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Btagram
SHOWING THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF THE WOULD. {i,,n,ooo,om.)
Each Sfiiitre rtprtstitls Onk AIjldun Souls.
Protestants Protestants,
1 1 6,000,000. 1 1 (5,000,000.
}REEK Church, Greek Chvrch,
84,000,000. 84,000,000.
3MAN Catholics, Roman Catholic
1 90,000,000. 1 90,000,000.
[ews, 8,000,000. Jews, 8,000,000.
MoHAMMEtaNS. MOMAMMEDAN'S
i70,OB0,oco, 170,000,000.
ssiON CoNVEKTs, MissroN Convert
,),ooo,ooo.' 3,000,000.'
Heathen", Heathen,
8,56,000,000. M 56,000.000.
JKljo tfan Doutt ft?
\
X Knf;lt<1i preacher a-.kcd some Briiisli -i.iaici^, •■ If (jiieen Viotfiria were Id issue 1 pmcbmation, anil, iihcmg it in tlic hands of hei
_ army and iravy, wtti: id say, ■(;" mli. all iht inirlil. .mil proclaim it to every treaiurc.' lii>« lung ili> you lliiiik it would lake to do it!"
>ne of tliuH! men. au-usicnicil In obeying orrlcn witlioui ilel.iy, anil at peril of life, replied. '' Well, 1 iliink we could niana^^e it in about eighteen
KMiths." And who can doubt it? Wtiu alsu can questir.n that the lloly Gllc>:.t'^t purpose to send [he Uoipel lo all nations is immeasurabl)
indered by the ))ar1ial or entire want of co-oiieraiiou on ihc part of Christian iieoiiteT \^ hn can duubi that a itpirii of devotion, promptness,
nthuaiasm, consecration, like thai of these serv.inis of a <'hri^tian Queen, if di>|ilayed by all the profe-,sed servants of King Kmmonuel, would
tcuncavably hasten the answer lo ihat prayer we si> i.ften oIkt, "' Thy kinjplom come,' Thy' will he rluni: in eanh, as it is in heaven "t
But, alas ! how far distant that clay would sconi to \k ! T'wo out of every three |ier.~>n- wliii w.ilk lliiv i-fltth have never heard of the Gospel
' '-' 1, or seen a copy of ibe llible;' aii'l uf ilii% more f.iv.iured ibird. iwo-tli'irds are in the almiisl pa^-an liarkness of an aposlale church. And
tot Cliriil"s disciples Iliink llicy are calleil to do iilllc or nothing for Chri*.tiaii missions,— /runj " The Jloly Spiril anil Sfitsmiti,"
IptlAKU MuM.lljrE.
• ■->- ■• A C/Kl^rv^/ rrcHitanl MUifm.- H-Rty. Iav. |f.ir>;si(,x, K.S.S.
* o( C
Chinas Millions.
EDITED BY
J. HUDSON TAYLOR, M.R.C.S., F.R.G.S.
1886.
London :
MORGAN AND SCOTT, 12, PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS, E.G.
HAZELL, WATSON, AND VINEY, LI).,
PRINTERS,
LONDON AND AYLESIIURV.
|HIS volume should be, to all interested in the work of God in China, of special interest.
Not only does it contain a most cheering record of success during the year, it also tells of
the completion of twenty years of work for God by the China Inland Mission.
The story of the twenty years cannot be re-told in a preface, but a few lines may give
facts sufficient to show that the labours of these years have not been in vain in the Lord.
The workers in their self-denying work of love have not been uncheered. They have had the
Master's presence and the Master's blessing ; and they and all who by prayer and gifts have been
fellow-labourers, as they look at the point already reached, may gratefully and joyfully exclaim, " What
hath God wrought !" To His good hand must be ascribed the success. The work has been H!s, and
all the praise must be given to Him.
In 1865 there were but 97 Protestant Missionaries in China. In 1886, in connection with the
China Inland Mission alone, there are 152 Missionaries.
The following table deserves careful study. It only refers to the provinces in China Proper,
which in 1866 had no Protestant Missionary. If the history of missionary effort in China up to the
present time were written, it would have no chapter of deeper interest than that which told of the
pioneer work of the China Inland Mission in these eleven provinces.
The itineration of these provinces by members of the Mission, the opening of mission stations in
all but one (though in two, Ho-nan and Hu-nan, they have had to be relinquished again and again),
the peaceful residence in so many of them, would, if not a single convert had been gained, be cause
enough for deep thanksgiving by the whole Church of Christ that in the good providence of God the
China Inland Mission had been called into existence.
Province.
Gan-hwuy
Kiang-si ..
Ho-nan... .
Hunan
Kan-suh ..
Shen-si
Shan-si
kwei-chau
Si-ch'ukn ..
YUN-NAN ..
Kwang-si ..
Population.
*9 millions
16
3
7
9
4
20
5
5
Area.
Protestant Mis-
sionaries in z866.
n
148,161 sq.mls.;
72,176
65,104
73,320
86,608
67,400
56,268
64,554
166,800
107,969
77,856
),
»,
,»
n
»
n
n
»j
„
,»
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Itineration
commenced
by C.I.M.
1868
1869
1875
1875
1876
1876
1876
1877
1877
1877
1877
Station or
Stations opened
by C.I.M.
1869
1873
1876
1878
1879
1877
1877
1877
1881
None
No.ofCI.M.
Missionaries in
x886.
13
5
2
2
13
12
23
6
12
8
None
* The estimate of population is that given in the last edition of " China's Spiritual Need and Claims.*'
t Area of Englano, 50,823 square miles.
A glance at the other seven provinces will not be without interest. Here again the progress
made calls for grateful acknowledgment.
Province.
KWANG-TUNG
FUH-KIEN ...
Cheh-kiang ,
KlANG-SU ...
Shan-tung
Chih-li
HU-PEH
Population.
17 J millions
10
12
20
19
20
20J
Area.
90,230 sq. miles
45,753 I,
39,150
44,500
65,104
67,276
70,450
)»
V
),
n
,9
Total number of
Missionaries in 1865.
1
97
C.I.M. Missionaries in
1886.
56
IV
PREFACE,
For statistics of Native Helpers and Church Members, etc., we must refer to the Report given in
this volume.
When, however, the work of the China Inland Mission, and of all the Missions, is looked at in
relation to the vast and overwhelming need, it is soon seen how utterly inadequate it is. The follow-
ing table amply shows this.
PROPORTION OF MISSIONARIES TO THE POPULATION IN THE EIGHTEEN PROVINCES
OF CHINA PROPER.
Province.
Population.
No. of
Missionaries.t
Proportion to
Population.
Or, One Miasionarv to a Population exceeding
that of
Kwang-tung
17 millions
10 „
12 „
20 „
20 „
20J „
15 »
9 »
9 »
7 H
3 i>
20 „
5 »
4 »
5 n
16 „
15 «
92
60
48
92
54
71
32
4
15
25
9
3
14
6
6
3 itinerating
3
I to 170,000
I to 167,000
I to 250,000
I to 217,000
I to 352,000
I to 300,000
I to 600,000
I to 3i millions
I to 600,000
I to 360,000
I to 800,000
I to 1,000,000
I to il millions
I to 800,000
I to 700,000
to 5 millions
to 16 „
1 to 5 „
Hull (162,325).
Newcastle (145,359) or Dundee (140^39).
Edinburgh (228,357).
Belfast (207,671) or Bristol (206,874).
Manchester (341,414).
Sheffield (284,508).
Liverpool (552,508).
Scotland (3} millions).
Glasgow (511,415).
Manchester (341,414).
Glasgow and Sheffield (795,923).
Liverpool and Birmingham (953,282).
Glasgow, Liverpool, and Dublin (19336,987).
Glasgow and Sheffield (795,923).
Manchester and Leeds (649,533).
Ireland (no Missionary).
Four times Scotland.
London.
1
FUH-KIEN
Cheh-kiang
Kiang-su
Shan-tung
Chih-li
HU-PEH
Kiang-si
Gan-hwuy
Shan-si
Shen-si
Kan-suh
Si-chuen
Yun-nan
KWEI-CHAU
Kwang-si
Hu-nan*
Ho-nan
t The number of Missionaries is according to an account corrected to December, 1884.
There are yet other extensive districts and outlying dependencies, and to these Mr. Pigott called
special attention in his remarks at the annual meeting. In the report of his address there is an error
so apparent that we trust it has not misled any one. The area was reported as i,4CX) square fniles ;
it should have been i,4CX),ooo square miles.
From every part the cry comes for more labourers. The openings are literally numberless,
the work to be done is vast beyond estimate, so vast that unbelief says, " It cannot be done," but,
looking from the feebleness of the agency to the Omnipotence of Him who says, " Go ye into all the
world, and preach the Gospel to every creature,"
" Faith, mighty faith, His promise sees,
And looks to that alone ;
Laughs at impossibilities.
And cries. It shall be done 1 "
<i
Speak unto the Children of Israel that they go Forward."
B. B.
InbtiT.
PAGE
Across into Mongolia...
Anniversary Meetings-
Afternoon Meeting—
Letter from Rev. J. Hudson Taylor
Address by George Williams, Esq. (Chair-
man) ... ... ... ••
B. Broomhall (Secretary)
T. W. Pigott, B.A
Mrs. Pigott
Rev. G. F. Easton
Reginald Raddiflfe, Esq.
Evening Meeting —
Address by J. E. Mathieson, Esq. (Chair
man) •>. ••• ••« ••
Rev. E. Tomalin
Rev. H. A. Randle
Miss Fanny Boyd
Mrs. Easton
C. H. Judd
Rev. W. D. Rudland ...
>•
»»
ti
»>
»»
58
80
8s
84
fs
87
88
91
ft
l»
tl
»f
»»
l»
l>
ft
»»
ft
>»
>»
»t
»»
• >
ft
. ..
T. J. Coulthard
Elliston
Appeal, An
Arrivals in England
B
Blessing by the Wa^ ...
Baptisms and Candidates-
Chau-kia-keo
Che*foo ...
Chen-tu
Chi-chau
Din*tsi ...
Din-eo*tsiang
Fan-ch'eng
Fung-hwa
Gan-k'ing
Han-chung
xxO'K eo ••• ...
HO'Zi ... •••
Kin'hwa ...
Kiu-chau
Ku-cheng-tsih ...
Ku-kn-tsai
Kwei-yang
Kwei-k*i
Lan-chan
Ning-hai
Ning-kwoh
Ping.yang
Shao-hing... ...
Sha-shi ... ...
Shih-pah-li-p'u ...
Tai-cnau
Tai-pin^
Tien-t'ai
Ts'in-chan
Wu-chang
• ••
• • •
• • •
• • •
• ••
■ • •
• • •
• • •
a • •
• • •
• • •
• • •
92
93
94
— 95
9^
96
... 98
... 99
... 99
20
26, 52, 138
38,52,62
... •••3^* ^^
3» 35f 78
ySf 152
. . . ••• ... ^5
... ... ... ^5
... .«• ... 1 2^
23,121, 165
... ... ...li^, 3
...29, 37, 76, 77, 138
38,104,115
••• ••• ••• ^3
••• ••• ••• J
23, 149
• •• ••• ••• Ji^O
• •• ••• ••• /O
22, 63, 122, 166
104, 115
«•• •■• ••■ o
• •• ••• •«• » *%
64, 122, 147
... 38, 102, 128, 132
... ... ... ^o
... ... ••. j^
... ... ...29, 37
23, 165
• ■• ••• ••• 1 ^3
••• ••• ••• J
••• •» ••• //
11,30.38
Wu-hu
Wun-chau
Yun-nan Fu
Yang-chau
Yuh-shan...
Yung-kang
• • •
• ••
• • •
• • •
China Inland Mission —
Abstract of Accounts
List of Missionaries
Statistics for January, 1886
Survey of Twenty Years
Cheerful Giving
Chinese Beggar, A
Chinese Wedding, A
Conversions en route
Country Visit, A
Encouragement at Sih-chau ...
Examination of Chinese Converts
Extracts from Donors' Letters
False Profession and Persecution
Female Itineration
For the Young
PAGE
122, 148
23, 100
... 62
... X04
14, US
... 115
... 110
4, 107
... 86
... 79
..• 39
9
... lOI
38. S2f 62
... 100
Departures for China —
Dr. and Mrs. Douthwaite
• • •
• • •
• • •
« ••
14
Miss Jane C. Oliver
• • ■
• • .
• • •
• •
14
„ Sarah Wilson
■ • •
• • •
• • ■
• ••
14
„ Emily Taylor
„ Mary L. Legg
• • •
• • •
• • •
• • ■
14
• ••
• ••
• ••
• • •
14
„ F. R. Kinahan
• •«
■ ■ •
• • •
• ••
14
,, E. C. Fenton
• • •
• • •
• • •
• • •
14
Dr. and Mrs. Pruen
• • •
« • ■
• • •
• • •
26
Mr. and Mrs. Broumton
• • •
• • •
• • •
• • •
38
Miss Tapscott
• « •
• ft •
• • •
■ • •
3!
„ Davis
• • •
• • •
• • •
• ••
3!
„ Fausset
• • ■
• • •
• • •
« • •
l^
,. Littler
« ■
• • •
• • •
• • •
64
y y Ottjr • • • • • •
• ••
• ••
• • «
• • •
64
Mr. A. Orr Ewing
• • •
■ • •
• • •
■ • •
64
„ E. S. Sayers
• • •
• ••
• • •
• • •
64
„ G. Graham Brown
• • •
• • •
• • •
« • •
64
„ Andrew Wright
• • •
• • •
• • •
• • •
64
„ J.C.Stewart, M.D.
„ R. J. Landale, M.A.
• • •
* • •
• • •
• • •
64
• • •
• • •
• • •
• • •
138
Miss Harriett E. Kings
• • •
• • •
• ■ •
• • •
166
Dying without God
• • •
• • •
• ••
• • •
74
74, 136
56
•• 39
* • • • • • *^ •
149
... 34» 75. «5i
VI
INDEX,
>»
>)
i»
}>
If
Q
Girls* School, Shao-hing, Cheh-kiang Province ...
Wun-chau „
Kiu-chau „
Che-foo, Shan-tung
Gan-k'ing, Gan-hwuy
Chung-k"ng. Si-ch'uen
Tai-yiicn, Shan-si
Han-chung, S hen-si
Kwei-yang KwEl-CHAU
Good Tidings from Han-chung
News from Lan-chau
II
H
Happy Experiences
„ Testimonies from Han-chung
Hospital at Han-chung
Journey in Si-ch*uen
„ from Wan Hien to Han-chung
Joy in Prospect of Death
Letter from the Kwang-si Province
„ Miss M. Murray
y, Mr. Cooper
Life in China ... ... ...
M
Map of China ... ••. ...
Map of Chinese Empire
Missionaries, Correspondence, etc-
Andrew, Mr.
Andrew, Mrs.
Bailer, Mr.
Boyd, Miss
Butland, Miss
Black, Miss Emily
Black, Miss Mary
Burnett, Mr.
Barclay, Miss Ellen A. ...
Byron, Miss Maria
Broomhall, Miss ,^
Beauchamp, Mr. M.
Beynon, Mr. W. T.
Brown, Miss Agnes
Cardwell, Mr. J. E.
Clarke, Mrs. G. W.
Coulthard, Mr
Cooper, Mr.
Carpenter, Miss S.
Cassels, Mr. W. W.
Clark, Miss C P.
PAGE
52
„ ... 20,52,149
„ ... 23, 78, 165
„ ... 19, 122, 166
» 37. 77» 151.152
...22,77
29
31
I*
II
88, 158
91
Idol Procession
" In Memoriam " — Miss Bathia Littlejohn ...
„ Mrs. Riley
„ Mr. Riley
„ Mr. Jenkins
Itinerant Work among the Women
... 75
5
17
... 103
... 103
116, 149
32. 130
36
... 74
• • • • ■ •
• ■• • • •
• • • • • •
• • • •• •
70
141
30
150
• ••
• ••
• • •
• • •
• • •
• •
• a •
• *•
• «• ••« ••• 00
•• ••• ••• 07
14, 62, 122, 166
... 22, 77* 166
•«. ... o, lo, 45
... ... ... 93
37i 63, 116, 166
••• ... ••• 105
... ... ... '3
... ... 12, 31
... ... ... 19
... 24i 64* 149
... 8, 38, 136, 150, 164
... ... ... yo
... •• ... 24
•»• ... ... 3^
... ••. ... 1 30
3^>99
... 13, 24, 30, 122, 148
52, 137. 159
3^* 74* 124
... •« t.. '^4
Dorward, Mr
Dick, Mr
Drake, Miss
E^ton, Mr.
Easton, Mrs
Elliston, Mr.
Eason, Mr.
Evans, Miss
Ewing, Mr. A. Orr
Finlayson, Mr
Foucar, Mr. F. T.
Fosbery, Miss
Fenton, Miss
Gibson, Miss
Gray, Miss
Gulston, Mr. F. W. K. ...
Gray-Owen, Mr. R.
Grierson, Mr. R
Hunt, Mr.
Hogg, Mr.
Hutton, Mr
Horobin, Mr
Hoste, Mr. D. E.
Heal, Mr. T. A
Hibberd, Miss
Judd, Mr....
Tones, Miss Hannah
tames, Mr. T
Jenkins, Mr. T
Jones, Miss S. E.
takobsen. Miss A. S.
King, Mr. George
Kingsbury, Miss
King. Mr. T. H.
Key, Mr. ...
Kemp, Miss
Kay, Mr. D
Kinahan, Miss
Lancaster, Miss
Laughton, Mr
Langman, Mr
Lege, Miss
Littler, Miss C
Meadows, Mr
McCarthy, Mr
Muir, Miss S
Malpas, Miss
McMullan, Mr
Miller, Mr.
Mathewson, Miss Caroline
McKee, Mr.
Murray, Miss Cecilia K.
Murray, Miss Mariamne
Macintosh, Miss
Marston, Miss
NicoU, Mr.
NicoU, Mrs
Norris, Mr. H. L.
Oliver, Miss
Pearse, Mr
Parker, Mr
Pigott, Mr
Pigott, Mrs
Parry, Dr. Herbert
Phelps, Mr
Polhill-Tumer, Mr. C. H.
Polhill-Tumer, Mr. A. T.
Rudland, Mr
Randle, Mr
Reid, Mr.
Robertson, Mr. D. M. ...
Renter, Miss S.
Robertson, Miss J. D. ...
Stott, Mr.
Stott, Mrs. ... ...
• • •
• • •
• • •
PAGE
26, 50, 64, 157
... 26, 77i '52
... ... 12, 37> ""
... ... ... y
II, 99
62, 69
24,51,122,155
64, 16 (
... ... ... 3
• »« ... ... JM
... ... 24, 34
... ... 14. 1 '^4* ^5^
38, 52, 121
... ... 24 , 4^
... ... ... 2S
... II, 24, 130
76* 152
10, 77, 106
25, 74» 78
12, 19, 51, 123
... ... 3. ^^3
... 8, 51,78, 106, 138
121, 152
• •• ••• ••• j^
• •• ••• •»• 7^
• •• ••• •«• //
• •• ••• ••• ^J
12,25,38, 103
••■ ••• ••• / ^
• •• ••• ••• A ^^J
••• ••• ••• 5
• •• ••• ••• ^3
8, 26, SI. 58. loi, 132
... ... ... 104
... ... ... \ I
... ... 14* 15^
22, 35, 49, 61, 63, 72
...12,51,63, 123, 159
14, 52, 62, 105
23, 56, 165
• •• ••• •«• '4
••• ••» ••• i7
• •• ••» *•• 2 Sf 02
32» 103, 105
... ... ^4. 1 47
... ... ...K A, Za
• •« ... ... 1 24
... ... ••• 20
... ... 20, 141
• •* ... ... S2
•••I3i 75. 77. 123. 151
••• ... ... 52
• .. ... ••• 1 49
• •• •.. ... /*'
14, 76. 166
•.• ... . . .9» 1 5o
... ... ... 100
••« ... ... 00
... ... ... ^7
51, 105, 138
• •• ... ... 1 35
63, 127, 158
29, 77, 166
• • » ... ... 9©
• '. ... ... 94
7^1 105. 152
... ••• .,, yO
... ... ."73. 104
122, 166
... ... ,,, 23
23, 100
INDEX.
Vll
Stevenson, Mr. J. W. ...
SharlanH, Mis
Stroud, Miss
Stevens, Mr. Fred,
Stevenson, Mr. O.
Sturman, Mr
Seed, Miss
Slimmony Mr. ...
Smith, Mr. J.
Smith, Mr. Stanley P. ..
Studd, Mr. C. T.
Stevens, Miss Jane
Tomalin, Mr
Thompson, Mr.
Thompson, Mrs.
Taylor, Mr. H. Hudson
Todd, Miss
Terry, Mr
Wilhamson, Mr.
'Williamson, Mrs.
Wilson, Miss Eliz.
Wilson, Dr
Wilson, Mrs
Williams, Miss Mary ...
Wood, Mrs
Windsor, Mr
Whitchurch, Miss
Webb, Miss Lily
Wilson, Miss Sarah
PAGE
<•• ■•■ ••• A 3
'•• ••• ••• \ M
)•• ••• •••J \y A I
• •• ••* ^J
• • ••• •••1^ 1 22
37,58, 106, 164
• • . *• • » IJy ()/
25, 52, 152
13. 26, 38, 50. 78, 160
13.3^.138,164
24
93
14, 38, 104
23
121
25,62,77
106
23, 121, 165
23
23,76,122
106
37
74
37, 129
122
46,78
... 24, 64
14. 76
N
Native Female Evangelbts 46
Need of Prayer for Native Chrisi ians 165
New Year and its Possibilities, The ... i
„ Stations ... 6, 9, 14, 18, 23, 52, 121, 124, 138, 141, 152
Notes of Work in YuN-NAN 69
„ „ a Year's Village Work 22, 35, 49, 61, 72
Opium Curing 8, 22, 25, 26, 32, 51, 62, 63, 64, 87, 91, 124, 147
Poisoned by 67,74,76,150,165
9. 102, 124, 133, 137
... 6, 10, 23, 26, 38, 68, 73, 123, 156, 166
Hindering the Gospel 159
„ Refuges...
„ Smoking
Provinces and St<:tIons {toniinueJ') —
Hu-NAN Province
Hu-PKH Province ...
Fan-ch'eng
Wu-ch*aDg
Sha-sLi
Kan-suh Piovince
Ts'in-chau
Lanchau
Nin^-hsia
Si-mng
KiANG-si Province...
Ta-ku-t*ang
Yuhshan
Ho-k'eo
Kwei-k'i
KiANG-su Province
Shanghai
Yang-chau
KvvANGSi Province
KwEi-CHAU Province
Kwei-yang
PACE
64, 82, 122, 157
... 13, 24, 38, 50. 76, 81, 105, 15s
• •• •■• ••• ••• J^9 ^
II, 13, 24, 30, 38
25, 50, 122, 155
10, 12, 37, 51. 63, 77, 80, 106, 123, 166
77, ic6, 123, 166
12, 31,51, 106
12, 19* 37, S». 58, 106, 123
• •• ... ... ... 1Z3, ^37
14,82, IC4, 115. 141,149
• •• ••• •>• ••• ••• a4A
... 14, 115, 149
14, 115, 149
14. 38, 104, 115, 149
23,38,76,81,121,138
23, 38, 121, 138
20, 21,48, 64, 76, 104
• •• ■•• ••• ••■ ••■ 7v| 0«^
14,62,77,82,122,166
14, 22,62, 77, 122, 166
SHAN-sf Province 6, 13, 18, 26, 37, 50, 63, 78, 81, 101,106,
124, 136, 138
T'ai-yiien 51, 63, 127
P'ing.yang 6. 8, 13, 26, 37, 50, 78, 101, 132, 138, 155
K'uh-wu 6, 26, 51, 78, 106, 138
bih-chau 18, 136
Kwci-hwa-ch*eng 26, 78, 106, 124, 138
Ta-ning ... .. ... ... ... ... ... 124
Hung-t'ung 138, 155
Shantung Province 3, 46, 78, 81, ic6, 138
Che-foo 3,46,78,138
Fuh-shan 46, 106
Shen-si Province ... 12, 25, 37, 63, 77, 81, 106, 124, 138, 152
Han-chung 12, 25, 29, 36, 37 63, 74, 75, 77, 106, 138,
151, 152, 158
»•• ••• ••• ••• •••Jl^ftAJ
• •• ••• •■■ ••• ••• Aw
X3i 37, 52» 63, 105, 130, 166
32.37, 105, 127. 129, 149
13, 37, 63, 166
... ... ... ... ... 3 , 3
...14, 25, 37, 52, 62, 77, 82, 122, 152
25, 37, 52, 152
14,25,37,62,77.122
Provinces and Stations, Intelligence from — I
CllEH-KiANG Province 14, 23, 38, 52, 76, 82, 104. 12 ', 137, Progress in Shan-si ...
152, 165
Shih-pah-li-p'u ...
Si-gan
Si ch'uen Province
ChuDg-k'ing
Chen-tu
Wan-hien
Yun-nan Province
A A" 11 • • • • • •
Yun-nan Fu
Poetry —
Eastward II o I ..
Go Ye into all the World — with Music
The Soucd of a Great Cry
Principles and Methods Applicable to Station Woik
Shao-hing
Fung-hwa
T*ai-chau
Wun-chau
Kiu-chau
Hang-chau
Kin-nwa
Chang-shan
Tien-t'ai
Siei»-ngzEn
Shing-hien
Gan-hwuy Proxince
Gan-k'ing
Ku-cheng-tsih . . .
Hwei-chau
Ning-kwoh
Chichau
Wu-hu
Ho-NAN Piovince ...
Cbau'kia-k'co
23, 52, 56, 76, 137, 159, 165
... 23, 121, 165
••• *** •« ••• •■• 2j
23, 100, 152, 166
14. 38, 52, 104, 121, 149
• •• • • * ••• ••• 4*
• '• ••• ••• ... ••• 52j 70
*** **' **• ••• i^y ' ' St ^49
• •• ••• ••• ••• ••• 23
• •• ••• ••• ••• ••• 121
• • ••• ••» ••• •*• ls2
14, 24, 51, 64, 76, 81, 105, 122, 138,
152, 166
14, 18, 19, 74, 51, 105, 122, 138, 166
• •• • * • ••• «•• ••« 1 ^O
• •* ••• ••• ••• ■•• ^1
• ■• ••• ••• ... ^*T f * 4 7
• •• ••• ••• m » , y Oj 1 ^* 3 1 ^52
• •• ••■ •«» ••• ••■ 12^
13, ■^o, (17, ol
... ••• ... ... * 3' J > ^7
14
... Il2
... 117
71, 118.
133. 142
... lOI
R
Report of a Conference at T'ai-j lien Fu
Riot in C hung-k*ing
Rough Journey Safely Accomplished A
160
127, 129, 149
19
15
27
4'
Taylor, J. Hudson, Articles by —
The King s Chambers ...
1 by Kingdom Come ...
False Profession and Persecution
Extracts from Letters 3, 44, 55, 115, 127, 155
Survey of the Work (Let te») 80
A Retrospect 53.65, 113. 125, 139,153
Tidings from K'uh-wu 8
J, ,, ^ ir g*y«inK ... ... ... ... ... o
,, ,, Scattered Workers 12, 23, 37, 50, 62, ;6, 104, J 21,
'37. 152, 165
Two Lit.le Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... 11
• • •
vni
INDEX,
Valedictory Meetings
Village Work
Visit to the Home of a Native Christian
9, Fuh-shan
„ Ts*ing-kian£[-p'u
,, Ka-cheng*t8ih .»
Visiting the Capital of Hu-nan
PAGE
■•• ••• 04
22, 35 i49. 61, 72. 88
9>45
46
7^
148
157
w
>ypmen's Work in Gan-k'ing
Kwei-yang
Yang-chau
HU-PEH...
•»
it
>9 »>
Work in Ho- NAN
„ Kan-suh ...
among the Thibetans
PAGE
19
22
48
67
10
pst 0f llhtstralinns^
A Post Boat
A Chinese School
Boat on the Yang-tse
Chinese Coolies ^vaiting for Hire
Chinese Punishments
The Juncture of the Grand Canal and the Pei-ho River
A Travelling Blacksmith at a Farmhouse
A Pass on the Road from Peking to Mongolia
The Broken Wheel barrov^
Tung-chau..
Father and Son..
A Chinese Garden
One of the Gates of Peking
A Terror to Evil Doers
At Needlework
Portal at the Approach to an Official Residence
A Young Barber
An Ornamental Doorway
A ^Vheel barrow with Sail
A Lama at Prayers
SEtnipfS
I
7
21
27
3.^
39
45
53
59
65
71
"3
119
125
«3i
139
145
153
159
Map of China.
Map of Chinese Empire,
jfr0ntispim.
Diagram showing thd Population of the ^Vorld, classified according to
Religion.
China's Millions.
\ POST BOAT.
ff^e geto §m antr ils possibility.
HE year 1886 is upon us. What record shall it bear to the throne 01 God?
It comes, as the years which are now for ever gone came, rich with oppor-
tunities and possibilities. Like them it may go, leaving many, upon its
review, full of disappointment and regret, as conscience whispers —
" All that thou mightest have been,
All that thou mightest have done."
Regret, however, will be unavailing ; opportunities once gone, are gone
tor ever— gone beyond even the power of God to recall.
The possibilities of the future are before us, and in the very first days
worth while for each of us to ask in the light of the Cross of Christ, and a
y, "Wnat can /do? What is the utmost possible to me in the way of
; this year ? " It will be easier to ask the question than to answer it. If,
ot hastily dismissed, but in the calm and quiet of our own retirement faith-
pondered, and the answer diligently sought, fresh light will dawn, and the
nd privilege will become plain. Then should follow the firm resolve, by
: nothing less shall satisfy than all, absolutely all, we can do for the extension
I, and the salvation of men.
6.
CHINAS MILLIONS,
To the many friends who have by gift and prayer set their hands to the work of God in
connection with the China Inland Mission, the question may be suggested as another year is
entered upon, " What to the Mission are the possibilities of the year ? What shall its harvest be ? "
The possibilities of the year ! Who can estimate them ? They are commensurate, on the one hand,
with the willingness and promises of God to bless, and on the other, with the prayer, and faith, and
labour of His people. Possibilities ! Oh ! if but for one short year the friends of this Mission at
home, and its workers in China, could rise to the measure of the opportunities and the possibilities of
the year, what a year of success it would be I What manifestations of Divine power I What ingather-
ings into the fold of Christ ! Generous gifts would supply every need for the support and extension of
the work, and the prayer of faith would bring down upon every worker, and every station, the baptism of
the Holy Ghost : wisdom for the conduct of the Mission at home and in China would be given, and from
the centre to the circumference of the work, there would be the voice of thanksgiving and praise.
The possibilities in connection with this one Mission — and it is to that we are now limiting our
thoughts — are unspeakably great, and solemn, and glorious. But there are possibilities of another
kind, and, as an incentive to prayer, it must not be forgotten that there are the possibilities of failure.
Perhaps the friends of the Mission could not do a better thing than take the list' of the names of
the Missionaries,* and with ttiat list before them take time to think of what it suggests. What issues
depend upon the personal zeal and faithfulness of each of those whose names that list contains !
Temptations assail, dangers beset these dear friends ; they need to be sustained in times of weariness and
weakness, and in the loneliness which in a land of strangers they may feel ; they need unfailing loyalty
to Christ, and a constant love for souls, such as only His love can inspire. How important that
their faith, and courage, and discretion, and fidelity fail not ; that they should be kept in health of body
and vigour of mind, and that the necessaries of life should be supplied. Of no one in that list can it be
said that these considerations do not apply. Each one, therefore, needs, and should have, constant
remembrance in the prayers of all who desire the prosperity of the work. For the native helpers and
native Christians, much prayer is also needed ; on their steadfastness, and consistency of life, and
zeal, the prosperity of the work must largely depend.
The wife of a Missionary has touchingly expressed this desire in the following words : —
" We came to China to win souls — are there many at home
praying that we may be wise to do so ? We try to carry
glad tidings to weary hearts, but few believe our report !
Are there many at home praying for us that the word
spoken may be * mixed with faith in them that hear it?'
We try to tell the * Old, old story,' but it often seems
like beating the air, and we marvel at their unbelief ; are
there many at home praying for us, that we may speak
God's Word in that * demonstration of the Spirit and of
power' which all our adversaries shall not be able to
gainsay nor resist ?
" I see more and more that it is not merely coming to
China, and living amongst the Chinese, and talking to
them, that will save souls. Satan is not so easily driven
from his stronghold. It is now as it was of old — he
* goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.' When there
is much prayer there is much prosperity ; therefore,
* Brethren, pray for us.' If * the effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much,' surely the effectual
fervent prayers of many righteous will avail much more.
Prisoners' chains soon fall off, and prison-doors fly open,
when * prayer is made without ceasing of the Church unto
God.' The work is the Lord's ; and except He build the
house, they labour in vain who build it. And if it is the
high privilege of those who are here to work, it is also the
high privilege of those who are at home to pray. . . .
" The few here who have come over unto the Lord's side
much need and often ask for prayer. They have felt the
sharp point of persecution. Some of them have been
beaten with many stripes, others have lost friends,
houses, lands, and money. They are taunted by their
neighbours, and have their names cast out as evil, because
they have cast in their lot with the people of God. Are
there many at home praying for them ?
"And now as to ourselves. We have never found our
path in China strewn with roses. We expect those
by-and-by, and laurels too ; but, at present, we seem to
have a good share of sorrow and trial, of care and toil.
The flesh is still weak, the world still hates, and Satan's
darts are still fiery. We are far from the means of grace for
our souls, and we are far from medical aid for our bodies.
Are there many at home praying for us, that we may not
grow weary in well-doing, that our faith fail not, and that
the pleasure of the Lord may prosper in our hands ? May
He * overturn, overturn, overturn, until He come whose
right it is.' For the kingdom is His, and the power is
His, and the glory shall be for ever His."
♦ For list of Missionaries see page 4.
CHINAS MILLIONS,
Another matter of the utmost importance is, the need for Divine guidance in dealing with the many
who are offering for work in China. China needs labourers — for as yet the Missionaries are but as one
to half a million* of the people ; but it is of supreme importance that only those qualified by God for the
work should be accepted.
Among the many encouragements of the past year has been the greatly extended demand for
China's Millions, and the numerous testimonies to the interest and profit with which it has been read.
This, too, and the circulation of China's Spiritual Need and Claims, is a matter in which much
may be done to extend interest in the work in China.
These are some of the considerations which most naturally arise in the anticipation of the work of
another year. To those whose hearts are set upon the evangelisation of the millions of China, many
others will suggest themselves. That the work is one of transcendent importance, demanding thought,
and prayer, and personal effort, need not be said. If there is anything certain it is that our Father in
Heaven would have all to know of His provision of mercy for mankind in the gift of His Son. If
there had been no command to preach the Gospel to every creature, none could doubt His will in this
matter. With all that has yet been done in China, the masses in that land have not yet heard of
the Gracious Invitations of Him who came into the world to save sinners. There is no time to lose.
We speak of the possibilities of the year, but we know not who will be permitted to labour on to its
close. The recent removal of two beloved workers is a reminder that we must " work while it is day,
for the night cometh when no man can work."
In view of the spiritual condition of uncvangelised millions, and our rapidly fleeting opportunities,
the words of the wise man have a solemn significance : '* Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it
with thy might." Not in impulsive haste, but in calm and strong confidence in God; let each one give
himself to the work of each day; and the year, whether or not we see its close, -shall be blessedly
fruitful.
" Prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
B. B.
Jfr0m S^r. Pittrs0ii Cagbr.
BXPRAOr PROM A LETTER TO A FRIEND.
]HE-FOO, Otr/^^^ryM.— Pray earnestly for us. Work
for Christ here is war to the knife with the foe —
he rests not day nor night, and does not give very
much rest to his antagonists. Praise God there is rest,
rest of heart, and rest of soul to the believer, even while
the conflict is going on, if there be no mutiny within the
camp. Still we need your prayers, and I feel sure we shall
have them.
We are encouraged in the work generally. Souls are
being added to the Lord. Our little native church here
has eleven candidates for baptism, most of whom, I trust,
are true men ; some of them will be baptised next Lord's
Day. Upwards of fifty persons have been baptised at one
or other of our stations within the last three months.
The measure of the care of the churches which comes
upon me is not light, and would be a very heavy burden
indeed were it not for the blessed privilege of rolling it on
the Strong Arm, and being thus without carefulness,
knowing that He careth for all those that I should natu-
rally be careful about.
* If we could imagine Manchester, with a population of 341,414, without a single Sunday-school teacher, or city
missionary, or Christian worker ; and what is worse, all the people without any true idea of GOD, of sin, of heaven, or of
hell ; and only one missionary to explain to them the truth concerning these great subjects, we should see the inade-
quacy of the agency, and yet China has not missionaries sufficient to provide one for a population equal to the population
of Manchester.
CaiXJS UILUONS.
Pissionarks of % C^ina |irlaitit Pisston.
JAnl«l.
"BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US."
Irrinl.
Didc
DuioTArrinl. D«aof
V.1
J. H. Tavlok, Director 1854
Mis. Moore
1878
Mrs. Wood
188J
Miss
rie^
^AYLO
%.. 1866
A. C, DORWARD . . .
1878
Henry Dick
1883
Mbs
884
.. 1862
J. H.RlLEY
1878
Owen Stevenson
1883
Miss
884
.. tS66
Mrs.RiLBY
1878
Mn. Rend ALL .. .
1883
Miss
884
.. 1866
Samuel R. Clarke .
1878
MissE. Butland,. .
1883
Miss
884
.. 1870
1878
Miss J. Black .. .
1883
Miss
884
.. 1866
1878
MiasS. Muitt
.8S3
Miss Jhanie Gray ..
884
.. 1S66
1878
J.H. STUSMAN .. .
lS8j
IIERBKRT L. NOERIS ..
884
.. 1866
.\«
1878
W. E. BUKNETT .. .
■8S3
F.T.Foucar
88S
.. i87S
1S81
MissS. Seed
.883
T.JAMES
88S
.. 1866
1878
MissL. Malpas .. .
1883
John Smith
88s
.. 1876
1S81
A. Langman
.S84
T.Jenkins
88s
.. 1867
«iKfci .
■879
Thomas Kino . . ,
18S4
Stanley P. Smith, b.a.
885
Mrs. McCarthv . .
.. 1867
1S66
William Key .. .
1884
W B.A. ..
88s
88s
J. E. Ca»dwku, . .
.. 1868
1879
Miss
D. .. .. ..
Mrs. CaRdWEIX ..
.. 186S
John' ' '.
1879
Mrs. . .
1884
M. Beauchaup, B.A. ..
88S
Chaklhs H, Judd
.. 1S68
Henry W. Hunt.. .
1879
Thomas
1884
F.W.K.GULSTON ..
885
Mrs.JUDD
.. 186S
Mis. Hunt
1878
Edward Hughesdos.
1884
RichahdGrav .. ,.
885
MbsTUKMEB ., ..
.. 1872
Thos. W. Pioott, b.a
1879
Miss Emily Black
18S4
Maurice J. Walker . .
88s
Fkedk. W. Ballkk
.. 1873
Mis. PiQOiT
1S82
MissEMlLYFOSBERY.
18S4
T. .. ..
885
.. 1866
L.R.C.F..
1880
Miss Mary Williams.
1884
W.E.Terry
sss
Mr5.PRUKH
|8;6
1884
W.T.BEVNON .. ..
885
H.D. (U.S.A.)
.. 1874
Mrs. Sharland .. .
1880
1884
MissANNIELEBRUN ..
8SS
.. 1874
Mrs. SCHOPIBLD .. .
iSSo
JoknFinlayson., .
1884
Miss Acnes Brown . .
88s
.. i87S
MUsC. M. Krrr .. .
1880
J. A. Slimmon ,. .
1884
Miss Jennie Webb ..
88s
.. .883
Miss E. KlHOSBURY .
1880
Miss
18S4
Miss
883
.. "875
Miss A. Lancaster .
18S0
Miss
1884
m. .. ..
Mrs. KlHG .. ..
.. 1883
1881
Miss
1884
D. M. ROBKRTSON
1875
1881
Miss q
1884
J. A. Heal
.. 187s
.8S3
Miss
1884
R.GRIERSON
VS& .. "
.. 1879
1S81
H.P ^^
1884
J. .. ..
G. w. Clawm ..
.. "875
1S81
Mrs.
188}
;?j ....
J. F. Bkouuton . .
.. t87S
18S1
Miss [fi-SKifflR^
1884
Miss J. D. Robertson
Mrs. Brouitton . .
.. 1879
Mrs.
1881
A.
18S4
MissL. E.Hibberd ..
G.F.Easion.. .,
.. i87S
Miss Hankau Jones .
1881
Miss^'i^
18S4
MissS. E.Jones .. ..
Mrs. Faston .. ..
.. 1S81
18S1
Miss
1884
Miss C. P. Clark.. ..
Miss Wilson.. ..
.. 1S76
1882
Duncan Kav
1884
MissS. Rbuter .. ..
.. 1876
1881
Georqe Miller .. .
1884
Miss A. S. JAKOBSEN ..
.. i87S
18S1
William Lauohton .
1884
Mrs.
.. 1876
tm. . H.B., CM
18S1
Stewart McKbb
1884
Miss Sarah Wilson ..
.. 1880
Mrs. Wilson
1883
SHMfiSft . .
1884
Miss Jane C. Oliver . .
.. 1876
Miss F. Stroud . . .
188*
1884
Miss
Mrs.RAiroLE.. ..
.. 1878
Mis. S. Carmnter .
.883
1884
AfisB
MissHowm .. ..
.. 1876
Miss M. Caxpentrr .
1883
1SS4
Miss E. C. Fentos ..
MissMiULRAV.. ..
.. 1876
Frrdk. a. Steven .
1883
Miss C. K. Murray .
1884
MissF. R.K1NAHAN ..
Charles G. Mooxb
.. 1878
F. Marcus Wood
18S3
Miss M. Murray.. .
1S84
Native Pastors, Evangelists,
etc., etc, about 100.
Portrait (carte size) oj most of the above may be had, price 6d. ; by post, 6Jrf. Cabinet groups of
recent pmHes {iZ^-S), is.; by post, is. id.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
|«
tmonam.
MISS BATHIA LIT ILE JOHN.
E YE STEADFAST, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, foras-
much as ye know that your labour is not in
vain in the Lord." Such are the conclu-
ding words of the glorious fifteenth chapter of first
Corinthians, in which St. Paul dwells upon the Gospel
which he preached ofCHRisi-'s death and resurrection,
and the death of all those who sleep in Jesus to rise
again in spiritual bodies, as perfectly adapted to our
future requirements as our natural bodies are to our
present state of weakness. The prospect of such a
glorious issue steals away the sting of death and destroys
the victory of the grave. " Thanks be to God who giveth
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." So
far from the prospect before us being felt to be depressing,
it is looked upon as the best stimulus to nerve the saint
to steadfut service and to diligent redeeming of the time,
"Always abounding in the work of the Lord."
The short missionary course of the beloved sister who
has just left us, Miss Bathia Littlejohn, cannot perhaps
be better characterised than by the words : *' Always
abounding in the work of the Lord." At home a member
of the PlimsoU Street (London) Presbyterian Church,
she was greatly esteemed and loved as an earnest, con-
stant, and successful worker ; so that while rejoicing in
her devotion to the Master's , service, the officers of the
church felt that there was real sacrifice on their part in
giving her up to Him for labour in the high places of the
field. Little did she, and little did we, foresee the short-
ness of her service after leaving her native land, but had
she foreseen it she could not have more diligently bought
up the opportunities, and made the most of her time.
Leaving England in August, 1884, the circumstances
attendant on her departure were interesting. It had been
arranged that Miss Todd and Miss Symon should sail in
August, and Miss Littlejohn with some others in Sep-
tember. In the latter part of July, when preparing to
leave London to attend the Keswick Convention, the
Editor noticed that little more than a month remained to
the time of the departure of the two first-mentioned sisters.
There was then no money in hand towards their outfit
and passages, and as it was obviously desirable that with
Httle delay the outfits should be procured, prayer was
oflfered to God that He would speedily send in ;£iio to
cover the anticipated expenses. The Editor left home
for Kendal, and was followed a day or two later by his wife,
who brought a handful of letters that had come in in the
meantime. Among them was one from a retired Indian
officer and his wife, containing a cheque for ^iio for the
Outfit and Passage Fund — the very sum that was needed.
The kinddonors had weighed the question beforethe Lord
as to whether the vast needs of China might not demand
from them personal service, whether He would have them
spend the remainder of their days in themselves seeking
to present Christ in life and by teaching to the Chinese.
The answer had come clearly that they were not to go
themselves, and recognising this they at once responded
by sending a sufficient sum to prepare and convey two
others to the field.
Within a few days of this time, however, another dona-
tion to pay for one passage came in and we were led to
wonder whether or not it might be God's will for more
than two to sail in August. On reaching London (after
our brief visits to Carlisle, Glasgow, and Edinburgh,)
Miss Littlejohn called at the office to say that her arrange-
ments were now such that it would be possible for her to
leave England a month earlier than she had anticipated.
" My outfit is all complete," she added ; " I need nothing
from the Mission, but my passage; if that can betaken, I
shall be glad to be in China a month earlier than I had
anticipated." Now we saw how the Lord had been
arranging, and the passage being forthwith secured, our
sister, with those already named, sailed in the month of
August.
She did not await her arrival m China to commence
her service. Opportunities were diligently sought for
conversation with one and another. Earnest prayer had
been offisred before her departure for the conversion of
some on board, and she knew these prayers were still being
offered. This encouraged her in her own efforts and
prayers for those around her. For a time these efforts
appeared to be without fruit, and when the voyage was
far advanced she was greatly concerned about one espe-
cially, with whom she had often conversed and for whom
she had often prayed, who seemed impregnably sceptical
in his opinions, and did not hesitate to let her know that
he considered her a poor misguided creature. Almost
cast down and hopeless, save in her God, she cried to
Him : "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" and be-
sought Him to encourage her, and strengthen her hands
for service in China, by undertaking Himself this hard
case. Faith laid hold of the love, and the power, and the
wisdom that are without limit ; and she encouraged her-
self in her GOD, expecting that by the time she reached
Shanghai this sceptical one would be brought to the feet
of Jesus. To her surprise and delight she found that
before reaching Hong-kong GOD had changed his heart,
and that he had put on the Lord Jesus Christ. She
had not expected so quick a change, and felt so deeply
humbled that the answer to her prayers came quite as a
surprise as to time, though not as to the event.
Many others were spoken to and prayed for, but we
believe that she had no certain knowledge of any others
actually converted during the voyage; but she had the
joy of knowing the one we have referred to has since been
instrumental in the salvation of others.
On reaching China, just as she was about to leave for
Che-foo, the proposition reached her to join Mr. and Mrs.
Stott for missionary labour in Wun-chau. These friends
had been burned out by rioters, and Mrs. Stott was at
the time in Shanghai. Miss Littlejohn gladly accepted
the proposition, having seen so much of the tried mission-
aries as to draw her to them, and perhaps the few months
she was permitted to spend with them were among the
happiest of her Christian life.
The summer of 1885 will be remembered in China as
a very sickly summer. Miss Littlejohn became seriously
unwell in Wun-chau in June, and as soon as sufficiently
recovered to take the journey, was sent to Shanghai for
rest and change. While there, the epidemic wave, which
appears to have proceeded from south to north, swept
over Shanghai, and she had some serious relapses, and
though latterly she rallied considerably, yet she did not
progress as was desired, and was sent further north to
Che-foo about the end of August. On landing from the
steamer she appears to have got wet, and may have taken
CHINA! S MILLIONS,
a chill, or it may be that the epidemic which swept over
Shanghai in August, and Che-foo in September, and which
here carried off hundreds of natives, and seriously affected
many of the visitors and foreign residents, again threw
her back. N ight and day she was tenderly nursed by
her companion on the voyage, Miss Symon, and by Miss
Fosbery (both trained nurses), and she had the constant
attention of two medical men with one or two consulta-
tions with others who happened to visit the port. Our
sister was most tender and considerate for those who
were caring for her, and most grateful for their kind
services. On one occasion she exclaimed, "Why, if I
were a duchess I could not have more care or attention."
It was felt to be a pleasant service to minister to her, for
everything was received with such kindly appreciation.
But all that love, and care, and skill could suggest
proved unavailing, and the end drew near. The day
before her departure she bade one who was leaving Che-
foo for a few days, " Farewell until the morning." Her
last expressed wish was that some flowers and grasses,
which had given her much pleasure, should be sent to
her friend, Mrs. Stott. In her anticipation of the end
there was nothing but rest and peace; and on Saturday,
September 26th, at 1.40 p.m. she peacefully fell asleep.
Her remains await the glorious resurrection in the
beautiful cemetery on Temple Hill, near to the remains ,
of others who have served the Master for longer periods
in this portion of the vineyard. Her service in China
has been short ; but those who knew her and saw her life.
and those who tenderly cared for her through her last ill-
ness and witnessed her peaceful departure, will never
forget or cease to be thankful for her presence among
them. No limited allegiance did she yield to her Lord ;
no hesitating trust did she repose in Him ; her life was
" all for Jesus." Who will tread in her footsteps ? Who
will fill her vacant place ? Who will step forward with
an " Here am I ; send me," to close the ranks ?
During her stay in Shanghai she heard for the first
time a hymn which very much, pleased her, the io6th in
McGranahan's " Songs of the Gospel." It was found
after her death written out in pencil in her own hand-
writing, and was probably the last thing that she wrote.
The day after her arrival in Che-foo, spewing of the hymn,
which she had greatly enjoyed, she tried to sing it, not
sure that her strength would hold out, but it did so, and
she sang the whole hymn from the commencement to the
end. It was the only hymn that she sang in Che-foo, and
the words with which it concludes might have been pro-
phetic of her own approaching end :
" Some stand to-day on Nebo,
The journey nearly done,
And some are in the valley ;
But all are ^oing home.
We're going, gfoine.
Yes, we arc going home ;
We soon shall cross the river.
And be with Christ at Home."
% Itefaj Statbrt m % Sj^aii-si ^ixijiiia*
FROM MR. BALIjBR.
1NG-YANG FU, August ii//^— We have been
much blessed of the Lord here. We have had a
perfect summer, delightfully cool, and are now,
though it is so early in August, enjoying beautiful early
autumn weather. We came here nearly two months ago
and have been steadily at work ever since. Every day I
go out to some of the villages round about the city, and
find the people very friendly and agreeable, and perfectly
willing to listen to the truth. The whole of this part
of the province seems to be open to the Gospel. The
people are quiet and have a good deal of the religious
element about them.
Let me tell you about the opening of a new station at
Kuh-wu Hicn, It lies about forty miles south of this city,
and is an important place, both because of its position
and because it has banking communication with Shanghai,
Tientsin, and other large centres on or near the coast. In
some parts having a large population, all monies have to
be sent in the lump, or rather m lumps, the currency being
in " shoe," silver that has, like Abridiam's, to be weighed,
" current money with the merchant."
As Mr. Taylor much wished to open a station there, in
order to make it possible to open other parts of the south
of the province, I sent a native to see if he could rent a
place in my name, letting the landlord know that it was
for a foreigner. He left on the seventh of last month,
and came back in about a week's time with an agreement
properly drawn up, renting me a house in the city. He
had found most of the people unwilling to let to a
foreigner, but at last he met with an opium-smoker who
had a good-sized house to let, and who was so much in
need of money for opium, that his craving got the better
of his antipathy to " the outside man,*' and he rented the
premises to us. It is remarkable how often in China the
Gospel has been furthered by the devil's agents.
As possession is rathei more than nine points of the
law in a case like this, I hastened back with the Evangelist
to occupy the premises. We hired a cart, and after a day's
jolting in truly Chinese style, reached the city. We
found the house well situated, not far from the busy
streets, and yet far enough to render it quiet. On reach-
ing the door after dark the landlord came out with a
candle, his face wearing a rather dubious expression, as
though he feared the foreigner might be after all like the
pictures in some Chinese geography books, half man and
half beast. I endeavoured to re-assure him by asking,
in the broadest Chinese I could muster, his honourable
age, birthplace, the size of his family, his prospects, and last
but not least, as to whether he had eaten his rice. The
last question touched a sympathetic chord, and he grinned
from ear to ear as he said, " Why, he speaks our words
like we do ourselves."
His mind being set at ease he led us in through the
gloom. We found the place fairly large, built in true
Chinese style, with a front and back courtyard separated
from each other by a large reception hall running across
the entire width of the building. The rooms in the front
courtyard are for servants, while those at the back, which
run round three sides of the courtyard, are for the family,
and are looked upon as private, or reserved for the
women.
By the next day the news of our arrival had spread all
over the city, and by the day following we found that we
were " the lions " for the time being. The people began
to stream in soon after noon, and we held a sort of lev^e
for their benefit till dark. Even then some who had come
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
3 -hS
E-a-SS
IJJI
b|I|
fli-
8
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
late knocked for admission and we gave them the privilege
of a sight of the stranger. This continued for six days,
the crowds coming in in groups of six, ten or a dozen. The
melon-sellers reaped benefit from our presence, as they
set up stalls at the door and sold their wares to the thirsty
souls who came to see us.
Our visitors included all ranks and conditions of men,
from the wealthy banker with his flowing silk robes to the
poor beggar or the rough countryman. As I said, we
were "on view " every day, and had the privilege of en-
lightening the minds of our visitors on several vexed
points. Let me give you a specimen of the questions :
Teacher, your honourable age ? Your honourable country ?
Where is your wife ? How many have you in family ?
Any girls ? How far to your country ? Have you been
home since you first came out ? Have you the same sun
there as here ? Have you any wheat in your country ?
How much do you pay to go home ? How long does it
take ? How far does a steamer travel in one day ? Are
there many Chinese in your country ? Do you smoke
cigars ? Do you take wine.? [Their idea of a foreigner.]
When did you reach the city? Why do you wear a
moustache at such an early age ? etc.
Now and then these questions would be interrupted by
some one remarking to the rest, " See what a high nose
he has ! Ah, the people of his country are very clever,
they make all kinds of strange things."
To answer these questions in succession, put with un-
varying monotony by each successive group, aid, after six
days, become somewhat wearisome. Still all showed a
most cordial spirit, and were most pleasant in their
manner. I scarcely met with an unkind word all the
time I was there ; kindness and friendliness were quite
the order of the day. They seem ready for the Gospel ;
may they soon receive it in spirit and in truth. Such an
experience in the heart of China is certainly cause for
thankfulness. The general thing is most strenuous
opposition requiring perhaps years to live it down. The
famine relief given during the great famine seven years
ago, has had something to do with it ; many of the people
spoke of the relief that was given in and around P'ing-
yang.
Messrs. Hoste and Key, who have since gone there,
send most encouraging reports of the ready way in which
people in the city and in the country receive the books
and talk with them. We can only say, "This is the
Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes."
^it)iu0S ixam ^itlj-toit ^wn.
FROM MR. HOSTE.
Bj^SBN July 28th, Mr. Key and myself came down here,
IdSj Mr. Bailer having previously rented a house ; the
P^a ul house is very comfortable and we are, thank God,
very happy indeed in soul, though we have not yet had
much scope for the happiness of James v. 11., everything
has been so wonderfully mapped out for us in all respects.
We work now at Chinese about seven hours a day —
sometimes more, and to-day have engaged a teacher, a
man with a degree, for 5,000 cash (about £\) a month.
I am so thankful to be here ; it is, I feel, a step further
into the fight, and being able to distribute books, etc.,
amongst the people in the city and surrounding villages
is indeed a great joy. The people are very friendly, and
gladly accept tracts and listen, as far as my inexperience
can judge, with intelligence and interest to the Gospel.
Some evenings we have quite a lev6e in our court, of
say, fifteen to twenty Chinamen, mostly young fellows from
the shops ; the scholars sit in chairs, the others squat
about and listen very quietly whilst Mr. Chang, who
came with Mr. Bailer from P'ing-yang, preaches to them.
There are quite a number of villages round the city with-
in three miles from the walls, and we hope to visit them
all in time, though as our walk does not begin till about
5.30 p.m., we cannot go far each day. The Bible Society
colporteur, who was here last week, sold 100 books in three
or four days. Some of our visitors and those whoni we
have met on our walks are asking about breaking off" opium.
It is, I think, warmer here than at P'ing-yang Fu,
but we have not felt it at all distressingly hot, indeed we
have both felt belter in body since we have been here. Our
food is very good ; fruit, the best of its kind, bein^
abundant, and meat tender.
It seems to me that now we are out here Satan will
do all he can to keep our lives from being really mixed up
with the Chinese ; of course I am speaking conscious of
my own inexperience, but I cannot help thinking that the
Lord would have me, when I get more hold of the lan-
guage, spend, say, some months every year just going
round and living with the Chinese in the different villages,
and as converts are gathered remaining amongst them
for a while, so as to be able to teach and build them up.
The little I have seen of Chinese inns and houses, leads
me to think that they are not bad habitations at all.
The country round here bears sad traces of the famine ;
the villages are more than half depopulated ; and broken
down houses, ruined walls, and neglected roadways and
bridges, speak on all hands of a departed prosperity. At
the present time, the plain is covered with abundant crops ;
chiefly, in this neighbourhood, of tobacco, cotton, and
millet.
Cit)in0S fr0in |P mg-jjan0.
FROM MR. BBAUOHAMP.
[ANY people here are seeking rest and peace, but
they know not the way, and, indeed, how should
they, unless some one tell them ? Their way of
seeking peace, too, often leads them to the most rigid
course of self-denial, and makes them very self-righteous ;
but for all that they have to confess that they have not
any real peace. We met a man a few weeks ago who
assured us that he was most righteous ; " For," said he,
" I have not eaten onions, garlic, eggs, or meat of any
kind, nor have I taken any tobacco." But of the gift of
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
% €^\\xmt |U0gar.
FBOU MR. PEASSB.
B^BKNE thing that has recommended our teaching to i
■Dal outsiders as much as anything is the number of
B^Bfl destitute poor we treat at our dispensary ; many |
of Inem beggars, whose wretched appearance passes all ■
description. One of these (I have had as many as five or I
six a day) I treated for several weeks. He was a leper.
This disease is not the leprosy of the Scriptures. Severa
of his toes had dropped off, one 1 amputated. 1 dressed
his feet daily for about two months, iinii! the wounds
were quite healed, much to the astonishment of all who
saw him ; for ihey said that their doctors would not do as
1 did, if they were paid evfr so well (or their trouble.
10
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
Like I azarus, he lay at our gate night and day — on a
narrow sort of balcony running along the whole length of
the house-front, and partly protected from the rain by the
overhanging eaves of the house. His bed was dry, except
after exceptionally heavy rain which beat in that direction,
being raised some three or four feet from the road. Of
course we should have had him in the hospital had there
been any one there to look after him.
When attending to him I generally had a little group of
people looking on, and passing remarks which they did
not know I understood, but which were generally very
favourable to us.
On fine days he managed to go his rounds and beg as
usual for his rice. When this was not possible our natives
gave it to him. When on his begging tours he was not
afraid of his property being stolen from so public a place,
as it consisted only of an old straw mattress and a dirty
little bit of fur ; a tobacco-pipe and basin and chopsticks
he, of course, took with him on his perigrinations. He
wore no clothes but the most miserable rags, which one
could hardly recognise as having ever been garments, and
like Lazarus he was full of sores.
That is a fair description of a Chinese beggar. They
have no care but to get their daily rice and enough
money to buy opium, which also they all smoke^ and which
has no doubt m many instances brought them to this
condition.
Morli
PROM THE QUARTERLY LETTER OP MR. HUNT.
|N response to the request made in a few of my
former letters, some friends may have asked God
to give' us other and more roomy premises in
this city ; and I now rejoice to tell you that your
prayer and ours has been answered, and my wife and I,
with our little Chinese boy, are residing in a healthy and
commodious dwelling, one minute's walk from the old
Premises. For the natives* sake we should have liked to
ave gone to another part of the city altogether ; but
nothing offered elsewhere, and as I was able to get the
acting magistrate's sanction to my taking this particular
house, it being within the jurisdiction of the same petty
officials as is the other dwelling, we took it as a gift from
God, and have now been living in peace in our new
quarters for two months, with much more freedom for
indoor missionary work than we have yet enjoyed.
Shortly after despatching the last quarterly letter I felt
slight symptoms of small-pox, and immediately treated
myself with cream of tartar. For some days I could
not exert myself ; but the symptoms passed off without
eruption, owing, no doubt, to the blessmg of God on the
lecent vaccination and medicine used. We remembered
afterwards that we had taken the Chinese child in too
soon after his small- pox to be perfectly safe, and were
thankful that our negligence brought no worse result.
The few inquirers here are not at all bright, though we
have certainly spared no pains in teaching them. As far
as kfwwing goes, they might be saved ; but they all seem
too much attached to " filthy lucre " to allow God's Spirit
to work in their hearts. Will you not continue to pray
for them, that their old nature may be changed ?
During the months of March and April this year
there was very little rain in these parts, the drought caus-
ing much anxiety to the people. The mandarins, great
and small, went on foot (only done in emergency) to the
temples, and entreated the idols to send rain, which came
in great quantities soon after, and has continued ever
since, excepting a few fine days. A fortnight ago they
paid another visit to the idols, this time to ask that
the rain might stop, as the opium capsule was
no sooner cut, and the opium running, than both
were washed clean (!), and the crops were being
spoiled. The idols were promised " a play " of three
days if they would listen. Strangely enough, the rain did
cease, and hot weather set in for three days, during which
a theatrical performance took place before the temples ;
but as soon as ever the play was over, down came the
rain again, and as I write to-day there is as little prospect
of fine weather as ever. " Va'n is the help of man," but
yet more vain is the help of idols !
Early in May I received news that five brethren had
already started from Han-chung to reinforce the work in
Kan-suh province, and that it was necessary for some
one to meet them. I started, but had only travelled forty
miles when rain came down in torrents, wetting me to
the skin. I was not prepared for bad weather, so had to
send my man on alone, and early next morning started
with my horse on the return journey, doing the forty
miles through pouring rain and deep mud in one day, and
arriving home at four o'clock in the afternoon. I was no
worse for my two days' wetting, and as the brethren were
duly met by my servant, and only a few days after
brought into the city, I knew I had done the wisest thing.
Our brethren had had rather an uncomfortable journey,
the weather being so wet, and were glad of the few weeks'
rest and refreshment of body and soul at Ts'in-chau.
They had only been with us a short time when Mr.
Thome, of the American Bible Society, also favoured us
with a visit, and so we made ten foreigners besides the
children — a most remarkable episode in the history of
missions to Kan-suh ! Every evening at first we had tea
together, and afterwards a prayer, praise, and address
meeting in English, conducted by the missionaries in
turn. I think the singing might have been heard a //
distant, and must have caused the heathen to wonder.
The magistrates, however, did not seem very uneasy at
the presence of so large a number of " barbarians," as in
an early interview with the second magistrate I had in-
formed him that it was not to be permanent. Beyond an
occasional inquiry as to when they were going to leave,
they took no notice of them, and we had the few weeks
of happy fellowship, during very wet weather, in perfect
peace and quietness (excepting, of course, the noise we
made ourselves).
And now the party has separated, some gone eleven
days' journey to Lan-chau, the capital; others fourteen
days' journey to Ning-hsia; and two for a short sojourn in
Han-chung. I am in communication with our brethren
in the new stations, and at present they are getting on
satisfactorily, neither officials nor people seeming to object
to their presence. May God work mightily through us all,
that some of Kan-suh's millions may be won for Him
ere He comes (who shall put all enemies under His feet)
to create new heavens and a new earth, wherein shall
dwell righteousness.
For several weeks now my wife has had a class every
Thursday afternoon for heathen women, and although the
number of attendants is generally within a dozen, interest
may gradually deepen, and result in a larger number
coming as the thing gets better known. Hymns and
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
II
texts are taught the women, and some story is told them
from the Old or New Testament. Pray that there may
be fruit arising from this new effort. The women are
not only ignorant, but appear entirely indifferent as to
tlieir eternal welfare, and really too indolent to take the
tr )uble to find out anything about it. I have started
a Sunday-school, and get about twenty children every
Sabbath afternoon. They are, however, very uncouth,
much like the children of ragged schools at home, and
need firm treatment, or they would soon become un-
manageable. The number of scholars steadily increases,
and when I have taught them how to behave themselves,
I may form the school into classes, and get others to
assist in the teaching. At present I teach them hymns
and texts, and sometimes tell a story out of the Bible. I
shall be glad if fiiends will also remember this cflfort in
their private and public petitions before God. The
labour is much harder and more discouraging than any
at home, and needs our strongest faith and warmest
prayers.
CiM f ittic Jfut.
BY MR. ELLISTON.
[UNDAY morning was very cold, but Saturday
night had been colder still, and keen, piercing
winds had been sweeping over the sea and the
dreary, barren fields.
By the side of the path lay a bundle, which appeared
to consist of old rags wrapped in older matting. One end
was open, and two little feet were visible. They were
quite small, and seemed shrivelled by the cold. Perfectly
still, those tiny brown feet, side by side, told their sad
tale.
On Saturday afternoon, when most of the world's fifteen
hundred millions had food to eat, and many had enough
and to spare, a little baby was crying for food, and
starving in spite of its cries. There was no food to be
had, and, perhaps, as little sympathy. The few old rags
and the piece of matting were all this little one's share of
this world's good things. As darkness came on, it was
carried out, laid by the roadside, and left alone to the
mercy of the winds. There was no one to hear its cries,
or, at any rate, no one to help ; no one to care whether
it lived or died. So the great Father who cares for the
least of the little ones, called the spirit back to Himself.
This world had no room for it, but the Christ oi Bethle-
hem always remembers such.
This story of the short life is very incomplete. It does
not tell us whose were the little frozen feet, or what was
suffered by others in the house that might have been their
home. Nor does it tell us whether these feet would ever
have carried the Gospel about to those who did not
know it.
We can but wonder what anight have been if some one
with plenty would have shared their abundance with this
little outcast ; if some one who knows Christ's love
would have shared that love with this little deserted one ;
if some one who has had tender nursing during a helpless
infancy would have stretched out kind, strong hands to
this little waif, instead of leaving GOD's little one to the
mercy of the winds.
What may still be, if some with plenty will share their
abundance now with little ones still remaining ; if some
who love Christ because He first loved them will come
to seek the lost little ones as the Good Shepherd sought
them when they went astray, remembering that Jesus
said, " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least
of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me ! "
appjT ^rpcmnrcs.
FROM MR. RICHARD GRAY.
N the way up the river to Han-kow, Mr. Coulthard
taught me how to handle the chopsticks. The
Chinese fare was good. We travelled, of course,
in native dress. Those who connect the adopting of the
Chinese dress with humiliation I pity very much. The
Prince of Heaven, discarding His robes of glory, deigning
for our sakes to wear the rags of Bethlehem, did humble
himself; but what humiliation can there be for those who for
His sake consent to wear the comfortable dress of a China-
man ? I must confess that I cannot see any ; rather is it
a privilege, as are all things He permits us by His grace
to do for Him. "All things to all men." Wu-chang is a
fine walled city. Brother Cooper has no time for mission
work in the week, having too much business on hand, yet
on Sundays our chapel (a large reception-room) is com-
fortably filled, I am sorry to say that amongst the thou-
sands of women that live m this large city there is not
one lady missionary working. A number of women come
to our service, some fresh ones every Sunday, and yet
how little can be done for them. May the Lora soon send
some one to care for their souls !
July i2th,—I^ Sunday at Wu-chang. The weather
beautiful, the sun shining brightly outside, and the Sun
of Righteousness cheering all within. At 10.30 a.m., the
service commenced by singing a hymn — that is, making a
joyful noise unto the Lord, which, I doubt not, was more
acceptable to Him than the best rendering of the " Mes-
siah " at Albert Hall. Brother Cooper preached on trust-
ing in the Lord Jesus to save and to keep, telling them
to come out boldly for Him, and closing with a few words
on the value of Christian baptism for the sake of those
who were to be baptised that morning. After the address,
we all adjourned to an open court, and there the simple
ceremony was gone through. What a joyftil, never-to-be-
forgotten sight it was ! To see the proud disciple of Con-
fucius, knowing by heart all his golden precepts, yet hand-
in-hand with a despised coolie, bowing down before the
lowly Nazarene, was to me, of all the evidences of Chris-
tianity I have ever read or seen, the best. At 2 p.m., I
had the joy of remembering our Lord's death for the first
time in China with the new converts ; and what a feas t
it was !
" Under His banner thus we sing
The wonders of His love.
And thus anticipate by faith
The heavenly feast above."
12
CHINAS MILLIONS.
In the evening, at 7 p.m., we all met together (foreign
missionaries) for prayer at the Wesleyan mission-house.
To give full vent to my full heart, I had to sing during the
day some dear Welsh hymns, and went to bed that night
with a jojrous and a thankful heart, after spending one of
the happiest days of my life earnestly praying for and
hoping to see many such days in China before my Father
calls me home.
For the last fortnight I have had the sole charge of the
station, Brother Cooper having accompanied Brother
Dorward from Hu-nan to meet Mr. Taylor at Gan-k'ing.
Answering to that loving command : " Take My yoke
upon you,'' Jesus, being the stronger of the two took
upon Himself all the care, letting me, the weak one, de-
light in His presence. AH went well of course, He being
Captain.
Last Saturday, August 15th, Brother Cooper returned,
bringing Brother Jenkins with him. I could not refrain
from shouting, Halleluiah ! Both were well and full of
joy, coming as they did from Gank'ing, which at pre-
sent is so lively, as it is a time of great refreshing there.
Until the autumn we shall remain here, then it is pro-
posed that Mr. NicoU shall come down from Chung-k'ing
and take us to a new station about to be opened between
that place and I-chang, called Wan Hien. Eventually we
hope to go to KwANG-si. Sad to think of, a whole pro-
vince without a single station ! I am in good health, and
never was happier.
Brother Cooper and I have been very happy together.
The two weeks that he spent in Gan-k'ing were very good
experience for me. A lesson in being alone (and yet not
alone) in a station. Not liking the idea of letting the
Sunday services fall through in my brother's absence, I
attempted, with the Lord's help and my teacher's, to carry
them on. The battle being the Lord's, all went well. I
was twice enabled to give a very short address in Chinese,
my teacher following. I never realised before how
completely Jesus Christ can make up for the absence of
everybody and everything else that ministers to our
happiness.
August 26tk, — " He is faithful that promised"; so have I
found my blessed Master to be ever since He enlisted me
as one of His humble followers. Seven weeks have passed
since I arrived at Wu-chang — seven happy weeks, spent
in study, writing, and in waiting upon the Lord. Nor did
I wait in vain ; daily my heart has been full of the joy of
salvation, and daily ^my wants, spiritual and temporal, have
been abundantly supplied.
Not finding study during the heat of the day profitable,
I arranged with my teacher to commence at 6 a.m. until
12.30, doing all my writing in the afternoon. This
answered better. My progress so far has been very
slow, which cirmcumstance, however, has not dis-
heartened me. He who helped me to overcome all
difficuUies to come to China, will also help to overcome
those I meet with in China.
^ibinqs fr0m Sraltmtr W0rhcrs.
From Mr. Hution.
Ning'hst\ June 1 3///.
Mr. Sturman, Mr. Horobin, and I arrived here to-day,
after an eighteen days' journey from Ts'in-chau. We
are all well and strong, and have suffered but little fatigue
from our journey. The mulemen who brought us are
starting back to-morrow, so we can only send these few
lines. We are staying at an inn, having entered the city
quietly in the heavy rain, which has been falling all day.
We will write again the first opportunity, and shall hail
any letters we may receive* here.
We are still trusting in Jesus with all our hearts, and
are finding the promise true, " As thy days so shall thy
strength be."
From Mr. Burnett.
Lan-chau^ June i6th.
You will rejoice to know that we are here in peace and
quietness. The officials have been round inquiring
about us, but as they showed a friendly spirit, and were
very respectful, I took it as a good sign, especially as we
had been praying ourselves for favour among the people,
and friends behind were holding us up in the arms of
faith.
We feel very happy here; the Lord makes Himself
very real to each of us. Friends at home think we
must necessarily feel dull, but they do not know our
joy and peace. Only those who have launched out into
the deep waters can really know what it means, but those
who have launched on the ocean of Christ's bounty can
understand something of its treasures and wealth.
From Mr. Laughton.
Lan-chau^ June iBtA.
I am happy to be able to write from here that we are
still dwelling in peace. Truly we have many things to
praise the Lord for. Since we started on our journey.
He has been our Guide, and we can say from our hearts,
" He hath done all things well." We are persuaded, too,
that He will continue to bless and keep us. How blessed
just always to abide in Christ, always to know and ex-
perience the fulfilment of His precious promise, " Lo, I
am with you alway." Yes, I experience this more and
more. I never was so happy in Christ as I am now,
never felt more of the presence of the Lord than now.
Before leaving home, I was asked by some dear brethren
in the Lord, how I expected to get on if sent to a lonely
station : they little know how near the Lord comes to
those who are thus situated.
I should have liked to have been able to write of pro-
gress in the language, but as yet we have been unable to
get a teacher here. I try at all times when I hear any
one speaking to get hold of a sentence or two, and we
keep looking to the Lord for a teacher, and are per-
suaded that He will enable us to get one.
We have had some visitors ; they come asking for
medicine, and Mr. Burnett always does for them what he
can.
From Mr. Easton.
Han-chung, Aug. 12th.
Two days ago, I received a letter from Mr. Hogg from
Si-gan ; they had resided twenty-seven days in the city
without any difficulty, and had, during ten of those days,
sold over 17,000 cash worth of books and tracts. He and
Mr. Phelps hope to return here about the end of the
summer.
The Shih-pah-li-p'u chapel is just finished; but not yet
opened.
CHINAS MILLIONS.
13
From Miss Marston.
Han River ^ ^^^' i-^'*
I have wanted to tell you what splendid times we have
been having, and how the Lord has been just showering
blessing upon us. We can only praise Him for the length
of this journey, for it has been a time of such quiet and
leisure for waiting on GoD, as I, at least, have never had
in my life before. Since Mr. Parker's arrival, we have
been more than ever brought together, and are of one
accord in asking for and expecting God's best gifts and
the full anointing of His Holy Spirit. He has shown us,
too, more plainly than ever, what joy it is to give up all,
and count all things loss that we may win Christ.
Please pray for us very much, as we begin our work at
Han-chung.
Mr. Parker is setting us all on fire on behalf of Central
Asia. May there soon be some to go in and possess the
land!
From Mr. C. T. Studd.
Han-chung^ Aug, 12nd,
Praise God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who have brought us in safety to the end of our lengthy
journey ; one in which His hand has been with us through-
out ; and oh, He has blessed us in soul and body.
In old times, all passed through the cloud and through
the sea to dwell in the Land of Promise : they had the
wilderness to pass through, but they murmured and did
not enter in through unbelief. So have we on board the
boat had our wilderness journey, but our wilderness has
blossomed as the rose. The Lord, who is faithful, has
kept us from falling into the sin of unbelief by His mighty
power to us-ward. Yes, oftentimes has faith nearly failed,
but the smoking flax He never quenches, but fans it into
a flame.
He has taught me many lessons, especially that of my
weakness, how my best powers and attainments can but
hinder Him — that if I live, and do, I must be a hindrance
to His working through me. Yes, I must be dead ; then
He can use me for His glory. "It is no longer I that
live, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal. ii. 20, R. V. Mar.).
Yes, indeed, dead, dead — dead to everything, to everybody,
to the opinions not only of the world, but also of the
Christian world. Peter not dead to the opinion of his
fellow-Christians fell, and was sharply rebuked by Paul.
This latter lesson is the special one that the Lord has
been teaching me. Glory to His name for ever and ever.
From Mr. Stanley Smith.
Ping' Yang,
You have no idea how fascinating the village work is.
You go out to a village and sit down by a group. The
people are always keen to hear, and so friendly. Very
shortly "the cup that cheers but not inebriates'* is
brought, and you have the fullest opportunity of telling
that story which always seems to be better for the telling
— the story of the Cross.
My prayer is — " Forsake me not till I have shown Thy
strength to this generation." God grant that every cubic
inch of one's being may be used to tell of Jesus and His
love, and in warning to flee from the wrath which is
] evealed from Heaven against all unrighteousness. The
time is short, and we have only one life to Uy at the
fc.t of our Master.
From Miss Stroud.
Chen-fu^ Aug. 6th,
Last Saturday, Mr. Riley had the joy of baptising three
more Chinamen. The church is growing, and He who
has blessed will bless. Pray that there may be nothing
in us to hinder the blessing.
From Mr. Cooper.
IVu-cA'ang, September lyth.
Just now this city (Wu-ch'ang) is full of students up for
the triennial examination, and we are making special
efforts to reach them with the Gospel. I have been
preaching in the London Missionary Society Chapel
several times. I never saw students so attentive and
respectful ; they gather in crowds and listen well. Next
Wednesday night we are going to distribute 20,000 gospels
and Martin's ** Evidences of Christianity " at the exit from
the final examination. Pray that this seed may bear fruit.
Oh ! if we had but 500 of them soundly converted and
imbued with the Spirit of Christ to save others, what a
revolution they would work in the province ! "Is any-
thing too hard for the Lord 1 "
Mr. Wood escorted Misses Todd and Malpas to Yun-
nan Fu ; they had a prosperous journey, and Mr. Wood
returned to Chung-king.
The Christians around Shih-pa-li-p'u (Han-chung)*have
completed their village chapel, which was opened on the
22nd August. This is their second (in that district) in
little over a year ; that is " Church Extension" on the right
lines.
Messrs. Burnett and Laughton seem to have got settled
in Lan-chau Fu. Praise the Lord ! and Messrs. Sturman,
Horobin, and Hulton, have reached Ning-hsia Fu in
safety, and were living in an inn there.
Messrs. Hogg and Phelps have been living at Si-ngan
and meeting with marvellous success in book-selling ; the
officials and people seem to treat them better than they
did our brother King.
Messrs. Slimmon and Finlayson had notice to quit Chau-
kia-k'eo (Ho-nan), but the Lord has answered prayer, and
they have got another house, and are living in peace.
From Mr. Summon.
ChaU'kia-^eOy August 15M.
You will be glad to join us in giving thanks to God for
allowing us to remain on here in quietness. To me it is
just another proof of the efficacy of prayer. Two months
ago nothing seemed more likely than that the Ho-nan
people were once more going to turn out the messengers
of Christ ; but, thanks be to God, whose ears are ever open,
He has heard the many prayers that have been offered
up by His children, and has turned the hearts of the
people. We have just to-day come to an agreement with
our landlord which enables us to remain in this house for
the next three months on the same terms.
The trouble we have had has proved a great blessing
to our souls in causing us to seek God with greater pur-
pose of heart, and we have all been much strengthened
thereby ; perhaps the greatest difference is in our servant ;
he seems filled with a great desire to make known Christ,
seizing every opportunity of preaching in the hall, and
dealing faithfully with those with whom he comes in
contact.
14
CHINAS MILLIONS.
|lton-e|^au ||r0bmec.
From Mr. Andrews.
Kwei-yang Fuy Oct, \si.
We have not as many attending the services now as we
had some time ago. I think the church members are
experiencing a work of grace in their 'souls. Oh, that it
may be a deep work. They are interested in the study of
the Bible, ana we have nice little gatherings.
I am thankful that my passport has at last come, and
hope to go on a short journey or two before very long.
From Mr. Owen Stevenson.
Yun-nan Fu^ Sept, yd.
We continue to have a good number of visitors, both
male and female. Many scholars who have come to the
examination, which takes place at the beginning of the
eighth moon, come to see us day by day. Mr. Eason and
I are desirous of making the best use of this opportunity,
both by word of mouth, and also by our books. I trust
that the Word of God may be like a nail fastened in a
sure place in many a soul.
From Miss Mathewson.
Gan-k'ing^ Sept, 15/A.
I am glad to tell you how much I like China, and how
happy I have been since coming here ; the Lord has
prospered all my way, and no good thing has He with-
held from me. I am getting on fairly with the language ;
it is hard to learn, but not so hard as I expected.
We have a good work going on here at present. Mr.
Geo. King is the pastor in the absence of Mr, Tomalin,
We have baptisms every month ; first we had twenty-two.
then fourteen, and yesterday we had sue, so the church is
increasing fast. We have felt the heat a great deal, but
are thankful for good health on the whole.
We had a delightful time with dear Mr. Taylor ; it was
a treat to have him with us for a little time.
Cbcb-Iuang iprobintje.
From Mr. Thompson.
KiU'Chau Fu^ Sept. yd.
I have just returned from my first visit to the out-
stations. While I went on to the two further stations, my
dear wife remained at Yuh-shan, and was able to visit, I
believe, every family in connection with the church there,
both in the city and at five, ten, fifteen, and twenty // dis-
tant. She spent a most happy and, I trust, profitable
time.
You will rejoice to hear I was able to receive three new
members at Yuh-shan, and that I left quite a number until
my next visit to learn more. I was also very pleased
with the state of the work at Ho-k*eo, the next station.
I was able to rent a new house. There are quite a
number of inquirers. 1 think these far-off stations should
be visited once in four months at the least.
At Kwei-k'i I was pleased too. In my last I spoke of
closing it, but I have seen the place since then, and really
dare not, for God has been working there, and has a few
children. Had we men, we might open three more sta-
tions between Yuh-shan and Kwei-k*i.
At Chang-shan we spent nearly three days, and I should
think the whole city came to see us — 500 women came at
the very least, and were spoken to by my dear wife, or by
myself when she got too tired to keep on longer. We
had also the Loras Supper there, and nine in aJl joined
the feast. We have quite a large number of inquirers
there, and hope soon to baptise a few. The Lord give
wisdom and grace.
Mr. McCarthy wrote, on Sept. 21st, of an old and
valued native helper : — " Mr. Chu was taken home to-
day ; he was only taken ill [with cholera] last night. He
seemed as well as usual yesterday.''
DBPARTUBBS.
Dr. and Mrs. Douthwaite left England to return to
China on Dec. 12th; and Misses Jane C. Oliver,
Sarah Wilson, Emily Taylor, and Mary L. Legg
left by the mail of the i6th, and are due at Shanghai
on Feb. 5th. Misses F. R. Kinahan and E. C. Fenton
leave on the 30th (D.V.).
-ill.
BABTWABD HOI
LAND of the sunrise, and uttermost isles,
Where morning in Asia the earliest smiles ;
The eldest of countries, the greatest, the last ;
Enchanted, enchained as the slave of the past ;
Where idols, dumb idols, are worshipped alone
In temples of error, and Christ is unknown ;
1 mourn for thv millions, all, all but ignored,
Still living and dying afar from the Lord.
O children of light in the isles of the West,
With the knowledge of Jesus distinguished and blessed,
To whom the dear record of life has been given
To bear it to all that are found boieath heaven.
Up, up with the sail I to the eastward away !
No languor, no lingering, no selfish delay ;
Haste, haste to the rescue, swift traverse the seas ;
Give, give ye the words of salvation to these !
They wait for the message, neglected they wait —
ShaU it come ? But for millions, alas ! 'tis too late ;
They droop, Uiey despair, they descend to the grave.
They perish, though Jesus is mighty to save.
They perish— they perish ! their blood at thy hands
O preacher, O Christian, the Saviour demands ;
For yet at Ilis coming, for soon at His seat
The neglecter of souls the neglected shall meet.
But their children are yonder ! Hark I hear you their cry ?
Conu aver and help us, come soon or we die !
'Tis you they are callitic — *tis you and 'tis me ;
Let us go to them, bromer, their brothers are we !
O land of the Bible and sweet Sabbath bell,
O land of our fathers, we bid thee farewell ;
To follow the Saviour, and publish His word
To the heathen who never of Jesus have heard. — H, G. G.
China's Millions.
BOAT ON THE ¥
C^t IliiTg's C^ambcre.
" Draw me; toe tuill run after Thee,
The King hath brought me into His chambers?
INE of the titles given to our Lord in the ninth chapter of the prophecy of Isaiah is, " Won-
derful," another is " Counsellor." The margin of the Revised Version, combining the two,
reads, "Wonderful Counsellor." And truly He is wonderful in counsel and excellent in
working. By ways very different from those which we could devise or execute. He trains
His people in their service, and thus makes them to become meet and fit for the inheritance of the
saints in light Then, when they are fitted for it, when the last polish has been received, and the last
lefinement has been gained, He takes away those whom we would fain retain, to grace the Paradise
above.
We know not for what He is preparing us, and consequently we cannot understand many of His
dealings. But we can do what is better — we can trust Him. Triumphant faith, — not merely submis-
sion to the will of God, but exulting delight in it, even when most crushing to flesh and blood, — can
novo sing in anticipation, as we shall all soon sing together —
" Our Jesus hath done all things well"
In the passage from Isaiah to which we have referred, the prophecy tells us that the government
shall be upon the shoulder of the Wonderful Counsellor, whose name is also called The Prince of
Peace. And it continues, " Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end."
FEBRUARY, 1 886.
1 6 CHINA'S MILLIONS.
First, He Himself is brought before us, then His government and its issue — peace, unending peace.
How often we lack the peace, because of want of hearty acceptance of Him and acquiescence in and
co-operation with His government.
And yet that government is no harsh or arbitrary one. The hand that holds the sceptre is a
pierced hand, and the shoulder on which it rests first bore for each one of us the heavy cross. Is it
not safe to trust the government of One whose love has redeemed us at such cost, and made us His
own at the price of His blood ?
" Oh, I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved's mine ;
He brings a poor vile sinner into His house of wine."
Such is the purpose of His grace, such the object of His government, even while here we serve
Him in such frailty and weakness. When yielded up to Him, He brings us into the banqueting house ;
and there causes us to feast on the finest of the wheat. With honey out of the rock He satisfies the
soul, otherwise so hungry and destitute.
And yet how ofttimes the believer is to be found weary and worn and sad. The banqueting
house is a thing remembered as in the past-^perhaps the distant past — and almost adds to the
sorrow by its contrast with the present. May not the cause sometimes be want of the faith
which unhesitatingly leans upon Him, and with unquestioning consecration yields all we have, and all
we are, and all we love, to His government and service ? A very little shrinking back, and the keep-
ing back of a very little, will prevent alike the increase of His government and the increase of peace.
Either He or we must be owner and disposer of all we have and are ; if we can and dare make any
reservation, we dethrone Him altogether and make ourselves higher and kinder or wiser than He is.
We cannot hold back that which is not ours.
In the passage quoted, the Bride seems to have felt an inward shrinking — "Ah, if I were
to commit myself utterly to Him, I do not know where He would send me, how He would deal
with me. Perhaps He would take my treasure from me, or perchance deny my desire or frustrate
my aim. I know Him; I love Him. I want to serve Him, and to go with Him as far as I dare ;
but I cannot utterly commit myself to Him." Is not this practically the position in which believers
often find themselves? afraid to say honestly, and from the bottom of their hearts, "ALL for
Jesus." And yet, with all this, there may be a real wish that one could do so — a real grief to
feel one's trust is so imperfect — a consciousness that the shrinking and the distrust are dishonouring
to the best and kindest of Friends. But the dread and the shadow of some broad cross keeps the
shrinking spirit back, until at last with a plunge the soul casts itself on His faithfulness, and says with
the Bride, " Draw me ; we will run after Thee. We will follow, and not tardily and at a distance."
" Draw me ; we will run after Thee." " Where'er He leads Til follow." "Anywhere with Jesus."
And what follows ? No sooner is the step taken than, instead of the shadow of a cross, the
countenance of a King is seen. The King takes the timid, trembling Bride by the hand, and brings her,
not into the furnace of affliction, but into His own chambers. There, in the sacred intimacy of com-
munion with Himself alone. He teaches her lessons of trust and love that elsewhere were sought in
vain. The banqueting house is precious ; the King's chambers are far more so ! If there are sorrows
into which no heart can intrude, there are also joys which no heart can share. We meet with plea-
sure, at the dining-table or in the public resort, a long-absent friend, but do we not take our friend
aside, and, in the quiet of some retreat, open our hearts the one to the other as we could never do
more publicly ? Thank God, the number of those is not small who do not need to be told what the
King's chambers are.
But precious as are such sweet communings of soul between the believer and his adorable Lord
down here, there are yet greater joys awaiting us when absent from the body we are present with the
Lord. " To depart, and to be with Christ," is, in the words of the Apostle, " far better." When the
com of wheat is ripe, the Master puts in the sickle and gathers the wheat to His own garner ; when the
training of service is complete, the scholar is taken from the school to await with those who have gone
before, the glorious day of His espousals, who shall soon summon His Church to meet Hm in the air,
CHINAS MILLIONS.
One after another, of those who seem so specially adapted to service here, that we would fain retain
them, is taken away, and we look on with wonder and regret that the worker is no longer here. Perhaps,
while we mourn our own loss, we sometimes forget the patient waiting of Him who, eighteen hundred
years ago, said, " Father, I long that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, that
they may behold My glory," Did we realise more fully the depth and the tenderness of the love of Him
who is the Fountain of all love, — did we realise that all our own feelings of disinterested affection are but
little tricklings from that great Source, and that that Fountain- heart is gladdened as one afler another
of His blood-bought ones, cleansed and refined, purihed and made white, passes in to see the King,
surely our joy in His gain would outweigh our sorrow in our loss ; and His joy, being realised,
would be the sweetest balm in our own deepest griefs.
MRS- RILB7.
"nnATHER, I will that they also whom Thou hast given me be with me where I am ; that they may behold My
IHB Blon" which Thou hast given Me." This has been our Master's will for our beloved sister, Mrs. Riley, for
9Jmm shg^ too, has gone from our midst, and left her loved work and her loved ones, to sec His face and be with
Him for ever. As we mourn her loss from the little circle in Chcn-l'u, where *e was so loved and so used, and must
for long be so missed, — where -we thought she was so much needed, we hear again our Lord's voice, " Are not two
iparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father," and we are comforted
by the assurance that "He doeth all things well." The following letters will be read with painful interest by many
who have been wont to remember her in their prayers.
. PROM MISS STROUD.
■ORCTOBER I5i',i.— A fortnight since I wrote Idling of
lffi|l the binh of the twins, and that di^ar Mrs. Ril«y
^^B" seemed to be making sluw but sure progress. A day
or two later remillcnt fcvei mailc ils a|ipearancc, and this
leemed to biiog out deur one very tow ; then, again, the
iniervals were longer, and last Thursday and Friday she seemed
lo much improved, taking food much better, and looking for-
ward to being about amongst us in strength and health. But
God had belter things in store for His beloved child j for her it
was the call to come up higher. On Saturday the fever returned,
on Sunday morning she hail two consecutive attacks, which
left het very weak, and on Monday morning, about four o'clock,
■fler a weaiy night of pain, she entered into rest-
She knew she was going, and at one time said, " If I were
not lo lired I should like to see them " ; and when Mr. Riley
atked : " Who ? The native Christians t " she replied, " Yes ;
but I am so tired I eonid not speak to them." She said, " I
" ' Jesns can make a djing bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are-' "
Another time she repeated the 33rd Psalm, partly in the
Biblical, and partly in the metrical version, and I shall not for-
get how she empbAMsed the words, " For Hi is with me."
At the last she was too weak lo speak, but she seemed per-
fectly lo trust. In reply to something that was said with regard
toher little ones, she replied, " I leave them to GOD and to my
husband."
Her work for the LORO in China has been r.o small one. It
is so touching lo sec the grief of the native Christians. Truly
her works do follow her.
Mr. Riley bears up well. Hia one aim seems to be lo glorify
God, and serve Him more zealously than ever. He has bought
a piece of ground outside the east gate, and the funeral is to be
next Tue&lay (D.V.).
1 have not spoken of my loss. Only Gou knows how great it
is, fur only Ue knows all she has been to me during the past
two years- The children are my care-
FBOM MR. BAMUBL B. OLAREB.
JggJTHER letters beside mine will convey the sad inlelli-
ifiaj gence of Mis. Riley's death. We prayed and hoped
B^sfl God would spare het for the work's sake, but He had
determined otherwise, and, without doubt, for the best. We
know that all things work t<^ther for good to them that love
Cod, and ihat He never makes a mialakc. The passage
which I think is the most fitting at this time is, " Blessed
i8
CHINAS MILLIONS.
are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea,
saith the Spirit, that Ihey teay rest from their labours ;
and their works do follow them.**
She will be sadly missed here, for she was an able and most
devoted missionary. It was a pleasure to hear her speak to the
Chinese. She knew the language remarkably well, and the
women would sit and listen in a way that showed they were
deeply interested. She spoke as if she believed the Gospel her-
self, and her words in many cases produced conviction. The
number of women in the church here shows how the blessing of
God rested on her labours ; and we have reason to believe that
women who heard her but once or twice have given up the wor-
ship of idols, though they have not become Christians. The
native Christians loved her. The anxiety both men and
women showed during her illness, and their grief at her death,
prove that she had won their affection and esteem. Our native
preacher has been right down ill for the last two days, and I
think it is nothing but grief on Mrs. Riley's account. The
neighbours also, several of them, have manifested their sympathy
in a practical way, and sent presents of money ; these Brother
Riley has declined with thanks, for, poor people, they have
little enough to spare for themselves.
I know Brother Riley will have your sympathy and prayers,
both for himself and three little ones. We all hope that this
visitation will be the means of rousing in some minds a deeper
interest in Si-CHUEN, and that, where one has fallen, many may
come to fill the vacant place.
§.n0l^fr Itffo Statbit in tijt S^n-si 1|r0bma*
FROM MB. BALIiBB.
|HIL£ at Ping-yang we opened an out-station
named Shih-chau. It is situated about three
days* journey to the N.W. among some high
mountains which form the watershed of the Fen and
Yellow rivers. The way in which we were led to open
a station there affords a striking instance of the manner
in which God overrules the rage of man for His glory.
The history of the whole affair is as follows : —
Three years ago a scholar from that district came to
T'ai-yuen Fu, the provincial capital, to compete for his
M.A. degree. On passing out of the Examination Hall, he,
inconmionwith his fellow-students, received a copy of either
the Gospel or New Testament. Hetookithome,butalasI like
many more, both in China and England, took little or no
interest in its contents. Not wishing to keep it himself,
he gave it away to' another scholar named K'u Wan-yih,
who not only read it, but also believed it. He found in it
what his heart longed for, but, though believing, he knew
of no place where he could be more fully instructed.
Soon after^ he came to P'ing-yang for an examination, and
learning that there was a '* Jesus Hall " in the place, came
to learn more of the truth. As a result he took back
several Christian books, and in due time was baptised
by Mr. Drake.
Being an earnest man he soon began to make his
altered views known, and by God's blessing succeeded in
bringing some of his fellow-villagers to exercise faith in
Jesus. For this he was persecuted by his neighbours
and friends, but principally by the District Magistrate,
who seems to have a special antipathy to the Gospel.
This man beat one of those who believed, and in many
ways sought to hinder the spread of the truth. He
insisted on the Christians subscribing towards idolatrous
theatricals ; in secret he urged his underlings to treat
them hardly.
GOOD OUT OF EVIL.
On the matter being represented to a Mandarin of
higher degree, he at once issued a proclamation stating
that the Christians were to be allowed the free exercise of
their religion. In addition he sent me a letter written in
the most friendly spirit, containing expressions of regret
that any coercion snould have been used at all.
As he seemed so cordial we decided to open a station
in this city; and, on sending a native, found he was able to
rent a house without difficulty.
Messrs. Beauchamp^ Cassels, and I accordingly visited
the cit^ and moved mto the house. It was a good size,
containing six rooms, kitchen and servants room,
stables, and a good well. The rent was only 22,000 cash
a year, say between £^ and 5.
After staying with them a few days, I started back for
P'ing-yang, intending to visit the home of these Christians.
Their village was forty miles distant, and we wished to
reach it before nightfall, but rough roads and a slow mule
made it impossible. We mistook our path and found
ourselves wandering towards the next province, Shen-si.
Happily we found the right road again, and after a long
and painful journey reached our destination about ten
o'clock, footsore, hungry, and tired.
THE HOME OF A NATIVE CHRISTIAN.
On entering the cave-house of the elder (K'u Wan-yih),
I saw that which refreshed me at once. On the table
lay copies of the Old and New Testaments. Doth were
open and had evidently been studied. On the left-hand
side of the cave John iii. 16 was written up on a good-sized
piece of paper, and on each side was a suitable inscription
in favour of the Word of God. At the end of the cave
several passages from the Gospel of John were neatly
written on laj^e sheets of paper, and also flanked by
similar inscriptions. To feel I was under the roof of a
Christian there, in such an out-of-the-way place, took away
a good deal of my weariness. They gave me a most
hearty welcome, and fairly out-did tJiemselves in their
efforts to prepare me a supper.
This important part over, we gathered together for wor-
ship, and nad a time of much power from the presence of
the Lord. About twenty were present, including women.
The following morning I had to leave them. I should
have liked to have stayed on with them, but it was impos-
sible. I left feeling truly grateful to God that I had been
privileged to see the power of His Word and Spirit so
graciously manifested ; and I could not help feelings too,
that, while we do well to pray for the foreign missionaries,
we do better to
PRAY FOR OUR NATIVE BRETHREN.
They need our sympathies and prayers very much ;
tempted, tried, looked down upon, and often hardly
treated, they oft-times find it hard work to hold on and
serve the Lord. The joy of the Holy Ghost is needed to
sustain them. It is by their means that the future Church
in China is to be raised up ; and upon their piety and
godliness the character of that Church depends. Let us
pray for them constantly. So shall we see the name of
the Lord magnified.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
19
% $^^0& |0unijejT Sufflij §.cr0m^Ks]^e!tr.
FROM MR. HUTTON.
IING-HSIA, July 13///.--I think I wrote you last
from Han-chung Fu. Messrs. Sturman, Burnett,
Horobin, Laughton, and I left there on April
30th, and arrived at Ts'in-chau on May 9th. This
journey, notably a hard one, was unusually rough because
the rainy season had commenced ; however, with several
thorough wettings and a few blistered heels we reached
Ts'in-chau. We were glad to enjoy fellowship with Mr.
Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, and with Miss Jones. The
province of Kan-suh probably never had such a band of
workers within it before, and we shall not soon forget the
happy Bible meetings and prayer gatherings we enjoyed
together. Messrs. Burnett and Laughton left us for
Laji-chau, the capital ; and on May 27th, Mr. Sturman,
Mr. Horobin, and I started for Ning-hsia, and arrived
here on the 13th of June.
This latter journey was made easier than it would
otherwise have been, through the kindness of our friends
at TsMn-chau. They not only entertained us well whilst
with them, but also loaded a donkey for the road, with
such provisions as none but kind. Christian, motherly
hearts would think of. Moreover, Mr. Parker having pre-
viously travelled the same road to Ning-hsia could tell us
where we could obtain necessary provisions. It was as well
that we had these helps, for the road is probably as bad
for travelling as any in China ; the accommodation is
very poor, owing to the depopulated state of the country,
the result of the great struggle between the Mohamme-
dans and Chinese some years ago, and also to the brackish-
ncss of the water in several places. We passed dozens
of villages, and several cities, entirely ruined and de-
populated, and close by them, among the coarse grass, lay
the bones of the slain bleached by the sun.
We suffered a little from thirst, but were able to ob-
serve in this trial the kindness of Providence : the Lord
supplied our real needs by the time they became urgent
One day we were able to get a drink of cold tea from
an old lady selling it by the roadside ; upon another day
a shepherd-boy was watering his flocks just as we passed,
and he gave us plenty to drink.
The last day but one before we reached our journey's
end the muleman, who all along had not known the way,
took the wrong turning, and we soon found ourselves m
difficulty. We journeyed on some distance, and presently
forded through water which reached to the girth of the
mules. Soon we forded a similar depth of water, but in
attempting to pass through a third, the feet of the
animals sank into the mud, and we with our boxes were
capsized into the dirty water. It was with difficulty that
the mules and boxes were got out, and we were able to
Eroceed. As we approched the Yellow River the road
ecame very bad, and some hours passed away before
the animals got through the last marsh and were stand-
ing on good ground awaiting the ferry to take them over
the river.
The following day, amid torrents of rain, we reached
this station, in good health and in excellent spirits.
We could not do other than thank GOD for His gracious
providence in bringing us so many thousands of miles
without a single accident. We have journeyed about
2,500 miles from Shanghai to here.
We have three rooms in an inn, and having engaged
a teacher, hope to make good progress in the language.
The quietness of the people here, and the cheering
prospect of opening a permanent mission station, are no
less causes for praise than our deliverance upon the road.
The Lord is good indeed : He has been a Father to us
in so many little things which would otherwise have been
troublesome to us. We three are all happy in Him, and
have real fellowship together.
WLamms Wim\\ m ^;m-lun0*
FROM MISS BABOLA.7.
[CTOBER I2TH.— We three at the west gate have
recently made two small journeys. The first
was a boat journey up the river as far as Tong-
hu ; we all felt that the fresh air and change did us good.
Then we had been invited to Hien-shan, so a fortnight
ago we went. There is indeed an open door there for
work, hundreds of women living just round about. We
learned a good deal of Chinese life while there. I never
thought I could be so much at home in a Chinese
family, and make such real friends among the natives as
we did there. We came back in baskets, which is a
comfortable mode of travelling.
November 12M. — Since Miss Evans took the school up
again I have been able to go out visiting nearly every
day. I now study all the morning. In several cases
lately we have felt encouraged in the work amongst the
women here. One afternoon some ladies whom Miss
Mathewson and I had visited once in the summer, called
to see us, and asked for a book about our religion. We
gave them the Gospel of John ; two days later I went to
see them, and found they had read the book through and
wanted another ! One girl was very much interested,
and asked questions about what she had been reading.
We have been again since and left them a Testament.
On Saturday, October 31st, some women came from a
village four // away to see us and hear the doctrine.
One was the married daughter of one of our Christian
women and has been before; this time she brought her
aunt, and told us there were numbers of others who
wanted to hear, would we not go and tell them ? Of
course we promised to go. The next Wednesday morn-
ing Miss A. Taylor and I went. We stayed to dinner,
and came back late in the afternoon. There were
crowds of women, and they were not, as usual, thinking
only of our dresses, etc., but really wanted to hear. I
was so glad that they understood my words pretty well.
One woman said that once before some of the ladies had
been visiting a house near, and she had run to see them,
but they had gone ; so she had never heard. She
listened quite eagerly, and after dinner, when some other
visitors had come in she began to tell them : " They tell
us that this Jesus loves us better than parents love their
children ; and He was punished for our sins." Another
woman, while I was talking to her, turned round to the
others and said, " This is better than our Chinese doc-
trines ! " She wanted some books about it to show to
her husband.
We promised to go back soon, which we can easily do
30
CHINAS MILLIONS.
as the distance is so short. Last Sunday the gentleman
of the house where we dine came to the morning service.
Tuesday afternoon we called again at the mandarin's
house where we were so well received before. The three
daughters and several others were talking with us. We
showed them some pictures about the gospel stories, and
when I began explaming to one of them they all listened
most attentively. I wish you could have seen their faces,
especially when we came to the cross. They thought it
so wonderful that the Son of God should die like that for
us. The eldest daughter asked after: **We want to
know, if we worship God and pray to Him in our own
room, will He hear us ? And what words must we use ? "
I told her it did not matter what place, but we must ask
in the name of Jesus, and said something about God
being our Fathers but they said directly, "Oh, He is
better than our father ! ^ We left them a Testament, as
they are able to read.
I had a nice time one day at the house of an old
woman who was baptised here in the summer. She is
very poor and very ignorant. Her friends have been
persecuting her for coming to the chapel, have taken her
house away, £md made her live in a straw hut. When I
was sitting with her friends she said, " Do tell them what
we heard last Sunday." The Sunday-school lesson had
been about the water being turned into wine. I asked
her to tell it She said she had forgotten a great deal,
but it was about some people at a wedding-feast who had
no wine, so they asked Jesus for it, and He made the
water into very good wine. And she said, " It is just the
same now. If we want something, and ask Jesus for it,
He will give it us. It is He who gives us all we have."
There are some other houses where we are well re-
ceived ; but as a rule the people in the city seem too
busy about other things to care to listen to the GospeL
Those in the village are much more ready to hear.
It was a year ago last Tuesday since we landed in
China : " Not one word hath failed."
Jfrnm tjyt Jiarn 0f ^iss Ctrtlia % SEtiirrag
|IU-CHAU, September 5M.— To-day I went with
Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Wang to visit the
parents of one of our girls. The father is a
Christian, but the mother is not. They had a feast pro-
vided for us, and after we had eaten, Mrs. Wang spoke to
the crowd that had collected to see us. Afterwards we
visited a temple. A crowd assembled at the entrance,
and Mrs. Wang spoke to them. We were thankful to
have the opportunity to sow the seed. May God give the
increase.
September 6t/t^ Suftday. — Some fresh women were pre-
sent this morning at Chinese worship. In the afternoon
Miss Macintosh and Miss Gibson went out to visit among
the women, and I was left with the children. I read with
them Matthew v. i-io, and then they learnt and repeated
it. It is the first Bible-lesson I have given the girls.
September 1 2th. — The children are all well and happy,
and very good. My dear sisters, Misses Macintosh and
Gibson, and myself have good health. We have many
comforts and good things, for which we ought to praise
the Lord.
September 19M. — Misses Macintosh and Gibson have
been visiting women in their homes, and crowds have
collected in the houses, to whom they had the privilege of
speaking of the true God and Saviour. The girls are
looking so bright and happy. We take them out with us
for a walk daily. Some of the elder girls love the
Saviour, and can speak of Him to the heathen. We
think it is not only good for the girls to be out, but it
does good to the people, who have got strange prejudices
about the school, thinking we have some strange purpose
in keeping them here.
September 2oth^ Sunday, — This afternoon the chapel
was filled with women who came to see us. Mr. Thomp-
son went out to preach in the street with a banner, on
which was a text, in large characters, to draw the atten-
tion of the people. Many heard the Gospel to-day.
September 26th, — This morning Miss Macintosh and I
took ten of the smaller girls for a walk on the city wall.
The day was fine, and the dear children were so pleased
to be out. We were asked into a house, and a crowd of
women came round the door to see our little flock, and
were interested in hearing them sing some hynms, which
dear Miss Macintosh explained.
FROM MISS M. MURRAY.
[ANG-CHAU, N(n'. 14/^— We have lately been
so much cheered by open doors among the
mandarin's wives and daughters. They come
to see us in the evening, as it is not the custom for them
to go out during the day. They have invited us to
dinner several times, and shown us much kindness.
Many of these ladies can read, and it is such a joy to see
them take up the precious Word of Life, and read it as
they do now to each other.
Dear friends, think 1 We are only able to see a few, and
there are hundreds and hundreds of women in China
who would gladly welcome you, if you came with the
same glad tidings. We had six or seven here to-night
listening to the Gospel. On Friday rilght several came ;
one lady, a mother, brought her two boys, and all listened
to the message of salvation. Now there are four Bibles in
that home, praise God. One of the ladies here to-
night said that her daughter read the book she bought
here (the New Testament) every morning before her hair
was dressed, and her mother went on to say that she had
observed her in tears while reading.
Can you, whose souls are lighted, deny this Lamp of
Life to these perishing sisters / W^e are asking the Lord
for ONE HUNDRED women evangelists for the women
of China, and I believe God will hear and answer even
more abundantly, as He always does, above our asking.
May some who read these words have the joy of being
sent.
Pray for the evangelist and for the native Christians.
Ask a blessing on the sale of Bibles and tracts. Pray for
each one of us by name, and for our dear woman, now
helping us every day in visiting. The LORD keeps us in
perfect peace ; to-day there was a crowd and a noise at
the side of our house, but we just looked to our faithful
Keeper, and it was not long before the crowd was gone.
We heard our woman tell the i)eople that we were not
afraid: **The Lord is our Light and our Salvation,
whom shall we fear?''
CHINAS MILLIONS.
CHINESE COOLIES WAITING FOR HIRE.
23
CHINAS MILLIONS.
Mnman s Mnrk in ^foei-gatig Jfxt*
FBOM MRS. ANDBBW.
|R. ANDREW is writing, so will probably give
most of the news, but I may be able to tell
you something about the women. We have had
a good number coming to the services lately, and a num-
ber have visited us during the day.
One old woman, who came last Sunday, wanted to
know what she must do to get to heaven. She asked me
to go and see her, and I hope to go this week. May the
Lord lead her to Himself.
There are three or four women who have asked for bap-
tism. One is an old woman named Mrs. Yang, whom
Mrs. Broumton may have written about. Last year, when
we came here, she was attending the services, but then
she used to get her living by fortune-telling. After some
time she said she wanted to serve the true God ; so she
gave up the fortune-telling, and now earns her living by
making thread. I went to see her last week, and she gave
me her tablet to heaven and earth. Her husband was an
opium-smoker, and came here to be cured. He, too,
desires to join us. I believe he is a true Christian.
Another woman is the mother of two of the schoolboys.
She began to come when we opened the boys* school. She
has given up her idols and serves God.
The third is the wife of the evangelist, and the fourth
is my servant, the wife of Tsu, the tailor, who was bap-
tised last year. God grant that many more may be led
to see the folly of bowing down to blocks of wood and
stone.
We have only ten girls in the school now, and I think
we shall not take any more at present, as I should like to
give as much of my time as I can to the women.
I am afraid we shall lose the girl U-mei, who is en-
gaged to the heathen man. Her mother has done all she
can to get the engagement broken off, but the man says
he will have her, and that he wants her this year. May the
Lord give her the courage she will need to stand firm.
%^ii% 0f a ^m% itikge fflork.
FROM MISS LANOASTBB.
|FTER a brief visit to England, I returned to China,
and reached T'ai-yuen on June nth. Shortly
after my arrival I accepted an invitation to visit
the village of Ta-ts'uen. I went on June 20th, and found
the village one of considerable size, and about forty //'
from T'ai-yuen. The people gave me a warm welcome,
and I was invited to stay at the house of the first baptised
Christian. Many people came in to chat, and a quiet
time was not obtained until towards evening, when little
companies of eight or ten were told the Gospel. Many
seemed much interested. Towards eleven o'clock we
had evening prayers, and afterwards a short singing- class
to practise over a hynm that it might be better known
next time. At a late hour we were left to rest until about
four next morning, when visitors began to arrive. Many
invitations were given and accepted, and about thirty
patients came for medicine. May the seed sown in this
village of Ta-ts'uen bring forth fruit for the Master's
glory.
WU-CI.
June 28M — Miss Home and I started for this village
about eleven o'clock. The distance being only fifteen
//, we reached our destination about one. We went to
see an old woman and her grand- daughter who had lived
with us for more than a year, but had returned home a
little time since.
Unfortunately the old lady had started for the city,
and we missed seeing her ; however, we soon had fifty
people to listen to the Gospel, told them simply but
earnestly by Miss Home. Afterwards we were invited
to another house, where some dinner was prepared. Here
we had few to listen, the relatives of our old friend seemed
to think of little else than how they could get us to take
the old lady back again. We could not do this just then,
but felt that she greatly needed our prayers that her faith
might be strengthened. There are others also who need
to be remembered at our Father's Throne.
HSING-TS'UEN, SIXTY LI FROM T'AI-YUEN.
July Zih. — We started quite early for T'ai-ku which is
1 10 // from here ; but finding the roads very bad owing to
heavy rains, we turned aside, and taking by-roads, came
to the little village of Hsing-ts'uen. Here our mule was
fed ; but as there was no inn in the place I remained
seated in my cart.
A good congregation of about 150 men, women, and
children soon gathered. All were very friendly, especially
the men. Many of them came and asked if we had
opened an opium refuge yet, and if they might come soon.
One man appeared interested, accepted a book, and
promised to read it to his neighbours. The women were
very inquisitive ; they had never seen a foreign woman
before, and therefore some excuse could be made for
them. On inquiry I ascertained that the French priests
had been there, and that one household had been con-
verted to the Romish faith. None^ the people said, had
been to tell of Jesus.
WU-SHIH.
July lyth, — This morning, in company with my old
Bible-woman, I started for the above village, distant from
T'ai-yuen thirty-five //*. The day was cool and cloudy,
and the roads, although much better than last week, were
a little rough. On our way we passed several villages.
We received a warm welcome from the people, and felt
sorry that so many were absent at work in the fields.
The old man who last year promised to sweep a room
out very clean if I stayed there, was the first to meet
me. He seemed very pleased to see me, and soon
commenced cooking operations. His wife, who was
weaving cotton cloth, rolled up her machine and put it away,
as if saying ; " You can be set aside until another time,"
The companies of women were small, but seemed willing to
listen. One old lady, seventy-two years of age, was
brought to me by a neighbour, who said, " Tell her the
Gospel, she is old and must die soon." I did tell her, and
old Han-ta-sao, my Bible-woman, pointed her to the only
way of salvation by simple tmst in Jesus. Three young
men came and wanted to see our books. To one of them
I made the remark, " This book is about the true God."
He thanked me, saying, " I'll read it three times, and
then I shall be able to remember it all." Soon after a
very respectable man came, saying, '' I should like a book
about the true God. The gods we have been worship-
ping are all false."
CHINAS MILLIONS.
23
On our homeward journey our carter stopped at a
roadside pawnshop to redeem a pledged article. The
pawnbroker asked who I was, and on being told, sent
politely for a book. I gave him and two other respect-
able men a copy each. They immediately formed three
p^roups (about thirty were present) and commenced find-
mg out what the book was about May He who can use
even a word, lead them to know Him, whom to know is
life eternal.
(To be continued^
Citrmgs frnnt Sraltetr Mnrlurs^
Frcm Mr. Meadows.
ShaO'hing^ Nov. yd.
Fine weather just now for going out to the villages. I
have just come in from two where we have been preaching
to-day. The people do seem indifferem, and sometimes
very suspicious. I am daily waiting for an answer to the
united prayers of the friends who have agreed to meet
daily for the outpouring of the Spirit upon us. May it
soon come and cheer our hearts.
From Mr. Williamson.
Fung-hwa^ Oct. \st.
Tidings with regard to the work at Tai-chau are good,
and I hope soon to be able to report a few baptisms. A
man from Tien-t'ai was baptised at this place on Sep-
tember 6th, and there are six or seven more hopeful
inouirers there ; the attendance and interest have improved
of late. Mr. Vaen is starting to spend a few d«iys at Ning-
hai and T*ien-t'ai. I am just preparing to start for T'ai-
chau. Cholera has been prevalent there for some time,
but by the last account, it was abating. A good deal of
robbery still goes on in that neighbourhood, but otherwise
all is now quiet.
We have enjoyed moderately good health through the
summer, and I am hoping that I may be able to get about
a good deal during the next three months.
From Mrs. Williamson.
Fung'hwa^ Oct. 21st,
It is indeed cheering to hear how the Lord is stirring
up His people at home, and of the interest taken in the
work here ; and as He is raising up so many to come to
this needy land, we are looking up to Him and expecting
a great blessing in answer to pniyer, at all our stations.
Although we have very little to cheer us here, yet we are
thankful that things are a little brighter than they were.
We trust that the seed sown in this city and neighbour-
hood may yet spring up and bring forth fruit not many
days hence. There are several women here who, as far
as we can judge, are seeking the light. There are three
inquirers at Ning-hai and two at Ho-zi.
1 have just heard from Mr. Williamson. On Tuesday,
20th, nine persons were baptised at T'ai-chau ; of these
two men and three women belong to the city ; two men
and a woman were from Hwang-yen, and an old man from
Sien-kyii. Two have also been baptised at Tien-t'ai.
Praise the Lord, O my soul ! My husband writes that
they have had two days' meetings with the native helpers,
and that he is much dieered by the aspect of affairs at
most of the stations.
You will be glad to hear that Mrs. Vaen is much better,
and has been out visiting among the women again. We
are having lovely weather just now. We get good tidings
of and from our dear children ; they seem quite happy at
Che-foo, and we are truly thankful to have them so com-
paratively near that we can hear from them often, and can
also have them with us for a short time once a year. We
are looking forward to a happy time with them at Christ-
mas.
From Mr. Stoit.
Wun-chau^ Oct. 12th.
Yesterday was Lord's Day, and we had a happy and
profitable time ; six persons, well known to us for a long
time, were baptised, and afterwards sat down with us at
the Lord's table. This makes twenty-five baptised since
we began to use the chapel in May. Some of those
baptised yesterday were very interesting to us ; one is a
lad of sixteen, the youngest of three brokers, whose father
accepted Christ about five or six years ago, the two elder
brothers three or four years ago ; one, a young woman,
a victim of the opium monster. She was married when
fourteen to a young man learning to smoke the drug.
Since then a fortune has been spent by the young hus-
band, his wife's clothes and her bed sold for the drug, and
he has thrashed her dreadfully when she could not find
him more money. Some time ago he drove her away, and
now threatens to sell her. She can read the Scriptures,
and for two years has been a bright, intelligent Christian.
Please breathe a prayer for her.
A new district has been opened up to us lately, for
which I have prayed for the last fifteen years, and we are
having our hearts encouraged. How good is the Lord,
and how kind !
From Mrs. Stott.
IVuft'Chaii,
You will be glad to know that our little band of
Christian women is now at work for others. They have
chosen one of their own number as their Biblewoman, and
give her one dollar a month. This is the first Bible-
woman that I have heard of who is paid by native women.
Will you pray for much blessing on their effort ?
From Mrs. Thompson.
Kiu-chaUy Oct. 19/A.
We were very much encouraged the other day, when
the evangelist here told us that when he first came to
open this station he met on the boat a young man who
was a vegetarian ; he spoke to him of the true God, and
before parting gave him some books, and I think Mr.
Wang said that it was eight years afterwards that, being
at Chang-shan, a man came up to him in the street, and
said, " Oh, teacher, are you here ! I have read your
books, and am interested, and so are two of my friends."
Mr. Wang invited them to come and hear more, and now
they are all three baptised Christians. The third was
baptised when Mr. Randle and Mr. Thompson visited
Chang-shan, before Mr. Randle left for England. So
that was fruit found after many days. Praise the Lord I
|Amng-su |Jr0bincc.
From Miss Wilson.
^hanghaiy Nov. 16M.
The Lord has been so filling my cup with blessings
here at Shanghai, with dear Miss Jane Black. As usual,
Shanghai suits my health, and gives me opportunities for
work or rest. Thank you very much for the paper in
which we have read Mr. Webb Peploe's addresses on sin
and grace ; nothing has helped me more for a long
time.
CBIN^S MILLIONS.
From Miss Fosbery.
SAttngAai, Nov. 2i/A.
r Immediately after dear Miss LUtlejonn's funeral, I took
charge of Mra. Sharland's school, while she went to Amoy
to make arrangements for movJDg the school there. We
are now waiting in Shanghai for a steamer to take us to
Amoy. Just now there are only Miss Wilson, the Misses
Black, Mr. Lewis, myself, and the children staying here
at the mission -house. We are all well.
From Miss Evans.
Yang-chau^ Sept. 27th.
We had a very good service this morning, and a good
attendance. In the afternoon I had a nice class of women,
who listened most attentively ; a few seemed quite
anxious about their souls. One dear old woman said,
" Can I have that joy and happiness you speak of, seeing
I cannot read about J esus, ana that I am very ignorant ? "
In reply, our woman spoke up, and said that a blind man
could obtain this happiness through believing in Jesus
Christ. She said, "It is your heart that Jesus wants, and
not your learning ; I cannot read a word, but I do be-
lieve that Jesus died for me." Our dear woman is so
bright and happy.
Oct. is/. — We have had a nice class of women to-day,
about twenty-five, including two or three children. The
Lord is giving me the desire of my heart, praise His holy
Name. We have been praying that He would enable us
to form some classes for women before I return to Gan-
Ving, and this is the third this week. 1 am very pleased
to ^o back lo my dear girls, though I should have been
delighted !o stay here, or to go anywhere else for Jesus.
I do trust that 1 have given up my will entirely 10 the
Lord. I do love the dear women here very much ; the
few months I have spent here have been very happy ones.
The Lord is working ; the dark clouds will soon break
in mighty showers of blessing. May the Lord keep us
believing and receiving. I hope to do a little village work
before 1 leave.
Fro.m Miss Jeanie Gray.
Yangchau, Oct. I2lh.
The Lord is blessing us here. 1 do love Yang-chau,
and the people too. Should God ever call me elsewhere
I shall always praise and thank Him for this home. It
will be so nice to have Miss Lily Webb with us. We
shall miss Miss Evans when she goes; she has helped us
in many ways, but it is blessed to know that the sisters
who leave us are all spreading the glad tidings in other
places.
From Miss Stevens.
Yang-c/iau, Nov, mk.
You will be glad lo hear thai we feel tjuite at home
and very happy here ; our sisters gave us such a warm
welcome that they made us quite forget that we were in a
Strange land. This only makes me long to be up and
doing. Pray that we may all learn the language qmckly.
I feel that China needs hundreds of workers yet. I feel
so weak and unable to stand alone ? will you ask the
Lord to keep me very close lo Him, and then 1
shall be a faithful worker, strong in the Lord of Hosts.
From Miss Agnes Brown.
Yang-chau, N'ov. ^fh.
Oh, I do thank the Lord for sending me to China ; we
do all indeed feel as one— just what Jesus wants us lo do.
Miss Webb and I went out to visit some of the women,
and it was so blessed to hear my dear Scotch sisters
speak, and to see how these poor souls listen so eagerly
to the Gospel. We had a small crowd following us yes-
terday, but they behaved very quietly, indeed more so
than our people do at home when they see foreigners in
the street
From Miss Lilv Webb.
Yang-ckau, November bth.
I thought I should like you to know bow very thankful
I am that I came to Yang-chau. I cannot tell you how
happy we all are. My soul is just filled with praise to
God for bringing me out to China to help win these dear
women for Christ. I went with Miss Gray on my first
visit to a Chinese home yesterday ; it was scarcely any-
thing I could say to them, only a few broken words, but
I am glad we can pray for and love them before we can
speak ; the kindly feeling the women showed us was
delightful.
From Miss Byron.
Yang-chau, November bth.
Dear Miss Murray is gaining strength every day, and
she is very much better now than she was when she
came from Chc-foo. Yesterday was Miss Le Brun's
birthday, and Miss M. arranged that we should have a nice
social evening; but just as we were about to meet, eight
women came in with four or five children. They have
been here before ; as they cannot come in the day-time,
they come at night. We sang two or three hymns, and
then the Gospel was preached to them ; we had a delight-
ful time ; they stayed till about nine o'clock, and after
that, our evening went on as bad been planned. I have
been greatly helped in speaking since I nave been here.
I am so thankful that I was sent here. I do so much
enjoy our Saturdays.
6:tn-bluitg IprBfaiiuc.
From Miss Mathewson.
Gan-k'ing, Oct. iilk.
Misses Taylor, Barclay, and myself were invited to
Hien-shan some time ago ; our servant belonging to that
place went with us, We stayed for eight days, and could
not have been more kindly treated had we been with our
own relations. The testimony of our teacher and servant
was so bright ; when we had crowds of women in a large
quiet hall, we felt so thankful to have those two men, one
after the other, to put before the poor people Iheir need
of a Saviour. The people in the villages aie so much
more ready lo receive us than the city people. Many
got to know a little and want to know more ; they
pleaded with us to stay, and we did feel leaving them
without any one to help them. We are praying that
some one may be sent lo live among them. Much seed
was sown by these two men ; now they need so much
some one to follow it up. It makes us (eel how helpless
we are in ourselves.
Pa-pc|^ ^rofaiiitc
From Mr. Cooper.
Wu-ch'ang, September 26/A,
We have been very busy here over a systematic
distribution of gospels and Martin's "Evidences of
Christianity " to the students. The examinalion passed off
quietly, and we are praying for blessing on the seed sown.
From Mr. Richard Gray.
Wu-ch'atig, Oct. s/h.
Though but a short time in China I have been here
long enough to know that there are many things trying
to the flesh; yet praise the Lord we are more than
conquerors in all these things through Him that loved us.
The joy of otw souls does not depend upon outward cir-
cumstances. Old Dan'el Quorm justly spoke of the
high level and the low level road inside the strait gale,
those on the one serving the Lord with gladness, while
those on the other went moping along, burdened with
CHINA! S MILLIONS.
as
anxieties. Through God's grace I hope to be a traveller
along the high level road, and serve my Lord with joy
and gladness.
Elach of us had our share in the distribution of books at
the triennial examination just over. The scholars received
the books with avidity.
From Mr. Jenkins.
Wu'Ch^ang^ Wednesday^ Oct. Jfh,
Last Sunday and this evening our cook brought an old
paral^ic to the services, by carrying him on his shoulders.
He visits a good many, and exhorts them to come and
hear the Gospel, and this poor old man pleaded his in-
ability, as he can only crawl on hands and knees, where-
upon the cook volunteered to carry him if he were willing.
He will (d.v.) continue to fetch him to the services. I
hope he will get saved.
From Mr. Gulston.
Sha-sh'iy Oct. \()th.
How precious it is to know that our God and Father
sees us m all our littleness, and expects from us no more
than it is possible for us to render to Him : yet how much
we can render Him in being satisfied and restful in
heart — in having our mind one with Christ Jesus,
and knowing that His loving heart is rejoicing in our
abiding in Him. I find it very blessed to be cut off from
the many props which once I leaned on, and to know His
presence as sufficient to give joy unspeakable and full of
glory. But there is need for prayerful watchfulness, for
one is not yet "within the veil.'* I have just completed
my eighth year in the " new creation," and can say, with
all humility, that the past three months, since coming
here, have been the most peaceful and blessed of all since
first I was found of Jesus.
Since Brother Dorward's return we have had much com-
munion and prayer about Hu-nan, Kwang-si, and all
the work to which we have been called.
1 feel great longings for Holy Ghost power in my own
soul, partly because of blessing already enjoyed, and also
in view of the immense need which surrounds us on every
hand. However, I rest in the Lord, as He knows all the
need, and will meet it, whether by using me or others, for
He shall see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied,
when His chosen from China's millions shall sing " Unto
Him that hath loved us."
From Mr. James.
Sha-sh'i.
The song of praise that wells up in my soul this evening
is well expressed in that sweet hymn we so often sang on
the voyage, " Praise the Lord." Every moment comes to
us laden with blessing, giving us cause for unceasing
praise.
Sept, 25M. — I cannot express the peace and joy of soul
with which the Lord so bountifully enriches me. I am
beginning now to find the truth and preciousness of a
remark you made on board ship, that as believers it is our
privilege to take the promises of the Word in the present
tense, mdicative mood. Thank God for their realness.
I find increased pleasure in my path of service, and the
language is a delight. To God be all praise.
From Miss Malpas.
Ynn-nan Fu^ Sept, ^th,
I like Yun-nan Fu very much : it is a bright, clean city.
Dear Miss Todd and I go out nearly every day, and au-
though there are several thousands of students in the city
for examination, yet we go in and out without any inter-
ference. There are a large number of hamlets within easy
distance and the village people are not nearly so pre*
judiced as those in the city. There are a goodly number
of women coming daily, and some often repeat their visits.
Many of the surrounding towns and \'illages have heard
the Gospel message from Mr. and Mrs. Eason. We are
praying that Mr. Eason may soon have a good helper to
go on the streets and to the markets with him. We have
helpful Bible-readings, and blessed seasons of waiting
upon the Lord in prayer together. I do thank God for
the privilege of being a >\ntness for Jesus in this dark
land. My heart overflows ^nth gratitude as I recall His
past mercies. He makes Himself so real : He is ever
near. Now I earnestly pray that He will make use of me
and give me the joy of turning many from darkness to
light, that many may praise the Lord through all eternity
for my coming here.
From Miss Todd.
Yun-nan Fu^ Oct. 13/^.
Miss Malpas and I are very happy together here : we
have a very good teacher. We have visited three villages
outside the city where no foreigner had been before : the
people received us very kindly and listened attentively.
We have been praying much that we may be endued
with power for service, and I know and feel that the Lord
has heard our cry, and that He is going to give us the
" exceeding abundantly." I believe the Lord is going to
do great things for China.
From Mr. Fred. Steven.
Tii'li Fu.June iSt/t.
I have hopes of the conversion of a Mohammedan boy
(the one who is standing by his fathers knee in the picture
from Across Chryse). I believe Tsung-t'ien is a saved
soul. My boy Ren-sen gives satisfactory evidence of a
change of heart. He fails and stumbles, but repents and
cries to God for keeping grace in a way that pleases me
better than an even, decent demeanour, with nothing
either good or bad in it. He is a good deal better than I
was at his age soon after my conversion, and is a great
help and comfort to me. I have had several opium cases
lately, always successful, thank God, when I have been
called in time to have any chance. I had nearly a whole
day's work with one a few days ago. Last Saturday a
horse was brought for me from an aboriginal village three
miles away. This afternoon I was called to see a young
man of twenty. When I got there he was already dead.
From Mr. John Smith.
Tti'/t Fuj Sept. 14///.
You will be glad to hear that Brother Foucar and I
have arrived safely in Ta-li Fu. We left Chung-k'ing on
July 14th, and arnved in Yun-nan Fu on Aug. 20th, and
here on Sept. nth. We travelled forty-five days, rested
seven Sundays, were stopped two days by the coolies,
and spent six days in Yun-nan Fu, making sixty days in
all for the overland journey. Our rest in Yun-nan Fu
was very refreshing. Our heavenly Father has watched
over and protected us all the way. Day by day I feel that
He is blessing me more and more.
From Mr. Hogg.
Hatt'Chung^ Sept. 16/A.
I am glad to be able to report that we returned safe
and well in body and soul from our three months' tour on
the Si-gan plain. We travelled over 950 English miles :
and sold books in two Fu and twelve Hien cities, and in
many large villages and small towns. We did not make
a prolonged stay in any of these, save at Si-gan, where
we remamed for nineteen days. We did not experience
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
China's Millions.
CHINESE PUNISHMENTS— THE PILLORY AND THE WOODEN COLLAR.
C^j pngitom €amt.
" Hii kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion isjrom generation to generation." — (Dan. iv. 3.)
E DO NOT often quote the words of a heathen monarch as the text of a
sermon, but the noble confession of Nebuchadnezzar may well suggest
many helpful thoughts to us — thoughts, too, as encouraging as they are
helpful. It is a prolific cause of much failure and loss ; of much dis-
)uragement and inactivity, to realise insufficiently the truth that the Lord
King. No small part of the failure of Christianity to claim long ago —
id to-day — the people of all nations for our Master may be traced to this
le error. It is all-pervading in its injurious effects, and to remove them
the cause.
} we hear the expression "the Gospel 0/ the kingdom" used,' and when
evidently little more than a meaningless phrase ! And yet how full is the
; blessings brought by and enjoyed under His rule.
28 CHINAS MILLIONS.
" Blessings abound where'er He reigns,
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains;
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blessed."
•
Let us then prize this great truth of the Kingship of the Lord Jesus, meditate upon it, act upon it,
proclaim it, more and more.
The New Testament as well as the Old bears abundant witness to it. The angel announced
before His birth, " The Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David, and He shall reign
over the house of Jacob for ever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end." To Pilate, the Lord
Himself bore witness : " My kingdom is not of this world." " Art Thou a king then ? " " To this end
was I born." Bom to reign. He acted consistently through His life of ministry. As a King, he called
his apostles authoritatively to leave their properties and employments and follow Him. As a King, He
laid down the laws of the kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount. And, as a King, He despatched His
ambassadors to preach the Gospel of the kingdom. With royal dignity He witnessed before His
sacrificial death to His Kingship ; the title over His*cross proclaimed it, and from the grave He was
raised up and exalted by God as Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and remission of
sins. As a King He is now gone into a far country to receive investiture, and to return. We have
every reason to believe that that return is drawing near. The day of His coming will be a glad day
for some of His servants. " Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh shall find
watching ; verily, I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and
will come forth and serve them." There are other servants who will meet their Lord with shame and
confusion of face ; and worse still will be the lot of those His citizens who sent word that they
would not have this man to rule over them. Their rejection of Heaven's appointed King will cost them
dear, but will not alter the fact of God's appointment. HE has set His king. Will we gratefully
accept Him, and all the blessings of His reign ? or neglect them, to our eternal loss ? or reject Him,
to our eternal destruction ? These are the only attitudes open to those to whom He is offered.
We quoted above the words Prince and Saviour, as indicating the offices to which He is raised
by God. Let us mark well the order ; you must accept the Prince if you would receive the Saviour,
Many wish they were saved, and remain unconverted, because they do not give up themselves, their
wills, their all to God. Many, again, are only half saved, because they have not accepted the Prince
for this life, and consequently have no Saviour to effectually deliver them in the hour of temptation.
They see their life pictured as they watch some little child trying to walk ; it can creep, but when it
gets up and tries to walk, every step or two it stumbles and falls ; then up again ; then down again.
So it is with kingless lives ; they are now full of blessing, now lifeless and cold. Inconstant, incon-
sistent, unfruitful, are such lives. Oh, it does not pay to refuse the King ! As the prodigal starved
and was clothed with rags while the Father's house had the best robe waiting and the fatted calf, so
there is rest, there is peace and joy, there is fruitfulness and power inside the kingdom, never enjoyed
without. " Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Is it so with you, my reader ? Do you prosper in all you undertake ? Are all your prayers
answered ? Does each morning bring no fear ? Is each day a psalm, each night a thanksgiving,
sometimes, indeed, sung in a minor key — but sung still ? And if not, why not ? Are you really
seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ? Does your servant, as she goes into the
kitchen, see the witness of that kingdom there ? Do all the surroundings of the nursery and of each
bedroom speak of His rule ? Does He reign in the wardrobe ? Do your visitors feel impressed with
the reality of the kingdom, and each guest go away witness to the sweetness and out-and-out
thoroughness of His sway ? Are the children, the servants, the business, the work, and the recreations
alike put into His hand, with unspeakable restfulness and certainty of blessing ? Or, are there many
things, some things, perhaps only one little thing, about which you claim to decide for yourself?
Remember, that only one such claim dethrones altogether your Lord and Master, so far as lies in
r power, no matter how trivial the matter may be. It says :
CHINAS MILLIONS.
29
I WILL NOT HAVE THIS MaN TO REIGN OVER ME.
I will take His advice so far as / like ; will serve and please Him so far as / like ; but, to reign over
me — never ! I cannot trust Him ; I should be very sorry to do so. I feel safer with things in my
own hands.
Ah, self-deceived one, your heart knows full well that things are not as He would have them. All
your plausible arguments do not deceive Him. If you were living or meant to live in accordance with
His will, you would be only too glad to let Him be King, and to take in all His fulness, as you gave
Him all your weakness and failure. Then He would call and you would answer ; then you would call
and He would answer — the two are necessarily and always reciprocal and constant, or uncertain and
exceptional. Then you would indeed know the truth of Nebuchadnezzar's words (Dan. iv. 34, 35, 37),
for now, as then, " He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants
of the earth ; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou ? "
Is He King to you when He says : '^ GO into all.the world ; preach the Gospel to every creature " ?
or do you respond, " No, I will not have this Man to reign over me " ?
J^
^^f.cJ^'J^^^r^ ^
'^y^rr
600tr Citriit0s from Pim-rljung*
FROM MR. ARTHUR POLHILL-TURNER.
|AN-CHUNG, Nov, 17///.— We are happy in the
Lord, and we truly say, " Thou shalt guide me
with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to
glory." Blessed prospect ! With regard to our future
we feel ready to go just anywhere — anywhere with Jesus.
We have had the north of Si-ch'uen much laid on our
hearts since the return of Mr. Pearse, accompanied by
Mr. Thome of the American Bible Society, from a journey
to Pao-ning and Pa-chau, bringing such good reports of
the land, and of the readiness of the people to hear the
glad tidings.
Their sale of books was exceedingly large, and they
had grand times, although they met with many perils
through their animals stumbling on the bad roads among
the mountains ; but " the Lord keepeth the feet of His
saints," and they returned indeed in the fulness of the
blessing of the Gospel of Christ. We much regret the
prospect of losing Mr. and Mrs. Easton, for they have
endeared themselves to us all by their Christian love.
I am sure it will cheer your heart to hear a little of our
church quarterly meetings, which came off last Saturday
and Sunday — a time never to be forgotten. Our members
numbered over one hundred. The subject for conference
was, " Christians as the lights of the world." On Saturday
morning, from eleven till two, many of the natives spoke,
and great interest was manifested. The words of one,
a tailor, are worthy of record — if only you could have seen
his beaming face at the time ! He said : " I once had a
house and it was most unhealthy ; my wife and child got
ill, and everything went wrong ; the reason was, we had
not enough of the light of heaven inside " (a remarkable
statement for a Chinaman). He went on : " When I was
converted, I thought what good news for all my friends
and neighbours ; but they only opposed it, and I made
very little impression, so I felt that I hadn't enough of the
heavenly light within. I prayed to God for more."
Ever since his conversion he had been praying for his
wife ; every Wednesday night he would pray in public
for her at the native prayer-meeting. Well, on Saturday
he had the joy of seeing her baptized with fifteen others,
a sight which gladdened all our hearts. Each had a
separate and most interesting testimony to give, but
time and space forbid my giving details. One dear lad,
aged eleven, whose face resembles the setting sun, made a
Shih-pah-li-pu family complete ; one's heart went out to
see them all just filled with joy.
A very striking feature was the number of strong-
looking young men coming out boldly for the Lord.
Old Mr. VVei, the Shih-pah-li-pu leader, was in his usual
spirits ; he doesn't know what discouragement means,
though he lost his wife a fortnight ago. They all look
up to him as a father. One white-bearded man appeared,
to Mr. Easton's delight, who had been turned back by
his son to the idols. With a hearty salute he told Mr.
Easton that, by God's help, he did not mean to be led
back again. Another dear old man and his son, a burly-
looking fellow of twenty-eight, were baptized, also one of
the two leper boys that Miss Wilson was so much in-
terested in. One day, a fortnight ago, after a stirring
sermon from Mr. Easton on faith and confession, he left,
saying he wanted to see his father, and returning, said
that he wanted to enter the church, and had his father's
consent.
On Saturday evening we had a love-feast, if I may so
call it, or a "free-and-easy," with a repast of tea and
cakes, with hymns and speeches. Brother Easton told
of his first going up the Han, and commencing his work
there six years ago, and pointed to Mr. Ho as the first
convert. I looked up about the middle of the address,
and to my astonishment a great number of the assembly
were quite broken down, and there were stifled sobs
from all parts of the room — truly an unusual thing for
the Chinese. They presented Mr. Easton with a pair of
scrolls; also one worked in silks, representing Christ
walking on the water with the disciples in the boat, and
the ten virgins— a strange production, being thoroughly
native.
The chapel was crowded again on Sunday, and an
30
CmNA'S MILLIONS.
address from Mr. Easton on holding on to the end left
a deep impression on all. The attention of the people
reminded one of a Mildmay Conference as they drank in
his words. In the afternoon they met to repeat Scrip-
ture ; about twenty-five said the Ten Commandments, the
Lord's Prayer, and the Creed remarkably well.
I feel the best way of acquiring the language is to be
much among the natives. There is a most interesting
work goin^ on here among the patients who come daily.
A case of mterest occurred yesterday ; an attentive lis-
tener said that he had been seeking all his life to prepare
for eternity, but in vain. He drank in the words spoken,
took away books, and promised to come again. He
lives some twenty // off. Men come several hundred // to
get medicine. A man came in this morning, a native of
Tai-yuen, who had been to Shanghai and Tien-tsin, and
after listening attentively to the Gospel, gladly carried
away some tracts and books. ^ My brother and I go to
the dispensary every morning and pick up words, while
we also gain a little medical knowledge, which may be
of use.
Dr. Wilson's assistant, who was lately married to the
girl from Gan-kMng, now holds meetings every Sunday
night here for outsiders, and preaches the Gospel to the
neighbours without any assistance from foreigners. All
the natives, I feel, are coming on, and we may expect
them to do more aggressive work. The signs of the
times are stirring ; a • marked interest attends the
preached word everywhere. The country is so wonder-
fully open to missionaries. Mr. Pearse said that during
his last journey he never once heard the expression
" foreign devil 1 " My heart is very full of the mighty
works of the Lord, and I long to be at work preaching ;
but this quiet season is also very blessed and needful,
and we would not have it otherwise. I find the best
remedy for all ills is to keep praising the Lord.
We have just had the sad news of Miss Littlejohn's
death — I need not call it sad, when early death means
early glory. The only thing I ever remember hearing of
her was from the second engineer on board the Vefona^
who was converted through her instrumentality. Thus,
her works do follow her.
ytte ixam ^r^ €aapx ta Jfrunbs in Srotlanb.
^U-CH'ANG, Oc/oder 15M.— A few days ago I
received the sum of £6 7s. Will you kindly
convey my sincere thanks to all the friends
who thus seek to be fellow-labourers with
me in this great harvest-field — a field which,
1 consider, is second to none in its importance ; whether
we consider the vastness of its extent, the teeming
millions of its population, with all their civilisation and
wonderful capacities for business and other occupations,
or the possible future of its history when brought under
the power of the glorious Gospel. If, as many believe —
and which seems quite probable — China is to become one
of the leading nations of the world, at no distant date,
how important it is that every effort should be made, and
every power consecrated to the great and noble work of
regenerating this country I Is this possible ? Can China-
men, with all their lying, thieving, grasping, not to say
vicious and licentious propensities, become disinterested
followers of the meek and lowly Jesus ? Were you to ask
the question of the majority of European residents in
China (outside the missionary circle), they would answer
emphatically, " No," and declare that there were no real
converts in China, but that every one connected with the
various missions was merely a " rice Christian " ; but,
blessed be God, we know something of the power of
God in our own lives, and having seen the triumphs of
grace in this land, are prepared with one heart and voice
to say : Yes, China is beinf^ won to the Lord Jesus
Christ. Slowly, it is true, though none the less surely, the
props of superstition and idolatry are crumbling ; souls
are finding rest in the ark of safety, which they never
could find in the false systems of men ; and, oh, if these
despisers of God among our own countrymen, who set
themselves up to be critics of the Lord's work, were only
able to give the testimony I have heard converted China-
men give of the assurance of sins forgiven, the change of
heart produced by grace, and the glorious hope of eternal
life, how happy would be their condition I
I only wish I could convey to all those who pray for
China's emancipation some adequate idea of the extent
to which their prayers are being answered, but the work
cannot be gauged by tabulated results ; there is so much
being done which only the future, or even the Great Day
itself will reveal
Still, the fact that from north, south, east, and west,
we have tidings of souls added to the visible church,
and of others being removed to the upper sanctuary,
leaving behind them a decided testimony to the reality
of Christ's power to sustain and support m the hour of
death, is,surely sufficient to keep our hearts from faint-
ing and giving way in the conflict. We do not expect
to see Satan retreat without a desperate struggle ; it ill
becomes any soldier, much less a soldier of Christ, to
count on facing a sham foe. Any one coming to China
with sentimental, " feather-bed " ideas of driving the
devil away by mere philosoi)hy, will find he has made
a great mistake in his appreciation of the enemy's power.
No, we have a real foe^ a real conflict; but, blessed be
God, we have also a real and all-conquering Capiain, who
is able to make all grace abound towards us, that we,
always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound
to every good work.
You may probably be aware that during the last year
I have been engaged largely in secretarial work at this
station, and thus have not been able to devote myself to
daily preaching as formerly. Still the Lord has given me
a few tokens for good in connection with the services held
on Sundays. I preach twice on Sabbath, and also on
Wednesday evenings, but I believe in daily preaching to
the heathen, besides teaching the Christians. During the
year I have had the joy of baptising eight converts, and
hope to baptise five more in a few weeks' time. Besides
this my heart is cheered by the good work going on in
my absence at my old station, Gan-k'ing ; over forty have
been baptised there within the last six months ; and
when on a recent visit there, I had the honour of taking
part in the ordination of four elders to assist in the over-
sight of the work, which will, we trust, tend to its con-
solidation and self-support. Our object is to build up
self-supporting churches as quickly as possible, looking
upon ourselves as mere scaffolding, necessary only for
the erection^ not for the support^ of such churches.
It is just five years since I left home. How fast time
flies ! While praising God for all His goodness during
these years, I am conscious of many shortcomings, and
would seek again a renewed baptism of the Holy Ghost
to fit me for all the possibilities of "a man in Christ
Jesus."
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
3»
J'r0m ^rs. Sl^arkntr's |0itmal
|MOY, October^ 1885 — It will be matter of surprise
to my dear friends who read this journal to see
it dated elsewhere than from Che-foo On
September i6th we had a special holiday, and I took all
the girls a day's picnic to the lighthouse island, which
we all much enjoyed. I little thought it was to be our
last picnic in Che-foo. For some time past I had felt
strangely unsettled and restless, as though the shadow or
crisis of change were over me, but I quite concluded that
it was only from being physically and mentally worn. On
September 26th I went to the sanitarium for the usual
Saturday prayer-meeting and to talk with Mr. Taylor
over some school matters, and remained the night and
part of the ensuing Lord's Day. It pleased the Lord —
for that it was of Him I have never had a doubt — that
out of those conversations grew plans, which very speedily
matured, for opening a school in South China, and that
mine, one of the four already belonging to our mission in
the North, should be transferred. Only two places were
known to us, combining healthfulness and other suita-
bilities — an island off Swa-tow, and the English settle-
ment, island of Ko-lang-su, at ,Amoy. On Monday I
received warm invitations from missionaries then in
Che-foo, from both those places, but the superior advan-
tages of Amoy were specially dwelt upon, and the almost
certain inducement of a most suitable house being at
once obtainable there ; so on that day it was finally
settled that, if practicable, the school should be removed
to Amoy.
I now feared difficulties with my landlord, but the
Lord was so manifestly working, who could let it ? On
Tuesday my house became most unexpectedly re-let, and
thus three months* rent was saved. Four of my girls
could go to their homes till we were settled again ; Mr.
Taylor arranged to have the rest received and cared for.
On Saturday, October 3rd, I left Che-foo, and on Mon-
day evening I arrived in Shanghai, where I had the
warmest of welcomes from my dear friends, Mr. and Mrs.
Dyer, of the Bible Society, and much enjoyed my stay with
them. I felt much at parting with some dear kind tried
friends at Che-foo, and the breaking up altogether seemed
like a sudden troubled dream ; nevertheless, I was at rest
and peace, for I knew the Lord was leading me away,
and that He would be with me, and find me another
place to pitch my tent in, and give me something fresh
to do for Him.
On October 1 5th, by the good hand of my God upon
me, I arrived safely at Amoy. With regard to getting a
house, I have had a great deal of difficulty and trial. As
far as my own soul-life is concerned, I would not have
been without this experience, for it is good to have been
thrown entirely on the Lord, to hope and trust in Him
only, and to have received deliverance from Him. I am
thankful to have been able to engage some Christian
servants.
This is a very pretty place ; the island is composed
almost entirely of granite boulders, the hills being of that
fantastic shape peculiar to that formation. They are
dotted with the residences of the missionaries and other
foreign residents, with only two small Chinese villages.
The island of Ko-lang-su is laid out with good foreign
roads, and commands from every point lovely views both
of sea and land. The Chinese city is on the island of
Amoy, about ten minutes across by boat.
Provisions are all dearer here than in Che-foo, and
wages are much higher, so I shall now have more than
ever to look to Him who feeds the sparrows to send me
the needed supplies for those of my girls who are destitute,
for my own means will hold out no longer. I expect the
actual outlay for each girl, without clothing, will be from
eight to ten dollars a month (thirty shillings or more).
The expenses of eleven girls are covered, and of one par-
tially, but six pay nothing. I must not close without
mentioning instances of the Lord's loving and timely help,
which, coming from various sources, will clear the whole
of our traveling expenses, except perhaps from sixty to
eighty dollars. My rent will be forty-five dollars a month,
and servants' wages about thirty dollars a month, without
food. It would be a larger sum, but that I intend the
girls to help in household work.
A German widow with four httle girls, and who would
be a first-rate matron and housekeeper, as well as Ger-
man and drawing teacher, would be thankful to come to
me next spring, if I could take her children in return for
her services.
One thing more. May it please the Lord to incline
the heart of some well-educated Christian lady of sound
constitution, accustomed to tuition, able to bear the noise
of a school, accomplished yet domesticated and prac-
tical, a lover of neatness, order, and punctuality, with
sufficient means of hex own to cover all her own expenses,
or faith to trust the Lord for those means — may it please
the Lord to incline such a one to come and join me in
this work, for how sore the need is now the Lord and
myself only know. Amoy is thoroughly healthy and has
a winter.
600tr llttos fan yan-tljait.
FROM MR. BURNETT.
lEPTEMBER 15///, 1885.— Since my last letter to
you we have had the joy of seeing a precious
soul brought to Christ. It has given us much
encouragement, and has been the cause of hearty thanks-
giving. This is the first in Lan-chau, and I trust it is
only the beginning of a great blessing. I think I men-
tioned to you before that the two men on our premises,
acting as servants, were manifesting signs of the Holy
Spirit's work in their hearts, and that we were hoping to
see them come out on the Lord's side soon. Last Sunday
evening I had the small number of three gathered around
me— teaching them from the Gospel of Matthew. I had
been speaking of the love of Christ, and how the salvation
He offered was to be obtained, and urged them to come
and take Him at His word — believe His promise and
accept the blessing. After finishing, a solemn silence
prevailed for a minute or two. I could see by their faces,
and especially the coolie's, that a struggle was going on in
their breasts. I raised my heart in prayer that God
would enable them to decide there and then. Presently
32
CHINA! S MILLIONS.
the coolie stood up, tears in his eyes, and began to speak.
In the midst of his tears and sobs. he confessed, with
broken and trembling voice, his decision for Christ and
his desire for baptism. It was a glad time, seeing a man
come to Jesus in simple faith, who four months before
knew nothing of the Gospel and the peace in believing
Uie Saviour set forth in it I scarcely knew whether to cry
or shout, my soul was so enraptured I thought of the
joy in heaven, that the angels were making glad with their
harps, and rejoicing at the announcement of the glorious
tidings, another precious soul brought home. We are
praying and believing for the other two, and soon I trust
to be able to tell you of their conversion. I have a few
very successful cases of opium-curing here. The Lord
has been pleased to hear our prayers and bless the means
applied for their restoration. One case, especially, is
marked as being a wonderful cure. We founa the worst
opium-smoker in the district, who wanted to break the
habit ; got him to our house, fed him,'and gave him some
clothing ; prayed for him, and gave him medicine. In
less than a fortnight he was enabled to go back to his
house, outwardly a changed man. He comes regularly
to prayers in the morning, and is always present at the
services on Sunday and Wednesday night We are
trusting to see him come to Jesus for the cleansing blood,
that he may be inwardly changed and renewed. A Taoist
priest came to see me twice. I put the Gospel before him
and urged him to repent and believe. He told me his
history, and how he had been led to join the order of priests.
He confessed his belief in the religion of Jesus, and said
he knew he was only deceiving himself and other people in
practising the methods of Taoism. He promised to come
again, read the book I gave him, and make up his mind
what he would do. The triennial examination is going on.
I have had some of the literati here listening to the
Gospel. They have taken away books.
FROM MB. MoMULLAN.
|HUNG-K'ING, Oct. 3 u/.— Enclosed find a long
account of a short journey which I took with
Bro. Nicoll ; you will excuse the length, as it was
my first overland journey in China. The Lord was very
good to us all along the way, and we were able to dispose
of a good many books. Mr. Nicoll found the young
converts' spiritual life not as strong as we could wish; but
it must be very hard for a Chinese to keep near the Lord
when cut off from all fellowship with other Christians.
The work here in Chung-k'ing is in a very low state —
deadness among the Christians, and no conversions. The
Lord humble u& and take away everything which hinders
His work, and fill us with His Spirit
I propose leaving for another short journey on the
2nd. I am taking my teacher with me, and hope to use
largely the little of the language I have ^ot May we be
enabled to sow the seed with deep humility, and yet with
simple confidence that the Lord will water it
DIARY OF JOURNEY.
OcL 15/A. — Mr. Nicoll starts to-morrow to visit a
Church member who lives a few days' journey overland
to the north of this city. I purpose accompanying him,
hoping to scatter a few portions of God's Word and tracts
along the way.
Oct, 16M. — A fine dry morning, and after breakfast we
started on our journey, Mr. Nicoll on his white mule,
while I have a chair, but*soon find that my men are very
weak. However, as I walk a large part of the way, they
may do. The man who acts as Mr. NicoU's coolie and
servant is a big, strong fellow, and has a fine step. He is
not less cute than strong, and few could outdo him in
striking a bargain. My coolie is a little old hunch-backed
man of over sixtv ; the hump on his back fits the coolies'
carrying-stick admirably, and as the old fellow generally
takes the precaution to start before the others in the
morning, he is always up to time. Passed through a few
insi^ificant villages, in which we sold few books, as
foreigners are pretty well known. Arrived at Tu-tsu-
tsang, seventy // from Chung-k'ing, shortly after stmset
After our evening meal Mr. Nicoll asked our men in to
worship. Although to benefit the people b^ putting books
in their hands and preaching the Gospel is our chief aim
in travelling, the benefit of those who accompany us as
coolies, etc., is a very important consideration. The
others we only see at most for a few minutes, but these
we come in contact withj and they have an oppor-
tunity of judging of our lives for days, and sometimes
weeks to^^ether, so that it is hard to say how much they
might be influenced by patience and gentleness, by a walk
consistent with what we teach, and by careful instruction
in the way of Life. This is the first night I have ever spent
in a Chinese inn.
Oct, 17th, — Resumed our journey this morning. The
country is not so hilly now, mostly rice-fields, with here
and there hills of no considerable size. Again, the hills
get higher ; we descend into a valley, in which there is
a factory for the manufacture of coarse earthenware, also
a coal-mine. Dined in a small market town. A bright
little fellow of about twelve or thirteen, who understood
me better than the elder people, acted as my interpreter,
and I sold a good many books. I rewarded my little
friend with one of Mrs. Grimkd's cards, with which he was
delighted. We have travelled sixty //' to-day, and are now
in a small market town (Ta-lu-tsang), where we intend
resting to-morrow, the Lord's Day.
iZth October, — We have had a nice quiet day. Mr.
Nicoll preached to a considerable number at one end of
the town, then at the other, so that as many as possible
might have an opportunity of hearing the Gospel Lord,
Thou hast said that Thy Word shall not return unto Thee
void ; bless the word spoken and the books left at this
place.
Monday y 19M October.— h^h Ta-lu-tsang through a
drizzling rain, which soon cleared off. After travelling for
a short distance through a comparatively level country,
we passed through one of the finest ravines I have ever
seen ; it must have been about 15 // long and in many
places 1,500 or 2,000 feet high. We inquired its name,
and were told T'ien-kw'ai-tsi, or the hill that towers towards
heaven. A stream meandered along the bottom of the
valley, or in the more precipitous parts dashed over great
boulders of rock. Our road generally kept dose to the
stream. The sides of the hills were clothea with bamboos
and firs of varying tints, ferns and plants of different kinds
flourished along the road-side. I could not help thinking
that this ravine would yield rich stores to the geologist
and naturalist ; but there is something more valuable,
for as we proceed up the ravine we find a coal-mine in
working order, and several factories, in which they make
CHIN/IS MILLIONS.
'J
34
CHINAS MILLIONS.
paper out of the bamboo; but what shall we say of the
value of the perishing souls employed in these places ?
Had dinner at a market town called Ching-tsi-tun, at
one end of which there is a fine bridge with seven large
arches of about thirty feet in span. We are now in Tung-
liang Hien, sixty //' from Ta-lu-tsang, where we purpose
spending the night.
Tuesday^ Oct. 2oih. — As this is market day here, we
purpose staying a few hours. We sent a present of books
to the Hien, and he returned his card accompanied by a
present, consisting of a leg of mutton, four ducks, and two
fowls. We returned all these but the latter ; however,
they were sent back to us, and we had again to return
them, saying that we could not conveniently carry them.
Tung-Hang Hien is of considerable size, and the streets
are wider and better than in most Chinese cities. I
visited the principal streets, taking a man with me to
carry the books, and in a short time sold about 300
gospels and tracts. The people were very civil, many of
them buying one of each kind I had We left Tung-liang
Hien in the afternoon, and arrived about sunset at Liang-
sui-tsing, the clear or cold water well. Curious to know
if the name indicated an existing fact we asked for some
of the water, and sure enough it was beautifully clear and
cool, rather an exception to many parts of China.
Wednesday y Oct, i\st, — This morning again found us
on the road, and about 10 a.m. we arrived at Kuan-chii,
thirty // from Liang-sui-tsing. This place was formerly
a Hien, but for some reason has been reduced to a market
town. It is said that the Emperor's seal was lost by the
last official, and that the town cannot regain its position
until it is found. Market day here also, but the people
are evidently of a rougher class, and did not buy books
nearly so freely as at Tung-liang Hien. In this district
I have noticed that the wme-shops are more numerous
than the tea-shops, and in the evening the people become
excited and require to be cautiously dealt with. We left
about three p.m. Our road leads us up to the top of a
high eminence ; on the centre of this there is a knoll
almost round with a very large tree growing right on its
top. We ascended this knoll, and had a fine view of
Kuan-chii and two rivers of considerable size which join
here. Again descending into the valley, we follow the
course of one of these rivers until we reach Kuan-cbien,
and here I spend the night, but Mr. NicoU goes on eight
// further on foot, to see the young man (our Church
member) whom he came to visit.
Thursday^ 22nd October. — Very wet morning, but as I
promised to meet Mr. Nicoll a few // further we started
about 6.30 a.m. My men had to take shelter for a con-
siderable time, and I did not reach Pan-chii-yiien, thirty
// from Kuan-chien, until noon. One of my coolies had
to give up at this stage, and we had to send him home
and engage another. Though it is still wet our men are
willing to go on, and we leave for Pin -tang-ho, where I arrive
at about five p.m. Mr. Nicoll had arrived some time before
me, but his mule had made a false step, and they both had
landed in a rice-field. Mr. NicoU's boots and socks looked
as if he had been scouring a ditch. However, although they
had fallen about eight feet neither he nor the mule were
hurt, which was a great cause for thankfulness to God.
Pin-tang-ho is one of the largest market towns in this
district. This is market day, and the place is very busy.
I immediately got some books, and left the inn, but had
only gone a few steps when a large crowd gathered
round me, and nearly upset a man's stall. I saw the
people were excited with wine, and deemed it advisable
to return to the inn. After waiting for some time, Mr.
Nicoll and I went out together. We passed quickly
through the narrow streets into a large open courtyard in
front of a temple. We took our stand on a spot slightly
elevated, and were immediately surrounded by a large
crowd. We could not supply the books and take the cash
nearly so quickly as they were wanted, but the crowd was
becoming more and more excited ; some cried out that
they had not got books for their money, others tried to
take the books from the men we had with us ; they
pushed and crushed and yelled, but we stood firm and
tried to keep calm, and I lifted up my heart to God as
King that He might stand by us. Just at this crisis the
head man of the district appeared on the scene and soon
quieted the crowd. Nearly all the books we had out with
us were gone, and as the darkness was gathering fast
about us we returned to our inn.
Numbers followed us to the inn and bought books.
Between two men there was quite a rivalry who should
have most ; they insisted that we should turn out all
we had that they might possess at least one of each ;
two or three kinds we had only one copy of, and it was
rather a difficult matter to know which of these men to
give it to.
This unexpected rush for books had so far exhausted our
stock that we decided to return to Chung-k'ing by water
instead of by land, as we originally intended ; this will
enable us to reach home three or four days sooner than we
expected. We retired to rest, our hearts filled with grati-
tude to our Father for His watchful care over us this day.
Friday, 2'^rd October. — Nine a.m. again found us on
our way back. Market day at Pan-chii-yiien, and in a
few minutes we nearly sold all our books. At sunset we
were on board our boat and under weigh, Mr. Nicoll
having sent one of the men home by land with the mule.
Next evening, Saturday, we arrived m Chung-k'ing, having
made the run from Kuan-chii, 420 //, in a little over twenty-
four hours.
On this journey I sold 684 portions of Scripture ; 505
book tracts ; 722 sheet tracts ; the number of cash
received being 6,500.
Jf0r i\t ^mu%.
THE STOB7 OF A CHINESE BOY.
BY MISS FOSBERY.
PROMISED to tell you about some Chinese children,
so I will give you an account of a Chinese boy
named Shu-nga. Soon after I arrived in Che-foo this
boy was brought to the hospital ; he had a disease
in his knees, and could not walk, so Mr. Pruen asked me to
attend to him, which I was very pleased to do. Every morn-
ing I went into the hospital to bandage his poor tbin legs.
Sometimes I painted his knees with iodine, which hurt him very
much, and it made me very sad to see him cry. After a time
we put his legs into plaster of Paris, and this seemed to do him
good. He gradually got better, for we took care of him, and
^d him well all through the cold weather. But one day, when
he was feeling better, he went outside and stayed a long time in
the damp, and this brought on the inflammation in his knees
again, and he became very ill. He got worse and worse, and we
all thought he would die ; his throat got bad, so that he could
scarcely swallow anything. He would not take anything the
Chinese gave him, but I coaxed him to take just a little very
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
35
Strong beef-tea that I made for him, and he took it jusi to
please me. So I persevered in giving him beef* tea as often as
possible, and I believe that this, in answer to prayer, saved his
fife.
At night we used, to kneel by his bed, and ask God to
make him better. By-and-by he got much better, and as the
warm weather came on I had him come to the house that I
might (teach him to read. He soon leamt to read the first
chapter of ** Peep of Day," in the Chinese character. Every
day he listened to the preaching in the chapel, and gradually
understood about the Lord Jesus. One day I asked him if he
believed, and he said, ** Yes," and that he prayed every day to
the heavenly Father.
A little time before I left Che-foo I took him from the
hospital, as he was so much better, and had him in the house to
help to take care of four little boys we have there.
About a month ago he was baptised, and received into the
Church as a follower of Jesus. Is not this good news ? I
should like you to pray for him. He has no parents, and his
only brother is very poor, and has a good many children of his
own to keep.
When I was picking to come away he kept coming to my
door, and wanting to help me, and thanking me for what I had
done for him. He said he would ** beseech the heavenly Father
every day to guard me." I was sorry to leave him, but he has
other kind friends in Che-foo who will look after him. He is a
nice bright boy, with large dark eyes that sparkle as he talks.
He is about fifteen years old.
"I
Boles of vi Dear's ^lUliwfe Mori
(Continued from page 2^.)
FROM MISS LANCASTER.
|UGUST g/Zt. — Yesterday being a public feast-day,
work was not resumed this morning by many
tradesmen. Lu-hao, one of our young converts,
invited me to go to his village, Ta-ma-chwang. His wife
accompanied us.
VILLAGE NO. 5.— TA-MA-CHWANG.
Two hours' travelling by cart brought us to this pretty
little spot, so picturesque and wild, and with its houses
scattered, ana skirting a river-bed. The house we
intended visiting was built in among the sand-hills, a
good height above the main road. Leaving our cart
at the foot of the hills, we ascended by a winding path,
rather steep and rugged. An old lady bid us welcome,
and treatea us to a huge piece of water-melon, which she
divided by means of a large knife, not unlike the hatchets
used by butchers in England. From this cottage we were
escorted to another house, which proved to be a carpenter's
shop. Here there was not much vacant space, for a most
beautiful pair of ornamental cupboards, needing revamish-
ing, also a number of tables, etc., etc., took up the room.
However, it was here that we got our congregation — not a
large one, certainly, but a very interested one. The
stronger sex predominated, but we were sorry to find that
they were unable to read. As usual, many were curious,
ana did not care to listen, though several, we trust, heard
and understood something of the Gospel. We can but
pray that //» blessing may rest upon the line upon line,
precept upon precept, and cause the seed sown to spring
up to His glory. Several applied for medicine, and one
man with cataract promised to come into the city and
have it removed.
A meal was kindly prepared for us, after which, amid
many kind expressions and requests to visit them again,
we got into our cart and returned home.
VILLAGE NO. 6.— I-X'SUN.
September ind^ 1884. — Owing to the autumn rains
roads have been unfit for travelling, but to-day a visit has
been paid to the village of I -ts'un. Hearing of the sad
life of want and poverty of a young woman twenty years
of age, we went to make inquiries as to the truth of the
story. She is the daughter of a woman in our employ ;
has been married some years, but deserted by her hus-
band. The village lay on the other side of the river.
This we found rather high, but were enabled to cross,
a man leading our mule over. It was a rather pretty
place, date-trees overhanging the roads. The home was
a poor one, and the young woman we sought was in great
distress. We invited her into the city to stay awhile
with us, to gain a knowledge of the Lord, and to learn to
read. Her mother had promised to provide her with
food, as we try not to make " rice Christians." She gladly
accepted our invitation, and returned with us. The
people in this village were kind and friendly ; I inquired
and was told there were fifty or sixty families. I had a
congregation of nearly fifty persons at one time. This
being my first visit, the people had a number of questions
to ask, and for some time an interest in the Gospel was
not easily gained. I felt very sad, upon asking if any one
had been to tell them of Jesus, to receive the answer,
" No one." They did not seem to have even heard that
name.
Many came for medicine, men, women, and children ;
many varieties of complaints, but all within the reach ot
simple remedies.
On one occasion I was seated in a large room, some-
what resembling a country barn, a large number of
people staring at me with both eyes, who would have
used more if they had had them — at least I judge so from
the way they looked at me. I was doing my best to
decline with thanks a large piece of boiled pumpkin,
rind [included, pepper and salt excluded. I pleaded all
the excuses I could think of, and barely succeeded in
convincing my kind hostess that I was not hungry —
which was true as far as the pumpkin was concerned —
when a hand was placed on my shoulder, and a kind
little woman said, "Would you please step into this
little room and see a sick child who is not able to leave
her bed ? " Taking my medicine basket, I went softly
into the sick room. No sooner had I entered than the
door was closed behind me, and the usual cotton curtain
hanging at the back of the door was let fall. I looked on
the bed and on the floor, but no child was to be seen.
Was it invisible 1 " Where is the little sick one ? " I
asked, in great astonishment, and was still more sur-
prised at the answer I received : ** Oh, I only said that
because I saw you were hot and weary, and needing
rest." My friend meant it in kindness, but one could not
disguise the fact that it was an untruth ; however, it gave
opportunity for quiet conversation with a few women, and
resulted in an invitation to stay a week with them, one
woman offering me her room, apologising for the black
walls. I promised to return in the ninth month, and as
the time was wearing on, prepared to return home, but a
number of fresh patients arriving delayed me a little time.
Another start was made, still medicine was requested ;
several times this occurred before reaching the village
street. After many good-byes my cart was brought near,
36
CHINA'S MILLIONS,
and I got into it and asked the carter to drive on, but
just then an elderly man was seen running towards us,
so another halt was made. " Please will you come and
see my old mother ?'' I hesitated, and inquired what
was the matter. The man said her joints were stiff, and
she was unable to walk. As I thought this was not a
very urgent case, I promised on my return to bring
medicine, fearing I could not stay longer that day.
He seemed satisfied and went away. Some one said
as a joke, " Bring her ; carry her on your back." I
took no notice of this, and wondered why the carter did
not start ; then came a laugh from the crowd which sur-
rounded my cart, and the cry, " Here she comes — here she
comes ! " Sure enough the poor old lady was being car-
ried by her dutiful son, who was making as much speed
as he could with his burden, which was by no means a
light one. When he got near the cart he sat his mother
down in the middle of the road. I need not say I quickly
jumped down, and greatly comforted the old lady by
giving liniment and plaster. While this kind-hearted
son was carrying his aged parent back to her home, I
once more made a start for the city, feeling a little
reproved for my hard-heartedness, and longing for the
time to come when a similar earnestness would be shown
for the knowledge of the Lord Jesus as the Great
Physician. {To be continued.)
%Git% 0f a |0urmg ixnm Man pkir ia Pan-rj^itng.
BY MR. OOULTHARD.
I HIS journey is very seldom made, even by natives, so
much iterance as to distance and route prevails at
Wan Hien. The chair-hong people thought it was only
fourteen stages, whereas it is seventeen stages. They tried to take
me in, I thought, by charging 400 cash per stage, or 5,600 cash per
man for the whole distance. As it turned out to be three stages
more than they imagined, I was not cheated ; but the sum
paid just came to the amount I wished to pay, and which was
a fair sum for the journey. I felt God's hand was helping in
this matter, and when His servant, quite ignorant of the distance
and proper price, asked for guidance and help, both were cer-
tainly given.
The total distance from Wan Hien to Han-chung is 1,290 It,
The road beyond K*ai Hien is very bad. During rainy weather
the journey would be impracticable, as the mountain streams have
to be crossed and recrossed continually, and sometimes the path
is up and down the beds of mountain streams ; if, therefore, tnere
be too much water, it would be necessary to wait for days, weeks,
and sometimes more than a month, at one place until the water
fell. We were wonderfully prospered, and were not delayed for
half-an-hour anywhere.
The distance was accomplished io fourteen travelling days, which,
with three days of rest, makes a total of seventeen days. This is con-
sidered quick travelling. The inns are generally very poor. Food,
in some places, is rather coarse. Potatoes are largely eaten, and
oftentimes boiled with the rice. Rice is dear in many places, the
price varying from 12 to 24 cash (Jd. to id.) per basin. The basins
are very large, however, and one and a-half or two basins would
usually satisfy the hungriest man. Pork is largely consumed in Si-
chuen ; a striking contrast to Hu-peh, where we might travel for
days and never see a piece of meat. Coal and salt are produced
in parts.
The time occupied in the journey from Hankow to Han-chung,
a distance of 1,200 English miles, was forty days, less nine
days' stoppages, i>., thirty-one travelling days. This route
would scarcely be practicable for general travelling, since the
transport of luggage is expensive, and travelling in places and
at times so difficult.
To get the most favourable impression of Han-chung, especially
with regard to its mercantile status, the visitor should enter by
the East Gate. Before reaching the gate he will pass through a
very long and busy suburb, and, owing to its length, may imagine
hicnself to be inside the city walls until he reach the real gates,
which are far stronger and more imposing than those at the
entrance of the suburb. One seldom sees so large a suburb as
that situated outside the East Gate of Han-chun^. A traveller
from the south, upon entering a northern dty, is immediately
struck with the appearance of the low houses, so different from
the storied houses of the south ; and though the space occupied
by these low-built houses may cover as much ground as that
occupied by houses farther south, or more, the population will, in
all probability, be much smaller.
Entering Han-chung from the east, certainly I was impressed
with its size and mercantile importance, but I found that
towards the North Gate the scene changes and presents the
appearance of the open country. Houses and shops are fewer,
fields sown with grain are numerous, and, were it not for the walls,
one would think he was outside the city. This applies more or
less to the other gates, so that when one has seen the eastern
suburb and gate one has seen the best and busiest part of the cit)'.
The C.I.M. hospital, therefore, under Dr. Wilson's care and
management, is most happily situated outside, but not far from
the East Gate. It is near enough to the thoroughfare to ensure a
good attendance of daily patients, and yet sufficiently removed
to prevent over-crowding. The patients are admitted into a
good-sized waiting-hall, miere Mr. Pearse preaches the Gospel to
them, and then one by one, in rotation, they enter the dispensary
and are treated bv the doctor. The dispensary is very neatly
kept, well supplied with books, drugs, and all the necessaries of
a medical work. Did its windows only possess the bright-
coloured liquids in glass-stoppered bottles, we should imagine
ourselves in a chemist's shop at home. Every opportunity and
advantage is afforded to any one who wished to study medicine.
Books, plates, diagrams, and designs completely furnish the
means for the necessary knowledge of the healing art.
Crossing an area we come to the ward, which is a very
capacious building, and capable of containing a goodly number
of in-patients.
Han-chung seems to possess many good houses, which
resemble farm-houses at home, and are about as comfortable.
The houses rented by the mission have each a garden and
orchard, or drying-ground. The rooms are all upon the
ground, but, owing to the healthiness of the district, no
arm results from sleeping upon the ground-floor, as would
be the case in the south. I was very agreeably surprised
to find that such convenient and comfortable houses could
be rented in Han-chun^, as I was always under the impression
that the houses were little better than huts. Mr. Easton's
house is situated in the West Street, Mr. Pearse's in the
North-East, and the ladies' house near the South Street.
Behind Mr. Easton's house is a very commodious chapel, built
by the natives, and principally at their expense. It is very
neatly designed, and though built of cheap material, and roofed
with thatch, it looks quite as well, if not far better than many
chapels built in the south at fourteen times, eighteen times, or even
twenty times the expense. I was astonished to see such a good
substantial building, with class-rooms, erected for 120,000 cash
(jf 20), and with furniture complete for £2^. The partition
dividing the class-rooms from the main hall can be taken down
in a very short time, and the whole turned into one large hall
capable of seating 300 or more people.
Quite recently the native members at Shih-pah-li-pu, distant
from Han-chung twenty //, or six miles, have built themselves
a chapel, at a cost of 42,000 cash, or about £)i. Now they will
not need to come to Han-chung every Sunday, as heretofore, but
worship in their own chapel, except upon special occasions, such
as quarterly conferences, etc.
Opium is largely cultivated and very cheap here ; tradesmen
come from lon^ distances to purchase the drug. Tobacco is
grown in the neighbourhood.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
SDibings from Srato^tr Workers.
^tm-nmi ^rofainte.
Fkom Mr. Foucak.
Ta-H Fu, Oct. ind.
Since landiDg in Shanghai on March 3td, Mr. John Smith and
I have crossed nearly the whole of the Empire in perfect peace
and safety, arriving here on September lllh. ITius we were
allowed once more to experience that it is not a vaia thing to put
our trust in the Lord. Now we are here, the thing before us
next is the acquisition of the language. May I ask your prayera
that the Lord will prosper us even in this also ?
Six-t^m '^xaismct.
From Miss Butland.
CkeK.fu, Oa. 2jih.
Mrs. Nien, the first woman led to the Lord in this place, came
to mc a few days ago grieving very much. I knew the cause,
and tried to comfort her by telling her to think of the rest Mrs.
Kiley has now entered into. She said, " Ves, 1 know she is
with Jesus, and nothing Is wanting in hei happiness ; but I miss
her, oh, so much. It was she who first told me of the Saviour ;
it was she who since then has helped me so often wheti I have
been cast down by trials and persecution. She did know the
way at alt times to comfort and help one,"
Being Che first to confess Chiist, this woman suffered a good
deal ; but ^c is not the only one who feels that a peal helper
has been taken from ui. 1 have heard it from the lips of many
others. I feel grateful to have been with her the last year of
ber life. It is sweet to have a never-changing Friend to lean
upon. I think this trial has made me '* lean haj'd."
From Mrs. Wood.
Chung-i'ing, Nnv. l2tA.
I am thankful to be able to tell you that my Bible-class for
women is most eocouia^g ; every time I get new members
brought by the others. I meet them on Tuesday, Friday, and
Sonday afternoons from 3.30 to 4.30. I do enjoy the
time. I am so thankful to find I am so well understood.
The dialect being different from that at Gan.k'ino, I fell a
little peipleied at first. Many came in &om their work so dirty,
but they get interested, and come again washed and cleaned up
for tie occasion. I have taught them, "God so ioved the
world," "Now is the accepted time," " There is none other name
pven under heaven," and many other texts. Every time tbey
come I get them to repeat what they have learnt.
i^en-st ^tabince.
From Mk. Easton.
HoHehung, Oct. IJIA.
We enjoyed Mt. and Mrs, Parker's visit very much. Thev
expect 10 go to Lan-diau this autumn, from whidi place he will
take Miss Jones aod her Thibetan woman to Pa-ien-rong. He
hopes to organise Thibetan border work before giving attention
From Mrs. Wilson.
HaH-chung, Oct. l^k.
Yon will imagine what a surprise Mr. Conlthard's visit was to
us all. Having made the journey so qoickly, we did not even
know that he was on the way. You will have heard through
Mrs. Fearse that we are expecting that Mr. and Mrs. Easton will
soon be leaving us on their way nome. There is to be a qnar-
terl* meeting in a month's time, when it is hoped Uiere
will be several baptisms. Mr. Easton preached yesterday week,
with mnch spiritual power, from Romans ix., su^ect, " Heart
belief must lead to confession of lip," and invited any who
realty did believe to come and tell him so. The result was that
next day tbtee women came to him desiiii^ baptism ; alsointhe
course of the week the husband of Mrs, Easton's woman-servant
came forward, but Mr. Easton is hesitating as to receiving him,
knowing him to be a member of a secret society. While we were
away, Mrs. Mi's little girl, who, you remember, professed a
desire for baptism this time last year, was received as a catechu-
men, and given a little class in the Sunday-school of younger
scholars. She, loo, will most likely be baptised. She is be-
trothed to Mr. Ho's son, and her father-in-law has succeeded in
gelling her feet unbound. On Wednesday Mr. Easton went to
Shih-pah-li-pu, leaving Dr, Wilson to take the native prayer-
meeting here. Mr. Easton brought back word that Che interest
is increasing, and that there are several applications for baptism,
among them Mr. Siao's son's wife. If she is received that will
complete the whole family.
When I have time, I receive the women patients at the
hospital, and good old Mrs. Cheng is always willing to come
and help me to talk to them. She is most indefatigable in tl^
ing to gel a good class for me every Friday afternoon. It is
entirely owing to ber labours that I get such a nice number.
Oct. agri.— We have just witnessed an answer to prayer in
ihe return of U-da-keo's son from the temple. He is oere vrith
his newly-shaven head and ordinary clothes, and poor old U-da-
keo is very happy. He will not be employed by us, but be is
staying here for a time, U-da-keo offering to pay for his rice,
and will by-and-by gel work for him ; but he is very anxious at
present to keep him under his own influence, that he may hear
the Gospel and become a Christian.
Frov Mis.'i MuiR.
Han-ckuHg, Nm.
Now to tell you about all the people who are to be baptised
(D.V.) next Saturday — eight belonging Co the city {counting
Mrs. Fearse's woman, who was at Sbm-pah-li-pu before), and
eight from the country. My little Cheng NU-tsl is one of them,
I am very thankful to say. Is It not good of the Lord to let us
see the first-fruits from toe school ? Another one we are quite
as sure about, but her mother will not let her be baptised, and the
child is very sad about it. There are two girls who have left
Ibis year, who we believe are Christians too, and we hope we
may see them able to confess Christ some day. Their mothers
both belong to the Tuesday class held by Mrs. Fearse, and are
somewhat mterested, but one especially 10. I think the Evil
one is trying to hinder just now. Will you ask prayer for Chose
of the mothers who have been hearing the truth pretty regularly
for months or a year? Only one, Mrs, Chang, has as yet said
that she truly believes in Jesus. I will tell yoHlheirn- - -
: r^ular. The last half of this year seems Co be going
venr quickly; I do trust we may sec much more blessing here
before it closes. Yesterday Miss Marston had such a nice talk
with one of the elder children. She said she had not been trust-
ing lesu* for very long, but she was really trusting Him as her
Saviout now. She is one of chose who came fresh this year.
Do praise the I>oid with us for this — another token for good —
and go on asking Him for the conversion of all our scholm.
FROH Mr. STttRMAN.
Ning-kiia,Juty Vjtk.
We want power over all the power of the enemy manifested
here at Ning-hsia ; less than this will not satisfy our hearts, or
be an answer to our cries : we are here one in purpose, and we
must have some gems for His crown. We have a service every
Sunday morning. The brethren Horobin and Hutton have a
teacher, and to nim I was led to speak especially : yesterday I
felt him much laid on my heart before the service. Mr. HoroUn
told us Chat when reading with him last week, he told the teacher
that Jesus was very precious to him, and the few words brought
tears into his eyes. Yesterday be stopped an hour after the ser-
rice, and was apparently impressed. Out cook is also coming
CHINA'S MILLIONS:
China's Millions.
I TRAVELLING DLACKSMITII AT A FARM-HOUSE.
Cl^tjrful ^iiiiirg.
|HE Lord loveth a cheerful giver." Then, among those who sustain the work of God by
means of the China Inland Mission, there are a good many whom the Lord loves, for
more cheerful giving, if words mean anything, there cannot be. With the gifts, which
are unsolicited, and in the fullest sense free-will offerings, there come words which tell of
such prayerful interest in the work, and such deep desire to aid it, that we count it no small privilege
to open and read the letters which come day by day. The kind, cheering, helpful words which they
contain often cannot be read with a heart unmoved, or without the uplifting of the soul in earnest
desire that those who, of their abundance, or out of their penury, have so cheerfully and joyfully sent
their measure of aid to sustain the work, may themselves receive a present and abundant reward. The
following extracts may enable our friends to share our joy.
EXTBAOTS FROM LBTTBRS.
WITH 8j.
"A penny a week saved by four friends for twenty-four
weeks."
WITH 4f. /A' STAMPS.
" Enclosed are a few stamps, a small oifering from one
who has watched with interest the progress of the Mission
from its commencement ; btit the past seven years in ill-
health, and for a long time now unable to do anything
towards my own maintenance. But the Lord provides
for my needs, so that I have not wanted any good thing,
nor felt the pinch of poverty.
" Many thanks for the paper constantly received ; it is a
realchc
APRIL, 1886.
WITH iQT.
" I might say that since sending a similar subscription
this time last year, our home income was suddenly greatly
reduced— so much so that we could not see how we were
all to be clothed and fed — and one of my first thoughts
was that I would not get sending you this subscription.
But our Father ' hath supplied all our needs,' and not
only that, but hath crowned us with mercies which had
been the dreams of years gone by. What blessing I have
received from reading China's Spiritual Need and
40
CHINAS MILLIONS.
Claims, and China's Millions ! That the Almighty
God would continue to thrust out labourers into every
part of His vineyard, and to send a revival of religion
that would extend from pole to pole, is the prayer of one
of His saved ones." {Received January xst.)
Sometimes there comes a touching personal
allusion. Here is one : —
WITH A DONA TION OF los
" I am now near eighty-five, so cannot expect to be very
much longer here. The Lord is good in giving me so
much strength and all my faculties. Now, dear brother,
may the Lord whom we serve bless you and yours, and
be with your precious childrep in the far-off land. I have
read of them with deep interest, and for tkeir future wel-
are I pray, I hope, night and morning. I fear I shall
weary you with this long letter. It is said out of a full
heart comes many worcTs. May the Lord pour His
Spirit more and more on the dear workers, both at home
and abroad, of the China Inland Mission." ijanuaty 15/h.)
WITH 35. FOR ''CHINA'S MILLIONS'" FOR
SELF AND FRIEND.
"The letters [in China's Millions] bring much
stimulus and blessing to our own souls. I find it so, and
it brings the workers so near to us, keeps them in our
remembrance at the * Throne of Grace,' tor often as we
read we have to close the book and lift up our hearts in
prayer for them and China, and great refreshing comes
to us, and it sustains our interest in them as no other
missionary magazine ever did ; and as I read of their
faith and self-denying love, my own heart is enlarged,
and the little magazine is a means of grace.'' {Jan. vjth,)
WITH CHEQUE FOR izoo.
" The gracious GOD is prospering your work. It is His
work to bless human maans. How condescending to
employ those who, throughout their training, are being
taught their utter emptiness, complete nothingness, and
entire corruption — but alongside of this, His sufficiency.
His fulness, and His new creation ! Oh to rise every
morning with the heart's desire and prayer to do a day's
worky^r Jesus, a day's work by jESUS, and a dJ^s work
with Jesus, and to lie down with the consciousness 'that
we are a day's march nearer home,' and each day's little
service and testimony not in vain in the Lord 1 The
Lord our Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, bless you
and your household, more and more, and all the labourers
in ^xid/rom and to China." {January aytk.)
WITH ^600.
" I have the privilege of sending you ;£5oo for the
China Inland Mission out of a sum left by to me to
dispose of in my discretion *for the Spread of Vital
Christianity at home and abroad.' ' I also enclose you
;£ioo from myself for the same Mission, and trust the
Lord will accept and use these moneys for the glory of
our Christ." {January ^oth.)
WITH 3d.
" I enclose 3d, saved by three little girls, whose mother
has but 15 s. a week to keep herself and five little ones. I
am sure you will feel it a precious mite, for it is their a/t
from what is given to them personally." {February xtth.)
WITH 1 5 J.
" With earnest prayer for the blessing of God on the
China Inland Mission from two widows.
" We are mother and daughter, 90 one acknowledgment
will do." {February ly/h.)
WITH CHEQUE FOR £$00,
"It affords me much joy to be able again to remit you
my che<][ue for ;£5oo, for the need of the many workers in
connection with the China Inland Mission. The gold
and silver are needful, but how much more the anointing
with the Holy Spirit and power ; that is, if God's work is
to be accomplished I ' By My Spirit^ saith the Lord.'
" Of latt i -have seen very vividly that we do not honour
the Spirit nor the Father nor the Son as we ought to do,
honce there is far more of the 'Scribe' than the
' authority ' in our words and our lives.
" Jesus could not be hid, nor can any man who is filled
with the Spirit, and such cannot but speak the things
they have seen and heard. We must taste and handle,
look upon and contemplate the Lt/e, the Eternal Life !
the Word I the Son I if we would be living witnesses,
for our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son,
and our joy will oe full 1 1 !
" Why do we limit the Holy One ? Enoch, a man of
like passions with us, by faith was translated, and he had
before his translation this testimony that he pleased Gk)d.
Have we this witness ? if not, why ? " {February 18/A.)
WITH IS.
" It is a sadfy small offering, but iust now I am un-
usually straitened. May I, with you, be able to say from
the heart, * The Lord wiH provide.' " {February 19/A.)
WITH 2s. 6d.
" Having read China's Millions for some time, with
great interest and pleasure, I feel it laid upon my heart to
help the Mission, although at present it is but in a small
way that I can do so.
" I will gladly subscribe 2s. 6d. per month, and enclosed
I send you postal order for February's subscription."
{February ao/A.)
WITH IS.
" For Gospel work among the women of China," — A
Charwoman. {March eth,)
The columns of figures which contain the public acknowledgment of these and similar gifts on
the covers of China's Millions, from month to month, may be carelessly passed by and considered as
of Iktle interest, but we may repeat here what we on a former occasion said concerning them : —
" Could we look at them with the eyes of Him who sat
over against the Treasur>', our hearts would be strangely
moved. We should see, not merely columns of figures,
but the love, the self-denial, the prayers, which these
figures represent. We should see the blessings which
these free-will offerings have brought to the givers, and we
should be constrained to say, ' Verily it is, as the Master
said, " more blessed to give than to receive." '
^ We should also see the blessings which, through these
gifts, others have received. We should know how sorrow-
ing hearts have been comforted by the kind words and
loving sympathy of those who, having caught something
of the Master's spirit, have learned to weep with those
who weep ; and who by these gifts have been enabled to
go forth to preach good tidings, to bind up the broken-
hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the open-
ing of the prison to them that are bound.
" How many weary and heavy-laden ones have, through
CHINAS MILLIONS.
41
the labours of those whom these gifts have sustained,
found the great Rest- Giver ; how many, through their
instrumentality, have been brought up out of a horrible
pit, and out of the miry clay, and have had their feet set
upon a rock, and a new song put into their mouths, we
cannot know ; but we do know that this has been the
happy experience of not a few ; and we do know that the
beloved Baptist Noel spoke the words of truth and sober-
ness when he said : * No language can describe the
value of the blessings which are conveyed to a single
idolator who becomes a disciple of Christ ; a thousand
sources of sorrov^ being instantly dried up, and a thousand
streams of happiness bursting forth at once to gladden him.'
If such results, by God's blessing, follow the right use
of money, surely those to whom its stewardship is com-
mitted have a responsibility and a privilege which is
unspeakable.**
March, 1886. B. B,
% St0rjT 0f
rnfjcssbiT antr nf Hmemtbir*
To THE Praying Friends of the China Inland Mission.
Hafig'chaUy December 12M, 1885.
[AST night there arrived here from the country
two native Christians, who have indeed endured
hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. I
want to ask your prayerful interest and sympathy on their
behalf, and on behalf of those who, like them, follow
Christ with great difficulty and at much personal cost.
They come from a township in the county of Chu-ki,
and the way in which they were brought to a knowledge
of the truth is full of interest, showing, as it does, that
even in cases where our efforts to spread the truth appear
to have proved in vain, and where persons have made a
false profession of Christianity from interested motives,
God is yet able to use the truth they have learned, and
which, alas I has proved of no blessing to them, as a
blessing to others.
To trace the work from its commencement, I must
go back to the time, many years ago, when our numbers
were small, and we had much to learn as to the best way
to work. Mr. McCarthy was then in charge of the work
in this city and the surrounding neighbourhood. The
brother who was acting as secretary to the Mission in
China, was suddenly taken dangerously ill, and was unable
to transact the business of the Mission himself, or to make
any arrangements for any one to do it for him. The con-
sequence was that Mr. McCarthy, who had a number
of native helpers under him, and had also boarding-schools
for boys and girls to superintend, was brought into ex-
treme difficulty, together with all his fellow-workers. It
would be foreign to our present purpose to detail now the
various ways in which, when no help was coming through
the usual channel, God supplied their need from time to
time. The brotherly kindness it stirred up in the native
Christians was not one of the least valuable results of the
trial. One pawned his fur garments, unknown to Mr.
McCarthy, and brought the proceeds to him, giving them
to him on the condition that they should be set aside for
the wants of his own family (for he knew that Mr.
McCarthy had divided all the money that had been sent
to him in answer to prayer to the last shilling among the
native helpers and the children in the schools, leaving
nothing for personal wants).
The native Christians came together for consultation
and prayer, and said, "Why is God trying us in this
way? There must be a reason for this chastening."
They concluded it was that they had been too satisfied to
allow the foreigners to do all the work, and had not been
contributing of their substance as they should have done.
They then and there formed a missionary society ; and
after a time, when they had a little money in hand,
selected a native preacher to be supported by themselves,
and commenced a work, which God soon blessed, in the
county of Yii-hang.
I
A number of true converts were soon gathered around
the native preacher, some of whom have left happy death-
bed testimonies to the power of God's grace to sustain in
the trying hour ; and others are still adorning the doc-
trine of their God and Saviour. But all was not to be
wheat ; there was some chaff likewise. One woman
made a very plausible profession, and was thought very
highly of as a Christian. After being the usual time on
probation, and giving great satisfaction, she was baptised;
and after a time her husband also offered himself as a
candidate for baptism. The native Christians found it
difficult to refuse him — they were not able to give very
clear reason for doing so — yet there was something
about the man that seemed so unsatisfactory that, from
time to time, his reception was deferred, and he never
was received into the number of disciples.
At last it began to leak out that he was borrowing money
here and there, and was heavily in debt ; and those who
lent him money — many of them Christians, but some of
them outsiders — came to the conclusion that he was
making little attempt to pay off his debts and live
honestly. A little more time elapsed, and he made off,
leaving debts to the extent of over a hundred dollars. His
wife was loud in her protestations of the cruel treatment
of her husband in deserting her, but was evidently work-
ing with him all the time, and joined him when he had
secured a fooling in another city where another Mission
had a helper stationed.
They now attempted another series of frauds. The
husband and wife both went to the little chapel, repre-
sented themselves to the native preacher as people from
the country, who had bought a Christian book somewhere
and read it with a good deal of interest. They were
anxious to represent themselves as earnest inquirers.
Their diligence, and the rapidity with which they ap-
peared to grasp the truth which he put before them, were
encouraging and gratifying to the native preacher. He
happened, however, after a time, to visit Hang-chau, and
our assistant-pastor here, Mr. Nyin^g, meeting him, asked
him how the Lord was encouraging him in the work. He
said there was one case of a husband and wife which
cheered him very much. His descriptions of them, how-
ever, were sufficiently distinct to enable our assistant-
pastor to recognise them, and of course he told him of
their previous conduct and put him on his guard against
them. It was difficult to believe that these apparently
sincere inquirers could be the same persons. Later, Mr.
Nying, in the course of a missionary journey, called in
to see his friend, and met the very persons, who now,
being discovered, could pretend no longer to keep up their
disguise. They soon after disappeared from that neigh-
bourhood, and the husband started business in another
place as a heathen geomancer— telling fortunes, and
CHINJtS IIILLIONS.
CHINAS MILLIONS.
43
be more powerful than any spiritual advantage. He de-
clined to nave anything to do with questions of property,
pointing out to the false teacher how injurious to the cause
It would be for the people in the neighbourhood to suppose
that the Christians went there for the sake of gain instead
. of for the sake of diffusing the truth.
PERSECUTION.
Several visits to the neighbourhood were paid, and the
true character of the leaders became very clear, not
merely to Mr. Nying, but also to the inquirers, who
ceased to go to the false teacher's house, and commenced
meeting in another district, some few miles away. When
the man saw this, he threw off the mask at once, and
became an avowed enemy of the Christians.
Dr. Tsong soon had to endure a good deal of persecu-
tion. His practice fell off, and others of the native Chris-
tians likewise suffered from the enmity of their friends,
who were determined that the old ancestral religion and
practices should not be abandoned in their neighbourhood.
One of the inquirers was brought very near to the point
of starvation, there being a league among all the employers
of labour such as his not to use the man. God, however,
still helped him, and after a time they found it was useless
to attempt to compel him to discard his religious views by
persecution ; and as his skill in his own particular work —
the building of kilns for burning lime, etc. — was greater
than that of the neighbours, they were glad to employ him.
Failing to subdue him in this way, some of his enemies
seized the man and told him he must either give up his
religion or he would lose his life. He refused to accede
to them, and told them they might take his life, but
abandon his Saviour he could and would not. A strong
cord was secured, and his hands were tied behind his
back ; the cord was thrown over a beam of the roof, and
he was hoisted and suspended from the ground and
cruelly beaten. He suffered all this torture with great
firmness, telling them that the soul was more important
than the body ; and they found themselves unable to
move him from his steadfastness. The native doctor,
carried away by his zeal, gave up most of his time to the
spread of the Gospel, and suffered much hardship. He
walked long distances in order that he might spread the
truth, and brought sickness upon himself, as well as much
pecuniary loss. After this evidence of the reality of these
two men, they were baptised in the year 1884, and have
continued to live godly and consistent lives.
This year two others were baptised. Both of them had
suffered great hardships for Christ's sake. A good deal
of the property of one of them was forcibly taken from
him — an old man of over sixty years of age; he was beaten,
and had his head cut open, and was severely injured in
various ways. The other disciple likewise had to bear
great trial and persecution. One special cause of enmity
among the opponents of the Gospel was that these men
would not contribute toward acts of idolatrous worship.
One of the brethren baptised this year asked Dr. Tsong
to go to his house and conduct Divine worship on
Sundays. He did so, and from ten to fifteen interested
inquirers, some of them we 'have reason to hope true
believers, were assembled to worship on November 29th,
when an attack was made on them.
The assailants were heavily armed. They had four
foreign muskets (which are used in the neighbourhood
for destroying wild boars), and a number of native arms.
They broke in upon them in the midst of the service, and
seizing Dr. Tsong, as ringleader, they said, " Who advises
these people to become Christians, and to refuse to give
their quota to the theatrical and other services in honour
of the idols ? '* Dr. Tsong replied : — " I have advised
them to do so ; and you know yourselves that it is in
accordance with the proclamation of our mayor, and of
the law of the land. The Emperor himself has recom-
mended the Christian religion by stating that it is good,
and teaches people the practice of virtue ; and what the
Emperor approves of, you surely cannot complain of.'*
The men said: — "We have nothing to do with procla-
mations and emperors here," and dragged the man out,
very severely beating him, and telling him that he must
there and then promise never to engage in Christian work
again, and that he and all his companions would give
their regular contributions to idolatrous purposes, or they
would kill him. He asked them if they had no cpn-
science ? they knew such conduct was unwarrantable and
unjust They said, " We have not come to talk to you
about conscience ; you must either give up this foreign
devils' religion, or else we will kill you." " Very well," he
said ; " I am in your hands; you can do what you like,
but I shall never give up my religion."
He was thereupon dragged away to a considerable dis-
tance. Those of the inquirers and others who had not
managed to escape, especially one old woman, who, being
feeble, was not able to run away as fast as the others,
were beaten and bruised. Upwards of twenty loads of
grain were carried off, and about one hundredweight of
cotton in the seed, and some other articles of property
were taken away from the man in whose house the service
was held. He was told : — " If you will give your word
never to allow Christian worship in your house, and will
pay the regular quota to the sacrifices, we will not only
restore to you the things that have been taken, but your
granary, which was only half full, we will fill full for you."
The man said : — " No ; you may eat my grain, but I will
never give up my religion." He was thereupon beaten
and bruised considerably himself.
In the meanwhile, the old woman had escaped from the
hands of those who were beating her, and in great alarm
rushed after Dr. Tsong, and seeing that they apparently
meant to destroy him, said, "If you must have life, take
mine : do not take his — he has come for our good. Kill
me, and let him go," and endeavoured to free him from
his captors. Of course the result was that, without help-
ing him, she came in for further abuse, and was severely
beaten with an iron rod. The doctor was dragged off to
a temple, and there was hoisted up by his wrists tied be-
hind his back. After beating him, and cruelly torturing
him in this way, and finding his constancy unmoved, he
was let down and dragged out to be killed. His tail was
cut off, and they said, " Now will you give in ?" " No,"
he said ; " never I " Then an attempt was made to cut
off his left ear. The upper portion of the lobe was all
removed, but the lower part still remains. " Now will
you give in?" "No," he said, "I will never give in;"
and he was dragged to one of the mountains near, his
persecutors evidently intending to kill him. No one can
tell what it was that altered their purpose; doubtless
God Himself interposed in his behalfl
Finally, sending for an elder relative of the same family,
they compelled them both to sign a paper promising to
pay such contributions as should be demanded, and to
take no measures against the persecutors, threatening
that if these conditions were violated, his life should be
taken. The paper they were compelled to sign contained
a further statement, that the man's tail was cut off, and
his ear, on account of an act of adultery, which, of course,
was utterly false. The uncle said to the doctor : " You
cannot help yourself, there is nothing for it but to sign
this paper; a paper sigiied under these circumstances
has no moral binding — it is not your deed at all." He
signed it himself and induced the doctor also to put his
signature to it.
They were then set free, and for the time being, the
44
CHINAS MILLIONS,
harassed Christians were let alone. The doctor's relative
and he himself thought the right thing was to enter a
protest at the magistrate's office, stating that this paper
was false, and had been signed by them under compulsion,
and showing himself as an evidence of the way he had
been treated. Pastor Nying also, on hearing of the case,
wrote a petition to the magistrate askmg him to
protect the Christians of the place, that if he would
make inquiry he would find from all the people around
that the whole thing was a piece of unmerited persecution.
The magistrate wrote a polite reply to Mr. Nying, to
say he woiSd have undertaken the investigation in person,
but was engaged at the time in a literary examination ;
he would, however, without delay, send some of his
"runners" to look into the matter and protect the
Christians. The runners were bribed by the persecutors,
and at once took their side. The persecutors robbed
the Christian inquirers, and presented the fruits of their
robbery to the runners ! and no real steps were taken to
help the native Christians. On the contrary, a further
demand was made of the man in whose house the wor-
ship had been held, to abandon his religion, in which case
they promised again to restore all that had been taken, and
to add much more. He remained, however, persistent,
telling them that he could not deny the faith, and would
not at whatever cost. Thereupon, these high-handed
people drove him and his family out of his house, took
everything they possessed away from them, even tearing
down the cookmg stove, and left them absolutely desti-
tute of all things. They left them also with the warning :
"If you take any further steps against us, and we hear
of any more complaints, we will treat the other two
families of inquirers in the same way as we have treated
you."
It was vety sad to see the condition of the poor men as
they came in — firm, however, in their resolve, whatever
they might suffer, not to deny their Lord and Master,
but to give themselves to the spreading of His truth. We
endeavoured to comfort them by pointmg out to them the
cheering words of our Saviour in the Sermon on the
Mount, and advised them not to seek to resist evil, or tcT
obtain help from man, but to trust in the living God,
who is well able to deliver His people, if He see fit, or
to sustain them under circumstances of trial. After
reading with them the sufferings of the Apostle Paul, from
2nd Corinthians we had an earnest prayer-meeting last
night, in which all the native Christians present took
part, commending them and their cause to the living
God, and asking Him to strengthen and comfort them in
the faith.
The whole case shows with what difficulty in many
cases these poor people turn from the evil to the good.
Some of these inquirers who have suffered have only
known the truth for a few weeks, and the old woman who
was so severely beaten had only attended the services
for four Sundays ; just at the time that they are weakest,
and know least, the enemy comes down on them with
tremendous power. May we not ask your earnest prayers
for these and all other persecuted Christians, that their
faith may not fail, and that God will in very deed under-
take their cause.
Yours faithfully in Christ,
j^
V^^^^
y^
^y,^
(^jftmtls fr0m Jdttrs t0 J^rhntrs.
FROM MR. HUDSON TAYLOR.
[ERE we are in the midst of a vast country, crying
out by its great needs for more workers, and
though we do thank God and praise Him for
those recently sent out, they seemed to be absorbed at
once, leaving us as hungry as before for more workers.
Our brethren in nearly every province are urgent in
their cries for reinforcements ; our sisters, were they to
come out in ten times the number, might find abundant
sphere of useful service, and we know the great Master
will not be unmindful of His servants, the loving Father
will never forget His children. Those three millions of
Israelites who were such a puzzle to Bishop Colenso, with
all his arithmetic, were no burden to the great King who
bore them up as on eagles' wings, with a Father's tender
care, rebellious as they were. Surely He can sustain a
much larger band of missionary workers than the world
has yet seen in this needy land of China.
We are taking possession in the name of the Lord of
new centres for Christian work. Please pray that the
blessing of God may rest on all our efforts. We are
counting on God's faithfulness as the work enlarges to
supply more workers, and all needed graces and gifts,
temporal and spiritual.
I hope you all remember us in prayer here. I need
scarcely tell you that warfare is warfare, and that here in
the high places of the field, while we have great spiritual
blessings, we have also severe conflicts and many trials.
You, dear friends, can imagine the trial of being separated
from one's family and one's loved ones — a trial to which
one does not get case-hardened, but which seems to press
more and more heavily as the days pass by. Well, it is
but for a little while. The followers of Him who left
heaven for us and gave Himself on our behalf, must
cheerfully bear in His service those crosses, without which
life and joy and salvation can never reach the poor needy
ones out here. Oh, dear friends, may the very life of
Christ— no mere copy or imitation of it, but the very
life of Christ Himself— be manifested in our mortal
bodies, and as branches of the Vine may all our twigs and
leaves and tendrils as well as our flowers and fruit, tell of
that central Heart to which we are all united. There are
some lines on the True Vine which close very beauti-
fully :—
" The vine from every living limb bleeds wine ;
Is it the poorer for that spirit shed ?
The drunken and the wanton drink thereof;
Are they the richer for that gift's excess ?
Measure thy h'fe by loss instead of gain.
Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth,
For love's strength standeth in love's s&crifice.
And those who suffer most have roost to give."
I hope you are training up some young missionaries for
China. Some of us find that we have not the energy and
buoyancy that we had twenty years ago, and that we need
to cry to the Lord of the harvest to raise up better men
and better women to carry on the work which we have
been permitted, often with faltering hand, to commence.
CHINAS UILUONS.
% risH to Pr. Ilsi.
FROM MR. BALLBR.
HHE Lord has raised up in this district (Ping-yang
Fu) a man exceptionally suited to carry on the
work. His history is very interesting ; but with-
out ^oing int
s brought to the
Christian; far
Lord by the Rev.
David Hill, of the
Wesley an Mission,
during the time of
famine relief hereJ
His I
: Hsi
1 addition
beingaliterary gra-
duate, a B.A., he is
also a small ^nner.
In the North ol
China such a com-
bination is by no
means rare ; and
one frequently
meets with men
whose appearance
is just that of a
common labourer,
who have taken
their degree, and
are, for Chinese,
well' informed men.
In the south, a
scholar would think
himself much low-
ered if he were to
engage in any work
of a menial charac-
ter. The great am-
bition of his life is
to grow long naiU,
and under no con-
dition whatever to
be regarded as a
working-man.
For his out-and-
out Christian cha-
racter Mr. Hsi has,
of course, become a
marked man. He
is known in all the
countr^ide as a
Christian. He has lost his literary degree because of i
his siding with the Lord.
A few Sundays ^o Messrs. Stanley Smith, Beau- {
champ, Cassels, and myself paid him a visit, and spent
the day with him. He lives about forty U to the south- '
west of the city, which distance we jogged over in the
usual rough cart.
We reached there soon'after dark, and received a warm
welcome from him. We'weres hown into the "upper
chamber," the usual'place of honour. After a light supper
we adjourned to the^courtyard, where a table and some
chairs were placed, together with some stools ready for
family worship. His servams,farm-labourers,wifc,mother,
with bimselt afsembled, and by the light of a candle
aiing worship. It was exceedingly refreshing
praising the Lord in the house of a native
stations.
On the Sunday
we had a better op-
portunity of seeiiig
the place. Some
appropriate text ol
Scripture or Scrip>
turat motto was
pasted over nearly
every door, thus
taking the nlace of
the usual neathen
maxims so &«n«
"Th
HK ROAD FRO.M I'KKO
rally seen. '•The
Gate of Paradise,"
« Lifc Gale," " Tha
Narrow Way,'"'AlI
ye that labour."
etc, and other «-
milar texts and ex-
pressions were
among the inscrip-
tions. We were
much delighted by
seeing them ; th^
reminded one very
much of the jmu-
sages on the subject
in Deuteronomy.
The most inte-
resting feature at
the morning ser-
vice, which 1 con-
ducted, wat the
presence of a good
many female
church - members,
all dressed in their
best, who had come
from some adjacent
vill^es to worship.
Thev paid most
marked attention,
and observed a very
reverent demean-
our during the
whole service.
The afternoon service, which was conducted by Hil,
was a very good one. He chose for his subject the
twenty-seventh chapter oi Acts, and drew a very striking
analogy between it and the dealings of God with both
saints and sinners. I do not remember all the points, but
I give you some of them.
(0 The centurion and master of the ship giving no
heed to Paul— the heedlessness of sinners to the truth of
God through His servants.
(2) The south wind blowing softly— the prosperous
beginning of the sinner's course of sin.
(3) But not long after "there arose a tempes-
tuous wind"— the short-lived character of the sinner's
prosperity. Undergirding the ship and casting away the
CBINA'S MILLIONS.
tackling— the sinner's futile efforts to save himself.
(4) Neither sun nor moon appearingall hope was taken
away — God bringing the soul into a state of hopelessness,
so far as saving itself is concerned.
(5) The advice of Paul being followed, and all coming
safe to land — the need of persistence on the part of God's
servants, and the final salvation of all who obey their
This is but a brief outline ; the whole exposition was
fully equal to any I have heard from a foreign missionary.
How wonderfully God can leach when a person is shut
olf from (he usual privileges of Christian fellowship I
I need scarcely add, we were indeed thankful to God
that He had raised up such an able man to lead the con
verts round about there. And one was led to pray more
definitely, that He would continue to raise up man^ more
able men ; men " willing and skilful," like those promised
to Solomon to help him to build the Temple. In the great
interest stirred up just now in England, surely it would be
a wise thing to pray the Lord of the harvest, not only to
thrust out labourers from [he home-land, but also to raise
many native men and women, who, filled with the Holy
% f tatt U $u\-B\m Him.
FROM MISS warroHUBOH.
fflHE•FOO, Tuesday, December isth, will always
be a memorable day, as Miss J. Webb, Miss
Seed, and l,paid our ^rst visit loour new station
at Fuh-shan 00 that day. How I w'sh you could have
seen us I Miss Webb and Miss Seed in a wheelbarrow
large enough to hold four people comfortably, with one
large wheel under, not in front of the barrow, drawn by
a mule attached to it by ropes five yards long, while a
man before and one behind steadied our rather unwieldy
vehicle, t went in a chair, and being such a coward, as
I by nature unfortunately am, 1 may as well own that I
was not very sorry to see how my companions liked it
before trying the wheelbarrow. Well, they did like it,
and looked very happy and cosy, wrapped up in shawls
and tugs. The men and mule did bravely, but my bearers
soon outstripped them, and arrived at Fuh-shan nearly
half an hour before the wheelbarrow and its dear
occupants.
The old teacher and his wife seemed as pleased to
welcome us as we were to see them again, and we were
delighted with the house, tiny as it seemed after our
capacious school-house. Of course it stood in a court ;
as you enter, to the right are the teacher's two rooms, to
the left, a room suitable for receiving guests ; in front, a
a door opening into what would be the sitting-room, to
the right and left of which are doors opening into bed-
rooms, with a small dressing-room beyond the larger of
We all agreed that we could be very happy
and comfortable if ever it should be God's will that we
should take up the work there.
After our long, cold, three hours' ride, you may be sure
we were more than read^ for some dinner, which we were
soon enjoying In true picnic fashion ; before our hunger
was satisfied, several women and children having heard
of our arrival appeared upon the scene ; of course they
were pleased to see the foreigners, and one of the women
Interested us very much ; she could both read and write
— a most unusual thing among Chinese women — and she
was not a little proud of it. She had heard the Gospel
from the teacher and his wife ; she said she believed it
and seemed very anxious to learn more ; she looked so
happy, her face was quite lighted up, as I have never
before seen a Chinawoman's face. As we rose from our
knees, after thanking our dear Saviour for His wondrous
love in dying for us, she s^d most fervently, " Thank
you, thank you, Jesus ; " and I believe she really
We were obliged to leave about 2.15. Miss Seed and I
in the barrow this time, and we enjoyed our ride home
together very much, although we did feel slightly troubled
with pains on getting there from the many jolts coming
along ; they soon passed off and we all agreed that we
had had a most enjoyable day, I shall not soon forget
that woman's happy face.
Itsttfat J'tmak (fijsngtlists.
following paper, which forms the eighteenth chapter of Miss Fielde's interesting and
aluable book on China, called, " Pagoda Shadows — Studies from Life in China" (Bos-
;n, W. E. Carthell), draws attention to a subject, and contains information, of the deepest
mportance. We therefore reproduce it intact. The italicising of a few sentences to draw
tion to them is our own. If this chapter should lead our readers to procure the book, they
will find it, and the introduction by the Rev. Jos. Cook, of Boston, well worth their attention.
ago the Son of Goo came down among men. Of all
ingrates there is none so traitorous as she who falls to
acknowledge her Indebtedness to the Christ who has
given her what no pagan woman possesses, security in
her rights as a human being, without regard to her per-
sonal power to maintain them. A true Christianity can
never debar woman from showing her gratitude to her
Saviour by setting Him forth as the true and sufficient
Helper of her sex, both for the life that now is and the
life that is to come. A true missionary spirit strives to
give the Gospel to the neediest, and women are the
neediest in heathen lands.
Since we do this work in obedience to the ciHnmand,
^T would seem that woman ought to be foremost ...
HH obedience to all Christ's commands, including
^1^1 the Great Commission, because for woman He
does more than for man. The next world's glory is
promised alike to both sexes ; but in this worid the
benefits of His salvation are experienced more fully by
woman, who, where brute force dominates, is always in
unjust subjection. I think that women owe what is most
precious in their lives to Jesus of Nazareth. The fact
that there are some women in the world to-day who need
dread no wrong, who may partake of any intellectual
good the earth offers ; who are sure of the utter loyalty
of those who are theirs, is dne to the fact that 1800 years
CHINAS MILLIONS.
47
"Go, preach the Gospel to every creature," we may
justly infer that the method which brings the Gospel to
the greatest number of creatures is that which our Lord
would think the best. There are many methods which
are good ; but the question is not what is good, but what
is best ; not how we can do something for the salvation
of the heathen, but how we can do our uttermost with a
given amount of strength and money. There are in China
two millions of pagans to every Protestant missionary.
Of the two hundred missionary ladies in China, so many
are prevented by domestic cares, by ill-health, and by
lack of knowledge of the language from engaging in
direct missionary work, that the proportion of heathen
women to each working missionary lady is several
millions. If there be no plan by which one missionary
lady can give a knowledge of Christ to many thousands
of heathen women, then there is no hope of the evangeli-
saiion of China for generations to come,
NEVER WERE WOMEN MORE NEEDY THAN ARE THESE
CHINESE WOMEN.
Their homes, the homes of a third of the human race,
are windowless, floorlcss, and ceilingless. They are
very hot in summer, very cold in winter, dank and dark
all the year round. They are small because of poverty ;
low, for safety from typhoons ; unventilated, because
openings would give ingress to the long hooks of thieves ;
densely crowded together for mutual protection ; open-
ing only on tiny courts and narrow streets, where all
filth fumes because every iota must be saved for fertilising
the rice-fields.
Villages so made up and surrounded by walls to keep
out marauders, are but a few minutes' walk from each
other, all over the land. From such a home, to such a
home, a woman is brought and married to a man she has
never seen before, to serve a mother-in-law who is kind
to her in proportion to her diligence in rearing pigs, and
her aptness in bearing sons. The greater portion of the
women have seen only the village in which they were
bom, and that into which they are married. AH the
world outside is as unknown to them as is the planet
Mars. Toward the life to come they look blankly, hoping
only that their male descendants will feed their wan-
denng spirits after death with earthly food.
The Chinese women are grave and patient women.
Of all in the world, there arc none to whom a knowledge
of the way of salvation would be a more blessed boon,
and none more capable of appreciating and using the
gift. As hardly any Chinese women know how to read,
as the old women rarely leave their villages, and the
young women seldom leave their own houses, the only
way to carry the Gospel to " every creature^^ among them^
is to take it by a living voice into their homes. Native
sentiment and custom, which is doubtless correct, forbid
the doing of this work by men. Women, and women
only, may do it effectively. Native social customs per-
mit elderly women to go freely from house to house, and
from village to village, and there is no limit to the number
of women who may be reached and taught by such.
This is Scriptural, and it is so cheap that we might
almost hope that with only the number of foreign workers
which Christendom could send, and only that amount of
money which Christian women could give, the Gospel
could be made known to every woman in China. The
selection, training, and superintending of native Christian
women who do this work, is probably the way in which
the foreign missionary lady can effect most in the work
of evangelising Asia.
A large amount of work must be done by the foreign
missionary lady before the training of native fem^e
evangelists can well be begun. Usually the native
Christians are scattered over a wide region, in towns and
hamlets remote from each other, and from the mis-
sionary residence, so that in order to become acquainted
with them she is obliged to make difficult and wearisome
journeys. Only in this way can she learn the exact con-
dition of her people, and gain such familiarity with the
field itself that sne can definitely and wisely direct the
native women when they are engaged in their work. In
this way, too, she ascertains the needs of the masses of
heathen women, and comes to know what is the kind and
amount of education required by the evangelists in order
to render them most useful.
When the amount to be expended is limited, it is im-
portant that much care be exercised in the selection of
the women to be taught, and that they may be such as
will convey to others the knowledge that is given to them-
selves. I have found it best not to take into my class
those who offer themselves as pupils, but to seek out, and
invite to it those whose character is such as to recom-
mend them for the work. Even when the allowance given
for food was so low as not to tempt even the most needy
to enter the class for the food's sake, some who thought
the school-house pleasanter than their own houses, or who
had domestic troubles that they wished to get away from,
or who hoped that their absence from home might bring
an obdurate mother-in-law to terms, came as applicants
for admission to the school. Only when thoroughly ac-
quainted with the women invited to join the class can one
feel sure that she is spending her time and money on
those who are seeking the truth solely for the truth's sake.
We have the joy of finding many such in our classes, and
such will and do remain steadfast through much hard-
ship in the work to which they are called. Even when
reasonable care is taken in the selection of the women to
be trained, fully half of those who are tried are found to
be incompetent for the work. Many are dismissed on
account of physical weakness or bad temper, or duplicity,
or an inability to deliver the Gospel message plainly.
Some study a few months, and then return to their homes
to be more joyous and intelligent Christians all their
lives ; some study for years, and grow in grace in a
wonderful way.
Of a hundred women admitted to my own training-
school in Swatow during ten years, about one-third
became capable of aptly instructing others.
There are many difficulties and dangers in the work of
training native female evangelists. It is hard for us,
whose social life and modes of thought are so unlike those
of the Chinese, to obtain such intimate personal acquaint-
ance with the native Christians, that we can accurately
judge which of them has that style of speech and
character which the Chinese themselves consider worthy
of imitation. The women who go out as teachers are
taken by the heathen as types of the result of a Christian
education. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that
they should be tolerably true exponents of Christian
principles and modes of life.
Though it is true that she who lives most gracefully in
a mansion would be likely to live with truest dignity m a
hut, the transposition would be made with much personal
discomfort. So we need be careful that our course of
training does not practically unfit these women for living
in the narrow and uncleanly quarters in which the masses
of the people dwell. Even tastes and habits, which may
not in themselves be admirable, are better left unchanged,
if the changing of them will in any degree separate the
woman from those among whom she is to work. Some
of the most valuable work done by the Bible-women is
done at meal- times, and in the night time, among the
women with whom they eat and lodge. No one Imows
better than the Chinese how to get the greatest amount c*
48
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
personal comfort out of the smallest amount of money.
If we make sure that our native evangelists are able and
faithful in making known the Word of GOD to those
around them, we need not fear that the cleanliness which
is next to godliness, will not come to be prized in due
time.
All this does not mean that a Bible-woman is not to be
educated, but rather that she is to have that sort of edu-
cation which fits her for her place. This is the work of
years, both for herself and for her teacher. A purely
Scriptural education does not make one less akin to any
human creature.
As THE Bible is the only book that the women
are expected to teach, it is the only one that they study ;
and those in any country who have seriously set to work
to master the contents of the Bible have found that they
need for that purpose the whole of eveiy day for a lifetime.
The women need to be taught to use their own language
with force and fluency : to read correctly, easily, and
agreeably ; to speak clearly, truthfully, and attractively ;
and to pertinently illustrate, by parable, anecdote, and
proverb, the truth they communicate. They must learn
the most effective manner of presenting the idea of a sole
and true God, and the uselessness of idols, and the best
way of removing the fear and dread of demons from igno-
rint and superstitious minds. Above all, they must be so
taught of God, that they go forth to their work knowing it
to be His and theirs.
As they are to teach those who cannot read, it is de-
sirable that they themselves should be orally instructed,
and that the method of teaching them should be a con-
stant practical exhibition of the way in which they are to
teach others. They learn the Bible stories, orally taught,
with great rapidity, and tell them with vivacity. It is not
unusual for a woman who has never before learned to
read to become able in a single year to read the four
Gospels and the Book of Acts, and to tell from memory
in detail the whole life of Christ with the miracles and
parables. Some of the women become eloquent speakers,
and I have seen them hold an audience of untaught women
motionless and attent for hours, even late at night, and
with sleeping children in their laps. The women from the
Swatow School go out two and two for three months at
a time, stopping in rooms prepared for them, and con-
nected with the chapels at the various out-stations, and
from thence they go out to teach in the surrounding vil-
lages. To the nearest villages they go in the morning and
return at night ; in the more distant ones they stay
several days, if some woman there is pleased to hear their
message, and will therefore give them lodging. During
three months a pair of women will thus teach in from ten
to thirty villages. At the end of two months they return
and give a report of their work, and after a week of in-
struction and conference they go out again to the same
or other stations. / visit their stations as often as pos-
sible^ and never send them to any i>lace where I have not
myself been^ and of which I do not myself know the con-
dition and surroundings. Each Bible-woman receives
two dollars a month and travelling expenses. This buys
food and clothing as good as, and no better than, she
would have at home. This sum merely enables the
woman to leave her home and do the work. It does not
pay her for the fatigue nor the obloquy she endures. She
must bear that for Christ's sake^. and with no earthly
reward. Probably the worst methods of evangelization
are those which yield worldly advantages to tne evange-
list and the disciple. Converts brought m through selfish-
ness remain selnsh to the end, and transmit to their spiri-
tual children diseases that are finally fatal to the Church.
It is desirable that Bible- women, when at the country
stations, should often have encouragement and advice
from the foreign missionary lady. Their work is so un-
like anything that the Chinese habitually do ; they meet
with so many rebuffs ; they are under so many tempta-
tions to lag ; they find such real obstacles in the way of
their usefulness, that they must have help and guidance
on the spot where their work lies from some one whose
wisdom and zeal is greater than their own. They dress
and live as poorly as the poor women they teach, and they
endure much exposure to rain, cold, and fatigue. In a
way that is unknown to all other Chinese women, they go
to places distant from their own homes and dwell among
strangers. They often suffer extreme hardship, but no
Bible- woman has given up her work because it was hard.
Two of the women lived through the hottest months of
the year in a stable because there were numerous in-
quirers at a certain place, and no other lodgings than the
stable to be procured. Two others were badly beaten in
a certain village, and yet, before their wounds were healed,
these women went back to that village to continue their
work, because its welfare demanded their presence. The
results of such work cannot now be accurately computed.
But when all those who have gone forth bearing precious
seed come again with rejoicing, these women will also
come bringing their sheaves, and we shall be amazed at
the greatness of the harvest.
To sum up, the conclusions which I draw in favour of
this plan of work are chiefly as follows : —
Firstly — It enables us to reach a large number of
people with a very small outlay of money.
Secondly — It enables us to use effectively the very first
fruits of our missionary labour without being compelled
to wait for a highly educated class to be raised up. By
this plan every available native talent can at once be
utilized in the service of the Church, and can be in-
creased as rapidly as the Church increases.
Thirdly — This was the Saviour's own method of evan-
gelization. Carefully chosen, faithfully superintended,
His disciples, even when they be but weak Chinese
women, may go out at His behest and teach, and come
back, saying, " Even the devils are subject unto us."
omans Wimk m ^ang-jtl^au.
FROM MISS
[OVEMBER 8/^ Sabbath.-^ViAss Stevens and I
went to a lady's house some distance away, the
____^_ woman who came for us leading the way ; we
excited a good deal of curiosity as we walked through
the busy streets. It is so sad to see business going on
just as on other days. When we reached the house we
found three ladies waiting for us ; as we had never been
before we had a number of questions to answer. We told
them all we could of the Gospel, and the Lord was with
JBANIB
us. One of the ladies could read, and read aloud the
last chapter of Matthew. When she came to the words,
** Go and preach the Gospel to every creature," her face
lighted up, and she began to explain what she was reading
to the others, and " His Word shall not return void."
They asked us to come again.
Friday^ November i^th, — The ladies who were here
last night sent their servant to invite Miss McFarlane
and me to dinner. We had such a happy time and so
CHINJeS MILLIONS.
49
many opportunities of witnessing for the Master. They
were all so kind to us, and in case we should be cold
gave us each a nice warm wadded garment to put on.
We enjoyed our dinner as much as we should have done
at home. We read many portions of Scripture together ;
it was delightful to see them so interested. The dear
sisters at home were holding up our hands in prayer ;
nearly all promised us to come to the meeting on Sabbath.
When we came home we found a great many women
there. The Lord is answering prayer. I am sure if the
friends at home could only see how eager some of these
women are to hear the Gospel, they would be encouraged
to pray on, and to come and help to tell them too.
Sabbath^ November 15M. — True to her promise, Li Tai-
t'ai, with some others, came to the chapel this morning.
There were a good many women present. It was delight-
ful to see how they listened. Mr. Chang spoke so plainly,
and sometimes when he stopped to look for some passage
of Scripture one could have heard a large pin fall After
the meeting we went into the house, some women coming
with us, and sang some hymns. Li T'ai-t'ai wanted to
buy a Bible ; we gave her one, and told her to give us
Ac money another day, as this was the Lord's day.
November i6th, — In the middle of the day a servant
came to invite two of us. Miss Lily Webb and I went ; it
was a long way, and through such nice streets with
beautiful shops. At one time quite a crowd of men were
following behind, but we felt so safe. One lady wanted
to give up opium-smoking ; she has smoked for ten years.
We saw all the things used by opium smokers. She
asked if we had an opium refuge. We said, " No ; but
we were praying for one." I asked her if she would be
willing to come and stay with us till she was cured, and
she answered, " Yes." They were so kind and listened
very attentively.
January Zth, — The day before yesterday Miss Webb
and I went to visit a house, where we had such a nice
time. The ladies pleaded with us to stay to the evening
meal, so we wrote a little note to Miss Murray saying we
should not be home for tea and sent our woman back
with it. One of the women read a chapter aloud, while
we all listened ; then we sang a hymn together. We had
such a nice talk about the Lord and about heaven ; they
had heard the evangelist read and speak about the
twelve gates in Revelation xxi., and they wanted to hear
more. They came home with us in the evening and
stayed some time.
It is such joyful work going to these homes trying to
comfort and to cheer, and witnessing for our blessed
Master. The women have so little real happiness in
their lives. Yesterday we were called to an opmm case ;
the woman who had taken the opium lived in a temple.
Crowds of people gathered in the court outside and made
such a noise it was difficult to hear one's own voice. We
did not leave until she was better and able to speak to
us. What a miserable place she lived in, poor thing I
She said two or three times she did not want to live.
The young man who held her listened attentively while
our woman told him about God. He promised to come
and hear more and bring this woman with him. I believe
God is going to give blessing in Yang-chau.
'* Mercy-drops round us are falling ;
But for the showers we plead/'
(Continued from page 36.^
FROM MISS LANCASTER.
VILLAGE NO. 7.— T'lEH-TAO.
September loth, — Miss Kingsbury and Miss Kemp
having lived at this village for a fortnight, I went down
for a short visit It is about twenty miles (60 It) from
T'ai-yiien, a pretty but rather scattered village. The
people were very kind and friendly ; many of them pressed
me to stay a few days. Evening worship was held in a
large cave, about thirty bein^ present. Much seed has
been sown in this mountain village by our sisters, and our
prayer is that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts
and lead many to know and love the Lord Jesus.
VILLAGE NO. 8.— CHIA-CHIEN-TS'UEN.
September ijth, — Wednesday morning, in company
with my Bible-woman started for this villa^^e, which is
about ten miles from the city. We went to visit a native
schoolmaster, whose wife, we were sorry to find, had re-
turned to her opium on account of failing healUi. This
house stands back a little from the village street, and we
had a quiet time. The teacher very kindly received some
tracts, and seemed much pleased with a sheet prayer,
which he pasted upon the wall. Afterwards we visited
some relatives of my Bible- woman. In their room a great
crowd collected, and the crying of babies and the high
voices of the women prevented much of the Gospel from
being heard there. This is a very noisy village, but this
visit certainly was an improvement upon the last. The
people invited us to come again. Perhaps by degrees we
may gain their attention and be able to tell them the
Gospel. I was much pleased by my Bible-woman seeking
to pay a debt which she had owed for sixteen years. She
said nothing to me about it when we started from home
in the morning, but upon arriving at the village she
brought out from the cart a thousand cash (3s.) saying,
" I owe this." She sought for the shopkeeper to whom
she owed the debt, but finding heliad died, gave the money
to his son. On our homeward journey I asked her a few
particulars. She told me this was her first visit since she
left this village sixteen years ago. She said, " Times were
bad then, and money short I got in debt for food, but on
leaving sold my furniture — tables, chairs, all I had, even to
my small cupboard — to pay my debt, but had to leave 1,000
cash owing. This has been my first opportunity, so I
brought the money and paid my debt" She seemed to
make no parade about it, which I was glad to see.
If we all in more enlightened lands had the upright
spirit of this poor old Chinese woman, should we not be
carrying out the command, " Owe no man anything " ?
SECOND VISIT TO WU-CI.
November i^tA, — For nearly two months the roads
have been quite unfit for travelling on account of wet
weather. However, as no carts would go to-day, I took
the donkey. We visited again our little scholar's home
and found she had just been betrothed (she is only ten
years old), so there was little hope of her returning to the
school. We spent some timejwith her friends. This village
having been visited several times, we hoped to have
found some who remembered a little of the Gospel Some
listened whilst others appeared careless, and wished only
to question us out of curiosity. We much regretted that
so tew could read. There were many bright and healthy
so
CHINA! S MILLIONS.
children, but their parents thought education for girls or
women was quite unnecessary. This village is in much
need of prayer that the Holy Spirit would lead them to
see their need of salvation and the danger of neglecting it.
VILLAGE NO. 9.— NAN-TSAI-CHANG.
November 18M, 1884. — For some time past a visit had
been promised to this village, and on the above date we
left Tai-yiien about noon. Ing-tsi, our young pupil-teacher
at the girls' school, invited me to see an aunt ot hers. The
village lay about five miles to the west of the city, but we
had to go a roundabout way on account of the roads, so
did not arrive till late in the afternoon. Food was soon
prepared — ^mien (macaroni), with cabbage and unpeeled
potatoes, cut up and boiled together ; some hot water to
drink concluded our repast. People flocked in to see the
visitor, and conversation on a variety of topics was car-
ried on. The concertina was introduced, and at once
proved welcome. This gave an opportunity to explain
and sing the Gospel in the old, favourite hymn, " Jesus
loves me." We sang it many times over, the audience
joining in the chorus. The evening wore on, and weari-
ness, not ^ways banishable, came also. The hour to re-
tire to rest did not arrive too soon. I had been promised
a separate room, but as this was not convenient, willingly
consented to sleep with my hostess and Ing-tsi. We
spread out our quilts and prepared for the night. Alas I
our stove-bed, or kdng, waxed hotter and hotter. Coals
were cheap, and not used sparingly in this household. My
companions slept on, evidently enjoying the heat; I, how-
ever, felt the time to commence frizzling was near at hand.
How I longed for the morning can be better
imagined than vnitten ; but daylight appeared through
the paper windows at last, and I had survived. In the
morning I discovered that a quantity of grain had been
placed on the kdng (under the straw mat which covers
every kdng) to dry, and this, having become well heated,
retained an unabated temperature, and accounted for my
discomfort. A breakfast of millet and vegetables was
prepared about nine o'clock, to which ample justice was
done. My kind hostess then accompanied me to five of
the principal homes in the village; in each a fair number
of women gathered, giving many opportunities to tell the
Gospel story. Some seemed interested and eager to
listen ; others were careless, and thought of nothing but
what they should eat and what they should put on.
Returning with my trusty friend, I was quite ready for
some dinner; but, two meals a day being the allowance, had
to wait. No questions were asked as to choice of food, and
a meal was prepared of bean-fiour. I was a little inte-
rested in the preparations, and could scarcely repress a
smile when I saw the paste-board and rolling-pin, each
measuring six English feet in length, being carried into
the room by two people. The flour was kneaded, and
then rolled out very thin, folded several times, and cut in
very narrow strips, then boiled. It tasted very good with
some eggs.
Many friends gathered in the evening and our singing-
class was carried on with great enthusiasm. Between
the hymns, the old, old story of a Saviour's love was
pressed home on those present. The same hynin, "Jesus
loves me," was again requested, and on this second
evening, although scarcely one present could read, two
verses were learned and the tune well taken up. Outside
the bleak November wind was blowing hard, causing all
unfastened doors to slam, and making one feel how much
warmer the inside of the house was. There was little
doubt about this, for the kdng, which took up half the
room, was well heated, and a goodly company of women
and babies were seated upon it. In the centre was the
native oil-lamp, which, by the way, was made of wood,
about eighteen inches high, the stand being more sub-
stantial than beautiful A group of men and lads stand-
ing around completely shut out any draught which might
have found its way under the curtain hanging against the
door. The hour was late, but no one thought of retiring
to rest The son, evidently the bread-winner for the
household, had not returned from the city, whither he had
gone to sell coal. Why had he not returned ? Was it
difficult to find customers, or had the bridge over the
river been carried away by the current? These were
some of the questions asked as we looked out into the
moonless night. However, our fears were set at rest, as
we heard the sound of the bells on the collar of the
houscJiold bullock as he neared the house, and our friend
told us the coal was sold. The hungry animal quickly
found his way to the stable, and his master was soon pro-
vided with a hot supper, which was served up in a three-
footed iron pan. We soon after retired to rest I felt as
safe in that little country village, amongst those simple
country people, as one could possibly do in their own be-
loved land. How we wished they knew and loved the
Good Shepherd who said, " Other sheep I have, which
are not of this fold ; them also I must bring " !
(To be continued,)
Cibitt0s ixsm Srattmtr Workers.
i"-F& ^tobinw.
r
From Mr. Henry Dick.
Sha-shi^ Die. 17/*.
The most interesting event since I last wrote has been the
baptism of our native brother, the ex-priest, which took place a
fortnight ago. Brother Dorward baptised him. I cannot tell you
what a happy time it was, but pray that God may give us to see
many more coming out boldly and confessing Jesus as Lord, not
only here but throughout Hu-nan. Mr. Dorward and I are now
living in the new house.
From Mr. Geo. Kino.
Faft'ch^eng^ Dec, 13/A.
Many women come, and are exceedingly sociable and friendly,
inviting Mrs. King and Miss Emily Black to their homes. Our
Sunday congregations promise to be large. The room to-day was
ftill, and we shall have to use the guest-hall next Sunday. The
only Christians living here are two — Kiang, a blind man, livinp;
at the other end of Fan-ch*eng, and Sie, formerly Mr. Hunt%
servant. I hope to commence afternoon service at the cottage of
the former next Sunday, hoping to influence the neighbours. Both
he and his wife have much tact in fraternising with people, and
have made many friends, thus doing a somewhat useful work.
Dec. 2yrd. — ^Mrs. Kin|[ and Miss £. Black have had large
numbers to visit them, eighty, or thereabouts, coming one day,
a hundred another, and about a hundred-and-fifty a third. The
women's class proved larger than the room would hold. We
have had twenty and thirty women to evening pravers, and men
also. I have not been able to receive men much, out the chapel
is nearly ready, and will be very bright and cheerful. I had
some hundred-and-fifty, besides women, to morning service on
Sunday, and might, doubtless, have as many always.
From Mr. Stanley Smith.
Ping-yang Fuy Nov, 2%/A.
Oh, how glad my soul is to testify that Jesus fully satisfies,
and that if I were asked, ** If now you bad your choice, where
CHINAS MILLIONS.
SI
would you like to be in the world ? " I should answer, *• In
P'ing-yang Fu." We are in this life, it seems, literally beset
and t)esieged with grace ; for the God of all grace is with us and
around us, and spies out all our ways — yes, "Thou God seest
me," that oft misquoted yet most helpful text. He "sees,** not
to find fault, but (as in Hagar*s case) to comfort and bless.
May I give you a text ? " We rest on Thee, and in Thy name
we TO.** I thmk the connection between rest in Him and active
service for Him is so precious. We are finding out that His
rest is glorious.
Mr. Bailer has written four such excellent tracts, and we have
been circulating them broadly. We use the paste-pot a good
deal, and on a small scale these tracts pasted on walls and avail-
able places in P'ing-yang remind one of " Colman's Mustard '*
in England. It is my firm belief that one tract, judiciously
pasted, is worth ten given away.
Mr. Beauchamp and I had a nice little outing about a fort-
night ago. We walked to Hong-tong, about twenty miles off,
and next day ** attacked ** the town ; took a tract to every shop,
sold 400 .cash worth of books, and had opportunities of speaking
to many little groups ; next day, walked to a town ten miles
further on and did the same there.
I am gathering some lads on a Sunday afternoon to sing to
and to tell them of Jesus. I trust this will reach the homes of
some.
From Mr. Key.
PHng-yang Fu^ Dec* 4/^.
The opium work here has been resumed ; our premises are
small, and we cannot take in many men at a time, but fourteen
men and one woman have already been helped to give up their
opium.
We have lately commenced a Bible-reading on Wednesday
evenings, for the native Christians ; we are going through the
Gospel of John. One old man, a native doctor, who was
brought to the Lord during Mr. Bailer's stay here, is very
bright, and anxious to tell others of the Saviour ; he lives near,
and comes every morning and evening for worship.
I think a good work might be done by visiting all the cities
and villages around where there are native Christians, for it is
important to see them in their own homes. I have just heard of
a city, Siao-i Hien, three or four days' journey to the north,
where twentv men meet for worship ; the work was started by
one of the Cnristians from Ta-neng Hien, who visited the place
about a year ago. One of the Christians here told me they had
no books, and offered to take them up a supply, paying his own
travelling expenses.
From Mr. Hoste.
Ktih'Wu Hien^ Nov. 28M.
Thank God, we are all making a little headway in the language,
and by dint of constant practice can now speak out intelligibly
the facts of the Gospel. I hope in two or three days to accom-
pany Mr. Hogg in his cart to a place about sixty li off, where a
mir is to be held for ten days, and propose to remain there two
or three days with the evangelist, doing our best at preaching
and distributing tracts.
What has struck some of us very much is the wonderful open-
ness of the country in these regions to the Gospel. I can
scarcely realise it that here are all these masses just as open to
the Gospel as our people at home ; when one remembers the
state of things a generation back, one does indeed praise God
for the walls He has broken down. May He help us not to be
slack in seizing the opportunity whilst everything is so quiet and
easy.
From Miss Broom hall.
Tai-yiien Fu, Nov, 12th,
Work has opened up for me that I think will take as much
time as I can spare from the teacher. Every morning I give
Mrs. Edwards a little help with the women patients, and on
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons take the little ser-
vice with the women. On Friday afternoon I go with Miss
Lancaster to the part of the dty in which we formerly lived, to
keep up the work she began there. I had been thinking of
village work, but at present have as much as I think I ought to
attempt. I have a Sunday class.
"^wx-m^ ^xtMiMz.
From Mr. Laughton.
JLan-chaUt Oct. 17M.
I am sure you will be happy to hear of the arrival at Lan-chau
of Mr. and Mrs. Parker and family, accompanied by Miss Jones.
We trust to receive much blessing from their company.
From Mr. Horobin.
Ning-hsia^ Sept, 2%th.
The Lord graciously helps us with the language, and instead
of finding it at all tedious, we find the time pisses by too
quickly. Everything turns to blessing when we have Christ, the
Author of blessing. I am thankful to sav it is well with my
soul and my body. I am increasingly thankful the Lord put me
on His plan for China.
From Mr. Hutton.
Ning hsia. Sept, 2nd.
It was seventy days yesterday since our last packet of letters
reached us from Ts'in-chau. We have been waiting for several
weeks for an opportunity to send letters to the coast. At present
Mr. Sturman and Mr. Horobin are away in Wang-i Fu, on the
other side of the Ali-shan, about eighty miles from here. They
have taken a quantity of Mongol scriptures. They expected to
return in about a fortnight.
@an-|^tottg iprofarina*
From Miss Evans.
Gan-kHng, Dec, nth.
You will be glad to know something of our visit to the village
of Ts'ien-shan. We had beautiful weather, and I thoroughly
enjoyed my journey, and am delighted with the prospect of
working among the dear women there : my heart was moved to
its depths when I saw the crowds of women on every hand all
ready and willing to listen to the Gospel. The country all round
is charming and the air very clear — ever so much better than that
of the city ; but, best of all, there is a grand opening for work.
I have already bought a donkey with a view to visiting the
surrounding villages. I believe that in answer to our prayers
God will send in all the needed means for building a school-
house : He has promised to supply all our need, and this is a
real one. When we have moved there I hope to get the bigger
girls into real work, taking them out with me to the surrounding
villages ; and also to have classes for women in the house. I
believe that if the girls are well looked after and trained they
will, by-and-by, msdce good useful Bible-women.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. fomalin are busy packing for home. I
shall miss them so much ; they have been very kind to me. All
my dear friends are leaving me one by one, but the dearest of
all will never leave me nor forsake me : •* I am with you, saith
the Lord.**
From Dr. Parry.
• Gan-kUngf Dec. 29M.
We are all well here, and have much happy fellowship together
in our home and in our meetings, and I think I may sa]^for all, as for
myself, much gladness in servmg our Lord. You will be glad to
know that God has graciously helped me in the first serious
operation I have had here, a removal of tumour from the pectoral
region, and the man is doing well, notwithstanding a setious loss
of blood. He is, I think, becoming an interested listener to the
Saviour*s message : we are bringing him in the arms of our faith
to the Lord, to send him back to his home a saved witness for
Him. His elder brother, who stayed several days with him,
seemed also much interested. This is our first in-patient here,
and we do pray that he may be a first-fruits to Christ.
From Mr. Duncan Kay.
Hwei-chau Fu, Nov, i6th.
My hope for work here all lies outside the city. The Sunday
before last we were nine at worship, four from a village twenty li
off ; last Sunday we were twelve, eight from that same village. I
give those who come from the country their dinner. One who
keeps a rice shop in that village, is, I believe, an earnest inquirer.
I have to praise God for g(x>d health and abundant blessing
since coming to China.
52
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
From Miss Macintosh.
Kiu'chau^ Dec. 12/A.
You will be glad to hear we are all well here, and very happy
in our work. We like school work very much, and find it a
help to ourselves. We have much encouragement amongst the
women as far as open doors are concerned; our neighbours, too,
are very friendly. Many listen very attentively as we tell them
of Jesus and if is love. It is such a privilege to be one of
His witnesses in this land. May the Lord make us very
faithful.
The native pastor, Mr. Wang, is such an earnest Christian, with
a real love for the souls of the people. There are so many pray-
ing for our girls and for the people of Kiu-chau that we are
exoecting much blessing.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are still in Hang-chau, but we get on
ver^ well alone ; could it be otherwise when we have the never-
failmg, unchanging One in our midst ? May the love of Christ
constrain many, not only to give of their means, but to give
themselves for the service of the Master in this or some other
heathen land.
From Miss Gibson.
Kiu'chau^ Dec, igiA,
We have much cause for thankfulness here, the people are so
friendly. Every day either Miss Macintosh or I visit. Yester-
day I was out, and the women listened very attentively. One
house I visited was a very large one ; the lady was so kind.
Pra^ for us that we may love them to our loving Saviour. We
praise God it is not difncult to love them. '* The love of Christ
constraineth us ** — what can it not constrain us to do if we are
wholly imder its influence ?
We have been a year in China ; it has been "goodness and
mercy" all the way — the happiest year in my life — and it is
grand to remember it is better farther on. Truly, God does
compass His children with songs of deliverance, rray that we
may so sing the new sonp; whioi He has put into our mouths
that others, hearing us, will believe.
We are still studying as much as we can with the teacher,
and find it a pleasure. ** Alleluia, the Lord God omnipotent
reigneth 1 " How one longs for the time when many Chinese
wiU own Him "as Kine of their hearts I We realise, in a way we
never did at home, that, *' As the mountains are round aix)ut
Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people." How safe
we are I Everything must come through Him oefore it reaches
tt8»
From Mr. Langman.
AUn-Atua, Nov, 2yti,
Still the witness is true, the Lord is faithful. I have been
enabled to engage heartily in the work here, and have visited
most of the people that have any connection with us, and the
more I see ot them the more I am encouraged. The evangelist
is a great help to me : he b truly desirous Uiat the work should
prosper, and does not spare himself ; Jie is not at all proud, and
will put his hand to anything that wants doing. We have
arranged to visit all the villages (of which there are not a few)
in a circuit of a day's journey or so from the city, taking tracts
and books. I am loolung for much blessing to attend this effort,
as I hear that many people are desiring to hear the Gospel.
Every Sunday we have very good gatherings. There are
several who desire baptism, and who will, I hope, be received
before long.
From Miss S. Carpenter.
Shao'hiftg^ Jan. ^th.
The roof of our new room is just completed, and looks very
nice ; the men are still bus3r. I hope we shall soon be able to
put some of our dear girls into it. The medicine seems to be
helping our matron already ; dear woman, she is always so grate-
ful for anything, that it is a real pleasure to help her. The child
that confessed Christ is going on very nicely. This morning a
biby was brought here dreadfully burnt. I am doubtful if me
dear child will live. This is the second or third case recently ;
we need, indeed, to pray for the conversion of these poor care-
less mothers.
Our scholars have all spent a veiy happy Christmas. How
can we ever praise our dear Saviour enougiu His love is more
than tongue can tell.
From Mr. Jno. Smith.
Ta4i Fu, Nov. ^h.
I am plodding on at the language day by day : it is slow work,
but I am making some progress. In temporal things God is
good to us : we nave a beautiful clim.ate, a comfortable house,
excellent food and health to enjoy it. In spiritual things He is
better still. I feel I need more power of appropriation. Day
by day my spiritual possessions in Christ are opening up to me :
**in Chnst is becoming more wonderful tome everyday; it
almost makes me tremble lest it should be presumption to claim
all that I see in God*s Word to be mine in Christ, and yet I feel
that with an honest belief in God's faithfulness to what He has
written, I must claim and appropriate blessings unutterable. I
feel that in the past I have not studied the person and the work
of Jesus as I should have done — His emptiness of self and His
fulness of the Holy Spirit. " If any man will follow Me, let him
take up his cross and follow Me." Are we not apt to dilute this
passage ? By God's grace I will follow Jesus.
^\'t\axxi |pr0Jbinc^*
From Mr. Geo. Nicoll.
Wan Hien^ Dec. 2'^rd,
Messrs. Jenkins and Gray arrived here to-day. They are both
full of joy and praise to God for His goodness to them on the
way. He has blessed us all very much so &r, in regard to this
new station. I trust many praying friends may be led to take
an interest in Wan Hien.
The hymn, " Leaning on Thee, my Guide and Friend," has
often been sung since I came here, and has been a great comfort
to my soul. I trust that it will be leaning on Him as Guide
and Friend all the way here, and then we shall get blessing.
®n %smk for Cfe^inii*
From Miss Lbgg.
Near Singapore^ Jan. 21st.
We have had a very pleasant voyage from Colombo. The
weather has been splendid, and we have all [Misses Oliver,
Taylor, Wilson, and Legg] been quite well. We were sorry to
say good-bye to all our fnends on the Raseita ; they were so very
kind to us and we were so happy there, but we have already
found friends on this ship. We luive singing every evening, in
which the men join heartily ; they say they never had such nice
evenings before. The officers and several of the first-class pas-
sengers come to listen. We are believing that the Lord will
bless the words of the hymns to the salvation of souls. After
the singing we generally get into conversation. We have found
about nve Christians, and several are just longing for peace. I
was talking to one last night who could not understand how
we could know our sins were forgiven.
One man decided for Christ on Sunday evening. Praise the
Lord 1 Another one promised Miss Ohver last night that he
would go to his cabin and definitely give himself to God, and
then and there settle the question of his soul's salvation. Another
man, who has been hesitating for some time, said that he would
make up his mind to be on the Lord's side now. The Lord is
indeed working here in answer to the many prayers which have
gone up for us. The engineers have made up their minds to
give up swearing, and are going to fine each other if they should
forget. One of them is a Chnstian, and has been feeling very
lonely ; he is so glad to be able to talk with other Christians. He
has joined us in our Bible reading. We are studying the Gospel
of John, and are finding hidden treasure that we never dreamt
of. Truly, the Lord is g;ood to us. What a precious Saviour
He is ! I have never rcilised His presence so sweetly as I have
since leaving home. He is always near, and gives the needed
strength for every emergency.
^rribals.
Mr. and Mrs. Elliston and their little boy reached home for
change on February i8th. Mr. and Mrs. Tomalin had reached
Marseilles, but propose visiting friends in Switcerland before
coming to England.
China's Millions.
THE BROKEN WHEELBARROW.
C^t ^ixhaiuntt 0f stbtral ^bbrtsstB gibtn buring a €onftxtn(t of t§t ^iBsioimrits of i
C^na ^nlantr gtissioit.
BT MR. HUDSON TAYLOR.
INK it will be interesting to you, and especially to those of our brothers
i sisters who have recently come out here to work on the Hnes of the
ina Inland Mission, if I give you some account of the experiences which
to its formation, and to its taking the form in which it has been developed,
elieve it is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the God-ward aspect
Christian work : to realise that the work of God does not mean so much
n's work for God as God's own work through man. Furthermore, in
: privileged position of fellow- workers with Him, while recognising all the
leflts and blessings to be bestowed on a sin-stricken world, through the
iclamation of the Gospel and spread of the truth, we should never lose
jpect of our work — that of obedience to God, of bringing glory to His
;he heart of our God and Father by living and serving as His beloved
nces connected with my own early life and early service presented this
y to me, and as I think of some of them, I am reminded how much the
ndebted to many of its friends at home who never see the mission field, to
54 CHIJSfA!S MILLIONS.
many, it may be, who are not able largely to give of their substance, and who will themselves be sur-
prised in the great day to see how much the cause has been advanced by their sympathy, their love,
and their prayers. For myself and for the work I have been permitted to do for God, I owe an
unspeakable debt of gratitude to my beloved and honoured parents, who have passed away and entered
into their rest, but the influence of whose lives and prayers will never pass away.
Perhaps you may be interested in knowing that many years ago, probably about 1830, the heart of
my dear father, then himself an earnest evangelist, was deeply stirred as to the spiritual state of China
by reading several books, and especially an account of the travels of Captain Basil Hall. His circum-
stances were such as to preclude the hope of his ever going to China for personal service, but he was
led to pray God that if He should give him a son, he might be called and privileged to labour in the
vast needy empire which was then apparently so sealed against the Truth. I was not aware of this
desire or prayer myself until after my return to England, after more than seven years' absence in the
mission field, but it was very interesting then to know how prayer offered before my birth had been
answered in this matter. AH thought of my becoming a missionary was abandoned by my dear
parents on account of the feebleness of my health ; still, when the time came God gave increased health
and strength, and many stronger men and women have passed away from among our ranks, while
hitherto my own life has been spared, and strength has been given for not a little toilsome service at
home and here in the mission cause.
I had many opportunities in early life of learning the value of prayer and of the Word of God,
for it was the delight of my dear parents to point out that if there were such a being as God, to trust
Him and to obey Him, and to be fully devoted to His service, was of necessity the wisest and the best
course for myself as well as for others. Still, with these helpful examples and precepts my heart was
unchanged. Ofttimes I had tried to make myself a Christian, and I need not say had failed in such efforts,
and at last I began to think that from some cause or other salvation was not for me, and that the
only thing left for me was to take my fill of this world, as there was no hope beyond the grave.
In this state of mind, coming in contact with persons of sceptical and infidel views, I accepted
their teaching, only too thankful for some hope of escape from the doom which, if my parents were
right and the Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange to say, but I have often felt
very thankful for the experience of this time of scepticism. The inconsistencies of Christian people,
professing to believe their Bible, while living just as they would do if there were no Bible,
was one of the strongest arguments of my sceptical companions, and I frequently felt then,
and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible, I would at any rate attempt to live by it, put it
fairly to the test, and if it failed to prove true and reliable, throw it overboard altogether. These
views followed me when the Lord was pleased to bring me to light and salvation, and I think I may
say I have put God's Word to the test. It has never failed me ; and I have never had any reason to
regret the confidence I have put in the promises, or to deplore following the guidance I have found
in its directions.
Let me tell you how God answered the prayers of my dear mother and of my beloved sister,
Mrs. Broomhall, for my conversion. On a day which I shall never forget, when I was about fifteen
years of age, my dear mother being absent from home some seventy or eighty miles away, I had a
holiday, and in the afternoon looked through my father's library to find some book with which to
while away the unoccupied time. Nothing attracting me, I looked through a little basket of pamphlets,
and selected from them a Gospel tract which looked attractive, saying to myself, " There will be an
interesting story at the commencement, and a sermon or moral at the end ; I will take the former,
and leave the latter for those who like it."
I sat down to read the little book in an utterly unconcerned state of mind, indeed, believing at the
time that if there were any salvation it was not for me, and with a distinct intention to put down the
book as soon as it became prosy. I may say that it was not uncommon in those days to call con-
version " becoming serious," and judging by the faces of some of its professors, it appeared to be a
very serious matter indeed. Would it not be well if the people of God always had tell-tale faces,
which told of the blessings and joys of salvation so unmistakably, that unconverted people would call
conversion " becoming joyful " instead of " becoming serious " ?
I little knew at this time what was going on in the heart of my dear mother, seventy or eighty
miles away. She arose from the dinner-table that afternoon with an intense yearning for the conver-
sion of her boy, and feeling that, being from home, and having more leisure than she would otherwise
have, there was a special opportunity afforded her of pleading with God for me. She went to her
bedroom and turned the key in the door, resolved not to leave the room until her prayers were answered.
CHINAS MILLIONS.
55
Hour after hour did that dear mother plead for me, until at length she could pray no longer, but
could only praise God for that which His Spirit taught her had already been accomplished — the ^con-
version of her only son.
I, in the meantime, had been led in the way I have narrated to take up this little Gospel tract, and
while reading it was struck with the expression : " The finished work of Christ." The thought
passed through my mind, Why does the author use this expression, "The finished work of
Christ " ? Why not the " atoning," or " propitiatory work " ? and the words, " It is finished," at
once suggested themselves. What was finished ? and I at once mentally replied, " A full and perfect
atonement and satisfaction for sin was offered ; the debt was paid by the Substitute ; Christ died for
our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Then arose the
thought, " If the whole work was finished, the whole debt was paid ; what is there left for me to
do ? " With it came the joyful conviction, as light was flashed into my soul by the Holy Spirit,
that there was nothing in the world to be done but to fall down on one's knees, and accepting this
Saviour and His salvation, to praise God for evermore. While my dear mother was praising God
on her knees in her closet, I was praising Him in the old warehouse, to which I had retired to read
at my leisure this little book.
It was several days afterwards ere I ventured to make my beloved sister the confidante of my
joy, and then got her promise not to tell any one about this soul-secret. But when my dear mother
came home a fortnight later, I was the first to meet her at the door, and to tell her I had such glad
news to give her. I can almost feel that dear mother's arms around my neck as she pressed me to
her bosom and said, " I know, my boy ; I have been rejoicing for a fortnight in the glad tidings you
have to tell me." " Why," I asked, in surprise, " has Amelia broken her promise ? She promised
me she would tell no one." My dear mother assured me that it was not from man that she had
learned the tidings, and told me the little incident I have mentioned before. You will agree with me
that it would be strange indeed if I were not a believer in the power of prayer.
Nor was this all. Some little time later I picked up a pocket-book, exactly like one of my own,
and thinking it was my own, opened it. The lines that caught my eye were an entry in the little
diary belonging to my sister, to the effect that she would give herself daily to prayer until God
answered in the conversion of her brother. Exactly one month afterwards God was pleased to turn
me from darkness to light ! You will not think it strange that one brought up in such a circle, and
saved under such circumstances, was led to feel from the commencement of his Christian life that
the promises were very real, and that prayer was, in sober matter-of-fact, transacting business
with God, whether on one's own behalf, or on the behalf of those for whom one sought for
blessing.
{To be continued?)
^^rads from ^ttos I0 jfrimtrs.
FROM MR. HUDSON TAYLOR.
HAVE been staying in Yang-chau, a city where
we have a ladies' mission only, and am delighted
with the success of it. The Chinese women, and
even some ladies of position, have quite come to look upon
our sisters as sisters and friends, and seem scarcely to know
how to express their affection and love for them. In two
of the houses occupied by ladies to whom our sisters have
access, there are several whom we hope to be truly con-
verted. They have regular Bible readings themselves,
morning and evening prayers, and have learnt to sing
several Christian hymns. A bright little girl of fourteen,
whom I have seen several times, told me £e other Sunday
evening that she was very much perplexed and
disappointed. I said " Why ? " " Well," she said, " I did
so pray to Jesus not to let Miss Gray leave Yang-chau, and
she has gone away, and I felt so sure He would answer my
prayer and keep her in Yang-chau." It led to a little con-
versation which I hope may be helpful to her, and which
I think three-fourths satisfied her, though still she felt a
measure of difficulty that her prayer had not been
answered as she asked it It was very nice to see a child's
full belief in the efficacy of prayer.
There are a considerable number more who most
thoroughly believe in our sisters, and not a few of them, I
believe, go further, and are satisfied as to the truth of
Christianity. May GOD lead them on to a saving
acquaintance with the Master Himself, who alone can
impart life and love to their comfortless lives. In some
respects the upper-class ladies are worse off than the
poorer women, as while their domestic surroundings are
all that they could desire, they are more cramped as to
liberty of movement, and with less occupation must feel
the want of sympathy and love all the more. Hundreds
are hearing the Gospel every week, but, alas ! in a vast city
like Yang-chau all that is being done is as nothing to the
need.
56
CHINAS MILLIONS.
I know I may count on an interest in your prayers that
God will help and guide me in the difficult and responsible
work of helping and guiding others. There has been a
good deal of spiritual quickening during the past year, and
I think most members of the Mission are looking forward
expectantly to see great things during this year. But our
friends at home need always to remember that though
there are cheering features connected with the work, it is
hard conflict with a bitter and unrelenting foe, and that
while here and there there are bright gleams of light, we
are ever surrounded by an appalling weight of spiritual
darkness and wickedness — surrounded by those who are
passing away from Christless lives, through Christless
deaths, to a Christless eternity. And who is sufficient for
these things ? Happy it is when faith is in lively exercise
and can answer, " Christ is our sufficiency."
I have not been able to undertake a long journey into
inland China yet, and the future is all unknown to me —
not to our Father ; and it is quite sufficient that in His own
time He will make His will and His way plain.
^^ammatbn 0f Cl^imsje C0nljtrts*
FROM MR. MEADOWa
|HAO-HING,yi«////^zrj' i6M. — Our native pastor has
just returned from a visit to the out-stations,
._^^_ where, in company with two or three preachers
and evangelists, and a tew older Christians, he examined
eight or nine candidates for baptism; seven were received,
but only six of them were baptised, as the wife of the
seventh came and dragged her husband away just as he
was going down into the water, fearing her husband might
incur some danger to his health, as the weather was cold.
I asked the pastor to write me out, in order, the examina-
tion of each of the six baptised, just as it occurred. He
has done so, and I think the translation of his paper will
be interesting to many readers of China's Millions who
pray for the converts in China. To myself it is deeply
interesting and encouraging. Let me remind you that
there was no foreigner present to suggest either question
or answer, and let me anticipate the exceptions which
English friends may take to the religious phraseology of
these young converts.
From our Christian friends at home, with their higher
religious experience, and consequently greater accuracy
of expression when defining the relation of the believer
to our Lord Jesus Christ, I would bespeak much for-
bearance towards these "babes in Christ.** Many of
these young converts have the root of the matter in them,
and they are Christ's own sheep as much as their more
cultured brethren are. If we did not believe this, we
would not stop a day longer amongst theni, nor think it
worth our time to exhort them to join us in serving the
Lord Christ But after twenty- four years of service
amongst them, caring for them, and watching over them —
though many times depressed in spirit on account of them
— we are permitted confidently to say that God, in Christ,
has reconciled many of them unto Himself, and made
them a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Feeling,
as we do, the dense darkness around us to be sometimes
quite oppressive, we are very thankful to God for these
bright spots in the thick clouds, as they tell us that the
sun is still shining behind them. But when shall the
dense darkness fly away, and we be permitted to hail
smiling mom and noonday brightness for China ? Some
brethren see this to be nearer than others do. Some can
scarcely see even the beginning of the break of day, while
others, again, expect nothing more than a convert here
and a convert there till the Lord shall come.
I would willingly be found with the first class, forshould
our expectations not be fulfilled, yet that hopeful state of
soul is the best condition in which to pray and work for
the salvation of China. How many of us get discouraged
when the question is put — "Whence shall we buy
bread, that these may eat ? " and the person to whom it is
put will feel and answer hopefully, or otherwise, just in
proportion to the clearness of vision with which he sees
the great Questioner, for it was our Lord who first put
the question. I fear Philip's answer is the one generally
given — a misty one, with an undefined hope mixed with
it; a far, far away half-expectation that the Lord may
Himself, in some way or other, supply the need. Now,
may God graciously brighten the hope of every missionary
in China, and give us all to see that He who asked the
question is Almighty to answer it Himself; and may every
worker in this land have the unspeakable joy of realising
that soon the name of the Lord Jesus shall be magnified
in China, and that many who now use curious arts shall
bring their books together, and bum them before all, so
mightily shall the Word of God grow and prevail. Oh,
happy day for China ! and blessed the missionary who
shall share in the joys thereof !
Let me add that the following questions and answers
were not the only ones given ; many more were asked.
1. Examination of Sing Ah-keng,
Where did you first hear the Gospel preached ? "I
heard it in the chapel at Liang-deo-mcng." What did
you hear ? "I was at work opposite the chapel door,
when I heard some one say that Jesus can forgive sins,
that idol images were all false gods, and that we ought not
to worship such things ; that the God above was the only
true God, and that we all had our life, and breath, and
all things from Him, and that if we do not worship and
serve Him it is a great sin ; that I had committed many
sins, and that if I did not trust in Jesus crucified I should
certainly go to hell. It was from hearing these things
that I began to believe." How about your sins now ?
"By trusting in the blood of Tesus they can be forgiven."
But are your sins now already forgiven ? " By trusting
in Jesus they are forgiven, and my heart has peace."
What do you mean by Jesus forgiving your sins ? " Jesus
came from Heaven on purpose to save sinners." Is Jesus
dead or alive at present ? " He rase from the dead on
the third day, and went up to Heaven." What is Jesus
doing there ? " He is makmg intercession for us, sinners,
before God." How many persons are there in the true
God ? " Three : God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holv Ghost." How do you feel in your heart just
now ? "I feel peace, because Jesus loves me, and I wish
to be His disciple.'* But you will have to suffiir much
bitterness if you join us. " I am willing to suffer ; Jesus
was nailed to death, and I believe in Him."
2. Examination of Nying Wakfirig (the little daughter
of a literary man who is now in Heaven, and who
was converted when Mr. Stevenson was in charge
here, and was one of our best helpers in the Gospel).
She came to the pastor and said : *' I should like to
be baptised." Why do you wish to be baptised ? "I am
a sinner." What sins have you ? " My heart is sinful,
and what I do is sinful." What are you going to do with
your sins, then ? " Jesus can forgive them.** What has
Jesus done, or how can He forgive your sins? "He
CHINAS MILLIONS.
57
shed His blood on the Cross, that sins might be forgiven."
Well, are your sins forgiven? "Yes, they are already
forgiven." Suppose we do not baptise you, nor permit
you to join us m the Lord's Supper, and you should die
— what would become of you, would you be saved ? "I
should go to Heaven." How do you make that out ?
" Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ceremonies ; it is
because I trust in the merits of Jesus that I can go to
Heaven." How comes it that I, your pastor, was not
aware that you were a believer in Jesus, although I have
seen you constantly at the services ? "I have believed
now for two years." What have you believed for two
years ? " That Jesus loves me, and has shed His blood
for me." And, now, what is it that you love best on earth ?
" I love Jesus most," It is strange that you, a little girl,
should believe in Jesus, whilst so many men and women
who are always hearing the Gospel do not believe — how
is this ? " It is by God's grace and the help of the Holy
Spirit that I believe," But you are very young, and if you
wait till you are a woman, will it not then be time enough
for you to be a disciple of Jesus .'* " The earlier the better,
sir, as I don't know how soon I may die." But the
weather is very cold just now, and your friends will per-
suade you not to join the disciples of Jesus now, but wait
till you are older. " I don't fear the coldness of the
water, neither will I listen to those who wish me to put
off joining the Church; I wish to be baptised at this time,
please."
3. Examination of Mrs, Dzao,
Where did you first hear the Gospel ? " My aunt first
told me about it." What did you hear that struck you
first 1 " I heard that by trusting in Jesus sins could
be forgiven." How can Jesus forgive your sins ? " He
was nailed to the Cross, ^nd shed His blood." Who is
Jesus 1 " Jesus is the Son of God." What do you under-
stand by God ? ** God, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit —
three in one." You will have to put up with a good
deal of contempt, and perhaps persecution, if you join
with us? "Jesus will save me and take me to Heaven, so
I am willing to suffer." Do you buy and sell on the
Lord's Day now ? "I did so some time ago, but now I
have given that up." Have vou any household gods or pic-
tures m your house now ? " I have long ago destroyea all
of them." Do you exhort your husband to believe in Jesus
and to become His disciple ? "I have, and he has given
up buying and selling on worshipping days." Don't
you kno«¥ that when the neighbours know you have
formally joined with us they will not pay the debts they
owe you, and you must not expect the Church to interpose
for you ? "I have Heaven's happiness, and if they will
not pay what they owe me, no matter." If you were to
die before you are baptised, and before you partake of
the Lord's Supper, would you go to Heaven ? " God
would say I was wanting in reverence and godliness if I
were to set aside His ordinances." But would you really
go to Heaven should you die first ? " Of course, by trust-
ing in Jesus I should go to Heaven." Is your heart dif-
ferent to what it was ? "I have peace." Where does
that peace come from — from your good works ? "It
comes from God." Are you willing to help to spread the
Gospel ? " Yes, and I'll give a thousand cash a-year."
4. Examination of Se-ngo.
What has induced you, Se-ngo, to join us ? " I am a
very great sinner." (No wonder this girl said she was a
very great sinner, for she used to be the worst girl in the
Shao-hing school She would get into the most violent fits
of passion, stamp her feet, and use the most outrageous
language. I have had to convey her forcibly to her room
myself, and Miss Carpenter nas had a great deal of
trouble with her ; but since her marriage she is quite a
different young woman. She used to call all the girls in
the school who were disciples "great hypocrites," and
said she would never believe ; and yet she two or three
times asked to be received into the Church while at school.
But I believe much prayer has been offered for this girl,
both by Miss Murray and the Misses Carpenter, and, as
far as one can judge, her case is genuine.) Where are
your great sins now? "The Lord Jesus has forgiven
them. He came from Heaven, became a man, shed His
blood, and He has great power and great merit, and can
save great sinners." How was it you did not become a
disciple of Jesus while at school ? " My heart was bad
and hard." Have you truly repented of your sins ? "I
have truly repented and besought the Lord Jesus to for-
give me, and He has forgiven me." Who helped you to
repent of your sins ? "It was the Holy Spirit who did it."
What evidence have you that you have truly repented and
are a believer in Jesus ? " My heart is filled with joy and
peace in Jesus ; I like to exhort others to believe in and
serve Him." Seeing you know the Scriptures and can
read, are you willing to help in the church those who can-
not read, and willing, also, to help in keeping the chapel
clean and orderly ? "I am very willin|^ to do so." You
are a young woman, and the weather is cold ; many will
find fault and laugh at you. " Let them laugh ; by the
grace of God I can stand it all."
5. Examination oiLi Siao-di,
Where did you first hear the Gospel? " I heard it at
Don-deo ; Mr. Li, the preacher, lives next door to where
I was working. He exhorted me to become a disciple of
Jesus, but I utterly rejected the idea, and my pride was
very much hurt at his words. But as Mr. Li had a meet-
ing for worship in his house every night, I thought I would
listen, and I peeped through the wooden partition. Mr.
Li spoke about the God above being the only true God,
that idols were false and useless. As I listened, I thought
within myself, * It would certainly not be wrong to believe
such doctrines as these,' and I half resolved to believe and
become a disciple of Jesus, for God's Son is a Saviour, and
if I believe in and pray to Him He will help me. After
this I began to think that I was a man who had com-
mitted sins, and so I followed the example of those who
daily gathered to worship, and knelt down and prayed,
and I soon began to understand more clearly about Jesus
and myself. Therefore, from the first moon of this year
to the present, I have believed, and worshipped, and (cept
the Lord's Day, for I believe I ought to keep the Lord's
Day." How do you feel in your heart now ? "I have
great peace, because Jesus has forgiven my .sins ; and I
like Him very much, and I remember Him all day long,
how He died for me. I have resolved to be His disciple,
and I don't fear the cursings and revilings of unbelievers."
6. Examination of Sing King-fah.
Have you resolved at last truly to believe in Jesus ? "I
have long ago settled it, and do believe in Jesus." Well,
who is Jesus ? " He is God's Son ; He came from heaven,
andbecameaman forus. He lived forus. He was nailed on
the Cross for sinners; He shed His blood; andthisis theway
our sins are forgiven." But was He truly nailed to death for
you^ brother King-fah ? — are you reckoned amongst the
sinners for whom He died ? " Of course I am included,
and therefore I believe in Him. He is in Heaven now,
but He is my Mediator." But the disciples of Jesus in
your neighbourhood have to suffer a good deal because
they believe in Jesus. " That is proper. If Jesus was
willing to suffer such great suffering and pains for us, how
much more ought we to suffer a little persecution for
Him ? " Do you love Jesus, then ? " Of course I do."
Where is the burden of sins you say you had ? " Jesus
has carried the burden away."
58
CHINAS MILLIONS,
%ixm% vaSa SJoitjgnlta^
FROM MR. STURMAN.
|ING-HSIA-FU, October ith,—\ want to say a
little concerning our visit to Mongolia. I find
that travelling up here is very different to any
other part I have been in ; for instance, the first
night we stopped on the plain (which, by the way, is
wholly uncultivated), at a place called Ping-chang-pu ;
there are not more than half-a-dozen families there, and
ours was apparently the only inn. We found the best
accommodation we could get was the " hen roost," but we
didn't grumble at this in such a wild and lonely region.
It had no door, but just a hole for entrance ; this we
stopped up for the nignt with a cowhide that had dried
hard in the sun ; this also served for a guard against any
ingress of a number of cows and horses that were in the
yard.
After supper, at which if we had not carried it with us we
should have fared badly, we retired, and soon forgot our
surroundings in peaceful slumber. At 3 a.m. next morning
we were aroused by the cowman, who shouted " Come, get
up ; it's time to be going. ** A few minutes served to put
our clothes on — no collars, cuffs, or white shirts to trouble
one here — and in the interval that remained we took a cup
of hot tea and a piece of bread, commended ourselves to
our Father, and started off, the moon and stars still
shining bright above us.
We travelled on till 12 a.m. in a S.W. direction, in full
view of the Ala shan^ or mountain, all the time, when we
came to the first houses we had seen since we started.
Here we hoped to get dinner, but the only food we
could obtain was three eggs ; having, however, bread of
our own, and the indispensable teapot, we did splendidly.
Our repast over, we continued our journey, and a few
minutes more brought us to the much-renowned " Great
Wall." It can be seen here running along the peaks of
the range in a north-westerly direction ; to the south-east it
runs along the base of the mountains. About here it is some
twelve feet high, and six or seven thick, I should think.
It runs right down to the road on each side, and thus
forms an entrance to the mountain-pass. Here a Chinese
official demands your business before letting you pass in.
However, in our case, we not only told him ours, but he
gave us information which saddened our hearts. He
said there were five Romish priests on their way to
Wang-yih Fu (the place we were going to), who nave
the Tsung-li Yamen passport for Mongolia. He had but
a Httle time before received an official letter concerning
them.
How sad to think these men are flooding this country
with error no better than that which the people already
possess ! This had a telling effect on me, and, I
believe, on Brother Horobin, and I was led to pray that
their designs might be frustrated.
Towards evening we came to our stopping- place. A
room was pointed out to us, upon entering which we
found that we should be depriving the hens of their place
again ; but, as a very strong wind was blowing straight
into the door-way, which made it impossible to fix up a
calico door, we were told there was a hot brick bed,
where two others were sleeping, which we could share if
we liked. We were glad to take advantage of the offer,
and moved at once into the room. After supper we
found the bed was unbearably hot, and we had to lay
some boards on it, raised a few inches, to make it just
passable.
It seemed to me that we hadn't been asleep very long
when the inn-keeper brought in a light, and said it was
time to rise. We looked at the watch, and found it a few
minutes past 1 1 p.m., but thinking it had stopped, we got
up, and had our breakfast all ready to start by 12 p.m.
Then the carman said his horses were not quite
ready, and he would call us when they were. So
we lay down to sleep on the boards again. It
was just 2 am. when we were called next, and
we started at once. When the sun did not rise,
hour after hour, we began to feel that we had
really got up and had taken breakfast at 1 1 p.m. the even-
ing previous. The morning was cold, and the road
rough. But our Father's lamp was burning very brightly.
After some three hours and a half we saw the sun coming
over the mountains ; it was a beautiful sunrise and very
welcome to us, for the temperature soon changed. It lea
me to think of the difference between this present and a
portion of my life six years since. After I had said I
would not be a missionary, for four months there seemed
to be no sun in my life, nor did the sun rise again on my
horizon until I had given myself again to Him for the
mission-field. Then I well remember how in the very
act He flooded my soul with light and warmth, that for
four long, wretched months I had been a stranger to.
It was 8 a.m. when we came up to the first house
after leaving ; during this time we had been travelling in a
north-westerly direction over the vast plain that still
stretched out west, north, and south as far as eye could
reach. At this place we stopped for — dinner I suppose,
since we had taken breakfast eight hours previously. A
basin of rice was the bill of fare, and while this was being
prepared I went to have a peep into a Mongol hut and
to try to buy some milk. I saw a woman, and asked in
Chinese if she would sell me some milk; she put up her
hand and began talking Mongolian. I left her, and went
on and found a second woman, who knew a few words of
Chinese, and "buy milk "was amongst them. A man within,
hearing my voice, came to the door and invited me in (in
Chinese). Entering I saw for the first time a lama or priest.
He produced a snuff bottle, and asked me to sit down. I
found I could make use of this man, got out my pocket-
book, and soon had the names of most of the things I
saw, besides a few other words and the numerals to ten in
Mongolian, so that I returned to the inn with a greater
prize than my basin of milk. Our repast being over, we
continued our journey over the same plain, now and then
seeing a large flock of sheep, herds of camels, and a tent
or two as we went on ; but we were busy transferring
these words from the book to our memories. About 6
p.m. we completed our journey, and soon got something
to eat, not having had any opportunity after our basin of
rice at 8 a.m.
The city stands on the side of a hill, so that a good view
is to be had before you reach it. The day following our
arrival, we sent a copy of the New Testament in Mongo-
lian, nicely bound, in to the King. He being away at
Peking, the affairs are, for the time being, in the hands of
his brother, who accepted it. Our passports were sent
for, and we knew there was nothing m them about Mon-
golia ; but we sent them, using the interval for prayer that
we might be allowed to stop and do something. The
Lord established our hearts by giving us a text. He
brought home to my mind with power the words, " It is
CHINAS MILLIONS.
TUNG-CHAU.
6o
CHINAS MILLIONS.
I, be not afraid," and so it proved, for they said nothing.
This business occupied the whole day, and the next day
being Sunday we did not take out any books for sale.
On Sunday we went out, and seeing a Mongol tent
on a hill near, we went to it, and found it occupied
by one man. He invited us in, spread his mat on the
ground, and asked us to be seated. He could talk a little
Chinese. We did not stay long, but told him of a home
much better than the one he had, and heard a little of the
customs of the Mongols, though I did not understand
him very well. On passing a temple we were attracted
by the voice of singing; we entered, and found it was a
number of priests chanting their prayers. We left them,
sad, yet not knowing how to do anything for them.
A PRAYING MACHINE.
We came to a building detached from others, from which
issued the sound of tinkling bells; as we neared it we saw
a woman in good attire turning a huge octagon-shaped
barrel-like thing. It was at least ten feet high and four
feet in diameter, each of its eight sides was divided into
forty-five panels, fifteen inches in height and three inches
in width, on each of them were written five Thibetan
characters. It suddenly dawned upon me that this was
the prayer-machine I had read of, which it turned out to
be, so that every time the wheel was turned there were
360 prayers to the credit of the turner. How sad 1 How
perfect a delusion are these people under, and shall we
stretch no hand to help them ? I felt increasingly im-
pressed by what I now saw; not only this, but almost
every man, woman, and child one meets is saying
prayers.
One is struck with one thing, and that is, these people
are thoroughly in earnest about what they are doing. 1 he
religion is all alive here, and I think it will be a stem
fight, but we know ** His arm is not shortened that it can-
not save." No ! His grace is still mighty, and will'get
glorious conquests in Mongolia yet.
What perhaps ^ives it greater hold is the fact that
almost every family is represented in the priesthood.
These men have shaven heads, live in the precincts of
the temples, practise celibacy, and dress differently to the
common people.
All this led us to pray as never before for these
people. You know by my last letter that I said I
felt no drawings to these Mongols, but what I saw con-
strained me to lay myself as a sacrifice at the Lord's
feet for Mongolia. He did testify to the act, for great
joy filled my soul, and great liberty in prayer for them
followed. I felt the Lord was saying to me, ** Whom shall
I send, and who will go for us ? '^ And I answered at once,
" Here am I : send me." How could I do any thing else ?
I am so conscious that where the Lord leads me, there I
shall be used, and only there, and I dread being in any
other place. To-night I feel ready to go at once as He
shall direct my steps.
Is it not strange that both Mr. Horobin and I, unknown
to each other at the time, were led to do the same
thing : lay our all on the altar for Mongolia. We found
that the priests generally (nine-tenths I was told)
could not read Mongolian, all their prayers and sacred
books are in Thibetan, and few of the people could
spare the price of the complete set. We had some
gospels, but these were not understood. I was told that
every tribe have their own dialect. In one temple near
here there are 800 priests, and one of these is the present
king's brother, so it has high patronage : but we have
higher, for the King of kings and Lord of lords is our
Head and Leader, and more, our Conqueror.
One young priest came several times to see us. He
knew a little Chinese, and could also read the Mongolian.
The last evening we were there, he asked us when we
were coming back, and pressed us to be sure and bring
Thibetian Scriptures with us. I asked him, If we come
here to live, will you teach us Mongolian ? He seemed
quite pleased at the idea, and said : Yes, he would be
pleased to do it. This looks like an open door to me,
and I feel some one should enter and take possession
in the name of God.
He was at the inn early the morning we left, to see us of!,
when we gave him a copy of the New Testament, which
he promised to read in our absence. We were there seven
d ays. Returning, we took mules an d a different and nearer
road across the mountains. We began the ascent at ten
a.m., and when we came out on the east side, it was fifteen
minutes to nine p.m. The mountains were so high as to
shut out the light of the moon to a great extent, but even oh
such a road, and in the dark, God proved Himself able to
keep us from harm.
The scenery was grand in parts ; at times there were
bare rugged rocks towering so high as to make one's neck
ache to look to the top ; at others they were clothed from
base to summit with beautiful pines, which looked still
more beautiful in their autumn tints. On the mountains
there is a kind of cow with long hair, mane and tail like
a horse. The bear is also to be seen, and wolves are said
to be there and abound.
One thing has struck me on this journey particularly,
that is our wonderful preservation from hunger.
This day we had breakfast at about 6 a.m., and dinner
at something past 9 p.m., and the most of this time had
been spent in hard walking, climbing, and ascending this
range of mountains, while during these fifteen hours we
had eaten nothing but four biscuits we had in our pockets,
and we drank of the stream that followed us. This is
matter for strengthening faith and praise, God can make
the little do for much.
Early the next morning we were again on our way. It
was a beautiful sunrise. I don't know when I have seen
a more lovely one. I never noticed before how gradually
the moon hid herself as the sun rose higher. It brought
to my mind a verse of John Newton : —
'* As by the light of openine day,
The stars are all conceakd.
So earthly pleasures fade away,
When Jesus is revealed."
So completely does Jesus transcend everything else,
that the soul that is fixed on Him must feel the littleness
of everything besides, and be ready to say, " Whom have
I in heaven but Thee, and there is none upon earth I
desire beside Thee 1 " We continued our journey across
the plain in which Ning-hsia stands, and about 3 p m.
arrived safely at home again.
Fancy our delight at finding our letters in from England,
the first letters of any kind for seventy- six days — a
splendid antidote for weariness this 1 We found
Brother Hutton well, and were glad to learn that all had
continued quiet during our absence.
We have been here now three and a half months, and
have experienced no difficulty with any one in regard to
our continuing here. We are asking the Masjter to give
us a house. I don't think there will be any difficulty now
in our remaining, for the people are beginning to know us
pretty well. I have succeeded at last in getting a teacher,
and have read with him now about five weeks out of the
three and a half months. He is from Si-ngan-fu ; there
are but few such men here, and it seemed a real difficulty
to get one. The other brethren began after being here a
month ; their teacher is from Si-ch'uen.
We are very happy here. Praise the Lord, He never
leaves us at Ning-hsia.
CHINAS MILLIONS.
6i
(Continued from page $o,)
FROM MISS LANOASTBR.
VILLAGE NO. lO.— WA-CHANG-TSONG.
|CCOMPANIED by Ing-tsi, next morning we
wended our way to the little village of Wa-tsong,
the native place of our pupil teacher. Never have
I seen such a ruined, dilapidated place, and yet before
the famine of 1876 it was a prosperous little village. Now
it is all ruins ! ruins ! ruins ! In some places only traces
of former foundations could be seen ; in others, houses —
or rather, the outer walls of houses — still stood. Perhaps
one room, nearly roofless, would be left standing, and m
some cases occupied by a lonely being who told you,
with a sad shake of the head, how in days gone by so-
and-so lived there, but all had perished for lack of food.
We entered Ing-tsi's former home, now rented by a
homely woman with some little sympathy left in her
heart The sight of the old room brought the remem-
brance of her mother, who perished in the famine.
Father, mother, five brothers and sisters all dead ! As
the thoughts of bygone days filled her heart, the tears
filled her eyes, and we left her a few minutes sitting on
the k*ang to weep ; then with a few words of comfort we
left the house. We visited five other places, one being a
little home in a cave. I wondered as I was led into a
narrow passage if any one lived there. Yes, indeed,
father and mother and five healthy children all dined and
slept in this earthy home. Sittmg on the brickbed, I
tried to speak for the Master, but had not proceeded far
before an old man entered the cave, and after listening a
few moments, said ; "Yes, yes, I know about the Lord ; I
heard about Him when I went into the city to have my
hand seen by the doctor, and he told me that we must ask
the Lord to make us well. God always sees us, and Jesus
died for us. When we worshipped, the doctor told us all
to kneel down and put our hands like this. We were all
very quiet, and he prayed for us." The old man suited
the action to the word, and, kneeling down on the earth-
floor, clasped his hands. I much enjoyed my visit, and
trust soon to go again and visit my old friend in his cave
home.
VILLAGE NO. II. — HSIA-CHWANG.
In company with Ing-tsi and a neighbour, we wended
our way to the little village of Hsia-chwang. Here we
were able to gain admittance to five homes. The first
place to which we were invited was a small room, rather
crowded with women busily cutting out some clothes for
a little two-year-old boy. They folded up their material,
and prepared to listen, asking me to play the concertina
and sing them something. I commenced, but was imme-
diately told to leave off and go away. The voice came from
an old man eighty years of age, who was lying apparently
asleep on the bed. I saw his long, shaggy, uncombea
hair, and asked who he was. " Oh, he is nobody," was
the answer. " He cannot hear or understand a word ; he
is very old, and will soon die." How I wished he would
let me tell him of our home beyond the grave ; but he
would not. So there was but one other thing to do, to
pray for him, and accept an invitation to another room at
a little distance. Here a large number of people gathered,
and some little attention was gained. I asked if any one
in the village could read, when a tall man, with a black
beard and moustache, stepped forward and said he could.
Several books were produced which had been distributed
some years ago. A good knowledge of the Gospel
seemed to be possessed by our host One old lady,
eighty years of age, appeared to listen well to the Gospel,
and said : " I should like to go to heaven when I die, out
it is so high up that I am afraid I should fall out." We
visited several houses, and the one who could read was
in constant request One of the best houses in the
village had just been bought by an opium merchant
The people were very friendly, and pressed us to come
again.
SECOND VISIT TO I-TSONG.
A visit to this village had been promised for some time.
One of the women offered me a room; so taking a small
bag of rice and a few other little things, I started with my
Bible woman. The village, not being far from the city,
was soon reached. This place, possibly through lying so
low and near the river, is noted for ague and many com-
plaints found in marshy districts. The first three days of
my stay here sixty people came for medicine.
£vening proved the best time to spesdc to the people,
and when the work for the day was done we gathered for
a little meeting. Not very many came ; one evening
eleven, another thirteen. One poor woman in great dis-
tress brought me her little girl, four years old, saying
that, as her arm was useless (paralysed) I could have her.
I suggested her going to school; but when the parting time
came the mother could not give her up. The son of my
hostess had been to the opium refuge, and on leaving had
had a Gospel of Luke given to him. He was greatly
pleased with the story of the Prodigal Son.
I think some regular woman's work might be done
here were it not for the river, which is very difficult to
cross in the summer, all bridges being taken away.
The evening before I returned home, we had finished
worship and I had retired to rest, when suddenly seven
visitors arrived. They came quietly into my room, three
women with babies and attendants, all muffled up in win-
ter attire, as the night was very cold and they had tra-
velled by cart some distance. Several of them were
suffering from inflammation of the eyes, and had heard
that I was going home next day, so had come for medi-
cine. They stayed for the night, and, I trust, carried back
some knowledge of the Lord to their village.
VILLAGE NO. 12.— CHIEH-PIEH-TONG.
This little village is only a mile distant from I-tsong.
We were invited to the house of a widow. The room was
soon filled to overflowing ; but unfortunately not much
attention could be gainedl Several wanted medicine,
and one old lady with double cataract, to whom I wanted
so much to tell of the home above, as she was over
seventy Jyears of age, went off, and seemed not to care
to listen. Oh, that the Lord would in some of these
people awaken some desire after Himself! We found
one little boy, formerly a scholar at the famine school ;
he had some knowledge of Jesus. I spoke about daily
prayer, giving him one printed on a sheet, which he pro-
mised to use. One old lady sent to know if we could
give her a ride into the city, saying, "If you have no
room inside the cart, tie me on behind." We promised to
help her ; but as we were delayed on our start homeward,
she trotted on by herself. In this village, as in many
others, we need to remember the words, " Cast thy bread
upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after many days."
(To be continued,)
62
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
\mm% Irg % Mag*
FROM MISS LBaa.
SS, Thames, Tan, 26th, 1886.
WE have indeed cause to thank and praise our loving
Father for all His great goodness to us. He
has already fulfilled His promise of giving "the hundred-
fold " to those who forsake all and follow Him. It is quite
impossible to enumerate the many blessings He has
already showered upon us. The past six weeks have been
gloriously happy, every day bringing fresh love-tokens
from our precious Lord. We feel inclined to have praise-
meetings all the time. We have been treated with uni-
versal kindness by all on board both ships.
We arrived at Singapore on Friday morning about six
o'clock. We got up early and went on deck. The scene,
as we went into the harbour, was simply lovely. I never
saw anything half so beautiful. I thought of that verse,
** All Thy works praise Thee, O Lord," and again, " The
earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.** What a
lovely world our Father has made for us ! How sad it
is to see the poor heathen bowing to their idols instead of
worshipping the one Great Father and God !
The town of Singapore is three miles from the harbour.
We had a most delightful drive through shady lanes, the
banks on either side being covered with the most lovely
flowers and ferns — all growing wild.
Shangkaiy Wednesday, Feb. 3ra, 1886.
WE arrived here yesterday afternoon about 4.30 p.m.,
after a safe and pleasant journey. God has done
for us " exceeding abundantly *' above all that we asked
or thought.
God has indeed blessed us most wonderfully. Several
of the men were converted (nine), and four backsliders
were restored. The Lord did work mightily among us.
Yesterday, when we left the ship, the men put into our
hands a letter, of which I shall enclose a copy. It gave us
such joy.
The officers could not help noticing the change in the
men, and all acknowledged that GOD had truly been
working. One man got up on Sunday afternoon, at our
meeting, and said that he had been the blackest sinner of
all, but he had come to the Lord Jesus, and now he knew
that his sins were forgiven, and he could testify that the
Saviour could deliver from the power of sin and keep
from falling, because during the last fortnight he had been
kept so wonderfully, and had realized that "Jesus is
strong to deliver and mighty to save,^^ All on board have
noticed the change in this man ; even the unconverted
cannot but wonder at it. He is so bright and happy, it is
quite a pleasure to see and talk with him. Will you pray
for these dear men, who have come out on the Lord's
side, that they may stand firm .? Many others are " almost
persuaded," and are just watching to see if the Christians
will keep true to Christ or no. Five of the men testified
on Sunday as to what the Lord had done for them, and
three others prayed. Oh, it was so beautiful to hear the
voices that such a short time before had been heard
cursing and swearing, now raised in prayer and thanks-
giving to God. We felt the power of the Lord very
much.
One of the officers on the Rosetia gave himself to the
Lord fully, and many were helped and strengthened, but
we were not able to do much there on account of sickness.
Copy of the letter each of us received on leaving the
ship yesterday : —
^'Shanghai, Feb. 2nd, 1886.
" To OUR Dear Christian Friends. —
" We, the undersigned, feel deeply grateful to you for
being the means of our finding salvation and true happi-
ness : we feel so much indebted to you that we cannot find
words to convey sufficiently our meaning. But, although
we shall be separated by land and sea, we will pray to
God that, in His great mercy. He will watch over and
Erotect you from all harm and danger, and that you may
e the means of bringing many, many souls to Christ.
Trusting that you will remember us in your prayers, and
that we shall all meet together in that beautiful land on
high, is the prayer of your loving friends."
i^Here follow the signatures of the fnen,)
Citritrgs ixam Srattewltr Mnrkrs*
gun-nan ^rofaina.
From Mr. Eason.
Yun-nan Fu^ Nov. ^tth,
"The Lord has given us encouragement to-day. The Budd-
hist nun who has been frequently with us this last year or even
longer, has again visited us, and expressed a desire to give up all
her idolatrous connections. She is the chief nun at the Temple,
and very intelligent, and is a well-educated woman. We have
praveH much for her, and now the Lord seems constraining her
to decide. If she becomes a Christian nearly all the dty wul be
talking about it. Mrs. Eason and myself hope to attempt a short
journey to a neighbouring town next week."
FROM MISS TODD. y^^_^^ p^
" Miss Malpas and I have been much cheered and encouraged
by the opening for work at the small Ea«t Gate of this city. I
have been enabled to minister to several sick ones there. The
Lord has blessed the means. This has given me great joy, as it
has inclined the people to listen to the Gospel message. I have
been called to two opium cases. The first was a girl of eighteen,
but she died before we reached the house. The second was a
woman at the East Gate. It wis a rather difficult case, every-
thing failed till I gave belladonna, which proved effectual After
four hours we were able to leave her. It does make one*s heart
ache when one thinks of all the evil that results from opium in
this land. When I look round at all the misery, it makes me
wrestle in prayer as I never did before. We are both well, and
happy in the Lord.**
From Miss Malpas.
Yun-nan Fu, Nov, 2yrd.
" Miss Todd and I are now living alone. The Lord has
been making our way plain before us. We did not think we should
be able to live alone so soon as this. Mr. Eason and his familv
and Mr. O. Stevenson removed to the other house on the 7tn
inst. Our Father has given such confidence in Himself that
we have no reason to fear anything but sin. The Sunday service
is still held here, consisting generally of our households. After
the morning service both men and women are met. During the
week we only meet the women. When the days are fine they
come in gpreat numbers.
From Mr. Andrew.
Kwei-yang, Nov. 19/A.
Since I last wrote I have been away on a journey. I first
travelled N.E. to a dty called Eng-gan Hien. We passed
CHINA'S MILUONS.
<53
through several villages and preached at two markets on the
way ; many listened well, some were indifferent, some surly, and
one bitter. From that city we travelled W. to K*ai-tseo. On
the way we called at a convert's house, named Tsang, and stayed
a day ; she lives on her little farm away up among the beautiful
hills. Poor woman, she has suffered much from sickness, but
was rather better when I saw her. She was sb glad to see me.
When the colporteur and I arrived, several of our garments were
wet through ; they were dried for us and we were treated right
well. I had some conversation with the old lady during the day,
and in the evening we had worship. She remembered a hymn
or two ; ** Jesus loves me, this I know," she recollected very well,
so, of course, we sang it. An inquirer, also named Tsang
(formerly Mr. Trench's servant) lives there.
In the morning Mrs. Tsang hobbled outside her house to see
us off. We started laden with good things. Mrs. Tsang*s son
(who, I am sorry to say, smokes opium) and Tsang the inquirer
accompanied us for a mile or so. The people at K*ai-tseo were
rather curious. We had good audiences^ and they bought books
freely. From this city we had a two and a half days' journey
home. I took the names and dates of a number of markets,
which I hope we shall be able to visit in time.
Kwti-yang^ Dec, iith.
We have had the privilege of admitting three men and three
women into the Church by baptism. There are now several in-
auirers. I have just returned from Yan-shun Fu. I stayed there
three days. The people listened well, and bought books pretty
freely. The new Fu-tai has arrived, and various rumours about
railways, telegraphs, etc., are flying about. We are glad to hear
of the number of new missionaries now coming out. We are all
well.
From Miss Butland.
Chen-fu^ Dec. 4/A. — Went lo the country— to quite a strange
place, among strange women ; sat down in a house by the road-
side, and about six women came and listened. One old woman
seemed to be quite prepared for the Word ; it was remarkable
the way she took it in.
Sunday^ 6fA.-^A good congregation. A number of the women
had not been before.
Dee. 2ist. — My visits to the country are most encouraging.
Many houses have been opened to me which seemed perfectly
closed last year. The women receive me so nicely, and listen
attentively to the Gospel for the first time.
Dec, 20M.— Went to see a lady, who is very ill, living in the
Tartar city. She had, when well, called to see Mrs. Riley, and
has not forgotten what was told her of the true God. She is over
sixty years of age, and confined to bed. I have no assurance
that she has heeded God's message of love ; she seemed so much
taken up by her bodily pain. This is the second time I have
visited her. Mrs. Sam. Clarke went on 1 hursday last.
Jan. 6th. — Went visiting in the country ; had a splendid time.
The first house I sat down in was that of a woman I met a fort-
night ago. She was then sitting with a friend by the side of the
road, and, on my speaking to her, she called for a stool to be
brought for me, and she and her friend listened so attentively as
the story of the Saviour of sinners was told them. It was getting
late, and the man came to tell me I must be returning home or
it would be dark. I felt very reluctant to leave them. I think
it was seed sown on good ground, for to-day they were anxious
to hear more about Jesus. They also brought some big girls
who, having heard them talking, were eager to hear for them-
selves. An old woman, too, from a house not far distant
brought her work and sat listening.
From Mr. Cecil Polhill-Turner.
Han-chung^ December 29M.
Mr. and Mrs. Easton left Han-chung rather more than a week
ago, making their way slowly down the river towards you ; they
met ^ith much delay in getting off. All here passed, I believe,
a very happy Christmas-time, and are experiencing a season of
refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and Iggkintr to Him
expecting rich times this year about to open, ' * \- -
I have to praise the Lord for providing a very good teacher,
a Si-ch'uen man, only a few weeks arrived, and a man not
ashamed of knocking about or walking if necessary. Brother
Phelps and I intend (D.V.) spending a time together with him
at Snih-pah-li-pu next week, a little place most excellently
situated for stuay and preaching when one wishes it — a pretty
well -crowded market in the town every day, with the chapel and
residence nestling quietly some two-tnirds of a mile away from
the town — a delightful old native Christian to cook rice, etc.
Arthur and Bro. Hoge are for the present in charge of this fort,
though probably we shall change about.
We praise the Lord that brethren continue to recruit the
strength in China from home ; may the Lord put it into the
hearts of His children to send the needed funds.
Mr. Easton's departure seemed to be much felt by the dear
native brothers and sisters.
We were very glad to have the news Bro. Hogg brought from
P'ing-yang of the other brothers, and trust if the Lord will that
we may meet ere long. He knows though what is best, and to
do His will is rest.
pan-suj^ |Pr0feiitrt.
Mr. Laughton with his teacher had gone to Hsi-ning Fu in
Kan-suh, and was staying in an inn.
S|^an-si ^r0fai;m:je.
From Miss Kingsbury. «,, . ~ ^
I di'yutn ru.
It has now turned five years since I left England. I can
hardly believe it is so long ago since I parted with my dear ones.
My life has been a very happy one since I came to this land,
indeed, the last five years are the happiest I have ever spent. I
trust you are having much blessing in your own soul, and that you
are daily realising the blessedness of abiding in Christ. As a
community, we here are very well in health, and there is much
for us to be thankful for.
From Miss Lancaster.
l^ai-yuen Fu.
Soon after our Bible- class was over a wretched-looking
woman came into the room leading a boy five years old. She
said, '* Can you cure this lad of opium ? " I thought, Can I have
heard right — Cure him of opium ? I said, *' You don't mean to say
he takes opium ? " ' * Yes, he drinks it three times a day, and has
done since he was a month old. He did not thrive when an
infant until he got the opium." Could there be any story more
sad than this ? I don't think any one who has not been in
China can understand the awfulness of this evil. How the
devil must rejoice ; he has his mark on the face of, I think, eight
out of ten men or women you meet on the street in this city.
A poor wretched man came to my door ; Miss Home and I
promised to help him to pay for the medicine for giving up this
habit upon condition that he earned 500 cash (about is. 3d.).
We said if he brought this amount we should know that his
heart was true in saying he would give it up.
He tried for days to earn or borrow the amount, but could
not, nor would any one stand as his middleman or surety. I
fancy I see him now as he stood before me, not a penny — nay,
not a farthing, not even a friend to stand by him. He so
reminded me of what we are in our Father's sight, our
righteousness as filthy rags, unworthy of even coming into His
presence, and yet how He sent His Son into the world not to
judge but to save.
Ihis man had been a kind husband and father for twelve
years ; then he had an illness, and a friend (!) lent him an opium
pipe, and advised him to try that remedy, and now the home is
all gone — his wife starving, and he a slave bound hand and foot»
Could I only feel that he trusted in a strength beyond his own,
I should not fear ; but he does not, and I tremble lest he return
to his evil habits again. I thought of his wife expecting another
little one in a month, and I promised to help him with the
needed amount, and also stood surety for him, so he entered the
Refuge. As he ttvux^e^ n^e, he said, '* And so I can enter with
nothing to'pay.*'
^4
CHINJtS MnLUONS.
Urolmin
fhe •Mrtk-CMt c/ tlkc ywmact. He was acernaif
mv/r for
brthe
^^mt-bbm^ Ij^toinmt.
Nim/^'iTiech Fu^ Du, 9^.
I w^>fce to let f<w IcAov dist Gcd if workiof 10 oar oudiC
Abost Umu mfjuim afo* a f«feuriai prolie»Md u> bdkre tbe
GomL He etmtt froai a nlbge sbcty U from here, l^lieii he
fwoteed foiUi is Cbfift he wanted to be at osoe Idptttcd, bat
wa«thowii«theoeccaiityfeffatiaeofj(rolatjoii. He stayed a lew
dajrs with OS, fec ei r m g loftfnctsoo to the Troth, and gettsag to
oadeistaad oar oiode of worship. He thea left lor hts hcoie,
determined to follow the Lord, and now, when I g<A back hexe,
I had the great pleasure of meeting him agaun* He aajs he pro-
fesses this doctrine not because he wanu Ibod, raiment, or
money (t'/m as, bot becaose he wanted to obtain hearen's hapfx-
ncM. He told me that doring his rmtM to the dtj he had onien
been 10 the chapd and heard the Gospel, bot had gooe away
distjelieving it, ontil God's grace showed him that to trost in
idols was to lose eternal Itiel After he believed he was rery
moch tempted, U/t one of his l«s became modi swoUeti, and
he gTft very weak, and the deriT sog^ested that this sickness
came bacaase he had given op bang a vegetarian, and be-
lieved the foreign doctrine. However, be was ena b led to con-
tinoe his trost m God, and the sickness passed away, Hesaid
tluU althoagh unable to come to worship he mul private
prayers morning and evening. He is coming next year to live
m the city, so J told him it would be better to wait till then
to be bapttied. He left this morning, taking with him some
OiSpels and tracts to distribute amongst his friends, and will ex-
hort them to put their trust in Jesus, who is mightv to save. I
believe he is sincere and earnest, and prav that God may keep
him (aithfol and use him for the ^ead o( tne Gospel.
Praise God, I am receiving ^reat blesrine through His Word,
Although the opposition here is great, still tbe iJord does send
many to hear toe glad tidings. Oh, how I kmg for a greater
kmomltdmt of tbe taagcage «Jka£ I ms^ be alie to px: befcec
the people more ckariy the Lced Jcsu as cae Sarkwr firam the
eaos€iqaeaoa ami tbe ^*^»^*'^^ cf sta. )Eay the people be
saved from wil&lly leje c ting the Christ of God, asd
their etesul daamatioo. Oh, that Ae Hoiy Ghost maghr
tfaii valley of dry bones and give them life, so that dbc
be ixtser! sp a mighty army to serve the fiviog God !
Fiox Miss Lilt Wui.
Ymmg-cisM^ ZV.'. 192^.
This afternoon >[iss Gray and I went to see a poos old
who is paralysed an down ooe side. As soon as we we
the room her bee lit op, and gning Miss Grray her hand die
h»ked up so brig^itly to us and saki» " I am jast wazdeg fior :he
Heavenly Father to carry ose home." She was sog e sing in-
tcnsdy in tbe side which was not paiahsed, and lay these xn tbe
greatest poverty cov e red with amass of rags, with a very scanty
siqiply of food and no kind home friends, and yet there was m
MBiwii r from the dear old woman of ei^ity-two years. I ooofcl
not help praying silently that God m%fat soon take her, foe I
bdieve soe was ooite ready to go.
We are beginnnig a little Sonday-sdiool here ; it is so nice to
hear the little Chinese lips repeating : " Je»s fcrcs me, this I
Yesterday Miss Gray and I went to Li Tai-tafs. We
there a good part of the afternoon, and actsaDy stayvd to the
evening meal, and did not arrive home till ci^ht o'c£odc We
had a good time ; we seemed to {;et so dose to :he w ^ansrn It
would not be wise to stay to tbe evening meal aia nie, and we
do not mean to do it again ; but for this <moe I as aoc think it
mattered much, because the women were so nrlgftferf .
From Miss Bykmk, Tmg^dkam^
To-day Miss Gray and I went out in &e sdmaw s i to an
opium-poisoniDg case. It was in a teamAe. I shoohi think
more tnan a hundred people were there. The vamoa s hssband
and sister did not seem to want her to live. She had a arastard
emetic after that strong coffee, after that I gase her a dose of
sal vclaiilit which did her good, and she was better when we
left. She listened to Miss Gray while she spoke to her about
her soul, and promised, when she was better, to come to hear
the Gospel, A man who was there seemed greatly interested.
gjepaiittws.
|15SES Littler and Say left for China by the English mail of April 7th. Messrs, A. Orr-
EwiNG, E. S. Sayers, Graham Brown, Andrew Wright, and J. C. Stewart, M.D., go (D.V.)
by the mail of the 2 1st Meetings, in which they have been commended to God, have been
held as under : —
March t^A» Bethelfield Church
»»
»»
»»
»>
»t
M
»»
II
II
• I
If
II
II
II
If
i6/^, Kblvinside Frbb Church
17M. Gorbal's Hall
19M. Christian Institute ...
8o/>i. United Evangelical Hall
21//. Tlantation Free Church
24/>i. Aliibrt Street Church
2i/A, Crumlin Road
35M. Presbyterian College
2$fA, Y.M.C.A. Hall
36M. Joy Mount Church ...
aSM. Metropolitan Hall ...
2g/A, Metropolitan Hall ...
I/*. Ytlvl.Vrf.A. •»« ... ...
SM. Congregational Chapel
qM. Y.MtC.A* ... ... ...
ii/A, Metropolitan Tabernacle
t^n» Y.M.V^.A* .•. ••• ...
iM, Wbsleyan Chapel
Kirkcaidy
,..Chairntan-
-Rev. I. E. Marvvick.
Dunfermlitu ...
. • .
t»
Rev. Dr. Mitchill.
Glasgow
• . •
»>
Rev. W. R. Taylor.
Glasgow
. • •
t»
Mr. Francis Dickie.
Glasgow
. • ■
ti
Sir Michael Connal.
Alexandria ...
• . •
i»
A. Orr-Ewing, Esq.
Glasgow
...
M
Rev. Alexander Andrews.
Belfast,,, , ...
...
f*
Rev. H. Montgomery.
Belfast
• ..
If
R. Mathewson, Esq.
Belfast
• ■ •
If
Rev. Prof. Watts, D.D.
Wellington Place,
Belfast
...
II
Rev. John Spence, M.A.
Carrickfergus,,.
...
...
•1
Rev. S. E. Stewart, B.A.
Lower Abbey Street, Dublin
...
tl
Robert Cotter, Esq.
Lower Abbey Street, Dublin
•i .
II
William Frost, Esq.
Croydon
...
...
II
M. H. Hodder, Esq.
Buckingham ...
••*
. • •
•1
Rev. H. M. Stallybrass.
Cantden Town
...
...
•1
Rev. James Stephens, M.A
Newington
. • .
•••
II
Rjiv. C. H. Spurgeon.
Exeter Hall, London
...
II
George Williams, Esq.
ffytht ... ...
•••
••.
t»
Rev. John G. Pearson.
China's Millions.
% llctrospcrt :
^ht Subshrnre of stbfriU ^bbrtssts giiitn buring a (fonffreHtt of ibt ^issionams of i^t
Cjjinii |iilan& IJlissioii.
BT MB. HUDSON TATLOB.
I^Contimied from page 55.)
OT many months after my conversion, having myself a leisure afternoon, I
retired to my bedroom to spend a good deal of it in communion with God.
How I remember that occasion ! How, in the joyfulness of my heart, I
poured out my soul before God, and again and again confessing my
grateful love to Him, who had done everything for me — who had saved
one who had given up all hope of salvation and all desire for it — I besought
Him to give me some work to do for Him as an outlet for love and gratitude
in self-denying service — no matter what it might be, however trying or
trivial, if it were only something with which He would be pleased, and
that I might do for Hih, who had done so much for me. I well remember
;d consecration, I put myself, my life, my friends, my all, on the altar, a deep
over my soul, and I consciously felt that my offer was accepted. The
became unutterably real and blessed ; and, though but a child, under sixteen,
Iching myself on the ground, and lying there speechless in the presence of
^akable awe and unspeakable joy.
ervice I was accepted, I knew not ; but a deep consciousness that I was no
(which has never been effaced} then took possession of me. It has been a
insciousness. Two or three years afterwards, propositions of a very favour-
•cre made to me with regard to medical study, on condition of becoming the
le medical man who was my friend and teacher. But I felt I dared not
66 CHINAS MILLIONS,
accept any binding engagement like an apprenticeship : I was not my own, to give myself away, as
it were; for I knew not when nor how He, whose I was and for whose disposal I felt 1 must ever be
free, might call for service.
Within a few months of this time of consecration, the impression was inwrought into my soul
that my life service was for China. I thought it highly probable that the service to which I was
called might cost my life, as China was not open then as it is now. There were then but few
missionary societies labouring in this country, and but few books were accessible to me on the
subject of China Missions. I learned that the congregational minister of my native town had a copy
of Medhurst's " China," and called on him, to ask the loan of it. This he kindly accorded, and asked
me why I wished to read it. I told him that God had called me to spend my life there in missionary
service. *' And how do you propose to go there ? " he asked. I replied that I did not at all know — it
seemed to me probable that I should need to go as the Twelve and the Seventy went, without purse
and scrip, relying on Him who had called me to supply all my need. Kindly putting his hand on my
shoulder, he replied, " Ah ! my boy, as you grow older you will get wiser than that. That would do
very well when Christ was on earth, but not now." I have grown older since then, but not wiser. I
am more than ever convinced that if we were to take the directions of our Master, and the assurance
He gave to His first disciples, more fully as our guide, we should find them to be as suited to our
present times as they were to those in which they were first given. From Medhurst's " China " I
gathered that medical knowledge would be valuable for missionary service there, and this directed my
attention to medical studies as a mode of preparation.
My beloved parents neither encouraged nor discouraged my desire to engage in missionary work.
They advised me, with such convictions, to use all the means in my power to develop the resources of
body and mind, of heart and soul, and to wait prayerfully upon God, quite willing, should He show me
that I was mistaken, to follow His guidance, or to go forward, if in due time He should open the way
to missionary service. The importance of this advice I have ofttimes proved since. I began to take
more physical exercise in the open air, to strengthen my body and my muscles. I got rid of the
feather-bed, and as many of the surroundings of comfort as I could, in my home, to prepare myself for
rougher lines of life, began at once to do what Christian work was in my power, in the way of tract
distribution, Sunday-school teaching, and visitation of the poor and the sick, as opportunity afforded.
After a time of preparatory study at home, I went to Hull for medical and surgical training. I
became the assistant of a medical man who was professor of midwifery in the Hull school of medicine,
and surgeon to a number of factories, which brought to our surgery a large number of cases of
accidents, and gave me the opportunity of seeing and of practising the minor operations of surgery.
Here an event took place which I think worthy of mention. Before leaving home, the subject of
setting apart the first-fruits of all one's increase, and a proportionate part of all one's possessions, to
the Lord's service, was brought before my notice. I thought it well to study this subject, with my
Bible in my hand, before I went away from home, and was brought into circumstances in which my
mind might be biased in its conclusions by the pressure of surrounding cares or wants. I was led to
the determination to set apart not less than one-tenth of whatever moneys I might earn or become
possessed of, for the Lord's service. The salary I received as a medical assistant in Hull at the time
now referred to, would have allowed me with ease to set apart one-tenth of it. But, owing to changes
in the family of my kind friend and employer, it was necessary for me to reside out of doors. Com-
fortable quarters were secured with a relation, and, in addition to the sum determined on as remunera-
tion for my services, I received the exact sum I paid for board and lodging.
Now arose the question in my mind, " Ought not this sum also to be tithed ? " It was surely a
part of my income, and I felt that if it had been a question of Government income-tax it certainly would
not have been excluded. On the other hand, to take a tithe from the whole would not leave me
sufficient for other purposes ; and for some little time I was much embarrassed to know what fo do.
After much thought and prayer, I was led to leave the comfortable quarters and the happy circle in
which I resided, and to take a little room in the suburbs — a sitting-room and bed-room in one — and
to board myself. In this way I was able, without difficulty, to tithe the whole of my income ; and,
while I felt the change a good deal, it was attended with no small blessing. More time was given, in
my solitude, to the study of the Word, to the visitation of the poor, and to evangelistic work in my
summer evenings, than would have been had I remained in my first quarters. Being brought into
contact in this way with many cases of distress, I soon saw the privilege of still further economising ;
and I found it not difficult to give away much more than the proportion of my income that I had at
first thought of.
CHINAS MILLIONS.
67
About this time a friend brought before me the question of the personal and pre-millennial advent
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and gave me a list of passages bearing upon it, without note or com-
ment, advising me to read up the subject. I gave for a while a good deal of time to reading the
Scriptures about it, and the result was that I was led to see that this same Jesus, who left our
earth in His resurrection body, was so to come again ; that His feet were to stand on the Mount of
Olives, and that He was to take possession of the temporal throne of His father David, which was
promised before His birth, at the annunciation. I saw, further, that all through the New Testament
the coming of the Lord was the great hope of His people, and was always appealed to as the
strongest motive for consecration and service, and as the greatest comfort in trial and affliction. I
learned, too, that the period of His return for His people was unrevealed, and that it was their
privilege, from day to day and hour to hour, to live as men who wait for the Lord; that so living, it
was quite immaterial, so to speak, whether He did come or not at any particular time, the material
thing being to be so ready for Him, whenever He might come, as to give an account of one's steward-
ship with joy, and not with grief.
The effect of this blessed hope was very practical. It led me carefully to look through my little
library to see if there were any books there that were not necessary, and likely to be further useful ;
and to look through m}' small wardrobe, to be quite sure there was nothing there that I should be
sorry to give an account of should the Master come at once. The result was that my library was con-
siderably diminished, to the great benefit of some poor people, and that I found that I had articles of
clothing which would be used to greater advantage in other directions.
It has been very helpful to me, from time to time through life, as opportunity has served, to act
in a similar way ; and I have never been through my house, from basement to attic, with this object
in view, without receiving a great accession of spiritual joy and blessing. I believe we are all in
danger of accumulating (it may be from thoughtlessness or from pressure of occupation) things which
would be very useful to others, while useless to ourselves, the retention of which is loss of blessing.
If the whole resources of the Church of God were well utilised, how much more might be accomplished
than is accomplished ! how many poor might be fed, and naked might be clothed ! And to how
many of the unreached might the Gospel be conveyed I Let me advise this line of things to you
as a constant frame of mind, and as a profitable course to carry out when circumstances permit.
{To be continued^
Mork in 3i0-nan*
FROM MR. SLIMMON.
Chau-kia-k'eo, 27M February,
AM a week behind time in writing, as I put it off
until I could send the news that we were into our
new quarters, and, bless God, I can do so now.
I got up with a light heart this morning, when I re-
membered where I was ; and I pray that we may be
allowed to remain on peaceably.
The house is situated in the centre of the town ; and is,
I judge, in the very best street in Chau-kia-k*eo for our
purpose, as the street is crowded with passengers from
morning till evening, and perhaps fifty per cent, of these are
from the surrounding villages, come to buy or sell in this
great business centre, so that by their means we shall be
able to send the " Glad News '» to many villages which
have not yet heard the sound.
The past six months has been a very trying time, but,
bless God, it has also been a time of no little blessing ; we
have been enabled to do some real work in the way of
preaching the Word, ministering to the wants of the poor,
and saving the lives of would-be-suicides by
OPIUM-POISONING.
Since the beginning of September we have been called
out to forty-seven cases ; ages ranging from twelve to
seventy years ; quantity taJcen from 50 to 500 cash worth.
Only in three cases were we unsuccessful in saving the
life of the victim, two of which were those of young women,
who had fasted for a day before taking the poison r and
we were not called until the opium was beyond our
reach. The third case was that of a young man, about
twenty-eight ; he had been dead for an hour or two before
his friends came for help ; they did not think he. was in
any great danger, he was only sleeping very soundly, and
they were evidently both surprised and disappointed that
we could not wadken him ; for it is commonly supposed that
we possess a life-giving medicine. Praise GoD we have ;
for the spiritually dead. Not only is it among the illiterate
that we meet with this belief: even scholars ask us very
seriously, if our medicine has this properly. It is amusing
to see the ignorance of some of these scholars. The
gentleman who is conducting Bro. Finlayson and myself
through the mysteries of the Chinese language has taken
the degree of .B.A., and he maintains that it is the sun
that revolves round the earth, and laughs at the very idea
of the earth revolving. He points out the absurdity of
our belief by saying, that were the earth to revolve we
would " fall off" when it came to our turn to go " bottom
side."
But to return to opium-poisoning. We find that such work
helps to clear away the suspicion with which the natives
naturally regard us ; although I have heard it sarcastically
remarked that, " // was strange thai the country which
sends the poison should also send the antidote.^^ It also
gives us an opportunity of learning a little about their
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
69
heathen authors, and prayers for "luck," according to
custom, he got the evangelist to write texts from
Scripture, and now he who nms may read that the
occupant of that shop is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth.
MA
I do not know much about personally yet. He is Wang's
first-fruits in his labour of love, and Wang is satisfied
that he is a true believer, as he professes to be. He is
about twenty-seven years of age, native of Ho-NAN, one
of Brother Wang's workmen.
Ll-TIEN-YU,
native of Hu-PEH, is a barber. He, too, was a slave
to opium, but professes now to be entirely free, and points
to the change in his appearance as proof of his words.
Indeed he is changed very much for the better ; formerly
he was not much to look at ; but now he has a happy,
healthy look about him, which I take to be the index of
the state of his soul.
LI,
our cook, is a native of Ho-nan, forty years old. I really
believe that he is indeed bom again. He prays most
earnestly for his brother and relations, and not only
when in our presence. I have heard him on one
afternoon, in his own room, when he did not know I
could hear him, praying most earnestly that God would
touch the hearts of his friends and turn them to Him-
self.
HOPEFUL CASES.
I have also hopes of our teacher, Li ; he says he desires
to be led into the truth, and we have prayer together
daily, both before and after study.
Then there are those who having heard the Gospel
have returned home bearing, let us hope, the light of life to
their home. Notably among these is one gentleman from
Canton, who was up here on business; he had heard the
Gospel before, but // seemed to apprehend him while hear-
ing Brother Yang preach ; also a teacher from Hu-peh,
who took some tracts with him to give away on his return
journey.
So, in opening our new premises, we have much reason
to raise our " Ebenezer," and believe that as the Lord
has helped us hitherto, he will do so even more abundantly
in the future.
Our landlord is an old gentleman of ninety-six years of
age — very proud of his age, which he says is the gift of
God. He is a Mahometan, and has a hearty contempt
for all who are foolish enough to worship idols ; indeed,
all Mahometans have. Our teacher was making merry
to-day over the fact that the Ta Wang temple was burned
down last night. It seemed to him a matter of sport that
Ta Wang, who governs rivers, etc., should be unable to
quench the flames that were destroying his temple.
FROM MR. ARTHUR EASON.
jECEMBER 15M.— Mrs. Eason and myself have
just completed two short journeys to two towns
which I visited last year. At Ts'en-kung, the
first town, we stayed two days. Opposite the inn, on a
waste piece of ground, we erected our tent.
Both men and women gathered round. I spoke to the
men, while Mrs. Eason had an audience with the women.
We had with us our cook, who was baptised last spring.
Many paid great attention, and we felt the Lord's
power. We endeavoured especially to point to the need
of a Saviour and the Lord Jesus as thtt Saviour needed.
It has often been to me a subject of much thought and
prayer to know how to speak. The opportunity generally
IS so short, and the minds of those to whom we speak so
occupied with the things of earth. (How earthly is the
heathen soul ! only those who deal with them personally
can come anywhere near comprehending.)
I take an argumentative line of address, and show the
absurdity of idolatry ; then that there must be only one
true living God, and that to worship another being must be
sin ; but my time has gone, and my hearers, who are not
accustomed to Ihinkin^y go off— perhaps I never shall see
them again. I feel, as I pause for a rest, that the mark
has been missed. I had only reached their heads — of at
least a few, let us hope — but their hearts^ still untouched
and unawakened to their awful needs ! Oh, how my
speaking seems like beating the air 1 I solemnly resolve,
in the strength of the Holy Spirit, to preach a Saviour^
crucified and glorified.
This time I try it. I scarcely mention the idols in whom
they believe, but lift up a Saviour from sin — that's the
point ! How they listen ! They, too, have saviours; but
who has ever before heard of a Saviour from sin. Their
Goddess of Mercy can save from trouble, misfortune, and
sickness (so they believe). But they never knew an
opium-smoker being cured of his vice by her help, nor an
adulterer being cleansed from his filth of heart, a proud
spirit made humble, a vile temper changed for a meek
spirit — who ever thought of even applying for such a
salvation to such gods 1 The character and teaching of
idolatry are altogether foreign to such a thought. Their
gods have been wonderful warriors, statesmen, genii,
devils, monsters human and inhuman, things earthly and
unearthly — nay, even hellish things. Saviours from sin !
pooh ! In many cases they are the very embodiment of
sin — for instance, the opium god, the god of the thieves.
The priests and priestesses, as a rule, in character fit
ministers of such a system of hell.
• • • • •
Beseeching the hearers to test this Almighty Saviour,
I tell them of our own hope, finishing by telling how
Jesus can save, in death as well as in life, I describe
the scene of my eldest brother's triumphant death. Can
they die like that ? They never knew anything like this !
Salvation 1 peace I victory 1 glory I As I record it, I
could shout —
" Salvation ! let the echo fly
The spacious earth around ; "
but it's no use getting sentimental ; we have to deal with
solemn facts. Within twenty miles from this spot are four
aboriginal tribes, besides thousands of Chinese who have
never had salvation ofl*ered them, and we cannot go to
them. Why ? Because the labourers are so few,
O ye believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, who can sing
in your assemblies so enthusiastically —
" Salvation, let the echo fly I "
How is it to fly ? who is to fly with it ?
** Give it wings," said a speaker to an enthusiastic audi-
ence at a missionary meeting, as the plates were passed for
a collection. We would say — " Nay, rather give yourself.
Take it yourself." Do you ask us, " Where ? " We would
answer, " Ask the Master."
CHINA'S MILLIOHS.
% f ttte frnm % pu aitg-si ^rofaiitre.
KWAi-PENG,/nn. 27/A.
rmav DEAR MR. TAYLOR,— You will be glad to
KBI leainthat the last province in China yields to
Bm missionary effotl. For three or four years my
mind has gone out toward K wane- si. Two years
and half ago I made a Journey through the province up the
West River almost to ihe borders of Yun-nan, where
Mr. Clarke, of your mission, has nobly held the ground.
I selected this city, Kwai-peng, which is at the junction
of two large rivers, as a site for future occupancy. 1
rented a small piece of ground, the best I could then get.
On account of war, we were not able to return here.
In August of i385, with my family and my sister.
Dr. Fulton, 1 came here, and succeeded in renting the
house in which we are now living. We had, of course, to
use much patience and forbearance, as the people thought
we were Catholics, and mean men put out placards
against us. But through the influence of medical aid dis-
pensed by my sister, we were able to get the good-will of
the people.
We were forced to go to Canton to get a proclar
issued last year by the Viceroy, of which I had several
copies. On our return we were accompanied by Dr. Kerr, of
the Canton hospital, who rendered much valuable service.
1 have now a lease for this house — a veiy comfortable
one — for ten years, and have also leased ground for
hospital and future dwelling. We have been living here
three months, and no trouble of any kind. Without the
aid of medicine, 1 doubt if the province could have been
opened for years. There are hundreds of villages in the
plain adjacent, and we shall, ere long, make arrangements
lor active operation in opening schools and itineration.
You cannot too strongly urge the value of medicine in
dissipating prejudice and opening the way for the evan-
gelisation of these vast fields. Please accept the assur-
ance of my sympathy and prayers in your good work.
1 am, yours sincerely,
A. A. Fulton.
American Presbyterian Mission.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
^nncipte anb Pcl^obs Applicable in Slattnit Morh.
BY REV. J. NBVIUS, D-D.
(Rcp)infcd from "The Chinese Recorder!')
LETTER I.— INTRODUCTORY.
Rn BEQUEST from the Editor of The Chinese
B^9 RecorJcrXQ prepare for publication some account
BB3I '^^ 'l*^ character and result of our country work
in SHAN-TONG, and private letters from various sources
asking for infor-
[^eneral subject,
have furnished evi-
dence that such in-
formation may be
pec i ally to young
The interest
which has been
taken in our work
in central Shan-
tung, by mission-
aries in other prov-
("oubt to the fact
that we have lo
snme extent adopt-
ed new principles
and methods. It
is too early to de-
termine what the
linal issue of this
new departure will
be, but perhaps not
iome important les-
sons from present
facts and experi-
tnces, and results
so far as developed.
The adoption of
the new plan hav-
ing been the result
difficulties and dis-
couragements in
connection with the
, previous one, our
present position
will be best under-
stood by consider-
ing: the two systems,
which may for the
sake of convenience
be called the Old
and the New, in their relation to each other. In the follow-
ing letters we will present the reasons which have led lo
the disuse of the former, and adoption of the latter, and
the manner in which the transition has been made.
I think it may be stated that thirty years ago, mis-
sionaries in China, with few, if any exceptions, followed
the Old Method. The change of view has not been sud-
den but gradual, and always in the same direction, pro-
ducing a continually widening and more irreconcilable
breach between the two systems. There is now a pre-
vailing disposition in our part of the field, at least among
the missionaries of the American ("resbyterian, the English
Baptist, and the American Baptist Missions, lo follow the
New Plan, which may still, however, be regarded as in a
formative and tentative stage of development.
These two sys-
_ — .. . — tems may be distin-
guished in general
by the former de-
pending largely on
paid naiive agency,
while the latter de-
precates and seeks
agency. Perhaps
an equally correct
and more generally
acceptable state-
ment of the differ-
ence would be, that,
while both alike
seek ultimately the
establishment of in-
dependent, self- re-
liant and aggressive
native churches, the
Old System strives
by the use of foreign
funds to foster and
stimulate the
growth of the native
churches in the first
stageof their devel-
opment, and then
gradually to discon-
tinue the use of such
funds; while those
who adopt the New
System think that
the desired object
may be best at-
tained by applying
principles of inde-
pendence and self-
reliance from the
beginning. The dif-
ference between
these two theories
maybe more clearly
seen in their out-
ward practical
working. The Old
uses freely, and as far as practicable, the more advanced
and intelligent of the naiive church members, in the
capacity of paid Colporteurs, Bible Agents, Evangelists
or Heads of Stations; while the New proceeds on the
assumption that the persons employed m these various
capacities would be more useful in the end by being left
in their original homes and employments.
The relative advantages of these systems may be deter-
mined by two tests— adaptability to the end in view, and
Scripture authority, Some missionaries regard the prin-
CIIINESE GARDEN.
72
CHINA'S MILLIONS,
ciples and practices adopted by the Apostles in early
times and recorded in the Scriptures as inapplicable to
our changed circumstances in China in this Nineteenth
Century. Leaving the consideration of this question for
the present, it will no doubt be acknowledged by all, that
any plan which will bear the application of the two tests,
of adaptability and Scripture authority, has a much
stronger claim upon our regard and acceptance than a
plan which can only claim the sanction of one test.
As a matter of fact the change of views of not a few of
the older missionaries in China is due not to theo-
retical, but practical considerations. The Old System
has been gradually discarded because it did not work, or
because it worked evil. In my own case I can say that
every change in opinion was brought about by a long, and
painful experience, and conclusions arrived at have been
only a confirmation of the teachings of the Bible ; and
the same conclusions might have been reached with AN
IMMENSE ECONOMY OF TIME AND LABOUR by simply
following the authoritative guide which God has given us.
If the New System be indeed sanctioned by the tests of
practical adaptability and use, as well as by Scripture
authority, an exchange or reversal in the application of
the names New and Old would be more in accordance
with fact.
In stating what I regard as serious objections to pre-
vious methods, I may come in conflict with the opinions of
my brethren. I desire however to write, not in the spirit of
a critic, much less of a censor : but earnestly desirous of
knowing the truth. I have in former years to a consider-
able extent believed in, and worked upon the Old System,
and what I have to say by way of strictures on it, may be
considered as a confession of personal error, rather than
fault-finding with others. To err is human. Foreigners
who have come to China to devote themselves to business
or diplomacy have made their mistakes ; it is not strange,
but rather to be expected, that we should make ours. Let
us acknowledge them and profit by them.
I am aware that it is possible to state facts in such a
way that the impression given will be a false one, and the
conclusions arrived at misleading. It will be my earnest
endeavour in the ensuing papers, not only to give facts
and honest conclusions therefrom, but to present them in
such a way that the impression given will be, if not always
an agreeable one, yet strictly true and just.
I wish further to disclaim all assumption of ability to
speak authoritatively on this subject, as though I had
myself reached its final solution. The effect of long ex-
perience in mjssion work has been in my case to deepen
a sense of incompetency, and to excite wonder in remem-
bering the inconsiderate rashness and self-dependence of
a quarter of a century ago. Still, though we may not feel
competent to give advice, we may at least give a word of
warning. Though we may not have learned what to do
in certain cases and under certain circumstances, is it not
much to have learned what not to do, and to tread
cautiously, where we do not know the way, and to regard
with hesitation and suspicion any preconceived opinion
which we know to be of doubtful expediency, especi-
ally if it is unauthorized by Scripture teaching and
example ?
I gladly recognise the fact that the use of other methods,
depending to a greater or less extent on paid agents, has
in many cases been followed with most happy result?,
and that to a certain extent tried and proved native agents
must be employed. I do not wish to make invidious
comparisons, much less to decide where the happy mean
in using a paid agency lies.
Let us bear in mind that the best methods cannot do
away with the difficulties in our work which come from
the world, the flesh, and the devil, but bad methods may
multiply and intensify them. For unavoidable difficulties
we are not responsible ; for those which arise from dis-
regard of the teachings of Scripture and experience we
are.
Let us also remember that while in undertaking the
momentous task committed to us, we should by the study
of the Scriptures, prayer for divine guidance, and com-
parison of our varied views and experiences, seek to know
what is the best method of work ; still, the best method
without the presence of our Master and the Spirit of
all Truth, the other Comforter, will be unavailing. A
bad method may be so bad as to make it unreasonable to
expect God's blessing in connection with it ; a right
and Scriptural method, if we trust in //, as our principal
ground of hope, might be followed a lifetime without any
good results.
With this much by way of introduction, I propose in
the next paper to consider some objections to the Old
Method.
{Continued from page 6i.)
FROM MISS LANOASTBR.
VILLAGE NO. I3.— NAN-SHIH.
|HIS little village of Nan-shib, we were told, was
fifteen // distant ; this was true, from our house
in the city, but only about half that distance from
the North Gate. The young woman we went to see was
very ill, and we feared little could be done for her. I
tried to tell her a little about the Lord and His almighty
power, but although she consented to all I said, she did
not appear to take it to heart The people seemed to be
snriall farmers, but evidently did not want to hear any-
thing about the Gospel, for as soon as the medicines were
given, we were offered some tea and cake, and told our
cart was waiting. We were sorry to find the poor young
woman had taken opium to relieve her pain, but it had
aggravated the disease.
VILLAGE NO. I4.— HSI-TSAI.
A visit had been long promised to this large village, I
which numbered about 900 families. With my Bible-
woman, Han-ta-sao, the cook, and Lao-tung, our old
evangelist, I started from T'ai-yiien soon after nine o'clock
on Monday morning. We reached our destination, about
ten miles distant, by one o'clock. At first things looked
a little dismal— no fire, no coal — and, to make matters
worse, the man who had charge of the room we had hired
had locked the outer door and taken away the key. How-
ever, the clouds passed away, and in a short time fires
were lighted (all smoked vigorously), and in about three
hours we were settled in our new home. Owing to the
smoke, a bad headache compelled me to rest, so I could
not see many people till the evening, when we met for
family prayers. It did one's heart good to see a goodly
number of rough countrymen gathering together to
worship the true GOD. First we sang a hymn, then read
and explained the Scriptures ; then the prayer, which I
thought concluded the meeting. It really was the dose
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
73
of the general meeting, but as soon as the women-folk
retired, there followed a men's prayer-meeting. From my
inner room I could hear one alter another of these rough
country friends engage in prayer for themselves and their
neighbours. I joined with them, though out of sight
The next morning many came for medicine, and invita-
tions to visit many homes were accepted. In the evening
worship was again conducted by the evangelist I think
between fifty and sixty were present. It was a pleasing
sight to see so many women in this village chapel. It
was a large, almost empty room — one small table, one
chair, and two old forms ; our light, two small red candles
and one candlestick ; the other candle had to be placed in
a basin and kept steady by small coal-dust. The next
day we hired a cart and visited a neighbouring village,
and returned at night to our rooms here. The weather
was bitterly cold, and the frost sharp. I had a cold kdng
and insufficient bedding (I had expected a hot bed, and
not taken much bedding), and the result was a severe cold,
which compelled me to return to the city. We were told
that a great number of the women were opium-smokers,
and that gambling was carried on to a fearful extent.
VILLAGE NO. 15.— KU-KU-TSAL
Before leaving for England a visit had been paid to
this village. Since that time our brethren had preached
frequently there, and not without encouragement ; three
having been baptized. A place had been taken for
services, and a boys' school opened, taught by a native
Christian. A good opportunity occurred to pay a second
visit, so, hiring a cart, my Biblewoman and I visited several
homes, and were very kindly welcomed. We went to see
the little fellows in their schoolroom — part of a Buddhist
temple. In a courtyard, three sides of which were rooms
filled with idols, the fourth side was the school where the
boys are daily taught about the Lord Jesus. The lads
looked so bright and happy, and their teacher seemed very
fond of them. We trust many from that school may grow
up to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation.
THIRD VISIT TO WU-CI.
Time flies fast, and the Chinese New Year is nearly
here, but an opportunity occurred to visit this little village
once more. We expected to find the people very busy, as
the fifteenth was New Year's Day, but we received a
kindly welcome and a pressing invitation to stay for the
evening meal. As usual in this village, a great many
children came to see us, and one sharp, intelligent little
fellow promised to learn the first chapter of Mark by my
return. It was from this village that our old friend, Lao
Ni-ni came to us two years ago. We believe she really
loved the Saviour and trusted in Him for salvation. Pre-
vious to her death, which took place only a few days ago,
she had an illness for three weeks. One mommg she
seemed much better and sat up. She was so full of joy.
She told us she had a dieam, and Jesus had come and
washed her — washed her all clean. She said, " Tm not
afraid to go to Him." She passed away very peacefully,
but the natives often tell her dream, saying, "Jesus
washed her, and she has gone to heaven."
FROM MISS RBUTER.
S'lNG-KIANG-FU, Feb, \tth,—'' He thatwaiteth
on his master shall be honoured " (Prov. xxvii.).
The Lord has been very good to us ; He has led
us tenderly. The first city we entered in the afternoon early.
Crowds of people followed us, and the room where we had
our dinner was filled with staring faces. After our meal
Sister Gray spoke to them about the Gospel, and many
books were sold. The road was not good, and we walked
after the barrow, the crowd following. By-and-bye they
began to throw a little mud on us, shouting out, " Foreign
devils ! '^ It was blessed to realise the Everlasting Arms
then. I am glad to say that it was chiefly children who
amused themselves in doing so, and soon some big boys
began to brush off what the others had thrown on. The
devil tried to frighten us, but he was put to shame. God's
Word which was spoken and distributed will surely
conquer.
In the evening we reached another city. In the first
inn there was no room ; in the second no room ; but in
the third we got in, after a great deal of talking ; they
were not willing to take the barrow. We were glad it
was dark, so very few noticed us in the street The
people were very friendly ; indeed, before long. Miss
Gray had opportunity to tell them of Jesus. A few books
were left
In the morning our mule slipped in trying to get up
some steps, and a man advised us to go another way.
This man was very kind ; he came with us all the way
outside the city, and told his little boy to lead the donkey.
Miss Gray offered him a Gospel, but he would not re-
ceive it ; he was a Roman Catholic The next morning
we gave away several tracts on the way. Early in the
evening we arrived in another city. While having our
supper- a proper Chinese meal— a great many people
were looking on, and it seemed to make an impression on
them when we asked a blessing. Miss Gray explained
it to them. We were asked | to stop there two days, so,
after praying about it, we determined to stay. The next
mommg a crowd came — men, women, and children. It
was a great privilege to ** load " while sister Gray " fired,"
because I could so well notice their faces. To see them
so eager to hear, to hear their surprised " Oh,** and repeat-
ing the words to their neighbours did make one happy; and
when I saw one man and a woman wiping their tears
away, I was rejoicing.
In the afternoon they gathered twice to hear. A woman
came outside our window and said she wanted to hear
the happiness religion ; she had been a vegetarian for
some time. Many books were sold here ; all the after-
noon some came to buy. The innkeeper seemed to be a
very wicked man, and made some dispute about the inn
money ; but it is wonderful, through prayer, everything
comes right.
Saturday evening we entered a city called Fan-shui.
The people here did not look nice at all. The children
were shouting after us all the way, and the people
broke the poor woman's door where we lodged, so we had
to pay her more than we should have done. Our bed-
room was shared by the woman and her baby, ourselves,
and the hens, but we slept beautifully. Next day was
Sunday. We were sorry to travel, but could not help it.
I was riding the donkey, when the poor thing stiunbled,
and I found myself suddenly over its head on the ground,
but without hurting myself— a great advantage of the
Chinese wadded clothes.
Ag^in another inn — the last before Ts*ing-kiang-p'u.
We slept in a mud house, with hardly more than half of
a door. But after having got a table m, we put rugs and
boxes for the door, so we had a nice little time for study,
and by-and-bye some women came. Miss Gray told
74
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
them the Gospel One woman seemed to be very much
interested, but was called out ; Miss Gray thought that
the others were more interested in our clothes and every-
thing else than the Gospel.
On Monday a strong wind blew, so we packed our-
selves well in our quilts. We arrived here in safety, and
the friends here are so kind. We had prayer last night;
the little boy (nine years old) read the Bible, because of
his fathers bad sight. Then the father said a few words
and prayed. It was a nice time. The family seems to
be happy. Several women came last night to see us.
As you see, dear Mr. Taylor, the Lord has been with
us. We have realised His special care. It makes me to
long for the time when I can tell them of a living
Saviour. This house would be a nice mission home.
May the Lord send out labourers to this great fipld.
It seems to me, looking at the enormous multitudes of
people who have not heard, that the work, or, rather, the
fielo, is too great. May the Lord help each one to take
part and work with both hands, always praying.
FROM MISS M. WILLIAMS.
|AST Saturday afternoon (March 6th) I witnessed
the saddest sight of my life. Some one came
for opium medicine, and Miss Oliver and I
accompanied Miss Macfarlane. It was a man who
had poisoned himself; but when we got there, he was
laid out for death, in all his best clothes. We could
see it was too late, the rattle in the throat told the fearful
tale too well.
Miss Macfarlane told them so, but with tears they
begged her to try, saying he still breathed. They forced
open his mouth to try to give the remedies, but of no
avail. He could not swallow ; and, after a few minutes
of anxious watching, we saw him breathe his last.
I can never forget it, to see him die — lost for ever— the
very thought seemed more than I could bear, as we stood
there. On their knees, and with tears streaming down
their faces, the mother and orphan children thanked us
for coming, and then turned and kissed him, just like
we should, and began to wail and chant. The sad wail
seemed almost appropriate to the scene we had just
witnessed— an unsaved soul gone out of the world by
his own hands I But I am so thankful the Lord led me
to see it ; oh, so thankful. I feel more and more in-
creasingly the depths of darkness these people are in.
May the Lord stir us up by these things to desperate
earnestness in saving the lost, and to prayer and inter-
cession for those who have no mercy on themselves. Oh,
Mr. Taylor, I never felt until Saturday that I could die
for this people, but I feel now that death would be no
sacrifice if by that means I could save some. I do thank
the Lord for showing me this.
Will you thank Him, too, and pray that I may be ever
ready to hear the lessons He would teach, and to carry
them 'out, that, whether by life or death, I may glorify
Him and save some.
" The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is Mighty ! "
This text was given me just before I left Gan-k*ing. I am
so glad, for it is such a strong text, and I am so weak.
FROM MR. HOGG;
|AN-CHUNG, February u/.— Mr. Ho, the elder,
called this afternoon. His looks corroborate
his prophecy that he cannot live very much
longer ; he is not very old, but he is slight of frame, and
looks weak ; moreover, he has a cough.
" I cannot live much longer,'* he said, as I entered the
door with him ; " I know it," he continued, in reply to my
deprecation ; " I know it ; all the medicine in the world
cannot cure me ; I am so weak, and I get weaker."
I could not contradict him, but I pointed him to the
great Orderer and Disposer of life and death, and spoke
of the wonderful love and grace that is ours in Christ.
" Oh, I do not fear to go," he said. " I know whither 1
go, and I do not fear." Nor did he look as though he
did, for a brightness came over his face such as I have
read about. It brought a flood of joy into my heart, and
of thankfulness to God for a salvation that saves even
Chinamen " unto the uttermost" I praised Him that I
am privileged to be a preacher of it, and for the saint
upon whose face I was looking.
Such is the ordinary Chinaman's fear of death, that he
seldom uses the word ; with him the dead are " not here,"
for he will not face the thought of the great change ; but
here was one for whom death has no sting, over whom
the grave will never be victorious. To him death is the
voice of God calling him to purer, better life, and the
grave but a temporary resting-place for a poor worn
body. His prospect is not of loss, for he knows that " to
die is gain."
^nt0jura0tment at Sil^-tl^att*
FROM MR.
|HE people appear to be friendly and unpreju-
diced, and we have had a large number of
visitors, from many country-folk whom it is very
hard to understand, up to most of the officials of
the Ya-mun, Our valuable helper, Mr. Fan, has had a good
deal to do with the latter. He tells us that they have read
the books which have been given them, and have now asked
O A S S B L S.
to have an Old Testament The Lord hath been mindful
of us, and He will bless us, so we are looking out for
the good things He has for us each day.
December 24M. — A Ta-ning Hien Christian (Mr. Tsao)
turned up on business in the town. We put him up here.
His heart is apparently very true. He reported twenty
believing families, spread over ten villages, and number-
CHINA'S MILLIONS,
75
ing altogether sixty-seven persons. Only three of these
have been baptised, not having been able to take the long
and very difficult journey to P'ing-yan^ Fu.
December T.'jth, — Early this morning, Mr. Ch'u, the
apostle of Ta-ning Hien, and Mr. Li, one of the oldest
P'ing-yang Fu Christians, arrived from Shao-i, three days
journey to the north. The work there was begun by Mr.
Ch'u a year ago, when he went to visit a relative, and
these two have now been up there to extend the work.
Li tells me there are now some fifteen families in the vil-
lages near Shao-i who have given up their idols and are
worshipping God. Only two men, however, can read,
and havmg heard of the Ta-ning Hien persecution, they
are very fearful. But what abundant cause for thankful-
ness ! The more we see of Ch'u, the more we praise God
for him. He is a man with a good deal more animation
than most Chinamen that we have had anything to do
with. Rather reserved, perhaps, at first, but when he
begins to speak about the spread of the Gospel his face
lights up, and he talks away so fast and enthusiastically
that it is quite impossible for us to follow him.
This was a grand day for us, seven of us meeting to-
gether for a nice little service in the morning, and in the
afternoon we had a splendid open-air meeting in the
streets. We sang " Jesus Loves Me," and Ch'u and Li
addressed the people. I overheard Tsao testifying at the
same time to a little group of listeners that were round
him. The next day Li and Tsao came to ask if they
might have some tracts to distribute in the streets. Praise
the Lord I
This evening Fan went up to the Ya-viiin to ask for a
copy of the proclamation, and again had a talk with the
second official, who has now got as far as the time of
Daniel in the Old Testament that we sent him at his own
request. Nothing is too hard for the Lord, and as we ask
Him what new good thing He is going to do, we cannot
but remind Him that it was through the friendly attitude
of the Ya-mun that He indicated Sih-chau as a place to
be occupied.
It is very good of the Lord to have sent these brethren
to us just at this time, for Li is able to remain with us
while our teacher. Fan, pays his contemplated visit to his
home. It is a joyful surprise to find what a zealous and
deeply-taught Christian Li is. He speaks most pointedly
to the visitors who come, and is more than willing to go
out with us to the villages.
The Lord seems to have given us a little footing in one
of the villages, and we have had two meetings, addressed
by Li, in the house of a man we got to know. We are
hoping they may be continued weekly.
Notwithstanding (perhaps I ought rather to say in con-
sequence of) the encouragement, the Evil One has not
been leaving us alone. I have known what it is to be in
" heaviness through manifold temptations," and have
once, at any rate, felt indeed that "my soul was among
lions," so terrible was the attack of the devil. But " when
I said my foot slippeth, Thy mercy, O Lord, held me up."
How blessed to know that it is just in the wilderness with
all the lions that " He leads His people on safely." I
say from the bottom of my heart, **He doeth all things
well." I have had a blessed experience of the truth that
" greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."
We do, however, continue to need the earnest prayers of
God's people. For has He not ordained that help should
come very largely through their intercessions ?
January \(yth, — Our dear brethren, Stanley Smith,
Dixon Hoste, and Hudson Broomhall, have just turned
up quite unexpectedly. It is very pleasant to have them
with us for a day or two, and we are asking our blessed
Master to make it profitable to us all and to the work here.
Jfor \\t Iffitng.
A LETTER FROM MISS MAR
AN-CHUNG, November ^th^ 1885.— I am afraid some of
you will be thinking that I have forgotten you and my
promises to you, unless the account of the wedding which
I sent you last was so out of the common that it has lasted you
extra long. This time there are no weddings to tell you about,
and nothing else very wonderful. Will you be contented with
hearing about everyday things ?
I think I will tell you first about a walk I had one day down
a street called ** South Street," one of the very busiest parts of
the town. It was a Saturday morning, and it felt almost like
Saturday morning in England, every one so busy ; no trams or
omnibuses, or even horses, as you see every day, but a great
many men carrying baskets slung on to a pole, and balanced on
their shoulders. In some of these baskets there were all kinds of
vegetables, carrots, and turnips, and sweet potatoes, and greens,
and celery, etc. In others, charcoal, or salt, or fish, almost
anything indeed. Many were buying and selling by the way-
side.
Then on either side were shops, with counters and partitions
behind to keep the stores in, but no glass windows, all quite
open. In one we saw men measuring off cloth, and a great
deal of talk going on about the price ; in another we saw some
tailors, busily sewing ; but the most remarkable shop of all was
full of paper things. There were little women about the size of
a large doll, and many still lai^er, very grandly dressed, their
hair nicely done, and flowers in it, and all made of different
coloured papers. Outside the door, there was a horse made of
paper, and a sedan chair, the horse quite Iarp;e enough for a man
to ride on, and the chair for you or me to nde in.
Can you guess what they were for ? Not to play with, for
they would go smash at almost the least touch, and, besides, no
one would take the trouble to make such things to please little
Chinese boys and girls. And not just to look at, for the Chinese
STON TO SOME CHILDREN.
are not so very fond of making things only to look at. They
were all made just on purpose to be burned. I expect some of
you have heard about this. I don't know why they bum little
men and women, but they burn the horses and chairs so that
they may go into the next world and help their friends who have
died to get along there. Very often at a rich man's funeral, a
paper house is burnt for him to live in, in the next world, and a
horse for him to ride on, and all sorts of clothes, and paper-
money. Very often they burn real clothes, silks and satins, and
all kinds of cloth. Just now that the winter is beginning, a great
many winter clothes are being burned by those whose rela-
tions have died, so that they shall not be cold in the winter.
They tell a story about the origin of this. Would you like to
hear it ?
Once there was a young girl who had only been married a
few days to a rich man, a Chinese B.A., when he was sent off
to see after the building of the Great Wall, between China and
Mongolia. He was away some time, and presently winter came
on, and his wife fearing he would be cold, set off to walk to the
Great Wall, carrying him some winter clothes. When she
arrived there, she found that her husband was dead. And so
she sat there and cried, and cried, and cried, day after day, I
think till she died. Ever since then, the Chinese have burnt
winter clothes and paper money for the dead in her honour.
Last Saturday was the first day of the tenth Chinese month,
and a rather grand day. I was suddenly called to the door
opening on to the street, and found that a procession was going
past. The first thine I saw was a number of men carrying fla^,
really pretty ones ; then came another little group of men in
yellow coats. None of them walked in line, as an English pro-
cession would, but all just anyhow. After the yellow coats came
gpreen ones, embroidered with black ; then dark blue ones, with
a little square patch of embroidery in front ; then men with great
76
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
long black beards tied on their faces ; others nicely dressed
ridinp on horseback ; then some wearing hats something like an
Enghsh tall hat, but tapenng very much towards the top ; then
more yellow coats ; then a group of little boys carrying saucers
filled with incense. Some of these boys were very grandly
dressed, with gilt things like crowns on their heads. Last of all
came a magnificent sedan-chair, borne by eight men : and who
do you think was riding in it? Not a mandarin, nor a
prince, nor any man at all, but a great, ugly idol, as large as a
man, with a long, black beard. His name is Chen Huang Ye,
and three times a year he is taken out like this for a ride, all the
chief men in the cit^ joining in the procession, and thinking this
a very grand occasion. Do you remember some verses in the
Bible that tell us about these idols, which say, •* Theyjare the
work of men*s hands. They that make them are like unlo them,
so is every one that trusteth in them ! " See if you can find
them. That evening a great many people in ihe city were
worshipping idols.
Now I have somethirg nice to tell you. But first I want
you to pray very much for .all the children who come here to
school evety day, and who have learned about the true God and
the Lord Jesus Christ. One of ihe two who live here with us
is to be baptised this week. It is just a year since she asked
about it first, but every one wanted to be quite sure that she was
a real little Christian. She is nearly fourteen years old, and
was one of the very first children in Han-chung who was
taught about the Lord Jesus, and she will be the first from the
school to be baptised. Her little companion, about a year
vounger, seems also to be in the Good Shepherd's fold, and we
hope it will not be long before she is baptised too. ^ Two or
three doors from us, there is a child who is a very true little
Christian. She was very anxious to be baptised too, but her
mother will not let her. So we are praying very much that God
will hear the child's prayer for her mother, and brin^ her too
to Himself. Yesterday afternoon, she and another little girl
who also comes to school came and asked me to teach them
some more. They had just come home from their Sunday class,
but they were so hungry that they wanted some more : are
you like that ? Then the other little girl told me that she too
loved the Lord Jesus, and she had asked her mother not to let
her worship the idols. Will you be^n today, and pray for both
these little girls, and for both their mothers, and then I will
let you know as soon as the answer comes. Now good-bye
till next time. Don't forget your friend away in China.
^ibht0S from Srattetr Mnrhtrs.
From Mr. Robertson.
Shao-hingy Feb. %th,
I have many mercies to record. I thank my G<xl and Father
that lie has given me such a quiet, happy, and blessid beginning
to my work in China. On Wednesday, Jan. 13th, Mr. Harrison
left us for Fung-hwa, and on Thursday, Messrs. Stevenson and
Grierson left us for Shing-hien, etc
From Mr. Grierson.
Kin-hwa^ Mar, isi,
Mr. Stevenson and I arrived here safely on the nth ult., and
received a very hearty welcome from Brother Langman. I find
the study of Chinese very pleasant indeed. About thirty to
forty people attend the chapel on Lord's days. The Christians
have been somewhat annoyed on account of their refusal to sub-
scribe to the Lantern festival, but the processions are now over
or th's year, we believe, and things seem to be quiet.
Brother Langman and I have worship together every morning,
before setting to the day's work, and very happy and blessed
times we have. I like the place very much. There is a lovely
view from the verandah.
very, very sad. When they returned we had a prayer meet-
ing for an outpouring of the Spirit on those who had heard
the Gospel, that they might believe, and on believers, that
they might be up and about the King's business ; and we never
had such a strong sense of the need, and, humbly I would say,
never had I such sympathy with the Master. Blessed be His
Name, that through and by His grace I am found in China
to-day.
From Miss Sarah Wilson.
Vang-chau^ Feb, z'jth.
Went Mrith several of the sisters to Ping-shan-tang. We
had a splendid day, and enjoyed ourselves very much. The
more I see of China and its people so much the more do I
thank God for bringing me to China. We went to see the
temple. As I looktd at the idols the tears came into my eyes.
I had often read and heard about idols in England, but never
realised what they were like. I think it will make me study
harder than ever.
piang-stt llrbbmr^.
From Miss Oliver.
Yang'chau, Mar. 4M.
I am greatly enjoying studying the language. We are very
happy here. I have waited long to come, and now the Lord has
brought me, and I do praise Him for giving me this privilege.
He has, indeed, more than made up for the dear ones left for His
sake, and I feel sure He will bless them far more than by my
remaining at home. We are getting much blessing from our
morning readings in Exodus. I never enjoyed studying my Bible
as I do now. The Lord is our Leader : I feel we are in the
same position as the Israelites were ; our future is entirely with
the Lord.
Last Saturday, for the first time, I went into a Buddhbt
temple. Oh, what a fearful sight tnose enormous idols are !
how my heart ached for those poor people, and how glad I was
that dear ML«s McFarlane could tell the Gospel. If the Christians
at home could only see for themselves they must come and do all
in their power to save these people. It is such a source of strength
to know that so many dear friends are praying for me.
From Miss S. E. Jones.
Yatig-chau^ Mar. 6ih.
A woman came this afternoon to ask Miss McFarlane to go
and see her husband, who had taken opium in the morning ; but
it was too late, for when they got there he was dying, ft was
From Mr. John Reid.
Ch'i-chau Fu^ Afar. 2nd.
I have had a visit from Mr. Walker ; te has been here over
two weeks, but intends returning to Gan-k*ing to-morrow (D. V.).
I have felt his visit to be helpful, for although the Master is
alwa) s with us yet Christian fellowship is sweet.
The teacher I have now knows a good deal of the Gospel. He
is not a Christian, but I believe he is an earnest inquirer. In
speaking with him I have been delighted with his answers.
M^-p^^ IProbiitcje.
From Miss Elizabeth Wilson,
At the Mouth of the Han Kiver^ Mar. 2nd,
God has opened our way, enabling Mr. Bailer very quickly
to find two most suitable boats, whidi have taken mission iries
to Sha-shI before. We have a woman on board, and all are
very pleasant ; one of the men is holding a candle for me, and
another is repeating, " God be merciful to me a sinner ! " It
has been quite a pleasure to me to see old friends and make new
ones here, and to find several old acquaintances brought to the
Lord. My former servant, Liu, who was a native helper, is
very ill, but quite peaceful in the prospect of leaving his wife
and five little children.
Miss Barclay and I had a series ot visits and two feasts, and
then spent two days in a village where we had excellent oppor-
tunities of speaking for the Master and were as happy as could
be. May the Lord Himself work by Miss Evans i nd myself in
Hu-NAN. We are very happy in the prospect.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
11
From Mrs. Andrew.
Kwei-yang^ Jan. 26fA.
We are grieved for one girl who has been in the school
almost from the first. Her parents took her away from the
school, but when we asked them to let her attend in the morn-
ing, they did for a time. She is a nice, Christian girl, and at
the last baptism she wanted to come, but her father took her
Testaments (Old and New) and burned them. The poor girl
is very unhappy; she wants to be baptised, and her parents
will not let her.
From Miss Todd.
Vim-nan Fu.
One day last week Miss Malpas and I, accompanied by Mrs.
Chin, who was baptized last April, went out for the whole day :
we were able to visit five villages, the furthest being fifteen
ii (five miles) away. At two we received invitations to come and
slay with them a few days at the New Year. We mean to accept
their kind offer, and trust the Lord will use us. It will enable
us lo reach several other villages within easy walking distance.
Pan-su^ ^rofamtjc.
From Miss Hannah Jones.
TsHn-chau^ BfC, 23rr/.
I went to Bai-ang-rong, hoping and praying for an open door
among the people. The women wanted me to stay, but the men
were not willing. One woman took me to her home shouting
to every one she met, ** She knows Tibetan words." The next
morning this woman was telling her husband about my praying,
and that *' the blood of Jesus can wash away sin." I slept with
the innkeeper's wife while there, such a nice Mohammedan
woman. She loved me intensely, and pleaded with her husband
to allow me to stay, but he was afraid of the officials. I have
htrard that all the books Mr. Parker sold in that place were
burnt.
The time I stayed in Lan-chau I visited i8 houses; but our
hou^e is so far from the people that it is a most inconvenient
place for work, though the walks around are very delightful and
the place very healthy. I do hope the day is not far off that the
poor Tibetans will hear of a living, loving Saviour. I do not
see why we should not stay a month here and a month there,
teaching the people. I shall have been here four years next
month, and have not been used to bring one to the feet of Jesus
that I know of. Oh, that the Lord would use me these next
few months !
From Mr. Hunt.
TsHn-chaUy Jan, i^h,
I wish so much that my letter could tell of showers of blessing
descending upon this place. Compared with the people of other
provinces, they are unusually indolent and indifferent here. We
long and pray for the time when the Spirit of God shall cause
these dry bones to receive flesh and life. In the class for heathen
women and in the children's day-school there are but few learners,
but my Sunday-school is very fair^ and the medical work also is
increasing, for I have effected many good cures, and every
patient buys and takes away with him a Gospel or tract, or both.
There is a Si-ch'uen family here who seem to have received the
truth, but of the five two are in our employ, so I cannot say
very much about them yet.
A well-to-do native of the place, living 35 It off, a farmer, at
whose house I have stayed several times, has also renounced
idolatry ; but I want to know more of him before I receive him.
One of the excluded members has recommenced attending the
services, and there is also one other inquirer. Please remember
these in prayer.
From Miss Marston.
Han-chung^ Jan, *jth.
Two busy days to tell of this time. Yesterday I started for
Shih-pah-li-p*u directly after prayers, accompanied by Mrs.
Easton's woman, who came to take care of me. I found most
of the women assembled, and we had a very good time together
on Acts xvi. — Paul and Silas at Philippi. When I had finished
speaking, they had a nice little conversation together about
themselves and their difficulties, and those of their friends who
had not yet believed. I only wish I could go oftener. We
stayed to dinner, and then came home, I in my chair and the
woman on a horse. I had two very bad chair-bearers, who
made the chair toss from side to side till I felt quite sea- sick,
and so was very glad to reach home.
This morning I had such a bad headache that I went to lie
down directly a ter prayers, and, while doing so, had a note ask-
ing me to go and take Mrs. Pearse's. class this afternoon. They
are about twenty women, and I had never taken the cla^^s be-
fore, so it seemed a case of a *' weak thing " being chosen, and
I had just to hand it right over to the Strong One. I was a
good deal better by dinner-time, though still not first- rate, and
very much did I feel my own incapacity. So, of course, I found
His grace sufficient, and had such a good time. The women
understood me and were interested, and some of them prayed
so earnestly themselves. I came home feeling that **one
more day's work for Jesus " was the best of all things in this
world.
Feb. *]th. — Things look as if I might start for Ts'in-chau in
two or three weeks. I hope that my goirg on to a hitherto
barren field will give me an extra claim on your prayers and
sympathy. It will be very new and untried ground for me, but
I shall not be afraid of anything if I know that others are con-
stantly remembering me in prayer ; please do ask the Lord of
the harvest to give us some ingathering up there. I have been
so much helped lately just by noticing that it does say, ** The
Lord of the harvest^' so that He cannot possibly mean us not
to do any reaping. Certainly, if there is always more to follow,
I have nothing to fear in going on to an untried field, for God
was so good to me at Gan-k'ing and on the boat, and has yet
done even more for me here at Han-chung for these last five
months, I must indeed sin^ a loud Hallelujah — " Praise the
Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever."
From Miss Drake.
Han-chungi Jan, 8/^.
The work is decidedly increasing in Han-chung ; the native
Christians are being stirred up, and in the school here Miss
Marston has had quite a revival. Last Fiiday week eight little
ones decided for Christ, and their behaviour since testifies that
the woik is real. Miss Muir and others have had the sowing
and Miss Marston the reaping, and now both sower and reaper
are rejoicing together. We are such a happy, united band here.
God has indeed been very good to us, more than our highest
thoughts could reach to ; but that is just like Him, for Pie
always keeps His promises however much we may fail in ours.
Another little one has decided to-day, one of the three we
were not sure of, but Miss Marston found on asking the little
thing if she loved Jesus, she said, ** Oh, yes ; He had washed
her sins away ;" and when Miss M. asked her to pray, she just
thanked Jesus for saving her, and said she was not afraid to die ;
she knew she should go to heaven, and asked that she might be
very good at home and do nothing a little Cliristian child should
not do. The poor child has a very miserable home. You will
rejoice with us over these little ones, and also over answered
prayer. One night a fortnight ago Miss M. asked that all these
children might be saved before the Chinese new year, as very
likely some may be leaving then, and now it is three weeks
before the time and there are only two we are not sure of. Won't
you join us in praising ? Another good thing, these children
take their Bibles home and read aloud to parents and friends,
and so the Word is heard in that way. I believe this day-
school in Han-chung will be the means of much blessing.
From Mr. A. Polhill-Turner.
Han-chung^ Feb, 18M.
Those were two sad cases of persecution you mention, dear
Mr. Taylor, but I believe your relating them to me has been
used here, for I told about it to some of the native Christians
who were then here for the quarterly meeting, and they spoke
about it at the last meeting, and got very warm and enthusiastic.
All the natives, we feel, are getting on fire, for which we praise
the Lord. We have now five or six preachers among them, and
78
CHINA'S MILLIONS,
K
coming on, and, as they leam more, I feel they will be
)werful preacheis i Ihcy ace very earnest and wann-hearted.
ar example, Chun, the barber, who was only baptised in the
antumn, preached for his first time in the Gospel Hall after Mr.
Fearse had h^ an hour; he said, "I don C know anything
about tx>oks, but I know how to shave your heads. Some lime
ago my mothei heard the doclrioe, and believed in it ; and then
my wife, and I was very bitlcr against it, and tried to hinder
them ; but now I believe the doctrine, and am bappy all the
day," Such hearty testimony is bound to carry weight by God's
help.
From Mr, Hccg.
tinually, we are able lo render heartyglad service to our Master.
By the grace of God, we opened ihe street chapel here on
Monday evening. God has taught me not to " dcsjiisc Ihe day
of smalt things, but to preach the preaching that He gives me
(Jonah iii. z). I should like to lell you something of the blessing
we have here, but I cannot. We heai sounds of abundance of
rain. We have n wonderful Gospel to preach, unlo the utter-
most for all.
\-sa-u 3proijmtt.
From Mk. Eevnon.
Kieei hwa ch'ing.
Coming from Tlen-lsin lo Pao-ling Fu, I was struck wilh the
flatness of the country— one broad open expanse, continually
dying away on Ihe horizon ; all the land under cultivation, no
hedges, no green, excepting a tree here and there. Noticing
the great number of graves on that vast plain, I realised as
never before how many in this land pass away without ever
heating of a Saviour. Hundreds of villages we must have seen
in those four days, and not a single witness for Jesus Christ in
any of themi I felt at times that I could only weep. Surely
there are brighter and better days Bt hand for China.
Kwei-hwa-ch'eng is on a large plain, with mountains on
evetv side, except the south. We are Vi li from the hills on the
N.W. "ITie plain wears a very pleasing aspect, being partly
pasture land and partly cultivated. To-day I saw a herd of some
150 camels; oxen and sheep are abundant; mules and horses
are also reared in large numbers. There is no lack of food-
milk, butter, sugar, Mour, meal, etc., ore plentiful ; indeed, it
seems almost like tieing at home. I like the people very
much ; Ihey are a hardy class of men, with ruddy complexions,
and manyof Ihem have nice open faces.
So now to work, I want many souls for Christ from this
dty. The weather has been bitterly cold, but it has done us
good ; we are quite braced up.
From Mr. Stanley Smith.
Pingyang Fu.
About this time last year you and I were together in Scot-
land, What happy limes those were 1 but, praise the LORn, I
would sooner have the present. I am so looking forward lo
teaming definite news about the new missionaries arrived. I
take a deep interest in knowing the whereabouts of my brethren
arul sisters in Christ in China, and the Lord's doings through
I tiy lo remember each one of them in prayer every day.
I am finding that, however heavy may be the run on the Bank of
Heaven, it does not break ; and that those who feed on the fat-
ness of the promises do not cry, " My leanness ! O my lean-
ness 1 " but, " My fulness ! O my fulness ! "
From Mr. Hosts,
Kuh--am Hitn.
I am here with Chang Ihe evangelist. He is a bright, truly-con
verted man, and out reading together has been very prolitabJe, to
my soul at any rate. I thought it belter to read some Old Tesla-
ment book, so asked him lo choose, and I must confess I was a
little taken aback at his selecting Ecclesiastes 1 Bui we have had
most instructive readings, to me especially so. as it appeais ihe
reason why Ecclesiastes is his favourite book is that, previous to
hU bang brought to the knowledge of the Lord, his experience
of life "under the sun" had led him to the same conclusion —
vir., " vanity and vexation of spirit." His remarks give one an
insight into the thoughts and aspirations of a Chinaman, an<l
yet his experience tallies very much wilh that of so many
Eiiglishmen previous lo their conversion,
I have been blessed in seeing more clearly the simplidly of
the Gospel ;how that it is at Ihe Cross we find deliverance from
self and sin, and not in prayings and slrugglings. The words.
" Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God,"
and " Reckon yourselves dead," were biought to me. I have
always been tiying, by much prayer and diligence, to make the
flesh dead, with painful resulis of failure, and not daring to say
" I am dead," on the aulhoiily of God's Word, independent of
all the tusslings of the f1<sh. It just came to me that Goii's
order was just ty faith to take bold of His covenant as I was in
all the depths of helplessness, and by faith to believe that I
have been crucified wilh Cubist, and that Ckkist lives in me,
not as the result of any 1 remendous devotion or elTorl on my
part, but in sheet grace, because God has chosen to deal with
me thus. What a glorious Gospel for poor, hopeless, helpless
ones I I never was naturally much of a man for shouting, as a
way of expressing my leelings, but when this wonderfut love of
God in Christ comes before one, I feel one must shout " Hal-
lelujah !" Tbeold habitsofunl)etief and restlessness, and giving
way to feelings, have attacked me tremendously, but, by God's
grace, I have been enabled to keep hold of the simple word,
" Yb are dead," etc, I see the battle is just by faith to keep
the position which God has given in Christ.
3^HH-tuiig ^tobmcc.
1 Mr. Norris.
Che-foo,Jan. agii.
There is one item of news of the school that will, 1 am sure,
interest you. On Sunday evening last one of our senior boys
joined us at the Lord's table for the fitst time. With him wete
two others, one Mt. Judd's son, and the other Mr- Leyenberger's
son, who have for some time been members of the church.
There is one very hopeful ease at present under prob:ilion.
Mr. Douglas is now with me, and I am going up to Dr-
Cameton's for a week's rest liefore beginning school woik
From Miss Whitchurch.
Cht-f^e,Ja„. p-d.
On Sunday afternoon I look Mrs. Bailer's class for women.
Since Mrs. Cheney has gone down to the boy's school, Mii>s
Seed and I have agreed to take it alternately, and arc so glad lo
have this opportunity of speaking to our poor sisteis about the
love of Jesus. The room was crowds! wilh women and
children, and they were very quiet while I explained lo them
that Jesus is our Shepherd, that we ate the lost sheep, and that
He wants lo save us now ftom out tetrible enemy, Satan. It
is a great comfort to know that it isthe Spirit's woik, not ours,
to convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, that we
have but lo sow the precious seed in faith, resting in Ihe assu-
rance, " My word shall not return unto Me void."
/an, 2ZHi/.— The gun-boat Swi/i has come in, and yesterday
afternoon Mr. Norris brought a sailor named Kenick lo see us.
He told us that he came out wilh Miss Gibson and party, and
that he was converted on the way out, that Miss Macintosh was
the lirsl to speak to him. He does not knowof any other Chris-
tian on board the Stm/i except the captain.
ffii. lit. — Our beautiful bay is such a glorious sight 1 How
sh^ll 1 ever describe ill Jack Frost, Father Neptune, and
the wbd have been having a terrible conflict ; the wind
has been blowing tremendously, driving Ihe sea hither and
thither, which in its turn has seemed lo be fo:imine In fury ; il
was grand yesterday, going down to the Union Chapel, to see
the while-capped waves far away, and lo hear their roar as
they came rolling in as far as Jack Frost would allow them, for
he in bis silent powers bad laid hold of the raging sea as il
foamed and stilled it with his cold breath, and so, for at least
one hundred yards out, was a froien, stormy sea, the waves In
some places two yards high, the whole mass as while as snow,
because it was Ihe surf thai was frozen as i( rose and fell. I
think it muiI be very much like one of the beautiful Swiss
glacieis, I wish I could get il pholognphed to send home.
China's Millions.
Pas 26% 1866— Pag 26tfe, 1886.
IN interval of twenty years is marked by the above dates. On the date first-named, a
band of seventeen Missionaries sailed for China, and their departure marked the formal
inauguration of the China Inland Mission. On the second date named seventeen Mis-
sionaries, home for a season, were present at the Twentieth Anniversary of the Mission,
three of Ihem belonging to the band of seventeen which sailed on that date twenty years before.
How the efforts put forth by this Mission in these twenty years have been prospered, we may not
now attempt to show. If the story could only be fittingly told, it would be to the encouragement of all
interested in Missionary work. It has furnished one more proof, in an unbelieving world, that God
will bless those who, in dependence upon His promised help, go forth to do what He has plainly
commanded.
In 1865 there were but 97 Protestant Missionaries in China. In 1886, in connection with the
China Inland Mission alone, there are 152 Missionaries, besides 36 wives of Missionaries, most of
whom had gone out as Missionaries, making in this one Mission nearly double the number of the entire
Missionary staff in China twenty years before.
The following table, which refers only to the Provinces which in 1 866 had no Protestant Mission-
ary, will show at a glance something of the progress made in opening work in them. Particulars of the
population and area of these Provinces are given in the table of Missionaries and Stations of the
Mission on subsequent pages, and only in proportion as those particulars are comprehjended will the
significance of this table be understood.
PROTESTANT
ITINERATION
C I. M.
province.
MISSIONARIES IN
COMMENCED BY
MISSIONARIES IN
1866.
THE C. I. M.
1886.
Gan-hwuy ...
••• ••• ••• ••• •
a • • • •
None
1868
13
Kiang-si
... 1 None
1869
5
Ho-nan
None
1875
2
Hu-nan
None
1875
2
Kan-suh
None
1876
13
Shen-si
None
1876
12
Shan-si
None
1876
23
KWEI-CHAU ...
None
1877
6
Si-ch*uen ...
None
1877
12
Yun-nan
None
1877
8
KWANG-SI
None
1877
None
The progress thus indicated calls for deep gratitude to God. The success of the past, howeven
only makes more apparent the overwhelming needs of the present, and must be chiefly valued as the
stepping-stone to further effort. Openings abound, and the measure of encouragement already
vouchsafed should be regarded as a call to more extended operations and a pledge of more abundant
blessing.
The unusual number of Eleven Missionaries, all from China, and all belonging to the China Inland
Mission, took part in the meetings now reported, and the friends of the Mission cannot read their
words without much encouragement. The same must be said of the very interesting letters from
other Missionaries which this number also contains.
A few days after the meetings, letters from China brought the sorrowful tidings of the death of
two beloved brethren included in the number given above. By the removal of Mr. Riley and Mr.
Jenkins, the Mission has lost two valued workers, B, B»
JULY — AUGUST, 1 886.
8o
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
ejetingis in % €tiukxma piall, Plilirma^g
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26///, 1886.
%iXtxmm SPljCftht0^
GEORGE WILLIAMS, Esq., Chairman.
The meeting was opened with the hymn commencing :
" Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war."
The fifty-third chapter of Isaiah was then read by Mr. THEODORE Howard, and prayer was offered by the
Rev. D, B. Han KIN, of St. Jude's,
Mr. THEODORE HOWARD.
It is my pleasant privilege this afternoon to read a
message which dear Mr. Taylor has sent to us from
China. I would say that we have very great reason to bless
God for having given Mr. Taylor a measure of health
and strength whilst he has been in China, and enabling him
to get through a great deal of his responsible and difficult
work. We thank GoD for all the grace and wisdom that
has been given him ; and we ask you to join with us in
prayer, that GOD will abundantly bless him whilst he yet
tarries in China, giving him all he needs, and safely
bring him back again to this country, where we hope soon
to see him. Mr. Howard then read the following
f fto ixfsm Pr. lutrsati Cajrkr.
Shanghai^ April Sth, 1886.
To THE Friends Assembled at the Annual
Meeting.
My dear Friends,— When I left England, rather
more than a year ago, I anticipated being again among
you in time for the Annual Meetings of the present year.
This has proved impracticable, so I will give you by letter
some account of the work in China during the last twelve
months.
Let us, at the very outset, give thanks and praise to our
God for His grace and His goodness to us out here in
China, and to you at home during this period of twelve
months.
We have to thank God for opening up new doors to
missionary effort, and still more for opening many hearts
to receive the Lord Jesus. The returns as yet received
of the work of the year are very incomplete. In these
papers I find mention of between two and three hundred
who have been added to the Church by baptism, and
rejoice to see that a number who had been under suspen-
sion have been restored to fellowship. Death has been
unusually busy among our native Christians, last year
having been an unhealthy one ; and removals and dis-
cipline have also told on the native churches. From the
statistics before me, it appears that in 28 of our 42
stations there were above 1,300 communicants in fellow-
ship. Were the returns complete, probably over a
hundred more communicants would be noted. The same
papers show over 2,000 to have been baptised from the
commencement of the work ; but this number is also very
incomplete. Our returns do not, in any case, show the
number of candidates for baptism and hopeful inquirers.
Of these, several hundred have been reported in the letters
of our friends, so that the outlook for the coming year is
decidedly encouraging. And it is all the more so when we
remember that so many of our missionaries have recently
arrived, and are mainly occupied in the study of the
language ; and likewise that during this year a larger
number than ever before of our older missionaries have
been absent on furlough. Moreover, during a consider-
able portion of the year in question, operations have been
interfered with seriously by the war with France.
THE FIVE NORTHERN PROVINCES.
It may, perhaps, be interesting to refer a little more in
detail to various parts of the field Beginning in the far
north-west, in
the province of kan-suh,
two mission stations were noted in the Table of Statistics
for January, 1885, in which there were eight missionaries
—several of them being new-comers, who had the lan-
guage to acquire. The statistics for January, 1886, show
two additional stations and five additional missionaries.
The work during the year has been largely itinerant or
evangdistic There have been no baptisms ; but we have
reason to hope that the labours of the year have not been
in vain. Perhaps more sanguine missionaries would
have already baptised some of those in whose case there
is encouragement.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
THE FOUR CENTRAL PROVINCES.
Turning again to the far west, the central province,
Sl-CH'UEN,
shows no increase of stations and few additional workers.
Efforts, however, are being put forth in three diRerent
directions to open up new cities, and if we succeed in any
of ihem a new station will at once be opened. The death
of Mrs. Riley in Ch'en-tu was a great loss, and the alarm-
ing illness of Mr. Riley, whose recovery is still uncertain,
is a present trial. Twelve, persons were baptised during
the year 1885 in Ch'en-tu, but there were no additions in
Ch'uog-fc'ing. In this province, altogether forty-eight
have been baptised from the commencement, thirty-five
of whom are living and in fellowship.
IN HU-PEH
we have no additional stations. Wu-ch'ang is mainly a
business centre, though eight persons were baptised
during theyearby our brother Cooper (now in Gan-hwuy).
Fan-cli'eng has been principally worked as a basis for
operations in Ho-NAN, bnt at the present time Mr. and
Mrs. George King, with Mrs. King's sisters, Misses Jane
and Emily Black, are resident there; and there is very en-
couraging evidence that their labours are not in vain in
the Lord. Sha-shi, near I-chang, in like manner, has
been principally a basis for Hij-nan ; but one person has
been Baptised in the station during the year. We shall have
-■■ intil Hu-NAN is in a more settled stote before we
much fruit from our operations in that province.
In these three stations eight workers were noted last year,
and ten on the 1st of Januay this year. Our brethren
James and Gulston have, of course been mainly occu-
pied with study.
Coming still further eastward in the same line, w«
reach
THE PROVINCE OF CAN-HWUV.
Last year there were fourteen workers reported j this
year shows thirteen ; but now there are four stations in-
stead of one. During the year forty-three persons have
been added to the Church by baptism. The number of
paid native helpers has been considerably reduced, and
that of volunteer preachers considerably augmented. The
Slay of out brother Mr. George King at Gan-k'ing has
largely helped to bring about this satisfactory state of
things, as also the presence latterly of our brother Mr.
William Cooper. There is quite a spirit of revival and
expectancy amon^ the native Christians, and we are an-
ticipating great things ere the present year closes, if our
Lord delay His coming.
Still furdier to the eastward ts
THE PROVINCE OF KtANQ-SU.
Shanghai is a business station, and Yang-chau has been
made a training-home for lady- workers. Work in Nan-
kin and in Chin-kiang is no longer carried on by us.
These cities have for some years past been occupied
by a number of missionaries connected with other
societies. None of our lady-workers in Yang-chau have
been out a year and a half— most of them only a few
months— yet there have been very encouraging evidences
of the Lord's presence working with them. Their visits
are not only welcomed and returned by the poorer sort of
people, but are greatly appreciated by some of the few
educated ladies in the city. In more than one kung-
kvian, ladies who, we feel sure, are truly converted rea4_
the Word of GOD and conduct family prayer themsel'
82
CHINAS MILLIONS,
Their circumstances are peculiar, and they are not free
to appear in public ; but several of them, we believe, are
doing all that lies in their power to spread the truth which
they have proved so blessed in their own experience. We
would ask special prayer for Chinese women, restrained
by those who have absolute power over them, that they
may have wisdom and g^ce to serve wisely and faith-
fully their heavenly Master. The love that some of
them manifest for our sisters who have been blessed to
them is very great, and the distress of two or three on
hearing that one of the lady- workers was likely to leave
the province for another was quite affecting.
To turn again to the far west — to the province of
YUN-NAN,
just beyond the border — at our station in Upper Burmah,
Bhdm6, nothing has been done during the year. Both
Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Soltau are absent, and the native
pastor removed some time ago to MandaJay, the capital
of Burmah, where we trust he has been doing work for the
Master. The two baptised native Christians, and some
dozen candidates and mquirers, have been scattered by
the rebellion and by recent events. It has not been
possible to succour them from the China side. Our
brother Mr. F. A. Steven, in a recent bookselling tour
westward toward the border, found himself suspected of
being a British spy, and in the excited state of the public
feeling was not able to go further west than Mo-mein or
Teng-yiien Chau, and had to return to his post at Ta-li Fu.
The latter station has been reinforced during the year by
the arrival of our brethren Theodore Foucar and John
Smith, and, at the request of Mr. and Mrs. Eason, our two ^
sisters Miss Malpas and Miss Todd, were sent to Yun-
nan Fu. Five persons were baptised last year by Mr.
Eason, some of whom, however, have been a source of
anxiety to him since. One bov was baptised at Ta-li Fu
by Mr. G. W. Clarke, before he left that station for the
north.
East of YuN-NAN, and on the same parallel, is
THE PROVINCE OF KWEI-CHAU.
Our brother and sister Broumton have had a short
change in England. The work has been carried on by
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew, and Messrs. Windsor and Hughes-
don. The province has been in a very disturbed state
during the whole year, and passports have been un-
obtainable for some time past. Itineration, which was
dangerous, has become impossible, and great difficulties
have been put in the way of our brethren, even for local
work. Nine, however, have been baptised during the
year, and of twenty-seven baptised from the commence-
ment, twenty-five are living and in fellowship.
Still further eastward, in
THE PROVINCE OF HU-NAN,
several encouraging journeys have been taken, and all
through the year the out-station at Ts'in-shi was occupied
by a married native helper and his family. We trust that
good has been effected, though no baptisms have taken
place. Since the commencement of 1886, our brother
Mr. Dorward has again had the discouragement of seeing
an open door in Hu-NAN closed. From the action of a
Spanish Roman Catholic priest in Li-chau (not far from
Ts'in-shi) the populace has been aroused, and not only
has he been driven away, but our station, too, has been
closed by the excited people. We can only say, " The
Lord reigneth."
On the other hand, our brother Mr. Henry Dick is at
present making a journey far into the province ; he has
been greatly helped and prospered in his work as far as
Hung-kiang, where we last heard of him. In Hung-
Idang itself, however, he found a very troublesome man-
^^n, disposed to give hiip little rest till h^ left.
THE MORE SOUTHERLY PROVINCES,
Mr. Henry Dick, writing on December 17th, says : —
**The most interesting event since I last wrote has been
the baptism of our native brother, the ex-priest, which
took place a fortnight ago. Brother Dorward baptised
him. I cannot tell you what a happy time it was, but
pray that God may give us to see many more coming out
boldly and confessing Jesus as Lord, not only here but
throughout Hu-NAN.*'
The next eastward province is
KIANG-SI.
In the out station, Yuh-shan, formerly superintended
by Mr. Randle, and latterly by Mr. D. Thompson, of Kiu-
chau, ten have been baptised during the year ; and of
thirty-six converts baptised from the commencement,
thirty-three are in fellowship. Some evangelistic work
has been done in the other out- stations. Our brother and
sister Dr. and Mrs. Pruen are now in Mr. Cardwell's
old station at Ta-ku-t'ang, though their stay there is not
likely to be permanent.
Still further eastward lies
CHEH-KIANG ;
and the most westerly station, Kiu-chau, is, as we have
mentioned, now under the care of our brother and sister
Thompson. We have just referred to the ten persons
baptised on the Kiang-si side of the border. Eight have
been baptised during the year on the Cheh-kiang side
of the work. Death has made very heavy inroads for
some years past into our church membership, and quite
a number have removed from the district; there have
also been some cases of discipline ; so that out of seventy-
six baptised from the commencement, there are only
twenty-four remaining communicants. Some of the
number, however, appear elsewhere, having been trans-
ferred to churches in other districts.
In Kin-hwa, also, originally connected with this dis-
trict, similar causes have been operating, together with
some others, our missionary work here having undergone
considerable interruptions. It would appear that out of
forty persons baptised from the conunencement, there are
only nineteen now on the roll as communicants. Our
brother Mr. Langman has been there for some time,
but has a very limited knowledge of the language, and
Mr. Grierson, who has recently joined him, has only been
in China a few months.
Coming down the Tsing-tang river, we are brought to
Hang-chau, where our native pastors, Wong-Lae-djiin,
and his son-in-law, Mr. Nying, superintend the work.
The rettuns are not complete. They show, however, ten
gersons baptised during the year, and the native contri-
utions have been somewhat larger than previously.
Still further eastward, at Shao-hing, our brother and
sister Mr. and Mrs. Meadows reside, also the Misses
Carpenter. There have been seventeen baptisms during
the year in this district, bringing the number baptised
from the commencement to 238. I was cheered to ascer-
tain that, while there have been thirty-four deaths among
the baptised persons, there are only eighteen survivors
not at present in fellowship or transferred to other
churchfis.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
83
The returns from Ning-po, where one of the members,
not in our employ, conducts the services, are unfortunately
incomplete. I have only the record of one person
baptised, and the number of communicants is very small
As our oldest church, it has lost the largest number by
death, only one of those in fellowship twenty-five or thirty
years ago surviving, and the largest number have been
taken from this church to commence work in other places.
Removals, and cases of discipline also, have occurred in
the usual proportions.
A day's journey south of Ning-po brings us to the Fung-
hwa district. Mr. Harrison has this year joined Mr. and
Mrs. Williamson in their work. There appear to have
been eleven baptisms this year, and Mr. Williamson re-
ports the aspect of things as being more hopeful than
twelve months ago. Last year only two baptisms were
reported, and the whole work was in a very dead state.
There is still need for prayer, but likewise some room for
praise.
Three days' journey south of Fung-hwa lies the city of
T'ai-chau. In the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Rudland, our
brother Williamson superintends this work, and spends
part of his time in the district, the native pastor, Mr. Liu,
being in charge at other times. Fourteen persons have
been baptised, and the outlook is far more promising than
a year or two ago ; 226 persons have been baptised from
the commencement, of whom 169 are survivors and in
fellowship.
It is, perhaps, worthy of remark here that a very large
proportion of aged Christians are found in our Chinese
churches. Persons above 60, above 70, and even above
80, are not unfrequently baptised ; and for this there are
several reasons. In the first place, aged people are more
free and less liable to be persecuted than the younger ;
their age being a great protection. Again, they are less
pressed, as a rule, with the difficulty of maintaining them-
selves, and have more leisure. And yet again, feeling
that death must be near, they are more impressed with
the importance of doing what in them lies to prepare for
that important change. Few very aged people are con-
verted at home, but then nearly all such persons are
Gospel-hardened, having resisted the Gospel in earlier
days. Those called here at the eleventh hour can gene-
rally reply, if questioned, "No man hath called me." One
result of the number of aged persons joining the Church,
however, is that, in the course of ten or twenty years, the
percentage of deaths is very much greater than it would be
among the same number of Christians at home, the ma-
iority of whom would be comparatively youthful.
Our most southerly church is that of Wun-chau, under
the superintendence of Mr. and Mrs. Stott. The returns
appear incomplete. In them I have a record of nineteen
persons baptised during the year, and of 237 baptised
from the commencement, 191 of whom are still communi-
cants.
Our sister Mrs. Sharland has removed her school from
Che-foo to Amoy, as mentioned in the March number of
China's Millions. Miss Fosbery was assisting her
there for a time, but, since the date of our statistics, has
returned to the north. The school is open to English and
Eurasian pupils, and Mrs. Sharland's great desire is that
they may not merely receive educational help, but may be
savingly converted. It would seem improbable that the
school can be made self-supporting, and, as the general
funds of the mission are not applicable to such work,
special contributions will be the more thankfully received
by Mrs. Sharland, or by us for transmission to her. We
shall be still more thankful to hear of some suitable lady
volunteering to help in the work. The requirements are
given in the extracts from Mrs. Sharland's Journal,
published on page 31 of China's Millions for March.
REMOVALS BY DEATH.
We have referred above to the loss of Mrs. Riley, of
Chen-t'u, the capital of Si-ch'iien. In T'ai-yiien Fu we
also sustained the loss of Mr. Rendall, who was becoming
very useful in connection with the reAige for the cure of
opium-smokers there. The death also of our valued
sister Miss Littlejohn has been reported during the year.
She spent a few months in Wun-chati, and was an invalid
most of the time. Sent northward for change — first to
Shanghai, and then to Che-foo — without permanent bene-
fit, she was early called to her rest and reward. Thus,
within the short period of one year, we see the Lord re-
moving one of our number, a ripe and successful worker,
greatly used of God, and apparently greatly needed by the
native Christians, as well as by her husband and babes ;
another, a loving husband and father, removed from his
sphere of usefulness just at the time that he was becoming
thoroughly efficient ; and yet a third ere she had the
opportunity of acquiring a sufficient knowledge of the
language to become a worker among the Chinese. What
a word to us all, whether beginners or veterans in the
Lord's service, to be diligent and to be continually watch-
ing and waiting for the summons. "And now, little chil-
dren, abide in Him, that, when He shall appear, we may
have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His
coming."
JOYS AND SORROWS.
It is impossible, within the short compass of this letter,
to give any adequate idea of the variety of experiences of
the past year. The conflict with sin and Satan has been
very severe. Trials in connection with the work have
been very heavy and varied. It has seemed sometimes as
though the great enemy would leave no stone unturned to
harass and hinder, if he could not destroy. On the other
hand, the joys of the work have been greater than ever
before, and scores of letters show that joy in the LORD has
been more abounding, and abiding in Christ more wide-
spread, than in any previous year. Many of us do thank
and praise GOD with all our hearts, not merely for bring-
ing us to China, but for all the difficulties and sorrows of
the way ; for are they not ordered by a Father's hand, and
will they not all bear precious fruit throughout time and
eternity ?
It is, perhaps, right to note that, though the gross
income of the mission has been larger than heretofore,
the increase has not been at all parallel to the increase of
the work and workers. Considering the number of
workers and amount of work, the available income has
probably been less than during any previous year. Yet
even in this respect we can thankfully raise our Ebenezer,
and cheerfully go forward, relying on the promise of Him
who has said that no good thing will He withhold from
those who walk uprightly.
One prominent object that I had in coming out to China
was the development of our organisation, and our arrange-
ments for locally superintending work in the various
provinces. This has been impeded by various causes,
among the principal of which I may mention the sickness
and furlough of a considerable number of our older
workers. Arrangements for South Shan- Si are not yet
complete, nor are those for the provinces of Sl-CH*UEN
and KwEi-CHAU. The absence of Mr. Easton will defer
the carrying out of arrangements made for Shan-SI and
Kan-suh. With these exceptions, however, such ar-
rangements have been practicable as will relieve me of
the principal details of work in other parts of China.
Mr. Stevenson, who has recently returned to the field, has
undertaken to act as my deputy in districts which I can-
not personally visit, and generally in matters requiring
84
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
attention during my absence from China. Thus one of the
most important needs of the work has been supplied.
KWANG-SI.
Though not connected with our own work, I cannot
conclude this letter without asking you to join in thanks
and praise to God for this year answering prayer with
regard to the province of Kwang-si. Through the efforts
of the Rev. A. A. Fulton and Dr. Kerr, American Pres-
byterian missionaries, from Canton, a station has been
opened in Kwei-pMng, which is now occupied by Mr.
Pulton and his sister, Miss Fulton, M.D. It was then
the only province without a mission station, and
our hearts were gladdened indeed by the good tidings.
The closure of our station at Ts'm-shT, in Hu-nan,
referred to above, makes that now the only province
in which there is no resident missionary or native
helper. Shall we not be encouraged to pray for Hu-nan,
and continue in prayer, that the open door in Kwang-SI
may not be closed again ?
And now, praying that all grace may abound toward
you, beloved fellow- workers, and earnestly desiring a
continued interest in your prayers,
I remain,
Yours gratefully in Christ,
Mr. B. BROOM HALL
made a statement in lieu of a written report. He said :
It is a great delight to us to see so many of our friends
present to-day, as we may assume that most, if not all,
are here because they have during the year been sus-
taining, by their prayers and by their gifts, the work of
God in China as carried on by means of this Mission.
Twenty years ago on this very date a large party
sailed with Mr. Hudson Taylor for China, and from
that day is dated the formal and definite inauguration of
the Mission. Of the number who went out in the Lammer^
muir on the 26th of May, 1866, there are three in this
hall to-day. It is a cause indeed for thankfulness, that
during these few years there has been much progress.
There are to-day in connection with the Mission 152
Missionaries — 36 married, 116 unmarried. If we include
the 36 wives of the missionaries, many of whom were
Missionaries before marriage, the entire number would
be 188.
(Reference was here made to one of the large maps,
the principal stations pointed out, and some particulars
given which will be found in the Table of Statistics.
It was further mentioned that besides the Missionaries
who had gone out from this country to China, there were
also in connection with the Mission 114 paid native
helpers, viz., 8 pastors ; 58 assistant preachers ; 12 school
teachers ; 20 colporteurs and chapel-keepers ; and 16
Bible- women.)
NEW missionaries.
Forty new Missionaries went out in 1885, They were
F. T. FOUCAR
T. James
John Smith
T. Jenkins
Stanley P. Smith, BA.
W. W. Cassels, B.A.
D. E. Hoste
M. Beauchamp, B.A.
C. T. Studd, B.A.
C. H. POLHILL-TURNER
A. T. POLHILL-TURNER,
B.A.
F. W. K. GULSTON
Richard Gray
Maurice J. Walker
T. C. S. BOTHAM
W. E. Terry
W. T. Beynon
Miss Annie Le Brun
Miss Agnes Brown
Miss Jennie Webb
Miss Jane Stevens
W. Hope Gill
D. M. Robertson
J. A. Heal
R. Grierson
J. R. Douglas
M. Harrison
Miss J. D. Robertson
Miss L. E. HiBBERD
Miss S. E. Jones
Miss C. P. Clark
Miss S. Reuter
Miss A. S. Jakobsen
Mrs. Eriksson
Miss Sarah Wilson
Miss Jane C. Oliver
Miss Emily Taylor
Miss Mary L. Legg
Miss E. C. Fenton
Miss F. R. Kinahan
Two brethren, Messrs. Vanstone and Thorne, who
are supported by the Bible Christian Missionary
Society, have also gone out in association with the
China Inland Mission and under its direction.
The following have gone out during the present year.
Miss Tapscott
Miss L. Davis
Miss C. Littler
Miss Annie Say
Arch. Orr-Ewing, Jun.
Eldred S. Savers
George Graham Brown
Andrew Wright
J. C. Stewart, M.D.
(U.S.A.)
income.
The income of the year 1885 was ;^ 19,401, which, with
^820 received in China, made a total of ^20,221, being an
increase upon the total income of 1884 of ;£i,973. This
year to the end of April £7^761 has been received, being
£syj more than the corresponding months of last year; but
we are sorry to say that the income for this month of May
has not been equal to the corresponding period last May.
It has been considerably less, so that the income of the
year, up to the present time, has been brought down to
the level of that of last year.
I may perhaps take the opportunity at this point to
say a word about a rumour which has been prevalent in
regard to the investment of a large sum of money on
behalf of the Mission. That rumour seems to have been
very widely spread, as we have had tidings of it from
nearly all parts of the world ; but so far as Uie Mission is
concerned we have no knowledge of any such invest-
ment
A reference was made in the letter of my dear brother,
Mr. Taylor, as to the increased income not being corre-
spondent with the increase of workers. That is the case,
and there are one or two considerations which rather
accentuate it. During the past year £()oo had to be paid
for passages home for Missionaries who had been out in
the field a number of years, and who were needing a season
of rest and change ; and ;^2,300 has been required for the
passages of those who have gone to China. These items
add considerably to the expenditure of the year, and
reduce the amount available for the support of the work
and workers.
china's millions.
During the year our publication, China's Millions,
has had a very gratifying increase in its circulation. A
large number of our friends have most kindly responded to
a suggestion made, that our printing expenses would be
CHINAS MILLIONS.
85
greatly reduced if they were kind enough to send us the
price of the magazine and postage — is. 6d. per annum.
We are very grateful to them for this, but we wish it to be
understood that we gladly send it to all donors, whether
they pay for it separately or not.
CHINA'S SPIRITUAL NEED AND CLAIMS.
During the year there has been a considerable sale
of the book, " China's Spiritual Need and Claims." The
sixth edition is not very far from being exhausted. We
would still commend this book to our friends as one of
the most helpful books that can be circulated ; and we
trust that they may not relax in their endeavours to put
it into the hands of as many as possible.
A MISSIONARY BAND.
(Mr. Broomhall here called attention to the book, " A
Missionary Band : a Record and an Appeal," which con-
tains an account much more complete than has been
previously published concerning the Cambridge Party,
and much bearing upon the Evangelisation of the world.)
CANDIDATES.
We have a record up to the present time of 119 candi-
dates who, during this year, have offered for China.
There is no one thing for which we would so earnestly
ask your prayers as for guidance in dealing with all
these candidates. We do shrink very greatly from the
thought of refusing a candidate who might prove, if
sent out to China, a valuable worker for God. On the
other hand, we shrink just as much from sending any one
out who might prove to be an unsuitable worker ; and in
this matter we need Divine guidance. Will you, dear
friends, in this particular matter remember our need ?
The CHAIRMAN
said: I think that the reports to which we have been
listening with so very much interest should encourage us
all.
Now, beloved friends, we who are here to-day, I
suppose, are all real Missionaries. Perhaps some of us
have not seen our way to go out to China, but we have
caught the missionary spirit ; and if we do not go it is
because we think we can serve the cause of Christ better
by remaining and supplying the necessary funds. We
have been told that forty Missionaries were sent out last
year, and ten during this year so far. That makes fifty
Missionaries ; and the income is about the same. Are
we, dear friends, right in allowing those who have the
charge of this Mission to have an amount of anxiety
like that ? Should we not say that all these Missionaries
going forth must have that practical Christian sympathy
which it behoves us as supporters of this Mission to
supply ?
Beloved friends, we can rejoice together to-day that
God has opened this wonderful China, and that He
intends evidently to gather out from this people a great
army of such as shall be to the joy and rejoicing of those
who take part in this work.
The other day I had the pleasure of being present at a
missionary meeting at which Mrs. Hudson Taylor was
one of the speakers. It is a great delight that in this
Mission the ladies are so much and so successfully occu-
pied. I ventured to say that I thought that those who
went out should feel an especial call ; and Mrs. Taylor,
who spoke afterwards, corrected me in a most loving and
beautiful manner. She said, "Is it not rather this— that
every young man ought to feel an especial call to remain
at home when God says, * Go ye into all the world and
preach the Gospel to every creature ' ? " Now, I thought
what an excellent remark that was— how much to the
purpose. And it may be, dear friends, that very many
have been, and are being called to go forth to the mission-
field, and they ought to examine themselves to see
whether or not they are called to remain at home.
I could not help thinking that it was my duty to look
up the word " Go." So I turned to the Concordance to
look out the word "go," and I found this: — "And He
said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the Gospel to every creature." Then I looked a little
further down, and I came across a reference to Jacob
wrestling with the angel. "Let me gOy for the day
breaketh." Now what was said to Jacob on that
occasion.^ "As a prince hast thou power with GoD
and with men, and hast prevailed." And so it must
be, dear friends, with us, and with the beloved agents
of this Mission. Herein is our power — that, like Jacob,
we wrestle with GOD and prevail. Then I came across
another "go." " Speak unto the children of Israel, that
they go forward ; " and thought that was an appropriate
" go 'for us here to-day. Then I came across another :
" Mine angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto
the Amorites and the Hittites," and so on. "Mine
angel shall go before thee ; " we know that the angel of
the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him ;
and that the Angel of the presence of the Lord has gone
forth with our beloved friends who have gone to China.
Then I came to, " I will arise, ^n^go to my father." And
I thought how delightful it must be to see these China-
men saying, " I will arise, and go to my Father ; " and we
will thank God for the number that have thus, during the
past year gone to their Father, and been received by
Him, and clothed in His righteousness, seated at His
table, and made partakers of the Divine nature.
We have a very considerable number of the beloved
friends from China here to-day, and I hope that by what
they tell us we shall feel encouraged in the work of the
Lord.
Mr, T. W, PIGOTT, B.A,,
Dear friends, I have oflen wished to stand here,
because one of the very happiest days of my life was con-
nected with this platform. The day before I started for
China I had the privilege and joy of standing here in the
midst of a conference of Christian friends who had come
together to consider the subject of our Lord's Second
Coming ; and in that conference I and my companions
were introduced and bidden God-speed in our work, and
we had the prayers of God's children, and God has
answered those prayers.
What was so much impressed upon my mind was this.
Dear Mr. Stevenson Blackwood shook hands with us
in the name of the Christians assembled : the building
was crowded, and all rose to their feet, and in a loud
voice they together repeated these words : " The Lord
bless thee and keep thee ; the Lord make His face
CJflNA'S MILLIONS.
Statistks of t^t C^ina |nIanJr piissimi for laratsrj ), 1SS6.
CHINA
. Pop. i7i uniic
:: §;»
, Fey. ta
.. Pop. tg
■ Pap»
* Th* cMioiatc of papoUtion ia tlut (inn in tba Iwt EditiBB of " CUu'i Spirftul Nwd ud Clum*.'
Hu-riH ...
Pop. ><4 MOU
Sr^U:::
:: z^.'l :
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
87
shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee ; the Lord
lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
God has ab mdantly fulfilled that prayer in my experi-
ence in China, and I can speak of seven happy years of
work in His service since.
THE OUTLYING PROVINCES OF CHINA.
Now I want to take up that word " Go " that we have
iust been hearing about. " Go ye into all the world,
and preach the Gospel to every creature," There is yet a
large tract of the Chinese Empire into which God's
servants have scarcely penetrated. A few of them stand
on the outskirts, but for the most part the land is unknown
— unknown not only to the Missionary, but almost un-
known to the European. I speak of the outlying
provinces of China. You see the portion represented
on this map here on the sea-coast — these eighteen
provinces of China ; but outside them there lies Man-
churia 700,000 square miles in extent ; also Mongolia,
1,400 square miles, as given by Mr. Wells Williams. Then
there is Eastern Turkestan and that large portion of Kan-
suh which stretches out northwards towards Hi and Koko-
nor, and Tibet — Tibet having 600,000 square miles. All
this vast tract is practically, I may say, untouched. Some
of God's servants have travelled in Mongolia, and some
are knocking at the doors of Tibet just on the north of
India — a little colony of Moravian Missionaries. But in
the greater pait there is no missionary working yet. It
is shut against the Gospel. Dear friends, we want your
prayers. You know prayer is a mighty thing. Mr.
Taylor asked for men for these eleven unoccupied
provinces, and the Lord has given him men and women
— more than one hundred and eighty, as you have heard
to-day, in answer to that prayer, and in one year about
£20yOoo, And so we know something of what the Lord
can do, because we have proved it.
Let us ask for these vast outlying lands that the Lord
would graciously send men and women to labour there.
They are very little known, but we know that the chief
religion is the Buddhist, and the people who have the
chief power in those lands are the lamas — the lama
priests. The people will not do anything without consult-
ing them. I was reading a report of the work in Indian
Tibet the other day, and there was a statement that the
Missionaries had already planted their helds, and the
weather had broken. When the weather was fine, all the
people were afraid to plant because the lamas had
not given them leave. These lama priests are clad,
some of them in red robes, some of them in yellow.
A great many of them wear upon their breasts a
number of mills, so that these mills may be always
turning, and prayer being said. Some of them make very
large wooden cylinders, and on these they paste a great
number of prayers. They turn a handle and the cylinder
goes round and round, and as it turns the prayers are sup-
posed to be said to the god. Some of the people of Tibet
and the Mongolians live in a very sterile countr>% and
are widely scattered, and though the tribes are large
some of them live in dens. They are nomad tribes.
Others live in villages and hamlets scattered about the
country. There are large Chinese cities and settlements
in various parts. Chinese magistrates go there and rule
over the people, so that there is an intercourse with China
continually going on with all these places. The Chinese
officials are very jealous indeed of allowing foreigners to
penetrate. It is not so much so in Mongolia. They are
not afraid of our penetrating into Mongolia, but they are
afraid of our penetrating into Eastern Turkestan and
Koko-nor and Tibet. Russia has been very aggressive
upon the Western borders, and that has made them fear
travellers. We want to ask the Lord to open these vast
countries to His Gospel.
These Tibetans and the other tribes inhabiting this
great and sterile country have not much to do for a great
part of the year. They cannot till, and they can travel
but little ; their chief business, therefore, is in looking
after their souls. They are most religfious people — very
tightly bound in the chains of superstition ; and I think
that this affords us great reason for hope that when that
religious spirit is turned by God's Holy Spirit in the
right direction, and they are pointed to Christ, great
numbers of them will be brought to the LORD. Dear
friends, let me ask your prayerful sympathies for these
outlying lands of Chma.
Mrs. PIGOTT:
I have only been in China two years and a half, so
what I say will only apply to the city of T'ai-yuen Fu, in
which we lived. As you know, there is a great difference
between the habits and customs of the people in the
north of China and those in the south, and also a
difference in disposition ; so I will only speak about our
own city.
CURING OPIUM-SMOKERS.
The work we had there was chiefly medical work, and
the curing of opium-smokers. The people are not, as in
the south, so very anxious to see foreigners that they go
out in great crowds, and therefore we must have some-
thing to attract them to come to us. We find that the
most helpful way is trying to cure them either of sickness
or of opium-smoking. We had great encouragement in
curing the opium-smokers. Many would come from the
country districts especially, because in the province of
Shan-si a very lai^e proportion of the people smoke
opium. They say that seven men out of ten smoke, and
at least as many women. I don't know whether this is
at all an exaggerated number, but a very great many
smoke opium, and it is not easy to get them— the women
especially— to come to be cured of the habit.
At the time we were there, Miss Lancaster (now Mrs.
George Clarke) carried on the work for the opium-
smokers among the women, and one lady came to me
because we had had a patient, an old woman about sixty,
who, at the same time that she was cured of her sickness,
was also cured of opium-smoking. She was a servant of
a mandarin, and was so delighted at being cured that she
went home to the Yamen and told them how very well
she had been cured, and how little she had suffered, and
what a good thing it was to be cured of opium- smoking.
Through her influence one of the elder sons of the house
came and was cured, and so also was a daughter-in-law.
The daughter-in-law thought that the best thing she
could do was to come to me, because they like to do
things there indirectly ; so she did not go straight to
the Opium Refuge, but came and, as an intermediary,
asked me to accompany her and to intercede for her that
she should have very good medicine.
She came first of all to pay a visit of ceremony, and I
tried to encourage her : she was rather nervous, fear-
ing that she would have to be shut in and not allowed
to go out, however ill she felt. Of course it is rather
alarming to deal with strange people, as we are to them,
and I thought it showed a great deal of confidence
that she was able to overcome this fear. I called
to see her, and told her a little more about it, but still she
8S
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
did not come for some time, and I wondered what the
reason was. At last she came and called on me again,
and said that her brother-in-law had told her that we
should prick her with a needle as big as a knitting-needle,
and so she was afraid to come. I said that of course this
was quite a mistake, that she would not be pricked at all.
She came and was cured, and just the day before I left
she came to express her gratitude, and brought us two
little presents, which she said were her own work — a fan-
case for my husband and a little scent-bag for me. She
wished us to come and have dinner with her, and
promised that if we would she would invite a party of
theatre actors to entertain us. This was very kindly
meant on her part. She put up a tablet in the Opium
Refuge — a large board with a few characters to show
other people when they come that she had been
cured, so that they might be encouraged to follow her
example.
This is only one instance, but this was the first lady of
rank we had. One or two have come since, and a good
many other women, but this lady was rather a good case,
because she was brave, and she had smoked a very great
deal of opium — more than an ounce a day, for fifteen
years. She was not thirty-five then.
We have found that time hangs rather heavily on the
hands of these opium-smokers while in the Opium Refuge,
because they are obliged to stay for three weeks, or some-
times a month, before we feel satisfied to let them go, and
as they have nothing to do they are very glad to listen to
conversation about the Gospel, and to read books if they
are able to read. We find that many of them are greatly
impressed, and a good many after they have been cured
of the opium-smoking, come regularly to the service on
Sunday, so that some have remarked that really it was
delightful to see all the people flocking into the service ;
it reminded them of an English Sunday. This is one
part of the work ; the other is the
MEDICAL WORK.
We get people from about loo miles north and south who
come with various diseases, and they very often stay with
us in our small hospital for a week or more, as may be
necessary, and during the time they are with us, being
away from home, from the cares of house-keeping, and
farming, and business, they have more leisure to hear the
Gospel. Every morning the patients are gathered
together in the little chapel, and we have a Bible-reading
and teach them. The work is mostly conversational.
We ask them questions to try to draw out what they
know, and preach to them every day and try to get them
to learn something, perhaps a little catechism, or to read
a book, and when they go home they take these books
with them and become interested ; very often it leads to
their inviting us to go and visit them in their own homes.
VILLAGE WORK.
They say, " If you will only come to our house, we will be
very happy to entertain you, and we will gather all the
village people in to hear, and you will be able to preach
to them, and to tell them these good words that you tell
us." But very often when they give us these invitations
we are unfortunately obliged to refuse, because we could
not leave the mission work, as it takes a long while to
go ; and that is one reason why we so much want more
workers, that some may be able to stay at home, while
others go round to these different villages, and take
advantage of the openings which are thus made.
In one village I went to, the people said that no
foreigners had been there before. AH day long the rooms
(small rooms they were) were crowded with people listen-
ing to us, and asking us questions ; and I have no doubt
that in that village we might have opened a ^ood work,
but we could not go again because of other claims.
SCHOOLS.
Another result of the opium work was one small out-
station, in which a teacher and several others were con-
verted. We opened a school there on the principle of
giving the teacher reward according to the knowledge of
the pupils or the number of pupils who passed in a certain
grade. But we did not give sufficient to make it unneces-
sary for the parents to pay too. We wanted to help
them on in their school, and we desired that the children
should have Christian instruction. This, although it is
only a small beginning with us, is on the same plan which
has been carried on by Dr. Nevius in Shan-tung with
great success. He has had a great many pupils, and
the parents have always been delighted with the progress
of the scholars, and they have continually had requests
for more and more of such schools, and we are earnestly
hoping that when we return to China, which I hope may
be in the autumn, we may be able to begin some such
work on a more extended scale amongst the Christian
inquirers wherever we may settle.
But my time is gone, so I will only quote one word in
the last chapter of Leviticus. I know that all those who
are here must be deeply interested in missionary work.
"Every devoted thing is most holy unto the Lord.
None devoted which shall be devoted of men shall be
redeemed ;" and if we are His children surely we are de-
voted ; and if we are entirely devoted to the Lord, we must
not draw back in any way, and everything that we have —
all our power, all our talent, all our money, everything is
His. We would ask you to pray for all His people
that they may be wholly devoted to the Lord, and that
we may not seek in any way, whether small or great, to
draw back, but may consider everything the Lord's.
After a few moments of silent waiting upon GOD, the
Rev. A. Bax led in prayer, when the meeting was
addressed by
Mr. G. F. EASTON
k.
^
During the past ten and a half years I have had the
pleasure of working in China. I have travelled from
Shanghai to the borders of Tibet, and from the borders
of Tibet back to Chefoo, on the northern coast ; and I
feel a very strong temptation to follow up the remarks
made by my brother, Mr. Pigott, about these outlying
regions, of which I have seen something and know much.
But I think that at this time many of you would rather
hear a little about Han-chung. My first five years
were spent in itinerating in Kan-suh. The last five
ears have been spent in the south of Shen-si, in
HAN-CHUNG FU.
This station was opened in the year 1880 by Mr.
George King. At that time I was in Kan-suh
trying to rent a house for Mr. King while he had
gone to be married. He started from Han-kow not
knowing where he was going to live, but trusting that the
Lord would go before him and would provide him a
home. When he reached Han-chung, on his way to
Kan-suh, the news was very soon sent to the magistrate
that a foreigner had arrived. His card being sent, the
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
90
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
would be interested if I could tell you what I should like
to tell you about him. He is a dear old man of seventy,
and is known among us as the " Daniel Quorm" of the
Han-chung Church.
He was introduced to us in this way : New Year's time
in China is a very remarkable time. The shops are all
closed. People put on their best clothes and go out to
pay visits to their friends. One New Year's time Mr.
Wei said, " Why, I will ^o and pay my respects to the
foreigners.*' One can go mto any one's house in China ;
it is not at all rude. He walked in and made a very polite
bow, and wished them a happy New Year. They asked
him to sit down and take some refreshment, and then
talked to him and introduced the Gospel ; and so
the old man at New Year's time heard the Gospel
and believed it, and went home happy. It was the
happiest New Year he had ever had. That was the way
he was brought to Christ.
At that time he could not read a character, but he has
most diligently applied himself, and has mastered suffi-
cient to enable him to read the Gospel of Christ. He
carries his Testament just inside his clothing. Wherever
you meet with him — in the road, in the house, or at the
stall— he has always his Testament by him. When
our friend was converted, he went home to his village,
six or seven miles south. His wife would not have
the new religion, and his son left him, and has never
seen him since ; but the old man stood firm. He got his
living by selling vegetables in the street. It is a large
place, and the rumour soon went about that
OLD MR. WEI HAD GONE MAD.
He said, " Yes, praise the Lord ; " and very soon
a great many more went mad. His wife went mad, and
several others went mad, and now there are about forty
gone mad. Praise the Lord I
There is a good work going on in that place. If you
and I could go next Sunday we should find a little
mud chapel, which they themselves built with very little
help from others, and about forty met together in the
name of the Lord. Very poor they are, being agricul-
turists and working men, but they are very sincere and
hearty in their worship and very hearty in their love of the
Lord.
I must say just a word about our old friend's medicine-
stall. He gave up selling vegetables, and knowing a little
about herbs, he started a medicine-stall in the rice market
at Han-chung. One can easily distinguish his stall from
any other, for it is covered all over with tracts and various
books, which are placed there for people to read. There
is not much medicine on his stall, but he has a " British
Workman's " almanack, in the centre of which is a por-
trait of the late editor, Mr. Smithies. He has forms
placed round the stall— a very unusual thing in China— to
mduce the people to sit and read. The old man is quite
a character.
On one side of the border of this almanack there is a
strip of red paper, which says, " If any one has taken opium
by mistake, or if he has tried to poison himself and
wishes for an antidote, let him come to old Mr. Wei who
keeps medicine on purpose." On the other side is a strip
which says, " Methuselah lived 969 years." I could not
make out at first where he learned that, but I remembered
that he had been staying a few days with us while we
were having Bible classes, studying the Book of Genesis,
and one thing that had fixed itself in his mind as a very
extraordinary fact was the age of Methuselah, and so he
had placed it there, perhaps as an attraction for his busi-
ness purposes. It might suggest that if people took his
medicine they might live to that age. But I do not think
he meant that. Perhaps he meant to say that people who
worship the true GoD live to a great age. The Chinese
think a great deal of age, and they think that they must be
good people who live to old age. On one occasion a man
came to my house, and said, " Can you give me some
medicine like that old man is selling up at Chung-ku,
a place twenty miles from "here?'' I said, "I did
not know that he had gone there. I know the man
you mean. It is Mr. Wei." He said, "Yes, he is
there. I am sure he comes from here, and I thought
that you would have the same medicine, for he has over
his stall * Gospel Hall,' and on one side he has *01d We.
the Aposile." The next time I met him, I said to him,
" What is it you have got over your stall ? " " Well,'' he
said, " I have got * Gospel Hall ' in the centre, and I have
* Old Wei the Apostle.' " ** Why do you put * apostle '
upon it ? '* I asked. " Why," he said, " because I am not
worthy to be called a disciple ! " I suggested that instead
of "apostle" if I were he I would use the word "dis-
ciple," and explained the difference. The old man makes
funny mistakes, but he wishes, as well as he can, to show
to all men that he is a Christian, and to make known the
Gospel to others.
happy meetings.
We have very happy meetings at Han-chung, when all
the dear native Chnstians come together. They arc
scattered about in various places in the country — two
here and three there— and we visit them at their homes,
but we like to get them together every quarter that they
may know each other and mutually encourage each other,
and very happy times our quarterly meetings are. They
come on Friday night and spend the Saturday and the
Sunday with us. On Saturday we generally have early
morning prayer-meetings, and after breakfast we have a
conference on a subject selected some time before. In
the afternoon we have a general meeting. Then in
the evening we have our social tea-meeting in native
style, not an imitation of a foreign one. The meeting is
open, and different friends from the country tell us of
what has been going on in their district, and of any-
thing remarkable that has occurred, and sometimes
a little of their experience. Our old friend, Mr. Wei,
is generally the most interesting person there.
Upon one occasion he told us that he had been very
uncomfortable. It was soon after New Year's time,
and he had gone a little distance from his home to
where there was a fair. He walked up and down the
first day looking at what was to be seen, but was not
comfortable. Then he went out again, but he did not
enjoy himsel£ Suddenly his nose began to bleed, and
he said, " Why, this is from the Lord, because I have not
opened my mouth for the LORD;" and so without taking
any means to remedy the thing, he got a congregation
together and began to tell them of the true God, and
point out the folly of the idol worship. One man asked
him^ " What is the honourable name of your God ? "
" His name, sir, is Jehovah, and He is the only true and
living God, and Jesus Christ is His Son, the only
Saviour." Now, dear friends, that would go farther than
the foreigners' preaching. A man very heartily telling out
what he knows of the Saviour in simple language would
go a great way with them. " Then," he said, " immediately
I felt happy. My nose stopped bleeding, and I felt very
happy." This was said to encourage other Christians to
go and tell out the Gospel and do what they could.
This man is a great power for good. He is an unedu-
cated man, seventy years of age. His power lies in his
loving way. It is his influence that has brought all these
forty people together. It is the way in which he goes
about it — the self-denying way, the affectionate way, and
in the same way he keeps them together.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
91
In Han-chung just now we have a chapel that seats
about 350 people, and it is filling every Sunday, although
there are only about thirty or forty Christians in the city.
We have also a large hospital, in which Dr. Wilson has
had very much encouragement. Some of those now in
the church, bright and happy Christians, were brought in
through the hospital work. One man who had been an
opium- smoker for thirty years was not only cured of
opium, but he found the Lord, and he is one of the most
earnest men amongst us. You will pray for them all, I
know, and you have their prayers. I was instructed to
bring their warm Christian greeting to you. They thank
you for your prayers, and for all your help and loving
mterest. You will be glad to continue to pray for them.
Mr, REGINALD RADCLIFFE
warmly commended the book,
"a missionary band,"
and quoted from it the following words by Major Malan: —
"The whole power of the Church of Christ lies in
prayer. The promises of God are unlimited to believ-
mg prayer. 'All things whatsoever ye shall ask in
prayer believing ye shall receive.' How thankful I
am that Livingstone was on his knees when he was
found dead. Does it not tell us whence came the power
for his self-denial, his courage, his endurance ? Oh, for
the mighty power of prayer ! How it opens the doors of
the heart ! now it quickens the energies ! how it revives
hope ! " Now, you know that Livingstone was converted
at about twenty years of age, and it was such a sudden
change to him that he records that it was as if he had
before had colour-blindness. He learned not only that
Christ was his Forgiver, but also that He came, not as a
dead Christ but as a risen Christ, to live in his heart
in almighty power, to fight his battles against the world,
against the fiesh, and against the devil You know
what he wrote about a year before he was found dead
in his tent in Africa — and oh, may that be true of
every one of us— "My Jesus, my King, my Life, my
All, I AGAIN dedicate my whole self to Thee ! "
Now that is asked of every Christian man and woman,
that we should yield ourselves entirely to Christ, and
see what He will do with us, and where He will send us.
Mr. Eugene Stock is known to some of you as
the Editorial Secretary of the Church Missionary
Society. That eminent Society is getting great blessing
over many parts of the world. There is a precious
word from him in this book on the great primary work of
the Church. What is the Church doing? Mr. Stock
says that instead of Missions being the great work of the
Church, they are taken up but as a " by-work,^^
One more word I should be glad to say to you about this
book. Would to God that it was put into the hands of
every congregation. It would be well if it were in every con-
gregation. Church of England and Nonconformist, in our
own country and in the Lutheran congregations on the
Continent, and if it were in the hands too of every Young
Men's Christian Association throughout the world.
Thank God that since Young Men's Christian Associa-
tions were started by the dear brother who is in the chair
here, they have multiplied until there are more than three
thousand. Some few of the Young Men's Associations in
Britain have been starting missionary societies of their
own, and many of them have been starting missionary
prayer-meetings. Why should not every one of those
three thousand little companies over the world start d,
missionary society for the heathen ?
I believe the most important thought we have to-day is
the subject of Prayer.
I do believe that we are not right in this matter
of Missions to the heathen. GOD promises in Isaiah,
" I will pour floods upon the dry ground." I believe that
the normal way the Holy Ghost acted after Pentecost
was by floods and not by units, and that it would be so
now amongst the heathen did we not limit the Holy One
by our unbelief. If you look at the Acts of the Apostles
you will find that it is flood after flood, and flood after flood.
I have put down eleven floods here. There was a
flood at Pentecost — three thousand. That is the nor-
mal way, because we are living in the day of Pentecost
This is our dispensation —
THE dispensation OF THE HOLY GHOST.
If we have not Pentecost we have nothing. After
that "a multitude believed," and then "many be-
lieved" (Acts ii. 41 ; iv. 4 ; vi. I, 7 ; viii. 4, 6 ; x. 44 ;
xi. 21 ; xii. 24 ; xiv. i ; xvii. 12 ; xix. 18) ; and the Word
grew greatly, according to the prophecy in Isaiah : " I
will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon
the dry ground. They shall spring up as willows by the
water-courses." See how these floods in the Acts of the
Apostles were connected with earnest prayer and with
fasting and prayer (Acts i. 14 ; iv. 24 ; vi. 4 ; xiii. 2, 3).
When the apostles asked the Lord Jesus, "Why
could not we cast him out ? " He said, " Because of your un-
belief ; this kind goeth not out but by prayer and- fasting."
What do you find before the great floods that took place
in the history of Barnabas and Saul ? What were they
doing .^ They were fasting and praying, and the Holy
Ghost said, " Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the
work whereunto I have called them." What was the
result ? They would not send them forth then. What
did they do before thev laid their hands on them ? Again
they fasted and prayed. The Church is to get to prayer
such as Major Malan describes ; and Mr. Spurgeon also,
in this book, says : — " We must get up higher still in
praying about Missions. I know some men can get any-
thing they like in prayer. Oh, for some five hundred
Elijahs, each one upon his Carmel, crying unto God !
and we should soon have the clouds bursting with
showers. . . . Oh, for more prayer — more constant, in-
cessant mention of the Mission cause in prayer ! and then
the blessing will be sure to come."
Oh, let us be asking the Lord for great things ; not
asking Him to convert a Chinaman here and a Chinaman
there. We want floods. We want to be Scriptural. We
want to go by the Acts of the Apostles and the pro-
phecies of the Old Testament (Isa. xliv. 3, 4, 5 ; Joel ii.
13, 21 to 29). " According to your faith be it unto you."
If we will come, and if we will fast and pray as they
did in the thirteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apos-
tles, He will say, "You shall see that my arm is not
shortened at all that it cannot save ; nor my ear heavy
that it cannot hearken." He will hearken, and He will
answer ; and there will be a mighty flood. God grant it !
The meeting was concluded with prayer by the Rev. Frank White.
92
CHINAS MILLIONS.
^bemng SJtdirtg.
The hymn commencing —
JAMES E. MATHIESONy Esq,, Chairman,
" To God be the glory, great things He halh done,"
was sung, and Mr. Theodore Howard read the One-hundred-and-fifteenth Psalm ; after which prayer was
offered by the Rev. G. A. Bennetts, B.A.
THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Christian Friends, — In the deeply - interesting
report which we had before us at the afternoon meet-
ing, there were a number of things which called for
deep thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings
which have attended the China Inland Mission in all
its operations during the bygone year. We ought not to
forget that when we met together last year at the anniver-
sary of this Mission, the Chinese Empire was at war with
France, and of course missionary operations were more
or less paralysed. We have to thank GOD for the issue of
that war, and we must remember that China had a con-
sciousness at the close of that war that she was a great
nation — a more powerful nation than she had ever been
esteemed in the eyes of the world before. This changed
state of things is well worthy of consideration by
ourselves, for none can forget that China has a long and
heavy score to settle with England, and if at any time,
by any conjunction of circumstances, England were em-
barrassed in Europe— engaged in deadly conflict with
another power — how easy it would be for China to turn
the tables upon England. We have heard much about
the drug which we have forced upon China, and we must
hear a great deal more ere our relationships with China
can be considered righteous or fair.
Among the things we have to thank GOD for is the
continued health of our beloved friend, Mr. Hudson
Taylor. We do look up to God with thankfulness for
him, and for a few other men like-minded, who have set
an example to the Christian Church of faith in God, of a
character not very common in this generation. Beloved
George Muller and Hudson Taylor and a few more
God has raised up to revive the faith of the Christian
Church in His almighty power, that He can, with the
weakest instruments, do mighty things for His own
honour and for His own glory.
We have to thank God that to-day we celebrate the
twentieth anniversarv of this important Mission. When
we look back upon these twenty years, what a vast change
do we behold ! Why, twenty years ago how difficult was
it to get a little band of Missionaries to go forth anywhere.
I have said it before, but I will say it again, that
GOD IS always ready,
and the Church seems always unready when God answers
its prayers.
Thirty years ago or more, the greater part of the
Continent of Europe was shut against Protestant effort.
In Austria, in Italy, and in Spain it was impossible
to carry on the work of colportage or Bible instruction.
China was largely sealed against us ; Japan was a sealed
country. But now, in answer to the prayers of GOD*S
people^ He has opened the doors one after another, until
there is hardly a country under heaven (except it be
Tibet and some of these central Asiatic countries) that
we have not free access to with the Gospel of our blessed
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Then when God
opened the doors, where were the men ? The Church
was not ready with the men. And then when the Church,
feeling the fresh weight that had come upon her, has
cried to God for the men, God has been sending men in
mat numbers during these last ten years, blessed be
His Holy Name ; but
THE CHURCH IS NOT READY
with her wealth and with her resources to avail herself of
the great opportunities of which these brave and devoted
brothers ana sisters are ready to take advantage. We
must remember how, as our brother told us this after-
noon, the Lord is just wanting to shed down the floods
upon the dry ground.
I was very much interested in reading the announce-
ment in the last number of ChinVs Millions that
dear Mr. Hudson Taylor had been led— guided as
I believe by the Spirit of the Lord — to appoint a
number of superintendents who should have the over-
sight of the work in the several provinces.
One other thought with regard to the difference between
twenty years ago and this present time. I intended to
say when I spoke of dear Hudson Taylor, how much
we have to thank God for the continued health and
strength of our beloved brother, Mr. Broomhall.
Living close to him and seeing him not infrequently, I
have opportunities of judging of the tremendous weight
of responsibility and care which is laid upon him, and
especially in reference to the almost numberless offers
from young men and women, and older men and women, to
take service in China. What a wonderful change ! He
told us this morning that since the beginning of this year,
1886, no fewer than 119 men and women have offered
themselves to go out in connection with this China In-
land Mission. That just gives an average of about one
man and woman per day, leaving out the Sundays. What
a blessed thing that is I Twenty years ago it would have
seemed a dream for any one to suppose that. Surely
God is stirring the hearts of His dear children in this
land to offer themselves for His service in distant lands.
I I have alluded to the circumstance that China is a far
greater power than it was. We know that in the sons of
China we have a race possessed of the largest brains of
any orientals and men of the firmest muscle of any of the
Eastern races, and they have undoubtedly before them a
wonderful future. We hear a great deal just now about
the distress among the nations. We have our store of it
in England, but it is not confined to England. All over
the Continent of Europe they are crying out about the
bad times and the hard times ; and, my dear friends, I
think that we are going to have very much harder times,
and very much more difficult times. I, for one, believe
that we are in the times described in those words,
'* Distress of nations,with perplexity; the sea and the waves
roaring ; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking
after those things which are coming on the earth ; " and
CHINA'S MILLIONS,
93
one of the great problems of the future is just this homely
simple question which all families have to do with —
the wages question. If the millions and millions of
people of China, who can live upon a few pence per day, are
to come in and compete with us in the labour market, oh,
what a revolution is in store for us western nations ! and,
dear friends, if they come ere we have given them the
Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, shall
we not have
AN overwhelming MASS OF HEATHENISM
that may cover up, and choke, and destroy the Christianity
of England, for the Christianity of England of to-day is
not the strong sturdy thing that it was in the days of our
Puritan forefathers. Multitudes of our people are going
back to superstition and Romanism, and many more of
them into blank infidelity and atheism. But, dear friends,
there is not only an urgent call from God's holy Word —
there is not only an urgent cry from the heathen world —
" Come over and help us " — there is not only an urgent
cry from beloved missionary brethren and sisters longing
for more help as they labour on the mission-field, but
there is a cry to our self-interest, for if we do not give the
Gospel to these heathen nations they, in their turn, may
overwhelm us with heathenism, as Mohammed and his
followers overwhelmed the north of Africa and the south
of Europe with Mohammedanism.
Now, what is the command of our blessed Lord ? It
is that we are to give the Gospel to every creature under
heaven. And are we obeying that command ? What a
little band, after all, is this band of nearly two hundred
China Inland Missionaries and the few hundred more
sent out by the churches of England and America and
Germany. What are they among so many ? I must leave
it to the beloved brethren from China, who are to follow
me, to urge this question upon you. It is a blessed thing
for us at home to have a share in this work, if we canno
go out ourselves in person.
Mr. BROOMHALL
briefly recapitulated some of the particulars he had
given at the afternoon meeting. In reference to candi-
dates, he said that he was very glad that the responsibility
of dealing with them was shared by others who formed
the Council of the Mission. It was a heavy responsibility
to rest upon any number of men, and they desired the
prayers of friends for guidance in this particular matter,
that there might be no mistake made, and that they might
just do that which the Lord would have them do
concerning each case. They desired only to know His
will and to act accordingly.
And now, he added, what shall we say as we look
forward ? We look back at the twenty years, not that we
may satisfy ourselves with what has been done, but that
we may count all the success of the past just as a stepping-
stone to something beyond. If in the early days of this
work — the days of its comparative inexperience, and the
days when China was not so truly opened as now — so
much has been accomplished, what may we not expect if
all the friends who rally round this work sustain it by
their prayers right lovingly and earnestly ? We do re-
joice in the number who have gathered with us to-day.
It has been a real delight, an unmixed joy, to see so
many of those with whom we have corresponded during
the year, present, and making the acquamtance of our
missionary friends. We have very much indeed that
rejoices our hearts in the deep, earnest, loving sympathy
which is felt by those who, from time to time, send their
contributions, and with their contributions the earnest
assurance of their continual prayers. I trust that this
may be a type of that which will exist yet more abundantly
in the future, and that as a result GOD will indeed pour
out His Spirit, and cause that work which He has blessed
so much already to be yet more abundantly prospered.
Mr, E, TO MA LIN,
I think the first thing that a Missionary, coming upon
this platform, should say is, " Praise the LORD " — the
closing note of the psalm that was read ; and if our
beloved director, Mr. Hudson Taylor, were here to-day,
as he is in spirit, I know that his prayer would be that
everything that is said and done here should be a pro-
longed note of praise to God. We have much to praise
God for.
I should like to bring before you a little of what has
been done in
THE province OF GAN-HWUY,
from which I come. Four years ago a young soldier, who
had recently heard the Gospel, went to a village lying out
in rather a wild part of the province. He was not sent
out by us, but went to find his friends. The love of Christ
constrained him. Just as we were closing our services one
Sunday, he went into the chapel at Gan-king, and said,
" I have come to take you down to our village. There are
some people waiting to be baptized." I was not able
to go at once, and he waited for me about five months ; I
was then able to go down with him ; and what did I see ?
I found a blessed work going on. No European Mis-
sionary had been there ; no foreigner had ever been there ;
but there I found a company of believers, who were earnest,
full of faith, and full of^the Holy Ghost. It is now about
three years since that little church was founded. On
that visit I baptized nine people. The church there now
numbers fifty ; all the results of the efforts of native
Christians.
What is the character of these Christians ?
WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIANS
do they make ? Well, I will tell you the opinion
of a native. We have a man in our church in Gan-
king who is an elder — an owner of land which is
cultivated by the men who were the first band of con-
verts in that village. He was a very rabid Confucianist.
He hated the religion of Jesus Christ because it was
foreign. He started once down to the village, saying, ** I
will turn all these men off my farms if they do not give
up this religion." " When I got there,'* said he, " what
do you think I found ? Formerly, when I went to these
people I used to curse them, and tell them that they were
living lives worse than the beasts. I despised them ; I
wanted to get my rent ; I could not get half of it. This
time I went hating them and vowing vengeance on them
all ; but I found them living in such love and such peace,
and no man having anything to say about hard times or
bad crops ; but they all came with their rent ready, and
the full amount. Well," he said, "there is something in
this." That man is now the main-stay of our church at
Gan-king.
There is another man who has been one of the leading
men in that village in our work. He was a very immoral
man and an inveterate opium-smoker. He heard the
94
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
Gospel. He got hold of the converted soldier and got Holy Ghost
him to bis house, and had a. talk with him. Well, he
believed thai the Gospel was true, but here he was : he
was enslaved by this opium habit and by the craving. He
said to this evangelist,
"can I BE A CHRISTIAN AND SMOKE OPIUM?"
"No," said the evangelist, "you cannot. Jesus Christ
is the Saviour, and He delivers from all sin. Tnist
in Himj He will deliver you." "Well^" he said, "I
will not see your face again unless I give up opium."
When 1 visited ihat man's place he received me right
royally. I went into his shop, and behind the counter,
I saw fixed to the wall a paper: "By the will of God, from
this day henceforth I forbid myself to enter an opium-
den, or in any form to lake opium." He had tried to cure
himself with medicine before. Now be dated that paper,
and he put his case into God's hands, and the result was
just what we should expect " Thou shah call His name
JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." That
man was delivered completely.
I kuow a woman who was converted at one of our
chapels. She was bitterly opposed by her husband. He
said to her, " If you will persist in going to that chapel I
will break both your legs." And what did she reply?
"You may if you like, but I will crawl there on my
Stumps ; 1 cannot forget the grace of GOD.'' I have known
little children who wanted to sing the prases ofjKSUS
driven off by their parents on Sundays to the hills with
the cattle ; and what did they say to their parents ? " Oh,"
Ihey said, "you may drive us from the meeting -place, but
you cannot drive us from God. He is up on the hills."
And these boys would gather together there on the hilL
The parents down in their homes might see them,
gathered together to pray to God.
The Confucianist 1 was speaking of paid a visit last
summer to these villages, and through his labours there,
a work has begun in another village about half a day's
journey away. Through thai man's one visit, twenty fami-
lies were induced to destroyall their idols,and themancame
back to me bringing
A BOX FULL OF IDOLATROUS PAPERS
and Other things. Thechiefmanin the village had taken the
lead in the matter, and was holding services in his house.
What teaching have these people ? When I went to
them they had never seen a foreign missionary. They
had a Bible ; they had a New Testament ; they had a
few tracts ; and they had the Holv Ghost. I was
astonished at the amount of Scriptural information and
sound doctrine they possessed. Brethren, let us believe
in the HOLY Ghost. He can teach if the Word of GOD
is left with these native churches, and if we pray that the
av be with them, we need not fear that
they will not stanii It will be the ruin of the native
churches if European missionaries are their props or
their main-stays.
1 would just like to say one word to those who
are thinking of going to China, and it is this ; You
all know that in this Mission we go out
DEPENDING UPON THE LIVING GOD.
Bul if a man cannot trust God here, it is of very little use
for him to think that he can trust GoD in China. I
was once wanting three shillings. And what did I do
abouiit? "Well,'' I said,"if God is to supply mein
China, and I have already entered this Mission, He wi'l
have to supply me here ; and if it will not hold good
here, it will not hold good theie, and I had better see
whether it is right." So I just made this three shillings a
matter of prayer, for I had said to my friends, " None of
you shall ever know when 1 want a nalfpenny," because
they said that I was mad to go out like this. 1 do not
believe that faith in GOD means giving hints to people.
Nothing of the kind. I said, "No one shall know ;" and
nobody knew. I expected that three shillings to come
on Saturday, but it did not come, and I was very much
disappointed.
The next Sunday after the evening service I was
walking along the road with an old lady, and she said,
"Ob, Mr. Tomalin, I have been wanting to see you. I
have got three shillings I want to give to you." I thought
that was very nice. She said, " 1 want you to take it up
to the Mission for the Famine Orphanage." I thought,
" My dear old lady, you must have made a mistake ; " and
there was quite a struggle in my heart ; but I very soon
settled it, and I said, " God does not make any mistakes,
and if it is for the Famine Orphanage, the Famine
Orphanage must have it" As soon as that was settled,
a gentleman on the other side beckoned me, and
said, " I want to speak to you ; " he said, " I know
you very well, and 1 know the stand you take. I
have got some money that I must give away. If you can
receive it as from the Lord, I would rather give it to
you than to anybody else." After a little talk, he put
thirty shillings into my hands. I call that three-
shillings' worth of experience. I got the three shillings.
I would advise every one who is thinking of going
to China to get on his feet before he gets there. God
has thrown down the challenge. I want all the Christian
churches to take it up. " Is anything too hard for the
Lord?" Let us git India and Africa and China, and
all the isles of the sea, and take them in our arms, and
present them to God, and say, " Here they are," and let
Him redeem His challenge.
Mr. HANDLE.
It is very interesting to a Missionary returned from the
heathen field, to see the widespread interest in Missionary
work that exists in our home churchesj not only on
this side of the Atlantic, but also in America, hrom which
country I returned last night.
It has been my privilege to work in the western part
of CHEH-KiANcandthe eastern part of Kiang-Si. During
the nine years of my work in China I have been per-
mitted to baptise thirty-three converts. I tell you
these numbers, not because I wish to boast ; it is a very
small number, but it may show you, perhaps, the
average of a man's work. All excepting three have
had a long course of probation — every one of them at
least one year's full instruction ; and we have made a
point with them that they should attend the services for
a full year before they should be finally examined for
admission to the church. I have had under my charge i
CKEH-KlANG i
> KIANG-S.
six stations — three in each. I will just refer to one having
over thirty members in fellowship. It would interest
you very much if you could see the way in which they
come to the services. They walk distances of from one
to four miles. Two men come nine miles, starting away
from their homes about half-past seven in the morning,
and reaching the chapel perhaps at ten, and returning at
four o'clock in the afternoon. Women with little feet,
not mote than about four inches long, will walk three or
four miles, toddling along the road very slowly to service
and hack again. Wheelbarrows bring two or three old
people. An old lady of eighty-three sits on one side of
CHINAS MILLIONS.
95
a barrow that constantly comes, and her granddaughter
of sixteen or seventeen sits on the other side. The man
who wheels the barrow is the father of the one and
the son of the other. The wife walks behind with her
baby strapped to her back. We have the^e people
meeting dunng the Sunday. They get their dinners at the
house, and they go back again in the afternoon.
One of our converts, a Mr. Chang, was originally a celi-
bate and a Buddhist devotee. Years ago he saved out of
his little earnings some thirty- five dollars or so, and in-
vested the money at a temple of his own choice, and
went there to live. The investment of that money
secured to him the right and privilege of making the
temple his home, and feeding upon the temple rice, so
that he had practically provided for himself a living for
life. When in the temple, the poor man purely in search
of rest of soul and salvation, was induced to undergo a
severe penance. He sat alone in a small room on a
chair in an upright position, with his hands folded on his
chest. Day after day did he sit like that for no less a
time than three years meditating about Buddha, hoping
that by that means he would be able to save his
soul. I asked him whether he was ever hopeful or happy
when he was undergoing that penance. He said he was
not ; he was always fearing that he would lose the prize
and that he would never get what he was seeking for.
Eventually that man became a Christian, and he is now
one of the most useful members in that church.
1 will just mention some of the principal difficulties
that Missionaries have to contend with. We have the
opposition of the literary classes and the mandarins.
This we found to be universal. The character of the
people and their reverence for old-time customs is a
difficulty. The very construction of the language is a
serious difficulty, and makes it by no means easy to ex-
press spiritual thoughts to the people. But Confucianism
I consider to be the greatest obstruction ; although the
opium traffic, I should say, is the saddest.
Miss FANNY BOYD,
It is a great privilege to me to stand in your midst to-
night after seven years spent in China. For about twenty
years I have been greatly interested in the China
Inland Mission, and my interest has deepened, year by
year. In 1878 I went out to China with a younger sister,
now Mrs. Randle, and we worked together for the first
eighteen months or so at Gan-k'ing, on the river Yang-tsi.
After my sister was married we went to Kiu-chau,
where we have been during the last five years.
Ours has been principally school-work. Those of you
who have to do with school-work, whether at home or
abroad, know that it means plodding on day by day, and
that there is not very much change or very much to say
about it It is easy for our brethren who can itinerate,
and go through vast tracts of country to tell you inte-
resting facts ; but most of our woman's work is just steady
plodding on at our station. This work, nevertheless, will
tell, and especially we hope on the generation to follow.
When we went to Kiu-chau in Western Cheh-kiang,
our school numbered seven little girls ; when we left it
last year there were seventeen. Three or four of these, I
believe, have been converted. Three have been baptised,
and received into the Church, of whom one is now married
and has gone to live in her own village, where there is
very little Gospel testimony. We have to pray that she
may be a light to the women around her.
Then another part of our work has been receiving and
conversing with women who visit us. We have always
wished to be able to go out among the women ; but from
pressure of work, and other circumstances, that has been
almost impossible, except in the case of my sister, who
has been with her husband on one or two missionary
journeys to the out- stations, and has there met many
women who have not before seen foreign ladies. But we
have always sought to be ready at any time of day to
receive women who would visit us at our house ; and we
have had them in companies of from two or three up to
forty or fifty. I think that I have addressed as many as
fifty at one time in our large guest hall ; but we should
not get such a number as that except on feast days, when
it is the custom of women to come out and visit their
neighbours ; and we noticed that the women in our city
came to visit us, bringing their country friends, just as
Londoners take their country friends to see the lions of
London.
china's overpowering need.
I ask you to think of three things with regard to this
great land which we are permitted to represent.
I ask you to remember its overpowering need. Let
those eighteen provinces on the map speak to you.
Our brother this afternoon pleaded for those great regions
beyond— and by all means let him plead ; but I want to
speak to you about those eighteen provinces, each a
country in itself. Oh, let them plead with you for prayer,
for money, and for whatever you can give to them. And
are there not some who will give themselves to this
work ?
Then, again, let the fifteen hundred walled cities of China
appeal to you. Let them speak. In addition to these
there are many market towns, and places of business, and
villages, and stretches of land, with country people in
them. Now out of those fifieen hundred there are four
hundred mission stations ; but what are they ? And, after
all, how little the Gospel has touched even those great cities
where some of us are residing. But what about the eleven
hundred that have no missionaries resident, and only some
of which, perhaps, a passing missionary may visit about
once or twice a year— perhaps a native evangelist or col-
porteur, and then the rest of the year no messenger of the
Gospel? What about those eleven hundred? Do they
not appeal to somebody here to go and live there, and to
preach there, and to build up native churches that shall
by-and-bye support themselves, that there may not be a
need of us foreigners.
Then let the 260 millions of China's people appeal to
you. What do those 260 millions mean ? What notion
have we when we speak about 260 millions ? \Vhen we
hear that the sun is so many millions of miles from the
earth, what idea have we of the distance ? Take your
Bible ; just run through it. Do it thoughtfully ; do it at
home ; do it by yourself. Go through your Bible in this
way. Look at the number of letters in it. Let each letter
stand for a person. You would want eighty Bibles to
represent the men, women, and children of China to-day I
The letters in eighty Bibles, not the words ! And how
many native Christians are there ? As many as there are
letters in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians.
Now I plead with you to-day because the need is so
overpowering ; but I plead on another ground, and that
is because of our opium trade. This has been referred to,
and I hope that it will be referred to a thousand times
again, till our country shall rise and clear itself of the
great stain upon it. We are called upon to help and to
heal these opium- smokers, and those who try to poison
themselves by swallowing opium ; but every time tnere is
this call upon us I cannot help feeling the sin of my
96
CHINA'S MILLIONS,
country in this matter; and I do hope that men and
women in England will not look on this matter as a mere
political question. I believe that many do not understand
It and I do not understand it ; but I ao think that ei^ht
millions of pounds, or whatever it is that the Indian
Revenue profits by it, is as nothing compared with the
bodies and souls of the Chinese whom we are ruining by
this terrible traffic.
One other ground— and I plead with my yoimg brothers
and sisters here. There are, no doubt, some here who
like I was, ten or twelve years ago, are longing to go to
China or just thinking about it. An old gentleman said
to me at a place where I was speaking the other night, " I have
got a young man living next door to me, and he is mad
to go to China." When they were talking of mad people
this afternoon, I thought about that mad young man, and
I wished there were more people of that kind — mad to go
to China. Are there not some who, in all sober earnest-
ness, having counted the cost and having " found their
feet," as Mr. Tomalin has said, will go out to this work
and give their lives to this service in China ? Are there
not some of our young sisters here who will listen to the I
Master's voice as He says, " Hearken, O daughter, and
consider, and incline thine ear. Forget also thine own
people and thy father's house. So shall the King greatly
desire thy beauty." Oh, there will be some here to-night
who will make this a definite matter of earnest consider-
ation before God as to what He is calling them to do.
It is, to my mind, a question whether, as our sister Mrs.
PiGOTT put it this afternoon, we are wholly devoted to
the Lord —whether we are wholly given up to HinL I
would recommend any who are thinking about this —
voung people perhaps who hardly know whether they
have a call to the work — to do what it was a great com-
fort to me to do some years ago, when I thought about
this subject ; deliver up all responsibility in the matter to
God, and then He will open the way if you are to go; and
if it will be better to stay. He will make it very clear that
you are to stay. But do be very certain before you dis-
obey the command to go and preach the Gospel to every
creature. If anybody feels that he has a heart to go —
and God ^rant that there may be — I hope that these few
words, which I have been permitted to speak, will reach
heart and conscience and life.
The Chairman trusted that the solemn and striking appeal to which they had just listened would sink into all
hearts.
Mrs. EASTON.
Dear Christian Friends, — Five years ago it was my
Erivilege to go out to China, and since that time I have
een in the city of Han-chung working for GOD, and ex-
ceedingly happy work I have found it. I think that to-
night you would like to hear a little concerning the work
amongst the women of that city.
Four years ago there were six or seven Christian Women,
and today, of the one hundred Christians in fellow-
ship at Han-chung, about thirty are women. The doors
have been opened to us ; we have been able to go about
the city ; the women have invited us in ; and everywhere
we have been able to speak and tell them of God's love,
as declared in the Gospel.
We found the best way of working was to form classes.
At the present time there are four — ^three held weekly and
one fortnightly. I should like some of our Christian
sisters in England to be able to go there some afternoon
when the classes were held. On Thursday there is a
class for Christian women, at which an average of sixteen
attend. We began with five or six, and the numbers
gradually increased. God spoke to the women through
the Word, and some were added to the Lord.
The Chinese are very different in every way from us in
their habits, but when one comes to live amongst them,
to tell them of God's great love, one finds that their
hearts are touched just as the hearts of any European
women. I have seen Chinese cry over the story of the
prodigal son and the history of Joseph, and tears have
run down their cheeks whilst we were telling them the
Story of the Cross.
I do praise God and thank Him most heartily that He
privileged me to go out to speak to the women, and tell
them of His love. When I left them they said, " Be sure
to tell our sisters in England — those who love the Lord
— ^how thankful we are that they sent you out here to tell
us the way to heaven : to make known to us the way by
which we may be saved ; and do make haste back again.**
One dear old lady said: " I am very old now. I may not
see you again, but supposing God should call me first, I
shall be looking out for you and waiting, and shall wel-
come you home."
One woman who would very much like to be baptised,
was told by her husband that if she entered the
church he would cut off all her means of livelihood, and
would turn her out of the house. She has not at present
been brave enough to come forward : I hope you
will pray for her, and ask that she may have grace to
confess the Lord Jesus by baptism.
The school work is very encouraging. Four of the
girls have lately been baptised, and one or two would
very much like to be, but their parents are unwilling.
We find, as a rule, that as soon as the girls begin to
take an interest in the teaching, and are fond of read-
ing their Bibles and like to pray, their parents put
some obstacle in the way of their attending. One
little girl, who was told by her mother not to attend and
who refused, was beaten for it, and so this little one has
early begun to suffer persecution for the name of Christ.
The difficulty that those children have to contend with is
that, supposing they were Christians and their own
parents would allow them to be baptised and to live as
Christian children at home, when they are married — and
they are married very young — in going to their husbands'
homes, the husbands and the friends would have com-
plete control over the girls, and it would be very difficult
indeed, unless they were married into a Christian family,
to live as Christians. We are therefore anxious for
them to be betrothed to the young men in the Church,
with whom they could live as Christians and glorify God.
I would ask your prayers for the work amongst the
women and the children in that province.
Mr. Reginald Radcliffe at this stage led the meeting in earnest prayer for China and for all heathen
lands.
Mr. C. H. JUDD,
If every man and woman in this hall to-night were to go I of the thousand walled cities without the Gospel. My
out to China this year, there would only be one for each | heart was almost broken last summer when i took a
CHINAS MILLIONS,
97
journey up the Grand Canal from Yang-chau, a hundred
miles northward. I counted thirty-£ree large village
towns and walled cities, with a dense population. As we
passed one, I was told that it was fifteen //' (five Eng-
lish miles) from one end to the other. There could not
have been fewer than ^v^ hundred thousand souls in that
city. How many missionaries to those five hundred
thousand souls ?
NOT A SOLITARY WITNESS FOR CHRIST
there. How many workers for Christ did we meet in that
hundred miles ? Not one ! In one little village on the
way we came to a little mud hovel, where there was a
poor widow who could not read a word of the Bible, but
who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. She had
heard the Gospel from her brother-in-law, and she be-
lieved it and was saved. As we were leaving, her brother
said to me : "Mr. Judd, we must not leave without
prayer ; " and though the boatman was hurrying us away,
we knelt down upon the bank of the canal, with a group
of heathen round us, to commend that poor widow to the
Lord Jesus.
I was going up the canal at that time to see a brother
who had been converted through the preaching of Mr.
Parrott. The man had come 150 miles from his
home, driven by famine, and had heard the Gospel, and
believed, and was baptised. He remained for a few
months, and learned to read, and went back to his
native village. A few months after I heard that that man
had been blessed in conversions, and I was asked to go
and see the people and baptise them. When I got to the
end of my boat journey I heard that he was away, and
that probably I might not meet him.
We had thirty miles to go to reach the place where he
lived, and I asked the Lord that he might be brought
home, for I felt disappoiiited at the thought of missmg
him. On Sunday morning we reached the village, and
the man was away. A crowd of heathen came round to
see a foreigner. Among the crowd they brought a little
boy eight years of age, and they said, "That boy believes
your religion." I said to him, *' Do you believe in jESUS 1 '*
With bright happy eyes he said, " I do." " Do you believe
your sins are forgiven?" "Yes, I believe that Jesus
takes them away." Presently another and again another
boy came, and a man of about forty-five. While I
was talking to these, the farmer himself came up, and
very warm indeed he looked, though it was a bitterly cold
day. I said : "I am delighted to see you; but what
brought you here to-day ? Your wife was not expecting
you for a few days." He said : " This morning about day-
light I could not tell what was the matter, but I felt some-
thing in my heart saying, ' You must get home.' I did not
like travelling on the Lord's dav ; but I thought that I must
come, for I was so troubled." "Well," I said, "now
you see why you came ;" and he said, " I do, indeed. I
have come this morning fifteen //." I said : " We must
get into your house and have a little worship." About
eighteen got in. I said, "Can you sing?" He said,
" Yes, we can sing
Jesus loves me ; this I know,
For the Bible tells me so."
After they had sung I said, "Who can pray?" "Oh,"
was the reply, *' all the Christians can pray ; " and
that little boy that had spoken to me first poured out his
heart to GoD. I noticed that though they varied in
other respects, every one thanked God that jESUS had
saved them. I thought what a precious thing it was to have
these boys and men praising GOD that Jesus had taken
their sins away. It made the tears of joy come down my
face. Two hours were gone much quicker than I ex-
pected. On the way back we passed the cottage of a
Christian man, who had been suspended from Church
fellowship. Unexpectedly I came into his neighbourhood,
and I went into his house fearing that I should find some
idolatry : but no, I found the Ten Commandments stuck
up there. The man was earning his living by keeping a
school for Chinese boys and teaching them the worship
of Jesus, instead of that of Confucius. One of the
boys was converted to Christ. I stayed with him the
night While there three young men came in and gave a
clear account of their conversion to Christ. We had
some prayer together, and they told what the Lord had
done for their souls. These were all converted through
the means of the man who was suspended from Church
fellowship.
You have in the prophecy of Isaiah a very precious
verse, " The lame take the prey." When we were living in
Yang-chau, there used to creep into our chapel nearly
every afternoon a poor lame leprous boy, quite an outcast.
His parents could not support him. An old rich uncle
had taken him in until he could not serve him any longer,
and then he cast him aside, but not before the boy was a
true disciple of the Saviour. I took him into our
school. For several weeks before I found it out that boy,
with three or four others, was spending the whole of
Saturday night in prayer, not merely till midnight, but
till daylight. Our dear brother, Mr. Radcliffe, has been
urging us to pray. Let us follow the example of that
poor lad.
Some time after we went up to Hu-PEH province and
took him with us. Miss Wilson and Mrs. King went
with me. Miss Wilson took this poor lame boy with her.
At that time his disease was so offensive that we had to
keep him in a separate house. However, dear Miss
Wilson bore what very few Europeans could bear. At
Han-chung they had to put him into a separate house,
and the first convert there was the landlord of the house.
He and several others were brought to Christ through
that boy.
PROVIDENTIAL CARE.
I should like to give you one or two instances of how
wonderfully God does care for us. Our dear brother,
Mr. TOMALIN, gave us a note of praise. I feel that I must
add a little more to that note of praise. Eighteen years
ago, when I went to China with my dear wife, it was with
some trembling as to how we should get supplied. I
suppose that Mr. Taylor does not feel more difficulty now
with 200 Missionaries and all the native workers than I did
then with my dear wife and myself. But, however, God
never failed us. No help that has come to us from
England ever touched my heart nearly so much as that
which has come from the members of our own Mission.
The mutual help of one another has struck me as a more
real testimony of God's power and of the love between
the members of the Mission than anything else.
One day, when we had more than twenty people in our
house, not knowing how that day's food was to come to
us, I received a letter from a dear sister who is here this
evening. I can never forget it On that Monday
morning, when we had come on our beam-ends com-
pletely, a letter came with £\o for our schools and ten
dollars for ourselves. I praised the Lord. Some two
or three months afterwards I told her how the Lord had
sent it "Well," she said, "Mr. Judd, do you know I
had thought for weeks of sending you help for your school,
but ^at Sunday night I could bear it no longer, and I sat
down and wrote the letter and sent it early on Monday
morning." The Lord knew how to make His child un-
able to bear it any longer when it was needed.
Just one instance of how God has cared for our lives.
98
CHINAS MILLIONS.
That same dear sister was with me in Yang-chau when
our landlord, a very high official, who had his gunboat at
the city gates, threatened our lives. He said that he would
drive us out, which meant that he would come with his
swords and guns and put us to death. We wailed on
God for a fortnight, and day after day went, and I
think it came to the last day which he had given us to
get out, when, in a most marvellous way, God delivered
us. And how did He do it ? The quarrel of two very
high officials compelled the lower one of the two to come
and buy the property at nearly three times the proper value,
and become our landlord and deliver us out of the hand
of the other.
Another occasion I was travelling down a large river in
Sl-CHUEN province. We had been early one morning
on shore to preach the Gospel. After we had left the
village, a boat with six or seven armed men followed us
and told us to stop. We refused at first, but we soon saw
that resistance was useless, and we had to yield. The
moment we yielded they came on board my boat and
took away our boatmen. One man sat with a drawn
sword, and the others with muskets and swords across in
front of me, so that I could not move one inch. For six
hours we were kept in that position. I learned during that
time that they were going to keep us till dark, and then take
our heads off and seize what we had. I was 800 miles
from the nearest port, and the nearest Christian firiend.
As soon as I learned their purpose one thought came
to me : " Soon I shall see Jesus. Oh, the precious
joy of seeing Jesus!" I felt only one thing — that
I should like to have bidden my wife and children
good-bye ; but the joy and prospect of soon seeing Jesus
seemed to swallow up everything. I felt for the first time
in my life how happy God could make us in the prospect
of death. After keeping us there for six hours in suspense,
the Lord put something into the hearts of these men —
what, I never knew to this day ; but this band of six or
seven armed men all took to their heels and fled. The
keeper of the village apologised, and escorted us down
to the next village. The Lord delivered us.
Mr. W. D, RUDLAND,
Dear Christian Friends: I generally look upon this as my
birthday, because it was on this day that we set foot on
board the ship Lammermuir^ going to China. I do
not think that we knew very much about China, or what
we were going to, but we had heard the call from China.
We had offered ourselves for China, and the Lord had
accepted us ; and I am here to-night to thank God for
His goodness during these twenty years. You have heard
to-night of what GOD has done for the Mission since. I
have been asked several times since I came home,
"how DID THE lord SUPPLY YOUR NEED?"
If time would permit to-night, I could tell you how
the Lord has supplied our need. Sometimes our
last dollar has been spent, and we have had only
about a farthing in the house, but we have never
known what it was really to want, and I do not ex-
?ect that we ever shall. We went out looking to Him.
should like just to give you one instance, because Mr.
TOMALIN has given you one so nearly like my own.
When I was first accepted for China, Mr. Hudson
Taylor made all the arrangements for me to go down
into Somersetshire, where my mother was then living.
Well, there was a difficulty in the way. I had not a
penny to put a stamp on the letter to write and tell her
that I was coming ; and then, how was I to get to Somer-
setshire ? This was a practical difficulty. Now, I knew
that there were friends around me who, if they had only
known it, would have given me the money that was
needed ; but I felt that unless I could trust God in Eng-
land among friends I could not trust Him in China among
the heathen. Well, the Lord helped me in a very
remarkable way. This was on the Thursday. I still
went on asking the Lord for guidance and for help, and
on the Saturday evening Mr. Taylor asked me if I
would go with him and take his carpet-bag down to Bow
Station. He was going off to the West-End of London
for the Sunday. I went with him, and, just as the train
was starting, he called me aside, and said, "If you are
going down to see your mother ycu will probably want
some money," and he put a sovereign into my hand. I
nearly dropped it : I seemed so taken aback ; but there
it was, and from that time the Lord supplied all my
need, and has done so up to the present day ; and I
doubt not that He will continue to do so.
But I want to call your attention to-night to the work.
There is one thought which has been running through
my mind since I came home, and it is this : Do we really
in our inmost hearts believe that the heathen are perish-
ing f I cannot help thinking that we do not — that, at
any rate, we do not believe it as we ought Could we
remain at home if we really believed that those 250
millions are perishing — are going down to eternal perdi-
tion without a knowledge of GOD ? If we really believe
that, what are we doing to save them ? What are we
doing to bring the Gospel to them ?
NATIVE helpers.
You have heard a good deai to-night about our native
helpers, and I do not think that we can say too much
about them. We have in them some good men. I have
heard from some of our native preachers sermons which,
for putting the Gospel plainly and simply before the
people, and for power, would not disgrace any English
pulpit.
Nineteen years ago this month, a native convert said
to me : " Here are lots of people coming to hear the
Gospel and Mr. Taylor's preaching. They are coming
and going in hundreds. Will you go out with me on
Sunday afternoon ? " I said : *' I cannot preach yet ; I
can only talk a little.** " But," he said, " I can, and you
can sit by and pray." We went every Sunday afternoon
until I was taken ill and unable to go with him. Then
our brother, Mr. Williamson, went with him. Some
time after, Mr. Williamson was going into the country
on an evangelistic tour. He asked the native Christian
whether he would leave his business for a little while and
go with him. The man said that his brother had come
up from another district, and he could take care of the
business while he went with Mr. Williamson. He
started, and his brother has been at the business until this
day, and he has been in the Lord's work, and is now
overseeing the work in Tai-chau, that we have been
engaged in for the last sixteen years.
Another point is that they are in earnest in their work.
This man is in earnest. Some months before I left I was
speaking to a man about the Gospel. I was in his shop,
and he said, " Ah, I know all about that ; I have heard
that I cannot tell how many times." I said, '* Why, I
have never seen you in the chapel." He said, " I have
been there only once or twice, but I have heard it from
Mr. Liu, the native pastor." There are many to
whom this man has been the means of bringing the
Gospel by personal intercourse outside while they are
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
99
about their business. He goes about his daily work,
here and there, day by day, and year after year, and the
Lord is blessing him.
These native helpers need our prayers.
About fifteen years ago I went down into the city of Tai-
chau, which contains 120,000 inhabitants. There were
then only two native Christians. I felt, " If anything is
to be done in a place like this, we must have one thing
and must rely upon that one thing only— the power of
the Holy Ghost." When we see heathenism, and see
people with souls that must live for ever bowing down to
stocks and stones that their own hands have made — when
we see Confucianism in its bare reality, we feel convinced
that nothing but the power of the Holy Ghost can effect
any lasting good. Unless we have a full and firm belief in
the power of the HoLY Ghost we had better not go to
China.
Then as to the number of the converts. We have now,
I find, 169, whereas in the year 1870 there were but two,
and this increase has been principally through our native
helpers.
When the people are first brought out from heathenism
they need a thorough grounding in the Word of
God. It seems to me that the most important part of a
Missionary's work in many of our stations is to train the
native helpers. We have now in T*ai-chau, and have had
for some years, on Sunday morning a Bible class, instead
of a preaching service. This sometimes numbers as many
as fifty. I always ask as many questions as possible and
try to draw them out and see what they know.
THE SPIRIT OF ENQUIRY.
There is a spirit of enquiry among the natives in that
district, that we had not ten years ago. Some eighteen
months before I left I was on a journey of about nine miles
from one station to another. All along the road there
are covered resting-places, where there are sure to be
people congregated. At the first resting-place I sat
down, and a man came and sat down beside me, and said,
"Do you not come from Tai-chau? Are you not a
preacher of this new religion ? *' I said, " It is not a very
new one." " Well," he said, " it is this religion of jESUS.*
I said, " What do you know about it ? " Then he began
to tell me what he knew about it. I said, " Who told you ?
Where did you hear about it?" Pointing to a temple
some distance across the country, he said, " There is a
man living there, and they say that he belongs to your
religion, and he told me all about it, and I often go there
after my work is done, and he reads a book to me called
the New Testament.'* There was a member who was
giving this man instruction, and the man had a good out-
line, and I am not at all sure that he did not believe.
That nine miles' journey, instead of taking a short time as
I expected, took from nine in the morning till five in the
evening, so many were the enquiries all along the route.
what IS THE PROSPECT OF MISSIONARY WORK?
I speak specially of the Cheh-kiang province just on
the sea border. I believe that the prospect there is that
there is going to be an ingathering before very many years
such as we are hardly prepared for. I think that our greatest
difficulty in the Cheh-kiang province will be before very
long to find pastors and teacners to care for those that
shall be brought in ; and I would ask you that you would
plead with the Lord that He would raise up many more
native helpers, native teachers, and native pastors.
There is one remark which I made on this platform
ten years ago to-day, and I would reiterate it to-night ;
and that is that if China is to be brought under
the sound of the Gospel completely, through its length
and breadth, it must be to a great extent through native
agency. We have the men on the ground, and our
prayers have already gone up, asking the Lord to raise
them up and to fill them with the Holy Ghost and with
power. He has done it to a great extent ; He can do
It to a greater extent ; and to Him we must look. There
is one thing which we must ever realize — whatever may
be the difficulties — whatever the dangers, " The Lord
reigneth."
MR, /. /. COULTHARD
said that his time in China had been chiefly occupied in
secretarial work connected with the remittance to mission-
aries at the distant stations of the funds apportioned for
their use.
Shortly before leaving China he had at Mr. Taylor's
request taken a journey to Han-chung and from there to
P*ing-yang. This journey he described, and said that
during the first six weeks of travelling he did not once
meet with a Christian worker, or with a native Christian.
After visiting Han-chung he journeyed for some days
with Mr. C. T. Studd and Messrs. Cecil and Arthur
Polhill-Turner, who travelled in very primitive fashion.
He asked Mr. Studd if he preferred that kind of life to
being on the cricket-field — making a long score — 200 and
not out. Mr. Studd said he would prefer to be where he
was. After giving further details of his journey to P'ing-
yang and Tai-yuen, Mr. Coulthard concluded with an
appeal for prayer for the Mission and for more labourers.
Mr, W. L, ELLISTON.
I have to speak about a branch of the work that does
not at first appear to be missionary work, but I hope to
show that it has a claim upon the sympathy and the
prayers of all GOD*s people.
Some ten years ago I called on the principal of a school
here in England, and he brought before me a little boy,
some ten or twelve years old, and said : ** That little boy
is a more confirmed liar than any boy I ever met with.
He seems as though he cannot speak the truth.'' The
father of that boy was a missionary, whom God had
blessed in Asia — not in China. The principal said : " I
attribute this sort of thing to the fact that missionaries are
so much occupied with their work, and so much away
from their homes and their families, that they are not able
to look after their children and train them as they ought
to be trained." What a trial it must be for any of God's
people to have an experience like that !
Another thing. If missionaries out in the field, especi-
ally away inland, wish their children to be taken care of
and taught, they have to bear one of the hardest trials that
ever falls to the lot of those who work for GOD in a foreign
land. They must part with their children altogether —
perhaps send them home, to be separated from them by a
journey of months, not to see them at all for severad
years, and, when they come to see them again, to find that
their own children hardly know them.
After nearly two years of happy work at P'ing-yang Fu,
it was necessary for me to go to the coast, where I met
Mr. Taylor, who said: "Whilst you are waiting here
for rest will you not try to start a school for the children
lOO
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
of our missionaries ? " We tried it. We commenced in
a little room with very liltle and very rough furniture, and
with very few books ; but we commenced in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ and with His blessing. More
children came to us after a time. We decided that not
only should our own missionaries have the benefit of the
school, but missionaries of other societies ; and then we
looked further, and offered to receive children of any
foreign residents out there, who have hardly any oppor-
tunity for the education of their children, except at the
Roman Catholic Schools. The Roman Catholics do their
utmost to get hold of as many as possible of the children
of foreign residents.
THE CHE-FOO SCHOOLS.
God blessed our efforts, and now we have two schools
— one for girls and one for boys. When I came away,
we had in the boys' school about twenty-two. One of our
greatest difficulties has been the temporary nature of the
kelp that has been given — very willmg help — but given
by those who have felt that their right work was preach-
ing the Gospel to the heathen. Happy work that is —
worthy of all the lives that can be sent out there. But I
plead for this which also is a work for the Saviour. We
are trying to give to the children of the missionaries as
good an education as we can; for why should these
children be debarred from advantages simply because
their parents are serving the Lord ? But we especially
seek to make a home for them. We seek to bring be-
fore them day by day the story of the love of jESUS, and
their own personal need of salvation, and aim to bring to
Christ every one who comes within our influence. And,
thank GOD, He has blessed our efforts.
We have to teach secular subjects, and having to com-
pete with the Jesuits and the advantages which they can
offer, you cau imagine how simple a thing it would be for
us to get our minds very much taken up with the keenness
of the competition. We want you to pray that there may
be kept very strong within us a desire for the glory of
God and the salvation of all the children. We want you
to pray that we mav be able to live Christ.
Last year we had the privilege of seeing six Chinese,
who had been connected with the school, come forward to
i'oin the Church, and we want you to pray for them. They
lave helped us ; and what success has followed our work
is due in considerable part to the help that we have from
the Chinese themselves. One boy I will just tell you
about He came into our school, and after a time pro-
fessed to have found the Saviour. At first I had not very
much confidence in him; but that boy went to work, and in
a large measure, as far as I can tell, through his writing
texts or little messages in his letters, his father was con-
verted, and the conversion of the father has been very
fruitful, for he has worked for the Master ever since,
and I cannot tell you how many have been brought in to
know and to love the Saviour through his means.
teachers wanted.
Friends 1 we want help, and we want it very badly
indeed. We want another teacher in the boys' school
We want a teacher who shall come out there in the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ, and live to the Lord Jesus
Christ, relying upon His help to teach Jesus to those
children. Lady teachers are wanted in the girls' school.
Our plan, which we hope to see carried out, takes in also
a Eurasian school for boys and girls ; and we want some-
body to go out and help in the work. Miss Webb has
gathered together some little Eurasian boys and is taking
care of them ; but we hope that that school will increase,
and that more help will be needed. We want a married
couple in that school
As a result of these schools, may we not expect to see
those who have ^one out from these schools to work
as merchants, living Christian lives as business men
out there, and showing that not only missionaries, but
others also, do love Jesus, and are really His.
The meeting was concluded with the doxology and benediction.
% C0ttntrg ^m\.
FROM MRS. STOTT.
UN-CHAU, Dec. 24M.— Perhaps a little account
of a trip I took to the country last week mip^ht
interest some of our friends. And as it is im-
possible to write to all I could wish to corres-
pond with, I will send this to China's Millions, trusting
our many friends will look upon it as a special letter to
themselves.
It was the time for my husband's usual monthly visit
to Dong Ling ; but the weather coming on cold and wet,
I asked him to let me go in his stead, as he is subject to
attacks of sciatica when exposed, urging that it was just
the thing I needed, after so many months' close work in
the school. After some hesitation he consented, and I
started off the next morning, the weather being very cold
and bleak.
The distance is only twenty English miles, but it takes
seven hours to accomplish one half of the distance in a
small open boat, the other half accomplished by hill
chair. The country all around is most beautiful, the road
lying through a valley with high hills on every side, and
the graceful bamboo, with its light-green frona-like
branches, forming a most lovely contrast to the daxk
^ green of the mountain fir. The rich harvest had just
been gathered in ; but men were everywhere to be seen
planting opium, wheat, and beans, which will be gathered
in the spring, for in this fertile land three crops a year
are reaped.
I reached my destination about 3 p.m., chilled to the
bone, in spite of warm clothing. I had hardly finished my
tea when the people from the districts furthest off began
to arrive. One place where there are several Christians
is fifty //, or about eighteen mile& off. So they come on
Saturday, and leave on Sunday afternoon. They seemed
to ^ think no time must be lost ; for they had hardly
finished their early supper when they gathered round me
with their hymn-books, wanting to be taught some tunes.
Poor things, they have few opportunities of learning ; and
if Mr. Sankey|[were to hear them sing some of his own
hymns, he would never forget, even if he had grace to
forgive it Our singing-class continued till time for the
evening prayer-meeting, when about thirty persons bad
gathered, including seven candidates for baptism, who
had come many miles, expecting Mr. Stott to be there.
The prayer-meeting was warm and hearty, five or six
taking part. I afterwards had some talk witli the candi-
dates, and though they knew but little of the Scriptures,
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
loi
being unable to read, they seemed to have laid firm hold
of life and resurrection through the blood of Christ
They were asked to wait till next month, when my
husband hopes to be there.
The next morning I rose at 6.30 ; but even at that
early hour the people were waiting for me to join them in
a prayer-meeting. I then found it was their custom to
meet for prayer before breakfast.
After breakfast the people began to arrive by twos and
threes until 10 a.m., the hour for morning service, when
about 120 Christians and inquirers were present. This
country chapel was also burnt down last year, and was
rebuilt in the spring. For about an hour they listened
with the most earnest attention while I told them of
heavenly riches treasured up in Christ yi?^ us.
The native preacher then spoke, and afterwards about
forty brethren and sisters partook of the Lord's Supper.
Inmiediately after the morning service came dmner,
and it seemed no light matter to satisfy 120 country
appetites, for all stay to dinner. They manage this part
of the business very well. They divide themselves mto
twelve districts, each district taking charge of the
arrangements for a month. Each person or family brings
their own rice, and five cash (a farthing) for relish, which
they hand over to the persons in charge for the month,
who do the cooking, and if there should be any gain keep
it, or any loss bear it.
In the afternoon we had a very earnest address from a
young man who had been a student of my husband's for
two winters. He has a small school amongst the hills,
and is doing a good work for God ; five of the candidates
were from his place, and were the fruit of his efforts.
He lives about eighteen miles from the chapel, and goes
there once a month ; the other three Sundays he holds
meetings in his own house, which are attended regularly
by nearly twenty persons.
By 4 p.m. all our friends had gone to their homes, and
I started off to visit one or two sisters who lived near.
In the evening about twenty persons came together ; we
had an hour's singing ; then evening prayers brought a
long and happy day to a close.
A CHINESE WEDDING.
The next morning a man came to escort me to the
house of one of our members, to attend the wedding of
his son. The day was fixed for Monday, in the hope that
Mr. Stott would be there ; so I had to go as his substi-
tute. It was a cold, clear morning, and I much enjoyed
our four miles* walk. When we came in sight of the
house, the bridegroom and his mother came out to meet
and bid me welcome. As we entered the court-yard
clang went the brass band, giving out nerve-distracting
sounds called music, compared with which the singing of
our country brethren was harmony itself. A number of
the Christians were sitting in the court-yard singing
hymns ; but of course their voices were drowned in the
noise of the band. It was only 1 1 a.m. : the bride was
not to arrive till evening, and yet about forty guests were
there before us. Sixty sat down to the mid-day dinner,
after which about forty started off with the band to the
house of the bride, to escort her and her belongings to
her new home.
The room she was to occupy was at this time quite
empty, as the bride supplies her own furniture, which
furniture, with her outfit, is carried in front of her, with
as much display as possible ; hence the large number of
men needed to escort her.
I spent two hours of the afternoon visiting a Christian
family living on the top of a hill near by. Oh, what a
relief it was to go from the noise and confusion of the
house to the quiet and beauty of the hillside ! Just as it
was getting dark, the band announced the near approach
of the bride ; then all was hurry and excitement. The
furniture, load by load, was quickly put into its place ;
the bed and hangings made ready ; then came the bridal
sedan chair, with its four bearers, who deposited their
burden in the entrance-hall. There the poor bride was
left nearly two hours, waiting for her bridegroom. She was
locked in, and only his hands could open her prison doors.
At last the tardy boy was ready ; he unlocked the chair
door, and his two sisters led out the bride. The preacher
conducted a Christian service, after which the bride-
groom led his bride to her room, and she was not seen
again that night. He then saw his wife for the^rr/ time.
Immediately after the bride retired, the wedding feast
began, of which about one hundred persons partook.
The feasting was kept up till midnight, but I was glad to
retire earlier. Next morning, before the bride was dressed,
a stream of men and women passed in and out of her
room, to look at and make remarks about her. That
would continue for three days. Poor thing, I pitied her
I left about ten o'clock, on my homeward journey.
r00rti3S m %\&xi-^\.
From Mr. WILLIAM KEY.
|ING-YANG Y\3^ March 4th, i886.--When I last
wrote, I was purposing to visit some of the
villages where we have Christians. Well, soon
afterthe Chinese New Year, wehad an invitation from aSiu-
ts'ai (B.A.), to go and spend a few days at his home, about
seventy //' to the east of this place. This man, whose
name is Shan, had heard the Gospel for years, but like
many others, was too much taken up with the things of
this world to give much thought to the future. However,
lately he has retired from business, and having a few
Christian books, he began to read them, and the seed
that had been sown years before, now began to take root
He was formerly acquainted with our young native
helper, and hearing he was at K'iih-wu, went to call on
him. On reaching that place, Shan found the helper had
left for Ping-yang; but he spent a few days with Mr.
Hoste, who was then alone.
Soon after my return from Tai-yiien he turned up here.
I did not notice anything very striking in the man, only
he seemed more humble than many of his class. One
da^ when some of the brethren were out on the streets
giving away tracts and speaking to the people, this man,
who had been listening m the crowd, began to explain
what the foreigner had been speaking about, and preached
Jesus and Him crucified to those around.
This was the means of much blessing to his own soul,
and to others ; tor soon after, he returned home ana
preached Christ to his relations and friends. His wife
and mother, who had hitherto been opposed to the
Gospel, were now (no doubt in answer to prayer) willing
CHINA'i> MILUONS.
t books,
^and he
; On his
laiLand
ric H«
h in the
; interest
of ttiem
ing to a
chingof
had the
Tuesday,
itioned ;
uchamp
t K-uh-
imey to
ire have
ghbour-
friends
Dt he is
ising on
U4 and
opium
Siu-ls'ai
days'
he has
: leaving
said he
brethren
g a note
maybe
uid still
plentiful,
CHINAS MILLIONS.
103
|n P[iem0nam*
|N the evening of the last day of May, the mails from China brought the sad tidings that two of
our number, Mr. Riley and Mr. Jenkins, had been called away from the work to which they
had gladly devoted their lives, to join the ranks above.
Mr. Riley had been ill for some time, and for several mails the report had been that it was very
doubtful if he would recover. Mr. Jenkins, who had only been out about a year, was snatched away
by typhus fever, without allowing time for a word of warning to his friends at home.
Mr, /. H, RILE V,
Left last year in poor health with three motherless babes,
our brother Mr. Riley had our deep sympathy as he struggled
on with his work. Mrs. Riley's loss was keenly felt by all
in Chen-t'u. Miss Stroud, to whom she had been as a
dearly loved elder sister, lovingly took the entire charge
of the children, for whom she had helped to care from
their birth. Months passed, and it became evident that
Mr. Riley must have a complete change and rest before
the summer came on. He was not fit to go away alone,
so he asked Miss Stroud, whose sympathy in their mutual
sorrow was a solace to him, and to whom he had become
attached, to bring the children and the servants and
accompany him. Before they reached I-chang he became
seriously ill, and one day had fit after fit.
At I-chang they met with much sympathy and kind-
ness, the consul, Mr. Gregory, entertaining them and
giving up to them his own rooms. The doctor thought
very seriously of Mr. Riley's case; he needed nursing as
only a wife could nurse, and so Miss Stroud and he con-
cluded to be married at once. A few friends met in his
bedroom on March 9th, and the ceremony was performed
by Rev. A. Dowsley in the presence of the consul
As soon as possible they came on to Shanghai, where
Mr. Taylor was, en route for Che-fu. It was a great
comfort to them to meet him, and there was some nope
that after a long rest and careful nursing he might rally,
but on Monday morning, April 19th, a fit came on, from
which he did not recover. He had been in China nearly
eight years, was still young, and we trusted that he would
yet render many years of valuable service in that impor-
tant needy city of Chen-t*u. The Lord has taken home the
workers who began the work; who will go to help to carry
it on ? We feel sure that many hearts will be touched and
drawn out in prayer for the dear young widow and her
sacred charge.
Mr, T, JENKINS,
From Mr, McMullan,
Mr. Jenkins complained first on Monday, the 22nd
March, but continued working with his Chinese teacher
up to Thursday. Friday was Mrs. NicolPs birthday, and
some friends came over to spend the evening ; our dear
brother sang some hymns; one especially he sang most
touchingly, and we are not likely soon to forget it : —
" AH the way to Calvary I went for thee."
He then said : '* I remember singing with some friends
in London,
« All the way to China I will go for Thee.' "
He has indeed come to China and given his life for his
Master.
His room is opposite mine, and I believe he spent the
most of Friday night and Saturday morning in commu-
nion with the Lord
On the Lord's Day morning he was again worse, but
came to the breakfast-table as usual : he was not able to
attend any of the services. I stayed away from the En-
glish service in order that I might be with him : part of
the time we spent in conversation about spiritual tnings ;
he expressed the desire for a fuller knowledge of Christ,
and a life of even more intense devotion to His service.
Mr. Wood called to see him, and thinking he would be
more comfortable at his house, asked him over for a few
days for rest and change; he therefore sent his close chair
on Lord's-day evening. We wrapped him well up, and
he left us, little we thought, for the last time. On Monday
he was much worse and delirious ; he continued to get
worse on Monday night We were very anxious that Dr.
Crewes should see him, and Mr. Wood rode out to where
he resides at present, but found that he was also confined
to bed with fever and as^ue ; however, Mr. Wood carefully
described Mr, Jenkin^ symptoms, and we treated him
under Dr. Crewes' direction. On Wednesday evening the
doctor was able to come in and see him; he said he was in
a very dangerous state, the disease being typhus fever.
He continued delirious, and imagined he was travelling,
sometimes by land and sometimes by water. On Thurs-
day Mr. Nicoll, returned from a journey, and when he
came into the room, we asked if he recognised him ; he
looked up, smiled, and said " Nicoll.'' He was now get-
ting much weaker, his throat was affected, and he could
scarcely speak above a whisper. On Friday it was
evident that a crisis was approaching. I had rested dur-
ing the early part of the night, and rose at one a.m. to re-
lieve Mr. Wood; he was breathing ouickly and with
difficulty. Just before the end the breathing grew softer :
he was called home at 1.50 a.m. on Saturday.
A few incidents concerning the last days of our departed
brother, I am sure, will interest you. He was only about
two months in Ch'ung-k'ing, but had won his wa)r to all
our hearts. The last and only missionary meeting he
addressed in this city he spoke from Psalm xxvii. 4 : —
" 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
inquire in His temple." He told us how he had soueht
and obtained, in a certain measure, the desire of nis
heart, but that he was still seeking, still longing to behold
more of the beauty of the Lord, and to dwell in a more
intimate manner in His temple. I believe the words
spoken went to the hearts of all present. He took a
number of Chinese services, and because of the attention
he gave to the idiom, and his accurate ear for the tones,
he was well understood for one who had been in the
country such a short time. The Chinese, with us, deplore
his loss, as he had endeared himself to adl amongst them
who knew him.
104
CSIAA'S MILUOhS.
On February isth, he and I started on a joumey to-
gether. You cannot journey long in China with a man
without knowing him pretty well : our brother's tempera-
ment was naturally very quick, aJid the Chinese ways are
■ometimes very trying, but his quick temper was so over-
mastered by God's grace, that I never once heard him
say a hasty word ; whether climbing up steep hills, or
sleeping in uocomfortable inns, be could praise the Lord.
I believe every book and tract he sold the prayer went
with it, " Lord, bless this to the conversion of souls." He
took advantage of every opportunity to speak of God and
the Saviour, and invite sinners to come to Him. The
Lord's day we spent in the inn together was a specially
blessed onej and the service held with the natives in the
evening was one of the most interesting I have known in
Al^er his return he got a teacher, and commenced to
study : he was so anxious to get on that he left no regular
time for exercise. He studied in the room next to mine,
and the first thing with his teacher was to carefully ex-
plain to him the way of salvation, and invite him to come
to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I may mention that his teacher is now trying to break
ofT opium -smoking. His constant habit was to take some
eper or letter to the table with him to read for our
nefit, thus our thoughts and conversation were turned
into a profitable channel His appreciation of the
correctness of the tones in Chinese was much more
accurate than mine ; he often corrected me, but he was
able to tell one their faults in such a way that you loved
him all the more for it (this is a rare quality). As you
know, his heart was not confined to any creed or section
of the Church, but went out in love to all who love the
Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
On his writing-table we found the evening volume of
" Daily Light " Tying open. Evidently the last portion he
had read was Saturday, March 27th : " I know whom I
have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to Iceep
that which I have committed unto His trust against that
day. Faithful is He that callelh you, will also do it All
the promises of God in Him are Yea and Amen unto the
glory of God by us.°
Although his career in China was short, it has not been
a fruitless one. He has gone home, and yet he still lives
amongst us. Hehas imparted to each of us something of
his joyous trust, his fervent love, his burning zeal, his
oneness of purpose.
I have never met one who more fully lived Christ
than our dear departed brother. He has taught us that it
is possible to obey the command, " Rejoice in the Lord
alway"; whatevermight bethe nature of his surroundings
be always rejoiced in the l-ord. He loved to sing —
" Oh, the joy of knowing Jesus ! it is dawning on my soul ;
I am finding His salvation and the power that makes me
whole. '"^
How much fuller now must his joy be, for he sees Him
as He is, and knows Htm even as he is known. May
the remembrance of this fair young life be cut deep on
our hearts, and may we who remain strive after more of
that whole-heartedness, joyousness, devotedness to the
Master, holiness and Chrisllikeness which characterised
his life. May the fact that he fell whilst pressing forward
to the front ranks, one of the most dangerous posts in the
conflict with sin and Satan, be a call to others to come
and till his place, and where one has fallen may ten rush
forward— taking up his motto, " Christ for China "—to do
and dare for "Him who loved us and gave Himself for
Q^ibings from ^ratt«r«b Morhtrs.
C^e^-kiang Iprofamce.
Fkoh Mr. Thompson,
Kiu-chtm, Mar. %Mt.
We had all the helpers to ■ coDrerence the other day, when
we went ihtough the nut twelve chapters of Ihe Acts together,
and most of tbeni answered very well indeed. On Friday, the
fourth dav, we all sat dawn together to dioDei at six tables. On
the Lord 1 day we sat togetbei at Ihe Lord's Table to remember
the Saviour's dying love before we parted. We all enjoyed the
lime very much, and our prayer is that our dear helpers may
return to their posts very much stronger for their short visiL
They need all the help they cao eel, for we do not know muc^
of what they have to suffer for Christ's sake. I wish I could
bring them more often here for conference, and exhortation, and
I was very much gladdened in Kwei-k'i to hear of new
enquirers and old friends holding on well Ho-k'eo is also
doing well, and I hope soon )o I>ap1ize some in that town. I
ihouTd like to be able to visit every dty Jo the southern half of
the KlANG'SI Province just to bring the Gospel within their
Fbom Miss Riuter.
Vang-tham.
It is indeed wonderful to see how the sialen here have been
blessed la their work dnrine the past year — their first year in
Chins: but Ibc'Lord is; "Wonderful." I am 90 glad that Mr,
Taylor last night earnestly asked our heavenly Father to use ns
five who have just arrived for blessing to some within the next
thrtt months : surely He will. " She only touched the hem of
His garment," and I did last night.
Some ol ni went to the ten^e of the 10,000 gods this aftei-
be had taken a long pilgrimage and that his feet
, XX. When Miss Gray ol
he bowed and seemed thankful. May
y offered Ic
a Bible
Miss Grayand two others went to the temple with a Bible the
day after we had been, but could not get in because the priests
were worshipping. I cannot describe my joy the next day, when
I saw through the opencliapel door the priest whom we had seen
in the temple ; be had come to (etch his Bible: praise the Lord for
that. Never shall 1 forget the liitle servant boy, who is a can-
didale for baptism, preaching to them : turning a chair over, he
said, "Look how easily I can turn this over, can't I ?" The
priest said, "Yes." "But, I can do just the same with your
gods." lie priest smiled and looked at tis. The boy told bfm
and his companions of Jesui, and seemed overflowing as he
showed them a hymn or Sankey's, and sang one through (or
them. May the Lord bless this Sxn very much and use him for
the salvation o( souls. Pray for him. The priest promised to
come again,
Fbou Miss Clark.
yioig-(Ami, Mar. 37/ii.
It is very encoarsging to see so many women come day after
day to bear the Gospel, and sometimes priests as well. Lately
there have been several new openings for visiting and a good
many opium cases. We cannot doubt that the truth has laid
hold of some hearts. U T'ai-I'ai sat up till one o'clock, a few
nights ago, reading to a friend from a Bible which had just been
given to her. Wan Siao-taie has made her uncle very angry by
reading and praying at home, and he has threatened to send her
away, Ov evening when he was oat she came here, knowii^
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
"5
that it would be ber last opportunity, and that she would not be
able to receive any more visits : she drank in all that was said
most eagerly, and when it was time to ^o sobbed piteously and
could scarcely tear herself away from Miss Gray. She gave her
a handkerchief with two little figures joined together, and point-
ing to them said, "This is you and that me, and though we
shall not be able to see each other we shall always be together."
A day or two afterwards a letter came from her, in which she
said that wherever she was sent she would never forget the
Saviour. Another girl of eighteen who often comes, is soon to be
married to a man she has never seen : she is interested, but we
do not know that she has experienced a real change of heart ;
we think she shrinks from the difficulties which she knows she
would meet in her new home if she became a Christian.
Our boy asked for a holiday yesterday afternoon, and spent it,
the cook and the waterman with him, in trying to sell gospels.
From Miss Legg.
Yang-chaUy May 1st,
Crowds of women come to hear the Gospel every day. They
are very quiet, and listen so attentively to the Gospel. One
dear lady, a mandarin's widow, is coming out so brightly. She
is a true believer in the Lord Jesus, and constantly testifies for
Him. She comes two or three times a week and helps the
sisters with the women. They say she speaks beautifully. On
Sunday week she went home, and took down from her wall a
large quantity of silver paper in long strips, to be burnt after
her death, which she had made. She said she had sat up whole
nights doing it, and it was worth a good deal. She sent this
paper to us, and we had a grand bonfire with it.
Two or three days ago she was sent for by a mandarin, who
has great power over her, and forbidden to come to see us
again. She told him she believed the doctrine, and he was
very angry, and told her a great many bad things that he had
heard about us. But the Lord helped her, and she told him that
though he might prevent her from coming to the Gospel hall,
yet he could not take away the happiness from her heart that
she had got by believing in Jesus. Her friend, who constantly
came with her, is also forbidden to come. But the Lord is
opening more doors among the mandarins* wives and daughters.
A week or so ago some of us were invited to a mandarin's
house to dinner, to meet a young lady who was longing to hear
the doctrine. Our friend, Li Siao-tsie, had lent her a Bible and
hymn-book, and she had been much interested in what she had
read. She said her friends did not like her reading them, and
would not let her have a Testament for herself ; but she had copied
some texts that she had liked very much. Miss Gray talked to
her of the way of salvation, and she listened very attentively
and asked several questions. She was such a nice gentle- look-
ing girl. Last week another family sent for two of our sisters,
and Miss Byron and Miss Gray went, and a few days after they
came to see us, and asked our sisters to go again.
Last Tuesday the evangelist went with us to a village ; the
country looked lovely. The people were so friendly, and seemed
delighted to listen to the Gospel.
^an-|^toujj "^xts^xxat.
From Dr. Parry.
Gan-kUngt Mar, 29M.
You will be glad to hear of the spirit of revival that is in our
midst here, as a little church by the grace of our Lord. The
native brethren are going in heartily for witnessing daily for
Christ, and the present examinations give a grand opportunity,
especially to the Christian teachers, to meet men of their own
class.
From Mr. Reid.
Chi'chau Fu, Mar. 2^k,
We have been having some very encouraging meetings here
during the last few weeks.
From Miss Emily Black.
FoH'ch'engi Mar. 13M.
The women here visit us very freely ; during this past week
we must have had some hundreds, I should think. Many from
the country come to attend a festival, and visited us with their
friends. Last Sunday our place was thronged for the service, and
the whole afternoon I was engaged in speaking to the women in
companies of twenties and thirties ; as each party left, fresh
arrivals poured in. Of course most of these come purely from
curiosity, still, frequently before I speak, they wish me to tell
them the doctrine, ana often my heart is gladdened by the
interest manifested.
My sister commenced a class for women in the house of a
native Christian at the other side of the city ; this I have taken
during the past few weeks, and am much interested in one poor
woman suffering from spinal disease, who crawls (for she cannot
walk) to the place, never missing a meeting. She is, I believe,
not only desirous to learn the truth but to obey it. What joy
it gives to meet with such ! Will you not pray that much bless-
ing may be given here ?
From Mr. McMullan.
Chung'kUngy Feb. 15M.
Mr. Jenkins and I left Chung-k*ing to-day for a short journey,
for the purpose of distributing Scriptures and telling out the
Gospel as our knowledge of the language will allow.
Lord's Day^ Feb. 21st. — A quiet, happy day. Our meeting
in the evening was of rather a novel character. Our prayer-
meetings in Chung k'ing lately have not satisfied me; every-
thing goes so smoothly that one would almost think it was done
by machinery. There is the evangelist, from the nature of
his position he should pray, and he prays ; the Christian school-
master, of course, should pray, and he prays. The colporteurs
think the foreign missionary would be pleased if they would
pray, and of course they pray. All goes smoothly, as calm and
placid as a lake.
To-day, after prayer and reading, I asked. What have
each of us to thank God for to-night ? One or two answered,
*'For God's protection, and giving us thus far a prosperous
journey; for giving us the Bible." Other blessings were
enumerated, but it was left for Mr. Jenkins to say, " For the
gift of God's love. His Son, and for a living, present, personal
Saviour." As I talked of these blessings, and how we should
value them, and thankfully use them, our men felt strongly the
remarks about the value of the Bible and the sin of neglecting
it, as they had all come awajr without it. Mr. Jenkins* ser-
vant said at length, "There is one passage I should like you
to tell us the meaning of ; you will find it m Luke ix. 3 : * And
He said unto them. Take nothing for your journey, neither
shoes nor scrip, neither money, neither two coats apiece.* "
It was rather a startling passage to be asked to explain ;
here, on a journey, under the same Lord, I have two gowns with
me, a change of other raiment, and a number of pairs of socks,
and lest the proceeds of the books we sell should not be
enough to meet our expenses, there are two little pieces of silver
stowed away in the scrip as a sort of reserve fund I We said
the apostles were at this time sent only to their own people,
who acknowledged God, and there were those in every place
who were ready to receive them ; we have come to a foreign
land, and when we arrive in a city we must stay in an inn
instead of in the house of a friend, who would provide for cur
wants. Besides, the Lord does not want us to take anything
from the heathen (3 John, verse 7), which we should have to do
if we followed literally the command of this passage. Further,
does not this command seem to be withdrawn by our Lord in
Luke xxii. 35, 36 ? Our questioner said he was satisfied with
the reply ; he also said, '* If we confess our sin in not bringing
our Bibles, will the Lord forgive us ? " ** Yes, of course, He
will," I said.
In James v. 16 it says, '* Confess your faults one to another."
I then confessed how we had gone out that afternoon, although it
was the Lord's Day, not for the purpose of trying to tell out thelove
of our God and advance the interests of His kingdom, but for our
own pleasure, to look round the place and see wl^t was to be seen.
We then all knelt down, and I trust that there was not only
lip but heart-confession, and real heart-thankfulness to God for
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
A another —
had singing
far. \%th.
: comJDg to
and anothei
rd. TnJy
>rHU own
Mrs. Geo,
the Lord to
Thii aoswei
: mied with
to tell them
lew book in
:ally ue an
Loid Jetiu,
ly the other
deneu and
}f sympathy
neie street.
>wship with
' he&veo and
poor weakly
;ood tiding*
eng— nineiy
some time
she has now
himself wa*
le time have
V.) lo settle
a medidoe-
couise,giTe
lead to the
hereto heat
months a^ro^
December,
lly surpiited
ally seeming
it an intelh-
r JesBs' sake
t's desire (or
moment by
else will dp
CHINA'S MILLIONS,
107
f 7%^ Out'Stations of the Mission are not given in this Table,)
I. — ^Umbma nf CJ^^l^-kiang.
I. Ning-pOy 1857.
y. Williamson^ Superintended from
Fung'hwa,
2. Fung'hwa^ 1866.
T. Williamson 1866
Mrs. Williamson 1875
M. Harsison
Population* of Province^ I3 millions ; Area\ of Prcrvince^ 39»I50 square miles,
8. Kiu-chaUy 1872.
1871
I8d(
3. ShaO'hingy 1866.
Tames Meadows 1862
Mrs. Meadows (nr^ Rose) . . 1866
Miss S. Carpenter 1883
Miss M. Carpenter . . . . 1883
4. Shing-hien^ 1869.
D. M. Robertson . .
J. A. Heal
5. Hang-chau^ 1866.
{Pastor Wdng LcB-djun.)
6. T'ai-chau, 1867.
W. D. RUDLAND (absent) . .
Mrs. RuDLAND {nie Knight)
7. Wun-chau^ 1867.
George Stott
Mrs. Stott {yiee Ciggie) . .
Miss Oliver
1885
1885
1866
1876
1866
1870
1886
Horace A. Randle (absent) . .
Mrs. Randle {,nie Boyd) (absent)
Miss Fanny Boyd (absent)
David Thompson
Mrs. Thompson {^nee Dowmao) . .
Miss C. K. Murray
Miss Macintosh
Miss AoNES Gibson
Miss Mary Williams
9. Kin-hway 1875.
A. Lanoman
R. Grierson
Paid Native Helpers:— d Pastors^ 34 AssLtant Preachers^ 4 School Teachers^ 14 Colporteurs^ 13 Bible-women,
1876
1878
1878
1881
1883
1884
1884
1884
1884
1884
1885
II. — llrnbina ai piang-su
Population* of Province ^ 20 millions ; Area\ of Province, 44,500 square miles.
10. Shanghai^ 1854.
r. H. Taylor, Director . . . . 1854
r. W. Stevenson i86o
toHN McCarthy 1867
r. £. Cardwell 1868
[rs. Cardwell 1868
Miss Mary Black 1884
Miss J. Black 1883
Mrs. ERIKSSON 1880
II. Yang'ChaUy 1868.
Miss M. Murray 1884
Miss McFarlane 1884
Miss Lily Webb 1884
MissBvRON 1884
Miss C. P. Clark 1886
Miss Mary L. Lego • . . . 1886
Miss Davis 1886
Paid Native Helpers : — I Pastor, i Bible-woman,
III. — ^||r0fama tA ^att-|^foug.
Population* of Province, 9 millions ; Area^ of Province, 48,161 square miles.
. . 1879
.. 1866
12. Gan-king^ 1869.
Edward Tomalin (absent)
Mrs. Tomalin (^nie Desgraz)
William Cooper 188 1
H. Parry, l.r.c.p., etc 1884
Mrs. Parry {nie Broman) . . . . 1884
H. Hudson Taylor . . . . 1881
T. £. S. BoTHAM 1885
Miss T. D. Robertson
Miss Annie Le Brun
Mrs. Riley («Af Stroud)
Miss Stevens . .
Miss Tapscott
.. 1886
. . 1885
. . i88<
. . 1885
.. 1886
MissFAUSSET 1886
13. Ch'i'ChaUy 1874.
JohnReid 1884
14. Ning-kwoh^ 1874.
George Miller 1884
15. Hwuy-chau, 1875.
Duncan Kay 1884
Mrs. Kay {nie Mathewson) . . 1884
Miss S. E. JONES 1886
16. 7a-kU'fangy 1873.
W. L. PRUEN, L.R.C.P.
Paid Native Helpers :—i Pastor, 5 Assistant Preachers,
lY. — '^xthmtt of ^ian0-sl
Population* ofProvince^ 15 millions ; Area\ of Province^ 72|I76 squasre miles,
1880
Paid Native Helpers ;— 3 Assistant Preachers.
Mrs. Pruen {nfe Hughes) . .
Miss Fosbkry
1876
1884 I Miss Teanie Gray
MissMAi
17. Yuh'Shan,
Gra
cintosh
1884
Population^ of Province, 20J millions; Area\ of Pramnce, 70450 square miles.
18. WU'cKang^ 1874.
Fredk. W. Baller . .
Mrs. Baller {^ie Bowyer)
\\ 18^
T. F. Broumton 1875
Mrs. Broumton 1879
Maurice J. Walker .. .. 1885
Paid Native Helper:—! Colporteur,
19. Fan-cKeng^ 1878 {for Ho-nan),
George Kino 1875
Mrs. Kino (n/^ Black) .. .. 1883
Miss Emily Black 1884
* The estimate of population is that given in the last edition of " China's Spiritual Need and Claims."
t For comparison, the foUowins^ particulars are given : —
Population of England, 24,613,926 ; Scotland, 3,736,673 ; Wales, 1,360,613 ; Ireland, 6,174,836.
Area „ 60,823 eq. mis. ; „ 29,820 sq. mis ; „ 7^63 sq. mis.; „ 32,631 sq. mis.
io8
CHINA'S MILUONS.
YI. — "^mSmxt 0f p0-nan»
Population* of Prffvince^ 15 millions ; Area\ of Promncty 65,104 square milts,
20. Chau-kia-J^eo, \ John Finlayson 1884 | J. A, Slimmon
Paid Native Helpers ;— 2 Assistant Preachers.
1884
YIL — ^rnfama 0f Pu-itafit^
Population* of Province ^ 16 millions ; Area\ of Province^ 74*320 square miles,
21. Sha-shi^ \ZZ\ {for Hu-nati).
A. C. DoRWARD 1878 I T. Tames 1885 I Miss E. Wilson 1876
Henry Dick 1883 | F. w. K. Gulston 1885 | Miss Mary Evans 1882
Paid Native Helpers : — 3 Assistant Preachers ^ I Colporteur.
YIII. — 1|r0bttta ai %^n-i\m.
Poptdation* of Promnce^ 4 millions; Area\ of Province^ 64,554 square miles.
22. Kwei-yang^ 1877.
George Andrew 1881
Mrs. Andrew {ttee Findlay) . . 1882 I Edward Hughesdon
Thomas Windsor 1884
1884
Paid Native Helpers : — 2 Assistant Preachers, i School Teacher,
Population* of Province^ 20 millions ; Area^ of Province ^ 166,800 square miles.
23. Chung'J^ing^ 1877.
George nicoll 1875
Mrs. Nicoll hiee Howland) . . 1879
F.Marcus Wood 1883
Mrs. Wood {^nee Williams)
J. McMULLAN
KiCHARD Gray
1883
1884
1885
24. Chcntu^ 1881.
Samuel R. Clarke
Mrs. Clarke {nh Fausset)
Miss E. BUTLAND . . • •
Paid Native Helpers : — 3 Assistant Preachers^ 2 School Teachers, i Bible-woman,
^. — '^xa^mtt 0f g^un-ttan.
Population* of Province, 5 millions; Area\ of Province, 107,969 square miles.
1878
1878
1883
25. Bhamo (//» Upper Bumiah\ 1875.
( Work suspended^
Henry Soltau (absent) . .
Mrs. Soltau
:: %
26. Ta-U'Fu, 1 88 1.
Fredk. a. Steven 1883
F. T. FoucAR 1885
John Smith 1885
27. Yun-nan Fu, 1882.
Arthur Eason 1881
Mrs. Eason {,nie Southall) . . 1881
Owen Stevenson 1883
Miss L. Malpas 1883
Miss Cath. a. Todd . . . . 1884
Paid Native Helpers :—2 Assistant Preachers, I School Teacher, 1 Colporteur,
Population* of Province, 3 millions ; Areaf oj Province, 86,608 square miles.
28. Lan-chau, 1885.
George Parker 1876
Mrs. Parker 1880
W.E.Burnett 1883
29. Si-ning,
William Laughton .. .. 1884
30. Ning'hsia, 1885.
J. H. Sturman 1883
Charles Horobin 1884
Thomas Hutton 1884
31. TsHn-chau, 1878.
Henry W. Hunt . .
Mrs. Hunt {nee Smalley)
Miss Hannah Jones
Miss Alice Drake . .
Miss Eleanor Marston
1881
1884
32. Han-chungy 1879.
G. F. Easton (absent)
Mrs.EASTON (ff/^ Gardner) (absent)
Edward Pearsb
Mrs. Pearse {nee Goodman) . •
W. Wilson, m.b., cm
Population* of Province, 7 millions ; Area\ of Province, 67,400 square miles.
1876
Mrs. Wilson {nfe Goodman) . . 1883
Arthur T. Polhill-Turner .. 1885
Cecil Polhill-Turner .. 1885
Miss Sarah Muir 1883
Miss Annie R. Taylor . . . . 1884
Miss Ellen A. Barclay . . . . 1884
Paid Native Helper:—! School Teacher,
Miss E. C. Fenton
Miss F. R. Kinahan
1886
1886
Si'gan Plain.
Chas. H. Hogg 1884
Albert Phelps 1884
♦ The estimate of population is that ^ven in the last edition of " China's Spiritual Need and Claims."
t For comparison, the following particulars are given : —
Population of England, 24,613,926 ; Scotland, 3,786,673 ; Wales, 1,360,613 ; Ireland, 6. 174,836.
Area 60,823 sq. mis.; „ 29,820 sq. mis.; „ 7,363 sq. mis. „ 32,631 sq. mis.
CHINA'S MILUONS.
109
Population^ of Province^ 9 millions; Arca\ of Province^ 56,268 square miUs.
33. T'aiyuen, 1S77.
Thos. W. Pioott, b.a. (absent)
Mrs. Pioott {nee Kemp) . .
£. H. Edwailds, M.S., CM.
Mrs. Edwailds {n^e Kemp)
A. Hudson Broomhall . .
Mrs. Kendall
MissHo&NE
Miss E. Kingsbury
Miss A. G. Broomhall . .
Miss Maroaret S ymon • •
Miss Maria Taylor
1879
1882
1882
1882
1884
1883
1876
1880
1884
1884
1884
34. Kwei'hwa-cKengy 1886.
George W. Clarke .. .. 1875
Mrs. G.W. Clarke {nie Lancaster) 1880
W. E. Terry . .
W. T. Beynon
1885
1885
35. PaO'feo, 1886.
Thomas King 1884
Stewart McKee 1884
36. Sih'ChaUy 1885.
M. Beauchamp, b.a.
W. W. Cassels, B.A.
37. Fing-yang, 1879.
William Key
Stanley P. Smith, b.a. . .
C. T. Studd, b.a
38. Kiih-wu, 1885.
D. E. HOSTE
W.Hope Gill
1885
1885
1884
1885
1885
1885
188S
Paid Native Heifers ;— 3 Assistant Preachers^ 2 School Teachers^ 2 Colporteurs and Chapel Keepers^ I Bible-woman,
Population* of Province^ 19 millions ; Area\ oj Province^ 65,104 square miles,
39. Chefoo Hospital^ 1879.
J. Cameron, m.d. (u.s.a.) .. 1875
A. W. DOUTHWAITE, M.D. (U.S.A.) 1874
Mrs. DOUTHWAITE {^nie Doig) . . 1874
English Schools for Missionaries*
children and others,
W. L, Eluston (absent) .. .. 1878
Mrs. Elliston (fiee Groom) (absent) 1882
Herbert L. Norris . . . . 1884
T.R. Douglas 1885
Miss Sarah Seed 1883
Miss Whitchurch 1884
Miss L. E. Hibberd . . . . 1886
Miss Jennie Webb 1885
MissS. Reuter 1886
Paid Native Helpers:— l Assistant Preacher^ i Colporteur,
Amoy, English School,
Mrs. Sharland 1880
Miss A. S. Jakobsen
Miss E. Taylor
Miss S. Wilson
• . • •
40. Fuh'Shan^ 1885.
Miss Agnes Brown
Mrs. Cheney . •
• • 1 1
1886
1886
1886
1885
1884
xmmmt^ S^bstnt— ^nratbtt itnJrdtrmimtr*
Mrs. Hudson Taylor.
Mrs. Steyenson.
Mrs. McCarthy.
R. J. Landale, M. a.
Miss Turner.
Miss C. Littler.
Miss Say.
Archibald Orr Ewing.
C. G. Moore {Home Work of Mission),
Mrs. Moore.
Frank Ttlrhcu {Medical Stttdy),
Mrs. SCHOFIELD.
Miss C. M. Kerr.
immmt% tn xaviiL
Eldred S. Sayers.
George Graham Brown.
Miss Jessie Murray.
Charles H. Judd.
Mrs. Judd.
John J. Coulthard.
Andrew Wright.
J. C. Stewart, m.d. (u.s.a.)
Several whose names are in the above table are not formally connected with the Mission^ though working in association
with it^ and under its direction.
The nafnes of some now absent from China for rest and change are given in connection with the Stations to which they
JULY, 1886. '"''"'^-
Excellent Photographs (carte size), taken by Mr. T. C. Turner, Barnsbury, of most of the Missionaries may be had
from the Offices of the Mission, price 6d. ; post free, 7d. Cabinet Groups, as under, Is. each; post free. Is. Id.
7. Messrs, Stanley Smithy C. T, Studd^ Cassels^ Hoste^
1. Miss Whitchurch^ Mrs, Cheney; Messrs. Hughesdon
and Windsor,
2. Messrs, Hogg^ McMulian^ Finlayson^ and Slimmon,
3. Misses A, R, Taylor^ Barclay^ Broomhall^ Byron^ and
Mathewsonj Dr, and Mrs, Parry and Mr, A,
Hudson Broomhall,
4. Messrs, Kay^ Miller^ Laughton^ McKee^ Mutton^
Horobin^ Reid^ and Phelps,
5. Misses C, K, and M, Murray^ Macintosh^ Gibson^
McFarlane^ JJly Webb^ Drake^ Marston^ and
Gray,
6. Messrs. Foucar^ fames^John Smithy and Jenkins,
Beauchampf and Cecil and Arthur Polhill-Tumer.
This group may also be had in Chines* Dress,
8. Messrs, Stanley Smith and C. T, Studd only (taken
by Stuart^ Glasgow).
9. Messrs, Walker^ Botham^ Terry ^ and Beynon,
10. Misses LeBruny Brown^ J, Webby and Stevens.
11. Messrs, J. W, Stevenson^ Hope-Gilly Robertson^ Heal^
Griersofiy Douglas^ and Hatrisonj also Messrs
Vanstone and Thome,
12. Misses Robert Sony Hibberdy S. E, Jones y C larky Reuter y
and Jakobsen.
13. Messrs. Archibald Orr Ewingy Jr,y SayerSy Wright
Graham Brown^ and Dr. Stewart.
♦ The estimate of population is that given in the last edition of " China's Spiritnal Need and Claims."
t For comparison, the following particulars are given : —
Population of England, 24,613,926 ; Scotland, 3,736,673 ; Wales. 1,360,613 ; Ireland, 6,174,836.
Area „ 60,823 sq. mis. ; „ 29,820 tq. mis. ; „ 7,363 sq mis, ; » 32,631 sq. mis.
o
R
.«
C
«
II'
■s ■
a J
1*1
• 1
'.Si
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Q H h S
' ' c a.i s ■
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6
*! "^S £'"''^'^"'2 2"" '^
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vj5^ 5--3'S>S'^"*"Rl^ ^
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<QMb;d3:,-i =^JS
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■q. mi- -q-oo r^ u> "leo ^ — J^
S5l^'"g;£';;.!i:'^'S.i^2'
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China's Millions.
QUE OF THE GATES OF PEKIN.
®b Snbsiitna of scfactal ^bbrtssts gibm during a Conftnnce of i^e ^issionarits of i^e
C^ina |nlani) gjission.
BY MR HUDSON TA7LOB.
(Continued Jram page 67.)
ING the twofold object before me of accustoming myself to endure hard-
ss, and of economizing in order to be able to assist more lai^ely
; needy ones among whom I spent a good deal of time labouring in
? Gospel, I soon found that I could live at home for very much less than
lad any conception of. Butter and milk and expensive luxuries, such as
;ad and meat, I soon got rid of; and I found that by living mainly on oat-
al and rice, with occasional changes, a very small sum would suffice. In
3 way I had more than two-thirds of my income available for works of
rcy and religious purposes; and I found that the leas I consumed and the
re I gave away, the fuller of happiness and blessing did I become,
he day long, and every day, was my happy experience. God, even my
ight reality, and all I had to do was joyful service,
ave thought, however, to my mind to contemplate going out to China, far
aid, and there to depend alone on the living God for prot«ction, supplies,
d, I felt that one's spiritual muscles required strengthening. There was
114 CHINA'S MILLIONS.
no doubt that if one's faith did not fail, God would not fail ; but then, what if one's faith did
fail ? I had not then learned that " If we believe not He abideth faithful, He cannot deny
himself; " and consequently it was a very serious question, not whether He was faithful, but whether
I had strong enough faith to warrant my embarking in the enterprise set before me.
I thought to myself, " When I get out there I shall have no claim on any one for anything —
my claim will alone be on God ; and I must learn, before I leave England, to move man, through God,
by prayer alone." My kind employer wished me, as he was busily occupied, always to remind him
when my salary became due. I determined not to do so directly, but to ask God to bring the fact to
His recollection, and thus to encourage me by answering prayer. As the time drew near for my
receiving a quarter's salary, I was much in prayer about it The day arrived, but my kind friend
made no allusion to it. I continued praying, and days passed on, but he did not remember, until at
length, on settling up my weekly accounts on Saturday night, I found myself possessed of only half-a-
crown, and that half-crown happened to be in one coin.
Still, I had hitherto had no lack, and I continued in prayer. The Sunday was a very happy one.
As usual, my heart was full and brimming over with blessing. After attending the service in the morning,
my afternoons and evenings were filled with Gospel-work in the various lodging-houses that I -was
accustomed to visit in the lowest part of the town. It always seemed to me as if heaven was begun
below, and that all that could be looked for was an enlargement of one's capacity for joy, not a truer
filling than I already possessed. After I had concluded my last service, about ten o'clock at night, a
poor man asked me to go and pray with his wife, stating that she was dying. I agreed, and on my
way to his house, asked him why he had not been for the priest, as his accent told me he was an
Irishman. He had been, he said, but the priest had refused to come without being paid is. 6d., which
he did not possess, as the family was starving.
It at once occurred to my mind that all I had in the world was this solitary half-crown, and that
it was in one coin, and that, while the basin of water-gruel that I usually took for my supper was
awaiting me, and there was sufficient in the house for breakfast, I had nothing for dinner next day.
Somehow or other there was a stoppage in the flow of joy in my heart ; but instead of reproving
myself, I began to reprove the poor man, and to tell him it was very wrong of him to let matters get
into such a state as he described — that he ought to have gone to the relieving-officer. He had been,
he said, and had been told to come at eleven o'clock the next morning, but he feared his wife might not
live so long.
"Ah," I thought, "if I had only 2s. and a 6d. instead of half-a-croWn, how gladly would I give
these poor people one shilling of it 1 " But to part with the half-crown was far from my thoughts. I
little dreamed that the real meaning of this feeling was this — I would trust God with is. 6d., but I was
not prepared to trust Him without any money at all in my pocket.
My conductor led me into a court, down which I followed him with some nervousness. I had
been there before, and had been at the last visit so roughly handled, while my tracts were torn to
pieces, and I had received such a warning not to come again, that I felt more than a little concerned.
Still, it was the path of duty, and I followed on. Up a miserable flight of stairs, into a wretched room,
he led me, and oh, what a sight presented itself to my eye ! Four or five poor children stood about,
their sunken cheeks and temples and eyes all telling an unmistakable story of slow starvation ; they
had evidently had little food fqr a long time ; and lying on a wretched pallet was a poor, exhausted
mother, with a little infant thirty-six hours old, moaning rather than crying at her side, for it, too,
seemed spent and exhausted. " Ah," thought I, " if I had 2s. and a 6d. instead of half-a-crown,
how gladly they should have is. 6d. of it 1 " But still a wretched unbelief practically prevented
me from obeying the impulse of relieving their distress at the cost of all I had.
You will not think it strange that I was not able to say very much to comfort these poor people.
I needed comfort myself ! I began to tell them that they must not be cast down, that though their
circumstances were very distressing, there was a kind and loving Father in Heaven, but something
said within : " You hypocrite ! You to tell these unconverted people about a kind and loving Father
in Heaven with half-a-crown in your pocket, and you not prepared to trust Him with half-a-crown ! "
I was nearly choked. How gladly I would have compromised with conscience if I had had a florin
and a sixpence 1 I would have given the florin and kept the sixpence, for I was not yet prepared to
trust God without the sixpence.
To talk was impossible under these circumstances ; yet, strange to say, I thought I should have
no difficulty in praying I Prayer was a delightful exercise to me then, and I seemed to think that all
CHINAS MILUON:^
"S
I should have to do would be to kneel down and engage in prayer, and that relief would come to them
and to myself. " You asked me to come and pray with your wife," I said to the man, " Let us pray,"
and I knelt down. But I had scarcely opened my lips with, " Our Father, who art in Heaven," when
conscience said within, " Dare you mock God ? Dare you kneel down and call him ' Father,' with
that half-crown in your pocket ? " I went through such a time of conflict as I have never known
before or since. How I got through the form of prayer I know not — whether the words uttered were
connected or disconnected I know not — but I arose from my knees in great distress of mind.
The poor father turned to me and said, " You see what a terrible state we are in, sir ; if you can
help us, for God's sake do ; " and the Word said, " Give to him that asketh of thee." There was no
resource left, for in the word of a King there is power. I put my hand into my pocket, and slowly
drawing forth the half-crown, put it into the man's palm, telling him that it might seem a small
thing to him for me to relieve him, seeing I was well-clad, but that in giving him the coin I was
giving him all I had. What I had been trying to tell him was all true — God really was a Father, and
might be trusted. The joy all came back in full flood -tide to my heart, and I could say anything to
him and feel it then, and the hindrance to blessing was gone — I trust for ever gone.
Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I felt that I was saved. My life might have been
a wreck — would have been a wreck probably, as a Christian life — had not grace at that time conquered,
and the strivings of God's Spirit been obeyed. I well remember how that night, as I went home to
my lodgings, my heart was as light as my pocket. The lonely, deserted streets resounded with a
hymn of praise which I could not keep in. When I took my basin of water-gruel before retiring, I
would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast. I reminded the Lord as I knelt at my little bedside
of His own Word that he who giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord ; and I asked Him not to let
my loan be a long one, or I should have no dinner next day ; and with peace within and peace without
I spent a happy, restful night.
Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained, and before it was consumed the post-
man's knock was heard at the door. I was not in the habit of receiving letters on Monday. Most of
my friends, as well as my parents, abstained from posting letters on Saturday, so that I was somewhat
surprised when my landlady came in, holding a letter or packet in her wet hand, covered by her
apron.
I looked at it ; I could not make out the handwriting. It was either a strange hand or a feigned
hand, and the postmark was blurred. Where it came from I could not tell. On opening the envelope,
I found nothing written within ; but inside a sheet of blank paper was folded a pair of kid-gloves, from
which, as I opened them in astonishment, half-a-sovereign fell to the ground. " Praise the Lord ! "
I exclaimed ; " four hundred per cent, for twelve hours' investment — that is good interest ! How glad
the merchants of Hull would be if they could lend their money at such a rate ! " I determined, then
and there, that a bank which would not break should have my savings or earnings as the case might
be, a determination I have not learnt to regret.
I cannot tell you how often my mind has recurred to this little incident, or all the help it has been
to me in circumstances of difficulty in after life. If we are faithful to God in little things, we shall
gain experience and strength that will be helpful to us when the more serious trials of life beset us.
{To be continued?^
^rtratt ixmx a ^dter*
FROM MB. HU
June \%th, — I believe much blessing will follow our late
journey to Kiang-si. It was a great joy to be present at
the first baptism in Kwei-ki Hien, and to unite for the first
time there with the believers round the Lord*s table. At
Ho-k'eo things are very promising. There are eight or nine
female candidates for baptism, and Miss Gray and Miss Lily
Webb will, I have no doubt, be much blessed in working
among the women.
There is much promise, too, at Chang-shan and Yuh-
shan. In these cities and the districts beyond Misses
DSON TAYLOR.
Brown and Macintosh are going to work. One of the
sisters, Miss Gibson, spent a week at Chang-shan, and
the effect was so good that the native Christians at once
contributed ten dollars to help to fit up a place for the
sisters to live in.
Mr. Langman baptised ^vt at Yung-kang a short time
ago. These were the first baptisms at the place, and he
was greatly cheered.
We passed Che-foo to-day, and hope to be in Tien-
tsin to<morrow, en route for Shan-SI.
ii6
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
VISIT TO CENTRAL SI-OH'UBN, WESTERN CHINA.
By Miss E. Butland, of Ch*en-tu Fu.
ARCH 8M, 1886.-— Went into the country ; had a
busy time. We did not get far before some
women asked us to sit down by the roadside,
and a little group gathered. After talking for
a time to them of the " only ** Way of Salvation, we went
further on, and were asked into a house, where women
came from other houses near to listen to "the Good
News." We stayed some time with them ; then, before
we had gone very far, an old woman asked us to rest in
her house. We were there some time ago. On being
asked whether she remembered what we told her then, she
replied that she was a woman with no mind for remem-
bering anything. She listened again, and four or five
other women came and joined her.
March loth. — Went into the country. We had a very
good time ; more invitations to go in and speak to the
women than we were able to accept.
Monday^ March 15M. — Preparmg for a visit to Mei-
chau, which is 290 // from here. It is my old woman's
native place ; she has many friends there, and is anxious
for them to hear the Gospel.
Tuesday^ i6th. — After a time together in prayer, we
started off. Mr. and Mrs. S. Clarke and Mr. Gray Owen
accompanied us as far as a small village a few miles
from tne city. Here we went into a shop, and had a
basin of rice and vegetables. We then parted— they for
home, and I to proceed further on this my first journey
with natives only.
At 4.30 p.m. we reached Shuang-liu Hien, only having
gone forty //. The natives thought it best to rest there
for the night. The inn was pretty comfortable.
When my old woman left her home, she was well
known by every one as a very earnest worshipper of
Buddha. Most of her friends are the same. This even-
ing she is wondering how they will receive her, when
they know she has given up the false for the True.
She said she would still wear the beads worn by
Buddha's worshippers, and so prevent their persecuting
her. I told her the two couldn't go together. As she
was anxious for them to know the True God and His plan
of salvation, why, through fear of man, retain a show of
the false ? We met together in prayer, asking Him for
grace that she might witness faithfully for Him. She
gave me the beads, and said " she had faith in God, "
Our stay with her friends showed how God rewarded her
faith.
Wednesday, — Started just after daylight, and got no
breakfast till eleven o'clock. We then went on till 2.30,
and were taken to a tea-shop, where we were kept waiting
for two hours. Then took boat, went down the river till
we came to Peng-shan Hien, where we went to an inn
for the night.
There were women there, so, after having tea, we in-
vited them to our room. Six of them were on their way
to Ch'en-tu to see the CKin-yang Kung^ a large fair held
yearly. They sat and listened to the "Old, Old Story " till
quite late, and seemed to understand very well. When
they left, the landlady's daughter remained behind to ask
some questions about what she had just heard. It quite
cheered me to see her so interested. She asked to be
taught to pray.
T^wrj^ey.— Started at daylight, and at 9,30 a.m. came
to an inn, where we had breakfast. Then went on ap;ain,
till we reached Mci-chau about two o'clock. Were kindly
received by some women, who brought us tea and cakes.
Quite a group gathered, and seemed to understand the
Gospel well, though they had never heard it before. We
then went seventy lij reached an inn at dark. It was a
very disagreeable place ; I longed for daylight to get away.
Ffiday. — Started early, and reached Tan-ling Hien,
our destination, at mid- day. We were received by a very
nice family living near the north gate of the city. They
prepared breakfast for us, and were surprised and glad to
see us, and asked us to remain with them for a time. We
gladly accepted their offer. All the afternoon and even-
ing we were talking to women, who continued to come
and go till dark. Many of them seemed not only
willing to listen, but eager to understand the Gospel.
Saturday. — It got noised abroad that a foreigner was
in the city, so it became very lively. Our good friends
were afraid to have us any longer in their house. To go
to an inn was the only thing to be done. I sent a native
to get quarters in readiness by evening, while I went with
my old woman for a day in the country. As she wanted
to visit her brother, we made for that direction. On the
way, went into a temple, commenced talking to a
priestess, and other women. After a little while an old
woman, who was at the further end of the room, came and
sat near me, and eagerly took in every word. When we
rose to go, she said she would go with us, as she wanted
to hear more about it Arrived at the brother's resi-
dence, many more women came, and the woman who
had joined us told them to listen to what I had to tell
theni. She seemed so thankful for having herself heard
the news of salvaiion. After a busy day we returned to
the city, and went to the inn ; and then what a rush of
people ! Feeling tired, I sent word to the women to come
the next day.
Sunday^ 21st. — Early morning had reading and prayer
with the natives ; then visitors began to come, and in
very large numbers. Many of them seemed to forget
their curiosity to satisfy which they had come, and
became very interested in the Gospel. Such a demand
for books and tracts was made ! Though the women
themselves were unable to read, they said they would get
their husbands and sons to read aloud for them. Many
of them showed their gratitude by bringing me presents
of sugar- cane, nuts, cakes, eggs, and sweets.
Monday. — I found it best to meet the women only in
small groups at a time. When one group had heard,
they were asked to leave, and so make room for those
waiting outside. In this way the women seemed to hear
and understand much better than in the large crowds.
One old woman remained with us the whole day. She
had come into the city for the purpose of worshipping at
a Buddhist temple, but stayed with us instead. I was
touched by what she said about herself. " We will sup-
pose a child has been taken from its parents at a very
early age, and taught to call two strangers his father and
mother, and as he grew older he honoured them as such ;
would he be to blame ? My case is very much like this.**
I told her God had known her all the time ; and in His
love to her had this day given her to know that He is
her Creator and His Son her Redeemer. Was she
now ready to turn from the false to serve the True .? She
seemed not only grateful and glad to do so, but said that
many of her friends were in the same state as herself,
who would receive this news with gladness.
CHINAS MILLIONS.
117
Tuesday, — Left at daylight for the country. Soon
after we arrived at the house of the old woman s brother
it began to rain ; however, that did not prevent the country
women from coming to us. We were busy with them till
dark. I was asked to sit with the family round the
kitchen fire. They prepared supper, after which we went
to our rooms for the night, my old woman having her
bedding spread upon some straw at one end of the room.
They are poor country people, but do their utmost to
make us comfortable.
Wednesday, — After breakfast we left them for the old
woman's sister's home. Here we were as kindly received
as we had been at her brother's. Not only were they
willing to receive us, but are also favourable to the Gospel.
After dinner we went on the hills, and came to a nice
resting-place, where we sat down, another woman joining
us. My old woman fell fast asleep, and I had the others
all to myself. I had such a nice time with them — they
seemed prepared for the Word.
On our way home we met a good number coming from
work in the fields. They were asked to join us in the
house, which they did ; it was remarkable the interest
they showed in the Gospel. We had women till dark.
Thursday. — It rained nearly all day, still women came.
A large number, who were very interested, came just
before dark.
Friday, — After breakfast women came. We talked to
them, and then went further into the country to visit the
old woman's eldest sister, where also a good many gathered
round me. Left, and returned to the city, calling on the
family who first received us. They prepared a meal for
us, and we had another opportunity of telling of Jesus.
At dark we went to the inn for the night. The old
landlady came in, and was quite anxious to hear more
about the True GOD, and how she could pray to Him. I
was quite surprised to hear her talking this way, for she
seemed a woman who could not be very easily softened or
moved. We sat talking long after the others had gone
to sleep. I think God was working by His Spirit in her
soul. She asked for a tract that she might be able to get
some one to read it to her when we were gone, and she
had no one to talk to her about it.
Saturday,— Cot up early, and left at daylight.
Reached the country home of some people belonging to
the old woman. They received us kmdly, but said they
could not understand my words. This I felt a great draw-
back, as there were so many women there. My old woman
said she did not wonder at it, since it was the same
when their own daughter visited them, after living for
some years in the city of Ch'en-tu. When she spoke to
them they simply laughed, as they were quite ignorant of
what she said. It reminded me of my first year in this land.
Sunday, 28M. — Women came in large numbers from
the village and country houses near. These understood
quite well, and when the people of the house saw it, they
sat and listened, and were surprised to find that they, too,
could understand my words by listening. It was a very
encouraging day. Women eager to be taught. They
continued to come till dark, and were then reluctant to
go. One old woman stayed with us all night, that she
might hear more about the Way of Salvation, and so be
able to tell others after we had gone.
Monday, — We rose early, and were soon ready for
starting homeward; but the people made us stay to break-
fast. Quite a large number of women came to see us off ;
they said they could not forget what had been told them.
We went seventy lij reached Mei-chau in the evening.
Went to an inn for the night — not at all a pleasant place.
Tuesday, — Rose early, and got off at daybreak about
eight o'clock ; reached a very nice inn, where we had
breakfast. Here the chair-bearers waited an hour or more.
We then went on till dark, resting at several places to
eat. Having gone 100 //, we reached Tan-kung-chang,
and rested for the night
Wednesday^ 31X/. — Started at daylight, came to an
eating-house, had a basin of mien, which was rather
tasteless, as nothing else could be got to eat with it. About
eleven a.m. went into a village inn, and while the chair-
bearers were smoking opium, I had a very happy time
with some women, who listened so nicely as they were
told of the Saviour of Sinners. Here some of the
natives brought me some cakes, which were much enjoyed.
Just at dark reached home, having come 100 It;
was surprised to find three brethren from Han-chung —
the Messrs. Polhill Turner and Mr. Phelps. Evening,
met together for prayer.
W^t S0unjtr 0f a (ir^at Crg.
Oh, brothers, do you not hear it ? —
That bitter, bitter cry-
Its piteous, wailing echo
Has reached One Ear on high !
Yes, the Lord has not forgotten
The "isles" that "shall wait for Him,"
Nor the weary hearts within them,
So shadowed, and cold, and dim.
The Lord our Redeemer reigneth
Kin^ in the realms above !
Yet His is the heart of a Father,
Full of such yearning love
For the myriad hearts in darkness,
Groping, and finding nought
But restless, unquiet longing.
For something — they know not what.
Sisters, the cry is sounding
Louder and louder still ;
Oh, bend your ear and listen,
You can hear it if you will
The morning voices waft it
Like a soft and sad refrain ;
And when evening falls the breezes
Echo it back again.
Would jrou know the tale it telleth ?
Or is it too sad to hear ?
Are the woes of earth's dark places
Unfit for your tender ear ?
Nay, sisters ; the Lord who bought us
Has lifted our grief-bowed head.
And should not His ransomed children
Follow the Master's tread ?
Brothers, oh, brothers, listen :
Thousands of dying men
Cry out for the " living water,"
And it is all in vain.
Why ? but because ^'iw linger.
You who might help them so I
Oh, can you look up to Jesus
And say that you " did not know " ?
ii8
CHINA'S MILUONS.
Brothers, may God forgive us,
That we are so selfish still !
That we arc so unlike Jesus
In doing the Father's will.
Have we not said, " I cannot,"
When Jesus whispered " Go " ?
And buried the holy impulse.
Because it disturbed us so ?
Sisters, are earthly comforts —
Friends, and a home, and rest —
More to us than our Saviour f
Do His children love them best ?
If not, oh ! ye whom He calleth
His perishing ones to win,
For the Master's sake go forward
And gather these outcasts in !
Sisters, shall Jesus call us.
And shall we draw back a^ain ?
Oh, it cannot be ; we love Him ;
And how shall we give Him pain ?
Nay, rather be this the answer
Our loyal hearts shall raise —
'^ To us be the patient toiling.
And unto the Master— ^ra/x^/
J. £• B. B.
nnnpks aitjtr Pldl^ntrs ^p^lkabk t0 %M\m WA.
BY REV. J. L: NBVIUS, D.D.
{Reprinted from " The Chinese Recorder.*^)
Letter II.— Objections to the Old Methods.
^HAT missionaries should at first seek and employ
as many paid native agents as they can get is
most natural They are anxious for immediate
results, and home secretaries and the home churches are
as impatient to hear of results as missionaries are to
report them. No communications from the field seem so
indicative of progress, and so calculated to call forth com-
mendation and generous contributions, as the announce-
ment that native labourers have been obtained, and are
preaching the Gospel While the missionary himself is
for months or years debarred from evangelistic work by
his ignorance of the lan^age, a native agency stands
waiting his employ. His circumstances and his wishes add
strong emphasis to the oft-repeated truism, " China must
be evangelised by the Chinese." So urgent seems the
necessity to obtain native assistants, that if such as he
would like are not forthcoming, he is glad to avail him-
self of such as he can get. How man^ of us have thought
in connection with some specially interesting inquirer
even before he is baptised, " What a capital assistant that
man may make."
While the circumstances of the missionary furnish the
strongest motives to induce him to multiply native agents
as fast as possible, the circumstances of the natives
naturally and very strongly lead to the same result. The
dense population of this country, and the sharp struggle
for existence which it necessitates, have developed in the
Chinaman a singular aptitude for finding and using ways
and means of making a living. The comparatively ex-
pensive mode of life, as a rule, absolutely necessary for
foreigners, in order to live in China with any reasonable
hope of health and usefulness, naturally suggests the idea
to the native that so intimate a relation as that which
subsists between a teacher and his disciples will, in this
case, undoubtedly prove a profitable one. The Famine
Relief work in the northern provinces left the impression
that foreigners have money in abundance, and are very
ready to give to those in need ; and there are many about
us now as much in need as some who received aid during
the famine. It is not strange, but only human, that
natives under these circumstances should see their oppor-
tunity, and make the most of it.
With these strong motives in the minds of the mis-
sionaries and natives, conspiring to the same result, it is
not without excuse that we should have fallen into what
I now believe is a serious mistake^ utterly unaware of the
danger and injury to the mission cause which ten, twenty,
or thirty years of experience have disclosed. In this
opinion I am not alone ; and it is a significant fact that
those who hold it are for the most part persons who have
had a long experience on mission ground. To some these
lessons have come too late to be of much service to them
individually ; but they will be none the less useful to
those who are willing to profit by the experiences of others.
I fully recognise the fact that the employment and pay
of native labourers is, under suitable circumstances, legiti-
mate and desirable ; as much so as the employment and
pay of foreigners. Here, however, the important ques-
tions arise, who^ when^ and how shall they be employed?
These questions will come up for consideration in the
course of this series of letters.
The following are some of the objections to what we
have agreed to call the " Old System."
I. — Making paid agents of new converts affects injuria
ously the stations with which they are connected
A well-informed and influential man, perhaps the lead-
in^r spirit in a new station, is one who can be ill-spared.
His removal may be disastrous to the station, and he
himself may never find elsewhere such an opportunity for
doing good. I have in mind four persons who, about
twenty-eight years ago, gave great promise of usefulness
in their homes in connection with our out-stations in
Ningpo. While working with their hands in their several
callings they bore testimony to the truth wherever they
went, and were exciting great interest in their own neigh-
bourhoods. It was not long, however, before these men
were employed, one by one mission, another by another,
and the interest in Christianity in and about their homes
ceased. It is to be hoped that they did some good in the
positions which they afterwi.Tds occupied ; but I have nol
been able to learn of any one of them that his after career
was a specially useful one. I refer to these cases not as
unusual and exceptional. I could add many others from,
Cheh-kiang and Shan-tung ; and I doubt not that sinu-
lar instances will occur to the minds of most missionaxieB.
who read this paper.
The injury to a station in these cases does not consist
simply in the loss of the man's influence for good ; posi-
tive evil is introduced. Envy, jealousy, and dissatisfao^
tion with their lot are very apt to be excited in tfa4
minds of those who are left. Others think that they ^I sft
should be employed, if not as preachers, as servants, or
in some other capacity. It would be a less serious matter
if this feeling could be confined to the station where it-
originated, but unfortunately it extends to other place%
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
1 F.VIT.-DOFRS.
I20
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
and there produces the same injurious effects. The
religious interest which passed hke a wave over the
neighbourhood gives place to another wave of excitement,
and the topics of conversation are now, place and pay.
The man employed has lost very much the character he
bore as a dismterested worker for the spiritual good of
others, and is now likely to be regarded by many as a
kind of employ agent, who ought to use his influence to
get them places.
II. — Making a paid agent of a new convert often proves
an injury to him personally.
He is placed in a position less favourable to the de-
velopment of a strong, healthy, manly, Christian cha-
racter. Some of these men, originally farmers, shop-
keepers, pedlars, or labourers in the fields, find them-
selves advanced to a position for which they are by
previous habits and training unfitted. The long gown
and the affected scholarly air are not becoming to them,
and they naturally lose the respect of their neighbours
and their influence over them. Men who were self-
reliant and aggressive in their original positions now
perform their routine labours in a formal and perfunctory
manner. Some, on the other hand, are puf!ed up with
pride and self-conceit, and become arrogant and offensive.
Here again I am not theorizing, but speaking from ex-
perience, and could multiply cases — as I presume most
missionaries could — of deterioration of character in both
directions above indicated.
No doubt the employment of some of these men has
been followed by good results, but it is still a question
whether they might not have accomplished more had
they been left where they were found. Some of them
have proved most unsatisfactory to their employers, but
are retained in their places from year to year, because it
seems an injustice to send them back to a mode of life
for which they have become unfitted. Others have been
dismissed from service, and returned to their homes dis-
appointed and aggrieved ; while not a few when they
have been dropped as employes have dropped their
Christianity, brought reproach upon the cause of Christ,
become the enemies of the Church, and given evidence
that they were only hirelings — never fit to be enrolled
either as preachers or as Church- members.
1 1 1. — The old system makes it difficult to judge between the
true andfalscy whether as preachers or as Church-members,
That the Chinese are adepts in dissembling no one
who has been long in China will deny. The fact that
not a few who were earnest preachers have fallen away
when they have ceased to be employed has already been
referred to. How many others there are now in employ
whose professions are suspended on their pay no one
can tell. The Chinese are close analysts of character,
and know how to adapt themselves to circumstances and
individuals. They are less apt to deceive their own
people than foreigners, and less able to deceive others
than those by whom they are employed. The desire
that the native preacher may prove a true man biases
the judgment. Doubtless the man employed is often
self- deceived. I have had a considerable number of
intelligent, and to all appearances sincere Christians,
connected with my stations, who fell back and left the
Church when they found they were not to be employed.
These, and a still larger number of inquirers, who learned
during the time of their probation that there was very
little hope of getting place and pay, and fell back before
they were baptized, would in all probability, if their desire
for employment had been gratified, be found to-day in
the Church, sustaining perhaps a fair reputation as
preachers or evangelists. What lessons are we to learn
from these facts and experiences? Is it not this, that so
long as a free use is made of new converts as paid
preachers, we deprive ourselves of one of the most
effective means of separating the chaff from the wheat,
and of assuring ourselves that the men we are employing
are what we hope they are ; and that we are not building,
or vainly attempting to build, on a bad foundation.
IV. — The Employment-system tends to excite a mer"
cenary spirit^ and to increase the number of mercenary
Christians,
Of course we fully admit that many paid agents are
sincere, earnest men, and that they bring into the Church
sincere and earnest believers, some perhaps who would
not otherwise be reached. We are here simply pointing
out an evil influence and tendency which is connected
with one system, and is avoided by the other. A man
will sometimes be found who will listen to a native
preacher, apparently much interested, but knowing and
caring very little about what is said. When he finds a
suitable opportunity, he obtains from the preacher,
directly or indirectly, a knowledge of what pay he gets,
and how he obtained his position. This man perhaps
becomes a diligent student of the Scriptures, ana passes
an excellent examination as a candidate for baptism ;
but he is interested in Christianity only as a means to
an end. When this mercenary spirit enters a Church, it
has a wonderful, self-propagating power, and follows tiie
universal law of propagating its kind. The mercenary
preacher, whether paid or hoping to be paid, as naturally
draws to himself others of like affinities as a magnet
attracts iron filings.
In one of the districts of this province there seemed
to be, a few years since, an unusual religious awakening.
The interest spread from town to town ; the number of
inquirers was large ; ^nd hundreds of apparently sincere
believers were gathered into the Churdi. Beneath the
surface of plausible appearances, it was afterwards found
that the movement was due largely to mercenary motives
of different kinds, both in the propagating agents and in
those who were influenced by them. That district now
seems to be struck with a blight. The larger part of
those who were received are now excommunicated or
under discipline ; a very unfavourable impression has
been made upon the people generally ; and persons
sincerely interested in the truth are kept back from seek-
ing a connection with the Church by the unworthy
examples of its members. In this district, Shiu-kwan^,
there is little hope of anything being accomplished until
after the pruning process has been carried still farther,
and we can make a new and better beginning. // is
much easier to get unworthy fnembers into the Church than
it is to get them out of it; and very little good can be
accomplished while they hang as an incubus upon it.
V. — The Employment-system tends to stop the voluntary
work of unpaid agents.
The question generally arises in the mind of the new
convert, ** If other persons are paid for preaching, why
should not I be ? " Under the influence of jealousy and
discontent it is easy to go a step farther, and say, "If the
missionary is so blind or so unjust as not to see or
acknowledge my claims to be employed as others are, I
will leave the work of spreading Christianity to those
who are paid for it." This, again, is not an imaginary case,
but a common experience. It is evident that the two
systems are mutually antagonistic^ and whenever an at-
tempt is made to carry them on together, the voluntary
system labours under almost insurmountable difHculties.
This is a serious objection to the old system that it stands
in the way of the other, and makes the success of it well-
nigh impossible.
VI. — The Old System tends to lower the character and
lessen the influence of the missionary enterprise^ both in
the eyf* of foreigners and natives.
CHINAS MILLIONS,
121
The opprobrious epithet, *' Rice Christians," has gained
almost universal currency in the East, as expressive of
the foreigners' estimate of the actual results of missionary
work. This unfavourable judgment, formed by those who
are supposed, as eye witnesses, to have good grounds
for it, nnds its way to Christian nations in the West who
support missions, and prejudices the missionary cause in
the opinion of those who would otherwise be its symi>a-
thetic supporters. It is a serious question how far mis-
sionaries are to blame for this. While we resent as false
the sweeping generalization which would include all
Christians in China, or the larger part of them, in this
category, it is worse than useless to ignore the readiness
of large classes of Chinamen to become " Rice Chris-
tians," and the difficulty of determining who do, and who
do not, belong to this class. We must also admit the
fact that not a few of those who have found their way
into the Church have proved, after years of trial, to be
only " Rice Christians." The idea of getting rid of such
altogether is probably a fallacious one. . They have been
connected with the Church, and probably will be, in all
lands and in every age. Still, as this reproach has
resulted largely from the fact that hitherto a considerable
proportion of native Christians have eaten the missionary's
rice, one effective way for removing the reproach is
obvious.
The injurious effects of the Paid Agent system on the
mass of the Chinese population, outside of the Church,
are perhaps still greater. The a priori judgment of the
Chinaman, as to the motive of one of his countrymen in
propagating a foreign religion, is that he is hired or
bribed to do it. When he learns that the native preacher
is in fact paid by forei^ers, he is confirmed in his judg-
ment. What the motive is which actuates the foreign
missionary^ a motive so strong that he is willing to waste
life and money in what seems a fruitless enterprise, he is
left to imagine. The most common explanation is that it
is a covert scheme for buying adherents with a view to
political movements inimical to the State. Of course it is
supposed that no loyal native will have anything to do
with such a movement. If the Chinaman is told that
this enterprise is prompted by disinterested motives, and
intended for the good of his people, he is incredulous.
Simple professions and protestations have little weight
with him, in comparison with his own interpretation of
facts. Observing that in some of our stations only those
who are employed and paid remain firm in their adhe-
rence to the foreigner, while not a few of the others fall
back, his opinion is still further confirmed ; and he looks
on with quiet complacency, and rallies his unsuccessful
neighbours on their having fallen behind their compe-
titors in their scramble for money. Here again I am not
imagining what may happen in the future, but am stating
a historical fact. The result is that many well-disposed
Chinamen of the better classes who might be brought
under Christian influences are repelled, and those who
actually find their way into the Church are composed
largely of two opposite classes — those whose honest con-
victions are so strong that they outweigh and overcome
all obstacles, and unworthy persons, to whom that feature
in mission work which we are controverting is its chief
attraction.
Now we readily admit that whatever course we may
take, the Chinese in general will still regard us as foreign
emissaries, our religion as a feint, and our converts as
mercenaries. What we deprecate is, gratuitously furnish-
ing what will be regarded as conclusive that these
unfavourable opinions are well founded. Our enemies
are sufficiently formidable without our giving them an
unnecessary advantage. The obstacles which oppose us
are sufficiently appalling without our adding to them, and
in this way postponing the time of final success.
The above are some of the principal objections which
may be urged against the Paid Agent scheme. We will
consider in following papers what we regard as a
better and more Scriptural way. These papers will treat
of Methods of Dealing with Inquirers and New Converts;
Organizing and Conducting Stations ; the Present Condi-
tion and Outlook of our Shan-tung Stations ; closing
with a consideration of the Best Methods for Beginning
Work in new fields where there are as yet neither
Christians nor inquirers.
Citrmgs from Srattmtr Mnrkrs^
From Mr. Williamson.
Funp'hwat April 26M.
We are feeling a little more encouraged in the work here :
yesterday we examined two men and two women, and hope in
due time to receive them.
From Mr. Jas. A. Heal.
Sien-nnm, May *lth.
Thank God, Bro. Robertson and I are still happy and com-
fortable here, and do not feel a bit lonely. We have visited two
of the out-stations, M6k6 and Yih-kd-cun, and at both places
were very pleased at the reception we met with. Here the
work is going on well : fair attendances every Sunday. God has
been very gc^ to us, and has prepared the way before us so
tenderly and lovingly. *' Every day will I bless Thee."
From Miss Gibson.
KtU'chaUf April yA,
I spent eight days at two of the out-stations, and was veiy
much encouraged. At Chang-shan the people were so willing to
listen to us : the Christians are all men : perhaps if two sisters
were there they could form a Bible class, and also reach Uie
children. They have been laid very much on my heart, and
daily since I saw them do I pray that God would send some one
to Chang-shan. We are very happy here : the girls are all well.
From Mr. Herbert Hudson Taylor.
Shang-hai^ June 14/^.
Saturday^ May 29M, found us arriving at Kwei-k'L On
Sunday we had the privilege of witnessing the first baptism and
being present at the first communion service in that place.
Tuesday t [utu ist. — Father and I parted from Mr. Thompson,
and left for Ta-ku-t'ang, which we reached in four days. We
arrived here safely by Jardine's quickest steamer a little before
ten this morning, instead of between one and three p.m. the
usual time, but the Lord knew that Father needed as much time
as possible before leaving for the north to-morrow night.
Misses Byron, Lily Webb, and Legg were to leave Chin-kiang
last night for Ta-ku-tang. The two former were to join Miss
Gray and Miss Macintosh and start at once for Kwei-k'i, there
to divide into two parties to work between Chang-shan and
Yiioh shan and between Ho-k'eo and Kwei-k'i.
fune \<^th, — Mr. Orr Kwing, Father, and I leave to-night (d.v.)
for Tien -tsin and T'ai-yiien, calling in at Che-foo. Dr. Stewart
is going with Mr. Miller to Ning-kwoh Fu; Mr. Brown to be
wiUi Mr. Cooper at Gan-k'ing ; Mr. Sayers to join Mr. Grierson
at Wunchau, and Mr. Wright to be a companion to Mr. Lang-
man at Kin-hwa.
122
CHINAS MILLIONS.
From Miss Robertson.
Gank'tttg, April 28/A.
You will with us thank the Lord for the help He is giving us
among the children, also in the study of the language. We have
happy times among the little ones. Numbers of women come
here, and all we can do as yet is to sing to them : wc are longing
to be able to speak to them intelligibly of Jesus.
The hall has been well filled these last two Sundays, many
scholars attending : pray especially for them : we know the
power for good their mfluence would be if they knew our Lord
and Master.
From Mr. Cooper.
Wu'hu, April 2S1A,
I arrived here yesterday from Ning-kwoh Fu, where I spent a
happy time, and baptised five converts. The attention paid to
the public preaching is most encouraging, and will, I believe,
eventuate in much blessing. Bro. MiUer is very well in body
and soul. I had the joy of baptising two here ten days ago, and
when visiting T'ai-ping Fu, on the way to Ning-kwoh Fu, I
arranged with two candidates for baptism to meet me here
yesterday, which they did, and were baptised last night, making
nine received on this journey. May the Lord keep them near to
Himself ! What encourages me most is the revived interest in
the Christians, who seem to be moved to activity, and to be
hopeful of a glorious prosperity.
From Mr. Dorward.
Sha-shi, May 14M.
You will be pleased to hear that we have now got possession
of the house for Miss Wilson and Miss Evans. The latter went
to the old fanner's village on Wednesday, and has not yet
returned. We have lately had some good times preaching in the
front ball.
If we had a number of brethren and sisters continually travel-
ling about in Hu-nan, the people would get used to their
presence, and prejudice would probably give way in course of
time. Had a letter from Bro. Dick, written from Hen-chau
Fu : he was well, but does not send much news. Bro. Gulston
arrived last Tuesday.
From Miss E. Wilson.
Sha-shi, April i*jth.
Miss Evans is telling you of her cheering work : as for me, I
have only to walk a little way by the river side to be asked into
houses, where the people listen well ; and crossing the river by
the ferry-boat, I have had successive audiences, though I had
not strength to do more than sit on a camp-stool by the shore or
path. The people buy Gospels and tracts readily. I would
thank the Lord for a little more strength to talk, if it were His
will, as one wants to give a gUd message with a glad heart, and
my heart is very glad when I am well.
From Miss Evans.
Sha-shi, April igth.
You will be glad to know how very good cur heavenly Father
has been to us. Indeed, goodness and mercy have followed us
since we left Gan-k'ing. I love the dear women here very much,
and am exceedingly happy in the work ; they are ready to listen
everywhere ; plenty of open doors in the villages.
From Mr. Andrew.
Kwei-yang Fu^ Mar, 24/^.
You will be glad to hear that attendances at Lord*s day
meetings have increased. Last Lord's day some of the mem-
bers had to sit in the open air ; we have to use the guest-hall as
well as the chapel, and I am tldnking of enlarging it.
A carpenter named Yuen has applied for baptism : he is the
father ot one of our schoolboys, and seems a quiet, thoughtful
man. He attended some time last year, but did not see his way
to rest on the Lord's day : now he has determined to do so : may
the Lord strengthen him !
April 9M. — ^This week we are having special prayer with the
native believers, and are being blessed. The carpenter, I hear,
is taking opium medicine. On Tuesday night, as one of the
members was returning home from the prayer meeting, he heard
some men talking about Jesus and God. Said one : *' They say
Jesus is God's Son, but who made God ? " Tsang (the member)
joined them and began to preach the Gospel to them. After
going a short distance thev took his Testament and hymn-book
from him. He followed them, when they turned on him saying,
** Here is one of God's men." Taking hold of his queue they
pulled him down into the mud, and after kicking nim about
the head, departed. Tsang rose up and told the people that bad
men ill-treated the Lord Jesus wnen He was upon earth. He
returned here in such a plight : we attended to him, and he
slept here that night. Yesterday he met two of the men on the
street, and asked one of them if he had taken his book, or only
borrowed it. The men then beat him again, and went their
way. I hope Tsang will show a Christian spirit all along.
From Mr. Windsor.
Kwei-yang Fu^ Mar, 2$tA,
There are several enquirers, and many who know and believe
the doctrine is true, but they have not yet taken their eyes off
the world and their friends, and therefore they are afraid to
come forward. We had fair hopes of the boys' teacher some
time ago, but he is still undecided ; it is the fear of man that is
keeping him from confessing the Lord. My teacher Liu, who
has taught nearly every foreigner who has been to Kwei-3rang, is
still, apparently, as hardened as ever. I will ask prayer
specially for these two. I have the peace of God in my neart,
but I am at unrest about the work of this province ; I long to
see it extending its borders. I am sorry Mr. Hughesdon has
left the province : at the same time that he, a Protestant, was
leaving, two Catholics were entering to extend their work.
From Mr, Owen Stevenson.
Yun-nan Fuy Mar, %th.
I was glad to learn that two good Methodist brethren had
recently arrived, and expect to labour in the north-east of this
province. My heart greatly rejoices at the thought of escorting
them. Last year, when I returned from Si-chuen, how I
lifted up my heart for some one to be sent, and that right soon,
and here we have two of them who are on their way. The year
before last my prayer was for some one to be sent for the pur-
pose of labouring in Thibet. Now we have two brethren at
Ta-li Fu who are holding themselves in readiness to enter in
when the Lord opens the door. I believe that some one will
soon be raised up to labour among the many aboriginal tribes of
this province. Praise the Lord, ioi great things He has done.
We cannot exhaust His fulness. The greater our need, the
more we understand that He is inexhaustible in Himself, so we
are able to draw from Him continually, and yet never able to
fathom the fulness of His mighty love. What Bishop Beveridge
says is quite true : " When God says, ' I am that I am,* He
puts His hand to a blank, that His people may write under it
what they please that is for their good. Ihanks be unto God
that we can ask all we need, even labourers for ever^ county in
China (1500), believing He will do it for us exceedmg abund-
antly, for it is always the way with Him.
We continue to have a good number of visitors daily. Some
seem to be anxious to know the truth, but are afraid to show
any signs, on account of their relatives and friends, who only
laugh at them if they ask many questions about the true and
only Living Way. But we know that the blessed Spirit can so
work that they will not be able to resist Him, so we seek for
Him to do His work in convincing men of sin, and of righteous-
ness, and of judgment to come.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
China's Millions.
AT NEEDLKWORK.
SDjbc SubsiaiTH of srijcrul ^bbrtssts gifcren iiuring a Conftrtnce of iht gttssioimtHS of t^e
(Jbina |nlanl) fission.
BY MB. HUDSON TAYLOR.
{pontinued from page 115.)
deliverance I have spoken of was a great joy as well as a great help.
It, of course, ten shillings, however economically used, will not go very far,
d it was not the less necessary to continue in prayer that the larger supply
lich was still due to me as salary might be remembered and given to me.
ayer in these respects appeared, however, to be unanswered, and before a
tnight was over I found myself pretty much in the same position that I
d been in on the Sunday night; pleading with Goo more and more
mestly that He would graciously remind my kind employer that the
riod was past at which my salary was due. Of course It was not the
int of the money that pressed on me — that could have been had at any
; but the question that was uppermost in my mind was : " Can I go to
int of faith and power with God prove to be so serious an obstacle as to
; upon this much-prized service ? "
:w towards a close I felt exceedingly embarrassed. There was not only
On Saturday night a payment would be due to my Christian landlady,
126 CHINA'S MILLIONS.
which I knew she could not well dispense with; ought I not, for her sake, to speak about
the matter of my salary ? Yet to do so I felt would be to me the admission that I was
unfit to undertake a missionary enterprise, whatever it might be to any one else. I gave nearly the
whole of Thursday and Friday — all the time not occupied in my necessary employment — to earnest
wrestling in prayer with God. But still on Saturday morning I was in the same position as before. And
now my earnest cry was for guidance as to whether it was my duty to break the silence and speak to
my employer, or whether I should still continue to wait the Father's time. As far as I could judge,
I received the assurance that to wait His time was the right thing, and that God would in some way
or other interpose on my behalf. So I waited on, my heart being now at rest and the burden gone.
About five o'clock on the Saturday afternoon, when the doctor had finished writing his prescrip-
tions (his last circuit for the day having been taken), he threw himself back in his arm-chair, as he
was wont, and began to speak of the things of God. He was a truly Christian man, and many times
of very happy spiritual fellowship we had together. I was at the time busily watching a pan in which
a decoction was boiling, that required a good deal of attention. It was indeed fortunate for me that it
did ; for without any obvious connection with anything that was going on, all at once the doctor said,
" By-the-bye, Taylor, is not your salary due again ? " My emotion may be conceived. I had to
swallow two or three times before I could answer calmly. With my eye fixed on the pan and my back
to the doctor, I told him as quietly as I could that it was over^-due some little time. How thankful I
felt at that moment may be imagined ; God surely had heard prayer, and had caused him, in this the
time of my great need, to remember my salary without any word or suggestion from me. He replied,
" Oh 1 I am so sorry you did not remind me — ^you know how busy I am — I wish I had thought of it a
little sooner, for I sent this afternoon all the money I had to the bank, otherwise I would pay you at
once."
It is impossible to describe the revulsion of feeling that these words caused. I knew not what to
do. Fortunately for me, my pan boiled up, and I had a good reason for rushing with it from the
room — and glad I was to get awag^ and keep out of sight until after the doctor had returned to his
house — most thankful that he had not perceived my emotion.
As soon as he was gone I had to seek my little sanctum, and pour out my heart before
the Lord for some time before calmness — and more than calmness — thankfulness and joy were
restored to my heart. I felt that God had His own way, and was not going to fail me. I had sought
guidance early in the day, and had as far as I could judge, received guidance to wait patiently, and
now God was in some other way going to work for me.
My evening was spent, as Saturday evenings usually were, in reading the Word, and preparing
the subjects on which I expected to speak in the various lodging-houses in which I held services on
Sunday afternoons and evenings. I waited perhaps a little longer than usual. At last, about ten
o'clock, there being no interruption of any kind, I put on my overcoat and was preparing to leave for
my home, rather thankful to know that by that time I should have to let myself in by my latch-key, as my
landlady retired early to rest. There was certainly no help for that night, but perhaps God might help
me by the Monday, and I might be able to pay my landlady on Monday morning that which I would
have paid her on Saturday evening if I had had it.
Just as I was preparing to turn down the gas, I heard the doctor's step in the garden, which lay
between the dwelling-house and the surgery. He was laughing to himself very heartily, as though
greatly amused by something. Coming into the surgery, he asked me for the ledger, and told me that,
strange to say, one of his richest patients had come after ten o'clock at night to pay his doctor's-bill —
was it not an odd thing to do ? It never struck me that it might have any bearing on my own
particular case, or I might have been embarrassed ; but, looking on it simply from the position of an
uninterested spectator, I was highly amused too, that this man, who was rolling in wealth, should after ten
o'clock come to pay a doctor's-bill, which he could any day have paid with a cheque with the greatest
ease. It appeared that somehow or other, he could not rest with this on his mind, and he had come at
that unusual time to discharge his liability.
The account was receipted in the ledger, and the doctor was about to leave, when he suddenly
turned to me and said, to my surprise and thankfulness, " By-the-way, Taylor, you might as well take
these notes. I have not any change, but I can give you the balance next week." I was left again,
with my feelings undiscovered, to go back to my own closet and praise the Lord with joyful heart that
after all I might go to China.
This incident was not a trivial one to me ; and to recall it oftentimes when in circumstances of
great difficulty, when perhaps I have been penniless, and far inland, has been no small comfort and
strength.
CHINAS MILLIONS.
127
By-and-by the time drew near when it was necessary, or at least thought desirable, for me to
leave Hull to attend the course of study of the London Hospital. A short time spent there, and then,
I had every reason to believe, my life-work in China would commence. Much as I was rejoiced at
the instances I have referred to (and many other circumstances which it would be tedious to adduce),
of God's willingness to hear and answer prayer, and to help His half-trusting, half-timid child, I felt
I could not go to China without having still further developed and tested my power to rest on His
faithfulness.
An opportunity was providentially afforded me. My dear Father offered to bear the expense of
my stay in London, and the cost of my medical education. I knew, however, that owing to some
recent losses, it would be a considerable strain and sacrifice for him to do so just at the time that I needed
to go forward. I had by this time become acquainted with the Secretaries and Committee of the
Chinese Evangelisation Society, in connection with which I ultimately left for China, and especially
with my esteemed and beloved friend, Mr. George Pearse, now himself a Missionary among the
Kabyles. They, not knowing of my Father's proposition, also kindly offered to bear my expenses
while in London. When these propositions were first made to me, I was not quite clear as to what I
ought to do, and in writing to my Father and the Secretaries I told them I would take a few days to
pray about the matter before deciding my course. I mentioned to my Father that I had had this offer
from the Society, told the Secretaries of my Father's offer, but that I was not sure whether or no I
should accept it.
While waiting upon God in prayer for guidance, it became clear to my mind that I could, without
difficulty, decline both offers. The Officers of the Society would have no concern about me, not
knowing that I had cast myself wholly on God for support ; and my Father would not have any anxious
care either, as he would probably conclude that I had accepted the other offer. I therefore wrote
declining both offers, and felt that, without any one having any care or anxiety about me, I was simply
in the hands of God, and that He who knew my heart would, if He wished to encourage me to go
forward to China, bless my effort to depend upon Him alone at home. Surely I thought it was safer
to prove my power to rest on His faithfulness, while within reach of friends, than it would be to go to
a greater distance, where there would be no resource in case my faith broke down and failed.
{To be continued^
FROM MB. HUDSON TAYLOR.
I'AI-YUEN FU, July 5M.— I reached this city
on Saturday, the 3rd instant, and letters have
to leave to-day; so, as I have very many to
acknowledge, I cannot write at length to any.
I am so thankful to know that you continue to remember
me in prayer. Our labour here is heavy and constant,
but it is very happy service, though sometimes trying.
It is such a pleasure to me to realize that we can satisfy
the heart of the Master and gladden Him by coming to
Him. While He is still waiting and longing for the
presence of His Church, His ransomed Bride, and the
day when He shall meet her in the air and take her to
His Father's home, there is now a spiritual meeting when
we come to Him in spirit as He comes to us in spirit, and
becomes a living, bright reality to our souls.
Formerly one used to think so much of what He
might be and should be to us— and this is very precious
— but is it not a good thing to realize how much we
may be to Him, and to be that to Him now^ so that the
Man of sorrows may be made as far as we are concerned
the Man of joy in the little time that remains till He
comes ?
FROM Mr. O. POLHILL-TURNBR.
|HUNG-K'ING, July 7th, 1886.— Leaving Han-
chung with Mr. Pearse, Mr. Ho, my teacher
___ Liang, and a servant, for Pao-ning Fu we,
travelled half the distance overland, half by river, hoping
to take a house, and prepare the way for reinforcements.
On our arrival we found the examination just be-
ginning, and the town about full of young fellows up
for this. Under the circumstances^ it was thought that it
might be well to leave the two natives for a time at Pao-
ning, with instructions to make all preliminary arrange-
ments should they hear of a suitable house before our
return, Mr. Pearse and I going down the river by boat
to Chung-k'ing, about 1,000 U (500 miles), to pay our
brethren there a visit, stop a few days, and return shortly.
128
CHINAS MILLIONS.
We took a bundle of books with us, and disposed
of a fair number en r^uts^ Mr. Pears e having several
opportunities of preaching. The scenery was very pretty,
the number of towns very large ; it was a very thickly-
populated district apparently. What grand fields for
labour 1
Left Han-chung June 7th ; reached Pao-ning June i8th,
left June 25th ; reached Chung-k'ing July 3rd. At present
between Hanchung and Chung-k'ing, along the Pao-ning
route, there is no messenger of the Gospel ! Look it out
on the map, and pray for this district. Chung-k'ing is a
large city, situated between the junction of two large
rivers, the Pao-ning river running into the Yang-tse, the
latter going on to Hankow and Shanghai.
The China Inland Mission have had a station in Chung-
king some ten years, I believe ; and more recently the
Americans have also had some missionary representatives
here. Just before reaching the town on Saturday last, our
attention was attracted by some buildings and scaffold-
ings in a commanding position on the top of a hill on the
right bank of the river, which, we were informed, belonged
to "our people." As we passed we could see several
figures apparently throwing boards and scaffolding down
the steep bank.
On reaching the city and making inquiries about the
way to Brother Wood's house (of the China Inland Mis-
sion), we were informed the house had been razed to the
ground. Not at first crediting it, we went on a little
further, when we were advised to take a couple of chairs,
which we did. Proceeding to Mr. Wood's house, we
found that, though not demolished, yet our brother had
departed. We were then taken oft to the Yamen, or
magistrate's house, where we found our brethren and
sisters all staying, and learnt particulars of the rising
against them. This was Saturday evening.
It seems that the examinations are going on here just
now. On Thursday a general rising was made agamst
the foreigners. Take one, for example. At six o clock
on Thursday morning Mr. Nicoll was disturbed by four
students coming into his house ; he treated them politely,
though their manner was not pleasant, gave them tea,
etc., and finally they left. Agam, at ten o'clock, about
twenty came in, began looking about, and were rather
rough, breaking a pane of glass, but finally left. About
three a good number of people were in the chapel ; people
kept coming in and going out and getting unruly. Cries
were raised outside, " Beat him ! beat him I " Then the
men got into the house and began their work of demolish-
ing everything, except what they carried off.
Brother McMullan was lying there sick, but they
would not leave him alone, and he had to be carried of!,
men snatching at his sides, etc., as he was carried on a
man's back to a place of safety. Mrs. Nicoll was carried
to a house, but they dared not keep her. Ten other
houses turned her out On the way a man tore her dress,
and knocked her down. She finally made her way to a
place (a public ofiice), where Mr. McMullan and Mr.
Nicoll already were. Finally all were brought about one
o'clock in the night to the Yamen here.
Altogether fourteen foreign homes have been more or
less demolished, furniture broken, silver, etc , stolen.
This includes Roman Catholic buildings, the British
Resident's (Mr. Bourne), and some buildings outside in
the country, and on the other side of the river belonging
to the Americans, and one to Mr. NicoU.
Staying here now are three American brothers, Game-
well, Lewis, and Dr. Crews ; a Russian agent of the
Bible Society ; Messrs. Nicoll, Wood, McMullan,
Hughesdon, Pearse, and I, of the China Inland Mission.
We live in one large guest-chamber (large for China),
and, under the circumstances, are very comfortable;
praise the Lord ! Our sisters, I fear, are not faring
so well ; they are in another part of the building.
Mrs. Gamewell, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Crew, Miss Howe,
and Miss Wheeler, of the American Mission, are now
in a separate chamber, which is better than when
all were in one. Mrs. Nicoll, Mrs. Wood, and Mrs.
Copp (Mr. Copp, of Bible Society, is on a journey in
Si-ch'uen), with some native women and children, are
in another chamber. Mrs. Nicoll is in good spirits,
and not ill. The Lord has preserved all without injury.
The Roman Catholics and Mr. Bourne are at another
Yamen — that of the Governor of Eastern Sl-CH'UEN.
The British Resident had to be muffled up and huddled
away from the mob.
One cannot get at the bottom of the matter. The im-
mediate cause, I believe, was the erection of some strik-
ing mission buildings, on the commanding spot on the
river bank which we saw on our arrival. They were
being erected by our American brethren as a health re-
sort, etc, in the hot weather. This, I think, has raised the
jealousy and suspicion of the people, especially as the
buildings are on a higher site than a temple of their own
in the vicinity. However, the Yamen, who signed papers,
and others, knew about it some time before, and could
have objected. No doubt, if some were jealous, and
thought of beginning a row, plenty of roughs could be
found to follow it up with the hope of plunder. There
may be deeper plans, but we cannot telL Till just re-
cently this has been a very quiet station. Our future
movements are uncertain.
Most of the brethren will probably go down the river.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicoll hope to remain here, and hold the
fort. Mr. Pearse and I hope to get back to Pao-ning, as
the Lord will direct. I do feel grateful to God for giving
us these experiences. Man may rage, but, except when
God permits, he cannot hurt a hair of our heads. May
our gracious Father teach each one of us the lessons He
desires us to learn.
Will you pray that God may, in a remarkable manner^
get glory to His name : (i) Here in Chung-k'ing ; (2) in
the Province of Si-ch'uen ; (3) throughout China, so that
these very desperate efforts of Satan may result in glorious
triumph to Christ's name ; (4) that we may be filled
with Uie Spirit, and when necessary the gifts of the Holy
Spirit, as the Lord may dispose ; and that this maybe the
case throughout China.
Considering the exceptional circumstances in China,
the devil raging everywhere, false doctrine preached by
the Roman Catholics, Christ's name dishonoured by
the inconsistent conduct of professing Christians, the
natural dislike and suspicion exhibited by the Chinese to
foreigners, and the little power in many instances in which
God's Word is given, all these things invite God's chil-
dren, who desire their Father's glory in this part of His
kingdom, to meet in twos or threes, or more numbers,
claiming (say) Matt, xviii. 19.
We desire that the living God may speak in China,
that the Holy Spirit may convict men of sm, of righteous-
ness, and of judgment ; that we, His children, may
speak as His oracles ; that our GOD may make known
His power among the people. Our Father desires all
this ; He intensely desires to bless China. Oh, pray for
us, that we may be approved of God, vessels prepared
unto every good work ; that we may show the aivine
life to the Chinese in all its beauty and power. Brothers
and sisters, pray for us as we for you at home ; that we
may be one, and that so the return of our beloved Saviour
may be hastened. O Lord Jesus, come quickly.
P.S. — Heard yesterday from Mr. Taylor of the bap-
tism of seventy-two recently at P'ing-yang. Hallelujah I
How our brethren there will rejoice.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
129
A FURTHER AOOOUNT OF THE RIOT.
From Mrs. Marcus Wood.
Pa-hien Ya-men, Chung-kHngy July %th.
We have been prisoners one week to-day, and I need scarcely
say this has been the longest and most trying week I have ever
known, and anxious too. I have tried from the commencement
to look awa^ to the Lord, who is •* high over all." My faith
has often failed, but the Lord has forgiven my want of faith.
Our party, who have taken refuge in the Magistrate's Ya-men,
are as follows r — American Methodist Episcopal Mission —
Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Gamewell, Mr. and Mrs. S. Lewis, Dr.
and Mrs. Crews, Miss Howe, Miss Wheeler, Miss N. Lewis ;
China Inland Mission — Mr. and Mrs. Nicoll, Mr. McMullan,
Mr. Hughesdon, Mr. Pearse, Mr. C. Polhill-Turner, Mr. and
Mrs. Marcus Wood ; British and Foreign Bible Society— Mr. J.
Mollman ; American Bible Society — Mrs. A. Copp and three
children. There are several Chinese girls, who belong to Miss
Howe and Miss Wheeler, also some Chinese servants, who are
with us.
I really do not know where or how to commence to speak
of the not. Some time before it commenced, the students,
who we believe to have been at the root of the whole thing,
issued placards to the effect that on a certain day they intended
to pull down and destroy all property belonging to the
foreigners ; but they have often threatened to disturb us, and
have not done so, and we thought probably this report would
end in the same way.
I happened to be staying with Mrs. Copp, who lives a few li
outside the city. Mr. Copp had started on a long journey,
intending to be awa^ two months ; about a month previously
they had buried their second little girl. My health had con-
siderably run down, and I was glad to be company for Mrs.
Copp, and also glad of the change of air. Mr. Wood came out
every night, and returned to the city early in the morning. The
night before the riot, when Mr. Wcxxi returned from the city he
brought word that the Pa-hien wished Mrs. Copp and the little
ones, with myself, to come into the city at once. This looked
like danger ahead. That same night the dog commenced bark-
ing at alx)ut 2 a.m., and kept up a continual noise for two hours.
Mr. Wood got up twice, went out and looked about ; all that
could be noticed was voices outside and dogs barking, which is
nothing unusual.
Mr. Wood got up at 4 a. m., and went immediately to the city,
to eet a reply to a letter he had written to the Pa-hien the night
before, and returned whilst we were sitting at breakfast, saying
we must hurry to get to the city at once. He did not wait for
us, but rode back as fast as possible, not knowing what might
have happened in his absence. He had not been gone more
than half an hour, when about twenty -five or thirty men
walked in. I did not feel so much alarmed at the arrival of
these men, as the Pa-hien had promised to send men to guard
in case of trouble. However, I asked them what they wanted,
and all I could get from them was, that we need not be afraid ;
they had onl^ come to look about. This rather strengthened my
first impression, that they had come to take care of us. They
walked into every room, although they were told that we did not
think it according to their own customs to walk in and sit about
in ladies' rooms. They opened every box and drawer that was
openable, and I certainly began to feel a little afraid of their
errand and purpose.
After having had a thorough inspection thev went out, and I
did not know what conclusion to come to ; if they were from the
Ya-men, why did they leave so quickly ? I haa not thought it
out when the whole troop returned, and this time they were
like raving wolves — some had hatchets, others a kind of meat
chopper, and one a long kind of knife-steel. We saw at once
they nad not come to take care of us, but quite the opposite.
We did not attempt to stop them, but simply sat still ; to do
anything else would mean losing our lives. The three little
ones were screaming ; the dog barking ; and for about ten
minutes it was mcst agonising. The dashing of lamps, the
tearing open of boxes, banging of doors, and rushing of feet
across the rooms was fearful.
I had previous to their coming packed my box, and tied up
my bedding, ready to go into the city ; Mrs. Copp had also
packed boxes of clothes for the little ones. These were all
wrenched open, and we saw them rushing off with everything
they could lay their hands on ; and when they had as much as
they could carry, they left ; but as every one assured us, to re-
turn as soon as they had deposited the first lot.
We did not know what to do : we could not start for the
city, as there were not sufficient coolies to carry us, and the only
thing we could think of was to take refuge in a neighbour's
house, every one saying, ** You ought to go at once to the city."
We dared not walk.
We had not been long in the neighbour's house, when three
coolies from the city, sent by Mr. Wood to carry my chair, came
in; we managed to get three for Mrs. Copp, and set off
at once, taking nothing with us but the children. I had the
eldest, and Mrs. Copp the two little ones. Our coolies evidently
knew we were in great danger, for they rushed up and down hill
as though the chairs were empty, now and then telling me not
to allow the child to speak, fearing passers-by would discover
we were foreigners.
I forgot to mention that Mr. Wood, on his return to the dty,
met the same troop of men, who were then on their way to Mrs.
Copp's house. Some said, ** Here is one of the foreigners."
Others said, '' No ; he was not a foreigner," and so allowed him
to pass, but one took up a large stone and threw it at him ; he
turned his horse sharp round on them, and asked what they
meant by insulting him, as he had given them no cause, and thus
Mr. Wood escaped out of their hands.
We went through the streets, and finally reached our house ;
everything appeared quiet, and we felt thankful we were safe so
far. It was then about two p.m. Our cook got Us some tiffin,
but I was too upset to eat. Piesently one of Mr. NicoU's
servants came round to see if we had more men than we needed
(the Pa-hien had sent men round to all the foreigners' houses) ;
if so, would we send some round to their house, as the mob
had set upon it, and they were in great danger. There
happened to be only three men at our house, but, whilst
talking, more came in ; also our teacher, who has proved
himself faithful through all, came, with great excitement,
advising us to leave our house immediately for his house, as the
mob would be upon us in a few moments ; but whilst advising
us the mob had reached Mr. Bourne's house, the English Resi-
dent, which is close to our teacher's, so we dared not go there,
and the next and only thing to do was to get into chairs and rush
to the Ya-men. This was our teacher's advice.
I got into my own chair and called one for Mrs. Copp. I hap-
pen^ to be nursing Mrs. Copp's little three-months'-old t^by,
and there was no time to give it up to its mother, so I took the
responsibility of the baby and another little one two years old.
When I reached the bottom of the steps, a fearful crowd had
gathered. One man pulled aside the blind of my chair and
let it go again. I do not know if the sight of the little ones
called forth pity. However, a vile fellow who caught sight of us
tore down the front blinds and pushed in the left side of my chair,
and, but for the kind hand of God, must have injured the baby.
The next thing a brick fell on my shoulder, but did me no harm.
By this time my chair had received much damage, and it was a
risk to attempt to carry it with such a cargo much further ; be-
sides, I was exposed to the streets, so I h^ to be set down in
the street and change my broken chair for a street chair. How
I got from one to the other with the two little ones I cannot
think ; but the coolies were kind.
Mrs. Copp, who was behind me, told me, after we had arrived
safely here, that she saw my empty chair in the street, and that
her anxiety for us was indescribable. The mob behaved most
insultingly to Mrs. Copp and her eldest child. They pulled the
entire roof off the chair, but they escaped unharmed. After
Mrs. Copp, the children, and myself were safe inside the Ya-
men, my anxiety for Mr. Wood, Mr. Hughesdon, and Mr.
Mollman was mtense— Mr. Mollman and Mr. Hughesdon
boarded with us. I knew not what would become of them, yet
knew the Lord could preserve them as He had us. About half
I30
CHINAS MILUONS.
an hour after our arrival my cook came to say the three gentle-
men had arrived. How I praised God !
Well, Mrs. Copp, the little ones, and myself were led through
hundreds of people to a part of the Ya-men called the Ladies*
Apartments — '* pigs' apartments " would be more appropriate. It
was crowded with Chinese women and children — babies without
number. How I longed for a few moments of quiet ! But one
gets very little of that in China. Even in one's own home we
never are sure of an hour of quiet. The Pa-hien appeared to
show us great kindness, and told one of his wives to look after
We took a meal, and, as it got dark, I asked where we
us.
might put the little ones to sleep, and we were told that a bed-
room was being prepared for us. We were soon taken to our
room, which was a medium-sized room, with two beds and two
small couches, and we got the little ones to bed.
All this time we were wondering where our American friends
were, for we had heard of their houses having been pulled to
pieces, even to the pulling up of floors and pavement. When
It was getting late, Mrs. Copp and myself laid ourselves down,
but the terrible tumult in the city, and the alarming reports
which were continually being brought us, prevented sleep. A
man came to say we must not think of going to sleep, as there
was a rumour of burning the Ya-men, the infuriated mob were
so exasperated at our l^ing protected. The Roman Catholic
place was then in flames ; their cathedral, a very costly building,
was burnt to the ground.
About II p.m. our American friends arrived ; they had fled
from their homes and taken refuge at one house ; then obliged to
flee from that place of refuge had gone to another, until they were
found by men sent from the Ya-men to take care of them. The
arrival of our American friends was an addition of Ave ladies
and one child — eleven people in one room, and the thermometer
at 90" ! We did not feel inclined to ^o to bed, we all had so
much to tell each other. Whilst talkmg, Mrs. Nicoll arrived,
with her Chinese child and woman, Mr. Nicoll and the
American gentlemen having joined the other gentlemen in
another part of the Ya-men.
Mrs. NicoU's experience was really worse than that of any of
us, theirs being the first house in the city that the mob set upon ;
both Mr. and Mrs. Nicoll, with Mr. McMuUan (who was in
bed, not having quite recovered from typhus fever), were in
the house, and saw their home pulled to pieces bv these
merciless fellows. The other foreigners hearmg of the com-
mencement of the riot had a little time to escape, although eveij
house has shared the same fate. Mr. Bourne, the British Resi-
dent, nearly lost his life ; our teacher managed to get hold of
him after he had hidden somewhere, and disguised him, telling
the people he was a bad man, and was being taken off to the
Ya-men to be punished.
The next day accounts were brought us of what had been our
homes — not a single thing was to be found on the ground where
our homes were. We were never so poor with r^ard to this
world's possessions ; not a change of clothing, not the worth
of a pin have we more than the clothes we have on. The loss
of our Bibles, given us by dear friends, photographs of our dear
parents, and brothers and sisters, some now in heaven, seems a
terrible loss. It is all for Christ's sake, and the Gk>5pei'89 and
we know that our God and Father must have some wise purpose
in it all, for He could have prevented it ; it is sure to worx toge-
ther for our good.
We have been getting troops continually from some parts of the
province, so that now we must have quite a large force surround-
ing this and the Tao-tai's Ya-men. We shall have been here
a fortnight to-morrow, and the lonely waiting has been terrible.
There is a talk of getting oS* one party to-night for I-chang, and
another the next mght, but we cannot place much confidence in
the reports ; we know not why we have been kept here so long.
The nver just now is dangerous, but the Lord can keep us in
safety ; He has wonderfully delivered us so far, and we believe
He will yet deliver us ; there is work yet for us to do.
English Consulate^ I-chang^ July 2istj 1886.
Praise the Lord, we are all here in safety, and most of us in
pretty good health. We left the Pa-hien Ya-men before day-
break on Friday, the 1 6th, when the city for the most part was
wrapped in slumber. We were sent off secretly— all the ladies
and children in chairs, the gentlemen walking. Those of our
friends who wear the English dress put on Chinese for the occa-
sion, and we were escorted to the river by soldiers and the ser-
vants of the Ya-men. The Pa-hien himself also accompanied
us. We got on board our boats about 3 a.m., hoping to start as
soon as it was light enough ; but a dense fog set in, and we could
not start until 9 am. Tnis, too, was an anxious time, as the
city was all astir, and crowds of water-coolies were coming down
to the river for water. We had three boats, very tiny — ^not a
good house-boat, such as we used for an up-river journey — and
our party numbered thirteen, besides the boat's crew, and the
thermometer up to 96^ We were obliged to shut the doors ; we
had no windows to shut. The fog cleared, and we set ofL
The dangers of the river would be impossible to describe^
whirlpools and rapids, fearful gorges that we dared not look oat
at — but our loving Father's hand was on us, and in four and
a-half days the journey was completed, wluch it took us six weeks
to make going up. The three boats arrived within a few mo
ments of eacm other yesterday, about 1.30 p.m. Half of our
number are being entertained at Mr. Dowsley's, of the Scotch
Established Church, and half are here. When we came on shore
we found it difficult to stand on our feet ; we felt like being
whirled round and round. This unpleasant sensation, I trust,
will soon wear off. We are receiving great kindness from the
friends here, all so willing to lend us clothing whilst we get our
own washed. Some of us have not had a change of diothes for
over three weeks. The English Consul at Hankow, hearing
of our expected arrival, sent a large supply of foreign stores for
our use here. W^e shall have to stay here a few days, as the
steamer left the day before yesterday, and will not be due again
until next Monday. We are not sorry ; it is a very acceptable
change from our close little boat, and we are able to get one or
two articles of clothing made. We go from here to Hankow, and
may stay there a little while, or may go on at once to Shanghai.
% Jfbsl (^faangeMr %mxvit^ m S^X't^mn.
EXTRACTS FROM THB DIAR7 OF MR. RICHARD QRAT OWBN.
May 4/-^.— 2 Cor. xii. 9 : " My grace is sufficient for
thee ; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.''
This was the well from whence I drew all the joy and
strength I needed for my first journey alone — that is,
unaccompanied by a brother missionary. I had with me
a very suitable companion in Mr. King, a native evan-
gelist.
We walked all day along the fertile Chen-t'u plain. I
suppose that there is no spot in the whole of this great
country more beautiful and fertile. The plain extends for
fifty //', more or less, in every direction, from the capital.
It is under the most perfect system of irrigation and cul-
tivation ; the scenerv is never monotonous, no sooner
are we in the open than we find ourselves again imder
the cool shade of a grove of cypress trees, and home-
steads, the very picture of peace and tranquillity, lie on
every hand, shaded by beautiful clumps of bamboo. The
wheat now wears the golden tint of ripeness, the buck-
wheat is just in fiower, and the young rice, like beautiful
green grass, is being transplanted.
May 5M. — Before breakfast we sallied forth into the
streets of Swang-liu to sell books. Whilst selling in a
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
IS
132
CHINAS MILLIONS.
teashop an invitation was given to sit down to drink tea.
I then, to the extent of my vocabulary, preached to those
who listened of the way of salvation. One man, lest the
others should fail to understand, repeated all I said.
Before leaving the city we had a good sale, and other
opportunities of speakmg for Jesus.
Late in the afternoon we crossed a ferry, which cost us
one halfpenny. On the way from Chung-k'ing to Chen-
t'u all the ferries are free, being kept by persons who
hope to win happiness by doing good deeds.
I cannot but admire Mr. King's tact ; having been a
worshipper of Buddha he knows just what to strike at ;
his strength, like that of all God's children, lies in the
fact, that " Once I was blind, but now I can see."
May 6th. — Mr. King being in another street I had to
preach all I could alone. Alone ? no ; Jesus was with
me, hallelujah ! It is very pleasing to see how well
we are received by all, but how sad to think that never
again will many of them hear of a Saviour.
All who travel in Si-ch'uen must be struck with its well-
built and massive bridges ; the same may be said of its
temples and shrines, of which there is no lack.
May yth. — One happy event occurred on the road, viz.,
Kueh, a travelling companion, telling me that hence-
forth he would be a follower of Jesus Christ. Praise the
Lord ! What joy it is to see a soul accepting Christ
He voluntarily told me that he would tell his fiamily of
his joy, and try to win them to worship the true God.
Before arrivmg at our resting-place I overheard Kueh
speaking of the true God to two men who were travelling
in the same direction.
The journey has been very pleasant. The Lord daily
gives us opportunities to tell the joyful tidings to many
who had never heard it before. There is no joy on earth
to be compared to the joy of serving Jesus. On leaving
one village I entered a small clean roadside temple,
which was kept by an old woman sixty-six years of age.
She invited me to sit down, sitting herself in her old
armchair. I began to tell her about God and the way of
salvation ; she seemed to understand a little, and when I
told her of an old grandmother I had eighty-six years of
age worshipping the true God she was quite pleased.
When Mr. King came up he also spoke to her. After a
drink of tea we left, giving her a little book.
May 9/A.--Tan-lin Hien. Had a last talk with Kueh.
God bless him and keep his light burning ; he seems to
be really in earnest, and I cannot doubt his sincerity.
About 2 p.m. we went out with sheet tracts and entered
a teashop ; after speaking a little there we left and
entered another teashop in front of the ya-mun. Giving
away a few tracts we soon had a most attentive audience,
and took turns at speaking ; one lame old man sixty-
eight years of age seemed to take in all that was said ;
he seemed delighted to hear of God and a way to be
saved, and kept saying after nearly every sentence,
"True, true." The Lord has evidently prepared the
hearts of many to listen to His Word here. After tea
we went out again and had another crowd of willing
listeners.
Here we had the same inn as Miss Butland had a few
weeks ago. Behind my room on one side is a boys'
school ; the boys keep at their monotonous sing-song
style of reading until lo p.nL On the other side is a
large slaughter-house.
May 13/A. — Having no books left to sell and being
eighty // from home we started before daybreak and had
another opportunity of hearing the birds sing. Fifteen
// brought us to the Hien where we rested the first
night. Here we engaged two ponies for threepence each
to take us to the south gate of^ Chen-t'u forty // off; had
three Chinamen on ponies as company ; one was inte-
rested in hearing the Gospel.
We were away just ten days, visiting four Hien cities
and twenty market towns and villages ; sold over 4,500
cash-worth of Gospels and tracts, and were daily cheered
by the way we were received and the willingness of the
people to listen. I fully believe that God has many
children in this province, and what joy it is to carry to
them the Father's message.
aplisms at "^m^-^'SiXii^.
FROM MR. WM. KBY.
ING-YANG FU, SHAN-SI, April 17M, 1886.—
Here we have much to praise God for. We
have all been kept pretty well in health, and, I
think I may say, well in spirit. We find the Lord does
hear and answer prayer. We have again had the pleasure
cf all meeting together, and we have each had much to
tell of the Lord's goodness. Some of the brethren spoke
of some remarkable answers to prayer they had had ;
sometimes the answers came while they were yet speak-
ing.
During the past week we have seen much to praise the
Lord for. It has been the custom here to have a gather-
ing of the Christians in the spring ; so about a month ago
I called the elders together, and we settled we should
have our meeting on the seventh and eighth of the third
month. Notices were sent to the different cities and
villages, where we have Christians and enquirers, and we
expected to have a good turn out.
just before that date, the rain — which we had been
praying for and which was much needed after seven
months' drought — began to come down, and we thought
tins would keep away a good many who lived at a distance.
However, by Thursday the people began to gather, and
by Friday night we had a congregation of nearly 200, not-
withstanding the rain which still kept falling. We intended
having our meetings in the court of our chapel, as the
chapel itself was far too small to hold such a number of
people. On Friday night we divided the congregation
mto three portions ; first, we had the Christians who had
been baptised, and the candidates for baptism (men only) ;
the second, meeting for encjuirers and outsiders ; third,
meeting for women. Dunng the meetings of Friday
evening, Mr. Hsi prayed definitely that the Lord would
stop the rain for two days, and added that the meetings
were more important than the crops. (?) However, on
getting up on Saturday morning we found it still raining.
I called the elders together to see how we could arrange
about the services being held in the chapel, but Mr. Hsi
said, " Don't fear ; it will dear up," and sure enough it did
before long, and then we were able to have our gathering
in the court, where all could hear.
I tried to say a few words from Luke iii. 16. I fear
there is a danger of making too much of water bap-
tism, and I tried to direct the minds of the Christians
CHINAS MILLIONS.
"^ZZ
more to the baptism of the Holy Ghost And I am glad
to say many were led to pray for this power from on
high. What might we not be if we were all filled with the
Spirit ?
After the service, I saw the candidates for baptism,
and asked them a few questions, and was much pleased
with the answers most of them gave ; two or three were
rather dull, and knew little more than that they were
sinners, and that Christ died for them, which, I believe,
is sufficient to admit them into the kingdom. It took a
considerable time to go over the candidates, as you may
imagine, when I tell you there were over seventy who
came forward for baptism. I had the joy of baptising
fifty-three men and nineteen women — thus doubling our
numbers. What may we not expect before another year ?
We praise the Lord for what has been done, and still look
for greater blessings.
Four of those baptised were from Ta-ning Hien, where
Mr. Cassels has been labouring for some months, and has
met with much encouragement ; these four men were
brought in by the Elder Chu, the Siu-ts'ai (B.A), who
was beaten last year because he refused to worship in the
temples ; at present he is sick, and was not able to be
with us.
On Sunday we had a grand time. We were looking
for a blessing, and we were not disappointed ; for all
through the day much power was felt in the meetings.
We had a good many outsiders in (city people), who
listened attentively to the Gospel. In the evening we
received those who had been baptised into the Church,
and had the Lord's Supper together, a very blessed time
to us all.
After an early meeting on Monday morning, many of
our native brethren left us, for their homes. In the after-
noon just as we were getting over the bustle and excite-
ment, our letter carrier arrived, which kept us busy for
some time answering letters, and prevented us from
having so much fellowship, one with another, as we might
have otherwise had.
Yesterday a messenger arrived from Sih-chau, with
a letter, saying the mandarin there and the one at Ta-
ning Hien had laid their heads together to rout the
Christians from that neighbourhood. Charges had been
lodged against several of the Christians. Mr. Cassels is
also charged with having visited a temple on a hill outside
the city and destroyed one of the idols. He says he did
visit the temple, but never thought of such a thing as med-
dling with the idols. They thought it was important they
should get back as soon as possible, so Messrs. Beauchamp
and Cassels started this morning. We are not at all
surprised at the persecution, as the devil has lost some
of his servants, and does not want to let them off without
a little trouble. However, we know he will only come off
second best : our Captain is strong to deliver, mighty to
save. We are bearing up our brethren in prayer, and
trust to hear soon of peace again being restored.
I suppose Mr. Smith has written you about opening a
station at Hung-t'ung, a city 50 // to the north of this
place ; he will help Mr. Hsi m his opium-refuge work, and
also do village work, as there are several villages near by
where there are Christians. It is more of a centre for
work than this place.
We have met with much encouragement in otu: opitrm-
refuge work. We have had over ninety patients since
the refuge was re-opened about fiy^ months ago. At pre-
sent we are run out of medicines.
We praise the Lord for the brethren and sisters who
have lately come out, also for the many that have been
stirred up at home, and for the supplies for sdl our needs.
Not one thing has failed of all the good things the Lord
our God had promised ! so we take courage, and go
forward.
rinnplts antr P^el|^0bs ^pluaWt tn ^Slalbn Mnrh*
BY REV. J. li. NHVnJS, D.D.
(Repfinted from " The Chinese Recorder,**)
Letter III.— How shall we deal with New Converts?
[HE reception of first converts in any mission is
an epoch fruitful of consequences for good or
evil. The course pursued at this time will estab-
lish precedents, and in a great measure fix the policy and
determine the character of the Church of the future. How,
then« shall these first converts be dealt with ? To this
weighty question the Scriptures furnish us some ready
answers.
I. — " Let every man abide in the same calling wherein
he was called*^ (i Cor. vii. 20.) This command is repeated
in a different form in the 24th verse of the same chapter.
" Brethren, let every man wherein he is called therein
abide with God." This Apostolic injunction we are
further told was ordained "for all the Churches." It
teaches most emphatically that Christianity should not
disturb the social relations of its adherents ; but requires
them to be content with their lot, and to illustrate the
Gospel in the spheres of life in which they are called.
How many of us have given these passages of Scripture
that weight of authority which they aeserve ? How many
of us have realized that in taking untried Christians out
of the positions in which God has called them, and
making evangelists of them, we may be literally, though
unconsciously, opposing a divine purpose ? Such a course
directly tends to unsettle the minds of new converts, and
excites the very feeling of restlessness and discontent
which this command seems specially designed to prevent.
It may be objected that the literal carrying out of this
injunction would prevent missionaries ever employing any
native assistants, and would, in fact, have prevented our
coming to China, or entering the ministry. This objec-
tion so far as it has any weight lies against the Scripture
itself. It may be remarked, however, that all Scripture
commands are limited and conditioned by other Scripture
teachings, and are to be interpreted by them. This
passage does not determine whether a man is to abide
where he is called, permanently, or only temporarily. This
is a question to be left to the future. Special providences
afterwards may indicate a further and different divine
purpose no less clearly. So Paul did not hesitate, when
the proper time had come, to remove Timothy from
Lystra, and there was no inconsistency in his doing so.
As for ourselves, we entered the mmistry because we
believed we had a divine call to it ; and the church has
sent us to China because it concurred in this opinion, and
considered our characters sufficiently tested and proved
134
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
to warrant them in sending us forth to preach the Gospel)
with a reasonable assurance that we had renounced
worldly aims and worldly advantages, to give our lives to
the service of Christ. All we insist on is that the same
principles and the same prudence should be used in
dealing with the Chinese.
In determining whether this command to let every man
abide in his calling is applicable and binding at present,
it is undoubtedly legitimate to inquire whether there may
not be special reasons in this present time which over-
rule and annul it. I can think of none except such as
we may regard as growing out of our special circum-
stances. For instance we may have been praying for
labourers for the "great harvest," or more specifically
that God would give us a native agent to occupy an im-
portant station at , and we say : " Is not this the man
God has sent for this very object ? " We should not forget,
however, that when this injunction was given, there
was as great need of workers, and as many important
places to be occupied as now.
The object we all have in view is of course to secure
the greatest usefulness of the convert, and the greatest
good to the common cause. Now if the young Christian
seems to have qualifications for making a good evangelist,
is he not just the man wanted to develop the work where
he is ? And will not further experience fit him all the
better for doing other work to which he may be called in
the future, when perhaps he may be spared from his
station without its suffering in consequence? God's
designs with reference to this man are wiser than ours.
Let us wait for those designs to develop as they surely
will, and follow carefully as we are led.
Other passages of Scripture place our duty in this
matter in a still clearer light. " Not a novice, lest being
lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the
devil." By one rash and unauthorized step we may infiict
an irreparable injury on the person in whom we are so
much interested, and destroy all hopes of his future
usefulness. Again : "Be not many masters (teachers),
knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."
This is a warning to would-be teachers, and may be
applied with equal force to those who would gratuitously
assume the responsibility of recommending and employ-
ing teachers, without sufficient Scriptural grounds for
doing so. Again we are taught : " Lay hands suddenly
on no man, neither be partakers of other men's sins ;
keep thyself pure." The pertinency of these passages is
too obvious to require lengthened remarks.
II. — The Importance of Precedents. The Chinese are
remarkable for their tendency to follow a fixed routine,
and to be governed by precedents. If the first convert is
soon employed, those who follow will expect to be. If
the first station is supplied with a chapel, succeeding ones
will require the same, and so on indefinitely. As a matter
of precedent, the question as to whether the Gospel
shall be first introduced by the instrumentality of paid or
unpaid agents, is of such importance as to deserve very
careful attention. Here, again, we get light from Scrip-
ture. Nothing is more strikingly characteristic of the
missionary methods of the Apostle Paul than his purpose
to preach the Gospel freely or "without charge." He
gives us very clearly his reason for doing this. " For
yourselves know how ye ought to follow us ; for we
behaved not ourselves disorderly among you ; neither did
we eat any man's bread for nought ; but wrought with
labour and travail night and day, that we might not be
chargeable to any of you : not because we have not power,
but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,
that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we
hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly,
working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that
are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus
Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own
bread." (2 Thess. iii. 7-12.) There were in Thessalonica
and other places in Greece, as there are now in China,
idlers, busybodies or disorderly persons, who would fain
live without work. From such persons Paul apprehended
great danger to the infant Church ; and he not only de-
nounced them in unsparing terms, but determined by his
own example to furnish a precedent which would have
more weight in establishing a fixed usage in the Church than
anything he could say. In addressing the Ephesian elders
he gives the same reason for the course adopted : " Yea,
ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered
unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I
have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak, and to remember the words
of the Lord Jesus, how He said. It is more blessed to
give than to receive." (Acts xx. 34, 35.)
The Apostle in the 9th chapter of ist Corinthians lays
down the general rule that, as a matter of right, the teacher
should depend for his temporal support on the taught ;
still in first introducing the Gospel to a heathen people^ he
felt it his duty to waive this privilege. The example
which he set was that of a preacher not having his in-
fiuence curtailed by the suspicion that he was labouring
for pay. While the Church at home has decided that in
lands where Christian institutions are established the
pastor should depend for his support on his fiock, and
abstain from secular employments, I believe it is best, at
least in the first stage of mission work, for the native
evangelist to follow Paul's example. Take a man labour-
ing on the plane of his ordinary life as an earnest Christian,
and make him a paid labourer, and you deprive him of
half his influence. It may be said that by paying him
you enable him to give all his time to evangelistic work.
Still it is a fair question (we are now speaking of new
converts) whether a man will accomplish more for good
in the end by preaching or by living Christianity. The
examples that we want are those of men illustrating
Christianity during six days of secular work, and one day
of Sabbath observance. Such men and such women
present Christianity in the concrete. They are " cities
set on a hill " — " epistles known and read of all men."
When stations multiply after this type they strike root into
the soil. There is life and aggressiveness in them.
Some will probably ask — " Why do not missionaries
themselves work with their own hands, and set the same
example that Paul did?" If circumstances were the
same, and the course chosen by the Apostle were now
practicable, and would secure the same end that it did in
his case, it ought to be adopted, and I believe mission-
aries would adopt it gladly. The reason why we do not
is, that doing so in our case would defeat the object aimed
at. Our circumstances as foreign missionaries in China
are different from those of the Apostle Paul in almost
every particular. He was a Roman citizen in the Roman
empire. He laboured in his native climate ; was master
of Greek and Hebrew, the two languages required for
prosecuting his work ; and his physical and intellectual
training had been the same as those with whom and for
whom he laboured. We, in coming to China, are obliged
from the first to undertake the work of acauiring a
spoken and a written language, both very difficmt, taxing
mind and body to the utmost, and demanding all our time
and energies. We have to submit to the disadvantage
and drudgery of learning in comparativeljr advanced life
(so far as we are able to do it) what the Chinaman learns,
and what Paul learned, in childhood and early manhood.
Besides, for a foreigner to support himself in China in
competition with natives in any department of manual
CHINA'S MILUONS.
labour is manifestly impracticable ; and one attempting
to do so would diminish rather than increase his influence.
Were it practicable and consistent with duty, how many
of us who have a natural taste for mechanics, or agricul-
ture, or Business, would gladly s^end a portion of our
time in these pursuits, rather than in the wearisome work
of the study. Is it not obvious that the only persons who
can furnish in China the much-needed example of propa-
gating Christianity while they labour witn their own
hands, are not Europeans, but natives labouring for and
among their own people f
The importance of trusting at first mainly to voluntary
unpaid agency, or rather to the influence of Christian men
and women remaining in their original callings, may be
further shown \is other considerations. It is a prevalent
idea in China thai diligent and successful attention to
temporal matters and religious matters at the same time
is impossible. We often hear the
remark from Chinamen, " I am
tired of the world and its em-
ployments, and would like to
enter the religion" i the true in-
terpretation of which generally
is, that the man would like to
avoid work and live . on the
" Kiao - hwe." Another says,
" Christianit]^ is good, but 1
must earn a living for my family."
Sometimes this is a mere excuse,
and sometimes it expresses a
man's honest conviction that an
effort to lead a Christian life will
interfere with his temporal pros-
pects. I believe that nothing is
more important to the success of
our work than to do away with
this idea ; and this can be best
accomplished by living examples
showing that a man may be a
good Christian and a good farmer
or artisan at the same time ; or
in other words, that " Godliness
is profitable unto all things; hav-
ing the promise of the life that
now is, and of that which is to
come." Even voluntary and un-
paid preaching is not to be com-
pared for wholesome influence to
earnest, consistent Christian lives.
The secret of the world's evan-
gelisation is to be found in the
words of our Saviour : " Let your light so shine
before men thai they, seeing your good works, may
glorily your Father which is in heaven." During the
last few years I have often found it necessary to
exhort and remonstrate with some of my people in
such language as the following: "Though it is com-
mendable for you to visit your friends and acquaint-
ances, and to talk to them about Christianity when you
have time to do so, you must not neglect your business.
Your usefulness as a Christian, the religious interests of
your station, and the spread of the Gospel in the neigh-
bourhood, depend largely on your success and prosperity
in temporal matters. If you neglect your busmess, and
run in debt, and are obliged to sell one acre of land this
year, and two next, you will be a warning to all your
neighbours, and they will point to you and say — ' Beware
of the Christian leli^on : our friend entered it, and in a
few years he and his family were brought to want.' If
this is the outcome of your life in temporal things, all
your preaching to your neighbours will do little good."
pagation of the Gospel is presupposing a larger amount
of zeal and devotion on their part than is found even
among Christians ai home. If this is true, so much the
worse for Christians at home. I .believe the contrary,
however. There is a great army of active workers at
home, as well as idlers. As to young converts in our
country stations, it is a fact that they are willing to do
this work, and able to do it, and still further, that they do
it. In the early history of the Church, as recorded in the
Acts of the Apostles, Christianity spread chiefly through
the voluntary zeal of ordinary Church members, and the
work of the Apostles consisted mainly in superintending
and organising the companies of Christians thus gathereo.
Their zeal was so great that persecution could not repress,
but only intensified it. If there is not that zeal and effort
in the Church at home, it is much
to be deplored. Perhaps the want
of it is aue in a great measure to
a growing habit of leaving work
for Christ to be done by those
who are paid for it. Where such
an idea prevails, whether at home
or on missionary ground, it tends
to paralyse the power of the
Church for good.
It may be objected further that
this aggressive zeal to which I
have referred is due largely to
the expectation of being em-
ployed ; and that for this reason
It is not to be relied upon, since
it will decline as the hope of
employment diminishes. There
is, no doubt, much truth in this.
Shall we, then, knowingly and
deliberately pander to this mer-
cenary spirit, and by continuing
to empl(^ new converts increase
and perpetuate an evil which we
deplore? or shall we not rather
by refraining from employing them
put a stop to the evil as soon as
possible ? While however, with-
out doubt, some of these volun-
tary labourers are working with
semsh aims, I believe there are
others who work from higher and
worthier motives. Let us depend
on these, and we shall not be
disappointed. Not giving pecuniary employment to new
converts will probably retard our work for a time, at least
so far as numbers of adherents is concerned, but it will
promote the work in the end.
III. — We may get kelp in learning how to deal with
new converts and stations by considering the nature of tht
Church and the law of its development, Christianity,
whether embodied in the individual or in a Church, is the
outgrowth of a vital principle. In the spiritual as well as
vegetable kingdom every vital germ has its own law of
life and dev^opment, and it is only by following that
law that the highest development can be secured. Chris-
tianity has been introduced into the world, as a plant
which will thrive best confronting and contending with
all the forces of its environment ; not as a feeble exotic,
which can only live when nursed and sheltered. All un-
necessary nursing will do it harm. A pine may be trained
into a beautiful and fantastic shape, so as to be an object
of interest and curiosity, and may flourish in a way ; but
it will not tower heavenward as the king of the forest
136
CHINAS MILLIONS.
unless from first to last it is subjected to the various and
seemingly adverse influences of scorching sun, biting
frost, and surging tempest. A certain amount of care, and
especially the right kind, is necessary : too much or in-
judicious care is injurious, and may be fatal to the life
which it is intended to promote.
IV. — Young converts should be proved^ before they are
employed ana advanced to responsible public positions. 1 1
is said of deacons in the 3rd chapter of Timothy, " Let
them also be proved." The also refers, no doubt, to the
previous qualifications required in bishops. These varied
qualifications include knowledge, expenence, self-culture,
and spiritual growth, and discipline ; sdl combining to-
gether to form a stable and reliable basis of character. If
deacons as well as bishops must be first proved, is there
not the same necessity for proving preachers and evange-
lists in China ? There are laws in civilised countries re-
quiring that in testing an anchor-chain or a wire cable it
shall be subjected to a strain greater than will be required
in after use, before precious treasure and more precious
lives are trusted to it Ordinary prudence, aside from
Scripture command, would dictate the still greater neces-
sity of testing the character of a man who is to be used in
matters affecting the temporal and spiritual interests,
immediately and prospectively, of perhaps thousands.
In the zeal and glow of first converts they are apt,
and that unwittingly, to deceive not only us but them-
selves. By all means let them be proved. How can this
be done without leaving them to meet the difficulties
and trials incident to the condition in which they are
found, and that for a considerable length of time ? We
have further authoritative teaching from our Saviour Him-
self on this point, specially designed to guard against the
dangers resulting from the influence of false teachers :
" By their fruits ye shall know them." The outward
appearance of a tree may give promise of its being every-
thing we could desire ; but we cannot be sure of its
character until it bears fruit ; for this we may have to wait
for years, and then find ourselves disappointed.
V. — Young converts before they are advanced to posi-
tions of prominence and responsibility^ should also be
trained. The processes of pruning and training, though
quite different and distinct, are carried on simultaneously,
and largely by the same means. This trainincr includes
not only study, but work, trial, and perhaps suffering. It
should be such as will fit a man to endure hardness as a
good soldier of Jesus Christ. A man may be carried
through a course of theological training, all his wants pro-
vided for, and freed from the struggle of ordinary life,
and yet get very little of this disciplinary training which
is so important. We may think we are helping a man by
relieving him of burdens, when we are in fact only inter-
fering with his training. Here, again, the element of time
is a necessity. We are so apt to be in haste ; to spur
ourselves on to premature and fruitless effort by consider-
ing how many souls are perishing while we are delaying.
Aner the Apostle Paul was chosen and called, he was kept
waiting nearly ten years before he was commanded to
enter upon his special life-work. Who will say that those
ten years were not as important as any other period of
his life, or that his after usefulness did not depend on
them ? Timothy also, by years of active and successful
labour at home, obtained a good report of the brethren in
Lystra and Derbe, after which he accompanied Paul as a
helper ; and when many years of proving and training
were passed, became Paul's co-labourer and successor in
the work of evangelisation and the founding of churches.
If it be further asked: What, then, is the best way to train
men for usefulness in the Church i I know of no better
answer, at least for the first stage of preparation, than to
repeat the Scripture injunction, " Let every man abide in
the calling wherein he was called." Nothinp^ else can
supply the plan of God's providential training in the
school of ordinary life and practical experience. If God
who has called a man to the fellowship of His Church,
has also called him to the work of the ministry, He will
manifest His purpose in His own time and way. In the
meanwhile we should give to these young converts all the
instruction, advice, and help, which Christian sympathy
and prudence suggest.
VI. — We should with faith and confidence commit ^oung
converts " to the Lord on whom they believed.^* This was
the course unhesitatingly adopted by the Apostle Paul ;
and I know of no reason why we should not. follow his
example. Our Saviour has promised to be dways with
His people unto the end of the world ; and to send the
blessed Spirit of all grace to abide with them for ever. He
will furnish for them, by conferring special graces of His
Spirit, " prophets, teachers, exhort ers, helps, and govern-
ments,'' as they are required. Paul on his departure from
places where he had made converts, often left Timothy or
Silas or others to spend days or weeks in instructing,
exhorting, and comforting them ; and also sent special
messengers to individual churches to correct abuses and
furnish help as occasion required ; but we read in the
Acts of the Apostles of no case in which he left any one
to stay with them as their resident minister. I believe
that in failing to follow this Apostolic example we have
often checked the development of individual gifts, and
self-reliance, and aggressive power in our Churches ;
making them weak, inefficient, and dependent from the
first.
In the meantime, in view of the great need of evangel-
ists to enter open fields not yet reached, and of pastors
and teachers to care for those who are already gathered
into the fold, let us heed the solemn injunction of our
Lord ; " Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that He will
send forth labourers into His harvest."
€ipmjcna» in i\t %t\i^hax\x\m)i d ^i\'t\m.
FBOM THB DIARY OF MR. BBAUOHAMP.
THINK that one of the most blessed results of
the service of God, is that when we begin to
have to do with others we begin to see, to some
small extent, what wonderful longsuffering God has
shown in His dealings with us.
Amongst a large budget of letters just received, some
one says, " Dont forget the Carpenter^ Jesus of Naza-
reth." We are so apt to aim at doing many wonderful
things in the name of the Lord, especially when we see
others reaping plentifully ; but the plougher and the
sower are all working together for the same Master, and
the harvest is sure. We only want His approval, ** Well
done, good and faithful servant."
It is impossible to conceive, even here when in the
midst of it, the appalling darkness, superstition, and pre-
judice which holds these people. It is in times like these
that one needs not only to say, ** I believe in the Holy
Ghost," but to act as one who believes.
CHINAS MILLIONS.
137
But that you may be able to pray for us the more
intelligibly, I will tell you a little ot our surroundings.
This station was opened last autumn, practically at the
request of the head Mandarin ; things have changed since
then, for he has left, not only regretted by us, but by the
whole town, who always said that he was a good man,
while of the present one they give a very different
character. Though he has only been here about two
weeks, he has already been bullying our landlord for
renting his house to *' these foreigners who come here to
beguile my people." •* They deceive the people," is con-
stantly said against us. They have heard and seen great
changes in people, and they, of course, cannot account for
it, so put it down to medicine. If in Judea they said,
" He deceiveth the people " (Jno. vii.), we cannot be sur-
prised that here, amongst a people wrapped in supersti-
tion, the work of the Holy Ghost is not understood. We
ought indeed to take courage that the Holy Ghost is
working. At present, I regret to say, there is no one here
belonging to this place who is a witness to that power,
though many bright Christians have visited us fromTa-ning
Hien, and given their testimony, but they need so much
teaching. The Lord speedily give us the power to
minister to these hungry babes in Christ — one of them is
exceptionally bright and strong in faith.
May list. — If you want a blessing, come here. If you
get under a waterspout you cannot help getting wet; just
so, if you make yourself the object of hundreds and thou-
sands of prayers, which I know, by experiencing the
results, are going up daily and hourly, you cannot help
being blessed. There is but one requisite — keep in the
place where the waterspout never runs dry. (Eph. i. 3.)
I have only been back here a fortnight, but that is long
enough to accumulate a good deal of God's goodness, for
** He daily loadeth us with benefits." I went down to
P'ing-yang Fu at the beginning of April, intending only to
be away a week or ten days, as.there was plenty to do here
with the opium refuge work ; but news of persecution at
Ta-ning Hien took Mr. Cassels and myself hastily to
that place. We were there together for about three
weeks, and I think God allowed us by our presence rather
than anything else to be the means of restoring peace.
The native Christians in that part will need your prayers
much; the elder there, Mr. Chu, has been sorely tried lately.
First, being very ill himself when on a visit here, on going
home it was only to meet with persecution, which may
result in his losing his degree, and then his only child
became dangerously ill; besides this, he has the constant
trial of an unconverted wife, whose parents are of the
literary class, and very bitter against the Gospel as the
literati almost invariably are.
We want you at home to pray for all native Christians,
very earnestly ; they are infinitely more important to
the work than we foreigners are, for if the work of God is
to become permanent it must be through the natives.
Some members about here when first converted cannot read.
But what about Sih-chau ? I came back, as I said, a
fortnight ago, after an absence of about a month, and was
much disappointed to find the opivim refuge empty,
especially as it seemed the result of mismanagement on
the part of the man left in charge. Several other things
were trying at first, but it is a grand thing to know that
" All things work together for good." Of course it was so
in this case, for troubles led to prayer, and prayer to
blessing.
Of course the people in the town were only too pleased
to start all kinds of reports, hoping thereby to discourage
the Lord s people. Several old patients were reported to
have gone home, and taken to opium again, amongst
them a very old man named Li ; a day later brought a
rumour of his cofBn being prepared, and so on. These
things were all remembered by our small church at
morning and evening prayers.
Last Sunday a man came down from Li*s village, say-
ing that he had suffered a good deal from the craving for
opium, but that he had not smoked since he left the
refuge. Praise the Lord ! He also sent word, would we
come and see him, and bring any medicine which might
be a help. So on Monday, Mr. Fan (my factotum) and
myself started. The villag^e is about twenty-three // to
the N.E., being a good stiff two hours' walk. We arrived
just about midday. It was awfully hot, and we received
the greatest kindness. As for the old man Li, whose
coffin was reported to be ready, the report was more near
the truth than those who started it knew, for the old man
was dead and buried, and there stood before us " the new
man.*' That he looked ten years younger nobody could
deny, and I really believe him to be a newborn soul,
though with very little light or knowledge. Since his
return home, he and another man had been worshipping
God according to the light they had.
We had thought of going on to another village, but
there was too much to keep us in this one. We were
compelled to partake of a sumptuous repast How
good the Lord was in sending just that old man to the
refuge, for he is the head of a large family. He, his son,
and his grandson all live in the same court or block of
buildings, each with their respective families.
The village is like all the rest about here — a very small
one — just ten families. I think there was a deputation
from each to look at the foreigner. We had a very nice
little meeting, led by Mr. Fan. Two other men, who
joined with us in worship, entreated us to take a meal at
their home ; this, however, we were obliged to decline.
But they said, " You will at least come and pray and
sing." To the latter invitation we gladly acceded. There
are now three distinct families in that village who worship
God. No words can express the graMtude I felt to our
heavenly Father for thus allowing us to see such definite
results of the opium work.
CitrxtT0S frnm c^rattetr Mnrhers*
From Miss S. Carpenter,
Shoo- king f May yd.
Last Saturday, when out visiting with my Bible-woman, we
went into a temple where twenty-six women were sitting at
different tables counting their beads and praying. Going up to
one of the tables, I said, *' We have come to tell you some good
news. Will you rest a little and listen ? " They said they
would, and at once asked us to be seated, and brought tea. We
spoke to them for about half an hour, and they certainly seemed
much interested. Before leaving we prated with them, and two
of them closed their eyes and folded their hands. They were so
quiet and orderly that it was quite easy to speak to them. We
iJtei wards went to another part of the temple, and found others
who listened most attentively for nearly an hour. When leaving,
we asked them to come to our Sunday morning service, and
yesterday we were cheered to find that five of them kept their
promise, and that they all stayed till the close of the service.
138
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
God grant that they may every one see their need of a
Saviour I
As we were returning home we saw a poor old woman walk-
ing with a stick. She could not get along very well, so the
Bible-woman asked her if she should help her, and while doing
so she preached Christ to her and taught her a short prayer.
The old woman said she had not heard the Gospel before, and
was anxious to remember the prayer. She walked about half a
mile, repeating the words, and not heeding the people who
laughed at her. She also came yesterday to the service.
As we were passing a large house the same day a lady sent
her maid to call us in. She was very kind, and listened for a
full half hour.
Last week Mr. Meadows said he had not seen the people so
attentive before since he came to Shao-hing. We hear from
Kiu-chau that another of the dear scholars has ^ven herself to
Jesus. Surely the showers of blessing are commg. May God
give us the grace we shall need and keep us walking humbly
with Him.
We are all well, very happy in our work, and very thankful to
our loving Father for counting us worthy to serve Him in this
poor, dark land.
From Miss Mary Black.
Shanghai,
One cannot but wonder out here in China how so many
Christians who are quite free to live where the^ please can be
content to stay quietly at home, whilst millions m neathen lands
arc perishing for lack of the knowledge which they possess. I
am asking the Lord, if He will, to send out fifty of our best
ministers to work for Him in China.
From Dr. Parry.
Gan-kHnf^^ May loth.
We are at present opening the out-patient dispensary three
days a week and charg^ing twenty cash admission-ticket. Though
we are yet far from self-supporting, we meet our current minor
expenses well. The dear brothers and sisters here have also
very lovingly taken part in the work by gifts, which have been a
great help. The attendance of patients is as large as I and my
student-helper can well manage, and Mr. Yang gets good oppor-
tunities for speaking to the patients. There are at present five
in-patients, all surgical, and we are expecting a blessing for
them. There has just left us, to attend as an out-patient, a re-
spectable, elderly business man of the city. I have oeen grateful
to see him often reading the Testament, and taking pleasure in
attending the services. I do trust he will decide for Christ. He
can never, I trust, lose the new light of the knowledge of the
Gospel. Mr. Yang, I think, regards him as a believer.
From Mr. Albert Phelfs.
ffan-chungf April 2f^h,
On my last journey I had many opportunities for telling the
glad tidings. We sold about 2,000 books, and distributed more
than' that quantity of tracts, so that I hope that our visit to
Si-ch*uen will not be unfruitful to God or without blessing to
those into whose midst we went.
The Lord continues to bless the efforts put forth here and in
the countrv. There are now thirty- two applicants for baptism,
many of whom will be received at the next quarterly meetings.
From Mrs. Geo. Clarke.
Kwti'hwa-ch^eng^ Afril 28//5.
You T^U ha7e heard of our arrival here on April ist. We
are living in an inn, but Mr. Clarke is now settling about
some premises which we hope to be able to rent, and move into
in a little while. At present we are in the Mohammedan part
of the city, and have a good number of these people as visitors
and patients. The people are very friendly, and seem glad we
have come to settle in their midst. Our brethren, Messrs.
King and Terry, are at Pao-t'eo ; Messrs. Beynon and McKee
are with us.
From Mr. Hosts.
Ping^yang Fu^ April \%th.
The church gathering was a grand sight, and, I felt, one that
brought great responsibilities with it too ; to be permitted to see
in the first year of one's stay in China that which many holy and
faithful preachers have toiled and prayed and passed away with-
out being permitted to see— a living church in the verv heart of
poor dead China; about 120 of us partook of the Lord's
Supper. Mr. Hsi is a man raised up to shepherd the flock here ;
the IfOrd has given him authority in the sight of the people. He
is indefatigable in visiting the sick, helping those in any troable,
etc. At Ta ning Hien Mr. Chu occupies a corresponding
position.
There are three true Christians I believe in or near K'uh-wa ;
one, a young fellow who was a priest, and is now in a tailor's
shop ; he was converted at P'ing-yang two or three years back ;
he IS a man of praver and faith, and was the means of heading
one or two in a village near P'ing-yang, where he used to live ;
his plan is to keep on praying about a person until the disease is
removed. Through this man^ words and life his master has been
turned to God, and though not very intelligent is, I think, real.
The third is a countryman, who was brought in through Mr.
Chang, the evangelist. There are others more or less interested,
and I believe soon there will be a big ingathering.
From Mr. C. T. Studd.
K'uh'WU^ May 12IA.
You have doubtless heard of our successful half-yearly gather-
ing. Since then we have all separated, Messrs. Beaaduunp and
Cassels to Sih-chaa and Ta-ning respectively ; Mr. Stanley Smith
has opened a new station at Hung-t'ung ; Mr. Hoste, who has
been unwell, remains at P'ing-yang. whiM I came down here. I
trust all the others are having as good times as I am. The lines
have fallen to me in a very pleasant place — I don't mean in a
worldly point of view, but spiritually. I am revelling in being
thus alone. It is being on honeymoon with Jesus.
From Miss Seed.
Protestant Collegiate School^ Chefoo^Julf 22Md.
Miss Whitchurch has sent off a long interesting diary a few
days ap;o, giving all the Che-foo news, but I want to add my note
of praise for all the goodness and love of God we have together
experienced in our work for Him during the last half-year in
school.
There has been very marked improvement in the progress of
those we have had under our care. The half-yearly examination
is conducted by friends outside the mission, and the pupils have
given some very creditable papers. One has taken the prise for
nine memory subjects, and a pupil to be qualified for a prite
must obtain 90 per cent, marks at each monUily examination as
well as at the half-yearly. I was very grateful indeed at the
result of the half-vear's work.
Another cause for praise and gratitude is that both teachers
and pupils have been kept in good health, and, best of aU, moat
of tne girls are Christians and do their work with a sincere
desire to please the Lord Jesus.
It is beautiful to notice how they are finding out the value of
prayer, and what a real thing it is Decoming to them.
^rrifaal— ^jeparteie.
On July 1st Miss Home reached England, having returned to
nurse an invalid mother.
On July 29th Mr. Lacdale left for China by P. and O
steamer.
China's Millions.
A YOUNG BARBER.
C|e Bnhittxrut of aeberni ^bbusses gibcn Jmring » Conferniu of t^e IS^bsunaiuB of %
€^nK fnlsitb ISIisston.
BY MR. HUDSON TAYLOB.
(Continued front page wj.)
SHALL not attempt to detail the ways in wliich God was pleased — often to
my surprise, as well as to my delight — to help me from time to time. I
found I could not live quite so economically in London as in Hull. I
shared a room with a cousin, but had to provide myself with board ; and
after various experiences and attempts, I found that my most economical
way was to live almost exclusively on brown bread and water. In this way
I made what God gave me go as far as possible. Some of my expenses I
could not diminish, but living expenses were largely in my own power. A
large twopenny loaf of brown bread, purchased daily on my long walk of four
miles from the hospital, furnished me with supper and breakfast, and on
ged to walk eight or nine miles a day, besides being a good deal on foot
the practice of the hospital and medical school,
icident that occurred about this time I will refer to. The husband of my
was chief officer of a ship that sailed out of London. By receiving for her
ithly and remitting it to her, I saved her a commission. I had been sending
! months, when she wrote to me, asking me to obtain the money as early as
inth, and forward it to her, as her rent was coming due, and she depended
e means of paying it. The request came to me at an inconvenient time. I
-y hard preparing for an exatnination in the hope of obtaining a scholarship
course, be of service to me, and I felt that I could not aSbrd the time to go
I40 CHINA'S MILLIONS.
during the busiest part of the day to the city and procure this month's half-pay. I had, however,
sufficient in hand to enable me to send it, and I did so, purposing after the examination to go and draw
the money to recoup myself.
Before the examination I found one day that the medical school was closed, on account of the
funeral of the Duke of Wellington. I had, therefore, an opportunity of going at once to the office, which
was situated in a street out of Cheapside, and applying for the amount due. To my surprise and
dismay, the clerk told me that he could not pay it, as the officer in question had run away from his ship
and gone to the gold diggings. " Well," I replied, " that is very inconvenient for me, for I have
already advanced the money and sent it, and I know his wife will have no means of repaying me."
The clerk told me he was sorry for me, but he could, of course, only act on his orders ; so there was no
help for me in that direction. However, a little more time and thought brought the comforting conclu-
sion to my mind, that as I was depending on the Lord for all things, and His means were not limited,
it was a small matter being brought a little sooner to the position of needing supplies from Him ; so
the joy and the peace were not long interfered with.
Very soon after this — I am not sure that it was not the very night on which this occurred — while
sewing together some sheets of paper on which I took notes of lectures, I pricked the first
finger of my right hand with the needle, and in a few moments forgot all about it. The next day at
the hospital I continued dissecting as before. The body was that of a person who had died of a bad
fever, and was more than usually disagreeable and dangerous. I need scarcely say that we who were at
work upon it dissected with more than ordinary care, knowing that the slightest scratch or abrasion
would cost us our lives. Before the morning was far advanced, I began to feel very weary and unwell,
and while walking through the surgical wards at noon, I was obliged to run out of one ward, being
very sick, a most unusual circumstance with me, as I took little enough food, and nothing that was
likely to disagree with me. After being faint for a little time, a draught of cold water revived me,
and I was able to rejoin the pupils. I became more and more unwell, however, and ere an afternoon
lecture on surgery was over, it was impossible to hold the pencil and continue to take notes. By the
time the next lecture was through, my whole arm and right side were full of severe pain, and I was
both looking and feeling very ill.
Finding that I could not resume my work, I went into the room to bind up the portion that I was
dissecting and put away my apparatus, and said to the demonstrator, who was a very skilful surgeon,
" I cannot think what has come over me," describing the symptoms to him. *' Why," he said, '* it is
clear enough, you must have cut yourself in dissecting ; you know very well this is a case of malignant
fever." I assured him that I had been very careful, and was quite certain that I had had no cut or
scratch. " Well," he said, " you must certainly have had one," and he very closely scanned my hand,
but in vain.
All at once it occurred to me that I had pricked my finger the night before, and I asked him if it
was possible a prick from a needle the night before could be unclosed. His opinion was that this was
probably the cause of trouble, and he advised me to get a hansom and drive home as fast as I could,
and arrange my affairs forthwith, " For," he said, " you are a dead man." I felt very sorry that I
could not go to China ; but very soon after the thought came over me, *' Unless I am much mis-
taken, I have work to do in China, and I shall not die." I was glad, however, to take the opportunity
of testifying to my medical friend, who was a very capable surgeon but a confirmed sceptic as to
religious things, of the joy that the prospect of perhaps being soon with my Master gave me, telling
him, however, that I did not think that I should die, as, unless I was greatly mistaken, I had work to
do in China, and if so, however severe the struggle, I must be brought through it.
'* Well," he said, '' that is all very well, but you get a hansom and drive home as fast as you can.
You have not any time to lose ; you will soon be incapable of winding up your affairs." I smiled a
little at the idea of my driving home in a " hansom " (by this time my means were too exhausted to
allow of that), and I set out to walk home, if possible. Before long, however, my strength gave way,
and I felt it would be impossible to reach home by walking. Availing myself of an omnibus
from Whitechapel Church to Farringdon Street, and another from Farringdon Street onwards, I reached,
in great suffering, the neighbourhood of Soho Square, behind which I lived. On going into the house
I got some hot water from the servant, and exhorting her very earnestly — literally as a dying
man — to accept eternal life as the gift of God through Jesus Christ, I bathed my hand, and lanced the
finger, hoping to let out some of the poisoned blood. The pain was very severe, and I fainted away,
and was for some time unconscious— so long, that when I came to myself, I found that I had been carried
to bed. An uncle of mine who lived near, and had come in, had sent for his own medical man (an
CHINAS MILLIONS.
141
assistant-surgeon of the Westminster Hospital) to attend me. I told my uncle that medical help
would be of no service to me, and that I did not wish to go to the expense of it. However, he quieted
me on the score that he had sent for his own medical man, and the bill would be charged to himself.
When the surgeon came and learned all particulars, he gave his advice, and said to me, " Well, if you
have been living moderately you may pull through, but if you have been going in for beer and that
sort of thing, there is no manner of chance for you." I thought that if sober living was to do anything
for me, few would have a better chance, as nothing but bread and water had been my diet for a good
while past. I told him I had lived very abstemiously, and found that it helped me in study. " Well
now," he said, '* you must keep up your strength, for it will be a pretty hard struggle," and he ordered
me a bottle of port wine every day and as many chops as I could consume I Again I smiled inwardly,
having no means of buying port wine or any such remedy as that. This difficulty, however, was
also met by my kind uncle, who had a good wine-cellar, and sent me at once a dozen bottles of fine
old port.
I was very much concerned, notwithstanding the agony I suffered, that my dear parents; should not
be made acquainted with my state. Thought and prayer had satisfied me that I was not going to die.
I had work to do in China, and if my dear parents came up and found me in that condition, I should
lose the opportunity of seeing how God was going to work for me, now that my money was come to
an end, or nearly so. So, after prayer for guidance, I asked and obtained a promise from my uncle and
cousin not to write to my parents, but to leave me to communicate with them myself. I felt it was a
very distinct answer to prayer when they gave me their promise ; and I took care myself to defer all
communication with them until the crisis was past, and the worst of the attack was over. They at
home knew that I was working hard for an examination, and did not wonder at my silence.
The days and nights slowly passed along, but at length, after several weeks, I was sufficiently
restored to get downstairs and lie on the sofa, and then I learned that two men — not from the same
hospital — who had had dissection wounds at the same time as myself, had both succumbed, while I
was spared, as I fully believed in answer to prayer, to do work for God in China.
(7b be continued^
% fitter I0 ll^je Sl^aiulantrs 1|rag£r itmnu for C^iita*
FROM MISS M. MURRAY.
Ta-ku-fangy June lyd.
Dear Friends, — We hear of your welfare and the
progress of the Lord's work among you with very thank-
ful hearts. Though sundered far, it is a joy to meet
around the common mercy-seat.
We arrived here about a fortnight ago. This is a lovely
place, situated on the Po-yang Lake, in the north of the
KiANG-Si Province. The lake is fifty miles wide in some
places, and about a hundred miles long. The house we
live in is on a hill, and the view from it is most beautiful,
reminding us very much of our own Scotch scenery. My
sister and I will probably spend the summer here, as it
will be cooler than in many places. Is it not just like our
Father to provide for us thus ? I am much better, and
able to studv again ; and that it is a verv great joy to me
you can understand. The dear Master has kept me from
forgetting, and He is helping me more than ever. I do so
thank Him for this, and for the way in which all the time
He laid me aside He gave me rest about the language and
everything else. With the certainty that we are here for
His purposes, should there be a question of when or how ?
Dear fhends, what a source of joy and strength we have 1
Never short of our need, but always abundant
You will remember, perhaps, that when I last wrote we
were just entering Kiang-si. From Kiu-chau we travelled
by boat again to Chang-shan, stayed there a few hours,
and had the pleasure of greeting the evangelist and his
wife. The Christians there are so anxious for help that
they have since subscribed 10 dols. towards the improve-
ment of the mission-house, that our sisters may go there
and work among the women. This is a generous gift,
considering the few that are there.
We went on from Chang-shan by chair to another sta-
tion, where we spent the night, and nesft day brought us to
Yuh-shan. Here we remained a few days. The evangel-
ist gave us a very warm welcome. A little company of
about thirty Christians assemble here to worship on Sun-
days. Some of them come from great distances, and stay
all day, taking their meals with the pastor between the
services. It was a very glad sight to see these dear
people. They had been asking God to send some sisters
to speak to the women in this city, and we were touched
to hear them return thanks for our coming. Two of our
sisters hope to return here and work.
Our next move was by boat again, on a river that flows
into this lake, to Ho-k*eo (River's Mouth), a city with
evidently a considerable trade, judging by the number of
boats we saw moored there. Here Mr. Thompson (from
Kiu-chau), Mr. Taylor, and Misses Macintosh and Gray,
went ashore, and had a good time, both with the men and
the women. Many women came into the boat to see us.
142
CHINAS MILLIONS.
Our sisters hope to return here also. Nothing has as yet
b^ai done amon^ these poor women. How we longed for
your help, dear sisters at home ! The people are so willing
to hear, and how few we are as yet to go and tell these
thousands of Christ.
A few days further on, and we rested at Kwei-k'i, a
walled city, where we had the joy of seeing the first con-
vert baptised. It was a very happy day, although the
rain poured in torrents. This one man who has come
forward has ^y^ sons. They, with his wife, came down
to the river to witness his confession of Christ. We have
since heard that his wife and eight others desire now
to be baptised also. Here we have a native evangel-
ist, and our sisters hope to stay a little time on their
return.
You will notice that I have only told you of three cities.
Many others we passed by, and villages too, till our hearts
ached. It led to much prayer on their behalf, and we be-
lieve the Lord will make bare His holy arm and come and
save. No writing can convey to you, as seeing would, the
needs of this large province, but the Lord is able to lay
them so heavily on your hearts that you will do something
for their salvation. I pray that He will now.
Let me ask you to think of 1 5,000,000 souls, and let me
tiy and tell you what is done to bring them to the Light
of life, without which you would have no happiness or
peace. At Kiu-kiang, on the river Yang-tse, there are five
American missionaries. Two of these are ladies who
have a school. Ta-ku-t'ang, where I write from, is only a
village. Here Dr. and Mrs. Pruen are at present. Then
we have met since we came here two young men who
have been itinerating for some time on this lake, living in
a boat. They have now gone to Kao-chau Fu to live.
Our sisters. Misses Byron and Macintosh, are now on
their way to Yuh-shan, and Misses Gray and Webb to
Ho-k'eo. Missionaries have travelled through the pro-
vince in some parts, and some Bibles have been sold ;
but as far as we know, this is all the definite effort made
for the conversion of these 1 5,000,000 souls. The whole
of the south of this province is unoccupied I Will any of
you who read this come and help us to tell this generation
m KiANG-si of a Saviour from sin ? " Ye are the light of
the world." These people are in darkness, but so willing
to hear. How I wish I could send the cry of some of
these poor women right down into your hearts ! May the
Lord graciously draw out your souls to the hungry and
the perishing. You want to follow Jesus, do you not, in
the spirit of Luke iv. 18 ? — good tidings to the poor, release
to the captives, light to the blind : this is also why we are
anointed. With the remembrance of our blessed Master's
last command, will you read Deut. xxx. 11-14? It sorely
is not too hard for you now, with the knowledge of His
sufferings for you. When you have read this, please pray
for
Kiu-kiang,
Ta-ku-t'ang (a village),
Kao-chau Fu,
Kwei-k'i,
Ho-k'eo,
Yuh-shan
— five cities— and then will you remember the hundred
more, besides many villages ? I know you will ask for
workers.
Pctljobs flf Pissbit Morh.
BY REV. J. L. NBVIUS, D.D.
{^Reprinted from " The Chinese Recorder,*^)
Letter IV.— Origin and Growth of Stations in Central Shan-tung.
REACHING tours formed a prominent part of
mission work from the first occupation of Shan-
tung by Protestant missionaries in the year
i860. During the years that immediately
followed, the whole of Eastern Shan-tung was traversed
by members of the American Baptist and Presbyterian
Missions. In 1866, Rev. C. W. Mateer and Rev. H. Corbett
made a tour in Central Shan-tung for the purpose chiefly
of distributing and selling books. This was the first visit
paid to Ching-chow Fu and vicinity by Protestant
missionaries. It was afterwards visited repeatedly by
Dr. Williamson, and other members of the U. P. Mission
of Scotland, and Rev. J. Maclntyre, a member of that
mission, resided two years in Wei Hien, the chief city of
the adjacent district on the east. It was also visited from
time to time by different members of the American
Presbyterian Mission, and in 1874 and 1875 was in-
cluded in my regular itinerating tours, made twice a
year.
Rev. Timothy Richard commenced regular work in
Ching-chow Fu as a resident missionary in 1875. There
were then in that region only two converts, and these
were connected with Mr. Corbett.
Previous to the work of Famine Distribution in the
spring of 1877, Mr. Richard had gathered about him a
little company of inquirers, and 1 had also a few inquirers
in the district of En-ch'ue about forty-five miles S.E. of
Ching-chow Fu.
In the spring of 1877, Mr. Richard and Rev. Alfred G.
Jones gave all their time and energies to the work of
Famine Relief. I took part in the same work in Kao-yai,
a market town in the western extremity of En-ch'ue, and
near the borders of the two other hien Ling-ch'u and
Ch'ang-loh, and continued it about three months until the
close of the famine, distributing aid to about 30,000
people from more than 300 villages.
The famine relief presented us in a new and favourable
light, and gave a fresh impulse to our work of evangelisa-
tion. The establishment of stations may be said to have
fairly begun after the famine, though a spirit of inquiry
had been awakened before. In the spring of 1879, Mr.
Corbett again visited this region, and from this time took
part in mission work there.
There are now in the department of Ching-chow Fu
connected with the English Baptist Mission, and with Mr.
Corbett and myself, about one hundred and fifty stations,
and near 2,500 converts, about 1,000 of them belonging
to the Baptist Mission. On the main points of mission
policy we are happily nearly of one mind. All these
stations provide their own houses of worship ; none of
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
143
them are cared for by a resident paid preacher ; but in
each of them is one or more of its own members who
voluntarily conducts services on Sunday and attends to
the general spiritual interests of the little company of
believers with whom he is connected, under the super-
intendence of the foreign missionary in charge. In all
these stations great prominence is given to catechetical
teaching, and also to affording special instruction to the
leaders, with the view of their teaching others. These
form the distinguishing features of our work, and are our
main points of agreement.
The Baptist stations have multiplied chiefly through the
voluntary labours of unpaid Christians, and radiate from
he centre at Ching-chow Fu. Their staff of Chinese
labourers now consists of a native pastor, who is a Nankin
man, and was baptized more than twenty years ago, and
four evangelists paid by the Mission, and two elders
paid by the native Christians.
My work spread from the centre at Kao-yai almost
entirely, so far as natives are concerned, through the
voluntary labours of the Chinese Christians. My staff
of paid labourers at present consists of two native helpers,
supported hitherto partly by the natives and partly by
niyself. I have from the first used a few others occa-
sionally.
Mr. Corbett commenced his work with the assistance of
Church members from older stations. He has used a
much larger number of helpers, and his stations are more
disconnected, being found m different districts to which
his preachers and evangelists have been sent His staff
of native labourers consists of about twenty-two paid
helpers and twenty teachers. The latter receive from
him on an average about fifteen dollars a year, with what
they can get in addition from the natives.
With these general statements respecting the whole
field, I propose to give a more detailed account of my
own stations and work, with which I am naturally more
intimately acquainted. I presume, however, that in detail-
ing my own experience I shall be giving in the main that
also of my brethren. When important points of differ-
ence occur they will be spoken of in loco,
MUTUAL RELATIONS OF THE MISSIONARY, HELPERS,
AND LEADERS.
The characteristic feature of our stations is that the
principal care of them is intrusted, not to paid preachers
set over them and resident among them, but to leaders
belonging to the stations. The leaders are simply Church
members among Church members, pursuing their daily
calling as before conversion. They form a very important
link in the chain of influences starting from the foreign
missionary. Next to the missionary is the native helper,
who is generally a well-instructed Christian of some years'
experience. He is under the control and direction of the
missionary, and acts for him in supplementing his labours
and carrying out his instructions. Next to the helper is
the leader, through whom principally the helper brings
his influence to bear on the Christians and inquirers
generally. The stations are organised on the prmciple
that its members are to be workers. It is our aim that
each man, woman, and child shall be both a learner from
some one more advanced and a teacher of some one less
advanced. Theoretically, the missionary does nothing
which the helper can do for him, the helper does nothing
which the leader can do, and the leackr does nothing
which he can devolve upon those under him. In this way
much time is saved, the gifts of all are utilised and
developed, and the ^station as an organised whole grows
in knowledge, strength, and efficiency. The leader con-
stantly superintends, directs, and examines those under
him, the helper directs and examines the leaders and their
stations, and the missionary in charge has a general super-
vision and control of the whole.
It has been my habit to visit the stations regularly
twice a year, to examine carefully into the circumstances
of each one of them, and the progress in knowledge and
performance of Christian duties of each Christian inquirer.
One of my helpers has the charge of nearly forty
stations, located in four different districts or Hien^ which
he visits regularly once every two months. The other
helper has the charge of about ten stations, and devotes
a part of his time to evangelistic work outside of them.
A few are without the care of a native helper, and are
only visited by the foreign missionary.
The forty stations, under one helper, are divided into
seven geographical groups of from four to seven stations
each. The helper visits these groups in regular rotation,
once every two months by appointment, spending about
a week in each. On Sunday he holds a general or union
service, leaders and other prominent Church members
being present. The object aimed at is to make this
union service, conducted by the helper, the model ifor the
leaders to pattern after in their several stations during the
seven or eight weeks when they are by themselves. Once
in two months, when the helper is absent, each of these
groups has a similar union service conducted by the
leaders, exercises and persons in charge having been
appointed by the helper in advance.
The form of exercises for Sundays both morning and
afternoon consists of four parts. Firsts a kind of informal
Sunday-school^ in which every person present is expected,
with the superintendence of the leader and those under
him, to prosecute his individual studies, whether learning
the Chinese character, committing to memory passages
of Scripture, telling Scripture stories, the study of
the catechism or Scripture question books. Second^ we
have the more formal Service of worship, consistins^ of
singing, reading of the Scripture, with a few explanations
or exhortations, and prayer, the whole occupying not
more than three-quarters of an hour. Thirds we have
the Scripture Story Exercise, Some one previously
appointed tells the story ; the leader of the meeting then
calls on different persons one after another to reproduce
it in consecutive parts, and afterwards all present take
part in drawing practical lessons and duties from it.
There is never time for more than one story and often
that one has to be divided, and has two Sundays given to
it. Fourth^ if there is time, a Catechetical Exercise follows,
in which all unite, designed to bring out more clearly the
meaning of what they have already learned — as the Lord's
Prayer, the Ten Commandments, select passages ot
Scripture, some book of Scripture, or some special
subject such as the Duty of Benevolence, etc.
This general order of exercises is modified or varied
when the circumstances of a station make it advisable
that it should be.
Leaders are sometimes formally selected by their
stations. More generally, however, they find themselves
in this position as the natural result of providential
circumstances. In many cases the leader is the person
who originated the station with which he is connected,
the other members having been brought into the Church
by his instrumentality. These members look up to him
as their natural head and teacher, and a strong feeling
of gratitude. Christian sympathy, and responsibility grows
up spontaneously. In some cases persons brought in
afterwards are more gifted or literaiy than the ori^nal
leader, and after a time take his place, or are associated
with him as joint leaders. In some stations women are
the first converts, and even after men have joined them,
exert a marked, if not the chief, influence, and take a
prominent part in teaching, exhortation, and prayer.
144
CHINAS MILLIONS.
Chapels. The chapels, with the chapel furniture, are pro-
vided by the natives themselves. As a rule they are not
separate buildings, but form a part of the ordinary Chinese
dwelling-house. Often the chapel belongs to the leader.
Sometimes it is rented by the Christians, and in a few
places it is a new building specially erected for the pur-
pose of worship. When this is the case Christians from
other villages assist with their contributions, and I have
also generally contributed to the amount of about one-
tenth of the value of the building. The cost of these
chapels ranges from thirty to one hundred dollars each.
There is as yet no chapel, the ownership of which is
vested in the Church as a whole. Even when a new
building is erected it belongs to the man on whose ground
it stands. The fact that the chapels form a part of the
ordinary dwelling-houses of the people exempts the
Christians, I think, from a good deal of the prejudice and
persecution which is apt to be excited by and directed
towards distinctive Church buildings.
INSTRUCTION OF INQUIRERS AND CHURCH MEMBERS.
Perhaps the most important question which can arise
in connection with our country stations is, How shall we
most effectually carry out the command of our Saviour —
" Feed My sheep," " Feed My lambs " ? As has been before
indicated, the persons mainly depended upon for perform-
ing this work are the leaders. In our present circum-
stances in Shan-tung no other plan is possible. Where
could we obtain native preachers for teaching and super-
intending the one hundred and fifty stations already
established. There are less than a dozen candidates for
the ministry in the whole field. We cannot yet know
how many of these will be acceptable to the people ; and
the number of stations is constantly increasing. Were it
desirable to supply each station with a native preacher,
we have not the men, and it would not be reasonable to
suppose that we should have at this stage of our work.
If we had the men, who would support them? The
natives at present are too weak to do it, and if the foreign
boards were able to assume this burden, their doing so
would establish a precedent which would add very much
to the difficulties of making the native Churches inde-
pendent and self-supporting in the future.
In my opinion we may go a step farther, and say that
the introduction of paid preachers in each station, even if
it were possible, would not at present be desirable. The
leaders understand better than a person from a distance
could the individual peculiarities of their neighbours, and
also the tones and mflections of the local dialect, and
local expressions, illustrations, and habits of thought.
They are likely to be more interested in those about
them, most of whom may be called their own converts,
than any one else could be, and are more disposed to
give them the care and attention necessary in instructing
beginners. In teaching they set an example to others ;
a larger number of teachers is thus secured than could be
obtained in any other way, and learning and teaching go
on together ; the one preparing for the other, and the
teaching being an important part of the learning, perhaps
Suite as useful to the teacher as to the taught. Though
le knowledge of the leaders may be elementary and
incomplete, they are quite in advance of the other Church
members and inquirers, and what they do know is past
what the others need first to leam^ and the leaders are
especially fitted to communicate this knowledge, simply
because they are not widely separated in intelligence and
sympathy from those who are to be taught.
It must be admitted that here we are apt to meet in the
beginning with serious difficulties. Sometimes it is almost
impossible to find a leader. The station contains perhaps
not a single person who can read. Even then, however,
a modification of our plan is found to work good results
in the end. If the weak station is within reach of a
stronger, older one, it can obtain help by worshipping
with and gaining instruction from it, or bv some member
of the older station coming to spend Sunoay wiUi his less-
advanced and less'&voured brethren. The helper, too,
is expected to give special time and care to these weak
stations. There are not a few cases of men, and also of
women, who at first could not read, but can now read the
Scriptures, teach and lead the singing, and are not only
efficient leaders in their own station, but exert a happy
influence outside of it.
From the first we emphasize teaching rather than
preaching, I here use the word "preaching" in its
specific sense of logical and more or less elaborate
dissertation. We should remember that continuous dis-
course is something which is almost unknown in China.
Even educated Chinamen follow it with difficulty.
A carefully-prepared sermon from a trained native
preacher or a foreign missionary, such a sermon as
would be admirably suited to an intelligent educated
Christian congregation, is out of place in a new station.
From the fact that it is adapted to another kind of con-
gregation, it is by necessary consequence unsuitable here.
An attempt at formal preaching bv those who have
neither the spiritual knowledge nor the intellectual and
practical training to fit them for it is still more to be depre-
cated. We who are accustomed from childhood to
instruction by lectures and sermons^ naturally, and very
properly, introduce them in the mission centres where we
are located ; and our personal teachers and pupils trained
in our schools become accustomed to them, and are
profited by them. In the country stations a few of the
more advanced Christians may be benefited by a sermon,
but to the great body of hearers who most need instruc-
tion, it would be like listening to utterances in an
unknown tongue. This kind of preaching gives rise in
the Church from its very infancy to a kind of formalism
which is almost fatal to growth and progress. The con-
gregation rises, or sits, or kneels as directed, and may
maintain a reverent attitude, and listen, or have the
appearance of listening, to what is said — in a word, they
have a service, and go home with their consciences
satisfied, but their minds not enlightened. Even the
Quaker method of sitting before God in silent medita-
tion or mute reverence would be preferable to having the
mind distracted by allusions to something they have not
heard of, thoughts beyond their reach, and processes of
reasoning which they cannot follow. I am far from say-
ing that no good is accomplished. Those who engage m
such a service, as many of them do, feeling that tney are
offering homage and worship to the true God, their
heave^y Father, though they may only catch an occa-
sional idea from a prayer, or an exhortation, or a sermon,
will be benefited, and their worship will no doubt be
accepted. Most of the persons in our congregation are,
as regards their mental development, in the condition of
children, and have to be treated as such.
But to return to the methods of teaching which we
have been led to adopt. All converts at first receive more
or less oral instruction and direction from the foreign
missionary, or the native helper, or the leader by whom
they are brought into the Church. They are required to
conmiit to memory and to learn the meaning of a simple
catechism containmg a compendium of Christian doctrine,
and also forms of prayer and passages of Scripture.
During the period of probation they are expected to
attend service regularly, and to perform the religious
duties of professing Christians. The time of probation
has varied from six months (or less in exceptional cases)
to one or two years. Our English Baptist brethren have
CHINA'S MILUONS.
AN ORHAMBNTAL DOORWAY.
146
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
recently increased it, fixing the minimum at eighteen
months.
We have found it necessary, in order to systematise and
unify our work, to establish rules and regulations, which
are put up in the chapels as placards. Most of them
having been adopted by Mr. Corbett and myself, are now
embodied in the new edition of the Manual for Inquirers,
which is published by the North China Tract Society.
This manual, the catechism, and the Gospels are the
books which I place in the hands of every inquirer, and
little more is needed for years in the way of text books
for those who have not previously learned to read.
The manual contains general directions for prosecuting
Scripture studies, forms of prayer, the Apostles' Creed,
and select passages of Scripture to be committed to
memory. Then follows a large selection of Scripture
stories and parables, with directions as to how they
should be recited and explained. Only the subjects of
these are given, with references to the places in the Bible
where they are to be found. Then follow rules for the
organisation and direction of stations, duties of leaders,
and rules for their guidance, a system of forms for keep-
ing station records of attendance and studies, etc. ; a
form of Church government, Scripture lessons for pre-
paring for baptism, the same for preparing for the
Lord's Supper, order of exercises for Church service, and
directions for spending Sunday ; a short Scripture cate-
chism enforcing the duty of giving of our substance for
benevolent purposes, and a short essay on the duty of
every Christian to make known the Gospel to others. To
the whole is appended questions on the various parts
specially prepared to facilitate the teaching and examina-
tion of learners. A selection of our most common hymns
is also sometimes bound up with the volume.
Studies prosecuted are divided into six kinds ; all
Church members and inquirers are supposed to be carry-
ing on two or three of these at the same time, of which
a complete record is kept. The six kinds of studies are :
learning to read, memorising Scripture, reading Scripture
in course, telling Scripture stories, learning the meaning
of Scriptures, and reviews of former exercises. The
books used are almost exclusively in Mandarin, in the
Chinese character.
We find catechisms and Scripture question books of
great use, not only for inquirers, but for the more advanced
Christians.
1 give great prominence to learning and reciting
Scripture stories and parables, and nothing has been
found to produce more satisfactory results. It excites
interest, develops thought, and furnishes in a simple form
a compendium of Bible history and Christian duty ; while
a careful training in relating Bible stories and drawing
practical lessons from them is one of the best ways of
developing preaching talent whenever it is found.
Native scholars as well as the illiterate are required to
learn the manual, not only for their own sakes, but in
order to teach others. They soon familiarise themselves
with its contents, and pass on to the general study of the
Scriptures, with the help of commentaries.
Bible or Training Class. — The stations of Mr. Corbett
and myself are, on an average, about two hundred miles
distant from our home in Che-foo. In visiting them we
have only time for necessary examinations, together with
general instructions and directions. To secure thorough
and methodical teaching, no plan has been found practic-
able but that of a select number of the learners coming
to us in Che-foo. These have been organised into classes
which have formed a kind of Normal School. At first
inquirers came. Since stations have been established,
inquirers in the vicinity of them prepare for baptism at
home. For several years past our classes have been com-
posed of the most advanced Church members, specially
selected and invited. They come with the understanding
that in going back to their homes they are to communi-
cate what they have learned to others. They arc in no
sense in our employ or pay, and their previous occupa-
tions and relations continue as before. As we are absent
on our tours in the spring and autumn, the classes
assemble in Che-foo during the summer and winter
months, when we are at home, and continue in session
from six weeks to two months.
In many cases we have been obliged to pay the
travelling expenses of members of the classes in returning
home; the money they bring with them being as a rule ex-
pended before the session is over. During the last few
years, however, not a few have provided their own
travelling expenses for both coming and returning. Dur-
ing their stay with us they are guests, we furnishing them
with food and lodgings. We have found this course
necessary, and do not think it under the circumstances, un-
reasonable. Most of these students are poor, and could
not afford to pay all their expenses. Coming as they do,
requires what is to them a considerable outlay in provid-
ing decent clothing and food by the way. The loss of
time in attending the class is also to some a matter of
no small importance. Many incur heavy expenses in the
course of a year in discharging the duties of Christian
hospitality in their homes, where they have frequent visits
from natives and foreigners, so that in entertaining them
while with us we are only in part repaying in kind for
what they have already expended in establishing and ex-
tending the work in their own neighbourhoods.
The studies while with us are mainly Scriptural, with
additional elementary instruction in astronomy, geo-
graphy, and history, and general knowledge. Here, as
in the stations, lessons are carried on catechetically, and
what is taught one day is the subject of examination the
next. Much attention is also given to rehearsing Scrip-
ture stories. One hour a day is assigned to instruction
in vocal music, which has been taught for many years
principally by Mrs. Nevius, who has devoted herself to it
with smgular assiduity and success. While the classes
are with us we give nearly all our time and strength to
them. Those who come here with an earnest purpose to
learn enjoy the exercises, and are benefited by them ;
those who do not cannot bear the pressing and soon find
an excuse for going home.
My classes have numbered of late about forty. So far
as practicable, the same individuals come year after year.
They have gone over the Gospels (some of them
repeatedly), the Acts of the Apostles, Romans, and several
of the other epistles, and part of the Old Testament.
Their proficiency in Scripture knowledge will compare
favourably with that of intelligent adult classes in Sunday-
schools at home. They could sustain a very creditable
examination on the Acts of the Apostles, and also on
Romans, mastering the argument, and being able to repro-
duce it. Some have written while here so full and clear
an analysis of that epistle, that their manuscripts were
sought for and copied by others who could not come to
the class. The hymns which they sing are for the most
part translations of familiar English hymns, in the same
metres as the originals, and sung to the same familiar
tunes. They are taught to sing by note^ and some of
them read music very well. They have great difficulty
with the half-tones, their scale and ours being different.
These classes have almost fulfilled their purpose, and
will probably soon give place to theological classes ; those
who have attended them have acquired such a familiarity
with the Scripture as enables them now to carry on their
studies at home, with the help of commentaries and other
Christian books.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
147
afplxsms at Itmg-kfajolj ifu.
FROM MR. QEO. MILLER.
|1NG-KW0H FU, ApHl 13M.— Last month,
owing to the examination in this prefecture, the
city was very busy. I had the evangelist from
Wu-hu helping me, and we had preaching in the chapel
forenoon and afternoon. Praise God, many came and
heard the glad tidings.
One evening a mandarin came, accompanied by a few
scholars. I had a short conversation with him before the
service, and was glad to find that he understood in part
the Gospel of Christ. He said that he had the New
Testament in his home, and that by reading it he had
been convinced of the truth of the Gospel story.
I had a grant of 2,000 Gospels from Mr. Archibald, of
the Scottish Bible Society, Han-kow, and we distributed
1,800 at the examination hall door to the students as they
came out. They were very unruly, and I was crushed
severely against an adjoining wall. However, praise the
Lord, He preserveth them that love Him. We also sold
700 or 800 Gospels at the chapel -door.
You will be glad to hear of two opium-smokers who
have been led to give up this terrible habit. One is a
man of fifty years of age, who has already ruined his
family and character, and now walks the streets all tattered
and torn ; but, thank God, he has been delivered, and
will, I believe, subse((uently become a follower of the
Lord. The other man is a teacher. He told me that He
was ill for a few days, but that he kept looking to God,
and now he thanks God because he is free.
The old man, who was formerly a leader of the vege-
tarians, is still holding steadfast to the truth, and will, I
expect, receive baptism next week. A few days ago I had
a conversation with him. He was very lively indeed, and
expressed his desire to try and win others to the Saviour.
I also hope that my teacher will follow Jesus in bap-
tism. He IS a sincere believer of the Gospel — a quiet,
thoughtful old gentleman. ' Last month he went home to
see his family. He is a good scholar and very influential
among his friends. Since he returned he has been very
happy. He brought his son with him to receive Gospel
instruction. Pray that he may be led to stand up boldly
for Jesus, and may be full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.
I am glad to say that the Christians are more lively,
and the attendance at the services better. One of the
inquirers, an old woman, brought six of her friends to
hear the Gospel. Oh, that those who hear and believe
the Gospel would bring their friends to Jesus I If every
individual Christian brought their friends to Jesus, how
soon would all know and enjoy the blessing of salvation !
1 have opened a school for boys, and at present have
four pupils. Lately I was called to a man and a woman
who had eaten opium. I am glad to say that both were
restored.
May yd. — " The Lord hath made known His salva-
tion. His righteousness hath He openly shewed in the
sight of the heathen." I do feel like singing all the time,
for the Lord*s goodness to me passeth all understanding.
I am satisfied that life on earth can be made so sweet and
happy that we shall wonder whether we are in the body
or out of the body.
" Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My dear Redeemer's praise —
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.'*
I feel this poor stammering tongue quite unfit to praise
Him as I ought, but. Hallelujah ! Christ is coming. Then
in a nobler, sweeter song I will for ever praise Him.
It is indeed with great joy that I tell a little of the work
that has been done here during the last month. Mr.
Cooper had the pleasure of baptising five converts. Pre-
vious to baptising them he examined them as to their
knowledge and belief in the fundamental truths of our
most holy religion, and I am glad to say that they were
all able to give an intelligent reason for the hope that was
in them. I think April 25th (Easter Sunday) will not
soon be a forgotten day to me.
Mr. Cooper arrived on Friday, 23rd, and that evening
and the following day was spent in earnest prayer for the
outpouring of God's Spirit upon His people, and especially
upon those who were about to be received into the
Church. We had much liberty and power in prayer, and
felt that the Lord was indeed with us. At 10.30 on
Sunday the morning service began. Mr. Cooper took for
his text John xv. 8, and the Lord spoke powerfully through
him. After the baptisms we all sat down to partake of
the Lord's Supper, and it seemed to me like sitting at the
foot of Calvary, I had such a vivid sight of Christ's
sufferings.
In the afternoon we were again encouraged and helped
very much. The chapel was filled, and the hearers were
most attentive. How the Lord is answering our prayers
and those of our dear friends at home ! Nothing but the
working of the Holy Ghost could have made those people
so attentive. In the evening Mr. Cooper spoke from the
parable of the sower, and it rejoiced our hearts to see how
the people comprehended the Word of God.
" As the rain cometh down and the snoiv from heaven,
and retumeth not thither, but watereth the earth, and
maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the
sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goeth
forth out of my mouth ; it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and prosper
in the thing whereunto I sent it." These words are very
cheering to me ; preaching day after day with so little
apparent result. The enemy tries to discourage, but, thank
God, " He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtl-'ss come again with rejoicing, bringing
his sheaves with him.''
It may be interesting if I give you a description of the
five converts who were baptised. Two are old men, one
an old woman, and two are boys, thechildren of disciples.
One of the old men, sixty-five years of age, is the husband
of the woman I baptized last year. He is a very quiet,
thoughtful old man, and for nine months he has had the
privilege of hearing the Gospel. A month or two since
he understood by simple faith what it was to have his
sins washed away in the blood of the Lamb, and it was
then that he asked me to baptize him. Since then he has
had family prayer, and, although he cannot read, his
progress is really wonderful. Although he is poor, he
observes the Sabbath. He told me that after he was
baptized his soul was filled with joy.
The other old man is the vegetarian I told you of. He
is full of enthusiasm, and, praise God, it is accompanied
with knowledge. He was a vegetarian twelve years, but
was led last year to renounce these views, being at that
time, I believe, translated from the kingdom of darkness
148
CHINAS MILLIONS.
into God's marvellous light. He came out decidedly for
the Lord, and since then has had a good deal of persecu-
tion. Now he has returned to his home in the village, and
intends to make known the Gospel to his friends. May
the Lord make him a burning and shining light.
The old woman is the wife of the oldest member here.
For a few months past there has been a visible change in
her deportment She has been very earnest in bringing
many of her friends to hear the Gospel. I do hope that
she will go on to work for the Master. Since she was
baptised she has sent me word by her little boy (who is
a pupil in the school) that she is very happy.
One of the boys is a son of this old woman. He is a
very intelligent lad, and well acquainted with the Old and
New Testaments. His prayers are so simple and fervent
they cheer me very much. He does not know what it is
to worship idols, for his father was a Christian for many
years before he was baptized. I have asked him to teach
the younger scholars, and yesterday, after the service, he
began to tell them of Jesus. He is teaching one little
boy the Lord's Prayer. I do believe that this lad will in
the future become one of the pillars of the Church. The
Lord keep him from all evil.
The other boy is the son of the evangelist I hope
that the few words I have written about these young
Christians will lead dear Christian friends to be more
earnest in prayer that they may grow in grace. I do
believe that those who have just been added to the
Church are as droppings to the showers which are
coming.
You will be glad to hear that Mr. Cooper also baptised
five converts at Wu-hu (a treaty port on the Yang-tse).
I do trust that soon I may see many poor heathen
casting their idols away and following the one living and
true God. The old woman who was baptized last year
has given me her idolatrous pictures.
IP^rsjemtbit anltr gaptxsms — % iisil I0 |^u-r]^eit0-tsi|^*
FROM MR. COOPER.
|ULY 9th. — The Christians here were, as usual,
delighted to see me, and each vied with the other
in entertaining me. I have been here just about
a week, and this is the first time I have had any time to
myself to do a little writing. Every morning about six
o'clock some messenger has arrived from the village to
ask me out to breakfast at one house or another, then,
after breakfast, they invite the neighbours in and we have
a service ; after which we go to another house or two, and
we have a meeting, then dine with some of them, and
return here at dark to have evening prayers.
These dear people are all poor, hardworking husband-
men, and they are building a chapel in the village, which is
not yet finished — only the walls are up, and the roof
thatched with straw. They would have finished it but
their money is all used up, and the wheat harvest has
been a great failure, so they are pretty hard up, and must
wait until the rice and peas are reaped before making any
further contributions.
It would be an easy matter to give them a donation of
mission- money to finish the whole thing off, but that
would take away the independence which I am anxious to
cultivate. I would ten times rather see a rough bam
with mud walls and floor, and thatched roof, built by the
Christians themselves, and filled with a living Church of
hard-working Christians, than one built at great expense
with foreign money and very few in it, and these few like
spoilt children who have always been carried in their
mother's arms, and have never yet learned to walk.
On Wednesday we had — not the laying of a foundation
stone, but a sort of informal opening service at the chapel,
the Christians bringing their forms with them to sit on.
It was an interesting service, for we had a baptism of five
in the stream close by, at the close of the meeting.
July 7.0th, — Fuh-hsing-tsih, — Since I last wrote I have
seen much of the Lord's goodness. Went to Hsuen-
shan-tsih last Monday, and saw the man who was so
very severely beaten by a nephew that he has been
spitting blood for three months. He is a simple country-
man, and about a month ago this nephew came in the
middle of the night with a constable and assistants, armed
with guns, swords, and chains, and bound him, to drag
him off to the magistrate. The man who lived next door
interposed, saying it was against the law to bind a man
who had committed no crime, and compelled them to take
him wherever they took his brother. They went as far as
the constable's house, where they were treated like
criminals, having a little straw given them to lie on at the
door of the house. They spent the time in prayer, asking
God to help them. In the morning the village elders, or
jurors, were called together for the purpose of framing a
charge, when, to the surprise of the Christians, they
ordered their release, and told the constable and nephew
that profession of Christianity was no infringement of the
laws.
The man who had so nobly followed his Master, now
turned the tables, and demanded to be taken before the
magistrate, as he wished to preach the Gospel to him ;
however, after some discussion they agreed to return
home.
I spent five days there, and baptised ten in the small
stream close by the house in which 1 was staying. Since
coming here I have heard that one of the ten baptised
has been turned out by his elder brother because he joined
the despised followers of the Nazarene.
August 2nd, — Gan-k'ing, — I must now detail my
Sabbath at Fuh-hsing-tsih. Owing to the busy season
we had the baptism on Sabbath. Several of the Christians
from the villages round came over, as we were to have the
Lord's Supper in the afternoon, and they had never seen
that ordinance. We had a splendid service in the morning,
and at the close marched ofi* single file to a small stream.
Groups of men were hoeing weeds in the fields, who asked
what was the matter. " Oh ! we're going to the little
Jordan river to be baptised," was thejr prompt reply;
'* come and see." By the time we got to the stream there
were nearly a hundred persons gathered on the hillside,
looking at the wonderful sight to them of the first Christian
baptism. The Christians sang the doxology over and over
again as each one came out of the water, and I could
not help saying in Chinese, " Praise the Lord ! "
Several returned with us to the meeting afterwards,
and my dear old teacher struck the anvil whUe it was hot,
and invited them to come forward as candidates, and to
promise to attend the services. Four or five came for-
ward, saying that they knew now that this was no secret
society, but was conducted openly and clearly.
We had a splendid time in the afternoon, when twenty
of us met around the Lord's Table to remember His great
love and suffering which had brought such joy to us. It
would have done your soul good to hear them sing,
" Oh, happy day ; " it was not easy to keep time, as thi^
CHINAS MILLIONS.
149
sing without any regard to time or measure, but one
could not but think that they were offering praises accept-
able in God's ear.
We had a third service in the evening, and there
seemed such a readiness to listen, and the people needed
instruction so much, that I determined to leave my old
friend and teacher with them for another month. They
expressed delight at this, and I trust many will get
blessing through him.
Next morning we had an early breakfast, and I started
off after a short prayer-meeting with them. Many of
them had come up to see me off, and my host went with
me himself, taking his donkey for me to ride on, and a
man to carry my things. We travelled sixty // that day,
and rested at a small village, noted for its swarms of
mosquitoes. We got up about three a.m. to travel in the
cool of the morning, and so managed twenty // before
sunrise ; then after breakfast went to Pu-keo Hien, and
rested about three hours, then took a boat to Nan -kin,
fifteen // distant. I wanted to pay the man, but he would
not take it ; as fast as I put the money down he returned
it to my bag. The old man would not accept anything
for expenses of the donkey or himself, nor allow me to pay
a cash for board, etc., while with him. This does not look
much like " rice Christianity," does it ?
I hope to spend this month here teaching the inquirers
and having a baptism. Last Sabbath I preached on
2 Tim. iii. 12, and urged the inquirers not to come for-
ward if they were not prepared to suffer for Christ's sake.
I sought to set the joys of following Christ fully before
them, and also the blessedness of suffering for Him.
Since then, instead of getting frightened and drawing
back, about a dozen have given in their names, so we have
nearly twenty inquirers here now. Surely the Lord is
answering prayer ! If we do but walk humbly with Him,
He will not leave us without a witness ; now is the hour
of temptation.
*' When success attends their mission,
Let Thy servants humbler be,"
is often on my lips. Amen.
Jftmalc llittjeratbtt*
FROM MISS BYBON.
|IU-CHAU, Au^st lotK — Since I wrote, Miss
Lily Webb, Miss Legg, and I have been taken
away from the happy family in Yang-chau for
work in different places. We went by Kiu-kiang to Ta-
ku-t*ang and left Miss Legg there. Miss L. Webb and I
starting after breakfast next morning, joined by Misses
Gray and Macintosh. We went down the Po-yang lake,
passing Kwei-k*i and Ho-k'eo, changing for smaller boats
at each place, the water being very shallow. Miss
Macintosh and I went on to Yuh-shan, leaving Miss L.
Webb and Miss Gray at Ho-k'eo.
Miss Macintosh spent a fortnight in Yuh-shan, and then
returned to her work in the Kiu-chau school, while I
stayed a week longer. We travelled alone, /. ^., without a
foreign escort, we had two native Christians with us. The
Lord did indeed go before us, and made our way prosper-
ous : we had no trouble about luggage or anything all
through our journey, no difficulty in passing the customs.
We stopped seven times between Ta-ku-t'ang and Yuh-
shan at villages, fishing ports, and walled cities too, and
we were kindly received everywhere ; we sold gospels
gave away tracts, and spoke to the people. It was really
very sad to see all these places altogether without the
Gospel.
At Kwei-k^i there is a little church : Miss Macintosh
and I went to the morning service, there were a good
many women present. After the service she took nine
unbaptized Christian women upstairs and had a prayer-
meeting, while I kept the others downstairs and spoke to
them. There is another little church at Ho-k'eo. In the
Yuh-shan church there are thirty-seven Christians, and
there is another little church at Chang-shan. We are
expecting a few baptisms in Kiu-chau soon. I am
staying here until the alterations are finished at Chang-
shan, which I expect will not be long. I passed through
on my way here, saw a little of the Christians^ and liked
them very much. I am so glad I am going there, I
am sure I shall be very happy ; it is so good of the Lord
to send me. Do pray that I may be made a great
blessing.
Jfttrtjy^r Citrm0S ittm C^ttg-h'mg.
m
FROM MRa NIOOLL.
HIEN YA-MEN, CHUNG-K^NG, August
loM, 1886.— The Lord reigneth. It is a grief
^__ after all these years of service for the Master
here, and after the number of people we have tried to do
good to, body and soul, that we should have to leave in
this way. One thought makes it seem less hard to bear —
that it was many from a distance who were the leaders, it
being the great examination year, although of course the
bad men of the city joined in stirring up the people. One
other thought is a comfort ; we know thatpur all-wise and
loving Father can **make the wrath of nian to praise
Him," and we have the promise that " All things work
together for good to them who love God : " this must be
one of the all things. May it prove but the cloud before
the bright sun- rising on this needy city. We have watched
and prayed and waited for God's Holy Spirit to be poured
out on these poor people, and have been praying to God
for some time that He might better fit us for service and
endue us with power from on High.
I often felt while praying that it was a solenm thing*,
for we knew not in what way we might have to suffer m
order to be purified, but I knew and felt that whatever
God's will might be, He would also give the grace and
strength needed for the trial.
The day previous to the riot, my husband and I spent
in fasting and prayer between the times of waiting on
Bro. McMullan, for we had kept from him the trouble that
we felt was impending, and we hoped God might frustrate
the designs ot wicked men. We feel quite sure that
God granted our desire, not in preventing the trial, but,
as in the case of Paul, m granting the grace and strength
to bear it, for we have realized in a marvellous way God's
sustaining power.
Although we have lost everything, and things that
I50
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
money can never replace, such as our parents' portraits
and those of friends who have gone on oefore us to our
home above, as also their gifts, yet I have not shed a tear
for any of these, but my heart does feel sad to see these
poor weak lambs of the fold, as it were, without a shepherd.
I trust the Great Shepherd will give them strength to
be real and whole-hearted for their Master. Some of the
Roman Catholics have recanted, and afterwards have had
their houses burned all the same, the people laughing at
them for recanting.
Two of our members have lost everything, and it is
thought that no recompense will be made to natives.
Over one hundred Roman Catholic families are houseless.
Our friends all left us for down the river on the i6th of
July; we remained behind, though some tried to persuade
us to leave with them ; we had matters to settle, my
children were scattered, and the man at the money-shop
owed us money. My husband wanted to pay for a year's
rent to our landlady. Her house is all pulled down;
besides there are others further inland, who must have
suffered suspense in delay of letters, which pass through
Chungking, so we have waited till arrangements could be
made with our postman here to forward the different
parcels, after letting our Bro. Broumton know at Wuchang
to pack letters up for each province separately. The
first parcels arrivea to-day, divided in that way. The post-
man came to let us know he had sent them on, and the
accounts being all settled up for our fellow-missionaries,
we hope if the water falls to get away this week, if we
can get our passport. Mr. Bourne, H.B.M. Resident,
thought we could go down the river with him, but he
cannot get matters settled yet, and thinks it best for us to
l^et away before the final examination. They are expect-
mg further trouble next month, when the students come
into the city.
They still intend, if they can, to loot the house of one
very wealthy Roman Catholic, who got several roughs to
help him protect his house, and was successful in keeping
out the mob, but not without taking life. A Roman
Catholic collie, at a place about loo li from the city,
was burnt down, also a great number of books for their
students, and they say it was a more expensive building
than the cathedral in the city. One Roman Catholic
priest, a Frenchman, died on the way into this city; some
of the soldiers were wounded and one killed.
I had recently the joy of hearing my first scholar
testify to being quite happy on her death-bed ; she had
desired for a long time to be baptised, but her frither
would not give his consent She was ill for nearly twelve
months, we did all that we could for her, and I had her with
me upon the hills after Bro. Hughesdon was better ; she
seemed to gain a little, but came home only a few days
before she died. She was one of the nicest girls I ever
met in China, and until she grew to the age when it is
the custom for girls not to go out, she was a great
comfort and help to me. Often when I have been
crowded with visitors, she has been in one room explaining
the doctrine, her mother in another, and I have had
visitors in a third room ; one day, when she felt better,
while over on the hills, she helped one of the children
with her lessons. I had looked forward to her helping
me with the children, but God has given her higher
service. Her mother is the Bible-woman, and just now
needs your prayers much. Our children are in her care,
and many are trying to frighten her by calling out at her
door ''foreigner," and saying that when they beat the
Roman Catholics at the final examination they will be
sure to come to her house. She feels the loss of her
daughter, for they were devoted to each other.
FROM THE DIAR7 OF MB. BBAUOHAMP.
|UNE isth to 25th.— Chinese life ! How little can
any one imagine it without having seen it 1
And one may nave seen it from the outside with-
out ever seeing or knowing it on the inside. I look back
on my experience of a year in China, and perhaps some
may ask, Would you not really like to be back m Eng-
land ? and such like questions. Now every child of God
knows that happiness is alone enjoyed in walking in
obedience to Goa's revealed will, and so conscious am I
of being where God has placed me that no further desire
enters my head : it is not duty, no, but joy unspeakable
and very real. The peace of God which passeth under-
standing just now keeps my heart and mind, and as I
write 1 do testify to reality. God is more real, heaven is
more real, hell is more real, and eternity is more real to
me than ever before. And shall I say, too, that the devil
also is more real ? Yes, we need all our brethren's prayers
that we may be kept faithful and walking humbly with
our God. We have our Canaan battles to fight.
I write the more hopefully as the first year is always
the most trying, being unaccustomed to the climate, the
people, their words, ways, and manners, while one's vari-
ous prejudices and many insular ideas have to give way in
adapting ourselves to the dear people we come to save.
The past year has been truly fraught with blessing. As the
mountains are round about Jerusalem, so hath the Lord
been around us, and we have learnt of Him as we never
could in England ; yet we are in a world of sin and there-
fore of sorrow, and the only remedy for the sorrow is by
the cleansing away of sin, and it has only one remedy.
As I write I never felt more full of zeal and fire in my
soul to go forward and fight the good fight, storming the
strongholds of sin and Satan, believing that '* God is
able." God says, ** Is anything too hard for the Lord ? '
What shall we say to that ? Let us act up to our answer,
and prove that we mean what we say, assured that God
will take us at our word this day.
While rejoicing in spirit, I can say, with St. Paul, I
have great heaviness and sorrow for our dear Chinese
brethren. During my first few months my feeling was
that they were a light-hearted and apparently happy
people, with no outward manifestation of sm or depravity;
but experience, alas 1 tells one differently. They have sad
and weary hearts, and very little joy in life, and many,
many court death as a happy release — which is proved by
the terrible number of opium-poisoning cases ; we are
sometimes called out to two or three in one sinp^le day.
It is so easy for them to buy a pennyworth of opium and
eat it, just to drown their sorrow by sending them into a
deep sleep from which they never awake in this life.
Perhaps facts are the most telling, and may lead some to
feel the need of China in a real and practical way.
A few days back — Sunday afternoon— 1 was just enjoying
a blessed Bible study on the subject of prayer, our great
need to be Jacobs prevailing with God. Suddenly a loud
knock was heard. " Who's there .? " " Taken opium," was
the brief reply. Mr. Phelps, who is in charge of the
house, feeling rather unwell, asked me to go — though I
can only speak in a very limited way at present After
the few usual conventional questions of name, age, place,
CHINAS MILLIONS.
151
circumstances, and, most important of all, " How long
taken?" I followed the man to the north street some
little way, he then led me through a dhop fronting the
main street, into a sort of court where a number of people
were clustered together — the majority idlers, taking but
little concern ; at last seeing one or two with anxious
faces, I asked. Where is the person who has taken opium ?
and was led into an inner chamber resembling a tem-
porary refuge for cattle rather than a house — wicker walls,
a thatched roof and a mud floor ; a bedstead and straw
pallet, no windows, a rough table in one corner, and a low
stool, completed the furniture. Seated on the stool I beheld
so sad a sight — a poor woman in a torpid sort of state, sup-
ported by a relative. I opened the eye to see if it was sensi-
tive ; finding it so, I asked for some warm water and mixed
a tablespoonful of mustard into a cupful for an emetic, also
a dose of zinc for a similar purpose. After about half an
hour of painful suspense occupied in telling them a little
about the love of God, to which they listened attentively,
the medicine took effect, and the woman being consider-
ably restored, I left. Being thus called from a quiet
meditation to a scene of wretchedness, my first natural
impulse was to think. Oh ! what a trouble it is ! then I
remembered it was for Jfesus I went. He had sent for
me, and I was so happy m soul all through.
On Monday morning I was again called to another
opium case, on the south street. I went with Mr. Gill, and
was successful, and again it was a woman who had taken
it.
But the saddest case was yesterday. I went with Mr. Gill
in the morning, and applied the usual remedy, with appa-
rent success ; but, alas ! the opium had already got into the
system. This time it was a woman about thirty. Last
night we were called in again, but only to see the painful
sight of a soul passing away without God. After being
there a few minutes my brain seemed to whirl, and I
caught hold of the door to prevent falling. I could just
claim the Lord's promise to strengthen and help His
children. I sat on a bench outside, and the cool air
revived me, and with sad hearts we left. I will leave
these few facts to speak for themselves.
To turn to a more joyful theme. The Lord's work
Erospers, and we are expecting great things ; souls are
eing saved and sanctified. Some of the Christians have,
indeed, to bear up against persecution from their friends
and relatives. Our nightly preaching at the rooms on the
main street is encouraging, though we naturally have
difficulties to encounter, all of which are opportunities for
our glorious Master to triumph. Last night we had a
capital time from eight to ten o'clock. The people
listened most attentively, and the natives helped us in
preaching.
lor \\t
A LETTER FBOM
|AN-CHUNG YV, January 19M.— Some of you little
folks are beginning to think it time for another letter
from China, are you not ? Well, to tell you a secret,
I think the same, and so this evening I am trying to write you a
little one, at any rate. You know how busy the streets are in
our dear old England just about Christmas-time, don't you ? All
the shops decked out in their best, and people crowding into
them to buv, and so many people going up ana down the streets.
Well, in China you know they have no Christmas, because the
poor people don't know about Christ, so of course they cannot
keep His birthday, but they think a great deal of the New Year,
which is now only a fortnight off. New Year's Day this year is
on our 4th of February. At this time of the year the fathers are
busy buying and selling, and the mothers making new clothes
and shoes for the children, and the little children helping the
mothers. In China, when a little girl wants a new pair of shoes,
she does not go to a shop and get some tilted on and buy them,
but her mother cuts her out cloth for the top of the shoes and
shows her how to work flowers on it, and then how to make the
soles and put them together, so that quite little girls arc soon
able to make their own shoes. There is one very great differ-
ence between your shoes and theirs ; though you want each pair
of shoes larger than the last, they want, after a certain age,
every pair smaller than the one before it ; because their poor
little feet are just crushed up to prevent them growing. I expect
you know all about that, don't you ? In spite of the pain it
gives them, the little girls are very fond of having new shoes,
and very proud of them and glad to be able to help make their
own.
We are going to break up school in another week, and
then, right up to New Yearns Day the children will be very
busy helping at home. I expect some of you have been praying
for the little children in China, have you not ? If so, you will
be very glad to hear something that I have to tell you— that is,
that all the children who come to school now say they love
Jesus, and want to be His little girls, and don't want to worship
the idols ever any more. The other day I asked one little girl
what she would do if her father and mother wanted her to wor-
ship idols, and she said directly : " I would tell them that those
are all false gods, and that I believe in the one true God in
heaven." I then said, " But what if they are angry with vou and
beat you, would you still be able to refuse to worship ? " She
MISS MABSTON.
said, " No ; I would not be able, \mi Jesus would make me able."
One dear little girl, whose mother is a Christian, but whose
father and brothers are not, told me the other day, ** My
father and brothers beat me when I tell them about Jesus."
I think I will tell you next what I have been doing to-day.
Directly after breakfast this morning, I sent for a sedan chair ;
and packed myself into it, to go six miles into the country, to a
place where there are a good man^ Christians, and teach the
women. I expect you have seen a picture of these chairs. Two
men carry them, one going in front and one behind. If they
walk well it is very pleasant, but if they jolt one about, it makes
one feel quite sea-sick. For my journey to-day I had two good
bearers, and so I got to the end of my journey safe and sound in
about two hours. All the women come together, to a house
with a nice, large central room, and there I teach them. Before
they had all come, and after I had talked with them a little, I
hung up a larpe hymn sheet on the wall, and made them repeat
the n)min, going over and over it till they knew it —two verses
of it at least. The hymn was " One there is above all others."
Afterwards we sang the hymn, and then I read to them from the
Bible, and taught them, just like a Sunday-school class at home.
They were much more attentive than many Sunday-scholars,
though, and seemed to understand better. After we had been
togeSier about an hour-and-a-half, my scholars went to their
homes, and I had some dinner. A good-sized basin of stuff,
something like vermicelli — long strings — with a sort of pickle to
flavour it. I was very hungry after my long ride and talking so
long, and did a good deal of work with my oiopsticks. As soon
as that business was disposed of, I got into my chair again and
started home with lots of good-byes, and good-wishes, and
invitations to come again. The chair-bearers, like horses,
always come home much faster than they go, so I reached home
about four o'clock, and was very glad of a rest, and, after that,
of a nice, comfortable English tea. After all, there is not so very
much difference between the Chinese who love the Lord Jesus
Christ and the English, for He is the same ever3nvhere, and so
His disciples are and ought to be the same. I am sure that if
you boys and girls, when you grow up, come away over to China
to teadi the people about God and Jesus, you will very soon get
to love them very much. Meanwhile, pray for them every day ;
and when you say "Thy Kingdom qome" think of China,
where as yet it has only come a very, very little.
IS2
CHINAS MILLIONS.
Cibings imm ^rattmtr M0rker»*
From Mr. James A. Heal.
Shing'hunj April 26/A,
Started at 11. 15 for Yih-k6-cun, one of our out-stations, about
25 /f away, and arrived at 3.15. The walk was very enjoyable
and pretty. A quantity of opium is grown in the valley, and it
is now in flower. The Christians seemed very glad to see us.
Prayer meeting in the evening, at which ten men and six women
were present.
Widnesday^ 28/A.— Started for Ng-long-zY. Passed through
two large villages. Plenty of room for work here !
Thursday^ 29/it. — This is a beautiful place. The temple is in
a valley 1,600 feet above the plain, while all around are hills,
some 3,000 feet high. Tea is grown round here. The priest
was very kind to us, and he, with another man, was at the
prayer meeting.
Friday^ 30M. — On our way back by a prettier route, we went
into a temple to rest. The priest immediately brought us tea,
and invited us to look round the temple, which was one of the
best I have yet seen. £ver]rthing was clean and orderly, and
the idols brightly gilded. We left a copy of St. Matthew's
Gospel. May God bless the very few words spoken to the
Christians and the tracts and Gospeb that were distributed.
Many and many a village we passed .through waiting for the
Gospel. May the record of our lives be that to this great work
and to our Master we were found faithful.
Sunday^ May 2nd, — This morning a little girl was called out
from the service and beaten by her father for attending. She was
with her mother, who is a Christian. They both went away
with the father, who is attached to a mandarin's office. The girl
has suffered more for the Master than I have. I have never been
beaten.
From Mr. Gribrson.
WuH'chaUt Jum iitk,
I reached Wun-chau on Friday last, and had a most hearty
welcome from Mr. and Mrs. Stott. The Lord willing, I am to
accompany Mr. Stott to Bing-yang to-morrow on a visit to the
station.
(San-j^fattg ^rofaint^*
From Mr. John Reid.
Chi'chau Fu,
April 19/A.— Opened a day-school for boys. There were six
scholars to-day, but I expect more in a few days. In the even-
ing I had a splendid time in the hall. A large number came in.
24/i. — During this week there have been didly a large number
of students commg. I have distributed a good many portions of
Scripture.
20/ii.— I started to-day for a short journey in the country, for
the double purpose of recruiting my health and selling books.
29/A. — I nad an unexpectedly large sale of books, receiving
over 1,600 cash.
30^A. — Arrived at a village about forty H (twelve miles) further
on about noon. I had quite a crowd of people in a short time,
nearly all of whom bought books. Had a splendid sale for Ae
size of the place.
May $ra. — Started on the return journey. Weather fine and
scenery beautiful.
5M. — Arrived at ChX-chau. During the journey sold 3,300
cash worth of books. My teacher has professed his faith in the
Lord Jesus, and desires to be baptised. I should be glad to
make room for a young man here, for I feel that I should be
much better for a companion.
From Mr, John Smith.
Ja-li Fu^ April iph.
We are not able to do much missionarv work yet, but we are
trading with our few talents as profitably as we can. In the
school we have eight boys ; six of them live here altogether, and
two come for their morning rice and for morning worship, and
remain in the school all day.
Ak'Ping is our eldest boy. He is about fourteen. He is one
of Mr. Clarke's boys. He was away for some time, but Mr.
Steven invited him back shortly before he left. He is a quiet,
nice boy, and / believe hi is a true Christian,
The next is Suan'ho, about thirteen. He is a stout, strong
boy, of a kind, generous disposition. He is, I believe, a true
Christian,
The third is Ts'unf-tUen, about ten years old. His meek,
gentle, retiring disposition, combined at times with all the fun
and frolic of l^yhood, makes him quite a favourite with old and
young. We have no doubt that he is a true Christian,
The fourth is about the same age, a lively boy, requiring to
be kept well in hand.
The fifth is Ling'Hng, about nine years old. He has not been
long here, and is just getting accustomed to law and order.
Chen-mei \s our youngest, about eight. He is a vtxy hopeful boy.
They have all fair mental ability. They are all m scnool from
nine to twelve a.m., and from one to four p.m. Each day they
commit to memory in school a portion of Mark's Gospel, and
of some other suitable religious book. The former they repeat
next morning at morning worship, and the latter at evening
worship. They also learn to write characters, and have a little
time left for the classics.
We sometimes go out into the Min-kia villages round the city.
We seek for those in each village who can read Chinese charac-
ter, and leave them some tracts and a copv or two of the Goi^>els.
We hope the seed thus sown may find an entrance into some
good ground, prepared by the Holy Spirit, and bring forth fruit
an hundredfold. We are sorry to see in, I think, every village
we have visited, the temples are either being repaired and en-
larged or new ones being built. I feel much drawn to these
people.
From Miss Drake.
ffaH'chw^, May li/l.
Went to Shih-pah-li-p*u with Mrs. Pearse. Vft started earlv,
as we wanted to see a dear old Christian woman who vi yccj ilL
We found them very poor indeed. Mr. Pearse had heard from
others that they were, and so we had gone provided. We found
out that whilst they had been to chapel on Sunday the landlord
of their little piece of land had sent and pulled up all their
wheat, which they had been depending upon to pay lum and get
food for themselves, but he would not wait, and did this cruel
thing, we think, because they were Christians. We did think it
was so nice of them : they did not say thev were so poor, or
anything about the landlord, until we asked them. I am sure
the Lord sent us there on Tuesday, and thejr thought so too.
May 13M. — Just as I was finishing my fiible-dass I received
a note to say that Miss Muir had got back with Dr. and Mrs.
Wilson. She is much better, and I have my friend again. I
believe I got a good lift with the language, but I do not enjoy
being alone. It seems so nice to have her home again.
May 14/i. — ^We had such a happy time with the children. I
had promised each one a picture-card, and Miss Mufr had pro-
mised a small Chinese book to those who could repeat some
hymns and a psalm when she came back, provided I could stve
a good account of them. They had been very good, and nad
tried to help me, so I gave a splendid report ; but Miss Muir
asked them if they could say themselves that they had been good
all the time, and, to my surprise, three little hands went up to
own to naughtiness. One case I knew nothing about, and the
others had been so slight, I had only had to remind them of their
promise to be good, and had no further trouble. Alt(^ether fi:9t
owned that th^ had been naughty, and the tears were in mv
eyes as I saw them, because they need not have said one wora.
Miss Muir said they would not have done that last year. It
shows that a work of grace is going on in their hearts. We ga^e
them their cards and lx)oks and some of my English sweets. I
have so got to love these children.
China's Millions.
A WHEELBARROW WITH SAIL,
ft^t Sulratana af BtbtrnI ^bbrtsses jifatn: Iraring a Conferem* of i^t piisaiflitariefl of tfe«
fi;[|ma Inlantr StisBiow-
BT MB. HUDSON TATLOB.
(Contittutd from page \\\.)
doctor coming in one day found me on the sofa, and was somewhat
irprised to learn that with assistance I had walked downstairs. " Now,"
e said, " the best thing you can do is to get off, as soon as you feel
jual to the journey, to the country. You must rusticate until you have
jcovered a fair amount of health and strength, for if you begin your work too
3on the consequences may still be serious."
When he had left, as I lay very exhausted on the sofa, I just told the
J3RD all about it, and asked Him what I was to do. He knew I had no
leans, and that I was refraining from making my circumstances known to
lose who would delight to meet my need, in order that my faith might be
;eiving help from Himself in answer to prayer. What was I to do ? And I
Arer.
le as if He was directing my mind to the conclusion to go again to the
inquire about the wages I had been unable to draw. I told the Lord that
hen condition afford to take a conveyance, that it was not at all likely that
IS4 CHINAS MILLIONS.
I should get anything, as far as I could see, and asked whether this was not a mere clutching at a
straw — a mere mental process of my own rather than His guidance and teaching. After prayer, how-
ever, and renewed waiting upon God, I was confirmed in my belief that He Himself was teaching me
to go to the office.
My next question was : " How am I to go ? I had to seek help in coming downstairs, and the
place is two miles away at least." The passage was brought very vividly home to me, that whatever
I asked of God in the name of Christ would be done for me, that the Father might be glorified in the
Son. That what I had to do was to seek strength for the long walk, to receive it by faith, and to set
out upon it. Unhesitatingly I told the Lord that I was quite willing to take the walk if He would
give me the strength. I asked, in the name of Christ, that the strength might be immediately given,
and, sending the servant up to my room for my hat and stick, set out, not to attempt to walk, but to walk
to Cheapside.
I certainly was strengthened by faith, but I never took so much interest in shop-windows as I did
on that journey. At every second or third shop-window I was glad to lean a little against the plate-
glass, and take time to examine the contents of the window, before passing on. It needed a special
effort of faith when I got to the bottom of Farringdon Street to attempt the toilsome ascent of Snow Hill.
However, God did help me, and in due time I reached Cheapside, turned down the by-street in which
the office was found, and sat down very exhausted on the steps leading to the first floor on which the
office was placed. I felt my position a little peculiar as the gentlemen who rushed up and downstairs
looked at me, with a sort of inquiring gaze, as I sat there on the steps very spent.
After a little rest, however, and a further season of prayer, I succeeded in climbing the staircase,
and, to my comfort, found in the office the clerk with whom I had hitherto dealt in this matter.
Seeing me look deathly pale and very much exhausted, he kindly inquired as to my health, and I told
him that I had had a serious illness, and was ordered to the country, but thought it well to come and
make further inquiry, lest there should have been a mistake about the mate having run off" to the gold
diggings. " Oh," he said, " I am so glad that you have come ; it turns out that it was an able seaman of
the same name that ran away. The mate is still on board, the ship has just reached Gravesend, and
will be up very soon. I shall be glad to give you the half-pay to date, for doubtless it will reach his
wife more safely through you, as we all know what seamen are when they arrive at home after a long
voyage."
Before, however, giving me the sum of money, he insisted upon my coming inside and sharing his
lunch. I felt it was the Lord indeed who was providing for me, and accepted his offer with thankful-
ness. When I was refreshed by the rest and lunch, he gave me a sheet of paper to write a few lines
to the wife, telling her of the circumstances. On my way back I procured in Cheapside a post-office
order for the balance due to her, and posted it ; and, returning home again, I felt myself now quite
justified in taking an omnibus as far as it would take me.
Very much better the next morning, after settling up some little matters that I had to attend to, I
made my way to the surgery of the surgeon who had attended me. I felt that though my uncle was
prepared to pay the bill, it was right for me, now that I had a little money in hand, to ask for the
account. The kind surgeon refused to allow me to pay anything for his attendance, but he had
supplied me with quinine, which he allowed me to pay for to the extent of eight shillings. When that
was paid, I perceived that the sum left was just sufficient to take me to my home ; and to my mind the
whole thing was a wonderful interposition of God on my behalf.
I knew that the surgeon was sceptical, and told him I should very much like to speak to him
freely, if I might do so without offence — that I felt that under God I owed my life to his kind care and
help, and that I wished it were possible for me to say anything to him which might result in his be-
coming a partaker of the like precious faith which I had. He kindly permitted me to speak very
faithfully and freely to him. So I told him my reason for being in London, and about my circum-
stances, why I had declined the help both of my father and of the officers of the society in connection
with which, it was probable, I should go to China. I told him of this providential dealing of God with
me, and how apparently hopeless my position had been the day before, when he had ordered me to go
to the country, unless I would reveal it, which I had determined not to do. I described to him the
mental exercises that I had passed through ; but when I told him that I had actually taken my hat and
stick, and had walked to Cheapside, he looked at me incredulously and said to me, " Impossible ! Why
I left you on the sofa more like a ghost than a man I " And I had to assure him again and again that,
strengthened by faith, I had actually taken the walk. I told him what money remained to me, what pay-
ments I had had to make, and showed him that I bad a balance left which would just take me to my
CHINAS MILLIONS.
155
home, having sufficient for a little provision by the way, and for the omnibus at the end of the railway
journey into Yorkshire.
My kind friend was completely broken down, and with tears in his eyes, said : " I would give all
the world for a faith like yours." I, on the other hand, had the joy of telling him that it was to be
had without money and without price. I never saw him again. When I came back to town,
restored to health and strength again, I found that he had had a stroke, and had left for the country. I
subsequently learned that he never rallied. I was able to gain no information as to his state of mind
when taken away, but I have always felt very thankful that I had the opportunity, and embraced it,
of bearing that testimony for God. I cannot but entertain the hope that the Master Himself was
drawing him, by His dealings with me, and that I shall meet him again in the Better Land. It would
be no small joy to be welcomed by him when my own service is over.
The next day found me in my dear parents' home. My joy in the Lord's help and deliverance
was so great that I was unable to keep it to myself, and before my return to London'my dear Moriier
knew the secret of my life for some time past. I need scarcely say that when I returned to town again
I was not allowed to live — as I was not fit to live — on the same economical lines as I had done before
my illness. I needed more now, and the Lord did provide.
^rlrarl fr0m a ^ribalt %tiitx.
FROM MB. HUDSON TAYLOR.
I'ING-YANG FU, August 7th.— "^t have had
glorious native conferences, first at Mr. Stanley
Smith's station, Hung-tung, and then here. Three
native pastors and two native elders were ordained, and
sixteen deacons appointed. Praise the Lord I
Si-gan Fuy August 20M. — I reached here this afternoon
having had over twenty continuous hours' travel to get in,
and find letters leave to-night. It is no small mercy to have
accomplished about 1,500 // in the very heat of summer
without any serious breakdown or disaster. Thanks be
to God. We have still 1,000 // before us to Han-chung,
and the weather is intensely hot by day, while the moon
will not favour night work.
There is very much that I should like to say about the
country. Fertile, in many parts very beautifully wooded,
and, notwithstanding all the desolation, still containing
great numbers of needy souls. A hundred missionaries
would be none too many to work the district through
which we have passed, and the regions adjacent. We
often sing, " What will the harvest be ? " But, oh ! when
will the harvest be, unless more labourers are forth-
coming ? Some of the parts desolated by famine, splendid
land utterly untilled, represent the spiritual aspect of the
whole country. Grand fields for labour — but the labourers
where are they ? The Lord prosper us and make us in-
strumental in sending forth many more into His harvest.
0rK %xmR% ^t Momen.
FROM MISS BVANa
|HA-SI, April 20M.— We went to the village to-
day where the old farmer lives, and had a most
_^^__ encouraging time. The old man spoke well
to very attentive listeners. While he was speaking some
one came in and interrupted him. After a few minutes
an intelligent man begged of the old farmer to tell them
more about Jesus. Our servant-boy, the one we brought
from Gan-kMng, also spoke very well to the men ; he is
bright and intelligent, and likes to speak of the Saviour's
love. There were several old men present, and he addressed
them as fathers ; they seemed interested, and stayed a long
time. Pray that he may be kept and made a great blessing
here^ and in Hu-nan. He received a letter the other day
from the old teacher at Gan-k'ing, in which he mentioned
that four of them at Gan-k'ing met together after evening
worship to pray especially for us and for Hu-nan. Praise
the Lord I After I had been at the old ^Eumer's house
for about three hours a woman came and invited us to go
to her home, a hamlet a few // off. We went, and had
another most delightful time. Doubtless many came out
of curiosity to see the foreign woman; but. whatever their
motive was, we had the opportunity of telling them of a
Saviour's love, and many listened as we told them of His
death on Calvary for sin. Some seemed really interested,
and asked us to come soon again and tell them more about
Jesus. On our way home we went through a large village.
I was invited into a house, and the women were most kind.
They brought me some tea and a chair, and I com-
menced chatting with the little children, who were so
delighted to find that I could speak their language and
understand their words. I could only stay there a little
while, as the room was soon crowded to excess, and the
crowd was increasing ; so I came away, promising to go
again. The people were all most civil and kind. When
156
CHINAS MILUONS.
we came back I was feeling rather tired, and hardly knew
how to take evening worship. Miss Wilson had been quite
poorly all day, and said she could not attempt it, so we
turned to the Lord, and asked Him for help and strength,
and He did not withhold it from His tired, weary child,
but ^ave abundant help. Several women came to the
meeting, and we had a real good time. When I saw
them listening so attentively I forgot all about being tired,
and I do believe the Lord spoke to some hearts present.
April 2\5L — Went out visiting this morning soon after
breakfast; I walked with our servant-man to the river-
side, people took very little notice of me. I had previously
been invited to go to a sister of one of the women here at
the inn, and a little girl from the river-side took me. I
was received very kindly and several came and listened
to the Gospel. I was taken to another house and had
more encouragement; there was an old lady at the latter
house, who was an opium-smoker, and when she heard
that the Lord could. help .her to give up her opium, she
seemed so delighted; poor woman, she looked so wretched
and miserable, a perfect slave to sin.
April 2^rd, — A few came to evening worship, the land-
lady among the number; she is really thinking seriously
about the truths that she has heard; she understands the
Gospel better than many who have heard it for years, for
she now keeps the house much more orderly and quiet ;
but her superstitions still cling to her ; she thinks a great
deal, and is evidently counting the cost ; every day some
new difficulty arises. Some of her friends have told her
that if she becomes a Christian, that when she is dead
the foreigners will take out her heart and eyes to make
foreign medicine. I told her that she could rest about
that, for the foreigners would never come near, if her
friends wished it; but the greatest trouble of all, and the
one she cannot get over is, that if she becomes a
Christian she cannot have a great funeral, and she is sure
that she could not die happy, if she thought her friends
could not have a re^^lar turn-out when she was buried.
" You know," she said to me, looking so serious, " I have
a great many friends, and I do really want to have a great
fimeraL" Poor woman, she needs our prayers very much,
and we trust that ere long she will think only of the great
gain, and not of the supposed loss.
April 24/A. — ^This afternoon I went to see a friend of
Mr. Gulston's teacher. I had no sooner entered the room
than the house was filled to excess with women and a few
men. I spoke a little, but the noise was so great that we
had to go away to a side room; while there I had a nice
little time with a few women, but more women had come
and they wished to see the foreigner, so I had to go out
to the guest-hall, but soon the crowd became so great
that the teacher advised me to go home. There must
have been several hundreds, including those in the
house and outside, but all were quite civil and kind.
April 28M. — The last house I went to this morning was
that of an opium-smoker. Three women took opium
while I was there. The room was filled with the fumes,
and I was glad to get to another apartment. Several
women came in to see the foreigner, and I had the
opportunity of witnessing for the Master.
April y>ih, — To-day several women came to morning
worship, and seemed interested. After prayers we were
going across the river to some villages on the other side,
so one of the women asked if she might accompany us.
We were glad to take her, as it would give her more
opportunity of hearing the Gospel. I took Kuei-hsiang
(a former school girl) with me, and we had a very good
time. The women who had heard the truth on our
previous visit, came and listened most attentively, and
seemed moved. I do believe we are going to have showers
of blessing in this place, and it is only a foretaste of what
the Lord is going to do in Hu-NAN. ^ To God be all the
glory."
May y^d, — Yesterday we had thirty or more women to
the morning and afternoon services. I have never seen
women so ready to listen to the GospeL I sometimes get
tired when I have been speaking for a long time, and I
rest a little and let them ask questions; then, if some one
fresh comes in, the women turn to me and say : '*Do, Miss
Evans, talk to them." And when I go out the women do
not ask me many silly questions, but almost as soon as I
enter into a house, they invite me to tell them about Jesus.
Two women came yesterday and stayed from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. They could both read the character, and seemed inter-
ested in the truth. They are vegetarians. They asked us to
lend them a Testament. To-day their husbands have been
to see Mr. Dorward, to inquire more about the truth, and
to buy some more books. We should like you to remember
these in prayer, that they might soon be truly converted,
and be out-and-out for the Lord.
To-day several women came to morning worship, some
from a distance. One of them was the woman that went
across the river with us last Friday.
One of the women invited me to go home with her, as
several others wished to hear about Jesus. I went, and
must have stayed over four hours, during which time I had
the opportunity of speaking to about one hundred women.
One party came after another, and most of them listened
attentively. Some, I have no doubt, came to see what I
was like, but others have been to see us several times, and
understand a good deal of the truth. Some women asked
me yesterday if we were going to open a girls' day-schooL
They said if we did open a school, they would be glad to
send their little girls to learn the doctrine, and to hear
about Jesus. I do hope that some more dear sisters will
be sent here soon, as we have more invitations than we
can accept, even if dear Miss Wibon were well, and we
fear that it will be some time before she can get about to
the villages.
May 4/A. — Several women came to morning worship,
some from the house that I visited yesterday, and they
inquired a good deal about the truths they had heard.
May ^th, — We had visitors all the morning. I daresay
about forty women called at different times.
May Zth, — We have moved over to our own house to-
day. It is so nice to have a home, after living in the inn
for so long, and it is delightful to have more light and
fresh air. We have a beautiful view here of the fields on
the other side of the river, and they present a very
pretty picture just now — the yellow com almost ripe,
the young rice a beautiful green, ready for transplanting,
and a good many trees here and there.
May 12th. — I started about 11 a.m. for the old farmer's
home ; they seemed glad to see me, and when I asked if
I could stny the night, they were quite willing, so I sent
a man for my bedding. The women were busy and could
not come to the house, so I went out with the old farmer's
daughter-in-law to the fields to help them to gather the
beans. I had a nice talk with her on the way, and she
rcallv seems interested in the truth ; she told me that she
likecl to hear about Jesus, and that she believed in Him.
I found some other women busy at work, so I told them I
had come to help them, and they soon got me a stool, and
we all set to work. I had a nice little opportunity of
speaking for the Master ; my friend spoke up very well
indeed. We had evening worship, and the old farmer
spoke splendidly on the 15th chapter of Luke. His wife
seemed more interested than I have ever seen her before.
May I'^ih. — I had a few women in the morning ; after
dinner went out with one of the women to another
village. We had a large crowd of men and women, but they
were not so interested as some I have met ; perhaps we shall
CHINAS MILLIONS.
157
get more encouragement next time ; pray that the Lord
may bless the seed scattered. We had evening worship,
not very many were present, but those that were listened
most attentively J one man seemed so moved, he got up
and said before them all that he believed that Jesus was
truly the Saviour of the world, and that there was no other
way of salvation. And he also said, " I must get a Bible."
May 14M. — Returned today about 5 p.m. much
encouraged on the whole with my visit. Please pray
much for the old farmer and his family.
.., - r
IB^biling ll^t Capital 0f ^«-nan*
FROM THE DIARY OF MR. HENRT DIOK.
s^wg^UR readers cannot fail to have noticed how increasingly the tidings from N., S., E. and
^fWi^ W. of the work have told of open doors and ready listeners. Diaries and letters
BhPJ have in the main been records of earnest, happy seed-sowing and in-gathering of
^»«^ first-fruits. From Hu-nan the story is different. There our brethren have toiled on
— Mr. Dorward for six years — without a residence in the province for long together, see-
ing little to encourage, selling a few books, and then hurried away by officials from place after place.
They have been preparing the ground, and it is weary work, though well worth while, for the Hu-nan
men will make splendid Christians by-and-bye ; but our brethren there need special prayer. Let us ask
our Almighty God to break down the great walls of prejudice and superstition, and to say to us
concerning this province also, " Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it."
|AY 7M.— Arrived at Hsiang-tan Hien late this
evening on our way to Chang-sha.
_^_ May Zth, — Have been on shore this after-
noon, but have not attempted to sell books, lest the news
of our arrival should reach the capital, and so prevent
our getting inside the city.
May loM, C^a«^-j^.— Having a favourable wind,
arrived hereat x x a.m. Ournativebrotherfirst went on shore
and secured a place in an inn. On his return we went
together, arranged our things, took a meal, and then went
to the Ya-mun. You would indeed have been amused
could you have seen the consternation of the officials at
the thought of a real live foreigner inside their city. They
said even the thought of such a thing being possible had
never so much as crossed their minds, and plied us with all
kinds of questions as to how we came, by which gate we
entered, etc, etc. The latter question we refused to answer,
for the reason that if we had told them, the poor, unfortu-
nate gatekeeper and other soldiers under him would all
have lost their positions. By this time all the Yamun
people had gathered to see the foreigner, so we made the
oest use we could of the opportunity in explaining to
them the object of our visit. The Hien now sent to say
that the examinations would commence the day after to-
morrow, and that seven thousand students had already
arrived. This being the case, he could not hear of our
selling books or remaining in the city ; that he had a boat
waiting for us at the riverside, and a chair outside the
door to convey me to the same. I replied that I did not
like riding in chairs, and that, if we must leave, I should
prefer to w^ ; that we had walked in, and so could walk
out. However, he pressed the matter so much that it
seemed best to yield. He said that if it became gene-
rally known that I was in the city, the people would be
sure to make a riot, which he would be powerless to
quell. So, considering the fact of the exammations, our
only alternative was to leave without selling any books.
I was now carried in a closed chair, escorted by nume-
rous officials, to the riverside, while our native brother
went to the inn to pack up our things.
On our reaching the boat a number of crackers were
fired ofif on the shore. I asked one of the officials if this
was to frighten away any devils they thought I might
have left behind. This created attention, and the news
soon spread that a foreigner had come, and crowds of
men and boys collected, wildly shouting, "Beat the
foreigner,'' etc., etc As our immediate return to Hsians^-
tan would no doubt be without success, as regards book-
selling, we decided to anchor here for a day or two on the
opposite bank of the river.
May nth, — Our native brother has been across the
river to-day and tells me that the authorities have adopted
fresh measures to prevent any foreigner from again enter-
ing their city without their knowledge. The soldiers
usually seated in the guardroom at the city gate are now
stationed outside the guardroom, on either side of the city
gates, and carefully scrutinise all who go in andloot.
May 1 2th, — Hsiang-tan, — Arrived here at noon having
left Chang-sha early this morning escorted by a gunboat,
by order of the Fu*tai. Within a short time of our arrival
a number of military students assembled on the shore,
shouting and cursing, some saying they would beat, others
that they would kill us, if we went on shore ; they then
went away, soon returning with a number of others, but
as we are anchored alongside of a number of gunboats
their threats have ended in words and gesticulations.
May 13M. — The Hien mandarin has requested me not
to go on shore, and has provided a boat for us, so I shall
remain here while our native brother goes for letters.
May 14M. — Though I have not the pleasure of going
on shore there is plenty of work to be done here among
the dozens of soldiers by whom I am surrounded.
June 6th. — Our brother returned this morning, but, to
our sorrow, not only without any letters, but having heard
on all sides of the troubles at Tsen-si and Li-tseo, and of
the destruction of the R. C- premises at Li-yang Hien.
Seeing the disturbed state of the people, and the fact of
the chief examinations now going on, we shall leave here
on Monday for Sha-si.
June 16th. — Arrived at Sha-si this afternoon, glad to find
all well ; not having received any letters for some months
was pleasantly surprised to find the preparations going on
for work here and in Hu-nan.
June lyth, — Had a good time this morning, preaching
in the hall to a number of people who listened most
attentively. It is encouraging, on returning from a journey,
to see the readiness with which the people here enter as
soon as the hall is opened.
iS8
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
^TO ^^^^viaomt^ ixam pan-fjmng.
From Mr. J. W. Stevenson.
■nVAN-CHUNG, Afay 26M.— Praise for twenty years'
HHjH blessing ^ven to the China Inland Mission from
IBUi our gracious Father. May the third decade
witness mighty outgoings of power from the risen and
all-powerful Saviour I
Well, dear Mr. Taylor, I am so overflowing with ioy
that I can scarcely trust myself to write to you. God has
done great things for us up here. I do bless His Holy
Name for the peace and joy that fills my soul, and also for
the floods that have come down upon my beloved brothers
and sisters at present in Han-chung. We had the full-
tide last night, and found it hard work to break up such a
glory-time. The Lord has given us all a wonderful mani-
festation of Himself these few days ; but we are all satis-
fied that there are infinite stores of grace and power yet
at our disposal.
Last Saturday was the beginning of the shower that
has fallen so copiously upon us. I am sure none of us
will ever forget the heart-melting testimonies last night.
The Lord has filled us and made us one in hope and ex-
pectation for the yet numberless blessings represented by
'*the exceeding abundantly.'' I wish you could have
been with us last night and witnessed the deep, overflow-
ing joy, and heard the glad, full surrender of all our dear
brothers and sisters to Christ. I think you would not
have slept much for delight As long as we keep banded
together in love and consecration, as is happily the case
here, there need be no doubt regarding our success in
China — none.
The blessing at the meetings with the dear native
Christians on Sunday here, and at Shih-pah-li-p'u on
Monday, was like a heavenly breeze, filling us with great
delight and bright hope for the future. There are quite
a number of characteristic Christians here ; some of
them with the most decided convictions and a dauntless
courage and enterprise for the Lord. It is truly refresh-
ing to find, so far in the interior, a band of men and
women so simple and devoted. The heart must be in-
deed hard that could listen to the stories of some of the
converts unmoved. I never was so hopeful as I am to-
day with regard to the Gospel in this land. Men and
women are groping in the dark, and feelingly crying for
rest and peace. This was brought out at the conference
very plainly by the simple story of one and another, and
I put it to them that in China to-day there were crowds as
they once were, and urged them to tell it out that Christ
is Lord and Saviour. My faith with regard to the further
opening up of Si-ch'uen has been greatly strengthened
smce commg here.
We made up a party of sixteen. Any one would have
thought us poor representatives of the much-to-be-pitied
missionary m all his trials and privations. We were so
full of joy and delight in our Lord that if some of our
friends had been here they would have envied the por-
tion Christ gives to those who venture all for Him.
I do ask you to pray specially for me, that I may not
hinder the mighty working of God in and through me by
pride and self-will. There is a path of continual victory
and blessing, and I am ambitious to tread it, and that
nothing may come in to impede the fully following Christ.
From Miss Fenton.
This verse came to my mind this morning, and describes
the last few days of conference : " Behold ! the Lord our
God hath showed us His glory and His greatness, and
we have heard His voice; we have seen this day that God
doth talk with man. O Lord God, Thou hast b^^un to
show Thy servant Thy greatness." Yes, it is only a begin-
ning !
From Mr. Cecil Polhill-Turner,
On reaching here on Saturday last, we found that Mr.
Stevenson and dear Bro. Gill had already been here a
week ; you may guess we were glad to see theni. That
Saturday evening we had a glonous time together, while
Mr. Stevenson told us of blessing in his province on first
coming out, and of his recent blessed experiences of
God's grace in his soul. From that night until now the
tide has been rising higher, and both natives and
foreigners have been drinking in of the rivers oi God's
goodness.
On Sunday the quarterly conference took place here,
and was continued the following day at Shih-pah-li-p'n.
Great power was manifested throughout, and I believe
many dear native brethren acquiesced in Mr. Stevenson's
appeal for full consecration. We have every reason to
look for mighty times of the Holy Ghost It has been
most beautiful to watch our Father's answers to prayer
in this place, and to notice the gradual increase of earnest-
ness and, I think, knowledge in our dear brethren. The
fire of the Holy Ghost is taking possession of them. On
Monday, among others, two very bright testimonies of
their own conversion were given by two elders.
On Tuesday all the foreigners met to wait on God, and
were abundantly filled, and I feel that the effect of that
meeting will keep on increasing. All gave testimony. It
is glonous to see everybody with a bright, happy £eice.
China will feel it. Rivers 0! living water must have out-
lets, and there are many such, I believe, just now in
Han-chung. God is revealing His glory to us.
We have, in God's name, claimed Si-CH'UEN,and thrown
down the gauntlet to Satan ; we will see whether or no
He that is on our side is equal to the contest. I think
we may aflbrd to rest quietly and confidently. Si-CH'uen
may hereafter form the main road for Thibet; and while
we combine to plead with God for that, we may be work-
ing away at the already opened fields, getting thoroughly
hold of this language, and thus paving the way.
From Miss Kinahan.
I did feel, when Mr. Stevenson was reading of the gift
of the living water (in John vii.) and what it was to do in
and through each one of us, that I could drink freely of
that life-giving stream. My soul was filled with the sense
of the love of Jesus, and it was joy unspeakable and full
of glory. I could do nothing but praise Hinu We feel
all of one mind here.
From Mr. Pearse.
Our conference having been delayed a fortnight, owing
to the military examinations, Mr. Stevenson was able to
be present, also Messrs. Polhill-Tumer, from Pao-ning,
and the ladies [Misses Barclay, A. Taylor, Kinahan, and
Fenton]. As regards spiritual power, we all think it has
been the best conference we have held. Some of the
natives gave splendid testimonies to the grace of God,
and one spoke very well on Christ as our power for ser-
vice and in resisting temptation. Our subject was the
difference between Christians and others, and various
points of difference were brought out and dwelt upon in a
practical way.
I had the privilege of recognising Mr. Siao as elder at
Shih-pah-li-p'u. He is a good man, and already iV an elder
of the church, labouring much for the well-being of the
saints, so it seemed only right to recognise him as such.
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
Mork ^tmmg; l^e C^ifactaits.
FROU MR.
HI-NING FU.— My health has been much better
since my little trip to Ta-crh-si (Kum-bum). I
do thank the Lord for sending me there, it has
opened my eyes to behold something of the great need of
the regions beyond. I think no missionary could go there
without returning with a deeper determination to serve
the Master more faith-
fully, come what may.
While there I was deep-
ly impressed with the
apparent zeal with which
the Thibetans, both men
and women, serve their
false gods. One night
I went out for a walk
by moonlight, and saw
all along the main road,
in front of their temples,
men and women pros-
trating themselves, and
at the samctime repeat-
ing their prayers. In
their left hand they have
a string of beads, and in
their right a short piece
of wood or bone, which
they use when they pros-
trate themselves, to mark
where their foreheads
reach to ; then, rising up,
ihey place their toes at
this mark, clasp their
hands, kneel, and again
prostrate themselves,
travelling thus along the
road for quite a number
of /(. Each time they
prostrate themselves
they touch the ground
with their foreheads,
and I noticed particu-
larly that all their fore-
heads have the mark
where they struck the
ground.
I spent two days
amidst crowds of people,
selling Scriptures, and
doing my best at preach-
ing. I had a very fair
sale, especially of Arabic
Scriptures. I was quite
struck with the wilhngness of the Mahommedans to pur- I
chase. When we present the Scriptures to them they
ask who the writer was, and when they hear the name
of Moses ihey make such a work about it ; then, when |
LAUaHTON.
they open the book and see the Arabic characters, they
smile, and pressing the book to their lips, kiss iL Those
who purchase a copy walk away for a short distance,
and call to some of their companions to come and see what
they have got. The Thibetans, on the other hand, are
rather shy ; they admire the paper and binding, but are
afraid the books are
not good. Before re-
turning the book they
touch their forehead
I need not say that I
returned pleased with
my visit, and thanking
the Lord for His gooa-
ness. I trust, God wit-
lin^,to pay them another
visit on their next fes-
tival, which takes place
in the beginning of the
sixth moon.
Here in Si-ning Fu I
have some good times
telling all I can get to
listen of Jesus and His
love, admitting nothing
to be able to atone for
sin save that precious
sacrifice offered on Cal-
vary's cross. I have also
been much blessed in
the curing of opium
smokers; no less than a
dozen have taken opium
medicine within the last
two months, and, as far
as I know, all have been
successful cases : for
this I praise God. When
I look back upon my
short time in China, and
remember the LORD
and all His dealings
with me, my heart is
indeed full to overflow-
ing, and yet I am sure
the blessing received is
but the droppings of a
great shower yet to
come. You know if it
all came at once we
should be unable to re-
ceive it, we should be completely drowned by the flood
of His love ; but our Father knows what we can receive,
and gives accordingly. Oh, may He expand our hearts
that we may be able to receive more.
#pmttt Hiitbmns: i\t dloswel. — % Sa& Storg.
FBOU MISS S. OABFBHTEIB.
«mH AO-H I N G. June i6M.— We areas happy as ever
flgl in our work here. I feel I can thank God more and
■bEI more every day for sending me to China ; if I
had a thousand lives, 1 should like to spend them all in
this poor dark land. Although I cannot write that the
people are being saved through our visiting from house
to house, still they often listen very attentively, and we
are cheered.
Last week we visited a poor Christian woman at one of
the villages ; we sang, read, and prayed with her. She
i6o
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
seems to be nearing Jordan's bank, but is happy, and said
she knew Jesus would never leave or forsake her.
When visiting in this city one day, we went into a
large house, and found three women sitting together
smoking their pipes, one an old lady in her ninetieth year.
They listened for some time until this poor old lady cau|;ht
the name of Jesus, when she at once stood up and commg
towards us, said, " Do not mention that name again, I
hate Jesus, I will not hear another word ; you foreigners
bring opium in one hand and Jesus in the other." Taking
a book from my hand she opened it and read a few
characters, but seeing the name of Jesus, she shut it and
handed it to me in a most contemptuous way, saying,
^ Take it away, take it away ; I do not want your opium
or your Jesus."
As I returned home with a heavy heart I could not
help wishing that English Christians, who have sent the
opium to China, could have seen how they have hindered
the Gospel message from entering this one house.
§lcp0rt 0f a €axdtxmtt at C'ai-gmn Jfit.
BY MR. STANLEY SMITH.
Preliminary Meetings.
HE first meeting was held on Monday evening,
July 5th.
Mr. Hudson Taylor said : Let us seek that
by prayer we may see more clearly the needs
of the work, and that God's guidance may be vouchsafed.
He then read two verses from Psalm Ixii. 5, 8, " My soul,
wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him.
Trust in Him at all times ; ye people, pour out your hearts
before Him. God is a refuge for us." Let us all expect
a full blessing from our Father. I trust we have learnt
to look on prayer-meetings not as vague uncertainties.
We have been singing of showers of blessing ; let us
expect them.
Let us be remembering Who is at the helm, and that
" all things are working together for good to them that
love God." It was all wrong 2k,s regarded Judas betraying
his Master. It was all right as regarded Jesus being
betrayed. The cup (not which Judas has given me) but
" which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it ? "
" Only upon God "—let us get into the right attitude. If
we look to this brother or that, we shall be disappointed
(we are so glad to hear them), but " only upon God must
we wait" Again, we must not wait in uncertainty^ " God
IS a refuge for us." We must look Shan-si in the face.
Suppose the number of missionaries multiplied tenfold,
how few 1 It is not, however, a question of the supply at
all, but the Supplier. What shall we do with these
5,000, and only five barley loaves and two small fishes ?
Make them recline / Rest, not in the presence of the
apostles, but of Jesus. Now, if we have come together
for blessing, we must come in blessing. Let our hearts
be full to begin with, and then we can look for an over-
flow. As regards the order of work, let Him do what He
chooses. Whatever He chooses will be well chosen ;
whatever He decides, well decided on. Let us do away
with our plans as the Lord did with those of the apostles
who said, " Send them away into the cities that they may
buy,*' etc.
The meeting being thrown open for remarks, I said a few
words with relation to Ps. xc. 16 and Ps. xci. and xcii. On
looking at my Bible open before me, I see Pss. xc, xci ,
and xcii. marked. They happen to be the three Psa'ms
chosen by the Church of England for the morning Psalms
of the 18th day of the month. On arriving in China,
March i8th last year, I got as soon as I could alone with
the Lord and my Bible, and as was my custom, read
these three Psalms for the morning portion. Amongst
one or two other verses marked are the following : Ps.
xc 16, " Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants " ; Ps.
xci. I, "Abide under the shadow of the Ahnighty" ; Ps.
xcii. 4, " I will triumph in the works of Thy hands.''
These passages were brought with great power to my
mind, so much so, that I wrote in ink at the bottom of the
fage, " Promises on entering China, March 18th, 1885.**
n March last year, I had a letter from a friend asking,
" Have you ever noticed the connection between Pss.xc,
xci., and xcii. ?"
1st. The prayer, " Let Thy works appear.** Ps. xc.
2nd. " Abide " as the secret of fruitfulness. Ps. xci.
3rd. A note of praise, " I will triumph in the works of
Thy hands.** Ps. xcii.
Was not that a coincidence ?
The meeting was closed with prayer, that in T*ai-yucn,
P*ing-yang, and all parts of China, and not only in China,
but throughout the ^world this year, " His work " might
appear unto His servants.
Tuesday Morning.
This was to have been the first day of Conference, but
as Mr. Beauchamp and Mr. Studd were still nursing
a patient with small-pox, it was felt to be a thousand
pities that they should suffer for their love and. self-devo-
tion, so the Conference was deferred till Monday, Tues-
day, and Wednesday next, />, July 12th, 13th, 14th. How-
ever, as we had come together, and the Baptist brethren
too, expecting a meeting, a meeting was held, and a very
precious one it was.
Mr. Hudson Taylor read that most wonderful chapter
£z. XXX vi. In doing so he made passing comments,
ver. 3, " Ye (the people of God) are taken up on the lips
of talkers.** After the Yang-chau riot the Duke of
Somerset said in the House of Lords : " Every missionary
must be a knave or a fool.** If he does not believe his
creed he is the former, and if he does he is the latter.
Many think Christianity an effete system, and missions
a proved failure. If the enemy speaks thus, then the Lord
has something to say. The enemy makes bold with his
" aha ! ** v. 2. The Lord says, Don*t be so sure, " Hear
the word of the Lord,*' v. 4. Then come those wonderful
series of " I wills,*' and " Ye shalls,** vers. 10, 11, 23. Is
it not very precious to be in the indicative mood instead
of the subjunctive ** I will,** "I will,** "I will," and "ye
shall," "ye shall," " ye shall." When the viceroy Tseng-
kuo-fan was reporting to the Emperor on Protestant mis-
sions, he said: " It's no use troubling ourselves, let the
missionaries preach, they can't do us any harm. The
best way is to let the Protestants in ; let them fight the
Roman Catholics, and we will look on." This was most
encouraging, for when men thus speak the Lord will look
after His Holy Name. Mr. Taylor then dwelt much on
the 14th and 15th verses, saying, " Oh, I do so like these
* any motes^ "
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
i6i
Mr. Orr Ewing gave a testimony as to how the Lord
had blessed him over this chapter, saying the key of the
chapter was verse yj^ and how he has claimed that the
Lord would " cause him to walk in His statutes," verse
27. He urged us to " claim," to " take possession " ; citing
Caleb's case. Caleb promised an inheritance by God.
They admitted his claim ; but he not only claimed, though
eighty years old, he went up and took possession.
Then one led in prayer, dwelling much on verse 23,
" The heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the
Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their
eyes."
Mr. Taylor added : The Holy Ghost bears testimony
that for three years the Apostle Paul had " at all times "
walked blamelessly, not at some times. Why did Paul
testify this? Out of conceit ? No. Not I, but Christ. In
1869 the Lord taught me, " He that believeth on ME^ out
of him shall flow rivers." God has prospered my work
ever since that time. Praise God, I said, " He that
Cometh to ME shall never hunger, and he that believeth
on ME shall never thirst." Then I need never thirst
again. What does never mean here 1 Never at any
time, under any circumstances. Do we believe this ? So
" be careful for nothing." Not even about your holiness.
Cast the care of your purity of heart and life on Jesus.
Mr. Taylor then read Zeph. iii. 12-19, again touching
on the "any more " in verse 1 5. Referring to himself,
he said : Speaking of the testimony of Paul referred to,
I should be glad that the native Christians would follow
my path " at some times." Tust because in many cases I
have failed to trust, I have failed to have the fulness that
is always " at dl times " for me. May it not be so with
us " any more^^ Amen.
We then concluded with several prayers.
Although the Conference was aelayed, we still kept
up evening meetings.
Tuesday Evening.
Mr. Taylor spoke on John vi., first mentioning that the
most important teaching in the end of the chapter was
preceded by the miracles of the 5,000 and Christ walking
on the sea.- Touching on the first, he dwelt on the
power of Jesus ; on the second, on " Lord save me 1 "
First a big Lord, last a little " me '* joined by salvation.
Mr. Taylor dwelt on the end of the chapter at length.
What must a Jew have thought on first hearing
" Drinketh my blood?" They were forbidden blood.
Now as regards this " abiding in Christ,** for the first six-
teen years of my spiritual life I did not know anything
about it, and then John vi. 56 came to me, " He that
eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, is abiding in Me
and I in him." Now, let us consider our bodies in rela-
tion to food. My hair, my nails, my skin, what are they
but transformed food ? After eating we digest our food,
we abide in it, and it abides in us. But what should we
say of one who was always at the table ? So we do not
need to be reading our Bibles or in prayer all day long
to abide in Christ. Let us feed on Him, and then go
about our duty, knowing that in doing so we are abiding
in Him, and He in us.
Wednesday Evening.
Mr. Taylor gave us a valuable address on Acts xvi.
Paul, in giving out that Christ must die and rise again,
finds his message believed. His stay in some places was
long, in others short, but never fruitless, and he never
left till his work was done. As to his success, notice how
much there was in his character that was in harmony
with his message ; it was not hard to receive that
message from that man. When Paul preached of Jesus
as one who, though rich, yet for our sakes became poor,
in Paul's homy hand they saw the marks of the disciple.
When they heard Paul preach of One despised and
rejected, his own position, despised by Jew and Gentile,
emphasized his words. When Paul spoke of One who
shed His blood, there was that in Paul which authenti-
cated his message. 2 Cor. iv. was then read. We must
not meet craft by craft— this needs Divine grace ; nor
handle the Word of God deceitfully ; nor take the cross,
as the Jesuits did, and so envelope it in flowers and orna-
ments that no cross could be seen. Do not hide Gospel
truth, nor keep back any of the whole counsel of God. It
is as prejudicial to a babe to give it beef-steak as poison
— milk must be given, and that no decoction of our own.
Again, let us live what we believe. When we tell them
of the home up above, do they see evidence of it in our
homes? If we assure them that all things of this world
are transitory, do our lives bear out the fact? The
Apostle Paul was thoroughly consistent. All felt that they
saw in him a stranger and sojourner whose home was not
here^ hxxX. there — " By manifestation of the truth commend-
ing ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of
God." We all want to live lives that will emphasize our
teaching. But it is no use living lives that would
emphasize our teachiug if these lives are not shown
— are not lived in the sight of the people. One wrote
to me, " I am going away disappointed. I have
preached over 3,000 sermons, and I am not aware
that any one is the better." Now he was a godly
man, but he did not live among the people. His
chapel was two or three miles from his home. If he had
lived in a carpenter's shop all day, and preached
half the sermons, they would have gone further. Paul's
life was public — in the common prison, from place to
place, in trial, in loss, in sorrow, he was not hidden.
See his appeal to the Ephesians. '^ You know^ he said
to the Ephesian elders, how I have lived among you.
Not three-quarters of the time in my study, and coming
out to preach once on Sundays. I wish I could look
back and feel my life was well known. It has been my
misfortune to have a great deal of my life out of sight
I Thess. i. ver. 2. You see PauPs converts. The faith
imparted was a working faith, the love a laborious love,
the hope a patient hope; the spiritual likeness was appa-
rent in the spiritual children. " Ye became followers of
us and of the Lord." Continuing reading i Thess. i.,
Mr. Taylor said : I believe one reason why there is so
much worldliness and unsatisfactoriness in the Christian
Church in China is because a fullstop is put at the end
of verse 9, " to turn from idols to serve the living and
true God." So many missionaries do not go on to say,
" And to wait for His Son from heaven." I well remem-
ber the eflect this truth had on me when I first learnt it
from God. I had not very many books, but it sent me to
look over my books, and the result was that some of them
disappeared, and some of my clothes, too. I have found
it, too, an immense spiritual blessing when I could get
leisure to go over my house, from attic to basement, and
see what ought to be somewhere else. It is profitable to
remember we are stewards, and have to give an account
of all we retain ; unless we can give a good reason we
shall be ashamed when the Master comes, and as He
may come any day, it is well to be ready every day. I
may have made some mistakes, but I believe they were
on the right side. Both the Church and children are
wonderfully quick to notice. Do not children see and
hear many things we do not think of? But He whose
eye is as a flame of fire must search us. I am so sure
that the Gospel is as fresh as in apostolic days. I am
sure that if our circumstances would permit us to live
as the apostles did, we should see the fruit. There is
not any partiality in God in His dealing with His ser-
l62
CHINAS MILLIONS.
vants. Cause and effect are as certain in spiritual as in
natural things. If our lives are as consecrated as Paul's,
they will be as fruitful. Neither the world, the flesh, the
devil, God, nor the blood of Christ, have altered. I am
sure losses are not to be deprecated. The absence of
them is our real difiiculty. We missionaries are, in fact,
so protected, we cannot get shoulder to shoulder with the
natives ; they, on the other hand, in many parts suffer
greatly, are imprisoned, robbed, tail and ears cut ofil Let
us seek to live lives alongside of them. Never let us com-
fort ourselves with the " sovereignty of God,** and think
the Gospel is only to bear testimony against the people
He who sows most seed will get the largest returns.
JfirBt §ag jof C0t\fmnc^ Pljonirajr, |ula ^%%
Mr. Taylor read 2 Peter i. and Romans viii., first few
verses, dwelling specially on the words, ** His divine
power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life
and godliness," and "The law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death.'' We have not come together to discover fresh
truths, to get new experiences, but to remember the way
in which Peter, Paul, and all the apostles were made
stronger — the way in which all believers of every age
have achieved wonders ; we want a fresh look at Christ
The subject for this morning is
"CHRIST AN ALL-SUFFICIENT SAVIOUR TO MEET THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE."
We want this truth to get a firmer grip of us. " Looking
unto Jesus." Unless we carry this in our minds, our lives
are sure to be disappointing and unsatisfactory. If we
fail to look ofif unto Jesus, how can we but represent a
distorted image ? Some arc so clever with a pencil that
they can copy with the greatest accuracy the outlines of
a figure. In spiritual thmgs, however, we are poor hands
at copying: what He wants us to be is clear, plain mirrors
— refiectors. It is no use to expect a cup half full to
overflow. It is no use trying to water flowers with an
empty waterpot. Now the question comes, "Is His
grace really sufficient ? " For half of my Christian life I
had got to look upon failure as inevitable, and I believe a
good many now think so too. When I was first con-
verted I knew nothing about the theological distinction
between "standing" and "walk"; I heard that Jesus
was all, and found Him so. By-and-by the old weak-
nesses came back, and then I was too well taught, too
orthodox to expect anything else than constant failure,
and, moreover, was prepared very strenuously to combat
any who diffiered. Some of us, however, thank God,
have taken Him at His word, and believe that when the
Word says, " All things that pertain unto life and godli-
ness through the knowledge of Him," it means what it
says ; and that when it says, " The law of the Spirit of
life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of
sin and death," it means what it says. For what is the
power? It is the power that raised Christ from the
dead. We expect mechanical powers under like circum-
stances to bring about like results. Why not spiritual
powers ? This power is not given us apart from Christ.
Again, in looking on the Lord Jesus Christ as our all-
sufficiency, note the close connection between the written
and the Incarnate Word ; through the written Word we
shall feed on Him, but you may study theology without
being led up to Him, and if you do, and it does not make
you weak, you will be more fortunate than some of us
were. Now if there is a, sufficiency, the next question is.
Is Christ our sufficiency ? We shall all probably come to
this conclusion, that there is much room for humiliation.
Still, let us take courage, and remember in times of trial,
trial of temper, trial of circumstances, which we shall
be brought mto il is to be hoped, that every trial will
give a fresh burnish to the mirror. So come what may,
they are for His glory, come what may, they are for my
good, come what may, the Church shall have the benefit.
The meeting being thrown open, I gave a short testi-
mony : —
About the end of 1883 I wrote to Mr. Hudson Taylor
telling him I wanted to come out here. As 1884 went by
I became more and more impressed with the need of
equipment for service. For some period of time my soul
was burdened with a sense of ignorance of God in the
Word, and the loss it was. It culminated in my determin-
ing to give up my spare time definitely to seeking an
anointing from on High. Some weeks passed away,
weeks of intense blessedness of soul, but apparently no
definite answer came. One afternoon, kneehng by my
bedside with an open Bible before me, my eye lighted on the
verse Eph. i. 3, " Blessed be God who HATH blessed us
with every spiritual blessing in ChrisiP I read it again
and again and again. Why, thought I, is not this baptism
of the Holy Ghost a spiritual blessing? Then God's
Word tells me He hath blessed me with this IN Christ.
I instinctively connected this "hath" with the "hath" of
Is. liii., "The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquities of
us all." Here I saw the answer to my waiting. A week
after I went to a meeting (at Eccleston Hall). The speaker
was speaking on the holy anointing oil in Ex. xxx. 32,
where it says, " Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured."
There was only one place, and that was the garments of
the high priest (Ex. xxix. 29), and he showed that when
the sons of Aaron wanted to be anointed they had to
actually dress themselves in Aaror^s robes. This was
connected in my mind with Psalm cxxxiii. 2, where, speaking
of unity, it compares it to the precious ointment that ran
down to the skirts of Aaron's garments. Now Aaron is a
type of Christ. For the word Christ signifies the anointed
one. And we read of Jesus that when He was baptized
by the Spirit (in John i. 32) that the Spirit abode upon
Him. These lessons caused my soul to rejoice unspeak-
ably. I there saw that as by simple faith believers believe
their union to Christ (being yielded up fully to Him so as
to stop up no avenue of the soul and hinder blessing), the
very weakest, lowest members — the skirts of the garments
— are anointed and endued for service. Let us then
encourage one another to keep believing.
Mr. J. H. Taylor : Yes, it is "all in Christ," and "aU"
for "each." A man may take out his purse and dis-
tribute its contents. God does not thus disperse His
blessings. It is HIM, and not " it," we want.
Tuesday Evening.
Song of Solomon, v. 2-16, and vi. 1-9. Mr. Taylor said :
In chapter ii. 10, where the bride is back again in her
father's house, He won't enter. He only says, " Rise up,
my love, and come away ! " Then there is a section of
unbroken communion from iii. 6 to v. i. Here com-
munion is broken ; this time, however, she is not back in
the world a^ain, in a position into which He can enter,
but her position is slothfulness and drowsiness ; she is in
the bedroom, having washed her feet, rejoicing in her
purity, forgetful wholly of the poor ones wandering in
the miry places of sin. Herseli thankful she is in the
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
163
Bridegroom's palace, leaving them to be victims of him
who ever as a roaring lion walketh about. Where is the
Bridegroom ? She has lost Him. He comes, but there
is a closed door. His words, howevet*, are more tender,
if possible, this second time. In the second chapter He
seems to say, " Don't let your voice be for the world, but
for Me; don't let your beauty be for the world, but for Me^^
Here in the fifth chapter, ver. 2, listen ! " Open to Me,
my sister," (He, the first-bom of many brethren) " my love,
my dove" (emblematic of the gifts and graces of the
Holy Spirit). " My head is filled with dew." My bride, do
you want to rest before the Bridegroom ? Do you want
rest before My heart can find rest ? There is toilsome
work for Me. My head is wet with dew, and you leave
Me to go alone ? Shall I be seeking and have no fellow-
ship and companionship from my bride ? She hears and
answers, " I have put off my coat, how shall I put it on ? "
Oh, how possible it is to go to holiness conventions and
workers' meetings, and to be unprepared for seeking the
lost 1 " My head is wet with dew." If our coat is on, and
His off, there is a want of fellowship. She arises tardily ;
she would open, but now this effort is in vain. He with-
draws. Perhaps the bride was over careful to see myrrh
on the fingers, more careful to culivate graces than to wel-
come the Bridegroom. Hereafter she grievously suffers:
'Hhe watchmen smite her, they wound her"; it was not so (in
the third chapter, vers. 3, 4) the first time. Note how she
finds Him; it is by a confession, a real testimony to the beau-
ties of her Bridegroom. Compare this description Cant v.
10-16 with Revelation i. 14-16. What is the result ? The
daughters of Jerusalem are so stirred up by this descrip-
tion of His beauty that they want to seek Him too. And
in attracting hearts to the good Shepherd, she finds Him.
And now communion is fully restored. How wonderful
that we may live as the objects of His approbation I
Chap. iv. 7, " Thou art all fair, my love." I used to wonder
at such language; I see now it is that we are to be plain
mirrors looking towards Jesus, so that He, when
looking, can only see His own reflection. Then chap. iv. 8,
" Come with me." Now ready, now fit for service, you
have learned to "tarry in Jerusalem," you are
"endued with power from on High." What are the
lions' dens and the mountains of the leopards when with
the good Shepherd ? The Lord grant that the remainder
of our life and service may be thus going forth with Himl
What may we not accomplish through Himf What
may He not accomplish through us ?
5^K0ntr gag's Conferma, Cutsirag, |ulg )5t|^*
Subject: "Christ as an all-sufficient Saviour to meet the Difficulties of and fully equip for
Service."
Mr. Taylor read Is. xl. 1-31, and 2 Cor. i. 1-12.
" Comfort ye my people." I am sure none have been in
this land - m service without needing comfort and en-
couragement. It is nice, then, to hear this word of com-
fort. On reading verse 3, " Prepare ye the way of
the Lord," we naturally think of John the Baptist's work.
It is not the numbers gathered into the fold, I believe,
that is the first thing. We are to prepare the way for the
second coming of Jesus as John did for the first. Twenty
years ago, if the signs had appeared in the heavens of the
Lord's return, who would have understood them ? " Pre-
pare ye the way of the Lord." Ah ! it is the mighty
Lord I Many engineers can make a viaduct, but they
cannot make the valleys to be exalted. They can bore a
tunnel, but they cannot level " the mountains and hills."
They can cast up a bank for a railroad, but they cannot
make the crooked places straight, and the rough places
plain. Ah ! how often it is that we missionaries begin to
see that our ten years, and twenty and thirty and forty
years of service, have been more or less wasted, and we
must come back to simple apostolic plans and methods.
" All flesh is as grass," ana so is the outcome of the
flesh.
Is. xl. 29, " He giveth power to the faint." Are those cir-
cumstances which naturally cause us to faint, much to be
deplored ? Are those circumstances that naturally cause us
to be " weak " — that naturally cause " affliction " — to be re-
gretted? Shall we not rather rejoice in overwhelming
circumstances as being necessaries for the exhibition of
Divine power and Divine resources ? Was Paul greatly
distressed ? No ; he testifies : " I take pleasure in infir-
mities, in reproaches, in distresses for Christ's sake, for
when I am weak, then I am strong." As we remarked
yesterday, we have come to propose no new truth ; just
the old truth that Jesus is suflicient for all our circiun-
stances and emergencies and exigencies. If there was
nothing more than the'one word, " GO I " that is enough,
for He always says, " Come ! " to the unsatisfied, wearied,
burdened, empty, thirsty, hungry ones. When the disciples
would send away the multitude, Jesus would first give
them to eat. " GO," then, is quite enough ; but He does
not leave us to infer, but says, " All power," " All author-
ity," is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. There is
no power in China, civil or military, no power in Europe,
intellectual, moral, or natural, which is not in the hands
of Jesus. There is sufficiency in Him, He does not say,
" Go and try to do the best you can," but, " Go and make
disciples of all nations," teaching them, and not telling
them, and simply hoping they will believe.
2 Cor. xii. 9, " My grace is sufficient. . . . My strength
is made perfect in weakness ; " " Take pleasure in infir-
mities." How long did the early Churdi wait for treaties ?
Twenty years ago they all said to me, ** You must not go
before God's providence." The Shanghai papers told us
we were fit for the lunatic asylum. They don't say those
words now. Why? Because of the words of Jesus
Christ : " Lo ! I am with you alway." How is it we are
here in Inland China ? People say, because of the Chefoo
Convention. But there was no Chefoo Convention ten
or twelve years ago. We made in England an appeal for
eighteen missionaries to go, two by two, into the unoc-
cupied provinces. They arrived in China, spent a few
months at the language, were very imperfectly equipped,
but they were prepared to go, and we prayed earnestly
that God would set before them an open door. When I,
at that time, sailed from England, the last news was that
Sir T. Wade had hauled down his colours, had gone to
the coast, and given the matters into the admiral's hands.
Arriving in China, I heard of the Chefoo Convention,
and leave given to foreigners to travel in every city in
China (;>., the eighteen provinces). It was the same
with Peter in prison ; when he came to the gates they
opened. There are no doors closed to faith, and that key
will open hearts as well as doors. Notice, "My grace
is sufficient." In preaching the Gospel of a powerful
God, a God of grace to the Chinese, I have often been
met with the words, " Wild talk." We must in our lives
strive to give them an object lesson in grace. Mr. Spur-
geon one day going home in his carriage, feeling as if all
the cares of the universe were on his shoulders, all of a
sudden burst into a laugh ; the verse that caused it was,
" My grace is sufficient for thee^ and he said the accent
i64
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
seemed laid on the "My "and ''thee," and he pictured
a tiny fish saying to Father Thames, " If I drink I fear I
shall swallow thee up." Who are we that we are going
to swallow up the resources of Divine grace? We in-
deed want power. This Chinese race is hard material,
earth-sunk. " My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Let us rely on Him alone. Every false system of
Christianity builds in part upon divme agency. Don't
(as the Chmese say) let us try to stand with a leg in two
boats, or, as the English say, " Fall to the ground between
two stools."
The meeting being thrown open, I told a story of the
work of the Moravian missionaries among the Esquimaux.
They worked for some years trying to educate their con-
sciences and lay down rules, etc There was absolutely
no success. One day one of the missionaries happened
to be translating the Gospel of Matthew ; he was writing
out the account of the Lord's crucifixion. Just at that
time a man, who till then had been a very leader in. oppo-
sition, came in, and asked him what he was writing,
requesting him to read it ; on doing so the Esquimaux
man burst into tears, adding, ''Why did you not tell us |
this before?" and a powerful revival followed, being the
firstfruits of the mission. I went on to say: I believe it is
exceedingly important to preach fully and constantly
"Christ crucified" — ^to believe that the Gospel is the
power of God unto salvation. You have doubtless all
of you seen a little tract by Mr. Bailer, of the C.I.M.,
entitled "A Plan for the Foi^jiveness of Sins." When
some of us were going up to Sih-chau last January, we
stopped at a little place on the way one night On arri-
val, going out distributing these tracts, we said a few
simple words of explanation. About two months ago
there was an examination in P'ing-yang Fu for B.A.'s and
M.A.'s, and one B.A. came up from this place on the road
to Sih-chau, and having heard the preaching there, he
stayed with us during the time of the examination, and
went back to establish worship in his town. Let us
believe in the blood,
Mr. Beauchamp said he had got such help from a
remark of Mr. Taylor's — " That God does not promise to
supply grace for anticipation of troubles; but when the
need comes^ the promised supply is given."
%^\xti gag jof €tsxdtxtxitt, WLt^tz^^istf ^^h 1^^&-
Subject: "Hindrances, and Sources of Failure."
Mr. Taylor read Zeph. iii. In the early part of this
chapter Israel, the chosen people, is in a dreadful state,
verses 2, 3, 4, " She trusted no^' etc., etc. But in verse 12
we have the time when Israel trusts in the Lord. There is
no reason for " doing iniquity " when we trust in the Lord.
If we trust in the Lord there is nothing for the devil to
bait the hook with. It is unbelief, it is practical atheism
that makes us "do iniquity." Verse 14, " Sing" 1 Yes,
they can sing of a present salvation. God has not only
put trust into their hearts. He has undertaken to keep
them trusting. " Thou shalt not see evil any more!^ The
anticipation of evil is evil, and the fear that doesn't trust
to be kept is evil. Verse 17, " He will save.' There is
no restraint to the Lord. Let us expect from Him, and
He will do more than our expectation. Not only is the
sacrifice of Elijah burned up, but the water licked up in
the trenches. Bring vessels not a few. Strike with thine
arrows in the ground, and stay not, " He will joy over thee
with singing." As far as I Imow, this is the only passage
that speaks of God singing. Oh, the joy that sprmgs up
in the heart of God when the creature utterly trusts the
Creator. "He will rest in His love."
Before I left China last time this passage was made
very precious to me. But it wasn't till I got to Paris that
I learnt the full preciousness of this clause. There I was
met by my beloved wife, and as we sat in the cab side by
side, Uiough she had so much to say, and I had too, I could
only take ner hand and be silent. The joy was so un-
speakable ; and oh, it came to me, if all this earthly affec-
tion is only a type, what must it be when He is " silent
in His love "I His love is so drawn out by our trust,
and it is such a pity to hinder. Oh, that He should have
to say, " let ME see thy face, let ME hear thy voice." And
if some should be regretting the past, remember He says,
" I will restore unto you the years that the locust hath
eaten."
Mr. Sowerby, of the Baptist Mission, said he spoke
with diffidence in the presence of Mr. Taylor. He had
been out some four or five years, and it was just time
enough to make him begin to know his ignorance.
He thought our difficulties might be arranged in two
classes : —
l^^^^ose within (for which we are responsible).
^^^piose without (for which we are not).
To cure them : — As regards the first, we must have a
fuller measure of Divine life in us ; and as regards the
second, we must not fret ; we are sent here to overcome
them. We need endurance. How many men fail after
being out two, three, five years ! I have often felt I
must give it up. Then I go on my knees and seek for
grace to keep firm. Let us trust in Him, and go straight
forward.
Mr. J. H. Taylor : In times of discouragement, remem-
ber it is not our work for God, but His work, which He
will accomplish in and through us.
Mr. Sturman : I have found the greatest drawback to
growth in grace was a want of watchfulness and medita-
tiveness. I often lose great cause for praise by neglect-
ing in small circumstances to see God's hand in every-
thmg.
Miss Broomhall : I have found help from a thought I
heard. Some work for Christ with one hand, and hold on
to Him with the other. It is better to let Him hold us,
so as to have both hands free to work.
Mr. C. T. Studd : When down at K'uh-wu one day I
was having a real hard time of it. I couldn't praise. I
have found that praising always overcomes the devil, but
somehow then I couldn't. I walked out, but couldn't get
up to praising pitch. I ran, but still could not Just then
I happened to turn round, and saw the hills all covered
with mist and clouds. " AJi ! " said I to myself, " although
the hills are all capped with mist, they are not removed ;
heaven has come down to them and is nearer ; so the
Lord is just the same and with us." I could praise then.
In answer to a question about getting more amongst
the people, Mr. Taylor quoted the verse, " The Word
became flesh and dwelt among us ^^ Let us look at every
practical point in connection with the Lord Jesus.
We need the " love of God " shed abroad in our hearts.
The love of God is not our love to Him, but His own love
in us ; it will lead to a depth and genuineness of sym-
pathy. Let us beware lest we become like a missionary
who said to me, '* I get harder and harder every year I
live in China. I get to hate the Chinese more."
Miss Kemp asked : How is it that some who are so
good seem to do so much harm ? what with want of wis-
dom, tact, and using the right time.
Mr. Taylor, in answering, said : There is not any
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
i6S
question as to the fact. Many with great desire to do
good, depend on self, i Cor. i. 30, " Jesus is made unto
us wisdom." As regards the whole question of failure,
there are abundant causes easy to be noted.
In looking over my own life, for twenty years nearly I
was really in the dark as to the extent the Scripture war-
rants us in relying on the keeping power of Jesus. I
thought as long as we are down here, we must have
nothmg but ebbing and flowing. It is just as un-Scriptural
to say, " Sin shall have dominion over me," as to say, " I
have no sin." But want of faith prevents one from
claiming deliverance. Failing in the Christian life, we
necessarily fail in the issues of the Christian life. If the
fire is out, how shall we make the kettle boil ? If off the
insulating stool, I can never impart the electric current
to others. Another thing \s want of confession to blessing
received, being afraid to speak out of Christ's keeping
power ; I have shrunk from it, with g^eat loss of power ;
the heart believes and the mouth makes confession. Let
us trust Him to fully save, and fully cleanse, and fully
keep. Oh, I do thank God for having testified that I
never thirst. I never give the testimony without getting a
blessing. God knows I never expect to thirst again.
Don't let us expect the devil will have his own way any
more. Before the C.I.M. was formed, I told people God
was going to open the eighteen provinces. So with the
seventy helpers we made our boast at the beginning of
the three years, not at the end. So let us believe for Pai-
yuen Fu. Let us hold fast the confession of our faith, not
because we are fine fellows — no 1 but because " faithful is
He who hath promised, who also will do it." When we
are fully saved from pride, anger, lust, how we can come
to the Chinese, bound in such chains, and tell them of an
Almighty Saviour 1 and tell how God has delivered us
from our tendencies. But if we are only half saved,
where is our courage, where our faith, where our honesty
when we preach? When we get preaching from the
heart of this kind, be sure salvation is not far from the
Chinese.
The meeting ended with many heartfelt expressions of
thanksgiving to God for blessings received, and many
trusting for a full salvation. Hallelujah.
Cfet %it^ 0f Uragtr far ftaltbt Cljnslians.
FROM MR. MEADOWS.
|H£ persecutions the native Christians meet with
are sometimes very hard to bear. The heavens
seem like brass to the young converts who call
upon God, as Nehemiah did of old, to give them mercy
in the sight of their rulers, and their impatience some-
times leads to sad ends. A poor man, who would not
contribute to an idolatrous theatrical, had his wife taken
from him and sold, his house gutted, all his household
goods destroyed, and was then driven away and forbidden
to return on pain of death. Driven about from place to
place by wicked men of his clan, not allowed to plant his
fields and prepare for harvest, at last, in despair of help
from his own people and impatient at not getting an
answer to his prayers, he, in a moment of intense mental
depression, took his own life by swallowing a large
quantity of opium.
The lay preacher who advised him not to worship idols
nor contribute to their feasts, was holding a meetmg in
our deceased friend's house one day when he was seized.
strung up to a beam, and his right ear and queue
were cut off, while his life was threatened unless he
would reject the doctrines of Jesus. He stood firm ; his
ear was healed by a medical missionary at Hang-chau,
and he is still worshipping and witnessing for Jesus to
his countrymen. But as the persecution still goes on
against all inquirers after the truth, and he is not allowed
to live at home in peace, he also is sometimes very much
distressed in mind, not understanding why God does not
in some way interpose. The Lord will doubtless deliver
them at the proper time, but it is so hard to get the
Chinese Christians who are directly involved to see this.
Perhaps if the trial came nearer to us we also might have
our fears and doubts and misgivings. Christians in
England must not look upon the suicide, mentioned above,
from an English point ot view, as the value of life, in its
relation and responsibility to the Creator, is not so clearly
defined in the mind of a Chinaman, even though he be a
Christian.
Citrmgs fr0m Srallmtr Mffrte.
From Mr. Williamson.
Fung-hwa, June T.'^rd,
I think I wrote you some time ago of the baptism of four men
at Din-tsi ; more recently Mr. Liu writes me of the baptism of
two men and four women at T'ai-chau, as also of four women at
Din-eo-tsiang, making in all fourteen within the past two months.
Two men and their wives have been received at T'ai-p'ing, and I
expect to hear soon of their having been baptised. The literary
examinations are taking place in T'ai-chau just now, but by the
last tidings all was going on quietly.
We have several inquirers here, and also at some of the other
stations. Mr, Vxn has been 'sufTering from ophthalmia. Mrs,
Vsen is able to be about, though not able to enmire much fatigue ;
it is wonderful to see her as she is.
We had a good time at Shao-hing, and were well pleased with
the progress of the young men ; some of us older men might be
all the better if we could work up for examination. We are
clad to hear of new arrivals, and trust that the Lord will make
them a means of much blessing.
July 22nd. — We have good tidings from our girls [at the Che-foo
school]. They were well, and had been successful in the examina-
tions. Miss Seed sends us a report and their examination papers
every month, and we cannot tell how pleased we are, botn with
the quantity and the quality of the work done. But what pleases
us most is that, while the mental training is all that could be
desired, the spiritual training is the chief object.
With regard to the work here, we had the joy of baptising
one man and two women on Sunday, the nth. Mr. Harrison
keeps well, and is able to study right on, though we are now in
the middle of the hot season.
From Mr. Meadows.
ShaO'hing,
I have been twelve years in this part of China, have visited many
places and preached many times to the heathen ; I have never, to
my remembrance, met such a large group of earnest hearers as I
did a short time ago at a village a few miles from this city. Our
native pastor spoke very plainly and earnestly, and the women,
and even the men, seemed to bend their whole attention to his
burning words, and to catch the chief points of his discourse in a
way a Chinese mixed audience seldom does. At the conclusion
CHINA'S MtLUONS.
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