The Missionary Review of the World — March 1910
A COUNTRY HOME UNDER THE PALMS IN PORTO
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND MANSE AT AGUADILLA, PORTO RICO
CJ"he fAlissionary CJ?.ev{ew
of the World Published by Funk and Wagnalls Company (Isaac K. Funk, Pres., A. W. W~gnans, Vice-Pres., Robert J. Cuddihy, Treu., It.obolrt Seott, Sec',." oU-UO E. 23d St.. New York.
VOL. XXXIII. No.3 MARCH, 1910 VOL. XXIII. No. 3 Old Series New S.r;•• SIGNS OF THE TIMES CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA Greek Church and became Moslems between April I, 19°5, and January I, Revolution in the great northern J909! What surprizes us still more is empire is evidently not exhausted. In the statement that these apostasies December alone, and in St. Peters- have not been in Asiatic Russia, in burg alone, and on one day, 37 death parts of which Islam holds full sway, penalties were imposed, and 17 exe- but that 49,000, or 98 per cent, of the cutions took place. The Jews are still apostasies were reported from the the victims of persecution, and out- European provinces of the empire. breaks have been specially prominent in Finland, where they were driven The reason for these conversions to from home by hundreds to freeze or Islam is not stated, but numbers of starve in fields or forests. Russian Jews some time ago were re- ported to have declared their inten- There is, however, a marked interest tion to become Mohammedans to esamong students in religious questions. cape service in the Russian army. But these conversions of Jews to Mohamis Amid much infidelity and loose moral- medanism ceased almost altogether as soon as it became clear that this step ity there a spirit of unrest and would not bring exemption from miliinquiry. Large audiences will gather, tary service. It is possible that some if permitted to do so by the police, to similar temporal advantage has listen to Christian speakers from Eng- caused the recent apostasies to Islam, land and America. The Holy Synod but the official report gives no explarecently voted unanimously to request nation. the government to permit no more missionaries to speak on religious REFORM IN ASIATIC TURKEY themes in Russia. Religious liberty has, however, progrest too far to On December 11-12, twenty-six permit of such a prohibition. Russia Moslems were executed at Adana for is undoubtedly in an inquiring mood, inciting and abetting the massacre of and needs our prayers. 30,000 Christian Armenians in April previous. The death penalty was ad- THE SPREAD OF ISLAM IN RUSSIA ministered in presence of vast crowds, but even the lamentations of relatives The astounding intelligence is con- did not avail to save the condemned. tained in a statistical report which the Few outsiders believed that these sa- Russian Secretary of the Interior has cred followers of the false prophet recently published concerning apostasy would ever be brought to justice. The from the Greek Orthodox Church. This report officially declares that more than 50,000 Russians left the
leaders of the Young Turk party made a fine showing and stirred the pledged themselves to punish the enthusiasm of the delegates. The leaders in these massacres; but the Bezatel School of Trades and Arts, previous course of the deposed Sultan founded by Professor Boris Schatz in had made all faith in such promises Jerusalem some eight years ago, and difficult. A general amnesty was giving support to I70 people, had a more looked for than a particular ret- fine exhibit of the school's products- ribution. Surely even Turkey is Persian carpets, wood-carvings, ex- moving. quisite filigree and metal work, laces, THE ZIONIST PROGRAM OF THE drawings, etc. The proposed tech- JEWS nical institute at Haifa is soon to be The Ninth Zionist Congress met in erected, prominent Jews in Europe Hamburg, Germany, on December and America who have never been 25th, and closed on December 31st. It identified with the cause of Zionism was attended by Jewish delegates and having become interested (Jacob visitors, numbering about 3,000, who Schiff, of New York, and Julius hailed from every part of the world. Rosenwald, of Chicago, were men- Russia was represented by 136 dele- tioned as large contributors, and Dr.
gates, of whom one came from Chita, Emil G. Hirsch, of Chicago, whom Siberia, and had to travel 21 days, the none could call a Zionist, as having entire length of the Trans-Siberian promised an annual subscription). A Railway, to reach the congress. The laboratory for scientific agricultural English delegation numbered about research is soon to be established at 70, Germany sent over 40, and the Zikhron Jacob in Palestine by Dr.
United States and Canada were both Aronson; the Olive Plantation has well represented. Many Jewish aca- acquired three estates, one near the demic societies and fraternities from Lake of Tiberias, and two. southwest German universities also were repre- between Jaffa and Jerusalem; and a sented. land development company was pro- The official language of the con- posed by Dr. Oppenheimer, a famous gress was German, but interpreters political economist, and $10,000 was were on the platform ready to convey pledged for it within an hour.
to the delegates the meaning of every The two most important questions action in English, Russian, and He- before the congress were; 1. Has the brew, altho there were few who could revolution in Turkey upset the Zionist not speak two or three languages program? II. Will the congress con- fluently. sent to the transfer of all available The attitude of the majority of the means of the Zionist movement to delegates was thal of apparent impa- Palestine? With the first question the tience, of a' desire to do things, and to president, Herr W olfsohn, dealt in his do them at once. "Since Palestine is opening address. He insisted on the awakening before the eyes of the consistency of the Basle program, that world, the Zionist movement must "Zionism aims at a publicly recog- take quick advantage of the situation," nized, legally assured home for the seemed to be the underlying idea. Jewish people in Palestine," and said The various activities in Palestine that the changes in Turkey have not
SIGNS OF THE
made necessary an alteration. He was CHINA'S ATTITUDE TOWARD CHRISTIANITY seconded by Dr. Max Nordau in a According to Missionary Schultze masterly, clear, and incisive address, of the Basel Missionary Society, there is much outward public recognition of which utterly rejected assimilation. Christian missions, but in reality fre- quent secret hindrance and aggrava- He said, "You are Zionists just be- tion. The mandarins deliver eloquent and laudatory addresses at the opencause you do not wish to'disappear as ings of missionary schools, yet these schools are still without rights. Set- Jews. You wish to go to Palestine, tlement in the interior is made difficult for the missionaries by hindering and the land of your fathers, to live and delaying the acquisition of land under the mask of judicial rulings. A very develop there as national Jews." Loy- peculiar request has been received by several missions, viz., to furnish the alty to the Turkish Government, he government with information con- cerning number, sex, residence, and pledged, but "solely as a Jewish na- even names of their church-members. A Chinese newspaper, commenting tionality." "Our idea is to see a upon this request, said that it is not in the interest of the Christians if so Jewish people in the land of its fath- many ill-famed persons call themselves falsely Christians, and that therefore ers. Of this idea I will not every convert to Christianity better announce his conversion in the magissurrender an iota. On this point there trate's office. The request seems to be of doubtful friendliness to everyone can be no concession." acquainted with heathen governments.
At the same time the congress re- THE PROGRAM FOR THE KONGO solved to answer the second question The new Belgian King gives hope for a new. order of things in the before them by ordering the grad- Kongo State. He is a very different type of man from his late uncle Leoual transfer of all Zionist capital paid; and while his statesmanship, force of character and ability to rule to Palestine, and thus making the land have not yet been tested, his prin- ciples and private life have none of the of their fathers the only center for its stigma and stain that marked the character and habits of the late king. financial and industrial operations. King Albert, the new ruler, has him- This action is especially significant, self visited the Kongo, and is reported to have been much shocked by the conbecause the national fund has already ditions that he discovered there. He reached the respectable amount of $400,000.
Dr. Herzl's pamphlet, "The Jewish State," made its appearance thirteen years ago. Thus, according to Jewish law, Zionism is of age and it may proudly celebrate its "Bar Mitz wah."
It has survived the death of its great leader and founder, Theodore Herzl, and the falling away of some of its most ardent s11pporters in its infancy.
It has steadily ga;ned in popularity and strength, as no other Jewish or- ganization has done. And while it has not achieved any practical results within the years of its existence, it has united Jews from every country where there are Jewish settlements for one common aim and cause and pur- pose. Thus it may well be called "the shaking of the dry bones."
is not as ardent a Roman Catholic as of the Lualaba and the basin of the his uncle, and probably will not there- Dele, and on July I, 1912, the refore be so partial to Roman Catholic mainder of the State will be included missions and so unfavorable to Prot- -except the territories held by the estant workers as has been the case concessionary companies. This is a up to the present time. most important exception and they include thousands of square miles of The new Belgian Minister of the the most productive land. Forced Colonies, M. Renkin, has published labor is to disappear-except again in his proposed measures of reform, works of public utility. which, tho far from adequate, are a concession that there are evils that The advocates of thorough reform need to be remedied. are not satisfied with this program and call for an international conference. The Kongo State, when it was It is evident that the concessionary founded by Henry M. Stanley and companies fear the disclosures and re- King Leopold, was intended to be in- sults of such a conference, but it is ternational in its personnel. The first demanded in the interests of humanity two governors, Stanley and Sir Fran- and fair play. Another unsatisfactory cis de Winton, were British, and other feature is that the communal and officials came from many countries. tribal claims of the natives are wholly But gradually the greed for gold took disregarded. The Kongo people have hold of Leopold and his bureaucrats, no rights to the products of the counand they determined to develop and try which the Belgians hold thembleed the country for their own bene- selves bound to respect. There is apfit. Leopold came to look on the State parently no disposition among the as his own private preserves, and the Belgians to make the Kongo a desirnatives suffered in consequence. The able place for the native peoples. missions-except the Roman Catholic -were hindered in many ways, rights CHRISTIAN PROGRESS IN JAPAN of acquiring property and trade were denied and natives were enslaved, The achievements of the past fifty maimed .and killed through effort to years of Christian missions in Japan increase personal profits. are worth noting. There have not been the mass movements noted in The scheme for reform proposed by India and Korea, but there have been M. Renkin recognizes the right of na· some marked signs of progress that tives to harvest the products of the promise still better things for the soil and the right of other natives to future: freedom of commerce. These reforms are to be brought about in three ( J) Self-support has been largely stages. From July I, 1910, they are effected by the Church tho it is only to become operative over about half 37 years old, and it was 13 years after of the State (the greater part of the work began before the Church was Belgian bank of the Dbangi, both organized. banks of the Lower and Middle Kongo, and the whole basin of the There are a very large number of Kasai River). A year later, they will prominent men among the membersbecome operative over the left bank the greater newspapers are being edit- ed and staffed by graduates of mission
OF THE
schools and other Christians-states- treated with great hostility by the tribe men, officials, reformers, and philan- of the Laewombas, who live along the thropists show a disproportionately Markham River. At last Missionary large percentage of Christians.' Lehner, of Arcona, went to the Lae- wombas as a messenger of peace. The There is an increasing respect for blessing of the Lord rested upon his Christianity among educated classes, efforts, so that the door to the thickly whether adherents or not. populated district is now open and a number of new stations will be opened The wide-spread effects of Chris- soon. tianity are also noticeable upon social standards, and on public and private The work all over New Guinea is morality; Christ has a reviving and progressing wonderfully. Upon the 12 cleansing effect upon the decaying re- stations and the missionary plantation ligious systems of Old Japan. 24 European missionaries and I I na- tive helpers are employed, while the Encouraging as this is, there is missionary schools have 440 boys and still a more formidable array of work 154 girls in attendance, and the trainthat remains to be attempted. Notice ing-school for native helpers has 7 that out of 50,000,000, only 100,000 pupils. During 1909, 228 heathen are Christians, leaving 49,000,000 non- were baptized, so that the total number Christians; and of these probably 40,- of native Christians is now about 000,000 are absolutely untouched! 2,000. The number of inquirers is And out of less than 800 missionaries, also very large-upon the station there are 650 congested in only ten Warea more than 2oo-and the movecities, where are also five-sevenths of ment .toward Christianity among the all Japanese workers and churches! heathen is strong. Together with this Three-quarters of the missionary body goes an increased desire after the are in Tokyo and Yokohama, which blessings of cu1ture and civilization. were only 3,000,000 out of 47,000,000 Better houses are being erected by the of the population. The great need of natives, roads are made, and larger to-day is workers for the evangeliza- fields are cultivated and planted. The tion of the interior of Japan. The planting of coffee and rubber has been masses, the industrial and agricultural commenced, and the rule that every classes, are still untouched, and in newly bap-tized heathen must plant at large measure unapproached! least one palm-tree is rigidly enforced. The income of the society, which has There is a dearth of Japanese pastors a little station in Queensland, Austraand workers; there are more churches lia, also, was about $26,000, so that a than can be manned, and there are deficit of $12,440 was incurred. some unsatisfactory men in the service. Concentration is good, and spe- Missionary Lehner writes from his cialization is good; but we must not station, "Ofttimes we wish that neglect the country work, and the the friends of our work might join us masses. and enjoy the wonderful changes which the Gospel has wrought and see THE OPEN DOOR IN NEW GUINEA the sights which cheer our hearts on every Saturday afternoon and on the The Neuendettelsau Missionary Society reports great opportunities in Kaiser Wilhelm's Land, New Guinea. For many years the missionaries were
morning and the afternoon of every new life to the revolutionary party Lord's day. Crowds of cleanly clad and also prevented fighting in the natives approach the little church Bluefields district, where the Mofrom all villages, and four or five hun- ravians are at work. dred people gather to listen to the message of the missionary. The most THE SPREAD OF MORMONISM remarkable thing to me, however, is the fact that men, who formerly were Rev. John D. Nutting, who is conwild heathen and mostly lived in bitter ducting vigorously the undenominaenmity toward each other, now listen tional Utah Gospel Mission, calls together to the Word of God. During attention to the startling spread of the first years of my labors here I fre- Mormonism throughout the world. quently stood helplessly and power- Nearly 2,000 Mormon emissaries are lessly before the stupid heathen, who quietly working from house to house did not want knowledge, and in de- all the time, in this and other lands, jection I often sat upon the floor of the and their crafty, personal, and perseboat which carried me back to the vering methods snare the souls of station! And now the people walk many who are lacking in clear docmany miles to be present at the serv- trinal conceptions. With its immense ices, and the church is always crowded tithing receipts Mormonism is almost with attentive listeners! Truly, it is without financial limitations, and with the time of harvest, wrought by the practical control over the lives of its Lord Himself. Whoever loves Him, youth, it can command all the workers should rejoice with us." it needs. None of these workers re- ceive any salary, tho friends provide REVOLUTIONS AND MISSIONS IN the expenses frequently, and in their NICARAGUA devotion to the cause which they rep- resent, they are willing to undergo Political disturbances always inter- much hardship and suffering. Thus rupt religious work. Men's thoughts Mormonism is at work outside Utah are so absorbed with the affairs of and its spread is amazing. In the state that they neglect the affairs of South and East of our land its emisthe kingdom. In addition to this, op- saries delude respectable people into position to missionary work is often selling their property and going West. experienced from a hostile party or A recent Mormon paper told of eight government. This has been true in places in Western Pennsylvania where Nicaragua, the little Central Amer- "elders" were then working with sucican state where the Moravian mis- cess. Another Mormon paper brought sionaries are at work on the east the reports from Northern Illinois coast. Conference, Eastern States Mission, Southern States Mission, Central The tumults of war have not States Mission, Northern States Mistouched the Indian stations of the sion, Western Stations, Northwestern mission, as their geographical location States Mission, California Mission, separates them from the disturbed dis- and Australia Mission. All of these tricts. The United States Govern- are reporting abundant labors and ment, by coming to the suppc,:-t c£ Es- great success of the "elders." trada and discrediting Zelaya, gave
AND THE NON-CHRISTIAN
THE CHRISTIAN'S ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHER FAITHS BY ROBERT E. SPEER, M.A., NEW YORK Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions Consi.tency fucius idealized and transcended in our Master, and Japan her beggarly 1. First of all, it should be con- elements glorified in the Christian insistent. Christianity in the mission- heritance, and India her sublime ary enterprise, in its special lectures names taken out of the region of and representatives, and in its recep- imagination and in our Lord made the tion of representatives of the non- equivalent of the moral order of the Christian religions when they visit universe, we can not expect them to Western lands, should take one con- become His disciples." This is presistent position. The relations of cisely the attitude of the missionary Christianity to other religions are not movement. It welcomes and uses and variable. If it is our right and duty completes all that it can. It borrows to take one attitude in foreign mis- all the familiar vocabulary that can be sions, and to project an enterprise on m'lde tributary to the larger truth. It the conviction that Christianity is the universal religion and ought to be the r00t:; its cor.ceptions in whatever is personal faith of every man, it is found akin to them. It makes any neither fair nor truthful to belie that such kindred ideas the grounds of its attitude in any of our relations. address to the people abroad and of Recognize the Good the appeal to the home Church. It is only on what is common ground that 2. Christianity should joyfully rec- men can meet. It is the power alognize all the good that is in the non- ready working in men that is to be Christian religions and build upon it. redeemed and consecrated and en- This is the attitude it has taken from larged and turned to the will of God. the beginning of the history of its missionary relations. And this is the The Points of Difference attitude which it takes to-day. It can not build on nothing. It builds, as 3. But in the third place, Christianever, on all that it finds that is capable ity should not slight or ignore the of redemption, all that can be wrought points of difference. These points are into the eternal and universal King- radical. It is from them that the misdom of God. sionary movement springs. If they are of no significance, Christianity's "It is in the power of the Gospel to whole claim, both abroad and at home, enter sympathetically the past of Japan is untenable. But the comparison of and China and the wonderful reach religions reveals the vital or, perhaps and richness of Hindu history, and I should say, the deadly reality of the put upon the whole expanse the light distinctions between Christianity and of its own divine interpretation," says other faiths. Recall Hinduism, for Dr. George Gordon. "It can, in a example, as the religion whose oppoway, identify itself with the great tra- sition to Christianity to-day rests on ditions of all these people, make them the claim that it includes all the truths live their long histories over again, of Christianity. As Dr. Kellogg has ,and read their deeper meanings into said: " (a) Christianity asserts the itsdf, Until China shall see Con- existence of a personal God. Hindu-
ism denies it. (b) Christianity as- to the conviction that it will rather serts the separateness of man and all creatures from the Creator. Hindu- harm than help our cause to minimize ism affirms that they are all identical with God. (c) Christianity asserts the differences between Christianity the freedom of the will. Hinduism denies it and affirms an unbending ne- and any other religion. If we make cessity. (d) Christianity assumes the trustworthiness of our own conscious- 'tYheaudihffaevreenbcuets slight, and say ftourmtheenr,, ness. Hinduism denies it; all is maya, to come a little illusion." get a little more, and you will be Christianity has far more that is unique than appears until we have Christians,' one of two things will compared it with other religions. It is the actual comparison which brings surely follow. Either-and this will out the enormous differences. Even where there appear to be resem- be at present most frequently the case blances between Christianity and other religions, they are underlain by in India and China-the one appealed deeper differences. In the matter of the idea of incarnation, for example. to will respond, 'If the difference is the resemblance is merely verbal. The incarnations of Hinduism were not in- slight, since the change to me will be carnations of a personal and self-conscious being. They were "means by so great in leaving my ancestral faith which a being, impersonal and incapable by itself of attaining to conscious and encountering certain persecution, existence, is enabled through contact with matter to attain to personality." I will take the chances and stay where This may be called an incarnation, but it is not an incarnation in the Chris- I am.' Or-and this would more fretian sense at all. To say that Christianity and Hinduism are alike in the quently happen in Japan-he will say, idea of incarnation is not true. The truth is not served by the denial or 'I come,' and bring all his heathenism suppression of the truth, and many have risen from the actual comparison with him, presuming that it will be of the world's religions with the judgment with which the just-minded quite consistent with Christianity. Edward Lawrence returned from a careful study of the people and be- The Japanese are sensitive to-day liefs of Asia: about being called heathens, which is "With every disposition to recognize whatever of truth and good may a most hopeful sign. But it will not be found in the great Oriental religions, I have been more and more led make them any less heathen to call them Christians until they become so through allegiance to Jesus Christ. In Asia, as in Europe and America, Christianity is strong, and is to remain so, through the imperiousness of its claims, and through the absolute as- sent and exclusive loyalty which it de- mands. Be the effect of other re- ligions what it may, whether Judaism or Mohammedanism or Hinduism, whether preparatory or obstructive, or both at once, Christianity treats every one of them as a usurper on the throne and a misleader of the human heart from its true allegiance."
No Compromise 4· Christianity should make no compromises, but anticipate its own victorious triumph. This is the view of the political statesman who is also the Christian man. "If there is any significance in Christian missions," said the Han. John W. Foster on his return in 1894 from a trip around the world, "they mean that the world must be conquered for Christ. The
AND THE NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS
spirit of Christianity, while it incul- ments of our time. The New Hinducates charity toward our erring broth- ism, Vedantism, the Arya Samaj, the ers, tolerates no other religion. Neither various reform movements in India, in Japan nor in any other land can the whole altered ethical standard of Christianity be compromised with the higher Hinduism and the deepest Buddhism or any other Christless re- stirrings among the Hindu peoples, are ligion." And this is the view, also, of the direct product of the Christian the modern liberal theologian who is spirit working on India most purely )ltt true to Christ and the Christian in the missionary enterprise, which is God: transforming the ideal of the people. Under the same transforming in- "The attitude of the religion that fluences, Shintoism has given up its bears the name of Jesus Christ," says claim to be considered a religion in Dr. William Newton Clarke, "is not Japan. Confucianism is retreating one of compromise, but one of con- il1to a ceremonial in China, Mohamflict and of conquest. It proposed to medanism is dissolving the bands of displace the other religions. The true the Koran, and Buddhism is taking state of the case must not be forgotten, over from Christianity everything but namely, that Christianity sets out for its names and its power. victory. The intention to conquer is characteristic of the Gospel. This was "A friend of mine," writes a resithe aim of its youth when it went dent in Japan, "was talking with a forth among the religions that then certain Buddhist lady about Chrissurrounded it, and with this aim it tianity, when the woman said that she must enter any field in which old re- saw no difference between the teach- Hgions are encumbering the religious ings of the two religions. nature of man. It can not conquer except in love, but in love it intends to "'How is that?' said my friend. conquer. It means to fill the world." 'What makes you say there is no dif- ference ?' We are told to-day that we must cease to use the military metaphors "'Well,' said the woman, 'You with reference to the mission of Chris- ChI istians make much of what you tianity. It is a little hard for us to call The Sermon on the Mount, but do this, who can not easily forget the we have something just like it. In the language of the New Testament. But last copy of my Buddhist paper I read the metaphors are of no consequence. it.' The essential thing is the truth which the metaphor veils and that truth we "When the paper was brought, it believe to be the triumphant, fulfilling was found that it contained something conquest of Christianity and the just like the Sermon on the Mount, sovereignty of Christ's name over for it was the Sermon on the Mount, every name. translated and represented as Budd- hist Scripture." Contributions of Thought We can not welcome deception, 5. Christianity should welcome all conscious or unconscious, nor false transformations of the thought of non- representation. and it is certainly true Christian peoples which bring that that this spread of the truth of Christhought nearer to Christianity. These tianity among the non-Christian peotransformations constitute one of the ples, transforming their thought but greatest intellectual and moral move-
not striking into the very central being "Japan does not believe Christianity,"
and quickening the soul in God by a he says, "because of faulty presenta- regeneration in Christ, makes our tion. The fault can not lie with the problem in some of its aspects much author of our faith; it must lie with harder. Nevertheless, we will rejoice ourselves. . . . If the Japanese re- in all spread of truth among men, be- jects Christianity, it is in most cases lieving that it builds to the Kingdom because he has never had it properly of Christ, and that hali-truth, in spite presented to him."
of all, is better than whole error. But is this all? Does it go to the very center? Are the Japanese so Winning Men different to-day from the Jews in our 6. But Christianity must continue, Lord's day and the Roman world in and all the more as this transformation St. Paul's? Or can it be that our advances, to seek to win individual Lord did not properly present the men away from these religions to Gospel and that St. Paul's presenta- Christianity. If by proselytizing you tion was faulty? No; something more mean winning men from all that is is needed than philosophical adjust- false and evil in the world's religions ment on the part of the hearers, and a and relating them to the one universal less faulty presentation on the part of religion which is all truth and good; the preachers. Men must be born in other words, to make Hindus and again. They must repent. They must Mohammedans Christians, then that is find life in Christ. The old phrases just what we are trying to do. We emphasize the eternal truth. The mis- are proselytizing. And we do not see sionary enterprise is busy producing what else in all the world is worth new moral climates, transforming and doing. The business of every man is enriching and fulfilling the ideals of to find truth, to live it, and to get it the nations, but it is doing these pri- found and lived by all the world. This marily and permanently by making is what we are Christians for. And disciples of Jesus Christ, by finding this change which we seek in individ- men and women who will answer His uals must be a radical and living call and forsake all that they have and change. It is utterly inadequate to follow Him.
describe the invitation of foreign mis- Maintaining Truth sions to the non-Christian peoples as an invitation to philosophical adjust- 7. Christianity should perceive and ment. It is an appeal for regeneration. unswervingly hold to the truth of its We do expect to see "the gradual con- own absolute uniqueness. "He that version of heathenism by the adoption hath not the Son of God hath not the of Christian ideals instead of heathen Life." That is the fundamental law.
ones," and this "to be followed by the We refuse to be led aside by any dis- gradual absorption of paganism into tinctions between the historic Christ the Church," as Mr. Lloyd says in and the essential Christ. We believe "Wheat Among the Tares." Doubt- in a loving God who is the Father of less this day would be hastened if all His children in spite of their de- there were perfect preachers of the nials, and that His loving will is that perfect gospel. Mr. Lloyd thinks so. none should perish, but that all should
CHRISTIANITY AND THE NON-CHRISTIAN
come unto life, and in a grace that has Truth and Ita InterpretadoD sought and is seeking every human heart, and in a Lamb slain from the 8. While we may hope for somebeginning as a propitiation, not for thing in the way of a richer underour sins only, but for the sins of the standing and a fuller interpretation whole world. of Christianity from the new experi- ence of Christians of other races, we All this we believe, and our own may exaggerate this prospect, and duty in view of it is clear. But into what we may hope for is rather from distinctions between two 01rists we the racial qualities of these peoples can not go. It leads us into regions than from their religions. It is to be where there is no foothold. The stated clearly that we look for nothing Christ whom we know and who has from the non-Christian religions to be been life to us is the Christ of history. added to Christianity. Every truth in He that hath the Son hath Life, and these religions is already in Chris- He that hath not the Son of God hath tianity, and it is there proportioned not life. This one law, which is law and balanced as it is not in any because it is fact, is what "distin- of the other religions. Not one single guishes Christianity from all other re- aspect of truth can be named which ligions. It places the religion of these religions are able to contribute Christ," said Professor Drummond in to the religion of the New Testament. "Natural Law in the Spiritual World," But it may be asked, Is not the Orien- "upon a footing altogether unique. tal consciousness to enlarge and en- There is no analogy between Chris- rich our comparatively pinched and tianity and such a religion as Budd- practical conceptions? But is there hism or Mohammedanism. There such a thing as an Oriental consciousis no true sense in which a man can ness? A Western woman is the chief say, 'He that hath Buddha hath Life.' preacher of such a consciousness in Buddha has nothing to do with life. India, and the whole conception of He may have something to do with such a consciousness as a great force morality. He may stimulate, impress, to be dealt with in philosophy and reteach, guide, but there is no distinct ligion has been produced and nournew thing added to the souls of those ished in the West. There is doubtless who profess Buddhism. These re- a rough utility in thus setting the East ligions may be developments of the off against the West, but both East natural and moral man. But Chris- and West are divided within themtianity professes to be more. It is the selves by differences of race and tramental or moral man plus something ditions as great as separate them from else or some one else." Christianity one another. The phrase, the Oriental is showing no kindness to the world consciousness, serves a more or less if it forgets its own character and the useful purpose, but it does not define mission of life with which it is a source Qf new religious knowledge charged. A toleration which betrayed or promise a correction of Christianity. the very life of humanity would be intolerable treason. Christianity must There are some who hold a differrealize and hold immovably its unique ent opinion. "The West has yet much character. to leat;n in the school of Vedanta, so ancient and so meditative," says one
Christian writer. "The West has to sciousness of Asia or from the Chrislearn from the East," says another, tian churches in Asia have been un- "and the East from the West. The fulfilled. All the work of modern questions raised by the Vedanta will scholars in Japan and India has been have to pass into Christianity if the eclectic, a remodeling of old materials. best minds of India are to embrace it; And the Christians of these lands have and the Church of the 'farther East' simply been reliving the ever-old and will doubtless contribute something to ever-new problems of human life in the thought of Christendom of the all ages and in all lands. Those who science of the soul, and of the om- have set out to give us new theologies nipenetrativeness and immanence of or new Christs have only rephrased Deity." the old truths or rearranged the old heresies. Mr. Mazoomdar gave us an "If I were asked," says Max Muller, Oriental Christ, but He was merely "under what sky the human mind has an old Unitarian Christ, less strong, most fully developed some of its less rich, less true, less commanding, choicest gifts, has most deeply pon- less a Christ than the Savior whom the dered on the greatest problems of life Church had known for nineteen cenand has found solutions of them which turies. What can the East add to well deserve the attention of those who Christ? If not, can the East show us have studied Plato and Kant, I should anything that we do not know? Can point to India. If I were to ask my- it give us anything? self from what literature we, here in Europe, may draw that corrective, in Well, it has a great deal to give us. order to make our inner life more per- But it is not Christianity that needs fect, more comprehensive, more uni- its help. It is we. And it is only by versal, and, in fact, more truly a human Christianity that it can give us its life, not for this life only but for a help. And it is not in our thoughts transfigured and eternal life, again I of Christianity that we specially need should point to India." But there are its help. We do not primarily require others, both those who have studied a larger intellectual comprehension of Indian religion and philosophy from the Gospel. Indeed, we can not get afar, unprejudiced by the realities of it by more speculation, by comparison the popular religion, and those who of opinions, by new codifications of have loved India so well that they truth or new efforts to state the life have lived and died for her, who have and will of God and the nature and not found what her speculations could the end of our souls in words. We add to the truth of the Gospel. Some- can only get it b? InClre experience, thing is to come into the temple of more life, the actual occupation of God from India, but only when her humanity by God. It is in the expeconsciousness and her speculations are rience of Christianity that help is humbly laid at the foot of Christ's needed. It is in our living it, in ollr cross and when she has learned by life getting the Gospel embodied in our in Him. life. It is there that the other races are to help us, and it is the races that Thus far our hopes of any original are to help us, not their religions, save contribution in philosophy or theology as those religions have come to emor religion from the quickened con-
AND THE NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS
body in any measure above their error fronts us. It is evident, they say, that the great racial qualities which are to the non-Christian races are to exert a be the contribution of these peoples to more direct and powerful influence the Spirit of God for His use as the upon the Christian peoples, and they materials of the Kingdom of God, the dread the result. That they have to incarnation of the Gospel in the life give, they fear, will be by no means of mankind. The non-Christian peo- wholly good, and they look not for an ples are far better than the evils of emichment but for an impoverishment their religions. Even the sanctifica- of our best life from their contribution of error and lust in the non- tion to it. It may be so. It surely wilI Christian religions has not extirpated be so unless the non-Christian races from these peoples the likeness of God, are redeemed by the Gospel and the which will not be effaced, or that power of the Gospel is allowed to original capacity for Him,for the in- purge their souls and give to their dwelling of His life, for the execu- raw capacities the grace which is to tion of His will of righteousness be their contribution to the ultimate which is to be their contribution to the Christianization of humanity. We universal church. discern anew the grounds on which the missionary enterprise rests. It is It is from these races that the new needed to enable the non-Christian contributions to the Church are to peoples to make their contribution to come. The line of thought in Bishop Christianity. Montgomery's composite volume, "Mankind and the Church," was justly And it is needed to enable Chrischosen,-"an attempt to estimate the tianity to realize itself. So far from contribution of great races to the ful- needing anything from the non-Chrisness of the Church of God." To the tian religions, Christianity needs only extent to which their religions have one thing; that is, to give herself to really supported the strong national the non-Christian peoples. There is qualities of these people, which they wanting in her nothing that other sysare to bring to the enlargement of our tems can provide. There is wanting interpretation of the Gospel by the only the fulfilling of her own true enlargement of our experience of it in character, which is possible only as life, then they have made a contribu- she gives herself, not in the person of tion, but to the extent that they have a few of her sons and daughters, but weakened them, they have increased in all her being and utterances to the the measure of the incumbrance they supreme task of redeeming the world, have been on the life of the world or nay, of bringing the world into the will be if they obstruct the triumph one perfect redemption which has of Christianity. But it is the charac- been already wrought. ters of the various races which Christianity wants to redeem, and use them, The Gospel Mes.age not the speculations of their religions for her reconstruction. 9. I have one concluding word to add. This view of the non-Christian There are those, it must be said, religions and of our attitude to them is who feel grave concern at the issues not the Gospel. It is not this message with which the modern world con- with which we are to go out to the
world. This is what we have to say that they regard most sacred, with to ourselves when we examine the ruthless contempt for the intricate ingrounds of our enterprise and state tertwinings of the buried roots of tares its warrant to the Christian Church. and wheat, "We must not approach But our message to the non-Christian them as if they knew that they were religions is the one simple, positive themselves deficient, and that it was message of Christ. It was after a only pride and obstinacy that preventure in comparative religions at vented them from listening to us," so Athens, of which apparently little came, Archbishop Benson counseled. We that St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, do not approach them so. We ap- ..I determined to know nothing among proach them as the Bishop of Winyou save Jesus Christ and Him cruci- chester, blind and far advanced in fied." It is with true courtesy and years, counseled Boniface to approach with frank and manly sympathy and the souls to whom he was sent in with a quiet but yearning love that we Hesse, avoiding scrupulously all congo to meet the people of the non- temptuous and violent language, and Christian faiths to win them to the trying above all things to show forth Savior. 'Ne must put ourselves in a spirit of moderation and of patience. their places. How would we wish to It is thus we go to them. We love be approached, how would the Gospel them. It is because we love them that most effectually reach us if we were we go to them. And some day love where they are, with their traditions will win them. It will go out after and long inheritances and sacred them and will wait for them. It may memories and infinitely complicated be kept waiting for long years, but it network of human relationship and of will wait, and at last, in the triumph intellectual ideas and of actual re- of Christ in the world's life and the sponsibilities? Weare asking no completion of the world's life in light thing of men. We must not ap- Christ, it will see of its soul's travail proach them with denunciation of all and be content.
THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND DEMANDS OF MISSIONS SEVEN WONDERS OF THE MISSIONARY WORLD BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF As the late Rev. Joseph Cook used nations into close neighborhood; the to say, there are at least seven modern self-reformation of the hermit nations, wonders of the world, far surpassing like Japan, China, Korea; the rapid those of the ancient times; all of them onward march of education and decosmopolitan, or world-wide; all mocracy, in every direction; the worldnovel, or peculiar to our day; and all wide spread and unity of civilization; supernatural, or inexplicable, without and, to these four, he added the modo::rn the divine factor, as to their sudden triumphs of Christianity, the current and simultaneous development. Mr. fulfilment of Biblical prophecy, and Cook instanced the speed of intercom- the establishment on a sure basis of a munication, which brings even remote scientific supernaturalism.
THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND DEMANDS OF MISSIONS
This catalog might be amended by Civilization substitution or addition and the new list made to include seven marvels, All this means world-wide and essentially belonging to one category, homogeneous civilization, with educaand developed in our day with a ra- tion and emancipation. Ignorance, supidity and a simultaneousness to which perstition and slavery are of one famno previous age presents any parallel. ily, and are all forms of bondage, tho In no other century can be found any the fetters may be in some cases 011 such signs of general progress in an the intellect, or conscience, and in advance that is not local or excep- others on the body as well. But it is tional, but general, universal, racial, a dangerous to civilize where we are not steady onward march of mankind, as ready to enfranchise. To let men think in the following directions: and learn is to make them free: if we do not emancipate them, they will Exploration and Communication burst their own bonds.
For example, there has been world- Inventions and Discoverie. wide exploration, until we are confident that mankind knows the habit- There are two other modern marvels able globe from pole to pole and which challenge attention: the first is sunrise to sunset, and no really unex- the unparalleled rapidity and multiplored or undiscovered realm remains. tude of new inventions and discov- eries. These alone mark this as the Communication is also world-wide: golden age of all history when, as Mr. steam has been yoked to the ocean- Gladstone said, one decade of years liner and the land carriage; the postal shows more progress than a thousand union links all lands in correspondence at the old pace. There seems a theand interchange; the electric telegraph ology of inventions. God has withand telephc;me establish instantaneous drawn the veil that covered nature's contact-a mark that in one direction arcana of mysteries only when His at least finality has been reached. Church was beginning to gird itself for the great work of a world's evangeliza- Acquaintance and Assimilation tion. The period of the reformation, which signalized the dawn of new Communication means acquaintance, night after the midnight of the dark and acquaintance assimilation. Con- ages, saw suddenly and simultaneously tact dissipates prejudices and creates made available to the race four stunew and mutual understanding. In- pendous helps to missionary enterterchange commercially implies treaty prise-the mariner's compass to guide relations: it becomes an object to fos- vessels, and steam to propel them; the ter good will, and political fraterniza- printing-press to print Bibles with, and tion leads to brotherhood. Pacifica- paper to print them on; and as steam tion, with resort to arbitration instead gave us swift ships and railways, so it of armed conflict, becomes a matter of gave us swift working presses to politics if not of ethics, and a tribunal cheapen and multiply Bibles and reof adjustment, a parliament of man, is ligious literature. Then, when a rea natural result. Ballots displace bul- vival of evangelical faith prepared for, lets. and was succeeded by, a revival of
evangelistic zeal, inventions and dis- factor is 1110st prominent. Great comcoveries multiplied so fast that it was binations and corporations threaten alas tho steam ami electricity had been most to obscure and absorb individyoked to the car of human progress- ualism and dominate the world, while, as tho the mind of man had been some- in other forms of enterprise and effort how endowed with new insight and they are the hope of the Church. As foresight and outreach. in the crisis of a decisive battle a general-in-chief cans out all his re- It is difficult to express adequately serves, God seems to indicate that the the change in conditions. Time and armageddon of the ages is at hand bestrength are relative terms and are cause He is summoning to action an measured not by moments and mus- the available force of the Church. Becles, but by attainments and achieve- fore the Victorian Era the women and ments. He who can crowd an hour's youth of the Church were comparawork into a minute lives practically tively in hiding. They had never sixty times as long, and he who with been organized for work. When one man's vital vigor can wield ten David Abeel in 1834 sounded in Lonmen's power has practically multiplied don his trumpet call in behalf of wohimself into ten. So that man is now, men in the East, shut up in Zenana in effect, a giant, with correspond- seclusion and accessible only to their ingly gigantic powers and possibilities. own sex, British women formed a so- The telescope and microscope have en- ciety for promoting female education larged his vision a thousandfold; the in the East. It was the beginning of telegraph and telephone, his hearing woman's work for woman-only in like proportion; the various me- seventy-five years ago! When ten chanical devices have given him feet years later in the same British methat stride in "sevenleague boots" and tropolis George Williams organized arms that wield weapons mighty as the first Young Men's Christian Asthunderbolts. All this is so marvelous sociation, it was the starting-point in that it is incredible. We who live in organized work on the part of young these days are so dazed by what we men. It naturally suggested a similar are ourselves seeing and doing that we bond among young women. Then, have not waked up to the full force about forty years later, came the Stuand meaning of facts, but are like dent Volunteer Movement, the Young those to whom Paul quoted the words People's Society of Christian Enof God, "I work a work in your days deavor, the Students' Federation now which ye will in no wise believe tho a prevailing in alliands, the recent Layman declare it unto you!" men's Missionary Campaign, and other like forms of organization, Organization which for the first time in history are marshalling the whole body of Christ's If anything can be added to all this disciples into battle-line without reastounding series of marvels, it is gard to age or sex. Here again orworld-wide organization and federa- ganization touches the limits of finaltion. Men are now, as never before, ity, for there is no latent force left to learning the value of united, concen- develop into action, unless we call the trated effort. In every direction and department the social or associated
cradle rol1, and note what the mothers neglect of any field or disproportionate are doing as they bear and rear their activity in any; that there should be a offspring for missionary service, im- steady advance all along the line, and parting enthusiasm for humanity with a harmonious action-a concentration the milk of their breasts. of men and means, and a unity if not uniformity of method, until the whole It is here we feel the stress of the world is actually overtaken in its desmodern missionary era to lie, preem- titution and degradation. inently. Dr. Richter sagaciously divides the missionary development un- Great victories have often been sacder three periods-the Lutheran, the rificed by a want of cooperation at Anglican and the American; the decisive moments; but when a vast Lutheran marked by its emphasis on army can be hurled on a foe without the supernatural factors-the inspired loss of time or needless sacrifice of word, the divine Christ, the Holy force-when from every direction the Spirit in regeneration; the Anglican advance is steady and regular and by the patient development of the na- convergent, sometimes a much smaller tive church with its self-support, self- body of soldiery has proven superior government, self-propagation; and the in valor and efficiency, piercing the American by the new watchword of enemies' center, turning their staggerorganization and concentration for the ing wings, and putting them to rout immediate evangelization of the world. by one overwhelming charge.
To those who study the science and Perhaps this is the question of our art of missions with the eye of an in- day-how to turn to account the imtelligent expert, there is something mense force now organizing as never startling in the recent rapid growth of before for the world's conquest-how this last factor-organization. Such to avoid waste and avail ourselves of students of missions see and hear God, material ready to hand-how to arouse moving and calling, going before the those who are still but half awake and Church, rallying every available dis- employ those who are ready to actciple for active and prompt and per- how to secure the largest number of sistent effort, until every human soul prepared and disciplined men and wohas heard the good tidings; until every men, and the largest amount of consehabitation of darkness and cruelty is crated money to support them; how to flooded with light; until in every land kindle the fires anew on every altar of not only is the Gospel preached, but church and home-to spread the the Church planted, as a witness. knowledge of facts which supply fuel to such a flame, and make the whole Cooperation Church actively and earnestly and self- denyingly alive to the issue. This is a Some think that individual, inde- great problem, but its solution is as pendent efforts should be merged into grand an aim as the enigma is a diffithe greater denominational campaign, cult and perplexing one. And we beto insure responsibility and perma- lieve that God never puts before His nency. But all are agreed that the Church any duty which can not be great demand of our day is movement clone, any difficulty which can not be forward and together~to avoid either met. under-effort or overlapping; to avoid
THe:. LA&I<ADOR ESKIMOS IN 'l:Hl::.Ht. KAYAK
MISSIONARY WORK IN LABRADOR * BY REV. JAMES H. TAYLOR, WASHINGTON, D. C. Secretary of the Washington Branch of the Grenfell Association Altho Labrador lies practically be- and hardy set of navigators who steer tween the same parallels of -latitude as their craft with marvelous skill along the British isles, yet the coast of the this wreck-strewn coast.
former is very bleak and cold, due to Missionary work on the Labrador the fact that the Arctic current skirts dates from the arrival of the Moraits shore for many miles. This, in ad- vians, who came to bring the Gospel dition to the fog which is very preva- to the Eskimo. In recent years Dr. lent, especially in the Straits of Belle Wilfred Grenfell has been at work Isle, makes this one of the most dan- with his hospital ship and launches, as gerous coasts on this side of the At- well as with a number of hospitals lolantic. The rocky headlands rising cated at convenient points on the abruptly from the sea, the shoals of coast. Before the arrival of the Morock extending under the water, to- ravians, the Hudson's Bay Company gether with the innumerable islands had been trading in that part of the of rock that extend like a great fringe continent for many years. In 1670 from Battle Harbor to Cape Chidley, Charles the Second granted a charter furnish a coast both picturesque and to Prince Rupert and "seventeen other perilous. It is no wonder that these noblemen and gentlemen, giving them conditions have developed a daring the sole trade and commerce of all • There does not seem to be a ny satjsfactory reason why Labrador should be spoken of as The Labrador, unless it is a contracted form for The Labrador Coast. At any rate the definite article Is nearly always prefixt to this nameJ and One becomes quite accustomed to hearing it. The origin of the name Labrador is somewhat hidden in mystery. tho variotts explanations have been given. The name Le bras d'or given by the early settlers has been sometimes accepted as an explanation; a name given on account of the supposed discovery of 50me kind of ore, possibly copper Or iron pyrites, similar to what may be seen on the shores of Newfoundland.
MISSIONARY WORK IN LABRADOR
those seas, straits, bays, rivers, lakes, body of people that they went into creeks and sounds, etc." By this this unknown region and, deprived of grant the Hudson's Bay Company had all but the most infrequent means of unlimited rights to this region, and it communication and cut off to an un- was not until 1749 that any advance usual degree from any knowledge of was made into the interior. As this the outside world, have maintained company was first on the ground they this work for nearly a century and a interpreted their initials "Here Be- half. Even to-day a visitor from the fore Christ"; a sort of self-congratu- outside world is a rare occurrence, lation that they had anticipated the' 'practically only when the Government missionary. They did not retain this mail-ship arrives with the mail or Dr.
distinction long, as the Moravians Grenfell makes a call.
soon established mission stations on There are stations at Hebron, Okak, the coast. Nain, Hopedale and Makovik. There The two forms of missionary activ- was a station at Ramah, but that has ity now in progress on The Labrador been discontinued. The mission at are the Moravian Missions to the Es- Nain, which is one of the largest sta- kimos, and the Royal National Mission tions, is splendidly equipped and un- to Deep Sea Fishermen conducted by der the personal supervision of Bishop Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell. Martin. The mission-house is situ- Mi••ion Work Among the Eskimos ated just at the foot of the mountain of rock that rises precipitously from The Eskimos of Labrador live on the water's edge. Around the shore the coast, and for the most part north line of this bay of Nain, protected by of Indian Harbor. There are prac- the high cliffs from the force of the tically no Eskimos in the interior, as sea, are to be seen the Eskimo huts this part of the region is held by the that the missionary has taught the na- Indians. There is a tradition that tive to build. These huts are quite many years ago the Eskimo en- comfortable and in great contrast to croached on the interior, and was the sealskin tent and the "igloo," or forced to settle with the Indian the snow-house, of the Eskimo of the far- question of territorial rights by a con- ther north. A sort of turf, made by the flict. This battle took place on an moss that covers the grounsI and the island from which the name Battle rocks in many places, is used as a Island has come. The result was that roofing for the hut. The missionary the Eskimo was forced to remain on has constantly protested against the the coast and the Indian took the in- adoption of European customs and terior. It is estimated that there are dress by the native Eskimo, but in about 1,200 Eskimos on the coast of many cases without avail. It is the Labrador, tho there is no way of se- desire of the missionary that many of curing an accurate census.. the native customs be retained, but the The Moravians began their work on Eskimo has fallen before the attrac- The Labrador in 1771, having pre- tions of civilization jf the style of dress viously established a mission in Green- be an attraction.
land in 1733. It is a great trib- Thus, at many places along the ute to the missionary zeal of this coast he is to be seen with a combina- THE MORAVIAN MISSION STATION AT NAIN, LABRADOR tion of "sillipak," or loose jacket, sionaries have been opposed to the European trousers and sealskin boots. adoption of the customs of the white This seems of itself a very unessential man on the part of the Eskimo. In thing except that it suggests the seri- consequence of this decline in the numous fact that the Eskimo is fast de- ber of the Eskimos, the mission station creasing on The Labrador. He is dis- at Ramah has been abandoned. appearing before civilization, and may offer the same ethnic study as our own The industry of these missionaries North American Indian. As an an- is inspiring. At Hopedale and at Nain swer to this problem the Rev. H. A. they have cultivated attractive gar- Peck, for over thirty years a mission- dens, in places where there is some soil ary to the Eskimos of Baffin's Bay, between the great rocky headlands. suggests that the Eskimo has left his In these gardens they raise turnips, primitive mode of life and tried to cabbage, parsnips, beets and, in one at adopt customs for which he is not least, some remarkable specimens of fitted by nature. For instance, with cauliflower. In front of the missionthe Eskimo in his native life the strug- houses at Nain and Hopedale the beds gle for existence is severe and un- of pansies and daisies, almost within compromising. He must catch seals reach of the Arctic current, have a or die. When he has come in contact coloring that seem to be more gorwith the white man he has developed geous than we find farther south. a dependence on that race that has made him less able and less willing to One can not fail to be imprest with continue this sort of struggle. It the air of optimism and the spirit of should be stated clearly that the mis- contentment to be found at the mis- sions. One of the missionaries who expected to go home to England last
I9 10J MISSIONARY WORK IN LABRADOR
fall said, "I would be tremendously aries to face and solve. For the disappointed if I thought that any- present, the Eskimo has the assurance thing would prevent my return to this that against the invasion of the vices wo r k . " of civilization he has the help of Godly men and women to enable him to with- It is a delightful, simple Christian stand the dangers that contact with the community that these missionaries white man may bring him. have established about the mission. It is not difficult to see the light of the Work Among the Deep Sea Fi.hermen Gospel of Jesus Christ in the faces of these natives who have been so faith- Dr. Wilfred Grenfell has done much fully taught. One evening, as our to make The Labrador known to the ship was lying at anchor off Hope- world as well as to bring the gospel dale, I gathered into the cabin a num- of hope and health and joy and peace ber of these people from the mission. to the fisherfolk of Labrador. That It so happened that in our ship was a part of Labrador which stretches piano that interested them very much, north from Blanc Sablon is spoken of for they are very musical. To the ac- as Newfoundland Labrador, while companiment of the piano they sang that part that stretches southwest is in their own language the old hymns the Canadian Labrador. Both these of the Church with a simplicity and portions of the coast have been the enthusiasm that suggested the faith scenes of Dr. Grenfell's work. The of a little child. What the outcome headquarters of this Labrador work is of this mission work will be among St. Anthony's, at the extreme norththis race which has given signs of de- ern part of Newfoundland. Here is crease is a problem for the mission- a hospital . an orphanage and an in- ESKIliOS OF NAIN, LABRADOR, IN EUROPEAN – DRt:SS T~E GRENFELL MISSION HOSPITAL AT INDIAN HARBO'R, LABRADOR dustrial school; for the endeavor is the helm of the steamer, "I will make made to teach the people some indus- you fishers of men." One of the first trial arts, in order that they may not and the most important hospital on be so absolutely dependent upon the The Labrador is the one at Battle Harcod-fishery. All during the summer bor. Battle Harbor is the most eastthe entire coast of Labrador is dotted ern point of Labrador and stands far with fishing schooners that go "down out to the sea; the coast stretching north" after the codfish. This indus- northwest in one direction and southtry, that has been the mainstay of the west in another. Here, as tradition people for many years, has produced has it, upon this island the Indians an absolute reliance upon the fishery and the Eskimos fought to determine as the sole means of livelihood. When their respective rights. The hospital this fails a vast number of people are at this point consists of a main buildpractically penniless. But until Dr. ing two and a half stories high, and a Grenfell came to this coast the people wing that contains a woman's ward had hardly any medical attention save and a man's ward. The accommodafor the spasmodic visits of a physician tion is for about thirty-five patients, who was sent down by the government tho at times, owing to great demands during a part of the summer. It was for room, more than this number have to relieve this severe need and the con- been accommodated. Here may be sequent distress that caused Dr. Gren- had a splendid idea of the work of fell to establish his hospitals and to the mission. The government boats send the mission steamer along the which ply up and down the coast coast on errands of mercy to heal the bring patients regularly, and as long sick. The spirit of the enterprise is as there is any possibility of making well described by the inscription on room no one. is denied an entrance. ONE OF DR. GRENFELL'S iiOSPITALSAT DATTLE HARDOI{, LABRADOR Over the door of the hospital in large is necessary that a patient should have letters are these words which fairly constant supervision, the sick person describe the spirit of the work: "In- is taken aboard and in a little hosasmuch as ye have done it unto one pital arranged amidships in the of the least of these, my brethren, ye steamer can be cared for until landed have done it unto me." When one at one of the regular hospitals. realizes that many a man and woman and child has been saved from suffer- Outside of the regular medical staff ing and been introduced to the practi- of the mission, whose remuneration is cal Christianity of Christ, it confirms exceedingly small, the workers are our faith in Him who healed the sick. volunteers who go for the summer and At Indian Harbor, farther north, is gladly give their services to this work. another hospital not so large as the In this way some of the most efficient one at Battle Harbor, but doing most physicians and nurses have gone from excellent work. By locating a hos- the United States and Canada to lend pital farther north Dr. Grenfell has a hand. One is imprest with the made these places accessible to the spirit that pervades all the mission fishermen. For those who venture stations, and the desire of all, even even farther along the northern shore visitors, to help. During the winter the mission steamer affords help; for the problem is, of course, more diffievery summer, manned with her crew cult and duties more severe. But as of physicians and sailors, the steamer the fishermen return to their homes, makes the journey along the coast, and the boat:> are tied up for the winministering to the sick as the boat ter, the physicians must take dog and calls in at the many fishing harbors sledge and go up and down the coast that dot the coast. In cases where it carrying the message of help to the homes of· the people. There is much of heroism and real downright hard physician. Nothing could have been work in the winter duties of doctors more impressive than the evening and nurses. And yet one never hears service at Battle Harbor, when a a word of complaint, but rather stories great number of the people gathered of enthusiastic endeavors to reach in the little chapel. Great, strong cases of illness and need. men and young stalwart boys just At Harrington, on the Canadian reaching manhood, women and chil- Labrador, is another hospital recently dren from the fishing homes, nurses begun, but already by the number of patients justifying its position and and doctors from the hospital, listenpromising a future of much useful- ing attentively as this faithful missionness. ary preached to them Christ. But this hospital work is not the en- If Labrador ever becomes a more tire work of the mission, for Dr. Grenfell found that he must do some- habitable land than it is now, much thing to relieve the people from the commercial bondage into which their of the credit will be due to the circumstances and dependence on the energy and faith of Wilfred Grenfell. codfish industry put them. :rhe trucksystem, whereby the fisherman would The great unexplored region of the inpractically mortgage his summer terior is a living challenge to go up catch of fish for the provisions he had already consumed in the winter, made and possess the land. The day will it necessary that something should be done to relieve this order of things. come when the interior may be opened For this reason he has established a number of cooperative stores, by up and vast resources hitherto unmeans of which the fisherman may known laid bare. This will be triumph buy his flour and molasses and salt at a fair price instead of paying abnor- worthy of our century. But let it be mally high prices for his supplies. In this way Dr. Grenfell came into direct remembered that the inspiration to conflict with the trader, who found that his craft was· in danger of being much of this was the faith of a man set at nought. This system of co- who went to the bleak shore of this operative stores has brought relief to icy land to carry the message that many families, and in some instances has enabled them to save something Christ taught and bade us to take to from their fishing. But it has also in- the uttermost part. In obedience to troduced the custom of paying cash for fish, where formerly no one ever this supreme duty the Moravians and thought of anything but credit on the Grenfell have invested their lives in books. Labrador, and the future will restore More than all this, Dr. Grenfell has taken the message of Christ to these to the dwellers of the land the compeople, for he is preacher as well as pound interest that these investments have made. * A TESTIMONY TO MISSIONS Hon. Winston Churchill of the British Government, formerly Under Secretary for the Colonies, and now president of the Board of Trade, speaking at the opening of The Orient in London, said, "Every penny presented to the cause of missions is a contribution to good government; every penny spent on missions saves the spending of pounds in administration, for missions bring peace and law and order."
* The writer is secretary of the Washington branch of the Grenfell Association, and is prepared to receive and forward gifts to the work of Dr. Grenfell. Address, 304 Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest.
SALVATION OF
BY REV. SAMUEL ZANE BATTEN, D.O., LINCOLN, NEBRASKA In the nineteen centuries of its his- been cold and worldly, when they have tory Christianity has done great forgotten the real work of Christ in things in the world. More than one the world and have hardly lisped the student of human affairs has traced first syllable of the Christian gospel.
the march of Christ down the cen- But with it all the Church has en- turies and has recorded the victories dured, showing a wonderful power of of the Son of Man. No study can be moral renewal and doing the work"of more interesting and inspiring than Christ in spite of its failings and de- the study of these great achievements fects.
of the Christ. Beyond all these things Christianity The finest type of personal morality has created the missionary enterprise, and saintly life has come through one of the most splendid achievements Christianity. The Spirit of Christ of the Christian spirit and one of the came as a new creative spirit brood- best illustrations of the Christian ing over the chaos of the world and principle. In obedience to the com- in course of time it brought forth a mands of their Master, men and wo- new type of manhood that may be men have sundered the ties of home called Christian. In the progress of and have gone forth to the ends of the the centuries this type has unfolded earth to bear the glad tidings of salva- and developed, and to-day there is a tion to the lost. In good report and type of character that is as distinct- in ill, enduring hardships and risking ive as it is splendid. their lives, they have penetrated the The Christian spirit dwelling in frozen north and have crossed burning men has also created a type of family deserts; with a patience that never life that is no less distinctive. Chris- fails and with a love that never falters, tianity arose at a time when the bonds they have sought th~ lost peoples and of human society were dissolving and have loved them into the Kingdom.
when marriage was lightly esteemed. The missionary enterprise is one of But in the course of time, wherever the finest triumphs of the Christian the Christian spirit has made way, a spirit, and in it the very heart of great change came over the lives of Christianity is revealed. No one who men. Before long a new type of studies human history with impartial family life was seen and the Chris- mind can do other than admire these tian home became a reality. This is a great achievements of the Christian great achievement and no one can spirit.
overestimate its influence upon hu- The Unfini.hed Task man society. But the fact remains that Chris- This is not all; the Christian spirit tianity has not yet wrought the re- has also created the Christian Church, demption of the world. It has not by an achievement no less significant and any means created a Christian type of potent. It is easy for one who is so human society. Lecky has shown that inclined to frame an indictment against in the early middle ages the Church the Church and to sustain that indict- did not appreciably improve the moral ment at the bar of history. There have condition of the Eastern Empire. For been times when the churches have 1,500 years the Church has practically
dominated the life of Italy and Spain, ceive the essential Christ, it has been France and Russia; and yet the moral said, is the special task of each new and social conditions of these peoples generation. to-day is the standing reproach of Christendom. I. The Weakne.. of Individualism Protestantism can claim little ad- Thus far in the history of Christian vantage over either the Roman Catho- effort men have thrown great emlic or the Greek Church in these re- phasis upon the salvation of individspects. The moral and social condi- uals. In the generations great things tions of the United States, Great have been done by the children of the Britain and Germany are better than Kingdom, and much progress has been in any other nations of the globe. But made. Millions of souls have been the sad confession must be made that won unto God and have been saved Christianity has not by any means for lives of purity and power. Great transformed these peoples or wrought changes have come over human sothe redemption of society. It is evi- ciety and many an evil has gone never dent, therefore, that there is another to return. factor entering into the problem that must be taken into account. This But the fact remains that the methfactor is made very plain the moment ods thus far followed have not prowe consider the purpose of Christ and duced the largest results and have not the program of His Kingdom. transformed human society. The fact is also that the method of individual The Kingdom of God, in the Chris- salvation gives no prospect of the saltian conception, may mean more than vation of society within any measua human society on earth, but it never rable time. It would be a gross miscan mean less. The program of the statement to say that the moral and Kingdom contemplates the salvation social condition of the cities of the of the world and its transformation world has not improved in historic into the Kingdom of God. The work times; but it is simple truth to say of Christ on earth is not complete that the progress in these cities is so until that has been accomplished. slow and uncertain as to be almost The world is the subject of Christ's unnoticed. It is needless here to adredemption, and nothing less than this duce evidence indicting the great cities can satisfy the purpose of God. A of Christendom, for this evidence is pa~t of this program has been fulfilled, known to all. London is confessedly but items in that program have been the greatest city in the world; and yet omitted. In view of this it becomes London is the standing reproach of us to examine carefully our programs the world. "Talk about Dante's hell and our methods, that we may know and all the horrors and cruelties of whether our methods are the best and the torture-chamber of the lost. The our programs are in accord with the man who walks with open eyes and program of Christ. If our present bleeding heart through the shambles methods and programs are too formal of our civilization needs no such fanand partial, we should enlarge them tastic images of the poet to teach him till they parallel the method and the horror."* Huxley's description of program of the kingdom. To recon- conditions in the East End of London • Booth, "In Darkest England," page 13.
THE SALVATION OF
is well known; among the lowest silent amazement, the upstate members savages he says that he has never of the commission declared : "New found such hopelessness and misery York ought to be abolished." as in this region; and he does not hesitate to say: "If there is no hope of In these and other cities of Chrisa large improvement of the condition tendom, Christian men have been at of the human family, I should hail the work for generations and for cenadvent of some kindly comet which turies preaching the Gospel, seeking should sweep the whole affair away as the lost, building churches and founda desirable consummation." In Lon- ing rescue missions; yet to-day it is don there is a Submerged Tenth, not easy to see wherein they are imcaught by the maelstrom and sinking proving from generation to generain the flood, abandoned and despair- tion. Indeed, some thoughtful people ing, without God and without hope. declare that the great cities of the Above this is a larger class in poverty world are degenerating, and that the ~at least thirty per cent of the total~ churches are steadily losing ground. who are unable to obtain the neces- Be all this as it may, the fact remains saries of life which will permit them that the progress is so slow and disapto maintain a state of physical effi- pointing that we can hardly measure ciency. "Hell," said Shelley, "is a city it~ gains. In these cities millions of much like London." The man who people are unblest by the Gospel and walks with open eyes through the East live without any of the things that End of London and the wynds and make for admiration, hope and love. closes of Edinburgh and Glasgow is In these cities boys and girls are living tempted at times to call for the crack in conditions which practically make of doom to come and end all. impossible for them a decent and moral life, where the fresh bloom of What is true of London is true no purity is brushed from the cheek of less of New York City. Economic girlhood before she has learned the conditions are somewhat better here meaning of virtue, and the moral nathan in the old world, but the facts ture of the boy is warped before he are none the less appalling. In 1890, has learned the meaning of life. On according to Bishop Huntington, "re- the one side we have the spectacle of cent certified revelations have laid bare millions of people alienated from the the multiplied horrors and deprava- churches and wholly indifferent to the tion of the tenement population in Gospel message. These say: The great cities, where 41 out of every 100 churches are for the fortunate few; families live in a single room, and religion is good enough for those who where the poorest pay more for rent have time and money for it. On the than the rich for every cubic foot of other side, we see the Christian worker space and air." From year to year 10 baffled at every turn by social condiper cent of all those who die in New tions and fenced away from the peo- York City are buried in Potter's Field. ple by impassable economic barriers. In 1900 a commission was created in While conditions are such it is almost New York State to investigate tene- impossible to reach the people in any ment conditions in New York City. large numbers with the Gospel mes- After several days' investigation in sage; and while conditions are as
they are it is almost impossible for the friend, father, employer, workingman, convert to preserve his integrity. At tax-payer and citizen; and he is a good any rate, by our present methods there man in so far as he illustrates in these is no prospect that the kingdom will relations his essential life. The fact ever come in any measurable time. is, also, that if every person in the With home conditions as they are, and world should be converted and become with so many suggestions to evil on a good individual, the Kingdom of every hand, the Gospel worker finds God might not yet be attained. The himself thwarted at every turn. By ideal of the kingdom will never be the method of work largely limited to satisfied until all men are associated individual work on individuals, ex- in right, righteous, fraternal and lovcellent and Christian as this is, there ing relations with one another. To is no near prospect of the redemption realize the ideal of the kingdom, to of these cities. With the present en- behold the virtues of the kingdom, we vironment, and with so many ob- must have goodness and love exprest stacles as now exist, the saving of in human relations, and incarnated in these cities is an indefinite and remote social forms. The Son of Man never possibility. called any man to a life of isolation from his fellows; always and every- II. The Method of Social Action where he called men to brotherhood in a family and to fellowship in a society. The Kingdom of God is an ideal which demands human, social and col- Second, the making of the kingdom lective action. Individual action alone demands collective and social action. can never solve a social problem. In The present method of individualistic the words of Thomas Arnold, "The effort is not sufficient. The practise true and grand idea of a church is of charity, nursing the sick, feeding that of a society for making men like the hungry, visiting the prisoners, Christ, earth like heaven and the king- keeping alive the sickly, rescuing the doms of this world the Kingdom of outcasts, can never permanently im- God." Stated differently, the end prove the race and bring in the Kingthat we seek is a perfect man in a per- dom of God. Nay, worse, it has befect society. This means social action come very plain that many of these no less than personal effort. To carry efforts increase the very evil they are out this program two things are all designed to remedy; and much of this important and must be kept in mind. effort is so misapplied that it means the deterioration of society. Sickness, First, the making of the kingdom poverty, crime and misery have social means much more than the making of causes as well as individual, and can good individuals. There is no such never be wholly eliminated by indithing conceivable or possible as an in- vidual action. dividual who is good by himself and unto himself. Man is a being of re- By the method of individual effort lationships, and right life is life in alone, by dealing with results and right relations. The man who is good neglecting causes, we can never at all is good in the relations in which achieve the redemption of man and he finds himself; to be a good man build a Christian city. It is very beaumeans to be a good member of the tiful to build churches and conduct social order. Man is a son, brother,
THE SALVATION OF SOCIETY
rescue missions; but while we are then, shall we do? Shall we give up saving one poor outcast a dozen other the salvation of these cities? Shall girls are led astray-through igno- we be satisfied to save a few souls out rance on their part or neglect on the of the wreck of a perishing world? part of society-and are sold into Shall we give over this work of citywhite slavery. It is very Christ- saving as a hopeless task? like to nurse the sick and to equip a sanatorium for the consumptive; but We can not do this without disif, while we are doing' this, and are loyalty to Christ; we can not give up neglecting housing conditions and are these cities without confessing failpermitting unsanitary tenements, a ure. But this we will do, and this we dozen other lives are contracting the must do. We will revise our methods white plague and are being doomed and enlarge our plans and will follow to an early death. It is very Christian the whole program of the kingdom. to send missionaries to China and Af- We will seek to understand all the rica; but if, while our Christian mis- factors that enter into a life-heredity, sionary with his Bible is making one environment, and individual will-and convert for the kingdom, the agents of we will then enlist them all in the the opium traffic and the rum trade work of saving society. We have are ensnaring a dozen men, and are tried to make saints in hell. We have riveting the chains of a worse slavery expected men to live saintly lives unupon their souls, we are not saving der satanic conditions. We have forthe world. gotten that environment determines a hundred things in life, both before and It is very necessary that we seek to after conversion. We have tried to save the lost men and women of the save souls for the kingdom hereafter slums; but while we are doing this, when we are called to save lives for and are permitting the slums to re- the kingdom here. We have forgotten main, a dozen children are growing that Christ came to save the whole up in demoralizing conditions, ex- man, spirit, mind and body, for this posed to all kinds of evil and forming world and for every world. The habits which become a part of life it- times of this ignorance God may wink self. It is right that we should preach at, but He now commands us to work the Gospel and should work for in- in a wiser and more fruitful way. dividual souls; but unless we do something more than this and make straight III. Program of Social Salvation paths for men's feet, and mold their lives for the kingdom from the very It is not possible and it is not start, a dozen lives will be warped and necessary here to attempt to outline stained and their recovery thus made this program; but several items entenfold more difficult. The first of tering into it may be named. these we ought to do, but the second we must not leave undone. We must inspire men to live and labor in the vision and power of the In the matter of city saving great whole Kingdom of God. We have things have been done in the genera- been trying earnestly to save our own tions, but the methods have not pro- souls and to prepare them for life in duced a Christian civilization. What, some other world. We have labored faithfully to save men from sin and turn them unto righteousness. We
have wept and prayed over the lost the corner groggery. We will rememnations of earth, and have given our ber that there will be no pure air for children and our money that the good any of us to breathe till there is pure news might be carried to every crea- air for the least of God's children. ture. We have built hospitals, and We will set ourselves "seriously to inhave organized relief societies, and quire whether it is necessary that there have sought to nurse the sick and to shall be any so-called lower classes at relieve distress. All this is most all; whether there need be large numbeautiful and most Christian, and not bers of people doomed from birth to one of these things could have been hard work in order to provide for left undone. But not all of these things otlu:rs the requisites of a refined and together are sufficient to fulfil the cultured life."* whole purpose of Christ and to bring in the Kingdom of God. We must have We will study the causes of crime some great and comprehensive and and pauperism, misery and disease, Christian program of social action. and will change results by removing We must seriously and consciously un- causes. We will create a new type of dertake the work of building Christian city life, and will seek to build from cities and of transforming the social the ground up a city planned on Chrislife of the world. tian lines and built after the divine pattern. We will put forth a collective In the prosecution of this program and unchanging effort to secure for we will give increased attention to every person the conditions of a full, the factors of heredity and environ- human, worthy, moral life. We will ment, and will enlist them in the work learn to hold the resources of society of social redemption. We will give in trust for all its members, and will increased attention to the life of the put forth a steady effort to give every family, and will learn how to use this person a fair inheritance in society. mighty factor of heredity in behalf of We will seek to realize our faith, our race improvement. We will change love, our intelligence, our conscience, human conditions, and will demand a in all the details of our social, indusbetter environment for the growing trial, economic and civic life. In fact, life, thus making it possible for every we will consciously and collectively life to grow up tall and strong and undertake the work of social salvation, clean and pure. We will seek to pro- and will seek to transform and Chrisvide for our neighbor's children the tianize the whole family, social, ecosame conditions that we ask for our nomic and political life of man. children, and will remember that no man's boy or girl is ever safe until To carry out this program means every man's boys and girls are safe. that we will carry the standard of the We will provide playgrounds for the Cross at the head of the whole column children, and will remove many of the of life and will bring the truth of temptations that beset them at every Christ to bear upon every problem of turn. We will safeguard the growing society. We will take His principles life, and will not allow it to become into the social and industrial life of the prey of human harpies. We will the world and will incarnate them in break up the girl-traps and will close * Marshall. "Principles of Economics," Chap. If page 1.
SALVATION OF
civic and social institutions. We will feet man in a perfect society. "Chris- fill society with the spirit of justice tianity," said Immanuel Fichte, "is and brotherhood which shall produce destined some day to be the inner or- such forms of cooperation and equity ganizing power of the State." It is as shall secure the prevalence of the business of all who believe in friendship and good will among men. Christianity to organize the State after We will carry the Christian ideal of the Spirit of Christianity. "There is a Holy City into the political life of in human affairs an order which is the world and will seek to enact such best," said De Laveleye. "This order laws as shall be the human transcript is not always the one which now pre- of the decalogue. We will set our vails, but it is the order which should faces like flint against all social cus- prevail. God knows it and wills it. toms and practises that are evil and Man's duty it is to discover and hindering and will seek to create bet- realize it." ter and more helpful customs. We Finally, and as the sum of all, we will understand the real mission of the will arouse and enlist all men of good State and will enlist the mighty ma- will in the work of social reconstruc- chinery of government in behalf of tion. To this end we will seek a union honesty, morality, religion and edu- of all who love in behalf of all who cation. It is not enough for Chris- suffer. The grace of love is the greattianity to make good individuals-if est grace and the virtue of cooperation that were possible; but it must teach is the supremest virtue. However it these men who want to be good how may have been in the past, the great to associate themselves in righteous duty of all men of good will to-day is and brotherly relations. It is not the duty of union and cooperation in enough for men to be honest and con- behalf of the kingdom. The people scientious in their personal lives, but of the churches must accept this duty they must begin to incarnate their first of all and they must unify and honesty and conscientiousness in in- federate their forces; they must dustrial systems and civil laws. It is mobilize their people and must think not enough for Christian people to of each denomination as one division build churches and conduct Sunday-' of the King's army. They must come schools and distribute tracts, but they together ~nd make the King's purmust also take stumbling-blocks out pose for men their plan of campaign. of the way of the people and teach There are enough intelligent and them how to build more Christian right-thinking men in the average homes and inspire them to build a community to change the whole pomore Christian city. It is not enough litical life and to inaugurate a better for us to have goodness and kindness order of things. But alas! these men and love in the hearts of men, but we are divided to-day by all kinds of lines, must incarnate these virtues in social real and imaginary; and worst of all, customs, in political institutions, in in- the churches themselves are not united, dustrial orders and economic systems. and therefore can not unify the peo- Society needs saving as much as the ple. One part of the churches' misindividual; and the purpose of Christ sion is to set up a standard and then will not be realized till we have a per~ rally men around that standard. The
churches must breed a generation of of grace and seeks to grow up into men able and courageous enough to Christ in all things; as the Christian deal with the evils of society and to husband and wife consciously and lead the faith of the people. gladly unite their lives to build a Christian home in which the Spirit of The churches need a large and com- Christ can reign and each life is prehensive and positive plan of cam- blest; as a company of disciples paign. They need to mobilize the consciously and lovingly stri<e toforces of righteousness in behalf of gether to create a Christian Church truth and purity and victory. We can that shall be a real fellowship of love not do everything, but we can do and a real household of faith; so the something. We may not be able to people of a community calling thembring in the kingdom in our day, but selves intelligent and Christian will we can remove some obstacles to the consciously and resolutely set before kingdom's coming. There is a vast themselves the task of building up a difference between the better and the society on earth after the divine patworse. There is a vast amount of tern where every life has its place, remediable wrong in this world. where no one is wronged or trodden There is many a path that may be under foot, where all have right to the straightened for men's feet. There is good things of life, and where all men many a healing and helping influence live together in brotherhood and that may be set to work in the world. peace. In a word, the program of the Any effort that will help any soul in kingdom is summed up in the task of any way is the translation into deed rightening the relations of men, asof some article of the Christian faith. sociating them in righteous and fra- ternal relations, interfusing their The people who call themselves hearts in common aims, and interlock- Christian must consciously and col- ing their wills in a common will and lectively set to work to build up in the thus embodying their essential life in earth a society that realizes the ideal social institutions which shall realize of the kingdom, a city of God that has tre ideal of the kingdom. come down to earth. As the man in whom Christ lives uses all the means TEN YEARS' PROGRESS IN PORTO RICO BY CHARLES L. THOMPSON, D.D., LL.D., NEW YORK Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions This beautiful island is attracting a ernment of the island. Perhaps their good deal of attention. Its physical demands are excessive, but it is a good resources are beginning to he appre- sign that they are awaking to their ciated and the value of its products possible place as part of the great remore correctly estimated, and the peo- public. pIe themselves are beginning to be The changes that have been wrought more fully appreciated. With some in the last decade are clearly seen by American spirit they are rising to one visiting the island after an abclaim their rights as American citizens, sence of nine or ten years. Then the demanding a just share in the gov- ox-carts were everywhere creeping at
19IO] TEN YEARS' PROGRESS IN PORTO RICO
A VIEW OF SAN JVAN , PORTO RICO From th e wireless station, east of the city proper. This view ;5 lo oking directly toward the Mors at the entrance to the harbor a snail's pace; to-day-while they have fine military road from San Juan to not wholly disappeared and should Ponce. Now, while it would be too not-yet past them on every highway much to say that there are good roads go the flying automobiles at the usual everywhere, there certainly are very American rate of speed. Then, a little many of them, reaching along the French railroad ran in short sections, level stretches by the seacoast and interrupted by long stages; to-day a climbing over the mountains inland. continuous line runs from San Juan The people are thus brought within along the north and the west coasts reach of each other, and with the inof the island to Ponce, in the south. crease of transportation facilities there Perhaps it is not even yet strictly has been a corresponding rise in the proper to say that the trains run, as value of the inland plantations. that word implies too much speed; but one having proper regard for life Furthermore, there are vastly betis not anxious that the rate of speed ter methods of agriculture than there should be very much increased on that were ten years ago. The government insecure track. The accommodations experiment stations, in which experion the trains, however, are far better ments are made in a scientific way of than they were ten years ago. the various kinds of soil on the island and the various products adapted to Another evidence of American oc- the soil and the climate, give a decupation is the rapid opening up of cidedly better chance-to those who degood roads. Ten years ago there was pend upon the soil for their living. only one good road on the island-a Coffee and sugar are still the main
products, but the range of products drals were practically empty except on will steadily increase as the experi- the great feast days, and the priests ments show the possibility of such in- had done nothing to relieve the dense crease. ignorance which enveloped the mass of the people. As a result multitudes The Church in Porto Rico of them had turned away from any elevotion to the Church, seeking in It is now ten years and more since spiritism some satisfaction for their the eye of the Church in the United hunger of soul. States was turned toward Porto Rico as a field for operations. It has been It was a sign of good things to come for centuries nominally a Christian when four great missionary boards, A PORTO RICAN HOME} SANTURCE, P. R.
This is not the kind usually photographed by. tourists land, but nominally only. A decade planning for their work on the island, ago there was not a building erected decided to engage in it on a basis of for public-school purposes on the federation, dividing the territory of island. Now they are springing up the island among them and assuming in many places, and far up among the definite responsibility for the distinct hills the flutter of the American flag portion assigned to them. This frafrom some lowly building testifies that ternal compact has been kept, with the the public-school system is giving boys result that now after these few years and girls a chance. Not only was the the Gospel is preached in probably 500 Spanish Romanism which prevailed churches and chapels; there is a Protthere loaded with superstition, but it estant membership of probably 10,000, was not much regarded by either priest with twice as many adherents; there or people. The churches and cathe- is property valued at many hundreds
YEARS' PROGRESS IN PORTO
A COUNTRY HOUSE USED AS II. CHA PE L iJf thousands of dollars; and there are pansion are great. Anywhere among schools and hospitals which testify to the hills a door open for a Gospel servthe truth that the Gospel there ice attracts an audience. The people preached takes in every higher inter- are ready to hear and in many cases to est of the people. At first the churches obey. The following incidents are operating there found it difficult to illustrations of progress; secure much cooperation in the way uf financial support from the people Nine years ago the writer and one themselves, but latterly they are be- of the missionaries held a service in ginning to appreciate their responsi- a thickly settled country district where bility for helping to maintain the or- no Protestant service hac! ever before dinances of religion in their communi- been held. The missionary preached ties, and many out of their poverty are out of an old Spanish Bible, an heirgiving abundantly. loom in the family of the man on whose grounds the audience was as- Protestantism is now firmly rooted sembled; the heirloom, however, had in that island and is growing apace. no one to interpret its message. The The opportunities for continued ex- been silent all these years, there being AND THJt CONGREGATION
ISO people who listened that Sunday zenship. Porto Rico has a great fuafternoon listened as to glad tidings ture. It is not only in itself a beautiful for which their souls were longing. island, capable of supporting a large and prosperous population, but it is A few months ago the writer again directly in the line of the great travel visited that district and preached in a route of the world when in a few years church which was the outgrowth of the Panama Canal shall be opened, and that first missionary service. The a Christian civilization lighting up building was a commodious and com- those green mountains will be the fortable chapel, erected in large part cynosure of alI nations. by the gifts of ·the people themselves in that farming community. The man There is no manifest reason why It. MISSION SUNDAY-SCHOOL AT ESPIN/lL, PORTO R I CO at whose house the first service was that million of people should not be held is now an officer in this church, evangelized within the next decade. and one of his family is a student for They will, in that time, undoubtedly the ministry in the theological training- become American citizens in the full school at Mayaguez. exercise of the rights and in the full recognition of the responsibilities of Illustrations of this kind could be citizenship. Even now the question, indefinitely extended. It devolves on "Did it pay for the United States to the missionary societies at work in take Porto Rico?" finds an easy an- Porto Rico not to rest from their en- swer. How well it pays will be manideavors until that million of people lest when American schools and shall have the light of the knowledge American Christianity shaH have done of the Gospel of Christ and shall be their work for the entire popUlation. trained in the ways of Christian citi-
OBJECT-LESSON PREACHING IN FOREIGN
BY PROF. GEORGE E. DAWSON, PH.D. Professor in the Hartford School of Religious Pedagogy One of the principles most clearly likewise do most of the various mis- recognized among modern educators siomry peoples. These latter are, as is that both knowledge and the im- a rule, mentally and emotionally un- pulse to action depend fundamentally developed. They are similar to chil- upon sense-experience. This prin- dren. Their intellectual processes are ciple has popular application in what very elementary, consisting mainly of is called "object-lessons," as used more sense-perceptions, and the less com- especially in the elementary grades of plex forms of associative memory. Of instruction. The significance of ob- thinking that involves abstract ideas, ject-lessons in educating a child may they can do little. Their feelings are be made clearer by some considera- also directly dependent upon sensa- tions as to the nature of mind. Re- tions. They have but small power of duced to its simplest terms, the psy- inhibition, and act as feeling impels chic life is made up of incoming them. In short, the consciousness of stimuli and outgoing discharge of such people is little more than a series energy; that is to say, sensation and of sensations and motor reactions.
motor activity are the elementary com- The power that the educated mind ponents of consciousness. Reason, has of working with its stored-up imagination, and all the other func- mental images, and creating an ideal tions of the soul are what take place world, is lacking in them. Now it is between the incoming stimulus and obvious that such undeveloped minds the outgoing response. These more apprehend new truth, and respond to complex psychic functions have been it, in proportion as sense-experience built up, racially and individually, is made use of. They think best when through the simpler functions of sen- objects are placed before them, pal- sation and movement. What we feel pable to sight, hearing, touch, the and think depends, therefore, in the muscle-sense, taste and smell. Next last analysis, upon our sense-percep- to the objects themselves come sym- tions and the motor reactions we make bols and pictures of the objects. Last in response to these sense-perceptions. of all come words, whether spoken or Vivid and accurate sense-perceptions, written, and these have but little and adequate motor response, mean value, except as they call up the men- vivid and healthy feelings, and accu- tal images that have been derived rate, forceful thinking. Any curtail- through sensations. For such minds, ment of the sensory or the motor proc- moral and religious ideas can hardly esses in the psychic life impairs the exist except as they are represented intermediate processes of feeling and in the character and conduct of per- thinking. sons, or in the nature and relation of This general dependence of thought things palpable to the senses.
and impulse upon sense-experience It is clear, therefore, that those who holds true more especially in the ear- work among missionary peoples must lier stages of the mind's development. reach their minds and hearts through Children live essentially in a world of objects that appeal directly to the sensations and physical activities. So senses, or at least through mental
images that have been built up from the bottles perish; but they put new such objective experience. We have, wine into new bottles, and both are then, to consider some of the more im- preserved." portant principles that should guide the selection and use of object-lessons. In his book, "Forty Years Among the Zulus," Rev. Josiah Tyler gives 1. The. definiteness and force of the this extract from the sermon of impression made upon the mind by an a native preacher, which admirably ilobject are in direct proportion to the lustrates the principle of appealing to number of senses involved. Thus one as many senses as possible: "The gets a better idea of a strange fruit if Gospel is a great wagon laden with he sees, touches, smells and tastes it salvation. Christ told his disciples than if he only sees it. He gets a that it is to be carried to all nations. better idea of musical tones if he hears Believers are Christ's oxen; the load them, sees them symbolically pre- is to go and be distributed among the sented, and produces them himself, inhabitants of the world. If the oxen either by voice or instrument, than if are lazy, God will take them out and he merely hears them. So, likewise, put others in-those that will draw. he gets a better idea of the moral qual- Who of us are drawing the gospel ity of honesty if he hears the words wagon? If we are not, we shall find of an honest man, sees such a man do ourselves left out, and others will be an honest act, and practises honesty put in our place. Turn not away behimself, than if he derives his idea of cause the wagon is heavy. Pull, and honesty through words alone. strength will be given to you."
Jesus illustrates this principle in the 2. Of all the senses, sight, touch and lesson He drew from the barren fig- the muscle-sense, or sense of movetree, where the truth is lodged in His ment, convey the most vivid and forcedisciples' minds through an object that ful object-lessons. The human soul, appealed directly or indirectly to sight, whether child or adult, lives most contouch, taste and action. It is not ac- stantly in the world of color, form and cidental that this incident has been motion. Experiences that involve the for centuries one of the most forceful largest opportunities for seeing, hanillustrations of a useless life. Fre- dling and doing things have the largest quent examples of the same principle influence in modifying the mind and may be found in Jesus' teachings, both life. Jesus frequently employs this in His choice of objects and situations principle, both in His selection of obfrom which to draw some lesson, and in jects near at hand, and in His appeal His use of mental imagery that revives to past experience. For beauty and some past experience of His hear- attractiveness of mental imagery, take ers. An example of the latter is the this example: "Consider the lilies of following : "No man putteth a piece of the field, how they grow; they toil not, new cloth into an old garment, for neither do they spin; and yet I say that which is put in to fill it up taketh unto you that even Solomon in all his from the garment, and the rent is glory was not arrayed like one of made worse. Neither do men put new these." Or for vigor, take this exwine into old bottles; else the bottles ample: "Give not that which is break, and the wine runneth out and holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye
OBJECT-LESSON PREACHING IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
your pearls before swine, lest they what comforts! Our cup is running trample them under foot, and turn over!"
again and rend you." Here we have Contact With Thing.
a series of mental images drawn from 3. Objects actually present make the commonest experiences of sight, the strongest appeal to the mind. To touch and action which are so related see, hear, touch, taste, smell or do a as to convey some of the subtlest thing for ourselves, carries with the truths of human life. The same Zulu experience effects that are, in the na- preacher, already referred to, makes ture of the case, personal and vital to use of this principle in the following us and that can be produced in no word-picture, which is alive with color, other way. This is the principle made form and action: "Let us review the so much of by Rabelais, Comenius and past a little [referring to the condition other great educators, who wanted to of the natives before they were Chris- dispense with mere words entirely tianized]. It will do us good. Tum and bring children into immediate to the old deserted home under the contact with things. Rabelais, in the Quanda Mountain. There is no spot scheme of study outlined for his ideal to us on earth like that. There we character, Gargantua, made sensible were boys, when our father came with objects the basis of his program. In- his wagon and commenced building struction was to be given in connec- his house. There we saw one and tion with the common experiences of then another believing and building on children's lives. The nature and the station. There we were taught economy of the various foods and and felt our hearts growing warm with drinks were to be learned at the table love to God and to His Son. A few while eating. Botany was to be weeks ago I rode past that loved and taught while walking across the fields beautiful place. My heart was full of observing plants and trees. The old memories. I saw the bush where properties and uses of metals were to we went and made our first prayer. be investigated in the shops of silver- We hardly knew what made us pray. smiths, the foundries and laboratories.
We were naked, ignorant herder-boys. Few didactic lessons were to be given.
I said: Who is this now riding on a Intuitive instruction imparted in the good horse, with a saddle and bridle? presence of the objects themselves was He is well drest, so that this cold relied upon to give the pupil the wind is not felt. Verily, it is the same desired knowledge. Comenius also herder-boy! What a contrast! And made object-teaching the basis of his where is he going? To see his chil- educational program. "In the place of dren in the boarding schools! Did we dead books," said he, "why should we in those days, when we knew not how not open the living book of nature?
to hold a book-knew not which side To instruct the young is not to beat was up or which was down-think it into them by repetition a mass of would be all like this to-day? No! words, phrases, sentences, and opin- really, no! Goodness and mercy have -ions out of books; but it is to followed us. See how we have in- open their understanding through creased! Look into our houses; see things. The foundation of all knowl-
edge consists in correctly representing credulity as if they had been called sensible objects to our senses." Pesta- upon to fly. They were satisfied to lpzzi's attitude in this connection is il- "search the Scriptures" by listening to lustrated in the following incident: the preacher. But the missionary de- He was one day giving his pupils a cided to fix his text in their minds long description of how to draw the through a personal object-lesson. He picture of a window. While thus en- called them to him, taught them then gaged, he noticed one little fellow at- and there to recognize several letters tentively studying the real window of and call them by name, and assured the school-room. instead of following them that by following up this meththe teacher's words. From that mo- od they would soon learn to read. The ment, Pestalozzi put aside all his men were deeply imprest by finding verbal descriptions, and even his draw- that they could actually learn the charings, and took the objects themselves acters in the wonderful book. They as subjects of observation. "The took the primers offered them, began child," said he, "wishes nothing to in- to study diligently, and, in time, betervene between nature and himself." came able really to "search the Scrip- This principle, which is one of the tures." most important in all education, is 4. Next in importance to the real often exemplified in the teaching of objects of experience are symbolic rep- Jesus. Thus:"And Jesus, walking resentations of the objects. It is someby the Sea of Galilee, saw two breth- times difficult or impossible to bring ren, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew, the mind into direct relati0nship with his brother, casting a net into the sea: an object or set of conditions in such for they were fishers. And he saith a way as to convey clear conceptions unto them, 'Follow me, and I will of them. Thus we can not, by direct make you fishers of men.''' Or, object-lesson, give the mind an idea of again: "Then one said unto him, 'Be- the shape of the earth, or its movehold! thy mother and thy brethren ments. We can, however, symbolize stand without, desiring to speak with the earth by means of a globe; and its thee.' But he answered and said unto revolutions, by means of some mechhim, 'Who is my mother?' And he anism showing its motions in relastretched forth his hand toward his tion to the solar system. Jesus made disciples and said, 'Behold, my mother signal use of this type of object-lesson and my brethren!'" The following when He wished to teach His disciples, illustrations, drawn from missionary and mankind in general, the lesson of sources, will further show the appli- His sacrifice. A good example of cation of this principle. A missionary symbolic preaching is afforded in the in the Harpoot district preached a following descriptions of a sermon by sermon on "Search the Scriptures." a Chinese evangelist named Li, of Among those who listened to him were Changsha, China, on the value of the two aged men, who, in reply to the soul. "Mr. Li began by describing a request that they should get a primer, clock, without naming it, calling it learn to read and study the Scriptures dead and yet alive. He showed that for themselves, pointed to their white it has all the parts of a living mechhair and beard with as much in- anism, but that this mechanism is
dead; without two great essentials. in the communication of knowledge. The clock was then shown to the au- They help the mind to form an image dience and they were led to see that of color, form, and, to a less extent, a spring is the source of power, but of action. In proportion as they conthat power must be applied to the vey a true image, are they likely to spring before the mechanism does its subserve the ends of truth. Pictures work. The preacher skilfully illus- in colors are, for this reason, better trated by these facts the importance of than those in shades of white and the soul, and the relation which it black. It is necessary also that picbears on the one hand to man and on tures should have good perspective, so the other to God. About twenty min- as to show distinctly the form and utes were devoted to this illustration, relationship of objects represented. after which the preacher quoted a Most important of all, perhaps, for the number of texts from the Scriptures child-type of mind are pictures which, bearing upon the teaching of the value in addition to the qualities already of the soul." Another good example mentioned, suggest action. In genis given in a sermon preached by a eral, where pictures are used, the best native of South Africa on the Bible. are none too good. They should pre- "Wise men have made a telescope by sent the image accurately and forcewhich they can see other suns and fully. A picture that does not do this other moons and other stars-many is of doubtful value; for it presents to more than we can see with our eyes. the mind an image that is untrue to But the greatest telescope is the book reality. made by God. It brings God's character to our view. We can see His Missionary peoples, like children, holiness and benevolence. It brings are very fond of pictures. Their at- Christ to our view. We hear His tention may always be attracted and words; He walks and talks with us. their interest held by this means. It is a wonderful telescope, because it Here, then, is a medium of instrucdraws us to Him and binds us to Him tion of great importance to the misforever. It shows us the way to sionary preacher. It ought to become heaven; we see its beauty and bright- more and more available for his use. ness and joy. We see also those great, Modern facilities are multiplying the strong believers-old Abraham, Isaac resources of popular art. The masterand Jacob-who had faith to believe pieces of religious painting dealing what we call improbabilities."* with Bible characters and events are being reproduced in photographs, en- u.. of Picture. gravings, etc., at a cost that puts them within the reach of all. Series of 5. Next in importance to the sym- large sermon-pictures illustrating spe- cial themes, and lantern-slides dealing bols of objects are the pictures of ob- with almost every religious subject, jects. Pictures are less effective than are also obtainable at comparatively symbols, because they can present few- small cost. All these art appliances er of the elements of experience. ought to help the foreign missionary However, pictures are valuable aids in his task of inculcating moral and religious truth. • Quoted by Tyler in his "Forty Years Among the Zulu….
6. Furthest removed from actual creation to the crucifixion, to his un- sense-experience of all the media that bounded delight. The Zulu preacher, may be ftsed to bring the mind into whose sermons have already supplied contact with objects are words. Yet us with illustrations, may again be words that are chosen with a view quoted as an artist in the use of words. to reviving mental images derived He was preaching on "Christ as the through experience are of value. The Great Physician." "What would you average mind is sufficiently endowed think," said he, "if you should come with imagination to call up past ex- into a house and see a man lying on perience when a suitable stimulus is his mat looking ill, and you should given. The art of word-picturing is ask: 'What is the matter?' and he reto supply this stimulus. Perhaps there plied, 'Nothing at all'? You say, 'Tell is no surer test of high art in the pre- me, that I may help you. Where is sentation of ideas than the ability to your pain?' 'I tell you, I am quite revive in the minds of those instructed well,' replies the man. You beg him the deepest and most fundamental ex- to allow you to send for the doctor, periences. but he refuses. Just so it is with sin- ners. You see that they are ill, and In the use of language that calls wish them to send for the Great Phyup the objects of sense-experience, sician, but they do not see it. What Jesus again affords numerous excel- shall we think of them?" lent examples. Witness His parable of the Sower, the Grain of Mustard All these principles which thus con- Seed, the Hidden Treasure, the Un- dition the choice and effective use of merciful Servant, the Prodigal Son, object-lessons by the missionary are, the Laborers, the Wic~ed Husband- of course, epitomized in the objectmen, the Talents, and all the rest of lesson he himself supplies in his own His wonderful appeals to fundamental personality and conduct. Just as experiences. There is a remarkable Jesus the Christ presents in His perepisode described by Stanley in his sonality and deeds a perfect objectbook, "Through the Dark Continent," lesson of all He taught, so must any which illustrates the power of word- disciple of Christ who points the way painting. Mtesa, the great king of to Him be the thing and do the thing Uganda, had his curiosity excited by that illustrates that way. There is no some remarks of Stanley about the greater object-lesson in the world,none Bible and angels. Meetings were ar- that better meets all the conditions of ranged, and for days Stanley held the a forceful appeal to human souls, than king and all his court spellbound by personality. And next to that is con~ his narratives and descriptions based duct. After all our study of the laws upon the Bible and Milton's "Paradise of mind and the principles of instruc- Lost." So complete were these stories tion, the thing we really teach to and descriptions that when Stanley others is ourselves, and the way in had finished, Mtesa had an abridged which we teach tha tthing is by the translation of the Bible from the deeds we do.
THE FIRST ESKIMO
AN EASTER BAPTISM IN GREENLAND BY BELLE M. BRAIN, DETROIT, MICHIGAN Easter Sunday, March 29, 1739, terranean mansion, where it was alwas a day of great rejoicing in the ways summer and where there was Moravian Mission at New Herrnhut always plenty to eat. After death in Greenland. To the gladness of the souls were said to go either up to the Resurrection day, so fittingly com- region of cold and famine or down memorated by Moravians throughout into the delectable abode of warmth the world, was added the joy of bap- and plenty. tizing four Eskimo converts, the first No mission ever seemed to have Courtesy of Th. Outlook greater discouragement at the outset and in none was the faith of the mis- HANS EGEDE MAKING PAR-ISH CALLS IN GREENLAND sionaries ever put to sorer tests. In May 20, 1733, the cousins, Matthew fruits of six years of long and weary and Christian Stach, accompanied by toil. Christian David, landed in Greenland to begin the work. They little knew The condition of the Greenlanders what was awaiting them, but they in those early days was so degraded were men of most heroic stamp and that this first ingathering seems a were prepared to face whatever God miracle like the raising of the dead. should send. These people, short of stature, and with stupid, stolid minds, were a re- Literally obeying the instructions of pulsive race, indescribably dirty in our Lord to His disciples (Luke 9: 3), their ways. Mothers licked their little "Take nothing for your journey, ones as cats do kittens and their winter neither staves nor scrip, neither bread, houses of stone were made practically neither money; neither have two coats air-tight by the use of sad and skins, apiece," they had left Herrnhut five so that they were reeking with filth months before (January II) with po and swarming with vermin. equipment and very little thought as to how they were to reach Greenland These pagans had neither temples or how they would support themselves nor idols, but believed in innumerable while working there. An unexpected spirits, some good, some evil. Chief gift of money, received from Venice among these was Tornjarnik, who the day before they started, paid their was believed to live in a happy sub- way to Copenhagen, whence they were to sail, and confirmed their faith that God who was sending them forth would supply their every need.
On their arrival in Greenland, their trials began at once. The language, a most difficult one of the agglutinative type, proved a far harder task than they had anticipated. Hans Egede, who had been at work for thirteen years at Hope's Island, gave them all
the assistance in his power, but they zingly conceited-Innuit, "The Men,"
were little used to study and the they called themselves-and were so strange language, with its copious vo- well satisfied with their own condition cabulary and complex structure,* that they could see no need of salva- seemed long an unsolvable puzzle. tion through Christ. "Our souls are Yet after a year of discouraging effort, healthy already," they said. "In your they solemnly covenanted together: country people may have diseased "We will with diligence continue the souls, and indeed we see proof of it in study of the language in love, patience those who come here; they may need and hope." a Savior, but we do not."
The problem of self-support proved At first they shunned the mission- almost impossible to solve. Hunting aries, rarely going near them save to and fishing were the chief sources of beg or steal, or to ask how soon they food supply, and as the Brethren were were going away. But by and by they not skilled in these occupations, their entered upon a systematic course of larder was often far too low for com- annoyance. Fond of a joke and ex- fort. The second year was brightened cellent mimics, they tried to vex and by the arrival of John Beck and irritate them by mocking their words Frederick Bohnisch, with the welcome and caricaturing their actions. When news that henceforth the congregation the Brethren conducted devotions they at Herrnhut would contribute toward mimicked the reading and prayers and their support. But the next year the made shocking jests about the most promised supplies failed to come and sacred things in religion. Sometimes they were brought to the verge of in the midst of an earnest exhortation starvation. For a time they lived on they feigned sleep and began to snore; oatmeal mixt with train-oil, .and at sometimes, after piously asking to length they were reduced to a diet of have a hymn sung, they drowned it shell-fish and raw seaweed. Yet they out by hideous howling and the beat- never complained, but accepted it all ing of drums.
as a warning to care less for the com- When these measures failed to forts of life. drive out the teachers the Greenland- Added to these trials was the fact ers began to maltreat them in many that it seemed impossible to make any ways. They pelted them with stones, impression on the heathen. Egede's jumped on their shoulders, broke their long years of faithful toil' had yielded furniture, tried to destroy their boat almost no fruit, and the longer the and stole the precious manuscripts Brethren worked the harder seemed which represented many weary hours the hearts of the people. The lan- of toil. When starvation was threat- guage had in it no terms capable of ening, the Eskimos refused to sell the conveying religious ideas and the na- missionaries a morsel of food tho they tives seemed utterly unable to com- themselves had plenty to spare. Once prehend the Truth. They were ama- they even made a murderous attempt * Thompson gives Tipeitsugluartissinnaungilanga on the lives of the foreigners. Nevertheless the Brethren plodded and Savigeksiniariartokasuaromaryotittogog as speci· men words. The latter signifies: "He says you on. With heroic faith they replied to will also go away quickly in like manner, and buy those who urged them to abandon so a pretty knife."
KAJARNAK, THE FIRST ESKIMO CHRISTIAN
sterile a field: "God's ways are not pel. He then read to them out of the man's ways: He that called us hither New Testament the history of our Sacan still accomplish His aim." vi or's agony in the garden. Upon this the Lord opened the heart of one of the At length their faith was rewarded. company, whose name was Kajarnak; Early in 1738, owing to a general scarcity of food, the natives began to come to the mission-house in large numbers asking for supplies. The Brethren gave them all they could spare, and at the same time endeavored to incite in them a desire for the Bread of Life.
Among the hungry guests was a young man named Mangek, who exprest a desire to come and live with the missionaries. Believing that God had sent him, they gladly gave him daily instruction in the Word. At first he was utterly indifferent, but presently began to take an interest in what he heard. No sooner did his companions perceive this than they began to use every art to entice him away. Tho they finally succeeded, the incident filled the missionaries with hope. "Courage, dear brethren," they wrote to Herrnhut toward the close of May (1738), "and believe with us that our Lord will yet do glorious things in Greenland."
A few days later an incident occurred which proved the beginning of a real work of grace. One of the missionaries relates it as follows: June the 2d.-Many Southlanders vis- K .<JARNAK, THE FIRST GR EENLAND CHRIST1AN ited us. Brother Beck at the time was copying a translation of a portion of the A portrait copied from an old painting Gospels. The heathen being very curious to know the contents of the book, he who, stepping up to the table, in an read a few sentences and then, after some earnest manner, exclaimed: "How was conversation with them, gave them an that? tell me that once more; for I too account of the creation of the world, the fall of man, and his recovery by Christ. desire to be saved." These words, the The Spirit of God enabled him to enlarge with more than usual energy upon the like of which had never before been utsufferings and death of the Savior, and tered by a Greenlander, so penetrated the in the most pathetic manner to exhort soul of Brother Beck that with great his hearers no longer to reject the Gos- emotion and enlargement of heart, he gave them a general account of the life and death of our Savior, and the scheme of salvation through Him.
Meanwhile the other missionaries the north, killed one of Kajarnak's joined John Beck in telling the story brothers-in-law on the plea that he had of the cross. As they did so, many of caused the death of the ringleader's the strangers laid their hands on their son by sorcery. They also threatened mouths (their way of expressing to take the life of another. This proamazement) and some requested to be duced a state of panic, and Kajarnak's taught how to pray. When they left fear for his brother-in-law was so it was with the promise to come soon great that he finally decided that it again. was his duty to take him to a place of safety in the south. The missionaries In the heart of Kajarnak the Truth pleaded with him not to go, and he took deep root. For a time he took himself wept bitterly over the parting, up his residence with the Brethren yet his fears prevailed and his party that he might be thoroughly taught. finally took their departure. To their delight he proved an apt pupil; and in place of the stupidity Great indeed was the sorrow of the generally characteristic of the Green- missionaries over the loss of their conlanders, his quick comprehension and verts. They well knew that many the intensity of his emotion amazed would say that tho they could baptize them. Greenlanders they could not make them true Christians and win them Before the end of June, largely from their roving ways. Yet in the through Kajarnak's influence, three end Kajarnak's going proved a blesslarge families brought their tents and ing. Not long after his departure pitched them near the missionaries to twenty-one boats of Southlanders arhear more about God. Here they re- rived with the cheering news that they mained during the summer, but when had met the refugees and learned from autumn approached most of them went them wonderful things about God. off to hunt reindeer. Kajarnak and Before the following winter no less some twenty others remained and went than nine families took up their resiinto winter quarters close beside the dence near the missionaries in order mission-house. to receive religious instruction, and as a result there were many conversions. All winter long they were carefully instructed until at length four of them When the missionaries bade fare- -Kajarnak, his wife, his son, and his well to Kajarnak they never expected daughter-gave such good proof of to see him again. But he returned the conversion, that they were received next year, bringing his family and into the Church. The rite of baptism brother-in-law with him. During his was administered on Easter day. So absence he had been faithful to his powerfully was the Spirit of God man- Lord, conducting daily devotions in ifested at this service that those who his home and proclaiming Christ to were baptized were overcome with the heathen. emotion, and the Greenlanders who witnessed it were deeply affected. At once he became a valued helper in the mission. When occasionally But alas! within a month a dire the Brethren went on visits to the calamity befell the little settlement and heathen, taking some of the younger joy was turned into sorrow. A party converts with them, he remained at of murderous heathen, coming from
FEAST OF THE HEATHEN
the station, conducting daily meetings you remain faithful to the end, we for prayer and watching over the shall meet again around the Throne of work. God and the Lamb."
But useful as was Kajarnak's life, Kajarnak's death was a great loss in less than two years after his bap- to the work, yet it still continued to tism God called him home. In Feb- prosper. Learning the lesson from his ruary, 1741, he was seized with conversion that it is the Gospel and not pleurisy and died after a brief illness. the Law that melts the hearts of sin- Great as was his suffering he bore it ners, the brethren changed the style of with patience and fortitude, and looked their preaching and putting more forward with joy to being with God. emphasis on Christ and Him crucified, they found the heathen convicted of "Don't be grieved for me," he said sin and gladly accepting the Savior. to his friends; "have you not often heard that believers, when they die, Discouraging as the work was at go to our Savior and partake of eternal first, the efforts of the Moravians and joy ? You know I was the first of our of Egede's successors have long since nation who was converted to the made Greenland a Christian country, Savior, and now it is His will that I the abode of a docile, civilized, Godshould be the first to go to Him. If fearing people.
THE FEASTS OF THE HEATHEN SHAMBALAS * BY MISSIONARY DUPRE Some feasts of the Shambalas are creases. The Word of God rouses the known to the missionaries only by "old man" to the uttermost and gives name. In the first days of our work him no rest till he finds peace in God. in Usambara the natives did not understand the purposes of the white The outward sign of all heathen missionaries. They saw that the white feasts and all heathen joy is noise. man brought to them money for their For three days, almost without interlabor, that he visited the sick, and ruption, night and day, we heard the that he helped as far as possible the noise of a feast in a Bumbuli towninnocent who were suffering persecu- the deep tone of the drum, the monottion. Therefore they invited the mis- onous song of the men and, now and sionary to the feasts and occasionally then, the penetrating howl of the wombrought a pot of pombe to his home. en intermingled. The Shambala But now things are changed and they must have noise, for this alone is able try to hide as completely as possible to overcome the sense of fear in his their real life and their innermost heart. Therefore, the Shambala sings thoughts and feelings. They have and dances, until exhausted he learned that the more the missionary secures a little rest from fear. Some becomes acquainted with their nature, years ago I traveled from New Bethel the more the customs inherited from to Mati to proclaim the glad news of the fathers decay and Christianity in- salvation to its inhabitants. I reached the town of Mtai. It was morning, • Condensed, in free translation, from M onthly News. from the East African Mission, by Louis Meyer.
and men and youths were still dan- would be full of pombe and tired cing. They had begun at sunset the again. He suggested that I start on evening before and were not yet my journey, because the feast was to finished, but were nearly exhausted. last another day. I might have hin- Their motions were mechanical, and dered the celebration with the help of their senses were so benumbed that the chief and preached another serthey did not hear the approach of the mon, but my hitherto willing hearers stranger nor pay attention to his loud would have become bitter and unwillsalutation. Later on, during the day, ing. Therefore I left the next mornsome of these men were lying in front ing, and did not even address the unof their huts as if stunned. Self- married people, because I knew that stupefaction, the purpose of all their thoughts were with those who heathen feasts, had been reached suc- were celebrating and that they were cessfully. longing for the time when they could participate in the heathen rites of the The feasts of the Shambalas are ulezi. either family or kinship feasts. Of the former I have become acquainted The feast of circumcision, like that with four, aside from the sacrificial of ulezi, is a family or kinship feast. feasts, viz: ulezi, circumcision, alama, The boys are circumcised when two, and ndagilo. or even three years old. Women, apparently, do not participate in the The feast which is called ulezi, is excessive drinking of pombe which celebrated when the young mother follows the rites of circumcision, and takes again full charge of her daily at this feast the sound of the drums is duties and only married people can rarely heard. participate in the celebration. To the trained ear the peculiar sound of the Entering Manhood drums announces this feast. The three days' celebration in Bumbuli, Alama is the feast of the maturity mentioned above, was an ulezi. Once of the male youth, who by it becomes I came to Mkalite on the day of such a member of the circle of the men. a feast. I was able to preach in the It is celebrated every three or four evening and tell the heathen of the years. It is degrading to the utterjoys of the child of God, but when I most and robs its candidates of the had finished, the chief said to me, "Do last vestige of innocency. Boys, who not wonder when you hear noise and have been in attendance at the miswhen the women pass your tent with sionary schools, often leave school loud screams. Be not afraid." I during the alama and, if they ever requieted his apprehension and slept turn, come back completely demoralwell all night, tho the feast was ized and utterly unwilling to be incelebrated close to my tent. The next fluenced, until the spirit of God or morning, however, I was unable to severe trials stir them up and cause preach to the sleepy and half-drunken them to listen to the Gospel. people. When I spoke of this difficulty to the chief, he asked me not The alama introduces the young to be angry and not to ask for a meet- man to heathen immorality. It also ing for the next morning, because all demands severe proofs of his ability to suffer bodily injury and pain, and
THE FEAST OF THE HEATHEN
unwillingness to undergo such suffer- Bethel, told me the following story: ings has caused many a youth to leave "I married a girl of my home town, the heathen village and go to the mis- Mponde, and a child was bom to us.
sionary station. All participants of My wife had not yet gone through the alama remain naked in one hut the feast of ndagilo. Therefore, her during the feast, guarded by an aged father took the child and killed it, as man who gives them the necessary bringing misfortune. My wife was instructions (?). When they leave ordered to pass through the ndagilo, the hut, they wear a bunch of grass but its celebration was delayed and around their hips, have their bodies another child was born to us. We smeared with white earth, and have concluded to preserve its life. I had bells on their feet. When I saw a to go on a long journey. When I re- crowd of such young men the first turned from it, the child had been time, I thought that they were clowns. killed and my wife had been taken But I could not smile, ridiculous as away. Disgusted, I came to the mis- was the spectacle. These crowds of sionaries."
young men wander through the land, In addition to these four feasts there with noise and singing, doing mis- are others among the Shambalas which chief, and no one hinders them. express joy of life on the completion Their food must be from rotten of some task. Some of the dances and and moldy refuse which they gather songs are disgusting and degrading.
from the garbage heaps. That is one Harvest feasts speak of the com- of the tests of the alama. Another is pleted task. The young men have the carrying of the futi ya zumbe; aided the chief in his maize or rice that is, the gun of the chief. They harvest. The work is finished. Now must carry a stick which contains a he kills a beef for a joyous meal, but, sap with cauterizing qualities. The tho they know that God has given stick is carried upon the bare shoulder the harvest, no one remembers Him.
and causes great suffering. The con- The feast accompanying the mov- sequence of these tests and of the ing into a new hut speaks also of the whole alama, which continues days joy over work finished. The moving and even weeks, is a weakening of the is done in cloudy or rainy weather, strength of the celebrants, from for that means good luck in the land which weak men do not recover for of little water. A goat is roasted many days. The alama closes with over the fire in the new hut. Neigh- much drinking of pombe and free bors and friends gather outside, and rein to fleshly lust. Now these young when the head of the house has called men are permitted to do whatsoever upon the spirits of his ancestors, that is permitted to a man. No longer they deliver from fire and other dan- are they forbidden to drink the much ger, the table is set and the feast is desired pombe. They are men. celebrated.
Ndagilo seems to be to girls what The worship of spirits and ancestors alama is to the boys. It signifies that is the one great obstacle that stands a girl has reached the time when she in the way of the Shambalas accept- can be given in marriage. Nyan- ing Christ and coming to the knowl- gassa, whom I baptized in New edge of pure spiritual joys.
CHURCH AND THE CITY *
A. Social Conditions Confronting the Church I. The growth of the city.
From 1890 to 1900, the total increase in population in the United States was 20 per cent. During the same period the population in the cities increased 37 per cent. Whereas in 1800 only 3 1-3 per cent of the population in the United States lived in the city, to-day 33 1-3 per cent live in the town.
2. The elements of social unrest.
Lack of a living wage. Back-breaking labor. Poor and insufficient food. Lack of leisure. Swift approach of old age. Hopeless poverty. The filthy slum. The unsanitary factory. The dismal future. The lost "ethical" soul.
3. The problem of the immigrant.
The 160 cities in the United States having a population of 25,000 and over contain over 50 per cent of the entire-born population of the country.
4. The problem of the negro.
In 38 of the largest cities in the United States during ten years, the negro population increased 38 per cent, while the white popUlation-including immi- grants-increased only 33 per cent.
5. The problem of the tenement.
There are 300,000 absolutely dark bedrooms III the tenements of New York City.
6. The problem of the child.
"The death rate of infants among the rich is not more than 8 per cent, while among the very poor it is 40 per cent."-Dr. Drysdale. "In a study of vital statistics in Erfurt, Germany, for a period of 20 years, it was discovered that for every 1,000 children born in working-class families, 505 die in the first year, 173 die among the middle class, and only 89 die among the higher class during . the same period."-Dr. W 01/.
7. The problem of the department-store clerk.
Thousands of these young men and women in the city are compelled to live in desolate hall bedrooms.
8. The problem of the saloon.
Centers of corrupt political power and breeding-places of vice, but practically the only centers for workingmen in their social and economic life. Nearly every trade-union in America is compelled to meet back or over a saloon.
The introduction 0/ labor-saving machinery on the farm drives the farm-hand to the city, while the introduction of better transportation facilities sends the city business man to the suburbs.
B. Social Forces Challenging the Church 1. Organized labor.
Invites membership regardless of race, creed or color. Americanizes the im- migrant. Gives sick, out-of-work and death benefits. An influence for more temperate living. Supplies a liberal education in its meeting-halls and through the labor press. Opposes child labor. Demands a "square deal" for women in industrial life. Struggles for better sanitary conditions. Shortens the hours of labor and increases the rate of wages. Fights for universal peace.
2. Socialism.
World-wide in its propaganda. Possesses a literature written in the language of the people. Conducts more open-air meetings than all the churches com- bined. Directs training-schools for its workers. Organizes Sunday-schools in the principal industrial centers. Enlists strong forces of volunteer preachers. Has become a religion to hundreds of thousands. Most aggressive in the "down- town" fields deserted by the Church. Is utilizing many of the best principles of the Church, but claiming them as a monopoly.
3. Some general facts and principles.
The Church is slowly but surely losing ground in the great centers of popu- lation. Underlying the spirit of social unrest there is a deeply religious spirit among the masses. God is not dependent upon the Church for the carrying out of His plans for the redemption of the world. The Church is responsible for the spirit of social unrest, and she must finish the task which she has begun.
·From the Assembl, H.,ald.
KINGDOM AND THE DOWN-TOWN CHURCH 2II
C. A Social Program for the Church 1. The Church must socialize her teaching and socially convert her mem- bership.
2. The Church must study the problems of the people sympathetically. 3. The Church must stay by the people and help them solve their problems. 4. The Church must adapt herself to the needs of the people in the com- munity. 5. The Church must raise up a company of competent leaders for the people.* THE KINGDOM AND THE DOWN.TOWN CHURCH t BY JOSIAH STRONG, D.D., NEW YORK President of the American Institute of Social Service Speaking broadly, the civilizations every hamlet. The prl!ss molds pubof the past have been rural and agri- lic opinion and all that that means cultural; those of the future are to in a democracy. be urban and industrial. Of course, there have been great cities in the In due time the city will have all past, and it goes without saying that the power which numbers signify in as long as men are fed by the fruits a democracy. As we are often told, of the soil, there will be agricultural at the beginning of the nineteenth interests and agricultural peoples. century there were only six cities in But it is nevertheless true that there the United States of 8,000 inhabiis taking place a shifting of the bal- tants or more; at the end of that ance between country and city-a century there are 517. In 1800 less change of opportunities, of power, than 4 per cent of our small populaof influence. Alreadf the cities pos- tion lived in cities. In 1900 about 33 sess that power which belongs to per cent of our great population predominant wealth. In 1850, 56 lived in cities. In England more per cent of the wealth of the United than 70 per cent are in cities. Not States was rural, 44 per cent urban. many years hence more than half In forty years' time, three-fourths of our population will be urban. the wealth was urban, one-fourth was rural. While the wealth of rural Many have supposed that this disdistricts was increasing fourfold, the proportionate growth of the city in wealth of the cities increased six- the United States is due to the peteenfold. This is a commercial age. culiar conditions of a new civiliza- Wealth is increasing far more rap- tion; but a glance at Europe exidly than population, and its power plodes that theory. The cities have is increasing-touching every phase grown there as rapidly as here. For of life. That power belongs to the fifty years Brussels outstript New city. The power of the press is in York. While our metropolis was the city. Here is the tree of the adding 3,000,000 to her population, knowledge of good and evil (whose London added 5,000,000 to hers. leaves are not altogether for the Many have supposed that this flowhealing of the nations; some of them ing tide from country to city was are yellow and sere)-a tree that daily quite temporary and would soon sheds its leaves, which are carried ebb, but such have not studied its as by the four winds of heaven into causes. Its principal causes are two: First, the revolution in transporta- tion. Before the nineteenth century • Take the correspondence course in Applied Christianity. offered by the Department of Church and Labor. It will help you master your situation in the city. Address, 156 Fifth A-venue, New York.
t From the Home Missionary.
it waS very difficult to supply food do not say that the amount, but the and fuel for a great population. proportion, decreases. A man with Cities have always been about as an income of $100,000 does not eat large as they could well be. There one hundred times as much as a man has been many a famine in the city whose income is $r,ooo, nor can he when grain was rotting on the spend one hundred times as much on ground only a few leagues away. his table; but he can spend one hun- Now we bring food from the other dred times as much on houses and side of the globe. The steamships grounds, on furniture and pictures, and the railway make it possible to on art and dress, on jewels and orna- feed any number of millions massed ments. That is to say, there is a at one point. Because man is a gre- necessary limit to the amount of garious animal there has always food that the world can consume.
been a tendency among men to There is no limit, except that of segregate, and the revolution in purse, to the consumption of the transportation has liberated this in- products of the mechanical and fine herent tendency of human nature, so arts. Hence, as the world grows that to-day it is free to fulfil itself. richer, a steadily decreasing propor- The other great cause of the dis- tion of the world's population will proportionate growth of the city is subsist by providing food; and a the revolution in industry. The ap- steadily increasing proportion will plication of machinery to agriculture gain their livelihood by the mechani- has driven multitudes from the farm. cal and fine arts, which are prose- In 1870 there was one man engaged cuted in the city; which means the in farming for every seventeen acres continued disproportionate growth cultivated. In r890 there was one of the city.
engaged in farming for every twen- Some people imagine that the ty-six acres cultivated. The im- many uncomfortable features of provement in machinery during farm life drive the young men from these twenty years alone drove the farm, and that if we could only 4,430,000 men, plus their families, off make country living delightful, we from the soil. might reverse this tide and cause it Again, the springing up of manu- to flow from the city back to the factures in the city, creating a country. There are thousands of great demand for labor, has stimu- people to-day living underground, lated this movement. Thus the not because they prefer the smut and causes which have created this dis- the dark and the danger of the coal- proportionate growth of the cities mine to the green earth and God's are permanent causes. Statistics blue sky, but because there is a de- show that for sixty years a steadily mand for coal; and the number who decreasing percentage of ottr popu- live underground in this kind of life lation has been engaged in agricul- will be determined, whether it in- ture, and a steadily increasing per- creases or decreases, by the increase centage has been engaged in the me- or decrease of the demand for coal.
chanical and fine arts. These arts Here is another economic law. The are prosecuted in the city. That comfort or discomfort of an occupa- means the disproportionate growth tion does not determine the number of the city. And this tendency of the who engage in it, but the kind of past sixty years is to continue. This people who engage in it. The dis- is quite in harmony with the well- proportionate growth of the city is known economic law called Engel's not a temporary phenomena; it must Law. According to this law, as the necessarily continue. When the income of the family increases, that world's demand for food is supplied, proportion of its budget devoted to the farming population can increase food steadily decreases. Observe, I only in proportion as the world's
THE KINGDOM AND THE DOWN-TOWN CHURCH
population increases; whereas the my fellow men, so that when I am population sustaining itself by the called to leave the world I may leave mechanical and fine arts will in- it a bit the better." That young crease as the world's population in- man was a Russian Jew, and that creases. Russian was a better American, that Jew was a better Christian, than All this means that we can not many a descendant of the Pilgrim evade the problems of the city. Fathers who is living a selfish life. Many are trying to do it. "Back to Here is splendid raw material, but the soil J" is a common and a falla- it must be Americanized. If we do cious cry. If we could take IOO,OOO not Americanize the foreigners in men out of the slums and set them our cities, they wiIl foreignize our on the land and then make them civilization. successful, their success would be at the expense of 100,000 other men In the city the problem of poverty whom they would drive from the soil is accentuated. As a rule, the into the city. We should not there- greater the city, the more desperate by take one step toward the solution is the poverty. In the city the probof the problem of the city. This lem of vice and crime is emphasized. problem must be faced, and the For in a given city population there sooner we face it, the sooner we are more crime and vice than in the shall solve it and adjust ourselves to the new conditions of the new civili- same population in the country diszation. tricts. In the city the problem of popular discontent is emphasized. We have glanced at the inevitable There Dives and Lazarus stand face problem of th~ city. Spend a mo- to face. There we find the ennui of ment in considering its complexities, surfeit and the desperation of starits magnitude, its urgency. In cities vation. It is in the city that we find we find a heterogeneous population. the opportunity for destruction, for In everyone of our large cities there there wealth is piled story upon story. Neither sulfur, nor saltpeter, are the representatives of at least nor charcoal, taken separately, is exfifty different countries. In New plosive, but combined they make York there are sixty-six different gunpowder. Opportunity for delanguages spoken. Whatever bur- struction where there is no temptaden immigration places on our civili- tion is not dangerous; poverty is zation is more than three times as not revolutionary when it is govgreat in the city as in the country erned by conscience. Vice and at large. As our Irish friends might crime are not revolutionary when say: Many of our best Americans they are quite comfortable, but were not born in their native land! wickedness and wretchedness and They are Americans by choice; most opportunity combined make social of us are Americans by accident; dynamite of which the magazine is and many a foreigner who has be- the city slum, awaiting only a casual come an American puts us to shame spark to burst into terrific destrucby his patriotism. Let me repeat to tion. you a few words from a letter which I read. That letter was written by The Church Problem a young man who came to this country young enough to get the Evidently our cities are the tainted advantages of our public schools spots in our civilization. The Church and then took a course in Columbia and the home are the two great con- University. After graduation he serving institutions of society. Are wrote: "I am now at the age of they growing proportionately with twenty-one a free American citizen, the city's growth. The churches are and I have but one great desire in falling far behind the growth of the life, and that is to do something for population of our cities. As cities grow larger the proportion of homes
decreases, while the hotel and res- let him move on, and then lapse into taurant population increases. The their accustomed inactivity, than it is majority of men on the farms own for a church, day after day, week their homes. When you come to after week, year after year, to live cities the size of Boston, only 18 per in vital touch with the multitude, cent own their homes. In Manhat- giving them new conceptions of life. tan, only 6 per cent own their homes. We need not more evangelists, but more evangelistic churches, more Here is the problem of the king- pastors, more laymen who are burndom, so far as the city is concerned. ing with evangelistic fervor; burn- It is to save the city by bringing ing with the love of humanity. men into harmony with the laws of God, physical, mental, moral and I believe that an institutional, or social, as well as spiritual. When the socialized Christian Church, is men everywhere are thus brought needed for the salvation of the into harmony with God, the kingdom down-town city, but it must be adewill have come. The kingdom can quately equipped. Such churches not come without the salvation of cost much more than the old family the city. Here, then, is a great church. Are we to provide the evangelistic problem of the twen- means? tieth century: saving the city. I believe that for the solution of that I believe, with all my heart, that problem the old method of evan- the Kingdom of God is coming in gelism is quite unequal. If Mr. the world. I believe that we can, Moody could again clothe himself with God's help, solve the problem with flesh and undertake our prob- of the city if we will but open our lem of city evangelization, and if he eyes to recognizE' it and open our should speak to 1,000 different souls hearts and hands to meet it. I beevery night of the year, never taking a vacation, it would be eighty years lieve that we have the guarantee of before he could get around once, and God's Book that the city is to be then the city population would have saved. Turn to the beginning of it; increased 200 or 300 per cent, and there we see man in a garden. It is there would be two or three times a vision of perfect beauty, perfect as many who had not heard his mes- simplicity, perfect innocence, of unsage as when he began. If we could fallen because of untried virtue. VVe have twenty Moodys and they spoke turn to the closing pages of this to 20,000 different souls every night Book, and again we see a picture of in the year, and if the cities could man perfected. In prophetic vision and would arrest their growth, then we behold not the beauty of innoour city population might hear the cence, but the beauty of holiness; Gospel message once in four years. not the insecure peace of virtue un- tried, but the established peace of In the city to-day, especially the virtue victorious. In this first picdown-town portions of the city, ture we see individualistic man; in are multitudes wholly uninstructed, this last picture we see socialized while other multitudes have been man. In the first, unfallen man susmisinstructed. They have no knowl- tains right relations to His Maker; edge of Christian truth. To what in the last, redeemed man has come purpose does a man come and de- into right relations with God and liver his message for a week or two? The whole conception of life of these with his fellows. The perfected people must be transformed. That crown of civilization, the full coming can be done only by long, persistent, of the kingdom of God in the earth, daily living contact with them. It is typified by a city, a holy city, into is a far easier thing for a church to which shall enter nothing unclean or hire an evangelist for a few weeks, that maketh a lie. Paradise lost was a garden; Paradise regained will be a city.
NATIONAL FLORENCE CRITTENTON MISSIONS'"
BY ALLAN SUTHERLAND, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Twenty-eight years ago the promi- new field of work. The poor COun- nent wholesale druggist, Charles N. try boy, had, through his own ef- Crittenton, of New York City, lost forts, won a fortune before middle through death his little daughter, life, and from a small beginning Florence. Mr. Crittenton's grief was built up a large wholesale business.
almost unbearable, but he finally be- He had achieved the summit of his came reconciled by determining to ambition when the blow fell that live such a life as would insure his changed his life.
again meeting his little daughter in Four years he spent in night mis- the Father's House. sionary work in the slums, then his One night he accompanied a mis- health became so broken that his sionary into the slums and visited physician ordered him abroad. But saloons, in which there were drink- even his vacation trip he made a part ing, blaspheming and gambling, and of his new work. On his travels he where they found two young girls, visited all the large cities to study whom they exhorted to lead better the condition of the outcasts. He lives, and to whom they said in part- wished to investigate any movement ing, "God bless you; go and sin no that had been put on foot for the more." But as Mr. Crittenton was betterment of their condition, but in going home the practical questions all his tour he found not one saving arose in his mind: Where are they agency. It was with a renewed de- going? Where can they go? What termination to carryon the memorial doors are open to them except those to his little daughter that he re- that lead to sin and vice? turned home. The next three years The result was the opening in 1883 he spent on the Pacific Coast, build- of the first "Florence Home," 31 and ing homes in San Francisco, Los 33 Bleecker street, New York, from Angeles and San Jose. Then he vis- which there have sprung fifty-three ited many parts of the United other homes in different cities States, carrying his charitable sys- throughout the United States, as tem into the large cities. Every- well as one in Tokyo, Japan. Here where he became known as the any unfortunate girl-mother may friend of unfortunate girls and come and find a home and friends. women.
The first girl to enter the first The income even of a millionaire Florence Mission was one of the has its limits, and some attempt was girls to whom Mr. Crittenton talked made to render the homes self-sup- on the night that he visited the porting, but on accou;)t of the large slums with the missionary. The girl number of children and invalids to was Nellie Conroy, sold into sin at be cared for, this was found impos- the age of twelve years by a drunken sible. The burden of expense had mother, and who sank deeper and been borne almost entirely by Mr.
deeper, until Mr. Crittenton found Crittenton. As the work grew it be- her in a den of vice in Baxter street, came apparent that he must rest at New York. She was converted in the point he had reached or call on the Florence Home and lived there the public for aid. His first effort happily for two years until her was to reduce his own expenses to death. a minimum. His own railway fare Mr. Crittenton was not the man and that of his assistant had been a to be content with any but a large large item of expense, so he decided enterprise. The same energy and to buy a private car, which would be ability which had made him success- at once his home and a headquarters ful in business was carried into his for his work. The railroad mana- • From the Record of Christian Work. The recent death of the founder of this mission gives opeci.1 interest to tbis noble work.-EDITOR"
gers gladly passed him over their An appeal is always made to the lines, and the money thus saved was higher instincts of these betrayed devoted to building new missions. girls by surrounding them with home influences. In every human About six years ago the homes heart there is a germ of good, altho were consolidated into a national or- it may be thickly incrusted with evil, ganization to perpetuate and increase but faithful, persistent searching will the efficacy of the work. The United reveal it. Daily Bible reading and States Government became inter- prayer service are held in which each ested and granted a government girl takes a part. "An idle brain is charter and an appropriation. the devil's workshop." Work, there- fore, forms the all-important part of The government of the homes is life with the girls who are trained in liberal in character. There are no such lines of work as will enable bolts or bars. The doors stand open them to respectably support themday and night to receive any friend- selves and babies. Every girl serves less girl or woman, no matter who a term of three months each in the or what she is. They come of their laundry, kitchen, sewing-room and own free will, and love is the only nursery. influence used to win them. More than sixty per cent of the women The results are most encouraging. who enter are reformed and start out Often a girl remains in the home a in life anew, some as clerks and shop- year or eighteen months. She gen- . girls, many as trained servants. erally realizes that life is duty, and leaves to "put her shoulder to the With a daily average of 3,000 girls wheel," to work out her own destiny. and 600 babies to be clothed and fed A great many girls who have gone already, the movement is still being from these homes have married and pushed forward. The work has become loyal wives, and are now come to be better known, and the contributing to the funds of the public at large has helped more home that reclaimed them. Some largely for its support. of the girls are occupying positions as stenographers and typewriters, Many of the homes are supplied others have positions as teachers, with all their provisions by commis- and a large number as nursery girls, sion merchants. Large furniture and general servants. Those who houses have fitted others through- are mothers take care of their chilout. Even the telegraph companies dren by boarding them with friends. are not behind in giving aid. More In many instances parents who had than three hundred dollars' worth of closed their hearts and doors against dispatches are passed free over their their misguided daughters, have, after lines each year. learning through the matron of the Florence Home that their daughter Method. Employed and Results was struggling to make an honest living for her child, taken both baby The question is often asked, "How and daughter into their own homes. do these girls learn of your home?" Among other special efforts made, Many instances encourage the the matrons at the different railroad workers to believe firmly that these stations are asked to be on the look- results of human happiness, purity out for any young girl who appears and usefulness in place of misery, to be friendless and homeless, and degradation and vice, must meet who would therefore be apt to fall with the divine approval and win into bad hands, and invite such to the divine benediction. "Inasmuch come to the home. Thus often a as ye have done it unto one of the good work is accomplished in saving least of these, ye have done it unto girls from ruin. The police officers me." also know of the Florence Homes, and they often direct girls in their trouble to this place of refuge.
EDITORIALS
HOW TO HELP social life, in conventions, and in the The twentieth-century missionary matter of ministerial exchanges: in- movement is loudly calling for cooper- deed, in the largeness of their con- ation. How can it best be given? An ciliation are foremost in helping the invading foe fears two things: First, most noted offenders to places of anything that strengthens the other honor and trust as professors, presi- side; second, anything that weakens dents, lecturers, managers of church its own. To increase the enemy's boards, and even framers of creeds.
power of resistance and persistence is 3. Aggression. Its friends maintain to throw chances in his favor; to de- that both of the foregoing policies are crease defensive and aggressive re- untrue to faith, misrepresent the grav- sources on our own side is as effec- ity of the situation, are in the last de- tually to help the other party-our an- gree misleading and harmful to the tagonists. Just now there are six public, and are indeed contrary to the things that the times demand: In- plain instructions of the Scriptures.
formation as to the whole situation; The aggressive spirit is needed.
personal, individual sense of respon- sibility; cooperation in prayer, giving, PRAYER FOR THE EDINBURGH CONand, so far as possible, direct effort; FERENCE-THE GREAT TOPICS organization that is complete, univer- TO BE CONSIDERED sal and effective; consecration of secular affairs as part of a sacred No one can read the history of mis- service; mUltiplication of gratuitous sions without being stirred by the reading along missionary lines, and many and marvelous answers to the simplifying of all machinery, that prayer. Whatever a man's theory power may not be lost in mechanism. may be, th~ facts are indisputable that Some one asks, "What can be done God bids us pray and that He an- by friends of the old Gospel to help swers the united prayers of His peo- the situation?" Three possible policies ple.
offer themselves for adoption-the This year there is to be held in policy of inaction, the policy of con- Edinburgh, Scotland, the great Wcirld ciliation, and the policy of aggression. Missionary Conference. There will 1. Inaction. The Gamaliels say, gather the missionary thinkers and "Let these men alone. Take no notice workers from all over the world.
of what the perverts say or do; but Those who shape the missionary go forward praying and preaching policy of the Church will be in con- and publishing the old Gospel truths ference for ten days. It would be without reference to the new contra- difficult to overstate the importance dictions." This is for the time, of and possibilities of this meeting. How course, the least troublesome course. important it is that Christians every- 2. Conciliation. Its friends believe where unite in earnest prayer that in the winning power of kindness, these men and women may be rightly smiles, hearty handshakes, and loving guided both in the preparation of words. They caIl the crowd dear their papers and in the discussions brethren. They praise their sincerity, that follow their presentation.
love of the truth, eloquence, with First: The whole world is to be trumpets, and condemn their errors brought into view showing the present with bated and apologetic breath. conditions and needs, the land yet to They say as many good things of be possest and the great tasks before them as possible and as few evil. They the Church.
yield to them .<lS much as possible, and Second: The condition and possi- something more, out of generosity and bilities of the native church are to be largeness of heart. They make no reviewed-the organization, discipline, offensive distinctions between the education, employment and spiritual most radical and the most orthodox in fruitfulness of the native Christians.
No more important topic could be titude of missionaries toward their brought forward for these are the peo- own and the native governments?
ple who must be the means of evan- How pressing is this problem in times gelizing their own people. of riot and massacre! Shall the mis- Third: Educational missions are sionaries claim protection or suffer certain to have a large part in future persecution? Shall they see their na- missionary work. Some have been in- tive friends endure all kinds of in- clined to omit them in favor of only justice and barbarity or shall they be evangelistic effort, but the results of a temporal as well as a spiritual force school and college work are too great in the lands where they labor. What to be ignored. There is, however, a importance these questions assume in need for vastly more spiritual pur- lan?s like Turkey, Persia, Korea, pose and power in educational mis- Chma and the Kongo!
sions. Eighth: The question of coopera- Fourth: The relation of Christian- tion and the promotion of union ought ity to non-Christian religions is a vast to be discust in a way to bring re- and important topic. How fully must sults. Already the churches in the converts cast loose from their old mission fields are uniting and there is habits and beliefs? How large is the a spirit of cooperation in the home modicum of truth in non-Christian re- church as well. Christian Endeavor, ligions which can be used in turning Y. M. C. A., student and other young men to God and salvation through people's movements and conferences Christ? The theology of the future have brought Christians nearer to- native church may be greatly in- gether. True church union, if not fluenced by the findings of this com- unity, might increase the power of mission. the Christian Church tenfold. Ter- Fifth: The preparation of mis- ritory might be redivided, with great sionaries. Shall all be sent who ap- economy of labor and money. Here ply or must there be a rigid sifting on is a topic which alone would be worthy physical, moral and theological of a world conference and the united grounds? How important it is that prayer of Christendom. The oneness the men and women who are to be for which Christ prayed has not yet the great ambassadors of the King- been achieved.
dom of God in foreign lands shall be adequately trained and fitted to present THE WORLD GROWING LARGER the cause of the King of kings! W. Muller, in "Lose Hefte," says, There must be practical suggestions strikingly, "We usually say, 'The for the realization of Christian ideals world grows smaller every day,' be- of leadership. cause we think only of the distances Sixth: The home church and mis- diminishing rapidly on account of sions. There are men and women quicker means of communication and enough, there is money enough, there commerce in our day. It would be is intelligence enough and there is far more exact to say, 'The world spiritual power enough to evangelize grows larger every day.' Mission- the world in this generation. How aries in heathen countries and in cen- is the Church to be aroused to a trally located places are often over- fuller sense of responsibility? How whelmed by the impression of the are the young people to be trained? numerical superiority of the multi- What is the most effective use of tudes they are facing. India to-day literature? There is need of a vast contains about 300,000,000 inhabitants.
.amount of earnest prayer that the Fifty years ago they were estimated Church at home shall have the right at 150,000,000. Within a half-century ideals and the self-sacrificing spirit of the number of heathen and Moham- Christ, her Lord. medans in India has been almost Seventh: What shall be the at- doubled. Truly one is tempted to ex-
claim, 'Weare getting farther away number of .adherents the same in the from our goal.' The increase must fourteenth as in the twelfth. be similarly large throughout the world in spite of wars, famines, pes- M. Founier de Flaix, after a very tilences, and plagues. elaborate inquiry and investigation, es- "What are the increases in Christian timates the number of Christians now congregations of natives, tho it is living at 477,080,158. Probably he actually greater than 50 per cent, the would estimate the number for the small additions to our missionary nineteenth century at 300,000,000. staffs, and the increase-a little larger than that of missionaries-of native His classification of the world's helpers, pastors, catechists, teachers, other religions is interesting, and and colporteurs, when we compare probably approaches correctness, as them with the immense numerical in- follows: crease of heathenism and Islam? In spite of all that has been done during Hinduism ………………. 190,000,000 the past century of missionary activ- Buddhism ……………… 147,000,000 ity, we are only at the beginning of Confucianism …………… 256,000,000 the work. Christendom must come to Shintoism ………………. 24,000,000 a deeper realization of her great duty Judaism ……………….. 7,186,000 and must be made willing to fulfil it Taoism ………………… 43,000,000 far more earnestly before she can Mohammedanism ……….. 175,000,000 reach the goal and plant the cross of Polytheism (many gods) …. 117,618,669 Christ upon the golden cupolas of the great pagodas and upon the ramparts This would make the entire populaof the slender minarets! tion of the globe somewhat over 1,422,000,000, with Christian adher- The situation is, however, far from ents outnumbering any other faith and discouraging, for the percentage of nearly double even the largest of the heathen and Christian in foreign lands others. is constantly diminishing, the native churches are becoming self-extending There is always risk in too much and Christians at home are awaking dependence on mere numbers. But to their responsibility. there is no doubt that this growth of the nominal body of Christian ad- THE GROWTH OF CHRISTIANITY herents has been more rapid since the century of modern missions began. A The historian, Turner, in his "Sa- hundred years ago there were not ISO cred History of the World," gives in missionaries in all heathendom. In round numbers an estimate of the expansion of the Christian community, 1895 it was estimated that there were according to centuries, from the first 12,000 missionary stations, with 11,000 to the eighteenth as follows: 500,000 missionaries and a body of 40,000 naadherents, then two million, five, ten, tive helpers, and the number is now fifteen, twenty, twenty-four, thirty, very much increased. forty, fifty, seventy, eighty, seventyfive (thirteenth century), and again The greatest triumphs have been in eighty, a hundred, a hundred and the Islands of the Sea, more than 300 twenty-five,· a hundred· and fifty-five, of which have been evangelized within and finally, two hundred million. It is some 80 years, and some of them not plain that these numerical estimates are wholly untrustworthy, for we have having i heathen left. The China almost no data on which to build them safely. It is difficult to understand on Inland Mission, begun in 1865, has what authority he drops five million now, at 210 stations, 928 missionaries. in the thirteenth century, to add it Since the beginning over 30,000 Chiagain the fourteenth, making the nese converts have been welcomed to fellowship, of whom over two-thirds survive, and during the last reported year 2,500 were added. It is said that, of the 380 members of the Japanese Parliament, 4 per cent are Christians, and that of the people 45 per cent are under Chris- tian influence. The Christian members
of parliament are also men of great have a tenfold more difficult task in influence and prestige in their own Korea. country. It is true that Mr. Homer B. Hurl- MISSIONARIES AND POLITICS IN burt, formerly of Korea but not con- nected with any missionary society, KOREA has been an adviser to the Korean Government and has endeavored to in- It is one of the cardinal principles terest the American Government in of Protestant missionary societies that seeing justice done to the Hermit Natheir missionaries must not engage in tion. It is not true, however, that he political disputes or take sides in na- has ever advised armed resistance or tional controversies in the lands where bloodshed. He knows well that it they labor. Almost without exception would be useless if not wrong. Dr. H. the foreign missionaries adhere to this G. Underwood, when in America, conprinciple, even at the risk of being sistently refrained from any public utgreatly misunderstood by their native terance on the Japanese occupation friends and converts. of Korea. He has only recently re- turned to Seoul, and the story is there- In Korea the missionaries have been fore wholly without foundation, as placed in a particularly trying situa- printed in Japanese papers, that he has tion. Japan, without any manifest had anything to do with stirring up right, has stept in to take over the anti-Japanese sentiment or is in the control of Korean national and inter- most remote way responsible for the national affairs. The conditions they assassination of Marquis Ito. Dr. Unfound were undoubtedly corrupt. derwood is a Christian statesman; Officials were ignorant, weak and un- and, with the other missionaries, is just. There seemed little hope for busied with the spiritual regeneration reformation from the inside, by the of the Koreans, and does not interfere native rulers. Japan was impatient in the political affairs. and made a way to gain control of the government. With the advent of Jap- THE STATISTICAL TABLES anese soldiers came cruelty and oppression toward many innocent Ko- A correspondent kindly calls attenreans. Property was confiscated, tion to an error in the statistical tables women were abused, men were com- published in January, confined to a pelled to work and were beaten un- single figure, but which robs the Presjustly. Even the homes of native byterian Church of no less than 20,000 Christians were sometimes demanded communicants! The lamentable slip for the soldiers' immoral purposes. was made in copying the report for- The Korean Christians cried out to warded from the New York office, in their missionary teachers. The hearts which the first figure of 96,801, being of these noble men and women were somewhat indistinct, was mistaken for stirred by the scenes they witnessed. a 7 and so the communicants were re- What could they do? They must not ported as numbering only 76,801. This advise resistance or they would be ac- also changes the totals for America cused of political plots; inaction and for the world. In this connection seemed weak and heartless. N ever- it may fittingly be said: The evidence theless, the missionaries have reso- is abundant that the statistical tables lutely refrained from political intrigue are closely scanned and highly appreand have not taken sides against the ciated by not a few; and thereby the Japanese-however strong their sym- determination is strengthened to keep pathies may have been. They have errors at a minimum, and in every counseled the native Christians to be way possible make the figures increaslaw-abiding and without reproach and ingly valuable. to suffer for well-doing rather than for evil-doing. It is safe to say that, A typographical error also took ten but for the missionaries, Japan would millions from the amount given to foreign missions in the past year. The single station, under the care of Rev. Donald Fraser, of the U. F. Church. figures should read $Il,317,407. It The gathering of such a multitude and will be noticed that this is $1,250,000 so many baptisms in connection with a more than was given last year. All single mission-station make that Louhonor to the Laymen's Movement [ don convention remarkable.
THE C. M. S. IN EAST AFRICA A JAPANESE VIEW OF LIQUOR We have the following correction LICENSE from the Bishop of Uganda, British This was too good to be passed by, East Africa, dated October 19, 1909. it must be passed on: He says: An officer from Japan, visiting In The Missionary World for Septem- America, one day, while looking about ber there is an extract from a letter of a big city, saw a man stop a milk Mr. Hulburt's (of the Africa Inland wagon. Mission), in which he says that we have abandoned our advance westward owing "Is he going to arrest the man?" he to the obstruction of the Belgian Gov- asked. ernment. This is quite a misapprehension. We are still at work with our "No," was the answer; "he must see native agents on the western side of that the milk sold by this man is pure, Albert Lake, and have lately made a for- with no water or chalk mixed with it." mal application, or rather a renewed application to the Belgian Government for "Would chalk or water poison the a site in the Isumu district of the milk?" Kongo Free State. We have never wavered in our determination togo forward "No; but people want pure milk if into the Kongo. Our station at Mbosa, they pay for it." on the north of Ruwonzori, is about the most promising of all our stations north Passing a whisky saloon, a man of Uganda, and it is our great hope to staggered out, struck his head against advance thence both northward and a lamp-post, and fell to the sidewalk. westward. "What is the matter with that There seemed to be some misappre- man?" hension as to what our position really was and what our prospects are. Our "He is full of bad whisky." station at Toro is a very strong one, and "Is it poison?" is so maintained with the object of its "Yes; a deadly poison," was the service as a base for our advance inland. answer. "Do you watch the selling of whisky (Signed) ALFRED R. TUCKER, as you do the milk?" asked the Japa- Bishop of Uganda. nese. "No." P. S.-The district pointed out by Mr. At the markets they found a man Hurlburt, on the map, and which was looking at the meat to see if it was either on or in close proximity to the healthy. French Kongo, and which I suggested "I can't understand your country," might be found to be within the area as- said the Japanese. "You watch the signed by the Sudan Government to the meat and the milk, and let men sell Austrian branch of the Roman Church, whisky as much as they please." is beyond our sphere.-A. R. T. FIFTY YEARS OF ANSWERED THE LOUDON CONVENTION PRAYER By some oversight, which it is difficult to understand, the Loudon con- In response to a request the pub- lishers have reprinted the article from vention mentioned on page 5 of our our J.gnuary number, and are able to January number was referred to as supply it in pamphlet form at 2 cents belonging to the South Africa Dutch each, or $1.00 per hundred copies. Reformed Mission. The Dutch field Bishop C. C. Penick has already orlies to the south of the field of the dered 500 copies for distribution. United Free Church Mission, to which the Loudon station belongs. The convention referred to was not the annual convention of the mission, but of a
MISSIONARY
AMERICA teering for mission service, and he wanted to form a syndicate of busi- The Laymen's Movement and Christian ness men who would supply the funds Unity to send them. The proposition was applauded to the echo, as was the fur- Speaking of the series of confer- ther suggestion that business men of large earning capacity, who were reences now in progress, The Church- tiring on a competence in middle life, man says: should remain in the harness one or two years longer "for Jesus' sake," The divisions of the non-Christian and give all the earnings of those world will force the conference to realize years to extend His kingdom-a the ineffectiveness of the Christian world proposition most sane as well as most and the incubus imposed by the sin of its Christian. Religion and business divisions. There must also come the would thus be closely linked together. positive assurance that there is such a thing as a common Christian view of These six statements of fact, taken God and the world, a common Christian from a single issue of Men and Misideal of character, a Christian Gospel and sions, give some indication of how the a Christian hope, all appearing as con- laymen are undertaking to do things cordant and harmonizing parts of a com- for the furtherance of the kingdom: mon faith, to which only a united body can bear witness in the visible course of Twelve different communions are this world and the actualities of common at work canvassing their members in social life. The details of reunion will, Baltimore. it is true, not be on the agenda papers of the conference. But the need of re- The Episc.opalians of Philadelphia union and the mighty appeal to Chris- have a committee of twenty-five laytians to find some permanent way of follow- men at work. ing Christ without violating His precepts j that they must be one with one another in Eighty-two laymen made addresses order to be one with Him, will fill the in eighty-two churches in Indianapolis atmosphere of the conference. The gath- on a single Sunday. ering together of such a conference must of itself powerfully contribute to the Fifty-six churches have appointed healing of the divisions of Christendom. active missionary committees. In nearly everyone of them an every- The Interior speaks thus of the member campaign is under way.
Laymen's Movement: After rounding out the canvass at Petersburg and Richmond, the men The first two months of this greatest of those cities are planning to carry series of missionary meetings yet seen in the campaign into every city and town Christendom have been an unprecedented in the State. success. For thoroughness of organization and business-like system in manage- Lincoln Memorial University Burned ment. no church undertaking ever before inaugurated in this country has approxi- A sad loss has come to the Lincoln mated this comprehensive enterprise. Memorial University, located at Cum- There has not been one failure among berland Gap, Tennessee, in the destructhe score of conventions thus far held. tion of the main building, Grant-Lee Everywhere the theme of missions has Hall. This university is about ten taken hold of the men of the churches as years old, having been founded for the no other religious subject has lately purpose of giving a good practical gripped them. With all the enthusiasm education to the mountaineer youth engendered, however, there has prevailed of the South. General O. O. Howard sanity and care. The advances of giving was its founder and was much interdetermined on have in no case been be- ested in the institution, giving pracyond the goal of a reasonable effort, tically all his time in later years to the usually from 7S to 100 per cent increase. securing of financial support. Besides And in every place immediate canvasses the building and furnishings, the three for subscriptions have brought in gifts printing-presses, the work-shop and generously justifying the aim adopted.
Under the inspiration gathered at the recent convention of Student Volunteers, Mr. A. E. Marling, one of the leading business men of New York City, told the business men of Brooklyn that he had seen at Roches- ter the youth of the colleges volunto.o.ls were also. destroyed. Now is the hold. another down in the ditch without time fo.r friends to rally to the aid of staymg down in the ditch with it. this institution. In another part of his address he Sins Against Immigrant. said: Says Prof. A. E. Steiner in his re- Liberty is not a bequest, but a conquest. cently published The Immigrant Men are freed by truth. Emancipation Tide: proclamations by governments do not free slaves of any kind. But they go a The S.cotch-Irish of Pittsburg are not good w~y toward preparing them for a conspICUOUS example of good citizen- ment<l;l liberty. We will never get true ship for the Italians; the Germans of Americans until their brains, their hearts Rea<;iit:'g ::nd Lancaster have no overplus and their hands are educated simultaneof CIVIC righteousness to give the Slavs; ously. the Quakers of Philadelphia have not been moved by the Spirit to teach the Another World Convention Jews how to govern a city righteously; the Yankees of Connecticut and Rhode The program for the World's Sixth Sunday-school Convention, to be held or Island have not ruled their States in such in Washington, May 19-24, is about completed, and will probably be the a manner that the crude Lithuanian greatest Sunday-school program ever the Greek could in aIJ cases follow their compiled, since no gathering of Chrisexample; nor are the Irish of New York tian workers has such a large conin a position to throw stones at the other stituency as the World's Sundayraces. ~chool Associati<?n. The Sunday dur- mg the conventIOn, May 22, will be An Ex-Jesuit in America known as World's Sunday-school Day, and will be fittingly observed in The former learned Jesuit priest, every country on the globe and in the Rev. Giorgio Bartoli, D.D., of Italy, islan.ds of the seas. A special opening who recently united with the Wal- serVIce for' the use of the Sundaydensian Church, has now come to schools throughout all the earth is New York with Dr. Muston, president now in course of preparation. This of the Waldensian Board of Evan- opening exercise or special service gelization. Dr. Bartoli is one of will be arranged to occupy just fifteen Italy's most learned men, and has minutes at the opening of the Suncome to have a clear conception of the day-school session on that day; it will Gospel to Christ. He has lately pub- be printed in more than 50 languages lished a book entitled "The Primitive and in quantities reaching into the Church," which explains why he left many millions of copies. the Roman Catholic Church and the Jesuit order, of which he had been a A Missionary Pilgrimage member for 27 years. He comes to America to give new interest in the Following the World Missionary noble Waldensian Church, and to Conference in Edinburgh next June a bring further cooperation in the evan- party of Americans are to cruise in gelization of Italy. For further infor- the Mediterranean to visit American mation write to Mrs. R. A. Dorman, colleges, missions and hospitals in the 28 West 69th Street, N ew York. Near East. They will use the steam- yacht A thena to visit Macedonia, How to Make True Americans Turkey, Asia Minor and Syria. Con- ferences with missionaries are ar- Booker T. Washington continues to ranged in Constantinople, Smyrna, be a most effective pleader for his race. Beirut and Cairo in Egypt. The party At a recent meeting in Henry Ward will have sufficient leisure to enjoy Beecher's old church he used this the art of Greece, the inspiration of striking language and metaphor: the Holy Land and the Egyptian temples up the Nile. Professor Har- When I was a boy I was the champion lan P. Beach, of Yale, will lead the fighter of my town. I used to love to hold the boys down in the ditch and hear them yell. When I grew older I found that I could not hold another boy down in the ditch without staying down in the ditch with him. Nor can any race
mlsslOnary thought of the whole trip. for studying the legal and political Before the missionary cruise, the questions that just now concern the group will attend the Edinburgh con- negro, defending or instituting suits ference, and the Passion Play at in the courts to test the validity of Oberammergau. The itinerary and statutes or ordinances obj ectionable program have been planned by a large to him, investigating lynchings and committee of missionary board secre- keeping accurate records of crimes by taries. or against negroes, and of promoting in various ways their education and The Bible Feared and Haled welfare. Such a committee should be able to help the negro precisely in the Says the Bible Society Record: directions where all agree that he most needs help, namely, in industrial and One of our colporteurs in Mexico, En- moral training-thrift, skill, and capcarnacion Martinez, made a trip lately, vis- ital, manliness, and virtue. iting the little ranches and big haciendas, offering for sale the Word of Life. When South America the Forlorn he reached the Hacienda de Pardo he found great opposition to the entrance Robert E. Speer, secretary of the of the Word. One of the bosses asked Presbyterian Board of Foreign Misto be shown some Bibles, and bought a sions, has been on a visit of six months' seventy-five cent one. He then took his duration to South American countries knife from his pocket and proceeded to to study opportunities and conditions cut the precious book to pieces. He with respect to mission work. He then called our brother into a room and visited Brazil, Chili, Uruguay, the Arsaid, "Look here." There were fully two gentine, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia. dozen copies of Bibles and New Testa- Mr. Speer found the student bodies ments that had been taken away from in the educational centers far behind the people who had bought them. those of Japan and India in educa- "These," said he, "will be burned upon tional dvelopment and in moral ideals. the next visit of the priest." This hap- Half the population of Chili and 85 pened last week only, less than 40 miles per cent in some of the other countries from Mexico City. are unable to read and write. From one-fourth to one-half of all the people The Negro: His Present and Future of the continent official reports show are born out of wedlock. Mr. Speer A national conference has been held pronounces South America a misin New York to discuss the position sionary field indeed, despite the fact and prospects of the black man in the that the W orId Missionary Conference United States. Several eminent men, in Edinburgh next year is disposed to lifelong friends of the negro, had re- rule out of its consideration the fields fused to sign the call and were of now occupied by Roman Catholics. the opinion that the conference might do more harm than good; but others, Work Among Women in Bueno. Ayre. men and women of sober judgment, thought the conference opportune, The Y. W. C. A. has sent two secreand it was held. Some of the ses- taries to Buenos Ayres, Argentine Resions were stormy and much friction public, to aid in the upbuilding of asoccurred, yet the conference as a sociation work in that great, cosmowhole was a success. The resolutions politan, and very wicked city, where adopted demand the enforcement of women generally are looked down the constitution and the laws pro- upon and all efforts for amelioration tective of the negro's rights and op- of their moral or material condition portunities, protest against backward are held in contempt. In 1905 a steps either in politics or in industry, branch Y. W. C. A. was organized by and urge earnest efforts in behalf of Mrs. Neeley, wife of the M. E. the black men in those States where Bishop, whose diocese used to be in discrimination is practised or threatened. The best result of the conference is the decision to create a national committee of forty citizens for the purpose of organizing a large body
Buenos Ayres, and other good women therefore we may cherish the conof different nationalities. In the four fidence that it will prove instrumental years of its existence the association to a good end, either in the nearer or has done noble work and developed farther future.-Free Church Record. a boarding department, down-town lunch-rooms, classes in sewing and in British Medical Mis.ionarie. Bible instruction, and classes in Spanish and English. Preeminently, how- As usual, at the opening of the year, ever, does it give its thought to pre- Medical Missions at Home and ventive work among young women Abroad gives the names and locaand girls, for the white slave traffic is tions of all "medical missionaries holdflourishing in Buenos Ayres to a terri- ing British degrees or diplomas." The fying extent, and pitfalls and snares number of these is now 403, an inare laid for girls and young women crease of 18 over a year ago. They which are almost beyond the concep- are in the employ of 41 societies, and tion of North American women. of course are scattered all the world over. The Church Missionary So- EUROPE ciety makes use of 8I, the United Free Church of Scotland of 61, Lon- Rival Scotch Churches in Conference don Society 39, Wesleyan 20, Baptist 19, Church of Scotland and Irish The 9th of November, IgOg, has be- Presbyterian each 18. come an historic date in the ecclesiastical history of Scotland. On that day THE CONTINENT was held the first meeting of the two committees appointed by the general French Protestants in Council assemblies of our own Church and of the Church of Scotland to enter into An assembly of French Protestants unrestricted conference on the eccle- was held at Nimes for three days in siastical situation and the main causes the end of October. For the first time of the separation between the two regularly appointed representatives of churches. all the denominations met together to deliberate as members of the same It is important that the purpose of body. Reformed· Protestants of all the conference should be clearly un- shades – Lutherans, Independents, derstood. It is not to attempt the ad- Methodists, Baptists – affirmed their justment of a plan of union. Neither moral and spiritual unity, sealed a assembly has yet ventured to affirm compact of alliance, and decided to that the way is open for union. But meet again every five years in plenary the significant fact is that the two assembly. Out of these fraternal dechurches, while fully conscious of all liberations has issued the "Conseil de the difficulties involved, especially in la Federation protestante." It is the acceptance by the one and the decli- charged, among other things, to denature by the other of a civil estab- fend the general interests of French lishment, have entered into what both Protestantism and the rights of libdesire to be the fullest and frankest erty of conscience or of worship wherconference in all brotherliness upon the ever these are threatened or invaded, causes which separate them. That as they have been in Madagascar. great fact is evidence of a common The assembly has also issued an adconviction of loss and hindrance to dress to the Protestants of France the cause of Christ in Scotland oc- which is a document marked by clear casioned by existing divisions, and of spiritual vision and persuasive love. deep and prayerful yearnings for the Toward the close it touches on the didisappearance of these divisions in a visions of Protestantism and deplores Presbyterian Church which shall be them, but recognizes certain advanin the best sense national, united, and tages from the diversities that exist free. We have been led into it, we with the realization of inward unity. can not doubt, by the hand of God, and Almost the closing word is as follows: "It has been said, not without reason, like M. Vandervelde is satisfied with that it is the misfortune of France to the "scheme of reforms"-confessedly be divided between two opposing fac- incomplete. tions, ultramontanism and atheism. Between these two extremes Protes- The Vatican is very solicitous about tantism opens the true way, that of the new King of Belgium, and shows free faith in Jesus Christ, united to its alertness by taking prompt measindependence from any yoke of man." ures to reenforce his religious views by surrounding him by Romanist ad- Protestant Reunion in Belgium visers. The Petit Republique prints. a resume of an alleged cipher dispatch We record with pleasure that the sent by Cardinal Merry del Val, papal two main Protestant bodies in Bel- secretary to the Nuncio at Brussels, gium have united in order to help the saying that the accession of King Al- Protestant societies already at work bert has created inquietude in Rome, on the Kongo. The new movement is where he is considered a lukewarm to be known as the Belgian Society Catholic, with anti-clerical, even soof Protestant Missions on the Kongo, cialistic sympathies. and is already responsible for the support of two orphans. An appeal is Buddha or Christ? in Germany made to children in Belgian Protestant Sunday-schools to join some group of It is stated that there are about the Friends of Missions. To interest the 250,000 Buddhists in Germany alone, children, the Central Committee of the and that the majority of them belong Federation of Teachers in the "Eglise to the so-called cultured classes. The chretienne missionnaire beige" has Reformation, a German magazine, just translated and published Mrs. says: "In Leipsic is a Buddhistic mis- Ruskin's story, "Bokuba, the Twice- sionary institute with eleven itinerant redeemed Slave," which they send 'preachers.' In Munich a cerc1e of forth with Christmas greetings. We members of the nobility gather on the hope that the result of this story may evening of every Lord's day to enbe to enable our friends to support a gage in the heathen worship of native evangelist to the people among Buddha. The gospel of self-atonewhom Mrs. Ruskin labors. ment is being proclaimed, and cap- tivated a prominent theologian of King Albert and the Kongo the modern school so that he set the crumbs of Indian philosophy before The new Belgian monarch has his congregation during eleven years. traveled in the Kongo. In an ex- Francis Hartman, a German savant, cellent Times article, it is said: who has spent eleven years in Budd- histic cloisters in India, cries out, He was naturally precluded by his po- 'Holy Buddha, we are at thy feet in sition from taking any part in the con- Germany also.' It is a terrible fact. troversies connected with the Kongo, but Among the noble and the cultured this . . . he is known to have been painfully heathenism has its zealous followers, imprest by the need of reform, during who spend immense sums for its his recent visit to the colony. spread. In Paris, a German baron gave $125,000 for Buddhistic mission- In his royal message he makes the fol- ary work." lowing reference to the subject: "In the Kongo the nation wishes for a policy of Increased Missionary Intereat in humanity and progress. The colonizing Germany mission can but be a mission of high civilization. Belgium has always kept The General Synod of Prussia her promises, and when she engages to which met in Berlin in November apply in the Kongo a policy worthy of recognized the necessity of better inher, no one has the right to doubt her struction of future pastors concerning word." the history, aims, and methods of Christian missions and petitioned the That is excellent, and it is not for us to suspect the bona fides of the new king. It is a welcome sign of the times that a good friend of the Kongo government (through the Evangelical morning. The spirit among the stu- High Consistory) for the founding of dents is good, and the President looks a chair for the science of missions in forward to a year of quiet and steady the University of Berlin. It also ap- growth in all departments of the work. pealed to all members of the Church for increased interest in the preaching Rev. Stephen Trowbridge writes of the Gospel to the heathen, espe- that the week of prayer in the Syrian cially in the German colonies. Protestant College has been a season of marked spiritual power. There has Russian Relics of the Dark Ages been an average daily attendance at the college prayer-meetings of 300, The chancery of the Holy Synod and many have given evidence of rehas recently pUblished some statistics newed spiritual life. This is the more relating to one feature of the Russo- encouraging when we remember that Greek Church which to modern ears last year the Moslem and Jewish stuare near to the incredible. There are dents were on strike against attendin Russia 300 recognized monasteries ance at any of the religious exercises and 228 nunneries, with I37 monas- or Bible classes of the college. teries and I54 nunneries not under control. The monks number 9,707, Jubilee of the British Syrian Mission with 8,I04 novitiates, and the nuns II,870, with 35,559 novitiates. The The British Syrian Mission, founded Alexander Nevski monastery in St. by Mrs. Bowen Thompson in I860, is Petersburg possesses $I,600,000 in entering upon its jubilee. We regret gold. Percherskoi monastery at Kieff to see that it closed the forty-ninth owns property worth $900,000,000, year of its activity in Syria with the while Troitsa-Sergleffski, situated very heavy deficit of $6,000, and trust forty miles from Moscow, has prop- that its friends will rally round it and erty worth $r,6oo,000,000. All com- free it from debt. The work is in a bined the wealth of the monasteries most prosperous condition and in the and nunneries is estimated to be no 38 schools 3,027 pupils (556 Mohamless than $3,735,000,000 I medan) were instructed by 20 Eu- ropean and 79 native teachers. The ASIA 4 preaching stations attracted average congregations of r87, while the 16 The Syrian Protestant College Bible women and Scripture readers did much good in their sphere of President Howard Bliss writes that activity. The superintendent of the this institution, located at Beirut, has mission, Miss Thompson, has been had a very prosperous opening of its forced to resign under medical advice, season of Ig09-I9IO. The number of but purposes residing in Beirut so students now enrolled is 830. There that she will be able to aid the work will be additions to this number dur- by her experience and counsel. ing the year in the preparatory department. There were never so many Scattered Laborers in Peraia students in the upper departments at the college-472. Of these 830 stu- Rev. James H. Linton, of the dents, 174 are Protestant, 439 belong Church Missionary Society, stationed to other Christian sects, IOr are Mos- at Shiraz, Persia, writes: lems, 86 Jews, 25 Druses, and 5 Behais. All the students attend all Christian workers in Persia are not the required religious exercises and usually jammed up in the way we are Bible classes. The Young Men's at home. For example, I am the only Christian Association has enrolled Christian worker of any denomination in nearly 300 members, who attend not Shiraz. My nearest missionary neighbors only the weekly meeting, but also the are at Yezd, twelve days' caravan journey voluntary Bible classes on Sabbath off! Tho Ispahan is farther away it is possi- ble to go there in seven days, traveling night and day on a springless cart. Be- tween here and the sea (Bushire) there is no missionary. We have no "Conferences"-but we have God. When the from them; but the most potent of all props have gone we value our union with Him. -and its power will be even greater in the future-is the effort to Chris- Reenforc:emenb for Arabia tianize the land.
Five new missionaries are soon to be It is encouraging to find the bishop added to the Arabian Mission-Rev. remarking, without any reservations, Ewim Elliott Claverley, and Dr. Mrs. that: Claverley; Dr. Paul Wilberforce Harrison, Dr. Anna Christine Iverson and It is hardly rash to prophesy that Miss Dorothy Firman. Dr. Cantine within the next fifty years some 30,000,000 of the same mission, writing at the or more of the out-castes wiil be gathconclusion of twenty years' work in ered into the Christian Church; and if Arabia, says: this prophecy is fulfilled, a social revo- lution will take place in every village, Our society seemed definitely held to and a new force will arise in Indian poliits first purpose of pioneer work among tics and in Indian religion. . . . Fifty Moslems looking toward the interior of million Christians will be a greater power Arabia as its ultimate goal. This de- in the land than 60,000,000 Mohammevelopment toward the interior, tho nec- dans. . . . The elevation of the outessarily following our occupation of the castes will be also the most effective coast, has been steadily carried out. Our demonstration of the essential difference first out-stations were a couple of hun- between Christianity and Hinduism. dred miles from Busrah, one on the Here are 50,000,000 of people whom Hin- Tigris and one on the Euphrates; and duism has reduced to a state of utter in the mountains of Oman, westward misery. The Christian Church holds out from Muscat, there is another Christian to them the right hand of brotherhood, outpost. We have always prayerfully and gives them a new life. No amount and longingly looked at the open roads of subtle reasoning can turn the edge of inland, but only this year has our force this argument as a witness to Christ. on the coast been strong enough to justify setting aside one of our number, a Gospel Work at Hindu Festivals doctor, for definite work among the tribes inland. The Rev. W. S. Sutherland writes in Conference: INDIA The Hindu festivals at Sriperumbudur The Out-Castes Flocking to Christ and Conjeeveram have this year given exceptionally good opportunities for Gos- In a noteworthy article appearing in pel work. Of the rowdyism of the last the Nineteenth Century, the Bishop of few years hardly a trace remained. At Madras writes sympathetically upon Conjeeveram the multitude was as great the interesting "Out-Castes of India," as ever. A company of about 30 workers, and throws a strong light upon some including picked workers from other disof the pressing problems of this great tricts and men from other missions, held peninsula. The bishop urges-and "the fort for seven days. About 300 Gosit can not be too often repeated-that pels and little books were sold, and about the conversion of India depends, not 40,000 tracts of one sort or another were upon the conversion of the Brahmans, given away in Tamil, Telugu, and Engor of the educated classes of the large lish. This year we had about 10,000 little towns, but upon that of the huge pop- leaflets specially printed, containing a ulation of the villages; and he states suitable heading, a striking text, and a that during the past forty years in the word of explanation and invitation to call Telegu country about 250,000 out- on the workers for inquiry. Of our castes have become Christians, in the preachers, 4 were themselves Brahman Travancore State about 100,000, and converts of our own or other missions. that every year these mass movements Two had actually been employed in large toward Christianity gather strength. temples in their early days, and a third Undoubtedly much is being done for had received his first Christian instructhe elevation of the people of India. tion in the Conjeeveram high school Changes, economic and otherwise, are about 40 years ago. being made, and much is hoped for The South Indian Alsembly The second general assembly of the South India United Church met in Trevandrum in December. The Lon- don Mission, Madura Mission, Arcot Mission, and United Free Church Mis-
GENERAL MISSIONARY
sion were represented, and the com- Misaionariea from India to Fiji bined organization consists of II3 churches, with a Christian community Three years ago-during the India of 145,000. There were 60 delegates Jubilee celebration-a farewell meetpresent. Dr. Wyckoff, the retiring ing was held at the Bareilly Theopresident, congratulated the assembly logical Seminary on the occasion of on the recognition accorded to the sending one of its students, Udai South Indian Church by those of Eng- Singh, to the Fiji Islands as a misland and America. "Again," he said, sionary among the East Indians living "the present is the most suitable time there. During the early part of this to effect a union. The Indian Church year two Wesleyan missionaries from ought as far as possible be indigenous. Fiji visited this seminary and made The apostolic church took a different a strong appeal for helpers. As a reform in democratic Greece from what sult of this as well as of the interest it did in Imperial Rome, while in created by the letters of Udai Singh, Palestine it accommodated itself in the five men offered themselves as missioncircumstances prevailing there. The aries to Fiji. Two of these, with their Indian churches ought to be organized wives, have gone and the others have on the lines of the village system of doubtless also set sail. Thus is India, self-government under proper and too, beginning to heed the "Go ye" of effective control. The form of wor- Christ. ship must be suited to India. A Puritan meeting-house with its bald service Baptism of a Brahman is not the ideal for an Oriental church. Modified episcopacy is likely to be the Rev. W. C. Penn, of Noble College, best suited to India. The South Indian Masulipatam, writes as follows in the church should be comprehensive C. M. S. Gazette: enough to embrace all Protestant divisions. October 31st it was my privilege to admit into the Christian Church by bap- Another Movement Toward Union tism Mr. T. R. Ekambaram Iyer, the son of Mr. T. R. Ekambaram Iyer, late mas- The spirit of union is growing in ter of Pachaiyappa's College, Madras, and India. Draft resolutions have been a relative of the late Justice Muniswami prepared for a union of the Presby- Iyer, of the High Court, Madras. A very terian and Congregational churches in large gathering of Christians, Brahmans the United Provinces. It is supposed and other Hindu students of the college that the Allahabad Presbytery and the assembled to witness the ceremony. The local union of the Congregational baptismal service for "such as are oi churches should unite under the desig- riper years" must have made a deep imnation of "The Council of Presbyterian pression on the minds of these young and Congregational Churches," and men. Before the service began Mr. that this council should stand in the Ekambaram, in a few well-chosen words, same relation to the Presbyterian gave his reasons for the step he was ta- Church in India as the Allahabad king that day under God's guidance. He Presbytery now does, but that the said that the first seed was sown in his name of the Presbytery in its local re- heart fifteen years ago by the Rev. Dr. lationship shall be that just mentioned. Miller, of the Christian College, Mad- The delegates to the councilor presby- ras, and that subsequent contact with tery shall be allocated by the sessions Christian missionaries led him nearer and of Presbyterian churches and by the nearer to Jesus Christ until God's Holy church meetings of Congregational Spirit gave him the courage and boldness churches. These resolutions are to be to confess before men what he felt and submitted to the Allahabad Presbytery believed in his heart, namely, that Jesus and the Congregational churches for Christ was his Savior. approval. CHINA Popular Government in Prospect An epoch-making event occurred in China on October 14 when in the capi- tals of the 21 provinces there met, for the first time in all her long history,
provincial assemblies composed of rep- Li, the president, spoke of federation resentatives of certain classes of peo- under the figure of workmen building ple, thus introducing the element of a house and each group doing the de- popular participation into the govern- tails of its work in its own way, but ment of this most ancient nation. The all in accordance with the plan of the members of these assemblies consist chief architect. So the temple of God, wholly of the gentry and student so the kingdom of heaven is to be classes and no office-holders are eli- built up. Another illustration of our gible to them. While in the beginning essential unity used by him was that, the sole power of these assemblies is while all Chinese shave the head and advisory, they are designed as training wear the cue and have the same sort schools preparatory to the exercise of of clothing, yet it can be told even by greater powers, each succeeding year, the way the head is shaven, or the cue until, with the inauguration of a na- is plaited, or by other details of the tional parliament eight years hence, costume, from what part of the em- they will become real provincial legis- pire one comes. So, tho as Chris- latures. The influence of this step tians we differ in name and in matters and its progress in the direction of a of detail, we are all subjects of one constitutional government for China King and we are all loyal to him.
can not be overestimated. Salvation Army to Invade China A Fine Spectacle of Christian Unity According to the Chinese Recorder, In Tientsin there are four missions: some time during the present year the The American Board, London So- Salvation Army plans to begin work ciety, United Methodist and Metho- among the Celestials, with Chefoo for dist Episcopal. All these united in an headquarters. Hitherto no work has invitation to our evangelists to come been undertaken in the empire, largely and take charge of all churches, mis- on the ground that its quasi-military sionaries and Chinese teachers for two methods were not adapted to this weeks; each stating, "We willingly peace-loving people.
put ourselves under your orders for a A Busy Missionary campaign." This is union indeed, and in the highest sense. No doubt, if Here are a few sentences taken from one of the other denominations having the letter of a missionary in China unusual evangelistic power should ap- which will throw a little light on the pear, the Methodist Episcopal mission complexity of missionary work: would reciprocate this act of confi- During the past six weeks I have sent dence and brotherly love. A poster in out fully 150 pounds of mail matter in Chinese was distributed, stating where the interest of the work for the coming and when services would be held in year, or rather, the year that we have the Chinese churches, and what minis- just entered upon. In addition to this ters from outside Tientsin would as- f am erecting nine buildings on my field, sist.-Christian Advocate. ranging in cost from $900 to $14,000, and I find that this takes a great deal of my Chinese Christians and Comity time. Weare now launching an enter- prise that will cost, all told, $14,000 at The second annual meeting of the one point. I must run up there in the Federation Council of Kiangsu prov- morning to look matters over. This ince was held at Nanking, November marks the beginning of simply taking 24 and 25. There were about 30 dele- that stronghold for Christ and the gates present, perhaps half of them Church.-World-Wide Missions.
Unhappy Lot of Chinese Doctors Chinese. These missionary societies He patches health by contract. were represented: Southern Baptist, Each family from whom he receives Presbyterian North and South, Dis- a yearly stipend can command his ciples, China Inland, London and services at will. Hence his interest is Friends. In his opening address Mr. to keep down sickness among subscri-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
bers, especially since every day of ill- $60 a year. Dr. T. M. Liung, a dentist ness means to him not only loss of returned from California, was largely intime, but the deduction of a day's pay strumental in securing a valuable corner from his honorarium. lot, within a few minutes' walk of the cen- ter of Hongkong, on which is a four-story Comparatively secure is the lot of building. Thus our mission in Kwangthe ordinary Chinese practitioners, for tung, wholly originated, supported, and whom the utmost penalty for a mis- maintained, by the Chinese in America chance is loss of income, as compared and in Kwangtung, owns four buildings, with that of the Imperial court phy- worth about $10,000, without indebtedsician. To this high functionary, who ness, has about 120 church members, attends the high officials also, inability more than 100 in the Sunday-schools, to cure a patient is a matter of much and two boys' and two girls' schools. graver comment. Thus, the deaths of the Empress-Dowager and the young KOREA Emperor resulted in the degradation by two classes of five doctors, while Christianity in Korea the president of the Imperial hospital and two assistants were prohibited al- Rev. Eugene Bell has just fortogether from following their profes- warded the statistics of all the Protession.-Harper's Weekly. tant missions in Korea for the year ending June 30, 1909. There are 2,043 A Chinese Educator Converted groups of believers, with 42,244 bap- tized members, 50,516 catechumens, A missionary writes in the Herald and 76,280 adherents. These Chrisand Presbyter: tians of all denominations contributed $132,742 in United States currency, an Something occurred here in North average of $3.14 for each baptized China recently which has greatly glad- Christian. When the poverty of these dened the hearts of missionaries, and people is considered, this is a most restartled many others. Chang Bow Lin, markable tribute to their love for one of the foremost educators in these Christ and His Church. There are parts, a Confucianist of the highest stand- 283 Protestant missionaries at present ing, has become a Christian. He was laboring in Korea. The French baptized in Tientsin, entering the Method- Roman Catholics have about 40 or 50 ist Church. He was influenced through foreign priests, who live at about 40 the Y. M. C. A. When he decided to different stations scattered over the become a Christian, he hastened to Pe- country, and claim a large following. king to tell the wealthy and influential patrons of his school of this important Another Korean Leader an Earnest step. Chang Bow Lin insisted on resign- Christian ing from the presidency of the school. He is dead in earnest and spoke to a num- The Hon. H. Y. Sim, who was sent ber of leading men, telling them of the to Tokyo by the Korean Government great change in his life. to look after the interests of Korean students in that capital, was not a Home Mi.sions in China Christian when he went to Japan. But he came under the influence of the Says World-wide Missions: missionaries and is now an earnest Christian, speaking frequently to stu- In 1901 the Rev. Yu~ Kwai, a Chinese dents in the Sunday afternoon meetconverted in California, went out to ings of the Young Men's Christian Aswork among his fellow countrymen, and sociation. especially to gather up the Chinese Methodists who had returned from the A Million-souls Campaign! United States. Assisted by the Chinese missionary Society in San Francisco, Mr. During the coming year, the Chris- Yue Kwai built a church and school, and tian Church in Korea, made up of peogathered a considerable congregation. In ple so recently brought from heathen- -1907 he opened work in a market town ism, is to engage in a campaign for in the Sanning district, and later started the winning of 1,000,000 souls for a mission in a railroad town on the line Christ. The holy boldness of this enconnecting Hongkong and Canton. A Christian Chinaman who had returned from Sacramento bUIlt a girls' school in Kwangtung province at a cost of $800 and is supporting the school at a cost of
terprise will be seen when we remem- rean officials to a dinner together with ber that there are but 80,000 01ris- those of the Y. M. C. A. in Japan, who tians in Korea, and in order to accom- had come to attend the ceremony. plish their purpose they must win a soul each every month. The young The Resident General, Prince Ito, in- vited to a dinner some scores of the Korean Church has been noted from Japanese, Koreans and some foreigners the first for its evangelistic fervor, and who had come to Korea in connection that its heart is big its intention de- with the opening of the Y. M. C. A. clares. Dr. W. H. Forsythe writes of building, when he spoke upon the "Reathe plans laid for this great campaign, son for his having sympathy with Chrisand they embrace four things: " ( I) tianity, as well as with the work of the United prayer for the outpouring of Y. M. C. A." His speech made a very the Holy Spirit, convincing the un- good impression upon those present, inconverted of sin, of righteousness and cluding Dr. Richard, who had come from of the judgment. (2) A house-to- China.* house visitation, during which an invitation shall be given to all to accept JAPAN Christ as a personal Savior. (3) The wide circulation of the Word of God, Japanese Christians Desire Autonomy an endeavor to put a Bible in every A Protestant church federation was Korean home. (4) The daily prayer: the immediate outcome of the recent Korea for Christ." celebration of the semi-centennial of Protestant missions in Japan held in The Japanese Chief-Justice in Korea Tokyo. Delegates from the missions of the Baptist, Episcopalian, Congre- A letter from Chief Justice Noboru gationalist, Disciple, Quaker, Meth- Watanabe, head of the Judiciary De- odist, Reformed and Presbyterian partment in Korea, shows what type churches joined in the action. This movement for unification was greatly of man he is, and how earnest and sin- stimulated by a sacramental service cere are the efforts which are being the day before, where 600 Japanese, made by the Japanese for the regen- Europeans and Americans of many eration of that country. Judge Wat- denominations commemorated toanabe is the efficient president of the gether the death of their common Y. M. C. A. in Seoul. The letter Lord. Tho showing heartiest honor (dated January 27, I90 9) , is to Rev. to all missionaries, nevertheless, it was H. Loomis and reads in part as fol- evident in almost every hour that the lows (translation): semi-centennial must be considered as marking the end of the missionary The relation between the Japanese and epoch in the empire. A circular, pre- Koreans is improving. In our Judiciary pared beforehand by the Japanese, had Department, the question of harmonizing stated that the occasion would signify the two peoples was the great problem "the emergence of the Japanese which taxed my brain to the utmost at Church from the stigma of being an first, but, thanks to Heaven, we have alien parasite to the acknowledged had no misunderstanding or collision be- status of an indigenous institution." tween us. Nothing said indicated a desire to dis- pense with missionaries; but they want The harmony between the two people the American and European ministers must be brought about by the Chris- and teachers to regard themselves as tians. The other day, I was invited by working, not in behalf of homeland the Yang Dong Church, founded by churches, but as agents of the Japanese Dr. J. S. Gale, to address them and I dwelt on the necessity of the Christians Church.-Interior. becoming the cure of these abominable differences between the two people, Oriental Religions in Peril citing Ephesians 2: 1-6. The religions of the Orient and the The Y. M. C. A. is also endeavoring Occident are at war with each other, to bring about this desirable harmony. the on~ aiming at defensive protec- The Korean Y. M. C. A. building held its opening ceremony in the beginning * Prince Ito has contributed $2,500 for building of December, and the Japanese Y. M. C. A. members invited the leading Ko- a Christian church at Pyeng Yang.-H. L. tion, the other at offensive destruc- 459! This is a consecration of med- tion. To protect themselves the bet- ical science to the service of our Lord. ter from the Western invader the If this is not preaching the Gospel in various cults of Buddhism are arrang- the literal sense, it is a fine application ing protective armor under the idea of of the healing mission of the world's consolidation. Koe, a publication of Redeemer, and a striking illustration Tokyo, Japan, has this to remark: of what the Christian nations ought to do. The various sects of Buddhism in Ja- pan are showing a strong tendency to- A serum has recently been dis- ward fusion into one vast body. The covered and is in use in Rockefeller movement is growing, altho still meeting Institute, New York, which it is be- with resistance in some quarters. Mean- lieved will prove as effective in stamp- while many sects are gaining accession ing out sleeping-sickness as vaccina- to their numbers from the ranks of the tion is in preventing smallpox. hitherto indifferent, thanks to the inde- pendence given them by the power which Islam Begins to Tremble thus seeks to counteract the influence of foreign religious authority. Very many A committee under the presidency Buddhists are of opinion that fusion and of the Sheikh SeEm el-Bishri, chan- unity themselves will be the best means cellor of Al-Azhar University in of contending with the influence of Occi- Egypt, has called a conference of the dental religion. leaders of the Moslem faith to meet at Cairo, February, 1911. The move- AFRICA ment is in charge of the "The Com- mittee of the Islamitic Congress." Its Light for the Dark Continent headquarters are at Cairo, at the an- cient university founded by Saladin, The Christian Express, of Love- and circulars have been issued to the dale, has recently published these different branches of Islam throughfacts which summarize the agencies out the world giving the reasons for at work for the redemption of this calling a ~onference and inviting them continent: to send delegates. The fact that in three Moslem countries, Turkey, Per- No less than 104 Protestant organiza- sia and Morocco, rulers have been tions are in cooperation. The Scriptures driven from their thrones within a have been translated, wholly or in part, year or two, and that there is great into 117 languages and dialects. Eight unrest in all Moslem lands, is believed colleges have been established, 59 theo- to have something to do with the call. logical schools, 83 boarding and high schools, 63 industrial schools, 2 schools Converts from the Coptic Church for training nurses, several kindergartens, and some thousands of common schools. British and American Christians Forty-three hospitals and 107 dispensa- have always felt and must always feel ries are ministering to the sick and suf- deep sympathy with the people, by fering, and on an average 150,000 patients far the most interesting in Egypt, are treated every year; as well as 3 leper known as the Copts. Nowhere is hospitals, 13 orphanages and 23 homes there a more genuine monumental for rescued slaves. The mission presses race, seeing that the Copts are the true number 33, and 31 missionary magazines representatives of the primitive Egypare published. tians and are at the same time the actual remnant of the early Christian Sleeping-sickness Doomed Church in Egypt. They are more nu- merous than is generally imagined, for Dr. Albert Cooke, the missionary, they number fully a million in the land first took special note of that terrible of the Nile, and, despised as they have scourge of Africans-the "sleeping been by the ascendent Moslems, they sickness." Between the years 1898 are undoubtedly far superior to them and 1905, more than 200,000 deaths, in intellectual capacity. The earnest iii. the two kingdoms of Uganda alone, could be traced to this devastating disease; that was almost at the rate of 30,000 a year. Thanks to the blessing of God, and the skill of medical science, the deaths had fallen during the first "ix months of I909 to only
mission work of British and American addition to the oversight of pastoral Protestants has recently begun to show and missionary work among a polyglot encouraging results. The native popUlation in and around Freetown Coptic Church had lapsed into a (in the streets of which some 20 lanlethargic condition, but a wonderful guages are spoken), and throughout awakening ha~ been witnessed chiefly the protectorate of Sierra Leone, the through the efforts of the agents of bishop had the superintendence of the United Presbyterian Church of Church of England work in Gambia, America, which has concentrated very the Canaries, Madeira, Azores, French much of its effort on the task of stim- Guinea and part of Morocco. ulating and elevating the Copts. At Asyut College 600 young Egyptians Civilization and Miaaions are under Christian training. Ex-President Roosevelt has said A Model African King about missions: A Methodist missionary writes fr0111 There is a question that is larger than Angola: either government or trade, and that is the moral well-being of the vast mil- The Christian village of Hombo is a lions who have corne under the protecproof of the power of the Gospel. At tion of modern governments. The repdaybreak every morning the horn is resentative of the Christian religion must hI own and the people assemble at the have his place side by side with the king's house to hear the Word of God man of government and trade, and for read, and to praise and pray. Witchcraft generations that representative must be and superstition have fallen under the supplied in the person of the foreign power of the Gospel, and the heathen are missionary from America and Europe. taking knowledge of it. The native Civilization can only be permanent and church at Loanda contributes $17 a month continue a blessing to any people if, in for the support of native workers on a addition to promoting their material native station in the interior of Angola. well-being, it also stands for an orderly individual liberty, for the growth of in- Native Christians in Africa telligence and for equal justice in the administration of law. Christianity alone Professor vVarneck states in the meets these fundamental requirements. ninth edition of his history of Protes- The change of sentiment in favor of the tant missions, which has just been pub- foreign missionary in a single generalished, that Africa has now I,SII,SOO tion has been remarkable. Protestant and 608,000 Roman Catholic native Christians. According to Two Missions Unite in Education the Missions-Zeitschrift, edited by Professor Warneck, Cape Colony The spirit of cooperation is finding alone contained 786,725 native Chris- expression in the work of the United tians (only 8,589 Catholics) out of a Free Church of Scotland in its Natal total population of 1.830,063 in I904. mission and the Zulu mission of the Thus the situation in Africa is far American Board. A scheme was more encouraging than former figures adopted, subjected to reconsideration have led us to believe. and revision at the end of three years, providing that the theological and The Late Bishop of Sierra Leone Bible school of the two societies shall be located at the central station of the The Church in West Africa suffered United Free Church Mission, the prinsudden and sore bereavement when cipal to be chosen by that board and Bishop Elwin, in the eighth year of an associate to be appointed and suphis episcopate and at the early age of ported by the American Board. There thirty-eight, so recently yielded up his is also to be a training-school for Zulu spirit to God. Upon the appointment boys and a normal-school to be loof Bishop Taylor-Smith as chaplain- cated at the American Board traininggeneral in 1902, Principal Elwin was station. The principal of this school consecrated bishop. The labors to is to be appointed by the American which he was thus set apart were Board and the United Free Church arduous, and the diocese large; for in Mission is to supply a teacher.
MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Scores Accepting the Gospel them suddenly escaped. After a long search two of the runaway children In an account of recent events in were discovered as they were devourthe Niger Mission the Rev. G. T. ing the flesh of their companion which Basden, of Oka, writes: they had roasted in a large fire. If this companion had died a natural About the middle of July Bishop and death or had been killed by her hun- Mrs. Tugwell arrived at Onitsha. He gry companions, could not be ascerfound a great deal of Episcopal work tained. Truly the home and the Gospel awaiting him. On four successive Sun- are needed for these benighted heathen days he held confirmation services, two children. on each side of the Niger. Some of the services were wonderful. I should much ISLANDS OF THE SEA have liked to be present at Christ Church, Onitsha. There were 24 candidates from An Experiment With Drunkards Okuzu among the 87 confirmed on that day. These candid~tes were the first to An interesting experiment of a be confirmed from Okuzu. I hear there novel kind has been tried in New Zeawere 1,200 people present at the service. land. The authorities there were sick The church holds comfortably between of sending drunkards to prison, and six hundred and seven hundred, so they they made a bargain with the Salvawere tightly packed, while many had to tion Army to purchase two islands, far take up their position outside the church. enough out in the ocean to prevent es- Fortunately, the windows are low and cape, but near enough for constant have no glass or other obstruction, so it communication with the mainland. To is quite possible to hear all that is going these islands the magistrates consigned on inside. the inebriates, and they were employed there in occupations suitable to them, Home for Liberated Slave-children in including agriculture and fishing. The the Sudan success of the experiment has been so great that the government has raised In the central part of the Sudan the the capitation grant from 73 to lOS slave traffic still lives in spite of the per head per week. earnest efforts of the Anglo-Egyptian Government to stamp it out. Un- The Maoris of To-day scrupulous Mohammedan rascals continue to steal unhappy men, women Says a writer in Guild Life and and children, ofttimes destroying the Work: homes from which they are taken, and to transport them across the country Of the original Maoris, of whom there to the places where they can sell them. are between forty and fifty thousand, we The officials watch diligently for these saw too little. The cannibal feasts are slave-caravans and liberate all the vic- of the past. So are the elaborately tattims whenever they succeed in over- tooed faces of fearless warriors, tho the taking one. The men and women, thus ladies of the leading families still decoset free in a strange land, are able rate their chins. The acting Prime Minto take care of themselves more or less ister is a half-caste Maori. Many of well, but the future of the orphaned them are studying for the professions, children gradually became a most and the Maori has the same political and serious problem, the government ma- educational privileges as the European. king no effort to take care of them. Great tracts of land are still in his pos- At last the Sudan United Mission has session. Nearly all seem to be nominal founded a home for such children, to Christians at least. At Napier I visited which they are transported after their a most interesting school for native and liberation and where they are to re- half-caste girls, conducted by the Misses ceive a Christian education. Many of Williams. The Maoris are a fine race, these children are in a state bordering but, to our Western ideas, given to indoclose on bestiality, as the following in- lence, due no doubt to their traditions cident shows: A slave-caravan had and their circumstances. The last cenbeen captured by the officials and the sus showed increased numbers, tho there liberated children were being taken to are still not half as many as in Cook's the missionary home, when three of day. The general opinion is that their fate will be absorption by the white population. Roman Catholic Aggression in Foreign ences with Roman Catholic mIssIon- Fields aries, who are following them and try German missionary magazines and to push them aside by the show of reports contain many references to the greater power and larger means and activity of Roman Catholic mission- sometimes, alas! by the use of meth- aries in the German colonies, which, ods of which professing Christians in some cases, seriously threaten the ought to be ashamed. The charge is Protestant work. From German East openly made that upon the Carolines Africa the annual r.eport of the Leip- the Roman Catholic missionaries slan- sic Missionary Society reports: "The dered and calumniated the Protestant intrusion of the Roman Catholic mis- forces, while among the heathen Kols sionaries into the Pareh mountains is the Jesuits gave money freely, that to be regretted. Since it was impos- they might weaken the Protestant sible to dissuade them from their in- forces.
tention, our Missionary Committee The Protestant missionaries in the agreed with them that the middle and German colonies call earnestly for the northern part (in its southern prayer and wisdom in meeting this half) of Pareh should be yielded to aggressiveness of the Roman Catholic them. In spite of this agreement one forces, which act in accordance with priest has entered the southern part the principle that all outside the Ro- of Pareh and· has attempted to settle man Catholic Church are heretics and three-quarters of an hour only from heathen, and need to be converted.
our station, Mbaga, tho the people Philippine Independent Catholic Church protested."
From Southwest Africa the mis- Last night, an AgJipayano priest- sionaries of the Rhenish Missionary "Theodore Cross" (Teodoro Cruz)- Society complain that the Roman called upon us for an hour. He is an Catholic Mission has been seeking to officiating priest of the Philippine In- turn away Protestant converts. The dependent Catholic Church (or, as it older and better-taught congregations is often called, the "Aglipayano have withstood these attempts, but in Church") here in Lucban. This the South, among the Bondels of the church was organized a few years ago Warmbad district, the Romanists seem by a Roman Catholic priest, whose likely to get ahead of the evangelical name is Aglipay (a Filipino). With work. In the East also, in the neigh- a feeling for more independence and borhood of Gobabis, a large Catholic with a desire to institute some reforms hospital has been erected at Swakop- in the Catholic Church, he organized mund, and is used to hinder Protestant the Independent Catholic Church of work. the Philippines. He is the "Bishop From Togoland, the workers of the Maximus" of the whole Church. They North German Missionary Society re- have severed all connection with the port: "The struggle is growing sharp- Pope of Rome, and the Roman er with the Roman Catholic Church, Catholic Church; they have their own which entered Togoland much later headquarters, etc., in Manila. They than the Protestant forces." Togo- permit the reading of the Bible by land has now 20 Protestant and 66 members, and permit their priests to Roman Catholic missionary laborers, marry. They have their own churches, while the native Protestants number cemeteries, etc. They claim to have 4,574 and the native Roman Catholics I ,000,000 members and adherents in 6,163. The Protestant missionary the Philippine Islands. Their ritual, schools have 3,817 pupils, but the Ro- doctrine, worship, and belief is about man Catholic schools 6,278. the same as that of the Roman Church.
In the South Sea the missionaries But they have taken a few radical upon the Bismarck and the Caroline steps toward reform and liberalism.
Islands are having the same experi- This Church has opened the way for
GENERAL MISSIONARY
the Protestant Church in many towns. left the Roman Catholic Church and They are generally friendly to Protes- became Protestants. Thus, more tants, and attend our services very Roman Catholics in Vienna became often. They permit Protestants to be Protestants in 1908 than in 1903 buried in their cemeteries, while (4,5 10), 190 4 (4,362 ), 1906 (4,364), Romanists will not. The priest men- and 1907 (4,197), and only a few less tioned above is very friendly to us, than in 1902 (4,624) and 190 5 and visits us often and talks freely of (4,855)· When the movement, which his and our church work. He asked is commonly called the Los-von-Romlast night to borrow two of our Sab- Bewegung (Away-from-Rome Movebath-school picture charts. His little ment), commenced, Roman Catholic girl (eight years old) attends our Sab- leaders pronounced it a movement of bath-school. This attitude is very dif- momentary influence and prophesied ferent from that of the Roman priests, that it would cease quickly, and many who do not care to come in contact Protestants thought likewise. The with Protestants in any way. They movement has existed almost eleven are bitter and bigots !-Herald and years, has brought 51,177 Roman Presbyter. Catholics into the Protestant fold, and shows no signs of decay. Decadence of Roman Catholicism in Home Fields OBITUARY Bolivia, one of the inland republics J. J. Fuller, of Africa of South America, has been a strong- Rev. Joseph Jackson Fuller, widely hold of popery for many centuries. It known in England as a speaker on mis- has remained practically closed to all sions, passed away in Stoke Newing- evangelistic effort until a few years ton on December lIth last, at the ad- ago and the few missionaries, at work vanced age of eighty-four. He was among its two millions of inhabitants, born a slave in Spanish Town, J a- were scarcely allowed to use any other maica. When the English Emancipa- method than education. Now, it ap- tion Act of 1834 was passed, Joseph, pears, more religious liberty is to be a child of nine, was made free.
allowed and Roman Catholicism is to When quite young, Fuller came into be greatly weakened. A law has been the possession of a Bible, which had passed which closes all cloisters and been sent to Jamaica by an English convents and forbids the entrance of boy to be given to a black child.
monks and nuns into the country. All It is noteworthy that the father of property of the Roman Catholic the future missionary – Alexander Church, which is valued at about 78 Fuller, who had, of course, also been millions of dollars, becomes property a slave-was himself one of Jamaica's of the Republic, and the consecration early converts. When the realization of monks and nuns is strictly forbid- of the blessings of freedom, due main- den. Thus Roman Catholicism is ly to the efforts of missionaries, ex- harshly dealt with in Bolivia, where it cited compassion for the negroes in has held full sway so long, while Africa, Alexander Fuller was one of Protestantism is given full liberty to the first Christian natives to go forth preach the Gospel. from Jamaica. Later he went with his From another domain of Roman father as a missionary to Fernando Catholicism, Austria, comes also news Po, but owing to the action of the of continued inroads being made into Spanish Government, the mission was the ranks of the followers of the Pope. transferred soon after to the Kam- The Protestant Church Government eruns, on the coast of Africa. There (Oberkirchenrath) has published the he continued for the long period of list of persons who joined the Protes- forty years, or until the mission was tant Church in Vienna during 1908. handed over to the Basel Missionary According to this list 4,585 persons Society. THE LIVING CHRIST AND DYING HEATHEN- in three respects-its calm judicial spirit, its scholarly and philosophical ISM. By Johannes L. Warneck, Lie. exhaustiveness, and its assurance and Theo!. Translated from the third Ger- confidence of evangelical success. He man edition by Rev. Neil Buchanan. shows the awful darkness and destitu- 12mo, 312 pp. $1.75, net. Fleming H. tion which animism brings, and that Revell Co., New York. 1909. the only way out of this quagmire of despair is the hope the Gospel gives. Superlatives are cheap, and may be Animistic heathen are bound by three used so frequently as to lose all force. fetters-fear, demon worship, and fate. But it is not too much to say of this Dr. Warneck holds that fear and fatalbook that it belongs in the front rank ism are utterly paralyzing to their vicof books of its sort. It is at once an tims-the former destroying all hope historical and analytical, philosophical and the latter discouraging all effort, and psychological, scholarly and prac- and leading to a stoical indifference tical study, of animistic heathenism, and inaction. But he believes that prompted by personal experience and demon worship is not merely a vain observation of animism among the and vague superstition founded on .a Battaks in Sumatra, and a more com- fancy; but that behind idols and false prehensive investigation of kindred gods there lie actual demonic forces, facts throughout the world-field. so that it is true that the heathen wor- ship demons, as the Word of God says. Animism is an imperfect term to express the wide-spread belief in the ex- eLev. xvii: 7, Deut. xxxii: 17, Psa. istence of spirit or soul as distinct from matter or constituting a sort of per- cvi: 37, I Cor. x: 20: 21, Rev. i(c 20: vasive essence or animating principle xvi: 14.) in matter. It holds to the existence of spiritual beings, souls, demons, deities, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HENRY M. STANangels-by whatever name called; and LEY. Edited by his wife. Map and ilattributes to inanimate objects and lustrations. 8vo, 550 pp. $5.00, net. substances, and natural phenomena, Houghton, Mifflin Co., Boston. 1909. the personal soul-life, difficult to define, but only the more to be dreaded Here is one of the great books of because indefinable. The system it is the year. It is one of those the readhard even to outline, but it is here ing of which makes men better-like fellowship with a noble friend. Standelineated by one whose pen is like the ley's life story is of absorbing interest, pencil of an artist, every stroke tells. full of incident, adventure, keen obser- The careful reader is at no loss to un- vations and not without romance, paderstand why this remarkable book, thos and humor. He was a man who within less than a twelvemonth, achieved greatness rather than rereached a third edition. ceived it by birth or free gift.
The author depicts the animistic su- He was born to the name of John perstition with a vividness that is al- Rowland, and was brought up in a most visibility. His discussion is in poorhouse at St. Asaph, in England, three parts-first, a philosophical state- where he lived a life of pitiful neglect. ment of Battak beliefs, spirit worship, He ran away and went to sea, only to and the practical effects on the indi- suffer more abuse and to be subjected vidual and collective life; then, a por- to many temptations. He landed in trayal of heathenism and Christianity New Orleans friendless and penniless; obtained work, was adopted by Mr. in actual conflict, with the reasons for Stanley, a Christian merchant; fought the antagonism and the influences in the Civil War; became a newspaper operative on both sides; and then, correspondent in Turkey and Spain finally, the grounds for confidence in and India; searched for and found the ultimate triumph of the Gospel of Livingstone in Central Africa; dis- Christ, which is inspiring in its out- covered the sources of the Nile and look. We have seen no book of its kind for years that compares with it the Kongo; founded the Kongo Free stirred by the evidences of the love of State and became the first governor; God and the power of His spirit manwent in search of Emin Pasha in the ifested in the mission fields of the Sudan and brought him to the coast; became an author, lecturer and mem- world. The result is a man's view ber of Parliament, and finally passed of the reasons for world-evangelism away in 1904 leaving an enviable and a man's statement of tlIe causes record behind him. which have led to the laymen's up- rising in the missionary cause. The book is by no means a compilation from Stanley's other published One of the stirring stories is that of writings, altho it covers all the prin- Dr..Goucher, the Baltimore College cipal events of his adventurous and president who became known in India useful life. His wife, Dorothy Ten- as the savior and friend of thousands nent, has, with masterful mind, gath- of "Goucher Boys" whom he educated ered the material for the latter part and Christianized. This is a sample from Stanley's diaries, books and unpublished manuscripts. The story of what a missionary investment is shows Stanley the man-his thoughts, worth. feelings, beliefs, aims, hopes. We see him to be a man of high principles and Missionary work is a man's job in firm belief in God and in prayer. The the same way and for the same rea- Bible was his chief solace in the wilds son that any great campaign, commerof Central Africa and he says that cial, political or philanthropic enter- prise is a man's job. It requires grit, there he learned to know God. heroism, energy, self-sacrifice, uncon- Indirectly this is a great missionary querable faith and spirit. Every power of mind and body; statesmanlike book, for Stanley's work prepared the foresight, military genius, the energy way for Christianity. His beautiful and acumen of a commercial prince, and devoted tributes to Livingstone; the indomitable faith of a pioneer, and his earnest work for the conversion of the unselfish unconquerable love of a Mtesa, king of Uganda; and his ap- savior of men are all needed in this peal to England that missionaries be great work; and they are evident in it. sent to Uganda, and his faith in God Some of the greatest men in every all show his Christian character and calling have been missionaries and have left their mark on the worldzeal. Carey, the scholar; Livingstone, the We know of no better book for explorer; Verbeck, the statesman; Mackay, the engineer; Parker, the young men; parts of it sound more physician; Paton, the preacher. like the observations of a preacher than like those of a traveler, but there Mr. Ellis tells the remarkable story is so much virility and human interest of the Laymen's Movement and deand movement in the narrative that it scribes some of its work; he shows the logical sequence of the awakened inis neither didactic nor dull. terest of men in missions and the effect of the reports given by men who are MEN AND MISSIONS. By William T. Ellis. making missionary tours of the world. 12mo 315 pp. $1.00, net. The Sunday- The men are awake; carping critics scho~l Times Co., Philadelphia. 1909. are silenced; the ignorant are ashamed to speak and the indifferent are seeing Men seem to be just awaking to tlIe in foreign missions the greatest work fact that the work of winning the in the world. world to Christ is a man's job. It requires the command of Christ, the love Mr. Ellis also pricks some bubbles of God and the power of His Spirit to and dispels some darling illusions; make it successful. Mr. Ellis is a newspaper man ,,:ho made. ar:t ind~ he shows some of the problems that pendent investigation of miSSIOns m appeal to a man's mettle, and defends the field. He has seen the vision of the missionary and the native convert ruined lives; he has heard the com- against false charges. mand of the risen Christ, and has been
One of the most useful portions of THE STORY OF TR~ NEGRO. The Rise of the book is the appendix, in which the Race from Slavery. By Booker T. working methods are given for the Washington. 2 yols., 12mo. Doublehelp of local churches. day, Page & Co., New York.
THE SPIRIT OF YOUTH AND THE CITY TRANS-HIMALAYAS DISCOVERIES AND AD- STREETS. By Miss Jane Addams. 12mo, VENTURES IN TIBET. By Sven A. Hedin. 162 pp. $1.25, net. The Macmillan Co., 2 vols., illustrated. $7.50, net. Macmil- New York. 1909. lan Company, New York. 1909.
It is a good sign of the times that THE JUNJOR REPUBLIC. By William R. increasing attention is given to the en- George. I1Iustrated, 12mo. $1.50, net. vironment of children and the preven- l). Appleton & Co., New York. 1909. tion of criminal training in the city streets. Miss Addams has won a VANDERINGS AMONG SOUTH-SEA SAVAGES. name for herself by her books, ad- AND IN BORNEO AND THE PHILIPPINES. By dresses and her well-advertised work in Hull House, Chicago. Miss Addams H. Wilfred Walker. 8vo. $2.50. Charles understands the temptations and evil Scribner's Sons, New York. 1909. surroundings of the city youth, but we do not believe she understands the THE RELIGION OF THE CHINESE. By J. J. remedy. Her work tries to develop the physical, social and mental nature, M. Degrott, Ph.D. 12mo, 230 pp. $1.25 but leaves untouched the mainsprings net. Macmillan Company, New York: -the religious and spiritual nature. A 1910. social dance may keep youth off the street but will not keep the tempta- NEW CHINA: A STORY OF MODERN TRAVEL. tions of the street out of youths. Edu- By Revs. W. Y. Fullerton and C. E. cation is needed, but the trained mind Wilson. 3s, 6d, net. Morgan & Scott, will not purify the evil heart. Miss London. Addams' book is a help to the study of city youth, but does not solve their FIFTY YEARS OF NEW JAPAN. By Count problems and the problem of a de- Shigenobu Okuma. 2 vols. $7.50, I£et. generated society. E. P. Dutton & Co., New York.
MISSIONS. The Baptist Monthly Maga- SOUTH INDIAN MISSIONS. Containing zine. 75 cents a year. In clubs or Glimpses into the Lives and Customs five or more, 50 cents. 312 Fourth Ave., of the Tamil People. Illustrated, 12mo, New York. 312 pp. 2s, 6d, net. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Fo"reign It would be difficult to conceive of a Parts, Westminster, S.W. 1910. more attractive Church magazine than the new monthly which combines the INDIA'S HURT AND OTHER ADDRESSES. By Baptist Missionary Home and Foreign W. M. Forrest. 12mo, 171 pp. 50 Magazine and Good Work. Typo- cents, net. Christian Publishing Co., graphically and from a viewpoint of St. Louis, Mo. general interest, it is well-nigh ideal. Weare loath to part with the attractive TWICE-BORN MEN. A Clinic in Regenera- Baptist Missionary Magazine and are tion. A Foot-note in Narrative to Prof. not convinced that the combination is a William James's "The Varieties of Restep in advance, but we are convinced ligious Experience." By Harold Begthat the new magazine will make many bie. 12mo, 280 pp. $1.25, net. Flemfriends for itself and for the cause of ing H. Revell Co., New York. 1910. missions at home and abroad. HAPPY HOURS FOR THE Boys AND GIRLS. A NEW BOOKS Book for Parents, Junior Leaders, Sun- VISIONS. By H. H. Montgomery, D.D., day-school Teachers and Pastors. By D.C.L. 16mo, 216 pp. Is, 6d, net. So- Daniel Elwood Lewis. 16mo, 128 pp. ciety for the Propagation of the Gos- 50 cents, net. Sunday-school Times pel in Foreign Parts, Westminster, Company, Philadelphia. S. W. 1909. THE CONVERTED CATHOLIC. Edited by Rev. James A. O'Connor. Volume XXV. January to December, 1909. 8vo, 436 pp. $1.25, net. James A. O'Connor, 331 West Fifty-seventh St., New York. THE SAILORS' MAGAZINE AND SEAMEN'S FRIEND, for the year ending December, 1909. Volume LXXXI. 12mo. Ameri- can Seamen's Friend Society, 76 Wall Street, New York.
PAMPHLETS THE LAYMEN AND EVANGELISM. Address at the Laymen's Evangelistic Confer- ence, New York. National Bible In- stitute, New York. 1909. INDIA'S HOPE AND CHINA'S DESTINY. Edited by Wm. J. W. Roome. Illustrated, 43 pp. 6d. Laymen's Missionary Move- ment of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
The Missionary Review of the World — February 1905
FIRST GIRLS' SCHOOL AT DOLAIB HILL, ON THE SOBAT
The American United Presbyterian Mission Station A VILLAGE SCENE IN THE SUDAN Missionary Review of the World Old Series t FEBRUARY j New Series VOL. XXVIII. No.2 f 1 VOL. XVIII. No. 2 FROM DEMONIAC TO MISSIONARY A STUDY OF THE GADARENE DEMONIAC AND HIS MISSIONARY QUALIFICATIONS * BY REV. HENRY H. JESSUP, D.D., BEIRUT, SYRIA Author of H Kamil, " .. Women of the Arabs," etc.
The first missionary ordained to preach the Gospel east of the Jordan was chosen and commissioned by our Lord Himself. In that region of Greek and Roman cities, of high officials, amphitheaters and great wealth, one might naturally expect our Lord to select a scholar like PauloI' a disciple like John. But no, He selected a Gadarene demoniac out of whom He had cast a legion of demons; He chose a man. who had been a terror to the land, and who was both feared and hated by the whole population. In his life he had assaulted them, and now in the hour of his healing he had caused their property to be destroyed. Yet Christ chose him, ordained him, and sent him as missionary to Decapolis. The man begged, naturally, to be allowed to stay with Christ, to be under Ilis protection and instruction; but no, Christ taught him that the disciple nearest to Him is the one who obeys Him and does His service. "Go to thy house," said Jesus, "and tell thy friends how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how He had mercy on thee." And the man went and preached in the cities, telling what the Savior had done for him.
In what respects was this man a well-qualified missionary? 1. A. missionary should have a vivid sense of the power of Satan over men. In undertaking aggressive work we must know the power of the enemy. To underrate our foe is to invite disaster. This is true in our individual spiritual life, in labors for moral reform, and in the great enterprise of conquering the world for Christ. A. missionary to Mohammedans should know that Islam is not a decrepit and tottering system, but an organized force in the Eastern world, united, fanatical, aggressive, and hostile to Christianity. A. missionary to China or Japan should understand that Confucianism, Buddhism, Tauism, and Shintoism have preoccupied the moral fortresses of that colossal empire, and will not surrender in a day. To ignore Satan and his wiles is to be off our guard. This rescued Gadarene had known and felt in every fi0er of his being the terrific power of Satan. His mind, his soul, his will. his hands and feet, his • From an address to outgoing missionaries, delivered in the First Presbyterian Chnrch, New York.
eyes and his tongue, had been poisoned, and then completely subjugated by this fiendish tyrant, Now that a stronger than the "strong man" had set him free, emancipated his will, calmed his spirit, let light into his mind and reenthroned him in control of his eyes and hands and tongue, he looked upon his wounded body, gashed and mangled with the sharp flint-stones of the mountain, and felt the exhaustion of his long enthralment, and could realize the power of the Evil One. He could now warn and entreat his friends and neighbors to resist the devil, to beware of Satan's wiles, and guard against his tern ptat.ions.
2. A missionary should realize the power of Christ over Satan. This man had seen two thousand of the demon host, the legion soldiery of Satan, put to inglorious flight and driven into the depths of the sea by a word from Christ, his King and Savior.
A missionary, above all men, should believe in the supreme power, the omnipotent sway, of Jesus Christ, the Great Head of the Church; that He who gave the great last comm~J1(1, "Go teach all nations," has all power in heaven and in earth, and "will be with him always, even unto the end of the age." To believe less than this is mischief and disloyalty. Christ has all power, and He is ready to use it. " According to your faith be it unto you." Every Christian missionary should believe with all his soul and mind and heart that omnipotence is armed on the side of the Gospel, and that Satan's empire is to be overthrown. He will not be deceived by the subtle pbilosophies of Oriental religions or their hoary antiquity, or overawed by the countless multitudes of Asiatic and African populations, or discouraged by the pessimistic wail of faint-hearted Christian theorists. "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
If a missionary has felt in bis OWll soul the power of Christ over Satan in giving him the victory over self and sin, he can preach COllfidently the Gospel as the "power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth," high or low, rich or poor, civilized or savage.
3. A missionary should be able to spealc from experience of the love of Christ for him personally. 'rhis the Gadarene could do from his heart of hearts. We can imagine him entering his native town, and preaching to the awestricken and wondering people: "Listen, my kinsmen and friends, my neighbors and countrymen. I have come to tell JOu of the surpassing love of Jesus of Nazareth. You know my awful history, my wild, demon-possessed fury, my life in the tombs, my struggles with wild beasts, my imbruted appearance, my nakedness, and wounds! Why should He, a stranger, think on me? What could He gain by coming to me? But He came on the wings of love. I met Him face to face-and such a face! beaming with the light of heaven! Such an eye of pity, such a voice of love! It banished the demon host, it broke my heart, it melted me to tears, it was love con-
FROM DEMONIAC TO MISSIONARY
quering death and hell. He is the Christ of God. He has saved me and He is ready to save you. Oh, how I love Him! He has sent me to tell you of His love and power and willingness to save. Come to Him and He will give you rest."
There is no eloquence like that inspired by the experience of Divine love, and who can say that this man was not thus eminently qualified to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ! Let no man enter upon the work of saving men at home or abroad unless he has known by experience the power of Christ's love. Without this, he is but" sounding brass," but with it, he can speak words full of the eloquence of personal experience.
4. A missionary mnst have a sense oj men's lost estate w£thout Ghrist. This the Gadarene had felt in his own life. and had seen it in the hard-heartedness of his friends in driving Christ away from them. If we would sincerely preach Christ as the only Savior we must believe that men need Him and are lost without Him; that Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. Christ is "The light of the world," not one among many lights. He is the Savior, not one among many saviors. Without Him men are lost, not simply unfortunate. The Gadarene knew that in all Decapolis men were in want of just such a Savior as Jesus Christ. We know that all the world is lost without Him.
5. A missionary should be jarnil£ar with the language and the people. In this respect the Gadarene was fully prepared. '1'he Aramaic and the Greek were familiar to him as to all the people. He knew their customs, their modes of thought, their prejudices, their religious views, their superstitions, their hopes, and their fears. He could speak without danger of being misunderstood.
A knowledge of the language is the first need of the missionary. Without it he is helpless. The dispersion and confusion of tongues at Babel has rendered the proclamation of the Gospel most difficult. Diversity of languages is an immense barrier between the races of men. But the missionary must break this barrier down. Everything else must bend to this object. To preach through an interpreter is to rob the message of a great part of its power, to say nothing of the danger of perversion and misrepresentation of the truth. The missionary must identify himself with the people-use their idioms, their common speech, their proverbs, know their national prejudices, so as not to offend and alienate them, and without a knowledge of their language this will be impossible.
6. A missionary should have sympathy with the people. He should live near their life. As soon as possible he should train native preachers, who ought to be by far the most effective laborers for their own people. Jerry McAuley in New York, Sheshadri in India, and Neesima in Japan, are examples of the success of men in sympathy
with those to whom they preach. An Arabic proverb says: "The handle of the ax which cuts down the tree is made from a limb of the tree." An American missionary, while proud of his native land, must remember that he is first a Ohristian and second an American, and that the commonwealth of Christian love is wider than any nation- ality. His foreign habits and ways are more an obstacle than a help to his work, and' any assumption of superiority will repel those whom he came to win to the truth.
7. A missionary should have a personal call to tlte work. This Gadarene could have 110 doubt about the genuineness of his call. Christ Himself who healed him called him to a special service. There could be no mistake about it.
Can we now be sure of such a call? Why not? Christ has healed us, forgiven us, saved us. He has called us out of darkness into light, out of conflict into peace, out of hostility or apathy into active loyalty and service. A call by Christ to follow Him is a call to His service. Once enrolled in His army we are sworn to !iteral obedience to His commands. The fac! of service is settled once for all. 'The mere detail of locality or kind of work is a secondary matter. The foreign missionary work is a part of Christ's work which is to be done. If you are fitted for it and there are no providential obstacles in the way of your going, then Christ calls you to it. We need not wait for an audible voice. The cry of a nation for help is an indication as to what Christ wants us to do. All the providential openings among the nations are echoes of the voice of Christ. We are called to take the message or send it by a substitute.
What has Christ done for you? Count up your mercies, the gifts of His hand, beginning at the greatest and coming to the least-spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, and physical. What has He not done for you? How, then, will you show your gratitude? The Gadarene thought it would be better and safer for him to be in Christ's immediate society, and enjoying His instruction and protection; but the Master sent him away to active work in his own country. That was hard work. Ol~e needs strong faith and burning love to be able to speak of Christ in his own village or city, and among his own friends. A prop~et is not ordinarily honored at home.
Let us go and tell our neighbors the glad news of salvation in Christ, and we shall find our neighbors everywhere. Any and every needy man is the Christian's neighbor. Some live near and some far away. They have varied customs and speak many languages. Let us tell them what Christ has done for us, His sufferings and atoning death, His resurrection, ascension, and glorious regal intercession for us. Let us tell them of His power to save unto the uttermost, for time and eternity, ALL who come unto God by Him.
MISSIONARY CONDITIONS IN THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN
A WAR-DANCE OF THE SHULL.S AT DOLAIB HILL MISSIONARY CONDITIONS IN THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN BY REV. CHARLES R. 'YATSON, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Secretary of the United Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions The term" Sudan" is applied with considerable latitude to sections of Central Africa fully three thousand miles distant from each other. The term is a general one, however, and simply means, as its deriva- tion indicates," 'fhe Land of the Blacks." When we speak of the Egyptian Sudan we are limiting ourselves to that portion of the Sudan which is in political affiliation with Egypt.
The ordinary line of travel. to the Egyptian Sudan is by way of Egypt and along the Nile. Eleven hundred miles of travel by rail . from Alexandria brings the traveler to the First Cataract at Assuan, the site of that great dam whose construction is such a tribute to Brit- ish engineers and such a blessing to Egyptian agriculture. After two hundred more miles of travel by river steamer over the most picturesque portion of the Nile, the town of Wadi HaIfa is reached, which is the first town in the Egyptian Sudan. Here General Kitchener's railroad begins. Its farther terminus lies 575 miles beyond, at North Khartum, just across the river from Khartum, the capital of the Sudan. Khartum is 1,887 miles up the Nile by river, or 1,564 miles from the Mediter- ranean by mail route. To reach the southern frontier of the Egyp- tian Sudan one has to go 1,150 miles farther South, but this entire voyage can be comfortably made in the almost luxurious steamers which are devoted to tourist service on the Nile.
It is hard to describe conditions existing in a country which ex- tends from 22 0 north latitude to about 50 north latitude. Speaking
quite generally, however, the country north of Khartum is to be considered separately from that which lies to the south. 'ro the north is the Arab, speaking the Arabic language and holding to the Moslem faith. To the son th are the negro tribes, speaking their own tribal aialects and having either a 1 fetish religion or one slightly colored by Mohammedan doc- trines. At Khartum and to the north Western civilization is much in evidence; to the south, as you advance, there is an increasing absence of civili- zation, until whole tribes are fonnd entirely destitute of clothing and constantly bearing clubs and spears.
Missionary conditions may be considered under a number of different aspects.
The Country and the People A TYPICAL SL'DANESE NEGRU 1. lJfissionary conditions 1'n J'elation to the climate of the country. The climate of the Egyptian Sudan has perhaps been slan- dered. It is perfectly possible for a foreigner to live, work, and enjoy good health i.n the Sudan. When this is said the admission must still be made thaf the climate of the Sudan is trying. Life is more or less a battle with fever. The climate is hard on the nerves, inducing that nervous irritability which has been designated" The Sudan Temper."
April and May are the hottest months, the temperature rising to 1100 in the shade, and being especially trying through the abundance of moisture immediately preceding the rains.
The country, however, is being rapidly opened by the railroad, by river navigation, and by commerce. It is safe to say that with the in- troduction of satisfactory building material, the erection of sanitary dwellings, and the solution of other problems pertaining to food and habitation, there need be no serious anxiety in regard to life and health in the Egyptian Sudan.
2. Missionary conditions in relation to the popUlation of the coun- try. The evangelization of a land like India is a staggering problem, owing to the enormous popUlation of that country. The Egyp- tian Sudan has an area just about one-third that of India, bu t its population is not one one-hundred-and-fiftieth part of that of India. Sir Reginald Wingate, Governor-General of the Egyp- tian Sudan, estimates that the popu.Iation of the country has been
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N l EGYPT .AND THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN u
MISSIONARY CONDITIONS IN THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN
reduced from 8,525,000 prior to the dervish rule to a present popula- tion of 1,870,500. Sir William Garstin, in report.ing on the material and agricultural develop'ment of the country, makes the following pertinent remark: "Its chief want for many years to come must be population." .
The present condition of the population is both a limitation and an incentive to missionary work. It must be an arduous task to reach a population so widely scattered and so broken up into innumerable tribes, each speaking its own lan- guage or dialect. On the other hand, what a magnificent opportunity to enter in and accomplish the evangel- ization of these two millions of people before the increase in population shall have made the task so great that its accomplishment will be in- definitely postponed!
The Religious Beliefs of the Sudanese 3. Missionary conditions -in re- AN ARAB WOMAN OF THE SUDAN lation to the religious beliefs of the people. There is a common impression that the entire population of the Egyptian Sudan is Mohammedan. This is a wholly wrong impres- sion, so far, at least, as one-fourth of the population is concerned. It is only nominally true so far as another one-fourth of the population is concerned, for while the term" Moslem" is met with far into the interior, it is often nothing but a name, adopted for general respect- ability's sake and through the influence of some Moslem trader. The name is without meaning to all such, involving no knowledge of Mohammedan truth and no observance of Mohammedan practises, the speaker simply saying that he "swears by the Prophet," which he certainly does, and that he "prays to the Prophet," which he prob- ably does not do.
The negro tribes of the Upper Nile and the Bahr el Ghazal provinces may be reckoned solidly as non-Moslem. Their religion consists of a general belief in a supreme being, with the recognition and worship of demi-gods. In a general way these religious beliefs may be regarded as fetish worship. The following conversation, taken from missionary experience. may illustrate something of their beliefs: " Do you have a god?"
"Yes; our god is Ding-diL."
'rilE GOVERNOR's PALACE AT KHARTUM, WITH THE RIVER GUNBOAT IN THE FOREOlWUND "How can you learn about your god?" ., Our great men know, and they· tell us." "Do you love your god, or do you only fear him?" The reply here is indefinite, not distinguishing between the two sentiments, but declaring a relationship between god and man, where men offer grain to the god. "Our God loves the good, but hates stealing, clll'sing, killing, lying." " Yes, we believe that, too." "When a man does what is wrong, what happens to him?" "He is punished by us." "When a man dies, what happens to him?" " He is buried and goes into the ground." "Does his soul go into the ground?" "When he dies, his body and soul go into the ground, and that IS the end." To the north, Mohammedanism is the religious faith of the overwhelming majority. There is no need to enter here into any description of it, but there is need to emphasize its bigoted and fanatical character, due in part to the natural excitability of the Sudanese, and in part to their present ignorant and unreasoning mental condition. There is no better way of appreciating the religious temper of the Sudanese than by reading the story of the Mahdi movement. The' devotion, the religious enthusiasm, the utter indifference to suffering and danger with which thousands upon thousands were willing to pour out their lives as a libation to a cause which they thought to be divine, must stir the heart of every reader and compel the exclamation, "What magnificent Ohristians these men would have made!" It is that same religious r,atllre, that same passionate devotion to
U)05] MISSIONARY CONDITlONS IN THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN
whatever they take up, which makes the Sudanese a prize worth coveting for the possession of Christ.
Tact, judgment, and common sense are especially needed in missionary work in the Sudan. Among this easily led and excitable reople, untold harm and prejudice might result from unwise missionary effort, but admitting reasonable caution and tact on the part of the missionary, and ordinary firmness on the part of the government, there is no need whatever for living in constant fear of an uprising due to religious teaChing. On the other hand, there is abundant reason for expecting that this naturally religious people, so frequently disappointed in the past by the hopes of a false religion, shall accept with enthusiasm the Gospel of a Sllre hope and of unfailing love.
The British Government and Christian Missions 4. Af/:ssiollary condit£ons in relation to the poWical gOl'ernment of the country. On arrival at Wadi HaIfa, the British and Egyptian flags may be seen flying side by side over the government building which fronts the river. This is sufficient announcement of the fact that Great Britain is in control in the Sudan in some different sense' and to some greater degree than in Egypt. In the Sudan, as well as in Egypt and in the outside world, Great Britain is recognized not only as being the real power governing the Sudan, but as having the right to hold that power, since it was British brains and British push and British blood which made possible. the conquest of the Sudan.
For some inexplicable reason, however, the British policy seems to desire to repudiate this right and to advertise the recognition of the Sudan as an integral part of Egypt. Thus in Lord Cromer's report to SUNRISE AT THE AMERICAN MISSION, DOLAIB HILL
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARIES AND THEIR STAFF AT THE DOLAIB HILL STATION both Houses of Parliament ill 1903, be says: "'l'he Convention of J anuary 19, 1899, was framed with the express object of relieving the Sudan, and therefore Egypt, in the government of that province, from all those cumbersome international institutions which have added so· enormously to the complications of Egyptian administration. Had it not been for this consideration, there was, from the purely British point of view, no reason why the British flag should be hoisted at Khartum any more than at Assouan or Tantah."
This raises a question which is most vital to the entire Ohristian world, and especially to all those who are engaged in missionary work. If the Sudan belongs absolutely to Egypt, then the government of the Sudan will logically be, as in Egypt, a Mohammedan government, and Ohristianity can claim no rights whatever, save those which a Mohammedan government may be pleased to accord. In this case, however, Great Britain is deliberately pouring her physical strength, ber brain power, and her life-blood into the upbuilding of a Mohammedan government and a Mohammedan faith, and she is giving to this hostile religion a position and a power which she could never have secured for herself.
This policy would doubtless not meet with the approval of the British public, yet the fact remains that government offices in the Sudan are closed on Friday and are kept open on the Sabbath. This policy has gone 80 far as to color the entire educational scheme of the government and invade the well-known Gordon Memorial Oollege at Khartum. I have before me a copy of the Syllabus of that college for
MISSIONARY CONDITIONS IN THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN
1904, and I find in the primary school curriculum the following studies listed: Third year: Koran, one hour; Islam, two hours. Second year: Koran, three hours; Islam, two hours. First year: Koran, five hours; Islam, two hours.
In the training colleges for teachers and kadis (judges): Preparatory year-: Koran, four hours. First year: Koran, two hours. Second year: Koran, two hours.
It is needless to say that there is no teaching of the Bible. On the contrary, the doors of the college are open on the Sabbath, but are closed on Friday. We witnessed a class of young men, avowedly preparing themselves by the curriculum of the college to go forth as judges, doctors at law, teachers, and otherwise propogandists of the Moslem faith. 'l'his in a Christian college, founded in the name of a Christian martyr, through the contributions of Christian men and women, and under the administration of a Christian government!
In every government a difference may exist, and if so a distinction should be drawn, between the political policy and the political representative of the government. If the missionary in the Sudan must part company with the policy of Great Britain, as described above, he does not need to part company with Great Britain's political repre- DR. HALL'S CLINIC AT OMDURMAN C.1(. S. STATION
sentatives. Both the missiollaries of the Ohurch Missionary Society, aRd those of the American United Presbyterian Ohurch, testify to the courtesy, the kindness, the personal interest of Sir Reginald Wingate, Governor-General of the Sudan, and of his gracious wife. Loril Oromer himself was so kind as to embody in his annual report a gracious tribute to the work of the American mission on the Sobat. We quote the following: "I was greatly pleased with all I saw. The mission is manifestly conducted on those sound, practical, commonsense principles which indeed are strongly characteristic of American mission work in Egypt." Other British officers and govern men t officials have also shown repeated kindness to the missionaries of both societies, so that apart from the policy to which objection has beel! made, the relation which missionaries bear to the representatives of the Sudan government affords ground for satisfaction and abundant hope for the unhampered progress of missionary work.
The Protestant Missions in the Sudan 5. Missionary conditions -in relation to the rnissl:ons noUJ operating in the Sudan. '1'here are just three foreign missionary societies, with foreign agents, at work in the Sudan. Of these, two are Protestant and one is Roman Oatholic. The British and Foreign Bible Society and the American Bible Society also have native agents operating in and about Khartum.
The Roman Oatholic mission is simply the revival of missionary work which existed on even a more extensive seale prior to that Mahdi movement which doomed a number of Roman Catholic missionaries to martyrdom, and a still greater number to the horrors of a living death as prisoners in the Mahdi camp. The Roman Oatholics have established a mission station at LuI, just a few miles above Fashoda, and have given considerable attention to industrial, especially agricultural, work.
The Ohurch Missionary Society has been operating in Khartum. At Khartum a very efficient school for girls has been established. With the arrival of missionary reinforcements, medical work in Omdurman is to be resumed after a suspension of a couple of years, owing to the death of that devoted medical missionary, Dr. Hall.
Owing to its extensive missionary work in Egypt, the American Mission (United Presbyterian) has been irresistibly led to undertake missionary work in the Sudau. Members of the native Protestant Ohurch in Egypt have gone into the Sudan in government service.• and their presence at various centers has both compelled and been the opportunity for the establishment of missionary work at a number of places. A main ·station has been established at Khartu m, and schools have been opened. and regular services are held at Khartum, Omdurman, and Wadi Haifa. Another main station has been established five
1!JU5] MISSIONARY CONDITIONS IN THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN
hundred miles up the Nile, on the Sobat River, among the Shullas, or Shulluks, where an ordained missionary and a medical missionary, with their wives, are located.
To get some idea of the spiritual destitution of this part of Afrir,a, take your stand at that little outpost of the American Mission on the Sobat, and think of the nearest' adjacent mission stations. Five hundred miles to the north, are the Protestant missions at Khartull1. More than five hundred miles to the northeast, in the Abyssinian Moul1taine, is an outpost of a Swedish missionary society. To the east, you may go a thousand miles and more to the coast without finding a mis_ BOYS AT THE OMDURMAN MISSION SCHOOL sion station. '1'0 the southeast, it is a thousand miles to the coast, and there is no missionary work. 'fo the south, it is five hundred miles to the Uganda missions. Some seven hundred miles to the southwest, you come to the first of the Kongo missions. '1'0 the west, fifteen hundred miles of travel are needed to bring you to the mission stations in North Nigeria. To the northwest, five hundred miles of travel will bring you to the Sahara Desert, bu t to no mission station. Yet of old the prophecy was written concerning "t~e land of the rustling of wings which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia," that "in that time shall a present be brought unto Jehovah of hosts of a people tall and smooth, and from a people terrible from the beginning onward: a nation that meteth out and treadeth down, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the name of Jehovah of hosts, the Mount Zion."
THE JUBILEE OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The fifty years of mission work in Egypt and India, conducted by the United Presbyterians of America, had a memorable celebration at Pittsburg, Pa., from December 6th to 8th. We have been at many missionary conventions and anniversaries, and at more than one ecumenical gathering; bu t we have never seen this one surpassed in the average excellence of the addresses, the general spirituality of tone, and the sanctified common sense exhibited in administration. It was the one such convention where the program was not so overloadea that speakers were embarrassed for want of time. There was no impression of that driving haste which is the blemish upon our best modern type of social and even religious life. There was time for everything that was planned, and everything worked smoothly and harmoniously from beginning to end. Over six hundred accredited delegates were enrolled, nearly double the number at the general assemblies.
Throughout we heard not one address where the att.empt was obvious to make a rhetorical or oratorical display. There was eloquence, bnt it was that of a Etraightforward treatment of a theme, dignified and sometimes majestic, but always sober, spiritual, and self-forgetful. The audience-room was large, but not too large for the assemblies, and all the meetings were well attended, most of them thronged.
A huge map of the world hung behind the platform, and inspiring mottoes blazed from the walls and gallery front, with smaller maps of India and Egypt. The singing was especially uplifting, and in a word all the accessories befitted a grand occasion.
The addresses were, of course, the main feature. We would gladly reproduce them, everyone, had we space. Rev. C. S. Cleland, of Philadelphia, one of the mission secretaries, gave the "convention foreword." He referred to the work of the pioneers, the Gordons, McCagues, Dr. Barnett, etc., the difficulties of the field, and the contrasted conditions of fifty years ago and now. There is a present membership of 16,000; 132 missionaries have gone forth, $4,000,000 have been spent, and 26,000 souls redeemed. Robert E. Speer followed with a very thoughtful address on "'fhe Place of Missions in the Thought of God." The Father's plan was instinct with the mis· sionary idea; the Son was Himself a missionary and a martyr; the Bible is pervaded with a missionary message and spirit; and history can be interpreted only in the light of the missionary scheme. It was an original and forceful address.
Wednesday opened with Dr. Joseph Kyle's address on "The True Spirit of Missions." The New Testament is unquestionably a missionary document. Its leading human personality was Paul, a pioneer
THE JUBILEE OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS
mIssIOnary. Ever since, those who have been most in the apostolic succession have been moved by the same motive and passion, like Carey, Judson, Morrison, Livingstone, Martyn, Gordon. Christ was the mighty magnet whose force had linked, as in one chain, all missionary workers.
Rev. Charles R. Watson, another missionary secretary-a son of Egypt's noble missionary-carefully outlined the history of the fifty years in that land. It was a master production. He carefully divided up the half century, so that we could take in the great periods of development with the characteristic feature of each. The original conditions, the small beginnings, the barriers to be surmounted, the persecutions endured, the gradual growth of the native Church, the educational work, and the rapid progress of recent years.
Dr. Gilchrist gave a very helpful address on "The Reflex Infl uence of Foreign Missions on the Life of the Home Church," showing the unity of all true work for God, the larger conception of the Divine mission of the Church which a world-wide work fosters, the expansive influence on sympathy, liberality, and spirituality, and the deepening of faith and the widening of evangelistic work that result from the hearty acceptance of the responsibility of world-wide effort.
President M. G. Kyle, of the Mission Board, spoke on the" Early Foreign Mission Work," and Dr. Giffen on the" Indian Mission."
The foreign missionaries present were then asked to come to the platform, and two of the surviving pioneers-Miss Gordon, of India, and Dr. McCague, of Egypt-took their places beside the rest. Dr. McCague, teo feeble to attempt an address, asked the privilege of leading in prayer, and then, as if unconsciously, passed from praying to God to speaking to man, and it was difficult to tell where the one ended and the other began. The whole scene was full of pathos.
Dr. Giffen's account of the pioneers in the Sudan was thrillinghow, the first night, in the midst of nude savages, armed with spears and clubs, they lay down and slept peacefully-and proving to us all that heroes are not yet an extinct race.
J. Campbell White's speech on missions as the" greatest business in the world," was the ablest presentation we have heard of the financial aspects of the missionary problem, and is to be scattered in cheap tract form, as it deserves. It was delivered to a crowded assembly of men only. It bristled with' facts and figures. Statistics were arrayed and arranged in strategic platoons, and the ethical obligation of giving liberally to the Lord's work was driven home to conviction and conscience with the force of a battering-ram. It left no man, however liberal a giver, with an easy conscience. The largest gifts seemed small beside the true ideal of giving, and he concluded by presenting the several aspects of giving, such as worship, stewardship, proportion, and self-denial.
At the same hour a womttn's meeting packed the neighboring Methodist Church, where Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Barr, Mrs. White, and Miss Irvine spoke on woman's contribution to the work in the past and present, and gave the outlook for the larger work of the future. The' bloody rites of Kali's shrine, the teachings of the Koran, and the fruits of heathenism and Mohammedanism were contrasted with Christian worship, Bible teaching, converted natives, churches and reconstructed homes; and the steady advance of woman's work and gifts, with the Divine challenge to more self-denying service-these were the leading thoughts at this thronged service.
The last day came, and with it Dr. W. C. Williamson's talk on "The Truth about Love." Then Dr. J. K. McClurkin spoke for an hour on "Fifty Years in India." He d welt with vigorous eloquence on India's strange history, the shadow of death, and the bright future of prophecy. He found seven shadows, which together make up its Illidnight: Caste, Transmigration, Buddhism, Mohammedanism, Poverty and Superstition, the conquerors of India, and the blight of Hinduism. He showed that only the Light of the World can illumine the 'darkness of Asia, and there must be promptness, for twenty die every minute. He beautifully referred to Carey, Martyn, Buchanan, and Judson as stars of first magnitude, and then, the audience rising and standing, he gave the roll-call of the dead!
Secretary Watson presented to Dr. Balph, the president of the convention, a beautiful gavel, the head of which was of wood from the study of the first mission house in Egypt, occupied by Dr. Hogg, and the handle from the first mission building in india. There were also in the handle two pieces of wood from two thousand miles up the Nile. The gavel itself was made by the children in the industrial school in Gujranwala, India.
In Dr. D. F. McGill's address on " Foreign Missions and the Pastor," he suggested that the pastor should teach his people to pray for missions, specifically; should keep the Sunday-school and young people interested; turn the weekly prayer-meeting into missionary channels once a month; make much of returned missionaries; and master good missionary books, and then give the substance, warm and condensed, in one or more sermons.
Addresses were also given at this session by Mrs. Annie R. Herron, President of the Women's Board, on "Foreign Missions and the Women's Missionary Society," and by Mr. O. V. Vickery, Secretary of the Young People's Missionary Movement, on "Foreign Missions in the Sabbath-school and Young People's Society." A conference followed, with one-minute speeches on problems connected with missions.
One beautiful incident was the singing of verses of the 23d'Psalm, first in Hindustani, by the India missionaries, then in Arabic, by the Egyptian missionaries, from opposite sides of the platform, and finally
in English by the whole assemblage. " All, from Dr. McOague at one end to 'Aunty' Gordon at the other. could sing 'The Lord's My Shepherd' in the mother tongue. It stirred every heart. God's children on earth-Hindu, Egyptian, Ohinese, American-can not always sing together yet, but in the Father's house all will know the tune and the words of the new song, the song of Moses and the Lamb! "
The closing evening address of the convention was given by the writer on "The Supernatural Factor in Missions." the largest audience of the convention being assembled, literally packing the .auditorium from platform to gallery. The most desperate assaults are being made upon the supernatural, to-day, that have been made in the history of the world. And yet if there be no supernatural in the Bible there is no inspiration. If none in Ohrist, there is no Savior. If none in nature, there is no God. The UJork of missions gives us the evidence of the supet·natural. The study of missions will suffice to make clear that greater spiritual miracles have been wrought in modern missions than the physical miracles wrought by Ohrist himself. The finest machinery will not accomplish the work without the Spirit of God. Let us find out God's plans a:(ld follow them. Let this fiftieth anniversary be signalized by a giving of every pastor and member in the Ohurch unreservedly to God and His service. and both at home and abroad lay hold of the supernatural power of God. Then we shall see results unsurpassed in all history. After the adoption of a series of resolutions regarding future advanced work and a few earnest words spoken by the pastor of the church, Dr. R. M. Russell, he led the great congregation, as they stood, to give themselves in solemn covenant to God, to pray and work and give for the evangelization of the world, and the convention came to a close.
It is notable that the United Presbyterians of America are the first body, as a whole, to adopt as their working basis the motto: "The Evangelization of the World in this Generation." . They have divided their portion of the world field with reference to reaching everyone of the population within thirty-three years, and are pressing on the churches the duty and privilege of furnishing the men and money needful· to put the plan into operation.
It is expected that the proceedings will be published in full. If so, we can safely assure all who are so happy as to possess a copy that they will find in the proceedings of these three jubilee days a Feast of 'rabernacles, fully justifying the great throngs which from all quarters came up to the holy festival, and a fitting record of these days will be a lasting legacy of blessing to the generation following. During the convention two cablegrams came from the foreign field containing simply t'Yo significant words: "EBENEZER "-" MACEDONIA," with a Spartanlike brevity expressing thanks for the past, and conveying the urgent need of the present and future.
THE PRESENT CRISIS IN CHINA BY REV. JOHN R. HYKES, D.D., SHANGHAI, CHINA General Agent of the American Bible Society in China China is passing through the supreme crisis in her history. The struggle has been a long one, and the end is not yet. It had its immediate beginning in the China-Japan war of 1894 and t.he political conditions which, directly and indirectly, resulted from it, and which culminated in the atrocious "Boxer Rising" of ] 900. This wellorganized and gigantic effort to stay the progress of civilization and reform, to eradicate the influence of modern education and Christianity, and once and for all to get rid of Western ideas and foreign political aggression by sweeping all foreigners into the sea, resulted, as we know, in disastrous failure.
Not only this, it was the beginning of a crisis which will determine China's destiny both politically and religiously. It ushered in one of those great world movements which, if taken advantage of by the Church, will make mightily for the progress of Christ's Kingdom in the Orient. Present events in the Far East are intimately connected with the greatest problem before the Christian Church to-day, and a consideration of them is necessary to an intelligent understanding of the marvelous opportunities for missionary work in China.
The events of 1900, and the conditions in China which followed, gave Russia her opportunity in Manchuria, which she was not slow to seize. When, in 1903, Russia failed to keep her reiterated promise to withdraw from Manchuria the troops which she had sent there to meet the crisis of three years before, the Chinese felt that the fate of the" Three Eastern Provinces" was sealed, and that the clause in the treaty that the Chinese-Manchurian Railway concession should not interfere with China's sovereignty over Manchuria, was a dead letter. Russia wanted an ice-free port on the Pacific. With tIns desire the world very properly sympathized. But to attain this laudable end it was not necessary that she should steal and annex 360,000 square miles of territory and extend her borders to the very gate of Peking. In Port Arthur she has an almost impregnable naval base and the key to China, for this fortress" commands, by land and sea, the only practicable approach to the capital of the Chinese Empire."
There can be no doubt that Russia would stay in Manchuria-if she could! Before the outbreak of hostilities with Japan she thought it was firmly in her grasp, and she was beginning to reach out toward Korea, the annexation of which is essential to the successful carrying out of her policy and program of expansion in Eastern Asia. Suppose this to be an accomplished fact (Manchuria and Korea under the undisputed sway of the Czar, Russia with an uninterrupted coast-line from the Arctic to the Great Wall of China), what then.'!!
THE PRESENT CRISIS IN CHINA
Russia is the great expansionist of modern times. The vastIless of her territory is appallillg. She represents the most marvelous centralization of power that the world has ever seen. In four centuries she has increased in area over fortyfold-from 200,000 to 8,670,000 square miles. The map of Asia is marked by her stately, tho quiet, stepping toward universal dominion in that continent in a way that is almost terrifying to those who fear the supremacy of the Slav. It is necessary to bear in mind that the incentives which have impelled her in her hitherto triumphal march across Asia have been both political and religious, and the latter have, if anything, been the stronger. There has undoubtedly been the lust of power, but it has been in pursuance of what she conceives to be her divine mission. In the eyes of her strongest men, to Russia has been committed by Almighty God the mission of saving the world. She extends the borders of her empire by Divine right, and in so doing is but fulfilling .her mission to humanity-a mission which can not be accomplished by any other people or power. The Strannik, a Russian religious periodical, in an article entitled" Our Struggle with Japan from a Biblical Point of View," says: Russia has a providential mission to extend the Orthodox faith over the whole world. If Manchuria were left iu the possession of the Chinese, the latter would not feel the necessity of accepting Christianity, and would remain forever in Japanese darkness. Hence the law of God forbids the restoration of Manchuria to China.
The same reasoning would not only justify Russia in annexing Ohina, but makes it her duty to do so.
China is essential to the realization of Russia's plans in Eastern Asia, but the civilized world must not permit her to absorb China. There are strong political, commercial, and humanitarian reasons why the Anglo-Saxon, ra.ther than the Slav, should dominate Eastern Asia, but we are not discussing these. The present Russo-Japanese war is not, as some would have us believe, a conflict between heathenism and Ohristianity. It is a grapple of civilizations. It is the twentieth celltury civilization meeting that of .the sixteenth to determine which shall have the right of way in Asia, and whether Russia shall be permitted to turn back the hand on the dial of the world's progress in the OrIent for fifteen centuries. Japan represents the civilization of this century, and stands for progress along the most modern lines. The future of the Mongolian depends largely upon the outcome of the present terrific struggle in Manchuria.
But the conflict undoubtedly has a religious bearing, and upon its issues will depend the type, not only of civilization but of religion, which shall prevail in the East and its reflex influence upon the West.
The extension of Russian rule in the East would not appear to be in the interests of the Kingdom of God in the world. Wherever the
power of Russia reaches, there missionary work is perilous and almost impossible. There is no religious liberty in Russia, as we understand such liberty. It is true that a Protestant Christian may, in the empire of the Czar, worship God according to the forms of his own Church, but he is not permitted to recommend his own particular faith to those of the Greek Church. Attempts to proselyte are punishable with penal servitude, and a missionary to Russia would constantly face the' possibility-the absolute certainty, as soon as his calling became known -of exile to Siberia. Withdrawal from the established Church is strictly forbidden, and renunciation of the Orthodox faith is punished with barbarous severity, not by the Church, but by the State. There are no missionaries in Russia, and they will not be tolerated in any country passing under her rule. Whenever Manchuria is recognized as Russian territory (which God forbid), missionary work there will be much hampered, or perhaps be at an end.
'1'here is perfect religious liberty in Japan-just as much as there is in Great Britain or the United States. Any man is free to teach his own religious belief in any part of the empire, and to persuade others to accept it. The acceptance of Christianity is no bar to preferment in any post under the government. Christians are to be found in the Supreme Court of the empire, among the highest officers in the army and the navy, and in both houses of the governmen:t. The same freedom in religious matters is permitted in Formosa, and would undoubtedly be granted to missionaries and people were Manchuria to pass under the rule of the Mikado.
The Greek Church is nominally Christian, but it is full of superstition and bigotry. It teaches the people to believe in the miraculous .power of ikons, to worship pictures, kiss the relics of dead priests, rely upon "signs," and to indulge in other superstitious practises which are relics of the Dark Ages. Ikons were sent, with superstitious reverence, to the generals at the front in Manchuria, in the belief that their worship would bring victory to their arms, and the Czar regarded the birth of a male heir as a sign that he would be successful in the war with Japan. Religion is more than forms and ceremonies, spectacular display and medieval superstitions. It is a life, a moral force, and a power which regenerates man, transforms his character, brings him into communion and fellowship with God, and always and everywhere makes for righteousness. This is Protestantism, and nothing but the best in Christianity is good enough for one-third of the human race.
The conversion of ChiRr. is of such vital concern to the whole civilized world that the Church can not but look with dismay npon anything which would tend to interrupt or stop the magnificent work which is being done in that land. The possibilities, the absolute certainties, of the conflict in the East will mean conditions and oppor-
1905J THE PRESENT CRISIS IN CHINA
tunities which, if taken advantage of by the Church, will make tremendously for the advancement of Christ's cause in that part of the world. I believe that one result, and it is a very important one, of the present war will be to stop Russian aggression in Eastern Asia, and guarantee the integrity of China proper, at least.
This raises another question. Would' the cause of Ohristianity be best served by maintaining the integrity of China under the present government, or uy her partition among the powers, as was so freely discussed prior to 1900? The government of China has for many years been apparently tottering to a fall. During the past half century she has passed through a number of crises, rebellions, court intrigues, and foreign wars, but a special Providence seemed to have watched over her, and she has been preserved as ~ nation. Were it possible for the nations interested to agree to the partition of China, I do not believe that such a course would be in the interests of missionary work in that land. The wide discussion of this question in the foreign press, both in China and .elsewhere, was largely responsible for the anti-foreign demonstration known as "the Boxer Rebellion," and was a hindrance to mission work. '1'he cause of Christianity will be best served in China by guaranteeing her integrity.
The British occupation of Lhassa will check Russian advance on Ohina from that direction, and further insure her integrity. Besides, it will open up Tibet, the last of the hermit kingdoms and a stronghold of Buddhism, to missionary effort. '1'his ought eventually to react in favor of China missions, providing some other power does not demand, as a quid pro quo, that another outlying possession of the Chinese empire come within her" sphere of influence."
The Present Opportunity of the Church Conditions in China were never so favorable for the prosecution of missionary work as at the present time. This is the Church's opportunity in that greatest of all heathen lands.
The" Boxer Rising" had among other objects the extermination of Christianity. Many missiilnaries feared that this outbreak of fanaticism would put back the cause, particularly in the North, where some of the troops of the allied army committed unmentionable outrages, for from ten to fifteen years. The fact is that missions in North China were never so firmly established, so well equipped, or so successful as since the atrocities of 1900. While China was taught a severe lesson, and at a fearful cost to her, she benefited to this extent: the dismemberment of the empire was certainly indefinitely postponed if it was not entirely prevented. There has ueen no talk of the partition of Ohina since then. '1'his desirable result was due largely to the position taken at that time by the United States, and to the wise foresight and masterly statesmanship of the Ohristian secretary of state,
John Hay. 'fhe fact that our government stood for the integrity of China is known to the officials of the empire, and has remover! much prejudice.
~ince the ratification of the treaty with the United States, which was signed October 8, 1903, miss onaries have, for the first time, had clearly defined and unquestioned treaty rights to procure property, to reside and prosecute their work in all parts of the empire of China. The ".right " to reside in the interior rested, prior to this time, upon a fraud, the clause supposed to grant it having been surreptitiously inserted into the French treaty. The Missionary article in the United States treaty (Art. XIV.)* not only gives the missionaries these privileges, but guarantees perfect religious freedom to Chinese subjects, and exempts native converts from paying" taxes levied and contributions for the support of religious customs and practises contrary to their religion." This clause does away with one of the most fruitful causes of persecution in the past. Thus it will be seen that the status of foreign missionaries and Chinese converts is alike eminently satisfactory, and for this we are indebted to the treaty negotiated as a part of the settlement of the" Boxer Rising."
Missionaries have never enjoyed so much freedom or safety in the prosecution of their work as at present. It is quite true that in some parts of Shantung there seems lately to have been a recrudescence of the" Boxer" troubles, but such local outbreaks by remnants of the "Boxer" bands of 1900, or of bandits taking their name, was to be expected. The only wonder is that there have not been more. A general anti-foreign demonstration, like that of 1900, is not to be feared. It could not be possible without conditions which could hardly reappear.
The attitude of the government is more favorable to the introduction of Western ideas, and this is favorable to Christianity. Railways are being extended throughout the empire, and their construction pushed with an energy never witnessed before. This rapid communication will facilitate missionary work in those sections. Very interesting questions on Western civilization and learning have been put to the students at most of the provincial examinations. Manchu princes are, for the first time, going abroad. One was sent as first commissioner of the Chinese exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and this, as well as the exhibit itself, is a sign of the times. A more friendly feeling upon the part of the officials toward the missionary is manifest in many places. Christian Scriptures are bought at an unprecedented rate-many of them by classes which, a few years ago, would not accept them as a gift. The officials at the provincial capitals have not only encouraged but facilitated the distribution of Christian literature at the triennial examinations. Formerly this was not allowed. Chow Fu, provincial treasurer of Chihli, began the * See M,SSIONARY REVIEW, January, 1904, p. 74.
THE PRESENT CRISIS IN CHINA
preparation, by the aid of a committee of scholars whom he summoned to his aid, of a "new translation" of the Bible-that is, putting it into the best possible literary dress-" in order," as he said, "to do away with the prejudice in the minds of officials and scholars against the Book." A literary chancellor in one of the provinces recently urged the students to study the Ohristians' sacred books as well as their own. The head of a Ohinese government school applied to the American Bible Society for a grant of English Bibles to be used as text-books, and this with the consent of the board of management. There has also been an increasing interest in education and in Western knowledge.
Since 1900 there has been a remarkable turning toward Ohristianity upon the part of the common people. This has not been confined to anyone .district or section, but has been universal throughout the empire. The chapels are thronged with attentive listeners. As an old missionary said to the writer: "Formerly the problem was how to get the people into the church; now the trouble is how to keep them out." In the formerly notoriously anti-foreign and anti-Ohristian provinces of Hunan the Reformed Ohurch in the United States has received an offer of $10,000 from four Ohinese at Ohingshi to pay for buildings for school and chapel purposes. This is not an isolated case. It can be duplicated in other parts of the empire. In some districts whole villages have become nominally Ohristian. That this movement is due solely to a desire for the Truth no one will claim. The motives are mixed, and doubtless in many cases they are unworthy. But the fact remains that multitudes have placed themselves under the influence of the Gospel, and still greater multitudes are willing to be instructed in the way of Life. The opportune time to teach is when the people want to be taught. These conditions will pass, and they may not return, or return only after a long interval.
The Bible is being studied more generally than ever before, and, in some cases, because of its well-known civilizing and enlightening influence. Ten years ago the American Bible Society sold an average of four hundred complete Bibles a year, and they went almost exclusively to the native Ohristians. Now the sales aggregate over ten thousand copies per annum, and the demand comes largely from non- Ohristians. It is wise to take full advantage of this increasing interest, from whatever motive, in God's Word.
The publications of the Tract Societies and the Society for the Diffusion of Ohristian and General Knowledge Among the Ohinese are being sold in greater numbers every year, and their influence is apparent everywhere.
The outcome of the war will doubtless create new conditions which the Ohurch must be ready to meet, and open yet wider the door for Ohina's speedy evangelization.
This is the Ohurch's opportunity. She should take advantage of
it now. Such opportunities cmne only once, and, if allowed to slip, they are gone forever. We should see to it that the thirst for knowledge-true knowledge-is gratified. Our educational work should be pushed with the greatest vigor. Existing institutions should be fully manned and generously equipped, and new and inviting fields should be entered. We can not afford to let the schools and colleges of Ohina pass out of the hands of Ohristia.n teachers. If we do not meet the demand for higher education under Ohristian influences, it will be supplied by unchristian men, and the result will be a harvest of skeptics and agnostics. Ohristian education is bound to be one of the great evangelizing forces in Ohina.
We should take advantage of the unprecedented demand for Ohristian Scriptures. The Bible Society is seriously handicapped in this work by lack of funds. There is no more enlightening force than God's Word. Give it to the Ohinese when they want it.
'['he missionary evangelists have more than they can do. The call is everywhere for more men-atul tlte best men-for this work. How will the Ohurches respond?
Ohina will come through this crisis, but she needs, above everything else, the principles of true Ohristianity to mold the thought and life of her people. Now is the time to bring the Kingdom of God to her, and sh€ is the greatest and destined to be incomparably the most influential, for good or for evil, of all the pagan nations of modern times.
REALITY AND ROMANCE ABOUT THE CHINESE SOME REMARKS ON THE " LETTERS FROM A CHINESE OFFICIAL" * BY W. A. P. MARTIN, D.D., LL.D., PEKING, CHINA President of Viceroy's University, Wu Chang; ex·President of Emperor's University, Peking This book is a clever satire on our Western civilization, but it was not written by a Ohinaman. The author, who shows a cast of thought wholly foreign to the Chinese mind, has donned the Ohinese costume as a stage artifice, to attract attention and to give emphasis to his own opllllOns. It is not a new trick, for Goldsmith resorted to it in his "Oitizen of the World," whose Lien Ohi Altongi, a Ohinese philosopher, is made to give his impressions of civilization in Europe. Our author's censures on Western life, tho not always just, are not a whit more severe than we ourselves are accustomed to indulge in; but, by way of contrast, he whitewashes the Ohinese, so as to make them whiter than the whites.
We shall confine our attention to this side of hi.s tableau, and in so doing we shall treat him as a Ohinaman; and tho one might make a * Published by McClure, Pbillips & Co., New York. Altho it is some time since these let· ters appeared, they were so widely read and Dr. Martin's remarks on them are so illuminating, that we devote unusual space to the notice. He says that he took up the book" as a sugar· plum. but soon found that, like t·he little book in the Apocalypse, it made the' belly bitter' I" See notice in .. Book Review Department."
REALITY AND ROMANCE ABOUT THE CHINESE
shrewd guess at his personality, we shall, to save his blushes, allow him to wear his mask to the end of the performance.
A few instances may serve to substantiate this charge. 1. A prime feature in his typical village is "cleanliness." If he had said filthiness, his statement would have been unimpeachable. 2. 'rhe leading mental characteristic of the Chinese is, he says, a readiness to sacrifice material for spiritual interests. Has he not, by a freak of the printer's devil, got the adjectives transposed?
3. In morals, he asserts, the Chinese are unselfish. Would it not be safer to omit ihe first syllable of the last word?
4. 'fheir social arrangements, he says, are such as to eliminate pauperism. Yet if he should come back to China he would find the streets thronged with beggars, many of them laying siege to shop- keepers, and yelling or hammering to extort their daily alms.
5. Their religion, he says, is Confucian from top to bottom. It is doubtful if this is true of anyone man, the au thor not excepted, while of the people nine-tenths are so illiterate that with them Confucian- ism forms only a thin veneering for all sorts of uncanonical creeds.
G. 'fhe aim of their education is, according to him, to make a man a " good husband and father." Does he mean the husband of a score of wives and the father of a hundred children, like their famous Wen Wang? The example of that ancient worthy is one which every mandarin strived to imitate in proportion to the length of his purse, a well-stocked harem being deemed essential to his dignity.
7. Their attempt, in 1900, to exterpate foreigners by an act of wholesale assasination was, according to the author, a desperate effort to preserve the purity of this precious civilization.
His pages bristle with similar passages, but these are sufficient to . show how he draws on imagination in describing the China of to-day.
His statements in regard to the China of the past are, if possible, still marc awry. His ignorance of ancient history may be pardoned, but his misrepresentation of modern events is inexcusable. As he harps incessantly on the stability of their institutions, the fondness of the Chinese for peace, their sweet reasonableness, and the wickedness of foreign aggression, allow me to append.a brief catechism for his benefit or for that of his readers.
A Brief Catechism Q. How many dynasties have there been in this ancient, ullchangc- able empire?
A. An unwary reader might be led to suppose that there had been only one since the dawn of history. The fact is that no fewer than twenty-two have occupied the throne, each coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb led to the slaughter. For in China dynastic revolutions have been far more frequent and far more bloody than in Grl:'at Britain or Rnss·ia.
Q. Is foreign aggression a new thing in China? A. Let the Great Wall answer. It was built to keep foreigners out, yet foreigners are now on the throne. Foreigners were on the throne in the days of Marco Polo, and they had su bjugated the north- ern provinces many times before the conqnest of Kublai Khan. These unwarlike Chinese were themselves foreigners at the dawn of history. Coming on from the northwest and following the course of the Yellow River, their policy was guided by a maxim still repeated by school- boys in their daily lessons: "Love and cherish the Chinese race, crush and subjugate the barbarians." The aborigines were, however, too , numerous to be exterminated; and in many provinces they absorbed the invader along with his civilization, much as the red men of South America did with their Spanish conquerors. Q. How did the Manchus come into power? A. It is significant that the word" Manchu" does not occur in the volume, but some notice of them appears to be called for by his reit- erated denunciation of foreign violence. When Li Tse-Ching, one of his pacific Chinese, captured Pekin in l644, and extinguished the Wing dynasty in a sea of blood, Wu San Kwei, a Chinese general, was on guard at the eastern extremity of the Great Wall. Hearing that his own family had been butchered, thirst- ing for revenge, and secretly aspiring to the throne, he invited the 'rartars to aid him in expelling the usurper. This done, they were requested to retire; but, as in the fable of the ass who asked a primi- tive man to help him in driving a stag from his pasture ground, they were in the saddle, and they refused to dismount. The Manchus, strange to say, have given China the best government she has ever had, but they secured the throne by force and fraud. Q. What was the motive for imposing restrictions on Western trade and intercourse? A. Being aliens, the Manchus were sllspicious lest other foreigners should be as unscrupulous as they had been and deprive them of their conqnest. Hence they confined foreign trade to a single seaport, and shut up all foreigners in a sort of Ghetto at Canton, where they were subjected to every sort of indignity, insomuch that they could not ride in a sedan without the risk of being dropped in the street-the police beating their bearers for daring to take a ," foreign devil" on the shoulders of a Chinese. Hence, too, native Christians were slaughtered, lest they should take sides with some future invader. Q. What was the cause of the" opium war"? A. It was not, as the anthor intimates, to force opium on China. In 1842, when China lay helpless at the feet of England, and when the conqueror dictated his own terms in the treaty of Nan king, not a single stipulation was inserted in favor of the opium traffic. The real cause of war was the unwananilable violence employed by Vioeroy
t905] REALITY AND ROMANCE ABOUT THE CHINESE
Lin to get possession of the drug. Instead of seizing the opium hulks by force of arms, he thought it safer to surround the Ghetto with a band of cutthroats, and threaten massacre without distinction of nationality or condition.
The drug was surrendered through a British official as the ransom of British lives. The war was made to exact indemnity for property sacrificed in the public service, and to punish a wanton outrage. The expansion of a mischieviolls traffic was the consequence, not the cause, of the war.
Q. In 1900, why did eight nationalities bury their feuds and unite in crushing the government of Peking? A. Simply because the Manchus, having learned nothing by the ex- perience of sixty years, repeated on a larger scale the brilliant exploit of 1839. In Shantung a Manchu governor had fomented the Boxer movement. Those bloodthirsty wretches were taken into the pay of the government, and two princes of the blood appointed to be their leaders. Placards were issued by these princes, setting a price on the heads of men, women, and chilurell. The German Minister was shot dead in the street, and all the other foreign Ministers, together with their fellow countrymen, were subjected to a siege of two months, with murderous attacks from day to day. Had our rescue been delayed a single day it is probable that such a holocaust would have ensued as the world never witnessed. Yet our psuedo-Ohinese has the impudence to prate of foreign violence and loot. It was Ohinese soldiers, under the British flag, who, after the siege, surpassed all others in lawless violence. So much for their patriotism! So much for their Oonfucian ethics!
Q. Will China, like Japan, have the magnanimity to grant, not tol- eration, but religioils freedom? A. Without that there is no hope of a new Ohina. A new Ohina, however, is the last thing our author desires to see. Not only does he say" the old is better," he closes his book with an absurd menace based on a false assumption. "In the name of Ohrist, you have sounded the call to arms. In the name of Oonfucius, we respond." If he means this to be taken literally, it is not true; if in a figurative sense, it can not be denied that the' welkin rings with the bugle call for a new crusade. In the name of Confucius, do the Ohinese respond?
A real Ohinese official once asked me, in the presence of several mandarins: "Why may we not send missionaries to' your country? " " Why don't you? " said 1. "They would be treated far better than you treat ours." This was thirty years ago, and I have yet to hear of the first Oonfucian mission setting foot on our shores, or on the shores of any other country. The fact is that Oonfucianism lacks the vitality to sustain a mission.
In China the people are allowed to think for themselves, but an
embargo is laid on their expression of thought. There are no news- papers to speak of, except under the shadow of the foreign flag. Polit- ical clubs are suppressed, and the advocates of reform hounded out of the empire. In thus fettering head and heart, the government acts not on the Oonfucian precept, to "renovate the people," but on a cyn- ical maxim of Laotse: " Fill their bellies and empty their minds, and they'll be easy to govern."
I conclude with a few lines from the late Oolonel Denby, for thirteen years United States Minister in Pekin. After dilating on the good qualities of the Ohinese, he adds: Let us look at the reverse picture. The Chinese are ignorant and superstitious. At an eclipse of the moon the whole population turns out, with gongs and tin pans, to drive away the yellow dog that is eating up that luminary. Many riots have originated from the absurd charge that missionaries secure the custody of children for the purpose of killing them and making medicine out of their eyes. When the diplomatic corps represented to the Tsung Ii Yamen (Board of Foreign Affairs) the ridiculousness of such an accusation, we were astonished that several members of that august body declared that they had always believed the charge was true! . The condition of women, which is a fair test of civilization, is bad! Until a woman becomes the mother of a male child she is taken no account of. Slavery exists all over China, and girls are sold by their parents. Polygamy also exists. Vealthy Chinamen always have three or four wives. The judicial system is oneof torture. The judges examine into a case before tr'ial, and when satisfiE.d, as they usually are, that the accused is guilty, they force him by torture to confess. He may then be sentenced to have his head cut off, or he may be suspended in the sun until he dies, or he may be torn asunder, or cut to pieces by the terrible slicing process. Corruption is universal. Li Hung Chang had a man employed at Pekin whose business 'it was to give money to thirty 'officials three times a year. Very small salaries are paid in China, and the pay of officials is eked out by robbing the state and oppressing the people.
Do not the riots of 1900 of themselves furnish a conclusive argument that China needs regeneration? In no other civilized country would it have been possible to raise an enormous force to attack and destroy ambassadors and their suites at the seat of government I There were 1,hree thousand Chinese [Christians) in the British Legation whose labor arid devotion saved the lives of the beleagured foreigners. Many of them died in defense of their benefactors. At the Roman Catholic Cathedral another wonderful exhibition of devotion to Christianity and its expounders was furnished. 'rheBoxers came in countless numbers. They threw letters into the enclosure, where thirty-two hun. dred converts were gathered, promising immunity to all who deserted the missionaries. During this terrible time, tho many were killed, not one Chinese proved false to his duty.
The labors of the missionaries have been of immense benefit to us, no less than to the Chinese. From their modest dwellings have emanated the light of modern civilization. Conscience, after all, rules the world. and its voice speaks through the missionaries in favor of justice and of right. When Sir Robert Hart was asked" What was the remedy for the riots in China?" he said, "It is either partition or the conversion of the people to Christianity. It is presumed that all Americans will favor the latter alternative."
1£J05] A MODERN APOSTLE IN BURMA
A MODERN APOSTLE IN SURMA A SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF KO SAN YE BY MRS. H. ALLEN TUPPER, JR., NEW YORK There is a wonderful spiritual awakening in Burma. 'l'his is the land where for years Adoniram Judson labored and prayed in vain before his heart was made glad by the turning of one soul to Christ.
Among the hills of the Tongu district, about forty years ago, was born a heathen child who was destined to exert a great Feligious influence 0 vel' his fenow men. Ko San Ye, a Karen of the Swag branch of his race, at the ag"e of thirty lost his wife and only child" Over- come with grief and despair, longing for com fort, he then REV. S. R. VINTON, KO SAN YE, AND MY ZAN turned to religion for consolation. Failing to find solace for his overwhelming sorrow in the faith of his own people, he embraced Buddhism, retired to the mountains, and built for himself a two-story house in the top qf a tall tree, living in the first story and reserving the second for God, whom he claimed came down and talked to him. By his life of aceticism and meditation he became known as a man of great sanc- tity, and acquired quite a following. From Buddhism, which did not bring him the comfort he longed for, he drifted into a philosophy, taken from the spiritual conception of God of the purer Karen tradi- tions and the Buddhist moral code, claiming salvation by good works and called Mawlay. Tho faithfully followed, this philosophy did not bring joy into the life of Ko San Ye, and hearing of Christianity, through several missionaries, he sought to learn of its doctrines.
These filled his soul with peace, and he became convinced it was the one true religion for which he had sought so long, the religion which heals the wounds of the grief stricken, which exhorts to good works, which tells of a personal Savior in His Sou Jesus Christ.
In 1890 he applied for baptism. At first the missionaries were dou btful as to the sincerity of his conversion,but after a very careful examination by the older ministers of the Rangoon field, he and about one hundred and forty of his followers were baptized by Dr. Dench- field, of the American Baptist Missionary Union. Before his baptism he was known as Ko Paiksan (" Mr. Money"), possibly because of his
great ability to collect money from the people. At his baptism he said" Ko Paiksan is dead. There is a new man in Christ, Ko San Ye (Mr. Food and Water). Ko Paiksan was the devil's servant, and Ko San Ye must serve God equally well."
The year following his baptism the government granted him two thousand acres of waste land in the Pagu district. Here he built a village, call in g it Podoplaw, which now contains several hun- dred houses. This new village was his home, and for it he wanted to build a chapel. He was penniless and his following was not large, and to build a facsimile of tpe Ko Sha llyn Memorial Hall, which he had seen at Bassein and KO SAN YE'S STEAM·LAUNCH desired to reprodnce, required an outlay of nearly twenty-five thousand dollars. The village was far from the rail- way, and everything but the roughest lumber must be carted long dis- tances over very bad roads. Ko San Ye had an abounding faith, and to it he added earnest works. Going among the people preaching and asking for funds to build the chapel, he insisted that it could be done if God, to whom the money belonged, would put it into the hearts of the people to give. As fast as funds came in they were used, because, as he very wisely said, if the people do not see the work start as soon as they commence to give, they will fear" I am eating the money."
He lived at Padoplaw some time after the chapel was completed, and g~eat crowds made pilgrimages to hear him teach. In order to have a place where these pilgrims could be sheltered and fed, a long build- ing was erected next to the chapel, and a similar one was built at the nearest railway station. About four years later Ko San Ye com- menced going abont the country teaching the people. To enable him to reach larger numbers, and in order that the masses who came should be more comfortable, additional rest-houses were constructed.
At first these were temporary structures, sheds of bamboo, replaced by permanent buildings as more money came in, till now there are five of these houses almost completed, at a cost of $83,333. All but two of these are located in the country where most of the Karens live, and are easily reached by them. There are stated periods when Ko San Ye visits these places, and, of course, the crowds are much greater
A MODERN APOSTLE IN BURMA
then; but they are always open, and the people who come are furnished lodging and food by the special helpers left in charge.
Ko San Ye is a man of no book education; he can not even read. But having a fine memory, he has become well acquainted with the Bible. Naturally many of his followers believe he has supernatural powers, and some even insist that he is a God. Notwithstanding this hero-worship, amounting almost to idolatry, Ko San Ye remains quite unspoiled; he is very humble, always willing to listen to the council Photo by S. R. Vinton KO ~AN YEIS BUILDING AT OKKAN, BURMA This is one of the many he is erecting with funds contributed by the Karcns. It was begun in 190'2, and will cost 80,(0) rupees (ahout $27,iXX). It consists of a large, square, central rOOlll, with a large wing opening out from either side. The upper and lower stories are just the same in plan. The central room up·stairs is used for worship. The upper wing rooms are variously assigned to missionaries, native pastors, and government officials. Down-stairs the entire place is available for sleeping, and when large meetings are held the entire lower place is crowded with people sleeping on rude bamhoo mats. A church has been organ'ized at this place, which has invited the Baptist association to meet with it this year.
of his pastor and the missionaries. Tho neither he nor his immediate helpers are connected with the mission except as members of Karen churches, he gives his most cordial support to them in every way; his buildings are rallying-points for great crowds who are addressed by the missionaries, and he never encroaches in the least on their prerogatives. One missionary, in writing of him, says: "His object, as expressed to me, is to lead the heathen gradually to Ohrist. He seems to think the heathen Karens will be puzzled and frightened by being asked to accept the Gospel immediately. The Karens have largely departed from the monotheism of their ancestors, and Ko San Ye seeks, by use of the ancient Karen legends, to bring back his people to a purified form of that monotheism. He thinks, and experience proves that he rightly thinks, that this will be a comparativel:
easy step for them. He also thinks that when they have come to wor· ship God, and have forsaken Buddhism and the old Karen demon worship, they will be in a favorable position to receive the Gospel."
Feeling himself not prepared to preach the Gospel as he shonld, Ko San Ye uses all his powerful influence to bring the Karen's under the preaching of the missionaries and Karen pastors; and in all, over two thousand, who first heard of Jesus through his inflnence, have been converted to Christianity.
He has a remarkable gift for raising money, and large sums have been given him by the people, often without solicitation, to do with as he will, no account of its expenditure ever been required; yet there has never arisen a doubt of his absolute honesty. The money, he says, belClngs to the people under God, and 'he gives it back to them in buildings and schools for their use. A foolish story was circulated that Ko San Ye had a "magic bag," from which he could draw any wished-for amount of money. When asked, before a crowd, to show this wonderful bag, he turned toward the people smiling, and, stretching out his hands, said: "These are the only bag I know." For an uneducated man, Ko San Ye is very up to date in his methods. He ordered from America an automobile to use in his work, and also a steam-launch. The first did not prove available, but the launch is constantly in use; and when asked to lend it, he replies: "I have none; it is the Lord's, and you are welcome to use it in His work." His faith never fails; he prays constantly, and to him God is ever present.
Many of those who have come to Ko San Ye believe him to be the long-looked-for Karen Messiah, and, like the Jews of old, they expect him to become a temporal king. He has found it necessary to speak very plainly to them, and to avoid parables, which come so easily from his lips. Some have fallen away from him because of this, but the earnest seekers after truth remain. 'rhe missionaries have had a seri~ ous problem to solve ill deciding whether many of the converts asking for baptism do so because they wish to follow Ko San Ye, or whether they truly believe in Christ. They try to be most careful, and usually some months, often a year, elapses before the baptism of converts takes place, in order to learn if the candidate, by abandoning all heathen practises, is showing a clear understanding of Christianity and a true faith in Christ. In some instances almost entire villages have embra )ed Christianity; but they need to be trained and led OIl, step by step, to a higher appreciation of their faith.
One missionary writes that there are unheard-of opportunities for preaching the Gospel to heathen in utter darkness. Let llS ask God to help the workers in this field to see and do the right thing in the training of this great number of heathen now turning to Christ, and to raise up more workers in the fields already white to hal'Yest.
1905J THE NATIVE CHRISTIAN IN INDIA
THE NATIVE CHRISTIAN IN INDIA BY REV. JOHN H. WYCKOFF, D.D., ARCOT MISSION, INDIA Missionary of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, 1875- What is the strength of the native Ohristian community in India? In dealing with such a question the missionary in India has an advantage over those found in most heathen lands, in that he is able to trace the growth of the Ohristian population from carefully prepared tables compiled by the census commissioner of We English government. What do these census tables show? TheJIreveal the fact that Ohristianity, in the direct conversion of the people, is spreading at a rate hitherto unsu pposed by the ordinary observer. Just before the census was taken, a Brahman, writing to Swami Vivekanada's paper, remarked: "If we take into account the success tw.at must have been achieved by all the missions during the decade, we may well be staggered. On the whole, it will not be surprising if, in the coming census, certain painful disclosures are made regarding the progress of Ohristianity in India and the continuous drain from the ranks of Hinduism. If the Hindus be in the future what they have been in the past th.eir degradation is a foregone conclusion." Our friend proved himself a good prophet, for the census shows that 630,000 people were added to the Ohristian community, over and above all losses from death or otherwise, during the last decade, an increase of 31 per cent., while the general population increased only 2t per cent. The census further shows that there are very nearly three millions of Ohristians in India, and that a million of these are Protestant Ohristians. The Protestants have increased tenfold in the last fifty years. Of this number over 400,000 are communicants. The communicants actually number as many as the whole Ohristian community did thirty years ago.
It is clear, then, that the native Ohristian is an element to be reckoned with in India. It can not longer be ignored. This community, in point of numbers, is ad vancing much faster, proportionately, than any other section of the population. But is the community making progress in other respects? Does it give promise of becoming a power in the land, of constituting a constructive force in the moral and social and intellectual elevation of India? By this standard alone it must be judged, and not by merely numerical increase.
I wish to present a few considerations which seem to me to make it certain that the native Ohristians are the coming people of India, that in them lies the hope of India's moral and national advancement.
1. In the first place, there is the physical development of the native Ohristian. Kipling has well styled the Hindus a "baby race." "I have seen," he says, "the. mothers of these men, and I say, 'God
pity them.''' Probably the greatest curse that Hinduism has brought upon India, that which more than anything else has retarded her growth as a nation, is the practise of early marriage. There is no need t.o dwell on this awful custom, but the fact is patent that the Hin,dus can never take their place among great peoples so long as so vicious a marriage system prevails. A well-known English lady physician, addressing a company of educated Hindus on this subject, said: "For centuries you have been children of children, and there is no surer way of becoming servants of servants. It is a retrogression from the early civilization of your race. . . . It is a stigma on your religion, a blot on your humanity, which, were it known, would disgrace you in the eyes of the whole civilized world. Stamp it out at whatever cost from vulgar prejudice, and blot out this stain upon your character as men of honor and manly virtue." I for some time belonged to a club in India made up chiefly of English educated Hindus. Most of them were Brahmans with superior minds, and yet close intercourse with them showed them sadly lacking in both physical and moral stamina. All their English education had not resulted in ridding them of the childish qualities which so mark the average Hindu, and which make a close acquaintance with him fail to win the respect of a European.
Not simply to early marriage is their physical degeneracy due, but along with this is the pernicious habit of the intermarriage of near relatives. 'fhis is but another evil of the caste system that hangs like a dead weight on the Hindu. A native professor in Madras, some time ago, in a pu blic address, said: "I am sure I am not guilty of exaggeration when I assert that the members of my caste r.esiding in Madras are divided into as many as fifty sections, no one of which can intermarry with any other. It is needless to expatiate on the evil, in a physiological and social point of view, of marriage being contracted between parties so closely related and of the choice of a husband or wife being confined within snch a narrow limit." Lament it as much as he may, the Hindu can not obtain release from this custom. All the attempts of the reformers have been practically fruitless. The only people who escape it are the native Christians, and in this growing COnllnll nity lies the hope of India's physical and political salvation. One of the first evils of heathenism that the Church condemns is the custom of early marriage, and it is the exception for Christian young men and women to enter the marriage state before they have reached a suitable age. The ad vantages of this are obvious, and the result is seen in the strong and sturdy physique of the native Christians. The intermingling and intermarriage of different castes, the union of Aryans and non-Aryans in the family relation, that is taking place among the native Christian population, are producing upon the soil of India a mixed race far superior in point of physical hardihood and courage to anything that India has yet seen. It is a notorious fact
THE NATIVE CHRISTIAN IN INDIA
that ill our collage at Vellore, where the Hindus are nearly ten times as numerous as the Christians, the Christian boys take the most of the prizes for athletics, and it was a common subject of remark at Tin- divanam that during the ten years of our residence there not a single Christian woman had died in childbirth, while such deaths were of frequent occurrence among the Hindus. I have touched npon this subject because it is one that is generally overlooked in treating of the native Church. We are familiar with the facts respecting the Chris- tians of the South Sea Islands, as well as of the Indians of our own land–how they appear to degenerate when they come in contact with Western civilization. But such is not the case with the Hindus. On the contrary, natives there who abandon the evil practises of heathen- ism and embrace Christianity enter upon a new era of social im- provement. It is true that there have been some sad cases of physical deterioration among nati ve Christians, notably among families of high caste, who, on accepting Christianity, have become denationalized, and have adopted too suddenly European habits of living. But this has been plainly due to the violation of physiological laws, and is the exception and not the general rule. As a body, our Christians are making a normal, healthy progress along social lines, and are gradually absorbing the best elements of Christian civilization.
2. Then consider the intellectual progress of the Christian community. This presents a remarkable showing when compared with the conditioJ.l of education among the Hindus and Mohammedans. For example (and we take our figures of the government census): Of every 1,000 males in the Madras Presidency, 26 are Christians; but of every .1,000 males who can read and write, 45 are Christians. Among Christians, 1 to 15 know English; among Hindus, 1 to 132; among Mohammedans, 1 to 15.. In other words, of every 100 men who can read and write English in the presidency, 20 are Christians. But the remarkable preeminence of Christians over other classes is especially seen in returns on female education. 'raking an average of 10,000 women in each community, the number who can read and write is: For the Hindus, 70; for Mohammedans, 80; but for Christians, 913. For every female who can read and write among Mohammedans and Hindus there are 16 males, but among Christians 2 males. The preeminence of female illiteracy of the Christian community is still further established when we turn to the figures relating to the knowledge of EngliHh. The bare returns speak volumes. Altogether in the presidency there are 20,3r4 females who read and write English. Of these the J ains furnish only 1; the Moslems, only 77; the Hindus, 117; but the Christians, 18,442. Making allowance for Europeans and Eurasians in the above, we can only infer that in the native Christian community a value is attached to female education almost wanting elsewhere. The Jfadras Jfail, the most influential English daily in
Southern India, in commenting on the above figures, says: "We doubt whether the census will have anything more noteworthy to reveal than this-viz., the growth in the midst of communities which with- hold education from their females, of a community which values it for' them almost as much as for their sons. This is not the place to examine the probable results of this unique attitude of female educa- tion, but they can not fail to make themselves felt in the future of India." It may be interesting for some of our readers to know that the Madras University reports no fewer than 418 Indian Christian graduates in the presidency. Last year alone, 27 took the Bachelor of Arts degree; 5, the Bachelor of Medicine; 9, Licentiate in Teaching; while the only 2 Indian ladies who have taken the Master of Arts degree are Christians. These are only facts from the southern presidency. That these educated native Christians are using their influence for the enlightenment of their fellow-countrymen will be evident when I tell of such journals as the 01tr£stian Patriot and the Indian Ladies' Magazine, both conducted by Christians, in English, and when I further state that more than 100 Christ.ian graduates, 250 First in Arts, aud 650 Matriculates-or, in all, 1,000 graduates and undergraduatesare engaged as workers in connection with the various missionary societies in the Madras Presidency only.
'fhe native Christians, then, in the matter of education are only surpassed by one class, the Brahmans, who, as the hereditary literary class, will naturally retain the lead for some time yet. But if we take the subject of female education only we find the Chr!stians not only far ahead of the Brahmans, but of every other class; and if it be true, as often stated, that no nation has risen higher than the position it has accorded to its women, then the native .Christian community has a bright future before it. It is worth noting that out of 23 native female graduates in Bengal 13 are Protestant Christians, and the only Indian lady who edits an English weekly newspaper in Calcutta is the daughter of an illustrious native Christian. The Victoria School, at Lahore, has for several years been under the direction of native Christian ladies, and has risen in nine years from 250 to 750 pupils. This school is a Hindu institution, but its managers employ Christian teachers, and this is only one of many like institutions where Christian teachers have exclUSIve charge of the instruction in Hindu schools. Remarking on the rapid advance of education among native Christian women, a Hindu journal of Calcutta said: "Lo, what marvelous progress these Ohristians have made! Verily, their Lord is with them." It speaks for the growing influence of the community that there is now an Indian Christian association organized in London and Edinburgh, with branches in British Guina and the Island of Trinidad. The Madras association has now six hundred members, besides branches in several district towns, which
have done much to unify the native Ohristians and develop among them a true esprU de corps.
3. But let us now inquire as to the qualit1j of these Indian Ohris- tians with respect to their Ohristian life. Are they a distinct advance on the heathen in point of moral and spiritual character? I am pre- pared to show that, judged by this standard also, they will stand the test.
That they have their weaknesses is to be expected, having emerged so recently from heathenism; but that many of them haye a simple faith in Ohrist and are earnestly striving, in the midst of their un- toward environment, to lead true Ohristian lives is a fact that can not be gainsaid. Among those who were born Ohristians, and who from childhood have been trained in the Scriptures, we have many examples of men and women who exhibit a character that would put to shame many Ohristians in our own land. Very pleasant is it to note the childlike faith and holy joy that characterize some of the Indian Ohristians. Were I asked to point to some of the holiest and happiest believers I have ever met, it would be to some 'of our native pastors and evangelists in the Arcot Mission, with whom I have had delight- ful Ohristian intercourse, conversing with them in their own language of the things of God, and praying together in the beautiful and copious Tamil, the language in which the Gospel was first preached to the Hindu, and which is spoken by the largest number of native Ohris- . tians. Listen to the following quaint description of the death of his pastor by an old disciple: "Mr. – – was called away, but the Lord sent us another shepherd in Mr. – – . He was young, but we loved him. One day, as we poor sheep were feeding around him in the wilderness, he stopped. This was not his custom. We looked at him, and he at us. He shook us by the hand, stooped, tied his sandals on his feet, took his staff in hand, and went across the Jordan into Oanaan, and left us poor sheep in the wilderness. We could not blame him, for his Lord stood ou the other side and beckoned him. . He called him away, but He has sent us another; He has sent you. If you are called away, He will again send others. If all earthly shepherds fail, the heavenly will never fail; He will never forsake His sheep." .
Bu t not only Ohristians among the lower orders; not a few from the higher castes are honoring Ohrist by consecrated Ohristian lives. Two of the sweetest Ohristian characters that I have ever seen are Brahman converts. Humbled by the power of the Gospel, their lives are fragrant with deeds of love. One is a member of the Supreme Legislative Oouncil of India, an eloquent speaker in English, who devotes his spare hours to preaching the Gospel to his Hindu friends. The other is a distinguished native pastor who has been honored by his mission with responsible positions. Henry Martyn said that if he could see one Brahman trnly converted to Ohrist, it would be some-
thing more nearly approaching the resurrection of a dead body than anything he had yet seen. Not only are there hundreds of Brahman converts, but among them have been scores of the most devoted Christian men that can anywhere be found. '1'he same deep piety is found among Brahman women. How we have all been helped and comforted by that well-known hymn of Miss Goreh, "In the secret of His presence," etc.! * Who has not heard of the wonderful story of Pandita Ramabai? She has dedicated herself to the work of redeem- ing her unfortunate Hindu sisters from their sad lot. Some of the hymns of the native Ohristians will help to show the spirit that ani- mates them. 'rhe one quoted above was written in English, and is the product of one who has been influenced by Western culture. The following are translations from two lyrics composed by Ohristians- one in 'ramil, the other in Telugn-chosen from many of the same kind: " Is any fruit or flower we meet, The honeycomb or sugar sweet, So sweet as thy beloved name, Oh, Jesus, thou of matchless fame?"
Also this one in Telugu : " Thy refuge would I seek, blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus. Th y mercy-loving feet would I clasp, blessed Jesus. My one hope art Thou. "Vilt Thou not hear me? For on Thee, Thee alone, do I call."
Do these Ohristians stand firm under persecution? They were put to the test during the mutiny of 1857, and nobly did they endure the trial. The history of the Indian Ohurch during the mutiny readR like a chapter from early Ohurch history. They were blown from guns; they were cut down by the sword; they died by starvation in their wanderings; yet when the missionaries carne to collect and com pare notes, they found that only two had consented 'to become Mohammedans. All the rest proved faithful. 1'he native Ohristians were the only Indians who, as a body, were loyal to the English. After the mutiny Sir John Lawrence, the Governor of the Punjab, in a minute to his government, said: "The native Ohristians, as a body, have, with rare exceptions, been overlooked in making government appointments. I know not Olle in the Punjab, to our disgrace be it said, in any employment under the government. A proposition to employ them six months ago would not have been complied with, but a change has come, and I believe there are few who will not eagerly employ those Ohristians who stood by us so loyally competent to fill appointments. I consider that I should be wanting in my duty in this crisis if I did not endeavor to secure a portion of the numerous appointments in the judicial departments for the native Ohristians."
* Miss Goreh's father waR born a Brahman. 31h;;s Goreh was born a Christian.-EDITORS.
CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG JAPANESE SOLDIERS
These native Christians deny themselves for their faith. In other words, their benevolence and offerings, considering the smallness of the income, far exceeds that of the average Christian in this land. I wish some of our friends might be present at one of our Harvest Festivals in India, and see how poor old women, and little children even, will bring their mite, perhaps in the shape of an egg or a small bundle of wood, not one of them coming empty handed when the offerings to the Lord are gathered. rn addition to supporting their pastors, our people are now carrying on a Gospel Extension, or Home Missionary Society, a whole county being assigned to them to evangelize, and in which they are snstaining several evangelists and colporteurs, the women also having their separate society. This, of course, is but a small portion of the great field to be covered, and for the rest we must, for some time, have the kind help of the Home Church.
CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG JAPANESE SOLDIERS BY REV. H. LOOMIS, YOKOHAMA, JAPA~ Agent of the American Bible Society Of all the work yet done in Japan, nothing has surpassed in interest and satisfaction that which is now being done for the sick and wounded soldiers. As one thinks of the horrors of the battle-field and the thousands of wounded and slain, and what is perhaps equally, if not more, to be lamented, the later suffering and sorrow, it is hard to think how all this can work for good. The one bright feature of it all is the opportunity thus afforded to spread the Gospel.
The great number who have been slain has brought death near to so many of these brave men, that there has come to their hearts, as never before, a longing for something that will bring an assurance that after this life there is an endless future of blessedness within the attainment of all. The presence of Christians among all classes, and especially among the nnrses, has made an impression that is a preparation for the easy reception of Christ. This has rendered the work unique and delightful.
Some time ago a request was made at the headquarters in 'rokyo to hold meetings for the comfort of the soldiers where the Gospels and other Christian literature could be distributed. Bnt the officers replied that there were so many sick and wounded soldiers coming from the front that the attendants were all occupied in the care of the patients, and there was no opportunity for anything beyond the ordinary routine. Later, however, permission was granted, and now Count Katsura, the Prime Minister, has expressed his hearty appreciation of the work that has been done for the Japanese soldiers and sailors. Both the army ar.d navy departments have been ready to receive Scriptures from the American Bible Society and distribute them to the men.
We have donated more than fifty thousand Testaments and Gospels to the Japanese soldiers, and the most of them have gone to the sick and wounded in the hospitals. It is reported that there are already forty-five thousand, and more are coming all the time.
We visited the main hospital in Tokyo last September, where formerly I had found that only a few of the soldiers were favorable to Christianity. It was, therefore, important at first to overcome prejudice, so that we might convince them that we were their friends, and that Christianity was adapted to meet their greatest need.
'rhe introduction of music secured for us a hearty welcome. The joy manifested in their faces was sufficient evidence that we had touched a sympathetic chord. Scriptures and tracts were offered to all, and none were refused. Then we decided to learn whether the men really desired the books, as we had no wish to impose upon them or to waste our ammunition. The question was therefore asked in each ward as to how many wished a portion of the Bible and a tract. Almost every hand was raised, and quite an eager desire was evident on many faces. We discovered that those whose hands were not lifted had failed to do so only because of inability on account of wounds. We visited twelve wards and supplied four hundred men.
The next day we went to one of the larget' hospitals, where there were some three thousand sick and wounded. The head surgeon was very cordial and evidently pleased to see us. Directions were at once given to have all the officers assembled to meet us, and as they came in one by one it was a most impressive sight. At the sound of music their dark and stern faces lighted up with satisfaction and joy. Soon a little nurse came tottering in, bringing on her back an officer much larger than she, but unable to walk. He had caught the sounds of the music, and was anxious to see and hear. After sonie songs and instrumental music, a colonel, who was suffering from a severe wound, stepped forward and said: "In behalf of my comrades, I wish to thank you for your visit and the great pleasure yon have given us. We appreciate very much the kindness and sympathy of the American people, and we wish to make this known. Such kindness is beyond our power to repay. My great desire is to recover as soon as possible, that I may return to the front and do all that is in my power to bring this war to a successful issue."
We went from ward to ward among the men, and as the strains of music reached their ears those who were able to move rushed forward with eager faces and listened with intense interest to all that was said. After the music, the purpose of our visit was explained, and Scriptures were promised to all who desired them. This was evidently a welcome announcement, and was followed, in some cases, by the Japanese cheer or a clapping of the hands.
CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG JAPANESE SOLDIERR
The chief of the medical department in Tokyo has since sent me word that such visits are much enjoyed by the men and are approved by the officials. As soon as the patients now comiug from the front can be provided for, a request is to be sent that this work be regularly continued. 'fhe head of one of the hospitals has requested that the service be of a distinctly Christian character.
Scriptures have also been supplied to other missionaries of various societies for a similar purpose, and with most gratifying results. One of the missionaries, in making an application', adds that soldiers are begging for them. Another writes that the soldiers are very ready, and in many cases eager, to be instructed.
Mr. McGinnis writes from Karuizowa that officers in charge gave every opportunity for reaching the men, and the men themselves seemed most anxious to hear about Christianity. The meetings were well attended, and on Sunday evening hundreds were unable to gain admission to the Union Hall. Already some have definitely decided to serve Christ, and many others are on the verge of decision. During the wet weather, when the men are unable to get out, the workers visit them in their houses, and usually receive a glad welcome from attentive listeners. The men seem eager to have the tracts and Scriptures, and by the questions they ask show that they have read them carefully.
An account of work by Mr. Cummings, at Nagoya, states that permission was given to distribute the Scriptures and conduct preaching services among all the troops in the 'garrison. Since then the hospitals have been visited, and this work can be continued regularly. Similar work has been carried on by Mr. Norman, at Oiwaka; Miss Bosanquet, at Hiroshima; Miss Zurfluh, at Sendi; Miss West, in Tokyo, and Mr. Fulton, with others, in Kanazawa. In every place there is found the same readiness to receive and hear the Gospel message.
Besides the work among the sick and wounded, there is a great opportunity to spread the Gospel at the frout. One of the Christian ladies in Tokyo is having thirty thousand "comfort-bags" made for the soldiers in the field, and into each one she puts one of the Gospels and a tract. In this way the truth of the Gospel will reach the men under the most favorable circumstances. Scriptures have also been supplied to the Russian prisoners of war. A friend writes in regard to this distribution, that they were gladly received by the Japanese officers and the captives.
Another Incident of the War Just after the opening of the war large bodies of troops, on their way to the front,' passed through Okayama, where all the trains stopped for a brief rest and refreshment. With that patriotic zeal which is so universal in Japan, the Christian ladies of the city organ-
ized themselves into a committee to meet the soldiers at the trains, and do whatever was possible to cheer and comfort them.
Among the members of the committee was Mrs. J. H. Pettee, of the American Board, who is a woman of great earnestness and sympathy. As she was talking, one day, to a group of men standing by the fire, she said: "Weare Christians, and we shall pray for you."
Soon after the men took their seats in the cars, and as she stood by to wave a farewell, one of them beckoned eagerly to her from the window. She went to learn what it was he wanted, and as she came near the soldier, he said: "Won't yon give me that American flag which you are wearing? I shall prize it more than I can tell!" She demurred a little, but he was so persistent that she pinned it on his breast as the train moved away.
A few days later Mrs. Pettee received a letter twelve feet in length, written by the same man, in an unusually scholarly style. This letter read: I am from Sendai, and all my life I have been a bitter opponent of the Christian religion. I have regarded it as only evil, and as a lover of my country felt it my duty to do all that was in my power to hinder its progress. I had the same feeling when I came to Okayama; but when I heard you speak so kindly to us soldiers, and say that you and other Christians were going to pray for us, it quite broke my heart, and I went into the corner of the waiting-room and wept. My heart is entirely changed. I no longer seek for death; and if I am spared to return, I shall come to you as soon as possible and ask you to teach me Christianity. My great desire now is to spread this religion; and as soon as I am able to do so, I shall do all in my power to persuade my parents and family to become followers of Christ.
Such an opportunity to spread the truth is a cause for gratitude to God, who is thus making even" the wrath of man to praise Him." From present appearances there is only one limitation, and that is the supply of funds to continue the work. The Lord has opened the door, and we rejoice that we have the privilege to contribute in any degree to the temporal and spiritual welfare of these men, whose bravery and endurance have won the admiration of the world.
A Letter from Mrs. F. S. Curtis, Kyoto. Japan There is wonderful work going on for the soldiers in the principal centers. As they pass through two or three of the large railway stations they get out to wash and eat. At Osaka they have about two hours to wait, so the missionaries take 'restaments, tracts, and often "comfort-bage," and go to the station to meet them. The officials notify the missionaries of the time at which the trains are expected, so that they can be on hand.
Hymns are printed on separate leaflets, and some of the workers teach them to groups of soldiers, and after explaining the meaning,
CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG .JAPANESE SOLDIERS
they give them the leaflets to keep. Many Japanese help in this work. In hot weather fans, towels, etc., were distributed.
The soldiers usually listen earnestly to the Gospel messages, but few of them really expect to return to Japan. A similar work is done for wounded men coming throngh on hospital trains, and still more is being accomplished in the hospitals in Osaka, Tokyo, and elsewhere. 'rile officers, doctors, and officials favor the work and give permits. Miss Garvin, of the Presbyterian mission, was at it all last summer. She worked in the wards freely, and gave magic-lantern talks outside for convalescents. The old exhibition grounds are filled with one-story buildings, connected rows of double wards, holding hundreds of mentwenty in each ward.
A few weeks ago we went into two wards carrying paper copies of John's Gospel. The men gathered around us, and we began to question them to learn if they had heard anything of Christianity. Only a few had heard, and they knew very little. We then told the leading facts of the G-?spel story, and gave them each a Gospel marked at John iii: 16. All listened eagerly, and seemed glad to possess the Gospels. They have nothing to occupy their minds during the days and weeks they are thus shut in, so we feel that this is a most wonderful time of seed-sowing, and all Christians should be especially earnest in prayer.
Work is being done also on the outskirts of the battIe-field. The Y. M. C. A. workers are there with big tents for meetings, and all the paraphernalia for helping and benefiting the soldiers. In some cases they are aided in their endeavors by the Japanese officers. Many in the army are Christians, some of them officers of high rank. It is doubtful if there is any Christian country where greater facilities are offered for Christian work in the army.
The association secretaries reached Ant-ung late in September and Yingkow the middle of November. From the first the work has been such a success that the aSHociation leaders have been embarrassed to meet the demand from the field for men and equipment. Each post is furnished with an outfit consisting of a tent capable of seating two hundred men; books, newspapers, and magazines; writing·paper, envelopes, postal cards, pens, and ink; graphaphones, games, and small musical instruments; Bibles, religious tracts, and hymn-books; bathtubs, soap, hair-clippers, tea outfit, bnttons for uniforms, needles, thread, and a thousand and one little things that add to the comfort of the soldiers. The practical nature of the work from the first so impressed the military commanders that at both Antllng and Yingkow they placed at the disposal of the association first-class buildings in the best of locations.
Work at the Front—From Letters by C. V. Hibbard. Antung We are working full capacity for Ollr present plant right along, seven days in the week. About two hundred men are all that we can convenientfy 11andle, and we hare upward of one hundred and fifty pretty nearly every day. '['here is scarcely a time between ten and fonr when there are not more writing letters than can get around the big table with four 8uzIlri boxes. I have seen a half dozen men on their knees in a row, writing on a bench because the tables were full.
Good tracts are inconstant demand. '1'he men do not .care mnch for the tame variety. They like the Gospels, or more dignifierl tracts and booklets, and, as a rule, the association pUblications. Magazines, even old ones, are very much prized.
Last night (October 26,1904) I was permitted to speak to about one hundred men. Many of them have Rever before listened to a presentation of the Gospel. All of them were prejudiced iu our favor because of what we had been able to do in their behalf. I have never seen men who listened more eagerly. It is not for appearance' sake. They are undoubtedly sincere. The conditions of our work make us intensely in earnest. '['here is no playing at things. We realize that time is the stuff that life is made of, and it is very evident to us whenever we talk to the men, especially in the hospitals, that" now is the accepted time."
Within a few days we have placed fifteen hundred Scriptures in the hands of men who really wanted them, and we could have easily used as many more. I wish all the friends at home conld see just what this work means, and realize our tremendous and practically unlimited opportunities. We are out here where our work is the only thing in behalf of the men, and it counts mightily with them. During the week preceding October 23 (1904) there were fifteen hundred visits to the rooms, and in one day ten buckets of tea were served, and two hundred and fifty letters and half as many postal cards were written.
We were invited to take part in the celebration of the emperor's birthday. When the pho~ograph began its grind the crowd started from everywhere. A Japanese gendarme ran a rope around our big tent and by a vigilant patrol we managed to keep the entrance open. Free sake (Japanese wine) in small portions had been distributed to the soldiers, and the proverbial sake thirst sent them straight across the parade ground for a cup of celebration tea at the Y. M. U. A. tent. Nine-tenths of the commissioned officers visited our tent, and it was impossible to estimate the number of soldiers. It was something to be the representative of the only religion that has followed the men here.
This is a crisis, not only for the Association Movement, but probably for the history of Ohristianity, in the East. The association workers in both Japan and I)hilla believe that united efforts to this
CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG JAPANESH SOLDIERS
extent will have a direct influence upon the work in China as well as by demonstrating the solidarity of the Association Movement, and by opening doors for future work.
Work that is Worth While The following story was told by Sergeant Matsubara, a Christian, who was wounded in the battle of Nanshan and is now in an army hospital: Some time ago a soldier by the name of Ishikawa was placed under my command. He was a most unruly young man, given to all kinds of dissipation, and would oppose my command intentionally very often.
just because of my being a Christian. Both he and I were ordered to go with the army to the Liaotung Peninsula. On the way we stayed some time in Hiroshima. During that time Rev. Mr. Murata, of the Epis- copal Church in that city, used to call on me at our lodging-house and preach to us from the Word of God, in spite of opposition and derision.
We tried to induce all the soldiers in the same lodging-house to hear the Gospel, and so held a tea-party where the venerable pastor'would preach.
But only one or two would stay to listen-the rest going out under vari- ous pretexts. In one of these meetings Ishikawa heard the Lord's teachings for the first time. Then a great change took place in his mind, and since that time he has been one of the most ardent listener's to God's ""Vord. I thanked God for what He had done for this sinner, and prayed more than ever for the salvation of his associates. As an evidence of the great change in the man, he threw away the pictures of bad girls which he had before carried and took a Bible instead.
On the eve of the memorable battle of Nanshan I opened the Book of Psalms and read to him: "Tho an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: tho war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquit'e in his temple." After reading I prayed. He prayed also, and his prayer was, to my surprise, mostly for the comrades whom he had most hated. He had learned to love his enemy!
The morning of the 26th of May began to dawn. The hour for action drew near: our officers and soldiers, all in high spirits, were waiting an order for attack, each one anxious to meet the enemy. The time came at last, and the battle began with all its fury. The fire of our cannon, more than one hundred in number, was responded to by stilllal'ger ones of the enemy. The earth seemed to shake with the noise. The enemy's guns were at last silenced, and our infantry made a dash to the fort. But they began to shell us with their machine guns so fiercely that great numbers of our officers and men fell. A bullet hit Ishikawa. I went to his help and recited almost unconsciously these words: "Tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." He responded instantly: "For which cause we faint not: but tho our outward man per- ish, yet the inwarq man is renewed day by day. For our lightaffiiction, . which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
Just as he finished these words, another bullet hit him and he seemed to be aware that his end had come. He grasped my hand and cried: "Chl'ist has accepted me !" and died. His end was all peace. Such a confession of faith would not be found in many of (lUI' lives, and I could not but wonder at such a marvelous work of God.
CHRISTIANITY AND CANNIBALISM IN MELANESIA * BY BISHOP CECIL WILSON At the southernmost end of the Diocese of Melanesia are three New Hebrides islands, Raga, Opa, and Maewo (Pentecost Island, Leper's Island, and Arorai), where the mission is in fairly strong possession.
There are more than one hun'dred village schools, and about five thou- sand persons-considerably more than half the population-attending them. The islands are quiet, and it is long since an outrage on white men has taken place. Oannibalism has died out, or become rare, in the last five years, and the mission's influence secures peace even for those who are still heathen.
'fhe next group of islands, the Banks', may be characterized as Christian, for almost all the people in these eight islands are mem bel's of the Ohurch. There are, however, a good many heathen left in Santa Maria. Among these, teachers from Motalava and Merelava are set- ting up schools, often in inaccessible bush villages, and with wonderful perseverance and enthusiasm are making war upon the" superstitions of the people, and are teaching the fear of God and the Gospel of Ohrist. There is still some fighting in the bush villages, and deaths are frequently brought about by witchcraft. In the other islands of this group fighting has long ago been given up; the people are Ohris- tians, and have built for themselves pretty little stone churches. Every year many people seek confirmation, and it is no uncommol.). sight to see over one hundred persons together at holy communion. We may fairly say that Ohristianity is in possession in the Banks' Islands, 'nearly foul'
thousand out of six thousand persons haYing been baptized, and almost all the people being in attendance at the schools.
Next come the Torres Islands, a small group of five, of which one is uninhabited, one heathen, two are Christian, and one rapidly becom- ing so. There has been no white missionary here for five years, but the little church has held bravely on under its native teachers. Hap- pily we are now able to spare a missionary and a lay assistant to this group. They will find the mission fairly well in possession, 8ix hun- dred out of the one thousand people attending the schools.
These three groups make up the southern archdeaconry of Mela- nesia, and out of fifteen thousand people abou t nine thousand are actu- ally attending the mission schools; the heathen are influenced by the Christians, and cannibalism and intertribal wars have practically ceased.
We began work last year at two islands lying between the Torres * The progress of evangelization in those Melanesian islands which lie to the northwest of the New Hebrides is but little known in the United States. The work is carried on by the Church of England, and is under the direction of a bishop, who devotes much time to visiting the islands in the missionary steamer, The Southern Cross. A large share of the financial snpport of the mission comes from New Zealand and Australia, and the monthly peri01lical of the Melanesian ~lission, The Southern Cms" Log, is published at Auckland, New Zealand. This survey of the work of the mission has been furnished us by the "Bureau of Missions," and is condensed from Bishop Wilson's report in The Southern Cross Log. .
CHRISTIANITY AND CANNIBALISM IN MELANESIA
group and Santa Oruz, but a good deal to the eastward. '1'he first is Tikopia, a little island inhabited by Polynesians of great size and very friendly. Two Motalava men, with their wives, made a beginning last year, and forty people, mostly young, attended the school. The second is Vanikoro, a large island entirely reef-encircled, with only three hundred or four hundred people. Here we have prepared the way. for a native teacher to begin work. Between Vanikoro and Santa Oruz lies Utupua, which we have yet to attack.
Among Cannibals and Head-hunters Santa Cruz is a large island, and has ten satelite reef islands lying near it, on one of which Bishop Patteson was mu rdered in 1871. Fifty miles beyond the Reef Islands lies the Duff group. Here we have one teacher, and in the Reef Islands there are three schools. At Santa Cruz itself there are but two schools, and we have sadly little to boast of in this group. There are but two hundred school people, and only one hundred and twenty-five of these have been baptized. In Santa Cruz we come to our very weakest spot. Here is a group with perhaps nine thousand people, and only two hundred are under direct Christian influence. Fighting goes on, except in our villages, and children are given up to be murdered after each tribal war in order to equalize the numbers slain on either side. In every village is a ghost house containing a few upright, pointed posts, brilliantly colored with blue and other pigments, representing ancestors. A white man in Santa Cruz has occasionally to throw himself between two hostile forces firing poisoned arrows at each other. More schools would be gladly accepted if we could supply teachers, but Santa Oruzians, tho physically powerful, are constitutionally weak, and do not stand well the climate of Norfolk Island, where the training-schools are, and they seldom become teachers. Natives from other islands rather shrink from settling among these noisy, passionate fighters, whose customs are so different from theirs, and whose language is almost impossible for a stranger to acquire. Yet our prospects are brightening, and we feel that we now have a better chance of succeeding than hitherto.
It is a two-hundred-mile voyage westwArd from Santa Oruz to the Solomon Islands, and here we have more to rejoice the heart than anywhere else. The islands are larger, averaging about one hundred miles each in length, and the chiefs are of greater importance, and more capable of resisting the new faith. It is these men who have always opposed Ohristianity; they think that the new religion will destroy their influence and impoverish them, and they know that it will rob them of all but one of their wives. Every sickness which visits the islands is attributed to the new religion, and the villages first evangelized are closely watched in expectancy that the people will die. The islanders are fiercer than those in the sou thern islands; cannibal-
ism and head-hunting are national customs in most of them. The languages spoken are innumerable.
The first island we corne to, traveling from Santa Cruz, is San Cristoval. Villages on the northern side lie far apart, for nearly all the natives live in the bush. Of those we pass, eight show, by their little schools or churches in course of erection, that they are Christian. The missionary has applications for teachers from fifteen villages besides. But these San Uristoval people do not make good teachers, and this is a mission field for other islanders more advanced in Christianity. On the south side of the island there are scarcely any villages at all to be seen. The people are all in the bush, or on the tops of the hills, to be out of danger's way, for this is, at presen t, one of the worst parts of the Solomon Islands. On a voyage down this coast last year we heard in every bay in which we anchored that the villagers in the neighborhood had either just raided somc other village and taken from ten to forty heads, or had been raided and lost as many. One school has been opened on this side of the island at Bia, and the people seem happy in having it. It is impossible to say how many people live in this island, for the bush hides them. There may be from ten thousand to twenty thousand. About three hundred and fifty are attending schools.
An attempt- is being made to open work on Santa Anna, a little island with a large population at the east end of San Cristoval, but the people are living the worst possible lives, and prefer to do so. Captain Svensen has a trading station there, and he very kindly gave us leave to build a schoolhouse on his land, which is outside the village; it is hoped that by beginning here we may some day be invited to build in the village itself. At Ugi, another small island off San Cristoval, the same difficulties were met with, but have now been overcome; out of the seven villages there, three now have schools, tho as yet there are only thirty-three people attending them.
Ulawa, thirty miles to the north of San Cristoval, is a great contrast to it in many ways. It is much smaller, having scarcely a dozen villages; the people live on the seashore, and about half of them are under Christian instruction. Fighting has ceased, and the Christians meet the heathen on friendly terms. One beautiful coral CHurch has been built, and another is building; there are eighty communicants, and there is much enthusiasm.
Mala, as the natives call it, or Malaita, as it is called by most white men, is twenty-seven miles from Ulawa. It is about one hundred I miles long, with a swarming population, computed at any figure between fifty thousand and one hundred thousand souls. They rank as the most daring men in the Solomon Islands, and in Queensland they make the best workers. There have been morc white men murdered on this coast than elsewhere. Among themselves life is very insecure;
CHRISTIANITY AND CANNIBALISlII IN lIIELANESIA
nearly every man carries a rifle, and is ready to use it. This is the only island which we know d ir.. ltTfllanesia to which it can be truly said tr.•: it is dangerous for a native who has been to Queensland to return. Of late years the mission has made good progress, aud the little native church of Mala numbers now about one thousand souls, with three hundred more under instruction. The people are being gathered in by the missionary at the south end near Saa, and the schools are being extended to villages along the coast on either side, while at the opposite end of the island, at Nore Fou, another missionary has made a station, and works his way in his boat down the coast as far as Fiu, almost effecting a junction with his brother missionary. An undenominational school on Mala, between Nore Fou and Fiu, holds its own under a man who has been a laborer in Australia. He has two hundred people attending his school. Any form of Christianity is bright sunshine compared with the darkness of heathen Mala, and we welcome the little schools which we find along the coast, formed by brave men who have become Christians in Fiji or in Queensland, and who now, instead of returning singly to their homes, to be swamped by heathenism, prefer to cling together on the land of one of them, and form a little Christian settlement there, looking to the mis-' sion to visit them, and give them, if possible, a good teacher. These are bright spots indeed on a dark coast, the only beacons that the Mala shores as yet know. Only one thousand three hundred attending school out of fifty thousand do not seem many, but those who know Mala are surprised that we have these.
Twenty miles westward of Mala lies Florida, which, ill traders' language, is spoken of as "missionary," for it has passed over to Christianity, only six hundred out of its five thousand people remaining heathen. It is ministered to by natives, and has one hundred teachers and seven hundred communicants. The Florida church has twenty native missionaries of its own now working in other islands, and raises from £80 to £100 a year for church expenses. It holds a congress annually, at which last year five hundred men were present. As in all the other islands, the people build their own churches without expense to the mission. Formerly one house served as school and church, but now pretty little bamboo churches, very carefully built, with cement floors and beautifully thatched roofs, are taking the place of the old school-churches. The people are musical, and the singing is excellent. The men who have been in Queensland teach their simple friends many queer things OIl their return, but they do not succeed in teaching them to disregard Sunday or to neglect church-going. In deference to the people's wishes, Captain S~ensen, the owner of the coaling station at Gavutu, has forbidden the coaling of ships, etc., at his station on Sundays. Here, then, in the center of the Solomons, is a Christian island.
In Guadalcanar, twenty miles from Florida, we find a different condition of things altogether. Dotted along the coast for sixty miles there are schools, but the coast·line is two hundred miles, so that much still remains heathen. Our school people number three hundred and forty, and tile population of the island is perhaps twenty thousand, mostly living far up in the bush. We had not even a foothold eight years ago. Three years ago we had but one small school, and a powerful chief had set a price on the heads of all the school people. When this opposition was broken, petty chiefs asked for the new teaching, and the Florida church provided teachers. Four new schools were formed last year, but they are, of course, very small. In some cases the scholars number only two or three, but the little schoolhouse marks a beginning. In one such village there was but one scholar, and yet the people readily gave up their ghost-stone idol, showing that they all had lost faith in it. In another village they made one last sacrifice to their idol, and then gave the sacred grove to the teacher for his garden. The chief and the teacher in one of these new school villages went together, a three days' march into the hills, to visit a tribe which had been their traditional enemy. They made terms of friendship with them, and the hill people asked for a teacher for themselves. Many Guadalcanar boys are now being trained at Norfolk Island, and we hope for the day when with these we shall be able to extend the Kingdom far into the bush as well as along the coast.
Savo is a small island off the north end of Guadalcanar, and its influence has been very great on its big neighbor. It has been energetic in warning the people of the deathly properties of the new teaching. The Ghosts' fep-lings, they say, will be hurt; every ORe who goes to school·will die; chiefs _will have to send away all their wives but one. We have had but little chance of success, the people being terribly afraid of us and unwilling to be taught. At last, however, these Savo people have asked us to give them teachers, two invitations reaching us from two different chiefs, and in our new ship last October we landed six men from Florida to su pply three different villages. These, by the grace of God, will convert this superstitious little island to faith in the true God in the course of a few years, and then Savo will be as helpful to Guadalcanar as it has hitherto been troublesome.
The farthest island on which we are working is Ysabel, of which Bugotu is the eastern end. It is fifty miles from Florida. Formerly the people were head-hunters, and head-hunted. Their houses were built high up in the trees until the days of rifles, when they foulld that being up a tree made them an easier prey to the enemy underneath. Accordingly they moved their houses to the hills, and until lately lived in hidden and inacc.essible places there. However, the headhunting raids from Rubiana have been checked by the government, and the sides of the hills and the coasts have become dotted with vil-
A MESSAGE FROM VOLUNTEERS IN CHINA
lages. There are fifteen hnndred people going to the different schools of Bugotu, and four hundred and eighty are communicants, Any attempt to estimate the population of an island can only be a guess, where almost everyone lives in the bush, as is" the case in every Solo- mon Island until peace follows in the mission's footsteps or government suppresses head-hunting raids. There may be twenty thousand people in Ysabel, or more or less. From Ysabel we look across to Choiseul, Russell, Rennell, Bellona, Lord Howe, and Sikiana, which no mission has yet occupied. And nearer still than some of these is the New Georgia group, made up of six islands, stretching westward, with a small population, among whom in the Rubiana Lagoon a Wesleyan mission from Australia has lately settled.
To sum up the position of the mission in the Solomon Islands, it has stations upon all the eastern islands, except a few small ones, which lie out of the way, but it has not reached the more western islands yet. It has attending its schools in eight islands nearly 8,000 natives, 6,465 of whom are Christians, 1,143 Communicants, 269 teachers, and 5 are ordained. The conclusion of the whole matter is that Melanesia is still a mission field, in which the Church is a small body of 13,000 souls, with nearly 5,000 morEl adherents, as yet unbaptized, in the midst of a heathen population of ] 30,000 who can only be won by increased effort. The mission staff (excluding natives) numbers 28 men (of whom 2 are are organizing secretaries and 2 are on sick leave) and 11 ladies (including wives), or 39 in all. There are, besides these, 8 native clergy and 549 teachers.
A MESSAGE FROM VOLUNTEERS IN CHINA * The missionaries of China, realizing that the present time affords an unprecedented opportunity for the spread of the Gospel among the Chinese, are appealing to their respective horne churches for great reinforcements in all departments of their work. We, the undersigned Student Volunteers in China, who are associated with other missionaries in these appeals, desire, in connection therewith, to send an additional message to our fellow students in the home lands. We hold, with Professor Warneck, that the missionary service demands men who are not only strong in faith, but who are also broad-minded, thoroughly trained, and of scholarly attainments, It is to the universities and colleges that we mainly look for such men, and herein is the reason for our message. We ask your attention, first, to the following considerations: 1. The remarkable um'ty of the Ohinese race.
* We have already summarized this message to the Students of all lands from 343 Student Volunteers working in China, but it is of sufficient historical value to quote in full.
It is one in government, literature, and religion, with a common history, a uniform civilization, and one language spoken by at least three-fourths of the people. A man's influence may thus be felt to the uttermost limits of the empire.
2. The immense possibilities of the Ohinese. Their innate capacity, as yet largely unrecognized, fits them for a place among the foremost nations of the earth. Ohinese literature and philosophy bear witness to the vigor of their intellectual life. In business capacity they are second to none. In Hongkong, Singapore, and Manila, and the treaty ports of Ohina, Ohinese merchants have held their own in the face of severe Western competition, and the wealth of these cities is largely in their hands. Their unquestioned genius for commerce is destined to make them a power in this commercial age. Physically, too, the Ohinese display an almost unparalleled vitality. By no means a dying race, but one whose day is still to come, they will, for good or evil, profoundly influence the history of the world. 3. The plasticity of the Ohinese people at the present moment. For practically the first time since the age of Oonfucius, Ohina has turned her face from the past. During two thousand years no place has been found for any learning outside of the Oonfucian classics. They alone have been taught in the schools, and have formed the basis for the examination of grad uates, while an intimate acquaintance with them has been the sole criterion of a scholar. 'ro-day the educational system is undergoing rapid changes. Western mathematics, science, and history have been included by the imperial government among the subjects for examination, thus creating among many students a real desire to study these subjects. The central government is attempting to establish schools based on Western models in every city of the empire, and colleges in all important centers. Missionary colleges are crowded. During the past year more than one thousand picked students have been sent to Japan to learn from a country Ohina has hitherto despised. Publications dealing with Western subjects are in eager demand, and have reached the very highest officials in the land. In 1900, when the emperor's rooms were entered by the foreign troops, a large collection of such books was discovered, including copies of the Ohristian Scriptures. Newspapers, at one time almost unknown, are now being rapidly multiplied, and are eagerly read throughout the empire. It is the circulation of such literature that has largely helped to create a widespread desire for reform, a desire which has shown itself so strongly that the most reactionary officials are unable to ignore it. The opening up of internal waterways to steam traffic and the construction of railways are also helping to break down the conservative spirit and to pave the way for still greater innovations. In every phase of the nation's life, and in every section of the country, the past
five years have brought unmiEstakable evidences of a changing attitude of mind.
Our Deliberate Convictions 1. The religious forces at 1vork in Ohina, apart from Ohristianity, have failed to save her.
During recent years students of the West have become familiar with the theoretical teaching of the three religions of China; but nothing, apart from personal observation, can show how utterly they have failed to save the nation from moral corruption and hopeless pessImIsm. 'rhe new educatiomil system promulgated by imperial edicts is as yet in most places merely the ideal. The lack of qualified and efficient teachers, and the insincerity of officials, have combined largely to neutralize the effect of these edicts. Above all, they fail to inculcate that personal and political righteousness which is inseparable from education in its truest sense. '1'he Reform Movement, again, which is obtaining such a strong hold on the younger generation of students, tho containing much t.hat is hopeful, is in danger of becoming, unless influenced by Christianity, purely materialistic. Lacking those moral and religious forces which have been at the root of every great reform, it will tend only to anarchy.
2. Ohristianity il5 proving its ability to meet everyone of China's needs.
We have seen the Gospel of Christ, in spite of all the disadvantages of its position as a "foreign religion," tonch cold hearts, purify corrupt lives, elevate supposedly immutable standards, and deliver the minds of both men and women from a bondage the like of which Europe has probably never known. The Kingdom of God is being established in China, and there are evidences on every hand that a new and living force is at work i~ the minds of the people. The Christian Church has thus far provided the only adequate educational institutions in China; not only is the education it gives efficient in training the intel1ect, but it also brings to bear those influences which lay hold of the whole man and set before him the highest ideals. Students passing from these schools must surely exercise a formative influence on the China of the future. Thus it is that Christianity is imparting to the Chinese that new hope, new power, and new purpose which must issue in the new civilization for which China waits.
3. The present favorable conditions for (fhristian leadership in Ohina may not last.
Leaders China will find, but to-day the Christian Church may lead her, if she will. The new education is largely in the hands of the missionary. Tbe former Literary Chancellor of Hupeh, tho himself in charge of government colleges, sends his son to a mission school, and the chief magistrate of Hankow has three sons in such an institution. These two instances are typical of what goes OD wherever
mission schools are established. The new forces at work in Ohina are at present uncrystallized, and as long as they remain so the Ohristian Ohurch is practically assured of retaining its vanguard position. How long this may last is, however, a question of grave moment.
4. The missionary work in Ohina affords full scope for every (Uversity of talent.
Educators may contribute to the establishment of a national system of education in a land where scholarship has always been ranked as the highest of human attainments. Those who possess literary ability may gain the attention of multitudes of scholars, as is shown by the fact that the names of some missionaries are- known to Ohinese students throughout the empire, and that their books are read almost as widely as the Ohinese classics themselves. We look, too, for scholars from the West who shall interpret more clearly than has yet been done the true meaning of Ohinese literature, philosophy, and history, showing the relation between these and the revelation of God in Ohrist.
To the Ohristian physician doors are ever open, and his work, as the expression of Ohristian love, does much to win the confidence of the people. The training of Ohinese medical students, as well as general hospital work, is also urgently needed.
To the educated women of the West, work among the women and girls of Ohina offers a wide field. Ohinese women are to a large extent untaught and neglected, and thus Ohina is deprived of what should be the most potent factor in her elevation and advancement.
The establishment and development of the Ohinese Ohurch, which involves the presentation of the Gospel to all classes of minds, the selection, training, and supervision of native workers, the adjustment of Ohurch regulations to native customs and beliefs, and the promotion of self-extension, self-government, and self-support, demand wide diversities of thoroughly trained and statesmanlike leadership.
We firmly believe that nowhere in the world can a Ohristian man of sound learning and humble spirit more easily discover his special bent, and having discovered it, whether as preacher, teacher, or author, physician, administrator, or philanthropist, find more ample scope for his activities than among the missions of the Ohristian Church in Ohina.
But in whatever direction we look the problem is primarily a spiritual one. We do not aim to produce mere intellectual adhesion to the truths of Ohristianity, nor admiration of its moral teaching, for these can not save the race. We seek to lead individuals and communities to such an experience of the power of Ohrist as shall rouse the heart and conscience, and transform the whole life. In order to accomplish this end the leaders of the Ohurch in Ohina should be men of mental culture, but the essential qualification is faith in God.
1905J EDITORIALS
EDITORIALS Christlike Activity demonstrated that settlement work even among the most difficult Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in classes-Jews and Roman Catholics tbeir synagogs, and preaching ~he gospel of -when conducted with this as the the kingdom, and healing all manner of sick- central aim, may win souls as well ness and all manner of disease among the as relieve bodily wants and intelpeople.-Matt. iv -23. lectual ignorance. Mission work which unduly emphasizes the tem- How tireless the activity of the poral and educational elements will the L07'd Jesus. His labors and fail of the highest ultimate success. sacrifices were incessant. He preached the Gospel of the King- Development of Young People's Work dom, going about from village to village, and from synagog to synagog. One very marked development of Every place where He could speak our times is the arousing of the to the multitudes became to Him young people to new activity. This an audience··chamber-whether the manifestly began in the Y. M. C. A. court of a house, a street corner, sixty years ago in London. Then the open field, or the seashore. His in the Young Women's Associapassion for souls was so great that tion, which followed; then in the it demanded vent perpetually. His Young People's Society of Christian was the labor prompted by love. Endeavor, and the Student Volun- teer Movement-four of the most His was absolutely unlimited conspicuous of all the developments power to grapple wi th all the wants, of history, and which together have all the woes, of humanity. "They brought out the young people into brought unto Him all sick people prominence as they never were that were taken with divers dis- before, and we thank God that all eases and torments, and those which these movements are essentially were possessed with devils, and religious and missionary in characthose which were lunatic, and ter. The latest is the growth of the those that had palsy; and He healed Young People's Missionary Movethem." ment, which links together, for the study of missions, the young people But His main business was of all the larger denominations. preaching the Gospel. Ministries to the body were only on the way The Pastor and Missions to service to the soul. He fed and healed the body that He might The pastor is the pivotal man in open the whole man to His teach- the world's evangelization. More ing, and exhibit and illustrate His than any other, he holds the key to power over the maladies of the the situation. The imperative spirit. In so-called institutional need of the cause of missions at the churches the ministry to the mind present hour is an awakened and and body sometimes becomes ab- enkindled pastorate. Make all the sorbing, and displaces the deeper pastors missionary in spirit, and the ministry to the immortal soul. A Church would instantly catch the young man engaged in settlement contagion. A missionary pastorwork, making a report in a public ate will give us a missionary people, meeting, was asked by one present and a missionary people will give how many converts he had made in an overflowing treasury, and nothhis five years, His reply was that ing else will. The pastor is reit was rather early to look for converts. But the very mission that the questioner represented had
quired not only by the true Church, Cross. He will illustrate his ser- but by the Lord of the Church, to mons with incidents from the lives take the collection for missions, of Duff and Paton and Judson and to see that it fairly represents and Taylor and Livingstone and the ability of his congregation. !.iorrison. He will make these There are pastors who regard the names household names with his handling of finances of any kind as people. He will burn into their beneath a true minister's dignity. consciousness the story of their They have forgotten that Jesus heroism and their achievements, once" stood over against the treas- until his people will catch the con- ury," that He immediately honored tagion of these lofty spirits and be that man with a visit who told Him filled with their enthusiasm for the that he gave the half of his goods world's redemption. to feed the poor. The Church has its rich men. They are numerous, Oh, for a missio"nary pastorate and would be more generous in worthy to wear the mantle of their support of missions if they its missionary Lord-a pastorate had the inspiration of a missionary which shall create throughout the pastorate. earth a missionary Church, and fire it with a deathless purpose to bring They need this inspiration, for the world to Christ! large and generous giving would enrich these givers spiritually In4ustrial Missionaries more than they can ever enrich Bishop Ingham, in a recent paper, the Church. The missionary pas. vigorously advocates this form of tor is called of God not alone to missionary work. He defines his take the collection, but to make own terms, however. He does not missionaries, and to creab on mean by industrial missions the the earth a missionary Church. establishment of big mission trad- His commission reads, "Go teach ing factories, like some on the gold all nations." If every church is coast, which are open to the charge not a missionary church it is be- of secularism and unspirituality. cause the minister has not properly He asks that men and women go used his teaching office. He may out, qualified and enabled to show have such a church if he will pa- in practical ways how the faith tiently and persistently urge upon they preach should operate, so that his people- converts may learn to do their duty in that state of life unto which God First, the imperative obligation pleases to call them. He thinks of heart growth along missionary that even the most theological lines. Such heart growth requires teachers may be practically equipwholesome food. It must feed and ped like Paul. feast on missionary information. In West Central Africa he finds Every pastor can give this mission- great need of such missions. There ary information to his people. is a condition of tyranny and bond- age which can not longer find mar- Second, the cultivation of the kets in other lands. The success wider vision. One must fall in love of the evangelist and teacher is hi'S with the world to be possessed with greatest difficulty. Here are peothe missionary spirit. Christ's pIps who have been bullied into dream was of universal empire, hard labor from time immemorial. and should our vision be less extended? They have counted it a virtue to hide from task-masters. To come And, further, the pastor will to them with a book and a cloth is urge upon his people acquaintance with the great missionaries of the
19051 EDITORIALS
to foster the notion that honest :d working in this direction.
toil is menial and degrading, which Many missions in India, Malaysia, is helped by their superstitions. and Australasia are working along Here is a country with no real in- similar lines.
dustries, the people naturally dis- trustful and lazy. To put among The Boon Itt Memorial such people a mission equipped Brown Memorial Presbyterian with Bibles and other books, and Church, Baltimore, and many of periodical boxes of clothes from the other churches have been much home lands, does harm. Boys and interested in the work carried on girls thus taught and clad foster a by Mr: Boon Itt in Bangkok, Siam; discontent with their surroundings, but few knew personally his power and try to ape foreign customs, and and ability, or realized fully the un- be "readers" and well clad. usual characteristics of this most Chiefs learn to fear missions that remarkable young man of mixed alienate their subjects from the life Chinese and Siamese blood. From of their own land. To see the the field, from the board, from his Alake of Aberkuta buying plows fellow missionaries and fellow at an agricultural show gave the students, from those who knew Bishop much encouragement. Mer- and loved him as a boy in America, _ chants deprecate mission-work that letters have come expressing not ruins the labor market, and sensi- only deep personal grief, but the ble observers think mission feeling of the almost irreparable methods a ludicrous failure that loss to Siam. He is spoken of by produce a too one-sided develop- Dr. Brown as "one of the most ment. Missionaries should be pre- remarkable men he met in all pared to train converts to meet Asia." Socially, intellectually, the actual needs of their communi- spiritually-by his tact, gentleness, ties. intolerance of sin, as well as by his The Bishop of Mombasa likewise knowledge of the intricacies of praises the works carried on by the Siamese customs and etiquette, and Basel German Mission as creating his ability to speak the high Siam- something better than mere" nee ese as well as any native-he was Christians." In India industrial unique in his fitness for the work missions are taking a rank un- he had self-sacrificingly under- known before-both fitting con- taken. Dr. Dunlap and the mis- verts for definite work and finding sionaries on the field, realizing that such work for them. From China such a life must always live in the comes a cry for aid in enabling con- lives it has influenced, are most verts to do carpentry or other anxious that all that is possible may work, so that he need not compro- be done to perpetuate this influ- mise himself with idolatrous cus- ence. In referring to the field of toms in seeking a livelihood. Bangkok, Dr. Brown speaks of the Of such missions the following need of Christian influences "for are strikingly successful examples the intelligent, well-to-do classes, in Africa: who are becoming eagerly inter- The Scotch Church's at Lovedale; ested in foreign ideas, and for the the Universities Mission to Central thousands of bright young men Africa, the Industrial Missions in who flock into the metropolis. In Nyassaland and Blantyre; Bishop the main part of the city are scores Tugwell's Mission on the Niger; of young men and women who Bishop Peel in East Africa, and were educated in the mission Bishop Ingham at Sierra Leone are boarding-schools. Many of them
are Christians. Properly led, they sand desired. Numerous pleas and commendations have come to us might become a power for Christ." through the intelligent young men of Bangkok as to the importance of Among these young people Mr. this work.* Boon Itt lived in Bangkok, and for The Crescent and the Cross in India them the missionaries proposed at The recent article by Mr. Fred. Austin Ogg, in the Open Court, on his death" the erection of a suit- the conflict between Christianity and Mohammedanism in India, able building for the work which brings to our mind afresh the con- ditions of the mighty struggle in was on his heart when he died, as that land between the Crescent and the Cross. The writer counts a memorial to him for the highest on the ultimate triumph of Chris- tianity, but thinks it will take cengood of his people, . . . a building turies yet and a change of method. He says that the Moslem must be for Christian work among young defeated on his own ground, and that the result will be an Oriental, people, wi thin which there would be not Occidental, Christianity.
a library, reading-room, chapel, Reckoning the native population at about 300,000,000, less than one etc., something after the style of per cent. is now Christian, while the Crescent controls twenty per Y. M. C. A. rooms at home. This cent., and its sway is increasing, and, as Mr. Ogg thinks, growing was also Boon Itt's plan." more coherent as a system, so that the followers of the False Prophet Mr. Boon Itt was a dear friend from the Nile and Nigel' to the Ganges may come into conscious and seminary mate of pastor Stone, unity of aim. Proselytism is going on rapidly, Islam's gains in India of Baltimore, and amemberof the counterbalancing losses elsewhere. The causes of the present conditions Waterford (N. Y.) Presbyterian and the reasons for his conclusions the writer calmly and thoughtfully Church, where the editor-in-chief presents. Those specially inter- ested in the outlook in India would was for six years pastor. "The do well to examine MI'. Ogg's paper. cost of maintenance after erection Donations Acknowledged will come out of the general fund of No. 305. Ramabai …………………. $5.00 the mission board." No. 306. Berea College……………… 9.15 No. 307. Ind. Evang. Mission……….. 7.50 There was a committee meeting * The committee to receive contributions is held at Auburn in November to as follows: Rev. J. F. Fitschen, Jr., chairman, consult about this memorial, and Ithaca, N. Y.; Rev. John Timothy Stone, Bal· timore, Maryland; Rev. William S. Carter, we quote from their appeal: Rochester, N. Y.; Rev. Robert Clements, Cortland, N. Y.; Prof. Harry Lathrop Reed, The young men of Siam are Auburn, N. Y.; Miss Emily A. Darling, Aupractically without any special burn, N. Y.: Miss Caroline A. Bush, Troy, definite work carried on directly N. Y.; nIr. Howard Kennedy, Jr., treasurer, for them. This great need touched Bee Building, Omaha, Neb. the heart of Boon Itt, who gave himself without reserve to the work in the city of Bangkok, but his plans werp, interrupteo by his sudden death. The Foreign Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church, valuing him and his work, through the advice of the Rev. Dr. Eugene P. Dunlap and others, appointed a committee to raise funds for the erection of a building in the city of Bangkok suitable to the needs of a successful Christian work among the young men of that city. A committee was also appointed from among the young men of Siam. They have already made progress toward the equivalent of ten thousand dollars, and a proper site will be purchased and preliminary arrangements perfected. The committee on this side has been at work zealously, but has only succeeded so far in raising about five thousand dollars of the ten thou-
BOOKS FOR THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY
BOOKS FOR THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY MISSIONS AND MODERN H,STORY. By Robert 2. The Responsibility and Duty E. Speer. 2 vols. 8vo, $4.00. F. H. of the Civilized and Christian Peo- Revell Co. 1904. ples of the West.
These are two unusually valuable 3. The True Character, Policy, volumes on a department of the and Need of Christian Missions. subject of missions which has had comparatively little adequate treat- 4. The Relation of Christianity ment. A glance at the contents to Civilization as Indispensable to will show the scope of Mr. Speer's its PUrity and Permanence. work. In thirteen chapters,~ he carefully considers such topics as 5. The Unfair Charges Made the Taiping rebellion and Boxer against Missions and Missionaries. uprising in China, the Tong-Hak insurrection in Korea, the Indian 6. The Final Issue of the Missionmutiny, and the Armenian massa- ary Movement. cres. The more general themes are: "The Religion of the Bab," Mr. Speer regards a Christian the" Going of the Spaniard," and civilization as a trust received the "Coming of the Slav," the from God by favored peoples, and "Reform Movements in Hindu- to be held in the spirit of stewa,rdism," the " Transformation of ship. His book illumines whatever Japan," the "Development of it touches, and leaves very little of Africa," and the "Emancipation his subject untouched. The Presof Latin America." There is no byterian Church is to be congratularge part of the world, and scarce- lated on having such a man for one ly any important phase of its po- of its mission secretaries. We lidcal and religious life, which does commend this book for a wide not receive consideration, and the reading. discussions are scholarly, painstaking, accurate, and original. Mr. PROBLEMS OF THE PRESENT SOUTH. By Edgar Speer regards the Taiping rebel- Gardner Murphy. 12mo, 288 pp. $1.50, lion as one of the greatest events net. Macmillan Co., N. Y. 1904. of history, and as having promised at one time to be the means of This discussion of the industrial, China's evangelization. He, with educational, and political problems not a few others, thinks that the of the South is a valuable contribuinterference of other nations, and tion to the literature of an imporparticularly the British in the per- tant subject. The author does not son of General Gordon, prevented pretend to present a dogmatic soluwhat would have been a great step tion of the problems with which his toward China's Christianization. book i:.eals; but realizing that the This will give some idea of the vir- questions, especially bearing on ile manner in which Mr. Speer Southern life, are subject to aphandles his topics. proximate adjustments, he gives a calm and intelligent discussion of In the last chapter on missions what he terms "The Old in the and the world movement he sums New," "The Schools of the People," up the substance of both volumes, "A Constructive Statesmanship," and gives us some of his conclu- "The Industrial Revival and Child sions as to Labor," "The South and the Ne- gro," "A Narrative of Coopera- 1. The Immobility of Oriental tion and Culture and Democracy." Ci vilization. While the work touches upon other matters of interest to the South and nation, it is largely a treatment of "Our Brother in Black." In recognizing the obligation to the
negro, Mr. Murphy agrees with Dr. of voting age can not read and J. L. M. Curry in the statement write, and the educated and culti- that "unless the white people, the vated white citizens owe a debt to superior, the cultivated race, liftup their white as well as to their black the lower, both will be inevitably brethren who are illiterate. The dragged down"; and he forcefully author thinks that the problem be- urges the importance of keeping in fore him is illumined by recent mind the double fact of the negro's events, and the negro promise is need and promise. This, the author illustrated somewhat in the fact mainta.ins, is readily realized by the that the illiteracy of the negro intelligent citizens of the Southern males of voting age has been re- States, but urges that the nation duced in the Southern States from mu::;t be considerate of the South 88 per cent. in 1870 to 52 per cent. and the South must be patient with in 1900, and since the opening of herself. It is declared that the the century most gratifying educawhite mitn, North as well as South, tional results have been attained. feels that the social barrier should One of the most suggestive and enremain; and so long as it remains couraging chapters in Mr. Murphy's it shuts out not only the negro from book is entitled "A Narrative of the white man, but the white man Cooperation," and here he sets from the negro. The question is forth the excellent service rendered asked, 'Vhat is the social status of by the Southern Education Board the negro family whose home is in and the General Education Board. Boston, or Philadelphia, or New Through these agencies there is be- York? Is it essentially different ing brought about a better underfrom its status at the South? standing between the North and South, and intelligent men in both Among the races of the world the sections of the country are striving negro must claim its own name and to do away with mutual ignorance, its own life, and this, it is held, is which is often the basis of mutual the only real, the only permanent, suspicion. security of race integrity for the negro. Its assumption is not deg- THE PENETRATION OF ARABIA: A Record of radation, but opportunity. Mr. the Development of Western Knowledge Murphy contends that the best Concerning the Arabian Peninsula. By Southern people not only do not David George Hogarth, M.A., F.R.G.S., hate the negro, but come nearer to F.S.A. Illustrated. London, 1904. Price, having affection for him than any 78.6d. other people, and are in It far better position to appreciate and intelli- No other country has so large an gently act upon the grave questions area still unexplored as has Arabia. involved than are those who live at All who are interested in this dark a distance from the field of action. land will welcome the sumptuous The educated opinion of the Houth volume on the rediscovery and ex- "has no war with the progress of ploration of inland Arabia. The the negro," and is willing that he, author is not among those who within his own social world, shall have penetrated the Arabianpeninmake the most of himself. 1'0 this sula, but his qualifications for end, the South stands ready to give writing the book are sy~pathy a helping hand to the extent of her with the subject and wide reading. ability. This responsibility rests The result is a most fascinating, upon the few; for in the Southern accurate, and lively description of States there are 210 counties in the romantic discovery of the negwhich 20 per cent. of the white men lected peninsula-a book that will bring Arabia closer to all who read it. Fifty-three photographic illus-
BOOKS FOR THE. MISSIONARY LIBRARY
trations and rare maps illuminate phies of geography. To read a the text. book like this is a challenge to faith as well as a rebuke for neglect and The first part of the book treats, apathy and love of ease. Arabia in 7 chapters, of the pioneers- must be evangelized; not only Niebuhr, Ali Bey, Seetzen, Burck- penetrated by the traveler, but ochardt, Sadlier, Arnaud, Wellsted, cupied by the missionary. God's Von Wrede. Wallin. 1'he second providence is even now opening and larger part tells of their suc- the way. cessors, who are better known, but did not endure more for the cause KING LEOPOLD'S RULE IN AFRICA. By E. D. of science-Burton, Halevy, Hur- Morel. IlIust·ated. 8vo, 466 pp. $3.75. gronje, Glaser, Hirsch, Bent, Pal- Funk & Wagnalls Co., New York. 1904. grave, Pelly, the Blunts, Huber, Euting, Nolde, and the prince of Mr. Morel's indictment of King them all-Doughty. The last chap- Leopold's government of the Kongo tel' is about unknown Arabia. natives seems to us unanswered and unanswerable. The condition of The book has two important les- things in the" Independent State," sons for the missionary. Firf't, he as described by missionaries, travmust contemplate the price that elers, statesmen, government offiscience paid to penetrate the penin- cials, soldiers, and natives, is such as sula, and it should move him to a to call for interference from civilgodly envy to endure like crosses ized governments. The witnesses for a higher service. Niebuhr are of unimpeachable integrity, and alone of all his party returned to have no unworthy motive in testitell of Yemen; the rest died of fying to the dark deeds that are fever and exposure. Huber was committed in Leopold's name. It . murdered by Bedouins and his seems undeniable that the governjournal published after his death. ment is condu(·ted for revenue only, Seetzen was murdered neal' Taiz and that the natives are treated in and Manzoni shot with his own rifle a way that wonld call for remonby a treacherous companion. Bent strance, even if they were onlyanidied from the effects of the Handm- mals without souls. Of course, maut climate, and Von vVrede, many of the accusations are denied after suffering everything to reach by Leopold and his friends and emthe Ahkaf, returned to Europe to ployees-some of whom are in be scoffed at and his story labeled America-but they offer contradica romance! Doughty was turned tion without disproof. The king out of Nejd sick and penniless to has prejudiced his case by refusing trudge on foot with a caravan and to permit an international court of to be betrayed near Mecca, escap- inquiry. ing by the skin of his teeth. Mr. Morel, after taking up briefly Secondly, there is much to learn the historical facts in regard to the from these heroes of geography, Kongo State, shows the present altho none of them penetrated conditions, quoting largely from Arabia in the spirit of Livingstone. consular reports, from missiona- A keen discernment of the Arab's ries, merchants, and others. He character, a fluent, accurateknowl- shows clearly that the present sysedge of his speech, a lively interest tem of government is exterminatin his desoct joys, a heart of sym- ing the natives with cruelty and pathy, amI a dogged, undaunted oppression, and is impoverishing perserverance-such were the the country by bleeding it to death. stepping-stones to success in the In spite of some material improvepenetration of Arabia fOT the tro- ments made in the way of railroads,
etc., Leopold's rule is for the natives and his self-sacrifice is noble and the darkest of dark ages. They insplrmg. So shut off is he from are not educated or encouraged by friends at home that, altho his litthe State, and the only help they tle daughter died in August, 1903, receive is from the missionories, he did not learn of his loss until over a year later. The illustrations of Mr. Morel's book tell of a "reign of terror," and Mr. Peck's diaries and corresponthe facts presented-many of which dence have furnished the material are familiar to our readers (see for this narrative of difficult serv- August REVIEw)-rouse us to in- ice faithfully rendered, hardships dignation. If the people of America cheerfully borne, and difficulties and England read this volume they patiently overcome. He describes will demand that these abuses minutely the Eskimos and their cease. habits, their homes and their char- acteristics. He tells of long jour- STORY OF THl< BIBLE SOCIETY. By W. Canton. neys over Arctic snows, of winter Ilinstrated. 362 pp. 6.. John Murray, nights in comparative solitude, of London; E. P. Dutton, New York. 1904. the church eaten by ravenous dogs, of the joy of receiving the first con- This book is to be esteemed a verts, and of many other unique popular edition of the four-volume experiences. It is a volume Forth edition of the history of the British reading. and Foreign Bible Aociety, whose centenary was celebrated last year, AMONG THE INDIANS OF THE PARAGUAYAN and for the average reader is suffi- CHACO. By W. Barbrooke Grubb. Edited ciently copious. In a most inter- by Gertrude Wilson. Map and illustraesting way it tells of the numerous tions. 8vo, 176 pp. 38. South Ameriobstacles met with in earry years, can Missionary Society, London. 1904. of the rapid increase of income and auxiliaries in Great Britain and In this story of missionary work upon the Continent, as well as of in South America, Mr. Grubb and the hundreds of translations of the his associates in the Chaco Mission Scriptures made, printed, and cir- tell an interesting tale of the Inculated by colporteurs and Bible- dians and their fifteen years of women to the very ends of the work in northwestern Paraguay. earth. Not a few of the facts The account is clearly and geonarrated are stranger than fiction. graphically written. The literary quality is not high, and parts of LITTLE HANDS AND GOD'S BOOK. By William the story somewhat too detailed, Canton. Illustrated. 16mo, 123 pp. I•. but the information is accurate Bible Society, London. 1904. and the experiences interesting. The Indians were persuaded to be- This brief illustrated sketch of lieve that Mr. Grubb came from the British and Foreign Bible So- the north, as he said, only when ciety contains many valuable facts they saw his compass-" the little and well-told incidents. connected devil" whose hand only could be with the history and work of the seen, but always pointing to the society. home land. These Chaco Indians, tho nominally Roman Catholics, THE LIFE 0" E. J. PECK AMONG THE ESKIMUS. are ignorant and weak, and Mr. 1to/. By Arthur Lewis. Illustrated. 8vo, 349 Grubb has suffered persecution, in- ~~ ~1~~~. Armstrong & Sons, cluding an attempted murder. In place of medicines and proper care Mr. Peck, wlwse work on Black- of the sick, they invoke the Virgin lead Island was described in the and the saints, or use charms. In- REVIEW for July, 1903, is one of stead of righteousness, they depend the pioneer missionary heroes of the North. Hisexperiences in the Arctic regions have been unique,
BOOKS FOR THE MISSIONARY LIBRARY
on masses, penance, and worship of thrill and inspire them. Chalmers relics. Some interesting chapters was a hero, every inch of him, are devoted to Indian superstitions among his boyhood friends, with and customs. The work is encour- the pirates of the South Seas, the aging, but much remains to be savages of New Guinea, and the done. men of letters like Robert Louis Stevenson. His life is full of ad- AMONG THE BURMANS. By H. P. Cochrane. venture and of noble deeds. No Illustrated. 12mo, 281 pp. $1.25, net. book-shelf to which boys have ac- Fleming H. Revell Co. 1904. cess will hold this volume long in idleness. This is a vivid account of 15 years of missionary work among the Bur- MISSION STUDIES FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. mans. The author has the faculty First Series. By George H. Trull. 12mo, of telling what Christians at home 64 pp. 15c. Foreign Missions Library, want to knolV about what he has New York.. 1904. seen and done. His impressions and experiences are entertainingly This is a missionary text-book told, and the story of the work is for Sunday-schools. The studies worth telling. Mr. Cochrane gives include "The Mountaineers of the some excellent stories of native South," "Foreigners in the United Christian heroes and heroines, States," "William,)arey," "David which are well worth repeating in Livingstone," "John G. Paton," sermons and missionary meetings and "John Kennith McKenzie." at home. This stands foremost They are brief, interesting, and among the recent missionary books suggestive. Each chapter is followon Burma. ed by a series of questions and a list of good books on the subject. They Il'TOXICANTS AND OPIUM IN ALL LANDS AND form the basis of a fascinating series TIMES. By Dr. and Mrs. W. F. Crafts and of studies, and would be useful for Misses Leitch. 12mo, 288 pp. Illustrated. brief talks to young people on Cloth. 75 cents; paper, 35 cents. Inter- missions. national Reform Bureau, Washington, D.C. Sixth edition, revised. 1904. LETTERS FROM A CHINESE OFFICIAL. 16mo, 75 pp. 50c. McClure, Phillips & Co, New The opium curse can not be real- York. 1903. ized by those who have not seen its effects. The curse of strong drink We criticize elsewhere the eulogy may be more widespread, but it is by this so-called " Chinese official" not as destroying to soul and body of the "Flowery Kingdom." The as is opium. The International writer has donned a queue and Reform Bureau are doing excellent gown to hit at some American instiwork in fighting this traffic, espe- tutions and failings. The unjust cia.lly as it affects primitive peoples. comparisons should not blind us This revised edition of their vol- to our faults or the need to remedy ume is full of facts and testimonies, them. which make an unanswerable case for all who hold the interests of THE PROSPll:CTOR. By Ralph Connor 12mo, men higher than those of Mammon, 401 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Co. 1904.
TAMATE: The Life Story of James Chalmers. Ralph Connor knows how to tell By Richard Lovett. Illustrated. 12mo, a good tale, and one that stirs noble 320 pp. $1.25, net. Fleming H. Revell ambitions and purposes. His heroes Co. 1904. are fine specimens of Christian manhood, his dramatic ann. tragic We have already commended the scenes are vivid but not overdrawn, autobiography of this great mis- and even his love stories have elesionary. This smaller volume for ments of strength. This story is young people surpasses Robinson much like his other books, and will Crusoe in its interest. Tamate find a wide circle of friends. was a favorite with the boys, and his adventures will never cease to
DOCTOR LUKE OF THE LABRADOR. By Nor- MOHONK CONFERENCE REPORT. 1904. man Duncan. 12mo,327 pp. $1.50. Flem- ing H. Revell Co. 1904. These papers and address given This novpl has a mission in de- at the Indian Conferenceare by ex- scribing in choice diction, and with many artistic touches full of humor perts, and should be widely read and pathos, the forlorn condition of the fisher folk of the barren land and quoted. of The Labrador. Th{)se who know of Dr. Grenfell's work among Missionary Campaign Libraries them will be especially interested in these scenes with which he has The Young People's Missionary made them familiar. The author Movement, 156 Fifth Avenue, New is not as successful with a novel as York, is to be congratulated on the with magazine articles. noble work which is being accom- plished through its agency. The A MANUAL FOR STEWARDS. Paper. 12mo, training of leaders, the institution f:g!£;n.lsI904~hurch Missionary Society, of study classes, and the circulat- ing of missionary libraries, are the This is an exceedingly useful vol- means used, and the results are alume of hints for the successful col- ready seen and are growing. Two lection and conduct of missionary ., campaign libraries" have alexhibits. Various "courts" are ready been issued, consisting of 20 described, with their contents, with volumes each, and sold at $10.00, advice for stewards and exhibitors. or less than half their list price. It gives much information about An excellent library of nine books heathen lands and peoples, and is a on Japan is also published at $5.00 valuable handbook for missionary pel' set. Those wishing to secure societies. such books for public or private libraries can not do better than CHINA'S PAST AND FUTURE, AND BRITAIN1S SIN write to the secretary, C. V. Vick- rey, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. ANI) FOLLY. By Chester Holcombe and B. Broomhall. Paper. 8vo. Illustrated. NEW BOOKS 320 pp. Is., net. Morgan & Scott, London. 1904. HEROES OF THE CROSS IN AMERICA. By Don O. Shelton. 12mo, 304 pp. Cloth, 50c.; Mr. Holcombe, who was for many paper, S5c. Young People's Missionary years connected with the United Movement, New York. 1904. States legation at Peking, gives here some illuminating chapters on a MISSION STUDIES FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. reprint of China's internal conditions and international relations. First Series. By George H. Trull. 12mo, He is a friend of Christian missions 64 pp. 15c. Foreign Missions Library, and of the Chinese, and therefore New York. 1904. an enemy to British opium and A MANUAL FOR STEWARDS. Paper. 12mo, foreign greed in every form. 150 pp. Is. Church Missionary Society, London. 1904. THINGS AS THEY ARE. By Amy Carmichael Wilson Cheaper edition. Illustrated. INTOXICANTS AND OPIUM IN ALL LANDS AND 8vo. Cloth, 28. tid., net; paper, Is. 6d.,net. Morgan & Scott, London. 1904. TIMES. By Dr. and Mrs. W. F. Crafts and Misses Leitch. 12mo, 288 pp. Illustrated. We welcome this cheaper edition Cloth, 75c.; paper, 35c. International of what we consider one of the Reform Bureau, Washington, D. C. Sixth greatest books ever written on In- edition, revised. 1904. dia. It shows the dark side of DAI NIPPON. A Study in National Evolution. Hindu life, but only to awaken a By Henry Dyer. 8vo, 450 pp. $3 50, net. desire to make it bright. The Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. 1904~ reading of this book makes us ap- HANDS AT REST. (lUrs. A. M. Deennan in preciate the blessings of Christian- Japan.) By Mrs. J. H. Morton. 16mo, ity, and has already stimulated 165 pp. Cumberland Presbyterian Pubmany missionary fires. lishing House, Nashville, Tenn. 1n04. My CHINESE NO'rEBOOK. By Lady Susan Townley. Illustrated. 8vo. 338 pp. $3.00, net E. P. Dutton & Co., New York 1904 CHINA'S PAST AND FUTURE, AND BRITAIN'S SIN AND FOLLY. By Chester Holcombe and B. Broomhall. Paper. 8vo. Illustrated. 320 pp. 18., net. Morgan & Scott, Lon- don. 1904. THINGS AS THEY ARE. By Amy Carmichael Wilson. Cheaper edition. Illustrated. 8vo. Cloth, 28. 6d., net; paper, Is. 6d., net. Morgan & Scott, London. 1904. THE WHITE MAN IN NIGFJRIA. By G. D. Haz- zledine. Longmans, Green & Co., New York. 1904. AMONG THE INDIANS OF THE PARAGUAYAN CHACO. By W. Barbrooke Grubb. Map. illustrations. 8vo. 176 pp. 3s. South American Missionary_ Society, London, England. 1904.
1905J GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE 'AMERICA and Crtmbridge in February, for the student conference to be held India Bringing The somewhat re- in Germany in April, and for that Wisdom to markable announce- in Holland in May, and for the America! ment is made that work among students in all lands. the theological sem- Federation of On Novembsr 29 inaries of Hartford and Princeton Presbyterian and 30, and Dehave invited Professor Samuel Sat- and Reformed cember 1, 1904, thianadhan, G. A.,LL.D., to deliver a course of five lectures on "Indian Churches there assembled ill Philosophic Systems as Related to the First United Christianity," and also that the next course of lectures on "Compar- Presbyterian Church at Pittsative Religion," instituted on the burg, Pa., the committees of Barrows-Haskell foundation in con- seven Presbyterian and Reforrued nection with the University of Chi- Churches of the U. S. A. for the cago, will probably be delivered by purpose of considering the subject the Hon. Kal. Charan Banerji, of of the closer relations of these Calcutta. These men are the prod- Churches. Dr. William H. Roberts ucts of Christian colleges, alld are was requested to publish the plan powerful factors in the intellectual of federation submitted for conand moral life of India. So that it sideration. is to come to pass that we shall see "a Hindu Chri~ tian lecturing to The Churches represented were his American fellow religionists on the following: the philosophy of Hindu; and another Hindu Christian lecturing to 1. Reformed P l' e s b y tel' ian his Asiatic fellow countrymen (for Church, General Synod. the Barrows lectureship embraces Japan also) on the preeminence of 2. Reformed Church in America. Christianity as a social, moral, and 3. Presbyterian Church in the spiritual force." U.S. A. 4. Presbyterian Church in the Day of Prayer The General Com- U. S. (South). for Students mit tee 0 f the 5. United Presbyterian Church. 6. Cumberland Presbyterian ,Vorld's Student Church. Christian Federation have appoint- 7. Reformed Church in the U. S. ed February 12, 1905, as the Uni- The Plan of Federation specifies: versal D;'y of Prayer for Stu- (1) That every Church entering dents. For nearly 10 years the into this Federation retains its dissecond Sunday of February has tinct individuality in creed, govbeen 'observed in this way by all ernment, and worship. the national and international (2) For work that can be better Christian student movements of done in union than separately an Europe,America,Australasia, Asia, Eeclesiastical Council is estaband Africa. These movements now lished, known as "The Federal embrace over 1,700 separate Chris- Council of the Reformed Churches tian student societies with a total in the United States of Americrt membership of 100,000 students and holding the Presbyterian System." professors. Friends are asked to (3) The Federal Council shall conpray especially for the student sist of at least four r~presentatives meetings to be conducted in Oxford frum each of the Churches, for each 100,000 communicants or fraction thereof up to 300,000, and then 4
for each additional 200,000 c9m- staff of secretaries, much educamunicants or fraction. tional work of a general character has been done. Experience has (+) The Federal COllllcil shall pro- shown that an increasing number mote the cooperation of the Feder- of people within the Church are ated Churches in their foreign mis- willing to give some time each year sionary work, and also in their to the careful study of missions, if general work in the United States their work can be properly planned of America, in connection with and directed. It is believed that horne missions, work among the the result will ahundantly justify colored people, church erection, the wisdom and far-sightedness of Sabbath-schools, publication and the Board of Missions in adopting education, and may initiate move- this policy of more careful and sysments having this cooperation in tematic educational work. – The view, subject to the approval of the Ch1.l.rchrnan. Churches concerned. A New York The New YOl'k He}'- . (5) The Federal Council shall have Idol Factory ald of December power to deal with differences which may arise between the Fed- Hth, contains an ilerated Churches, in regard to mat- lustrated article on an idol factory teI'S within the jurisdiction of the in East 96th Street, where all the Council, which the constituted skill of designer, molder, and metal agencies of the Churches concerned worker unite to copy and reduplihave been unable to settle, cate the idols of India, China, and Japan, and to invent idols of visage How the The Salvation terrifying enough to satisfy the tt Army" Seeks Army in Chicago is African taste. The largest part of the output of this factory is said to the Lost organizing a novel go to India, there to be devoutly method to care for worshiped. The average shipment of idols to various countries is from the victims of -strong drink who 300 to 900 per month. The justififall upon the streets of the city at cation for snch a fadory is that night. Equipped with stretchers, somebody must make idols for idolthe squads of officers constituting aters, and that this is an age of the "drunkards' rescuers" will commercialism ra ther than of idealmake the rounds of the squalid dis- ism. True; and it was to one who tricts at night, pick up those who believed in rating as highest in appear to he completely overcome value the opportunities of commerwith liquor, and carry them to one cialism that Jesus Ohrist said: "It of the 7 hotels maintained by the were well for him if a millstone Army in Chicago, and in which were hanged about his neck and he more than' 250,000 guests were ac- were thrown into the sea rather commodated last year. than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble." t An Educational A new departure Secretary for was made w hen the An Injunction The m iss ion a r y against Missions cause has had many Episcopal Board of Missions Missions of the Protestant obstacles to fight, but never stranger foes than those Episcopal Church that have arisen in the congregaon December 13 elected the Rev. tion of "Disciples," or Christians, Everett P. Smith, of Pocatello, of Newbern, in Dyer County, Ten7 Idaho, as Educational Secretary. nessee, a minority of whom, ac- This action is another evidence of the progressive spirit of the present board. During the last fi ve years, under the leadership of the present
1905J GENERAl. MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
cording to the Charlotte (N. C.) Ob- tional institutions. The colleges server, are about to appeal to Chan- furnishing more than 2 missiona- cellor Cooper of the Ninth Chancery ries each were Wesleyan Univers- Division, asking him to issue an ity, Ohio Wesleyan University, and injunction against the elders and a Northwestern University. The majority of their congregation, on States furnishing the most were as the ground thal1 they have depart- follows: Pennsylvania, 10; Ohio, 9; ed from the faith of their Church, New York, 6; Indiana, 6; Iowa, 5; "in that they have participated in Kansas, 5; California, 5; Illinois, missionary societies, and have used 4. The new missionaries who went an organ to aid in song and wor- to the field during the previous ship." It is nearly a year since year numbered 61. they instituted this action. Later they amended their complaint and Work for Whileitistruethat filed a supplementary bill, making Italian floods and floods of the Tennessee Christian Missionary Convention a party defendant. Immigrants " undesirable" for- The case was to be heard at the eigners are pouring Chancery Court of Dyersburgearly in January, and if organs and mis- upon our shores, the Italians promsionary societies are indeed found inent among them, we must not to be contrary to the constitution forget how rapidly they are also of the Disciples, it is said that the being transformed into good Amerprotestants intend to take steps to icans. Take this illustration: Deapply the decision to every church in cember§th an ecclesiastical council the connection.-The Churchman. recognized the Italian Congrega- tional Church of Waterbury, The Callanan In our December Conn., and in the evening, before a Legacy: (1904) issue the leg- large audience of Italians, }:ublic exercises of recognition were held. A Correction acy of $100,000 from Mr. Callanan, of This Italian mission was begun last February as a union effort, Des Moines, was erroneously stated under the care of Mr. Vincenzo to have been given to Tuskegee In- Esperti, of the Bible Society. It stitute. It was in reality given to was taken in charge by the Mission- Talladega College, Alabama-the ary Society, with Mr. Codella as institution started by the American missionary, at the beginning of Missionary Association in 1867, and March. His success has been rewhich is doing such excellent work markable, and the class of. Italians for the SOll'thern negroes. who are interested in this work is much lIlore hopeful than those or- Sixty New Sixty new mission- dinarily met with in New England. Methodist aries have sailed to Seventy-five names are enrolled as Missionaries foreign m iss ion charter members of the church. This makes the fifth Congrega- fields sin c e the tional Italian church in Connectimeeting of the General Missionary cut, and at least 15 points in Con- Committee was held in Omaha last necticut are reached with Gospel year. Of these 29 were men; 28 influe!1l~es, beside what is being were wives, and 3 were single done by other denominations. women; 29 were college graduates, 23 of these being from Method'ist Great Gathering T!Ie Spirit of Miscolleges; 6 were theological graduates, 1 a graduate nurse. Forty of of Christian sions for January the 60, or two out of three. were from Methodist Episcopal educa- Sioux has a stirring ac- count of a recent gathering of Indians in Dakota for
a week of worship. The writer intoxicants of any kind or quality." Imagine the apprehension, theresays: fore, of the Indians and their friends when the Hamilton bill, Climbing a hill, we looked down proposing statehood to the two 11..0 feet in to a natural amphi theater, territories and acted upon favorin which were 525 tents, making a ably by the lower House, and now circle three miles in circumference. pending action in the Senate, is Within the circle was a great booth found to ignore absolutely this provided for the services should sacred pledge of a great government the weather prevent meeting in the to a dependent people. The Indiopen air. One end of the booth ans appeal to all friends in the was boarded in to protect the altar Eastern States to espouse their and chancel. The booth was never cause and petition by personal let· large enough to hold the congre- tel'S each of their Senators and the gations which thronged the place Representative in Congress from for every service. Outside the their district, asking these men not circle were tethered the many .to vote for any bill for statehood horses of the great caravans which for Indian Territory which does had brought the people and their not contain provision for prohibitbelongings. Early in the day I ing the sale of intoxicating liquors, made the ronnd of the circle, looking into the various tepees of all MethodistWork There are 200,000 sizes and constructions, receiving for the Indians Indians in the a gracious "How," the Dakota salutation, from the head of the United States; 21 family, a pleasant smile from the Methodist Episcopal missionaries, women, a startled and inquiring and 22 local preachers are reaching look from the little children, and about 12,000 of these. At present loud barks from the innumerahle there are 33 Indian missions within dogs, with which every tepee seem- the bounds of 13 Conferences, of ed overgenerously supplied. At whic}l missions 17 are in Michigan, every service there were present a 5 in New York State, 9 on the Pavery large proportion of the 2,500 cific Coast, I in Minnesota, and 1 in Indians, who had come distances 'Visconsin. Among the tribes of 65 to 300 miles to attend the con- reached are these: Ukiah, Ononvocation. It was a noble gather- daga, Oneida, Chippewa, Seneca, ing-inspiring, uplifting, and en- Tonawanda, Ottawa, Washoe, couraging. A large delegation of Blackfeet. St. Regis, Klamath, and the Santees came a journey which Nooksack. took them two weeks to make; they would, of course, be the same length Good Work The Colorado Pres- Df time returning to their homes. by a Small bytery of the Re- Presbytery formed Presbyteri- The Crisis in For seventy-two an Ch urch has Indian Territory years the Indian inaugurated a forward movement on its own account. Tho compos~d tribal government of only six congregations, and in- cluding in all about 300 members, has maintained strict laws against they recently decided that they should undertake something defithe sale of intoxicating liquors nite for foreign missions. A home missionary, Dr. Kate McBurney, within their boundaries. Experi- was selected as their representa- tive, and is now in Tak Hing Chou ence has shown these laws to be nec- essary and salutary. 'Vhen, there- fore, the federal government ap- proached the Five Civilized Tribes with the proposition that they should become absorbed in the gen- eral government, the Indians made as one of the conditions the follow- ing clear stipUlation: "The United States agrees to maintain strict laws in the.territory of said nation against the introduction, sale, bar- ter, or giving away of liquors and
GENERAL MISSiONARY INTELLIGENCE
with her sister. More than double scattered over the face of the conthe amount necessary for her sup- tinent. port has been subscribed, tho two of the six congregations were with- MethodistWork The Japanese popout pastors, only two are self- for Japanese ulation of the snpporting, and two have been in America United States is organized less than a year. The rapidly increasing, banner church of 94 members gave $553 to the foreign work. so that there are many more than the 80,000 who were tabulated in T. H. ACHESON. the censu s of 1900. Methodist Epis- copal work has grown to such an An Anti- One of the most extent that it has been necessary to Mormon Part)" hopeful ~igns of organize the Pacific Japanese Mis- sion Conference, of two districts- in Utah recent history in one covering the work in Hawaii Utah is the awaken- and one the work on the Pacific Coast. There are 14 stations, with ing and lprising of the people 18 missionaries, 6 local preachers, themselves against the dominion and a membership of 1,100. Inof the Mormon Church. This is cluded in the work at Hawaii is a indicated by the formation of a new mission recently begun to Korean political party, called" The Ameri- immigrants. can Party," to be free from Mormon dominion. This party has EUROPE twoplanks: "Freedom from Church domination in politics, and the The C. M. S. The medical miswrestling of the public schools from as a Minister to sions of the Church Mormon control." It is the spon- Men's Bodies Missionary Society taneous uprising of the people who have long been disgusted with rank high among Church domination in everything the most prominent and the best, it could lay its hands on. being found at no less than62 points in 20 countries or regions of Asia Cooperation in The South Ameri- and Africa (of course, largely in In- South America can MissionaryCon- dia and China, where the bulk of humanity is massed). The number vent-ion, held in of physicians employed is 77, and London on November 15th and 16th, of nurses is 39. In the 62 hospitals had for its chief subject of discus- or dispensaries 1,995 beds are found, sion whether anything could be and 17,692 sick and suffering ones done to promote more unity of ac- were cared for last year as intion, more cooperat'ion between patients, while visits were made to those working for the extension of 848,578 out-patients. Mercy and the Redeemer's Kingdom in South Trnth, which represents this America. Amalgamation and fed- Christlike work, has no equal eration between the societies were among medical magazines. little more than mentioned, but an idea that found some favor was the The London A novel and useful formation of a committee of repre- University experiment was sentatives from the societies and Missionary tried last summer bands of workers, to prevent over- Caravan by members of the lapping and needless intrusion, and London branch of to map out the fields of work to better advantage. A strong desire the British College Christian was expressed that more evangel- Union. They formed a missionary istic efforts should be made among caravan to travel among country the many tribes of heathen Indians churches and present the mission-
ary cause in the more out-of-the- River Jhelulll, nearing the winway towns which delegations from ning-post, at which stands the missionary societies fail to reach. Maharajah an interested spectator? 'Vi!! not an animated picture of The tour was arranged to work the surging throng at the Diwali in country districts of Kent, Sus- Market, with opfm-air preaching sex, and Surrey. Several days were being carried on before their eyes, spent in each town, and every eve- bring home to the.audience, as no ning meetings were held, and a speaker or artist can, things as large amount of literature was sold they really are? We believe that or given away. The audiences God will graciously use these picvaried in size from 10 to 500, but tures-the generous gift of an their interest was unfailing. It anonymous friend-to emphasize was pioneer work, and there were the call for service and substance. financial problems which some- -C. M. Gleaner. times threatened to stop the mission, but much good was accom- Hope for This cheering state· plished and invaluable lessons were the United ment appears in the learned. Some audiences listened Free Church British Wee k l y; as if they had never befor'e heard of India, or China, or Africa, still less " It is authori taof the millions who perish without tively announced that the governa knowledge of the Christ who ment will appoint a Royal Commisdied to save them.* sion to deal with the Scottish Church crISIS. Meanwhile, Sir T. H. ROBINSON. John Cheyne, K.C., has been ap- pointed to make a temporary Moving Pictures Lantern slides arrangement which will settle all disputes, and the observance of for Missionary have done much which will be binding on both churches till the Royal Commission Meetings to educate both report has been framed and Parlia- mentary action taken thereon." adults and chil- This Commission has already dren in missionary matters; they been appointed.
have illustrated the customs of Teaching The Leipsic Mis- Through the sionary Society disheathen lands, and they have Postal Card plays both good shown us the missionary at work. sense and enter'- prise by preparing and publishing But the animated picture is a great two series of beautiful postal cards, each containing twelve, with a advance on the stationary scene. colored picture on the back, relat- ing to something connected with The Church Missionary Society is missions either in India or Soutlr Africa, like human figures, buildnow using the cinematograph to ings, or bits of scenery. A large amount of instruction is thus imgive a much more realistic idea of parted through the eye, and the various conditions of missionary what is going on abroad. For in- life are depicted in a way not to be forgotten. The MISSIO~ARY REstance, what could be more fasci- VIEW also supplies Missionary Pic- ture Postals at a very low figure. nating than to witness the moving throng of out-patients ascending the hill to Dr. Neve's dispensary at Srinagar Hospital; or the merry rush of girls from a city mission school at the close of lessons; or Mr. Tyndale-Biscoe's boys at dumb- bell drill, or in a boat-race on the * This excellent work is entirely undenominational. Oontributions may be sent to E. W. Squire. St. Mary's HORpital, Paddington, W., or T. H. Robinson, B A., Regent's Park Oollege, N. W., in order that the work next year mcy be carried on with even greater efficiency. .
1905J GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Work among After' the Arme- trict. .Many of these died by t.heir Armenians nian massacres in own hand, and some by starvation in Bulgaria 1895-96 many Ar- menians took ref- and exposure. The situation both uge in Bulgaria, which has now an I1t Bitlis and Van is deemed critical, ArmeTlian population of not less than 20,000. Seven men have de- not so much for our missionaries voted themselves to the evangeliza- tion of these people. One of them, as for the people in the outlying Pastor Avetanarian, is a converted Mohammedan. These 7 Chrj"tian villages. The revolutionists are as workers held their first conference in Sofia last summer, ·and among much dread.ed by the better class of other important decisions reached Armenians as they are by the were the following: Turks. Help is needed by these 1. When means cau be secured a Christian worker should be station- people in all these districts, that ed in every town in Bulgaria and Rumania where there are Armeni- they may have food and clothing ans and Mohammedans. during the winter.-The iWi.s.sion- a1'y Herald. 2. In every city where there are Armenians or Turks of the Prot- A Polyglot Rev. George C. estant faith, a Protestant school should be opened. Day-school Doolittle, of the 3. The grade of the school in in Syria Presbyterian mis- Philippopolis should be raised to sion, writes thus to I1fford a higher education for Armenian youth. one of the horne papers of the Babel One of these pastors hl1s already in which he finds himself: settled in Sofia, where there is a goodly Armenian community. Among the effects of emigration upon the people of Syria may be M. N. POPOFF. noted the acquisition of various languages. In the examination of ASIA the boys' day-school at Muallekeh to-day I might have used 6 differ- Conditions It is difficult to ob- ent languages to suit the knowledge in Armenia tain reliable infor- of the various pupils-French, Italian, Greek. Turkish, Arabic, mation as to the and English. Two of the boys were extent of the troubles in Eastern born in 'Visconsin, and understand Turkey, but Consul Norton, of English better than Arabic. Others Harpoot, has visited several diB- spen t their early years in Tenn('s,ee, tricts, including Sassolln, Moush, while a third family has recently Bitlis, I1nd Van, l111d gives a sad returned from Australia. Two story of the poverty of the people other boys were born in Smyrna. I1nd the sll1ughter of great numbers Their father is Italian and their of villa,ger.s in the mountains I1bout mother of English extraction. Sassonn. Many Armenian revo- They speak Fl'ench, Italian, and lutionist.s from across the Russian Greek fluently, and are rapidly border, with a number of natives picking up the Ambic. of the district, have sOllght to incite insurrection, and the Tnrkish Work among According to the authorities determined to wipe out Jews in Palestine English .Tewish these offenders. The result has been, according to Dr. Norton's and Syria Year-book, 1904, estimate, that 5,000 persons have 78,000 Jews li'c met t.heir death in the Sassoun dis- in Palestine in a total popUlation of 650,000, or 12 per cent. Jerusa- lem contains 41,000 Jews (687:) per cent.); Safed, la,OOO (;;2 per cent.); Jaffa, 10,000 (25 per cent.); and Haifa, 1,800 (nearly 14 per cent.).
A II missionary societies engaged in work in Palestine and Syria pay some attention to the .Tews, and all of them report some success. For instance, the British Syrinn ?II is-
sion (Mrs. Bowen-Thompson) re- of the Gospel Mission to the Jews, ports in 1904 an average of 20 Jewish women in the Jewish Class at work in Jerusalem and Haifa. He Beirut, and 11 Jewish scholars in other schools, while the Syrian is connected with MI'. Barnett, of Protestant College at Beirut has an enrolment of 70 Jews (10 per the London Gospel Mission to the cent. (If total attendance). Jews, and is supported chiefly by The work of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (New York), English friends. Simon Bauer, who which consists of general work at Jerusalem and Hebron, and of a has been preaching Christ to the school for girls at Jaffa, is not distinctively Jewish, tho it is the in- Jews in Jerusalem and Safed since tention of the Alliance to become very active in the Jewish field. 1898, is opening an industrial mis- The London Jews Society com- sion (cake-bakery) in connection menced work in Palestine in 1820, and has to-day well-organized and with Ammiel Colonization Society well-equipped stations at Jerusalem, Jaffa, Safed, and Damascus. of Dusseldorf. Haifa may become The United Free Church of Scotland employs 28 Christian agents the center of this work. M. at Tiberias, Safed, and Hebron, and reports 477 Jewish children enrolled Cholera and RE'v. I. M. Yonan during the year in the 4 schools at Tiberias and Safed. The Church Poverty in Persia writes from Uruof Scotland occupies Beirut and reports 94 Jewish boys (out of an mia: enrolment of 274), and 117 Jewish girls (out of an enrolment of 135) in From the reports which ha ye attendance. The work here suffel'- come to us, it seems that this SUIlled severely through the death of mel' cholera has visited all of the the head-master of Boys' School, big cities of Persia, and most of its MI'. Staiger. who in 1862 began towns and villages. In Sheraz, a work among the Jews in Abyssinia, city of about 40,000 inhabitants, it and was one of the missionaries de- has been most awful. The number livered from long bondage by Lord of deaths was so numerous that Napier. The Presbyterian Church they could not manage to bury of England has a flourishing work them. In Teheran, the capital, the among the 15,000 Jews at Aleppo, death-rate went up to 800 a day, while the Presbyterian Church of having a total of from 40,000 to 60,- Ireland has a well-established work 000 during three months' time-alat Damascus, which, however, just most half of its inhabitants. It is now is crippled on account of lack reported that hundreds of houses of ordained laborers. The Jerusa- in Teheran have been left vacant, lem and the East Mission Fund has and the government has sealed the three stations-namely, Jerusalem, doors until some near relative mav Beirut, and Haifa. D. C. Joseph, appeal' to claim the property. who four years ago surrendered his There have been some 6,000 deaths mission at Haifa to the London in Kermanshah, about 4,000 in Jews Society, has returned to Pal- Hamadan, and so on. estinE', and opened, under thE' name It .is not only cholera that has brought destruction to Persia this year, but most of the fruit crop and vineyard crop is destroyed by tree worms and heavy, untimely rains.
A Crowded Bot h the men's Hospital wards in the hos- in Persia pital at Kerman have been constant- ly full this year-indeed, so full that "there has often been a patient on the floor between the beds." Dr. G. E. Dodson, who is in charge, writes: Overcrowding can not be won- dered at when we trv to realize that the little hospital "has no other to the north, south, or east of it in Persia, the nearest being the C. M. S. hospital at Yezd, 220 miles to the
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
west, and a twelve days' caravan Ganges, adorned with all his dis- journey too. Between us and the tinctive marks, wearing the sacred Persian Gulf, over 200 miles distant, Brahminical thread and carrying there is none; no hospital stands at in his hand a brass" lotah," full of Meshed, in Northeast Persia, to Ganges water. He advanced to the succor any who reach the sacred chancel steps and there offered up city ill after their long pilgrimage his devotions. Some days after- from any part of Persia, or more ,yard I again met him in the morn- distant country, and IlIany such ing, "lotah" in hand, near the thel'e must be. To the east the church, and asked him whether he nearest hospital is the C. l'1. S. sta- ran no risk in giving so divided an tion at Quetta. beyond the Indian attention to his own gods. ,Vith border, over 700 miles distant, some the greatest good humor he replied 50 days' steady going for the trav- that it was well to be on good eler. Many, many villages, tho terms with all the gods, whether of few large towns, lie in this radins one's own or of some other religion; oS 200 miles around us. For the after all, the displeasure of his own first half of the year we have had particular gods was of no great over 160 in-patients, including the moment for him, for it was the women's ward with its 6 or 8 beds, same Narayan that was worshiped, which is also chronically over-full. whether in the Christian church or Nearly all of these have had surgi- in the Hindu temple." cal treatment, and we find that most before they leave are not only The Growth Dr. John Mc- convinced once and for all of the One Man Laurin, of Coonoor, superiority of ,Vestern medical Has Seen India, in a letter to science, but are at least more ready the Nor'thu'est Bapto hear the reason which has bronght us to Persia to treat them, tist, of recent date, reviewing his -C. j}I, S. Glealle1', past 35 years' experience in the Telugu Mission, says: "This scribe Protestant Ve find that the has seen Baptist Telugu Christians increase from 600 to 60,000 mem- Statistics statistics for Prot- bers, missionaries from 3 to 102, and stations from 3 to 53. The dis- for India estant missions in tance between the 2 most distant stations was at that time about 80 India qu'oted in miles; it is now at least 600 miles along the coast of the Bay of Benour November nunlber are erro- gal. The station farthest from the coast was not over 10 miles then, neous in several respects. The fig- now the farthest is at least 200 miles, and yet there is much land to be ures for Anglicans, Baptists, and traversed. "
Congregationalists in Madras were First Convert The Chin people in badly mixed in the original tables. in the Haka, Burma, are Th'l totals for native Christians in Chin Hills among the wil0.est India should read: Anglicans, 225,- of the mountain 619; Presbyterians, 57,065; Bap- tribes of Burma, and they have tists, 335,758; Methodists, 133,446;' been very difficult to reach. ,Vhen Congregationalists, 107,978; Lu- the missionaries of American Bap- therans, 108,217. Total, 825,466. tist Missionary Union approached " On Good A member of the them, they seemed to have scarcely Terms With Society for the Pro- any idea of Deity; but now there All the Gods" pagation of the Gospel writes from Cawnpore: "In the church I wit- nessed an instance of that peculiar attitude of mind which enables a Hindu to enter1lain at the same time beliefs which, even if they are not contradictory, differ widely from each other. The church was open, and in walked a Hmdu on his way home from a bathe in the
appears" bright light in the cloud. Foreign Office, saying that he has From Rev. E. H. East, M.D., comes "always highly esteemed the good the good tidings that at Koset, one work which has been done in aid of of the preaching.stations, an influ- progress and I'eforms " by the" unential chief by the name of Paung selfish and earnest" missionaries. Shwin has been converted, and – lYoman's lVork. through his earnest preaching other souls have been brought out What Boys A young Chinaman of darkness into the light of Life. are Taught has written for the Is the Reform of According to the in China 1l£ission DaY8p1'ing Islam Possible? Arya Patrika (In- an intere5ting de- dia), which quotes scription of the books used by from a Mohammedan source, ad- schoolboys in China. He says the vanced Moslems are agitating the little fellow of five or six years has idea of separation from their more to learn, first of all, about 1,000 conservative brethren. The salient Chinese characters. The teacher points upon which the educated writes each of these on a small, Mohammedans agree among them- square; red paper. Next corne a selves are: few small books, one of which is " Fidelity to Parents," and then the That Islam enjoins monogamy. small student is given the books of That it does not enjoin pU1·dah. Mencius, one of Confucius's dis- That it allows the taking of com- ciples, which treat of politics. mercial interest. That it forbids slavery. Beyond Confucius it is difficult to go. The schoolboy sees the picture There areseveral other points upon of the old philosopher on the wall which they agree, but in which the of the schoolroom and bows before majority of their coreligionists are it until his head knocks the floor. not with them. One of these is that He is taught to look backward, and the Koran shall be read and prayers to' believe that all wisdom is emsaid in a language familial' to the bodied in t~e teachings of this man. worshiper, but the two great "Confucius, Confucius, great is points upon which the educated or Confucius," is a Chinese refrain. advanced Mohammedan will stand will be the observance of monog- A Chinese The Bible Society amy and the break up of pU1·dah. Governor has sent a grant of A Testimony Siam Mission sent from the a letter of congrat- Asking for 200 'Yenli New Tes- King of Siam ulation to his ma- Bibles taments to His Ex- jesty, the King of cellency Chou Fn, Siam, on his recent birthday. The letter recounted important benefits the Governor of Shantung Provof the king's "long' and progressive reign," such as the establish- ince, China, who rules over 39,000.- lllent of an educational system, founding of hospitals, prison re- 000 people. This important official, form, public works," and expressed "gratification that it is the evi- who is also a scholar of high repute, dent intention of your majesty's government to discourage and re- has expressed lL strong desire for a press gambling throughout the state." The king returned his bettel' understanding between the thanks to the mission, through the missionaries and the Chinese au- thorities; and among other means to this end, he requested Dr. Tim- othy Richard, the eminent mis- sionary in China, tn procure for him copies of the Christian Scrip- tures, which he might give to his subordinates in office for tllPm to study, becanse he was persuaded
GENERAL i'.!ISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE 15t>
that if they knew more of the A Layman's Over 100 Chinese Christian religion the anti-Christian feeling would soon die away. Forward laymen from all Movement in parts of the district Dr. John's Dr. Griffith John, China of Shanghai recent- Golden Jubilee the famous Wel;;h ly attended a con- missionary, has now only two or three seniors in ference at St. John's College, for the whole missionary body in China. Born in 1831, he went to the purpose of discussing various China in 1855, so that he is now in the fiftiet,h year of his missionary questions having to do with the life. His first years were spent in Shanghai, where he was the col- welfare of the Chinese congregaleague of Dr. Medhurst, who was the colleague of Dr. Morrison. tions and the Christian work gen- The opening of Hankow, Tientsin, Chefoo, and other ports in 1861, erally. The Chinese themselves led to some of these missionaries dispersing. Dr. John, with a proposed the conference some younger colleague, was appointed to Hankow by the London months ago, on the ground that, so Missionary Society to commence work in that city. He is now much good having resulted from engaged in completing a translation of the whole Biblp in Wen-Ii the gathering together of the memand Mandarin. The opening of Hunan province to foreign resi- bers of the district branch of the dence and missionary enterprise was, humanly speaking, largely due Woman's Auxiliary, it was to be to Dr. John's persistent· effort. The London lVIissionaty Society expected that a similar gathering and the Centr'al China Tract Society are both purposing to erect of men would have corresponding some permanent memorial in Hankow of the great services rendered advantages. A celebration of the by this veteran missionary. Holy Communion was followed hy an address by Dr. Pott and the conference discussions, under- the chairmanship of Archdeacon Thomson. Reports of the condi- tion of the different congregations were made by members chosen from them. A committee of Chi- nese gentlemen was appointed to consider the advisability of start- ing some men's work in the differ- ent parishes along the line of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. The idea seemed to meet with general acceptance.-Spi1'it of lI-l'iss'imts.
What a A Boxer cama to Surrender of Aft e r e I eve n Port Arthur months of fighting, Boxer Could Dr. S. S. McFar- Japan at last cap- Not Understand lane, of the London tured Port Arthur on January 1, 1905. The loss of men on both Missionary Society, sides is said to have reached over 100,000. And yet some complain of and said: the sacrifice of life in missiollary work! May the Russo-Japan Var I have been present at many an soon cease, but may the war of the execution and I want to ask you Lord continue with increased vigor until the world is won for Christ. two questions. (1) Vhat did .the Christians mean, when kneelmg, A Missionary The American Building Tract Society has and knowing their fate was c?me, for Seoul received from Dr. they said: "We are n?t afraid t~ Horace G. Under- die because we are gomg home? wood, of Korea, it report concern- What home? (2) How do you ac- . count for the fact .that they pra~ed for the very people who were gomg to execute them? A religion that has a grit like that must have some- thing in it. Tell me your secret.
ing propositions and plans for a ing, for hearts softening, for doors Tract Society building in that opening. for converts openly Korean capitol, costing $12,000. preaching and teaching Christ up Dr. Underwood says that the pro- and down the land. Let the brethposed building is to be large enough ren know that the time is ripe and for use by the British and Foreign the harvest is coming soon, so keep and the American Bible societies, on believing. I find that Torl'ey is and the Christian publishing cen- right, Preach for results and you ter for the whole of Korea. A fund get them."-C. M. S. Intelligencer. was started a year ago by Rev. John B. Devins, D.D., of the New How the The British govern- York ObSC1'Vel', and a total of $300 Gospel Enters ment has been slow was soon received. More recently the missionaries in Seoul have the Sudan to permit anything raised about $3,000 for this pur'pose. in the nature of 'L'hey have asked the Secretary of the American Tract Society, Rev. Christian missions in the Moham- George L. Shearer. D.D., to act as medan Sudan. It fears a stirring financial agent of the project in up of fanaticism. But the Lord this country. Jesus Christ does not ask even the Christian governments of the world Japanese A recent issue of where His Kingdom shall be estab- Presbyterians the Gospel News, lished. Christians belonging to the United Presbyterian churches in a Japanese paper, Egypt are moving into the Sudan gives some interesting statistics re- for business reasons, are taking garding the meeting on October 6th their Christianity with them, and of the Synod of the Presbyterian are now arranging to have pastors Church in Japan. Connected with and preachers. This the British this body are 75 churches and 109 government can not refuse. So the mission churches, 174 ministers and Gospel is to be preached in the Suevangelists, and 7,500 communicant dan. (See article on page 85.) members. Last year there were 1,500 baptisms. Contributions to Moroccfl Sixty-nine missionall causes amounted to over $45,000. Almost aries are at present AFRICA Untouched engaged in evangel- Even Moslems At Cairo the C. M. are Touched S. missionaries are izing the 60,000,000 experiencing many inhabitants of Morocco. Twentyencouraging opportunities for speaking and preaching to Mos- five of these, working in 5 cities, lems, and even to students of the Al Azhar. The Rev. D. M. Thorn- belong to the North Africa Mission, ton has recently addressed men from Fulah Town, Sierra Leone; whiie 4± belong to other societies Timbuctoo; Shangit, near Tirat; Yemen; Fez; and Turkey. The or work independently. Bible, bought at the mission depot, is possessed by a number of stu- Government Word was received dents, and is even read openly by Opposition from Tangier on some of them within the walls of in Morocco December 24th that the Al Azhar itself. Mr. Thornton writes: "Praise for blessing com- the British minister has instructed the British consul and all British subjects to leave Fez. It is feared that all the other foreigners will also be told to leave. If true, this will hinder the work of the North African .Mission and the Gospel Union lIission in Fez.
By the terms of the treaty be- tween France and England, France
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
has been given the control of Progress A private letter Morocco. The news comes from Among the from our beloved Paris that the policy of France will Garenganze correspondent, be to employ only the most bene- Fred. S. Arnot, ficent means to improve Morocco says: and to advance and educate its people. It is declared that France It is impoRsible to gather up in expects to conquer the people by a few words all that God has civilizing, not by killing. A teacher and physician will be sent to wrought in this country since I was each Moroccan village. France last here. Then we seemed to be plans to expend large sums of money to build hospitals, school- picking away with wooden picks at houses, bridges and roads, and will a mass of concrete-one of the nahelp the sultan in his efforts to rule tives, since converted, said, the his people well. Recent reports, however, indicate that all is not other day, that" then our preachsmooth sailing for French projects. ing seemed like voices heard in What a Card It is recorded with dreams." lV01V, within a radius of, with a Text Did gratification by the say, 15 miles of the two stations of Ochilanda and Owhalando there British and Foreign Bible Society that a native trader are over 200 professing Christians, from Timbuctu visiting Bathurst most of them being evidently real took home a card with a text writ- cases, as this work is far from beten in Arabic, and on returning to ing popular. The Portuguese trad- Bathurst the fonowing year pur- ers plot and plan to overthrow the chased an Arabic Bible. So great converts, and at the present mohad been the interest excited among his fellow countrymen by hearing ment they have had a professing the contents of the book that re- Christian put in prison on what we cently, on a third visit, he bought believe is a false charge. Then the 18 copies of the Arabic Bible. relatives have treated some of the young converts in the most cruel way. It is beautiful, too, to see among them a natural and earnest desire to carry the Gospel to the tribes around, and this week we have called all the Christians to- gether for a "Missionary Confer- ence." Some of the young men have the desire to go forth on a two or three months' journey, and we hope to see the whole church united in sending them forth.
Converts Seven of the 11 con- Progress in The Ngoni or An- Ngoniland goni tribes inhabiton the verts recently bap- ing the territory Kongo tized by Rev. Mr. west of Lake Nyasa, in the British Central Africa Protectorate, used Clark, at Ikoko, on to be the terror of all surrounding regions. In 1875 the Northern the Kongo, were girls who had been Ngoni tribes, elYpecially lived by war and for war upon everybody scholars in the school there. A whose property they had strength to seize. Dr. Stewart (" Dawn in number of other women presented the Dark Con tinen t," p. 233) says: " On a ten days' jonrney down the themselves for baptism, but were west side of the lake in 1877 I found the people living in triple advised to wait a little for further stockaded villa g3S, and the country was a land of alarms and attacks, instruction. It was explained to of perpetual terror and of miserable life." They were constantly raided one elderly woman that she had by the Ngoni, with none to protect.
been rejected only on account of lack of knowledge, and she was urged to come often to the station that the mission~ry and his wife might talk with her. She smiled and said: "Tho rejected by the church, I can still go on with Jesus."
The ruling elements of the Ngoni commissioner and his wife and his tribes are of Bantu stock, hardly differing in language-or in cruelty assistant, attended by the Scottish -from the Zulus of the olden time. Then the mission of the Free missionaries, but without one sin- Church of Scotland came to Lake Nyasa and began to try to influence gle armed soldier as body-guard. these wild robbers for peace. A native preacher from Kaffraria, He could trust that host as they named Villiam Koki, was brought to Nyasaland to help the mission- trusted him. Altho the majority aries, and he soon won great influence. Under Providence he of the tribesmen present were paprepared a way in the Angoni wilderness for the Gospel. Num- gans, Christianity is the solvent bers of leading men among the Ngoni began to refuse to join the which brought all together in what parties which went out by tribes to rob. Such men had learned enough President Roosevelt might call a to see that peace is better; before the teaching of the Gospel of Peace "peace of justice." t the Ngoni 'Yar'spirit began to vanish away. The British administra- ISLANDS OF THE SEA tion found matters at this stage when it established itself in Nyasa- New In response to an land; in fact, the Ngoni had so far become tamed by the Gospel that Mission Work appeal from the in 1896 the British commissioner was able to treat with their chiefs in Hawaii Hawaiian Evangelas responsible parties, promising to recognize their authority in the ical Association, tribes so long as they kept order. the Congregational Home Mission- The London Times of December 2d publishes a letter f!'Om Dr. Don- ary Society has appropriated the ald Fraser, giving a new chapter in the interesting story of the evolu- sum of $3,000 to enable that assotion of a nation from these savage tribes. On September 2, 1904, a ciation to maintain and enlarge great council of the Northern Ngoni chiefs formally made an the work among the English-speakagreement with ~e British commissioner for a British official to ing and native races of the islands. administer their country, with the aid of certain of their own chiefs as This is in the effort to conserve acouncil. The whole tribe rejoiced over the agreement, a!'ld the tre- the fruits of the many years of mendous transformation that thirty years have wrought among work of the American Board. The those tribes received the climax of emphasis through the fact that in American Missionary Association, the m'dst of that great circle of thousands of Ngoni armed with in response to the appeal of the spears and shields sat the British Hawaiian Evangelical Association, has made an appropriation of $6,000 to enable that association to establish and carryon work among the Asiatic races, the Chinese and Japanese, who are becoming resi- dents of the islands.
Rapid Progress The Anglican :Mis- in New Guinea s ion i n N e w Guinea has made remarkable progress during the last five years. It has now 53 workers, 12 mission stations, 40 preaching places, 300 baptized na- tives, 100 communicants, and more than 1,000 scholars in its schools. As to the results, listen to the Gov- ernor of New Guinea: "A man must go with it gun in those parts of the island where there are no missions. An umbrella suffices in the districts under missionary in- fluence. "
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
Our Task in The blood of all Work for Jews All the different the Philippines mankind flows in in Australasia Australasian soci- the Philippine Is- eties for the evan- lands. There is the most interest- gelization of the Jews have now ing place on earth in which to study been united into one interdenomi- the mingling of races. Black, national "Australasian Mission to brown, red, yellow, and white are the Jews." The new society has all there, pure 61' mixed in binary, its headquarters in Melbourne, and tenary, and quaternary combina- is closely connected with the Prayer tions. In the islands the United Union for Israel. Its report is pub- States has conquered and annexed lished in The Friend of Israel more souls than the 'Vestern Hemi- (Australian edition). The mission- sphere contained at their discovery. ary in charge, Mr. Gewnerz, reports The following table gives their dis- many opportunities for preaching tribution: the Gospel to the Jews and encour· aging signs of blessings. There Luzon and neighboring islands …… 3,600,000 are, according to latest advices, Mindoro and vicinity…….p'. •••••••• 225,000 16,840, Jews in Australasia, 5,500 of Visayas Archipelago …………….. 2,400,000 whom live in Melbourne, 6,000 in lIIindanao . … . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 600,000 Sydney, and 1,611 in New Zealand. Calamianes and Palawan………… 7'2,000 Sulu Islands and Basilan. .. . . . .. .. . . . 104,000 M.
Total. ……………………… 7,001,000 MISCELLANEOUS Its total area is 300,000 square How Native Dr. Judson Smith, miles, and the densest population Agents are of the American is in Mindanao, 62 to the square Increasing Boat'd, reports to mile; the smallest in Palauan, 5 to the square mile; while that of what a gratifying Luzon is 33 to the square mile. extent the work of this society is in native hands. During the last Then and Now The first mission to twenty years the force of native in Tahiti the South Sea Is- preachers has been doubled, and lands was the re- this is true also of other helpers. And at the same time there has sult of Captain Cook's visit. It been as great gain in the quality was commenced by the London and efficiency of the native work- Missionary Society in 1796, when ers. They are now almost wholly the Duff sailed from England with men who have been educated in the 29 missionaries for the Island of colleges of the missions. The 2,000 Tahiti. This mission was continued teachers in the schools of the misfor a number of years. The dawn sions, or in mission fields, have also broke in 1811, and with the swift- received their training largely in ness of the tropical day the sun mission colleges. rese and filled the whole region with a marvelous light! The first OBITUARY converts became pioneer missionaries. The force of their character, J. Murray The death of J. that martial spirit which has led Mitchell Murray MItchell, them to be perpetually fighting their neighbors, was turned to good LL.D., recalls his account, and the story of the hero- faithful service in India, and his ism of those early pioneers, the na- able contributions to the literature tive evangelists of the South Seas, of missiops. He was born at Aberis one of the most thrilling of mod- deen, Scotland, and ordained as an ern missionary enterprise. Indian missionary in 1838, and be- came associated with Dr. John REV. R. WARDLAW THOMPSON. Wilson, of Bombay. He labored
in India for many years-a part of heart, until her great aim was to the period at Poona, but chiefly in give herself to care for the suffer- Bombay, and at a later period he ing children of London, and live was one or two years in Calcutta. among them. In lS06, at 40 years He was an able scholar, and a man of age, returning from a visit to of noble Christian spirit-gentle America, the thought of Canada as and attractive. He was beloved a home for the little English waifs, by his fellow missionaries and by began to take shape, and led to a the natives, and he brought not a scheme of emigration. She c'rossed few of the latter into the fold of the ocean more than a score of Christ. Mrs. Mitchell, who sur- times to plant these orphans in vives him, after more than sixty Christian homes, and many whom years of married life, was an ardent she thus placed have becollle good fellow laborer, carrying on work citizens, and some of them influen- among the girls. tial and even prominent as such, In later years Dr. Mitchell took in the home of their adoption. Her charge of the Free Church of Scot- funeral drew together a host of land Mission at Nice, and was great- friends, for few women had, or de- ly esteemed by the English com- served to have, more warm and en- munity there, and by the French thusiastic admirers. A. T. P.
pastors and people. His volumes, entitled: "Letters to Indian Frances H. The passing away, Youth," .. In 'Vestern India," and Willard. at the Presbyterian "Hinduism, Past and Present." of Alaska Hospital in Sitka, have been widely used. of this beloved na- tive Alaskan missionary marks the Annie Macpherson. Mis sAn n i e close of a remarkable life. Frances of London Mac p hers 0 n H. 'Villard, gifted, cultured, con- died at Howe, secrated, was easily the foremost Brighton, England, November woman of her race. Rescued from 27th, in her eightieth year. Her heathenism by the first missionary work, already set before our readers sent to Alaska, who sheltered the (page 169, March, 1903), ranks very little ten-year-old girl in the Pres- high among the forms of benevo- byterian Missionary Home at Fort lent activity. She was her father's 'Vrangel; coming East a few years secretary when he superintended later for foul' years of study and the Ockham Industrial Schools; preparation in it private school in after his death for seven years at Elizabeth, New Jersey, winning work among the men employed in many friends by her brightness and the digging of coprolites in a Cam- intelligence, and proving herself bridgeshire village, distributing the equal in attainments of her tracts, reading to them at meal- fellow pupils from more favored times, then conducting an evening homes; returning to "her people,"
school and mission hall. The life as she loved to call those of her race; of Muller led to new ventures of taking up the work' of interpreter, faith and prayer, and the influence teacher, missionary; purified as by of Mrs. Pennyfather, of Mildmay fire; patient in suffering and Park, Lady Rowley, then at work triumphant in death, Frances H.
among the London poor, and Miss 'Villard has left behind her an ex- Clara Lowe, who drew out her ~mple that will be to Alaska~s and heart to the match-box makers, fed to all who knew her a stimulus and a the fire already kindled in her blessing.-Home Mission Monthly.
The Missionary Review of the World — December 1901
WOMEN MOURNING FOR MOSLEM
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
Old Series. } DECEMBER. j New Series. VOL. XXIV. No. 12. 1 VOL. XIV. No. 12 MIRACLES OF MISSIONS.-No. XXXiI.
A WONDER WORKING CHURCH.
BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
The Moravian Brotherhood has been and still iR a historic- marvel. Herrnhut, about fifty miles from Dresden, -is the center from which radiate the noble missionary efforts of the United Brethren. It is a plain village of Quaker simplicity and about one thousand people, where all is neat, orderly, and pervaded by the religious element.
The" House of the Brethren" and the "House of the Sisters" are the homes of unmIDl"ried men and women, respectively; the former with thirty, and the latter one hundred, inmates. No celibate or monastic vows are taken, and the association is voluntary in the interests of economy and industry and Christian labor. On the slope of Hutberg Hill lies the' peaceful burial-place of the community, with the tomb of Christian David, and slabs of stone lying fiat on the ground and looking eastward, bearing the simplest record of the dead.
The stone building at Berthelsdorf was, up to 1899, the residence of the Elders' Conference. 'rhey met thrice a week around their table, to examine the correspondence of the body, and talk over and pray over all the affairs of the Cnita8 Fratrurn. Here was the hub or the great wheel from which extend to the utmost circumference of their work the various spokes-financial, educational, evangelistic, disciplinary.
As the Moravian Brethren lead all Christendom in the high average of their missionary consecration and contribution, we may well ask, What is the cause? Their creed does not essentially differ from other creeds of Christendom's reformed churches. They -especially emphasize, both by pulpit and press, the person and vork of the Lord Jesus, as Redeemer. In Him, as they say, they "have the grace of the Son, the love of the Father, and the communion of the Spirit." The Holy Scriptures they cordially accept as the inspired and the infallible Word of God; and the Iiving Word, the blessed Christ, is, especially in His character as a sacrifice for sin, the object of their
crust and the model for their imitation. They lay stress not so much upon doctrine as upon ll/e.
The body is governed by a General Synod, meeting every ten years or': so at Herrnhut. Provincial synods control the four provinces, Cdht'inental, English, and the two American (North and South).
In constitution, their Churcil combines the features of Presbyterianism and Episcopacy, but they are not jealous of "Episcopal ordination" or "apostolic succession." They rather prize, as of unspeakable worth, the baptism of the Holy Ghost and the apostolic spirit of self-denial and loyalty to Christ.
Their moralit.y is blameless. Capital crimes, divorce, etc., are unknown. Like the Waldenses, they seem to be appointed of God to keep alive the embers of the primitive faith and apostolic spirit in the midst of the worldliness, extravagance, and selfishness that would qnench even the fires of God.
Theil' illustrious" father" in modern times was Count Zinzendorf. But their spiritual ancestry in Moravia and Bohemia reaches back, more or less clearly traceable, even to the ninth century. John Huss (born 1369) was their most famous reformer. In 1457 they organized as a religious society; after years of fierce persecu tion, in 1467 they held a synod, and completely separated from the State, and obtained from the Waldenses the" Episcopal succession." '1'hree bishops were consecrated. After a most remarkable history of alternating prosperity and persecution by the anti-reformation of Ferdinand II., Protestantism was totally overthrown in Bohemia and Moravia. Hundreds of thousands of people were driven out, as the Huguenots were from France, and for almost a hundred years the Unitas Fratru'ln was like treasure hid afield. The population of Bohemia was reduced from three million to eight hundred thousand by the Thirty Years' War.
Just fifty years after Comenius, the last bishop of the Bohemian- Moravian provinces of the old Unity, died, two families of Moravian exiles reached Count Zinzendorf's estate ill Saxony-Berthelsd01fseeking refuge. This was in 1722, and, at that time, this company of refugees embraced only ten persons. There, under his sheltering care, they built Herrnhllt (Protection ofthe Lord), and revived their ancient Church. Zinzendorf, resigning worldly honors and riches, 'became more and more identified with the Moravian Brotherhood, until in 1737, he was ordained as their bishop and the new" father" of this apostolic assembly. For nearly one hundred and eighty years they have been multiplying churches and missions. At Gnadenkulten (Tents of Grace), in Ohio, ninety Moravian Indians and six heathen were massacred in 1782 by suspicious whites. In Lapland, among the" Samoyeds, in Algeria, Persia, Ceylon, the East Indies, Guiana, Guinea, among the .Calmucks, in Abyssinia and Tranquebar, Greenland, Labrador, on the Mosquito Coast, in German East
MIRACLES OF MISSIONS.-NO. XXXII
Africa, in the islands of the West Indies, etc., in South Africa, Little Tibet and Kashmir, Australia, and now in Alaska and among the Indians in California, this feeble yet mighty band of disciples have carried the flag of the cross.
This work of foreign missions chiefly engages and almost absorbs the life of the Moravian Brotherhood. It was begun in 1732, one hundred and sixty-nine years ago, when Herrnhut was the only church, and numbered only six hundred souls. Within one hundred and thirty years this little band had sent out two thousand one hundred missionaries, exclusive of native assistallts. Zinzendorf, prior to his sixteenth year, had formed, with youths of like mind, the Senfkorn Orden (Order of the Grain of ·Mustard-Seed), with its covenant of mutual love, loyalty to Christ, and direct aim and effort for the conversion of souls. The badge of the order was a shield with an "Ecce Homo," and the motto: "His wounds, our healing." Their rule of life: " None of us liveth to himself;" "we will love the whole family of man." Thus, while this young count was at school in Halle, he was preparing uncousciously to become the leader of the great missionary Ohurch of our day. This consecrated man married a godly woman who, with him, cast rank and riches to the winds, as inventions of human vanity; and these two took as their sole aim in life the winning of souls. They were ready at a moment's call to enter on any mission work, and counted that place as home where they could find the widest door open for Christian labor. And so the Se1zfkorn Orden of the young lad at Halle grew into the DiasjJora of the Brotherhood at Herrnhut. '1'he principles of the Moravian Church may be briefly stated thus-first: every believer is to find his work in witnessing to Christ; his horne, wherever he is most needed for service; and his cross, in absolute self-oblivion for Christ's sake.
The history of this brotherhood is a modern miracle. While during the eighteenth century, "England was," as Isaac Taylor said, "in virtual heathenism," and, as Samuel Blair declared, "religion in America lay a dying; " when Voltaire and Frederick the Great ruled Europe, and lasciviousness in novel and drama, and deism in pulpit and press, threatened alike the- foundations of morality and piety; when the whole Church seemed bowing to the idols of this world, and scarce the form of godliness was left-even then the Moravian Church remained both evangelical and evangelistic! Probably, up to this time, not less than three thousand five hundred brethren and sisters have been engaged in foreign work, besides all that have been helpers in the work of the Diaspora.
The Moravians have not been remarkable for rapid multiplication. The1'r practical separation from the world neither invited worldly accessions nor allowed worldly conformities. Zinzendorf and his colleagues adopted, as the fundamental principle of the Ohurch at home,
Spener's idea of ecclesiolro in ecclesia-little churches or households of faith within the Ohurch, retreats for the godly. In the Moravian settlements only Ohurch members could own real estate, and rigid separation from the world was encouraged. In their Litany was contained this remarkable petition: "From the unhappy desire of becoming great, good Lord, deliver us! "
Again, the missionary spirit is so fostered that the Church abroad is more conspl:cuOUS than the Church at home. Both domestic and foreign missions are carried on by this numerically small body on a scale proportionately more extensive than in any other Ohristian denomination. The work of Home Evangelization or the Diaspora (see 1. Pet. i: 1, Greek-i.e., "scattering of seed ") is very extensive in Europe. It aims to evangelize State churches, without proselyting their members. Missionaries hold meetings for prayer and exhortation, visiting from house to house. In 1862 one hundred and twenty missionaries were thus employed, male and female, and the enterprise reached from Saxony to France, Switzerland and Germany, north to Sweden and Norway, and east into Russia. At that time eighty thousand members were connected with this Diaspora on the continent. In this country also operations were commenced chiefly among German emigrants.
So near as we can ascertain, on December 31, 1900, this Brotherhood numbered,including all the baptized, over ninety-six thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven at home, and over ninety-five thousand four hundred and twenty-four abroad, making a total of about one hundred and ninety-two thousand three hundred and one, and of these, three hundred and ninety-seven were foreign missionaries, with forty-seven ordained native ministers, and one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five native helpers. In other words, one out of every two hundred and forty-four communicants was a foreign missionary; they had nearly as many communicants in their mt'ssion churches as in the home churches, and actually raised $427,112.79, an average of $4.40 for each communicant, for foreign missions alone. At the same ratio, if the fifty million evangelical Protestant Ohurch members should similarly contribute, we should have $225,000,000 instead of barely $12,000,000 as our annual missionary income, and, if the whole Ohristian Ohurch would imitate such personal consecration, the evangelical churches would be sending into the field seven hundred thousand missionaries instead of ten thousand!
Prof. J. Taylor Hamilton, the historian of the Moravians, has kindly furnished additional facts down to December 31, 1900, about this mission Ohurch. He says: "Since 1899 the Unity's Elders' Oonference has ceased to exist. The term' Mission Board' might be substituted, since the' Mission Board' of five, representatives of ·the various nationalities to which members of the Unitas FratrlMn belong, now forms the central body,
i901.) MiRACLES OF MISSIONS.-NO. XXXiI
in so far as any central administrative body exists. The directing board of the Unity now consists of the several Provincial Elders' Conferences in Germany, England, and America.
"There are four provinces since 1899, American, North and South, being distinct. As an organic body the Brotherhood was not existing prior to 1457. We lay claim to nothing prior to the followers of Huss. 1'he date usually assigned to his birth by the most modern historians is 1369. Comenius was the last bishop of the Bohemian- Moravian provinces of the old Unity, but not of the Unity as suell; the succession in the Polish Province was maintained without a break until the days of Jablonski, who consecrated David Nitschmann (1735), and Sitkovius, who assented to this consecration. The first missionaries set out in 1732.
" Up to the beginning of the year 1900 the Ohurch sent out two thousand six hundred and four missionaries, male and female, not reckoning a number of men dispatched in connection with the main- tenance of trades and industries undertaken for the support of the work.
"The Dwgpora missionaries (male) now number fifty-seven. The Russian work has been compelled to contract on account of arbitrary governmental repression. The centers are in the Kingdom of Saxony, Silesia, Brandenburg, Pomerania, Province of Prussia, Posen, Province of Saxony, Rhenish -Prussia, Schleswig-Holstein, Bremen, Brunswick, Hanover, Lippe, Hamburg, Hesse, Thuringia, Franconia, Wurtemberg, Alsace, Basel, Zurich, Bern, Aargau, lHontbeliard, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Livonia, and Esthonia. Some of the former Swiss Dwspora societies have become recognized congregations of the Unity, . owing to changes in Swiss laws. It is hard to give the membership of the Diaspora with accuracy. I doubt if it is more than sixty thousand, tho sometimes placed at seventy thousand. In England a similar work is carried on, known as the 'Rural mission.' In America the home missions resemble those of other churches.
"1'ho statistics of January 1, 1901, the most recent complete statistics for the entire Unity, are as follows: German Province (omit Diaspora)….. ……………… . 8,096 Bohemian Province ……………………………….. . 691 British Province …………………………………. . American Province, North. . . . . . . . . . .. . ……………. . 5,955 American Province, South………………………… . ]8,195 Foreign missionaries (including secretaries, etc.)… " … . 5,272 *450 Total ………………………………………. . 38,659 Foreign missions, total membership ……………….. . 96,877 135,536 Diaspora associates ……………………………….. t60,OOO 195,536 * So in text·book. t Perhaps 70,000.
"The Diaspom should be counted in instituting comparisons, for these members contribute largely to our missions both in mcn and in means.
"The actual missionaries in the field, according to the statistics of December 31, 1900, numbered three hundred and ninety-seven, with forty-seven ordained native ministers and assistant ministers. The native helpers numbered one thousand eight hunured and sixty-five. The total membership was ninety-six thousand eight hup.dred and seventy-seven .
. "The total cost of the missions in the last financial year was $427,112.79. The sum of $172,553.65 was raised in the mission provinces themselves, both by contributions and as the produ.ct of industries. Friends of the Church gave $76,857.85. The members of the Church in the home provinces contributed about $26,068.18. Legacies brought in $26,913.65.
"The interest of fnnds amounted to $109,369. It will therefore appear that we are usually credited too liberally in connection with onr average contribution for ,missions per communicant member. I may add that a deficit of $19,973.59 rests upon our mission work as a whole at the present time.
"One reatnre of note is, however, the comparatively small cost of administration. Including printing expenses, last year it amounted to but $28,726.08, the salaries of bookkeepers and treasurers and secretaries being reckoned in, together with office expenses and salaries of the members of the Board."
MOSLEM WOMEN.
BY MRS. S. G. WILSON, TABRIZ, PERSIA.
One can never forget the first sight of a Moslem woman-that veiled figure, moving silently through the streets, so enshrouded that face and form are completely concealed. It is one of the peculiar features of Oriental life that the color, beauty, animation, and interest that women give to the streets of the Western cities are lacking in Asiatic cities. How different, too, is public etiquette! Men and women pass each other with no greeting or sign or recognition, anu if a wife accompanies her husband she never walks beside him, but at a respectful distance behind, and neither give a sign that they belong together. 'rhe closed carriage containing the wives of a prince, with numerous outriders ordering every man to turn his face to the wall, as a sign of respect, is in strange contrast to the enthusiastic welcome given to a British queen by expectant crowds, or to the courtesy shown any woman by all Christian gentlemen. Once I donned the Oriental street c08tume, in order to see the bazaars without
MOSLEM WOMEN
attracting notice, and shall never forget how strange it seemed to lose all identity and pass acquaintances incognito-seeing, but unseen.
We read 'of the Eastern harem, but do not realize its meaning (" the forbidden") unless we visit a wealthy Persian house. We pass through the large, imposing street-gate into the beroon, or outer ~ourt, the men's apartments, to a door where a soldier stands with stacked arms, and an old eunuch conducts us under the curtain, through a narrow, winding passage to the anderoon, or inner court, the women's apartments. Only as women have we access here, and this is to us an open door of opportunity. Even among the poorest, PERsrAN LADIES AND ATTENDANT ON THE STREET.
'Whel~e separate apartments can not be afforded, the chudder, which the women wear always ready to be drawn over the face, keeps up the idea of seclusion. But how quickly the face is uncovered whev only a woman enters!
By Moslems the veiling and seclusion are explained as a compliment, showing the value a man puts on his wives; but the real reason is his distrust of women. The estimate which the Koran puts on women is seen from the following extracts: I have not left any calamity more detrimental to mankind than women.
Woman was made from a crooked rib, and if you try to bend it straight it will break, and if you let it alone it will always remain crooked.
A Moslem authority writes: "Jealousy and acrimony, as well as weakness of judgment, .are implanted in the nature of women, and incite them to misconduct and vice." 'rhe position of women is seen from these injunctions of Mohammed: "When a man calls his wife she must come, even if she be at the oven." "Chide those whose refractoriness you have cause to fear, and beat them"; the limit sug- gested is "not one of you must whip his wife like whipping a slave."
The highest" sentiments are such as these: "A Moslem must not hate his wife; for if he be displeased with one bad quality, let him be pleased with another that is good." "A Moslem can not obtain any- thing better than an amiable and beautiful wife, who, when ordered . by her husband to do a thing, will obey; and if her husband looks at her, will be happy; and if he swears by her, will make him a swearer of truth."
A book containing sage advice warns men of these things: 1. Excess of affection for a wife; for this gives her the predominance and leads to a state of perversion, when the power is overpowered and the commander commanded.
2. Consulting or acquainting a wife with secrets or amount·of prop- erty. Mohammed also warns "not to entrust to the incapable the sub- stance which God hath placed with you," and again, "Beware, make not large settlements on women."
3. Let him allow her no musical instruments, no visiting out-of-doors, no listening to storiE's. But as to a woman's duty, Mohammed declared that if the worship of one created being could be permitted to another, he would have enjoined the worship of husbands.
It seems strange to calculate a woman's value arithmetically, but in Moslem law the testimony of two women is equal to that of one man, a daughter gets half a son's inheritance, and a wife only an eighth of her husband's property if there are children, otherwise a fourth.
As to a woman's right of choice in marriage, the Koran says: "If a woman marries without the consent of her guardian, the marriage is null and void, is null and void, is null and void." Her consent is formally asked, and is signified by silence. An adult woman may marry without her guardian's consent; bnt as child-marriages are the rule, this right of choice is reany fictitious.
Divorce, which a woman may apply for under certain very rare conditions, is a man's right without restriction. A woman's only pro- tection is that her dowry must be paid her, and the sentence of divorce must be pronounced by her husband three times; thus a little check is . put upon an angry impulse. The possibility of divorce is a constant source of terror to a woman, and it is continually held over her head . as a threat by her husband. Age, poor health, loss of beauty or eye- sight, lack of children, and especially of a son, or the merest whim may be the cause of it. I have heard the most pathetic appeals made
MOSLEM WOMEN
to a lady doctor by women in dread of divorce. One woman, the mother of five children, was divorced by her husband that he might marry a daughter of the crown prince. She knew nothing of her fate till one day word was brought her while visiting at her brother's that she need not return. That night the wedding was celebrated with firing of cannon and great festivity, but the children were crying for their mother, and for her and them there was no redress.
Mohammed, who had eleven wives, allowed his followers only four, with the additional permission of concubines, as it is written "marry what seems good to JOu of women by twos or threes or fours of what your right hand possesses." These twin evils, divorce and polygamy, INSIDE A PERSIAN HAREM.
have cansed the degradation of women in Moslem lands, as well as brought upon them untold shame and misery. Being distrusted, they have become untrustworthy; being abused, they have become abusive, und every evil passion is given free rein. The bad wife is described by a Moslem writer as "a rebel for contumacy and unruliness, as a foe for contemptuousness and reproach, and as a thief for treacherous designs upon her husband's purse." Sbe becomes an adept in the use of woman's weapon, the tongue, "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." I have seen an angry woman in a passion of rage pouring out torrents of curses and abuse, it fury incarnate. The jealousy of rival wives often leads to dreadful crimes. I have known a woman whose" eyesight was destroyed by vitriol thrown in her face by another wife, an "only son poisoned in his babyhood, and a young bride who attempted suicide.
After such a life on earth, what are a Moslem woman's l~opes of heaven? As to her place in Paradise, the Koran is strangely silent.
No delights are promised and specified for women, tho every Moslem man is to have a home" made of one pearl," "full of women "-fortu- nately it is added, "who can not see each other"; so the horrors of this life are not to be repeated there. These women are houris, described as having large dark eyes and other charms, and their number is speci- fied as "seventy-two women and eighty thousand slaves" for every Moslem. In one passage" forgiveness and a mighty recompense" are spoken of as prepared for" the resigned men and the resigned women,"
"the believing men and the believing women,"
etc. In one of the latest suras it is written, "they shall enter together with the just of their fathers and their wives and de- scendants" into gardens of Eden. Under the con- ditions above described, it is doubtful whether any women would enjoy such gardens of Eden!
The religion that robs Moslem women of happi- ness in this life and gives them no hope of happi- ness in the next lays the same obligations upon them as upon men. The VILLAGE WOMAN AND CHILD IN PERSIA. "five foundations of prac- tise," as they are called, are witnessing to the unity of God, observing the five stated periods of prayer, giving the legal alms, fasting during the month of Ramazan, and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca; in Persia is added the month of mourning for Hassan and Husein, the martyred grandsons of the prophet. As in all religions, women are most zealous and devoted in the performance of these duties. In the early dawn they rise at the call of the aZ{1,n to pray, and even during a social visit how often have we seen a woman go through the recital with no thought of its seeming strange and out of place. Being in Arabic, it is a mere mechanical act, truly a "vain repetition:" During the month of mourning one is struck with the complete change of costume, the rich gray dress exchanged for dark calicoes, and the complete absorption in the observance makes it a month when we can not hope to do much am.ong them. This is also true of the month of fasting.
MOSLEM WOMEN
During these two months there seems to be a revival of religious zeal and an increase of fanaticism. As we pass through the streets at night, crowds are gathering at the mosques, where many lamps and steaming samovas make a festive appearance. The mollah, on his white donkey, arrives and ascends the pulpit to give a harangue; but while the men sit on the rich carpets inside, the women crouch in the dusty street outside to pick up some crumbs of instruction. Often at wealthy houses, for the sake of merit, the tazia is held, and a crowd of women sit under awnings in the courtyard, alternately weeping over the woes of the martyrs as recited to them and gossiping among them- selves while they sip their tea. I have heard from some who have attended this servi-ce that the instruction given the women by the mollah was too disgusting and obscene to listen to. Thus the practise of Islam has nothing to satisfy their souls. Their belief in God is a cruel fatalism, and all their rites work no change of heart and give no peace of conscience.
The attitude of Moslem women has many encouragements and discouragements. The -natural Persian hospitality, and their monotonous, shut-in lives make them welcome visitors, to whom they show every attention, furnishing an abundance of refreshments, and expressing their pleasure in seeing "Frangee" ladies, and their admiration for their dress and customs. Religion is not a tabooed su bject; it does not surprise' them to introduce it, nor offend them to compare religions. As few of them read, it is always a wonder to them to hear foreigners read their language, and their reverence for the Injil (Testament) insures their interested attention. It is a great help to meet on some common ground. 'The criticaJ, curions stare at long dresses and strange hats is changed to beaming kindliness when we get on the subject of our children. To our good wishes," May God keep your children," they respond, " And may God keep yours," and there is a thrill of friendly equality and sympathy. They speak of their lost children as "birds of heaven," and think each will stand at a door of Paradise to intercede for their mothers. With true mother-hearts they describe their overwhelming grief and bitter weeping, often resulting in great iujury to their eyes, over the death of a child. No mother fails to respond to the words, " Suffer little children to come unto Me."
On the other hand, there are many difficulties. One is their ignorance of the world and of history. A mollah's wife, after hearing some of our doctrines, said, "Your religion is just like ours. Whatever is good in it, you have borrowed from us." The historical fact of Mohammed being six hundred years after Christ had no effect upon her. Argument from the results of Christianity are useless, for they think, as one woman said to me, "Our country is the largest, richest, and most beautiful in the world, and you have come here because this is so much the best."
Another difficulty is their false idea of Scripture, derived from the Koran and traditions. Ishmael, not Isaac, is sacrificed by Abraham; Gabriel blows into Mary's sleeve that she may become the mother of Jesus; the likeness of Jesus was crucified, but He was taken to heaven and never died, and He prophesied the coming of Mohammed as the paraclete. These are some examples, and it is surprising how widely and firmly they are believed. The one great truth of Islam, the Unity of God, makes the Trinity and the Divinity of Christ stumbling-blocks to them. I have often had a woman ask me with a coarse laugh, "Is God married?" and" Can He have a'Son ?" Most unfortunately the Koran declares the Trinity as accepted by Christians to be God, Mary, and Jesus. Among Shiahs the sufferings of the martyr Husein are said to be in propitiation for the sins of true Moslems, so that Satan has devised this counterfeit of Christ's sacrifice to oppose the doctrine of the atonement.
Their fanaticism is another uifficulty. Strange that they espouse so warmly the religion that does them no benefit. Among our visitors is a mollall's wife, who always comes with a crowd of her daughters, step-daughters, and daughters-in-law. She is a strict observer of fasts and pilgrimages and prayers. It is most baffling to have her sit counting her beads and repeating in an undertone the ninety-nine names of God while you talk to her, or interrupting you to tell a long and tedious tale of some imam, or to relate the joys and miraculous experiences of her stay in Kerbela. She returns your interest in her soul by anxiety for yours with lofty superiority and entire selfsatisfaction.
Again, it is as hard to cope with the liberality and politeness with which others will blandly hear all you say, and answer that there are prophets for every nation, and we will all reach heaven by different roads Inshallah (by the will of God).
The frivolity and childishness of their minds often utterly discourages one. A fixed and eager look you find is to catch a glimpse of your gold tooth, and the question trembling on another's lips is not" What shall I do to be saved?" but" When were yon married? " or "How old are yon?" They often say, "It is all good and sweet to hear, but we will forget it to-morrow; we can't remember."
Matthew, as it is the Gospel for the Jews, is found specially appropriate to Moslems, whose religious ideas are so largely derived from Judaism. The opening sentence connects Jesus with Abraham and David, whom they honor; the visit of the Magi connects Him with Persia; the frequent references to the Mosaic Law and to prophecies fulfilled, the discussions' on prayer, fasting, ablutions, ceremonial uncleanness, marriage and divorce, signs, false prophets, and references to such Old Testament characters as Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, Jonah, and Elijah, all known to them; the questions addressed to
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Jesus, just such cavils as Moslems would make, the Pharisees, counterparts of the mollahs and sayids of to-day, the parables peculiar to Matthew, etc., make it the Gospel most easily understood and best suited to them. The" Story of the Life of Ohrist," illustrated by rpagiclantern pictures, is much enjoyed. I remember well one afternoon when a company of high-class ladies were invited to such an entertainment. As the story developed before their eyes of that life so powerful and pitiful, so human and yet supernatural, the interest grew till the climax was reached in the scene of the crucifixion, and the silence showed how they were impressed and awed.
There is no doubt that Moslem women need the Gospel, as all human hearts need and respond to its good tidings. However degraded aud lost, they are still God's children. The Father of their spirits can by His Spirit reach and impress their souls. This is a continual source of hope. Jesus Ohrist is just the Savior they need, to whom there is neither male nor female, the friend of sinners, the deliverer of Mary Magdelene from the power of seven demons, and in whose heaven they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God.
THE BRUMMANA MISSIONARY OONFERENCE.
BY REV. F. B. lIfEYER, B.A., LOKDON, ENGLAND.
During a memorable week in August of this year a missionary conference was held at Brummana, Syria. l'here were so many points of interest connected with it which claim more than a passing notice that I venture to group my' impressions in the present paper.
First, the place itself deserves mention-an exquisitely beautiful site, on the ridge of one of the lower spurs o~ the Lebanon, twentyfour hundred feet above the level of the Mediterranean. The shore of the sea is four miles distant, tho it seems not more than a mile, and one could easily see the breakers beating on the sands, so deceptive are the distances in the calm, pure air. The slopes are covered with crops of cereals, figs, pomegranates, olives, the eucalyptus, and especially with a great profusion of mulberry trees, needed for the silk industry of the district, which gives employment to the women in their homes and in small factories dotted about the villages.
On this spot the Friends founded a mission, hospital, and schools in 1877, which are now under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Little; and these premises furnished comfortable accommodation for a .considerable number of the conference, the others finding shelter in the large array of tents which, with their entire outfit, had been placed at the disposal of the committee of arrangements by the generosity of the well-known tourist agents, Messrs. Oook & Son. 'fhe dotting of
these tents in all parts of the extensive grounds gave them a very picturesque appearance. Many had traveled, as the missionary contingent from Tripoli did, in real style oriental to the conference, and so settled under their own canvas.
What joy would have filled the heartK of the noble founders of the Syrian mission if only they could have foreseen, in prophetic vision, this ecumenical gathering. Perhaps they were permitted to behold it from the home of the blessed! Of those who landed between 1820 and 1830 Rev. Isaac Bird alone survives, and I had the pleasure of sitting with him and his beloved wife and daughter at the daily meals. Rev. Pliny Fisk died shortly after landing, in 1820, and I greatly value a gavel made from the wood of the olive tree standing at the head of his grave, and with which I was presented at the close of the conference. Dr. Eli Smith, who began the translation of the Bible into Arabic, died in 1857, and Dr. W. M. Thomson, author of "The Land and the Book," in 1894.
In this brief and imperfect, enumeration of those to whom the mission owes so much we must ever place in the front rank Dr. Van Dyck, whose translation of the Bible into Arabic anticipated the labors of the revisionists, and has needed no alteration from the day that it left his hands, in June, 1865. It is doing much to fix and preserve the Arabic language, and all the Arabic Bibles are printed from his type at the American Press in Beirut. I stood, with considerable emotion, at his grave in the cemetery attached to the American Press.
Amid what awful hardships the mission was founded in those early days! In 1828 the missionaries were driven to Malta. In 1835 the plague and the disturbed state of the country rendered continuous missionary labor impossible, and Protestant Ohristianity was a reli,qio illicita. In 1841 came the civil war in the Lebanon between the Druses and the Maronites, which broke ont again in 1860, and was followed by terrible massacres and awful destitution.
But how great the change! In 1830, when the missionaries returned from Malta to Beirut, one small row-boat could contain the entire Protestant community of the Turkish Empire, consisting of five persons; in 1900 it was said to number about 75,000, of whom 7,000 were in Beirut. Then for a Mohammedan to become a Ohristian involved the penalty of death)' now the Protestant and other Ohristian sects, together with converts from Islam, are guaranteed freedom from persecution, and the enjoyment of all rights and privileges. Then there were no schools, but now, through the exertions of Miss Taylor, Mrs. Bowen Thompson, the missionaries of the American Board, and now of the American Presbyterian Mission, the whole number of children in Protestant schools in Syria and Palestine is about 18,000, of whom one-half are girls, and, in addition,
THE BRUMMANA MISSIONARY CONFERENCE
schools have been opened by Mohammedans, Greeks, Maronites, and Roman Oatholics. Then there were no Bibles and no general litera- ture, but now 700,000 copies of the Scriptures have been issued from the press, each copy bearing the imperial seal of authorization, and there are now sixteen Arabic journals in Beirut alone. Then there were no hospitals; now there are four, while the medical department . of the Syrian Protestant college is constantly training native physi- cians and surgeons.
One of the noblest institutions in Beirut is that remarkable col- lege,'opened in 1865 with sixteen students, which has now ten stone buildings, a large library, an astronomical observatory, extensive scientific apparatus and laboratories, and is attended by five hundred students from all parts of the Orient. Year after year new buildings are being added to meet the demand, which seems insatiable. Few men have been permitted to see a more remarkable crown placed on their life-work than the honored president, Dr. Bliss, who has watched over this great institution from its beginning to the present time; and tho celebrating, with Mr. Bird, his seventy-eighth birthday during the conference, seemed in health and spirits as one of the youngest.
In this category a foremost place also must be given to the work of Dr. H. H. Jessup, who opened the first theological seminary in 1868, and has been its devoted leader and teacher ever since, and al ways identified, besides, with the manifold in terests that have gathered abou t the work of the American and other missionaries; wise in legislative ability, eloquent in speech, sweet in temper, lovely in his home life, to whose strong and wise touch so many good things in the religious life of Beirut are due. He told me that the President once proposed to send him to Persia to represent the United States at the court of the Shah, but he refused because he felt that the service of Ohrist in Beirut needed his presence still more urgen tly, and I reminded him of what Dr. Oarey said when his son accepted a similar post under the British government-" Eustice has driveled into an ambassador."
The conference, which was the second (the first having been held three years ago), was expressly called to consider the privileges and possibilities of life in Ohrist, and I was there to give two or three addresses daily. Those solemn, blessed gatherings at suurise and sunset, in the forenoon and afternoon, under the extensive awning stretched over the boys' playground, will be forever photographed in my heart. Some two hundred missionaries were present from all Bible lands, from Anatolia and Oonstantinople in the north to Egypt in the south, from Smyrna, Tripoli, Syria, Palestine, Damascus, and Baalbec, and more places than space permits me to enumerate. Besides these there must have been quite one hundred native Syrian pastors, evangelists, students, and teachers, young men and women. These
were specially interesting to me, as they understood English, and met me separately in the Friends' meeting-house for special instruction.
In addition to the addresses on spiritual themes, the conference considered such subjects as Bible study, Sunday-schools, Y. M. C. A. and Christian Endeavor work, publication work, and the need of a theological school for all Arabic-speaking missions in the Levant. 'fhe latter was introduced by the president of the conference, Dr. H. H. Jessup, and it is greatly to be desired that it .should lead to some practical result.
But one of the brightest hours was due to the suggestion of the beloved secretary of the conference, Rev. G. M. Mackie, of the Scotch Church Jew's Mission, that each should send in a slip of paper containing the three qualifications which go to make up "the ideal missionary," and these are some of the results, collated and grouped: Physical,' A healthy body; adaptability to all kinds of food; prepared to rough it, if necessary.
Intellectual anil moral,' A natural gift for languages; with a touch of humor; sanctified humor, but who will not laugh at the superstitions of the people; capable of Bible-study, heart-study, language-study; holding fast great essentials, with a broad charity to those who differ; courtesy and kindness to fellow-missionaries and people of the country; ability to adapt himself to the institutions of the land; sympathy, compassion, and love; able to manifest a wise sympathy, and take an interest in everyone he meets; one who will keep neal' his fellowmissionaries and near the people among whom he works; who has a sense of right proportions, and puts first things first; not likely to turn aside to secular office or emolument; defendable; who has the ability of setting others to work; who is able to live at peace with all men without sacrificing principle.
Spiritual,' Perfectly yielded to God; willing to efface self and exalt Christ; of a single purpose, not desiring to be ministered to, but to minister; keen of ear to detect God's faintest whisper, and honest in heart to obey; mighty in the Scriptures, rightly dividing the Word; filled with enthusiasm and holy zeal for souls; a sent one, and ever about the Father's business; earnest in prayer; doing all things in a spirit of prayer; filled with the Spirit; full of faith and of the Holy Ghost; allowing and expecting God to work by His Spirit; one who dwells in the Holiest; having an experimental knowledge of sin, and of the way of salvation; possessed of unfaltering faith; willing to hold on to his post, and not discouraged if there is not much fruit; ever bent on finding the angel in the block of marble; assured of the ultimate triumph of the Gospel; prepared to endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Here are a few complete triplets: First, I-,ove; second, Love; third, Love. God's Love shed abroad till it streams over to all;
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Love to Christ, showing itself in untiring zeal, patience, and persever- !.flce; Love for goodness and one's fellow men. A warm heart, a hard head, and a tough skin. One that has right relations to God, to others, and to himself-to God, loyalty; to others, tact; to himself, a conscious- ness of the right proportion between work and relaxation.
Dr. Jessup quoted the verdict of Dr. Van Dyke, after a retrospect of fifty years: ,; The ideal missionary is the one man who stands in .one place doing one thing."
At first this seems rather a discouraging enumeration, and I can imagine some young souls being cast into despondency as they com- pare themselves with such a list of requirements. But let them be reassured; these are, all of them, fruits of the Spirit, and if there be a true resolve to enter Christ's school and learn of Him, if there be whole-hearted surrender and consecration to His HOly Spirit, if there be the definite desire that He should take up His residence in the heart, revealing Jesus, and working out the Divine purpose-all these qualities will come in due course; they are the natural fiowllrs and fruits of the Divine work in the soul.
Details were given at the Conference of the amazing work of grace on foot in Cairo, where a converted Moslem, in connection with too American mission, is addressing from five hundred to six hundred Moslems three times a week, and creating deep and widespread impressions; for he is as well acquainted with the Koran as with the Bible, and is able to deal with many of the weaknesses of the Mohammedan system, and to show those points in which it comes into closest contact with Christianity.
The question has been long on my heart, whether, in approaching men of other religions tha~ our own, and whom we desire to convert, it is better to accentuate or to minimize differences. Is there not too great a tendency to demolish the structure of their religious beliefs to the ground and building a new one in its stead with altogether fresh materials, instead of finding as much common ground as possible, and passing from that ,to the revelation of Jesus Christ? I have sometimes thought that we might learn a lesson from the long historical resnmes of the Acts of the Apostles, by which the early Ohristian apologists apparently desire to prove how much they had in common with the Jews whom they addressed.
Dr. Jessup told me of a young Mohammedan who came into a most blessed realization of Jesus Ohrist, and went, with his life in his hand, to preach to his former coreligionists. In every case he would begin with the Koran, and cite the five or six passages in which the prophet commends the Old and New Testaments and extols their study. 'fhen he would ask to be allowed to do as the prophet bade, and would read the Scriptures, commenting on them as he did so, and almost insensibly leading his hearers into the Divine presence.
Again, i~l Calcutta, when I was giving a series of addresses on spiritual religion, I was greatly attracted to a professor in the college, a non-Christian, who attended them, and with whom I had much heart converse. We found how much .similarity there was between the application of the cross of Christ to the appetites and evils of our self-life as I taught it, and the process of self-mortification, in ten different degrees, as the Hindu philosophy put it. It seemed as tho he was easily brought to the point where it became all-important for him to receive the Divine man, by the spirit of whose life we are set free from the law of sin and death.
Of course, in any case, the work of regeneration can only he wrought by the Holy Spirit, and He is waiting to use the truth as it is in Jesus, that the soul may be cOllvicted of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; but it is for us to choose the truth, which will most easily win an audience with our hearers. Paul hegan to preach on a memorable occasion in the Hebrew tongue, and emphasized his own nurture in the straitest sect of Judaism.
Let me, in closing, express my profound love and respect toward all missionaries! How good they have always been to me! On my way home, what kindness I have experienced from Dr. Watson, of Cairo, and Rev. Mr. Finney, of Alexandria, and their colleagues, with none of whom I had been previously acquainted! The more I know of missionaries the deeper is my sympathy in their special trials, temptations, and difficulties, and the keener my desire to bring them refreshment, as they stand, isolated and lonely, in their outpost duty.
'fHE MOVEMENT OF 1901 TOWARD MISSIONARY UNITY.
BY ltEV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D., ROCHESTER, N. Y.
The century starts well in the matter of fraternity and practical federation in foreign mission work. Some features of these developments have been noted in our pages during this year. '1'he General Missionary Oonference held in Japan, October, 1900, was mentioned in the March number, and the results are being partially chronicled from time to time; the eighth annual meeting of Missionary Officers of the United States and Canada in New York, in January, was chronicled also in that issue; the notable conference of All China Missionary Women was presented in May; the International Missionary Union and the Federation in the Philippines in August; and the General Council of Bible Study and Foreign Mission in our Uctober number.
It is desirable to mention some of the other missionary conferences of 1901, which exhibit the growth of the tendency to increased cooperation aud practical unity among missionaries throughout the world, tho it is beyond our pages to include them all. Mention is
THE MOVEMENT OF 1901 TOWARD MISSIONARY UNITY
here chiefly made of such meetings and. organizations as exhibit or fortify and strengthen concord and concert of action.
The officers' meeting in New York, in January, took np the resolution which was adopted at the supplementary meeting of the Ecumenical Conference, proposing the formation of an International Council Board for all missionary societies of the world, bu t did not consider the time ripe for snch organized action, yet favored a fuller development of national organizations preliminary to the larger action. They initiated a movement looking to an Interdenominational Bureau of inf,ormation, and the women's societies provided for a series of studies for all their societies, as set forth in our November number.
THE GERMAN QUADRENNIAL CONFERENCE.
It was not widely known in this country till the Ecumenical Conference, that the missionary societies of Germany were accustomed to hold a conference every four years, composed of mission officers, leaders, and experts of all evangelical denominations. When the subject of organizing an international committee of representatives of all the missionary societies of the world was under consideration at the Central Presbyterian Church, the day after the close of the Ecumenical Conference, one of the German delegates to the conference gave interesting information about this fraternal organization of missionary societies in Germany. This missionary conference held in May last its tenth session in Bremen, when there were fifteen German societies and eight others represented at the gathering. There were forty-seven delegates in attendance-German, French, Swiss, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, and Finnish.
Mapy important topics were considered. Dr. Schreiber. a prominent figure in the Ecumenical Conference, discussed "The Human Rights of Natives in the Colonies," and the methods of securing them, and the Central Committee of German Missions was charged to look after the matter and make proper representations to the colonial governments interested. Considerable discussion was had on the "Principles and Aims of Evangelical Missions on the Basis of the Experiences of the Nineteenth Century," and the policy of presenting missions as a purely religious movement was modified to embrace national obligations.
Dr. Warneck's paper on " Missionary Undertakings by New Societies" deprecated the multiplication of new societies. Emphasis was put on the thorough training of native pastors and teachers. In America and in England there has been great concert of opinion that the wise way is to sink the" society" in the Church, making missions the work of the Church as such. The Methodist Episcopal Church long since thus absorbed its independent society. The Missionary Society of the Church of England has sought to impress a
similar view on its constituency. This view was stoutly contended against at the Bremen Conference, so far as Germany was concerned. In view of the historic development of the continental societies, they could not yield the management of their affairs to the churches "as such," nor would the evangelical basis of these organizations be as secure by blending them with the Ohurch organizations as now.
The" Mutual Relations of Foreign Missions and Foreign Politics" showed a general sentiment in favor of absolutely discouraging any fostering of missions by governments at home, and the secretary of the Danish Missionary Society opposed the acceptance of any compensation whatever for destroyed mission property, especially in independent countries like China. 'fhe general view, however, was similar to that taken by the American Oonference of Boards last January in New York. The position favored was, that compensation for destroyed property up to its actual value should be accepted if offered, and also for dependents upon murdered n~tive Ohristians; but no money should be demanded or received for a foreign missionary's life. It was agreed that foreign offices of governments should be informed that the interposition of foreign powers in private affairs of Ohinese Ohristians was not considered desirable nor helpful to the cause, and that the Chinese Ohristians, as a body, did not wish such official protection from without.
The encouragement of "self-support" by the native Ohurch was thought to be essential, and uniformity of practise on the different fields, while not at present entirely possible, yet was to be earnestly sought, so far as their dealings with native preachers, teachers, and evangelists were concerned.
Among the other subjects considered were the combating the African rum traffic, a manifesto being agreed on to be circulated among all evangelical churches of the continent of Europe ; also a committee was appointed to provide the press with missionary information; and during the debate on the competitive Roman Oatholic missions, it was stated that their success was not equal to that of evangelical missions and their reputation was decreasing.
The widely known Dr. Warneck, who has been secretary of this conference for sixteen years past, was succeeded in that office by our editorial correspondent, Dr. Merensky, of Berlin, who became favorably known in this country through his presence at the Ecumenical Oonference.
The scope of topics considered was quite wide. Oanon Edmunds' contribution to the question of the principles that should regulate the provision of further translations of the Scriptures would, of course, be valuable, and all ought to know what Bishop Tucker had to say about mass movements toward Ohristianity. '['he preparation of missionary candidates is a subject concerning which we in America
THE MOVEMENT OF 1901 TOWARD MISSIONARY UNITY
have much-nearly everything, in fact-to learn, and the vast variety of special work developing on mission fields renders it a theme most necessary to discuss. 'The conference considered cooperation for spe- cial objects on mission fields and the relation of missionaries to gov- ernments. This theme will not soon down. The American, the German, and now the British, union gatherings of officers have, as we have stated, considered this subject, and it is continually upper- most in contributions to the press, religious and secular, since the outbreak in China. Before that, however, the Protestant missionaries • in China were .protesting against the Roman Catholic missionaries in that empire assuming political functions, and gradually the evangel- ical forces of all China have begun to realize that they have, indirectly, been the unconscious agents themselves of extending political patron- age over native Christians of their several missions. They are astir with the discussion of how to mend their ways and what their prac- tical attitude should be in the premises. It will be well if the three national organizations, German, American, and British, can work out some general principles and policy for all.
BRITISH CONFERENCE ON MISSIONS.
It was suggested in the discussion of the proposal for an International Council on Missions during the meetings of the Executive Committee of the Ecumenical Conference, to whom the resolution of the meeting at Central Presbyterian Church was referred, that it might be better to mature the national organizations further, and when these were more fully established, out of them might grow the International Board of Councillors.
Whether it was an outgrowth of this Ecumenical Conference or not, measures were taken in the early part of this year for inaugurating a conference in England like those of Germany and America. A conference on foreign missions was arranged by the London Secretaries' Association, in the Bible House, London, June 18-20, which should be of a semi-private character, for consideration of matters of common interest to the several missionary organizations. There were representatives of twenty-five societies in attendance. Women's societ,ies were included in the membership of the body. Dr. George Robson and Rev. J. Fairley Daly, favorably introduced to America by the Ecumenical Conference, were among the delegates of the United Free Church of Scotland; Rev. Chancellor Edmonds, Principal Lightfoot of the Church Missionary College, Bishop Tucker, of Uganda, and .Lord Overtoun were of the number participating in the proceedings. Rev. H. E. Fox and Rev. F. B. Meyer, our colaboreJ of the editorial staff of this REVIEW, spoke at a devotional session of the conference. It was resolved to hold another conference next year.
THE EVANGELICAL COUNCIL OF ITALY ORGANIZED.
Wednesday, June 19, 1901., a meeting was held in Rome in Y. M. C. A. Hall, for the purpose of trying to bring about greater friendliness and a more cordial understanding between the several evangelical denominations in Italy, and to increase the efficiency of the work of evangelization. The meeting was arranged for by the presidents and representatives of the principal evangelical bodies in Italy.
Representatives and delegates were sent to this conference from the Waldensian Church; the Evangelical Church of Italy (formerly, Free Italian Church); Methodist Episcopal Church; Baptist Mission, Italian-American Branch; Baptist Mission, English-Italian Branch. This conference proceeded to provide a permanent organization of the several bodies, under the name of the "Evangelical Council of Italy," composed of delegates from all the bodies above named, with representatives of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the National Bible Society of Scotland, the Society for Publication of Evangelical Works in Italy, and the National Sunday-school Committee. It was provided that the following might be included if they so desire: the Catholic Reformed Church, the Evangelical Mission in Spezia (Rev. Clark), and the Salvation Army. An appropriate statute is to define and solidify the council.
It was an epochal assembly, and the nineteenth and twentieth of June will become a date significant like the twentieth of September, which commemorates the entrance of Garibaldi into the Eternal City. Gavazzi would rejoice, were he alive, at this evidence of the unity of the Evangelical Church in Italy. His plans did not prosper, but Bengal says "it is in the nature of good beginnings to grow," and what he meant in 1859, in trying to project a National Oatholic Church matured into a "Free Italian Church" in 1870, and now into a broader organization for cooperation of the Waldenses, the Free Churches, the Baptists, the Methodists, European and American, and others. They may each go their several ways, but they present a solid front in all essentials, and will do a large part of their work with greater economy and efficiency under the common aim-" Italy for Christ."
One would think that a compacted Protestantism in Italy might have attracted the notice of the Vatican, as the press has been recently giving out that the Society for the Preservation of the Faith-not the large one of that name, but one with operations confined to Italy -has sent appeals to the American Church for funds to combat the Protestant advance in Rome. They charge that Protestantism gets on with large use of money from America, and say American Catholicism ought to furnish special funds to counteract their efforts, leaving the custoJ'Y''lry revenues from the Roman Catholic Churches of America to be appropriated to the usual channels, and to securing the
THE MOVEMENT OF 1901 TOWARD MISSIONARY UNITY
pope's return to temporal power. Whether this coordination of Protestant forces in this evangelical council has had anything to do with it or not, Protestantism is active enough to be the occasion of such an appeal.
CHINA MISSIONARY ALLIANCE.
There has for some time existed in China a "British China Association" and an " American Association of China." The North China Daily News called attention to the need of a similar organization of all missionaries in China, and Rev. George Douglas, of Manchuria, appealed to the Shanghai Missionary Association to take steps to initiate a "China Missionary Alliance." The benefits of such an organization in dealing with great national emergencies and in securing unity in action in matters pertaining to education, literature, and civic as well as missionary policies related with missions, will present themselves readily without further reference. Specially should such an alliance be helpful in guiding influences likely to affect missionary relations to the Reform party, which it is pretty certain will come to the front under more moderate and wiser development. The disturbances in China have shown the need of some medium through which the missionary body can express its views as a more compact and more inclusive body, and take such action as the necessity of the situation may demand. They will be able to issue utterances which circumstances call for in rebuttal of gross misrepresentations of the missionaries and their work, such as have found their way recently in magazine literature and the secular press.
UNION IN JAPAN.
The General Conference of Missionaries in Tokyo passed a resolution proclaiming its" belief that all those who are one in Christ by faith are one body." The Missionary Association of Central Japan sent out a letter explanatory of the resolution last February, which we have not hitherto been able to give to our readers. This part of the resolution of the General Conference they explain as being the foundation of their efforts for the peace and unity of the Church. "The faithful," they say, "are in Ohrist one body, one faith, partake of one spirit, serve one Lord, call upon one Father. They are therefore in duty bound to avoid the spirit of division and all that stands in the way of true and Ohristian fellowship, and to seek for the full realization of that corporate oneness for which the Lord himself prayed." They exhort all who are called by Ohrist's name to make the prayer of Christ for the oneness of his followers their prayer. They recommend that all ministers and evangelists in their public worship on the Lord's Day, or, at other stated times, make the realization of our Lord's desire the object of special prayer; and that all Ohristians pray for the same at
their family and private devotions. They also send out the following form of prayer for those desiring to use it: "Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who hast purchased an universal Church by the precious blood of Thy Son, we thank Thee that 1'hou hast called us into the same and made us members of Christ, children of God, and inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven. Look now, we beseech 'fhee, upon Thy Church, and take from it division and strife and whatsoever hinders godly union and concord. Fill us with Thy love and guide us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may attain to that oneness for which '1'hy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, prayed on the night of His betrayal, who with Thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen."
The bishops of the Nippon Seikokai also adopted a form of prayer to be used in the ritual service of that Church in public worship, to be used at least every Sunday. This prayer recognizes the "great dang"er" of "unhappy divisions," and petitions for the removal of "all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord."
In addition to the union of several denominations at home and abroad, we note the increased force drawing together branches of allied bodies. 'fhe organization of the United Free Church of Scotland, and that of all branches of Methodists throughout Australasia, are important measures. The Methodist branches of the Japan Church have through a series of years endeavored to find a platform for combination as one Methodist Ohurch in that empire. They refuse to be discouraged aHer the failure of repeated attempts of ten years past. These failures were chiefly owing to objections on the part of· their home churches to some details in the proposals. In January, 1901, representatives of six Methodist missionary societies met in Tokyo, at the call of the Canada mission, and drew up a plan of federation, which it is hoped will be acceptable to their several constituencies in Japan and to their home boards, looking to the organization of a united Japan Methodist Church.
Other denominational movements toward union are to be noted in Mexico and in India. The Presbyteries of Jl4exico are seeking to establish an independent synod uniting the Northern, Southern, Cumberland, and associate Presbyterian churches. The last meeting of the Presbyterian Alliance in India also voted to prepare for an organic union of the fourteen Presbyterian bodies in India into a National Presbyterian Church. There is still further opportunity for denominational union and interdenominational federation, in order that the Church of Christ may present a more united front to the forces which oppose the progress of the Kingdom of God.
MISSIONS IN CHINA: SHALL WE ADVANCE OR RETIRE?
MISSIONS IN CHINA: SHALL WE ADVANCE OR RETIRE?
BY REV. J. L. WHITING, PEKING, CHINA.
Missionary of the American Presbyterian Church (North), 1869-, There are some who think the attempt to evangelize China a stu- pendous blunder. That it was a blunder they hold was perfectly clear from the beginning, and to their minds the proof has been greatly emphasized by the outbreak a year ago. Others who at first were in favor of missions have changed their minds and think the cost too great. They deem that a halt has been most emphatically called, and maintain that we should be flying in the face of Providence should we endeavor to reoccupy the fields from' which we have been driven. They say missionaries should be confined to the open ports. With such objections vigorously urged, it is but reasonable that we should place some of the arguments pro and con over against each other, that we may more clearly discern on which side the weight of evidence rests, for the missionary does not wish to be a fanatic.
It must be assumed that the reader of the REVIEW is a Christian; hence arguments either from Scripture or reason will be admitted. '1'he Church charter for mission work contains what the Duke of Wel- lington called the" Marching Orders." (Matt. xxviii: 19.) '1'his sets before us the end to be aimed at. It does not of neces- sity require mission work to be carried on in every country at all times, but it does demand that the .Church make its best endeavor to bring the evangelization of the world to accomplis.hment as soon as may be, never losing sight of the end to be reached, and ever pressing toward it. It makes no distinction between superior and inferior races, or between those easily accessible and those difficult of approach. It does not intimate that when the more docile peoples are discipled the remainder may be abandoned to their obstinate ungodliness, or left in their moral corruption. A significant promise is made-that the Master will be with his disciples to the end of the world. Whatever the difficulties of obstinacy or duplicity may be, the presence of the Master insurcs that the end of the discipIing age shall eventually be reached. Should we admit, what is sometimes asserted, that professed conversions among the Chinese are brought about by selfish motives, it would not be sufficient ground for giving up effort to secure genu- ine conversions. It might well lead us to examine anew our methods, but it could not prove the Gospel not the power of God unto salva- tion, even if it did show the methods of work to be the weakness of man unto failure and confusion. But it is not true that con versions to Christianity are all or chiefly spurious, nor have we evidence that selfish· motives playa larger part in their profession of Christianity .than have moved and continue to move other peoples. Scores and . hundreds who had lat$lly emerged from heathenism have refused to
recant when their lives were at stake, showing they had well considered the step they had taken in choosing Christ as their reliance.
A contract surgeon said in my hearing that he had been accustomed to contribute to foreign missions when the plate was passed, but he should do so no more. He had seen three of his soldier friends who had lost their lives on account of the war for the relief of the legations, and they were worth more than a thousand Chinese. Two points in what he said are open to objection. First, he assumed that the war was on account of missionary work having been carried on, which was an error. The outbreak was due to a combination of causes, the chief of which were the seizure of Chinese ports and other political aggressions of foreign nations. Secondly, this surgeon's standard of value was by no means defensible. What were the lives of the soldiers worth? or were they lost? What is the life of anyone worth? 'rhe question here is not one of contemning human life, or the opposite, but of the real value. One's life is really worth just what it connts for toward the elevation of mankind. When judged by this standard there are many lives of no value to the world, and some are worse than useless, because they are spent in selfishness and tend rather to degrade than to uplift. On the other hand, a man's value does not depend alone on what he is, but also on what he may become and do. In that view, who can compute the worth not alone of a thousand but even of one when the interests of eternity are taken into consideration? If the lives of those soldiers, and hundreds of others, soldiers and civilians, which have been sacrificed in the great uprising, were yielded up in the Master's service, they will be found among those who having lost their lives have saved them unto eternal life, and no finite being can tell how much their lives counted for, even for this world, as they gave them up. Many who are spending their lives in ease and peace are losing them. Each day as it goes is lost; there is nothing to show for them.
But some say, "The Chinese have their own religion; if they are but sincere, will it not be well with them?" That is just the question. Is it or is it not true that there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesns? Peter declared, "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." If we give up these claims we give up our hope. If we hold them true, what hope is there for the worshiper of idols? John also classes idolaters among murderers and thieves who are" without the city." Is it true that he that hath the Son hath life, but he that obeyeth not the Son hath not life, but the wrath of God abideth on him? Some fear it would be narrow and illiberal to say that only Christians have a safe ground of hope, but the Bible gives no other way of salvation than repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. '1,'here are some things
MISSIONS IN CHINA: SHALL WE ADVANCE OR RETIREr
essential. We can not look upon them as indifferent. A rope of sand and a steel cable are not the same to hold a ship from drifting on the rocks, nor will a stone and bread equally nourish the starving man. Wood, hay, and stubble will not stand when gold, silver, and precious stones are tried in the fire. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and Ohrist Jesus has been set forth as a propitiation by faith in His blood. God is one, and shall justify the circumcision through faith and the uncircumcision through faith.
In the minds of many, civilization and Ohristianity are not dis- tinguished from each other. Such suppose the adoption of the cus- toms of Europe or America marks the progress of the Gospel in heathen lands. On the contrary, the power of the Gospel would pre- vent the adoption of some of those customs. Toward others it is entirely neutral. The missionary goes forth, not to teach a higher civilization, but to make known the way for the salvation of the soul through faith in Jesus Christ. It is true that the principles of the Gospel when received will enter into the life, and work a change in many of the customs of society; at least, it ought to do so, tho to the present time we see in our own country many things in which it has not yet brought forth its proper fruits. It has greatly changed the laws of war and modified the treatment of prisoners. It has organized charities, but it has not yet brought capital and labor into harmony; and many other relations in society do not yet come up to the· high principles enunciated in the Gospel. Selfishness opposes the precepts of love and justice, and often is strong enough to keep them in subjection.
It has been said the Ohinese are opposed to Ohristianity. Why should we force it upon them? Have they not a right to the religion they prefer? Whether they have a right to what is evil and wrong we need not discuss. Since mfm are free agents, it is certain they will have the religion which they on the whole prefer. It seems difficult to believe it is really thought there is an attempt by anyone to force Ohristianity upon those who are unwilling to receive it. Paul and his companions were convinced that the Macedonian who appeared in vision and besought them to come over and help assuredly bore a Divine call. Still, when they reached Philippi they found the vast majority unwilling to hear the good news of salvation. Still they found Lydia, the jailer and his household, and a few others, who rejoiced to hear the tiUings they brought. They did not have to force the Gospel upon them. So now, in Ohina, there are those who do not wish what they suppose Christianity to be, but they reject their own false conception. We know that the Chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely, had no comeliness to the multitude. There are many in this land to-day who reject Christ, thinking the acceptance of his yoke and the bearing of his burden would bring a servile
condition and a sense of bondage. They know not that only as the Son makes free can one be free indeed; only as filled by the Divine Spirit can one mount up as on wings, glorying in the spiritual freedom enjoyed. Children of darkness are often unwilling to come to the light, but still the children of light must let their light shine before men.· If men will persistently shut their eyes and refuse to see the light, we should yet mourn when they fall into the ditch. There are those in China who welcome the light when they see it. If the children of darkness should be allowed to cling to their darkness, there to hatch out the deeds of darkness, shall not those who love the light be permitted to behold its cheering rays and be assisted in seeking an increase, so that it may shine more and more unto the perfect day? Let us give men a chance to choose the best things.
But what of the outlook? Will not the calamities the Chinese have suffered, and especially the atrocities which have been inflicted npon them, embitter them against all foreigners? It can not be doubted that many atrocities have been committed. It would be expecting the superhuman to think there would not be bitterness in many cases; but there are reasons to hope those feelings may not be generally cherished against all foreigners. In the first place, the Chinese expected s1)ch actions in a time of war. It was only what they have been subjected to by their own soldiers when called upon to put doVll an uprising. Even during this outbreak, which they were not called upon to put down, they were guilty of robbery and ravishing. How could the people expect less from foreign armies? Then some of the foreign soldiers have shown kindness toward the Chinese, so that they have been sorry to have the soldiers withdrawn. This will go far to counteract the effect of cruelty in other cases. Besides, many will realize that the uprising on the part of the Chinese themselves, and their inhumanity toward foreigners and native Christians, were the exciting causes of these calamities. China had a real grievance in the political aggressions of other nations. That the anti-foreign leaders should not only use this, but also other things which they could make the common people believe were injuries, is quite in accord with human nature. The building of railways and the development of mines, the establishment of schools and the spread of Christianity, would· be for the good of China, but they would disturb some of the old conditions. Designing persons easily concealed the benefits and magnified the disturbances and hardships. False accusations were circulated. Wells were reported poisoned. The gods were alleged to be angered into withholding rain. Hypnotism was used to deceive the people into believing the ancient warriors had returned to the earth to take possession of young lads to make them invulnerable and invincible. It is not strange there was an uprising. It is remarkable it spread no further, so that the southern viceroys were able to control the people in
THE STATE OF THINGS IN SOUTHERN CHINA
their provinces and prevent them from joining the Boxer moven~ent. The plans of the anti-foreign party disastrously failed; the leaders were discredited;· many of them were killed or have been banished. There is to be a new policy inaugurated. Already progressive edicts have been issued; those in power are chiefly anxious to complete negotiations and reestablish peace, seeming more willing to accept the demands of the powers than the commissioners are to present them. It is only the failure of the commissioners to agree among themselves tl'tat has protracted the unsettled state of affairs to the present time. In many places indemnities have been paid and the missionaries urged to return to their work. They have been received with marks of honor, and in some places with cordiality. All these things must be considered in estimating the attitude of the Chinese toward missions. Were there none of these cheering signs we ought to stand firmly on the command and the promise, "Go, I am with you," but with all these hopeful indications, should we not recognize the" going in the tops of the mulberry trees," and press forward with the assurance of victory?
THE STATE OF THINGS IN. SOUTHERN CHINA.
BY S. L. GRACEY, U. S. CONSUL, FUClIAU, CHINA.
In this section of the empire we are having marked prosperity, the only marring feature being the prevalence of plague, fro·m which there have been thousands of deaths since the early spring.
There is a very unsettled condition of things in some parts of the northerll provinces, and missionaries, especially ladies, ought not to venture far away from the treaty ports. With the exception of those portions of the country, I think the conditions are more favorable for straight-away mission work on educational and medical, and even evangelistic, lines than it ever has been. There is a widespread awakening among the better class of people everywhere.
Not that all the people are ready to welcome the foreigner, or that the mass of the people have any definite idea of what has happened, or how they should feel toward the foreigner; not that all are ready to receive Western notions, Western education, or the religion of the Westerner, but in every part of the land multitude~ of the more thoughtful and informed are asking each other: Whereunto does all this stir, strife, and upheaval lead ? From what has it come and what does it portend? What is it all about anyhow, and what should we do about it? That the enemies of the foreigner have had their honr and have come out of the movement sadly worsted is generally recognized by great numbers of Chinese business men, merchants, shippers,
manufacturers, and large traders. Intelligent men have been impressed as never before with their own weakness and the weakness of their government, their army, and their inability in any way to contend against the foreigner. They are not able to answer their own questionings. How or what to do they know not, or do not see clearly, but they are looking this way and that for some relief from their troubles. These are not political agitators who plot revolution against the present dynasty, but who say, Given this form of government and its continuance, what next? This is the attitude of immense numbers. The literati are not asking these questions, perhaps, but are more concerned to keep things as they are, lest they should lose their chance of advancement through the ruling class. There are thousands of young men also who have been educated in mission schools and have come in contact with the foreigner and see it to be to their interest to work with him on new lines and with new methods, and these are eagerly searching for a better way.
No class of men and women have done so much to bring this about as the missionary force, representing the Christian conscience of Western lands, and coming in closer contact with the people than any other class. They have established their high-grade colleges and tens of thousands of small village schools. They have medical and scientific schools, in which thousands of young men and women have been educated out of their degrading superstitions, and everyone of these has become a sun in some darkened realm of individual surroundings whose light can not be put under a bushel.
The Christian missionaries have had privileges under the treaties not accorded to the merchant or mechanic. They could go into all parts of the country, even hundreds of miles away from the treaty ports, and, when there, lease land, build houses, chapels, scho.ol-buildings, hospital buildings, and live there. No foreign merchant was allowed. to do so. No foreigner could go into business in Peking, or a thousand other walled cities and large towns, but the missionary could go everywhere. Wherever he went he established a Christian home, used foreign furniture and foreign food-products. The natives looked at his white salt and sugar, wondered at its purity as compared with their own growth, which resembled the wet sand of the seashore; they saw his white flour, his cooking-utensils, his lamps and his kerosene oil, his fine linen and cotton goods, so superior to his own coarse goods; his practical gardening and fruit-raising, his government of his family and his servants; observed his manner of life, his kindness, charity, tflnderness, knowledge, displayed in daily intercourse with men, and they went away to wonder and compare. The leaven is in the meal, and no power on earth or under the earth can get it out or prevent its working.
The missionary is the advance agent, tho unwittingly, of the foreign
SOME LESSONS FROM RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA
merchant and the foreign manufacturer. He is creating a want by showing a better way. He and his family are a perpetual object-lesson. His house and everything in it and about it is an educating influence. Thousands of visitors come and go, to and fro, through these homes every year-they want to see the foreigner's table and his chairs, his carpct and his bookcases, his organ and his piano, his bed and his board. Everything is new and strange to them. Every mission-house is a museum of unending wonder and delight, advertising the manufactured goods of England, America, Germany, France, or Sweden. His books, with their beautiful pictures, his camera and his photographs, his bicycle and his phonograph, his medicines and his surgical instruments, his microscope and his typewriter, his sewing-machine and his baby's cradle-all are so many wonderful curios, proclaiming a better way of doing things than Ohina has known.
The" Boxers" and other secret society people are still strongly in evidence, and are taking on new forms of organization and operation. The" Society of Associated Villages," in the north, is said to enroll one at least from each family, who are pledged to oppose the payment of indemnity and resist the encroachments of the foreigners and their religions. Extreme efforts are being made to enroll a larger opposition than has ever been dreamed of heretofore, but they will no longer meet with open official encouragement-at least, not from any but the lowest local mandarins. The higher officials will undou htedly endeavor to prevent a recurrence of Boxer ou tbreaks, and while there may be much local disturbance, and individuals who expose themsehes ill travel through remote districts may be subject to abuse, no general attack on foreigners seems likely to occur.
SOME I,ESSONS FROM REOENT EVENTS IN CHINA.* BY REV. COURTENAY H. FENN, NEW YORK. Missionary of the Presbyterian Church in Peking. .
The Gospel, like its Founder, invariably produces a social, some- times a political, revolution, wherever it is energetically propagated.
Parents are set at enmity against children, children against parents, and village communities are seriously disturbed. The Prince of Peace carries a spiritnal sword, but the sword is eventually the bringer of peace. The preaching of the Gospel in Ohina, while it has divided families and communities, has at the same time brought new life to many Ohinese, and has ultimately made them respected for the very dif- ferences which at first turned their neighbors against them. The missionary has been far more welcome throughout the land than * This article was written some months ago, but we have been unable to make use of it earlier, and some condensation has been found necessary, It is, however, never too late to learn, and the lessons from the Ohinese outbreak are such as can neV<;lr be emphasized too much. -EDITOltS, –
foreigners of other classes, who too often care not one atom for the moral or physical feelings or rights of the native. Had there been no other foreigners in North China than the missionaries, it is safe to say that the events of 1900 would never have taken place. Political aggressions, commercial ill-treatment, and disregard for native customs must stand responsible for the trouble which aroused a world, laid in ashes thousands of buildings, and destroyed the lives of scores of missionaries and of thousands of native Christians.
While these things are now quite generally granted by thinking people, yet missionaries may learn some lessons unquestionably contained in these terrible experiences. Surely the greatest and most obvious lesson is that of a larger faith in God. While we may not know why the missionaries of Paoting fu were murdered while those in Peking were saved, any more than why James was slain and Peter delivered, yet so marvelous was the deliverance in Peking that no one can fail to see the mighty hand of God" restraining the remainder Qf wrath." Surely He will also cause that wrath which was permitted to accomplish its murderous purpose to" praise Him" in the abundant fruitage of that "seed of the Church" which has been scattered so lavishly in martyr blood. Those who passed through the siege in Peking, or were conducted safely out of other places of peril, should certainly never again be able to doubt that God is able to save by many or by few, even where human hopes have altogether failed. Such a series of remarkable providences, timely warnings, marvelous deliverances, has seldom, if ever, been paralleled in history. The whole history of the Church bears witness to God's use of such upheavals, persecutions, massacres, and deliverances, for the breaking up of a hard soil, its harrowing, its planting, and the strengthening and developing of its reapers: Men of affairs, political advisers, educators, wise as this world counts wisdom, have been staggered by the overthrow of decades of labor and of cherished plans, and have given voice to the gloomiest forebodings as to the future of China, even warning the world of a "Yellow Peril" irresistibly marching on to a grand climactic overwhelming of the world's liberty and civilization. But quite as wide awake to the presence of real perils, and with more intimate knowledge of the Chinese, the missionary takes into his consideration far more largely the Divine plan for the victory of the right; and while not minimizing the need for a firm grip on the problems and developments of the present and the future, he knows that the whole disposing not merely of the" chances" of the future, but also of the best-laid plans of the wise and mighty of the world, is with Him who is King or kings, and Lord of lords. Therefore he will not fear, tho the earth seem to be removed and the mountains cast into the midst of the sea. Thus massacres and deliverances alike but produce in the missionary
SOME LESSONS FROM RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA
a larger faith, for his faith is in God, not in circumstances or conditions. This larger faith has as one of its prominent characteristics, in addi- tion to its hopefulness and fearlessness, a freedom from the worry which springs from the frequent failure of the right to gain its vic- tory immediately. 'rhe missionary, while he hopes to see the martyr- seed spring up and bring forth a thousandfold within the year, will not be staggered if that longed-for consummation does not appear for many a year. The seed has been sown, the watering will be done, the reapers will be ready for the harvesting, which is as sure as God is true. I personally feel a strong assurance that we shall see it in'this our day, and I will not" limit God" by man's narrow views of the present prospects; but neither shall my faith "limit God" to this day or generation. I have" day-dreams" as to the wonderful things God is going to do in Ohina, in which I see the reactionary and unscrupulous empress dowager compelled to restore the imperial authority to the Emperor Kuang HSil (not so weak, physically or mentally, as his wily aunt has reported him); this emperor then given a chance to put into execution the reforms of 1898 and many others, – with Kang Yii Wei and other intelligent, progressive men as his counsellors, declaring his sympathetic interest in Ohristianity, and his desire that his people should study it as he himself has unquestionably done; the Ohinese people, under imperial patronage, eager to learn the ways and means of Western civilization (as they showed themselves inclined to be during that brief summer when imperial favor leaned in that direction), the missionaries providing them with the opportunity for such enlightenment and at the same time leading them to that foundation on which rests all that is best in Western civilization, the Word of God, and that new life in Ohrist Jesus which it reveals. I see hundreds, yea thousands, and among them many of the literati who were primarily responsible for last year's diabolical work, turning unto God and preaching the faith which once they destroyed. I see the Empire of Ohina, like Japan, yet with even more substantial growth, as her people are more sober and trustworthy, gaining the respect of the world as she rises from the ashes of her old corruption to take that place among the nations of the world to which her venerable history and the real worth of her people will yet entitle her. While I see all these things, and have more than a hope that the first decade of the twentieth century will see them well advanced toward realization, yet my faith is apart from these things, for I know that tho not one of them be accomplished as I fondly hope, God's name will yet be praised from one end to the other of the land of Sinim.
The second lesson we may learn is a larger faith in the Chinese. The non-Ohristian Ohinese, with some noble exceptions, have proved themselves covetous, revengeful, cowardly, treacherous, and almost without natural affection, in the desire to enrich themselves. 'l'hey dig
not hesitate to turn against those whom they knew to be seeking only their good, nor to betray neighbors with whom they had lived on terms of friendliness, or members of their own families, to shield themselves from unpopularity or slight danger. And yet it should be remembered that the high-handed aggressions, political and commercial, of foreign nations, threatened the very life of China, while the Boxer society's claims to a divine commission, the apparently substantiated reports of the invulnerability of its members, and the government sanction of the anti-foreign movement, made it seem to many a call of patriotism to which all else should yield. A naturally peace-loving people became transformed into a frenzied horde of fanatical fiends. "Establish the empire by exterminating the foreigner" was a tocsin whose thunder-sound deafened their ears to the appeals of natural affection. But the native Christians have gone beyond the expectations even of the missionaries in their steadfast devotion to their new faith. A few, like Peter, have denied their Lord under pressure of terror or to save others, almost always, however, as a mere temporary expedient to be repudiated when danger had passed; but the great majority have endured tortures and death rather than accept deliverance at the expense of unfaithfulness. Mr. Killie recently visited one of the country fields of the Peking Presbyterian Mission, where five native helpers and two hundred and fifty Christians and adherents had been killed, and could not learn of a single case of recantation. While it is true that the chance to recant was not always offered, yet it usually was; and the percentage of faithfulness would have done credit to the Church in America. 'Thinking men like Consul-general Goodnow, who have seen things as they are, declare that they have used the term "rice Christians" for the last time. A young bookseller, instead of escaping when he had opportunity, went out, at the risk of his life, to warn others in the city of their peril, then hastened to his former home in the country to spread the warning there. Threatened, he preached Jesus; disemboweled, he preached Jesus; and died with his Savior's name upon his lips. And yet there are those who say that the Chinaman is incapable of comprehending so spiritual a religion as Christianity, or of living the life which it demands ! Would to God we had in America more of the sort of spiritual comprehension and Christian living which made the Chinese colporteur and many others true to their Lord at whatever cost! The missionary has always had more faith in the Chinese than others have had, but his faith in their capability of genuine conversion and in their fidelity to truth when received must be greater in the future than it ever has been in the past. It is hardly necessary to add that those familiar with the work of the Chinese in the defense of the legations have a stronger faith in these converts than ever before.
SOME LESSONS FROM RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA
Again, there is reason to think that denominational diffu'ences, never as conspicuous in missionary life as in the home Church, will sink still further into the background in the future. Missionaries and native converts of all denQminations have been thrown so closely together in the sharing of common sorrows and participation in a common defense, that they feel more than ever before the oneness of their faith and their cause. The common ruin also affords a unique opportunity for union and cooperation in the reestablishment of the institutional if not in the evangelistic work, or at least for such a division of the field as shall prevent all denominational rivalry among foreigners or natives. It will be a great misfortune if this opportunity is not embraced. During the siege it was much talked of; since the siege suggestions and advances innumerable have been made on the field and at home, and there is a prospect that something may be accomplished. But there are many difficulties. One denomination feels that its particular methods can not be sacrificed; another denomination feels that its prestige in a certain field must not be surrendered by the consolidation of its enterprises with others of a similar character. It is my strong conviction that the real difficulty is not on the field, where these differences are at a minimum, hut in the home land, whence come the funds and the supreme direction of the work. Yet, while union of churches and' boards in Europe and America may not be possible, or even unquestionably desirable, can there be a question that one Protestant Church of Christ in China, marshalled under one banner, presenting a solid front to the enemy, without thought of denominational differences, without the wasteful duplication of organizations and institutions which sometimes exists, would make a more Christian, more economical, more successful war upon idolatry and .superstition than some scores of more or less mutually jealous denominational bodies? Let that which has been done in Japan be done still more perfectly in China, and let the world again know that we are His disciples as they see how we love one another.
What we have in common, "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in alf"- these things were thrown into striking prominence in the experiences of last year, while the things wherein we differ, the external credal statement of that faith, the form of that baptism, the manner of our worship and work, have simply dropped altogether from sight. We did not ask whether our steak was from a Methodist horse or a Presbyterian mule, whether the sand-bags were made by Congregational or Baptist fingers, nor did anyone claim that Episcopalian prayers or rifle-balls were more efficacious than any others. If this is the case in defensive warfare against a physical enemy, why should it not be still more so in our offensive warfare against the spiritual enemy? It is so in the first instance because the object to be attained is of such
vital importance that all else sinks into insignificance. Oan it be possible that this is not true in the second instance? Is the progress of the Kingdom of God of less pressing importance than the defense of the legations? Is the love of Ohrist less a constraining power than the love of life? That is not the missionary spirit, nor is it the spirit which will gain the victory for the cross in Ohina. The forces of error can unite in a common cause, simply because it i8 a common cause, and they so recognize it. The forces of truth are so concerned over the exact arrangement of their men, and the question of precedence among the leaders, and the method of the attack, that they forget the common cause in the indiV/:dual cause.* Another lesson which will be learned by missionaries is the necessity for the exercise of still greater care w£th reference to civil cases arising between native Ohristians and their heathen neighbors. While it can not truthfully be charged against Protestant missionaries, as against Roman Oatholics, that they have used the promise of success in private lawsuits to make converts, or that they have ever willingly taken up personal quarrels of Ohurch members, and in the name of jllstice perverted justice; while, moreover, this whole matter has been but a drop iu the bucket as a cause for the receut troubles, yet there can be no denying that hard feelings have been produced, and that the progress of the Gospel has been hindered by such transactions. Henceforth it ought to be evident, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the complaint of the native Ohristian is based upon a flagrant violation of his rights under the treaties with Ghristian nations; that neither patience, forbearance, nor the requiting of injury with kindness will relieve an intolerable condition; and that neither a mediator nor the native courts can settle the matter, before a missionary will consent to carry the case to the consular courts. Tho in our view Ohina has not proved herself sufficiently capable of self-restraint to warrant the surrender of extra-territorial rights by the foreigner, and tho official corruption is so universal as to render the term" Ohinese justice ,. little more than a joke among the natives as well as foreigners, yet the utmost care ought to be exercised, in all the future, that no Ohinese can ever truthfully say that foreign political influence was employed to deprive him of his just rights.
These lessons to the missionary are neither few nor unimportant, yet we believe they should come home even more emphatically to the home churches. Has not their faith in God and in the Ohinese been even smaller than that of the missionaries? Has not their failure to be one in Ohrist been even more marked? It is a time for heartsearching as well as for mind-exerting, as we look forth into that future, so uncertain in the detail of its development, yet so certain, to the faith-filled heart, in the grand total of its accomplishment. It is not necessary that the so-called " Yellow Peril" should be the scourge to drive the Ohristian world into terrified appreciation of its responsibility for the rest of the world. Rather let the Mongolian Opportunity be the voice to summon Ohristendom to the joyful acceptance of its privilege in the eternal redemption of those who sit in darkness.
* We may rejoice at the indications that these conditions are passing away in China. A meeting in the interests of federation was called together in Shanghai October 27th. The PresbyterianS:;n the north are in conference with the Congregationalists and English Baptists With reference to a united native church.-C. H. F.
1901.] THE CHILD, THE HEATHEN, AND THE CHURCH
THE OHILD, THE HEATHEN, AND THE OHUROH.
BY REV. JOHN. W. CONKLIN, NEW YORK•.
Field Secretary of the Board of Foreign lIlissions of the Reformed Church in America.
The bringing together in our topic of these two vast world classeschildren and heathen-may seem incongruous and strange. But in my thought and experience these two are closely bound together. By children are meant those in Ohristendom who have not reached maturity, and are still in what is usually considered the educational stage. The term heathen includes those of all agml in non-Ohristian lands who are unacquainted with the true God and the" good tidings of great joy" which were brought to all people. There remains, therefore, only a third world class-the adults generally known as Ohristians, whether communicants or not.
The child and the heathen come into the same category- (1) Because they need much the same religious treatment. I have made somewhat extensive investigations as to the mental capacity of the average adult heathen who can not read. Missionaries quite generally agree that he needs much the same- teaching as the child of the primary grade. Lessons even of the kindergarten type are often most effective. The number of comprehensive doctrinal sermons that have been wasted upon him furnishes food for mournful contemplation. These illiterate heathen with their children nuinber in Ohina, India, and Africa alone probably 750,000,000, or half the earth's people. Not more than 50,000,000 in those lands can read. Like our children, they need the milk of the Word in order that they may grow into spiritual manhood. It is strange and sad that no adequate religious curriculum has been arranged for the teaching of these classes. In secular education there is a general agreement as to the beginning and course of instruction, founded upon long and wide inquiries as to interests, capacities, utilities, etc. But religious training is to a great degree haphazard.. Think of a child in day-school having a new subject each day, as does the Sunday-school scholar. When Callias said to Socrates that his two boys had no specially trained instructors, the reply was, "If one of your boys was a calf and the other a foal you would have skilled trainers, but since they are only human you leave them to the mercies of' blunderers." If our children were all body or all mind we should have them pretty well cared for by doctor or teacher, but since they are part spirit, that part may be left to go-as-you-please exercises. The catechism of old had some defects but many merits. It was at least concise, progressive, and easily reviewed. Oould we get a system mid way between its boniness and the unsymmetrical fleshiness of. the ordinary present-day courses, both child and heathen would be greatly benefited. Such a
course reaching from babyhood to old age, from foundation to pin- nacle, would have its place in the home as well as school, and smooth the pathway of parent, teacher, pastor, and missionary. For its attain- ment the best students of the Bible, the child, and the art of teaching should conspire. I say students of the Bible, but mean something larger. The term Bible-school is narrow and unsatisfactory. We want schools of the Kingdom of God, and that Kingdom is larger than the Bible. I have little sympathy with the man of one book. That man neglects 1,800 years of the Kingdom's existence and nine-tenths of its geographic growth. He also partially neglects that Kingdom which is within us, the law written in the heart, the nature and development of the human soul. Our Sunday-schools ought to be schools of Ohristianity, and they would be far more attractive and effective if there were more subjects in their courses. The child and the heathen, then, need a far simpler, better arranged, and more com- prehensive plan of instruction in the principles and history of the Kingdom to which they belong.
(2) These two groups are paired also because they have both been sadly neglected by the Ohurch. To rehearse the disproportions between the chances of knowing Ohrist offered to people in Ohristen- dom and heathendom labels one as a missionary crank. I think I am not an extremist. I have no sympathy with statements that seem to imply that missionaries abroad should be proportionately as numerous as pastors at home. Every land must be won to Ohrist by its own sons and daughters; but those sons and daughters in reasonably sufficient numbers mnst be won and equipped. When in Africa there is a section holding forty millions of people with not five missionaries, when in India an ordained man, native or foreign, if he meets a brother clergyman, must on the average see pass 139,999 other people . before meeting another, and when our country could send abroad 10,000 Protestant ministers and yet have left, making allowance for the aged and infirm, one for everyone thousand inhabitants, it does seem that we are not in any thrilling danger of overdoing foreign missions.
When we speak of the neglected classes of Ohristian lands one must in fairness speak of the neglected classes and masses of the regions beyond. If you add together all our problems-negroes, Indians, mountain people, foreign born, and New Islanders-they are one-tenth of the people of Ohina, and most of ours are nominal Ohristians.
The children of Ohristendom, the children of the churches, are also sadly denied their fair share. What condition of things would an un- prejudiced angel visitor expect to find in an intelligent church of Jesus Ohrist? He knows that Jesus set forth a little child as His choice sample, the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. He knows that the
THE CHILD, THE ~EATHEN; AND THE CHURCH
home yields the best to the youngest, and that science proves that the first fifteen years of life are by far the most impressible and determinative of character. He knows that more than half of the homes in our land are of little avail for Christian nurture. He therefore expects that rnore than half of the strength and appliances of the Church will be devoted to the production ou t of childhood of Ohristian manhood and womanhood. He expects to find the children receiving the lion's share of the accommodations, the pastor's work, the music, the time of public service, and the budget appropriations.
But he does not find any such conditions in the average church, or even in the phenomenal church. Why not? They are all present in the State's treatment of children, why not in the Ohurch? For the same reason that the heathen get so little of their share. 'l'he third class mentioned-the adults of Ohristendom-stand like swine with their feet in the trough. 'l'hey do not know it, but there they are. The church architecture is first for them, the minister is called to suit their tastes, the singers are employed to charm them, the hours of service are allotted at their demandB-at least three to one for the childand the ministrations to them demand at least four-fifths of the budget appropriations, the child often being asked to support his own school. What a prophetic revelation was in the saying of the 8yrophenician woman to the Ohrist: "The dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs." To the Ohurch to-day this saying, modified, may with equal force be addressed: "The children at the table eat of the grown folks' crumbs, and the heathen dogs under the table eat of what falls."
(3) Furthermore, these two great bodies of human souls-the child and the heathen-may be classed together because they are both so nearly voiceless. They pay no pew-rents, they have no votes, their criticisms are unreported. Recently Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, addressing men in behalf of improved public school advantages, said he appeared as an advocate for the children because they could not speak for themselves.
Mrs. Browning's" Ory of the Ohildren" was not their cry. It was her interpretation of what they had a right to cry with their weak voices from the depths of the dark mines. We must try to determine of what the children of our Ohristian land have a right to complain to our churches. Mrs. Browning sang: Do you hear the children weeping and disproving, 0, my brothers, what you preach?
For God's possible is taught by His world's loving, And the children doubt of each.
If we preach that childhood is the most important character-forming period of life, and that the spirit is more important than the intellect, have not the children cause to doubt of each?
Then think of those silent millions of heathendom. Their calls and cries for the light of the world are mostly imaginary. They do not know enough to call. But some time we may have to face them as De Quincy, in his dream on an island, faced the hordes who, struggling in the water, glared at him in agonizing frenzy.
"Have any been omitted in the passing of the bread or the cup?" is the question often asked by the minister at the table of the Lord. Look in the galleries and see tier on tier of faces, yellow and brown, black and red, rising without a word as if to say" Yes, we have been omitted in the passing-the bread and cup have never been offered to us." The ill-nourished child and the starved heathen silently plead before the fat and greedy adult Ohristian.
If these things are true or only half true there are conditions which call for not much less than revolution in the thought and work of the Church. What can be done, and done now? Attempt to realize the truth and make others realize it. Then the battle will be more than half won. Methods will come when hot hearts demand them. Parents will not knowingly deprive their children of the necessities of the highest life, nor will Christians stint the heatpen so narrowly. One man has promised to give annually for libraries and organs more than twice as much money as is given for seeking and saving the heathen by all the Protestant churches of the United States.
The late Benjamin Harrison said at the Ecumenical Conference that the Church had arrived" not at a limit but a threshold." May this be a true prophecy, and may" the least of these" have their fair share in the good time coming.
CHRISTIAN FORCES IN THE TURKISH EMPIRE.-III.
BY REV. EDWARD RIGGS, D.D., MARSOVAN, TURKEY. Missionary of the American Board.
B. The Foreign 3£issionsojthe Presbyterian Ohurch in the U. S. A. -What has been stated before concerning the work of the American Board may be referred to also as describing the work of the Presbyterian Board in its mission in Syria. It is not only identical in method and in spirit, but it has the same origin. This mission was begun by the American Board in the twenties, and was passed over to the Presbyterian Ohurch at the reunion of the branches of that Church in 1870. The work of this mission centers at Beirut, and the assemblage of missionary institutions at that point, and of rare men connected with them, is one of the most striking and noble in aU the range of Christian missions. Their evangelistic, medical, and relief enterprises are very similar to those of the American Board's missions.
CHRISTIAN FORCES IN THE TURKISH EMPIRE
'rheir educational work has been peculiarly significant, and the college will be spoken of later. Their publication work has been perhaps more especially vigorous and successful than even the other departments of their work. Having as their single and admirable medium the rich, flexible, and fascinating Arabic language, they have created a literature which is calculated to reach a hundred and fifty millions of people, and has such a moral and religious tone as to exert a powerful regenerating influence wherever it goes. Crowning this literature is their splendid Arabic version of the Scriptures, which alone would be worth more than all the life and treasure expended in the mission. Their press last year issued 17,430,832 pages.
C. The United Presbyterian Church Board in Egypt.-Much the same story might be told of this enterprise in the land of Ham. With the same firm allegiance to the Christian faith of their fathers, with the same wonderful Arabic language to work with, and during the past few years with the favorable protectorate of a Christian power, these missionaries have a noble record, and are wielding a powerful influence for the future of that historic land.
The following are partial statistics of the work of these three boards: AMEltICAN. NATIVE ,; …..>..i LABORERS LABORERS. 00 ~ ,;, ~ ,;, ,..;., ,;, .'!s!.l ':;;~ Q) 0 '0 Q) .<:l s:l.<:l >-ci ".<..l. .,.;.,, Q) s:l 0 ~0~" "".g il< "«J s:l.<l ;:s s:l :I .E.<l • "",E'o'<' '0 801"12 "'" "" "'" '" i '" EO " " -..3.,'"8Q)ci ~~… ,.;.,. btl 8 ,;, .<l s:l 0 112 .0'"1" ~o 8 .~ ~ ….;, 0 01 =..:.I .>l '';: .<:l 0 01 '" "" '" "" "" '" " =00Q)- 0 … … 01 A 0 '" '" = "' " 'iiJ:;3 ".~"~~ – Oil<- Q) ·"S" '~"" oS .S 0 – """ — "'"" '" -""- '" — """" "" -" '" –" " :'g".~ .~ …01 …., ,£ 8 al 'S'". 'S'". Q) O… ~ Q) 8 ;0:1s ~'" -0 -"= .b..tl ~ … btl 0 -~ -112- 0 ~~ ~0 0 il< -~ – -Z – – A.B.C. F.M….. 21 295 4710 45 67 71 739 119 48,344 127 13,379 954 29,568 1,736 14,621 $87,323 Presbyterian Board……… 5 4 '-v-' 5 40 134 ……. 29 2,208 99 4,420 ….. 5,312 ……..
24 United Presby. 9Or .. terian ……… 9 21019 3 17112 30 17 10 ……. 46 6,163 …. ……. …. …… 20,251 D. The J.lfethodist Episcopal Church (North) still continues its mission in Bulgaria, altho. its scope has been reduced as the American Board's work has enlarged.
E. The Ohttrch Missionary Society of England has mission stations at JernsalemtJa:fia, Nablous, Nazareth, Salt, Gaza, etc.
F. The Reformed Presbyterian (or Covenanter) Clmrch of America has a mission in CiIicia and Northern Syria, chiefly among the semi-pagan Nasairiyeh tribes.
G. Foreign Ohristian Missionary Society has a missionary at Constantinople and onc at Smyrna, be!';ides ordained natives at Sivas and Tocat. There are 23 native helpers and 600 church-members.
H. The following Societies for Work Among the Jews must be briefly grouped together: The British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews has one station in Adrianople and one in Jaffa.
The London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews has stations in Constantinople, Smyrna, Jerusalem, Jaffa, Safed, Hebron, and Damascus.
The Jewish Mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has a station at Damascus with a dozen outstations.
The Jewish Mission of the Church of Scotland has stations at Constantinople, Salonica, Smyrna, Beirut, and Alexandria.
The Jewish Mission of the Free Church of Scotland has stations at Constantinople, Tiberias, and Safed.
BIBLE SOCIETIES AND EDUCATIONAL WORK.
(2) Bible Societies.-These are mainly two-viz., the British and Foreign Bible Society and the American Bible Society. The value of the splendid work done in the Levant by these two societies can not be overestimated. It has been the right arm of all the efforts of the missionary societies, without which they could have done almost nothing.
'rhe work of these societies has been chiefly in three departments or successive stages: First, to secure suitable translations of the Scriptures in to the languages of the empire; second, to publish editions of the same, with new editions and revisions as needed; and, third, to put these volumes into circmlation among the people. The societies have spared no pains or expense to employ the best linguistic and- biblical scholarship, to secure versions which should be as nearly literal as possible and at the same time elegant and idiomatic in dic- tion. In view of the number of languages in use in the country, the unfitness of some of them for the expression of religious ideas, and the no fluctuations in standard in some of them, this has been easy task.
The execution of this work has fallen mostly to missionaries, who were providentially prepared for it by their knowledge of the people among whom they were laboring as well as of their languages. And so complete has been their success that now there is scarcely an . inhabitant in the Turkish Empire who may not find a cheap, intelli- gible, and attractive copy of the Scriptures in his own tongue. The printing of these editions has been sometimes in London, Paris, New York, and Vienna, some in Malta, Beirut, and Smyrna, but now the great center of publishing, as well as of circulation for the Levant, is Constantinople, where a large share of the translation has also been done. The circulation of this complicated mass of literature is accom- plished by means of a well-organized army of stationary and peripa- tetic agents. Every town of importance throughout the country has
CHlUSTIAN FORCES IN THE TURKISH EMPIRE
its Bible shop, and the colporteur finds his way to every village and hamlet. The colporteur is more than a mere vender of volumes. His instructions limit him indeed to "explaining" his wares, but he gives a liberal construction to that idea, and finds opportunity to impart much spiritual truth as he goes. He should have a good supply of grace, grit, and wit, for he meets at times the keenest discussion and the bitterest opposition. The records of the experiences of these humble men make racy reading.
When the final account comes to be made up of all the inner work- ings of unknown influences in the enlightenment of the East the work of the Bible societies will hold a very honorable place in the exhibition. It has one great advantage over the efforts of the living voice of the evangelist. It can do some of the initial work in absolute secret, and while the fear of man is yet dominant in the inquiring soul.
(3) Educational InsWutions.-Mention has been made above of the efforts of all the missionary bodies to encourage education and to organize systems of schools. These efforts have culminated at certain central points in the establishment of five theological seminaries, six colleges, besides several collegiate, theological, and other institutes, and many high-schools for young men, and two medical colleges; also three colleges and a number of high-schools and boarding-schools for young women. These institutions are almost all under the control of Americans, tho not in all cases organically connected with the mission boards. Their aim is to give such training to the you th of that land as our corresponding institutions in this country do here. Their instructors are fully abreast of those who occupy similar positions in Christian lands, but in some instances they are lamentably cramped for means to procure needed apparatus and to furnish their libraries. In most of them the language of instruction is English, but the critical knowledge of the vernaculars is made a strong point, together with careful study of those ancient tongues of which the vernaculars are the modern representatives. The leading position thus given to the English language has met with strenuous opposition, but it is generally held to be best for the mental discipline and' moral culture which it gives, and because it puts into the hands of the students the key to the finest literature in the world. The readiness with which the pupils acquire the language has much encouraged the system.
In the different theological seminaries there is not perfect uniformity in the course of study, especially with regard to the study of the languages of the Bible, but in general the courses are very similar to those of theological seminaries in the United States.
The colleges also have modeled their courses of study largely on those of American colleges, tho several of them substitute other languages for Greek and Latin; and they are behind the colleges of the
United States in the amount and thoroughness of preparatory training which they are able to demand or to furnish.
The Syrian Protestant Oollege at Beirut has made for itself a place among the best formative- influences of Ohristian society in modern Syria, and its moral attitude is typified by the commanding location occupied by its massive buildings overlooking the city and the sea.
Robert Oollege, at Oonstantinople, perched on a still loftier eminence, the most superb site on the beautiful Bosphorus, has fought its way through untold difficulties to the first place in the front rank of the educational institutions at the capital. It draws its pupils from It score of nationalities, and gives them a character which has already earned a name for itself ill history. This college has served as a model and a stimulus to its younger sister institutions in the interior.
Oentral Turkey Oollege, at Aintab, on the line where Syria and Asia Minor meet, was the first such institution to dare think of locating itself in the interior of the country. Situated in a region where there is but one language, the Turkish, it uses that alongside of the English, giving its students a mastery of both. The medical department of this college did some excellent work, but was so handicapped by governmental restrictions that it has been discontinued.
Euphrates Oollege, a~ Harpoot, is located in what was once Armenia, on the upper Euphrates, and the language of its pupils is the Armenian. Still, English is thoroughly taught and largely used in the college. Euphrates is the only one of these colleges that has male and female departments under one organization. It appears to work well.
Anatolia Oollege, at Marsovan, the youngest of the sisterhood, bids fair to outstrip some of the others in numbers and popularity. It has important advantages of location, being only seventy miles from the seaboard, and in the midst of a comparatively prosperous population of both Greeks and Armenians. Anatolia Oollege has what is called a self-help department, by which a number of the students help to pay their own expenses and learn· trades at the same time. 'The scientific department of the college is in correspondence with the principal observatories of the world, and furnishes them the results of certain classes of observations.
The American Oollege for Girls, at Oonstantinople, has already a marked history of usefulness, and a wide field and rich promise for the future. Its curriculum is well up with those of similar institutions in the United States, and morally and spiritually it stands for all that is noble and true.
Detailed mention of other institutions equally worthy is impossible. The following are the names of some of them: The Collegiate and Theological Institute, at Samokov, in Bulgaria; the Oollege of the
CHRISTIAN FORCES IN THE TURKISH EMPIRE
United Presbyterian Mission, at Assiut, Egypt; the high-schools for boys at Baghchejuk, near Nicomedia, and at Smyrna; the St. Paul's Institute, at Tarsus, in Cilicia; the college for girls at Marash, and similar boarding-schools for girls at Smyrna, Marsovan, C!Esarea, Sivfts, Aintab, and elsewhere, one at Adabazar, near Nicomedia, being entirely under the control of native Christians of that region. All the institutions above mentioned have one aim, and are exerting a powerful uplifting influence throughout the land.
(4) Independent Enterprises.-Under this heading may be briefly mentioned some worthy organizations which do not fall under the preceding heads, but work in harmony with them.
a. Chapels of F01·et·gn Ojjicials.-Some of the foreign embassies at Constantinople, as the British, the Dutch, and the Swedish, include chaplaincies in their charters, and own convenient places for worship. These with their regular services exert a favorable influence, and the chapels are sometimes kindly offered for use to congregations that have no home of their own or for evangelistic services. Such chapels are sometimes found also in connection with consulates in other cities.
b. Orphanages.-In the city of Broussa there is a permanent orphanage in charge of a native Protestant gentleman, and in Smyrna is one under the care of Kaiserwerth deaconesses, and there is one at Jerusalem. The recent massa"cres of Armenians left vast numbers of helpless orphans, many thousands of whom have been gathered together in temporary orphanages by the American missionaries at various points in Asia Minor and by German and Swiss benevolent organizations. These children are taught the elements of common education, are trained in religious truth and practise, and are instructed in some trade which will enable them to take respectable places in society. As soon as they are fitted to support themselves suitable homes and occupations are found for them, and so the number is already diminishing.
c. Sailors' Rests.-In Constantinople, Smyrna, and elsewhere sailors' rests, coffee and reading rooms have been established, and religious services are held in them from time to time. The prime purpose of these is to reach certain classes of foreigners, but they do have an influence for good upon many natives, and are a constant object-lesson in Christian effort under unfavorable circumstances.
NATIVE ORGANIZATIONS.
(1) Native Evangelical Churches.-The attitude of the old local ecclesiastical organizations toward the introduction of evangelical views has uniformly been one of uncompromising opposition, and those individuals who accept such views are unsparingly cast out of these churches and anathematized. This necessitated the organization of evangelical churches, and these have grown to be quite a body,
and they are recognized by the imperial government as constituting a distinct community with acknowledged rights and duties. The statistics of the three missionary societies most largely engaged in evangelistic work in the Turkish Empire have been given above.
Combining the figures for schools, we find that they report over five hundred common schools with an attendance of about twenty-five thousand pupils. Many of these schools are aided by grants from the mission boards, but most of them are under the responsible care of the native Protestant churches and communities. These churchfls have grappled with this problem of training their children and that of the support of their pastors with a hearty determination, and out of their very general poverty are doing liberal things, each year com- ing nearer to the point of dispensing with foreign help. They have also enterprises in the line of home missions, one organization main- taining a mission in the Koordish mountains, others supporting itin- erating evangelists, etc.
(2) Ecclesiastical Organizations.-In the earlier stages of the evangelical reform movement the missionaries, of necessity, took the initiative in the formation of churches and the ordination of minis- ters over them, but for the most part they have long since passed over these functions to the native ministry thus brought into existence.
The churches in connection with the Presbyterian missions have been organized into presbyteries, and placed in nominal relation witl) the churches in the United States. Those connected with the American Board have formed themselves into six local evangelical unions.
These bodies exercise all ecclesiastical functions, tho they have never formulated any authoritative polity. They also act to some extent in the capacity of home missionary societies. Efforts have been made to secure a general representative meeting of these bodies, but difficul- ties of travel and other obstacles have thus far frustrated such attempts. The annual meetings of these unions serve as occasions for profitable religious exercises, and they train the local ministry in the practises and requirements of self-governing bodies. They have a great fu ture before them in the extension of a pure evangelical Chris- tian Church in the Turkish Empire. .
FRIENDS OF THE INDIANS IN CONFERENCE.* BY DELAVAN L. PIERSON.
:For nineteen consecutive years the white friends of the red men have gathered at Mohonk Lake at the invitation of that friend of Friends, Albert K. Smiley. Over one hundred and fifty members came together this year (October 16-18) to consider the needs of the *The full report of the Conference may be had by addressing Albert K. Smiley, Mohonk Lake.N. Y.
LAKE-THE MEETI~G-PLACE OF THE FRIENDS OF THE llSDIA.liiS
American Indians and what should be done to protect their rights and bring them into the full enjoyment of the privileges of American citi- zens. 'That the Indian needs protection from imposition and misrep- resentation by the white man is seen from an incident related by Miss Collins, a well-known and honored missionary living on the Standing Rock Reservation, North Dakota. Miss Collins stopped at Buffalo on her way east to visit the Pan-Ameripan Exhibition, and, her heart being in work for our red-skinned brothers, she turned her steps immediately toward the Congress of Indian Nations. There she found the white man who was in charge of the exhibit inviting the crowds to pay their money and see the show. Beside him stood an Indian, whom he introduced somewhat as follows: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a great Indian chief. He comes from the Pine Ridge Reservation of the Sioux Indians, and has taken more scalps than any man in his tribe. He will now say a few words to you." Thus introduced, the Indian stepped forward and said in his own language: "My friends, we have been brought here from our Western home to play for the white man. If you will come inside the tent we will play for you there. If you go into the open place outside we will play for you there. That is all I have to say."
After the red man had spoken, his more civilized (?) white brother said to the listening crowd: "Now I suppose you would like to know what this great chief said. He said that he wishes he had been in the war against the Spaniards-he would have killed everyone of them and taken their scalps. He says that he is very happy on the reservation and is a great chief, but there is only one thing that troubles him, and that is that he has only eight wives, while another red devil there has-nine."
This is the way some white men would elevate the red Indian! But it is not the way of his friends at Mohonk Lake. When they first began to meet in these conferences the Indians were without civil rights, and were chiefly useful to Indian agents as a means of making money. By agitation and legislation, however, many of the wrongs have been righted, and now nearly seventy thousand of the Indians are citizens of the United States, with full rights and privileges; Indian schools have been established in large numbers, and now have 27,522 pupils enrolled; lands have been allotted, agencies reduced, and last year a law was passed requiring the registration of Indian marriages, births, and deaths, in order that hereditary rights may be protected.
The influence of the Mohonk Conference has been due to the character of its members, the righteousness of their cause, the wisdom of their course, and, most of all, to the fact that God has l:>een with them.
Among those present this year were: Hon. Albert K. Smiley, for many years a member of the Indian Commission; Dr. Merrill E.
FRIENDS OF THE INDIANS IN CONFERENCE
Gates, formerly President of Amherst Oollege, and now Secretary of the Board of Indian Oommissioners; Hon. William A. Jones, Indian Oommissioner; James F. Sherman, Ohairman of the House Oommittee on Indian Affairs; General Whittlesey, ex-Secretary of the Boa~d; General J. T. Morgan, ex-President of the Board, and General Eaton, ex-Oommissioner of Education; General Wilson; Dr. Lyman Abbott, editor of the Outlookj Dr. Theodore L. Ouyler; Hon. Darwin R. James, D..W. McWilliams, Rev. Egerton R. Young, and many other missionaries and teachers to the Indians.
The method adopted in the conferences has been to have the wrongs to be righted clearly brought forward in papers and addresses by those well qualified to speak. All sides of a subject are considered, and frank and friendly discussion is invited. The President of the Oonference this year was Dr. Merrill E. Gates, and addresses were made by Hon. William A. Jones; Miss Oollins and Miss Scoville, of North Dakota; General Morgan, Dr. Frissell, of Hampton Institute; Oolonel Pratt, of Oarlisle Indian School; Dr. Lyman Abbott and Dr. Lucien O. Warner. A paper was also read by Senator William A. Dawes, of Massachusetts.
The chief points under discussion were the abuses of the agency system, the evils of maintaining reservations, the leasing and allotment of Indian lands, the discontinuance of rations, industrial and educational work, and the religious life and training of the Indians. Several points were forcibly brought out: first, that the whole Indian bureaucracy system, with its Indian agents, should be done away with as soon as possible; second, that the reservations should be broken up, lands allotted, rations discontinued, and the Indians made self-supporting, self-respecting, law-abiding citizens on equal terms with the white race, at no distant date; third, that the education of the Indian should be more rounded, with more emphasis on industrial pursuits, and more attention to his religious, not sectarian, training.
The method by which these ends are to be attained must be mainly by recommendations to Oongress and appeals to the Oommissioner of Indian Affairs. Strong ground for expectation that the present existing evils will be abolished in short order is found in the character of the men now in office. President Roosevelt is a reformer to the backbone, and has more knowledge of Indian affairs than any other man who has ever been our Ohief Executive. Hon. William A. Jones is a Ohristian of high integrity and force of character, and a man who earnestly desires the welfare of the Indian. Mr. Sherman is also pledged to use his influence for the abolition of useless agencies and the promotion of legislation for the good of the red man. '1'he members of the Indian Commission are all men of high standing, who serve without remuneration, and are constantly using their influence for the benefit of these" wards of the nation."
The Conference had an object-lesson of the benefits of Christian education in the presence of two Christian Indians, who made addresses full of interest and power. One was the Rev. Frank H.
Wright, whose father was a fnll-blooded Choctaw. Mr. Wright was educated at Union Col- lege, Schenectady, and is now an evangelist among his people. He sings with wonderful sweetness and power, and has been greatly used in the con- version of souls. He earnestly advocated the doing away with reserva- tions and rations, and the casting of Indians on their own resources as soon as possible. The other uative Indian was a graduate of Hampton In- stitute, who spoke of the progress of his people and their desire to follow in the steps of the white LONE WOLF, CHIEF OF THE KIOWAS. man. Another object- lesson was the tribute to President McKinley, given by Lone Wolf, an Indian chief,* at a memorial service held at Hobart. Lone Wolf spoke with much feel- ing, at times the tears coursing, unrestrained, down his chee~s.
'rhis is especially remarkable in view of the natural stolidity of the Indian. The following is a stenographic report of his words: "Mebbe so me not talk: mebbe so me not read: mebbe so me not make you understand when me talk. Me never go to school, but me not like I used to be. Mebbe so me better than me was. Me changed. Mebbe me paw was bad: he not know better. He not read: mebbe so he not Christian, for he lived long ago and go on the war-path and kill.
"Mebbe last summer me go to Washington to see McKinley. McKinley he work: he work; he great father; he be fine man. Me shake hands with him and me proud. Me like him, the great father."
At this point Lone Wolf raised his hands in a gesture of sorrow, and, with tears streaming down his cheeks, said: "Mebbe so McKinley dead; him gone; him no more walks; him no more speaks to his red children; him dead. Me not able to say what me mean. Me know. Mebbe people * Lone Wolf, Chief of the Kiowas, lives near the new town of Hobart, which sprang up in a day when the Kiowa Reservation was opened to settlement in' August. The accouut of his remarks, as contained in the Kansas City Star of October 3d, is vouched for as substantially correct by one who heard him speak.
all over country, mebbe so white people and Indians feel heap bad- Kiowas, Comanches, Apaches sorry." With tears flooding down his cheeks, he said: "Me sorry; me heap sorry; that's all."
On the last day of the Oonference the Business Oommittee presented its report, containing a brief Rurvey of the topics discussed and recommendations for further reforms. The report was as follows: REPORT OF THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE.
The nineteenth annual session of the Lake Mohonk Indian Conference congratulates the country on the gratifying evidence of healthy progress and important results attendant upon efforts that have been put forth in recent years for the education and elevation of the Indian race: seen in a federal school system providing for the education of upward of twenty-five thousand Indian children, and the allotment of over six million five hundred thousand acres of land to over fifty-five thousand Indians, with a secure individual title;, and the possession of these Indians of all the rights, privileges, and immunities of citizenship. We note with special satisfaction the action of the Department of the Interior, since our last meeting, in issuing regulations for licensing and solemnizing marriages of Indians, for keeping family records of all agencies, and for preventing polygamous marriages. There still remain evils to be corrected and work to be done. The frequent changes in the Indian service, involving both removals and appointments for purely political reasons, lead us to suggest to the President the propriety of framing and promulgating some rules prescribing such methods in nominating agents as will put an end to this abuse. The same pressure for patronage operates to delay or prevent the abolition of needless agencies. Congress, at its last session, acting on the recommendation of the Indian Commissioner, abolished three such agencies. There are at least half a score more which, in the judgment of experts, should be abolished as sinecures which not only involve needless expense to the country, but also operates deleteriously upon emancipated Indians.
We recognize the administrative perplexities attending the allotting and leasing of lands. There are the aged and infirm, the feeble and incompetent, women and children, many who prefer other occupations than that of farming or grazing, others who by renting their land may be able to pursue their education; all of whom, under a just system of leasing, would derive great advantage from holdings which would otherwise be valueless. But indiscriminate leasing, which strengthens the white man's hold on the Indian's land and encourages lazy landlordism in the Indian, should be prevented, either by more stringent legislation or by a careful scrutiny of all leasing recommended by agents in the field.
The tribal funds held in trust for the Indians by the government of the United States should be placed to the credit of individual Indians, who are entitled to share in them as rapidly as lists of such individuals in each tribe can be prepared and recorded. Children born after the preparation of such liEts should share in such funds only by inheritance, and not as members of a tribe; and, so far as is possible, consistently with the spirit and the equitable intent of the special terms which created each such funds, these funds should thus be broken up into individual holdings when provision shall have been made for certain educa-
tional uses for all the members of the tribe, and perhaps for payment of territorial, state, and county taxes on allotted lands during all or part of the period of protected titles. The money which belongs to the Indians should be paid to the Indians as rapidly as they are pronounced fit to receive it, that by the saving and using each his own money the Indian citizens may be educated to the use of money.
Improvements are doubtless required in our Indian schools. This Conference puts itself on record as believing in schools, both in the Indian neighborhoods and at a distance from them; and the proportion to be maintained between the two must be left to be determined from time to time by experience. The eventual result to be reached is the abolition of all distinctively Indian schools and the incorporation of Indian pupils in the schools of the country. .
The experience of the past indicates the errors which we should avoid, the principles by which we should be guided, and the ends which we should seek in our relations with all dependent races under American sovereignty. Capacity for self-government in dependent and inexperienced races is a result to be achieved by patient and persistent endeavor. It is not to be assumed that they already possess it. Meanwhile the duty of administering government for the benefit of the governed involves the obligation of selecting all officials, not with regard to the services which have been rendered to their party, but solely with regard to the services which they will render to the governed community. Loyalty to the American spirit requires us so to organize and administer government over dependent peoples as will most speedily prepare them for self-government. All men under American sovereignty, whatever their race or religion, should be treated as equals before the law, amenable to the same legal penalties for their offences, and secured in the same legal protection for their rights. The principle recognized by all experts in social sources, and abundantly confirmed by American experience, should prevent the general government from granting any permanent franchises in any of our territories. Lands which have come or shall come into the possession of the United States should be held- in trust for the people of the territory, and, as far as practicable, should be disposed of to actual settlers in the spirit of the homestead taws. In all territories of the United States the federal government should see that public schools are provided under federal control, and, when necessary, at federal expense, for the education of all children of school age until permanent governments are organized able to provide and maintain such schools. The Christian religion is the basis of Christian civilization, and the new opportunitiss opened before the American people and the new responsibilities laid upon them demand the cooperation of all Christian churches in an endeavor to inculcate the principles and impart a spirit of the Gospel of Christ.
This session of the Mohonk Conference did not confine itself to the consideration of questions affecting the American Indian, but included those having to do with other dependent races in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hawai'i, and the Philippines. These have kindred prob- lems which call for careful th.ought and Christian legislation. An able paper was read by Dr. Twomley, of Boston, on "Hawaii-Past and Present," and an address on Puerto Rico was given by Dr. A. F.
Beard, Secretary of the Ameriean Missionary Association. Dr. Edward Abbot, of Cambridge, spoke on the Philippines, and sixty Cuban teachers now studying in the New Paltz Normal School were present at one of the sessions, as an object-lesson of what the United States government is doing to elevate the people of the Pearl of the Antilles.
1901.J A GLIMPSE OF MOSLEM HOMES
A GLIMPSE OF MOSLEM HOMES.* BY REV. GEORGE E. POST, M.D., BEIRUT, SYRIA.
In the Moslem quarter of the city the streets are narrow and tortuous, reeking with garbage and odors. Dogs snarl, bark, fight over the offal. Children, with harsh voices, quarrel with each other, make the air hideous with obscene talk; they curse and perhaps stone you as you pass. Women, with head and body wrapped in a sheet of white cotton cloth, or if the wearer be rich, of gay-colored silk, with the face concealed by a gauze veil, glide by in silence, usually in groups, but never in the company of men. Men, in flowing robes of many colors, coiffed with fez and turban, move with dignity and grace.
The houses are built right on the street, with no sidewalk or area i-n front of them. The walls are destitute of architectural ornament, but often washed with lime, or kalson::ined with yellow or blue. The door of entrance is low and mean. The windows are latticed or closed tight with shutters. We knock at that door studded with iron nails. A shrill voice calls through the second story window: "Who? " We answer: "The hakim" (doctor). We wait a few moments, and then the latch-string is pulled from above, and we stand in the doorway, at the bottom of a steep flight of steps. We find our way up, and, on a small landing at the top, see a row of high-toed shoes in front of an open door, or of a railing about a foot high within the door.
It we desire to conform strictly to native custom we leave our shoes at the door or railing, and enter in stocking feet. Many natives wear an outer shoe over an inner, or over a leather stocking, and divesting themselves of the outer shoe on entering, retain the inner shoe or stocking. The filth of the streets is a good reason for not wearing outer shoes in the room. The room has a dais at the upper end, with a divan or divans around the walls or in the corners. Modernized houses have chairs and sofas. A mirror over a marble table, some articles of rare old faience, and texts from the Koran, or illuminated apothegms from distinguished authors, adorn the walls. Brilliant rugs cover the matted floor. From the divan or cushions on the floor, with a pillow at the back against the wall, rises the grave and dignified host, and steps forward to welcome his guests. Presently a mali servant brings a tray with sherbet, and after we have drunk the refreshing draught presents the corner of a perfumed towel for us to wipe our lips. Coffee, bitter or sweet, is then served in tiny cups, a narghile and cigars are offered, and conversation proceeds until we are ready to go. Weare then conducted by the host to the door and bidden to depart in peace. Social entertainments are usually only prolongations of the same formalities. Occasionally a dinner is given, and sometimes buffoonery and music enliven the scene.
But all this hospitality is outside of the home. The guest does not penetrate beyond the salamlik, or the court, or the saloon. He drinks the sherbet sweetened by hands which he can never see. He eats elaborate dishes prepared by those whose very existence politeness bids him ignore. The interior of the house is closed to his eyes, and after the welfare of its inmates he may not inquire.
Night has fallen. As we pick our way through the filthy streets we • Condensed from the New York Observer.
come to a house in front of which torches and lanterns make the street as light as a theater or church. Sounds of weird music float out of the open window. Rockets are let off from the balcony and roof, and Roman candles and mines add "to the brilliancy of the illumination. It is a wedding feast. The men are crowded into the outer compartments. The bridegroom is with them, not by the side of the bride. For days and nights the endless round of meaningless chat and compliment goes on, diversified by music, and sometimes by the lewd dances of abandoned women. But of the bride or the women of the household no trace is seen, and no whisper is heard. The bride is yet at her father's house, and there similar rejoicings are taking place in the women's compartment.
Floating in clear, rich tones over the houses in the still evening air· the muezzin calls the hour of prayer. Through the open windows of the mosque long rows of men, arranged with the precision of a military company, face the kubleh, and bow, then kneel, then stretch their arms out on the ground, and touch the floor with their foreheads, uttering the ineffable name and chanting the liturgy of Islam. No woman may defile the solemn gathering by her polluting presence. Behind a 'lattice, in a secluded corner of the mosque, at such times as grudging man permits, she may contribute her testimony to the universality of the religious sentiment, which not even the foul morality of the Moslem social state can wholly repress. But woman's share in religion is so shadowy, so hidden, so totally separated from that of man, that one may live many years in a Moslem land, and never see or hear a woman pray, and come to believe that she has no religion except that of the pious expressions which have lost all their meaning in the mouth of both men and women.
THE MOSLEM WOMEN.
Let us look at the other side of the picture, th~ woman's side. We have a key which unlocks the inner door, a pass which enables us to lift the curtains which hide the harem from the eyes of all other men except nearest relatives. The women must see the doctor, and talk with him, and so he alone, of strange men, knows the Moslem home. The clue to all that we have seen, and much more which we have no space even to mention, lies in the idea of the inferiority of woman, an idea as ineradicably fixed in the mind of Moslem women as of men. This does not mean that Moslem men are destitute of natural affection. Polygamy necessarily impairs or destroys the better sentiments or instincts of both man and woman. In monogamous households, however, domestic affection is often deep and lasting. In those communities in which most of the families are monogamous, family life approximates more nearly to that of Christian households. But the best of Moslem men is in the iron grasp of his system. His wife is ignorant, generally grossly so. Her training in the society of ignorant, coarse natures lowers her to their level, physically and morally. From earliest womanhood she has been taught to believe in the infidelity of both men and women, and is kept under a surveillance which implies total distrust of her. She is accustomed from childhood to hear the grossest obscenity. Almost before she hlNS reached self-consciousness she is suddenly married to a man whom she does not know and who does not know her.
The atmosphere of the new home is perhaps already tainted by the influences which have debased her, and there is nothing in Islam which calls her to a higher or nobler character. Such a being is no companion
A GLIMPSE OF MOSLEM lIOMES
for her husband. She has no knowledge of the things which interest him. He may for a time be charmed with her beauty. Occasionally she may sing or play on the guitar. But he soon tires of these superficial accomplishments. Only in rare instances, usually in the case of those who have been long in contact with Western civilization, as when the family bas lived many years in England or France, and become assimilated to European habits and ideals, is there any approach on the part of the Moslems to the formation of a home resembling ours. A Moslem husband may appreciate the care of his wife for his well being, her good guidance of his household, the fact that she is the mother of his children, but beyond these facts there is little or nothing in common between them. She does not walk with him, drive or ride with him, go with him to the mosque, nor join with him in the festivities of their home. She has her own amusements, her own guests, her own visits, and he his, and so they continually diverge.
Besides all this, there is always present the specter of another wife or a number of them, and of concubines at her husband's pleasure. Furthermore, her husband has the legal, and, in her view as well as his own, the moral right to divorce her, without any legal formalities, and to take away her children, and deprive her of alimony. All she can take with her from the home from which she is thus ignominiously driven is the clothing and jewelry which she has brought, if they have not already been disposed of. No conduct of her husband, however infamous, gives her any claim for a divorce from him. Only in cases of brutal treatment is she entitled to claim a separation with some small provision fur her support. But even in this case she is not entitled to her children, and such is the intensity of popular disapproval of a woman appearing in court against ner husband, that few, however abused, have any desire to avail themselves of this right.
The effect of this home life is peculiarly disastrous to young boys. They early learn to despise their mothers and their sisters, and imbibe from the foul conversation of the harem low tastes and passions. These evil influences are accentuated in polygamus households, and carried down into the future life of the young men. It is impossible to exaggerate the evil consequences to the body politic of the family life of Islam. Sum up all the blessed influences of a Christian wife and mother on her husband and her children. Think of her cleanliness and neatness of apparel, of her careful and skilful housekeeping, of her cultivated taste, filling every corner of the house with beauty, of her faithfulness in which "the heart of her husband doth safely trust," of her pure and elevating conversation, her instruction of her children in all that adorns character, her wealth of sympathy with each member of the household-think of all those qualities in woman which inspired chivalry or were begotten of the same. Abstract all these or replace them by the best which a Moslem woman can attain under purely Moslem influences, and you have a full explanation of the difference between the United States and Turkey, Germany and Morocco, England and Egypt, France and Tunis.
The Moslem home explains the impossibilities of political and social reform in the lands of Islam. Mohammedanism robs the mother, the sister, the daughter, the wife, of their natural rights, their divinely ordained equality. This wrong, inseparable from the system, toward half the human race, because of its weakness, enfeebles the sense of natural justice, and leads strong men to oppress the weak. Slayery and
despotism are the inevitable results. They are universal in Moslem lands. Islam can never produce a Washington nor a Lincoln. Personal government, class rU'le, the degradation of the masses are permanent features of all Mohammedan countries. It is hardly possible to conceive of a representativE' .;overnment or a free press, or of general popular education, and of the recognition of the rights of man in a purely Moslem state.
In Beirut and a few other towns where Christian missions have done much to elevate the condition of the native Christian women, a few of the more intelligent Moslem men have had the perspicacity to see that the" steady advancement of the Christian communities in face of repression and persecution is largely due to the education of women. Impressed with this fact, and jealous of the efforts of the missionaries to educate Moslem girls in Christian schools, these partially enlightened men have established schools for girls of their own sect. But this enterprise is beset with difficulties. Firstly, they have no educated women among the Moslems except those brought up in Christian schools. These are so impregnated with Christian ideas that the promoters of the schools are afraid to trust them. Again, if the girls are taught anything beyond the three Rs, and the Koran, they are unfitted for the kind of home life that awaits them. Furthermore, the early marriages (from twelve to fifteen years is the common age) prevent any considerable progress, and the subsequent ordering of the household makes after culture impossible. The promoters see the difficulties, and yet they could not overcome them if they would. and would not if they could. It is not what man believes concerning God and Christ, but what man believes concerning woman, and what woman believes concerning man and herself, that accounts for the hopeless oppression and degradation of Mohammedan lands. Nothing can free these lands but a radical reform of the home, and nothing can reform the home but Christianity.
THE JEWS OF RUSSIA."
BY REV. SAMUEL H. WILKINSON, LONDON, ENGLAND. Editor of Trusting and Toiling.
The Jewish population of Russia is about five millions. The laws of the country do not permit Gospel work, though Protestant churches as churches are recognized. Gross spiritual darkness covers the land, tho there are everywhere souls hungering for the Word of God and many true followers of the Lord, especially among the Baptists, Stundists, and others. This darkness extends to the Jews. Nowhere in the world (except, perhaps, in Galicia) are they in such spiritual and moral degradation as in Russia. It is equally true that but for the wide distribution of Scriptures in recent year& the Jews in Russia are as much shut off from Gospel light as the remotest heathen. It matters not that a church, Greek, or Roman, or Lutheran, perhaps, is opposite the Jew's shop door. as is often the case; he never enters it, knows nothing of its creed except the (to him) idolatrous externals and the prejudice of its worshipers toward himself, a prejudice which he reciprocates. Religion • Condensed from" Prisoner of Hope."
THE JEWS OF RUSSIA
is much a matter of race. The Russian is a Greek Catholic, the Pole a Roman Catholic, the German a Lutheran, the Jew by race is a Jew also by religion. They cross not one another's path ex'cept in buying and sell- ing; it is rare that ought else is exchanged but mutual dislike. So in the land where the Jew is most numerous he is also most needy.
In the summer of 1887 the first attempt was made to distribute New Testaments in Russia. As already known, no Gospel work as such is permitted in Russia. If there be an apparent exception it is in the case of the Baptist community, which seems to possess and use the largest measure of freedom of any of the recognized churches.* But the com- munity is comparatively small and not always aggressive. It may be taken as an accurate statement that no direct and public Gospel work, as we understand it, is or can be carried on in Russia.
But there are ways and means that the Lord has left open. One is that of discriminate visitation. In a large city such as Warsaw, for instance, there is no obstacle in the way of a Christian lady making acquaintanceships by visiting homes, reading Scripture where permitted, and using opportunities wisely. The Baroness D'Ablaing has given her- self somewhat to this work, helped by a Polish lady friend. Would there were more such!
But another opening has the Lord left us, and this is of the very greatest importance. It is the distribution of Scriptures. The Greek Church, the State Church of Russia, encourages the circulation of God's Word; there is even a Bible society, formed with the blessing of the Holy Synod in 1869, with its headquarters in St. Petersburg.
Rev. James Adler and Dr. Althausen in 1887 made themselves mem- bers of the Russian Bible Society, and became possessed of the right to sell or distribute Scriptures to Jews, a right which carried with it another equally important, to explain the nature of the Book's contents to the recipients.
There are at present but four depots-viz., in Warsaw, Odessa, Wilna, and Minsk. Permits are possessed not only for these depots but for similar work in Berditschew, Zitomir, Kasatin, the whole provinces of Poltava, Minsk, and Wilna, and (in the case of Pastor Meyersohn) the right of distribution in all Poland. We hope soon to secure a permit for Lublin and, if the Lord wills, to open another depot there.
This for the present. But the future! There are many more towns in Russia and Poland with Jewish populations of 60,000, 80,000, 100,000, or more: Lodz, Bjalestock, Berditschew, Kischenew, Mohilew, Diinaborg, Vitebsk, Grodno, Brest, Homel, Kiew, to say nothing of cities more or less outside the Jewish pale, such as Mitau, Libau, Riga, St. Petersburg, but still with large Jewish populations. In none of these towns is there any resident Jewish missionary, or real effort of any kind made to approach these masses with the Gospel. In everyone of these towns permission could be obtained for the opening of depots such as already exist in the four cities mentioned, and that each depot would be a centre of evangelization also for the smaller towns in the district.
*Thus a Baptist pastor may baptize any applicant, excepting one who has been born or baptized in the Greek Church, without reference to any higher authority. As a rille the sim· pIe Gospel is set forth to all comers in the Baptist chapels, but no street distribution of tracts may be carried on, and the authorities keep an eye on leatlets distributed in the chapel itself.
EDITORIALS.
The Growth of Lawlessness. Oklahoma……. 36 Wyoming…….. 29 Indiana………. 36 California.. . . . . . . 27 The assassination of President Kansas.. …….. 35 Montana……… 22 McKinley has drawn closer atten- West Virginia.. 35 Idaho………… 20 tion not only to the alarming ad- Nebraska……. 83 M.aryland…….. 20 vance of violent assaults on public Colorado.. .. .. .. 30 men, but to the general growth of lawlessness and crimes of violence. The states and territories in For example, few parties who have which there were less than 20 are: not collated facts have any concep- Arizona, 17; "Vashington and New tion of the awful and disgraceful Mexico, each 15; Illinois, 14; Ohio, prevalence of lynch-law in the 13; Iowa, 12; Oregon, 9; Dakota, 6; United States, where it exceeds Michigan and North Dakota, each that of any other land ,under the 5; Minnesota, Nevada, and Alaska, sun. The Chicago T7'ibune has each 4; Maine and Pennsylvania, taken pains to preserve and present each 3; New York, 2; Connecticut the statistics of lynching for some and New Jersey, each L The only twenty years past, and the record states in which no lynchings is one which may well cause at occurred are Delaware, Massachuonce astonishment and humilia- setts, New Hampshire, Rhode tion. We think the facts should be Island, Utah, and Vermont. preserved in these columns, both for present information and for "Those who seek to uphold lynchfuture reference, and we give them ing in the South," remarks the in part. The total number of per- Philadelphia Public Ledger, "do sons lynched is stated as follows: so on.the ground that it is chiefly a pUnIshment on those who commit 1881. ………. '" .. 90 1892……….. 286 grave crimes ag.ainst women; but 1882……………. 121 1893 ………… 200 the figures publIshed do not bear 1894 ………… 189 1883 ……. " ……. 107 1895 ………… 166 out this contention. Of more than 1896………… 131 1,700 lynchings between January 1884 ……………. 195 1897 ………… 166 1898 ………… 127 1, 1885, and January 1 of the present 1885 ……………. 181 1899………… 107 1886……………. 133 1900 ………… 115 year, only 602 illegal executions 1887……………. 125 1901 ………… 101 were for this form of crime. The 1888••..•….•.•.•.. 144 Total. …..3,130 remainder were for murder, thiev- 1889……………. 175 ing, politics, unpopularity, and 1890" ………….. 128 1891 ……………. 193 generally bad reputation."
Of the 2,516 persons slain by mob- The Case of -Miss Stone. law since 1885, 51 were women and 2,465 men; 1,678 were negroes, 801 The case of Miss Ellen M. Stone white, 21 Indians, 9 Chinese, and 7 is occupying the public mind to a Mexicans. 1892 marked the high- very unusual degree. She is a very water mark, and the total for charming and accomplished woman that year, 236, has appreciably de- from Chelsea, Mass., who, a quarcreased during recent years. The ter century ago, went to Bulgaria. following is the classification of She had been on the staff of the lynchings according to states, leading weekly of the Congregashowing the number of persons tiohalists, in Boston, and had lynched since 1885: charge of Biblewomen in her for- eign field, training them to go about Mississippi……. 253 Kentucky ……. 130 among their sex in the homes of Texas ………… 247 Florida.. .. .. …. 109 the people. She was an extensive Louisiana. . . . . . .. 221 South Carolina.. 84 traveler over the field, and is both Georgia………. 219 Virginia. …….. 78 widely known and much beloved in Alabama. . . . . . .. 210 Missouri.. .. .. … 65 Bulgaria and Macedonia. During Tennessee. . . . . .. 169 Indian Territory. 53 the summer she held her usual Arkansas …….. 156 North Carolina.. 52 school in a mountain village of
EDITORIALS
Macedonia, Bansko, and on Septem- be of no use to compass her death.
ber 3d, with a party of twelve, But whether her life is at risk or started for Diumia. In a mountain not, the payment of this large ran- defile, late that day, thirty or forty som sets a precedent which will armed men in Turkish costume, put a premium on such acts of with their faces blackened or crime and extortion.
masked, surrounded the party, and Every resource of diplomacy has took captive Miss Stone and Mrs. been used to effec't Miss Stone's de- Tsilka. They then demanded of liverance from captivity and threat- the missionaries in Bulgaria a large ened destruction. Before these ransom, threatening death to their lines reach the reader her escape captives if it were not paid. will, we hope, have been accom- Thus far all efforts to trace or plished. But the whole matter has capture the bandits have failed, but, far wider ultimate bearings. In on October 27th word was received any case the great problem re- that the captives were still alive mains.. How to secure immunity to and well. the persons of missionaries, and The fact that the sum demanded how to deal with their captors in -$110,OOO-is about the amount such cases? It seems to us incred- which Turkey had to pay in indem- ible that in any case Miss Stone nity for the damage to missionary should be slain; for if held for po- property in the Armenian massa- . htical reasons, her death could only cres, has led many to suspect that defeat such ends; and if the ransom behind the work of these so-called were not paid her death could only "brigands" the Turkish govern- arouse' the civilized world to de- ment's hidden hand may be traced. mand at any cost the death of her But thus far nothing is known of murderers. Few. events have so the real moti ve inspiring this out- stirred the hearts of men as the rage. Whether this is a plot to diabolical act of these unknown compel the United States to pay abductors; and if any harm comes back into the Sultan's treasury the to this noble woman, the demand reprisals exacted, or to make the for her avenging will be correspond- Sultan ultimately pay to the United ingly imperative.
States the ransom now demanded, The Health of Missionaries. and so contribute indirectly to the revolutionary "Macedonian Com- Livingstone College, at Knott's mittee," we can not yet disco'Oer. Green, Leyton, N. E. London, Eng- But meanwhile the question of land, has had a year of very remark- paying the ransom is agitated, and able growth and development.
at this time of our writing, most This institution has a peculiar of the sum demanded has been object. It was felt for years raised. And now a new question that the alarming mortality at- of grave import arises: How about tending mission work in tropical the establishment of such a prece- climates, and, preeminently, in dent? After the abduction of Mr. Central Africa, demanded some Cudahy's boy and the payment of preventive and educative meas- the large sum demanded by his ures. Dr. Harford-Battersby, who captors, a score of similar, tho is the head of this institution, and Borne of them were.much clumsier, others with him, began to collect plots for kidnapping came to light. and collate and compare facts and A sort of epidemic of such outrages evidence as to all questions affect- was apparently started. If Miss ing climate and health from all Stone is apolitical captive, it would parts of the world, which might be
available for the general public, to its growth and success. It and especially for students and in- would be a noble act if American tending missionaries. Reliable in- Christians and friends of missions formation was sought assiduously, would join British fellow-disciples wherever obtainable, on food sup- in completing this purchase, and plies, clothing, dwellings, habits of the editor of this REVIEW will life, and whatever could be of use gladly forward without cost of to residents or travelers in un- exchan8'EJ any such gifts. * We have healthy climes; in curing, and espe- seldom known of any institution cially avoiding, diseases and ail- whose inception and growth have, ments incident to such localities. in our judgment, meant more for the preservation of life and health With this view, two years ago, among missionaries in unwholean illustrated quarterly journal of some climates, and we earnestly about forty pages was issued, under bespeak the prayers and gifts of the editorial care of Dr. Harford- God's people to further its success. Battersby, which discusses all these Already, up to the close of 1000, questions and gives careful results there had been over one hundred of all inquiry and investigation. and ten students, and the autumn session of 1901 opens with every We have been especially inter- sign of increasing blessing from ested in the new premises obtained above. for this new and growing and most useful educational institution. A The REVIEW for 1902. house, known as "Knott's Green House," formerly a private resi- Foreign missions are fast becomdence, was obtained, with two and a ing home missions, and the attenhalf acres of ground, in a fine lo- tion of the world is being directed cality in Leyton,_ and a. year ago to the work in lands beyond the sea the college moved to its new accom- as never before. Turkey, Bulgaria, modations. The building is beau- Japan, India, China, Arabia, tifully adapted for its end. with Africa, and South America take lecture·room, library, and other their turn in being brought promigeneral rooms, and dormitories for nently into view through imporover a score of resident students, tant happenings recorded in the with ample accommodations also daily press. God is marshaling for the principal and his household the events of the day to impress and a resident tutor. upon the people of Christian lands the need of _Christianizing the The college is meant as a memo- heathen for our own sakes as well l'ial to David Livingstone, some as for theirs. Politics and missions of whose forty experiences in the are seen more and more to be scorching furnace of African fever closely united, and the important might have been saved him had work that ambassadors of the Livingstone College been in exist- cross are doing and the character ence before he dared the pioneer of the converts whom they are work -in the climate of equatorial winning, is being more generally Africa. About £3,000 ($15,000) acknowledged by educators, phiare yet needed to meet the total lanthropists, and statesmen. cost of this admirable property with the necessary outlay for • It may interest some of our readers to adapting it to its purposes. And, know that the son of the editor-in·chief, Mr. as this is an international and inter- Farrand B. Pierson, is now pursuing a course denominational institution, we in this college preparatory to his expected feel persuaded that many in work in Honduras. America would gladly contribute
It is impossible in these days of Robert Speer,and others from every world-wide missions to keep pace part of the mission field.
with more than the leading events Applications for Free Oopies.
which mark the progress of the The editors and publishers of this REVIEW are quite overwhelmed Kingdom of God on earth. It is, with applications for free copies, to however, the aim of this REVIEW be sent in various directions and especially mission fields. From to chronicle the events, discuss the India alone and its Y: M. C. A. problems, and describe the condi- secretaries, we have 35 such applitions most intimately connected cations. To these applications we are compelled to return a negative with missionary work at home and answer. A religious and mission- ary magazine like this has a small abroad, and most interesting and subscription list, and has no such inspiring to the Christian men and resources as the secular magazines. women of to-day. This REVIEW is of necessity a costly one to produce, as we can During the coming year we ex- not ask for gratuitous labor from editors and contributors. To give pect to have valued and varied away the free copies applied for would involve a financial loss, articles by active leaders in the which neither editors nor publish- ers are prepared to assume. It work of the world's evangelization. would seem, however, that out of These will discuss the present the thousand] of subscribers and readers some might be found who conditions, the practical problems, would undertake to aid in this free distribution. A large number of and interesting incidents of the missionaries are at work in all parts of the world for small salamission fields. Among others, the ries, and are hungry for such read- ing-matter as this REVIEW affords. following papers are promised: We are already sending out hUn- dreds of free copies, and feel unable Backward Movements of the Century. to donate more. But if any gener- Editor-in-Chief. ous-hearted readers will send us Missionary Literature of the Nineteenth Cen- any amounts, small or large, they tury. Rev. Harlan P. Beach. will be acknowledged in the RE- The Outlook for Missions in Persia. VIEW and applied at once to t4is Dr. B. Labaree. free distribution, and so cheer and Unoccupied Fields in China. strengthen many a laborius worker Rev. William Upcraft. for Christ in the mission field. Manchuria and the Boxers. John Ross, D.D_ An Apology.
Marvels of Missions in Korea. Our attention has been called to H. G. Underwood, D.D. an offense which we unwittingly The Rescue of the Maori. WherahikoRawei. committed in permitting the term Guam and Its People. Rev. Francis :If. Price. " Cam}?bellite" to appear in our A Tour of the Mission Fields. November number to designate Dr. Arthur J. Brown. "The Disciples of Christ." The author was also innocent of any Religious Forces of Mexico. Dr. J. W. Butler. intention to give offense.
Samuel C. Patteson. John Rutherfurd. Present-Day Movements iu India. Rev. W, A, Stanton.
The Homeless Children of London. Dr. Barnardo. A Remarkable Movement in France. M.d'Aubique. Life in Morocco. George Reed. Pioneer Work in East Central Africa. W. R. Hotchkiss. Martyr Memorial Churches of Madagascar. James Sibree. Missionary Experiences in the Klondyke. S. Hall Young, D.D. Religious Life of American Indians. Miss Collins. Peter Jones, the Indian Interpreter. Egerton Young. The Chinese in the United States. Dr. Ira M. Condit. Missions in the Sunday-school. Belle M. Brain.
The Temptations of a Missionary. Dr. S. M. Zwemer.
There may also be expected arti- cles by our special editorial eorre- spondents, Dr. Arthur H. Smith, of China; Samuel Wilson, of Persia; Jacob Chamberlain, of India;
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS.
CHINA UNDER THE SEARCH-LIGHT_ By Will- of transforming Confucianists into iam Arthur Cornaby_ 12mo, 250 pp. 3s. 6d. T. Fisher Unwin, London. 1901. Christians is conducted. The book Mr. Cornaby writes in much the deals not with the theory only, hut same strain as Arthur H. Smith in with the practical side of the work his " Chinese Characteristics." He as well. The author describes the has been for some years a mission- difficulties offered by the religious ary and editor in China. He is a beliefs of the people and by their close observer of men and things, national characteristics; he then and has given us many helps to a tells of the stages by which preju- better understanding of Chinese dice, sin, and ignorance are over- character and history. The intro- come, men and women won from ductory chapter contains some good darkness to light. and a Christian hints on sources of reliable and un- Church established. Incidents of reliable information on the mind the work give life and color to the and manners of the inhabitants of presentation of the subject, and the this " paradise of puzzles and underlying philosophy of missions problems." Reliable sources in- makes the book invaluable to all clude country folk, merchants, who wish to have a clear and cor- native Christians, tale books, and rect view of founda-tion work in national records; unreliable infor- ChlnL * mation may be had from Chinese PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGlI MISSIONS. By Robert E. Speer. 16mo, 296 pp. 50c. The Presquests on their society behavior, byterian Board of Publication and Sab- bath-school Work, Philadelphia. 1001. mandarins (whose profession is to put foreigners off the scent), and While full histories of the mis- globe-trotters. sionary work of separate churches The succeeding chapters treat of are invaluable, the general reader "Overcrowding" and its results, can not or will not take time to the family and ancestor worship, read them. It is, therefore, a great arrested development, deteriora- advantage to have a readable con- tion and conservatism run to seed, densed account of the history, mis- "The Native Foreigner," " Some sionaries, spheres, and achieve- Chinese Actors in the Tragedy of ments of the various organizations 1900," !esthetic traditions of China, laboring in fOI.'eign lands. Mr.
language and literature, etc. Speer's volume is remarkably full Each chapter unquestionably of information and interesting facts throws much light on the Chinese, for so brief a statement. Young their character, customs, and tra- people and busy men and women ditions_ We would class it with will here find nothing more than Dr. Smith's .. Chinese Characteris- they ought to know about the mis- tics" and Mr. Selby's "Chinaman sions of their Church. The wide at Home," for real insight and in- range covered is seen from the fact terest. * that Africa, India, Siam, China, MISSION PROBLEMS AND METHODS IN SOUTH Japan. Korea, Syria, Persia, North CHINA. By J. Campbell Gibson, M.A., D.D. 12mo, 332 pp. Maps and illustra- and South America, and the Phil- t.ions. Net, $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. Oliphant, Anderson & Fer- ippines are all mission fields of the rier, Edinburgh. 1001. American Presbyterian Church Dr. Gibson has here given an unusually cleaI.' picture of the task that (North). This is one of the four confronts the missionary in China and the methods by which the work largest missionary societies in the world and its history is full of romance and inspiration. *
RECENT BOOKS ON MISSIONS AND MISSION LANDS
PHILANTHROPHY IN MISSIONS. By Henry W. collectively into closer fellowship Grant. 12mo, 68 pp. 250. each; 5 for $1.00; 20 for $3.00. Foreign Missions Li- with Jesus' sacrifice for the lost brary, New York. 1901. world. * These five" Ecumenical Oonference Studies" are made up almost nfODERN MIssroNs IN THE EAST. By Edward entirely of quotations from the A. Lawrence. D.D. Illustrated. 8vo,340 Ecumenical Missionary Oonference PI)· $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Co., New Report. They set forth the philan- York. 1901. thropic character of the work of missions. The book furnishes a This is the third edition of a brief resume of those portions of the report dealing with the actual remarkable book. Its revision and work of the missionary. It shows extraordinary industry and skill. republication is a boon to the stu- Mr. Grant has first culled out from the various addresses and reports dent of missions, for few books of the Ecumenical Oonference sentences expressive of valuable senti- have as great a value from the ment, and then deftly arranged and interwoven them so that they standpoint of a scientific study of read like the consecutive utterances of one man. And yet each missions. Dr. Lawrence made a author is indicated in brackets at the close of each quotation. It is a tour of the world as an independent work most happily conceived and executed. It is, in fact, the work of traveler, and for the express puran artist. pose of making a careful study of THE KEY TO THE MISSIONARY PROBLEM. By Andrew Murray. 12mo, 204 pp. Cloth, the missionary situation and prob- 2s. 6d.; paper, ls. 6d. James Nisbet & Co., London. 1901 lems. He was a careful observer, These "thoughts suggested by a thorough student, a candid critic, the Report of the Ecumenical Missionary Oonference," held in New and a lucid writer. The book has y ork ~ast year, are worthy of careful consideration. This book is in already born fruit in a better underitself a valuable result of the conference. Dr. Murray considers: standing of missions, and its influ- The State of the Ohurch, various societies, examples of love and ence will continue as long as it is loyalty, of spiritual life, and of believing prayer; the Ohurch of Pen- read. It formed the basis for Stutecost; every believer a soul-winner; a missionary ministry, and a call dent Mission Olass Studies this to prayer. The book holds up a high standard for the followers of Ohrist autumn. * and should inspire all who read it to greater devotion, more perfect SKETCHES FROM THE DARK CONTINENT. Willis faith, and more earnest zeal in R. Hotchkiss. 8vo, 160 pp. Illustrated. Ohrist's service. The key to the $1.00. Friends Bible Institute, Cleveland, missionary problem, Dr. Murray Ohio. 1901. • says, is that the Ohurch consider her duty, humble herself for passed Mr. Hotchkiss is a young missionfailure, and enter individually and ary of the Society of Friends, who has had some thrilling and suggest- ive experiences, and who knows how to describe them. He depicts vividly the life of a pioneer mission- ary in East Oentral Africa, with all its scenes of barbarism, its oppor- tunities, difficulties, and encourage- ments. The account could be con- densed to advantage, but is well worth reading for the simple yet graphic way in which it describes scenes of African life, and brings us into closer sympathy with mis- sionary workers in that dark land. * LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS: OR, CHRISTIANITY AND PAGANISM. K. B. Birkland. Illus- trated. 8vo, 669 pp. $2.50. Minnehaha Publishing Co., Minneapolis, Minn. 1901.
This large volume of reminis- cences from a journey round the globe would be twice as good were it half as large. Mr. Birkland has
given us some really valuable de- Monthly Missionary Bibliography.
scriptions and information con- THE MODERN MISSION CENTURY. By Arthur T. Pierson. 8vo, 517 pp. $1.50. Baker & cerning the Santhals and other Taylor Co., N. Y. 68. James Nisbet & Co., London. 1901. people of India, and the account FOREIGN MISSIONS. By Rev. E. T. Churton, of his travels contains much that is D.D. Longmans,Green&Co., New York.
fresh and fascinating. But he has VIA CHRISTI. By Louise M. Hodgkins. 12mo. 50c. (cloth), and 30c. (paper). TheMacmil· not shown discrimination in select- Ian Co., N. Y. 1901.
ing from his notes what is of gen- PHILANTHROPY IN MISSIONS. By W. H. Grant. 12mo, 68 pp. 250. Presbyterian Library, eral interest and permanent value. N. Y. 1901.
The style is conversational, the HISTORY OF MORAVIAN MISSIONS. By Rev. J. T. Hamilton. $1.50. Moravian Bookstore, illustrations are numerous but Bethlehem, Pa. 1901.
poor, and the circle of readers will GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD. By H. A. Gilder and Others. 8vo, 307 pp. $2.00. be limited. We would like to see a Harper & Bros. 1901.
second edition containing about MIRACLES OF MISSIONS-IV. By Arthur T. Pierson. Illustrated. 12mo. $1.00. Funk one-fourth the material. * & Wagnalls Co., N. Y. 1901.
ALONE IN AFRICA. By Mme. Mathilde Keck MISSIONARY READINGS FOR MISSIONARY PRO' Goy. 12mo. 78 pp. Paper. 18. James GRAMS. By Belle M. Brain. 16mo. 6Oc. Nisbet & Co., London. net. Fleming H. Revell Co. 1901.
We have here the narrative of CHINA IN CONVULSION. By Arthur H. Smith. 2 vols. Maps. 8vo. $5.00 net. Fleming the personal experiences of a grad- H. Revell Co. 1901.
uate of the Huguenot seminary at THE LORE OF CATHAY. By W. A. P. Martin. 8vo. $2.50 net. Fleming H. Revell Co. Wellington, South Africa, during THE CHINESE Boy AND GIRL. By J. T. Headseven years' residence among the land. 8vo, 176 pp. Illustrated. $1.00 net. Fleming H. Revell Co. 1901. Barotsi on the Zambesi. * MAN OF MIGHT IN INDIAN MISSIONS. By Helen THE LAND, THE PEOPLE, AND THE BOOK. An H. Halcomb. Illustrated. 12mo. $1.25 illustrated Hebrew·Christian quarterly. net. Fleming H. Revell Co. 1901. B A. M. Schapiro, editor and publisher, 150 Nassau Street, New York. $1.00. INDIA: ITS DARKNESS AND DAWN. By W. St. Clair Tisdall. 12mo. 2. 6d. Student From the character of its contrib- Volunteer Missionary Union, London. utors and the articles of the only number we have seen, we judge CONSTANTINOPLE AND ITS PROBLEMS. By H. this a valuable addition to the O. Dwight, D.D. 12mo. $1.25 net. Flem· literature of Jewish missions. Over ing H. Revell Co. 1901. 2,000,000 Jews are in America, and they are mostly neglected. The ob- MADAGASCAR AND OTHER ISLANDS OF THE IN' ject is to reach especially the better DIAN OCEAN. By Prof. C. Kellar. Swan, class by a Hebrew-Christian litera- Sonneshein & Co., London. 1901. ture that is as winning as possible, and does not needlessly assault REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 4 their prejudices. vols. 8vo. Government Office, Washing· ton. 1901. TRUSTING AND TOILING ON ISRAEL'S BEHALF. A Magazine of Jewish Missionary Effort. OLD GLORY AND THE GOSPEL IN THE PHILIP- Edited by Samuel H. Wilkinson. 1900. PINES. By Alice B. Condit, M.D. Illus- 192 pp. Mildmay Mission, London. trated. 12mo. $1.00. Fleming H. Revell Co. 1901. This volume of the Mildmay Mission Magazine is full of infor- THE REAL HAWAII. By Lucien Young. Ilmation in regard to the "chosen lustrated. 12mo, 371 pp. $1.50. Double· people," and the work that is being day, Page & Co., New York. 1901. done to lead them to believe in and follow Jesus as the promised ALASKA. The Harriman Expedition. 2 vols. Messiah of the Jews and Savior of 8vo, 389 pp. $15.00. Doubleday, Page & the world. It also contains helpful Co. 1901. comments on Scripture passages and Hebrew customs and traditions. THE MAN FROM GLENGARRY. By Ralph Con- nor. 12mo. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Co.
OUR FOES AT HOME. By H. H. Lusk. 12mo, 297 pp. $1.00. Doubleday, Page & Co.
AMERICA'S RACE PROBLEMS. 12mo, 200 pp. $1.50. McClure, Phillips & Co., New York.
CHRISTIAN ORDINANCES AND SOCIAL PROGRESS. ByW. H. Freemantle. $1.50. Houghton, Millin & Co., Boston. 1901.
THE NEW SOUTH AMERICA. By W. Blelock. Illustrated. 8vo, 450 pp. $3.00. Double· day, Page & Co. 1901.
UNKNOWN MEXICO. By Carl Lumboltz. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1901.
THE MISSIONARY PAINTING BOOK. Notes by Eleanor Fox. 8vo. Paper, Is. Church Missionary Society, London. 1901.
LAOS STEREOPTICON LECTURE. Pamphlet. Presbyterian Library, New York. 1901.
Now! By Henry C. Mabie, D.D. lOc. net. Fleming H. Revell Co. 1901.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
AMERICA. Our Largest Well does the Money Spent The L ouisv i 11 e Defensive Congregationalist for Religion Co uri e r- Journal and Education. has been compiling Force. suggest that "the statistics relating largest army to growth in missions, educati'on, and general benevolence. A cen- corps in the service of the tury since $500,000 wouid probably cover everything raised for these United States consists of nearly purposes; now the churches of this country spend annually over $28,- 300,000 teachers and instructors. 000,000 on hospitals, orphanages, and other benevolence; $5,500,000 This is also the most powerful army for foreign missions, and an equal or greater sum for home missions. for the defense, development, and The following summary of the amounts spent by the churches of expansion of the country. It is the world furnishes interesting food for thought: not only sending detachments into United States: Maintenance of churches, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philip- $137,563,200; education and literature, $32,- 728,000; hospitals and orphanages, $28,300,- pines, but is training natives of 000; improvements and missions, $43,000,000; miscellaneous, $45,466,100. these islands as efficient co-oper- England: Church of England offerings, ative forces, and it has able rep- $37,222,170; Church of England revenues, $28,772,785; Free Church, $25,832,500; Cath- resentatives in South American olic churches, $11,411,282; education and literature, $4~,445,682; hospitals and orphan- countries-notably in the Argenages, $29,121,200; improvements, missions, $18,850,"65. tine Republic, where the American Scotland: All religious purposes, $ll,OM,- public-school system is thoro{Jghly 400. established. " Western and Northern Europe: Roman $1.02,138,200; Protestant, $67,290,400; other Wolves in It would appear Christian purposes, $34,500,000; Russia and Siberia, $51,255,500; Greek Church, Patriarch Sheep's that some of "the of Constantinople, $5,625,000; Australia Federation, $6,900,000; Pacific Islands and Mada- Clothing. Lord's silly (that gascar, $452,500; South Africa, $2,500,000; West Indies, $325,000; Foreign Missions not is, simple, sadly given before, $2,900,000; constituencies on the mission fields, $701,000; Roman Catholic lacking in common prudence) Orders, $21,489,000; Roman Catholic missions, $9,400,000; literature and education people" still survive, and therenot given before, $30,440,000; orphanages not included above, $16,080,000; Sunday-schools, fore a note of warning is in order lesson papers, and libraries, $6,200,500; improvements and repairs, $25,000,000; per- from Woman's Work for Woman: centage estimated for non-reporting, $69,- BOO,OOO; miscellaneous, $2,500,000. "It is somewhat strange that a word of caution should still be The annual expenditure for the necessary regarding N estorian and churches and benevolent work of other Asiatic imposters, who scour the world is estimated at $1,009,- the United States for funds on the 369,494. pretext of starting independent schools. They get the money. re- turn to their native land-held re- sponsible to no one-and settle down to a life of ease. I t is hard for worthy workers of their own race, looking on, to be contented with their own humble lot. One recent illustration is a s,cheme fora boarding-school and hospital in Urumia. A printed circular bears the endorsement of distinguished Presbyterians. Have these men, before giving their names to such a scheme, verified the representa- tions made? Have they consulted Dr. Labaree or Dr. Cochran, who have lived so long in Urumia? Or if these brethren are too far away, here at hand is Mr. Speer, Secre- tary for the Persia Missions; he has been in Urumia, and could tell
these men whether a new hospital burn's funeral, was the "Students is demanded-and several other of Lucknow Woman's College." things." For Tuesday the topic was "Miss Thoburn and Her Teaching Staff." Another Note Sometimes the very And so on throughout the week of Warning. elect are deceived, the prayers of the friends and sup- porters of the W. F. M. S. were as this item declares: directed to the needs of this insti- tution, whose founder and prin- I desire to expose what I believe cipal was this very week removed to be the fraud pract,ised by a man from her post by death. A stranger named W. H. Minor, claiming to or more wonderhtl coincidence can be a native African, in his scheme scarcely be imagined. Truth is to get money for the avowed pur- stranger than fiction. The news pose of publishing his translation has just reached India that a friend of the New Testament in the of missions in California has made " Moloch language." Careful study over to the W. F. M. S. a walnut of this so-called language by one grove, or orchard, valued at $6,500, of the teachers of Stillman Insti- to go toward an endowment for tute leads us to believe that Minor's the Lucknow Woman's College.- "Moloch language" is a fabrica- Indian Witness. tion, and his purpose a fraudulent one. He carries my endorsement, Indians at At the burial servgiven at a time when we had every Bishop ice of Bishop reason to believe in his sincerity and genuineness. I hereby with- Whipple's Whipple, in Faridraw this and put the public on Funeral. bault, Minn., Sepguard against him and his scheme. tember 20, 20 Sioux -D. CLAY LILLY, Sec'y Colored Evangelization. sang, to the organ's accompanf- ment, a Dakota translation of the Dr. Pentecost It is indeed good hymn, "Asleep in Jesus." Their Going to the news that Rev. voices were partly trained, but not Philippines. George F. Pentecost so much as to lose entirely the weird, strident, and melancholy has accepted an in- minors of the forest and the prairie. vitation from the Presbyterian This is a sample verse: Board to lead in evangelizing work in our new possessions in the Pa- Ozikiyapi kin waste; cific. After being for years one of Hena wisaymwastepi the foremost of our evangelists, and since a successful pastor, he Ozikiyapi kin waste; possesses unusual qualities for this Wanikiya wanyakapi. new and arduous task. No doubt his months of observation and ex- After the interment in the vault perience in India have greatly 24 Chippewas began singing. Their stimulated his inclination. hymn was, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." But its language was: An Affecting A pathetic interest Coincidence. attaches to the co- J esns ki nazikon Menwenimut ninehchag, incidence to which Megua wi mamangashkag. the Kaukab calls attention. The Woman's Foreign Missionary So- How appropriate that Sioux and ciety of the Methodist Episcopal Chippewa–once hereditary ene- Church issues a prayer calendar mies-should join in singing Chris- tian hymns over his grave in those for each year. In the calendar for Dakota and Ojibway words which, 1901 the prayer topic for the week until the bishop came, had been beginning September 1, the day of used only for heathen threats. Miss Thoburn's death, was" Higher Education of Women." The topic for Monday, the day of Miss Tho-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
., Status of the At the recent an- from different sections of the American nual meeting of islands, and these were forwarded Board. this oldestof Amer- in small parties. Several were ican missionary so- placed in American families and cieties it was reported that the in- attended school with American come for the year just closed was children, but the applications have $697,371. Its representatives are increased far beyond the accommo- found in 20 missions at 6trategic dations that could be provided for centers amid a population exceed- them. Dr. Brumbaugh writes that ing 6,000,000 souls, using 27 different his office is crowded daily with languages; 544 missionaries, as- women begging him to send their sisted by 3,483 native laborers, are children North to be educated. On engaged in preaching the Gospel, one of the transports 14 boys and directing schools, translating the girls were sent, escorted to the Bible, and creating a Christian lit- place of embarkation by 400 chil- erature,' and healing the sick. In dren of the public schools, march- these missions are 505 churches, ing under the American flag and having 50,892 members, 4,551 hav- cheering the Carlisle school and ing been received on confession of the American government.
their faith this year, 929 Sunday- schools, with 66,601 pupils, and giv- American 1. Hebrew-Chris- ing $147,879 annually to the sup- Hebrew- tians, baptized when port of the Christian work around Christians. of age, now either them; 13 colleges, with 2,132 stu- occupying pulpits dents; 17 theological seminaries, or mentioned in the official records with 228 students in direct training as ministers, missionaries, or licen- "for the ministry; 103 boarding and tiates: Lutherans, 15; Baptists, 9; high schools for girls and boys, Methodists, 6; Episcopals,4; Con- with 10,225 students, besides 1,135 gregationalists, 4; Presbyterians, 6; day-schools, with 49,375 pupils. United Presbyterian, 1; Reformed Presbyterians, 2; Disciples of Cubans and A few weeks since Christ, 1; Reformed, 8; Seventh Puerto Ricans 34 Cuban school- Day Adventist, 1; Independent, 6.
in Our teachers who are 'fotal,63.
Schools. to study in the 2. Hebrew-Christians, baptized, State Normal with their parents, as children, now School at New Paltz, N. Y., arrived ordained ministers in evangelical in New York City. There are now churches, 7.
60 of them there, preparing to re- 3. Ministers in evangelical turn and teach in Cuba. churches, whose fathers were He- There are also 42 Puerto Rican brew-Christians converted before boys and girls who have been re- their hirth, and whose mot.hers ceived by Colonel Pratt at the Car- were Gentiles. Total, 143.
lisle Indian Industrial School. 4. Ministers in e van g e Ii c a I Last year 4 boys, brought by re- churches, whose mothers were He- turning Pennsylvania volunteers, brew-Christians converted before came to the school, and their let- their birth, and whose fathers were ters home were soon followed by Gentiles. 41.
many requests from parents that It thus follows that nearly 300 others might be accepted. Dr. ministers of evangelical churches Brumbaugh, commissioner of edu- in America have Jewish blood in cation for Puerto Rico, selected a their veins!
number out of many candidates 5. Hebrew-Christians who have
occupied p u 1pit s of evangelical Wright. Three years later Rev. churches in America since 1818, John Lewis, a Pole, took .it up. when J. S. C. F. Frey was ordained Under his ministry and the over- by the Westchester and Morris sight of Mr. Wright the enterprise County Presbytery on April 15th, has slowly grown in spite of converted when of age, 373. obstacles and discouragements, till to-day the church of 65 mem- These figures prove undoubtedly bers, with a constituency of more that missionary effort among the than 200, enters hopefully upon its Jews is not less successful than new and enlarged opportunity. missionary effort among the heath- For more than five years First en. The fact that 63 Hebrew- Church has supported Miss Mary Christians, who were converted Osinek, a Bible reader, who gives when of age, are now ministers, her entire time to varied and prac- etc., in American evangelical tical work among the Polish women . churches, shows conclusively that and children. At the dedication a large percentage of converts from the chapel was packed, mothers Judaism enters the ministry, since with babes in arms being a con- the number of Jews converted in spicuous feature. Tho many in- America from 1870 to 1900 is only terested visitors could not under- 5,200. The number of Jewish bap- stand the words of the sermon, tisms in American e van gel i cal spoken in Polish by Rev. Paul Fox, churches from 1895 to 1901 has been of Cleveland, or the impassioned 1,072, an average of 179 a year, but prayer of Rev. John Lewis, still these figures must be used very they recognized and shared in their cautiously, since baptism does not spirit and hope. It was a prophetic always mean conversion, and since day for the 45,000 Poles in Detroit. it is almost impossible to get com- plete statistics. Of the 1,072 bap- Our Stundist The Stundists are a tisms between 1895 and 1901, the Fellow people of German majority, 643, were the result of Citizens. origin – Protestant private efforts of pastors, while in religion. A hunonly 217 were announced as the result of the labor of Jewish mission- dred years ago a large.number of aries. The Salvation Army in the them migrated to Russia. There United States has about 75 Hebrew- they have increased till now they Christians among its soldiers at number 2,000,000. They take their the present time. name from the word Stunde, or hour of worship, which they LOUIS MEYER. sacredly observe. But of late the Russian Government has placed so Polacks in September 8 the many restrictions on them as to Detroit. chapel of the Polish cause the migration of large num- branch of the !<'irst bers, not less than about 200,000 coming to this country. Of these Congregational Church was dedi- a part are found in Canada; the cated. This $5,000 building is rest, from 50,000 to 100,000, in the plain, roomy, and convenient, and United States, located mostly in for many years will provide a home the Dakotas, and are industrious, for this growing company. It is peaceable citizens. They were willthe gift of Detroit churches and the ing to begin life here in mud Church Building Society. The houses, with heating-stoves of clay, first Protestant work among the and with hay or straw for fuel. Poles in America was begun in Detroit in 1884 by Mr. N. S.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
But they are people of piety-of EUROPE. Lutheran, Presbyterian, or Baptist faith-and, unlike many immi- Truth Bishop Tucker, of grants, are exerci3ing a happy influence. Stranger than Uganda, has pre- The Greek 'I'he members of the Fiction. sented to the Brit- Church Greek Church in ish and Foreign in America. this country are not very many, and Bible House Library a work of they are for the most part in New high interest, which bears on its York City, where the only congregation exists. That congregation title-page: is just now much interested in the coming of a new priest from Ekitabo Ekitegeza enjiri ya Matayo. Greece, who, unlike his predeces- Kyawandikibwa Hamu Mukasa. sors, can Rpeak English as well as Emengo: C. M. S., 1900. several other languages. There are 5,000 Greeks in the city, and The book is commentary on St. altho they are mainly persons of Matthew's Gospel in Luganda. It small means, they have raised is the work of a native clergyman $30,000 toward the beginning of a named Ham Mukasa. The book large structure of dignified archi- has been printed and bound in tecture, where the old Eastern paper covers by native Christian Church may assume a worthy as- boys, trained by the C. M. S. inpect. The present church build- dustrial missionary, Mr. Borup. ing, between Lexington and Third And it is only eighteen years since avenues, on Twenty-seventh Street, the first convert was baptized in is small, and the Greeks desire to Uganda, where there are now have the new one much farther 30,000 baptized Christians. down-town, where their center of population is. A Bequest Both the British Industrial A writer in the of a and Foreign Bible Mission in South American Million. Society and the,Re- South Missionary Maga- America. zine says: " If ligious Tract So- Christianity is to ciety have received munificent spread throughout the world, as it certainly will, it must go hand in gifts from the estate of the late hand with industry. We have already 3 industrial missions-the Mr. Samuel Cocker, of Sunny sheep farm on Keppel Island, where many Yahgans have been Bank, Sheffield, who was a promitaught and trained; the missionary establishment in Araucania, Chile, nent Wesleyan Methodist in that where Mapuche boys are learning carpentry, building, printing, agri- city. By his will Mr. Cocker left culture, bee-keeping, etc., and the new effort to give employment, the whole of his residuary estate food, and hope to the Chaco Indians by encouraging cattle·farm- to Messrs. John Percy Collier and ing," Charles Arthur Kirkby, whom he appointed his executors. From a memorandum, which had not the effect of a will, found among Mr.
Cocker's papers, it appeared, how- ever, that he wished the bulk of his residuary estate to be divided equally between the two societies above mentioned. Messrs. Collier and Kirkby have respected the wishes thus expressed, and have now paid to each society the sum of £109,500. According to the terms of the memorandum, the share of the Bible Society is to be expended within ten years upon the production and circulation of
translations of the Scriptures, or The Greatest The latest trip of portions of them, in languages in Woman Mrs. Isabella Bird which they have not already been Traveler Bishop, F. R. G. S., produced by the society. Extant. was an adventurous ride of 1,000 miles A Student Missionary Campaign has been organized by Mr. Malcolm in Morocco, in the course of which Spencer, of Mansfield College, Eng- she visited the Atlas Mountains, land, and others. Some 200 meet- the northern and southern capiings were held last autumn, in tals, and the holy city of Wazan in which 40 students, representing the Atlas Mountains, as the guest 20 colleges, took part. Forty of nominally of the Sultan. She was the meetings were held in the received with great hospitality and interest of the London Missionary distinction in the feudal castles of Society, and others on behalf of the sheiks and khalifas of the powthe 15 other societies. erful Berber tribes, and was much impressed with the superiority of Missionaries' Among the move- this race to the Arab. She had an Literature ments which are interview of 20 minutes with the Association. both new and good, Sultan, being the first Christian the one bearing this woman yO whom such an intername may properly be classed, whose headquarters are 57 and 59 view has been accorded, and Ludgate Hill, London, E. C. Its another with the grand shereeff of general object is twofold: Wazan, who had been greatly in- terested in her Chinese travels. (1) Organizing a regular supply She takes a gloomy view of the of useful literature for mission- present and future of Morocco. and aries; thinks that reform from within is impossible. (2) quickening interest in missionary work by placing donors Protestantism In the 17 provinces of periodicals in direct touch with in Austria. of Austria there workers in the "regions beyond." were, according to And in the book department: the last census, 436,352 Protestants (a) To establish permanent libra- of the Augsburg and the Helvetic ries in as many mission centers as confessions. Adding to these the possible. Baptists, Congregationalists, or (b) To circulate useful books Free Reformed, Methodists, and among missionaries. Moravians, it is safe to affirm that (e) 'fo supply missionaries and over 450,000 reside in Austria. Christian workers with any book by any publisher, post free, at the The following statistics, from an published price. annual report dated May, 1901, give an idea of the development of the British In the C. M. S. Congregational churches: 1 sta- Colonies and From Month to tion and 50 outstations in different parts of Bohemia and Austria; 13 Missions. Month for Septem- churches, 1,215 members, of whom ber attention is 180 were received during the last year. There are 321 children in the called to the steadily increasing Sunday-schools, 12 preachers. sevnumber of missionaries sent out eral colporteurs, 13 Y. M. C. A.'s, from the various countries to which British colonists have gone; 'V. 17 Y. C. A.'s, 1 rescue and reand a partial list of 40 is given, including 10 to India, 14 to China, 9 form home for fallen women. to Palestine and Persia, 5 to Africa, Average congregation, all told, and 2 to Japan. By far the larger portion are sent forth by the churches of Australasia.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
2,232; adherents, 3,035. Contribu- not less remarkable than theirs. tions by the people, $3,875. Liter- It was he who, by questioning ature circulated in 1 year: Bibles, native traders and other inv~stiga 187; New Testaments, 8,582; Gospel tions, arrived at the conviction portions, 9,568; other religious that a great inland sea existed in books, 15,000; tracts, papers, etc., Central Africa, and constructed 140,000. from the information he received the famous" slug map," which ap- A Protestant The International peared first in the Calwer Missions- Girls' School Institute for Girls, blatt, then in the C. M. Intelli- in Madrid. which, since the gencer of 1856, and afterward was exhibited before the Royal Geo- Spanish war, has graphical Society. That map was carried on its work in Biarritz, the immediate cause of the expe- France, just across the border, ditions of Speke, Burton, and looks forward to a not far distant Grant, and hence of all our more return to Spain, for cable has been recent knowledge of Central Africa. received announcing that at last a After leaving East Africa Mr. Ersite has been purchased in Madrid hardt was sent to India, and labored for the school. It has been the for 35 years in the NorthwestProvfond hope of those interested in inces, chiefly in charge of the great this school to establish it perma- Secundra Orphanage. His service nently in the nation's capital where in India lasted from before the are the State Institute and the Uni- mutiny (he was one of the Euroversity of Madrid, both of which peans besieged in the fort at Agra) admit· the girls of this mission until 1891, when old age compelled school to their examinations, and his retirement. In the list of the already 19 have taken the B. A. names which we owe to Germany, degree and 4 the degrees of the that of James Erhardt must ever University with honor, the first hold an honorable place.-C. M. S. time in the history of Spain that Gleaner. woman's work has received such recognition. If the committee of Is. Plethora "According to a ways and means in this country of Priests. I' e c e n t enumerasucceed in their plan, a building will be erected on this site as an tion," says the offering from the women and girls Church Eclectic, "the following are of the United States to ;the girls of the number of Roman clergy in the Spain, to be called" College Hall," kingdom of Italy: Bishops, 272; the rooms of which shall be named clergy having some ecclesiastical for those schools and colleges that charge, 20,465. The cathedral at raise $300 each.-Advance. Naples has on its roll 112 priests; the church of St. Nicholas at Bari, A German Krapf, Rebmann, 100 priests; St. Peter's, Rome, 120 to be Held and Erhardt are 3 priests. This will give an idea of in Honor. famous names in how many clergy are only titularly employed in connection with the C. M. S. annals. It sacred ministry, and yet, notwithwill be a surprise to many that the standing this great nominal conlast survivor of the historic trio nection, there are over 100,000 died in his German home at Stutt- priests in Italy who have no cures gart so recently as August 14th or any fixed employment. It is last. The Rev. James Erhardt is not to be wondered, therefore, that perhaps less known by name to the the traffic in masses continues to present generation than his two coneagu~s, yet his services were
flourish so vigorously, as it affords God); Yarun Sdbah (to-morrow to . many men the only means of morning)."-GRANT DUFF. earning Ii trifle. Masses for the repose of the dead and for 'inten- Russian Attention has re- ~1i'1ns,' are eagerly bought at second Schemes in cently been called il%,tM· from the sacristans. who, Syria. to the way in which Russia has begun in #hitle~etaining the greater portion M''eWrde, are yet able thus to fur- Syria the process of licking prenisli'"their poorer brethren with paratory to swallowing. The most Sbfue subsistence." numerous Christian sect is the Greek Orthodox. By virtue of her Bulgarian Rev. J. F. Clarke, Brigands. who has been a mis- Greek Orthodoxy, Russia has opened some 300 schools in Syrian s ion a r y 0 f the communities, and is subsidizing American Board in Bulgaria for them to the extent of about $300,000 42 years, furnishes to the Con- per year. They pay all bills, even gregationalist some accounts of to those for books, paper, pencils, his experiences with the brigands and, in many cases, clothing. The in that country. He has been study of Russian is obligatory. robbed three times, the brigands There is a training-school for young taking his watch and money. In men in Nazareth and one for young the sixties it was counted unsafe women in Bethlehem, in which for a missionary to be outside of teachers are prepared for the vilthe city after sundown. Brigands lage schools. The most promising were then a terror to travelers. teachers are taken to Russia for He has a list of 80 merchants from further education, whence they 2 villages who were killed within a return to Syria as Russian citizens.
radius of 20 miles by brigands. At. _The Attitude The Christian Pa- that time travelers moved under of Educated triot, Madras, says: protection of a Turkish guard. A Hindus. "The attitude of wholesale murder of some Ameri- educated Bengal tocans and Englishmen, twenty odd w:rd Christianity is thus !;!ummayears ago, led the Turks to ~JUild rized:' The educated men of Bengal guard-houses iQ,;exposed places, to-day are almost to a man up in making travel much safer. Mr. arms in defense of their ancestral Clarke says: faith. Everywhere societies are After the Turkish massacres of being formed for the advancement 1876-8, when doing relief work to of Hinduism, for the study of the the amount of about $50,000, I often carried with me hundreds,' ancient philosophical Hterature, or and once thousands, of dollars in for practical religious work under gold, but freely traveled by night Hindu auspices. Hindus in many as well as by day, never taking a guard, though my firman, obtained places are opening Hindu schools, from the Porte by the English am- to remove their sons and daughters bassador, gave me the right to take from Christian influence, and in as many as I wished at any time. the college one meets with a stiffer ASIA. and more stubborn resistance to Christian teaching than used to be "Some time ago an ambassador shown.' Notwithstanding this op- told the Sultan's Grand Vizier that position, during the last decade the there were three enemies that London Missionary Society alone would eventually destroy the Turk- has gathered 3,097 souls. That the ish empire: Bakalu1n (we shall influence of Christianity is being see); In-shaa-Allah (if it please felt and feared is evidenced by the
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
movement above referred to, and a the village. Formerly he belonged stern defense often precedes a to the soil. and some share of the speedy fall." fruit of the soil belonged to him.
In Terror of Fresh difficulties Now the pariah is a day laborer, the Bible. continually occur employed to plow and to plant, and then left idle till harvest, when he to hinder Bible is called in for a brief spell of work work in Moslem countries. Mr. and turned adrift again. In plen- Tisdall writes that'the Turkish teous seasons his lot is hard and authorities in Erbil, in the Mosul onerous; in years of scarcity it is district, had seized our colporteurs' unbearable.-Friend of India. books and money; and that the Vali of Mosul afterward' ordered What Lahore is marked the books to be returned. Licenses for our colporteurs in and around One College is among stations in Bagdad are still withheld. Mr. Tisdall also sends a letter from our Doing. the India missions assistant agent at Bushire, on the Persian Gulf, stating that the cus- for its educational toms authorities, acting on orders received from Teheran, refuse to work. Twelve hundred men have allow our cases of Scriptures to enter Persia. The British legation been educated in Forman College at Teheran is inquiring into the matter.-Bible Society Reporter. (Presbyterian). Last year there were 353 students, of whom 30 were Chri&tians, 32 Sikhs, 107 Moham- medans, 184 Hindus; 22 passed for the university degree of B.A., one taking the highest place. The high-school in the city enrolled 635 Large A curious light is boys, of whom 400, all non-Chris- tians, voluntarily attended Sunday- Emigration of thrown upon the school. In the school for Moham- medan girls singing is taught, a Low-castes. social revolution si- very unusual thing. In the Hindu school average attendance was lently wrough1t in above a hundred.
Southern India by the steadily increasing tide of emigration to countries over-sea, by the returns recently published by the Madras Some Large Ingatberings.-The government. Some villages, it American Presbyterians have It seems, are almost depopulated, and flourishing mission in the Northin others a labor famine is seriously west Provinces, as these items threatened. The explanation of show. Last year a native pastor this phenomenon seems to lie in received 320 to the Church, on conthe fact that emigration is confined fession, in Kolapur; another, 170 in to a single class, the pariahs, for Lahore; a third, with an English whose lahor there is no substitute name, 151, in Kolapur, andafourth available. The radical change in baptized 270 adults. the character of the pariah (who formerly clung to his hut village C. M. S. in Three bands of with a tenacity remarkable even in Tinnevelli. evangelists in con- an Indian attached to the soH) from nection wi th the an ultra conservative into an impa- Ti.nnevelli Church Council went tient seeker after fortune in the in July on an evangelistic tour Straits, Burma, Ceylon, and Mauri- through the Palamcotta and Srivil- tius, is an interesting sociological liputtur districts, and 307 villages study. The metamorphosis is at- were visited. The evangelists gave tributed to an alteration in the part 807 open-air addresses, 54,535 per- the pariah plays in the economy of sons, it is estimated, heard the Gos-
pel message, 4,171 hand bills were the people, and are treated with distributed, and 772 tracts and the utmost respect, even with cor- Bible portions were sold. The diality, by the officials." (2)" At'
evangelists traveled in all about present the missionaries are at 700 miles. their posts in the interior stations, A Notable This occurred when busy and happy, because of the Celebration the deputation ~f bright outlook. There seem to be in Ceylon. the American Board signs of a rich harvest of souls in met the graduates the near future, and the whole of the Oodooville and the Udupitty empire is opening to missionary girls' boarding-schools, held in the effort." (3) A missionary lately re- church at Oodooville on July 5th. turned from a journey of thirty-six The school, standing for the higher days visiting churches and stations education of girls in J affna, is older in the east end of Shantung provthan Mt. Holyoke College or the ince, found the people everywhere Seminary. It started in 1824 with friendly and more willing to listen 29 pupils, and now has some 165 attentively than in former years. upon its rolls. It is the oldest girls' "The preachers are encouraged boarding-school under the Ameri- and hopeful. The Christians have can Board, and probably is tile old- received a fair compensation for est mission girls' boarding-school "the burning of houses and robbery in the world. It has admitted 1,233 committed by the Boxers. The girls. During the last twenty-five conviction is taking hold of the years 254 girls have been graduated, people that no power can drive off of whom only 4 were not members foreigners or banish Christianity." of the Church. There were in the (4) Yuan Shih Kai, governor of audience 51 of the old pupils of Shantung, has welcomed back the Udupitty, and 168 from Oodooville, missionaries to his province, and with some 160 of the present pupils. plet!ged his best, efforts for their Upon the platform sat 14 of the protection, as well as that of their students of the Oodooville school converts and their work, in a corwho remembered the last deputa- dial letter acknowledging that their tim. of the Board, and pastor Hunt, "Church customs are strict and who translated for the present dep- correct," and that their" converts utation, rendered the previous dep- may well observe them."
utation the same service. It was Another Robert E. Lewis a significant feature of the day to see those trained, self-possessed, Cheering writes thus of the earnest women stand upon the platform before a mixed audience and Sign. Y. M. C. A. side of speak for their sex and for Christ. things in Shanghai: "The Chinese branch continues to attract the interest of promi- Good News The C. M. S. Intel- nent Chinese. Recently I received from China. ligencer notes these a letter from a mandarin of great cheering facts: (1) influence enclosing an unsolicited "Work at Nanking has opened up subscription of $100, and asking if with a rush since February. Chap- his son might not become a mem- els and schools have reopened and ber. We called upon him, and as are running full blast. Christians a result the son is a regular at- are more earnest than ever before; tendant at the gospel meetings, and there are more inquirers than there the great man has several times have been for a long time; the mis- caused a flurry among the mem- sionaries have better access among bers by being present himself. A
MiSSIONARY
taotai (mandarin, with the rank of not likely to pass away at once. It mayor, of a city) recently called to is impossible to say what the court say that his subscription of $10 may do, and it might as well be had been troubling him, that this ignored. Wherever two or three amount did not express his interest, are gathered together, let it be and that he wished to subscribe prayed for. Some day it will again $100 more. We thought it would be true: E;c Oriente Lux." not be the best of courtesy to send for it immediately, and were there- Found in a A news item from fore surprised to receive a second Bad Category. Canton, printed in call in person from the taotai, when he said that his secretary was one of the Shanghai ready to hand over the amount. papers, shows in what category His sympathy for our work had no Chinese officials, who know them other source than downright in- thoroughly, place Buddhist and terest in the association. Another Taoist convents and monasteries. taotai, the present Chinese Mayor The general opinion of the people, of Shanghai, recently sent me a we are assured by one of our mischeck for $200; and it must be re- sionaries in China, is the same. membered that he and the others The item reads: "On account of the mentioned are heathen, and also recent explosion at the back of the that their subscriptions are in no provincial governor's yamen, street way, shape, or manner connected searching and inquiries are still gowith indemnity. On the other ing on in all the low localities, and hand, these men are genuinely in- secret emissaries are sent to watch terested in this "Brotherhood of the opium divans, brothels, gam- Jesus' Young Apprentices" (as our bling dens, low-class lodgingname is translated from Chinese) houses, monasteries, as well as conand have a purpose to assist its vents, ancestral temples and examwork. ination schools, and arrest any sus- picious characters that may be A Gloomier Rev. A. H. Smith, found in hiding; also any person View of China. with his eye espe- found harboring them will be ar- rested and punished. The viceroy cially on the north- has ordered that all the powder ern provinces, sums up thus in a magazines at the military quarters recent letter to the Congregation- shall be removed to Wang Chi alist: "As a whole, the situation, Kong, outside the suburb and far as already remarked, is compli- from human habitation, as a precated beyond precedent and beyond caution." belief. There is great hope of a wide awakening of t,he Chinese to Milk The Chinese seem the need of reform, but there are as yet no trustworthy signs of it, all as Chinese to have a more reports to the contrary notwithstanding. Recruits are needed for See It. tender regard for the future, but the present exigency is for trained men to strengthen cows than for' the things which remain. It is a time for the Church to cry mightily foreign devils. They would not. unto God for His Spirit upon the work and the workers in His de- even have them milked. Accordspoiled vineyard. The present transition stage is temporary, but it is ing to The Foochow Herald a notice has been posted up to the following effect: "You are not allowed to drink cow's milk. Man has no right to take from animals their nourishment, particularly the cow, which is the most useful of all.
Those who sell milk pollute their
conscience for the sake of money, ority on the part of the ruling and those <who drink it with the classes-" our poor benighted idea that< their bodies benefit by it brothers" being a common expresare not less blamable. Under the sion applied by them to the natives pretext that their children feed of the interior. Something, howthemselves with milk they wish to ever, has been done. In the repubdo the same. But animals have the lic there is an educational system, same needs. Who will feed the which includes a college, a central calves if men take all the milk from school, and 34 primary schools, the cows?" with 40 teachers. Nearly 500 of the pupils are native boys and girls AFRICA. from the surrounding tribes, who are going into competition with the The American Rev. J. K. Mc- sons and daughters of the 30,000 Mission in Clurkin, who has civilized American negroes who Egypt. visited Egypt and speak the English language. Six- studied the field, teen educated negroes from the literary and industrial schools of writes to the United Presbyterian America are now at work in Lihis impressions. He says: "God beria, and connected with the has marvelously guided our mis- Methodist Episcopal Church is a sionaries up the valley of the Nile. considerable conference with some He has led them as truly as he led 4,000 communicants. Israel of old, until to-day he has rewarded our efforts, as he usually Bible Buying A letter from Mrs. does with o:,r servants, by increas- in Uganda. Fraser, Uganda, ing our responsibility, widening our field, and pointing us forward quoted in The to a possible mission post in the Church JJIissionary Intelligencer, Soudan, 2,000 miles beyond the gives a touching glimpse of the touch of civilization." He then value set upon the Bible by the gives the results of missionary teachers. She says: "The new efforts in that country as follows: Bibles have come, and are selling "Forty-seven years ago our first like wildfire, and in spite of the missionary landed single·handed almost prohibitive price, the first upon the shores of Egypt. Six edition is almost entirely exyears passed and there were 4 con- hausted. The Mugandahas a keen verts. Now there are 6,500 com- appreciation of good print and municants, a synod, 4 presbyteries, binding, and to see him handling 220 stations and churches, 50 native his books or bandaging them with preachers, 200 schools, with 14,000 strips of calico when he has finished pupils, and $75,000 was raised this using them would delight a bookyear by the Church in Egypt." lover. In order that the Bibles might get as quickly as possible The Liberia More than fifty into the hands of the teachers, who Experiment years ago an at- so sorely need them, the bishop de- not a Success. tempt was made to termined to reduce the price of the cheapest to two months' wages for establish a negro those teachers who had already nation in Africa, governed on taught for a year, and to three Christian principles, and the Re- months' wages for a slightly better public of Liberia was the result. quality. This would seem dear It has been only moderately suc- enough to Christians in England, cessful-<one cause being the insuf- but the very· day the neWs was ficiency of capital to develop the resources of the country; another, the too open assumption of superi-
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
given out a great crowd of teachers 'Prehistoric Peeps.' ·On the platfairly danced down to Mr. Miller's form naked savages peer and grin house to have their names written with good-humored curiosity; their down for a 'Holy Book,' shouting nudity is rendered more conspicand singing with such beaming uous by the fact that they wear faces. They came as we were short cloaks hanging down their walking along from the prayer- backs, and carry elaborate ornameeting, and crowded round the ments, often including old jam- bishop, kneeling at his feet, crying, pots, in the slits cut in their ears. , Joy! joy! God be praised! God Near the stations the ostrich and be praised!' Some of them quite the barn-door fowl almost interbroke down. It brought a lump to mingle. The obstinate rhinocone's throat." eros, who assimilates new ideas more slowly than other beasts, Plague of A C. M. S. worker sometimes disputes the passage of Snakes in in Bunyoro, an the train in a narrow cutting and Central Africa. Irishman by birth, derails it, though he perishes in the attempt. A troop of more intelli- thinks that the gent elephants occasionally occupy country would be greatly profited a station, and in their curiosity by a visit from the patron saint of ravage the booking-office and take his own land. "Snakes," he says, tickets, which can not be accounted "oh, snakes, any amount and of for afterward." various kinds. Perhaps the creatures which give us most THE ISLANDS OF THE SEA. trouble are the little whipsnakes which get into the walls of our reed European We are permitted houses; they are generally not more Biblewomen to condense a few than twelve inches long and about in Malaysia. paragraphs out of as thick as your little finger, and very poisonous. One day I found a private letter one of these creatures drinking from Mr. John Haffenden, the from the basin in which I was about society's agent in North ltlalaysia. to wash my hands, and I did not Readers of the annual report will see it until I had dipped my hands recollect that the sale of Malay into the water. It struck at me, Scriptures last year in that agency but fortunately for me missed; it exceeded 12,000 copies. Mr. Haffenthen jumped upon the tioor,made den writes: "To my mind the no attempt to get away, and fought most hopeful part of the work the battle out to the death. I among Malays at present is that walked over a snake another day which our European Biblewomen some six feet long; happily it was are doing. The society has now one of the slow kind and he had five of them in this agency-two at not time to strike. They come into Penang, one at Kwala Lumpor, the house after rats, and often drop the capital of the Malay State of from the roof of our house." Selangor, another in Malacca, and a fifth at Singapore. They reside Delights of Sir O. Eliot declares in the homes of our married sub- Travel in officially, reporting agents. All of them have made East Africa. on the Uganda rail- good progress in the Malay language, some of course more than way: "It is not a others; but they are all now able humorous exaggeration to say to explain the Gospel and speak that the wayside landscapes re- about the love of Christ for sinners. mind the traveler of the series Personally, I believe that no Chrisof pictures in Punch called
tian agency has thus far taken so the entire income of the society!- strong a hold on the Malays.- a thing which had been impossible Bible Society Reporter. before. The same interesting situ- ation occurs in the early history of Do Missions The London Mis- the American Baptist Missionary Pay? sionary Society has Union. In 1835 the income was so just completed the largely in excess of the opportuni- ties for use on the fields then occuerection of a $10,000 building at pied that at the annual meeting in Leone, Tutuila, which is to be used Richmond the Board was inas a school for Samoan girls. structed "to establish new mis- Every cent of this money has been sions in every unoccupied place given by the natives, one island where there may be a reasonable alone-Olusinga-donating $2,000 prospect of success, and to employ out of the $3,000 it raised last year in some part of the great field by the cultivation of cocoanuts, the every properly qualified missionltry only money-yielding product of the whose services the Board may be place, and this without reducing in able to obtain." In those days the any single instance the salaries of prayer of God's people was for the the native pastors! opening of new and" wider fields for missionary effort. God an- MISCELLANEOUS. swered. Then the prayer was for laborers to go forth into the open Finding the The nearest ap- fields. God has answered in the Pole VS. proach yet made thrilling uprising of the Christian youth of the world in the student's Evangelizing by any explorer to volunteer movement. The empha- the World. the North Pole is sis now rests upon the churches of Christian lands to make their offer- by Abruzzi, who ings for world-wide missions adecame within about 250 miles of it. quate to the answers God has given Lieutenant Peary and E. E. Bald- to their prayers.-Baptist Miswin are aiming for it from different sionary Magazine. directions. It has been computed that 400 human lives have been lost When God says A time of financial and $75,000,000 spent already in "Forward I" difficulty at home efforts to reach this spot. We need sha11 we say -is often a time of not affirm that such expenditure is " Retreat" ? increased 0 p p 0 rirrational or uncalled for, but cer- tun i t Y a b r 0 a d. tainly, as related to the welfare of the race, the attempt is not fit to Some faint hearts would not have be named in the same year with it so; they think that when our the sublime work for the world's churches at home are unwilling to evangelization! exert themselves any further, the way for retrenchment should be Change of A striking indica- made easy by the falling off of some Emphasis in tion of the mar- of the work abroad. But that is not God's way. It seems as tho He Missions. velous progress of dares us to withdraw. We talk of Christian missions having done "all that we can reasonably be exp'ected to do," and is seen in the transfer of emphasis He answers us by throwing open from the early years of this cen- the door to some new field of servtury. The annual report of the ice whitening to the harvest. Church Missionary Society called attention to the fact that an early report congratulated the society on the fact that the work abroad was growing so much that the committee had been able to spend
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
There never was a time when this 1857, and W3,S at once appointed was more strikingly the case than missionary to the Bulgarian misnow. '.rhe open doors of Hunan, sion, which had been ceded, so to the call to occupy the .inland of speak, by the American Board to New Guinea, the great fields wait- the Methodist Episcopal Mission ing to be occupied in Central Africa, Board. Rev. Wesley Prettyman in West China, and elsewhere- and Rev. Albert L. Long were the these are old themes. There is first missionaries sent to the Methadded to them now the story of a odist portion of the field. Mr. new opportunity in South India. Long was superintendent of this When God's voice is so clearly mission for some years, through saying " FORWARD!" who is he most trying periods of persecution that will utter the word "Re- and war. He became a rallying treat" 1-L. M. S. Chronicle. center of Protestant Bulgarians north of the Balkans, and through Cruelty to The Baptist Mis- various activities gained knowledge Missionaries. sionary Magazine of the entire political, civil, and religious conditions of the Levant, for September con- which made him a wise counsellor tains a suggestive article by one of in all Eastern affairs, national and the officials of the Women's Mis- international. sionary Society, which is a plea for the organization of a new society- The war disturbances of 1863 renviz., a society for the prevention of dered missionary work within Bulcruelty to missionaries. One form garia impossible, and Dr. Long of cruelty is thus referred to: "An- removed to Constantinople. Here other species of cruelty to mis- he opened his own house for public sionaries is the demand laid upon worship, but concentrated his them by the churches to address strength on building up a Christian audiences when they corne home to literature for Bulgaria. He berest. Many of our missionaries came associated with Dr. Elias have gone through summer's heat Riggs in the translation of the and winter's cold from city to city Bulgarian New Testament for the and state to state to interest and British and Foreign Bible Society. stimulate the workers and the idlers The pUblications issued by him, at home until in despair they have either of his own authorship or begged to be returned to the mis- translations, in the single year 1865 sion field to secure a little time for reached a million pages. quiet and rest." In 1868 he was appointed pro- DEATHS. fessor in Robert College, retaining this position continuously till his Albert L. Long, Rev. Dr. Albert L. death. Bulgarian students came to this institution because of Dr. of Long, Vice-Presi- Long's connection with it, and a large portion of the men who have Constantinople. dent of Rob e r t had to do with the making of modern Bulgaria, especially since College, Constan- its autonomy as a nation, were trained under Dr. Long in Robert tinople, died recently at Liverpool, College. The literature he sent out over Bulgaria also had an increas- England, on his way to the United ing powerful influence from his connection with this institution, States. Dr. Long was born in and hymns in Bulgarian written Washington, Pa., 1832, graduated from Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., and from the Concord Biblical Institute (now Boston Univ.ersity).
He entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
by him were said to be sung widely A few years ago he started the over that territory. only asylum for the insane in It is not prudent to set forth the detail of the influence which Dr. China, and he lived to see it a suc- Long came to exert in his confidential relations with national cess, ThW-1sands of Chinese mourn leaders of Western Europe as well as with the diplomatic corps of the his loss. Dignified in manner and Occident. His counsel was sought in London and Berlin as well as in bearing, courteous to all, full of Constantinople, and the power of his life in these directions must kindly sympathy, ever ready to remain unwritten as a part of his "secret service" for his Master. help his younger colleagues, he was His vast knowledge of affairs in the Orient, combined with his in- a Christian gentleman in the very tegrity and prudence, gave great weight to his opinions not only in best sense. H. W. B. European Asia but also in America. One of his associates is reported to Rev. H. J. A cablegram from have said of him: "Happy is the denomination that can produce one Wiersum, Arabia on August such man in a century." J. T. G. of Arabia. 3d announced the Dr. J. G. Kerr, The venerable Dr. death of Rev. Harry J. Wiersum, missionary of the of Canton. J. G: Kerr died at Reformed Church at Busrah. Canton on August Mr. Wiersum graduated from 10, 1901, after a short illness. Hope College in 1896, at the age of Dr. Kerr came to China in 1854, and 22. He pursued his theological it was not long before he began studies at Princeton Seminary, was to make his mark as an able and ordained to the ministry in July, efficient worker. In due time 1899, and sailed for Arabia in the he took charge of the large hos- following September. pital of his mission at Canton. He was an excellent physician and Three times in as many years the surgeon. So great was his fame Lord has called away young men that a few years ago a distinguished from this Arabian field: Peter foreign Minister to the Court at Zwemer, Stone, and Wiersum. Peking sent for him, and, after a Let others come forward to take difficult operation, was entirely their places. cured. Bishop Bishop Whipple, of Some 200 Chinese medical stu- Whipple, of the Diocese of Mindents were educated at the medical Minnesota. nesota, died at the school in Canton, under his care, and in the Franco-Chinese war the end of September. Chinese government employed many of his former pupils. He was He has been well called "The for years the President of the Medical Missionary Society in Canton, Apostle to the Indians," and was a and when the Medical Missionary Association of China was formed worthy successor of John Eliot. in 1887 he was unanimously elected as its first president. He was a man of large and liberal sympathies as regarded all true fol- lowers of Christ, but strictly evangelical in his views. He was elected Bishop of Minnesota in 1859. There was not a mile of rail- way in the State, and he selected as his home a small village. His diocese contained about 20,000 In- dians, whom the bishop sought to evangelize. He traveled three or four thousand miles a year, chiefly on horseback. He defended the Indians against the unjust dealings of many of the traders, and had much influence in securing 1.aws for their protection. The I n d ian s loved him as a father.
The Missionary Review of the World — December 1891
8t2 FOREIGN MISSION DAY AT NORTHFIELD CONVENTION
THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XIV. No. 12.-0ld8erie8.–DEOEMBER.–VoL. IV. No.12.-New8erie8.
THE FOREIGN MISSION DAY AT NORTHFIELD CONVENTION.
REPORTED BY MISSES LOUISE B. AND ANNA W. PIERSON.
There are some feasts of fat things, even the fragments of which are of priceless value, and should be carefully gathered that they be not lost. And such a feast was kept at Northfield. Mass., on Tuesday, August 4th.
Mr. Moody uses every means to make the Annual Conferences, at this now famous gathering place, impart a mighty momentum to all true work for the Master. Accordingly a whole day was this year given up to foreign missions, and some who were present have said that no more memorable and impressive day has ever bAen known in the whole history of these yearly meetings of believers. The day was a sort of field-day, and certainly a very full day. From morning to evening up to ten o'clock at night the interest never flagged, but rather grew. By Mr. Moody's request the editor-in-chief of this REVIEW took the chair, but not until the close of the evening session did he speak himself, save very briefly to guide the proceedings and introduce the speakers. The time was given up principally to veteran missionaries from the field, though Dr. Mabill, who has recently returned from his Eastern tour, and Dr. Gordon, who is a special student of missionary questions, very profitably added their testimony and appeals.
No brief resume can do any justice to the addresses. The interest awakened, for instance, by Dr. Clough's story of the new Pentecost in Southern India, which sounded like apostolic days, was at times painfully intense. But our desire is to give our readers some conception of the day's doings and present to them the outline at le:;tst of what was done.
In opening the morning meeting the chairman suggested as a key-note for the day, four passages of Scripture: Isa. 53: 11 ; 1 Cor. 4: 15 ; Gal. 4 : 19 ; Col. 1 : 24. These Scriptures teach us that Christ is yet to see of the travail of His soul, and that in that travail the believer is to share, and that until the Church partakes of Christ's vicarious sorrow and atoning work that travail cannot be accomplished. The one overwhelming thought that should occupy us to-day is not joy and self·gratulation at what a century of modern missions has wrought, but rather shame and humiliation that our Lord has waited for eighteen long centuries to see of His soul's travail and has never yet seen it, because His Church has been so apathetic, selfish, and worldly. Even yet the great body of believers is half asleep, if not practically dead to a lost world's ruin and wreck.
" Were I asked," said the chairman, " what above all else the Church needs for the new century of missions now before us, I would say, not men or money or zeal, but an outpouring of the spirit of believing PRAYER !"
A few most impressive and remarkable instances of answers to prayer in connection with the work of missions were then briefly cited, most of which have been already spread before the readers of the REVIEW-such, for instance, as the special calls to prayer in the history of the Church Missionary Society in 1872, 1880, and 1884, referred_to by Mr. Edwards in his article in the October issue, pages 734-40. And then Dr. J. E.
Clough, of the Telugu Mission in India, was introduced and received by the vast audience with a rising, as well as rousing, welcome. The charm of his story was its simplicity, not an attempt to clothe the facts with any drapery of imagination or embellishments of rhetoric, but a plain, modest, unpretending statement of what he called" the LQrd's work, which he had been permitted to stand by and witness. ,.
He said, in substance: " India has a wonderful history in the past, and, I fully believe, in the future. It contains about 1,600,000 square miles, being about 1800 miles from north to south, and about 1600 in the n01,th, from east to west. The peninsula of Hindostan is peopled by about 286,000,000 people, who are divided into 137 nationalities, speaking entirely different languages, which are subdivided into 100 or more dialects. The~e are an interesting, progressive people. They have the intellect, the push, and the physical strength of a dominant rac~, They have done wonderful things in the past, and will do wonderful things in the future. They gave Buddhism to almost two thirds of the human race, and what they have done for Buddha they will do for Christ, if we but give them a chance to know Him. The 'Lone Star' Mission is situated on the western shore of the Bay of Bengal, about 600 miles from Colombo on the south, and about 1000 miles from Calcutta on the north. It was established in 1836 by men of prayer, but was almost a forlorn hope for thirty years. God's time had not yet come for saving the Telugus. The American Baptist Missionary Union was discouraged and talked of abandoning the mission, but Dr. Jewett determined to go back. The Board said that if he would go he ought to have some one to give him a Christian burial, and sent me back with him. I have never had that duty to perform, and when I last saw him he did not look as if he would need it for some time. When I went out in 1865, the converts connected with that mission numbered twenty, and the scholars were just about that number. Just at this time heathenism there was rampant.· Cholera had broken out, and people were dying by hundreds, and the heathen were taking different idols, carrying them into one place, feasting them, and then taking them to another place, and so on. I took tracts and gave to the heathp,n, who would receive them from ue when they would not from their own people. Hundreds of thousands were distributed. A teacher helped me to commit texts to memory in the language, and especially John 3 : 16, and I would go out and by singing draw a crowd and then deliver my texts. Then I would move on to another place and preach the same sermon. I added a few texts each day, and soon had a purely textual sermon half an hour long. After a while I noticed that the people who saw me would put their fingers in their ears and run away. My escort said, 'They believe you are sent fro~ God, and fear that if they hear you and do not obey, some calamity worse than the cholera will come upon them, and so they are determined not to hear you.' A Hindoo priest, of much influence at one place, for m"any days closed his door in anger against me. Finally this man came to my house and said he had read the Gospel of Luke which I had given him, and had corne to the conclusion there was nothing in idolatry and gave up his idols, which he brought with him, and asked for the whole Bible. A few weeks later he was haptized, and till his death was an efficient colporteur. During a year and three months at that place, perhaps twenty were converted and receiv.ed hy the Church.
" Then I went to another station, one mass of solid heathenism for 73 miles around. With me I had three or four Christians, and the catechist, eight of us in all. We went out two by two and every hamlet was visited, and after a while we extended the circuit till we reached around some 4,0 miles from the station. After two or three months we heard· there was a good deal of interest out about 40 miles. I went out and sent word to surrounding villages. The first morning about forty came, each with a bundle of grain to eat, to stay till they heard all about the religion. We continued in alternate seasons of talk and prayer till about the third day when about all the company were praying. In four days 28 of them gave such evidence that they were baptized. After 25 years every one of these converts has remained faithful, and six of them are working to-day as catechists, preachers, or colporteurs. Some are dead, but all faithful to the end.
" I wanted to get hold of the high-caste people, many of whom were wealthy, finely edueated, and as keen and shrewd as God ever created men. I had a plan of establishing a school in Madras, getting the high class into it, and getting them into the mission. The house was built, teachers were engaged, and everything was ready, when these 28 men were baptized. Secretly I wished low-caste people would keep away on aceount of the high caste, but the latter heard of my intercourse with the lower caste, and refused to have anything to do with the school if I allowed those to come. The school was established, and one day five of the low-caste people carne to me and asked to be baptized. I commissioned some of my fellow-workers to see and catechise them, and if they really believed, we must,' of course, baptize them. After a thorough examination there was no doubt but that they were really Christians. I. could not help feeling sad when I went to baptize them. The high-caste people went where the baptism took place and criticised me, claiming my religion was false, inasmuch as I taught it to the low caste people. By accident I carne across a passage in the Bible which led me to believe that God wanted us to do our work principally among the poor people. I went horne and when alone I opened my Bible at random to 1 Cor. 1 : 18-31 : 'For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,' etc. As I sat thinking over what I had read, my wife carne in and said, ' I believe the Lord would have us seek to save these low-caste people.' Then she told me how in her ilisappointment at the coming of the low caste she had gone to her Bible, and opening at random began also to read at the same eighteenth verse of the first chapter of First Corinthians, and read to the end ! We concluded God had used that passage to guide us. Our missionary brethren throughout the country regretted the course we took, and it looked as though I had tbrown myself away. But twenty-four years after that time I received a letter from the editor of the Indian Witness, perhaps the most influential religious newspaper published in India, saying: , You by the blessing of God have changed the missionary policy of Ill! India. You are right, stick to it, give us some articles for our paper, telling us what you have done.' A year after, when I left the station, those who had scorned me at first vied with each other to do me honor. From that time on, the converts came into this Lone Star Mission, from 25 to 100 every year for the first year or two, then 200 or 300 a year for the next few years, then 400 or 500 a year, tiIl1872, when I got the jungle fever and came home. We asked for and secured four more workers, and some money for schools. Tbe converts were then coming at the rate of 500 to 1000 a year, and then the great famine of 1876 began.
" As soon as tbe southwest monsoon fails we know there is going to be a great scarcity, but if followed by the failure of tbe northeast monsoon, we know tbere will be a famine. Both these had failed, and I knew there would be a famine, and I wrote to a friend (eXplaining the condition. He sent me back 500 rupees, telling me to send for more. I gave that money out, and the people worked on for three or four months, when it began to be grievous. The government had undertaken relief work, digging a canal for 200 miles. I took a large contract of three miles. The government officials said: 'Y ou can have all the money and assistance you want from us. Just use your influence to get the people to come in.' They diLl this, because the people would not leave their homes to go to famine relief work. That is mainly because they are fatalists, and say: 'If it is fated for us to die, we shall die and it is of no use for us to go away to die.' Others say: 'Some god is angry with us, and if we undertake to fiee from his wrath something worse will come, and what is the good ~' The government officials stuck to their promise most faithfully, and we built huts on the canal, police were furnished, a medical man was sent there, watchers were given to me, money was placed in my hands, and I sent my assistants over the country, crying out to the starving to come from famine to this place and live. The people clime in, and those who were sick were put on litters and brought. In my camp, one division unahle to do work were given subsistence allowances, and everything was done for them till they were able to go to work. The others went to work under 40 assistants, and each preacher, with his hundred or two men, would be a sapper and so they commenced After they were tired out, they would read to them out of the Bible. Thus they read and worked for a few days and the Lord gave us one of. the- most desirable tracts to dig on the canal, though it was thought to be a hard place by the engineer. It was a filled up backwater, and, instead of water coming in as he expected. the soil was light and they could earn more wages than ever before. After I had been at work a few weeks, speculators came and wanted to give me 10 per cent to hand it over to them. Nay, verily!
"When Sunday came this company would come up before my tent and seat themselves, and I would preach to them. This we continued for about five months; then my three miles were done, and the assistants took two miles more on their own account, and I went up to another place. After eight months of this work, the time had come when they must go to their homes to sow their fields, for rain had come. When they got back, they found their houses were without roofs, and many of their cattle had died, and so frequently they had to plough and harrow the fields themselves. After the first crop was up two or three inches there came a cold rain aud the whole was ruined. They sowed again and then locusts spread over the country and took every spear above ground. ' The people were discouraged, and hadn't anything to buy seed-grain with. I was in correspondence with the editor of the Madras Times, and tele- graphed him and to England and wherever I had a fr~end, the condition. Money began to come in and the Mansion House Fund was established in London, one of the noblest charities ever undertaken and executed by men. Within a week I was inf.:>rmed to draw on them for all I wanted. Twenty-five hundred rupees were immediately telegraphed for, and they telegraphed that they were on the way, tut that I had noL asked for half enough. So I sent for 2500 more.
" We formed committees of all the trustworthy men and government officials all over the country, and the people were supplied with money to buy grain. But it was too late to sow any grain that would be long in maturing, so they sowed a small kind of millet, which would mature in six weeks. They got enough grain, which, added with the weeds they could gather, they could use from day to day, while waiting for the next crop, which would come in about six months. The relief work continued to about June 1st, 1878, when the famine had lasted a year and a half. We then notified the people that we could not do anything more for them, and they must go to their homes and take care of themselves till the crop just sown could ripen. For a year and a half we had not done what is ordinarily called mission work at all. Not a single person had been received into the Church, although, the Christmas before, 2200 were inmy compound asking to be received ,n baptism. We had not held a regular meeting. I sent word to my assistants to meet me and organize for work again. On the evening before the meeting. I went up to the place of service, in a traveller's bungalow, and although I had sent word for nobody to come, except assistants and a few of the older members of the church, I saw great swarms of people. I told them I didn't want to baptize them, because we had not instructed them long enough, and the famine was not over, and asked them to wait till the crop came. But they began to cry to me : • What YOll say is all true. We know you are not going to give us any more money and we are not coming for money, but, when we were down on the canal you told us about Jesus. We have ,believed in Him and discarded all our idols. We have two months before we can have anything from our fields. The cholera and small-pox are prevalent, and many of us must die, and if we die we want to die with everybody knowing that we are Christians. We don't want to die with this old stigma on our heads. We want to be baptized and numbered among the people of God.' To every effort I made the same answer came. After a short time of retirement, I decided to do as they wished. We commenced work the next mornin•. and by evening the assistants had examined the most of the company. The first day 500 were baptized, the second 2222, the third day enough to make the whole number about 3500. Delegations began to come in from villages here and there, saying: 'You have baptized that great company, but there are many people U1iable to come in. Come out to our villages and baptize us.' I telegraphed to the principal of the seminary to come to my help, and we went out and before the close of December nearly 10,000 had been baptized.
"Converts came, perhaps a thousand a year, for the next five years. In 1885 I came home again, to ask for men and money. Our one station had grown to be 13 in number, and the converts had increased to 25,000, and our assistants were numbered by the hundred. We had a high school established, a theological seminary, and station schools in all the 13 stations, besides boarding schools in most of them and some 200 or 300 village schools scattered in as many different villages. In all we had perhaps 4000 children in our different schools. Just here sad tidings came. Ten missionary families either died or came home on account of their health. Many were sick, of the last who had gone out, and I had to write for more men to take care of the converts. Word would corne back: 'We are doing the best we can for you, but men don't seem to be wil:ing to go to the Telugus.' We waited three or four years and none came, so we decided that we must do the work ourseh"es. The natives becamG enthusiastic over the matter, and said: 'Yes, we will take care of this work on the field, if you will take care of yourself and not get sick.' I said: 'I will not leave you. I am willing to show you that, if American citizens don't love you and think too much of themselves to come out here, there is one American who loves you enough to stand by you till you take him ovcr the hill to the cemetery and bury him.' I don't think much of missionary dust. One live missionary is worth one thousand dead ones, and remember that missionaries don't ask for your pity. We don't ask for your tears. Good missionaries are not run by water. But we want your prayers, sympathy and help, and we want you to remember that this commission which yon and we are under is all the same. It is, 'Go ye,' every mother's son of you who are men, and every mother's daughter of you who are women, or else get an excuse acceptable to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you cannot go personally, send a substitute. Send your sons, send your daughters, your money, and your prayers. God will never be in debt to American Christians for what they do, you need not be afraid of that. And when you go, burn your bridges behind you till your term of service is over, till God shows you that you have no business to stay any longer.
" While we were feeling so despondent about missionaries, we began to feel there was more of a revival spirit going on than for a long time. Some of the converts came in and told about it. We had meetings, and the first day we baptized 240, and when the time came for them to go away, their request was for me to come to their villages. I told them to go to those villages, to tell the Christians how the matter stood, and to corne to the station December 28th, and we would have a grand time. They had doubts, because these Hindoos like to be baptized in their own villages. With some reluctance they started off. At the time 4000 came and we divided them into companies and the leaders examined them. We baptized from one o'clock till 6.30, 1671 persons. There was not a single request made by anyone for anything except Christian t·eachers to come to their villages.
, 'Then Dr. Mabie came. I showed him the Hindoos in their homes, and he and his travelling companion baptized 600. We gave him a reception, when the 800 children in the schools met him. After they had left, I continued the tour till between lfiOO and 1700 had been baptized. Dr. Mabie convinced me that by coming home to get men and money I might do a better thing for the Telugus than by dying for them. I told him jf I could get twenty-five men and $50,000, so that I could be back to India within a year, I would go."
The speaker then gave a vivid description of his parting with the people on returning to this country last March. He made three attempts to get away and could not on account of the crowds of people that came.
to bid him farewell. He finally stationed guards before his house to send the people away and tell them he could see no one. At about midnight he attempted to slip quietly away, and when he opened his door, what was his snrprise to see hundreds of people gathered to see him off; some of whom had been waiting since early in the morning. Dr. Clough closed his thrilling address with the following story told of a deacon who had been complained of by his wife for giving away all that he had. She asked the pastor to remonstrate with him. When the pastor asked the deacon why he did so, he said he had had a curious dream: he dreamed he had a basket of crackers, and standing near the water threw one out on it, and it skipped along out of sight so nicely that he threw another in the same way, and so on, till they were all gone. But just at that time he noticed something large, coming back to him on the water, which proved to be a loaf of bread, and he waited till every cracker he had thrown out came back such a loaf. "If you want your money to increase, send it out. If you want God to bless the great republic, send out the men and your daughters, and after they go, instead of crying after them, follow them up by prayer and words of cheer. He will take care of your sons and daughters who go, and those who remain, and will be glorified, and our great republic will go on just as well. "
Dr. H. C. Mabie, Home Secretary of the American Baptist Missionary Union, then added a few words as to his experiences in India: " I was never at rest until I could go and see the work among the heathen. The first Sabbath in India, what did I see? A congregation of 666 persons. Eighteen hundred texts were recited by the children. At 11 o'clock the preaching service began. I did not need to be told that I was in the midst of Christians, for I could see the image of Christ on the faces before me. In the audience were foreigners, natives, out-castes, and Brahmans. By first working for the out-castes, Dr. Clough had won them all. I felt during the entire service great spiritual response to the preaching. At 3 o'clock there was a meeting for the examination of candidates which lasted the .remainder of the afternoon. It was no special occasion, but 97 came to be examined.
" The service in the evening to my surprise· was conducted in English. Before the service a delegation of Brahmans came to give me a welcome. They read a document signed by many of the leading men in the vicinity, in which they commended most highly the work of Dr. Clough and the good he had been enabled to accomplish among them. The following day I visited a boys' school of over 200, and later a school for Brahman girls. I was very much impressed by the treatment which I received from these high-caste children. . One of the little girls came up to me, and without any warning threw over my head a large wreath of flowers, another one followed with one for Dr. Clough. Several other children brought me little trinkets and jewelry, and after I had been home I received from some of them little gifts for my daughters."
The chairman opened the afternoon meeting by reading a telegram, conveying the greetings of Rev. Dr. J. T. Gracey. of Rochester, the President of the International Missionary Union. He then gave several striking examples of the power of prayer in missions, such as the remark- able experiences of David Brainerd, Dr. Neesima in his great school in Japan, in which at one time 150 students were found inquiring, after a special season of prayer. A third instance was cited from the story of Tahiti, where-just as the London Missionary Society was about to abandon the work, but under Dr. Haweis's and Mr. Wilks's entreaty determined to go forward with new prayer-the idol systems fell and the idol gods were surrendered, at the very time that the prayer covenant was being formed in London, and the ships bearing intelligence from the society in London and from the missionaries in Tahiti passed each other in mid.ocean.
At the afternoon meeting Dr. W. W. Eddy, the veteran missionary of Syrin, spoke: " Spiritual Christianity is an exile from the home of its birth. Spiritual desolation reigns in Syria. The spiritual temple in that laud should be rebuilt. Corruption has come into the Church. When the American Board fifty years ago sent its missionaries to TUlkey and Syria, it instructed them not to deal with the Mohammedans, but to work with the native Christians. We found, though, that our points of attack were Mohammedanism and orthodox Christianity represented by the Greek Church. The speaker then contrasted the Greek Churc!J with the Roman Catholics, stating that the Reformation had never crossed the Bosphorus. Oriental Christianity is a worship of symbolism. The Bible is not as sacred with them or as much studied as by Roman Catholics. The Greek Church is the Russian Church and there are 85,000,000 members. There are 150,000,000 Mohammedans. The Oriental Church and Mohammedanism cannot be attacked in Rus;lia, as the government will not allow Protestant missionaries in that country. It is against the law to change one's religion in Russia, except to that of the Greek Church.
"One of our greatest weapons for putting down heathenism is the continued and direct contact of the missionaries with the people, who love to converse and argue. Another great weapon used against Mohammedanism is the schools. The people are impressed with the importance of education, and are willing to send their children to our I>chools, though the Bible is used in all of them. We teach the pupils Scripture verses and the catechism, and to those who commit the latter we give presents of Bibles, which they carry into their homes. We also have high schools for boys and female seminaries for girls and a college with 200 pupils. In all there are 7000 pupils under the reach of our missionaries. Another great weapon is the work of our printing-press. We have four steam presses at Beirut and we print from 25,000,000 to 27,000,000 pages of Arabic literature a year. If Mr. Moody should come to Syria he would see his own sermons in Arabic, of which he would not be able to read a word, and Mr. Sankey might see his own hymns, and I fancy would find some difficulty in reading them, as they are printed backwards. Weare sin.qing the children into the Christian religion. The Moslem boys and girls sing our hymns in the street. The cholera reached the city of Hums last year. One woman when dying asked to have a Christian hymn sung. She and her husband began to sing, but before the song was finished she was 8inging in the heavenly choir.
"Our books go to Northern Africa, throughout the Turkish Empire, to India, and China, and even back here to the United States. Person after person is converted by the silent testimony of God's Word. Our press is a mighty lever. People who dare not come to us openly buy our Bibles.
" We rea~h them again through medicine. We have a hospital at Beirut, and we are welcomed as bringing gifts of healing. 'Those who have sought healing for their bodies have found healing for their souls as well. One who has a knowledge of medicine can go from tribe to tribe with perfect safety, and is warmly welcomed. A great problem is how to reach the Bedouins, that wild class. We cannot go among them, it would not be safe. But we send our native helpers, and as the Bedouins are greatly afflicted with small-pox we provide our helpers with vaccine virus. Then we have a theological seminary where we are raising up preachers of the Gospel. I have for several years edited a religious paper and have also bee·.1 engaged on an Arabic commentary (on the New Testament). We do not dare to tell the success with which we have met, only in general terms. If we were to point out cases the persons would be marked men. Any ope who is found to have received Christianity has his property confiscated, and even his life is in danger. Most of them either disguise themselves or leave the country.
" We have a self-supporting church in Beirut with a native pastor with a membership of 400. Our Sunday-school is attended by 1000 children. 'There are 92 places where the Gospel is preached every Sabbath. 'Therp. have been great results in the past 40 years. There arp. 15,000 pupils in the schools of Beirut, all seeking a pl:ome of higher education. I have heard Moody and Spurgeon preached by Greek priests.
" What are the obstacles to the work 1 First, opposition from the 'Turkish Government. At first it paid no attention to the work, considering that it was a case of infidel dogs quarrelling with each other. Now they have become afraid, and a censorship of the press has been established. They keep out all that is against their religion, and put all the obstacles in their power in the way of the pllblishing and distribution of the Bible. We are undermining Mohammedanism. The government has closed up many of our schools. No Mohammedan convert is openly put to death, but he is arrested on some pretext and then disappears, never to be heard (!.f again. A second obstacle is the power of the Jesuits. They come in scores. They open schools where we do, they follow our missionaries and they establish hospitals and. colleges opposed to us. The Greek Church is upheld by Russia and it is hard for Protestantism to get a foothold, but , they that be with us are more than they that be with them.' A third obstacle is a want of means to carryon our work. Ye have to minimize our work to be within our appropriation. You ask, why doesn't our Board look out for us. I'll tell you. In Syria there are many families where all its members sleep under one covering. During the night this covering gradually gets off those on the edges, and then first one pulls it and then another. So with us. On the north we have Tripoli pulling on the Board ; then Sidon wants a share j then Mt. Lebanon complains that too much is given the plain, and the plain complains that Mt. Lebanon's share is too large. It isn't the fault of the Board j rather it isn't a fault. On the contrary, it means that the work is a living, growing work. That it is a growing work is shown by its constantly increasing needs. Missionary work always needs four things: open doors, men, means, and the outpouring of the Spirit.
" Since my return to this country I have visited considerably. I have seen a $180,000 church going up in Detroit, I 'have seen the plan of a projected Young Men's Christian Association building in Chicago. Five huudred dollars will build a church in Syria. It would be but one lump from your store. W'e need money. You must either stop praying or give more. The growing child has constantly increasing claims, and the parent does not complain; neither should the Church complain that her children are growing, and need more means to support them. You build magnificent churches here, while we cannot raise enough money to buy doors and windows for our churches in Syria. Schools have had to be closed so as not to get into debt. I know of a missionary who has sent to a friend in this country and borrowed money in order to carryon his mission work. We have had to shut up three seminary buildings and have had to cripple our presswork. I sail for Syria next week, and I ask your prayers for our work."
THE NEEDS OF CHINA.
Dr. J. R. Hykes, of China: " China to-day is the great mission field of the world. It is one of the largest domains ever swayed by a single power. China is one half larger than the United States with Alaska added. It comprises one third of entire Asia and is one tenth of the habitable globe. Next to Russia it is the largest empire. It has one fourth of the human race. It has 350,- 000,000 souls, six times that of the United States. China has vast stores of mineral wealth. There is coal enough stored to last the entire universe 2000 years. It has stores of copper, gold, and silver which are practically untouched. It is a unique nation. It dates back 4000 years. The end of the ninth chapter of Genesis would be the beginning of the first chapter of Chinese history. It is hoary with antiquity. The greatest problem of the age is the conversion of China. Convert China and you've converted the world. What is the moral condition of China to-day ~ The first chapter of Romans is an accurate description. It is no libel, and is not overdrawn. The heathen character is growing steadily worse. There is no such thing as a standstill in vice. They are vile and polluted in a shocking degree. An excessive statement can't be made. Confucianism is the State religion of China, but it is not a religion. There is no gene!ic word for it in the Chinese language as we mean religion. Confucius was a transmitter of the wisdom of sages; he was an editor, not an author. He is silent on the origin and destiny of the human race. He would not speak about the future life. The basis of Confucianism is ancestral wor- ship, which is more potent than all the idol worship. In China to-day there are 70,000,000 of ancestral tablets. Confucianism after forty years of trial has proved a failure as a religion of elevation. The Chinaman "'who sins once has no one to whom he can pray. Buddhism, introduced to supply a felt want, after eighteen centuries has proved a failure. Taouism is a native faith,. it is an abstruse system of metaphysics that has degen,erated to a mere traffic in charms. China needs the religion of Christ, it is her only hope. Some people 'think that Christianity is not adapted to the Chinese mind.
"The impression has gone about that the conversion of China is an impossible task. The Chinese can't be converted, we are told. It is a hopeless warfare. Now, what are the sources of this information ~ They are twofold. First, they come from globe trotters who never visit the mission fields, but go into some large city and then come home and give their opinions with flippant fluency. One of these romancers was tripped and brought to a humiliating confession. He had never been inside a mission, and yet reported that the missionaries preached to empty benches, and further drew oil. his imagination. A second source of information is that of naval officers and sea captains, who help to circnlate these reports. They have yet to see the inside of a Christian chapel in China. The captain of a steamer which recently arrived at San Francisco made the statement, which was published broadcast, that he saw no native Christians in China. He did not go where they were. He brought home on his vessel the body of a murdered missionary whose Christian servant stuck by him to the death, and whose body was covered with the blood of his master. When the Wesleyan mission was burned, native Christians went into that building when there was no possible prospect of escape, and rescued the children of Christians. I have yet to see the captain of a merchant ship in one of the missions. An Englishman who had spent several years in India, remarked to a missionary there that he had never yet seen a native Christian; and went on to tell of the pleasure he had experienced in tiger hunting. The missionary replied, 'I have lived twenty years in India and have never yet seen a tiger. ' The trouble in both cases was that each had not gone to the right place to look. Can a Chinaman be converted ~ Bishop Newman went among them and personally satisfied himself on that question. He said to one Chinaman, 'I want you to tell me your experience : how you felt when convicted and converted.' He replied, 'I felt as if I were sewed up in a sack filled with snakes and scorpions, with no hope of escape, when Jesus Christ came and opened the sack and lifted me out. ' The conversion of the Chinese is the most important work of the Church in this age. It is important on account of the fnture of the Mongolian race. The Chinese question is to become a difficult one for the world to solve. The Chinese are all over the world, have emigrated into nearly every country on the globe. By their temperate habits and economY' they have outdone almost every other nation. You should not judge the Chinese from those that emigrate to this country, for they are poor specimens.
" There is a general feeling of uneasiness about them. The Australians would give a larger reward to get rid of them than they offered to be rid of rabbits. The Americans are ·also III agony over the Chinaman. It is not so much from his bad qualities as his good qualities. He is becoming a formidable competitor. No iniquitous exclusion act will keep him out. Such an act is a blot and disgrace. We can assimilate the scum of Europe, but we can't digest the Chinaman! That act of exclusion is destined to be classed with the burning of witches. It is a relic of barbarism. But John, like Banquo's ghost, will not down.
" There is some great destiny in store for the Chinese race. I feel this first because I believe that God has not preserved this race 4000 years for nothing. Again, all that mineral wealth isn't stored away for nothing. God doesn't work in that way. He wastes nothing. Third, the Chinese are capable of great things. They are slow, solid, aggressive, patient, industrious, economical, filial, and, above all, determined. The Chinese people are a brainy race. It is not too much to say they are the brainiest of the Asiatic race. There was no sentiment about General Grant, and he said that pre-eminently the three greatest men he h~d ever met were Gladstone, Bismarck, and Li Hung Chang, the· greatest diplomat of his day.
" The Chinese are a nation of students. What other country would have a yearly gathering of 25,000 students to compete for a literary prize, such as takes place at Nanking ~ " Ii a Chinaman determined to acquire an education, and was too poor to afford a light, he'd steal the light which streamed through the knot-hole of a more fortunate neighbor's room, and if there were no knot.-hole he would make one.
" China is rousing herself. She has been generally supposed to be dead, but she's a pretty lively corpse. She isn't even sleeping. She has a fine fleet of merchant steamers, a better navy than that of the United States. China is to be one of the great factors in the development of the world. The Christianizing of China is the only solution of the Chinese problem. Exclusion won't do it. But there are reasons for being hopeful about China. First, its doors have been opened, and there is free access to the country; second. there is a better feeling toward us despite the recent . attacks on missions which occurred in the most turbulent districts; were it not so there would have been fifty massacres instead of two people killed. There is more willingness to hear and a greater measure of success, considering obstacles. Twenty-five years ago there were less than 500 Christians. To-day there are 40,000, who have raised $40,000 for the support of Christianity. In 1877, 41,000 patients were treated in hospitals. In 1889, 347,000 patients were treated. But you can't count heads in the Chinese problem. There is too large an unknown quantity. You must solve the problem by algebra, not arithmetic, to find the unknown quantity. Again, the dominant class is open to you.
"It is not correct that we only touch the scum. If you go fishing for shrimps, you catch shrimps; and if you go fishing for whales, you catch whales. In fishing for souls, you are apt to catch just what you fish for. I believe we are on the verge of a mighty upheaval, a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The truth of God, eternal, unconquerable, invincible, will go forward in these latter days with increasing force and momentum. I see no reason why China should not be converted in fifty years if the Church of God will do her duty. If the work has seemed a failure, it is because the Church has not upheld our arms in prayer. Weare not prayed for as we ….ught to be, nor do you give as you ought. Give until you feel it.
Evening meeting: Dr. H. C. Mabie, on China.
"I too read that unfortunate article by one of our captains, who frequently goes to China, in which he says, 'I have yet to discover one Chinese Christian.' Some men are born blind. He would probably have as great difficulty in discovering one here.
" The first Sunday after my arrival I went to a service in a mission conducted by a Christian rice merchant. He related to me his experience. He said that as soon as he was converted he determined to close his shop on the Sabbath, though he was warned that he would lose all his trade. For a time he was ridiculed, and his shop was almost deserted; but little by little the people found that nowhere could they be so fairly and honestly dealt with; they became willing to wait over the Sabbath for the sake of dealing with a man on whom they could depend. His trade increased far beyond what it had ever been before. Now he has become a minister of Christ.
" During the service I was called upon to speak, which I did. My text was John 1 : 12. 'As many afl received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.' I dwelt on the change in Peter when restored to Christ's favor; of the power which came not only to Peter, but can come into our hearts. I was very well satisfied with my interpretation; but a water-carrier in the rear of the hall did not agree with me, and, rising, he gave another interpretation of it, bringing it down to the minds of his simple companions. ""recognized in that water-carrier the enthronement of the power of God. I arrived at another station on Sabbath morning in a pouring rain, and what did I see? A large number of people gathered for the morning service, singing • All hail the power of Jesus' name!' Dr. John West addressed them on the text, 'Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.' Perfect quiet reigned; not a muscle in their faces moved. They seemed hungry for the Bread of Life. One native, who had not been to the mission for some time, came, bringing a fan which he had made, and on which he had put the hymn' Ashamed of Jesus' and these three texts of Scripture: 'Therefore if any wan be in Christ, he is a new 'creature ; , 'If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me; , 'He that loseth his life for Mv sake shall find it.' -He told us how he had been a great opium eater; imd hearing in our mission of Christ and His saving power, he determined to become a Christian if it could save him from the power of opium. He told how he had been giving himself a six months' test, which was now over; of how Christ had taken away even the taste for opium. Now he wanted to make a profession of Christianity.
" The work of missions is no trifling one. There have been 1,500,000 copies of the Word of God, besides thousands of copies of ' Pilgrim's Progress,' sold or given away in one place.
" One day Dr. Ashmore and I went into the market-place, where we knew we would find a crowd. We were soon surrounded by people who treated us with perfect courtesy. We spoke a few words to them, and one of the natives also addressed them. The audience listened with attention. The old salute had been a shower of gravel stones.
" Medical missionaries in China are doing a great work. I visited a hospital where 100 patients daily listened to the preaching of the Gospel. In connection with this institution 350,000 people had been treated during the past year. One missionary in Canton performed 25,000 operations, treated 1,000,000 patients, and published 30 works besides. These men, who come for healing for their bodies, are deeply impressed by what they see, and go home to tell of it. These heathen are deeply moved by a little kindness; the tucking in of the covers, the smoothing of the brow, move some of those strong mlin to tears.
" The problem of to-day is: The re-incarnation of the Son of God among these poor nations until all the world shall join in the strain, ' Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.' "
Dr. A.' J. Gordon, of Boston, spoke, in the evening, on "The Chris- tian's Ambition for Heavenly Honor."
" A few evenings since I was reading the Greek Testament, when my son asked whether any word in the Greek encouraged the exercise of ambition and the seeking of honor. I have found such a word, its meaning being ambition, the love of honor, the love of distinction. It is three times used.
" I believe we have come so much to regard humility the cardinal virtue of Christianity that we may have forgotten the Christian should be ambitious. I think he should be the most ambitious person on the earth. To whom is the promise of eternal life spoken but to those who in patient endurance in well doing seek for glory, honor, and immortality, than which there cannot be a much higher ambition ~ We sometimes fall into the perIl of being proud of our humility. Humility is sometimes only pride turned wrong side out, just as you turn a garment and dye it and refit it. A person says, ' If I can get into heaven at last, I am willing to occupy II back seat.' But Scripture very certainly indicates that you are to seek not only barely to get into heaven, but' and so an abundant entrance shall be given you into the kingdom of God.' The back seats are all spoken for, and God wants us to get as near the throne as possible.
" , One star differeth from another star in glory.' Who will be stars of the first magnitude ~ 'They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.'
"Let us be ' ambitious to preach the Gospel where Christ has not been named' (Rom. 15 : 20, R. V.) is a most extraordinary statement.
" You might think a man who wanted to build a house would prefer to have a lot where the foundation had already been laid for him. But the apostle wants a lot to build II house where the sod has not been broken. That is not our idea, ordinarily, for when I was choosing my field of labor I thought the opposite. 'If I am to win the most souls, let me get where there is a good foundation of hereditary piety and orthodox faith.' I made that mistake because I apprehended preaching the Gospel for success, but not preaching it for a witness. I don't say we should not preach the Gospel for success; but our first duty is to preach it for a witness. Our first business is, not to build a house, but to build a highway. It is not to perfect the kingdom of God in some favored spot under the heavens, but to prepare the way for the kingdom of God when it shall yet come. Therefore put the emphasis on the words' Go ye into all the world.' We make this mistake. Supposing a new Pacific railway should be chartered, and a man should take a contract to build a thousand miles. He reports at the end of the year that, as the State of Dakota furnished the best rock bottom, therefore he put his thousand miles all in Dakota. But the engineer in charge tells him that the very object of the railroad is to connect the Atlantic with the Pacific, and yet he has built his section zigzag back and forth through a single State.
" That is exactly what we have been doing with the Gospel. It is to be carried into all the world, because by and by the Lord will return j and when He comes we want a highway from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth, and stations everywhere where He can have distributing centres.
"When we do God's way and preach the Gospel for a witness, we are sure to get the best success. In 1810 Adoniram .Tudson was just graduating from the seminary, and his father brought home the news that he was appointed associate pastor of Park Street church, the largest in Boston. He astounded his family by saying, 'My field won't be in Boston; it will be far across the sea. I have an ambition to preach the Gospel where no one else has, lest I "build upon another man's foundation.'" Eighty years have passed. Park Street church has 800 to 1000 members, but Adoniram Judson's church beyond the sea has a membership of 30,000, and thousands have fallen asleep in Jesus blessing his name. How God is honored in building a church out of unpromising materials, calling out songs from those hitherto dumb! That is the reason why the apostle wanted to build where a foundation had not been laid, for where a foundation has been laid anybody can build, but only God can build on nothing. "Next year we shall celebrate the anniversary of Carey's inauguration of missions. He thought, 'I stirred up the people to form a missionary society in England. I am the first missionary, but I believe God will take care of me. Put me out there and give me my tools, and I will not ask another cent.' So he went and supported himself in India, preaching the Word of God. After forty years of labor he had not only marvellously preached the Gospel and laid the foundations of the Church, bnt had sup. ported himself and paid into the missionary treasury $233,000, a fact utterly unparalleled in the history of missions or the ministry. God will sometimes take the widow's mite and not the worldling's million, that He may show what He is able to do. It is a marvellous fact that the greatest gifts bestowed in the work of foreign and home missions have been given to men who have wrought by prayer.
"Mr. George Muller's Home in Bristol is a marvellous example of the power of prayer.
" When men really trust God for success and money, He is ready to show them that He is not only Chief Shepherd of souls, but Chief Treasurer. When we get off of a human foundation we get upon the divine, and the apostle built on the divine foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ, the foundation-stone..
"In 1 Thessalonians 4 : 11 you have another ambition-service conjoined with silence. doing the best you can and saying nothing about it. Some cloeks strike, and some tell the time of day with their hands. So some Christians advertise their business, and others do it and say nothing about it, which is the kind we want. Two texts we ought to read together: 'Do not sound a trumpet before you,' and 'Let your light so shine.' He wants you to be ambitious, to have good works that somebody can see; and light travels faster than sound, and so with Christians, you see the flash before you hear the report if they are the right sort. The ambition is, not that they may praise you, but that they may glorify your Father which is in heaven. You thus have an opportunity to be ambitious, and yet to be sublimely humble.
" The work of the hands and of the head is subordinate to that of the heart. If you have been redeemed by Christ, renewed by the Holy Ghost, and your citizenship is in heaven, what is your principal business ~ It is to tell others about Jesus Christ and bring them to the knowledge of His love and of His grace. Whatever else yon do must be subordinated to that; and it is a shame and scandal in our nineteenth century Christianity that so many business men get, and live, and labor, and save, M if they understood that getting riches was the end of their existence instead of getting riches in order to glorify God. I care not what your occupation is ; you may be a carpenter at the bench, a blacksmith at the forge. a merchant behind the counter, your first business is to give the Gospel to those that have not heard it. Does it look as though we regarded it as our principal business ~ "First, we put our capital in our business. There are eight billions in the hands of Christians in tbis country. That is invested for the most part in bonds, mortgages, diamonds, silks, horses, carriages, houses, furniture, pictures, aud a thousand other things, vastly more than in that which ought to be the principal business of the ChriRtian, giving the Gospel to the world. And somebody says, 'I believe the world is getting better and better every day,' although he has millions laid up, and yet you caunot get twenty cents out of him for missions. He had no conception that he ought to put his eapital into the LQrd's business instead of into his own comfort and the ultimate ruin of his posterity. 'Was there ever a time the Christian Church gave so much for religious purposes l' Well, it gives a good deal; but by the best estimate the amount given to missions is only three cents on a dollar ! We put our best Ulen into business. The command is to give the Gospel to every creature.
" A few months since an order went out from the British Government to take the census of India, and it was done inside of twenty-four hours. Although at the beginning of this dispensation the Church understood it was sent to take the census of the world, and we have been at it nearly 1900 years, what have we done ~ There are 1,000,000,000 out of 1,400,000.000 unreached by the Gospel. When they took the census in a single night they put more than 1,000,000 enumerators in the field. We have in the field 7000 missionaries, but we have 127,000 at home representing the same constituency. Does that look as if foreign missions was this world's principal business ~ " I am hoping that, in this great movement which has now touched us, the Church of God may be lifted to such a position that it will put an army into the field and not simply station a picket line thrcugh the heathen world; that it will put its capital and not the iuterest on its interest into the work; that it will call out the reserves and put the privates in all occupations to work.
"The last subject of ambition is in 2 Corinthians 5 : 9, where the apostle sums up thus: 'Wherefore we strive,' are ambitious, 'that, whether present or ahsent, we may be well pleasing unto HiUl.' Have you ever noticed that Jesus Christ, in the Sermon on the Mount, utters a sharp contrast between the two kinds of ambition? If you want to get a reputation for piety, make long prayers and eloquent ones. ~o that you can be popu· lar; and, if you deMire to be popular as a benevolent man, sound a trumpet and let everyone know. And He says: 'Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. ' It has been said: If you want to make people think well of you, make them think well of themseh·es. But our business, as long as men are sinners, is to make them think meanly of themselves, so that they may think well of Jesus Christ. Then Christ turns to us, to any faithful disciple: 'But you, go into your own closet to pray, and when you give, do Dot let your right know what your left hand doeth, and your Father who seeth in secret '-I want you to pause on that word. A great sculptor had a contract to put a statue in a niche in a great temple. They told him he could make it cheaply by filling up the back side, as that didn't show. ' But,' said he, 'the gods will see it, and therefore it must be finished up.' The world looks at the front side-God looks on the back. Your Father who seeth in secret shall reward you openly.
" We praise the successful missionaries for the sacrifices and services they have wrought in the name of Christ. But I sometimes think, what about the unsuccessful missionarie", those who have done their best, but in circumstances where they have reaped but little, and perhaps cut off in an untimely way, and thrust out of their field with never an opportunity to do what they had an ambition to do. What about them? 'I have an ambition that, whether absent or preRent, I may be well pleasing unto the Lord. ' Think of George Schmidt, with his heart burning to preach in Africa, who went there and was driven off by the settlers and not allowed to return, and who ulted to pray day after day, ' Lord, perUlit me to go to Africa,' until he was found dead on his knees, without going back. I think of that noble bishop, Coleridge Patterson, so splendidly endowed that they said, "Why waste your talents on the heathen ~ , and yet he went to the Pacific islands, and they took him as an enemy, and as he :was saying' Peace be unto you' they slew him, and, like his Lord, he was sent back from the very people that he came to bless, with five bleeding wounds upon his person. And I think of Melville Cox, that noble Mdhodist who went out from this country, who had a consuming passion to preach the Gospel on the western coast of Africa. He had hardly reached the shore when he was stricken down with fever, and all there is left of him is a grave with the words. ' Though a thousand fall, let not Africa be given up.' Then I think of Adam McCall, one of Livingstone's companions on the Congo, who, stricken down with fever and dying, said, • Lord Jesus, thou knowest that I consecrated my life to Africa. If Thou dost choose to take me instead of the work which I purposed to do for Thee, what is that to me ~ Thy will be done.' Where was their success ~ If they could speak they would say, 'I have but one ambiiion; that, whether I be dead or alive, whether I be absent from the body or present with the Lord, I may be well pleasing unto Him.'
" I end with urging that we may have a heroic and consecrated ambition. The highest encomium I ever heard of a single man was that of John Vassar, after he had talked about Christianity with a fashionable woman in a hotel. Her husband had come in and said that if he had known of it he would have sent him about his business. The woman replied, ' If you had seen him you would have thought that was his business.' Christ set an example of a man being ab'out his business. When His mother said to Him, ' Son, thy father and I have sought thee sOIrowing,' He replied, , Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business.'
" It is a business that meant the loss of His life, that involved the cro~s, and the crown of thorns, and the 'Father, forgive them,' and 'Why hast Thou forsaken Me ~ , and the sepulchre. But, though He saw the end from the beginning, He was about His Father's business till He could say, ' I ha,'e finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.' Be ambitious to be quiet and to be about your Father's business, and may you receive at the end of your life that welcome plaudit, ' Well done, good and faithful servant!' But remember that there can be no ' Well done' unless there has been first well doing; for, if anybody can conjugate' ill doing , into ' well done,' I cannot. Therefore, let us be up and doing, and make God's business our business."
Rev. Dr. Pierson summed up the addresses of the day in the closing speech of the evening. He began by referring to the fact that one of the most remarkable anniversary services that Great Britain has ever witnessed in England will begin May 31st next, and continue to October 2d. It will be the celebration of the one hundredth anni'ersary of the beginning of foreign missionary work under William Carey. After sketching the origin of the movement, he spoke of the four great characteristics by which the com- ing age of mission work would be marked : First, by enterprise ; second, by sacrifice; third, by individual service; fourth, by individual supplication.
These points were enlarged upon, and a fervent appeal was made for the Christian Church to rouse itself in the matter of mission wo~k. And so closed this most memorable of days at Northfield.
THE SACRED LAND OF PALESTINE
THE SACRED LAND OF PALESTINE.
BY MRS. DAVID BARON.
It is strange to be in a land so ancient and to find it in the rear of all known lands; its ancient civilization swept away, as if it had not been; without roads, except a few quite recently made; its cities gone, its forests and groves gone, and its landscapes bare, the hedges of prickly pear being no relief to the eye. You may travel many miles and only see occasional encampments of Arabs on the hill-sides, their flocks of cattle, goats, anu sheep browsing near; or now and again a fellahin village. It is possible to ride over some of these without knowing it, for the flat roofs are turf-rovered, and I have seen palm-trees growing singly, and cattle grazing on them. The larger of their villages look at first sight like a heap of grass-grown ruins, but nearer they resemble more rabbit burrows. The walls are ·of earth or sometimes of stone, with earth floors and earth COVer- 'ng the flat roofs; they have one low door, no window, no chimney.
The fellahin are probably descendants of the ancient Canaanites. They are not nomadic, like the Arabs, but settle in such villages as I have described. They till the ground, using a camel or an ox and ass yoked together to draw the very simple instrument used as a plough. The fellahin women are of a very low type. They work very hard from morning to night, carrying heavy loads great distances, often with their swaddled babies poised in baskets on their heads in addition to their burdens. These women are tattooed about the mouth and chin, and wear silver coins fringing their faces and nose bags. These are their duwry; they are, '10wever, much discolored, and look more like pewter than silver. From early morning, even so early as fiye o'clock, the beggar sits by the wayside begging; often several beggars sit in a row. In the course of one day some things will be painfully apparent to a fresh comer, and possibly the foremost of these will be the frightful prevalence of ophthalmia, the terrible cruelty practised on animals, and the filthy, unsanitary condition of the towns. Ophthalmia is likely to remain the curse of the land so long as no proper escape is made for the smoke in the dwellings of the people. Their want of cleanliness, too, favors this trouble, and the unsanitary conditions of their life. Flies and mosquitoes coming from refuse matter inoculate the eyes with poison. Again, another cause of blindness is the intense glare of the sun where there is no relief of grass or trees to meet the eye. It is a grievous sight to see on every hand, among all ages, from the infant to the aged, this terrible affliction; and pitiable indeed it is to see, as you may any day, a company of a dozen or more blind men passing through the crowded sbk (market-place), each with his hand on the shoulder of the one before him-a forcible illustration of our Saviour's words, "The blind leading the blind." Less common than blindness, and yet all too frequent, is the disease of leprosy. Surely, in any other country care would be taken to prevent the increase and spread of so appalling an evil! Here, however, the lepers are at large, and beset a trayeller on all hands, showing their disfigurements and forcing their maimed members into notice. It is too horrible! At the ascent of the Mount of Olives they lined the narro", way, standing or sitting right in the midst of the stony roads. To the peculiarly painful cry of their appealing voice-a result of the disease attacking the throat-they added the rattle of their tin pots for receiving money; and scarcely could we get free of them, though mounted on asses. These poor creatures marry among themselves, and pass on their disease as a frightful inheritance to their children, who in early life often appear to be healthy. With their growth, however, the evil never fails to develop. The Moravians have long had a hospital in Jerusalem for the shelter and care of lepers, but very few avail themselves of it, being unwilling to separate from their families.
In this land, where the law given by God Himself enjoined merciful treatment of animals, a brutal, inhuman treatment is the practice. The outcome of the 'Moslem creed of the sacredness of life among these unreasoning people is that they kill by inches instead of killing outright. The treatment of the poor asses and camels is simply revolting. Perpetually weighted with burdens beyond their strength to bear, their fur is completely worn off their backs and sides, which look like rusty black leather, and are covered with open wonnds. Their pack-saddles are rarely if ever lifted from off their sore backs, and they are kept in a half-starved condition. To make them increase their speed their drivers dig a knife or any sharp instrument into their flesh, making wounds which they take care shall not heal. In one of the noisome alleys which serve as streets in the actual town of J afia, my husband found, one day. a poor ass tethered, suffering extreme torture. One of its legs was cut away and gangrene had set in, yet no one had pity upon it to end its misery. He tried to induce them to kill it, but all in vain; they were only amused by the sug· gestion. At last he sent a man whom he could trust to buy the animal and see it killed. Even then the owner could not understand so disinterested an action, and professing to believe that the poor animal's skin must be worth something, wished to charge the more. Some time later I learned that the week following another miserable ass in bad plight had been fastened up in the same alley, doubtless with the hope of a purchaser. The unsanitary condition of towns built on the ruins of former towns, and without any system of drainage, is something indescribable. The narrow, filthy, uneven alleys, crowded with refuse from the houses, and constantly receiving more from windows and doors, are no places where to linger and admire the quaint, picturesque scenes sure to meet the eye which would otherwise be of great interest. The scavenger dogs and jackals which roam the towns at night are truly blessings where such a state of thing exists.
There is no encouragement to industry or protection of property in this land. The more diligent and sllccessful a man is in trade or agriclll· ture the more heavily is he taxed by the government, which harasses its subjects in every imaginable way. As every government official pays a sum of money to obtain his post, and is quite uncertain how long he will retain it, he makes the best of his possibly brief opportunity to extort all he can. The law may be, and often is, good, I am told; but it is not known j and the government officials work things their own way. Shortly after we arrived in Jaffa an incident occurred at Gaza which is a good example of this. A quarrel arose among some Arab tribes. The Pasha of Jernsalem came down to make inquiry, but receiving a sufficient backshish from both the offending parties, he made fair promises to each, and' returned. No benefit resulted from his visit, and soon the strife renewed. Again the pasha came down and returned as before with his purse com- fortably lined. The more powerful tribes then succeeded in spoiling and casting out a poorer tribe, and the country became unsafe as far as Jaffa; for this tribe, deprived of all their goods, attacked the property and cruelly injured some of the peaceful German colonists. In one instance the kavasse of the German consul, with two Turkish police, traced the mur- tlerers to a tent, where they found them still red-handed, with the weapon only hidden under a mat. They were taken prisoners and the k3vasse of the German consul took one man on with him to the Turkish prison in Jaffa, leaving the two police to bring along the other men. Having per- formed his own errand, he presently met them returning empty-handed, having allowed their men to escape. Backshish was no doubt the secret of this too, but no inquiry was made j they were not held responsible for their prisoners, and I believe the man in prison was later released, there being no eyewitness of his crime. Another pasha was appointed in place of him who had been twice to Gaza, and who had so profitably to himself investigated the. cause of the troubles there. By order of the new pasha all the men of the tribes at Gaza were taken prisoners and consigned to . prison' in Jerusalem. My husband met the Whole party on the road near Abu Gosh, the ancient Kirjath-.Tearim, and saw them joined by their escort of Turkish soldiers. Whether they are still held prisoners, or how the matter is settled, I do not know j it may probably again be a matter of backshish. In the court of justice, so called, this word" backshish" is rendered more politely by the expression " witnesses." According as gain may be hoped for from the social position of the victim, he is told that unless he can produce five, or a hundred, or yet more witnesses in court, his case cannot be settled. The heads on sovereigns or napoleons are the witnesses in question.
Many primitive customs are still in practice, exactly as they were in the days of our Lord on earth. It is easy tQ see why a curse was pronounced by the law on the man who moved his neighbor's landmarks j it i3 a mat- ter all too easy of accomplishment. It took.me a little time to realize, in going across country, that three or four large irregular.shaped stones, apparently picked from tqe soil around and laid one on another, could have any special meaning. Presently, however, I noticed that they stood in certain relation to other such piles, and guessed that they wert> landmarks. On inquiry I found that I was right in my surmise.
A lady known to us inherited four hundred dunnem of land from her father, but now less than two hundred remain to her, for the Arabs have been constantly at work moving her landmarks. We have heard of an Arab whose property was bounded on one side by a ditch. This ditch had to be renewed after the winter rains, and here the Arab saw his opportunity. Year by year he cleared earth away from the opposite bank, putting it always on his own bank. The ditch moved unobservedly farther and farther away from its original position. Under a fostering government, which encouraged industry in the people of the land, ~his country might soon again be flourishing. The soil is exceedingly productive, and were the terraces rebui:t and carefully watered and tended, the mountains about Jerusalem might soon again drop oil and wine. The water supply should now be sufficient if the aqueducts and cisterns were kept in good repair. For many centuries the rainfall of ·Palestine was very insufficient, and the latter rains, which should fall in the first month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding to March-April, were withheld j but the last thirty years has seen a great change, and during the last ten years the latter rains have fallen more copiously and seasonably. The rains of these past seasons havA been quite exceptional. Twenty-six inches has been the average for the last eight years, but this year it has reached forty-seven and fifty inches in the plain, and from sixty to seventy-two inches at different elevations on the Lebanon. One orange garden outside of Jaffa was standing in water during several months, and a good part of the plain of Sharon was flooded during the same time. Simultaneous with the return of the latter rain in its season we see the return of the population. Both the rain and the people are necessary to the land, and now that God opens the heavens to bless, He opens also the graves of His people. It is difficult to obtai~ accurate statistics of the numbers returning, but in Jerusalem alone the estimates vary from thirty-five to fifty-five thousand Jews now resident there. The former number is probably reckoned from the Halucha, the charity sent by Jews throughout the world to be distributed among the poor Jews in Jerus'alem. This is mostly given to the Ashkenazi, or German-speaking Jews. According to Consul Moore, who recently left Jerusalem, the Jewish population in the Holy City increased by twenty thousand in the period of three years. 'Vhile the numbers of Jews increase, the Moslem population is diminishing j it is now reckoned to be but seven thousand, and all the Christian sects taken together may be stated as about twelve thousand.
There are also large Jewish communities in the other sacred cities, Hebron, Safed, and Tiberias, as also in Gaza, Jaffa, Haifa, and other places, while numerous colonies exclnsively Jewish are springing up throughout the land. These colonies, it is true, arc not yet self-sup-
rOecember
porting, and have to struggle against great difficulties, but they exist; and it is an encouraging sight to see this people returning to their ancient patriarchal occupations of husbandry and cattle tending, frolli which they have been so long debarred in most countries of their exile. Their rudely constructed carts may daily be seen coming into Jaffa with loads of healthy Jewish peasants who have no longer the subserVIent, cringing air of the poor Jews we meet with in the West, but a free and independent bearing which it does one good to see. Their villages are homely looking j no one is better off than his neighbor, while all lead a simple peasant life, having sufficient, if barely sufficient,. of this world's goods. They own much cattle, and have many acres of land about their colonies under cultivation and yielding well, which but a few years ago was waste ground. In some cases they are troubled by the Arabs, who either have or fabricate a claim upon the land. These people, when they own land, only encamp upon it at such times as their harvest approaches to guard it and secure the grain. Nothing later remains as sign of their occupation.
It has been reported that these Jewish colonists are unwilling to work themselves, and leave the toil of agriculture to the fellahin. This may be true in some places, but we have seen with our own eyes numbers of Jews at work ploughing and sowing. And still the stream of immigration is not likely to cease, hut rather to increase, considering the unsettled state of the Jews in all parts of the world. It is true that until quite lately we have not had such a large contingent from Russia as we looked for this season, but within the last fortnight the expected exodus for the promised land has commenced. In one week 800 Jews have arrived in Jaffa-500 by one vessel and 300 by another. It is noteworthy that those who now comc pouring into Palestine are not all poor and miserable, such as those who formerly came only to die in the Holy Land, but number among them wealthy Jews, speculators in land, who are buying up large tracts for settlement, and forming building societies. Quite recently a large tract of land has been bought up by them at Haifa for the sum of £17,000, for which, a week later, they were offered £25,000, but refused to give up their purchase. One Jewish building society lately proposed building 1000 }lOuses for Jewish occupation between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The shares being immediately taken up, the number was repeatedly raised until it finally attained 3500. I was quite unprepared to find Jerusalem so much built about. The city within the walls will soon be smaller than the new Jerusalem without. The city itself is very unhealthy, being built on the heaps of ruins of past cities. It abounds in narrow, filthy, noisome covered ways and alleys, where fevers are at home. Inside the city it is impossible to drive, but outside there are fine buildings, roads-rough but wide-good shops, a public garden (in preparation), and building operations extending in all directions. In the colony outside the Jaffa gate there are from 9000 to 10,000 Jews. The artist Holman Hunt has a house in this part, and there are three hotels. Good houses and shops aN
TlIE SACRED LAND OF l'ALESTntfIl
continually building. This neighborhood has grown rapidly since a year ago. A small colony of Jewish artisans just outside of Jaffa are helped, on the building society principles, to become owners of their houses; and so great is the demand for these well-built little dwellings that they cannot be built quickly enough. A yet more important service is being rendered by the Alliance Israelite in providing training schools where Jewish youth are taught some useful trade or a scientific knowledge of agriculture. The Jews coming from Europe are divided into two classes, the Ashkenazi, or German-speaking Jews, and the Sephardi, or Spanish-speaking. The latter are the descendants of those Jews banished from Spain in the year 1492, and are found in all countries bounding the Mediterranean Sea. There are also colonies now coming from Arabia of Jews settled there before the commencement of the Christian era, if their own tradition may be received. They bear traces of having been many ages in the South, their physique being quite different from that of the Jews of Europe. Their build is slight and tall, and their skin a very dark brown. It was ten years ago, in the year 1881, that the first party of German Jews arrived in Jerusalem. Their reason for coming has a prophetic interest j it was none other than a dream or vision of their revered rabbi. He related that it was revealed to him that he and his people should return to their own land, and that there God would make known to them the Messiah for whom they had so long been waiting. Numbers of them did not hesitate to obey a vision so full of comfort. But alas! they had to endure many perils by the way. They were robbed; they suffered shipwreck; many died, and they arrived at their destillation greatly reduced in numbers.. The Jews in Palestine would not recognize them as Jews at all, or render them any help; but General Gordon and some lately arrived American Christians secured them a site where to found a colony on the Mount of Olives. Since that time their numbers are constantly increasing, fresh companies arriving now and again from Yemen. Last year they numbered some eight hundred. In the month of March this year another hundred arrived miserably destitute, having suffered much by the way. Forty of these poor wanderers were sheltered and fed in our mission house during the few days they remained in Jaffa. They are a naturally pious people, as is evidenced by the conduct of these poor immigrants. The first thing they did after entering the house, having but just endured the miseries of disembarkation at Jaffa, and the trials of the custom house, was to seek for a suitable c'orner or recess where to stand their scroll of the law, richly encased and silver-mounted. This important matter settled, they repeated Hehrew prayers and then commenced to instruct the young from the Talmud. So earnest are they for the reli~ious instruction of their families that a father will elaborately copy with his own hand the valued commentaries of some rabbi, a work occupying all his time for some year8, in order to leave it a sacred legacy to his children. These Yemen Jews are a simple, industrious, hard. working race, skilled in small handicrafts, with minds less prejudiced against the truth thn are those of their European co-religionists. Last year my husband visited them in their village on Olivet. I will quote a paragraph from his" Mission Tour in Egypt and Palestine," descriptive of his visit: "One rainy day, going through the gate of David, we crossed the valley of Kedron and climbed up to this lit- tle colony. We found them in a terrible state of destitution and sickness, which Dr. Dixon was able to relieve somewhat. They were delighted to see us. We went from hut to hut-one cannot call them houses-and asked them to assemble in their little synagogue to hear us speak to them collectively of tho Messiah The little place was quite full. I spoke to them about Jesus, the true Messiah of Israel, the Saviour of the world. I spoke perhaps too sharply about the unbelief and sin of the Jewish peo- ple in rejecting Him. They listened very quietly, and when I had done speaking the aged rabbi said, in words that went to my heart, for they sounded like the old Scripture writings, ' We are from Yemen, in the land of the South, where our fathers have lived since before the days of Ezra the scribe. We, all our lives, and all our fathers in their Ii ves, never heard that the Messiah- had come. If we had heard we might have believed on Him, but we did not hear.''' Now, however, these Yemen Jews, like all others arriving at the port of Jaffa, are met by Jews from the town immediately on arriving, and warned against any missionaries who may attempt conversation with them.
It is of exceeding interest to note that while the rightful inheritors of the soil are compelled to return to it for the most part by the tyranny of their oppressors, the land itself is being opened up for them by the enterprise of strangers, who are often much hindered by the government. A French company is constructing the railway from Jaffa to .Terusalem. The work was for some months at a standstill, there being some difficulty about the compensation to be made the orange grove proprietors through whose property it had to pass. Now, however, the work progresses rapidly. The engin~s sent from Philadelphia, respectively the "Jerusalem," " Ramleh," and" Jaffa," are employed on the line already made, bringing up materials. For this purpose they run even now as far as Ramleh j hut it is a misstatement which has been published to the effect that the line so far is already open to the public.. It will be many months yet ere this can be the case. Possibly the frequent shrill screams of the engine, warning natives off the line on its transit to and fro with trucks of materials, have been mistaken by some tourist passing through. Many most erroneous statements about events said to be occurring in this land find their way into English and other papers, and are very misleading. The railway between Jaffa and Jerusalem should be completed next year. An English company holds a firman for a railway to run from Haifa to Damascus j and we learn that a line, to be called a steam tramway, is also to be constructed between Beyrout and Damascus. It seems that in the firman granted for the Haifa-Damascus line, there was a clause to the effect that there should be no railway between Beyrout and Damascus. This being so, the difficulty in granting permission for the latter was easily got over by giving it another name. It is, therefore, a " steam tramway." It is a very mountainouil district through which this must pass, and will require skilful engineering. A matter much discussed, but in which I believe no steps have yet been taken, is the proposition of a line to connect the prin~ cipal cities on the sea-coast from Port Said to Beyrout. A good carriage road from Jaffa to Jerusalem has existed already some years. From Jeru- salem to Bethlehem and to Hebron there are also good roads. The late pasha commenced roads to Nablous and Jericho, but these have been left unfinished. Harbor works are now in progress at Beyrout, and such must follow at Jaffa on the completion of the railway. The diligence and suc- cess of the thrifty German colonists near Jaffa and Haifa are practical les- sons, proving the capabilities of the soil when properly worked.
Many influences are at work here to hinder the good which might be done among the Jews themselves.
The Ashkenazi are the principal recipients of the Halucha, the charity yearly sent from Jews in all parts of the world for the poor Jews in this land.. It has a very baneful effeot on those who receive it, who are supported in idleness. Some of them even raise mon.ey on the income assured to them by the Halucha alone. The recipients of this charity must of course remain zealous Jews or they would not retain it. The Sephardi do not receive 'so large a share of the Halucha, but benefit, as all Jews may, by the benevolent schemes set on foot hy Jewish national societies to help on their people, and all alike are held under a strict supervision as to their attendance at synagogue and religious zeal by the agents of these societies. The result is that their pride of race and fanaticism is greatly ihCreased, and they are exceedingly bitter with any who venture to speak to them of Jesus. There are many missions at work in the land-American, Scotch, and English-which are doing a good work among the different nationalities represented here. Among the Jews not much is being done, and this work in this land becomes increasingly difficult. The most difficult place, perhaps, in all the world to work among them is the city of Jerusalem itself. Here the idolatries of the Greek and Latin churches are evcr before them, while on every hand gain is held out to them as inducement to join one or other Christian sect-even the Protestant churches, alas! not being free from reproach in this matter. While many Jews are not unwilling to go from one to another, making what they ean from this false charity, it is easy to see into what contempt and ill repute this brings so-called mission work, and that it is not in this way men are convertedrather are they so made hypocrites.
It may be of interest if I add a little about our work in Jaffa during the few months we have been there. As soon as possible we secured a mission house in the town itself, and in the same street as the house called Simon the Tanner's, on the roof of Which Peter had the vision which prepared him to go to Cornelius and proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. Our mission house had formerly been used as a hospice for the better class of Russian pilgrims. Our fellow-worker, Mr. Barnett, elected to live there in the first story, and was soon joined by an earnest Christian Jew from Smyrna, who came to assist with the Spanish-speaking Jews. To understand and influence the people it is necessary to know their homes, occupations, and circumstances. Of necessity a great deal of time was spent by our missionaries in visiting the loathsome neighborhoods and dwellings where the Jews live. It was attempted to meet Jewish refugees on their arrival, but this was found quite impracticable, as anyone who has disembarked at the port of Jaffa will realize. The confusion on board ship and in the custom house, added to the fact before mentioned, that agents from the Chovevi Zion Society are on the spot to hinder any mis- sion work, prevents any good being done. Later, however, in groups of twos and threes the new-comers have been met about the town, and such opportunities have been made good use of. Visits have also been made to Jewish colonies in the neighborhood of Jaffa, but the winter was excep- tionally severe and the roads were for long impassable.
The mission house, besides being a centre where Jews could gather for conversation, discussing their difficulties and receiving instru~tion without fear of being watched, was also a home and shelter at different times to homeless Jews. Some of these have come in opposing the truth, but being present at prayer, conducted by Mr. Barnett, in which others have joined, have, of their own accord, not only prayed, but done so in the name of Jcsus. One Jew in particular asked God that if what he had heard of Jesus were true He would not let him die without receiving it. If only the chains of formalism were broken, and true, spontaneous, heart- felt confession of sin and prayer for pardon took the place of the 'Continual repetition of lifeless forms of prayer, God would hear and answer, for it is this He waits for.
On Saturday afternoons, being Sabbath, and to the Jews everywhere a . day of lcisure, many would come and read and converse with my husband and Mr. Barnett. On Wednesday afternoons during two hours one room used to be crowded with J ewesses, all sitting, Eastern fashion, cross-legged on the ground and working. A stranger coming in might have been aston- ished to see the array of shoes in the open court-yard to the number of some sixty-eight pairs. Within the interest would have been sustained. Here were Spanish Jewesses for the most part, some few German, one Italian, and two or three very dark-skinned Yemen Jewesses. Some with their forehE,iads bound and their faces bandaged, others simply wearing a pretty kerchief on their heads and having their finger nails dyed scarlet or yellow. Their methods of work are the exact reverse of our European ways j some of these women could work very quickly and well. On leav- ing, many of them resumed their white enveloping sheet, which they had laid aside on entering. We had the va!lA."bk help of some Arabic-speaking
'rltE SA.CR~D LAND Oli' P A.L~S'1'lN1!l
Christian missionary ladies from the English hospital, who interpreted for us, and who entered whole-heartedly into all that was attempted to be done. The poor Jewish women are very ignorant, as it is considered unnecessary and wrong to teach a woman. As.they know so little of their own national history and Scriptures we found it a good plan to question them and arouse their interest, and then to give them Scripture teaching. We also commenced' reading Matthew's Gospel with them. At last, however, the Jewish feasts, followed by my husband's severe prolonged illness, obliging my absence with him, put a stop to these interesting meetings. Although we may not again return to Jaffa, we hope the work will be continued by others, and that God will bless it more and more. The time we have spent in the Holy Land has forced upon us the conviction that the work to be done among the Jews need be done ere they set foot here. Although missions in Palestine may be of great use as a present testimony in the midst of the returning people, it is undoubtedly true that in the lands of their dispersion the best opportunities offer. When the hand of God presses upon them and they are willing to confess that it is on account of sin that they and their fathers suffer, they may be induced to accept and study the Word which tells of the atonement and Sin-bearer. It is hardly credible how soon they forget, and deny having suffered when once within the promised land, and maintain that they need no deliverer, for that God is favoring them. Even now the women in the colonies incite the men to stone any missionary who reasons with them. I firmly believe that the days approach when they will persecut.e and kill their Lord's messengers again, as formerly they did. There are many discouragements attending Jewish mission work. For those who are in haste to see results and num. ber up converts it is indeed very unsatisfactory and trying work, but in every field of mission work we see the same thing; the few receive the Word of God and are changed by it j the many reject and remain indifferent to it. All that the Word of God bids us do, whether among Jews or throughout the wide world, is to sow the Word, the " Gospel of the kingdom in all the world, for a witness unto all nations." When this is done harvest-time will come, and the harvesting is to be the work of angels, not of men.
We know there is and always has been, from the days of Paul to our own, " a remnant according to the election of grace among Israel," but the Word of God tells us plainly that as a nation Israel, like Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor and blasphemer, will only be converted by the vision of Jesus returning in the clouds of heaven in power and great glory. Then they will look upon Him whom they have pierced, and mourn with bitter lamentation as for a first-born son.
EUROPEAN LITERATURE IN THE MISSION FIELDS
EUROPEAN LITERATURE .IN THE MISSION FIELDS.
BY F. F. ELLINWOOD, D. D.
It has become a serious question whether the missionaries or the ene- mies of Christianity are making the greater use of the English tongue as a medium of communication with the people of Oriental lands.
In the early days of the modern missionary movement therc were sup- posed to be many motives not only for education, but for instruction in the English tongue. It was thought that by this means the masses of India, for example, might be brought into closer contact with that Christian civilization which afforded the chief hope of their regeneration. There was an additional reason in India and Ceylon in the political relationship of those countries to Great Britain. While missionary institutions gave much attention to the English language and made it the vehicle of instruction in history, science, etc., the schools and colleges established by the Anglo- Indian Government employed the same agency still more widely. There was a great demand for a knowledge of English as a qualification for commercial positions, and the demand was by no means limited to India and Ceylon. The same aspiration for this kind of education filled the youth of Beirut. Cairo, and Constantinople. It appeared in the schools of China and Japan. There was a like demand on the coast of Africa, and wherever the civilization and commerce of the Anglo-Saxon came in contact with heathen races. In all British colonies, like Australia, New Zealand, and Natal, the English tongue very naturally became dominant. Within the last decade the governments holding protectorates over newly acquired territory in Africa and elsewhere have taken special pains to extend the use of their respective languages as a means of establishing thei~ power. The French at the Gaboon place such emphasis upon this requirement as to forbid missionary instruction even in the verna~ular. It must be French and only French, all of which means the future prevalence of French literature.
But the generic thought suggested by this incidental survey is this: that the whole world is coming rapidly under the influence of European Janguages and literatures, the English holding a larger place than any other, and they are opening the way for the propagation of either truth or error on a boundless scale. In higher education, whether in science, history, and general literature, or in special departments, as medicine or theology, it has been claimed that a knowledge of English would open the door at once to a much wider technical literature than could be found as yet in Oriental languages; that in medicine, for example, it would be far easier to give young men a knowledge of the English which would introduce them at once to a wide range of medical science than to undertake the translation of a large number of medical books into the Arabic, the Chinese, or the Hindi; and these reasons have .seemed valid. But possibly the Christian Church in its missionary operations has not been sufficiently mindful of the fact that wherever the husbandman has sown the good seed, an enemy soon follows with tares, and that the result is a strong flank movement again ..t the truth. The apostles of infidelity would never have endured the toil anu hardship necessary to prepare the ground; they would not have undertaken to rAduce languages to a written form, and in some cases even establish a grammatical construction; but when the grubbing and the ploughing and harrowing are all accomplished they are at hand with the seeds of error. They watch for the thousands of youth who have learned the English tongue. They make use of all the agencies of publication which have been established. They are not scrupulous about the kind of intellectual pabulum that they furnish, for it is no part of their purpose to regenerate and uplift the heathen races. It is all one to them if moral poison and destruction are the result. As to the intellectual demand and their methods of meeting it, they have the same amount of scruple and misgiving as those who are deluging heathen lands with adulterated and poisoned liquors, gunpowder and firearms; their work is on the same moral level, neither higher nor lower.
The reports of the Christian Vernacular Education Society of India, while giving many interesting facts in regard to vernacular literature and the great demand for it in India, throw an occasional side light upon the spread of English literature. This society, under the presidency of the Right Honorable, the Earl of Northbrook, has struck a keynote which all friends of missions and of humanity ought to heed. It emphasizes the fact that the circulation of Christian literature in heathen lands is one of the foremost demands of the age. It reminds us that we live in a period when the printing, publication, and circulation of reading matter of all kinds h~ve reached enormous dimensions, and that thought in every variety, good, bad, and indifferent, is being quickened among all races.
A recent communication from an agent of the above-named society says: "The place of tbe English language and literature in India is one of the most marvellous phenomena of this nineteenth century.
"On arriving in Calcutta I set to work under the most competent of all guides, Sir Alfred Croft, Director of Public Instruction for Bengal. In the English shops I was not surprised to find a good supply of books in all departments of literature, and especially in that of fiction. As these were chiefly for our own countrymen, I soon found my way to the native bazaars and shops, where I discovered what astonished me. Our English merchants have no chance with these native shopkeepers in the economy of their management and consequent cheapness. In a comparatively small shop you find the head of the establishment sitting at his desk or counter with a piece of cotton around his waist and loins, in happy freedom from all the restraints of coat, waistcoat, trousers, and stockings, his whole attire worth no more than a shilling or two. The few rings of high value which adorn his ears or fingers are an investment on which the only Joss is 1nterest on the sunk capital. A few active roun~ men, who cost little/ complete the estabiishment. in which an amount of business is done which would astonish his ostentatious neighbors in the European quarter.
" In these native shops I found large piles of our cheap literature, and in stores at hand I was shown large rooms filled from floor to ceiling with the cheap serial literature of the London market, good, bad, and indifferent, but chiefly bad. Not only are the great proportion of these volumes works of fiction, but a great many of them are the very worst of the class; and these, I regret to say, are the most popular, and have by far the largest sale. Many of the most fleshly of the French realistic school in English translations were the most largely sold."
The same writer adds that amid the depressing influences of this appalling exhibit of a vicious appetite for the garbage of our English literature, he was cheered by some hopeful signs. There had been in the more respectable native shops a growing demand for the better class of cheap books; but he was painfully impressed by the fact that the movement of Christian men had been late in the field. One of these native booksellerssaid to him, "If a better class of books had been sent out from England at the first, the low and vicious ones would not have gotten the hold they have on the reading public. The first books which came to this country in cheap and attractive form were these low and vicious novels, and it will be difficult now to supplant them."
If the worst French novels are translated into English for countries in which the English tongue prevails, one can well imagine their still readier access to all lands which are under French protectorates, and in which the French language is assiduously taught. All that French Catholic and French Protestant missions can do for the elevation of the people of such land,. will scarcely equal the disastrous influence of those French novels which represent, as the late Emperor Napoleon IlL put it, " not the civilization of Jerusalem, but that of Corinth."
But only one side of this great evil is seen when we contemplate this 1lood.tide of cheap and corrupting European literature. Another equally formIdable is seen in the widespread use now made of the English language for the spread of Hinduism. Under the movement which is known in India as " Revived Aryanism," embracing various organizations, the leaders have hit upon the happy expedient of utilizing the Euglish tongue as a means of corrupting the very classes of men upon whom most labor has been bestowed by government or by missions, in higher education. There are now many thousands of graduates from the Indian universities and colleges, and the same is true of the graduates of Japanese universities and colleges, who speak the English language fluently, but are not Christian converts. On the contrary, they have been stimulated by their education to a greater pride of nationality, and coming into !lympathy with the various apologies which Western writers, have made for Oriental systems, they are more than ever resolved to stanrl by the ancient literature and cultus of their fatherland, expurgating such corruptions as the better taste and higher ethics of modern times are supposed to condemn. Meanwhile the agents of Western societies, Buddhistic, Theosophic, or Agnostic, by adroitly appealing to the national pride of wealthy rajahs and others, have secured contributions for the purpose of reproducing in cheap form the products of Wester!]. ~cepti cism, so that selections from Thomas Paine, Robert J. Ingersoll, Herbert Spencer, and the late Mr. Bradlaugh are scattered like the leaves of autumn through all English-speaking communities in India. But it would not quite suit the pride of the true Aryans, soi-disant, to be wholly dependent on foreign leaders, and therefore aspiring Hindus have taken the field, are issuing tracts, publishing periodicals and weekly papers whose staple product all bears upon this counter crusade against Christianity, British influence, Anglo-Saxon civilization, and what not.
According to the report above-named, pes~imistic productions find the readiest market j plays and fiction, whether in prose or verse, whether in foreign languages or in the vernacular, are framed on the almost universal assumption of the villainous character of men and the frailties of women. They show also the tendency to advocate a retrograde in social intercourse and even in political life. "The past is praised as the golden age, and all the misfortunes of modern life are attributed to the English Government, the progress of English education and foreign custom. The reason of this is obvious. The only hope of remuneration lies in pandering to popular taste j and, unfortunately, the discontented and unfortunate form a large proportion of the educated masses at present j and it is so pleasant to be able to throw the blame for their failure in life upon the foreigner."
As a specimen of the current Hindu literatur,e which is now being circulated in the English language there lies before me a tract entitled " Hinduism, a Retrospect and Prospect," by Sukumar Haldar. He is the son of Rakhal Das Haldar, who became a follower of the Unitarian missionary Rev. W. R. Dall, and who, with Mr. Dall, came to America.
This young man has had all the advantages of higher education, and he evidently has spent much time in gleaning freely in all the fields of literature for what he regards as concessions on the part of the Christi~n theists; Mosheim, Neander, Sir W. W. Hunter, Bishop Heber, Monier Williams, and others are quoted. He also presents a wide variety of apologies for the Aryan faith, gathered from the writings of Max Miiller, Count Bjornstjerna, Pocock, Heeren, Colonel Todd, Elphinstone, Colebrook, Cunningham, etc. A still wider range of thrusts gathered from infidel writers from the days of Celsus down to the present time are presented in bristling array. This book, published in Calcutta and sold for a dime, has had a very wide circulation. It is not to be supposed that the author has depended upon his own researches merely; rather he has presented the selected facts, arguments, and travesties which the combined research of many writers has produced. There is now an extensive literature of Hindu apologetics which a comparatively moderate labor on the part of any enthusiastic Aryan may throw upon the market at brief notice. In our own country a mere tyro may gather together the results of infidel attacks upon Christianity for the last fifty years, and lay them before the public in a leaflet or in a five-cent Sunday newspaper, issued to the numher of a quarter of a million of copies.
And something approaching this same marvellous facility is coming to be realized on heathen soil, and at the hands of a race who fifty years ago were slumbering on in the old torpor of past centuries. DoubtlesF> the very same cheap issues of Bradlangh are sold in India.
The design of the above-named pamphlet of nearly seventy pages is to show that everything in the West has been borrowed from the East; that Christianity has added nothing to the wisdom of the Indo-Aryans; that corruption rather than advancement has been the law of progress, and that the true wisdom of the world is to turn back and drink at the old fountains. This tractate is published in good English, and it is not confining itself to the Asiatic continent, but already the overflow is setting toward Christian lands, and affiliated anti-Christian associations are everywhere aiding in its dissemination.
As another example, there is published at Lahore, both in English and in the vernacular, what is known as the Vedic Magazine, edited by Pandit Guru Vidyarthi. This university graduate is a man of ability, and his motto seems to be, to " Carry the war into Africa. " Among other striking articles is one entitled " Pecunia Mania." This vice or craze is ascribed with telling effect to the whole Anglo-Saxon race. "It is," says the writer in an editorial, "a disease of the type of insanity, very contagious, transmissible by hereditation, incurable or hardly curable, and of the most virulent type. It is an unsatiable thirst, an always hungry stomach, an extreme sensitiveness and irritability, restless anxiety and sleeplessness, paralysis of moral and spiritual faculties, extreme proneness to overfeeding and overclothing, indolence, luxury, and comfort; it has an air of superficial independence, personal weakness, and infirmities." All these are presented as marked characteristics of the so-called Christian nations, and are in strange contrast with the "quiet thoughtfulness, the spiritual aspiration of the Indo-Aryan races." "This disease," says the author, " sneers at all metaphysics, looks down upon all thoughtful reflection and philosophy, an-d discards theology as speculative, unpractical, and absurd. It stigmatizes all efforts to ennoble mankind, whether moral or philosophic, as theoretical. – It brings morality down to the level of expediency. Instead of the worship of the God of nature, it sets up a wretched and worse form of idolatry-the worship of copper, of silver, and of gold. It denies to man any nature other than one capable of eating, drinking, and m()rrymaking, and we ask whether snch a diseaRe should not be at once uprooted and destroyed, never to spread again. For so long as this influence is dominant in the world there will be no morality, no truth, no philosophy. If there is to be such a thing as disinterestedness or truthfulness in the world, if mankind is not to be given over to restless anxietY"' turbulence, and the overweening bias of sordid interest, something must be done to resist this fearful tide."
It is not to be denied that the writer of such articles has a keen insight into many of the worst phases of character shown by the.beef-eating, beerdrinking, plethoric, discontented and yet self-consequential Englishmen and Germans, whom the lank and spiritual Hindu of the higher classes encounters on the soil of India. " This plethoric travesty of humanity, instead of walking forth to breathe the pure air of heaven and enjoy the scenery of nature and delight in pure and elevating thought, seeks convey.- ance in luxurious carriages rather than by muscular action, and plethoric fulness borrowed from the activity of drugs and the administrations of physicians, instead of inborn healthy glow. . .. Dead photographs and lewd portraits hang upon the walls of his room instead of the scenery of nature. He is entirely dependent on the cooling power of pankas and the warming properties of fire, the refreshing power of beverages, and stirring influence of wines for want of natural endurance. Is this the itidp,pendence that a rational being should feel ?"
We have referred to the writings of Vidyarthi only as illustrating the fact that we have come upon times when the old systems of the East, reinforced by the new impulse which Western education has given them, and possessed of all the weapons of hostility which Western infidelity has produced, are now assuming the aggressive. There is also what is called the Aryan Tract Society, published at Lahore, whose issues are scattered widely through India. The ,revived Aryans are virtually in sympathy with theosophists and esoteric Buddhists in our own country and in Great Britain, and by prearrangement and thorough organization, the issues which are sent forth in India are also circulated among us. The writer above referred to was late Professor of Science in the Government College at Lahore. He is perfectly familiar with the theories of Darwin, Heckel, Spencer, etc., and has made it a study to trace the supposed intimate relations between the theories of these noted theorists and those of the ancient Upanishad philosophy of India. The familiarity shown with Western literature, and even with the early history of the Christian Church, gives in the outset a strong advantage in the implication of authoritativeness as well as breadth of judgment and candid, thorough preparation.
As an evidence that this writer is not ignorant of what transpires III Western lands, he quotes from an address of ex-President White, of Cornell University, in what he construes as a confession of the weakness of our position. The following passage is given: "We are greatly stirred at t~mes as this fraud or that scoundrel is dragged to light, and there rise cries and moans over the corruptions of the times ; but, my friends, these frauds and these scoundrels are not the corruptions of the times. They are the mere pustules which the body politic throws to the surface. Thank God, that there is vitality enough left to throw them to the surface. The disease is, below all, infinitely more widespread. What is that dis-
THE EVANGELIZATION OF ISRAEl
ease? I believe that it is, first of all, indifference-indifference to truth ; next, scepticism; by which I do not mean inability to believe this or that dogma, but the scepticism which refuses to believe that there is any power in the universe strong enough, large enough, good enough, to make the thorough search for truth safe in every line of investigation; next, infidelity, by which I do not mean want of fidelity to this or that creed, but want of fidelity to that which underlies all creeds, the idea that the true and the good are one; and, finally, materialism, by which I do not mean this or that scient,ific theory of the universe, but that devotion to the mere husks and rinds of good, races that struggle for place and pelf, that faith in mere material comfort and wealth which eats out of human hearts all patriotism and which is the very opposite of the spirit that gives 6nergy to scientific achievement."
There is not space to dwell longer upon this new activity on the part of heathen error or its increasing interchange with all types of thought in our own land. It only remains to gather up the lessons which are thus presented to the friends of missions and the advocates of Christian truth. The practical questions which come home to us with great force are, Are we utilizing in proper degree the facilities which have been furnished us by the missionary labors of our fathers, who trained up these Hindu youth and gave them the use of the English tongue and the varif'us facilities for publication 1 With the surfeit of books which we possess here at home, are we sufficiently aggressive in extending our literature abroad 1 Is there an activity commensurate with opportunity, or are we folding our arms in quiet security in the thought that our sole duty is here on our own shores? It should be remembered that the battle-field of truth and error is now one. The terms home and foreign are obsolete; the literatures of the world are blended; and so all the light the Christian Church has to give' should be made to shine.
THE EVANGELIZATION OF ISRAEL.
BY PROFESSOR GEORGE H. SCHODDE, PH.D., COLUMBUS, O.
The first missionary work done by primitive Christianity was among the Jews. Christ confined His labors almost exclusively to the chosen people, declaring that He had been sent first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The policy of the earliest apostles of restricting their gospel activity during its first stages to their own race and nation was only in part the result of a misconception of the universality of the redemption secured through the life and death of the Messiah. Paul himself did not become the great apostle of the Gentiles until his labors among the Israelites had convinced him that they did not deserve or appreciate the glorious Gospel he had come to offer them. It is a fundamental error of the Baur-Tiibingen school, and their reconstruction of the inner development of primitive Christianity, to maintain that Paul originally and ex profes8o taught in his doctrine that Christianity was intended for all, also for the Gentiles, a doctrine contradictory to the standpoint of Peter and his friends, who maintained that Christianity was essentially a Jewish sect, and intended only for this peo- ple. The hypothesis that the Christianity of the second and the ihird centuries was a result of a compromise between the Judaism of Peter and the universality of Paul does great violence to the facts in the case. But, as is generally the case, the error is all the more plausible and dangerous because it is at least seemingly based upon a fact, which fact is that the first Gospel messengers one and all recognized the first and historic right of Israel to the blessings of the Gospel, and when rejected by them these were offered to the Gentiles. Between Peter and Paul there was no differ- ence of principle, at most only of degree. On mission methods they agreed to adhere to the example and command of the Lord. While all nations were to be made disciples of Christ, the Jews were first called to this high privilege.
This historic right to priority was not based upon any undue partiality of Christ for the people out of whose midst He had arisen. Indeed, their treatment of Him would have induced another who was not divine to cast them from him. This right was based upon the calling of this nation as the chosen people to bring forth and to establish from the human side the kingdom of God on earth. Christ came in the fulness of time, and this fulness was the result and outcome of a development which had been progressing through centuries and centuries. In this calling Israel lived and had its being j and while the coming of Christ has been the centre of history for the whole world, it, has been such for Israel in an especial sense.
That Israel, when this hour had come, did not recognize the signs of the times, but threw aside its own peace, does not in any way call into doubt the wisdom of God's plans. While the rejection of Christ by His con- temporaries in Israel is one of the saddest facts of history, it is, neverthe- less, not an enigma or a riddle. The attitude of the Pharisees of that day, the orthodox and recognized theological school of the times, was by no means the mushroom growth of a night as little as it was a system based upon Old Testament premises. In fact, in Christ's polemics against them He makes it a prominent matter to show that they had deserted the old landmarks, and that their refusal to accept Him who was the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets was based upon their subversion and misinter- pretation of the cardinal truths of their own religion. Factors and forces had been at work which had, during the centuries of the silence of the prophets between the close of the Old Testament and the opening of the New, inculcated principles diametrically opposed to those taughj; by the sages and seers of God. Had the teachers of Israel in the days of Christ still stood upon the basis of the revealed Word, they could and 'would not have done otherwise than have accepted Him as the promised Messiah. Paul's antagonism, so pronounced and decided, against the doctrine of justification by the works of the law, and in favor of justifica- tion by faith alone, is not based upon the theory that the former is the legitimate outcome of Old Testament teachings, hut that it is a perversion of tJ!ese teachings by the leaders of thought in Israel. He therefore resorts to the same method which Christ had employed-namely, to quote the Old Testament itself against those who claimed to be the only correct interpreters of Old Testament truths. It is substantially the same mission method which is adopted by all the New Testament writers over against the Israelites, particularly by those who make this matter especially promi- nent-namely, Matthew and the; uth Jr of the Epistle to the Hehrews. A recognition of these facts in the great problem of Jewish mission work, as also of the method and manner pursued in the New Testament of conduct.- ing the work, is a matter of the greatest possible importance for us and our day too. Notwithstanding the eighteen hundred years which have elapsed, the problem itself has not changed materially, and the experience of the friends of the work has been such as to convince them that the New Testament method of dealing with the problem, of course adapted to our times, is the only one that promises success. In the entirely unique and peculiar character of the problem lies also the justification of making Jewish missions a distinct branch and separate department of Gospel work among non-Christians. In the nature of the case mission methods must adapt themselves to the exigencies of the case-the history, character, and condition of the people to whom it is proposed to bring the message of grace. In this sense of the word the mission work in no two countries can be carried on in exactly the same manner. But yet the problems and perplexities of Jewish mission work over against those met with in the case of other nations are so entirely sui lIeneris that the work of a laborer in Israel is radically different from that among the Gentiles. This is the case not because the seed is of a different kind, but because the soil is. The Jew meets the Christian missionary in an altogether different spirit from that which a heathen must show toward a Gospel messenger. The Gentile . instinctively sees in him a superior, intellectually and otherwise, and the missionary finds no difficulty in making the impression of this superiority, except perhaps in the cases of Brahmans and adherents of other highly cul- tivated heathen religions. On the other hand, the Jew sees in the Chris- tian a renegade and a pervert from the principles of the Old Testament revelation. While regarding himself as a superior, because he is the repre- sentative and exponent of the pure monotheism of the prophets, he is as such historically entitled to pre-eminence above the Christian, who has changed and distorted these teachings by adding a polytheistic faith, and by recognizing the claims of Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah. Instead of being himself a proper subject for instruction and conversion, he considers the Christian as such a subject. It is the idea and the ideal of Judaism, both rationalistic and orthodox, that the religion and the ethics of mankind will eventually find their happy consummation and development in the adoption of a monotheism of the Jewish faith.
However much we may wonder at thiR psychological attitude of the Israelites, it is a fact that such is their standpoint; and mission work, like all other enterprises, must deal with actual facts. This being the case, there is really only one correct mission method for the evangelization of Israel-namely, that already adopted by the New Testament writers and preachers. This method is to produce the conviction in the hearts and minds of the Jews that their interpretation of the Old Testament, which through centuries of teaching has entered into their very marrow and bones, is false; that Israel, in breaking with Christ and His teachings, broke with its own history and with its own religion; that the new departure inaugurated by the Pharasaic school in the New Testament era was a false and unfounded movement; and that Israel's fate and history can only be brought back again to its true and divinely destined course by a return and a rejection of the false positions of the fathers; in other words, by an acceptance of Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfilment of the law and the prophets.
Hence it is that argument and proof have a place in Jewish mission work which they occupy nowhere else. The preparation needed by the Jewish Gospel worker is quite distinct from that which the other missionaries should receive, and, therefore, fully justifies the establishment of Rpecial seminaries for such young men of the kind that the late and lamented Professor Delitzsch founded in Leipzig five or six years before his death, and in which he taught down to his last illness. Not the least difficult is the negative work of showing, from the history and the literature of the Israel of the post-biblical era, that the Judaism of to-day can by a misnomer only be called the outgrowth and development of the Old Testament religion. This presupposes a thorough acquaintance with the Mishna, the Talmuds and the Midrashim, the great official compilations of later Jewish faith and tenets. It is an Herculean task to find the Ariadne thread out of the labyrinth of Talmudism. The number of Christian scholars who have in their possession the key, to this literature are few and far between. In former generations this was otherwise. The Buxtorfs, Capellus, and their contemporaries were masters in this field. In our day Delitzsch easily was the greatest scholar in this field; otherwise it would have been impossible for him to prepare his classical Hebrew translation of the New Testament, which has proved to be the most efficient Gospel agency in this arduous and thankless mission department. But others have been apt pupils, and the names of Strack, Siegfried, Dalman, Faber, Wllnsche deserve honorable mention. Post-biblical Hebrew is no longer a lost art or a hidden treasury. How important a matter it is for Gospel work in Israel can be recognized from the fact that its study is the chief occupation of the Instituta Judaica, or Jewish mission associations which have been revived at the German and Scandinavian universities within recent years, and which have a membership of over three hundred. These societies deserve special praise for having published a series of tracts and brochures, in which Christians receive authentic information concerning the Jews, and the Jews authentic information concerning Christianity. No more solid and substantial foundation for efficient work in this line could be established than has been done in this manner.
The problem becomes all the more perplexed and perplexing by the dissensions among the Jews themselves. There are two classes of these, the radicals and the conservatives or orthodox. The Jews of Western Europe and America are almost to a man adherents of the radical wing. Upon their shoulders the ways of the fathers sit but lightly. They have compromised with modern thought and life, and as a result have given up what distinguished them as Jews, except certain formal features. Substantially this type of Jews are either unbelievers or are adherents of a vapid and vague deism. With them the Gospel messenger has double labor, because he must meet them as Jews and as rationalists. It is often doubted whether a W estern Jew can become a consistent Christian, and among the Jews themselves it is practically an axiom that a convert from Judaism is a fraud and a deceiver. How incorrect such extreme views are is seen from the examples of such noble men as Neander, Philippi, Caspari, Kalkar, and others who have become Christians of rare power and success. Western Judaism is not hopeless, but it is probably as difficult a field as the Gospel messenger can select.
Strange to say, the East is more promising. And yet the 9riental Jew is the personification of Talmudism. He has, however, the virtue of being deeply religious, and is hence not closed to religious argument and persuasion. It is among these that Delitzsch's and Salkinson's Hebrew New Testaments are eagerly read and studied, and it is among these Jews that the independent Christward movements of Rabinowitz and others have originated, and the project has been formed of organizing a National Jewish-Christian Church on the basis of the New Testament as the fulfilment of the Old. The Leipzig Society, the most aggressive and progressive of the Jewish mission societies, has recently inaugurated a new departure by confining its labors to the Eastern Jews. It proceeds from the standpoint that Jewish diaspora in Christian communities should be left to the eongregations there, and that systematic efforts toward their eonversion as a nation should be centralized there, where they are most densely settled.
It is to be regretted that there is no general interest among Christians in Gospel work among the Israelites aeeording to the flesh. It is always a limited few, whose love for the people of God enthuse them for this difficult work. However much the Jews may have proved themselves unworthy and unthankful objects for Christian mission activity, this does not excuse us in our negligence. We Christians have in our possession as our greatest blessing the spiritual inheritance of Israel. Gratitude and duty alike should urge us to offer them in return a share of this inheritance.
SOME POLEMICAL WRITINGS AGAINST THE JEWS
The nineteenth. is the greatest missionary century since the apostolic era. But not all Gospel work has been done, nor are the churches everywhere putting forth their best efforts. Israel has a historic claim on the attention, prayers, and work of the Christian churches. Let this claim not be neglected or rejected.
SOME POLEMICAL WRITINGS AGAINST THE JEWS IN THE .FIRST SEVEN CENTURIES.
BY REV. B. PICK, PH.D., ALLEGHENY, PA.
The friendly relation which existed at first between the Church and the synagogue could not always last, and a separation became a matter of necessity. The result was that the non-identification of Christianity with Judaism gave rise to bitterness and enmity, and by and by all friendly relations between the two parties entirely ceased. The best proof for this is the unfeeling but exulting manner in which Jerome writes when speaking of the annual visit the Jews made to Jerusalem on the anniversary of that city's destruction: "Those who once bought the blood of Christ must now buy His tears j and even to weep is not freely conceded them. On the anniversary of the capture,and destruction of Jerusalem you may descry a mourning crowd approaching. Behold here delicate women and aged men weighed down with grief and years, hastening to bewail the destruction of their sanctuary. Their very bearing betokens that the wrath of God is upon them. But while tears are streaming down their cheeks, while in their bitterness of spirit they stand with arms outstretched and hair dishevelled, 10 ! the Roman soldier rudely accosts them, to demand money that they may longer enjoy the liberty and the privilege of weeping" (Com. on Zeph~n., c. iL).
The Church had received the Old Testament from the synagogue, but the attitude of the Church to the Old Testament writings was different from that of the synagogue. The Old Testament writings were read in the light of Christianity, and Christ was found everywhere. The purely Jewish elements appeared as episodical, the truth of the new covenant as the real purport. With the Church the messiahship of Jesus was a conditio sine qua non. Was Jesus the promised Messiah ~ Then the Church was right and the synagogue wrong. From the Old Testament the former adduced her proofs, and pronounced, at the same time, that the synagogue, because rejecting the claims of Jesus as the Messiah, was wrong. The earliest polemical writing is the so-called" Epistle of Barnabas." In this epistle the writer insists especially on two points: first, that Judaism, in its outward and fleshly form, had never been commended by the Almighty to man j bad never been the expression of God's covenant j secondly, that that covenant never belonged to the Jews at all-in other words, that there was a Christianity before Christ. From an exegetical point of view this epistle is also highly interesting, as it exhibits the exegesis of that time.
A lost work ill the" Dialogue of Jason and Papiscus," which is com- monly ascribed to Aristo of Pella. It is quoted by Jerome and Origen.
" In it," says Origen, "is described a Christian arguing with a Jew from the Jewish Scriptures, and showing that the prophecies concerning the Christ are applicable to Jesus; the other replying to the argument vigor- ously and in a way suitable to the character of a Jew."
In his" Dialogue with Trypho." Justin Martyr tries to show that the God of the Jews was the God of the Christians likewise, and that the authority of the Old Testament was recognized by Christians. He labored further to prove that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah, sent by the God of Abraham for the salvation of the world, and that His followers were the true Israel. It ha~ been suggested that Rabbi Tarphon, a bitter enemy of Christianity, who declared that, although the Gospels and the other writ- ings of the "Minim" or Christians contained the sacred name of the Deity, they ought to be burned, is the same Trypho who is the interlocutor in Justin Martyr's" Dialogue." But this is mere suggestion.
Hippolytus's " Demonstration against the Jews" is lost, and the frag- ment which is extant shows that the Jews have no 'reason to glory in the sufferings which they inflicted on Jesus of Nazareth, for that it had been foretold that the Messiah should so suffer, and that these sufferings had been the cause of the misery afterward endured by the Jewish nation.
Diodorus of Tarsus wrote a special treatise, " Contra Judreos," which is lost; and Hieronymus Grrecus vehemently abuses the Jew in his " Dia- logue of a Christian with a Jew on the Trinity."
Chrysostom(died 407) wrote, in proof of Christ's divinity, a "De- monstratio adversus J udreos et Gentiles," and seven" Homilies against the Jews," in great measure against the J udaizers within the Church.
Basil of Seleucia tries to demonstrate to the Jews the time of Messiah's advent and the destruction of Jerusalem, which" Demonstratio" results in the proof that Jesus is the Messiah.
Of Philippus of Side remains a narrative of a " Disputation concerning Christ," held in Persia between Christians, Jews, and heathens.
Gregentius of Taphar holds a dialogue with Herbanus the Jew, in which he convinces his opponent by a vision of Christ which appears in the heavens, the result being the conversion and baptism of five millions of Jews.
A certain Timotheu~ holds a dialogue with a Jew, one Aquila, whom he converts, and brings him to Cyril for baptism. Cyril, however, wished Timotheus to perform that office, and so ordained him priest and deacon at once.
A certain Stephanus, Bishop of Bostrs, is mentioned as the author of a treatise, "Contra J udreos," quoted by John of Damascus. • Anastasius, abbot of the monastery of St. Euthymius, in Palestine, is
THE TOUR OF THE LANTERN
said to have written against the Jews and Judaism j and Leontius, Bishop of Neapolis, in Cyprus, wrote an apology against the Jews.
Passing from the Greek to the Latin writers, we mention a work " Against the Jews," by Tertullian, composed on the occasion of a dispute between a Christian and a Jewish proselyte. Cyprian and Augustin also wrote against the Jews j and Evagrius's "Altercatio Simonis Judrei et Theophili Christi ani" is said to be a free reproduction of the lost dialogue of Papiscus and Jason.
The" Tractatus adversus Judreos," by Maximus of Turin, is of doubtful authorship.
Isidore of Seville's" De Fide Catholica ex Veteri et Novo Testamento contra J udreos" is addressed to his sister Florentina, and consists of two books. The first, which contains sixty-two chapters, treats of the person of Christ j the second, containing twenty-eight chapters, speaks of the consequences of the Incarnation j that is to say, of the unbelief of the Jews and the ingathering of the Gentiles, of the eonversion of the Jews at the end of the world, and the cessation of the Sabbath.
Agobard, Archbishop of Lyons, writes on the Jews in general and their superstitions. The" Divine Institutes" of Lactantius contain also attacks upon Judaism. It is to be regretted that many of these works are lost.
THE TOUR OF THE LANTERN.
A LETTER TO THE YOUNG FOLKS.
BY F. E. HOSKINS, OF SYRIA.
A kind friend in America sent the lantern as a gift to help in reaching the boys and girls of Syria. Then a Sunday-school class of boys at Elwyn, Pa., sent twenty-five views, and later on'a class in the Sixth Presbyterian Church of Albany made a similar gift. The lantern and the views reached Beir11t in safety j but the people in the custom house opened them and then put them back into the box without any straw. The box was then hustled out of the custom house on the back of a porter, and a day or two later carried thirty-three miles over Lebanon on the back ' of a mule. When the man put it down in our court very doleful sounds were heard issuing from the box, and I opened the package with trembling hands j but only one view was smashed and another cracked!
It was more than six weeks before I invited Mr. Magic Lantern to go with me on a tour. I had to have a strong wooden overcoat made for him, and some boxes' for the views. Then I had a folding frame made, and a large white sheet seven feet square to fit it. All this work was done by a Moslem carpenter in, Sidon, and then it came over the mountain in the same way as did the other boxes. In May I invited Mr. Magic to get ready for the journey. I hired a mule for Mr. Magic to ride; but when we went down to the front door the mule objected to the arrangement, and we had great difficulty in persuading him that the matter was all right. You know that it is a very difficult matter to reason with a mule. We first tied him securely to a tree and passed the chain of his halter through his mouth by way of emphasis. Three of us then stood round and assisted Mr. Magic to mount; but the mule kicked and moved round in such a lively way as to prevent Mr. Magic from getting anything like a firm seat. When I thought we had succeed- ed, t turned to go upstairs, but a moment later I heard a great noise, and 10 ! poor Mr. Magic and all his traps were on the ground again. Fortunately he came down right side up and suffered no harm. We remonstrated with the mule, drew the chain tighter, and then wrapped his hcad up in the big coat belonging to his owner. He was not able to see what we were doing, and we did not uncover his eyes until Mr. Magic was all safe and snug. So off they went, and some eight hours later had made the long journey southward without any accident. Once on the way home, a week later, the mule became frisky, and tried to run; but the load began to turn, and two minutes later Mr. Magic and his traps were lying in a wheat field with Mr. Mule on top, his feet sticking up into the air. We all dismounted and had a great time in getting him loose and on his feet again. We had the same trouble in loading up, and, strange to say, Mr. Magic still lives without any broken bones. On other and shorter trips I have hired a man to carry Mr. Magic on his back, as men sometimes carry travellers in other lands.
During the month of May Mr. Magic made seven public appearances, and created the greatest excitement-his coming to a village was like the coming of Barnum's circus. The first threll appearances were in" our school-rooms; but I soon gave that up and took to the threshing-floors. No building could possibly hold all that came, and the crush made anything like a lecture impossible. At one village we tried it in the schoolroom-a place that will hold nearly three hundred people; but everybody wanted to come and everybody came-boys, girls, men, women and babies. We tried to shut the doors and keep the audience quiet, but the crowd outside kept on increasing until they pressed upon the doors and windows, carrying both doors and windows off their hinges inward. Some of the chief men of the village went out and beat the people over the heads with clubs, but a minute or two later it was as bad as ever. I tried to quiet them, but soon became hoarse, so I pushed the views through rapidly, and as each picture fell upon the screen I pounded upon the table, or put the cap on the lantern, and so got quiet long 4ilnough to announce the name of the view. They were all mightily pleased, and thought nothing of the noise and confusion, being accustomed to that in their churches, and always at weddings.
After that I went to the threshing-floors-great open spaces round the villages-set up the screen, and soaked the canvas with water, and then people saw from both sides the same. At Qaroim there were from seven to eight hundred people present, and some of them sat directly beneath the screen, where they could not see anything at all. The sights at each place go beyond description j in no place had anything like a lantern ever been seen. Fully a thousand boys and girls in our schools clapped their hands over the pictures, and perhaps twice as many men and women. Mr. Magic behaved very well j and even if he should never appear again he would be distinguished all his life, for these people will never forget his coming.
The people insisted on making a feast at nearly every place. At one village the teacher made a dinner. Four of us sat on the floor round a low wooden table. On this was placed a large brass waiter more than two feet in diameter j on it were four plates of pounded rice, four bowls of milk, four small plates of sugar, and in the ceutre one large plate of bn..tter without any salt in it. Beside each one on the floor were five or six thin flat loaves of bread. We had neither knife, fork, nor spoon. After a blessing we tore pieces from our loaves of bread, and with them dipped up the cooked rice, and drank from our bowls of milk. But the great dish was the butter. There must have been three pounds of it. The way we di~ posed of this was to take a small piece of bread, hold it between thumb and fingers, pinch off a piece of butter, dip it into the fine pounded sugar, and then eat it. At Qaroun we had a feast of another kind. We had neither knife nor fork, nor had we waiter or stool. Everything was placed on the floor in front of us. They had killed a small kid, stuffed it with rice and pine nuts, and had cooked it whole. It was served on the dish in which it had beeu cooke'd, and I separated the parts by main strength, using my pocket-knife when things did not come apart easily. It was well done, and was as tender as anyone could have asked for. With it we ate rice and bread and some strawberry jam from a tin I had carried from Zahleh.
But the most striking experience that I have had on account of Mr. Magic was not of a pleasing character, and might have ended very seriously had not God kept me from harm. I treated the people of a village named Gedeitha to an exhibition, and haying to make a journey to Damascus the next day, I resolved to ride home that night after the entertainment was over. I left the village at 9.30 P.M., and a few minutes later was attacked by three robbers, who had followed me from the village for that purpose. They were armed with clubs and knives. One seized my bridle-rein, and the word was given to rob me. Of course I objected, but had nothing other than my rawhide whip with which to defend myself. With this I beat them right and left, and managed to keep two of them off, and to retain my own seat in the saddle. For five minutes we struggled j they cut my rein, lifted up their clubs again and again j but I answered only with blows. One worked constantly at my saddle-bags, and, failing to loosen them, they'
JERUSALEM'S CRYING WANTS
whipped out knives and began to slash. Blows of the knives reached and cut my Bible, and in the struggle came within a few inches of my person. At the same time they grabbed for my pockets and my watch. One seized the chain j I put one hand on the watch, and with the other struck: the man j the chain parted and went with the man, but I kept the watch, as also my purse. Tiring of the struggle, they at last tore the saddle-bags asunder and fled away. I marked two of them and the direction they took. I rode back to the village, told my story, organized a search party, and then rode on home, rousing the soldiers and the governor on my way. By prompt action we soon caught the men j later on they confessed, the chain was delivered up, the torn saddle-bags recovered, and the men placed in prison. The trial followed rapidly, and two days ago the men were sent prisoners to Damascus, where they will receive a heavy sentence. They were taken from the local prison here, their hands securely fastened between two pieces of wood, and this wood in turn fastened to the halter rope of the soldier's horse. They were then compelled to go walking beside the armed soldiers forty miles away to Damascus. Truly" the way of the transgressor is hard."
And now Mr. Magic Lantern has come to Baalbec, and if all goes well, this evening he will delight some more children, and go on doing good, I hope, for many years. We always close with a picture of the Bible House in New York, and a talk about spreading the Bible.
How simple and yet how beautiful it is to do good! May God lead each one of you to give your hearts to Christ and your lives to His service j and may you all be ready to suffer hardships as good soldiers of the cross.
JERUSALEM'S CRYING WANTS.
BY A. BEN-OLIEL, JERUSALEM, PALESTINE.
[From Rabbi Ben-Oliel's circular letter we give space to the following extracts.-EDITOR. ] 1. There is no one among the missionaries in Jerusalem, nor has there been anyone for long years, that can preach the Gospel of the grace of God to the Sephardim-Spanish Jews-in their vernacular-Judeo-Spanish j or that can converse freely and intelligently with them in that dialect. But yet the Sephardim are the oldest Jewish inhabitants of Jerusalem, the most learned and religious, the most civil, the most accessible to the Gospel messenger and his message of glad tidings, and are less bigoted and bitter toward Christianity than the Ashkenazim-Russian Jews, Polish Jews, etc.
Now, Judeo-Spanish I know from childhood, and in 184£-50 I translated St. Luke's Gospel and a variety of tracts into that dialect, as also others in Hebrew, Spanish, and English. Two native helpers can converse in Judeo-Spanish, one of whom attributes his conversion to the Lord Jesus to attending my Judeo.Spanish services in Smyrna Ilhortly after the Crimean war j but his special duties occupy his time and attention fully.
2. There is no missionary in Jerusalem that can converse in Hebrew with the rabbis, who are so numerous j or that can even quote the Old Testament Scriptures fluently in the original, excepting some native help- ers j and much less anyone acquainted with rabbinic literature and dogmas. Yet thh! is a very essential-an indispensable-qualification for a preacher of the Gospel to the Jews j and it is well known that learned Jews prefer the sacred tongue in religious conversation or discussion. Still, the Liturgy is read in Hebrew every morning in Christ Church.
The London (Episcopal) Society for Jews has a strong mission in Jeru- salem, at an expenditure of some £7000 per annum, but there is no fully qualified missionary to the Jews in Jerusalem. …
Many Christian travellers have carried away very strong impressions on this subject after visiting Jerusalem. One of them, Mr. W. Mortimer Clark, Q.C., of Toronto, wrote to me from Jerusalem: " My impressions here lead me to believe that anything like active evangelistic work among the Jews does not exist in Jerusalem, and that there is ample room for more· effort. The various manifestations of Chris. tianity are more likely to repel than attract the Jew."
" Ample room" there is unquestionably. The British consul estimated the Jewish populatIOn of Jerusalem at 40,000 j but the Rev. C. T. Wilson, of the C. M. S., who has resided here the last seven years, has been .assured by enlightened local authorities that the number of Jews actu1111y in Jerusalem cannot be much und~r 60,000 j and they keep coming constantly, and about one half are Sephardim.
Jerusalem is a Babel of diverse tongues. From 20 to 30, it is said, are spoken within its precincts. Among the Jews the following are in requisition, for there are Jews from all lands here ; and I name them in the order of their relative importance, marking with an asterIsk those in which I can preach or converse more or less :-* Judeo-Spanish, Judeo- Polish and German, * Hebrew, * Aramaic, * Arabic (colloquial), * Eng- * * lish, * French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Modern Greek, etc. Considering the friendly way in which the Sephardi Jews have received me in other mission fields-Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey in Europe, and Asia Minor. Gibraltar, Spain, Rome, etc.-and more recently in Jaffa -which has 3000 to 4000 Jews, I may hope to meet with an equally friendly reception from the far larger number in Jerus:;tlem; and I trust from the Ashkenazim also. There is evidence already that it will be so, for before I could go to them, they are calling on me, and among them has been a leading rabbi, who, after conversation, accepted a Hebrew New Testament, promising to study it, and has called frequently since. They are so pleased to find one with whom they can converse freely in the language of their homes, as well as in Hebrew. It is but natural it should be so, for I am more at home with their characteristics·-their disposition, modes of thought, customs, history, literature, and religious idiosyncrasies; and, therefore, in more thorough sympathy with them.
With sincere gratitude to God, I acknowledge the friendly welcome given to me and my family by all the laborers of the London Society, whom I have assured that my most earnest desire is to fill up deficiencies, and to co-operate in every good work for the advancement of the adorable Master's kingdom and glory.
3. There is no place where non-Episcopalian travellers and visitors, whose numbers increase every year-the United States, and even Canada and Australia, contributing a fair proportion-can worship God in the Holy City according to the simpler forms they prefer and are acc<lstomed to; and, consequently, no place where ministers of other de1).ominations can have the unspeakable privilege of witnessing for the Lord Jesus in the city where He expiated the sins of the whole world, and rose again for our justification: here, where the Son of God bled and died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God: here, where the Lord of glory burst asunder the chains of death, and opened the gates of heaven to all believers.
The Episcopal Mission to the Jews has a handsome church. in which liturgical services are conducted morning and evening every Lord's day. The Church Missionary Society has a beautiful chapel for similar services in Arabic for native converts. The Lutherans have separate services in German, and are now constructing a large church. That the Latins, Russians, Greeks, Armenians, Copts, Moslems, Jews, etc., have superb ecclesiastical buildings-churches, convents, chapels, mosques, synagogues, hospitals, schools, etc.-is well known to all travellers in Palestine and readers of their works.
But Presbyterians, Independents, Wesleyans, Baptists, etc., are nowhere in .Terusalem ! They have not even a hired upper room! But yet a considerable number of the annual visitors are ministers of all denominations. Talmage, William Arthur, Spurgeon, Dale, Radstock, etc., may come and weep over Jerusalem and take pleasure in her stones; but they must hold their tongues! They may not celebrate the Lord's Supper in its scriptural commemorative significance, and" show" the grandest historical event the world ever witnessed, "till He come!" They may not testify to the corrupt, degenerate churches of the East, that there is a purer and truer spiritual mode of worship than is exhibited even by some Protestant churches!
In June, 1887, I wrote: "There are certain localities in which all Christians reel a deep interest, of which they cannot divest th~mselves, and Jerusalem is pre-eminently such a spot. It is sacred ground common to all the Christian world. All honor to the Church of Engiand for the noble work which the London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews, and the Church Missionary Society have been doing for years past in Palestine. But the Holy Land, and Jerusalem in particular, cannot be relegated by the Christian world to anyone church exclusively; aud those Episcopal societies should welcome the co-operation and holy rivalry of other churches and societies, in a sphere which claims and enlists the sympathy and lively interest ot all. "
The Lord has called me to Jerusalem to supply those three crying wants. There is now in Jerusalem AN UPPER ROOM, to hold from 80 to 100 persons, near the Jaffa Gate, and within five minutes' walk of the three principal hotels, where all evangelical Christians may worship God in the city of the Great King, and where their ministers may witness to Divine truth and unalloyed Scripture doctrine; and where the Gospel shall be preached in Judeo-Spanish to the Sephardim, and men of all classes-" to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" –will be welcome to hear the message of red~eming love.
In a few days an inscription-PRESBYTERIAN MISSION-will mark the house to travellers and residents. Some definite designation mu.~t be adopted, and as a Presbyterian, I naturally prefer my true colors, cheerfully extending the hand of fellowship to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. As an illustration of my catholicity, I may mention that, at my earnest desire, TWELVE MINISTERS, representing the Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Independent, Baptist, and Lutheran churches, took part in my ordination in 1852.
This mission and work is at present dependent wholly on the Lord and on the free-will offerings of His people of whatever section or branch of the one Church universal. It is a work of faith and of entire reliance on the gracious promises of our God, who has already raised up some supporters in England and the United States. I solicit, above all, the prayers of God's people. " Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee."
The famous" Siloam Inscription," which ranks near the Moabite Stone in the list of hoary Semitic rolkb, has been stolen. This inscription, which was in the purest bihlical Hebrew, told how the tunnel was excavated which conveyed the water from the so-called" Spring of the Virgin" -the only natural spring in Jerusalem-to the pool of Siloam. This work and the inscription, according to Professor Sayee, date from the reign of Hezekiah, or perhaps from that of Solomon. The inscription was accidentally discovered ten years ago by a young man who fell into the ,water. It was in a dark place on the side of the tunnel, about nineteen feet in from the pool, and was only deciphered after an incrustation of lime deposited by the water had been removed by acid. The inscription has now been cut bodily out of the rock, being broken in the process, and the fragments are said to have been sold to a Greek in Jerusalem.
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS
EXTRACTS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
BY REV. C. O. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
To the Editor of the New York Times: SIR: I see that your London correspondent speaks very disdainfully of Bishop Tucker's application to the Marquis of Salisbury for protection to the Protestant Christians in Uganda, especially as this is likely to be accorded. I confess this puzzles me. What ground of complaint has your correspondent against the bishop 1 It is usually supposed that any missionary has a moral right to solicit the protection of his own government for his own converts, in a territory under its suzerainty, as Uganda is under that, of England. Of course your correspondent does not imagine that Tucker has come to ask for repressive measures against the French priests. If he were capable of it, he would understand its futility. But it is news that, under English sovereignty, an English bishop ought to allow the French priests to use repressive measures against him.
I am aware that there are more Catholics than Protestants in Uganda. But the Protestants are numbered by hundreds. Twenty-five hundred came to meet Stanley, and I suppose they .have increased since then. But, more or fewer, have they not as good a right to be as the Catholics 1 Besides, the Protestants came to Uganda a good many months before the French priests, BO that they have the right of priority, which among all honorable missionaries counts for much. It is the Catholics, not they, who are intruders. Cardinal Lavigerie expressly admitted beforehand to the secretary of the Church Missionary Society his obligation to withhold the White Fathers from encroachments on a field already occupied by Protestants. He has publicly signified his agreement with General Gordon that Protestants and Catholics are two divisions of the one army of Christ, who ought not to fire into one another's ranh. If he has now violated his plighted faith, and turned his own words into mockery, his breach of honor has certainly not evacuated any of the rights of the Uganda Protestants.
Your correspondent seems to stand for the position that wherever the Catholics can come in, and by their showy ceremonies tickle the people's fancy faster than the Protestants can touch their hearts, they have a right to driye the latter out. The noble work doing along Lake Nyassa by the Scotch Presbyterians, and eastward of there by the Universities' Mission, is, according to that, entirely at the mercy of Rome. And if the Protestants venture to appeal to a Protestant government against Catholic fistlaw, they are to be reproached with shabbiness and superfluous zeal.
I do not know what religion your correspondent has, beyond a dislike of French atheism. But even if he should be a sort of a kind of a species of a Catholic (which is not probable), most Catholic laymen in our day profess to believe (and in Catholic countries nobly show their creed by their works) that every man who holds a creed agreeable to good morals has an indefeasible right to propagate it. Is not that his position ~ I know that Rome has an organization which makes her a formidable enemy and a profitable friend. As things go, it is no great matter of displeasure if her operations (which are really wide and admirable in the heathen world) are idealized and loudly lauded by the press, which expects to trim its sails to the wind. But surely the matter is pnshed a little beyond bounds whena Protestant bishop is held up to contempt for asking for fundamental rights of religious freedom and English citizenship.
The Catholics and Protestants in Uganda have repeatedly and solemnly pledged themselves not to wrong or oppress one another. All that anybody can imagine Bishop Tucker as asking, or his government as granting, .is that Lord Salisbury shall signify that he will view with displeasure any breach of this compact. Both. Christian parties have shown heroic attachment, even unto the death of fire, to the common faith. The Protestant missionaries are plotting nothing against the rights of the Catholics. The head and front of their offending appears to be that they, first in the field, presume to claim some rights of their own.
If this is not the meaning of your correspondent, pray what is it 1 He expressly holds it up as an indecency for Bishop ,Tucker to claim the right of offering to the natives of Africa" an alternative ritual." Seeing that the alternative ritual, in Uganda, happens to be the Roman Catholic, his own principle recoils on himself. But on whichever side it may operate, it is a strange principle for a man who speaks English to uphold.
CHARLES C. STARBUCK, Associate Editor Missionary Review of the World. ANDOVER, MASS.
EAST INDIES.
-The work of the Rhenish Missionary Society in Sumatra the last year has been more largely blessed than ever before. Five new stations and fifteen or sixteen new out-stations have been founded. The Battas have been so grateful to the Dutch Government for having at length 'yielded to their importunate prayers and allowed the missionaries to come among them, that they have been building fiue roads to facilitate the access, and havE' voluntarily declared themselves Netherlands subjects. Two thousand five hundred heathen have been baptized within the year, and over 5000 more are under instruction. The women and girls are beginning in unwonted measure to desire instruction. Miss Needham, an English volunteer assistant, has been very helpful in this, and the society hopes soon to see her supported by several coadjutrices. Silindury has become a Chrstian country j and this fact, hitherto unknown in Sumatra, is making a deep impression on all the surrounding regions, and occasioning numerous petitions for teachers of Christianity. Several hundred (nearly 700) of the new converts are Mohammedans.
– " In tlie Deccan, though actual conversions"-of fetich worshippers – " have not been numerous, the effect upon the whole community of outcasts has been marked and general. Scattered as they are, a few in every village in the country, there is no part of the province which has not more or less felt the influence of Christian teaching, and the result is not only a general inclination to turn from the gods of terror and uncleanness to the God of love, purity, and truth, but a remarkable social change, which may hereafter bear political fruit, of which time does not now permit me to speak more in detail."-SIR BARTLE FRERE, in Missionary Intelligencer.
-Sir Bartle remarks that, as the results are essentially the same in measure under the labors of Catholics and Protestants, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, an.d Nonconformists, they must be attributed to " the great simple doctrines of Christianity, which all believe-the plain broad precepts of Christian morality which all teach."
– " The following lines from a recent Madras journal show what some of the best Hindu minds are thinking at the present time: " , Wea.ry we are of empty creeds, Of deafening calls to fmitless deeds; Weary of priests who cannot pra.y, Of guides who show no man the way; Weary of rites wise men condemn, Of worship linked with lust and shame; Weary of custom, blind, enthroned, Of conscience trampled, God disowned; Weary of men in sections cleft. Hindu life of love bereft. Woman debased, no more a queen, Nor knowing what she once hath been; Weary of babbling about birth, And of the mockery men call mirth; Weary ~f life not understood. A battle, nut a brotherhood; Weary of Kali yuga years, Freighted with chaos, darkness, fears; Life is an ill, the sea of births is wide, And we are weary; who shall be our guide?' ..
– Oanadiax, Mtssto>lll7"f1 :f.J:nf".
– W e have at hand several copies of The News, a neat little mont,hl;,.- paper representing the American Baptist Missions in Burma and Assam.
It is published at Rangoon. One copy will be mailed to any address in the United States at 60 cents per annum, five copies at $1.25. Subscriptions may be sent to E. P. Coleman, Esq., Tremont Temple, Boston. This lit. tIe paper would bring our Baptist friends into living communication with the land of the Judsons, the Boardmans, the Beechers, the Karens. Even the glorious results among the Telugus cannot deprive Burma of its classic pre.eminence.
Here is an extract: "It was Thursday evening. We sat around the camp fire and talked about a sermon that had just been read. It was pro· posed that we close the day by thanking God for His goodness, and that we also present the especial request that the two women who were held as captives in a heathen village be set free, and that they be delivered without the presence of the missionaries, so that the native teachers may the more fully give the glory to God. Two days later Th'rah Hemmay Klaipo, who was travelling in that region. received a message that if he would come to the village the captives would be delivered up at once. He did so, and the captives were delivered. This was a great astonishment to all the sur· rounding villages, and as a consequence they have decided to call in Chris· tian teachers. It seems as though the whole Bree tribe was coming in. The fear of the Lord has taken hold upon the people. It was in this region that two captive children were. set free last year in answer to prayer."- JOANNA ANnERsoN.
-Periodical Accounts of the Moravians for June says of Kashmir: "Kashmir is no longer isolated. After centuries of oppression and degradation of its people, a change has come for this land of brooks of water, and of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills, a land so beautiful that it seems a garden of the Lord.
"What the Rev. R. Clark, of the Church Missionary Society, says of their mission at Srinagar is relatively true of our own in the tributary province of Ladak : 'Kashmir, by its geographical position, is thrust forward into Central Asia, and is now our outpost of Christianity on this frontier of India. It is the starting-point for travellers to Ladak and Iskardo, Kafiristan, and Tashkend and Lhassa. Kashmir is a great centre, leading to many countries, a highway for the gospel of Christ. We remember that Kashmir once sent forth 500 Buddhists to convert Tibet, and that from Kashmir Buddhism spread to Candahar and Cabul. Our opportunities here are very great. The Kashmir MistJion 8hQuld alway' be maintained by our society in 8trenflth.' "
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
II.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED AND CONDUCTED BY BEV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D.
The Relative Standing of Native Chris- This report shows an increase of na- tians in the Future. tive Christians at school, from over [EDITORIAL, J. T. G.] 40,000 to over 44,000. But that is not all. The ratio of the native Christians God's ways are often very unlike our in school is vastly greater than that of ways. The involutions of His provi- the Hindus and Moslems. This is so all dences are as marvellous as the evolu- over India. For this province the figtions. We plan, but God reaches the ures are very encouraging, Few perend we seek by a way we knew not. sons out of India will measure correctly This finds striking illustration on the such a striking fact as that the percentforeign mission fields. We consider age of Christian girls attending school now the working of God in His own is greater than the percentage of nonway for the uplifting of the Christian Christian boys. In the presidency, as communities brought but recently out a whole, twenty-three per cent of the of the bosom of heathen communities. boys and three per cent of the girls of THE FUTURE HIGH CASTE OF INDIA.. school age are in schooL Taking the native Christian part of the popUlation The Brahmans of India haTe held un- of school age, sixty-one pel' cent of the interrupted sway as the social and re- boys and twenty-eight per cent of the ligious leaders of India. It has some- girls are in school. Of the pupils re- times been the subject of remark that ceiving higher grade education, as rep- the advance of Christianity has not resented by the high-school depart- been among this class in India, and we ments, approaching one fourth (47 out have, perhaps all of us, at times, felt a of 178) are native Christians, only five little as if there were something a shade being European or Eurasian.
discouraging in the fact, and perhaps a To get the force of this, it must be little suspicion has come over ns that remembered that thus nearly one-fourth Christianity mieht, after all, not be able of the higher grade students come from to reach the brain of the heathen races, one-fortieth of the total population.
and thus exhibit a lower vitality than Turning to the colleges, this same one- we could fondly wi.h. fortieth part of the community furnishes It is well to observe, however, that eight per cent of the graduates of the God's ways are not as our ways. "We University. It is easy to see, if this con- must brain Hinduism," said that great tinues, who are to be the learned class man Duff, when he established his great of India in the near -future. The old college in Calcutta. He aimed at its Brahmanic classics are of little practi- head. He accomplished much, but cal value, and if the Brahmans keep the died, not having reached the result he lead in the old indigenous literature desired. He meant to educate the of the land, even then they must take a high-caste people, and conque" India back seat, together with that effete lit- through its head and headship. It is erature. The practical modern scien- marvellous, now, to Bee God's way, and tific and literary courses of study repre- not ours, to reach the end. The Mad- sent the advance guard of the native ras Native Christian Association has re- community itself: that which must cently sent forth a little paper on edu- lead, must direct and control in the cational progress among native Chris- whole public affairs of the country. If tians, which is a summary of the Report anything like the present relative pro- on Public Instruction for the Presi- portion of that kind of knowledge re- dency of Madras, so far as it bears on mains with the native Christian com- ~e JJat~v!l Chpstiall communit!. munity~ it is easy to see who m'llst bll the directors of the civil and political through the native literature in the forces of the land. The native Chris- schools which the Government has sub- tian community must move up into the sidized among the Hindus. The Gov- place occupied by the Brahman class ernment of India has put itHelf in com- through a thousand years. We are munication with all the local Govern- pleased to see this pointed out by the ments in regard to purer text·books.
director of public instruction in his ref- It proposes, as a measure for uplifting erence to the university examinations. the moral teaching of the land, that at He says (the italics are ours) : least one half of every "Reader" in ., I have frequently drawn attention to English or the vernacular used in the the educational progress of the native schools shall be devoted to lessons hav- Christian community. There can be ing a direct bearing on conduct as pre- no question, if this community pursues cept or example. This is something of with steadiness the present policy of immense and radical importance. Few its teachers, that, with the immense will appreciate what it means to India.
advantages it possesses in the way of One familiar with the situation says it educational institutions, in the course is becoming more patent to missionaries of a generation it will have secured a that sensitiveness of conscience as to preponderating position in all the great pro- conduct is essential to the progress of jessio'YIS, and possibly, too, in the indus- Christianity. No native literature is trial enterprise oj the country-in the lat- likely to foster that. The Hindus are ter because no section of the community indifferent as to whether actions are has entered on the new departure in good or bad. The Hindu philosophy education with greater earnestness than does not emphasi7.e blameworthiness.
the native Christians." Pantheism does not and cannot, any- To go back, then, we remark again, where. Hence, there can be little Dr that God has had a way of taking pos- no sense of conviction of sin. This session of the brains of India quite proposition of the Government, there- other than that proposed by Dr. Duff fore, is radically in the teeth of Hindu- and others. It is not so much by ism. It is plain that the standard of bringing the upper classes into the what is right and wrong will he that of Christian college, though that has been the Christian religion. This will mark, done to some extent, but by reaching therefore, a moral revolution of the and elevating the lower and middle conscience force of India. The native classes in the scale till they shall dis- Christian force being, as we have seen, place what was the top of society, and in such preponderance relatively in the themselves take their place, and that in schools, must therefore come to be de- a stronger and progressive civilization. veloped as the strong and leading moral These forces, like so many of the great force of the community of India, as forces of nature and Providence, have well as its leading intellectual and po- operated, and are operating, so silently litical power. Thus the future high that the kingdom cometh" without ob- caste-the native Christian community servation. " -will be strongly impregnated with a But something besides this is being high moral quality, and will be strong done. Dr. Duff laid great stress on the accordingly.
compiling of good, pure text·books for A native paper of Iqdia called The the entire educational operations of the Hindu has seen this tendency of things country, from the lowest school to the concerning the female portion of the highest college class. A good deal of community in India. The editor says: this work has been done, but a good " The progress of education among deal remains to be done. There is still the girls of the native Christian comneed of the displacement of the im. munity, and the absence of caste remOTal :rubbiSh which. has filtered strictions among them will eventually give them an advantage which no amount of intellectual precocity can families in Jerusalem who a few years. compensate the Brahmans for. We re- ago were well off, who are now on the cently approved of the statement of a verge of starvation from this cause. All Bombay writer that the social eminence these things are working together to that the Parsis so deservedly enjoy at equalize the relative positions of Mosthe present moment was due to these lems and Ohristians. The large numtwo causes-namely, their women are bers of travellers and pilgrims, and the well educated and they are bound by ever-increasing interest shown by Eurono restrictions of caste. These two ad- peans and Americans in the Holy Land, vantages slowly make themselves felt are not without inftuence." among our native Ohristian brethren, and it is probable they will soon be the Truly God's ways are not as our Parsis of Southern India; they will ways, but we discover in them very disfurnish the most distinguished public tinct and decided plan. servants, barristers. merchants, and citizens amopg the various classes of The Influence of the Pariah Ohristians the nati ve community." of Southern India on the Ohristianiza- tion of the Country. NA.TIVE OHRISTIANS IN TURKEY. BY BEV. JOHN MOLA.URIN (WOODSTOCK, CAN. A striking illustration of the same ADA), SEC. BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSIONS.
indirect working of the all. directing The remarkable movements toward Ohristianity among these people during Providence, which supernaturally su- the last few years is my apology for the subject of this paper; and fourteen perintends the affairs of the world in years of closest contact with them, first as itinerant missionary and afterward the interests of Ohristianity, is furnished as principal of a theological Reminary, are my credentials for undertaking thi. by the Rev. O. T. Wilson, of Turkey. task.
The work of missions in that empire is By the pariahs I mean that large and important class of people lying socially cErtainly hampered, but a vAry silent between the caste classes proper and the aborigines of the hill districts. It sub.soiling is going on, and Ohristians is evident enough that the pariah bears no relatbn to the aborigines. In phyare gradually assuming a very changed sique, in language,in habits and customs they are wholly distinct. I think it is relation to the Moslems of the land. easily demonstrable that they are not the offspring of individuals ostracized We cannot forbear making a lengthy from the castes of the later Aryans. Before the introduction of Mohammequotation from Mr. Wilson. He says: danism I)r Christianity there was lit- tle temptation to break' caste, and little .. Islam, it is true, still holds the occasion for cutting anyone adrift. sword, but in the declining condition No one is cast off for moral, but only of the country this is a source of weak- for ceremonial defilement, and that was ness, and not of power. Military ser- easily atoned for. vice is compulsory on the Moslem population, while Ohristians are prohibited Besides, the pariahs are far too nufrom bearing arms. This causes a con- merous and were too defined in phystant drain on the M02lems, which is sique, language, and general characterfelt increasingly year by year. In the istics to be the result of a series of villages also (where the bulk of the lapses from caste, 1 ut at the same time population live), a much larger propor- they are too much like the Aryans in tion of the Moslems remain unmarried all these particulars to be other than than of the Ohristians. This is owing to their greater poverty. For, poor as the country is, and bitterly as all classes feel the oppression of the Government, the Moslems are worse off than the Ohristians. Russia has assumed the guardianship of the Greeks, and France of the Latins, and this fact acts as somewhat of a check on the Government. But in the case of the Moslems, there is no one to help them or speak a word for them. The immense inftux: of Jews into Jerusalem and other towns, causing the diversion of much of the trade and busines8 of the natives into their hands. has been severely felt by all classes, but especially by the Moslems. I have heen told, on good authority, that there are many Mohammedall sprung from the same original stock. derful dreams began stirring his sluggish I believe them to be a long previous ir- brain. It took long to move him. He ruption from the home of the Aryan was half deaf because unused to hear, race. They had left their ancestral lind half blind because unaccustomed home before the later civilization had to see; but at length the oft·told tale moulded the people and language with begins to tell upon the dull ear, the their later forms, and had come down wearied eyeballs respond to a glimmer and driven the aborigines to the hills, of light, the rusty intellect begins slowly and were in turn conquered by a later to revolve, the frozen heart to thaw, and wave of their own race. the soul resumes its proper functions- in fact, begins to pulsate with the new In the Telugu country especially they life. are divided into two distinct classesthe mala and the madiga. The latter First these people .came by twos and are the leather·workers ; the former are threes, slowly, timidly and at long in. small farmers, coarse·cloth.weavers, tervals. Then they came in hundreds, coolies, and household servants. The afterward by thousands, and now they madiga is negatively wicked, the mala are taking the kingdom by violence, positively so; the madiga is docile, rushing in by the tens of thousands. easily governed, and inclined to be religious ; the mala is self assertive, diffi- II. The Attitude of the Missionary focult to manage, but has more brain wards this Movement.-At first the mis· power. Both classes are very ignorant, sionary was sorely puzzled. This was very superstitious, and exceedingly im- so utterly opposed to his ideal methods. moral. It was the intellectual Brahman, the shrewd merchant, or the docile but It is from among these people that wealthy Sudras he wanted. It was tens of thousands are now flocking into dreams of keen intellectual contests the kingdom. What influence are they with these sons of an ancient philoso. going to have upon the final collapse of phy which disturbed his rest, but in. Brahmanism and the Christianization stead here is this clamoring throng of of India? unclothed, unwashed pariahs. These degraded, ignorant, immoral hordes, I. There was a Period of P'I'eparaiion. what shall. he do with them? Open -The stage was being fitted for the the doors of the kingdom and let them man and the man fitted for the stage. in! How could he ? If he allows these God sent the British nation to set the in, farewell to his dreams of conquest pariah free, theoretically free at least, among the higher classes ; but accus· from a species of serfdom to the higher tomed to consult the Oracle, he went to classes. Few nations dare give as much the Book and read, ., Go out into tho freedom to their civilized subjects as the highways and hedges and constrain British do to their semi·civilized hea- them to come in, that my house may be then subjects; not that many English full." There was nothing to do but officials look upon the Hindu in any open wide the doors and let them in. other light than as a " nigger." But the conservatism of the mission. Then the missionary came upon the ary was a blessing in disguise. It made scene, and not only told the pariah a him ready to divine the dangers con· wonderful story of a wonderful God and nected with the influx of such multi. more wonderful Saviour, but also told tudes, and to take measures to provide him and showed him how to become a against them-the danger of a whole· free man in deed hnd in truth. He sale relapse into idolatry, the danger of went into the courts and set in motion liberty running into license, and the the mighty machinery of the empire on danger of these people falling a prey to his behalf, and got justice for him. It designing leaders of evil. To avoid this began to dawn upon him that he was a the missionary requirE!6 to be careful ; – man-new hopes, new fears, and won. (a) That, as far as can be Ascertained, learns to do is to wash his face and each Case is one qf Genuine Conversion.- comb his hair. His wife does the same.
There must be a oredible evidenoe of Then he clothes himself and family.
suoh a ohange. This must be insisted Still further, under the advice of and .on. To aocept a person who gives no maybe pressure from the missionary evidence of a radioal ohange of heart is he repairs his house and keeps the ap.
a fatal mistake. Not only is he not a proaches to it clean, especially when source of strength, but he is a sJ)uroe of expecting an episcopal call. A little positive danger. Faith in Christ is the education and a great deal of advice only anohor whioh oan hold a heathen make him a more provident farmer, a to Christianity. I believe that history better husband and father, a better ser- demonstrates the misohievousness of vant, a more trustworthy coolie, and village or tribal oonversions. We oan his heathen neighbors see and feel this.
polish a dead organism, but only a liv. (b) Their Manliness or Independence is ing one oan be made to grow. Telling.-This is not pleasant at first to (b) To Train a Native Ministry,-This the high-caste man. The Ohristian is essential. No other ministry will will not work on Sunday for him, will do. We oannot graft an alien ministry not lie nor swear falsely in court for upon these churohes without destroying his benefit, will not eat his diseased them. Then, also, this is an outlet for cattle, neither to please him will he the developing life. It must be a trained burn his neighbor's house nor beat ministry; not merely an eduoated min- him with a stick for a few pieces of istry, trained in pastoral work, in evan. money. In his rage the caste man per- gelistio work, and in general Christian secutes him, boycotts him, and swears work. These ohurches and their pas. false cases on him in court, but finally tors and teachers should have all the gives up in despair and begins to won· liberty possible, oompatible with a firm der why. When he finds out the rea· but unfelt hand in shaping their Chris. son why, he is impressed with it.
tian life and views of divine truth. (c) Their General Intelligence has a (c) To Train and Help the Peaple to Strong infiuence.-These men and women Self support.-SelI-relianoe must be a cannot come in contact with the mis- cardinal principle with the. missionary. sionary for years without their knowl.
I believe that just here was made the edge of the world and passing events vital mistake of our century in foreign being vastly increased. And especially missions. They ought to remain in those points of interrogation –the their own villages. They ought to school.boys-cannot sit at the feet of a build their own churches and school. live missionary for five or six years and houses, support their own pasiors and not know more than anyone in their teaohers, educate their own children, native village, high or low.
and assist largely in every Ohristian Many a time the preacher or teacher enterprise. There is no comparison is called aside by a group of caste idlers between the robustness of Christian char- and asked the news of the day. These acter developed under this system and things are telling more powerfully upon that under the subsidized Ohristian these people than if the Christian were village system. Now with tens of thou. a caste man. The pariah Christian is sands of these people undergoing these insensibly rising in their estimation, processes, while living in daily contact and his religion rises with him.
with millions of their high-caste fellow- (d) Their Christian Character Acts creatures, what is this influence likely to be ? Powerfully.-But, after all, it is the 1. It is having a Profound Present Christian character of these people influence. which is telling upon their neighbors.
(a) Their Material Prosperity Tells.- The change is neither seen nor appre- The first thing the Christian pariah ciated at first. They do not seem to expect a change, but when a man stops cohesion, and in wealth. Thesll drinking cullu (liquor), stops rolling churches, these schools, these colleges, vile words from his tongue, stops beat- these debating clubs and literary soci- ing his wife, burning his neighbor's eties are all repositories of power and house or poisoning his cattle, no longer rapidly increasing power, too. Those cheats nor swears falsely in court, pays thousands of primary schools, dotted his debts and becomes honest and trust- all over the land, may seem very insig- worthy-then the people begin to think. nificant indeed when taken singly, as When he meekly bears insult and re- indeed they are; but as the nuclei turns good for evil, when he speaks around which this ever-increasing force kindly to the poor and helps the outcast is gathering they are exceedingly for- and beggar, when he reads God'B Word midable.
and praYB regularly with hiB family, and . As starting-points they are small, when some of them give one-tenth of but they lead on to the boarding- their income to the Lord, to Bupport school, the college, the university, and the religion he professes, and when on by and by into the professor'Bchair, the every proper occasion he testifies to the judge'B bench, the editor's sanctum, or love of God to him, then tho people feel the legislator'B seat. They are the lit- that a new element has entered into tle springs which feed the tiny rivulet, their life. When they see such an one which fills the little streams which in calmness and confidence and often- make the mighty river which refills the times with joy pass away to what he boundless ocean.
fully believes to be a home of bliss with Those little boys sitting on that earth- his God, they are profoundly impressed en floor, writing seemingly meaningless with the conviction that here is some- hieroglyphics, may seem powerless thing beyond their experience. The enough, but some day they will be caste people often acknowledge the pres- stUdying history, sacred and profane, ence of thiB change in the people. Some will be puzzling their brains over the are deeply and favorably impressed philosophies of the past and the pres- with it, while others bitterly resent it. ent, will be the leaders, the trusted Some years ago in India some caste Christian leaders, of Hindu Christian people, after having expelled one of the thought, and some day further on their native preachers from their village, sent sons will be the rulers of an emanci- me the following message: "Tell the pated Christian Indian Empire.
Dhora," said they, "that if he comes I do not overlook the fact that otber to our village to preach this Gospel we elements are at work. The so-called will make a foot-ball of his head." Soon godless education of Government col- after, having occasion to visit that vil- leges and universities, the Bemi godly lage, I called these people and asked education of Christian educational in- them what they meant by such a mes- stitutions, the Brahmo-Somaj, the Eng- sage. Apologizing for their rudeness, lish and vernacular press, the Bible, they said: "You have come here to book and tract societies, the English put these pariahs upon our shoulders" official and unofficial classes, godly and -that is, to educate the pariahs above ungodly, the railways, telegraphs and them. They knew what the result post-offices-all these are preparing would be. I told them, Yes, that is my India for the great revolution which is purpose if you do not believe the Gos- to be ; but some of these elements are pel and get elevated too. antichristian, many of them are color- 2. It is Going to Have a Greater Il1flu- less, and but few of them positively ence in the Future. Christian in their tendency. In that These Christians are not only grow- day we shall need more than religious ing in numbers daily, but they are leanings-Christian tendencies or influ- growing in intelligence, in power, in ences •• which make for righteousness." VIe shall need Christ in men and wom- with skill, Then, let the conflict come en, divine truth incarnate in regenerate when and how it may, we shall be pre- Bouls, living epistles known and read pared for it, and under our Leader, the of all men, men and women whose lives Lord Jesus Himself, India shall become are the best testimony to the principles His possession. they profess. In the midst of the turmoil and anarchy which are sure to God will hasten it in His time. come, there will be need of cool heads and brave hearts, need of men who The Jews and Jerusalem, [J. T. G.] have faith in God and the Gospel. An unusual interest obtains just now The Ohristian converts of India will in regard to the Jews. Mr, William E. again prove to be the salt of the earth. Blackstone, of Chicago, kindly furnishes The missionary will be there in ever- us with a large budget of fresh items increasing numbers. The Christian concerning them, from which we select official, military as well as civil, as well some statements. The diagram of Jeruas the Christian trader will be on hand salem needs only the explanation that and will do valiant service for the Mas- the solid line represents the wall of the ter, but what are they among BO many? city, which is about two and a half Only generals for the army of the Lord. miles around. For centuries no one Whence are we to look for the rank and dared live outside of this territory from file? To the converted HinduB them- fear of robbers. The dotted line is selves. Comparatively few of the higher Jeremiah's" measuring line." classes have become obedient to the faith. Noble specimens many of them Up to 1841, only three hundred are, but they are so few. For either Jews were permitted to live in Jerusaaggressive attack upon heathenism or lem. Then that restriction was refor resistanc~ they are comparatively moved, but they "were still confined insignificant. My conviction is that to a narrow, filthy district of the city, the shock of battle must be met by the next to the leper quarters." regenerated hosts from Madura, Tinnevelli, ,Ongole, Burma, Assam, the late In 1867. by a .. firman" or edict of ingatherings along the Gangetic Valley, the Sultan, this restriction was reand other places, all these multiplied a moved, and the Jews, in common with thousand-fold. The Hindu propaganda other foreigners, were allowed to puris already flinging itself across the path chase and own land in Palestine withof this advancing tide, but in vain, out becoming subjects of the Sultan. Like the ancient warrior opposing the From this time the number of Jewish ocean's tide with dirk and targe and settlers has rapidly increased, When broad claymore, it is either retreat or the late anti. Semitic agitation broke death, out in Europe, especially in Russia, the Turkish authorities feal'ed that the Are these people ready for the fray Jaws would coUe to Palestine in such now? No; neither is the fray ready overwhelming numbers as to cause for them; but whatever the character of famine, etc., and issued a firman that the conflict, whether semi·political or no Jew coming to Palestine could rewholly spiritual, we must be prepared. main more than thirty days, To this The forces must be largely increased, the United States consul took exceptiont thoroughly organized and disciplined. on the ground that his Governmens The churches in Christian lands must made no distinction in the nationality SAnd their best men and women to the of its citizens. He was soon joined by front, the native preachers and evan- the French and English consuls, and gelists and workers of all kinds mnst be the Turkish Government modified the thoroughly furnished in God's Word, firman by first extending the time to trained to wield the sword of the Spirit three months, and finally, in 1888, by removing it altogether. Since then the Jews are literally flocking into the country, Nine agricultural colonies have been established, and all are pros- pering and well protected.
At the present time, as will be seen by the buildings represented in the dia- gram, Jerusalem is covering this entire area. Great hospices, hotels, churches, stores, etc" have been erected, but most notable of all a multitude of dwellings for Jews, The number of Jews now residing in the inner and outer city is estimated at 30,000, fully one half the entire population, and adding those at JERUSALEM .
.. They shall prosper that love Thee, "-Psalm 122: 6.
Showing wall of the city and the measnring line of J eremiah.-31 : 38-40.
Tiberias, Safed and throughout the Episcopal Church has seven missionwhole land of Palestine, it can hardly aries to Jews, and is also working be less than 50,000, and so, probably, through a portion of their clergy and 42,000 have returned since the year some schools; the Lutherans have two missionaries; the independent Hebrew 1867. This is equal to the number that Christian Mission in New York has one returned from the Babylonian captivity. missionary, and that in Chicago has three missionaries. Surely this is very A railroad is being constructed from little Christian effort for such a people. Joppa to Jerusalem, with projected lines to Hebron, Jericho, Acre, Tiberias The Hebrew Ohristian Mission in and Damascus. And this is being done principally by Jews. Chicago was begun in 1887, under an in- terdenominational cOlnmittee, and was There are said to be 500,000 Jews in llermanently organized in December, the United States, and 4U,OOO in the 1889. It is availing itself of the widecity of Chicago, spread phenomenal willingness of the Jews to read the New Testament in He- In Great Britain, where the Jewish brew, and asks for corresponding mempopulation is little over one·tenth that bers to co·operate in tract and Bible in the United States, there are nine work among Jews in all the larger cities. prominent societies, with several hun- Mr, William E. Blackstone, of Oak dl'ed missionaries and agents working for Israel. In this country we have Park, Ill" is the superintendent.
only the following: the Protestant
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
IlI.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Rev. Dr. George W. Chamberlain, of Dr. Chamberlain asks, "Is that an ab- Brazil, tells the following story: solute doctrine ? As you ride through the roads of Brazil and pass by any cemetery " I met an old Brazilian at the mouth you will see little catacombs outside of of the Amazon ninety years of age, who the walls of the cemeteries, and you will knew much of the Indians. I said, ' Oan inquire what they are. They are the you tell whether there has ever been tombs of children who could not go into any portion of the Gospel translated holy ground because their souls had into the general tongue of the Indians? ' gone to limbo. They died without bap. • No,' he replied; • I am interested in the tism, and they cannot go to heaven. Indians, but I have never known of any They are buried in stone, like the stony part of the Gospel being translated into heart of the holy mother Church that their language. I have a catechism over tells this to the mothers to whom Christ two hundred years old, translated into said, • Let the little children come unto their tongue hy the Jesuits.' He says, Me.'" • Take the book and use it. I am too old to do anything more; take it and A circular letter has recently been do something for the Indians.' As I sent out to pastors and elders of the opened it on the high seas between Para United Presbyterian Church, calling atand New York I came upon a page with tention to the fact that tbe General Asthese questions: 'How many places are sembly of 1891 has voted a total of ap. there to which the soul at death can propriations to the various boards of go?' 'There are four.' • What are $312,000, or an average of $3.23 per they? ' 'Hell, purgatory, limbo of the member-a little over one cent per fathers, limbo of the children.' • What working day-and suggesting the fol· is hell? ' • Hell is a fire in the centre lowing means as helpful to the raising of the earth, to which the wicked go at of this amount: death.' • What is purgatory?' • Pur. gatory is a fire above that of hell, to FIVE SUGGESTIONS. which the souls of the holy go that they may get satisfaction for sin for which First. Let the pastor or " Stated Supthey did not get satisfaction in this ply" call together the members of his life. ' • What is the limbo of the fa. Session for prayer and consultation. thers?' • It is a cavern above purga· Speak to them of Christ's" Great Comtory, to which the souls of the holy mission" and of their obligations to fathers went formerly, before that Jesus help carry it out, and that the Boards Christ was manifested in the flesh to of our Church are the chief agencies take them out.' On the margin of this through which this Commission is carcatechism some one had written op- ried into effect by the Church. posite the definition of the limbo of the fathers words in Portuguese which, Second. At this same meeting speak translated, read, •It is now for rent.' I of and discuss the New Testament rule read that to a friend in New York, and of gi,ing, 1 Cor. 16: 2. Pray over it. he said, • It will do for the brethren of Then, if not already done, let each the new theology.' The catechism con- member of Session, knowing his privitinued, "What is the limbo of the chilo leges and feeling his obligations, redren? ' Oh, ye mothers, hear! It is solve to devote at least the one tenth of a cavern above the limbo of the fathers, his income to the Lord, or to give" as into which the souls of little children God hath prospered him." If time is who died without baptism go ; a land asked by any of the members of Sesof darkness and of the shadow of death, sion for further consideration of the to wander forever," subject, grant it, and call another meet· ing in one or two weeks, Third. When this is done, present it were yet continued. A missionary the whole subject of " missions" and of writes that of late it has greatly increased to New Caledonia, and is continued to "Christian giving" to the members of Fiji, causing much suffering and opthe congregation. Let them know of pression to our poor islanders, greatly the resolve taken by the members of hindering our work and rapidly depopu- Session, and then earnestly ask them to lating the islands. The traffic grieves join you in devoting at least the one us exceedingly, and we have done all we tenth of their income to the Lord, or to can by exposing its evils-its curses, both to the islanders and collectors and give" as God hath prospered them." all engaged in it-to get it suppressed; Present the subject of giving not only but by man's selfish greed it goes on. as a duty, but as a high privilege. Let Yet Heaven will reckon with us and all giving be regarded as an act of worship. engaged in it for all the oppression and bloodshed caused by it. We missiona- Fourth. Commence the raising of mis- ries and our Victorian church have pro- sion money early in the year. Do not tested against it, exposed its cruel atrociunder any circumstances postpone the ties in every way possible, petitioned matter until the middle or close of the the British Government again and again to suppress it ; but self interested sugar- year. planters and employers of cheap labor Fifth. We desire to emphasize the get it carried on. fact that it is the regular, stated, Bys- As Britain now forbids her traders to tematic giving of the many that is of spe- use as trade with the natives of those islands fire-arms, ammunition, intoxi- cial benefit to the Church and to the in- cating drinks, and opium, and the inter- dividual. Every member should be island labor traffic; and as the traders encouraged to give something. Some of all other nations use these and the interesteil Kanaka labor traffic, which is may not be able to give the full " gen- one of its most cruel, oppressive branch- eral average," $3.23, in addition to what es, there has been and is now in our colothey give to support the ordinances in nies a cOD!'!iderable agitation to get our their home congregations. A large ma- British prohibitions applied to all traders of all nationalities, or rescinded by Great jority, however, can. Very many can Britain. On the platform and in the give a much larger amount. But all press I have strongly opposed the reshould have a part in carrying forward scinding of any of them, and pleaded for the mi98ion work of our Church. them to be applied to all traders, in the interests of humanity and the honor of We commend this as a move in the Britain. In this I have been supported right direction, which all might imitate. by Bishop Selwyn and His Excellency It emphasizes prayer, Bible teaching, Sir John Thurston, H. M. High Comprivilege as well as duty of giving, missioner for the Southern Pacific. But if we shall succeed in getting all the promptness of effort. and regular, nations interested to agree to such re- habitual, systematic, and individual co- strictions with their traders is very doubtful. If America would agree, nearoperation. We look for large results. ly all the others have signified their willingness to agree to such prohibi- From a letter from Rev. J. G. Paton, tions in trade.. A missionary now writE'S to me : "In one large district of late we the author of one of the greatest of mis- have made very little progress, owing to sionary biographies, a friend sends us the sad drink curse. The traders the following: around there have been busy pushing this trade, and a few of our church· MORELAND GROVE, COBURG, members have been implicated in the VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, July 2, 1891. drinking bouts and .mspended in con- The shocking Kanaka labor question sequence. This has forced us tempo- gives us missionaries great concern. It rarily to suspend some of our itinerat- was to have been closed to Queensland ing services for lack of preachers; but by Act of Parliament in the beginning there seems to be a reaction, and I hope of this year; but a few days ago, on God will strengthen our Christian na- June 27th, R. dismasted Kanaka labor tives to follow after holiness; but my vessel entered the capital, Brisbane, heart bleeds for the hret1)ren who, with- with seventy-three islanders, for their out Christian influences or anyone to suger plantations, which appears as if guide them, are easy victims to traders' greed and their own evil passions. during the last May meetings, and heard Drinking our intoxicating drink is now with what applause the proposition to being added to tpeir every heathen associate the women with the men in ceremonial, with what sad results I their great missionary societies (boards) need not tell you. This is decidedly was welcomed. the greatest curse that so-called civiliza tion is bringing to these shores; and "The ladies have shown their effi. both in the islands and the colonies we ciency, their ability, their power, and need to do all we can to resist it. The zeal in their own independent societies, sale of arms, dynamite, etc., to the but they lack the presence and support natives is nothing to it, and on quite a of their fathers, their brothers, and different footing. I know of much in_ their sons. Indeed, in some of the justice, and cruelty, and bullying hav- churches the whole cause of foreign ing been carried on by worthless men missions is relegated to the ladies. against the poor natives, who had meekly to submit to such injustice because "How shall we remedy this grave any vagabond foreigner, as a trader, mistake? may have magazine rifles, etc., and the oppressed popUlation of the soil is de- ,. God's triple command, 'Go ye into prived of and unable to defend his just all the world,' 'Pray ye the Lord of rights to land, to his home, and to all the harvest,' and • Bring all your tithes that is dear and sacred to him." into the storehouse,' was spoken to the whole church. God needs His sons aE Bible Translation in Japan. well as His daughters to help evangelize the world A correspondent writes as to the arti. "If more closely associated in this cle in the September issue, on the Bible glorious work, would it not go forward with accelerated speed, and the pro. and its introduction iuto Japan, that voking of one another to good works fulfil the prophecy of universal mis- Dr. I. C. Hepburn is justly put at the sions ?" head of the list of those who have the honor of doing this work of Bible trans. Missionary Maps. lation. I enjoyed the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with this pioneer Information is always in place; but missionary and dictionary maker for the people are won quite as much Japan, and his colleagues, S. R. Brown through Eye.gate as through Ear.gate. and the Gulick family, and some others, We cannot reproduce pictures of mis. among whom was Nath9.n Brown, who sion buildings and scenery; we canre· made a version of the New Testament produce maps. in the two languages of Assam and Japan, and performed honorable mis· Almost all churches where there is sionary work in both. The omission of any missionary life observe the Month. his name among the translators in ly Concert for Prayer. If you could Japan, together with the allusion to Dr. give us occasionally in the REVIEW a Bettleheim and the sentence .. con- correct map, showing the principal mis. temptible criticisms spoken in Tremont sion stations in the field, we could use Temple," may give to the reader the it to good advantage. impression that the MISSIONARY REVIEW is not for the world, but for a sect. which Perhaps others who read the REVIEW I am sure the editor would not endorse. have suffered as I did for a map. If they will only make up their minds to Yours in the service, have one they can have as good a one WILLIAM DEAN. as they could buy, and that at a merely nominal cost. I found directions in an NATIONAL CITY, CAL., August 15, 1891. old number of the REVIEW, but they were from an Englishman, referring to Assooiate Mission Boards, English colors, and not within my pos· A correspondent urges the formation of some new foreign mission boards composed of both men and women.
.. They are working that way in Eng.
land now, and shall America lag behind in any scheme for the advancement of the kingdom?
"We were ill EJl:eter Hall, London, sibility. So here is what I did, with size. It would be safe to say that where the cost thereof. one makes a set of maps for use during the year they will not cost more than a Three yards of unbleached sheeting, dollar apiece. nine quarters wide, at 22 cents; that gave me a piece of cloth six feet by nine This is only a voice from a country on which to work. Tack it lightly to the parish. I believe good maps will be floor, having laid newspapers under. appreciated and used by all who are neath. Prepare a sizing of one·quarter interested in missions. Will you help pound of white glue to a gallon of boil. us if you can? ing water, and when dissolved apply smoothly and thoroughly to the cloth. AUSTIN D. WOLFE. Raise the wet sheet, remove the papers STATE CENTRE, IA., July, 1891. (or they would be glued fast), and reo tack the sheet. Five hours will dry it. -A letter received from Miss Romig, With lead-pencil and ruler rule straight of Berthelsdorf, near Herrnhut, Gerlines over the map which is to be en· many, corrects a few misstatements in larged, dividing the whole surface into regard to the Moravian Church, and squares; I ruled mine at intervals of which appeared in the July number of one degree, so as to have geographi~al the REVIEW. measurements handy. With a stick of drawing charcoal, a carpenter's square, " 1. The Unity's Elders' Conference is and a long straight stick for ruling, comprised of twelve members and three square off the sheet just like the small secretaries-fifteen persons in all. map. Then trace the outline carefully Four of the elders form the educational and lightly with charcoal. Use ultra. department, four the financial, and marine blue ground in oil for the coast four thA missionary. The secretariesline and thin it with turpentine, so one for each department-have no voice that it will work; it dries instantly. in the affairs of the boards and no re- Raw Sienna will make the mountains; sponsibility, their duties being purely add silver white to the blue, and make local. a light blue for the rivers; vermilion will do for boundary lines, and black " 2. The first missionaries to the West for lettering. It took me about two Indies were sent, not to .Jamaica, but days to make the map of Siam from the to St. Thomas. The mission in Jamaica small map in the 1Iay issue of the was not begun till 1754. Church at Home and Abroad, and I could not have bought it if I had wished to " 3. The number of Moravian mission do so. Here is what it cost, without stations is at present one hundred and reckoning the time and labor expended: thirteen, and out-stations twenty.one, and not forty.two as stated." Cts. Three yards sheeting, at 22 cts. . . . . .. . … . . . .66 -The article on missions to Iberian One pound ultramarine blue (enough for peoples, which we published last month, was by Rev. J. M. Allis, D.D., so well fifty maps). .. . . . .. . . . . . .. . . … . . . . . . . . .. . .20 and widely known in connection with One three-inch varnish brush, for the sizing. .25 the Presbyterian missionary work in One quarter pound white glue………….. .10 I::lantiago, Chili. By what trick of the Oue tube each silver white, raw Sienna, machine the author's name got trans_ formed into" Challis." and then escap- ivory black, vermilion….. …………•• .50 ed three or four proof-l'eadings, is inex- Turpentine. . . . . . . . . . .. …. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .05 plicable. We hope Dr. Challis will not, CharcoaL……. ..•………… …•.•…… .05 like the Celt, allow his "feelings to overcome his emotions," when he sees Total ..•._…••.•.•…•••••………. $1.81 the aggravating transmigration his name Not all of this is to be charged up to G.J underwent. rJ. T. this one map, for I have enough paint left to ma}re a !lo~en more of similar
1891.1 THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
IV.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
Syria, Etc. the death, the rising again of our Lord. It was here, that His Churoh was con- BY WILLLUI BRENTON GREENE, JR., D.D. stituted by the desoent of His Spirit; that His disoiples were first oalled Chris- .. Syria is that Asiatio oountry at the tians ; that Peter made the astounding eastern end of the Mediterranean." Its discovery that on the Gentiles also was length from north to south is some 400 poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost, miles. Its area is about 60,000 square and that Barnabas and Saul were sent miles, or nearly one and a quarter times forth as the first missionaries to the that of Pennsylvania or of England. Gentile world. Of what other land is Though it has endured oenturies of mis~ the evangelization so imperative, so inrule and negleot, it is still a goodly land. teresting?
The estimates of its population vary The religion of Syria is called by the widely. The lowest is 1,0UO,000, the government Moslem and non-Moslem. highest e,ooo,OOO. The explanation is The former includes orthodox and Perthat there is a large unoertain and ever- sian Mohammedans, Druzes, Nusaireechanging element, the wandering desert yehs, Ismailiyehs, and all Bedouin tribes, who, to-day in Syria, to-morrow Arabs. The Persian Mohammedans are are far down in Arabia. The fixed popu- the followers of Ali, the son-in-law of lation is in the cities and villages. Mohammed. The Druzes hold to a Damascus has 150,000; Aleppo, some- superstition which sprang in the thing less than 100,000 ; Hums, 20,000 ; eleventh century from Islam, but has Tripoli, 16,000; Beirut, 90,000; Jeru- so far departed from it as not properly salem, 70,000 ; Sidon,7000. As to races, to be ranked with it. They profess one there are considerably over 40,000 Jews. God indefinable, incomprehensible, and There are a few Turks, and from 50,000 passionless. He became incarnate in a to 60,000 Armenians. The great bulk succession of ten men, the last of whom of the population, however, is Arab; was Hakim, Caliph of Egypt, assassinatthe prevalent language is Arabic ; and ed 1044 A.D. With that incarnation the the whole country is under Turkish rule. door of mercy was closed, and no con- verts are now to be made. Hakim, how- Syria has figured prominently in ever, will reappear and conquer the history, both profane and sacred. world. They believe in the transmigra- .. Through it lies the great highway tion of souls. They have seven great between Asia and Africa, whioh has commandments, one of whioh enjoins been so often thronged by caravans of truth, but only among themselves. trade, so often trodden by hosts of They have no faith in prayer. Among war. Pharaohs that flourished before them is a speoiiLl class, the Ockals, who the days of Moses, Assyrian oonquerors, alone are initiated into their deeper mysthe great Alexander, Pompey, Moslem teries. The Nusaireeyehs are a strange hosts, Crusaders, the Frenoh under wildraoe numbering about 200,000, and Napoleon and again in our own time, living to the north of Mt. Lebanon. conflicting Egyptian and Turkish armies They keep their doctrines seoret, and -are all in the procession that has have signs of reoognition, like a seoret moved over or tarried upon the Syrian order. The Ismailiyehs oooupy the soil." More still, here was unrolled the mountains west of Hamah, are few, are anoient revelation of the true God. allied to the Persian Mohammedans in Patriarohs wandered here ; this was in belief, and are desoendants of the peopart the ancient territory of the" Chosen ple known in the time of the Crusades· People." Prophet and apostle lived and as Ass~ssills. The Bedollill Arabs ar~ labored here. Highest of all, here 00curred the life, the toils, the sorrows, less devout and more inclined to scep- found in the perverted doctrines and ticism than other Moslems. spiritual deadness of even the best of the nominally Christian sects. Most The non-Moslems are J eWB, nominal serious of all is the dominant religion. Christians, orthodox Greeks, Papal The Moslem who leaves the faith of his Greeks, Maronites, Jacobites, Syrian fathers does it at his peril. Were this and Armenian and Latin Papists, and not so, his pride and bigotry would tend Evangelical Christians. The orthodox to make him impregnable to another re- Greeks are so called, though Arabs, be- ligion. The very truth to which he cause orthodox members of the Greek holds, the doctrine of the spirituality of Church. The Papal Greeks are converts God, prejudices him against Christianfrom the Greek Church to Romanism. ity; for he identifies it alw'ays with They have, however, made a few those idolatrous corruptions of it with changes. Their worship is in Arabic, which alone he is familiar, Added to and their priests are allowed to marry. all this is the oppression of the Turkish The Maronites represent the ancient Government. Because of it the mission Syrian Church. They get their name has constantly to guard itself against from John Maro, monk, priest, and the violation of contracts. The poverty patriarch, who died A.D. 707. Since the of the people, too, is "their destructwelfth century they have been in close tion." They are kept so poor by taxacommunion with the Romish Church, tion that they have no time to think of though adhering to the Oriental rite. their souls on week-days; and while the The Jacobites are a small body of dis- Moslems have no Sabbath, the members senters from the Greek Church. They of the Oriental churches are encouraged get their name from Jacobus, Bishop of to labor on theirs. This grinding pov- Edessa, who died A.D. 578. Notwith- erty both causes and is much aggravatstanding the various sects, however, of ed by the" emigration fever." So hard which the non-Moslems number, per- are the times that it is estimated that haps, 400,000, the mass of the popula- upward of 12,000 leave Syria yearly. tion are orthodox Moslems or Sunnites, This, of course, increases just so much and look, of course, to the Sultan. not the burdens of those who remain, and only as their political, but also their re- renders them just so much the less susligious head. ceptible to missionary influences.
Of the morals of the people the less In spite of these difficulties, however, said the better. The Druzes, though Syria has for seventy years been the polite, are cruel, fanatical, and, to scene of most faithful missionary effort. strangers, deceitful. The Nusaireeyehs The history of the mission presents are bloodthirsty. Polygamy is common. alternations of success and discourage- Divorce occurs at the will of the man. ment. If there were times of quiet, there Swearing and lying are universal. The were also times of persecution. More Bedouins, though hospitable and often than once has the land seen massacres, magnanimous, are fierce, revengeful, and the mission has produced more than and depraved. The non-Moslems, ex- a few martyrs. Political commotions cept the Jews and Evangelical Chris- have been particularly numerous and tians, are bigoted, idolatroul, and de- peculiarly trying. Of late years the based. 'In general, the population is Russo-Turkish War of 1877, the rebelignorant, narrow-minded, corrupt, su- lion of Araby Pasha in Egypt in 1882, perstitious ; and, as in all Mohammedan and the rebellion of the Mahdi in 1883 countries, woman is held in low esteem. have been most prejudicial, by introduc- ing into the mission fields II new, disor- , The difficulties of missionary effort in derIy, corrupting and hostile element. such a field are great and numerous. So many rival and jealous sects, all call- The instrumentalities employed in ing themselves Christian, constitute a the mission work are the following: serious hindrance. A greater one is 1. Preaching. The way for thifl has pages printed since the beginning, in not been as open as in many countries. 1826, amounts to over 400,000,000. The The Moslems have been specially inac- issues have been of all kinds, religious cessible to it. Nevertheless. it has at and educational. The list of publica- no time been neglected. It is now re- tions includes more than 400 titles. ceiving regular and considerable atten- Among them may be mentioned" Scrip- tion. In Beirut services are held in fi ve ture Interpretation and Systematic places, and there are three evening Theology," by Dr. Dennis; a transla- meetings during the week. A recent tion of the Westminster Confession of visitor to Syria, speaking of the Sabbath Faith, by Dr. Van Dyck; and a "Com- service at Baalbek, says that 27 men, 9 mentalJ' on the New Testament," by women, and 15 boys (all natives) were Dr. W. W. Eddy. The great glory, how- present. 'I'here are in the whole coun- ever, of the press, as of the mission, is try upward of 30 church buildings and the Arabic Bible. Begun by Dr. Eli 100 preaching places, and no fewer than Smith, in 1849, and prosecuted by him 5000 regular hearers, of whom nearly with the aid of Mr. Bistany, a nati¥e 2000 are church-members. How marked scholar, until 1857, it was then taken an advance this is appears in the fact np by Dr. Van Dyck, assisted by the that in 1848 there were only one church, highest native scholarship, and com- three or four preaching stations, and 18 pleted in 1864. A modal of accuracy church-members. and elegance, it has made the Word of Life intelligible, and, from the literary 2. Medical Work. This has lately be- standpoint, attractive to the 180,000,- come a specially prominent feature. 000 whose sacred language is the Arabic. Native physicians are being educated. Meanwhile, Dr. Post, Dr. Van Dyck. and Unti! lately no political restriction others of the medical missionaries have interfered with the mission press. Now, gained great influence by their skill lind however, the Government has waked kindness. The hospital of the Prussian up to the danger in the free circulation Knights of St. John at Beirut, under the of Christian literature, and a strict care of the deaconesses of Kaiserwerth, censorship has been instituted. Most is served by them. In the last year of of the books, including the Scriptures, which we have any report, nearly 10,000 have been officially sanctioned; but the' cases were treated. Patients come from weekly paper has received severe criti- all parts, and carry back with them im- cism, and was temporarily suppressed. pressions of Christian love as well as It is now licensed, but on condition that direct Gospel teaching. The tours of "no adverse criticism be made upon the late Dr. Calhoun and his services at any of the religious beliefs of any of the Tripoli, followed by thosA of Dr. Har- sects of the empire." ri~, have also opened the way for Gos- pel work. Many of the large number 4. The Schools. Though persistently called together by the dispensary at and bitterly opposed by the Jesuits, Tripoli are Moslems, and all hear the these ha¥e proved the most effective of Gospel read and explained before re- the missionary agencies. They have ceiving treatment. Mention should be done more than all others combined to made in this connection of the Leper elevate woman; they have given II Chris- Home at Jerusalem, under the charge of tian education to many thousands of the Moravians. ,. Most of the dear pa- persons; and they have called into being tients here," we read, 'rejoice in being numerous schools supported by the peo- Christians. under the protection of the ple themselves. In all the mission . Saviour, and enjoying the advantages of schools biblical instruction is made His Church." prominent, and the amount of Scripture that can be recited whenever called for 3. The Press. Its work has been great is surprising. The crown of the whole and influential. The total number of educational system is the Syrian Protestant College at Beirut. This is an 5. They hate idols and idolatry with institution of the highest order, and perfect hatred. 6. They reverence law. has academical, theological, medical, 7. They practise total abstinence from pharmaceutical, and preparatory depart- intoxicating drinks. 8. They have no ments. The graduates number more respect for a man who has no religion. than 200, and the attendance of students 9. They have implicit confidence in the is now large. Strictly independent word of an Englishman. 10. They beof the mission, it is thoroughly evan- lieve that Protestantism is the form of gelical and evangelistic in its. aim and faith nearest their own. 11. They aro effect. In addition to the college, there beginning to repose confidence in the are connected with the Presbyterian integrity of the American missionaries. Mission the seminaries for girls at Bei- 12. It is the common belief of the Mosrut, and Sidon, and Tripoli; the board- lems that in the latter days there will be ing-schools for boys in Sidon and Suk- an universal apostasy from Islam, when el-Ghurb, and a hundred or more com- the true faith, as they account it, will mon schools. In these gather 5200 cease to exist. pupils, of whom 1800 are girls. Did we include all the Protestant schools of The following facts also are signifi- Syria !t1J.d Palestine, the number of cant: scholars would exceed 15,000. A system of home study is being established 1. Of the 132 girls attending the Protas a branch of the Chautauqua organiza- estant female school at Sidon lately, 90 tion. and will be a stimulus to the whole were Mohammedans. 2. Of the 4780 intellectual life Of Syria. girls who were scholars not long ago in the Protestant schools of Syria, 1000 The development of this educational were Mohammedans. .. If all other work is remarkable. In 1824 it was means fail to draw them to Christ, it summed up in a class of six Arab chil- may be that the words of Isaiah shall dren taught by one of the missionary yet be verified in their experience, ladies. In 1834 ten young men were • And a little child shall lead them.' " under instruction. Not until 1866 was the college opened. Now more than 200 'THE JEWS. students crowd its buildings. For several reasons they are impor- The question arises, What will be tant and interesting enough to demand the outcome of all this effort? Will this separate treatment. 1. They were God's stronghold of Islam ever be under- .. chosen nation." 2. They have had mined? Aside from the sure word of the most wonderful history. 3. They prophecy that such will be the case, in are rapidly assuming a prominence Mohammedanism itself are elements which is as significant as unique. This which. if fairly considered, bring its is specially marked in their influence in overthrow by Christianity clearly within education, the press, and general literathe sphere of probability. Among ture. So strong has this come to be others, these are mentioned by Dr. H. that such men as the late Professor H. Jesup, of Beirut, whose residence Delitzsch, the late Professor Christlieb, for thirty-five years in Syria entitles him and Professor Godet Ree in it a source to speak authoritatively on this ques- of serious danger to the Christian faith. tion : 1. The Mohammedans believe in In Italy, for example, there are 50 Jewthe unity of God. 2. They reverence ish professors in the universities in a the Old and New Testaments. 3. They land where Jews number only about revere Christ as the greatest of all the 40,000 in 28,000,000. In France the prophets before Mohammed. 4. While highest education is to a remarkable exregarding all but themselves as infidels, tent in the hands of the Jews. In the they have some respect for Christians universities of Germany Jewish profes- sors have increased forty per cent in five and Jews as .. the people Df a book." years. The number of Jewish students has multiplied yet more rapidly. At he is by that fact divorced from the the University of Brtda Pesth, Hungary, other who remains a Jew; and the conof 3100 students, 1072 are Jews, and vert may marry again, but the Jew must that in a country where they form only remain single. Private or family prayer four per cent of the population. As the is fo.bidden except by a license, and natural result of this, according to a synagogue worship is permitted only in leader in the London Times: "A per- towns containing eighty or more Jewish manent epidemic of alarm at iewish dwellings. This outrageous oppression encroachments prevails, to which Vien- has already affected commerce, and has na is as subject as Berlin. . .. The issued in untold suffering. Not a little enlire circle of the liberal professions, is being done to mitigate thil' by Baron as well as finance, is almost in the ex- Hirsch, the Hebrew philanthropist. clusive possession of Jewish practition- Worth from $100,000,000 to $150,000,- ers. Jews are eloquent at the bar and 000, made largely in a railway contract in Parliament. 'l'hey heal the diseases with Turkey, he is pouring out his of Christians and guide their views wealth in providing for those of his race through the press." The late Professor in Russia who are heing expelled from Christlieb is only one of many witnesses their homes. The Russian Minister of to the fact that almost the entire liberal Finance also has lately ohtained a suspress of the German Empire is in the pension of further repressive measures hands of the Jews. It has been stated by pointing out to the Czar the vexatious on good authority that in Paris there is financial results which they might inonly one paper of any note not under volve. Christians throughout the world, JewiRh control. Could more be said to too, have begun to protest. Nor are show how imperative is the evangeliza. the Jewish bankers and brokers inactive. tion of this" peculiar people" ? 2. The return of the Jews to their The interest of this work now clus· own land. This has been much stimuters about three points: lated by the persecution just mentioned. Within three or four years 20,000 have 1. The persecution of the Jews by come to Jerusalem. while the influx into Russia. Since 1881. when Jgnatieff pro· other parts of Palestine has been withmulgated the terrible Jewish laws, the out precedent. There are more than lives of the 5,000,000 of Russian He- 80,000 in the country in all. An era of brews, miserable enough before, have improvement has also begun. Jerusa· been spent in unbroken war against the lem is a new city. The streets have frightful abuse and persecution of the been paved, five hotels have been authorities. The taxes of the Jews are opened, water is about to be introduced, douhle those of other subjects. Numer. large factories have been erected, a ous restrictions and disabilities fetter railroad is almost completecl from Jaffa their activity. They are not suffered to to Jerusalem. With this enlargement enter the civil service, to practise law of population and revival of trade there or medicine, to hold municipal office, or has been a marked increase in the rain. to take part in an election. The num· fall. The factors seem to have been supber of them drafted into the army large- plied to make Palestine, as of old, " the ly exceeds that of the Gentiles, but no garden of the Lord." Jew can hire a substitute or become an officer. They can reside only within 3. The conversion of the Jews. More certain limits, and are not allowed to interest has been taken in this than is own land. Jewish pupils can form no generally supposed. The Protestant more than ten per cent of the number churches have 377 missionaries among in any school, though in many towns them. If, as estimated, there are 6,400,- they are more than fifty per cent of the 000 Jews-this gives one missionnry to population. If a·wife or a husband is every 16,976 Israelites-a larger numconverted to the Russian Church, she or ber in· proportion than among the heathen. The results of this effort lan, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, supportare becoming apparent. Professor De- ed by a society of English ladies. litzsch's Hebrew New Testament has exerted a mighty influence. Jewish- 7. At Brummana, in Lebanon and at Christian congregations are not un- Ram Alia, near Bethel, industrial schools known in the larger cities of Christen- belonging to the Quakers. dom. Notwithstanding sectarian strife and the bitter opposition of Romanism, 8. The Lebanon Schools Committee's there are more than 200 believing Jews Mission, in Lebanon-a. training school in Jerusalem. Most significant is the for boys and one for girls, and several Jewish-Christian movement at Kishch- village schools. ineff, in Southern Russia. Its leader, Rabinowitz, a learned lawyer, who has 9. The Irish Presbyterian Mission at come to the knowledge of the truth Damascus-several churches, and very through the independent study of the vigorous. Scriptures, and who is in substantial accord with evangelical teachers, ad- 10. The Reformed Presbyterian Misheres to his original plan of organizing sion, at Latakia, Antioch. and elsewhere a National Christian Church for Israel, -chiefly among the NUflaireeyeh. in which such characteristics of Judaism as circumcision. observance of Saturday 11. At Tiberias a very successful as the Sabbath, and the like. are to be Scotch mission to the Jews, retained, though not as essentials. He seems to be imbued with the Spirit of 12. The Church Missionary Society Christ, and numbers among his support- (London)-stations at Jaffa, Gaza, Ramers thousands of the Jews of southeast- leh, Jerusalem, Nablous, Es SaIt, Nazaern Europe. Is there not much to war- reth, Haifa. rant the hope that the redemption of Israel is drawing nigh? 13. The London Jews' Society, in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Damasclls, Aleppo, The following statistics of the mis- and elsewherA. sionary agencies in Syria may be useful: 14. The American Bible Society's 1. Preshyterian Board of Foreign Mis- Agency at Beirut. sions, North. See MISSIONARY REVIEW for June, 1891, p. 476. For the sum- 15. The British Foreign Bible Somary below we are indebted to the ciety's Agency at Beirut. Church at Home and Abroad. 16. The Evangelical Mission to Israel 2. Mission of the Established Church at Hebron. of Scotland in Beirut to the Jews, under the care of Rev. G. M. Mackie. 17. A Presbyterian Mission in Jerusa- He has large schools for both sexes. lem, just establish.ed by Rev. A. Ben Oliel. 3. The British Syrian Schools and Bible Mission, established in 1860 by -Dr. Cornelius Van Dyck, of the Mrs. Bowen Thompson and since her Presbyterian Mission at Beirut, has death conducted l;y her sister, Mrs. just finished his Hfty years in that field. Mott -30 schools and about 3000 pu- The occasion of his golden anniversary pils. was taken note of in a most pleasant way by his friends and neighbors. An 4. Miss Taylor'S (Scotch) school in address was presented and gifts were Beirut for Druze and Moslem girls- sent. Delegations came from the Hosvery successful, pital, from the Orphanage, from the native Protestant Church. The Greek 5. The Kaiserwerth Prussian Deacon- Patriarch of Damascus and the Turkish ess' Orphanage for Girls at Beirut and Governor sent messages-the latter anat Jerusalem. nouncing that a decoration would come from the Sultan. All day a stream of 6. Training schools for girls at Shim- visitors of all nationalities and sects poured through Dr. Van Dyck's rooms, greeting him. There is surely some- thing very wonderful in this honor paid to a missionary whO' has wrought fifty years for Christ.
GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE
V.-GENERAL MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
Organized Missionary Work and Statistios' Edited by Rev. D, L, Leonard, Bellevue, O.
-In the tables summing up in fignres -Of course, no summing up of misthe work done by the various mission- sionary work would be at all complete ary societies of America and Europe, a which did not include the doings of the large number were, for various reasons, Propaganda at Rome. As to the amount necessarily omitted, but not at all be- of money expended, Cardinal Lavigerie cause the sphere they fill is nnimportant estimates that Protestants contribute or ungermane. In the aggregate their annually about twenty times as much as income is very great, and the effect of Roman Catholics. Five years ago, actheir operations is broad and far reach- cording to an authority quoted in the ing. Such as the Salvation Army, "Concise Dictionary of Religious which is said to raise annually $2,250,- Knowledge," Rome had 2,745,000 ad- 000 j the Mildmay Home and Foreign herents in mission fields proper, with and Medical Mission, whose income is 3634 priests and 4502 schools, And, ac- $115,000; the McAll Mission, almost cording to the report of the Propaganda $90,000 ; the East London Institute for for 1890, and omitting British North Home and Foreign Missions of H. Grat- America and the United States, the adtan Guinness, $60,000 j the Edinburgh herents on missionary ground number Medical Society, $30,000 ; the Christian 3,314,000, the priests 3848, and the Vernacular Society, $20,000; for the schools 7593. And of this Catholic Blind in China, $12,000 ; the Lepers in population, 1,077,500 are found in India India, $11,000, etc. If all such were and Ceylon. 694,000 in Indo-China, in.cluded, the aggregate income would 568,000 in the Chinese Empire, and 398,- be not much less than $3,000,000. 900 in Africa, including Madagascar.
-The twenty.sixth anniversary of the -Nothing is more certain than that Salvation Army was held in London, the spread of the kingdom of God in July 7th. General Booth said, in his heathen lands is dependent upon the address, that the Army now comprised maintenance and prosperity of the 4289 societies (of which 1200 were out- churches within the present pale of posts), with 10,449 commanding officers. Christendom; and, therefore, that giv- Of these, 1383 corps and 152 outposts, ing for the local church, for the frontier, or 1535 religious societies, with 4649 the foreign. born population, and the deofficers, were in Great Britain, and 1705 graded in the cities is really helping to corps and 1049 outposts, or 2754 socie- carry the Gospel to every creature. Only ties in all, with 5800 officers, were out- it is a great matter to make a proper side the United Kingdom. During the division of the funds received, to beyear there had been an increase of 252 stow upon the foreign work its fuJI procorps and 1281 officers. Of the War- portion. The total giving of the Estab- Ory, 312,525 copies had been circulated, lished Church of Scotland reaches and 129,350 copies of the weekly Ohil- $2,142,790, and is divided among 6 dren's War- Ory. Monthly publications schemes. But $224,855, or about one were sold to the number of 94,000. tenth, fall to foreign missions. The Twenty-seven editions of the War-Cry Southern Baptist Convention reports were published abroad, in 15 languages. $115,445 for work abroad and $238,893 The operations called in tbe Army" tak- for mission work at home. The mising prisoners," or the arousing of anx- sionary appropriations of the Methodist ious inquirers, had resulted in the con- Episcopal Church aggregate $1,200,000, version of 100,000 .persons at home and and of this sum, $566,347 are bestowed 131,000 abroad. upon toil outside of the United States. The Congregationalists sustain 7 socie- eign affairs, army and navy, internal, ties. Of these, the American Home educational and ecclesiastical affairs, Missionary Society receives $635,150, and in providing interest on the Swed- (the American Missionary Association ish debt." The London City Mission freedmen, Indians, etc.) $429,420, and alone had an income in 1887-8 o()f about the total of Ohristian beneficence reaches $435,000. The receipts of the Brooklyn $2,270,161. Add home expenditures, Society were $25,000 in 1889, and of the and the sum is $8,361,382-an average Boston Society $43,698 in 1890. Acof $16.50 for each church-member. The cording to the same authority,45 benevo- Presbyterian Church reports for home lent societies in New York received a missions $9:15,625, and for freedmen, total of $1,810,675 in 1889. Of this sum, Bunday-schools, education, etc., $411,- 17 Roman Catholic societies received 247 more, and for congregational or local from municipal allowance and excise purposes, $9,764,379. Including all re- appropriation $1,000,521, and 28 other ligious objects, the total is $14,062,356, societies $802, 086. or an average of over $17 per member. -Says Dr. A. H. Clapp, of the Ameri- -The various publication societies of can Home Missionary Society, and Great ·Britain and America are indis- speaking of New York: ., Few who do pensable adjuncts to the work of the not live here can have any idea of the missionary societies. Among the chief voluntary work carried on throughout of these may be named the British and the year by the benevolent men and Foreign Bible Society, with annual re- women of our churches. The rapid ceipts aggregating $1,125,000; the running over of a list of the various or- American Bible Society, $512,388 ; the ganized methods of help for men, wom- National Bible Society of Scotland, en, and children needing aid by reason $165,000 ; the London Society for the of age, sickness, misfortune, orphanage, Promotion of Christian Knowledge, etc., methods originated and carried on $215,000; and the London Religious entirely by the churche.~ of this city, shows Tract Society, whose missionary ex- that there are very nearly 900 of them. penditure reached $197,560 last year. Adding to these the more public or: The sum of the receipts of these five ganizations outside of church circles, of societies is $2,214,948. which people hear more, the number will be found somewhat startling. -According to a recent estimate, which seems to be moderate, the 49 so- -The value of the investments in cieties organized for Christian effort iL. church property in Brooklyn is estimatbehalf of the Jews expend annually ed by the Standard- Union at nearly $20,- $490,000. Almost all of the leading 000,000. Of this sum the Protestant churches in Great Britain and upon the churches represent about $13,000,000, continent are engaged in this form of and the Roman Catholic about $7,000,- evangelization; and of the Bums expend- 000. The former number 290 and the ed, these are specimens: the London latter 58. The sum of the debts resting Society, $189,220; the British Society, upon the Protestant churches is about $H,625; the Free Church, $44,945 ; the $3,000,000, and upon the Roman Catho- Church of Scotland, $28,760 ; the Irish lic churches $1,150,000. Presbyterian Church, $18,435. –In reckoning up the beneficences -According to the" Encycloprodia of of Christendom, hospital work must not Missions," it was written several years be omitted. London alone has almost ago that" the annual revenue of the 30 general and special hospitals, with Metropolitan Charities of London is 6000 beds, and which receive net less greater than the whole of the expendi- than 50,000 patients annually. In eneh ture in Sweden on maintaining royalty, of the large cities of the United States the administration of justice and formillions are expended upon such insti- dred Indias, with a hundred different tutions. As among those best endowed languages, and representing every stage with choicest facilities may be named of civilization, from the most primitive the Johns Hopkins Hospital of Balti- to the most advanced. Smlh differences more, and the Presbyterian Hospital of formed a great part of the prQblem of New York, whose" plant" is valued at mission work. Hinduism included only $2,500,000. about a third of the 260,000,000 inhab- itants of India; there were about 50,- -One of the most powerful private 000,000 Moslems, 6,000,000 Sikhs, Parassociations to which the recent anti- sees, and Christians, and about 20,000,- slavery movement has given birth is the 000 of aboriginal tribes. The number African Association of German Catho- of Pariahs – outside caste – was, he lics. L' Afrique reports that this asso- thought, from 40,OOO,COO to 60,000,000, ciation holds many public meetings in and these were practically, for mission different cities, publishes a journal- purposes, outside the great realm of Gott will es-and has 10 Diocesan Com- Hinduism. mittees, comprising 1500 circles and about 200,000 members. The Central -The Mission to Lepers in India, an Council at Cologne has received more organization baving its headquarters in than $130,000 in money. This is to be Edinburgh. Scotland, reports for 1890 spent in African expeditions, in found- an increase of $2180 in its receipts. ing safe retreats for threatened negroes, This society aims to reach the great in missions, orphan houses, eto., all number of lepers in India (estimated at over the German African possessions, 500,000) by establishing leper asylums, and $6000 have been given to aid in the sending special missionaries and preachtransport of the first German steamer ers, and doing what is practicable to for the Victoria Nyanza. alleviate their condition. Then it as- sists the Presbyterian Board of this ..:.-The American Baptist missionary country at Allahabad, the Church Mis- Union gives the following statistics for sionary Society at Alleppi, etc. Its atits African missions, which are confined tention having been recently especially to Congo, for the year ending March called to China., it is starting a work 31st, 1891 : Missionaries, 47; stations, there. Under its plan of work a con- 10; unordained native preachers, 10; tribution of $25 will support a leper for self-supporting churches, 1; not self. a year, and $100 will supply a Christian supporting churches, 5; church-mem- teacher to a village for the same period. bers, 454 ; Sunday-school scholars, 261 ; day schools, 20; native teachers, 14; -The first of October brought a most day school pupils, 770; value of mis- radical innovation in the educational sion property, $47,490; total expendi- policy of France, namely, the complete tures, $62,536. secularization of the boys' schools. The law of 1885 decrees that within five -The census of 1881 showed that years from October, 1886, this must be there were in India 124,000,000 women, accomplished. Steady efforts have been of whom 21,000,000 were returned as made in this direction all along, and in widows, of whom there were under 19 1890 of 52,000 teachers in these schools years of age, 669,000 ; under 15 years of only 1213 were of the clerical orders. age, 286,000 ;' under 9 years of age, 79,- The law of 1886 decrees that a similar 000. All these figures were undoubted- change must be made in the girls' ly within the appalling t}'uth. schools as soon as a sufficient number of secular lady teachers can be secured – Professor Lindsay, D.D., speaking to take the place of the sisters. As yet at the meeting of the London Missionary of the 44,000 lady teachers in France Society, thus defined the problem pre- 11 ,000 are sisters. sented by India: "There were a hun- Statistics of Missionary Societies in Gre&t FROM these tables are of necessity omitr.ed quite a large number of societies which are trulY whose aims and methods are broader and more general.
Home Missionary Income. .; Constituency.
NAlIfE OF SOCIETY. 'H O ~ "~:i B "'"0" "0-,',;;,: ·S ~.~ 0.9 j '0'""''"'"""" ~" a'~ r~1j A~ 0 0" 5 ;;:: ~ 0 ———– —————~ Society for Propagation of Gospel …… 1701 8,800 246,700 $625,_95 $100,000 1,238,685 46,300 Church Missionary Society…. ……… 1799 1,877 452,302 112,165 29,508 401,944 24,3D5 Baptist Society .. ……. ……….. 1792 1,610 7,105 571,465 London Society .. ……………….. 1795 449 464,515 22,283 Wesleyan Methodist ……………….. 1814 2,018 Methodist New Connection ……….. 1859 196 United Methodist Free Churches ……•. 1858 345 1,333 67,510 49,953 58,147 Welsh Calvinistic …………………. 1841 673 1,200 134,239 37,768 2,000 Presbyterian Church of England ……. 1847 95,140 2,750 Friends' Association …………….. ,. 1867 290 289 65,941 62,835 Universities Miss. to Central Africa….. 1860 85,875 2,175 350 200 15,836 South American …….•……..•.•…. 1844 51,736 10,015 North Africa Mission … '" ………..•. 1881 23,250 China Inland Mission ………………. 1865 190,605 Presbyterian Church of Ireland……… 1840 637 558 102,735 83,155 10,335 1,515 1,358 593,393 224,855 45,907 Church of Scotland ….•……………. 1829 1,235 1,045 340,000 377,455 94,470 184,854 202,960 68,025 Free Church of Scotland ……..• …… 1843 615 567 United Presbyterian …. ………….. 1847 40 45 5,552 3,750 233,650 337 132 21,350 116,825 9,000 Reformed Presbyterian …•. .. …….. 1842 230,273 2,000 2,000 79,483 16,320 United Brethren (Moravian) ..•………. 1732 79,539 579 9 51 98,897 Basle Evangelical … …………. 1815 19,400 529 22,945 Leipsic Evangelical Lntheran ……….. 1819 48,630 Berlin Evangelical. ………………… 1824 15,523 Rhenish Missionary Society………… 1829 North German . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1836 ………. Gossner's ~Ii88ion ….. : ….• 1836 Hermannsburg ….. …. …… ……. 1849 Dutch Missionary Society…………… 1818 Dutch Reformed Church……………. 1859 180 280 5,500 Ermelo Missionary Society ………••.. 1846 5,00G Paris Evangelical. ………………. .. 1822 48,315 13,846 Danish Missionary Society..•…•……. 1721 430 19,626 …… Danish Mission to Santals ……. … Norwegian Missionary Society .. … 1869 54,958 67 Swedish Missionary Association …•.•.. 1842 122,000 Swedish Evangelical National……•..•. 1835 550 650 80,000 34,852 Totals for Europe. ……………. 1856 – -245 – – – – – – – – – 48,959 – – – – Totals for America ……………… — Grand Totals…………… 12,845 27,839 2,339,420 5,852,549 796,315 1– 285 104,888 10,936,317 4,180'~1 507,883 73, 1 86,134 132,737 13,275,737 10,033,151 1 1,304,198
Brita.in and on the Continent for 1891.
missionary, but whose sphere, or mode of work, is so peculiar as not to tabulate with that of those Missionaries. Native Helpers.
·1 ~ o -.-. ~ ~ I~ ~ 2,300 ~,87~ ~ ~~ -;687 -1-,827' 1,800-~0,600 318 72 219 76 ~78 3,792 4,755 327…. 50,005 3,250 1,719 70,311 131.. 1051 6 602 2,624 3,467 515…. 48,509 2,924 .•. 17,144 159 18 121 39 1,202 4,195 5,684 1,9~ … 67,797 …. 1,643 63,873 264 97 86 91 144 6,445 7,036 363 1,572 40,078 1,934 805 65,803 71 5 1 3 36 53 60 42 1,301 33 16 240 66 295 ••. •• 9…. 370 275 145 10,335 227 152 11,367 93 5 1 . . . . 564 582 163 72 1,869 285 143 4,143 20 13 22 17 8 108 188 134 43 3,746 103 4 41 •.. 17 •.. 24… 350 391 265 150 2,796 . ••. 140 2,945 24 26 1 29 3 85 168 22 12 850 …. 27 2,500 1212 ..• 6 2 …. 32 25 . . . . . . • . • • • • • . . . . . .
17 9 28 54 17 1 20 171 70 142 13 174 570 172 94 3,038 424 30 423 12 3 11 10 2 124 162 24 18 590 252 52 3,533 22 10 H 23 7 89 165 37 33 951 285 89 5,287 52 45 331 35 15 640 800 224 42 6,895 696 313 27,951 .. ·1 57 15 25 20 538 655 251 15,799 900 1 1 9 12 3 1 37 3 3 100 127 24 135 6 19 1,691 2,002 133 137 31,591 2,757 235 20,629 106 29 90 4 39 672 936 352 11,584 1,279 282 "0,500 25 1 14 491 531 117 141 13.559 228 177 4,492 60 11 59 5 5 471 611 145 10,892 2,011 55 4,158 75 3 61 1 11 490 641 158 134 10,735 360 121, 5,536 94 7 4 1 26 51 14 442 34 'Ii 358 17 167 30,027 69 332 401 59 12,371 1,770 2,567 8 8 24 40 20' … 1,013 3 4. 112 120 '" 65 6,500 1,000 12 6 10 16 6 30 700 30 3 27 6 19 206 391 261 19 9,122 131 7,928 52 5 1 3 24 35 4- 4 208 62 5 5 5 142 165 14 14 6,070 707 2 284 40 5 37 12 16 916 1,026 • 379 17,055 3,246 372 30,580 23 10 6 6 45 12 6 200 4 160 – -11 7 – -9 – -5 – -3 – -26 – 61 – 10 – 5 – 108 50 – 10 – 453 — — – – — —- – — – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 2,283 772 1,149 688 1,570 27,704 35,037 6,948 2,946 447,041 22,382 8,235 403,664 — — — 966 736111,341 7,218 11,946 4,649 8,6251 285,276 29,806 4,867 169,451 – – – – – – 1,066 145 — —- — —— 3,349 917 2,115 1,424 2,911 34,922 46,983 11,597 11,571 682,317 52,188 13,102 573,115
GENERAL 1lISSIONARY INTELLIGENC1il
Statistics of Woman's Missionary Societies in America and Europe.
THE names by which the societies are designated are those of the denominations or of the larger societies with which they are connected. In cases where more than one Woman's Board exists in a ehurch the work of all is included in a single statement.
. j . SOCIETIES.~~o.~'~~II·]~~j~~ a) ~ ~~ ~ ~ f~ 'Q1 a:I ~~H § 1__ i I I ________________ .
Baptist (Four Societies)….. '" 1871 4,060 132,460 70 17 4 130 273 5,675 Baptist, South …………….. _ 1888 Free.Baptist…. ……….. 1873 1,469 21,398 18 5 .. Seventh-Day Baptist.. .. …. …. 1884 1 Congregational (Four Societies). 1868 307 7,G94 20 13 8 305 Methodist Episcopal …• _. . . . .. . 1869 70 675 95 5 Methodist Episcopal, South…. 1878 3,849 4 11 11 1 12 Methodist Protestant… . . . . . . . . . 1879 157,364 20 2 Presb. (Seven Societies) .•….. _ 1870 104 4 .. 245 397 11,217 Cumberlaud Presbyterian……. 1880 53 15 United Presbyterian………… 1884 5,557 220,330 100 4 .. 626 852 10,896 Reformed Dutch…… …….. 1875 Protestant Episcopal…. …. …. 1872 3,272 85,969 31 1 37 34 1,248 Reformed Episcopal .. __ . . . . •. . 1889 11 .. Evangelical Lutheran Synod…. 1879 435 5,059 4 5 2 50 Christian Disciples.. _………. _ 1875 1 United Brethren ………….. 1875 5,865 336,244 251 209 356 Fri.ends' Society………… .. .. 1889 1 Union Missionary Society…… , 1860 524 11,216 5 22 2 4 169 Canada Baptist (Three Societies) 1870 Canada Presby. (Three Socs.)… 1876 782 16,704 19 5 268 2,793 Canada Methodist…….. ….. 1881 15 1 Propagation Society… …….. 1865 834 19,413 28 2 .. 57 14 895 Church Missionary Society…… 1880 Baptist Zenana ……… _……. 1867 59 36,838 39 112 1 30 95 3,163 Wesleyan Methodist………. .. 1858 2 London Missionary Society. . . . . 1875 4,077 2 I> Presbyterian Church….. , ….. 1879 Presbyterian ChurCh, Ireland… 1874 584 9,000 52 27 1 2 20 939 Female Education in East. . . . . . 1834 20 3 Syrian Schools.. .. .. .. .. •…. .. 1860 1,329 10,000 4 13 2 2 52 Church of Scotland………… 1838 Free Church of Scotland .. _. . . . 1843 44 14,567 10 2 18 United Fresbyterian …….. __ .. 1880 431 66 226 23,164 18 8 7 304 Total" 60,027 60 109 158 3,929 315 12,109 11 66 21 103 760 39,072 16 511 25,560 13 11 13 419 35,417 61 104 18 4,250 961 129,085 7 650 192 7,811 38,650 48 161 144 1,800 432 42,880 32 08 281 12,000 32,355 36 139 10,000 160 16,665 19 19 14 273 19,115 8 56 19 1,100 275 35,000 40 275 19,978 76 17,435 103 31 29 2,996 546 52,685 22 98 39 2,590 89,125 29 232 70 7,354 259 18,990 21 75 32,9!l4 1,785.001 1,305 ~,052 3,295 112,269 British Foreign Missions. By Rev. James requesting Government aid on behalf Johnston, Bolton, England. of the East Africa Company.
" Farewell" to C. M. S. Missiona- Furlough of the Rev. E. C. Gordon ries.-On September 29th a crowded from Uganda.-A hearty welcome is gathering assembled in Exeter Rail, being accorded to this splendid mis- London, under the presidency of Sir sionary-the latest arrival from a peril- John Kennaway, to bid farewell to some ous sphere of operations. He is a sixty-seven missionaries-clergy, laity, nephew of the late Bishop Hannington, and ladies-thirty-nine of whom were through whose devotion Cyril Gordon fresh recruits. Bishop Tucker was pres- was incited to leave wife and friends . ent, and spoke of the whiteness, vast- behind in entering on the hazardous ness, and inestimable worth of the har- " call" to the Dark Continent. In 1882 vest. A party of nine join him for the uncle and nephew sailed together.
Eastern Equatorial Africa. The Pales- The following year Hannington was tine work had a vigorous reinforcement driven back by fever, but again re.- represented. With Archdeacon ]l.10ule, turned in 1884 to the land he bad learned who has S13en thirty-one years of service to love, as first bishop in Eastern Equa- in China, a strong band were leaving for torial Africa. His tragical murder soon mid-China. Among the Punjab mis- afterward stirred the whole civilized sionaries was the Rev. E. F. E. Wigram, world. Gordon was spared, and through son of the society's honorary secretary, nine long years has heroically labored.
who is sacrificing a bright and lucrative The climate and trials 4ave told deeply career at home for the "good cause" on a vigorous constitution. Rest and abroad. In addition to the above-named care will be needed if, as it is antici- contingent were a number of missiona- pated, he is to return in 1892.
ries' wives. At a subsequent meeting, The Congo Free State and its Misorganized by the Church of England sions.-There is ground for the state- Zenana Missionary Society, to wish ment in the English press that the King " God-speed" to some twenty-five ladies of the Belgians had informed the Pope about to depart for India and China, the that the Roman Catholic form of Chris· chairman, Sir Charles U. Aitchison, tianity is to be the recognized religion spoke of the Gospel in these two great of the Free State, and that His Majesty empires as the most effective means has placed his African dominions under of glorifying God and of solving many the direct protection of the Virgin Mary, perplexing social and political ques- as the patron saint of the Free State. tions. Gratifying as this will be to His Holi- Africa-Uganda.-The Church Mis- ness, it is not supposed that it causes sionary Society'S General Committee any anxiety to the English Protestant was summoned the last week in Sep- missionaries who have for many years tember to consider the situation in had flourishing missions on the Congo.
Uganda, in view of the proposed with- King Leopold is well disposed to these drawal of the Imperial British East Af- worthy men, a proof of which has been rica Companyfrom that country. Bishop shown in asking one of the leaders in Tucker and the Hev. E. C. Gordon, the that region-Rev. George Grenfell-to latter fresh from East Africa, stated become a member of the Belgian Com- that the abandonment of the country by mission for the delimitation of the the company" will plaile the Protestant boundary between the Free State and Christians there in a position of immi- Portuguese territory in the Lunda coun- nent peril." The gravity of the posi- try. Mr. Grenfell has accepted the in- tion is realized by the pioneers of the vitation, and shortly leaves England for mission and its friends. It was decided the Congo. The landmarks between to memorialize Lord S:1lisbury at once, the respective territories will doubtless be soon arranged. It is not intended outcome of unceasing prayer, marked that Mr. Grenfell should take the now the whole proceedings.
missionary steamer, the Goodwill. This Dr. Glover on Missions in China.- will follow the missionary in seotions, Speaking of the" Needs and Claims of and will be put together on the Congo, China" before the Baptist Union in where it must become a valuable addi- Manchester; the doctor gave some of tion in assisting missionaries and car- the impressions which he had received rying cargoes. from a recent visit to that great Eastern empire. ·He l'emarked that the creed Though slavery is passing away for a of the Chinaman was in brief, "I beconsiderable distance up the Congo, lieve in man," meaning by that the ex- Mr. Grenfell speaks in sorrowflll terms istence and worship of man and in the of the ravages of the" infamous drink claims of man on man. The success of traffic" caused by the white man. In missions in that country was real. It reducing the natives to a wreck men- was greatest in the country districts, tally, physically, and morally, Mr. Gren. where family life was purest; less sucfell said it was an open question whether cessful in the cities; still less in the the horrors of slavery were not less dis- ports; least of all in the treaty ports. astrous than the terrible consequences In the north and south among every of the drinking habits. They now knew class it was visible, and its dimensions 6000 miles of river, or a coast line of were very striking. There were nearly about 12,000 miles in Central Africa, 40,000 converts in China, who have been which gave them access. to scores of vil- gathered together in forty years, in spite lages and towns on the banks and their of contempt, hatred, and miRccJllcep_ vicinity. In combating the darkest tions at once awful, heart· breaking and mass of heathendom that the world heart· wearing. More men and more knew, Mr. Grenfell believes the burden women were urgently required to spread of it will hav" to be done by the native the work. converts, of whom so many were bravely responding to the need. This was one of the most encouraging features of the The Anti-Foreign Riots in China.- work. To help dispel the native misapprehen- sions regarding what is done in mission China Inland Mission.-Still lead- schools and hospitals, it is now stated ing the crusade in China in the modern that British and other missionary bodies revival of missions, this enterprising are being urged to adopt rules for the society bade farewell to a party of guidance of their members in China. It twenty – six outgoing missionaries in is a common native belief that the eyes London on September 21st. Some of and other organs of the dead are taken these devoted servants formed a re- by Europeans for the purpose of mak- sponse to the appeal from the Shanghai ing certain medicines. For the same Conference for a thousand missionaries use children are supposed to be stolen to China during the next five years. and killed. The kernel of this rumor The stations of the mission have been proceeds from the fact that missionary mercifully preserved from the recent bodies, especially the French sister· outbreaks. Among the lady missiona- hoods, take in the little waifs and strays ries were Miss Mina Sundstrom, from of Chinese cities and give them shelter Finland; Miss Sekina Storhang, from and education. In order to overcome, if Norway; and Miss Eugenie C. Hilbold, possible, the ignorance and prejudice from Strasburg. Four of the departing of the Chinese mobs, there is a proposal missionaries had been members of the on foot that all missionaries-princi- Rev. Archibald G. Brown's church, in- pally those superintending hospitals, cluding his own daughter, Miss Eleanor schools, and foundling institutions- M. Brown. Intense enthusiasm, the should, on a death occurring, communicate with a local officer to make an in- interesting figures respecting a country quiry, and likewise allow the institu- where suffering in a terrible form exists tions to be open at any time to the in- in many districts. The Government of spection of Chinese officials. When the Irkutsk, the capital of Siberia, which is scheme is submitted to the missionary divided into five districts, contains only societies there is no doubt that they will 868,552 persons, of whom three fourths readily adopt it. Certain representative are of the orthodox religion. There are missionary committees have suggested 487 schools of different kinds in Irku tsk, the plan and discusded it with the con- where Christian children are taught Buls. When it is put into practical form alongside of Pagans, Mohammedans, it will tend to remove the fanatical no· Buddhists, and the worshippers of tions that there is "nything to screen in stones and talismans. In this extensive connection with the institutions which region are 60,000 of the last-nlmed class. have rendered invaluable aid to thou- 12,000 Buddhists, 6000 Jews, and 2500 sands of dying Chinese orphans and Mohammedans. In the Transba'ikal, homeless little ones. where political convicts are chiefly to be found, there are 110,000 women who A " Polynesian Society."-Akin to do not belong to the orthodox religion, the plan and objects of the Asiatic So- and in the same district 13 schools, the ciety, it is urged, in New Zealand, that teachers of which are exiles or deported a society might be established to cover criminals. Australia, New Zealand, Chatham Islands, Polynesia proper, Melanesia, Monthly Bulletin, Micronesia, Malaysia, and Papua. Contributions of a most helpful character -Dr. Shedd, writing of the" Work would be presented and circulated relat- among the Nestorians,.. in the Indeing to Polynesian Inthropology, ethnol- pendent, says, .. We have not an easy ogy, philology, and history. Everything mission field in Persia." But he sees that has a bearing on the manners, cus- also the bright side of things. He says, toms, practices, and kindred questions .. There is this encouragement among affecting oceanic races would be pre- the Nestorians of Persia, that from year served. Mr. Percy Smith, of Welling- to year there is a wider interest, more ton, the originator of the movement, spiritual thirst, more Christian activity will be content if the society at the out- in education and work for souls, and esset is not of large dimensions, inasmuch pecially more volunteer work by laymen. as he believes that good work, by its There is a stronger' momentum toward agency, will eventually attract scientific the evangelical cause." The most pressmen in every part of the world, Every ing need which he sees in this field is day opportunities are slipping away of for more houses of worship. As at procuring information from the natives home, so in distant Persia, a church themselves, or from European and building, with manse and school, tends American missionaries, respecting the to make all Christian work permanent. customs of former times-a permanent repository for this is urgently needed. -At a missionary meeting in New What valuable facts are happily pre- Guinea, held recently, one of the speakserved in the literature by missionaries ers picked up a spear and said, "This may be judged from the works of Dr. used to be our constant companion; we Turner, Dr. Inglis, and others, so high- dared not go to our gardens without it ; ly praised by Professor Max Miiller, Sir we took it in our canoes; we carried it H. Tylor, and a number of scientific on our journeys; we slept with it by scholars. 011r side; and we took our meals with it close at hand; but," said he, holding Siberia.-A St. Petersburg journal, up a copy of the Gospel, .. we can now quoted by the London Times, giTes some sleep safely because of this; this book has brought to us peace ancI protection, Christian Associations opened in AmancI we no longer require the spear." sterdam, August 12th. The total num- ber of delegates was about 500, of whom 8yria.-Mrs. Eddy, of the Presbyte. 100 carne from America and 100 from rian Syrian Mission, who has spent England. There were also large deleforty years in that fielcI, describes very gations from Holland, Germany, Switvividly the changes wrought in that zerland, and France. Sweden, Italy, time. She h~s kept house in Syria in Russia, India, and many other countries twenty.seven different houses. Some were also represented. '[he officers think the missionaries have good times. elacted were President, Count Von Hog- So they do, if they can; but not such endorp, of The Hague; Vice-Presidents, as they have in this country. When George A. Williams, of London, Wilshe reachf'cI Beirut there was no rich liam E. Dodge, of New York, and Count church building; but even then she A. Bernstorff, of Berlin. The annual could "sing the songs of Zion in a report showed 4151 associations affiliatstrange laud." Now they have a large ing with the central committee, of which church edifice, a choir, a hymn-book- there were, in the United States, 1305 ; some of our tunes set to the hymns-a in Canada, 80 ; in Great Britain, 614 ; Sabbath-school room built as a memorial in Germany, 800; in Holland, 387 ; in offering. There are five other churches. Switzerland, 379 ; in Norway, Sweden, There is a large Beirut seminary. and Denmark, 223 ; in France, 66 ; in Houses and homes have been greatly Russia, 9 ; in Asia, 92 ; and in Africa, improved. In times of sickness, instead 13. of finding pictures of the Virgin, we see the Bible laid upon the pillow of the Samoa.-Th(,l Samoan group have a sick. Great changes are noted in the Christian population of 30,000. In the speech of the women. Cursing, for- largest of the islands there are not fifty merly so common, has in a great meas. families that fail to observe family worure passed away. There is a prayer in ship. Last year, besides supporting the home. Then hardly a woman could the Gospel at home, they sent a thank read; now many read in their homes. offering, as their custom is, of $9000 The women are learning to pray in their to the parent Missionary Society of meetings, which are much blessed. London to help to carry the good news farther on. When a church-member -The number of blind seen in the dies, they still keep his name on the East is very distressing. There are books, and put a mark after it, denotblind schools at Beirut, Damascus, and ing a word picture which means, .. We Tyree. Blind Scdpture readers have the cannot think of him as dead either to entree of Moslem homes, a privilege us or to the work. We shall give a which blindness confers. contribution in his name, that the cause may not suffer by his removal hence." Thibet. – A Moravian mISSIonary named Letzen, with his wife, certainly General.-The Scarritt Bible Training is to be written with those who love School for Missionary Workers in Kantheir fellow. men. For thirty years he sas Oity is a new institution projected has been preaching and working at a by the late Dr. Scarritt, who bequeath Ad station in the Thibetan mountains, a tract of ground and $25,000 in money, without the sight of a European face, on condition that $25,000 more be raised and with the post-office fourteen days by the Methodist Episcopal Church, distant, separated from them by the South. This sum has been promptly high passes of the Himalayas and dan- raised, and the corner-stone has been gerous streams. laid for the building. The design is to train young men and women for home Y. M. O. A.-The Twelfth Interna- and foreign mission work. It is expecttional Convention of Young Men's ed that the school will be opened in had aided them. They speak of the 1892. people in a place called Tankay, who -Dr. John E. Clough, an American had never received instructions in Christian things. They had simply Baptist missionary, is now in the Unit· heard the word .. praying," and' they ed States, having spent twenty-six years knew that people who did that met toamong the Telugus in India. When he gether in one place. Noone of their went there such was the force of preju- number was able to read or to tell them dice that the Hindus, meeting the mis- anything about the Gospel. They had sionary on the street, would make a a New Testament, bought in Imerina, long detour, lest his shadow falling on but that lay unopened, since no one them, or the odors of his person being could read it. On a Sunday they met in waftad toward them by the wind, should a house; they placed the Testament in cause defilement. When hi'! came away their midst, no one could read, no one such was the char.ge that the Hindu could sing or pray, and so they sat for a citizens of the highest position gave time in silence. When ell were assemhim a farewell meeti.ng, inviting Chris- bled, one of the chief men stood up and tians, MohammedanR, and Brahmins to asked, .. Have all come from the north ?" join in a public expression of gratitude "Ay," answered they all. .. Have all for the great blessing his labors had come from the south?"' .. Ay. " And brought t. their country. Dr. Clough so on from the east and west. .. Then now asks for 25 extra millsionaries and let us break up, for we have done our $~O,OOO for the support of. his work. duty," said the chief; .. but be sure He tells of a meeting appointed at his and come early next Sunday." Is it not own house for a certain day. Two days pitiful to think of these men groping in before the date of the meeting the peo- the dark when they seem so ready to ple began to gather from distant parts, walt in the light? and on the morning of the day over 3000 had assembled. Of the congregation at New IIebrides.-Twelve years ago Rev. the close of the service, which lasted Oscar Mi()helson landed on the island several days, 1671 persons came forward, of Tonga, in the New Hebrides, alone desiring baptism and membership in among cannibals. At first he had the church. In 1866 there were only many perilous adventures, and again 38 conversions on the work, but in 1877 and again fled into hiding to save his the membership had grown to 4517, life. Once a savage, now one of his while in 1878 10,000 were baptized, and best teachers, levelled a rifle to kill in 1890 the membership had risen to him, but was stopped by Ii. look. He 33,838. Dr. Clough gives the chief persevered amid many threatenings and credit in this wonderful work to the dangers. His house became known as native preachers and the Bible women. "The Sunday House," and Christian Madagascar.-The London Missionary hymns were often heard mingling with Society has published a review of ten heathen songs. From heart to heart, years' work in Madagascar. The figures from home to home the Gospel won its are encouraging, but still more impor. way, until now 30 Christian teachers tant is the impression that is given of are laboring in as many different viI.
both progress and permanence. There lages. Mr. Michelson's field now in- is a growth of piety, vf intelligence, dudes, he writes, four whole islands.
and of the power of religion among the The people speak three ianguages. At people. Christianity is asserting its one meeting 300 rose for prayer. Ten reformatory and transforming power. years ago they proposed to eat him.
-A touching story comes from Mada- Now he lives in perfect safety.
gascar, in a letter written by native Palestine.-The medical mission at missionaries to friends in England who Gaza, in the Holy Land, has been very effectively carried on by Dr. Elliott. In Balolos, on the Upper Congo, report the 1878 Rev. A. W. Shapira opened this region to be healthy. A missionary at the mlSSlon. He has lately been appointed Lolongo station writes: .. Only one lady by Bishop Blyth to the ohapel at Haifa. here has suffered from fever since our 'l'his mission has 400 boys and girls in arrival, fourteen months ago; three of the schools. The children's hospital at us have enjoyed wonderful good health. Jerusalem is superintended by Dr. M. The combined fevers of all three of us Sandreczki. The medical mission at may perhaps have lasted twenty·four Nazareth is under Dr. Vartan, at Tibe. hours." rias under Dr. Torrance. -The London Missionary Society's Persia.-Missionary Horberg (Luthe- mission at Lake Tanganyika is rejoicing ran), writes that the pupils of his Bible in the first gathering of fruit. Kalulu class on Saturday afternoons and on was ransomed as a poor hoy Borne few Sundays visit the neighboring villages years ago, and ever since has been more and speak to the people about religious or less in contact with the missionaries. matters. About twenty villages have Only recently did he show any desire to been visited. The missionary recently become a Christian. The service when visited the leper village near Tabriz, and he was baptized and received the compreached to the unfortunate people, who munion was an occasion of great joy, begged him to come again. and made a deep impression on the natives. -One of. the most cheering signs reported is interest among laymen in vol- -The translftion of the Scriptures, unteer effort. Two from Persia are begun by Mr. Mackay, missionary to physician~, good men, full of the Holy Uganda, is being diligently completed Ghost and of faith. They support their by three of his most intelligent converts families by their profession, but find and pupils. The memoir of Mackay by time to make tours and to do the work his sister, of which eight thousand of evangelists for whole weeks at their copies have been sold, has led several own charges. Four others own prop- young men to consecrate themselves to erty in vineyards, and spend all their the evangelization of Africa. time beyond what is necessary to attend to their property in direct work Alaska.-The sixth annual report of for souls. the Moravian Mission at Bethel, Alaska, shows a year of quiet, faithful work. -A young Mussulman girl was brough t Religious services have been better atinto a missionary home in Ramadan, tended and there has been betterobserv· Persia, as a seamstress, and, becoming ance of the Lord's day. There has also interested in seeing other girls read, ap- been an effort to improve the tone of plied for admission to the school. Her family life by instructing husbands and family and friends hearing of it, forced wives as to their relations to each other, her to leave, but not until the Bible had and by helping them to provide more become familiar to her. A young man, comfortable homes. who had remained unmarried because he could not find a Christian wife, Egypt.-A clergyman travelling in the heard of her, and through friends, ac- East writes in the highest terms of the cording to Persian custom, a marriage American United Presbyterian Mission was arranged. The ceremony was first in Egypt and Syria. He says they are performed in Persian style, but after· gathering the young boys about them in ward the couple came to the mission- their mission schools, alld in ten years ary's home and were married in Chris- the tourist will find the villages· along tian form. the Nile filled with hundreds of young men who not only speak English well, Africa.-Missionaries who have gone but who are washed and .. clothed and to labor among the ten millions of the in their right mind."
The Missionary Review of the World — January 1889
Rt. Hon. The Earl of
.MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XII. No.t.-Old Series._ _JANUARY, _ _VOL. U. No. t.-New Serle•• I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD. [EDITORIAL. ] "OUR work is practically that small portion of God's eternal work and will which is allotted to us in our little corner of space and our short minute of time."
So spake Pasteur Monod, truly and tersely, at the late Mildmay Confer- ence. It is an august conception of service, that, in God's gTand sphere, there is a little segment, bearing our name and the date of this present YE(ar. The youthful Victoria, when the Archbishop of Canterbury came to announce her father's death and her own accession as Queen of Britain, begged him first of all to pray with her that she might take the throne and weal' the crown only as the servant of a Higher Sovereign. But when we rightly. conceive of our work, however humble, it becomes invested with a divine dignity. The rudest implement 01' instrument becomes a scepter. the bench of the workman or of the magistrate alike a throne, and the blouse and ermine alike a royal robe.
A tw~lvemonth since, this REVIEW, in its present enlarged and modified form, was, with many prayers and not without some fears, launched like a bark upon strange waters. The beginning of the new year naturally sug- gests a retrospect and a prospect.
Looking back, we thank God and take courage. At every step of the way we trace providential and gracious guidance and help. We undertook the work because we heard a loud call of God amt saw a great need of man. A Jericho lay before us to be taken for Christ's crown and covenant; but, between us and success rolled a stream neither narrow nor shallow. Believ- ing that the invisible and invincible Captain of the Lord's host was leading on, we set our foot in this Jordan and have gone over on dry ground. Every difficulty, when approached, has disappeared or been surmounted. Our sub- scription list has passed our most sanguine expectations. The public press has so cordially commended our work that scarce a word has found its way into print that has been controversial or even critical. Encomiums, that seemed almost extravagant, have come from the secretaries of great Mis- sion:;try Boards and the editors of other missionary magazines. Letters by the hundred have reached the editors and publishers, referring to our endeav- ors III the kindliest and most fraternal spirit; and contributions to our pages, often gratuitous, have been sent by men and. women who stand in the front rank. of the Church of Christ.
If we rightly read the signs of the times, it has been clearly demonstrated that just such a Review of universal missions is an imperative need of our day; and that in seeking to supply this need we were simply falling into our
LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD
place in a divine plan. With the enlarged circulation and the increased excellence for which we both hope and strive, a career of increased and increasing usefulness opens before this messenger of the churches. We therefore, without hesitation, appeal to all lovers of Christ and His cause, to give us sympathetic and prayerful aid in our endeavor to furnish and diffuse missionary intelligence and in.spiration throughout the wide circle of the common Christian brotherhood.
What was said at the outset, one year ago, we now emphatically repeat, that this is with us no mere money-making scheme. Neitller of us would have considered that we had any time to give to a mere business venture however promising. One of us, besides filling the onerous position of literary editor of a large publishing house, was editing The Homiletic Review, whose ninety-six pages a month made additional editorial work by no means a sinecure. The other was pastor of a congregation where thousands of people look to him for work in pulpit and pastorate. With such tax already upon tongue and pen, such engrossing and absorbing work as this REVIEW demands would not even have been weighed in the mere balances of worldly gain. We had neither time nor money to invest in a literary enterprise, though it might promise pecuniary rewards. But we weighed the matter in God's scales, over against higher motives and compensations. The leading of God seemed singularly obvious. A network of providences entangled us as in a golden snare. A higher destiny-a divinity~shaped our ends, and we yielded to the pressure of duty, which is always also privilege. We believed strength would be given us, and it has been given.
The impression and conviction with which this enterprise was begun have only become deeper and stronger by the year's eXperience, viz.: that, in respect of missions, no greater need exists than that of the universal diffU8ion of information as to the facts of past and present missionary history. To know those facts, to be informed and keep informed and fully informed, as to the march of God and His hosts in all the earth, is, in effect, to quicken the pulse of the whole Church of Christ. In missions. Love is the skillful alchemist that turns knowledge into zeal and out of intelligence distils inspiration. If we would have more prayer we must know what to pray about and pray for; if we want more money we must know what open doors God is placing before us for the investment of consecrated capital, and what wondrous results He has wrought and is working with the merchant's millions, and even the widow's mites; if we waRt more men and women as workers, the mind and heart and conscience of disciples must be awakened from sleep and aroused from sluggishness, by the electric touch of thrilling facts. If we want more zeal, all true zeal is "according to knowledge" and consequent upon it. If we want the spirit of holy enterprise, doing and daring for God, missions must be exhibited as the enterprise of the Church, and it must be shown that no equal or proportionate investment of men, means and money ever brought returns so ample-all of which the logic of events stands ready to prove by the most overwhelming of arguments.
In a word, we believe that, if every true disciple could be continually confronted by a fresh bulletin of news from the world-wide field and kept familiar with the movements of every assaulting column now moving against Satan's citadels, all the workmen and all the money-both the per80nnel and materiel of war-would De voluntarily furnished for prosecuting this colossal campaign I To do our part of this work well-this is the absorbing question. To mix. UP the secular spirit with the Lord's work is fatal to a true and large success; and, above all other work, missions mean and demand self-sacrifice. We could no~ ask a large blessing upon any plans that had in view such gross pay as silver and gold. A Review, such as we conduct, i(not likely to be a money-making investment; if the necessary price of its production is met we are content, and any surplus would go to enrich its contents and cheapen its cost, and so enlarge its circulation and influence.
The time has come, moreover, for a Review of Missions that may take its place side by side with the ablest periodicals in the secular sphere. The gospel has found its way into Cresar's household, as well as into the jailer's family and Bethany's humble home. God is now calling the wise, the mighty, the noble, to the kingdom. Merchant princes, public leaders, statesmen, journalists, philosophers, generals, judges, sages, bow at the cradle of Christ as did the Eastern seers. Kings' daughters are among the honorable women who follow the Saviour and minister to Him of their substance, and at His right hand stands more than one queen in gold of ophir. Piety is not linked with stupidity and superstition, ignorance and imbecility. Even the infidel no longer sneers at the gospel as "fit only for women, children, and small men." The thoughtful, cultured classes of society are compelled to ask whence came that wonderful religion that illustrates the survival of the fittest because fittest to survive; that amazes the evolutionist by not being evolved at aU, but springing at once into maturity without development, and yet defies for eighteen centuries all improvement, either by addition or subtraction I And we are profoundly persuaded that a Review of Missions, properly conducted, will not only inform the ignorant and enlighten and educate the uncultivated, but may also command and compel the attention of the most intellectual and intelligent readers, and bring them into closer and more practical fellowship with mission work.
Such aims and objects necessitate no little outlay of brains and money and hard work. 'I'o these pages we invite first-class contributions, and we therefore offer propel' compensation. Culture is a costly product in the intellectual market. The pen that is dipped in liquid gold commands gold as the wages of its work and the means of refilling its magic inkstand. Literary work brings a high price because it is bought with a large sum. We cannot ask able writers to furnish us papers gratuitously, though some of them do so, unsolicited. We began this REVIEW determined that, whether it broug"ht us any compensation or not as editors, our contributors should be paid; and we have observed this rule, not only to the utmost limit of our resources, but beyond it.
There are some directions in which we need prompt and vigorous co-operation from the Christian public, and we ask every reader to give us aid.
1. First of all, we wish for our REVIEW a greatly enlarged circulation. The same cost of time and strength by which we now reach 10,000 subscribers, may as well avail for 100,000; and the larger the list of subscribers the smaller the relative cost of production, and therefore the less the price of the REVIEW. Every pastor ought to have a copy, and to secure its wide circulation in a congregation would double and treble the annual gifts to lllissions. Is there not in every church some godly man or woman who will try at least to collect enough money to supply the pastor with THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD? And with l:;Iow little labor might copy after copy find its way into the homes of leading families? The pastors are leaders, and missionary interest in any congregation seldom rises above their level. "But we greatly desire that in every family the news from the mission field may find eager readers, if not always paying subscribers. Let every subscriber, therefore, take pains to see that his copy is read outside the limits of his own home. After it has done service in his own household, let it be sent on its rounds, visiting homes where otherwise it would not find its way, to spread information and inspire interest.
If a pastor would take the trouble to suggest to his people the raising of a club and request a suitable person to take it in charge, our circulation would be trebled among them and they would get the REVIEW at a less price. Ten subscriptions for $15; or for 20 at $2 each, a large missionary map of the world, which is sold for $20 by its publishers, is given. And the map and the circulation of 20 copies of THE REVIEW for a year among his people would largely increase the interest in and the gifts to the missionary cause.
We crave help to enlarge our free list. We renew our appealfor a Review Mission Fund, by which we may furnish copies gratuitously, orat less than cost, to young men and women who are studying and preparing for work in the mission field. Whenever $1 is sent us, we add what is necessary to pay for a free copy, and place it where it will do the most good. In this way we last year put it into the hands of several hundred volunteers.
2. Secondly, we ask aid, from any quarter, in providing matter for the pages of THE REVIEW i and particularly information from all parts of the field. Accurate and prompt reports of the Lord's work in any land we cordially welcome, and if necessary will pay for. What we specially desire is, early and authentic reports from all the missionary societies of the world. If the Secretaries of these many societies will see to it that we are furnished with advance sheets of their annual reports, or a copy of the report itself when issued, we will invariably publish a careful abstract of it in the REVIEW. Many have done so, and we have, including the Woman's Boards, given the past year the latest authentic statistics of some 125 societies. We have not yet attained to the scientific form of the late Mr. Wilder's reports, but we hope in time greatly to exceed them in fullness and practical worth, if not in the element of scientific arrangement. But very much depends on the co-operation of the friends of missions, in the foreign fields and in the Boards and Societies at home. Let every reader remember that, in effect, he is one of the editors and publishers of this REVIEW; these pages are at his command to improve almost without limit. Give us a larger constituency and so a wider circulation; give us contributions from the whole field, reports of all existing societies, helpful suggestions, and in general a helping hand; and, to the last limit of our ability and resourCQS, we will make this MISSION- ARyREVIEW OF THE WORLD worthy of its name, and of the cordial place already accorded to it in the hearts of thousands of readers.
Never was the whole field of missions so inviting or the harvest so prom- ising. Never was the Church of Christ furnished with facilities so ample and abundant for the speedy and successful accomplishment of her work. Human thought and social changes move with a rapidity unknown in the lethargic ages of the past. There is a stirring of all the elements both of individual and national life; new conditions exist; new aspirations are awakened, and new developments are possible. The next decade of years will witness not only evolutions but revolutions that even now seem incredi- ble within so short a time. The Church of Christ must push all her forces' to the front, and lay a moulding hand on the plastic material of social life. The anointed tongue and the consecrated pen, the printed page and the living ep~tle, the Church and the school, the Christian family and the Chris- , tian home, must unite their witness to the power of the gospel in the eyes and ears of every creature.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AS THE ENTERPRISE OF THE CHURCH
I A word by way of apology. It has caused us no little painand.mortification that, in spite of our best endeavors, a few typographical errors have marred the pages of the REvmw hitherto. This has been owing to the fact that the printing-office which does our work has undergone, as all business establishments are liable to, frequent and radical changes during the year, resulting in more or less chaos and haste, over which we had no control. We are determined, however, that this state of things shall no longer exist.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AS THE ENTERP;EUSE OF THE CHURCH.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. p.] To proclaim the gospel in aU the world and to every creature is, in the most emphatic sense, the one divine vocation of disciples. It is the King's business; not only as committed to us by the King Himself, and bearing the signature and seal of royal authority, but as the business which the King, first of all, Himself undertook. In all missions, the pio- , neer and exemplar, the inspiring leader and peerless worker, was and is our imperial Divine Captain. He compressed into one sentence His whole subjective biography: "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost." Luke likewise compressed into one sentence His whole objective history: H He went about doing good." All intelli- gent zeal in missions kindles its enthusiasm from the live coal brought from that celestial altar whereon the Lamb of God was offered in self- consuming devotion. The highest heroism is but a borrowed beauty; it only reflects luster from that face that shone with the supreme supernal glory of perfect unselfishness. The vindication and the inspiration of all missionary work are alike found in this: that He, the King of kings, emptied Himself of His divine attributes and divested' Himself of His divine glory and consented to the limitations of a human nature and an earthly life, that He might take the form of a servant and become obedient to death, even the death of the cross.
However loosely we may use that phrase, H cross-bearing," it has one, and only one, scriptural application: "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Christ took up the cross. That, to Him, meant self-sacrifice jor others' salvationj and it means that, and only that, to every follower or disciple. Life's petty annoyances and vexations, the daily trials of patience and tests of temper, may be spoken of as "our crosses," and everything that " crosses" us may be construed as a cross. But the Word of God authorizes no such breadth of application or interpretation; it knows noplurality oj crosses j the plural form of that word is never once :found in Scripture~ Moreover, it is not our cross, but His cross; or ours only as it is first His. To" bear the cross" after Him is to give up our- selves to a life, or if need be a death, as He did, for the sake of saving souls. Moses anticipated such oblivious self-offering when he plead: "And now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin-;' and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written." The true interpre- tation of that sublime intercession of the great Jewish 'lawgiver is not found in a desperate determinatioll to be identified with Israel even in their rejection; but, as we conceive, Moses was offering himself as a sacrifice for the sinning people with whom God was so justly incensed: "rather than not forgive them, blot me out of thy book!" Paul, long after and with far more light upon the glory of such divine altruism, said: "I could wish that myself were accursed from Ohrist for my brethren." That was bearing the cross; that was being crucified with Ohrist; that entitled the great apostle of the Gentiles to say: "From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks (u'!"IrtLa'!"a) of the Lord Jesus."
This, then, is the business to which the King gave Himself, even unto death, and which He has entrusted to all disciples. First of all, we are to get salvation, and then to give it; and to get it that we may give it. Every disciple is called to be a co-worker with God the Father) a co-sufferer with God the Son, a co-witness with God the Holy Ghost,* in the saving of souls. Whatever other pursuit may claim our attention and endeavor, this is the one business of every disciple's life. This is his vocation; all other things are but avocations. This is the one and only legitimate calling deserving to "occupy" us "till He come." Until this truth and fact be acknowledged and felt-until this obligation and privilege become real and vivid, vital and vitalizing-there can be no adequate prosecution of the work of missions. Until then the impulse and impetus are lacking: there is no adequate motiv'e to become a motor to our personal and ecclesiastical machinery. Weare building without a base, and the whole structure is unstable.
But, on the other hand, let this conception of life, duty and responsibility take tenacious hold of every believer: I am called of God to bear the cross after Ohrist, to follow the same business which He followedseeking and saving the lost. Then let a holy affection-a passion for souls-set this conception on fire with the flame of love! And, before such a conviction, transfigured into such overpowering enthusiasm, the work of missions would advance as forest fires move, with the strides of a giant and the speed of the whirlwind, sweeping or melting all obstacles in its path, rapid and resistless as the march of God! Such will be the energy of our work for God, when we rightly conceive it, and receive into our hearts the omnipotence of its appeal, and of its impulsive and propulsive and expulsive passion for souls.
But another kindred result will follow: We shall take up missions with a new spirit of enterprise. That word, enterprise, has come to have a fixed and definite meaning. It suggests an undertaking of importa~ce, an arduous endeavor, with the acceptance of hazard or * See 1 Cor. iii: 9; Col. i: 24; John xv: 26,27. risk. It admits difficulty as a factor in the problem and hardihood as the price of success.
Christian missions represent the most colossal undertaking ever presented to the mind of man. Here is a world lying in the lap of the evil one, and entangled in his seductive snares as Samson was ill the net of Delilah's wantonness. Here are fifteen hundred millions of perishing people to be overtaken with· the gospel message, if at all; within the life-time of a generation. Yet Christ says to a comparatively few disciples: "Give ye them to eat," and yet what we have seems hopelessly inadequate provision for such a vast multitude. But there is the authority of the King; He certainly will not command what is impossible or even impracticable. With proper organization and distribution of this multitude into companies; with our few barley loaves brought to Him to be blessed, broken and mnltiplied as broken; with simple faith in His power and presence, and with implicit obedience to His Word, we may not only feed all these millions, but find fragments left in abundance; for the gospel provision strangely multiplies as it is divided.
All true enterprises are earnestly prosecuted. David said to * Abimelech: "The king's business requireth haste." And prompt- ness, celerity of movement, needs to be introduced into our way of doing the King's business, as a part of our loyal obedience to His command. In the book of Esther we are furnished with an example of the haste with which a royal decree may be carried out. t First the fatal word went forth at the prompting of wicked Haman-a decree of death-unto the King's lieutenants, the provincial governors and rulers, to every -people after their language; a copy of the, writing was published unto all people, aIld the posts went out, hastened by the King's commandment. Afterwards when that counter-decree of life was issued, written in the king's name and sealed with his signet, letters were dispatched by posts on horseback and riders on mules, camels and young dromedaries. There were 127 provinces to be reached ;- the empire of Ahasuerus stretched from the Danube and the Nile on the west to the Indus and the Ganges on the east, and from the Black Sea and the Caspian on the north to the P61:sian .Gulf and the Indian Ocean on the south – its length nearly two thousand and its breadth nearly one thousand miles. It was on the three and twentieth day of the month Sivan that the king's scribes were called to put that decree in writing; it had to be translated into every language represented in those provinces from Ethiopia to India; it had to be promulg-ctted with haste, and yet without one of those modern facilities which we possess. There were no printing-presses,. postal unions or telegraphs; no railro&ds or steamships. Every copy must be transcribed by hand, and borne by mes- * 1 Sam. xxi: 8. t Estheriii.-viii. sengers who could move no faster than horses and mules, camels and dromedaries could carry them. And yet, through all those 127 provinces that decree was actually published upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar! Throughout that wide domain, to every Persian subject, that message of the king was thus born13 in less tha,n nine months I More than eighteen hundred and fifty years ago the King of kings issued a decree of salvation and bade His disciples bear the Word of life to every creature in all this world's vast empire. And now, after waiting with divine patience for nearly nineteen centuries, He sees threefourths ojthe htlman race yet without the knowledge of the good news of grace! It is plain without argument that the Ohurch of Ohrist has never yet, in any proper sense, attempted to solve this practical problem. When Dr. Duff declared that as yet we have been only" playing at missions," he meant that this world-wide work has never been seriously conducted as the enterprise of the Ohurch. We have not yet felt that the King's command is urgent and the King's business requireth haste. Were true, sound, sensible, practical business principles applied to this 'problem, no hindrance would be huge enough even to delay the prose- cution of the work solemnly committed to the Ohurch of Ohrist. And once more we record our solemn conviction that, with thorough organi- zation, sanctified resolve and practical co-operation throughout the Ohurch, the gospel may be preached as a witness, not only among all nations, but to every living creature, within the lifet'ime oj the present generation, or even before the present century closes.
In affirming this conviction we do not forget the wide extent of ter- ritory yet to be covered with gospel effort. There are unoccupied provinces, absolutely without a single missionary or mission station. Kurdistan with 3,000,000; Afghanistan with 8,000,000; Anam with 30,000,000; Africa, north of the Equator and west of the Nile basin, with 50,000,000 more; Thibet and Mongolia, virtually left to the dominion of the grand Lama; Arabia, over whose whole ex- tent floats the green flag of the False Prophet ;-these are some of the territories yet to be taken possession of in the name of Ohrist. A few years since Mr. Stevenson, of the Ohina Inland Mission, went from Bhamo, in Upper Burmah, to Ohungking in Ohuen, Ohina, a distance of over 1,000 miles, ,and for 500 miles north and south of his line of travel, only one station, K wei-Yang, then existed! Stanley in Africa, journeying from the Great Lakes in the east to the rapids of the Oongo, found not one native Ohristian in 7,000 miles of travel.
Even countries nominally fields of mission labor are not occupied. Siam, with eight or ten millions of impressible people, whose King, Ohulalangkorn, is the most intelligent and progressive ruler in Asia, and the active, generous friend and patron of the missionaries, has a few Baptists working among resident Ohinese in Bangkok, and less than a score of Presbyterians, constituting the sole working force to bring those millions to the knowledge of God; and yet Siam has single cities with 200,000 inhabitants where there is not one mission station or even evangelist; and such things as this are true after more than eighteen centuries of Christian history! – The wide area of unoccupied territory needs not dismay us. Africa and Asia together embrace less than 26,000,000 square miles, only about twelve or thirteen times as much as the Persian Empire in the days of Ahasuerus. If in those days the royal proclamation could be carried through the imperial dominions in nine months, what is to hin- der our bearing the gospel message through these two continents in nine years? With all our modern facilities and instrumentalities we could certainly cover a territory twelve times as large in a period twelve times as long!
This thought of a possible proclamation of the Word of life to every living creature before this century closes, we have sought to trumpet forth by tongue and pen for twenty years; and it has never yet been shown to be either impossible or impracticable. It can be done; it OUGHT to be done; it MUST be done. We must cross this Jordan of Selfishness and roll away this reproach of neglect at the Gilgal of a new consecration. We must resolutely marcq around Jericho and blow the gospel trumpet. Let men deride the fewness of our missionary band, and the foolishness of preaching. Let pagan priests and heathen phil- osophers ridicule the credulous faith that expects to see ancient systems fall before the peal of a Jubilee trump. God's word is pledged. "Lo, r am with you alway." The Church of Christ has but to undertake this work, in the energy of the Spirit and with the enterprise of a true consecration, and wonders will follow to which even Pentecost was but a prelude and precursor. Yes, thig- King's business requires haste. Be- hind that command, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," there stands the majesty of imperial mtthority.
Such authority is itself urgency. He obeys not the King who does not move promptly, immediately. Celerity of movement is a necessary part of loyalty and fidelity. To move tardily at the King's command is next to open treason.
The opportunUy calls for haste. God sets before the Church an open door, great and effectual. While the command rings in our ears, "Go ye"! 10, silently but suddenly the iron gates of intolerance and igno- rance, bigotry and superstition, swing open as of their own accord. Ob- stacles that for a thousand years have stood like walls of adamant quickly disappear. But what is thus our opportune; hour is also Sa· tan's, and he appreciates and improves it, if we do not. Forward into these new openings he pushes his obedient servants, with all theirvari- ous agencies and instruments of destruction. He sends his emissaries to preach his anti-gospel and carryon his crusade of infidelity and immorality and set up his printing-presses to scatter the literature of death. Satan never lacks earnestness or enterprise in his work.
Meanwhile, what are we doing? Trifling with the whole matter of a world's evangelization; trifling on a magnificent scale! Since our Lord on Calvary breathed His dying prayer, fifty successive generations of human beings have passed away. In this awful aggregate twenty-five times the present population of the globe have perished without the gospel; and as yet the entire Christian Church sends less than 6,000 laborers into the foreign field and spends less than $12,000,000 a year on the world-wide work!
Never yet have we been in haste to enter even the most conspicuously open door. That word" opportunity" is full of ethical suggestiveness: ob, over against; portus, the harbor. The gospel ship lies at the very entrance of the harbor whose wide-stretching arms and open gates invite entrance, and where millions of people wait to welcome the gospel. While God's breezes blow toward the port and we have only to spread sail and speed on ward, we lie at anchor as if becalmed, or move so slowly and sluggishly that the barges of the vain pleasureseeker and the swift gall~ys of a piratical foe sweep past us and preoccupy the openings. Where is the enthusiasm of the Christian Ohurch ! Where our zeal for God, our sympathy for a lost race, our loyalty to our Lord, our sense of duty and responsibility!
Moreover, behold the King's couriers and posts, furnished by His providence, ready to do our bidding in hastening the King's business! First, the printing-press, what a magnificent help to evangelization, ready to multiply copies of the Word in any tongue, at a trifling cost and with incredible speed! . From a single steam-press thousands of copies may be produced every month, and tracts and religious books by the million pages. Here is a doubly useful messenger in the work of evangelization. It moves like a magic shuttle, to and fro. While it multiplies and scatters afar the message of the gospel, it spreads at home information of the workabroad. This courier of the King he never sent forth until the Dark Ages were giving place to the new dawn of the Reformation, and the Church was prepared to attend to the King's business. This courier we must use, as never hitherto, to scatter information of the King's work among disciples, as well as to scatter the leaves of the tree of life among the heathen. Information is the handmaid of evangelization. Thousands of intelligent disciples are ignorant of missions. One of the foremost philanthropists of England, to whom a copy of "The Crisis of Missions" was sent, wrote to the author: "I am sorry to confess that of the bulk of the facts which you present I have hitherto been entirely ignorant." No wonder the flame of zeal burns low when no fuel feeds its fires, and no oil fills its l~mps.
Money is another of the King's couriers. Consecrated capital is not only potent, it is well-nigh omnipotent. No marvel that Mammon is treated III the Bible as a rival god to Jehovah. Wealth suggests divine attributes-omnipotence, omnipresence, immortality, transforming en- I ergy. To have and to use money well is to multiply personal power a thousand fold, nay, to multiply one's self a thousand fold. The giver is potentially wherever his gift is. Sarah Hosmer's frugal savings educated six young men to preach the gospel in Oriental lands, and where they were she had her representatives and preached through them. A man recently died in New York City whose noble benefactious had spread so far that in not less than two hundred and fifty different places he was represented by a mission Sunday-school, a church, an asylum, a hospital, a college or seminary, or some other form of beneficence: his money made him virtually omnipresent as a benefactor. Money makes the giver also immortal. It represents not what is transient, but what is permanent. The good that men do with money lives after them; it is not interred with their bones. They who use it aright hold the lever of God, and lift a whole people to a loftier planemultiplying themselves indefinitely and rendering themselves practically present wherever their donations are doing work in their behalf ; and so even when dead their works do follow them, and they survive themselves!
If the King's business requires haste, there are ready facilities to meet the requirement. Sanctijied scholarsh-ip is another royal courier, pre- ' pared to mount the swift steeds of modern civilization and bear the divine tidings to every nation in its own native tongue. When Ohrist gave His command, he addressed humble, unlettered men. Since then the gospel has found its way into Cresar's household. Here are the princes of this world, the seers and.sages, bowing at the cross. The Bible has been translated into over three hundred languages and dialects. A Ohristian literature has been created and may be reproduced in any known language 6f earth. Steam has been harnessed to the gospel chariot-nay, even lightning waits to do the Ohurch's bidding. What are we waiting for? Twenty thousand millions of dollars lie. in the coffers of the Protestant church members of Great Britain and America; 3,000 young men and women are knocking at the doors of the church asking to be sent abroad; the whole world permits and invites missionary approach; there is every preparation for such universal movement and such rapid progress as no other century ever even forecast. WHAT IS THE OHURCH OF OHRIST WAITING FOR?
The necessity and feasibility of a grand campaign for Ohrist, with reference to the immediate occupation of all unoccupied fields, and the immediate proclamation of the gospel to every living soul, are beyond dispute. After a wide discussion by the ablest writers upon the subject of missions, the conviction is only established that the present crisis imperatively demands that the entire forces of the Christian Church should be enlisted and engaged in this glorious work. A spirit.
of consecrated enterprise must apply to this giant problem the best and soundest business principles; a system must be devised which shall prevent waste of time, money, and men, and economize and administer all the available forces of the Church. The imperial clarion of our tord, as with the peal of the last trnmp, summons all His hosts for the great crusade. , Nehemiah was a model organizer. He built up the broken walls of the Holy City, and with a small, poor remnant of the people finished the work in fifty-two days. The perfection of his organization was the secret of his success, and it embraced three grand principles: first, division of labor-every man at work over against his own door; sec- ondly, co-operation-all engaged in one work and operating upon one plan; thirdly, concentration-all at the sound of the trumpet rallying to defend any weak and assaulted point. Put those three principles into practice in the work of foreign missions, and we may build the wall of gospel witness around the world in a few years; we may push the advance of our missionary hosts so rapidly and systematically, that on every hill, in every valley, from equator to pules and from sea to sea, the gospel's silver trumpet shall sound.
Fifty years ago seven humble men in a shoemaker's shop in Hamburg undertook the work of evangelization on the principle of individual responsibility. In twenty years they had organized 50 churches, gathered 10,000 converts, distributed 400,000 Bibles and 8,000,000 pages of tracts, and preached the gospel to 50,000,000 of people. As they went from place to place the work grew, and new converts in- spired with similar zeal became helpers, so that a population as great as that of the United States, or of the Congo Free State, heard the gospel within those twenty years. If any are distrustful of mere arithmetic as applied to the problem of missions, here is a practi~al proof that it is perfectly feasible so to organize the work as to reach 100,000,000 of people every year, and that, too, with only an insignificant Gideon's band. An English preacher asked some British soldiers, "If Queen Vic- toria were to issue a proclamation, and, placing it in the hands of her army and navy, were to say, 'Go ye into all the world and proclaim it to every creature,' how long do you think it would take to do it?"
One of these brave fellows, accustomed to obey orders without hesita- tion or delay and at peril of life, promptly answered, " Well, I tkink we could manage it in about eighteen months."
There are, perhaps, in round numbers, thirty millions of Protestant church me:gJ.bers in the world. Could each of that number somehow reach thirty-three of the unsaved, the whole thousand million would be eva~gelized; and could each be brought to give one cent a day, our missionary treasuries would overflow with over one hundred millions of dollars every year. Of course we cannot depend upon enlisting in this " work all church members. Nominal Protestants include millions of mere professors, members of state churches, formalists and ritU(tlists, and millions more who, while they profess to be disciples, are actually immoral and infidel. But let us suppose that there are ten 'millions of true disciples who can be brought into line, and who by systematic effort can be made to furnish men and money for this work, even 1vith this tenth part oj Ohristendom the world may be evangelized bifore the twentieth century dawns.
Weare not responsible for conversion, but we are responsible for con- tact. We cannot compel any man to decide for Christ, but we may compel every man to decide one way or the other; that is, we may so bring to eyery human being the gospel message, that the responsibility is transferred from us to him, and that we are delivered from blood- guiltiness. God will take care of the results, if we do our duty. We are to preach this gospel everywhere" for a witness "-not coldly, officially, formally, but earnestly, prayerfully, lovingly. Christian churches, schools, institutions, homes, reared in the midst of pagan communities, constitute part of this" witness" to the power of the gospel; then, whether the gospel prove a savor of life or of death, our fidelity will not fail of its reward.
We repeat, that it is our solemn and mature conviction that before the close of this century the gospel might be brought into contact with every living soul; for if we could so organize and utilize ten millions of disciples as that everyone should be the means of reaching with the good tidings one hundred other souls, during the lifetime of this gen- eration all the present population of the globe would be evangelized; or, if the sublime purpose should inspire the whole Church to do this work before this century ends, each of this ten million believer::; has only to reach between eight and nine souls every year for the twelve years that remain. .
When Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" was first published there were some who construed the fiction as fact; and they said, "But there is among these Utopians no mansion of gospel truth: let us go and tell them the good news!" Is it not high time that we re~lized that the destitute and desperate condition of a lost race is fact and not fiction; and that, having the Bread of Life, we carry to the starving millions of earth's popUlation the gospel of salvation, with the promptness and holy haste which are the only fit way to attend to the King's business?
At the beginning of this new year, let us write on the very door- posts of our churches and houses, and on our gates, this grand motto: THE WHOLE WORLD TO BE EVANGELIZED IN THE PRESENT GENERATION.
" Let us go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." The Earl of Shaftes~ury said: "During the latter part of
HENRY MARTYN
these centuries it has been in the power of those who hold the truth, having means enough, having knowledge enough, and having opportunity enough, to evangelize the globe fifty times over." Recent testimony is given by 120 nTtssionaries in China, representatives of twenty-one Protestant societies. They say: aWe want China emancipated from the thraldom of sin £n this generation. It is possible." Our Lord has said, "According to your faith be it unto you." The Ohurch of God can do it, if she be only faithful to her great commission. This statement comes from those who are intimately acquainted with the discouragements-who know the difficulties. And now" for the sake of the Name," that name which is above every name, "the love of Ohrist constraining us," let us go forth. Let the sublime faith and hope of such a grand result, under divine leadership, inspire our effort. Pastors, awake! Be yourselves flaming missionaries! From the lofty altitude of your own high devotion let the stream descend that shall raise every devout hearer to a higher level. Fan the slumbering embers of a smouldering missionary zeal-heap the facts like fuel on the fires. Make the coldest congregation hot with your own burning enthusiasm. Parents, bring up your children to see the dark places of the earth and the habitations of cruelty before their eyes, as Oarey's rude map confronted him on that sheet of leather in his cobbler's shop! Merchants, open your treasuries and pour out your money. Never was an altar that so consecrated the gift. Meanwhile, let the voice of prayer, as with tho mingling sound of multitudinous waves, surge against the throne of God!
HENRY MARTYN.
BY JAMES M. LUDLOW, D.D., EAST ORANGE, N. J.
IN the year 1812 a lone traveler, passing through Eastern Asia Minor, died at Tokat. His dragoman even did not know his full name, but scratched something like it upon a rude slab and went his way. The grave was soon covered by the sand from a mountain stream. They who buried him thought of him only as one of the millions who every year fan into forgotten graves. But this man was missed. Though but thirty-one years of age, he had struck the chord of heroic appreciation in England and America as almost no other man had. A statesman said: "His name is the one heroic name which adorns the annals of the English Ohurch from the days of Elizabeth to our own." His grave was sought; his body removed to a more public spot; a handsome monument reared, and inscribed with his praise in four languages. Lord Macaulay, with fine appreciation of the truly great in character coming from familiarity with the heroes of all ages, who thrills us with his lines on Horatius and Harry of Navarre, was affected to reverence by the story of this young man's life and wrote this epitaph: , " Here Martyn lies! In manhood's early bloom The Christian hero found a pagan tomb; Religion, sorrowing o'er her favorite son, Points to the glorious trophies which he won.
Eternal trophies, not with slaughter red, Not stained with tears by hopeless captives shed, But trophies of the cross. For that dear naJ1le Through every form of danger, death and shame, Onward he journeyed to a happier shore, Where danger, death and shame are known no more."
Henry Martyn was born in Oornwall, England, in 1781. At sixteen he entered Oambridge University. He was intensely ambitious, and was nettled because at the early examinations he took only the second position. But at twenty he graduated as Senior Wrangler, with the first honor.
He could, however, apply his mind better than control his passionate nature. Angered one day he threw a large knife at a comrade, who dodged it, and let it stick quivering in the wall, instead of in the intended victim's heart. He was self-willed even to obstinacy and surliness to his father. No natural saint was he.
His after saintliness was not due to development, but total change, point-blank conversion. Its occasio,n was the death of his father, and the thought that it was now too late to ask from those cold lips forgiveness for his undutiful conduct. He could only go to God for it. But, having once come before that throne, and felt upon his soul the shadow of God's condemnation for sin, all his pride was crushed; having felt the light of God's countenance reconciled, his soul was ever after filled with gratitude and love. From this time Martyn was another man. 'rhat strong willfulness became strong willingness, as he gave his whole being up to his Redeemer. He was ambitious still, but he had now an Over-lord, even Ohrist. His favorite text was" Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not, saith the Lord." So thoroughly did he belong to Ohrist that selfish honors no longer pleased him. When he graduated first in his class, he wrote: "I obtained my highest wishes, but was surprised to find I had grasped a shadow." His energy was not lessened, rather intensified, by having higher appeals, those of conscience and service, added to natural desire; and his faculties were new-fired by his communion with the Holy Spirit. Yet he was not without tremendous temptations from his old ambition. For a while he proposed to study law, "chiefly," he says, "because I could not consent to be poor for Ohrist's sake." But he did not know his newer self when he thought that way, and when the moment of decision came he turned his back upon all prospect of secular gain, and sought the ministry. He could not restrain his impulse for Ohristian service; it came out in daily incidents of conduct. He once rebuked a fellow student for sinful trifling. Speaking on the im1ulse, he thought he had overstepped propriety; but the honesty of his manner gave such weight to his rebuke that it led to his friend's conversion, and in after years they labored together in the foreign mission field.
But that was not the day of missionary interest such as now fills the Church. Carey had gone to India, the first English missionary there; and David Brainerd had laid down his life for Christ among the A.merican Indians. Vanderkemp was in South Africa. 'l'hese and a few others were then the far-scattered stars in what has now become resplendent galaxies of missionary heroes and martyrs in many lands.
To conceive the idea of being a missionary showed independence, enter- prise, courage, and far-sighted pioneer faith not required of those who now go out to help bring in the spoil of almost a century's campaign in pagan lands.
Martyn was in spirit alone in the world when he formed the missionary purpose, almost as much as when he lay down to die at Tokat. He loved his home; hearts close to his seemed necessary to the existence of his warm, affectionate nature. Could he break these ties? He was a man of most exquisite intellectual refinement, by genius a student, with a brilliant career awaiting him in a university chair, or as leader of a refined congregation. Could he give his life to the dull monotony of teaching the most degraded people the rudiments of decency and truth'? There was no glamour about the work. It was not a roseate outlook, but one of dirt and dreariness to anyone; and especially to a man physically weak, knowing that he inherited 'a tendency to disease that needed to be counteracted by tender living. He wrote, "This is what flesh cannot endure." There was one other obstacle, such as has determined the career of many a man. He was deeply attached to a lady of rarest worth in all that a noble man would seek ina wife.
His affection was returned. But she could not accompany him to the mission field. Thus to go was to isolate himself from everything which made life worth living, looked at from the standpoint of self.
Yet he said, "I will go," though he, quite naturally under the cir- cumstances, made that great offering of himself in the very words of Christ when expiring on Calvary, and of Stephen bowing his head to martyrdom, "Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." Why not? The man then died to the world as truly as if he had mounted a funeral pyre. ,I In 1805 Henry Martyn sailed for India. Nine months were con- sumed in the journey, which took him across to South America and then back around Cape Good Hope. Much of the time was spent in hard study, mastering the Hindustani language, varied by burning fever as the fiery conflict of his thought consumed his very flesh. He tells us that the most helpful uninspired sentence he ever heard was one that he found at this time in Milner's" History of the Church" ; "To believe, to su:ffel', and to love was the primitive state," i.e., of the early Ohristians. This he made the purpose of his life. At the Oape of Good Hope he went ashore. A furious war was raging between the English and Dutch for the possession of that point. Amid the horrors of the battle-field, bending over the fallen forms of English, Dutch, or Hottentot braves, he had his baptismal experience of a kind of duty such as the elegant and thronged churches of England never gave him.
Arriving iu Oalcutta he"was felled by fever, and his weakened body became a source of discouragement overcome only by his deathless devotion. The horrid rites of widow burning and devil worship were then practiced. He said he "shivered as standing in the neighborhood of hell." English friends urged his remaining at Oalcntta, where he would meet with countrymen and could preach as much as he wished without danger, receiving a salary as army chaplain. But :Martyn determined to go to the heathen beyond, to whom others would not go.
For weeks he pushed his way in a little boat up the Ganges, during the day translating Scripture into Bengalee by the aid of his boatmen, at night talking of Ohrist to the natives on the shore. Passing into new provinces he found new dialects to be mastered. His rare scholarly habit and genius came to his help. At Dinapore we find this in his diary of a day: ":Morning in Sanscrit; afternoon, Bahar dialect; continued late at night writing on Parables in Bengalee. The wickedness and'cruelty of wa,sting a moment when so many nations are waiting till I do my work." He finds that he has use for Arabic, too, in dealing with :Mohammedans, and thflrefore masters that tongue. Then the Persian language is studied. The mau seems to have been a mingling of :Max :Muller and Livingstone.
Through the glaring sun he traversed the sandy plains of the Ganges hundreds of miles to Oawnpore, fainting, fevered, with a terrible disease developing in his chest. He preached statedly to the soldiers in the barracks, and at times the poor natives would gather by the thousand in front of his door to receive his alms and hear his addresses. A strange fascination went out from his person to all who came in contact with him. A fellow English Ohristian, speaking of :Martyn's ill health. said: "If I could make you live longer, I would give up any child I have, and myself into the bargain."
Physical nature could not endure the strain of that intense spirit, and :Martyn's condition necessitated his return to England. But ha was not quite satisfied with the correctness of his Persian translation of the New Testament, and therefore proposed to put in an intermediate journey to Persia to perfect it. Pale, emaciated, too weak to speak except in a low voice, he seemed to live only by force of soul. They beheld him" standing on the verge of another world, and ready to take his flight," rather than about to endure another earthly journey. His thirtieth birthday found him en 1'01100 for Persia. In his journal he says: "I am now at the age when the Saviour of men began His ministry-when John the Baptist called a nation to repentance. Let me now think for myself and act with energy. Hitherto I have made my youth and insignificance an excuse for sloth and imbecility; now let me have a character and act for God."
After several months he reached Persia. He was prostrated by sunstroke. Recovering sufficient strength, he penetrated the country. The thermometer in June ranged from 120 degrees to 126 degrees. He existed only by wrapping hip1self in heavy blankets to exclude the heat, or wet blankets to temper ~t. So he traversed the plains. Then over the mountains where the cold at night was piercing, but with a fire in his head, his skin dryas a cinder, his pulse almost convulsive.
Reaching Shiraz, the Persian seat of learning, he began a new translation of the Testament with the help of some intelligent Persian gentlemen. While doing this work he debated publicly with their great men, and wrote articles in reply to their chief books. Sharp arguments were sometimes inspersed with brick-bats hurled at his head. Withinthe year his translation was completed. He would lay it before the Persian king. To accomplish this another long journey was undertaken. To its natural hardship was added the danger to his life from the bigotry of the people, as they knew his mission to introduce a foreign religion. He one day attended a reception given by the Vizier, bringing his Bible. Vizier challenged him with "You had better say, 'God is God, and Mahomet is the prophet of God.'" Martyn replied, at the risk of losing his head, "God is God, and Jesus is the Son of God." The by-standel'S cried out, "What will you say when your tongue is burnt out for such blasphemy?" They would have trampled the Bible with their feet had not Martyn rescued the manuscript from the floor.
But'what was the use of antagonizing the prejudices of the people? Had we simply the· diary of Martyn we might only be able to say that his burning zeal would not permit him to be silent. Everywhere he went he must be talking about Christ. But there was a providence in his tongue that he knew not of. Years afterward Sir Robert Ker Porter, in journeying through Persia, was met by people who asked if he knew "the man of God," some one who had made an impression upon the people like that of a brief sojourn of an angel among them. They said ~'He came here in the midst of us, sat down encircled by our wise men, and made such remarks upon our Koran as cannot be answered. We want to know more about his religion and the book he left among us." At Shlraz, long after Martyn's death, there lived an accomplished Persian, Mohamed Ratem, who confessed that for years he had been secretly a Ohristian. He had been convinced, he said, by "a beardlesl!. youth; enfe~bled by disease; who ~ave him a book," which had sinc~ been his constant companion. It was a Persian New Testament, and on a blank leaf the name Henry Martyn.
Martyn probably knew nothing of his personal influence upon these people; as little as we know the result of our lives.
But to return to our narrative. He was out of money, and would have starved but for help from a poor muleteer. Burning with fever, aching with weariness, breathing with difficulty from the progress of his disease, he reached Tabriz, where the English ambassador received him. For two months Sir Gore Ousley and his lady watched by his bedside, until temporary return of strength allowed his departure. In the meantime the ambassador himself presented the New Testament in Persian to the king, by whom it was graciously received and publicly commended; since which it has shone as a day star of hope to Ohristian missions in that part of the world. England has spent millions of money and many lives of soldiers in Persia. but the work of Henry Martyn, though his face was hardly known to its people, has accomplished a thousand fold more.
His work done, the frail man started for home. Thirteen hundred miles overland must be traversed before he could reach even Oonstantinople. With a heartless dragoman and servant he started across burning plains, dangerous rivers, under the mighty peak of Mount Ararat, through dense forests, drenching rains and thieving villages, he rushed onward, though fainting, and always with the dread fever or chill. After a month or more of this sort of life, we find the last note in his journal, Oct. 6, 1812: "No horses to be had, I had unexpected repose. I sat in an orchard and thought with sweet comfort and peace of my God-in solitude my company, my friend and comforter. Oh! when shall time give place to eternity?" Ten days later he was dead. How he died no one knows, except that it was alone. There was no loving kiss of wife or sister or friend upon the chilling brow, but as they would say in the East, "God kissed him and drew out his soul."
Friends·in distant India waited for the coming of one who would never come. But the story of his work floated over the lands, and with it the story of his heroism. A thrill of missionary interest went through the Ohurch. The cause of evangelization received an impulse second to none since the early days of the English Reformation.
The story of Henry Martyn almost oppresses an ordJnary Ohristian. His spirituality was so refined that it is difficult to even appreciate it. It was like the rare atmosphere of mountain heights, hard for some to even breathe. His courage and concentration of purpose make our lives seem so weak and disconnected–like water spilled on the ground, compared with the torrent that turns a hundred factories. He was dead at thirty-two, having awakened a nation, and some of us are twice that age and have hardly begun to do anything for the great crying
IN THE LEVANT
world and Him who redeemed it. We cannot fol~ow Martyn; we are not brave enough, nor fine enough in moral fiber to take his luster. Let us, then, more deeply appreciate the lesson now carved in four languages upon his tomb in Tokat: "May travelers of all nations, as they step aside and look at this monument, be led to honor, love and serve the God and Saviour of this devoted missionary."
MISSIONS IN THE LEVANT: THEIR PROBLEMS, METHODS AND RESULTS.
BY REV. EDWIN M. BLISS. [OUR printer marred the first article by some serious errors. On page 889, 6th line from top, for" American historian," read Armenian Nestorian. Again, 8th line from the bottom of same page, for" American be an American," read, an Armenian be an Armenian. And again, page 890, near middle of page, for" Misairyeh," read Nusairyeh.-EDs.] II. THEIR METHODS.
THERE has never been a time when the methods of Christian work in every department, and especially in the foreign field, have been so sharply criticised as at the present. Not a few, looking over the vast fields covered by foreign missions, have received a sudden and startling revelation as to the amount still to be done, and have leaped to the conclusion that the reason why more has not been accomplished is that wrong methods have been used. Christianity, they say, is bound to conquer. Its equipment is of the best. The trouble is that its arms are not handled wisely. The tactics are faulty. Intelligent, help- ful criticism is welcomed by no class of men more than by foreign mis- sionaries; but criticism based upon an examination of one phase of a . many-sided problem, or gained in a hasty glance over the surface, is apt to be neither just nor helpful. 'fhe charges against foreign mis- sions that have recently broken out show such phenomenal ignorance of the methods in actual use, at least in the Levant, as to make them of little or no value. Th!3y are best refuted by a simple statement of facts.
The one principle underlying mission work as carried on in the Levant is that the kingdom of Christ is built up on individual life and character. Its aim is not the destruction of one system in order to establish another. It is not that Islamism is to be overthrown, but Moslems are to be converted. Not that corrupt, degenerate churches are to be brought back to pristine, or even better than pristine, purity, but individual Bulgarians, Armenians, Copts, Maronites, Nestorians are to be helped to lead Christian lives. False systems will doubtless fall, corrupt churches give place to purer ones; but that is a re.~ult, not an end in itself. The end is the development of individual Christian character. To this end are mission methods directed; by this principle are they to be judged.
The question then comes: Is the development which is sought a natural, normal one, or is it abnormal, stunted, twisted out of all recognition, So that the convertlld MOf;llem, the evangelical Greek or Jacobite becomes, not a Ohristian Oriental, but a something half way between Asiatic and European-a sort of religious hybrid, utterly incapable of reproduction; so that the moment the supporting influence of the foreign funds is withdrawn the genus disappear?
The answer to this again will come best from the consideration of the methods in use. These are: Bible Distribution, Evangelistic Preaching, Ohurch Organization, Education, Ohristian Literature.
BIBLE DISTRIBUTION.
Taking the position that the highest development of character ill built up on a personal knowledge of the Bible, it is held to be a prime essential that the Scriptures should be in the hands of every man, woman and child; should be not merely listened to from the pulpit, but read and studied in the home.
In the countries occupied by American missions in the Levant this fundamental work is done by the American Bible Society, and has three departments: Translation, Publication and Distribution,' To the former the best of scholarship is summoned, resulting in versions unexcelled for critical accuracy and fluency of idiom. There are: the Arabic, prepared at Beyroot, but reaching to the farthest bounds of Africa and Asia; the Turkish, Armenian and Bulgarian, at Oonstantinople ; the Syriac, at Oroomiah ; the Aherzijan Turkish and Ararat dialect of the Armenian, chiefly at Tiflis; the Persian, originally the work of Henry Martyn, now revised and much ~mproved; the Koordish Testament, prepared by a Koordish Armenian pastor in the valley of the Euphrates. In this work America and England have joined hands, now aividing, now sharing; each desirous of the one end-to reach every man in his own tongue with the story of the cross and the resurrection. Then comes publication. The needs of every class are carefully studied. The peasant of the Nile Valley has his Testament in type especially suited to the eyes blurred and almost blinded with opthalmia. The inquiring Bulgarian, rendered half skeptical by the statement of his priest, that the Protestants have wandered far from the venerated Slavic, has a Testament with both ancient and modern versions in parallel columns, that he may see for himself. On the shelves at the Bible House in Oonstantinople are the Scriptures in more than thirty languages and four hundred styles of printing and binding, that no one, whether he be officer of the Sultan's household, or villager on the mountains of Kurdistan, may say, "There is no Bible for me." Thus far the preparation. Then comes the direct work of distribution. Over one hundred colporteurs are employed by the American Bible Society, but every t6acher, pastor, missionary, is an assistant. These men aim to reach every reader in every city, town, village and hamlet, with the offer of the Bible. The distribution is not, however, gratuitous. A price is set upon every book, often far below its real cost, so as to bring it within rQach of the poorest, and that price is.demandod and received • from all. Except in special and rare cases, not a Bible or Testament, not even a Gospel, is given away. This is not because American Christians are unwilling to give, but because, in the experience of all, free distribution of the sacred books cuts at the very root!! of that selfrespect and sense of the Bible's worth, without which there can be no strong Christian character developed. It is also never forced upon the attention of any. Cordially, earnestly, kindly, is it offered;' but he who takes it must do so of his own free will, under no external pressure. Undoubtedly such pressure might be used as to greatly increase the sales. Sometimes it has been used, but always with loss rather than gain.
A half century of experience has shown that, as a rule, in the Levant, the best results. are reached from planting the Bible in individual hearts, rather than by sowing it broadcast.
EVANGELISTIC PREACHING.
Sometimes preceding the colporteur, sometimes accompanying, sometimes following him, always in heartiest sympathy with him, is the preacher. Now Methodist, now Presbyterian, again Congregationalist, or sturdy descendant of the Scotch Covenanter, with various names, but one heart; differing uniforms, but 'one flag. His one purpose to show the Bible as a rule of faith, but still more a guide in life. Hence, he seeks to understand and sympathize with the life about him. This was the hardest task of the missionary when he himself was the only preacher in the early days of the work. It is no easy thing to enter into the life of a strange people, get accustomed to new habits of thought and language, learn to put old truths in new lights, and none realize it so keenly as those who have tried it. One principle has been constantly made clearer. A man, to have genuine, lasting power with men, must be himself. Just so far as an American, in dealing with Turk or Arab, Greek or Jacobite, ceases to be an American, and becomes an Orient~l, just so far he loses his power to convince, persuade, help. This is not matter of theory only, but of experience. Over and over again has the effort been made to accord the daily life of the missionary to that of the people among whom he labors, and it has ever been demonstrated to be not only impracticable, but unwise. The missionary must remain a missionary. However deep and strong his sympathy with the people, he not only cannot, but he ought not to become one of them. His best power for good depends upon his preserving his own individuality, and that must be national as well as personal. With the growth of the work the physical impossibility of the missionary's reaching all who sought to learn became increasingly apparent. Thus has arisen a great body of native preachers-men drawn from every class and walk in life-who, gathering from personal contact with tlie missionary the influence of his life and thought, assimilating it to their own national character, go forth . to the thousands of their fellow-countrymen, and with them are devel-
oping a Christianity which is far more natural, and will prove far more permanent, than could be the case were the missionary the sole bearer of the gospel message. Of not less importance is the method adopted by these preachers. Its principle is entirely in accord with that underlying the work of Bible Distribution. It is not polemical. There are times when denunciation is needed, and then they do not fear to expose fearlessly the deceit and fraud by which ecclesiastical powers would blind the eyes of an ignorant people, and hold them in subservience to their own ends. This, however, is the exception, not the rule. The Moslem, drawn by curiosity or interest to attend an evangelical service, will not turn away repelled by what are to him harsh attacks upon the faith in which he has been nurtured.. The Armenian or Copt will hear no harangue against those who have hidden from him the Word of Life and held him fast in bonds woven in the cells of monk and anchorite. It is the want and duty of every day life, the consciousness of sin, the need of forgiveness and help, alone possible through a Redeemer; the hope of a blessed immortality. These are the topics of the preacher, by the earnest personal presentation of which he seeks to emphasize men's personal relations to God, develop the sense of personal responsibility, and secure the growth of personal character.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
The adoption of this as a distinct method of missionary work in the Levant, except in regard to the Moslem converts, was not a part of the original plan of missions, and is not now pressed to the forefront. The aim has been, so far as members of the Oriental churches were concerned, to help them to a Christian life, whatever their church connection might be. As a matter of fact, those who were thus influenced were unwilling to remain in the old comlllunions, and the priesthood were unwilling that they should, using the sharpest means of excommunication to drive them out. The formation of evangelical churches became thus a necessity, and has proved a most valuable method, not only of stimulating individual Christian hfe among their members, but of illustrating the broader relations that the Christian must sustain to the community and nation.
Under Moslem rule, church and civil life are identical. He who leaves his church leaves his nation, and heresy is treason. How to overcome this, and show that national life is properly independent of religious rites and ceremonies, has been a great problem, and the evangelical church organizations, by keeping distinctly aloof from political entanglements, have sought to show the true position of the Christian as a citizen. The formation of evangelical churches has served also as a method for developing that self-reliance which is essential to the permanence of the work commenced by the missionary and carried on by the native preacher. It has been the constant e:lfort of
MISSIONS IN THE LEVANT
the missionaries to throw upon these churches, as rapidly as possible, the whole responsibility of self-management and growth. Recognizing that mistakes are less dangerous than stagnation, they have left to them large liberty of organization, of creed and of worship, seeking not to bind, but to develop by influence rather than authority. Realizing, too, that self-support is an indispensable element of growth, they have aimed at such gradual withdrawal of foreign aid as would strengthen, without bringing too heavy a burden upon communities already overtaxed.
EDUCATION.
Over this method of missionary work there nas been very earnest discussion in every land. With little or no difference of opinion as to the necessity of some instruction, there has been a wide divergence of views in regard to the degree or amount of education that legitimately comes within the scope of a missionary society. The missionaries to the Levant found absolutely no system of education, even the most rudimentary. What instruction there was was in the hantls of the priesthood, and so warped by priestly craft as to be almost useless for the development of Ohristian character. The Ohristian teacher became thus the indispensable coadjutor of the preacher and colporteur. At first his work was simple. But with community growth developed community needs. The teacher himself had to be taught. An effort was made to confine this broader instruction to those who were themselves to go forth as instructors and leaders. The advantage, the necessity even, of the same opportunities for the people were realized to the full. It was a question not of what was wanted, but of what was possible. Mission funds and mission strength, being limited, must be concentrated upon the special objects to which they were devotedthe development of Ohristian life. The necessity of community se1£- support in order to self-development also entered mto the cousideration of the question. The result has been that the missions provide free schools only for the most pnmary education aud the training of preachers and teachers, and these are free only when absolutely necessary. Just as fast as possible the whole care and support of the lower grades of general schools are placed upon the community. Grants in aid of money, assistance in superintendence and counsel, are given cautiously, though not grudgingly. With regard to the higher education, the position that has been taken in general is that the running expenses must be met by the pupils. The missions may assist by giving the tme and labor of missionaries to the schools, but there must be such charges for tuition as may be reasonably expected to meet the actual expense of each scholar, apart from the salaries of the teachers. FOT collegiate education the Mission Boards assume no responsibIlity, except that in certain cases the American professors are enrolled among their missionaries, and occasional grants are made in consideration of ot the relief that these colleges give to the Boards in the trainmg a native ministry. The general support comes from tuition and endowments secured abroad.
There are thus four classes of what may fairly be called mission schools. 1. Those supported chiefly or entirely by the Mission Boards, for the specific purpose of religious training. 2. Those supported and controlled entirely by the native communities, for the general purposes of Christian education among the common people. 3. Schools of a higher grade, under the care of the Mission Boards, with such charges for tuition as are calculated to meet the general expenses. 4. Oolleges, independent of the Boards, yet in heartiest sympathy with them, working together to the one great end of building up Ohristian nations.
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE.
There are four lines in which foreign missions seek to meet the constantly growing needs of minds stimulated to activity by the opening up of new truths through the methods already spoken of. These are the preparation of text-books for use in schools, of books for distinctive religious instruction, general information and periodical literature. The text-books are based upon the latest advances in the science of ' education, and are a means not only of instruction to those pupils in the regular schools, but a revelation to the old communities of the wide sweep of a tnllyOhristian science. In the commentaries and books of devotion are met the questions that for centuries have stirred the intense thought and speculation of the East, mellowed and attuned to the duty of everyday life by the practical common sense of the West. The department of general l1terature has not been developed as all would desire, sImply because it is Impossible to do everything that it would be well to do. The lack here IS met in a degree by the periodical literature, cluefly in the form of weekly newspapers, that bring the newly formed growing churches and communities into contact with the activity and life of America and Europe. Steadily avoiding complications with political or religious strifes, aiming to bring forward that which is noblest and bes,t in life everywhere, these form a most vl}luable means of reaching multitudes who would stand aloof from colporteur, preacher or teacher, and serve as a bulwark against the rush of infidel publications that are to many the sole representations of the advanced intellectual life of the day.
This is but a brIef sketch of the Methods by which missionaries seek to lay the sure foundations of Ohristian life in the Levant. As a sketch it is by no means complete. There are many lines of action unmentioned. Each mission has to a degreee its own methods, adapted to Its own special needs, in accordance with its own habit of thought and life. In these general lines of action, however, all agree. Upon this principle all stand, that a permanent Ohristian church is built up on individual ChrIstian lives, that such lives .are developed only by 26 ENGLAND AND FORErGN MISSIONS. [JAN., individual personal influence. This work is slow work, but all foundation building is slow. It may be that some changes of method would be wise. If so, none will welcome advice and help more gladly than those who represent the churches of America on the foreign field. The tree is known by its frUlts; methods by their results. The results achieved through these methods by Foreign Missions in the Levant will form the subject of another paper.
ENGLAND AND FOREIGN MISSIONS.
BY THE REV. JAMES JOHNSTON, F. S. S., ENGLAND.
THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ON FOREIGN MISSIONS.
AT the annual meeting of the York Auxiliary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel on October 29th, the Archbishop delivered a rousing speech. He remarked that there must be something significant in the great gathering of bishops at the Lambeth Conference, and in the fact that, whereas in 1878 they mustered 100, in 1888 they mustered 145. The only wonder to him was that having in their midst such an undeniable evidence of the progress of missions they should have heard such a quantity of stuff talked about them-and, for his own part, he was quite sick of it. He could not follow the parts of the discussion into a debtor and creditor account of the amount of converts they had bought with their money, and he thought they had better forget it as soon as possible. They were in a sense obliged to those who had put them on their defense; but they could not avoid a certain measure of contempt for the turn the. discussion had taken. What did the increase in the bishops from 100 to 145 mean? It was not a mere numerical augmentation. A diocese meant ~not only a bIShop but an organization-a complete body of clergy requiring church government; and a diocese was never made before it was wanted, as far as he was aware. He thought it was quite absurd to talk about the failure of missions and the mismanagement of missions. Failures there would be. Mismanagement! There was mismanagement sometimes at home, and he did not see why the colonies and foreign parts were to be exempted from it. But, allowing for all that, there was a great and mighty progress for which they had done very lIttle; and if they had been punished for their neglect a century ago they would hardly have had much cause to complain of the chastening hand that sent that punishment. Why, since the Reformation down to the latter half of the last century, they might say that nothing at all was done for missions. A nation that for a couple of centuries neglected its duty had no rIght to complain, because when it did only a very little certain fruits were bestowed upon it, and those fruits not little, like the gifts, but great, like the love of God which sent them. They might all of them take courage. The subject of those objections had now been thoroughly consIdered, and it had done /
ENGLAND AND FOREIGN MISSIONS
no harm; quite the contrary, in his opinion. For good, or for less good, they could not possibly neglect missions. They confessed themselves infidel when they did so. As long as they believed the truth of the love of God they must tell other people of it-that from the nature of the case, unless they hated their brother. Therefore it was useless for them at that time of day to be haggling about the exact products of missions. Whether they had gained an abundance of fruit or not, they ought to be up and doing. It was an undeniable fact that the fruits during the past twenty years had been far beyond those given them before that time.
THE BAPTIST UNION MISSIONS IN INDIA.
At the autumnal meetings held in Huddersfield early in October, Mr. John Barron, M. P., presided. After speaking of the necessity of increased missionary effort, he said that India was the first field of Baptist missionary enterprise, and they never could forget that God had honored them in that country beyond the most sanguine expectation of those who first entered on the work. Carey, in his labor of evangelization, met with discouragements not less trying than those. which were met with by their missionaries in the present day who were laboring in new countries. He fought against great difficulties and amidst great trials, but God blessed his e:tIorts and enabled him and those who labored with him to do a work in India, in connection not only with religious teaching but of educational work, the influence and· power of which were felt far and wide throughout that great country of India. In India the,English people had great responsibilities, and he was sorry to say that as far as Parliament was concerned that responsibility was neither fully recognized nor wholly met. If it were not for the permeating influence of Christian life in India-if India were left alone to the Government of this country-he feared that our position in India would not be nearly so secure as it was at the present day. India was at the present time open to influences of good and evil, and upon what the churches in this country did in promoting missionary work in India depended the future of India and the relation of that empire to this country.
The Rev. A. McKenna, dealing with the work that had been done in India, acknowledged the great assistance which had been rendered to missionaries in India by the civil and military authorities, who were the finest body of men in the world. There was not a single. man who was not in favor of progress.
The Rev. Bower Jones, of Bengal, said he had been appalled at the darkness in which India had for ages been plunged. During eighteen centuries but little had been done. There was a popUlation of two hundred and fifty millions in that empire, but no more than half a million have embraced the cause of Christ. The gospel had, however, fairly commenced its work of emancipation, an¢!. had lIghted up
THE MmAOLES OF MisSIONS. [JAN
the harems and zenanas. The condition of women in India was being improved, and there was less opposition to the propagation of the gospel.
COMMANDER CAMERON" ON THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN AFRICA.
At the Oanterbury Diocesan Oonference, held on October lOth, the gallant traveler gave a stirring history of the ruinous _effects of the drink traffic upon the native races in Africa. The four great evils of that county were, he said, slavery, gin, gunpowder and land-grabbing. The Africans, as a rule, were strongly addicted to a liking for strong drink, but he had never seen any illneys or delirium tremens arising from excessive drinking in the interior. A large proportion of the cargoes of ships trading on the west coast consisted of large red boxes from Hamburg full of liquor known as gin, but containing some vile chemical material. In the English colonies or Protectorates on the west coast the revenue chiefly consisted of excise and licensing duties. and it appeared to him that anyone who could pay for it could obtain a license. Thebeens abounded in the gold-digging districts, and in some of the smaller districts they actually f(jorced native teachers, sent out with the good intention of teaching people, to give way to the ruling vice, and not only to drink the gin themselves, but to trade in it. At the Oape itself "Oape smoke and the contents of the Hamburg steamers'~ were taking the heart out of the best native races, and on the east coast a large portion of the trade was in drink. Slavery, during the last few years, had been worse than ever before-whole districts being devastated-while at one camp of lJ'ippoo Tib, no fewer than fifty right arms had been seen nailed up, and his men were amusing themselves by shooting the slaves, who were afterwards cut up to feed the cannibals in the train of slave dealers. The loss of life in this trade was calculated at two millions a year. When traveling in Africa he himself opened up many routes which slave dealers had taken advantage of. He hoped to be able to do something to reparir the mischief, and if he could not get his idea carried out he might adopt the suggestion of Gordon, and form a colony at r~ake Nyanza to fight against slavery.
THE MIRAOLES OF MISSIONS.-NO. IX.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. P.] SIGNS of THE SUPERNATURAL IN THE GENERAL WORK.
THE Resurrection of our Lord was established" by many infallible proofs." Not less unmistakable and unanswerable are the evidences of the coming of the Holy Ghost and of the presence of a supernatural providence in human history. Most of all may we see God's hand in mISSIOns.
Thus far we have sought to illustrate and exemplify this great truth in specific cases and on special fields. It may bel well, however, to take
1889;1 c THE MIRACLES OF
a wider glance and get a glimpse of His presence and presidence in the whole field and work of missions; and more especially as during this month our eyes are turned, not to anyone land or form of false faith, but sweep round the entire circle of the continents.
When science, as nature's interpreter, would show us her greatest wonders, she points to the crystal and the cell; one the mystery of inorganic symmetry, the other the miracle of organic life. When God would reveal to us the signs of His own handiwork, and prove to ns that through all the ages His unceasing purpose r1ns, He points us to the mystery of a symmetrical and crystalline historic unity and harmony which no human foresight could have planned and no human skill have wrought out; and then He points ns to holy lives which combine the beauty of the crystal with the living energy of the cell; which shine not with a cold, imprisoned luster, but with the radiance· of a living light.
Dionysius of H(l,licarnassus said: "History is phil9sophy teaching by examples." The Ohristian believer mounts higher and declares that history is God, teaching by His providence and grace. Nature does not bear marks of a designing mind and hand as clearly as human history, and pre-eminently the history of missionary enterprise reveals the plan and presence of an infinite God. No man with eyes open, and mind open to conviction, can long resist this evidence. The history of missions not only reveals miracles, it is itself a miracle. It is a demonstration and an illustration at the same time that, high above and far behind all human actors on the stage, is a divine director and controller. He shifts the changing scenery to suit every new act inc the drama of the ages; and he shifts the positions, yea, and the persons of the actors, too. When He wills, when His work demands it, and His time has fully come, they enter and take up their part; and, as surely, when He wills it and His time has fully come, they leave the stage and give place to others. "God buries His workmen but He carries on His work," is one of the sayings of John Wesley, carved on his monument in England's great Abbey. But it is not less true that He raises up a Pharaoh and Oyrus and girds those who have not known Him, to show forth His power in them, and in spite of them carryon His eternal covenant purpose.
Those who have read that fascinating story of "Life Among the Turks," by Dr. Oyrus Hamlin, will remember one of the myriad in- stances of the providential limitation of human power and tyranny. At a critimil point in the history of Turkish missions, the Sultan Mahmud suddenly startled the whole empire by an order for the expul- sion of the missionaries. The news fell like a thunderbolt unheralded by the lightning flash~ The order was so imperious and arbitrary, and Mahmud was so unreasonable and implacable, that even Mr. Brown, the Secretary of the American Legation, and Oommodore Porter gave over the cas~ as hopeless. Commodore Porter prepared a. dispatch to the Sublime Porte, acquiescing on behalf of the missionaries, for whom he could not venture to interpose. Just then, on the first of July, 1839, the Sultan himself died, at the very hour when the missionaries were waiting in suspense for the execution of the order! And at the same time his entire fleet was betrayed into the hands of the Pasha of Egypt, and the Ottoman army of 80,000 men was almost annihilated. Well may Dr. Hamlin exclaim: "A startling series of events that struck every heart with dismay"! Man proposes, but God disposes. A higher plan swallows up the lower, as Aaron's rod swallowed all the rest. Dr. Goodell had, in the very midnight of that trial hour, and before there was the first hint of a dawn, said in his own peculiar way:" The great Sultan of the universe can change aU this," and lo! it was done. H God blew, and they were scattered." The work of the missions was resumed with new courage; the exiles came back, and the execution of Mahmud's order of expulsion was never again referred to. The silence of the grave fell on the Sultan and his tyrannical decree alike. A h~gher hand was holding the invisible scepter.
And this is what we mean by the supernatural factor in missionary history. It may not manifest itself in any two cases in precisely the same way. Evil may at times be prevented, and at other times permitted and overruled. But the overrule is there.
" Careless seems the great Avenger; history's pages but record One death grapple in the darkness 'twixt old systems and the world. Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne; Yet that scaffold sways the future; and, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God, amid the shadow, keeping watch above His own."
It would be impracticable within the necessary limits of this article to illustrate fully this general supervision of missions by an -Almighty Wisdom and Power; but it is to the mind of the writer a fact so vivid as to be well-nigh visible; and a few examples of this divine interposition will suffice for the present purpose of this paper.
1. The removal of obstacles and the opening doors of access to the nations.
2. The sudden and unaccountable subsidence of barriers at critical periods and. points.
3. The raising up of men and women previously prepared for work, as obviously prepared for them.
4. The theology of inventions-a divine plan in the development of the race and of human discovery.
5. The direct transformation of individual character and of entire communities.
6. The indirect results in the modifications of existing evils and the elevation of the entire social level.
7. The obvious overruling of human mistakes and failures, and even of bitter hostility and persecution, 8. The supernatural ordering of human lives, and the limitations of them when God's purpose is accomplished.
9. The evidences of a divine strategy extending through the ages and embracing the whole world.
10.. The turning of the crises of the kingdom in answer to prayer, and in a marked order of development.
11. The development of new agencies, organizations and instrumentalities at the precise hour of need.
12. The prophetic element in all these divine plans, making these developments not an evolution but a revolution.
Such are afew of these signs of the supernatural mind and hand in the history of missions. Let us b~iefly advert to some of them.
1. The progress of missions would have been impossible without the intervention of a higher power. When, a century ago, the Ohurch as a body took up the work of evangelizing the world, ten great obstacles stood in her way, to human view insurmountable. They may be classed under four heads: obstacles to approach, obstacles to intercourse, obstacles to impression, obstacles to action.
The world seemed locked against the Ohurch, and the Ohurch seemed indifferent to the condition of the world. Oonverts were punished with death; missionaries were martyrs; woman was shut up in harems; some races seemed too high, others too low, to be reached by the gospel. Now all these obstacles are down. Who has done it?
2. Barriers have sometimes gone down as though a continent had sunk to let the sea overflood the land. Hawaii had burned her idols while the Thaddeus was crossing the deep with the first band of missionaries. Japan was undergoing a civil revolution while Oommodore Perry was casting anchor in the harbor of Yeddo. Over and over again the missionaries have gone expecting to find gigantic barriers confronting them and have found only prostrate walls. Who has done it?
3. Men and women have been prepared for the work and the work for them when no human foresight could have shaped either for the other. Who fitted William Goodell to begin in 1831 that wonderful work in Oonstantinople which at that very time needed just such a pioneer! Who but God knew that in 1877 a famine would overspread Southern India, and that a civil engineer would be needed to complete that canal, and so give the starving thousands work; and that the engineer must be a Ohristian missionary who would teach the workmen of Jesus? and who was it raised up Mr. Clough to go there long before he knew why he was a civil engi~eer and felt so strangely drawn to that very station at Ongole? Who was it fitted the peg to the hole when he set Eli Smith in Syria, Robert Morrison in Ohina, Fidelia Fisk in Oroomiah, Lindley among the Zulhs, Moffat among the Boers, Duncan among the Indians of British Oolumbia, and Hunter Corbett amon~ the simple converts of C~efoo? (Jan all history show a more marked adaptation of the man and the place and the hour, than Robert W. McAll and Belleville and 1872, when the French nation was reacting from clericalism and imperialism and formalism, and yearning for a simple, positive, primitive gospel? Who did all this?
4. Look at the theology of inventions. How came the mariners compass, steam as a motor, the printing-press, and all subsequent sim-' ilar inventions and discoveries, to be withheld from the race until the- ology, anthropology and soteriology had fought their battles, and sociology was coming to the front; and until the Church of the I4Jfor- mation was preparing to give the Bible to every people and the press was indispensable; and to carry the gospel to earth's limits, and the compass and steam were needful? Nay, who withheld this continent from unveiling until the pilgrims were ready to settle New England!
5. Passing by for the present many other points already briefly stated, and emphasized in previous articles, behold the crises of the kingdom turned in answer to prayer. Time was when the Church itself was asleep. And such men as Gutzlaff and Carey and Jonathan Edwards laid siege to the throne of grace and the Church woke, and missions began on a world-wide scale. Then doors seemed shut and a few con- secrated men and women prayed, and within ten years the openings defied occupation-they were so many. Then there was need of men and money. Prayer again turned the crisis. Gifts that· for amount were never before equalled began to be consecrated, and an unparal- leled number of young men and young women began to offer them- selves. The women began to organize till their Boards cover the Chris- .. tian Church with their network; and the Y. M. O. A. ~nd its kindred organizations multiplied from one in 1844 to 3,800 in 1888. And now signs appeal' above the horizon of a period of general missionary intelli- gence and activity more marked than any during the last eighteen cen- turies. These are but a minute fraction-a fragment from the vast aggregate of testimony that the work of missions is the work of God, and the march of missions the march of God.
It will-be yet three years before we reach the year which marks the complet~ century since the Warwick Association made the first Monday of each month a "Monthly Concert" of prayer for the world's evan- gelization, and that first :,Foreign Missionary Society sent out William Carey to India. The Church might have compassed the world already had the faith of disciples been equal to the grandeur of God's promises. But, nevertheless, God has led, ruled, moved, swayed all through this century. He has shown His Word to be all-powerful, and His Spirit all-subduing, and His Providence all-controlling. The whole history has been His story; full of mystery because full of a mysterious God; full of power because full of an omnipotent God. 1.'his needs no argu- ment; it needs only an open eye and an obedient heart. To our own conception it is the supreme charm of missions and the supreme argu- ment for missions. It invest's the work with an awful dignity!
lIIISSION OAMPAIGN IN AMElUOA
MESSRS. TAYLOR AND RADCLIFFE'S MISSION CAMPAIGN IN AMERICA.
BY REGINALD RADCLIFFE, ESQ., ENGLAND. DEAR EDITORS: Many of your readers doubtless know something of the Chiba Inland Mission that has its headquarters in London. It was founded about twenty years ago by the Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, and he is now its Director, with a Council in London, and a Council of experienced missionaries in qhina. Mr. Taylor had previously been engaged as a missionary in China; sickness required him to return to England, and for a few years he was engaged inLondon by the British and Foreign Bible Society in translating, in conjunction with an Episcopal clergyman. While so occupied, a map of China was on view, and so he got a more comprehensive view of the vast needs of the interior of that mighty country than when engaged in China doing his own little personal work. This was so burdened upon his heart that he went round to the different missionary boards in Lonuon, endeavoring to get some one of them to take up the vast interior of China; but he did not succeed. Thus was he constrained, in fact, after much trembling and much prayer, almost forced to originate the China Inland Mission. From the first he determined, in order not to interfere and not to have the appearance of interfering with the other missionary boards, 1. That this new society should have no collections made for money at any of its meetings. 2. No collection books. 3. No one to be applied to for money for the Mission. 4. That the agents should be taken from different denominations, so that the mission should be unsectarian. God has prospered the little mission greatly; no difficulties from different denominations working happily in one great mission field have ever arisen. About three years since, the remarkable band of seven young men of the Cambridge University going out stirred the hearts of our young people, especially, as one of the band, Mr. Charles Studd, was a famous criclreter, and another, Mr. Stanley Smith, was the stroke oar of the Cambridge Eight, to row against Oxford, whilst another was a young cavalry officer, who, in answer to the question, "Why are you going out?" replied, "I read' If ye love me, keep my commandments; , I love Christ and so I am going." Some time after this Mr. Taylor was with a gathering of his missionary friends in China-they were giving a day to fasting and prayer, the next day to deliberation and examination of the wants of their enormous field, the thira day to fasting and prayer, then the next day to deliberation and examination, and so on for several days. They were also agreed that they would not override a minority by a majority; but though it might take much more time, prefer waiting till they were all of one accord. Well, one thing they were of one accord upon was that they could make accommodation to receive, in addition to their then number of about 190, 100 extra missionaries, and that there were ample openings for them. So they asked the Lord of the harvest for these 100, and that they should be dIspatched within a year, and that money to dispatch them should be sent in; for the mission as usual had none. There and then the assurance of faith was given that these requests were answered. Accordingly, within the year about 600 volunteers applied, and out of these 102 were selected and dispatched, and all the money needed was sent in without solicitation, except soliciting their Heavenly Father. It will be seen what a needful part was the money when it is stated that this mission will not go into debt to the extent of a single dollar.
Now, some little time after this a young American layman, Mr. H. W.
Frost, came over to ·London and took up his lodging close to the headquarters of the mission that he might learn its workings minutely. He tried to per- suade Mr. Hudson Taylor to visit America. But Mr. Taylor, full of his heavy work at headquarters and traveling over Britain and over China, hesitated to consent. But this young American could not be shaken off, and he and Mr. Taylor got on their knees for guidance, and thereafter Mr. Moody invited Mr. Taylor to his Conference at Northfield. Mr. Taylor then yielded to the solicitations of this young friend.
Having myself worked much together with Mr. Taylor in Britain he asked me to accompany him, and it was resolved that my wife and I should go, as well as Mr. Taylor's secretary, and his son, Mr. Howard Taylor, as also Mr.
George Studd, brother of the Mr. Charles Studd already mentioned, and also brothel' of Mr. K. Studd of London, who, about a year previously, went through a number of the American universities. At this same time Mr.
Wishard of the Y. M. C. A. came over to England and induced several Cambridge undet'graduates to cross the Atlantic to attend Mr. 1foody's Conference.
It would be hard for me just at this point to withhold recording with a grateful heart the very refreshing hospitality my wife and I have received from so many kind hosts and hostesses, both in the States and in Canada.
If my friend, Mr. Hudson Taylor, were beside me instead of being in another steamer on another ocean, I am sure most warmly would he join me. Indeed, it was his own suggestion, days before we had to part, that we should both have put our signatures to a joint letter, but the rush was so great the last few days that it was not practicable, yet the work seemed only commenced. But if we should never see your land again, we have formed friendships that are not likely ever to be forgotten.
The welcome afforded to Mr. Hudson Taylor, both in the United States and in Canada, by ministers, Young Men's Christian Associations, and private Christians, and the reception given to his novel and startling, but simple, childlike statements, have, indeed, been so gratifying as to make himself and his praying friends devoutly thankful-you way be sure that his praying friends are very many, scattered over the world. In fact, it is a great feature that at the London headquarters a crowded prayer-meeting is held from four to six every Saturday afternoon, where, by a large map and long pointer, each mission is pointed out and every missionary prayed for by name.
After leaving Mr. Moody's Convention at Northfield, from which two or three volunteered and were accepted for China by Mr. Taylor, an early place visited was a Bible Reading Convention at Niagara. Here there was a glorious response-ample scope was given for Mr. Taylor and another to plead for the heathen, and after he had left, Mr. R. P. Wilder arrived and spoke on the same subject. In conclusion, Mr. H. W. Frost had to write, telling Mr. Taylor that sufficient money had been given to support six missionaries to his China Inland Mission. The money having thus been pro- vided unasked, volunteers wet'e prayed for to consume it. It was soon found that the same Father could supply laborers as easily as he had supplied the money. I Laborers sprang up like willows by the water-courses-both men and women-especially in Canada, and not vel'Y distant from the region in which the Niagara Convention had been held. After careful consideration twenty were accepted by Mr. Taylor as associates of the China Inland Mission. Thirteen of these were ready to depart from Toronto. Mr. Taylor met with them and gave minute instructions, having arranged with Rev. Dr. Parsons of the Presbyterian Church of John Knox, in Toronto, for themselves and their frIends partaking of the Lord's Supper at nine in the evening, before their train left at eleven for Vancouver and China. Mr. Taylor could not be present with us, as he had still to give one day to Montreal, overtaking this band on the track for Vancouver. A sister from Mr. Moody's school had also to overtake the train, making the volunteers to sail across the Pacific with Mr. Taylor fourteen. After receidng the Lord's Supper there was an impressive scene at the depot, a great crowd singing hymns outside the cars and inside the cars, tender:partings; whilst outside simultaneous prayer for the departing ones and for those to follow the crowd-chiefly young men-repeating the petitions together, sentence by sentence. 'rhus at 11 P.M. the train slowly swept away for the China steamer to be met at Vancouver.
Besides these fourteen gone, and the six more accepted, one of whom is a Y. M. C. A. secretary, I have since received distinct intimation of 46 more that I believe are wishing to follow. There is little money to tempt anyone, viz., only about $250 a year for a sister, and about $50 more for a brother on account of his having to travel and live in inns more than a sister. The dressing, too, in Chinese costume cannot be a great inducement. This is not much to tempt an American or a Canadian. Yet I shall not be surprised if el'e long fully 100, including the twenty already fixed, soon follow those gone before.
Are not such men and women the best, the greatest friends, of the home churches? Can they go to real war without rousing their friends left at home to fight at home as they have never done before? Can they go without stirring up a far deeper interest in the American and Canadian Missionary Boards, not only for China, but also for India, for Africa, for the continent of America, etc.? Let them ever remember what noble missionaries these Boards have sent out, from Judson downwards, and what noble ones- perhaps not much heard of-they have now in the field. I have myself enjoyed their co-operation in Europe.
If we older men will not lead, 0, for the sake of Christ's dying wish, let these young ones lead us! 01' else, are not we older one!;! in flagrant disobedienc~? and I for one do not see how our churches in Britain may not sink lower and lower. Do speak out and show them that Christ has laid the responsibility on every converted soul to give the gospel to the heathen, and that we laymen cannot shift the responsibility 6if our shoulders upon the shoulders of ministers, or upon the shoulders of university men. Let us gladly accept settled ministers, who will lay down their charges. A vicar at Leeds, just before we left for America, laid down his charge in order to go out with the China Inland Mission. But for every such cultured man, and for every finished and cultured undergraduate, do we not need at least twenty men, who, like Spurgeon, Moody, or Carey, have never seen the inside of a col- lege, provided only they have the needed gifts, ;:tre already experienced in winning souls, are wholly surrendered to Christ as their king, and are full of the Holy Ghost?
THE Gustavus Adolphus Society of Germany, which aims specially to es- tablish Protestant churches in Roman Catholic countries, during the last fiftY-SIX years, has erected 1,398 churches and 691 school buildings. It re- ports immediate need of 314 more church buildings.
OPIUM IN CHINA
BRITISH OPIUM IN CHINA.
BY G. L. MASON, AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION, HUCHOW, CHINA.
BRITISH Christians lead the world in beneficence. Their home charities are multiform, their foreign missions are everywhere. But the British Government, for the sake of revenue in India, persists in a course against a weaker nation which Canon Wilberforce pronounces "simply dastardly from beginning to end." John Bright and many other distinguished men express the same view. Christian opinion in China is fairly represented by a conservative Englishman, Archdeacon Monle of Shanghai, who says: "British authorities in India, fully knowing the attitude of the Chinese Government, deliberately engaged in the preparation of opium for China. with only two years intermission, continuously for sixty years." Americans, too, blush at sight of the Chinese caricature of an Englishman with a whiskey bottle in one hand and an opium ball in the other. In many ways so closely linked to Great Britain, and especially so in evangelization, it behooves American Christians also to know the facts and to labor and pray for the removal of this tremendous hindrance to missions and to honorable commerce and international good-will-a professed Christian government engaging in a trade which is a blighting curse to millions.
Since many may not have access to information, the following outline of events has been compiled, from personal study of the Chinese maritime customs' reports, from files of the Ohinese Repository, and from other trustworthy sources. As partisan statements have been made in books and newspapers, "that opium-smoking isas harmless as twiddling one's fingers," and that" Great Britain has not coerced China on account of opium," it may be well to remark that the writer is prepared to cite authority for every statement in this sketch.* Some hold that opium was first brought to China by the Arabs toward the close of the thirteenth century. But it was in small quantities, and" commonly used as a medicine before the trade with India commenced" in the eighteenth century. Previous to 1767 the trade was in the hands of Portuguese, but with an import of only about 200 chests a year, a chest being about 140 pounds. The habit of smoking was scarcely known. Even as late as 1830 large inland cities like Hangchow had no opium smOking-shops. Now that city has, approximately, 2,000. The very rapid growth of the habit and of the trade began when the East India Company regularly engaged in the business in 1773. In 1790 the importation reached 4,054 chests, twenty times the amount imported yearly previous to 1767. In 1799 it was 5,000 chests; in 1826, 9,969; about 1830, a yearly average of 16,800. In less than ten years just preceding the first Opium War the trade more than doubled, reaching 34,000 chests in 1836. In 1834 the East India Company closed its career, but other British officials continued the traffic, which has grown to 52,925 piculs in 1850 and 75,308 in 1880, a picul being 133~ pounds.
Smuggling is the proper term for this trade previous to 1860. In 1780 the British establised a depot near Macao on two vessels, a plan continued in later years, when armed vessels lay outside the ports, and delivered the opium to Chinese smugglers who had previously negotiated with American or British merchants living at the ports under consular protection. The East India Company entered upon the trade knowing it to be contraband.
* Besides the authorities named, any one desiring further information should see the Friend of China, London: Morgan & Scott; a small monthly. Also Th6 Truth .4lKrut Opium, London: Hodder", Stonghton.
BRITiSH OPIUM IN
For the Abbe Raynal (tr. i. 424) writes, as early as 1770: "The Chinese Emperors have suppressed it in their dominions, by condemning to the flames every vessel that imports this species of poison." The Emperor Kiahmg in 1796 issued an edict against it, and the prohibition was often renewed by imperial decree or high provincial authority (1799, 1809, 1820, 1836 and 1837) and the prohibition always based on moral grounds. "Severe prohibit<;>ry laws (1828) destroyed the trade temporarily and exasperated the British, who made some military demonstrations by sending armed vessels to Canton in 1831 and 1834. Meanwhile the contraband opium trade was fostered and the smugglers provided with armed ships."-American Cyclopcedia. See also British Encyclopcedia. In the penal code of 1830, strangling is the punishment for keeping an opium shop. In 1832 at Macao foreigners witnessed a case of its execution, the culprit being tied to a cross and strangled. ,_That the prohibition of 'the importation of opium or planting of the poppy was only partly successful among a heathen people is not strange. But is the fact that Chinese minor officials often connive with native and foreign smugglers any excuse whatever forthe relentless aim of the Bitish Government to thwart the often expressed and humane wish of the heathen government?
A crisis came in 1839. The Chinelie Imperial Commissioner Lin, at Canton, addressed a long letter to Queen Victoria, requesting her to interdictthe traffic. He also demanded as contraband, 20,283 chests of British opium, and by command of the emperor utterly destroyed it. This annihilation by money-loving Orientals, for the sake of a moral idea, of ten million dollars worth of salable property will shine in history as a deed of sublime heroism.
The British Encyclopedia calls it" a sufficient proof that the Mandarins were in earnest in their endeavor to suppress the trade. The few foreigners who were present were deeply impressed to witness this deliberate and solemn work of destruction, which occupied twenty days and took place in the presence of a great multitude of Chinese officials and people. Soon after this the British renewed the attempts to smuggle cargoes ashore. The merchants complained that the wholesale confiscation of the opium was sudden and unfair! a vain plea, for the storm had been gathering for years and was foreseen by all whose eyes were not blinded by gold. The seizure was the chief point of the casus belli.
In 1840 England declared war. At its close China had to cede the oppressor the island of Hongkong and pay twenty-one million dollars. Twelve millions of this were for England's war expenses, three millions for debts owed by Chinese to British merchants, and six millions partial payment for the opium destroyed. This outrageous robbery was perpetrated in the Treaty of Nankin (1842) and ratified the year following.
That the enforced opening of the five" treaty ports" to trade gave a great impulse to commerce and missions no one denies, but these benefits blind Western eyes to the cruel injustice of the war. At that time Sir H. Pottinger, British Minister, 'strove to get China to legalize the opium trade j and the Emperor Two-Kwang made answer in these pathetic and now historic words: "It is true that I cannot prevent the introduction of the flowing poison, but nothing will induce me to derive a revenue from the vice and misery of my people."
During the next fourteen years the unwelcome trade flourished, until in 1857, the Arrow, a smuggling vessel bearing the British flag, was fired upon. This furnished the pretext for the British bombardment of Canton. As if this were not enough, the English and French combined the next year and made an expedition up the river Pei-ho to Tientsin: Thus the capital
OPIUM IN CHINA
was in danger and the terror-stricken government felt obliged to yield to the persuasion of Lord Elgin and legalize the importation of British opium. The import duty was fixed at the low rate of thirty taels a chest, or about thirty cents a pound, the British agreeing not to carry the opium 'inland. This political villainy was ratified in the Convention of Peace at Pekin, October, 1860. Thus oppression scored a great triumph in Asia to offset the grand advance of liberty then about to take place in America. China again paid Eng-land an indemnity of $10,800,000 in gold, one-quarter of which was paid to the foreign merchants of Canton; also $6,000,000 to France. Is it strange that patriotic but uninformed Chinese would fain have excluded all foreigners, missionaries included, regarding the opium trade as a direct plot against the life of the.nation? 'fhis treaty secured the opening of five additional ports, through which missionaries might enter with the gospel and merchants with shiploads of opium.
The second opium war only riveted faster the chains of the demoralizing habit and trade. The government, discouraged, made few serious efforts after 1860 to repress native cultivation of the poppy. According to Consul Spence, in Sichuan province, government interference with the planting ceased about 1865. Bu:t in July, 1869, the Chinese Government made a pathetic appeal to the British Government. And in October, a "Supplementary Convention" was signed at Pekin by which, in consideration of China's reducing her duty on coal exported and for other commercial advantages, England should allow China to advance the import duty on opium from thirty to fifty taels. As though China had not the right to charge what duty she chose without asking leave! But this arrangement the British Government steadily refused to ratify, lest a higher duty might check the trade and thus lessen the revenue at Calcutta.
In 1876 occurs the Chefu Convention. China by this allows four more ports to be opened to trade, in return for which the British ambassador agrees that opium shall stand on a different footing from other goods as regards transit duties,inland, so as to enable China to check the internal traffic. The clauses of this convention in favor of foreigners were soon ratified. The one clause'in China's benefit was not. At length after seven years of evasion by England, the irritation felt in China and the anti-opium agitation in England caused an opening of official correspondence on the subject (January, 1883), Earl Granville writing to Marquis Tseng, the Chinese ambassador in London. China proposes in addition to thirty taels import duty, a uniform rate of eighty taels for internal transit dues. The noble earl objects, proposes seventy taels (April, 1883), and insists that China 'must guarantee not to hinder the trade by imposing further taxes inland. 0 shameful sight! a mighty Christian nation haggling with a weaker heathen government for easier terms on which to debauch its people! Tseng Claims (September, 1884) that China may raise the tax on opium to any figure she may think proper as soon as the drug shall have passed into Chinese hands. And why not? Not until July, 1885, was the agreement finally signed, to be in force four years. It came into effect February 1, 1887, more than ten years after the Chefu Convention. The import duty remains the same, thirty taels. But the fluctuating taxes formerly levied inland (the Lekin) a!'e now fixed at a uniform rate of eighty taels, and these dues also England allows China to collect at the ports; but China stipulates that British opium may pass inbud, unlike other goods, exempt from taxes, and that local licenses to sell sllall be at the same rate as for native opium.
This new arrangement has been hastily called a "settlement" of the vexed
BRITISH OPIUM IN
question. A total revenue of about $1.10 per pound, all due at the ports,' brings a little more mon~y than formerly into the treasury at Pekin. Butit also hastens the physical and moral ruin of multitudes. Nine and three quarter million pounds were imported in 1887,- an increase of nine pel' cent. on the average yearly amount from 1882 to 1886 under the former arrangement. The trade has now clearer official sanction. The authorities provide safe and cheap storage at ports, and untaxed transit inland. And the cancer is to strike its roots deeper into the nation's heart. In proof of this, read the Customs reports for 1887, how at various ports the new rule "benefits the trade"; how the trade "acquires stability" and "increased facility" and "great benefit"; while at Pakhoi the opium partly "takes the place of silver as a circulating medium." The Shanghai commissioner reports: " Transit passes are respected and the native dealers are sending the opium to more distant markets than ever."
That missionaries do not magnify the evils of opium to excuse the slow progress of missions let Sir Thomas Wade, ex-ambassador, testify: "The habit is many times more pernicious, nationally speaking, than the gin and whiskey drinking which we deplore at home"-a strong-er statement than missionaries make; still it is hard to decide which of the two habits produces the more misery. Forty-five million dollars spent in one year (1887) for foreign opium, and half of it spent by people unable to buy both opium and good food, means a wide extent of woe. Mr. Eason, of the China Inland Mission, says that in Yunnan Province half of the women and fourfifths of the men are smokers. When Baron Rich'toven is quoted that in Si-chuan Province as much opium is used as anywhere, and that nowhere are the effects so little seen, it is not explained that the climate of the mountains is salubrious and that the people of the river valleys are wealthy. It is among the poor, who cannot buy both food and opium, that the misery is most seen. Here is the exact parallel to the drink curse,-work neglected, debts unpaid, clothes and bed ill pawn, children and aged parents half starved. There are frequent instances of wives sold tp provide opium. In some parts of HucllOW, Chikiang, opium-ruined vagabonds have been a terror to the farmers. In that part of the city of Shanghai under the municipal contl'Olof Europeans more than 1,200 opium saloons were licensed in 1887. No wonder that the number of prisoners in jail was twenty-five per cent. greater than in 1886. The opium habit often co-exists with alcoholism in the same individuals. All vices thrive within the opium dens. Especially does the opium mania burn out of the man all capacity for truth. A professional burglar would be received to church membership in China as soon as would an opium user.
Foreigners, shielded by British civil or military officials, smuggled opium into China for seventy years. After two wars and the payment of vast indemnities the traffic was legalized, as the Grand Secretary, Li Hung-chang, said in 1881, "not from choice, but because China submitted to the adverse decision of arms." Yet apologists say that China's concessions have been voluntary. As well call the delivery of one's put'seto a highwayman voluntary, That the Chinese submitted at all graciously only illustrates their pt'overb "The legless man who meets a tiger might as well make a present of himself." After 1860, for twenty-five years, British influence prevented China from raising the duty even to a .partiallY prohibitory rate. Finally in 1885-7 a new arrangement was made which friends of China hoped might be somewhat of a check to the trade, but which ill the working seems to be rather a strengthening of eVIl. But it is an arrangement for four years only
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES
and the question will be re-opened. Meanwhile let the Christian world con-' tinue in prayer that God may touch the conscience of all concerned. Parties to the gt'eat sin are not only opium merchants, but the Indian officials who, in Bengal, by subsidies, assist planters of the poppy, and who buy the whole opium crop and prepare it in government workshops expressly for the Chinese market. In this sin Christian England also shares; for" under the specious name of the home charges of the Indian Government, England is annually exacting a tribute of fourteen. millions sterling from India" (Friend of Ohina. April, 1888). And England's sin and England's punishment, unless she repents, more or less involve all Christendom. Our sharing of responsibility and the Chinese feeling were vividly impressed on the writer once when preaching on the street in Shashing. Hell was mentioned and a fine looking elderly man exclaimed with equal courJl.ge and severity: "Yes, there is such a place. Since you foreigners came, Ohina has become a hell!"
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
BY REV. CHAS. C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
THE Evangelisch-Lutherisches Missions-Blatt says: "Can one live to be old in India f Whoever brings with him a good constitntion, and lives regnlarlyand temperately, can, by God's good providence, even in India. reach an advanced age. The old Dano-Halle Missionary Kohlhoff labored in India 53 years, his son 57. his son 60, C. F. Schwarz 47. Similar examples of long life in India and Burmah are to be found in more recent times also, though not so frequently as in the last century; our Senior Schwarz lived in India 44, Kremmer 47 years. There lately died in Kottajam in Travancore, Mrs. Baker, granddaughter of the elder Koh- 10ff, who in 1819 established a girls' school in Kottajam, and conducted it for 69 years I Mr. Rice. of the L. M. S., lived to celebrate the semi-centennial jubilee of his missionary service, and this year, on the 9th of February, the same honor arrived to the missionary bishop, Caldwell, of the S. P. E.,who may well be regarded as one of the most valuable missionaries in South India, an experienced administrator and an eminent lingnist. He has lately pnblished his remembrances in the Madras MaU, from which we extract the following: • As a youth of lour-and-twenty he landed on the 8th of January, 1838, in Madras, where he remained three and one-half years. His first business there was, of course, to study the language. He ,rapidly made himself master of the two dialects of Tamil, the classical, and the vernacular dialect, and laid an especial stress upon right pronunciation. which to an English tongue offers double difficulties. • • • His first practical work was among the native domestics of the English. Noteworthy is the missionary method which he then recognized as the true one, and which he has maintained through life: 'My plan was to make the congregation the middle point of my whole missionary activity. With the assistance of my native helpers I made it my endeavor to exhort and induce individuals to unite themselves with our congregation. As soon as we had won, instructed and baptized a proselyte. I urged him to bring to us all his relatives and friends. We hoped that in this way eacb new proselyte would become a shining light, around which others would gather. The plan succeeded beyond expectation, and soon the congregation was too nnmerous for the building.' He makes little account of stl'eet-preachings in great cities. •They do not reach the higher castes, and the direct fruit is in no proportion to tbe labor given. I never heard of a case in which any abiding blessing has resulted from this sort of effort.' In 1841 he removed to Tinnevelly. He made the journey on foot, passing throngh Tranqucbar. In his account of this journey there occurs a most unwarranted attack upon onr mission, which he accuses of proselyting efforts among the adherents of the Propagation Society. He shows, thereby. that he, too, has allowed himselfto be carried away by the intolerant spirit of this SOCiety, which is . well inclined to claim aU India as its domain. and while its missions are always ready to encroach upon other fields of labor (as, for instance, in the Kohl Mission) would not even concede' to the Tamils of Lutheran views the liberty of returning to their mother church. • . . Yet Dr. Caldwell, long ago, was one of the few English missionaries who maintained the sonndness of the principles of our mission in regard to the question of caste; a view which, in later times, has gained more and more snpport among them.
"In Tinne.elly he made Idyengudy (Shepherdhome). near Cape Comorin. the center of his resuUful activity. He gathered a great number of Christians out of the surrounding heathen. The congregations nnder his presidency have multiplied tenfold, increasing from 14 to 129, and the number of souls eightfold, from 1,201 to 8,167. The whole number of Tinnevelly Christians connected with the Propagation SOCiety had risen from 4,352. in 1841, to 39,577. To this increase the famine year, 1877-8, bas contributed not a little, for during this the number of souls of this mission, as well as of that of the C. M. S., was nearly doubled. His like-minded wife, a missionary's daughter, contributed not a little to this great success. She helped especially in the education of the girls and elevation of the female sex. She introduced into her girls' school the weaving of lace, in which her scholars attained very considerable skill. Dr. Caldwell's example shows what, in India, the right man in the right place can accomplish, when he is able to remain for a good long while, and so take root. In 1877 he, with his fellow· missionary, Sargent (of Talamcottah) was con- secrated in Calcutta as missionary bishop-hoth being suffragan~ to the Bishop of Madras. He has since then ordained 51 native pastors, and removed his residence to Tutticorin.
" He says that he was never thoronghly well. And yet he has held ont so long in one of the hottest districts of India. For it may be said of Tinnevelly that it has in the year •three months hot weather and nine months hotter.' Yet, strangely enough, he once, during a· furlough in England, had a sunstroke while driving in an open carriage. Sunstrokes are more common where the heat.
is variable. . He has had his share of trouble to bear. Especially since his appointment to the episcopate he has had so much hostility and opprobrium to undergo at the hands of the Christ- ians of his own charge, who felt themselves wounded in their caste pride by his reports, that it is no wonder if he compares himself with the tree of Jotham's parable, who was asked to reign over the other trees. But he concludes his reminiscences with the sentence: •Every year spent in God's service should be regarded as a jubilee year.' "
M. Weitzecker, describing the dedication of a Bassuto Church, writes • •• A numerous company of horsemen approaches, who, on drawing near the village, bring their horses to a walk, close up ~heir ranks, and advance singing. They are our Christians, of whom several took part five years ago in burning and plundering the neighboring village, the capital of this chief. But now no one flees at their approach, and behind this loophole wall, raised to guard against them, no one makes ready to fire upon them or to bar their entrance. On their side they carry neither guns nor assegais nor hatchets nor clubs, and they intone, not a song of war, but a hymn of peace. . . . Soon the women and young girls approach on foot, they also singing. They can, I cannot, for emotion chokes my voice when I remember how often I have seen these very ones fly trembling before the very chief whose domain they now enter with songs."
M. Coillard, of the Zambesi Mission, relates a fact respecting Lewanika, the Zambesi king, powerfully illustrating the tender mercies of the wicked. He lately sent a message to the missionary, assuring him that he had taken to heart his rebuke of him for killing people secretly, and that accordingly, finding hidden in the woods seven children of rebels, he had simply administered to them beer which had been poisoned before their eyes, and had then ordered them to be transported to an islet of the river, and left to die at their leisure! Well may M. Coillard say: "You see in what an atmosphere we live; our heaven would be of lead without the light of the countenance of God; our isolation would be insupportable without the communion ot the Saviour, and, let us add, without the communion of the saints."
The Allgemeine Missions-Zeitschrift says: "It is now often the fashion to speak disparagingly of the old pietists. This is, in the first place, very unthankful, for in missions, above all things, we are standing on their shoulders. The fathers of the present German missions were pietists. It is, moreover, immodest; for, looking at many of these pietistic fathers, we must say: We are not worthy to unloose their shoe-latchets. Grant that they were one-sided; but this one-sidedness consisted in an exclusive emphasis laid on" the one thing which is needfu1." We have become more broad-minded; but does there go out more virtue from us! We broad-minded people have always something to be' learning afresh from these one-sided pietists, namely, more selflimitation to the one necessary thing, more burning love of Jesus, more edifying application of the Word of God to ourselves, more zeal in prayer, a fuller victory over the world, and al80 more renunciation of the world. without, indeed, being altogether obliged to follow them in their avoidance of the world. These pietistic fathers sat at Jesus' feet, and did at the·same time zealous Martha service; they withdrew themselves from the world, and were yet a >alt of the earth and a light of the world. Therefore it is that, despite all the disparagement With which they treated the world, and despite all the one-sidedness with which they avoided the world, they have so much abiding fruit to witness to them."
The Zeitschrijt also says: "It is, indeed, a matter of great joy, and is worthy of all acknowledgment, that we are so inventive in trying ever more, ever newer, a.nd ever more expeditious ways of drawin~ larger and larger circles iuto an interest for missions; hut independently of the fact that many of these ways already draw very ·near to the bounds of a dubious secularizliotioll. tley are also only too apt to induce neglect in gathering and caring for the "little flock," to which it is the pleasure of our He",venly Father to give the kingdom, and which, there_ fore, at all times and in all places, remains the corpa d'elite, with which the missionary cause wins its victories. To gather and maintain this corps d'elite is above all things the heart of the work."
Again.: .. It is also quite to be approved, when we make it a point, not only to refute tha many ignorant prejudices against missions, and the many malicious misrepresentations which are always springing up afresh with regard to them, but when we also set before those who a.s yet do not appreciate the religious value of missions, the manifold incidental benefits which have redounded by their means to science, commerce, colonization and civilization generally. Doubtless in this way many a one can ana will be introduced more deeply into the cause and converted into a warm and vigorous friend of missions. Yet, if such efforts are prosecuted withont reference, or with only a timid reference to the religious motives and aims of missions, we forget that the deep r08ts of our strength are found only in the living obedience of faith, whose meat it is to do the will of God. If we forget this, all our tricks of persuasion are mefe cobwebs. It is the labor of Sisypus to be always pushing the hands of the clock from without."
"The lack which is made plain by the common complaint that nothing but the driver's stick will bring in collections, will not be made good by always contriving new ways: It rather sets home tous: You must make it more and more exclusively your aim to dig living weU.! And these are living wells: men who have the driver within themselves, of whom it is true that· the love of Christ constraineth' them; men of faith, whose faith brings them to obedience."
"Missionary narrative and history is excellent. It is the three measures of meal. But the leaven of this must be found in "the Word." This must be the chief thing. The sainted Lewis Harris has given the cause of missions in Hermannsburg an abiding root, because he was earnestly and powerfully bent on doing the central work in his parish, the work which was committed to the Apostle Paul among the heathen: 'To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.'"
A Lutheran missionary in South India, writing in the Leipzig Evangelisch- Lutherisches Missions-Blatt, considering the q1lf~stion how far foreign missionaries in India ought to assimilate themselves to the native ways, says: "The missionaries in Santalistan "-a district of Bengal, inhabited by an aboriginal tribe-" have accommodated themselves to the natives perhaps more perfectly than any others in India. They have, so to speak, put themselves on a footing of equality with them. This wise policy, so worthy of imitation, is, next to God's grace and blessing, a chief cause of their success. Yet we must remark, that what they could do there, among the un-Hindnized, uncivilized Santal people, they could not have done here among the Tamils with their many castes, classes, and peculiar institu· tions. Even the Tamil missionary finds no great difficulty in becoming a pariah to the pariahs, but in just the degree that he does this, he ceases to be a miSSionary to the Tamils; that is, he closes the door against himself, and robs himself of the opportnnity of drawing near to the hiaher castes, the Tamils proper, and gaining influence over them. It is, undoubtedly, very qnestionable how fa~ it is practical and judicious for us Europeans here in India;o live so entirely in the European style as is commonly the case. It may be questioned whether it would not be better to assume, at least in part, a more Indian manner of life. But even if this were done we should yet be far from becom· ing Hindus. At best we should only be Eurastans. There would therefore still be a wall of parti.
tion between the inhabitants of the land and the missionary. On this account these East Indians can never be fully served withont the ministrations of native helpers, who, belonging to the people by birth and nationality, feel, think and speak like them, and share their weal and woe, and so find the way to their heart as strangers never can."
M. P. Berthoud, writing in the Bulletin Missionaire, the missionary organ for French Switzerland, from the Portuguese town of Lourenzo-Marques, where there are also a good many Hindus, says: .. The passion for alcoholic drinks is what first strikes an observer on his arrival; and the more intimate his knowledge of the mhabitants becomes, the more thoroughly is he
ORGANi~ED; MISSIONARY WORK
obliged to admit that great as the eyil is on the surface, it is much greater still at the bottom. It is a terrible scourge and plague. .' : .. After this discovery, one makes another still more sad, that of the indescribable 'immo- rality which reigns without restraint. Not a soul cares to raise the least dike agailst its invading floods. The Hindus and the natives themselves follow the Europeans and better the example• .. Lourenzo-Marques possesses a Catholic church, served by a priest of mixed race: Except a few such mulattoes, few people, I am assured, attend the religious services.
However, the inhabitants, white or colored, are not anti-religious; they are satisfied with that which they possess, to wit, a priest, a church, the resources necessary to accomplish certain religio)ls forms of which Qne does not love to be deprived, that is to say, above all the funeral rites. They would, on the contrary, feel themselves annoyed, and perhaps harassed, if religion was more living, if it recalled with too sharp a distinctness the image of a holy God who will judge sinners."
"What a consolation," writes M. Berthoud," in the midst of this Sodom of Lourenzo- Marques, to see approaching to meet us a little serried column of native Christians chant- ing our hymn.! It was the 9th of July-twelve years, to the very day, since the founda- tion of our mission at Vald/izia-that, seated on the front ofour wagon, we saw them coming afar and followed their march with a moved and joyous heart. There were morc< than a hundred of them, al~clad becomingly and simply. The countenances of some beamed with delight, those of others were tremulous with emotion, with all the strength of feeling found vent in an explosion of song.
.. It is touching to see the cordiality which unites them, and which they reanimate in- cessantly by calling each other 'children of the Lord," children of the Father," beloved of the Lord,' etc. Their joyous piety has a certain self-communicating power which may well be one of the causes of the rapid propagation of the gospel. We cannot but perceive a great difference between eur Gwamba of the Spelonken and those of this region, who are in general much more vivacious. This difference may have its bad as well as its good side.
We will not judge, but note.
H I come now to another trait of the life of this church, to wit, the exaltation of the religious sentiment. It appears, first, in the ordinary language, which takes a piou" form apro_ pos of everything, even the most simple material things. Thus people cannot salute each other without making long phrases concerning the will of God and its manifestations; they no longer say of anyone that he has been sick, but that' he has been smitten of God.'
'You ask one who is taking leave when he expects to return. • It is God who knows,' is his reply, given in a peculiar unctuous tone, though' all the while he has his well-defined plans of return. Whatever work has been dose, whatever word has been pronounced, 'it is the Spirit who has shown it, has dictated it.' A person who is going to his work, will say that he IS going' to labor for the flesh,' without giving any heed to the nonsense of the expres.
sion. 'The Spirit, the flesh,' these terms occur in conversation apropos of everything. 1 can in a measure understand how a language constantly made up of pious expressions might be employed by a community of Christians who had all attained perfection. But in a church of which each member still has to strive with the old sinful nature, it be<lomes affected, and we shall soon see one of two results: either the religious sentiment will be- come exalted, or quite as probably it will become enfeebled, and pious phrases will no longer be anythmg more than pharisaical forms; or, quite as often, the former alternative will give birth to the second."
Since M. Besthoud's arrival at Lourenzo-Marques there had been more than thirty conversions, n.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK.
Woman's Missionary Societies. of • amongst the Indians of Manitoba and the Oanada.* Northwest. I. Woma~'s Foreign Missionary So- ciety of the Presbyterian Church in SUMMARY. Canada-Western Division. Organ- ized 1876. Home Work.
Mrs. Hugh Campbell, Secretary, 194 Rich- Number of Mission Bands ….. : ……. 124 mond street, West Toronto, Ontario. Members in Mission Bands .• a,829 Auxiliary Societies … , ….. . 351 They sustain work in India, Formosa, New Members in Auxiliary Socie- Hebrides, Trinidad, and Honau, China, and ties ………………….. . 9,025 Life Members … , ……….. . 251 .. We are indebted to Mrs. Dr. J. T.Gracey Members of both Local and for this additional account of Woman's General Society……… , • 2,336 Missionary Societies in ClLnada and Great Presbyterian Societies .. , .. . 21 BritILin.-EDs. Total Membership ……………….. . 12,854 Increase in Membership …………. .. 4,291 New Presbyterian Societies………. . 3 New Auxiliaries ………………….. . 98 New Mission Bands ………………. . 49 New Life Members………………. .. 00 Finances. retary, Mrs. E. S. Strachan, 113 Hughson Contri~1;lted by Miss~C!n Bands. . . .. $5,273 25 street, North Hamilton, Canada.
Auxlhartes .. .. …. 19,856 19 The work of this Society in Canada is di- from other sources 528 00 divided into Branches, as follows: Western Branch Central, Eastern, Nova Scotia, New Total amount contributed …..$25,65754 Brunswick and Prince Edward's Island. To these Branches there are certain Districts II. Woman's Foreign Missionary So- auxiliary as follows: St. Johns East, St. ciety of the Presbyterian Church of Johns West, Winnipeg and Qu'Appelle. Canada-Eastern Division. Organ- ized 1877. The tabulated statistics are as follows: Auxiliary societies, 138; members, 4,086; Miss Edith Burns, Secretary, 18 Kent life members, 237; mission bands, 49, with street, Halifax. I,711 me~bers. For the year 1887 the amount of money raised was $14,197.51. The amount The grand total of the receipts of the So- since organization in 1881 is $46,909.46 ciety for the year ending Oct. 17, 1887, which Twelve missionaries have been sent to the is the latest report available, amounts to various fields. $5,091.77. This Society has no missionary period ical III. The Women's Baptist Foreign of their own, but edit a department in the Missionary Societies of Ontario and Outlook, a periodical of their Board. Quebec, Canada. The foreign work of the Society is III President, Mrs. J. H. Castle, Toronto, Japan, the home workthroughont the Prov- Canada. Corresponding Secretary, Miss inces. The" Crosby Home" a't Port Simp- Buchan, Toronto, Canada. son, B. C., is in a flourishing condition. Th4ilre are now 20 girls in attendance. The The work of this Soeiety is represented by McDougall Orphanage and Training Institwo sections, Eastern Ontario and Quebec tute among North American IndianS' has and the Society of Ontario. It has been in 10 boys and 8 girls. A mission school for operation over eleven years. girls (French) has been established at Actonvale with 25 pupils 14 of whom have The section of Eastern Ontario and Que- been converted during the year. bec is represented by 47 mission circles, and raised the past year the amount of $1,555.80 The girls' school in Tokyo. Japan, has while the Society of Ontario is represented been crowded to its utmost capacity, 127 by 150 circles, and money raised $4,626.74 ; or, boarders and 100 day pupils. Fifty of these the two sections, exclusive of balance of have been converted and baptized. Th.ere previous Veal'S, $6,182.54. are now 65 native Christians in the school, Much attention has been' given to evan- W9rk is carried on in India, at Akidu, Co- gelistic work, and the training of native canada, Samulcotta and Tuni, all in the .Christian women for work among their own Telugu country. people. A special donation of $1,000 was given the past year to open work in another '!'hree Eurasian women are employed, and station in Japan, and Shidzuoka was se- report more work than they can do. A ected, and a building free of rent secured &::lCces.ful girls' school is reported at Co- fo), two years. and Miss Ounningham has reo canada. Miss Alexander, of Toronto, sailed cently reached Japan to take charge of this during the veal' to recruit. the mission. A work. Arrangements were also made for Zenana House has been built at Cocanada. aiding the Chinese girls in Victoria, B. O.
IV. Woman's Baptist Missionary Women's Missionary Societies of Great Union of the Maritime Provinces,. Britain and Ireland. Organized 1870. I. Society for Promoting Female Educa- Mrs. John March, St. Johns, N. B., Cor- responding Secretary. tion in the East. Established 1834.
Its home territory includes Nova Scotia, Secretary, Miss Webb, London, England. New Brunswick and Prince Edward's Island. This SOCiety is the oldest organized Society for carrying on work amcng the women of the The Society supports its own missionaries East. It commenced with schools in India and in India and contributes to the support of China, but the work was snbsequently extended fonr of the men employed by the parent to other countries, and now Includes Ceylon, Board. With much misgiving they appro- Japan, the Straits, South and West Africa, the priated at the beginning of the year $3,500 Levant, Egypt and the Holy Land, Turkey in but rejoice at its close over an income of Europe alid Persia. As early as 1835 one of the $1,735 in excess of that, and $258.30 given to Society's missionaries gained access to a house the Home Mission Board. Total income in Calcutta. $4,493.30. The object of the Society has been and ill V. Woman's Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, Canada.
President, Mrs. James Gooderham, 166 Carlton street, Toronto; Corresponding Secstrictlyevangelistie. Recently they have estab- supports 29 schools, with about 8,000 pupils. lished medical missions in North India and the There are day and night schools, and for Holy Land. Forty European missionaries are boys and girls and women. All. are inemployed, who have charge of abont 275 structed in the Scriptures. The annual schools, attended by 19,624 scholars. Some 380 income is about $25,000. zenanas are visited, with about 3,000 pupils_ The annnal income about $35,000. V. Ladies' Association for the Support of Bible Women and Zenana Work The Society publishes The FemaU MiBBion- in Connection with the Baptist Misary Inteliigencer, a monthly magazine of some sixteen pages. sionary Society of England. Es- II. Indian Female Normal School and tablished 1868.
Instruction Society; or Zenana Bi- This Society has work in India, North- west Provinces, Bengal, Madras and the ble and Medical Mission. Estab- Punjab, which consists of schools, zenana, medical and dispensary work. lished 1852. The annual income is about $30,000. This Society was organized in Calcutta, Forty-four European female agents are emand the first work was the establishment of ployed, and 105 native workers, with the a Normal School in that city for Eurasian support of 50 schools, with over 1,600 pupils, teachers. The Society extended its opera- and over 20,000 dispensary patients. tions into three Presidencies, and added to the training of teachers, zenana visiting, VI. The Female Association for Proestablishment of female schools, employment of Bible women and medical missions. moting Christianity among the Wo- The constitution of the Society had been undenominational until 1880, when a division men of the East_ Irish Presbyterian occurred, some adhering to the old constitu- Church. Established 1873. tion, others forming a new society in connection with the Church of England. Since This organization was established through the the division the work has greatly extended, inlluence of Dr. Murray Mitchell and Rev. Nathe societies working in different parts of rayan Sheshadri. Their first missionary sailed India. Annnal income about $50,000. About for India in 1874. Now there are eight lady 27 stations are occupied, with 52 female missionaries, two of whom are medical. Three and 150 native workers. About 55 schools stations are occupied, Surat, Ahmedabad and are supported, with over 3,000 pupils. The Borsad, while girls' schools are supported in Society publishes a quarterly magazine, three other places. There are 14 schools with The Indian Female Evangeli8t. 800 pupils; Bome 30 houses visited. There are two dispensaries, one at Surat, the other at III. Ladies' Auxiliary of the Wesleyan Ahmedabad. The SOCiety employs 12 female native workers. This organization has some Missionary Society. Established 160 auxiliaries, an annual income of about $10,- 000. 1859. Woman'8 Work Is a small magazine published The prejudices against female education" by this Society, quarterly, at Belfast, Ireland. Were giving away somewhat when this Society began its work. It has work in Cey- VII. Woman's Missionary Association lon, India, China, South and West Africa. This Society is auxiliary Ito the General of the Presbyterian Church of Eng- Wesleyan Missionary Society. Their most successful work has been in Ceylon. Their land. Established 1878. annual income is about $35,000. Their work is in 48 stations, with 80 missionaries, 35 The work done by this Association is in native workers, 202 schools, with nearly five stations in China and Singapore, and 10,OOD pupils. Much of their work is super- one station in India-Rampor Bauleah. intended by the wives of missionaries. Miss Ricketts was their first missionary to China, and went out in 1878. IV. British Syrian Schools and Bible The annual income of the Society is about Mission. Founded 1860. $10,000. Thirteen female (European) and 8 native workers are employed, and 5 schools, This Society was organized soon after the with 155 scholars, supported. A quarterly fearful massacres of 1860 in and about magazine, caUed Our Sister8 in Other Lands, Damascus. The Druses put to death about is issued by this Society, published in Lon- 11,000 Christians, and their widows and don. children were turned adrift and fled to the seaport towns. Mrs. Bowen Thompson, who VIII. Church oflEngland Zenana Mishad spent much of her life in Syria, went to Beyrout and at once organized schools, and sionary Society. Established 1880. then established others in various centers. The Society has now about 28 alrents. with This Society was formed by a separation ~ male native workers and 94 female, and from the Indian Female Normal School and Instruction Society. It works in connection with Church of England Missionary Society. At its formation it had 31 Enropean mission-
CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
aries in 17 .stations, and at the close of the XI. Ladies' Society for Female Eduseventh year it had 88 missionaries, 49 na- cation in India and South Africa, tive assistants, and 396 Bible women and of the Free Church of Scotland. native teachers in 42 mission stations. Its present fields are India, China and Japan. This SOCil"ty has done very suceessful work Income for 1887-8 about $115,000. in Southern India and Africa, and has re- centlv added medical work to its various The Society supports 181 schools with 6,928 agencies. It has a staff of 20 European and scholars.* India's Women, the organ of Eurasian helpers in India, and 120 native' this Society, is published every alternate Christian agents, with some 5,000 pupils unmonth, a magazine of 56 pages. der instruction. In Africa 12 European and 57 native Christian agents, with 1,675 pupils. IX. Zenana Medical College. Estab- A very successful boarding-school is car· lished in London, 1880. ried on at Loredale, South Africa, with over 100 pupils. About 30 missionaries' wives This is an unsectarian institution. Its object have supervision of the work. is to train Christian women for medical missionary work in the East. The ladies wl10 The income for 1887 was about $55,000. have finished their college course have been sent to Iudia, China, Ceylon, Syria, and Africa XIII. The Helping Hands Zenana by various missionary societies. The appli- Association. cants for admission have been more than could be accommodated. The income for 1887 was The object of this Association is to bring about $4,000. G. G. Griffith, M.D., Secretary. the young people of Great Britain and Colo- 'nies into active sympathy with the Protest- X. Ladies' Committee in Connection ant missionary societies working among the women of India. The Society has sup- / with the London ,MissionaryS 0- ported schools at various places in India, paid part of the expenses of a medical mis- ciety. sion,and aids in several other departments of missionary work. This Society supports 24 missionaries, 15 in India, 6 in China, and 3 in Madagascar; This Society publishes a monthly paper also 136 girls' schools, boarding schools. 20; called Indian Jewels. day schools, 116; with OVer 7,000 scholars. Over 250 Bible women are employed. It is WOMAN'S BOARD OF THE CUMBERLAND difficult to properly present this work, because of the lack of classification of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. information concerning it which obtains in the report of the Society. Recently this WE gladly correct a mistake in stat- Society has issued a magazine of woman's work called Quarterly News. ing the income of the Board last year XI. Ladies' Association for the Promo- (p. 922), which we made but $1,920.87. Rev. H. C. Bird, one of the leading tion of Female Education among the pastors of this Church, writes us: Heathen in the Missions of the So- "The figures are incorrect as you may ciety for the Propagation of the Gos- see by referring to the Assem8lv's Minutes, p. 104. The receipts of the board were $7- pel. 6.',8.44 ; and the whole amount in the trea- sury during the year was $11,212.63. I would This Society has work in India, Burmah, be glad to have you make the correction. South Africa and Japan. In India 61 mis- It is still a poor exhibit, but is a little betsionaries, and in Africa 10 are at work, ter than in your notice." with over 300 female native agents.
The Society publishes a monthly magazine called Grain 01 Mustard Seed.
III-CORRESPONDENCE and GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
Ohina. Chinese elders. Seven of the native pastors came from Central China, and one from Pe- LETTER from our editorial corre- king. The foreign missionaries represented different stations along the coast, and in spondent, John L. Nevius, D.D. : the interior, as foHows: Two from Canton, one from Ningpo, two from Shanghai, .two CHEFOO, Oct. 5, 1888. from Hang Chow, two from Suchow, one The Synod of China connected with the from Nankin, two from Chefoo, two from American Presbyterian Church, North, Weihien,~two rom Chi-nan-fn, one from Pewhich convenes once in five years, held its king and three from Teng-CllOwfu. One of last meeting in Ling-Chow-Fu. in the Pro- the representatives from Canton was' our vince of Shantung, on the 13thofSeptember_ veteran missionary, Dr. Happer. Though It was composed of twenty foreign mission- forty-five years have passed since he first aries, eight Cbinese pastors, and twelv~ came to China, there IS very little a.ba.te- * Over 2,000 Zenanas under visitation, and ::,187 pupils regularly ta.ught. ment of his physical and mental vigor, and ganizations in the West have now their recetltainly none in his missionary enthusiasm presentatives in China, viz.: American and zeal. Presbyterians, North and Sonth; Dutch Reformed, English Presbyt.erians, Scotch All the delegates, except those who reside Presbyterians, Irish PreslJ) terians, United in the interior of Shantung, came to Chefoo Presbyterians, and Canadian Presbyterians. by steamer, and completed the journey to A committee was ·appointed to open a cor- Teng-Chow, distant about fifty-five miles, respondence with these Presbyterian bodies, in mule-litters, or on mules and donkeys. inviting them to meet us by their represent- The road lies over a rough and compara- atives at the next General Missionary Contively barren and sparsely populated coun- ference, to be held in Shanghai, in 1890, to try, presenting, however, many picturesque devise a plan of uaion. It is hoped that it views of hill and valley, while much of the will not be many years before the moveway the Pechili Bay is in full view on the ment towards organic union will overleap north. Our guests from the south of China Western denominational bounds, and incorwill have many interesting experiences to pOl'ate different families of churches mto remember connected with our rough, and one Chinese National Church. to them novel, modes of locomotion. Now the mule-patH winds round the edge of a The longest and most spirited discussion steep gorge or precipice, again we ford a during Synod, related to the use of other st,ream or fiounder through a pool of mud than grape wine in the administration of the and water. The mules and donkeys meeting Lord's Supper. In China, the manufacture on the road make the hills resound with of grape wine is unknown. There is, howtheir vociferous salutations, and sometimes, ever, a fermented wine produced from gluwhen sportive or intractable, overturn the tinous rice and millet in common useamon<:, litter, and leave the passenger to extricate the people, and believed by some of us to himself from his portable mat-shelter, and correspond in almost every respect, except the muleteers to catch the refractory ani- its origin, to grape wine in the West, and to mals, repair damages, and make a new start. be equally appropriate as a symbol. This Wheu Dr. McCarter came to this region, wine has been generally used in Shantung, about twenty-five years ago, he very aptly especially in stations in the interior. It was characterized the motions of these mule- objected to enjoining the use of grape wine litters as a constant alternation between in all cases, that such a course would be unthe motions of the" sieve" and the "pepper- necessary and burdensome; that the nse of box." Dr. Gulick, who visited us later, very grape wine is not essential to the validity of discriminatingly added the" bottle-washing the ordinance, and insisting on it would be motion." The U SIeve motion" is the result contrary not only to the intent of the ordiof the animals keeping step; that of the nance, but also to the general spirit of "pepper-box" of their breaking step; while Ohristianity; that the introduction of this the U bottle-washing motion" comes from· new wine in China would excite curio.ity the mules jumping down the rocky inequali- and a superstitious reverence for outward ties of the road, From these happy simili- and uuessential formR; and that it wonld tudes the experience of a traveler during make the Ohurch the instrument of introa journey of a day and a half, including a ducing a new beverage into Ohina, and innight in a Chinese inn, can be imagined. crease drunkenness with all its attendant evils. Differences of language form a serious difficulty in transacting business in this A resolution expressing the o;>inion of the Synod. The records of the Synod are kept Synod tha.t grape wine should be used whenin the universal written language of China. ever it could be obtained was passed by a Members speak in English and Mandarin, majority of 21 to 17. Another resolution which is the spoken language of North enjoining the exclusive nse of grape wine China. The native members from Central was negat,ived by a large majority. The China have learned to speak Mandarin, so minority entered a complaint against this that they are fairly well understood. As a. last action of Synod, and the matter will thus rule speeches are formally translated from be brought before the next General Assem- English into ~landarin, andvice-versa. Busi- bly. ness is conducted in a very orderly manner, the native members being now almost as Some of the statistics of the Synod of familiar with rules of order as the foreigners Ohina are as follows: Initiatory steps were taken toward securing the organic union of the dlfferent Pres- Number of Churches……………….. 42 byterian bodies in China. This movement .. .. Church Members added which nas been a matter of great interest to many missionaries in China for years past, since last Synod …………………. 1,981 has been much stimulated and facilitated Number of Church Members Expelled.. 560 by the action of the recent Pan-Presbyterian .. " H " Died. . . . . . . 292 Alliance. Seven distinct Presb;yt~ri1<n 01'- Total Number of Male Church Members 1,837 U Female" .~ 1,325 " ..
" ., Foreign Ministers….. 38 .. Native .. .., . . 23 .. Preachers of all Grades 85 .. Preaching Stations••• 179 Brazil. diminished. The so·called enthusiasm over the abolition of slavery in Brazil was largely dne to PERNAMBUCO, September 24, 1888. the popularity of the movement. Althougb but HOWEVER high may be th estandard of morals One case has com~ to my knowledge, I am so of the Romish Church, her practices have so well acquainted with the Brazilian character nullified her precepts that in Brazil morality that I do not hesitate to say that many people seems to form no part of religion. Morality who were not in sympathy witll the work of the separate from religion is .a frail bark on the abolitionists, and who will evade the law as 10lllt swiftly fiowing current ofsin, and religiou with. as they can, contributod to defray the expenses out morality is a vehicle for hypocrisy to ride of the public demollstmtiOllS, and decorated and in. An indication of how little moral infiuence illuminated their own houses becanse abolition is exerted by Romanism may be taken from the was popnlar and they had ltot the courage to fact that in this city of Pernambuco, the popu. appear on tbe othor side. If they shonld bEt lation of disreputable characters Is thickest called upon to justify tbeir action, they wonld right around the principal churches, where they make patriotism their shield. 'l'he Brazilian is attend mass for the purpose of display and con- very jealous of the honor of his country, and in quest as they would a theater. the abolition of slavery the thOugbt of the re- From this separation of religion and morals moval of Brazil's reproach of being the only civarises one of the chief difficulties for the gospel ilized country maintaining slavery seemR to give to overcome. Romanism answers the purposes more satisfaction than that of the right and of those who desire to be religious without in- jnstice done, or that of the oppression removed terfering with their morals; and those who dis- from so many Imman beings. This same national regard religion are not snsceptible to appeals for pride has been of great service in suppressing 190rality through religion. Hence it is that persecution whenever it has arisen against us while tbere are many people wbo have practi- missionaries. The tOlle of inflnential people who cally renounced Romanism because of its being endeavor to pl'Otect ns is: "Are we not a civil· found wanting and not because of something ized people, and sball we permit indignities such better having been presented to them, it is hard as only could be expected of barbarians? " now to make them desire religion of any kind; and since they will not see it, we mnst deVise It is somewhat of a trial for us who, methods to more fully carry ont Christ's word, through experience, have learned wba~ it " Go." We hold our services in private houses, is to be a Christian, not to be able to use the halls and small churcbes. Occasionally a passer- word" Christian" as we understand it; but by is attracted by the singing and enters shyly. in this land, the simple question" Are you He hears the Word of God read or proclaimed. a Christian? "would invariably be answered Perchance his heart is prepared by grace to re- in the affirmative. Christening is what ceive the word, and he at length becomes a makes a Christian; so we have to resort to member of tbe church. But oh ! the many who other phraseology in speaking of 01le'8 renever come to hear of Jesns. We go in private lation to Christ. Amollg the followers of to this one and that; but the masses are not Christ, the word" believer" takes the place reached. Street preaching is prohibited bylaw. of the word H Christian.n In differ~nt parts The colporteurs of varions Bible societies have of Brazil the names given to Protestants by planted the Word in many parts of the country; tbe popnlace vary according to circum-· but, except ill the principal cities, no misSionary stances attending the introduction of the Apollos has entered. work. In Rio de Janeiro, the first place in While the Romish Chnrch fails to exert a moral which the gospel was preached, they are infiuence, it has made its impress on the so~ial called "bibles," due probably to the st"ess life and cbaracter of the people. The deception laid on the use of the Bible alld the estimaengendered shows itself not only on lying lips, tion with which it was held by the first bebut in the disposition of tbe people to appear lievers_ Before the good news would be acwhat they are not. The maintenance of a good cepted, the genuineness of the evidence had reputation is of more importance than that of a to be established. In another part, the good character, and to a wonderful degree the Protestallts are called "Jesus," for that Brazilian is bound to that which is conventional name, of course, was above every name in and popular. Many people there are who regard the preaching_ In the province of Ceara, the Ro!nish Church and the various social cns- where the first missionary was a married toms out~·! J. in;; therefrom as folly and super- man, every believer, whether man or wostiiion, an" ret, rather than be thought pecnliar, man, married or single, is called a U marthey conform thereto. Others there are who are ried priest." Here in Pernambuco We arc impressed with the truth of evangelical teach- called H new sect." ings and practices who are kept by tbis false pride from frequenting our meetings, insignifi- There are. several things that lead me to cant in aspect and attended mostly by people of advocate" self-support" as the most feasilowly station. Let our cause once become popnlar in Brazil, and missionary reports will con- ble ba.si~ for missionary work in Brazil. tain large figures, but the proportion of genuine Christian character among our members will be First, it is possible. I consider that theobh- gation to support me rests 110 more upon the whole church than upon the individual members of it. of which I am one, and therefore, it being possible for me to support my- the missionary is not self.supporting, any self and serve my Master a& missionary, I am compelled to do it. To live 'on the char- convert who shows any capability for pubityof others when God puts it within my lic work expects, if he engages in it, to ~ive power to provide for myself would be incon- up his present occupation and receive a sistent and insincere. In so saying" I am salary from the missionary society. not accusing anyone who does not support himself. The question turns upon the p08si- A self-supporting mi.sionary in Brazil is bilityof supporting one's self and fulfilling bound to have the respect of the general pubone's obligations as missionary at the same time. It has been said that if a missionary lic when it would not be given to another. for has to,take time to earn his own living he two reasons; first, because his occupation cannot do as much missionary work as if he were free from all care as to his income. I brings him into constant contact with the people, will not dispute that point in this paper; and lack of respect for a missionary is in most but it must be granted that whatever mis- cases due to lack of acquaintance with him; sionary work is done by a self-supporting missionary in a foreign field is just so mnch and second, because the Brazilian looks with more than wonld be done if he stayed at snspicion upon anything that may be propaganhome for the wa.nt of a salary. Let the dism for tbe sake of the money there is in it. churches in the home lands support as many missionaries as they can-as many as need Their own experience with priestcraft and the to be supported-and let as many go forth Jesuits has made it so. Only recently a gentleas are willing to support themselves, and man who comes to our meetiugs told me that yet the laborers wiII be inadequate to the work to be done. Do some of you say you the vicar of a certain important parish in this don't see how any missionary can support city had told him that he is a priest because his himself; that yon are overworked as it is, and to attempt to earn your own living be- father had educated him for one, and although sides would be death to yon? Let me say that earning one's own living is a check he does not believe in half that Romanism against breaking down. With nothing to teaches, he remains a priest because it is his restrain you, and surrounded by so much that appeals to your sympathies, and work occupation. Is it at all unreasonable that a pouring in upon you which you did not seek, Protestant missionary, against whom Romanists how can you refuse even thongh you know that you ought to rest? Self-support puts are already prejudiced, and who lives in better you under obligations that compel you to style than their own priests, should be suspected refuse, and so takes your mind from the very work: that wears you out as to be more of being what he is for the sake of what he is beneficial than idle rest. paid? ', Moreover, there are other things to be taught'the people besides what is done un- Up to the present, the best resource for selfder the head of regular 'missionary work. Lessons of thrift aud industry are best com- support in Brazil s~ems to be that which arises prehended if exemplified by the mission- from the demand for private tutorage in varions aries themselves. With au appearance of good living: without any ell'ort on your part branches of learning, and particularly in the to obtain it, what idea can you give them of industry? You may tell them of how English language. There are always to be many hours a day you devote to study in found people of too liberal ideas to be governed order to labor ell'ectively among them; but what idea have the majority of our converts in matters of business and secular education by ';f what intellectual labor is? If they can religious prejndices, while many most unyieldsee what you do to earn your livelihood, they wiII understand better what industry ing Romanists do not hesitate to employ us means, and the ell'ort you put forth in order to live among them to preach Christ will be rather than not receive instruction on a par with a strong proof of how much you love Him that of their neighbors. In choosing this occuand them., In imitation of you, they will coutitiue to support themselves, and labor pation we are not obliged to take upon ourselves for Christ among their own people without any more work than is necessary for our supexpecting any pay therefor. This feature has been noticeable in connection with self- port, or any that interferes with our gospel supporting work in Brazil, while, on the other hand, we have observed that where work. We invite our pupils to our meetings; some of them become regular attendants and a few have been converted. Besides the indirect beneficial results of our contact with the people, there are others that the missionaries of the next generation, and even we in later yelJ.rs, will feel. God ha,tl blessed the missionary work of the past century to a wonderful degree. He has not despised the inexperience and poor methods em- ployed; yet He would have us profit thereby and improve thereon. Let the Pr.otestant churches of Europe and AmericlJ. give their millions of money; but I believe that the acme of missionary times will not be reached till there are millions of person~ going forth from those same churches into all the world, depend- ing only on God's blessing, on the labor of their hands or brain to provide them with means to live and labor among those who are dying for the want of the bread of life. God speed the day. GEORGE B. NIND, Methodist Episcopal Layman. Persia.; Islam in the village of Ula, to begin work there until It could be opened in Haft Dewan. The LETTER from Rev'. John C. Mech- first thing to do was to secure a house In that village. A man who was connected with civil lin: matters was willing to rent us his property, pro- vided we would give him big rent. But before SALMOB, May 16, 1888. the bargain was made the proposed transaction became public, and the man received such II I was one of the 2,000 young people that beatin~-bastinado-that he died from the ef- fects of it. Thus the work was begun in blood, pledged themselves for Missions a year ago. I though the man was not a martyr for our cause, bnt for money. Before long another man vengraduated from Western Seminary, Allegheny, tured to offer his place for rent. He received large money in advance for three years. As Pa., was accepted by the Presbyterian Board soon as this became known it caused an awful stir. He was fined-one-quarter of the money and sent here. bein<: taken from him-and he was also severely beaten. Afraid for his life, he fied to Tillis, Rus- Three of the seven missionaries that arrived sia. Many times his wife came to Dr. Shedd and pleaded with him to take back the money and here in October remained at Salmos-Mr. Mech- give her the paper. But though we had the right to the place, the next qnestion was to get lin and his wife, and Miss Emma Roberts of possession. The people were furious and it did not seem safe to go to our house. We had to Atlanta, Ga. Messrs. McDowell and St. Pierre appeal to the government; finally, our minister at Teheran carried the matter before the Shah, and their wives went on to Oroomioh. and a special order was sent froin the throne to the Governor of this province~ I will tell you how this station was opened, A chain of circumstances showed God's and how God's hand was seen in it. Work has providence and answer to prayer. The present Ameer was then Governor of been done in this Plain for several years by Oroo- Oroomioh, and on the death of the then Ameer, who had been unfriendly, was apmioh helpers. But frequently "they disgraced pointed to fill his place. Jnst as he left for Tabriz, he got the mandate of. the Shah. their profession by quarreling and by lying. He sent for the Governor of Khoy, who was responsible for the troubles having The missionaries felt it necessary to put a mis- gone so far, and degraded him before the people, probably more to revenge himself sionary here who could always aid and control than to punish the Governor, with whom he had a qnarrel. He also gave orders that no the helpers. As to the peoples of Salmos, five one molest us iu Salmos. Posters were put up in DHimon, the central market town, nationalities are represented here. 1. Per- wa.rning all against interfering with us. Here was the chain of providences: The sians-from whom come our rulers and many death of the Ameer, the appointment of a friendly successor, his receiving the decree business men-all, of course, Musselmen, but when he did, and the orders he left in Sal- mos. And this was not all. He r~ported the very friendly. We call On them anc1 they on us. Governor of Khoy to the authorities in Teheran and they summoned him to the Many of this class are reading the Bible. Sheik capital. He knew that if he obeyed, he would be beaten, and deg~aded from his Islam, the religious head of this Plain, is very position. So instead of going, he sent a present of seven hundred Tomans ($1,050), friendly, and a man of such infiuence that the and aU trouble passed over. As soon as Mr. Wright, who was stationed here by the mis- Governor does not meddle with his affairs. sion, could take possession, he made his home in Haft Dewan. Some of the leading Much prejudice has been broken down by the men met him and said that they would op- pose him in every way, would raise money medical treatment of Drs. Holmes and Cochran, and have their own schools, and their child- ren should not come to his. They said: whom they hold in high esteem. 2. Jews. .. Why don't you do as your Master did? If they did not want him in their city, he They are many and very friendly. We will went to another." Mr. Wright answered soon open work among them. They are here, as everywhere, a marked race, and their busi- ness is trading. 3. Nestorians. These people, among whom we have one church, belong to the Oroomioh Plain, and still cling to the Old Church. 4. Monntain Koords. They are 80 near that we may count them as belonging to the Plain. 5. The Armenians. They are the rich- est, and are either farmers or merchants, hav- ing a strong national pride. Their great hope is one day to become a separate power, but Russsia, Turkey and Persia will all resist this.
Snrroundcd by Mohammedanism, and often sorely pressed to become followers of the False Prophet, they never gave up their form of wor- shiplor their belief in Jesus as the Son of God; but they did not hold so strongly to ltJe spirit as to the letter, of the Bible. Formality took the place of heart worship, and the priests cared more for the fieece than for the sheep.
But here they remained, as if to witness for the doctrine of the Trinity; and it seems as if God had left them here, that, revived and qnickened, they might give salvation to all these peoples.
At the annual meeting in the fall of 1884 it was, therefore, resolved to open a station for work among the Armenians. Haft Dewan was chosen because it was one of the most central and in- flnential Armenian villages of the Plain.
Dr. J. H. Shedd, of Oroomioh, came that fall to Salmos, and rented a house from Sheik that he loved their souls too mueh to leave alHicted are drawn to the gospel wi~ them; he would stay. A year passed by greater interest. Since reaching the coun. and all parties became and have continued try it has been my privilege to preach two very friendly. or three times weekly. In Tarsus from 200 to 400, and in Adana from 1,200 to 1,500 per- The hostility to our mission may be easily sons were gathered each Sabbath; prayer_ accounted for. Twenty minutes ride from meetings are largely attended, and the Haft Dewan is the village of Khosroo-Shah, Sabbath-school lesson has to be given from where for nearly fifty years the Catholic the pulpit, there not being room to arrange Lazarists have had a mission. When they classes for such large numbers. came there the town was one of the richest on the Plain, partly Armenian and partly The Kenerous contributions of Christian Nestorian. To-day it is one of the worst; friends in America for the famine sufferers its lewd women and drunken men give it have proved a means of grace among everywhere a bad odor. Tke Catholics have the people. A few Sabbaths ago we had taught them to gamble and encouraged' communion in Adana, at which 54 perstrong drink by their own example. For sons united with the church on profession the first time in twenty years a man has of faith. In Tarsus the work has not been been seen in Persia dead-drunk by the road- so prosperou~ owing to the lack of a regular side. For many years these monks meddled pastor and an unsuitable place of worship. with civil affairs, securing justice only for Yet there are many to be gathered into the those that favored tbem and pnnishing churches. whom they would. They also farmed the taxes and became so obnoxious that the Gov- Another promising feature is the educaernment gave strict orders that they should tional interest among the youth. Besides let civil matters alone. They are now under the contributions for the famine sufferers, the ban. Dreadful lies had been circulated which were $2,445 last year, there was given concerning us, and these poor people of $2,400 for the scholarship fund for the poor Haft Dewan expected the worst from us. and orphan children of St. Paul's Institute. But as time showed that we did not meddle From this last amount $425 was seut with with their affairs, they became friendly and the famine money for immediate use in now wonld not wish us to leave. Though helping our poor children. On our arrival' none have come out on the Lord's side, we were surprised to learn that 75 children many seem glad to hear the Word. The had been assisted. Calling at their schools woman whose husband rented to the mis- we saw dozens of pale, sickly-looking, yet sionaries at first stole everything she could bright children, sitting on the hard fioor, get, but this sbe has ceased to do, and has their clothing patched with pieces of many been known to speak good words for Mr. colors, and worn daily for more than a year Wright. She seems in fact to be a Christ- (they stay in the house while their ollly garian. ments were washed and dried). Some had only worn-out books, which they· shared The work has thus begun; .the Bible is with others. Asking the teacher, ' Is this read and studied, and the fields are ripen- the condition of the children all the year?" ing to the harvest. Next winter I hope to the reply was: .. They are now in a better work on the Plain among the Armenians, state, as the famine is passing. Many conmany of whose villages have not been vis- tinue the school with insulHcient clothing, ited. barefooted and often hungry for days." Many lived on two or three metallics (cents) Asia Minor. daily. .. Often hungry, yet industrious; shivering with cold, burning with heat, still ST. PAUL'S INSTITUTE, TARSUS, Ang. I, 1888. most eager to make progress." Beyond the EDITORS OF lI1lSSIONARY REVIEW.-YOU will pale faces and frail bodies we saw active be glad to know of the safe arrival of our minds and souls to be loved and won for party, our expenses being paid by Col. Christ. They are entirely dependent on Elliott F. Shepard. Arriving at Mersine, benevolent friends for futher education- •Tarsus and Adaua, we were most cordially if they are properly cared for and educated, welcomed by the missionaries and hundreds what a greatblessing they will prove to this of the native friends. These three cities needy and darkened lalld J now being connected by rail are almost as one city, having a population of nearly It was God's own time for us to come while 100,000, consisting of Mohammedans, Arme- the people are so needy and eager to receive nians, Greeks and Fellaheens. The first the gospel. Our mission is to teach and thing we noticed was the exceeding poverty preach the truth. The kind interest of the of the people, owing to the recent severe missionaries and people here encourages us famine. This year's harvest is good, still in our work. Tarsus will be our head- there are thousands of sick, aged, feeble quarters, where our school will be located, women and little children who are unable yet we will worK in other cities and villages to work for their support, whose suffering throughout Asia Minor, is beyond description. The people thUS We expect to.open our school in a rented her husband was on a journey far from hOIDe. house, October 1. There are many appli- He heard a rumor of what was going on, and cations for admission, most of whom are started in a hurry for home, telling his friends orphans and poor children. The sum of $50 that if his wife had taken up with these fanatics will support a child for one year in the he and she would soon separate. Within two school. days he and his wife were found with hands joined praising and blessing God for His good- For the success of our mission we depend, ness In giving them such a blessed outpouring with God's blessing, upou the direction of of His Holy Spirit. our Board of Trustees and Managers and the benevolent support of Christian friends. Whilst the Boers were praisio!( God for His I hope you will always be interested in this goodness, it came into the hearts of some that work, and help it any way you can. It is they had a duty toward the heathen, whom they the Master's work, to whom be all the glory. had hitherto looked upon as little better tban animals, to serve them, the snperior race. In I shall be glad to correspond with -and their gatherings for prayer they brought the hear from you at any time. condition of the heathen before their heavenly Father, and SOOn they felt that they must be up Yours in Christ. and dOing. Applications for help were made to (Rev.) H. S. JENANYAN. various missiOnaries, especially to those of the, Free Church of Scotland. These appeals were Mission Work Among the Zulus in gladly responded to, and before long 'they had NataJ, Africa. several native evangelists preaching the gospel throughout the country. There are now fifteen BY REV• .TAMES SCOTT, IMPOLWENI. stations or preaching places where the heathen are gathered together to hear of Jesus and His A VERY nnexpected and interesting work has love. These stations are just the Boers' farmbeen begun amongst the Zulns in Natal. The houses. On the Sabbath the Zulus may be seen European population of the county of Umvoti, gathering in from the neighboring kraals and of which Greytown is the principal place, are villages, old and young, men and women, a few Boers, who belong to the Dntch Reformed clothed, but mostly heatheu in their blankets, or Church (Presbyterian). Their minister, the even without one. The largest shed available, Itev. James Turnbull, was a licentiate of the generally the wagon-house, has been prepared Free Church of Scotland, educated at the New for the occasion, and there the missionary or College, Edinburgh. native evangelist, or, in absence of either, the Dutch farmer, conducts a simple service in the Mr. Turnbull's congregation, like their coun- Zulu language. The writer has on some of these trymen throughont Sonth Africa, read their occasions seen as many as eighty Boers and Bibles, attended ordinances, and were ont- three or four hundred Zulus gathered together wardly good Christian people. Their Christi- to worship the one true God, the services comanity, however (except in some special cases), mencing on Saturday and being continued till did not extend so far as to caring for the salva- Monday afternOon. There was often a dearth tion of the heathen perishing around them. of preachers, but gradually this difficulty is van- Being nnder British rnle, they showed no open ishing. Most of the Dutch farmers know the hostility to mission work; probably, however, Zulu language, and are well acquainted with the same spirit was in them -as in their country- the Word of God; and though at first diffident men who burned down Livingstone's station, of their own powers, they were persuaded to who destroyed the stations of the French mis- hegin by reading a few verses of Scripture and sions in Basutoland, and who hindered the ad- offering up prayer. Now they are conducting vance of rmissions whenever they had the services more and more freely, and thus are bepower. coming bound together, black and white, in one common love to the Lord Jesns Christ. Very Three years ago God's Spirit worked in a soon God gave the blessing to this wonderfnl marvelous way amongst these people. The work. Not many months after the first attempts commencement of this outpouring of the Holy were made, over One ,hundred gave in their Ghost has been attributed to different human names as candidates for baptism, These have agencies; the Boers themselves say the chief now been formed into a native church in conagent was the reading and meditating upon nection with the Dutch Church of Greytown ; God's holy Word. many more have professed faith in Christ, and are now under instruction and being gathered in After varied experiences, one and another from time to time. Tbe work is carried on amongst them began to feel that they were new under the direction of a committee of Dutch creatures in Christ Jesus; although they had f:irmers, who, besides being themselves heartily been members and office-bearers of the Church, engaged in the work, employ three native evanyet they now for the first time felt Christ a)iv- gelists. ing power within them. No SOOner did one speak to his neighbor of the change which had Amongst thElse evangelists is one man, Petros come upon him or her than the reply came: Skosan, whOse case is a striking fulflllment of J.' Such also is my experience" ; and soon whole families were rejoicing together and praying for theil' neighbors and kinsfolk.
One case worthy of mention is that of a WOIDan who was brongbt into the light while the prophecy of Isaiah xi. This man's father government, foster a universally spread was one of the regiment of Zulu warriors who, sense of distrust and insecurity; Everyone sees a foe in his neighbor and a snare in iu 1836, at asignal from that cruel tyrant, Din- friendship. Thelife of the chiefs, great and small, is one of extortion, sensuality and gaan, fell upon and in cold blood murdered, in intrigues. Revolutions, like fever, are en- Dingaan's own palace, the Dutch leader, Retief, demic. and all his party of about seventy men. The son is now an evangelist, supported by the de- Some time ago, in London, the cloak of scendants of these same Dutch Boers to preach respectability was torn asunder, and the the gospel of peace to his heathen fellow-coun- world shuddered. Here there is no cloak trymen. The father, who still lives, is also a of respectability, no law, no public opinion member of the Church of Christ. to fear. Passions are let loose without any restraint, and the grossest bestiality goes GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. about in broad daylight, barefaced and shameless. There is no innocent childhood Central A.frica.-Themail from Europe and or family ties. National brigandage and news from our nearest neighbors, 900 miles slavery have borne their fruits, and brutalolf, reach us only once a year by occasional ized man.–The Christian (London). traders or travelers. The rest of the year We are entirely cut off from the outer world. North Africa.-Within four days' journey of I send these lines by a caravan of Portu- Britain one may land on African soil and find a guese traders returniug to Benguela. We large field-almost untouched-for Christian hope that in time communications may be labor among the natives of Algeria, the Kaopened with the West Coast through our byles. Visiting recently among these people, American brethren of the Biha. The be- and making known to them for the first time ginnings of a mission like this, far away the glad tidings of salvation, I was much struck from the great arteries of trade and immi- with the atteution given to the message. Doubtgration are expect.ed to be bard. Pioneers less the novelty of an Englishman speaking to ought to bE' giants in faith and courage. them in their own unwritten langnage and deliv- ering snch a message as a free salvation with,ont The climate is most trying to Europeans, works was sullicient of itself to caI1 forth snch and bardly less so to tbe natives. The land attention. Seated one evening in a Kabyle devoureth its own inhabitants. Independ- house I was greatly delighted with the readiness ently of that, there is much worry in set- to listen to the gospel. The wonderful story of tling in a place so difficult of access, and in the resurrection of Lazarus was being read laboring to make a wild sand-hill overlook- when my host announced that supper was ready ing marshes habitable•.Materiallife is very and when I liked I conld have it bronght up. difficult. It is a constant struggle and trial Having expressed a desire to finish the narraof faith, a daily lesson of trust and un- tive the little company of Mohammedans conreserved confidence in the loving-kindness tinned to give the ntmost attention to the words and faithfulness of -our heavenly Father. read and spoken. Snpper ended, the conversa- Far from complaining of hardships and pri- tion was renewed. One of onr company, an vations, I must say that, on the whole, they honorable Marabont or religions Mohammedan, are less th!l.n we had anticipated. who, becanse of ha'i'ing made a pilgrimage to Mecca, was called Elhadj, entertained us while Those who read our monthly, Journal des he read from an Arabian tract. The man Missions Evangelig:ues, know that when we showed us with evident pride a book in Arabic crossed the Zambesi we penetrated into one (I presume a portion of Scripture) gh'en bim of the Prince of Darkness's strongholds. two years ago in Algiers by a Christian English During '30 years of mission life I have lady who was distribnting tracts among the found nowhere the ideal heathen, so good, people. Frequently dnring that evening's con· so meek, so yearning after the things of versation my statements were met by the words, God, which some preachers at home rel'lre- "You are right," "Trnly." That night I had sent the African savages to be. But no- two sharing the sl~eping apartment with me. where have I met with a tribe so hopelessly Having seen me bow the knee in prayer, one of degraded. The Barots6 themselves say that them asked me afterwards U I had been pray· theirs is a land of murder, that no one is ing. Replying that I had. he added, "May God allowed to grow old: their soil is saturated answer yonr prayer I" How one is saddened with blood; human bones bleach every- in observing these people praying, as they proswhere in the sun. The spear, a terrible trate themselves toward the east! How the piaything in the hands of these Zambesians, longing comes up to see them worship God in does not ever get rusty. Superstition and spirit and in truth I Who will offer himself to witchcraft spread their wings of darkness help make known the gospel among them? and death over every village, hamlet, hut Those of us who are in the field wonld do more and individual. We live in the middle age", if our hands were s!rengthened by brethren at but the middle ages in savagedom. The in- home. Sometimes too much is expected of missatiable l:Teediness of these poor people, sionaries in forei&n cl/untries, where, with 11Imitheir inveterate habit of stealing and lying, the total absence of anything like justice, the utter powerlessness of the so-called lies to be looked after and no domestic help olany growth of grass covered the formerly weUreal value, and often without means to tlnd even trimmed paths. proper help, the missionary has much secillar .. As we approach the skirt of the groves we labor to perform which necesarily reduces his are strnck by the dead silence which reigns. No laughter is to be heard, no sign of a welcome tilne and strength for his proper work. Like from our old friends. The silence of death breathes over the lofty crowns of the palms, the China inland missionaries we are without slowly waving in the wind. We enter, and it gnarantee of salary. Moreover, no fixed sum is in vain we look to the right and left for the can We look for regularly. The society sends to happy homesteads and the happy old· scenes. its missionaries that which is entrusted to it, Tall grass covers everything, and a charred pole but it leaves the missionaries free to receive here and there, a few banana trees are the oilly from any source through which God may be evidences that man once dwelt here. Bleached pleased to send to the help of His servants. sknlls by the roadside, and the skeletons of Want of means often puts a drag on the chariot human hands attached to poles tell the storr, of wheels, and causes the worker not a little anxi- what has happened here since our last visit. ' ety as he finds the will present to perform more, but the wherewithal to perform lacking. May It appeare<i that the notorions Tippoo Tib had the Lord of the harvest enable all who pray that been there to " trade," and in the coorse of that laborers be thrust forth to help also in the send- process had killed all who offered resistance, ing of them on their way.-Aifred S. Lamb. carried off the women, and devastated the flelds, gardens and banana groves. Bands of destroyers -Mohammedanism and;Missions. An inter- from the same gang bad returned again and again, esting article on the influence of Arab traders and those who escaped the sword perished by the in West Central Africa, contributed by Lieuten- small-pox and famine, which the marauders left ant Wissmann to the current issue of the" Pro- in their train. The whole tribe of the Bene Ki ceedings of the Royal Geographical Society," ceased to exist, and only a few remnants found throws light on the qnestion of Mohammedan- refuge in a neighboring state. ism and missions, raised by Canon Taylor at the last Church Congress. The writer's experience Snch must be counted amongst the'resillts of of Mohammedan influences upon the native Arab "trading" in Africa, and if it is at such popUlations is in direct contrast with the asser- cost that the bleSSings of Mohammedan civllzation that the creed of Islam is that best suited tion are purchased by the native races, it is no to their need.. He gives a graphic account of wonder that they are not considered a desirable two visits to Bagna Pesihi, and certaiu villages acquisition. Even if it be true that Christianity of the Bene Ri, a division of the Basonge, in is sometimes tardy of operation in its beneficent Central Africa, before and after tbe arriv/!l of effect upon the blacks, Christian missionaries a gang of Arab traders on the scene. and Christian traders can at least boast that they have never wittingly acted otherwise than On the first occasion, in 1882, he was welcomed beneficently towards them. In their case the by a prosperous and contented tribe, whose perpetration of such atrocities would be imposcondition and occupations bore ample evidence sible. With the followers of the False Prophet it to the existence of its villages for decades In is different. Their religion is merely a superstipeace and security, free from the disturbing tion, adapted to the needs of aggressive and elements of war and slave·hunts, pestilence and militant tribes, and does not profess to inculcate superstition. The huts of the natives were tenderness or humanity, mnch less the loftier roomy and clean, fitted with shady porches, and teachings ofthe:gospel of Christ. surrounded lly carefully kept fields and gardens, in which were grown all manner of nsefnl England.-" The Christian Union plants and fruits, including hemp, sugar, to- for the Severance of the Connection of bacco, sweet potatoes, maize, manioc and mil- the British Empire with the Opium let. A thicket of bananas and plantains occupied the back of each homestead, aud shady Traffic," with Sir S. A. Blackwood palm groves supplied their owners with nuts, oil, fibers and wine. Goats, sheep and fOWls as its President and Dr. Maxwell abounded, and no one seemed afraid of thieves. Honorary Secretary, gives the fol- The people all had a well-fed air, and were anxious to trade, their supplies being plentiful lowing reasons for its formation: and ell'tremely cheap. A fowl could be pur- Became as a nation we are responsible cbased for a large cowrie shell, and a goat for a yard of calico. Everywhere the visitors found through our Indian Government for a trade a cheerful, courteous and contented population, which is ruining the oodies and souls. and uncontaminated by the vices of civilization, and destroying the homes of multitudes of the yet not wholly ignorant of its arts. Chinese.
Four years later Lieutenant Wissmann Became our national connection with this chance(l to be in the same district. and after the evil traffic is peculiarly close and revolting. privations of a toilsome march through dense, The poppy is grown in Bengal alone over an inhospitable forests, rejoiced as. he drew near to . extent of more than 500.000 acres, and this the palm groves of the Bal:D& Pesihi. A dense growth is carefully fostered by the Indian Government. The OpiUIU drug is ma.nufac- tured under c.onstant Government direction and supervision. It is sold at auction by the Government, expressly and intentibn- ally for the Chinese market. Including that from the native states, about 85,000 of the vilest offenders in .. the trade," some chests, containing over 5,000 tons of opium, holding positions as office-bearers, others', are thus exported annually from India to through taeir liberality and pecuniary aid China, and a revenue of five, six, or seven to missionary and charitable institutions, millions sterling is derived by Government enjoying contentedly the admiration of from it. It is a great Government institu- their fellow-worshipers as great Ohristian tion, for which England is directly and pe- philanthropists. It is a sin and dis,,"Tace culiarly responsible. tb.a.t the representation of a Christian to a heathen mind should be the rapacious Because through many, many years this cupidity of merchants whose merchandise traffic nas been carried on in spite of the is making the unhappy peoples they trade remonstrances of the Chinese Government, amongst .. twofold more the children of hell and of the thousandfold testimony that it than themselves." It is impossible that the ministered only to debauchery, and to moral Church's foreign missionary effort can sucand social ruin. The Convention of 1885, ceed as long as she goes with a soul-saving though it has given to the Chinese the right gospel in the one hand and a soul-damnIng to put a heavier tax upon imported opium, trade in the other. May God give her minishas not altered in the slightest degree our ters grace to declare His whole mind and own relations as a country to the gross im- will in the matter, and enable her to wash morality of the trade. her hands and garments clean from all complicity therein. If her efforts in the Because while, for very shame's sake. we ensuing struggle are not to prove futile, in have done a little (only a little) to restrain deep contritioll her first step must be that the bavoc which opium was working among of self-judgment and purification. Judgour Burmese Ifellow-subjects. we have done ment must begin at the house of God. As nothi"g to check the ruin which it is work- co-workers with God all His true followers ing in Ohina among a people in friendly alli- are under a threefold obligatIon to do their ance with us. utmost. We owe this for the sake of our Lord and Master, who has commanded His Because eVJlry thoughtful and educated gospel to be preached in every part of the Ohinaman, heathen though he be, cannot world; for the sake of our missionary brethhelp denouncing the immorality and un- ren, in removing the stumbling-blocks we righteousness of the nation which has de- have placed in the way of their work; and liberately sown among his people a seed of for the sake of the poor heathen whom we ever-extending vice and degradation. have enthralled body and soul.-Christian Leader. Because in the largest mission field of the world, according to the unanimous testi- India.-We have received the report of mony of missionaries in China, our relations the Travancore District Committee of the as a country to the opium traffic form one London Missionary Society. It is a closely of the chiefest hindrances to the spread of packed little volume, and its perusal leaves the gospel. a vivid impression of unusual activity and ingenuity in all :departments. Read- Because national judgment must surely ing-rooms have always played an important follow upon national sin, and it faUs upon part in Travancore. The room at Nager- British Ohristians especially, not only to coil has now been the scene of special gathacknowledge this sin, but to lead the com- erings on Sunday afternoons for many munity in protesting against it, and in con.. months. At these meetings the people have tinuous efforts to effect its removal. produced the publications of the Hindu Tract Society, and have put forward their -The Foreign Liquor Traffic. Weare glad best men to argue the case against Ohristto hear tbat the Foreign Missionary Society ianity, while the Christians have replied of the Glasgow Y. M. O. A. are making in- forcibly and clearly. This is excellent vestigations into this subject with a view work, stirring up in the people a great exto the taking of some definite action. Brit- citement, and making them feel that Hinain has a terrible account to settle with the duism must fight if it is to continue to live. Almighty in this matter. The blold of thou- The medical mission has proved itself of sanas of natives in India and Africa is to- great value. There is a medical native day ('rying out to Heaven against her. agency, carefully trained, and doing most These dark races implore our aid in turning valuable work in the branch dispensaries, the tide of a traffic which threatens them and it is proposed to enlarge this departwith rapid ruination; but Ohurch and State ment by training a large number of young alike seem to turn a deaf ear to every ap- Christians as dressers. Classes have been peal. Why is the voice of our churches held in which domestic medicine has been silent? Oan it be that the terrible extent carefully taught to catechists who have to of the trade is not fully known? or is it that labor in the remoter parts of the districts; the Church shrinks from fear of the revela- a.nd the elements of obstetrics have been tion" which a careful search would entail Y Silence, in view of the facts which many' of her ministers and pastors do know. only increases her blood-g1liltmess. Alre.a.dy it is lmoWll that in her very bosom a.re a number ,ta.ug,ht to Bible,women similarly situated. II. They are to have in 18110 a constitutional A new dispensary has been opeued at Par- government-the first native example of it uttipalIi, and another one is being erected in Asia. at Nagercoil. Toward the latter H. H. the Maharajah of Travancore has con~ribnted 10. They have separated Shintoism and Rs. 800. The evangelistic work of the mis- Buddhism from the Government, and abolsion 'has been encouragingly su~cessful, 411 ished their administrative Bureau of Reliadults from heathenism having'beeu bap- gion. Universal toleration prevails. The tized during the year. During that period ancient faiths are considered barbaric and 593 persons were admitted from the rank of incompatible with the new career of 1;he adherents to that of church members. empire. The Government acknowledges itself to be without a religion, and is consid- Japan•..:….Progress. An interesting ering what form of Western cultus it may best adopt. letter appears in The Ohristian Advocate from Abel stevens, D.D., now 11.' They have legally recognized the in Japan. He groups together an Christian Sabbath, and it is observed as a. extraordinary chapter of events, in- day of rest by all Government offices, the dicating the rapid approach of Japan public schools, banks, etc. toward Christian civilization. -Japanese Views of Christianity. Several The following is a summary of the remarkable changes that have taken eminentpnblicists ofJapan are carrying ona very interesting discnssion just now. The object is place amongst the Japanese: to determine whether or not it is advisable for the people of Japan to embrace the Christian 1. They have abolished their old dual sov- religion. The Japan Weekly Mail, in a recent ereignty, and restored to power their an- issue, summarizes this discussion. It states cient Mikado, the representative of a that those connected with the movement say dynasty more than 2,000 years old. that Christiau dogmas are a bitter pill to swal- low, but advise that it be swall~,wed promptly 2. Theyhave thrown off the strongest sys- for the sake of the after effects. Mr. Fukuzawa, tem of fendalism that history records. a well-known writer, nrges this course, although he says he takes no personal interest whatever 3. They have established a single national in religion, and knows nothing of the teaching of army, a navy, and a general police after the Christianity; but he sees that it is the ereed Western models. All these are clothed in of the most highly civilized nations. Professor European costume and drilled in European Toyama, of the Imperial University, has pubmanner. lished a work to support his view. He holds that Chinese ethics mnst be replaced by Christ· 4. They have organized a remarkable sys- ian ethiCS, and that' the bene1lts to be derived tem of national education, which Gen. Grant from the introduction of Christianity are: (1) pronounced, when here, the hest he had the improvement of music;. (2) union of senti- Seen in his circuit of the globe. It was de- ment and feeling, leading to harmonious co·opvi~ed by an American. It comprises primary eration ; and (3) the fnrnishing of a medium of or common SChools, n..rmaland polytechnic intercourse between men and women. It is academies, and an Imperial university on argued by others that the youth of Japan, being the model ofthe German university. . free from tbe tbraldom of creeds, and free to act according to reason. are so far in advance of 5. They have established a mail system, Europeans, and instead of talking about adoptand have entered into the "Postal Union." ing " foreign religion, Japanese should go After the example of England, their postal abroad and preach their religion of reason to department includes the savings-bank sys- foreign countries. Other writers nrge the same tem, and the deposits (mostly by the poorer views. The writer in the Yokohoma newspaper classes) for last year amounted to $12,500,- says that those wbo urge the teaching of Cbrist- 000, nearly double the amount of the preced. ianity represent an in1lnential section of eduingyear. cated Japanese opinion; they are signs of the times. "To Japan, in an emphatically agnostic 6. They have esta.blished a scientific medi- mood, came Western science, with all its marcal faculty, with native physicians educated velous revelations and attractions. At the in Europe, and all the European improve- shrine of that science she is worshiping now." ments, in place of their old medical jugglery. Jews.-Dr. Dalman's statistics of the work 7. They had Ino knowledge of the public and success in Jewish evangelization must surjournal before the arrival of Perry; they prise all who have not watched the course of now have the public press, including no less events. There are no less than 47 Protestant than 500 per10dicals – dailies, weeklies, missionary societies devoted exclusively to this monthlies; political,literary, scientific. arduous vocation. These employ 377 mission- aries, laboring at 157 centers of Jewish pop- 8. They have introduced the steamboat, ulation, and have an annual income of about the telegraph, the telephone, etc., now made by native hands. Native companies navi· gate the rivers and neighboring seas with excellent steamers, quite satisfactory to foreign travelers. half a million dollars. In addition .to these very patent fact in n very plain phrase. The Proother missionary societies engage in this special testant Church has not only skeptiCism and inwork, as a branch of their general work. Eng- differentism, but also Vaticanism, to deal with, land has eight of these 47 societies, sends out and a fresh illustration of the nalTO w. persecnthlg' about two-thirds of the 377 men, and supplies and intolerant spirit ofthe Roman ChIll cli is seen about two-thirds of the money. Scotland has in the trial and imprisonment of Rev. J. M.'Vila, a five societies, Ireland one. Germany twelve, hard-working and successful Protestant pastor Switzerland one, the Netherlands three, France of Malaga, in Spain, A Roman Catholic priest one, the Scandinavian lands five, Russia (i. e. issued a violent pamphlet against him, to which the Protestant churches of,) four, North Mr. Vila replied in another pamphlet. Vila was America seven. The cities in which the larg- arraigned in the courts on charges, the chief of est number of mIssIOnaries are engaged which was that he had said that the" timber of are London, lBudapest, Constantinople, Da- the manger out of which the priest's horse fed mascus, Jerusalem, Tunis. As the total of was the same kind of wood employed by the all the Jews on the face of the globe is artificer to mannfacture an image bf the Virgin abont 6,400,000, there is one missionary of Sorrows, and that one timber had quite as for every 16,976 Jews. In addition to these the much virtue as the other." From an account Roman Catholic and the Greek Churches also just at hand in Light and Truth we learn that engage in this work. Pastor de Ie' Roi,of Bres- the trial took place in the presence of a large lin, also a reliable statistician, claims that at crowd of people. The public prosecutor asked least 100,000 Jews have confessed Christ since the Court to sen~ence the accused to six years' the beginning of the present century. Those imprisonment, a fine of 2,500 pesetas and costs. yet living of these, together with their descend- The counsel for the defense claimed that the ants, probably nnmber 250,000 children of Abra- Bible supported everything found in the pamham who havh entered upon the spiritnalinherit- phlet. ance of their father. When we recall the fact that ten years ago there were in existence only .. Then Se:'ior Vila spoke, and his simple, elo- 20 societies for the evangelization of the Jews, quent address greatly moved the people-many with only 250 laborers and an income less than of whom wept, and said, as they left the hall, half of what it is now, the marked progress in 'We are now Protestauts, also l' He said his this sphere of Christian activity. is peculiarly intention was not to make a personal attack encouraging. on the priest, but to combat the false teachings of the Roman Church. As true followers of -The existing Jewish Congregation at Mos- Christ, they did not hate or attack anyone. The soul (Mesopotamia) boasts of very ancient or;- Roman Church, on the contrary, had always opgin. When Tiglath Pileser, King of Assyria, posed the truth of the gospel; and, without apconquered the northern regions of the kingdom pealing to history or uncovering the ashes of the orIsrael, he carried captive a uumber of the il1- thousands sacrificed by the execrable Inquisihabitants, and settled them in different parts of tion, his presence in the tribunal that day was a his own dominions. At that time a Jewish con- living testimony to Romish persecution. A gregation was established at Nineveh (now large crowd followed Senor Vila from the Mossoul), and it is this congregation which has court, and expressions of lively sympathy rewithstood the vicissitudes of ages. The Jews ~011nded on every side. He teIls us that he was of Mossoul even now consider it as a special full ofjoy that he had been priYile~ed to testify favor of Providence that their ancestors became publicly beCore the tribunal concerning the truth captives before the destruction of the first Tem- of the gospel." ple, so that they were spared the great misfortune which overtook Jerusalem. They glory in "Great attempts were made to influence the the fact that their congregation is older than tribunal, and so powerful are the Roman Caththat of Babylon, and that later on, when the olic clergy in Malaga. that only one paper dared kingdom of Judea came to an end, those of the to refer to the case. At last, on April 3, the inhabitants who made their way to Assyria, magistrates pronounced sentence, and Senor were enabled to enjoy their hospitality, and to Vila was forthwith condemned to two years, receive every possible support from their breth- four months and one day's imprisonment, beren in faith already settled in that country. The sides 250 pesetas fine and payment of costs. Mossoul Jews possess two synagogues, a Beth The Spanish prisons are such abominable dens Hamedrash and a cemetery. The ancient burial of filth and iniquity that this sentence is no gronnel which was first used by the early settlers light matter. Senor Vila lias appealed to the was destroyed at the capture of Nineveh. The Supreme Court at Madrid, the sentence of present-day Jews have adopted the Sephardim which will be final. ritual as their minhag.-Jewish Chronicle. " The trial has been the means of producing a Spain.-Persecution. When (in 1883) the great awakening in :Malaga, and numbers of late ArchbiSHOp of Canterbury said .. power- persons are confessing Christ. It has also led ful influence.. are at work which are entirely many to attend for the first time Senor Vila's antagonistic to Christianity," and that .. the church, and all the services are very crowded- Church of Rome is absolutely powerless to meet even on week-nights persons are turned away. these anti-Christian movemente," he expressed a ill" The same growth is taking place at the mission IitatiftDi ill t.~ i.rreu•• villai'eli. "
INTERNATlVNAL DEPARTMENT
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D., OF THE "INTERNATIONAL MIS- SIONARY UNION."
Mohammedanism in Ohina. Clarke in 1886. (6) A proclamation BY REV. H. V. NOYES, CANTON, CHINA. published in Peking in 1866, by a How was Mohammedanism intro- Mohammedan mandarin, and trans- duced into China? What has been lated by Professor Vassilief, a Rus- its history? What is its present sian learned in Arabic.
status? The evidence is all in favor of be- In this attempt to answer these lieving that Canton City is the place inquiries, information has been de- where Mohammedanism was first rived from the following sources: (a) established in China. 'rhe account Mainly from a work printed in Paris given in the" Annals of Kwantung"
in 1878, and written by P. Darby De seems pretty well corroborated, viz.: Thiersant,Consul General and Charge "At the commencement of the dy- d' Affaires from France to China. nasty of Tang (618 to 908) there He tells us that his book is the result came to Canton a considerable num- of investigations running through bel' of strangers, natives of the king- fifteen years, and that he got much doms of Annam, of Cambodia, of Me- information from Mohammedan dina, and of several other countries.
priests. Doubtless he was able also They worshiped heaven and had no to get much definite knowledge from statue, or idol, or image, in their Roman Catholic priests, who are temples. The kingdom of Medina is scattered so widely through the coun- near to that of India, and is where try. (b) From writers on the subject the religion of these steangers, which in the eighteen volumes of the is very different from that of Bud- "Chinese Repository." (c) From dha, originated. They do not eat Williams' "Middle Kingdom." (d) pork, nor drink wine, and regard as From writers in the Chinese Re- 'impure the flesh of every animal not corder, and the China Review. slain by themselves. HaVing asked It is generally conceded that little and obtained f,'om the emperor an information, as to their origin, can authorization to reside at Canton, be obtained from the Chinese Mo- they built magnificent houses of an hammedans of the present day. architecture different from that of What is known in regard to it, seems the country. They were very rich to have been obtained from: (1) In- and subject to a chief chosen by scriptions on tablets found at the themselves. By reason of their good mosques in or neal' Canton City. (2) fortune, they became so numerous Accounts of India. and China by two and influential that they were able Mohammedan travelers, written, to maltreat the Chinese people with one A.D. 850, and one A.D. 877, in impunity. This was carried to such Arabic, and transla:ted into French a pitch that a mandarin high in by the Abbe Eusebius Renaudot. (3) rank'was impelled to issue a procla- The Chinese annals of Kwangtung mation in the name of the emperor, (Canton province). (4) A Chinese warning these foreigners that if they work" Ui UiYuen Lvi," that IS "Ori- continued to conduct themselves so gin of Mohammedanism," "Ui Ui" badly they would be punished se- being the name given to Mohamme- verely."
dans in China. (5) A Chinese book The tablets at Canton, the Peking found in the province of Yunnan proclamation and the t~o Chinese and translated by Rev. George W. books alrE'ady mentioned all give, in somewhat different forms, the story China. The first Mohammedan temof a bright appearance in the West- ple, built afterwards in the Northern sky, connected with a singular west, at Si Ngan Fu, one of the two dream of the emperor, which the as- capitals of the empire, dates from trologers and soothsayers interpreted A.D. 742, from which we may suppose to mean that a great sage had arisen that Islam did not penetrate by land in the West, who was ruler 01 a pow- into the north of the empire until erfulcountry named Medina, and that that time. In the flourishing period it was very important, in the inter- of Kai Yuen (713-742), relates the Si ests of the empire, that friendly rela- Yu Chen, 'the barbarians of the tions be established with him; that W est arrived en masse in the Middle then the Emperor sent an embassy Kingdom, and, as by an irruption to Mohammed, who appointed three from more than a hundred kingenvoys, of whom only one lived to doms, removerl at least a thousand reach China, by way of Si Ngan Fu, leagues, bearing with them as presand afterwards settled in Canton. ents their sacred books, which were This sounds wonderfully like the received and deposited in the hall for story of the introduction of Bud- translation of sacred books and candhism, and may be taken with at least ons of the imperial palace. Starting one grain of salt. This much, how- from that epoch, the religious docever, appears to be true, that in the trines of different countries of the early part of the Tang dynasty, West spread themselves and were about A. D. 628, a maternal uncle practiced openly in the empire of of liohammed, Wahib Abi Kabcha, Tang.' came to China, was received with much favor by the Empet'or, and " The first real nucleus of Mohamestablished himself in Canton. P. medans of the West implanted in Darby de Thiersant states that" this China was a contingent of 4,000 man obtained an authorization to Arab soldiers, which the Kaliph build a mosque at Canton, and, at Abu Giafer sent, in the year 755, to the same time, the right for his co- succor the Emperor Sou Tsong, menreligionists to profess freely their aced by the rebel An-Io-chan, and worship in the empire." He then who. as a recompense for their sergoes on to say: "Wahib Abi Kabcha, vices, permitted them to establish his mission accomplished, returned themselves in the principal cities of to Arabia in 63-&, hoping to find again the empire. These soldiers, who the Prophet, but on arriving he was married Chinese wives, may be conapprised of his death, which caused sidered the first stock origin of Mohim profound grief. He rested for a hammedan Chinese." time, and when Abu Becker had. formed the Koran from the scat· The above extract contains the tered leaves left by Mohammed, he substance of what is known concerntook the holy book and set out again ing the entrance of Islam into China, for China. He ,suffered much in and the account is corroborated by returning to Canton, where he died, the fact that those who have given worn out by the fatigue of the voy- attention to the matter say that the age. He was interred in one of the Mohammedan Chinese are different suburbs of the city, where his tomb by race from other Chinese; that in remains until this day, an object of them may be clearly recognized a veneration to all believers in the ex- mixture of Arabic, Turkish and treme East. It is to him that lVlus- Chinese blood. sulmansare indebted forthe construction of the most ancient mosque in From this time, A.D. 755, or there- about, until the lattel' part of the ninth century the trade of Canton With Arabs and other people fro~ the West must have been very dians. This is the account given of flourishing. One writer says that them when Yunnan was constituted "under the dynasty of Tang the a province of the empire in 1295. ocean was fatigued with the thou- "They were true savages, without sands of ships sailing from the Orient the least trace of civilization, living to the Occident." In 1068 the em- in a state of nature, ignorant of how peror appointed a foreigner named to cultivate the soil, sustaining them-. Siu Ya To Lo to administer the gov- selves by hunting and fishing, and ernment of merchants from the burning their dead without cere~ W-est. That functionary designated mony." The emperor, Kublai Khan, quarters for the fOl'eignel's, and their appointed one of his ministers, called families continued to be inscribed on Omar by some, by others Sayid Edthe registers of the State. It is prob- jell, or Si Tien Che, to administer the able that harsh measures were after- government of the province. He wards employed against them, for a taught the people agriculture, social number emigrated to Kiungchow, obligations, and the art of writing, on the island of Hainan, whel'e they and by wise institutions succeeded in built foul' mosques which still exist. civilizing th,em. He taught them the On that island also are yet found the religion of Mohammed, and at the descendants of ancient Mohammedan same time the respect which they families. From this time the com- ought to have for Confucius, to merce of Canton with foreigners whom he erected temples, and also diminished continually, and they for built mosques in all the cities. He the most part returned to their na- gathered around him a great numbel' tive land. of Mussulman scholars and others whom he loaded with favors, and In the Yuen dynasty, commencing who established themselves in the 1280, the Arab merchants, profiting country. He governed for six years, by the influence which their co-re- and died much lamented. The people ligionists had at the court of Kublai- built fol' him a magnificent tomb, Khan, renewed on a grand scale their while the emperor erected a temple relations with China. But for thel in his honor. This man was originmost part, instead of returning to ally from Bokhara, but submitting to Canton, they betook themselves to Genghis Khan became a part of his the provinces of Fuhkien, Cheh- guard. He evidently had a large inkiang' and Kiangsu. The port of fluence over the people. Marco Polo Foochow became by this circum- says that from 1280 to 1300 the stance a grand center of commerce. whole population of Yunnan was Mohammedan. We have given a view of the course of events which brought Islam There have been several rebellions. into the provinces that lie along the One, in 1817, induced by the massacre eastern coast of China. It evidently of a number of Mohammedans by came by means of commercial inter- other Chinese, the burning of a course to a great extent, and by way mosque, and the injustice of certain of the sea. mandarins, sustained by the gov- ernor. The insurgents, after having It remains to inquire how it was defeated in several encounters the planted in the remaining provinces. imperial troops, laid siege to the capi- At thE' extreme south of the western tal of the province, where the gov- border is the province of Yunnan, ernor had shut himself up. The em- said to contain three and a half mil- peror sent at once, a large body of lion Mohammedans. In the earlier soldiers who defeated the rebels and centuries this province seems to have obliged them to take refui'e with the been inhabited by wild tribes not less savage than the North American Insavages on the frontiers. The chief all the Mohammedans in China. was made prisoner and cut into frag- And these Mohammedans came by a ments. This Insurrection continued different route from those who enabout a year. tered the eastern provinces. Those came from Arabia, by way of the sea, Another rebellion broke out on the but these from Turkey and Persia, western frontier in 1826 which was through Bokhara, and thence into ended in 1828. Another took place the province of Kansuh. THis provabout 1834, provoked by the manda- ince is therefore considered the cenrins of Chan Ning Fu, who caused tral point of the sect, in the extreme a massacre of Mohammedans at East. And the sect has had its exthe city of Mong Mien, under the istence there mainly since the genpretext that they wished to revolt. eral breaking up that took place More than 1,600 men, women and when that fearful Tartar general, children had their throats cut with- Tamerlane, swept not only through out mercy, and this horrible butchery Central Asia, but over the burning was continued until Mohammedans plains of India, and over the frozen from the neighboring towns ran to steppes of Siberia, passed beyond the their succor, and meted out terrible Caspian Sea, beyond the Black Sea reprisals. The troubles were settled to the banks of the Danube, conby a general whom the Viceroy sent quered Asia Minor and Syria, and for that purpose. even went down into Egypt, and stopped, at last, not because de- By far the most serious rebellion in feated, but only tired of conquest. this province commenced in 1855, and was not ended till 1873. It origi- The first mosque in the northwest nated in a contention about some sil- was built at Si Ngan Fu, in the provver mines, but grew until the whole ince of Shensi, A.D. '742. The Ohinese province was embroiled. Near its Repository mentions an embassy commencement a fearful massacre of sent with valuable presents, by way Mohammedans took place, encour- of Kashgar, as early as 708. From a aged and even ordered by the officers Mohmamedan writer in the same periof government.' This was followed odical we have the following: "In by eighteen years of bloody strife the reign of Wan Tsing, A.D. 842, sevculminating in the surrender of eral myriads from the tribes of the Ta Li Fu by the Mohammedans, Ui Ui (Mohammedans) petitioned to which virtually ended the rebellion. enter China, and the emperor directed After the surrender seventeen Mo- them to be settled in the various dehammedan chiefs were invited to a partments of Shensi, where they banquet, and suddenly, a precOIi- have enjoyed the support of many certed signal being given, were all sovereigns and have furnished a sucbeheaded; those who had favored cession of loyal and upright scholars the surrender as well as those who for the service of the State. These had opposed it. To the lasting dis- have maintained the pure, true faith grace of the Chinese general, within for a thousand years without defecthree days, in the city and surround- tion." The information about Kansuh villages, out of 50,000 inhabitants in these early times is very meager, 30,000 were mercilessly butchered by but we have the following in regard the soldiers acting under the com- to the country lying farther west. mand of their chief. In 713 a Moslem, Couteybe Ibu, con- quered Bokhara, and took Samar- In regard to the rest of China, it is kand. The Chinese eIt!peror was only necessary for our present pur- much alarmed at his conquestH, and pose to consider particularly the treated the ambassadors that he sent provinces of Kansuh and Shensi. They contain nearly three-fourths 'Of with the gl'eatest respect. This there by the rebels or abandoned by event is important, as from it dates the owners, who had been obliged to the establishment of Mohammedan- ism in ~houresm, where later was flee to save their lives, The Chinese founded the kingdom of Ui Ui, or militia of the neighboring districts, Mohammedan Chinese. In 1124 this kingdom gave its subjection to China learning of this, clamored for a part at Samarkand. There is not much more of importance to relate in con- of the booty, which the Mohamme- nection with these provinces, until the present dynasty. It is evident dans stubbornly refused. TheChinese that in the contentions which were did not dare to attack them, but continually occurring between the Chinese and th.e Mohammedan prov- waited an opportunity for revenge. inces on the west and in Central Asia, It came at length from quite a small the Chinese now and then conquered portions of Mohammedan territory, affair. One day a Mohammedan cut and now and then theseoutlyingprov- inces regained their independence; some bamboos from a grove neal' the that Mohammedans were more 01' village where he was. The owner, less employed as allies 01' soldiers in not a Mohammedan, ('harged him the Chinese army, became officials, with cutting them without permis- sometimes 'occupying very high po- sion, and was answered arrogantly. sitions, and that in this general mix- He then complained to the Moham- ing up along the border a large num- medanreligious chief, and not obtain- ber of Mohammedans became per- ing l'edrel>s went to the Chinese dis- manent inhabitants of the western trict magistrate. The magistrate did provinces of China. not dare to punish the offender, but plotted with the leader of the large This account would not be complete town of Chely to massacre the Mo- without some notice of the great re- hammedans. One of their villages bellion which took place in Shensi was therefore laid waste by the and Kansuh from 1861 to 1873. Like Chely militia. This was followed by all othet' Mohammedan rebellions in a general uprising of the Mohamme- China, it was not on account of relig- dans, and a sanguina,ry contest of ion. The members of this sect are three daysand three nights, in which quite as clannish as the pure Chinese, they came off victors. When the and generally go together in any mandarins sent imperia,l troops to attempt to resist what they deem op- succor the vanquished, these were pression or to gain dominion. The also obliged to bea,t a shameful outbreak of 1861, commencing in retreat. Shensi and spreading to Kansuh, originated in this way: "A Chinese "The insurrection then spread rebel chief, after having devastated throughout the provlllce and made Sz Chuen, invaded Shensi. To resist its way into Kansuh. It was kept the invasion the militia was organized up for twelve years, and cost an im- in every locality. The Mussulman mense amount of blood and h-eccsure militia, commanded by their own before it was finally and most thor- chiefs, were by their own wish kept oughly put down by that valiant . separate from the other militia. The General Tso Tsung Tang." bandits at length took the city of U Nau. The Mussulman militia took " In regard tothe central provinces back the city, in which they found of the empire, the following quota- immense treasUl'e, either brought tion will suffice: "The history of lfohammedans in these provinces is the history of the inhabitants of each province. We need not speak par- ticularly of them. We only say that since the dynasty of Yuen, 1280, a great number of them have occupied very high positions, both in the capital and in the pr.ovinces, as ministers, noting, h.owever, some facts whi"eh generals. vicer.oys .or g.overn.ors." have a bearing upon the answer.
Mention ought also to be made .of (1) Mohammedanism in China does those colonial dependencies of the not seem to have gained its numbers empire which are largely Moham. by proselytizing. The Mohammedans medan, viz.: Koko Nor on the south of to-day in general trace their deof Kansuh, and on the west all that scent, fo!' hundreds of years, from part of IIi which lies south of the Mohammedan families. They have Tien Shan Mountains, and where multiplied by a natural increase. are situated the noted eight Moham- They also add to their strength by medan cities. purchasing, in times of famine or other calamity, large numbers of The following is an approximate children, who!:n they bring up accordestimate, in round numbers, of the ing to the doctrines of their religion. present Mohammedan populati.on of They llaye been known, during a China. Dr. Williams says that. single famine, to purchase 10,000. n.orth of the Yang-tsz Kiang, there are at least 10,000,000. (2) They hold to their religion very tenaciously, by which is only meant P. Darby De Thiersantgivesan esti- that they do not easily leave their mate, more partIcularly by provinces, sect. The instances are rare where as follows: Kansuh, 8,350,000; Shen- they become Christians. On the si, 6,500,000; Yunnan, 3,500,000 to othe).' hand, they sit so loosely on their 4,000,000 (this includes the savage foundations of doctrine that they tribes who reside on the frontiers of find no difficulty in going through Burmah); Shansi, 50,000; Chihli all the forms of the Chinese ritual 250,000. Of these 100,000 are in the when they are appointed to office. neighborhood of Peking.. There are They can wOl'Rhip the tablet of the in the city eleven mosques, one near emperor, but they put the picture of the palace, vel'Y beautiful, built the Prophet hehind it. opposite the imperial pavilions, in honor of a Mohammedan queen, (3.) There does not seem to be any whom the Emperor Kien Lung es- special 'antipathy against them, on poused in 1735. Shantung. 200,000; the part of either rulers or people, Hunan and Hnpeh, 50,000; Kiang,;i, on account of their religious belief. 4,000; ~iangsu and Nganhwui, 150,- They have often held office and have 000; Kwangtung, 21,000; Kwangsi, had many favors granted them. Tho 15,000; Kweichau, 40,000; Szchuen, contests or rebellions in which they 40,000; Honan, 200.000; Chekiang have been, from time to time, conand Fuhkien, 30,000. If we add to cerned have seemed more like imthese a probable estimate of 300,000 mense clan fights than any contenfor Koko Nor and the southern part tion about religious belief. The of IIi and take the larger estimate for question has been about dominion, the province of Yunnan, we have a not about faith. This is evidentfr.om total of somewhat more than 20,- the fact that when, in one part of 000,000. the country, Mohammedans are en- gaged in a bloody rebellion, those in Having given a cursory view of other parts are not molested. Durthe introduction of Mohammedanism ing the years of rebellion in the into China and its subsequent history northwest, and also in Yunnan, Mo-' there, having given statistics to show hammeclans, under the very shadow its present strength, we wi}} not ven- of the imperial palace, lived without ture to tread the delicate ground of the least appearance of molestation. prophecy, but leave others to an- The great clan fight ahout a silver swer the question, ,Vhat in the future mine in Yunnan' could never have is likely to be its influence itl China? been dl'awn out into an eighteen N. Y., became Corresponding Secre- years' bloody contest, unless there tary. Twenty-five thousand dollars had been something more than that was estimated as necessary for pur.
silver mine at stake. So in the north- chasing and finishing buildings to ac- west, a contest about the division of commodate fifty boarders, and $5,000 spoils, or the cutting of a few . annually for its maintenance. Salubamboos, was, indeed, the match tations came to the organization which set fire to combustibles, but from England and from India. certainly did not furnish fuel for . Sir William Wedderburn, of Engcombustion to the flames of that land, lately retired from the Indian fierce contest that raged for twelve Civii Service, wrote: years, and was only quenched at last "Both Lady Wedderburn and myself are in rivers of blood. The contest was very glad to receive news of Pundita Rama- a contest for power. bai. We are both much interested in female (4) We can never be sure how education, especially in India, and it will give us much pleasure to do what we can to much the Mohammedans in China promote the Pundita's proposed normaJ are influenced from without. Dr. schooL When you have completed your Williams says that the last great plans I shall be glad to hear from you rebellion was largely fomented by again; in the meantime allowme to express Turkish sectaries. the pleasure I feel that Pundita Ramabai has found such good friends and snpporters Ramabai'a Institution for Ohild- in America." Widows. Dr. Ramakrishna Bhandarkar, pro- THE little high.caste Brahman fessor of Sanskrit in a college in widow, Ramabai, bearing the high- Poona, India, after a confet'ence with est honorary and literary degree be- several of his friends, wrote: stowed by the Brahmanic brotherhood, and known by the title" Pun- .. We are glad that you American ladies dita," invented by an English lady are going to interest yourselves actively with the amelioration of the condition of your unfortunate sisters iii India. I assure 'for convenience of foreign introduc- you we shall consider it a duty to give you tion, came among us in an unosten- all the assistance we can. I suppose the tatious way, studied our institutions details of the scheme will De settled when and organized support of a cherished Pundita Ramabai and the female teachers will arrive in India."
plan of her own for elevating and Dr. Bhandarkar and his friends educating "little widows" of high- were indol'sed by Hon. Lionel As- caste families in India, and departed bUrner, who was for thirty-six years the country as unostentatiously as in the Indian Civil Service, as "very she entered it. The organization responsible, influential men."
which she accomplished while in On the· eve of her departure from this country is entitled "The Ram- the United States we received from abai Association," which was formed her the following personal note: at Channing Hall, Boston, Dec. 13, .. VALLEY STATION, NEB., Jun" 16, 1888.
1887. It was supported by Rev. Ed- .. DEAlt BROTHER IN CHaIST : ward E. Hale, D.D., who was elected President, and Dr. Phillips Brooks, .. I received your kind letter a few weeks Miss Frances E. Willard, Rev. Geo. ago, but could not answer it through want of time. I have sent a few circulars to you already, and am sending a new one which A. Gordon, and the since ascended, has just come out. It isjust twenty months Dean Ra.chel L. Bodley, M.D., who since I have seen you when we talked about was Ramabai's patron saint all the· my work and when so little of hope seemed while she was in America. to exist, but the Heavenly Father has been with me in all that I have attempted, and A Board of Trustees was consti- my hopes are now almost realized so far as tuted for America, and an" Advisory the material assistance goes. The main Board" was appointed for India. work is y..t to be done, and I hope and pray Miss A. P. Granger, of Canandaigua, that the heavenly grace will strengthen and sustain me in my undertaking. .. Many good people seem to have a misun- religious schools. High-caste girls, derstanding about the work that I am try- she says, may be in the missionary ing to start, and are generally inclined to schools in some instances prior to discountenance my project. Their fears marriage, but not after that event, seem to have arisen from th"fact that my institution for child-widows is to be a purely either as wives or widows. She says secular one, and also from a misappr..hen- the missionary schools are open to all sion that its founder is diverting in this castes, as they should be, and are none direction the energies of Christian women of them devoted exclusively to highand funds which should properly go into missionary channels. This latter I emphati- caste women, much less to high-caste cally deny, having never, in public or pri- widows. In the circ-ular referred to vate, attempted to do such a thing which in herletter, she set forth some feawill injure the foreign missionary cause. tures of the case. The movement is truly unique, its author, talented, .. I havegood reasons for making my school purely secular. Such institutions are a necessity at present. sincere and standing in her individ- uBecause: ual capacity for what she esteems an .. The orthodox Hindu widows will notgo to important reform in her own coun- try, by what she thinks is the only anv school home if the study of Christian religion is made a condition to their admit- tance . feasible method for reachlllg and re- .. It is against their faith, and they will not lieving high-caste Hindu widows, sacrifice their conscience to worldly advantages. whose trials and deprivations she has .. Such a condition will prove a strong •experienced. It would seem that even temptation to many light-minded women, Anglo-Saxon love of fair play, not to and make hypocrites of them. say of freedom of speech and press, .. Missionaries do not reach the strictly or- would justify us, even if we disap- proved her measures, which we do thodox widows, who suffer most, and who not, in allowing her to reach those of are in the keeping of their male relatives. Some of these relatives will be glad enough to have their daughters or sisters educated our readers who may not other.wise in purely secular schools, but they will by have had the opportunity, through no means let them be instructed by mis- the following quotations from her sionaries. Such widows, if once educated own statements of the case. and become self-supporting, having all the freedom of action and thought, and un- She says: trammeled, it is hoped that they will accept .. A few Hindu parents would not mind tbeir daughters coming in contact with chil- Christ, when they realize the advantages of dren or people of inferior castes before the marriage, but this cannot continue after the His religion, which they will be requested girl has gone through the marriage cere.. mony, the only religious sacrament to to study if they choose to do so. And even which she is entitled and which is consid- ered the means of her regeneration and by if we are disappointed in our hopes fur their virtue of which she becomes a high-caste woman and a member of her husband's famconversion,.we shall at least have the com- ily. A few married high-caste girls and women are allowed to be seen and instructed fort of having done ()ur duty in relieving by foreign missionaries in the zenltnas, but not in the missionary schools. These women, their sufferings and giving "them the means it must be remembered, do not belong to the strictly orthodox families; their husbands, by which they may lift themselves out of fathers-in-law or fath~rs, in whose keeping they happen to be aR wives or widows, being the lamentable state of drndgery, and be- half skeptical, half Brabmanical, or, per- haps, partly Brahmo and partly Christian come self-respecting, self..supportin~ mem- ill belief, and all of them men who are edu- bers of society. The Bible will be placed in their hand, but we cannot make its study a condition for the above reasons. I do not ask any people to give their money to this instead of to missionary work, but I ear- nestly solicit the assistance of our friends who have it in their power to help forward more than one good cause.
•• Very truly yours, RAMABA!."
Ramabai affirms the unique char- acter of her proposed institution cated in Western ideas.
as devoted to high-caste widows-a U Even among these families the educa· class which she thinks is wholly un- tion of Women is limited to merely reading, reached and absolutely unapproach- a little writing, and at the best the four fundamental rules in arithmetic-an educa- able through missionary or other tion not so thorough as to enable them to think for themselves or to qualify young together with the pious Hindus who look widows to become teachers or to engage in upon this movement as dangerous heresy, any occupation which would make them in- may try to annihilate it. dependent of male relatives. There may be a few exceptions to this statement among "But our trust is in the Heavenly Father, the Brahmos and other non-orthodox fami- who is our st:rE'JIgth aud who~ because He is lies, but among these the necessity is not so almighty, is aole to bring us safely out of great. as widows are not put to the severest this serious difficulty." trials as in orthodox communities. Death of Mr. Ahok's Mother. .. It is strictly true of every orthodox Hindn family that women are never allowed WE say" Mr. Ahok's mother," beto be visited or instructed by a foreign mis… cause we cannot present her after sionary. I derive my knowledge of the so- our custom by her own name, and cial condition of the orthodox high-caste also because her estimable son has Hindu women neither from fables nor from become so Widely known that the the statements of half-informed persons, but mother shares in the luster of his I get it directly from what I have seen and renown, though her sterling qualiknown. I myself Was born and reared in ties merit wide recognition and rean orthodox Brahmanical honsehold, and spect. Mr. Ahok is a wealthy Chithough my parents approved of women be- nese merchant who was led to Christ ing educated they would have been the last through the agency of Rev. S. L. persons to allow their daughters nnder the Baldwin, D.D., now Recording Secinstruction of missionarjes~ retary of the Methodist Episcopal 1IIissionarySociety,and who before he .. It was not until after their death when I professed Christianity at all donated had attained my leg-al age, and then there $10,000 for the founding of an Anglobeing no male relative to control me, and Chinese College at Foo Chow. 111'. my education having enabled me to get my Ahok waR a lay delegate from the Foo independence, that I had any chancL' of see- Chow Conference to the Methodist ing the missionaries and other people not of Episcopal General Conference held my own caste, and of reading the books in New York last May, but was unwhich were antagonistic tomy ancestral re" able io come; whether alone because ligion. This is true to-day of every other he was unwilling to risk his chances household like that of my parents. of escaping the leasllPs of our ob- structive Chinese legislation, we can- "I have deduced from these facts that not sav. Ahok's mother stoutly anthe orthodox high-caste women of India tagOlized his acceptance of Chriscannot be helped by missionary societies. tianity, but later herself beC>1:{llle a An agency which is neither identical With genuine Christian with marked indinor antagonistic to these societies lllust be viduality of experience. employed in order to draw these women out of t~eir secluded homes. Purely secular in- 'Ve take from the California stitutions are the necessity of the hour in Christian Advocate the following India, institutions which will be like homes account of the funeral of Mr. Ahok's to the little widows, where their material mother: wants will be supplied, and their physical pain alleviated. The education afforded in Not long since~ at the age of eighty..six, these homes must prepare them to face the occurred the death of the mother of 1I1r. world and must pnt within their reach the Ahok. The first intimation the writer had power which will be the means of their in- of the sad event was the receipt of the fol- dependence,leaving them free at length to lowing note, written by an Eng-lish-speaking think and choose for themselves. . . . clerk in Mr. Ahok's store: .. I am sorry to inform yon that my mother left this world "As for ourselves we are convinced that at 7 o'clock this evening, and we shall pnt it is not against our Christian belief to carry her in her everlasting bed to-morrow morn- to those who need it help in any shape, even ing at 8 o'clock. Will you please notify though we may not be able to carry our others," etc. Having been requested to creed with it. It will do no harm to any of conduct the funeral exercises, we reached us to read the beautiful parable of the Mr. Ahok's residence a little before the . Good Samaritan" twice over, and try to time appointed, a,ud noticed a. coffin in II find out what our Lord Christ meant to teach by it .
.. I am aware that even after setting forth this plan in the plainest language, many Christian people may still mi.apprehend or misrepresent it without meaning to do so; and, on the other hand. all enemies of woman's_progressand freedom in Hindustan,
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
framework of a recess of the room where day until the burial; but, instead of having the services were to be held, Soon after senseless heathen ceremonies, social religious the company had assembled loud weeping meetings are held, and the gospel Is preached. was heard, aud immediately Mr. Ahok and Thus our Chinese Christians adhere to harmless his two adopted sons, together with several native customs, only substituting Christian for other ",ale relatives, slowly entered the heathen worship. recess from another room, bearing the body, encased in elegant silk, and laid it in We are informed that about five years ago the collin. The weeping continued wh~e Mr. Ahok's mother had quite a protracted the unoccupied space in the collin was struggle, deciding whether she wonld become a being filled with the pith of a certain plant, Christian or remain a Buddhist. Since his conand with bits of paper rolled into small version, Mr. Ahok has had preaching Sunday balls. After this, the assembled friends afternoons at his residence, as well as mid'- viewed the face of the deceased, when we week social meetings and family prayers. His were requested to proceed with the ser- mother used to alternate between these services vices. These consisted of the singing of a and the worship of the idol, which had for so hymn, prayer, a short address from the many years delnded her. While continning words," Blessed are the dead that die in the this practice she had a good opportunity to com- Lord." etc.• followed by another hymn and pare the two religions. One day, after attending the benediction-aU, of course. being- in Christian worship, she said to her friends: Chinese. During tJ,e services Mr. Ahok sat "You may take my idol away; hereafter your on a piece of matting on the floor, near the God shall be my God, and your Saviour my head of the collin. 'Vhen tbe benediction Saviour." And the joy which shone in her was pronounced, the friends quickly dis- countenance showed that she had indeed found persed, leaving the sorrowing relatives him of whom Moses and the prophets did write, alone with their dead. In a short time tbe Jesus of Nazareth. The idol was presented to collin was closed and hermetically sealed; Bishop Merrill when he was here in 1883. From but it has been decided that the interment the time of her conversion, this aged Chinese will not take place until the forty-ninth day lady had a bright evidence of acceptance with after the death. In this part of China the God, and became more and more firmly estabwealthy families, and many of the middle lished in the faith during her few remaining classes, begin on the seventh day after a years. Through her influence Mrs. Ahok's death a series of U meritorious" ceremo.. mother, who still survives, was also constrained nies for the repose and general benefit of the to turn from idols to the true and living God. soul of the departed, or the three souls, according to the heathen notion. In one form How encouraging all this to the missionary of or another these ceremonies are repeated the cross, who, in such a benighted land, is every seventh day from that of the death, oftentimes depres8ed by the mass of heathenism, some continuing until the forty-ninth day. which, like a moral miasma, environs him as Buddhist or Taoist priests are hired to man- does the very atmosphere I What proofs the age these exercises, which are described in conversion of these aged ones that in China, as that painstaking work, .. Social Life of the elsewhere, the gospel of Christ is "the power of Chinese," by Rev. Justus Doolittle. for four- God unto salvation to every one that believteen years a missionary here at Foochow. eth " lOur millions of dear brothers and sisters in America, who, by their prayers and money, Mr. Ahok is following the custom of having are advancing God's cause in heathen lands, his friends and relatives meet every seventh may well rejOice with us over all such triumphs of grace.
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY A. T. PIERSON, D.D.
GENERAL SURVEY. MARCH: Mexico Central America. OUR intention is during the twelve- City Evangelizati;n. month to turn the whole wheel round and bring successively to view every A PRIL: I n d'la and C eyI on. Brahpart of the world-wide circle of missionary labor. We give the scheme manism. for the year, and as far as may be the MAY: Burmah, Siam and Laos. structure of THE REVIEW will conform throughout to this plan: Buddhism. JANUARY: General Outlook. Sur- JUNE: Africa. Freedmen in North America. JULY: Islands of the Sea. Utah.
vey of the World. North American Indians.
FEBRUARY: China and Confucian- AUGUST: Italy, France, and Papal ism. Thibet. Eurqpe. SEPTEMBER: Japan, Korea. Medi- and master the languages that must cal Missions. be the vehicle of communication.
OCTOBER: Turkey, Persia. Mo- To estimate the entire number of hammedanism and Nominal Chris- converts in all foreign mission fields tian Sects. at 3,000,000 is very liberal, in fact in NOVEMBER: South America, West excess of the real number; but it Indies. Papacy. Home Missions. ~ust be remembered that these rep- DECEMBER: Syria. Jews. Educa- resent not less than 600,000 families tional Work in Missions. and 30,000 churches, mission stations As in January we propose a gen- and schools; and that out of these eral survey, it may be well, first of 3,000,000 converts, 30,000 workers all, to keep before us certain figures have gone into the field, Of' one out of and facts of world-wide significance, every 100, while Protestant Christen- even at risk of repetition. dom has sent forth but one out of There are 3,064 languages in the 5,000 !
world, and its. inhabitants profess The money annually raised for more than 1.000 religions. carrying on Protestant foreign mis- The most cat'eful computation sionsis a little short of $11,250,000, or which we have been able to make an average of 37Yz cents per year for at' find makes the present popula- each evangelical chul'ch member, or tion of the globe somewhat over leES than one tenth of a cent a day.
1,500,000,000. Of these, pagans, Accurate figures we are unable to heathens and Mohammedans con- give or get concerning either medi- stitute 1,040,000,000, and the rest cal missions or the educational work.
(460,000,000) are nominally Chris- As to the first, theil' growth is so tian, Papal, Greek and Protest- rapid that if we could present accu- ant. There are, however, not more rate returns they would be hope- than 31,500,000 Protestant church lessly in the rear before we could get members. At least one-half of this this number of THE REVIEW electro- 460,000,000 are Nothingarians and typed. For example, the Edinburgh Oonfucionists, To these more than Medical Missionary Society alone, thousand millions, Protestant Chris- which had in Hl71 only 7 students, tendom sends 6,230 messengers of the and in 1881, 16, had in 1886, 170 qual- cross, of whom 3,000 are ordained ified medical missionaries in active missionaries and 2,500 women. To service. Within ten years the in- these, in estimating the sum total of come of the society increased five- workers, we must add some 30,300 fold.
native preachers, teachers, catechists As to schools, they exist in con- and lay helpers, who have been raised nection with all missions and are up out of pag'an, heathen and Mo- often the first form of evangelistic hammedan communities as the first ageney. It is computed that for fruits of missions, making a total every fifteen church members and ad- force in the foreign field of 30,530, of herents gathered in heathen lands, which about five-sixths are converts there is one school. If so, then the from heathenism, Could these work- total number is not far feom 200,000, ers so be distributed as that the en- which, including schools of eveey tire .unevangelized po>puiation could size and grade, feom the primary to be equally divided among them, each would still have to reach, within an the collegiate, is not, we are persuad- ed, far from correct. But we hope average lifetime, at least 28,400 souls before the year closes to gather more with the gospel! And this, too, with accurate and trustworthy figures.
all thp. disadvantages of having to There are in the world 16,447,990 get to the field and get over the field, Sunday-school 'pupils, by the last figures published, The average Of the rellults of missions, w,: have membership is probably about fifty, no space to pl'esent facts, which must which gives 329,000 Sunday-schools be exhibited as the various fields pass in the world. All these figures are before us. approximate only, but they may The American Board alone occuhelp to form a general conception 9f pies 1,000 centers of evangelical in- the world's present condition and fluence, and $124,274 were contrib- needs, the comparative growth of uted last year by native converts in missions, and the outlook for the these various fields!
future. The largest body of the Prpsbyte- Certain grand facts ought to stand rian Church of our land, and in the 'boldly before us like the mountains North. has organized and sustains 34 on a landscape. miSSIOns in both hemispheres, 1. The world has been fully ex- manned by 550 foreign missionaries, plored. There remains probably no of whom 115 are ordained mi;J,sters llndis'covered territory. and 154 unmarried ladies, besides 151 2. The origin and history of every native ordained ministers, 171licen- nation have been traced; languages tiates and 804 other native helpers.
have been reduced to forms, and lit- The churches number 311, with 23,- erature created. 740 communicants, of whom 2,897 3. The present marvelous facilities were received during the past year; for rapid travel and communication in schools of all grades 23,770 pupils give easy access to all parts of the were enrolled; 80,000,000 of pages in globe. 21 languages were issued from 8 4. Commerce of the globe, espe- printing presses, and upward of 75,- cially by sea, is in the hands of Prot- 000 patients were treated in hospitals estant nations; postal and telegraph and dispensaries.
unions extend into all countries. Reports of other denomination!
5. The Bible has been translated may be found in our pages for the into more than 300 tongues-the past year, and can be traced by the press is greatly utilized. copious index appended to the De- 6. Barriers so completely removed cember issue.
-Christian missionaries under pro- Missions to the Jews are assuming tection of law in every land. new importance and meeting with 7. A native ministry is developing, new success. The professed converts and the churches gathered out of from Israel number 1,000 to 1,500 heathendom will ~on be taking care annually; and most of these are from of themselves. the educated class. Joseph Rabin- As to missionar:y societies, etc., The owitch in Bessarabia, and Rabbi Lich- Quarterly Review for July, 1886, es- enstein near Buda-Pesth, are leaders timated the total number asnot fewer in this modern movement among than 146. They must in 1889 exceed their own countrymen.
150, at the least, and more likely The destitution of the world must reach 170. In Great Britain there not be overlooked. During the cen- are from twenty-five to thirty; in tury since Carey went to India, Dr.
the United States from forty to fifty; Murray Mitchell computes that at on the continent as many more, least 200,000,000 have been added to known to exist at the beg'inning of the pagan population of the globe; the last year, while scattered through and that for every 10,000,000 added heathen and Mohammedan lands are to nominal Christendom, fully 15,- as many more; from the Hawaiian 000,000 have been added to heathen- group to Japan, and from Japan to dom.
Syria; and Madagascar round to Some countries like Thibet hav.eso Polynesia again. far been practically inaccessible to evangelism. Immense tracts, em- For thirty years his life was spent bracing a thousand iniles square and in an unwearied effort to evangelize millions of people, have not, in some the' native races, to explore the un- cases, one missionary station. Mex- discovered secrets, to abolish the des- ico is called a Christian country, yet olating slave traffic of Central Africa, Bishop Hurst of the Methodist and with his last words he wrote, , Church says that there are 8,000,000 "All I can add in my solitude is, people there who never saw a copy of the Holy Scriptures. In many papal may Heaven's rich blessing come lands St. Joseph is practically wor- down on every vne, American, En- shiped as superior to the Virgin glish, or Turk, who will help to heal Mary his wife, and Jesus Christ her this open sore of the world." Son. "And other sheep I have which SUGGESTIVE PARAGRAPHS. are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, PAUL and Barnabas went on a and there shall be one flock and one mission tour. (Compare ~cts xiii: 2-4; xiv: 3, 27; xv: 3, 7-12.) Their shepherd." career and report to the churches at Antioch and Jerusalem typify and TEXTS AND THEMES FOR MISSIONARY prophesy the whole history of mis- sions. It has been a history of su- SERMONS. pernatural interpositions. God has given testimony unto the word of THE following is old, but worth His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by the hands of preservation: His servants. At the London Con-' ference the modern apostles of mis- .. Go lie into aU the world, and preach the gos- – sions gathering the Church together pel to every creature." in the metropolis of the world, re- Unbelief. There are so many heathen, and so hearsed all that God had done with them and how He had opened t.he much oppositiou to the gospel, the world can door of faith unto the Gentiles, de- never he converted. claring what spiritual miracles and wonders of transformation God had THE LORD. " The God of heaven shall set up wrought among the nations by them. a kingdom which shall never he destroyed: but Every result wrought in apostolic it shall break in pieces and consume all other days has its correspondent and coun- kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." Read terpart in modern days: Dan. ii : 44, 45. Psalms ii: 8, and lxxii: 8. Isa.
1. God gave testimony to the word ii: 2, 4. of His grace. Unbelief. The heathen will be saved without, 2. Opened the door of faith to the the gospel. Gentiles. St. Peter. "There is none other name [but 3. Converted the Gentiles and puri- Jesus] under heaven, given among men, fied their hearts by faith. whereby we mnst be saved." Acts iv : 12.
4. Gave them witness, imparting St. John. .. He that believeth not the Son the Holy Ghost. shall not see life,. but the wrath of God abideth on him." John iii : 36. LIVINGSTONE'S SLAB IN WESTMINSTER. Brought by faithful hands JESUS CHRIST. .. He that believeth not shall be damned." Mark xvi: 16. Over land and sea, here rests DAVID LIVINGSTONE, Unbelief. The gospel makes the heathen no Missionary, better. Traveler. Philanthropist, Facts. Eighteen hundred years ago, except Born March 19. 1813, the Jews, there were none but heathen; what nations are now better have been made so by at Blantyre, Lanarkshire. the gospel. Died May 1, 1873, GO, PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. a.t Chitambos Village, Ulala. Scruple. But all have not gifts to preach. St. Paul. "Having then gifts, differing ac. cording to the grace that is given to ns; whether MINISTRY, let ns wait on our minister· ing-he that GIVETH, let him do it with sim· plicity. For as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ… See Rom. xii :4-13. 1 Cor. xii: 14-22. Read 1 Cor. ix : 7, 13. Rom. x: 15. Truth. God hath made all nations of one blOOd. Eyery man is one m"mber of Ii bod.y of
PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIOKS-;)!O~THLY BULLETIN
1,500,000,000, 800,000,000 of whom are perishing, yon, 0 ye oj tittle faith?" "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Read Matt. vi : l1H34. through ignorance of the gospel and the way of Miser. Then you forbid me to providefor my life. – i'amily? "He that provideth not for his own Inquirer. As one member of this family, is worRe than an infideL" Experience. Is the best way "to provide" what ought Ito do' for your own to "rob" God and your fellow JESUS CHRIST. Have the same care for your men? Read Mal. iii : s-:.10. The very way" to provide" a curse. "Thel'e is that maketh himfellow men, as the members of the body for self'rich, yet hath nothing: there is that mak€'th every part. Place yourself in their condition, himself poor, yet hath great riches." Provo xiii : 7. See also 2 Cor. viii : 9. then in yours. .. Whatsoever ye would that Avarice, I am not able to do much. IfI had as they should do to you, do ye even so to them." much as 80me men I shouldn't value giving.
Per}Jlexity. I have a family and friends to St. Paul. "If there be tirst a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath." provide for-so many calls, I cannot attend to 2 Cor. viii: 12.
the wants of the heathen. Ignorance. I would give, but I know not what becomes of my money. Bellevolence. _Yourself in their condition, Public Prints. Read and understand. would you have them lhus treat you? "Render Pride. I am ashamed to give so little as I feel able. I must do more, Or it won't be to all their ducos." Provide for every part. thonght anytTling. THE LORD. "The pride of thy heart hath de- False Philosophy. By giving much to send ceived thee." Obad. iii. See the widow's two mites. Luke xxi: 1–1. the gospel abroad, I shall rob myself and child- Self-Indulgence. But why banter and urge a man so? What the" great hurry" of sendren, and come to want. ing the gospel to the heathen? THE LORD. "There is that scattereth, and Mercy. Heathen die as fast as Christians; yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth 15,000,000 sink into the grave every year, and go, without the gospel, to the judgment unpremore than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." pared.
" The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that Zeal. "What thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Ecc. ix : 10. watereth shall be watered also himself." Prov. GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD .ilID PREACH TIDli xi: 24. 25. GOSPEL. Selfishnes8. But I ought to lay up something beforehand, for myself FIRST.
JESUS CHRIST. "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall." Prov. xi : 28. " Seek FIRST [to promote] the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." Matt. vi : 33. "Lay not up for yourselves trea8Ures on earth."
WO'l'ldly Prudence. But if I lay not Ull some- thing against time of need, who will take care of me, when old and infirm?
JESUS CHRIST. "Take no thou-ght for your life," etc.-" Shall he not much more clothe VI.-PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Africa.-The native boats on the Upper ciative attendance of colonists at purely mis- Congo have begun to liy the Free State liag, sionary meetings than at the public evening seswhich insures to them protection. From Stan- sions of the conference this year. We were ley Pool to Equator Station, traveling is per- thankful to see it. MiSSIOnary work among the f~ctly safe. One boat brought from Stanley natives here is not definitely understood ~mong Falls five tons of ivory. the colonists generally. They get some strange impressions of it which a very little personal -At Badza Manteke, in the Congo Mission observatiou shows them to be wrong. Wewant of the American Baptist Missionary Union, them to inform themselves. seven persons have been put to death for the testimony of Jesus. The work is steadily pro- -At Kangwe, on an island of the Ogowe, 379 gressing. candidates were recently received into the class for catechumens, and 91 persons have -REV. CHARLES W. KILBON writes entered tbe churcb. from Adam's Mission Station, Natal, -The first section. of the Trans-African South Africa, July 19, as follows: Railway from St. Paul de Loanda to Arubaca has heen finished, and the work is going on. "You will be interested to know that while This section is forty miles long, extending from the' International Missionary Union' was open- the coast to Kabiri. The road from that point ing its sessions in New Jersey the Natal Mis- turns sonth to the Coanza River, whence it is sionary Conference of our little colony was hold- to be extended directly west to Ambaca, 225 inlJ; its annual meeting at the capital, Pieter- miles from the coast. maritzburg. Your first day was our last. On that day, in our devotional exercises, your meet- ChinR.-The communicants, which were ing was spoken of, and special mention of it scarcely a score forty years since. accordwas m'lde in their prayer. ing to the report of the American Board. _"We have never had fuller and more appre- now exceed 32,000. and are increasing at the rate of 2.000 a year. Telegraph and railroad faith and as a missionary force. Now he appears Jines thread the land, a knowledge of the in an article with the title, "The Great Mission- J%iglish language is eagerly sought, and tbe ary Failure." He enters into calculations and stir of a great movement is felt in the land. comes to the conclusion that" it would take the A proclamation lately issned in many prov- Church Missionary Society 2,7!JO years to overw inces describes the missionaries as teachers take the additions made in India by birth in a of virtue, and their influence as helpful to single year." His manipulation of figures is the state,' enjoining all citizens to refrain deceptive. Sir Charles Atchison, an Englishfrom violence, and to live with them in the man in India, says that" in the Punjab, the relation of hosts and guests. Hindu and Mohammedan religions are practi- cally stationary, that of the Sikhs has declined, -After eighty years of contact with Eng- whereas the Christian religion has increased land, there are 32,000 Christians, for which 38". per cent." The quality of Canon Taylor's we may be thankful, and 150,000,000 opium intellect may be j lldged by the fact that at the smokers, for which we may hang our heads late Episcopal Congress at Manchester" he exin shame. The slave trade, the liquor traf- pressed the opinion that the bishops' physical fic, the licensing of immorality-these were pO'~'ers often g'ave way because they were corow bad enough, but the opium curse is the sum pelled to put their hands on the greasy heads of of all vilJainy.-J. Hudson Taylor. thousands of confirmation candidates." There were cries of" shame" from the audience. -The Chinese Government threatens to drive all missionaries out of Pekin and Can- Franre.-The annual report of the Societe ton in retaliation for the bill which has been du Nord says that they have now in the adopted exclndlng the Chinese from the north of France 52 pastors and 145 places of United States. worship, of which 84 are temples, and nearly 30,000 adherents. -The Baptist Missionary Magazine for December reports 260 baptisms, and news -Dr. Pierson was present and made an adhas been received of 23 recent baptisms at dress at the opening of a new station in Swatow, China, and 73 at Ongole, India. PariS, the Salle Rivole. The very name of this hall is associated in Paris with all that -The first railroad built in China with the is included in the words, .. The world, the sanction of the government was completed tieRh and the devil," and where ior .one hun w in August. It runs from Tientsin to Taku, dred years Satan has held sway. It is situfifty miles. and the trains are crowded with ated in a densely populated quarter, at the passengers. confluence of the rue St. Antoine and the rue de Rivole, abont half way between the Englnnd.-London Missionary Society. The Bastile and the Hotel de Ville. It was for- Ladies' Committee, in connection with the so- merly nsed as a ball room; then a fashionciety, does not form a separate organization, as able billiard room; later it was most notoriin the case of some of the other large societies. ous for the low dances which were held in We append the leading statistics: Mission sta- it; and since the days of the republic it tions and sub-stations, 1,.87 (1,161 in Madagas- has been the meeting-place of the Anarcar) ; foreign workers, ordained, 150; lay, 21 ; chists. This wicked den, in the very heart native workers. ordained, 1,143; lay, 5,156; of Paris, has been transformed, by the McAll communicants, betweeu eighty and ninety thou- 1iission, into a gospel temple, where every eand, of which more than sixty thousand are night the H good news" will be proclaimed. credited to Madagascar. The statistics are not Its support is furnished by the New York quite complete. Full returns would show some- Anxiliary. whst increased figures. The total income is over a htindred thousand pounds sterling. lndia.-Out of the 555 adult converts bap- tized by the English Church missionaries at -The valedictory dismissal of a band of Amritsar, India, since the establishment of forty-five missionaries in connection with the the mission in 1852, no less than 253 have Church Missionary Society took place in St. been converts from Islam. While this be- James's Hall, Piccadilly. Twenty-five of the tokens no great movement among the Momissionaries are returnin!( to the field, and hammedans toward Christianity, it shows twenty are new recruits. Already nearly twenty that Moslems can be reached and brought others have departed, chiefiy going to Africa. under the influence of the gospel. Except Bishop Crowther, who returns to the Niger, and one lady for Lagos, all the forty·five -A revival of Hinduism is taking place in taken leave of are for Asia-Palestine, Persia, Madras Presidency, India. In the past the India, China, and Japan. Eight of the new re- Hindus have looked on the efforts of the cmits are university men. Sir J. Kennaway, missionaries with contempt or indifference. Bart, M. P. (presiden t), presided over a large Now they are becoming alarmed at the gathering of friends and supporters, and on be- progrbss of Christianity, and are opposing half of the society and the meeting bade the it by every means in their power. They missionaries Godspeed. have formed U preaching societies" and u tract societies," and are fighting for Hin- -The latest outburst of "Paganism" in England is an arrai!(nment of missions as a duism by the methods which have proved "failure." Canou Taylor last year made a sen- .'tiou b111 laudatiou of Islam as a system of so effecti ve for the spread of Christianity in English missionaries, it reports the astoundthe hands of the missionaries. ing number of 838 native ordained ministerll, and 4,005 native preachers, 61,000 chur"h Japan.-The Christian converts increased members and 280,000 adh~ents. But as yet 50 per cent. last year, till they number over scarcely one-half of the population has 7,000, with more young people seeking in- been reached by the gospel. struction than ever before. Contributions of Japanese Christians the past year for lIfexico.-Mexico is a Christian conntry, educational and religious objects amount yet Bishop Hurst of the Methodist Episto over $41,000; and not only professed copal Church says that in Mexico 8,000,000 Christians give, but others who see the have never seen a copy of the Holy Scripwork in progress, especially parents, for the tures. sake of the moral culture 'obtained in our New ]lexico.-The South American Mis_ schools. Mr. Neesima reports $3i.ooo sub- sionary Society has started a new missiou in Pa.ragua.y under encouraging circum… scribed by a few Japanese gentlemen, in- stances. cluding tw ' of the highest officials of the government, toward the enlargement of the New Guinea is one of the most interesting Doshisha school into a Christian university. points in the world's missionary work at Count Okuma, minister of foreign affairs, present. A few years ago the whole people Count Inouye, late minister of foreign af- were the worst lotof cannibals known. Now fairs, but who has recently returned to the many of them are receiving the gospel, and cabinet as a minister of agriculture and a change is rapidly coming over the island. commerce, have subscribed l,OOO yen each. Viscount Aoki, vice-minister of state. gives New Zealand.-New Zealand, as a matter 500 yen, while six other prominent officials of fact, is evangelized. Christianity has and bankerc have given together 28,500 yen. not failed of success in a single island. In India and elsewhere they had to gather the -The number of converts in the Japan converts one by one, but in New Zealand a Mission of the American Board has in- movement set in, and great numbers came creased in fifteen months from 4,226 to forward; its advance was almost like a bush 7,093, a gain of 2,801. This ie. the most re- fire. The number of native clergy at presmarkable record in any mission of the ent laboring there is qnite three times what Board, except the Sandwich,Isbnds. they had previously been. These are not supported by money from home, bnt by the -Awakening. The Rev. A. B. Hntchlnson, contributions and endowments of their own C.M,S., Nagasaki, says: .. In this remote people.-Bishop Stuart, D.D., of Waiapu. corner of distant Japan there is an awakening and inquiry after the truth which have Scotland. – A recent number of The already resulted in the baptism of over 200 Scottish Geographical Magazine has papers converts, principally adults, in the northern dealing with subjects specially engaging the part of Kiushiu, which is the portion allotted attention of the friends of missions. Not to to me as my special sphere of work. Others speak of Mr. H. O. Forbes's paper on .. Atare being prepared for admission into the tempts to Reach the Owen Stanley Peak," fold of Christ. My fellow-worker on the which goes over ground occupied by the eastern side of Kiushiu, Rev. J. B. Brandram, New Guinea Mission of the London Missionanc1 our brethren of the Presbyterian and ary Society, we have notes on .. Recent Ex- American Episcopal Methodist missions, are plorations in the Territories of the African rejoicing over similar proofs that the gospel Lakes Company," by E. G. RavenBtein, is still the power of God uuto salvat,ion to F.R.G.S., with a map of the territory, at everyone that believeth. I would ask 'ear- this moment of more than usual interest, nest prayer for the workers in this land." between Lakes Tanganyika and Nyassa, far in advance of anything that has y+t been -According to The Ohinese Recorder the given of that region of Africa. There is need of Japan at the present moment is also a very graphic account of .. Lnkoma," 1,000 preaching missionaries. Out of 100 an island in Lake Nyassa. by Archdeacon ordained missionaries, only thirty are en- Maples, F.R.G.S., the headquarters of a gaged in preaching. Some Buddhist priests hopeful branch of the Universities Mission have taken snch titles as bishop and rever- in Central Africa. The Archdeacon,like his end, and a Professor of the Old Testament chief, Bishop Smythies, warmly commends has been engaged by the Kioto Buddhist the work of the Scottish Mis~ion~ on the college. There is a crying demand for lady Lake, referring to the members of the teachers for women of rank, and also for Established Church of Scotland at Blantyre Christian teachers for pri vate and govern- as competent translators of the Scriptures, ment schools. This is as tr..e of India as of and to the Buchanan brothers as the enter- Japan. prising missionary-colonists at Zomba. His account of the work of his own mission at Madagascar. – The London Missionary Lukoma is most instr,uctive, showing how Society continues to push its work here with the missionaries in their mission ship, increasing success, notwithstanding the political changes and the aggressive atti- OharleS Janson, rea.ch the coa.st villa.ges to tude of the Church of Rome. Witu its 30 the south, holding classes for inquirers and he was for more than thirty years superin_ preaching the gospel to the people who tendent of tbe Sabbath-school of the First come out to hear. Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Ga.
Syria.-The first volume of Dr. Eddy's -A Gift '-_ Books. The author and pub. Arabic Commentary on the New Testament, in lishersof "ThA Crisis of Missionst'~ Rev. Dr. chIding Matthew and Mark, has been published Pierson and Robert Carter & Brothers, have in a book of nearly six hundred pages. offered to the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions a second thousand copies for gratu. -The Abeih field hasa force of 50 workers, 89 itousdistribution. These will be sentprompt. ly by the Board, postpaid,to all who will order being teachers and alicensed preachers. There them witb the understanding that they are to be read and loaned to others. A thousand are 4 'organized churches, with a membership copies have been offered by the same parties of 297, 24 having beeu added during the past to the American Board. year. Regular preacking services are maiutained at 18 places. There are 20 Sabbatho -'ii, M, C. A. The eleventh World's Y. schools, with 980 scholars; 43 high and com· M, Co A. Conference, at Stockholm, in mon schools enroll 1,681 scholars. The total August, showed the American continent at contributions for benevolence and education the front of this great work. The United amouuted to $2,308. States and Canada, taken togetber, report 1,240 associations and 152,721 members. -The Death of Dr. Meshaka, of the Jewish Canada organized the first association on mission in Damascus, is a great loss. Says the the American continent in Montreal on the Presbyterian Messenger, London: 9th of December, 1851. The choice is to be between Amsterdam and Paris for tbe •• He was, perhaps, the oldest Protestant twelfth World's Y. M. C. A. Convention. Christian in Syria, and exerted a powerful influence for good. He was respected by his -Christian Endeavor. The report of the townsmen of all classes and creedS, and his Seventh Annual Convention of the Society of funeral was the largest eVer Seen in Damascus. Christian Endeavor gives the very rapid growth The streets, windows and housetops were of this movement within two or three year., uncrowded all the way through the city, and eveu til it numbers over five thousand societies with outside the gate vast crowds were assembled." Over three hundred thousand members (while scores of new societies are being formed every 1'urkey.-Government opposition to all evan- week in all denominations). This indicates a gelical inlluences is manifested in restrictive widespread desire and need for that which in legislation towards the mission schools, and in in- some degree at least is met by this organization. terference with the personal liberty of native The United Society of Christian Endeavor asks teachers, and sometimes of missionaries. Mr. no allep;iance, exercises no authority, levies no Straus, the American minister at Constantino- taxes. It simply exists to give information, ple,is ably guarding the interests submitted to his aud to aid the societies, by giving them the best care, and his efforts are warmly appreciated by methods by which young people can be traiued the missions, and are worthy of hearty commen- for usefulness in the Church. Its affairs are dation. • . . Colleges at Aintab, Harpoot, managed by representatives of the evangelical and Marsovan, almost the only schools of this denominations. grade in the Turkish Empire, the great numher of boarding-schools for boys and girls.in all -Protestant Episcopal Missions. The 20th these missions, and the far greater number of annual session of the Missionary Council day-schools taught by graduates of these higher of the Protestant Episcopal Church was recentschools, are far superior to all other schools of ly held in Washington, D. C. About 250 delethe same grade in the land, and are steadily gates were present. Tbe report of the Board pervading the life of the whole people with the of Managers of the Domestic and Foreign sentiments and examples of the Christian faith. Missionary Society showed that the SOCiety The theological seminaries at Marsovan, Har- has in foreign lands 41 priucipal and 145 poot, and Marash are quietly raising their stand- ont stations, an increase of 37 since last year; ards according to the growing needs of the field that it has 133 missionaries and 227 native and the better class of candidates for the min- helpers in the field. an increase of about 60; istry furnished by the colleges.-Report to the that it has 91 day and boarding schools, an in- American Roard. crease of 12, and 3,364 pupils, an iucrease of "193. At the hospitals and dispensaries in Japan and United States.-Magnificent Gift for Freed- China 16,331 individuals were treated during the men. Securities to the amount of $1,000,- year. The treasurer's report shows a balance 894.25 ha.ve been placed in the hands of the of $53,000 to the credit of foreign missions. treasurer of the American IIlissionary Asso- The report of the Woman'8 Auxiliary to the ciation' by Mr. Daniel Hand of Ciinton, Board of Missions showed that the gifts in Conn. The interest of this munificent gift money and boxes this year amount to $276,154. is to be spent every year in the education of the colored youth of the South, and is -Inter-Seminary Alliance. The meeting given by one who for many years was in held in Boston this year was the largest of the business in the South. He has had a pur- gatherings of this association ever held. It was pose to devote his fortune to this work for the ninth convention. Five hundred young men a long time, and has fulfilled it in the clos- from the seminaries were reported to be p"esing years of bis life. He is now in the ent. The papers presented were valuable. Drs. eighty-ninth year of his age. It is said that Herrick Johnson, Phillips Brooks, A. J. Gordon and Joseph Cook stirred the bearts of these young men.
STATISTICS OF TBE WORLD'S MISSIONS
VII.-STATISTICS OF THE WORLD'S MISSIONS.
BRITISH OONTRIBUTIONS TO FOREIGN MISSIONS, 1887.
[WE are indebted to Rev. W. A. Scott Robertson, Hon. Canon of Canterbury and Vicar of Throwley, England, for these highly interesting statistics, summarized and analyzed.-EDs.] Summary of British Contributions to Foreign Missions, 1887.
Church of England Societies (Table No. I.)•…..•…………………•..•••….••……. £461,236· Joint Societies of Churchmen and Nonconformists (Table No. II.). ……….. … ………. 187,048 English and Welsh Nonconformist Societies (Table No. III.) ………………………… 367,115 Scotch and Irish Presbyterian Societies (Table No. IV.)…………………………….. 202,940 , – – – Roman Catholic Societies (Table No. V.)………………………………………….. 10,420 Total British Contributions for 1887………………………………………… £1,228,759 N. B.-This total does not include any fund.• derived from Rents, Dividends, or Interest, nor Balances in kand from the previ0U8 year, nor any Foreign Contributions. ANALYSIS OF THE RECEIPTS, 1887.
Table No. I. Foreign Missions of the Church of England.
Analysis of Receipts.
From Abroad British When & from In- Contri- Founded. Name of each Society, and Total Amount of Receipts for 1887. "estmeuts. butions.
1799 …. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £221,330 (in addition to £48,604 received at Mission Stations). British Contributions………………………………………… . £207,704 Borne Receipts from Churchmen Abroad …………. , ….•……… £1,075 Dividends, Interest, and Rents. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . ……………..••• 12,551 No B.-This Society maintain8 the Church Missionary College at Isltngt(}n, which it founded in 1825. 1701. ••. S00IETY FOR THE PRoPAGATION OF TilE GoSPEL, £112,245. British Contributions ……………………………………….. . 9~,811 Borne Receipts from Churchmen Abroad………………………. . 3,388 Dividends, Interests, and Rents ………………………………. . 10,051 1808 ….LONDON SOCIli:TY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS, Brft~!~~ontributions……………………………………….. .. Borne Receipts from Churchmen Abroad……••..•……..••…•..••• 1,090 28,174 Dividends, Interest, etc………………………………….•…… 2,700 1880…•CHURCH OF ENGLAND ZENANA MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £23,268. British Contributions………………………………………… . '22,674 From Abroad ………………………………………………. . 594 1823….COLON[AL AND CONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY, £37,673. British Contribntions ……………………… , • •……………. . 18,395 Raised and Ex-pended Abroad ……••………………….•……… 19,237 Dividends, Interest, etc•……….•……………………….•…•.• 41 1698 …. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, £33,699 (in addition to £79,000 derived from trading).
Portion paid in aid of Foreign Mission work, about …………….. . 12,000 1860…. CENTRAL AFRICAN MISSION ON THE UNIVERSITIES, £13,285. British Contributions ……………………………………….. . From Abroad ………………………………………………. . 399 12,169 Intere"t ……………………………………… ; …………. . 717 1844…. SOUTH AMERICAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £12,215. British Contribntions…. . …………………………………… . Raised and Expended Abroad …………………………………• 3,470 8,745 1870…. MISSIONARY LEAVES ASSOCIATION (aiding Native Clergy of the Church MIssionary Society), £8,348.
British Contributions……………….. . …………………… . 8,315 Dividends………………………………………………….. . 33 SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE CHURCH AID SOCIETY, £4,787. British Contributions………………………………………… . From Abroad and Sales ……………………………………… . 115 4,672 1865 ….LAPrE.' ASSOCIATION FOR PROMOTING FEMALE EDUCATION AMONG THE HEATHEN, £:;,188 (included above in the S. P. G. total), 1860…• BRITISH SYRIAN SCHOOLS, £4,196.
British Contributions…………………………………….. .. 4,010 Grants and Interest ……………………………………….. . 186 MELANESIAN MISSION, £4,703.
British Contributions …………………………………….. . 2,215 From Abroad……… ……………………….. …………….. 2,488 1841. … COLONIAL BISHOPRICS' FuND, £12,546.
British Contribution………………………………………. . 495 Dividends and Interest…………………………………….. 11,437 Grant from S. P. C. K. and S. P. G………………………… ••• 614 1869 …•"THE NET' 8" collections, £2,084. For McKenzie Memorial Mission …………………………… . 110 1,311 For other Funds …………………………………………… . 663 1883 …•CENTRAL AGENC.i FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, £1,646.
Sums not herein included in the totals of other Societies, about 385 1848….ST. AUGUSTINE'S MISSIONARY COLLEGE (exclUSive of Endowments for a Warden, a Sub-Warden and three.Fellows), £2,862.
From Missionary Studentship AssoCIations•..••.•…•..•..•••••.• 2,251 From Funded ExhibItions, ••••• , •••• , •••• , •• , .. ,., ••••• " •• , …… . 611 ,An-a_ly_sis_oJf-R_e-c-e-ip-t.s.. , From Abroad British When & from In- Contri- Fonnded. Name of each Society. and Total Amount of Receipts for 1887. ,estments. butions.
1860 ..• .CORAL MISSIONARY FUND (to aid Schools and Catechists of Church £22 £952 98~ l1i"sionary Society), £974. 69 997 British Contributions…………….. ………………………. 2,176 570 Interest……………………………………………………. 442 1840…. FOREIGN AID SOCIETY (for France, B"lgium. Italy and Spain)…….. 300 18M .. .. ANGLO-CONTINENTAL SOCIETY. about.. …………………………. 1867 …. DELBI MEDICAL MIS~ION TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN, about. ……… 437,236 1877 …. CAMBRIDGE MISSION TO DELHI………….. ……………….. …….. 1691 …. CHRISTIAN FAITH SOCIETY FOR THE WEST INDIES (Rents)…… ……. 24,000 COLUMBIA MISSION, about……………………………………….. Tot;al amount of Donations, Legacies and Annual Subscriptions from the British Isles to the Societies above named for 1887… ESTIMATED VALUE of other gifts sent direct to Mission Stations, or gathered specially for Missionary dioceses, schools or Zenana work………………………………………………
Total for Church of England Foreign Missione. 1887 …………. . £461,236 Table No. II. Foreign Missions-Joint Societies of Churchmen and Non- conformists-A. D. 1887.
1804…. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOOIETY, £147,881 (in addition to £102,443 derived ('rom sales) Devoted to Foreign Mission Work, abont………………………. £89,000 1799 …. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, £Z9,J40 (exclusive of £170,950 derived from 16,812 29,961 Trade). 9,883 Devoted to Foreign Mission Work…………………………….. 8,109 1866…. CHINA INLAND MISSION, £J3,717. 5,171 , British Cvntribntions ………•.•……. ;………………………. 4,626 From Abroad ……………………………………………….. £3,756 6,000 18fi2 …. INDIAN FEMALE NORMAL SOCIETY, £9,995 …………. :……………. 112 3,274 184ll…. BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE 3,100 JEWS, £~,183 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,……… 74 1,517 2;595 1834 …. S0CIETY FOR PROMOTING FEMALE EDUCATION IN TIlE EAST, £6,249 (in 7,00« addition to needlework sent abroad, valued at £.,306). £187,04~ British Coutributions……….. ………………………………
Dividend", etc., £931; Grants, £147.. .. ….. . .. .. . . . .. . . . …. . . .. . . .. 1,078 1732 …. MORAVIAN (EPISCOPAL) MISSIONS OF THE UNITED BRETHREN, £16,803.
British ContributlOns ………………. , …… ,………………..
1872 …. EAST LONDON INSTITUTE FOR HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONS, £11,592.
Portion de·oted to Livingstone Mission and other Foreign Mission Work, abont ……………… , .. , ………….. ,…….. ……..
)858 …. CHRISTIAN VERNACULAR EDUCATION SOCIETY FOR INDIA, £4,742 (in addition to £4,904 received in India from sales).
British Contributions…………………………………………
Grants and Contributions in India ……………………………. '.' 1,402 Interest…………………….. .. ……………………….. …. 66 W ALDE:r{8IAN MISSIONS AID FUND.
English and Irish Contributions, about…………. ……………… TRINITARIAN BIBLE SOCtEl'Y, £1,5~1 (iu addition to £456 from sales).
British Contributions ………………….. '" …………………. Interest .. _…………………………………………. _.. , ….. 4 1856.•.. TURKISH MISSIONS (FROM AMERICA) AID SOCIETy…….. ………….
ESTIMATJIlD VALUE of other contribntions in money and in needlework, &c………….. ……………. ……………. …………………
Total amount of British Contributions through Unscctarian or Joint Societies of Churchmen and Nonconformists for 1887…… ……….
Table No. III. Foreign Missions of English and Welsh Nonconformists, 1887.
1813…. WESLEYAN MISSIC:l1ARY SOCIETY, £133,303 (in addition to £58,827, raised and expended in Mission Stations).
British Contributions … _……………………………. , …… . £119,898 From Abroad …………………………………………….. . £7,035 Dividends and IntereRt …………………………………….. . 6,370 1795 …. LoNDON MISSIONARY SoOIETY, £146,410.
British Contributions ……….. , . . 0 ………………………… . 118,554 Raised Abroad .. _ ………………………………………… .. 23,716 Dividends and Interest ……………………………………. .. 4.140 1792….BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £7;;,058.
British Contributions ……………………………………… . 56,173 Raised Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,3.31 Dividends,Interest1 etc…………………………………… . 1,534 1855 …. ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGN MISSIONS, £13,450.
British Contributions……………………………………… . 13.400 From Abroad. etc…………………………………………. .. 50 For Women's l'lission Fund see below.
1867 …… FRIENDS" FnREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION. £8,964.
British Contributions…………………………………….. .. 8,529 Dividends and Interest……………….. . ………………… . 435 1832 .••. WESLEYAN LADIES' AUXILIARY FOR FEMALE EDUCATION, £7,529.
British Contributions…………………………………….. .. 7.347 Interest I'nd I' Grant..• , .. , …… , ……… , …………… , … , .. . 182 Analysis o.f Receipts.
From Abroad British When & from In- Contri· Founded. Name of each Society, and Total Amonnt of Receipts for 1887. vestments. bntions. 1~56 …. UNITED ME1'HODIST FREE CHURCHES' FOREIGN MISSIONS, £17,475. British Contril:>utioDS………………………………………. £7,722 Raised Abroad. . . . . . . .. •• . . . • . . . .. •• . • . . . . .. . • .. . … . . • . . .. . . ….. £9,753 1840 .••. WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODISTS FOREIGN M,SSIONARY SOCIETY, £.,bll. British Contributions…………………………………….. . 5,118 From Abroad………………………………………………. 2,332 Interest, etc………………………………………… ……. 361 1817 …. GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £8,107. 4,735 British Contributions……………………………………… .
From Abroad…………. ………………………………….. 3,181 Interest, etc……………………………………………….. 191 METHODIST NEW CONNECTION FOREIGN MISSIONS, £3,782. British Contributions……………………………………… . 3,210 From Abroad ……………………………………………… . 464 Grants £61, Interest £47…………………………………… .. 108 1845…. EVANGELICAL CONTINENTAL SOCIETY, £2,208. British Contributions…………………………………….. .. 2,194 Interest, etc ………………………………………………. . 14 1836…. COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY, £6,314 ……………………………. . 6,053 British Contributions ………………………………………." . Repayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 190 Interest, etc ….. " ………………………………………….. , 71 1,829 h FRIENDS" MISSION IN SYRIA AND PALESTINE . ……………….. .
PRIMITIVE METHODIST COLONIA.L MISSIONS, about …….. .., … : ……. . 2,000 PRIMITIVE METHODIST AFRICAN MISSION, £2,154 ………………….. .
British Contributions………………………………………… . 2,042 F'rolD Abroad" .. .. . . ……. … . …………………………….. . 112 ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION, £2,356.
British Contributions………………………………………. . 2,311 .
Interest …………………………………………………… .. 45 ESTIMATED VALUE of needlework sent to mission Stations, and other un· reported Contributions. …. ….. . …………………………. .. ~,ooo Total British Contribntions throngh English and Welsh Nonconform- ist Societies for 1887…….. …………………………………. £367,115 Table. No. IV. Foreign Missions of Scotch and Irish Presbyterians.
FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND MISSIONS, £102,112.
, (British Contribntions .. £35,488 F orel.gn "JIU,SS.lOns ………………………. 1J SFcrohomolAFbereosaadn.d..G..r.a.n.t.s £5,465 2~,053 LInterest …………. .. 5,792 Ladies' Society for Female Edncation………………………….. . Jews' Conversion Fund ……………………………………… . 11,005 921 6,706 Continental Fund ………………………………………….. .. 130 5,116 Colonial Mission……………………………………………. . UNITIW PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGN MISS[ONS, £57,465. 63 3,373 General Fund.. { British Contributions and Legacies…………. . 48,309 Interest, etc……………………………….. 4,077 CZeonnatinnaenMtaislsaionnd.C..o.l.o.n..i.a.L……………………………………l…………………………………. .. 931 J CHURCH OF SCOTLAND MISSION BOARDS, £55,709. 4,148 British Contrioutions ………………….. . Foreign Missions. '1 rna{::~st~.~~~~'.~~.~~~.l. ~~~.s.'.~.~~~.t.~,. ~.t.~ .. :" 10,~: 24,481 Jewish Mission ……………………………………… , ……. . 1,131 7,165 Colonial ",nd Continental Missions………………………….. . 11 4,938 Ladies' Association for Foreign Missions… …………………. 5,721 Ladies' Association for Educating Jewish Girls…….. ……… 811 1,117 1864…. NATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND, £16,077 (in addition to £16,439 500 15,266 from sales). 6,481 British Contributions …………………………………….. .. Interest …………………………………………………. .. 3,000 1841 …. EDINBURGH MEDICAL 1I1ISSIONARY SOCIETY, £6,981. 1,300 British Contributions ……………………………………. .. • 774 Interest …………………………………………………… . 3.000 W ALDENSIAN MISSIONS AID FUND, abou t …………………………. . 18.",1 .•.. LEBANON SCHOOLS, about ………………………………………. .
1,s'j'1, … OR.IGINAL SECESSION CHURCH'S INDIAN MISSION, about …… _………. .
ESTIMATED VALUE of other Scottish Contributions ……………. ..
Total Scottish Presbyterian Contributions, 1887…………… . £188,319 IRISH PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS, £18,500. 2,053 6,098 British Contributions…………… .. 285 274 3,553 Foreign Missions, £8,710 .. School Fees and Grant.s …………. . 3 2,800 { From Abroad. .. .. .. .. . .. .. … . ….. . 1,'719 Interest………………………… .. 97 288 Jevish Mission ……. o • o • o ••••••••••••••• _0 ••• 0 ••••••••••••••••••••• 1,167' 163 Ladi..s' Female Missionary Society…………………………. . Colonial Mission….. ' ………………………………………. . £202,940 Gujarat Orphanage ……………….• o •••••••••••••••• •••••••••• _ Continental Mission ………………………………………… . Mrs. Magee's Indian Education Fund (interest)……………… .
Total British Contributions through Scottish and Irish Pres- byterian Societies for 1887 ……………………………. .
NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
Table No. V. Foreign Missions of British Roman Catholics, 1887.
Founded. British Contributions. ASSDCll'rION FOR 'rHE PROPAGA'rION OF THE 'FAITH, £8,760. England …………………………………………………………….. £1,883 Ireland. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . …. . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . .. … . . . . .. .. .. .. . . . .. .. … .. .. .. .. 6.572 Scotland. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . … 30li N.B.-7'he total 'income of the Roman Propagnndafor 1887, collected fl'Ome1lery diocese in Christendom, amounted to 6,462,276francs .. i. e., about £258,491. 1870.•.•ST. JOSEPH'S FOltEIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY A,l'm COLLEGE, at Mill HIli, Hendon. 1,660 Total. …………………………………………………………… £10,420 SUMMARY FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS.
TOTAL BRITISlI CONTRffiUTIONS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.
1871 …………………………….. £855,742 1880 ……………………………. £1,108,950 )872…………………………….. 882,886 1881. ……………………………. 1,093,569 18T& …………………………….. 1.03:!,176 1874 …………………………….. 1,009,199 1882 ……………………………. 1,191,175 1875… , …………………………. 1,048,408 1883 …………………………….. 1,216,530 1876 … , …………………………. 1.018.472 18~4 …………………………….. 1,220,861 1877…………………………….. 1,100.793 1885 ……………… , ……………. 1,228.951 1878 …………………………….. 1,071 ,944 1886 …………………………….. 1,195,714 1887 …………………………….. 1,228,759 1879 …………. , .. , ….. , ………… 1,086,678 VIII.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The Earl of Aberdeen. man in the House of Lords and at the same time moving as a benefac- THE Earl of Aberdeen, whose pic- tor among the common people ! We ture forms our frontispiece, was hon- are pleased to be able to put before ored by the presidency of the great our readers the "counterfeit pre- Conference of Missions in London, sentment" of a man noble in a douwhich began June 9, 1888. ble sense, perhaps the nearest to the late Earl of Shaftesbury of any of He is a man comparatively in.his the many lords of England, and youth-we judge not over thirty-five whose lady is not a whit behind him years of age-with black hail' and in true nobility of character. eyes, a slender figure, and a nervous temperament. While speaking he As president of the Conference he moves from side to side, rests on one performed the duties of the chair foot at a time, frequently crossing with much g'l'ace and manifest pleasone leg over the other; is by no ure, and right cordially welcomed means a flueut speaker 01' a great the delegates in' a brief speech. He orator. But his character and life aLso entertained the Conference at his are his standing oration. He is country seat a few miles from London. known among his countrymen as a Our readers, we are confident, will be man foremost in every good word glad to look upon his face. A. T. P. and work, a friend and patron of all benevolent societies and institu- The Slave Trade in Eastern Afrioa. tions, While other landed proprietors are using their immense estates IT begins to look as if the hour had for their own emolument, grinding struck for the suppression of this their poor tenants into more abject curse of curses! For the first time poverty, and while the wretched in history there is a coalition formed crpfter system leaves the land which of the great powers of Europe effectthe tenant has improved and e,"en ually to stop a traffic that for centhe hut he has built to revert to the turies has been the scandal of Chrislandlord when the term of the ap- tendom, and has entailed untold prenticeship expires, the Earl of Ab- miseries and horrors upon Africa. Competent witnesses testify that the erdeen is enabling his tenants to be- trade was never carried on more excome owners of their own little farms tensively than at the present time, and houses, parceling out his own nor with greater cruelty and sacrifice estates among his tenantry. What of life.
a blessing- to Britain to have such a Against this enormous and iniquitous trade the British Government prosperous, there was a disposition has waged a single-handed and al- to regard the activity of England in most useless warfare for half a cen- the same quarter with jealousy, and tury. Her vessels have pursued the there was ground to suspect that slavers wherever they have been the value of British co·operation found. She has kept' them in con- was not thought of till the A~ab stant fear and mitigated the evils of slave traders had proved more than the trade, but has not succeeded in a match for the company. breaking it up; indeed there has of late years been a revival of it. With England's support secured, Thank God, several of the other the circle of the alliance was com- European powers have now agreed pleted by assurances of assistance to assist in the good work. The first from Italy, Austria, France, Belsuggestion for a movement of this gium, Russia, Greece, and, last of character is credited to the Nor-th all, Portugal, in maintaini.ng a naval Ger-man Gazette, a paper which is blockade of the East African coast. supposed to be the mouthpiece of For a century or more Portugal Prince Bismarck. Recently an article has been the greatest European appeared in the Gazette which stated helper of the slave trade, having not tbat the Arab slave hunters werp not only not interfered with the slave only the curse of the native tribes hunters, but encouraged them by but a menace to the English, the putting difficulties in the way ofthose Belgians, and the Germans, and to who attempted to do so. For years the work of civilization carried on by England has endeavored to force a those nations. Hitherto, it was said, reversal of her policy. but Portugal's England had been the only power very weakaess has protected her. and that had made any effort to put a she has only yielded now reluctantly stop to the slave trade. The work, and when the pressure has become however, was too large for any sin- irresistible. gle people. "Only by co-operation can the. civilized nations concerned Among the methods of action sugsucceed in putting a stop to a state gested by these powers for the supof things which is a disgrace to our pression of the slave traffic, the most century, and we may confidently practicable, under the present cirhope that the German as well as the cumstances, is the establishment of English people will prove equal to a naval patrol along the coast of the the task which is here imposed upon Red Sea and as far south as the them alike by the sacred principles southern boundary of Zanzibar. This of religion and of humanity." In coast is now controlled for the most other words, Germany invited .Eng. part by England, Germany and Porland to join her in putting down tugal, and these three power;; might the slave trade-the invitation being together form a most effectual b.lockback~d up by a subsequent proposal ade against the slave ships touching which seems to suggest that the at Eastern ports. If these outlets anti-slavery crusade started by Car- are permanently closed and the slave dinal Lavigerie might be advantage- traders cut off from all their princiously used as the basis for common pal markets, the traffic must soon action. come to an end of itself. J. M. S.
What stirred up Germany to make THE refusal of the American Gov- . this proposal were the troubles lately ernment to unite with other great experienced by the German settlers powers in putting an end to the drink and traders on the East African coast. traffic, so utterly destructive of piety, So long as the affairs of the Ger- morals, human happiness and human man East" African Company were life in the Western Pacific, may well arouse all true men and women to a vigorous remonstrance. In Polynesia This evil of drink is so mighty and the native races are in danger of ex- so increasing that the most strenuous termination by the" unrestricted use exertions should be at once put forth of firearms, ammunition, dynamite, and especially intoxicating drinks." to at least prevent its fiuding new fields for its destructive and demoI,li- acal work with the countenance of u.
For the sake of the profits accruing Christian government. A. T. P from this infamous business traders The Brazilian Synod. pus!} their trade and thrust "firewater" upon these poor savages. IT is doubtless known to our read- ers that the last General Asseml,ly Then these ignorant and degraded of the Presbyterian Church appointed and half brutal people. maddened by Drs. J. Aspin wall Hodgeand Charles drink, act like madmen, and use E. Knox to assist iIi the organization murderous weapons and explosives with fearful recklessness. Is it any of the independent Union Synod of ~onder that Christian missions Brazil, representing both the Northmake but little progress among ern and- the i:::louthern Presbyterian them? What head way can the most Church. While these two branches heroic labors make when offset by a of the great Presbyterian family at home were not ready to come to- gether again as one, the mission churches of both and the missiona- diabolical intoxicant that unseats ries of both, in "Brazil, earnestly reason from her throne and turns the sought a union, which has been haphuman body into a stronghold of Satan and sets every power and pily accomplished. The occasion was one of intense and memorable inter- est, and the Union Synod will un- passion on fire of hell! Austria i doubtedly become a great power in and Germany, Russia and France, that kingdom. The delegates came and even Protestant England and America, join hands in this nefarious back full of enthusiasm, which they have imparted to several of thegr~at home synods.
traffic. To such a terrible extent has .. It is a grand truth, when one fully compre. hends and measnres it," says The Church at it gone that an effort to terminate it Home and Abroad, .. that another independent was inaugurated through the "sim- Presbyterian body las been created in the world by purely missionary work. Five months ago ultaneous and united agreement of the Presbyterian Chnrch of PerSia, also a child of missions, was taken into the fellowship of the all the powers interested." Lord Presbyterian Alliance in London. Now the Granville, the Eng-lish Foreign Secre- second, the offspring of the Presbyterian Boards North and South, is ready to be added to the tary, the prime mover in the under- Alliance; and by the time that the next quad- rennial meeting of that body shall be held in taking, received favorable answers • Toronto we hope that there may be still others from all the governments except the ready for admission."
United States, which should have Fr.om the letter of our Editorial Correspondent at Chefoo, China, Rev. been prompt to respond and to Dr. Nevius, elsewhere given, we learn second the laudable movement with- that one of the important questions out regard to the money interests of discussed by the Synod of China, at traders. Secretary Bayard has here- its recent session, was the union of tofore taken high moral grounds in his state papers, but the Christian all missions in the empire holding sentiment and conscience of the na- the Presbyterian system of doctrine and form of government. A com- mittee, consisting of A. P. Happel', tion demand a better and more posi- D.D., John L. Nevius, D.D., and Rev. George F. Fitch, with an equal numtive answer than the following, of ber of native brethren, wasappoi'lted to correspond with the representaour Secretary of State: tives of the other" consulting" mis- sionary bodies laboring in China, and "While recognizing and highly approving the to propose a meeting of delegates moral force and general propriety of the pro- from all such bodies at Shanghai in posed regnlations, and the responsibility of con- 1890 during the meeting of the Misducting such traffic nnder proper restrictions, sionary Conference already arranged the government of the trnited States does not· for. Another forward step in the feel entirely prepared to join in the international interest of union on mission ground nnderstanding proposed, and will. therefore, for the present, restrain its action to the employ- J. M. S_ ment, in the direction ontlined by the snggested arrangement, of a sonnd discretion in permitting traffic between its own citizens referred to, .and the natives of the Western Pacific Islands."
The Missionary Review of the World — October 1888
A. CRUSADE FOR MISSIONS. [OCT••
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XI. No. lO.-Old 8eries._ _OCTOBER, _ _VOL. 1. No. to.-New Berle8.
I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
A ORUSADE FOR MISSIONS. [EDITORIAL.-A. T. p.] [The following solemn and earnest appeal we are sure will be received in the spirit in which it Is made, and, we trust. will not have been made iu vaiu. We who have staid at home, and so have not felt the touch of those great movements and mighty throbings, of which 'London has been the center, are not prepared to appreciate the fnll force of the feeling which dictates this bugle-call from across the sea and the intensity of the conviction which thrills along every line of this stirring appeal.-J. M. S.] THE time seems to me to have fully come for some new movement, which I can call by no other name, and for that crusade I solemnly appeal to my brethren in the pastorate to set themselves apart.
The evangelization of the world is a problem so grave and so great that it demands men, in a peculiar, if not an exclusive sense, devoted to it. The church needs to be aroused, quickened, stimulated, to new endeavor, prayer, consecration, giving, if we are to overtake the present generation with the gospel. To do this work of arousing the church, information must be gathered, facts collated and marshaled in effective array, and then presented with readiness of memory and of utterance, with the unique power and force that come from a mind and heart on fire with intelligent zeal and holy enthusiasm. For this work who are naturally fitted as are the devoted pastors of the churches? They are the leaders of church life and church'work ; their contact with the people is constant, and their touch is sympathetic; they are in t4e very position to take up such work with every advantage and hope of success.
Of course such a work demands a special training. There are certain lines of study and research, personal acquaintance with missionaries and mission-fields, providential contact with the work at a hundred points of approach, and the habit of advocating missions, which are requisite for the fullest measure of preparation to carryon such a crusade; but no man has the chance of such university training in the school of missions so available to him as the pastor. He whose yearnings and leanings are in this direction will unconsciously develop power in the work.
Nothing is more imperatively needed at this precise emergency, the crisis of missions, than a generation of such pastoral crusaders. There is no need of abandoning the pulpit and parish to enter upon such a crusade. The churches need not even be neglected, left unshepherded, unsheltered, like a scattered flock, in order that a pastor may go about, like Peter the Hermit, on missionary tours. The pastor must care for the flock, of course. But there is a larger, broader work for Christ than any individual church presents, and every minister of Christ owes somewhat to the church at large. He ought to feel and recognize the call to ministerial service to the whole body of Christ, and seek training for that larger service.
I am persuaded that in most cases a man is more effective as a pleader for missions who is making such appeals to only one branch of a general work for Christ and His church. We need to remember that the pastoral office is the first and highest in the church. Its forms of activity are so manifold and multiform, that it cultivates every part of the man; every faculty finds employment. To do the work of preacher and pastor, instead of making a man narrow, broadens him. His very appeals for special causes, such as Home Missions, Foreign Missions, City Evangelization, are rendered only more effective by his not becoming a mere specialist, absorbed in one particular subject or object. The tendency of doing only one thing is to be short-sighted, and see only one interest, and so unduly magnify that one object. A. specialist in benevolence is apt to loose breadth of view. width of symmpathy, and he cannot make up for such lack by mere length of tongue. The two great qualities, "audibility and volubility," may be enough for some men, but they do not prove sufficient for holding and rousing the people.
I would not have pastors abandon their flocks and folds to enter the new crusade for missions. How often have we observed that a pastor who is a powerful advocate of some one or all of the benevoleri.t agencies of the church degenerates as soon as he becomes a secretary of a board or an agent. He gets formal, official, a mere functionary. A.nd because he is expected to magnify his office, and exaggerate the relative importance of the cause he represents, he loses power with the people.
Hence, in order to be more useful in pleading for missions, it may be well for a man to keep out of all official relations with a board or a society in all ordinary cases. It takes a really extraordinary man to keep out of the trammels of a perfunctory routine. For myself, I have sedulously avoided aU such complications, preferring to be first of all a preacher and pastor, and, as such, whenever God gives opportunity, and as He gives ability, lift up my voice for every true, noble and effective form of church beneficence, WIth no fetters on my tongue or my independence. '1'0 do the best work in missions, it is best for me, and probably for most men, to remain pastors; and their words will have all the more spontaneity, enthusiasm and real power when they speak not as agents or secretaries but as pastors.
THE GREAT MISSIONARY CONFERENCES•
.At the same time, I cordially recommend my fellow pastors to avail themselves, especially when they are abroad, of opportunities to gather information by personal visits and contact in the mission fields themselves. Nothing so vividly impresses the mind as the sight of the eyes, and nothing so fit for vivid, graphic, telling description and reproduction. If a pastor is going to take a vacation abroad, why not, for the sake of his own church and the church at large, take his vacation where recreation and investigation may be cQmbined? Dr. Gordon and myself went to Paris together to visit and investigate the McAn Missions. We spoke twice a day in the various salles, through an interpreter, and saw the work for ourselves. But the help of M. Saillens, Dr. McAn's main helper in his work, enabled us to see Paris in the meanwhile as we could not have done it alone. I had written much and spoken often on the McAn Mission work, but never had I such a conception of its simplicity and effectiveness. He who would be a powerful pleader for missions will do well to avail himself of every chance to come into personal, vital contact with mission fields and mission workers. In fact, many a church might well send a pastor abroad to carry cheer to missionaries on the field, and gather a store of facts, . and best of all a new enthusiasm. The time so spent would not be lost to the church at home. A true pastor may well desire to visit fi-elds and conduct a personal investigation of the work, in order to fit hjmself better to do the work of a home pastor. The more many-sided a man is, the better-informed he is, the more intelligent his zeal in the wider work of God, the more keenly alive to the wants of the worldfield, the better is he fitted to guide the flock at home, especially if his church chance to be a large and leading one among the churches.
Brethren of the ministry, much as we need missionaries on the foreign field, we need, even more, missionary pastors on the home field. We need menwho shall make a business to keep themselves thoroughly informed as to the progress of the Lord's work and the great missionary campaign. Such men inspire a whole church, lift it to a higher level, quicken intelligence, and arouse zeal. They are the true and poweJful pleaders for missions. Give us more of such men-men who can make a monthly concert an inspiring occasion, men who not only take an annual missionary collection or preach an annual missionary sermon, but whose every prayer and discourse and pastoral visit is fragrant with the spirit of missions. Then we shall have a true missionary revival, and the pulse of a sluggish church shall beat with new life, and a new missionary era shall ,dawn.
THE GREAT MISSIONARY CONFERENCES.
THIRD LETTER FROM: A. T. PIERSON, D. D.
. '. : EDUTBURGH, July 16.
THE grand World's Conference in London was but the beginnh~g of a series. The so-called Mildmay Conference, at Mildniay Park, almost immediately succeeded it-July 27-31-and the del6gates have found in their travels that at every new point gatherings awaited their com- ing, where the eager multitudes were waiting to gather at least some fragments of the feast. In this Athens of the British Isles, for in- stancH, the pulpits were filled all day yesterday by delegates, and at a monster-meeting in the Synod Hall last night, addresses were made on the subject of missions by Dr. A. J. Gordon and myself.
-I have thought that to many who may not see the reports of the Conference, now preparing in extenso, it might be well to present a . few choice bits of the feast. And so I have been at pains to gather up a basket of fragments, to let our readers see what was the character of the fare distributed at the banquet board. Those who wish to have the reports in full will do well at once to send orders, with two dollars and a half, for the two large volumes of verbatim reports, to Rev. James Johnston, Secretary, care of Y. M. C. A., Exeter Hall, Strand, London. The reports will be published about January 1, 1889.
1. Ohristianityand Oivilization.-Bishop Colenso attempted to civil- ize without Christianizing. He got twelve Zulu lads and took them for a limited time into his service, not making any attempt meanwhile to convert them. When the time expired, he reminded them how faithful he had been to them and to his promise not to seek to bias them at all as to their religious faith. The next day all were gone, leaving behind only their European clothes, as they went back to bar- barism. It is said that Colenso went over to the American mission, laid on the treasurer's table a fifty-pound note, and said: "You were right, and I was wrong."
Christian nations were defeated in the Crusades: they deserved to be, for the Bible was carried behind the sword.
ee Among the Zulus, the first sign of approach to Christ is a desire for clothes. A man comes one day and buys a calico shirt; the next, per- haps, and buys a pair of duck pants; then a three-legged stool, for he can no longer sit on the ground, and with shirt and pants on, and seated on that stool, he is a thousand miles above the level of the heathen round him."-Dr. Lindley.
2. The Power of Christian Schools.-We do not appreciate the value of the educational element in missions. The missiollary superin- tendent in Utah lately undertook to lecture on subjects such as would interest the Mormons, beginning with lectures on humor, in which lie had to explain his own jokes and stories to his stolid and stupid auditors. As soon as he had convinced them that he knew more than their own priests, of science, history, etc., he opened a school, and their children came to learn, then a Sunday-school, and so an evangelistic service. . In Beirut, the Christian church, the medical college and the girls' schools go side by side. The very Pashas confess the power of these schools, and the Arabs had to open girls' schools in self-defense, and having no fit teachers, sent to our schools for teachers for their own. Education acts asa prophylactic, upsetting the uIlscientific and absurd geography, cosmogony, etc., of paganism, and so the religion itself.
Education of a Christian sort tends to upset the heathen faiths, by first undermining the heathen systems of false science which are inseparably bound up with the religious system. For example, the absurd Hindoo cosmogony cannot stand before the revelations of modern astronomy, etc. The antagonism between the truth and error is irreconcilable. On the other hand, the more the Bible is studied, the more it is found to be in accord with all the great scientific facts not known when the Bible was written. The leading truths of geology, astronomy, comparative anatomy, physiology, etc., find in the Word of God no antagonism. In fact, we may almost say, they were anticipated in its wonderful phraseology.-A. T. P.
Medical Missions.-It is noticeable that Christ sent forth His apostles, not only to preach and teach and testify, but to heal the sick.
3. The Progress of Missions.-In the Fiji Islands one wretched cannibal gloried in his shame. He was wont to put down one stone for every human body of which he partook, and his horrid memorial reached the number of 872 stones! At the late jubilee of missions not one avowed heathen was left.-Rev. John Oalvert.
4. Preparation of Missionary Oandidates.-It is very desirable that while in the course of preparation they be kept as much as may be into contact with souls. Isolation and seclusion for study during a long period sometimes leaves a student with a chronic or at least intermittent chill. Intellectuality often developes brilliance, but the brilliance of an iceberg. It is well to keep up the warmth of love and passion for souls by evangelistic labor-and all the better if among the lowest classes; for he who is not ready to preach the gospel anywhere is fitted to preach it nowhere. He who can reach the lowest can commonlyreach the highest, but the reverse is not always true. We need men in earnest, not for salaries and positions and honors, but seekers after souls.-A. T. P.
5. The Rurn Traffic.-When Stanley came to Aganda, the king, Mtesa, asked after Victoria, the Emperor of Germany, etc. Then he said, '''' Have you any tidings from above!" Mr. Stanley was not quite so much at home on this subject, but he could at least give the king a New Testa:r;nent. But it was noticeable that when Stanley reached the mouth of the Congo, the one unfortunate question there was, "Have you any gin?" The very day that the American Baptists in Boston accepted the Livingstone Inland Mission, 200,000 gallons of rum sailed from Boston to the Congo, in a single ship.
6. The three eras of rnissions have been: 1. The apostolic: the result was the conversion, nominally, of the :Roman Empire. 2. The rnedi- OJval: the result was the nominal Christianization of Europe. 3. The modern: the result of which is to be the evangelization of the world.~ Dr. Philip Schaff.
7. The Opium Trade in Ohina.-The sum of all villainies is the opium traffic. It entails more and worse evils than drink, slavery and licensed vice put together !-J. Hudson Taylor. .
8. The Gospel in TaMtL-The London Missionary Society sent the first missionaries to Tahiti in 1797. They worked till 1813, sixteen years, and not one convert. Then a change came over the whole land. So rapid was the development that in 1821, eight years later, evangelists-natives-went out to the Hervey group. Eight years more passed, and, with John Williams, native evangelists pressed on to the Samoan group. Another nine years, and the New Hebrides were reached; and, in 1841 to 1843, the Loyalty Islands and New Guinea. What a remarkable proof and fruit of the power of the gospel!- Wardlato Thompson.
'l'he progress of God in the march of missions has been correspond- ingly rapid with the capacity of the church to keep up with the Great Leader.-A. T. P.
9. Buddhism and Other False Faitlts.-Buddhism has, in fact, no God. 2. No family life. Women he abhorred and would not speak to .them, and so Buddha taught his followers.
The goddess Kali is worshiped because believed to have control of .aches and pains. Of the Buddhists of Ceylon 90 per cent. are demon- worshippers. Much is said about the "Light of Asia." But the so- called light of Asia is the light of Oxford and Cambridge. Arnold reads his own conception into Buddhism, and then attributes it to Buddhism. He owes his own conception to Ohristianity. Buddhism is to be judged by its practical results and fruits in life and character. In comparison to the light of the world, the light of Asia is but darkness.-Prebendary Edmonds.
Buddhism accommodates the natural heart of man. It is all things to all men, without bringing to any man salvation. All the heathen faiths yield to the carnal element in humanity; they foster pride, lmt, selfishness, avarice, self-righteousness. There is no hatred of sin, love of holiness, or unselfish benevolence taught. Even benevolence is only another form of selfishness.
10. The Bible a Missionary Book.-If you cut out of the Bible whatever pertains directly or indirectly to missions-all precepts, promises, parables, discourses-all the drift and tendency of prophecy and history, and gospel, and epistle, in the direction of missions-and all dispensational dealing and leading having the same significanceyou will have nothing but the covers left.
11. Mistakes of Preachers.-One of the greatest is that we have too ·often preached on missions only when we wanted a collection. Allolll'
EARLY MISSION WORK AMONG THE INDIANS OF NEW ENGLAND. . 7~
preaching should have a missionary character and tone.-Rev. Geo. Wilson.
The preacher ordinarily determines the level of the missionary interest and intelligence of his congregation. What a mistake, then, 'for him to be uninformed and unenthusiastic in respect to the work of God. He ought to be at the very head, the leader and inspirer of missionary study and consecration.
12. MiscellaneOtls.-Such words as "conversion," etc., are God's edge-tools, and even the devil gets hurt if he fools with them.-Rev. Mr. McNiel.
"To-day, June 18, is Waterloo day. The Oongress of Vienna adjourned on that day to unite with other nations to drive back Napoleon as a common foe to the peace of Europe. Does it not behoove us to adjourn this Oonference to unite our forces against the common enemy of mankind?"-Sir John Kenna1lJay.
One hundred nations lie east of the Soudan, embracing 100,000,000 without a missionary.
In the importation of rum into Africa, the order for liquor was accompanied by an order: "Send llS. handc1I1fs."-Dr. W: M. Taylor.
We must discriminate between Romanism as a religious faith and Romanism as an ecclesiastical system, and between the abettors of this Papal despotism and its victims. Many mistakes have been made in approaching Romanists. Many so-caUed Oatholics are themselves conscious of the tyranny of Papal supremacy.
EARLY MISSION WORK AMONG 'fHE INDIANS OF NEW ENGLAND.
BY JULIA M. BLISS, LONGMEADOW, MASS.
THE "Indian Question" is not a .new subject. This generation is not the first to seek to have it righteously settled, to be baffled by its perplexities, or to be moved to.earnest work in behalf of an unfortunate race. If the matter so greatly in~erests Ohristian philanthropists to-day, much more was it a subject of solicitude to the fathers of New England, who planted their colonies in the midst of the natives. Th~y gained a foothold by the destruction of thousands of Indians by terrible diseases, but still, large and fierce tribes and numerous remnants of tribes surrounded them; their embarrassments and difficulties were manifold, and their endeavors to deal kindly and justly with their savage neighbors were scrupulous and unremitting.
The establishment of missions among the Indians was the carrying out of purposes formed by Pilgrims and Puritans before they caIl}e hither. One of the" reasons" given for the coming of the J?lymou th Oolony was "a great hope and inward zeal" for making Ohrist known "in those remote parts of the world." So with the BlJ.Y Oolony, that was one of the objects mentioned in their charter, and a among the "reasons" for their "undertaking," and on their first seal was an "Indian having label going from his mouth, 'Come over and help us.'" They surely needed help, for they were in a for- lorn and wretched condition, improvident, depraved, living more like animals than men, the "veriest ruins of mankind."
-Some efforts were early made in their behalf; Squanto, Sagamore John and a few others in each colony were, as the English rejoiced to believe, the "first~fruits." But the hardships were so great, especially in Plymouth, that it was some years before regular labors were begun among them.
In 1636 Plymouth passed laws to provide for the preaching of the gospel to the Indians, but in the larger colony, the work under Eliot, though later started, progressed more rapidly. Skillful in languages, compassionate, generous, uniting zeal with tact and discretion, truly apostolic in spirit, Eliot was admirably adapted to be the leader in this work. But he was not left to carry it on single-handed; he had the encouragement and co-operation of the General Court, of his church at Roxbury, and of the best men in and around Boston, especially the . ministers, those in the vicinity supplying his pulpit when he preached to the Indians. The General Court ordered, in 1644, that the county courts should attend to the civilizing and Christianizing the Indians in their shires; in 1646, that two ministers should be chosen annually to preach to them, and that something should be given by the court to those who were willing to be instructed; and in 1647, that quarterly and monthly courts should be held where Indians assembled, all fines to be used to build houses for worship or schools "or other publick use." So Eliot's work was begun with its aid and sanction.
Having made some progress in learning the language, without which he could not have gained even a h~aring, in 1646 he began his direct mission labors at Nomantum, a part of the present town of Newton, . preaching the first time so that the Indians" understood all." U n- wearied by toil, undaunted by hardship and danger~ he pressed the work forward and brought it to such a promising state that, in 1649, through the efforts of Mr. Winslow, a society was formed in England for propagating the gospel among the Indians. Its revenue in a few years amounted to £500 to £600 annually; the Commissioners of the United Colonies, while that body had an existence, were the almoners, and returned yearly an account of expenses to the society. The Gen· eral Court early contributed to it £500, and the towns £1,560.
It seemed to Eliot that no great progress could be made until the Indians could be brought into some civilized way of living. So the "praying Indians," who had "felt the impression of his ministry," and who were desirious of more settled homes, were gathered into towns, built and .go'l'erned by themselves, under English instruction. Natic, the chief of these, and covering six thousand acres, was settled in 1651, and into it were gathered the Indians near Dedham and some from Concord. It was laid out with three principal streets; and upon these, parcels of land were set apart for a dwelling, garden and orchard, . "one to be assigned to each native head of a family." The town contained a bridge 80×9 feet in length and height, with stone abutments, a palisaded fort, and a "common house" for worship, school and other purposes, all made by the In~lians. There was manifested a strong desire for improvement among the natives. They began to dress like the English, to give up their savage customs, to till the ground; the women learned to spin, so there was a great demand for farming implements and spinning-wheels. They began to put away their immoralities, to keep the Sabbath, to catechise their children, and to pray in their families. Schools were establiEhed, and the brightest pupils from them were put under competent masters ~nd instructed in Latin, Greek and English.
In 1654, at Natic, was formed the first Indian church of those who had been most carefully examined and re-examined by the ministers, and who gave good evidence by their" confessions" and lives of being true Ohristians.
That the "Scriptures might not in an unknown tongue be locked" , from the natives, Eliot, in 1649, began his translation, the first from the English into a heathen language. This work of vast labor, because of the strangeness of the language and the "interminable" words, was carried on at intervals, for beside the Indian work he had the care of an important church. In 1661 the New Testament was completed, printed at Cambridge, and a handsomely bound copy was sent to Charles II., to enlist his interest in the good work.. In 1664 the whole Bible was printed at Cambridge, and two hundred copies were at once put into circulation. If no living man can read that translation, who shall say it was made in vain?
Eliot was anxious to have a trained native ministry, and for this purpose provision was made at Cambridge. Not far from 1661, a brick building for about twenty students, and called Indian College, was built there. Two Indians completed the course, one was drowned just before taking his degree, and the other died soon after his graduation. Others died who had been instructed there, so "many friends began to doubt the success of the enterprise," and after a time the building was used for other purposes.
Meanwhile the work had been carried on in Plymouth by the "godly and gracious Richard Bourn," and in 1666 he was able to gather a church at Marshpee. John Eliot and his son, the governor, several magistrates and ministers of Plymouth helped in organizing it; and all the churches of the colony, having read the "confessions" of the Indians, gave their approval. One of the most hopeful' fields was Mltrtha's Vineyard and the adjacent islands. For forty-four years the Mahews-father, flon and grandson-labored for the good of the poor inhabitants. In 1641, the .worshipful Thomas Mahew had a grant for settlement of these islands and was made the Governor of the English. In 1644, his son Thomas Mahew, the pastor of the English on Martha's Vineyard, became greatly interested in the Indians and began to visit and instruct them in their homes. He often lodged with them, enduring cold and wet, thus bringing upon himself many" pains and distempers." At last he so won up0l1- them that they were willing to meet for preaching and instruction, and in' a few years his efforts were so much blessed that "many hundred men and women" in these islands gave evidence of being intelligent Ohristians. He continued his" painful labors" till 1657, when, intending a short trip to England, the ship in which he sailed was lost. His father took up the work wl1ich he had laid down; he visited and encouraged the Indians, and, with the aid of some native Ohristians, induced those of Gayhead to yield to the gospel. Mr. John Ootton of Plymouth preached to them two years, and in 1670, with the advice of the best men on the island, a church was formed at Martha's Vineyard, and Hiacooms, the first COnvert, was made pastor. After this John Mahewassisted his grandfather until the death of the latter, when for seven years the chief work devolved upon him, until he died. in 1688, leaving the Indians with well instructed native teachers, and pretty well established in ways of Ohristian living.
Before Philip's war, when the work was most prosperous, there were about four thousand praying Indians and six churches, two in Massachusetts, one in Plymouth, two in Martha's Vineyard, and one in Ohappequiddick, all adjacent island.
Some obstacles to the work were the various dialects in use,and frequent wars between tribes, especially in Oonnecticut, and the violent opposition of many sachems, who prevented any instruction of their people. It may be noted that generally only the broken remnants of tribes showed any inclination to lead better lives. The Narragansetts rejected all efforts in their behalf; and when Mr. Eliot visited Philip, hoping to induce him to hear his message, Philip, taking a button on ,Mr. Eliot's coat, said "that he cared for his gospel just as much as he cared for that button." If Mr. Eliot could not move him, who could have done it?
At the beginning of Philip's war, the condition of aU the Indians ,had been much improved by the coming of the English. The smaller tribes had been preserved from destruction by English protection; a portion had been greatly benefited by. these special efforts in their behalf, and all, in a measure, by the introduction of seeds, farming implements and domestic animals, and by the great increase in their trade.
FOURTH LETTER FROM A. T. PIERSON, D.D
This dreadful war, which for a time almostthr~atened to destr-OY the colonies, was unfavorable to the mission work. The Ohristian Indians were hated by the others and exposed to danger from them, and many of the English became suspicious of an Indians, which was not strange perhaps under the circumstances. Many of the Ohristian Indians were faithful and aided the English, but some, lured by the wiles of Philip, went over to the enemy. Many from Natic, Stoughton and other places were ta.ken to Deer Island for their safety, and on theiI: return after the war, their towns in the Massachusetts colony were· reduced from fourteen to seven. But the work revived under the labors of Mr. Rawson, Mr. Treat, Mr. Thatcher and others, and about the year 1700, there were altogether, thirty congregations of praying Indians, twenty-four native helpers, and" more than three thousand caning on God in Ohrist and hearing His holy Word."
FOURTH I~ETTEI~ FROM A. T. PIERSON, D.D.
[The following communication, althongh somewhat personal, we are sure will Intensely interest ou~ readers. We may here give expression toa fact-known to us from a hUlldred sonrCe8that our dear friend and editorial associate lIot only took a· very prominent part in the ConferenCe, and in various after-meetings, in London, but his addresses were received with very marked favor, and seemed to enthuse his audiences in an unwonted degree. Scarcely a day has passed since tlie great Council opened that he has not addressed vast assemblages, often more than once a day. And the following letter, and the docnment appended, which we give below, will show what h.e and his greatly beloved co-Iabore,', Dr. A. J. Gordon, of Boston, are dOing, and have been dOing, in Scotland, since the London Conference closed. God seems to be calling these devoted servants of His to do a great work for foreign missions in that grand ·old historic church-in the land of Knox, and Dntf and Chalmers-and giving up their long-cherished plans. of extended travel on tlie Continent, they have Iieeded the Providential call, and have begun a "Crusade for Missions" that may lead to far-reaching, glorious res nits. This work, to which two of the leaders of the Conferenc.e are so urgently called by the united voice of the Scottish Church, is part of the fruit of the recent World's Conference on Missions. Theprsyers of the American Church-honored by having two Qf its well-known and beloved pastors selected to carry the sacred fire from London and kindle a flame In Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and other parts of Scotland-should go np in behalf of these, ortr representatives, not only that a tidal wave of missionary revival may follow them there, but that they may come back to us In due time, so endued with the spirit of zeal and of the Holy Ghost, as shall fit teem to be the leaders of a mighty" Crusade for Missions" throughout the great American Church, whose scores of delegates did such grand service at the great Conference.-J; M. S.] My DEAR YOKEFELLOW : SCOTLAND, July 28, 1888.
I send you a letter. and you may publish or not, as your judgment may indicate. The meetings in London were so enthusiastic and inspiring that a great desire was expressed to get a few of the delegates to go to a number of other points and in some measure carry the sacred fire. Fl'om time to time public meetings have been held in other places where delegates chance to have been temporarily sojourning, and the interest awakened in London" has been extending elsewhere, both through the pen and the tongue. During a tour on the Oontinent, in which Dr. Gordon and myself were companions in travel, and while we were at Paris visiting with great delight the various McAll Mission salles, we found that arrangements had been. perfected for a series of Ihissionary m~etings in Edinburgh for July 14-17. These dates were chosen in order to reach the University students before their dispersion for vacation. It implied.3o very decided alteration in all our plans, as we desired to go on to Rome while on the Continent; but a!' it seemed to be God's call, we yielded to the earnest and pressing invitation of brethren in Edinburgh, and abandoning, at least for the time, our Continental trip, went to Edinburgh. The series of meetings which had been planned began with lL garden. party on the grounds of Duncan McLaren, Esq., where, on the early evening of Saturday, July 14, about seventy-five of the leading people of Edinburgh were gathered. A few informal addresses were made by delegates who were present, including Mrs. G. Stott, of Wen Chou, China; Mrs. Armstrong, who has been identified both with Burmah and the Telugus in India, and by her husband, and a short address by myself. On Sunday Dr. Gordon, myself and Rev. .Mr. Armstrong were put in the pulpits of the leading churches, and in the evening an immense assemblage was convened in the Synod Hall ill Caiiltle Terrace. The meeting was much prolonged. Addresses were made by Dr. Gordon and myself, as also hy Dr. Simpson and several others, and five medical missionaries were set apart for the foreign work. On Monday evening a meeting was called at the Free Assembly Han, following an afternoon meeting, which was conducted by the ladies alone, and which was a meeting of singular power. At this afternoon meeting Mrs. A. J. Gordon spoke, followed by Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs.'Moses Smith, Miss Child, Mrs. Stott, etc., ttnd it could be easily seen that the tide of missionary interest was rising rapidly. The Scotch are not easily moved, but when they are moved, have corresponding momentum. Notwithstanding the afternoon meeting was continued so late, the evening audience filled the Assembly Hall. I~ord Polwarth presided. Dr. Gordon, as usual, made a most happy and powerful address, and it fell to me to make the closing speech. The sympathy of the audience was manifest and profound. The tide was still rising.. As I concluded, the solemnity and the silence impressed us all that God was there, and that He was using the facts and appeals presented to move the great audience as only He can do it. The brethren gathered around Dr. Gordon and myself, and suggested that we should visit other cities of Scotland and endeavor to arouse deeper and wider interest in missions. The next evening a sort of conversazione was held at the church offices on. Queen's street, on which occasion brethren from all parts of Scotland convened for a stated meeting, and we had the rare opportunity of reaching and touching many springs of church life. There the proposition was first made formally that we should spend some months in a mission tour of Scotland, and consent to fill appointments made for us by a central committee representing all various branches of the church. The proposition was startling and novel. It involved -an 'abandonment of all previous and personal plans. But such a deep spirit of prayer seemed to have been awakened, and so much unity and harmony between all the brethren that we could not abruptly dismiss the matter from our minds. We took it into prayerful consideration, and consented to spend one more Sabbath in Edinburgh. After occupying pulpits again on July 22d, another ahd a very large meeting was called for Sabbath evening in Synod Hall. Sir William Muir was in the chair, and Dr. John Lowe, who is connected with the medical mission, presented to usa very earnest letter on behalf of all the brethren, imploring us to ask a six months'
furlough of our congregations and take a wide tour of Scotland in the interests of missions. .
There were some very remarkable tokens of God's will that appeared to Dr. Gordon and me to mark this very unexpected appeal. The eff~ct of our addresses and those of others upon the popular mind, and particularly the minds of our brethren of the ministry, was such as could be traced to no human source. Some of the oldest ministers present remarked to us that they remembered no meeting so marked by the divine presence and power. Then the wonderful unity and unanimity of the movement. Brethren of all branches of the Ohurch, and from all lucalities, seemed impressed with the same idea that the thing to be done was to ask us to take this missionary campaign in hand,and that the leading of God was perfectly clear in the matter.· At each successive public meeting, and meeting of the ministers and the committee, the unanimity was more manifest, and the convICtIOn· grew in depth and power, that the hand of God was pointing in one direction. After Dr. Lowe had read his letter, the audience rose as one man to signify their cordial assent to the proposal, and it became clear to Dr•.Gordon and myself that we ought at least to go on a short, experimental tour, leaving the further steps to bo made apparent as the necessity for taking them was more apparent. We, therefore, undertook the work for a limited time, leaving to God to indicate whether He had any further work for us to do which was imperative enough to justify the prolonging of our stay in Scotland. Generous provision was made by the committee in Edinburgh for Our traveling expenses and our entertainment while engaged on this service, and the offer was made to send brethren to occupy our home pulpits should that provision render our way more clear.
Upon that mission tour we are now engaged. A meeting was held at Oban on Thursday, and the others are arranged for at Inverness, Nairn, Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, etc. Should no very clear and emphatic leading of God indicate a further duty in the same direction, a few weeks will close our little campaign. But if it is manifest that a wider door opens before us, the way will no doubt be made clear and the obstacles will disappear as we proceed.
This is but one indication of the. far-reaching results of the World's Conference of Missions. The sound of it has already gQne out to the ends of the earth. An appetite for missionary meetings, a relish for missionary literature and information, a spirit of intelligent zeal and consecration, and many other results already hint at a very large har- vest of which these are first-fruits. Delegates have gone in every direc- tion, bearing coals from the same altar and fires, and kindling every- where. The printed reports have been widely scattered, and will be more widely. There will be, wedouot not, a new era of giving and self-giving.
In our addresses we have sought no mere ephemeral impression by an appeal to emotion. We have felt that a true interest in missions must be built upon the basis of an intelligent conviction-that disci- ples need to be informed-confronted with the great facts of missionary history. We have sought, therefore, simply to mass, or rather mar- shal, these facts before the mind-to show how plainly the work is God's work-to indicate providential and gracious signs of His going before and with the missionary band. And everywhere we find a most absorbed and attentive audience. The turn in the tide of missions has evidently come, but it is a turn toward, not the ebb, but the flood.
Both Dr. Gordon and myself regret that our great work at home does not seem to allow of an extended absence and work in this direction.
There is a wide door and an effectual opened before us, and there are not many adversaries who show open opposition. Now is the time for some one to enter this door. A crusade of missions is called for, and where is Peter the Hermit? A reform in missionary methods is called for, and where is the Luther, the Wesley, the Owen for t':J.e crisis? A reconstruction of our habits of giving is needful, and where is the Zin- zendorf to lead the way to a higher level of consecrated beneficence?
Let the whole Church pray for the present epoch and the «oming men for the crisis.
August 4, 1888.
DEAR BROTHER: I sent you a letter a few days ago, referring to the marvelous movement here for a missionary campaign. I now send you the letter of the Committee referred to, read and adopted in Synod Hall at the great meeting. I think this and the letter I sent you ought to be published as soon as possible, not because of personal references, of course, but as a signal token of the outcome of the W orId's Conference in London.
VISIT OF DELEGATES TO SCOTLAND.
CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
Rev. W. Adamson, D.D. Rev. G. D. Cullen, M.A.
" R. G. Balfonr. .. William Grant.
·h James Buchanan. " James Gregory.
" Principal Cairns, D.D. .. T. T. Lambert.
" Professor Calderwood, LL.D. .. W. Landels, D.D.
.. Professor Charteris, D.D. David Lewis, Esq.
•, Lewis Davidson. Robert Lockhart, Esq. .. E. C. Dawson, :M.A. Rev. John Lowe, F.R.C.S.E.
Sir,Thomas Clark, Bart., Lord Provost. R. A. lIaclle, Esq. J. S. :Mack, Esq. Bev. Robert Craig, M.A. J; T. Maclagan, Esq. George Smlth, Esq.; LL.D: Duncan M'Laren, Esq. Rev..Professor T. Smith, D.D. Rev. Norman M'Leod, D.D. Henry Soitan, Esq. Rev. W. Stevenson, M.A. " JohnM'Murtrie. Peter L. Stuart, Esq. W. White Millar, Esq. Rev. C. R. Teape, Ph.D. Andrew Mitchell, Esq. James Thin, Esq. Rev. Mnrray Mitchell, LL.D. Rev. Alexander Whythe, D.D. Sir William Muir, K.C.S.I., LL.D. Rev. Thomas Nicol, B.D. .. George Wilson. Sir Charles Pearson. Thomas J. Wilson, Esq. Rev. W. Robertson, M.A. Robert Wilson, Esq. Rev. John Young. " Archibald Scott, D.D. Colonel Young. " Principal Simon, Ph.D. Professor Simpson, M.D.
Mrs. Cleghorn. Mrs. M'Murtrie. " David Dickson. " Molfat. " Gordon, Sen., of Parkhill. Miss Paton.
'.' Lowe. U Reid. Miss Mackenzie. Mrs. Hugh Rose, Jun. Mrs. Miller. " Sandeman. " Duncan !'PLaren, Jun. " Soltau.
The REV. JOHN LOWE, F.R.C.S.E., 56 George Square, Edinburgh, CQllvener of Central Committee.
The foregoing Edinburgh ministers, laymen, and ladies, representative of all the Evangelical Churches, have formed themselves into a Central Committee to promote the unanimous desire of the great united Missionary meeting held in the U. P. Synod Hall on Sabbath Evening, the 22d of July, and presided over by Sir William Muir, K.C.S.I., LL.D., Priucipal of the University of Edinburgh, expressed in the following letter, which was read on that occasion: ".EDnmOBGH, 22d July, lSSS. "To the REv. A. T. PIERSON, D.D., and the REV. A. J. GORDON, D.D.
" BELOVED BRETHREN: With feelings of devout thankfulness to God we welcome you amongst us. Not a few present at this meeting enjoyed the privilege of forming your acquaintance in London, and of listening to your heart·stirring addresses at the great Missionary Conference recently held there, and they ventured to invite you to visit Edinburgh that their.fellow·Christians here might have the opportunity of participating in the privilege they themselves enjoyed, and in the blessing God so graciously bestowed upon that remarkable Missionary Convention.
"Without consulting your own convenience, and denying yourselves the pleasure of an extended tour on the Continent, which you had contemplated previous to your return to America, 'you responded most kindly to that request; and the • times of refreshing from the presence bf the Lord' which we have enjoyed-the inspiring missionary meetings that have been held-the quickening of missionary zeal which so many of us have experlenced-tbe blessed spirit of unity which prevails, and which so signally marks the movement-and. above all, tlie spirit of grace and suppli· cation which has been poured out-are all, we believe, indications that God has been leading us, that this movement is in His hands, and that, in answer to prayer, as the outcome of the great Centennial Conference, we may encourage ourselves with the thought that the desire of many hearts is about to be realized, that a new era in the history of the missionary enterprise is about to be inaugurated-an era which shall be signalized by a holy alliance for the world's evangelization, by more self-sacrificing consecration to the work, by greatly increased liberality for its support, and, above all, by more fervent, united, expectant prayer for a Pentecostal effusion of God's Holy Spirit the wide world oV,".
"We are longing and praying for such a new departure, for a revival of missionary zeal in the churches thronghout our land; and we gratefully acknowledge that yonr presence amongst us, and the solemn appeals you have made to us in your public addresses, have kindled our miSSionary enthusiasm and revived our drooping faith .
.. This great united missionary meeting, representative not only of the various' churches in our city, but of the friends of Missions thronghout our land, most earnestly and solemnly invite you, beloved brethren, to prolong for a season your visit to Scotland, and we ask that yon, along with other delegates to the great Missionary Conference, would kindly consent to place your senices at tbe disposal of a central committee, about to be formed, representative of all denominations, in order that missionary meetings, such as have been held in Edinburgh, may be arranged for in as many towns throughout the country as possible, the one object in view being the deepening and extension of the missionary spirit among the churches.
.. We are led to understand that you are both pastors of large and fiourishlng congregations in America, and your anxiety regarding YOur work there must be great; bnt we believe that whatever
THE INSTITUTA JUDAICA. [Ocr•• '
the friends to whom the arrangements will be committed can do to lessen your soUciitude, and to provide what may be needful for tbe etllcient carrying on of your respective congregational work In your absence, will gladly ,be done by them• .. Engaged, as yon will be, In snch blessed work for the Master, yon and we may rest assured that the great Head of the Church will not permit your self-denying service to go 1mrewarded, but that while we are enjoying yonr ministrations here, and the fire Is being kindled thronghont onr land, as we pray it may, your beloved people will receive a double portion of the blessing, and you, and we, and they will rejoice together."
At a meeting held on Monday, July 23d,1n 5 St. Andrew's Square, after prayerful consnltatlon, the Central Committee adopted the following resolution, which was communicated to the Rev. Dr. Pie1'!l0n and the Rev. Dr. Gordon: .. Impressed with the conviction that the blessing attending the United Missionary Meetings recently held In Edlnhurgh is a manifest indication that the Lord Is owning the abnndant labors of their beloved brethren, Drs. Pierson and Gordon, in promoting a deep and widespread interest In the cause of the world's evangellzatlon, and believing that the grea.t Head of the Church is calling them to engage In more extended service to the churches throughont our land, the Committee hereby solemnly Invite them to prolong their visit to Scotland, and to accept as many of the pressing requests, which are 1I0wing in for their services, as they possibly can before they return to America• .. The Committee further request Drs. Pierson and Gordon kindly to' Inform them how they can, financially and otherwise, lessen their anxiety regarding their congregational work In America dnr_ Ing their absence."
The following extract from a letter addressed to the Convener of the Central Committee will show the ~plrlt In whIch Drs. Pierson and Gordon have entertained our request, and the plan opou which they have determln~d at the ootset, at least, to carry it out: .. We have left home with great Interests Introsted to our leadel'Ehip, not only in oor own congre- gations, but In the community at large, and the denomination to which we belong, and to prevent any such interests from serious damage, we had both planned to be at home again by the time when our autumn work woold begin. Dr. Gordon had taken passage for August 9th, and I for Septem- ber 1st. To delay return longer wonld necessitate very great inconvenience to us, to our families left without a head, and to aU our church work and Christian work at large. Should It be plain to us that such a course was demanded of us by God, that woold decide the matter at once.
.. We thank God for oor courteous reception in Scotland, and are quite ready to make visits to a few of the centers of Church life and work, to arouse a more intelligent interest, if we may; but so far we see no reason why those visits should not be made at once, and In rapid succession.
.. This may not be the most favorable time in your judgment, but all things being considered, it seems to us the most favorable for the promotion of the Interests In view, without imperiling others, equally sacred to us, elsewhere. Moreover, He who has the times and seasons In IDs hands, has timed our visit, and we tbink He would not send us here when He saw it was not, on the whole, the best. • • • We go step by step, but cannot plan for a long way ahead. We are not free, but are under a sacred bond of obligation as pastors and workers at home. If, as we go forth In God's name, He makes clear that there is a special call to wider work In this land, we shall nl' doubt hear that call, but we cannot anticipate soch an exigency.
.. Our brethren must make all pla.ns for us with reference to Immediate service, and let the future be eared for as It is unfolded In God's Providence.
.. Yours, with many prayers for the coming of the Kingdom, , "(Signed)" ARTHUR T. PIERSON.
"A. J. GORDON."
THE INSTITUTA JUDAIOA.
BY PROFESSOR GEORGE H. SCHODDE, PH.D., COLU~fBUS, O.
AMONG the notable features that stamp the present as the greatest missionary century since the days of the Apostles is also the revival at the German universities of the famous Ins(itutum Judaicum of Halle. At nine of these high schools in the land of Luther, at several in the Scandinavian countries and in Switzerland these associations, of Israel~ loving students have been organized. The total membership is now between three hundred and four hundred; a general organization has been effected, which holds delegate meetings annually, somewhat after the manner of the Inter-Seminary Mission Alliance in America. Two pub~ lication concerns have been organized in the special interest of the, work, one at Leipzig, which has published about two dozen tracts and '
is beginning to issue larger works, and one in Berlin, which has sent out five or six excflllent tracts. At Leipzig a special seminary has been founded for the education of missionaries to work among the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and this city has also been made the center for operations in this field extending throughout the provinc{ls of Austro- Hungary and southeastern Russia. All this has been done within the last six or seven years, and proves beyond a doubt the existence of an ardent love for Israel and an anxiety for Israel's acceptance of the in- heritance which the fathers rejected. , These institutes do not aim primarily at direct work in Israel.
The programme is widely stated as the effort to spread "truthful knowledge of Christianity among the Jews and truthful knowledge of Judaism among the Christians." The hindrances to work amongthese people exist to a marked degree both among the Christians and among the Jews. The deep-seated antipathy toward the latter has exhibited itself in hideous forms in that crusade of hate, the anti-Semitic agita- tion, which has aroused a powerful popular sentiment against them'
throughout central and eastern Europe. So much has this been the case that they have been charged before the courts of justice of having'
murdered Christians to use their blood for ritual purposes, as was seen in the famous, or rather infamous, Tisza-Eszlar case in Hungary, where a young girl, Esther Solymossi, mysteriously disappeared on the 1st of April, 1882, and a witness, Moritz Scharf, swore that he had seen her murdered in a Jewish synagogue. The agitation was fed still more by the charge made by the Roman Catholic Professor Rohling, of Prague, claiming that such sacrificial use of Christian blood was sanc- tioned by the" Shulchan Aruch," the official ritual and ceremonial codex of the Jews.
On the other hand, the Jews have not forgotten the treatment they have received from pseudo-Christian hands during many centuries, and naturally question the virtue of the good news which the gospel of the Christians proposes to bring them. To this fact comes a further one, namely, that since the beginning of the present century the political and social disabilities of the Jews have been removed. For the fil'llt time they can engage in the struggle for existence 'and power on an equal footing with their Christian neighbors. Of this privilege they have taken such advantage that they are crowding into the positions of honor, influence, and power in every department of public life. It is this greed for station and for power, making modern Judaism so ambi- tious beyond all measure, that constitutes an important element in the anti-Semitic movement, and to some extent, at least, justifies the agitation, which is anything but 'a mere revival of- the blunt hatred of the Middle Ages. But upon the Jews the opportunities of the present' day have awakened a greed for power that banishes almost all love f@r spiritual thoughts and spiritual possessions. Psychologically, it can be readily understood how the very advantages which the 1iberal spirit of the times has bestowed upon this remarkable people has, through misuse and perversion, become a hindrance to their acceptance of the greatest gift which modern civilization can offer, namely, Christianity.
It is the recognition of these facts which make the peculiar work and programme of the institute of the German universities intelligible and correct. A German is nothing if not thorough, and the friends of the best interests of Israel are preparing the soil before they try to sow seed. Their work is directed both to themselves and to the Israelites. At their meetings they study the principal works of post-B'iblicalliterature, i. e., those that will throw the best light upon the character of the Judaism of our day, and thus give a clear view of the problem to be solved. ,The head and leader of the whole movement is Professor Franz Delitzsch, the Leipzig veteran of more than seventy-five years, whose love for the despised race has never faltered, and who in the interest of the work has for twenty-five years been publishing the quarterly entitled Saat auf HQffnung (Seed Sown in Hope). His zeal has enlisted the cooperation of such men as Kohler, in Erlanger; the late Schlottmann, in Halle; Caspari, in Ohristiania ; Strack, in Berlin; Zoekler ; Cremer, and Bredenkamp, in Greifswald. 'rhese men were or are at the head of these institutes in the'various universities, deliver lectures on' subjects of interest, teach po.%"Biblical Hebrew, and, in general,labor to advance the interests of the good cause. The publications of the 'book concerns in Leipzig and Berlin differ considerably from ordinary missionary literature. 'rhey are unique in kind, aiming primarily at instruction, and not merely at exhortation. The experience of men work- ing in this field with a view of gaining a clear con0eption of the prob- lem and the best methods, official docnments referring to the strange Jewish-Ohristian movement in southeastern Russia under Rabino- witz, the Messiah as depicted in the Old Testament and as fulfilled in the New, the meaning of Paul's statement that all Israel shall be saved, the question of the permissibility of killing unbelievers according to J~wish law-these and problems like these are discussed for the in- struction of both Jew and Ohristian, so that, through an elucidation of status controversim between them, the way for evangelistic work can be prepared. That such work is already being done is seen from the establishment of the seminary in Leipzig, at whose head stands the venerable Delitzsch himself, from the appointment of the energetic William Faber as the head of a band of workers.among the Jews, from the fact that, largely through the agency of these associations, no less than 80,000 copies of the classical Hebrew translation of the New Tes- tament has been distributed among the Jewish popUlation of eastern Europe, wher@ it is proving to be a missionary agency of phenomenal success. There are at the present day ministers of the gospel in America, preaching the blessed Word, who were convert.ed from Judaism in Russia through the influence of Delitzsch's translation.
In addition to the smaller books mentioned, the Leipzig Institute has published, also, the large work of the late Pastor Ferdinand Weber, entitled "Die Lebren des Talmuds," the only complete and satisfactory discussion of the teachings of the Jewish religion as developed in the Christian era. The Berlin Society has published two tractates of the" Mishna,"· with complete notes, by Strack, as also a learned discussion of the Jewish interpretations of that gospel chapter of the Old Testament, Isaiah liii. A quarterly, called Nathaniel, is also issued by them, edited by Strack.
The organization and flourishing condition of these Institutes are all the more encouraging evidences of genuine evangelical zeal, when we remember from what intellectual and not spiritual aspect Germans are apt to look upon the study of theology. Self-consecration and personal dedication to the Lord and His work are not considered essential to the same degree to this study in Germany as the case is in America. Accordingly, we find fewer practical evidences of positive Christian faith in German than in ~<merican theological students. Missionary associations have, indeed, existed all along in connection with nearly all the universities, but their membership and activity has never been great. None have ever displayed the zeal exhibited by the Instituta Judaica.
But then the Instituturn has a noble ancestry and pedigree. It is a . revival of a movement that began early last century at Halle. It grew out of the ferment of Christian zeal thrown into the somewhat formalistic church life produced by the rigid confessionalism of the preceding century. 'fhis ferment was the Pietistic movement, nnder the leadership of Spener and Franke. A pupil of the latter was Johann Heinrich Callenberg, who was won for the cause through the influence of his pastor and spiritual adviser. CaUenberg organized, in 1725, an Instituturn Judaicurn et Mohammedicum, with the special aim of publishing works that would~bring the gospel of Christ to the Jews and the Mohammedans. A printing concern was established, Hebrew and Arabic type secured, tracts published in German, in Hebrew, and in the Jewish jargon, and thousands of' these were eagerly read by the Jews of the day. Another object was to take care of those Jews who had been won for the gospel, and who were, for that reason, persecuted by their former co-religionists. A third object was to educate men to evangelize the Jews. All this work continued to be carried on with good success until Callenberg's death. He found no successor, and soon after that the period of rationalism began in Germany.; which blighted even fairer fruits of Christian activity than was the Institute. Now, after the sleep of a century, it has, phoonix-like, arisen again~
MISSIONARY HISTORY
with more vigor and vitality than it ever possessed. May it ever flourish and prosper!
MISSIONARY HISTORY.
BY A. J. GORDON, D.D., BOSTON, MASS.
[Address at Synod Hall, Edinbnrgh, Scotland, July 15.] GOD does not ask us to give men~' but to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest. We cannot give men; they, having a will, must give themselves. But God does ask us to give money. He calls and qualifies the workmen; but as a gold sovereign or a silver dollar has no will of its own and can make no choice, we who have the money and have the will must give it. Man must not rob God; neither will God rob man, i. e., He will not take our money as by force, but only by our free consent. Robbery lies very near to charity. If I take another man's money, without his consent, even for a benevolent purpose, it becomes robbery; if with his consent, and by argument and persuasion, it becomes charity. It is stated by one who is a student of statistics, that not less than $8,000,000,000 are hoarded up and lying idle ill the hands of professed disciples in America, in money, stocks, lands, jewels, silver-plate, works of art, etc.
We hear of a "crisis of missions." But there is a crisis within a crISIS. We need a great revival of the giving spirit. A child was recently gilded over to represent a cherub, and died in three hours. Exhalation through the pores is as necessary to life as inhalation through the lungs. And the church would die were all channels of giving stopped.
This review of missionary history has demonstrated the certainty and celerity of God's blessing upon work doue for Him. Morrison in Ohina, Judson in Burmah, Oarey in India, Moffat in Africa, each waited seven years before the first sign of converting grace and gospel triumph greeted their eyes. Now God seems to be in haste to work wonders. When Darwin first went to Terra-deI-Fuego he found a type of humanity so degraded that he found it hard to say whether they belonged above or below the line that separates man and beast. But Allen Gardirier made three attempts to reach these half-animal tribes. He died without seeiug fruits; aud his body was found by a rock on which, in chalk, was written his dying testimony: "Wait, 0 my soul, upon God, for my expectation is from him."
Gardiner died, but his work went on ; and when again Darwin visited that southern cape, he found results of missions so amazing that he wrote a letter asking to become an annual subscriber to missions!
From Hernhutt, two men, David Nitschmann and Dober, went forth, marching 600 miles to reach the seaboard, then finding their way as best they could to the West Indies,· becoming as slaves to reach the slave population of St. Thomas. One hundred years after, it was estimated that 13,500 converts were gathered as the frnit of the work of thoSe two heroic sonls !
Livingstone was not the first that died on his knees praying for Africa. George Schmidt died also on his knees in prayer for the Da,rk Continent, and when the way opened to resume the mission, his successors began to preach, without design on their own part, under the very tree he planted.
God makes what seems to be a disaster to glorify Him. When Judson and his wife changed their conviction on their way to heathen lands and became Baptists, it seemed only a calamity to divide the small missionary force of the American Board. But tha~ event stimulated the Baptists of America to form a :Baptist Board of Missions, and round that society have since rallied 3,000,000 church members. At the Jubilee meeting of the American Board, Dr. Anderson, the venerable Secretary, referring to this early and apparently disastrous division in the missionary force, reached out his hand across the platform to the Secretary of the Baptist Board and said: "But now, my brother, it is all plain; we see why God decreed that division."
Men little know what use God will make of them. Claudius Buchanan wrote "The Star in the East," and that made Adoniram Judson the heroic missionary that he was, and the rallying center of a great denomination.
"Man's extremity is God's opportunity." :May we not reverently reverse the proverb, "God's extremity is man's opportunity"? Is not this an extremity in the kingdom of God? Does not God now need as never before a consecrated and energetic church to carryon the work and make it a short work in the earth? It seems to me as though in these last days God were in haste to accomplish prophecy and fulfil His promises to His Son. This Conference at London was a kind of Centennial Exhibition of Foreign Missions.
Let us inventory the goods: 1. We ltat'e a church united in spirit, divided in form. Where the church has had most rigid and frigid outward conformity, there has been the least missionary spirit. On the contrary, where nonconformists have multiplied missionary zeal has increased. It seems as though God were using the very divisions of the church to promote missionary activity. Would there be thirty-three societies in China and thirtyfive in Africa if there were not denominational divisions in the church? But, thanks be to God, every fragment of the shattered mirror of the church represents and reflects a full-orbed sun. Doubtless, not until He comes again will the church be perfectly one. "I beseech you, by the poming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together nnto Him." . 2. We have one Bible translated into about three hundred languages and diale~ts. A polyform Christianity and a polyglot Bible. What
~ TBE BASEL'
must have been the ecstasy of Moffat when he reached the last verse of the last chapter of his translation into the Bechuana tongue!
All great reformations have begun at some text. Luther started with this: "The just shall live by faith." The English Reformation began with, " This is a faithful saying, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," etc. Augustine's new life began with, "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ."
3. We have a revived Ohristian conscience. Formerly even Christian nations were guilty of complicity with slavery and drink. Now the popular mind, which has been long roused to the guilt of slavery, is arousing to the crime of selling drink. It is remarkable that wherever the gospel goes, there Satan goes with rum to offset and upset gospel triumpbs. If the governments have no conscience, then this convention ought to become an external conscience to protest against, ana compel a reform in, these monstrous evils. A suspension bridge cannot easily be broken down by mere weight; but a battalion of soldiers marching across it, keeping time to music, might cause it to sway and break. Let us march to the music of one tune, and by our united motion set swaying this bridge of diabolical traffic in the bodies and souls of men. Let us have two things: godly aspiration and holy emulation in this great work.
'THE BASEL MISSION.
BY REV. HENRY W. HULBERT, A.M., BEIRUT, SYRIA.
[The writer of this interesting and highly valuable article was instructor till recently In the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Beirut, under Dr. Dennis. This, we are confident, is the first thorough account of the Basel Mission that has appeared in English. Mr. Hulbert recently spent two weeks In the Mission House itself, at the invitation of its Superintendent, and the editor of the Basel Missionary Magazine looked over these notes and made suggestions. Be seemed anxious that the matter shonId appear before the American public in an exact form. So that this article is the result of personal inspection on the grouild aud conference with the highest officials, and hence Its statements may be relied upon as scrupulously accurate, and a~ presenting the latest facts and statistics of the Mission. The writer will follow It with a briefer paper on the actuallife in the Mission HOIlSe and the various peculiar enterprises of the mission.-EDs.l ONE of the most interesting missionary institutions in Europe' is found in the old medimval city of Basel, in Switzerland. This romantic old town is situated on the great bend of the Rhin.e as it turns toward the north and bids adieu to its Alpine birthplace. Its venerable University and cathedral church, associated with memories of great scholars and churchly councils, have given it a marked plaee in the intellectual and religious life of Europe. It is centrally located, and within a few miles from its ancient gates are found the territories of France and Germany.
A stranger landing at the Baden station makes his way through the amaner section of the town, on the right bank of the Rhine, crosses the ancient bridge under which rush the green waters of the river, threads his way past the market-place, turning ever toward the right, up the streets ascending the "berg," and comes at length upon the "Spalenthor," one of the three remaining gates of the Roman wall, and which is perhaps the chief relic of the olden city. Passing through the arch and proceeding a few moments to the north, along" Missionstrasse," he stands at length before the spacious and imposing group of buildings where the Basel Mission has its home.
The principal structure is a little retired from the street and is surrounded by umbrageous trees and and a beautiful garden. If consists of a main section running away from the street, having at either end large wings, all four stories high. It contains the main offices of the society, the museum, library, dormitories and refectories for students, and apartments for teachers," matrons and servants, This fine structure was the gift of Christof Merian, a wealthy citizen of Basel, and was presented to the society when the mission moved from the eastern part of the city. A few rods further along on Missionstrasse is a home for the daughters of missionaries. In front of it is a dwelling for one of the managers. Behind the main building before referred to, and facing another street, is the home for the sons of missionaries, I1nd across the street from this is the establishment where are located the commercial and industrial affairs of the society. Here, embowered in trees that are continually melodious with the song of birds, within hearing distance of the neighboring clock in Spalenthor, chiming at every quarter hour, with the hum of the busy city just near enough to recall the ract of a. toiling and needy world, the "brethren" of the Basel Mission House prepare themselves for a life of self-sacrifice and of earnest endeavor to carry the truth concerning the Master to the ends of theearth, The Basel Mission has, in its origin and management, unique features, which will, perhaps, make interesting a brief sketch of its career. In the latter part of the last century the original and central points of the newly awakened mission life in Germany and Switzerland were chiefly Berlin and Basel. As early as August 30, 1730, the German Christian Society (Der Deutchen Ohristentku1lZ8 Gesselsckaft) was founded at Basel, under the influence of Dr. Urlsperger, who had been in England. Thissocietyundertook, as a kind of a union, to collect and impart information far and near concerning the kingdom of God. It corresponded to the London. Misionary Society. In fact, there was a mutual correspondence hetween the two organizations. In 1801 Friedrich Steinkopf, who since 1798 had been secretary of the Basel Society, went to London as preacher to the German Savoy Church, and in 1802 became"a director of the London Missionary Society: In 1804 he took part in founding the British and Foreign Bible Society. He became the connecting link between England and Basel, and his influence was one of the principal causes which led to the founding of the Basel Mission.
In Berlin Joh. Janicke, pastor of the Bohemian Bethlehem congregation. (not Morl1vian) became acquainted with English missionary activitythrough his bro~her; Joseph'Daniel, and his friend, Herr Vcm ~hirnding, and was induced to found a mission school. That brother, in 1788, was, sent as a misssionary to India (where he died, May 10, , 1~00,) by the Society f~r the Propogation of Christian knowledge. He had been recommended to that society by Ludwig Schulze, who was then director of the celebrated Francke establishment, in Halle.
Inspired 'by th~ formation of the London Missionary Society, Herr Von Schirnding declared h~s readiness to pay 1,200 thalers ($900) for every youth who would offer himself to be educated for mission ser- vice. In 1788 he was intrusted by the London Missionary Society with the task.of uniting in one center the several missionary efforts of devout Christians in Basel, Elberfeld, and East Friesland. He was even made director of the society in Germany. It was he who encouraged Joh.
Janicke to open his mission school in Berlin, and he also supplied the first ,money.
This school was opened February 1, 1800, as the first real mission school of the evangelical church. The school at Gosport, England, was founded in 1801; that at Berkel, near Rotterdam, in 1810, and that at Basel in 1815. The BeJ,"lin school flourished until the death ot J oh.
Janicke in 1827, when it BOon went to pieces under unskillful manage- ment. It ha,s, sent out eighty missionaries, who entered the service of the English ' and, Dutch societies. Among them may be named Rhenius, Nylander, Albrecht, Schmelen, Riedel anll; Gutzlaff. The place of this school was then taken by the Berlin Missionary Society, founded in 1824, which in 1829 opened a missionary seminary of its own. I ,It has seemed important to give these items concerning the work in B:erlin, for Joh,Janicke Was directly connected with the organization of the Basel Missionary Society. O. F. Spittler, who had come to Basel as successor of Friedrich Steinkopf (Lay Secretary), had repeat- edly thought of entering the mission seminary at Berlin; and at the suggestion of the Committee of the German Christian Society, pro- posed to Janicke that, in view of the evil times in North Germany and the straightened condition of the school, it would be desirable to remove his institution from Berlin to Basel. Janicke, although he had repeatedly received money aud pupils from Basel, thankfully declined the I?ffer. In view of the considerable distance from Berlin, and the constant hindrances of war, and from the fact that in Basel itself mis- sionary zeal was increasing, and larger contributions were forthcoming, Spittler began to see clearly that Basel should begin a work of its own.
In May, 1815, Basel was about to be bombarded from Huningen, . alld the ,greatest excitement prevailed. The Rev. Nicolaus Von Brunn (who had come to Basel in 1810) held his usual monthly missionary meeting.; At its close a young man presented himself for missionary servioe. Von Brunn suggested to Spittler that in BOme way such young
THB BASEL
men should be educated at Basel itself, and then be recommended to the English societies. From that moment those two men conspired to carry ont that project. The Central Committee of the German Christian Society in Basel was invited to take np this work as a part of their activity, The committee thought such an establishment ought, as was the case in Berlin, to be carried on as a private school. After some delay Spittler received permission from the Basel government to open such a missionary institution. Thereupon he urgently requested his friend Blumhardt, who from 1803-1807 had been in Basel as theological secretary of the German Christian Society, to organize such a new establishment. But he did not see his way to take charge of such a private enterprise.
In September Steinkopf arrived in Basel and induced Spittler to form a special committee for the purpose of carrying out his project. The Rev. Von. Brunn (President), the Rev. Mr. Wenk (Secretary), the merchant, Mr. Marian-Kuder ('rreasurer), Prof. Lachenal and the Rev. Mr. La Roche were won ov~r to the plan. On September 25, 1815, they held, with Spittler, their first meeting as a mission" collegium" in the parsonage of St. Martin's Church. Blumhardt-was no~ called to take charge of the work. As a married Ulan he requested a salary of 1,000 florins. This the timid committee did not feel able to guarantee, and weJ,lt about to appoint an unmarried man who was a candidate for hoJy orders. At this juncture, at a session of the committee hflld October 3, Steinkopf came to the rescue by promising contributions from England ; and he pointed out that the city of Basel,' out of gratitude for its preservation during the recent war, should contribute toward the spread of the kingdom of God throughout the whole world. At any rate, he urged, economical considerations should not deter them from engaging the services of so efficient a man as Blu~ hardt. Thus Christian Gottlieb Blumhardt came to Basel as the "Inspector" or manager of the Basel Mission Society in the spring of 1816, and on August 26 of the same year opened a mission school with seven pupils.
The important thing to notice is that the Basel Mission was the product of the heads and hearts of a few earnest men, the whole tenor of whose lives was in utter contrast with the rationalistic and chilling atmosphere of the contemporary church in Germany and Switzerland. The society which was founded was not the outcome of a church movement. From this beginning it has been under the control of no organization outside of its committee of private Christian gentlemen, -which is self-perpetuating, and which has a large sprinkling of laymen. The society from the first has drawn its funds (voluntary subscriptions) from Switzerland and Southern Germany. Wiirtemberg has especially led the van as regards gifts of money, and supply of teachers and students. The' Basel Mission belongs in reality to the old Alemanic German race, and is returning through this organization the missionary favors which it received from Fridolin, Columban, St. Gall and other early Celtic apostles in medimval days. It is one of the outcomes of the Pietist movement in Germany, and to-day is upheld by that large number of devout Christians in Central Europe, who are in the world, yet not of the world; in the State church, and yet not of the State church, but whose quiet lives of Christian endeavor form the great undertone of the vital church life of modern Germany and Switzerland.
The Basel Mission School, under the efficient management of Blumhardt, slowly began to gather headway. For the first few years its students, when ready for active service, were ceded to foreign societies, especially to the Rotterdam and the Church Missionary Societies. But as early as 1821 it began to send out missionaries under its own direction. In that year Zeremba and Dittrich were ordained as the first Basel m~s sionaries for southern Russia. Thus the first independent German missionary society arose in Basel. From that time on the history of the society may conveniently be divided into four periods, corresponding to the work of the four successive inspectors. The first extended from 1816 to the death of Blumhardt, December 19, 1838; the second embraces the era of Hoffman, from' 1839 to 1850 ; the third that of J osenhaus, from 1850 to 1879 ; the fourth that of Otto SchoU, from 1879 to 1884. At that date the present efficient leader, the Rev. Th. Oehler, son of Prof. Oehler, famous for his Old Testament studies, took up the important task.
During the first period we note the careful hand of a diplomat. Blumhardt was a very cautious man, which characteristie brought him the reputation of being versed in the art of masterful inactivity. He was slowly forming ties at home and abroad. With the instinct of a statesman, he steered his craft through all sorts of difficulties, and quietly made all sorts of men and circumstances serve the cause of missions. In a truly evangelical spirit, and with the tact of a born teacher, he framed the first house regulations and made out the routine of study for the school: From 1816 he edited the Evangelical Missionary Magazine, and in 1828 started the Heidenbote. He wrote a history of missions in several volumes, and withal managed the finances of the society so frugally that at his death the mission-house was supported by the income of the magazine and the He-idenbote, and an available fund was raised to the amount of 100,000 florins, with a reserve fund of 20,000 florins. He was not an experimentalist, and never yielded to any call that did not seem directly from the Lord.
The following missions were started during the era of Blumhardt : (a) One in South Russia (1821). which on the 23d of August, 1835, with all other evangelical work in Russia, was suspended by an imperial ukase, an,d finally dissolved in 1839. Before the work was stopped, however, the Bible had been translated into Turkish-Tartaric and the modern Armenian languages; Armenia and the regions toward Bagdad and Tabreez had been visited, and an evangelical congregation had been established among the' Armenians at Schamachi.
(b) Eight men were sent to Liberia in 1827 and 1828, but four soon died, .and the remaining four settled in other regions.
(c) In 1828 the mission on the Gold coast was founded, but during the first twelve years as many missionaries died without having seen the fruit of their labors.
(d) In 1834 Hebich, Greiner and Lehner were sent to the west coast of India. They were welcomed with a Christian kindliness by Mr. F. Anderson, an English magistra,te in Mangalore. Mogling, Weigie and Gundert followed them. They began their work at once among peoples of three different languages. There was, however, a want of sufficient organization, and disintegration was threatening.
Under the second "inspector," William Hoffman (1839-1850), the command was, Forward! He piloted the missionary ship out upon the high seas. Under Blumhardt the practicability of establishing missions, and the Ohristian obligation to do what could be done for the heathen had been demonstrated. Hoffman sought to emphasize the fact that that obligation rested upon the whole Ohristian Ohurch. He placed the whole plan of his work more clearly before the public, Public and private assemblies were more and more convened in the churches. New auxiliary societies were founded, new men and new sections of the country were won over to the cause. He brought the work of the society into higher estimation by providing more efficient instruction in the mission seminary. He founded a preparatory school for the young meu, and the course of study was extended from four to six years. In ten years the income had almost doubled. The number of stations had increased fivefold. New life was thrown into the mission on the Gold Ooast by settling twenty-four colored Ohristians at Akropong from the West Indies in 1844. 'l'his step placed the work in Africa on an assured basis, chiefly by making it impossible for the society to withdraw. In India several new enterprises were undertaken. In 1846 mission work in Ohina was begun, at the suggestion of GiitzJaff, by Lechler and Hamberg. In 1846-50 attempts were made to establish the work in East Bengal and Assam, bnt later the field was relinquished to other societies. In 1847 Inspector Hoffman attained the maximum of missionary efficiency. Later he was incapacitated by illness; there was a pause, and in 1850 he resigned his position.
As Hoffman had conducted the fleet out into the wide sea, so Josenhaus, the third inspector, 1850-1879, guided its course more compactly. Blumhardt was the diplomat, Hoffman the conqueror, and Josenhaus proved to be. the lawmaker and the organizer. He commenced his work with a visit to India in 1851. He carefully regulated the various relations of the missionaries, stations and districts, both among themselves and toward the home committee. A liturgy and a discipline for the congregations were introduced. Schools were gradually organized. The tilling of land, shops and places of industry for the relief and
BASEL
occupation of natives who were willing to work, were set under way. The land previously owned by the society was more thoroughly cultivated. At home, the· affairs of the society were conceutrated and the mission made more independent, if possible, of the churches and the auxiliary societies. The houses for the education of the children of missionaries were erected in 1853. An invalid and widow's fund was established. Mite societies were organized; agents were assigned to various fields to solicit mOI).ey. The new mission house was erected chiefly through the munificence of Mr. Marian in 1860, and the churches in the various mission fields were called upon to contribute more liberally to the support of the society. This was an era of large expenses, and yearly deficits were heroically made up. The mission field was not extended, but eff.orts were concllntrated in every department, and the efficiency of the work of the society largely augmented.
The brief term of office of the fourth inspector, Ot.to Schott, (1879- 1884) did not allo~ of any particularly marked developments. But in some respects he added considerably to the efficiency of the society. In the home department he succeeded in avoiding the deficits of his predecessor's era. He won over to the missionary cause a number of outsiders. He went to India on a tour of inspection and ther~ emphasized the work among the heathen, rather than that among the native Ohristians. Female and medical mil.!sionaries were sent out for the first time. Finally he withdrew fro~ the inspectorship, largely because 4e was conscientiously opposed to what he considered to be the secular influence of the mercantile establishments connected with the mission.
In 1882 one of the secretaries, the Rev. H. Praetorius was made subq.irector and wassent out on a visitation tour to the Gold Ooast, accompanied by Dr. Maehly, who was charged with a medical visitation of all the stations and to report on the sanitary condition of the Gold Ooast. This tour proved a very costly one to the Basel mission, for Mr. Praet9dus was stricken down by the climate and died. He was their most promising man, and everyone had expected a new magnetic life would be given to the society when, in due course of time, the directorship should be placed upon his shoulders. Since 1884 Rev. Th. Oehler, a comparatively young, but a thoroughly equipped man, has held the _directorship of the Basel mission, January 1, 1887, a new field was taken over by this society from the London Baptist Missionary Society at Oameroons and Victoria when that colony was annexed to the German Empire.
To-day the Basel Society has four fields of labor, East India, China, Gold Coast, and Cameroons and Victoria in West Africa; 44 stations, 89 ordained,., male European laborers, 31 day European law workers, 85 female European laborers, 577 native workers; 1tl,988 adherents; 9,497 communi.cants, ,207 schools and 7,486 sceolal's, The annual income of this society is £86,000, of· which the native converts contribute £778.
CIVILIZATION AND
CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION AND LANGUAGE.
BY CRAS. S. ROBINSON, D.D., NEW YORK.
IT is very curious, and very comforting, too, to observe that, although the realm of the ancient Pharaohs receives some of the severest threatenings to be found in all the Bible, very many of themn-re immediately followed with glowing promises. And m~st of these are couched in language suggested by the customs and natural phenomena there. Now, it must be noted, that everyone of these predictions is hopeful. Suffer me to relate just how we reached the interpretation of one verse.
The road to the Pyramids, after an abrupt but not unwelcome departure from the precincts of old Cairo, dusty and odorous, lies for a large part of the way through a pleasant series of cultivated gardens, briUiant with tulips, and then continues along the borders of. luxuriant fields until we reach the confines of t.he desert itself. But the verdnre gradually degenerates into mere stubble when the sand begins a desperate struggle for the .dominance. The track is slightly elevated, beaten down into a compact mass like mat.ted gravel, the ditches 'on either side of it being filled with aquatic reeds, bulrushes, indeed, resembling those from which Jochebed plaited the ark when she deCided to cast the nnprotected Moses out upon the charities of the world. These long withes of water vegetation are so thin and slender, tOwering tall and rank from the pools, that even a child could easily 8cratch across the outer skin of anyone of them and cut it through with his nail.
Yet they looked so strong that my c!d instinct returned, and for a moment I imagined they would make capital riding-whips with whioh mv donkey could be encouraged. So the dragoman plucked thre,e or four for the generous energy of our party lagging behind. But instead of gaining a whip, we got one of the finest illustrations of Scripture we met in the East. For, on handling the lithe little stalks, which seemed as tough as willows, we discovered they had positively no strength of fiber or substance within: they were hollow, and the moment the thin cuticle of silvery coating was in the least abraided, it appeared that an inexplicable demoralization was the result. All the stability and an the power of self-support was singularly gone from the whole plant. I could scarcely hold mine upright, for it would not bear its own weight on its stem. The slightest wind playing upon it in my hand bent it over in a dozen places, and drove the frail head drooping down into the swamp. Somebody said it was" bruised," and then each of us in turn alertly repeated the familiar text. Accurate and beautiful beyond conception seemed to us then the inspired symbol of divine gentleness employed by the prophet, "and the bruised reed he will not break."
Catching onr figure, therefore, from the land we are studying in prophecy, we feel ready to say that what the Lord offers everywhere is grace, mercy, and peace to Egypt. In the words of Isaiah, following a. series of heavy denunciations, will be given blessings: "In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shan be called, The city of destruction. "
Just now:t more cl1eedul turn of affairs is indicated in a range of glowing promises of resuscitation under providence which was before long to grow gracious. Some cities of Egypt were to begin to feel the impulse of a vast civilization; the inhabitants would learn to speak a new language, even the language of Canaan. Five of them in partic- ular should be converted unto the true God, and swear allegiance and loyalty of religious service; among which is given one that seems to have a fame of supreme wickedness in its name, the" City of Destruc- tion," the old name which John Bunyan chose as the designation of his allegorical town, from which the alarmed pilgrim fled with his fin- gers in his ears.
.Of course, the primary meaning of this declaration is that civiliza- tion from Canaan shall press across the borders of Egypt; the dull Orient shall feel the sprightliness and impulse of the Occident. From the North shall come cool bracing winds of enterprise which will awake the enervate South into activity. But this cannot be all that the inspiriting prediction means; the expression is not unusual in prophecy. Zephaniah says the same thing under a similar figure: "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all can upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent."
Much learning has been exhausted in a vain attempt to fix localities and identify histories, so as to settle exactly what five cities are intended in this announcement. Heliopolis, Memphis, No-ammon, Alexandria, and Tahpanhes have been mentioned. But in despair of becoming clear, some commentators have apparently been ready to grow mystical, and"assert that five was only a round number derived from an Oriental custom of counting on one's fingers. The" City of Destruction," rendered immortal in literature at least by the allegory of "Pilgrim's Progress," is without doubt Heliopolis; but whether the name signifies that Heliopolis from which came most of the famous obelisks scattered over the world, was so very wicked as to be called Destruction itself, or the rather was so strong with its vast university and real learning as to destroy those other towns in their ignorance and vice, can never be decided-and really the question is not worth the discussion.
But this other question concerning the new tongue to be introduced into Egypt is very curious and interesting. Is the English language the" language of Canaan"? Some facts are of great importance concerning the growth in the use of a common method of speech throughout that vast region of the Orient. Letters can be sent, and telegrams can now be dispatched, with more chance of safety over all the Mohammedan precincts if they are written in the language of America and Great Britain. The foreign conversation in Cairo and Constantinople, when heard on the street or in the hotels, is not now in French, but in English.
But it is more likeiy that the prophecy means that there will be an influx of ideas and intelligence, and notions, and customs, and views, into Eg-ypt from Canaan and Palestine. This, indeed, has had many remarkable fulfilments. There were vast numbers of Jews that went over bodily into the Delta when Alexandria was founded. More lately than this in the history came Onias with his followers, who erected a temple at Heliopolis, ruins of which have just now been found at Tell el Yehudiyeh, near Kanatir, on the Nile. Then there were immigrations of Christians into Egypt only a little while after the crucifixion of our Lord and the dispersion of the disciples. Mark the Evangelist came over to establish a flourishing church in Alexandria, and died there as a martyr to the faith. 'l'hus this land has always been receiving since help and strength, religion and literature, from Palestine; and if it be the language of Canaan that is meant, the symbol becomes exquisite; for in these later years the mother-tongue of Christians is the language of a whole world of inte1ligence and spirituality. Only with the Christian faith arrives the civilization which can regenerate a great people.
It will be well now, if we desire to become acquainted with some of the peculiarities of the Orient produced by the direct attack of an Occidental civilization upon its old traditions and customs, to seek a line of illustrations the most conspicuous and commonplace, such as an ordinary tourist may meet. We must begin with a rapid and picturesque view of the land under this more favorable aspect. With all its desolation Egypt has this hope, although it is nowhere recognized in Egypt itself; namely, that the whole country will ere long be civilized from the European and Asiatic centers of life and light, and ultima.tely, in God's own good time, will be converted to Christianity and to God.
Modern conveniences of travel are the very consummation and even the incarnation of incongruity in the lands of the Bible. The whistle of a locomotive, while one is pensively looking at· the uncouth hieroglyphics on the shaft of Cleopatra's Needle, is simply an astonishment. It does not hurry you into the cars; it suggests nothing beyond a piteous bewilderment. You cannot get your mind back into its former grooves. Two worlds and two ages are trying to occupy the same intellectual space. And there are mOre than seven thousand miles, and more than four thousand years, between them. When one looks across the low Plain of Esdraelon, in order to trace the trILck over which Elijah must have run before Ahab's chariot from Mount Carmel to Jezreel, and finds his vision tangled and obstructed by the wires and poles of aU electric telegraph, he cannot clear his mind for ordinary consistent thought.
Especially in Egypt this thing looks like a caricature. Scenery there is not constructed for the play of a proper civilization as most of us have become accustomed to it. Hardly anywhere.is there a. slope violent enough to give water the force to turn a wheel. 'The ineffable quiet of the indolent palms is sadly disturbed by a screech of the engine from the railway train, dashing its relentless way into the midst of tlie tranquil plumes. It seems more than a. shame to fill our steamboat boilers from the steady Nile. You are provoked at a sarcastic or ribald suggestion to print way-bills on papyrus. It is as much as our veneration for Oriental scholarship can bear to find our railway passes worded in that beautiful Arabic type. We wonder whether the reason why the departing train is behind time in starting-as, of course, it is-must be found in the fact, which we impatientiyobserve, that the conductor over yonder is on the ground at the side of the road, saying his prayers. Thus the entire scene appears unreal. Civilization, Occidental and vigorous, is confronting barbarism, Oriental and effeminate. One finds himself constantly trying to smooth out the ruffle, to calm the conflict, to reconcile the incongruity, or to adjust the contradiction. When we are fairly seated in a car, labeled with the name of an English maker in Birmingham, and are asked for our tickets by an amiable guard dressed in bag-trousers, with a silk sash around his lithe waist, and are forced to meet his demand for our billets in French-it really makes us seem illusory; we think it doubtful what we shall come to be in the end; we grow dreamy, and feel like an imposition.
Add to this the fact that all our accustomed means of communication with the outer world fail; not a sound around us is intelligible. "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth." When the Psalmist said that he had a very becoming appreciation of the value of his tongue-for that was what he was speaking about. Any man's tongue is his glory, if he can only use it; but jf fate shuts him off from first possibilities,_he sinks most ingloriously into a piece of ticketed experience going dumbly through enigmas. Of itself, the Arabic language as confronted in Egypt brings not one item of information even to educated American citizens. Previous learning along ordinary lines fails at every point. You cannot read the names of the stations, or the artistic signs above the doors. You cannot copy them in your note-book, even after you have been told. Such inpenetrable mysteries are around you at each moment that for once you grow humble. You hurry along on a dstinctly new plane, like a bride in a honeymoon, far above all of the usual sublunary ranges of things; yet with sometimes a quite human wonder, very modestly indulged, what some of the sublunary things are.
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY PERIODICALS
'l'RANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY PERIODICALS.
By REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
THE Missions-tidning for Finland. published in Swedish and Finnish by the established Lutheran Church, the head of which is the Archbishop of Abo, quotes the following from the Swedish traveler, GeOl;ge Pagels: .. Cannibalism is more widely spread in the Congo Valley than a 'traveler would easily soppose. Those who are addicted to it keep it very secret; it seems as if, even among these creatures, standing at so Iowa poiut of moral development, there is some dim sense that, of all hideous things, this is the most hideous, the most monstrous. The tribes of the Batekas, the Bangaias, and the Arouhis, are especially notorious as men·eaters. The Batekas, however, who dwell in the wide districts arouud Stanley Pool, now begin, under the infloence of the missionaries, to lay aside the abominable practice. How it is farther inland, we do not know from personal observation, but reports from there warrant oor assoming that the habit is universal."
The Church of Finland has a mission in Owamboland, in South Africa. Last year 84 natives were baptized. The Lund Missions-tidning reclaims against the statement which puts Sweden almost at the bottom of the missionary scale as respects her gifts of men, and quite at the bottom as respects her gifts of money, making out that, while England sends out 4.8 persons for every 100,000 of her population, Protestant France, 4.2; Switzerland, 2.5; the Netherlands, '2.3; Germany, 1.8: Norway and America each, 1.4; Sweden only sends ont 0.8, being superior only to Denmark; with her 0.6. As to money gifts, the scale presented is as follows: England, 60 ore for each person; Protestant France, 39; Switzerland, 19; the Netherlands, 17.9: Amer-, ica, 15.3; Norway, 9.9; Germany, 9; Denmark, 4, and Sweden, 1.9. In fact, declares The Tidning, Sweden, in 1886, sent out one missionary to every 100,000 of het' population, and now somewhat more; and instead of contributing 1.9 ore per head, she contributed 6 ore. A gratifying rectification.
I observe that the Danish missionaries in the Madras Presidency think rather disparagingly of street-preaching, and of some forms of discussion. Herr Jensen writes: .. Last year I wrote a little about the opposition we began to meet with in oor street-preaching. Since then it has increased considerably, and it seems sometiJ,nes as if they were uppermost and we undermost, they exulting, and we groaning under defeat. In my last year's letter I referred to some encoonters with Hindos, which these had arranged, and which Lazarus and I attended. The Hindus had invited a catechist' of the Scottish mis~ion to dispote with them. And this catechist was so overjoyed at the opportunity, that nobody else conld put in a word. On the other hand. the Hindns would oniy coosent to discuss Christianity as a doctrine, something to which we never consent. The first two of these meetings were small, bot thp~ grew every time. There were five or six of them, and at the last there were some 2,000 present. Anythinl( more pitiable I have never heard or been present at. The Christian catechist came armed with his Bible and Con cordance; his heathen antagonists also with a Bible. A chairman was chosen, as I understand, a Brahmin. The discossion was throughout in Tamil. The sobjects of discossion were various theologjcal questions, among them the two natures of Christ. The Christian thonght surely, after every encoonter, that he had dealt a mighty blow for Christianity, and the heathen thought that he had taken its very life, whereas, the truth was, that Christianity, as such, had simply not come into discourse at all between the two. I attended the meetings because I held it to be my duty to be present, but I sat so bewildered over all this learned discussion over Christianity, thllt I had hard work to keep my thoughts to the matter in hand. It is sorrowfol to see Christianity dragged down to become a matter for learned or onlearned jangling; it can only lose thereby. Onr Lord Jesus' way of proceeding was qoite otherwise. He also sooght to take his antagonists in the.ir own, craftiness, but he never took the learned way. He threw his barbed shafts into their consciences."
Thus the gospel abroad, as at home, has to make its way slowly, by its own power, through all the imperfections of its professors and preachers. Mr. Jensen, bl'ing waited on by some heathen, with various questions, told them that if they were troubled about their personal relation ,to God in heaven, he was ready to help them, but that if they came as aliellS from Christianity, merely to ail' speculative doubts, he had nothing to say to them. They sat mute and confused, listened respectfully to what he had to say, and went quietly away. Bishop Caldwell, of Tinevelly, I believe it is, who answers the inquiry whether the native Christians of South India come over to Christianity from high motives, by the remark that it is absurd to ask if a class of people accept the gospel from lofty motives who never knew what a lofty motive was in their lives. The matter of lofty motives, for them, lies shut up in the gospel itself, to become effective in the future. Meanwhile, we must be content with a reasonable evidence of sincerity. In like manner, deep experimental piety among them will long be rare. 'The following remarks of Mr. Jensen bear in this direction. He says: . "There is scarcely anyone in India who forsakes heathenism and goes over to Christianity because he is roused from death to life, in the sense in which we at home understand the words•. As Ochs says: 'Awakenings, such as are found among Christians, are not to be expected among heathen, where there is not spiritual sleep, but spiritual death. They are not a wakened to the COnsclousuess of sin, which worketh repentance toward God, and therefore they do not staud in any living relation to Jesus. The way to Jesus goes inexorably through a consciousness orsin, which set. aside all the props wherewith we formerly believed we should be able to crawl to heaveu. Practical life has hitherto shown that heathenism is too deeply snnk in deathlike torpor to let itself be awakened as we at home are awakened. As rare as it is, that in Denmark a child passes throngh a conscious awakening, so as thereby consciously to lay hold of the Savionr, even so rare will it be to come upoucases ofconscious awakening among these children of heathenism. But, althongh we cannot be fully understood by our children, when we speak to them of the power of sin in our hearts and of grace in Jeau., who can heal all the wounds of sin, we do not, therefore, give up our little ones, but labor, each one of us, as well as we may, that they may abide in Him into whom they have been grafted. The day comes in time for them, when they are to choose God or the world. and well for us if we have done what we could to implant that in them which shall lay hold of the Lord and say nay to sin. The people we live among here are children in development, but deeply sunken in wickedness, so deeply that in various respects it cannot see evil as evil."
Mr. Jensen remarks on the far greater seemliness of behavior among the lower cla:sses in India than in Europe.
"The people here lie literally half-dead, and can, spiritually regarded. move neither hand nor foot. An elderly clergyman said to me at home, that I had surely seen the very essence of devilishness among the heathen•. I thought that devilishness in its foulest form must be looked for in Christendom and not among the heathen. Here the devil has enjoyed his possessions in peace; nO One has disturbed him, and why take any great pains to fortify his kingdom 1 Where his mortal enemy, Jesus, displays His power in His children, there the devil has to brace himself, to exert himself with all his force. and to lay all manner of fresh plans to strengthen his people, and If possible to win back what he has lost. Here all is death. In Europe all is in development; but is not the kingdom of sin in Europe also in development 1 Here all is petrified."
Mr. Jensen remarks further, that in the living multiplicity and distinctness of personal relations in which Christ is known to advanced Christians at home, He can scarcely be said to be known to·the native Christians of India. They have made, so to speak, a wholesale exchange of one creed for another. They are not troubled as to belief. As heathen they were accustomed to belieye (jverything, and as Christians they are ready also to take everything in a lump. The delicacy of spiritual discrimination which shall distinguish lesser and greater things, and apprehend Christ, not merely as the Helper in death, but as the Great Companion and Guide in every juncture and question of life, is rather of the future than of the present.
Mr. Jensen gives an account of the late National Congress held in Madras, and attended by 600 delegates (including various native princes) from all over India. Among them was the eminent native Christian, Banerjea, of whom he speaks as follows. If I remember right, an eminent native clergyman of the same name has lately died. Probably they were relatives.
"Banerjea is a converted Brahmin, a lawyer. At one of these meetings he gave a political discourse. which carried everything with it. His name, in these days, was upon the lips of every cul- tivated Irmdu. After the Congress was over he held two meetings in a very ample hall of the Bible Society Building. Although I was half an hour too early the first evening, the hall was almost full and was soon crammed. In the little interval of waiting 18at and listened to the lrmdus talk aoou Banerjea. Indeed, they talked of nothing else. One assured another that Banerjea was a mOB' convincing speaker; another declared that Banerjea was an honor to the Hindu people. Meanwhile our man came in; a small, unimposing person. He bowed his head and looked abashed. The whole Hindu assembly clapped their hands with as much enthusiasm and perseverance as If one of their great forefathers had come down to them. He then delivered a Christian dl!course of which, without odious comparisons, I may say, that it was the best I have ever heard in India. It wasgiven in English. I have never heard a man who led me 80 forcibly as Banerjea to declare Involuntarily: These are true and well-considered words. He spokesiowly and composedly; hisstyle'was equable and easily apprehensible; and there was a dignity in all the simplicity which was thoroughly faseinating, Nor had I ever previously heard a man who, through the whole speech, so steadily laid hold of both the thoughts and the feelings of his hearers. He,;1s a Brahmin, understood the philosophy orthe Hindus, and was not unacquainted with that of Europe, but even in that part of his discourse in which he pointed out the impoteuce of philosophy to bring tbe dead soul to life, he spoke so equably and straightforwardly that one wholly forgot that it was philosophy which was under consideration. In his two discourses he laid speclal stress on the truth, that Christianity is simpliCity itself, and therefore fully adapted to every·one's capacity, and to the universal longing of the soul. • • • He therefore did not conceal from the Hindus that Christianity is not a doctrine, but revolves wholly around a person, Jesus. A doctrine abstractly proposed is something which one can admire, but to love it, to surrender one's self to it, is an impossibility. Of such Ii self-surrender of affection only a personality can be the object. And Christianity has its central point in the personality ofJesus; in view of Him must the decision be made. • • • Notwithstanding this living testimony against sin, his clear childlike presentation of Cbristianity as having its center in Jesus, and notwithstanding the thoroughly disparaging manner in which he spoke of the philosophy of the Hindus, so great was the power of his presence over them, that when he concluded, they broke out again into the same unrestrained applause with which he had been received. Then one of the first princes of India the King of Vizanagaram, went up and thanked him. There was, in Banerjea's simple, equable manner of address, something before which everyone involuntarily bowed, and in his eloquence an absolutely irresistible power."
In the June Blad Herr Berg touches upon the way in which grace lays hold, for a particular work, upon a foundation of Nature.
"While it is an Irrefragable truth that living faith in Jesus Christ and abounding love, conjoined with the aspirations of hope, must possess and fill his heart, who, as messenger of the Lord aud the Church among the heathen, will work for their salvation, so it is equally certain, that besides these gifts of grace, there must be various natural gifts or conditions at command, which, united with the gifts of grace, are of peculiarly happy effect for carrying out the work of missions. Among these gifts of nature, next after the talent for lunguages, I would lay stress on the love of travel, the love of seeing, and of gaining information about what one sees. This lightens, indeed, removes, many of the di1ll.culties involved in an itinerant life. And as such a life falls more or less to the lot of most missionaries, it is a very fortunate thing when they are impelled to it, not by a bare sense of duty, but also by natural pleasure and interest."
The Danish Mission is seeking to extend its activity from the Tamils to the wild Malayalas of the hills. Mr. Berg describes his fit'st meeting with one: "We went about the marketplace to find some of these rude mountaineers, and coming to a tree where some Mohammedan merchants were sitting and measuring ont seed, I saw a man sitting In a slouching attitude on the ground, the sweat running off from his face; he was evidently very weary. Before him lay his heavy load of fruit. He wore no turban, but instead of it a sort of cloth cap, which in connection with the rest of his attire gave him a somewhat wild expression. Over one shoulder he had a strap, by which hung an earthen bottle. As soon as I saw this man, I said: This id no Tamil. He was, in each and every point, so different from the people I had hitherto seen, that I could only stare rather blankly at him for a while. But interest in him mounted to sympathy, for when he looked up to us with his shy and timid glance, there was something in his eye which was known to me, something which appealed to me and fettered me Immediately. I have often seen the same expression in the countenance of a frightened child. It is the expression of the suffering and longing of a soul, which can pray by a look without being itself aware of it."
The Neueste Nachrichten uus dem Morgenlande (latest reports from the Orient) for January has the following: "Whoever, eoming from the port of Jaffa, has ascended the last heights before the Holy City, and nOW-8 moment never to be forgotten for every one who has experienced it-approaches the towers of Jerusalem, remarks to the right of the road, on a little eminence, a stately house. On festal day! there waves from its pinnacle, together with the German flag, the blue ensign of Kaiserswerth, and the words of our text etand inscribed in large letters on its front: 'Talitha Kulni.' Thi! is
A WONDERFUL CITY
the training-school of our evangelical deaconesses for poor Syrian maidens, and derives its name from the Lord's Word oCLire. 'Among all the weight of wretchedness which rests npon the land and people of the Holy Places, not the least burden is the ignominious position of woman. In the land in which a woman became the mother of the Son of God, in which devont women composed his sacred body to rest in the rocky grave, in which a woman heard the lIrst announcement of the Resurrection, the lot of the Christian women has been depressed almost to a level with that oCtheir Mohammedan sisters. In that house, however, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the ministration oC his female disciples, grasps the hand of many a poor Syrian maiden and says to her, •TaUth kumi,' It, then, in those places of blesSing, our evangelical hosllitals and schools, you see the daughters o~ the Orient also mingling with the German women in these services of love, or if, on an excursion through the mountains, a young mother, holding her child on her arm before the door of her little house, in some remote village, returns your, salutation in the German tongue, and you, on entering mark something of the influence of a Christian matron and mother, you then recognize the blessing going forth from the house Talitha Kumi. "
.. What has become, in Jerusalem, of the blooming Christian Church of the early centul"ies' Is that it which you see in the clOister, whose gates open yonder before you on some spot of historic note in the lonesome rocky valley, or in that palatial building of· the city, in which a thriving trade is carried on with the piety of the pilgrims? Is this the ancient Martyr Church of the first love, . this communion, which in her wretched houses of worship mumbles nnintelligible prayers in a speech long extinct, or in her grand cathedrals kisses the images of her saints' What with us is accomplished by false enlightenment, which out of the gospel takes the life, by cutting out of it the heart, the love of a God manifest in the flesh, who was in Christ reconciling the world to HimseIC, the same thing is accomplished yonder in the Orient by the form under which everything becomes rigid. Everything has been turned into a form, the worship of the congregation, the creed of the church, the life of the Christians. We can scarcely wonder that from such a Christianity there was so extensive an apostasy to Islam, to that religion without saints, without images, with the simplest worship and the briefest creed."
The simplicity of Islam is here somewhat exaggerated. But Islam is certainly baldly simple compared with Oriental Christianity. "The Oriental church, among her festivals, celebrates also the feast of the Discovery of the Cross," which the Roman Catholics, with ominous appositeness, call the Invention of the Cross. "But even if she had rea.lly once found it, as the devout Empress Helena imagined she had, what would the splinters of that most holy Cross, on which the desire of all the world, on which our Saviour Christ has hung, have availed her chUl'Ch, since this soon forsook "-at least too largely-" the Crucified, her first love. The cross of Christ, and, indeed, the Lord himself, who has turned the accursed wood into the Tree of Life, have been dug out of the rubbish of human' traditions and formulas by that miner's son of Eisleben. The Feast of the Reformation is the true festival of the Finding of the Cross. And it is laid upon us to communicate to all that which the grace of God has bestowed upon us; but especially to those peoples of the East, who once heard and obeyed the call of pagan Europe, 'Come over and help us,' but now, in paralyzed helplessness, need the Prince of Life to come and lay his hand upon them and bring them to life."
A WONDERFUL CITY.
[The Rev. William Burgess, Wesleyan Missionary at Hyderabad, in his speech at tjJ.e Annual Meeting of the Wesleyan Missionary Society at Exeter Hall, gave the following particulars regarding the city in which he labors.-Ens.] "HYDERABAD, the capital of his Highness the Nizam, is the first city of the Deccan, and the fourth of the Indian Empire. It has a population of 400,000, and it is a veritable Indian Cairo. Its streets exhibit more varieties of Hindu raceffthan any city between the Himalayas and Cape Cormorin. Afghans, Arabians, Persians, Parsees, Telugus are among the nationalities that crowd its marts of commerce. It is the home of the India's greatest prince. One cannot attend a state banquet out yonder, served with silver and gold, and look upon the groups of brilliantly-attired officials, gold-belted and clad in lace and rich brocade, lounging on silken cushions or elaborately-carved alabaster seats, without being dazed with the splendor of Oriental pomp, and feeling that the sublime traditions of the Golconda kings and the strange wonders of the • Arabian Nights' find their countel"part in actual fact today in India. Often, when moving amid the blaze and glitter of Moslem pageantry, a solitary messenger of the Cross, I have mused and prayed and wondered when all tbis gold and frankincense and myrrh would be laid in willing tribute at the feet of Him whose star wise men in the East now see rising, and in some instances, too, are following, that secretly they may worship Him, the Bethlehem-born. But if Hyderabad is the metropolis of Moslem courtesy, of high-breeding, of luxury, and of polishedjinesse, it is also the center of seething political ferment and the wildest religiOUS fanaticism. Hyderabad is unquestionably one of the most peculiarly interesting cities of India. No Englishman is allowed to live within its walls, nor can he enter its gates without the written permission of the British ambassador resident at the Hyderabad Court, and then only on the back of an elephant, and under the escort of two men of the British cavalry, "A stra;nger on entering the city for the first time feels a sense of insecnrity, and experiences a peculiar sensation of disquietude, for every man he meets is armed to the teeth. The noble, ensconced in his cushioned howdah, has a crooked tulwar across his knees and a six-barreled revolver by his side, followed by Arab troopers and household retainers with guns ready primed. Even begging fakirs have a couple or three daggers hidden away in their belts. It is almost provocative of a smile, when custom has worn away the fear, to look upon a Rohillah fairly weighted with his murderous weapons. He carries a long straight sword, so made as to enable the wearer to use it double handed; shields of thick hide, with brass bosses, hang at his back, and villainous looking knives repose at his girdle. He calTies also a matchlock, powder-horns, and a !tinder-box, with a fuse always smouldering, tiny implements of hatred hidden in his turban, and deadly elegancies stowed away unseen in the different folds of his dress. Almost every third shop you come across in Hyderabad is an armory, where you might find weapons worth fabulous sums, and daggers so studded with jewels that one might almost fancy that the object is to render assassinatIOn resthetic.
.. The city gives one the idea of being on half-cock, as though a spark only were necessary to plunge the whole into turmoil and revolution. Theadvisability of disarming the people has formed the subject of dispatches from the government many times, but nobody has the courage to attempt it; no, not even the Nizam himself. Your missionaries are destined to playa more important part in that consummation than government order or royal prohibition. Christ's command to you to-day is 'Bring him to Me/ That, and that alone, will still the rage of passion. Christ's presence alone will beguile • misery of its woe, and charm hatred into mercy. If you want to save Hyderabad from future turmoil and revolution, if you want to free the oppressed form of lawless tyranny and an unjust tax-gatherer, if you want to tighten the bond ofloyaJty to the British crown, you cannot do it by the clash of swords or the rattle of military, and by no coercion bills. My remarks have no political tendency. No, you cannot do it in that way. Better throw around the city of Hyderabad the silken cords of love, and in obedience to Him under whose command we serve, 'bring him to Jesus.' This is the center of your new mission in the Nizam's dominions. It is the fierce tide of political unrest and religious fanaticism that your two or three agents are seeking to stein. They are there at your command, and they ask you to
THE NATIONAL PROSPECTS A.ND RESOURCES
stand by them. The difficulties that confront them are almost Herculean; but they are not downhearted, for in their hands they have a charm more potent than shrapnel shot or sharpened steel-the story of the Cross-a charm that for two thousand years has thrown its fascination into the world's heart and wrought its wonders. The wizardry of that spell Hyderabad cannot resist; it, and it alone, will break the strength of Moslem hate, tame the spirit of Moslem fanaticism, and bring them both in fetters to the feet of Salem's King. By the initial stages connected with the establishing of a new mission in a purely independent State, which is hardly touched even in its outer fringes by any form of Christian effort, I have sometimes been driven well-nigh to the verge of perplexity; and had it not been for the consciousness that there were true, loyal hearts in the homeland bearing me up in the arms of faith and prayer, and that the promise spoken centuries ago was mine, 'I will never leave thee,' I should have almost given up the thing in despair.
" Acquisition has folllowed acquisitioB, but it has always been won in the very teeth of the fiercest opposition. So in our school work our very success provoked the bitterest animosity, not in the parents of the children, but in breasts of sundry educated Baboos from the north who affect agnosticism and worship Bradlaugh. Schools were put down in the very shadow of our own. Now I have my mission-house, my school-chapel, my theological institution, and the general machinery of missions in that far-advanced station in Hyderabad. And so in other places outpost after outpost has been stormed and won. The standard of Christ has been planted firmly in places where your European influence was never felt nor the European voice ever heard. It is not eight years ago since our first entry was effected into the dominion of the Nizam. As I think over what you are doing this morning, 'My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit doth rejoice in God my Saviour.' You have five native ministers with the true Methodist ring in their preaching and in their experience-men whom it is an honor to be associated with, men who are able to stand shoulder to shoulder with any other ministry the wide world over. We have baptized 450 converts from Hinduism, and in Gur congregations we number more than 600. We have the nucleus of a native Christian church in five distinct centers. One of these has already reached that sublime state of excellence according to the mission-house-self-support -and two others are slowly but surely climbing up to the same pinnacle of ecclesiastical fame. Eight years ago you had no foot of ground, you had no brick even ill Hyderabad. Now you have property, exclusive of the value of the land, worth 20,000 rupees, not one-tenth of which has come from the Mission-house. We have Hyderabad ready to receive us; Hyderabad belongs to Christ."-lllustrated Missionary News.
THE NATIONAL PROSPECTS AND RESOURCES.
By D. D. P., OF THE U. S. N.
IT is a familiar assertion, but one to which each new step taken in the civiliza.tion of the globe adds fresh pungency and force, that the geographical position of the United States of America, both as regards interior development and foreig:l commerce, is superior to that of any other nation in the world. A country extending from latitude 25 deg. to 49 deg. north, and from longitude 75 deg. to 125 deg. west, not only contains climates to suit all temperaments, but comprises an area (including the lately acquired possessions in the far Northwest) of 2,208,900,000 acres. This vast territory is filling up with emigrants from all parts of the world, bringing their money and household effects, and their hardy fmmes and muscles wherewith to open up the wealth that lies buried in the mountains and valleys of the land. Germans, Irish, French, Scotch, Americans, vie with each other to see who shall push farthest the bound of civilization.
The enormous strides made by the United States-a nation not a century old-are, of course, due to the fact that it came into existence during an age of progress. "Brother Jonathan" has surely lived longer than old Noah, who, in his 950 years, saw only forty days and nights of events which caused him any excitement or promised the least progress. I think the chances are that the hundreds of years passed by those antediluvians upon earth were spent in a kind of lethargy, and that instead of advancing they were often set back.
Annual statistics almost bewilder the reader with their exhibit of material wealth that yearly flows into our possession; while cities are springing up as if by magic, where but yesterday the antelope and the buffalo divided with the savage the sovereignty of the wilderness. The general mineral resources of the United States are doubtless greater than those of any country on the globe; but its inexhaustible coal mines, with the measureless wealth they contain or represent, are worthy of special comment. The coal fields already discovered cover an area of 200,000 square miles-that is to say, twelve and a half times more than is to be found in the aggregate coal deposits of Great Britain, France, Belgium, Prussia, Bohemia, Saxony, Spain and Russia.
The possession of these immense deposits of coal at once betokens and assures future enterprise in America to an extent practically beyond limit. Such an agent at hand to produce power on land and sea, and applicable to all improved mechanism, becomes the symbol of the national strength of the Republic. Through it iron roads are belting the country in all directions, and the locomotive whistle is frightening the Indian's game from the prairies. It keeps in motion hundreds of thousands of spinning jennies, which turn raw material into articles of luxury and of necessity. To it is due the rapid transfer of merchandise in peace, 'and in war the transportation of armies and navies; changing the whole character of warfare, accelerating events, deciding the fate of battles, and the destiny of nations. The coal mines that abound throughout our domain will continue to build up great manufacturing establishments. It is not possible, in short, to over-estimate the national value of these resources.
Of the great gold belts stretching across the United States the chief are the Appalachian gold field, traversing a line parallel with the Atlantic coast; the Rocky Mountain gold field, traversing the newly organized territories; and the great Sierra Nevada gold field, traversing the country bordering on the Pacific.
The influence of the last-mentioned gold deposits on national development is seen in the rapid advance of California, which, in 1846, had a popUlation of a. few thousand Indians, lorded by a few rich land-owners and dissolute priests. The State now has a population of nearly half a million energetic people, who are sending a hundred millions yearly to our treasury to help pay the interest of the national debt. At this moment it is the wealth of California alone that keeps up the balance of trade, without which, in the present disorganized condition of American finances, the nation would be so deeply indebted to foreign countries a.s to collapse for want of means to go on with.
The iron wealth of America is also too enormous to be estimated; indeed, it is impossible to compute the vast amount of this useful and indispensable
ORGANIZED MISSlONARV WORK. [00'1'
metal which lies buried in the earth everywhere throughout the Union. Good authority has declared that the State of Missouri alone contains iron ore sufficient to supply a million tons per annum of the manufactured product Cor the next two hundred years. Extensive copper mines exist at various points from the valley of the Missisissipi to the Pacific; while lead, tin and zinc are found in large quantities in several States and Territories. In 1848 the country began to develop the mineral wealth of California. Since that year over one thousand millions of dollars have been produced from her soil. The younger States are making large additions to the Amel'ican yield of gold and silver.
These facts, hastily grouped together, relate to only one element of national wealth, namely, the mineral resources of the country. I could easily take up and display in like manner its agricult~ral, commercial, inventive and manufacturing powers and prospects, to make the story complete.
n.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK.
The General Baptist Missionary Society. American Baptist Missionary Union.
EXTRAOTS from annual report for SEVENTY-FOURTH anniversary at 1877-8 : Washington, ~. C.
Total expenditure for the year has £ 8. d. The total receipts of the Union for the year been………………………….8,994 12 2 ending March 31, 1888, were $411,38;.39, includ- ing a balance of $1,219.77 from the previous year, Total income…………………… 8,107 1 5 and $20,550 to be added to permanent funds. The receipts for current expenses were from the The balance due to bank, May 31, 1888, following sources: Donations, $174,662.93; leg. being…………………………£887 10 10 acies, $94,229.35; Womans' Society, East, $55,- 384.05; Woman's Society, West, $25,882.06; The balance now due to the bank Bible-day offerings, $4,779.12; Henry Reed (£887 lOs. lOd.) is less by £309 19s. Steamboat Oompauy, $1,127.99 ; interest, $3,1113.- than last year, but this is owing to 02; income of funds, $18,136.10; government the extra amount received in leg- grants in aid ofschools, $7,519.62; other sources, acies. Had these not come in, the $3,981.38. The appropriations for the work balance against the Society would amonnted to $390.586.48, and $20,550 was added have been £1,828 lOs. 10d., or an in- to permanent funds, leaving a balance of $248.91 crease during the year of £631 Is. carried to the next year.
The income is made up as follows: It is specially to be noted that the appropria- tions were $38,696.79 more than last year. and Contributions from £ I. d. the donations fell off $1,824.92. This would churches, etc………..3,111 3 4 have left the treasury largely in debt, had it not been that the committee were able to transfer Legacies.. . .. .. . . . .. . .. … 941 0 0 $58,000 from the Judson Memorial Fond, estab- Dividends and interest. … 191 9 2 lished by the legacy of Governor Ooburn, of Sacramental collections… 120 1 g Maine, to the general account. This is very ap- propriate, as the large increase of appropriations 4,363 14 a is chiefly due to the establishment of new sta- tions in Upper Burmah. This commg year, the· Grant of Bible Translstion Society… 150 0 0 Society has no such sum in reserve to make up From capital account…………… 212 7 0 defiCIencies. From Mrs. Buckley (ou interest)…. 000 0 0 Amount received (aud expeuded) iu President Pillsbury's address to the Union was a rousing plea for larger India…………………………3,020 "10 Amount received (and expended) in gifts and a higher consecration. Af- ter a rapid glance at the history of :Rome. …. . . . . . . .. .. . .. ••• •… •• .. 160 15 S the Union and of the church it repre- £8,107 1 4 sents, and an analysis of the Treas- The committee states that the ordi- urer's Report, he says: nary increase from the churches has been less by £219 9s. 2d. than it was .. Consider for a moment the example of brethlast year; £337 3s. 4d. less than in ren in other denominations. The.Almanac of the 1886, and £481 13s. lld. less than in American Board amrmed : • Were all the male 1885. and temale missionaries or the American Board .. A year ago we voted an advance trom Congregationalists (five-sixths are), there would $(00,000 to $500,000 in rate of expendibe one in 24 Cougregational ministers, and one ture. Bnt, were it not for a generous legacy, in 946 of the church members, laboring on for- we should not have provided the ,400,000. The eign missionary ground.' There are 20,477 or- $100,000 advance was not sustained financially dained ministers and 2,g17,315 members in our by a single dollar. Dr. Ashmore moves for the Baptist churches. Were we as fully engaged in modest enlargement this year of 39 new stations. foreign work as our Congregational brethren, We must not falter. They must be manned, there would be almost 3,100 Baptists at work in or where is the strength of our love and faith, or Asia and Africa, of whom 853 would be or- sincerity or obedience' Is it true that a sto1d dained ministers. As it is, we have not, all told, indift'erence is so thoroughly characteristic ofus North and South, 300 missionaries. Measured all to foredoom to failure any advance, and comby the Cambridge' Confession,' we Baptists are pel us to abandon the effort' The gospel age doing one-tenth of our duty under the •great has ripened to its culmination. All the forces of eighteen centuries of moral and historic energy commission.' now converge. The last hour, the grand, the .. Again: the total receipts of the American supreme, is ushered in, and will pass with this generation.. V{e have seen the last of stupid, Board last year were $679,573.79. Dividing this slumbering, age-abiding heathenism. God has amQng the 436,379 Congregationalists shows an given us the post ofhonor in the leadership of average of over $1.56 per member for foreign Carey, the conversion of Judsou, the glorious missions. But in the 31 States and Territories, gift of the Congo Mission. Shall we fail to hold' including Missouri, contributing to the Baptist it' Will the whole army ever move-this lfissionary Union, are 809,760 Baptists. Plainly, mighty Baptist army now so inert' • The chil- 8390,835.39 divided among us allows but little dren of Ephraim, being armed and carrying over 48 cents per member to feed the dying mil- bows, turned back on the day of battle. They lions without Christ. Herein our noble Congre- kept not the covenant of God, and refused to gational brethren outdo us three to one. Yet walk in His law, and forgot His works, and the torther, if we consider the actual donations, the wonders that He had shown them. Shall Bapamount actually given by living stewards of tists be the Ephraimites of Geutile Christianity' God's wealth and gospel, the average contribu- Can two-thirds or the denomination turn against tion making up the the $174,662.93 is less than 21% cents per member; or, leaving out the the line of our prayers aud firm intent of God '" 117,654 Missouri Baptists, and distributing the en- The annual report of the Home Missionary Sotire donations among strictly Nortbern Baptists, raises the average Baptist gift of the year to ciety of this denomination shows the totsl re- 25~ cents. Herein is reason for radical reform. ceipts (or the year aggregate were $551,595.92; expenses, $309,759.84; balance on hand, $241,- .. Suft'er me to glance at another denomina- 838.08. By his will, Governor Coburn, of Maine, tion's work. Let us compare the average giving left a legacy of $200,000 to the Society, of which of Presbyterians and Baptists In live great States, one-half waS designated by the teststor for free older and younger, viz. : New York, Pennsyl- schools for the negro, and $50,000 to Wayland vania, Ohio, Dlinois and Minnesota. New York Seminary, of Washington. The work extends Baptists average 31 1-10 cents per member; over 47 States and Territories or this country, Presbyterians average 86~, almost 2:IL to our and IHoreign countriea. one. In Pennsylvania, the Baptists· average 21 3-10, Presbyterians, 53 cents per member. Baptist Missionary Sooiety in Northern The Ohio Baptist averages 16 7-10 cents per . India. member, and the Presbyterian brother 34% THE report for 1887, a pamphlet of cents, to give the nations the bread of life. Dn- 126 pages is full of interest: nois Baptisbl average 139-10 cents per member Presbyterians average 46 4-5 cents (half as many The total membership reported is 4,232, of Presbyterians contributing twice as much), to carry out the last great command of Christ. whom 3,740 are natives; baptisms during the Minnesota Baptists average, including the 11'0- year, 198. There are 5,141 scholars in day men's societies and Snnday-schools, 53% cents per member; Presbyterian, 1.79 6-10 cents, a schools, and 2,558 in Sunday-school. There are glorious rate, enriched with the blessing of the world's Saviour. about 50 foreign missionaries in connection with .. The average eontribution for the States this Mission; the number of native ordained above-named is: Presbyterian, 79 6-10 cents, Baptists,22 6-10 cents per member, over three preachers is not given; 114" evangelists" are and a half to our one. Conceding the snperior wealth of the former denominations will not ex- returned. The native church at Backergunge plain this di1l'erence ; and may not Presbyterian superiority in wealth, if it exist, arise trom and Madaripur has 1,800 communicants, who habitual generosity of obedience in evangelizing the world' •Give, and it shall be civen to you,' represent a probable Christ!an community of is God'a mle. • • • 4.500 ; Serampore reports 32 members; Benares, 19 ; Poona, 19, and Bombay, 5. No financial statistics are ~yen. so that one is at a 108s to know to what extent the mission Is encourag- ing self-support. The number of native Christ- ians has increased trom 3,110 in 1881 to 3,740 in 1887.-Indian WitnM'. MissionB to Seamen (English). for religious ministrations at several ports. It appears that two-thirds of the English ships of THE Society's thirty-second annual war are without chaplains. With regard to report furnishes the following: temperance work, it was stated that whole crews of total abstainers are frequently to be The Society has 74 honorary chaplains, 23 chap- met with. lains, 44 Scriptnre-readers, an<J a number of other agents working afloat in flfty different sea- The United Presbyterian Ohurch. ports, at home and abroad, who are furnished with forty mission vessels and boats in road- THE twenty-ninth annual report steads, etc., and have 42 churches, institutes, shows that the Foreign Mission and mission-rooms in docks, etc. It further states work of this church during the past that last year witnessed considerable spiritual year "has been signally marked progress among seamen, fishermen, and barge- with the favor and blessing of God." men. Through lack of funds, the committee had been compelled to refuse urgent requests SUMMARY OJ!' WORK. E~ypt. India. Totals.
Centers or Districts………………………….. . 8 15 Stati!'ns .. '.' . : …. : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . …….. . 85 69 154 ForeIgn M,SsIOnar,es …………•……………… 11 Unmarried Women Missionaries ..•…………….. 10 8 19 11 Physicians …………………………………. .. 1 1 21 2 N~?ve ir~:~f;:;t~~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 10 12 22 7 7 Organized Congregations…………………….. . 24 4,m8 32 Communicants ….. ,…………………………. . 2,807 6,878 Schools ……………………………………. .. 216 82 4,341 9,942 Pnpils in Schools …………………………….. . 5,601 • .. Sabbath-schools…………………….. . 4,338 1,325 5,663 Contributions ……… , ………………………. . $5,90200 $435 40 $6,337 40 Tuition Fees ………………………………… . $10,44900 $10,44900 33,609 Books Distributed (Vols.) ……………………. . 33,609 Proceeds of Sales of Books. .. . . . . . . … ……. '" $7,815 00 $7,81500 Total paid by Natives for preaching, schools, books. $27,178 00 $27,178 00 Value of Missionary Property…………………. . $207,81000 829,922 00 $237,782 00 RECEIPTS AND EXl'ENDITURES. 1888. 1887. $56,263 13 $48,33956 DR. Received from Presbyteries …………………………. . 15,17600 8,73792 7,59559 1,62676 " "Bequests…………………………….. . 4,003 74 8,80348 " "Women'8 Auxilary Board………… ……. . 7,73985 5,002 07 6,120 94 8,536 89 Ladies' Missionary Societies……………. . 1,851 65 Individuals…………………………… . 90213 Sabbath-schools ……………………….. . – -1,5-727-1 1,99499 Gibson Trust Fund……………………. . Interest………………………………. . $100,323 11 $83,943 80 (Of which $10,415 80 was received for debt.) CR. $38,000 00 Remitted to Inaia, and Checks Paid………………….. . 38,000 00 13,523 34 To " ahndE 1:gi2~,tr"em"itted " 1,38784 Egypt on debtaccount:::::':::::::: 2,06152 .. Amounts paid for Children in this country …………. . 128 46 "" " " Travel out of this country .. ……… . 800 00 .. Expense, (Stationery, Rent of Safe, etc.)……………. . I,Oll 93 :: Sal~…y (Ofl!.ce.rs of.Bo~rd).: ………………………. .. 1,000 00 (MlsSlOnarIeS III thIS country)………………. . 750 00 (Dr. Gordon, additional) …………………… . 1,42454 .. Outfit …………………………………………. . 21848 .. Printing and Mailing Reports, Abstracts, etc……….. . 145 85 " Interest .. ……………………………………… . 1,851 65 .. Legal Expenses…………………………………. ..
.. Gibsou Trust Fund (Remitted).:,:.••.•………….
$100,323 11 United Brethren in Ohrist. The financial secretary states that in twent, years, in establishiug and sustaining Christian TOTAL receipts for year ending March schools in the South, the SOCiety has disbursed 81,1888 ………………………..$66,238 16 $1,921,585.81, and for the ten months of the pres- ent year $91,496.21 expended, aud the aggregate Total expenditures for same period… 65,904 43 expenditures of the Society since its organiza- tion are $2,013,082.61. To this add $180,000 in- Bal. in treasury, March 31, 1888. $333.73 crease of our Endowment Fund and we have a grand total of $2,201,082.61 thus far appropri- Freedmen's Aid Society. ated. The increase in income during the last quadrennium over the former one is $ITa,886.90. THE report of the Freedmen's Aid Society of The collections during ten years show that the Methodist Episcopal Church states that the during the last decade the total receipts of the church now has a memberahlp of 450,000 among the 13,000,000 whites and 7,000,000 negroes of the South, with more than a million adherents. Society annually were much more than doubled, cess has been remarkable. The inincreasingCrom $68,402 to $168,271. Tbe conCer- come, which for the first ten years avence collections in ten years have increased 145 eraged about £5,000, last year (1887) per cent. The number of charges not taking col- exceeded £32,000. The gifts have valections has decreased nearly one thousand, while ried in amount from three penny the total number of charges taking collections postage stamps to £3,000. The mishas increased two thonsand. Duriug the qnad- sion staff, which at the end of the rennium $679,362.25 have been disbursed by the first ten years numbered 36 mission- Society; $254,935.43 have been expended in aries and 16 wives of missionaries, lands aud buildings. which is $71,884.38 more now numbers 286, including 53 wives than during the preceding quadrennium. In each of missionaries, most of whom were succeeding year a larger amount has been paid missionaries before marriage. The to our teachers, and during these four years the catholicity of the mission has been payments amount to $340,464.72. This exceeds maintained, and the mission staff the sum paid to teachers the preceding four consists of members of the Church of years $127,234.26. If we add together the England, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, amounts paid for the salaries and traveling ex- Baptists, Congregationalists, and penses of corresponding secretary, assistant Brethren. corresponding secretary, agent, clerk hire, and amonnts paid for bookkeeping, olllce expenses, The China Inland Mission has 58 stations in printing, postage, etc., we have $45,506.81, the which there are resident missionaries. These total coot for administration for four years. are situated as below. In several provinces the Among the colored people 22 institutions have opening of a station was preceded by some years been sustained, 127 teachers have been employed, of itinerating work. and 4,682 pupils have been taught. Among the white people 16 institutions, 84 teachers, 2,097 pupils.
Ohina. Inland Mission. Year first Province. No. of Station Stations. Established in 1862. opened.
THIS prosperous mission owes its origin, and largely its succcess, to 1866 Cheh-kiang………… .. 13 the missionary zeal and enterprise of 1867 Kiang-su…………… . 3 Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, who first 1M69 Gan·hwuy …………. .. 4 went to China in 1853 as a medical 1869 Kiang-si …………… . 4 missi(;mary, and, on account of the 1874 Hu·peh …………… .. 4 failure of health, returned to Eng- 1876 Ho-nan…………….. . 2 land in 1860. Mr. Taylor's deep anxi- 1876 Si-chuen ………….. .. 4 ety for China led to the formation 1877 Kwei-chau …•………. 1 of the China Inland Mission, and in 1877 Shan-si ……………. . 11 1878 Kan·suh …………… . 4 1879 Shan·tung………….. . 3 1879 Shen-si. …………… .. 2 1881 Yun-nan …………… . 2 1875 Bhamo,in Upper Burmah 1 1886 he returned to China, taking There are also about as many more out-stawith him 15 missionaries. The suc- tions.
ANNUAL INCOME, 1887, £32,000.
I I Not.ioonfsS . t aF'o!re.Ign Workers. Native Workers.
I j OrdaLinaeyd. and mFaele-. £ I 132 782 58 101 The MeAll Mission. GENERAL TOTALS POR 1887.
THE following extracts from the Religious meetings for adults (12.599), sixteenth annual report of the "Evan- attendance …………. '" .. .. . . .. .. 889,696 gelistic Mission in France," better known as the "McAll Mission," fur- Sunday-schools, children'S services, nish valuable information as to the young women's classes, etc. (4,423), methods of work pursued and the attendance …. " …………… " .. 224,537 results attained: Total of religious meetings. ………. 17,022 Total attendance at meetings……… 1,114,233 Domiciliary visits ……………….. 21,567 73 Bibles, Testaments, portions, tracts and illustrated papers circulated…. 468.278 Increase of IIttelldlillce for the year. . . 43,224 To these must be added the total number ot «round : he stations his wagon there, opens It, atations, 118, an Increase of Ii for the year, and displays his books, and there he is qnIte at home. ofaittings, 17,029, an increase oC 1,557. The re- Some ot the passers-by begin to draw near In ceipts for the year were £15,746 17~. tid., which ordedo look at the books, and then the conmet the current obligations and left a balance in ductor reads to them, with accompan7ing exthe treasury of £185 10.. tid. planations, and replies to any objections raised by the hearers. It is no longer a mere sale of The Waldensian Ohurch. hooks, it is a true work ot evangelization, with which the law can lind no fault, becsuse it WE are indebted to the Ohurch at places what is said on the same level as other Home and A.broad for the following merchants' praises of their wares I How man7 statements. The annual report of thousands of persons have thus heard something the Waldensian Commission on Ital- ot the gospel who otherwise would never have ian Evangelization shows that the known of it I Were we to say that in one way historic church of the valleys is still or another we bring the good news of salvation an active witness to the truth. to 80,000 souls, we shonId be sure ot not exag- gerating. LABOBICBS. The Original Secession Synod, Ordained pastors………………….. 37 Evangelists.. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. •…. .. . .. .. . 6 DUllING the financial year just closed the re- Teacher-evangelists ……………. , .. . 10 ceipts for the three flUlds available for the mis- Colporteur-evangslists……………… 5 sion work abroad have been as follows: Hale and female teachers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 The Foreign Mission Fund ……. £422 " ~ Hale and Cemale Bible-readers…….. 6 The Orphanage Fund… ……… 128 5 S Colporteurs……….. …………….. 2 The Seonl School Fund………. 239 12 1 Bible-wagon conductor•……… , . . . . •. 1 Wal'6houseman… …………. ……… 1 Making a total ot………….. £790 1 11~ This shows a deficit of about £44. when wm- Total ………………………. 124 pared with the previous year's income, and ts or 85 men and 311 women. accounted for by the absence of numerous per- sonal donations which were sent in last year in The 124 workers are subdivided as follows: response to a special appeal made by the Finance Waldensinns by birth………………. 46 Committee In view of extra outlay. The expendi- Protestants not Waldensians. . . . . . . . . . . 5 ture for the year may be thus classified: Converts Crom Catholicism. . . . . . .. . . . . • 52 Salaries of agents and general dis- Children of converts….. …………… 21 bursements …………….. : …. £383 II .~ Upkeep of Orphanage………….. 139 18 9 12~ Salaries ot teachers and outlay for FIELD 011' LABOR. school………………………. 253 17 3 Take a map and glance over the Italian pen- The total expenditure for the 7ear Insula. Let yonr eyes pass Crom Mount Blanc being……………………….£776 18 ~ in the north to ReggiO in Calabria in the south, let them take in Sicily, the Island of Elba and a Darjeeling Mission Institute. part of Sardinia, and you will have before you the extent of the field where we believe it is Established 1870. God's will for us to seatter broadcast the good .eed. Therein are found- CHURCH CENSUS-17TH MAY, 1888.
Churches…………………………. olS lcom Non-Commu- Stations………………………….. 38 muni- nicants. Total. oj Localities visited………………….. 178 cants. The following statistical table will show at a ~ glance the work that is going on : Name Adult. Infants* .. Attendants at the services……….. 5,923 of Occasional hearers ……………… 47,191 1 Church. .; ~ ~—-.;- ~ 0 Members ot the church .. ' •. . . . •. . . . . 4,005 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – ~r!;.i:'iI1Gl.i.~.". ~;c;~iPI"~,";',;;i·I-&;sa:;ii.C I..&ds: Admitted during the year …… , . . . . . 558 Darjeeling 58 25 24 26 20 35 39 86 83 169 Catechumens.. ……….. ……….. 450 Kurseong. tu 15 17 II 9 15 12 39 38 77 Scholars at the day school. . . . . .. .. .. 2,206 Nagri.. … 14 H 10 5 5 12 10 25 25 50 Scholars at the Sunday-schools…… 2,482 Salom. .. . 11 5 8 6 3 8 3 19 14 33 Scholars at the evening school. .. .. .. 729 KainjiJia.. (3 2 2 2 2 2 7 6 13 To the number of occasional bearers add the Terai….. 4217 16 24 18 9 17 50 51 101 thousands who are evangelized in private wnversation, on the railway and elsewhere, either Totals… 153 73 77 72 57 81 83 226 217 40lS by evangelists or b~ Blble-readel'S and wlpor- .. Under 14 yeara of age. teurs, or in particnIar by the conductor of the Bible-wagon. By means of this last we reach a number of persons whom we could approach In no other way. The laws of Italy do not allow preaching in the streets and squares, as is done In England. By means of the Bible-wagon we get over the di1llcnIty as follows: the conductor of the wagon, on arriving at a town, goes to the munIcipality and hires for a day, or for several days. 811 the case may be, a staud on the public London Sooiety for Promoting Ohristi- praise GIld for these tokens of encouragement; but growing demand ever calls for redoubled anity Amongst the Jews. effort. Notwithstanding the temporary finan- cial depresBion, your committee appeal_nd EIGHTIETH report, adopted at Ex- appeal most earnestly-for snch support as shall not merely Bustain, but widely extend the eter Hall, May 4, 1888: blessed work of the Bociety. Emphatically is it God's work. He declares that as in times past Your committee report that financially th.. the Gentiles obtained mercy through Jewish past year has been one of considerable anxiety. unbelief, even so now the Jews remain in un- At its commencement, when framing their eBti- belief, that throngh Gentile mercy they may mateB., they had to face an expenditure which, obtain mercy. He aBsures those who are workbesideB making proviBion for the proposed miB- ing out thiB principle, that as in the days of sionary schoolB in Galilee, required an income Elijah, so now there are the Beven thouBand of £36,500, while their resources could only be elect in Israel. Of these your miBsionaries have safely eBtimated at £34,000. been, and still must be permitted, In God'B pur- pose, to gather "one of a city and two of a The committee regret that the aggregate for family." In faith, in prayer, and with unremitthe year has only reached £33,Q25 138. 6et. ting labor Bhall the Lord'B work be Bustained whilst the expenditure has amounted to £37,344 until that day when Israel's blindness Bhall be 118., so that the adverse balance of the general removed, and the veil shall fall from the fnnd from the preceding year has now been in- nation'B eyes; when" there Bhall come out of creased to £5,724 188. 9et., for which Bum pro- Zion the Deliverer, who shall turn away nnvision must now be made. godlinesB from Jacob," and the .. redeemed of the Lord," both Jew and Gentile, shall retnrn, The committee earnestly appeal to their and shall .. obtain joy and gladneBB, and sorrow friends and supporters, especially to !hOE.e who and Bighing shall fieeaway." have the conduct of auxiliary associationB, for renewed effort, BO that the income for the cur- British Sooiety for the Propagation of rent year may be raised beyond the experience the Gospel Among the Jews. of the past, and they may be enabled to carry forward their great work without let or hind- FORTY-FIFTH annual meeting, rance from lack of means. MayS.
Your committee cordially acknowledge the FINANCIAL REl'ORT. nnfailing devotion of their friendB in Ireland to the cause of larael, in spite of local and domeBtic The funds intruBted to our care last year anxieties. amounted to £8,182, that is upwards of £2,000 leBB than the Jubilee year. This is due to the They alBa thankfully appreciate the sympa-' difference in the amount of the legacies received. thetic support afforded by the Episcopal Church In the Jubilee year the sum received by legacies in Canada, whose recognition of the duty and waB £4,637 138.; last year, £2,391 78., being £2,- privilege of helping forward the society's work 246 68. le'B than the Jubilee year, showing that IB most encouraging. we must not depend upon that clasB of receipts as a permanent source of revenue. The expendi- The best thanks of your committee are due to ture in 1887, the Jnbilee year, was £8,547 ; last those friends who so readily responded to the year it was £9,175 108. This increase is partly appeal on behalf of the society'B temporal re- owing to the expenses incnrred by the removal lier fund, which Is entirely dependent npon of missionaries to new spheres, and partly to special contribntions for support. Those who the augmentation of onr missionary staff. Four are brought into close contact with the trials new agentB have been appointed, and have and dilliculties of baptized and inquiring Jews proved themBelveB to be .. workmen needing alone can realize the valne of this little resource not to be ashamed." The number on our stall' in times of ueed, which deserves more regular at present is 31, and theBe are assisted by more support. The contributionB received during the than 80 voluntary workerB, making upwards of year have amounted to £268 168., whilst the 110. We are sorry that the fund for the mainteexpenditure has been from necessity limited to nance of the" Home for Aged ChriBtian Israel- £188158. ites" is Btill at a low ebb, and that the" Tem- poral Relief Fund" is at present empty. The Five thousaud six hundred BibleB and 4,018 enlargement of that Fund 80 as to put it within New TeBtaments, whole or in part; 47,219·mis- our power to as&ist our missionaries, not only sionary books,and tracts; 119,784 periodicals; at home but abroad, would result in unspeakaand 59,301 home tracts and appealB, have been ble good to Israel. A thousand a year for tem_ iSBued from the Bociety's depot during the year. poral aid could be most profltably diBpensed. Will our friendB remember that the highest form The amount realized by the Bale of ScriptureB of ChriBtian Bympatby is practical, and deposit haB been £182 168. ld. with UB that Bum yearly for wise distribution!
The report testifieB to the still declining influ- The late Lord Shaftesbury took ence of rabbiniBm-to a diminiBhed prejudice against Christianity-to tbe readiness of Jews to listen to yonr miBsionaries, and willingness to study the Holy Scriptures-and, more particularly, the remarkable attendance, both at home and abroad, to hear special mlBsionary eermODB. Your committee would devoutly
'166 CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
great interest in this Society. At attributes which feed the imagination, and stir the annual" meeting in 1845, in the into life the warmest energies of the heart. We presence of a most remarkable audi- rejOice in the ends and hopes of this Soelety, 88' ence, being chairman, he uttered seeking the fulfillment of a long series of proph- ecies, and the institution of unspeakable blesBthese passionate words: ings, both in time and in eternity, for all the nations of the world. It is our duty, our most "Our church and our natioff have been called high and joyous duty. that every eft'ort be made, to the glorious serviee of making known the that no expense be spared, that all our toil be gospel of Christ to the mauy thousands of Israel. given, by day and by night, that into every Now, in whatever light I view this great ques- prayer, with all our souls, this special supplication-whether I regard it as purely secular, tion should enter, for the revival and exaltation, whether I regard it as purely religious, or be it figurative or be it literal, of repentant and whether I regard it as partaking of both charac- forgiven Israel." ters-I see no snbject which can surpass, or even approach it in magnitude and in all those III.-CORRESPONDENCEand GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
Braail. earnest and sincere student of missious wants, however, are all the facts, whether encourag- [The editors have received the fol- ing or discouraging; the wlwle trutl/ in regard to every department of the work. regardless ot lowing suggestive and interesting the effect this may have upon the income of any society. An independent magazine like the communication. They al'e in hearty MISSIONARY REVIEW may well be made the channel of such information, and thus do much sympathy with its spirit and valu- toward disseminating correct views on mission policy, while at the same time inciting the differable hints, and will welcome from ent missionary societies to the adoption of more definite and consistent plans of operation than any source any fraternal helps to- at present obtain in most of them.
ward the wider usefulness and Another good work, which it seems to me the REVIEw might do, is to show by authorized greater efficiency of this REVIEw.l ststements, the comparative expe1Ul/JII of the different missionary agencies, and the proportion JAHti', BRAZIL, January 11,1888. of consecrated funds absorbed by each. One of To THE EDITORS OF THE MISSIONARY REVIEW: the first steps in this direction wonld be to bring -From this far corner of the foreign field allow public sentiment to bear upon the different some to extend a hand of welcome to the new cieties, to induce them to give publiCity to the champion of the mission cause. A magazine facts in regard to the distribution of the mission with so complete and well-matured a pro- funds. Our magazines record in detail the gramme, intrusted to editors who have given amounts contributed by the churches all over such uuequivocal proofs of their qualifications the land, but give us no information, except in a for the work, and their heart interest in it, is most general way as to how this money is emsure to be a snccess, will do much for the ad- ployed. It is impossible to tell from the reports vancement of the Lord's work in the world. how much is spent upon educational work, how WillI be considered presnmptuous if I express much upon publication, how much for the supthe hope that the MISSIONARY REVIEW, whUe port of native pastors and teachers, etc. The doing 811 In its power to enlist the sympathy aud contributor. have a right to this information, interest of contributors iu the foreign mission while at the same time it is only by a comparwork, and to stimnlate them to greater efforts ison of the comparative success of the dift'erent for its support, may give special prominence to agencies with their comparative expenses that the collection of material for the formation of auy rational plan of distribution can be deterthat" Science of Missions," which is so great mined. a desideratnm, and the data for which are at present so meager and unsatisfactory. It also seems to me that the REVIEW might do It seems to me that the REVIEW might do a much good by emphasizing the fact that the great good work in this direction by promoting accu- problem before us in the immediate future is racy and completeness of information in regard not so mnch how to increase the contributions to the comparative success of the different mis- of the home churches, as how to develop the reaionarv agencies " showing by facts and figures 8QUrces Qf the native churchea, and stimnlate which are the agencies that have been attended them to the performance of their duty In sup. with most decided and satisfactory results, or, in porting thtir own teachers and preachers. The other wordS, upon which has most evidently church at large wonld probably be astounded if been set the seal of the divine approval. The it knew how considerable a proportion of its denominational magazines limit themselves al- contributions were e~nded upon those who most exclusively to encouraging and stimulating facts, 8S their object is to maintain, and if pos- sible, increase the current of ~ontributions into their mission treasnry-any other class of facte does not come within their scope. What eve-q nre already Christianized. and capable of sup- of thought. as well as habitlr of life andexpendi- porting their own religious and educational in· ture based npon the long established custom of stitutions, and consequently diverted from the depending upon a foreign sonrce for their sup- direct work of evangelization. The stream of port. He should also be one who has had some contributions from the home churches has reo experience in working np the natives to self- mained so long stationary that there is little support, know something practically of the best hope of any decided increase in that direction, methods of presenting the subject, the most while on the other hand, an examination of the effective motives, the real capabilities of the na- statistics of our Presbyterian Church show that tive contributors, and where reductions conld the contributions of the native churches amount be made in expenditures, in order to bring the to only about 8 per cent. of the whole amount basis of renumeration of native laborers down expended upon the foreign field, and only about to the level of tlla probable native contributions, 8 per cent. of what is expended upon native etc. There are many returned missionaries in agencies, showing that there still is much to be the United States now occupying positions oC done in working up the native churches to the honor and trnst who doubtless combine all these performance of their duty in this respect. qualifications; why shonld not some of these It is also important to notice that if the home find a place in the Board and among the Secre- churches wel·e relieved of the support of the na· taries of our Foreign Board'
tive teachers and preachers, who should prop· Would it not be a good idea to open in the erly be maintained by their own people, an REVIEW a Symposium upon different points of amount of money would be released which missionary practlce and policy, giving the public would probably be sufficient to support all who the benefit of the matnred views and experience are likely to offer themselves as workers among of prominent men from all parts of the field, the unevangelized, but which cannot now be thus gathering together a mass of facts and sent for want of funds. principles, the study of which would be invaln- Would it not also be in place for the MISSION· able to those who propose entering upon the ARY RBVIlIW OF THE WORLD to suggest that su· foreign mission work. A useful and almost ne- perintending the distribution of the funds on the cessary adjnnct to this would be a section Cor foreign field and. development of the native reo Missionaries Exchanging Views.
sources equals if not surpasses in importance I take the liberty of including a list of subjects the raising of money from the home churches, that I would like to see discussed in such a sym- and can only be accomplished by confiding it to posium. I have thought a good deal on all these some properly qualified person as his special subjects, and in regard to some of them have ar_ work. The two branches of the work are as rived at conclnsions at variance with the pres- distinct and require qualifications as different as ent practice of our church, bnt as my experience the manufacturing and sales departments of any has been limited to a single field, ·wonld like a large business. No one would think of confid· basis for a wider generalization before coming ing the superintendence of the shops to a man, to a definite conclnsion.
all of whose training had been acqnired in the Yours respectfully, connting·room, no matter how great his abilities J. BEATTY HOWllLL.
in this line, much less of reqniring him to man- StJllJBCTS SUGGESTBD FOR SYMPOSIUM.
age the shops from the counting-room, determin- Boards 0/ Foretgn Missions and their Secre.
ing the location of the different workmen, the taries.-What are their functions and author- apportionment of the work among them, etc., ity' What are their proper relations to the without ever having entered the shops, or hav- home church and to the missionaries on the ing any practical knowledge of the work to be field'
done there. The Missionary.-What constitutes a call to the But this is exactly what our church is doing Foreign Mission work' What are the abso when in her choice of Foreign Secretaries she lutely necessary qualifications for this office 1 limits herself to men who, thongh abnndantly Should those who enter upon this work be ex- qualified for interesting the home churches in pected to consecrate themselves to it for life'
the Foreign Mission work, and raiSing money Should the missionary's salary be calcnlated for it, have no practical experience in work on upon the basis of a bare snpport, or of a com- the field, its special possibilities and difficul- fortable living' and what has been the practice ties. of the different societies in this respect'
A man to do efficient work in development of The MissWn.-What are its powers and Conc- the native resources, must have learned by per- tions, whence its anthority, and what its true sonal contact with the natives to love and sym- relations to the native Presbyteries'
pathize with them as brethren in the Lord, must Sclwoi& as an ]!}vangellzing Agency.-Their have had some practice in dealing with the sns- place in the scheme of missions, to what extent picion and jealousy which so frequently mani- authorized by the Scripture, and warranted by fest themselves when the money question comes results in conversion of souls and building up of up between the native and foreign laborer, mnst the church'
know how to make due allowance for national Sel/-Support.-Is the support of native evan- dilRlrences oftemperament,disposition and modes gelizing agencies exclusively by the contri. butions ot converted natives desirable. practica- is not so. In every part ofthe country you can find willing audience, givlllg ready assent to ~ ble. and actually realized; and what are the you may say. In this Siam is not specially ftted most approved methods Cor obtaining that re- for this kind of work.
sult, But when Christ sent forth the first mission- Native Candidate8 fO'l' the Minutrll.-How aries, commanding them to preach and to heal, rar should they be obliged to follow the curricu- who can say that one country may have the lum prescribed in our Confession of Faith' preacher and another the healer 7 Can the med- ical missionary win the hearts and confidence of How tar should they be aided financially in ob- China's millions, and thus secure an opportunity taining the necessary education' What has for presenting gospel truth! He can do the same here. If in India or Korea he can allevibeen the practice and what the results in the ate human suft'erings which, but for his presence, would be grossly maltreated by native ignorance different fields! and superstition, he can do the same here. Church BuildingsfO'l' Nativ88.-How far is It If the medical missionary Is needed in other advisable to aid in their construction, or rent fields as a matter of human wisdom and forewith mission funds' What has been the prac- thought, to guard the lives and health of his ortice and what the res nits in the different fields f dained brother and family and the lady teachers, he is as much needed here. Is there a call for Paid Native Lay Laborers.-To what extent the training of native .young men in Western medical science in China, Syria, India, or Japan' can they be profitably employed, and in what The same work is waiting to be done here.
ways' 2. The peculiarities of thejl.eld.. (a) C:imate. The temperature ranges from ~8Q to 98° F. Even MiBSion Compoond8 (buildings).-Where and the warmest days are made quite bearable by a sea breeze which blows in from the Gulf all the how Car are they necessary, and of what charac- afternoon. The wet season begins in April or ter should they be , May, and the dry season about November. The direct rays of the sun render it unsafe to ven- Oontributtona fO'l' Special Obiects.-How rar ture out unprotected, as the experience of many foreigners would show. The heat, moistnre and should they be encol/raged' To what extent is maiaria combined have a most depressing efit possible to incorporate them with the present fect upon the exhuberant spirits which every missionary shows at tlrst. system of distribution, according to appropria- (b) The attitude of the government is favorations asked for by the missions and approved by ble. The King has said on more than one occa- sion that he welcomed the American (meaning the Central Committee' the Protestant) missionaries to his country. He M"l8stonary Training Colleges.-How far is it and many of the princes and nobles have con- tributed to our work. In many provinces the practicable and advisable to give a preliminary governors invite the touring missionary to their houses and ask to hear the gospel preached. course of instruction in mission economics to The Prime Minister has offered houses and land those proposing to enter upon the foreign mis- in a large neighboring province if we will piace a medical missionary there. sion work' Would not greater uniformity of (c) The peeple. Physically they are far below policy and harmony of action be thus insured' their Chinese neighbors. Living in the shadow of tbe equator and taking little or no precaution Beside misRionarv bookkeeping and hygienics. to shield themselves ft'om the direct rays of the sun, coupled with a diet compared with which what else might be profitably included in the the cats and rats eaten by John Chinaman would be an Epicurean feast, it is not surprising that course' the vast majority of them are nothing more than physical wrecks. Mentally they are not capable Siam. of much exertion. Place a Siamese and aSia- mo-Chinese at the same study, and the one with LETTER from Rev. Jas. B. Thomp- Chinese blood will master it in much less time. For devising ways or for anything demanding son. forethought, a Siamese cannot be depended upon. Hence it is not difficult to understand [This letter is in reply to a Medical that morally they also rank very low. All their surroundings and habits of life are such as to Mission student, seeking information. beget the most Immoral of thoughts, feelings and We give it, as the information it fur- practices. or course, l refer here to the llverage nh5hes may be of service to many be- side the person to whom it was writ- ten.-EDs.) I'ETcHABUREE, SIAll, March 26, 1888. DEAR SIR.-Yours of January 20th has just reached me. I am not in the least 8urprisd to receive letters from persons altogether unknown to me. neither do I think strange of it, for I well remember how I once sought the very informa- tion you ask for, and obtained it in the same way that has suggested itself to you. I rejoice to bear from yoo. Now for the points on which you wish to be informed.
1. Is Siam specially fitted for medical mission work r .In Persia, Syria, Korea, China, and among certain classes in India, medical mis- sionary work is special/y.fitted to pioneer the cause of Christ, because in those places yon must. to II certain extent, touch the heart of the people before you can gain the ears. In Siam it CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. 769 Siamese, as you meet him iu missiouary work. domestic relations they will not hesitate to set Among the higher classes there are some bright you down as being as adept at deceit as they examples of what these people might be if suita- know themselves to be. Then, too, it is an ex- ble opportunities were before them and im- pensive matter for a single man to keep house proved. here alone, and he would most probably board (dl Work already done in this field. From with his married colleague. Now, it is a well- what we have seen as to the condition of the known fact that lite in the tropics tends to make people, do not feel that they are beyond hope. one irritable. and when this is added to the nat- For many years the missionaries labored here ural bearishness oC an old bachelor, it will without results, but since the first converts be- require a great deal of the grace of God to keep gan to come there has been a steady growth to him working in harmony with his fellow mis- the church until now we find seven churches sionaries. We might sum it up thus: A single with about 500 members. There are members man will be exposed to strong temptations, or inquirers in nearly every village fO,r many aspersions will be cast upon his character by the miles around our Petchaburee station, and iu natives. Others-not his kindred-will be com- two or three neighboring provinces 500 miles pelled to bear with his crankiness, and he him- down the west coast of the Gulf are several self will be unfitted for a large part of his work members and many inquirers, pleading for a by want of practical experience of married life missionary to teach and baptize. Many of the aud human nature as it develops in the native Christians have made such progress iu family.
the spiritual life as to shame the average church A course in arts is not necessary to one com- member at home. We frequently learn of ex- ing here, but it is a useful addition to his intel- periences here that compel us to say, .. Surely lectual qualifications. If a physician cannot be God is working among this people." too well educated bl and for his profession at We have a number of native colporteurs, home, he ought not to come to a heathen land or catechists, and five licentiates. The Bible with any less knowledge. Students are to be • and many tracts have been translated and taught. A medical record is to be made up, and printed, and thonsands of copies scattered over medical science advanced by such contributions the country. Tours have been made in all as a thoroughly competent, wide-awake medical directions, though by no means all the provinces missionary can give. All the mental training a have not yet been reached. Boarding and day man can have wUl not fit him any too well for schools for both sexes have been established. those terrible moments that will come, when, Medical missionary work has been carried far removed from consultation, he must decide on more or less since the first missionaries questions and prescribe treatments, the issjle of came here about the year 1835. Prejudice has which may be of far more importance to him been broken down, and the people now have a than life itself.
good degree of confidence in our medicines and Let your medical course be as complete as treatment. .possible, giving due attention to every specialty.
S. How about self-support 1 Is it possible or Ophthalmology, for cataracts await you. Rhin- practicable 1 Perfectly possible. A man desir- ology and laryngology, as throat and nose troU"
ous of doing so conld become wealthy in a few bles abound. A troublesome otitis will present years. But as to its being practicable, I think itself to you. Dermatology will claim much of the maJority of missionary societies would pro- your time. You will be culpable it you neglect hibit It, for the reason that we should show the gynrecology and obstetrics, for while you wUl heathen that our religion is a benevolent one, not have many cases in that line among the and that we as its representatives are working natives, the missionary ladies should not be from disinterested motives. There are those deprived oC competent medical care.
who question whether this is the wisest course. One really particular qualification would be 4. What qualifications are necessary in a med- that the intending medical missionary to Siam- ical missionary coming here 1 Aside from those as indeed to any tropical climate-should spiritual qualltlcations, which all recognize 8S acquaint himself as far as possible with tropical essential to missionary service, I would urge the diseases before leaving home. Nearly every advice given me: "An abundant supply of disorder is more or less modified by the tropical sanctified' common sense." If a man comes here malaria (U Diseases of Tropical Climates," by without it, he will likely find it necessary to McLean: Macmillan & Co., London, gives val- return home in a shorttime to procure a supplY uable hints on the subject). The male physi- or mourn over his deficiency. This sanctified cian can reach all classes of people in Siam, and common sense should be of such a nature that a there is no occasion for lady doctors here-more man would be capable of taking a hand at than can be said to exist in America. China and almost anything in an emergency, and such India require the lady physicians, and thither emergencies are frequent here. her forces should be turned.
To work to best advantage every man should In closing, let me urge upon you the claims of be married, and every woman have a husband. Siam. For two years we have been asking for The Siamese mind is suspicious of a person one more medical missionary, and no present claiming to be single. They may believe you, in prospect of his coming. There is room for eight every other matter, but with regard to your or ten, while even a dentist could find ,grand opportunity for Christian work here. though he whols the leader of so many, that God willmaite"
would have to come out at his own charge•. him a great power in building up IDs kingdOm This is, of course, a tropical conotry, and the here.
climate trying to a foreigner, especially until Let me say that I have taken THE MISSIONARY acclimated. The records show that many have REVIEW from the first issue, and that no one broken down on this field. In some cases these I copy has given me such hope and strength as No.
breakdowns are the direct result of the climate, 1, new series. I see, as I have never seen before, but in a large number they are more directly that anything less than a fnIl and complete con- chargeable to errors and indiscretions on the secration and perfect love is a hindrance to the part of the new arrival. If a man or woman is cause of Christ. I have been in the habit of asthmatic or rheumatic advise against coming thinking that in proportion as I was consecrated here. The Same also if suffering from functional I would be successful; that the noconsecrated heart trouble, phthisis, chronic diarrhrea or dys- part wQuld be simply a loss. But now I see it entery_ differently-that it is not only a loss, but a posi- Lastly, the time to arrive here is preferably tive hindrance. NothiD~ short of a p.rfect lmJe December or January. The most unfavorable and a complete consecration can ever make us season is from October 1st to D~cem ber 1st. powerful to the tearIng down of the strongholds Trusting that you will find this at least a par- of Satan.
tial answer to your questions, and a help to any Mexico. who may think of coming to this country, I remain, LETTER from Miss E. Le Huray, Sincerely yours in His service, Miraflores, Mexico: JAS. B. THOMPSON. Mirabores must, indeed, be a favored place, P. S.-If anyone decides to come to Siam, and for here we have no priest against whom to conwishes information of a more minute kind as to tend, and we have all the children in town who outfit, etc.,it would be a pleasure to either Mrs. do not work in the factory. As I often go with Thompson or myself to communicate with them. them to their homes, I thiuk we have more In dia.. than half tue pareuts iu the place. The girls and myself are frequently invited out to dine. LETTER from Rev. M. J. Coldren, These visits are a great pleasure, we are so of the Free Baptist Mission: gladly received.
CUANDBALLY, INDIA, Feb. 24, 1888. How I wish you could see me when school is My DEAR DB. PIEBSON.-We have a very en- dismissed 1 The children crowd aronod me, couraging work here among the Orgas. It would and want to know whom I am going to visit to- not be at all surprising to see a general break day. They follow me all over the village, telL any day, and hundreds and thousands come unto ing me their little confidences-what happened the Lord. Thcre are already about 5,000 who when this one died. or that one moved away, have broken caste and,joined themselves under etc. When we go in to read or pray with the a leader who has for eight years been preaching mother of one of them, they all sit qnietly in Christ as the only Saviour, and that all people in the doorway and take part in the little meet- are equal in caste. He dares not claim to be a ing. Whatever else they do, they grow up Christian, and has not been baptized. He was having a knowledge of the Bible, and accus- led to this belief by. a tract which he chanced to tomed to prayer; all else God will care for, and get hold of some years ago. He expresses the it is written (for my most blessed consolation), m<lRt implicit faith in God the Father, and Christ .. My word will not retnrn noto me void, but as His Son. As might be expected, he has some will accomplish that which I please. and pros heathenish ideas. But he gives many evidences per in the thing whereunto I sent it.n that he has really been converted, and by judi- Not only do the members of our church come cious management not only he, but all his follow- to us, but often, especially in caSes of sick– ers may be led publicly to profess Christ. I be- ness, others will send to the mission, asking lieve that God is in him, preaching to the people, for the minister. It is these features that make and, is no doubt accomplishing more through the work so enconraging, and could you, at hinr than He could by one openly professing home, see all we do, your hearts would be greatly Christianity, because many have learned to comforted.
think of Christians as their enemies, and so the This afteruoon, when your letter came, I was simple name is sufficient to close their ears doing work not properly mine-that is, conduct- against instruction, and hence God is using this ing a funeral. As the native minister has not man under another name to preach His gospel. yet come, I being the only missionary, the poor I examined the man very closely yesterday as people thluir I can help them, if no one else can, to what he preached, and I find him thoroughly So this morning, as two of our little school-chil- sound on' the fundamental principles of salva- dren had died in the night,. their parents, al- tion. He gives a most wonderful experience iu though nominally Catholics, asked if they coul~ his conversion. Let Orissa, and especially the bring the children to the church and have some villages round about Chandbally, be before you sort of a service OlVer them; If ouly a prayer. We n tlme'of prayer. Pray earnestly for this man, did the best we could, for it was too late to get help from Mexica-brought all the school·chll· form, while watching at his side were his wife dren together and read the burial service. sang and daughter, dressed in rags and pitiful to be- .and prayed. It was a touching sight to see the hold. The little money I had given them the day before had bought a candle which stood two small coffins side by side, and the little flock lighted at his head ; the poor old wife at his side was silently wiping her eyes with the soiled otchildren bearing flowers. and torn fragments of her dress. A little later GaIdino aud I went again to pray with them and I could hardly command my voice to make found the honse quite full of sympathizing friends, who listened gladly to all that was said the prayer, especially as the chnrch was filled to concerning the death of Lazarus and the hope of the very doors. Bnt it was a little thing to do the resurrection. after all, and if it brought consolation to any heart, we feel well repaid. It is things like this How I wished that those who speak lightly of we are doing all the time. We have conducted missions might have seen this pitiful death, the several chnrch services, also (for want of some solemn service for the body, and the mournful one to do it better), and have opened our house burial that took place upon the hill. His poor for prayer-meetings. So you see we are very old wife, half naked, followed the COffin,' carry- busy, very happy, and our hearts, in an especial ing on her shoulder the spade to fill in the grave manner, full of God's peace and His blessed and the ropes with which to lower the remains presence. in the ground. And all withont the blessed con- solation we Christians have in such an hour. If A poor old woman from the town came np to I conld only believe that the prayers at the dying the mission one day, saying that her hnsband hour were heard at last 1 would feel relieved of was dying, and asking with tears for some one a weight that has been pressing on me for days. to come speak a few words to him and make a If I could but have heard the assurauce, " This prayer before it was too late. day shalt thou be with me in Paradise" I It is They rarely send for a priest in the presence only because we believe God came into the world of death, but almost always call for ns. I told her we had no minister, but that I would gladly to save 8inners that we can go about our work 11:0 with her and do what I could. It was the as we do. old story; they were old and Gut of work, and so GENERAL INTELDIGENCE. poor, she said, for want of nourishing food, her husband was dying. She herself was barefoot, -Our Missionaries. During the last dressed in rags, and sO old ",nd thin and hundred years the convictions of wretched it made one's heart ache to see her, Chri!)tendom in regard to missionary without hearing her sad story. I followed her work have undergone a profound to her little hut, some distance down the road, change. When Carey, the father of a place often passed before, but which, it so Protestant missions in Bengal, pro- happened, I had never visited. pounded, at the meeting of Baptist ministers a century ago, the duty I"have seen a great many poor homes in Mira- of preaching the gospel to, "the flores, but never one quite so poor 8S that, heathen," the aged president is said Where, in the one room of the little hut, there to have sprung up in displeasme and was not one article of fnrniture. shouted: "Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the You cannot imagine what a terrible responsi- heathen H~ will do it. without your bility it is to feel that you mnst say some last aid or mine." A second Pentecost. words to one who in a few honrs will be in he thought, must precede such a eternity. At home it would be different, for work. To another pious Noncol).- there they would have heard it all before, but formist divine the proposal sug- here they are neither Catholics nor Protestants, gested the thought, "If the Lord and totally ignorant ot all that concerns their would make windows in heaven salvation. might this thing be?" Ministers of the Kirk of Scotland, which has since The dying man lay on some rags on the floor, labored so nobly for the education of which itself was of earth-cold and damp. They India, pronounced the idea to be were very anxious that we should pray with the "highly preposterous," and extolled poor man, but when I knelt beside him and took the simple virtues of the untutored his feverish band in mine, he was too far gone savag-e. A bishop of the Church (If to be able to hear the Scripture read or the England, the church whose mission- prayer made, 'and only wistfully turned his eyes upon me, as though trying to hear. I shall never forget how dreadfnl it made me feel to know that he was, perhaps, then dying. and we so helpless to say or do anything that might help to save his sonl. I went away thinking: "How can we take life so lightly f"
The next day it rained so hard I did not see hina. The following morning, as early as I conld, I went to the house. but on entering saw at once tluit he was dead. There, stretched on the cold earth, wrapped only in a sheet, lay his helpless aries now compass the earth, argued was impossible to resist, and to whose publicly and powerfully in opposition mercy it was useless to appeal. . •. , to such schemes.. The British nation, During the last twenty-five years tlie as represented in Parliament, de- study of the science of religion, or, clared against them. Its servants in speaking more accurately, of the his- the East regarded the missionaries as tories of religions, has profoundly dangerous breakers of the law. But modified missionary methods. That for the benevolence of a Hindu study has led the world, and is com- money-changer the first English mis- pelling the church to acknowledge sionary famify in Bengal would, at the good in other faiths. • . • Be- one time, have been without a roof. tween the missionary conceptions of But for the courage of a petty Danish the beginning of the century and of governor the next misslOnary party the present day there is all the di1fe~ would have been seized by our auth- ence between St. Peter at Joppa and orities in Calcutta and shipped back St. Paul on Mars' Hill. In the non- to Europe. A hundred years ago the Christian religions, the early Protest- sense of the churches, the policy of ant missionaries be held only unclean Parliament, the instinct of self-pres- things, four-footed beasts of th~ ervation among the Englishmen who earth, and wild beasts, and creeping were doing England's work in distant things, and fowls of the air. The lands, were all arrayed against the modern missionary to the Hindus missionary idea. The missionaries .takes the tone in which the great had to encounter not less hostile, and certainly better founded, prejudices he proselytizing apostle addressed the among the non-Christian peoples to whom they went. For, until a cen- Brahmins of Europe at Athens; , tury ago, the white man had brought quotes their literature, and starting no blessings to the darker nations of from their devotions at their own al- the earth. During three hundred tars, he labors to supplant an igno,- – years he had been the despoiler, the rant worship by an enlightened wor- enslaver,· the exterminator of the ship, by an enlightened faith. • • • simpler races. The bright and brief ~he science of religion, or more cor~ episode in Pennsylvania stands out rectly, the study of the development against a grim background of oppres- of religions, has armed the mission- sion and wrong. In America ancient ary with new weapons. In contro- kingdoms and civilizations had been versial combats it enables him to trodden out beneath the hoofs of the wield the sharp blade of historical Spanish horse. In Africa the white criticism with an effectiveness hither- man had organized a great export to unknown. In dealing with indi- trade in human flesh. In South Asia vidual inquirers· it qualifies him to cities had been sacked, districts dev- point out how the venerable struc- astated by the Portuguese. Through- ture of their ancestral belief was no out the Eastern Ocean the best of the supernatural edifice let down from nations of Europe appeared as rapa- heaven, but was distinctly and con- cious traders, the worst of them as sciously put together at ascertained pirates and buccaneers. In India, periods, by human hands.. In popu- which was destined to be the chief lar appeals, it gives him the means of field of missionary labor, the power accurately and powerfully pressing had passed to the English, without home the claims of the l'eligion which the sense of responsibility for using he advocates, as against those which their power aright. During a whole he would supersede. For the great generation the natives had learned religions of the world took their to regard us as a people whose arms it present form in ages when mankind was very unhappy. In the East, the logic of extremes accepted, once an~ for all, the conclusion that existence The cell of the prison will become the is in itself a long suffering, and ex- pulpit for a world-wide evangelism. tinction the sole deliverance. Hinduism and Buddhism embodied their The tongue will find utterance, Ifonly to the ears of a jailer and ftollow deep despondency in differenttermsliberation, absorption, or the blowing prisoners. The pen will become a tongue to tell the story of redempout of.one's being, as a woman blows tion, and the press will become the out a lamp. But underlying all their ally of the pen in making its voice euphemisms is the one conviction universally heard and immortally efthat life is not, and cannot be, worth fective. What a blessing was Bedliving.- Christianity avoided the dif- ford jail, that made John Bunyan the ficulty arising from the obvious mis- omnipresent and undying preacher eries of mankind by another answer. to the millions whom his voice could From the first it declared that life never have reached through the cenmight become worth living, if not turies during which his voice is here, yet elsewhere, and the later de- hushed in death! If our lives are velopments of Christianity have directed their energies to make life given to God, they may be safely left worth living here also. Apart from in His care. Not a hair of our head other aspects, Christianity, as a help will perish. Thelamp we have sought to humanity, is a religion of effort to light at His altars,and then to place a.n!! hope; Hinduism and Buddhism are religions of resigned acceptance, high up upon His lampstand, He will not put under a measure or quench in 61' of despair, They were true in- darkness. We may think our in- fluence circumscribed and even lost, terpl'eters of Asiatic man's despond- when He is but enlarging its circum- ency of the possibilities of existence ference and extending its dominion. in the age in which they arose. They How wide is the circle of true mis- are growing to be fundamentally at sionaries, and how enduring the period variance with the new life which we of their power! .Two hundred years are awakening in India. I believe have passed since the tinker of Elstow that Hinduism is still sufficiently breathed his last. But like tile fabled plastic to adapt itself to this new grave of another beloved John, at world; that it has in it enough of Ephesus, the very earth heaves the vis medicatrim naturw to cast with his breafhing. He is not disused doctrines and to develop new dead and can not die.-Dr. A. T. ones. But the process must be slow Pierson, in Aug. Miss. Review of the and difficult. Christianity comes to World. the Indian races in an age of new act- ivity and hopefulness as a fully -Elect Nations. I believe in the doc- equipped religion of effo~t and of trine of elect nations, as' for example, I hope. And it comes to them in a the Jews, the Gl'eeks, the Romans, spirit of conciliation which it did not ,England, Germany, America; that disclose before. It thus presents its these nations have a role given them two most practical claims on human by the God of Nations; that God af- acceptance. FOl', although to a for- fords them their opportunity to fulfill tunate minority Christianity may be this role, called them to the kingdom a religion of faith, yet I think that, to of their own peculiar period, gives most of us, it is rather a religion of them their day of visitation, when He hope and of charity.-Sir W. W. Hunter, in The Nineteenth Century. takes the field with them. We sit down coolly and calculate our popu- -John Bunyan Still Living. He lation in the year of our Lord 1900. who has the missionary spirit can- What do we care about population- not be shut out from a dying world. we who took the continent with 101 souls! Whether that population be Christian-that is the question for us, and that will depend upon whether Christ. Civilization I The rampart can only be we know the day of our visitation, whether we remember the pit from stormed by those who carry the CroSB." which, in the old world, God digged us, and dominion of the earth's forces -Progress of Missions, For 3,000' -does it not seem to tend to one thing, to give us the leverage by years there existed but three versions which to move the earth? If we stand in God, we can do it. Are not of the Holy Scriptures. To-day they our gold and silver God's? Are not our sons and daughters God's? By may be read in 350 of the 6,000 tongues the act of the Pilgrims, is not this continent God's? All that the na- that are spoken. In 1804 there were tions ask is to be fed from the crumbs that fall from the Master's tab1e here. in the world only 5,000,000 Bib'les, in We have only to eat and to distribute. 1880 there were in the hands of hu- And I say that, with all America's mankind 160,000,000 copies of the resources and America's possibilities sacred Word. At the beginning of our and America's temptations, she is century the way of life could be safe only as she takes the world, not studied by but one-fifth of the world's upon her shoulders, as Atlas did, but population, now it is tmnslated into upon her heart, as did her Master; languages that make it accessible to only as she loves it and as God loves nine-tenths of the inhabitants of the it. So that, to Americans, the home world. Protestants occupy over 500 missionary problem and the foreign separate fields. In them they ha.ve missionary problem are one and the more than 20,000 miSSIOn stations, same. The first and great command- supplied with no less than 40,000 ment is America; the second, and missionaries. Five hundred thouthat which is like unto 'it, the world, sand heathen children attend Chrisby America! God's few are mightier tian schools. One million communithan the world's many. Numbers cants are enrolled in congregations are often the source of weakness. gathered from among the heathen. They beget pride, and turn the Two million stat~d healers are nomiheart away from God. It is not salt naladherents of the evangelical alone that He wants; it is salt that faith. Of the 1,433,000,000 that has not lost its savor. It is not Gide- people the world, 135.000,000 are Proon alone that he wants; it is Gideon testant Christians. The area of the and the sword of the LOl'd.-Rev. J. habitable globe is computed at 52,- E.Rankin, D.D. 000,000 square miles; of these 18,000,- 000 square miles are under Greek and -Christianity and Civilization. Rev. Romish Church dominion; 20,000,000 square miles 'under Mohammedan James Chalmers, an experienced mis- and Pagan governments, and 14,000- 000 square miles under Protestant sionary in New Guinea: rule.-Christian at Work.
"I have had twenty-one years' experience Africa.-The Congo Free State. Col. Sir amongst natives. I have seen the semi·civilized Francis de Winton, Administrator·General of and the civilized; I have lived with the Chrlst· the Congo Free State, says that of the 475,roo square miles which compose the table-lands of ian native, and I have lived, dined and slept the Upper Congo Valley, there is hardly 100 with the ·cannibal. I have visited the islands of miles of area not approachable by a. waterthe New Hebrides, which I trust will not be way.-Three hnndred and eighty·slx tusks of handed over to the tender mercies of France; 1 ivory, averaging fifty pounds each, were offered have visited the Loyalty group; I have seen the for sale at Stanley Pool station in one day. When work of missions in the Samoan group; I have some method is devised for getting the ivory to lived for ten years in the Hervey gronp ; I know the coast without slaves, the slave·trade will be a few of the gronps close on the line, and for nine abolished. Both the ivory and the slaves who years I have lived with the savages of New carry it are now sold; but neither trade would Guinea; but I have never met with a single man be sufficiently profitable alone.-The extensive or woman, or with a single people, that yonr territories of the Niger Basin. left nnder English civilization without Christianity has civilized. control by the Berlin Conference, are to be gov- Gospel and commerce; but remember this. it erned by "The Royal Niger Company," organ- must be the gospel first. Wherever there has ized on the same plan as the East India Com- been the slightest spark of civilization in the pany. The company has adopted rules granting southern Seas, it has been where the gospel has freedom in religion and commerce, and discour- been preached: and wherever yon find in the aging slavery.-A contract has been signed by Island of New Guinea a friendly people, or a peo· an international syndicate, for a loan of $25,000" 000, to colonize the Congo Basin.-Preparations pIe that will welcome you there, it is where the are being made to build the railroad along the missionaries of the cross have been preaching sonthern bank of the Congo, past Livingstone Falls, to Stanley Pool; and the King of Belgium has. ordered the building of steamers on the of government. At the head of the company is Upper Congo out of native wood.-Lieut. Wiss- Mr. W. Mackinnon, one of the wealthiest ship.. mann states that the Lower Congo, which is the pers in England, and identified with the British best known, is the least favorable section of the India Company. For several years he has been country.-Lieut. Von Nimptsch regards the Kas- conspicuous for his faith in the wisdom of insai as "oC greatOl' importance to commerce than vesting capital in developiug trade and civilizathe Congo ItseIC."-Stanley took 999 days to cross tion in Mrica. He headed the British syndicate Africa. Lieut. Gleerup, the ninth man to cross, which offered to build the Congo railroad, a took but eight months. project which fell through because King Leopold would not give the concessions demanded. He -The Mohammedan Emir of Nupe, assumed the larger part of the heavy cost of the Emin Pasha relief expeditiou. Associated with West Africa, has sent the following him are a large number of prominent people, stirring message to Bishop Crowther among whom is the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, of the Niger Mission: and the co-operation of tbis lady was perhaps se- cured by the fact that the purposes of the com- "It Is not a long matter; it is about barasa pany arc partly philanthropic. (rum). Barasa, barasa, barasa t It has ruiued our country; it has rnined our people very Tbe company has already arranged to fortify much; it has made our people mad. I beg you, several points along the coast and some of the :Malam Kip, don't forget this writing; because adjacent islands for the purpose of hemming in we all beg that he (Crowther) should beg the the slave-traders. With the Congo State and great priests (Committee of the Church Mission- EminPasha on the west. the Germans on the ary Society) that they should beg the English south, and the British Company on the east and Queen to prevent bringing barasa into this land. north, the hunting-grounds of the Arab slavers will be pretty well surrounded, and Mr. Mac- .. For God and the Prophet's sake. For God kinnon believes that in this way it may be made and the Prophet, His messenger's sake, he must so difficult to follow tbe tra~e tbat it will practihelp us in this matter-that of barasa. We all cally be killed at its sources of supply. The have conlldence in bim. He must not leave our company has also acquired the large island of country to become spoiled bybarasa. Tell him, Pemba, on whose plantations are many of the may God bless bim in his work. This is the victims of the recent revival of the slave trade. moutb-word from :Malike, tbe Emir of Nupe." While putting an end to illegal traffiC, the com- pany hopes to open up safe trade routes, along -Says Canon Farrar, in the Oon- wbich cottons and hardware may be taken by temporary Revtew : white merchants to the millions of peogle living around Victoria Nyanza, all of whom are eager "The old rapacity of the slave-trade has been to get European goods, and who have ivory and followed by the greedier and more ruinous ra- other products to exchange. The Arab caravans pacity of tbe drink-seller. Our fathers tore from carrying European goods to this region somethe neck oC Africa a yoke of whips; we have times number a thousand persons. snbjected the native races to a yoke of scorpions. We have opened the rivers of Mrica to com- The region which has thus come nominally unmerce, only to pour down them the raging Phle- der the control of the British East African Comgethon oC alcohol, 'han which no river of the pany is about 600,000 square miles in extent. It Iuferno is more blood-red or mOre accursed. Is is to be governed by directors under the control the conscience of the nation dead? If not, wiII of a board of managers in London. Thomson, no Yoice be raised of sufficient power to awaken New, Johuston, and a half dozen other explorers It from a heavy sleep P" who have visited this region, tell us that it em- braces much of the finest land in equatorial -A New African State. AmongaU Africa, and that a part of it is ruled with rather industrious and teeming populations. It will be the remarkable enterprises of which interesting to watch the developing of this new Africa is now the scene, there is prob- attempt to extend civilization and to found a ably none which exceeds in interest new State in Africa.-New York Sun. that which is now unfolding in the Burmah. – A missionary of the vast regions northeast of Zanzibar. Society for the Propagation of the We have already told of the agreement between Germany and Great Britain, stipulating in Gospel Burmah says that the six that British Inlluences may operate without interference in the country between the east coast strong points in the ramparts of Budand Victoria Nyanza. uorth of a line drawn from Mombasa to the middle point of the east sbore dhism are these: oC the great lake. We have also described the British East African Company, organized to de- 1. It is the ancestral religion, and has all but velop this large region. The British Goveru- universal sway. No dissenters. ment has now granted a charter to this company, giving it Cnll powers to maintain an armed 2. All the boys and young men at some time Coree, erej:t forts, levy customs and taxes, open wear the robe and live in the monastery. trade routes, and to perform all other functions 3. The women are more devout Buddhists than the men. 4,. It is the one bond of national life. one-third of their pastor's salary. '5. Science. art, knowledge are all aaturated They demurred at the proposition, but the missionary was firm; and with Buddhism. rather than lose the man they 6. The coercive power given to the religion by wanted, they agreed. This was an epoch in the history of self-support iis union with court and crown. in the mission. News of what had beendonespread among the churches, These points, he thini{s, will be car- and soon SIX others had become self- , ried in the following order, the sixth issupporting on the same basis. This now the rule in the mission, and having already been overcome: works to the advantage of all con- cerned. Possibly there may be a 6. The crown and coercive power has gone, useful hint in this for other missions. and the monks will now Corm independent cor- Self-support cannot be secured with- porations. oauryt.setlf-direction.-Baptist Mission- 5. Western art, science, knowledge and trades -Rev. George Owen, missionary from Pe- will undermine and supplant the old system. king, said, in Exeter Hall: .. Itgives me very 4. The national life must separate from decay- great pleasure to support a resolution of Ing religion, and find newer and more vigorous thanks to Almighty God for increased life, with civil and religious freedom under the opportunities of usefulness. I think we fostering care of England. have great reason to thank God for what 3. Women will find brighter, nobler hopes and He has done in China. The doors of that long-closed land are now open to us; with work under the gospel; and their devotion be- few exceptions we can travel from end to come fixed on Christ, not Gau-da·ma. end of that mighty empire; we can sell books and preach the gospel in most of its 2. More active intellectual life will burst mo- nastic bonds,and the youth of the country become cities, towns and villages without let or no longer willing to submit to its irksome re- hindrance. We have great liberty of action straints. and splendid opportunities of preaching 1. The magnitude and extent of the old religion Christ to the Chinese. And that is a thing Wt11 hnrry it on to destruction when once decay for which we may well give thanks. Think rhas set in. ChinR.-J. Hudson Taylor says that China of it: eighteen magnificent provinces, each has coal deposits enough to provide the world with coal for 2,000 years. There is a tradition as large as Great Britain, 1,500walled cities, that St. Thomas went to China in the apostolic age, but as he gave them no Bible the work was some 7,000 towns,and over 100,000 villages not permanent. The Nestorians went there from are now open to the preaching of the glori- ous gospel. Fifty years ago, I believe, there the seventh to fifteenth c.enturies, but they again gave China no Bible. So also the Romanists in waS not a single Protestant con:vert in the the thirteenth century, but they made the same empire of China; thirty years ago there mistake. The Jesuits took SCience, but not Scripture. The first British ships took opium. were some 400 or 500. At the end of last But Robert Morrison went to China, and then year there were 32,000 men and women in the Bible began to he given to the Celestial Em- full church membership, there were 13,000 pire. There are now 150,000,000 of opium osers in China.· In 1856 Mr. Ta.lor went with Wm. children in our schools learning to know Burns to Swatow, headquarters of the distribu- tion of opium in that district. Children, and Christ, and besides these there are thou- even wives, were sold for the sake of procuring this deadly drug, and this represents the sum of sands-nay, tens of thousands-who have all villainies and miseries, working more ruin than drink, slavery and licensed vice combined. learned to honor Christ and respect the gos- Such is the testimony of Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, pel. That, I think, is something for us to the head of the China Inland Mission. rejoice over."
-The way to self-support in the China's .lwakening.-The Chinese King- missions of the London Society, in dom, whose extraordinary inhabitants a. thousand years ago had become proficient China, was found by letting the in many arts and technical discoveries, churches choose their own pastors. made use of the mariner's compass long be- fore the inventive Italians had discovered The method was discovered almost by accident. One of the mission their magnetic needle. They had employed churches was dissatisfied with the cannon before Berthold Schwarz, made gun- pastor which had been sent by the powder, established a paper cnrrency in the missionary in charge, and asked for another who was a favorite with thirteenth century as efficient as the Chase them. The missionary told them national banking system; eat their meals they could have him if they would pay the whole of his salary, whereas from the finest porcelain, while in the they were then paying only about castles of German barons only tin plates were in use and and wooden bowls in the huts of the German peasants. The extraor- dinary race which,long before Gutenburg, employed movable type in printing, and whose gold, sliver and bronze works of art of human activity Protestants have ac. were the admiration of the world from the earliest period of antiquity, has, at quired a distinguished place. len&,th, aroused itself from its long Rip Van • As to ecclesiastical organization, French Winkle sleep. Every mail from the Flowery Kingdom brings fresh evidence of the fact. Protestants are divided into three groups: It is wonderful, and not yet fully ascer- the Reformed Church, the Church of the tained, how a people that in the Middle Confession of Augsburg, and the various In. Ages, while there reigned in Europe the dependent churches. The Reformed Church most barbarous condition, stood upon an is the most considerable, comprehending elevation of cult:ure which has only been about 600.000 members. Its connection with attained by us in modern times, should the State deprives it of the free action that abruptly come to a standstill, as if a moral might render its decisions even more effecttetanus had fallen upon their social exist- ive than they now are. The Church of Augaence. The Chinese were engaged in mining burg Confession has lost three-fourths of its long before the Greeks or Phrenicia!ls;" but members by the annexation of Alsace to for three hundred years their metallurgical Germany. It counts about 80,000 adherents, industries had almost wholly ceased, mining with ninety pastors. becoming arrested, and their output of gold sinking to the lowest minimum. These mines .. The Independent churches number from are again about to be put in operation. 15,000 to 2O,OOU members; the most numerous Some few days since an enterprising Ameri- is the Union of the Free Evangelical can set out for France with inspectors, chnrches with about fifty pastors. These miners and machinery in order to re-open churches represent with courage a.nd firmthe mines in the province of Shan Tung. ness the principle of the independence of the These mines gave, in their day, an abundant church, but their direct in1iuence is reproduct; but in the fifteenth century, it is strained by their numerical weakness. The said, the discovery was made that metal- Methodist Church counts thirty regnlar 1url;"ical industry brought about a plague in pastors and about 100 local preachers. The the country; stormy weather was ascribed otper denominatiens, liaptists, etc., are of to the infiuence of evil spirits let loose by less importa.nce." it: and one day the emperor issued a decree wJtich Interdicted mining operations of Germany.-At one of the meetings every description. Since that time the of the recent London Conference Mr. Chinese have restricted themselves to gold Grattan Guinness, whopl'esided, read washing. Experts assert that the ore in Shan Tung will yield $20 to the ton. As the extracts fl'om a paper received from Chinese laborers work for very low wages, an enormous profit may be anticipated from Mr. Grundiman, who was not able to the output. Thus the powerful kingdom of 'be present, on German Protestant the far East is waking up in every field of useful occupation to a new existence, and Missions: with the adaptability of the Mongolian race it will not be long before 1hey will be able to In a very interesting manner he reviewed !lOntinue their mining operations without the missionary enterprise of Germany, point- the guidance of the Caucasian. There are ing out tho.t un to a recent period one of the already men-of-war, commanded and strongholds of opposition to missionary manned by Chinamen, an achievement that work was the University of Jens.; now a twenty-five years ago would have been COll- missionary society has been formed among sidered impracticable.-Public Opinion. the students there. The political press, which formerly was silent on the question, Franee. -" Numerically, Protest- nOw freely ventilates the cause of foreign antism in France is very weak," says missions. Dr. Grundiman showed that the the Journal Religeux. noble tree of the Moravian brethren, plant- ed through the instrumentality of Count "Those 'competent to estimate give the Zinzendorf, had for a considerable time number as from 700.000 to 800,000. This is few stood alone. Fourteen other societies '!ore for a coustry with 36,000,000 of inhabitants. growing un side bV side With it, and many How much more it might have been but for have already become strong. The Gossner the expUlsion of the Huguenots t There Is, Mission has in Ischutia, Nagpoor, among the however, progress. In 1809, Mr. Recolin says, Kolki tribes, more than 30,000 converts, and there were only 150 pastors in France; now, the Rhenish Mission has about the same even after the loss of Alsace, there are 870 number in South Africa and Dutch India. In pastors, of whom,85 belong to the Independ- Snmatra especia1y the mission among th8 ent churches. It is also trne that the Prot- cannibal Bataks has prospered in a marvel~ estant minority occupies an important po- ous manner. The Berlin South African Mis- sition in public life.' In every department sion has likewise experienced blesSed re~ suits. When the secretary visited the field twenty-one years ago there were something like 1,600 converts at the different stations, but when, three years ago, he went back he found the number had increased to 16,000, and the Ia.test report mentioned 19,000 con- gogne. At the beginning of the verts. The Ba.sel Mission, ma.inly supported present century this island, situated by Christians in South Germany, in West at the most southerly point of the Indo-British empire, was desolate Africa, India., and China, has something and a meeting-place for tigers from the neighboring country. Even now over 20,000 converts, The Leipsic Mission tigers sometimes swim through the narrow channel which separates the bas in India 14,000 converts, and the Her- island from the continent, and come to the gates of the city. At present mansburger Mission in South Africa, 12,000 the city is of great importance to the commerce of the world. All ships converts. from Europe and Asia to Si~m, Anan, China and Japan pass the Island and Hawaii.-The Hawaii Islands have stop there for coal and provisions. About forty Jewish families are resi- ~ population of .20,000 Chinese, who dents, mostly hailing from Bagdad. A few come from England, and one are engaged in all manner of pursuits firm, Katz8z;Brother, from Germany. They follow the Sephardic rite, no and show their native thrift and rabbi, but a shochet, who is at the same time Hebrew teacher. The capability for work in whatever busi- vernacular is English, but most of the Jews speak also Arabic. ness they engage. Many of them are -A Hindu woman said to a missionary: on the sugar plantations; at Spreck- " Surely your Bible was written by a woman." elville (named after the sugar king) ,i Why ?.. "Because it says so many kind things there are 1,100. Most of them are for women. Our pundits never refer to us but from the same district as the Chinese here, but many are of the Hakka in reproach. " class, of whom we do not see so many. For the past 25 year~ evan- -There is no doubt that caste must gelistic work has been carrIed on among them by the Hawaiian Board undergo great modifications in the of Missions. During the past few years Mr. F. W. Damond and his near future. The diffusion of knowlwife have had almost sole charge of this work, and report much encoUl'- edge exposes its hollowness and cruagement in it. There is a Chinese church in Honolulu and another in elty, although neutral text-books do Kohola, on the island of Hawaii, and missionary tours have been made to not give men the" courage of their the other islands, where the gospel convictions." Thatthe "mild Hindu" has been proclaimed. An interesting should become so hardened and unfeature of the work is the use of the natural as to refuse a dying man a magic lantern, oftentimes under the drinlc of water, as caste forbids him open sky. Sometimes the beautiful to do, is sufficient condemnation of view, representing the wise men .fol~ the inhuman system. The political lowing the star, shone out agamst aspirations of the Hindus are directly the starry background of the actual contrary to the spirit of caste. Na- heavens before an assembled audi- tionality demands intelligence and ence composed of Chinese, Japanese, conscience, and the legal equality Portugese, Gilbert Islanders and Ha- and responsibility of men. If a SudI'll, waiians, while at times the explana- may not become a ruler, then nation- tions were given in five different lan- ality is a myth; if he may, then caste guages, and much good has been done is dead. Patriots must be. sever~ly by this object teaching. In Honolulu tried to see the veneratlOnwlth a fine Young' Men's Christian Asso- which the grave-clothes and bands of ciation building has been erected by caste are cherished by some would-be the Chinese, and the Association has reformers.-Indian Witness. been doing good work. This work should be of especial interest to us, -Mohammedanism and Female Education. for we labor in much the same methods, under many of the same A printed circular has been widely distributed disadvantages, and among the same class of people. The report for 1887 iu the zeuanas of the Northern Punjab, in is intensely interesting, and will be sent to anyone on application, with India, adorned with the crescent aud star. in stamp, to Mr. F. W. Damon, Honolulu, Oahu, H. I. Mr. Damon is con- which Mohammedans are most earnestly ex- nected with the American Board. horted to organize girls' schools for the educa- India.-Singapore, a city on the tion of the female sex, .. according to the island of the same name, has a small Korsn," to prevent Christiau missionaries from Jewish congregation and a syna- extending their influence over MohammedaD women.
7'"Mohammedans. Ithas been often referred to that in India there are whether they would embrace the rellcion or.
over forty millions of Mohamme- the irreligion of Europe.
dans under British rule. The Queen- Persia.-~obert Bruce, D.D., of'
Empress rules over more Mohamme- Persia, said at a late meeting of the Church Missionary Society, that" so dans than the Sultan of Turkey. far ft'om mission work among Moham- TheseMohammedans of India are the medans being a forlorn hope, he was descendants of the great Mohamme- acquainted with thl'eeChurchof Engdan invaders of past days. Partly land clergymen who were once Mohammedans, and one of them has the;v are the descendants of Hindus (chIefly oeifthloewr tehrrcoausgtehsf)~rwcehoo~ as in baptized fifty converts. Beng:u, hopes South Sea.-The London Missionary Cbronof gam, exchanged their rude idolatry icle gives extracts from a letter of a. visitor among the missions in the South Seas, who for Islam. These Mohammedans of some time since had written a series of India con~in among them Plen of articles to one of the Sydney papers, speakc!>~mandmg ability and dignified po- ing very contemptuously of missiona.ries sItIon at the courts of Mohammedan and their "Cork. This man was at that time. as he now admits, .. a renegade, reprobate, princes, men of high standing in the and enemy of the gospel," and in the" bond- age of selfish obduracy and vice," but havcouncils of the several governments ing been converted to Ohrist, he makes a most humble confession, expressing the of India, men of learning and culture: deepest regret and shame for the slanders he had uttered, and acknowledging that he That all these millions of Moham- had written statements about matters of which he knew nothing. There is room for medans are fellow-subjects with us, more confessions of this kind from some who have disparaged missions when they under the rule of Queen Victoria, knew nothing about them, or who were so in the bondage of sin that they were wholly means that they are in India brought outof sympathy with any efforts to promote righteous living. We have in mind at this under specially favorable circum- moment an author whose recent cynical utterances about missions and missionaries stances for becoming acquainted with in .Japan would have little weight with the public if the full history of the man were the gospel. It means also that they known.
have the protection of a powerful Syria.-A letter received, very re- go~e~'nment. in the profession of that cently, from Dr. H. H. Jessup, of rehglOn WhICh their honest convic- Beirut, states that: 1. The gospel is now established in the Turkish em-, tion may lead them to adopt. Mr. pire as never hitherto. 2. The Sul- Wherry said, at the Decennial Mis- tan has made legal the circulation of sionary Conference in Calcutta, in 1882, "Th~ progress of learning, the the Scriptures in all parts of· his do- spread of Western science, the appli- minions. 3. The native churches are now coming into a self-supporting ances of travel, the increasing facili- condition. 4. The governmentlooks ties of intercommunication by post with special favor ppon native, and ~elegraph, the pUblication of a rather than upon foreign, evangelistic multItude of newspapers and periodi- agencies, and so encourages a native cals, and the very powerful influence ministry. of the English people resident in "Tahiti.-Lately Mr. Green landed India, combine to make the Moslems the:e with a supply Of Bibles. The of India, of all the followers of Mo- natIves wanted them all, but the hammed in the world, the most amen- missionary was not authorized able to the injluences of the gospel, "- to give away, and there was not Ohurch Miss, Intelligencer. $5 in money on the whole island. However, he sold them all on credit, Italy.-Politically, the Italians are trusting for remittance,from money Protestants, while religiously they are Roman Catholics. We must dis- tinguish between the few who are the abettors, and the many who are the victims of Romish despotism.
One of the daily papers of Italy is now publishing the Bible in its col- umns in 210 parts.
Japan.-Rev. John Gulick of .Japan said that a flood of atheistic literature was en- tering the country from abroad, and the few thousands of Ohristians in .Japan were not numerous enough to influence in the right direction the 35,000.000 of the .Japanese. What is to be done for .Japan should be done quickly, as the .Japanese were movin/:' for- ward, a.nd would have to decide soonas to
'180 INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT. rQcT.-
robe received from the ship's pur- ised dollar was paia to the mission- ary. And this among a population. chases of provisions on land. He of only 140 persons so poor that even thus disposed of $100 worth. Anxious to redeem their pledges, the na- the women were dressed in garments tives brought their fowls, pigs and of grass.
goats to the officer, and every prom- IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
. CONDUCTED BY REY. J. T. GRACEY, D.D., OF THE "INTERNATIONAL HIS- SIONARY UNION."
Five Hundred Years ofIslam inTurkey.* science and art. In all that oonsti- bItes civilization the East was far in BY REY. CYRUS HAMLIN, D.D., LEXING- advance of the West when this Osmanli dynasty arose. The Cru- TO~, HASS. saders, who treacherously took and sacked Constantinople in 1203, ex- ALTHOUGH Constantinople was not pressed their astonishrt:lent at the taken and the last remnant of the arts, the splendor, the luxuries of Greek empiI'e destroyed till 1403, yet the desolated city. practically Sultan Muhammed and Bajozet, in the victories of Kossovo, Islam had possession also of all 1389, and of Nicopolis, 1396, estab- the sources of wealth. It had every lished the Ottoman power over those variety of soil and climate, and proregions known as European Turkey. duce of the earth between the tem- The OsmanIi Turks, therefore, thQ perate and the tropic zones. Its minbravest, the most persistent, the most eral wealth was vast, and is still capable of instituting and maintain- undeveloped. In the shores and ing government, of all Moslem peo- harbors of the Mediterranean, the Sea ples, have had possession for five of Marmora, and the Black Sea, with hundt'ed years of the fairest, richest the great rivers Nile and Danube, portion of the old historic world. The commerce was offered advantages possession was complete when, in which no other power possessed. 1453, tHe capital fell i,nto their power, Europe stood in awe of this mighty and the crescent replaced the cross power, and was only anxious for on St. Sophia. defense. In all the science and arts . These five centuries present to us of war, as existing in the fourteenth the most favorable test of the faith and fifteenth centuries, Islam had of Islam which· history contains. the advantage. In 1326 the second The government has been adminis- Sultan of this dynasty organized a tered in the. interests of the faith. It standing army, with regular pay for has been a religious government. Its officers and men, with military uniinspiration has been the Koran and form and music of drum and fife; Koranic tradition. Its sovereign with infantry and cavalry, and an ruler claims to be the" Caliph," the order of battle conformed to the successor of Muhammed, the infalli- organization of the army. In a word, ble repository. of the faith, and his Islam had its own way, could choose claim is admitted by the Moslems of its own mode of action, and it must every land. Islam thus came into the now be judged by its results. Among possession of a wider territory than its subjects it had a Christian popu- Rome ever controlled. . lation on conditiOIlj> which, it im· posed. There was no superior powel Its domains in Europe, Asia and to fear. When the first Sultan or Africa secured. to it the accumulated this dynasty took Nice .and carved riches .of the world, not only in what over the gate, "There is but one God, i~usually termed wealth, but in * Rejld·beCore International Missionary Union, Bridgeton, N. J., fuly,lS88. and Muhammed is his prophet," Rus- clearly the great advantage that sia was a barbarous power under the domination of the Mongol Tartars. would aCcrue to the Christian popu- Germany, France, Italy and England, lation over the Moslem to be freed were in a much lower state of civili- from military service. He found the zation than the inhabitants of Syria remedy in the institution of the Janand Asia Minor. These now" Great izaries. He selected 1,000 of the fin- Po",ers" were slowly getting into est Christian youth, put them under shape. This history of modern civ- special and severe training, with a ilization dates from a later perlOd- simple nutritious diet, and developed the fall of Constantinople, 1453. them into the finest body of athletes Islam, then, has had its fairest trial ever known. There was nothing in Turkey, on three continents, with known in the art of war to which the choicest treasures of each at its they were not severely trained. For command. By their fruits ye shall three hundred years 1,000 Christian .know them applies to nations as youth every year (Von Hommel' well as individuals. thinks 51)0,000 in all) were thus taken to form that terrIble corps of Janiza- I shall bring Islam to trial on four ries which was the Ottoman reserve, points-population, wealth, arts of and _which decided many a hardpeace and war, and social life and fought field for the Ottomans. missions. All captives taken in war were I. Fit'st, then, we refer to the popu- held for ransom or held as slaves. lation. When the Osmanli Turks· The women were made the wives began to exhibit their ambition and or concubines of the captors. The capacity for rule, their growth in children were often adopted in the numbers was exceeding rapid. Seated harems, and became Moslems by eduon the banks of the Sangarius in cation. As the empire constantly Bythome, they had a fertile county enlarged its boundaries, mosques and around theirs, and two demoralized chapels, and meddress, or colleges, and crumbling empires to take pos- arose on every side, and the preach- session of. The Turkish Seljukl'on ing of the faith was supported by empire was in a state of disintegration the victorious power of war. by internal dissensions. The Greek empire has .been so shattel'ed by the After the fall of Constantinople, infamous cI'usade under Dandolo that 1453, and the submission of Greece, it had never recovered unity, and the extension of the empire by war was full of plots and counterplots. nearly ceased. The population, both The first Sultan Osman, from whom Christian and Moslem, had become the Turks call themselves Osmanlis, vast and was the greatest empire of -exhibited so much moderation as the age, and all Christendom prayed well as valor, so much justice toward in all public prayer to be delivered al1, in government, that many Christ- from Turks, infidels and the devil. ian villages submitted to him for the But the Christian population during security which his government all thesl' weary centuries endured offered them. According to the law the cruel oppressions and resisted the of the Koran, all believers in a reve- missionary efforts of the Moslems. lation from God and having a book- In population they held their own s. Bible-if they submit without fight- better than the Turks. mg, are to be secure in all the rights of property by. paying the haratch, The conscription of a thousand or ta.x of subjection. No military Christian youth every year was more service could be required of them. than counterbalanced by their uni- versal exemption from other military But the second Sultan, Orkton, saw service. Turkish fatalism exposed their armies to fearful losses by cholera, plague, and other epidemics. of the camps, the defiance of ordinary- Many thousands would be swept off rules of health, are a great drain in a. bad encampment before the upon the very muscle and sinew of· commander would remove to a the Turkish population. healthier place. So soon as the period of conquest ceased, the scale During this century the Christian of increase of population began to population of the empire has nearly turn against the Moslems. or quite doubled. The Moslem popu- lation has hardly held its own. The fact has now become notorious. Things are slowly moving towards a The Christia.n populations have been point when the Turk must retire from gaining upon the Muhammedan in all the supreme authority which he now this century, and probably in all the exercises. It must coIlie in time, last. even if foreign wars should not hasten it. On the point of popula- In Asia Minor, which is, par emi- tion Islam has lost the game. She nence, the home of the Turks, their has played it her own way. She has numbers are positively diminishing. chosen all the adjuncts and circum- Travel where you will in the interior, stances of the game on her own soil, you see signs of decay in all the and has suffered an ominous defeat. Turkish villages, and signs of g~owth in aU the Christian. Testimony is Look for a moment at some of the borne to this fact by many travelers, chief divisions of her empire: and I have repeatedly noticed it myself. At the beginning of this century Moldavia and Wallachia were trib- But the fact is placed beyond doubt utary provinces on the Danube, reby the official measures of the Turk- ceiving their governors from the ish Government. The same percent- Sultan, having a population rising age of the Moslem population in con- 3,000,000. They are now an indescription for the army does not give pendent kingdom, under protection of the same number of soldiers. The the Great Powers, with a population per cent. has been raised. About of 6.000,000. If we assign 10,000,000· fifteen years ago this matter was dis- to the rest of European Turkey, cussed in Turkish newspapers. Why hardly 4,000,000 can be allowed to the is .the Moslem population diminish- Muhammedans; probably 3,500,000 ing? It was said by some, absurdly, would include them all. Bulgaria, Serthat patent medicines a1;e so exten- via and Bosnia are practically lost sively imported and used that this in- to the empire. Asia Minor is the fidel medicine is destroying the faith- chosen home of the Turks. The estiful. mates of her numbers as a race vary from 11,000,000 to 13,000,000. I take The real reasons are not difficult to the lower number, and the Roumaniascertain. Female infanticide in ans, Bulgarians and Armenians outvarious artful forms is confessedly number them. The Turks are a brave prevalent. The midwife knows that and sturdy race, but Islam has taken the natural(?) death of a female in- them fmm the front into the rear of fant, the sooner the better after all the powers of Europe. birth, will procure her a backshesh from the father. If maternal in- II. As to the economy of wealth, stincts are strong, the mother has to what has this religion to show to the guard the life of her infant daughter world. It came forward to European with extreme jealousy and devotion. view with all the wealth of the East in its grasp. In soil, climate, natural But the military service, falling en- production, in rich mines and forests, tirely upon the Moslems, is a still in- its waterways and harbors, it had greater check upon population. The the most glorious opportunity the poor commissariat, the bad condition world could afford for developing cast as those used in the siege of Con. vast wealth and stretching the arms stantinople. But these arts were Rot of its commerce to India and China her inventions. For a time she knew in one direction, and to aU the how to use and to encourage the European nations upon the Mediter- skill of her Christian subjects. But ranean and the Danube. Africa, also, even this has gone down to :>blivion. was largely its own. But what a Her textile industries were beautiful, miserable and deplorable result of but have disappeared. Her dyes five centuries of trial! As a govern- were Uliequalled for brilliancy and ment the empire is absolutely bank- fastness, but they are now among rupt. Its foreign debt amounts to her lost arts. In foolish treaties she very nearly one thousand millions of has gi ven up her industries and her dollars. On a part of this debt it pays freedom of action into the hands of one per cent., and upon a large part foreigners. She pursues a system nothing. It pays the rank and file of which discourages enterprise, art and its own army nothing but rations and industry. Instead of being the first, clothing. It oppresse/il Christian and she is the last among the nations. Moslem alike with a destructive tax- Instead of being the head, she is the ation. As England has craftily bound tail. If she gains a victory, it is with it to free trade, and, notwithstanding arms of foreign make. Her great its cries of distress, will not let it go, victory at Plevna was gained with there is no hope for the future. The rifles made in Providence, R. I., and people have been growing poorer with ammunition from New Haven, and poorer for the last forty years, Conn. As to the fine arts, they have but notably since the war with Russia no place for even a mention. in 1877. If a drought falls upon any place famine follows, and thousands Now, as Islam claims the entire die every year from famine. This regulation of life, and -to include all empire inherited and has wasted all that is needed for human happiness the riches of the East. It has devel- and progress,we are entitled to charge oped nothing. It has blocked aU this faith with the ignorance and in. progress. It received ten talents, and capacity which have wrought out buried them all in the earth, and has these results. It has had a fail' allowed them to be stolen. And it is chance, and more than a fair chance, Islam that has done it. It is this in the presence of Christendom. This faith that has governed and con- faith has developed itself according trolled all things. It can never raise to its own essential nature. Its presa people to a true civilization. It has ent condition is a demonstration of been tried on the grandest scale and its fitness, or unfitness, to be a relig. along the- track of centuries, and in- ion for civilized man. stead of wealth, poverty; instead of comeliness, rags; instead of com- IV. We pass, fourthly, to its social merce, begging-a failure greater and life and missions. more absolute than history can else- where present. The missionary, wherever he goes ~'Hd whoever he is, repl'oduces the so· III. What has Islam accomplished dallife to which he belongs, and out in the arts of peace and war? Her of which he has come. He aims to artisans in the manufacture of arms do this. It is expected of him that, were not inferior to the European. both by precept and example, he will Her steel, her Damascene blades lead his proselytes into his own way have been celebrated for centuries. of living. She early introduced the use of fire- arms. No such cannon had ever been It is absolutely essential, then, to the right understanding of Moslem missions, that we should understand the social structure which is the product and the expression of that having twenty-three wives by succes-, faith. The following five things are sive divorces, and 'yet only one at & inherent in the' system, are sanc- time. The social life of a Moslem tioned by the Koran and by the great people can never rise to the dignity code of Muhammedan law. They of a true civilization. It is only in are distinctly treated of and consti- case the wife has become the mother tute the Moslem life. of sons that her place is at all se- cure. 1. First is polygamy. The prophet himself had nine wives and many 3. A third institution is concubiconcubines, but the law limits man nage. 'It was perhaps the design of' to four wives. Of his slaves he may the Prophet to limit the number of have as many concubines as he concubines to four, but as the slaves pleases, or as he can. Polygamy is taken in war were the property of chiefly the curse of the rich. The the captors, a Moslem, by the laws higher, the ruling classes, the mol- of war, could do what he pleased lahs, officers of the army, the navy with his slaves, the limitation inand civil government, are polyga- tended by the Prophet is of no avail. mists-are expected to be. It would The Moslem'S concubines are, forthe be considered mean and disgrace- most part, pur<:hased slaves. The ful to have wealth and station and Georgian and Circassian market is and only one wife and a concubine or very quiet and secret, and one cantwo. The peasantry, the laboring not tell to what extent it prevails. men, generally have but one wife. But the African market is always act- Could the African slave trade be ive and the supply is large. It is abolished the equality of numbers in this constant demand for household the sexes would still further limit servants and concubines that makes the supply. The highest grades of the overthrow of the Arab slave Mdslem life are essentially corrupted trade so difficult. So long as conand made effeminate, luxurious, in- cubinage exists, so long will the dolent, incompetent, by this curse of trade in female slaves continue. The its social life. slave trade furnishes nearly all the household servants of a Mussulman's 2. Divorce is a great institution. establishment, and is considered by It is made very easy. Every be- him his legitimate and rightful source liever is permitted to. divorce a of supply. wife twice and marry her again, but after the third divorce he must wait 4. We must therefore regard slavuntil she has married another man ery as a fourth and legitimate instiand become a widow or been divorced tution of Islam. Wherever it has by him, and then he may marry her. freedom of action it is established. There seems to be no limit to the Captives in war-men, women and number of times he may divorce and children-are slaves,unless redeemed. marry the same woman, if only a While Islam was a conquering faith marriage to another man and a its supply was abundant. When it divorce intel'vene. Divorce is so eas- ceased to make war with European ily effected and is so much a preva- powers, or was compelled to submit lent custom that it far outstrips any to European laws of war, the supply they yet know in New England or ceased, and the African slave trade other American States. It sometimes through Egypt opened. That slave occurs that a man has a dozen or trade continues to the present day, twenty wives in the course of as and neither the Sultan of Turkey or many years, and yet never trans- of Zjtnzibar, nor the Khedive of gresses the Muhammedan law of four Egypt, will make any honest effort at a time. I have heard of a Moslem to stop it.. It will exist so long as Islam'is a governing power. In its '!'he Importation of Opium Into the great code of laws it has twelve Port of San francil.!OO from Hong' chapters on slaves and slavery. Kong' and Maoao.* 5. There is the death penalty to BY J. G. KERR, M.D., CANTON, CHINA. any and every renegade from the faith. No law of the Koran has THE warfare against alcohol is been more rigidly adhered to than meeting with encouraging success, this. 'Every Moslem is taught that and ere long the shouts of victory the renegade, having three times will be heard from every hill-top in the call to repentance and rejecting our land. But while alcohol, the it, has forfeited his life. In lands great curse of the family and the where the faith cannot rule this pen- home, isbeingconquered and chained, alty is probably in all cases inflicted another enemy of the human race by secret means, by poison, assassin- is secretly invading our country and ation or false accusation of some fastening its grip on our vitals. crime. The convert's only safety re- As yet its presence is scarcely perquires him to leave his people and ceptible, but if our temperance organplace of residence at once. This has izations will appoint a suitable man been a very strong point in this faith. to investigate the matter, the threat::- This death penalty, so universally ening danger will be shown by facts taught and executed, is the reason which exhibit the prevalence of why this faith has lost so few by opium and morphia-eating and the conversion. increase of opium-smoking, as intro- duced by the Chinese. Now, this is the system which is to be reproduced by Mohammedan mis- The object of this paper is to call sions to the heathen. If we are to attention to the preparation of opium form any intelligent judgment of for smoking, and the importation of this recently much lauded work, we the extract for smoking into Califor- must keep in view the system of nia. Opium is produced in India, and which that work is the expression. its growth, preparation and sale is a It introduces the heathen to a social monopoly of the British government, life which always has wrought into the revenue in India amountiBg to it these flve elements-polygamy, many millions of dollars annually. divorce at pleasure, concubinage, This opium is imported into China slavery, and the death-penalty to through Hong-Kong, a British col- the faithless. It does bring to the ony, and herea large quantity under- heathen some great truths-one God, goes the process of " cooking," or the prayer, no cannibalism, no drunken- preparation of the smoking extract; ness, no idols, no idolatrous worship. and the sale of the monopoly brings It enforces so much of mental culti- a large revenue to the colony. The vation that the prayer is repeated smoking extract is also prepared in five times a day. All this is in ad" the Portuguese colony of Macao, vance of the African forms of hea- forty miles west of Hong-Kong. The thenism. But there is no renova- " cooking" of opium, or the prepara~ tion of character, and the paradise tion of the smoking extract, is a held up to view as the end of pharmaceutical process. which re: the race is so utterly and unutter- quires great skill and care, and only ably a sensual paradise that the hea- skilled workmen are employed. then, and they alone; are naturally Large copper pans and charcoal fur~ a.ttracted to it. naces are employed, and the utmost vigilance must be used' to prevent burning, which, even in one pan"
*Read before International Missionary Union, 1888. would involve the loss of many dol- total number of the boxes take:b.· at . lars. Macao on board the Oity of Peking to have been 250, the total value of The smoking extract prepared in the opium was $140,000. To this Hong-Kong and Macao, besides sup- must be added the freight, insurance, plying local consumption, is exported duty at San Francisco, to give the in large quantities to Australia and full value of this precious cargo Ualtfornia, for the use of Chinese when delivered on the shores of our emigrants in those countries. That happy country. prepared in Hong-Kong is quietly taken on board the steamers there, The average amount of opium and attracts no attention. But when smoked by one man in a day is three the Macao article is exported the drams. Each of the copper boxes steamers must call there. These contains fifty drams; at three drams lines were written on the local per day this would last sixteen days. steamer, leaving Macao for Canton, This cargo contained 25,000 copper and the chief officer remarked to me, boxes of fifty drams each, and at " There is an American mail steamer the rate of two boxes per month for over here for opium. Nothing ever one man would supply 1,041 men brings them here but opium." Ten one year, or 2,082 men six mouths. days ago a missionary friend was The custom-house records at San leaving for home on the Pacific mail Francisco will show how much of this steamer, Oity of Peking. He came opium for smoking is imported, and from Hong-Kong to Macao to say an approximate estimate can thus be made of the number of men who are good-bye to friends there, and as I slaves to this habit.
was there visiting a member of our Japan Notes ~nd lBcidents, mission who was ill, I was glad to meet our friend at this parting inter- BY REV. H. LOOMIS, YOKOHAMA, view. He returned to Hong-Kong, went on board the steamer, and found JAPAN. she was to call at Macao. He came A YOUNG man named Sakuma Kichitaro was ashore and spent the night, and we formerly a pupil in Mr. Fukuzawa's school lit made arrangements for him to return Tokyo, and while there was a zealous opponent to the Oity of Peking with the opium, of the Christian religion. With some of his which was to be part of the cargo. companions he succeeded in breaking up one of The agent and officers had kept very the religious meetings held in connection with quiet about the intended call of the the Third General Assembly, which met in steamer at Macao (the neV)'spapers Tokyo in November, 1885.' had no hint of it), thus showing that After completing his' studies he went to his they had a consciousness of the dis- home in Boshiu, and became an active member reputable character of the business of the Liberal party, and in his zeal for that they were engaged in. This opium, cause spent a considerable part of his fortune. which was taken to the Oity of Pe- He afterwards concealed one of his political king, was contained in abou£250 boxes friends and associates who had been guilty of (more or less), and each box held 100 crime, and for this offense was arrested and small copper boxes, hermetically confined in jail for some time awaiting his trial. sealed, in each of which were five Dnring his stay in the jail, a Christian oJlicial ,taels, equal to six ounces and two placed in his hands a copy of "Martin's Evi- drams of the smoking extract. The dences of Christianity," which he read with value of the opium in each one of much interest· and pleasure, and was thus con· these copper boxes at the manufac- vinced that the religion which he had hitherto tory was $5.60, and each wooden box denounced was true, and he now embraced (about one foot by one foot by twenty Christianity with the same zeal that he had inches) was $560. Supposing the hitherto opposed it. Wben he was afterwards sent to the prison he asked the privilege of taking Bibles with him that he might use them for the good of the in- mates, but his request was denied. Still he was not discouraged, and resolved to do what he could. His efforts to help others met with no favor, " She thought that her Bon being a Christian is but decided opposition. Not only did his com· a great shame to her and disgrace to her family.
panions refuse to hear his teachings, but they, She had lost her husband when Tomiyasu was even tried to prevent his own private worship. very young, and since that time slie cared for Yet he was not at all dismayed, or turned aside and educated him; hoping to see him useCol to from duty. Every morning and night he knelt tbe society, and also to make her happy in her in the midst of his ungodly and scoftlng com- old age. Thns she was greatly disappointed by panions ;and pou'red out his heart to God in ear- seeing her SOn believe Christianity, the foreign nest and audible prayer. and false religion, as she called it.
This conduct greatly annoyed the others, and " She sent a letter to him with anger and tears, they apparently resolved to put an end to his forbidding him to believe Christianity. When devotions. So when he was upon his knees in Tomiyasn had received this letter he was prayer they would catch hold of his feet and greatly troubled in his heart, yet his faith was pull him down, and thus, in various ways, as strong as before, and he continued to send annoyed him in order to compel him to cease. her letters persuading her to believe on Chrlst.
But, like Daniel in the heathen palace, he knelt He is very fond of his mother, and obedient to as before, and night and morning offered prayer her in every respect, so that she has not any to God. hesitation to write in her last letter, 'You have Since Sakuma has been released he has led been obedient to my words in every thing be- many others to the Lord, and among them nearly fore.'
all of his own family and immediate friends. "Troubles contiuued more than a year, and He is acting as an evangelist in the region where finally, in the middle of last month, he received he lives, and it has been the purpose of his heart a decisive letter from her, saying: 'If you won't to become a regular preacher of the gospel. His obey your mother's words you are not my son wife is a woman of superior education and any more; you cannot inherit yonr father's ablUties, and she is in full sympathy with him house; I will send you neither money nor In all his desires and efforts to teach his people. clothes hereafter.'
.A. NATIVE JAl'ANESE REQUESTS PRAYER. "At this troublesome moment he wrote me THE 'following request for prayer was pre- (when I was in my native province) that: 'My sented at tile union meetings in Tokyo: mother seut me a letter saying I am not her son .. DEAR BROTHERS AND SrsTERS IN CHRIST any more because I served Christ. My path is JESUS oUR LORD AND SAVIOUR : dark as pitch dark, and I cannot see one step .. Hearing that all the missionaries of Tokyo farther; but I remember the words of the have opened a daily prayer-meeting, I will ask Psalmist, ,. When my father and mother forsake you to pray to the Almighty God for a widow who has ·forsaken her son. I beg to ask your me, then the Lord will take me up." Please prayers for my dear friend Tomiyasu's mother. pray, my dear brother ; pray, pray, pray l' He came to onr school in the fall of 1880, and since that time was my Sunday-school pnpil. " His uncle wrote him a few days ago, urging Gradually his heart was brought to Christ, and him to write a note that he will not believe he united with the Shinsakai Church. Christianity, becanse if not his mother will com- "He was well taught in the Scriptures, and mit snicide, leaving his yonnger brother and before he was baptized knew he must bear the sister without a ~ardian. He is troubled of cross if he follow Christ. He was like a man who this greatly, yet he prays and trusts that God counted the cost before he built a tower, and will keep her from this dreadful deed. like a king who consulteth what to do before he goes to a war. He was from first quite different " I believe God will keep Tomiyasu, and watch from common believers in our school. He did over him, for he is a true disciple of God. I not hesitate in anything to do for his Lord. will not ask yon to pray for him, for he is at his " Once when the Christians of our school have Master's feet, and He will keep him always. decided to give our tracts as we go along on Bnt I will ask you to pray for his mother, for Satnrday or Sunday, he was one of those who Tomiyasu is greatly troubled on her acconnt, did it willingly, while others delayed to do it. but not for himself. He is always saying, His first work done for his master, SOon after , Though my mother forsake me, I will not forhis nnion to Him, was to send letters and por- sake her.' tions of the translation of the New Testament to his mother, with the earnest prayer that she " Dear brothers and sisters, please pray espeCimay know and believe in her Saviour. This ally for her to-day, believing that God will ronsed her anger, for she, being an earnest be- change her heart. Almighty God promised and liever of Buddhism, is a worshiper of her said: 'I will give them one heart, and I will put ancestors. a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony heart ont of their flesh, and I will give them a heart of flesh.'
"Your obedient servaut, "HATTORI AYAO."
THE MONTHLY CONCBRT OF
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
BY A. T. PIERSON, D.D.
TURKEY. powers. When the Armenians were TWENTY-FIVE years ago Dr. Kolb approached ea1'ly in this century by estimated the adherents of various re- missionary eftort, the Sultan Mah- ligious faiths in European and Asiatic moud II. encouraged outrages on the Turkey at :S1,500,OOO, about one-half native Protestants, and not until his bemg Moslem, one-third Greeks and army was defeated on the Plains of Armenians, one-fifth Roman Catho- Nezib, and his own death followed, lics, and the remainder Maronites, did the exiles dare to return. .
Nestorians, Jews, Syrians, etc. In no In 1843, an Armel1ian who had em- country, perhaps, beside, do we find so braced, and then renounced, Moham- great a variety of races and religions. medanism was executed at Constan- Mohammedan is the ruling faith tinople. This led theChristiangovern .
and the State religion. Previous to ments of Europe to demand a pledge 1856, a Moha.mmedan of Turkish that no such insult to the Christian birth becoming a Jew or a Christian religion should be repeated. Four was liable to the death penalty, as years later the English ambassador Islamism is universally intolerant. secured imperial action constituting But in that year, by a hatti-Bheri/, the native Protestants a community, or hatti-humayum, 'the Sultan abol- separate and independent; and in ished this penalty, and conceded to all 1856 the hatti-Bheri/, with the signa- the' rigp,t to embrace any religion. ture of the Sultan, formally an- To this result the British Empire in nounced the era of toleration.
India. contributed. Thisimperial decree may have been Turkey lay about midway en route regarded in those pashalics under the between London and Calcutta. Tur- Sultan's immediate sway, but it has key, taking the attitude of resistance, been a dead letter in more remote might block up England's highway districts, where bigoted Moslems have to her Indian Empire. The Sultan had control. Still it was the first could lock the gates of the Golden grand step toward the establish- Horn and blockade the Syrian ports, mentof religious freedom and the en- obstruct the passage across the Isth- couragement of Christian missions mus of Suez from the Mediterranean among thirty or forty millions 'Of to the Persian Gulf, and thus compel people.
British merchantmen to round the Turkey, although by the treaty of Cape of Good Hope to reach India. Berlin her territory in Asia and Eu- He must not be a foe but an ally. rope is reduced, still sways over one EnglaIid must have a casting vote in million square miles and over twenty the councils of the Sublime Porte. millions of people; and by six articles Hence Britain kept her ablest diplo- in that treaty the subjects of the matist there, and the wars with Egypt Turkish government are assured of in 184.0, with Russia in 1855 at the civil and religious liberty. In 1878 Crimea, and with Persia the year Asiatic Turkey came under a. British later, as well as many measures of Protectorate, and a" defensive alli- statecraft, were prompted by the ance " was formed between the two necessity of protecting those East In- nations, by which Britain pledged dian possessions, and keeping open her help" by force of a.rms" when the line of communication. necessary, and the Sultan pledged But the only perfect security must himself to certain reforms, mainly . be found in the abolition of the having in view the protection of na- persecuting policy of the Moslem tive Christians and Christian mission. aries. As a matter of fact; however, . recognized andallopted as the basis a follower of "the Prophet" espouses of government.
the Christian faith only at the peril Education is making rapid prog- of persecution, and practically those ress. There are graded schools, with "
reached by mission effort are for the improved text-books; even girls are most part adherents of the Greek, now finding an open door to the Armenian, and Nestorian churches. higher education. And the supply is Mohammedanism, however, though far from being equal to the demand.
most stubbornly opposed to all gos- The sluggish intellect of the Turks is pel advance, is not without hopeful awaking, and now is the time to take features; possession of its aroused faculties.
First, it is iconoclastic-from the For years the one chief source of beginning the foe of idolatry, it is in reading matter to that people was sympathy with our simple Protestant the Christian missionary press; by worship. that the Word of God has been Secondly, it is monotheistic, affirm- spread through the empire, beside ing one God, and drawing a large over a thousand different books, and part of its doctrine from the religion newspapers. There is a nominal of the Old Testament. censorship to which books and tracts Thirdly, God has made it, all un- are subject which lately ther.e was consciously and unwillingly, the an effort to render more strict, but handmaid of the gospel. The Arabic practically it has not hindered the is the sacred language of the Koran, publication and circulation of Protest- and curiously enough the Moslem ant literature.
faith enjoins upon all true followers For nearly flfty years the Ameri- that they be able to read that sacred can Board has been working to in- book, and yet forbids its translation fuse new spiritual life into the Orien- into any other tongue. Hence, what- tal churches. And now the hour ever be a Mohammedan's native lan- seems to have come when God opens guage, he aspires to read the Arabic, the door for direct labor among the because it is the only sacred dialect Moslem popUlation. Owing to the of his religion and of his Bible. Who abolition of the death penalty, perse- shall doubt a providential purpose in cution for religious opinion is now • all this? illegal. The law of the Koran pun- Notwithstanding all the hostility ishes apostacy with death, but treaty of the Mohammedan power to evan- obligations practically annul the gelical religion, and the antagonism Koran; and since the case of Selim of Oriental churches that have a name Effendi, in 1857, the government otli- to live, but are practically dead, the cials have, in numerous cases, been gradual transformation of the whole compelled to decide that converts to community justifies the concentra- Christianity were not to be molested, tion of larger missionary forces in the according to the provisions of the Ottoman Empire. Treaty of Paris, in 1856.
The influence ofenlightened Christ- Rev. J. K. Greene, D.D., of Con- ian governments is permeating this stantinople, says that the scandal of whole dominion over which is un- Oriental Christianity has largely furled the green flag of the Prophet. ceased to hinder the conversion of The Turkish courts have been a farce the Turks. The introduction of a scarcely equalled in history. The purer evangelical faith and life, con- "code Napoleon "displaces the Mos- trasting with the idolatrous worship lem code in moulding the adminis- and immoral practices Qf "these nom- tration of law. The principles of inal C,kristians, has enabled these political economy are coming to be Turks to see that these scandalous teachings and lives are not the fruit, Pennsylvania R.R., in the State of but the perversions, of the religion of New Jersey, the Women's Christian Jesus. Temperance Union posts up the fol- lowing telling facts and figures: Christian schools are not restricted, as the colleges at Constantinople, In one year, in New Jersey, there were- Beirut, Smyrna, Harpoot and Aintab 5,649 saloons. at a cost of, ……… $28,245.000 testify, with six female seminaries 1893 schools. at a cost of……… .. 2.982,250 at other places, established by the American Board. Excess in favor of saloons …. $25.262.750 In 1873. Vineland. N. J .• and New Britain, The Star in the Ea,st appeals for Ct.• had each a population of 11,000•. ample missionary forces immediately New Britain had eighty saloons. Vmeland to occupy Constantinople, as "the had none. capital of the Ottoman Empire and New Britain spent for paupers……… $8,500 the seat of governm£'nt; as the heart Vineland spent for paupers………….~ of the Moslem faith, whose pulsations are felt in the continents of Excess in favor of New Britain…. $8.276 Europe, Asia and Africa, and reach the distant Soudan and India; and as New Britain had to spend for police… $7.500 the metropolis which holds the key Vinel~nd had to spend for police …….~ of Palestine and affects the destinies of the. Jews. Its inhabitants repre- Excess in favor of New Britain….. $7,425 sent the various nationalities on whom the Holy Ghost was outpoured The Work of Missions is necessarily at Pentecost, and who anciently were slow, if it is not to be superfiCIal. comprised under the great Byzantine Over fifty years ago, Dr. Duff saga- Empire. It is now in a condition of ciously said:' "The time for the crisis: the tide of opportunities is education of women in pagan lands more favorable now than it ever has has not corne; one or two generabeen for evangelistic work. The tions of men must pass in the enjoyraces once enlightened by Chrysos- ment of educational privileges, and tom, Gregory and Athanasius re- then educated men will want eduquire again the living Word, and are cated wives as companions." So it anxious to raise their fallen candle- has proved. Two generations have stick. The Christian workers are passed, and now the women of pagan ready to help, and it is cons£'quently lands are beginning to enjoy instrucof thp. utmost importance as a rally- tion, and the men are proud of their ing center." wives and daughters.
SUGGESTIVE PARAGRAPHS. REV. J. S. WOODSIDE.
Th6 Principle of Vicarious Atone- "DR. DUFF, what is your theory ment is acknowledged among all na- of missions?" "I have no theory; tions. In the Fiji Islands a man anything and everything to advance who was sentenced to death would the cause. If I could advance misoften surrender his father to suffer sions by standing at 'a street corner in hIS stead. The obligation to honor and beating together two old shoes, the law by executing its penalty is I would not hesitate." We are of felt even by pagans, but the possi- Dr. Duff's opinion. There is an exbility of substitution, and the pos- cessive conservatism that attaches sibility of satisfaction by such sub- itself to methods after they have bestitution seem to be instir..ctively come stereotyped, or even fossilized. recognized. A good method may lose ·its vitality and inspiration. So a theory may An Appeal for Prohibition.-In cramp and cripple our effort. We one of the railroad depots on the .need to be on the alert to watch the hand of God, and the moving of the Providential Pillar. Let God's plans be ours, and let us 'Dot fail to find what those plans are, as revealed by the very signs of the times.
PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY BULLETIN
TEXTS AND THEMES. preventing conversion of souls. Sec" ond, preventing evangelism. Nehe- Christ's Humiliation and Exalta- miah's story is one of building and tion, a Pattern for His Saints. manifold hindering_ The foe hin. Phil. ii : 5-9. dered by not co-operating, by "idi- culing, by actively opposing. We He emptied Himself. can see Satan hindering the work of Became a servant. God, constantly. Became a sufferer, even unto death. Then was highly exalted, crowned 1. By indifferentism. Whately and enthroned. So the true saint says that the depreciation of Christfollows Him in self-renunciation, ianity by indifferentism is a more service, obedience and suffering, that insidious and less curable evil than he may sit with Him in the heaven- infidelity itself. lies, exalted and crowned with Him. " Via crucis, via lucis." 2. Vis inertice. Conservatism and First Charge to a Foreign Mission- fear of innovation. Lord Eldon was ary. Gal. ii: 9, 10: "Remember the said to prevent more good than any poor." other man ever did. The Earl of Shaftesbury, whether at home, or on the street, or in Parlia- 3. Criticism and ridicule. A light ment, never forgot the poor. We word is the devil's keenest sword. should remember them because they are poor, because they form the bulk The Divine Law of Sacrifice in Givof the race, and because their pov- ing. 2 Sam. xxiv: 24. Offer to God erty is the desperate famine of the 'that which cost me nothing 1 bread of life. The Planting of the LQ1·d. Isaiah Shall I offer to God what was given xli: 10,20. to me, and cost nothing to get 'I The greatest argument for foreign What is useless to me, and costs missions is the result of the work in nothing to give up? what is not of bringing forth from most unprom- value to me, and costs nothing, to i:;;ing soil the trees of righteousness, surrender? No gifts count much proving the divine Husbandman t~ with Him that cost nothing with us. have been at work. We must le3.rn to .cut off indulgences Satan a Hinderer. 1 Thes. ii : 18. Satan is a person, and as such an till we touch the quick of our being. "obstructionist." A fourfold char- Compo Phil. iv: 17, which contains acter is ascribed to him: tempter, the divine philosophy of giving. accuser, hinderer and destroyer; or, seductive, accusative, obstructive and The Mystery of Christ and the destructive. When sin is not yet Church. Eph. v : 25-32. done, he suggests it; when done, he does all he can to prevent the undo- Dr. Geo. E. Post of Syria says that ing of it by repentance and restitu- this passage, written to those who tion. had been heathens in Ephesus, is the How he hinders missions! First, most wonderful eVer written. It puts woman in a place and on a plane which could not have been im- agined by an uninspil'ed man. Noth- ing suggestive of it ever entered an Oriental mind. Even Paul but partly understood what he wrote.
VI.-PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS: MONTHLY BULLETIN.
A.frlea.-The Livingstonia Mission, The and quietness reigned both at the north and long-delayed mails from Lake Nyassa and the west of the lake. Dr. Cross and Mr. Monteith, surrounding region arrived in Edinburgh on of the Lakes Company, had put a stockade JUlle 5th, with the reports for the year 1887 and around the school at Cherenji, on the plateau intelligence up to Marel). 30th. All were well, between Nyassa and Tanganyika, and mission work among young aud old was going on -Ina letter to the London Times,Rev. R.P. Ashe, late olthe C. M. S., writing from Usamhiro, bravely. Mr. Bain had remained at Bandawe, draws timely and forcihle attention to the daily determined not to come home unless his col- increasing scandal of the importation of arms into the interior of Africa. He states that an. league could spare him. Dr. Laws and Dr. English trader is sending to Uganda a hundred Elmslle had' met with him in Mission Council, rifles and twenty thousand rounds of ammuni- tion, and that Arab traders are also supplying and discussed many Important questions, being King Mwanga with hundreds of old English unanimous, especially as to the comparative rifles, and gunpowder ad lib. It is pointed out that apart from the disastrous effect of placing healthiness of Bandawe. Dr. Henry was at the snch means of destrnctlon iu the hands of a south of the lake developing the new mission in young barbarian king, such action is calculated to prejudice the position of Emin Pasha and Chikns('s country. He has sent a second ac- Stanley, and presents the deplorable spectacle of connt of the new mission there, which is, on the .. Englishmen relieving Emin Pasha from the whole, encouraging.-HissiOna1'1/ News. West, and an Englishman relieving King Mwanga from the East." -Progress on the Congo. In The -Bishop Crowther, the black bishop Missionary Herald there is a letter of the Niger, was as welcome a guest from Rev. Mr. Bentley, giving cheer- as any among the bishops who ating tidings or the progress of the tended the Lambeth Conference. At work on the Congo. In February he the house of the Bishop of Dover, at baptizedayoungmannamedNlemvo, Canterbury, he was entertained with and now he reports the baptism of honor, and there was no suggestion two young women, Aku Toniangi of incongruity in his bein~ there. Biseobodi and Kavazwila Kalombo, The form of addr,ess, "my lord," both of whom were formerly slave seemed just as appropriate to him as girls. Of these two Mr. Bentley to any of his brethren of the Episcowrites: "The change of heart and pate. At the lord mayor's banquet life is exceedingly well marked, and in London he was received without they rejoice in a very definite sense condescension. At the Missionary of pardon and peace with God." At Conference in Exeter Hall his venertheir baptism, at the Tombe riverside, able presence stirred the enthusiasm the two converts told the people as- of the audience, and his quaint and sembled how they had been taken telling illustration of woman's work from their countries by the Arabs, in his mission was greeted with the and how God had sent. them to the heartiest applause.-Spirit of Mis- missionaries; that they were at first sions. indifferent until they began to see how great and blessed was the salva- -In the five years ending with 1887, Boston tion which Jesus offered. A few sent to Africa 3,500,000 gallons of intoxicating days following, Nlemvo and Kalombo l!quors. America is also sending missionaries were united in marriage by Mr. Bentley, the first Christian marriage to Africa.- Western Christian Advocate. in the Congo country. -The power of the Arab slave-traders on -Dr. Smythies, Bishop of the Universities' Lake Nyassa has recently grown to such an ex- tent as to endanger the existence of the mission Mission to Central Africa, complains strongly, n that region. Dr. Cross of the Free Church was compelled to leave one of the stations at the In a letter to the London Times, of the way in north end, Marcil 30, and take refuge in the which German in:lluence has been allowed to settlement of Nkonde. An attack which was made soon after npon the Arab stockades failed spread in the country lying to the north of Zan- because the leader of the small force received a zibar. The Universities' Mission was founded severe wotind. It was hoped that the British Government would put an armed steamer on the on the faith that English Influence wonld con- lake to protect the work so nobly begun by Dr.
tinne paramount, but suddenly, not long ago, Livingstone. Unless some effective measures of this sort are adopted, the shores of Nyassa are the German Government began to exercise a pro- likely to become a regnlar slave-hunting ground, tectorate. The bishop says: .. We only ask to as it was before Livingstone's explorations. be left free to minister to the people whom we Asia Minor.-In Saionica, the city love and among whom our mission has worked which, in Paul's day, was called so long, and that that inflnence in restraining Thessalonica, a church of ten mem- violence which has hitherto been used for the bers was formed last June by the good of the people by the Sultan of Zanzibar, at missionaries of the Presbyterian $he snggestion of Her Majesty's consul, should still be used for that end. Faillng, we would ask why, when Germany claims a free hand in an enormous territory of thousands of square miles, It should not be granted that the line oC demarcation which delimits British influence be drawn some thirty or forty miles lower down, so as to include this country In which English mis- sionaries are the ouly European residents of any kind f" Church (South). From' this, as a new Protestant church is to be center, they go through Macedonia opened this summer in Eastern.Boand Epirus on evanselistic tours. It hemia, in a thoroughly Romish dismust be with peculiar feelings that trict. At Pisek, an important town, large meetings are being held, and these men travel the same roads over the settlement of an evangelist thet'e which the apostle Paul walked eigh- has become necessary. On the other teen hundred years ago, and speak hand, opposition is increasing. :A to the descendants of the people petition is being got up asking for the expUlsion of Mr. Clark from the whom he was wont to address. country, and the consequent suppres- Belgium.-The Evangelical Society sion of all his meetings. of Belgium pursues its work with much vigor, and with no small suc- Balgarla.-That Protestant Christianity Is cess. Many of the churches it has galalng a firm foothold in Bo1garia Is shown by the fact that 400 people, many of them from dis- tant towns, gathered at the annnal meeting of founded during its fifty years of ex- the Bn1garian Evangelical Society, at. Tatar- Pazarjik, :May 1()"14. One of the most carioas istence are centers of true spiritual and Interesting features of the session was the aaction sale of articles which had been given to life and activity. The evangelization the,society, generally by persons whose Income in Brussels, worked on the same lines was so small that they conld send no money. as those of the McAll Mission, is In this way even the poorest bad some share in yielding good fruit. In country dis- the work of the organization. tricts, too, new openings are continually occurring, especially in the China.-The tir.le has not yet come mining districts. One of the most recent is that at Monceau de Far- when a missonary's life is safe in all ciennes, near Charleroi, where on parts of Chjna. As Rev. A. Elwin of Thursday evenings three meetings the English Church Missionary So- ciety was walking along the streets are held in three successive hours, with ten minutes' interval between each. One at least of these is for of Chu-Chee, May 4, a mob raised the special benefit of the miners who the cry of "Foreign devil, foreign work at night. They are not large gatherings, being held in the house devil! beat him, beat him I" and im- of a young married couple. The mediately began to stone him. He husband began to attend the preach- owed his escape to a few men who ing of the gospel in November, tried to calm the populace; for while 1886, greatly to the disgust of his they were talking he passed on un- observed, and left the city. wife. But at length, observing the great change wrought in him, she also went, and then urged her hus- -Lay Workers.-A correspondent writesf'rom band's relatives, a large family of Chefoo, calling attention to the Central Cbina grown-up sons and daughters, also Wesleyan Lay Mission, formed a little time ago, to go. The result was that the evan- which is a most useful mission, and Is snpplying gelist was welcomed amongst them a great need In China. Hr. J. R. Hill, St.
and invited to hold meetings under Savionr Gate, York, will be happy to snpply their roof, and in the summer there details concerning this work. .. Yon will be is to be preaching in the ~and glad to hear," says onr correspondent, .. that father's garden, situated on the slope Rev. Thomas Cbampness is sending ont two of of a hill, so that the singing will be his JoyfuJ. News evangelists to this mission. and heard throughout the village, and a young man from New Zealand bas also offered.
will probably attract large audiences. I hear too that Rev. James Gilmonr, of the Bobemia.-The prospect here is London Mission in Mongolia, is most anxions to get ont some laymen to help him in his growing brightening. The Rev. Dr. Somer- work in tbat land. America also seems to be ville, after a long sojourn in that and waking np to the Idea of sending laymen abroad adjoining provinces of Austria, re- to preach the gqspel. Shall we see an American ports that spiritual life is beginning China Inland Mission t n again to manifest itself in the old Protestant churches. The Evangeli- -The China Inland Mission reports the in cal Continental Society and the Rev. gathering of first-CrnIts for Christ on the borden A. W. Clark, of the American Mis- of Thibet. The Rev. James Meadows contrasts sion, both report progress among the the state of China when he went out In 1862 with Roman Oatholics, in face of manifold its present position. Then few places were legal differences and hindl'ances. A open for work, 'houses conld be rented only with great dlftlcnlty, the peopljl were hostile, some of the missionaries looking coldly at efforts his l!)ins, and a ,Koran There has been a tento go inland. Now, the people ready to listen, dency of late, through recent discussions, to missionaries encouraging, and there are native disparage missionary zeal among Mohammedchurches with 100, 200, or 300 members. ans. But have welnot, as followers of our cru- cified Lord, something to learn from them f -The Synod of China, which holds Germany.- An Oriental seminary has been its sessions triennially, is to meet at established at Berlin for practical instruction Chefoo on September 1~. Two weeks in the languages of the far-off East. The following languages are taught: Chinese in advance of the convenmg of the Japanese, Hindustan, Arabic, Persisn, Turkish, and Suaheli. The system of instruction is synod a meeting of those interested new, as the study is not mainly directed to the scientific, but to the practical, acquisition of the in a union of the Presbyterian langnage; and the teachers are natives of the respective countries where the languages are churches in China is to be held for spoken.
comparison of views and the further- India.-Rev. Dr. Wilson, of Bu- ance of the object.. As there are daon, has baptized over 160 persons eight or nme different Presbyterian since February last; a few were bodies at work in China, the union children of Christian parents, five of their forces, provided it can be were :Mohammedans; the large ma- effected on a thoroughly satisfactory jority were low-caste people, farmers, chowkidars, etc. The work on the basis, would not only add to the Budaon circuit is expanding rapidly. efficiency of the missions, but would Dr. Wilson writes: do away with the necessity of t'X- .. It is no time to talk of retrenchment. We plaining to the heathen divisions must have money and men and women full of the Holy Ghost, who are not ashamed to be which they cannot understand. The counted as the filth and off-scouring of the world, if thereby they may but save and lift up the lowearnest prayers of God's people are est to whom God may send us."-Star 01 India.
invoked in behalf of this gathering, -In the northwest of India and of Oude missionary physicians are coming promiand also of the synod so soon to con- nently into notice. Nearly 72,000 cases were treated at eleven missionary dispensaries, and vene. 11,000 women sought relief at Mrs. Wilson's dis- pensary at Agra; 18,850 women and children England.-The report submitted to were treated at the Thomas dispensary at Agra. the last General Assembly in regard The woman doctors in charge successfully per- formed some very important surgical operato the Universities' :Mission was ex- tions.-Presbyterian Banner.
ceedingly gratifying. The four Uni- -The North Indian Methodist Conference met at Cawnpore ou the 4th of January., The versities' Associations had wrought reports presented were full of enconragement. The native Christian community now coimected together very heartily, and in addi- with the Conference numbers 9,226, of whom 5.675 are adnlts. There has been an accession tion to what had been otherwise con- during the year of 832 adults by baptism. Of tributed for buildings, the sum of these 27 were from Mohammedanism, the rest £646 had been raised for the main- from Hinduism. Inquirers are no~ reported, tenance of the various agencies sup- yet these are so numerous that if the missionported by their united mission. The aries desired only to swell their numbers 2,000 future teachers and catechists for the persons could be baptized at once. One native Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Inde- preacher, the Rev. Philemon, ordained by pendent Sikhim :Missions are prepared Bishop Ninde a year ago, has since baptized 211 for their work in the Institution at persons. The Conference greatly needs a staff Kalimpong carried on by Mr. Suther- of good colporteurs. There are 23,913 scholars land, the Universities' missionary. in the schools-Indian Witness. At the close of 1887, thirty-six young men were under training to qualify -Advance of Christianity. Says Sir Charles them for the different stations and Aitchison at a meeting of the C. M. S. at Simla: schools already established, or to be In the Madras Presidency the increase ofChristopened up as cinmmstances permit. ians in all denominations is vastly in advance of that of the population. In Bengal the In- Egypt.-In a book on the Jews, by Dr, Kel- ,crease o~ population during nine years has logg, it is stated that there is at Cairo the largest college in the world. There are 300 professorswho teach Mohammedanism,and 100,000 stu dents. At the head of this nniversity is a Jewish pervert to Islam. Surely this suggests the amazing energy of the Jewish nature, and that the recovering of Israel to Christ would be "'life from the dead." The Mohammedan propagandist goes out from this institution with this only as his .outftt-a turban, a cloth round been 10.89 per cent., of Christians more than which he received the sanction of,the 'Lleuten. ant·Governor. He possessed the entire cO'nfi- 40. In the N. W. Provinces the increase of dence of the government authOrities, alid was Christians has been exactly nine times as fast held by them in milch esteem, while natives as that of the total population. In the Puujab came from the villages far and near to him with their diJllculties and disputes. After upwards -the population has increased 7 per cent. The of nine years' absence, Mr. Stevenson came Hindoo and the Mohammedan religions are prac- home on furlough. He addressed meetings tically stationary, that of the Sikhs has declined, throughout Scotland, and made many friends. He only returned again to India last October. whereas the Christian religion has increased 88~ His loss will be severely felt by the Free Church, per cent. whose Foreign Missions Committee meet to-day -Progress in Madras; Bishop Sar- in connection with the sad event. Mr. Stevengent of Madras, who last year cele- brated the jubilee of his missionary son leaves a widow, for whom much sympathy career in India, has outlived- all the is felt. original missionaries of his society in that diocese. When he went to Tin- Japan.-We have just received the nevelly, in 1835, the Church Missionary Society had only three or four summary of the statistical J:eports of missionaries, one native preacher, and 114 communicants. There are the 'churches in Japan connected now 81 missionaries, of whom 64 are connected with his own society. In with the American Board, and the 1,618 villages there are -now 98,184 ChristiansandcatechumenR, of whom recOl'd is one which should confirm 18,460 are communicants. There are 22,170 pupils in schools, and the eon- our faith and stiIl1,ulate us to re- tributions last reported were 47,761 rupees, or about $22,000. doubled efforts. In January, 1887, -At the anniversary meeting of these churches reported 4,226 mem- the Church Missionary Society, Sir Rivers Thompson dwelt on the sin- bers. The report is now brought gular providence by which a handful down to April 1, 1888, covering a of Englishmen has held the whole period of fifteen months, and the of India. At the last census, in 1881, membership is 6,340, a net gain of the total return of the population of 2,114. This is an advance during the India, not counting Ceylon, was 254,- fifteen months, not counting losses 000,000. According to the normal by death or otherwise, of almost ex- rate of progress, this population is actly jifty per cent. Mention should now estimated to be 258,000,000. Yet be made, moreover, of the work of the total number of Englishmen and the native missionary society con- Englishwomen in India is some- nected with these churches, in thing under 150,000, including 65,000 . regions where no churches have yet troops. "It must often occur to been formed, for the reason, in most every thoughtful mind," says Sir cases, that the converts are not yet Rivers, "what a marvel it is that able to undertake the support of England with 150,000 men should be their own pastors. In these out-dis- dominating 258,000,000 people. If tricts there are reported 753 "believ- it had not been that the hand of our ers," a large proportion of whom good God had been upon us we could were baptized during the past year not do it." and are awaiting the organization of chUl'ches. Adding these converts -Severe Loss. The death of Rev. W. H. to the number of church members we have 7,093 believers, which is a Stevenson, of Bengal, is just announced by tele- gain within fifteen months of 2,801, or sixty-five per cent. This is the graph. Letters received recently intimated the most remarkable record made of any missionary field connected with the prevalence of sickness in the district, but no American Board since the great in- gathering at the Sandwich-Islands. one was prepared for the tidings that have -sad- Praise God from whom all blessings flow !-Missionary Herald. dened many hearts in Scotland. Mr. Stevenson Jews.-Mr. Strauss, the American was appointed by the Free Church Foreign Mis- minister to Constantinople, wasedu- sions Cominittee in 1876 to act as missionary cated in Princeton College, and took teacher and evangelist in India at the age of the prize in Christian evidences, yet twenty-three. Probably nowhere in India has remained a rigid Jew. It was owing a mission been more fully justified, judging by to his influence that the Christian a: visible results. Possessor of good physique, schools were reopened in Syria. administrative ability, untiring devotion, Mr. -At Vienna, last year, 363 Jews be- Stevenson brought them all to his work. Be- sides the schools in his own station, he con- trolled and directed upwards of thirty schools scattered over a large area under a scheme for came Christians, and another paper -The Earl of Harrowby, in an 'a.d~'
says that .. at no period since the dress at the anniversary of the Brit- first century have conversions from ish and Foreign Bible Society, said: Judaism to Christianity been so fre- .. There seems greater interestabout theBible' In Russia than malmost any othercountry. Our quent as they are at present." agent for North RusaIa tells us that a8 soon as the RU8sian learns to read, he becomes veJ'l' Jladagascar.-MissionSchools. The eager to possess the Holy Scripture.. We often find the Russian clergy co-operating in our work; Ohronicle of the London Missionary and when a deputation or great weight went from our committee to St. Petersburg not long Society for July has an intel'esting ago they were received by the clergy and bishops of the Russian Church in the most friendly and article on the elementary schools as courteous way. • • • Wherever you find a Muscovite soldier, you fiud a ready buyer of organized and carried on by the agents Holy Scriptures. The Russian olllears are press- Ing forward education in an their regiments, and of that society in Madagascar. The the soldiers are said by some of your colporteurs to be among their best customers. • • • A growth of these schools has been ex- quantity of gospels go to the exiles of Siberia; nearly 5,000 copies were distributed to them in traordinary. Twenty-five years ago the previous year, and all the Russian olllcials they numbered seven, with S65 schol- have shown the most friendly feeling toward ars; in 1886 they numbered 1,005; your employees in connection with this particular with 102,747 scholars. Some of these branch of the work. From every province of schools, however, are under the care that great empire the same story comes, that of the Friends' Foreign Mission, which there Is an increase In the circulation of the cooperates heartily with the London Scriptures. The total was angmented in the Society. The seYeral provinces are past year by twenty-two thousand copies."- divided into districts, and each dis- Bible Society Regl8ter. trict has a meeting-house, used both as a church and schoolhouse. Most Syrla.-Conversion of Mohammedans. Dr. of them are built of adobe, with Jessup, of Beirut, writes: "Every possible obthatched roof,and are very plain build- stacle la placed lu the way or a Moslem wishing ings with mud floors. The school to embraceCbristlanity. 1. Mohammedan childoutfit consists of a few lesson sheets ren are forbidden to attend Christian schools, and textbooks for the teachers' use. and in mILny places parents who allow their The pupils, however, provide them- children to attend them are treated with vioselves with the primer, a copy of the lence.' 2. No books Criticising the Moham- New Testament, the native Christian medan religlon are allowed to be printed In the newspaper, a catechism, grammar. empire. S. Moslem men embracing Chrlatlanity and geography. There are six stand- are either exiled or thrown into the army wlthards according to which these oat even the form of conscription, even if they schools are regularly examined by escape personal violence. 4. While the death their supprintendents. The teachers penalty lor apostasy from Islam Is nominally are supported in part by the natives. abolished, it is not regarded as a sin to Injure The object of these schools is to teach such an apostate or even take his life. 5. Every the children to read tile Bible, and in book, tract and pamphlet printed is closely this they succeed, and so these schools scrutinized by the press censorship, and any become the chief auxiliary to the press which sbould publish an argument against dh'pct preaching of the gospel. The Isillm would be at once suppressed. Were coming generatIon of the Mala.t;asy Christians allowed to print tracts and books will have as a foundation not only an against Islam, to receive Meslem pupils into ability to read the Scriptmes, but their schools, and to guarantee personal liberty also a fair knowledge of gospel truth. and equality before the law to converts from Islam, there would be constant conversions to Norway.-Nine young Norwegian Christianity. A Moslem turning Christian Is looked upon as an outlaw and a traitor. missionaries, who have had a medical -British Syrian Schools.-These schools, as well as a theological training, are which were onginally founded by Mrs. Bowen Thompson, have done a remarkable work about to for South Africa and Mada- in the Lebanon district since their Inaugu- ration in 1860. The number of schools is 29, gascar. with 3,.73 pupils, superinteuded by Eoglish ladies, most of whom do Sll free of charge. The. Rusls.-There is now iu Southern RUSSia, results In the trainlDg of young .~Is are most near the borders of the Black Sea, a large popu- latlou or several millions, who, whilst retaining their membership ID the Greek Church, belong to reHgious societiea of evangelical ChrIstians, which are designated Monokens or Stundlsts.
They retain their outward connection with the Greek Church as a matter of prudence or politi- cal necessity, their children being baptized and the, marriage ceremony being performed by Qriests of the State Church.
1888.1 STATISTICS OF THE W·OBLD'S JUSSIONS. '11'1
remarkable; 90 are now at work in the ~ehoolB, gium, Holla.nd, Germa.ny &nd Denand of those who have married, it is a most mark-have entered into &n &gree~ noteworthy fact that not one has been divorced, ment whereby the sale of spirituous nor has a second wife entered the harem. The liquors to Turkish fishermen a.nd schooiB are the center of an extensive network other persons on board fishing vessels of Christisn agencies-Bible-women workamolll:' is prohibited. When will these great the blind. the soldiers. and other classes. We nations be as merciful to their own regret to learn that this beneficent society is people as they are now to the Turk? much cramped for want of funds. and that some of the schools will have to be elosed uniess im- -The Newark (Methodist) Conference Commediate and eMcient help is given. mittee on MiSSions, Bev. L. C. Muller of Eliza- -A dispatch from Minister Strauss beth, N. J .• Chairman. has been at work for some time organizing a .. simnltaneous missionto the State Department, given in the ary meeting" campaign for the week October United States Consular Reports, gives 14-21. The" O. S. M." week of last year was information that twenty-one schools fonnd to be very fruitfnl in many ways: new friends were won for the caose, old ones were in Syria, which ha4!l been closed by confirmed and refreshed. and the contributions order of the Turkish officials, had of the chnrches for the year showed a handsome Increase. One of the districta of the Genesee been reopened. Conference observed a week of" simnitaneons" Rhenish Missionary Soclety.-Last year the meetings last spring. and the signs are that ere receipts of the l!Iociety were M7.344 marks. or 883.362 ; the ontlays. 345.773 marks. or $83.000. long thiB plan will be pursned very widely. The society desires to enter into the rapidly ex- There is great need of somellpecialliteratltre for tending work of medical niissions. by sending use in promoting tbese meetings. 81Ich 8S that one physician to China, and another to Sumatra. nsed by the English Church Missionary Society. But. as Dr. Christlieb has shown us. missioDal')' physicians are not so easUy found in Germany as -JoAn Crawfard, &cretary of frut year'. Committee. . in England Ilr America. The society has been Wales.-The Anglican Church of appUed to by the German agent in the Marshall New South Wales has resolved to Islands. to send out missionaries there. But it raise $1,000,000 in five years to comdeclares that it cannot do so without the free memora.te centennial year, and has consent of the American Board. made a start with $250,000. The Wesleyans in the same colonies pro- Turkey.-The Sultan has ordered pose to raise $250,000 in five years. the discontinuance of the ~iquor Other colonies and other sections of traffic in Constantinople, ancl the the church are similarly marking the six. powers contiguous to the North year, and jubilee funds are in high Sea-Great Britain, France, Bel- favor.
VII,-STATISTICS OF THE WORLD'S MISSIONS. Oompa.ni.tive Summary of the Presbyterian Ohurch in the United States of America for the Last Six Years.
. 1883. 1884. 1885. 1888 • .1837. 1868.
Synods…………… . 23 24 25 26 28 Presbyteries………. . 182 190 196 199 201 Candidates……….. .. 678 .733 839 906 986 Licentiates…… _•••••• 282 275 322 337 867 Ministers ………….. . 5.218 5.341 5,474 5.546 5,654 Licen.ures………… . 157 126 161 188 201 Ordinations………. .. 157 150 130 1M 188 Installations…. .. …. . 329 420 361 439 Pastoral dissolutions•.. 287 {()2 268 306 322 Ministers received…… 68 Ministers dismissed,.•. 64 295 51 69 88 Ministers deceased••.•. 22 8Ii 19 29 130 Elders……………. .. 89 29 104 101 21,881 Deacons…………… . 18,968 113' 120.602 :n,212 7.0Il5 Chur.ehes …………. .. 5.876 18,968 6.472 6.676 6.436 5.868 6.287 8,098 6,281 228 OrgaDlzed…. . 165 5.973 177 165 " Dissolved•.•.. 66 68 76 78 " Received••••.• 168 3 U Dismissed..•• 4. 68 8 II 2 Added: Examlnationa.. 3 8 1 1 58,888 " Certitl.cates…• 32.132 42,972 111,177 31.229 Commnnicants …….. . 24.67'7 .1 21.518 28,490 698.767 Baptisms: Adulta…. .. 600,695 M,938 644.025 666.9011 20,114 .. Infants…. .. 10,897 26.801 15.191 18,474 S.S. Members……… . 17.728 615.94.2 21,012 21.4116 28,.- 663.'165 11.942 720.0511 743,518 771.821 19.488 687,269 CONTRIBUTIONS.
1883. 1884. 1885. 1886. 1887. 1886.
Home Missions,…….. $582,360 $620,023 $632,906 $760,947 $785,070 $844,695 Foreign Missions……. 501,578 550,2'20 548,613 651.160 669,891 748,195 Education………….. 187,254 118,956 115,870 97;954 117,898 152,320 S. S. Work……. .•…. 39,178 35,907 34,218 34,739 39,487 78,182 Church Erection… . . . . . 150,391 193,047 152,050 243,016 28Q,687 228,364 Relief Fund………… 75,249 80,288 88,934 99,479 110,939 *525,555 Freedmen…….. .. …. 84,012 86,452 97,619 91,273 103,404 106,641 Aid for Colleges…….. — 76,415 85,471 I 119,730 127,627 215,009 Sustentation.. . …. ….. 21,275 24,845 21,410 26,419 37,026 General Assembly. ….. 46,847 51,037 55,200 21,750 62,324 68,125 lIO,312 Congregational……… 7,139,904 7,355,791 7,541,017 7,640,855 7,902,164 8,803,562 Miscellaneous ………. _833,444 __9'76,420 ___~3,755 _ _771,116 ~~1~4,803 Total,……….. $9,661,493 $10,169,401 $10,192,053 1$10,592,331 $11,098,622 $12,817,783 *Includes part of Centenary Fund. WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, Stated Clerk, Oompara.tive Summary of the Presbyterian Ohuroh (Southern) for the La.st Five Years.
~l~~~~ Synods………………………………… . 13 13 13 13 13 Preshyteries '" .. .. .. … .. ……………… .. 68 89 89 89 68 Candidates …………………………….. . 25344 24878 m 269' 26M7 28_5 Licentiates……………………………… . Ministers ………………………………. . 1,0'79 1,072 1,085 1,116 1,129 Chnrches……………………………….. . 2,093 2,159 2,199 2,236 2,280 Licensures . . .. . ………………………… . ~ •. 53 ~ ~ Ordinations.. .. . . . . . . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. … . …… . Installations ……………•……………….. 29 33 37 44 54 Ministers deceased ……………………….. . 99 81 134 78 107 Pastoral dissolutions…… . _…………….. . ~ ID 33 24 ft Ministers received from other denominations.. . Ministers dismissed from other denominations .. 74 96 79 122 SO Churches organized……………………… .. 76346 Churches dissolved … , ……………. ' .. _… ,. 4 4 5 10 4 mffi "• ~ Churches receiv* from other denominations .. . iHll •~ 9 Churches dismis ed from other denominations .. Number ofRuli g Elders………………. .. 2 3 1 1 1 Number of Deacons………………………. . Added on Examination …………………… . 6 7 Added on Certificate.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ….. . 6,454 6,554 6,827 6,981 7,110 Total Communicants ………… , .. , …….. . 4.,352 4,5(15 4,814 5,070 5,220 Number of Adults Baptized………………. . 7,359 9,951 11,644 12,145 10,173 Number of Infants Baptized ……………… . 4,369 4,934 5,576 5,461 5,67U Number of Baptized Non-Communicants ….. . 131,258 135,201 148,748 150,398 156,24U Teachers in Sabbath-School and Bible Classes. 2,995 3,780 4,214 3,48~ Scholars in Sabbath-School and Bible Classes . 2,334 4,637 4,767 5,121 5,090 5,155 32,870 31,036 34,805 34,163 33,444 8,830 10,308 10,702 12,021 12,201 81,633 86,847 88,963 98,806 101,700 CONTRIBUTIONS.
Sustentation…………………………….. . $48,770 $47,457 $47,676 $42,944 $47,291 41,307 37,490 42,084 48,388 fnV:':;ft;!~d:::::::::::' :::::::::::::: ::::::::: 10,402 11,323 11,677 42,~4 12,687 _,553 60,482 67,685 72,389 Foreign Missions……………………… ,. 37,334 3&,485 38,704 11,921 35,226 Education ………………………………. . 8,426 8,372 8,347 67,204 9,092 Publication ……………………………… . 3,573 3,070 3,505 39,250 6,028 Tuskalo08a Institute……………………… . 13,006 13,649 9,084 18,581 Presbyterial. … ………………. . ……… . 557,731 . 13,258 591,896 4,152 625,312 Pastors' Salaries ………………………… . 562,l()'Z 563,526 13,754 495,653 Congregational………………………….. . 65,415 510,098 4~,097 616,583 97,826 Miscellaneous …………………………… . 54,202 41;8,977 81,104 114,015 Total. ……………………………… $1,398,629 $1,340,763 $1,324,374 $1,415,318 $1,463,478 JOSEPH R. WILSON, Stated Clerk.
-The grants of the Society for the Propaga- April 30, 1888, $14,900.41. The Board made the tion of the ~spel for foreign expenditure for the year 1389 exceed those for 1888 by 10,0001. assessments the coming year to aggregate $50,- Among them IS 5001. for fi"e years for commencing work in Korea by means of an English mis- 000. This was apportioned to the churches at sion;'ry and llome Chinese catechists. the rate of 33 1-3 cents per member. The ex' -The Board of Missions of the Methodist Protestant Church received for the year closing penditures for the past year were $12,158.22.
The Japan Mission was reported as being in a 1I0urishing condition. . The United Presbyterian Ohurch (Scotland).
GENERAL ABSTRACT OF MISSION STATISTICS.
MISSION FllllLD.
J amaica•………19 13 …. …. . … .1.6.. ..76 ………… 124 46 Trinidad ……… 2 1 …….. .2:i' 3 3 0 Id Calabar…… 6 "7' ..2.. 19 …. 38 6 K aft'raria ……. o •11..4…..1. ……1.. 38 36 74 11 Spain ………… 2 5 3 13 7 3 I ndia …………. 2 5 158 10 China …………12 ..2.. .iii' 4 5 ..2.. 2 4 ……. J apan …………3 ..1.. 3 2 28 8,814 1,343 73 6,213 5 23 374 3 16 .. .. Mi· 73 280 137 3 2,209 521 36 1,667 11 9 7 9 255 …….5. 365 82 308 5 473 ……6.5. ..7…0… 17 40 632 …4.,8.8..0. 1 14 460 — — — — — — — . ——– — 2'41S; Total……….. 60 21· 3 95 301 100 612 87 155 13,497 2,074 202 13,676 • Four of these are ordained medical missionaries.
Zenana Mission Fund. Number of Mission Bands …………. .. 124 H Members in Mission Bands .•..• 3,829 THE following is a statement of the Foreign' Auxiliary Societies ……….. .. .351 Members in Auxiliary Societies. 9,025 and Zeuana' Mission Funds as at 30th Jnue, 1887 Life Members …………….. . 251 Mem bers of both Local and and 1888, viz.: General Society……….. . 2,336 Presbyterial Societies……… . ·21 I. ORDINARY FUND. Total Membership ………………… .. 12,854 1887. 1888. Increase in Membership …… : ……… . 4,291 New Presbyterial Societies …………. . 3 Balance against Fund New Auxiliaries …………………… . 98 New Mission Bands………………… . 49 at lsi January …. £20,457 6 10 £1.972 8 11 New Life Members ……………….. .. 90 Payinents 1st Jan. to 30th June ……… 23,569 2 11 22,08~ 6 2 £44,026 9 9 £24,060 15 1 FINANCES.
* Receipts, do. do .. 15,966 9 0 10,732 11 9 Contribnted by Mission Bands….•… $ 5,273 25 Dr. £28,060 0 9 £13.328 3 4 " Auxiliaries ………… 19,856 19 from other sonrces. . . . 528 00 * Includes transfer from Reserve Legacies, £8,716, 128. 8d. Total amount contributed …… $25,657 54 The amonnt in all at the credit of the society II. ZENANA FUND. 1888. is $28,519.51, including: $3,500 specially desig- 1887. nated for boarding school at Indore, leaving at the disposal of the society $25,019.51. "Balance in favor of Fond at 1st Jan … £14,594 14 11 £14,179 2 4 Receipts, 1st Jan. to 30th June. . . . . . . . . 1,529 15 5 1,466 10 2 -The Report berore the late Geueral Synod shows that the Reformed Church is. comprised —– of four particular Synods, 34 classis, 546 churches, 555 ministers, 15 candidates for the ministry, £16,1~4 10 4 £15,645 12 6 89 churches without a pastor, many of them very small, 15 candidates for the ministry; Payments, do. do.. 3,029 2 11 2,814 8 3 4,991 persons were received into membership upon confessiou of their faith, 2,745 on certifi· Or. £13,095 7 5 £12,liIl1 4 3 cate, a total of 7,736 ; gain over all losses by death and remo.al, 3,918. The correction of Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of rolls reduces this nnmber to l,3E9. The amount contributed for benevolent purposes through the the Presbyterian Ohurch in Oanada. church is $284;902.31, an increase of more than $52,000 over last year. The contributions for WESTERN DIVISION. congregational purposes show an increase of $56,113.60, being $986.847.29-total amount for WE regret that in tbe brief statement of fig- benevolent and congregational purposes being ures given in our September number (p.715) re- $1,271,749.60 ; this exclusive of 44 churches that specting this societv, we were misled by an old make no report. The report on SuudaY-Jlchools report. We are happy to correct the figures gives 9,154 omcerS and teacbers, 88,709 s.cholars, from the twelth annual report (l888), kindly the average attendance being 60,537; and sent us by the fresident of the Society, Mrs. C. amounts contributed, $47,000. S. Ewart. This report shows a marvelous increase in the work and the re:ources of the society. As we purpose to give a fnIl resume of woman's work in the mission field before the close of the year, we present here, as in other instances, only a brief summary Southern Baptist Oonven~on. work was correct.' In the foreign field the number of missionaries (white) is as follows: WB correct the figures given In our 8eptem- China, 20; Africa, 8 ; Italy, 3; Braz1113; Mexber number, plIge 691, respecting th!s society. lco, 10. Total, 54.
The receipts of the Home Board were $62,930.- There are besides 10 native preachers In Italy, 37. And of the Foreign Board, $86,385.66. 2 In Brazil, 5 In MexiCO, 3 in Afrlca,.and about Leaving a balance In treasury of 13,609.63. 25 In China. Our lltatementof Home Missionaries and their ABSTRACT OF STATE MISSION WORK REPORTED, 1887. . -i–.-. – !. –~l..i~– BODIBS. ,,; ,,; t ,,; ~.",'.,,,; t2 …
STATE. ~os 1..1.2. ' ,a,; ~., III e'S ",,, .'0.w",£" ~., 0'5 0 as! ~ ,g&'. • 0 112 – – – – ~,t: ~ ~I> III 0 0 – — til 5,134 8 $ 7,38733 .Alabama …… State Convention ………….. 66 1l,595 8l!1 1.750 00 …… …. Arkansas •••••• State Convention ………….. l!1 985 8 No report 'i45 West ArkansBsGeneralAss'n .• 17 686 1,073 l!44 355 Plorlda …….. State Convention ………….. 26 789 1112 ll,186 ll,7l!2 14 3,546 48 Georgia …….. State Convention ………….. 45 1,304 912 8.533 6,381 14 15,O4.l 38 Kentucky •••••. General Association ••••••••••• 36 620 631i 2.145 6,990 6.185 61 …. Louisiana .••••• State Convention •• , •••••• , •••• 14 728 l!Ii6 1.131 2,502 6 4,~10 Maryland …… Union Association ••••••••••••• 21 848 818 ll,207 9.264 8,41688 Mississippi •.•. State Convention ………….. 66 673 753 1l.546 . ………… ……. 6,9208 8,002 87 General Association ••.•••••••• 8 70 186 301 5 1.162 00 833 646 KissOuri …••• General Association ••••••••••• 33 3.246 12.046 18 North Carolina. State Convention •••••••••••••. 64 'iili 'isi 9.33113 '''785 Western Convention ………. 11 1.192 1.636 61 ll,600 8,797 7 8.046 M South Carolina. State Convention …………. 68 635 285 6,846 48 iiJ:795 iO:755 Wi 23,71028 …… :i,42i :i,Oi5 Tennessee•••••. State Convention………….. 29 11,244 84 6,840 12 Texas ………. State Convention •••••.•••••••. 120 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Virginia ……. Genera! Association ……….. 60 2,186 861 685 9,010 9,93l! 44,716 54.657 1110 ll!7.m 46 i… . . ~ Sc GENERAL DENOMINATIONAL STATISTICS.
ADDITIONS. DlIllNUTIONB. a., COLOBBD BAl'TISTS • ::EI . :a ~ 8i .'~"s.2s1 j .sda d ~. i i J ~.. f ~ e .~ lH ., 0 ~ -:e Iii 0 :f:s ,.dg,I it ::s a., —– ———;—– — — ~ £"" .E i i -~'". -A – :-I S ":i:isi 0.0 -t-3 ::EI 0 III ~ "is ~ ~ -Eo<- – – – Ala.bama… 1,467,884 64 713 1,432 6,009 4,415 188 693 4,828 1,412 101 917 89.728 847 92.690 – 18l!,418 Arka.nsss .. 936,058 38 478 1.028 4,308 2.510 128 457 2.402 901 497 47.604 403 29,597 77,201 FIorlda….. 338,406 16 l!O3 36Il 1.489 902 42 136 812 333 18 137 14.816 219 15.497 30,813 Georgla.•.•. 1.00.,800 61 IIl() 1,577 9.460 7,078 45 1147 7.38l! 1.769 4 1,400 131,937 1.409 166,429 298,386 ….. ….. …….. Indian Ter- . r i t o r y . . . . 'i;80i:83i Kentucky . . 7 148 136 841 230 29 126 171 136 103 5.830 5,680 67 884 1.366 10,975 3,818 518 775 4,456 1,882 464 1,51;3 187.503 439 65.038 202.Ml ….. Louisia.nia.. 1,008.961 20 188 898 1,821 1,179 10 314 959 458 6 l!27 19,164 768 71.193 90,357 ~ryland •. 1,009,798 1 45 40 790 246 85 246 :.'99 84 6.717 17 6,400 18.117 issis8illpi. 1,237.468 40 481 1.106 5.963 3.513 2 757 4.078 875 16 788 74.068 1,l!24 108,133 182.201 )lissour•..• 2,438.747 70 896 1.526 8,178 3.605 572 632 .,185 2,061 544 1.044 103,357 213 15,10t 118.461 NorthCa1'()o lina …… 1.525,841 47 6l!7 1.307 7,649 8,306 8 819 3.748 1,828 84 1.282 124,725 1.015 105,603 2IlO,328 SouthOaro- 374 766 5,327 2.666 26 607 2.888 1,024 106 922 74,745 625 116.865 191,610 Jina …… 1,085.789 744 1,191 5,890 2,619 264 383 2,784 1,248 217 1.096 94.740 326 32,005 126,745 115 148 846 106,871 889 66,774 173.645 747 7,292 2.046 —- -=– – – — — — — — – – — — —– — Tennessee..1.723,996 Texas …… 2.0l!7.8Il5 78 1.070 1.889 7.820 7.1114 – – – – Vil'iinia…. 1.660,788 23 846 768 6,694 2,119 307 626 2.699 1.005 765 1.089 83,671 937 191,954 275,625 Tota.ls…. 19,951,241 584 8,057 14.874 82.714 46,019 2,24:1 7.904 48,~30 17.267 2,4l!2 12.1~1 1.115,276 9,331 1.083,282 2,198,668 Net increa.se of churches……………………. 628 Tota.IBaptistChurches in U. 8…… 81.891 _ Net increa.se of membership.. •• •• •• . . • •• • • . .•. . • • 50.100 Total membership in U. 8 …………2,917.316 Tota.l number of churches. white a.nd colored.. 24.205 Tota.J Baptist churches in the world. 37,354 Tota.l number of ba.ptisms. white a.nd colored .. 121.578 Tota.J membership in the world……3.600.719 -The Board of Missions of the )lethodlst The appropriation amounted to S208,819.8l! aud additional contingent appropriations of 125,610. lIplscopal Cbnrch, South, met In May a.nd made Dr. Kelley resigned as Missionary Treasurer. lUI assessment on the Conferences of 8300,000.
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1888
THE RELATIVE PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY
MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
VOL. XI. No. 6.-0Id Series.–]UNE.–VOL. I. No. 6.-New Seriea I.-LITERATURE OF MISSIONS.
THE RELATIVE PROGRESS OF OHRISTIANITY. * BY J. T. GP..ACEY, D.D., BUFFALO, N. Y.
THE Ohristian public has been somewhat startled by statements recently made to the effect that in estimating the relative extension of Ohristianity through its aggressive agencies, there has been a singular oversight of a most important factor in the sum-that of the annual increase by birth of the non-Ohristian populations of the world. Mr. Johnston puts the case thus: " The heathen and Mohammedan population of the world is more by 200 millions than it was a hundred years ago; while the converts and their families do not amount to 3 millions. The numbers now generally accepted as accurate and quoted by the church missionary and other societies, are 173 millions of Mohammedans and 874 millions of heathen, 1047 in all. When Carey wrote his famous Enquiry in 1786 he estiqtated the Mohammedans at 130 and the Pagans at 420 millions, equal to 550 millions. This would give an increase of 493 millions. But as we have come to the knowledge of vast populations in Africa and the East, which could not be even guessed at in Carey's time, we must largely increase his estimate, but I am not prepared at present to say to what extent. Of this, however, I am sure, that the ACT- UAL INCREASE during the hundred years is much more than the 200 millions at which I have put it down. • . . We mourn over the sad fact that the increase of the heathen is numerically more than seventy times greater than that of the converts."
Mr. Johnston is recognized as a candid, careful and capable author and an earnest friend of missions, and he makes these statements the basis of an appeal to the Ohristian church to address itself more vigorously to the task of evangelizing the nations, which he says it is abundantly able to do. He informs us that he could easily give the details of his estimates, and will do so on another occasion, and also says that the members of almost all the missionary societies of Great * A Century of Protestant Missions and the Increase of the Heathen during the Hundred Years. Rev. James Johnston, F.B.S. 1886. James Nisbet & Co. 2d. Christianity, Islam, and the Negro Race. By Edward W. Blyden, LL.D. 1887.
Whittingham & Co. lOs. 6d. . Mohammed and Mohammedanism By R. Bosworth Smith, M.A. New York: Harpers. 1875. Canon Taylor's Wolverhampton Address. London Times. Britain have had ample means of testing his accuracy, and their secretaries have given him many kind marks of confidence. He does not of course say that they concur in this specific statement.
It seems that it would have been more desirable that the author should have furnished the details of the evidence before he announced his conclusions and made them the bases of an appeal, or at least set them forth as an incentive to Christian effort.
Instead of following the course he proposes, the reader will most probably hold the statement in suspense or decide from such data as may be at his command as to its credibility, while many will question if even such tolerable accuracy can ever be obtained in the estimate, as to bring it within the range of practical missionary thought. It is difficult to say what is the population of China even in our own day, and there is little hope of establishing any but questionable inferential proof of what it was a hundred years ago. Whoever has made a close study of the H Table of the Different Censuses of the Eighteen Prov-, inces," and other carefully made estimates as quoted by Dr. Williams, and his elaborate discussion of the entire subject of the past and present population of the Chinese Empire (" Middle Kingdom," vol. i. pp. 206-240), will readily understand that there is no credible statistical data on which to formulate anything approaching exact statements, such as we have become accustomed to for a comparatively few years past, in the Western world; and inferences, deductions and "guesses" have been always easily matched by counterinferences, deductions and" guesses."* One becomes curious to know what fresh sources for reliable statement or argument are to be brought to light, to prove what the popUlation of China was a century ago.
Dr. Williams estimated the population in 1876 to be less than it was in 1812, because the Taiping rebellion probably destroyed twenty millions of human beings during eighteen years of carnage in the fifteen provinces to which it reached. For twenty years prior to that the increase of the population was estimated at less than one per cent. per annum, and this renders Dr. Williams's statement probable. We put emphasis on China, because it popularly is supposed to contain about one-third of the population of the globe, and if no basis of calculation approaching accuracy can be had here, it would cause serious defect in the total result.
It may not be quite fair to allude to Africa, as that may be included in the two or three hundred millions which Mr. Johnston so generously deducts as peoples which have come to our knowledge within the century. But suppose these three hundred millions of newly discovered people have been numerically reduced within the century, what then? Whether the populations of these nations newly added to the world's census are more or less than they were a century ago, cannot be now * See International Department for discussion of the latest Returns. shown. The internecine strife of the tribes of A.frica, the devastationB of the slave-hunt and other causes may·have lessened the aggregate in the last hundred years, and that would affect the total sum. India comes more nearly within the range of statistical comparisons, specially within a few decades, but it lacks anything like exact figures for a century ago. Even within the latest decade covered by the British census, territory has been brought for the first time into the census tables, and the prejudice against the census-taking was so great even twenty years ago, as to limit accuracy. It is impossible to prove what part of the increase in the tables is due to greater accuracy in the returns. But as the people under the British raj are saved from much internecine strife, and measurably from infanticide, and subjected to hygienic and other regulations calculated to afford peace and to increase longevity,-notwithstanding two, and even four millions have been swept off within sixty days by famine in a single province,- it is probable there has been an actual increase in the popUlation, though it is variously estimated in the aggregate, all the way from three to ten per cent.
We have thus hastily sketched the probabilities as they will appear to the ordinary reader of establishing either increase or decrease by birth-rate among perhaps four-fifths of the total non-Ohristian population of the globe.
Of course we write all this merely as indicating the problem which Mr. Johnston promises to deal with and the difficulties surrounding its solution, and as justification of suspense of judgment in the premises till the promised evidence is furnished. But we must think it scarcely fair for Mr. Johnston to make bold assertions in the "text, while in the preface to the second edition he starts off at a tangent to say, "Even if the increase of the heathen were not so great as asserted, it would only prove that the death-rate from war, infanticide, pestilence and famine was greater than my estimate for these ~ad calamities, and would only furnish fresh arguments for sending the gospel," etc., which is very much like saying, If I cannot prove what I promise, I can prove something else. It is not with something else that he asks us to deal, but with this; and whatever allowance must be made because of the brevity of the treatise, it is long enough for us to understand the unvarnished statement which is offered to our faith, and which we are asked to take merely as the announcement of a fact. But as many will decline so to do, the influence of the alleged fact will be paralyzed till the evideuce is furnished.
The author would have broadened his discussion if not made it more fair, if instead of comparing the increase by birth-rate with increase by conversion, he had compared birth-rate with birth-rate among Ohristian and non-Ohristian peoples, in order to show what the probabilities are, of the total Ohristian population of the world gaining on that which is not Ohristian. But he gives promise of dealing with that too, in a separate treatise. In other words, he has given us only a fragment of the total argument, while the whole is essential io the reaching a conclusion about the reasonable probability that the world is to become Christian. Besides, if even the fact of comparatively greater increase by birth-rate were established in favor of heathen nations, that is certainly no more than the early church must have experienced, if not within the Roman Empire alone, then over the world at large. Mr. Johnston singularly enough, thinks there was no increase throughout the Roman Empire by birth-rate through the three hundred years in which the early church rose to supremacy therein. That in this his view will be challenged, is a matter of course.
While we doubt if any argument or compilation of facts can at all remove the question of the comparatIve world population of 1786 with that of 1886, out of the realm of pure speculation, and hence doubt if any practical value is to be got from its discussion, we beg that the Christian public will not overlook the masterly array of other statistics, facts and stirring appeals of this extraordinarily thoughtful pamphlet. And we caution them against ill-considered statements and influences which Mr. Johnston's pamphlet would not warrant, but may incite.
A. STUDY OF RATIOS.
The Bombay Gnardian some time since furnished an illustration of this heedless use of figures. It quoted the Independent as follows: "In round numbers the non-Christian population of the world is generally estimated as a thousand millions, leaving a Christian population of four hundred millions. Now the naturalincrease of a thousand millions, though it may not, because of the conditions of population in crowded countries like China and India and among uncivilized hordes like those of Africa, be quite as large in proportion as that of the four hundred millions of Christians living under the highest forms of civilization, it must be vastly larger in bulk. The rate of natural increase in India, in the last decade, jwas seven per cent. If that rate were applied to the whole of the thousand millions of pagans we should have a gain of 70,OOU,OOO every ten years. In Europe (exclusive of Turkey) and the United States, the increase in the decade was something undel' ten per cent. Apply that to the 400,000,000 Christian population and we have a gain of 40,000,000. In other words, the natural increase of the heathen world is thirty millions greater evel'y decade than that of the Christian world. Thirty millions in a decade is three millions a year, and this three millions a year must be overcome by propagandism among non- Ohristian peoples before it can be said that Christianity, by which we mean the whole Christian population, is increasing as I"apidly as Paganism. This is a fact which we need to look at steadily, in order to understand the vastness of the work before us."
Just why the Independent should assume that the increase by birthrate in India, which it puts at seven per cent., is the rate of natural increaseof the world for the last decade, is not very apparent. It singularly overlooks the emigration from Christian Europe to other places than the United States, though its colonies have overrun British America, Mexico, South America, and Australia. It places the heathen rate ridiculously high and that of Christian Europe fallaciously low. It would seem that such calculations might be relegated to the curious, but when a sober Christian paper like the Bombay Guardian is misled by it to make mischievous comment like the following, the time has come to call a halt on such indiscriminate ciphering. That paper complemented the above quotation thus: " A decennial augment of 7 per cent. on the population of India (250,000,- 000) would be 17,500,000, or 1,750,000 annually. But it would be thought a marvelous thing if our converts reached 100,000 in one year. If the addition of one to our converts implies the addition of 17 to the number of the unevangelized in this land, it certainly does not look as though we were subduing the world to Christ."
Both these quotations illustrate afresh the habit which has become common among too many well-intentioned writers on missionary progress, of singularly ignoring true ratios. Archdeacon Farrar is reported as stating that a century ago, in a procession of the inhabitants of the globe, only one in five would have been Christians; to-day, in a similar procession, the Christians would be nearly one in two, while the Christian population of the globe is increasing at the rate of 86 per cent. each decade. We do not know his basis of calculation, though the last remark comes within touch of modern statistics, and is susceptible of proof or refutation. But we do know that a preeminently important factor in all these comparisons is, that among Christian populations and notably among Christian converts from non-Christian populations, there is a remarkable increase of the ratio of increase. Christlieb says that in 1800 there were 170 Protestant missionaries in the whole heathen world, with 50,000 converts. George Smith, Esq., says there are now roundly three millions, of whom 802,028 are communicants, an increase of sixfold within the century. India furnishes a more definite illustration of our point. A writer (" R. H.") in the British and Foreign Evangelical Review, Oct. 1870, said the progress of Christianity in India was as great as that of early Christianity in the Roman Empire, it being popularly estimated that there were eight millions of Christians in that empire after 300 years; but if the rate of increase of the India native Ohristian community between 1852 and 1862 were maintained for 300 years, it would give 200,000,000 of converts. Making his calculations on that ratio, he anticipated that there would be in India in 1882, 273,000 Ohristians, but four years earlier than the date of his estimate (1878) Ohristlieb gave the numbers as 460,000! And Ohristlieb further says that the ratio of increase between 1852 and 1862 would give in A. D. 2002 a Christian popUlation to India alone of 138,000,000; or two hundred years after Oarey's first baptism, a victory seventeen times greater than that of the early church in the Roman Empire. If it be urged that such estimates are speculaative and untrustworthy, it is to be borne in mind that the above calulations are made on the rate of increase between 1852 and 1862, and that e::ch decade since has not only sustained that, but has shown an incI'B{!se of the rate of increase. The Christian population of India is now doubling itself e,very ten years, and every change of ratio is an increase of that ratio. And what is true of India may be reasonably anticipated for the future through- . out the missionary world as a whole, if we give due weight to the munificent equipment of agencies and preparatory occupancy of posts so ably summarized by Mr. Johnston.
COMPARATIVE INCREASE OF RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS.
We have glided into another phase of the question stated by Mr. Johnston in the caption of one of his chapters, thus: "The great heathen and Mohammedan systems of religion are not only increasing their adherents by the ordinary birth-rate, but are yearly making far more converts than our Christian missions." As Mr. Johnston does not promise further information on this specific topic, we are left to deal with the general statements of the chapter. A statement like this needs examination in detail, and from the title of the book it is fair to confine our examination to the century past. As to China, Buddhism, Oonfucianism, and Taoism have divided the population among them, and as no man is wholly of either in Ohina, it seems difficult to see what room there has been for converts. ~'hey had the whole, and except the Christian community represented by 31,000 Protestant communicants, the increase of Roman Oatholic Christians, and probably some accessions by Islam on their western borders, they have the whole yet. If the increase by birth-rate be not established, it seems difficult to establish .an increase at all within the bounds of the empire. Japan may be placed in the same category. Buddhism has been disestablished of late, and unless a birth-rate increase is proven, the case probably falls to the ground. Such is the influence of Western Christian civilization that it is possible that Ohristianity may any day be established as the national religion. In India proper there is no Buddhism except in name, and Oeylon's population is too inconsiderable to enter into these broad estimates.
Brahmanism-or rather Hinduism, a much broader term-has made encroachments on some of the aboriginal tribes by social absorption or by a sort of religious accretion. It is not a missionary religion, and its accessions are by marriage, or by the exchange of a popular fetish for some popular deity of thQ Hindu Pantheon. The total evangelistic task of the church is not increased by such social amalgamation, as these hold too loosely to Brahmanism to make it more difficult to convert them from Hindu idolatry than it was from Dravidian demonolatry. Then the aggregate accessions to Hinduism cannot be known, for if the total increase of the population be even 10 per cent. within the decade, it would be difficult to show what deduction must be made for increased longevity and other itcms, such as new territory now first included in the census, or the incompleteness of statistics ten years ago. There seems little room to construct an argument either way.
Not as a matter of logic, but as a curiously interesting item, we quote a Hindu. opinion on the relative progress of Ohristianity and Hinduism in India, published as Tract No.2, issued by the Hindu Tract Society of Madras, and sent to the Ohurch Gleaner by Rev. H. Schaffter of Tinnevelly Oollege: "How many hundreds of thousands have these padres turned to Christianity, and keep on turning! How many hundreds of thousands of dear children have they swallowed up! On how many more have they Gast their nets! How much evil is yet to come upon us by their means I If we sleep as heretofore, in a short time they will turn all to Christianity without exception, and our temples will be changed into churches. Do you suppose these padres to be mild and gentle? Do you think they are excellent teachers? Are you ignorant of the fact that Hinduism is daily decreasing and Christianity increasing? How long can a lake last that has an outlet and no inlet? So if, as we see, no converts are coming in to Hinduism, and every year multitudes on multitudes are going over to Christianity, there will not be a single Hindu left. Then what will become of caste, what of the Sivite and Vishnuvite faith I What of our temples and sacred tanks? We shall see no monastery or even footprint of a Hindu. When Christianity has laid waste the land, will a blade of Hinduism grow there?
" Now who cares or speaks about these things? When the flood rushes over our heads it will be too late. It is because of our carelessness that these strangers insult our gods in the open streets during our festivals, Is there no learned pundit to be secured for money who will crush the Christians?"
INCREASE OF ISLAM IN THE EAST INDIES.
Weare left to glance at the increase of Islam, and as it is convenient we begin with India. Oanon 'l'aylor's paper or address, read at the Ohurch Oongress at Wolverhampton last year, has been supplemented by so many fragmentary utterances of his in the London Times and el,sewhere that it is not easy to know for just what he is to be held responsible. His Ohurch Oongress 'Paper has been abundantly reviewed, quite beyond its deserts. Mr. Bosworth Smith in the Nineteenth Oentury charges him with lack of originality and wholesale plagiarism from his lectures on "Mohammed and Mohammedanism," published a dozen years ago, and alleges that even the opinions are" as nearly as possible identical" with those which thirteen years before he had promulgated, though " they were couched in an exaggerated form and without any modification or explanations," and were reproduced" without any adequate preparation or study of the subject at first hand," and that he "rushed at the task with headlong heedleslmess."
But the archbishop may be credited with originality in his statement in the Times when he says that the Moslem population of India increased in the decade 1871-1881 between nine and ten millions, of whom he estimates six millions to be converts, while the Ohristian missionaries had not made one-tenth as many converts in the same period. The recklessness of such a statement was equaled by the ludicrousness of the method of ciphering, when it became known that the canon had added to the later Moslem population the entire number in the Moslem feudatory states, which were not included in the census of 1871. If this is not" heedlessness" it is difficult to furnish a specimen of it. The London Spectator too, was so far misled in this general controversyas to place the annual conversions to Islam in India at 100,000. Sir William W. Hunter, the distinguished author of the Imperial Gazetteer of India, in a paper read recently before the Society of Arts, said, "The recent discussion in the Times was vitiated by a forgetfulness of the fact that the great Muhammadan pmvinces layoutside the influence of the famine of 1877, which fell with full force on Hinduism."
The Indian Evangelical.Review (Jan. 1888) said these statements were " so recklessly absurd that to many the very idea of formally contradicting them is itself absurd. And yet," it adds, "such dense ignorance abounds both here and at home that to many a formal contradiction becomes necessary. And that contradiction we unhesitatingly give as full and as formal as we can. After inquiries and investigations in various parts of the country, we emphatically assert that there is not a word of truth in Canon Taylor's sensational statement as regards India. He would be within the mark if he had said six hundred as the utmost figure for all India. Archdeacon Matthews has answered for the Punjab, and the Rev. J. J. Lucas for the Northwest Provinces and Oudh; Mr. De St. Dalmas and the Bombay G-uardian for Western India, and of Bengal we say that the Englishman regards the matter as simply fit to be made a joke of; the Statesman treats the statement as regards India as beneath notice, but grapples with it so far as it concerns Central Africa; and we ourselves, having inquired of not a few most qualified to inform as rega.rds Bengal, give the statement an emphatic denial. We do not believe six hundred Hindus, Christians and aborigines have become Mussulmans within the last ten years. The only cases thateame within our knowledge were all cases of seduction-Hindu wives or widows seduced by Muhammadans-and one or two Christian girls tempted into so-called Muhammadan marriages. We have also heard of Muhammadan men and women becoming Roman Catholics in the same way, so that possibly as many are lost to Muhammadanism in this way as are gained."
But the figures were shown to Maj.-Gen. Haig, an acknowledged authority in such matters for India, and he is reported as saying that "in Bengal, with a popUlation of 42 per cent. of the whole Muhammadan population of India, the Mussulmans are at a standstill, while in the Punjab and Northwest Provinces, with 36 per cent. of the total Mu- 'hammadan population, Islam is slightly advancing."
The Indian Witness was quoted in the April Review as follows: "Gen. Haig furnishes interesting facts and statistics concerning Muhammadan progress in India. Of the 50,000,000 of that faith in India, 21,000,000 are in Bengal. From the most careful census reports ever taken in India it appears that the followers of Islam increased during the nine years 1872- 1882, 2,145,472, or at the rate of 10.96 per cent., the whole population increasing at the rate of 10.89 per cent. The actual gains of Muhammadans were 15,000. This figure shows how much faster they increased than the whole population. A careful thinker would not concede all of this number to proselytism. A small increase in the health and longevity of the Muhammadans, which is not unlikely, would wipe out all the gains at one stroke. But we would think that a church of twenty millions of members, that only gathered 1,666 members a year more than another body, that made no converts and could make none, was not a model of progress. The case grows darker fo~ Muhammadan success when we remember that few have left Islam in Bengal, although several are far from being as orthodox as of yore."
The Bishop (designate) for Lahore is quoted as saying: "The movement in certain parts ;of India of low-caste or outcast Hindus toward Islam may be compared with the yet larger movement of the non- Aryan tribes toward Brahmanical Hinduism. In both cases the movement is far more social than religious. Impartial writers like Sir A. Lyall are forward to recognize the unfairness of comparing this wholesale melting into another religious system, which is the outcome not of individual persuasion, but of great social changes, with the results of Christian missionary enterprise, which represent personal conviction, and entail, not social advantage, but social loss."
Rev. W. J. Smith, also of Lahore, says: "My surprise is not that so many Hindus have turned Mohammedans, but that so few have done so. Had Mohammedanism in India possessed its old vitality we shouldindeed have been startled by the result."
The Methodist Recorder of London discriminates when it says: "The result of the discussion, therefore, as regards India, is to show that there is no cause for anything like panic at the advance of Islam as a missionary religion in India, while there is every reason for increasing our own efforts thoroughly to Christianize a population which amidst the decay of ancient religious. beliefs is naturally somewhat prone to adopt a form of religion which is close beside them in full force, which makes little demand upon them of a spiritual kind, and interferes so little either with their superstitions or their domestic habits."
The accomplished author of the Gazetteer oj India, already quoted, says the converts to Islam in India are attracted less by religious fervor and conviction than by considerations of social convenience. Islam offers to the" teeming low castes of Eastern Bengal, who had sat for ages abject on the outermost pale of the Hindu community, a free entrance into a new social organization." But he goes on to say that " Christianity holds out advantages of social organization not offered by Hinduism or Islam. It provides for the ~ducation and moral supervision of its people with a pastoral care, which Islam, destitute of a regular priesthood, does not pretend to. It receives the new members into its body with a cordiality and completeness to which H:induism is a stranger. . . . Christianity also raises the position of woman toa degree unknown to Hinduism or Islam."
He says "the new religious force of missionary Christianity is Protestant." He then shows the growth as represented by the statistical results of three periods, into which he divides the work from its initiationat Serampore down to 1881. He says that " a cordial recognition of the wide field for evangelical labors does not exempt Christianity in India from being judged by its present l'esults. Nor need the friends of missionary enterprise shrink from the test; for while the number of native Protestant Christians has increased by fivefold during the thirty years preceding the last census, the number of their communicants has multiplied by nearly tenfold. The progress has been a progress of conversion, concurrent with a progress of internal growth and of internal discipline. It .is the result, not alone of the zeal which compasseth the earth to make a proselyte, but also of the pastoral devotion which visits the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and labors to keep its Hock unspotted from the world."
Again we say, we are willing to hold all that we know of difficulty in the way of Mr. Johnston's establishing his statements, in suspense, until he presents the evidence which years of patient toil and assiduous study, with special adaptation and rich experience in dealing with statistical problems, might perhaps have justified us in taking on his mere announcement, if the immense interests involved warranted such acquiescence on the mere assertion of any authority whomsoever.
But we caution the Christian churches against construing anything we have said into ground for relaxation of effort, or miscalculation of the forces to be mastered. Whatever has been the absorption of the uncasted natives of India by any of the lettered religions in the past, Sir William Hunter utters a prophecy of startling import when he says that he believes that the dense and dark mass of jifty millions outside thepale of orthodox Hinduism and Islam will within jifty years be absorbed into these or into Ohristianity.
'fhat Islam is extending in the East India islands seems well established, for the German and Dutch missionaries laboring there seem to fear great difficulties from them. Journal des Missions Evangeliques says: "Nor have the missions alone reason for alarm. Some months since hundreds of Dutch merchants and others having direct relations with this part of the world sent a petition to the King of Holland urging him to take active measures for the protection of his subjects and their property in those regions. The Atchin war seems never ending and increases the peril of the situation. The Atchinese and the Malays are the tribes mostly moved by Islam to fanaticism, and the Battas, among whom the Rhenish missionaries are working so successfully, live between the two tribes."
At the Mildmay Conference some ten years ago Rev. Dr. Schreiber, secretary of the Rheim (Barmen) Missionary Society, speaking of the Netherlands mission in the East Indian Archipelago, said: "At present in Java almost all the whole population (twenty-one millions) is. Mohammedan, at least in name, a great deal of heathenism still being concealed under the surface. On Sumatra the fourth part is still heathen. On Borneo and in the Celebes, perhaps one – half; but wherever in Dutch Indies a heathen population is in contact with Mohammedism the latter is ad,vancing steadily." He says that " By far the greater part of the ground Mohammedanism holds at present in the Indian Archipelago, it has gained after the time the Dutch took possession of those regions. In the island of Sumatra it is true Atchin and Menangkabao had become Mohammedan before that time, and thence Islam had found its way to Java; but on both these islands the great majority of the people were still heathen whe!! the Dutch took possession of them, and to the island of Borneo and Celebes Mohammedanism has crept in the time of the Dutch Government."
He holds the Dutch Government to be responsible for this advance
AFRICA: A WONDERFUL OHAPTER IN MODERN HISTORY
of Islam,. The Bataks had been for centuries in contact with Islam • through Mohammedan Malays, but had kept their heathen creed firmly up to forty years ago, since when, under the patronage of the Dutch Government, it has extended all over the colony, "while almost no Mohammedan is to be found beyond the borders of the colony."
He says there are few proper Mohammedan missionaries there, but that there is personal Moslem zeal in propagandism, especially among the Hadjis, "whose number increases year by year on account of the· passage to Mecca by steamer being now so cheap and easy. In 1875 there were no less than 5,600 Hadjis (pilgrims) from Dutch India." (Mildmay Report, 1878, pp. 137-155.) [Ooncluded in our nex:.] AFRICA: A WONDERFUL CHAPTER IN MODERN HISTORY.
[EDITORIAL.-A. T. P.] THE organization of the International Association of the Congo and the Congo Free State are among the modern marvels in African history. T~e steps in this movement are marked by a peculiar touch of the divine finger.
Fifteen years ago, May 1, 1873, Livingstone, one of the great pio~ neers of African discovery, died upon his knees in his grass hut at Ilala, in the very heart of the Dark Continent. He was alone and utterly worn out by forty experiences in the furnace of African fever, and by every form of exposure and exhaustion. The awful death shade overhung the vast regions of Central Africa. Such depravity and degradation can be imagined only by those who have come into contact with it. Such cruel customs, such a cyclone of crime, such scenes of horror, such a carnival of lust prevailed, that Livingstone, moderate and temperate as he was in his habits of speech, could only write of them, "They give me the impression of being in hell! Oh, Lord, let thy kingdom come I"
The civilized world no sooner learned of the departure of this marvelous hero of African exploration and evangelization than there was a spontaneous and simultaneous movement in two directions: first, in the direction of scientific and geographical investigation, and secondly, in the direction of missionary effort. The latter we put second, not in the order of time but in the order of importance, for the Christian church was for once on the alert to follow Livingstone's labors in a true apostolic succession.
The next prominent step or stage in this remarkable history was the transcontinental tour of Henry M. Stanley. Strange indeed that such a man as James Gordon Bennett, and such a man as Stanley, the reporter of the New York Herald, should be chosen by God to open up the vast Congo basin! But so it was. In 1874 Stanley started at Zanzibar, and after a thousand days emerged at the mouth of the Congo in • 1877; the mysteries of the unknown interior were penetrated, and King Mtesa's appeal for Ohristian teachers echoed round the world and revealed Ethiopia stretching out her hands unto God. Of course Africa was during all these years more and more becoming the one point of attraction; like a constellation in the firmament which for some cause glows with supreme splendor, it became the cyn- osure of all eyes. The worldly man looked that way, for vast riches, vegetable and mineral, lay disclosed between the seas; the scientific man looked that way, for geology and geography, the fauna and flora invited and would reward a thorough research; the Ohristian man looked that way, for a hundred millions of people waited for the gospel, and a highway had been opened for the chariot of missions. A zone of light had taken the place of the deep darkness that so long lay like an impenetrable pall upon equatorial Africa. Robert Arthington of Leeds resolves to make new investments for Ohrist in planting the gospel along the shores of these lakes and rivers, and missionary societies appeal for fresh recruits to follow up the path of the explorer by the labors of the evangelist and teacher and conse- crated physician. Meanwhile from the little kingdom of Belgium there comes a new and very remarkable sign of the coming future for Africa. King Leo- pold II. has been watching the developments of African discovery and studying the signs ofthe times. God had taken his only son, and when he laid his dust in the sepulchre he turned away from the grave say- ing, "I have nothing to live for." But a voice from above seemed to say, "Live for Africa." He heard and heeded the celestial voice, and determined henceforth to adopt the sable sons of the Dark Oontinent as his own, and spend his life and his imperial treasure for the devel- opment and direction of this new empire lying along the Oongo. This Belgian king, while Stanley was yet in the heart of equatorial Africa, summons a conference at Brussels, Sept. 12 to 14, 1876, and the A.frican InternationaZ A.ssociation is the result. His Majesty the King of the Belgians invited to this conference a num- ber of the leading geographers of the chief nations of Europe. Represen- tatives gathered from Germany, Austro-Hungary, France, Great Brit- ain, Italy and Russia, as well as from Belgium, and the result of their deliberations was an agreement that an international commission, hav- ing its seat at the Belgian capital, should be founded for the purpose of exploring and ci vilizing Oentral Africa; each nation co-operating should establish a national committee to collect subscriptions to further the common end and send delegates to the commission. The first to form such national committee was Belgium, the mem- bers meeting under the presidency of Leopold II. himself, November 6, 1876. We cannot follow the history of this International Oommis- sion in detail. Those who are not already familiar With the minutire may find them fully preserved in Stanley's book on the Oongo. vol. i. chap. iv. But this was the foundation of the African International • Association. out of which have grown all the stupendous movements now fulfilling Victor Hugo's prediction that in the twentieth century the eyes of the world would be on Africa.
Into the treasury of this International Association in ten years this one man, Leopold II., sends gifts amounting in the aggregate to $2,500,000. The Oongo river is thus arouEled from its long sleep and is soon alive with steamers, and the surrounding forests resou:l.d with axes, and trees are felled and buildings are erected, and all the machinery of modern enterprise and civilization is put in motion. Mission bands advance westward from Zanzibar and occupy the shores of the great lakes, and other pioneers move eastward from the Oongo's estuary until the equator is reached and the cross is set up at Equatorville.
As to Stanley's connection with King Leopold it behooves us to add a few words. '
When Stanley, in January, 1878, reached Europe, slowly recuperating from the effects of famine, fever and fatigue endured in his great journey of three years, he was met at Marseilles by two commissioners of the King of Belgium, who communicated to him King Leopold's desire that he should undertake to assist him in accomplishing something practical and permanent for Africa, and asking Stanley to pay him a personal visit. Too exhausted to attempt any new enterprise, or even venture a visit, the explorer rested for a season and then went to Brussels and saw the king. Then a few weeks of pedestrian touring in Switzerland, a few months' lecture touring, and in November, 1878, Stanley was again summoned to the royal palace at Brussels, and found various persons of note in council as to what might be done to utilize previous discovery and make the Oongo river and basin of service to humanity. A new expedition was organized, with Leopold II. at its head, and on Nov. 25001. Strauch of the Belgian army was made president of the society, called" Oomite d'Etudes du Haut Congo;" and the expedition was put in charge of Stanley. The coincidences of history are often startling. He had emerged from the Oongo at Banana Point Aug. 12, 1877. On the 14th of August, just two years 'later almost to a day, Stanley arrived before the mouth of this river to ascend it, to sow along its banks the seeds of new settlements, to suppress the slave trade, and to prepare the way for a new and Ohristian civilization.
Another great step remained to be taken. Ten years pass away from the time when Stanley first began the transit of the continent, and a conference is held in Berlin which for its character and the possible magnitude of results probably has had no equal during the Ohristian era. The Berlin Oonference sprang from the African International Association. It met in the closing months of 1884, under the presidency of Prince Bismarck. There were representatives of fourteen European powers-Great Britain, Germany, Aus- tria- Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Norway and Turkey-with the United States of America. After full conference with leading explorers, philan- thropists and missionaries, they have created by solemn compact a Free State, embracing nearly all of equatorial Africa. They have covered by the protection of their covenant a territory equal to two and a half Europes, as large as all the United States except Alaska, peopled by nearly fifty millions of souls; and this is the covenant into which they )lave entered with reference to the land for which Livingstone prayed. It is to be read in the sixth article of their Convention: " All the powers exercising sovereign rights or influence in the aforesaid territories bind themselves to watch over the preservation of the native tribes, and to care fOl> the improvement of the conditions of their moral and mental well-being, and to help in suppressing slavery and especially the slave trade. They shall, without distinction of creed or nation, protect and favor all religious, scientific or charitable institutions and undertakings created and organized for the above ends, or which aim at instructing the natives and bringing horne to them the blessings of civilization. Christian missionaries, scientists and explorers, with their followers, property and collections, shall also be the objects of especial protection. Freedom of conscience and religious toleration are expressly guaranteed to the natives, no less than to the subjects (of the sovereign states) and to foreigners. The free and public exercise of all forms of divine worship, and the right to build churches, temples and chapels, and to organize religious missions belonging to all creeds, shall not be limited or fettered in any way whatsoever."
Every wQrd of this international covenant deserves to be written in gold. A more wonderful highway has not been cast up for Christian missions even in this wonderful century. A page more remarkable, both for the prophecies which it fulfills and the promise which it gives, has not been penned during the Christian era.
It is an appropriate recognition of his generous gifts and unselfish labors that the Kingof Belgium is appointed the sovereign of the Congo Free State. His sovereignty implies little else than the dedication of his energies and resources to the elevation of Africa, with the good-will and the powerful support of the whole civilized world.
The Berlin Conference, springing from the African International Association and under the presiding hand of Prince Bismarck, apparently conferred blessings upon Africa, during the few days of its session, surpassing all that had been secured for her during the present century. At this conference kings became "nursing fathers" for the church, and the basis was laid for the Congo Free State.
Fifteen great powers, thus embracing adherents of Protestant, no-· man Catholic and Greek churches, and even the Mohammedan faith, met in conference at the invitation of the German Imperial Government. One of our British exchanges says: "This conference of powers which sat at Berlin during the past few closing weeks of the year 1884 has dop,e more for AFRICA than all the political action of individual states, including our own government,· during a century. On the 2d of Decemb~r these high contractors adopted a declaration of free trade and oj free intercourse in the basin oj the Oongo, embracing religious, philanthropic and scientific enterprise and the protection in all respects of the native races. Geographically the basin of the Oongo includes 1,300,000 square miles, although a commercial area is reached of more than 3,000,000 square miles. It is understood that the boundaries covered by the Oonference embrace the whole country eastward to the Oentral Lakes, and the Pree Ohurch Monthly of Scotland considers the Lake Nyassa mission field as embraced in the scope of this convention. "
We have watched these signs of the times for twenty years with intent and interested eye. Here is one land alone, of all that at the opening of this missionary century lay in the impenetrable death-shade. Robert Moffatt went to the southern Oape and began his course upward; he was joined by Livingstone, who became his son-in-law. In 1873 Livingstone dies. In 1874 Stanley takes up the unfinished work of exploration. In 1876 Leopold II. calls a conference in Belgium, and the African International Association is born. Stanley emerges from the Oongo's mouth in 1877, and barely reaches Europe in 1878 when he is called to Brussels to meet the king. Before the year 1879 opens a new expedition is organized with Stanley to conduct it, and in August he begins to ascend the mighty river of Africa. Five years pass away and fifteen powers meet in Berlin and lay the foundation of the Oongo Free State. And yet there are some who see no God in history I or who, faintly recognizing a general Providence in human affairs, take but little interest in such mighty and momentous changes as these! For ourselves, we see the luminous pillar of cloud moving, and moving over Africa. If God ever called his people to "arise and possess the land" it is now. Here is a vast territory suddenly thrown open under the united protection of fifteen of the dominant powers of earth and waiting to be taken for God. This is but the latest of a series of developments, the like of which history may safely be challenged to produce, showing that the God of nations is constructing a highway for his people to encompass the world. To the mountain obstacle he says, "Be thou a plain!" and straightway it disappears and there is a level road for his mission band. The danger actually is that the doors have been opened too fast and too soon for the church to enter and take possession! Worldly enterprise, commerce, science, are moving so much more rapidly; even infidelity is outdoing us in propagandism! Rum is flowing into the Oongo basin and threatening to flood it, while one hundred millions of nominal Protestants lethargically delay vigorous efforts to follow God's moving pillar, and risk the loss of the greatest opportunity ever yet placed before the church of God! Have we not wronged Africa enough in the enslaving of her children to make some tardy recompense by giving to her myriads the redeeming gospel?
REV. GEORGE BOWEN
REV. GEORGE BOWEN.
By ROBERT AIKMAN, D.D., MADISON, N. J.
I DO not propose even to sketch the life of this saintly man and eminent missionary; but having been his classmate and familiar friend during his theological course in Union Seminary, I would like to speak of some of those early experiences which gave tone and color to his unique spiritual life and career.
Of the class which entered the seminary in 1844 Bowen was almost the oldest man, having been born April 13, 1816. There was nothing striking in his countenance or personal appearance-of slight frame, quiet demeanor, unimpassioned utterance, and no magnetism of manner -a man who could hardly ever be an orator, and indeed who never came to be one-a most unpretentious man, and courteous as was to be expected of one who had been much in the world of men.
Within the few months during which classmates learn to place each other, we all came to know that Bowen was different from most men, and better than most of us. He had never been to college, yet his Greek and Hebrew recitations were among the finest, and his thoughts at our missionary and prayer meetings, expressed with choice simplicity, were original and quickening beyond the common run. He looked at Bible truth in a novel way, which yet was evidently his natural way. He was not communicative of himself, but we learned that he was newly born into the ChristiaJ.!. life, and almost up to his entrance upon_ ministe:cial studies had been a skeptic, utterly unacquainted with religious truth, and as ignorant of the Bible as a man of his general intelligence and cultivation could well be. The remarkable and pathetic manner in which his mind was turned to the Bible and his striking conversion have been well told and will never lose their interest. Up to that period he was an infidel of the French school, and although never a mocker, he told me that he had always regarded the Bible very much as he had regarded Esop's Fables.
Out of this darkness Bowen came into sudden light, and the light was strange and wonderful and sweet. He probably never had a doubt of Bible truth, of the way of life through Christ, and of his own acceptance with God, from the beginning to the end of his Christian life; and it was at first matter of surprise to him that any believer should have doubts as to his spiritual estate. His expressions were the least hackneyed of any man I ever knew, which, no doubt, was because he had read almost nothing upon religious subjects and was so unacquainted with the views of other Christians. He drew water directly from the wells of salvation, and it is both interesting and profitable to know that he became an evangelical believer; without bigotry,caring little for denominational peculiarities, but evangelical through and through. About the middle of our junior year, Bowen passed into a spiritual experience which I find it difficult to describe, although I was somewhat familiar with the process and the results. He had been giving hlmself more and more to protracted and intense study of the Bible, and particularly of the Gospel of St. John, and more especially still, to those deep portions of it which comprise the Saviour's last discourses with his disciples in the passover room. He discovered that there was an experience to which he had not yet attained, and in which it was possible permanently to abide-a state of absolute certainty as to spiritual truths, of entire devotement to the glory of God, and of rest in God. This, of course,-was nothing else than the" abiding" of which our Lord speaks, and it was not different in its nature from that of Bowen's first experience; but it came to him as almost new, and so it came to his classmates. I shall never forget an evening prayer meeting in the seminary and the impression which his testimony made upon his classmates, although nothing could be less ostentatious than his words and manner. One of our most intelligent men arose and said, "Is this something new in the Ohristian life, or is it a deepening ot the cur- rents which flow in all our hearts?" No doubt it was the latter, but it made the impression almost of newness.
At that time Bowen began to come under the power of a mental habit, not peculiar to him indeed except as to its completeness and permanence. He made a distinct effort to realize the actual and personal presence of the Saviour with him, to become intimately and at all times conscious of the nearness of Jesus as one to be spoken to and walked with. This grew by cultivation to be a great life power with him. One day, Bowen, J. Edwards Ford (afterward of the Syrian Mission) and myself were together in the room of Thomas A. Weed. The last named was a genial and even jovial man, and a great favorite of us all. H.e led the conversation into the line of the nearness of Ohrist to his own, in order, I suppose, to draw remarks from Bowen, who, after a while, said in his quiet way, "I have at this moment a more vivid sense that Jesus is in the room here than I have that either of you three are."
Quite a singular illustration of the power of this mental habit occurred with him in Bombay. In the fall of 1848, when he had been less than a year on missionary ground, he was seized with what seemed to be a fatal attack of ulceration of the larynx. This was long before the days of telegraphs, and on the day when the India packet sailed Bowen was supposed to be dying. Obituaries appeared in the papers, and in one of our religious journals a tribute to his memory and a chastened lament over his" early sickness and death." 'rhe very night the ship sailed the ulceration was arrested and his recovery began. During this illness he began to be troubled with the not uncommon hallucination of groups of persons apparently visible in his room. He said to himself, "I will arrest this delusion by the realized presence of Jesus; of that l am sure>,' and as these forms be~an to appear he su~~ cooded in banishing them simply by the power of this fixed habit of his mind. I have always believed that this habit was almost the greatest force in his life, and it is certain that he endeavored to make it such.
In the ~omplete surrender of himself to Christ, George' Bowen has had many equals, but few I think who became at once and so utterly dead to all former things. Just as absolutely as Paul, did he say, "What things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ; yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." All his literary ambitions and pursuits, all his linguistic attainments, all his social reputation, he not only laid upon the altar, but he seemed to forget that he had ever had such attainments or objects. I was often with him in his room and in the family circle, yet I never heard him speak of Italian or French art, although he was master of both languages and had looked with appreciative eye on most of the galleries of Europe, in this resembling the great apostle, who saw the temples, statuary, and altars of Athens, yet spake of one altar only, and made that the text for a sermon. I am not characterizing this, but simply making the statement. He had entered upon a literary career. From others I knew that the Putnams had published a graceful volume from his pen; he never alluded to it in my hearing, One of the family told me that he had nearly completed a much larger work, of which all I ever saw was some manuscript pages which he was putting to some common use; it never saw the light, except perhaps as kindling material. I think he underestimated the influence of his early literary habits and his study of the modern languages; they were of greater service to him all through his life than he seemed to recognize. His facility in acquiring languages was such that he commenced preachi,ng in the difficult Mahratta tongue before he had been nine months in Bombay. The ease with which he accomplished his varied literary and editorial work was due to the practice of those earlier years, when he was building better than he knew and preparing for future work divinely planned for him.
When he gave himself to foreign missions he made two resolvesnever to marry and never to return to his native land. So he lived alone, and died where he had labored. It may be questioned whether his choice to live so near the low plane of Hindu life in food and expenditure was a wise choice; it would not have been possible had he been a married man, as most missionaries will be and ought to be, but his course was prayerfully and deliberately taken, and he had the right to be his own judge. That most devoted Scotsman, William C. Burns, adopted the Chinese mode of living, and went so far as to adopt the Chinese dress. In later life he expressed doubts as to the wisdom of this course, and said that he would probably not do the same if his missionary life were to begin over again. When Bowen withdrew from the American Board and adopted his new mode of life, Dr. Rufus Anderson said it was well to have one man make such an experiment and to
MORMONISM MORmUND
mark the results. Christian Frederick Schwartz and George Bowen were men of great ability, entir'3 consecration, and of wide Christian influence; each was unselfish and generous to the l~st degree, and the work of each abides and will ever abide. That Schwartz hindered his influence because he lived in European modes, or Bowen helped his by living in the Hindu mode, who shall say?
A remarkable feature of Bowen's work has awakened thought among his friends. It is not known that many conversions can be traced to his personal efforts. That he himself ever mourned this or even regarded it as strange does not appear. The Head of the church gives to every man his own work, and Bowen's work seems to have been as nearly perfect as is often given to man to do. When Bishop Randolph Foster returned from India he said to me, "Bowen is called the Saint of India." To be thought .of as such by the many missionaries of the great peninsula is proof of an influence for good greater than is often given to men to exert. He said once to his classmates, "Our aim must be to bear the greatest possible amount of the best possible fruit." It is enough to say of him that for more than forty years he endeavored to fulfill the purpose thus tersely expressed.
The last time I saw him we were standing at the parting of Broadway and one of the avenues. He said, quietly, "It is as if you took this road and I took that, to meet soon where the streets join again."
The class that entered Union Theological Seminary in 1844 had this distinction, that eleven of those who were its members became foreign mISSIOnaries. Bowen was the last who remained in the foreign field, and was the latest of them all to be taken home.
MORMONISM MORIBUND.
By REV. AND PROF. DELAVAN L. LEONARD, OBERLIN, O.
NOT exactly in articulo mortis. Alas, no. The glad time for the setting forth of funeral baked meats is not yet, and most likely is still somewhat remote. But that the obnoxious and abominable system has seen its best. (that is, worst) days, is well advanced on the road that leads to death, and is even in the earlier throes of dissolution. No doubt abundance yet remains for Oongress and the courts, the churches and the whole people to do; but in the thick of the fight there can be no harm, there is much comfort and profit, in surveying the situation, steadily if slowly improving, and in reconnting some of the cheering facts in the case.
A review of thirty years, of twenty, or even of ten, will supply a multitude of indications that the theocracy, long so haughty and defiant, is playing a losing game. Think of it: time was when for an entirdecade Brigham was the despotic head, not only of ecclesiastical but also of civil affairs, and for as much longer governor de facto if not dll jure, since no other than church authority was in the least regarded. How changed from the day when such a one as he could proclaim martiallaw, forbid the Federal army to enter the territory, and send out the Nauvoo Legion to burn the trains and capture the stock! Even so late as 1862, so evil was his disposition and so great was his power for mischief, that even wise and cool Mr. Lincoln shrunk from provoking a conflict by executing the law against polygamy then just passed, removed a governor at the demand of the hierarchy, and promised, "I'll let Brigham Young alone if he will let me alone! " Never again can that so-called" Reformation" return, outbreak of fanaticithn, lust and every devilish passion, a veritable two-years' reign of terror, and whose legitimate culmination was reached in the massacre of Mountain Meadows, engineered altogether by Mormon elders.
Yes, the good work of bringing" the saints" to reason and to decency has made fine progress since Cannon the polygamist, and selected because he was a man possessed of divers wives, took his seat in Congress in 1874, and was able to hold it for eight years. And since about the same date a grand jury, composed of John Taylor and other apostles and high priests, was called to investigate the charge that Brigham had added to the already ample number of his "celestials" by marrying Amelia Folsom, and though the fact was as patent to their knowledge as the shining of the sun, after a two-days' inquisition had the truly sublime impudence to allege that they could find no evidence of his polygamy, and with faces solemn as owls!
Verily the world has moved; and not backward, since Norman Mc- Leod, the first Christian missionary, crossed the rim of the Great Basin in 1865 and opened the batteries of the gospel hard by the Tabernacle. Within two years his Sunday-school superintendent was murdered and he himself compelled to return lest the assassins take his life also. But now teachers and schools, ministers and churches, are found in every considerable settlement in the Territory, and have gained a solid foot. hold, have even conquered a place in the respect and affection of the people.
Through all the earlier years one great difficulty was found in the fact that Utah was so remote across the Great Plains, and the seat of disturbance was hidden behind the mountains. Interference of any kind was an effort at arm's length or a stroke in the dark. But isolation came suddenly and forever to an end when the railroad reached Salt Lake in 1869. Another perplexing feature was this, that the population was so homogeneous, or was Mormon almost to a man. The saints held all the land available for agriculture, and only from the soil could sustenance be gained. But 10 ! in 1863 it was found that the mountains round about the Latter-day Zion were full of the precious metals, and Gentile miners by the thousand began to pour in, and ever since have wrought mighty disturbance to the souls of the hierarchy. These rough delvers for gold, silver and lead regard the peculi/tr institutions of the region with intensest hatred, and never fail to speak their minds on all occasions with the utmost of freedom and force. And through the .impulse borrowed from the mines and from railroads now existing and soon to be built, it looks much as though ere long further additions to the anti-Mormon population by the ten thousand might be made.
And even the execution of Federal laws has been fairly successful of late, at least by comparison with former years. Wholesale disfranchisement of polygamists has been achieved, and in Idaho, wr.ere the elders had long carried things with a high hand, everyone is politically bound hand and foot and fiat upon his back. Whoever in that Territory belongs to the Mormon church is not only debarred from holding any office whatever, he may not even approach the polls! And the edifying spectacle, too long postponed, is continuous now of a procession of those high up in priesthoods, both Aaronic and Melchisedec, marching tramp, tramp, tramp to jail with none to deliver, and with no signs of relaxation in the severe stress of prosecutions. How the nation is minded was seen not long since in Washington, when Senator Ingalls .presented to the Senate a petition against statehood of the size of a nail keg, and signed 105,000 by persons, all from the thirteen original States! And numerous signs, of which these are specimens, unite to show that the theocrats themselves begin to catch glimpses of the handwriting upon the wall. They are willing, now at least, to pretend that polygamy is defunct, and to promise to prohibit it in the future State. Four years ago the Legislature (wholly Mormon) would rather lose a $40,000 appropriation for Deseret University by a gubernatorial veto than elect any but saints to the Board of Regents, but at the last session (with five Gentile members) three were appointed who refuse to bow the knee to Joseph Smith, one of them a Jew, and another a Congregational minister!! And it is even given out by one high in church station that some months since Wilford Woodruff, the present head, issued orders forbidding any more polygamous marriages. This statement, however, is not to be believed until well corroborated. A bold front is still maintained, but the strong probability is that the Mor- mon Church is in the same critical condition which marked the Con- federacy when Grant had reached Petersburg and Sherman had cap- tured Atlanta-just ready to collapse.
Certainly, however, it will not be at all wise to count the victory won. It is altogether too soon to trust any talk that wears the sound of contrition,' or of purpose to mend marital ways. The whole career of this most odious concern has been such as to breed grave suspicion that to date it is only the old case over again: " The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be : The devil was well, the devil a monk was he."
Only a protracted and most searching probation, with large and long bringing forth of fruits ,meet for repentance, will be wise and safe.
MIRACLES OF MISSIONS.'
[JUNE, For not the ancient Jews in their worst estate w~ a whit more stil!- necked and nncircumcised in heart and ears than these same Utah po- litico-religious leaders. Fifty years of successful resistance to law and defiance of public sentiment has made them exceeding bold and se1£- confident, and theirs is a pride to which yielding is an evil only less ter- rible than death itself. .
And so, though it be with trembling and with loius girded for further fight,. let us thank God that giveth the victory to righteousness, and rejoice to see the curse removed.
THE MIRAOLES OF MISSIONS.-No. IV. [EDITORIAL.~A.. T. p.] SIERRA LEONE.
SIERRA LEONE is a well-known British colony of Equatorial Africa, situated in the southern part of Senegambia. It has an area of 319 square miles, aud had twenty years ago a population of 60,000 to 80,000, nearly all blacks. This territory was in 1787, one hundred years ago, bought by a number of private indviduals for the purpose of establishing there a place of refuge for the negroes rescued from slavery and especially from the holds of slaveships, and it was hoped it might prove a convenient and open door to introduce into Wes~ern Africa the blessings of a Ohristian civilization. It early acquired the name of the White Man's Grave from its extreme unhealthiness. Freetown, the capital, contained in 1864 about 16,000 inhabitants, among whom were but a few whites besides the authorities, garrison and missionary agents. In the colony there were said to be, even as late as within a quarter 'of a century, members of seventeen chief and two hundred minor tribes, and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty different languages aud dialects were spoken in the streets of the capital.
If such are the conditions within'the last twenty years some conception may be formed of the state of things early in the present century, when this colony came under the governorship of a ruler appointed by the crown. Seventy years ago if you had gone to what was afterward known as Regent's Town you would have found about one thousand, people, taken at different times from the holds of slaveships, in the extreme of poverty and misery, destitution and degradation. They were as naked and as wild as beasts. They represented twenty-two hostile nations or tribes, strangers to each other's language and having no medium of communication save a little broken English. They had no conception of a pure home; they were crowded together in the rudest and filthiest huts, and in place of marriage lived in a promiscuous intercourse that was worse than concubinage. Lazy, bestial, strangers to God, they had not only defaced his image but well-nigh effaced even the image of humanity and combined all the worst conditions of the most brutal savage life, plundering and destroying one another. Here it pleased God to make a test of his grace in its uplifting and redeeming power. If out of materials so unpromising and in circumstances so unpropitious he could raise up a native church of true disciples and create a Ohristian community, surely men must be compelled to say this is God's husbandry; here is the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
'rhe oldest mission on the western coast of the Dark Oontinent is at Sierra Leone, and is that of the Church Missionary Society. It was about 1816 that William A. B. Johnson applied to this society asking to be sent as a schoolmaster to this colony. He was a plain German laborer, having but a very limited common-school education and no marked intellectual qualifications, but he was trained in the school of Christ and was a good man, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. It became obvious that he was called of God to preach the gospel, and he was ordained in Africa. His period of service was brief, but marvelousin interest and power, and he raised up a native church of great value. Into the midst of these indolent, vicious, violent savages he went. He found them devil worshipers, and was at first very much disheartened. But though William Johnson distrusted himself, he had faith in Christ and his gospel. Like Paul, he resolved to preach the simple gospel, holding up the cross, show them plainly what the Bible says of the guilt of sin, the need of holiness, and the awful account of the judgment day. He simply preached the gospel and left results with God, confident that his word would not return unto him void. For nearly a year he pursued this course. And he observed that over that apparently hopeless community a rapid and radical change was coming. Old and young began to show deep anxiety for their spiritual state and yearning for newness of life. If he went for a walk in the woods he stumbled on little groups of awakened men and women and children who had sought there a place to pour out their hearts to God in prayer; if he went abroad on moonlight evenings he found the hills round about the settlement echoing with the praises of those who had found salvation in Ohrist and were singing hymns of deliverance. His record of the simple experiences of these converts has preserved their own crude, broken, but pathetically expressive story of the Lord's dealings with them, and the very words in which they told {)f the work of grace within them. No reader could but be impressed with their deep sense of sin, their appreciation of grace, their distrust of themselves and their faith in God, their humble resolves, their tenderness of conscience, their love for the unsaved about them, and their insight into the vital truths of redemption. It was very plain that the Holy Spirit was once more working the miracle of Pentecost.
'1'he outward cha,nges were even more striking and marvelous. Those who had before been idlers or vicious busybodies in evil, now learned trades, became farmers and mechanics. About their dwellings gardens were to be found, with evidences of industrious tillage. Marriage took the place of that awful indifference to the family relation that had made the wreck of households imposRible only because there were none to be wrecked. Their night revels and orgies ceased; they stopped swearing, stealing, drinking and quarreling; they built a stone church with galleries, where about two thousand persons regularly gathered for worship, and a more decorous, decently attired, reverent body of worshipers the Church of England herself could not produce. They gathered a thousand of their children into schools; they built parsonage, storehouses, schoolhouses, bridges, all of stone, and in a word exhibited all the signs of a well-regulated, orderly, thriving community of Christians.
William A. B. Johnson died in 1823, having been engaged in his work only seven years. And yet all that we have here recorded he saw before his death-God's word had not indeed returned void. It had been as heavenly seed in earthly soil. Instead of the thorn had come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier the myrtle tree. There could be no doubt who was the Husbandman.
The work was not due to, nor dependent upon, Mr. Johnson. It was God's work and not man's, and therefore it survived the loss of its consecrated leader, although the effect of his sudden removal could not be otherwise than for the time disastrous. Twenty-five years after the mission had been begun one-fifth of the entire population of Sierra Leone was already gathered in Christian schools, and twelve thousand people were regular attendants at the places of worship! Twenty years later not only were native pastorates established, but ten parishes were supporting their own native pastors; and to evangelize the tribes yet beyond the colony's limits not less than six different missions were established and maintained by a people, less than forty-five years before so hopelessly lost in grossest sin and abandoned to the vilest and most shameless wickedness that few thought them worth the ~tJort to save them. In 1868, after a little more than a half century had elapsed since the inception of the mission, the number of nominal Christians in the colony was estimated by some as high as 80,000, and of communicants 20,000, and Sierra Leone was regarded as no longer a field for Christian missions. The rallying point had now become a radiating center. God's husbandry was already so complete that the harvest field was yielding not only bread for the eater but seed for the sower. To any who would fill out the outline of the wonderful work of God furnished in this sketch we commend the memoir of Mr. Johnson, published in London in 1852, also the r~ondon Missionary Register for 1819 and 1829, and the twentieth report of the Church Missionary Society.
Here is a chapter in the modern book of the Acts of the Apostles. The days of the supernatural have not passed, nor will they ever pass while the spirit of God continues to produce in the hearts of men results so amazing, superhuman, stupendous.
THE INSUFFICIENCY OF
THE INSUFFICIENCY OF BUDDHISM.
[We reproduce the following article from the Presbyterian College Journal, from the pen of its editor-in-chief, Prof. E. H. MacVicar, D.D., with his approval It is able and timely.-EDS.) To attempt to show the insufficiency of· Buddhism in an article necessarIly short as this must be, is an ambitious and difficult task. It may seelll even audacious in view of the fact that a choice community of Americans in Boston-ay, at the very "Hub of the Universe"- have openly avowed themselves as Buddhists. But fairness demands that we should recognize truth wherever it is found; and in every system of human thought, it seems to me, we may discover elements of truth as well as of error, so that it is really not surprising that those who persist in eliminating the divine from Christianity should become devotees of the next best system-that is, the next hest regarded from a purely ethical standpoint-that exists. For not only does Buddhism rank next to Christianity: it contains much that is directly parallel. The parallelism is indeed so striking that to some minds it affords not a little perplexity. The Church of Rome especially has found so many of its own doctrines and practices revealed in the" Light of Asia" that it boldly ascribes the whole system to the malignant agency of the prince of darkness transformed into an angel of light. And no wonder. The correspondence between the two is more than shadowy. Both have" a supreme and infallible head; the celibacy of the priesthood; monasteries and nunneries; prayers in an unknown tongue; prayers to saints and intercessors, and especially and principally to a virgin with a child; also prayers for the dead, with the use of a rosary; works of merit and supererogation; self-imposed austerities and bodily inflictions; a formal daily service, consisting of chants, burning of candles, sprinkling of holy water, bowings, prostrations, marchings and countermarchings. Both have also fast days, religious processions, images and pictures and fabulous legends, and revere and worship relics, real and pretended."
An equally striking correspondence is detected in the account of Shak-ya-Muni-Buddha's life, which is made to resemble in a remarkable degree that of Christ himself. Buddha is described as "coming from heaven, being born of a virgin, welcomed by angels, received by an old saint, presented in a temple, baptized with water and afterward with fire, astonishing the doctors with his understanding and answers; as led into the wilderness, and after being tempted of the devil, going about doing wonders and preaching. He was th) friend of the poor and wretched, was transfigured on a mount, descended into hell and ascended into heaven." These remarkable coincidences, skeptics of course have not been slow to seize upon. They at once pointed out that Guatama must have lived at least six centuries before the birth of Christ, and sought to explain the phenomena by alleging that during the eighteen years intervening between Ohrist's twelfth and thirtieth years-a period concerning which, it will be remembered, the inspired record'is quite silent-Jesus went to India, and after possessing himself of the particulars of Buddha's life, returned to Palestine to become the barefaced imitator of the Indian prince. The Ohurch of Rome surmounts the difficulty, as already stated, by declaring that Satan, six centuries in anticipation of Ohrist's coming, counterfeited his history and religion in order that men, being seduced by the false, might refuse to accept, when presented to them, the true.
Fortunately, we are not compened to resort to either of these theories. For reasons clearly stated by another writer in a former number of this magazine, we cannot, on the one hand, consider Ohrist a deceiver; and while, on the other hand, it may be admitted that Satan is the instigator of every system of error, it is unnecessary to attribute these particular resemblances to and perversions of the truth to occult influences, since it has been discovered that none of them are mentioned in the Buddhist writings earlier than the 5th or 6th century after Ohrist. So that in order to assert the paganism of Rome we are 1mrdly justified in pointing to this religion in the Middle Kingdom as if it had borrowed most of its errors from that source. There is rather more reason for believing that Buddhism borrowed from Romanism (since resemblances have been detected chiefly in the modem developments of each) and that "the so-called Light of Asia shines in a borrowed radiance from the Son of David," who is the true Light of Asia and of the world.
But quite independent of this, there is much in Bnddhism which, from the very nature of things, could not have been borrowed and which yet calls for our approval. This may be said more especially with reference to its code of morals. Shak-ya-Muni laid down four principles which he regarded as fundamental. In spite of the luxurious life he had led in an Indian palace-and possibly in consequence of it-he became convinced that the normal state of existence is a state of misery, of sorrow, of unhappiness, and in casting about for the ca~se of all this wretchedness he fixed upon desire as the real disturbing element. Desire, satiRfied and unsatisfied, brought misery into the world and kept it there. Desire was fraught with sorrow. Desire made life unhappy. Therefore, he concluded, if desire could but be quenched, life's misery would cease, for then man would attain to nirvana-a state of perpetual quiescence. But how to quench desire-that was the question. Ultimately he propounded a fourfold method of doing this. To quench it a man's life must be characterized, 1st, by proper wisdom or faith; 2d, by proper judgment or thoughts; 3d, by proper language; 4th, by proper actions. "Under these, the principles he laid down were five, in a negative form-not to kill, extending even to animal life; not to steal" (a good maxim for Boston Buddhists, by the way); "not to commit adultery; not to lie-this extending to the use of improper language; and not to use strong drink" (a good maxim for Christian lands as well); "and positively, he enjoined six virtues-charity, purity; patience, courage, contemplation, science. " Now, to none of the latter principles can we take exception. They are all sound and embraced in Christianity. They all go to show that the law is written on the heart of man; that the" invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." But, while there is much that is good in the system, there is more that is bad. Let us briefly consider the points that are most assailable.
And we must attack it- I. First of all, on its ETHICAL SIDE. From this standpoint the most serious defect presented is 1. That it ignores Oonscience. The ethical system of Buddhism, so far as I am able to understand it, is not unlike the egoistic or selfish system which made Thomas Hobbes both famous and notorious, driving him to Paris in terror of his life. 'rhe Sage of Malmesbury started out on premises similar to those which Siddhartha adopted. He contended that in every performance, even the simplest, we are actuated by a specious motive of desire-desire to escape pain and enjoy pleasure; in short, the great mainspring of all activity, individual and collective, is selfishness, or as some people prefer to distinguish it, self-interest. And just as Buddha declared that misery, sorrow, sui!ering, is the normal condition of existence, the inevitable result of sentient being, so Hobbes declared that the state of nature (as distinguished from the artificial state brought about in society) is a state of warfare-warfare inevitable, continual and bitter-each man pitting his own interests against those of his fellows, and waiving them only when mutual concession to abstain from the exercise of certain common rights claimed by both at the same moment is established and observed. Far be it from us to deny the pa:T,',tial truth involved in both instances; life is far from being unalloyed enjoyment or unbroken peace; but the error lies, in the one case, in making this imperfect condition to depend entirely upon the presence of desire, and, in the other case, in making the performance of every act, the simplest, depend entirely upon the wish to escape pain and secure pleasure. The fact is that much, if not all, our misery arises through an entire or partial failure to obey the dictates of conscience. It is the peculiar function of conscience to make distinctions between right and wrong, and that all men make such distinctions is evidenced by the occurrence in all languages (including those spoken where Buddhism prevails) of ideas of moral excellence and moral evil, as well as by the prevalence in all civilized lands of systems of reward and punishment, indicating that there are some actions which ought to be done, and others which ought not to be done. This is the work of conscience. But Buddhism simply proceeds upon the supposition that all desire is undesirable. It takes no cognizance of the fact that desires are neither all alike right nor all alike wrong. It ignores the question of right and wrong altogether; and upon the broad assumption that all the misery in the world is caused by desire, often in itself perfectly innocent, seeks the ultimate extinction of desire of any and every kind. As a code of morals, therefore, it signally fails in that it ignores conscience and its function of declaring right and wrong.
2. This failure really arises from another. It has no true standard of right and wrong. This, simply because it ignores the existence of God. Buddhism originally came from India, but is now said to be more widespread in Ohina than in· the land of its birth. Originally, it was pure Atheism. Gautama used to say that he could not conceive of a Being who could create a world so full of misery as this is, and therefore he denied the existence of a Oreator altogether. In India the system developed into Pantheism, nirvana corresponding to ab- sorption in the Deity; while in Ohina it has come to assume the form of Polytheism. It will thus be seen that no immutable standard of right and wrong can be adduced. The true standarCi. is God's own nature; but in Atheism the existence of God is absolutely denied; in Pantheism God is regarded as devoid of personality, so that there can be no room for responsibility; in Polytheism a multiplication of standards IS obtained, so that the Buddhist is debarred from saying, "Right is right, since God is God,"
because with him" God" would stand for gods many, and one of these might be offended by obedience rendered tc q,nother; no two of his standards might agree. Buddhism, if it have a standard at all, must place it either in a series of antagonistic deities, or in human nature, and to do this is to make it mutable and gooJ for nothing. Such a law must be ever shifting with the moods, the dispositions, the envi- ronments of those from whom it emanates, and on that account can never have reliance placed upon it.
3. The insufficiency of Buddhism is further manifest in the practical outcome of it. In its favor it must be said that it has never deified vice nor sanctified prostitution (as has too often been the case in East- ern lands), nevertheless it is confirmed at the mouth of more than one or two witnesses that the statement of the fourteenth psalm de- scribes with vivid accuracy the system in its practical working out: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works." Under it the grossest immorality has been developed. But this I would not press too confidently as evidence of weakness in the system of ethics as such, since the failure may, and indeed must have arisen, not so much through imperfec- tion in the system itself (for this we know to be directly opposed to immorality), as through its inadequacy to change human nature defiled by sin. It is a matter of fact that abominable scandals have occurred, more especially in connection with its monasteries and nunneries, which have more than once been condemned and suppressed by the imperial authorities as hotbeds of immorality. It is true that at the time when Buddha appeared in India, his system was a revulsion from lower forms of heathenism, and elevation of thought and life was in a measure secured by it; but nowadays Buddhism is a mass of degrading formalities and inconsistent superstitions. Even the priests are densely ignorant, and the majority of its votaries are said to know really less of it than many Europeans who have made it a study.
So much then for Buddhism on its ethical side. II. Let us consider it now on ITS RELIGIOUS SIDE. For it is well to remember that Buddhism is received bS one-third of the human race, not as a philosophy, but as a religion. Buddha described himself as "the father and mother of his helpless children; their guide and leader along the precipitoHs path of life; shedding the light of his truth like the sun and moon in the vault of heaven; providing a ferry-boat for passengers over this vain sea of shadows; as a propitious rain-cloud, restoring all things to life; providing salvation and refuge, by directing men into the final path that leads to the' Eternal City.'" Let us then inquire, Did the path he pointed to, in very truth lead to the It Eternal City" or away from it? Most assuredly the latter, since it only led away from Him who is the Light of it. 1. For in the first place we may instance its materialism. It gives no proper recognition to the soul. Indeed it does not recognize spiritual existence at all. It denies that the.re is a soul in man, a permanent self separable from the body. And as a consequence of this it regards life as material, involving decay. Buddha's last words were, "Beloved, that which causes life causes also decay and death. Never forget this; let your minds be filled with this truth. I called you to make it known to you." But it may be asked, Does not the doctrine of transmigration, which in these days has come to occupy the most prominent place in Buddhism, involve the idea of a soul? One would think so; but such is not the case. Life is looked upon as something material, and therefore may change and dissolve like anything material. And this was the whole essence of the salvation Buddha had to proclaim. "Life involves death. Wherever there is life, decay must follow. In eVt;lry form of existence there are already the germs of dissolution. To get rid of decay and its accompanying misery we must get quit of life; of life not merely in this present world, but of life in every form. For in the Buddhist philosophy there is no such conception as a purely spiritual existence. He is a heretic who holds that a man has a soul or permanent self separable from the body. Whatever is material is subject to change and dissolution, and there is no life which is not material. These are postulates, the ultimate facts on which Buddhism proceeds. As long therefore as man is, he must be miserable. His only salvation is not to be. There is no cure. The only escape from evil is escape from existence. The great problem comes to be, how to commit suicide-suicide not of that pitiful and de- lusive kind which rids a man of life in one particular form, but which rids him of existence in every form. The ultimate good to which the individual looks forward is annihilation; the consummation of all things which is to be prayed for and striven after is absolute universal nothing." Now with materialism like this we must as Ohristians take issue. And apart altogether from revelation we know that though physicists have often given us analyses of matter, they have never dis- covered in matter the phenomena of thought. They have never, for instance, found in it hope, fear, joy, sorrow, volition, a sense of per- sonal identity or anything akin; and these being yet unaccounted for in their analyses we properly relegate them to spirit. And if with our modern medical science we can persuade the Buddhist that these frail bodies of ours Imdergo a complete change every seven years, while the sense of personal identity remains unaltered, he must (so be it that he is an intelligent Buddhist) admit that life has not been changing, though the physical frame, the material body has, and that conse- quently this life or spiritual entity must be quite a distinct factor from the body.
2. And then in the next place Buddhism as a religion fails to teach the trzte nature of sin. This was to be expected since it admits of no personal God against whom sin can be committed. While it profes- sedly seeks to purge the outward life, it does nothing to remove the pollution within, denying indee4 that there is any heart, any soul, Ifrom which evil can proceed within. As a consequence, missionaries assure us that their great difficulty lies in convincing the heathen of their guilt; a difficulty which we shall all have to encounter whether we stay at home or go abroad.
3. A third defect in Buddhism as a religion-and it is the most serious of all, being the very root of all-is that it presents false views oj God. Space forbids anything more than a mere comprehensive statement of this defect.
In a general way it may be said that Buddhism, and for that mat- ter all heathen systems, both of philosophy and religion, fail utterly to reveal a Saviour and sanctifying Spirit; and it is especially unsatis- fying in the dim, shadowy allusions which it makes to the future state. .
The task I have now tried to accomplish of showing the insuf- ficiency of Buddhism has been far from a self-imposed one. I was requested to undertake it by the Montreal Foreign Missionary Volun- teers, and hardly realized its magnitude till I began to consult the voluminous authorities upon the subject. It is told how a learned divine across the waters once waxed so eloquent over the excellences of Buddhism that some one passing out of the door was forced to exclaim, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a heathen!" This is matched by the story of the Unitarians sending a missionary to Ohina who actually was persuaded to be a Buddhist heathen. But until the defects just pointed out-namely, the denial of spirit, the belittling of sin, the dishonoring of God, silence as to the true way of salvation-have been remedied, we must still regard the "Light of Asia" as wofully insufficient.
I have then tried to suggest how we may refute the system theoretically; but after all, as our own Professor of Apologetics recently remarked in the class-room, there are not many infidels converted through Apologetics; often the most powerful argument with them is that of a consistent example, so that if anyone would prepare to meet Buddhism effectively the surest course of preparation will be by seeking spiritual life" more abundantly," in order that by Ohristlike lives we may convince the followers of Buddha that we follow a Greater than he.
Only the power of the Holy Spirit can really be depended upon for meeting Buddhism, and that power, in terms of the great commission is at our disposal. The Saviour still says, "Ask and ye shall receive." If we have been finding it our greatest difficulty in preaching, especially to the heathen at home in cushioned pews, to make them fuel their sinfulness, we may depend upon finding this difficulty as great and greater under the Buddhist system. Our true work whereever we go shall be to promulgate the great cardinal doctrines of Ohristianity–to preach the gospel to every creature-but in doing so we shall have to tear down as well as build up. To us, as to Jeremiah, the Master says, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull uown, and to destroy, and to throw down "-all eventually in order "to build and to plant." And the only question that arises is as to the manner of doing it. Shall we be destructive before we are constructive? Or shall we first and always sow the seed of positive truth, in the expectation that, like the single parasite that took root in the walls of a massive building and in the course of time brought the whole structure crashing to the ground, even so the word of God "shall not return unto him void . but shall prosper in the thing whereto he sent it," both to the down-pulling of every refuge of lies and to the upbuilding of the truth in Jesus. Whatever we may conclude regarding methods of warfare, the conviction must surely force itself upon our minds and hearts that we are called not so much to attack and refute every heathen system that prevails the wide world over as to preach in a positive and persevering manner Ohrist and him crucified, relying on the power of the Holy Ghost, whose it is "to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."
THE SPEECHLESS TESTIFYING FOR CHRIST
THE SPEEOHLESS TESTIFYING FOR CHRIST.
By REv. W. H. BELDEN~ BRIDGETON~ N. J.
IN a city sixty miles from Oanton, Ohina, Miss Whilldin of the South- ern Baptist Mission noticed once in meeting a few years ago a man evi- dently dumb, who was indicating by extraordinary attempts his delight at the Ohristian hymns. His incoherent mumblings as he attempted to sing from the printed page before him led to some inquiry. The man had the unusual faculty, to one dumb, of hearing; he could read and hear, but he could not speak. His home was in a village at some distance from the city, and his neighbors testified of him that since he had begun to learn our Saviour's gospel his devotion to it had known no bounds. He had somehow obtained a copy of the Scripture in Ohi- nese, and when he would encounter some of his neighbors quarreling, he would open his Testament to some pertinent word of admonition and hold it ont for the wicked ones to read and profit by. He had never been known to utter more than a single word, or rather sound like a word, such was the nature of his malady. But the villagers said that his zeal seemed to lead him even into supernatural utterance, for he would rush upon his neighbors, bringing their paper devotions to idols, and, tearing the papers to pieces, would manage to speak these three words with significant gestures: "Pai go wai !" "Worship that one! "
In the course of time this poor man was proposed for baptism. The pastor and brethren hesitated, feeling that it was impossible to gain from . his speechless mouth any adequate proof that he had the knowledge re- quisite for church membership, or that he was not acting with duplicity. He was brought before the church, however, and the minister asked him this question: "What is the ground of your belief that there is sal- vation for you in Jesus Ohrist? " The others looked at one another in dismay; this question seemed impossible of answer from a dumb man. But he, on hearing it, instantly arose and proceeded to answer by signifi- cant signs. First, he put his hands upon his breast with an expression of loathing, to indicate his own sense of sin; then he stepped forward and looked down as if beholding a deep and awful pit, from which again he shrank back with a look of terror ;' but presently drawing near again, he looked and seemed to see something just beyond; then he made the sign of the cross! Jesus was there! And now agfin he looked into the pit and smiled, as that he saw his own sins cast in there! At last he looked up and pointed to heaven with a smile of ecstasy. Jesus had died for his sins and was risen forever to make intercession for him !
Was not this speech? It brought vividly to the missionary's mind the words of Scripture (Isaiah xxxv. 6), "Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb s-ing, for in the wilderness shall waters break out and streams in the desert." " Behold! (Isa. xlix. 12) these shall come from far, and lo! these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Sinim I ,.
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES
TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONARY MAGAZINES.
By REV. CHARLES C. STARBUCK, ANDOVER, MASS.
M. VERNIER, in a letter to Paris from Tahiti, says: "Weare profoundly rejoiced to learn how greatly the interest in missions has increased within a year among the Protestants of France. They assuredly will not halt in so happy a path, but will show more and more that the Saviour's injunction to make the gospel known to every creature is not for them a dead letter. Our Tahitian churches also begin to have a better understanding of their duty in this direction. The proceeds of the system of collections recently organized among them by our little Missionary Committee, in view of a work on the Marquesas, already amount to a very respectable sum, which now allows us to form plans of action. The Lord, we trust, will soon let us know which one of our Tahitians he would have set apart to open this work."
THE Journal des Missions Evangeliques for December, 1887, in comment- • ing on Canon Taylor's and Dr. Blyden's commendations of Islam, remarks that a religion which has taken twelve centuries to occupy Northern Africa, and which has left still surviving there tribe after tribe of pagans, while of those nominally Mussulman some do not even practice circumcision, must not be rated too high as a missionary force. The editors remark that when the followers of the Crescent are once setin motion by one of their periodical outbursts of fanaticism, idolatry has certainly a way of disappearing very rapidly, inasmuch as entire populations professing it disappear in one grand massacre. That, however, is not our usual conception of missionary effort, though it may suit the purposes of Canon Taylor and Dr. Blyden to give it this holy name. And it must be confessed that when a tribe chooses rather to be Moslemized than extinguished, it is allowed its election. In this case, however, the conquerors, according to the great traveller Barth, do not give themselves the trouble to communicate the slightest tincture of religious knowledge to their new subjects.
There is, however, the editors remark, one important exception to this easy willingness to take the name of Islam for the fact. The disciples of the Tripolitan saint Snoussi are innumerable, and bent on spreading far and wide the somber and taciturn type of their Puritan Mohammedanism. "They are making ready for one of those gigantic and sudden explosions of fanaticism of which it is impossible to calculate the effects." But, say the editors, it would be a strange hallucination to imagine that they would receive with any other feeling than that of furious scorn the knowledge of the fact that a Nazarene mollah complacently claims their system as "an incomplete Christianity," or to impute to them any other attitude toward civilization than that of uncompromising hostility. "What they are dreaming of is a return to the Islam of the early ages-a violent and definitive triumph by an irresistible conquest."
Among the benefits of Islam, according to Canon Taylor, is the spread of chastity. Upon this the Journal remarks: Islam and slavery are one. The news that slavery is the parent of chastity is news indeed. Well may Islam advance toward the heart of Africa, for the spread of Islam is one prolonged slave-hunt. "Almost always," says the Journal, here quoting from an eyewitness, the celebrated traveller Schweinfurth, "almost always the agents of this traffic in human beings are educated Mussulmans. This commerce is for them an ordinary accessory of their religious character; they traverse the country, the Koran in one hand, the knife destined to furnish guardians for the harem n the other; they associate with their religious practices infamies the most revolting, cruelties the most atrocious. . • • Brokers of human flesh, lustful and pitiless, they watch for their booty as vultures watch over a camel fallen in the desert; the shrill sound of their blasphemous prayers mingles with the imprecations with which they overwhelm their merchandise; nothing is to be seen but uncleansed wounds; cadaverous stenches spread themselves far and wide. The sum-total of these scenes forms a spectacle the most revolting, impossible to efface from the mind; it leaves behind an insurmountable disgust, an unutterable horror."
If the hordes of Brigham Young were turned loose in the middle of Africa, they surely could not do a completer devil's work than this. No wonder the Journal concludes with, "Behold, Canon Taylor, your missionaries, your apostles of humanity!"
LAST year, at the Moravian station of Gnadenthal, near the Cape of Good Hope, was held the 150th anniversary of the commencement of missionary work among the Hottentots by the Moravian Schmidt. He had previously served a term of three years at hard labor in Spielberg for having endeavored to carry a purer gospel to some remnants of the Brethren's Church still found in the Austrian territories. After gathering a community of forty-two converted Hottentots and revisiting Europe, he was refused permission to return by the Dutch East India Company, and died at home. At the anniversary services, the Lutheran minister who preached, instead of being furnished by the Moravian pastor with a well-bound Bible, was requested to take his text from a shabby New Testament, the sight of which, it is remarked, profoundly moved all who were present. It was the book which Schmidt had left to one of the first Hottentot women converted; "it was in this little book that she was to read during fifty years, waiting always for the return of her spiritual father, or of some other messenger of God; it is in this New Testament that she taught her children and grandchildren to read; it was, in fine, this New Testament which had been, at the end of the last century, rediscovered by the first missionaries who bad again come to the Cape; and it was in this volume, so full of remembrances, that Missionary Schmidt of Amalienstein was invited to take his text at the celebration. The seed may indeed be no' larger than a mustard seed, but sooner or later it has its harvest, that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." '
IN the Dans7c Missionsblad (Danish Missionary Magazine) for January, 1888, Missionary Lazarus of Madras says, in substance: "Our activity in street-preaching has lately aroused a new spirit among the Hindus. They are no longer listless as they were. They now show unmistakable signs of life and energy. They may be now regarded as coming forward in an effectively organized opposition, both to our preaching and to our faith. A new society has been organized in defense of Hinduism, with regular collections-' missionaries' and 'catechists,' who are sent out to preach Hinduism and attack ChristIanity and the Christian missionaries. They make it a point to preoccupy our preaching places, going to them an hour or two before the time. If they fail of this, they make it a point to annoy us by asking questions in the middle of the discourse. If we answel'~ which we never do till we have finished preaching-they badger us and hunt us from point to point, with the one thought of hunting us off the field. Of course we can claim no rights in the matter, as our Christian government observes a contemptuous neutrality. Often a Hindu preacher, taking his station close by us, begins his discourse at the same time with OUnl, which naturally carries over to him most of the hearers. If a.ny remain with us, a messenger comes over from him and asks upbraidingly hew children of lawful marriage between Hindu fathers and Hindu mothers can stand there encouraging a Christian to preach. This appeal commonly strips us of our few remaining hearers.
"They have also a Hindu tract society in operation, which issues all manner of pamphlets, including many which are so vile as to expose both author and printer to the law. But who is to bear the cost of prosecution?
"Meanwhile Madras resounds with preaching, especially every afternoon -Christian preaching, Hindu preaching, Mohammedan preaching, Brahmo preaching. The Tamil journals are full of announcements of sermons and debates: The Tamils have also a 'Punch,' which loses no opportunity to make merry at the expense of the' padres.' To meet such attacks a joint committee of various missions has determined to issue a popular journal in English and Tamil, of which I have been put in charge.
" However much the Hindus may have combined against us, I am glad to say that there are none the less a good many schisms in their camp. 'A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand,' and Hinduism is divided against itself. One preaches against the other's doctrines and moral!!. One will defend idolatry, and another will unsparingly condemn it. One will attack the Bible, especially the Old Testament, and another will take up arms in its defense. One party will issue tracts discussing Hindu questions, and another will rejoin with pamphlets, taking the opposite view of everything, and laying bare the vulnerable points of Hinduism. And so Hinduism divides itself and goes to buffets. Hinduism is so tolerant and elastic that every religious system, even to the worst atheism, can find a corner within its spacious domain. But under the disintegrating influences to which it is now exposed, these incongruous elements cannot long maintain an armistice. Some reformers, clearly conscious that Hinduism is in great danger of losing its hold upon the rising race, are trying if they can revive the old Veda religion, and so we have around us sooieties entitled Veda-Somaj, or Arya-Somaj, or Societies for the Propagation of the True Religion, and what not. All this stir and commotion may end in something good, may issue in the recognition of the crucifled Jesus as the Saviour of the world."
A DISCUSSION had lately been held in Madras before an audience of 2,500 persons, between the Hindus and Mohammedans on the one side, and the Christians on the other, concerning the Godhead of Christ. The principal spokesman of the former was a learned Moslem. He concluded his argument by saying: " Although we cannot acknowledge that the Bible represents Christ as the Supreme Being, we must all concede that he is the best and holiest man that has ever li ved, so good and holy that he can secure to all who put their trust in him the inheritance of eternal life." The force of this testimony, from such a man at such a time, must have been very great.
DR. W ARNECK remarks, in the Allgemeine Missionszeitschrijt, that a few years back at a synodical meeting in Berlin indifference to foreign missions was excused under the plea that" the shirt is nearer than the coat." He says, however, that even in Berlin they have since learned to be ashamed of this flimsy pretense, and to discern (1) that seemliness does not allow a man to go in nothing but a shirt; (2) that for the prosperity of the church the export of missionaries is as advantageous as for the mercantile world the export of goods. Dr. Warneck goes on to rem&rk that there has been a marvelous reversal of opinion in Germany generally as to the value of missions. Now that the German ambition is opening out toward colonization, the auxiliary value of missiona,ries as a~ents of culture cannot well be overlooked. The assistance rendered to science by missions is also coming to be more and more appreciated. Thus multitudes who care very little for the kingdom of God are nevertheless learnipg to set a higher estimate upon its ambassadors.
THE Zeitschrift recalls the time, some fifty years ago, when a missionary secretary in Scotland wrote to the young Duff, afte/'ward so famous, that things were going well; $6,000 had been raised for foreign missions. "No more?" wrote Duff in reply. "It ought to be ten times that." " Is the man mad?" wrote the secretary on the margin of the letter. " Has he had a sunstroke in India?" Perhaps Duff himself would have been staggered had some one told him that in fifty years Scotland would raise for foreign missions not ten times but a hundred times as much as the sum which had so encouraged the worthy secretary. ," Had anyone then," says Dr. Warneck, "ventured to prophesy that before 1890 Protestant Christendom would annually contribute $8,400,000 for foreign missions, and put in the field, ordained and unordained, much more than 3,000 missionaries, and have translated the Bible into some 400 languag'es, the question as to his wits would not have been raised. It would have been taken for granted that they had forsaken him. Yet for all that the impossibility has become reality.
THE Tidning, after remarking that two hundred years ago the heathen world was almost wholly shut out from the knowledge and activity of Protestantism, and in large measure of the whole Christian world, happily says: " At present the heathen world lies like a poor Lazarus at wealthy Christendom's door, so that this, as it were, can neither go out nor in without stumbling over its unhappy brother, whose case may well awaken to compassion all who have a heart to feel for the wretchedness and for the religious degradlJ,tion of their fellow-men."
THE Missionsblatt of the Leipsic Lutheran Mission, referring to the present disposition in Germany to yoke missions to the car of national ambition, says, in its January number: "Whence shall we draw new strength, in order, with the new year. to receive a fresh impulse toward making ready the way for the returning Lord? Shall we seek it in new plans, new missionary gatherings, and allmanner of means of stimulating interest? Or shall we, as some would have us do, enlarge our missionary programme, and write also civilization and colonization upon it? Far be it from us. Our work is, and is to be, to' bring the present Saviour. in the offer of the means of grace to the heathen, and so to prepare the way for the coming Lord. Therefore we know only one means to get new strength, namely, above all things, in simplicity and faithfulness, to do and pursue this one thing, first to win Christ for ourselves, and then to seek also to find an entrance for him into the hearts of others."
WE used to be taught at school that there were four castes in India. But the Leipsic Mis8ionsblatt says that among the Tamils of South India there are computed to be 8,000 castes and subcastes, and in all India perhaps more than twice as many. A subcaste appears to be for most purposes the same as a caste. We must not expect these 16,000 walls to fall at 13 blasts of the trumpet, though fall they will.
THE Bulletin Missionnaire of French Switzerland, the churches of which support a mission in the Transvaal Republic, remarks, in view of a possible war between the Boers and some savage tribes: "If war does break out, there is a prospect of scenes of sickening brutality. During the summer the people of Mpafouri have devoured their prisoners of war, and M. Beuster has been himself witness to all the prepa-
CONTAGIOUS SUPERSTITION
rations for a cannibal feast. Our neighbor Ndjabune of Tsofirn has also eaten one of his brothers who gave him some matter of offense fifteen years ago, and there is every reason to believe that he would have a very good appetite'for another such repast if a fair opportunity offered itself. Yet it would be wrong to put all this to the account of a depraved taste for the flesh of the hostile warriors. A good many only take part in such horrors when urged by the chiefs or the kindred of those who are called to face the enemy. The fact is that there exists among our Bavenda, and a good many other Africans, an inveterate opinion that whoever has tasted of' human flesh is invulnerable in battle. Of all medicines this, it is held, is the most efficacious for turning aside the stroke of an enemy and giving victory. This horrible practice among these wretched people, therefore, roots not so much in depraved appetite or cruelty as in superstition. The need of protection is a sentiment so natural to us poor human creatures that it seems as if nothing ought to be spared to assure us of it. Let us then pity these eaters of men; their wretchedness is extreme. 'Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.' The prophet, in writing these words, so profound and so simple, did not perhaps know that there could ever be occasion to attach to them a material and literal sense as true as the other. Ah! how many surprises for one who lives in a pagan worldl"
"CONTAGIOUS SUPERSTITION."
By Lucy E. GUINNESS OF LONDON. IT was 1700 years ago and more, in the early days of the church. Pliny, the Roman governor and historian, was writing to his master, the Emperor Trajan, of the progress of the province of Bithynia, and the questions that arose in the administration of justice there. Among other elements that he found most difficult to deal with was a certain small religious sect of simple and harmless tenets, but who absolutely refused to pay homage to the gods. As citizens these people were exemplary in'life and conduct, but they actually held their opinions as regards the worship of one God and the great evil of idolatry in defiance of all the laws of pagan Rome. The whole heaven of mythological deities was as nothing to them, and they refused, even under torture, to burn incense on the altar of Jove or before the statue of Trajan. Such conduct was incomprehensible to the Roman governor. But it was not the worst of their crimes. Not content with themselves forsaking the state religion, they were far from keeping silence on the subject of their guilt, but so published abroad the delusion under which they labored that Pliny exclaims in distress, "This contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread its infection among the neighboring villages and country. Nevertheless," he adds, with a gleam of hope, "it still seems possible to restrain its progress." And so he went to work, and torture (that the old Romans knew well enough how to inflict!) measured its strength with the faith of Jesus Christ. Then it was that Pliny discovered what a marvelous unseen power lay in this" contagious superstition." Some few professors, he relates, gave way, but even flame and sword utterly failed in compelling the early Christians to offer incense to the statue of Trajan or to the gods. All his efforts were vain. They would die, but they would not deny Jesus! And the Roman governoc makes the striking statement that" There is no forcing those who are really Ohristians into any of these compliances! " The" contagious superstition" was more than a match for him! Seventeen centuries have rolled by, and could Pliny look around Ol,lr world to-day he might ask what had become of the "contagious superstition" that baffled his skill long ago. Had it been trampled out of existence by the iron heel of Rome? Or had it run a brief course, like so many other superstitions, and died a natural death, according to the law of such fungus growths? And he would be astonished in no little measure at the answer of Christendom. For the" contagious superstition" has spread overthe world, and still it is reaching forth its arms to the heathen, nor will it ever cease to spread till it has affected all nations.
Yes. The faith of Jesus Christ is verily contagious. This is one law of its being. It must be aggressive or it cannot live. "The Christian or church that does conquer will be conquered." The vital principle in Christianity requires that it should extend or die.. There is no middle course. We know this individually in our own experience. If we have" been with" Jesus we cannot help witnessing for him, "we cannot but speak." Freely we have received, freely we must give to others of the water of life. And thus watering we are watered ourselves. But very surely is the converse of this blessed fact also true. If we water not we shall be withered. "We do not find warrant in the Word of God for spirit-level experience. Count the dead and dying churches, all because they did not fight and conquer I"
From its earliest dawn to this nineteenth century of its existence the Christian faith has been essentially "contagious." To-day we see this contagion spreading to the heatben by means of missionary effort. The hundreds of missionary societies all over the Christian world; the thousands of workers at home and abroad; the millions who help by their gifts to forward missionary work; the stream:of missionary literature in the shape of reports, periodicals, accounts, letters, appeals, and countless other productions, that issues month by month, and even hour by hour, from the press; the earnest missionary addresses delivered from all sorts of platforms, from that of Exeter Hall down to that of the simple Sunday-school in the bush at the antipodes, and in all sorts of places, from the crowded metropolis to the quiet country lane, where the student confides to his fellow his purpose to enter the great harvest-field; the countless hearts that turn with love and longing to the regions beyond; the countless prayers that ascend to our Father for the dark places of the earth i-all these are so many agencies for that spread of the truth which so long ago attracted the marveling attention of Pliny.
And the soul that is out of touch with this missionary zeal and energy, this contagious spirit of tlie church, is out of touch with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, who was the First Great Missionary; who so loved us-the dwellers in darkness-that he gave, not money, nor time, not thought or interest or help, but himself, for us !
A NOTABLE CONVERT TO MISSIONS.
BEFORE the late M. Paul Bert was appointed as Resideht in Tonquin, he was most violent in his opposition to religion and in any crusade against clericalism. His hostility to missionaries was equally pronounced. In the report of his administration of Tonquin, just published, he dropped his hostility to missionaries altogether. and availed himself of their immense knowledge of the people, by which, if not by their advice also, he guided his actions. Without their assistance it was almost impossible for him to succeed, and he had to acknowledge the great value of their services. It would be difficult to find a more surprising example of a complete turning upside down of a public man as publicly avowed; and the fact is an important testimony to the value of missionary work.
SENT BEFORE THE MAJiTER
SENT BEFORE THE MASTER.-LuKE x. 1. By MRS. MERRILL E. GATES, NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.
Air, .. From Greenland's Iell Mountains…
Isaiah 6. 8 "WHOM shall I send? He sayeth ; " What servant shall it be?" " " " " 'Tis Faith's strong voice that prayeth, " " "My Master, 0 send me !"
Gal. 1. 16 Send me to tell Thy story, Abroad, or here at home. Acts 22.21 Send me, 0 Lord, before Thee, Luke 10. 1 Where Thou Thyself wilt come.
Acts 10.89 Send me, for I have known Thee, I would Thy witness be ; Acts 22.15 To speak thy message only, Acts 5.20 My Master, 0 send me.
Romans 10. 15 Send me to speak of Jesus, Of what my Lord hath done- John 1. S His finished work most precious, Luke 8.89 Of this and this alone.
John 17. 4 Ps. 71. 16 Ez. 34. 4 To bring the lost and sinning, To Thee, the Sinless One, Reb. ~ 26 To speak sweet words and winning, Eph. 3. S Of Christ, the Father's Son.
John 17. 1 Send me to darkest places, To many a shadowed home, Isaiah 9. 2 Where with Thy shining gl'aces, 2 Peter 1. 19 Lord Jesus, Thou wilt come.
2 Cor. 4. 4 2 Cor. 4. 6 Heb. 3. 2 Send me to work appointed, But, Master, let me be Micah 3. S By Thine own power anointed, Acts 2.4,17 Then, Master, 0 send me !
Acts 1. S Not unto us the glory, When lost ones find their home; Ps. 115. 1 We only go before Thee, Luke 15.24 Where Thou Thyself wilt come!
Luke 10. t " "
BRIEF NOTES ON NEW BOOKS OF A MISSIONARY CHARACTER
BRIEF NOTES ON NEW BOOKS OF A MISSIONARY CHARACTER.
])ictionary and Grammar of the Kongo Language. By Rev. W. Holman Bentley. Bapt. Miss. Society, Holborn, London; also Trilbner & Co.
This book is one of the landmarks of the age. Here is a volume of over 700 pages, both English-Kongo and Kongo-English, and all printed in Roman characters! The Congo Free State became such only in 1884–85, and here in 1887-88 we have a complete grammar and lexicon of the language, pre- pared by a scholarly missionary, and printed in beautiful typography by English publishers. This will put all students of the language in the way of easy conquest of the Kongo tongue. Not only are words given with their equivalents, but sentences and phrases and idioms are placed at the disposal of the student. The wide and warm interest felt on iJoth sides of the water in Africa's unveiling and revealing will insure in many hearts a deep interest in this new and largely pioneer work toward mastery of the Kongo dialect. -A. T. P.
Brazilian Missions. A Monthly Bulletin of Missionary Intelligence. Edited In Sao Paulo, Brazil, aud published in Brooklyn, N. Y., at 25 cents per annum. Subscriptions may be sent to Donald McLaren, D.D., 372 Lewis avenue, Brooklyn. Outside of the United States and Canada, 12 cents for postage.
We are glad to see this monthly of eight pages. It aims to keep before the church the details of the work in Brazil more fully than hitherto has been possible. Thebulk of Christians know very little of the work of God in papal lands, and especially in South America, where the Romish system may be seen in its most corrupt, idolatrous and immoral form. Those who, in their desire to be charitable, talk of the Romish Church as simply a branch of the church catholic but in error in some particulars, should become familial' with papal customs, manners and morals in Brazil. Dr. Howard Crosby in- cisively says of those W!:l0 call the Papal Church a church of Christ, "Yes, an apple may be an apple, even if it be rotten to the core!" This little peri- odical will be found both interesting and instructive if the numbers we have seen may give indication. We shall present extracts from it from time to time, particularly in months when papal lands are under review.-A. T. P.
Our ])ay. A Record and Review of Cnrrent Reform. Joseph Cook, editor. Boston: Onr Day Publishing Co., 28 Beacon st. $11.00 a year.
This new magazine of eighty pages starts with flying colors. With Mr. Cook as the editor-in-chief, it unites six prominent specialists-Miss Willard, Anthony Comstock, Profs. James and Townsend and Revs. Eby and Pente- cost. Its contents are what its name and prospectus would indicate, and we predict for it a foremost place in the periodical literature of the world. It is epigrammatic, comprehensive and glowing. It deals with living questions in a living style.-A. T. P.
Autobiography of William G. SchauJfter. Edited by his sons. Randolph & Co., New York. 12~o, pp. 258.
The introduction by Prof. E. A. Park is admirable and sets forth the liter- ary and moral characteristics of Dr. S. clearly and effectively. He was an . extraordinary man-scholar, Christian and preacher, as well as missionary. He is said to have understood twenty-six languages and was able to preach extempore in six of them. His gifts were varied as well as eminent. But they were all singularly consecrated to Christ in the mission work, spending forty-nine years as a missionary in the Orient. His own account of his life, from the time he left Odessa (he was born at Stuttgart in 1798), whither the family had removed, embracing the period of his conversion while in Russia, and. his visit to America, his life at Andover, his consecration to mission work among the Jews, and his long and eminently useful service in connection with the American Board, is modestly and succinctly told in these pages. And no reader can follow him without being impressed with the sincerity and single-headedness of the man and thanking God for raising him up to do the work he did.-J. M. S.
Life ofRev. Justin Perki1!8, D.D. Oloth, 30 cents.
This is the fourth in the "Missionary Annals" series, published by the Woman's Presbyterian Board of Missions, Chicago. The son, Rev. Henry Martyn, gives in this brief space a clear and interesting account of his father, a pioneer missionary to Persia, where thirty-seven years of an earnest life were consecrated to the Master's service.
P1'Otestant Missions in Pagan Lands. By Rev. Edward Storrow. London: Snow & 00.
12mo, pp. 191. Price 3s. 6d. .
The author has written other missionary books, particularly" India and Its Missions," and the" History of Protestant Missions in India." The present volume purports to be "A Manual of Missionary Facts and Principles relating to Foreign Missions throughout the World." It gives a bird's-eye view of the religious condition of the world, the missionary effort in the three pre- vious centuries, the rise and development of modern missions, and the work and the results of missions on various fields. It is an instructive manual, giving definite information on a multitude of points. Its tables of missionary societies are taken from our own MISSIONARY REVIEW.-J. M. S.
The M"usionary Problem. By James Oroil. Toronto, Canada: Wm. Briggs. 12mo. pp. 224.
This work is similar to the one noticed above, although not covering so broad a field nor quite so recent in its survey. Still it gives a condensed his- tory of Protestant missions in several of the principal fields of missionary enterprise. Brown's" History of Missions" is the author's chief authority for the earlier times.-J. 1:1. S.
The Inspired. Word. A Series of Papers and Addresses delivered at the Bible Inapiration Conference in Philadelphia. Edited by Arthur T. Pierson. Randolph & 00. 12mo, pp. 359. Price $1.50.
This is a work of solid merit. There are no less than eighteen distinct papers on the various phases of the subject by as many writers of acknowl- edged ability, each fitted for his special theme. Most of .them are" special- ists" in their departments and represent all forms of evangelical faith. They came together and gave their united testimony, and the reader of these pages has the result. And it is not too much to say, there is scarce a chord shuck in which there is not the fullest harmony. The editor well says: "It is not strange that upon the Word of God all the forces of the foes of Chris- tianity should be massed. If confidence in that word can be undermined; if, by subtlety and sophistry, its infallible inspiration may be made to appear like an old wives' fable or groundless tradition; if in any way men may feel at liberty, like Jehudi, to use a penknife on the sacred scrolls and cut out of it whatever is offensive to the proud reason or the wayward will of the natural man, the devil will have achieved his greatest triumph." The work is as timely as it is able, and deserves extensive circulation, both for the sub- ject's sake and the character and ability of the treatment.-J. M. S.
NfYr'ard of the Dor;ger; or, Deep Sea Trials and Gospel Trinmphs. Being the Story of the Initiation, Struggles and Successes of the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. By E. J. Mather, fonnder and director. with illustrations. London: Nisbet & 00. New York: James Pott & Co. 12mo, pp. 376. Price $1.50. Fourth thonsand.
Few among us, I fear, are well informed respecting the "Deep Sea Mis- sion." And yet it is doing a much-needed and highly useful work, as Mr.
Mather's enthusiastic and charming narrative makes clear. Fishermen in deep waters-fishermen on board of thousands of "smacks," fishermen in the North Sea-are the special objects of this mission'fI care. The miBsion on their behalf began in 1880. By means of mission ships, which are really hospitals, churches, schools, etc., going to sea with the fleets of fishing vessels, and staying with them, and by every other possible agency and influence of a social, moral and sanitary kind, this mission strives for the temporal and spiritual welfare of this class, so exposed to perils and hardships and enjoying so few privileges of any kind. It is a blessed work, and the mission has been greatly blessed. The reading of this book cannot fail to awaken an interest in it in the United States and Canada, especially in the maritime provinces, where so many fishermen follow the sea fOl' a living.-J. M. S.
Pale8tiM in the Time Qf Ghrist. By Edmond Staprer, D.D. Translated by Annie Harwood Holmden. !'p. 527. New York: A. C. Armstrong &; Son.
This volume has reaahed its third edition, and now appears in a beautiful form, accompanied by very valuable maps and plans. It is open to every believer's observation that the Land is at this present' time greatly aiding the Book. While the two international societies for exploration, the Egypt and the Palestine, are doing admirable work in bringing forth corroboration and elucidation of the Scriptures from the ruins discovered in the countries around the Mediterranean and up the Nile, any book treating of the Holy Land is sure to be welcomed by Christian students. The author of this one is a professor in the theological faculty of Paris. He writes fiuently and well, and his general orthodoxy as well as his devout spirit is evidenced by his own declaration: "Jesus Christ was not the natural product of his eBvironment ; his appearance was a miracle; he came from God." Science has at last become a foreign missionary and is preaching with a spade. It would be an interesting theme for study, if one at his leisure would search out and com- pare for use how much missionaries have done for scientists within the last few years, and how much now scientists are doing in an attempt to return the favors.-J. lL S.
The Dawn of the Modern Mission. By Rev. Wm. Fleming Stevenson. D.D. Edinburgh: McNiven & Wallace. 1887.
This charming book of 188 pp. contains the foul' lectures delivered in con- nection with the Duff Missionary Lectureship, in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen during the years 1884-86. They possess peculiar and pathetic interest as a posthumous pUblication of the last utterances of that gifted , and consecrated author of "Praying and Worh.'ing."
It may be doubted whether any man of his generation has, from a pulpit and parish in a Christian land, done as much as Dr. Stevenson to kindle the fiame of holy enthusiasm and intelligent consecration in the direction of the' ch)lrch's mission to the unsaved millions. He was a missionary pastor. His tongue and pen were both aflame. Though he was a Dublin clergyman, his field was the world and his church only his working force,. nay, he was him- self the centre and spring of all his church force. He sought to spread the knowledge of missionary trials and triumphs, to bring those who heard and read his words into sympathetic contact with the degradation and destitution of a dying world at its remotest corners and deepest needs. " Hans Egede's Story," illustrated by his pen, stirred many a home pastor to yearnings over those who were far off; his beautiful picture of "Pastor Harms and Her- mannsburg" quickened many a listless minister and church to organize the home force into a base of supplies for the foreign field. He made a world tour of missions, his pulpit being meanwhile supplied by the members of his Presbytery, without cost; and being elected the second lecturer under this Duff Lectureship he delivered these four grand lectures, which come to us scarcely complete, w1).en his pen dropped from. his dying hand, and his de- voted wife took it up to prepare the manuscript for the press.-A. T. P.
ORGANIZED MISSIONARY
n.-ORGANIZED MISSIONARY WORK.
National Bible Sooiety of Scotland. number 335, and represent more than 700 parishes. Annual report for 1887, being the seventyeighth report of the Edinburgh, twenty-eighth The purely missionary side of the work is of the National, seventy·fifth of the Glasgow, growing year by year. The grants at reduced sixty-sixth of the Glasgow Auxiliary to the ·rates to charitable and evangelistic agencies British and Foreign Bible Society, and twenty- at home amounted isst year to 38,921 copies, beseventh since the Union was formed. ing more than one-third of the whole issues in 1861; and of the 384,703 copies issued in foreign FOR the first time since 1877 the in- lands, only 71,130 went to nominally Protestant come of the year has sufficed to meet countries, while 71,652 were circulated in Roman expenditure, the receIpts having been Catholic countries and 241,921 among heathen £33,432, and the outlay £30,988. nations. Thus, in a period of great commercial depression and without any spe- The China issues for the year reached the cial effort, the income has almost large number of 183,559 copies, and the publicareached that of the semi-jubilee year; tion of its new Wen-Ii version places the &0and 1887, which came in under the ciety in the front rank of agencies at work for cloud of a. deficit, passes away in the the evangelization of China. Iu Japan the year sunshine of a surplus. is notable for the issue of the complete Scrip- tures in the tongue of the people-a work in The issues, though they do not which the society has taken its full share. quite reach the exceptional figures of Since 1861 it has issued in Spain 531,561, in the two preceding years, are far France 750,346, in Germany 1,247,542 copies. above the record of any former year. It touches .. the dark coutinent" at more than They are in all 632,073 copies, of one point-last year in Calabar, Kaffraria and which 411,319 have been circulated Natal. In South America it aids Protestant abroad and 220,754 at home; and aggressive work in Brazil, where a congregation they include 164,729 Bibles, 180,662 in Pernambuco, itself the fmits of colportage, Testaments, and 286,682 portions. supplies several successful distributors or the The total issues since the union of Word. In Asia it has begun work among the the Bible societies in 1861 are now wandering Bedouins of the Syrian Desert; it 10,110,975 copies. has distributed the Scriptures in thousands among the Tartar tribes of Mon~olia ; it is sow- The auxiliary societies – whose ing the good seed of the Word in four great co-operation not only supplies well- provinces of India; it was among the first to nigh half the free income, but establish regular colportage in Corea, Into whose keeps the board in touch with the tongue it was also the first to translate the goscountry and gives the society its pe1.story; in the great Chinese Empire, where it right to the name it bears – now has since 1864 circulated 1,024,280 Scriptures, it employs four European agents and forty native colporteurs, and has the aid of missionaries be- longing to eleven different societies; aud in the island·empire of Japan, under two European agents, forty·one colporteurs sold last year 46,687 Scriptures, making a total of 321,458 since 1875.
TREASURER'S REPORT FOR 1887.
Receipts for Scriptures during year, viz.: INOOHE.
Home, including grants, etc ……………………………….. £9,392 15 9 Colonies, do. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. .. 2,028 12 4 British and Foreign Bible Society for Scriptures supplied to them in China, 1886 ………………………………………… .. 417 17 5 do., 1887………………………………………… .. 544 2 3 Foreign agencies, per contra…………………………….. .. 4,055 13 1 £16,489 010 t~Nf~r;~~~~~~f!!~.~~·.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: : 1,174 10 0 Donations, viz. ~ . 8,123 9 9 Ordinary………………………………………………… £2,956 14 5 For semi-jubilee fund…………………………………….. 213 19 10 £2,95614 II Total received …..•………. £3,187 14 3 2,780 1 9 582 II 8 Legacies available in 1887………………………………………………… . 2lIII111 9 Net rents……………………………………………………………. .. Iuterest on investments and bank accounts ………………………………… . Semi-jubilee fund, viz.: Amount received in 1885 and 1886 ………………………….. £4,875 13 4 Whereof available for curreut year-twenty·five per cent….. £1,218 18 "' .£1,276 13 3 And twenty-five per cent. on £230 19s. "1Od., amount received 14 Ii 8 in 1881, as above .•…………………. :………………. 57 14 11 £33,576 3 Chinese Blind Mission amouut paid in excess on 31st Dec. last, repaid………•…• .£10,582 8 4 EXPENDITURE. 1,252 14 1 385 1911 Scriptnres for home and colonies…………………………………………. . Home circulation, viz.: 15,920 1 6 2,135 13 7 Scotlaud… . . . . . . . .•• • .. .. .. . . .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . .£974 8 4 Ireland . .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 5 9 538 910 21514 9 Colonial circulation. ………. ………….•……….. . …………………… . Foreign circulation- 990 Applied to circulation Remitted to 2,58712 1 as recelved. Agents. Total. £33,576 3 Africa . .. . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . •. . . . . . . .£7 0 0 .£12 13 3 .£19 13 3 Austria.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. . . . . 268 1 2 96412 5 1,23213 7 Belgium. …. . .. .. . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . 46 10 0 221 15 0 268 5 0 125 0 0 Brazil……………………… 0 0 0 125 0 0 3,009 13 I) Ohina……………………… 176 8 2 2,833 1) 3 France… . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. .. . . 147 9 2 1,192 18 1 1,340 7 3 Germany…. .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . 2,196 8 4 2,825 18 3 5,~~ ~ ~ Holland. .. . . . … ………….. 142 1 0 104 0 0 95 9 8 123 9 8 Iudia………. ………….. …. 28 0 0 737 1 3 Italy……………….. ……. 10817 0 628 4 3 Japan….. …. .. .. …. .. .. … … . 805 8 1 2,060 10 2 2,865 18 3 Norway……………… …… 0 0 0 66 12 5 66 12 I) Spain……………………… 90 0 0 424 9 8 514 9 8 Swedeu……………………. 0 0 0 178 17 7 178 17 7 t30 2 5 169 12 7 Tnrkey and Syl"ia.. .. . . . . . . . .. . . 39 10 2 £4 055 13 1 '£11,864 8 5 Salaries and wages, viz.: General managemeut (including visitation of auxiliaries) …•…… '£1,277 I) 7 Bible department……………. : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •. . . . . . . . . . . 858 8 0 Office expenses (including freights, traveliug, etc.) ………………………….. .
~:?l.~;;~~~:t~~i:~,: ~~~: : : :: :: ::: :: : :: :: ::: :: :: ::: :: : :: :: : ; :: : :: : ::: : :: :: :: :: :: :: Ameri,can Mission, Egypt. from the natives for congregational and school purposes, the expense THIS mission was begun in 1854, in 1887 was £7,600. New places are and carries on its work in three de- calling, some for schools, others for partments-the evangelistic, book preachers. The mission gratefully and educational. The work of the acknowledges the generous aid of mission extends from Alexandria to .the A. B. Society and the B. and F. Assouan, and entails a large expendi- B. Society in Bible distribution. ture. After deducting all receipts STATISTICS OJ!' THE EGYPTIAN MISSIO!{-GROWTH 1!'ROM 1865 TO 1887.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – -186-5. -1-870.- -1-875.- -18-80. – -188-7. Ordained missionaries……………………… . 7 7 8 8 11 Unmarried female missionaries……………… . 3 Native pastors…………………………….. . 3 7 8 10 1 3 Native licentiates………………………….. . 6 10 3 8 I) 7 Organized con~regations…………………… .. 1 3 6 12 24 Stations occupIed………………………….. . 5 Communicants……………………………. . 79 10 21 48 85 Average Sabbath attendance……. . ………… . 125 237 676 1,036 2,307 513 1,133 1,837 4,747 Pupils in Sabbath schools……………………. . 1,494 4,~ Number of schools…………………………. . '5 236 658 49 Pupils in schools…………………………… . 315 8 23 520 1,040 2,219 . Tuition fees ……………………………….. . 5,601 ; $655 i4,863 $13,083 Books distributed (vols.) …………………… . 5,506 $797 24,534 33609 11,890 Proceeds from sales of books………………… . r $1,037 $2,975 $5,541 $1;815 Total paid by natives for preaching, schools and books………………………………….. . $2,788 $4,840 $14,986 $27,173 Tuition" fees for 1870 and 1875 do not include amount paid in congregational schools. That sum was not large, as the demand had not arisen for such schools. It wili be noticed that in the most important items the work has nearly doubled, in some cases trebled itself each five years.
ASYOOT. March 7. 1888. JOlIN GI1!'lI'EN. The Syrian Mission. 1850. The Sultan, Abdul Mejid, issued an imperial firman, called [The following historical sketch was prepared the Imperial Protestant Charter of by Dr. Jessup of Beirut, Syria, at the request of Rights, guaranteeing to the Protest- the edltorR, as this Syrian Mission is one of the ants all the rights and privileges of pivotal enterprises of the East.-EDs.] other Christian sects in the empire.
THIS outline history may be divided 1846. The first boys' boarding into three periods: school was opened in Abieh, Mt• Lebanon. Also the first girls' board- FIRST PERIOD, 1820-1840. ing school in Beirut under Dr. and Mrs. De Forest (see" Women of the .A Period of Exploration and Prep- Arabs," by Jessup). aration.-Its features: intolerance, persecution, banishment, wars, and 1848. First Syrian evangelical pestilenc.e. church organized, with eighteen members. 1822. The American Arabic press was founded in Ma1ta. 1848. New translation of the Bible into the Arabic language begun by 1833. The press was removed to Rev. Eli Smith, D.D. Beirut. The first girls' school ever opened in the Turkish Empire was 1853-1855. Crimean war. British commenced by American ladies in influence predominant. Beirut and Mt. Lebanon. The first Protestant martyr, Asaadesh Shi- 1857. Death of Dr. Eli Smith. diak, was starved to death in the Translation continued by Rev. Cor- Maronite monastery of Kannobin by nelius Van Dyck, M.D., D.D. order of the Maronite patriarch. When the missionaries returned from October, 1858. Female Seminary Malta to Beirut, in 1833, one small opened in Suk el Ghurb, Mt. Lebanon. rowboat came out to meet them, containing the entire Protestant com- 1860. Translation and printing of munityof the Turkish Empire-viz., Arabic New Testament completed by five persons! The number of Prot- Dr. Van Dyck. estant adherents in 1887 is not far from 50,000 in the empire. The THIRD PERIOD, 1860-1888. Greek war, the plague, the invasion Light Out of Darkness.-New imof Ibrahim Pasha, son of Mohammed pulse to Christian education and Ali of Egypt, and the disturbed state great advance in civilization. of the country rendered continuous 1860. Ci viI war between Druzes missionary labor impossible. and Maronites in Lebanon, followed by bloody massacres in Lebanon, SECOND PERIOD, 1840-1860. Hasheiya, and, Damascus. Occupa tion of Syria for nine months by From the Expulsion of lbrahim 6,000 French troops on behalf of the Pasha by the European Powers to European powers and with the conthe Oivil War and Massacres of sent of the Sultan. New govern- 1860.-Protestantism was recognized ment instituted in Lebanon under a by the Turkish Sultan as one of the Latin Christian Pasha appointed religions of the empire. with the approval of the European powers. Increase of European and March, 184.4. The Sultan issued a Christian interest in Syria. New firman that Christians of all sects are educational and benevolent institunot to be insulted, nor be persecuted tions founded. for their religion. 1862. American Female Seminary reopened in Beirut with native Syri- 1840. Boys' boarding school estab- an teachers. lished in Beirut under Mr. Hebard. October, 1862. Suk Female Semi- nary transferrE'd to Sidon. 1847. The Protestant Charter of 1860. British Syrian schools, found- Rights was issued by the Grand Vizier ed by Mrs. Bowen Thompson, now in Constantinople (see "Goodell's Forty Years in the TU1'kish Empire" -appendix). have 3,000 children in their schools Majesty the Sultan the Caliph of Mo- hammed, place the seal of authorizain Syria. – tion upon 33 different editions of the Arabic Scriptures and parts of Scrip- 1860. Prussian deaconesses' orphan- tures. The local board in Damas- cus also approve 330 different Arabic age founded. in Beirut, with 130 or- publications of the American press in Beirut. phans. Up to this time they have [See statistics of the World's Missions near the trained about 800 orphan girls. close of this nnmber for tabnlar statement ofthe Presbyterian Mission in Syria.-EDs.] 1863. Syrian Protestant College in- corporated by Legislature of New York.
1865. The college formally opened in Beirut (see catalogue, which can be obtained of Rev. D. Stuart Dodge, 11 Cliff street, New York. See also General Ohristian Missionary Society.
"Missions and Science," "The Ely THIRTY-EIGHTH anniversary held at Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 20, 21, Volume," for account of the college 1587. The work of the society is chiefly evangelistic in its character and other work in Syria, especially and is spread over most of the States and Territories of the Union. the press). Number of students Jan- RECEIPTS DURING TH1I YEAR. uary 1, 1888, 175. Girls school of the Missionary Fund ……… $20,019 37 Society for Promoting Female Edu- Regnlar Extension Fund. . 937 00 Special Extension Fund cation in the East, at Shemlan, Mt. (Boston House)…….. . 2,23621 Lebanon; Free Church of Scotland Ministerial Relief Fund.. . 17205 Tract Fund…………. .. 27093 schools at Shweir, Mt. Lebanon, Kirk Interest on Extension of Scotland; Jewish Mission schools Fund loans…………. 54 00 Repaid loans…………. 300 00 in Beirut; Miss Taylor'sSt. George's Borrowed.. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . 800 00-$24,789 54 Moslem girls' school in Beirut. I 1873. American Female Seminary opened in Tripoli, Syria.
I append the last statistical sum- mary of the missionary and educa- tional work in Syria up to January, Total from all sources …..•…….. $25,772 31 1887. This will give you a compara- DISBURSElIENTS.
tive view of the progress in the ten To missionaries, cash.. . .. $8,228 12 To missionaries, collecyears 1876-86. tions on field…. …… 9,68722–$17,915 M 1877. Mohammedans open schools For all incidental expenses 81848 To cor. sec'y, salary….. . 1,800 00- 2,61348 for girls in Beirut, Damascus, and For Boston house deht .. . 2,09685 For ministerial relief…. . 24500 Tripoli; Greeks, Maronites, Jews, For tract distribution…. . 340 00 To other miss. boards …• 9110 and other sects open schools for boys Loans from Extension Fd. 1,100 00- 8,87fl 45 Leaving bal. in Miss. Fund 21622 and girls. The whole number of chil- " Extension Fund….. 980 57 dren in Protestant schools in Syria " Ministerial ReliefF'd 158 80 .. Tract Fund ……… 20 45- 1,37077 and Palestine is probably about Total…………………………. $25,772 81 15,000, of whom at least 7,000 are girls. The number of nominal Prot- estants is not less (in Syria and Palestine) than 6,000. There has been a steady growth in the work of The Foreign Christian Missionary Society held its twelfth annual sesthe press in Syria. There are 11 Ara- sion October 19 and 20 at the same place as the General Society. bic journals in Beirut, 1 Turkish offi- cia.l, 3 Protestant, 2 Papal, 2 Greek, 2 Moslem, llitera.ry. Three hospitals SUMlIlAllT.
have been founded !!ince 1860-St. Number of missions.. .. …. . . .. .. .. • 6 John'!!, Protestant; St. Joseph's, Pa- stations.. .. .. …. .. .. .. .. 2S pal, and the RUl!Isian Greek HOl!lpital. missionaries (male). . . •. • 22 lM7. The Mejlis el Maarif, or Board (female)…. II natin assistants……… 13 « of Public In!!truction of his Impel'ial Whole number of workers ………. Whole number of converts under were $317.36, making the total ineome $11,102.02. Total receipts, including the $487.50 for the pereare of Society. . •. •. . . . ••. ••••. • l,85G mauent tund, $11,588.52. Expenditures direct1;y out of our treasury were $10,536.31. Addition31. (This does not include 348 at expenditures reported from China, out of tunds received on that fteld, $317.36, making the total Chester aud 120 at Southport.) expenditures $10,853.67, viz. : Home missions………………….. $5,330 83 Number added during the year…… 592 China .. .. .. .. ….. .. .. .. .. …. 2,559 36 Holland" .. . .. .. .. .. … .. •.. .. .. 490 00 Net gain…. …….. ………… …• Ii02 Salary and expenses of the corre- Whole number added from the 1Irst.. 3,518 sponding secretary, printing min- utes, interest on loans, and inci- Receipts for year ……………….. $40,559 35 dental expenses……………….. 972 98 Pa;yments for money loaned . ••••. •. •• 1,500 00 Total receipts [rom first…………. 259,201 60 The receipts canceled the debt, met It has a mission among the Scandinavians of all expenses, and left a balance of the United States, the Turkish Mission, India, $247.35. China and Japan missions, and the Perslau Mis- sion.
T,tal receipts of the year..•……..•. $48,489 27 .. disbursemeuts.. .. .. .. .. .. ….. 47,597 75 TABLlI JlXUmITING TUB LABOR OP llISSIONARIlIS POR THB YEAR ENDING OOTOBER 1,1887.
Baptisms… .. ….. ….. .. . . . .. . .. . •.. 762 Other accessions.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. • 792 Churches visited and assisted… . . . . •• 143 New places visited………………. 96 The Baptist Oonvention of the Karitime Nnmber churches organized… . . . . . •• 25 Pronnces. – Amount collected on field for remu- ORGANIZED in 1846. Forty-second annual meeting held in Charlotteneration… . . . .. .. .. .. . . . .. . .. .. .. .. $9,687 21 town August 20, 1887.
Amount received from treasury G. C. Strength of the denomination, 375 churches, 1,768 baptisms during the M. C… .. .. .. .. .. .. .. …. ……… 8,228 12 year; total membership, 43,553.
Amount received in cash and pledges for local work ………………… 26,200 00 TABLlI EXHmITING THE MISSIONARY WORK OJ'
TUB STATE ORGANIZATIONS. 200 Receipts of the' Foreign Missionary Board 8,970 (comprising Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Number of missionaries. . . . •. . . . . . . . • 5,134 Prince Edward Island) amounted to $9,325.65, Baptisms.. . . •. •. . . •. . . •. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,878 the expenditures to $10,269.06, leaving a balance Other accessions………………… of $442.58 due the treasurer. Churches visited and assisted. . . •. . .. 326 Unorganized places visited………..
Churches organized…………….. 123 Places assisted in building……….. 63 Raised by State Board…………….$83,422 58 The Baptist Foreign Missionary Oon- Raised by County and District Boards 29,327 49 vention of the U. S. Raised by evangelists for church build. ORGANIZED in 1880. Eighth annual ing and other local worlt ……….. 89,571 44 meeting held at Little Rock, Ark., Kembers in State.. .. …. .. • . .. .. .. .. • 625,000 Sept. 21-25,1887. Receipts reported, $4,069.22, and expenditures, $4,018, Adding work of G. C. M. C., we have, mis· leaving a balance to the new year of sionaries, 231; baptisms, 9,932; other acces- $51.22. We are not able to give an Sions, 5,926; new organizations, 140; collec- account of the results of the year. tions, $137,539.63. Ten States were represented. It resolved to devote the fourth Sunday Seventh.day Baptist General Oonference. in July of each year to the work in THE seventy-third annual session Africa. was held at Shiloh, N. J., September 21, 1887. The forty-fifth annual ses- Baptist Foreign Mission Society of Onsion of the Seventh-day Baptist Missionary Society was held during the tario and Quebec. sessions of the conference. The annual report gives the following FROM the twenty-first annual refacts: port, made in October, 1887, the Tbe amount oCthe permanent tund is $7,486.91, being an increase during the year of $487.50, board expressed its "fervent t;ra.tiwhich is for missionary purposes. The receipts tude for another ye&r of hard work or the treasurer from all sources from Septem- and marked prosperity in the Socieber 9, 1888, to I!!eptember 12, 1887, for the «eneral fund were $10,71!3.66; the receipts on the ty's operations. Four ap- China deld b;y our missionaries from contrlbutiOllS, etc., for the year ending June 30, 1887, pointments, the largest ever madein one year to our missionary staff, viz.,
CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
the Rev. J. E. Davis, B.A., Rev. H. The Southem Baptist Oonvention. F. Laflamme, Rev. H. Garside, B.A., THIS society was organized in 1845. and Miss Bella Alexander. Numer- The forty-second anniversary was held in Louisville, Ky., May 6-10, ous converts have been baptized dur- 1887. The Board of Foreign Missions reported 116 laborers in the field, dising the year, making the member- tributed in Africa, Italy, China, Bra- zil and Mexico. ship of our Telugu churches on June 30 last something over 2,000. New churches have been organized. Ad- ditional native helpers have been put SUllI)[ARY. into the field, and important buildings Missionaries ………………….. .. 116 in course of erection last year have Baptisms for the year …………. .. 228 been completed." Total members…………………. 1,551 RECEIPTS. Churches and stations………….. . 65 Total from churches ………………. 88,424 98 Schools ………………………. . 25 Sunday-schools. . . .. .. . . . . . . … 1,260 11 Pnpils ……………………….. . 587 Woman's For. Mis. Soc. (West) 3,100 00 Contributions from the native . (East) 1,095 00 churches… .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . $3,012.61 Fyfe Missionary Soc., Toronto.. 50 00 Receipts from all sources. . . . . . . . . . . 154,559.04 J udsou Missionary Society. . . . • 13 00 Expended on mission fields. . . . . . . . .. 62,584.81 Association collections …….• 88 41 In agency work………………… 8,264.44 legacies.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . 250 00 The debt of the board had been canceled dur- individuals…… …………… 684 70 ing the year and a balance left in the treasury.
Miscellaneous.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 253 02 The Home Mission Board sum- marized the labors of the year as fol- Total received during the year…… $15,219 22 lows: Balance on hand,at last audit… ….• 364 78 Balance due treasurer…………… 142 32 Missionaries …………………. .. 251 Churches and out-stations……… . 822 TotaL …………………………$15,726 32 Baptisms …………………….. 3,923 EXPENDITURliiS. Total additions. . . .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 6,242 Sunday-schools reported. . . . . .. . . . . . 318 Paid to missionary ……………….. $14,642 87 Teachers and pupils……………. 13,031 " for printing .. .. .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .. .. 254 68 Churches constituted…………… 119 " for interest…………….. …… 136 95 " other disbursements……. , .. . .. • 549 50 Houses of worship built. . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Balance due treasurer.. ……… …… 142 32 Total receipts from all sources …… $122,097.20 The year began with an indebted- ness of…………………….. .. 8,500 815,726 32 This has been reduced to ………. . 2,500 III.-CORRESPONDENCE and GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
Netherlands India: An Appeal With- heathen. In Borneo and in the Celebes per- out a Response. haps about one-half; but wherever in Dutch India a heathen population is in contact with [THE following letter from our cor- Mohammedanism the latter is advancing steadrespondent in Singapore we are sure lIy." In fact, wherever the Dutch Government will be read with deep interest.- extends, Mohammedanism is spreading. Dr. S. does not charge this government with" know- EDS.] ingly and willfully propagating Mohammedan- ism," but, as he says, "here Mohammedanism About ten years ago the Rev. Dr. Schreiber, steps in to do that which Christianity ought but secretary of the Rhenish (Barmen) Missionary neglects to do." Society, gave an account of his society's efforts in Neth. India, at Mildmay.* He said that Mo- Dr. S. speaks of the workers already on the hammedanism was spreading with astonishing field and of their ntter insufficiency to occupy rapidity, especially in Java. "At present in Java the whole field. This field in some parts has almost the whole population (21,000,000) is Mo- been wonderfuily productive. In Ninnahassa, hammedan, at least in name; a great deal of or Celebes, in 1886, out of a population of 138,- heathenism still being concealed under the sur- 026 there was a nominal Christian population face. In Sumatra about the fourth part is still of 115,361. But" there is only one Ninnahass8 !nthe whole archipelago." In many parts • MIldmay Conference of )l'oreijpl Missions where there is a large nominal Christian popula- Report, 1878. tion " the poor Christians are quite neglected and forsaken," and are now fast falling before Mo- 19, in Lias 5, Borneo 7,' Celebes 11, Sumba 1, "hammedan influences. Ten years ago Dr. S. said Timor 1, Rotti 1, Wetter 1, Buru 1, Ceram 2, N. his society could not increase its staff of work, Guinea 5, Jilolo 2, Saugi 3, Talau 2, Saparina. 2, Amboina 4, Ternate 1, Letti 1, Harnku 1. ers, and it has not increased them. He made a strong appeal for other workers, assuring all According to censns (1885-1886) there were na- that the government would allow other nation- tive Christians, Malayan races, 235,070 ; Chinese, 939 (but not one missionary able to speak Chi- . alities to work freely, as the Germans do in nese), and natives of India, 121. In Dutch Timor there are 33,015 nominal Christians, with only Neth. India. one gove~nment helper. Truly the harvest is The part of his ,address I wish to emphasize plenteons, but the laborers few.
is this: " Will no otMr missionary society step (REV.) J. A. B. COOK, in, in order to at'ert suck a reproack to tke Presbyterian Missionary in Singapore. Okristian name? I want to make an earnest Oxford University and Missions, appeal to all the missionary societies in Englaud, America and Australia." Tkis appeal as yet kas LETTER from our correspondent in kad no response. Surely before long there will Oxford, J. F. Reyes, F.e.S" F.R.G.S. be a willingness to consider the claims of Malay- sia, especially the claims of the 27,000,000 of A MODERN ROBERT BRUCE. Neth. India. All that the Christians of England are doing for the 35,000,000 of Malaysia is being In Oxford the other day we had a remarkable done by the Sarawak (S. P. G.) Mission in illustration of the way in which the world will Borneo, and by a few scattered workers in continue to miss its greatest heroes. A great Singapore and Penang, with occasional visits to crowd had assembled to hear a notorious states- the peninsnla. There is only one solitary man speak on the Irish question. A few gradu- American missionary to represent the Chris- ates in a small room met without advertisement tianity of America in this wide region. two days later to hear from Dr. Robert Bruce an account of his work in Persia. He strongly re- Let me give a few facts as to the present state minds ns of Livingstone in his appearance and of missions in Netherlands India, with a few directness, and there is the further analogy that other facts, to be well pondered by thoughtful he has heen working alone in Jl1ifa,near Ispahan, Christians. these twenty years. Any ordinary person be- coming a Christian would be sure to disappear The Dutch possessions extend from Atcheeu", in a few days, probably by poison, but it would in Sumatra to New Guinea, and contain 612,520 be impossible to trace it. On the other hand, he square miles, with a population of 27,000,000 instanced a woman who became Moslem, and , under the Dutch flag. Among all this vast mul- speedily acquired property from Christian or titude of souls there are only 69 Dutch and Jewish relations in the law courts. German missionaries and 24 government mis- sion "helpers." These" helpers" are in govern- Dr. Bruce in fact gave incidentally many illus· ment pay. Their sphere and all their move-' trations of some of the misleading criticisms of ments are regulated by the officials, and thongh the now famous paper read by Canon Isaac Tay· they speak Malay are only allowed to work lor at the Wolverhampton Church Congress. In among the nominal Christians, The mission- Persia there was a "complete divorce of morals aries alone are free to go to the heathen and from religion," and his observation was that Mohammedans with the gospel. Mohammedanism " made every country a Wilderness." It is only fair to state that Canon Of the 93 missionaries on the field (always in- Taylor referred more especially to the civiliza- cluding the 24 government "helpers") fully 70 tion of the negro. He has since excluded the have arrived since 1870, the result no doubt of stations of the nniversity's missions to Central the reaction in university and college life in Africa from his criticisms. favor of evangelical doctrine and many forms of aggressive Christian efforts in the Nether- Before passing from this subject let me call lands and Germany. The 69 missionaries are attention to the remarkable phenomenon of the as follows: Times admitting correspondence on this question in extenso, writing leaders on it, and finally 6 from Neth. Miss. Society (Rotterdam). printing Sir W. W. Hunter's lecture on the re- 6 from Neth. Miss. Association (Rotterdam). ligions of India in full, with a leading article. 8 from Utrecht Miss. Association (Utrecht). Missions both in Africa and China have similarly 1 from Neth. Ref. Miss. Ass. (Amsterdam). been dealt with in the jubilee year. No facts 3 from Ermelo Miss. Association (Ermelo). could testify more emphatically that the time is 4 from Mennonite Miss. Ass. (Amsterdam). now ripe for the existence of a really great and 4 from Hague Home and For. Miss. Soc. impartial Review devoted j 0 missions and abso- (Hague). lutely independent of all missionary societies. On the whole I am inclined to think that the 3 from Christian Reformed Church (Leyden). best place for such a Review is America. Its 1 self-supporting Dutch missionary. language is available for one bundred millions of There are besides these Dntchmen 34 Ger· that party, the human race, which seems called man missionaries, of whom 28 are from the by God to an extraordinary future and an ex.- Barmen Mission, supported by the sub·society at Amsterdam; the rest are of the Berlin Mission These missionaries do not live together in large centers, but scatter themselves in families among the natives. In Java there are 24, in Snmatra ceedingly great present responsibility with re- MUKTSAB, PuNJAB, Jan. 31, 1888. spect to the actual condition of and openings in To the Princeton College .Men: the non-Christian world. The name of this town means" The Fountain Dr. Bruce's remarks on Mohammed and the of Salvation." The town Is not yet this, but I Koran were often at variance with the apologies trust the name is prophetic. It is one oCthe holy we sometimes hear. Even in the matter of places of the Sikhs, who are a reformed sect of temperance it was clear that the Shiite was the Hindus. There is said to be already a spirit always glad to get the drink which the base of earnest Inquiry among some few, and we hope Christian trader supplied him with. If they there will be II church established before long. are kind to their slaves, they are grossly cruel to their animals. The state of the women needs I have come here with Mr. FrankNewton, my no notes here. But the Doctor confessed his ad- uncIe. He and his few native helpers have II miration for Mohammed np to his 50th year and parish of about one million people, Ferozepore the death of his wife Khadisha. being the center. It is one of the finest districts of the Punjab, and the men are an exceptionably Here I must stop. The Oxford Graduates' strong, independent, manly lot. Missionary Association was privileged to hear a great and good man. There are others like him Last week we spent a couple of days at Jaito, in the misSion field. My thoughts for the mo- a village of somewhat over three thousand peoment turn to Burmah and the American Judson. ple. It had Once before been visited by a native In their single-handed translation work the par- catechist, but never by a missionary; so far as allel is very close. But Dr. Bruce has a parish we know. In doing village work, missionaries of half a million of square miles, covering three often carry tents with them, but this Involves great ancient empires. much trouble and expense. We are depending on getting quarters in each place. At J aito we The type of Christian hero changes in each had a very comfortable little house of two rooms ceutury. We cannot stop the progress of the lent us by a railway official. Here we are putage, nor get nineteenth-century people to like ting up in a sarae or native hotel. There are what was admired in a different epoch. Let us three native preachers with us, and we five ocnot make any insidious comparisons, but thauk cupy one long room. The hotel charges for all God for all, and not least for that great gift of five are nine cents a day. adaptability to environment which is evinced iu the work of our best missionaries from either While here we expect to visit a number of the side of the water, a gift which seems akin to that surrounding villag~s, sometimes all four of the which made the great apostle" all things to all preachers going together, and sometimes two by men," and yet ever loyal to the great Head of all, two. Mr. Newton has a small organ, and this who, however imperfectly. show the apostolic with singing attracts a great many. Last evenspirit and the divine power. J. F. HEYES. Ing the audience of a1}out one hundred and fifty listened closely for nearly two hoors. OXFORD, :March 5, 1888. It seems to bc the general opinion that the Mr. Porman Heard Prom. most hopeful feature of the work in India is the villages. Many missionaries give II large part of :MR. JNO. N. FORMAN, after arrJving in England toward the close of September, spent two their time to school work in -the large Cities. months in working and speaking throughout the universities and larger cities of Great Britain, This work is important, but many of those who much of the time in company with :Mr. Taylor have been engaged in it now think that what Is of the China Inland Mission. In the universities needed most is men who will gi"l°e their whole he frequently found it difficult to gather an audi- time to evangelistic work, chiefly touring among ence of the students. At Cambridge the largest the villages. Mr. Newton is considered very number of stUdents he succeeded in assembling good in this line, so I was advised to go with was but thirty. At Edinburgh some thirty-five him for a while before starting for my own field. men pledged themselves to the foreign mission- The truth of the matter is that we need men in ary work. Meetings were held at Oxford and every department of work. In our mission in Wales, and in London an inter-hospital meet- school at Lahore we have over a thousand boys. ing of medical stndents. In Belfast thirty-three And the college which was started less than two men signed fo~ miSSionaries, and Mr. Taylor years ago has already some seventy students, coming after found that these were but the first and is growing fast. One feels often inclined to fruits. At Wakefield, Leeds, Duudee, Aberdeen. be discouraged at the size of the work and the Glasgow and other cities, meetings of the citizens and especially of the Young Men's Christian fewness of workers. But I believe firmly 2 Cor. Associations were held. ix. 8, and this Is a "staying power." I am now Mr. Forman left England early in December engaged in a study of the Holy Spirit, searching and landed in Bombay January 2. He has been through the Bible to find just how mnch is promstationed by the mission at Allahabad for the ised to us, to me. May God grant, each of us first year, during which he will devote most of may claim alt. his time to the study of the language. He writes to the stUdents at Princeton: I am praying daily for a great blessing upon you in Princeton, and expect to hear of a good work. Eph. iii. 14-19. And may God add the .. exceeding abundantly" of verse 20. When yoo pray for me, please pray by name.
Yours in Christ's service and in Christ, JOHN N. FOBJu.N. A Boat Journey in Ohina. [OUR editorial correspondent, Prof.
[EXTRACT from a private letter from W. C. Wilkinson, D.D., is making the Mrs. Edward P. Thwing of Brooklyn.] tour of Palestine. The following in- Just now I am living on a boat. To-night we teresting note from him shows that are auchored near Chung Wan. We leftCautou Dec. 27, and have had lovely weather since. We he is on the lookout for missionary are about 115 miles from that city. There are twelve of us-Rev. Charles R. Hager, missionary information. The observation and of the American Board from Hong Kong, my son, myself and a Chinese woman Bible reader, testimony of so close an observer and six boatmen, a captain and a cook. We have already stopped at several towns and villages On critical a mind are worth noting.- the river. At Hong Moon we found A. S. [a Christian pupil taught a year before in Brook- EDS.] lyn], and I rode about ten miles in a sedan chair PORT SAID, EGYPT, March 24, 1888. . to his home. He and Edward walked behind the bearers. I never before realized the expres- I have just been visiting the Egyptian missiou sion, .. The whole city came out to meet him. ,,- stations of the United Presbyterians of America, There was a general turn-out to see us, strange both at .Alexandria and at Cairo. At the latter beings from a foreign land. When we went into place I saw also something of the work in progthe house it was at once crowded full, probably ress. In both places I was favorably impressed much as when Jesus found" no room, no, Dot so with what I saw. Excellent men and women much as about the door." The open space in the the missionaries seemed to me to be, and sinroof reminded me of the opening through which it is said the sick of the palsy was let down. cerely devoted to their work, which is prosecuted The women and children felt of my clothes and nnder the disadvantage of resources in money hat and hair and shoes. They were grently amused. We took supper and remained over seriously inadequate to the demand. Cairo is a night. When we left town crowds preceded and followed us. Suuday we were at anchor at San Bwarming Oriental capital of perhaps 450,000 Ui, where there is a mission chapel. Mr. White of Macao admiuistered commuuion and Mr. H. people, with a reputed supply of 400 Mohammepreached. The room opened into a little sunny inner court. Thirty-one gathered, and fifteen in dan mosques, to feed these hnngry human souls all partook of the sacrament. After dinner on the boat I took my Bible woman and went to a with the dnst of death instead of the bread of village close by. As we entered a crowd of women and children swarmed out of every open life. I was irreSistibly incited both in .Alexaudoor. They were more interested in me than in anything she said, examining my clothes and dria and in Cairo to pray for poor groveling person. God only knows whether any good was accomplished. Work was going on just as on Egypt. Can these dry bones live' Let our any day all about us. United Presbyterian brethren redouble their We observed the week of prayer. and have had good meetings on our boat. Mr. H. is a spiritual prayers and their toils and their gifts for this man and it is a blessing to have his society. He has evening prayers in Chinese, and calls the perishing people. W. C. WILKINSON. boatmen into the cabin. Some come in and he talks very earnestly to them, and one asks mauy From a Student Volunteer. questions, apparently much interested. May God bless this" bread cast upon the waters." Pass- NEW BRUNSWICK THEO. SElIl., April, 1888. ing from place to place by water we have time DEAR EDITORS: One of the most iuteresting for the study of the language and reading. My features in THE MISSIONARY REVIEW to me is Bible woman has small feet and cannot walk far the letters from the Student Volunteers. lhave at a time. Many of the villagers never saw a read with pleasure the circnlar addressed to foreigner and very few ever saw a foreign woman them, and am heartily in favor of the plan that till they saw me. When they saw me from afar, each college or seminary send out a letter sketch- the news spread rapidly from lip to lip, and ing the history of its own foreign missionary countless swarms poured out through every alley movements and plans. Some of our colleges to meet us. We visited many places. as the and seminaries, however, are perhaps too weak whole district is intersected by many streams to print and send out circular letters, but all of and canals. I cannot tell how -many hundred them can tell their brethren what the Lord has mUes our sixteen days' trip will aggregate, bnt done for them and what they are trying to do for it is a most instructive aud profitable journey to him, through the columus of THE REVIEW. us. and. we trust, to the thousands we·have seen. The volunteers in the three educational insti- tutions at New Brunswick have not been idle this year. The District Miss. Alliance held here in February, of all the seminaries in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania,was the outgrowth of missionary interest at oor mission circle, and the alliance has been a great blessing to us all. The students of the seminary, college and gram- mar school, with their respective faculties, have pledged more than $800 yearly for the support of a missionary in the field, and at a meeting held March 21, the following resolution was unanimously carried: .. Resolved, that in view of the especial qualifications of L. R. Scudder, M.D., who has offered himself to our mission board, and in view of the special needs of the mission field in India and our Board of Foreign Missions, the entire subscription of the Stu- painted and oiled snch parts of our steamer and dents' Missionary Association for the first year sawmill stnff as were liable to rust. lirother be given to the board for the equipment and Rasmussen has given us a plan for a cheap passage out of L. R. Scudder, if the board shall bnoyant raft for the discharge of our traction appoint him and start him out before Octoher 1, engine when she shall be bronght up by the 1888." • steamer. The materials for said raft are being Oor mission circle meets weekly, and we dis- prepared, so that we hope we shall within a fe,!!, cuss every part of the world-field during the weeks see our road engineers, Brothers Clamn, course of a year. Our prayer is that every vol- Rasmussen, White and Briggs, moving inward unteer may read aud ponder the article in the with our steam wagon and traction engine.
April number of THE REVIEW, entitled" What Brother Wm. H. Arringdale, our architect and Oue Did." What one did all can do, "(hrough man of all mechanical work, has been busy and Christ which strengtheneth us." I heartily join effective in house-building and repairs.
in the cry, " 0)) that the volunteers would pull "Our dear sisters have done the cooking for together" ; but let each of us be sure that his all our working force-a heavy task that is never hand is on the rope. Let us link Matt. xxviii. 20 finished. Meantime, though I have wrought in to 1 Cor. xv. 58. ONE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. our varied work at Vivi three months out of the five of our sojourn here, I have explored the line What Bishop Taylor is Deing in Africa. to Isangala, and report the opening of five sta- tions-1. Vivi, the site of" the former capital of THE second annual meeting of the District the state. For a little over seven acres ofground Conference of the Upper Congo District assem- here and the buildings remaining we paid £160. sembled at Vivi mission station Dec. 3, 1887, at 2. At Vumtomba Vivi, four miles distant, in 2 o'clock p. M., with Bishop Taylor in the chair. sight of the mountain, we have built an abode honse and opened a station. 3. Sadl Kabanza, Fifteen members were present, including the about twenty miles from Vivi. 4. l:Iatamba, bishop, and sixteen were unavoidably absent. about twenty-nine miles from here, all on the The bishop reported briefly as follows: caravan trail. 5. Isangala, where our freights have to be taken by boats up the river to Manyan- " Our disappointment in not being able to get ga.. We have not bnilt, but our missionarY,E. A. direct and prompt tral)sport of our steamer and Shoreland, occupies rent free the station-honse other stuff to Stanley Pool, and detention in Vivi, of the government. 6. Natumba, near Banana, tllough trying to our faith and patience here, we have just received permission from the govand hard on the bopes of our patrons at home, ernor-general to select a Site, and I hope to be is working fOl' our good and for the enlargement able to send in duly a sketch of the land selected, of our field of operations on the Congo: and to settle on the premises in a tent till we can get a small iron house ordered from Liverpool." "1. In the nnexpected depletion of our transit funds. lIad the government of the State of Reports from varions stations were then pre- Congo been able to transport onr freight to Stan- senled. John A. Newth stated what had been ley Pool at a pound ($,;) per man-load, according done at Sadi Cabanzi. He said that the natives, to agreement, we could not have paid their trans- though willing to be taught English, declined port bills. Here, in Vivi, onr expenses are but having anything to do with the worship of God, light and our transport by steam will he much believing that all joining in it will die. Yet Mr. cheaper than by carriers alone. Newth helieves there is ground for hope. The witch-doctor, having been warned ,!gainst his ,. 2. It has been the means of a government barbarous practice, now brings all sick patients authorization to open a line of mission stations to the mission to receive medical treatment. from Vivi to Isangala, 55 miles, and thence to This is certainly a step in the right direction, for Manyanga, 88 miles, thence on the south side of it will give tbe natives confidence in the misthe Congo 100 miles to Stanley Pool. sionary. Mr. Newth thinks that when he is able ,to speak the langnage of thl' natives he will be "3. We are finding out as our acqnaintance able to {eason away tbeir prejudices. extends that north of said base line of stations there is a densely populated belt of conntry belonging to the Congo Btate, extending back to the Loango River, and that parallel east a belt of about 100 miles or more.
"Since our arrival here, about the first of The report from Vumtomba, back of Vivi, de- July of this year of grace-five months-we have, tailed the building operations, and stated that under the mechanical generalship of Brother the natives are very friendly, and there is a daily Critchlow, extemporized the construction of a class of from eight to eleven to learn English.
new steam wagon of 'Va.t pulling power, for the Miss Mary Kildare reported the result of her transport of our heavy freights np the steep hills, teaching in two villages near Vivi. She first got by means of this wonderful wagon and a little good classes of children, taught them to sing man force. All our cargoes have been bronghtup Christian songs; and to repeat the Command- the crooked, steep, rocky hills, from the beach ments and the Lord's Prayer. The interest and to Vivi top, a distance of about a mile and a attendance increased, and the parents began to half, since which our preacher and storekeeper, come, and one man has given up idol worship.
J. C. Teter, has taken stock of all our stores and The report from Matamba, by Charles Lamn, pat them under roof, lock and key. pur chief stated that that station was opened in September.
engineer, Silas W. Field, has rubbed up and The natives are eager to be taught. Letter from Our Oorrespondent at long as he could. My dear little son (12 years Tangier, Morocco. old) was so impressed by the sight that he also I JIAVE just returned .from Fez (the great nortbern capital of Morocco). I Was absent desired baptism, to my great joy. Muley four montbs; nearly" fortnigbt was consumed in getting tberp. We "dwelt in onr own hired Hasham'S conversion oC~llrred onlyabont tour house, and received all that came unto us, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching weeks after my arrival in Fez. Therefore I those things which cOncern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding bad bis help in the work all the rest of my us." A beloved young Scotch brother, wbo volunteered to accompany me and look after sojourn. He boldly and publicly confessed material matters, and my little son Frank, were my only companions. We were in great dis- Christ, abandouing the false faith of Moham- comfort for a time after our arrival, but after- ward secured a little bouse in a garden through med. He daily instructed tbose who came to which the river of Fez flowed. Here we spent some happy months, though with scarcely any the house. He has gifts that make it desirable of the ordinary appliances and comforts of civil· ized life. The people came freely about us. that he should give himself wholly to the work Many heard the word of life. The great op– portunities and large promise of work in this of the ministry, which is his great desire. I have land were more than ever impressed upon us. Not a few were at least intellectually convinced brought him with me to Tangier, where he has of the truth of Christianity. Some professed conversion. I will speak confidently of but one, eudeared bimself to us all, and hope to retain whose experience was most remarkable, and – who abides faitbfnl. His name is Hasham, and bim for help in the gospel. He supplies my im- he has the title of Muley, being a lineal de- ·scendant of Mohammed, and is looked upon perfect knowledge of Arabic. He is withont with peculiar veneration by his fellow-country- meu. His father's grandfather was the Sultan means, and I should be glad if some rich friend of Morocco. He is of middle age, of great iu- telligence, and well educated for a Moor. He should covet the exceeding honor of supplying had been greatly devoted to the faith of Moham- med and held an hereditary position in connection his temporal needs; $250 a year would amply with one of the many mosques (some fifty) of Fez, which he relinquished ou his conversion. meet this dear man's humble needs, and enable The details of bis being brought to believe in aud confess Cbrist arc of thrilling interest, and me to keep bim wholly occupied in gospel ef- some of them I would fear to tell lest they migbt be doubted. His awakeniug illustrates fort. Who will do it? My stay in Fez was of how feeble a word may be blessed. He had a child at the point of death, and I simply told great help to me in increasing my knowledge of him it was useless to pray to God for the child save in the name of Jesus. This word ent.ered Arabic. At our out-station (Arzeela) ten or eleven at once into his soul, and he spent that night praying for his child in the name, the thriee- souls have evidently received Christ, of whom blessed name, of Jesus. The next day but one he professed himself a believer in Christ, tell- two have fallen asleep. In tbis work God has ing me of a vision of the Lord Jesus he had had, that sounded like a leaf from the Acts of the honored the faith and toil of two devoted sisters, Apostles. It filled me with amazement and joy, aud I could do little but stand still and see tbe who fearlessly took np their abode in tbat little salvation of God. I bad but to point out what God said about a thing, and he received it Witll city where were no otbers than natives save rejOicing, and daily waxed strong, and he has already become a stalwart believer whose faith themselves. I cannot express how deeply I feel and patience would put many at home to shame Two or three days after his conversion I pointed that there are hundreds of Christian young out what the Lord Jesus said as to baptism, and he was eager to at once obey. I baptized him women in America who could give themselves that noon in the river in onr own garden. He did not wish me to raise him up at once, saying to such like work here. What an unfading as Christ remained in the grave three days be should like to lie upon the bottom of the river as crown would be theirs! I will gladly be the belper of sucb, or of young brethren, either.
Who will come? Who bas faith and courage for it? Snch as can trust the Lord for support shall lack no good thing, though among the good things they will find as part of them plenty of trials, as do we. But noue of these things move us. We count not our life dear to us. if we may; but finish our course with joy. I am about starting on another trip, or series of trips, into the interior to occupy these spriug months.
My wife and daugbter Carrie and Muley Hasham will be with me. We hope to a~ain go to Fez and perbaps other towns of southern Morocco after the summer heat has passed. Traveling is expensive, and we must have at least five mules.
To hire them consumes too much, so they must be purchased. Brother Eugene Levering, No.2 Commerce street, Baltimore, continues to re- ceive and -forward the bounty of tbe friends of our work. E. F. BALDWIN.
The McAll Mission.
[THE following letter, lately re- ceived from Mr~ MeAll, will be of in- terest to our readers.-EDs.} PARIS, January 14, 1888. At the close of the year 1887 and the opening of the new one our work in Paris and through- out France 'presents very many features which I am sure will not fail to rejoice the hearts of our dear friends of the American auxiliaries, who, with us, are so earnestly desirous for the Bayroux, the French pastor of St. Germain, will spread of thE> gospel in this land. I will attempt take the direction of the station, we supplying no more than a faint sketch of what we have him weekly with speakers from Paris. On the been enabled to accomplish within the last two opening evening we were cheered to ~ee the little or three months in the way of extending the hall filled, and though all was new and strange work, planting new stations in hitherto neg- to the majority of those present, there was re- lected districts of Paris and throughout France. spectful and serions attention thronghout. The Yon are aware that deficiency of funds had pro- speakers remarked that, while during long cen- hibited, during some years, our responding to turies the town had witnessed all manner of the many and urgent calls to break new ground. events and revolutions, never had a place been It is only quite recently that, having somewhat opened in its streets for the preaching of the recovered, through the efforts of our French pure gospel (the Protestant church is on the out- friends, in connection with the sale they held for skirts) until that night. We all felt that it was us last May in Paris, and from other sources, we our privllege to make thus a direct assault on have had the great joy of once again" lengthen- the strongholds of ignorance and incredulity, Ing our cords." This we have been enabled to and returned home with the glad conviction that do at a comparatively small additional outlay, as .. the Lord was there."
the entire work of many of the new stations is Time and space fail me to detail the openings undertaken gratuitously by the French pastors which increased our stations from 99 at the and others in the respective localities, so that close of 1EE7 to 114 as it now stands. In all we we have only to provide the little mission halls have increased our number of sittings by about and their incidental expenses, which, In many 1,600, raising the number with which we start cases, the very small means of these frieuds on the year tu about 17,000.
the spot would not enable them to meet. Will you not, dear American friends, join I will begin with last evening, January 12. with us in fervent prayer that, through the Holy We had the privilege of opening at 8 o'clock P.lI[. Spirit's influence, each of these sittings may, our 114th station. It is situated in a quarter during the year, witness the drawing of at least of Paris peopled by very poor and religiously ig- one heart to the Saviour? R. W. McALL.
norant people, In a district called Monceau.
Several of our valued helpers live near the spot, and have long much desired to attempt some- GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
thing for their less favored neighbors. During Results of Missions. At the end the visit of M. Guillamne van der Beken, Secre- of 1884 there were at least 2,400,000 tary of the Paris Young Men's Christian Associ- adherents and 650,000 full church ation, some friends at Cincinnati felt so much interested in his statements respecting our members; 2,283,000 evangelized hea- work that they resolved to aid its extension. then-that is a significant number. They assured an extra fund to M. van der Beken for this pm·pose. He and his wife and It may not be that each of these is a her cousin and two ladies, all living close by, mature believer. Certainly;the ma- sought out this new mission hall, and last night jority have much weakness, and we set it apart for an effort to reach the poorest their Christianity is still in its juveand most neglected around. It is in the Rue de nile stage. Yet how many striking Tocqueville, close by a benevolent institution in instances of wonderful divine guidwhich houseless men get a meal and a night's ance, of the power of the gospel, of lodging. From this proximity we doubt not that many will turn into the room and hear the real conversion, of childlike faith, of gospel for the first time in their lives. The devout prayer, of love for the Word, opening meeting was very encouraging. With of willing self-sacrifice, of heroic enthe exception of a few friends, it consisted en- durance for the confession of Christ, tirely of the neighbors, working people, etc. The place looked exceedingly neat and attractive and are included in these 2,283,000 I How was well filled. It was delightful to hear the widely spread in different lands are people try to sing the hymns, and their attention these 2,283,000 I If we may take a. was reverent while we commended them to our journey around the globe, almost Father's blessing. These Christian ladies (men- tioned above) of the neighborhood propose to everywhere do we meet more or less organize in the hall, in addition to the public of them. In Labrador and Greenland, meeting, children'S religious services, mothers' among the Indians and negroes of meetings, etc. British America and the United On Wednesday of last week we opened our llath station, at St. Germain-en·Saye, an ancient States, in the West Indies, off the town of 18,000 inhabitants, a few miles from coasts of Central and Southem Ame- Paris. Mr. Elliott J. Shepherd of New York rica, and even in the wilds of Terra. has generously supplied the fands for this new del Fuego, 688,000 of heathen have movemeut, in memory of the birth of a little daughter during his sojourn in the town. M. Zealand and Australia, missionary been gathered into Christian commu- supply of two factories only. Mr. nities. If we leave San Francisco to go across the Pacific Ocean, we find in the Bently says" he has heard of 50,000 Sandwich Islands, in Micronesia and Melanesia and Polynesia, in New or 60,000 cases of gin as the annual converts numbering 240,000 souls. If we turn to the Indian Archipelago sale of certain factories of the Dutch and from there go to the Japanese islands, and then to the Asiatic con- House." / tinent, India, China, Persia, and Asia Minor, we find 754,000 heathen who Says Dr. Cuyler, in the New York have become Christians. Coming at last to Africa, we meet the converts Evangelist: in Madagascar, among the Caffres, Bechuanas and Hottentots, South .. I went to Washington to present a memorial Africa, the negroes of the interior, from the National Temperance Society to the and the west coast from Congo to Senegambia, amounting to 577,000. Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United -The Prospect in Asia. Dr. Abel States Senate, in behalf of rum-cursed Africa. Stevens, writing to the Central Chris- Wheu the Berlin Conference shaped the future tian Advocate from Yokohama, Japan, says: of the vast Free State of the Congo, three "I have been inspecting the great Asiatic years ago, they prohibited the slave trade. But battle-fields, and I report the general conviction of both foreigners and intelligent natives here, they left a worse scourge uncheCked. The Hon. that the epoch of a grand social and religious revolutiou has Bet in in India, Burmah, China. Mr. Kasson, who represented the United States, and Japan; that this old 'Asiatic heathendom is generally gIving way before the continually in- Sir Edward Malet, who l·epresented Great creasing power of Western thought and Chris_ tian civilization. The present is the most pro- Britain, with Count de Launey of Italy and pitious hour that ever dawned on Asia since the advent of Christ. Let us hail it, and march into Count; vau der Straten of Belgium, strove hard these great open battle-fields with all our fiags uplifted. I am not carried away by the enthu_ to have a clause prohibiting the sale of intoxisiasm of the heroic meu I have met in these tlelds: I know well the diftlculties that still cants to the native tribes. The German and remain, and can criticise as well as anybody grave defects iu the campaign. But I feel sure Dutch commissioners fought it out, and Gerthat the hoary paganism of this Asiatic world is tottering to its fall; that the tlnal Christian battle many has sent over BeVen millions of gallons of is at hand." • fire water' into that doomed region in a single Wendell Phillips says: year I Holland has sent over one million lAud .. The answer to the Shaster is India; the answer to Confncianism is China; the answer to out of the port of Boston, between J une,1885, and the Koran is Tnrkey; the answer to the Bible is the Christian civilization of Protestant Europe June, 1886, there was shipped 733,000 gallons and America." of death-dealing New Englaud rum into the -Africa and Rum. The exports of spirits to Africa from Great Britain, Congo country I The negroes are becoming Germany, Portugal and the United crazed not only with the drink, but for it. Many States in a single year amounted to nearly 9,000,000 gallons! And these of them refuse to take in exchange for palm-oil, gallons are multiplied many times before they are dealt out to the na- Ivory and other prodncts, any manufactured tives. One of the National African Company's steamers recently carried fabrics, and clamor for strong drink I Two re- 25,000 cases of gin and mm for the sults follow: the natives are being bestialized with alcohol, and all hope of opening a valuable market for our goods is being destroyed. The chief ' Christian' powers of the world are be- coming the colossal grogsellers to poor imbrut- ed Africa, and are destroying one hnndred times as many as Christiau missions are saving. A powerful influence is being brought to bear on the English Government to prohibit the liquor trallic iu Africa by British SUbjects. The memo- rial I took to Washingtou besought our gov- ernment to adopt effective measures to suppress this destructive trallic by American citizens. A vigorous push should be made by every constit- uency upon its representative, by petition and by correspondence. No time is to be lost. One year now iu the history of Africa is worth a century in its degraded past. If Christendom is going to supplant Paganismwith whiskey-barrels, then Africa had better been left in heathenish se- clnsion. At any rate, let our republic wash its hands of any further participation in this whole- sale crime against a whole race of immortal beings."
" What is being done out there in the name of conscience," says the New York Tribune, edito- rially, "is a world of crime of a character so colossal, of an immorality so shameless and pro· found, that if it could be regarded as a type and !1lustration of nineteenth century civilization, it would be necessary to denounce that civilization as a horrible sham and a conspicuous failure." Says Canon Farrar in the Contem- They are said to be a very musical . porary Review: people. Music enters largely into all "The old rapacity of the slave-trade has been matters of social importance, and followed by the greedier and more ruinous ra- the love of it finds expression in the pacity of the drink-seller. Our fathers tore from manufacture and employment of a the neck of Africa a yoke of whips; we have variety of instruments. The Bursubjected the native races to a yoke of scorpi- mese gong, when deeply struck by· ons. We have opened the rivers of Africa to the accustomed hand and thereafter commerce, only to ponr down them the' 1'aging gently waved in air, is by no means Phlegethon of alcohol,' than which no river of unpleasant to hear. And when, as the Inferno is more blood-red or more accursed. is often the case, it is employed to ls the conscience of the nation dead? If not. will no voice be raised of snfficient power to awaken it from a heavy sleep?" summon a passing neighbor on his Bosnia.-Pastor Kolatschek, who way with an offering to some distant spent the years 1884-1886 in gospel temple, in order that he may become work among the Bosnians, gives the agent in transmitting a similar some interesting reports concerning gift from a worshiper whom cir- the evangelization in that county.r cumstances detain at home, it con- The political authorities do not op- veys a lesson which we do well to pose this work in any way, which is lay to heart.
conducted under the auspices and China.-Ex-Secr«!tary Holcomb of with the financial aid of the Gusta- the American Legation at Peking vus Adolphus Society of Germany. says that out of the 400,000,000 in- habitants of the Chinese Empire fully Burmah.-All of Burmah belongs 300,000,000 spend less than $1.50 a to Great Britain and forms a part of month for food. the East India Empire. Lower Burmah consists of the· provinces of Ar- France.-Rev. Dr. Muchmore of rakan, Pegu, Irrawaddy and Tenas- the Presbyterian, Philadelphia, who serim, with an area of 87,220 square recently returned from a two-years' miles, and a population in 1881 of travel abroad, and whose admirable 2,736,771. Upper Burmah, known etters during that time have received previously to 1886 as Independent wide attention, gives in one of his Burmah, is estimated to have 190,- latest his views touching the MeAll 500 square miles and a population :Mission, which will be read with inof 3,500,000. It is probable that in terest by many of our readers who all Burmah there is now a popUlation are interested in this great religious of near 8,000,000. In Lower Burmah movement of our day. He says: the census of 1881 divided the people religiously into 88,171 Hindus, 168,- ., The McAJI work has never been independent 881 Mohammedans, 3,251,584 Buddh- of the churches and pastors of Paris. The selfists, 84,219 Christians. The people negation of this wonderfnl Christian man. who of Upper Burmah are almost en- is the founder and head, is monumental. It tirely Buddhists. wonld have been the easiest thing in the world to have started a church bearing his name or The Burmese make jokes freely, any other name. But instead. he has wrought but are not so ready to take them, in the greatest harmony with the French pasand have a. bitter dislike to being tors. Re has advised with them, has had their teased. Their manners are courteous, constant help. Some of the most eminent preaching in these stations- two, three and some- but quite free. They are not an in- times four times a week, is by men of worlddustrious race, yet we ought not to wide repntation, such as Dr., nOw Senator de call them lazy. A moderate amount Pressense, Pasteurs Bersier, Monod, Recolin, of work for two days supplies them Dhombres, Rollard and others. There is but with ample provision for both, and one opinion about this work in Paris, nay in all for a third, which they spend in medi- France, which is enthnsiastic and profOlmdly tation, boat-racing, football, or other trustful. It is the auxiliary ofthe French Protestrecreations according to taste. ant churches, and at this moment we are told that there are a hundred applications for these helpers for the churches throughout France by the pastors and consistories.. The work, by its of the people by a common religious own momentum. of grace, widens and deepens, bond. Hinduism is a social organizaand the cry, not only in France but far beyond tion an!i religious confederacy. As it, is to them, ' Come over and help us.' One of a social organization it rests on caste. its most blessed fruits is in imparting a knowl- As a religious confederacy it repreedge to the pastors of France of better methods sents the coalition of the cultured of work. In the long inactivity of the church, faith of the Brahmans with the ruder when it was practically fettered, the tendency rights and materialistic beliefs of the was to take the life and aggressive activity out more backward races. In both asof it and its pastors. Many had fallen into a pects Hinduism is a deliberate system humdrum conservatism, little less lively than of compromise. It accepts the posithe dead march. Then courage, which now tion that the spiritual needs of races works throngh their marvelous aggressiveuess, differ in each stage of their developwas all repressed by the terror which through ment, and that man most naturally ages becomes the law of being. The pastors worships what, for the time being, he come up from all over France. aud catch the . most reverences or most fears. On spirtt and learn its methods, and carry them this foundation Hinduism has built home, not in vain, as the wonderful revivals up the enduring but ever-changing' throughout France during the last two years st.ructure of Indian ritual and belief. have shown. To the ministry of France it has No conversions to Islam on a considbeen betterin its teaching how to work than a half erable scale have taken place since dozen ordinary seminaries. The French clergy 1872. Even a solitary case might be appreciate it, pray for it, French Protestants sought for in vain of such a change contributed to it over five thousand francs, a of religiOUS belief from conscientious great snm consideri~ their condition and the conviction. But a small amount of demands upon their poverty. They commend converRions is going steadily on. It it, as they well might, and God forbid that they proceeds from social and economical shonld ever become so blind as not to feel that reasons, and is confined to the lower it is the pnlsation of their own church heart. orders, and occurs oftener among For they mnst never be separated. It would females than males. Hindus who imperil, to our judgment, the hopes of the sal- have lost caste, women who have vation of France. But it may be asked, What fallen into an immoral life, men who are the results, not general, but organized? The have abandoned their family faith French Protestant churches are receiving con- for the sake of a woman of the other verted sonls that they could never have reached. creed-these, and such as these, re- All the pastors, who have wrought in this work, lease themselves from the restraints have had accessions from it, pastors Bersier, of caste rules by adopting Islam. In Monod, de Pressense, etc., and so has it been such conversions religious feeling has with the Methodist, Congregational and Baptist no place. churches" Into this ancient and powerfulor- -India's Religions. "The first idea ganization a new religious force has of our missio.aaries was to make con- thrust itself, a force animated by a verts from the established religions profoundly different spirit. Christianof India. During the last fifty years ityis not a new rpligion in India. Its this idea has been modified. In such a history dates from a period 700 years country a religion must stand or fall before the rise of media'lVal Hinduism by what it does for the well-being of and 1,000 years before any wideits own people. This principle ap- spread Indian settlement of Islam. plies to the three great religions of The new religious force now at work modern India – Mohammedanism, amid Hinduism is neither the Nesto- Hinduism and Christianitv. There rianism of the patriarchs nor the Cais a dense and dark mass;f $50,000,- tholicism of the popes. The Catholic 000 of human beings in India lying and Syrian churches still go on calmon the outskirts or beyond the pale ly with their great task and claim of orthodox Hinduism and Islam. Within fifty years these 50,000,000 will be absorbed into one or other of the higher faiths. Islam represents in British India a compact and coherent mass of 45,000,000, who in spite of internal divisions are more closely united than any equally large section over 1;600,000 of the 2,148,227 Chris- dition of one faith."'-Sir William tians in India. The new disruptive NelsvnHunter, in the London Times. force is Protestant and Anglican Christianity. English mlssIOnary Hindu Astrology in Trouble. The work began in the last year of the Bombay Guardian gives a singular last century. 'fhe results achieved story of the trials which some emiby three missionary periods in India nent Hindu pundits are undergoing -the period of private effort, the on account of the interference of period of great organized societies, Western science with their system of and the period of societies side by astrology, which is closely connected side with ascetic brotherhoods-may with their religion. A meeting of be thus summarized. In 1851 the learned Brahmans from Benares and Protestant missions in India and Bur- other places had been held to conmah had 222 stations; in 1881 their sider this conflict between science stations had increased nearly three- and their religion. It seems that the fold, to 601. The number of churches date of a certain holy festival, the or congregations had during the thir- Durga Puja, which ought to be fixed ty years multiplied from 267 to 4,180, by the study of the stellar influences, or over fifteen-fold. There is not has of late years been fixed by an only a vast increase in the number of examination of the Englishman's stations, but a still greater increase Sheet Almanac. The Guardian says: in the work done by each station, while the number of native Protes- .. This impious conduct, subversive of the tant Christians increased from 91,092 very principles on which Hindu festivals were in 1851 to 492,882 in 1881, and the instituted, has been reported by an enemy to the communicants increased from 14,661 orthodox Brahmans, and great has been the agito 138,254. During the same thirty tation produced by the disclosure. Not only years the pupils in mission schools according to this discovery:have past feasts been multiplied from 64,043 to 196,360. observed in violation of planetary conjunctions These enormous increments have and stellar influences, rendering acts of merit been obtained by making a larger nugatory, neceSSitating the repetition of vows, use of native agency. A native Prot- upsetting marriages, confusing births, and in· estant church has, in truth, grown ducing blight, pestilence, and disaster of every up in India capable of supplying in a kind; but the holidays this month, for which large measure its own staff. In 1851 many of us have made all arrangements, will be there were twenty-one ordained min- useless and need not be observed. Such were isters, and in 1881 they had increased the asseverations of the Brahmans, and as the to 575. The number of native lay great question when to hold the forthcoming preachers had risen from 493 to the pujahs must be settled immediately, the meetvast total of 2,586. The wonderful ings we have mentioned were convened." growth of the native clergy in recent years has brought Christianity closer There was a heated discussion at to native institutions. The appoint- this meeting. Many were not prement of native bishops, for which the pared to admit that all their rites time is at hand, will do more. Indi- and ceremonies were wholly without an Christianity, organized on the merit on account of the failure to hit Indian communal basis and in part upon the right day. But there was directed by native spiritual leaders, agreement upon the doctrine that would reproduce, as far as the diver- the stars must fix the day, while it gent creeds of modern times permit, was gravely disputed whether their Tertullian's picture of the early positions should be determined by churches united by 'the communion the use of modern astronomical inof peace, the title of brotherhood, struments or by the study of the the token of hospitality, and the tra- shastras.
Japan.-Joseph Cook, in Our Day, says as to the prospects of Unitarian missions in Japan: ":Mr. Knapp, who was lately sent to Japan on a Unitarian' embassy,' said in his farewell ad- dress in Boston, November 6, 'My errand 1ft not a mission to heathen. • • • It is conference, not conversion, at which I aim.' A son of Fu- i[ your committee think fit to elect knzawa, the eminent Japanese educator, readan me an honorary member of your soaddress following :Mr. Knapp, and closing with ciety. I have often said that the this extraordinary benediction: 'May God, progress of Japan was the greatest Buddha, and the eight million deities of Japau wonder in the world, but I declare bless him.' (Okristian Register, Nov. 17, 1887.) that the progress of Fuegiais almost The gross irreverence of tbis reference in its equally wonderful.' After commendconjunction of the divine name with pagan dei- ing the success of the London Misties shocked many hearers, but met with no re- sionary Society in the South Seas, buke, although Dr. Hale and President Eliot the late Professor Rolleston, at the were on the platform. Eveu tbe Unitarian Re- meeting of the British Association in view <Dec. 1887, p. 592) says only tbat no mis- 1875, quoted Dr. Gerland: 'The desionary was ever before sent abroad with' so crease of the Polynesian popUlation oomprebensive a benediction' as that pro- is not now going on as fast as it was nounced ou lIIr. Kuapp by young FUkuzawa. It in the first half of this century. is painfully evident that Unitariau missions COn- Whilst in this matter the English ducted in the spirit of this keynote wonld be ex- Government deserves great praise, ceedingly injurious to Japan, and that their suc- and whilst Sir George Grey has done cess wonld give to her population ouly a plenti- more for the Polynesians than almost ful feast of east wind. A Unitarian journal of any other man, the missionaries, nevleading authority lately said that the most noto- ertheless, stand in the very front rious inlidellecturer in the United States might rank among the benefactors of these be admitted to membership in a liberal Unitarian races, with their unwearied, selfchurch. Japan should remember the bright sacrificing activity.' Russell, in his saying of Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of work upon 'Polynesia, 1840,' said: Charles Darwin: 'Unitarianism is a feather-bed 'The progress which the Polynesians to catch a falling Christian' (Life of Darwin, Am. have made was really set on foot by ed., vol. i. p. 513). The Land of the Rising Sun the missionaries. They have had the should keep in mind Coleridge's remark (Table greatest influence ~upon the civiliza- Talk), •A Unitarian may be a Christian, but tion of the natives; they have taken Unitarianism is not Christianity.' .. their part and protected them when they could; they have further given Polynesia. – Much has been said them the fast foothold, the new fresh against the introducion of Christian- object, motive, and meaning for their ity and civilization among the peo- whole existence, of which they stood ple of the South Sea Islands, as tend- so much in need.' Whatever ridicule ing to the destruction of the native 'The Earl and the Doctor' and simiraces. It has been affirmed that to lar books may have cast upon miscarry the gospel to them was the sure sions in the Pacific, this has been way to exterminate them. An arti- conclusively refuted by the unbiased cle in The LondonMissionary Ohron- testimony of Admiral Wilkes and icle brings some testimony on this Captain Erskine, to the effect that matter and shows what missions have the moral reformation of the islanddone for the" elevation and preserva- ers is pre-eminently due to the exertion of the islanders in the Pacific. It tions of the agents of the London SlJ,ys: "For the sake of the preserva- Missionary Society. So again, in retion and raising of the aboriginal na- sisting the coolie traffic of Polynesia, tives, whatc1ass of men have equaled the natives have not had more steadthemissionariesin promoting asancti- fast champions than the missionaries. fied manhood and womanhood among How much has also been accomsavages and heathen? It will not be plished for the redemption of the out of place to give Darwin's opinion slave in the West Indies, and in the upon the civilization of degraded alleviation of the brutish and servile tribes through the agency of mis- condition of the natives of India I If, sions. Writing to the secretary of the South American Missionary Society in 1870, he says: 'The success of the Terra del Fuego Mission is most wonderful, and charms me, as I always prophesied utter failure. It is a grand success. I shall feel proud
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT. '
further, we c6nsider the superhuman Arabic-speaking peoples, Pl'. Geo. E. self-abnegation of Livingstone for Post, in the New York Evangelist, the suppression of African slavery, or the labors and endurance of worthily says: Vanderkemp, Phillip, Ebner, KitcheneI', and Moffatt for the welfare " It would take a long'list to exhaust the ~ of the Bushman, KaffiI', Bechuana, !igious, literary aud scientific contributions to and Hottentot, there can be no the Arabic language from the missionaries in stronger exposure of the calumnies Syria. They include the translation of the which Sir Samuel Baker has raised SCriptures and the stereotyping of the same in against the missionary and his mes- numerous styles; the preparation of a Scripture sage." goide, commentaries, a concordance, and a complete hymn and tune book; textbooks in Syria.-Contributions of Mission- history, algebra, geometry, trignometry, logaaries to Science and Education. In rithms, astronomy, meteorology, botany, zoiilonoticing the completion of another gy, physics, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, hygreat work by Dr. Dennis of Beirut, giene, materia medica, practice of physic, snrone of a series prepared by him, in- gery, and a periodical literature which has cluding the Canon and Interpretation proved the stimulus to a very extensive native of Scripture and Evidences of Re- journalism. The Protestant converts of the ligion, which have become the stand- mission, educated by the missionaries, have ards of theological instruction for the written elaborate works On history, poetry, grammar, arithmetic, uatural science, and the standard dictionary of the lauguage, and a cy- clopoodia which will make a library by itself, consisting of about twenty volumes of from six hundred to eight hundred pages each."
IV.-INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
CONDUCTED BY REV. J. T. GRACEY, D.D., OF THE" INTERNATIONAL MIS- SIONARY UNION."
The English Language on Indian Res- the red races must, be taught the English language in order to their ervations. nationalization, and pressure, stead- THE relation of languagfls to the ily augmented, has been brought to civilization and nationalization of pagan peoples is no new topic. The bear on all having to do with these governments of Europe have given tribes, to secure compliance with large attention to the subject. Mis- this policy. The cousensus .of pubsionary organizations during the last lic opinion supports this aim of century have studied it more pro- the government, though there is di- foundly and with wider experience versity of view as to its relative im- than anyone government, if not portance among the several means more than all governments. contributing to the same result. The The United States Government moral and religious training of these has experience limited to its own ter- races is fundamentally essential to ritory and to the one aboriginal race their civilization and nationalization, found therein. It has, within a com- and the philological influences and paratively few years past, given a lit- facilities, stoutly helpful and impor- tle consideration to the relations of tant, are yet imperatively subordi- the languages of these people to the nate. All parties, therefore, outside question of their preparation for citi- of the Indians themselves, may be zenship, and their ultimate absorp- said to have favored the acquisition tion into the national commonwealth; of the Englis"h language by these a view of their possible future which tribes, and all have sought, at least in is itself of recent date. During these some degree, to attain this object. few years, those charged with the It appears that the Indian Bureau conduct of Indian affairs have had a or the Indian Commissioner, or a steadily deepening conviction, that subordinate of the Commissioner whose instrument he became, thought 2. Rev. Dr. Strieby has partially this object was to be secured more summarized the objections to the new rapidly by means of fOi'ce, and an regulation as, first of all, judged of edict was issued which forbade in- from only a secular and government struction, by anybody, to any Indians, standpoint. It is said that this in any of the Indian vernaculars. sacrifices the present generation of This was afterward modified in a adults, and is impracticable; it is imhomeopathic degree to read: possible at once to educate the chil- dren of school age among the Indians, .. No other person than a native teacher will as there are only 13,000 pupils now in be ~ermitted to teach in any Indian vernacular, the schools of a total population of and these native teachers will only be allowed 46,000 .of school age; that it would iu schools not supported in whole or in part by cost the government a half million the government, at remote points where there dollars to furnish school-houses for is no government or contract school where the these, and another half million for English language is taught." books and teachers, and thus require a million dollars for the first year; President Cleveland says, in his re- that it is simply impossible to secure ply to criticisms against this order, the teachers if the government werewhich were formulated in resolution otherwise ready-it would require one by the Philadelphia Methodist Epis- thousand teachers; that there must be copal Annual Conference, that it ap- increasing expenditure for the schools plies to text-books also. He says of the character desired, as the ap- propriations of the government show .. That uo text-books in the vernacular will be the expense of these schools to haye allowed iu any school where children are placed increased forty-fold in ten years, under contract, or where the government con- while the average attendance has tributes, in any manner Whatever, to the sup- scarcely trebled. At the ratio of inport of the schools; no oral instruction in the crease of attendance of these children, vernacular will be allowed in such schools. The in school during the past ten years, entire curriculum must be in the English lau- it will require sixty years to get these guage. The vernacular may be used in mission- children in schools. It will therefore ary schools ouly for oral instruction in morals probably, even following out the govand religion, where it is deemed to be an auxiliary ernment policy, require half a cento the English langnage in conveying such in- tury before the English language can struction, and only native Indian teachers will be be made the language of communicapermitted to otherwise teach in any Indian tion with the Indians; and thus while vernacular; and these native teachers will only the permanent use of these Indian be allowed so to teach in schools not supported languages is not necessarily to be dein whole or iu part by the government and at sired, their temporary use is of great remote points, where there are no government consequence. But it is essential that or contract schools where the English language the Indian be Christianized in order to is taught, and such instruction must give way to his nationalization. When the Indian the English-teaching schools as soon as they are becomes a Christian, his eyes are established where the Indians can have access opened for the first time to the idea to them." of a right qivilization, and he begins then to know the value of the Eng- It appears that even interlinear lish industries and of the Englishlantext-books are prohibited. guage.
Several objections have been raised 3. Rev. Charles W. Shelton, .at the to these regulations of the govern- same Mohonk Conference at which Dr. Strieby spoke as we have shown, ment. illustrated the process of Christiani- t. While the Board of Indian Com- zation as the short cut both to civil- missioners are on record over and again as favoring and strengthening the influences which would bring the Indians to a knowledge of English, they yet say in their last annual report that .. The school 'facilities being now snfficient for only abont one-third of the Indian children of school age, every effort for their education should be encouraged. A little teaching even in the vernacular is better than no instruction." ization and to the use of the English right to say whether they may have language, by reference to the 75,000 a theological seminary? How can it Indians of the Indian Territory, for be "satisfactol'lY" to missionaries to whom Congress has no need to legis- accept as a concession from the govlate, no bills coming before Congress ernment the right to have a " theoon their account. He says it is be- logical class," the number of which is cause three-quarters of a century to be "limited" at the discretion of ago the missionaries commenced to the Indian Bureau? This is a funda- Christianize them. He affirms that mental interference with fundagovernment cannot Americanize the mental and recognized rights which Indian from their standpoint, and if it were the sweetest charity to it were possible it is not the goal, as excuse as merely an impertinence. education in English is not a pre- And when again the President exventive of crime. plains that "these rules are not in- tended to prevent the possession: or 4. Serious exception is taken to this use by any Indian of the Bible, pubgovernment order, as invading nat- lished in the vernacular, but such ural and moral rights. Rev. Dr. possession or use shall not interfere Gilman asks if the government has with the teaching of the English any right to prohibit the Indian to language to the extent and manner teach his child in the only language hereinbefore directed," can he expect he knows. And if one may, may it will be "satisfactory," inasmuch "Ilot a half dozen employ the same as it involves the moral right of every means to teach them? Is it not man on American soil to own his proper to inquire what rights parents Bible and read it in Greek or Chochave over their children? taw without asking or receiving the concession as a privilege from the 5. Still graver objection is made to government? The very explanation the invasion of the rights of Ameri- is unfortunate. The government is can citizens in their personal and simply dealing with that which, out- private capacity. It is contrary to the side of its own schools, is none of its genius of the nation itself that the business, even if the matter at issue moral right to conduct benevolent, were vastly more essential to the charitable or Christianizing agencies nationalization of the Indians than it by such means as are esteemed nec- is or possibly can be. essary thereto by the parties in the case, shall be interfered with by an The brief expression of opinions of officer of the government. President eminent gentlemen, who have stud- Cleveland, in the letter already re- ied this subject for years, which will ferred to, says : be found below, was solicited by us with the privilege of their publica- "A limited theological class of Indian young tion in the REVIEW, and they will be men may be trained in the vernacular at any read with great interest. purely missionary school, snpported exclusively by misSionary societies, the object being to pre- OPINIONS OF EMINENT MEN ON LATE pare them for the ministry whose snbsequent ACTION OF THE INDIAN BUREAU. work shall be confined to preaching, nnless they are employed as teachers in remote settle- GENERAL CLI"TON B. FISK, CHAIRMAN BOARD 011' ments, where Ellglish schools are inaccessible." INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. And then, singularly enough, adds: • NEW YORK, March 26,1888. "The mIes referred to have been modified and changed in their phraseology to meet the I am in favor of using the English language views of good men who seek to aid the govern- ment In its benevolent intention, nntil it was only, in the schools conducted for the edncation snpposed their meaning was quite plain and their purpose satisfactory." of the Indians, as speedily as that can be done, How can the President suppose it I believe the Indian Bnrean erred in attempting to be "satisfactory" to American citizens or American Indians either, to prohibit the use of the Indian language in that the government shall claim the schools snpported by missionary societies. It was a wrong I Wish might be corrected withont delay. CLINTON B. FISK. THE BIGHT REV. BISHOP HAllE OF TIm lIIIS- gnu among the DakotaS' more than half a cen; SIONARY DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN DAKOTA. tury ago, and the result has been the conversion SIOUX FALLS, DAKOTA, March 31,1888. of hundreds from savage and heathen practices to Before answering your question and giving the white man's faith and civilization and the knowledge of the Saviour of men. Must this my opinion of the order of the Indian Burean good work cease at the nnchristian demand of prohibiting the teaching of the vernacular lan- an officer ofthe government of the United States , guage On the Indian reservations by missionary Why should the Bible in their own tongue be or other agents not supported by the govern- taken away from the Dakota people f And why ment, I must say by way of introduction, lest I should official edict prevent a poor Indian from reading and being taught of things divine in his should be misnnderstood, that I think some ac- Own vernacular? "Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe In me, It Is better tion in the'premises on the part of the govern- for him that a millstone were hanged about hill ment was called for. There is a tendency in neck and he were cast into the sea" (Mark many:of those who live on Indian reservations, ix. 42). The Washington order and not the Dahoth the Indian and the white missionaries, to kota Bible should be put under the ban. shut themselves in from the commOn life of onr people. This seems to me a capital mistake. E. L. FANCHER. Safety for 250,000 Indians, divided np unto several hundred trihes, speaking as many different HERBERT WELSH, ESQ., SECRETARY OJ!' THE languages, scattered on about seventy different reservations among 50,000,000 of English-speak- INDIAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION. ing people, can he found ouly if the smaller people fiow in with the current of life and ways of PHILADELPHIA, March 31, 1888. the larger. The Indians are not an insulated people, like some of the islanders of the South I believe that while it is of great importance Sea. Our work is not that of building np a national Indian chnrch with a national liturgy in or Indians to have a practical knowledge of the the Indian tongue. It is rather that of resolving the Indian structnre and preparing its parts for English language, so that they may know what being taken up into the great whole in church and state. things to take and what to reject in our civil- I think that decisive measures were needed in ization, a knowledge of Christian principles Is order to give emphasiS to these principles and to stir teachers and missionaries np to more intel- still more necessary to their welfare, as it is esligent and strenuous efforts to teach the Indians the EngliHh language. sential to the development of high strong per- I think, however, that the government has sonal character. Hence to oppose instruction shown, in the shape in which they have pnt the order referred to in your letter, great want of for Indians in the essentials of Christian trnth consideration for Christian teachers and missionaries who have been its best helpers in the throngh the medium of their own tongue, where work it wishes to do, and has trampled upon sa· cred rights which I had supposed would never circnmstances forbid the nse of English, I bebe made light of in this free land. lieve is nnsound policy. Yours respectfully, W. H. HARE, Bishop. "Forthe government to forbid or to restrict the HON. E. L. FANCHER, PRESIDENT AMERICAN use of the native tongue on the part of those who BIBLE SOCIETY. NEW YORK, March 30,1888. are laboring for the civilization of the Indians, I have no hesitation in saying that the edict independently of government financial aid, is, ofthe Commissioner of Indian Affairs is a blot on the page of Christian civilization. To command in my jndgment, for it to transcend the moral as it does that "no person other than a native Indian teacher will be permitted to teach in any limits of its authority. Such an act is oppressive Indian vernacnlar" is to close the door oCmission schools among the Indians and deny Christian in its nature, out of harmony with American missionaries the right of teaching the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and anyessen- ideas, and will only succeed in irritating and tial doctrine of the Bible. For there are thonsands of Indians who do not understand the alienating Protestant missionaries and In ham- English langnage, and before they can learn it their earthly existence, as to many, will ter- pering their valuable work for the welfare of the minate. Indians. HERBERT WELSH. The Dakota Bible is read in Indian schools by BEY. DR. GILlIlAN. SECRETARY OF THE AMERICAN many who cannot understand English, and what right has an officer of this free government to BIBLE SOCIETY. forbid its further nse f Mission work was be- BIBLE HOUSE, NEW YORK, April 4, 1888.
The rulings of the Commissionerof IndlanAl- fairS seem to have been determined, first by his personal opinion, repeatedlyannonnced, that any instrnction of the Ind4lns in their native tongne is nseless and detrimental to them; and sec- ondly, by his conviction that fidelity to his oath of 01lice requires him to prohibit instruction altogether. 1 In hoth these respects I think he Is wrong.
The missionaries are not dOing a nseleHs and harmful thing in teaching Indian boys and girl"
to read the Scriptnres in their own tongue, and even if they were it Is a high-minded measure for a government officer in Washington to set up his personal jndgment'on such a matter as a rule with which they must comply or be debarred from carrying on their philanthropic edncatlonal work. He goes out of his province when he dictates the methods of instruction for them to pursue, aud attempts to suppress a language by lows: In Philadelphia Yearly Mee~ ing, 1882; Iowa, Hl83; Indiana, 1883; an official edict. By his own confession "the New England, 1884; Ohio, 1884; Can- ada, 1885; North Carolina, 1885; Kaneffect of this policy upon any missionary body sas, 1885; New York, 1887. College societies are also formed at Earlham, was not considered," and that, when self-deny- Ind., and Wilmington, O. The mem- bership of these societies in 1886 was ing missionaries for all these years have been 3,892, and they had at that time raised $27,840. They have done much interested in giving the Indians a literature in valuable service in stimnlating the raising of money, and have rendered their OWn tongue. This is the gravamen of my much aid in establishing and sup- porting missions in Syria, China, Jacomplaint. EDWARD W. G,LMAN. pan, lVlexico, Jamaica, and among the American Indians. This work REV. LYMAN ABBOTT, D.D., EDITOR THE CIlRJB- has led to the establishment of a mis- sionary paper, the Friends' Mission- TIANU~ION. ary Advocate, edited and published at Chicago by Esther Tuttle Pritch- NEW YORK, March 31, 1888. ard. I can only say in answer to yours of March 28, in the briefest possible words: These several societies, ten in all, 1. That I think it very desirable to cease all were entirely separate, each from all nse of the vernacular in the Indian schools at the others, and have had no bond of earliest possible moment. union except that of their being 2. That I think the government has an entire of the same denomination, but they right to prohibit the use of the vernacular in any judged the time had a1'l'ived to seschools dependent in whole or in part upon gov- cure, if not some general organizaernment aid. tion, at least some unity of plan in 3. But it clearly has no right morally, what- the conduct both of their work at ever its technical legal right may be, to prohibit home and abroad. religious or philanthropic organizations from carrying on their work in any way and by any Representatives of these societies instrumentality they think best. were appointed to meet for this pur- pose, and some seventy of them met LYMAN ABBOTT. in Indianapolis, March 31, 1888, and organized" The First National Mis- Fifth Annual Meeting of the Interna- sionary Conference of the Woman's tional Missionary Union. Foreign Missionary Societies of Friends." 'fhe opening session it- THE fifth annual meeting of the In- self was marked by what is a "new ternational Missionary Union will be departure" among Quakers: it was held at Bridgeton, New Jersey, July inaugurated with singing. 5-1.2, 1888, inclusive. Ministers and others interested in foreign mission- This was an interesting moment, ary work are invited to be present. for in the veins of some of these All foreign missionaries, ladies or women flowed the blood of a Quaker gentlemen, temporarily or perma- ancestry of many generations, the nently in this country, are eligible to temporary president herself being in membership in the Union and will re- a line of Quaker preachers as far ceive free entertainment during the back as it can be traced; and to her meeting. For information address these associations were almost as the president of the Union, Rev. J. family ties; yet in this meeting, T. Gracey, D.D., 202 Eagle street, which was to set the precedent for Buffalo, N. Y.; the secretary, Rev. C. the future, the keynote was st.ruck W. Park, Birmingham, Conn.; the by singing treasurer, Rev. William H. Belden, Bridgeton, New Jersey; J. L. Phillips, M.D., Howard, R. I.; or Rev. E. R. Young, Brampton, Canada.
First National Conferenoe of the Wom- an's Foreign Missionary Sooieties of Friends. THE work of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Societies of Friends began in Western Yearly Meeting, the first s?ciety being formed at Plainfield in 1881. Since that, similar so- cieties have been organized, as fol- "All hail the power of Jesus' naDie." relative to future punishment, or other doctrine, in conflict with. the The season of devotion which fol- standards of other orthodox churches. lowed was oneof deep, quiet spiritual There are women of ability in this power. The address of welcome was church of whom this could not be made by Eliza C. Armstrong, who said, but the.y are not among these was among the first to suggest the delegates. This is attributed to the organization for women's societies revival of experimental holiness among the Friends. The Indianapo- which has swept largely over the lis Friends had spared no pains to denomination. give the delegates a fitting reception. An easel supported the pictures of The special aim of the conference their missionaries, with a life-size was to adopt, if possible, some basis engraving of Elizabeth Fry for a cen- of co-operation among the ten indetral figure, and an excellent portrait pendent missionary organizations of of Sybil Jones, one of the founders Quaker women. This was accomof Friends' Syrian Mission. On the plished in the establishment of a sort wall back of the pulpit were groups of confederation, by resolving that of pictures of pupils in the schools the independent boards of the several of Syria, and two idols that had yearly meetings have, each, three dejust been given to their Tokyo Mis- partments of work, as follows: (1) sion by a family that had embraced Junior and juvenile work; (2) gen- Christianity. as the result of the eralliterature; (3) systematic Chrishealing of a son who had been deaf tian giving; with a general superinand .dumb from his birth, but who, tendent over each department, to be it is said, received hearing and com- elected annually. These board sumenced to articulate sounds in an- perintendents, representing their sevswer to prayer in a meeting of the eral departments, shall elect their mission. A pleasant incident of the general secretary of that work anopening session was a telegram of nually, a two-thirds vote being necesgreeting from Mr. H. W. Fry, son of sary to elect. These general secrethe youngest son of Elizabeth Fry, a taries shall be a medium of communispiritually-minded business man, sec- cation through which the propositions retary of the London Bureau of of one board shall be conveyed to the Registration of Self-Supporting Mis- others. It is proposed that the name sions. It was, Col. i. 9, 10. under which these general secretaries shan act, shall be "Woman's For- The company of women was in eign Missionary Union of Friends." strong contrast with what a company These recommendations are to be reof Quaker women composing a simi- ferred for the consideration of the lar gathering would have been thirty various independent boards, to adopt years ago. There was but one "plain or defer, according to their several bonnet" among them, and that was needs, until the next General Conferworn by the veteran delegate of the Conference, a woman of striking ence. presence, sister to the late Dr. J. T. Another topic of interest was the Updegraff, M.C., and of the Quaker evangelist, David B. Updegraff. One relation they should sustain to the who has intimate personal acquaint- established missionary boards of the ance with the entire personnel of the Yearly Meetings: Should they be- company says they were a company come auxiliary to them, and turn of women fully consecrated to God their collections over to them, or up to their measure of comprehen- maintain their organic individuality sion of what that means, and, though and, self-government as women's so- the remark was not solicited, she cieties? The following action was adds, "not one of them holds views had: "Re8Ol'/J6d, That as a confereuce of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of Friends in and pleaded that the Friends do all America, we deslr~ to record our conviction they can to save these lost souls. that tlie separate form of organization represented by the societies is the providential chan- The committee suggested that all nel of women's work in mission fields; and Christian colleges should encourage further, that we cherish the organic individ- missionary societies among their stuuality of our boards and regard their self-govern- dents, to promote general intelligence, ment as essential to the best results; at the to secure a symmetrical development same time we earnestly hope the most cordial of mind, and a proper appreciation of relations of sisterly sympathy may ever be main_ personal responsibility in the dissemtained by our boards toward the other foreign ination of gospel truth among the msssionary agencies of our church." heathen. It also recommended that the different boards encourage the The Conference was addressed by promotion of junior and juvenile so- Dr. George E. Post of Beirut, Syria; cieties whose object shall be, the edu- Rev. V. C. Hart of China, and Rev. cation of their members concerning J. M. Thoburn, D.D., and his sister the needs of the heathe.n world and of India. Several papers were read their responsibility thereto. It was on methods of raising money, mis- further urged that the principles of sionary literature, and other practi- peace and arbitration be taught in cal topics, and the enthusiasm of the these organizations. ladies rose to a high point. The Committee on Resolutions re- Emeline Tuttle spoke of her Indian ported that it was the imperative experiences. She spent many years duty and exalted privilege of every as a missionary among the Indians, human being who believes himself mostly with the Modocs. Her work the purchase of the Redeemer's blood, . was firlilt among the Ottawas, in a to use all his natural and acquired log-schoolhouse; soon they had two ability to proclaim, either in person other schoolhouses. Then the Mo- or by proxy, the glorious possibility doc war came. She prayed much of salvation through Christ, "to the and longed for the deliverance of the uttermost parts of the earth," It also women and children. Soon word submitted a resolution "expressing came that the government would earnest sympathy with all efforts for bring the Modocs to the Indian Terri- the enlightenment of the North Amertory. She was full of joy at this. ican Indians, and for the securing of She visited them in their homes, their just rights under the governprayed for them, and soon got posses- ment, and recommending that the sion of twenty-five of their children boards do as much'as practicable for in the school, and within a year the promotion of the interests of the they all could speak English. The aborigines of the country." mistakes of Friends at first were that they did not bring the Indians to A resolution indorsing the policy Christ, so that little ones and igno- of the Friends' Missionm'y Advocate, rant ones might know about Jesus and and expressing appreciation of the be sweetly saved. In three years she labors of its editor, pledging the sohad twenty happy Christians among cieties to earnest and persistent them. She told of the conversion of efforts for its support and ex- .. Steamboat Frank," his union with tended circulation, was also adopted. the church, his ministry, his godly Anotherresolution commits the socie- Hfe,the death of his wife and five chil- ties to efforts in promoting systematic dren one after another, and his own giving, and to preventing the introtriumphant death. She then told of duction of any methods of raising the Ponca tribe, who had been driven money for the work upon which the from theil' home and were very de- Friends as Christians could not conjected. She spoke of the terdble sistently invoke the divine blessing. evils to this tribe, and to the Sioux, as perpetrated upon it by white people, The reports of the societies connected with the several Yearly Meet- the well-known De Guignes, give the ings gave the following results: population at that time, the one at 143,125,225, and the other at 203,916,- Indiana has as anxiliaries 59 and members 477-a slight difference of over sixty 911. Of the anxiliaries, 38 nS" nniform lessons millions. We also know that the and 21 do not; libraries, 14; women in Indiana "census" of 1711 gave the popula- Yearly Meeting, estimated, 5,857. We"tern : tion as 28,695,716, and that of 1753 at Auxiliaries, 41 ; members, 41 ; use uniform les- 103,050,060, and that an increase of sons, 32; do not, 9; libraries, 16; meetings three and one-half times in forty years without auxiliaries, 19. New England: Auxilia- cannot be accounted for as natural or ries, 28; monthly meetings, 29; Advocates birth-rate increase. As the object of takeu, 187; membership, 646. Ohio: Anxilia- taking the census was for enrollment ries, 19 ; members, 306; life members, 21 ; nse iJl, the army and to levy a capitation uniform lessons, 10; do not, 9; meetings with- tax on males between the ages of sixout, 13; Advocates taken, 233. Iowa: Anx- teen and sixty, it may have been very iliaries, 20; members, 650; meeting's without, unreliable. When we comparethe re- 24; using nniform lessons, 12. Canada: Aux- turns of the census of 1753 and 1812, ilianes, 15; members, 203; withont auxiliaries, we find that the increase is more 8; use uniform lessons, 4 or 5. North Caroliua : than 300 per cent. for the fifty-nine Auxiliaries, 5; members, 65 reported, proba- years, which also must be accounted bly 200; nse nniform lessons, 2. Kansas: Aux- for in some other way than by birthiliaries, 13' members, 246. New York: Aux- rate. If"authorities" are to be aciliaries.5; members, 86. cepted, then between 1790 and 1792- two years-the popUlation doubled, It is probable that a similar Na- and that could not be accounted for tional Conference will be held in 1890. by birth-rate. Dr. Williams says if We congratulate not only these so- the methods of taking the census in cieties, but the Society of Friends at the early dates are to be accredited large, who have been disturbed for as equally trustworthy, then there two years past almost to the point of was a period of 150 years in which schism, over the toleration of the there was no increase, while from ordinances of baptism and the Lord's 1711 to 1753 the population doubled it- Supper, that these ladies represent- self, as wehave shown, in each twenty ing both sides of ,that controversy years. A comparison of the figures of were able to meet in Christian con- the Anglo-Chinese College report for vention and that they realized a deep 1792 and the Chinese census of 1812, spiritual unity among themselves on would give over two millions, or an the platform of practical missionary annual increase of not quite one per work. cent. per annum for twenty years; but Dr. Williams says no one sup- Population of Ohina. poses there has been any such rate THE North Ohina Herald reports of· increase down to the present.• "Nor," he adds, "are there any data the last year's official tables of the from which to make even the least Chinese Government as giving a total guess of the present population of population of392,000,000,which is per- the whole empire." (Edition-of haps about what the general con- "Middle Kingdom," 1876.) J. Hudsensus of the most modern opinion son Taylor, after large itineraries would place itat. But so far as "cen- over the country, says some people sus" goes,it means the numeration for think the population not to exceed poll-tax of the Board of Revenue, and 250,000,000, and that in some provthe estimate of five persons for one inces the population is not one-fifth thereof. But the Herald goes on to of what it formerly was. compare the calculation made on the revenue returns of 1760 with those of It was as late as September, 1887, 1848, and concludes that the popUlation has increased at the rate of two and a half millions a year. We do not know wh<J,t the revenue returns-were in 1760, but two "authorities," astatistical work of Yih Tung Chi and
THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS
that Mr. Rockhill of the American Mr. Rockhill was confident this was Legation at Peking; writing to the considerably above the true figure; American Oriental Society, enclosed which goes to confirm the doubt a clipping from the North China about the possibility of reaching. Daily News of Shanghai, giving the very definite results. It is a matter results of a recent census, translated of reasoning, not of statistical accufrom a document emanating from racy. Yet the statistics are not the Board of Revenue, which gave without their value. They help us, the total of population in fifteen though sometimes it seems as if it provinces in 1885, as 319,383,500, with were after the order of the clock, the five provinces to hear from, whose owner of which said, when the ~ig population could not be much short hand was at ten and the little hahd of 60,000,000, which would make an at three and it struck twelve, ~e aggregate of about 380,000,000, and knew it was about sundown.
V.-THE MONTHLY CONCERT OF MISSIONS.
THE DARK CONTINENT. literature in their own" tongue, and WITH strange rapidity God has to preach the gospel, gather converts, opened the doors oC Africa. When, organize churches and educate a nathirty or forty years ago, boys were tive ministry. studying geography the vast district in the interior was marked on It was indeed a stupendous work to the maps "unexplored." Little was undertake. Prof. Drummond, W;ho known of the Dark Continent ex- had confessed his doubts as to the cept its six thousand miles of sea- results of such a scheme amid such a coast, its great desert, and those nar- people, himself sat down at Dr.. row strips of country which border Law's station with the seven men the ocean or the Nile. When the and two women who were first fruits heroic Livingstone, who had entered of that mission, with them partook from the south, seeking to know of the Lord's Supper, and in them besomething of the unknown and open held the promIse and prophecy of a path for the missionary, died on Africa's regeneration. his knees amid the swamps near Lake Bangweolo in 1873, his death Among the many wheels which sounded the new signal for the evan- Livingstone's death set in motion for gelization of Africa. The churches the evangelization of the Dark Conof Scotland, united, founded the sta- tinent, no one agency is more contion Livingstonia as the first fruits spicuous than Henry M. Stanley.. of that dying prayer. In May, 1875, Let us read Stanley's own testimony the party of missionaries left Scot- as to the influence exerted on him: land and, reaching the mouth of the Zambesi, put together their mission "Livingstone tanght me, during those {pur vessel, the steam-launch which had months that I was with him. In 1871 I went to been transported in parts, and in him as prejudiced as the biggest atheist in Lon- October the flala steamed into Lake don. To a reporter and correspondent, snch as Nyassa. With headquarters at Ban- I, who had only to deal with wars, mass-meetdawe, the missionary band began to ings and political gatherings, sentimental matsurvey the lake, erect buildings, ters were entirely out of my province. But make roads a.nd till the soil; to es- there came for me a long time for reflection. I tablish medical dispensaries with was ont there away from a worldly world. I competent physicians; to gather saw this solitary old man there, and asked mychildren into schools; to give the self, 'How on earth does he stop here? Is he people the Scriptures and a Christian cracked, or what? What l! it that inspires him 1 ' For months after we met I simply found myself listening to him, wondering at the old man carrying ont all that was said in the Bihle : 'Leave all things and follow me.' Bnt little by little his sympathy for others' became contagions; my sympathy wae aroused; see- Ing his piety, his gentlene~s, his zeal, his ear- lation of fifty million people; with nestness, and how he went quietly about his marvelous variety of scenery,climate, busines.,I was converted by him, although he product, fauna and flora. When in had not tried to do it. How sad that the good old 1877 Stanley completed his tour of man should have died so soon. How joyful he Central Africa, it was nine hundred would have been if he could have seen what has and ninety-nine days since he left since happened there… Zanzibar. He could now, " in forty- three days after leaving Glasgow, be Events move fast in these days. housed in his own station at Stanley Livingstone's death being known, Falls, and instead of running a this intrepid explorer determined to gauntlet for his life from the day he become his successor in opening up reached Vivi, his ascent of the river Africa, and when he reached the would be one continued ovation." mouth of the Congo the greatest step in-the exploration of Equatorial Afri- Well may all eyes turn to Africa. ca had been taken. England at once God is disclosing by his providence sent her missionaries to plant stu.- the great animal, mineral and vegetions from the Congo's mouth to the table resources of the interior; os- Equator, as well as about the great trich breeding is more profitable than lakes of the East, and now all Chris- that of South Down mutton; the tian denominations seem about to elephant tusks will supply the deconcentrate upon the Congo basin, to mand for ivory; and so through the carryon vigorously the work of evan- very avarice of men and the higher gelization and fulfill the prophecy love of science, the great unknown of Krapf, that a chain of missions contiuent is to be crossed with a netwould yet be stretched between the work of railways, penetrated in every eastern and the western shores. direction by travelers and explorers, settled by adventurers and far- The explorations of a quarter of a sighted traders, and planted with century have now unveiled Africa; Christian missions. Already steamso rapidly is the work of discovery boats sail the rivers and great lakes; going on that the maps of yesterday roads are being built and railways are imperfect to-day and will be ob- constructed, and a submarine cable solete to-morrow; nothing but the laid. Before this number of THE outline of the continent is as it was REVIEW can be issued changes will a quarter of a century ago. Victoria have taken place which will make Nyanza, Albert Nyanza, Tanganyika, this record out of date. Nyassa and Bangweolo, the five great lakes, have been surveyed, We have in another article traced which remind us Of our five great the remarkable history of modern American lakes; and as many great African civilization and evangelizarivers are discovered running to the tion. If God thus opens such a wide four points of the compass-the door of opportunity, what shaH be Zambesi, Nile, Congo, Niger and said of our obligation! Orange-furnishing with their great tributaries ten thousand miles of Early in the year 1565 a strange river roadway. ship was descried on the southp,rnho- rizon, slowly making her way toward The Congo Free State, thus sud- the continent of the New World. denly constituted a new empire The name of that ship was The Jesus, o~ freedom, is a rich area of one her"commander was Sir John Hawkaid a half million square miles, one ins; in her hold was a cargo of four of the richest countries of the globe, hundred wretched negro captives, with the noble Congo and its many who had been seized on the coast of -navigable affiuents for its water high- Africa and were now, for a round way, connecting with great lakes sum of Spanish dollars, to be sold whose, shore lines would measure into hopeless, servitude. Notwiththree thousand miles; with a popustanding perilous storms and dis- 1852, the Yoruba country was unheartening calms, the officers of this touched till 1842, and the Niger disship were able to recount a prosper- trict ri3ceived its first missionaries ous voyage, and piously to record in only in 1857, when no one dreamed their journal that their safety and that the youth helping Mr. Kissling success were due to the preserving in Fourah Bay College would be care of Almighty God, "who never known all over the Christian world suffers his elect to perish." Was in 1887 as one who, for a quarter of a there ever such a desecration of sa- century, has well filled tile position cred names and subjects – a slave- of the first native African bishop since ship inscribed with that holiest name, the days of the early church. and a company of men-stealers calling themselves by that intimate title In studying Africa as a mission of the chosen of God? fi~ld we ought to remember Dr. Bush- nell, in some sense the father and in The first missionary to Southern every sense the hero of Presbyterian Africa was George Schmidt, who missions in Africa, and who died in planted the gospel among the Hot- the service of the Gaboon Mission. tentots fifty years ago. We remember him bringing wants of that mission before the churches It is impossible in a few lines even and seminaries; supervising printing to mention the many changes in the by the American Bible Society of a aspect of missions in Africa, since part of the Scriptures in Thfpongwe David Livingstone gave his parting dialect, and smaller books in the charge to the students of Cambridge, same; providing for a grammar of in 1857, "I go back to make an open this language, and a vocabulary of path for Christianity and commerce. the Benga soon to be printed. He Do you carry out the work I have should ever be thought of side by begun." The Universities Mission side with Dr. Lindley, the hero of the sprang into existence at this call. Zulu mission, on the southeastern Two years or more ago, as a proof of coast. God's blessing upon its labors, it could show the old slave market at There are many who have fol- Zanzibar, where annually 30,000 lowed the fOl'tunes of Bishop Taylor's slaves were sold, transformed into a missionary enterprises, have watched Christian church, in the center of a as his advance guard reached the native Christian colony. Thirty-five goal in the depths of Africa toward missionary societies are now zealous- which he has so long been strugly at work in Africa, and in sixty gling. Before nis pioneer band of years 600,000 native Afl'icans have missionaries left this country, the been added to Christendom. The bishop declared his ambition to plant whole interior of the country is now his stations among the remarkable open to Christian effort. tribes that WiSSIl1ann had described. Toward this region, along the Upper Missionary work in West Africa Kassai and its tributaries, his chain has been wonderfully successful. of stations from the sea has been Speaking only of that part of it steadily lengthening. His new steel which is connected with the Church steamer was sent from England for Missionary Society, there are seven the Congo to take the newly-discov- European missionaries and forty na- ered water route to the populous tive clergy (one of them a bishop and street villages of which Wissmann two archdeacons), with 9,000 com- and Kund have informed us., Mean- municants, and 7,000 scholars in while Dr. Harrison, one of the party ninety schools and seminaries; there that Bishop Taylor led up the Congo, were 1,228 baptisms in the last re- reached Luluaberg, the new station ported year. Yet the Bishopric of of the Congo State. He. is one of the Sierra Leone was not founded till two physicians who followed the was the wren which aided Prometheus bishop to Africa, and he is now es- in stealing the sacred fire of knowl- tablished among natives who fully edge from beneath Jove's throne in justify Wissmann's enthusiastic de- heaven. Accordingly, he who kills a scription. wren will have his home destroyed.
If you have money in your pocket THE FREEDMEN. when you hear the cuckoo for the THE negroes of the South are mak- first time it is a good omen, and you ing material gains. Late statistics of will have your pockets well lined the States of Georgia, South Carolina during the year; if, on the contrary, and Louisiana indicate that since the you have no money, cultivate your war they pay taxes on $48,000,000. friends, for you will be in need of their Since the colored people have become assistance before long. The black- citizens, a decided force in the poli- bird which crosses your road brings tics of the country, it is of the utmost you good luck. No physician should importance tha,t they have a property fail to procure a bed of partridge interest in, the communities where feathers. A patient laid upon such a they are; and to good citizenship, bed, no matter what his disease, will thrift and economy and saving are never die of it, although he will not needful; as they acquire land and necessarily get well.
houses, they will be able to support schools and churches. Intelligence SUGGESTIVE PARAGRAPHS.
and religion with homes and real es- Saving others by sacrifice of self.
tate will elevate and fit them for ad- John Maynard was well known on vancing duties and responsibilities. our northern lakes as a God-fear- Ignorance is inseparable from su- mg, honest, intelligent pilot. On a perstition, and while ignorance re- steamer from Detroit to Buffalo, mains this will be one great hindrance 8moke was seen from below. The to the Christian manhood of the captain ordered a hand below to see negro. Among the negroes of the whence it came. He returned with Southern States the moaning dove the word, "The ship on fire!" and moans to save a man's soul; to kill there was no lifeboat, and large one of these doves is a sign of death, quantities of rosin and tar were but more frequently the death of a on board. It was seven miles to Buf- child. A buzzard or a crow upon the falo; they had perhaps three-quar- housetop is believed by these same tet·s of an hour to reach it. May- people to be an invariable sign of nard sent all passengers forward and death or disaster; a visit at the door stood firm at the wheel, enveloped from a rooster, the approaching visit in flame. The captain spoke through of a friend; the notes of the screech- his trumpet, "John Maynard!"
ing owl or "shivering" owl are a "Ay, ay, sir!" "Head boat south- bad omen of many interpretations, east and run her ashore. Can you while if the common owl hoots on hold five minutes more?" "By your right good luck will follow, but God's help I will." He lifted one bad luck should he take np his posi- hand, burned to a crisp, from the tion on your left side and hoot there- wheel, and put the other there to be from. The reputation of all night burned. All the passengers were birds, great or small, is no better; saved, but John Maynard's soul had but Southern imagination has discov- fled.
ered a remedy for all their spells. It -IT is said that the mirrors in the consists of throwing a pinch of salt temples of Smyrna represented the into the fire as soon as the sound is fairest and most symmetrical objects heard. If a chaffinch perches on your with distorted and deformed ima- window-sill, beware of treachery. It ges. Is it not so of t,he unregenerate
PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS-MONTHLY BULLETIN
'72 or even unsanctified heart? How gospel to every creature. Always aboandin& in much of the distortion of truth has to the work of the Lord. Gen. i. 28; Josh i. 6, 3; do with the imperfection of the re- Gen. xxvi. 13, 12; Neh. iv. t>-21; vi. 15; Mark flecting surface I He who reflects as xvi. 15; 1 Cor. xv. 58. in a mirror the glory of the Lord must be in close spiritual fellowship THURSDAY, JUNE 28. with the Lord in order to be true to When ye blow an alarm, then the camps shalt go the glory he reflects. Francis Bacon said there are three rays-the 7'adiu8 forward. directu8, radiu8 rejlectu8, and radiu8 HINDlUNCES TO PROGREss.-I. In Walk. He refractu8. How many rays are bent lingered. His wife looked back. He saw that out of their true direction by the me- rest was good. At ease from his youth-settled dium through which they are trans- on his lees. A little sleep. A little slumber. A mitted! lion in the way. His heart was not perfect. He pitched his tent before the city. Is there any TEXTS AND THEMES. secret thing with thee? Thou restrainest prayer. Gen. xix. It>-26; xlix. 15; Jer. xlviii. THE following is the programme 11; Prov. xxiv. 33; xxvi. 13; 1 Kings xi. 4; Gen. xxxiii. 18 ; Job x''. 11. 4. for the Grand Mildmay Conference, n. In Work. Strength decayed. Much rub- June 27-29. We print it as a model bish. Hands hang down. Feeble knees. The programme for a missionary meet- wind was contrary unto them. We sailed slowly, the wind not suffering us. Being armed, they ing: turned back. He went not with th~m to the work. Slack to possess the laud. Cannot see WEDNESDAY, JUNE '%I. afar off. Neh. iv. 10; Heb. xii. 12; Mark vi. 48; Acts xxvii. 7; Ps. lxxviii. 9; Acts xv. 38 ; Speak unto the children Qf I8rael that they go Josh. xviii. 3; 2 Pet. i. 9. forward. FRIDAY, JUNE 29. PROGRESS THE LAW OF THE KINGDOM.-I. In They went every o-ne straightforward. HELPS TO PROGRESS.-I. In Sanctification. Life. Grow in grace. Be no more children. Laying aside every weight. They lightened the Grow up into him in all things. They shall ship. Be filled with the Spirit. Looking unto Jesus. Beholding. as in a glass, the glory of the mount up. Still upward-still upward-still up- Lord. The sincere milk of the Word. Holding the head. By joints and bands having nourishward. From strength to strength. From glory ment ministered. Let us go on. Let us cleanse ourselves. Heb. xii. 1; Acts xxvii. 18; Eph. v. to glory. More and more unto the perfect day. 18; Heb. xii. 2; 2 Cor. iii. 18; 1 Pet. ii. 2; Col. ii. 19; Heb. vi. 1 ; 2 Cor. vii. 1. Like him. Conformed to the image of his son. n. In Service. Zeal as a cloke. Loins girt 2 Pet. iii. 18; Eph. i v. 14, 15; Is. xl. 81 ; Ez. about with truth. Feet shod with the preparaxll. 7; Ps. lxxxiv. 7 ; 2 Cor. iii. 18; Provo iv. 18; tion of the gospel of peace. The love of,Christ constraineth U9. Moved with compassion. The 1 John iii. 2; Rom. viii. 29. voice of his word. Exceeding great and pre- cious promises. That blessed hope. Is. lix. 17 ; n. In Labor. Replenish the earth, and sub- Eph. vi. 14, 15; 2 Cor. V. 14; Matt. ix. 36'; Pa. clii. 20; 2 Pet. i. 4; Tit. ii. 13. due it. Divide for au inheritance the land. Ev- ery place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you. And the man waxed great, and went forward. And received in the same year an hundred-fold. And the Lord blessed him. So built we the wall. So we labored. So the wall wa~ finished. Preach the VI.-PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF MISSIONS- MONTHLY BULLETIN.
Africa.-Trouble with the Arabs at the northwest Ride of Lake Nyassa at the North End of Lake Nyassa. The daily papers have informed us of has been besieged for five days, and this, notably the Manchester Guard- with difficulty held by a small band ian of Feb. 25, which had several of Scotchmen, Englishmen, and nacolumns of detailed narrative and a tives, the Arabs erecting platforms leader on it. Finding themselves menaced with the competition of upon neighboring trees, and attack- European commerce, and seeing the ing with great persistence and dedanger of a collapse of their nefarious termination. The arrival of a strong body of friendly natives, who came to traffic in human flesh, the Arabs in the rescue of the beleaguered party, East Central Africa are growing insolent and aggressive. For the past caused the Arabs to beat a hasty re- treat, but probably only to gather retwo or three years symptoms of com- enforcements and return to the ing difficulties have been noted. Now charge. Our alternative route to Tanganyika, via Quillimane, the , the storm-cloud has burst. A station Shire River and Lake Nyassa, is thus threatened. Dr. Tomory, who was declaim against idolatry. One reaon his way home in broken health, son is that in some of the temples was detained by this attack of the the Confucianists lecture, on the Arabs, and was one of the party be-, sieged. He has since left, ltnd .will 'Sacred Edict.' Another, that the soon, it is hoped, be in England. cupidity of the priests has led them to rent the temple precincts for petty Alaska.-Methodism has neglected merchandise, so that the ground is Alaska. It is comforting to find that no longer considered sacred. There the Presbyterians have a prosperous is no land so free for the gospel preacher as China." mission there. Here are the figures: -The progress of Christianity in SUMMARY. China is increasing rapidly. In 1t:>53 1886. 1887. there were 350 native converts; in Ministers………… , ….. 30 31 1863, 2,000; 1873,8,000; 1883, 22,000; 17–48 1888, 30,000 The Rev. J. L. Nevi- Native,; …………. : …. 8-38 us, D.D., in closing a series of article Churches… …………… 48 59 2,306 on Methods of Mission Work, says: Church members…. ….. 2,001 Teachers.. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . 63 95 " I believe a great de"l has been accomplished Schools …. '" 00 .. .. .. .. .. • 20 26 in every department of missionary work in Chi- Scholars………………. 1,134 1,607 n". The literary outcome of the paRt forty years is alone and by itself a rich legacy to the mis- Is it necessary to remind our bish- sionaries and native Christians of the present, and gives them a vantage ground in undertakops that Alaska is a part of the ing future labor which it is difficult to overesti- 'mate. The ratio of increase in the number of United States '(-Gospel in All Lands. converts and the evidence of growth and de- velopment in native churches are also full of en- Brazil.-Ten more adults have couragement. While we must record many made profession in Conceigao, and cases or coldness and defection, we remember nine children have been baptized. that such cases have characterized the history aud progress of the church to a greater or less -A letter from one of our mission- extent in every age. On the other hand, we rearies in Brazil says: "Weare look- jOice in being able to point to many who give ing forward WIth deep interest to the undouhted evidence of being God'8 chosen ones, formation in August, when the Pres- while there are others whose names are already byterians meet, of a united synod enrolled among the noble army of martyrs. It and Brazilian church." It will be has been my privilege to know many Christian remembered that the last General men and Christian women in China whose godly Assembly of our church gave "its lives and peaceful deaths have been an inspiraapproval of the formation of a Bra- tion to me, and made me, I trust, a better man zilIan synod, formed of presbyteries and a more earnest worker. I count among my which shall be separated from both nearest and most honored Christian friends not the assemblies in this country, and a few who are now bearing faithful testimony constituting in Brazil a distinct and to the truth in the midst of opposition and mauiindependent church, free from for- fold trials, such as Christians in Western lands eign control."-The Missionary. can only imperfectly appreciate."
Burmah. – Christian Karens of England.-Canon Maclear's annual Burmah. In an address to the Edin- "Combined Report of Missionary burgh University Missionary Asso- Studentship Al'!sociations" for 1887 ciation, Sir Charles Bernard, late shows that £2,186 has been raised in Chief Commissioner in Burmah, who 23 English dioceses toward the suphas two sisters working as mission- port of 91 studentships. Oxford leads aries of the Church of Scotland in the dioceses with a contribution far India, gave some interesting details in excess of any other, giving £496, regarding Christian Karens. They number about 200,000, being a third while the second on the list, Worcesof the Karen people, and there are ter, gives £200. Since the foundation from 500 to 600 congregations, prac- of the college upward of 400 students tically if not entirely self-support- have been sent forth from it for the ing. It is their practice to set apart work abroad. The report gives in- formation about the mission houses so much of the produce of their land at Warminster, Burgh-Ie-Marsh and as will suffice for the support of their Wallingford. Burgh shows a roll of native pastors, and this they do be- 110 students admitted, of whom 56 have proceeded in due course to St. fore they appropriate any of their Augustine's, 14 have gone direct to harvest to themselves. Nor are they missionary work, and 18 are now in residence.-The Mission Field. content with self-support. They send missionaries into Siam and regions India.-N0 less than 5,067 of India's, beyond, where hardships and priva- sons and daughters were baptized by tions of no ordinary character have the agents of the Church Missionary to be endured. Society in 1886. To this number must China.-Rev. H. C. DuBose writes be added the baptisms by all the diffrom Suchow, China: "It is a sur- ferent branches of the Church of prising fact that we may almost daily Christ., Taking into consideration have large congregations in the tem- ple arenas, and without molestation these hundreds of thousands of con- was finished Feb. 3. It is largely verts t<;> Christianity in India it is ob- the result of the Rev. John C. Hepvious that a spiritual development of burn, M.D., LL.D., assisted by six an uncommon type has so advanced other scholars. It has received high itself as to arrest attention.-Madras commendation from the Japanese Weekly as well as from missionaries Oh,'istian Oollege Magazine. -The Indian Witness, noting the capable of appreciating its excelretirement of a noted infidel educa- lence. It is dedicated to God's honor and service "in the name of the tionist from India, says: "The ancient god Nemesis seldom worked a whole body of Protestant missionmore striking revenge than he has done on Prin- aries in Japan." cipal Wordsworth, who has jnst left the shores of India, after abont a quarter of a century spent -Not long since Tokio and the there. Instead of a crowd of native friends on rest of Japan were thoroughly pagan. the pier to bid him farewell, such as gathered to Now we hear of a great Christian revival in that city, with five hunsee Sir Richard Temple away, two of the gentle- dred conversions in a single month. The whole city seems stirred, and men for whom he spent his life came to show their good will. The learned professor might well exclaim, •If I had served my God with half the zeal I have served my friend, he would not.' etc. Opposition to the gospel of Jesus missionaries, native pastors and Christ has been the most conspicuous feature of Mr. Wordsworth's efforts among the natives theological students are busy gather- _ing in the harvest. Everybody is in- throughout his Indian career." terested in Christianity, and nobody Principal Wordsworth is a disciple speaks against it. This is a revolu- of Herbert Spencer, and he com- tion of itself.-.New York Indepen- mended to the Hindus the gospel of dent.
Agnosticism. -The last report of the various Prot- -Bishop Sargent of Madras, who estant missions in Japan is a signifi- last year celebrated the jubilee of his cant index of the growth of Chris- missionary career in India, has out- tianity in that land. The total mem- lived all the original missionaries of bership of the 221 organized churches his society in that diocese. When he is 19,827, the 5,000 added during the went to Tinnevelly in 1835 the Church year representing a gain of thirty- Missionary Society had only three or three per cent. in the Congregational four missionaries, one native preacher and Presbyterian forces. Twenty- and 114 communicants. There are four societies have 253 missionaries now 81 missionaries, of whom 64 are on the ground, and the large part connected with his own society. In that America is deRtined to play in 1,618 villages there are now 98,184 the evangelization of Japan is Christians and catechumens, of whom shown by the fact that five-sixths of 18,460 are communicants. There are the workers are connected with so- 22,170 pupils in schools, and the con- cieties in the United States. There tributions last reported were 47,761 is a great demand for the new trans- rupees, or about $22,000. lation of the Bible, orders pouring in -Dr. Chamberlain's scheme for a by mail and telegraph for a consider- united Presbvterian Church in India, able time after its pUblication. It is the thirteen Presbyterian and Re- cause for deep gratitude that the formed bodies represented in the em- 37,000,000 inhabitants of the country pire uniting in one general assembly, can now read the entire Scriptures has been favorably received in Scot- in their own language. A sentence land.-ScottishFree Ohurch Monthly. in a recent communication to our -There is a great movement in the office from a correspondent in Yoko- Punjab mission of the Church of hama deserves pondering. He says: Scotland. New villages are receiving "It is felt here by all Christian work- the gospel and new churches being ers that the length of time required formed. The strength of the mis- to make this a Christian nation de- sionaries is taxed to the utmost by pends simply upon the number of the demands of the work. competent men which the churches -Christianity in British India has at home are ready and willing to fur"
advanced 30 per cent. during the last nish. Would that many would fol- decade. Mohammedanism during the low the example of Dr. Scudder, and same period only advanced 10 per others, who have come here with no cent. From these figures the general expense to the missionary boards."
increase of the population, which is Madagascar.-Two or three years now 201,000,000, must be deducted; ago 900 barrels of whiskey were this amounts to 7~ per cent.-Punjab landed on the shores of Madagascar Mission News. with a brand which indicated that Japan.-Japan has now an ex- they had come from a proffssedly cellent translation of the entire Christian nation. The authorities of Bible. After sixteen years the work that once heathen nation actually purchased this cargo of whiskey and India was a huge Anglo-Indian deknocked the barrels in the head, that moralization society, and that it was their vile contents might be swal- their duty to send out no uncertain lowed up by the sand rather than by sound regarding facts which had the people. come to their knowledge, and which had not been .contradicted, because -The London Missionary Society they could not be. continues to push its work in Madagascar with increasing success, notwith- Siam.-When Admiral Foote in the standing the political changes and harbor of Bangkok received the Kingthe aggressive attitude of the church of Siam on board his flagship,' the of Rome. With its 30 English mis- ChristIan commander asked a blesssionaries, it reports the astounding ing at dinner. "Why," said the number of 838 native ordained min- king, "you do just like the missionisters and 4,395 native preachers, aries." "1 too anl a nlissionary," 61,000 church members and 230,000 was the reply. adherents. But, as yet, scarcely onehalf of the population have been SwitzerIand.-The Basle Missionreached by the gospel. ary Society reports its variolls mis- sions communicants as follows: -Friends' Mission. Besides a large China, 1,808; India, 4,694; Africa, amount of work in connection with 2,995-total, 9,497. The income was schools, training of teachers, hospi- $198,847.60. tal, printing, etc., in the capital (Antananarivo), the district of Madagas- Turkey. – Euphrates College at car under the care of the Friends' Harpoot (formerly Armenia College), Foreign Mission Association covers is doing a noble work under its presiabout 2,000 square miles, and contains dent, that veteran missionary of the 133 congregations, with nearly as American Board, Rev. C. H. Wheeler, D.D., who is now in this country, many schools. Mr. H. E. Clark writes but means to be at his post on the that there is a pressing need that Euphrates by September 1. The more workers should be sent out this college has an attendance in all desummer. In Antananarivo there are partments of 500 students, about 100 only five Friends' missionaries (not being in the college proper. The Jiield including ladies), two of whom will over which its influence is especially shortly be leaving to take up work felt is about 100×200 miles. Here are in the country districts of Arivoni- twenty-four churches, ten of which are independent of the .American mamo and Manddurano, while the Board. The college has twenty in. health of one of the ladies is so shat- structors, of whom nine are ladies. tered that she will be compelled to Up to the junior year the students come home on furlough at once. study the Bible every day. Ten years ago a strong effort was made -I also tell you that I place my to raise funds for the college, and kingdom under the protection of $71,000 was secured. Now Dr. Wheeler is anxious to raise $30,000 God, for I know that it is the kingdom that is governed by dependence more for endowment, $5,000 for a upon God, that it is true and has new building (wfiich is about comstrength and progress. Go forward in wisdom that the glory of this king- pleted), and $2,500 for scholarships dom may increase. Remember that for need v students. it is righteousness that exalteth a nation, and that the fear of God is the United States.-Amf'rican Bible beginning of wisdom. – Queen of Society. At its recent meeting a Madagascar at her coronation. specimen copy was presented of the complete Bible in Japanese, just ScotIand.-The Anglo-Indian Evan- pl'inted at Yokohama, with a letter gelical Society. A most encouraging report of this society was presented from Mr. Loomis saying that there at the annual meeting in Edinburgh is a large demand, especially for the last week. Rev. J. Fordyce, secre- Old Testament, 1,600 copies of which tary, stated that larger contributions were called for within one month had been made in India than in any after its publication. Grants of books former year, and that they balanced were made for benevolent dish·ibu. tion, at home and in foreign lands, a slight decrease in the contributions from this country. Rev. G. G. Gil- of the aggregate value of about $10,- lan of Bengal appealed for increased 000. Appropriations of funds were. funds, and Mr. Duncan McLaren also made for publishing and dismoved a resolution embodying the tributing the Scriptures in foreign claims of our countrymen in India, countries, to the amount of $17.450, provision being thns made for Bible who were destitute of Christian or- work during the ensuing year in dinances. Rev. John McNeill said India, Italy and Siberia, and in the he believed that the English army in society's agencies in Persia and family. She also pursued the full Brazil. Numerous letters from three years' course in the Woman's foreign lands were laid before the Medical College of New York, and board, containing in some cases the was then invited to the position of summary reports of the distribution intern in the Presbyterian Hospital of the Scriptures during 1887. Dr. of Chicago, where she served two Gulick reported the distribution of years. She has also enjoyed valu- 252,915 copies in China and Siam. able advantages in the medical The Levant agency reported a circu- schools and hospitals of Zurich and lation of 51,000, the Japan agency Vienna. 72,926, and the La Plata agency 17,- 314, while the distribution in Russia -Student Volunteers. There has and Siberia was 39,771 copies. Cash been a great increase of missionary receipts in March were $69,131.66. spint among the students of Union The total cash receipts in the year Seminary, Va., largely ascribed to ending March 31 were $61B,373.B3. the recent visit of Dr. Houston. Sev- The whole number of volumes issued en of the young men have decided to during the year, not'including those go as missionaries, and others are inforeign lands, was 1,.032,672. considering the subject. An effort is being made to raise enough money to -Home Missions. The Presbyterian support a minister in the foreign field. Board, for the year just closed, re- The faculty have given $100, the stuport $783,527.30, and $130,000 more dents of Hampden Sidney College than any previous year. $100, and the young men of the sem-. inary are to give the rest. -The American Home Missionary Society is in an equally prosperous -The United Presbyterian Seminary condition. The close of the society's at Allegheny has resolved to send sixty-second year brought special out a missionary to India in October occasion for thanksgiving to God. The 31st of March found every note next; the choice has fallen on the at the banks paid, and not a dollar Rev. J. H. Martin, just graduated. His salary ($1,200) has been pledged due to any missionary who had reported labor. The debt at one time for ten years by the seminary and contiguous colleges of the denominawithin the year was over $75,000. tion. Besides paying this the society was -Xenia Theological Seminary has able to replace $30,000 of the $50,000 also started a similar movement, and borrowed from the Swett Exigency the students and faculty have pledged Fund. $330 annually for ten years toward the support of a missionary. They -The. Woman's Board of Foreign hope to get the balance needed from Missions of New York report for the certain colleges in the connection. year just closed, $62,244.35, an advance of more than $11,000 over the Wales. – The Nonconforming previous year. The receipts have churches are multiplying rapidly in largely gone into the treasury of the Wales. TheynumberedllOinl716; in Board of Foreign Missions. 1775 they had increased to 471; forty- one years later to 993, and in the next – The receipts of the Woman's 45 years to 2,927. In 1887 they had Board of the Southwest, which are grown to nearly 4,500. All these divided between Home and Foreign churches depend for their support Missions, amounted in the year just upon the voluntary contributions of closed to $15,226.11, an advance of the people. This shows not only a $2,700 over last year. marvelous development, but a hold upon the heart and conscience that -The first National Conference of no State religion can evoke. the various woman's missionary organizations of the Society of Friends Zulus.-Dr. Elmslie, an American in the United States was held at missionary, who has been stationed Indianapolis during the first part of for some time among the Zulus west of Lake Nyassa, has sent home the April. This is an important movement among the Friends, designed to first book printed in Nbungoni lanstimulate every department of mis- guage. The book was issued from sionary work among the young and the press of a neighboring mission the old. station called Blantyre. It contains the Decalogue. passages from the -Miss Alice Mitchell, daughter of Psalms, Proverbs and the Gospels, Secretary Mitchell of the Presbyterian with fourteen hymns. Much is ex- Board of Foreign Missions, is under pected from the book, as the Nbun. appointment to the Woman's Pavil- goni language is intelligible to a ion of the board's hospital in Peking, China. She began her medical large number of the tribes, studies with her grandfather, Dr.
Post of New York, living in his
STATISTICS OF THE WORLD'S MISSIONS
Vn.-STATISTICS OF THE WORLD'S MISSIONS.
General View of the Condition of Prot. MissiQns in East Africa-Approximate.
[From the Neukirchen Kis8i0r!8- und HeidenOote.] ;. Europeans. Africans. ,,; 1:l ~ tbw -',,00 2,; ~ a> 0 I'<~ I'<~ "" '"."" " ,; "a> Expend!- ,",.S< p. tures in one oi .! .e s .>l a> ",a> ",,01 year. a> §~ " ~" i "'" " ,., ~u2~ ,,~ 0 :'""a0>' .; I'l "8 'tl 00 . ,,"a2> 'OJ p. S " a> ~ ~o S 'tl … " d – – – -"" — -,..- – – – – ~~ ~ ~S -is::- ~a> S"0 0 ..c: 00. 0 Eo< 0 0 00.
I. Church Miss. Soc.- (a) Mombasa. Tiata and – Chagga ……………
' (b) Usagard and Uganda. II. Universities' Mission- 6 5 I) 1 2 21 34 565 231 1126 3 378 } $64,800 6 9 – 16 250 50' 150 5 150 7- (a) Zanzibar Island ….. 3 6 24 – 1 8 40 2 174 26.400 (b) Rovnmd district ….. -1 9 1 45 8,640 (e) Usambara ………… 36 2 14 18 421 4 43 17,280 46 3 1 -2 6 26 } 993 – – 529 13,200 m.(d) Lake Nyassa …….. 14 5 Free Meth. Miss.- – – 15 6,000 (a) Mombasa district …. — 23.040 (c) Jana River ………. 4 -1 — – .8 – 1491 1491 50 4 181 } 17.200 IV. London M. S ………. 1 5 V. Free Ch. Scotland ….. 34 8 1 – – 6 311 – 3l! 17 1 31 ~ – 9 – -2 58 2- 20 9 2 2 6 600 VI. Bavarian East African 8 — — — 1 f 4.800 – – – – Mission …………….. 2 3 10 1 f 7,200 – VII. Berlin E. A. M .• ….. 2 2 6 — VIII. Neukirchen Mission – – – – — – — – – — – (Pastor Doll)…………. – 1 3 -1 Total. …………….. 41 52 65 78 – – 3 – ca. 1,140 4,-71- — 200 1757 812 1766 30 1552 ca. $192.000 +1801 +1801 +f Approximate Estimate .of Oertain Missions in Heathen and Mohammedan Oountries for Five Years Past.
——————- . I .. . ~.~ Years.:::I .~ .'=6 2i Expenditures in …. ",,~ 0 00 a> "
'" '" " .~~",' "".~ . !;,'" '" ~ ,s"" .;~ll§" — —- – – —- —– —— 00. <D~11 .'2" S ~ heathen and .~ ~:a Mohammedan ,",,~ ~Q)tJ "0 countries. "", – – 0 ..:! iZi 'll 00.
1883…………………… 540 818 966 6,224 205,056 261,812 $2,947,000.00 1884 …………………… 574 882 1,003 6.026 216,829 271,852 3,145,000.00 1885 ……… ………….. 636 867 1,005 6.888 225,919 303,074 3,412,000.00 1886…………………… 648 927 1,044 8,646 230,819 307,739 3,160,000.00 1887…………………… 677 911 1.086 7,876 286.322 311,485 3,130,000.00 SOCIeties Included: American Board; Presbyterian Board; Baptist Union; MoraVIan Chureh' Church Missionary SOCiety; London Missionary Society; Protestant Episcopal Board; Methodist -Episcopal Board. The estim..te excludes the missions of these societies iu the West Indies, but inclndes Polynesia and the nomadic tribes of British America.
The Lntheran Synod of Missouri, which which $32.589.62 was for Home Missions.-The Christian Cynosure. thoroughly excludes members of secret lodges United States.-The new census gives the and represents Lutheranism of the strictest type, number of Protestant churches In the United States at 92.653; Protestaut ministers at 71,662, has 931 ministers and 620 parochial school teach- and members at 9,003.030. Taking the Catholic ers. who respectively have the care of 459,376 and Mormon population from the total population baptized membe!'!! and teach 71 •.504 children. it leaves 43,864,381. This gives one church for There is a total of 1,424 churches and 544 preach- every 473 persons, including infants and chiling places, with 266,000 communicant members. dren. one minister for every 612 of the people, Only 678 of these churches are officially con- and nearly one professing Christian for every nected with the synod. though served by pastors five of the popnlation outside of the two classes of the synod. Last year there were m,391 bap- named. We distrust these figures. Abont threetisms. and 13.724 were confirmed. The twelve fifths of all the population are children nnder 16. districts of the synod contributed offerings for education, orphans and widows. synodical treas- This would make everv other adult a professing ury and mi!!eions amounting to ,$107,346 71, of Christian ! !
of the American Presbyterian Mission in Syria. ~
00 I. EVANGELISTIC AND GENERAL MISSIONARY WORK.
1876. 1881. 1882. 1883. 1884. 1885. 1886.
– – – — – – – — – – — – – — – – – — – – – — – 2123 }35 2103 }33 2113 }34 ~}37 2144 }38 ~}a7 i American Men ……………………………….. 1~}191 1~}203 1~}179 3~}189 — Mis810naries Women…………………•…••…..•… 1153 }28 Native {Ordained pastors ………..•…………….. S LYb.lGn Llcensed preachers……….•……………. 136310} 204 School teachers•…..•…•…….•••.•…•…. 1969}12O 1a48g}l94 142 rJl 12 >i a orer8 Other helpers……………•……..•…….. 8 10 14 10 9 ~ 5 Stations ……………………………….•……….. 5 5 5 5 5 5 86 .>…i Out-stations ………………….•………………….. 60 99 98 99 89 90 19 Churches …………………………………………. 10 12 19 19 19 19 31 rJl Church buildings …………………•………..•……. 24 21 28 30 30 30 Added on profession during the year.. . . . . . . . . . . .. . …… 75 131 109 120 130 153 .>…i Male church members ……………………………. 653}68 320694 } 573 579 } 1008 549798 } 1,00"7 652332 } 1,155 750938 } 1,301 677655 } 1,440 Q Female church members ……………… ·.·.··········· 429 ' 554 1,207 rJl Regular preaching places …. , ……..••……………… 61 74 89 84 87 92 Average congregations ……………………………. , 2,642 3,693 3,755 3,900 84 3,891 4,293 ~ Sabbath schools …………………………………… 84 3,961 40 3,094 80 79 73 68 >i Sabbath scholars ……………… ··· .. ·········· ……. 1,540 2,915 3,348 76 3,804 3,746 3,584 =l;;I Syrian Protestant Community (within the field of the 3,594 3,816 3,652 3,847' 3,977 4,165 ~ American Pres. Mission)………………………….. 2,982 $1,653 $2,022 $6,381 $6,302 $6,451 $6,980 ~ Contributions of native churches…………………….. 1 $1,252 t< t1~ II. EDUCATIONAL WORK. rJl College (Syrian Prot.) ………………. , ……………. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I..i.:. 1 1 1 1 1 106 152 170 175 185 1 1 rJl 1 1 1 1 1 165 rJl Medical School. …………………………….•……. 7 7 7 9 4 ~ PupilS in college (including Med. Dep't) ., ..•..•…..••… 1 1 2 2 2 1 165 Theological Seminary …………………….•…..•…. 42 37 67 75 68 4 1 3 3 3 3 3 7 !'" PupilS in do ………………•………..•…. 89 92 97 118 97 2 3 .2 9 14 20 18 72 Boys' boarding schools.., …………………………… 209 235 414 447 347 3 151 Pupils in do. . ……………………………. 71 113 119 123 118 110 8 20 Female seminaries ………………………………… 2,031 }2 840 2,925}4187 81,,;4)3992 } 4,831 31;648824 } 5,166 3,775 } 5 1801 443 119 819 ' 1,262 ' 1,405 ' 108 15 Pupils in do. . ..•…..•……………………….. 80 141 151 379 ~~~~:~~odo~~ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::: :::: 128 5,590 5,990 144 ~;~}4,871 Common schools ………………..•……………….. 3,509 4,710 5,881 97 ………… ………… 99 62 136 Boys in do……………………………..•..•… 111 5,665 3,178}4505 ~ 1,327 ' Girls in do. 134 121 Total schools …. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 5,344 j Total pupils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . ……………….. 230 – – – Women in Bible Classes …………………… ········ ..
PRESS WORK, PRmTmG AND DIBTRmU'l'ION OF BmLE8, T1U.CTB, &0
1876. 1881. 1882. 1883. 1884. 1885. ~ ~ 1886.
Bible House and Press Establishment:- …………….. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 W::d'J~~~~~s::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::: 4 3 3 3 8 3 8 Lithographic press ….. . ……………………… 2 5 5 5 6 6 6 ~ iilpe foundry………………………………….. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ~ ectrotype apparatus…………………………… 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Press employees ……………………………….. 44 45 42 35 41 44 PUblications On Press Catalogne. . . . . . .. .. . . .. … . … 2{)7 240 244 253 258 268 50 ~ Volumes printed during the year ……………………. 57,500 55,400 50,490 47,500 87,900 836 38,450 72,050 W ?of Page9 " H H ,. • ……………………. 13,786,900 18,041,600 20,190,600 19,579,480 19,235,547 27,981,600 83,284,675 <Jl 4,277,500 8,923,000 8,245,600 8,651,000 9,465,000 17,378,600 19,331,750 w~!ch pales Scriptures……………………….. 1,045,500 1,702,500 ~ 232,000 8S9,000 946,320 851,500 451,600 311,742,044 845,026,719 *ToStcarlipptaugreess from thterabcetsg:m..n.m..g……………………………………………….. 159,810,300 224,754,817 244,945,417 264,524,897 283,760,444 ~ distributed duriug tbe year………………. 23,576 15,571 t Other books and tracts sold and distributed. . . . .. . ….. 5,641 15,718 11,600 15,€67 15,953 68,311 Copies Of publications of all kinds issned during year ….. …….3.6.,7.5.2. 372,710 …….2.5.,7.2.1. …….2.9.,8.5..4 …….8.0.,0.0.0. …….2.8.,0.0.0. …….2.8.,2.3.2.
IV. MEDICAL WORK AT ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL. <JlI ~ The pbysicians of the Medical Department of the Syrian Protestant College have been appointed by the Order of St. J obn in Berlin as the medical attendants of the "Johanniter-Hospital" in Beirut. This most interesting charity, supported by the above mentioned Order, and served also by the Deaconesses of Kaiserswerth, has received ~ during the past years :' 'l'
"I Indoor patients ………………………………….. 537 539 642 577 571 595 465 Patients treated in the Polycliniqne………………….. I 9,162 9,874 9,213 11,172 7,489 6,009 7,126 Total of days of treatment …………………………. 17,879 19,015 18,248 16,489 16,348 18,146 17,500 * These figures represent the copies of Scriptures sold and send out from our Mission Press to private purchasers, and to our own and other missions, and to Bible Society agencies, for further distribution.
t The distribUtion bas been by the various missions among Arabic-speaking peoples, and the American and British Bible and Tract Societies. ~- ~
EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS
VIII.-EDITORIAL NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
THE INDIAN SCHOOL QUESTION. young Dakota Indians, who are attending school, on the question' Which has done the more good THE Fifth Annual Report of the for us, the Catholic or the Protestant church Y' Executive Committee of the Indian Rights Association, from the pen of The Protestants, it is said, beat their opponents. Mr. James B. Harrison, is a vigorous One of them was asked bow thlly won. He and outspoken contribution to the said, •I showed them the Bible in Dakota and literature of the subject and should read to them in their own tongue. I sh<;lwed be widely circulated and duly con- them a letter from an absent young man written sidered. It justly characterizes the in Dakota, which all could understand wtien I recent orders of the Indian Bureau as read it, and I said, hOur reljgion -gave ;us a written language and the Bible. 'Vhat has 'your " uuiutelligeut, arbitrary, despotic and unstates.' religion given to onr people?'" Is not this manlike, merely a blow at missionary work. pretty fair reasoning for a mau who, according There is no reason to suppose that a single to Commissioner Atkius, has no lauguage; only Indian anywhere will ever learn ten words a barbarous dialect? 'rhe promised concesmore of English by reason of these orders. There is, indeed, no provision made by tho sions of the Iuterior Department have' just government for any increase of facilities in the reached the missionaries among the Dakotas, study of English. The damage to the missionary two months after they were i.,sued. Under date work produced by these orders is their sole re- of Feb. 11 Commissioner Atkins added another sult. The orders should be distinctly and concession to those of Jan. 18, allowing Indians wholly revoked and withdrawn. It is not neces- to possess and use the Bible in the vernacular, sary that the missionaries and churches should and allowing a •limited theological clas" , of submit. If they will publish the facts fully, these Indian young men to be trained in the vernacuorders will be revoked. The facts must come lar iu any purely missionary school supported to light. Then the people of the country will exclusively by miSSionary societies, provided have something to say." they are to devote themselves exclusively to preaching. These conceosions, be it remem· No one can read this report with- bered, are from the InteriM Department of the out having his heart stirred with in- Republic Of the United Slates, wt from the Indignation at the condition of Indian teriM Department of the (lrnerument of tM affairs, through the unfitness of the Czar, and they apply to our Indians, and wt Indian Bureau. The Nation says: to the Poles Of Buss,a."
" The Indian Bureau appears to have made a The President's long reply to the serious blunder. Government has no moral right to order peremptorily that miSSionary Philadelphia Conference, while kind societies which maintain schools in many places without assistance from the Federal treasury in spirit, gives evidence that he has shall cease using the Indian language." not studied the matter with his The religious and missionary press, with almost entire unanimity, has wonted care and clearness and does condemned the policy and arbitrary edict of government, and the Phila- not comprehend the problem iI,l all delphia Annual Conference of the its aspects. . M. E. Church adopted very strong resolutions on the subject. All our We commend to our readers the ecclesiastical and missionary societies should follow suit and cease not to letters from distinguished civilians, protest till their demand shall be heeded. The President has not re- lawyers and divines, given in our Invoked the obnoxious orders; the slight modification conceded does not touch ternational Department (pp. 462–3), the essential iniquity. And his recommendation of a Commission, one-half in relation to this subject.-J. M. S. to be army officers, to manage the Indians, gives no promise of relief, A WORD to our subscribers. We but the contrary. The Interior well puts the case: are glad to be able to say that in the "There are two objectious to thi!l–One of future there will be no occasion for principle, and one of policy. The principle involved is that it is a violation of a fundamental delay in receiving THE REVIEW when right of civil and religious liberty. The policy involved is that the scrambling politiCians who ordered. The demand for it so climb into such positions are not, as a rule, tbe kind of meu to be intrusted with educational greatly exceeded the faith of our and moral interests. We never would have believed that this piece of utterly indefensible publishers at the start, and even tyranny would have been permitted to remain so long in force. Some one who has the ear of the down to a recent date, that they President ought to suggest to him that his fia/l:- ship is about to go into action, and that it is failed to make due provision for the high time for him to clear his decks." supply. Already four editions of the The Independent says: January number, three of the Febru- ary and two of the March have been "There was a discussion recently IJ.llOD~ sQ!IIe printed, and the demand does not abate. But this experience sufficed to show them the necessity of a much larger edition of succeeding numbers, so that in the future they will be able promptly to supply the work to all who apply. Every num- ber is stereotyped, so that THE RE- VIEW can be had from January. Our thanks are due to the press and to our many friends in all parts of the field fo~ their heal'ty commendation . and words of cheer.-J. M. S.