. Lutheranism in Germany and Scandinavia has degenerated into a lifeless sacramental formalism which exerts little influence over the lives of the people in leading them Godward and heavenward; the Reformed churches of France and Switzerland have been infected with rationalism, and icy coldness has crept over them; the Church of England, "rich and increased with goods," is backsliding into priestcraft, the leaven from which she never was thoroughly free. What a portent, that a Bible-loving nation, seeing no mention of priests in the enumeration of her ascended Lord's gifts to His Church (1 Cor. 12 : 28 ; Eph. 4 : 10-12), nor any recognition of priesthood in the pastoral epistles, should not perceive the dishonor to our one great High-Priest by the admission of official priesthood in the Church below! If we turn to British or American nonconformity, can we be satisfied with its lack of reverence in handling Holy Scripture, and the increasing disbelief in the supernatural? or with the infrequent remembrance of our Lord's death at the communion table? for without determining for others how often the holy supper should be observed, the very expression, " as often as ye eat," surely implies frequency; and can we feel complacent with churches which silently ignore the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour? What we have just said about nonconformist churches applies with equal force to the Presbyterian communions. To how many of the churches of to-day-to the churches founded by Luther and Calvin and Knox, by the English Puritans, and later by Wesley and Whitfield and Chalmers-might not the great aposUe exclaim, as he did to the Church of Galatia, "Ye were running well, who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" Ah! the hinderer came upon the scene, and with his seductions drew the Church aside and far away from her first love. The history of the Church universal is, in greater or less degree, a record of backsEding and of deterioration, because she has listened to other voices than the voice Divine; has given way to expediency and compromise, to worldliness, to traditions of men, and, above all, to unbelief in the living God.
But, in view of all this defection and unworthiness, how wonderful the longsuffering patience of our God! Instead of utter destruGtion there is a prolongation of the day of grace. Yet here a law of the kingdom pre- vails which we cannot afford to overlook: the Church-any branch of the Church-is" saved through childbearing;" her safety, her continuance in existence as a living Church, depends upon her reproduction of churches. And observe, I do not think we are to look to mere enlargement within her existing borders, the addition of new members in the sphere of her local boundaries, although that is sure to accompany the otlJer increase on which I lay stress-namely, the bringing to the birth of churches beyond her limits, or, to use the apostolic expression, /I in the regions beyond." At the tribunal of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5 : 10), when the Master reckons with His servants, may we be permitted reverently to conceive Him saying, "Who . hath begotten me these ?" and pointing to Africa and the East, the Church of England would answer that she was the mother Church; and for some of those in In.dia and China, American and British Presbyterians would reply; and to those in Madagascar and Mongolia our Congregational brethren would lay claim; and of those in Burma and on the Congo, the Baptists would own the parentage; and for those in Polynesian islands of the sea, our "Vesleyan friends ; and for those in Garenganze and Malaysia, the Plymouth Brethren; and for those in Labrador and Little Thibet and among Jerusalem lepers, the Moravian Church. But oh! the ominous silence of dead and buried churches-dead and buried because the law of their continued existence was set at nought; no daughter churches after their image, in their own likeness, to "rise up and call them blessed." Their name and their memorial has perished with them.
A word concerning the reproduction of mission churches in the likeness of the mother Church. In whose image does any true mother love to see the reflection in the child she has borne? her own or her husband's image ~ 'rhere can be but one answer : the mother delights to see the lineaments of her husband reproduced in her child. Is it so in the Church? Is there not effort everywhere tp perpetuate the special features of the mother Church, rather than a jealous longing to see imparted the impress of the living Lord npon newly born churches in heathendom and elsewhere? Is not precious time oftentimes wasted in the attempt to transmit creeds and catechisms and liturgies which are not essential to the growth and well being of newly gathered companies of believers; or to repeat, under unsuitable conditions. forms and ceremonies which hinder rather than hasten progress toward full stature; and which tend to stereotype, on far-off fields, those differences which-in some aspects at leaRt–are a acandal and a weakness to Christiani.ty ~ It is blessed to think of the obliteration of denominational distinctions in the gloryland, when the completed body of Christ shall acknowledge the one name of her undivided Lord. Were it otherwise, and the question could be put concerning the many-named and much subdivided churches which have witnessed and labored and suffered for and with Christ upon the earth, "Which is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven 1" methinks the Master's reply would be, "The Church of the United Brethren ;" and whatever our various preferences and proclivities may have been as mem- bers of the Church down below, I consider it unlikely that any of us would for a moment dispute this supremacy of the Moravian Brethren as a missionary church. They have shown us a magnificent example j why have we been so slow to follow it 1 The Moravian Missionary Society, begun in 1732, is the oldest Protes- tant enterprise for evangelizing the heathen. A few years since public attention was called to the miserable condition of lepers in India and elsewhere j but the Moravians began to carry the good news to lepers in Africa seventy-four years ago, and to those in Jerusalem twenty-five years ago. Of their income of £70,000, nearly two thirds are raised by evangelized native churches, which contain over 90,000 converts, a total three times as numerous as the members of the home churches, which have sent forth missionaries in the proportion of one for every sixty members, as compared with one for every 5000 members among Protestant churches generally. What significance in this last statement-how honorable to the Moravians, how humbling for Protestants generally!
There is a vast competition in our day and a great array of statistics with reference to the comparative progress in numbers, in buildings, in the annual revenues, and the voluntary gifts of the various churches. In this competition established and free churches and all the denominations vie with each other amid various experiences of success and defeat. It does not seem likely, now that we are drawing near to the close of the second millennium of Christianity, that anything will arise in the conditions of mankind in the leading Protestant lands, or in the phases of theology which largely govern the minds of men in lands ruled by Bible principles, to greatly alter the proportions which now obtain between the various sections of the Ohurch in their numerical Rtrength and social influence and power. Fluctuations there will ever be locally; but over the whole areas held by Protestantism no very marked displacements by one over the other are probable. Partial success of one branch of the Church will but stimulate to greater endeavor in another branch to replace what has been lost. Is it beyond hope that we may one day see a pause in this hitherto endless strife for mastery in seeking to gain the first or second or third place in membership, in edifices, in revenues, which now engages the ceaseless watchfulness and activities of leading men in every denomination? and instead of this feverish race for supremacy in an age which seems governed largely by statistics, a more prayerful pondering of our Lord's parting command, a turning to a more excellent way and to a nobler strife, in a determination to keep in the foremost place the vast neglected work which her Lord has set before His Church, " Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." The. competition for the foremost place in over-churched Britain, for example, is becoming a scandal and a snare, and a sorrow of heart to many of God's children; oh, for a blessed rivalry for that first place now held by the Moravian Brethren! Baptists, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, which of you will first abandon this insane grasping after more people at home, whom some one else is pretty sure to evangelize if you fail to do so, and go in with all your might for daughter churches in Africa, Asia, South America, and other virgin soils, where the sowing and husbandry will yield you far richer harvests 1 What a blessed determination it would be if, abandoning the extravagance and selfishness involved in building more home churches, some branch of the Church resolved to fill the mission treasury to overflowing, and called upon her sons and daughters to go forth to the needy fields afar off with promise of prayer and reinforcements? For the sad truth remains that since" where your treasure is, there will your heart be also," the heart's affections, the solicitudes, the prayers of the Church are concentrated on the home work and home interests, and but little heart and little prayer flow out toward the great mission cause. In point of fact, the" great mission cause" is a misnomer; it is a weak, spasmodic, half-starved affair; no hced or little heed is given to the proportions of the fields which claim our regard; we give profusely, we give our substance to home demands; we give grudgingly, we give our superfluity to the vast fields out of sight.
How does our blessed Lord regard His Church's disregard of His commands? I fear the curse of barrenness falls upon home churches because of their disobedience and self-seeking. The history of Israel is repeated in much that we see in the Church to-day. "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself" (Hos. ~ 0 : 1) ; unto himself, not unto God. "Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little.
Ye looked for much, and, 10, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it" (Haggai 1 : 5, 6, 9). Oh, the meagre results, the few conversions, the sickly spiritual life in Christian communities at home; the Gospel hardening, the growth of unbelief, the increase of ungodliness! Let the Church awake to her true mission in this dark world and yield obedience; and what days of blessing may we not behold once more! ~'Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesns" (Phil.
2 : 3-5).
THE LORD'S WORK IN SPAIN
THE LORD'S WORK IN SPAIN.
BY REV. J. P. WIGSTONE, MISSIONARY, LINARES, SPAIN.
Just of late I am up from Andalusia, where my present work is visiting other brethren-two of whom studied in the Pastor's College, London-and scenes of years ago have been recalled by what is occurring here now. For instance, I lately accompanied a brother missionary to a neighboring town to bury a child. The priests and the authorities appeared at the house where the dead lay, and against the father's will forcibly carried the body away and buried it in the Roman Catholic cemetery. Another brother was called to visit one of the converts in a dying state. He had only just reached the house when the priest made his appearance, alleging that he had also been called. He had a number of witnesses. The house filled with people, as is often enough the case here under similar circumstances. The priest raged and stormed and held up his fist in the face of the evangelical pastor. The sick Christian woman, hearing the dispute about who had been called, cried out: "Silence, all ! I wish to make a public confession." (Here the priest smiled, and approached graciously at the last word.) "I am trusting only to Christ for salvation through His death on the cross; and if I die I want to be buried in the evangelical cemetery." The witnesses of the priest told him they were needed no longer, and went out. What did the priest do ~ He went and lodged a complaint with the mayor that he had been called to attend this dying woman, and that the evangelical pastor had threatened him and hindered him in his duty. The priest's witnesses deposed that the woman declared publicly she didn't want the priest but the pastor, and that the priest had threatened the pastor and not the pastor the priest. The mayor took doctors with him and satisfied himself that the witnesses spoke the truth, the dying woman being still able to say she wished nothing to do with Rome.
A third friend has had his meeting-place shut up by order of the Governor of Corunna. The English ambassador has been communicated with. This is a case of trying to show by law that the door of the meeting .place must be kept shut at Santa Eugenia, when no such thing is done in any other part of Spain, nor has been done during the last twenty years! These are matters of the present time, and make the past matters along the northwest coast of Spain new to me ; and I will speak about the commencement of the Gospel in these parts.
The first meeting in Galicia was commenced by the" pastor" before mentioned and myself in the year 1875 in Corunna. After a month's search we got a meeting-place, and went to the governor of the province.
" Yonr Excellency," we said to him, "we are going to begin the preaching of the Gospel at Puerta de Arriba on Sunday night at six o'clock."
" Vho gave you leave to do that 1" replied his Excellency. We explained to him that the law only required that notice should be given to the governor or mayor, and that we thought it best to give the notice in this case to the superior authority, as it was the first meeting of the kind held in all the four northwest provinces.
" Let me tell you," said the governor, " that if you commenced such a meeting the people would tear you in pieces; and I advise you for your own sake not to attempt any meetings here."
" Your Excellency, we have come all the way from Madrid for the purpose" (a journey then of twelve hours by rail and thirty·six by diligence), " and we quite intend to go on with the meetings."
" Then" (here he began to be very angry), " I warn you not; and if you do, I will take you prisoners from the platform. I can't inflict previous punishment, but I will begin when you begin."
" Then, your Excellency, the first meeting takes place on Sunday night 1.t six 0'clock. "
We left him, after he had renewed his threatenings. I must say we did not feel very comfortable. We were a long way from all our friends; we did not know the people of Corunna, but we did know something of Roman Catholic fanaticism. We went, in our extremity, to our God, and cried for help. The day arrived for our first meeting. "Will the governor keep his word? 'Will anybody come to the meeting?" we asked one another, as my friend and I prepared to go down to open the door. As we approached, sure enough, there were four policemen in full uniform. "Are they going to take us 1" was a very natural question. The door was opened; two or three people straggled in. As the first person entered, one policeman cried out" Order I" As another went in, another cry of " Order I" was heard; and so we entered, and they roared out " Order," and that word for the policemen seemed to be the order of the day. "They have not taken us," remarked one of us to the other. " We are not at the platform yet," was the reply. But we did get to the platform, and without interruption from the authorities; preached with all our heart and soul to a small congregation of about fifty the glorious old Gospel of salvation instant and free to the repenting sinner that comes to the Lord Jesus Christ through " Jesus only." These occasions of speaking to those who have never heard the joyful sound before of the great salvation have been among the happiest of our life. Would to God that thousands who can do so would go into all the world and try it I The next Sunday, at about 4.30 P.M., we looked out of our window and saw the square filled with people of every class. "Whatever can be the matter!" we asked as we looked out. The servant said, "Why, they have come for the meeting." Come for the meeting I Yes; an hour and a half before the time there were about two thousand people there. Cornnna was moved with curiosity. Let us begin the meeting at once. One went to open the door while we got hymn-books, etc., ready, and when We went down we couldn't get in-the place was packed with people in a solid mass. We went up to the house, got down into the back yard by a ladder, and with much difficulty got in at the back door. Happily the platform was just at that entrance. What a scene! The people were perched up everywhere, even sitting on the shoulders of those who occupied the seats. Well, we did our best to "make t.he message clear and plain," and then asked the congregation to retire and allow others to come in. They did ; and in the others came. We had another meeting. After it the crowd outside cried: "Come and preach to us from the balcony!" No, we had no voice left j besides, if we had, that was clearly against the law of " No public manifestation," and we thought it well to keep within it.
For weeks people came from the villages near as well as from the town j so that we were obliged to give entrance by ticket. The American viceconsul was exceedingly friendly, and took the tickets at the door as the people entered. When we appeared in the streets the folk stood at their doors and stared j came out at the balconies and stared. Why ? Well, the priests for centuries had been telling them all kinds of queer storip.s about Protestants, such as that we keep murdered children hanging up by the feet in the cellars to be eaten; that we had horns and tails j and it was natural to be curious to have the first glance at such wretches. Nevertheless, it was a good thing that the one subject of interest was the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ, for weeks in the whole neighborhood. I may just say that we sold hundreds of Bibles, testaments, and Gospels, and distributed thousands of tracts.
The archbishop drove up from Santiago to annihilate us by a series of declamations against Protestants. The people went to hear him during the day, and us at night. They went out of our meetings saying, "The archbishop tells nothing but lies." Not that we ever went into discussions. No j we kept to the Gospel of free salvation to the chief of sinners by Christ alone, and the hearers drew the inferences.
The Lord blessed the preaching to the salvation of souls. " I am of your opinions," whispered a man tv us as we stood on the street one day. He whispered because newspapers were speaking against us, and we had many enemies. " To be of our opinions will do little for you. You must be born again," we answered. We had a long talk with him about his soul. The next preaching was from" The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. " This man was at it, and next day he came to us and told us it had cleansed him. His wife soon professed conversion. His aunt, a bigoted Romanist, with whom they lived, was in a dreadful way about this. He spoke to her about the Gospels. One evening she was alone about meeting-time, and felt a desire to go which she could not shake off. She went, heard, believed, and brought her husband. He was soon converted. The aunt had $42 (£5 lOs.) worth of images in a glass case. She burned them, and said: " Now, Jesus onJy is my Saviour." Women sold the butcher meat in the market. Four of them were converted to Christ. One, a woman over sjx feet high, haq been a notorious cb,aract(}f
THE INQUISITION IN MEXICO
-smoked, drank, cursed and swore. She was soon known to be changed. As she sold the meat I have seen her speak to her customers about their souls. On one occasion she took up a piece of meat, gave it a chop, then looked at the customer and said: "If you don't go to church for salvation you'll be lost." Another chop at the meat and another chop at the customer, and that finished that particular transaction; and then for another. A man was converted, and his landlord called him from his village, eleven miles from Corunna. "You must either leave the Protestant meeting or my house and land." "I'll leave the meeting," was the reply. "Do as I do," said the landlord. " I read the Bible I got from them privately. " "We will," said the tenant. So the tenant and his wife read the Bible privately, and read one day that Christ would be ashamed of them before His Father and the holy angels who were ashamed of Him. They feared that word and returned to the meetings. The landlord called them. "Yes, we have gone back to the meetings. We are afraid that otherwise Christ would be ashamed of us before His Father and' the holy angels," said the man. " You must leave the house and land," said the landlord. "At once ; if you will allow me anything for the labor bestowed on it, well and good; if not, take it, labor and all." The landlord was astonished, and knew he would find few such honest men as John, and said: "Well, John, you can keep the house and lands; and if anyone molests you about your religion, send him to me." John went home and offered the largest room in the house for the meetings in his village, and shortly after his wife and he gave a room all ready furnished with platform and seats for Gospel meetings; and the meetings have been held in it ever since. Indeed, the work in Corunna and neighborhood has continued till this day; not in our hands; but after we left to preach in other towns and villages of Galicia, the converts continued the meetings till God raised up others to go on with the work.
When we came out to Spain in 1873 we had a conversation with the president of the college, that Greatheart the Second-C. H. Spurgeonwhen he said: "So you are going to Spain and trusting God for support in money matters ~" " Yes." "Would you not rather go under a committee~" "No." "Neither would I," said Mr. Spurgeon. We reckoned that if God wanted us in Spain He would support us there; and though many supporters have gone to heaven, others have been raised up, and we have been helped hitherto.
THE INQUISITION IN MEXICO.
BY MISS LAURA M. LATIMER.
The heavy, massive door of the Inquisition creaked upon its hinges as it opened and' shut me in. I passed up the broad stone stairway, along , th~ wide corridor, under the arches of ..t..h~ e loftr stone columns, to the room my friends had prepared for me. It had been the covercd way to the Inquisition, and was of most astonishing proportions for a bedroom. In the centre of the room was a large brass bedstead. Beautiful lace curtains were gracefully draped around thc brass rods, that reached nearly to the ceiling, and with such an imposing canopy it lookcd as though it might have been the couch of an empress. In the dim light of the tiny lamp the dark, uncanny corners seemed to me to be only hiding places for the shadowy forms of those cruel monks who had been driven from Mexico years ago. I passcd back again down the stone stairway, through the open court to the dining-room. The room had been enlarged. Twelve cartloads of human skeletons my friends found in that mysterious wall four yards thick. The mortar had been made out of the dust of dead men's bones. The horrors of the place oppresscd me, and I was glad when the evening meal was over and my friends led the way to the parlor. The theological students had gathered around the organ with violins, cornets, and flutes, and as I entered the room they commenced playing so gayly the air " Bonnie Annie Laurie," that I soon forgot the ghostly terrors of that gloomy building. But how strange it seemed to me-the Inquisition of Mexico transformed into a theological seminary of the Methodist Episcopal Church! The great, gloomy, sunless stone structure, with its grated windows and brick floors and unwritten histories of untold horrors, erected to crush Protestantism, had become the training school for Mexican missionaries.
The Roman Catholic Church in Mexico had become very rich. The cathedrals were ablaze with gold and jewels. A statue of the Assumption was said to cost $1,089,000. It required two men to lift thc candlesticks of solid gold. The statues of the saints were covered with precious stones. The high altar was the richest in the world. The crosses were studded with amethysts and diamonds. The annual revenue of the clergy from gifts, charities, and parochial dues was more than the entire aggregate revenues of the country, derived from all its customi't and internal taxes.
The wealth of the Church was hundreds of millions of dollars, but the nation was impoverished. The war of Independence had devastated the country. The trcasury was empty, the soldiers were unpaid. The widows and orphans of the noble patriots were suffering for bread. At this time of dire necessity the Government asked of the Catholic Church a loan of $14,000,000, but it was refused.
Congress decided to confiscate the Church property in order to save the country from bankruptcy, and convents, nunneries, and monasteries were offered for sale. And then commenced the struggle between the Roman Catholic Church party and the "Liberals," and there followed a series of revolutions that plunged the country deeper and deeper in misery. A few miles from the city of Oaxaca are the ruins of the wonderful palaces of Mitla, the home of the ancient Zapotec kings. The rocky spur of the Sierra lladre has a wildness of beauty here that is unsurpassed. Near Oaxaca, in the year 1806, Benito Juarez was Dorn. The little Zapotec Indian boy was left an orphan when only three years old, and at / the age of twelve he fled from his cruel master and was sheltered by a good Franciscan lay brother, who taught him to read and write. In the year 1834 he was licensed to practise law, and soon became judge of the Supreme Court. He rose rapidly to distinction j was for several years Gov- ernor of his native State, and in the year 1858 he was President of Mexico.
Juarez was the leader of the" Liberal" party. The Liberals fought for free schools, a free press, and universal religious toleration.
The Catholic Church party appealed to the Pope at Rome for help to overthrow the Republic. An army of French troops were sent to aid them, and Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, was crowned Emperor of Mexico. Juarez was driven to the very boundary line of Mexico, and there he appealed to the United States for help. Our President sent a messenger to Napoleon IlL, demanding the recall of his French troops, for no foreign army would be permitted to remain on American shores. The French army left the country, Maximilian was besieged at Queretaro, tried by a court-martial and condemned to be shot.
The Princess Salm-Salm rode one hundred and sixty miles in a carriage, to San Luis Potosi, to see President Juarez to plead for the life of the Emperor. She said: "It was eight o'clock in the evening when I went-to see Juarez, who received me at once. He looked pale and suffering him_ self. With trembling lips I plead for the life of the Emperor. The President said that he could not grant it; the Emperor must die to-mor- row. I fell on my knees sobbiJJg, and plead with words that came from my heart, but which I I)annot remember. The President tried to raise me. With tears in his ey~s, he answered in a low, sad voice: 'I am grieved, madam, to see Y1)U thus on your knees before me, but if all the kings and queens of E'U'ope were in your place I could not spare his life. It is not I who take it. It is the people, and the law, and if I should not do its will, the people would take his life and mine, too.' The wife of General Miramon came into the room, leading by the hand her two little children. It was a most heartrending scene to hear the poor wife and little ones praying for the life of their father. Senora Miramon fainted and was carried out of the room. These trying scenes were too much for Juarez. For three days he kept his room and could see no one."
Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, was the brother of the Emperor of Austria. He was brother-in-law of the King of Belgium, cousin of t.he . Queen of Spain, cousin of the Queen of England and Empress of India. The man who made every throne in Europe tremble when he signed the death-warrant of the Emperor was a Zapotec Indian. This man, kind to a fallen foe, tender to the suffering, was nevertheless formidable. 1Vith black, piercing eyes, a mouth of inflexible decision, the face calm and serene, he had a bearing as royal as those Zapotec kings, among whose deserted palaces he had played in his childhood.
1S93.J 1'RE HEY. A. W. Mt11mAY, OF SAMOA. 18B
Juarez had paid his generals and soldiers in script, to be redeemed by the sale of the confiscated church property, and convents, monasteries, and inquisitions were offered for sale. No Catholic dare buy this sacred property, for the archbishop had forbidden it. With the fall of the Empire the way had been opened for the missionaries. But no Catholic would sell any property to a Protestant, and so it came that many of those costly buildings were purchased at a very low price. The old convents and monasteries purchased by the boards of foreign missions were often of startling proportions, and with an overwhelming air of grandflur about the lofty columns, broad corridors, and spacious courts; and so this is the way it came about that the Inquisition is the property of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Again I visited the theological seminary at Puebla. A large, beautiful garden, in the heart of the city, covering half a block, and which had once belonged to a famous convent, had been purchased for the students. Surrounded by a high wall, nothing of the noise and confusion of the busy city could be heard within those thick, high, gray stone walls. The figtrees were laden with their purple fruit. The vines hung full of luscious grapes. The jessamines and rose- bushes were clinging to the crevices of the walls, just as fragrant and pretty as they were more than a hundred years ago, when gentle nuns trimmed the vines and rested in those rustic seats under those great forest trees. I could see the theological students with their books everywhere in the garden-on the stone seats by the fountain, or under the shady trees, or on the broad corridors or balconies of their new home. The damp, dark cloisters of that sunless, cheerless, gloomy building had been abandoned. The Inquisition was vacant and deserted, but the huge key hung upon the wall, as harmless now as the bloody key of the Bastile, that I saw at Mount Vernon, the present of Lafayette to Washington.
THE REV. A. W. MURRAY, OF SAMOA.
BY THE REV. ROBERT STEEL, D.D., SYDNEY.
One of the few remaining contemporaries of the great apostle of Polynesia, John Williams, passed away from earth at Sydney, New South Wales, on July 8th, 1892. The Rev. A. W. Murray had been identified with the Samoan Mission for more than half a century, and witnessed the commencement and the triumph of Christian missions in several groups of the South Pacific Ocean. His life stretched over the most active half of the century of modern evangelistic enterprise, and gathers around it much of the interest attached to the wonderful success of the cause of Christ in Polynesia. He was born at Jedburgh, in Scotland, in 1811, and was brought up in the Church of Scotland. The wife of the Rev. Robert Lundie, minister of the parish, was the means of his firl"t religious impressions. She took a special interest in Christian work ill the parish, and was afterward well known as the wife of the Rev. Remy Duncan, D.D., minister of the parish of Ruthwell, author of the" Sacred Philosophy of the Seasons," in which his wife bore a part, and the founder of savings. banks. Mrs. Duncan also wrote a book on " America as I Found It," after a visit to that country.
Mr. Murray joined the fellowship of the Church of Scotland at Kelso at the age of seventeen. When he decided for Christ he also devoted himself to His service, and cherished an intense longing to engage in mis- sionary work in the foreign field. For this purpose he offered himself to the directors of the London Missionary Society, and was accepted. He was sent for training first to the Rev. Richard Cecil, M.A., the rector of Tiervey, a well-known evangelical clergyman of the Church of England; and afterward to Homerton College, London. Mr. Murray was thoroughly in earnest, and did his utmost to prepare for his work. He was one of a band specially selected by the directors of the London Missionary Society in response to the appeals of the apostolic John Williams, then on a visit to England, to reinforce the South Sea Mission.' So long as fifty-seven years ago, in 1835, Mr. Murray with his young and devoted wife sailed from London for his far distant sphere. He was one of a band of six missionaries, all except one being accompanied by their wives, who sailed in the Dttnottar Castle, a small craft of one hundred and eighty tons, chartered for the occasion. The route lay by Cape Horn, which was passed in the depth of winter amid intense cold and storms. Provisions were short and poor, accommodation was scanty, and the voyage long and trying; but it came to an end, lind in April, 1836, they anchored at Tahiti, where they witnessed the triumphs of the Gospel. Mr. Murray was appointed to Tutuila, one of the easterly islands of the Samoan group. In June, 1836, they were landed along with Rev. G. Barnden; but before settling a visit was paid to those islands of the group where missionaries had been already settled. In July they were introduced to the chiefs and people of Tutuila, and were left by the brethren to fulfil their mission. The island was about twenty miles in length by five or six in breadth; the surface was high, broken, and of a volcanic appearance. Its harbor of Pangopango was magnificent. The natives were about four thousand, and they were in some degree prepared to welcome the missionaries. 'Vhalers sometimes called at the island, and Captain Morgan, commanding one, was found to be a devoted Christian. He remained three weeks with :Mr. Murray at a time wben sllch a visit was unusually welcome. It was while Captain Morgan was there that he started the idea of a mission sbip, and Mr. Murray suggested that he should offer himself to the directors as captain. He at once did so, and the Samoan missionaries strongly recommended him. On his way horne the vessel which he commanded was wrecked off the Australian coast, but he escaped and reached England just in time to be appointed to the mission vessel, the Camden. For fifteen years he did eminent service to the missionaries, to one of whom he owed his knowledge of the Saviour. In those early days communication with England took long; it was actually three years before Mr. Murray received letters from Britain! Mr. Williams returned with 8 band of new missionaries in 1838, and in 1839 perished at the hands of the heathen on Eromanga while endeavoring to introduce native teachers. It was a great blow to the Samoan Mission ; but in Divine Providence it led to renewed efforts to evangelize the New Hebrides. When the call was made for a brother missionary to take teachers to these islands, the Rev. T. Heath, one of the Samoan brethren, volunteered, on the express condition that if he too perished in the attempt, another brother would take up the fallen colors and follow him! He succeeded, with some difficulty, in locating teachers; but these faithful pioneers had a severe ordeal to pass through among the savage people of Eromanga. It was as much as ever they could do to survive, and that only by the assistance of some of the more friendly natives at the risk of their lives.
Mr. Murray was an earnest evangelist when he mastered the language, and he animated his teachers with a like spirit. His colleague, Mr. Barnden, was drowned while bathing on December 31st, 1838. The whole work of the mission on the island then devolved upon Mr. Murray. There were thirty villages, and the people had become anxious for Christian instruction. As many as three hundred were candidates for baptism. Great times of awakening followed, about the very season of the revival in Scotland, in 1839-40, and many were converted to God. About this period Mr. Murray had the joy of welcoming new missionaries, one of whom was the son of the R~v. R. Lundie, his parish minister at Kelso. Mr. G. A. Lundie, however, died in 1841. During that year Mr. Murray accompanied the mission vessel on a voyage to the New Hebrides and Loyalty Islands to locate teachers in favorable openings. He had the honor of introducing Christian teachers to Futuna and Aneityum ; hut those who had been left on Eromanga on a former voyage, after the death of John Williams, had to be removed, owing to the cruelty of the natives. On arriving at Sydney a new reinforcement of missionaries were found waiting, two of whom, Messrs. Nishet and Turner, with their young wives, were specially designated for Tanna. Their settlement was unpropitious, and as they were in danger from the savage people, they had to escape for their lives.
In another voyage, in 1845, Mr. Murray was on board with Dr. Turner, and introduced native teachers to the island of Efate. On resuming his work at Tutuila, five years after his commencement, he could not fail to mark the contrast in the condition of the people. The churches were crowded with eager worshippers, and the work of conviction and conversion seemed to be even greater than before. There were not wanting trials and disappointments, sometimes from the violent conduct of heathen chiefs and sometimes from the defection of weak converts. In 1847 Rev. John Geddie, his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Archibald arrived from Nova Scotia, desirous of founding a Presbyterian mission in the South Seas. Mr. Geddie had, like the great pilgrim father, Abraham, gone forth, not knowing whither he went. He and Mrs. Geddie stayed with Mr. and MrE'. Murray till the John Williams could take them to the New Hebrides, where a faint hope had appeared for the settlement of a missionary. Mr. Murray accompanied the party, and in 1848 Aneityum was occupied. One of the Samoan missionaries, Mr. Powell, remained for a year with the Geddies. In 1849 Mr. Murray visited the New Hebrides again, and cheered the party in that outpost of Christian work, and removed Mr. Powell to Samoa. Shortly after his return home, Mr. Murray resumed his work; but his wife's health necessitated a change. Before that occurred, a severe hurricane devastated the island. Cocoanut and breadfrnit trees, banana plantations, native houses, and the church were destroyed. Food became scarce, and death followed famine. Only one provisIOn remained of great value in Samoa in such times-a coarse yam grew spontaneously in the bush, deep in the soil, and escaped the effects of the storm. Bananas were nearly all destroyed. There has, however, been found a merciful provision in the latter case. When John Williams was in England, Mr. (afterward Sir) Joseph Paxton. gardener to the Duke of Devonshire, at Chatsworth, gave him many plants to be tried in the South Sea Islands. Among them was a root of the Chinese banana, which is short in its height and yet singularly fruitful. On reaching Samoa, Mr. Williams thought this root dead and dried, and threw it away. Mr. Mills, one of the missionaries, picked it up and planted it on trial. It grew, and increased so rapidly that it was highly valued. Every teacher took roots of it when he went to pioneer the Gospel into other islands. At the present day the MUGa ChinensiG, or Cavendishii, is found everywhere from Hawaii to New Guinea! Famines of food in many cases of hurricane have been prevented by means of this dwarf banana.
In 1851 Mr. Murray exchanged spheres of labor with the Rev. J. P. Sunderland, and occupied Manono, where he remained for three ye!1.rs. In 1854, when the Rev. W. Mills retired, he was transferred to the important harbor station of Apia, in Dpolu. This beautiful port he calls " the queen of the Pacific." While discharging the duties of this station, he also supplied for a time the place of the Rev. C. Hardie at the institution for training native teachers at Malua. There 'he had for his colleague the Rev. George Turner, LL.D., who rendered very great service to that work for many years, and latterly, along with the Rev. Henry Nisbet, LL.D. Both of these brethren took a leading part in Scripture translation and in the revision of several editioas of the Bible printed in London. Dr. Turner issued the latest one in 1886 after careful revisio~. Some 75,600 copies of the Bible and portions have been circulated. Mr. Murray also rendered some service, though in a less degree, to the work of revising the Samoan translation of the Scriptures. He did eminent service in mission voyaging, and in performing the work of an evangelist. On one of his voyages to the New Hebrides he spent three months with Mr. Geddie, and consulted about the desirableness of getting a mission vessel for that group. Missionaries had by that time been settled on Tanna and Eromanga, and teachers on Aniwa, Futuna, Efate, and other islands to the north. Serious disasters, too, had occurred. The Gordons had been killed in 1861, the missionaries on Tanna threatened and obliged to flee, and native teachers had been in peril. It was felt that more frequent visits of a mission ship were required. This led to Mr. Paton's visit to Australia, and the successful effort to secure the first ])ayspring. Mr. Murray hailed this accession to the missionary fleet, as he had the cause of Christ in the New Hebrides much at heart. He was always forward in the extension of the kingdom of Christ. In 1865 he went with a party of teachers to the Ellice Group ; he repeated the visit and sflttled new pioneers on heathen islands. On some islands candidates for baptism were met, examined, and admitted to the Christian Church. Mission voyaging was a special delight of Mr. Murray, and he had great tact in dealing with the most barbarous islanders while endeavoring to gain their consent to the introduction of native teachers.
Except during visits to Australia, on account of the health of his wife, in 1853 and 1858, Mr. Murray labored at Samoa. A marvellous change had passed over these islands, fourteen in number. Mr. Williams, in a vessel of a most romantic history, as it was entirely of his own construction, sailed for that group in 1830 with a band of native teachers, who were allowed to remain. Two years afterward he visited the scene of their labors, and was overjoyed to find at one place a congregation of fifty Christians, distinguished from the heathen by a band of white cloth on their arms, and who had been enlightened by one whose only Christian instruction had been obtained from a native teacher on another island. There was a great desire for missionaries. When these came, they found a people prepared for the Lord. In ten years the faith of Jesus Christ prevailed. In Samoa, out of 34,265 of the native population, 26,493 are under the instruction of the London Missionary Society'S agents. There are some under the care of Wesleyan missionaries, and others under Roman Catholic priests. A seminary of 72 young men preparing for the ministry had been establiJhed. As much as £1200 had been contributed in a single year to the funds of the society by the Christian converts. Commerce had also come to the group, and the people had ad· vanced in the useful arts.
Mr. Murray adopted Baptist .views during one of his visits to Sydney, and he took charge of a small congregation in one of the suburbs for two years; but his heart was in the mission, and in 1863 he returned to Apia, where he continued for seven years.
His wife's health requiring a change, he proceeded to Lifu, one of the Loyalty Islands, where a large company of the natives had already been gathered into the Church. Mr. Murray had not been long in Lifu when the New Guinea Mission was proposed. A company of native teachers volunteered to act as pioneers in the new field, and Messrs. Macfarlane and Murray started on the important enterprise of settling them in 1871. It was a hazardou!I work, but it was successful. Mr. Murray took a second voyage to New Guinea with his wife in 1872 with eight native teachers from th… Loyalty Islands. Mr. (now Dr.) Wyatt Gill brought six more from the Hervey Islands. These were placed on islands in the Torres Straits and on New Guinea. Mr. Murray spent two years at Cape York watching the difficult mISSIOn. It was an anxious time, for some teachers had sickened, some had died, and some were murdered. The work, however, went on. The ranks were reinforced, and European missionaries were settled. Now a Christian Church is on New Guinea, and the New Testament is printed in the Motu language under the care of that noble missionary, Rev. W.o.. Lawes, who has just brought it from London.
Mr. Murray returned to Sydney in 1875, having spent forty years in active mission work. He then retired from direct service in connection with the society, but not from service to the cause. He visited England in 1875. In 1863 he had published a large and valuable book on " Missions in Western Polynesia." In 1876 he issued a narrative of his" Forty Years' Mission Work in Polynesia." He next prepared" The Martyrs of Polynesia," a striking record of those " who loved not their lives unto the death" for the sake of Christ. Then followed "Eminent Workers for Christ," a series of biographies. And he crowned his labors by publishing in 1888 "The Bible in the Pacific," a most interesting record of all the translations of the Holy Scriptures into Polynesian languages. His pen was never idle. lIe wrote in periodicals throughout all his time of retirement, and he left several MSS. ready for the press. He fr,equently preached during the same period, and always seemed happy in declaring the Gospel of Christ. He was a devout man, of great fervor of spirit, of burning zeal, and of marked catholicity. All who knew him loved him, for he loved all who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He died in his eightyfirst year, and his funeral was attended by representatives of all the missionary societies, and by a large company of Christian friends who had loved the man and honored the missionary. That might be said of him which Wesley said of Fletcher: "I was intimately acquainted with him for above thirty years, . . . and in all that time I never heard him speak an improper word or saw him do an improper action. To conclude, many exemplary men have I known, holy in heart and life, within fourscore years, but one equal to him I have not known, one so inwardly and out· wardly devoted to God."
Mrs. Murray was long an invalid, but grew in the divine life. She passed away to her Saviour in 1882. Three years ~fterwarJ Mr. Murray was married again to a widow lady resident near Sydney. In her fello"- ship and ministering attention he lived seven years. He left only one son -an invalid -and five grandchildren.
DAVID BRAINERD
The Samoan Islands, where Mr. Murray labored so long, are all evangelized. Nearly all the young people can read and write. The nentrality of the group has been recognized by a conference of the powers of Great "Britain, Germany, and the United States. The rights of the citizens of these States with respect to trade, residence, and protection are equal. A native king has been elected, and a supreme court has been established, presided over by a judge from Germany. The climate is delightful, and is becoming a resort of such as desire a pleasant residence with an equable temperature. May nothing disturb the blessed work of missions there !
DAVID BRAINERD: HIS CHARACTER, WORK, AND RELATION TO THE MODERN MISSIONARY MOVEMEN'l'.
BY REV. W. D. SEXTON, DETROIT, MICH.
David Brainerd was one of a small but brilliant galaxy of names that appeared in the first half of the eighteenth century. Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley were both born in the same year-1703 j George Whitefield in 1714 and David Brainerd in 1718. These are names that still shine with unfading lustre. Individually and collectively they made profound impressions upon their own time, and bequeathed to subsequent generations a rich legacy of Gospel doctrine and Christian life. Both in England and America they arrested the ebbing tide of spiritual life, and set new bounds to the manifestation of God's power in reclaiming and sanctifying sinful men. It is no exaggeration to assert that they revolutionized the Christian thought and practice of their age.
In this group the names of the two Americans, Jonathan Edwards and David Brainerd, are indissolubly linked together. Jonathan Edwards was the representative character of ~ew England theology j David Brainerd was the representative character of New England piety. The former has been justly called" the apostle of Christian doctrine j" the latter, "the apostle of the Christian life." Each of these men exerted a marked influence upon the other. Neither would have been what he was without the other. Taken together, they mark an era in the development of Christian doctrine and the spirit of evangelism.
David Brainerd was born at Haddam, Conn., April 20th, 1718. He was born on a Sabbath day, a fit prophecy of his holy life. According to his own testimony, he was born again on a Sabbath day, July 12th, 1739. He began his missionary career among the Indians in April, 1743, and died at the home of Jonathan Edwards in Northampton, Mass., October 9th, 1747. For so short a life, it was marvellous in its influence upon subsequent generations.
As a boy he was not remarkable for precociousness, except along the line of unusual thoughtfulness upon teligious themes. From a boy he WI8 somewhat sober /lIld J1lUClI inclined to melanchol!, a characteristiq which increased as he grew older and at times became a source of great distress. At the age of seven or eight he became greatly concerned about his soul's salvation, and was specially terrified at the thought of death. His anxiety drove him to the performance of religious duties, but he found no satisfaction in them. He found it a melancholy business, which de. stroyed his eagerness for play. This concern, however, was of short duration, and left him at ease in Zion and without hope in the world. He continued in this state of little concern about his personal salvation till he was about thirteen years of age. At this time a mortal sickness prevailed at Haddam which greatly excited and alarmed him. This turned his attention anew to religious things, and from this time onward he was much engaged in religious duties j but he found little satisfaction, because they were performed, as he himself afterward discovered, from an entirely wrong motive. Just at this time in his life he was greatly distressed and saddened by the death of his mother. His father had previously died, and he was thus left an orphan at the age of fourteen. Naturally inclined to melancholy and to morbid self.introspection, these events deepened and intensified the sombreness of his life.
At the age of twenty he began to apply himself to study, with the design of fitting himself for college. According to the custom of the time, he put himself under the instruction of his pastor, at whose home"in Had· dam he then lived. He withdrew himself entirely from the society of young people, and gave himself exclusively to his studies and religious exer· cises. He read the Bible through .twice in less than a year, and applied himself assiduously to secret devotions. These were years of intense longing after spiritual comfort and rest, of constant struggling with the hardness of his own heart. During this period we find increasing mani. festation of a marked feature of his character. This was his habit of introspection. By it he made the most careful analysis of his own motives, and cultivated the keen discrimination which discerned the difference between true and false religion. So thoroughly and continuously did he analyze his own thought and affection, that he looked upon himself as the very worst of sinners. Sometimes he wondered that God would permit such a wicked person as he to live. The thought of our time is so occupied with the material and the external, so unused to such introspection and self·analysis, that we can scarcely understand the pain of such spiritual vivisection as Brainerd practised upon himself. It is certain that what the theologians call the" law work" was thoroughly and painfully accomplished in him. It is certain also that this process laid the foundations broad and deep for the remarkable piety of his after life. Unquestionably much of the shallowness of spiritual life in our generation arises from a shallow conviction of sin, which precedes the work of Divine grace in the soul. Many are now brought into the kingdom of God by a hot-house process which results in many blossoms of promise, but in little fruit "brought to 'perfectio~," For IUontqs Brahwrd ~oped in darkness, grievously burdened with a sense of sin. 'While not asserting the necessity of such prolonged agony in entering the kingdom, we may assert with confidence that "in a deep sense of sin, more perhaps than in anything else, abides a saving knowledge of God." Gradually Brainerd was led to see that all his religious duties were performed from a motive of selfish. ness, to secure his own happiness, and not from any respect to the glory of God. The realization of his condition greatly saddened and distressed him.
On Sabbath morning, July 12th, 1739, as he was taking his customary walk in a solitary place, a new experience dawned upon his soul. He describes himself as in a mournful and melancholy state. He tried to pray, but found no heart to engage in that or any other duty. He felt that the Spirit of God had quite left him. After trying to pray for nearly half an hour, and while walking in a dark, thick grove, a vision of unspeakable glory opened to the view and apprehension of his soul. This vision was a disclosure of the character and attributes of God such as he had never known. His description of it reminds us of a SImilar disclosure of God to Isaiah when he was called to the prophet~c office. His melancholy was dispelled, and he was so enraptured that he says he was " delighted and captivated with the excellency, loveliness, greatness, and other perfections of God." This event marked the beginning of an era in his life. The peace which he then received was not of sustained duration. Gathering clouds soon dimmed its radiance. Still this was a real disclosure of God to Brainerd, and he never forgot the radiance and joy of that day.
In September following this event he entered Yale College. He began his college course with great reluctance, lest he might not be able to lead a life of strict religion. It was while at New Haven that he came in contact with a movement which very largely gave direction to his whole after career. His relation to this movement gave rise to the saddest episode of his life, and at the same time intensified his zeal for the salvation of souls. This movement was rightly called" The Great Awakening." It is difficult for us now to appreciate fully the exigency which gave rise to the movement. Practical religion had fallen into decay. Faith had decayed into formalism. Christianity had become with many a dogma. At least it was no longer a manifest life in many of its professed adherents. Orthodoxy consisted in church-membership and the knowledge of theological shibboleths. The complicated relations of Church and State were then still unsettled. These relations made church-membership a political necessity. The result was a church, many of whose members were utter strangers to the experimental knowledge of religion. It was openly maintained that piety was not a necessary condition of church-membership. It was even claimed and publicly maintained that conversion was not a necessary qualification for the work of the Gospel ministry. With such notiolll> eutertained and defeudeo, it was certainly time for an awakening. The one idea which was emphasized in this movement above all others was the necessity of the new birth. We are gravely assured that this idea had been generally neglected, and in some Christian communities was utterly unknown. It was like the driven ploughshare in new soil. It caused intense religious agitation. It gave a mighty impetus to the cause of practical righteousness. The movement began in Northampton, Mass., under the searching and powerful preaching of Jonathan Edwards. The news of the remarkable revival at Northampton spread and produced a profound impression. The result was that when Whitefield visited New England in 1740, he found the soil everywhere prepared. Great revivals attended and followed his work. It is not surpri!ling, when we consider the situation, that the movement developed imprudences and extravagances. We could scarcely expect that the wheat would be wholly devoid of chaff. Amid much that was excellent there was also much that was unadvi!led in action and utterance.
The movement reached New Haven when Brainerd was in his Sophomore year. His soul was stirred. His was just the nature to be intensely moved by this religious quickening. He entered into the movement with zeal and enthusiasm. He himself afterward declared that he was guilty of imprudences and indecent heats. In his Junior year an imprudent remark, in regard to the piety of one of the authorities in the college, led to a difference between himself and the Faculty which resulted in his leaving college. His sensitive nature was deeply wounded by what he considered the unfair treatment which he received in connection with this event. The scar remained through life. During the year and a half that followed he made several attempts at reconciliation. At the time when his class graduated he presented to the Faculty a written apology, which is a model of Christian forgiveness, courtesy, and fairness. It was a sad day for him when he saw his classmates recei~-e their degrees, while he was destined to carry through life the brand of an outlaw. He harbored no resentment, but this event deepened and intensified the melancholy which was a part of his natural temperament.
The interval of a little more than a year between his departure from college and the beginning of his missionary career was spent in preparation for the Gospel ministry. Two things are pre-eminent in his experience during this year : the first, a morbid desire to die, and the other a passionate longing for the conversion of the heathen. The sense of his own sin and unworthiness, always so vivid, and increased now by the refusal of the college authorities to be reconciled, threw him into great dejection of spirits. He frequently breathed out his intense desire to be freed from the burdens of life. In his longings for the conversion of the heathen are manifest the risings of those characteristics which were destined to stamp his influence forever upon the world's history. At this time he declared that it was no matter to him when nor where nor how Christ should send hilll. '.I'he desire that God would enlarge HIS kingdom was the constant theme of his prayers. He longed to be sent among the heathen, but the way seemed closed, so that in August of 1742 he said he had almost lost his hopes of God's sending him afar among the heathen.
But while God was preparing the workman for the work, He was also preparing the path to the work. While Brainerd was pouring out his ardent prayers for the heathen and longing to be sent among them, God was stirring the hearts of Christian men in Scotland and America to begin a mission among the Indians. In this very year-1742-the Scotch Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge appointed three minis- ters of the Presbytery of New York as their commissioners, and authorized them to send· two missionaries to the Indians. These commissioners selected a Mr. Horton as their first missionary, whom they sent to Long Island. The second whom they selected was David Brainerd. Their proposal to him met a most hearty response. He had been longing for just such an opportunity to glorify God.
His first appointment was at Kaunameek, about half way between Stockbridge, Mass., and Albany, N. Y. Here, in what was then a lonely and melancholy wilderness, he began that career of missionary work which for complete self-abnegation and loyal service has never been surpassed and seldom equalled since apostolic times. The privations of the most distant and solitary foreign missionary at present are not greater than the privations which he endured. For many months his bed consisted of a heap of straw in a floorless log house. His food was hasty pudding, boiled corn, bread baked in the ashes, and sometimes a little meat and butter. Of him it might be said truly that it was his meat to do the will of God. His complete abandon to this work is evidenced by the fact that he sold the little patrimony which he possessed, and planned to use the proceeds in the Lord's work. He burned the bridges behind him.
It was the original intention of the commissioners to open a mission at the Forks of the Delaware, but for prudential reasons the execution of the plan had been dealyed. At the end of Brainerd's first year at Kaunameek the way appeared open to carry out the original design. Just at this time he had several flattering calls to accept the pastorate, but having put his hands to the plough, Brainerd was not the man to look back. He declined these calls, and started for what was then the distant post at the Forks of the Delaware. He now manifested a growing desire to do some special work for God. He himself says about this time, "Last year I longed to be prepared for a world of glory, but of late all my concern is for the conversion of the heathen, and for that end I long to live." It was this passionate longing for the salvation of souls which, growing stronger and stronger, urged him onward in his career of heroic toil. In addition to his work at the mission station, he undertook long journeys westward to the Susquehanna, to carry the Gospel to the Indian settlements upon the banks of that river. These journeys were always accompanied with much privation and sometimes with positive suffering. Through the unbroken wilderness he pushed his way, sometimes overtaken with storms, sometimes prostrated with a burning fever which detained him in the lone and terrible wilderness, and yet through all his sufferings he utte!"ed not a word of complaint, except that he was not living as near to God as hE' ardently desired. When he reached the distant settlements no comfortable lodging place awaited him. The" prophet's chamber" awaiting him was a wretched corn-crib, into which he crawled and passed the night. His thought was never of his own comfort. He saved not himself. His anxiety was that God might be glorified in himself and in the extension of Christ's kingdom. In the midst of his inl'essant labors and fatiguing journeys he was constantly suffering from poor health. Sometimes for several weeks he would be unable to attend to his accustomed duties. At such times he was greatly distressed, not on account of his personal suffering, but because he could do so little for the Master. He longed to do much in a little time, and any cessation of work made him feel that he was living for nothing; but in the midst of all his suffering he was constantly breathing out his longing for more conformity to the image of Christ. He was constantly hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
He spent a little over a year at the Forks of the Delaware together with these journeys to the Susquehanna. At the end of the year he was more dejected and discouraged than usual. Thus far, after two years of prayer and toil, he had not a single convert to encourage him. He had been zealous in work, he had agonized in prayer, but the fruit had not yet appeared. All this time he had preached and taught through an interpreter, and even the interpreter was still a stranger to the saving grace of God. This was an occasion of great anxiety and sorrow to the lonely mISSIOnary. The truth which he spoke with so much earnestness necessarily lost much of its force through the coldness of the interpreter. Is it any wonder that this man, who was by natural temperament inclined to melancholy, should become discouraged ~ He was so disappointed and saddened that he contemplated giving up the work at the end of the year j but the dawn of a brighter day was nearer than he thought. In ways that he least expected God granted to him the desire of his heart.
About eighty miles southeast of the Forks of the Delaware was a small settlement of Indians at a place called Crossweeksung. Brainerd determined to visit this place and present the story of the Gospel. He found them peculiarly susceptible to the truth. They were immediately interested and impressed. The news of Brainerd's presence and preaching spread abroad, and the natives began to flock in from every direction. It was here in the following eighteen months that his ardent desires were at last gratified. With increasing joy, we may say it reverently of him, he saw of the,travail of his soul and was satisfied. The revival which now accompanied his labors was one of the most remarkable in the history of Christian enterprise.
Suddenly there fell upon the whole Indian population what Brainerd called "a most surprising coneern." From all parts of the eountry the people came streaming in, eager to hear the Gospel. They listened in speechless interest to his preaching, and many fell down in frantic distress of soul. The air would sometimes be full of their cries for mercy Multitudes were overwhelmed in distress of soul. This condition was not brought about by the presentation of the terrors of the law. Brainerd did not preach to the Indians such sermons as Jonathan Edwards's famous sermon, " Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." His presentation of truth was rather along the line of what we call the doctrines of Divine grace. He says that under this preaching sometimes the power of God seemed to descend upon the assembly like the rushing of a mighty wind, and with astonishing energy bore down everything before it. He compares it to "the irresistible force of a mighty torrent or swelling deluge, that with its unsupportable weight and pressure bears down and sweeps b~fore it whatever is in its way." This was not a mourning which ended in tears. Many of the wretched savages were rescued from superstition and gross wickedness, and gave ample evidence that they had passed from darkness into the marvellous light of God:s children.
It was painfully evident, however, that Brainerd's work could not be long continued. His physical strength could not endure the strain. During this single summer he travelled more than three thousand miles, often for several weeks preaching nearly every day and faithfully training the converts by means of catechetical classes. He organized the converts into a church, the first church ever organized on this continent solely of Indian Christians. The following summer, as he continued his work, failing health was constantly pressing upon him. Consumption, that grim monster of disease, had fastened its relentless hold upon him. His heroic efforts to continue his work are exceedingly pathetic. He did not give up until absolutely forced by constantly increasing weakness. In the spring of 1747 he reluctantly bade his congregation farewell and turned his face to New England, still hoping even against hope that he might rally and return to his beloved people. He went to the home of Jonathan Edwards, to whose daughter he was engaged in marriage, with the, ardent hope that rest might restore him to health. He there consulted the family physician, who told him frankly that his life was nearing its end. He was not at all disturbed by this announceme!lt. He had too often longed for death to be terrified when told that it was approaching. He rallied sufficiently to make a visit to Boston, where he interested some prominent Christians in the conversion of the Indians. To the very last he was consecrated to his chosen work. The result of this visit to Boston was the raising of money and the sending of two missionaries to the Six Nations. While there he was brought very low, but again lie rallied and was permitted to return to Northampton, Mass., where he died at the home of Jonathan Edwards, surrounded by the tender ministry of friends, October 9th, 1747. .
He had not yet reached the thirtieth mile-stone in life's journey-a
EA!lT AFRICAN MIB~IONI!!
short life, yet imperishable in its influence upon the progress of the Redeemer's kingdom. It was a life of deep humility, intense longing after God, and magnificent heroism. When duty called, he went forward unflinchingly. The lesson which he himself drew from the long and weary path, before he reached the consummation of his desires in the converSion of souls, was" that it is good to follow the path of duty, even in the midst of darkness and discouragement." To the account of his self.devotion, as published in his journal, the modern Church owes more than we can estimate for the spirit of evangelism which has given force to the mis· sionary movement of the present century. The story of Brainerd had something to do in stirring the mind and heart of William Carey, the " father of modern missions." Samuel Mills learned the same story from the lips of his godly mother. Henry Martyn was inspired to similar deeds of heroism in foreign lands. So the circle widens. Who can measure the power of one short life consecrated to the Master's service? If Brainerd's spirit of abandon to the cause and kingdom of Jesus Christ were to possess the whole Church of Christ, the fulfilment of precious promises would be at hand. The story of his life will never lose its power. So long as the Church of Christ eudures it will be told as an evidence of the possibilities of grace in the individual, and the supernatural power of an ever·present Christ to work miracles of grace in the conversion of souls.
EAST AFRICAN MISSIONS.
TRANSLATED BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK.
On our way from Uganda to the East Coast we pass the stations of the C. M. S. in Djaggaland (Moshi on the side of Kilimanjaro, Taveta or Taita, and SangalIa), where at last the first baptisms have taken place. The translation of the Gospel of Matthew is just going through the press.
The well-known Free Church missionary, Dr. Stewart, appears to have undertaken something of great importance for East Africa in the establishment of the missionary settlement in the domain of the chief Kilundu on the Kibwezi River. This is now in prosperous progress northward of Kilimanjaro. This industrial settlement is patterned after Lovedale, in South Africa, and is called New Lovedale. The British East African Company has contributed $48,000 toward it. It was established by a great caravan consisting of two hundred and twenty persons. This en· countered serious difficulties, especially on the two days' march through the waterless Taro waste, but happily reached its goal. Work at once began-tree-felling, house-building, road-making, planting, etc.-and in a few months there stood a little village in the African wilderness, with a pretty church, in which Sunday services are held in Swahili. They have also brought along a little herd of cattle, includillg sixty oxen. They hope by using these to relieve the poor Wakamoa womcn! on whose shoulders alone the field work has hithertq rested. They are contemplating also a second settlement at Machako, some fifteen miles northwestward.
It may not be uninteresting to say a word respecting the founder of this mission, whose future, under God, is so promising. He is now a man of sixty-one years. Born February 14th, 1831, as the son of a Scot· tish farmer, Dr. Stewart studied theology, and after having served for a short time as assistant pastor, and having found that the Free Qhurch yet hesitated to establish a mission in Central Africa, he went independently into Zambesiland. Here he accompanied Mrs. Livingstone to her hus. band, who was then on the'Shire, and was present at her death. On his way home he, at Dr. Duff's suggestion, visited Natal and Transkei, and then made a report to the home church of the prospects of missions in the regions traversed by him. During his stay in Scotland he studied medicine, and then, as a Central African mission seemed yet remote, went, in 1864, to Lovedale, which attained to its present importance under his guidance. The daughter institute of Lovedale-Blythswood, in Fingulandwas also established by him. When in 1874 Livingstone's remains were deposited in Westminster ~~bbey, Dr. Stewart was present, and it was principally his zeal to which it was owing that the two Scottish churches (the Free Church and the Establishment) were induced to take in hand their Nyasa Mission. After having first completed extensive buildings at Lovedale, Dr. Stewart, in 1876, assumed charge of the Livingstonia Mission, which under him has attained to so grand an extension. Accordingly, when the British East African Company meditated establishing a settlement like Lovedale inward from Mombasa, all eyes were turned upon this well-proved man, and after a brief stay in Scotland the youthful veteran, with the consent of his Church, undertook the execution of this difficult enterprise last summer. Just at present, after having brought things well in train, he is again at home.
A little north of Mombasa, in the Wituland, the Neukirchen Mission has its two stations-Lamu, on the island of that name, and Ngao, on the Tana River. The present force is five missionaries. Everything here is in the shell j there is barely a beginning made with a small number of scholars. Lamu, being Mohammedan, is a difficult soil. Whether Golbanti, the neighboring station to Ngao, also on the Tana, has been reestablished by the united English Free Methodists, is not clear.
The Bavarian Lutheran' Mission, whose 'field is very near Kisulutini, has now three stations-;-Djimba, Mbungu, and Ikutha. These are now pretty well established, and a small number of believers begins to be gathered. They have a good deal of trouble about starting schools.
The accounts of the English Mombasa Mission are yet defective, although a new station-Djilore-is mentioned as being opened among the Wakamba. On the other hand, the station at the ternlinus of the projected railroad has been given up. Indeed, we are not sure as to the CODtinuance of the railway itself. We come now to the German" sphere of influence," and here strike first, in Tanga, upon the first station of the German East African Society (Berlin IlL). Northwest of that is the second station-Hohenfriedbergfounded about a year ago. The third station (the first established) is at Dar·es-Salam. There is the hospital over which there has been so much discussion. From this point they are planning for a fourth station among the Wasaramo. As yet there is no intelligence of any results whatever, even at the two earlier stations. Hohenfriedberg appears the most hopeful, where some active young clergymen of regular training are at work. (In Germany university men are an exception among missionaries.) Some rather fantastic crusading plans of these young brethren are doubtless youthful fantasies, soon to pass away. We cannot believe that the committee will encourage any such.
At Panga, a little southwest of Tanga, we come upon the first of the four main districts of the Universities'Mission-namely, Usambara, with its 12 stations, Kologwe being only a year old. The number of scholars at this has risen from 330 in 1890-91 to 722, and a large number of natives are active as teachers. The last opened school, at Mlembuli, was built. entirely by the natives. Special attention is given to schools throughout the district. The second main field of the U. M. is the island of Zanzibar, with three stations, two being devoted entirely to education. They are now about erecting a mission hospital. The Swahili literature has been enriched by several new works. The mission has suffered a heavy loss in the death of Susi, the well-known servant of Livingstone, who for years had been the right hand of Bishop Steere and Bishop Smythies. The third district of the U. M. lies a good way to the south, on the river Rovuma, and now embraces five stations, at which a large number of baptisms have taken place, and the number of scholars has also increased. Fourthly and finally, the Nyasa district, with nine stations, all which, except two island stations, lie close together on the east central shore of the lake, in the Portuguese " sphere of influence." Here also gladdening progress is reported. For instance, at the central station alone, on Likoma Island, the number of the baptized has risen from 66 to 110; of the school children along the shore, from 259 to 421. A new station is planned at Isombe, in the centre of Yaoland ; to the literary treasures have been added a little catechism, a translation of Mark and of an Old Testament book.
Eastward of Bagamoyo, about a third of the way, as well to Victoria Nyanza as to Tanganyika, are found in Ugago the three stations of the Church Missionary Society, lfwapwa, Mamboia, and Kisokwe. A small number of believers has been gathered here, the Sunday services are attended by several hundred persons, and on their preaching tours the missionaries find a friendlier reception than at first.
Within the German "sphere of influence" the London Missionary Society has a station at Urambo, some thirty five miles east of Tanganyika, where a missionary physician renders services widell" sought after. The two oth~r stations of this society are at the south end of Ta~ganyika :"-'F~ambo, and the new station, Niumkurlo, right on the shor~ of the lake. There at last regular missionary work is in course, and first C0nve.rts have been baptized. We say at last, for no other Central Afr;can mission has experimented around so much and, in proportion to the sacrifice .of men and money within fifteen years, accomplished so ~ittle as this. The Report for 1891 gives a review from 1880-90 which is not very heartening. We cannot resist the impression that there has been here a lack of steady and well-advised guidance.
We come now to the Nyasa missions. Northward an'-~ ~northwestward from the lake, in the German "sphere of influence," .le first the two stations fonnded last year-vVangemannsheight, of the ',';erlin Society, and Makapalile, of the Moravians. The Berlin Society is ll:inded to push on its work vigorously, and has just appointed two additionallllen f0r this field.
The Free Church also, having given up Kararamuka, founded a new station at the north end of the lake, beyond the river Songwe, in the German " sphere of influence." It is called Uwnmdale, and was established by Dr. Kerr· Cross. It is a short two days' journey from the Moravian station Makapalile. Dr. Kerr-Cross and his companions are enchanted by the beautiful and fruitful mountain-land, whose height they estimate at from five to seven thousand feet. The Scotch brethren have been received with extreme kindness by the natives, with whom the doctor can converse in Wakonde. The women and children, it is true, are very shy. Unhappily, the missionhouse was burned as soon as built. The latest news is that the Arab slavetraders to the north of the Nyasa are already plying their accursed trade after the old fashion, and there is only too much reason to fear their hostile designs against the new stations.
The Free Church missions all lie on the west shore of the lake, and those of the Universities' Mission on the east. The two missions, so different in their ecclesiastical tone, maintain cordial terms of neighborhood and friendship. The Free Church headquarters are at Bandawe, a fresh and vigorous station, influential far and wide around. Here prevails an active missionary life. E.-ery Sunday, besides the Sunday-school, there are two numerously attended services in the vernacular, and on several days of the week Bible and catechism classes. The missionaries have been very reserved in granting baptism, but have now the joy of administering this holy sacrament to growing numbers, and have also been permitted to admit no small company to the communion. Thus there is growing up a well-established Christian Church, which itself exercises a watchful discipline, and co-operates in spreading abroad the Gospel. Every Sunday native believers, especially trained to this work by the station missionary, go out into the surrounding twenty-five or thirty villages to the distance of fifteen miles, to carry thither the knowledge of the Gospel, and over one hundred natives help in the numerous schools which have been established, and in which more than four thousand children receive Christian instruction. Four native tongues have been thoroughly studied and applied; in Nyanja the whole New Testament is already printed, as well as a number of school books; in the other three there are at least individual gospels, primers, etc. Moreover, there is an active industrial life also at the station-a printing-house, book-bindery and joinery, gardening and tillage, laying out of roads, etc. An especial blessing is the medical mission, with its healing mercies among the people. This has been pec~liarly beneficial in the many intestine wars of the natives themselves, as well as between the Arab slave-hunters and the natives. Happily these are becoming less frequent.
Westward from Bandawe lies Ngoniland, with its savage population. This is occupied by several stations. Here also, notwithstanding the continuous disturbances from war, the Gospel is gaining increasing influence. Services and schools are more largely attended, and candidates are coming forward for baptism. In the south of Ngoniland the wildness of heathenism is the mORt intractable. Wars have within a year raged here which have not only greatly hindered the work of the mission, but have put the lives of the missionaries in danger. The Livelize Valley, at the south end of the lake, was full of wasted fields and villages burned and despoiled. The mighty chief Mponda, whose territory lies along the southern outlet of the lake, availed himself of the war between two Angoni tribes to fall upon both and secure slaves in multitudes, whom he then sofd to the Arabs, which in turn roused the British consul, Johnston, to undertake an expedition against him and the Arabs, in which he himself suffered considerable losses, and appears to have made unhappy mistakes. The missions have.been by no means at one with the course of his policy. Happily the consequences appear to have been by no means so disastrous as the anti-English press of Germany was glad to forebode. At all events, the stave-hunting land wasters have been inspired with a measure of salutary terror. The missionaries, moreover, were forced to witness repeatedly proofs of the yet unbroken might of sorcery. In a single village which they passed they found thirty men lying corpses from the poison ordeal. In southern Ngoniland the Reformed Dutch Church of South Africa also has a station, Mwera. It is in its infancy, but has already candidates under training for baptism. The present chief is not so hostile to the mission as his bloodthirsty father was, but sadly given to drunkenness. Some new missionaries have just been sent out from the Cape to form a second station.
On the way from the Nyasa to the coast we finally reach, in the Shire highland, the extraordinarily flourishing station of the Scottish Establishment, Blantyre. Not only in Blantyre is there a growing church, but such are forming also in Domasi, Chirazulu, and Milanje, while friendly relations are developing with almost all the tribes around the Shire. Three hundred children go to school in Blantyre, the girls' boarding-school
Ml!:XICO'S TWOFOLD CURSE
alone having more than fifty pupils. Thirteen youths are in training as teachers, twelve as printers, nine as carpenters, two as gardeners, eight as masons; the communicant class is so full that a single missionary can scarcely superintend it ; .the great church-a Central African cathedralis filled on Sundays, and the attendants come also from outside, often from afar. For greater freedom of movement the mission will soon have a steamer of its own.
The Catholic missions also are developing a vigorous activity in East Africa. Outside of Uganda they are confined to the German " sphere of influence." The order which has been longest at work (since 1861) is the French Congregation of the Holy Ghost and the Sacred Heart of Mary. The vicariate apostolic assigned to it, North Zanzibar, comprises seven stations, the well-known Bagamoyo being the chief. In 1879 the Lavigerian missionaries of Africa (known as the White Fathers) appeared on the scene, first in Uganda, where their intrusion upon the Protestant mission established almost two years before has wrought such dire confusion. Besides the vicariate apostolic of the Victoria Nyanza, the vicariate apostolic of Tanganyika and the provicariate apostolic of U nyamyenve have been also assigned to them. A part of the former extends (with three stations) from the west shore of the lake into the Congo State, and belongs to the provicariate apostolic of the Upper Congo; the latter lies wholly within the German" sphere of influence," its central station being Tabora. The number of the" White Fathers" at work in these districts is very considerable; on the Tanganyika there stood at their side an armed force commanded and organized by two Belgian captains, primarily, it is true, to suppress the slave trade, but secondarily also to give more emphasis to the missionary activity of the Peres. For these gentlemen are "at once missionaries and soldiers." They gather the natives into villages, which stand under their protection, etc. There exists also a prefecture apostolic of South Zanzibar, which is committed to the St. Benedict M. S. of St. Ottilia in Upper Bavaria. At present Dar-es-Salam is its headquarters. It is intended soon to restore the station Pugu, destroyed in the revolt.-.Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrijt, July, 1892.
MEXICQ'S TWOFOLD CURSE.
BY REV. J. MILTON GItEENE, D.D.
Romanism and infidelity, these are the great obstacles which impede the true elevation and progress of our sister republic. The latter is the natural result and fruit of the former. I am aware that in saying this I am antagonizing not a few among us who cherish the belief that Romanism is a better form of religion for the Mexicans than evangelical Christianity would be. The trouble with all such is that they do not know what Romanism, pure and simple, is. They have in mind the Romish Church modified by its Protestant enviL'onment, such as we see it in our own land, obliged by an enlightened public sentiment and conscience to be externally and to do many things which are in contradiction to its traditional and essential principles and policy. I saw the other day, in Omaha, a specimen of the maguey plant, perhaps three feet high by two feet in diameter. It was an exotic. If I had taken it as a fair sample of the product I should have greatly erred. It had been dwarfed and hindered in its development by its unnatural and unfavorable lmrroundings. I could not but contrast it with the magnificant plants) had seen in Mexico, where soil and climate favor their growth, and where they attain to the height of ten to twelve feet and a similar width. So it is, if I mistake not, with Romanism. What we see in our own favored land is really a modi- fied form of the system. It is not the natural and symmetrical de'velopment of its declared principles. It is not the normal outgrowth of its peculiar genius and spirit. Take the authorized utterances of Romanism and compare them with the Church as we see it, and they do not correspond at all. For example, Rome teaches that the many should be kept in ignorance and that only the few should be educated. But among us it is rare to find a Romish child who is not being taught either in the public or the parochial schools. And Father McGlynn gives us the explanation of this when he says that" if there were no public schools there would be no parochial schools. " In Mexico, where the Romish Church has had uulimited sway for more than three centuries over a people naturally gifted and susceptible of high civilization, she has educated only a very few of her children, so that el'en to this day not more than one in ten of her men and not one in twenty of her women can read, while she has suffered slavery for debt to exist under protection of law over a large part of the country. The canon law of the Romish Church distinctly declares that the Pontiff" as God is far above the reach of all human law and judgment, and that all laws contrary to the canons and decrees of the Roman prelates are of no force." In our own land, Romish citizens, as a rule, are obedient and loyal so far as outwardly appears, and honor the claims of the civil law; but in Mexico the people, following the precepts and example of the priesthood, fought for thirty years the nascent republic, and to-day are found in uncompromising rebellion against the laws of the land relative to public instruction, monastic orders, public religious processions, and the wearing on the streets of priestly vestments. Wherever these and such like laws are respected it is done under protest and only through fear. Away from the great centres there is a systematic and consistent violation of them. One of the provisions of Rome's canon law is that" heretics are to be deprived of aJl civil and paternal rights," and it is added, ' , We do not esteem those homicides to whom it may have happened, in their zeal for their mother Church against the excommunicated, to kill some of them." Now, in the United States converts from Romanism enjoy equal liberty and protection with others. Here there is liberty of speech and thought and conscience, and we do not think of the system as being at all distinct in this particular from any other church. She respects and tolerates even her apostates. But how changed is all this as soon a1l we cross the Rio Grande and pass into Mexico! There the system, unless directly checked by the civil authority, sanctions the principle that in Rome "there can be no toleration. " It is forbidden to employ a Protestant artisan or to consider him as having any rights which others are bound to respect. He may be insulted, robbed, and injured in person or family with impunity. If he has aught to sell, he must accept less than his neighbors j and if he desires to buy anything, he must pay more for it than they. He may literally be spit upon and stoned and buffeted, and can find no redress even in the courts, because in effect Rome wears the ermine. Nay more, Romanism shoots, stabs, butchers those whom she considers as heretics, and so far from considering this as crime, she defends the assassins. Witness the massacres of Aca. puleo, Ahuacuatitlan, and Almoloya, and the martyr roll of sixty which stains the pages of missionary history of Mexico during the last twenty-five years. Many among us will be found to deny the existence in the Romish Church of an authorized tariff wherein every sin, however loathsome, has its price j but we who have seen and read said tariff, consider it only as a principle whose practical outworking is seen in the every-day life of priests and people as we have known them in Mexico. In no other way can we explain the existence of perjury, drunkenness, gambling, and fornication almost universal among the priesthood, and of practical polygamy, lying, stealing, and adultery among the people j yea, and even of murder. Let us not "deceive ourselves. Look at the encyclical of Leo XIII., under date of September 25th, 1891, and read these words: "Naturalization oaths have been demanded in order that the subjects of the true Church might be made to subscribe to the United States Constitution, with its impious laws and nefarious teachings, to compel them to renounce the true authority of the Catholic pontiff." This is in full accord with the canon law of Rome, but not with Rome as unthinking people see and judge her. That law says that" the constitutions of princes are not superior but subordi· nate to ecclesiastical constitutions." How, then, can a consistent Roman Catholic be an American patriot, an obedient and loyal citizen? He can· not j and he will, if intelligent, defend himself by citing one of the canon laws, which says that" no oath is to be kept toward heretics, princes, lords, or others." Now, Romanism as it is, and as thus described, has in Mexico given birth to a twin curse, which is disbelief-an utter lack of faith not only, but an attitude of bitter animosity toward the Bible and all that is called Christianity. The fathers and brothers of the country very gen erally coincide with the sentiment which I recently saw in a representative newspaper, that" the Bible has been the greatest obstacle to the civilization and progress of Mexico." They believe that Roman Catholicism is the legitimate successor to the Church ()f tne apostles j they consider our
A CONVERTS' HOMEo
Bible an adulteration and ourselves as impostors, and believe that they have seen and known Christianity in seeing and knowing the Romish Church. And thus to-day French, German, and American infidelity, including spiritualism, find nowhere a more hearty welcome or a more congenial field than in Mexico. And for this reason I consider missionary work in Mexico, as in all papal countries, more difficult than it is in pagan lands. The Gospel has not to encounter and overcome a :t>ase system of heathenism, but a shameful counterfeit of itself, a public sentiment bitterly prejudiced against it by a system worse than heathenism that has palmed itself upon the people as Christianity.
A CONVERTS' HOME.
A Converts' Home for High-Caste Women has been opened at Masu- lipatam, under the lady missionaries of the Church of England Zenana Mission. It is the first building of the kind north of Madras. A cor- respondent sends us the following particulars regarding it from a letter in the Lut:hera,n Observer: " This home stands forth amid the heathenism around, a refuge to the timid, cruelly treated widow. It invites into its portals the deserted wife, homeless mothers and orphan children, all of whom find a welcome and an incentive to liye useful and honorable lives. The need of such a home may not be known to all my readers. Let me briefly explain:- In our part of India, whenever caste persons become Christians-often if only a leaning toward Christianity is manifested-they are cut off from every privilege of home. Here most emphatically accepting Christ means to the high-caste a forsaking of home and friends. It is so rare that I have never heard of an instance in which a caste woman accepting Christianity wall able to care for herself. The helplessness of Indian women is almost beyond the power of those living in Western homes to understand. Before these women can support themselves and care for themselves they must be under the most careful and wise training for years. When they become Christians they can seldom do more than read a little; in household work they are extravagant, careless, often dirty; in takiug care of their bodies or their children they need constant watching. In order to train them for useful work, for valuable members of the Christian Church, for examples of true womanhood to their heathen sisters, arrangements for as constant guarding as for children, combined with the freedom to develop womanhood, is necessary. Such a building is the Converts' Home at Masulipatam. At present there are about fifteen women and children in the home. It is a soul-inspiring sight to see these women, diligent Oat work, happy during recreation hours, devout at prayers. Some are preparing to help the sick, some are teachers in Mohammedan and Hindu Zenanas and in the girls' schools. The Misses Brandon had to borrow money to build it, and have made themselves responl"ible for the sum borrowed. Something is surely wrong with the Church at home when such a thing is necessary. A money order sent to Miss J. R. Bran. don, Masulipatam, South India, or Rev. A. O'B. Brandon, 206 Amhurst Road, West Hackney, IJondon, would reach her safely. "-English Paper.
INTERNATIONAL DEPA,RTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
BDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEV. ;So T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Decennial Oonference in India, per cent. The aggregate figures for India, Burma, and Ceylon are as fol- [J. T. G.] lows: Native Christian community at the end of 1890, 559,661, being an in- The custom of holding a general con- crease of 142,289 during the nine years ference of all the missions in each of from 1881 to 1890. The number of' the great foreign mission fields once in communicants is 182,722, being a gain ten years or so is one involving great of 69,397. The number of pupils in labor, considerable expense, and inter- mission schools is 279,716, an advance ruption of work, but it certainly must of 92,064. Of the grand total, about find its compensations in the wisdom 175,000 are boys and 104,000 are girls. got from interchange of view and the These figures exclude the Sundaygeneral attention attracted to the work, schools, the pupils in which number as well as in the mutual stimulation of 135,565, compared with 61,688 in 1881. social and religious intercourse. We Taking the figures by provinces as to have looked with great interest to the communicants, Bengal gives an increase Conference which convened in Bombay, of 32 ; Northwest Provinces, 193 ; Punin the last days of last year and the jab, 210 ; Central India, 111 ; Bombay, early days' of this year. The papers, 88, and Madras, 55 per cent. Scheduled discussions, and addresses will be filter- in relation to denominational societies, ing through tho press for many a day American and British, the Baptists show to come, and we must be content with 53,801 communicants, as against 30,245 a partial reference to it at this time. in 1881; Congregationalist. including the LondoD Missionary Society and the THE STATISTICS. American Board, 13,775, as against 9689 ; Episcopalians, 52,377, instead of We had come to make estimates of 40,990; Presbyterians, 11,128, instead the growth of the missions, based on of 5714; Methodists, 15,782, instead of the previous ratios of increase, so as to 4205; the large proportion-viz., 13,111 anticipate what these returns would -being those of the Methodist Episshow; but we have reckoned wrongly copal Church of America. this time. The figures are not as encouraging as was anticipated. We can- Confining ourselves to the statistics not now say what the cause or causes for India proper, we find that a striking may be. One feature of difference is feature of these returns is the increase that these are made for nine years, of agents. The foreign and Eurasian while the others were made for ten agents went up between 1871 and 1881 years, the change being made to con- from 488 to 586-increase, 98 ; between form hereafter with the date of the 1881 and 1890 the advance wall from government census. So far as ratio of 586 to 808, lin increase of 222, or more incrpase goes, of course it is not so easy than twice as many as the preceding to maintain this on the larger number decade. This shows an increased inas on the smaller; it is much easier to terest in Christian countries in the double ten than it is to double ten thou- evangelization of India, and an increase sand; but the returns do not need any in the opportunities and conditions of apology. They will show an advance foreign work. The next item of interper cent far ahead of the ratio of in- est is the increase of the native ordained crease in the popUlation. Possibly the workers. From 1871 to 1881 the adincrease of the population might be vance was from 225 to 461, an increase conceded to be 10 per cent, while the of 136. Now it is from 461 to 785. an Christians have incfeaaed at least 50 increase of 324: whioh shows an en- superstitions and beliefs are dying couraging growth in the development down. Christian llentiments and be. of a stable organization of the native liefs are taking their place. church. The number of native preachers went up between 1871 and 1881 .. There are evidences of Divine pow. from 1985 to 2488, an increase of 493 ; er and grace, the Holy Spirit at work now they have advanced to 3336, an in- taking of the things of Christ and recrease of 858. When we remember the vealing them to men. What is wanted, theory that no country can be evangel- what should be looked for, wrought ized but by its own native agency, this for, is more of that Divine power." increase in fact and in ratio is very encouraging. There is the other fact, ~ PAPERS. however, to be borne in mind when 'we get too much elated, that. these are al- The papers prepared for this confer. most exclusively paid agents, on the pay. ence were presented in printed form. roll of the societies or of the churches, We refer to only a few of them. Rev. and that these agents have grown faster J. L. Phillips, M.D., the General Secrethan the statistical results. An increase tary of the India Sunday·school Union, of 25 per cent in the agents in the pre- in discussing" The Sunday-school our ceding decade brought 100 per cent in- Opportunity in India," gave the results creBlle of communicants; now an in- of his labor and observations during crease of one third in the agents yields twenty five months of travel throughout an increase of but 28 per cent in com- India. In considering the opportunity, municants. he referred not only to the quarter of a lao in regular attendance upon mis. The various denominations show sionary day-schools, but to the millions varying excellences. The Church of more not reached by any school and England leads in the number of foreign right religious influence, who are acordained missionaries in India proper; cessible to us now, but who were shut the Baptists in the number of commn- to our fathers. Calls are coming from nicants ; the Presbyterians in the num· many Hindu and Moslem homes to ber of pupils in Anglo.vernacular teach their sons and daughters, from schools; the Methodists in the number parents who will never accept the truth of pupils in female boarding.schools, themselves; in fact, who say, "We day schools, zenanas, and orphanages. shall die as we are, hut our children will be Christians." In many cases We have dealt only with the lesson these children will bring their unbe. of the bare statistics, and that only very lieving parents to Christ. He quoted superficially; but there are other items cases in point. His next point WBll the which lie beyond statistics, like those opportunity which the Sunday.school which Rev. Edward Storrow mentions affords for developing the native church. in The Ohristian when he says: " Few comparatively may become pun. dits and preachers, physioians or "The number of secret disciples is translators, or achieve success in any unusually great. Some missionaries of the so-called learned professions, but of large experience and sober judgment the Sunday-school brings them an op· suppose that their number does not portunity for service admirably adapted fall short of the avowed adherents. to all classes." 'Ihe Sunday-sohool af- However this may be, their great num- fords an opportunity for increasing ber attested by various witnesses is an Christian endeavor among Europeans. important evidence of the success of "Everybody knows how much of the missions beyond the avowed lines. ungirt loin and unlit lamp there is in India. Our Sunday-schools are calling " Christianity, in a general but real out idlers into service Within the sense, is undoubtedly advancing. A past two years quite a number of Euroknowledge of Bible truth Dnd doctrine is greatly on the increase. Heathen peans have begun leaming a language I am thankful to say their funds are at for the sake of working among the chilo last exhausted, and they have closed dren." Dr. PhiHipspleaded for organ. their last school. Now I· hope we shall ized effort. Since the organization of be more frtle."
the India Sunday·school Union, in 1876, "The Religious Training of Chilo this line of work has been greatly in. dren" was treated by Miss S. F. Gald creased. There are denominational and ner, of the American Woman's Union.
geographical organizations that should She pleaded for the employment only of be advanced. He looked forward to a believing teachers in the schools. Sh,e uniQn of all the Sunday.school forces said: in India and Ceylon. He urged co· " A missionary from the Oorriya dis· operation, and the improvement of trict said to me: • In some of our viI· their present methods by preparation lages where heathen pandits are em· classes for teachers and Sunday-school ployed I was delighted in my periodical literature, and asked attention to the visits to hear how beautifully the boys India Bunday-Scltool Journal. He urged repeated their Scripture lessons, but a normal training for the older pupils, close questioning one day brought out wanted a Sunday-school in every Chris· the fact that without exception they tian congregation, in bazaars and vil. had been taught that Jesus Christ was lages, in Hindu schools where invited, their Krishna, and in another case com· on tea and coffee estates for cooly chilo ing under my own knowledge, the pan· dren, such as have been recently opened dit frankly confessed that he taught in Ceylon, also for servants and their both his own religion and ours. I children, among patients in the hos· asked another Brahman pandit, Suppose pitals and dispensaries. Dr. Phillips one of the children in your school has travelled thirty thol1sand miles in should be convinced of the truth of the interests of this work since he took these verses that you are obliged to it up some two years ago. make them commit, and should want " Evangelistic Work among the Wom. to become a Christian, would you op- en of India" is a paper by Miss S. L. pose it? 'I most certainly should,'
Mulvany, of the Church of England was his answer. They are not all so Zenana Mission. She pleads 8>lpecial1y frank as this, or there may be some too for Moslem women. Speaking of the indifferent to their own religion to care wave of opposition which passed over to emphasize it."
their mission at Amritsar, she quotes ., The ~ Young Men's Christian Asso- Miss Wauton as writing: ciation as a Missionary Agency" was " I think there was much more prog. discussed by David McConaughy, Secre· ress noticeable in former years than taryof the Indian National Committee, during the last ten years, but perhaps who stated that within a few years the it does not follow that there is really missionary conferences at Tokyo, Mad· lesl!l. We have had some tremendous ras, Calcutta. Colombo, Jaffna, Peking, attacks made upon us, first by the Arya Shanghai, Sao Paulo, and Mexico had Somaj, who nearly emptied our schools, testified to the adaptation of this form and then by an Anjumani Islamformed of work among the young men of these for the purpose of resisting the efforts several fields. The United States and of the Zenana Mission. In short, both Canada have sent two men to Japan, were rival missions; they copied our two to India, one to Brazil, and one to plans, opened schools close to our doors, Mexico, and another is going to China.
swept our scholars into them by dint They gave to this work last year $9588.
of bribes and threats, and following us The English National Council has sent to the houses, tried to get them closed out two secretaries, one for Egypt and against us. This Anjuman has beAn Palestine and one for Bombay PrAsi.
going on for more than three years, but dency. In India there was an associa.- tion formed as long ago as 1873 in Tra- sufferers without the suggestion or even vancore, the earliest association in Asia. the knowledge of missionaries. There are only four of the associations llOW in existence which were known at WORK AMONG THE DEPRESSED CLASSES. the time of the last Decennial Conference. The First National Convention The papers on this subject were very called for India met February, 1891. 'interesting. Dr. S. Martin, of Seal- A national committee was formed to kote, said : "The work among the de. superintend the work throughout India. pressed classes is difficult, but yet the There are now sixty-eight associations most encouraging, and the fact that misenrolled. sion work in India has had its greatest success among the lower classes is a We rEgret that we cannot summarize proof that it is of God, and gives us en. the able paper on " The Social and Legal couragement for the future. A success- Rights of Native Christians," by Rev. ful work among the most ignorant classes H_ E. Perkins. It concludes by recom- will make the evangelization.of the more mending a committee to investigate intelligent masses an easier, task. A what are the precise rights, legal, so- practical exemplification of the power cial, and domestic of the native Chris- of Christianity to elevate the low and tians, and to seek further legislation, degraded will be its best recommendashould such be found necessary to pro- tion to others. As to the best method tect those rights. of conducting work among the lowest classes, this is a question that has not ~'Mission Work among Lepers" was yet received a solution satisfactory to treated by Wellesley C. Bailey. "The all. Where there are large numbers of Moravians were the first in this field, inquirers they cannot be received into and led the van in this as they have the mission compound and instructed. done in so many undertakings of diffi. They must be left in their homes cultyand danger," says the writer. He and instructed at such times as oppor· records their work in South Africa. In tunity offer!!. Mass movements should India there was from comparatively be expected. The apostles helieved early days indiTidual work for lepers. in mass movements, and baptized all In 1847 General Ramsay (C.B., KC.S.I., that wanted to come, three thousand as he afterward became) commenced a in one day. The lowest classes should work with Rev. Mr. Budden in Almora, not be bought. The evil effects of the in the Himalayas. In 1864-65 ninety- system of giving aid is felt in work six of these lepers were received into among the lowest classes, and has been the Christian Church. In 1860 a leper a serious hindrance to progress. The asylum was begun in Calcutta. In 1868 instruction given before baptism should Dr. John Newton, of the American Pres- be elementary; not too much should be byterian Mission, began his work in their expected of those that can neither read behalf at Sabathu. " He was pre-emi- nor write." nently the leper's friend. He tended them as a mother might a child. Con- The paper of Rev. E. W. Parker, temporary names may be heard in his- D.D., of the Methodist Mission of North tory, but his will, I believe, live forever India. was of peculiar interest, as this in the lower Himalaya Mountains." mission has had a great work among Gossner, Lutheran, the Methodists, the these classes. Church Missionary Society, the Free Church of Scotland, the Basle Mission Dr. Parker started out with a definiand others, with the" Mission to Lep- tion of the depressed classes as those ers," are at work in eighteen principal who belong to no one of the regular and nine subordinate places in India. castes of the Hindu. They have been In several instances lepers have done oppressed by all castes. As in their missionary work among their fellow- castes they are not, strictly speaking, Hindu, so in religion they are outside of Hinduism, having gurus of their training schools turned out effective <>wn. They are mainly day laborers. workers for their field9. The work 1'hough set free by English law, tbey grew gradually, as the following will are actually slaves. They have never show: In 1859 there were two native been educated. Few can read or write. preachers, five communicants, four These people are more accessible to Christian boys, and eight girls in the Christian workers for the following schools. In 1868 there were 30 preach. three reasons: (1) Their religion is not ers, 665 communicants, 297 boys, and orthodox Hinduism, but some side issue 168 girls under instruction. One hun. less firmly established and tenacionsly dred and eighty·seven were baptized. held, and so it is not so difficult to In 1888 there were 168 preachers, 7944 change them. (2) They have not the communicants, 2027 Christian boys, pride of caste that raises them in their and 1327 Christian girls in school, and own estimation above all others, and there were 1958 baptisms. Besides the they readily receive Christian teachers school.teachers in the village, with (3) Many have the idea of " moving on." superintending evangelist from a group' They are willing and anxious to rise, of villages, a leader in each congrega. and will take hold of any who may tion is appointed as assistant pastor. seem able to help them. These are, These latter are voluntary, unpaid as· therefore, the" accessible classes." Sir sistants. District conferences are held William Hunter bears testimony to this quarterly. At the religious meetings, point. He says: "I should not be can- not only the paid agent, but many did if I left the impression that I ex- Christians also come. Meetings are pect any large accession from orthodox constantly held for three days, and the Hinduism or Islam to the Christian people receive much spiritual uplift. Church. It is rather from the lower Direct conversions are often traced to castes and so:called aboriginal people these meetings. These conferences, that I believe direct conversion will or Christian melas, have been a very chiel1y come. At this moment there important part of the work. And in are fifty millions of human beings in 1891 the results show the power of the India, sitting abject on the outskirts of Spirit of God. There are 261 native Hinduism or beyond its pale, who within preachers and 381 exhorters of a lower the next fifty years will incorporate grade and 736 Christian teachers, with themselves into one or the other higher 15,000 children under instruction. The faiths. Speaking humanly, it rests with number of communicants is 9487, and Christian missionaries in India whether of baptized probationers, 16,913. Ac· a great proportion of these fifty millions cession by baptism in 1891 was 17,038, shall accept Christianity, or Hinduism, including children, so that the whole or Islam… The work of the Methodist Christian community is over 50,000. Episcopal Church in the North was es- The object has been, not baptism, but tablished after the Mutiny. First a few conversion. people, about twenty miles from Mora- The Rev. A. Campbell, of Manbhum, dabad, came over. The work spread in Bengal, said: "Work among aborigines, the surrounding villages, schools were such as the Santals and Karmalli Kales, established, and the young men were among whom he had labored for a trained up as evangelists or teachers, period of over twenty years, differs In another direction a fakir was con- greatly from that among what are known verted, and brought many of his former as the depressed classes. In the Santal 4isciples over. And so the work spread country they did not meet with anyin several directions, and education and thing at all resembling the depressed evangelistic supervision found the meth. condition of many in Bengal, Southern od of developing the work. In the India, and elsewhere. In the Santal mean time, the theological schools and country the aboriginal element pre· dominates, not that the bulk of the them from all parts of the" civilised,"
population if! aboriginal, pure and aim- Western world. Their contact""tb ple;·bnt that the .majority of those pio- those nations, with the exo&ptioD of felling Hinduism have much in com· the missionary representatives of them, mOn with the .aborigihes indeed; they and now and then others in businesa were often referred to as semi-Hindu- and official circles, only con6rms·th~m izedaborigines. What were known as in their ideas that all religioUIl beliefs the higher castes among Hindus were are but outgrown and inefficient £acton sparingly represented in many parts of in modern civilization. In other word&; theSantalconntry, and the result was they are possessing themselves olbut that religious toleration, to a most sur- the excrescences of a Christian civiliza- prising exteht, was extended to each tion, rather than its realities and bless.
other by all classes of the people. The ings. Luxuries and intellectual cul- Santals Bnd others like them were, as a ture are able to do no more for them rulEl, poor and ignorant. but they have ,than they did for corrupt ancient not in their own country got the same Greece and Italy.
opposition to contend against when Favorable.-Although Satan is thus seeking to raise themselves socially alert and successful in gaining strategio th"t .the castes on the outer fringe of positions in the struggle for the rule Hinduism had to meet when desirous over the hearts of the millions of India, ofl'Sising themselves from the servile yet the Gospel is, notwithlltanding, and depressed state in which the high. making steady and permanent prog.
er castes had so long kept them." ress. The fast spreading appreciation of the benefits, physical and intellect- ual, of educational attainment and Mission Outlook in India. a.nd Burma.. discipline is awakening the spirit of liberal inquiry, and the spiritual needs BY BEV. C. A. NICHOLS, BASSEIN, BURMA. of men are asserting themselves. These UnJavorable.-Infidelity never had so will not rest content with the negations full an access to the people as to-day. of infidelity. There are already about Tbe greater number of the English in- 500,000 consistent Protestant Christians structors in the government colleges scattered throughout the empire, who and lower grade schools are either by their life and their direct teaohing avowed infidels, and breathe into their are not only supplementing the labors pupils their own unbeliefs, sometimes of the considerable force of mission- aggrsssiyely so ; or, if not, they do not aries from our own lands, but are bring- feel free to do anything positive in ing their fellow-countrymen to think, the line of religious character-building, as the missionaries never could do, in from the strict neutrality which the regard to the power of the Gospel in government insists upon in its teaching transforming character. A Christian force. Both of these courses tend in vernacular literature is fast growing, the same direction. Both go .toward and the vast treasures of religious and the production of a generation of promi- biblical literature in the English Ian.
nent men, who, by virtue of their influ- gUlloge are becoming more and more ao· ence c'onsequent upon their high attain- cessible to the millions of India, who ments, will in the future tell tremen- now can use that language with facil- dously upon the opinions and beliefs of ity. Through God's inftnite wisdom a great mass of 'the people of the coun- the greatest transformations in India, try_ The sanctions of their old religion spiritual as well as material, through are gone, and they have no new moral the power of the Gospel, have had their imp.ulsps in their stead. The flood of first great triumphs from precisely those direct· infidel literature flows in upon claslles of the. people whom the higher pta,., cute people had eome to believe were eating the evils against which it wbolly incapable of betterment, and in 1890 the co-operation of publio as- these people are marvellously outstrip. semblies and of orgmized bodiea w.s ping those who had thought themselves sought, and these have been obtained so. greatly their superiors in every walk through the omcers of the International in life. It is 888y to see how great the MiBBionary Union, the Young Men'.
evidential value of this order in the Christian Association, the YouDg Peo- Christianization which God has caused ple's Societies, the Good Templars, Sal.
to i_ue from missionaty effort. Ac. vation Army, Knights of Labor, IIJld cordingly, notwithstanding the opium others.
curse spreading 88 it is, in spite of the At the great meeting of the World'.
many ways that Satan is employing to Women's Christian Temperance Union gt'$f~ upon the pantheistic atheism of in Boston, November, 1891, between the Eut the infidelity of the West, and two and three miles of this petition W88.
in the face of the hindrances of profii. on exhibition. The original signatures gate representatives of nominally Chris· were in three or four parallel columna, tian oountries, the leaven of the king. pasted on muslin one half yard wide dam of light is working, often silently, and bound with red and blue tape, and but is surely undermining the kingdom the document was used tofeatoon Tre- of darknesa in these parts of AIIia. mont Temple on that memorable ooca- sion. Lady HeRry Somerset brought scores of thousands of tbese llignaturea m.t.orr of a Great Petition. wbich had been obtained by Miss Mor. gan, of South Wales, in Great Britain, BY KBB. lIIIlnmVA. B. NORTON. where the interest in the petition ia very grcat. ,.
The first organized elfort in behalf of It is proposed by those having the a world-signed petition for the abolition petition in charge to call it in for eI.
of tbe tramc in alcohol and opium was hibition at the Columbian Exposition in August, 1885, when the general offi- of 1893, and to have connected with It cers of the United States c. National a total abstinence chain of the pledge Union" of the World's Woman's Chris· autographs of the children of the world, tian Temperance Union forwarded to composed of several million links of their miBBionary.at.large, Mrs.. Mary cards in red, white and blue, contain.
Clement Leavitt, then in a foreign land, ing their signatures. It is desired to the" Petition of the World's Woman's double this monster petition before Christian Temperance Union for the May, 1893. [The form of petition oan Protection of the Home, addressed to be had by addressing the writer of this the Govemments or the World." article, .. The Temple," Chicago, m- This was also presented by Mrs. Mary B. Willard, September 12th, 1885, to J. T. G.] the International Temperance Conven- tion then aBBembled in BruB8els, Bel- Western Polyneaia. and Auatralia. gium. It has been circulated round the globe, and its almost two million Bishop Montgomery, of Tasmania, signatures are written in the dialects has paid a Tisit in the steamer &utI&_ and characters of more than forty coun- Cross to all the stations of the Melane· tries and provinces. sian MiBBion, and has been favorably In addition to the signatures of all impreBBed with the work earried on in women of legal age, and the endorse. the Banks, Santa Cruz, and Solomon ment of all men, of whatever creed, na- groups, and in three Dorthem Islands tion, race or color, who a~ee in devre- of the N~w H4Ibti4es. .u:~ NIQ Tlai*ed Norfolk Island, the headquarters of the He had been attending the nightlilcbo01 mission. on Saturday, October 22d, and on going The New Hebrides Mission is losing home was attacked by some savage na- the services of the Rev. J. R. Laurie, tives of Malayta, one of the Solomon who has labored for thirteen years on Islands. He was found covered with Aneityum, where the people are now all blood, and his hymn.book beside him.
outwardly Christian. The health of He had chosen a text for his address on his wife has necessitated his resigna- the next day-" Never man spake like tion. She bas, however, recovered un- this man."
der treatment. The Rev. A. Morton Miss Barnes, Who came out to be the has resigned for a similar cause. He wife of Mr. Hey, the Moravian mission- may go to Korea. The Rev. F. Paton, ary in Northern Queensland, was wel- son of the veteran Dr. J. G. Paton, has comed at Brisbane. She is sister of been appointed to the New Hebrides. Mrs. Ward, whose husband is Mr. Hey's The Rev_ J. W. Mackenzie, who has colleague.
been twenty years on Efate, and the The Baptist aentmary.-Tbis great Rev. James Annand, M.A., who has event, which may well' be called the been nineteen years in the group, are Carey Centenary, or the Centenary of reCll'nlting in New South Wales. Mr. Modern Missions, was celibrated by Mackenzie is carrying a Scripture his. enthusiastic meetings in all the chief tory and hymn-book in Eptese through cities of the Australian colonies. Min- the press. isters of Presbyterian, Wealey.n, and Two lay missionaries, good craftsmen, Congregational churches joined with have just gone to the New Hebrides to Baptists in recognizing the wondrous .assist Dr. Lamb on Ambrym. results of darey's movement in 1792• Mr. Eugene Stock and the Rev. R. W. It was specially felt in Australia, as it Stewart, M.A., have concluded a very was the perusal of Cook's voyages in successful mission tour through the Polynesia that led Carey to conceive Anglican churches of Australia. They his purpose, and which also inlluenced have created much interest in the Dr. Hawies, Dr. Bogue, and otbers in Church Missionary Society, and have forming the London Missionary Soci.
formed auxiliaries. Mr. Stock, who is ety. Indeed, all modem missionary the missionary editor in London, was societies date from that.
allowed to occupy pUlpits both in Syd- The Rev. W. Newby-Fraser and his ney and Melbourne. He is a man of a wife have left Sydney for missionary fervent missionary spirit, and an excel- work in India in connection with the lent evangelical speaker. Ohurch Missionary Society. Mr. New- The Wesleyan Mission in Fiji have by-Fraser has for some time been curate got an Indian catechist to labor among to the Rev. T. B. Tress, of St. Peter's, the coolie's there. Sydney. Much interest has been taken The Wesleyan Mission in New Guinea in his devotion to the Indian field, and is now fairly at work. The governor, valedictory addresses and presents h~ve Sir William Macgregor, gives a good re- been made to him.
port of its influence upon· the natives. The Rev. F. J. Paton, M A., the Mrs. Reid, of Tasmania, has given a youngest son of the veteran mission- boat for the Raluana Mission Station, ary, Dr. J. G. Paton, has been ordained, New Britain. and has gone to the New Hebrides. He AusTRALU.-A Christian Krmaka has is the first of those born in a mission recently been made a martyr to his faith family on the New Hebrides who has in Queensland. He. was a zealous become a missionary there. He is to teacher under the Rev. T. McIntyre. be settled on the island of Mallicollo.
tq~ missionarr in the Macka! district .'{…e. .mit Jlission.-Ten learB ~o the <;,;. ..,. Society of Jesus began a mission among and superintendent of the. oldest mis- the aborigines of Australia,· near Port sion of his oliurchin that country. Be Darwin, in the Northern Territory. sends the following rejoinder to the Two other stations were opened on the critioism of a oorrespondent on the Daly River. These three were olosed II Methodists entering Ohentu in West year ago, 88 they were either too near China: the town of Palmerston or on too poor NEW YOBX, January 14, 1893. a soil. The Government of South Aus- DEAB SIB: There is more absurdity tralia then gave a grant of land on the to the square inoh in the little notioe right bank of the Daly River, about headed" Missionary Oomity," in your sixty miles from its mouth. It includes issue of Deoember, 1892, page 940, than three hundred acres of good land, and I have seen anywhere in a long time. a tract of oountry on the opposite bank It ought to be fuily understood that of one hundred square miles in extent. missions which are at work in any of The government also gives about £50 a the provinoes of Ohina always expeot year. Many difficulties have had to be to have a representation in the c~pital encountered, and the life is very try- of the provinoe, and, therefore, the ing. For a time the missionaries had sending of missionaries by our Society to live in rude" humpies," similar in to Ohentu is no ground of complaint on arohiteoture to those of the blacks, and the part of the Ohina Inland MiSSion, had to endure privations; but they any more than it will be a ground of have now got a proper house erected. oomplaint on the part of either of our They are one hundred and seventy missions that the Oanadian Methodists miles from Palmerston, the nearest have also established themselves in that township, and there is not easy or fre- oity. Bad this sort of theory been es- quent oommunication. The mission_ tablished, the China Inland Mission aries have had to live on kangaroo and would not now be in many places where wild game for months, and they have it is operating suocessfully, as it was also been subjeot to fever. The blacks much benind other missions in Ningpo, have gathered around them, and some Shanghai, and many other places. land has been cleared and cultivated. It is hardly in plaoe for" Speotator" The superior is Father McKillop, who -whoever he may be-to suggest to our is Australian-born. There are three mission that it shall ocoupy some of other priests and seven lay brothers the unoccupied cities throughout the engaged in the mission. They wish province before it establishes itself in the oountry around to be reserved from the oapital. No prinoiple of missionary Ohinese and white settlers, who have comity has been violated by our send- been entering thedistriot as miners, in ing missionaries to the oapital city of a order to make the mission really useful province; on the contrary, we are fol- to the blacks. The language has been lowing in the general line of missionary mastered, and the missionaries are operations in the empire, and with hopeful of suooess. abundant example from the Ohina In- land Mission itself. RO:BERT STEEL. … NORTH SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, Sincerely yours, November 26th, 1892. ,So L. BALDWIN.
Another Note on ltissionary Oomity. International M'lSsionary Union.-The International Missionary Union sends Rev. S. L. Baldwin, D.D., the Record. out its announoement of its tenth aning Secretary of the Methodist Epis. nual meeting. to beheld at its permacopal Missionary Society, was hims(,lf a nent place of meeting, Olifton Springs, missionary for twenty years in China, N. Y., J~e 14th-211t. All foreign mis- our disposal to give to the publio in it. sionaries of whatever field or board, present state, and so we oan only say whether temporarily or permanently in tblt if the counoil haviDg the matter in this country, are urged to attend. Cir· oharge do not make any improvement, oulars have been mailed to all Amerioan even on the initial program, it will be missionaries, whether in this country a very rich and varied Congress. It is to embraoe every feature of missionary 0.- any other, whose postal address is work, whether in Christian, oivilized or pagan and other non-Christian lands. known. Should any not reoeive the It will deal with the moral, sooial, and same, they will understand that it is religious problems of our cities and our through some cause the sooiety oannot oivilization in general; denominational control. It is expeoted that a larger unity in the solution of practioal benevnumber than usual will be in attendanoe olent problems; methods of evangeliz. this year, owing to the number of mis- ing the masses ; all forms of home mis· sionaries who may avail themselves of sionary work; Bible work; foreign mis. this centennial year to make a needed sions, their rellex in1luenoe, their agenvisit to this oountry. Over one hun. oies ; Christian governments and human dred were present at last year's session, rights; and a grand concert of prayer and every missionary we wot of desires will probably btl within the plan. Emi· to get the inspiration and information nent men, secretaries, expert workers of a week in conference with mission- in all departments ate to be invited to aries from all the fields of the world. discuss themes and to exchange views To missionaries there is simply no sub- and narrate experiences. stitute for this annual gathering. All misaionaries are requested to send their -We have reoeived the following, the -post address to the Associate Seoretary, lin. Dr. C. C. Thayer, Clifton Springs, 1lrst part of whioh we oannot answer, N. Y., and with or without further no· tice to inform her if they can probably and the second part, as we understand attend the next session. Entertain· ment is extended to all missionaries in it, involves a oontroversy in whioh only attendance, free, by our incomparable host, Dr. Henry FOIIter, the founder of those having the fullest information the Sanitarium. Any information about the Union oan be had of the Seoretary, should take part. The Rev. Dr. Shedd. Rev. W. H. Belden, Clifton Springs, N. Y. This body is not limited in its of Oroomiah, or Dr. Barnum, of Har. membership to American and Canadian missionaries, and those of any other put. might answer for the Amerioan country who have served in non-Chris· tian Aelds who may be in this oountry Ihissionaries, and our oorrespondent are earnestly invited to partioipate in the proceedings and share the hos- probably knows the views of others, pitality extended to the members. who think that the present administra- Other visitors can find acoommodation in the Sanitarium or in exoellent tion of this mission is neither broad nor boardiDg·hou8es in the plaoe. brotherly. J. T. G. The World's Gongrusof M'Ulsions.-We have had • glanoe at the tentative pro- 8m : It is declared that one objeot of gram of the World's Missionary Con. the arohbishop's mission to the Assyrian gress, whioh is to be held in Chioago, Christians is to print the anoient 8yriao September 28th-October 5th inclusive, service books, and that in doing so but we do not understand that it is at " heterodox" expressions are expunged. But oan you or any of your readers oblige with information 1. As to whether adoration and pray- ers to the Virgin and saints are thus ex· punged, and, 2. How does this misRion affeot the work of the Amerioan Protestant mis. sionaries among the same people?
AIlfATJiIEB.
HASTINGS, October 31, 1892. Ill.-DEPARTMENT 'OF CHRISTIAN EN.DEAV.O,R.., CONDUCTED BY PIWFESSOB AMOS B. WBLLB.
Presbyterian Endeavorers have reo them that they may do the Jnostgood. cently held a missionary rally at the Now the Chicago unfon will gatherad~ blissionrooms in New York. The meeting was largely attended, and a perma- dresses of missionaries, hospitals, il.rrby nent organization was formed to push posts, navy-yards, and other plao~8 missionary plans and inspire systematic giving among Presbyterian Endeavor- where such literature can be used to ers.The E~deavorera of the Reformed Churches in and near the metropolis good advantage, an.:! will supplythesb met at about the same time in the New York headquarters of the Reformed addresses to all good.literature commit. Church, and, after an enthusiastic meetin~, formed a similar organization with tees that apply. ', similar purposes. Both of these' new movements are full of life, and are cer- Young Lutherans have already raised tain to accomplish much good for the cause of missions. In a thousand ways $1000 of the $5000 needed for' thai, the Christian Endeavor movement is arousing the missionary activity of the memorial church at San Diego, Cal.; young. Endeavorers of the Disoiples have r8.ise,a City unions are developing specialties in Christian Endeavor work. The as much for their mission church in Philadelphia union aims at becoming national headquarters for correspond. Salt Lake City ; Methodist Protestan,t ence committee work. These Christian Endeavor correspondence commit- Endeavorers are making good progr418S tees, be it remembered, are formed to welcome and look after in a friendly on the funds for their mission church way those Endeavorers that move to strange oities. It is quite impossible at Kansas City ; Reformed Church EIIfor each correspondence committee in the country to keep the address of every deavorers are collecting funds .for their other, but if the Philadelphia union persists in its present determination, second Christian Endeavor memoriat it will constitute a central bureau of addresses. If John Smith is to leave church, and the Endeavorets of the JacksonVille, 0., for Columbus, Cal., the correspondenoe oommittee of his First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City Endeavor society, acting through the Philadelphia union, will notify the are hard at work raising money for, ,a Columbus, Cal., Endeavorers, and they will be all ready to give John Smith a mission chapel. May aU these noble cordial greeting when he oomes. The Chioago union, in similar fashion, aims undertakings find speedy success, and to become national headquarters for good-literature oommittees. These com-' prompt to undertakings greater still. mittees, gathering up the old books and periodicals of the congregation, is Presbyterian Endeavorers, in their often at a loss to know where to send December contributions to the foreign mission board of their church, made,a gain of $687 over the same month of 1891. In their contributions from May to December they made a gain over the previous year of $2346.
One of the most pt"osperous and use.
ful sooieties of Christian Endeavor con- nected with the Reformed Church is found in their Boys' High Scbool at Madanapalle, India. These Indian En- deavorers are active in evangelistio work, and a recent report from them testifies that during the past year they reached with the Gospel 16,000 souls.
The Connecticut State Christian En- deavor Union is the oldest in existence, and some recent changes in its consti- tution are the results of muoh experi- ence. It now formally refuses member- ship to societies in non-evangelical churches, thus following a distinctly understood 'Christian Endeavor pt"ino
DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
It ciple. utilizes the experience of its asked for a few words concerning the history and growth of the Christian former State presidents by constituting Endeavor movement. Then, after a them an advisory board. It requires hearty prayer by one of the Chinese all expenses of the State work to be brethren, Mr. Yeung asked me to give met by voluntary offerings only-no as- them some words of counsel and ad. sessments. It provides a State superin- vice, which I proceeded to do as well as tendent for the new Senior societies, I could for about five minutes, while now springing up among the older Mr. Wisner, of the mission, translated church·members and the Christian En· what I said. I never knew better, howdeavorera who have .. graduated." ever, the meaning of the phrase, 'a few Good points, all of these. feeble remarks;' for it is exceedingly difficult to speak with any force through Here are some extracts from a recent an interpreter. I have no doubt, letter of Dr. Clark's describing a Chris- though, that Mr. Wisner made up in his tian Endeavor meeting in China. It translation for any lack of mine. After was in Canton. " The. girls' society these remarks, Mr. Tao, one of the na· wanted to come, but it was thought tive teachers, was called upon. He said hardly proper for the young ladies to that he regarded my visit as providen. come so far in the evening. When we tial, tecause it might help them to reached tile chapel of the boys' school spread abroad their detestation of the of the Presbyterian mission, where the opium traffic. He said that a commis· meeting was held, all were in their sion had already gone to England to places, about a hundred Chinese men present the claims of poor, opiumand boys. and all rose while the mis. cursed China, and he hoped that I would sionaries and the visitors took their ask the Christian Endeavor societies places. The room was beautifully dec· everywhere to pray that the traffic might orated with floral emblems in Chinese be abolished; and that China might be characters, which meant, as I was told, freed from her galling chains. This 'Peace,' 'Prosperity,' 'Welcome,' etc. I promised to do, and I am glad to take Behind UR, in Chinese characters, were this first opportunity partially to reo two large scrolls, which were afterward deem my promise. After this, Mrs. given to us, and were translated as fol· Clark and I were presented by the so· lows: 'Fa·ti [Flowery Region] Chris- ciety in Fa·ti with two beautiful hand. tian Endeavor Society [literally, Urge- painted fans, on one of which was on·in·the·service·of·salvation's-Lord So- painted, in Chinese characters, Dr. cietyJ respectfully p~esent. May you Rankin's beautiful hymn, "God be take the blessed tidings, and proclaim with you till we meet again," on one them until they fill every region where side, and, on the other, the date, which water and cloud reach: The other reads as follows: 'Western calendar scroll would have shocked our modesty, one thousand eight hundred ninety·seehad we· known what it meant, so com. ond year, which is the same as Bright plimentary was it; but we reminded Achievement [name of reigning emper· ourselves, lest we should get too puffed or] eighteenth year, ninth moon, the up, that these Chinese knew very little last division of ten days' (each moon· of us, since we had been in Canton only is divided into three divisions of ten two days, and that they were apt to days each), aU of which might be reo deal in Howery compliments. Mr. duced to 'November 17th, 1892: An. Yeung, who led the meeting, gave out a other column on this same fan reads as bymn, which was sung very heartily to follows: • Beautiful Nation [the Ameri. the tune of ' Silver Street: Then he can] Clark, teacher, came to the Ex. called upon Rev. Mr. Noyes, of the mis. terior East, Fa·ti [Flowery Region] 10· sion, to tell why we had come together, cal stlciety [of Christian Endeavor]. All and what my mission wus. Then we sung another song, und Mr. Fulton was the believing disciples requested Fak edly ripe for the Christian Endeavor Yam [the given name of Mr. Yeung, idea. I had the impression beforehand who led the meeting] to make a record, that Japan was not ready for our Sooi- it being a joyful matter,' Mr. Fulton ety ; but these few days have quite dis- and the other missionaries say that pelled this notion, so far as the vioinity Christian Endeavor is splendidly adapt- of Tokyo and Yokohama is conoemed.
ed to the Chinese because they are To be sure, I am not so rash as to pre- used to guilds and associations, and dict with certainty the same growth and the idea of the society seems natural to the same staying power for the Society them. .Moreover, they do not feel that here as in America, and I am well aware they have really become Christians un- that there must be adaptations to fit it til they have taken part in meeting, so to Japanese ways; but human nature tbat the prayer-meeting pledge is not everywhere is very much the same, and irksome. These societies in Canton are all the indications point to a rapid and doing capital work. Every portion of steady and healthful growth. I believe this meeting of which I have written that the society is in some ways espe- was planned and carried out by the na- oially adapted to Japanese soil. They tive boys-decorations, scrolls and all. like it because it is a self-governing so- Join me in your prayers, will you not? oiety. They are an independent peo- for these brethren and sisters of ours ple, and do not like to be • bossed' in in Canton and throughout all China, their forms of 'religious servioe any and let us thank God for the wonderful more than in other matters."
success of Christian Endeavor here as Here are some sample bits of Chris- everywhere. " tian Endeavor news, oollected from the Rev. T. Harada, of Japan, has· writ- papers of a single week: Two Endeavor- ten a forty-four page pamphlet, giving, ers of Viotoria, Australia, have raised in Japanese, full instructions in regard $1250 and opened a little Chinese ohap~ to the formation and conduct of Chris- e1. A Colorado society, having prom- tian Endeavor societies. Such a man- ised to raise ,half the salary of a mis- ual has been written in Armenian by sionary, has published a oook-book to Rev. G. H. Krikorian, of Turkey, to aid get the money. Three students in a the cause in that country, but the Turk- single Presbyterian theological semi- ish censors of the press have forbidden nary were led from other oallings into its pUblication. They declare it a dan- the ministry by Christian Endeavor gerous work, dealing with •• brother- work. An Ohio society sends a mem- hood," "endeavor,"" union," and such ber as missionary to China. The Good- proscribed themes, besides being an at- will Mission of South Dakota has an tempt to organil'le a society. Says Rev. Endeavor society of forty active mem- Henry O. Dwight, of Constantinople, bers, mostly Indians. A Texas Society .. In response to our argument that the helps support a Chinese mission Sun- society is for spiritual culture, the reply day-school, a mission school for ohil- is given that the point objected to is dren, and a missionary in China.
organization for any purpose, it being the object of the government to prevent people from learning how to organize."
Native Christian Endeavorers in Turkey Dr. Clark's joumey to the Antipodes run serious risk of imprisonment if dis- is making one thing very clear, and th at covered. . is the adaptability of the Sooiety of In Japan Dr: Clark spent three and a Christian Endeavor to all sorts and con- half weeks, and held forty-six exceed- ditions of men. The Society has no ingly profitable meetings. Concerning " most-favored nation" olause in its oon- Japan and the Christian Endeavor move- stitution, but all olimes and peoples are ment he Rays: " I find Japan unexpect- its own, rV.-EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT~ Home and City Missions, to go to the devil. He remlDded theln that the Church of England was the The whole number of home mission- wealthiest religious society in the world. aries who were connected with the Among its members were thos8' who Board of Home Missions of the Pres- poss888ed hundreds of thousands of byterian Church a year ago were four- pounds-nay, millions. Were those per· teen hundred and seventy.nine. Of sons really awake to the true state of this number nine hundred and four, or affairs in the country? He did not nearly two thirds, were at work in the think they were. He advocated'greater States and Territories west of the Mis· simplicity of life among the wealthier sissippi. The great home mission field classes of society, and remarked that of the country is there, unless. indeed, while £127,000 a year was spent upon the great cities and mining regions of perfumed spirits from abroad. the anthe East are to be taken into_account. nual income of the Church Pastoral Aid Then the question becomes a very ur- Society was only .£49,000. The one gent one, pondered in many minds, true remedy for existing demoralization whether the scattered peoples in the was the taking from house to house alld regions beyond the great rivers do not door to door throughout the land of the absorb much labor which should be Gospel of Jesus Christ. more profitably expended on crowded oities like Chicago, Cincinnati, Pitts- The Rev. T. Y. Darling, formerly burg, Philadelphia, and New York. C. M. S. missionary in the Talegu coun- One such city as Chicago, set as on a try, supplies a graphic sketch of the hill, has as distinct and far.reaching life of P. Venkayya, who was his flrst influence for good or ill as an entire ministerial seal after being engaged in territory in the mountains. itinerant missionary work for eleven years without making a convert. The English Notes. narrative constitutes a notable chapter . [J. Do] in the romance of missions. WhBt hath God wrought? It is not always The .Moral Oondition of England.-The the case, as this narrative shows, that Dean of Norwich, speaking at a meet· ., the Lord never uses a discouraged ing held at Memorial Hall, Islington, servant. " The exceptions to this rule, expressed himself as decidedly of the if it be one, may well hearten those {)pinion that the moral and religious who have lost heart. "I looked upon condition of England was never so bad myself," says Mr. Darling, .. as one as' it is at the present moment. He privileged to sow the good seed, but said the population of this country is not to see in the flesh the issue." The 29,000,000, of whom over 16,000,000 in. Lord, however, ordered it otherwise, habited six counties. This fact was and that on the very day when, after alone sufficient to illustrate how much preaching Jesus and Him crucified to a overcrowding there is. He called atten- large crowd. and percei ving not the tion to the fact that at present £26,000,- faintest sign of encouragement. he re- 000 is expended per annum by the work· turned to his bungalow sadly dishearting classes for strong drink, and that ened and literally in tears." It was 6,000,000 of our people are living in then, in 1859, that P. Venkayya, by the habitual neglect of public worship. powerful impulse of the Spirit, sought, What must be done to stem the current with some 8ssociates from the same of evil? Personally, he and those who village,' the discouraged worker and emsympathized with his views would not, 1:lracod with joy the Christian faith. God helping them, allow this country
EDlTORlAL DEPARTlIIElI'l'
Forthwith there hall been continuous and 10,880 attendants on' publio wor· . reaping. The first convert died Sep. ship. Methodism has not been the tember 20th, 1891, faithful unto deaIA; progressive force in France that it has and now the number of Ohristian ad· been in England; still, small as it is, it hlll"eDts of this mission is 2945. represents a living power in Frenoh Protestantism, which, should Method. The Ninety-eighth Report of the Lon. ism disappear, would have reason to don Missionary Society is to hand. say, "A virtue has gone out of me." The income is unprecedentedly large, The senior minister of this mission is representing an increase on last year of the Rev. James Hoc/nt, born in 1812, fully £35,000, and leaving a balance in and now in the fifty.ninth year of his favor of the Society of £9544 8s. Id. ministry. He has been, and still is, in The total receipts were £193,998 19s. 6d. labors abundant, a watohful pastor and indefatigable evangelist. The troubles in Ohina, while they have seriously inlluenced the work, Wesleyan Methodism in South Oeylon have not caused it to mark time. The has suffered numerically during the Society reports a large amount of work past two years from disciplinary ac· done during the year. In particular tion. It is believed, however, that the the success attending medical missions energetic use of the pruning.knife has is accentuated. made the hold of Ohristianity upon the people stronger, the Ohuroh purer, the A fairly hopeful view is taken of the agents and members better qualified prospects and the results in India. for aggressi ve work than in any other Northern India, – however, is under- period of the history of this mission. manned, and various important stations are in a critical condition. The Cape General Mission is being reinforced by the Rev. Walter Searle, With respect to Madagascar the Re- late Oongreg"tional minister in Birport strikes a jubilant note. A revival, mingho.m, and his talented wife. Mr. whioh began in the capital in May last, Searle becomes joint secretary with Mr. has spread to several outlying districts Spencer Walton of thill young but ener and much fruit has been reaped, espe· getic mission, and the new editor of the oially among the young. Happily many South African Pioneer. By a train of of the people are in possession of the events God has been preparing this ser· vant for the foreign mission field, lead· Scriptures, and have a considerable ac- ing him to aspire after a close walk with God and Divine unction in preach. quaintance with the truths of God's ing. Two oircumstances specially call Word. for mention. The first, a conversation with the Rev. W. Haslam, on the sub- In South Africa the first faint. streaks ject of soul.winning, which led this of light are discernible in Matebeleland; brother definitely to ask of God for an in Oentral Afrioa peace has reigned at addition of a hundred souls to his both centrea of the miSSion, and tokens church in one year. This petition was of blessing have been given, but the literally fulfilled with the overplus insky is somewhat lurid. The fear is cident to beaped.up measure. The sec· that the slave.trading community will ond circumstance was the effect pronot submit without a struggle to the ~uced by the reading of Dr. Pierson's establishment of British rule in -that " Crisis of Missions. .. Feeling the im. region. At New Guinea pioneering and mense disproportion between the work. settling-are going on vigorously. ers at home and those abroad, Mr.
From an able summary in " Wesleyan Missionary NotioE's" of the Methodist Ohuroh in France, we learn that Meth. odism began there exactly one hundred years ago. Now there are 64 ohapels Searle leaves his loving church and cannot and will not give any effect with his wife goes forth to bear the whatever to the votes which a majority gospel embassy to the mixed races of of its members recorded while in oppo- Africa. sition! Is this consistent withany pos- sible view of political morality? Is it English Wesleyan missions report grati- any wonder that the opposition preBS fying progress in the province of Can- taunts the supporters of the Governton. In three centres of that province- ment with their folly in supposing that Canton, Fatshan, and Mong Fu Kong– the fair promises of Liberal statesmen native self-supporting churches have meant anything? And will the nation been established under the control of tolerate such disgraceful tergiversanative pastors, and independent of tion ?" funds from the British Missionary Society. Trained to giving from the start .. The Father that seeth in secret" is of the mission, the churches above the Father that worketh in secret alBo. mentioned have now taken over the en- Whether at home or abroad, it is those tire financial responsibility. whom the, Father prepares who receive the Son. .The case of Ghulam Akbar, To-day there are nearly two thousand formerly mullah of a mosque in Haripur, more Christians in the Canton Province as detailed in this month's India's than there were in all China in 1872. Women, gives rise to thisrellection. No The total cost of Christian missions in Christian inlluence had reached him. aU China in 1872 was £120,000 sterling, He had only casually heard of the zenana and the present cost of missions in the teacher in the bazaars; but it is Canton Province is something less than enongh. the Father's secret work within £40,000, so that for one third of the made him more than ready to seek at money we have more Christians. With her lips the jewel of priceless instrucsuch facts and figures before us we tion. .. Here." said he, .. is the Koran, thank God and take conrage. here is so-and-so and so-and-so," men- tioning various Mohammedan contro- Much of the success of British Wes- versial and theological works; "bnt leyan missions in the Canton Province these do not tell me what I want, to is traoed to the training school at Tsang know. I am such a. sinner; how can Sha. A notable preacher, .Mr. Lau Sing I be saved?" The sequel does not sur- Nam, was trained at this institute. He prise us that one so manifestly dra.wn discourses in various large preaching of the Father should, at the close of halls in Canton five and often six days the second interview, have electrified a week, when he holds spellbound a his instructress by standing upright couple of hundred Chinese for an hour with his hand upon his heart and makor more. For many years his mother ing the solemn confession, ., I believe and brother were his bitterest oppo- that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; nents, but the Lord has heard his pray- and that He is my Saviour. " ers and brought both in penitence to the Saviour. The Rev. R. C. Forsyth, Baptist mis- sionary of Taing-Chu-Fu, Shantung, Great disappointment is felt in this North China, has had a good yesr. country at the attitude of the Liberal Many have been baptized and received Government toward the opium traffic as into the membership of the church. voiced by Lord Kimberley. The Friend He estimates the number of converts of Ohina thus sums up the matter: .. By this year at 120. the voice of their colleague (Lord Kimberley), who is responsible for Indian At the Baptist Mission Rsiu Chou. affairs, the Government declares that it Shansi, headway is being made, though for the time more under than above ground. The Rev. Herbert Dixon advantage of the special rates should writes, <lOur work here has progressed send their lIubscriptions throngh the quietly, without any great visible addi- secretary of the Movement, Bible House, tion to our numbers, though we have New York.
Bome such; but there are many more Contributions to the Fund may be who are willing to listen to what we sent direot to Funk & Wagnalls, 18 and have to say, and not a few who confess 20 Astor Plaee, New York.
that it is the truth, but say they dare We give below a statement of the ac- not face the persecution that open pro- count for the two years just past. It fession entails." will be seen that while the outlay has Cheering news is to hand from the been about the same each year, the in- Congo. The Rev. H. Ross Phillips re- come has almost entirely ceased.
ports at Mbanza Mputu the baptism of Dr. Or.
the chief of the town and four others. 1891. ..$200.40 1891. ..$291.80 The town was quite en fete. The ordi- l . 1892… 193.00 I 1892… 7.00 nance of the Lord's Supper followed $393.40 $298.80 the baptismal service. While curiosity De it balance 94.60 and wonder were predominant in many $393.40 of the spectators, there were signs of a deeper feeling. Scenes from Missionary Life.
Student Volunteer Fund. "The Bishop's Conversion, .. * by The editors :lind it necessary to make Mrs. Ellen B. Maxwell, is a book with another appeal to the friends of mis- a purpose. Ignorance of facts has been Idons, and of the Volunteer Movement the canse of much harsh criticism of in partioular. The offer of the REvmw missionaries 80S to their style of living.
at a prioe less than oost of publishing It is to dispel this ignoranoe and cor- was made in order that many of the rect false impressions that Mrs. Max- young men and young women who well gives to the publio this narrative have signified their intention to spend of every-day life and work in India.
their life in the Master's servioe in the The scenes are well selected and vividly foreign field might be enabled to grow and forcibly pictured; many of them in knowledge ooncerning the work to be being drawn from her own personal ex- done. The offer has been widely ac- perience. As Bishop Thoburn says in oepted, and has oonsequently necessi- his Introduction : "Practical mission- tated a oall for oontributions to make aries have nothing to fear, but much to up the. deficit. The outlay has been hope from a truthful presentation of about four hundred dollars ($400), and their work to the Christian public."
the donations from editors and friends The book will prove valuable in awak- reaoh only three hundred ($300). The ening renewed interest in missionaries amount lacking must go on increasing and conveying accurate knowledge of unless some response is made to this the constant toil and many hardships appeal. The editors and publishers are which they are called upon to undergo.
desirous of continuing their offer un- It cannot fail to convert many besides limited, and have recently extended it the bishop to a belief that missionary to members of the movement in Eng- life is not one of ease and luxury, but land. It is earnestly hoped that a gen- one which shows clearly the unselfish.
erous response in sums large or small ness and true heroism of those engaged will remove the necessity for any cur- in the work of the Master in heathen tailment or restrictions. lands.
Volunteers who are able to do so will '" The Bishop's Conversion. By Mrs. Ellen B. aid the cause by paying the regular sub. Maxwell. New York: Hutton & Eaton, Price scription price, Those desiring to take $1.50.
THE KON'l'HLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
I V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
MEnco,* CENTRAL AMEBICA, WEST INDIES, CITY EVANGELIZATION.t The West Indian Isla.nds and the MOil- than three centuries after their discov- kito Ooast, ery of them could be. sung. better than BY THE BEY. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ, NAZA· of almost any other part of this sinful BETH, PA. earth, It is certainly most appropriate in .. Where every Pl'Ollpect pleuea, And only man is vUe."
this year of the Columbian Exposition And the saddest part was, that the vUe to tum our attention to that portion of men were not so much the heathen, bow.
this New World which was first dis· ing down to wood and stone, as the covered by Christopher Columbus, and Christian (God save the mark!) Euro.
note what has been accomplished there peans.
for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom Already in the early' years of the in those fair lands during these four Spanish domination the aborigines were centuries. Strictly speaking, it is only almost totally exterminated. The abo some of the West Indian islands that solutely fiendish cruelty practised upon are known to us four full centuries, and them by their Spanish conquerors, and the very name of the archipelago testi- often in the name of religion, resulted . fies to the first erroneous ideas of the in their annihilation. It is said that original discoverers. 2,000,000 of these mild Indians were This string of islands stretches in an found on the island of Hayti, and after S.shaped line from the peninsula of thirty years not one was left. No trace Florida to the northeastern coast of of the Caribs is now to be found any.
Venezuela, the somewhat deformed S , where in the islands.
lying on its side, and measuring, rough- These islands became the great bone ly speaking, 1500 to 2000 miles in length. of contention between conllicting Euro- The islands on the north and east, with pean nations and changed ownership the peninsula of Yucatan, Central and very frequently; but, no matter what South America on the west and south, flag waved over their unfortunate enclose the Caribbean Sea. which takes shores, the planters, having extermiits name from the aboriginal inhabit- nated the native-born laborers, were alants of these islands. The whole archi- ways clamoring for men to work their pelago lies between the 10th and 25th huge plantations. Hence in thele parallels of north latitude, and all, ex- wretched islands African slavery was cept a few of the Bahama Islands, south first introduced into the New World, of the Tropic of Cancer. Situated thull and for nearly three centuries the West in the most favorable portion of the Coast of Africa was depopulated to sup. tropical zone, the islands naturally ply the awful West Indian demand. present a most luxuriant vegetation, For many years the poor blacks were and are said to produce a greater variety deported thither at the rate of 100,000 and more magnificent palms than any a year. Catholic Spaniards, Lutheran other part of the globe. Oranges, ba- Danes, Reformed Dutchmen, Episco. nanas, cocoanuts, yams grow in great palian Englishmen imported, bought, abundance, while the sugar-cane and sold, branded, whipped, mutilated, coffee plantations have been the chief used for fiendish and IUltful purposes source of their commercial importance. these miserable sons and daughters of These islands were veritable little pars- Afric's sunny plains. Whatever may dises in the western sea, but for more have been the character of slavery else- • pp. 153 (Feb.), 180, 201 (this issue). where, here its barbarity beggars de- s(lJ,iption! and tile 4istillct f&Qe of Pl"Qlatpp. t 113 (Feb.), 161, 218 (tl;tis issue). toes to this day testify to its awful im- Moravian Church and the first mission momlitie1l1 One year, a<!cording to the to the West Indies on August 21st, 1732.
swom testimony of the planters them- The missionaries labored at their selves, sixty thousaud punishments trades by day to support themselves, were inflicted upon these helpless and at night preached the Gospel tc.
wretches in four colonies alone, and the poor blacks. Truly apostolic in- tholle the best ordered. One planter deed! The negroes heard the message caused the death of sixty slaves. gladly. Hitherto their principal knowl- Marriage was forbidden among them, edge of the name of God was derived and any attendance upon the means of from the brutal oaths of their overseers, grace was on the majority of the estates and if they had heard of the Saviour, punished by the lash. The imported they thought He was only the white negroes were kept in their original hea- man's God and Saviour. Now that they tnenism, and to its miseries, .. having heard He was for them, too, these weary no hope and without God in the world," and heavy-laden ones eagerly came unto were added all the horrors of such bar- Him to find rest for their souls.
barous slavery. The blacks, of course, But the masters and overseera at once far outnumbered the whites-even a few raised a storm of opposition. They years ago the whites formed only 17 per did not want their slaves to become cent of the population; and yet no one "better Christians than·· they were, "
of these" Christian" whites cared for and they feared the missionaries would the souls of these poor heathen hordes; interfere with their lustful practices.
and thus it went on for centuries. The slaves were flogged unmereifully Finally, far across the waters, in a lit- for going to the missionaries, and the tle colony of refugees for conscience' latter were finally thrown into prison; sake from Bohemia and Moravia gath- but they prayed and sang aloud, and ered with some eamest souls from vari- crowds gathered outside the prison ous provinces of Germany upon the es- windows to listen to them, and many tate of Count Zinzendorf in Saxony, were converted. At this juncture, "the eye of pity" began to gaze upon which was some six years after the in- these man-persecuted and apparently ception of the undertaking, and also God-forsaken blacks. When the little after various changes had taken place colony of Bohemian, Moravian, and in the force of the missionaries, Zinzen- German Brethren which constituted dorf, without knowing anything of the the but just renewed Brethren's Unity deplorable state of the workers, moved (Moravian Church) in Herrnhut num- by an irresistible impulse came himself bered only six hundred souls all told, with reinforcements to St. Thomas.
the first mission of this Church was be- When about landing he said to the ac- gun; and this mission was to the West companying brethren: "What will we Indies-just sixty years before Carey do if we find the brethren no longer sounded his call for a mi88ion to the there?" "Then we are here," was the East Indies. prompt reply. Whereupon Zinzendorf Touched by the tale of a negro slave uttered the historic exclamation : brought to Europe by a Danish noble- " Gens eterna-these Moravians!" He man, two Brethren, Leonhard Dober secured the prisoners' release, but the (afterward the Chief Elder of the opposition continued.
Church) aud David Netschmann (after- Not only did they have to contend ward the first bishop of the Renewed with evil men, but also with dire fevers.
Brethren's Church), .were dispatched The first fifty years of the mission on without funds and without any pros- St. Thomas alone cost the lives of one pect of financial support to found a mis- hundred and sixty missionaries, or an sion on the island of St. Thomas. average of over three a year on just that Thus began tM first mission of the otle iHland; but the gaps were always filled up and the work went on. Ten at this time, it is easy to see with what'
died on St. Croix in a few months, but difficulties the work is surrounded.
Zinzendorf only sang in German verse : Nevertheless, the Moravian missions ex- " Ten have been sowed as if 101lt, but pect to be constituted an independent upon their bed (seed-bed) stands' This province of the Unity, on the same foot- is the seed. of the Moors,' " while twelve ing with the home provinces, by July, were on their way to take their places. 1899, and are receiving but little sup- Six died in a few weeks on St. Thomas port from Europe lind America now.
in 1817. The same day on which the There are at this time but very few news reached Bethlehem, Pa., eight absolutely heathen negroes on the Brit- volunteered to take their places. ish and Danish islands. Nearly all are Such consecration had to tell, and nominally under the care of some their work spread from island to island ; church; but remnants of African super- but then their stations were often de- stition can be found among many. and vastated by hurricanes, earthquakes, sorcery is still practised by some. Sex- droughts, and famines, but neverthe- ual immorality, the awful legacy of sla- less they kept on. very, is tlteir besetting sin. The actual Gradually the opposition began to church-membership of the Moravian die down. Planters began to see that missions is not large, because of the the Christian negroes were more faith- striot churoh discipline exeroised; but ful and reliable, and that they brought the rules of the Churoh are very rigid better prices in the slave-market (sic I), in this respect.
and, by the by, to this day" Moravian" Another peculiar phase of the work negroes are particularly sought after as at present is the unfortunate caste feel- servants. ing that has grown up between the Thus for over a century the mission- "colored" and the "black" people.
aries labored among the slaves, until The blacks are those of unadulterated finally the Day of Emancipation dawned negro descent; the colored are those -in the British Islands, August 1st, with white blood in their veins. The 1838, in the Danish Islands in 1848. latter, little realizing that their color On the night of July 31st, whatever may testifies to their parents' shame, look have been the disturbances among the down upon and despise their blaok heathen negroes, the Christian negroes brethren. The" colored" people are, gathered in their churches and spent on the whole, more intelligent, but they the solemn night in praise and prayer. are slower to become genuine followers Their watchers were stationed on the of the Lord Jesus.
surrounding hills to report the first On the island of Trinidad, which has rays of the sun that was to rise upon but recently come into renewed promi- the day of freedom, and when their nence, there are a large number of hea- hallelujahs heralded that glorious dawn, then coolies imported from the East the worshipping congregations poured Indies, numbering over sixty thousand.
forth, praising God with loud voices almost slaves, and sadly needing the that the year of jubilee had come. blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Up to that time there had, of course, The Moravians have a large number been no possibility of self.support, and of native helpers and teachers educated in spite of all the help received from in their theological seminary in St.
truly Christian planters, the work was Thomas, and in their nonnal school for beset with numberless difficulties. The male teachers in J aroaica and for female mission made great strides in the fol- teachers in Antigua and Jamaioa.
lowing yeaTS, but the problem of self- The Moravians entered the islands of support is being solved but very grad- St. Thomas and St. John in 1732; fit.
ually. As laborers receive in Bome is~ Croix, 1740 (these three are Danish, all Ilnds only 19 lind 20 cents a day even the rest of the islands on which Moravian missions are situated are British) ; prime.minister, or at least did in very Jamaica, 1754 ; Antigua and Barbadoes, recent times.
1765; St. Kitt's, 1777; Tobago, 1790 ; No attempt to Christianize the inhab.
Trinidad, 1890. On these islands they itants was made by any church for more have 50 stations, with 49 foreign mis- than three centuries after its discovery sionaries, including their wives; 14 or- until, in 1849, the Moravian missiona· dained native missionaries and 777 na- ries entered this field, and they are the tive helpers, exclusiTe of teachers, with only laborers there. The history of 40,468 souls in charge. Furthermore this mission is extremely interesting.
129 day schools with 171 teaohers, all but the space for this month has already native, and 13,749 scholars; and 70 been more than used up, and only a few Sunday-sohools with 938 teaohers and more sentences oan be added.
13,899 pupils. These statistios are for A peculiar feature of the work here the year ending July, 1892. The Mora- is that it must be oarried on largelyoy vians were the first to enter all these means of a ship. The coast is indented islands exoept Trinidad. If it were not with frequent lagoons, which make the for their striot discipline they oould building of roads impossible. Hence number their adherents by hundreds of the India.n hamlets can only be reached thousands. by means of a ship from the sea.
The Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte- In spite of the degraded condition of rians, and Anglican Episcopalians have the Indians, the mission has been won· missions on a great many of the islands derfully successful. The Nicaraguan already mentioned, and also on some Indians, have again and again begged where the Moravians have no stations. the Moravian Brethren to oome to them, We have no reoent statistios at hand of but the Jesuits have so far succeeded their work. On the French islands, in influencing the government to forbid Guadeloupe and Martinique, the only their entrance, although it is relenting.
missions (up to 1890) were those of the and a wide field of influence seems to Roman Catholic Churoh. be openin~ before this mission. The THE MOSKITO COAST. building of the Nicaraguan Canal will have a tremendous influence upon the Four hundred miles southwest from mission, we trust, for good, and it is Jamaica lies the Moskito Coast, which earnestly to be hoped that this canal is the east ooast of Nicaragua, in Cen- may remain under American (i.e .• Unit- tral Amerioa. It is a narrow little strip ed States-Protestant Christian) con- of land about 200 miles long, surrounded trol.
on all sides by the Republio of Nica- This summary must be closed abo ragua, except the east, where the Carib- ruptly with the latest statistics. There bean Sea washes its shores. It takes its are 12 stations with 19 foreign mission- name not from the insect, but from the aries, including their wives; 4 ordained Mosco or Moskito tribe of Indians, who native missionaries and 66 native help.
dwell there. It is about the size of ers, beside the teaohers with 4739 souls Holland, and has from 10,000 to 15,000 in charge. Furthermore, 13 day schools inhabitants-Indians, negroes, mulat. with 13 teachers and 671 scholars, and toes, and whites. It is becoming more 12 Sunday·schools with 44 teachers and and more important from a commercial 776 pupils.
standpoint.
Although disoovered in 15Q2 by Co- N. B.-Since the above article was lumbus, and claimed by various nations written the Nicaraguan government has in turn, it is now, strange to say, a granted permission to the Moravians to semi-independent Indian reserve, with begin mission work among the Indians an Indian chief as ruler, for whom the in Nicaragua adjacent to the Moskito Moravian missionary aots as practical Coast.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
VI.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
EDITED BY REV. D. L. LEONARD.
Extracts and Tra.nsla.tions from Foreign Jews in Germany. I have received Periodicals. news from Bavaria that a Dr. B. and all the members 'of his family ha.(re em· BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK. ANDOVER, MASS. braced Christianity; others are IIC- quainting themsjillves with the teachings -" The peoples who are able to main. of Christ, and our venerable missionary. tain their national independence are Mr. Jacobi, in Konigsberg, writes about proceeding to shape their ci viI institu. the great change which is coming over tions after the Christian pattern; the educated Jews. For instance, he has rest are accommodating themselves more been recently invited to the conference and more to the suzerainty of Christian of Jewish religious teachers of East nations. Prussia, held in Konigsberg. Among those who took part were nine school •• The axe is already laid at the .root inspectors and twenty.five teachers. of the trees ; and although the immemo- Rabbi Dr. Bamberger, of Konigsberg, rial, giant oak, planted by a ConfuciUEl presided. Papers were read on differor a Buddha, does not fall in a decade ent subjects by Rabbi Tonn, of Alten. or two, very probably not in a single stein, Rabbi Sturmann, of Osterode, century, yet the first strokes have fallen, Rabbi Dr. Rulf, of Hemmel, Rabbi and the counter·mission, engendered by Scherbel. of Gurnbirmen, Inspector them, proves that men anticipate its Rev. Peritz, of Konigsberg and others. fall. The Crescent also can hardly fail • I need not say that these proceedings Boon to strike its colors. An uneasy had great interest for me,' writes our foreboding says as much to the Moham. friend Mr. Jacobi, 'and the favorable medans themselves. If you could hear opportunity was used to distribute Gertheir private whisperings, you would man tracts.' "-Jewish Intelligence. find them everywhere lamenting: •It is the century of the unbelievers, the AFRICA. Christians' century.' The coming cen· tury also shall be ours; at first, no -" Among the West Coast tribes of doubt, sadly to their displeasure, yet Africa there are no written laws, custom afterward will they be thankful to us and the voice of the elders alone regu. and give glory to God."-L. TlERNERSMA, lating all their jUdiciary affairs. The in De Macedonier. administration of law is much more sim· pIe than in countries of a higher civiliza· -" It is cheering to notice that the tion, less troublesome, and, if anything, Grand Duke of Baden, son·in.law of the more effective. The conscientious stu· late Emperor William I., has taken a dent cannot live among these people firm stand against the anti.Jewish at· any great number of years without in· tacks. He lately celebrated the fortieth creased respect for many of the instituanniversary of his accession to the tions by which they govern themselves. throne. On that occasion he expressed Some of them, when described on paper his sympathy with the Jewish people, from the standpoint of the visitor, who and conferred high decorations on sev· at best can know nothing of the inner eral of their community-rabbis, univer. life. appear extremely grotesque when sity professors, magistrates. He sin- read on the other side of the sea by peogled out for a special distinction his ple who only regard the negro as a cartrusted Finance Minister, Dr. Moritz toon on human nature. Many things Elstatter, who has held this important that seem ridioulous from a distance be. post for twenty.four years. The Gos. pel is making great strides among the
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
come on closer inspection objects of ad- poses upon itself some task requiring miration. T4ese people manage to rule energy and self-sacrifice and patience themselves without all the long com· for the benefit of the world. There plicated system of Europe and the Unit- must be something big of some sort ed States. There are here no jails, no which it has to do, which does not pay policemen, no safes, and no lock,ups, directly, but which, consciously or un- and yet among the natives, pure and consciously, it insists on doing, even to simple, life and property are much safer its own immediate detriment. The than in countries that boast of their Roman work was to stamp the notion wonderful civilization. A brass kettle of law as distinct from will into the may be set down in the midst of the white races, and it did it, and died only town or village and left for an indefi- of weakness when it drew back from nite time and it will not be touched. that great task, and suffered the reign That article is known here as hard of will to overpower almost entirely the money, and is the same as gold in other reign of law. Our work in the world is lands. Try that in the city of New to give its dark races a fair chance of York and see how long it will remain advancing; to maintain among them the undisturbed. Many a time, while trav- wonderful pax Britannica, which makes elling, I have left goods that to a native a continent like India as safe as the would have been wealth, in a town, in Strand; to let them, if they will, civil- a mud hut, with no other protection ize themselves, and assist them in the than a simple mat hung before the door work. This is specially our work ,in to keep out the rain. Often they have relation to negroes-first, because we remained weeks; and would have been hate slavery, the grand negro trouble; absolutely safe for any length of time." secondly, because we alone of the na- -Rev. DAVID A. DAY, in Lutheran Mis- tions can govern negroes without op- sionary Journal. pression; and thirdly, because the -" Everywhere in Christendom,' negroes have chosen us out from the alongside of the great apostasy, which nations as the one they will obey most is extending so appallingly, there is easily. Even the slaves in the Southvisible also a growing love to missions. ern States, with all their terrible wrongs, Christendom, inspired, as it were. to a never rose on the Anglo-Saxon planters breathless emulation of effort, precipi- as the Haytian negroes rose on their tates itself upon the tribes encompassed French and Spanish masters. Dr. Blywith the night of heathenism, above all den, perhaps the ablest negro alive, has in this part of the world, which has testified in the writer's hearing that hitherto been accounted the darkest. wherever he has travelled among his This is visibly of the Lord. He is own people, and he has travelled far, he minded to tear away all hindrances has found universally the same feeling which yet delay His advent. He is -that they would rather submit to the minded to hasten His coming. For this English than to any other white race, end He sets every force in motion. Sci- the conviction being that·, though they ence and romantic love of exploration, are violent and sometimes terrible, they culture, and humanity, colonial and mean well by us!" Under these circommercial development, all is con- cumstances the leadership in East Afristrained to serve Him ; all these things ca, from the Mediterranean to the Cape, are highways for the feet of the messen- has fallen to us; and we conceive that gers that are publishing peace."- it should, at any reasonable sacrifice, be retained. Just look at this single Jahresbericht of the Unitas lfTatrum. case of Uganda. It is conceded that we – " We hold that no people will ever have there no white enemy to dread; keep up its character at its highest level and the facts, therefore, resolve them~ – keep it noble, in fact-unless it im- selves into this. By cutting a road-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
we do not say a railroad-of three hun- we have actually secured to ourselves by dred and fifty miles; establishing a diplomatic effort a recognized though post or two; putting two or three thin kind of sovereignty. It seems to steamers on the Victoria Lake; and us that the House of Commons, if it organizing a minute force-say three votes for such a retreat, does a shamethousandmen-of Ghoorkasand Soudan- ful thing-as shameful a thing as could ese, with three mule batteries of artil. be done, except, indeed, one which, to lery, we can give a country as large and our amazement, is also pressed upon us fertile as England, with a large popula- by semi·official arguments. We can tion, profound quiet, commercial order, keep the protectorate, it is said, it being the opportunity of rising from the Afri. guarded by a European treaty, and yet can to the Asiatic grade of civilization. evacuate Uganda. That is to say, we We can allow Christian teaching, Prot- can keep our rights and do none of our estant and Catholic; we can set every duties; insist on our claims,. and fulfil man and woman free; and we can ren- none of our promises; leave Uganda, der it as safe to practise the simpler arts • the garden of savage Africa,' and -agriculture, weaving, andhouse·build- warn off any rival who might, from ining-as it is in Caithness or Sutherland- terested or other motives, restore a semshire. Englishmen can hardly under· blance of order. It is monstrous counstand what it is for negroes in Africa to sel. If we go, let us go utterly, and conmake even that beginning; but perhaps fess openly that our energy is overtaxed, they may l1nderstand the consequences and leave any white race that will try of our absence. The Arab slave-raid- to perform the duty from which, from ers, already on the verge of sovereignty, mere selfishness-for there is no other will enter Uganda, supported by their motive-we have shrunk."-The Specsavage allies, the Munyuema, and the tator, in Ohurch Missionary lntelligencer. fierce converts they arm with muskets, and turn the whole land into a wilder. -Lord Rosebery, speaking of Uganness whence all villages have disap- da, says to the C. M. S. deputation: peared ; where' no man or woman will "We-at any rate I-view it as a counbe safe from kidnappers for a day; try of great possibilities, as the key, where order will be unknown, except in perhaps, of Central Africa, as commandthe invaders' camps; and where one ing the Nile basin, as a field recently of third of the population will have per. heroic enterprise, as a land that ha.s ished, one third will have been sold been watered by the blood of our saints into slavery-predial slaTery, not do. and martyrs; and I, for one, as a Scotchmestic-and where the remaining third man, can never be indifferent to a land will have been driven out of its fields which witnessed the heroic exploits of into the jungle to live a hunted life on Alexander Mackay, that Christian Bay. roots and fish. In one generation hope ard, whose reputation will always be will have disappeared, Christianity will dear not only in his own immediate have been forgotten, and the people, northern country, but throughout the just emerging from savagery, will have empire at large. Gentlemen, I say that, been thrown back into the condition whereas we view Uganda from all these from which in three thousand years they different aspects, in my opinion you have only escaped at intervals-a con· represent the greatest force of all, be. dition worse, because a little more con· cause you represent what Mr. Bosworth scious, than that of the gorillas. And Smith eloquently called that continuity this not in a land of which we know noth. of moral policy which Great Britain ing, or with which we have no concern, cannot afford, at any time or in any but in a land which we have entered, dispensation, to disregard. That conwhere we have made treaties giving us tinuity of moral policy is a. moral force rights, and therefore duties, and where .by which, in my opinion, this country
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS
has to be judged. It is the salt which than his own. The preacher at St. savors our history; it is a spirit which Paul's Cathedral yesterday said, with has exalted it; and it is by that when no less truth than eloquence, that one we have passed away that, in my belief, of the Divine marks of Christianity was we shall come to be judged." its suitability to people in all parts of the world. Well, that is perfectly true, MISCELLANEOUS. but we go far to diminish its truth-or at least to make that truth not apparent -Professor Kume, of the Imperial -if we go out with a sort of impression University of Japan, has published an that couples with the mission of preachessay designed to prove that Shintoism, ing Christianity the mission also to inwhich now worships only the emperor troduce, to teach, and enforce all the and the national heroes, was originally conventionalities of the civilization of monotheistic. This view implies a de- the end of the nineteenth century as nial of the divinity of the Mikado's an- seen in a respectable suburb of Loncestry, and has given great offence_ don." Professor Kume has been placed by the government on the retired list. He illustrated this by an amusing story : -" When a chief of the Cherokees was asked why the Cherokees are so " An old friend of mine-not a mismuch in advance of the other tribes, he sionary of this society, I am happy to replied: 'Because we have taken care say-on seeing a great congregation beto educate our women as well as the fore him in a chapel in one oJ. the Pacimen.' "-Home Missionary Monthly (W. H. fic islands, wrote an account of the M. Board, Pres. C.). scene, which subsequently found its way into print. He wrote: • The vast -The Church at Home and Abroad ob- building was crowded to suffocation; jects, with much force, to the expres- the king and the queen were there; the sion " this or that communion." It ad- hymns were sung with a sound like mits that, unhappily, we may require thunder; there was the most intense denominations for a good while to come, interest in the sermon I preached.' but remarks that amongChristians there And do you think the good man went can be but one communion, "the com- on to rejs;lice at the success of the sermunion of saints." mon? Not a bit of it ; no, he went on to say, 'And my heart was sad in me, -At the annual meeting of the So- for in the whole of that vast con~ega ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel, tion I do not think there were half a Sir Arthur Gordon, after remarking that dozen persons in complete European he had seen the society's missionaries costume.' "-Mission Field. in all parts of the world, and had, as he believed, ., never come across a single ""':At the same meeting the Bishop of missionary of it who was not animated Mashonaland remarked: "There seems by the true spirit, and who was not to be an idea that those who know most a self-denying man," proceeded to re- about missions do not support them. mark that" an abstract fitness" in mis- My experience has been the opposite. sionaries was hardly enough, but that Three of the most distinguished soldiers they should have also a fitness for the in connection with Africa, an admiral, particular place to which they were a governor, an administrator, are the sent." A missionary should be able to class of men who support us in Africa. enter into the feelings and spirit of There is a class who must be strongly others; he should not go out with opposed to missions, namely, those who stereotyped, fixed, Western ideas; and bring into these countries which must he should be able to tolerate other waYl:l tend to destroy the poor black children of living and other modes of thought both body and soul. These men must
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
dislike mIssIons with all their heartB ; opened, the peoples are brought near, and it would be well if our active op- to a degree of which only a few decades position to them were even stronger back there was scarcely a presentiment.
than it is. We tamely accept what we The Lord is laying a pressure on us to hear to the disparagement of missions work so long as it is day. Christendom without investigating the truth. More must trade with her talent ere the Lord than a year ago one of the most read of comes. Thank God that many in Chris- the London weekly newspapers pub- tendom have understood this summons.
lished a letter bringing against an Afri- However we may lament the shortcom- can mission, close to the home of the ings of the Church, yet none the less is writer, a certain definite charge. It it true that in obedience to the com- was answered by our offering to pay all mand of the departing Christ, • Go ye expenses in connection with the inquiry, into all the world and preach the Gospel and the value of the time expended, if to every creature,' the messengers of the the writer could prove a single instance Gospel are gone forth into all the world.
of what he had asserted to happen gen- In this work our Lutheran Church has erally. This answer was published in her part, and may she to-day, so far the same paper; but from that day to as represented by us; strengthen her this nothing has been heard of that faith anew, although on the word which man." was given of old, inllame her zeal and – " An example of Mary Mo.ffat's revive in the freshness of an undying love."-The Very Reverend Superinfaith is that during the darkest time, tendent WERNER, in Evangelisch-Lutherwhen not a single man or woman about isches Missionsblatt. them seemed in the least degree touched or even interested in the message of sal- -" The peoples contend with one anvation, a friend in England wrote ask- other, they advance in their might, in ing what presents to her might be of their civilization and culture, and then use. She answered: 'Send us a com- again decay; but through all the conmunion service; we shall want it some fusion and tumult proceeds the still footday.' The parcel was long on the way; fall of One Invisible, and amid the vicisbut just the day before that arranged situdes of nations and kingdoms grows for receiving the first six converts into a single kingdom day and night, the the Church, the box arrived containing kingdom of Him who saith: •All authe communion vessels for which Mary thorityis committed unto Me in heaven had asked hearly three years before."- and in earth.' When His appointed Woman's Work, in Missionary Reporter. time arrives He causes the sun of the -" When we cast our eyes over the Gospel to shine upon the peoples, and lands of the earth, over the shores of His love has then power to melt even the oceans, the broad continents and the ice which has chilled a hundred the island world, southward and north- generations under the bondage of sin, ward, eastward and westward, of many and to shatter the citadels of Satan.
peoples the first-fruits are scarce gath- Yet has He long patience to wait. Not ered in, and the great multitude are still till the long-delayed event may we ador.
waiting for the message of salvation. ingly say, 'It is the Lord.' Even thus The time presses. We know not how does St. Paul review the wonderful ways near the coming of the Lord is, but mul- of God with the nations, and exclaim: tiplying signs remind us of the word, , How unsearchable are His judgments e This Gospel of the kingdom shall be and His ways past finding out. For preached in all the world, for a witness who hath known the mind of the Lord, unto all nations; and then shall the or who hath been His counsellor? . . .
end come.' The ways to the heathen For of Him, and through Him, and to world are set in order, the doors are Him lire all things!' "-Ibid. IN GENERAL. -This is the scientific view of it, and science speaks with authority: "The -To him who, month by month, foreign travellers and residents in the from the whole wide world diligently South Sea Islands who write with such endeavors to gather facts relating to hOliltility of missions there are men who missions and to exclude all fictions, find the missionary to be an obstacle to there is solid comfort in the saying that the accomplishment of their evil pur- " the man who never makes any mis- poses." – Oharles Darwin. takes never makes anything." But all the same, the struggle for accuracy in -There;is a story of a minister who every statement goel! courageously on. plead so earnestly for foreign missions that, when he asked for those who -" Blessed are they who see the day would volunteer to enter upon the work, of glory, but more blessed are they who his own daughter came forward promptcontribute to its approach."-Bishop ly and offered herself. Taken by sur- Secker. prise, the father said: "Oh, daughter, I did not mean you." How easy to talk -Dr. S. J. McPherson, apropos of the with fervor without meaning much! recent decease of a certain millionaire, used these words so painfully and terri- -The tithe as a standard for giving bly true: "A selfish man is a Dead to the Lord will not answer for all. He Sea, and wants all things to be inlets whD gives $1 out of $100,000 gives far without any outlets; but a fine char- less than he who gives the same out of acter, like a sweet-water lake, must have $10,000 or $1000. Dr. Joseph Brown, outlets as well as inlets. His life is an of Glasgow, quaintly says that no man interesting study for likeness to the can overlook this principle of propor- Dead Sea." tionate giving if he understands his arithmetic, and that the practical neg· -In less than 80 Y'Olars 30,000 mis- lect of it can be accounted for only on sionary Baptists in the United States the ground that such people, when they have grown to over 3,000,000; while came to simple proportion, bolted over it 40,000 anti·mission Baptists have grown into vulgar fractions." to only 45,000. "I do not know," says Rev. William Brock, " what there would -A Brahman said to a missionary: have been in the Baptist denomination "We are finding you out. You are not if there had been no Baptist mission. so good as yonf Book. If you were as It was the real source of inspiration to good as 101U' Book, you would conquer the churches." Insert any other de- India for Christ in five years." nominational name and the statement is equally true. –Joel Chandler Harris, of "Uncle Remus" fanie, is the son of a mission- -The great commission of the Master ary. and is about to revisit his birthwho bids His followers" Go ye into all place on the African coast, where his the world, and preach the Gospel to parents were once settled. every creature," is often understood as if it read, .. Stay ye in this part of the -A building that at one time beworld, and preach the Gospel to the few longed to the Inquisition has been purpeople who have already heard it." chased by the Baptists of Bahia, Brazil, Whereas the command is to all, and for mission purposes. "Surely the equally to all. And the many who are wrath of man shall praise Thee." not called to go themselves are bound to send substitutes for the service-sons, -Whoso would conjure wisely with daughters, offerings-and to pray with- figures, first of all must be sure that beout ceasing to the Lord of the harvest. hind his figures are solid facts to match. Yes, go or send substitutes. Of the bulk of the world no census has ever been taken, and so whenever the numbers of human kind are given, it is to the next Assem bly looking toward &.
to be remembered that outside of North more economical expenditure of mis- America, Europe, and India, and a few sion funds. After expressing its con- smaller regions, all conclusions are fidence in the unity of the Church, and based only upon estimates-that is, its belief in co·operation as a practical guesses. Africa used to contain 200,- method of expressing that unity, it ex- 000,000 and upward to even 300,000,- pressed the desire to co.operate with ODD, but now statisticians name 165,- other churches in bringing about this 000,000, or even 130,000,000, as probably. reform in the missionary field of the.
nearer the truth; while a recent writer West.
would leave to the Congo Free State WOMAN'S WORK. bnt 8,000,000 out of the 40,000,000 who have been supposed to dwell therein; Past and Present.-It marked the be-· and, finally, along comes the Chinese ginning of a new and important stage in ambassador and declares that the popu- the growth of Christian missions wpen, lation of his country is grossly overesti- in 1861, and largely through Mrs. Doremated, and instead of 400,000,000 there mus, in Ne'!V York City, was formed the are but 125,OOO,000! Calculations, he Union Missionary Society, the first of says, have been based upon the num- its kind, at least in the United States, ber found to the square mile in the and by the co-operation of women. vicinity of the seaboard, while further from six denominations. The need back, over tbe bulk of the area of the of the new movement was so great, empire, the density of population is and the call was so evidently from on. much less. high, that presently the idea was taken. up and acted upon by others, and now it -Mr. Moody finds young Irishmen has come to this, that any church which from the old country so especially valu- is not supplied with a Woman's Board able, when trained for evangelistic is counted singular and far behind the· toil, that in closing his work in that times.
island recently he offered to depart from Not less than 75 such organizations his usual rule of requiring candidates can now be named, of which 50 are in the to bear a portion of the expense of their United States and Canada, and the rest training, and if 25 young men were sent mainly in Great Britain, with an aggre- from Ireland, he would put them gate income approaching near to $2,000,- through their conrse in the Chicago In- ODD, and upward of 5000 representatives stitute without any charge. in the foreign field, of whom nearly 2000 -Though not a .few Episcopalians have gone ont from Christian lands. have strong convictions against sending These four denominations stand at the " missionaries to Roman Catholic coun- front with respect to the extent of their tries, because they are already under work, though various others, according the jurisdiction of bishops who are in to their numbers and ability, have done the line of the apostolical succession," just as well or even better: the Presbythe Evangelical Ohurchman of Toronto terians, $316,734; the Methodist Epis. does not in the least share such strange copalians, $265,342 ; the Congregationscruples, and makes bold to affirm : "It alists, $218,935; and the Baptists, $213,- is the duty of Protestants to carry the 658. As a manifestation of zeal coupled Gospel to Romanists, who in some coun- with energy and skill, the society first tries-Spain, Mexico, and Brazil, for named reported receipts last year less instance-need it almost as m.ilch as the than those of the entire great Church by heathen." 'only $16.226, a phenomenon strange, if- not serious; and while the Methodist.
-The Presbyterian Synod of Oregon, Church South has been for some years I't its last meeting, adopted an overture struggling with a debt, the women. thereof have maintained a treasury years in the Galesburg, TIl., Congregablessed with a surplus in the bank. tional Church, 12 girls have gone as missionaries to foreign lands. At the The kinds of work undertaken are home of one of these in Tokyo she died." various, with school work most common. In the zenanas of the East women find -How many readers of the MISSIONa boundless :field, one desolate in the ARY REVIEW know that the membership extreme, and have it all to themselves. of the W. C. T. U., including the young Besides, in hospitals and elsewhere, not women's branoh and the ohildren of the far from 100 women are ministering Loyal Temperanoe Legion, has reached abundantly to the bodies and souls of in the United States alone 350,000, their sex. Nearly two thirds of that or that among the great things done it number went from this country. has procured 10,000,000 signatures to petitions for prohibitioll ? It maintains The enginery applied at home is the largest publishing society of women equally peculiar. The money is raised in the world, and is annually issuing by various devices, among which these 130,000,000 pages of printed matter, all are most common : by membership fees, used in pushing its great work of moral with dues paid annually, quarterly, or reform. Then there is also that magni. monthly; by pledges, mite-boxes, col- fioent $1,000,000 " temple" in Chioago, lections at public meetings held for the the quickening centre for all its world. purpose, etc. But perhaps the most wide aotivities ! noteworthy feature is found in the surprising variety and abundance of litera- THE UNITED STATES. ture furnished to diffuse information and kindle interest. Thus there are the -The following figures have been monthly magazines, bearing often names published by the Commissioner of Edu. so happily chosen, and edited with such oation : Number of pupils enrolled last ability and tact; magazines and papers year in the common schools of the oounfor children as well ; mission studies try, 13,203,170, and the average daily running through the months; prayer attendanoe,8,404,228. There were 363,- calendars to give definiteness and point 922 teachers, 122,551 being males and to petitions at the throne of grace, etc. 241,371 females, and the total expendi- In all which surely there is something ture for the support of the publio which the brethren are bound narrowly schools was $148,173,487. The prog. to observe, and also something which ress of education among the oolored they may often wisely imitate. people is presented in the following statistics: Number of pupils, 1,309,251 ; -Mary Allen West, who died not long teachers, male, 13,567 ; female, 10,497. ago in Japan, whither she had gone in behalf of the Woman's Christian Tem- -It may now be taken for granted perance Union, is a woman not soon to that the Utah question, whioh for fifty be forgotten. In the" crusade" against years has been our perplexity and our the saloon of twenty years ago she took shame, may be regarded as settled, a an active part; in the sublime move- thing of the past. After what legisla. ment which soon grew out of it she was tion has accomplished, aided most not long in coming to the front, and for effectually by the vigorous mission years wielded a wide influence as editor work of the churches, it only remains· of the Union Signal. In particular this to continue the teaching and preaching fact is notable : work and hold the region yet longer in territorial condition, and in due season "She graduated from college when polygamy as well as priestly tyranny but seventeen and entered at once upon will live but in memory. The recent her lifework as a teacher. Her influ- amnesty proclamation of the President ence over her pupils was strongly re- was a wille recognition of the existing ligious, and out of a large Sabbath- status. The churches out there numschool class which she taught for many ber 89 with 98 ministers, while there Batavia, TIl., gave to the (colored) theofire 81 schools with 6518 scholars. logical seminary at Atlanta, Ga., now called by his name, the sum of $350,000 -Sooner or later it is the impossible for buildings and endowment, and now, that is certain to happen. Or, in the by the terms of his will, a further sum tooth of the famous historic statement of $750,000 goes to the same institution. to the contrary, the mountain in our These large gifts may well stand with time and land is actually moving toward the Slater fund of $1,000,000, the Hand Mohammed. That is, Rome, after an- fund of $1,500,000, and the Peabody athematizing and fighting our public- fund of $2,000,000, allleEt for the benefit school system time out of mind, has at of the freedmen. length concluded to come to terms with the institution and kindly suffer it to -When a few weeks since Rev. Edsurvive-yes, even to make friends there· win E. Bliss died in Constantinople, with. So the zeitgeist in America is too after forty.nine years of distinguished much even for the Pope. service, a life of far more than ordinary usefuln.ess came to an end. When he -But, speaking of the prophet of entered Turkey in 18!l3 the work was Islam, the telegraph tells us that an just at its beginning, and in all the reo emissary even from far off Manila is markable progress which has since been on his way hither, Koran in hand, and witnessed he bore a prominent part. In in the person of Alexander Russell particular he helped nobly to create a Webb, late United States cOllEul and a Christian literature, and to build up for recent convert to the same, to turn us both sexes a system of schools and col- .all into Mohammedans, since theirs is a leges. HolY fast the fathers are passing loftier faith, and theirs also are purer away! morals. At least 53,000 rupees have been contributed for his .. mission" by -The American Seamen's Friend So· the faithful in Rangoon, Calcutta, and ciety sustained in 1892 sailors' homes, Hyderabad. Bethels, chaplains, missionaries, col- porteurs, and Bible readers (in all 35) -On the 14th of last December the in 32 foreign and domestic seaports. Board of Regents conferred legal au· The whole number of new loan libraries thority upon the International Medical sent to sea by the society, from 1858-·59 Missionary Society to establish in New to April 1st, 1892, was 9761 ; and the York City a misiiionary school of medi- reshipments of the same for the same cine, the first institution of the kind in period were 10,933 ; the total shipments the world. aggregating 20,694. The number of volumes in these libraries was 505,020, -There can scarcely be two opinions and they were accessible, by shipment upon the legislation upon our statute and reshipment, to 369,093 men. Teu books concerning the Chinese. It is an hundred and seven libraries, with 36,409 open violation of treaty pledges, it is an volumes, were placed upon vessels in outrage upon an innocent population, the United States navy, and in naval and was a piece of the merest political hospitals, and were accessible to 115,- demagogism. If retaliation was ever 504 men, and 146 libraries were placed in justifiable, it is now, and from China. stations of the United States Life·Sav- Except that the law seems certain to be ing Service, containing 5467 volumes, an utter failure, and so will but cover accessible to 1168 keepers and surfmen. its originators with confusion. Almost to a man so far the Chinese pay it no -The colored Baptists of the South beed, and to enforce it, to send, them are making an earnest effort to develop all back, would cost some $10,000,000 ! their missionary work in Liberia. Some At any rate, John Chinaman is no fool. six years ago they sent a missionary and his wife to the Congo under au agree- -Some years since Mr. Gammon, of ment of co-operation with the American has a synod in and about Arizona whose Baptist Missionary Union. Within a area is greater than 5 States the size of few months they have been making spe- Pennsylvania. On the roll are 26 mincial effort to arouse interest in their isters, 17 Spanish helpers, and 42 Liberia work, one of their missionaries churches with a membership of 1360. -the Rev. Mr. Johnson-having spoken Several of the churches are Spanish and in many places in this country, and then 1 is Indian. gone to England to secure funds there_ -The Oumberland Presbyterian ex- -The Christian (Disciple) Church claims: "Just think of 170,000 memcontributed for foreign missions last bers and $20,000 given to home misyear $70,321, of which but $1751 were sions last year! Or, in other words, from bequests. In all, 1338 churches we gave eight and one half cents per contributed, from 1468 Sunday-schools member to establish our Lord's cause came offerings to the amount of $21,907, where the Gospel is needed in this land." and from 193 societies of Christian En- And the call goes out for $25,000 in 1893 deaTor, $1830. for foreign missions.
-The fiftieth anniversary of the ar- -From Philadelphia, sent forth by rival of Father Heyer at Guntur, India, the Umted Presbyterian Church on Nowas celebrated in many Lutheran Sun- vember 2d, a party of 7 missionaries day-schools during the year 1892. About sailed en route for Egypt; 2 men with 400 connected with the General Synod their wives and 3 unmarried women. contributed a jubilee offering for foreign Two were returning to their work, and missions amounting to $5,562. To 5 were new to the work. this amount is also to be added several thousand dollars contributed for the -" Liberalism," somehow, does not support of students, numerous helpers appear to be conducive to evangelistic in gospel work, the erection of prayer zeal. For the other day, at a gathering houses, and similar mission work. of Boston Unitarians, by one of their own number it was stated as a,fact that -The M. E. Church, South, began the 15 Congregational churches of the work among the Indians as far back as city of Worcester give more in a year for 1823, and has expended upon them in all missionary purposes than all the 450 upward of $400,000. In the Indian Ter- Unitarian societies in the country. ritory last year they could report 90 missionaries and a membership of over DOMINION OF CANADA. 12,000. This same church has a Mexican mission which embraces three con- -Many years ago there was a refuge ferences, and stretches westward to the for lepers at Tracadia, on an island in Pacific and southward to the State of the mouth of the St. Lawrence. A pa- Michoacan. About 80 native preachers tient who had been confined there made are in service, and Q'Ver 5000 native his escape and sought shelter in a hosmembers are enrolled as communicants. pital in Montreal. Before his death he told one of the sisters the horrible con- -The Presbyterian Church is bestir- dition of this abode. He said they were ring itself to take in hand the matter of fastened up in it, and then left entirely doing its share toward Christianizing to themselves, their food being thrown and Americanizing the millions of Ger- over a high wall, while the ground man immigrants, bearing in mind what within was knee deep with mire and a German once said: "Unless the filth. The Superior applied for leave to Americans take care of the Germans, send some of the sisters to take charge the Germans will take care of the of this place. As soon as she received Americans. " it she called together the sisters under her care, told them the story, and asked -The Presbyterian Church, South, for four volunteers, offering herself to £120,203. The Church of England so. lead them, The entire 30 came forward, cieties raised £539,510 ; joint societies from whom four were chosen, and they of Churchmen and Nonconformists, have changed the abode of horrors into £206,330; Nonconformist societies in a clean, orderly, cheerful Christian England and Wales, £456,348; Scotch home, and have established churches and Irish Presbyterians, £210,306; and and schools, Roman Catholics, £9015.
-The Methodist Church has reIJeived -The Boys' Brigade in the United this ap,Peal from missionaries in China : Kingdom numbers over 1600 officers and " In view of the present settled state of 21,000 boys, making it the largest Christhis great province of Sze.Chuen, with tian organization of boys in the world, its forty to fifty million people, the many Those in charge have practically decid· openings for missionaries, and the im. ed in favor of having an encampment of perative and present need of workers, the brigade at th.e World's Fair, though 25 missionaries are expected, in answer all the details are not as yet settled. to prayE'r, to join us here by the year 1900. This will necessitate the depar. -This gentle reminder from theture from Canada each year of two mar· Propagation Society is always in order ried men and two single men, or one concerning the statement frequently msrried man and three single men, be- made, and which in a sense is also true, ginning with August,1893." And one that the Baptist Society is the oldest of them adds: "Mrs, Hartwell and my. missionary organization in England: self cheerfully offer to receive into our The oldest of all such organizations is home, to board and lodge free, for one the now little known. New England year, two young men, unmarried, who Company, which was founded by act are willing to come to Chen·tu." of the Long Parliament in 1649, and in. corporated by royal charter in 1662. -The Board of French Evangelization The Society for the Propagation of th& of the Presbyterian Church reports for Gospel was fonnded in 1701, and it is 1892 that 36 mission fields with 96 frequently averred that becluse it was preaching stations have been supplied, founded for ", the religious instruction 24 mission schools carried on, and 12 of the king's sul'ljects beyond the seas," colporteurs employed. An ever.increas- it did no missionary work until the ing number of children from Roman early part of the nineteenth century. Catholic homes has been attending the Admitting for the sake of argument that mission schools. In some of these al. to plant the Church in the colonies is most the total attendance is Roman not missionary work, the slightest ac· Catholic. For example, in one ~hool quaintance with the condition of the 14 out of 17 are Roman Catholic ; in .. king's subjects beyond the seas" in another, 15 out of 16; in another, 23 the eighteenth century would prevent out of 28. 'In fact, except in one or two our forgetting that in that category schools, the Roman Catholic attendance were large numbers of heathen for is not less than one third and often more whose conversion the Society labored than one half. from the first. So long ago as 1704 it sent missionaries to the negroes and EUROPE. Indians in what is now the State of New York; in 1712 it extended its work to Great Britain.-Canon Scott Robert. the negroes in the West Indies; in) 749 son has just completed his liwenty-first to Central America, to the Indians on annual summary of British contribu. the Mosquito Coast; in 1752 to the tions to missionary societies for propa- negroes of West Africa ; and in 1778 to gating the Gospel in foreign parts. The the Indians of Canada. total for the year 1891 is £1,421,500, an increase of the sum realized in 1890 of -It was indeed II mysterious providenee when the Roumania was ship- a Protestant church at Madrid has been wrecked off the coast'of Portugal a few consecrated with the consent of Premier weeks since, and several missionaries on Sagasta. The consecration ceremony their journey to take up their sacred had been postponed repeatedly because tasks found a grave in the deep. the approval of the conservative pre- -" I believe in the Salvation Army mier, just succeeded by Sagasta, could because the wealth of wisdom, wit, and not be obtained. "Protests" indeed! work in women has been utilized by Axe we dwelling in the nineteenth cenyour great leaders as never before in the tury or back in the ninth instead?
cause of our Master and Lord. I am a -The Evangelical Church' of Italy Methodist, and my apprenticeship in (Chiesa, Evangelica d'Italia), as the Free the mighty church founded by Susanna Church is now called, in the minutes Wesley's son John, and set to music by of its last biennial convention, held her son Charles, long ago taught me in Florence, reports encouraging prog- that for the hosts of God to go forth ress. Letters addressed to the body without women was like a bird beating by prominent Protestants throughout the air with but a single wing. The Christendom show how this Church has Church has long hobbled on one foot. won universal respect. The relations Your Axmy has succeeded in getting the to the Waldensian Church are cordial, other foot to the' floor and' the swing though the hoped-for union has not of conquest' is the result."-liTances E. been effected. The most serious diffi· Willard. culty is found in the education of can- -Mr. Weir, of Greyfriars, Dumfries, didates for the ministry, for which the in sending to the foreign mission sixteen proper facilities are yet wanting. The shillings, the last earnings of a young last convention was composed of 38 workman who was killed in an accident, delegates, representing 25 churches, and writes: .. The parents said that they 34 groups of circuits and stations.
eould not bear to put the money to any -Herr Frederick Krupp, son and sucordinary use, and that they wished it cessor of the great founder of the Krupp given to missions. It was the money gun, on the occasion of the unveiling found due to him by his employers." of a memorial statue to his late father, -The Free Church calls on the young gave 500,000 marks to a committee to of the 1100 congregations to supply expend in erecting 100 small cottages, £2000 for a hospital at Tiberias upon with gardens, for the use of the most the Sea of Galilee, and so in the very deserving of the workmen in his employ.
region where the Great Heal~ wrought ASIA.
so many wondrous cures ! Turkey.-It is gratifying to learn The Continent.-In France the gov- that Caxton's art is making rapid progernment pays the pastors, not only of ress in Jerusalem. Two weekly news. the Catholic but of the Protestant de- papers, in pure Hebrew-Ha' Or (" The nominations. This rule obtains also in Light") and Hachawazeleth (" The Flowthe colonies, so that even Mohammedan er")-are issued, and both enjoy a good mosques are maintained by the State. circulation. Jerusalem, an annual, held It costs millions of francs. There is a in great repute on the Continent, is also strong disposition to abolish the ar- published there. It is curious to note rangement and have a free Church in a that several of the monasteries in the free State; but Napoleon's concordat Holy Land publish their religious works with the Pope stands in the way. through the Jewish book· pUblishing houses established in Jerusalem, though -In spite of the emphatic protests of s6'veral of the institutions have their the papal nuncio, the Bishop of Madrid own presses and issue Latin and Axabio and thousands of aristocratic Catholics, books for private use.-Jewish World. Persia.-Mizra Abraham is a convert sin," and adds, .. The catechist says from Islam, whose steadfastness and there are not less than 300 others ready Christian zeal in persecution are at publicly to renounce their old faith in present exciting not a little interest in favor of Christianity." All these belong Persia. He was arrested for preaching to the Mangs, one of the lowest of castes Christ. He was beaten and tormented in the city, the basket-makers, the horn- and cast into prison. For three weeks blowers and drum-beaters at marriages, he was in prison in Oroomia, and after- births, and other heathen ceremonies. ward in Tabriz. He persisted in con- fessing Christ. He has won the heart -The Indian Witness reports that the of his jailer, receiving, in consequence, aggregate additions to the Christian liberty to see his friends, read his Bible, community connected with ~he Meth- and speak to his fellow-prisoners. Ten odist Episcopal missions within the out of the 11 criminals in jail he has bounds of the North India Conference won over to Christ. Thousands of Mos- for the year ending October 31st, 1892, lems are having their attention thereby amounted to 14,410 persons, children called to the claims of Christianity. and adults. In this conference there are 42 native pastors who draw their -In Tabriz, when the missionaries support entirely from the people. wanted a school building, the best place they could find was one already occu- -Rev. R. C. Ha;ting8 writes of the pied by a distillery, with ample room churches in the Ceylon Mission that the for more buildings of the same sort. total number is 16, with a membership Mrs. William Thaw, of Pittsburg, gave of over 1500, and that 10 of these pay the money, and they bought it, building all their expenses, including pastor's and all, put up more buildings, turned salary, contributions to benevolent so- the distillery into a dormitory, and that cieties and running expenses. A good is the school to-day! record indeed.
India.-Which is it? Are women so -Adjutant Abdul Aziz, a Mohamme- ridiculously cheap, or are cows so alarm- dan convert to Christianity, now has ingly dear, that Miss Sugden, a returned charge of the social work of the Salva- missionary, can report that" a cow is tion Army at Bombay. worth 100 women"? And, further, she says that men of India claim that only -According to statistical tables pre- three women have ever gone to heaven- pared for the recent Bombay Conference, to wit, our Lord's mother, the mother 53 denominations are carrying on mis- of Mohammed, and oneof the prophet's sionary work in India, besides 5 women's wives. societies of an undenominational char- acter, and 7 isolated missions. In them -The Irish Presbyterian Church re- all are found 808 ordained missionaries, , ports this soUd growth in Kathiawar in 785 ordained natives, 114 foreign and ten years: stations have increased from Eurasian lay preachers, 3336 native lay 15 to 18, ordained missionaries from preachers, 171,214 communicants, and 7 to 12, native agents from 38 to 108, 534,113 adherents (native Christians). communicants from 248 to 389, Chris- The increase in nine years is 123,000 in tian community from 1808 to 2162, and adherents and 62,000 in communicants. the attendance at schools from 1706 to Classified according to ordained and lay 3593. workers, both foreign and native, com- municants and adherents, Madras has -Mr. Wilkie, of the Presbyterian 355; 1319; 99,000 ; 341,000. Bengalhas Church, Canada, reports from Indore 219 ; 781 ; 38,000 ; 108,000. Northwest· that "over 300 people have publicly ern Provinces and Oudh have 92 ; 209; retlOunced Hinduism and profess faith 14,000 ; 30,000. Punjab has 50; 293 ; in Jesus Christ as their Saviour from 6000; 20,000. Bombay has 48; 278·; 9000; 22,000; and Central India has Korea.-The presence of Dr. Allen, 21 ; 170; 2000 ; 9000. of the M. E. Church, in Seoul, in De- China.-There are over 100 medioal cember, 1884, saved the life of Prince missionaries in China, and 56 of them Min Yong Ik; and this resulted in the are women. They reaoh those who establishment of a hospital under Chrisare beyond the reaoh of male missiona. tian auspices and supported by the ries, even though physicians, and touch king. It also prepared the way for the home life as no others oa.n. physicians and teachers as nothing else would have done. The king has pre- -How easy, with suoh a oommon· sented to this hospital a signboard con- sense pla.n, to do much with a little! A taining the name given to it by him, missionary in China says that any which being translated is, " Widespread ohurch society of 60 members, each giv- Relief Hospital, " ing 2 cents per week, could preach yearly, through a native preacher, to 50,000 -A missionary writes that in this persons. He knows of 5 societies who country" woman's work is never done. " have adopted this plan, and working to· " They are expected to keep their husgether provide a floating chapel and dis- bands and sons iu spotless linen, and, pensary, a Christian doctor and 2 native as the men dress completely in white, preachers; and during last November wearing even white leggings, and as and December they preached in 100 Korea abounds in miry clay, the washvillages, and gave medical aid to more ing becomes no mean thing. Moreover, than 1000 persons. when one learns that every article be· fore it is washed must be entirely -" When my soul comes to a body picked to pieces, and after it is ironed on earth again," said the wife of a high remade, the sewing looms into gigantic official one day, " I want to be a dog, proportions. The Korean women have not a woman. A dog can run about as no soap, no tubs, no washboards. The it. chooses. If one has a will as high as clothes are carriod to a mountain the heavens one ca.nnot stir hand or stream and there rubbed on the stones, foot, we are so fettered by our cus- They have no irons, so the pieces of toms." cloth are wound over a sort of rolling.
-In the Fuh-kien province 993 per- pin and patted with a stick-a most sons were baptized last year in the Eng- laborious and tedious process, but one lish Church's missions. Bishop Burdon which gives linen a gloss almost equal confirmed 100 candidates in Hing-hwa, to that of satin. The traveller coming which has never had a resident Euro- into a town far into the night never pean missionary. fails to hear the tick-tack. tick-tack, -In Paotingfu, the capital of Pechili, that announces the woman at her ironthe chief literary man of the province ing."
recently came to one of the missionaries Japan.-The fall term of the Doshisha and gave him about $75 with which to purchase scientific books. So that after at Kyoto opened prosperously with 144 all the hide-bound and conceited Celes- in the preparatory department, 215 in tials do begin to feel the influence of the college department, 56 iu the theothe Western world. logical department, 63 in the scientific, and 16 in the law department, making -The M. E. ChurCh, South, has two 494 in all. Dr. Davis says: "I never main centres of work, the one at Shang- began the school year before with a hai and the other at Soochow, a city of braver or happier heart, or one more at 500,000, the literary focus of the em. rest and peace. "
pire, and to which 20,000 " stUdents" -Mr. John Imai, the first "priest of gather at one time to pass examination the Anglican Church in Japan, in de· for literary degrees. scribing the work done by the various 'Christian bodies, speaks of the Congre- people, and is characterized by a tacigationalists as having the advantage of turn self-reliance which makes him instrong ed"1lcational foundations, the valuable in such enterprises. Presbyterians as successful in winning converts, the Methodists as noticeable ISLANDS OF THE SEA. for forming strong centres and schools, the Roman Catholics for possessing -A few years ago Mrs. Allan, of Glas- 30,000 adherents, and the Greek Church gow, Scotland, a member of the family <the largest body) for its trained native which owns the Allan Line of steamers, clergy. visited Japan, and on her return to Scot. land offered £750 to Rev. R. A. Thom- -Count Inoue, Minister of Home son, a Baptist missionary at Kobe, to Affairs, has given $800 to the Christian begin a mission on the Loochoo Islands. 'university (Doshisha), has erected at Her offer was accepted and the mission Yamaguchi a building for a mission, begun by sending two Japanese evanand has aided several mission schools gelists to Naha, the principal port of for girls. Count Ito, the Prime Minis- Okinawa, the largest of the Loochoo ter, is also a friend and supporter of Islands. Mrs. Allan died last spring, Christian schools. and on the very day of her death the first Loochoo convert was baptized at -Japan also has its Great Northern Naha. Railroad extending some 500 miles from Tokyo to Aomori, a seaport at the north- -It is 20 years since Dr. Mackay, ~rn end of the great island Nippon. missionary of the Canadian Presbyterian Church, began to labor in North For- AFRICA. mosa. The result is in that part of t,he island at this day 2605 baptized Chris- -Bishop Ferguson, of Cape Palmas. tians, 50 native preachers, 2 ordained {lalls especial attention to the fact that pastors, and many other workers. the Cape Palmas tribe of Greboes had raised a sum of money to purchase a This same Dr. Mackay writes that Bible to take the place of their fetiches, "North Formosa has a neat chapel in and remarks: "Such a thing as a memory of China's great evangelist, heathen tribe's giving up its gregrees William C. Burns, and she will soon and taking instead the Bible as a token have one dedicated to the memory of of its acceptance of the Christian re- India's heroic defender, Alexander Duff. ligion. to be henceforth its rule and In June last I received £102 from an guide, has never taken place in this aged Christian lady in Canada. The land before, and it speaks loudly in donor heartily acquiesced in the sugfavor of our work." Comparing 1889 gestion that the latter memorial church with 1892 he finds that the baptisms should be erected, and as she has no dehave increased from 470 to 702, the con- sire for pUblicity her name will not apfirmations from 235 to 281, and the com- pear. " municants from 645 to 896, -Seven Presbyterian churches-Can- -General Dodds, who led the French ada, Free Church, churches of Victoria, forces in Dahomey, is of Irish parent- New South Wales, South Australia, New age, but a native of the French province Zealand, and Tasmania-cumbine to of Senegal, where he has passed the send 18 missionaries to the New Hebgreater part of his life. His first ser- rides. All these are united in a synod vice was in the marine infantry, until in which meets to receive reports, discuss 1890, when he was put in command of matters of business, vow/grants, etc. A all the forces at St. Louis, and organ- meeting w~ not long since held on ized the Dahomey expedition of last Aneityum, at which 41 were present, year, He has great knowledge of the wives and children included.
The Missionary Review of the World — November 1891
OUR DEBT, OUR DUTY, AND OUR DESTINY
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. 11.-0ldSeries.–NOVEMBER.–VoL. IV. No.l1.-NewSeries.
OUR DEBT, OUR DUTY, AND OUR DESTINY.
[EDITORIAL, A. T. P.] The obligation to prosecute home missions finds illustration in three important texts of Scripture, at which we shall glance, in their application to this great theme.
I. "If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith. and is V,'orse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5 : 8).
II. "Thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men llIay bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles" (Isa. 60: 11).
Ill. "I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth" (Acts 13 : 47).
We do not claim that these passages refer to the subject to which we apply them; but they serve as biblical expressions of our threefold relation to home missions, or the evangelization of our land.
1. A DEBT owed to a national family and household. 2. A DuTY owed to a nation's guests-the strangers that are within our gates, destined to become children of the nation. 3. A DESTINY connected with our providential history and mission to the world as a missionary nation. 1. THE DEBT. The nation is a larger family, and of this larger family the household is the type. In an emphatic sense we have all one Father. We have as' a nation a common origin. The nation had its birth-hour and birth-throes. The history of its nativity is written in blood and tears, and we are proud of it. We are bound by peculiar ties that make the whole family one. The very configuration, conformation, and physical features of the republic's domain proclaim our unity. The great mountain ranges and river systems run north aud south like backbone and breastbone and nervous and circulatory systems, and forbid division such as was attempted in the Civil War of a quarter century ago. Our history is one, and our interests are common. Here is one great household, in one great home, with a common tongue, common wants, and a common supply. We are under one beneficent system of household laws, where due regard is had to the liberty and rights and development of each. A paternal government of mingled freedom and restraint is over the household.
However widely scattered, we shall find, literally, that we are all one family. The members of our households are spread over the wide territory, our sons and daughters may be found from Maine to Texas, and from Atlantic to Pacific shores. In the savannas of the South, by the great lakes, on the ranches of the remote 'West, on the plains beyond the Rocky Mountains, on the prairies where grows the corn, on the hills where they dig out gold and silver, our children and members of our households are even now living. We owe it to our own to provide for them all the means of grace and the institutions of our holy religion. To leave them where they are destitute of such blessings, and for the time unable properly to provide for themselves, is worse than to leave a son or daughter, brother or sister, to literal starvation, by as much as body is of leEs value than soul. Never shall we make adequate provision for our own land until we regard the nation as one household, each member of which has the right and claim upon us to provide proper religious advantages. Those who go beyond the Mississippi and leave the Sunday-school and church behind them, and find none where they go, are in danger of finding that they have practically 1eft GOD too on the other side of the river or the mountains. 1'1) set up Christian schools, churches, prayer-meetings, sacramental tables, Bibles, and family altars is virtually to set God in the midst of them again.
The force of this argument grows upon us as we study the conditions of our common country. Our magnificent railway system, with the vast network of telegraph and postal communication, brings the remotest parts of our vast land into practical neighborhood. This facile communication and rapid transportation encourages the wide dispersion of households wherever personal ambition or business prospects attract; and in consequence twenty years, and often a single year, will so scatter one original household that its members may be found represented in every quarter of the republic. The man or woman who helps to plant a Sunday-school, church, or religious centre of any sort in a remote Western State or territory may be making unconscious provision for a son or a daughter, who in a few years may be a resident in that quarter, dependent for spiritual life and growth on the very institutions which the generosity of the parent helped to found. A pastor and one of his church-members in Philadelphia helped to establish a school in Arizona, where two years later both of them had daughters.
II. Secondly, we owe a great DUTY to the great influx of foreigners on our shores.
The facts about Immigration are not generally known; certainly they make on very few a deep and lasting impression. From 1783 to 1847 there came to these shores 1,063,567 immigrants. From 1847 to 1873, 4,933,562. From 1873 to 1890, 4,910,864. In the single year 1881, 441,064 ; in 1882, 455,450 j and in one day-May 11th, 1887-10,000. These figures are very instructive, and ought to be very impressive. The first period given above covered sixty-four years, and the rate was about 17,000 a year ;. the next period covered twenty-six years, and the rate had increased over eleven-fold; the next period covered seventeen years, and the rate had increased over seventeen-fold upon the first period, and over even the second above fifty per cent j while in one d(i"y of 1887 there were nearly two thirds as many as each year averaged from 17Sa to 1S47 I The sixtieth chapter of Isaiah, though it has an undoubted dispensational meaning, and is primarily applicable to the chosen nation of the Hebrews, could scarcely have been more appropriate to our own country if it had been written for our encouragement and admonition. It is the great home missionary chapter. It challenges us to use the light we have from God to irradiate the darkness around us, and reflect and transmit the rays which selfishness would absorb. How true it is of this land that the nations are coming to our shores as doves in flocks to their windows j the sons of strangers build our walls and palaces. The question is, Shall all these heterogeneous elements be assimilated into homogeneity j shall we get national unity out of this diversity j shall the fir-tree, pine-tree, and boxtree tog~ther be wrought into the woodwork of the sanctuary 1 These foreignen come with" strange gods," with notions, prejudices, habits, customs, foreign to our own and at war with them. They are prolific, and increase with very great rapidity. 'What sort of an influence are they to exert over coming days! Mr. Ellis, in his remarkable book on "The Criminal," has again brought to our notice the amazing ruin to society wrought by one vicious progenitor. The" Jukes family," so called, proved a brood of vipers. The ancestor, born between 1 720 and 1740, llad a numerous progeny more or less illegitimate. Two sons married bastard sisters. Descendants, traced through five generations, number at least 709, and really aggregate 1200 j and, on the whole, form a body of criminals, prostitutes, paupers and vagabonds. Not twenty skilled workmen belonged to the whole number, and half of these learned whatever trade they knew within prison walls j ISO received out-of-door relief; 76 were open criminals, committing 115 offences j and over 52 per cent of the women were abandoned to a life of shame. What a future is before a country where foreigners, ignorant, superstitious, degraded, often the criminal refuse of other lands, are permitted to find a home and multiply without any really educating, uplifting and redeeming influences!
The only hope for America is found in the assimilation of these foreign elements. They must be brought into unity as parts of one body politic. And history shows that but one assimilating power is equal to such a tasknamely, a common religious faith. We must Christianize pagans, or they will paganize Christians. We must elevate this foreign population, or they will degrade us.
Colonies of Portuguese, driven out from Madeira in 1S49, took refuge in Springfield and Jacksonville, TIl., and there, about thirty miles apart, two essentially Portuguese colonies have existed now for over forty years. The streets have been wholly given up to them in their quarter, and they have at least four churches of their own. If we go to the Sandwich Islands, amid a total population of SO,OOO we shall find several thousand Japanese and 20,000 Chinese. :rhroughout all the lands of this hemisphere, and especially in the United States, all foreign peoples are found j and the question is how they are to be made a part of our American civilization and republicanism.
III. Thirdly, we owe it to our DESTINY to redeem this land for our Lord. The United States has from the beginning been divinely stamped as a COlD- mh!sioned missionary nation. Here not only the great problem is to be wrought out, of liberty civil and religious, of individualism independent of all abnormal restraints, even of aristocratic caste; but most important of all, here is to be the great supply of workers for the world· wide field. Heathen Asia cannot furnish them, because heathenism is the field needing mission work. Papal Europe cannot supply them, for Romanism itself needs reformation and purification of her corruptions. Where shall the great training school of missionaries be found if not in this land ~ Great Britain is doing nobly her share in a world's evangelization; but whare, if not here, shall her great ally be found ~ The work of home and of foreign missions runs together. W"hen Dr. John Hall was visiting in Scandinavia, he learned at a missionary meeting then in progress in Sweden that in Wisconsin and Minnesota alone were 140 Scandinavian ministers laboring among their own countrymen, sent out by the mother churches of Sweden and supported by their contributions until such time as the Scandinavians resident in this land could take care of their own pastors. The same distinguished Presbyterian clergyman, coming out of the Yosemite Valley, tarried over night in a village where there might have been perhaps 1200 people, and where there was no church of any denomination! So oppressed was he by the sight of such destitution that he went from house to house, inviting the people to meet for worship, and himself addressed them. These two facts, or classes of facts, illustrate the kinship of all missionary work at home and abroad. Dr. Pentecost goes to India to evangelize English residents ih that stronghold of Brahmanism. The heathen come to our shores. We have here from 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 who came from African ancestry. The Chinese and Japanese are here by the thousands to learn our political system and our faith. If we do our duty we may on this very soil grow the seed of the kingdom to be planted the wide world over. Neglect of our own land makes all our future and the future of the world so far hopeless. To evangelize our country, to leave no part to desolation and degradation, to aband'on no class of the population to vice, crime, ignorance, infidelity, and irreligion j to build churches, gather Sunday-schools and Christian congregations everywhere, scatter Bibles, tracts and good books, to multiply all means of grace and bring them into contact with the entire population of the land-that is to root up evil growths and displace them by trees and plants of godliness, whose seed is in themselves after their kind. "We shall thus ge bread for the eater and seed for the sower. When the Lord by these means builds up our waste places and makes our deserts His gardens, we shall draw the eyes of the world to us, and we shall be prepared to send — into all the earth the sowers of the seed of the kingdom, and turn every other waste into an Eden.
RRJ,ATION OF MONEY TO PROGRESS OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM
THE RELATION OF MONEY TO THE PIWGRESS OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM.
BY REV. W. D. SEXTON, HILLSDALE, MICH.
In one of his sermons Horace Bushnell says: "The great problem we have now on hand is the Christianizing of the money power of the world. What we wait for and are looking hopefully to see is the consecration of the vast money power of the world to the work and cause and kingdom of Jesus Christ. For that day when it comes is the morning, so to speak, of the new creation. That tide-wave in the money power can as little be resisted, when God brings it on, as the tides of the sea; and like these also it will flow across the world in a day."
The day for which Bushnell longed has not yet come. We shall not see it until the power of money in the development of Christ's kingdom is more clearly understood. So far are we from the realization of this vision that Qven the money in the hands of Christ's own followers is not yet flllly consecrated to His service. The need of such a consecration is enforced by vastly more imperative claims to-day than ever before. How to bring about this consummation is one of the greatest questions which now confronts the Church of Christ.
The expression, " The progress of Christ's kingdom," which forms a part ofthe heading of this article, assumes that progress is the law of that kingdom. It assumes that great conquests are yet to be made in the name of the King. This assumption is both scriptural and in harmony with the clear indications of Providence. This progress of the kingdom is conditioned upon two things-Divine power and human agency. According to the Divine plan these are the two factors which combined are to work out the triumph of the Redeemer's kingdom. Both are embodied in the authoritative commission, "Go ye and teach; ]0, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. " We must not lose sight of either of these factors. It is ours to be the heralds of a world-wide evangelism; it is Christ's to furnish the power which alone can give success to our efforts. Christ gives to every believer the privilcge and the honor of being aSRoci. ated with Him in carrying out His far-reaching plans. "We must work the works of Him that sent me," said Ohrist in loving fellowship to His disciples.
Upon the side of human agency, what hinders the speedy fulfilment of command and prophecy! It is not distance and difficulty of access to the heathen world. Modern invention has brought the nations near to each other. With marvellous rapidity and in ways least expected God has removed the barriers which separated the Christian from the pagan world. Although there are many adversaries, yet with scarcely an exception great and effectual doors are everywhere open to the ambassador of Christ. Moreover, men and women are now coming forward in constantly increasing numbers, saying, " Here are we ; send us." The recent uprising of young men and women in our schools and colleges is putting an added weight of responsibility upon the whole Church. It should be remembered, further, that the agencies are now organized more fully and efficiently than ever before for carrying the Gospel to every creature. The experimental stage of missionary enterprise is past. While present methods are not to be considered as complete nor final, yet measurably permanent methods have been reached. What do all these things mean 1 He must be blind to the logic of events who does not see in them the manifest tokens that the hour is at hand when the Son of Man should be glorified. They are the heralds of God, proclaiming in unmistakable accents that new and rapid developments of God's kingdom are at hand.
At the present outlook one thing alone hinders an immediate, forward movement along the whole line. This one thing prevents the more rapid evangelization of our own country. In some measure it hinders the work and cause of Christ in almost every church. This one thing is the lack of money, absolutely needed to carry forward the work. Money is the factor most imperatively needed and most sadly lacking. Money is the greatest human power in modern civilization. This power has been applied in a very limited way to the extension of Christ's kingdom. It has been used mainly for purely secular purposes. It has come to pass that on this subject the god of this world has blinded the eyes even of the believing. We are brought face to face with a strange phenomenon: the whole world ready and waiting for deliverance through the Gospel of God's grace; the Boards of the Church organized and equipped for the work of meeting this need; men ready and offering themselves to be the messengers of this grace, but the treasuries empty, the officers compelled to call a halt, and the whole line of Christ's army forced to rest upon their arms. Napoleon used to say that soldiers fight upon their stomachs-a sententious way of saying that if you want a victorious army you must furnish supplies. As never before, the advance guard of Christ's host is ready for aggressive movement, but the commanders dare not move forward because the needed supplies are wanting. In sight of the fulfilment of great and precious promises, our Joahuas and Calebs are urging the Church to take the world for Christ; but the majority of God's people do not appreciate the greatness of the opportunity. While the opportunities are multiplying every day the resources for this work have come to a standstill. Something is wrong. God has not thrust this work and these opportunities upon ;His people to mock them. It is not inability which prevents the ample support of Christ's work. The income ofprofessing Christians is abundant to pour a continual stream into the mission treasuries, so large that everyone willing to be God's ambassador could be well supported. What we need is not more money in the hands of professing Christians, but, as Bushnell said, the " Christianizing of the money power," which they already possess. The question is not how can Christian people make more money, but how can they be Jed to understand and adopt the spirit and principles of their Master in the use made of what they now nave 1 The question, second to none which presses for solution is, How can the benevolence of God's people be brought up and made to keep pace with the opportunities of His provi- dence 1 We sometimes fear that this problem will not be solved by the present generation, which is so completely absorbed in material aim!!.
It is with a sincere desire to contribute something toward its solution that we present a few suggestions : The first thing-first in time and in importanc&o-which we need to do is to bring this matter before God in believing and importunate prayer. The whole movement of modern missions has been in answer to prayer. At first God's people prayed that the world might be opened for the mission- ary and the Gospel. So quickly and fully has God answered that prayer that His people are amazed at the answer to their own petitions. Then the prayer began to be urged for men and women to go as Christ's me!lsengers. That prayer too has been answered. Cannot God also touch the hearts of men so that they will re~pond to the calls for money 1 Assuredly He has not exhausted His power in this work. It ill possible that He has brought us to this emergency to teach us that even the gold and silver is to be forthcoming, not by the power of our own persuasion, but by the power of His might. We used very frequently to hear ministers pray.in their pulpit ministrations that God would give access to the pagan nations. We do not need to offer that prayer now; but do we hear as often the prayer that God would touch the hearts of Christian people and make them re!lponsive in gifts of money 1 We do need to offer that prayer. From every pulpit, from every family altar, from every closet, let this prayer go up, and then we may expect an equally ready answer.
But while we pray we must work. God has put a great responsibility in this matter upon ministers and teachers. The Church must be brought to a clearer understanding of the intended purpose of Christ's kingdom and of the Divine plan for executing thi!l purpose. Many Christiau people have very limited ideas of the real nature and purpose of this kingdom. It is really amazing how many there are who secretly do not believe in missions. They are not in sympathy with this idea of world-wide evangelism. This lack of sympathy is a result of gross ignorance. They do not understand the aim and spirit of Christ. The absolute need is a revival of personal loyalty to Christ, which will beget the spirit of enthusiasm for the progrells of His kingdom. The spirit and command of Christ must be presented as the fundamental motive for aggressive evangelism. It is a mistake to substitute the enthusiasm of humanity for the enthusiasm of Christ. The great need of the world ill an argument, but the greatest of all arguments is the constraining love of Chri~t. It is the businells of the Church to evangelize the world, and every Christian should be led to feel that he has a part in this business. Little permanent progress will be made in utilizing the money power of the Church until the aggressive nature of Christ's kingdom is more clearly understood and the spirit of His ministry is morl! widely
AN EXAMPJ.E OF SELF-SACRIFICE
diffused. It is the duty of ministers and teachers to iterate and reiterate these truths and to inspire the people with a high ideal of Christ's purpose and spirit. We fear that even the ministry has not yet risen to the high tide of interest in missions which the cause of Christ demands. The interest of the people will not rise higher than that of the ministry. Too man ministers are afraid to push the imperative claims of modern missions.
There is great. need also that the scriptural doctrine of the use of money should be set forth clearly. In brief this is the principle of stewardship. Growing out of this is the principle of systematic and proportionate giving. If these principles were applied fully and fearlessly the solution of the -great problem of evangelization would be at hand. People seem to consider their money as their own, to be used as they please. Such is not the teaching of the Word. Divine ownership and human stewardship is the sum and substance of that teaching. Each one is responsible, not merely for that part of his income which he use2 for benevolent uses, but for all that God has given him. He is bound to use all as one who must give an account.
Finally, the Church needs to be informed of, and impressed with, the greatness of the opportunity and emergency which now confront us. The opportunity is inspiring; the emergency thrills with its possibilities. We staO(~ upon the verge of unparalleled victories for the kingdom of God if the Church will only consecrate her gain to the Lord of the whole earth. That time is foretold in prophetic vision. If this generation does not realize its fulfilment and its corresponding blessing, some other will ; for the counsels and purpose of God shall stand. It is not a question of the ultimate success of the kingdom. That is assured. The question is whether this generation shall rise to the greatness of the opportunity and reap the blessing in store for those who fulfil the commands of the grea.t Head of the Church. Our opportunity and our responsibility are commensurate. Our reward or our condemnation is awaiting us.
AN EXAMPLE OF SELF-SACRIFICE.
The Missionary Herald tells of a Scotch woman whose practice it was to give a penny a day for missions, to whom a visitor gave a sixpence to procure some meat, on learning that she had not lately enjoyed that luxury. She thought for herself: /C I have long done very well on porridge; so I'll give the sixpence to God." This fact came to the knowledge of a missionary secretary, who narrated it at a missionary breakfast. The host and his guests were profoundly impressed by it, the host himself saying that he had never denied himself a chop for the cause of God. He therefore instantly subscribed $2500, and others of the party followed his example, till the sl1m of $11,000 was raised before they separated. This is a good illustration of the power of example. There is nothing so fruitful as self-sacrifice.
1891.1 LANGUAGES OF NYASA-LAND IN RELATION TO GOD'S WORD
THE LANGUAGES OF NYASA-LAND (BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA) IN RELATION TO THE SPREAD OF TIlE WORD OF GOD.
BY W. A. ELMSLIE, M.B., C.M., LIVINGSTONIA MISSION.
While Africa is geographically being opened up to our knowledge, the light thus kindled is revealing to us vast fields of knowledge yet unexplored. The various departments of science are at work, and all under God are bringing that great continent nearer our doors.
Among the various problems relating to Africa which now engage the mind of the country, the subject of the languages of Africa mnst be, to Bible and missionary societie~, and to all disciples of Christ interested in the spread of the Gospel, one of deep interest. As tribe after tribe is brought to light, each with a language of its own, our interest in these lan- guages must deepen when we consider that we owe them the Word of Life in their own tongue.
While we appreciate the results of travel and research in the many phases of the African problem, and feel grateful to God for those who, consciously or unconsciously, worked out His will in laying open to us the " Dark Continent, " it is to those faithful missionaries who have made their homes among the people that we must look for light on the great problem of how to give Africa the Word of Life in her own manifold speech.
The missionary feels, more t.han anyone not in actual contact with heathenism can do, that the Bible is the first and the best of all missionary agencies. Amid the varied occupations of a missionary's life in the field, his first and highest work is to make their language his own, so that he may give them the Gospel. It is a department of investigation in which no one can hurry. Patience and plodding are necessary, and so little by little is added to the knowledge acquired. In the linguistic field the missionary has the highest motive for careful and complete imestigation. He may benefit science by his labors, but he does not work for that, but for higller ends. He strives after that which shall be a correct vehicle through which to communicate Divine Truth to the benighted multitudes.
In many cases the general reader at home does not interest himself in this part of missionary work. lIe reads such a statement as this, and concludes that he need not trouble himself about it. "No one knows exactly who these people are. They belong, of course, to the great Bantu race; but their origin is obscure, their tribal boundaries are unmapped, even their names are unknown, and their languages-for there are manyare unintelligible" (Drummond's "Tropical Africa"). The confidence of ignorance is responsible for such a statement as that, which relates to the district to which the following remarks refer.
In 1883 Cust published his" Modern Languages of Africa," a marvellous work in two volumes, in which every language then known or heard of is referred to, and its locality indicated. The number of these is 438 Ian. guages and 153 dialects. Doubtless this is a difficulty, but by no means an insurmountable one. Each year diminishes the difficulty. With able men at work on all sides and pushing toward a central point, the field seems to contract and the number to lessen, as increased knowledge reveals what these languages are and to what others they are related.
All the languages of Africa fall into certain families or groups, each group having certain" marks common to each individual in the group.
In the present paper one of these groups calls for remark-viz., the Bantu group. Roughly, with a few exceptions, the languages spoken over the Bonthern half of Africa belong to this family. In all these the word " Bantu," or some form of it, signifies" people j" and so the word is taken to give name to that family of languages. We are not concerned with all the 168 languages and 55 dialects in this group. Confining our attention to the languages of Nyasa-Iand, we find they occupy a place in the eastern branch and in the southern sub-branch. It is not difficult in this way to go over the whole of Africa, since all that is known of these languages has been thus worked into a clear and scientific plan by Cust, who would not, like Drummond, speak of " unintelligible" languages.
In the locality of these languages the two Scottish missions-Blantyre and Livingstonia-and the Universities' Mission, are working. In 1875, when the Livingstonia Mission began work on Lake Nyasa, there were only a few words of the language known. It was not known what the Lake languages were. At present we know that in the territory of the Livingstonia Mission there are six in Ille j in Blantyre territory there are two ; and in connection with the Universities' Mission there are two. One language is common to all the missions j and we have therefore seven separate languages to deal with in Nyasa-land. In these there are now about thirty separate publications, ranging from an edition of the New Testament down to a school primer. For such a record of progress we owe hearty"thanks to God for help and success.
While the linguistic work of each mission is rightly reported by its own society, the work is a common work, in which all at home and abroad should bear a part. Let us now proceed to specify what we know of the languages of Nyasa-land. Of some we know more than of others, and we may, therefore, notice 1. LANGUAGES OF WHICH OUR KNOWLEDGE IS DEFINITE.
(1) Nyanja.-This is the most important language in Nyasa-land. It is spoken in all the district of Livingstonia, the Nkonde district at the head of Lake Nyasa excepted. It is at present, and will doubtless eontinue to be, the trade language of the Nyasa region. It not only covers a greater area, but reaches a larger popUlation than any other lake langnage. By means of it we have talked our way from Dandawc on Lake Nyasa to Quilimane on the coast.
All the tribes on the western shore of Nyasa from Dandawe southward use it. From the south end of Nyasa, along the right bank of the Shire to its junction with the Zambeze, it is spoken j and by those tribes on the hills to the west of the lake, from Mombera's, opposite Bandawe, to the country called Maravi on old maps on the south, where it runs into Nyungwe, the language of Sena and Tete on the Zambeze. With the exception of Mom- bera's Ngoni, all the Ngoni tribes on the high lands speak Nyanja. On the east side of Lake Nyasa it is in use on and near Likoma Island, where the Universities' Mission works. On the Shire Highlands around Blantyre and Mandala it is in use, and the Makololo and other tribes on the left bank of the Shire speak it also.
Its importance is further indicated when we mention that in this language the whole New Testament has been published by the Nationa: Bible Society of Scotland, and is to-day being sold not only by the missionaries on Lake Nyasa in connection with their work, but in the store of the African Lakes' Company at Mandala, and the language is used by that company's officials at the north end of Lake Nyasa, as well as by the boys left in charge of stations on the Stevenson Road.
Besides the ~ew Testament, there are editions of the Gospels, school books, and other works published in this language.
(2) Yao.-What Nyanja is on the west and south of the lake, Yao is on the east-an important language, destined to live and be the medium for communicating Divine truth to a numerous people. "The region over which is is spoken extends from near the coast on the east to the eastern shore of Lake Nyasa on the west, and from the latitude of the Rovuma sources on the north to tha Lujenda Ri~er on the south. Lately, however, a large district in the centre of this region has been devastated by the ravages of the Magwangwara, a powerful raiding tribe whose home lies to the north of the Rovuma River. Isolated villages and districts where the language is spoken are to be found on the western shore of Lake Nyasa and in the country lying interior to it. About 1860 one branch of the tribe forced its way into the Shire Hills, where now the mission stations of the Church of Scotland are situated, while another smaller offshoot established itself east of Mount Mlanji, on the trade route to the coast at Quilimane" (Hctherwick'8 "Yao Handbook").
It is therefore the language of the Blantyre Mission on the Shire Highlands and around Mount Zomba, and of the Universities' Mission on the southeastern shore of Lake Nyasa, and the left bank of the Upper Shire. Into it the Gospels and Acts have been translated and published.
(3) Ngoni.-This language is spoken by the people of the same name under Mombera on the plateau northwest from Bandawe. The area of it, use is not very great, as we know it to be a form of Zulu imported by the Ngoni who came north from Natal in the beginning of this century. The tribe is very powerful, and dominates the plateau for many miles around; but it has not impressed its language on those tribes who are enslaved by it, and its extinction.is only a question of time. Tshiwere and Mpiseni, who, with their people, live on the plateau farther south, broke away from Mom- bera. The people under the for~er now speak Nyanja; and nothing is definitely known regarding the present language of the latter. The so- called Ngoni in Tshikuse's country southwest of Lake Nyasa (Maravi on the older maps) also speak Nyanja. .
Meantime, as the rulers in Mombera's country speak the localized form of Zulu, a gospel and school-books have been issued in it for use in the mission.
The aforementioned three languages are the most important in the group regarding which we have definite 'know]edge, as the people speaking these cannot be evangelizpd meantime through any other.
(4) Tonga.-This language is spoken by those belonging to the tribe of the same name who are enslaved by the Ngoni, and by the remaining Tonga living in the vicinity of Bandawe. They are called Kamunga by the peo- ple on the east side of the lake opposite. The language is related to Nyanja, and more closely to Tumbuka. At Bandawe, Nyanja being the school language, and there being 4000 children in connection with the schools, it is quickly displacing Tonga without detrimellt to the people. The Gospel of Mark and a school primer have been issued in Tonga. '
2. LANGUAGES REGARDING WHICH OUR KNOWLEDGE IS INCOMPLETE.
(1) Tumbuka.-The existence of this language is definitely known, and an introductory grammar has been prepared. It has been placed in this group because the area over which it is spoken is not so well known. It is allied to Tonga, but may not be so easily displaced as that language. The numerous Tumbuka tribe, living under the Ngoni, have not only retained the use of their own tongue, but have impressed it on their masters. There are various forms of Tumbuka known to exist, but future investigation must show the position and relations of Tumbuka.
(2) Nkonde.-The district around the head of Lake Nyasa has been.
called the Nkonde district, and the name is applied tentatively to the language or languages there spoken. There are various tribes there speaking the same language with dialectical differences, and though there are some manuscript translations in one or two of these, we do not yet know what generic name should be applied.
(3) lVanda.-This is a language which is 5aid to llave a very limited area. It is spoken in the district of the chief Wanda on the Stevenson Road. Some Scripture portions have been i!lsned in it for use in the mission to those people. It bears ~ome resemblance to Tumbuka and also to Kongo, but further investigation is required.
3. LANGUAGES REGARDING WHICH WE HAVE ONLY HEARSAY AND CONFUSED INFORMATION.
West and north of Ngoniland there are tribes with whom little or no intercourse has been had, and whose language we are only familiar with through small collections of words or from hearsay. On the west the Bisu and Tsenga j on the northwest the Zingwa, Poka, and Henga have lan- guages which may be closely allied to Tumbuka or some more northerly tongue.
In the Stevenson Road country many names of people are given. The name is at times that of the chief, and at other times that of the country, but it has not been stated what language they speak. Accurate information regarding these is needed, and may be looked for from the Livingstonia Mission.
Having now classified our knowledge of the languages met with in the lake district, except that now in German territory on thc east side of the lake, we are able to coneider the work of gi"ing to the people the Word of God.
For large and populous districts on the east, west, and south of Nyasa we have Yao and Nyanja, in which already large portions of the Scriptures are issued. Two of the others named-Tonga and Ngoni-will be replaced by others in course of time, so that Tumbuka and Nkonde (the latter ab- Rorbing Wanda)· will complete the linguistic problem for the missions.
Thus the difficulties at first apparent are disappearing as our knowledge increases.
The workers in the field, by whose labors we are able to compile this paper, are Scott and lletherwick, of the Blantyre Mission j Maples, of the Universities' Mission j and Laws, Bain, Cross, and the writer, of the Living- stonia Mission.
As the work is being carried on at many points, it is necessary that all should be guided by certain principles, in order that the work may be syste~atized and presented on the same plan.
1. In writing or speaking in English of a language or tribe, the variable prefix of the word should be omitted, and the unvarying root form taken to indicate the language and people. .
Ordinary English readers do not always know that A-nyanja means the people, and Tshi-nyanja their language. It is a gain if confusion is pre- vented. If discarding the prefix both for the tribe and its language is con- sidered unscientific, I would remind African scholars that the profix does not' necessarily mean the language, as " tshi" may be applied to other things. Indeed, it is questionable whether the rude natiYe, unaffected by the white man, uses the prefix in that way at all. In Zulu the personal prefix is " ama" (Ama·Zulu), and there is said to be a language prefix "isi" (lsi-Zulu, the Zulu language) j but the native uses it in that way only because his teachers do so. The Ngoni do not speak of their language as "Tshi-Ngoni" except when following the white mau's error. Nyanja is named" Chimang'anja" on the Shire Highlands j but that is a Yao word, indicating people of the Nyanja sort, and inappropriate as a name for the Nyanja language. There is no difficulty in understanding what is meant wben we say, " English is spoken by the English j" and II Nyanja is spoken by the Nyanja" would be simpler than" Tshi·nyanja is spoken by the A-nyanja."
2. Tribal names adopted should be those by which tribes call themselves. Books of travel and maps of Africa are full of names which require to be revised. The Ngoni are variously named Mangone, Angoni, Bangoni, Wangoni, Maviti, and Mazitu, according to the district one may be in. Though it is right that we should call them Mazitu when we speak Tumbuka, or Wangoni if we are speaking Yao, there is no reason why all these forms should have to be acquired by ordinary English readers, if they happen to be attached to the work in the various mission districts, before they can intelligently follow the news from the field.
3. In order to hasten the spread of the Word we must economize in labor and means by avoiding needless versions of the Scriptures.
The three missions have presses from which are issuing portions of Scripture in the same language as that in which the whole New Testament is already published. The dialects of one language are thus being perpetuated where we think it ought not to be the case. As is pointed out by Cust, the vocabulary of an African language is continually changing j and the ease with which tribes can change their language makes it quite possible for all the Nyanja speaking tribes to uee the New Testament now in circulation. We have before us a few sheets of a " Harmony of the Four Uospels in Chimang'anja," which is being put forth at the Blantyre Mission press. The use of "ch" for" tsh," and some unimportant vowel differences are all that mark it as a separate language from Nyanja. In it the translator follows the Greek spelling of names, so that instead of one Rimple form for such names as Christ, Bethlehem, David, Jerusalem, we have three or more for each-a method which is more fanciful than useful.
4. Where two languages are spoken in a district, that one which has the widest range should be adopted. This seems self-evident. At first it was not possible iu some cases to act thus j but as we now know more of each language we are in a better position to carry it out. At Bandawe, where Nyanja and Tonga are both spoken, the former is made the school langnage, and, as we noticed, is taking the place of Tonga. There is no reason why the Livingstonia Mission should have to set apart a man to study Yao in order that the missiou may reach one or two isolated villages of Yao people who happen to be found in the centre of a Nyanja speaking district, while they can be reached by means of Nyanja. Even at Blantyre, where Nyanja is used, the people speak Yao.
Ol1r imperfect knowledge leads us often to attach a greater importance to a language than it warrants. We have not a native's power of speech, and where we see difficulty in introducing a slightly different form of speech, he has none in using it. Weare not warranted in seeking to prolong the life of small and unimportant differences where we hBVe such noble tongues as Yao and Nyanja with which to spread the Gospel of Grace.
Ve disclaim originality in these recommendations to our fellow-workers.
A MISSIONARY PRAYER
They are the wise results of earnest thought of one who loves Africans and has done much for them-Hobert Needham Cust-a quotat,ion from whose book, referred to, forms a fitting close to this paper: "When all are assembled before the great white throne, pleading with one voice in mutually unintelligible words the merits of the Saviour, One alone will understand all. There will be only one language then, the language of the angels. The imperfect coinage of wl.rds and marshalling of sentences will no longer be required. Language will have had its day. 'Lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, and they cried with a loud voice.' "
A MISSIONARY PRAYER.
BY REV. J. F. B. TINLING, B.A., LONDON, ENG.
Lord, whose glory is the song Of the sinlel:s worlds above, Heart and kingdom suffering wrong From the souls that do not love, Come and make Thy works rejoice, Marrying law with liberty j Righting each discordant voice In creation's harmony j Answering her sin-wrung groan, Lord of glory, claim Thine own !
Spring of every righteous power, Source of all authority, In Thy name, as in a tower, Hides our frail humanity.
Six millenniums have failed Christless order to maintain j Over all has sin prevailed, Man has toiled for peace in vain.
From Thy cloud-surrounded tllrone, King of nations, claim Thine own !
All the stores of earth are Thine, Thine the fulness of the sea, Thine alike in mart and mine, Lent, but owned eternally.
Thine the silver and the gold Lavished upon glittering toys, Thine the wealth the saints withhold From Thy cause, for carnal joys.
From Thy stewards, careless grown, Earth's Possessor, claim Thine own!
Saviour, from the dread abyss 'Who hast brought us nigh to God, Giver of eternal bliss, Through the merits of Thy blood.
All for all is love's confession, Less the Cross forbids to give, Of Thy Church take full possession, As Thy witness let her live.
Thou art worthy. Thou alone, ,~ Our Redeemer, claim Thine own I
REV. L. H. GULICK, M.D
REV. L. H. GULICK, M.D.
BY REV. S. P. LEEDS, D.D.
On November 3d, 1827, the Rev. Peter J. Gulick sailed from Bos- ton with his wife as a missionary to the Sandwich Islands. The ship took the second reinforcement to the mission, the first having gone five years earlier, and three years after the original establishment. MI'. Gulick was a native of New Jersey, born in 1797, and was one of a family of seven sons and a daughter. He was graduated at Princeton in 1825, and spent two years in the theological seminary there. Before leaving this latter he had decided to become a missionary, influenccd, as he afterward wrote, by " missionary intelligence portraying the wretchedness of the heathen." The same year he was ordained to the ministry, his kind friend, Rev. Dr. Luther Halsey, at that time a professor in the college at PIinceton, preaching the sermon and giving the charlre. The ncxt month he was on his way to Hawaii. Mrs. Gulick was from Lebanon, Conn. Mr. Finney, in his autobiography, speaks of hcr conversion under his ministry at Utica, N. Y. She had taught school before marriage.
Arriving at Honolulu the following spring, they labored at several points and in various islands for forty-six years. They" saw the Hawaiians in their nakedness and degradation, and they lived and wrought until they saw them a Christian nation." In 1874, when both had passed their seventy-fifth year, they removed to Japan, to be with a son and daughter, and lived to celebrate their" golden wedding" there. A little afterward the aged husband died, and it was not long before his wife rejoined him. What a career!
To them were born in the Sandwich Islands eight children, seven of whom reached maturity and survived them-six sons and a daughter. All of these have been engaged in missionary work, and five of them are so engaged at this time-three brothers and their SIster in Japan, and one brother in Spain. Of these the eldest was Luther Halsey Gulick, recontly deceased. He was born at Honolulll in June, 1828. At the age of twelve he was sent to this country for all education, " working his pas~age as cabin-boy around Cape Horn." His father's friend, Dr. Halsey, was his instructor at Auburn and in New York, in both of which places Dr. Halsey was connected with theological seminaries. The boy was full of zeal for knowledge, and a great reader-charact.eristics which marked his life in all situations to its end-and his tastes and longings were gratified in his friend's library. But inadequate health, or insufficient health and limited means together, forbade his taking a college course. He studied medicine at the University of the City of New York, increasing his small income hy lighting street lamps, and took his degree in 18.50-not yet twenty-two years old. Six months later he was ordained (in the old Broadway Tabernacle, New York), and in November of 1he following year sailed with his wife, LOUi!!a Lewjs, of Brooklyn, N. Y., for the Sandwich Islands, in company with the Rev. B. G. and Mrs. Snow, "the last sent from Boston around Cape Horn."
A new mission was then being projected for the Micronesian Islands, twenty.five hundred miles away from the Hawaiian, to be under the auspices of the mission in these last. What more natural· than that the son of a missionary, himself a native of Hawaii, should be selected as one of the party ~ Two Hawaiian missionaries and their wives went also, besides Mr. and Mrs. Snow, and the Rev. A. A. and Mrs. Sturges. They" were sent away from Honolulu with great enthusiasm." It was slow voyaging in those days, and what they found on arrival can easily be guessed. Doubtless the pithy description, recently given the writer by a venerable friend, of early neighbors of his, but partially Christianized, was still truer of these" children of nature" : "They were dirty, sensual, and without a thought worth entertaining." But this was not all. "Sea captains in Honoluhl had charged us," writes a survivor, " not to go to Ponape, be· cause wicked white men in large numbers had lived there, and they said they would not give a straw for ollr lives if we went. But it was the island most likely to be healthy, and we had no fear." There is scant room to tell of the seven years spent there, during which, among labors many and manifold, as physician, preacher, teacher, and even carpenter, Gulick-for a time certainly-read his Greek Testament daily, and the Hebrew also, and often studied such works as Edwards" On the Will" and Howe's " Living Temple"-room all too little to tell of trying experiences, among them a visitation of small-pox most wantonly brought there by a sea captain, and of the young doctor's incessant and heroic efforts for the natives. Narrowly escaping death from a wound received in dissecting a victim of the terrible disease, he was exposed also to the murderous plots of white men, whose iniquities he resisted, hut who were soon glad to save their own lives. The Ponapi language was reduced to writing, and the" Morning Star" was built for the Micronesian Mission.
A year in Ebon Island followed the seven in Ponapi; but the doctor was too broken in health to be benefited by the change, or by a year's residence in Hawaii. Accordingly he was recalled to America, where his great gifts in public address were put in requisition by the Board, and he visited many churches and conventions. Very many persons retain even now the memory of his powerful appeals at this and a subsequent period. Only last summer the writer was witness to an illustration of this, when a stranger, on hearing the doctor's name, spoke of an address he had when a boy heard from him nearly thirty years before. Returning to Hawaii in 1863, he was made Secretary of the Board of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association, and remained in Honolulu until 1870. During this time he edited a weekly newspaper, and tm.velled much aIIlong the islands in con· nection with his work. But after eighteen ycars of labor in that part of the world, it was thought best that he should enter a new field, and he retul'neQ to Americl; with this in view. Japan was selected at first, but. the Board finally assigned him to Spain, as the pioneer in a new mission. This established, he was transferred to Italy. But the field was found to be well occupied, and it seemed best to both Dr. Gulich and the Board to concentrate its efforts. He made a protracted and fatiguing tour among the Board's missions ill Asiatic Turkey, and then returned to this country.
It might have seemed as if this were intended to be his home. Several circumstances-his power of popular address among them-pointed in this direction. But heathendom was his. chosen field. The American Bible Society wished for some one of experience to open up their work in China and Japan. To the latter country, then, he went in the winter of 1875-76. Here he soon established a Bible Depository, and supervised the publication of the Japanese version of the Scriptures, providing also for its distribution through the empire. But he travelled extensively in both countries, l'isiting missions, discovering and stimulating wiehes for new or improved versions, and scattering the Scriptures through various agencies. " Bible carriages" and, in the great rivers of China, boats, were employed. In the same interest he visited Siam once or twice, Formosa, Macao, and Manila. For three years, too, he filled the Union pulpit in Yokohama. The work grew till a new and distinct agency was needed in China. He transferred his home to that country, settling in Shanghai. From this point he " travelled the length and breadth of the empire in house-boats, wheelbarrows drawn by donkeys and sometimes helped by a sail, jinrickshas, mule-litters, palanquins. on horseback, in steamboats, and on foot." He edited the Missionary Recorder during his seven years' residence ill China, and started the Medical Missionary Journal. He also occupied the Union pulpit in Shanghai for nearly two years. Of his long service to the American Bible Society its secretary, the Rev. Dr. Gilman, writes: "During the whole, I have admired his promptness, efficiency, wisdom, and his fidelity to his trust. "
But (almost) forty years of a life so active, by one with so busy a brain and so sensitive an organization, wrought their inevitable effect. Intervals of change, not rest, could not avert it. Nearly or quite two years ago he began to break. It was hoped that another climate and other conditions would restore him to his wonted strength and energy, and he set forth accompanied by his devoted wife, who had gone out from native land to savage Ponape with him in his youth, and had been his companion in checkered experiences for two score years. The Bible Society treated him with a large and noble justice. and he came at length to this country. He was able for awhile to supervise the work by correspondence. But hopes and prayers and pains were all in vain. Slowly and intermittently he continued to sink, till on April 8th he quietly fell asleep, not quite sixty-three years old, at Springfield, Mass. It was remarkable that, after so long a residence in other lands and so many experiences by sea and shore, he should die in the home of his fathers, which he loved so well j for he was an earnest patriot as well as philanthropist, and everything which concerned A merica's welfare was of deep interest to him.
Dr. Gulick had a remarkable life. As Rev. Dr. Clark, Secretary of the American Board, has said, "Few men have had such a record in mis- sionary service, beginning at Ponape and Ebon, laying foundations there which have since been the basis of Christian institutions and Christian homes; then doing loyal work as Secretary of the Hawaiian Board; then serving for a time in this country as District Secretary, and oftentimes electrifying audiences by his eloquent and impassioned speeches; then called to organize a mission in Spain ; and last of all, for fifteen years more having charge of the distribution of the Holy Scriptures in Japan and China ; ever faithful to his trust, ever realizing the high expectations of his friends." But Dr. Gulick was also a remarkable man. First, there was in him a singular union of executive and intellectual powers. The vigorous thinker and diligent reader in many directions (his library was very large for one in almost any position, and time was given to books which it is to be feared should have been given to sleep) was most prompt and energetic in action. Some will recall his telegram a few years since to Mr. Doane, in Micronesia, when in the hands of Spanish invaders-the swiftness and decision with which he told him of money deposited to his order, and bade him stand firm. Hill manner, the quick and quiet way in which he turned his head toward this or that speaker, has reminded more than one of a military commander. But with this blending of executive and intel. lectual qualities Dr. Gulick combined rare courage and true devotion. He was the loyal son of an earnest Christian father and mother, parents who commemorated their fiftieth anniversary of married life and missionary service with thanksgivings for what they had been permitted to do and for the moral and religious qualities of their children, and by a liberal gift to the Board's treasury out of their little store. He kept the faith of his youth and the purpose of his bright, early manhood to the end. And now he has gone to join those parents, their eldest son. May their other children long be spared !
It only remains to be said that besides his wife Dr. Gulick left six chilo dren behind him-Mrs. Fanny F., wife of Professor F. P. Jewett, of Oberin; Mrs. Harriet M., wife of Rev. C. A. Clark, missionary to Japan; Rev. S. L. Gulick, also missionary to Japan; Rev. E. L. Gulick, pastor at Groton, Mass. ; L. H. Gulick, M.D., who is connected with the Institute for Christian Workers at Springfield, Mass., and Pierre J. Gulick, a young man now p,ursuing his studies.
Experience is a torch lighted in the ashes of our hopes and delusions. . It is an old saying that charity begins at home; but this is no reason it should not go abroad. A man should live with the world as a citizen of the world; he may have a preff>rence for the particular quarter, or square, or even alley in which he lives, but he should have a generous feeling for the welfare of the whole.-Olarendon.
FOREIGN MISSIONS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ART
FOREIGN MISSIONS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ART.
BY WILLIAM BRENTON GREENE, JR., D.D., PHILADELPHIA, PA.
We all delight in the beautiful. When we travel during the summer we go where there is beautiful scenery. When we build a country house we seek a beautiful site. When we see a beautiful piece of furniture or a beautiful picture we wish that we had it for the adornment of our home. A beautiful face attracts our attention and chains our admiration. A beautiful sentiment we never weary of repeating. A beautiful action gives us the keenest pleasure. A beautiful character fills us with holy joy.
Aud this joy is peculiar to itself. The beautiful is not necessarily the useful. and it is distinct from the good. Otherwise we should not be at so much pains to decorate our homes. They would be just as useful if their ceilings were not frescoed j and there are kinds of stone that would be more durable and less troublesome than the marble of which the fronts of many of them are inade. If the beautiful were not a quality different from, though doubtless in its highest forms depcndent on the good, we should not be so anxious to render the good also beautiful. We feel that a good book deserves a beautiful binding. We rejoice when a good man has beautiful surroundings. It is the natural desire of the pious heart to beautify the house of God. The beautiful is, therefore, a distinct quality, and one in which we all delight. Consequently it will be profitable and pleasing to consider that the foreign missionary work, in addition to being useful and good, is pre-eminently beautiful. ,. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things"!
That we may appreciate this let us try, in the first place, to form some conception of what beauty is, or, at least, of that ou which it depends. I say some conception; for the question is difficult. We do not seem to have any such necessary convictions in regard to beauty as we have in regard to certain fundamental intellectual truths and moral qualities. I must believe that the sun exists as an extended body. It would be apprehended as I see it by any inhabitant of Mars or Jupiter endowed with the capacity to perceive the object. I must believe that falsehood is a sin always and everywhere, in the star Sirius as well as on earth-in the case of men, of angels, of devils. But I am not to the same degree compelled to belie'e that the objects which appear beautiful to me have a beauty independent of my mind. It is, therefore, peculiarly difficult to tell in what beauty consists. We cannot be sure how far things are beautiful or how far we only think them so.
And yet some analysis of beauty is possible. The greatest of German metaphysicians discovers two kinds of beauty. Olle he calls free or absolute j the other, relative or depenaellt. In the case of the former it is not necessary to have an idea of whut the object ought to be or do before we pronounce it beautiful. Flowers, 811..118, arabesques, music, are absol.teIy bellutiful ; that is, they are beautiful in themselves. and without reference to any end that they may serve. If now we ask in what this beauty consists, the general opinion since Plato is that it is in some sort of proportion or harmony. At the basis of music, for example, there are certain fixed ratios. In poetry there are measures and correspondences. Complementary colors, when seen simultaneously, are felt to be beautiful. Regular features are essential to a truly handsome man or woman. Moral beauty is the radiance of the moral law. The mind is made to delight in the unities of God. Its activity is a tendency toward unity. It is satisfied only when such an object is presented as will enable it at once to perceive a law or controlling idea in the object. Hence, those objects the parts of which are thus harmonized we feel to be beautiful, and that without any reference to the purpose to be served.
In the case of relative or dependent beauty such a reference is always implied. Here the proportion required must be, not merely between the parts of the object itself, but also between it as a whole and its design. As before, it is the perception of unity which gives rise to the feeling of the beautiful, but it is a more comprehensive unity. For example, a Corinthian pillar is absolutely beautiful. We should think it so if we had not the least idea for what it was intended. But we feel it to be much more beautiful when we see it used to support a glorious temple. We appreciate the beautiful correspondence between it and itR purpose. The fitness of the thing, even apart from its usefulnes:!, would seem to delight us.
Sueh, then, is the explanation of the two kinda of beauty. The analysis is far from complete or satisfactory j but it will help us, in the second place, to realize " how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things."
First, foreign misRions are absolutely beautiful. They could not fail to be so, for they are the conception of Him" in whom all things consist," and who" worketh all things according to the coungel of His own will." They must, therefore, be characterized by that comprehensiveness and unity of purpose which marks all the thoughts of God. And it is not difficult to discern this unity. In method, foreign missions are one with God's method. They are seen to be beautifully in harmony with all His procedure j and that, too, without any reference to their design. Now the Divine method is that of means or second causes. God has to an infinite degree what we name executive ability. He called all things into being by the word of His power. In like manner He upholds all things in being. At certain critical epochs He has Himself put forth His hand and wrought signs and wonders. He is always guiding and controlling, and so working through His agents. But He ordinarily employs these, and multiplies them infinitely. The angels are His messengers. Men are His servants. The whole brute creation does His bidding. The forces of nature are His instruments. He uses the universe as a mirror to reflect and so manifest His glory, which in itself no man hath seen or can see. It is, therefore, in beautiful consistency with the Divine method that when out of His infinite love God gave His own Son to be the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, He should at the same time have commanded us to go into all the world and preach this Gospel to every creature. As the marble nose in some perfectly sculptured face is felt to be beautiful because of its harmony with the other features, so we may appreciate the beauty of foreign mis- sions when we study the consistency of their methods with God's pro- cedure everywhere in the manifestation of Himself.
Again, foreign missions are not only thus one with God's general method, but they themselves in all their activities are under the control of one idea. It is not simply their harmony with the other features of the Divine plan that i,!! beautiful, but also the harmony of their own various agencies. The nose of the sculptured face may be beautiful in itself and without any reference to the rest of the face. Indeed, this is the highest kind of absolute beauty. It is strikingly apparent in the case of foreign nnSSIOns. This is so, not so much because of the singleness of their pur- pose, as because of its unique comprehensiveness. Where else will you find so many and so diverse instrumentalities all subordinated to one end 1 The missionary himself is often a preacher, a teacher, an author, a trans- lator, a legislator, a mechanic, a physician, a scientist, an explorer i like Paul, " he is made all things to all men, that he may by all means save some.' , And then the missionary is but one of thousands of missionary agencies. The professorB who taught him in the theological school, the col- lege, and the academy; the pastor under who~e care his religious life and his missionary spirit were developed; his godly mother, whose uncllasing prayers for him and with him were the real means of quickening his divine life and purpose-all these were missionary instrumentalities, and were indispensable ones. And then we must not forget the rich men who founded and supported the institutions of learning in which he was trained, or the authors who wrote the books by which his mind was nourished, or the ancestors who left their piety as a precious heritage to his mother, or the thousands of men and women and little children who contributed to the Board which sent him out and maintained him. And we must remember, too, that the development of commerce, the progress of science, the policy of empires, home missions-all these have an essential bearing on his work. Thus under the foreign mission idea they are unified. Indeed, this is the only idea under which this can be done. Human history is a jumble until it is seen to be the record of events even the least important of which tends toward the universal establishment of the kingdom of Christ. If, then, beauty is in proportion to the diversity in unity, if a scene be beautiful in . proportion to the number of different objects harmonized in it, what. can be so beautiful as foreign missions, which subordinate to one divine purpose all human interests ~ Second, they are relatively beautiful. This is the more prominent truth in the Scriptures. It is the beauty of fitness, of opportuneness, which both the text cited and the passage of Isaiah whence it is quoted emphasize. And this relative beauty is easily discernible. It appears in the Divine adaptation of the missionary's message to those to whom he goes. They are under everlasting condemnation, and are" dead in trespasilcs and sins. " He tells them of One who bore their guilt in His own body on the cross, and who by His Spirit can quicken even their dead souls into newness of life. They are utterly and eternally lost, and He offers them the one absolutely certain and eternal salvat~on. What could be so opportune' Where else is their adaptation so needed or so perfect 1 "How beautiful, then, mnst be the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things"!
This appears again in the fact that the missionaries are men. There is a beautiful appropriateness in their selection as the heralds of salvation. No one can appeal to man with so much power as his brother man. The angels, though they are God's ministers, and though they rejoice over every sinner that repents, are not sent to preach to sinners. Even glorified men are not. Abraham eaid to the rich man concerning his brethren, " If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Our Saviour, when He came to seek and to save them that are lost, was made in the likeness of men, and lived with men and as a man. He wa& "tempted in all points like as we are. " Hence He can be "touched with the feeling of all our infirmities." And in like manner the missionary, because he is a man, can be touched with the feeling of the infirmities of those to whom he goes. He appears among them as one of them. At once there is a bond of sympathy between Him and them. As no angel could, he can understand their condition. He is the one finite being who is qualified to bring to them the message of salva. tion. Is it not, therefore, beautifully appropriate that he is the very one whom God has appointed to " go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" 1 Equal if not greater appropriateness appears in the multiplicity and diversity of foreign mi8sionary agencies. The great end of missions is the universal establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom. Now in order to this its subjects must be interested in it. The domain and power of the kingdom of God never exceed the hold that it has on tho hearts of its members. Their interest, however, will be proportioned to what they do for the kingdom. That this is so needs no proof. The great problem in every church is how to find work for all the congregation. It is generally recognized that the non-workers are likely to become non-attendants. How significant is it, therefore, that there is no one so young, or 110 poor, or so ignorant that he cannot do something for missions, cannot feel that he has a part in the advancement of God's kingdom, cannot pray for the growth of Jernsalem as for that in which he himself is personally concerned. Must there not be in all this a most beautiful appropriateness 1 This paper may not close without special reference to the highest form of beauty, both absolute and relative-viz., "the beauty of holiness," the beauty produced by conformity to the nat.ureand will of God. This is the gem of absolute beauty, becanse it is the reBection of the harmony of Him the characteristic of the relation between whose attributes is perfect pro- portion, anc. the law of whose being is that He cannot contradict or deny himself; and also because it is the expression of the all-embracing purpose of Him who is "the truth," and whose most comprehensive as well as highest manifestation of Himself, that in His Son as our Saviour, was in order that" He might bear witness unto the truth." It is, moreover, the gem of relative beauty because of its adaptation to its purpose to glorify God. Where else can adaptation so perfect be discerned ~ The heavens declare God's glory. The seasons, in their regular recurrence, chant His praise. What, however, can honor Him so directly and con- spicuously as good deeds, as right words, as a holy life, as a Christ-like character 1 The universe is the evidence of God's power, the revelation of His wisdom, the demonstration of His presence j but holiness is the repro- duction of Himself. In proportion as we become holy does God not merely support and guide us, but act by us, think through us, and live in Ull.
Nothing else, then, could glorify Him as holiness must. Other things may show us what God does; this cannot but show us what He is. In perfect holiness, therefore, would be the perfection of adaptation. No fitness can equal perfect fitness to its infinite end.
Now missions 8re the acme of " the beauty of holiness." Their one aim is that " all should he saved and come to the knowledge of the truth,"
and this is the wish of God. The life which they require is to leave home and kindred " to seek and to save that which was lost," and this was the life of the Son of God. Their result will be " a great multitude," which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . who shall have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb j" and it will be at the sight of these, the fruit of missions, that from the whole angelic host will burst the magnificent ascrip- tion: "Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might be unto our God forever and ever. Amen."
" How beautiful, then, must be the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" No other beauty is so Godlike j no other fitness equals its adaptation to glorify Him.
Do we recognize as we should the beauty of foreign mission" ~ We be- lieve them to be necessary. We know that Christ instituted them and charged His Church to prosecute them. We feel it to be our duty to do so. We wish to do so for our Saviour's sake. And all this is as it should be. No motive is so reliable as the sense of duty, and none is so high and noble as love for Christ. But would it not be helpful if we went to our work also with something of the artist's spirit ~ His appreciation of the beautiful throws a halo around all his toil. Life is to him a long sweet song, because he recognizes how much of beauty there is in it. This might be true of Christian service. In the strictest and highest sense is the mis- sionary work toward which all really Christian service tends beautiful.
Shall we not, then, so cultivate our taste that we may perceive" how beau- tiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things" 1
THE OAREY EPOCH IN MISI!IIONS
THE CAREY EPOCH IN MISSIONS.
BY REV. D. L. LEONARD, BELLEVUE, O.
The closing years of the eighteenth century constitute in the history of Protestant missions an epoch indeed, since they witnessed nothing less than a revolution, a renaissance, an effectual ending of tLe old, a substantial inauguration of the new. And 1792 is annus mirabilis, the famous date from which to reckon forward and backward. 'VeIl may it stand with 44 A.D., when the Holy Ghost said, " Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have caUed them j" or 53 A.D., when in vision Paul was called to lay the foundations of the Gospel in heathen Europe. Before attempts to evangelize the world had been few, feeble, and far apart j sporadic also and isolated, without connection or continuity, and hence the results had been superficial and hansient. No uprising and onset of the Christian Church had hitherto been seen. 'Kings or trading companies were movers and promoters, and political and commercial considerations held a prominent place. But now came an entire change of basis, of method, of idea. A general movement was started, a trend was taken, or a tide set in which ever since has been rising and spreading with force irresistible. Whatever has been accomplished since can be traced to forces which began to operate almost exactly a hundred years ago. And, furher, in all that momentous period William Carey is easily not only the chief figure, but the supreme personal force-yes, under God the efficient cause of the surprising changes brought to pass. We may speak of the Carey epoch with as much propriety as of the Luther-Reformation. We may as fitly term him the apostle of modern missions as Paul the apostle to the Gentiles, or Ulfilas the apostle to the Goths, or Augustine apostle to the Britons, or Boniface apoRtle to the Germans.
A preliminary glance is in order at what had already been achieved, and at the status existing when the Spirit of God began mightily to move upon the soul of this humble Baptist cobbler-preacher. Gustavus Vasa and his successors had undertaken something in behalf of the pagan Lapps. The Dutch in the East Indie!' had done superficial work, and with results numerically large. In the early years of the century King Frederick IV. of Denmark had sent Von Westen to Upper Norway, Hans Egede to Greenland, and Ziegenbalg and Plutscho to Southern India. And Tranquebar had become a name well known and held in honor, and especially while Schwartz (1750-96) wrought with such marked energy and wisdom. In the century following Eliot and the Mayhews toil in behalf of the American Indians had been carried on (1734-57) by Brainerd, Sergeant, Edwards and Zeisberger. Most of all and best of all was the sublime missionary movement inaugurated by Zinzendorf and the Moravian Church, which in a single generation had carried the heralds of the cross to Greenland, the West Indies, America, and South Africa, and led others to attempt an entrance inlo Egypt, Abyssinia, Persia, Ceylon, China and Siberia. But since that so effectual beginning at Herrnhut in 1732, unless we except the work of Coke and the Wesleyans begun in 1786 in Antigua, when driven thither by a furious storm, nothing new had bcen attempted. And the Dutch missions were now at death's door. The Danish undertaking in Southern India had also fallen into a serious decline. From the beginning the men had come altogether from Germany, and of late the monllY had been derived wholly from British sources. The Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel for well-nigh a century had been raising annually and expending small sums, though mainly upon English colonists, and the So- ciety for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge had been helping with its funds to spread the glad tidings in the Old Wurld and the New. But, taken as a whole, Protestant Christendom had no concern for the heathen j doubted if aught should be undertaken in their behalf j did not believe that aught for their betterment was possible. Whether Established or Dissenting, not a solitary representative of the churche., qf Great Britain was found upon earth preaching Christ to those who had never heard His name!
But yet, though the outlook from this point of vision was sufficiently forbidding, and could scarcely have been worse, all unobserved and out of sight a preparation for better things multiform and widespread had long been in progress, and the set time for the blessed revelation Waf! at hand. In particular the forces of thc Wesleyan revival had long been riRing and spreading, and had stirred Britain tremendously from centre to circumference. The national conscience had been quickened, and in many thousands the flame of the higher affections had begun to burn. And so Howard, and Raikes, and Clarkson, and Wilberforce had begun to agitate. Then just before an empire had been added in the East, and so a vast heathen population had been thrust upon the notice and the care of the nation j and, moreover, by the voyages of Captain Cook in the South Sea, Islands innumerable, with millions more of wretched pagans, had been brought under the gaze of English Christians. Great industrial and social and political changes had recently come to pass, or were at the door-such, for example, as the steam-cngine stands for, and the spinning-jenny, and the cotton gin. And the spirit of freedom, whether civil or ecclesiastical, was in the air of Europe as well as of America. " The age of reason," " the rights of man," and" human equality" were phrases full of inspiration to the civilized world, and stood for ideas and entities in behalf of which millions were ready and eager to venture fortune and life itself. And even now it was, and in the very nick of time, that a voice was heard in the wilderness proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven was at hand.
Only a leader was lacking, some human spirit divinely endowed and called to inspire and guide, to supply II centre about which the spiritual forces of the time might crystallize. Nor h?d the same God, by whose ordinance the glorious work was at length to begin, failed to provide also the thoroughly furnished instrumentality; for, some thirty years before (August 17th, 1761), a babe WtlS born gifted among other things with a measureless hunger for knowledge, and a capacity seldom matched for end- less plodding and hard work. And a will·power was present able to push and persist without limit, but which could not by any means be allured or driven from the pursnit of any chosen object. To such fine qualities were joined later a stalwart faith and a zeal for righteousness so fervid and allconsummg that no difficulties or discouragcments could quench it. At the age of seventeen we find Carey a shoemaker's apprentice at Hackleton, nine miles from Paulerspury, his birthplace. Already he had commenced the study of birds, eggs, insects, and plants, and erelong had begun to delve into the mysteries of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and French. And early and often was he called to take lessons in the stern discipline of life. When about twenty he was married to one who was" querulous, capricious, obstinate," and without sympathy with his life aims, and all this, perhaps in large part, because of a predisposition to meutal disease. He passed also through a protracted season of ill health, and for years was tried by the ills of extreme poverty. And, further, when the voice of the Lord began to cal1 in clear tones, " Go, preach the Gospel to the whole creation," year after year for the better part of a decade he stood almost utterly alone in disposition to obey.
It cannot but be interesting and profitable to note the various steps in the wondrous unfolding of the Divine plan. This future hero for the kingdom of heal"en was well on toward manhood before his spiritual nature was effectually and savingly aroused, and then, though reared in the Established Church, a little later hearing a sermon from the text, " Let us go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach," with characteristic decision and practical energy he joined himself to a little company of Baptists because theirs was a faith despised. Nor was it long before acceptable preaching gifts began to appear. In 1785 he joined the Olney church, by which he was called to the work of the ministry August lOth, and two years after was ordained as pastor of the Moulton church, four miles from North· Ilmpton, and upon a salary of but £15, of which £5 came from London. To eke out II living, shoemaking and school-teaching were added to his occupations. While here it was that his attention was first called to the moral desolation of the heathen world, and his heart began to be moved to hasten relief. And the fact seems to be established that it was the reading of Captain Cook's voyages (1769-79) which brought this great matter to his notice, "though if ever an idea was originated in any man by the Spirit of God, it was this idea of the evangelization of the world." From boyhood books of science and history and travel had been his delight, and now, from investigating the world's physical features, he turned to an examination of the religious condition of mankind. It was at Moulton that Andrew Fuller, visiting Carey's shop, saw upon the wall near his bench a roughly sketched map upon which he had set in order all manner of facts and figures to picture to the eye what needed to be done for the diffnsion of the Gospel, the salvation of the race. Already also had fuel been added to the heavenly flame by a sermon of Fuller's upon" The Gospel Worthy of all Acceptation," which convinced him that, in spite of the current hyper-Calvinistic teaching to the contrary, it was the duty of all men to believe, and also the duty of Christians to tell the glad tidings to all. And a third impulse was supplied by Jonathan Edwards through his pamphlet, which exhorted God's people to union in " extraordinary prayer for the revival of religion and the advancement of Christ's kingdom upon earth." As a result of the reading of this the Baptist ministers in Northamptonshire resolved to set apart an hour for prayer on the first Monday in every month, that the power of the Cross might soon be felt to the most distant parts of the habitable globe. When with his brethren he could not but speak frequently upon the absorbing theme. but found few to listen with interest j while as for most, they thought him an idle dreamer. When once at a clerical gathering he was asked by Dr. Ryland, the chairman, to name a subject for discussion. and after much hesitation suggested, " Is not the command given to the apostles obligatory upon all ministers to the end of time~" as a reward he was dubbed" miserable enthusiast," and was reminded that at least nothing could be done until a second Pentecost should bring a return of the miraculous gifts j for as yet no one had begun to suspect that here was a man already possessed of the substance of that old-time enduement, even to the speaking with tongues!
But not in the least disheartened· or shaken in his purpose, Carey proceeded to prepare a paper of remarkable completeness and cogency, containing a tabular statement of thc size, population, etc., of the various coun~ tries of the globe, proving the Lord's commission to be perpetual, reciting the efforts which in each century had been put forth, and demonstrating the practicability of making further attempts. This great argument closed with an appeal for united prayer, and besides, since petition without effort to match would be but a mockery, for the gift regularly of a penny a week. In 1789 his ministry had bcen transferred from Moulton to Leicester j and, as revealing the burden whieh was upon his heart, the testimony comes that while there Carey was never heard to pray without making earnest supplication for the conversion of the heathen and the abolition of the slave trade. And that thc leaven of missionary zeal was spreading is shown by the fact that at thc association meetings held in 1791 the two preachers, Mr. Sutcliff and Mr. Fuller, chose kindred subjects, the former taking 1 Kings 1) : 10, "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts," and the latter Haggai 1 : 2, "This people say, The time is not come that the Lord's house should be built." Noticing how deep and solemn was the impression produced by these discourses, Carey, in whom action as a matter of course must needs follow hard upon the heels of conviction, proposed to begin at once to organize and plan. But as yet for the others the vision was too dim, and he 8eemed to aim at objects too indefinite and out of reach. And so passed in inaction another year.
But May 31st, 1792, a date to be memorized by every lover of the kingdom, the ministers are again found together at Nottingham, and it wall the Leicester pastor's tUI'll to instruct with a sermon. And then it was that from Isaiah 54: 2, 3, "Enlarge the place of thy tent," etc, and with the two subdivisions, "Expect great things from God" and "At- tempt great things for God," was preached, judged by momentous and far- reaching results, one of the very greatest discourses ever heard in Christian history. The conclusions, the convictions, the desires, pent up for years, but steadily growing, now first found full expression, and not strangely the emotions of the audieuce were kindled with sympathy. But yet, though hearts were swayed and tears fell, large measures of doubt and hesitation still remained, and the assembly was about to separate without open commitment to any definite" attempt" in behalf of the speaker's "great things," but at his importunate suggestion finally resolved to adopt a plan for a society at the next meeting, to be hcld in six months. In due season the association came together at Kettering, October 2d, 1792, and no' doubt with slight conception of the magnitude of the matter in hand. In the evening of that most memorable day twelve men met in Mrs. Beeby Wallis's back parlor and fixed upon the constitution and by-laws of the Particular Baptist Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Heathen, subscribed £13 2s. 6d. as a foundation for its funds, and accepted Carey's offer to add to this whatever profits might result from the publication of his pamphlet on missions which had lain in manuscript for years.
And how sublime was that act of faith, that venture far beyond the realm of sight! How exceedingly remote were the heathen, and what an uncounted host! And these Baptists were but a humble and feeble folk, one of the least of the sects, and with no famed men among them. And the movement started far from the metropolis, and only one London clergyman lent it his countenance. Hence the venture was vast and the issue doubtful. It was like the crossing of the Rubicon, putting forth from Palos, nailing the theses to the church doors, or burning the ships to make retreat impossible. However, it was easy to resolve and not so very difficult to subscribe, but now came the tug. The pertinent and very practical question was to be answered, Who shall be sent forth, and whither, in all the pagan world, shall they journey? A committee was chosen to investigate, and was not left long to wait, for the pillar of fire soon began to rise and move forward. A certain John Thomas, a surgeon in the employ of tho East India Company, had gone out to Bengal in 1783, had been led to engage in evangelistic work in behalf of the Hindus, had recently returned, and was now in London, endeavoring to raise money for further efforts. He was sent for, and was invited to return under the auspices of the new society, with the promise of a companion, " if a suitable one could be found." Accepting this offer, then at once Carey expressed his readiness to become the desired second person, only stipulating that, while he descended to explore what Fuller had termed the" gold-mine" in India, the brethren whQ remained at hOlne should" hold the ropes." Next an appeal was made for £500, and within a few weeks double that amount had been secured.
But trials and tribulations in plenty were yet in store. The Leicester church was loath to lose its beloved pastor, and touchingly alleged, " We have been praying for the spreaa of Christ's kingdom alIlong the heathen, and now God requires us to make the first sacrifice." Next Carey's wife, having no sort of sympathy with his aims, utterly refused to share in the risks and hardships of the undertaking; and though the thought cost a world of agony, imperative duty seemed to compel him to go without her, to remain at least for a season. And finally India was 15,000 miles away; the East India Company was in full possession; no Englishman could lawfully land upon its shores without a license, and, moreover, the Gospel was a contraband article. After the utmost influence possible had been brought to bear upon the company it became evident that no license could be had, and so, recalling that the apostles did not wait for permission from Rome or any earthly anthority, our hero resolved to set forth without the consent of the directors and take the consequences. Through the influence of Mr. Thomas passage was engaged and fare was paid upon one of the company's ships, but later, delayed long by storms under the Isle of Wight, the missionaries were ordered ashore. But fortunately a few days after a Danish East Indiaman lay in Dover Roads, npon which transportation was secured, and at the last moment, visiting his erratic wife, Mrs. Carey consented to accompany her husband. It was June 13th, 1793, that they finally set sail upon a voyage so pregnant with consequences to Christianity unspeakably great, and five months later arrived at Calcutta, and on the 9th of November.
Of course the passage of these events produced scarcely a ripple upon the snrface of the great social or political or even religious world, were almost altogether unnoticed and unknown. In those days the great stir over the American Revolution was quieting down, but only to be succeeded by a vastly more fearful commotion from across the English Channel. It will be instructive to set down a few dates which locate what many would even yet deem the great events of the period. In 1789 first burst forth the volcano of the French Revolution, and July 19th the Bastile fell. June 20th, 1791, King LouiR fled from Paris. August 18th of the next year, a few weeks after Carey's great sermon, the invasion of France by the allies began, and the next month followed the" September Massacres," and the republic was proclaimed. January 21st, 1793, the king ascended the scaffold; March 11th the Revolutionary Tribunal was set up and the Reign of Terror was inaugurated; and June 2d, a fortnight before Carey sailed, the Girondists fell; and as he was nearing his destination the hapless Marie Antoinette met her fate, the Girondists following hard after. As God, and angels, and glorified saints estimate human affairs, who will dare affirm that the Hackleton cobbler's part in history is not every way worthy to be compared with that of George III. and Burke, of Mirabeau and La'ayette ~ THE MELANESIAN MISSION.
BY REV. ROBERT STEEL, D.D., SYDNEY, N. S. W • •, The immense Pacific smiles Round a thousand little isles, Haunts of violence and wiles. But the powers of darkness yield, For the CROSS is in the field, And the LIGHT OF LIFE revealed."
The diocese of the apostolic Dishop of New Zealand, Dr. George Augustus Selwyn, embraced eighty-four degrees of latitude! It was made, by a mistake of the letters-patent issued by the British Crown, to extl:;nd from 540 south to 34 0 north. It embraced also 20 0 of longitude, and covered an area of 4800 miles by 1200. This is probably the rgest diocese ever marked out for a single bishop, and may truly be said to have included" a thousand little isles," almost all " haunts of cruelty and wiles." New Zealand itself wail an extensive enough diocese, and is now divided into six see8, though the Anglican Church has only a portion of the colonial population. Bishop Selwyn was equal to the occupancy of an extensive episcopate. He had been a famous oarsman in the University boat at Cambridge, and he could manage a schooner at sea. When roads were few and rough, he sailed along the coasts of New Zealand in the pursuit of his calling, and gained golden opinions among pioneering colonists for his courage and devoteuness. Meanwhile he cal!lt many a longing eye over the wide expanse of waters which the English Colonial Office had mapped out as his diocese. In 1847 he resolved upon a voyage of inspection, and fortunately got a passage in II. M. S. " Dido," when he had an opportunity of observing the insular groups in the southwestern Pacific, and the native population on them. In 1849 he got a small schooner of only twenty-one tOllS, the " Undine," with a crew of four men, and set sail alone on a trial Toyage. After ten days from Auckland, New Zealand, he reached Aneityum, a thousand miles away. This was the most southern island of the New Hebrides,' and where a mission had been started a year before by the Rev John Geddie, a Presbyterian missionary from Nova Scotia. The bishop met H. M. S. "Havannah," Captain Erskine, at this harbor, and in his company visited the islands of the New Hebrides and Loyalty groups, and also New Caledonia. His chief object at first was to endeavor to win the confidence of the natives. He had a rare art in this, and went unarmed among them, always keeping-his eye upon the cbief in each tribe, lest any mischief should arise. Like Van Amburgh among lions, Bishop Selwyn could tame cannibals for the time by the power of his eye! He was anxious also to get a few boys away to Auckland that he might attempt to educate them in the first principles of the Christian religion, and then return them to exercise some influence for good among their own people. The summer months were the most favorable for this training, while the winter was most favorable for voyaging in the tropic seas. Bishop Selwyn found a Babel of tongues among the dark savages of Melanesia-that portion of 'Western Polynesia in which he sailed. He endeavored to pick up a few words in each island, and carefully noted them down, along with the names of chiefs and others, so that when he returned he used these words and names again to the astonishment and delight of the natives. He thus pioneered missionary enterprise among heathen islands, as Dr. Livingstone did in Central Africa. He extended his voyages from year to year as his acquaintance with the islanders increased, and as he got a larger craft in which to sail. Most of the islands between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands were visited by him, and where there were no resident missionaries except on the Loyalty Islands, and on one of the New Hebrides group. He had zeal, wisdom, and courage for all his peculiar trials and difficulties. Few men have braved so many dangers with less means of defence in the service of Christ and His holy Gospel. In his first voyages he had no charts, and had to rely on his own drawings and on some old Spanish charts. He had, besides, to take observations, calculate distances, keep command, pull a rope, and manage natives on board speaking various languages. Some of the men had their wives occasionally with them, and as their clothing was very scanty, the bishop made dresses for the women, and when the mothers were sick he nursed their babies!
Thus he founded the M.elanesian"Mission. In 1850 he attended a meeting of bishops in Sydney, New South Wales, and got an Australasian Board of Missions established for the conversion and civilization of the aborigines of Australia and Western Polynesia. By contributions, given at the time, he was enabled to purchase and furnish the" Border Maid," a schooner of one hundred tons, and in 1851 the Bishop of Newcastle, N. S. W., who had been a comrade of Bishop Selwyn in the Cambridge University boat, accompanied him on a voyage. In 1852 he conveyed in his schooner to Aneityum a Presbyterian missionary and his wife free of expense. In England his powerful sermons at the University made a great impression, and he got Rev. John Coleridge Patteson, M.A., son of Mr. Justice Patteson, to go with him in 1855 expressly for mission work. This devoted man was trained by Dr. Selwyn to take complete charge of the mission, and he was consecrated Bishop of Melanesia in 1861. A fund of £5000 was raised by Bishop Selwyn to endow the see. Bishop Patteson followed in the steps of his great predecessor, and went annually on voyages among the islands, collecting boys for the missionary college established first at Auckland, New Zea1and, and afterward at Norfolk Island. He was joined by Rev. R. H. Codrington, M.A., Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, who subsisted on his fellow~hip, and, like his bishop, gave his services gratuitously. Many youths were taught who, after they were baptized, became teachers in their native isles. New openings were constantly sought, new missionaries added, until the work spread as far as the Banks and the Solomon groups. After the labor traffic began, and the natives w~re il.lGel.lsed by some kidnapping scenes, Bishop Patteson and a native deacon, Stephen, fell in 1871 as martyrs to the cause of Christ by the savages of Nukapu, in the Santa Cruz group. Great was the lamentation over the early removal of the devoted Patteson. But the good work went on. The Rev. J. R. Selwyn, M.A., son of the Bishop of New Zealand, was selected for the island episcopate in 1877. Amid many difficulties and domestic trials Bishop Selwyn has carried on his work. He has had a mission schooner with auxiliary steam power for cruising among the islands. And now a larger steam vessel has been got for the expanding work. Bishop Patteson left his entire fortune of over £13,000 to the mission. Miss Yonge, the popular writer, and authoress of the" Life of Bishop J. C. Patteson," gave the entire profits of " The Daisy Chain," and many other sums to the funds. A thousand acres were purchased at Norfolk Island, and the necessary buildings have been erected for the accommodation and instruction of the scholars and for the residence of the bishop and missionaries. The trust funds amount to £40,000, the interelt of which is used for workini expenses. The total income wal £6380 in 1890. Of this about £4000 came from Australasia. The expenditure was more than the income by £833. The bishop surren.dered £200 of his moderate income to help the deficit. The new ship has cost £9200. At St. Barnabas College there are 124 male and 32 female scholars from many different islands. The mission is carried on throughout the islands during all the year by native teachers, and during the winter months European missionaries reside, to superintend the teachers, preach the Gospel, visit the schools and open up new spheres for labor.
The' bishop, who has been very unwell or late by malarial sciatica, takes a yearly voyage through his extensive diocese. Many islanders, once savages, have been admitted into the Christian Church by baptism, numbers have been taught to read, others trained to teach, and several ordained to the Christian ministry. Dr. Codrington, who has now retired, published a valuable book on the Melanesian languages, in which he gave vocabularies and grammars of some forty tongues. Portions of Scripture and the liturgy of the Church of England have been translated into different languages, and printed for the use of the natives. One language is usedthat of the island of Mota-in the college at Norfolk Island ; but the missionaries cultivate and speak the languages of the islands where they labor. To give a few specimens of the work carried on at present, it may be stated that on the island of Florida, where there is a population of 5508, a little over 2000 have been bapt.ized and 56 confirmed. There are 62 teachers and 1020 scholars there. In the Banks group the Rev. T. C. Culwick reports that in 1890 there were 41 schools in eight islands, 234 adult and 102 infant baptisms, and in one church there were 117 communicants. The Rev. Charles Bice, who has been employed twenty-five years in the Northern New Hebrid.es, spent several months during 1890 on the islands; he reports that much disquiet prevailed, that the population had been greatly thinned
IMPORTANT DEATHS
by the labor traffic. Difficulties have arisen in some cases from the Frenoh traders who have settled on the islands. A great work is being done throughout many islands by Bishop Selwyn and his missionaries and teachers. It is to be hoped that the bishop may be restored to health, and that by the blessing of God the enlarged efforts practicable with a larger steamer may result in the expansion of the Melanesian Mission, and the ingathering of many dusky islanders to the fold of Christ.
STATISTICS OF THE MISSION.
Staff.-The Right Rev. John R. Selwyn, D.D., Bishop j English clergy: Rev. Charles Biee, Arthur Brittain, R. B. Conrius, J. D. Branne, B.A., T. C. CuI wick, John Palmer, J. H. Plant, M.A., R. M. Turnbull. Native ordained mi~sionaries: Alfred Lobu, Clement Marau, Robert Pantutun, Mano Wandrokai, Walter Weser, deacons j George Sarawia, Henry Tagalad, priests. Native teachers, about 200. Mission steam vessel, Captain Bongard engineer, officers, doctor and crew. There are 31 scholars supported at Norfolk Island by congregations in New South Wales j 10 by those in Victoria, 11 by those in South Australia, 5 by those in New Zealand, and 27 by those in New Zealand. Thus between 80 and 90 are known by name to congregations supporting them. Parcels of clothing are annually sent by working parties of ladies. A sum of £1500 per annum is contributed by friends of the mission in England.
TWO IMPORTANT DEATHS.
The death of Narayan Sheshadri, on the ocean, last month, and the death of Hormazdji Peestonji, in India, during the previous month, recall the stormy scenes attending the .:lonversion and baptism of these men, more than fifty years ago. The preaching of Dr. John Wilson, one of the great Scotch missionaries, was followed by a special blessing. Four young men, two of them Parsees .and two of them Hindus, professed faith in Christianity. All the inten'le hatred of the heathen heart was turned against these men. Legal proceedings were instituted against them in the civil courts in Bombay. Two of these converts were Danjibhai Nouroji and Hormazdji Pestonji, Parsees j and two were the brothers Narayan and Shripat Sheshadri, Hindus, and, in addition, Brahmans. Shripat Sheshadri, brother of Narayan, was remanded to Hinduism, as he had not attained to his majority. The others were baptized in spite of the violence of the mob, which threatened the mission house, and was restrained only by the presence of the military force. Narayan Shcshadri did his work afterward in connection with Presbyterians of Scotland. Hormazdji Pestonji went into the service of the Irish Presbyterian Church, and afterward became a Baptist, and was the head of the Baptist Mission in Poona. In the past summer death came to them both-to one on the sea, to the other at home.-Presbyterian.
18IH.] CONGREGATIONALISTS AND
CONGREGATIONALISTS AND MISSIONS.
BY REV. EDWARD STORROW, BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.
A very important forward movement in foreign missions has just been inaugurated in England. The directors of the London Missionary Society have resolved, before the jubilee of the society in 1895, to add 100 more missionaries to its staff; a large increase, since the present number is only 192. The importance of this resolution will be apparent if it be observed': 1. That this is the oldest Foreign Missionary Society in England next to the Gospel Propagation and Baptist Societies, and has the largest purely foreign missionary income, with perhaps two exceptions.
2. Its basis is undenominational, but practically it has fallen into the hands of Congregationalists, and is the only Foreign Missionary Society which in any sense belongs to them.
3. It has a distinguished history, since it was the first Protestant society to Bend missionaries into Polynesia, China, Madagascar, Lake Tanganyika in Central Africa, and to begin work in New Guinea on an important scale j and in some of these fieldll it has had distinguished success.
4. It stands eminent for the number of its illustrious missionaries- Morison, Milne, Griffith John, Ellis, Williams, Moffat j Livingstone being also of the number.
5. It has a larger staff of native agents in proportion to its European missionaries than any other society, since its ordained native ministers number 1224, its other native preachers and evangelists over 4100, and its school·teachers more than 3000, a large proportion of these being well tried and carefully trained.
Various causes have led the more ardent friends of the society to desire that it should attempt greater things. Among these may be mentioned the splendid openings for aggressive work around many of its stations in India, China, Madagascar, and New Guinea; the painfully inadequate number of its missionaries in many important centres j the examples of faith and enterprise set by some other missionary agencies, and the growing consciousness among Congregationalists that they are not doing their full part in the splendid enterprise of giving the Gospel to the non-Christian world. Convictions of this· nature led four well-known ministers to issue a heartstirring appeal only a few weeks ago, entitled" Congregationalism and the Evangelization of the W orId," the main purport of which was that at least 100 additional missionaries tlhould be sent out: 40 more to India, 40 more to China, 10 more to Africa, 10 more to Polynesia, Madagascar, etc. This suggestion was embodied in the following resolution, which after most careful consideration was accepted by the board of directors at their first meeting in July : "That it is desirable that the Society should, notwithstanding the adverse balaQce with which the past year closed, at once proceed to provide
A NEW APPLICATION OF AN OLD HYMN
for the pressing needs which have already been recognized by the Board, and should further without hesitation enter upon the enlarged openings for work presented in connection with several of the great Mission fields in which the Society is laboring. And that an attempt be made to add One hundred additional Missionaries to the Society's staff before the Society's Centenary is celebrated in 1895."
The importance and gravity of this step is seen in the facts, that for some years the income of the society has not advanced as it should have done j that it has not found without difficulty the fifteen or twenty suitable men it has required year by year to keep up its present staff of missionaries; and that the proposal will necessitate an increase of £25,000 annually to the society's income. Nevertheless the resolve is wise, noble, and necessary; it has been made deliberately and with much faith and prayer, and it will probably elicit so enthusiastic a response from the Congregational churches and such a blessing from God that it will be carried to a most successful issue.
A NEW APPLICATION OF AN OLD HYMN.
To the Editor of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW: The old hymn of Thomas Scott might with a little alteration be ad- dressed to Christians j for in the mission work the wise, the merciful, the obedient the blessed thing to do is to haste.
Haste, 0 Christian ; now be wise j Stay not for the ml)rrow's sun j Wisdom if you thus despise, Harder is it to be won.
Haste, for many now "implore j Stay not for the morrow's sun, Lest the season should be o'er, Ere thii evening's stage be run.
Haste, 0 Christian j now obey j Stay not for the morrow's sun.
Haste, for many now do pray That salvation's work be done.
Haste, 0 Christian; now be blest; Stay not for the morrow's sun, Lest perdition souls arrest, Ere the morrow is begun.
VERSAILLES, Ky. PAUL V. BOMAR.
"NAlI: TRANG SONG."
." NAM THANG SONG."* BY REV. F. ELLIS, BRISTOL, ENGLAND.
NOTE.-The following verses were written some three or four years ago by the blind Moravian pastor lu Bristol, whose noble sister takes the part of eyes and hands for him. The inspiration of the poem is suffiriently indicated In the foot-notes, which also explain all references. It was originally printed In the Periodical Accounu, the English missionary qnarterly of the Moravian Ohnrch, but in the hope that the lines might prove a source of enconragement to other than Moravian missionary laborer., they have been offered for republication In this journal by permission of Rev. Benjamin La Trobe, editor of the Pmodical Accounts. We add that the Rev. Frederic Redslob, after 20 years nnremitting labor In the Tibetan Mountains, has been forced to retire on account of broken health, and his place has been supplied by the Rev. F. Becker Shawe, who has recently arrived in his far·off field of labor in the midst of the Himalayan Mountain., after a most adventuresome and arduous journey. In Alaska the work has progressed nobly since the fatal day recorded in the poem. Addi. tional volunteers have gone forth to this bleak and dreary field, and in spite of apparently insurmonntable obstacles, converts are slowly being gathered in.
NAZARETH, PA. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ.
Cheerless in the evening hour is the prospect he commands, As at foot of Himalaya, wrapt in thought, our Redslob stands j Eighteen thousand feet of climbing is the task to-morrow brings, And he gauges all before him, and he thinks a llUndred things: Will the undertaking prosper' is the mountain pathway clear ~ Are the coolies to be trusted '-then a sudden sickening fear Seizes him, as gazing upwards he perceives that, lure and slow, Clouds, black heavy clouds, are gathering, ominous of falling snow. Let them but discharge their burden,-and they will, the coolies say, Then all hope of further progress must consume'in long delay. For a moment all is gloomy j blows the night wind bleak and chill : – Disappointment seems to crush him at the foot of Taglang hill j Yet it is but for a moment j soon regained his self-control, And the peace which passeth knowledge takes possession of his soul 1 For within his chamber kneeling, contrite, confident, and mild, Angels might have heard his breathing, " Lord, forgive thy anxious child j Pardon if for one brief instant I have sought to take from Thee What is Thine by right and promise j take it, take it, Lord, from me• • This Tibetan sentence, which implies, .. It has cleared np 1" or .. It is all bright again 1" was the cheering morning greeting of hiB coolies to the Rev. F. Redslob, snperintendent of the Moravian Mission in Oentral Asia, on the day when he intended to cross the Taglang Pass (18,000 feet in height) near the northern bonndary of British India. He was on his way to found a permanent mission at Leh, the capital of Ladak, when evening closed in with a dark and threatening cloud hanging far down the pass, portending snow and conseqnently enhanced difficulties and dangers amid those trackless wastes of rock and glacier if not protracted delay at the foot of the Taglang. .. The pass," says Mr. Redslob, .. seemed to my imagination an image of the future of our Ladak Mission, and my own immediate prospects. I felt dispirited, and lay down to rest with a weight of apprehension on my heart. But I endeavored to cast my care upon the Lord, and commended myself and onr whole mission work into His hand•.
.. How great WIlS my joy when the next morning I was awakened by the cry, 'NAJIl THANG SONG I' (' The weather is quit~ mght again. ') It was indeed a lovely morning. The clouds had vanished, and the snow, which had merely sprinkled the pass as with a thiu covering of sugar, had entirely disappeared before I reached the heights. I could not possibly have had more favorable weather for such an ascent and descent, and the exp.eriences of the following days were destined to fill me with deep gratitude and reveal very clearly how gracionsly the Lord had arranged all things tor me." Be to-morrow in Thy keeping; mine to follow, Thine to lead; Thine the wisdom and the power, mine the weakness and the need. Glad shall be my full submission whatsoever Thy decree, For my will with Thine is blended, and Thou, Lord, art all to me !"
With the daybreak rise the coolies, all expectant to behold Everywhere the sad fulfilment of the troubles they foretold. Scarce a flake of snow has fallen, not a cloud bedims the sky, And they shout for very gladness-" Nam thang song!" they loudly cry, As in eager haste they hurry to the sleeper where he lies; " Rouse thee quickly for the journey, ' Nam thang song, 'good Sahib, rise ; Gird thee for the upward journey ; bright the sky and clear the way; , Nam thang song,' good Padre Sahib, we shall cross Taglang to-day."
TPen with sanctified exertions Redslob and his coolies start, Every footstep fraught with danger, but there's music in his heart ; For the Master's smile is on him; this makes all his troubles light. Rocky shelving, mountain torrent, steep descent, and slippery height, Precipices, all he passes, till, by angel hand sustained, He haa left it all behind him, and his journey's end attained.
Work on, Redslob, with thy comrades in that hard Tibetan field; Ne'er despond, though scant the harvest which your labors seem to yield; For in God's own time the message ye so faithfully proclaim Shall be owned by tens of thousands to the honor of His name. And the wilderness shall blossom, and the desert place rejoice, At the brightness of His coming and the music of His voice.
Such the word to you, ye others, who on many a foreign soil Delve and sow, and yet know something of the fruitlessness of toil. COUl"dge, brothers! out in Greenland, and in ice-bound Labrador In the Western Indian islands; on the Nicaraguan shore i* On the rivers of Guiana, t or among the swart Fingoos it Or in Ramahyuck's § enclosure, tending the despised Papoos ; ,Or in Canada's dominions, serving out the Word of grace To the Delaware and Choctaw~ remnants of a fading race i Or like self-denying Miiller, II with his brave wife at his side, Tt:lling the in-gathered lepers how for them, too, Christ haa died,- Courage, one and all, ye brothers! no occasion for dismay i Let not " may be" come between you and the praises of .to day ; Ne'er anticipate the morrow, for ye cannot know its form ; Fretting never frightened thunder, sighing never stayed a stonn• • Mission in the Moskito Indian Reserve, Central America.
t i. e., Dutch Guiana or Surinam, and British Guiaua (Demerara). *MiBBions In South Africa to FingOOB, Hottentots and KaffirB. reserve § Ramah-yuck (Ramah. our home) is the second aboriginal nuder care of Moravian mis- sionaries in Victoria, Australia.
U.. House-father" of the Leper Home near the Jaffa Gate of Jerusalem. But when clouds come darkling o'er you as ye face stern duty's height, Then remember He who sends them can disperse them in a night.
Work with patience, pray with trusting. each one faithful at his post, And erelong the wave of blessing which swept o'er Moskito Coast Shall reach your remotest borders, and refresh and gladden you.
Many a Daukra, and Quamwatla, Kukallaya, and Yulu,* Shall rise up to call you blessed, and to verify the words, There's success in David's battle, for the battle is the Lord's.
G'nadendal t shall yet burn brightly, as a lamp with freshened oil, Entumasi, Engotini, and Entwanazana'st soil Yet shall yield abundant harvest, and another Herald § soon Bear the Gospel's gladdening message over Mexican lagoon.
And you of this latest venture, who but yesterday went forth With your lives of consecration to the wild Alaskan II North, Take our heartfelt blessing with you, and amid your ice and snow On the drear Kuskokwim River let it comfort you to know That upon our hearts we bear you, and though miles may surge between, In the truest bond of union we are with you on the scene j We could understand your feelings as ye slowly sailed away From the harbor of Francisco on that eighteenth day of May, And we could but stand and wonder at those two of gentler form Who were thus prepared to join you in the solitude and storm j Spite of all your ocean-tossings, and the dangers that ye faced, Never once in spirit shrank ye from the cause ye had embraced. We could see you grouped together gazing on the outline blue, Till the mountains of Alaska shaped themselves to clearer view; We could see you, lone and wistful, by the warehouse on the land, Where the Lizzie Merrill l left you dazed, yet waving with the hand Towards the fast-receding vessel, bidding farewell to the last Of all things that seemed to link you with the brightness of the past.
Then ye nerved yourselves to action, though unused to rope and spar, Weighed the anchor, trimmed the sails, and launched your little Bethel Star >' Past the mu~banks safely guided,· up the river bravely bore Through those fifty leagues of sameness j saw the tundras** on the shore, Marked the pine-trees andgamutes tt sparsely set on either side, And the Eskimo bidarka tt swiftly floating o'er the tide j * Places affected by the recent awakening among the Moskito Indians.
t Genadendal, the oldest mission station in South Africa, commenced by George Schmidt in 1734.
~ Former and present stations among the Kaffirs. § New mission vessel for the Moskito Coast Mission. I Alaska, until 1867 Russian America. ,- The schooner which conveyed the Alaskan pioneers from San Francisco to the month of the Kuskokwim River.
** Tundras-H treeless, shrubless, mossy flats."
**tt Gamute-village. Bidarka-three-holed kayak, or skin-covered canoe.
CUBA AS A MISBION FIELD
Felt the rainfall, 'watched the nightfall, hailed the daybreak o'er the foam,- Till in Mumtreklagamute * ye arrived, and called it " Home !"
There, within your winter quarters, daily learning while ye teach, Slowly hinting at the Gospel which as yet ye cannot preach; We can see you striving, toiling, patient, yet withal so grave, As ye think upon the comrade lying low beneath the wave, t Which swept him to sudden glory, but left YOll to mourn a friend.
Patience, brothers! "Hope and Patience" be your watchword to the end.
Scant enough we thought your numbers, yet we read the lesson tme : God, who claims the victor's glory, ever wins by Gideon's few.
Feed upon the word He gave you on that fatal August day, And be sure that when in spirit you and we together pray, " God of Bethel, bless our mission on the bleak Alaskan shore,"
He will give the cheering answer, " Fear not; I have gone before. "t CUBA AS A MISSION FIELD.
BY w. J. MOMAN, CIENFUEGOS, CUBA.
Cuba is the largest of the West Indian Islands, and has been a Spanish colony ever since its discovery. It has an area of about 72,000 square miles, and the population is variously estimated at from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000. Its soil is most fertile, and the climate generally healthy except in some of the'towns, where the want of proper sanitary regulations is perhaps the chief cause of so much sickness at certain periods of the year.
The population is ~ixed up of Spaniards (natives of Spain), Cubans (natives of Cuba), and negroes. Among these classes the strongest prejudices exist. The pe.:>ple congregat"e mostly in cities and towns, but many live on and about the sugar plantations where they are employed. The chief towns are nearly all connected by rail or steamboat, so that travelling is not difficult, though somewhat expensive.
The whole country is divided into six provinces-viz.• Pinar del Rio,' Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara, Puerto Principe, and Santiago de Cuba, each having a chief town of the same name.
The people are nominally Roman Catholics, but the majority, having lost faith in Rome, are drifting away into infidelity. While many have thus renounced belief in all religion, there iI!, on the other hand, a large number still fanatically devoted to Rome. Roma~ism was the religion of their • .The Alaskan missionaries have built their house near Mumtrekhlagamnte. a trading post of the Alaska Commercial Company, and called the ~tatlon Bethel. (Gen. 35: 1.) t Mr. Torgersen, one of the five pioneers, was drowned by accident on August 10th, 1885.
~ The text for August 10th, 1885, the day on which Mr. Torgersen was drowned, was Isaiah 52 : 12. fathers and grandfathers, and still possesses great power over them. These are generally ignorant people, who are entirely under the power of the priests, and render them a blind and unquestioning obedience. Betwe.en these two extremes there is another class-perhaps not a large one-who have ceased to believe in the Romish Church, but still believe in God, the Creator of all things, and feel the need of a religion which will elevate man's mind and pUIify his heart.
Until recently Protestant work could not be publicly done in Cuba. At present, however, all sects are tolerated and allowed to propagate themselves without disturbance, religious toleration having been granted under the revised Spanish Constitution. The whole island is therefore opened up to the Protestant missionary, and wherever he goes he may claim the protection of the authorities. I have already had a police officer accompany me home after conducting service in my chapel.
I wish to repeat and emphasize what I have already said about the amount of work which is being done here at present. It is in no way adequate to the pressing need of the field. The Southern Baptist Convention has missions in Havana and some neighboring towns, and a great work is being done by this soci~ty. There is an Episcopal mission in Matanzas, with a station in Havana, and recently a Presbyterian mission has heen started in Havana, with which I believe the Presbyterians of Mexico are identified. So far as I know, the only other mission work being done on the island is at CienfuegoB, a town on the south side, where the writer is laboring under the auspices of the Jamaica· Baptist Missionary Society. All these agencies together do not reach more than 500,000 persons, leaving more than 1,000,000 souls without the knowledge of the true way of salvation, and without any possible way of acquiring such a knowledge. Scattered all over the country are populous towns and villages without the light of the Gospel of Christ, where the people must either be satisfied with the dead forms and lying absurdities of Rome, or rellounce all religion. In the three southern provinces-namely, Santa Clara, Puerto Principe, and Santiago de Cuba, with a population of about 600,000, I am the only missionary. These hungry, starving souls are daily crying for the bread of life. Day by day the cry goes up from thousands of burdened hearts, "No man cares for my soul." Their religion consists of processions, masses, baptisms, and such ceremonies, which Rome has invented, and with whiCH she has replaced the Gospel. The priest is the only mediator they know between God and man, and although dissatisfied with his religion, and not unfrequently with his corrupt morals, they are afraid to abandon the Church, as union with it is their only hope of salvation. ' , No priest, no sacrament j no sacrament, no salvation," is a maxim of terrible power over the minds of those who have been brought up in the darkness and superstition of Rome.
Less than 120 miles away from the great American republic lies a country with more than 1,000,000 persons, "who sit in darkness and in the region of the shadow of death," waiting for the light of the Gospel. How long shall they thus wait? One cannot but feel that the answer to this ques- tion lies with the Christians of the United States. There can bl1 no question about money and men, for the churches have both the money and the men. Since writing the last sentence I took up the MISSIONARY REVIEW for Feb- ruary, and find that the Protestants of the United States are supposed to have a surplus wealth of about $500,000,000 a year. What to do with it ? Why not spend $500,000 a year in trying to evangelize Cuba ~ With so much money in their purses, and so many men willing to go out as mis- sionary worker~, we fail to see any reason why every town in Cuba should not be supplied with a missionary of the Cross.
The people are very favorably disposed toward Americans and American institutions. In every city and town, it might be said in every household, the products of American industry and manufacture are well known. Why should not this be the case also with the religon which has raised the United States to the proud position she occupies among the nations of the earth ~ There is urgent need that the work should be done at once. This feeling grows on one the more he knows of the people. As I have already said, many are embracing atheistic creeds and theories which involve a negation of all religion. It is not unlikely that this anti-Christian movement will gain strength in proportion as the intellectual faculties of the people are / awakened and developed apart from true religion. It seems that the Church is losing its opportunity with regard to Cuba. People are becoming infidels chiefly because they do not know the true Gospel, and are disgusted with the caricature of Christianity which the Roman Church exhibits. Now is the time to seek to check the growth of iufidelity which seems likely to overrun poor, priest.ridden Cuba.
But there is another reason why the neld should be taken hold of at once, even if we should not succeed in turning the tide of infidelity. The human mind cannot long be satisfied with a negation of all religion. To be religious belongs to man's nature, and the religious faculty will sooner or later make itself felt in the setting in of a strong reaction in favor of religion. I think this is clearly taught by the religious history of the world. Wherever infidelity has seemed to triumph for awhile a reaction has invaria- bly set in in favor of religion, and sometimes in favor of the most degrad- ing superstition under that name. One feels sure that it will be so in Cuba; and if the pure, true Gospel is not made known to the people, the reaction will be in favor of the degrading superstition and idolatry of the Church of Rome, and no one can tell how long this may delay the evan- gelization.01 Cuba.
SOIDe seem to think that there is no room for other missionary societies than those that are now laboring here. A gentleman officially connected with one of the great missionary societies said to me not long ago, " We have lost our chauce in Cuba." This is by no means true. The field is
THE PROTESTANT MOVEMENT IN MEXICO
large enough to receive Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbytpriansin short, all evangelical societies who will preach the Word of God. There is no reason why all should not unite in the grand work of giving the Gospel to this benighted people.
The difficulties of the work are numerous, and different stations throughout the island will present different difficulties; but I have already taken up too much space, and cannot now refer to the difficulties except to say that they are not insuperable, and patient, persevering, faithful work in Cuba will surely meet with large success, although the laborers may have to work hard and wait long.
THE PROTESTANT MOVEMENT IN MEXICO.
BY ELEANOR P. ALLEN, CINCINNATI, o.
The innate ideas of our Protestant heritage are that religious and civil freedom are both alike necessary to the highest development of our race. In order to measure the value of these great possessions to other countries that hitherto have not enjoyed their benefits, let us consider for a moment by what feeble means, against what odds, at how great cost, that heritage of blessing was won for our own-land. There is no more interesting period • of our history than those seventy-five years of struggle which decided whether this land should be another New Spain, like poor Mexico, or another New England, such as, thank God, it is; whether, accord- ing to the inscription upon the arms of Columbus, "To Castile and Leon (alone) Colon had given a new world," or whether he had found that treasure for a greater people made new and strong and free by -a truer and a purer faith; for whether this struggle is called in Europe the wars of the" Austrian and Spanish Successions," and in this new unsettled world the wars of "Queen Anne," "King George," or the " French and Indian War," the central point at issue was the same. How- ever complicated by the personal ambitions of the French Louis-es or the monarchs of stately Spain, and the other princes of Europe from the dates of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 'lnd the success of the revolution in England by which it was declared that thenceforth no Catholic prince should ever sit upon her throne, the relll struggle for dominion in Europe and for the consequent possession of this continent lay between the over- grown powers of the Papacy, on the one hand, and on the other, the giant infant of the Reformation, late born in the lap of Germany.
What had Spain done 1 Marching from the southern seas in gorgeous panoply of scarlet and gold, her fiery, intensely religious, always greedy hosts conquered South America and Mexico at about the same time, and pushing far to the north and west, founded town after town upon our Pacific frontier, the centre and chief interest of which town was always the parish church, till here and there and everywhpl"e, above the soft seas and in the upper mountain air, was heArd the tender toning of her mid- night bells of prayer. Have we not to-day Santa Fe, founded by Spanish priests, away up on the plateau of the Rocky Mountains, now deemed the oldest city of our country 1 and San Augustine, the next oldebt, also found- ed by them as they came to pour other hosts across the southern slopes of our country to the Mississippi 1 What did France do 1 Were not the white gleam and shimmer of her lily standard seen through the wild woods of the St. Lawrence from its gulf along its course, through the great lakes and down the Mississippi till they met the forces of Spain in Louisiana! Have we not the traces of this course in the names familiar to us all-of Marquette, Juliet, Sault Ste. Marie, and Detroit, besides many another 1 Then did she not strive to secure possession of our own fair valley of the Ohio, that she might use it as an entering wedge with which to split apart the claims of the few and feeble English colonies on the coast! How many of those colonies were there 1 When this struggle began in 1688 there were twelve, and one of them was Romish. When we group these facts together, and remember the splendor and resources of these Romish countries at that period, and the weakness of the forces of Protestantism that were set to oppose them, can we not imagine that the angels above watched the close of this conflict with high joy, and that they all, together with the Prince of our people, sang aloud, " But as for His own people, He led them forth like sheep. He carried them in the wilderness like a flock." " We give Thee thanks, 0 Lord God Almighty, that Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned !"
William Carey began work in India liS the firST; Protestant missionary only ninety-eight years ago. It was in 1'793 that he alone, the leader of a vast army that should follow, set foot on India's soil for the redemption of the millions of that race. He toiled on seven full years before he gained his first convert-seven years of struggle for one soul! In 1800 he baptized Krishna Chunda Pul, the first Hindu Protestant convert. When Carey died (the man whom God lifted from the cobbler's bench first to the English pulpit and then to the highest throne ever erected on the soil of India) he was honored throughout EnglanQ, India, and the civilized world. He had introduced a work into India that would ultimate in the moral regeneration of the people and the social and mental elevation of a race. Schools. books, newspapers, moral associations-these, and a thousand other blessings followed as the indirect fruit of Carey's sowing on Indian soil. He died in 1834, hut not until he had seen thousands follow his lone convert into the fold of Christ j and when the Church celebrated the semi-centennial of his death 500,000 converts could be counted in the vast field of work he had opened up. American growth of population does not exceed twenty-five per cent for the decade just past, but that of the Protestant family of India exceeded eighty-six per cent. How wonderfully God has honored the teachings of William Carey, the so-called Sanctified Cobbler!
1891.J EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
-The Rhenish Missionary Society complains that, for some reason or other, its COllverts in Bomeo are so decidedly inferior to the Mohammedans in industry as to be at a disadvantage in every way. Yet they are learning diligence in one way-they are showing increasing zeal in supporting their churches.
– The Maritime Presbyterian, in reference to the New Hebrides, says: " In regard to the heathen, our outlook was never anything like so hopeful as at present." But who" we" may be we are unable to say, as the magazine neither gives a place of publication, nor the name of the editor, nor tells of what church it is an organ; and the writer is not learned enough in the ecclesiastical affairs of the Dominion to know whether the maritime provinces have a Presbyterian Church of their own or not.
-The Spirit of Missions quotes Louis Agassiz: " Every friend of Brazil must wish to see its present priesthood replaced by a more vigorous, intelligent, and laborious clergy."
-The Missionary Reporter (M. E. C., South) says: "Last year the net increase of the membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, waR larger than the entire home membership of the Moravian Church; yet they have four times as many missionaries in the foreign field as are supported by Southern Methodists."
THE CONTINENT.
-The Amerzcan NcAll Record calls attention (as, curiously enough, the Catholic Irish Review had also done) to the fact that, out of the 600,000 Protestants of France, half the first Grevy cabinet were Protestants. They went out of office, if we remember right, rather than sanction the persecuting policy of the government toward the Catholics. The Protestants of France do not have divers weights and measures of religious liberty. The great Protestant who has just been called home was never wearied of lifting up his voice for Catholic rights, no less than Protestant, against atheistic malice. This shows French Protestantism to be of the true metal. The Huguenots were deeply tainted with the persecuting leaven, but they worked clear of it in the long school of suffering, and in the largeness of individual faith. Now, says the Record, "men with religious convictions, whether Catholic or Protestant, dare confess their faith, undeterred by fear of ridicule."
-The Record says: "The Universite de Paris (the organ of the Students' Association of Paris), the Figaro, the .Tournal des Debats, and the Temps have each asserted in their own way that French students as a whole have ceased to be Voltairians. There is an evident recoil from the fri volou8 scepticisms of the past, and a tendency tuward mysticism, although Dot toward Catholicism." Viscomte E. M. de Vogue shows that even in those schools which have been the citadels of irreligion, sympathetic investigation is taking the place of mere mockery. "Our predecessors," he says, "too ellsily threw aside an entire domain of ideas which they deemed anti-scientific,; but we must see." "In other words," says the Record, "French students are willing to read the credentials of Christianity j let us do our utmost to present them. "
-The Mission Populaire Evangelique, of Marseilles, has rendered its modest report, from which we see that it has at least nine branches of work, religiuus and charitable. It is interwoven, we do not exactly know how, with the McAll Mission, whose work it warmly commends to the support of its friends.
-The Bible sales have largely increased in Italy, though the sales of Bibles and New Testaments have diminished, owing to the increasing poverty of the peasantry, compelling them to take portions instead of the whole.
Also : "In entering into the missionary current a church lifts itself to the greatness of its vocation on the side of infinity. It knits anew the tradition of the grand apostolate, which has the world for its field and mankind for its object, lowering all the walls of partition. Nothing can be more invigorating than to breathe this air of the mountain-top, from which we survey the vastness of the world, provided we are borne aloft not by the fallen angel, and aspire to subdue to ourselves, but by the apocalyptic angel, who carries in his hands the everlasting gospel, that we may learn how to save it.
"Our mission has been, as it were, the supreme expression of our Protestant development. Scarcely has the religious awakening coma to pass which has followed our great national crises, when we see it originate spontaneously, so thoroughly is it a natural consequence of reillumined faith. It rallies all our living, which as yet form but a single aggregate; it is the time of joyous unanimity j no other question is asked but this, What must we do to be saved ~ What must we do to save that which is lost? All the churches, pastors, and laity are but one heart, one soul, one spirit.
" We ought to spare no pains to bring our brethr.en to see that the conquest of the world for Christ ought not only to take precedence of all earthly interests, but that it takes precedence none the less of the reorganiza- . tion of our forms of worship, of our ecclesiastical contests, of our theological quarrels. Indeed, what can so certainly restore life to our worship, to our churches, to our theology as to be simply obedient to the supreme command of our Great Captain by raising the gospel torch to serve as a lighthouse to those who are perishing in the darkness of heathenism, to carry the bread of life to those who lie dying of famine without God and without hope ?"-PROFESSOR KRUG"'l" Journal des Missions.
– " Doubtless the wonderful progress which French Protestantism has made during the past eighteen years would have been made sooner or later, in any case. The Spirit of God has been manifest in that church, inspiring and impelling it to a new and vigorous life. But its progress has been facilitated and in some degree directed by the work and example of Mr. McAll. He went before them with methods which to them were entirely new, and proved their practicability j more than that, he proved their fitness to the actually existing condition. He made evident the undreamedof fact that the mass of the people were waiting for a religion, ready to be taught, longing for they knew not what, but what the result has proved to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "-American McAll, Record.
-In two of the central halls of Paris the aggregate attendance for 1890 has exceeded that for 1889 by 24,300. AFRICA.
-The New York Evangelist gives the following account of the LiTingstonia Mission of the Free Church of Scotland. The first-fruits were seven young men and two young women. "These were recently followed by nine others, and these more recently by thirty-four, making a native church of fifty-two members, besides hundred~ of hopeful catechumens and inquirers of both sexes. All the converts are missionaries to their countrymen. Including these fifty-two, the number of natives teaching in the mission schools at the close of the year was 120, of whom seven were women; and the number of pupils on the roll was 3080, of whom 2422 were in attendance on a given day, besides the children in three schools at the north end" of Lake Nyassa.
-Bishop Smythies, of the Universities' Mission, seems to be a man of very broad and brotherly sympathies. His intimate friendship with the Presbyterians of Blantyre is a standing rebuke, not to High Church opinions, which he entertains, but to High Church arrogance. On the other hand, he gives an earnest warning that jf Protestants in Africa will insist more on the deep differences than on the deeper agreements between them and the Roman Catholics, " it will be impossible to avoid deadly feuds." In other words, he holds the language of Robert Leighton, of Thomas Chalmers, of Richard Baxter, of Philip Schaff, and of the editor of this REVIEW.
-The ])aily Graphic of February 11th, says the Ohristian, has a letter drawing a sharp contrast between the French city of St. Louis, in Senegambia, where the writer did not see a sign of intoxication, and the disgusting intemperance of the British possessions along thc coast.
-The Primitive Methodist Mission has a growing influence on the Spanish island of Fernando Po, but, unlike Ponape, is treated by the authorities with j~stice and toleration.
-Dr. Laws, in his special report of the Livingstonia Mission, besides an account of the medical, industrial, literary, and evangelistic work result- ing in a church of 53 members and 70 catechumens, adds: "The indirect results of mission work, though not so visible to a stranger, are none the less palpable to a resident in the country. Much of the faith in the efficacy of the Mwave poison has in some districts been broken down, petty wars are less frequent, and there is evidently a greater readiness to settle amicably the differences which often arise among them without recourse to the club and the spear, as formerly. Not that war has ceased or that quar- rels are infrequent, for snch is not the case; but there is a marked improve- ment upon the whole. Slaves are better treated, and more sympathy is shown toward sufferers, and help often given them. Work is sought after, '
and its wages oftener enjoyed by the laborer than in former days. '
" The nnion of the Reformed Dutch Church of South Africa with the Free and the United Presbyterian Churches of Scotland in Livingstonia is one in which we rejoice, and we trust that the proverbial ~trength of the threefold cord may be exemplified in the help of these churches thus happily sharing in a common work fraught with common difficulty, but with abundant scope for work in the future. Already the Reformed Dutch Church contemplates strengthening the contingent they have placed in the field, and Mr. Murray has localities in view where other helpers may be stationed. ' , The Livingstonia Mission has spread out from five centres, " while the populous village>! to the south and north of the head station, Bandawe, on the west shore of the lake, are being gradually annexed to the kingdom of Christ. "
-Really Lewanika, under whose regis the heroic Coillard and his colleagues are laboring on the Zambesi, is turning out a different king from Mwanga. This is what he writes to M. Coillard: "I am not afraid of a revolution; but if I remain alivll and king of this country, I must put a stop to witchcraft, robbery, fornication, and drunkenness." By witchcraft he doubtless means the pretence of magic artd, which is often fatal to its victims through their fears, at! well as through baleful drugs.
– " My heart is hungry for something, and I don't know what it is."- Words of a Congo Valley African, Church Missionary Gleaner.
-Central Africa for May has an interesting article, read at Oxford by Archdeacon Maples, on the relation of the Moral Law to the Idea of God among the East Africans, and the Bantus generally. It appears that these all, apparently in the pure use of logical deduction, have arrived at the distinct belief in the personal God, the Creator of all men and things. They do not worship Him, being singularly indevout, and seem to regard themselves as standing in no moral relation to Him. They have also a distinct, though neither deep nor wide, apprehension of the moral law, but" as human, not divine." Therefore they 4ave properly no sense of sin. Their belief in God and their belief in Right, having originated independently, have both remained stagnant. But when God, being personal, is presented to them as necessarily standing in a supreme moral relation to them as personal, their consciences, the archdeacon declares, never fail to respond affirmatively. And this awakening apprehension of Right and Wrong as being also Holiness and Sin is that which first gives fruitfulness and progressiveness to the previous immemorial stagnancy of their whole spiritual development.
-The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel has, in the hope of future conversi~:ms, obtained the erection of Mashonaland, between the Limpopo and the Zambesi, into a diocese. Matebeland, where the London missionaries are working, will not be mcluded in it.
-The Rev. James Parlane, writing of the Congo missions in the Missionary Record of the U. P. Church, says: "Another witness says, 'Of the members of these churches a very large percentage, considerably more than half, are persevering, energetic, aggressive Christian workers, such as put to shame the feeble and childish efforts of many Chlistians in our own land. To them, black men or white, Btate official of however high degree or slave of ever so mean a degradation, is either a ' son of God' or a ' son of the devil.' They know but two classes; and if you are not avowedly of the first, they immediately pronounce you to be of the second; • . . and then they present the gospel to you with all the eloquence and clearness of which their incomparable language is capable."
-Bishop Tucker has at last reached Uganda, after great sufferings. The ophthalmia, he fears, will eventually render an operation necessary. His letter of December 30th is published in the May Intelligencer. The biRhop says: "Truly, the half was not told me. Exaggeratioo about the eagerness of the people here to be taught there has been none. No words can describe the emotion which filled my heart as, on Sunday the 28th, I stood up to speak to fully 1000 men and women, who crowdEd the church of Buganda. It was a wonderful sight! There, close beside me, was the Katikiro, the second man in the kingdom. There, on every hand, were chiefs of various degrees, all Christian men, and all in their demeanor devout and earnest to a high degree. The responses in their heartiness were beyond everything I have heard even in Africa. There was a second service in the afternoon, at which there must have been fully 800 present. The same earnest attention was apparent, and the same spirit of devotion. I can never be sufficiently thankful to God for the glorious privilege of being permitted to preach to these dear members of Christ's flock."
The bishop was as unfavorably impressed with the king, as everyone else has been. But the teeth of the tiger have been drawn.
" I should say," remarks the bishop, "that such anotJ:1er open door does not exist in any other part of the world. And I should say, moreover, that in no other part of the world is there to be found a native church which is so disposed to support itself and its ministry as the church of Buganda. The land occupied by the missionaries is a gift from the peopie; the houses occupied by Messrs. Gordon and Walker were built for them by the Christians without any expectation of payment. And, to crown all, a large house of three rooms has been built for myself, and two amaller houses for the other members of my party. I have said that this crowns all, but it does not. Every day the Christians bring us food in such quantities that we have more than enough for sustenance. I do not expect it will be necessary for me to buy any food during the period of my stay here. The people are only too anxious to keep one here."
Since the bishop's arrival, the Roman Catholic and the Protestant Mission have held conferences, and have drawn out more fully the terms of the modus vivendi, mutually pledging themselves to see that it is thoroughly carried through, and that the scandal of contentions between the two forms of Christianity shall cease before the heathen.
The bishop has confirmed seventy persons, set apart six laymen as native evangelists, and advanced Messrs. Baskerville and Gordon from the diaconate to the priesthood.
– " In order to do justice to Mackay's real significance, we must go beyond his direct missionary work, and his technical and industrial achievements. What we must emphasize still more in his character are the fruitful thoughts which he casts into the discussion of the African problem, the grand points of view on which he insists for its solution, the glowing enthusiasm and indefatigable energy with which he interposes over against the IIpiritual and secular conquerors of Africa, for the healing of the woes of the Dark Continent." -C. BUSSE, Allgemeine MissionlJ-zeitschrijt.
-Zealous Christian young men of England seem to have their attention now strongly directed to the Central Soudan. We perceive from the Young Men's Magazine, the organ of the Y. M. C. A. of Newcastle-on- Tyne, that two Y. M. C. A. men have set oui on such ft mission. They are Hermann G. Harris, B.A., aged 30, and Edward White, under 20. Farewell services have been held in the former centres of Mr. Harris's Christian activity, at Bolton. Bath, London, Liverpool, and Weston. The two gentlemen have gone first to Tunis for preparation.
-The Women's Missionary Union of South Africa, closely connected with the Huguenot Female Seminary, which is a daughter of Mt. Holyoke, has affiliated with it twenty·five local societies, and supports eight workers in <Uf;terent parts of ~ol,ltb A,friQa. ~o~e are amon~ the Bechuanaa i SOIUQ are among the French brethren in Lessuto j and one, Madame Goy, is on the Zambesi.
.-The Sixty-first Report on Foreign Missions of the Free Church of Scotland remarks: "The postponement of a convention with the Portu- guese has interrupted postal and steamer communications. The free navi- I!ation of the Zambesi and Shire has, however, been secured, and a small British subsidy alone is required to make the Scottish settlements, mis- sionary and trading, in Zambesi and Nyassaland, independent of Portugal forever. "
-The Scottish Presbyterian, London Congregationalist, and Eng-lish Universities' Mission districts have been virtually formed into the consular colony of British Central Africa. Consul-General H. H. Johnston is first commissioner.
JAPAN.
-It appears that the German missionaries in Japan-personally most excellent men-occupy the extreme ground of the original Tiibingen . school, from which the great body of the modern critical school has far receded. But even·they are scandalized at some of the present tendencies of one wing of Japanese Christianity. Herr Munzinger is very apprehen- sive that it will bring over too much of its earlier paganism. "A single misstep now," says he, "might do incurable harm. . . , What could result from the endeavor to develop the Christian theology in connection with Buddhism and Confucianism ~ . . ' If youthful Christianity is not fully conscious of its essentially higher value above Buddhism, it will buy its seeming victory dear. At the present time it is not even advisable for Christianity so much as to ventilate the question of assuming a more con- ciliatory attitude toward Buddhism. Every word to that effect is inter- preted by the latter as weakness, and stimulates it to advance against the enemy with new courage and firmer confidence. The decisive conflict be- tween the two religions, which at this time is in its full heat, and is car- ried on by the Buddhists with the most passionate energy. would thereby take an unfavorable turn, and, in the best event, the vi~tory of Chris- tianity would be a good while postponed. Cold reserve is just now more suitable than affectionate coquetry." The Calw MonatsbliUter, from which we quote this, remarks: " We are glad to note that, in this respect at least, our countrymen see more clearly than some eminent ministers, who are blinded by self-confidence, national pride, and optimism."
-The noble impulse of patriotism seems likely to become, to a part of our Japanese brethren, as much a stone of stumbling as to Jewish Chris- tianity, a great fraction of which, perhaps the numerical majority, was ultimately led astray by national feeling to prune and pare its Christianity to such an extent as to leave in it scarcely anything that was distinctive of the Gospel.
-At the recent celebration of the tenth anniversary of Mr. Ischii's Orphan Hou~e, or rather of the church of which he is a member, warm expression was given to the sense of obligation felt toward the missiona- ries. This is described as exciting considerable surprise: but it does not appear that serious exception was taken to it. It will probably be some time yet before a Japanese Christian is actually put under thp, ban by his brethren for showing a measure of affection tow!lfd t1108e w40 brou~ht t11~ Gosrel to his land,
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
n.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT BDITlIID AND CONDUCTED BY BEv. 1. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Oauses of the Disturbanoe in Ohina. try of China, and, to 80me extent, the political unit, too, of the masses as [EDITORIAL, 1. T. GRACEY, D.D.] against all order as well as against the party in power in the Government. It is with trepid9tion that we venture They were lawless, and terrorized the to treat of this theme. and our modesty several communities where they were would make us prefer that it were pre- found. A great number of them took to sented by some one in China at this the Yangtsi valley, and were to be found time; but our own resources are so in all its great cities. It would 8eem full, and are from so widely separated that this disturbing element would, districts, that it is not easy to indicate however, be limited to the one generato any writer just what ground they sug- tion. Strangely enough, it has not been gest to us as desirable to be covered. so. When men have died substitutes We therefore endeavor to summarize have been found for them, and the corsomewhat of the result of our own pa- rupt distribution of the pension fund tient study of the situation, without has gone on. So powerful had these burdening our article with naming our didcharged soldiers become, and so capavarious authorities. ble of fomenting trouble, it was not easy for the Government to arrest the A PENSIONED ARMY. oorruption of its: funds in this way. Tseng Kuo-chuan was at one time It seems not possible to set forth the directed by the empress dowager to reunderground agencies which have been duce this pension list. He said, as he at work in the fomentation of the recent had maintained before, that it was imdisturbances, without going back to the possible. After his death the central Taiping Rebellion. At that time the Government undertook the task, and Chinese Government called into the this became' the occasion of wide disfield an extra military force of a million satisfaction fomented by these men. or so of men. At the close of the war the soldiers were pensioned. '.chere SECRET SOCIETIES. were other courses open to the Government which wisdom would certainly Another important factor in this rehave suggested rather than this course. view is the secret societies of China. China had vast tracts of country unde- We are not a little surprised in. searchveloped, and it would have been in ac- ing through the best books on China cordance with modern statesmanship in within our command to find that this the West to have assigned to these sol- element of Chinese society is conspicudiers these tracts rather than a money ously absent from them. The most income. China had also great public prominent political secret society in works, on which these men might have China was the White Lily Society, which been profitably employed. Neither originated in Hupeh, and spread into course was taken, however. The pen- other States. It was a Buddhist vegeta. sioned army was dismissed with suffi- rian society, which read Buddhist books cient financial resource from the na- and avoided animal food. But designing tional treasury to keep them in idleness men admitted to it converted it into a if they so chose, and the most of them political sect. Besides the societies did so choose. They became a restless having a Buddhist basis there are the community, wandering over the coun- PlanchBtte Societies of the Red Light try, and loafing at the opium ilen·-that I'~d, tl1f;} White Li~bt-a awo.~ bfQthe/i' up-it Qf 111 tbe or~lUlill<eq V~Cf;} 1!nd, <levUhood of men, which [mayor may not be to resist the continuance of this recog- political. They are Taoist rather than nized corruption. It has, however, re- Buddhist. They cut off the head of a cently brought pressure to bear on it, cock and drink the blood mixed with with the result of stirring up the opwine on taking the oath of fellowship. position of these men to the adminis- They afe subject to organic direction as tration. This is held by some to be the to when they are to resist civil or polit- chief cause of the present outbreak. ical authority, whether expressed in the military or police power. They are or- A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT. ganized for mutual protection. They may be patriotic. It is well known that the present rul- ing house of the Government is of Tar- One of these non-Buddhist societies tar origin. There is diversity of opincomes in for a prominent place in the ion as to how far this is offensive to the study of the present situation. It is people of China. There are those who known as the Kolao Hui, and is a mili- represent that the people are bitterly tary organization, originally benevolent opposed to this foreign administration.' only. It is recognized as the most dan. Others think that the dissatisfaction is gerous of the existing sects. It consists more with the administration than with exclusively of soldiers. It is a pro- its nationality. The charge is made of scribed society, being esteemed a secret universal corruption among the official conspiracy. It was found extensively class. Whether, therefore, the nationamong the army of the time of the Tai- ality of the party in power is offensive ping war. In that army were a great or not, its unpopularity can easily be number of men from the province of made to centre in objection to it as for- Honau. They had a constitutional fond- eign-Manchu, not Chinese. There is ness for a roving, restless life. They certainly serious complaint against the were naturally a turbulent community. Government among a large part of the They won a name in the time of the re- people, even if the better class are not bellion, and are still known as the solid against the nationality of the " Honan Braves." They had, to a good Peking authorities, and whether the degree, saved the country. They have people as a whole are indifferent on the been the centre of disaffection. During subject or not. the recent disturbance in Foochow, on account of which missionaries re- FOREIGN COMMERCE AND DISPLACEMENT. moved to a place of safety at the mouth of the Min River, under advice of those As to the foreign European element, in authority, there were from two to it is the occasion of serious disturbance three thousand of these discharged of increasingly large parts of the com· Houan soldiers from the Yangtsi valley mercial and industrial classes. The present in Foochow, and about eight trade of the entire Yangtse valley has, in thonsand men from Honan under arms truth, changed hands. Foreign-built in the employ of the Tartar· general. A steamers have displaced the old Chinese number of the regular standing army junks, and this has thrown out of emhave joined the Kolao Hui. Thus the ployment a very large number of people, army on which the Government has to who have not found any other means of rely is itself sown with organized con- livelihood to compensate for the loss. spirators. These cannot be relied on to It is not easy in the interior of China to subdue any disturbance fomented by make a new adjustment of industries. the Kolao Hui. These men have been The people are conservative in their among the most earnest antagonists of habits and set in their industrial the reduction of the total bulk of the grooves. Displacing a class does not original pension fund. Government open a corresponding avenue for their pail therefore beeu wellnigh powerless toil speedily enough. Naturally these people fall into the ways of thinkin6 of those who antagonize foreign aggression. When we remember, therefore, that the Naturally they drift toward parties who organized Kolao Hui honeycombs it, it are disaffected toward the dynasty, is readily seen that insllrgents led by which has suffered if not fostered this members of that order, or with which foreign trade. Naturally they come to they are in sympathy, are not to be have a dislike to the foreign commercial carelessly confronted with threats on the traveller, who is now everywhere in the part of the Government. In the Taipinterior, pushing the products of foreign ing rebellion the Government found itfactories. Naturally they do not dis- self unequal to the task of snbdning the criminate as between classes of foreign- insurgents without calling on European ers, whether missionary, scientific, po- aid. There is no reason to believe they litical, or commercial, in their dislike to are more able to cope with any widewhat is foreign. This feeling is liable spread resistance to their authority at to be fanned into fanatical fllry by bad this time. A combination of all the men. It can be made Ilse of by illlCh an forces and circumstances which we have organization as the .. Honan Braves" or feebly set forth might therefore result the Kolao Hui, when they are them- in a formidable attempt to overthrow the selves ready to foment disorder by which dynasty itself. The Kolao Hui would they certainly hope to profit. delight in the opportunity for plunder and possible other advance of their for- SUPERSTITIOUS PREJUDICES. tunes, which this would open to them. Altogether it is easy to see that the peo- Now add to these combustible ele- ple are very feebly governed from the mentR the fact that the people are super- Imperial Yamen at Peking, and that stitious and ignorant about the habits dynasty itself may very readily come to and beliefs of foreigners, and it is easily be so dependent on European force as seen how these Kolao Hui, or the lead- to lead to the result in practical politics ers of disaffection toward the Govern- that the Chinese Government itself may ment, can rouse the people by appeal- exist at their will ; and another &stern ing to their ignorant sympathies. Some- Question may be about to be precipitated times they declare that the foreign into the heart of European politics. The building or telegraph wire interferes contmued existence of the empire itself with Feng Shui, that all-pervading sci- may come only to await the agreement ence of LucIe which permeates every among the great military powers of Eupart of the Chinese theory of 80cial as rope as to the manner of its partition well as religious practice. Sometimes among themselves. an appeal is made to the human sympathies, as has been done so extensively Missions to the Iberian Peoples. in this present disturbance, by declaring that the foreigners steal children, that J. M. CHALLIS, D.D., SANTIAGO, CHILI. they may obtain their eyes to send abroad to make medicine. In one case Iberia was the ancient name for the it is said that the rioters went into the peninsula of Spain and Portugal. From cemeteries and took the bodies of re- this peninsula have gone forth the milcently interred children and paraded lions who now occupy the West India with them on exhibition through the Islands, Mexico, Central and Sonth streets, affirming that they found them America. These peoples number some in the Roman Catholic Hospital. sixty millions of souls, and are all in countries where the Church of Rome THE IMPERIAL ARMY_ has dominated for many centuries. Un- happily for the development of religiolls Still further, to comprehend the whole and moral life, the impress made by the case, we must refer to the regnlar army. Church of Rome has not been in accord- It is said that it exists withal q nite too ance with the spiritual teaching of the largely only on paper and the pay.roll. Word of God, nor has it been after a Hence a Hottentot dressed in a rag, liv. very high order or type. ing in a grass hut, and eating food which to us is repugnant, is in far more In the matter of education, wherever need of the Gospel than could be a the schools have been under the control Spanish maiden dressed in the latest of Romish priests or of Jesuit fathers Parisian styles, living luxuriously in a the res~lts have been limited, narrow, beautiful home. But it should ever be and unsatisfactory, the chief aim being remembered that civilization is not to exalt the Church rather than to give Christianity, even though Christianity knowledge; to bind the student more is a chief cause and a large element in firmly under priestly power than to en. civilization. There are civilized heathen large and strengthen the intellect; to just as certainly as there are uncivilized make abject slaves of the hierarchy or barbarous heathen. rather than bring the aspiring learner to independence of thought, of feeling, The Iberian peoples are to a very large or of action. Only when pressed by lib- extent civilized-enlightened, if yon de· eral or by Protestant competition has sire the highest expression. When you there been any active effort to meet the consider dress, appearance, house ap. exigencies of the case, and then only to pointment, and many items of social the smallest possible extent. To-day life, especially among the upper classes, there is need of Gospel missions and of you at once say these things are all one Gospel schools among that entire popu- can desire. The lamentable fact which lation which may properly be called the should be emphasized, and which ap- Iberian peoples. peals to the Christian heart, is, these peoples are not evangelized. Such a We are accustomed to estimate the im· statement may seem to some a most portance and pressing need of any mis· damaging one to the Church which has sionary enterprise by the immensity of dominated these peoples these three the popUlation to which our attention is centuries, and which during all these called. Many denominations have mis- years has had undisputed and despotic sions here and there in South America sway in all these lands. This arrogant and in Mexico, and to the constituency Church has had unhindered opportunity of these missionary societies the work to apply, by all its boasted machinery, seems less pressing than that to Eastern the Gospel of Christ to the intellect end fields, simply because the number of in- heart of these submissive millions; and habitants in any single republic appears if the application has not been made, it comparatively small. But the true way must be either that a wrong work has to look at this matter is not at a small been attempted or that there has been a work among the few in Cuba or Guate. terrible criminal neglect. Those who mala or Chili, but to efforts as directed are familiar with the religious life of the to a vast number who speak the Span. Iberian peoples, whether revealed in ish and the Portuguese tongue, and that Madrid, in Mexico, in Rio Janeiro, or this vast work is one. When we plan in Santiago, uniformly testify that a for it, work for it, give to it, we should dead churchism is all that can be found plan, and work, and give with sixty mil. as the outcome of these centuries of lions of unevangelized men and women unobstructed domination. Those who as the object of OUf interest, our gifts, know the moral life of these peoples our efforts, and our prayers. testify that the beauty of innocency has departed, and that under the whited ex· Then, again, interest in any specific terior of fashion and style and elegance mission field is measured largely by the is the rottenness of vice and crime, degree of civilization of the people to which shows that conscience has been whom we go. The more degraded a foully debauched, and thatmoralst&nd. people are physically as well as morally, ards are gauged only by the world, the according to our standards of style and appearance, the more needy they are. :fiesh, and the devil. The priesthood we are disciples of Christ as well as immoral, corrupt, venal, and inactive in manufacturers, that we are missionaries promoting any moral or religious life of the cross as well as merchants, we among the people ; the better classes, shall not have fulfilled our whole duty. with many splendid exceptions, dissi· We should be as anxious to plant in pating, and in many cases grievously those lands the banner of the cross as sinning in velvet and broadcloth lind to establish business centres. We elegance; the lower classes, to a great should be as zealous to make known to extent, following the behests of a degrad. those peoples the fact of human redemp. ed appetite in homespun and COBrse at. tion as to tell them the story of onr tire and in unkempt surroundings. It American resources. We should be as must be said that while the general type eager to plant aU that immense region and trend of life is irreligious, and, ac. with Christian schools as to build their cording to American Christian stand· railroads and to open those vast rivers ards, immoral, yet in spite of bad exam· to American commerce. pIe, false teaching, and a corrupt priest. hood, there are some priests who are Until we have taken this view of onr pure and true in spite of their surround. responsibilities, and as honest disciples ings, and that among both upper and of Jesus Christ, and as genuine lovers lower classes are some who are better of our fellow·men have acted according. than their times, pnrer than their con· ly, we shall not have discharged our ditions wonld lead one to expect, and tremendous responsibility to millions worthy of all praise in their faithful of humanity who are our neighbors, effort to live above the prevailing type, and who are destined erelong to hold and to be noble and good in spite of the most intimate relations with our beloved hindrances which are so abundant and land. so strong. What may be true by excep· tion does not prevent the great fact that That we may adequately measure this the Christian Church needs to study vast work, let us place before us the im· with intense interest and consummate mensity of the region inhabited by the care the tremendous problem of evan· Iberian peoples, not to speak of Spain gelizing the Iberian peoples. and Portugal, since these countries are nearer our brethren in Great Britain; This mighty work interests Christianb although the American Board has mis· of Great Britain, who alroady have their sionaries there, let it be emphasized missions in Spain and Portugal. This that in the Western Hemisphere we vast work challenges the enthusiasm of have a region inhabited by these peo· American Christians of whatever organ. pIes equal to almost three times the size ized company, since the eyes of Ameri. of the United States. Mexico and Cen· can statesmen, manufacturers, and mer· tralAmerica have about 1,000,000 square chants look with peculiar interest to miles, South America has 7,250,000 Mexico and to'the republics of Central square miles, while the United States, and South America. We may plan for less Alaska, has but 3,400,000 square reciprocity, we may' subsidize steamers miles. In these countries are about and ships, we may endorse the canal 60,000,000 of souls, and toward these enterprise, we may prepare our sam· immense republics, especially in South pIes, we may establish business connec· America, a vast European immigration tions along the mighty rivers of South is tending. Before we shall be able ~rica and over her vast plains, we fairly to enter upon this tremendous may send our vessels to all ports, we work the population of these lands will may send our locomotives screeching be augmented by 50,000,000 more. It and puffing through all her wild fast. takes time to inform the mighty caval. nesses, but unless we remember that we cade of humanity now moving toward are Christians as well as statesmen, that her shores tbat the gates of the United States are being gradually closed. It
November
takes time to tell these restless hordes of all these countries should be consethat in the huge continent of South crated to God and not to Satan. It America the doors are opening wider means that the men and women and and wider to all who will come. It took children who are in these lands should many years to publish to the millions be taught the nature of that Gospel who have come to our shores what in- which will not keep them as slaves to ducements our great country offered an imbecile system, but will make them them. It will take years, though not so free men in Christ Jesus. It means that many, to tell those who are left behind those who are now there must be really how much greater and richer are the Christianized that they in turn may welnatural advantages South America offers come to Christian influences and condithem. Brazil had hardly declared her- tions the vast numbers whose coming is self a republic but thousands were ready so near. It means that the power of to leave the despotism and starvation of Divine truth shonld dominate the hearts the Old World and hasten to enjoy with of all, when the golden era dawns. It her the new-found freedom, to taste her means that these peoples should be led rich productions of fruit and grain, and to appreciate and possess the refined to bask in her welcoming sunshine, or gold of Divine riches better far than the rest under her luxuriant foliage. Brazil gold of Ophir, that they should know equals the United States in square miles. where to find the treasure hidden in a Already the immigration to the Argen- field, where can be secured the pearl of tine Republic is immense; and this coun- great price; how they can secure such a try is larger than the part of the United relation to Him who gives the corn and States east of the Mississippi River, and the olive, the silver and the gold, the every inch of it arable. With the Argen. emerald and the diamond, so as to betine, the other republics make an aggre- come sons and daughters to a King, and gate of square miles equal to the entire may possess not garments of silk and United States south of Canada, and the fine wool, but the robe of Christ's rightwhole is either available for agricultural eousness, and may not only become citipurposes or is rich in mineral wealth. zens of grand republics, but may be Mexico and Central America are begin- crowned as kings and priests unto God. ning to be known, and these contain a million or more square miles. Already To-day Brazil and the Argentine Remen of energy and foresight are seeking public, and Chili, Colombia, Mexico and out the more favored localities, and Central America, and Cuba are all open these lands will soon be as well under_ to Gospel preaching in churches and stood as our own States. Gospel instruction in schools. Peru is on the eve of unbarring the doors, so In all these republics are mUltiplying long closed by ignorance and superstiall active influences for a mighty devel- tion. Bolivia will soon follow in removopment. Railroads are in process of ing every legal obstruction to evangelical construction which will unite the three effort, and in due time Equador, the only Americas in bonds not only of steel, but country absolutely faithful to the papal of peace, fellowship, and brotherhood. see, will cast off her chains, and to the Capital from England and from America representative of the Gospel, to the is flowing into these lands, and the Word of God, will say, "Come in, thou mighty resources of the richest parts of blessed of the Lord; why standest thou the whole earth are about to be placed without ?" Across the sea Spain and in the hands of whoever will go and Portugal, the prolific fountain-head of take them. all these peoples, bids messengers of Christ enter and abide. Sixty millions And what does all this mean? Busi· of people now wait your coming, oh, ness, prosperity, wealth, comfort, lux- ~erald of the cross, and before your ury to many, yes; but it means vastly voice has penetrated the busy haunts of more. It means that the mighty wealth
INTERNATIONAL Dll:PARTMENT
present activity, sixty millions more, cheapness of American literature would from all nations under the sun, will have come to those favored lands, will be like the multiplied loaves from the have there established their homes, and will need your ministrations. hand of Christ as He fed the multitude Now is the time to send the preacher in the wilderness., of glad tidings and gather the people into the fold of Christ, and to instruct Sixty millions of people is no insig. the children in piety and truth. nificant constituency for some ambi- Now is the time to establish Christian schools in all the busy marts and in all tious and Christian publishing house. the widely scattered hamlets; now is the time to give a Christian education A Spanish or Portuguese edition of St. to those who are soon to be the men and women of action. The purpose of NicholaR, or of any of our beautiful illus. all this work ill to make homes of godli. ness, to purify business and social life trated magazines, not to speak of a refrom its false principles, and from all that is opposed to good morals, and to production in those languages of some permeate the public life with the reo straining and elevating power of that of the very beautiful, pure, and ele. wisdom that cometh from above. Now is the time to introduce into all these vating secular literature of our day, lands a Christian literature which, like the light of the morning sun, will scat· would be a blessing of untold value to ter the miasmas of ignorance and vice, and put in its place the pure air of those millions who are hungry for any truth, which, as it touches the brows of the youth, will preserve the bloom of kind of intellectual food, but who are innocence and give the strength of spiritual health. Oh, that some of our now largely supplied with the poison of great publishers could see the tremen· dous opportunity not only to establish error and with the death.giving pabu. a grand business, but to do an infinite amount of good in providing a pure lum of lowest vice. literature for sixty millions of the Iberiltn peoples! Poorly supplied now with The Iberian peoples wait the kindbooks that are costly for the poorer classes, abundantly supplied now with ness of American Christians. Business books that are full of error and im. morality, these peoples are hungry for men of Germany, of France, and of Eng. any intellectual food, because just be. ginning to taste the pleasures of educa. land are trying to introduce their prod· tion. Millions just learning to read! They have been starving for genera. ucts ; but from none of these landl are tions. Intellects have been dwarfed and repressed by Jesuitical restrictions missionary efforts put forth to save and and by the conditions which the Rom. ish Church has forced upon them. But elevate these peoples excepting in old now has come the hour of awakening. The new appetite is omnivorous, and Spain and Portugal, where British the devil is busy with his sweetly put poison. Good books of the quality and Christians, as ",ell as the American Board, are doing missionary work.
Americans are seeking by treaties, by plans for quick and cheap intercom· munication, to secure a part of the trade of these republics, and to American Christians has by a common consent been left the mighty work of evangeliz- ing these vast republics south of the United States, and of preparing influ- ences which shall receive and transform into good citizens the millions who are in the next half century to crowd in upon those nations now so ill prepared to receive them. .
So while we are seeking as Americans to secure commercial advantages, let us remember that in no way can we better discharge our neighborly responsibility and our duty to God than by respond.
ing to the opportunities God is opening to us by supplying these peoples with the elements of prosperity which have done so much for our land, and by help.
ing these peoples to the moral elements of a Christian citizenship. Let us take care lest. in our effort to secure the populous empire. At least that is as wealth that may come from closer na- we see it now.
tional and business relations without giving them of our precious spiritual JOINT PROCLAMATION OF THE TARTAR GENERAL HSI, AND THE VICEROY PmN. treasures. we take to ourselves a cancre that will eat and corrode rather than On the 6th day of the 6th moon of the bless. 17th year of Kuanghsii, we received a Then let American Christians push despatch from the Tsungli.Yamen to their Master's business among the Ibe- the following effect : rian peoples with a greater zeal than the " On the 7th day of the 5th moon of American manufacturer, business man, the 17th year of Kuanghsii, this Yamen or statesman shall push his schemes for memorialized the Throne re the fre· personal gain or for national aggrandize- quency of Church questions in the vari- ment. ous provinces and praying that ~trin· gent orders should be sent to the Vice· The Ohinese Government ana Ohristian roys and Governors to take prompt Missions. [J. T. G.] action. The Privy CmIDcil have this day received an Imperial Decree run- We have been favored with a copy in ning thus :" Chinese of the Edict of the Tartar General of China and the Vice.Emperor of " We have received a memorial from the Empire concerning the crisis in that the Tsungli-Yamen in reference to the country created by the uprising of cer- frequency of Church questions in the tain persons of " the baser sort." It is various provinces and praying that strinfortunate for our apprehension of it that gent orders should be issued to the Viceit is accompanined with a translation roys and Governors to take prompt into English, which we' now present to action. It is stated therein that some our readers. It is held in China to be time in the 4th moon of the present the most favorable State paper ever is. year, Churches at Wuhu, Anhui provsued in that country concerning foreign. ince, were burned down by mobs; ers and Christians, that at Tanyang district, Kisngsu, prov- ince, and at Wusueh, Hopek province, Apart from the immediate status of Churches were also destroyed in succesthe case, this is an historic document of sion ; that these villains should be at great interest and importance, and many once apprehended and stringent measwill be glad to have it preserved in this ures of precaution should be promptly form for future reference. It is certain· taken. It is provided in the treaties ly important as an index of the hold that foreign mispionaries may propagate Christianity has on the situation. There will be no real set.back to West· their religions. In Our previous Dpcree, ern influence owing to this movement, We ordered the provincial Authorities as this proclamation commits the Gov. ernment to the defence of Christians, to afford them protection at all times. both native and foreign. If it is ahle to For many years, Chinese and foreigners execute its own decrees it will be com_ have lived side by side in harmony. pelled to do so, and if unable, then it How is it that only recently, cases of burning and destruction of Churches have arisen (almost) simultaneously. This is really very astonishing. Evi- dently, there must have been principal perpetrators secretly plotting to secure accomplices and disseminating false rumors to unsettle the minds of the peo.
pIe, with a view to seizing an oppor- tunity to commit plunder. The worst is that even innocent people who had hitherto been peaceably attending to will be obliged to resort to forpign as- their duties were enticed to become their sistance as it did in the Taiping rebel. accomplices. Their actions brought lion, and thus come still more under about pregnant cases. Should these obligation to the foreign powers. In people be not rigorously dealt with, how either case. therefore, the result must can the majesty of the law be mainbe, on the whole, an advance of West· tained and the community enjoy tranern influence and increased opportunity quillity. for Christian work in that vast and "We now command the Viceroys of Liang-kiang and Hukuang and the Gov- ernors of Kiangau, Anhui and Hopeh at once, to direct proper officials, civil and Christians discriminatingly; and even military, to have the principal criminals if the Christians are guilty of unjust or arrested, and when tried and found lawless acts, let the people appeal to the guilty, decapitated as a warning for the authorities and await trial. When right future. The religions of the Weste::n and wrong are brought to the light, laws nations aim at teaching people to do will be duly administered.
good, and though people become adher- It has ever been our way to exercise ents of the religions, they are still Chi- our most unbiassed judgment, and when- nese subjects and continue to be sub- ever cases of lawsuits between the ordi- ject to tl>.e authority of Chinese offi- nary people and the Christians are re- cials. There is no reason why the' ported to us by our subordinates we al- Christians and the Non – Christians ways judge equitably and never in the shOUld not be able to live in harmonv least side with anyone party. Of late and the sole caUBe of the trouble may years they have got along fairly well; be attributed to lawless elements in. From and after the issuance of this venting groundless. stories in order to proclamation, let the people break off gain 0. chance to create disturbances. their further prejudices against, and be Such evil characters are everywhere to on friendly terms with the Christians.
be found. Do not give a ready ear to floating re- .. We hereby command the Tartar ports and wantonly cause trouble, thus Generals, Viceroys and Governors of incurring severe punishment. Injuring the various provinces to issue procla- others is to injure yourself, and repent- mations of notification warning the peo- ance will come too late, etc.
ple against giving ready credence to such idle reports and wantonly causing trouble. In case there be any evil·dis_ posed persons making anonymous placards and fabricating stories to excite the A Thousandfold More }fission Work people, no time should be lost in insti- Needed.
tuting strict and secret inquiries and Mrs. Isabella Bird Bishop has for two apprehending and severely punishing them. The local officials must at all years past been making a tour of mis- times protect the persons and property sions in Asia. Beginning with the of foreign merchants and missionaries Keith..Falconer Mission at Sheikh Othand not suffer them to be disturbed or mann, Arabia, she passed on to India, harmed by evil characters. and thence to Kashmir, where she spent " Should the precautionary measures not be sufficiently stringent, and dis- three months. She visited the devoted turbanoes be the outcome, let the local Moravian missionaries in Thibet, of authorities be severely denounced and whose work she says "we hear so litcashiered. tle, and who need our pTayers so much."
•• We also command the Tartar Gen- erals, Viceroys and Governors to take Her tour through Persia intensified prompt measures for dealing with and her convictions .. of the absolute need of closing all outstanding cases and not to increasing missionary qJort a thousandallow their subordinates to shrink from old. ' , She says: •• Just think; from diiD.culty and delay the settlement. We proclaim this for general information." Karachi to Bagdad, among the populous "Having communicated with the various foreign ministers at Peking, this cities and villages of the Persian Gulf, Yamen has now respectfully copied out of the TigriR and Euphrates, throughout the a.bove Decree for your observance." Arabia, throughout south and southwest Besides sending separate instruc- Persia, not a missionary! From Bag. tions to our suboTdinate officials, civil and militaTY, ordering them to act in dad to Teheran-almost the most popuobedience thereto, we deem it proper to )ous district of Persia-'not a mission- immedia.tely proclaim this to you, so}. ary! The great oasis of Feraghan at 0.
dierli and people under our jurisdiction. height of 7000 feet; with 680 villages Know ye that the adherents of the Christian reli~ion are also Chinese sub- craving. medical advice, never visited, jects and continue to be amenable to scarcely mapped! Then Juifa and the jurisdiction of the local authorities. Ham"dan, with their few wOTkers, al.
In case of lawsuit, the merit of the case most powerless to itinerate, represent alone, and not the condition of per- the work of the Chur.ch for the remain. sons, is to be considered. Christians der of PeTsia! Two million nomads and non· Christians are to be treated alike. The people must not look on the never touched." .
EDITOlUAL NOTES ON CtlRRENT TOPICS
III.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The following is an extract of a letter himself may justify the hope that un- ceasing prayer may be offered in his berecently received from Rev. H. C. Velte, half that, in undertaking this great of Lahore, India: work of preaching to a congregation LA.HORE, PUNJA.B, INDIA., July 7,1891. singularly prepared by affliction and prayer for the sowing of the seed of the The editor of the MISSIONARY REVIEW kingdom, he may have a special anointwill have heard of the death of Rev. ing. For months daily supplication has John Newton, in Merrel, India, on July been offered for Mr. Spurgeon at the 2d. Tabernacle, and the whole people are in a very receptive frame; there is every " He was the oldest missionary of the indication of a great harvest. Will not Presbyterian Church, and the oldest the reader follow the writer of these lines missionary in India, having come to with devout and daily prayer, and ask India in 1836, and havbg been in mis· for Mr. Spurgeon himself full recovery sionary service for fifty·six years. and rapid restoration to his accustomed spheres of work with voice and pen? The Lahore station was opened by him immediately after the Punjab had ARTHUR T. PIERSON. been annexed by the British Government, and here he labored to the end A Solemn League and Oovena.nt. of his life. He died in his eighty.first year. These are days of alliances-alliances for prayer; the Anti.Opium League, A Personal W0rd. Personal Purity Covenant, organized opposition to rum, to tobacco, to Sun· Before this number reaches the read- day papers, and Sunday travel, etc. We er, the editor-in·chief expects to be on have recently heard of an organization the ocean, if not in London. By a in Great Britain whose members bind strange series of peculiar providential themselves each day to perform some lowly act in helping those who have the leadings, he has been guided to respond drudgery of life as their portion-to to a cordial invitation from Pastor help some burden-bearer with his load, sweep a crossing, drive a cart, saw a log, Spurgeon and his church officers to lay a wall-or in some other way iden. come and preach in the Metropolitan tify one's self with the honest Bons of Tabernacle for a few months, during the toil. From what threatened to be his convalescence of the beloved pastor. dying bed, the valiant soldier, Charles H. Spurgeon, dictates a solemn league No reference would be made to the and covenant to his brethren scattered matter here, but that it is perhaps due throughout the wide world, which is to the readers of the REVIEW to know meant to unite all who believe in the that. in the absence of the chief editor, full inspiration of the whole Bible, and there will be every provision made for in the old truths from which so many the proper supervision of this important are now departing, in one brotherhood work. Any communications for the first of closer affiliation ; and it is a sublime department, the Literature of Missions, document; it sounds like Paul the aged may be sent direct to Rev. A. J. Gar· writing from prison cell in Rome. We don, D.D., 182 West Brookline Street, venture to reproduce it here. Boston, Mass. Anything pertaining to the International Department to Rev. " Impelled by concern over increasing J. T. Gracey, D D., 161 Pearl Street, changes and defecthns among their Rochester, N. Y. And any Statistical brethren, and by the absance of any ao. Reports, Reports of Societies, etc., to Rev. D. L. Leonard, Bellevue, Ohio. The address of the editor.in.chief, until further notice, will be Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, London, England.
The editor announces this providential call in these pages, in hopes that the tie formed between the readers and cepted formulas of belief in their de- union. Yet, if there be any power in nomination, the Rev. Charles H. Spur. such close association, we know no rea· geon and other leading Baptist ministers son why it should not be utilized in reo in England recently drew up and signed spect to missions. It is manifest that the following confession of their faith, if this work of a world's evangelization which is being extensively circulated is to be accomplished, it must be, not for signatures: by dependence on the great body of church.members, but on the church " • We, the undersigned, banded to· within the Church, the .. soven thougether in fraternal union, observing sand" who have not bowed the knee to with growing pain and sorrow the the Baal of this world. So long as we 100Rening hold of many upon the truths judge the available force of the ChU!'ch of revelation, are constrmned to avow by numerical standards we deceive ourour firmest belief in the verbal inspira- selves. No calculations as to the numtion of all Holy Scripture as originally ber of workers who can be obt,ained, given. To us the Bible does not merely or the amount of money which can be contain the Word of God, but is the collected, can be other than misleading Word of God. From beginning to end so long as the church·rolls are the basis we accept it, believe it, and continue to of calculation. No one can deny that preach it. To us the Old Testament is millions of bad fish have been caught in no less inspired than the New. The the great drag.net, and that the tares book is an organic whole. Reverence are growing conspicuously and plentifor the New Testament, accompanied fully in the wheat field. by scepticism as to the Old, appears to us absurd. The two must stand or fall But there is a remnant, according to together. We accept Christ's own ver· the election of grace. Why should not dict concerning "Moses and all the that remnant draw closer and come to a prophets" in preference to any of the mutual understanding? Why should supposed discoveries of so·called higher not the Church of God learn what pro· criticism. portion of its members are really ready to receive aud obey the Lord's last com- … We hold and maintain the truths mand, and live as under some practical generally known as .. the doctrines of sense of obligation either to go, or send grace." The electing love of God the Bome one who can and will go, to the Father, the propitiatory and substitu' unsaved souls of heathendom? Just tionary Ilacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, now these more consecrated livers and regeneration by the Holy Ghost, the im. givers are often met at the conventions putation of Christ's righteousness, the of believers, where the Word is studied justification of the sinner (once for all) and a higher type of piety is urged. by faith, his walk in newness of life and And they make these conventions what growth in grace by the active indwelling they are in power and interest. They of the Holy Ghost and the priestly in. give grandly when the Lord asks for tercession of our Lord Jesus, as also the money. At Niagara Conference, for some hopeless perdition of all who reject the years past, thousands of dollars have Saviour, according to the words of the been poured into the missionary treasu. Lord in Matthew 25 : 46, " 'rhese shall ries by a few humble givers, most of go away into eternal punishment," are, whom are poor in this world's goods. in our judgment, revealed and funda· At a recent meeting of believers at the mental truths. Our hope is the per· seaside, Pastor Simpson, of New York, sonal, premillennial return of the Lord received $30,000 for his independent Jesus in glory. mission work. At Keswick Convention, in Britain, not only have large offerings Signed ,. C. H. SPURGEON, A. G. been made to the Lord's work by a com- BROWN, J. DOUGLAS," and others. paratively few perlilQUIl, but from tbv.t It is possible, of course, to place undue relillnce on ft UOmillftl bond of annual gathering have issued some of evening in the Metropolitan Tabernacle, the most inspiring and aggressive move- London, in behalf of C. H. Spurgeon, ments ever known in modern mission which, at the date of this writing, are in work, and in that most self-sacrificing of the eighth or ninth week of their con· all labor, the work in the slums of our tinuance. No wonder if, as Spurgeon great cities. says, he could not die -the prayers of his people would not let him die. What The Church of God, corrupted as it if God, angels, and men could see the is by worldliness and formalism, con- Church assembled daily for prayer from tains the saints of C}od-those who live seven o'clock A.M. to nine o'clock P.M., nearest to Him in holy love and walk; asking God to raise up and to thrust and if, instead of being separated from forth laborers, enlarge the liberality of e" ,h other, and so unconscious of the His people, open all closed doors, and deep sympathy and wide extent of this enable His Church to complete the carfellowship, they could be brought into rying of the Gospel to every creature! contact, and, above all, conference, what Who dares to doubt that grand results results might not issue! Why should would follow, the like of which liave not some closer compact bind those dis- never yet been seen! ciples who feel the privilege and power of intimate walk with God-to whom Many of God's people who may not the last command of Christ is all-im- join Mr. Spurgeon in his Calvinistic portant, and who arB ready both to give views, are ready to join in an agreement and pray, to go if God permit, or help of prayer to carry out some such solemp. to send if they cannot go? Suppose confession of duty, faith, and privilege that in the thirty or forty millions who as the following: are on the roll of Protestant churches there are thirty or forty thousand who •• We, the undersigned, deeply feeling would unite in daily and definite prayer, the reproach and dishonor of the at a certain hour, for the immediate Church of God in the long neglect of evangelization of the world, for a new the perishing millions of our race, and display of pentecostal grace and power, in the selfish hoarding and spending of for a new advance to the very outposts money which has been committed to of the globe; who would undertake to disciples as stewards; and painfnlly live a self-denying life, and give all they conscious that unbelief has led to the can save or spare from their reasonable still worse neglect of believing prayer wants to the spread of the kingdom ; in behait of a world's evangelization, do, who would offer their children to mis- in the name of Jesus, declare our deep sions, as Hannah gave Samuel; who conviction that it is the duty and priviwould covenant to live, without regard lege of the disciples of Christ to bear j;o the prevailing low type of piety, a the Gospel message to the whole race of biblical life-from such a band of men man with all possible promptness; that and women what new power might be every believer is responsible before God going forth! For ourselves, of nothing for the carrying ont of our Lord's last this side of God do we feel a greater command; that the avenues of self-in_ need than of this close contact and con- dulgence shonld be closed that we may verse with those throughout the world have the more to give to those that who feel the need of a new obedience need; that we ourselves should be ready to the whole spirit of the last commis- to go wherever we are sent, and to send sion. Can anyone help us to attain others where we may not go; that our this oloser bond? children should be consecrated, from the womb, unto God's service, and en- No more sublime spectacle has been couraged to cherish the spirit of mispresented to the world since apostolic sions. And we are especially impressed days than the daily prayer-meetings, ihat ilaily and believing prayer should coutinued fl"o~ e~ll ~ol"ninl;l to lat~ be o~efed fOf t:ie speedl eVln8eli2<at~oll of this world £ond the coming of the While the baron gracefully compli. kingdom of God. We believe it is the. ments Mr Carnegie for his benefactions privilege of all true believers to implore of "libraries, green parks, beautiful God for the speedy outpouring of His churches," etc., he prefers, for himself, spirit in a world-wide pentecost of to devote his wealth to the alleviation power. of suffering. He says: "And in this faith we do solemnly .. In relieving human suffering I never undertake, in holy agreement before ask whether the cry of necessity comes God, however widely separated from from a being who belongs to my own . each other, to meet each other at the faith or not; but what is more natural throne of grace in the early morning than that I should find my highest pur- hours of each day in earnest and im- pose in bringing to the followers of portunate prayer." Judaism, who have been oppressed for a thousand years, who are starving in Will not those who wish to join such misery, the possibility of a physical and an alliance send on their names? moral regeneration ?-than that I should try to free them, to build them up into A blunder in the October issue of this capable citizens, and thus furnish REVIEW, in some unaccountable way, humanity with much new and valuable placed at the head of the Monthly Con. material ?" cert matter, on pages 786-90, the name of J. T. Gracey, D.D. This part of, our This benefactor of his race begins at recent issue was contributed .by our as- the right end, and seeks, first of all, to sociate editor, Rev. D. L. Leonard, and make a new manhood, to change a tramp should have been credited to his accom· and a dependant and a consumer into a plished and versatile pen. man and a producer and a supporter, and so to prepare the way for the recon- Baron Hirsch has come to the front, structed man himself to reconstruct his and, in the Newth American Review, pre. surroundings. Baron Hirsch has learned sents his" Views on Philanthropy." A that the environment does not make the man that is perhaps the most munifi- man-he makes his environment, or cently liberal of all modern givers· has may, at least, modify it. 8, right to be heard on the philosophy of gIvmg. He modestly but positively Baron Hirsch's hopes as to success are puts forth his opinions. His funda- stimulated by the fact that several hun- mental proposition is very close akin to dred Russian Jewish families of wan- the doctrine of Christian stewardship, dering tradespeople, exiled to the Ar- and if practically adopted would over- gentine Republic some years ago. have turn completely the modern system-·or become thrifty farmers. "who with rather lack of system-in benQvolence. plough and hoe know how to farm as well as if they had never done anything ,. It is my inmost conviction," says else. They layout their farms in the the baron, "that I must consider my- best manner, and build themselves such self as only the temporary administrator pretty little houses that every one in the oj the wealth I have amassed, and that it vicinity employs them as carpenters in. is my duty to contribute in my own way house building. ,. In devoting himself to the relief of the suffering of those who to the same line of work, he feels cer- are hard pressed by fate. " He contends tain that" he who frees thousands of his that the old system of almsgiving only fellow·men from suffering and an op- makes so many more beggars ; and that pressed existence, and helps them to the greatest problem in philanthropy is become useful citizens, does a good .. to make human beings, who are capa- work for all humanity." pIe of work, out of those who otherwise must become paupers; and in this way The New York Times, September 11th, gives the details as follows: to c~eate useful w.e~bera of aociet;r." "lJafon Hirac4'li m~niii.ce~t licl1e~~ takes the form of a limited liability ing buildings, etc. The rest is to be company, called' The Jewish Coloniza-, applied to expenses of transport, and tion Association,' registered, the office otherwise to assisting emigrants.
of which will be in London. Its nom- Moneys not in active use will be invest- inal capital is £2,000,000, in 20,000 ed in public securities of England, shares of £100 each. Of these, Baron France. Belgium, Holland, Germany, or Maurice de Hirsch subscribes to 19,990. the United States. The governing body Seven Hebrew gentlemen are named in will be a Council of Administration, the articles as owning one share each- consisting of from three to six men, who Lord Rothschild, Sir Julian Goldsmid, need not necessarily be members of tho Earnest John Cassel, F. D. Mocatta, and company and who will be elected for Benjamin Louis Cohen, all of London, fi ve years. These will have no salaries, and Salomon Reinach and S. H. Gold. but will have their actual expenses.
schmidt of Paris. This leaves three This council will appoint directors, shares unallotted, and doubtless these three or less in number."
will be offered to representatives of the United States and Germany. The ob- There was a curious scene in St. jects of the association are : to assist the Paul's Cathedral, London, one Saturday emigration of Jews from countries in. afternoon not long since. A large con- Europe and Asia where they are sub· gregation, chiefly Jews, assembled under jected to special taxes and disabilities the dome to hear the Rev. GOl'don Cal· to other parts of the world, and estab. throp on "The Jewish Question." lish colonies in North and South Ameri. Converted and unconverted Jews minca for agricultural and commercial pur. gled in the audience, and joined at the poses. No colonies will be attempted close in singing the hymn" 0 praise our in Europe. The association takes to it. great and gracious Lord." self full rights to carryon trade, com- merce, and all industrial operations which may facilitate the objects of the Apologies for self-indulgence are hi company; to purchase property, nego. many and as specious as channels for tiate securities, etc. The whole prop. personal gratification are varied. Re- erty of the company and the income ferring recently to the deoease of a cer· arising from it are consecrated solely to tain lady worth forty millions of dollars, the work in view. None of it can ever whose life work and practical monument be taken, directly or indirectly, as a has been the erection of a sumptuous dividend or bonus. If upon the wind. and palatial residence which rivals the ing up or dissolution of the company royal homes of the Old World for mag.
any property remains, it is not to be nificence and munificence of outlay, distributed among the members, but the editor of a leading religious journal transferred to some other Jewish insti- remarks that if, in her dealing with the tution with similar objects, for the hundreds of workmen and skilled arti- benefit of the Jewish community resid- sans of America and from Europe, whom ing out of Europe and needing pecuniary she has employed, she has been consid.
aid. In the event of such dissolution erate and generous, her life and fortune all persons who at the time hold lands have not, perhaps, been wasted.
granted them or their predecessors in This reminds us of a pretext for this title by the company shall be released kind of self·indulgence which is becom· from further obligation of annual or ing more and more common. We had other payments to the company, and a friend who, like Mrs. Searles-Hop· the same is tru8 of those to whom ad- kins, built a palatial residence, and fur· Tances have been made. Not more than nished it with' all the comforts, con- half of the capital is to be applied to veniences, and luxurious appointments aclI!uirin~ propertr, buyinS lands, erect· which Illoder~ l!O~II:QO~ and art! co~- joined with vast wealth lavishly expend- spirit of Christ is to displace the spirit ed, could procure. And be was wont to of evil. say that all this vast expenditure was .. putting just so much money into poor A Jewish mission has been begun in men's pockets." New York City, under the City Mission' and Traot Society, at De Witt Memorial Grant it-that this keeps money in Churoh 280 Rivington Street, and Her. circulation which otherwise would lie mann Warszawiak has come from Eu. in coffers or in safety-deposit vaults; rope to take charge of it. On the Satur. grant it-that thus workmen are em. day in August, when the first chief meet. played and kept in food and raiment. ing was held, the chapel was not only What of the influence of such lavish filled, but many could not get inside, expense on the man spending? Is his and the earnestness of the Jewish listen. motive the helping of poverty and mis- ers was remarkable. The sermon was ery to a competency and a life of com· from Jeremiah 6: 16, as fulfilled in fort and happiness, or is it his own in- Matt. 11: 28-30. Many of the Jews dulgence of the lusts of the flesh, the present expressed willingness to follow lnsts of the eyes, and the pride of life? Jesus to get rest. Mr. Warszawiak Is this wholesale expenditure; that ends wishes to establish a " Home for Jews," onone's own home and its appointments, and some $500 toward the $3000 reo calculated to restrain and repress that quired have been subsoribed and paid. self-indulgence or give rapid develop- John Wilkinson, whose work in Lond{ln ment to that selfishness which needs is well known in the so-called" Mild. only to be fed to become gigantic and may Mission to the Jews," has presented monstrous and despotic! 20000 New Testaments in Hebrew and J;dica-German, and offers to pay for Balzac in his "Peau de Chagrin," their distribution in the United States. has used the myth of the magic skin as On this new effort to provide a GOSp61 the basis of a fiction not without a refuge for the poor perseouted convert· moral. This skin confers on the wearer ed Jews and Russian refugees, all of the power to gratify every wish and Q:od's dear children will de…outly in. whim; but with every such indulgence voke a blessing. the skin closes more tightly about the wearer, until he is hopelessly and fatally Rev. Robert Steel, D.D., of North embraced in the very means of his own Sydney, N. S. W., adds It note sup. gratification. We do not hesitate to say plemental to the letter .published in that of all the means whereby the best July last, p. 560, as to the mission to the impullles in us are quenched and the aborigines of Australia in Northern worst strengthened, we do not believe Queensland : anyone influenoe is for rapid and sure results equal to simple self·gratification. " The Federal Assembly of the Pres· To say, of all things, that I want to byterian churches of Australia:. which have or to do, 'I will have this' or' I will met at Brisbane, Queensland, m July, do this,' and to have the means to carry appointed two missionaries to labor out the selfish wish, is the most danger- among the aborigines. They were se· ous of all possibilities. It develops lected by the United Bret~ren o~ Herrn. oftentimes a monster of sel:qshness; hut, in Saxony, and arnved ln Mel" and the wisest of the wealthy recognize bourne in July. They are at present the peril, and antidote it by abundant under the care of the Rev. F_ A. Hage. cbarities and self denials unknown to nauer who has labored for more than the world. The rioh as well as the poor thirtyyears among the aborigines of Vic. may bear the oross after Christ, though toria, and who is able to give the new the spheres of self-renunciation may be missionarips valuable counsel. The different; but there must be self-denial Federal Assembly appointed two of its mernbers-Rev. Andrew Hardie, Conand self.abnegatioll 1I0meh.ow if th.e veller cit the ltijijllio&:l OOIDlIlittee, a&:Id
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
Rev. Samuel Robinson, both of Mel- sympathies and prayers of all interested bourne-to proceed to the proposed site in the welfare of the aboriginal races. for the mission and to inspect it. They The celebrated missionary of the New had an interview with the head of the Hebrides, Dr. J. G. Paton, was present Government, the Hon. Sir Samuel at the Federal Assembly in Brisbane, and delivered an address on the mission. Griffith, K.C. M.G., who promised all necessary aid in the matter of reserves, " The missionaries to the Queensland rations, and clothing for the blacks; aborigines are the Rev. J. G. Ward, an but the Church would have to pay the ordained minister, and Mr. Nicholas missionaries. The brethren referred to Hey, a young farmer from Herrnhut, have reported favorably of the site, who has been trained for mission work. which is on the Batavia River, on the The Fed"ralAssembly sanctiolled an apeast side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, in peal to the American Government and the Peninsula ot Cape York, the most churches to assist in having the restricnortherly point of Australia. The tions regarding the sale of intoxicating aborigines are numerous there, and are liquors and fire arms applied by all at some distance from settlers. It is countries, and urged the British Govhoped, therefore, that a fair opportunity ernment to provide for the settlement may be got for Christianizing some of of disputed land claims. them, if they can be induced to settle on the reserve. This race has not been •• It was· reported that the mission readily brought under Christian infiueDce, owing to their very migratory among the Kanakas on the sugar planta_ habits. Some, however, have been en- tion in Queensland was making encourlightened, converted to Christ. and have aging progress. The Rev. J. M. Macinexhibited the graces of Ohristian char. tyre had baptized 70, while 1336 had put on the blue ribbon. A great imacter. This new attempt deserves the provement has taken place among the laborers since the mission began."
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
South America is the smaller half of whom not less'than five per cent are the New World. Four fifths of it lies in European subjects. There are also the tropics. It has been remarked that about* a half million sa vage Indians, or, it is largest where North America is roughly, approaching twice as many as smallest, and smallest where it is largest. the totaI Indian population of the United Some have thought its physical posi- States, including Alaska. These are tion, so largely in the tropics, gave it a confined mostly to the interior of the great advantage prospectively over the continent of South America, with a few northern part of the hemisphere, which small tribes, numbering, perhaps, 5000, has so great a proportion lying in the in Central America. Three-tenths of cold of the far North. This is not to the population of South America is put be taken without some caution. It is down as pure white and one-tenth relatively deceptive when merely judged negro; others are of mixed blood. The from the map. Commercially, the most rapid immigration of Europeans of late largely productive part of South Ameri- years has, however, been materially ca, after all, is found within its temper. modifying these proportions. ate, not within its tropical districts. Brazil is the size of the United States, The physical resources vary much in but a small part of it is esteemed capa- the several States in relation to comble of agriculture. The equatorial val- merce. The Orinoco is navigable for ley is filled with dense forests. Yet '1000 miles, the Amazon for 2600 miles. South America is, as a whole, very in- From its base to the Andes, with its teresting and important. Fifty-some tributaries, it presents 6000 miles of say sixty-millions of people are the total population of Spanish America, in- * We are following the official docnment of cluding the West fudies and ;Brazil, of William Eleroy Cnrtis, printed at the Govern- ment Printing Office at Washington in 1889. Oth- ers will present divergellt ligures from these, navigable waters. The Upper Paraguay itually paralyzed by the Roman Church, and Southern Parana present an unin. which here has for 300 years laid the terrupted waterway north and south palsy·smiting hand of excessive Ilnd like the Mississippi. A United States heretical sacerdotalism on the people. Government document says that the river Platte offers a more extensive sys· Brazil presented three obstacles to tem of unobstructed navigation than progress to the mind of Agassiz-slavery, any river in the world, and, with the a corrupt clergy, and a lack of educa. exception of the Amazon, pours more tional institutions. Now slavery is water into tbe ocean. It affords more gone; but even with it Agassiz could miles of navigation than all the rivers say, in his" Journey to Brazil" : of Europe combined and more than the Mississippi, with its several tributaries. ".There is much also that is very It is tidal 260 miles from its mouth, cheering that leads me to believe that and ocean ships of 24 feet draught can her life as a nation will not belie her be floated all the year for 1000 miles, great gifts as a country. Should her and those of 16 to 20 feet can go 2700 moral and intellectual endowments grow miles into the interior of the continent, into harmony with her wonderful natuand a small expenditure of money and ral beauty and wealth the world will not labor would enable a 4000·ton ship from have seen a fairer land." New York or Liverpool to go direct into the. very heart of the continent in Brazil But now of her 14,000,000 people, by way of Buenos Ayres. The Amazon those who have made a careful study of is 0 ustructed, but the Orinoco is open to the most accurate statistics procurable large vessels, and the Rio Negro affords estimate that four·fifths are unable to accoss into Patagonia. read. Dr. Chamberlain, a very compe· tent authority, widely familiar with the An equal number of cattle can be pur. larger part of the entire Western world chased in Argentina and Uruguay for by personal residence in various parts half the money paid for them in Texas. of North and South America, says that There are 96 sheep, 18 cattle, and 4 South America offers one of the widest horses for each inhabitant in the river fields of the world.wide parish, homo. Platte country. The foreign commerce geneous in character to a wonderful ex. of Brazil is almost double that of Cuba. tent in language, customs, and institu. No less than five routes for an inter.con· tions, and hence affording peculiar ad. tinental railway have bee,n shown to be vantages to the work of the Gospel. It possible, and some of these have roads is, he says, the widest empire of Rome, surveyed or operated for one·third of and the conditions are such as to give the distance between Buenos Ayres and the best vantage ground from which to Bogota, and that within three years. brjng influence to break down that hoary system of error, fraud, and op. This is a larger proportion of our pression by scattering the seed of the space than would have been given to Word, and raising up a new people who these material matters but that they will walk in the right ways of the Lord. emphasize the prospective relations and Surely, he says, the Christian churches obligations of Protestant North America of North America have a grave responsi. to this south land, the spiritual care of bility toward the more than half pagan which devolves the more largely on us or less than half Christian multitudes in that European churches leave these of South America. papal and pagan peoples almost wholly to our labors, and they are coming CENTRAL AMERICA. nearer and nearer to us. They need the same care that we propose to bestow Central America is the nearest unoc· on the dead churches of the East, or on cupied field calling for evangelistic European communities which. are spir- agencies, in the world to the Christians in the United States or Canada. "Ex. cept the small Presbyterian mission in Guatemala, there is no organized effort as • virtual heathenism.' It would be for Christ's Gospel in all these lands, easy to fill pages with evidences of this, or so it was until" recently, when the and so to demonstrate that whatev~r Central American Mission was formed lukewarmness toward missions to the for carrying the Gospel to the Qnevan- papal countries of Europe Christians gelized lands of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, may tolerate in themselves, their argu- San Salvador, and Honduras. <rhe ments fall to the ground when applied Jamaica Baptist Missionary Society has to missions to Spanish America.
a missionary at Port Limon, which is " In Costa Rica, as in other Central exclusively among Jamaica negroes, em- American republics, the population is ployed as laborers at that place; and divided by the line of education. The that is all there was, until the Central uneducated masses adhere blindly to American Mission recently opened work the degrading superstitions in which by sending Mr. McConnell, from St. they have been reared; the educated Paul, Minn., to commence a mission at few, in the language of a diplomatic San Jose. Mr. C. I. Scofield, the secre- representative of this country, • are tary of this mission at Dallas, Texas, in- growing unmindful of their ancestral forms us that it is undenominational and religion, and the next generation will entirely in the hands of laymen. There see a more rapld deoline of the power are three classes of natives-of pure of the priest. Business and professional whites a few; of Indians about 3000 ; the men never attend mass.' "
remainder, composing the bulk of the population, are of mixed Indian and OUR YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG Spanish blood, the Spanish element WOMEN. predominating. These are distinguished above all other Spanish·American peo- Y. M. C. A. and Fbreign Missions.- ples by sobriety and simplicity. Indo- The Young Men's Christian Association lence, however, is a universal character- work on the foreign field developed istic, and their superstitions are of the spontaneously. The first organization in grossest form. Of late the wealth of the heathen lands was at the Jaffna College, country has increased greatly, develop- Ceylon. Syria followed with one at ing a tendency to I uxury, gambling, and Beirut, and Turkey with one at Aintab.
the use of in tDxicants. In 1885 an association was formed in " Besides those three native classes, the Methodist Anglo-Chinese College, there are about 2000 Europeans of the at Foochow, China, one' at the then better class, 300 North Americans, 1500 called •• Wiley Institute," now Peking Italian laborers, and 1500 Jamaica University, and one at the Methodist negroes. The population is mainly College at Tokyo. At the Student Vol- gathered upon the central plateau. The unteer Movement meeting in Inter- entire population is probably between national Convention at Cleveland, in last 225,000 and 250,000. March, Mr. McBurney illustrated the " Costa Rica is nominally Roman Cath- spontaneity in Japan. Mr. John Trum- olic. In writing of the religious state of bull Swift had gone to Japan. He.had any Spanish American country, it is not had experience as a secretary of the necessary to enter upon a consideration Y. M. C. A. in this country, and in of the Romishsystem as it is under- Japan was attached to the Union Col- stood by its more enlightened votaries lege of Tokyo. He thought to try to in Europe and America, for even they form a Y. M. C. A. society in the Impe- concede that in Spanish America it has rial University in Tokyo. Some people degenerated into sheer idolatry. The said there weI'e no Christian students in Abbe Dominec, chaplain to the Em- the institution. Quiet investigation re- peror Maximilian, denounced the form vealed the fact that there were a num- of Romauism which he found in Mexico be.r. and 50 were enrolled who were nominally Christians. Thirty of them deavor, JiJpworth Leagues, etc.-It is not came to a meeting, and not one of the 30 easy at first sight to perceive what direcpreviously knew that the others, or any tion ought to be given to the money quesof them, were Christians. They were tion in the new societies of young people all alike timid in making any profession whioh have risen all over the land like of their faith in these college relations. some magical creation of a fairy region. An association was thus formed in the That their practical working might inlargest university city, with the largest clude some form of financial expreg.. number of students in the world, there sion of consecration seems right enough being between 60,000 and 80,000 stu. in itself. Whether that ought to find a deuts there each year. This associa- separate place from the already existing tion was formed at the request of the plans and methods of the several mIssIOnaries. Two buildings at Tokyo, churches is a matter of opinion, or costing $60,000, have been erected- rather about which opinion should be one for students, 9ne for business men. judiciously formed. In 1885 $5000 was asked for a Y. M. C. A· building in Osaka. The United States A considerable effort has been made responded with $2500, Canada with to direct the contributions of these so- $1500, and Australia with $1000. cieties to some special object. In some cases only a general rousing of their Student Movement. – It . is given as interest for foreign missions has been authentic history that the Student Move- sought, leaving all contributions to flow ment grew out of the Y. M. C. A. working. in the channel of the regular denomina- Mr. Wishard asked Mr. Moody in 1886 to tion to which the society or individual give him an opportunity as secretary of is attached. It was after this excellent· the International Committee to meet spirited way that Rev. A. A. Fulton of some college students at Northfield for Canton, China, while in this country Bible study. It was at the gathering during the year, stirred the young that followed on this invitation that the Christian Endeavor people to give two Student Movement originated at Mt. cents a week for foreign missions. The Hermon. There were present 251 young result of that effort was the enrolment men from 89 colleges. of several thousands of persons pledged to give that sum. It was reported that This movement enrolls 6200 volun- in Philadelphia on one evening 6000 teers varying in age from 20 to 30 years, persons took that pledge, and within a and 2600 of whom are in institut.ions few months the number had increased pursuing their studies. About 1300 of to 50,000, and waf< rapidly pushed bethis list are, from various causes, count- yond that, with an appeal to make it at ed out of the probable force that will go once 100,000. We have not the statistics abroad. Some 320 have sailed for the up to date of writing, but the fact of the field. Of the entire force about three enthusiasm of these young Christians sevenths are ladies. The volunteers remains, and that other fact of the posrepresent denominationally seven of the sibilities of their properly directed enerprincipal churches and others, in the gies in the interest of missionaIY conratio of 27 p& cent Presbyterian, 24 tributions, and, what is equally of worth, per cent Methodist, 17 per cent each of the dissemination of missionary in- .Baptist and the Congregationalists, 3 telligence. per cent Lutheran, 2 per cent Protestant Episcopal, and 10 per cent Friends and Sunday Schools.-As allied with and others. Of those who have gone abroad contributive to all that we have written 33 have gone to Africa, 229 to Asia, 5 to about missionary zeal and work among Europe, 13 to Central and South Ameri- the young, it is vastly important that ca, 6 to the South Seas; 23 are miscel- we do not let slip the greatest factor of laneously grouped and " not located." all of them-the Sunday.school. Every Sunday-school in the land ought to be Young People's Society oj Christian En-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGll:NCE
a school for the study of missions, as most purpose and pleasure of the Roman well as for education in the grace of Catholic Germans. Here were a thou- benevolence represented by the mission- sand delegates, including men eminent ary offerings. The study here should in the professions and in public affairs, be systematic, and continued through a who decided to support the Triple Alli- .course of, say, three years. ance, and to urge upon the Government the recall of the Jesuits. 'fhey dealt But by one means and all means let boldly with the question of the restorathe young men and maidens, and along tion of the iemporal power of the Pope, with them the children, be inspired and appointed a committee to arrange with the privilege and obligation to tell for a congress to be held in Switzerland, out and push out the truth of salvation most likely, on the one hundredth annithrough Jesus versary of the birth of Pius IX., May 15th, 1892, for the gathering of repre- "Till earth's remotest nation has learned Mes- sentatives of the total Roman Catholic siah'8 name. " communities of the world, to see what can be done to secure the proposed THE PAPACY. restoration of the sword to the head of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. The Roman Catholic Congress, which met in Berlin early in September, is supposed to have represented the fore- V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Organized Missionary Work and Statistics. Edited by Rev. D. L. Leonard, Bellevue, O.
-According to the extensive and ex- tIed the facts in the case. Omitting all haustive tables of statistics appended to over nine years of age, the number of the second volume of the "Encyclo- communicants is 6,250,045, or, if that predia of Mtssions," recently published class is included, the total will be inby Funk & Wagnalls, of societies doing creased by some 735,000. The organizadirect general missionary work in the tions are 10,227, and the church edifices foreign field, there are 47 in the united 8765, with a cash value of $118,382,000. States, 32 in Great Britain and Ireland, More than half of the Catholic popula- 10 in Germany, 6 in Holland, 105 in all tion is found within the limits of five Christian countries. In addition to States, New York leading with 1,153,- these, there are 51 women's societies, 26 000; Massachusetts following next with special, or publishing societies, 9 medical 614,600; and after this Pennsylvania societies, 35 doing work in behalf of the with 551,600; Illinois, 473,300; and Jews, and 39 which sre classed as indi- Ohio, 336,000. Wisconsin has 249,000. vidual or miscellaneous. Including all As illustrating to what an extent this of all the various kinds, the sum is 280. Church is polyglot, in !I. single diocese A complete bibliography is also given, in Pennsylvania confessions are heard in which are contained more than 5000 in German, French, Spanish, Italian. titles of books on missions and mission· Hungarian, Polish, Bohemian, and ary themes; and in the alphabetical Lithuanian. Ecclesiastical rule is in list of stations upward of 2400 are given the hands of 1 cardinal, 13 archbishops, from all continents and islands. and 66 bishops.
-Much speCUlation and many wild -The public schools of this land may guesses have found their way into print not improperly be set down among the concerninll; the strength of the Roman home missionary forces which work Catholic Church in the United States; mightily for tho public weal, and the but now the census seems to have set- figures are not far from stunning. The teachers alone are a great host, number. been baptized and 2032 children en- ing 361,273, while the scholars are 12,- rolled in the mission schools. 563,891. Of these, 1 327,822 are colored. Or if the 686,106 in private schools -The stated clerk of the Presbyterian and the 673,601 in parochial schools be Church (North) has issued a comparative include:l, a grand total of almost 14,000,. summary of the work or that denomina- 000 is reached. But even this leaves out tion during the past six years. The the thousands found in all our acade- following table partially shows the in- mies and schools of higher grade. crease: -The latest figures from Utah give Ministers………… .. 1886. 1891. this as the encouraging summary of Churches………….. .. Christian work done in the territory, 5,546 6,623 and representing what has been mainly Communicants .. . …. . 6,281 7,0;0 accomplished by 15 years of effort. The Sunday·school members. 666,909 806,796 71 ministers belong to 9 denominations 743,518 883,680 (including the Unitarians, but not in· cluding the Catholics, with 20 churches CONTRIBUTIONS. and 7893 members). The churches are 75, with a membership of 4500. In the Home missions, ……… $760,947 $995,625 85 schools scattered through 68 towns Foreign missions…….. 651,160 784,406 are 174 teachers and 6800 scholars. In Education…………… 97,954 154,518 these from the beginning not less than Sunday-school work….. 34,739 181,915 30,000 have received instruction, of Freedmen……………. 91,273 124,814 whom about 70 per cent were from Mor· Congregation •……….. 7,640,855 9,7'64,379 man families. This work is sustained at an annual cost of $200,000.. and in- Expressed in totals, the gifts for all purvolves the holding of $1,500,000 for poses in 1886 amounted to $10,592,231, church and school purposes in land, buildings, etc. or over $15 per member; in 1891 to $14,062,356, or over $17 per member. -One of the first two fields chosen and occupied by the American Board -The Hawaiian Kingdom is made up was among the American Indians, and of many nationalities. Numbering 80,- during the next 30 years more than half 000 six years ago, it has now a populaof its missionaries were sent to the same tion of 90,000, of whom 40,000 are napeople. As late as 1830, of 225 upon its tives and half· castes, and of the rest roll, 147, including 34 unmarried wom· about 20,000 are Japanese, one fifth en, were devoting their lives to the reo women ;'13,000 Chinese, 800 of them demption of the red men. In all 15 women; 9000 Portuguese, 2000 Ameritribes were reached, and 48 churches can (born in the United States), 1200 were gathered, with 3940 members. In English, German, and French. Protlater years, as calls from the foreign field estants number 30,000, Catholics 20,- became more numerous and urgent, and 000 ; the rest are Asiatics or indifferent. as other instrumentalities were fash- For the Asiatics and Portuguese earnest ioned, this part of its work was gradu. missionary work is being done, as well ally given up. as in some of the islands of the South- ern Paci fic by the Hawaiian Evangelical –Bishop Thoburn, of the Methodist Association. Of this society the income Episcopal Church, says that 90 "North. last year was $61,500, of which $13,900 field missions" have been established was expended upon the Japanese, Chiin India with the money so generously nese, and Portuguese. contributed at Northfield in 1890. In these new missions 1500 persons have -America, through the American Board, expended in 50 years $1,250,000 to evangelize Hawaii, and has during that time received about $4,000,000 a year in trade. England's missions are said to bring back ten pounds in trade for every pound given to convert the heathen. Christianity means a demand for clothing and utensils. The fitst sign of grace in a penitent savage is a request for a shirt. If only rum could be kept out! But rum and Bibles are apt to go contributions for home work were $6433, in the same ship for Polynesia and and for work outside, $713. Africa. -The Basel Society bas a prosperous -The Church of Scotland issues its mission upon the southwest coast of annual report in the form of a bound India, in which are found a total of 125 volume containing 1069 p.ages. The missionaries, including 52 ordained men members number 593,393, and the net with their wives, 18 laymen, and 2 unincrease last year was 5439. The in- married women, with 15 ordained nacome, omitting all endowments, etc., tives and 145 other native helpers-a standing for" by-gone liberality," was total of 285 toilers. To the churches 177 $1,813,265 from contributions, and were added last year, making a total of $339,520 from seat rents, or $2,152,785 5197 members. In the 121 schools 6372 in all. The receipts for foreign mis- are under instruction. The nat.ive consions, including $52,685 from women's tributions were $6372. societies, were $224,855. The missionaries number 70, of whom 22 are or- -A large proportion of the money exdained, with 7 ordained and 89 unor- pended in behalf of Moravian missions dained native helpers–a total force of is contributed by the benevolent of 166. The 29 churches have 951 mem- Great Britain and elsell'here, who ar:e bers, including 285 added last year. Of not members of that body. Thus ever schools there are 89, with 5287 scholars. since 1818 the London Association in The native contributions were $49,907 Aid of Moravian Missions has been in 1890. Among the" schemes" of this gathering funds, and the amount col- Church is a work in behalf of the Jews, lected last year amounted to $14,330, for which $28,700 were contributed. and legacies were received amounting to $8100, while but $24,060 were derived -Within 19 years the McAll Mission from the Brethren's congregations, etc., has grown from a single small room in in Europe and the United States. The Paris, with 40 chairs and 2 workers, to total expended upon the missions in 134 stations scattered all over France, 1890 was $100,115. and including suoh important cities as Marseilles, Bordeaux, Lyons, Nice, New -The British Society for the Propa Rochelle, Nantes, etc., and in Algeria gation of the Gospel among the Jews as well; 18,061 sittings, and more than has had an existence of 48 years, and 600 persons engaged in the work. Dur- its income, according to the last report, ing 1890 upward of 27,000 domiciliary has reached $31,620. The field of visits were made, and for adults alone operations includes not only the British 16,111 services were held. The total at- Isles, but Germany, Austria, Turkey, tendance was 1,237,688. The entire and Russin as well. In Wilna hospital cost of the miSSIon was $89,563, of 24,000 were treated last year. And in which sum $33,910 was derived from all, as the report states, " thousands of the United States, $19,909 from Eng- Jews have been drawn to the cross and land, $17,762 from Scotland, and $13,- throne of Jesus." In aid of this and 340 from France, Switzerland, etc. other similar societies, the British and Foreign Bible Society has issued in He.. -The Societe des Missions Evangeliques brew 404,000 Old Testaments and 490,. 000 portions, 8300 New Testaments anQ a Paris has prosperous missions both in 40,000 portions, and 204,000 diglot copies of the Scriptures, or those CCott. Tahiti and in Basutoland, South Africa, taining the Hebrew and some other la1J, with 3~ stations and 123 out-stations, 29 guage better known to the readers. missionaries, and 85 native preachers. The church members number 9111, the -The London Medical Missionary cateohumens 3781, and 222 were added Association has for its object the educato the church last yellr. The number under instruction is 8339. The native tion of physicians, as well as the found- -In the year 1855 there were in Briting and support of medical missions, ish India 430 schools, both government whether independent or otherwise. The and missionary, having 30,000 pupils, income last year was $11,530. In the chiefly boys. By the recent census it entire foreign field are found 139 medi- appears that there are 130,000 schools cal missionaries holding British diplo- of all grades, and over 4,000,000 pupils, mas-an increase of 14 in a year. China a goodly percentage of these pupils being alone is blessed with 104 devoted men girls. Marvellous as this growth is, we and women, who, like their Master be. have only to remember the enormous fore them, give themselves to healing population of India to see that there is the sick. a vast work. yet to be done; for though there are 4,000,000 pupils in the schools, -Although Bavaria has a population this is but one and one fourth per cent of only about 5,000,000, it has no fewer of the population. than 17,992 endowments of various kinds, the sums amounting to 421,996,- -The English Baptist Society is soon 035 marks. Of these 202,878,887 marks to have a new steamer upon the Upper are for charitable institutions and pur- Congo. The Peace has been in use poses, 159,757,226 for religious pur- since 1882, and has rendered invaluable poses, about 60,000,000 for educationa- service, but is not large enough nor purposes. Of the' sum total devoted to Iwift enough for present purposes. The religious purposes, 140,036,054 are for new v.essel, the Goodwill. is to be 84 the Catholic Church, and 18,242,767 for feet long and 13 feet beam. Every the Protestant; The former has 8474 particle of the vessel, hall, boiler. enendowments, the latter 1174. This is gines, and all, will have to be carried about in proportion to the population. on men's shoulders some 230 miles over a very hilly road. The work of this so- -The Christian Mission Church in ciety extends more than 900 miles from Belgium, organized 53 years ago, now the base, at Leopoldville. As yet more numbers about 8000 souls. The in- than 1000 miles of the waterways of the crease in the last three years has been Congo Valley have never been visited only a little over 500 ; but the only sur- by a missionary, and 2000 miles have prise is that there has been any gain at been traversed very hurriedly, so that all in this land, where both Roman there is a great work for these mission- Catholicism and MateriMism are equally ary vessels to do. ready to crush the Gospel. The number of Protestant churches is 93, served -Harput, in Eastern Turkey, accordby 21 pastors and evangelists, aided by ing to the thought of not a few, stands 9 Bible readers. The Evangelical So- I1.t least upon the outskirts of ancient ciety controls the Protestant work. and Eden. The field, of which this city is has founded the Evangelical Sunday- the mission centre, contains 59 stations schools, of which there are 52. The under the care of the American Board, last report of the society shows that the with 25 churches and 1717 members, income in the last year was 151,278 including 159 added last year, 10,330 francs. A large proportion Of this is adherents, 7000 hearing regularly the given' by the friends of the cause in word, and 5000 following the Interna- England and elsewhere. tional course of Sunday-school lessons. The various congregations contributed -Says The Mission Fwld: "In India $7200 last year, leaving only $3300 for a single 'church, Whose members have a the Board to raise outside of the salaries total income of $]800, gives annually of the American missionaries, and the $400 of that sum for religious objects. a parents paid besides $3550 for the board quarter of which is set apart for the and tuition of their children ill the support of a native missionary in an- schools. other district.·, Statistics of Missionary [THE following tables are intended to inclnde only Foreign Missions, that is, missions to foreign work of the Methodists and Baptists and others in Europe, as well as efforts for the evangelization from the published reports Of the various Societies, and, with rew exceptions, present the facts as has been received from the Encyclopredia of Missions and the Concise Dictionary of Religious desired, earnestly aimed at, and most diligently sought; but, as it always occurs in such nuder· Home Missionary _ _ _-"Cc::0.=n=stituency. Income.
II . ; I UNITED STATES ..~fs~i ~ – fi – – .~,; – ~'" ~ AND 2S CANADA. –~ – ..E.. =~:I Se~'" – -~Q) ~ ———–1– -Q – – -<Ij Baptist Missionary Union……… ….. 1814 6,138 7,786 717,640 $492,275 $51,038 Sonthern Baptist Convention'………. 1845 8,824 16,091 1,235,765 113,522 1,771 Free Baptist.. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. … .. .. 1836 1,531 1,314 82,683 25,497 400 Baptist General Association. . . . . . . .• .. 1873 560 200 50.000 500 Christian (Disciple)……………….. 1875 675,000 67,750 1 4,678 3,388! 1,023 American Christiau Connection. . . . . . . .. 1886 1,500 1,700 120,000 3,000 1,500 Seventh Day Baptist……. , …….. …. 1847 100 110 9,000 4,500 Congregationalist (A. B. C. F. M.}……. 1810 4,619 4,817 506,832 762,Q86 117,494 Methodist EpiscQpal, North……….. 1819 12,914 22,833 2,783,967 566,347 204,300 Methodist Episcopal, South… . . . . . . . . . . 1846 4,862 11,767 1,166,019 219,940 8,147 Methodist Protestant… . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 1882 1,441 2,003 147,604 13,32-3 460 African Methodist Episcopal.. . . . . .. . . . . 1886 2,500 3,000 100,000 7,000 1,600 Wesleyan Methodist …… , …………. 1887 300 600 18,000 2,000 440 Seventh Day Adventists…. …. …. . … 1874 930 26,112 1.485 Evangelical Association……………. 1876 3541 2,043 145,603 12,000 United Brethren………… … …….. 1853 1,864 I 4,203 197,123 10,000 1,467 I I 10,801 Protestant Episcopal…… .. .. …. .. .. 1835 4,163 2,435 508,292 189,184 6,800 Presbyterian, North .. .. 1837 6,158 6,894 775,903 942,691 49,423 Presbyterian, South … . 1862 1,200 1,144 169,000 112,952 3,976 782 902 United Presbyterian… . 1858 124 106,385 1,040,871 1 30,695 124 Reformed Presbyterian. . . .. .. ……. 1856 2,776 I I 1,646 11,289 . 19,614 Cumberland Presbyterian……….. …. 1852 165,940 22,260 1,812 Reformed Dutch.. … …………….. 1832 560 551 88,979 117,090 8,003 Reformed German…….. , ………… 1878 835 1,554 200,498 17,000 I 3,000 Associate Re.formed, South …………. 1879 81 117 8,534 I 3,Q.37 1 300 German Evangelical Synod… .. …. …. 1883 1,3,55 Lntheran General Synod. . . . . … . .. . . . . 1837 650 870 150,000 9,010 41,202 979 1,437 151,404 Lutheran General Council…. …. …. 1869 910 1,52'2 264,235 12,177 50 Methodist Episcopal, Canada……. …. 1873 1,285 1,268 233,868 27,503 6,491 Presbyterian, Canada…………….. 1844 972 1,920 160,105 105,525 4,172 Church of Englaud, Canada… … …. 1890 .~~ ..~~ 10',~57 ~~ 1:::: 1 . Congregationalist, Canada…….. .. …. 1886 Baptist, Ontario and Quebec ……….. 1873 532 550 77,247 36,0421 677 Totals 73,235104,888 -10,936~3171 4.180~602 507,s83 Societies for 1890-1.
countries under the care of missionaries other than natives. And hence is omitted the bulk of the of the Jews and the Freedmen, the Chinese and Indians. Of course the figures are derived mainly they existed during the last half of 1890, or the first half of the current year. 8ubstantial assistance Knowledge, which have appeared within a few months. The utmost of accuracy has been eagerly takings, the desired, earnestly aimed at, sources of error are numerous and most perplexing.] Missionaries. I Native !:' 1 g Helpers. oj 1 :g 1 ~Sg ·1;:I • .~; ".~ <1i ~ .is I .§; ~ I ~ l1-4l1~01 ~:zg j .;0) .~…. ] i~"''' ~ "" ~S ;"a.0 g'" >."-.<. "0 " .e; "wil. ~ ~ -<5- ->'"1 ~ w. 0 ->-<- -(5 – -(5 – – – – – . – -:5 – — – I 1,390 139 13 119 107 232 626 1,645 681 76,603 8,708 1,038 20,107 185 38 …. 31 17 23 53 161 67 2,377 402 21 823 12 9 1 9 6 5 13 43 11 646 55 105 3,619 6 1 1 1 …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. ….
41 17 …. 18 …. . … 25 60 12 1,418 158 10 817 32 2 …. 2 …. .. 7 11 3 92 35 …. . …
3 2 …. 2 2 2 7 18 1 30 5 2 29 1,058 183 17 181 152 174 2,243 2,980 387 36,256 4,554 1,025 47,319 373 169 10 160 126 1 447 2,571 3,483 334 52,956 5,747 1,090 33,844 516 52 2,000 169 50 …. 40 1 1 . … 99 224 60 4,944 6 256 . … 5 257 35 1 300 76 . … 3 5 …. 51 4 …. 12 29 2 203 12 . …
12 9 9 121 3 .. , 7 40 10 356 …. j2 2 2 …. 1 … 7 1 300 9 3 … 35 …. 5 5 17 882 31 5 …. 31 …. 5 24 :l7 5 378 …. 1 18 17 18 25 16 5 3 67 134 131 6,712 1,150 14 591 19 3,494 349 220 25 … 1 129 82 3,196 6 19 27 52 457 210 40 186 140 348 173. 1,097 377 28,494 2,87'5 605 27,813 100 33 3 26 18 15 12 107 25 1,284 246 16 1,300 28 1 21 25 24 495 554 39 9,832 735 252 10,480 21:1 1 5 6 …. 5 22 3 209 12 26 710 5 10 6 …. 6 6 2 171 37 11 63~ 63 4 298 155 23 4 23 12 30 283 375 51 5,326 552 113 4,069 24 3 …. 3:1 2 7 15 30 12 1,656 218 2 66 11 2 …. 2! 2 2 4 12 4 285 24 4 65 10 4 …. 41 1 . … 15 24 3 234 34 4 250 12 5 …. 4! 3 4 167 183 338 6,492 580 195 4,784 6 4 …. 31 …. 2 7 16 2 832 1 89 1,073 19 11 …. I … 45 71 10 1,538 578 4 485 15 ….
130 . ~j 324 1 24 6 152 220 87 8,172 711 141 4,100 1 1 …. …. ." …. …. …. …. . … .. . ….
—— _:;I_~l_~ 40 202 .. . 39 30 1,796 299 36[ 5,700 9 16 …. 141 187 22 2,493 415 41 350 -7218 4.649 1,066 145 966 736 1,341 11,946 129,806 8.625. 235-:-276 ! 4,867 1169,451 British Poreign Missions. By Rev. James hood a spiritual power. M. Coillard Johnston, Bulton, England. calls for a teacher of boys, and regrets that he has often to decline applications United Presbyterian Church of from dark little applicants because there Scotland's Foreign Mission.-This is no instructor. A young fellow· worker, vigorous denomination, so notably a Rev. A. Jalla, of the Waldensian valmissionary church, reports extended leys, described as worthy, active, and help on behalf of its continental and amiable, had just gone to Kimberley colonial mission stations. In foreign imd the Cape to meet his bride. The work it occupies 7 mission fields, on leader of the mission was taking the opwhich sened 117 fully trained agents, portunity of sending under his care of whom 57 were ordained European Litia. the eldest Bon of the king, to the missionaries; 20 ordained native teach- Morija High School, Basutoland. This ers, 10 medical missionaries, of whom 4 youth's intelligence, prepossessing manwere ordained; 5 European evangelists ner, and evident susceptibility war_ and 25 female missionaries. These rants M. Coillard in hoping that by and agents superintended 97 native evange- by he may become a trusted missionlists, 332 native teachers, 67 nati ve Ze- ary's friend. Upon a canal six miles nana workers, and 42 other helpers. long, connecting Sefula with the Zam- The native church membership last year besi River, M. Coillard had been busy showed an increase of 900 soula-the for two years. 'l'his year he hoped to greatest addition ever recorded. In the see its completion. Mr. and Mrs Goy year 1880 the members in the native had been laboring at Sesheke, and were churches numbered 9687, and ten years about to go (D. V.) to Seomaat the Gonge later, 15,799. The foreign mission in- Falls. The absence of a settled popucome in 1890, including the contribu- lation at Sesheke, which is used as a tions for Zenana work, was £40,592, meeting-place for some dozen or more and an additional sum of £13,605 was chiefs from far off villages, has natugiven by the natives themselves in sup- rally prevented systematic labor. At port of missions, schools, and hospitals. Kazungula, L. Jalla, an esteemed broth- United Presbyterian missionaries at er, had been struggling with fever. His present on furlough number among station, yet in the stage of infancy, is others Dr. John Husband, Rajputana; destined, from its topographical posi- Rev. Dr. William Z. Turner, .Tamaica; tion, to be an important centre. In the and Rev. Johu W. Stirling, Kaffraria. autumn another esteemed young broth- The Presbyterians are fulfilling the ex- er, Mons. Vollet, from Paris, was expecthort..tion of Dr. J. Monro Gibson in ed, accompanied by two (M. Coillard being both self-sustaining and self-sac- says, " we fain hope more") evangelists. rificlng. At these different centres the work is developing slowly,· the laborers having The Barotsi Mission (Central Af- the blessing of "good understanding rica).-In M. Coillard's earnest labors and union. " several Christian friends in Glasgow are deeply interested, and regular support- Very kmdly M. Coillard alludes to the ers. Amid difficulties in journeyings new missionary expedition of the Engand tribal negotiations the missionary lish Primitive Methodists to Mashikusteadfastly holds forth the Word of Life lomboe Land. Its leader, Rev. Mr. in these long-neglected regions. The Buckenham, rad accompanied M. Coilpoor state of health of Mrs. Coillard is lard to interview the king for the privia sore burden on this whole·souled toil- lege of establishing a station in his er. To his joy there recently arrived territory. To the joy of all, permission Miss Kiener, from Neuchatel. This was given. The arrival of the Primitive lady's consecration and affectionate Met·hoilist brethren after many perils disposition will make her in alllikeli- and hardships, M. Coillard observes, is the answer to many prayers. Help in ity were appreciated very warmly by sustaining the beloved :French pastor's philanthropic and missionary workers labors will be sent per Mr. William in West Africa. In reply to an address, Ewing, 7 Royal Bank Place, Glasgow, Sir Alfred observed that in regard to the Scotland. education of the nativel! great credit was due to the various self-sacrificing English Missions in Canada.-The missionaries, who had been and connomination of the Ven. William Day tinued to be the popular educators. Reeve to the bishopric of Mackenzie He spoke of the need of open and safe River, in succession to Bishop Bompas, roads for the onward progress of the recently translated to the new diocese country, and the value that the repatriaof Selkirk, has the approval of the Arch- tion of negroes would be to Africa. .The bishop of Canterbury. He was educat- question, he contended, should now be ed at the Church Missionary College, viewed in the Old and New World in Islington, ordained by the Bishop of the light of retributive justice to Africa Rupertsland in 1868, appointed bishop's for the wrongs inflicted on her in the chaplain in 1880, and archdeacon in past. His policy in befriending negro- 1883. He has done years of honored land had been guided by the three C's work in Northwest America, notably at –consideration, conciliation, and cul- :Forts Simpson and Chipewyan. In the ture. With a splendid record of sucprime of manhood, still under fifty, a cess, Sir Alfred Moloney has sailed to great career may be anticipated. He fulfil his new appointment as Governor was on furlough a little while ago. The of British Honduras. consecration will probably be performed by the Canadian bishops. Native Races and the Liquor Tra!- fic.-By the two envoys of Gungun- With the translation of the Bible into hana, chief of Gazaland, who have rethe Cree language, the Bishop of Moo- turned home after a visit to British sonee writes home that he is making shores, the United Committee have sent rapid progress. Next winter the task a letter expressing their pleasure that may probably be finished, when the be wishes to exclude the white man's Bishop of "The Great Lone Land," drink, which has recently been introwho has occupied his see since 1851, duced there, and assuring him that the will likely resign. The endurance of governments of Europe have agreed privations in an uninviting region, and that strong drink shall not be forced on cheerfully borne, have proved his mis- chiefs or people against their wishes. sionary character and secured him the The letter oncourages him to forbid the devoted attachment of the Indians. sale of this ruinous t~affic, and urges The Rev. J. A. Newnham, a Canadian, him, in conclusion, in these earnest has sailed for Moosonee, and should he words: "Keep it out of your country feel himself capable of bearing the of Gazaland entirely; it is a deadly strain of the work, his name may be enemy alike to the chief, to the head. submitted to the Archbishop of Canter- men, and to the common people." Rebury in succession to Dr. Horden as ports from abroad and by personal bishop. testimony unite in exposing the spread of this fearful evil. From Africa-east, The Aborigines' Protection Society. south, and west-from Madagascar, from -Always in close sympathy' with the India, from the South Seas, and from cause of missions, the society has lately .Alaska there is a great outcry against done honor to Sir Alfred Moloney,' a the foe which makes heathenism more pof-ular WeAt African governor since awful, and likewise paralyzes the growth 1867, and widely esteemed for his just of native converts. and politic dealing with the natives of the interior. His valuable services to Wesleyan Foreign Mission Fi· commerce,' civiliza'tion, and Christiannances.·-At the Nottingham Confer. Another aspE'ct of Catholic affairs was ence in July the present adverse balance presented by the Rev. L. C. Casartelli of £20,000 was the subject of a warm to the delegates attending the Catholic discussion. The representatives of the Conference held in London. The speak- Committee strongly repudiate the charge er, who is the editor of the English organ of blame which has been made. Much of Catholic foreign missions, stated that of the criticism and unrest the Rev. nothing was practically known in Eng· Marshall Randles considered to be the land of the Catholic Church Rsthe great. result of a ground swell following the est foreign missionary in the world, folevents of two yeal'S ago. No new policy lowing the observation with an extraor. was advocated for the removal of the dinary assertion-viz., that in India last debt save the appointment of adult col· year there were 841 Protestant mis. lectors, and the responsibility of district sionaries, whose reports indicated that sub·committees to a central committee, only 298 converts had been added to the and the arousing of fresh interest in the native churches at a cost of £48,000. claims of foreign missions. For the The Catholics, on the other hand, were fair name of the influential Wesleyan able to show in one diocese where they community, whose servants abroad and labored, which had a population of officials in London are not surpassed, 7,000,000, that their missionaries had the obligat.ion of extinguishing the received more than double that number heavy debt is an immediate duty. A of adult persons. The former part of communication was read to the Con- this statement is completely disproved ference announcing the death of the by the latest returns from three societies Rev. Thornley Smith, 6f London, for· alone in British India-the Church and merly a missionary pioneer in South Wesleyan Missionary Societies and the Africa, where he successfully labored American Baptists. half a century ago. He was the author of several works relating to missions. Miscellaneous.-Much uneasiness is felt by the London Missionary Society Roman Catholics in England and for the welfare of their converts, sta- India-a Contrast.-Much surprise tions, and training institution in Samoa, was caused at the Annual Conference of through the antagonism of Mataafa to Catholic Young Men's Societies of Great the rule of Malietoa. Business at Samoa Britain, lately assembled in Wigan, Lan. is stagnant.-The inquiry into the Pal· cashire, by a paper which the Rev. Aus· estine Mission is being conducted by the tin Powell read on ., Submerged Catho. Archbishop of Canterbury in London lics" who were lost to tho Church. He with closed doors.-A member of the said that never since Elizabeth ascended Calvinistic Methodist Missionary Sothe throne of England had the pros. ciety has promised a legacy of £30,000 pects in the country been darker. In to the Jubilee Fund.-In 1895 the Lon_ most parts of England the Catholics don Missionary Society will reach its cenwere losing in numbers both relatively tenary, an event which the directors wish and actually. Emigration to America, to anticipate by placing a hundred ad. which affected them, wasa non.prevent- ditional missionaries in the foreign field. able cause, whereas great and partially -Excellent patronage, including that of preventable causes were apostasy and the queen's, has been given to the South the aversion of young men to matrimony. African Choir, at present on a tour in In reply to his critics the essayist 0 b· England.-The General Assembly of served that figures could not be gain- Ireland reports successful work in India said. Liverpool was the only diocese and China, and among the jungle tribes, showing an increase, and even there it with a revived interest in missions at was not in proportion to the growth of home shown by a gratifying increased population. income. Monthly Bulletin. Baptist missionaries with their wives sailed from New York July 15th for Africa. -Susi, the last of those faithful Brazil. In 'Goyaz, there is a daily paper servants of Dr. Livingstone, who brought protesting against elections on Sundays, his body to the coast on that most reo as the Protestants will not vote on that markable journey, one of the grandest day. The influence of Sabbath.keeping funeral processions the world has ever is a mission and evangelization in itself. seen, died at Zanzibar on May 6th. Chili.-The Presbyterian Mission in -Along the West African coast there Chili has five organized churches, as are now 200 churches, 35,000 converts, well as preaching halls in the principal 100,000 adherents, 275 schools, and towns of the country. Evangelists make 30,000 pupils. Thirty.five dialects or long tours, scattering the bread of life. languages have been mastered, into There are two schools-an elementary which portions of the Scripture and reo one at Valparaiso, attended by 200 ligious books and tracts have been trans· scholars, and a superior institution at lated and printed, and some knowledge Santiago, with 80 scholars, some of of the Gospel has reached about 8,000,000 whom have come from homes in Peru of benighted Africans. and Balivia. A young Spanish pastor, -King Lewanika. the ruler of the M. Francesco Diez, who studied at great Barotse, on the Upper Zambesi, Lausanne, has recently settled at San· has been converted from human sacri· tiago in connection with the mission.
fices, the slave trad e, and alcoholism. -Mr. C. PolIhiIl Turner, one of the The king has not offered a human sacri. .. Cambridge TIand" which went to fice for three years, has become a tee· China in connection with the China In- totaler, and forbids the sale of liquor in land Mission, is studying the Thibetan his capital. He has sent his eldest son, language in Kansuh province, on the Litia, to Morija, in Basutoland, to reo borders of Thibet, preparatory to carry- ceive Christian instruction. The chief ing the Gospel into that country.
has many excellent parts, and for some -Li Hing Chang, Viceroy, and the time has been on terms of friendship most powerful man in China, has writ. with Mr.. Coillard, of the Paris Society ten a preface to a medical work by the of Missions; and Litia himself is a prom. Rev. S. A. Hunter, M.D., giving the ising young man of Christian character. sanction of his name to foreign thera- -The Church of England is begin. peutics and medical missionary work.
ning miSSion work in Mashonaland, -Dr. W. A. P. Martin has returned South Africa, in good earnest. Dr. to resume his important duties as Presi.
Knight Bruce has been called to the dent of the Imperial College of Pekin.
bishopric of that country, and has gone It is nearly forty.lrwo years since Dr.
there by way of the Pungwe River, ac· Martin first set out for China as a mis· companied by one clergyman. Previous· sionary. Then almost six months were ly six laymen had been sent, by the spent on the voyage; now in less than overland route, with supplies for the one month the same journey is made.
mlSSlOn. Among these is a carpenter Then there were sixty missionaries, now who was with Dr. Livingstone through there are more than a thousand.
his 'second African expedition. Three -The twenty.fifth anniversary of the Christian natives from Gazaland are with China Inland Mission was held at Mild· this party. An American layman pro. may Hall, May 26th. A full letter in poses to follow shortly, paying his own lieu of a I'eport was read from Mr. Hud· expenses, while guided by the rules of son Taylor. In this letter he spoke es· the mission. pecially of the new headquarters of an Brazil.-Dr. G. W. Chalnberlain and Australasian branch of the society. In family, Mr. Myron A. Clark, and three giving statements in regard to the work he showed that the number of baptisms bis large toleration for Christians who reported was 407 as against 536 last differed from him in forms of worsbip year. But the number of unbaptized or in forms of ecclesiastical order. converts reported is much larger than the year before, more than making up Japan.-Mrs. Large, widow of the the deficiency. The total number of missionary of the Canadian Methodist communicants is over 3000, more than Church, who was murdered in Japan 4500 having heen baptized from the over a year ago, and who was herself commencement of the work twenty· six severely wounded in trying to save her years ago. husband's life, after a year's visit in Ontario, is now returning to Japan to -The death is announced of the Rev. re-engage in mission work. Dr. Bissell, of the Marathi Mission of the American Board. Dr. Bissell has -The Hongo Church, in Tokyo-in. spent forty years in India, and was one tended specially for students, R9v. Mr. of the most able missionaries in that Yokio (Ise) pastor, a man well known in country. His departure was sudden, America-was dedicated a short while as he was in his usual health until about ago. It is a substantial brick building, two hours before his death. He leaves corresponding in style with the buildfour sons in the ministry. ings of the university and national schools, near which it is located. It -The Scotch missionaries in the seats about 700. The entire cost of lot Punjab rejoice over a rich harvest of and building, with a small native house souls. At the station of Sailkot they bap- for a parsonage, was about $11,000, and tized 30 converts four years ago; but it is paid for. Most of the money was last year the number was already 800, raised in this country. and the blessed work is going on increasingly. Papal Lands.-Four of the members of the first Christian Endeavor Society -The venerable Dr. John Newton, formed in Mexico, at Chihuahua, have who died at Merrel, in Northern India, left to study for the ministry at Juarez. on the second day of July, was in the They have started another society, and eighty-first year of his age, and had the societies in Spain plan to unite with been in the missionary work in India those in Mexico in publishing literature for fifty-six years. Very few men have in Spanish suited to their needs. been permitted to pass through so long a period of service, and few have Russia. – The Russian Orthodox wrought so diligently and so well. He Churr.h is doing mission work among was stationed first at Lodiana, but more the nomad tribes in South Siberia. than forty years ago!> was transferred to Over 3000 adults were baptized last year. Lahore, where his chief work was done. A magnificent cathedral will soon be He was well qualified in scholarship dedicated at Tokio, Japan, in which and in his linguistic acquirements for country the Russian missionaries are the tasks which were appointed to him. most successful. The Moscow Mission. He published the first grammar of the ary Society numbers 12,000 members; Panjabi language, and the first and only and receives $150,000 annually. The Panjabi English dictionary. He trans. seminary at Kasan prepares young men lated the New Testament, and wrote for work among the Siberian tribes, giv. numerous tracts and essays. His influ· ing them instruction in the native diaence with civilians and men in high lects. office in the Punjab was large, and always wielded for the advancement of -The King of Siam has settled an civilization and good morals. Men gave annual allowance of $1500 upon the him unfeigned veneration, and loved three young sons of the late Dwight Bradley, son of the early missionary, l;liJll for hi$ BweetIless of. temper and Dr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley was in the government. service at Bangkok.
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1891
HUGUENOT FEMALE SEMINARY. WELLINGTON, CAPE COLONY, SOUTH
MISSIONARY REVIEW. OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. 6.-0Zd Serie.~.–JUNE.–VOL. IV. No. 6.-New Series.
THE MIRACLES OF MISSIONS.-XO. XVIII.
J [EDITORIAL, A. T. P.
THE LIGHT AT THE CAPE OF GOOD ·HOPE.
" IF you want most to serve your race," said Mary Lyon, " go where no one else will go, and do what no one else will do."
We propose to draw· in profile the outline of one of the most wonderful and fascinating stories of modern missions-the narrative of the founding of the Huguenot Seminary at Wellington, Cape Colony.
Wellington, about forty miles from Cape Town, is a gem set in a ring ~f mountains-the Drakenstein and Paarl ranges. It is now more' than two centuries since some three hundred Huguenots, who had fled from France to Holland after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, accepted the invitation of the Dutch East India Company, and settled at the Cape. What the Puritans were to America, these devoted refugees became to the Dark Continent.
·By law Dutch was the language of the colony; and so, in a few generations, the French ceased to be their language, and almost the nationality of these refugees was lost. Early in this century the colony passed into the hands of Great Britain, and the Dutch Reformed churches. already established, became largely supplied with Scotch Presbyterian pastors. .
One of these was Rev. Andrew Murray, who was settled over the congregation at GraafI Reinet. He married a Germano-Huguenot lady, and five of their sons now preach in the colony, while four of their daughters are wives of ministers. The second son, also called Andrew, is the pastor of the church at Wellington, and the now famous author of the most pr«>ciolls devotional books which perhaps during the past half century have been issued from the English press.
This man of God, Andrew Murray, nearly twenty years ago, buried two young children at his African home; and, as Mrs. Murray expressed it, " their hands seemed emptied and ready for some work with which the Lord was waiting to fill them." The bereaved husband and wife went in December, 1872, to the seaside to rest, and there they read together the
THE MIRACLES OF MISSIONS
marvellous life of Mary Lyon. So thrilled were they by that story of heroism, that they sought to obtain everything that could further info}m them of the subsequent history of the Holyoke Seminary and its pupils, and eagerly devoured the story of Fidelia Fiske, the Mary J~yon of Persia.
Just at this time the descendants of those Huguenot refugees living at Wellington were proposing to build some monument or memorial.to their ancestors; and Mr. Murray was strangely and strongly impressed that the best memorial they could rear was just such a school for their daughters. The schools scattered through South Africa were neither such as the mind nor morals of the girls needed; few of them were fitted to train immortal souls for service here or glory hereafter. Every indication of human need and Divine Providence seemed to point to this as the time and place for a new Holyoke. And, after much thought, consultation, and prayer, letters were written to the Massachusetts Holyoke, asking for a graduate to found a similar school at the Cape of Good Hope.
These letters awakened unusual interest at the parent seminary, and were put into the hands of Miss Abbie P. Ferguson, a graduate of the class of 1856, who was at that time conducting a very successful work in New Haven, Conn. Her mind was 80 deeply impressed that God was calling her to Africa, that she could not rest until she had laid herself at the Lord's feet, to go wherever He might lead. She breathed a prayer that, if He was indeed calling her to Wellington, another might be found to share the work; and just then Miss Anna E. Bliss, of the class of 1862, offered herself as a companion in labor. Just at this time, across the Atlantic, special prayer was arising that Jehovah Jireh would provide a teacher, and so once more prayer and its answer joined, in a blessed harmony, man's performance and God's purpose. Before the letter~ reached Wellington, telling of the decision of these teachers, Mr. Murray, with characteristic faith, had sent passage-money to America; and when the news of the decision of Miss Ferguson and Miss Bliss reached the colonists, the open letters were bedewed with the tears of thanksgiving. They had asked one teacher, and God had given two.
Mr. Murray rehearsed the whole story of this marked leading of God, commended the proposed work to the Lord in prayer, and pledges were given on the spot to insure the support of the new school. Though not a rich people, in a few weeks $6,000 had been given by the Wellingtonians alone, one widow giving one sixteenth of the whole amount-all her little patrimony.
Miss Ferguson and her companion sailed for Africa in September, 1873, and arriven at Cape Town in about eight weeks. They found that a large building with grounds had been bought for the school, the life of Mary Lyon had been translated into Dutch, and many young people were ready to enter as pupils into the new Huguenot Seminary, or as teachers, to seek higher fitness for their calling. The seminary was formally opened, January 19th, 1874, anq the large assemblage which that day prayerfully committed the work to the – Lord will never be forgotten. During the first term there were forty Rtudents from fifteen to forty years of age; and the Bible and prayer were from the first the characteristic features of the school life, the first hour of each day being given to instruction in the Holy Word, and a half hour in the day beibg reserved for the quiet of personal communion with God.
The devout and earnest purpose of these teachers was to educate Christian character. God honors those who honor Him. One morning the Scrip~ ture lesson was on the new birth, and before that day had gone thirteen had taken their place on the Lord's side. Even those whom candor compelled to confess that they were unsaved, could not rest content without salvation, and when another meeting was called for those who felt that they were Christ's, everyone in the school came. And after all these years have put the confession to the test, nearly everyone has remained faithful, and not a few have been filling positions of singular usefulness.
Our space will not permit more than an outline of a history now covering nearly a score of yearil. But, as might be expected, the saved became saviours. Children were gathered from the street, and 8 Sunday-school was formed ; through the children access was obtained to their parents; cottage meetings-as many as fourteen, in or near the village-were conducted by the young ladies j the navvies and their families were reached by the same consecrated workers, and Wellington Seminary became a fountain of living waters.
The seminary building became too strait for the growth of the institution, and a new building became a necessity j its corner-stone was laid November 19th, 1874, the two buildings together costing $40,000. Two more teachers were sent for, and Miss Wells and Miss Bailey came from America, Noyember, 1874, and soon after, Miss Spijker, from Holland, to teach Dutch and French.
In July, 1875, the new building was ready for use j the pupils increased from forty to ninety, and the school was divided into two departmentsone preparatory. In December, 1875, Miss Landfear came from New Haven to share the growing burden of work, and still later Miss Brewer, of Stockbridge, Mass. j in 1877, Miss Cummings and Miss Knapp were added to the corps of instructors, and the standard of the school kept rising higher and higher both intellectually and spiritually.
During 1878, stimulated by the reports of the Ten Y-ears' Work of the Woman's Board of Missions in America, the Huguenot Missionary Society was organized, and became speedily the parent of many mission circles. Missionary offerings had been the habit at the weekly devotional meetings, and had been sent to Mrs. Schauffier, in Austria, to Dr. Bernardo and Miss Annie Macpherson in London, and to the Basuto, Natal, and East Indian missions. But now the work took organized form, and before the year closed a member of the school offered herself as a missionary, and subsequently went as their representative to the heathen in the Trans~ vaal. That same year-1878-the first graduating class left the Huguenot Seminary. To trace the after-careers of these four graduates may give some hint of the streams which flow from this fountain. One of the four (Miss Malherbe) was next year a teacher in her Alma Mater, and then took the principlllship of Prospect Seminary at Prretoria in the Transvaal ; Mi~s De Leeuw and Miss Mader started a boardiug-school at Bethlehem, in the Orange Free .State,similar to the Wellington Seminary; and during the first year had five more pupils than Wellington at the corresponding period of its history ; Miss Wilson went to teach in the Rockland Seminary at Cradock. In December, 1879, seven more young ladies received diplomas, and all became teachers. Meanwhile God continued to bestow His grace. and again in 1879 nearly all the inmates of the school became disciples of Christ. These nearly twenty years have been marked by a constant growth. In 1882 there was opened a model school, and a normal department was organized. Rooks, and chemical and philosophical apparatus, a Williston observatory and telescope, etc., were furnished by generous friends; and far and wide the" daughters" of Miss Ferguson and her fellow teachers scattered to diffuse new blessings.
In April, 1880, Miss Ferguson left for rest and change, and visited her native land, returning the next year. And in 1882 another building was erected, to accommodate .about forty more pupils-boarders; and during the same year, as already intimated, another building was opened for a model school for the training of the younger children of the village j and the pupils of the normal class have practice in the art of teaching, and can learn the most approved methods-kindergarten, etc.
The pressure of pupils and too little room made it necessary again to enlarge, and a cottage adjoining the school grounds was purchased. In i885 Miss Cummings, of Strafford, Vermont, one of the teachers, came home for a year's visit, and secured from Mr. Goodnow, of Worcester, a building costing some £3,000. The upper story, to be used as a chapel, will seat five hundred, and the lower floor is devoted to art-room and scientific class-rooms.
Last year the applications were so many it was again necessary to provide more room, and while hesitating whether to build or rent rooms near the seminary, the principal of a girls' school at the PaarL a village some eight miles distant, applied to the trustees to purchase' his building, failing health making it necessary that he and his wife should give up the work. Some of the village people were very anxious the school should come under the influence of the Huguenot Seminary, and after much thought and prayer the purchase was made. This school takes the younger pupils, 'making it a preparatory department, and one of the American teachers superintends it. This gives more room at Wellington for advanced pupils. The schools are called Huguenot Seminary, Paarl, and Huguenot Seminary, Wellington. There are now in the two schools over four hundred pupils. They have the same board of trustees, and are under the same principlll, The expense of buildings and grounds has outrun their income, and they have felt keenly the pressure of debt. But the friends of Christian education in the colony have responded nobly to the call for aid, and at different times Parliament has granted them appropriations amounting to £2,000, so that during the last year they had much rejoicing in Wellington over the accom- plishment of the long-desired freedom from debt. There is some indebted· ness on the Paarl school yet; but Dr: Dale, or Sir Langham Dale, the Superintendent of Education for the colony, gives them encouragement to hope that Government will give them help by and by.
In 1888 Mrs. H. B. Allen, of Meriden, Conn., a sister of Miss Ferguson, sent a circular letter to her sister's classmates asking for help to reduce their indebtedness, it being her sister's" jubilee year," and the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the Huguenots in South Africa. They were making a special effort ~o " go free" that year. Mrs. Allen secured about $200 in money, but interest and prayer which were, perhaps, worth more. And then faith was rewarded, for early in 1889 the grant from Government came.
The writer does not know just the number of missionaries who have gone out from the school, but there have been hundreds of .teachers.
Miss Ferguson made a famous journey in 1887-8. In October, 1887, she left the seminary for her year's vacation. The first three months of it she spent in visiting the missionary stations in the Midland and Eastern provinces of the colony, where some of the pupils are located as missionaries and teachers. She returned to Wellington in December, and met two of her pupils from Basutoland, who had just graduated, and returned with them to their home. They are the danghters of French missionaries who are in charge of the Protestant mission of Basutoland. They went by train from Wellington to Kimberley (where the diamond mines are), spent several days with school daughters there. A bullock wagon, drawn by fourteen oxen belonging to the missionaries, was sent from Moujah to meet them. Leaving Kimberley on the 28th of December, they reached Morijah on the lOth of January, outspanning in the heat of the day, and travelling often by moonlight. Two Christian natives, who had long been in the mission family, had charge of the party-Eleazer and Nkloroso.
I have before me the plan of. the journey as Miss Ferguson sent it from Morijah. Here are extracts from her journal: " February 5th at Hermon (Basutoland) ;. February 12th at Mofukas for the baptism of a sister of the old chief Mosesh, over eighty years old, and others. February 19th, Leribe, Mr. Colliard's old station. February 27th, Bethlehem, Orange Free State, with Mrs. Theron, one of our Huguenot teachers. March 3d, Heilbron, Orange Free State, where four of my Huguenot daughters liye. March 8th, Freeport. Orange Free State, the minister and wife from Wellington. March 12th, Potchefstroom, Transvaal, where I have several daughters. Here Mrs. Gonin, wife of the missionary at Saul's Poort, meets me with her bullock wagon, and we go on to Rustenberg, where one of my daughters is in the school. Her father is the principal. March 19th to April 20th, Saul's Poort, Mabie's Kraal, ~nd l1ochuli ; in all these places we have girls who ~re missionaries. The last of April I go to Prretoria (Transvaal), where we have girls teaching j then on to Wakkustroom and Utrecht with Mr. Murray's sister. The last of May to Rorke's Drift, where my friend, the Baroness Posse has a little mission work of her own. June and July I expect to spend in Natal with the American missionaries."
Miss Ferguson was detained by rains and full rivers, so that she did not leave Mochuli (which is half-way between the parallel 24° S. and the tropic of Capricorn, and half-way between meridian 26° and 27° E. just north of the Natwane River, almost in the torrid zone. It is not on the map) until May. Pietermaritzberg, the capital of the Transvaal, was the only place where she spent a night at a hotel. She arrived Saturday night, and her letter to friends had not been received; but she was found on the Sabbath and carried away to the home of Christian friends.
Early in August she sailed from Durban to Port Elizabeth, went to King William's Town, and on up to Graat! Reinet; then to Kimberley again in the interest of the mission work so near her heart, which has resulted in the Mission House, cared for by three of the Huguenot daughters; and back to Wellington the last of September.
Every letter speaks of the marvellous kindness everywhere received, and the wonderful openings for work. We have not spoken of the " Chautauqua circles" that have been formed all through South Africa. Miss Landfear, one of the Huguenot teachers, is the secretary for South Africa, and is introducing a class of reading that it! educating and elevating those who have left school. A circle has been formed among the native boys at Morijah.
If any of our readers will, on the map, follow this remarkable journey of Miss Ferguson through Southern Africa, they will see how many hundreds of miles she went; and let it be remembered tbat only one night in all tbat journey was spent at a hotel; in every other case she was the guest of "her daugbters"-the young ladies wbo had graduated from Wellington and gone into all that dark land to become teachers, missionaries, wives of godly men and ministers of the Gospel, an~ who are thus turning many a " Valley of Desolation" and barren waste of paganism into the Lord's garden! Are we not right in calling Wellington's Huguenot Seminary" the Light at the CapeY" To-day Miss Ferguson has under her care four hundred pupils.
We must add a word as to the progress of education in other parts of the land, which is largely due to the influence of Wellington.
In 1874, the year when the Huguenot Seminary began its work, Rev. J.
Neethling, of Stellenbosch, asked for a teacher from America, on behalf of the school committee, and Miss Gilsou came in response to the call in November of tbe same year. Beforethe year 1875 closed a boarding department was opened ; and the large and flourishing seminary now does for the Lord most excellent and efficient work both in training intellects and educating Christian hearts for the service of the Kingdom.
During 1875 a request for two teachers was sent from Worcester by Rev. William Murray, the minister there, to America. And, as at Wellington, the spirit of faith and prayer anticipated the arrival of the teachers in preparing for the school and sending forward the passage-money. The Misses Smith (two sisters), of Sunderland, Mass., responded. In April, 1876, the the seminary building at Worcester was completed. At the opening, Rev. Andrew Murray spoke on the great need of multiplying such Christian schools in Africa, and it was determined to ask for six more teachers from over the seas.
At the same time. Miss Helen Murray began work at Graaff Reinet, taking charge of the Midland Seminary, with twenty-five boarders and as many day scholars, until Miss Thayer and Miss Ayres arrived six months Jater. A reVival during the first term put the significant seal of God's approval on the work at its very inception, and nearly all the pupils rejoiced in Jesus. In 1876 Miss Lester left Woodstock, Conn., for the Bloemhof Seminary at Stellenbosch, and in April, four years after, was transferred to a similar work in Standerton, in the Transvaal.
During 1877 Messrs. Andrew and Charles Murray visited America, and in answer to their appeal for teachers, thirteen more went to Africa that year, one of whom went eventually to Swellendam. And when, in September, 1877, the Messrs. Murray returned, Rev. George R. Ferguson, brother to the founder of the Huguenot Seminary at Wellington, came with them, to take in charge a new school or institute for training of young men as evangelists and missionaries ; and has since been engaged in that work at Wellington.
When this noble band of workers arrived in 1877 to reinforce the educational mission work in Africa, a feast of rejoicing and thanksgiving filled an " eight days" like the feasts of ancient Israel. The windows were illumined, the flowers hung in festoons or bloomed in bouquets as on an Easter morning, and the Lord was magnified in the praises of His own. One day twenty-seven Americans dined together in the building where, four years before, two teachers began their pioneer work. The teachers at Graaf Reinet, too far away to participate in person, flashed greetings over the electric wires.
After a few days the new teachers began to disperse to Worcester, Graaf Reinet, Stellenbosch, Beaufort West, Swellendam, etc. Miss Clary chose Prretoria, because the work there was most difficult and discouraging; and Miss Ruggles undertook with her the journey to this field fifteen hundred miles beyond Cape Town.
We can follow no further this fascinating story. In 1880 eleven schools had already been established in South Africa under the care of these American teachers; eight in Cape Colony, two in the Transvaal, and one in the Orange Free State. Thirty-eight ladies had, previous to 1881, gone out from America to take charge of this work of education ; and the devoted man of God, Rev Andrew Murray, has generally had the privilege of applying for teachers, while Mrs. H. B. Allen, of Meriden, Conn. (sister of Miss Ferguson), has co-operated in the selection of those who should go.
No words can expr/ilss the blessing which has come through this period of almost twenty years to the whole of Africa through these grand Christian schools. They are building light houses, not at the Cape only, but all through the southern half of the Dark Continent. We doubt whether any work ever done for God has had, from the inception, more signal tokens of His approbation and blessing.
. Those who have visited Graaf Reinet have remarked that it stands close by the" Valley of Desolation," so called from its absolute barrenness and the absence of life. In fact, Graaf Reinet is itself simply a section of that barren waste reclaimed by culture and irrigation. How completely the whole aspect of this. part of the valley has been transfigured may be inferred from the fact that in the garden of Rev. Charles Murray eighty different species or varieties of roses may be ·found in bloom. May thiR not be a precious symbol and type of what the Huguenot Seminary and its companion schools are doing for the wild wastes of the Dark Continent, flashing out rays to illumine the midnight, and sending forth streams to irrigate the barrenness, until where darkness and dearth abounded there shall be a radiance as of a morning without clouds, and a fertility as of an earthly Eden !
" The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom like the garden of the Lord."
[Apropos of the foregoing, we gladly publish a letter from Rev. George S. Malan, of Montagu, Cape Colony, giving additional information about the work in South Africa.-EDIToR.] The Dutch Reformed Church of the Cape Colony counts upward of 100 congregations, with an aggregate membership of about 90,000 ; the number of souls being about 200,00'0. Our ministers are trained at the Theological College * of our church at Stellenbosch. Some four years ago one of the settled ministers of our church (Rev. Helm) was led by the Lord to give up his congregation in the colony and devote himself to mission work. Our church had already at the time five mission stations outside the borders of the colony. These were each under the superintendence of a resident white missionary, assisted by several lady workers as teachers, and by evangelists (native) for the work among the outlying kraals. To one of these stations, situated in the north of the Transvaal, our brother minister went as assistant to our veteran missionary there, who after nearly twenty * It was fouuded in 1859, and has since then supplied the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa with upward of 120 ministers. years of ,unceasing toil in the mission field, had grown weak and aged in the Master's service.
Our people were never adverse to mission work; and as a whole our church contributed well for the cause.
This was, however, a new departure. A minister giving up his congre- gation to go to the heathen was something unknown before. A new im- pulse seemed to be given in that way to the good cause. More liberal con- tributions followed, and greater interest. This was the result also of a visit to the colony, and of addresses given everywhere by our veteran mis- sionary (Mr. Hofmeyer), who was enabled to leave his work for a short time through the assistance afforded him by Brother Helm.
At the same time, or thereabout, a society was started among the theo!
logical students of the theological college, known as the Students' Mis- sionary Society, with the object of getting contributions for the cause, but most of all to create a love for mission work among the future m~isters of the church. '
Not long after the ministers of the church formed among themselves a Ministers' Missionary Society.' This society has since sent out a~d is now supporting two missionaries in Nyassaland, in the vicinity of the sta- tions of the Scotch church. One of these missionaries is a son of one of the ministers of our ,Church, a young Ulan of ability and promise, who passed through his full theological course here, and after that had a few years' training in medicine, etc., at the Edinburgh University. Last year -especiaI1y through the influence of some American teachers from Mt.
Holyoke, engaged as such at the lIuguenot Seminary, Wellington, a large and flourishing educational institute for young ladies-a Woman's Mis- sionary Society was formed, with several branches throughout the colony, for the purpose specially of sending out and supporting lady helpers to the missionaries at our various mi~sion stations.
Toward the end of last year the session of our Synod took place.
Brother Helm from the Transvaal mission field (Zoutpausberg) was present.
lie earnestly advocated the claims of the Banyai. This tribe of Kaffirs in- habit a very healthy and fertile country north ot' the Transvaal and east of Matabeleland. The king of the latter country, a savage despot, con- siders the Banyai as his slaves, and has hitherto, for obvious reasons, re- fused evangelists the right of settling and laboring there. Attempts made by our church in previous years to send evangelists there proved vain, and even fatal to the life of one of them. But what hath the Lord wrought!
The British Soutb African Chartered Company obtains from the imperial Government a ~harter to settle in and develop those 'regions, especially Mashonaland, which lies more or less in between Matabeleland and Banyai- land. This company goes there with an armed police force, several hun- dreds strong, for the protection of its chartered rights, builds forts, etc., in short, colonizes the country, and in this way forms an effectual barrier for the Banyai against the oppressions and despotism of the Matabele. All at once the Lord has opened Banyailand. Brother Helm had just returned from a visit to that country when he appeared in the Synod. And now the Synod has decided, on his urgent appeals, to send, as soon as possible, three or four more ordained missionaries, men fully trained at the theological college, to occupy the open field-some in Banyailand, and others to stay at Zoutpausberg, and so enable the church to establish there a Training Institute for native evangelists, who by the side of the white mis. sionaries can do the great work waiting for us to be done there. Surely the Lord reigneth among the heathen! His blessed Kingdom must and will come also in those dark regions of South Africa. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly !
MONTAGU, CAPE COLONY, SOUTH AFRICA, January 26, 1891.
Dr. Arthur Mitchell, of New York, says of the rise and progress of woman's work for woman: "Great was the surprise of the entire Presbyterian Church when the first year the women sent to the Board *27,000, their greater snrprise when the next year it was $67,000, the third year, $87,000, the fourth year, $96,000, increasing the amount each year of the fifteen, except in one instance, until it has reached $250,000." Dr. Mitchell told of a good old doctor of divinity who, being on a committee on missions in the General Assembly, told in the report of what the women had done, gracefully Ilnd kindly giving them all due credit, but adding in humorous fashion, " You know the women are good collectors." "Can it be possible," thought Dr. Mitchell, who sat there listening, "that the good doctor does not know more of the sources from whence these women have their strength. I' They have three never-failing fountains from which to draw. The first, Organization. The work has been done systematically, until nearly all our churches have Woman's Foreign Missionary Societies, and even the children have their mission bands. Second, Information. They are far in advance of the men's Board in the number and character of their publications. They have, among other things, given to the world one of the best books on missions ever written, the " Historical Sketches of Missions." Influenced by Woman's Work, the Board improved the Foreign Missionary, until it seemed to have taken on a new life. Third, is the Sympathy existing between the women at home, who are interested in missions, and the missionaries in the field.
Dr. Smith, of Baltimore, says that he has, closely observed, from its be. ginning, this work of woman for woman, and at the close of fifteen years of trial and triumph, rejoiced to say that woman had found her tl'lle sphere in work for the Master, which leads her to the foot of the cross. The cross has always had a strange attraction for woman. Yes, even that plain wooden cross on Calvary drew all the Marys about it. This society has proved its right to a new name, Esther, the morning star, which shines brightly just hefore the dawning, and ushers in the glorious Sun of Rillhteousness.
TIlEl D1VINE AND SUPERNATUltAL IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
THE DIVINE AND SUPERNATURAL IN FOREIGN MISSIONS.
BY REV. EDWARD STORROW, BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.
IF anywhere we might expect to see Divine and providential manifesta- tions rising toward the supernatural, it is in the spbere of foreign missions, because they, in a pre-eminent degree, seek to honor God, express the mind and purposes of Christ, have their spheres of operation amid perils and dangers. encountered only that error and evil may be overthrown and God have the glory, which is His supreme righ~.
The missionary enterprise bears two features distinctly expressive of the Divine presence and blessing. First, these only can explain the origin, his- tory, and progress of the enterprise. Then there occur in its affairs a series of incidents which more than point at personal and supernatural intervention.
1. God must have put it into the hearts of His servants to form these societies. They are not after the manner of men, since they involve out- lay, trouble, responsibility, yet forbid any of the usual incentives of a return in money, honor, or personal aggrandizement.
2. These enterprises were all begun after much prayer. They not only were born and cradled in an atmosphere of prayer, but have lived in such an atmosphere.
3. There are manifold evidences of Divine interposition and guidance in the manner in which obstacles have been removed, openings made for their efforts, and snitable agencies for the most varied spheres provided.
4. In many instances the agents to begin the work and to nurture it into strength, both at home and abroad, have evidently been called of God and prepared for the spheres they have filled. So was it with Count Zinzendorf, the father and founder of the Christian Knowledge Society j the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel j the Baptist and London Societies j the American Board j the first Danish mission, and Mr. Hudson Taylor's. So was it with the pioneers: Hans Engedi, in Greenland j Zeigenbalg, Plutschan, Schultze, and Schwartz, in South India; Carey, ifarchman, Ward, and Duff, in Bengal ; Mor~ison, in China; Judson, in .Burmah j Moffat, in South Africa, and many others.
5. The manner in which, now for some three generations, this work has been sustained, and with steadily growing liberality, has nothing in the history of human effort to compare with it for disinterestedness, persistence, and widespread self-denial. It has come to pass that after years of detraction, some millions of people, unusually thoughtful and considerate of their expenditllre-most.ly belonging to the lower middle class of society -contribute spontaneously for th~ love of Christ, almost all in small sums. an aggregate amount of two and one half millions a year. (2 Chron. 5: 11-14.) 6. A Divine gnidance and control is surely seen in the direction Of tlJese ·societies. Considering that they h:l'1." had to originate policies; to enter on spheres but little known; to discover the best methods of opera- tion; to meet all manner of difficulties; to conduct their operations in countries most diverse, ·among all classes and conditions of non-Christian 'people, and to disburse annually an aggregate sum which has grown from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, one may marvel at the few great mistakes that have been made, the general good sense and practica- bility of their policies, and the honor and integrity with which their affairs have been conducted. No class of commercial, financial, or national under- takings can show a record as free from stain.
7. Equally noteworthy is the integrity of missionaries. Thousands of them have lived for years away from the rJstraints of civilized society, where the inducements to live loosely, to become mercenary, and to misuse power are strong. But how few have made shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience! Contrast the lives and conduct of missionaries in every quarter of the globe with those of adventurers, travellers, traders, where the two classes come into contact with barbarous or semi-barbarous races!
8. The success of missions. Their results prove them to be of Divine origin and to have the Divine blessing. Here it can only be pointed out, (1) that no doubt it always has been a most arduous task to make anyone a true Christian, or to overthrow the superstitions of any race in favor of Christianity. (2) That considering all the conditions of the stupendous problr-m, the marvel is that missions have been as successful as they are proved to be by the Divine change that has passed over the natures and the lives of hundreds of thousands of heathen people; by the change from heathenism to Christianity on the part of at least four million persons, and by many changes tending toward Christianity in the opinions, sentiments, customs, and condition of many races.
The only adequate explanation of all these facts and phenomena is, that connected with Christianity there is a personal God who interposes in human affairs, a Divine King who rules all things, and is guiding the affairs of the Christian Church (Matt. 28: 18-20; Eph. 1 :.15-23; Col. 1 : 9-20), and a Holy Spirit who potentially affects the thoughts, feelings, opinions, lives, and even moral·and spiritual natures of men (John 16 : 7-15 ; Gal. 5: 13-26; 2 Cor. 2 : 14-17.) Second, these great truths, assumed everywhere in Scripture, embodied in their history and the lives of saintly persons they record, find a plMe in the experience of the sen'ants of God now, and especially of those who have strong and simple faith, and choose their fields of action in heathen lands. (Ps. 35; 91; Mark 16 : 15-20; 2 Tim. 3: 10-13; 2 Cor. 11 : 16-33; 12 : 1-13.) 1. They are singularly preserved from the perils of the sea. The Moravian missionary ship, for instance, has sailed to and from Labrador for 120 years without any serious accident, though the voyage is an unusually precarious one. The case is so exceptional that the experienced Lord Gambier declared that he considered the continued preservation of this ship the most remarkable occurrence in maritime history that had corne to hi8 knowledge. * And this is but a small part of the MOr1lvian testimony. During 158 years, 2300 of their missionaries have sailed to foreign lands, hut only eleven times has shipwreck resulted in the loss of life. Of all the children of missionaries sent home to Europe in charge of friends, not one has per- ished at sea. And so it is with missions generally. A careful investiga- tion of the nautical affairs of any society will show how few missionary vessels have been lost, and how few missionaries or missionary families have perished by shipwreck.
2. Missionaries in some parts of Africa, India, and the Indian Archipelago have to live and travel where deadly reptiles and beasts of prey are numerous, but i.~ there an instance of one of them thus dying?
3. Their protection from violent men is very marked. The escape of five Malagasy refugees to England was a series of providential interventions. Three of them were chiefly sustained for six months in a forest by food brought by a friend a distance of fifty miles. One of them would have been apprehended by soldiers in a house where she was hiding had not the noise made by cr()w~ given warning of their approach. On another occasion she only escaped by lying in a bog with her head concealed in rushes. She was recognized by a slave, who told her master, but he would not believe her. A house in which she was hidden was searched, but she was not found. On their flight to the coast they had to travel by night, often lost their way, had to avoid villages, soldiers, and spies, to be ferried across a river swarming with alligators, where the boatmen were on the watch for fugitives. H~w they escaped was a marvel to their enemies, to themselves, and to their friends. t On one occasion Livingstone had to pass through a dense· forest along a narrow path. In one pIneo the path was obstructed, and men stationed to kill him. A large spear hurlcc1. past almost grazed his back. "As," he writes, "they IJ,re expert with the spear, I don't know how it missed, except that he was too sure of his aim, and the good hand of God was upon me." All his party were allowed to pass a certain place when another spear was thrown at him by an unseen assailant, and it missed him by about a foot in front.
Further on he saw a gigantic tree on fire, but felt no alarm until he saw it .come straight toward him and fall a yard behind him. Had the branches not previously been rotted off, he could scarcely have escaped. "Thus, three times in one day," he says, " was I delivered from impending death.
The first missionaries to the Fegeans were exposed to great perils, for not only were they threatened with death, but stood again and again before mfuriated men, who avowed their purpose to kill them, as repeatedly, and.
* "Brief Account of the Moravian Missionary Ships Employed for Labrador."
t "Madagascar: its Missions aud its Martyrs." without compunction they killed and ate their own people. "On one occa- sion they were told that they too would soon be killed. The king's Bon in a fury came for this purpose, and only with great difficulty was restrained. The peoplo seemed bent on mischief and murder. One night they assem- bled near the house of the missionaries, giving unmistakable signs of their intent. The missionaries and their wives resolved to die praying. But &S they prayed a ringing shout outside announced that the murderous purpose of the multitude was abandoned. * The autobiography of J. G. Paton abounds with providential occur- rences. These are some of them: Some of his converts resolved to visit an inland village much opposed to Christianity. They were told, "If you come you will be killed." They went, nevertheless, unarmed. Many spears were thrown at them. Some they evaded, others they caught or turned aside in an incredible ·manner. The heathen, amazed at these men coming unarmed, and instead of throwing back the spears, still pressing on in a calm and cheerful manner, desisted, perfectly overawed. The chief and all his tribe came into the school of Christ, and, Mr. Paton adds: " There is, perhaps, not an island in these Southern seas, among all those won for Christ, where similar acts of heroism on the part of converts can· not be recited by every missionary to the honor of our poor natives and to the glory of Christ."
For months, almost years, he lived through repeated outbreaks of sav- age hostility. Of one of these occasions he writes: "The inhabitants for miles around united in seeking our destruction, but God put it into strange hearts to save us." " My enemies seldom slackened their hateful designs. against my life, however calmed or baffled for the moment. When natives in large numbers were at my house, a man furiously rushed on me with his axe; but a chief snatched a spade, with which I had been working, and dexterously defended me from instant death. Life in such circumstances led me to cling very near to the Lord Jesus. I knew not for one brief hour when or how attack might be made; and yet with my ~rembling hand clasped in the hand once nailed on Calvary, calmness and peace and resigna- tion reigned in my soul" (Col. 1 : 19).
"A wild chief followed me about for four hours with his loaded mus- ket, and though often direCted against me, God restrained his hand.
" One evening I awoke three times to hear a chief and his men trying to force the door of my houso. God restrained them again; and next – m"orning the report went all round the harbor that those who tried to shoot me were smitten weak with fear, and that' shooting would not do. ' A plan was therefore set on foot to fire the premises and club us if we attempted to escape."
"One day, while toiling away at my house, a war chief, his brother, and a large party of armed men surrounded the plot where I was working.
* "Fege and the Fegeans." By Thomas Williams. They watched. me for some time in silence, and then every man levelled a musket straight at my head."
After a strange, terrible journey in the night through an unknown region, dangerous to strangers, and abounding with enemies, the natives who heard of his escape, exclaimed: "Surely any of us would have been killed. Your Jehovah God alone thus protects you and brings you home. "
On his final flight with a few friends, they lIaw, as far as the eye could reach, the shore covered with armed men, and, overwhelmed with fear, his native friends hopelessly exclaimed: "Missa, it's of no use, we shall all be killed and eaten to-day I" Nowar, a friendly chief, said to Paton: " Misse, sit down and pray to our Jehovah God, for if He does not send deliverance now we are all dead men. " Presently he said: " Missa, Jehovah is hearing. They are all standing still." So it was, though there was nothing whatever to oppose their advance; and presently the host turned and marched back in great silence.
Instances like the following have been by no means rare : Kapaio, a native of one of the New Hebrides, confessed, after he became a Christian, that for many months he was on the watch to take Mr. Geddie's life. He was a strong and powerful man, familiar with violence and bloodshed, and one blow from his club would have caused death. One night, as he was on the watch, Mr. Geddie went out of his house alone and passed close by the bush which concealed Kapaio. Now was the opportunity for which he had long waited. He grasped his club, but he was powerless to strike; a strange sensation came over him, and he could not hurt the man who was entirely in his power, whom he hated and came to kill.
4. The manner in which the temporal wants of missionaries are supplied is remarkable. No class of civilized men going among the uncivili2ed are really so dependent, or have as few material resources as missionaries, and yet in a manner which is extraordinary, their daily wants are met. Is there an instance on record of a missionary or his family dying of want excepting through folly or imprudence 1 And in many cases of exigency supplies have come evidently from God.
Dr. Fisher writes from the Garenganze Mission, South-East Africa, December 8th, 1889 : "Yesterday two circumstances occurred which we cannot doubt, were ordered by our blessed Lord. In the morning our meal bag which supplied us for three weeks was empty. We had told the nati,.es for five days that we wanted meal, but none came. In the afternoon meal was brought by five different women, which was all freshly pounded, the whole just filling our bag. Then six carriers came yesterday wanting their pay. I had no cloth with me, and wanted three different varieties in order to pay them. As it happened, three of the six loads which they brought were bales, and to my surprise each a different kind of cloth, so I was able to pay the men off. I took both these circumstances as the manifest and loving care of the Lord for us. "
S~me of the Moravian missions in the North of Europe and America supply a continuous series of such instances, since they are placed where almost all their supplies must be drawn from other countries, and the sup- plies, though often interrupted, hardly ever fail.
So it is with large numbers of missionaries who cast themselves directly on the providence of God. He honors their trust.
5. God answer8 prayer. Here is an instance: Two years ago the lo()al secretary of a branch of the Gleaner's Union obtained some African curi- osities from the C. M. House t,o exhibit at a Mother's Meeting. She was instructed to forward them next day to a clergyman in a distant town. She sent them off j and the same night, being sleepless, it occurred to her to pray that the clergyman, of whom she only knew the name, might use them effeotively, and that his influence might be instrumental in sending forth some young missionary from his parish. This she did, by the space of two hours j and from that day, every month for two year8, she looked in The Gleaner to see if anyone had been accepted from that town. In a recent number she found, to her intense joy, that the clergyman him8elf was going out! The world would call this a striking coincidence j what do we call it ?
So, when some of the friends of the China Inland Mission, moved by the wants of that great empire, united in definite prayer that the Lord would enable them to lIelid 100 more missionaries, the prayer was heard, and the 100 were sent.
The "Lone Star" Mission among the Telugus was saved from extinction and nurtured into extraordinary success by prayer. When it was very low, a missionary; his wife, and three native helpers on the first day of the year ascended a hill overlooking Ongole. They saw the large town and some fifty villages wholly given to idolatry, and, moved by the sight, each one in turn prayed that God would send a missionary to Ongole. The prayer was heard, though it was not answered for twelve years; but in little more than twelve other years the little church of eight souls had become 12,000 tried converts with a yet greater number of general adherents.
When the church numbered 143 members, they made it a special request, during the week of prayer early in 1869, that God would convert and add to the church during the year 500 souls. The number baptized into the Ongole church was 573, as well as 53 into the neighb,oring church at Nellore. And that was but the beginning of blessing.
At a special missioMry service, Dr. Ryland, And!:,ew Fuller, and others, solemnly agreed to pray for the immediate conversion of J abez, the son of Dr. Carey, then in India. Some time after a letter was received from Dr. Carey, giving details of the time and manner of his son's conversion, from which it appeared that he was converted at the precise time they had united in prayer.
The Rev. James Calvert, * acting on the idea that prayer and effort for 1he conversion of selected individuals would be honored by God, thus • The Life of James Calvert. prayed for the conversion of Thakumbau King of Fege. His prayers were heard, ~nd this greatly tended to bring about the man-ellous spiritual revo- lution witnessed in these il!lands.
6. The evidence is ample of Divine interposition and guidance. For instance, the chief of Fallungia, West Africa, prayed for twenty years for a missionary, and one was found in an unexpected manner. * So Barnabas Shaw was thus directed to his important sphere. He was not all~wed to settle near Cape Town, so he relilolved to seek a sphere in the interior. For a month he travelled on, not knowing whither he went; but as be halted, the chief of Little Namagualand, with four attendants, halted beside him. They were on their way to Cape Town in search of a missionary, now greatly desired by their tribe. They and he thought they saw in this unexpected meeting the finger of God; and Shaw's great success in subsequent years proved that they were not mistaken.
Hundreds of missionaries, looking back on their past careers, have been conscious that they were guided to their scenes of labor by God, and have noted numerous events in their history which neither chance, nor coincidence, nor human aid adequately explain.
So, too, of events. Our belief in a personal God and an overruling Providence justifies us in believing that He sent Carey to India to give so many versions of the Scriptures to the people. That He sent that copy of the Pushtoo Bible to the Afghan, who kept it " from fire and from water" for thirty years, so that when it was resolved to reprint this Serampore version, this copy was the only one that could be found in India; who guided that copy of the Japanese New Testament, floating in one of the harbors of that empire, into lands where it was greatly blessed by God; who sent through shipwreck and heavy loss the ruined merchant to Mr. Ross, of Manchuria, when he was at a loss to find anyone competent to assist him to translate the New Testament into Corean. Surely the God of Israel still guides His people, going before them in a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night.
And He avenges and punishes as well as guides. Listen! In January, 1878, the Day-Spring, the mission ship of the New Hebrides, was wrecked on a coral reef. She was bought at an auction sale by a French slaving company, who managed to get her off the reef, and intended to use her in the Kanaka traffic-a euphemism for South Sea slavery. This filled the missionaries and native converts with horror and alarm, for they knew that, deceived by the name, many simple natives would be allowed on board only to find, instead of a mission vessel, that they were entrapped for the most brutal, unjust, and cruel of purposes, and that revenge would perhaps be taken for the wrong done on the missionaries, as in the case of Bishop Patterson. What could be done 1 Nothing but cry to God, which all the friends of the mission did night and day, not without tears. Listen! The French slavers, anchoring their prize in the * "Remarklble Pl'ovidences, " p. 205. By the Rev. J. R. Phillips. bay, and greatly rejoicing, went on shore to celebrate the event. They drank and feasted and revelled. But that night a mighty storm arose. The old Day-Spring dragged her anchor, and at daybreak she was seen again on the reef, this time with her back broken in two, and forever unfit for service either fair or foul !
Speaking of the Europeans who trade in unrighteousness, Mr. Paton says: " Thousands upon thousands of pounds were made in the sandalwood trade, but it was a trade steeped in blood and indescribable vice. Nor could God's blessing rest on them or their ill-gotten gains. I have scarcelyknown one of the traders who did not come to ruin and poverty.
" The money that came in to the ship-owners was a conspicuous curse. Fools made a mock at sin, thinking that no one cared for these poor savages; but their sin did find them out."
So of the enemies and friends of the worship, as it was called on Tanna, Mr. Paton says: "This Miaki and his followers were a scourge and terror to the whole island of Tanna. They intensely hated Nowar because he would not join in their cruelties. Yet he and Manumauaud, Sirawia, and Taimungo continued to live long after war and death had swept all the others away. The first three lived to be very old men, and to the last they made a profession of being Christians." (Ps. 7 : 8-17 j Ps. 58 j Eccles. 8: 11-13 j Rom. 11 : 2-16 j Rev. 18: 4-8.) THE MISSIONARY CALL.
TUNE: "Still There's More to Follow."
Hark, the bugle call of God ! Down the ages sounding, " Go ye, and proclaim abroad News of grace abounding !"
CHORus.-Tell the news! Tell the news! Let the farthest nation Hear the sound, the world around, Tidings of salvation!
Let the sacred heralds go, Through the vales and mountains j Steady streams of trensure flow From the golden fountains! [CHORUS.
Go to woman, now enslaved [CHORUS. In her household prison, Tell her, you whom Jesus saved, He was dead-is risen J Hosts of God, march round the wall !
While the trumpet's pealing j Satan's mighty towers will fall, God's own power revealing! CHORUS.
A.T. P.
THE PENTECOST ON THE CONGO
THE PENTECOST ON THE CONGO.
BY J. R. MILLER, D.D., PHILADELPHIA.
THE Acts of the Apostles closes like an unfinished book. The truth is, it is an unfinished book, and new chapters are continually being added to it. The wonderful stories of modern missions belong really to the samevolume.
Few narratives of missionary experience in all this century surpass in thrilling interest the account of the work of the past twelve years at Banza Manteke, in Africa. In 1879 the Rev. Henry Richards went from Eng. land to Africa as a missionary of the Livingstone Inland Mission. He established a station at Banza Manteke, one hundred and fifty miles from the mouth of the Congo, and ten miles south of that great river. In its earlier years the mission was transferred to the American Baptist Missionary Union, and now there is a large Baptist church there, in the midst of a great heathen population, upon which it is pouring the light of the Gospel.
Mr. Richards came to this country last year to tell the wonderful story of the Lord's work on the Congo. This story is so full of interest that it is here condensed from the missionary's own accounts into a simple narrative.
Stanley travelled from Zanzibar around the lakes and down the Congo for a thousand days, and though many thousands of people passed before him each day, he did not find one that knew the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1879 two missionaries were sent out to penetrate this trackless region. They succeeded in getting some distance into the country to a place called Palabala. Mr. Richards, with some others, was sent to try to get, if possible, to Stanley Pool. But the difficulties were very great–insurmountable for men of any but intrepid courage and indomitable persistence. At length the missionaries reached Banza Manteke, and being unable to go any farther, they decided to stay there and establish a station. There were many villages near by, and the people were inclined to be friendly.
They had only one tent, and they built a hut of the long grass that grew all about them. There, in . September, 1879, Mr. Richards fonnd himself alone among people who were entirely unknown to him. He knew nothing either of their customs or of their language. He at once began to study the people, tut, not knowing a word of their language, found it very difficult. Some things, however, he soon learned. For one, they all seemed to be thieves. They would take everything on which they could lay their hands. He would look into their faces and accuse them of stealing his things, but they would deny it without the slightest hesitation.
Mr. Richards gives a most interesting description of his experience in learning their language. They had no dictionaries, no grammars, no books, no literature of any kind. No white man had ever learned the language. He took a note-book and determined to write down pbonetically everything he could hear, with the meaning that he supposed belonged to the word. In this way he soon had a number of words, phrases, and sentences, and at once began to use them. Although the people would laugh at his pronunciations and at the way he put his words together, he did not mind it, but persisted in his effort.
Some words he found it very hard to get. He noticed that the affection between the mothers and their children was very strong, and he wished to get the word for mother. At last he thought he had succeeded, but afterward he learned that the word which he supposed meant mother really stood for a full-grown man. He was three months in finding out the word for yesterday.
At length he began to try to get hold of the grammar of the language. He began with the nouns, and sought for the way of forming plurals. He expected to discover some modification at the end of the words, but could not detect any such change. After much experimenting he learned that there were sixteen classes of nouns, with as many modes of forming the plural. In like manner he discovered that there were seventeen different classes of verbs, with very many tenses besides the ordinary present, past, and future, each having its specific form. The shades of meaning in these variations are often very delicate and beautiful.
The language is not, as one would suppose, a mere jargon, but is really very beautiful, euphonious and flowing, with numerous inflections. When one has acquired it it is very easy to preach in it and to translate the Scriptures into it. Says Mr. Richards: "I think if some of our best linguists were to try to form a perfect language, they could not do better than to follow the Congo. It seems to be altogether superior to the people; and there must have been a time when they were in a high state of civilization, from which in some way they have degenerated."
After learning in this patient way enough of the language to use it a little, he" began to try to find out the customs, superstitions, and religiou of the people. He found that they believed in a great Creator, who made all things. He asked them why they did not worship this Nzambi, and they said they did not think He was a good God and they did not thank Him. He did not concern Himself about them j He was too far away. They had little images cut out of wood-some like themselves, with birds' heads, beaks, and claws; others like animals. These are their gods. They trust in them for protection from harm, sickness, death, or misfortune, hut never expect to receive any blessings from them. They arc believers in witchcraft, to which they attribute all evils and misfortunes. They have charms to counteract witchcraft. They have witch-doctors, for whom they send if anyone is sick. 'The doctor comes, and with a great many incantations tries to drive the demon out. Sometimes the doctor points out some person as the witch, and this person then has to take the test by poison. If he ejects it, they say he is innocent i but if it kiJll~ him they say he was ~uilty. The missionary at length began to show them that sickness and death, and all misfortunes, were due not to witchcraft, but to sin. He gave them the Bible account of the creation and the fall. Then he began to try to show them th/!-t God is not only a great Creator, all-powerful, but that He is also kind and loving. They would ask many questions, some of which Mr. Richards found it hard to answer to their satisfaction. He continued, however, for four years, teaching them about the creation, the fall, the flood, and the history of the Israelites, thinking it necessary to give them some idea of the Old Testament before beginning with the New. But the people were just as much heathen at the end of this time as when he first went among them. There was no evidence of any change. They did not feel themselves to be sinners.
About this time Mr. Richards was at home for a season of rest, and while there he spoke to one who had had much experience in mission work, saying he did not see how he could preach a Saviour until the people felt themselves to be sinners. He was advised to go back and preach the law -for it is the law that convinces of sin. So, on reaching Banza Manteke again, the first thing he did was to translate the Ten Commandments, and then he began to read and expound them to the people. They said the com- mandments were very good, and claimed that they had kept them. The most plain and personal applications of the law made no impression on them. So two years more passed with no result; the people were no better than when he first went to them. He began to grow hopeless of any good from preaching among them. He had gained their respect, and they were kind to him, but that was all.
At last, in his discouragement, Mr. Richards began to study the Scrip- tures anew for himself, feeling that there was some mistake in his preacb~ ing. In the early days souls were converted; why not now ~ Had the Gospel lost any of its power ~ If heathen then turned from their idols to serve the living God, why should not these people in Banza Manteke do the same? He studied the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, and began to see his mistake. The commission is not, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Law," but" Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel." .
It was the turning-point in the work of this lonely missionary. He determined to preach the Gospel. Five times in four chapters Peter ac.- cuses the people of the crucifixion of Jesus. Another thing that struck him was that the disciples were bidden to wait until they were clothed with power from on high. He felt that he had not this power. He went again to his work, determined to preach the Gospel, and cry to God for the promised power.
Then he had to decide precisely what the Gospel was. If he preached Jesus and Him crucified, the people would want to know who Jesus was.
He decided to take Luke's gospel, as this seemed the most complete and the most suitable for Gentiles. He began tran~lating ten or twelve verses a day, and then read and expounded them, asking God to bless His qwn Word. At once the people were more interested in the Gospel than they had been when he preached the law. As he went on he was greatly encouraged.
When he came to the sixth chapter of Luke, thirtieth verse, a difficulty arose. The people were notorious beggars. They would ask for anything they saw that pleased their eye-his blanket, his knife, his plate ~and whIm he would say he could not give the things to them, they would reply," You can get more." Here now were the words of the Gospel: "Give to every man that asketh of thee." The missionary was greatly perplexed as to what to do with that verse. He let his helper in translation go away, and went to his room to pray over the matter. The time for the daily serviM was drawing near. What should he do 1 Why not pass over that verse? But his conscience told him that would not be honest dealing with the Scripture. Time for service came j but, instead of advancing he went back to the beginning of the Gospel, reviewing the earlier part. Thus he would gain time for fuller consideration of the text. Still he could not find that it meant anything but just what it said. He consulted a commentary, and it said Jesus was giving general principles, and that we must use com::non sense in interpreting His words. But this did not satisfy the missionary. If we are allowed to interpret oue Scripture in this way, why not others? Leaving the meaning to be decided by " common sense" seemed a very unsafe course.
After a fortnight of prayer and consideration he concluded that our Lord meant just what He said j and he went and read it to the people. He told them that this was a very high standard, and it would probably take him a lifetime to live up to it j but he meant to live what he preached to them. After the address the natives began to ask him for things, and he gave them what they wanted. He wondered whereunto this thing would grow i but he told the Lord he could not see any other meaning in His words. However, the people were evidently deeply impressed by his course. One day he overheard one say: " I got this from the white man." Then another said: "I am going to ask him for such a thing. " But a third said: " No i buy it if you want it." The leaven of grace was working in their hearts. After that they rarely ever asked him for anything.
Mr. Richards then went on translating and expounding Luke's gospel, and the interest continually increased. The climax was reached when he came to the account of the crucifixion of Christ. There was a large congregation the day he read this passage. He reminded the people of the kindness and goodness of Jesus and of His works of mercy, and then pointed to Him nailed upon the cross between two thieves, and said: " Jesus never would have died if we had not been sinners j H was because of your sins and mine that He died." The impression was very deep. It seemed that indeed the Holy Ghost had fallcn~upon the people. He continued preaching. One day, as they were returning from a ser- vice, Lutale, the man who had helped him in translating, began to sing one of the Congo hymns. His face shone with joy, and he said: "I do be- lieve those words; I do believe Jesus has taken away my sin~; I do believe He has saved me." After seven years of toil and weary waiting and suffering here was the first convert at Banza Manteke. At once Lutale began testifying what the Lord had done for him. But the people became his enemies and tried to poison him. He had' to leave his town and live with Mr. Richards for safety. For a time there were no more converts. However, the people were stirred. By and by the king's son became a Christian. Shortly after this another man came wit,h his idols, and placing them on a table, said, savagely, that he wanted to become a Christian. He soon began to preach. So the work went on until ten were converted. These all had to leave their own homes, however, as they were threatened with death. The missionary now shut up his house, and taking these men with him, went from town to town preaching the Gospel. The people were greatly moved, and one after another came over to Christ's side. Two daily meetings were held, and inquirers were numerous. The work continued and was blessed, until all the people immediately around Banza Manteke had abandoned their heathenism. More than one thousand names were enrolled in a book of those who gave ~vidence of real conversion.
Four years have now passed, and Mr. Richards has carefully noted the results of the work. Most of the converts are holding on their way. About three hundred have been baptized. The Church is earnest and spiritual. There has been much persecution, but the Christians have not been intimidated by this. Many examples of earnestness are reported. Materials for a chapel (provided through the liberality of Dr.· Gordon's church in Boston) were brought to a point fifty or sixty miles distant, and the people carried them all the way to Banza Manteke, over rough roads. Some of them went four or five times, each trip requiring a week. In all there were about seven hundred loads, of sixty pounds each, and the whole thapel was thus carried, and without charge.
The people, thieves before, became honest. Liars before, they now became truthful. They have also become industrious and cleanly. The women want to dress better. The men are more energetic and industrious. Witchcraft, poison-giving, and all such heathen practices were put away by those who confessed Christ. Many brought their idols, and at the first baptism they had a bonfire of images, destroying thus every vestige of Idolatry.
This sketch of the work at Banza Manteke, given almost in, the words of Mr. Richards, though greatly condensed, is' sufficiently full to indicate the method pursued and the different stages of progress. The story is of intense interest, and is also full of instruction not only for missionaries in heathen lands, but for Christian workers in any field.
AN AFRICAN DEVIL'S BUSINESS AliD ITS ARAB AGENTS
AN AFRICAN DEVIL'S BUSINESS AND ITS ARAB AGENTS; OR, THE SLAVE TRADE OF THE PRESENT DAY: WHO CARRIES IT ON, WHERE ARE THE SLAVES USED, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP THE BUSINESS?
BY FREDERIC PERRY NUBLE, NEWBERRY LIBRARY, CHICAGO, ILL.
I.-THE FIELD AND THE HUNTERS.
Draw a line from Cape Verde to Cape Guardafui. Coast southward along Somauliland until you strike the equator. Run inland to Lake Vic- toria. Prolong an eastern boundary from its south-eastern corner to Lake Nyassa, and down the Shire River. Follow up the Zambesi to its source in Lake Dilolo ; then draw a line to Stanley Pool on the Congo, and fol- low the curve of the Gulf of Guinea, but at an average distance from the sea of about one hundred miles, until we come back to our starting.point in Senegambia. Thus, generaJly speaking, the Sahara, the Indian Ocean, the great lakes, the Zambesi, and the coast lands of the Atlantic constitute the boundaries within which the devil's-business of man-hcnting is pur- sued. With the exception of the Guinea coast and the west half of the Congo State, there is scarcely a recess into which the Arab has not pene- • trated. His hunting-grounds comprise, (1) the independent Soudan, (2) the for-mer Egyptian Soudan, (3) the heart of Central Africa, i.e., between the Congo and the lakes, and the Zambesi countries.
1. First and foremost among slave-stealers stand people from the east coast. These consist of shore tribes called Swahili, of half-caste Arabs, of resident Hindus called Banians, and of Portuguese in Mozambique, or up the Zambesi. Their boundaries of action lie between the Aruwimi, Lakes Albert-Edward and Victoria, Lake Nyassa and Shire River, the Zambesi as far as Victoria Falls, thence to Lake Bangweolo, where only yesterday , the Arabs instigated the Awamba negroes to pursue a most destructive sys- tem of slaving among the inhabitants of its northern and western shores; down the Lualaba-Congo to Nyangwe, whence they swing 100 miles west to Lumami River. Not more than 400 Arabs operate here; but they employ armed negroes in such numbers-Tippu Tib alone being reportfld to have 2000 men in his pay-that perhaps] 0,000 bandits wage war upon the blacks in this section. Until now the Free State post at Stanley Falls, even under Tippu Tib's governorship, kept the Arabs east of that point. But now that Tippu Tib is at Zanzibar, impotent with paralysis, his hotblooded kinsfolk are swarming over the barrier, and are fulfilling the prediction that they must yet be battled with. In March, 1891, seeing that the Free State's forces stop their passage across the Aruwimi, the slaveraiders turned north, reached the Welle, and threatened the Free State's port on that stream. The situation is alarming in the extreme, for the Congo State has no adequate revenue for military purposes, and America has robbed it of the means to secure itself. Its principal stations have
R .A
T SLAVE TRADE MAP OF ocEA EQUATORIAL, REPRINTE 0 FROM "T'HE ARABS IN CENTRAL ArRICA AND ATLAlo<E NYASSA IJ BY J,STEVENSON,F:R.S.E ..
F=Sc~a~1~e~1.~.2~3~,O=O=O:;,O~O~O='~ o ]QQ 200 0300 4boArU98.
-Tracl<s ofSlaveCaravan.r and S love-Hunter.r.
["//lPJ~rjP~~e~~;::~ ~r;:;;:z~ -1~~~~~~~~~~·~~~~7~At~-~::~–~-·J~~ti.;(~~~~~~~~~~~<r~~~~ tit", Coast or Districts near it.
AN AFRICAN DEVn!S BUSINESS AND ITS ARAB AGENTS
been Zanzibar, Bagamoyo, Kilwa, and Quilimane (all on the coast), U-nyanyembe, U-jiji, and Kazembe's toward the lakes, with Nyangwe and Stanley Falls on the Congo. The main lines of travel were three: (1) Erom Manyuema via Tanganika Lake, U-jiji, and U-nyanyembe to Bagamoyo, Kilwa, and Zanzibar; (2) from Lakes Bangweolo and Moero, with a branch across Lake Nyassa to Mozambique; (3) from Lake Victoria to coast towns.
2. Next in power for evil come the slavers of the Egyptian Soudan, with Khartum as their centre. This territory comprises the Nile basin of 2,000,000 square miles, reaching from the Blue Nile to Lake Victoria 1500 miles south,and to the Welle River in the northeast quarter of the Congo State. There the Mabdist and the Zanzibaris lock hands. When Baker was appointed governor in 1869, he fuund 15,000 Egyptians, or Turks, engaged in slaving; and the number cannot now be less. Emin's former province of Equatoria and West Abyssinia are their .latest victims- Khartum, Fashoda, Sennaar, Gondokoro, and (formerly) Massowah the depots. The export route is the Nile, or overland through Darfur and Kordofan. In 1873 these fellows annually smuggled 50,000 slaves into Egypt, Tripoli, Arabia, Turkey, Persia, and eyen Turkestan. There are reasons for fearing the number to be as large to-day. The power and organization of the Khartum slavers may be inferred from the fact that during the Brussels Anti-slavery Conference, 200 delegates assembled at Khartum to devise measures for suppressiug Europe and America's rum traffic with Africa. They resolved to girdle Africa with dhows, confiscate every vessel containing liquor, and sell the crews into slavery. May the worst men lose !
3. The third principal source of supply is the native Soudan. This is about 2500 miles long by 500 wide, and forms one vast hunting ground, with Arabs from Morocco, Tripoli, or Kabylia as Nimrods. From Wadai these marauders penetrate to a point among the cannibal Nyams and dwarfs as far south as the Congo. Captives are transported to the market of Kuka, on Lake Tc,had, where about 10,000 are annually bought by Barbary dealers, and marched across the Sahara to the Fezzan, an oasis south of Tripoli. There they are sold to the south and east coasts of the Mediterranean. The sufferings en route have been so dreadful that very many succumb; and travellers unacquainted with the road need only follow the bones lying right and left. From the West Soudan, via Sok6to and Timbuktu, slaves are also sent to Morocco, where almost every town has its market. Throughout Africa nearly all Mohammedan towns arc receiving and distributing centres for the" black beasts." Morocco owns 50,000 slaves, and annually imports about 4000.
4. There are also minor sources; these, however, being less only by contrast. (1) In Congo State a domestic slave trade is fiercely pursued by large, powerful tribes between Stanley Pool and Stanley Falls. In this western half, as in general through the central belt extending from Senegambia to Uganda, the possession of many slaves is indispensable to tho dignity and power of head men, both in this life and after death. Their. decease is the signal for human sacrifices on a huge scale. Near the mouth of the Mobangi-Welle the inhabitants sell their war captives to the cannibals of its upper reaches expressly for food, and the latter even wage wars for the one object of capturing" long pig." (2) In Lunda, between Angola and the southwest of Congo State, Portuguese subjects enslave its people than dose around the sources of Zambesi River. Cameron was, in 18'75, informed that slaves (at least a few) were still exported from the Portuguese west coast. On the east coast the Portuguese (African and European) ship" black ivory" from Mozambique and Sofalaland. In 1880 the British Consul at Mozambique City rated the annual export at 3000 louIs; but an increased demand for ivory afterward gave the business fresh impulse, the two trades being hand and glove. In 1888 a Portuguese officer, reporting from his post in the interior, said of its commerce ,: " The lole trade of this district at present consists in slaves." Thus Portuguese authorities demonstrate that under their flag the slave trade has so increased and strengthened that to-day there is a yearly export of 10,000 slaves to Madagascar and the Comoros. (3) At the Gulf of Aden slaving is very active in Somauliland, where the slaves are bought or stolen from the Gallas inland, from Guragwe, and the Shillooks or Denkas. Abyssinia has many markets; and former Mahdists have swept thousands of its native Christians into slavery in Arabia. (4) Across the continent the natives of French Loanga, the German Cameroons, and Ashantee and Dahomey hunt their fellow-men relentlessly. (5) Uganda seems to link the Soudan and Zanzibar trades, since M'wanga formerly stole and sold 80,000 people each year, while one competent authority rated that export at 180,000 slaves. Central Africa contains 41 slave routes, varying from 100 to 1'000 miles in length; 16 slave-producing areas of less or larger extent, and 6 regions (several larger than Ireland) which have been all but depopulated, if not utterly unpeopled.
H.-THE METHODS.
The methods of slaving involve the commission of every crime. Before 18'70 slaving was generally commerce j to-day it is murder and robbery. Invasion of peaceful communities, not seldom prosperous or semi-civilized, firing villages at midnight, massacring terror-stricken men as they start from sleep to fall amid burning huts into sleep that knows no waking; kidnapping women and children, or holding them as hostages for a ransom of ivory from yet surviving fathers and husbands j and gratifying every instinct of lust and cruelty-all constitute its ways and means.
We wish, however, to scan the inner workings of the system, and must, therefore, concentrate attention upon Zanzibar as being fairly enough typical.
Among its commercial classes, none before 1890 exercised so much influence on the trade of East Africa as did the Banian, who number thousands. The Arabs are nearly all in their debt j and if a trader planned to journey to Uganda or Nyangwe or Nyassa for slaves or ivory, gum-copal or orchilla, he would borrow $5000 at fifty, sixty, or even seventy per cent interest, and purchase goods. At his journey's end they would have more than trebled in purchasing power. Leaving Bagamoyo or Kilwa with a caravan numbering 100, 300, or 500 pcople, our half-caste, who is mer- chant or murderer, as circumstances permit, takes several months to reach U -nyanyembe. In the maritime district kidnapping is seldom attempted, for the natives stand ready to avenge the slightest affront with bloody hands, and to use firearms whenever opportunity presents itself. From U-nyanyembe (Tabora) routes diverge to U-jiji and Uganda. Passing to U -jiji, he might either purchase slaves at its market or push into Manyema, 150 miles beyond Tanganika Lake (so Stanley pronounces and writes). At U-jji 5 dotti of cloth worth $7.50 would purchase a slave worth $30 at Zanzibar, while $6 would purchase ordinary males, whose value at U-nyanyembe would equal $25. Leaving $3500 as capital, this secured 464 slaves who, if surviving the march to Bagamoyo, realized $13,920 there-a net profit of $10,420. Nor is there reason to !luppose that their value in 1890 was less at marine marts, whence they could still be exported; and often the traders did better still, almost always returning with an enormous margin of gain.
Manyema, in 1865 an unknown country to these Arabs, has for twenty years been an El Dorado of ivory. When the first slaver returned in 1867 with a wealth of tusks and with tales of fabulous quantities of the precious article, the beaten tracks of Uganda and of Tanganika's coasts to east and south became comparatively deserted. Nevertheless, in the long band of country extending from Lake Victoria to Zambesi's wave the slaver has since ravaged and ruined so ruthlessly, that many populous, fertile districts have been reduced to deserts, and in every village around the great lakes no woman or child wandering ten minutes away has any likelihood of ever seeing home again. In Manyema firearms made even small parties of Arabs invincible. This helplessness and the ridiculously low price of ivory led to the new era in slaving, to the methods of the present day, and the rise of the Tagamoyos Tippu Tibs, and Ugarrowall.
Ivory cost, in copper wire or in beads, from one half to one and one quarter cents a pound in 1870-its value in Zanzibar being from $50 to $60 the 35 pounds. To-day that amount is worth $105, and is bought with bullets and blood. The new-comers, urged on by greed and ferocity, began the practice of wholesale massacre. They would accumulate tusk upon tusk for years, till great piles were buried beneath their huts. Suddenly they would "one day pick a quarrel, seize herds and goods, and shoot the men, sparing only enough to carry ivory. They fired the village, and the march worse than death had begun. Multitudes perish merely as beasts of burden; but ·for every slave-porter escaping or succumbing, a man is stolen or bought from the nearest tribe. This supplies its losses by seizure from Beighbors, and thus the caravan, even on the road, Cfl'ates a constant circu- lation of human cl1rrency in every local centre traversed. The Arab wreaks a ruin even greater than the annihilation of tribes outright. He keeps the region in a perpetual ferment, pits chief against chief to prevent com- bination, and either makes tools of tribes likely to become dominant, or shatters them by instigating rebellion among their dependants.
It is in the Congo forest that the frightful atrocities of the Arab slavers reach the depths of hellishness. Within an area equal to France and the Iberian peninsula, Tagamoyo, Tippu Tib, and Kilonga.Longa have suc- ce8sively harried, kidnapped, and murdered, till exaggeration by the nar- rator is. sheer impossibility. The sailor was right who said, on seeing slavers, " If the devil don't catch those fellows, we might as well have no devil at all."
November 27th, 1883, when founding establishments in the :Congo State, Stanley met with the Arabs of Nyangwe. He discovered that this horde of banditti-for in reality and without disguise they were nothing else-had started in July, 1882, from a village half way from Nyangwe to Stanley Falls. The ban 1 numbered 300 fighting men armed with flint- locks, double-barrelled percussion guns, and a few breech-loaders; their domestic slaves and the women doubled the numbers. For 11 months they had raided the left bank of the Congo for 100 miles, and as far north as Aruwimi-mouth ; then they had spent 5 'months on Congo's east shore in the same cruel work. This territory comprises 34,570 square miles- exactly 2000 more than Ireland-and had possessed nearly 1,000,000 peo- ple. One hundred and eighteen villages, comprising 43 districts, had , been devastated to gain the scant profit of 2300 women and children, and about 2000 tusks. Stanley calculated that if those 118 towns had only 1000 inhabitants each, the Arabs had a profit of merely two per cent, and that after these captives had undergone the voyage to Nyangwe, camp life, and the pests which miseries breed, there would remain only a scant one per cent on the bloody venture.
Horrible as are these facts from slavery's charnel-house of horrors, they do not begin to be the worst. Five expeditions, each as great as the pres- ent one, had already come and gone with their booty, and had completely weeded the region. If each expedition was as successful as Stanley's acquaintances, the slavers got 5000 people safely to Nyangwe j but 5000 out of 1,000,000 is one half of one per cent, or 5 slaves out of 1000 per- sons-the poorest possible profit. The 2300 slaves had cost 2500 souls shot, and 1300 dying by the way j and at this rate the 5000 slaves surviv- ing at Nyangwe (of the 10,000 originally obtained) had cost 33,000 lives. Each of the very smallest infants Stanley graphically estimates to have cost the life of a father, and perhaps his 3 stout brothers and 3 grown-up daughters': "An entire family of 6 souls has Leen done to death to obtain that small, feeblc, helpless, useless child !"
" What," he asks, " was the cause of all this vast sacrifice of human life, this unspeakable misery? Nothing but the indulgence of an DId Arab's wolfish, bloody, starved, and ravenous instinct&. He wished to obtain slaves to barter profitably with other Arabs. Having weapons—guns and powder-enough, he placed them in the hands of 300 slaves, and de- spatched them to commit murder wholesale, as an English nobleman would put guns in the hands of his guests and permit them to slaughter the game on his estate. If we calculate three quarts of blood to each person who fell during the campaign of murder, this one Arab caused to be shed 2850 gallons of blood-sufficient to fill a tank of 460 cubic feet-quite large enough to drown him and all his kin."
Stanley's pen-picture of this camp is as vivid as if taken by instantaneous photography. "It was surrounded with a fence made 'of the hut-walls of the native town, which lay in ruins outside, square plots of raised tamped earth, with a few uprights alone indicating where it had stood. The banana groves had been levelled, and their stalks employed to form the fence. Within the enclosure was a series of low sheds, many lines deep, extending 100 yards inland from the immediate edge of the bank In length the camp was about 300 yards. At the landing-place were 54 canoes, varying in capacity from 10 to 100 people. The camp is much too densely peopled for comfort. There are rows upon rows of dark nakedness, relieved here and there by the white dresses of the captors. There are lines or groups of naked forms upright, moving listlessly, or standing; naked bodies are stretched under the sheds in all positions; naked legs innumerable are seen in the perspective of prostrate sleepers; there are countless naked children, many mere infants, forms of boyhood and girlhood, and occasionally a drove of absolutely naked old women bending under a basket of fuel or cassava tubers or bananas, who are driven through the moving groups by two or three musketeers. Mostly all are fettered; youths with iron rings round their necks, through which is riven a chain like our boat anchor-chains, securing the captives by twenties. The children over ten are secured by three copper rings, each ringed leg brought together by the central ring. The mothers are secured by shorter chains; around are grouped their respective progeny of infants hiding the cruel iron links that fall in loops or festoons over their mothers' breasts. There is not one adult man captive. Beside the shaded ground so thickly strewn with prostrate and upright bodies lie scattered or heaped in profusion everywhere the relics of the many raids. There is scarcely a square foot of ground not littered with something. All these littering the ground, or in stacks and heaps, with piles of banana and cassava peelings, flour of cassava, and sliced tubers drying, make untidy pictures and details, through which prominently gleam .the eyes of the captives in supreme and utter wretchedness. Every second during which I regard them, the clank of fetters and chains strikes my ear. My eyes catch sight of that continual lifting of the hand to ease the neck in the collar, or as it displays, exposed, a manacle through fl mllscle bein~ irritated b, its wei¥,ht or want of fitnilss. 130lllld or riveted by twenties, they wallow in filth. . Only the old women are t"ken to forage; they dig the cassava and search for the banana, while the guard, with ready musket, watches keenly for the coming of the vengeful native. Not much food can be obtained. What is procured is flung in a heap be- fore each gang, to cause at once an unseemly scramble. Many of the poor things have been fettered for months already, and their bones stand out in bold relief on the attenuated skin which hangs down in wrinkles and puckers. Who can withstand the feeling of pity so powerfully pleaded for by those large eyes and sunken cheeks ~"
As we listen to this eye-witness, it appears unthinkable that wicked- ness can go lower. Yet it is Stanley himself, who from Darkest Africa brought tidingS and tales of deeds of darkness befitting depths beneath the lowest depths of hell. He says: "In 1887 a half-caste Arab slaver and his Manyema banditti launched out on one of the most sanguinary and de- structive careerl, to which even Tippu Tib's and Tagamoyo's offer poor comparison. Toward the Lenda and Ihuru rivers they had levelled every settlement into black ashes, had even vented their rage for destruction on the plantain groves, had split every canoe into pi~ces, had searched every , island, and had penetrated into the darkest recesses whither a slight track ( could be traced, with only one dominating passion, which was to kill as many men and capture as many children and women as craft and cruelty would enable them. However far north or east these people had gone .they had done precisely as we had seen, and had reduced the forest to a howling wilderness. Through all the immense area they had left scarcely a hut standing. Assuming that their ravages had extended east, north, and south 105 miles from Ipoto, we have something like 44,000 square miles. Once we know where the slaving centres are, we may, with a pair of compasses, draw great circles round each, and park off areas of 40,000 square miles into which a half dozen resolute men, aided by their hundreds 'of (negro) bandits have divided three-quarters of the Congo forest for the sole purpose of murder, and of becoming heirs to a few hundred tusks of ivory. • •• There were Manyema headmen responsible to the chiefs for followers and operations entrusted to their charge. At alternate periods each sets out for his own special sub-district. The fighters con- sist of Congoans trained by the Manyema as raiders, as in 1876 Arabs and East Coast natives had trained Manyema. This extraordinary increase in the number of raiders on the Upper Congo is the fruit of the policy of kill~ ing the adults, but preserving the children. The girls are distributed among the Arab, Swahili, and Manyema harems, the boys are trained to carry arms, and are drilled. Grown tall and strong; they are rewarded .with wives from the female servants of the harem, and are admitted as partnera in the bloody ventures. So many shares of the profits are due the great proprietor; a less number becomes the due of the headman, and the remainder is the property of the bandits. . . . At other times all ivory over 35 pounds goes to the chief i that between 35 and 20 pounds belongs to the headman, while young ivory, or scraps or pieces, fall to the lucky finders. This intlpires every man to do his best. The caravan is well manned and armed by the great proprietor, who stays in his harem on the Lualaba. The headmen, inspired by greed, grow ferocious. The bandits fling themselves upon a settlement mercilessly to obtain the largest share of loot.- children, flocks, poultry, and ivory. • •• All this would be clearly beyond' their power if they possessed no powder. Not a mile beyond home would the Arab and his followers dare venture. It is more than probable that if gunpowder were prohibited entry into Africa, there would be a general and quick migration of all Arabs from inner Africa to the sea, as the native chiefs would be immeasurably stro~ger than any combination of Arabs armed with spears. Of ivory there is not a single piece nowadays which has been gained lawfully. Every tusk, piece, and scrap in the possession of an Arab has been steeped and dyed in blood. Every pound has cost a life. For every five pounds a hut has been burned ; for every two tusks' a whole village destroyed; every twenty tusks have been obtained at the price of a district with all its people, villages, and plantations. It is simply incredible that because ivory is required for ornaments or billiards, the rich heart of Africa should be laid waste at this late hour of the nineteenth century, signalized as it has been by so many achievements; incredible that populations, tribes, and nations should be utterly destroyed. Whom, after all, does this bloody seizure of ivory enrich' Only a few dozens of half-castes, who, if due justice were dealt them, would sweat out the remainder of their piratical1ives in the severest penal servitude."
IlL-THE RESULTS.
How many slaves are captured; how many lives lost annually! In Nyassaland and Zambesi, according to Cameron's latest (1889) statements, 525,600 each year become slaves. In the equatorial tableland, from the data furnished by Papal missioners, the figures mount even higher. Thill brings the total of Africans who annually lose freedom at the hand of tho Arab hell hounds between the Soudan and the Zambesi up to 1,050,000. Including the Soudan, from the Atlantic to the Red Sea, Ashanti, Dah6- mey, Loanga, the Cameroons, Lunda, the native slaving on the Congo, Somauliland, and Uganda, it appears certain that the grand total equals at least 2,000,000. It is as if a Georgiaj or Iowa, or Michigan were annually enslaved. The worst of it is, that Christendom has a real though ,indirect responsibility for those astounding figures, because the relaxation of the English blockade, the troubles in the Soudan and on the East coast, the connivance of Portugal, and French bulldozing in Madagascar enabled the slave trade since 1885 to increase fourfold.
Yet this host, moving every twelve months into the house of bondage, does not represent one half of man's inhumanity in the land of death shades. The mortality of the caravans varies from one-half to three- quarters, and even nine~tenths. We wonder that one slave in ten ever reaches his destination, when we hear the accounts of Cameron, Baker, Livingstone, Lavigerie, and Stanley. Lavigerie says: "When all that are captured are hurried off, a series of unspeakable miseries commences. The men who appear strongest, and whose escape is to be feared, have hands and feet so tied that moving becomes torture, and on their necks are placed yokes attaching several together. All day they march ; at night a few handfuls of raw sorgho are distributed ; this is all their food. Next morning they must start again; but fatigue, suffering, and privations have weakened very many. The women and the aged are the first to halt; then, to strike terror into the miserable mass, their conductors, armed with a wooden bar-to economile powder-approach those most exhausted, and deal a terrific blow on the nape of the neck. The victims utter a cry, and fall in convulsions of death. The terrified troop immediately resumes its march. Terror has imbued even the weakest with fresh strength. Each time one breaks down the scene is repeated. At night, on arriving at their halting-place, after the first days of such life, a not less frightful scene awaits them. The traffickers in human flesh know how much their victims can endure. A glance shows who will soon sink from weariness j so, to economize food, they pass behind these wretched beings and fell them with a single blow. The corpses, when not suspended on neighboring trees, remain where they fall, and close to them must their companions eat and sleep as well as they can. In this manner the weary march is continued, sometimes for months. Daily the number diminishes. If, goaded by their cruel sufferings, some attempt to escape or rebel, thl! masters cut them down, and leave them as they lie, attached by yokes. "
Baker shall be our next witness, describing a slave-dhow and its cargo. He ordered one searched, and the captain was astonished that search was considered necessary. Besides crew and soldiers, the skipper averred, there was not a soul on board, while the vessel had only com in the hold, and ivory beneath. "But," says Baker, " she appeared suspiciously full of corn"for a boat homeward bound. There was an awkward smell about the closely-boarded forecaStle that resembled that of unwashed negroes. . . . Abd-el-Kader drew a ramrod from a soldier's rifle and sharply probed that corn. A smothered cry from beneath, and a wriggling among the corn were succeeded by a woolly head, as Abd-el-Kader, having thrust in his long arm, dragged a negress forth. At once the planks boarding forecastle and stern were broken, the corn was removed, and there was a mass of humanity exposed-boys, girls, and women close packed like herrings in a barrel, who, under threats, had remained silent. The mainsail appeared full and heavy in its lower part. Upon unpacking, it yielded a young woman thus sewn up. We discovered about 150 slaves stowed away in a most inconceivably small area. The stench was horrible when they began to move. Many were lD Irons. I ordered the agent and the captain to be put in irons."
Yet the captives and human exports are far and away the slightest sectiOl~ of thf;J sufferers. Every slave, on the average, represents 100 victims. T.he populations blighted by the simoom of slaving number 150,000,000as many as the German and Rm!sian Empires together.
IV.-THE REMEDIES.
1. As the Zanzibar slave trade has so long been sustained by the capital of British Hindoos, England has moral respousibility for that traffic. Now she is mistress of Zanzibar and Pemba, and her East Africa Company controls the coast north, and has brought Uganda under English lordship. 'With Zanzibar as the maritime key of the situation, and with Cairo a future . centre of Saxon government over an area greater than India, England can lock this export traffic into the interior. Moreover, Germany is conquering lands between Zanzibar and the lakes, the Reichstag has forbidden marine export.ation of slaves, and domestic sl~very will be abolished from its African possessions as speedily as circumstances permit.
2. Again, it began to look, last February, as if the Great Powers would fulfil their solemn pledges for the welfare of Africa, which they have shamefully failed t<? live up to. In 1884 they declared the Congo State should not be used for the slave trade, and each. bound itself to employ all means at its disposal to end the traffic and punish the slavers. Had they enforced their prohibitions, the slave trade could not have attained its present proportions. They <leclared that " these regions shall not be used as markets or as routes of transit for the slave trade, no matter of what race j each of these powers binds itself to use all the means at its disposal to put an end to this trade, and to punish all engaged in it." In 1889 they met in Anti-Slavery Conference (It Bru!:lsels, and agreed that the following measures are directly and generally practicable: (1) Tribes concerned in raiding shall be held responsible. (2) Any tribe through whose territory slave caravans pass shall be held to account, and such chiefs or organizers of caravans as have been once convicted of slavetrade offences shall render security on starting from the seaboard. (3) Chiefs ou whose coast slave shipments occur shall be dealt with. (4) The police of the sea is to be maintained by joint European effort, maritime transportation being the point where force and united action can be made most effective. Vessels of 500 tons and under, unless slavers of larger tonnage be hereafter discovered, shall, on the high seas, be subject to supervision and detention. (5) Disarmament of the slaver is nigh. From 20° North to 22° South, and from 100 miles out in each ocean" the sale of firearms to Arabs or natives is prohibited. Arms must be deposited in Government warehouses, taken· out only on permission, and not in sale include the most improved weapons. Stanley has said: "for wholesale massacres of African aborigines there is only one remedy -the solemn combination, of England, Germany, France, Portugal, South Africa, East Africa, and the Congo State against the introduction of powder into any part of the continent, except for the use of their agents j and seizing every tusk of ivory." Now Christian sentiment must compel civilization to redeem itself by grappling immediately with the slaver of the Congo, for the Free State offers the most advantageous means of attacking these Manyuemans and Soudanese in the rear, while Stanley Falls is the West Point of the Upper Congo. The United States itself took part in this Conference, and the refusal of our Federal Senate to ratify the decree of humanity is a damning diegrace to America. How the country that shattered the shackles of 4,000,000 bondmen could shirk its duty and fasten fetters on the black man in Africa, passes comprehension. EYen Holland played the man and shames us.
3. Cardinal Lavigerie has awakened even papal peoples to their duty in suppressing slavery, and proposes to stop man-hunting at its source by the sword. The campaign to realize this object may take place, since several thousand young meu have foluTJteered and are preparing. In the Sahara these youth~ and the Peres Blancs are already proving themselves true knights of labor, as diggers of wells and planters of trees.· It is objected that these crusaders would merely destroy a few slavers and divert the trade to other routes. But Lavigerie's real idea is that every European Power should maintain sufficient military forces wherever in its possessions the black is hunted j but, if finances forbade, he would revive the medireval soldiers of the Church, its Knights of Alcantara, Lazarus, or Malta, adapt them to modern methods and needs, put them under the Pope, and at the call of any government remove them from place to place requiring their services. Small, inexpensive squadrons can achieve great results.
Whether or not we agree with Lavigerie on the means of employing force, it is absolutely certain that force is now an indispensable necessity in suppressing slave-stealing. The case admits no alternative to-day, for Africa is bleeding out her life-blood at every pore: the population is far too scanty, and va~t areas are relapsing into uninhabited wilds, impenetrable to missionary or merchant. The Arabs are bitterly hostile to European influences, mean to practice slaving as their right, wage wanton war against missions, and demonstrate that in Central Africa European and Arab cannot live together. Turkey intends to send Mohammedan missionaries into her African possessions.
What, then, are the warlike measures inevitable against the Arab? Simply this: protection of Arric's dusky, helpless children. This comprises the introduction of armed bodies into the interior as shepherds of the people, continental blockades against caravans, and as police patrol. At their head will be Europeans, in the ranks natives, as militia, or Sepoys, picked men and masters of gun-drill. As on the Congo, so on the East Coast, the Zambesi, the Niger, the Nile and the lakes, lines of military posts or commercial depots three days' journey apart, are opening. These will absolutely forbid slaving, abolish local markets, prevent the transporting of slaves, except domestics duly registered, and sweep away customs or duties levied on slave sales. Swift armed launches are to be put on all navigable waters, with a garrison or tWQ on the high, healthr platealls of ~a<?h llik~ and on the main traffic lines. Such a chain of fortified posts we may soon see from Suakim along the Nile and the lakes to Quilimane. This will cut the roots of the cancer, and constitute bulwarks behind which missions may advance-missions, which alone can work lasting good.
4. When the export over-sea, indispensable to the continuance of Mos- lem slavery, is destroyed, serfage cannot long continue. Closure of ship- ping ports must therefore be effected, though a tremendous 3000 miles task. The status of slavery must be denied further recognition by inter- national law, the traffic be banned as piracy, and the maritime routes be made so utterly unsafe that no Arab will dm'e risk his life.
5. Mohammedan slavery keeps Africo.Arab slaving alive. So the Brussels Conference brought public opinion to bear on Persia and Turkey, the sole independent slave powers there, and deprecated the influence of their domestic bondage. They should persuade the heads of all Mohammedan States to discourage the purchase of negro slaves, and hold Moslem rulers accountable for future slaving infamies. Zanzibar's new sultan has prohibited slave selling, and instituted measures that will steadily wipe out the whole institution. The British Anti.Slavery Society has pledged itself to suppress Mohammedan slavery, and very many facts prove that the prospect for slavery dying out from the Moslem East is better than that possibility of mediooval Christendom.
6. Colonization, commerce, and railroads afford Christianity the underhold in this death grapple. The prejudices of the natives against colonization, never very strong, will yield to fair and judicious treatment.' But tropical Africa cannot be colonized. by " Caucasians," and it may well be in the Divine statesmanship that the American freedman and none other is to save the brother in black and teach him to save himself. Liberia and its noteworthy success, despite every disadvantage, prove negro colonization to be no Utopian scheme, and with regard to the Congo State, Stanley assures us that if " American negroes form the majority of its citizenship, it would, with proper encouragement, make remarkable development, and in time become a great nation. If these civilized blacks are developed morally, their contact with the savages would be happy." Signs are not wanting that among the negroes of our New Soutb not a few consider. African evangelization their race duty; and that the wonder-working Providence of American history anoints them as apostles to Ethiopia. The task would require comparatively few of the 7,000,000 black Americans, for if less than ten per cent return, 500,000 chosen people would, within one century, accomplish the regeneration of tbeir mother country. Such colonies will swiftly develop legitimate commerce and native industries among the fairly active and workable populations.
Commerce strangles slaving by making its profits less tban those of lawful trade, though it needs to be protected by physical force before it can produce its effects. On the Congo commerce checks the slave trade, since Boma and Matadi are drawing the ivory trade of Stanley Falls away from Zanzibar. Grenfell avers that if once the railway, now rapidly building between tidewater and Stanley Pool, is completed, the Arab will find his occupation gone. On the East Coast the African Lakes Company was organized as a lay auxiliary of Nyassa Missions, and accomplished this by buying ivory at higher prices than slavers can pay. It also built Murchison Road round the Shire Cataracts, and Stevenson Road between Lakes Nyassa and Tanganika. These mend the breaks in the water route from Quilimane to Ruanda, and are for humanitarian purposes the most im- portant thoroughfares to Central Africa, as this line cuts the principfll routes to the coast, and several garrisons on it could throttle the slavers in transit. As to Uganda and Masailand, Mackay and Emin have affirmed that a safe road to the coast must unquestionably be opened. The British East Afric:m Company is building a railroad from Mombasa to Lake Vic- toria. The English, at Stanley's request, devote their Stanley fund to placing a steamer on that lake, and Germany is doing the same thing. Emin has established a fortified post on its south shore, after whipping Arab slavers in many encounters. U-nyanyemhe is his central station, but he will found four large commercial stations and several smaller ones on the Tanganika and elsewhere. An ivory tribute will, within three years, repay the expenses-$400,000. That does not appear unreasonable when we remember that since 1885 Tippu Tib has exported $500,000 worth of ivory, and that this includes the cnormous stock just brought to market by his 7000 porters. A Swedish expedition intends to plant stations from Lake Victoria to Tanganika for co-opcration in suppressing ~laving. The Germans will, of course, push roads to the latter lake. The British Company bas effected the emancipation of 5000 slaves since 1888, made compacts against slaving with tribes inhabiting 50,000 square miles, compels Arabs themselves to recognize that no native is to be held in servitude, releases slaves in caravans, and enables domestics to buy their freedom. On the Juba 30,000 runaway slaves recently asked to be taken under its protection. In Uganda, Mwanga pledges himself to assist, in the abolition of slaving. Thus the outlook for the speedy suppression of East African sla1Jing, and the march of Christianity even to the Great Forest, is full of promise.
The greatest efficiency of the iron horse in destroying the slave trade will occur on transcontinental lines bisecting the slave-belt~. A railroad from Congo mouth to Zanzibar, Stanley says, can be eatiily constructed, and would pay from the start. Another, 1000 miles long, runs from Cape Town to Kimberley, and the South African Company, which is to govern all lands between the Orange River and the Tanganika will prolong it to the Zambesi. (A railroad from the South already reaches Yryburgh in Bechuanaland.) The Niger Company controls the Low.er Niger, where it bas suppressed human sacrifines and checked slaving j before 1900 it wm control the independent Soudan as far as the Egyptian Soudan. There .it will be met hy English -agents, either by Anglo-Egyptian officials, who will have recovered. the Khartum country, or by the East African Company from Equatoria itself. Since tltat is their ultimate goal, then we shall see the proposed railway from Monrovia to the Red Sea, a French line from Algeria to Lake Tchad, aud the Nile made, by skilful engineering at its modest cataracts, a broad waterway from the Midland Sea to the inland seas. Such roads will accomplish far more than armies; and if Europe will Europe can within a decade shatter the Arab slave trade to atoms. God grant that the negro who talked with Jephson about railways prove a prophet of good, and" that when the railroad is made, Jesus Christ may go up with it."
James H. Richardson, M.D., of Toronto, writes a letter to the editor, expressing emphatic dissent from the article in the January issue on " Livingstone and Stanley." We perhaps owe it to fairness to quote portions of this letter. Dr. Richardson questions the propriety of coupling these two men as we have done, and thinks the aims, characters, and methods of the two are dissimilar and antagonistic. Dr. Richardson thinks Mr. Stanley has given sanction to practices which humanity and Christianity must deplore, and cites the Emin relief expedition as an instance. We give his words: " Think of the very first step-the investing, of that fiend, Tippu Tib, with the authority and pay of an officer of the Congo Free State in the very heart of the country where he had been pursuing his most nefarious deeds of rapine, plunder, and slavery j and in the appointment recognizing his authority for carrying them on above the Stanley Falls. Think of the contract with this miscreant to furnish 600 slave carriers. Mr. Stanley denied, in his lecture at Montreal, that slave labor was employed; hut his book (' In Darkest Africa,' vol. i1., p. 3) records, ' The utter unruliness of this mob of slaves which had maddened tne officers of the rear column.' In vol. i., p. 26], he describes the la~hings on these poor slaves, and says 'awful oaths of vengeance were uttered for all the indignities they suffered j' on pages 212 and 213 we have the record of the hanging of a , slave of Fayilla,' and the condemnation to death of two other slaves-one the slave of a man in Zanzibar, thc other a slave of an artisan in U-nyanyembe, both of whom must have been brought with the expedition all the way from Zanzibar.
" Think of the 357 rifles and the Maxim gun which poured out a deadly stream of 300 bullets a minute! Think of the invariable practice' of driving the poor natives out of their villages and taking occupation. The very first landing at Yambuya was of this character. Read the account (vol. i., pp. 113, 114) after parleying uusucce~s£ully for an hour, ' for leave to reside in their village,' the signal was given, the whistles wl:lre blown" the, boats were moored to the shore, and the horde of about 700, armed to the teeth, rushed up the bank, ' and when the summit was gained not a villager was in sight.' For ten or eleven months these poor villagers were kept out of their homes; no wonder that two days afterward, when Stanley
43i .A. CRITICISM OF STANLEY
started with his advance force, the poor natives drew themselves up at the entrance to their village to prevent it from being taken possession of, and no wonder they never tried the defence again, as they were mowed down by the bullets from the 357 rifles and the deadly Maxim gun. They seem to have vacated village after village in terror, as if the demon of destruction was let loose on them. See also vol. i., p. 152. On July 10th the expedition occupied one of seven large villages at Gwengwere, out of which' all the population had fled ;' on tho 11 tIl, he writes, ' as we were disappearing from view of Gwengwere, the population was seen scurrying back to their homes, which they had temp'orarily vacated for our convenience. It saved trouble of speech, exerted, possibly, in. useless efforts for peace, i.e., if they had not left peaceably they would have been driven out!
" Think of every village being raided for food, and provisions for ten days carried off without remuneration, and this not once. but every day. It may be said that these robberies, this occupation of their homes, this employment of slave labor, this authority conferred on Tippu Tib, were necessary to the success of the expediti.on ; if so, then the expedition was an unholy one. To do evil that good may come is as wrong in this case as in any other. " Dr. Richardson adds that, in his opinion, the sad story of the rear colJlmn " would not have been written if Stanley had done his duty. In 1'0. t, pp. 337, 338, 362, and 364, it is recorded that after a council on Lake Albert, not having found Emin, they concluded to retrace their steps and to ' hurry' on to find Barttelot and the rear column before it was a , wreck' as 'the only sensible course which was left to them,' and how he abandoned this' only sensible course' and left Barttelot to his fate because the headmen and officers wanted to go back to find Emin, and so lost four months and a half before going to Barttelot's relief. As to the abuse heaped on Barttelot because he did not advance without getting the carriers promised by Tippu Tib, one short sentence (vol. ii., p. 13) settles the question: ' Without Tippu Tib, or one of his nephews, such a column' (as the rear column) 'could not be taken through the broad extents of wilderness ahead.' "
The Australian Ballot System is a striking illustration of the benefits which Christian lands may receive from their efforts in carrying civilization and Christianity to heathen countries. Australia was formerly wholly heathen, but has become a Christian land by colonization and missionary effort. The conditions of life there rendered possible the trial of a system of balloting which it would have been very difficult to experiment with in any country of more established institutions. But after having proved successful in Australia it is now adopted in nearly all the United States to the great satisfaction of every intelligent voter. It pays for Christian countries. to send missionaries and colonists to lift heathen lands out of their ignorance and degradation. Every nation so raised to an enlightened religious condition will have some peculiar contribution to the welfare of the whole world which could come from no other people.-Baptist Missionary Magazine.
MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP AND LAWS OF THE BANTU LANGUAGES
THE MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP AND LAWS OF THE BANTU LANGUAGES, AS SEEN IN THE KIMBUNDU AND ISI- ZULU.
BY REV. l"EWIS·GROUT, WEST BRATTLEBORO, VT.
The elementary grammar of the Mbundu language, by Mr. Heli Cha~ lain, is a very valuable and timely contribution to a better knowledge of that great family of Bantu languages, which is now known to extend all through South Africa, or, in general terms, East and West from ocean to ocean, aud from the Orange River to some five degrees North of the equator. The grammar is pnmarily designed for the missionaries, the natives, and the colonists of Angola and neighboring dist.ricts; and, for this reason, is written in Portuguese, which prevails to a large extent in that field. Otherwise it would seem to have been better had it been written in a language more widely known. The author of the grammar was well qualified for the work he has done, and has done it well. A native of Switzerland, having acquired a knowledge of six or eight languages aside from the French and German which were his mother tongues, he went out some seven or eight years ago to Loanda, in the Portuguese colony on the West Coast of Africa, as linguist of Bishop Taylor's self-supporting mission. Studying the Portuguese Oil his voyage out, he was well fitted for his work among tribes that spoke dialects of which comparatively little was known as yet in other lands, though they are spoken of by Dr. Cust as constituting the lingua franca of all Western Africa. Indeed, Livingstone speaks of a resemblance between this language and that spoken at Tete, on the Zambezi in Eastern Africa; and the inhabitants of Angola have always found the Mbundu language of great service to them in their travels far to the East.
Mr. Chatelain, giving himself to the study and development of the Bantu languages, has prepared a primer and a translation of John's gospel for his mission, a short vocabulary of the Mbamba, and another of the Umbangala. He is now completing a work on the legends and fables of Angola, and several new vocabularies of neighboring dialects. A more extended work is that of a dictiona~y of the Mbundu language, now in preparation, to be enriched by a comparative study of the Swahili of East Africa, of the Kongo on the West Coast, and by the fruits of the labors of the American missionaries in the Benguela district, together with the fruits of German missionary labors in the Herero of Damara-land. Dr. Cust, the learned and able author of "Modern Languages of Africa," a work published in 1883, speaks of the Mbundu as one of the most important in all West Africa; and, having given a sketch of what the Portuguese have done during the last two and one half centuries to master and make this language known, concludes by saying: "It must be admitted that a new grammar of it is still required." But now, a year since, writing an " Introduction" to Mr. Chatelain's" Kimbundu Grammar," he expresses himself as much pleased .that the matter had fallen into the hands of a scholar 80 well qualified to undertake it, and commends the work to the favorable consideration of African scholars. It will help to give some idea of both the Zulu and Mbundu languages, their general character, forms, laws; also Fome idea of the relationship, or points of similarity that prevail throughout the ('ntire family of South African or Bantn language~, of which Dr. Cust finds 168, aside from 55 dialects, if we institute a brief comparison between the Kimbundll of Angola, in the northwest of the field, and the Isizulu of Natal and Zululand, in the southeast-a geographical distance which puts the two languages nearly two thousand miles apart.
One of the minuter points of resemblance is, that both languages make open syllables; that is, each word and syllable ends in a vowel; and, at< a general rule, the accent falls on the penult. Each abounds in certain consonantal combinations, such as mb, mv, ml, mp, nd, ng and nz; but clicks and gutturals are found only in the Zulu. The vowel signs used in writing have in each the Italian value, and the abundance of these makes the flow of pronunciation in each easy and musical. In their radical element many of the words are the same, or nearly the same, and quite the same in respect to the principle and use of the incipient elements or prefixes of words, though in the forms of their several prefixes they generally differ. Thus, nouns: ENGLISH. ZUI,U. MBUNDU.
Person. s. umuntu. S. mutu. Mother. P. atu. Snake. P. abantu. S. mama. Death. P. jimama. s. umame. S. nioka. P. jinioka. P.omame. S. kufua. P. makufua. s. inyoka.
P. izinyoka.
s. ukufa.
P. ukufa.
So in verbs: ZULU. MBUNDU.
ENGLISH. uku tunga. ku tunga. uku luma. ku lumata. to sew. uku shinga. ku shinga. uku beta. ku beta. to bite. uku lima. ku rima. to insult. uku sala. ku sha:la. to beat. to till. to remain.
For" three" we find tutu in both languages; for" five" we find Manu in the Zulu and tunu in Mbundu. In the former uleu lamba means" to hunger," in the latter leu lamba means" to cook."
In each language the nouns are divided into classes according to their prefix or preformative, and according to the way in which the plural is generally made from the singular by some change in the prefix. Zulu nouns are divided, in this way, into eight classes, the last two of which are without distinction as to number; and, in the same way, Mbundu nouns are divided into ten classes. In the former, the prefix u, um, or umu, of the first class, is changed to 0 or aba to form the plural; as um/ana, " boy," abafana, "boys." So, again, ili or i is changed to ama; im or in to izim, izin, orama; isi to izi, izim, or izin; and um or umu (impersonal) to imi ; though nouns of the seventh and eighth classes have the same pre- fix, ubu or uku, in both numbers: thus, ubuso may mean either" face" or " faces." Nouns in uku are of a verbal character, being the same as the verb in the infinitive mode. In the Mbundu the prefix mu, of the first class, is changed to a, to form the plural; as, mutu, " person," aiu, "persong;" m'}', of the second class, is changed to mi, as mulundu, " mQlmtain," milundu, ,-' mountains. " So, again, ki is changed to i; ri to ma; u to mau; lu to malu,. tu to matu,. ku to maku,. ka to iu; and other forms to ji.
IIi both languages alike f'ach class of nouns has a fragmentary or genitive pronoun of a preformative character, which corresponds to the noun's ptefix ; one for the singular, and one for the plural, which, with the genitive particle a, denotes possession, or the relation of a subject to an attribute; thus, in Zulu, ilizwi lom/ana (loa-um/ana), " word of the boy," or " boy's word;" ~baniu benkosi (b-a-inkosi) "people of the king," or "king's people. " So in the Mbundu, muiue ua mutu, " head of man," or " man's head;" mitue ia atu, " heads of men."
In both languageR alike the adjective takes a prefix corresponding to the prefix of the noun with which it agrees; thus, in Zulu, um/ana umkulu, "the boy (is) great;" um/ana omkulu (a-umkulu) , "the boy (which is) great," i.e., "great boy;" abantu bakulu, "people (are) great ;" abantu abakulu, "great people." So in Mbundu; thus, muiu uonene, "great person;" kim~ kionene, "great thing;" ima- ionene, "great things ;" r'ital'i l'ionene, "great stone;" mata;'i monene, "great stones. " So, too, in respect to numerals. In the Zulu we have umuntu omunye, "one person;" abantu ababili, " two persons ;" izinkomo ezintatu, "three cows." In the Mbundu we ha-e mutu umoshi, " one person ;" kima kimoshi, " one thing;" ima itatu, "three things ;" matubia matanu, "five fires."
The grammar of the verb is essentially the same in the Mbundu language as in the Zulu. In the latter the infinitive has the sign uku, " to ;" as uku landa, "to love;" uku bona, "to see;" in the former, ku; as ku zola, "to love ;" ku longa, "to teach;" ku banga, "to make, do." In both languages alike the pronominal subject of the verb in the third person corresponds to the prefix of the noun for which the pronoun stands. Thus, in Zulu (um/ana, "boy") u bona, "he see~;" (aba/ana, "boys"), ba bona, "they see;" (inkomo, "cow"), i bona, " it sees;" (izinkomo, " cows"), zi bona, "they see." In the Mbundu we have (mutu, "person"), u banga, "h~ (or she) makes;" (atu, "persons"), a bar.ga, " they make ;" (kima," thing"), ki banga, " it makes ;" ' (ima, "things"), i banga, "they make." 'For the first, second, and third persons, preient tense, we have: IN ENGLISH. IN liIZULU. IN KIMBUNDU.
S. I love. S. Ngi tanda. S. Ngi zola. thou Iovest. u tanda. u zola. he (or she, etc.) lovt's. u (i, or Ii, etc.), tanda. u (or a, etc.), zola.
P. we love. P. si tanda. P. tu zola. ye love. ni tanda. nu zola. they love. ba. (or zi, etc.), tanda. a (or i, etc.), zola.
In the few following forms we have a comparative view of some of the modes in the two lan~ua~es : IN ENGLISH. IN ISIZULU. IN KIMBUNDU. '
Love, or love thou. tanda, or ma u tande. zola. Love yeo I love, or I do love. tandani. zolenu. I may love. I should love. ngi tanda, or ngi y a tanda. ngi zola.
ngi nga tanda. ngi zole.
nga ngi tanda. ngojo zola.
In the following we have a comparative view of a few tenses.
IN ENGLISH. IN ISIZULU. IN KIMBUNDU.
I love. ngi tanda. ngi zola. I loved. nga tanda. nga zolo. I have loved. ngi tandile. nga zolele. I had loved. ngi be ngi tandile. nga. zolele kia. I shall love. ngi y8 ku tanda. ngondo zola, or nganda ku zola.
IB respect to species of verbs, we find much of likeness between the Zulu and the Mbundu, as also between these and the Hebrew, in what is there called " conjugations." In the former from tanda, ,. love," we get the causative, tandisa, .. cause to love j" the relative, tandela, " love for j" the reciprocal, tandana, "love one another j" the reflective, zitanda, " love self j" the subjective, tandeka, " be lovely or lovable j" also other species. In the Mbundu we have from zola, ,. love," zolesa, " cause to love j" zolela, "love for j" rizola, " love self." We sometimes find two or more species combined j as, in Zulu, the causative and relative, tandisela, "cause to love for j" in Mbundu, zolesela, " cause to love for."
The mutual relationship and laws, or kinds of resemblance and difference that prevail in the great family of Bantu languages are seen, to some extent, in the goodly number of words that are found to be substantially the same in many of its members, though such words are often found in greatly differing forms. "Ve take two words, or, rather, one word in its two numbers, umunt!l, " person," abantu, " persons or people," as a good example of the unity in variety in some of the corresponding words in the cognate lauguages of which we speak. This word consIsts of two elements, one radical, the other preformative, which is also called "prefix." In Zulu the ,root is ntu; the prefix, singular, umu, plural, aba. And, of all the numerous forms which this word may take, whether in root or prefix, doubtlelOs the Zulu, as above, i.e., um'l1ntu, abantu, are alike most original and complete., For these Zulu words we find the corresponding words, in the cognate languages, to be, on the South, in the Kafir, umntu, abant'l ; on the West, in the Sesutu, motu, batu,. in the Sethlapi and Sechuana, mothu, bathu. Going northward and eastward, and coming into the Delagoa region, we find, in the Southern Tekeza, munu, banu or vanu,. in Northern Tekeza, amuno, vano,. coming to the Tete and Sena on the Zambe~ii, we find munttu, vanttu,. in the Quilimane, muntu, antu,. in the Maravi, muntu, wanthu. In the Makua, latitude 15° South, we find muttu, attu. In the Yao, on the eastern bank of Lake Nyassa, we have mundu, vandu or wandu; in Kiswahili, latitude from 5° to 6° South, mtu, watu,. then, in the Kinika, mutu, atu,. in the Kikamba, mundu, andu,. and in the Kisambala and Kipokomo, on the Pokomo, Dana or Tana River, near the equator, we have muntu, wantu.
Passing now to the southwest of the Bantu field, and moving northward along the West Coast of the c'ontinent, we find, in the Otyiherero or Damara language, omundu, ovandu j in the Sindonga, the language of the Ovambo, umtu, oantu,. in the Nano of Benguela, omuno, amana j in the Kimbundu or Angola, mutu, atu,. in the Kongo, omuntu, oantu j in the Benga, as spoken on the Corisco Islands, North of the equator, moto, bato,. and in the Dualla and Isubu or Cameroons language, motu, batu.
From what is already known of the many other Bantu languages, we have every reason to believe that the points of agreement and difference which we have. now passed in review are a good specimen of what prevail among the scores that still remain to he reduced to order in the great inland region that stretches through the interior, from four or five degrees North of the equator to the Orange River on the South.
Of how great advantage this relationship must be to the hosts of missioll9.ries, whose great work it shall yet be to reduce the still unwritten multitude of these Bantu languages each to its own grammatically exact order, and translate the Scriptures into them, it is hardly pOl)sible to give any adequate idea. If the writer, while preparing to go abroad, could have, had the means of getting even such a knowledge of these languages as may be gathered from this article, it would have been of more aid and saving of time to him than he can now tell.
We reprint from the African News a brief article on " The Spelling of African Names," by Heli Chatelain, which is appropriate to follow Mr.
Grout's paper: " Every reader of African publications and student of African maps must have been struck with the orthographic chaos which prevails throughout African nomenclature. The same town, country, people, mountain, or river is designated in different maps and b?oks, sometimes in the same periodical, with a variety of names which, to the uninitiated, present but few or no traces of similarity, much less of identity.
" This lamentable fact is due mainly to two causes: (1) to the hetero-
THE SPELLING OF AFRICAN NAMES
geneous spelling of European languages, from which the information is culled; (2) to the prefixes and suffixes of African languages, whose secret is understood by few African linguists, and even then imperfectly.
" ]. The nature of the first difficulty will be understood at a glance, on comparing the following table, giving the principal European ways of rendering the same sounds : English. Frencli. German. Portuguese. Spani87i. u 00 ou u u e e a e,(! tl x, eh nh Ii 8h eh seh eh nj dj ny gn tach, tj ao au dsch, dj ai, ae ai, ay elt teh all j dj ei ow (as in how) aou i a"i Thus the Magadoxo of the Portuguese becomes Magado~ho in English, and MagadoKcho in German, unless the Arabic form Mukhdishu, with its own national transliterations, be preferred by a traveller or map-maker.
" The British Government and the Royal Geographical Society have recently taken an important step toward bringing some order into the hitherto arbitrary nomenclature, by agreeing on a systcm of geographical speIling and transliteration which shall be followed in all official documents, and is sme to be adopted by the public at large. The value of the letters according to the new system is given on page 466 (October, 1890), of the African News j but one important article was omitted.
" In the names of places belonging to the German, French, or Portuguese spheres of influence, and, in the case of a few old names, the German, French, or Portuguese spellings are to be left unchanged. So, the readers will still be supposed to know all those langllage~, if they want to pronounce correctly. It follows, therefore, that the new spelling will be principally applied to the tranBliteration of native names in eOllntries controlled by England. It may be interesting for many to learn that the system recently made official is simply the one used by Krapf and his colaborers in Ea~t Africa, for the transliteration of Ki-swahili and other East Afril)an languages.
" The United States have just been favored with a Board on Geographic Names, whose duty it is to give the standard, to which all official publications will have to, and the unofficial will choose to, conform. It is much to be desired that our Board will, as far as possible, concur with the decisions of their colleagues across the water.
"2. The second cause of pnzzling spellings, the peculiar construction of African tongues, cannot be as snmmarily dealt with as the first. Only as our knowledge of the hundreds of dialects advance~, can the correct names be settled on, and the only rightful judge on the question is the acknowledged master-linguist of each separate language. Many of the names now generally accepted will have to yield to new ones, because they are not the names used by the natives of the 'place, but those given to travellers or missionarie~ by their native guides or carriers belonging to other tribeft, who adapt all the names they hear to their own national taste. Though quite insufficient for the scientist, a few points will be very useful to the general reader.
" Thus, in most Bantu languages, whose area covers the immense triangle between the Cameroons (now Kamerun), the Kilimanjaro and the Cape of Good Hope, the different prefixes, which puzzle so much the stranger, can easily be learned: Mu- mo- m- * mean man, e.g., Mu-ganda signifies a G"nda-man. Ba- wa- a- ma- t mean mtn. e..q., Ba-gar,da signifies Ganda-men. u- Ki- tlki- si- mean language. e.g., Ki-swaltili signifies Swahili language. Bu- mean country, e.g., Bu-ganda, U-gogo signifies Ganda Oountry, Gogo Oountry.
" When, therefore, an African name occurs, the prefix will tell you whether the name indicates a single man, a people, a country, or a lan- guage, and our table will tell you approximately, in case of doubt, which prefix you have to use. Never use Wa- or Ba- for the country, nor Bu- or U- for the people. Tbough less gross, mistakes are even then unavoid- able, alii a comparison of the prefixes used (1) by the Ba-ganda, and (2) the Ba-sutu will show: .
Man. Men. Country. Languap:e.
(1) Mu-ganda Ba-ganda Bu-ganda Lu-ganda (2) Mu-autu Ba-8utut Le-8utu Se-&utu " In Angola two neighboring nations are distinguished solely by prefixes, which were modified to avoid the confusion. Thus, in the language of Angola proper, ki-mbundu means the language of the a-mbundu (people), while ki-mbundu, applied to a person, signifies a native of Bailundo or Bihe j as to the language of the latter it is called u-mbundu, which is also used to express the negro color and natnre.
" Dr. R. N. Cust. in his excellent' Modern Languages of Africa,' cut the Gordian knot of prefixes and suffixes in Alexandrine fashion by ignoring them completely aud using the bare radical to indicate language. Ignoring them, however, docs not remove the difficulties for a long time j the specialists keep on clinging to their distinctive prefixes. The splendid language map, which accompanies Dr. Cust's book, has passed into the hands of many students of Africa, and has led them to use the radicals, which there designate the languages, for either countries or people.
"A treatise on the subject by a speciaJiRt in each of the few great. families of African languages would be timely and helpful to geograp}:lers and the reading public." ——————– The religion of the people of Syria is usually called by the Government Moslem and non-Moslem. The first includes Orthodox and Persian Moham- medans (Moslems and Metawalies), Druzes, Nusaireeyehs and Ismaileyehs and all Bedawee Arabs. Non-Moslems are Jews, nominal Christians (Or- thodox Greek, Papal Greek, Maronite [Papall, Jacobite, Syrian, Armenian and Latin Papists) and Evangelical Christians. The principal accessions to the church have been from the non-Moslem sects. Work among these is important. It aims to give them a pure Gospel and to remove all ground for the well-merited contempt in which nominal Christians are held by Mos- lems. This has been so far successful that, first, the religion of Evangeli- cal Christiant! is looked upon as a new religion and is respected by the non- Christian sects j second, the old sects are beginning decided reforms in their churches j and, third, the leaven of the Gospel is working in a most interesting and marked manner among the Moslems, giving the confident hope that the day is not far distant when a large number of them may be brought to Christ. Earnest prayer is asked that freedom of conscie'lce may be fully granted to all. – Ohurch at Home and Abroad.
• In nicknamee eometime. KOr and t TIl·.
t The French spell BOrBOuto, the English, ~Or8'ttu, the Germano, BOrBOto. The correct woulq be Ba-eOtO. the accented vowels sounded like u inj'ult, but long. THE PEOPLE OF AFRICA lIY W. A. I'lTANTON, EI'lQ., HAMILTON, :N. Y.
Now that 110 much interest centres in the Dark C0I1tinent; we seek for some comprehensive view of the great people wbo inha;bitjt. We hear· much of individual tribes, but very little of general races. 'Ve :rnow something of the Negro and the Congoese, but very little of the African man, in his diverse life and multitudinous types, from the M:editerranean to Cape Colony. Our view is 1>artial and one-sidlld, rather than complete 'and comprehensive. It will be the purpose of this paper to gather up the results of recent investigation, and present, as far ·as possible; a broad general view of the people of Africa. We will accomplish this be·stby considering, first, the ethnology, and second, the gener:;tl condition of the people j or, in other words, by seeking to discover who -the people are, and what they are.
I. Who are the people of Africa! 'Ve must remember at the outset t~at the population· of Africa is composed of two elements; the native and the foreign.. Thl'! foreign element consists of Europeans, Arabs, Moors, Turks, a~d Jews. With these we will not deal, as they are well known both as to race chamcteristics and general manner of living. We must not, however, classify 'the Arabs and Moors in exactly the same rank with the Europeans or. even the Turks. For the Arabs have been in Africa ever since 300 B. c., and· have thus become almost indigenous, in many cases amalgamating with the native races. But it is not this foreign element, however long it may have cxisted in the land, of which we wish to speak, but of the great undefined and unclassified native population. Any true classification of the people is almost an impossibility. The ethnology of Africa is in the utmost confusion. Every new explorer brings to light great and hitherto unknown races, as well as· establishing new facts in regard to old ones. As the case now stands, in the light of Stanley's most recent discoveries, the native population of Africa consists of six great races-B·erber, Coptic, Nilotic, Negro, Bantu, and Goriepine.. Mr. Stanley, in his most recent work, criticises the term " Bautu" as unscientific, on the ground that it simply means "men j" but, as all the best authorities employ it, and as it has become asseciated by constant use with the race to which it is usually applied, we think it best to retain it. All these six races are allied to a greater or less degree. They all spring from the great Indo-African or Indo-Ethiopic family. They are thus a mixture of the pure African type with the Asiatic. and differ in race characteristics according as the one type or the other predominates. Though thus allied, they present strong race distinctions, and hence deserve a separate classification. 1. The Berber. The Berbers are a race of great antiquity. They are descendants of the primitiv~ ~to{:k of the land. They vary in color from a black to a dark bronze or copper. They have hig~ cheek-bone!!, the nose sometimes flat, like that of the Nf>gro, and sometimes aquiline; lips formed like those of Europeans; eye!! expressive, and hair curled, but not woolly. They are without the slightest trace of what is generally recognized as the negro physiognomy. They are an athletic, strong-featured people, accustomed to hardship and fatigue. Though the various tribes differ much, they are all fine men, tall, straight, and handsome. The home of the Berbers is in North Africa. They extend from Morocco to Egypt, and from tho Mediterranean to the Soudan. The Shuluh of the Atlas district, the Kobyles of Tunis, the Tuaneks of Western and Central Sahara, and the Tibbus of Eastern Sahara all belong to the Berber genus, and speak the Berber language.
2. The Coptic. The Copts are descendants of the an~ient Egyptian… They are a mixed race, their ancestors h!1ving intermarried with Greeks, Nubians, and AbYRsinians. Their complexion is similar to that of the Arab-a brownish yellow; foreheads flat, hair soft and woolly, noses flattened like the Negro's, lips thin and straight, cheek-bones high, beards thin, eyes large, and bent upward like the Chinaman's. They represent all that is left of the proud blood of the Pharaohs. Their home is in Northern Egypt.
3. The Nilotic. There are three main divisions of this race-the Nubians, Abyssinians, and Gollos.
The Nubians are of a reddish brown complexion; their color in some cases approximating a black, but not like the ebony hue of the Negro. They are described as a handsome people, with beautiful features, fine expressive eyes, and of slender and elegant forms. They inhabit Nubia.
The Abys~inians are a IItrong and vigorolls race, of a copper hue, more or less dark, with straight noses, eyes clear yet languishing, hair black and crisp, but not woolly. They are a mixed race, and inhabit Abyssinia.
The Gollos are the strongest tribe of the Nilotic race. They are a large, vigorous, almost bulky people. Their color varies between black and brownish, some of the women being remarkably fair. As to type, they stand between the Negro of Guinea and the Arab or Berber. Their countenances are rounder than those of the Arab, their eyes small, deeply set, but lively. They occupy a large district in East Africa directly South of Abyssinia.
4. The Negro. The general physical characteristics of the Negro are too well known to need description. It is a mistake to suppose all Africans are Negroes. The Negroes form but one of the six great races. Their home is in the Soudan, stretching from Senegambia on the West, to the highlands of Abyssinia on the East. The Mandiogoes are one of the most powerful of Negro races. They inhabit Senegambia, are very numerous, and partially civilized.
The W olofs occupy the region between the Senegal and the Gambia. They are the blackest and handsomest of all Negroes, and are a mild and social pe>ple. Central Soudan is occupied by the FOlllahs. They are one of the most remarkable races in Africa, distinguished for their intelligence and friendliness, are fairly industrious and civilized, and speak a rich and harmonious language. Our knowledge of Negro races is confined, in the main, to those of the coast, who are of the lowest type. Of the vast inland tribes of the Soudan ah:~ost nothing is known. The heart of this great country has scarcely been penetrated, and is now the least known of any part of Mrica.
5. The Bantu. The Bantu race is the most marked and characteristic race in Africa. The Bantu is of a far nobler type than the Negro. Though there are many tribes and nations, they all have the same general characteristics, and belong to one great family.' They are thus described by a recent traveller: "The Bantu is a fine, tall, upright man, with delicately small hands and well-shaped feet, a fine face, high, thin nose, beard and mustache.
" The further you go into the interior the finer the type becomes, and two points about them contrast yery favorably with most of the coast racesnamely, their lighter color, generally a warm chocolate, and their freedom from that offensive smell which is supposed wrongly to characterize most of the Africans. Some of them are perfect Greek statues as regards the splendid development and poise of figure. " They occupy a greater extent of cOllntry than any other one race in Africa, stretching from the SO North of the equator to the Tropic of Capricorn; or by countIies, from the 'Soudan nearly to Cape Colony. Thus nearly the whole Southern half of Africa is the home of the Bantu race.
6. The Goriepine. The Goriepine race is composed of Hottentots, Korannas, and Bushmen. A description of the Hottentot will suffice for all. Where they originated is a mystery. The only people to whom they are thought to bear a resemblance are the Chinese or Malays. Like these they have the broad forehead, the high cheek-bones, the oblique eye. the thin beard, and the dull yellow tint of complexion; but there is a difference in regard to their hair, which grows in small tufts, harsh, and lather wiry, and in the formation of the bones of the pelvis. They are a race of dwarfs, rarely exceeding four feet six inches in height. They are lively, cheerful, good-hnmored, and by no means wanting in intellect.
These six races form the native population of Africa. The entire population, both native and foreign, is variously estimated from 200,000,000 to 350,000,0.00. Mr. Guinness estimates it at 350,000,000. Stanley places it at 250,000,000. A conservative estimate would place it between 250,000,000 and 300,000,000.
II. We ask, in the second place, what is the social and moral condition of this great people 1 As to civilization and social status, Africa may be divided into two .great sections. The division is marked by passing a line froni the mouth of the Senegal Rh-er on the West to Cape Guardafui on the East. The Northern half includes aU the States of the Mediterranean, Egypt, Nubia, Abyssinia, and the Sahara. The Southern half embraces the Soudan, and Central and Southern Africa; or, as to races in the North, the Berber, Coptic, and Nilotic, in the South the Negro, Bantu, and Goriepine.
The Northern half has the characteristics of the Arabic civilization. The people are largely pastoral and nomadic. They have all the genius of the Arab, both for war and for trade. The Tuoricks and Tibbus of the Sahara are purely nomadic, living by means of predatory incursions and by tribute exacted from passing caravans. The Kabyles of Algiers and Tunis are the most industrious of Berber tribes. They till the land and work the mines in the mountains. The Copts of Egypt are an extremely bigoted people, of a sullen temper, very avaricious,. great dissemblers, ignorant, and faithless. They form the middle class, working chiefly as tradesmen and mechanics. The Abyssinians are, on the whole, barbarous and addicted to the grossest sensual pleasures. Their priests, among whom marriage is common, are but little better than the mass of the people. They are fierce and warlike, and have little regard for human life. In general, we may say of the Norj:.h African people, they are restless and nomadic for the most part, fierce and warlike, yet in some cases peaceable and industrious, proud; haughty, arrogant, energetic, and aggressive; in trade keen and versatile, with a strong native instinct for acquisition; in morals grossly sensual as the Abyssinians, or markedly abstemious as the Tuoricks of the desert or the Nubians of the Nile. In fine, they are characterized by both the virtues and the vices of the Arabic civilization and the Moslem faith. The stamp of the Arab and of Islamism is impressed on every race from the Mediterranean to the Soudan.
The Southern half of Africa is utterly destitute of any civilization worthy of the name. 'fhe people are for the most part in Ii primitive condition, not strictly savages, yet not civilized. As to social status, the people live mostly in independent groups under the command of a chief or king, whose domain may comprise only a few villages, or it may be a large extent of territory. In the Congo valley every village is independent, while in the South is the great Gorongange kingdom of Msidi, who is a most absolute despot, and rules by means of 2000 fusileers. In general the king or chief is tyrant and the people his slaves.
As to intelligence, there is a vast difference in different tribes. The best representatives, perhaps, of intelligence are the Bololo people, in the bend of the Congo. They clear away the tangled growth of t.he forest in their settlements, and sow the fertile soil with maize and mandroca. They are expert in the working and smelting of brass. They understand division of labor, and have divided themselves into farmers, gardeners, smiths, weavers, cabinet-makers, warriors, and speakers. They are intelligent, industrious, and friendly. The streets of their villages are straight and regular, running at right angles. Their houses are large and commodious. Far in the interior, however, we find a different state of things. Professor Drummond gives this description of the people in the Nyassa district: THE PEOPLE OF AFRICA.
" Hidden away in the endless forests, like birds' nests in a wood, in terror of one another, and of their common foe, the slaver, are small native vil- lages ; and here in his virgin simplicity dwells primeval man, without clothes, without civilization, without learning, without religion, the genuine child of nature-thoughtless, careless, and contented. This man is ap- parently quite happy ; he has practically no wants. One stick pointed makes him a spear j two sticks rubbed together make him a fire; fifty sticks tied together make him a house. The bark he peels from them, makes his clothes; the fruits which hang on them make his food."
There is one common characteristic of the Central African people. They are bom traders, and therein lies the hope of a future civilization for Africa. The commercial instinct is all-powerful.· They have actually created among themselves a true currency, though not a money one. " In the management of a bargain," says Stanley, " I should back the Congoese native against Jew or Christian, Parsee or Bonyan, in all the round world. Unsophisticated is the very last term I should ever apply to an African child or man in connection with the knowledge of how to trade. I have seen a child of eight do more tricks of trade in an hour than the cleverest European trader on the Congo could do in a month. Therefore, when I write of a Congo native, whether he is of the Bakongo, Bayanzi, or Bakete tribes, remember to associate with him an almost unconceivable amount of natural shrewdness and power of indomitable and untiring chaffer." As to morals, the picture is not so fair. The degradation is extreme and well- IJigh universal. Polygamy is everywhere practised. In the empire of Kasongo, 'Vest of Lake Tanganyika, the ruler is regarded as the husband of all his female subjects, except his mother. The idea of chastity seems to have been entirely lost. The value of a human life, especially of a slave, is unknown. Mutilation and death are the only punishments in vogue, even for the slightest offences. The slaughter of men, women, and children that accompanies the death of a chief is so revolting as to be almost incredible, had it not been attested by eye-witnesses. Human sac- rifices are common. The walls which surround. the palace of the King of Dahomy, on the West African Coast, are decorated with the heads of war- captives stuck on stakes. Cannibalism is not universal, but is prevalent among the tribes of the Upper Congo and about the Mobangi River, where the paths are marked by rows of human skulls, and the people wear neck- laces of human teeth. We shudder at the very mention of atrocities which ~ are of every-day occurrence among this people. From the dwarfs of the Great Forest of Upper Congo to the half-human inhabitants of the Kolohori Desert, and from the besotted Negro of Old Calabar to the degenerate Hot- tentot of Momagna land, the same blackness of moral degradation prevails with ever-deepening shades. All are not as atrocious or as degraded, but the few faint and s~attered gleams of light only serve to deepen and in- tensify the dense darkness that covers like a pall this truly benighted land. Africa has been likened, from her geographical form, to a woman with a
CONFUCIUS AND CHRIST COMPARED
huge burden on her back. Need I ask what that burden is! It is the crushing weight of a bondage more cruel and relentless than that of the Arab slaver, more deadly and destructive than that of the white man's rum -the bondage of a thousand years of ever-deepening sin.
CONFUCIUS AND CHRIST COMPARED.
In a recent issue of the American Missionary we find the vast difference between the power of the moral teachings of Confucius to affect the conduct, and that of the teachings of Christ, very clearly put by a converted Chinaman, as the following item will show: Hing Sing is a helper in the Chinese mission at Petaluma, Cal. He • reports in a letter to Dr. Pond, the superintendent, an interview with a pagan friend. Though his English is in dialect form, he makes it express very clearly his idea of the universality of the religion of Jesus, and its superiority to that of Confucius.
In the course of the interview his friend had acknowledged that it. was a wrong way to do to smoke and to gamble, and that it wasted money. " But," he said, to quote Hing Sing's own words, " you should not believe Jesus, for we have our own Confucius doctrine, which also taught us to be good. You should not believe Jesus, and should not imitate foreign doctrine.' , I answer him: " Gold have no limit, no matter from what country or nation, but pure and true, so that we call precious, for everybody can use it. Also the Jesus doctrine have no limit, from whateTer nation, but is the true, for we to imitate and believe.
" We loand Jesus was the Son of God, came down to saTe our soul, if we real trust in His name. I found our Confucius, he was virtue and good man. lIe can teach us to be good and honor, but he cannot save our soul. But we found J csus was the Son of God, for lie can give His Spirit to melt our wicked hearts into righteous and faithful and good man; our Confucius only can tell us between good and bad, but not able to melt our evil heart. How many our Chinese people understand our Confucius doctrine! Why should they not imitate and obedience his teaching? Smoke opium, gamble, swear, and other evil things, they know very well that was unrighteous, for why should they not imitate our Confucius what he has done, the good work, and obey his teaching 1 Ah, for he can only indicate to you the way of good, but he cannot inspire your spirit, but Jesus only can! Nothing impossible. When I was not a Christian I was gamble and I was swear, but since I became a Christian, never smoke opium, never gamble or swearing, and many of my friends was the same.
So it was illustrated, Jesus was the Son of God, can give ot His Spirit to inspire our spirit, to turn away from bad to the good."
A. WONDERFUL LIFE·BOAT
A WONDERFUL LIFE·BOAT.
BY CAPTAIN E. C. HORE, F.R.G.B.
If you turn to the map of Africa you will see, toward its centre, several large pieces of water known as the Central African lakes, and, in a central position among them, a long. shaped one called Tanganyika j its surface is 2700 feet above sea-level, and it is hemmed in nearly all round by high land crowned witb forests. Around the shores of that lake twelve different tribes of Africans have their homes j there may be seen market places where hundreds of natives bring their produce, such as mats, baskets, skins, bark cloth, woven cotton cloth, pottery, iron, both as hoes and axes, weapons and wire j copper, botb in pigs and manufactured into bracelets and otber ornaments, sugar-cane, ground nuts, palm oil, salt, honey, and butter, besides goats, fowls, fisb, and corn and vegetables of 'many kinds. , These are spread out for sale in the early morning in the market-places, which become busy scenes of barter and exchange.
For such busy and industrious people the lake forms a ready means of getting about; and much of the produce to be seen in those markets is brought there in canoes. These are wbat are known to us as dugouts– hewn out of solid trunks of trees from the great forests on the lake shores; they are clumsy-looking craft, following rather the model of the hippo- potamus than that of the swan, but strong and safe for all that j and tbe natives are very clever in managing them. These canoes are also largely used for fishing. I have seen more than 200 little canoes at one time out at nigbt catching whitebait. In each canoe a long faggot of dried reeds, witb one end alight and pushed over the bow of the canoe, served to attract the little fish in immense shoals. The fisherman, standing erect in his tiny-craft, and using a large hand-net, literally shovels them in. Tbe fish are then taken on shore, baked quite dry in the hot sun, and made up into little bolster-shaped loads wrapped round with leaves, and thus form,ing portable packages of preserved provisions, which are sent far and wide over the country. Other large canoes, some of them over forty feet long, are engaged in all kinds of trading enterprises between the different countries round the lake, and, especially, in the slave trade between tribe and tribe. For, although these fine people are so enterprising and industrious, there is everything with them that we think of as heathen and savage, the horrible curse of the slave trade having always kept them down, and no light of Christianity brightened their life into liberty and civilization.
But, a few years ago, there appeared on those waters a boat of most strange appearance and character for that remote region.. The Morning Star was her name, coming, let us hope, as the harbinger of the light and glory of a true daylight. She is a boat built of the best modern materials, and of handsome appearance, like a large sea-going life-boat, with three sails and eight oars, and flying at her masthead the peaceful device of the dove and olive branch-the flag of the London Missionary Society, to whom she belongs, and whose missionaries she conveys from place to place with a message of Jove and light to those natives.
And this is how the Morning Star got to 'l'anganyika : I went home from England to Central Africa in 1881 with a survey of Lake Tanganyika, and a report of the kind of vessel necessary for missionary work on that inland s~a. In due time the Good News, auxiliary steam yacht, was placed in hand for that purpose ; but, as it would be some time before she was ready for service, and a large reinforcement of missionaries were starting for Tanganyika, another smaller vessel was required, both for immediate use, 'and, afterward, to complete the efficiency of the boat service on the lake as tender for the Good News, or independently.
For this purpose I designed the Morning Star, 32 feet long and 8 feet beam. She was built from my design, by Forrestt & Sons, of London, in six complete sections, and ele'en smaller pieces, to be jointed together with bolts and nuts, each section and piece separately galvanized, and t:) form, when put together, a strong, sea-going life-boat. Each end section formed a complete air-tight tank, and two intermediate little cabins formed each of two sections, also being water-tight compartments.
To convey these sections overland six small carts or barrows, consisting of light wooden frames exactly to fit the sections, and wrought iron wheels and fittings, were made, also conveniently taken to pieces. All these sections and pieces and their carts, were conveyed in the ordinary way as cargo in a steamer from London to Zanzibar, where the strange enterprise commenced of conveying them overland to the centre of Africa.
From the East Coast of Africa, opposite Zanzibar to Ujiji, on Lake Tanganyika, following the windings and zig-zags of the only possible paths, is a distance of 836 miles, without railways, vehicles of any kind, or even beasts of burden. On the heads and shoulders of Africans, or on carts drawn and pushed by them, the Morning Star was conveyed to the lake. Carried over first in small Arab dhows from Zanzibar to the coast (a distance of 25 miles), the sections, and carts, and loads were landed at Saadani, a native settlement or town under the rule of the Sultan of Zanzibar. There the carts were fitted together ,and the sections secured npon them, and, after a great deal of work and preparation (for the boat and its fittings formed part of a large caravan, consisting altogether of over 900 Africans, ten of our missionaries, and all their stores, besides African moneys in the shape of many bale~ of calico and other cloth and barter goods) started on their long journey.
For three and one half months the faithful African porters cut their way through broad belts of jungle, dragged the carts ankle deep through miry swamps, threaded patiently the winding forest tracks, slowly clambered over mountain barriers-often hungry, thirsty, and excessively tired, but never giving in or yielding to others the" honor," as they considered it, of .managing the cart, or carrying the piece of boat which formed their part of the work. In camp. gossiping over the fire at night, they would argue with one another as to how the boat would be put together, and to strangers along the road they would boast that they were ,,'partners" in the enterprise of conveying it to Tanganyika; and this, often, while they were hungry and thirsty by reason of the hard work it had cau~ed them.
At last Ujiji was reached, the carts causing a great sensation there, and great wonderment was expressed at the boat sections. I soon got settled in myoid quarters, and the boat-building was commenced. Day after day she grew in size and beauty as the various parts were joined together, until, all being finished, she was one day launched into the lake, a thing of beauty and strength, and a joy to us for years of work, during which she proved to us safety and comfort and speed.
As the Morning Star was being built, some of myoid boat'll crew (natives of Ujiji), who were. eager to go again with me voyaging on Lake Tanganyika, came, day by day, to look at the new craft; day by day, too, some cloud or doubt seemed to damp their ardor about the coming voyage, until at last, one day, they came along to have a special talk with me, and the difficulty was explained. They had beguu to wonder, and then to doubt as they saw the metal sides of the boat, and had finally determined to tell me that, although they would" go anywhere" and" do anything" for me, they really could not go " to sea in a saucepan." I told them to wait; and while I was preparing to depart from Ujiji and give up our house to its owner, the boat lay quietly afloat at anchor. Several times I took So~lC of these Wajiji sailors off with me to the boat to have a look, and in this way seeing her buoyancy and perfect tightness, they at last became convinced of her seaworthiness.
Our beautiful boat was complete, and her loyal crew ready for work; the new Morning Star shone forth upon the lake, and now, for more than five years (having become well known as the harbinger of peace and goodwill) has been afloat there, welcomed wherever she goes, conveying backward and forward, between our stations, our missionaries and their stores, proving herself to be a stanch and good vessel, and in her life and history fully entitled to the name of " a wonderful life-boat."
There she still remains (together with her larger companion, the steamer Good News, afterward built there) on Lake Tanganyika, 2700 feet above the sea, and 800 miles from the sea-coast, a remarkable evidence of the very practical nature of missionary work in that country, and a means by which our young people may, by contributing to her support, help in giving to Dark Africa the Light of the Gospel.
Any of our readers who wish to study African missions will find, we are sure, great help in Tlte African News, published by T. B. Welch & Son. While this admirable periodical especially reports Bishop William Taylor's work, we have found it full of information, and have taken the liberty to copy a short article in these pages.-EDITOR.
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVl'i:R, MASS.
-The Calwer Monatsbliitie1·, referring to David's ordinance, that" as his part is that goeth down to the battle, RO shall his part be that remaineth by the stuff, ,., remarks: "This is the word of a king, and is in force even to this dar. The cause is the Lord's. His are the laborers. His is the result. And He apportions the reward as He will. His truth finds application in a thousand ways. The simple Christian, who imagineR himself so far behind the missionary, and the missionary, who is tempted to imagine himself of special dignity in the kingdom of God, will one day find the Judge using another standard than that of either. Those .who look upon home .missions as an inferior work, and they whose sense of their country's need" makefl them jealous of everyone that is penetrated with the thought that ' the field is the world,' will both find at last that the question is not: ' Where have ye wrought l' but, 'How have ye wrought where ye were called to work~' 'If it is only good, then it is good. ' " Or, as the youthful Malcolm says: ., This, and what needful else That :Jalls upon us by the Grace of grace We will perform in measure, time, and place. "
" Inner missions," says the Monatsbliitter, referring to George Miiller's definition of himself, "are a Handlanger of foreign missions." A hand- Zanger is one who hands the materials which the craftsman uses. In Germany the mutual inosculation of the two interests is even more distinctly evident than here. It is no wonder,. then, that George Miiller has brought with him to England in the most eminent degree the instinct that refuses to separate them either in thought or act.
-The different departments of evangelistic work are corning so rapidly into intercommunication that we are as likely as not to find the fullest account of what is going on near us in some publication at the ends of the earth. This is illustrated by the following paragraph from the Bombay Guardian of November 22d, 1890. Even when it states facts already known, they seem to have a new meaning when they reverberate from hoary India: " We have frequently noted with thankfulness the progress of the McAH Mission in Paris. Now we learn that a large missionary boat, in connection with the mission, is to be anchored in the Seine. Daily services will be conducted in the cabin, which will contain nearly two hundred persons. The authorities have given every facility and protection. The Parisian prefect of police testifies to the good work which the mission is doing. He says: ' Every new McAll station means a reduction of po1ic~ force. Sixty persons now give their whole time to the missions, and froIl). 600 to 700 co-operate. There was an aggregate attendance last year of 1,200,000 persons in the 130 salles in all parts of France. In connection with this we may mention that in a paragraph in our last issue, on page 11, entitled' A Noble Giver,' alluding to this Rubject, the name of the writer-Dr. Pierson–was omitted. There is a holy emulation between the McAll Mission, the Salvation Army, aud the Belleville Mission of Mademoiselle de Broen as to which shall have the largest share in the leavening of the slums of Paris with Christian truth. They form an heroic trio. Things arc greatly altered for the better in Paris since the terrible record of 1871, with its petroleuses and communistic horrors." At least an elect remnant is being saved. The insurgents of 1871, as Mr. Hamerton remarks, should be called communards, not communists. The privileges which they claimed for the Commune, or Municipality of Paris, had no connection with any theories of communism.
-The Heidenbode informs us that the province-or as it is called there -the Presidency of Kedol, the newest field of evangelization in Java, now numbers 1000 professed believers, lately Mohammedans. This has been almost wholly the work of Javanese Christians, who show a remarkable zeal and successfulness in diffusing the Gospel which they have received. Everywhere, however, in the Dutch East Indies, Islam is advancing by natural increase, and by a steady reduction of the heathen populations under its sway. The Netherlands Government, which long directly encouraged the spread of Mohammedanism, is now beginning to be afraid of it, and is looking to its meani of suppressi.ng a very possible Moslem outburst of rebellion.
-The first re-marriage of a widow has taken place in the Pokarna callte of Brahmins.
-The (Jhronicle for November, 1890, speaking of the work ofthe London Missionary Society in Hankow, China, refers to the Hanyang Hill a8 being" so situated as to ghoe anyone who ascends it a bird's-eye view of the whole neighborhood. When our former foreign secretary, Dr. Mullens, came here many years ago, Dr. John took him to this spot as to one of the principal sights of the neighborhood, and he declared that in all his travels in India and elsewhere he had not seen any sight that impressed him more. Not that the view here presented to the eye is one remarkable for the beauty or grandeur of its physical ,scenery. A few low hills, a few lakes in the distance, the' great yellow Yang· tsze-here a mile wide-stretching away as far as the eye can reach in a north-easterly and a south-westerly direction, while from the northwest the tributary Han winds in and out till at last it empties itself here at Hankow (i.e., Hanmouth) into the larger river j these are the chief natural objects to be seen here. But it shows us one of the largest centres of human life and activity in the whole of Asia. To men and women who in any part of the world are carrying on the work of Christ, excellence of outward surroundings must always be estimated with reference to the presence or absence of their fellow-men. The first paradise of which we read was indeed a garden, the garden of the Lord, full of exquisite scenery, and of everything in nature that could delight the eye, but almost entirely devoid of living, sentient, thinking human beings. The last paradise is to be a city-the city of God. The difference is most significant. The Son of God rejoiced in the habitable parts of the earth, and His delights were with the sons of men j and when once His call has been heard by any of His followers to devote their lives and strength to the one work of saving men, then every large hive of human beings, every city-even if only full of fallen, sinful, heathen human,ity, and not, as the New Jerusalem, full of saints redeemed from the earth-must always have a strong attraction and fascination sl1ch as no solitary region, however grand or picturesque its scenery, can ever have." The population of Hankow, on ship and shore, the Rev. Arnold Foster, who writes this, estimates at a million and a quarter, besides the throngs passing and repassing from other provinces.
-The Missions-Blatt of the Moravian Church, for JailUary, gives a New Year's benediction, which, coming from that centre, extends over all that are concerned for the work of the Lord throughout the world: "Th9 Saviour's rich blessing for the New Year. May Himself, the King of HiA Kingdom, greet thee, beloved Church of missions, with the greeting of His peace! May His grace and His truth 'permeate thy ranks anew, and deeply illumine thy innermost heart. Into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, hast thou also been translated through the love of the Father j and thou dost daily experience that He who, born of the line of David after the flesh, has been manifested in power as the Son of God after the Spirit, hallows more and more them that come believil1gly to Him as a people of possession, being now risen from the dead. Be He then in the New Year also, as well the heart of our preaching, as also He for whom we adventure and surrender all that we have-life and limb, goods and blood. For who but He is it that hath redeemed and won us over from all our sins and from the dominion of death, and from whom alone we have received grace and apostleship to establish among all the Gentiles the obedience of faith in His name."
-The Brethren's Church hall decided to take up a new mission in North Queensland, among the aborigines, and another on Lake Nyassa, within the German " sphere of influence. " .
-The Moravian Mission in Greenland consists of 6 stations, in 2 gro~ps, and of 9 missionaries. Under their charge are 1608 persons. The rest of the Greenlanders are cared for by Lutheran brethren of the Church of Denmark.
-The death, by a fall from his horse, of the hereditary High Chief of the Mosquito State-a young man of twenty-live-suggests to the Moravian. brethren that, in the event of the extinction of the reigning family (happily not imminent), this little Protelltant State would be, by treaty with England, absorbed by the Catholic State of Nicaraugua. This, however, is showing itself ftiendly to the brethren, and now allows them to instruct their converts on both sider; of the line.
-The Missionary Record for December, 1880, gives statistics (thoroughly corrected) of the advance of the missionary work of the United Presbyterian Church in Scotland in thirty years. The term" missionary" includes ordained native pastors, Zenana misI'ionaries, and European teachers, but excludes all native evangelists and teachers: Missionaries. Home Contribntions for Foreign Work.
1859…………………….. 30 1840…………………… £3,300 1869….. , ………………. 63 1849…………………….. 12,800 1879…………………… 81 1859…………………….. 16,900 1889 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 1869…………………….. 29,100 1879 ……………………. 32,300 1889……………………… .40,500 No. Native Congregations. Members in Full Communion.
1859 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 1859……………………. 4,552 1869 •……………… ~. " …48 1869 ……………………. 5,740 1.879……….. " ., ……….. 63 1879……………………. 9,187 1889…………………….. 96 1889 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,899 Native Pastors. Native ContributiollS.
1859……… 1 (Rev. Tiyo Boga.) 1859…………………… £2,090 1869……… 7 1869……………………. 3,020 1879 . . . . . . . . . 12 1879……………………. 6,500 1889. . . . . . . . . 23 1889 …………………….10,470 "The missionary sympathy of the Church has been widening and deepening j the liberality of the Church has been expanding j the lands in which our operations are carried on are being more completely taken possession of in the name of the Master; while a native church in each of those lands is rapidly gathering around itself the love and devotion of the native population, and promises to become, in course of time, so vigorous that it will be able to manage its own affairs, and allow our missionaries to enter into new regions where they may still further extend the blessed work."
What is said here about the Jamaican Church, connected with the United Presbyterian Church, ought to be laid to heart universally: "Our Church in Jamaica is looking forward to such independence, and endeavoring to prepare for it. But this independence ought not to be sought in the near future. It is a distinct advantage, to the cause of Christ in Jamaica that our Church there continues to be in dependent union with a church life ~f wider horizon and riper experience. Its own church life gains through this union, possibly a firmer fibre, but certainly a richer tone and a greater influence upon public opinion. To force our Jamaican Church into a position of independence by any mechanical arrangement would be a mischievous policy. It would mean the undoing of results that have been gained, and might require a reconstruction of the agency at work after an inferior pattern."
The present writer, two of whose former charges have been happily incorporated into the Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, can wish nothing better for them than that the United Presbyterian brethren in Scotland may keep an eye on them for a number of years to come.
-The following paragraph from Central Africa, the organ of the Universities' Mission, gives, in a few lines, the whole African heathenismperhaps the darkest form of heathenism, the most utterly dismal and comfortless in the world: "Only gradually does the deadly atmosphere of heathenism dawn upon one. Lust, as strong, perhaps in some ways stronger than with ourselves, has nothing to check it. There broods oppression on a petty scale, with tragic burnings and poisonings, fear of lions, or sudden night attacks, and murders of a mother or ,near relative who has been half the little world of life-things that leave the child an old man in heart, cut off from our comfortable security."
-The Indian Witness of December 6th, 1890, says ~ ., The death of Sir Rivers Thompson, late Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, calls for a notice from the Christian press of the country. Respected even more than he was loved by all who came within the reach of his personal influence, he has left behind him a reputltion which any Indian civilian may envy. What he was in the dawn of his wider influence he was consistently in its meridian and at its close. An open worshipper of the living God, a friend of all agencies that sought to make Him known to dying men-a Christian in his conscienee, an Englishman to the backbone."
-The Mission Field, the organ of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, says: "Both by countenancing heathenism and by ignoring the missions, Christians in India retard the work. They do it doubtless unintentionally. Then they in some cases eomplete the mischief by depreciating the missions when they come home. It is an unfortunate fact that there is injury to the cause of missions, and to the zeal of the Church at home by those who, by having been in India, claim to be able to speak with authority, while as far as any actual knowledge is concerned, they are as ignorant about missions in India as they were before they left England. They take upon themselves the responsibility of repeating indiscriminate slander on the work of God, although they may be living close to strong evidences of God's grace and power." -The late Daniel Adolf Cracau, of Breslau, left, in 1887, a bequest of about £4,0,000 to the Moravian Church. The custodians of the trust are the German Emperor and the King of Saxony. Half the income is to be used for the conversion of the heathen, half for the ransom of slaves.
-The Moravian brethren, in their Periodical Accounts, cordially echo the wish expressed by the Rev. S. D. Fulton, in this REVIEW, that Protestant missions may soon be established in Nicaraugua, which, they truly say, bids fair to be just such a mission centre as the Apostle Paul • would h,.ve delighted in.
– The following reminds one of the suggestions of Gregory the Great to the Abbot Augustine, when sending him on his mission to con- vert our English forefathers. As Gregory was a man of deep practical in ight, his suggestions are always worth heeding. Speaking of the Melas, or religious fairs of India, the Mission Field says: "It is beginning to be generally felt that it would be well to have Christian Melas. The Mela is, in fact, valued by the great mass of the Hindus and Mohammedans merely as a holiday. It is the only holiday there is for the mass of the people.
Where the Hindu cannot attend one of his own he betakes himself to the Mohammedan, and vice versa. So will it be for the ordinary native Chris- tian. If he have none of his own he will be strongly tempted to attend those of his Hindu or Mohammedan neighbors. Accordingly there is a strong feeling that Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide should be treated as times for Christian Melas, and that the largest and nearest Christian station should be the centre to which the surrounding Christians should resort." The writer remarks that such gatherings may easily be kept free from all leaven of heathenism.
-The charges of " unscriptural optimism" and" unscriptural pessim- ism" are freely bandied back and forth in the Church between Christians.
The Bombay Guardian seems to hit the nail on the head in the following: " Every well.established Christian should be intenRely pessimistic and intensely optimistic. He should be intensely pessimistic of what he or any other man can do of himself, and intensely optimistic of what God can do through any child of His who fully surrenders to Him." .
-Henry Augustus J aeschke, late Moravian missionary iq the Himalayr.s, a lineal descendant of the first Moravian emigrants to Herrnhut, besides German was master of Polish, Danish, Swedish, and was acquainted with English, Hungarian, Bohemian, Latin, Greek, and after going to the East, already knowing Sanscrit, Persian, and Arabic (and doubtless Hebrew), he learned Hindustani, and Urdu, and lastly Thibetan. He was likewise an enthusiastic student of mathematics and natural science, especially of botany. But he obeyed. the call of his Church, to go to the dreary Thibetan regions, as unquestioningly as if he had been an unlearned artisan. "While at Ladak he lived at Stok, near Leh, in the most frugal and primitive fashion. His food consisted of oatmeal and porridge, and the woman of the house faithfully kept for him the egg which her one hen laid every day. From his curiously.shaped bedroom he had to climb to his study by a stair composed of five unequal blocks of stone, and his furniture consisted of a tottering table and a still more defective stool." He had no notion of being too valuable in Europe to be hidden away in the inaccessible uplands of Asia. In other words, he was a true Moravian.
-The Periodical Accounts for September says: "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD holds on its way with growing interest and power. Dr. Pierson continues his graphic and informing missionary letters from abroad, and we join with many in gratefully acknowledging his manifold labors on behalf of' missions by pen and word of mouth." The editors also express a kind senljle of the value of the extracts from foreign magazines.
-The .Macedonier brings the same accusation against the Dutch Govern- ment that English Christians bring against the British, with the further aggravation, that whereas England is ready to ruin a foreign race with opium for the sake of gain, Holland is destroying her own subjects.. In a notice of a Dutch book on the opium question, it says: "It supplies con- , vincing proof that the Netherlands are every day heaping new guilt upon themselves and murdering, body and soul, the Javanese who are under their jurisdiction. Yet it gathers nothing but facts, and for every statement is careful to give its authority."
-Missionary Lazarus, in the ])ansk .Missions-Blad, gives a pleasant instance of how the seeds of truth blow about in India: "Yesterday afternoon we preached before a Telugu village called Karapet, which we had already visited two or three times. Just as we arrived, the people, who are all lapidaries, came out to bid us welcome. They then begged us to sit down, and began to sing a Christian hymn, ' Come quickly, flinner, come to the Saviour.' The hymn was in Telugu, and many of them sang it well. I asked thelll where they had learned it,. and found that they had picked it out of a tract I had left there, and had set it to one of their own melodies. I then addressed them, and taking advantage of their calling, depicted to them Jesus as the Great Lapidary, who deals with our nature as they deal with rough rubiefl, to cause it to gleam forth in the glory of a pure gladness. Thus we find that the leaves of healing are not spread abroad to no purpose."
-We find in the Bombay Guardian of November 8th, 1890, the most particular account we have seen yet of the happy development of missionary activity among the English Friend@. It says: "Any Church which tries to exist without a missionary spirit will inevitably perish. Aggression is the soul of life. About twenty years ago the Society of Friends awoke to this fact, and in England turned its attention to the lapsed masses at its doors. Now nearly all its meeting-houses have a mission attached, seeking to help the poor in soul and body. Mothers' meetings, clothing clubs, adult and juvenile schools, and other similar agencies, are vigorously prosecuted. A marvellous increase of spiritual life in the Church itself has resulted. Its foreign mission work has likewise developed almost entirely during the past twent.y years. Up to 1875 only 1 missionary was in the field in India, now there are 14. Madagascar has 22 j China, 4 j Syria, 10 j Armenian Turkey, 9 j Zululand, 3. American Friends are also carrying on mission work among. the North American Indians, and in Mexico, Jamaica, Japan, China, Alaska,. and Ramallah in Palestine. Thursday of this week was to be observed at the headquarters of the society in London, as a day of united prayer for missions, including a Bible study on the spirit of missions, and then a survey of the needs of both the foreign and home work." Thousands of the children of this venerable society, now found in other denominations, will rejoice at this sudden outburst of life after long apparent decay. May she renew her youth, and while coming to this greater distinctness of evangelical apprehension and activity. long abide as a witness to essential, over against all the overvaluations of ceremonial, righteousness.
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEY. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Black Fellows of Australia. colonist said to them: .. The few blacks will ultimately accept the Gospel of a FrnST PAPEB-MOBA.VIAN MISSIONS. crucified Saviour and be blessed there- • by, but the whites will hinder your BY~EV. A. HARTMANN, MOBAVIANTOWN, ONT. work, as they did the mission work of other societies." The first hindrance (Continued from page 217.) arose from the discovery of the gold nelds at Mount Alexander; the gold dig- I. FIRST ATTEMPT AT MISSIO:ti WORK. gers, coming from Adelaide, passing the mission station, damaging them in many Being repeatedly pressed to com- ways., This might have been borne mence mission work among the blacks with, but.the vulgar and disgusting in- of Australia, the Brethren's Church trigues of unprincipled whites greatly (Moravian) sent out two missionaries, hindered the missionaries in their efforts Tl1ger and Spieseke, educated laymen, to attract the natives to the place and to commence the work. In 1850 they to gain their confidence. Then, after arrived at Melbourne. They were very the exhaustion of the gold, many of the kindly received by the Governor, Joseph European immigrants took up land in La Trobe ; and the Bishop of the Angli- the colony, and also about Lake Bogs. can Church, as well as many ministers The missionaries were given to under. of other denominations, met them with stand that if they did not voluntarily true Christian love, and encouraged leave the land (on which they had set- them to do the Lord's work. tled by permission of the Government) steps would be taken to drive them After a long search in the northern away. districts of Victoria for a suitable place, they came at last to Boga Lake, which Meanwhile the missionaries went on had been recommended to them as the in their work, being strengthened by very best place, because it was a favor- another brother (Hansen) sent out in ite resort of the blacks. This Boga January, 1854. They also succeeded in Lake is about 200 miles northwest of gaining the confidence of a number of Melbourne, close to the boundary of the natives: Spieseke wrote: .. We have Victoria and New South Wales, and not not yet enjoyed the happiness of ob- far from the mouth of the Loddon serving the work of grace and of the river, emptying itself into the Murray. Holy Spirit in the hearts of the blaoks. Brethren, have patience with us, and The missionaries went back to Mel- believe with us, for we have reason to bourne, buying all that was necessary to be thankful for what the Lord has done carryon the work, and were permitted for us. When we oonsider how the ene- and authorized by the Government to mies of the Gospel have exerted them- make use of a certain portion of land selves to keep the blacks away from us, facing the lake, to build up a settle- we must confess that it is a wonder we ment. They little thought at the time have so many gathered about us, and that attempts would be made by some notice how they begin to trust us." whites to claim the land they had set- tled on. Much less did they think that We put it down as a fact that the mis- by their attempt to hring the natives sionaries would have succeeded if the under the blessed influence of the Gos. Prince of this world had not been per- pel, they would stir up the hatred and mitted to frighten them away. ill-will of white neighbors. ., There is no space allotted us in your columns to go into detail, and so we Heavy rains, followed by large 1I.00ds, made it impossible for them to arrive at Boga Lake before October 21st, 1851. They commenced their work in fear • and hope, and they experienced what a '< must sum up the diRastrous retreat of the missionaries now bitterly regret the Moravian missionaries very briefly. that they acted upon the impulse of the moment, and thus cut short a work In 1855 a neighboring settler, Imp- which was sure to bear fruit to God's ported by the District Court, claimed to glory, as the sequel will show. have a right to the land granted to the miRsionaries by the Government. Mr. II. Tager, the leader, being in ill health, had no inclination to enter on a legal RENEWAL OF THE MISSION WORK. process, as. he was advised to do. When, therefore, he found that he was For want of space we shall have to not righted after he had lodged his com- make just a mere sketch of the very plaint with the Government, he grew blessed and very successful issue of this impatient, and declared that on July second attempt. The two brethren ap- 1st, 1856, he would dissolve the mis- pointed (Hagenauer and Spieseke) have sion, as the authorities had failed to in every respect justified the confidence support him, and he had no mind to go placed in them by the Church. (Brother to law. A private individual has a right Spieseke was not to blame for leaving to actin this manner, but not a re- .Lake Boga ; he was subordinate, and spor:sible agent of a Mission Cburch did not agree with the move.) On May like the Moravian, for it was a breach 7th, 1858, they landed in Melbourne, of confidence. and were well received by the Gover- nor, Sir Henry Barklay, and numerous We quote the words of the Mission Christian friends. They were directed Board of the Moravian Church as laid to the Wimmera district, as most suitbefore the Christian public: •• It is true able for work aDlong the natives, and, that our mission work in Australia has after much travelling, a site for the for the time come to an end, an occur- establishment of a mission was found rence well calculated to humble us.. on the river Wimmera, not far from the How often, and not without reason, has sheep station Antwerp, belonging to the perseverance of our missionaries Mr. Ellerman, by whom they were reo been lauded when they were laboring ceived with open arms and helped. under various trials and difficulties, Here they obtained a grant of land of and under apparently hopeless pros- three square miles. The place was pects of success. How they kept to called Ebenezer. On January 10th, 1859, their post in a simple faith! Think of after humbly imploring the Lord's blessthe work in Greenland; think of the ing on the undertaking, the two mis- West Indies, where many brethren and sionaries started for the chosen spot, sisters went willingly into the jaws of and commenced clearing. Two natives death, and then think of the work here at first, and more afterward, assisted in in Australia, commenced with much the work, and by this means became aclabor and outlay, and carried on £or a quainted with the brethren. Soon the number of years; think of the giving natives gave the missionaries to underup of this mission, the necessity of stand that a carroboree–a kind of rewhich we are not able to prove. Think ligious dance-would be given in their that the missionaries left their post be- honor, which the missionaries could not fore every hope. was vanished to main- prevent. Mr. Ellerman provided the tain their position ; and then that they workers with food and lodging at his returned home without, and contrary home in Antwerp, twenty.two miles to, the permission of the Board. This distant, till they had built a home for is a painful confession, but we do make themselves. After eight :lays, Hageit before our dear Christian friends, and nauer commenced a school for the bow at the same time before the Lord, young men, and several made pleasing that He may again be gracious unto us progress. The women and girls were and exalt us in due time. We add that not forgotten. Clothing material had benches ; they made bedsteads, and a been provided by friends in Germany, box, etc. The youth Corney joined and Brother Hagenauer, though quite them. When the missionaries gave inexperienced, cut out and directed the them some kitchen utensils they were sewing of the dresses and pants. Later as proud and happy as kings. The rest. some ready-made clothing arrived from of the blacks looked on with astonish- Melbourne, which was a real boon to ment and pleasure, and after a time the missionaries. At the Sunday service sought to follow their example. For a the audience presented a remarkable as- whole year the missionaries had to fight pect. All had washed, and, so to say, against the difficulties which Brose from dressedthemselvegtoo-thatis, one had the heathen rites and dances, and the on a shirt, another a pair of pants, a superstition and degraded habits of the third a coat, and so on. .They had people, with no appearance of life from divided their clothes among themselves, God among them. But at last, in Januso that they might all appear at church. ary, 1860, the light sprung up and chased Amid all the work and anxiety of estab- away th.e darkness in the heart of Peplishing a home in the wilderness, the per (before mentioned), and he became missionaries never lost sight of their a new creature in Christ Jesus, though proper errand. But at first tbe only not without much conflict and many answer to the heavenly message was; slips and falls. One day Brother "Give me something to eat; give me Spieseke showed some Scripture prints; clothes; or, as when old Charley, after among others, one of the flood, and ana long, earnest talk and prayer, which other of our Saviour on His knees in Hagenauer had with him, pointed to agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. A heaven and asked if there were many day or two later Pepper came to him sheep and oxen there. Another time in the evening, saying, .. I want to came Diggy, and asked Spieseke for speak with you about my state. I don't flour. ,. What for?" said Spieseke, .. you know what is the matter with me. I have have done no work." "No," said Diggy, wept over my sins; last night I cried .. but I will go to prayers to-morrow." aloud. Just now I went to the river for The blacks showed a willingness to do water, and I thought, and thought, and all that was required of them. Their thought how our Saviour went that behavior at the meetings surprised night into the garden, and prayed till Spieseke, who knew their restless He sweat drops of blood, and that for habits, and looked upon it as a hopeful me." These words he spoke with much sign for the future. At times the wan- feeling. From that time a great change dering spirit came upon the natives, and was observed in Pepper, and be.came they vanished almQBt to a man. But two evident also to his brethren, for out of of their number (young Bony and Pep- the fulness of his heart he spoke to per) began to understand some of the them of the way of salvation, and of benefits of the coming of the mission- the Saviour whom he had found. His aries, and stayed with them, in spite of joy in God's Word, and his loving and the entreaties of their wandering com- tractable behavior showed that the panions. After the mission house was Spirit of God was at work in his heart. finished and the missionaries took up One Sunday evening, as the missionaries their abode in Ebenezer, these two young were returning from a neighboring stamen expressed a desire to give up their tion, where they had preached, they wandering life and build a house of found Pepper, surrounded by fifty of their own, which they did, with the his people, preaching to them the glad help of the missionaries-building it of tidings of the Gospel. Great was the bark, and finishing it off with I/, brick joy of the missionaries, who begged chimney, as the missionaries had done him to proceed, and afterward thanked their own. Inside were table, stool, or and praised the Lord for His grace thul! bestowed. After a time the request of mony. Even old people and little chil- Pepper to be especially instructed, with dren gave pleasing proofs of their be- a view to baptism, was acceded to, as it lief in and love of the Saviour, and became more and more clear that the many of them are now, we fully believe, work in him was of God. The 12th of rejoicing before the throne of God, .. hav- August, 1860, was the day of his bap. ing washed their robes and made them tism, and also that of the consecration white in the blood of the Lamb." Al- of the small church which had been ready in 1868 the number of converts in erected, and for which a new bell had Ebenezer had reached twenty. But be- been sent from Germany. Rev. Chase fore this time other laborers had arrived took the long journey from Melbourne; -two brides for the .brethren Spieseke from Horsham came friends, and the and Hagenauer, in May, 1861, who found neighboring sheep farmers came to· plenty of work among the women and gether to celebrate the event. That day the sick, besides caring for their own will not soon be forgotten by those who households. In November of the same were present. Pepper received, at his year, Brother Francis came from Engown request, the name Nathaniel. land,and when he left, after two years, Hagenauer says: " We felt that the Brother Hartmann and his wife entered blessing of the Lord was with us on that day." Of Nathaniel's further on the ~or1r, in which they continueCl course we will here say that though a true s!3rvant of Christ, he was Ii very for eight years. weak one; and though at times his light burned brightly, to the joy of his RAMAH-YUCK. teachers, at others he triell their pa· tience and grieved them by inconsisten- In the mean time a new work had been cies, which indeed was scarcely to be commenced in Gippsland by Brother wondered at in one so recently a hea. Ha.genauer at the request of the Presthen. He was the first of a great num- byterian Church of Victoria, who promber of converts who received the Gos- ised to provide the means if the Morapel with joy, and turned with repent- vian Church would send the men. It ance and faith to the Saviour, proving was proposed to name it .. Ramah," to by their lives, and often by their preach- which the natives added" yuck," " our ip.g; theirlove to Christ and the breth- home," thus showing their joy and apren: '~ 'these many names could be preciation. In Ramah-yuck the faithgiven.. Young Bony (baptized Daniel) ful efforts of Brother Hagenauer and was, at his earnest request, accepted as his wife met with success 8.Il in Ebeneassistant to the brethren who went to zer. In 1866 the first convert was bapcommence a mission at Cooper's Creek, tized, and received the name of " James in the interior (of which a hrief men- Matthew," and five months later Tomtion will be made later), but died on the my and Jack. In 1868 the number had ;way thither. Philip and Rebecca were increased to seventeen, and by the end placed in charge of the orphanage at of 1869 had risen to twenty-six. Ebenezer, and were most useful and consistent Christians. Philip also as- But these missions are not remarksisted in preaching, and often accom_ able for numbers, nor for the shining p~nied the missionaries on their evan_ lights among their converts, though, as geliziug tours among the still wander- was said before, some of these put to ing tribes. Dick-a-Dick 'was baptized shame many white Christians by their on what proved his death-bed. His consistency. Moreover, as sad diseases childlike and strong faith rejoiced the -particularly consumption-carried off hearts of the missionaries, and aston- many of their number, and others left ished all who heard his dying testi- the mission station to obtain employ- ment, it is easy to see that the work done was in many cases lost to slght, and, indeed, we shall only know when we see them in glory, how many of thll8e poor lost ones were rescued and saved. mankind, and that some will certainly The schools at both stations reached a be among the multitude surrounding high standard, that in Ramah.yuck the throne of God and the Lamb. having gained the highest marks for fOllr successive years, the only school in All the glory be to His name. Amen. Victoria which could show such results. So much for the general opinion that -The African Times says that a stam. the blacks could not learn. An attempt pede is reported among the" traders on was made to found a mission in the in. the Congo from the right to the left terior, at Cooper's Creek, which was bank of the river, except one Dutch given up on account of cost, and be- house, to escape the impediments and cause Lutheran missionaries had en· taxations of the Free State. The traders tered the same field, probably not know- say that this heavy taxation not only ing that our brethren were already there. applies to liquor, but to land tax, and Spieseke, after faithfully serving in even to canoes and surf-boats, and to the mission at Ebenezer for twenty white and black employes. years, died happily in the midst of his people, and was honored by them in his -Rev. Dr. E. W. BIyden, at a public burial. His place was supplied by dinner tendered him down at Lagos, Brother Kramer and wife, and Brother said, recently, that the Mohammedan Bogish. population of ,Lagos has increased with astounding rapidity during the last The natives are dying out fast, and thirty years. In 1863, Captain Burton the half breeds are not allowed to stay estimated the Moslem population at from on tj:le stations, so there is a fear that 700 to 800. In 1889 Sir Alfred Moloney our work in Victoria will soon be over. put them down at 15,000, and he de- scribes them as " the most orderly, in· But other fields are opening in tellectual, and respectable class of citi. Queensland; the latest news being that zens, composed of all the tribes of three brethren have been appointed by Yoruba. 'l'his is tb e official testimony our Mission Board. The country has borne of this people in all the settlebeen explored by Hagenauer with a view ments. They have spread over the to a speedy commencement of a mission whole of our fatherland north of the to the degraded cannibals of Queens. Equator from the Atlantic to the Red land. If we understand rightly, the Sea, from Lagos to Morocco, and from Presbyterians will supply the funds, Sierra Leone to Egypt." and the Moravian Church the men. Two other missions-one at Lake Con. Release of Mr, Penzot.ti dah, supported by the Church of England. and one at York Peninsula, sup- We have at last the satisfaction of reported by Friends-are carried on by cording the fact, which has already be· Moravian missionaries with much pros- come widely known through the daily perity and success. Lack of time and and weekly newspapers, that the long space forbids our entering into details and wearisome imprisonment of Mr. in regard to the blessed results of this Penzotti in Callao has been terminated mission among the aborigines of Aus- by decree of the Supreme Court of Peru. tralia; but enough has been said to The terms of the decision are not yet show that the Gospel of our Lord Jesus reported; but a telegram, dated Lima, Christ is "the power of God unto sal· April 3d, and addressed to a gentleman vation to everyone that believeth;" to in New York who has taken great inter. show that there is no respect of persons est in the case, announces in a single before Him, but that the Holy Spirit is word that he has been liberated. 1m. " given to all that obey Him;" to show prisoned for more than eight months, that the blacks of Australia are also in- on an accusation presented and urged cluded in the plan of God's salvation of , by a Roman Catholio priest, the Rev. of the terms offered the natives by the Jose M. Castro; charged with the offence Spanish Governor. He says the specifi- of violating the law in holding unauthor- cations of the Governor's trumped-up ized religious services; kept in a dun- charges against him were of three sorts : geon after he had once and again been (1) that I had been harboring the re- adjudged guiltless by the tribunals be- bellious Metalamin chiefs, feasting them fore which his adversary had summoned and buildingthem a house at Kiti. Also, him; denied the privilege of bail; (2) that I had been having meetings shrinking with inexpressible loathing with them and the Kiti king to influ- from the filth and impurity of the cell ence them against the Spanish rule. He in which he spent two hundred and also said, (3) that he had positive proof fifty nights with thirty or forty crim- that I was one of the principal leaders inals ; refusing to listen to the whis- in planning the breastworks at Oua.
pered suggestion that proceedings might And (4) as the mission was responsible be discontinued if he would agree to for the present outbreak of the Metala- leave Peru; constrained to send his min tribe, he did not think that we daughters out of the country, lest with- would be permitted to carryon our out a father's protection they might be_ work much longer.
comlt"victims of a foul consph:acy ; and ever hopeful that his sufferings would -Bishop A. W. Wilson, of the Meth- eventually lead to the promulgation of odist Episcopal Church, South, says religious liberty in Peru-he is now " that the agitation in Japan of the revi- vindicated and set free. Eight months sion treaty has affected foreigners in of imprisonment and the exp~nse of general, and missiona.ries to some ex- defending himself in three courts is tent along with the rest." Missionaries, what the administration of justice in he says, " have to be very careful about Peru awards to an innocent man! One their political positions.
cannot but ask What penalty would "This treaty agitation has raised up an have been in:tlicted upon him if the anti-foreign party, who want the Chris- outer door of the warehouse in which ti:l.n missions conducted only by native he talked to a small company of men Christians. 'I'hey want the natives to about the Gospel of Christ had not been formulate Christian creeds for them- locked, and if admission had been grant- selves. They do not want Christian ed to people without a ticket.-Bible creeds formulated for them by the West- &ciety Record. ern nations. They are fully able "to -Sir Edwin Arnold says, in the Daily understand Christianity and to formu- Telegraph: .. A new Japan is definitely late from the Bible creeds to suit themborn-constitutional, progressive, ener- selves. The idea of a representative getic, resourceful, sure to become great, government, as we have it, is not comand, perhaps, almost again as happy as prehended ; it is not in the mind of the she was of yore. Let the nations of the Japanese people. West receive and welcome as she de· serves this immeasurably ancient em- .. For 2500 years they have taken all pire which thus renews her youth in law from the Mikado, and I doubt not if the fountain cf constitutional liberties the Mikado would to-morrow withdraw and institutions." the Constitution, which gives repre- sentation to the people, the great mass of the people would quietly accept it as -The Daily Pacific Commercial Ad- coming from the source of all law-the vertiser of Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, Mikado. There would probably be a of March 14th, contains along letter from few murders among the student class, Rev. F. E. Rand, written at Ponape, to who would resist it, and there it would friends at Honolulu, giving an account end."
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
III.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Among other Alliances for Prayers for "Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. Missions, we call attention to the xxii: 20). Prayer Alliance, of whi6h Miss Mabel B. Atwater, 334 Lexington Avenue, New " And this Gospel of the kingdom shall York City, is Secretary. It reads as be preached in all the world for a witfollows: ness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matt. xxiv: 14). Walch " In the Year of our Lord 1891. Shall and pray." the generation now upon the face of the earth hear the Gospel? Likewise we call attention to the Prayer Union for Arabia and the Ara- "First. It is our Lord's last command bian Mission. Gen. xvii : 18. (Mark 16 : 15). 'Every creature' cannot possibly mean only those on one Aden, Arabia, January 1, 1890. third of the globe. It is our Saviour's will (1 Tim. 2 : 4, 6). The Arabian Mission, begun in an- "Second. This generation will be lost swer to prayer and sustained by conunless they hear the Gospel (Rom. 1 : 20, 21, 28, and Ps. 9 : 17). stant appeals to the Throne of Grace, " Third. If this generation hear the comes to its friends with a New Year's Gospel, IDe must carry it to them, for to us the work has been committed (2 Cor. request. 5 : 19 ; 1 Tim. 1 : 11). On the threshold of Arabia, face to " Fourth. We cannot serve the next generation. Are we with David serving face with the greatness and difficulties our own generation (Acts xiii: 36)? of the work, and deeply conscious of " In the heathen world there are about 1,000,000,000 souls; 30,000,000 a year our own weakness, we ask you, who go into eternity without God. Our Lord said: ' Go ye into all the world have already shown your sympathy for and preach the Gospel to every creature.' Out of 35,000,000 Protes- the cause of Christ in Arabia, to join tant church-members only about 6000 have obeyed this command, one in us in stated, fervent prayer: every 5800. Evangelized, 116,000,000 ; unevangelized, 1,000,000,000. The field 1. That God's promise in regard to is the world. 'Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.' the children of Ishmael may speedily " And whatsoever ye shall ask in My be fulfilled, and that His blessing may name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John xiv :13). rest upon every effort put forth to give " Pray ye therefore the Lord of the them the Gospel. I harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest (Matt. ix : 38). 2. That many may be led to choose PRAYER ALLIANCE. for their field of labor this neglected .. , Depending upon the Holy Ghost to portion of the Lord's vineyard. bring it to my remembrance, I pledge myself to pray daily, IN FAITH, for the 3. For a special blessing upon the evangelization of the whole world during the present century; and the speedy missionaries of the Arabian. Mission: coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.' that they may live very close to the Master; that t.heir lives and words may ever point men to Christ; that God may be pleased to use their efforts in bring- ing many of the children of Ishmael unto Himself.
Will you join us in making these ob- jects a special burden of prayer at your Sabbath morning devotions throughout the year?
"The wilderness and the solitary plllce shall be glad for them, the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."
" He is faithful who hath promised."
.TAMES CANTINE, S. M. ZWEMER. " Speed on, ye heralds, bringing The latest phase of the Uganda revolu- Life to the desert slain ; tion-the flight of Mwanga, his appeal Till in its mighty winging, to the Church he persecuted, the vic- God's Spirit comes to reign. tory of the Christians. the J:eturn of From death to new·begetting, Mwanga, and his re·establishment in God shall the power give; the kingdom surrounded by chiefs and Shall choose them for crown.setting councillors professing the Christian And Ishmael shall live. faith-is a chapter in praise of meekness and mercy. In Uganda to.day the .. So speaks the promise, bringing , meek inherit the earth' and Iorgive. The age of Jubilee ness is proved to be the noblest re- To every home and tenting, venge." From Tadmor to the sea. The dead to life are risen; Goodness is sometimes better than The glory spreads abroad ; greatness. A missionary in India was The desert answers heaven, so feeble mentally that he could not Hosannas to the Lord !" learn the language. After some years -J.G.L. he asked to be recalled, frankly saying that he had not sufficient intellect for The St, Paul of Uganda. the work. A dozen missionaries, how- ever, petitioned his Board not to grant When Stanley urged Christendom to his request, saying that his goodness send missionaries to Mtesa's kingdom,' gave him a wider influence among the Mackay joined a party of eight to found heathen than any other missionary at an industrial mission to the Victoria the station. A convert when asked, Nyanza. In three years he alone sur- " What is it to be a Christian ?" replied, vived. For fourteen years, in jeopardy "It is to be like Mr. –" naming the every hour, he was yet the soul, the good missionary. He was kept in In- hand, the head of this great and model dia. He never preached a sermon; movement. The London Times called but when he died hundreds of heathen him ".The St. Paul of Uganda" : as well as many Christians mourned him and testified to his holy life and char· " He built, cut type, translated, print- acter. ed, engineered, navigated, diploma- tized; he de~ounced crime, preached It causes sorrow to many to learn that .the Gospel, acted as schoolmaster and Mrs. Phraner, wife of Rev. Stanley K. doctor; he befriended Emin Pasha, Phraner, died at Chang Mi Laos, in Junker and Stanley, and strove, alas Northern Siam, one month after their in vain! to save Hannington from the arrival. Mr. Phraner graduated last results of unconscious but heroic folly; spring at Princeton Theological Semi. he controlled the court so far as it could nary, was ordained by the Presbytery of be controlled; protected the brave Westchester, was married, and imme- Christian boys, and, in a word, through diately set out as a missionary to Siam. baptisms of blood and fire, won a He is a son of Rev. Wilson Phraner, church in the wilderness for the dear D.D., for many years pastor at Sing Lord and Master whom he served with Sing, N. Y. an absolutely single eye. No such story of Christian heroism has ever teen told Dr. Storrs, of Brooklyn, the President in our day. The boys of Uganda who of the American Board, referring to died in horrible tortures rather than whiskey in Africa, is said to have used deny their faith will rank with the this terse but telling sentence recently: noblest martyrs of Christian history. ., Every dollar gained in the Congo rum Every line in our Lord's Sermon on the trade ought to burn in the palm of a Mount finds its illustration and con- firmation in this extraordinary history. man who gains it, as if it were a part Proposed Colony on the Bellamy Plan. of the blazing asphalt that makes the pavement of the infernal regions." A ,despatch from Hutchinson, Kan., says: "John Caplieg, of Buffalo, N. Y., Baptist Missionary Centenary in passed through this city, March 26th, on 1892.-Next year the Baptists will cele- his way home from Beaver City, in No. brate the centenary of the formation of MlLn's-LlLnd, where it is proposed to lotheir Missionary Society. It is the old- cate IL co-operative colony to be organest organization of the kind in existence, ized on the Bellamy plan. He said that excluding, of course, the Society for the he expected the colony would be formed Propagation of the Gospel, founded this spring in time to put in crops, if nearly a century previously. William possible. The colony, he thinks, will Carey, of Leicester, Baptist minister, comprise about 500 people to start with, schoolmaster, and shoemaker, first raised and it is to be strictly co-operative." the question of modern missions in 1786. but not until 1792 was the Society Attempts similar to this have been launched. Historic dates and places made from time to time, but the bottom linked with the So.ciety·s inauguration has dropped out of them all Booner or will determine the time and centres of later. The only perfect state is that the forthcoming services. Carey built on Christianity. kindled the flame by a missionary sermon preached on May 31st at Notting- The revival among the Telugus in ham; on October 2d the Society was the last few months has been the notable formed at Kettering; and, on March event of the year. Four thousand con- 20th following, he was ordained for mis- verts in that mission have put on Christ sionary work at Leicester. At the open- in baptism. Upon one Lord's day 1671 ing meeting of the Society £13 28. 6d. was were baptized in a little over six hours, subscribed, which .seems trifling com- two men only at a time administering pared with the current average annual the ordinance. It must have been a income, between seventy and eighty grand sight to witness on the forenoon thousand pounds. The Society has a of that dllY the thousands of thirsty inbright record of labor in the East and quirers, many of whom had travelled West Indies, and latterly, since 1878, miles, sitting upon the ground in the on the Congo, where it employs over broad commons drinking in with rapt twenty mISSIOnaries. A centenary attention every word that fell from Dr. thanksgiving of £100,000 has been Clough's lips, as he expounded from proposed, and the increase of the Soci- the text, ., Come unto Me, all ye that ety's yearly income to £100,000. The labor and are heavy laden, and I will young folks connected with the Baptist give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, chapels and Sunday-schools are invited and learn of Me ; for I am meek and to raise one fourth of the form€r sum. lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest To the 120 missionaries and 306 evan- unto your souls." The words given of gelists at present in the field it is con- the Spirit to the speaker were indeed templated by the Society to send forth .words of eternal life to the hearers, and a hundred additional men and women. brought rest to many souls whose bodies The Baptist Union of New Zealand has were wearied by the long journey to this resolved to hold simultaneous centenary " Bethel" of their souIs. Thirty of Dr. gatherings. Once more I notice that Clough's co-workers assisted him in the "A Frii'md" has sent £1000 to the examination of the candidates for baptreasurer of the Baptist Missionary So- tism, and none were baptized of whose ciety. a similar amount having been conversion they did not find good evisent by the same person at the begin- dences. ning of several recent years. In this Ongole station the revival has been continuous now since 1877, and it may be doubted whether in all mission- sticks, and objects used in their idola- ary history another such case is to be try, and made a great bonfire of them. found. Mr. Mackay says that over 500 houses were cleansed of idolatry in his pres. The Right Heir, e:nce."
When the excellent Christian Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins, it may be re- was about to end his long and devoted membered, were to join Mr. Pentecost missionary life in India, he said, in view and assist him in his evangelistic work of all the Lord's goodness to him, "I in India with their singing. In are. make Christ my heir"- and then by his cent letter to the Hartford ReligiCYU8 will made provision as far as his world- Herald a member of the family writes as ly means would go, for carrying on the follows: work of Christ among the heathen after he would be gone. We can think of but " On the 17th of November we reached one addition to this plan: to make Calcutta. Here we stayed until the 1st Christ first of all the partner of our daily of January, 18111, helping Dr. Pentecost toils and profits. in his meetings, and doing a great deal of singing for the missionaries. We We are so crowded with matter of were entertained by Bishop Thoburn, great importance that we omit this the Methodist Bishop of India, and by month any distinct Department of the pastor of the M. E.church there. Monthly Concert. Our readers will not The Methodists are by far the strongest miss this, inasmuch as the whole num- in India of any of the denominations, ber is maiuly given to Africa, and is and they are ce~tainly doing a great and unusually rich in material from various grand work. About Christmas time Dr. valuable sources upon different phases Pentecost decided to turn his attention of the languages, customs, oppressions, to the educated natives, and as they and needs of the Dark Continent. were not appreciative of Christian song, he·advised us to make a tour of the cities Says the Ewminer: "The Rev. Mr. of India, helping the missionaries as Mackay has been in the Island of For- we go. So we left Calcutta, January mosa for a great many years. About ,a 1st, and next day arrived at Benares, dozen years ago he planned to visit a the seat of Hinduism. We sawall their district containing a number of villages vile worship, and the great ruins of bearing the name of Ka-le-oan. Not Buddha's first preaching places.••• being able to go he sent II native preach- We visited Cawnpore, the scene of the er. Mr. Mackay was enabled a few worst atrocities of the mutiny of 1857. weeks ago to visit the region. He Then up to Noradabad, where was being found the people having a wonderfully held the North India Conference. We clear conception of the Gospel and had some fine meetings, and got a peep wearied with their idol worship. They at the executive missionary body. told him that the Mandarin would not let them throw up idolatry, declaring "We have held a song service and that they would be rebels against Chi- sometimes two or three in every city we nese authority if they did so. Mr. have been in except Delhi, where we Mackay saw that official and gained his were not entertained. We ha"e helped consent to let the people do as they in the conferences and in every place liked. 'fhe people held a council, and have sung to large audiences of Euroat once determined to forsake idolatry. peans." Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins planned A temple recently built was turned over to sail for home on February 28th, and to the missionary, and became a Chris- stop in Egypt, Palestine, Italy, Gertian meeting:house. Parties went about many, and England, reaching home by the villages gathering up idols, incense midsummer.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
BY MRS. 1. T. GRACEY.
Woman's Foreign Missionary 22,156 subscribers, a children's paper, Union of Friends in America. Cor- the King's Messenger, is also published, responding Secretary, Eliza C. Arm- with 20,315 subscribers, Boston, Mass. strong, Centre Valley, Ind. A large amount of miscellaneous litera- ture is issued by the society. The consolidation of the various branches of the woman's societies un- Woman's Baptist Foreign Misder one board has been accomplished, sionary Society of the West.-Orwith a department of missionary litera- ganized 1871. Corresponding Secretary, ture, one of junior and juvenile work, Mrs. A. M. Bacon, 3032 South Park another of systematic Christian giving, Avenue, Chicago, TIl. and another of interest and organization. Home report of this society: Number Number of auxiliary societies 224, of circles 1243, number of guilds and with 3376 members, and 2140 members young people's societies 233, mission of children's bands (number of bands not bands 309. The fields occupied are the given). Amount of money received dur- same as those occupied by the society of ing year, $23,164. the East. The same periodicals also are circulated. The board supports 18 missionaries, 8 native evangelists and Bible readers, Foreign work: Twenty-eight mission- 51 children in homes or boarding- aries are supported, 3 of whom are medschools, 7 day schools with 304 pupils. ical; 79 schools, in whole or in part, with an aggregate of 1759 pupils; and 31 Work is carried on or aided in Mexi- native teachers and 49 Bible women co, Japan, India, Syria, China, Indian have also been supported. Territory, and in Alaska. During the year the Carpenter Memo- Friend's Missionary .Advocate is the rial Hospital, at Bassein, has been official organ. This paper has been opened. Receipts for the year, $34,674. owned by Mrs. Esther Tuttle Pritchard since its establishment, in 1886, until Woman's Baptist Foreign Misthe past year, when a centralorganiza- sionary Society of California.-Corretion was effected, she presented the sponding Secretary, Mrs. L. P. Huntspaper to the union. man, 1264 Eleventh Avenue, East Oak- land, Cal. BAPTIST WOMAN'S BOARDS. This society has been organized 16 Woman's Baptist Foreign Mission- years. Previous to 1889 only one misary Society.-Organi~ed 1871. Cor- sionary was supported, who was staresponding Secretary, Mrs. O. W. Gates, tioned on the Congo. Now they sup- Newton Centre, Mass. port 4 missionaries, 2 to Hakkas, of China, 1 at Seudai, Japan, and 1 at The home work of this society is rep- Swatow, China. resented by 1440 circles, or contributing churches, 702 mission bands, and 15,578 Receipts for past year, $2214. No re" members. Amount of money raised for port of home work.
year ending March, 1890, $99,007. Woman's Baptist Missionary So- The society has work among the Bur- ciety of Oregon. -Corresponding Sec- retary, Mrs. Clinton Latourette, Oregon mese, Karens, Shans, Chins, Kachins, City. Eurasians, Telugus ; missions in China, Assam, Japan; Congo Mission, Africa, This society reports 31 circles, with a and Europe. membership of about 500, 7 children's bands, with 220 members, and 11 young Fifty-one missionaries are supported; people's societies, with 345 members. 9 sent past year; 171 schools with 6119 Amount of money raised from October, pupils, and 67 Bible women. 1889 to October, 1890, $1730.
Official organ, the Helping Rand, with One missionary is supported in Now- its Church Board. It helps to support gong, Assam. and contributions made work in Shanghai, China. Has 2 misto support Bible readers in Burma and sionaries-I a physician-and 3 assist. in, China. ant teachers. Has 1 boarding.school with 12 pupils. Work is also carried on Woman's Missionary Union Aux- in Holland in addition to home work. iliary to Southern Baptist Conven- Receipts for year, $3216. tion.-Organized 1888. Corresponding Secretary, Miss Annie W. Armstrong, 10 Christian Woman's Board of Mis- East Fayette Street, Baltimore, Md. sions.-Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Lois A. White, No. 160 North Delaware Prior to 1888 the Baptist women of Street, Indianapolis, Ind. the South had been working for missions, but without a general organiza- Twenty·nine States report 882 auxtion. Auxiliary societies 1469. iliary societies connected with this bo.ard-156 organized the past year. The society contributes to the work Present number of members 15,086, of the board in Brazil, Japan, China, young people's circles 49, children's Cuba, Italy, Mexico, Africa, besides bands 380. work at home among the Indians and colored people of the South. Official organ,' Missionary Tidings, with 4459 subscribers. A children's The society has a general depot for paper, Little Builders at Work, has a submissionary literature in the city of Bal- scription of. 2000. Amount of money timore, where can possibly be found the raised for the year, $45,166. largest variety of missionary le!,fiets in the country. Literature has been sent The society has work in India, out to 14 States, and over 100,000 Jamaica West Indies, and in Montana leaflets and pamphlets have been dis- in the home field. An orphanage is tributed during the year. supported at Bilaspur, India, with 19 orphans, and a school with 27 pupils, Amount of money raised, $21,398 for and a hospital has been established in foreign missions, and $10,161 for home India. Number of missionaries or formlSSlons. Official organ, the Baptist eign workers not given in report. Basket, Louisville, Ky. Woman's Auxiliary to the Board Free Baptist Woman's Missionary of Missions of the Protestant Epis- Society. – Corresponding Secretary, copal Church.-Corresponding Secre- Mrs. J. A. Lowell, Danville, New Hamp- tary, Miss Julia. C. Emery, 21 Bible shire. House, New York.
The home work of this society is rep- During the past year a junior auxiliary, resented by about 250 auxiliary societies modelled upon the woman's auxiliary, and 57 children's bands. Amount of has been formed, and a paper called the money raised during year, $7694. Peri- Young Ohristian Soldier started. The odical, the Missionary Helper, with 1250 woman's auxiliary has its workers in 51 subscribers. dioceses and nine missionary jurisdic- tions. Besides their domestic missions, The main work of the society is in the auxiliary aids the work in China, India. The principal stations are Mid- Japan, Africa, Mexico, and Alaska. napore and Balasore, where zenana, Six missionaries have been sent to the school, and medical work are success- :field the past year. fully carried on. Twenty teachers, 5 Bible women, 13 male teachers, in all 49 The aggregates are all given for parish persons, have been supported. An Of- ladies' aid work and other mission work phanage at Balasore has 35 children, and combined. It appears that of an aggre 7 day schools with 270 pupils. gate collection of $542,197, about $36, 838 is spent in foreign work. But the Woman's Board of the Seventh- North American Indian work is includ- Day Baptists.-Corresponding Secre- tary, Miss Mary F. Bailey, Milton. Wis.
This society works in connection with ed in domestio missions. It is impos- eties, 437 auxiliaries, 176 mission bands; sible to follow here the classification members in auxiliaries 10,443, members which is made where the home and in bands 4869; total membership 15,- foreign work are in separated societies. 312. Amount of money raised from April, 1889 to April, 1890, $32,117. 'Woman's Foreign Missionary So- ciety of the Reformed Episcopal This board has work among the Ind- Church.-Organized May, 1889. Corre- ians of the Northwest, missions in sponding Secretary, Mrs. William H. China, Formosa, Central India, Island Allen, Philadelphia, Pa. of Trinidad, the New Hebrides, and British Guiana. Foreign statistics not This society, so recently organized, given in report. Periodical, Monthly raised during the year $4077. One mis- Letter Leaflet, with a circulation of 5500. sionary is supported in Cawnpore, India, and another went to Calcutta under the Woman's Foreign Missionary So- auspices of the Woman's Union Mission- ciety of the Presbyterian Church in ary Society. Money has been sent to Canada (Eastern Section}.-Organized Sierra Leone, Africa, to open a training- 1876. Secretary, Mrs. J. T. Thompson, school, and some aid given to Japan. 111 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, N. S.
Oa.nadia.n Societies. This society is represented by 6 Pres- byterian societies, 112 auxiliaries, 5 Woman's Missionary Society of young people's branches, 46 mission the Methodist Church (Canada).- bands. Work is supported in the same Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. E. S. fields as those of Western Division. Strachan, 163 Hughson Street, North Receipts for year $5340. Hamilton, Canada. Woman's Baptist Foreign Mis- This society, territorially, is divided sionary Society of Ontario.-Corre. into 5 branches, viz., Eastern, Western, sponding Secretary, Miss Buchan, 165 Central, Nova Scotia, and New Bruns- Bloor Street, East Toronto, Canada. wick, and Prince Edward Island branches. Number of contributing circles 173, number of bands 81. Money received Home force: Auxiliaries 358, memo for the year $7471. bers 8020, mission bands 153, members 4462. Amount of money received for ,Work is carried on in India at Akidu, year $25,560-an advance of over $3254 Cocanada, Tuni, and Samulcotta. At over preceding year. Cocanada a flourishing boarding·school is supported, with 26 pupils. The society has a prosperous work in Japan, a boarding.school at Tokyo, and Woman's Baptist Foreign Misseveral day schools. Also a large work sionary Society of Eastern Ontario among the French in Canada, and dur- and Quebec.-Corresponding Secretary, ing the year a French institute has been Miss Greene, 478 St. Urbain Street, established in Montreal with 43 pupils. Montreal, Canada.
Theyhave a work also among the Ind- This society has work the same as the ians and Chinese on the Pacific Coast; society in Western Ontario. It has support 18 missionaries, 12 in Japan about 50 circles. Money raised during and 6 at home. Periodical, Missionary year $1530. Other statistics not given Outlook, Toronto. in report.
Woman's Foreign Missionary So- Woman's Auxiliary to Diocesan, ciety of the Presbyterian Church in Domestic, and Foreign Missions of Canada (Western Division). – Or- the Church of England, Diocese of ganized 1876. Foreign Secretary, Mrs. Toronto.-Secretary, Mrs. W. Cum- L. J. Harvie, 80 Bedford Road, Toronto, mings, 321 Markham Street, Toronto, Canada. Canada.
This society has 25 Presbyterian soci- Number of adult branches 51, number of junior branches 17, members 1407. Periodical department in The Canadian Ohnrch Magazine and M'i,Ssion News. The human family living to-day con- Total amount of money raised for sists of about 1,500,0'00.000 individuals. 1890, including value boxes of clothing In Asia there are now approximately to needy missions, $12,236. about 800,000,000, densely crowded; on an average 120 to the square mile. In General Statistics, Europe there are 350,000,000, averaging 100 to the square mile-not so crowd- BY BEV. D. L. LEONARD. ed, but everywhere dense, and at all points over- populated. In Africa there Missionary Ammunition. – Every are 210,000,000. In America, North and pastor ought to see that every pew is South, there are 110,000,000 relatively supplied with the diagram first pub- thinly scattered. In the islands, large lished by the Church Missionary Society and small, probably 10,000,000. The of London, which pictures to the eye at extremes of the white and black are as a glance, and most effectively, the 5 to 3 ; the remaining 700,000,000 interspiritual condition of humankind by mediate brown and tawny. Of the race, means of a rectangle 4 by 6 inches, 500,000,000 are well clothed, that is, printed in various colors, to distinguish wear garments of some kind to cover the principal religions and divisions of their nakedness; 700,000,000 are semithe Christian Church, and divided into clothed, covering inferior parts of the some 1500 squares, each one represent- body; 250,000,000 are practically naked. ing a million souls. Thus the Jews oc- Of the race, 500,000,000 live in houses cupy but 8 squares, the Greek Church partly furnished with the appointments 84 squares, Protestants 125, Roman of civilization; 800,000,000 in huts or Catholics 190, Mohammedans 170, but caves with no furnishing; 260,000,000 the heathen 856, the latter and most have nothing that can be called a home, palpable fact being properly emphasized are barbarous and savage. The range by so many squares in jet black. And is from the topmost round-the Anglothen, to show what slight impression Saxon civilization, which is the highest has been made, what a tremendous task known-down to naked savagery. The remains to be performed after 19 centu- portion of the race lying below the line ries of Christian history, after 100 years of human condition is at the very least of Protestant modern (playing at) mis- three-fifths of the whole-900,000,000. sions, those awful 856 inky squares contain 2-only 2-near the centre that are -The various Protestant churches of snow white-standing, of course, for the Canada sustain 6 missionary societies, handful of converts made from heathen- and contribute to the foreign work an ism. What Christian heart can gaze aggregate of $165,000 annually (of unmoved upon such a lamentable de- which $100,106 is expended through the lineation? Presbyterian Board), have Ill3 missiona- ries in the fiela: and 380 native laborers, Then add to this another set of fig- and have gathered 8172 members into ures, which portray the physical, intel- their churches. lectual, and social status of mankind, and we have a working basis for an –The indications are unmistakable overwhelming appeal for a general and that the Huguenots in France, after sublime outburst of evangelizing faith centuries of extreme depression, and and zeal. And without doubt never after even lad apostasy from faith and were the facts relating to the condition fervor, are at length awakening to new of the race upon the material side set spiritual life. This fact appears espeforth so adequately in such brief space cially in the aggressive work undertaken as in the statement which follows. It to spread a pure gospel both at home has been before the public for some and abroad. They number some 600,000, years, and may therefore be quite famil- and are gathered into about 650 iar to many; and yet it cannot be reviewed and pondered too often: churches, though 30,000 or more are the seat of the IIiission. The work acsCdttered, and destitute of pastors and complished is made palpable in part oy places of worship. They sustain 3 Bible 125 chapels and prayer· houses, 341 consocieties, 3 book and tract societies, gregations, 6367 communicants, 223 many Young Men's Christian Associa- Sunday-schools, with 8151 scholars, and tions, 2 theological seminaries, 2 schools 194 day-schools, with 236 teachers and for evangelists, 4 societies for carrying 4423 scholars. Of these schools 171 are on evangelistic work, and a host of col- primary, 15 are high caste Hindu girls' porteurs. The annual contributions schools, 3 are Mohammedan, 3 boardfor home missions amount to $100,000, ing, and 1 industrial. In addition a and for foreign missions, $80,000. But college was opened in 1885, which now so limited are their resources and so has a teaching force of 19 and 361 stuheavy their burdens, they have sent one dents, and having as its chief object the of their number-Professor L. J. Ber- training of teachers and gospel workers rand-to America to raise here, if pos- of every kind. Money has also been sible, $20,000. raised ($15,000) for a hospital in Guntur.
Methodist Protestant Church.- -The Moravian Church, the pioneer Secretary, Rev. F. T. Tagg, Easton, missionary body in modern times, I!nte. Md. dating Carey and the Baptist Missionary Society by 60 years, with its" home .. Report for eight months ending De- membership of but 21,360, has in its cember 31st, 1890 : missions 30,591 communicants, and 87,263 in its congregations. Ten coun. RECEIPTS. tries are occupied, with 135 stations; 36 men and women were sent out last yelll, Foreign Fund..•..••.••…………• $3,452.12 making 355 Europeans and native as. Children'S Day…………..•……. 5,718.74 sistants in the field, with 1663 other Album F'und . . . . . . . . .• . . . . . . . . .. .. . 142.71 native helpers. In 113 Sunday-schools SpeciaL ……….•………………• 1,319.06 15,362 scholars are taught, and in 235 day-schools 20,629. The receipts for Balance, May 1 …… _. . ••• .. ….•. . 1,250.03 1889 were $100,115, of which upward of $40,000 came from non – Moravian Total. ……•…••…•••.•…….. $11,882.66 sources. Expenditnre•..•..•••…•..••.•.••… 11,371.15 The lal'gest mission is found in the Balance, Dec. 31…….. ..•. ………. $511.51 British and Danish West Indies, with 49 stations and 39,420 in the congrega. This society has 2 stations in Japan; 2 tions. Next come Surinam and Deme- churches, with 205 members; 15 mission· rara, South America, with 27,534 adaries and teacher/!; 3 Sunday.schools, herents, and South Africa, with 13,084. with 350 scholars; a college with 50 stu· Gnadenthal, the oldest station in South dents; an Anglo.Japanese school, with Africa, is to celebrate its centennial an attendance of 152, and a school for next year by the erection of a new women with 90 pupils, in all 292 under church, to cost £2000, of which the peo. instruction. A kindergarten will soon pIe on the spot hope to raise £1500. be opened, and the first native Japanese preacher has been chosen and will -The Syria mission of the Presbysoon be ordained. terian Board, North-especially with its large and thoroughly furnished printing General SynGd of the Lutheran establishment, and its Bible house at Church.-Secretary, Rev. George Scholl, Beirut-is one of the most important in D.D., Baltimore, Md. the entire foreign field. Besides Beirut, stations are maintained at Sidon, Trip- This society has 1 mission in Africa and 1 in India, and sustains in all 13 representatives from America, and 171 native assistants. The India field is in the Madras Presidency, upon the Bay of Bengal, and among the Telugus, covers about 5000 square miles, and contains 1,000,000 of inhabitants. Guntur is ali, Abeih, and Zahleh. This tahle progress has been for nearly fifteen will show how steady and general the years: STATISTICS OF THE SYRIA MISSION.
1876. 1885. 1886. 1887. 1888. 1889.
– – – – — – – – – – – American Missionaries .. _. .. _… . .. . …….. . 28 38 37 34 35 42 Native Laborers . ….. ' ………………….. . 120 Stations and Out-Stations ……………….. . 65 189 179 171 201 201 95 91 96 94 94 Church-Members ……………………….. . 573 1,301 1,440 1,493 1,534 1,615 Added on Profession…. .. . ……………… . 75 130 153 104 63 98 Average Congregations ………………….. . 2,642 3,891 4,293 4,289 4,522 4,640 Sabbath-Schools ••.•.. . ………•••……… 40 S. S. Scholars …………•……………….. 1,540 73 68 66 81 88 Total Schools. . ………… .. . ………… . 80 3,804 3.746 3,732 4,620 4,966 136 121 125 141 142 Total Pupils …………………………… . 3,509 5,665 5,344 5,391 6,299 6,172 This table of statistics, and the one summary covering eighteen others, which follows, though in a condensed while from four, the Free Methodform, are taken from the very valuable ists, the African Methodists, the Bap- American Board Almanac of Missions. tist Convention of the United States, Facts are set forth in detail concerning and the Friends, no report was reten of the principal societies, with a ceived : 'FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1889-90.
~ .; AMERICAN ~ ~ ci ]"o'" ~. .~'c"~.; LABORERS. '<""3 0 '~" 00 :og.~a SOCIETIES. rn.; ".8 "03 w "~ .:i 0""3,8" .;J .S ""..~- .co $ "03 S ."c 0 ""… ~" ~ 'c:3~ ….:I 'C E,,"~ rn ;:;I I'""< ~ 0 'C … ~" .":: "'C ,,~ 8~ ~ .c p~…. z" -;; 'C 0 Z 0 -<j —— — — —— — —— Meth. Epis.,North 52 :1 159 135 3,018 559 42,632! 5,563 30,049 $282,997 $885,197 Presb. Bd., North. 99 240 336 1,302 320 26,794' 2,753 23,935 Am. Board(Cong ) 96 200 333 2,417 387 36.256 4,554 47,319 lii,494 794,066 762,947 Bapt.. Miss. Union 64 1,382 131 200 1,343 712 81,072 7,099 20,615 54,844 440,788 Meth.Epis., South 4,014 244,176 Ref. Ch. (Dutch).. 18 . i4i 34 "35 97 "in 5,336 552 '4',i56 . fi,D03 117,000 15 26 364 Protestant Epis .. 52 168 74 39 210 38 2,631 264 3,876 5,527 189,183 ~aPt. South. Conv 37 124 33 45 86 62 2.213 409 675 4,681 109,174 resb.Bd.. South. 18 98 37 41 50 31 1,207 360 1,207 4,317 107,627 Unit. Presb Bds. 16 198 26 44 459 391 9,568 1,722 10,687 7,167 100,539 E ili~te:sn ~.t~~~ ~~: 113 151 ~ ~ –.: -.-: ~.495 3,351 –.:,871 ~,187 _278,914 1 Totals . . . . . . . . 580 3,474 1,054 1,296 10,020 2,721 236,187 25,963 174.891 $524,21J $3,977,701 PRINCIPAL FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETIES OF GREAT BRITAIN.
MISSIONARIES. zi ~ "" '" 'C.; " °8 ~.2 – – – – – – Ol SOCIETIES. w~ "03 ~=">= S" ~ "ol~o~~ oJ S Z S 0 03 – "rno );l "I'"< 0 =">-< 0 —– – —— Church Missionary Society. . . . . . . . . .. . …. 315 338 59 4,121 49,016 $1,145,240 Wesleyan Missionary Society. ….. . …. 363 343 6,284 34,086 703,115 Society for Propagation of Gospel ………. 499 2,447 66,593 625,190 London Missionary Society…..••………. 1)33 155 154 5,419 68.805 505,765 Free Church of Scotland…… .. ……… 209 80 35 660 6,620 480,535 Ba{,tist Missionary Society……………… 515 126 986 48.646 , 398,045 Chma Iuland Mission ……. .. ……….. 158 180 180 232 2,839 257,420 United Presbyterian, Scotch …………… 251 491 14,899 202,455 69 25 Established Church, Scotland. .. … … .. 30 17'9 825 156,805 Church of England Zenana MIss. Society .• Gl 113 639 135,000 – – – – Twelve other societies. .. ……………… 348 347 232 3,059 55;752 540,803 — Totals ………….. ……….. …. 3,353 2,167 – – – – —- 798 24,517 '348,081 $5,150,373 The second table of figures on the pre- so heroically founded by the late Mr. ceding page gives certain details con- Mackay before the waves of successive cerning 22 British societies, of which 12 revolutions swept over Uganda. In May are presented only in a summary. But next another mission party depart for the total of receipts is not to be taken as Uganda, under the tried leadership of showing the entire gifts of British Prot- the Rev. R. P. Ashe. 'lile Rev. G. H. estant Christians to foreign missions, for, V. Greaves, and also Dr. G. Wright, have according to Canon Robertson, their con- been appointed to it. "Six or eight more tributions in1889 amounted to $6,056,530. are at least required," says the Church Missionary Society, "in view of the -The Methodist Episcopal Church, wonderful openings for Christian work South, publishes a very complete table of all kinds in Uganda, in Usoga, at the of statistics of its Chinese Mission Con- south of the Victoria Nyanza, not to ference for the year ending September speak of the nearer territories of the 30th, 1890, and showing the results of British East Africa Company." five years' work. Two dist~icts are occupied, and 10 circuits, with 30 mis- Except the Scottish m~ionary camsionaries, male and female, and 6 nati ve paign of the Free Church of Scotland to helpers. Into the churches 345 mem- raise a sum of £20,000 for the fourth bers have been gathered; 22 Sunday- period of five years in the history of the Bchools are sustained, with 742 scholars; glorious Livingstonia Mission, no sim.iand 47 schools of all grades (including lar undertaking can be compared with an Anglo-Chinese college, with 146 stu- the remarkable endeavor of the Church dents), with a total attendance of 100l. Missionary Society to send forth 1000 In the 2 hospitals 2494 patients were missionaries during 1891 into the mis. treated last year. sion field. Partaking of the nature of a missionary revival, it is being achieved Foreign Mission Notes, with almost incomparable enthusi8Rm. Men and means are flowing into the BY REV. JAlIlES JOHNSTON, BOLTON, ENG- treasury of God. LAND. Mr. A. M. Mackay's Father. -The Africa – Bishop Tucker. – Clouds readers of the :MISSIONARY REVIEW in all continue to hang over Uganda. Bishop lands will welcome a glimpse of the Tucker had a rough journey inland, not- father of the late distinguished mission. withstanding the kindness of German ary, which the writer, favored with an officials en route. On reaching the con- intimate friendship, can supply. At fines of his new diocese he was seized the foot of Boniface Downs, east of with fever. By the attacks of this Ventnor, in the Isle of Wight, overlook. dreaded foe two of his ardent fellow ing the wide-stretching blue waters of missionaries were fatally struck down the English Channel, lies the charming at Usambiro. Their loss to the cause is home of this dear old man. It has been greatly regretted. Through the jealousy opened to receive many weary African of the French Roman Catholic mission- traveilers, who have left behind them aries, and the ever-threatening attitude souvenirs of the Dark Continent, or of the Mohammedans on Mwanga's ter· gifts from the gallant Mackay himself. ritory, the bishop finds the situation in From this spot were sent for yearll Uganda exceedingly perplexing. It is newspapers, books, etc., to Alexander not improbable that as soon as an inter- Mackay, who in turn despatched porview has been granted by Mwanga he tions bf them to his friend Emin Pasha, may make a hurried journey to England, in Equatorial Africa, when caravans to take council with the committee as to were.permitted to pass through the inthe future policy. Should the journey tervening hostile countries. The father be made, he will leave a small band of of Mr. Mackay is a native of Thurso, in men in Uganda to re-establish the work Caithness, originally, in all probability, as well as the export of slaves in his of Scandinavian stock, and his mother, territories, to the best of his power. of Banffshire. In his quiet Ventnor The following is the translation of the home, which he occupied on retiring from the Presbyterian ministry in Scot- copy Oll" TREATY: land, he has watched with practical solicitude the course of the missionary " I, Mwanga, King of Buganda, here- enterprise. Though bearing the silvery by declare, in the presence of Dr. Carl locks of age, it is a veritable inspiration Peters and Pere Simeon Lourdel (since to listen to his eloquent utterances on dead), that I prohibit the slave-trade in the redemption of the heathen world Buganda and the territories belonging from the yoke of idolatry. thereto, and that I will do my utmost to prevent the exportation of slaves from As Mr. Stanley promised Dr. Mackay, all countries under my jurisdiction. prior to departing for Africa, in 1887, to bring his son home "safe and "MwANGA, KA13AKA sound," it is not easy to imagine his disappointment when he learned that of Buganda. his long-absent "Alick," declined to leave his post. Greater and irreparable " SIMEON LOURDEL was the blow on the arrival, last year, of the tidings of Mr. Mackay's death. of the AlgerilJn Missions. Of this calamity the doctor has written, under date of February 7th, 1891, to the " CARL PETERS. writer: "The news of my dear son's death at Usambiro gave me a stunning " MENGO, May 16, 1890." blow. It came so unexpectedly that, for a time, I could hardly realize it, es- The arrival of this information, topecially as I half.expected him home gether wUh the adherence of all the some time during the summer. I have, European powers (now that Holland has however, learned to say, 'the will of the consented) to the General Act of the re- Lord be done,' and I have no doubt this cent Brussels Conference, will gi"e a event, like all others, has been wisely strong impetus in every quarter of the ordained by the Divine Disposer." He globe to the anti·slave·trade movement. alludes to the success of his son's memoir written by his sister, of which 8000 More African Missionaries.-Dr. copies have been sold. "Its perusal," George Smith says that he knows noth. he says, ., has led to the self-consecra- ing at all in history which equals the tion of some young men to the Lord, rapidity with which the civilizing, Chrisand to the evangelization of poor be- tianizing organizations had spread over nighted Africa." Mr. Mackay's trans- Africa during these fifty years. Although lation of the Scriptures is being dili- he has spent the greater part of his life in gently completed by three of his most India, where there has been great misintelligent converts and pupils in sionary enterPrise, "still, before Africa, Uganda. India paled. " I understand that the Mo- ravian Mission and the Lutheran Society King Mwanga and Siavery.- in Berlin were in communication with Though one is naturally sceptical of the doctor last January, asking his adany real change in the heathen passion vice and assistance respecting the des· of this African monarch, it is gratifying patch of missionaries to the German to report that Prince Hohenlohe Lan- African territory. It is remarkable to genberg, President of the Deutschen learn that instead of entering their own Kolonial-gesellschaft, writes of Mwan- " sphere of influence" from Bagamoyo, ga's resolve to forbid slave-dealing, they preferred the Scottish route via the Zambesi, the Shire, and Nyassa. Very shortly the Livingstonia Mission pur· pose sending a party of six men, two of whom are medical missionaries, to the north end of Lake Nyassa. The Mora- vians propose to send in their compnny four missionaries for work in Ge.rman territory, and the Lutheran Society will send three, or probably five, by the same that they have a right to cook or sell in missionary expedition. them, and turn them into shambles, or set up open.air theatres on the sideways. A Congo Missionary Heroine.- They cannot endure the institutiou of a Friends of the Congo Missions will re- pound. Dogs, donkeys, and troops of gret to hear that Mrs. Percy Comber, goats from time immemorial wandered who only went out in May last year, and where they pleased. Who was the worse was married to Mr. Comber in the for their liberty? The dogs never went August following, has fallen a victim to mad; they were the auxiliaries of the the malarious climate. Great sympathy hymns in devouring corpses scarcely cov- is expressed for her suddenly bereaved ered with earth. Why trouble about the husband. The name of Comber will be registration of births, deaths, and mar_ always honorably associated with Afri- riages ? Tunis, nevertheless, is making can missions and African exploration. steady headway in the path of progress. Their martyr roll on African soil in- cludes the names of Dr. Sidney Com- In this unevangelized region seven ber, Thomas Comber; Mrs. Hay, her missionaries of the North Africa M'tssion sister, Mrs. Thomas J. Comber, and are laboring. The darkness of the land now, Mrs. Percy Comber. By these, is appalling. Tunis is spiritually dead. truly heroic breath has been offered for Alcohol is the chief foe of the mission Africa's perishing millions on the Con- workers. Mohammedan insobriety is go watershed. notorious. A missionary writes of the Regency: " The longer I live in Tunis, The Niger Troubles.-A long doc- the more I see and hear of its awful ument has been issued by the Commit· wickedness, and the burden of souls is tee of the Church Missionary Society, very real to us. " It is pleasant to learn appointed to inquire into the charges that the Roman Catholic Italians in made by the English secretary on the Tunis are moved with the simplicity of west coast of Africa against the native the Gospel. mIssIOnaries. Briefly summarized, the report practically acquits of guiltiness Uzbek Turki Gospel Translations. the principal native clergy whom the -Thanks to the enterprise of the Brit· Rev. F. N. Eden took upon himself to ish and Foreign Bible Society, a part suspend, yet in two instances his de. of one of the most important biblical cision is confirmed. An English Church translations undertaken of late years, dignitary will possibly embark for the consisting of the four Gospels, is now Niger on a mission of reconciliation. passing through the press. It is esti- To the credit of the society, it should mated that Uzbek is the' language of be known that, promptly and exhaus· nearly 2,250,000 people scattered over tively, it invariably deals with the diffi· Russia ;r;. Asia, Bokhara, Afghanistan, culties whieh arise on its fields of labor. Khokhano, and Khiva, and is spoken by almost all the agricultural population of Tunis.-Of this J!'rench Protectorate these territories. The language is hard in North Africa, with a population of to acquire, as it is spoken in an exceed- 2,000,000 souls, the great majority of ingly rapid, shrill utterance. The transwhom are Mohammedans, a book of lation, reported to be quite worthy of considerable interest has just been pub- the society's repute for scholarly acculished, entitled" La Politique FranQaise racy, was commenced in 1884, by M. en Tunisie," whose author hides his Ostroumoff, a learned Russian gentle. identity under the signature of P. H. X. man who had lived many years in Cen- He speaks of the administrative diffi. tral Asia. His rendering has been most culties of the French resident as being caretully revised and, where advisable, very trying. The Tunisians like their amended by Dr. Radloff, Professor Sale. picturesque, old·world ways, and aro man~, Dr. Sauerwein, and M. Amischanot to be meddled with. Their idea is sisantz. that the streets belong to everyone, and Jewish Colonization in Palestine.- Government circles cause serious mis· "Yeax by year," remaxks Lieutenant· givings regarding the nation's welfare. Colonel Goldsmid, "the state of the Thus fax French influence has not raised Jews all over the world is becoming less the moral standard. The habits of life satisfactory instead of better. As the and non·Christian principles of Frenchresult of the persecutions in Russia and men are unmistakably introducing a Roumania Jewish colonies are being false civilization. In developing the refounded everywhere. They are even in sources of Madagascar, or promoting an initiatory stage in South America, commercial enterprise and colonization, and may likely be commenced in Cen- the French are utterly unfitted. The tral Africa. These schemes, Mr. Gold- export and import trade is nearly all smid thinks, are only deferring the evil done by English and American traders. day. He holds firmly that the Jewish Religiously, the work continues to prosquestion will never be settled until there per. In face of the disappointments is a Jewish state in the Holy Land. with respect to the action of the Govern- " In some countries," he says, " we are ment, the missionaries maintain a pow. persecuted. In others we are barely erful hold on the native communities. tolerated. I am not at all surprised at The London Missionary Society and the this. What other race with 80 glorious Society of Friends sta,nd on almosj; sima history as ours would tamely sit down ilar platforms, and attempt much in comand see the land of their ancestors in mon. It is regretted that the advanced the hands of a foreigner? Italy has re- sacerdotal teachings of the agents of the gained Rome, why should we not regain Society for the Propagation of the Gos. Palestine, instead of being contented to pel prevent co-operation with this body. remain tolerated by the peoples among Despite the energy of Roman Catholic whom we live ?" missionaries and their numbers, they are singularly weak and unable to gather Madagascar.-Political affairs are congregations. taking an erratic course on the island. The determined attitude of the more India-" Age of Consent" Bill.-Naenlightened and patriotic Malagassies tive papers are full of letters and distoward the French Protectorate, to cussions relating to the proposed measwhich I referred in the January issue of ure for raising" marriage consent" from the MISSIONARY REVIEW, is being neu- the age of ten to twelve. The bill is in tralized by the Malagasy Court. Either committee, and should reappear before by adroit negutiations, or intrigue, the the Legislat.ive Council next March, French are already on growingly cordial meanwhile, local goveTnments are colterms with the Government. The Eng- lecting native opinion in all parts of the lish adviser, the Protestant missiona. country. By the Mohammedans exries, and other tried counsellors, are to- pressing themselves favorable and, to day set aside for the French, while the a laxge extent, the Brahmo-Somaj, there queen, the prime minister, and the . is great anticipation of eventual sucladies·in-waiting affect French customs, cess. Orthodox Hindus in Upper· and and eagerly show their regard for the Western India are apparently unconofficials of the French Republic. As a cerned. The National Congress is neucorrespondent says: "The French rep- tral, according to its resolution not to resentative has but to go ahead cau- agitate on social questions. From Bengal tiouslyand circumspectly to obtain for comes the most pronounced opposition, his country all she can possibly wish though it is generally believed the meas· for." What the future will bring re- ure will be carried when it is universally mains to be seen. At present the coun- known that the bill does not interfere try, administratively, is in a lamentable with religious customs, or form a pre-. condition. .The increasing selfishness, Iude to corresponding acts of legislation. despotism, and lax morality noticed in