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CONTENTS
Editorial Paragraphs 469
A Review Lesson 473
How Much will you Pledge in Addi-
tion to Regular Contributions for
1884? 474
China a Field for Missions. By J. B.
Angell, LL. D • 475
The American Inter-Seminary Mis-
sionary Alliance 480
Rijutei, the Corean Convert. By Rev.
H. Loomis 481
The Evangelization of Corea. By
Rev. M L. Gordon , D. D 4S3
The Society of the Lovers of Instruc-
tion. By IV. A. Farnsworth, D. D. 484
Letters from the Missions 488
Zulu Mission. — From Mr. Wilcox. 48S
West Central African Mission. —
From Air. Aliller, Air. Fay, and
Mr. Stover 489
European Turkey Mission. — From
Mr. Thomson 490
Madura Mission. — From Air. Jones
and Air. W. S. Howland 491
Ceylon Mission. — From Dr. Hast-
ings and Air. W. W. Howland . . . 493
Japan Mission. — From Air. Cary
and Mr. Gulick 494
Gleanings from Letters
From Mr. Gulick, San Sebastian;
Air. Ireland, Adams; Aliss Stone,
Philippopolis ; Mr. Tracy, Tiru-
mangalam ; Miss Gardner , Osaka ;
Air. Learned, Kioto ; Miss Fletcher,
P on ape.
Notes from the Wide Field
Aprica: A Christian Hero; Stanley's
E xp lorations; San Salvador. —
Madagascar: Treatment of Air.
Shaw by the French ; The Spirit
of the Hovas ; Progress. — Polyne-
sia : New Hebrides. — India: An
Interesting Movement.
Miscellany. .
The Holy Scriptures. — Missionaries
in Natal. — Native Preachers for
China. — Bibliographical.
Notes for the Month
Topic for Special Prayer. — Arrivals
at Stations. — Arrival in the United
States. — Departure.
For the Monthly Concert
Donations
For Young People
Chinese Children. By Mrs. Emma D.
Smith. (Three Illustrations.)
496
49S
501
504
505
505
510
BOSTON
published bg the American leant of Commissioners {or foreign fissions
Congregational House, i Somerset Street
PRESS OF STANLEY & USHER, BOSTON, MASS.
Entered at the Post-office at Boston, Mass., as second-class matter, in accordance with Section 199 of the Postal Laws and Regulations,
and admitted for transmission through the mails at second-class rate.
Subscription, $ 1.00 . Address CHARLES HUTCHINS, 1 Somerset Street, Boston, Mass .
American Boa'rt of Commissioners for jforctgn fHtsstons.
Mission Rooms, Congregational House, Boston, Mass.
Rev. N. G. CLARK, D. D. • ]
Rev. E. K. ALDEN, D. D. f Corresponding’ Secretaries.
Rev. JOHN O. MEANS, X). D. j
LANGDON S. WARD, Treasurer.
Rev. E. E. STRONG, D. D., Editor of Missionary Herald.
CHARLES HUTCHINS, Publishing and Purchasing Agent.
Letters for the above mentioned persons should be addressed Congregational
House, No. i Somerset Street , Boston, Mass.
Communications relating to the pecuniary affairs of the Board should be sent to the
Treasurer; subscriptions and remittances for the Missionary Herald, to the Publish-
ing Agent.
Mrs. Eliza H. Walker, paving care of Missionary children, may be addressed
Auburndale , Mass.
DISTRICT SECRETARIES.
>ew York and the Middle States, Connecticut, and Ohio,
Rev. H. C. Haydn, D. D., No. 39 Bible House, New York City.
States of the Interior,
Rev. S. J. Humphrey, D. D., Prairie State Bank Building ,
No. IJ2 West Washington Street , Chicago, 111.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
The payment of $50 at one time constitutes a minister, and the payment of $100 at
one time constitutes any other person, an Honorary Member of the Board.
WOMAN’S BOARDS OF MISSIONS.
IF. Ji. M., Boston. Miss Abbie B. Child, Secretary. Miss Emma Carruth,
Treasurer.
IF. B. M., of the Interior. Miss M. E. Greene, No. 75 Madison Street, Chicago,
Secretary. Mrs. J. B. Leake, No. 75 Madison Street, Chicago, Treasurer.
IF. Ji. M., for the Pacific. Mrs. H. E. Jewett, Secretary, Oakland, Cal. Mrs. R.
E. Cole, Treasurer, Oakland, Cal.
Al. communications to officers of the Woman's Board, Boston, should be sent to
No. 1 Congregational House, Boston.
Checks and drafts should be made payable to Miss Emma Carruth, Treasurer.
Letters relating to “Life and Light” should be addressed Secretary “ Life anc
Light." '
LEGACIES.
In making devises and legacies, 'the entire corporate name of the particular Board
which the testator has in mind should be used, as follows : — -
“ The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, incorporated ir
Massachusetts in 1812.”
“The Woman’s Board of Missions, incorporated in Massachusetts in 1869.”
“The Woman’s Board of Missions of the Interior, incorporated in Illinois in 1S73."
PUBLICATIONS.
The Missionary Herald, published monthly, at $1.00 per year.
subscription Envelopes, for collections to A. B. C. F. M., 15 cents per hundred.
Pamphlet Sketches of the several missions of the Board, 35 cents for the set.
Leaflets for free distr" ution may be obtained at the Mission Rooms.
The Mission Dayspring, for children, published monthly by the American Board
and the Woman’s Board of Missions, at $3.00 for 25 copies; single copies 20 cents.
THE
Missionary Herald.
Vol. LXXIX. — DECEMBER, 1883.— No. XII.
Two Months. — The receipts during the first two months of our new financial
year amount to $74,392.34, of which $60,742.36 are from donations. In order
to meet the regular appropriations for the year, and additional requests from the
missions anxiously waiting additional appropriations, we need to receive for the
remaining ten months a monthly average of about $50,000. Let this be our
prayerful aim during the coming year.
New Missionary Map of the World. — The Board has just issued a fine
wall-map of the world, for chapel use, which we are confident will be
pronounced quite in advance of anything of the kind yet published, when
quality and price are considered. The map is drawn upon “Mercator’s Projec-
tion,” eight feet four inches by four feet six inches, and designates the several
missions of the Board with red ink. The price will be $2.50 on cloth ; $1.50 on
paper. The series of maps of which this is one now embraces Micronesia,
Southern Japan, China, Central and Southern Africa, Southern India and Ceylon,
and Turkey. The whole set of seven costs on cloth but $9.50; on paper,
$5.75 ; postage included. How many churches can afford to be without such
helps for their missionary meetings ? The maps already issued have had a large
sale, and there is sure to be a special call for this inexpensive Map of the
World.
Let the children, and other friends of missions in Sabbath-schools, be on the
lookout for a call to build a new Morning Star, in addition to what they are
now doing for missions. Another new vessel is needed to carry on the prosper-
ous and rapidly enlarging work throughout Micronesia ; for the present vessel
besides being nearly worn out is quite too small for the required service. The
children who built with such enthusiasm the former vessels will doubtless be
quick to respond to another call. Shall the new vessel have steam power as
well as wings ? That would certainly be desirable, amid the currents and calms
of Micronesia, but it would cost money. Those who are to give the money must
say whether they will give enough for a steamer. What say the children ? We
shall have something more to say on this matter soon.
47° Editorial Paragraphs. [December,
We have in preparation for the January number of the Herald a map of the
-world, eight inches by sixteen, giving in color the missions of the American
Board and, as far as practicable, the stations. This map is to be, on a small
scale, like the Board’s new chapel Map of the World- Other plans are
in contemplation for the enrichment of our magazine for the coming year. We
mean to make it worthy ot the increasing favor with which it is received, and
trust that our friends will be ready to second our efforts to greatly increase its
circulation at the beginning of the year.
A revised edition of the leaflet, “The Field, the Force, and the Work” for
1884, is now ready, and may be had gratuitously on application to C. N. Chapin,
Room 14, Congregational House. This leaflet is specially valuable for distribu-
tion in churches prior to the taking of the annual collection for foreign missions,
that the people may clearly understand the extent and demands of the work they
are called upon to sustain.
Professor Barbour’s sermon delivered at the Annual Meeting, 1'he Annual
Survey, by Secretary Clark, the paper by Secretary Alden on “ Our Annual
Financial Problem,” the Report of the Special Committee of the Board on
Turkish Matters (including the paper of Drs. Chapin and Mead and the address
of Dr. Hamlin),' and the Report of the Deputation from the Prudential Com-
mittee to Turkey, may be obtained by addressing Mr. Chapin. The Annual
Report of the Board for the past year, a most valuable repository of informa-
tion concerning our missions, will be forwarded to any address for 25 cents, to
cover postage and part cost.
Hearty congratulations are due to the Woman’s Board of the Pacific and
to the Woman’s Board of the Interior, on the results reported by them at their
recent annual meetings. The Pacific Board has just celebrated most joyfully its
tenth anniversary, and finds that it has collected during these ten years not less than
$26,000. Last year it made an advance of over $1,000 in its contributions.
The Board of the Interior, which had set itself to secure $10,000 more than
during the previous year, has exceeded that sum by $5,000, thus making its con-
tributions for the financial year just closed about $45,000. This certainly is a
noble gain, and indicates a growing missionary zeal at the West. We hope to be
able to give like congratulations to the Woman’s Board, Boston, when its financial
year shall close, a few weeks hence.
We are glad to learn that the Barotse tribe, on the upper waters of the
Zambesi, have at last a white missionary settled among them. Mr. Arnot,
a young Scotchman, only twenty-five years of age, after a year of travel through
the Transvaal and Orange Free State, reached the Barotse just in time to lead the
king to a decision not to admit the Jesuits, who had asked permission to remain
with the tribe. The king had been looking for the return of Mr. Coillard, the
French evangelical missionary who visited him some four years ago, and welcomed
this white missionary with great gladness. This is somewhat near an approach
on the east, for Africa, to our brethren at Bailunda, who will rejoice to hear of
the coming of a new neighbor in that direction.
i883.]
Editorial Paragraphs.
47 1
If any of our readers have accepted the theory that it is necessary to civilize
men before they can be Christianized, we hope they will read the testimony of
President Angell, of Michigan University, late Minister to China, given on
another page. The theory is plausible, but again and again has it been proved
fallacious. What President Angell says of one nation is equally true of all
nations : “ Christianity must go ahead of steam-engines and reaping-machines in
China, if they are to stay there and work out their civilizing mission.”
At the late Missionary Convention in Osaka, Dr. Verbeck gave the following
testimony in regard to the efficacy of prayer in the grand results in Japan : “ The
Japanese Church was born in prayer. In January, 1872, the missionaries and all
English-speaking residents in Yokohama united in observing the Week of Prayer.
The Japanese students were specially had in mind. The meetings increased in
interest, and were prolonged from week to week to the end of February. 'J'he
English and American captains of men-of-war in the port said of these meetings :
‘ The prayers of these Japanese take the heart out of us.’ A church of eleven
members was organized, called the ‘Church of Christ in Japan.’ To-day there
are five thousand members of Protestant churches.”
Medical missionary work has nowhere had greater success than in China.
Physicians, both male and female, are gladly received, and they win a way for the
gospel as they carry healing for the body. The faith of the Chinese in the
doctor is illustrated by a remark, said to be frequently heard when medicine is
offered and more is asked for : “ If one dose will do me good, two doses will
do me twice as much good, and four doses will do me four times as much good.”
These people will take a good deal of preaching as well as a good deal of
medicine.
Sunshine. — A pastor of a church in the Interior writes as follows: “Our
contribution to the American Board last year was $519. That was too small.
So you thought ; so thought we all. Returning from the meeting at Detroit, I
presented the cause the next Sabbath morning. We looked to God and took
the collection. It was Si, 008 — almost double. We did another thing. The
Woman’s Auxiliary last year gave $370, and the Pilgrim Workers $146. But
that left a belt of good soil between the children and the adults uncultivated.
So we put in the Young People’s Foreign Missionary Society, meeting monthly
for papers and reports, and pledged to raise $200 j and the sum will exceed that,
for they have a ‘ self-denial ’ and a ‘ thanksgiving’ box. There is a great deal of
both self-denial and thanksgiving in our church. So this year, putting all together,
we shall have at least Si, 924, while last year we had only Si, 036. 90 — almost
double. We have for seed to work with, a Missionary Herald in every house
almost, maps of all missionary fields, and a fine library of missionary books
which the young people eagerly read and report from. One hundred copies of
Missionary Bagster’s ‘Joy of Missionary Enterprise ’ have also been put into
the homes of Christian people. God’s blessing has been richly on all these. In
the Christian service we get what we work for.” Our beloved brother calls his
letter most appropriately “ a few gleams of sunshine.” If any one doubts it, let
him experiment with those two missionary boxes named “ self-denial ” and
“thanksgiving” and see if they do not become luminous before the year ends.
4 72 Editorial Paragraphs. [December,
Since the letters from Japan, given on another page, were ready for the press,
other letters have been received of a most encouraging character, indicating the
continued presence of the Holy Spirit in converting power in many of the
churches. These letters must necessarily be reserved for our next issue. What
will practically be a new mission in Japan has just been inaugurated by the
American Board, by the going of Messrs. O. H. Gulick and R. H. Davis, with
their families, to Niigata, a city on the northwest coast, some 370 miles from
Osaka and 170 miles from Tokio, on the other side of the great island. This
city was occupied recently by the English Church Missionary Society who have
now relinquished the field, leaving the way open for our missionaries to accept
an urgent call to take possession. This new and hopeful undertaking is earnestly
commended to the prayers of the friends of missions.
We are glad to learn that our Methodist brethren in Bulgaria have apparently
won a victory in their long contest against governmental opposition. They are
reopening their schools, which for some time have been closed by orders of the
officials. Our own missionaries at Samokov are also finding new tokens of
friendliness since the late political revolution at Sophia. No answer has been
received to their letter declining to submit to the official requirement that
a priest should be allowed to teach religion in the mission schools. It is hoped
that nothing more will be heard of the preposterous regulation.
A convention of American citizens resident in the Turkish Empire was held
at Constantinople in June last, holding daily sessions for nearly two weeks, to
consider what action should be taken in view of the outrages committed upon
foreigners living in Turkey. Forty gentlemen were in attendance, representing
twenty-two different cities, from Monastir on the west to Mardin beyond the
Tigris. It seems that there are, including children, some four hundred Americans
residing within the bounds of the Turkish Empire. Statements were presented
to the Convention, showing that the Turkish Government has utterly failed to
afford these residents the protection called for by natural right and by treaty
stipulations. A memorial addressed to the President of the United States was
adopted, setting forth the annoyances they had experienced through the action
or the inefficiency of the Turkish Government. Special reference is made to the
interference of the authorities with the .publication and sale of the Scriptures and
other books ; these books having been seized and confiscated ; the refusal to
grant permits for the erection of buildings, even of dwelling-houses, on land
purchased in legal form, and the failure to afford protection from bandits and
lawless men, or to punish these culprits when discovered. These complaints are
accompanied by specifications with evidence ; and the papers have been forwarded
to the State Department, at Washington. The Prudential Committee have
endorsed the appeal, addressing a letter to Secretary Frelinghuysen, in which they
say: “The facts detailed in this memorial and the accompanying statements
speak for themselves, and we are confident that they will excite in you the same
feelings of righteous indignation which they have aroused in us and in the victims
of this high-handed oppression. We are sure that there is no need either to
emphasize these' facts, or to stimulate the determination of our government not
to tolerate such injurious treatment of its citizens.”
i883.]
A Review Lesson .
473
A REVIEW LESSON.
One feature in the work of the American Board, as reported during the year
past, is worthy of more than a passing notice. We refer to the widespread
religious interest throughout the entire mission field, developing itself in revivals
at various points, but not confined to any one people or country. A new
emphasis has been given to the words of the apostle, that “the gospel is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth,” without distinction of
race or culture. The special blessing of the Holy Spirit has attended missionary
effort on such a scale as to attract attention, inspire hope, and stimulate to more
earnest endeavor.
It has been an intelligent interest, prepared for by faithful instruction and by
the study of the Scriptures. The higher institutions of education have shared in
it to an unusual degree, as, for instance, the Collegiate Institute at Samokov, in
Bulgaria ; Armenia and Jaffna Colleges ; the Training-Schools at Amanzimtote, in
Africa, at Tung-cho, in North China, and at Kioto, in Japan ; also the High Schools
for Girls in the Turkish Empire, in India and Ceylon, and in China and Japan.
A second peculiarity of this widespread interest is its thoroughly evangelical
character. It has been marked by a deep conviction of sin, by penitent con-
fessions on the part of those formerly known as Christians, as well as of those
newly awakened, and by a complete and joyful acceptance of Christ, and
a humble reliance on the Holy Spirit, such as in some places were never before
witnessed.
At Adana, in Turkey, a great spiritual awakening followed the faithful preaching
of the Word. At Hadjin it came, apparently, in response to the earnest and pre-
vailing prayer of a little company whose hearts the Lord had touched. In some
islands of Micronesia the people seem to have been made willing to accept the
truth almost in advance of religious teachers.
In several instances the interest began with the Week of Prayer, and so
continued for weeks and months after. Is it, then, too much to believe that
the Lord is thus beckoning us on to more fervent prayer, and to more earnest
effort, in the expectation of more abundant blessing?
During the past year we have had, as never before in our history, an exhibition,
of the most varied character, of the adaptedness of the gospel to the spiritual
needs of men ; and, may we not add, of the power of the Holy Ghost to make
the gospel effective to the conversion of men? This power has not been given
in such measure as to lead us to rest from our labors, but rather to encourage
us to press forward in assured confidence of greater results. Whatever else
our work may be or do for those who accept the gospel, it is first of all a
spiritual work, and made such by the direct and supernatural agency of the
Holy Ghost. The good seed has been sown broadcast in the hearts of
thousands and tens of thousands about our mission stations, but it is the
Spirit that quickeneth. The vast and varied machinery is complete in all its
appointments, but the living Spirit must be in the wheels.
This number of the Herald will come into the hands ol most of the mission-
aries of the Board during the Week of Prayer. May it be suggestive of the one
474
[December,
How Much Will You Pledge ?
great need, and suggestive, too, of the reasons for expecting blessed results, the
foretaste of which has been granted in the year now closing. And will not the
friends of missions at home unite with the missionaries and the native churches
abroad in this one petition for the quickening and sanctifying power of the Holy
Ghost, that the new year may be glorious in the annals of the church for the
triumphs of grace in every mission field?
HOW MUCH WILL YOU PLEDGE IN ADDITION TO REGULAR
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 1884?
For the regular appropriations for 1884, amounting to $500,000, the Prudential
Committee relies upon the regular contributions of churches, Sunday-schools, and
individual donors, including those which are paid through the Woman’s Boards,
and upon ordinary legacies. These regular contributions must not be allowed to
fail or to decline. On the other hand, they should steadily increase, advancing
at least ten per cent, annually. These constitute pecuniarily the main reliance
of all our missions.
But beyond this $500,000 required to meet the regular appropriations, the
missions imperatively need at least $50,000 additional for objects urgently asked
for. This amount the Committee desires immediately to appropriate, but dares
not do it without specific pledges that the necessary money will be furnished in
addition to the regular contributions. The missionaries are now waiting to hear
what response will be made by individuals and churches to this call for additional
donations for 1884. Are there not churches which will arrange to take up
“a second contribution in behalf of some special department of the foreign
work, like that of publication or education,” as recommended by the committee
on “ Our Annual Financial Problem,” at the last Annual Meeting? * Will not
those churches which have adopted the weekly system of giving see to it that
this “special” is added to the regular contributions foi the American Board?
Will not our generous friends who pledged a double subscription last year
renew the pledge for the coming year, and encourage others to do the same ?
If any prefer to designate for this additional donation some particular field,
or some special request received from a mission, this commendable wish can
be gratified, as the Committee has in its possession scores of such requests
waiting for specific pledges in order that the requests may be granted. To
meet these requests from the missions, the Committee would be glad to receive
specific pledges: For the Zulu field, $250; for European Turkey, $1,300 ;
for Western Turkey, $3,000; for Eastern Turkey, $1,500; for the Maratha
field, $1,600; for Madura, $3,000; for North China, $7,000; for Japan
$2,000 ; for Spain, $4,000. These sums represent nearly a hundred specific
requests which need an immediate response, to be reported to the missions,
if possible, by the first of January next. Twice as many more can be
* "As our home work makes several collections a year to meet its various necessities, it is recommended that
a second contribution a year be taken, in behalf of some special department of the foreign work, like that of publi-
cation or education.” — Report of Committee, by Rev. C. L. Goodell, D. D., Chairman.
*883.]
475
China a Field for Missions.
readily appended, if there is a disposition *to respond to this style of appeal.
May not the Committee receive pledges for at least $50,000 before the close of
1883, promising that amount additional to the regular contributions for 1884?
Such pledges may be forwarded to the Treasurer or Secretaries of the Board,
and will be made immediately available for specific additional missionary work.
CHINA A FIELD FOR MISSIONS.
BY PRESIDENT J. B. ANGELL, LL. D., OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
[A stenographic report of the address made by President Angell at the Annual Meeting, at Detroit, October 4,
in presenting the report of the Committee on the Chinese Missions.]
Mr. President and Christian Friends: — As there is no male missionary
here from China to-day, I feel somewhat more at liberty to comply with the
courteous request of the friends of the Board to occupy your time for a few
moments than I otherwise should. I know that sometimes persons like to hear
a bit of testimony from those who are not missionaries but who have visited
a foreign field. There is, perhaps, a not unnatural suspicion sometimes that the
missionaries may unconsciously give rose-colored reports of what they want to
have true, or that perhaps they give exaggerated reports of the obstacles. I
want to say, once for all, that after perhaps somewhat exceptional opportunities
for observing the missions, not only of our own Board, but of the Boards of our
Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, and Episcopal brethren in China, and also the
Boards of the European churches, I come fully prepared to say, as my own con-
viction, that the work of foreign missions is now planted upon so solid a foundation,
and gives so much promise in that hardest of all fields that we till — China,
that there is nothing left for us but to push on to the glorious end which every
believer in this 'Word of God must feel assured awaits us at the last. I have
enjoyed the hospitality of these brethren. I have seen them at their daily work ;
and I want to say, as a simple expression of just recognition, that it would be an
inadequate statement if I said simply that, in respect to attainments and ability
and missionary tact, the American missionaries are certainly behind those of no
other societies iri the East. And, as I am a man, and the women are holding
their meeting by themselves, I think I may say confidentially to you, my brethren,
that we have some women there of most exceptional brilliancy and ability and
devotion — women who would grace and honor any position and discharge any
high duty in life ; women who, with entire consecration to their humble work, are
equally welcome in the hut of a Chinese peasant or in the salon of the most
distinguished diplomate at Peking. And this is not a small matter in a country
where courtesy, politeness, good breeding, and scholarship form, as we may say,
a part of the national religion.
I find that what I supposed to be the great trials to the missionaries ai e not
the great trials, while some things that I did not know of are. I never saw a more
cheerful set of men and women in the world than the missionaries in China. I do
not think they ask you to waste any sympathy on them, on account of the common
476
China a Field for Missions.
[December,
things that perhaps you are wasting sympathy on them about. Take the climate,
for instance, of North China. I do not want to speak disrespectfully of what
may be called the capital of the American Board, the City of Boston, State of
Massachusetts ; but anybody who lives where the east winds from Labrador come
down through all the spring need not waste any sympathy upon people living in
North China. It is an invigorating climate and, with care, a very healthful
climate. And, as to the separation from friends, why, the merchants all over
China suffer separation also. The separation from children is one of the hard
things, when the time comes to send them home ; but really, the hardest thing —
what I did not know of — something that we cannot appreciate — is what may be
called the tremendous pressure of heathen life that bears down upon a man until
it seems to force the very life out of him. As a matter of fact, when they live too
long in the interior, some of them actually suffer from mental aberration. It is
a matter which needs to be very carefully considered by the Secretaries of this
Board, that their missionaries are not too long confined in interior parts of the
empire of China or of any other heathen land.
You know the methods of work, by preaching, by medical aid, by the teaching
of women in the schools. You must not understand that it is like the preaching
that you have here, with your regular sermon. They take a room upon a side
street, they start up a hymn and draw in the people, for the Chinese streets are
always full of people ready to be drawn to anything novel. The people go in
and out as they please ; they ask questions which require a good deal of tact to
answer. I remember one of my friends was once preaching upon happiness.
As soon as he got through he was addressed by one of his audience : “ You
have been telling us about happiness; do you want to know my idea of happi-
ness?” “Yes.” “Well, my idea of happiness is to have nothing to do and
have your belly full of rice.” That is the ordinary Chinaman’s ideal of
happiness.
The condition of woman there I could talk about till midnight, — the most
dreadful and sad thing in all China. If any man wants to compare any heathen
religion with Christianity, even what is generally considered to be the pure stand
loftiest, — the Confucian system of ethics, — there are a dozen different tests ; but
I beg that the condition of woman where Christ has not come be noticed. There
is nothing that makes a man’s heart bleed so, in all Chinese life, as the condition
of woman — ignorant, abject, slave and drudge as she is of man, from the day of
her birth to the day of her death. But Christian women can get access to them ;
and that is why we need women missionaries and women physicians in China.
The most expert physician in the world would not be allowed to go and
prescribe for a woman, for it is contrary to their ideas of propriety ; and hence I
rejoice that female physicians are going to India and China. I had the pleasure
of knowing some of them and seeing them in their work, and I think I may be
pardoned upon the soil of Michigan for saying that I took pride in knowing that
four of them were all graduates of the university with which I had the pleasure
of being connected. I felt a sort of fatherly interest in them. I am glad to
say, in this connection, that five more — three men and two women have this
year gone from that university to Syria and Asia Minor on the same errand, and
1883-] China a Field for Missions. 477
others there are now under appointment of this Board. Some good may come
even out of Nazareth.
The opportunities for work in China are simply unlimited. There is not
a place in that whole empire that a man with tact and prudence and knowledge
of the language cannot enter to-day and preach the gospel. You could not go
there and carry on trade ; you cannot carry on trade anywhere but at the nine-
teen open ports ; but you can go with the Bible into the interior, and, although
I think the treaties perhaps do not justify it, yet the government has permitted
us to hold property in the interior for mission purposes ; so that really there is
no practical obstacle to carrying the gospel into every corner of China to-day.
It is infinitely freer than in Spain or Russia or some parts of Austria.
The opposition of the Chinese to Christian work, I think, is not religious.
The fact is, they are very indifferent on the subject of religions. Indeed, they
are a good deal more tolerant people than some others. They have admitted
religion after religion into their empire with only a little temporary opposition.
Every Chinaman to-day has three religions of his own. If I had time I should
like to make that clear, but I cannot stop for it now. Every Chinaman has
three religions, each one of which he uses for some particular purposes — a great
luxury, a great deal better than to have none, like some of us, perhaps. Taoism
was introduced after Confucianism, and then Buddhism. The latter was per-
secuted more violently, if possible, than Christianity at first, and is now an
incorporate religion of the empire. No ; they do not care so much about
opposing us on account of religion. They are indifferent to us, and it is difficult
to reach them from another cause altogether. Primarily, the deepest thing,
perhaps, is their invincible pride in their own system of philosophy and learning,
and their great feeling of superiority to foreigners. They do not want to be
taken under our guidance. They feel very much as if a medicine-man from
the Indians should come here and ask us to follow him. First, we should
despise his medicine doctrines as far inferior to our own ; secondly, we should
feel degraded to be chasing an Indian around. Now, that is exactly the way
they feel about foreigners ; they have’ this sort of aversion to them rather than to t
religion as such. There are other obstacles, of course, which I need not dwell
upon ; but that is the fundamental one. It is their invincible pride in the
superiority of their systems of philosophy, and of their national life, to foreign
philosophies, religion, and life.
We are accustomed to think the Chinese are very hard to reach, because they
never change. Upon that there are some misapprehensions. The Chinese have
changed a good deal more than we are apt to think. In the first place, they
have changed their governors repeatedly, and our students of history will find
there is a large mine to explore there by and by. Why, the Chinese went through
with all the feudal history of Europe 2,200 years ago and got through with it —
exactly the same thing. They have introduced two religions. Mohammedism is
allowed, but there are but few believers in it in the empire.
No ; the greatest obstacle to reaching them is this pride ; and that is why
our missionaries are able to reach for the present, with few exceptions, only th<
very lowest people. The scholar is too proud ; he looks with scorn upon yo'
478
China a Field for Missions.
[December,
doctrines. The common people are reached, and through them we are ultimately
to reach, if at all, the scholars themselves. And there is this democratic element
which favors that solution of the problem ; for, although China is a monarchy,
there is a wonderful degree of democracy in the governmental structure. This
is a very interesting matter which I cannot enter into now ; but suffice it to say,
for this purpose, that no matter how poor a man is, no matter how humble his
birth, if he is a scholar and can show that he can pass the great national
examination, there is not an office in the empire, except that of the emperor,
which he cannot hold ; and, as a matter of fact, several of the very highest
officials in the empire to-day are the sons of poor peasants. And now some of
our poor Christian boys, humble as they are, may by and by hope to be scholars
and to wield that influence which it is very desirable they should wield ; for
China, above all nations, is ruled by scholars. Every office is held by a scholar ;
every schoolmaster is a scholar — he has passed this annual examination.
There is no public opinion in China save that which these scholars make ; and
before we can carry China, we must find some way of conquering the scholars,
and that is the great problem before us. It is a hard one, — we must realize
that, — but it is not an impossible one.
I wish our venerable friends, Dr. S. Wells Williams and Dr. Peter Parker, who
are still living in a green and venerable old age, honored and respected by all
who love China or who love Christianity, — I wish they were here to-day, that we
might look upon them in the flesh and see men who went to China when there
was hardly room to put one’s foot, almost sixty years ago ; and yet to-day we
see all China open to our missionaries, 20,000 communicants in Protestant
churches, the Bible translated into that difficult language, a large Christian
literature already organized, and our missionaries everywhere familiar with the
best methods of conducting the work. And this within the lifetime of our
venerable president who sits here and who doubtless remembers the whole of it.
So that we have not reason to be entirely discouraged even concerning China.
And when we remember what a magnificent prize that empire is for Christ to
win, we must not be too speedily disheartened. We must expect slow but steady
progress. There are none of the brilliant dashes of the Japanese in the Chinese.
They are a slow, steady-moving people. They are often compared to the
Saxons ; and they have much of those qualities which gave the Saxons their great
skill, pluck, and endurance. They have the staying qualities. They never give
up. When they set their face toward an end, they go to it, if it takes centuries.
I knew an old general there, the greatest living general in China. He com-
manded the forces that carried on the wars against the Russians away over in
Central Asia ; and his method of warfare was so characteristic of the Chinese
character that I must speak of it in closing. There was an almost impassable
desert between China and the province where the military operations were to be
carried on, hundreds of miles of sand, with here and there an oasis. They
could not get provisions across to the armies that were fighting the Russians ; so
what did they do? Why, this old gentleman set himself to planting colonies of
Chinese soldiers in these oases ; and they planted crops year after year. So they
ished their way along. He wasn’t in any hurry; he knew the Russians would
ISS3.]
China a Field for Missions.
479
wait there for him ; and when he got his crops all ready, then he moved his
armies on over these oases with a base of supplies a good deal more complete than
General Sherman had in his march down to Atlanta. Then he engaged in all
those hard-fought battles, in which the Chinese armies did not suffer in compari-
son with the Russians. That is a splendid illustration of the Chinese mode of
proceeding ; and if at last they will give up their vanity and accept Christ, we
may be assured they will wield a power which will be felt not only throughout
Asia, but throughout the world.
I get letters sometimes from inventors asking if there is a good market
for their goods in China. Why, there is no chance there at all. They
do nor want your clothespins, nor your reapers, nor your sewing-machines,
nor anything of the sort. Civilization cannot go ahead of Christianity into
China. They do not want you there. They say we have been a great
nuisance to them, and I think we have in some respects; that is, we
have disturbed their own ideas very much. Seriously, my friends, looking
at this matter from a philosophic point of view, and not merely as a
Christian, I believe that the only method, or at any rate by far the most
expedient method, of getting our Western civilization into Chinese life, is
through Christianity. And let me tell you why. The reason they will not take
our Western civilization in its secular aspects is this. They say, every man of
them, and they have been taught so for 3,000 years, and their children are taught
so to-day — that all wisdom is contained in their nine sacred books which were
written 3,000 years ago ; that all learning which man needs to know for any
purpose is there, whether secular or sacred ; that all that is necessary to make
a civilization that is worth having is there ; and their faith is pinned to that.
They look backward over their shoulders for their idjal, and not forward ; and
you can never stir them one inch until you can break up their implicit faith in
the absolute perfection of the civilization of 3,000 years ago, with its philosophy.
Now, then, if you can bring them to the philosophy in this Blessed Book which
teaches us that the same Author made nature and made this Book, and that we
are to accept the truth of science, which is simply the knowledge of the laws of
God, and all truth, whencesoever it comes, opening our hearts to truths from the
whole horizon round, then don’t you see you have the door flung wide open for
all that is good in our Western civilization ? You may carry steamships and
telegraphs and railroads there from now to the end of the century ; but I believe
that is the very slowest way to get Western civilization into China. We have
begun at the wrong end, if we think that is the way to accomplish it. There is
not a foot of railroad in China to-day. There were twelve miles laid, but they
bought it and tore it up ; and the troops have had to protect the telegraph which
was built while I was there. It all comes of their religious belief. It is not
a prejudice against invention : it is because a railroad or a telegraph O'
a reaping-machine or a steam-engine interferes with their most sacred relig:
beliefs ; and you cannot move them one inch until their belief in fung-
and ancestral worship, and Confucianism, is shattered to the very base,
must go ahead of steam-engines and reaping-machines in China, if th
stay there and work out their civilizing mission.
480
The American Inter-Seminary Missionary Alliance. [December,
THE AMERICAN INTER-SEMINARY MISSIONARY ALLIANCE.
The fourth annual convention of this Alliance was held at Hartford, Connecti-
cut, by invitation of the Theological Seminary of that city. From October 25
to 29, some three hundred and fifty delegates were present from thirty-one
Theological Schools, together with corresponding members from Princeton and
Yale Colleges and Berkeley Divinity School. Nearly all evangelical denomi-
nations were represented. Eight Presbyterian seminaries, six Baptist, six
Congregational, three Methodist, two United Presbyterian, two Protestant
Episcopal, one Cumberland Presbyterian, one Evangelical Lutheran, one
Dutch Reformed, and one German Reformed, contributed to the membership
of the convention. The day sessions were held in the Centre Church, and were
devoted to the reading of papers on missionary topics by members of the
Alliance, together with informal addresses by missionaries. The five papers
presented by gentlemen from Yale, Knox, Garrett Biblical, Hamilton, and
Gettysburg Seminaries, were upon these topics : “ Lessons from the History
of Missions,” “ Moravian Missions,” “ Departments of Foreign Missionary Labor
and their Requirements,” “ Needs and Methods of Western Frontier Work,” and
“ How to arouse and maintain Missionary interest in the Churches.” All these
papers were good, some of them exceptionally so. The discussions which
followed were free, though not always closely confined to the topic. The last
two of the list provoked the sharpest and most intelligent debate.
In its business meetings the Alliance voted to meet next year with the Semi-
nary at Princeton, effected some minor changes in its own management, and
appointed a delegate to attend a meeting of medical students, soon to be held
in Chicago, to consider the claims of medical missionary work.
The missionaries who were present and addressed the convention were Rev.
Messrs. Cunningham, of India, Marsh, of Bulgaria, Davidson, of Japan, Eells,
of Washington Territory, and Dr. I. G. Bliss, of Turkey.
The evening and the Sunday afternoon sessions of the Alliance were devoted
to formal addresses from representative clergymen of different denominations.
Thursday evening, Professor Pratt, of Hartford, gave an address of welcome and
was followed by Dr. Behrends, of Brooklyn, who spoke upon “The Principle
of Christian Missions.” Friday evening, Dr. Newton, of Philadelphia, gave
a sketch of “ Paul, the Model Missionary ” ; Saturday evening, Professor Hodge,
of Princeton, discussed “The Call to Foreign Missions”; Sunday afternoon,
Professor Townsend, of Boston, portrayed the “ Old Testament Types of Ortho-
doxy and Liberalism, Micaiah and Zedekiah ” ; and in the evening, Dr. Gordon,
of Boston, spoke on “ Preparation for Service.” The success of the convention
is in no small degree due to the character of these addresses. Those of Dr. New-
n and Professor Townsend had somewhat the form and flavor of the sermon, the
- of the two being confessedly aside from the direct object of the occasion,
■y were not without effect upon their audiences. Professor Pratt’s welcom-
•ess was graceful, and more — it was powerful. Its closing sentence
the thought of the whole, and indeed of the whole session, “ I have
to you, young men, because ye are strong. Be ye strong.” Dr.
x8830
Rijutei , the Corean Convert. 4S1
Behrends declared the missionary principle to be found in Romans xv, 1 and 2 :
“ VVe then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak,” etc. The
closing portion of his address was a vigorous and effective appeal to the young
men before him. Professor Hodge gave, in his own clear style, an admirable
statement of the missionary call. The straightforward simplicity of his words
led at least one of his hearers to respond to that call. The closing address of
Dr. Gordon was upon the need of the Spirit dwelling within the missionary,
filling him, leading him, and giving him power. It was an exceedingly solemn
and suggestive discourse. At the close of the afternoon service on Sunday,
a meeting of those who had already decided to enter foreign missionary fields
was called, at which twenty-five were present. After the evening service a special
“ consecration meeting ” was held, conducted by Dr. Gordon, who related some
impressive incidents of his own experience. The burden of this meeting was
that, before the convention dissolved, there might come to all the special gift
of the Holy Ghost. «
The convention was undeniably a success, and the usefulness of such a
gathering of the theological students was fully demonstrated. The very sight
of the company of young men who, as one of the speakers said, are “ to work
in the twentieth century,” was inspiring. The tone of the meetings was high.
Through them all was manifest a spirit of prayer, of consecration, of desire to
do the Master’s work in the Master’s chosen place. The delegates met in hearty
fellowship, and it ought to be one result of these conventions that the ecclesiastical
comity in the next generation shall be broader and deeper than in the present.
The influence of the Hartford meeting will be felt by the Alliance till the year
rolls round again, and by many of its individual members till the years have
ceased to roll.
RIJUTEI, THE COREAN CONVERT.
BY REV. H. LOOMIS, YOKOHAMA, JAPAN.
[The readers of the Herald will recall Mr. Loomis’s account of Rij'utei given in the. August number, and will
be glad to learn more of this remarkable man and of the work of God among the Coreans in Japan. The following
communication from Mr. Loomis was dated Yokohama, October 4.]
Through the efforts of Rijutei, the teacher of the Corean language in the
Government University was brought to accept Christ as his Saviour. This man,
Kitaumi, has now been the means of converting two of his friends ; and it is
reported that one of them will enter one of the mission schools, that he may
learn more of foreign science and Christianity. Kitaumi was a physician in
Corea, and it is his present plan to study medicine with a Christian friend and
then return as a medical missionary to his people. There is great need of such
a work, as the Coreans are entirely ignorant of medical science and utterly
disregard the simplest laws of health. The art of surgery is unknown among
them; and a Japanese physician, who had performed a successful, but very
simple operation, was declared at once to be a god.
A number of young Coreans have been sent to Japan for education in the same
way that the Chinese were sent to America. Two of the number have been
482
Rijutei, the Corean Convert.
[December,
instructed by Rijutei in Christianity and recently made a public profession of
- religion. This act was severely censured by the official in charge, and their
support was withdrawn. It is reported they were told that if they were in Corea
their heads would be cut off. Both are now in the mission school at Tsakiji and
are preparing to be missionaries to their people.
The man in charge of these students is named Kim Ok Kim. He has been
a most bitter opponent of Christianity, and placed the young men in a school
especially distinguished for its infidelity. He told them that the Christian
religion was very bad, and they must have nothing to do with it. “Should you
become Christians,” said he, “ I should feel so disgraced that I should not dare to
return to Corea, but would have to commit suicide.”
'I his man received from me a few days ago a copy of Luke’s Gospel, in Corean,
the Chinese New Testament, and Martin’s Evidences of Christianity. He has
been reading them very carefully, and has asked Rev. Mr. Yasukawa to instruct
him in the doctrines of Chrisyanity. He now goes to the native converts’ and
missionaries for advice, and to-morrow evening he is to give a special entertain-
ment to Rev. Mr. Thompson, Rev. Mr. Yasukawa, and myself. This man is the
head commissioner from Corea, and his conversion would no doubt place all the
young men in Japan under Christian influence.
A few days since two Coreans called on me and requested letters of introduc-
tion to the missionaries in China. One of them, Pak Wee-pen, is quite wealthy
and a distinguished Buddhist scholar. The other, Han-zan-wee, has been
a Catholic, and now both are seeking for instruction in the teachings of the
Bible. After a short time they expect to return ; and then they ask to be
especially taught the truths of the gospel. One of them has written to Rev.
Mr. Yasukawa : “ We are reading the New Testament and Evidences of
Christianity with great pleasure, and hope soon to return and hear the gospel
from your iips. Please remember your child.”
Rijutei has recently been teaching in the Government University. A week ago
last Sabbath the teacher of Chinese called upon him, and by means of writing
they were able to converse very readily, as the Coreans use the Chinese
characters.
After the usual compliments, the Chinaman introduced some trifling subject,
when Rijutei replied : “Let us talk of something profitable.” “What shall it
be?” said the Chinaman. Rijutei added: “I would like to talk of Jehovah,
the only true and living God.” “What 1” said his friend, “are you a Christian?”
“ Yes ” “ And so am I,” said the teacher.
This was a mutual and most happy surprise. After this they had a long and
very profitable conversation with regard to their own experience, the doctrines of
the gospel, and the condition of Christianity in their own lands. The Chinaman
has since produced a letter from his pastor in Peking, and will henceforth identify
himself with God’s people.
It is now proposed to start a Christian service in Corean which is to be con-
ducted by Rijutei. But few of his people can understand even ordinary Japanese
conversation, and a sermon in Japanese is entirely beyond their comprehension.
But preaching in their own language will be a great help to all who desire to
learn the doctrines of salvation.
1S83.]
The Evangelization of Corea.
4^3
Owing to trouble with the Catholics, the government of Corea is very hostile to
Christianity, and it will take some time to remove this prejudice. But this work
in Japan is destined to undermine the errors and superstitions of the past and
open the way for the triumph of the gospel in the Hermit .Kingdom.
A few weeks ago a Catholic priest, who had been in Corea for some years and
could speak the language perfectly, called upon Rijutei and by every possible
means endeavored to turn him from the Protestant faith. He persevered most
earnestly for three hours, but could make no impression at all. He found that
Rijutei had studied the Bible too well to be imposed upon by any of the Catholic
sophistries. The priest knew the reputation and influence of Rijutei in his own
land and hoped to win him to their cause.
It is reported that Rijutei is the first Corean convert, but I have learned that
Rev. John Ross, of Newchuang, in China, has baptized six young men, and by
their assistance has translated a part or the whole of the New Testament. But
either through errors in printing, or a want of scholarship on the part of the
young men, the two portions which have been issued are pronounced worthless.
There is no question as to the value of Rijutei’s work. His Chiua-Corean
version of the New Testament is about to be printed, and the translation of
Mark’s Gospel is progressing as rapidly as he can secure help in the revision of
the text.
THE EVANGELIZATION OF COREA.
BY REV. M. L. GORDON, D. D., KIOTO, JAPAN.
The opening of Corea by treaty to other nations has doubtless turned many
Christian hearts toward that nation as a new field for Christian missionary effort ;
and the fact that the United States was the first of all the Western nations to
secure such a treaty would naturally suggest that the responsibility for inaugurating
such effort rests upon American Christians.
It may be that such a course is a part of the divine plan of bringing the
people of all nations under the dominion of the Prince of Peace. But is it not
also possible that this responsibility lies chiefly with a nation and people much
more closely related to Corea in location, race, language, and civilization ? I mean,
of course, the Japanese. If the United States was the first Western nation to
make a treaty with Corea, it is also true that Japan preceded it by several years
and, in fact, made our treaty a possibility; and on the first visit of General
Foote, our Minister to Corea, he took with him a Japanese interpreter. So that,
if these circumstances mean anything, do they not mean that the duty and privi-
lege of carrying the gospel to Corea belong first of all to Japanese Christians?
I believe that the Japanese Christians will take up this work and carry it on
enthusiastically and successfully.
Last night I had the pleasure of listening to an address by a prominent Japa-
nese Christian, a man well-known in government circles also, who was just
returning from a visit of several weeks to the Corean capital. One object of his
visit there was to examine the condition of the people with special reference to
Christian work among them. From his address, of which I cannot now speak
484 The Society of the Lovers of Instruction. [December,
at length, and from the way it was received by the Japanese hearers, several
things were clearly manifest : —
1. The Coreans are far behind the Japanese both in civilization, and morality;
and are therefore in great need of the gospel. 2. The soil, climate, productions,
and the physical and intellectual vigor of the people conspire to make it a pleas-
ant and promising field of labor. 3. The time for direct work, at least, has not
yet come. The speaker was very emphatic on this point. The prejudices of the
people are strong ; the government does not feel itself very secure ; and its for-
eign advisers are quite hostile to Christianity. The speaker represented Minis-
ter Foote as desiring the evangelization of Corea, but as begging that
missionaries either from America or Japan be not now sent; because such a
course would be sure to complicate matters and really delay the Christianization
of Corea. The speaker thought, however, that educational and medical work
might be very successful, and might be begun almost immediately. One difficulty
lies in the Jesuitical practices of the French Catholic priests. 4. When the
time comes the Japanese will take up the work with enthusiasm. The speaker
spoke of what they owed to missionaries from America and Europe, a debt
which they could never repay, a debt which, in fact, the missionaries do not wish
them to repay. “ But,” he said, “shall we not show our gratitude to them and
appreciation of the blessings of the gospel by carrying this good news to Corea?
There is, too, special appropriateness in this, for our early civilization came from
Corea, and so, by carrying the gospel to them, we fulfil a double obligation.
Furthermore, the literature of the Coreans can be read by our scholars, and their
language is probably easier for us to learn than that of any other nation.”
These words were cordially responded to by the hearers, and already I hear of
young men who are certainly thinking of this work, and of one or two, at least, who
are offering themselves for it.
Hence, it seems to me, that missionary boards in Europe and America should
be sure of the divine leading before they send missionaries to Corea, lest they
really be taking from Japanese Christians a privilege and a duty given them from
the Lord. Would it not be far better to put a strong force into the larger fields,
like Japan and China? The wisdom of this course is indicated by another fact,
namely, that the Japanese Christians of different denominations will probably unite
in carrying on the work in Corea.
Kioto, September 18, 1883.
THE SOCIETY OF THE LOVERS OF INSTRUCTION.
BY REV. \v. A. FARNSWORTH, D. I)., OF CESAREA.
There were reformers in the Papal church long before the Reformation.
No doubt many men have appeared from time to time as reformers, of more
or less influence, in the Greek and Armenian churches.
That there is a demand for reform at the present time in both those churches,
and more especially in the Armenian, no one who has had an intimate acquaint-
ance with them can doubt. In each, but particularly in the latter, there
is a strong demand for the removal of pictures from the places of worship ; while
iSSj.J The Society of the Lovers of Instruction. 485
many of the rites of the churches are almost a dead form, if not entirely neglected.
The demand for reformation is growing more and more imperious, and it is to
be hoped that before long men will appear who will have the power to act as
leaders of the evangelical sentiment, and that a mighty reformation will be
accomplished.
Some fifteen years ago an Armenian monk, Chilingiryan Hagop, appeared
in Constantinople as a reformer. For a short time he was the leader of a party
in the Armenian or, more properly, the Gregorian church. He published an
expurgated prayer-book of the church which, I am assured by good authority,
is quite evangelical, and not very unlike the “ Book of Common Prayer ” of the
English Episcopal church. He soon met with such severe opposition that he
was induced to leave the church and become a Protestant. However, his Book
of Prayer, and tract which he published, exerted a good deal of influence, and
led to correspondence which resulted, in the city of Cesarea, in the formation
of a reform society. This occurred about the time alluded to above, some fifteen
years ago. This society is now known as “ The Society , of .the Lovers of Instruc-
tor: ” Its purpose is well expressed in the preamble of its constitution, namely :
“ To secure the progress of our nation in purity of morals and character, to
strengthen hearty love and to secure divine enlightenment.
“This we seek to accomplish: 1st. By extending the knowledge of the holy
gospel, by teaching it openly in the language of the people according to the
requirements of the divine law; 2d. By opening schools that shall have such
a high moral character as is required by the divine Word. (Proverbs ix, 10
and 17) ; 3d. By preparing teachers, and sending them to surrounding villages.”
For three years this society had no very strong leader, and yet its members
showed great liberality in raising the money necessary for paying rent and other
expenses. Twelve years ago they secured the services of a man who was once
a preacher of the Protestant church in Yozgat. He is a graduate of Bebek Sem-
inary, and one who, both by nature and by education, is remarkably well fitted
to be a leader. Up to that time, they had been able to put into execution only
the first of the above-mentioned resolutions. In this they had worked faithfully.
Under their new leader, they soon opened a school which has been steadily
maintained according to their second resolution. When they began to make
a strong impression, the Armenian ecclesiastics took advantage of the effort of
the Turkish Government to hunt for communists, and encouraged the charge
that this society was a dangerous political organization. The leader was obliged
to flee to Constantinople to avoid persecution and to secure the protection of
the Armenian Patriarch, and some of the more prominent men were thrown
into prison, where they remained several weeks. The Patriarch, being a liberal-
minded man, gave their cause a favorable hearing; and, as the charge of
communism was utterly groundless, they were exculpated, and renewed their
labors with the real or implied approbation of the Patriarch.
The number of names enrolled as actual members of the society has never been
large, not more than one hundred and twenty ; but sometimes one name really
represents a whole family, so that- the actual number claimed by them is some
three or four hundred.
486
The Society of the Lovers of Instruction.
[December.
There has been in this society, from the first, a strong opposition to the
Protestant movement and an effort to dissuade men from attending the Protestant
church. This has seemed to us a mistake, but it naturally follows from their
avowed principle that the church must be purified, not by leaving, but by remain-
ing in it. As years have passed, however, this opposition has become less.
The labors and the successes of this society have never been so great or
so encouraging as during the last winter. They had two flourishing schools,
one for boys and another for girls ; and their evangelical character was quite
in accord with their declaration in their second resolution, where they say that
their schools “ shall have such a high moral character as is required by the divine
Word.” At that time there was a weekly female prayer-meeting, attended by
from sixty to one hundred and twenty. The interest manifested in that meeting,
the zeal, the earnestness in prayer, as reported at the time, were such as to make
us believe that the Spirit of God was present.
The secretary of the society tells me that at that time their Sunday meetings,
which consisted of one session of from two to three hours, were attended by
an average of five hundred persons, and that sometimes not less than eight
hundred were present. The exercises consisted of an expository service, and
a sermon, besides reading of the Scriptures and prayers. They were having
a meeting on a week-day evening at which, for attracting strangers, they had some
instrumental music and national airs, together with Scripture readings and exhor-
tations. This was the most popular meeting, the number sometimes going up
to one thousand. Perhaps the most interesting of their meetings were their
district prayer-meetings. Through the winter, they held eight of these in as
many different quarters of the city on four evenings of each week. Two men
in each district were appointed as leaders of these meetings, and once in two
weeks these leaders held a special union meeting to report from the several
districts and to plan for increasing the interest in the same. These meetings
were each attended by an average of from twenty to twenty-five persons ; and,
for Turkey, the strangest thing of all is that women took part, freely making
remarks and leading in prayer ! The secretary of the society assures me that
the scenes at their meetings last winter were very much like those during the
revival at Adana, as reported in our mission paper, the Avadaper.
The authority alluded to above is responsible for the following statementSj
which we believe to be mainly correct. They show the best results of the labors
of this society. He says that in nearly, if not quite, every one of the families
known as belonging to the society, family prayer, together with the reading
of God’s Word, is regularly observed, morning and evening. In answer to the
question, “ What is the moral character of those connected with the society as
compared with what it was before?” he replied that the change for the better
was very great.
The prospect of this society is not hopeful. The very great prosperity of the
last winter drew the attention of the bishop, the monks, and the leading laymen
of the Armenians to their work, and they made a combined effort to crush them.
The leader and some of the more prominent members were called and questioned
as to their political relations. As they declared themselves Armenians, they
1883.] The Society of the Lovers of Instruction. 4S7
were told that they must stop their schools till they could secure teachers whom
the bishop would approve. They urged that they were anxious to retain their
present teachers. The Armenians replied that they had plenty of good teachers
whom they could have, but refused to confirm those that the society was
employing. The leader of the society was also informed that he could not
continue his labors unless he could secure the approbation of the bishop. As
they could not accept these terms, the bishop appealed to the Turkish Govern-
ment, complaining that the leader of the society and others refused to listen
to their superiors, and demanding that the schools and also the place of worship
be closed. The request was granted, and policemen were sent to see that the
order was complied with. Then, further complaints were made against the
leader as a dangerous man and a stirrer up of strife. The monk, who represents
the Armenians in the government, said that he could not be responsible for
the conduct of the Armenians of the baser sort if the leader were not sent away.
The result was that he was sent, as a sort of banishment, to our Governor-General
at Angora, a city about one hundred and seventy-five miles from Cesarea, where
he has now been for more than three months.
Before he left, seeing that they were in the hands of the Armenians, and fearing
that their “tender mercies ” would be “cruel,” the leader, Dr. Avidis Yeretzian,
made a written statement, declaring himself a Protestant, and on the next day
thirty-seven of the more prominant members of the society did the same. It
is highly probable that the banishment would not have taken place had this been
done a few hours earlier. If it had not been done at all, it is equally probable
that others would have been imprisoned or banished, and that Dr. Yeretzian,
who is now at entire liberty, would have been imprisoned in Angora.
When so many became known as Protestants, the schools were again opened,
but as Protestant schools. Many of the people now attend worship at the Pro-
testant church. They continue to have district meetings by themselves. It is
clear that this society has done much for the enlightenment of this city. This,
too, is clear that such a society cannot exist except by sufferance of the Armenian
church. Whenever the ecclesiastics please, they can compel the members of
such societies either to give up their organization or become Protestants.
This society is remarkable only for a more complete organization, and a more
efficient leadership, than many others that have appeared in many cities and
towns throughout the empire. A few days ago I was at Everek, a large town
twenty-four miles south of Cesarea, where a friend assured me that twenty men,
heads of families, met with him weekly to study the Word of God, and had done
so for years. He says that all of these are accustomed to have family prayer,
morning and evening, and that the power of the gospel appears in their daily
lives. In that same town there are two other similar societies. These, and
nearly all other similar societies in other parts of the empire, are distinguished
for their earnest study of the Word of God. Our friends may be assured that
a mighty work is in progress in Asia Minor, which does not appear in any of our
statistical reports, and which can hardly be reported in any way.
It should be added that, with the more efficient leadership of this society in
Cesarea, there is more to give evangelical people anxiety. While some of its
488
Zulu Mission.
[December,
members go to the Armenian church for the sacraments, there are others who are
inclined to neglect them altogether ; and it is said that their leader encourages
this by bringing the example of the Quakers to prove that it may be proper to
neglect entirely the outward form, the true observance being in the spirit and
not in the letter.
The matter of separation from the Armenian church is pressed as a great error,
if not as a crime, in the Protestants, and even now, though compelled to seek
protection under the shadow of the Protestant political organization, they are far
from cordial. While some, who have found that the society does not meet all
their needs, have been drawn nearer to the New Testament, there are more who
have wandered farther away from it. May the present persecutions be blessed
to them, making them willing to sacrifice all things for Christ..
^Letters from tfjc iiHisstons.
2ulu Mission.
MR. WILCOX AT INHAMBANE.
It will be remembered that Mr. Wilcox,
in November of last year, made explora-
tions at Inhambane, a town some 650
miles north of Durban, on the coast, with
reference to establishing a missionary
station there. His report of what he
learned was given in the Herald for April.
In June last Mr. Wilcox took his wife and
child to this new field of labor, and,
although on reaching the port, news of
the prevalence of small-pox was brought
him, he landed and set up his home in a
house vacated by a Portuguese merchant,
across a bay, some twenty miles from the
city. He now writes of excellent health,
and a promising opening, though many
difficulties had been encountered. Under
date of July 30, he says : —
“For a few days we were subject to
many inconveniences from our ignorance
of the language, and from our cramped
quarters. But we were getting things
arranged a little comfortably when one
day a native soldier came to the house,
bearing a formidable-looking envelope,
sealed with the great seal of the Gov-
ernor of Inhambane. With trembling
hands we broke the seal and took out
two letters. One of them was a copy
of a letter from the Governor-General to
the Governor of Inhambane, in reference
to the request made by me, when here last
November, for permission to establish a
mission. It was written for more in-
formation concerning ourselves and our
work. In the other letter the Governor of
Inhambane said : ‘ I prohibit you from
establishing the mission for which you
begged permission.’
“You may judge what a gloom fell on
us by this intelligence. But we took it to
the Lord, and it was with a cheerful, almost
merry, heart that I set out for Inhambane
in a few days, to see the new Governor.
Having gained an audience, I soon saw
that I need expect no favor in this quarter.
He said that the priest had written him a
letter, asking by what authority I had come
into this province to teach another religion ;
that it was against the laws, and that it
would be impossible for lnm to give me
permission to establish a mission here.
“ He said there was nothing in the laws
to prohibit me from taking out a certificate
of residence, purchasing a place and
teaching our own servants, which was, in
fact, all the Mohammedans did.
“ There being yet time before the
steamer sailed on her return, I wrote a
letter to the Governor-General, fully setting
out the object of our mission ; how we
came to seek this field, drawn by the
reports of Richards and Pinkerton, and by
iSS3]
West Central African Mission.
489
the invitations of the people ; that we did
not wish him to interfere with the work of
the priest, but only to teach Christ to
those who have no other teacher. We
asked : If the infidel Mohammedans are
allowed here, why we could not have as
much liberty to teach Christ twenty or
fifteen miles away ; and, if he could not
give us formal consent to establish a Protes-
tant mission, whether we could buy a place
to teach our own servants ?
“ If this is the most we can do, teach
our own servants, we want a place where
we can have a good many of them. For
‘servant’ here not only includes all who
are in our pay, but all natives who are
allowed to live on our place, of whom every
trader has from a dozen to a score or more
families. If we can do no better, this will
be good enough to start with. Besides, if
we are once settled, I do not think any-
thing will ever be said if we should preach
in any of those villages where the priest
never comes.”
Mr. Wilcox speaks of a lake, about five
days’ journey inland, which he visited with
Mrs. Wilcox : —
“ It is a beautiful, clear expanse of fresh
water, elliptical in shape, and about five
miles wide by six long. The surrounding
country is dry and for the most part ele-
vated from one to two hundred feet above
the lake. On any of these high places I
think it would be healthy. The population
is sparse, but we could get plenty of land
cheap, and would be secluded from the
jealous eyes of the priest. I am altogether
in favor of this location, if we cannot get
permission to establish a regular mission.”
August 1, Mr. Wilcox writes : —
“ I received a letter from the Governor-
General, saying that he will lay the matter
before the Council, and, when he has
received their opinion, he will send me a
final answer. But I do not understand
him to say that I must not preach till I
hear from him. Upon the whole all hope
is not destroyed yet. Now we must peti-
tion the King of kings that the final
answer may be favorable. Pray for us.”
Since the above letters were ready for
the press, later news has been received
bringing dates down to September 1 . The
health report is excellent. Mr. Wilcox
says that there are two dialects spoken by
the natives about Inhambane. He is now
engaged in mastering the one which is
least like the Zulu, which he calls the
Itongu. He is still looking for the most
favorable location, and thinks he may find
it north of Inhambane, at a spot from
which a large number of dwellers along the
coast can easily be reached by boat. No
further communications had been received
from the Governor.
ffiZEcst Central African fHtsston.
PROMISING NATIVE LADS.
Letters from this mission bring down
the dates to July 27. Dr. Nichols has
suffered so much from physical difficulties,
the result not so much of the climate of
Bailunda as of its altitude above the sea,
that, greatly to his own regret and that of
the mission, he has felt obliged to retire
from the service. Dr. and Mrs. Nichols
reached the United States October 23.
The other members of the mission are in
excellent health. Mr. Miller gives the fol-
lowing account of the boys under his care,
which, in view of the fact that it is but
little over two years since their language
was both unwritten and wholly unknown
to the missionaries, indicates rapid pro-
gress : —
“For the past three weeks I have not
kept school, for the boys are helping me
work. I give the schoolboys the first
chance to earn some cloth for clothing that
they may be more contented to remain at
school. They work as well as any boys
do. One of them is our cook and waiter
— I was telling him this afternoon what to
prepare for supper. In order not to forget,
he wrote down the articles in a clear, legi-
ble hand. Three of my eight scholars can
read and write almost any word in the
language. Visitors often get them to write
something and then bring the manuscript
to me to read. As I read what is written
it pleases them very much. This of course
is done t6 find out whether the boys can
really read and write or not.”
490
[December.
European Turkey Mission.
Of Mundombi, a lad who has worked
for Messrs. Miller and Fay for nearly one
year, Mr. Fay writes : —
“ He came soon after I arrived and has
been with us all the time with the excep-
tion of a few weeks when he was ordered
off to help move the war camp. He has
proved so faithful that we trust him to a
great extent. For a few weeks we have
been trying to teach him to cook. Last
week he did nearly all of my cooking.
“ This boy I consider a very promising
lad. He can already read and write quite
well. When the printing-press comes I
think he will make rapid progress. If we
can keep him for a few years I think we
can hope for much good from him. He is
only one of four of five boys over whom
we seem to have a good deal of influence.
These are the ones for whom our friends
should pray, for is it too much to look
upon some of these boys as the first-fruits,
and perhaps the first native preachers of
the Bailunda Church? With God nothing
is impossible.”
A FOREIGNER TO BE DREADED.
Mr. Stover writes, July 14 : —
“ This morning our lads came with the
report that Careiro, the man who came up
here to investigate, nearly a year ago, has
come to stay, as he is building an imbo.
Our lad added. ‘ He buys people, and that
is bad. We shall not go there.’ We pray
God that no one of these lads, who have
become so dear to us, may ever set foot on
his premises. Further reports say that
the king says he may stay here until he
(Kwikwi) returns from his wars, and then
he will see. There is very little doubt but
that the presents he brings will work the
desired effect upon Kwikwi’s cupidity and
bring about the result Careiro wishes, un-
less the Lord interferes.”
It seems to be as yet uncertain what
object this Portuguese man has in coming
to Bailunda. He announces his purpose
to open a distillery, but Mr. Sanders re.
ports that at Benguela no one believes this
story. It may be he is seeking slaves.
Whatever may be his object, his- presence
bodes no good.
European Curkcg fflisston.
THE STORY OF CRICORE.
Mr. Thomson writes from Philippopolis,
September 17, in a strain of glad hopeful-
ness, feeling that while there are troubles
and discouragements, the “ encouraging
signs outnumber and outweigh them.”
“ I must begin by telling you the story
of Cricore, an Armenian convert. When
he was a small child, our place of worship
here was in the heart of the Armenian
quarter; and Cricore, attracted by the
singing, used to come in frequently. This
became a habit, so that, when so old that
his parents felt it would not do for him to
attend the Protestant worship any longer,
he had become so attached to it that he
would not stop going. His parents beat
him, shut him up on Sunday, tried to lure
him away, and the neighbors systematically
persecuted him ; but to no purpose. Cri-
core would not have anything to do with
any religious services but ours. The crisis
in his life occurred about two years ago,
when he was about twenty-one years of
age. A short time previous to that, when
he began to feel that his prospects for life
were injured by his going with the Protes-
tants, he wavered a good deal, and was beset
by great temptations. But he received grace
to make the right decision, and came out
clearly and strongly on the Lord’s side.
From that time his employer, who was
also an Armenian, began to treat him more
and more harshly, till at last, about seven
months ago, he told him that he must
either .quit the Protestants or leave his
service. Without any hesitation Cricore
left his good position. For about two
months he found employment and slight
remuneration by hawking books about the
town.
“At the end of that time, Cricore came
to me, saying that he was anxious to go to
one of our Armenian colleges in Asia
Minor, to fit himself to become a preacher
to his own people, and asking me to do
what I could to help him. That matter
was in due time satisfactorily arranged.
Meanwhile I was providentially enabled to
engage him for four months as colporter
■SS3]
Madura Mission.
491
for this district. He did well, showing
great zeal, and exhibiting a greater desire
than any of the other men to press the
Scriptures upon the notice of purchasers.
Considering that he is a foreigner, young
and inexperienced, and has certain faults,
such as impetuousness and rashness, which
lie very largely on the surface, I think he
has shown himself a very excellent worker.
“ When our church was organized here
he presented himself as a candidate for
membership. Of his sincere and earnest
piety we felt no doubt. He regularly
attended the services, was often at the
prayer-meetings, taking part in Turkish or
Armenian, when many of the Bulgarians
were absent or silent. He is now at Mar-
sovan, though, unfortunately, he is back-
ward in his studies, and has had to enter
the preparatory class. Also, through the
sickness of his brother, and through a lack
of proper manly independence, he has
allowed himself to reach Marsovan without
funds, so that he will have to be supported
by friends. Still I believe that, taking all
in all, this is a case to be very thankful for.
I look to Cricore, in God’s providence, to
make a beginning of the work amongst the
Armenians in this province.”
CRUEL PERSECUTION.
After speaking of several encouraging
features in other places, as reported by na-
tive helpers, such as additions to churches,
increased attendance, systematic contribu-
tions begun, Mr. Thomson gives the
following case of cruel persecution and of
heroic patience under it, as reported by
Mr. Kostoff, from Panagurishte : —
“ There is a woman here who, for a
considerable time, has been searching the
Scriptures, and three weeks ago came to
the decision to live for Christ. But she is
suffering very severe persecution from her
husband, her mother, her relatives, and
from the quarter in which she resides. Last
Sunday she was beaten severely by her
husband and her mother, who took from
her her outer clothing and shoes, and
drove her out. Last night she had a still
worse experience. Her mother stripped
her to her under-garments, put her on the
ground, and then with other women beat
her severely, trying if possible to terrify
her. Her husband drove her out, and will
not have her in his house, since she will
not leave the path she has decided to
follow. Besides this, he threatens to go
to the Bishop in Philippopolis and have her
divorced, since she has become a Protes-
tant. But thus far she has been steadfast,
and has answered ‘ Let them do what they
will, I wish to live for Christ.’ She can
read the Bible very well, and understands
nearly all she reads, especially those verses
that explain the way of salvation. Pray
for her that God may give her grace to
stand firm for Christ. Through her per-
secution people here have been greatly
stirred up to inquiry.
“While one cannot but deplore such a
persecution, and have the deepest sympathy
with the poor woman, one still has a feel-
ing of thankfulness that we are permitted
to see what grace can do. A few cases
like this over the field would be worth
years and years of labor.”
fUalmra fHission.
THE GREAT NEED.
Mr. Jones writes from Madura, August
22, very hopefully, but speaks of the great
need they have of an outpouring of the
Divine Spirit. He says : —
“ I am glad to find that our congrega-
tions are so well scattered over the station.
The city has, as you know, one congrega-
tion besides our two large churches. In
addition to these there is a cordon of half
a dozen small congregations around the
city within two or three miles of my
bungalow. These are mostly in a weak
state, and contain in some cases very poor
material. Yet they are strategetic points,
and with faithful, energetic work can be
brought up to influence and power. What
they specially need is the superintendence
and stimulus of earnest and consecrated
catechists, and men baptized with the
Holy Ghost. I regret to say that, while
some of them do not seem to me to lack
decided ability, they appear to have settled
down into a lifeless routine.
492
Madura Mission.
[December,
“ Our best village congregations are
those which lie from eight to fourteen miles
out of town. During the last two weeks
I have visited them, and in three of them
have administered the Lord’s Supper to the
members. As is often the case, I find in
them food for hope as also for discourage-
ment. I am not sure but that the latter
predominates.
“ I am decidedly encouraged, however,
by the determined air with which several
of the men have promised to put on new
life and zeal of faith in the Lord. Would
that the divine blessing might sweep over
eastward from Adana or westward from
Japan! This is all we need to bring to the
Lord remarkable results in this district,
which has been honeycombed with divine
truth.
“ We have a strong native agency, and
our congregations are everywhere scattered
throughout our field. May ‘ the rustling
of a mighty wind 1 soon fill us all with a
divine yearning for the salvation of souls
and with that power from on high which
alone can accomplish it. I have a strong
faith that some time, in the near future,
Madura Mission is to be signally blessed by
God’s presence. God prepare us for it.”
ACCESSIONS. — WORK AMONG HIGH-CASTE
WOMEN.
Mr. W. S. Howland writes from Manda-
pasalai, August 3, encouragingly, but feels
great solicitude from the growing spirit of
caste. He says : —
“We have been encouraged by acces-
sions in several places. We have a new
congregation in one place of about thirty
persons, relatives of our Christians in
other, places. They wished to inter-
marry with our Christians. ‘ If you
will become Christians, we will give
our daughters to your sons, but not
otherwise,’ said the Christians. They
consented, and have now been under
instruction for ten months. In Sevalpatti,
where Pastor Thomas has his home,
twenty-nine families, consisting of over
one hundred and twenty-five persons,
joined us in a body last month. Their
relatives are Christians, and there had been
some prospect of a few, at least, of these
people coming over, when a severe perse-
cution by the heathen village officials
turned their minds to us for help. They
came all together, and, although the case
has been decided against them in the court
owing to the ignorance of the parties and
witnesses, yet none have gone back to
heathenism. There seems to be every
prospect that they will remain firm, and in
due season I believe we shall see them
coming forward under instruction, and by
the elevating influences of the gospel
brought into the fellowship of the church.
“ An interesting work among high-caste
women in Ampalcottai was commenced in
May. The widow of a catechist who died
last March, in lmpuvanam, came to live
with her daughter, the wife of my Ampal-
cottai catechist. While we were at
Kodi-kanal she commenced, of her own
accord, teaching a few high-caste girls in
Ampalcottai. She has now seventeen
pupils, some having already finished the
first book. It is in one sense an outgrowth
from Mrs. Capron’s work in Madura, as
many of these women and girls are
related to the women who are under
instruction by Mrs. Capron’s Bible-
women.”
TROUBLE FROM CASTE.
“ I foresee that there is going to be a
new trouble from caste. It has already
commenced in Tinnevelly, where the large
majority of the Christians are from what is
called the Shanar-caste. Great offence has
been given to the Shanars of Tinnevelly, by
a non-Aryan and aboriginal origin being
attributed to them in a book written by-
Bishop Caldwell. They themselves claim
to have been descended ‘ from the good
old Pandyan Kings of Madura,’ and con-
sequently to be of Kshatriya origin. A
pamphlet has been written in refutation of
the Bishop ; and, as we understand, petitions
have been addressed to Mr. Gladstone, to
Mr. Tucker, Secretary of the S. P. G.,
and to the Archbishop of Canterbury,
requesting that ‘ the book which has given
so much offence to the Shanars may be
withdrawn.” *
* Indian Churchman.
i883.]
Ceylon Mission.
493
“ These Shanars have been considered
all these years as very low down in the
caste scale, in fact, by many, as very near
the Pariahs. They are a thrifty and
wealthy caste, especially so in the south.
They are bigots in religion. They are
growing more and more strict in respect
to fancied purity and purification. Hun-
dreds of their women pass near our church
on their way to draw water. A year ago it
•was decreed by their head caste men that
the women must no longer carry the pots
of water on their shoulders or heads, but
on their hips, like Brahman women. A
man was hired to sit at the side of the
road near our church and watch the
women as they passed, and enforce the rale
until it shall become a habit. Next, it
was decided that smaller and more comely
jewels, such as the higher caste wear, must
be worn. Now, a few weeks ago, quite a
number, more progressive than others, in
a village near by, have with due ceremony
put on the ‘ sacred thread,’ and are hence-
forth to be considered Kshatriyas, while
their caste title is Raj or Rajah, and no
longer Shanar or Nardar.
“ The movement is not confined to the
heathen. It is showing its hydra head
among the Christians in the south, and is
spreading far and wide. Only the Holy
Spirit by his gracious influences can check
the evil.”
(legion ffitisston.
EDUCATIONAL WORK. — JAFFNA COLLEGE.
Mr. R. C. Hastings has removed to
Oodoopitty, to take charge of the Female
Seminary where Miss Townshend did such
faithful work. This school is serving an
Important purpose in awakening an interest
in female education. Mr. S. W. Howland
is, for the present, to devote his strength
to village work near Chavagacherry.
Dr. Hastings, August 18, writes very
hopefully of the present religious condition
■of Jaffna College, giving the following
facts : —
“ On June 7, we graduated a class of
eight, all but one Christians. June 28 and
29, candidates for a new class were ex-
amined, and sixteen selected. Since then
others have been added and the class now
numbers nineteen. Ten of them are from
Christian families and two are commu-
nicants. Three are sons of native pastors,
and two of catechists in our service. The
remaining nine are from heathen families.
“ On the first Sabbath of this month we
had the pleasure of receiving five of our
students to the church. Three of them
are from pure heathen families, one from a
nominally Christian family, and one has a
Christian father. I meet a class of about
fifteen every week, who are regarded as
candidates for admission to the church.
“ The present number of students on
our list is sixty-seven, all but three of
whom are in attendance. Twenty-six of
the sixty-four are communicants, and
fifteen others sons of Christian parents.
Though there is no special religious inter-
est in the College at the present time, all
are attentive and a few seem thoughtful.”
MANEPY AND ALLAVETTY.
Mr. W. W. Howland writes from
Oodooville, July 11, of the encouraging
work in that vicinity, as follows : —
“ I have resumed the care of Manepy
and Navaly on my return from the Hills,
Mr. Hastings, senior, retaining the care of
Panditeripo for the present. The work at
both these stations seems to be prospering.
Misses Leitch are very active and with
good results.- I was especially interested
in the large Sabbath-school at Manepy,
with classes of all ages, from gray-headed
men and women to very small children.
“ The pastor at Allavetty is feeble, hav-
ing had a slight attack of paralysis in the
right hand and side. While he is disabled,
we supply the preaching in turn from here,
and do what we can for the other work.
We are now having the most favorable
season of the year for village work and are
endeavoring to improve it by evening meet-
ings in the school bungalows and private
houses, and meetings for women in the
afternoon, and in visits from house to
house. Your letter to the Madura Mission
urging the importance of personal labor
for the salvation of individuals came while
494
[December,
Japan Mission.
I was there. It was received in a very
good spirit by the missionaries, and a
Tamil translation prepared for their assist-
ants, of which I brought home a copy.
It was read at our semi-annual meeting of
the pastors and delegates last week, and I
hope it may do us all good.”
Kagan Hflisstort.
THE REVIVAL.
Mr. Cary writes from Okayama, Sep-
tember 15, of the progress of the revival,
with interesting incidents, as follows : —
“ The prospects of the work in Okayama
and vicinity appear very promising. In
the church here there seems to be a deeper
spirit of consecration than I have before
seen. Dependence on the Holy Spirit,
earnest desire for spiritual growth, a sense
of personal unworthiness, and desire for
the salvation of others, are marked features
in the experience of several of the church
members. A pastor of one of the Pres-
byterian churches in Tokio who spent a
week here was the means of helping many
of the Christians. Several special meet-
ings to pray for the indwelling power of
the Holy Spirit have recently been held.
Some outside of the church are being
affected, and we hear of a few hopeful
conversions. The idea of the ‘ sinfulness
of sin 1 seems to be a difficult one to get
into the minds of the Japanese ; but
recently among both Christians and
unbelievers there seems to be more realiza-
tion of personal unworthiness and guilt.
There are thirteen applications for admis-
sion to the church the first Sunday in
October ; but a few of the persons may be
advised to wait a short time longer.
“ One of the prominent members of the
Takahashi church was present at some of
the meetings here a week ago. He was
thoroughly aroused, and on his return
home told the Christians what he had seen
and heard here. We hear that at the first
meeting after he went back the church was
deeply affected, while many with tears con-
fessed their sins. The first steps were
taken for removing some unpleasant feel-
ings which had arisen between the Chris-
tians of Takahashi and those of Ochiai,
and there was a new consecration of them-
selves to God. The worker at Ochiai,
happening to be at Takahashi, was in the
meeting. From there he came to Okayama,
where he spent a day ; and now has gone
back to his own work, hoping to be the
means of carrying the blessing there. We
pray that God will continue to be with his
people, and at this time, if it is his will,
make his Name to be glorified among the
heathen.”
PERSECUTIONS.
“Takahashi was, during the summer,
the scene of a curious occurrence. At a
heathen festival some of the people made
an image of Christ hanging on a cross.
This was placed on a cart and drawn
through the streets. Some of the men
carried spears, and it was a part of the
programme that these should be thrust into
the image ; but when the time came no
one was found who dared to do it. They
tried to hire some boys, but they refused,
and both old and young were afraid to use
the spears. Probably there was merely a
superstitious fear that in some way they
might bring evil upon themselves. In any
case, their intended sport and ridicule of
Christianity was a failure.
“ One young man, who is a member of
the Takahashi church, has suffered much
persecution from his father. A few days
ago he was bound with ropes to a post,
and the father taking a heavy stick threat-
ened to kill him unless he would promise to
give up Christianity. He did give the
young man a severe beating. Though
several of the neighbors saw the perform-
ance, none tried to prevent it ; in fact, some
called out, ‘ Kill him ! kill him ! ’ The
son escaped that night and has run away ;
though he plans to write to his father, say-
ing that he has no desire to be the cause
of any trouble. On the contrary, he
hopes that the father will examine Chris-
tianity to see whether it is not indeed the
truth.
“ Had I time I would speak of the work
in some of our other out-stations, but I
am just starting to spend Sunday at Amaki
where the work seems to be getting a good
1 883O
495
Japan Mission.
hold. We continue to hear good reports
from Imabari, and I plan to visit that
vicinity next week.”
Similar reports came from three sections
of Japan. One case is referred to by Mr.
Jencks where a church was disaffected with
its pastor, but where now the whole con-
dition is happily changed by the spiritual
quieting which has followed special prayers
and labors.
NORTHERN JAPAN.
Mr. O. H. Gulick, of Kobe, during the
summer visited Yezo, the great northern
island of Japan, to which our missionaries
sometimes go for rest and to escape the
heat. Our readers will be particularly
interested in the account of the students in
the Agricultural College, of whom they
heard something years ago. Mr. Gulick.
says : —
‘ ‘ Led by the liberal offers of the gov-
ernment, three years ago, several of our
Kobe Christian people organized a society
to start a colony in the island of Yezo,
now known as Hokkaido. The leaders
and directors of this enterprise were
among our best church members. Through
their efforts a colony of about one hun-
dred people from Kobe and vicinity went
to a point in Hokkaido, named Urakawa,
where they are engaged in redeeming wild
land and bringing it under cultivation.
Among these settlers in the northern
colony are members of the Sanda, Kobe,
Tamondori, Hiogo, and Kioto churches.
“ From Hakodate a journey of one hun-
dred and ninety miles — forty by steamer
and one hundred and fifty by land, mostly
on horseback — brought me to the Kobe
colony at Urakawa. The leading man of
this colony is Mr. Sawa, one of the first
converts of the Sanda work, and, while he
remained with us, the most prominent
member of the Sanda church. From him,
his wife, his mother, and all of the twelve
Christians there, I received the warmest
welcome. I spent a week with them
strengthening their faith and instructing
them in the truth, preaching to them and
administering the Lord’s Supper upon the
Sabbath. The wife of one of their num-
ber made profession of her faith, and re-
ceived baptism. These thirteen believers,
with a single exception, represent the
churches of our connection, being mem-
bers of eight different churches. They
observe the Sabbath and maintain regular
Sabbath services in a room set apart for
this purpose. I hope that another year
they may be organized into a church and
enter into recognized relationship with our
churches of Central Japan. I gave them
reason to hope that I might visit them
again next year. It was evident to me
that this short visit of mine to them was
of vital importance in establishing their
faith and amending their practice in some
important points.”
CHRISTIAN STUDENTS.
‘ ‘ Through the teachings of President
Clark, formerly of the Massachusetts State
Agricultural College, who under the Japan-
ese government founded the Agricultural
College of Sapporo, a company of from
twenty to thirty of his earlier pupils em-
braced Christianity, and were baptized by
Mr. Harris, then located at Hakodate, a mis-
sionary of the Methodist Episcopal Board.
Since Mr. Harris left, Mr. Dening has
baptized several. Upon the departure of
President Clark, the Agricultural College
fell under the influence of American Uni-
tarians, some of whom I judge have
exerted no positive religious influence, only
three of the present members of the col-
lege being professing Christians. But the
zeal of many of the early converts seems
not to have abated. Most of these
believers have been graduated from the
institution, and are n’ow teachers, farmers,
or government officers in Hokkaido. They
remain unconnected with any of the
churches in Japan, but form by themselves
a Christian community. These young
men, with the Christians who have come
to them from the churches of the South,
number about fifty persons. They have
formed a Young Men’s Christian Associa-
tion, have rented a building for a church,
and maintain Sabbath morning and even-
ing, as well as week-day, meetings. When
a missionary visits Sapporo, they invite
496
Gleanings from Letters.
[December,
him to preach and administer the Lord’s
Supper. In the absence of outside help,
three of the young men take turns in
conducting the services.
“ I was most favorably impressed with
the character and zeal of the leading
young men of this Christian Association.
They often speak of themselves as a church,
though well aware that a Young Men's
Christian Association does not constitute
a church. This state of independency is
the result of coming into Christian com-
munion under joint Congregational, Metho-
dist, and Episcopal influences. In order
to avoid division and collision, and yet
maintain unity among themselves, they
have continued, now perhaps five years,
without a church organization or affiliation
with any of the churches. They acknowl-
edge that this is not a desirable condition.
Were there an Association of Congrega-
tional Churches on this island, I think they
would quite likely ally themselves with it.
“ This northern island is thinly popu-
lated ; large tracts of the richest land
lying wholly unpossessed, in the valleys as
well as on the coasts. Here we have a
grand outlet, and a healthful field of occu-
pation for the crowded millions of Central
Japan.
“ Representatives of all the churches
established on the main island will be
found in the different parts of this land of
promise. The number is sure to increase
steadily by colonization alone, even if no
converts are made from among the heathen.
But it is true, as Mr. Watase, of Sapporo,
said to me, the colonists from the South
leave behind them the graves and the re-
ligion of their fathers. In this new
country they are liberated from the power
of the priests. Generally these latter are
left behind, or, if present, are without
power, wealth, or influence. The settlers
here are in some respects especially sus-
ceptible to new religious influences.
Truly the fields are white, but the laborers
few.
“ My visit to this northern island con-
vinces me that our mission and our
churches ought henceforth to have a por-
tion and an inheritance among the tribes
and the possessions in this land of
promise."
ffilcantngs from Hetters.
William H. Gulick, San Sebastian,
Spain. — Spain is in a transition state.
In the space of fifteen years there has been
almost as complete a breaking up of the
foundations of political and social life in
this country as during the same time in
Japan. From the bondage of an absolute
and personal government, the nation has
advanced far on the road of liberal ideas.
From the most abject subjection to the
clerical yoke, and corresponding hostility
to Protestantism, there has been such a
reaction that the majority of the Spanish
press to-day is seen boldly taking the stand
for religious liberty, while the law of the
land, defectively, to be sure, but still meas-
urably, protects evangelical workers in all
parts of Spain. Meanwhile, evangelical
‘ ideas are so manifestly on the increase, that
there is hardly a session of the national
Cortes in which a number of days are not
dedicated to the consideration of laws that
directly, or indirectly, shall regulate dissent
and its relations to the State. This, then,
surely is the time for us to lay out our
strength in the spread of the gospel, with
its conserving influences, that the emanci-
pated people may not be left to rush from
absolutism into anarchy, from fanaticism
into infidelity.
William Ireland, Adams, Zulu Mission.
— The annual meeting of our Christian
natives commenced on Wednesday, July
18, closing on Sunday evening. Besides
large committee meetings of the principal
men, there were three sessions each day.
and every time a crowded house. At the
Sabbath midday service there were thought
to be five hundred persons in the Mission
Chapel, filling every available space ; be-
iS33.J
Gleanings front Letters.
49 7
sides an overflow meeting, under a large
tree near by, of about three hundred. Ben-
jamin Hawes preached a capital sermon,
and Umbiyana spoke well at the com-
munion service. On the whole, I think the
outlook is more encouraging than for many
years. We seem to be steadily gaining
ground in the temperance movement,
although it is very hard for many of the
old members to give up the native beer.
Our missionaries, men and women, have
stood firm on this question, and I think
we have reason to thank God, and take
courage.
Miss Ellen M. Stone, Philippopolis ,
European Turkey. — Miss Graves and I
have made a tour to Panagurishte, and
were present at the examination of can-
didates and the organization of a church of
twelve members. We had some most de-
lightful experiences among the spiritually-
minded Christian women of that village.
The work there is heart-satisfying in its
depth and life.
James E. Tracy, Tirumangalam, Ma-
dura. — We need men at once. Some here
are now carrying double burdens ; some
are looking forward to an interval of needed
rest ; one or two feel themselves less strong
and active for work than they were twenty
years ago. The work is a growing one,
and needs enlarged support. Tirupuvanam
is in a most hopeful and promising condi-
tion. It urgently needs the fostering care
of a resident missionary to develop and
carry to completion the work which is
opening. Blani, which has enjoyed for
several years the advantages of wise and
active supervision, can ill afford to do with
non-resident superintendence for any con-
siderable length of time. Such unavoidable
intermissions of occupancy are freighted
with unfortunate influences, and are every
way undesirable.
Miss F. A. Gardner, Osaka, Japan. —
Of the work in Osaka there is almost every-
thing to encourage us, as we look at it after
an absence of six weeks. The pastors have
done earnest work, and the work in all four
of the churches, and in the out-stations,
looks very hopeful. Six adults united with
the Tenma church yesterday (October 30).
The Naniwa church gets a good deal of
strength from its out-stations. They are
supporting two missionaries, and hope to
send out a third soon. A young man who
has lately been sent to Koriyama has been
supported by the Greek Church mission-
aries, and was expecting to become' a mis-
sionary, when he called, one day, upon
Mr. Sawayama to ask some question in
theology. They had a long talk, and he
came often after that, and finally made up
his mind to join the Naniwa church. Mr.
Sawayama told him to ask advice of his
teachers, and he told a Russian priest of
his convictions. The priest told him that
he would pray for him, and advised him
to pray for himself, and do as the
Lord directed him. Mr. Sawayama feels
that it was a direct answer ' to their
prayers for workers, as he had been
very well instructed, and seemed very
humble.
D. IV. Learned, Kioto, Japan. — Yes-
terday (September 30) I had the pleasure
of visiting the First Church in their com-
munion service, and of baptizing fifteen
persons. Three of them were young men
from the school, and two were pupils of the
girls’ school. A week ago, on the first
Sunday of the term, the afternoon was
devoted to hearing the reports of the young
men who have been out to preach this
summer ; they come back with great zeal,
and most of them bring encouraging
reports. They represent widely-separated
fields, from a place two hundred miles or so
north of Tokio to Zuhucha, on the island
of Kiushiu, in the southwest.
Miss Estella Fletcher, Ponape, Micro-
nesia.— We are all well at this writing
(May 1). The work seems to be moving
on nicely ; the girls in the school seem to
be learning rapidly. Last December the
Star brought a little girl from the island
of Ruk, to be educated here. When she
came she could spell a little in her own
language, but knew not a word of
Ponapean. Now she can read well in
Ponapean, and is in subtraction, in the
arithmetic. But she is an exception.
498
Notes from the Wide Field.
[December,
$otrs front tjjc flHttic jftclti.
AFRICA.
A Christian Hero. — We gave, in the Herald of November, an account, by Rev.
Owen Watkins, of a visit to a Christian community two hundred and fifty miles above
Pretoria, in the midst of the densest heathen darkness. We find, in the Wesleyan
Missionary Notices for October, an extended account, by Mr. Watkins, of Samuel Math-
abathe, the founder of this community, from which we gather a few interesting
particulars.
Samuel is certainly a remarkable man, with a remarkable history, as showing God's
providence in working out the salvation of Africa. Sixteen years ago he went down to
Natal seeking employment. There he met the late Rev. Mr. Allison, who became
much interested in him, took him into his school, and instructed him in Christian truth.
He was converted and became a devoted Christian. After seven years in Natal, he
felt a call to return to his home and his friends, in their darkness, and tell them what
great things the Lord had done for him. He at once gave up all his earthly prospects
and the Christian privileges enjoyed in Natal, and with his companion, who had also
been brought to Christ, started on his long journey of seven hundred miles, on foot, to
carry the gospel to his tribe and people.
On his arrival, Samuel reported to his chief and asked permission to preach Christ
to the people, but was indignantly refused and threatened with death if he did. He
determined to remain, however, and, though holding no public services, for more than
four years taught from house to house, reading and expounding the Scriptures, and was
greatly blessed.
After four years, the chief died, and from his successor, his chief wife, Samuel at last
obtained permission to hold public services and to establish a school. A building was
erected holding six hundred persons, a school was established, and the work of the Lord
prospered. Churches were afterwards built in two other places, and two men of good
report and known piety were set apart and consecrated to the work ; sent to the French
Mission in Basutoland, seven hundred miles away, on foot, for two years' study ; after
which they returned and took up the work of teaching and preaching, under Samuel’s
direction. Great good was done and many turned to the Lord.
But opposition came. An attempt was made to drive him from the tribe, and his
church was burned down. But all this only turned out to the furtherance of the gospel.
Many more joined him, and, in sublime patience, he built another church. But
difficulties arose from another quarter. Heathen customs, which had been held in
abeyance, once more came to the front. These Samuel opposed with heroic firmness and
incurred, together with all the Christians, the bitter hostility of rulers and people. The
chieftainess ordered the church to be burned down. All the Christian men were driven
from their huts, severely beaten, and, with their families, ordered to leave the country.
Two hundred souls went forth into exile for Christ’s sake. For most of these Samuel
procured a refuge at the farm “ Good Hope,” forty miles away, where they now are, with
a precarious tenure, yet making their light shine among all the surrounding tribes.
Mr. Watkins, some months since, invited Samuel to visit him at Pretoria, and thus
describes him : “ When I saw him I was amazed. He is a very little man, not much
more than five feet high ; but he has the courage of the Apostle Paul and the tenderness
of the Apostle John. He told me his story, all unconscious of the sublime heroism it
contained. He had labored for nine years in the dark wilds of Africa, unknown, unpaid,
unvisited, unrecognized by any church. You will not wonder that I was greatly
moved.”
iSSj.]
Notes from the Wide Field.
499
Stanley’s Explorations. — Mr. Stanley is vigorously pursuing his career of dis-
covery along the banks of the Congo. He is establishing station after station as centres
of commerce and, we may hope, ultimately of Christian civilization. He seems to have
secured the confidence of the natives, and predicts great results from his labors. He
has also discovered a new lake and explored a large river with the melodious name,
Malunda. He thinks the Congo valley contains full fifty millions of people, for the most
part able and willing to buy and sell abundantly. But, with all due allowance for
exaggeration, here is certainly a rich and ample field, not merely for commerce, but for
the seed of the gospel.
San Salvador. — Little has been heard recently from the English Baptist Mission
at this place since its most efficient laborers have undertaken mission work on the Congo
River ; but the last number of the English Missionary Herald gives good reports of the
operations at San Salvador. There has been a steady and strongly marked progress in
every ground held, and much has been gained. Mr. Comber, who had visited the
station, reports : “ The school was flourishing splendidly, and there were forty boys (of
whom twenty were boarders) under training, besides the number — about ten — who are
with us on the river. Sunday services had an average attendance of seventy or eighty
adults, besides perhaps sixty children. The king was much the same as usual in his '
relations with us, and, without doubt, is at heart our great friend and helper. But best
of all was to find the pick of Congo, the elite , the finest boys and men, all on our side —
not passively, but with much Isfirit and earnestness. Not one of these, whose support
is the great test of the feelings of San Salvador people, had swerved. Our stanch
friends, who had so strongly supported us at the first, were still stanch and true. They
love us all, and especially is our dear brother Weeks beloved by them all, particularly by
the boys. Several (some half-a-dozen) are in the position of catechumens, or of mem-
bers of inquirers’ class.”
MADAGASCAR.
Treatment of Mr. Shaw by the French. — This missionary of the London
Society, who was arrested and kept under strictest guard by the French Admiral at
Tamatave, has arrived in England, and the outrage against him seems in the process
of reparation by the payment to him by the French Government of $12,000, and by
a formal note of regret and apology to the British Government. Mr. Shaw makes no
demands and says that money cannot repair the gross injury done. From his story,
as related by himself recently in Exeter Hall, it appears that a more damaging case has
seldom been recorded against the responsible agents of a civilized nation. Admiral Pierre
and his associates seem to have conducted themselves more like barbarians than citizens
of the republic of boasted politeness and civilization. Mr. Shaw was treated with an
arrogance, a heartlessness, and brutality, simply amazing. The French Government
and people cannot too soon, for the sake of humanity as well as of national honor,
repudiate such acts and make all possible reparation.
The Spirit of the PIovas. — The French papers say, in reference to this affair
about Mr. Shaw, that the “ incident is ended,” meaning that diplomacy has settled the
trouble. But matters in Madagascar are far from being settled, and the issues will
reach farther than French statesmanship can see. At last advices, negotiations had not
been renewed, and no conciliatory offers made by the invaders. The Hovas command
the whole island, except along the coast, and have no thought of submission. The
Nonconformist , of October 25, contains an extract from a letter from Rev. James Sibree,
Jr., who was hoping to resume missionary work in Madagascar (but had been able
to get no further than Mauritius), which well shows the spirit of the people : “ It is quite
certain that a desperate resistance will be made by the Hovas, who possess a tenacity
of character which is not at all appreciated by foreigners. Not only the men, but even
500
Notes from the Wide Fie. Id.
[December,
the women and children, are determined to resist to the last, and to join together as
one in the defence of their country. Rather than allow their capital to fall into the
hands of the enemy, they will themselves set it on fire and then retreat to inaccessible
parts of the island. This is the firm persuasion of some who have just come from the
interior of Madagascar, who have known the Hovas for many years, and have seen
the quiet determination which fills the minds of every class of the community.” The
invasion, as yet, has chiefly injured the foreign trade, and has brought no advantage,
but only loss and disgrace, to the invaders. With China and Tonquin on their hands,
it looks very much as though the French, before long, would have to beat an ignominious
retreat.
Progress. — There is no more interesting and remarkable chapter, in the whole
history of missionary enterprise, than that which relates to Madagascar. The success
of the English Missions has been remarkable, not merely in the religious, but in the
educational and civilizing, aspects of the results, as graphically set forth by Mr. Cousins
and Mr. Shaw, recently, in Exeter Hall. Twenty years ago there were not half a dozen
schools in the island ; now there are hundreds, and only the outbreak of the war has
prevented the number of native scholars from now reaching full a quarter of a million.
Well does the Daily News say: “In literature, in the common acts of life, in social
movement, and in politics, the progress made by the Malagasies is really remarkable.
The wonder is that all this could have been accomplished in a land in which, forty years
ago, heathenism was triumphant and Christianity the object of relentless persecution.”
And may the contrast in Christian conduct and feeling, so powerfully shown of late,
between these former heathen and their Christian invaders, prove to the “ gallant
nation,” and to the world, the amazing difference between the true and a false gospel.
May this true gospel advance to greater victories still, and fill the island with increasing
light and enduring peace !
POLYNESIA.
New Hebrides. — The reports from the mission stations in the New Hebrides,
for 1882, are on the whole encouraging. There has been no special change at
Aneiteum or Futuna. At Tanna two new churches have been erected by the
natives. There is now no foreign missionary at Port Resolution. At Eromanga
the whole island has been opened to the Christian teachers, and over one
hundred have been added to the communion roll. The natives have furnished all the
native food required at both stations, and have freely done all the boating and
journeying required of them. On Tongoa the year has been one of decided
progress. The cannibal chieftain of one village manifested considerable opposition
and six persons have been killed, of whom three were eaten. But at six or eight
villages Sabbath services have been maintained, with an average attendance of from
three hundred and fifty to five hundred. Over two hundred persons have learned
to read, and churches have been built where the idol-drums have been destroyed.
INDIA.
An Interesting Movement. — We find, in the Church Missionary Intelligencer for
September, communications from Rev. A. F. Painter, of Travancore, giving a detailed
account of a recent somewhat remarkable movement among the Hill Arians toward
Christianity. We make a single extract, illustrating the zeal and decision of many
among this people in accepting the truth and service of Christ. It is the account
of a meeting held at Manakombu. Sixty-nine leading men, besides women and
children, are present. The object of the remarks made is to bring them to an im-
mediate decision whether they will serve the true God or evil spirits. It is urged
that on this decision their own, and probably the future of their children, depends.
The goodness of God, in his works all around them, is set forth, and his care for the
i883.]
Miscellany.
501
smallest and weakest of his creatures, but especially his great love in providing a way
to heaven, even for sinners. The story of Christ’s love is again repeated, to which they
listen most intently. Mr. Painter continues: “Then came the discussion. The
greater part, to our joy, declared their intention of becoming Christians, and serving
God only. Four of the five Atakkam Malla representatives said they had only come
to hear, and carry back the news, not to renounce heathenism at once. They con-
sidered the message good, and that all ought to serve God, and they would tell their
people so. To my surprise, the Melluhapaden, or devil-priest, the remaining repre-
sentative, stood forth and said : ‘ If we determine that it is right to serve God and not
devils, then we ought to serve him from to-day. I have made up my mind that I shall
join to-day.’ The effect was wonderful. The others at once decided to do the same,
and an enthusiastic feeling seemed to take possession of all. Five only stood aloof.
One by one they came and stooped down, while I removed the tuft of hair, or kudami,
a badge of heathenism, from them, and gave them a Christian name, and prayed that
God might bless them. Then the women came to be named, and brought their little
children ; and I told them how Christ on earth had received and blessed little children.
When it was over we all joined in thanksgiving, and praise, praying him to give grace
to those who had determined to serve him. They all repeated after me, a great many
times, ‘ O God, give me thy Holy Spirit, for Jesus Christ’s sake.’ Never before on this
hill, at least for centuries, has God been worshiped.”
ffttscellang.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.
The present century is in no respect
more remarkable than for the multiplica-
tion of our sacred writings. Last year the
American Bible Society put into circulation
1,676,232 copies of the Bible, or parts
thereof, thus swelling its total during sixty-
seven years to 42,083,816 copies. The
British and Foreign Bible Society must be
credited, in 1882, with similar issues to
the amount of 2,930,000, which is an
average of about 10,000 for every secular
day of the year, and which carries up the
whole number by that institution to 93,-
953,000 in the seventy-nine years of its
existence. These two, with other and
smaller societies, have produced over 175,-
000,000 copies since 1804.
Within the period just named, the largest
institution referred to, which has its
centre in Queen Victoria Street, London,
has had an agency in enriching between
fifty and sixty languages, for the first time,
with translations of the whole Bible;
between eighty and ninety with the New
Testament, and about ninety more with
portions of the Old or the New Testament,
or of both. From a list prepared by the
British and Foreign Bible Society, setting
forth the work of translation, printing, and
distribution of the whole or parts of the
Sacred Scriptures, — in which that institu-
tion has been engaged, directly or indirect-
ly, — we find 250 languages or dialects
enumerated. Including revisions, and also
twenty-six versions prepared by other
similar societies, we find a total of 345 ;
and yet over four fifths of all these have
been executed since the opening of the
nineteenth century. The more important
of those undertakings — translations into
languages newly reduced to writing —
have been carried on by Protestant mis-
sionaries ; and they are everywhere, not
only chief translators and revisers, but also
the chief agents in promoting circulation.
— Rev. A. C. Thompson, D. D.
MISSIONARIES IN NATAL.
The Natal Mercury , of June 12, takes
occasion to refer, in high commendation,
to the work of the missionaries of the
American Board in the colony of Natal.
It says : —
5 02 Miscellany. [December,
“ The letters we published yesterday
from the Rev. J. Tyler and the Rev. W.
Ireland give a record of quiet, unassuming,
but steady and successful, mission work,
that reflects high credit upon the organiza-
tion that is responsible for, and the men
who have accomplished, such results.
The American Board of Foreign Missions
was the first mission body in the field here.
In a few years it spread itself over a vast
area, comprising, indeed, the whole coast-
lands, and, though many of its pioneer
representatives have passed away, we are
glad to find that three of them, after over
thirty years’ work, still live in our midst.
The names of Lindley, Grout, Adams,
Stone, and Wilder have become historical ;
but our two correspondents, with Mr.
Rood, have not yet returned from the field.
The school at Amanzimtote is an institu-
tion of great interest and importance, and
it puts our Legislature and Government
to shame by showing what might have
been done years and years ago in the direc-
tion of native training. It has sent into
the world 237 fairly educated lads, and it
has an average attendance of 41. The
new premises, towards which colonial sym-
pathizers have lately been invited to con-
tribute, will considerably widen the sphere
of usefulness. We are glad to learn that
the readiest response was made to the ap-
peal for a moderate contribution towards
the cost of building, but we are not sur-
prised that even in these depressed times
colonists strained a point to sho\y their ap-
preciation of so estimable and useful a body
of missionaries as our American friends
have shown themselves to be. Never —
or scarcely ever — meddling in politics, but
steadily attending to their own affairs, they
have won the respect and confidence of
all who desire the improvement and recla-
mation of our native races.”
NATIVE PREACHERS FOR CHINA.
In a recent communication from a mis-
sionary in China in regard to the kind of
native workers needed in that field, some
very valuable suggestions are given, es-
pecially in reference to the question so
prominent at present, whether or not
native Chinese missionaries can be sent
with advantage from this country to labor
among their countrymen at home. This
writer says : —
“ I hope consecrated men will be found
for preachers and teachers. But I think
that, if any should offer themselves, no
promise of help should be given to pay
their passage here, as we have learned
from experience that a man . who, in
America, where public opinion is with
him, may be an earnest Christian worker,
may here, where he would have constant
persecution, be very inefficient. It is also
the general opinion of the missionaries
that an English education denationalizes
a Chinaman so much that he is not able
fully to sympathize with his countrymen,
and is apt to consider himself so much
above them, that he will not readily
associate with them nor be able to live on
such salaries as, in justice to the future
self-supporting churches, are now paid.
“ If any Chinaman wishes to do effec-
tive work among his countrymen, his
studies should be in his own language,
and in the Bible. Few who leave China
can read more than a few sentences.
“ In China, schools are of two grades.
In the first they are taught to name the
characters and to memorize the classics;
and, as the written and spoken dialects are
different, they do not know the meaning
of what they read any more than an
American boy could understand the Greek
Testament, when he had only learned the
alphabet and committed passages to
memory without knowing the meaning
of the words.
“In the second grade of schools the
characters are explained. None but the
wealthy, however, can afford to patronize
these schools ; and it is rarely that any of
the wealthy classes emigrate to America
or Australia. So it is very clear that the
first thing a Chinaman needs, who expects
to work effectively among his countrymen,
is the training given in this second grade
of schools, in order that he may under-
stand what he reads. This is the purpose
of the mission schools, and no amount of
English education can prove a substitute.”
i ss3 . ]
Miscellany.
503
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Our Eastern Sisters, and their Missionary Helpers.
By Harriet Warner Ellis, pp. 184. London: The
Religious Tract Society.
One of the most marked and happy
features of this century is the extent to
which Protestant women have devoted
themselves, singly and in associated ways,
to Christian and philanthropic labor out-
side of those limits to which they were
aforetime, in great measure, restricted.
Another happy feature of our times is the
enlistment of female pens in the advocacy
of such efforts, and in recording them.
The literature of one department alone,
that of woman’s work for women in the
East, is coming to have a noteworthy
place in the general missionary literature
of the day. To say nothing of books
produced in this country, or of matter in
various special periodicals, such as Life
and Light , on both sides of the Atlantic,
Mrs. Weitbrecht’s “ Female Missionaries
in India” and “Women of India,” Mrs.
Mullen’s “Faith and Victory,” “Hindu
Women” by D., Miss Whateley’s “Mis-
sions to the Women of China,” and now
the above work, in addition to others by
the same author, are both an exponent
and an agency of great significance. In
thirteen chapters, Mrs. Ellis gives a sketch
of woman’s work in India, Burmah,
Batavia and Borneo, China, Persia, Syria,
and Egypt.
Mission Atlas: Exhibiting the work of Evangelical
Missions in their present extent. By Dr. R. Grunde-
mann.*
The large and expensive Missionary
Atlas, by Dr. Grundemann (1867-71), was
a noble and most valuable contribution to
missionary literature. The same indefati-
gable author has now furnished a smaller
Atlas, containing twelve maps, with
numerous accessory sectional maps,
but without descriptive letter-press which
accompanied his larger work. The present
is an entirely new production. The out-
lines are clearly and accurately sketched,
while mission stations are not inserted in
* Kleiner Missions-A lias zur Darstellnng des evan-
gelischen missionwerkes tiach seinem gegenwariigen
Beslande. Von Dr. R. Grundemann. Pastor zu Mdrz
bei Belzig. Calw and Stuttgart. 1884.
such numbers as to a;owd and confuse. It
is an inexpensive work, and the circum-
stance that the lettering is German — not,
however, in German text — will not materi-
ally hinder its use by those who are un-
acquainted with that language.
The Middle Kingdom. A Survey of the Geography ,
Government, Literature , Life, Arts, and History
of the Chinese Empire and its Inhabitants. By S.
Wells Williams, ll. d. Revised edition, with illustra-
tions and a new map of the Empire. 2 vols. New
York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1883.
For thirty-five years Dr. Williams’s work
has been the standard authority on all
matters pertaining to China. The changes
which have taken place during this period,
and they are many, have not impared its
value, though they have left something
more to be desired. It is a singularly
happy circumstance that the now venerable
author of “ The Middle Kingdom ” should
have lived long enough to give to the
public a revised and enlarged edition of
his invaluable work, bringing the record
down to the present time, and making it
incomparably the best account of an
empire and a people who are more and
more to attract the attention of the world.
The sumptuous volumes before us will form
a fitting monument to the ability, energy,
and vast learning of Dr. Williams. It is
delightful to see how constantly the spirit
of the Christian missionary finds expres-
sion in these pages. No one can read
them without a deep conviction that the
great empire furnishes a hopeful field for
missionary enterprise. Dr. Williams re-
fers to the fact that when he arrived at
Canton, just fifty years ago, he was offi-
cially reported, with two other Americans,
as “ foreign devils,” and that forty-one
years later he stood with the American
Minister in the presence of the Emperor
Tungchu, on a perfect equality with “ the
son of heaven.” If changes correspond-
ing to those recorded in these volumes
should take place in China within the next
fifty years, a vast stride will be taken
towards the evangelization of the world.
It is impossible to even refer here to the
many noticeable features of this revision,
which is the fruit of the patient and con-
504
Notes for the Month.
[December,
scientious labor of the author for several
years past. Aside from verifying and
enlarging the accounts of the geography,
of the laws, customs, and social life
of the Chinese, the new edition is specially
enriched by the history of the opening of
the empire and the advances made by com-
merce and by Christian missions within the
past thirty-five years.
Otir Boys in India'. The Wanderings of Two Young
Americans in Hindustan. By Harry W. French.
Boston : Lee & Shepard.
Our Boys in China. By Harry W. French. Boston:
Lee & Shjepard.
The Bear-Worshipers of Yezo and the Island of
Karafuto; or, the Adventures of the Jewett Family
and their friend Oto Nambo. By Edward Greey.
Boston: Lee & Shepard.
These three volumes, issued by the same
publishing-house, relate to lands in which
young people are always interested. They
are profusely illustrated, Mr. Greey’s book
on the Ainos, or Bear- Worshipers of
Northern Japan, abounding in cuts made
from drawings by Japanese artists. There
is rather more of adventure in these books
than we relish, but perhaps not more than
the boys of the present day expect. The
descriptions of the lands visited are vivid
and, so far as we have noticed, correct.
The allusions to missionary work are fre-
quent and pleasant. We do not wonder
that these books are popular. On the
thread of story they convey much interest-
ing and valuable instruction.
Among- the Alaskatis. By Julia McNair Wright.
Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication.
A very interesting account of the Indians
of this northern region, and of the mission-
ary work done among them by the Presby-
terian Board. The book is well written
and fully illustrated, and is another excel-
lent volume for the Sunday-school library.
A Bag of Stories. By Anna B. Warner. New York:
Robert Carter & Brothers.
This book contains a series of bright
little stories told to a knot of children,
introducing missionary incidents from many
parts of the world. The children will
like it and it will do them good.
BOOKS RECEIVED.
The Boy-Lollard. By Rev. Frederick A. Reed. Bos-
ton: Congregational Publishing Society.
Worthington’s A nnual for 1884. Profusely illustrated.
New York: R. Worthington.
Notes for the fHcmtfj.
Topic for Special Prayer.
Translation of the Bible. — That those engaged therein may give themselves to the work ever-
more with prayer ; that, with deep earnestness and reverent teachableness, they may seek to
know what the mind of the Lord is in the lively oracles ; that they may crave the illumina-
tion of the Holy Comforter, and desire constantly to be taught and guided by Him ; that
they may be kept from all mistakes, — adding naught, and taking away nothing from the
words of the prophecy of that book ; that their own souls may be greatly refreshed and
strengthened by these sacred labors ; that the results of translation or revision may be such
as shall accurately supply nations with the more sure word of prophecy, a lamp for the feet,
a light for the path ; so that all peoples may soon hear and read, in their own tongues, the
wonderful words of God, and receive that truth into the heart which shall make them wise
unto salvation.
Arrivals at Stations.
September 15. At Constantinople, Miss Helen E. Melvin and Miss Flora A. Fensham ; also,
on the same day, Miss Harriet N. Childs, who has been transferred from the Central to the
Western Turkey Mission.
October 2. At Samokov, Bulgaria, Miss Harriet L. Cole.
Arrival in the United States.
October 23. At Boston, Dr. and Mrs. F. O. Nichols, from the West Central African Mission.
Departure.
November 14. From New York, Miss Corinna Shattuck, who is to rejoin the Central Turkey
Mission, at Marash.
ISS3-]
For the Monthly Concert. — Donations.
505
jFor t IHontfylg (Concert.
[Topics based on information given in this number of the Herald.]
1. China a Field for missions. (Page 475.)
2. Rijutei, the Corean Convert. (Page 481.)
3. A Society of Armenians. (Page 484.)
4. Native Lads at Bailunda. (Page 489.)
5. A Convert at Philippopolis. (Page 490.)
6. The Revival in Japan. (Page 494.)
7. Christian Work in Northern Japan. (Page 495.)
8. The Outlook in the Madura Mission. (Pages 491-493.)
9. A Christian Hero in South Africa. (Page 498.)
Donations Brcctbeti in ©ctofrcr.
MAINE.
VERMONT.
Cumberland county.
Cumberland Mills, Warren ch.
Portland, M. L. Minott,
Kennebec county.
Gardiner, “ G. C. D.”
South Gardiner, Cong. ch. and so.
Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.
Thomaston, Cong. ch. and so.
Woolwich, Rev. H. O. Thayer,
Union Conf. of Churches.
Waterford, ist Cong. ch.
York county.
Lyman, Cong. ch. and so.
Washington county.
Machias, Centre-st Cong. ch.
86 00
1 00 87 00
25 00
7 50 32 So
11 00
5 00 16 00
11 00
10 00
4 00
160 50
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Cheshire co. Conf. of Ch’s. George
Kingsbury, Tr.
Fitzwilliam, Chas. D. Bigelow,
Sullivan, Cong. ch. and so.
Grafton county.
Hanover, Dartmouth Relig. Soc’y,
Littleton, Cong. ch. and so.
Hillsboro’ co. Conf. of Ch’s. George
Swain, Tr.
Amherst, Cong. ch. and so.
Greenfield, Union Cong, ch., add’I,
Greenville, Cong. ch. and so.
Nashua, ist Cong ch.
New Ipswich, Cong. ch. and so.
Merrimac county. Aux. Society.
Canterbury, Cong. ch. and so., 20;
Rev. James Doldt, 5; Geo. E.
Wiggin, 5,
Rockingham county.
Brentwood, Cong. ch. and so.
Hampstead, Cong. ch. and so.
Northampton, Cong. ch. and so.
Strafford county.
Wolfborough, Rev. S. Clark,
Sullivan county. Aux. Society.
Claremont, Cong, ch., m. c.
1 00
7 00 8 00
30 00
44 « 74 11
54 20
1 00
20 00
83 90
5 97 — 165 07
30 00
5 00
18 55
17 37 40 92
5 00
5 58
328 68
Legacies. — Milford, Mrs. Josephine
M. Ellis, by G. A. Ramsdell, Ex’r,
add’I, 64 95
393 63
Caledonia co. Conf. of Ch’s. T. M.
Howard, Tr.
Barnet, A friend,
Mclndoes Falls, A friend,
St. Johnsbury, North Cong. ch.
Chittenden county.
Burlington, 3d Cong. ch.
Essex county.
Guildhall, Cong. ch. and so.
Orange county.
Williamstown, Cong. ch. and so.
Orleans county.
Derby, Cong. ch. and so.
Rutland county.
Benson, Mrs. Anna M. Howard.
Rutland, Cong. ch. and so.
Windham county Aux. Soc. H. H.
Thompson, Tr.
Brattleboro’, Central ch., m. c.
Windsor county.
Royal ton, A. W. Kenney,
25 00
10 00
276 00—311 00
100 00
6 00
3 10
10 20
10 00
33° 4i — 34° 4i
27 l6
20 OO
817 87
MASSACHUSETTS.
Barnstable county.
Falmouth, ist Cong, ch., m. c. 8 75
West Harwich, Mrs. Annie CoUins, 2 00 10 75
Berkshire county.
Alford, Cong. ch. and so. 31 37
Dalton, Cong. ch. and so. 44 79
West Stockbridge Centre, Cong. ch.
and so. 22 36 98 52
Bristol county.
Norton, Trin. Cong. ch. 60 24
Somerset, Cong. ch. and so. 13 37 73 61
Brookfield Asso’n. William Hyde, Tr.
Charlton, Cong. ch. and so. 40 00
Hardwick, Cong. ch. and so. 5 00
Southbridge, Cong. ch. and so. 190 13
Sturbridge, ist Cong. ch. 67 50
Ware, ist Cong, ch., 67.60; East
Cong. ch. (of wh. from J. A. Cum-
mings, to const. Adel Bertha
Cummings, H. M., 100; and from
W. Hyde, to const. Rollin D.
Newton and Edward N. Ander-
son, H. M., 200), to const. Wil-
liam B. Yale, Lambert H. Gibbs,
Esther F. Hitchcock and Car-
rie B. Cutler, H. M., 1,142.47, 1,210 07-1,512 70
Essex county.
Andover, E. P. Allen, for W. C.
Africa, 3 50
506
Donations,
[December,
Essex county, North.
Amesbury, Cong. ch. and so. 9 82
Newburyport, North Cong. ch. 32 05 41 87
Essex co. South Conf. of Ch’s. C. M.
Richardson, Tr.
Beverly, Dane-st ch., m. c. 13 67
Danvers, Mrs. Dorinda T. Baker, 5 00
Middleton, Cong. ch. and so. 12 75
Topsfield, Cong. ch. and so., to const.
Rev. L. S. Crawford, H. M. 85 70 — 117 12
Hampden co. Aux. Society. Charles
Marsh, Tr.
Chicopee, Tst Cong, ch., 71.10; 2d
Cong, ch., 39.76, no 86
Hampden, Cong. ch. and so. 22 00
Monson, Cong. ch. and so. 26 65
Springfield, 1st Cong, ch., 90.56;
South Cong, ch., 76.17; North
Cong, ch., 38.75; Olivet ch., 30.36;
E. A. Thompson, 12, 247 84
Westfield, 1st Cong. ch. 2 00
West Granville, Cong. ch. and so. 25 00 434 35
Hampshire co. Aux. Society.
Amherst, istvCong. ch. 50 00
Easthampton, Mrs. John Wright, to
const. Mrs. Emily B. Clark,
Mary C. Wright, Alvan W.
Clark, Herbert W. Wright,
and Mrs. Norman T. Smith, H.M. 500 00
Hatfield, Cong. ch. and so. 46 89
Northampton, A. L. Williston, 525 00-1,121 89
Middlesex county.
Cambridge, North-ave. Sab. sch.,
Primary Department, for “ Morn-
ing Star,” 5 00
Everett, Cong. ch. and so. 7 48
Hopkinton, Cong. ch. and so. 70 20
Linden, A friend, 1 00
Malden, 1st Cong. ch. 86 24
Natick, Cong. ch. and so. 40 00
Newton, Eliot ch. 250 00
Newton Centre, Cong. ch. and so.,
117.74; Special collection, 1, 118 74
Somerville, Prospect Hill ch., 7.85;
do., m. c., 3.75, 11 60 590 26
Middlesex Union.
Boxboro’, Cong. ch. and so. 15 00
Fitchburg, Calv. Cong, ch., 175.80;
Rollstone ch., 116.62, 29242
North Leominster, Cong. ch. and so. 5 00
Westford, Cong. ch. and so. 17 00 329 42
Norfolk county.
Brookline, “ E. P.” 1 00
Dover, 2d Cong. ch. 8 05
Hyde Park, 1st Cong. ch. *32 00
Needham, Con^. ch. and so. 10 26
Randolph, 1st Cong, ch., add’l, 18 00
Wellesley, Cong ch. and so. 161 60
Wrentham, 1st Cong, ch., 22; do., m.
c., 22.06, 44 06 — 274 97
Old Colony Auxiliary.
Fairhaven, Sarah Pope, 10 00
Plymouth county.
Abington, 1st Cong. ch. 30 21
, A friend, to const. Rev.
George Benedict and Rev.
Hampden B. Jones, H. M. ioo 00 — 130 21
Suffolk county.
Boston, Immanuel ch., 100; Eliot ch.,
40; do., m. c., 6.68; Highland ch.,
6.62; “Norfolk,” 700; A friend,
10; “A. T.,” 5, 868 30
Chelsea, Central ch. 100 60 — 968 90
Worcester county, North.
Athol, Evan. ch. 51 14
Hubbardston, Cong. ch. and so. 58 61
Templeton, Trin. Cong, ch., 15.55;
Rev. T. O. Rice, 20, 35 55
Winchendon, 1st Cong, ch., 51.60;
do., m. c., 20.50, 72 10 217 40
Worcester co. Central Asso’n. E. H.
Sanford, Tr.
Oxford, 1 st Cong. ch. 19 26
West Berlin, “ F. R.” 5 00
Worcester, Central ch., 317.82;
Union ch. and so., to const. George
L. Newton, H. M., 115; Salem-st
ch., 90; Plymouth Cong, ch., 80.20;
Summei-st ch., 4.25; A friend, 25, 632 27 656 53
Worcester co. South Conf. of Ch’s.
William R. Hill, Tr.
Whitinsville, Cong. ch. and so.
, A friend,
25 00
200 00
6,817 00
Legacies. — Foxboro’, Daniels Carpen-
ter, by W. H. Alden, and C. W.
Hodges, Ex’rs, 5,000 00
Springfield, Levi Graves, one third
of net income of Mission Farm in
Hatfield, by D. AV. Wells, Trustee, 95 00—5,095 00
11,912 00
RHODE ISLAND.
Pawtucket, Cong. ch. and so. 150 00
Peacedaie, Cong. ch. and so. 4 13
Providence, Pilgrim ch., 25; Chinese
Sab. sch., of Benef. ch., for Hong
Kong Mission, 15; R. Hazard, 500, 540 00 694 13
CONNECTICUT.
Fairfield county.
Georgetown, Cong. ch. and so.
Hartford county. E. W. Parsons, Tr.
Berlin, 2d Cong. ch.
Bloomfield, Cong. ch. and so.
East Windsor, Semantha Wells, to
const. Rev. Howard Billman,
H. M.
Glastenbury, 1st Cong. ch.
Hartford, Pearl-st. Cong. ch. (of wh.
from Geo. E. Sanborn, to const.
Mrs. CarrieS. Packard, H. M.,
ioo),
Kensington, Cong. ch. and so.
New Britain, South Cong, ch., Ban-
yan Seeds for “ Morning Star,”
Rocky Hill, Cong. ch. and so.
West Hartford, Lucy J. Ellsworth,
Litchfield co. G. C. Woodruff, Tr.
Thomaston, Cong. ch. and so.
Middlesex co. E. C. Hungerford, Tr.
Chester, Cong. ch. and so.
East Hampton, Cong. ch. and so.
Higganum, Cong. ch. and so.
Middlefield, Cong. ch. and so.
Middle Haddam, 2d Cong ch., m. c.
Old Saybrook, Cong. ch. and so.
New Haven co. F. T. Jarman, Ag’t.
Birmingham, Cong. ch. and so.,
56.02; J. Tomlinson, 20,
Meriden, 1st Cong, ch., estate of
Amelia D. Catlin,
Mt. Carmel, Cong. ch. and so.
Naugatuck, Cong. ch. and so.
New Haven, Ch. of the Redeemer,
290; Centre ch., m. c., 6.62; North
ch., m. c., 4.50; “M.,” a thank-
offering, for China, 5,
North Haven, Ladies’ Benev. So. of
Cong, ch., to const. Mrs. Payson
B. Orcutt, H. M.
West Haven, Cong. ch. and so.
Whitney ville, Cong. ch. and so.
New London co. L. A. Hyde and
L. C. Learned, Tr’s.
East Lyme, Cong. ch. and so.
Lebanon, A friend,
Lisbon, Cong. ch. and so.
New London, “Oct. 14,”
Norwich, 2d Cong, ch., 378.52; 1st
Cong. ch. (of wh. from Lewis A.
Hyde, bai. to const. George Ful-
ler Hyde, H. M., 50), 150.
Stonington, 1st Cong ch.
Windham county.
Eastford, Cong. ch. and so.
South Killingly, Cong. ch. and so.
13 50
26 62
17 34
50 00
225 00
277 31
17 77
25 00
57 72
5 00 701 76
36 42
50 00
36 27
20 00
45 00
11 64
23 90 186 81
76 02
100 00
38 19
200 00
306 12
-945 68
l8 OO
25 OO
5 00
25 00
528 52
14 00 — 615 52
20 60
2,531 29
Legacies. — Ellington, Asa Coy, by
George W. Kimball, Adm’r, 3 45
Killingworth, Mrs. A. V. Evarts, by
Mrs. R. S. Buell, Ex’x, 50 00 53 45
2,584 74
i883.]
Donations.
5 07
NEW YORK.
Baiting Hollow, Cong. ch. arid so. 10 00
Brooklyn, Mrs. E. P. Thwing, 20 00
Buffalo, 1st Cong, ch., “R. W. B.,” to
const. VV. M. Knight, H. M. too 00
Crown Point, 2d Cong. ch. 10 00
Gasport, Cong. ch. and so. 10 00
Howard, Rev. Alvin Cooper, 10 00
Jamaica, J. E. Phelps, 4 00
Little Valley, Cong. ch. and so. 5 00
Middletown, 1st Cong. ch. 30 00
Moravia, Cong. ch. and so. 12 00
New York, S. T. Gordon, 250; “ L.
A. B.,’' to. 90; “ W. S. D.,” 10;
Wm. C. Hunter, 10, 280 90
Pompey, Mrs. Lucy Child, 10 00
Westmoreland, 1st Cong. ch. 12 20
Woodhaven, Cong, ch., to; Cong.
Sab. sch., for “ Morning Star," 3.26;
Ger. Evan. “ Ch. of Emanuel " Sab.
sch., for “ Morning Star,” 3.26,
l6 52 530 62
PENNSYLVANIA.
Ackley Station, Geo. Lewis,
6 00
Philadelphia, Mrs. Franklin Hall,
75 00
Sugar Grove, Mrs. Robert Weld,
4 00 85 00
NEW JERSEY.
Lodi, Cong. oh.
3 24
Montclair, ist Cong. ch.
386 60
Newark, ist Cong. Sab. sch.. Infant
class, for “ Morning Star,”
3i
Orange Valley, Cong. ch.
212 34
Parsippany, A friend,
5 00 607 49
Prospect Park, Cong. ch. 10 62
Rochelle, C. F. Holcomb, 10 00
Roseville, Mr. and Mrs.,L. C. Axtell,
for missions in Africa, -309 45
Thomasboro’, H. M. Seymour, 2 00-1,620 69
MISSOURI.
Kansas City, Clyde Cong. ch. 7 75
Kirksville, J. S. Blackman, 10 00
Sedalia, Cong. ch. 13 80
St. Louis, N. H. Suren, 5 00 36 55
MICHIGAN.
Bridgman, Cong. ch.
Detroit, Rev. Jeremiah Porter, bal. to
const. Edwards W. Porter, H. M.
East Saginaw, 1st Cong. ch.
Galesburg, 1st Cong. ch.
Grandville, Cong. ch.
Greenville, Nathaniel Slaght, to
const, himself and Rev. James Law-
rence Patton, H. M.
Memphis, Cong. ch.
North Leoni, Cong. ch.
Northport, 1st Cong. ch.
Olivet, Cong. ch.
Royal Oak, Cong. ch.
Ypsilanti, Cong. ch.
6 00
50 00
71 71
11 00
3 00
500 00
5 00
5 10
19 46
5 69
7 00
3 00-
-686 96
WISCONSIN.
Menomonie, Cong. ch.
New Richmond, 1st Cong. ch.
Racine, Mrs. Jane Perry,
Watkins, C. T. Wickes,
22 50
20 00
6 00
5 00 53 50
IOWA.
TENNESSEE.
Legacies. — Farmington, Rev. Thomas
J. Hall, by John Ramsey,
OHIO.
Chester, George Green, 2 50
Cleveland, Plymouth ch., 120; 1st
Cong. Sab. sch., for “ Morning Star,"
25, 145 00
Conneaut, Cong, ch., 2.50; H. E.
Pond, 5, 7 50
Kelloggsville, Cong. ch. and so. 20 00
Mansfield, 1st Cong, ch., 143.35: do.,
Young People's Miss. Circle, 67.70;
do., Ladies’ Ben. Soc.; 27.52; do.,
Children's Hour, 25 ; (with the above,
Edwin B. King, Rose Leiter, and
Rev. W. F. McMillan are consti-
tuted H. M.), 263 57
Marietta, 1st Cong. ch. 100 00
Oberlin, 2d Cong, ch., 35.60; North
Central Conference, for Zulu Mission,
_ 40 60
Painesville, 1st Cong. Sab. sch., for
“ Morning Star," 25 00
Parisville, Welsh Cong. ch. 17 25
Poland, H. J. Clark, 3 00
Rootstown, Cong-ch. 24 00
Strongville, 1st Cong. ch. 10 00
Tallmadge, Cong. ch. 73 45—
Legacies. — Akron, Rev. Caleb Pitkin,
by E. W. Stuart, Adm’r,
-733 87
61 50
ILLINOIS.
Chicago, N. E. Cong, ch., 120.37;
Friends in do., a thank-offering (of
wh. for work in Austria, 250), 500;
Bethany Cong, ch., 8.07; 1st Cong,
ch., 147.88; Union Park Cong, ch.,
m. c., 11. 18, 787 50
Creston, Cong. ch. 15 00
Dundee, Cong. ch. 9 42
Elmwood, Cong, ch., 26; A friend,
100, 126 00
Kewanee, Cong. ch. 7 00
Moline, 1st Cong. ch. 107 50
Payson, Cong, ch., 36.20; J. K. Scar-
borough, 200, 236 20
795 37
Britt, Cong. ch.
Chester Centre, Cong. ch.
Denmark, Cong. ch.
Farragut, Cong. ch.
Grandview, Ger. Cong, ch., 20.50; Ger.
Cong. Sab. sch., for “Morning
Star,” 5,
Keokuk, A friend,
Mequoketa, Cong. ch.
Pierson, A. J. Brower,
Rockwell, Mrs. Jas. Aldcrson,
\
MINNESOTA.
Cottage Grove, 1st Cong. ch.
Elk River, Cong. Sab. sch., for “ Morn-
ing Star,"
Minneapolis, Plymouth ch., 37.95; 1st
Cong, ch., 11.86; 2d Cong, ch., 10,
St. Paul, Plymouth Cong. ch.
Waterville, Cong. ch.
Legacies — Zumbrota, Rev. J. G. D.
Stearns, by O. H. Hall, Adm’r, less
exchange, 4.40,
KANSAS.
Highland, Cong. ch.
Wabaunsee, 1st Ch. of Christ,
NEBRASKA.
Columbus, Cong. ch.
Freemont, Cong. ch.
Freewater, Cong. ch.
Lincoln, “ K. and C."
Sutton, Cong. ch.
Ulysses, 1st Cong. ch.
Weeping Water, Cong. ch.
CALIFORNIA.
San Francisco, Mrs. M. Skey,
OREGON.
The Dalles, A friend of missions, and
family,
COLORADO.
Colorado Springs, Cong. ch.
Manitou, Rev. W. F. Bickford,
4 35
16 50
20 00
20 16
25 50
5 00
17 68
5 00
5 00 119 19
16 00
3 90
59 81
54 94
8 00 142 65
2,204 65
• 2>347 3°
5 00
25 20 30 20
5 00
29 00
3 00
10 00
3 00
12 61
23 50 86 11
5 00
10 00
56 49
5 00 — 61 49
508
Donations.
[December, 1SS3.
CANADA.
Province of Ontario.
Valetta, Rev. John Logie, io oo
Province of Quebec.
Montreal, American Pres. ch. 500 00 510 00
FOREIGN LANDS AND MISSIONARY
STATIONS.
Japan, Kobe, DeWitt C. Jencks, 175 00
Zulu Mission, Amahlongwa, m. c.,
coll., 3 44 178 44
MISSION WORK FOR WOMEN.
From Woman's Board of Missions of the
Interior.
Mrs. J. B. Leake, Chicago, Illinois,
Treasurer , 11,971 9*
MISSION SCHOOL ENTERPRISE.
Maine. — Bangor, 1st Cong. Sab. sch., 9;
Cumberland, Cong. Sab. sch., for school in
Turkey, under Rev. H. Marden, 30; Port-
land, 2d Parish Sab. sell., a Chinese class,
towards support of Chun Jung, China, 10, 49 00
New Hampshire. — Keene, 2d Cong. Sab.
sch. • 50 00
Vermont. — Cong. Sab. sch., Miss Hovey’s
class, 2 13
Massachusetts. — Falmouth, “Chinking
Stone,” for Samokov mission schools, 2;
Haverhill, West Cong. Sab. sch., 5; Need-
ham, Cong. Sab. sch., 3.57; Westfield, 2d
Cong. Sab. sch., for boys' school, Cesarea,
60.40, 70 97
Connecticut. — Fairfield, 1st Cong. Sab. sch.,
for Kioto Training-School, 17 76
New York. — Angola, Cong. Sab. sch. Miss’y
Concert, 4; Cambria Centre, Cong. Sab.
sch., 5; Holley, H. C. Hazen, for support
of a boy in boarding-school at Battalagundu,
25; Ithaca, 1st Cong. Sab. sch., for support
of “ Nathaniel,” 40, 74 00
Pennsylvania. — Nanticoke, Cong, ch., for
Pasumalai Sem'y, 16 35
New Jersey. — Lodi, Cong. Sab. sch. 10 00
Ohio. — Cuyahoga Falls, “ Happy Workers”
of Cong, ch., for Madura, 25.48; North
Olmsted, 2d Cong. Sab. sen., for Shanse,
13; Tallmadge, Cong. Sab. sch., 25.45, 63 93
Illinois. — Amboy, Cong. Sab. sch., 4.70;
Polo, Independent Pres. Sab. sch., for^vork
of Rev. C. F. Gates, 21.46, 26 16
Michigan. — Detroit, 1st Cong. Sab. sch., for
a native preacher at Marash, Turkey, 40 00
Iowa. — Keokuk, A friend, for Pasumalai
Sem’y, 5; Nevinville, Cong. Sab. sch., 70c;
Orient, Cong. Sab. sch., 2, 7 70
California. — Eureka, 1st Cong. Sab. sch.,
10; Kelseyville, George Ford, for support
of a boy in India, 30, 40 00
468 00
Donations received in October, * 29,287 14
Legacies „ „ 7,499 55
36,786 69
Total from September 1 to October 31,
1883: Donations, $60,742.30; Lega-
cies, $13,649. 98=$74, 392. 34.
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR A NEW MISSIONARY VESSEL —
“THE MORNING STAR.”
VERMONT.
Newbury, Mrs. Atkinson’s Sab. sch.
class,
MASSACHUSETTS.
Boston, Shawmut Branch Sab. sch., 25;
Friends, per Capt. Bray, 2.50,
Cambridge, North-ave Sab. sch., Pri-
mary Dep’t,
Framingham, Plymouth Ch. and so.
Worcester, Salem-st. Mission Workers,
1 00
27 50
5 00
16 00
5 00 53 50
CONNECTICUT.
New Britain, South Cong, ch., Banyan
Seeds,
NEW YORK.
Ashville, Cong. Sab. sch.
Astoria, Pres. Sab. sch.
Brooklyn, Lee-ave. Sab. sch.
Cambria, Cong. Sab. sch.
Eaton, Cong. Sab. sch.
Elmira, Park ch.
Homer, Cong. Sab. sch.
New York, H. C. Alcott,
North Walton, Cong. Sab. sch.
Norwich, Cong. Sab. sch.
Osceola, Cong. Sab. sch.
Oswego, Cong. Sab. sch.
Smyrna, 1st Cong. Sab. sch. Miss. Soc.
Wadham’s Mills, Cong. Sab. sch.
Woodhaven, Cong. Sab. sch., 3.26;
Ger. Evan. “ Ch. of Emanuel” Sab.
sch., 3.26,
25 00
3 66
4 50
n 53
13 60
5 50
50 00
10 00
50
5 00
20 00
2 00
2 92
10 00
4 3i
6 52 150 04
PENNSYLVANIA.
East Smithfield, Cong. Sab. sch. 5 00
Sharon, Cong. Sab. sch. 14 00 19 00
NEW JERSEY.
Bound Brook, Cong. Sab. sch.
Chester, 1st Cong. Sab. sch., and Young
People’s Society,
Newark, 1st Cong. Sab. sch., Infant
Class,
Upper Montclair, Cong. Sab. sch.
15 00
15 00
3i
10 00 40 31
OHIO.
Brooklyn, Cong. Sab. sch. 15 82
Brooklyn Village, Friends, 1 10
Cincinnati, Vine-st. ch. 300 00
Cleveland, 1st Cong, ch., Young People’s
Miss. Soc, 50; 1st Cong. Sab. sch..
25,.
Oberlin, Students,
Painesville, 1st Cong. Sab. sch.
Saybrook, Cong. Sab. sch., 5; Sab. sch.
Mission Band, 5,
, A friend,
75 00
8 00
25 00
10 00
50 00 — 484 92
MICHIGAN.
Bay City, 1st Cong. Sab. sch., and
Girl’s Mission Band,
IOWA.
10 00
Grandview, Ger. Sab. sch. 5 00
Harlan, Cong. Sab. sch. 8 23 13 23
MINNESOTA.
Elk River, Cong. Sab. sch. 3 90
Lakeland, Pres. Sab. sch. 2 50 6 40
803 40
For Young People
CHINESE CHILDREN.
BY MRS. EMMA D. SMITH, OF PANG-CHUANG, SHANTUNG, NORTH CHINA.
Do you ever wonder what a Chinese day-school is like ? Supposing we skip
over to the west end of this village, and take a peep at the boys’ school. The
village lends us its schoolhouse, and we missionaries furnish a good Christian
teacher, and they study Christian books for part of the time.
THE AN-TING GATE, PEKING.
As we go up the front steps, what is all this fearful racket? Do you feel a
little delicate about going in lest you should intrude on a cpiarrel of some sort?
O, but you need n’t ! The little boys in our school are not tearing each
others’ hair, nor scratching each others’ eyes out, nor knocking each other down •
5io
Chinese Children.
[December,
not a bit of it ! They are just doing what every good little scholar in China is
expected to do ; that is, every mother’s son of them is studying his lesson over
out loud. By out loud I mean in a perfect roar.
As they do this nearly all day long, a good many of them quite ruin their
voices. When you hear them trying to sing together it reminds you of that
other little frog-class which sings every evening out on the village moat, the last
thing before popping in for the night. You think little scholars who have to
work like that must be sorry when they hear the nine-o’clock bell and glad when
it creeps around to four in the afternoon? But there you ’ve made another big
mistake. O, lively American chicks, who wriggle and squirm in Sunday-
school and day-school, and hate being caged up anywhere as badly as the wild
birds do, what would you say if you had to go to school with the first streak of
daylight, and if school kept till dark ! If the Chinese scholars ease up life
somewhat by not studying hard all the time, who can blame them?
But if you think our little long-queued friends don’t know much, we will
set them to reciting, and I suspect you ’ll be amaied to hear even the wee ones
reel off chapter after chapter and book after book. One Peking scholar recited
the whole of the New Testament at a single examination ! The Chinese have
fine memories, and are always cultivating them and proud of them. But the
scholars are often brought up not to care a fig what it all means, so their little
brains are only well-stored lumber-rooms.
It is very hard work to get “Why?” and “How?” into a Chinese school.
The boys don’t know why a thing is so, or ho7c it is so, and they don’t care and,
what is worse, the native teacher don’t want them to care. Why should he?
His life is hard enough, at best, and the “ How? ” and “ Why ? ” laddies are a
deal more trouble to live with, and take care of, as every American mamma will
bear cheerful and ready testimony. It has occurred to the writer that to secure
the ideal boy it would only be necessary to take a little Interrogation Point (of
course, you know I mean an American boy), and then a little Chinese boy, just
as big and just as old, and roll them all up in a ball, when presto ! out would come
the loveliest little fellow that ever wore a cap, asking just questions enough and
never one too many !
At the other end of the village where we live are the little girl scholars —
bless their dear little pinched-up, aching toes and their long shining braids and
bright eyes ! You could love them without half trying. A little maiden, not a
thousand miles from here, had them all at her birthday party a while ago. They
played “ Drop the handkerchief,” just as you do, 'only they use their belts and
call it “ Drop the girdle.” They also played “ Blind man’s buff,” after your
fashion, finding it rather hard to catch their little American hostess, with her free
dancing feet. Then we all sat down on the floor and played a game of jack-
stones. Think of their knowing that too. Isn’t it droll? Their game is a
little different from yours. They call it “ Bah Bah.” Fancy the clever little
witches putting “Sally over the log,” “Sally over the fence,” “ beans in the pot,”
“horses in the stable,” “riding the elephant,” “setting the table,” and coming
out triumphant on the “ double fives,” having beaten us soundly.
And the children’s names ! Fancy calling children “ Little Dog,” “ Little
Basket,” “ Little Fatty,” “ Little Black One,” “ Little Idiot,” “ Little Slave Girl” !
CHINESE PROCESSION.
1883.]
Chinese Children .
51,1
512
Chinese - Children.
[December, 1883.
You know about the old lady who exhausted herself to think of a name for a
little boy she had on her hands, and who finally gave it up and “just called him
Jim Polk and let him run.” The father and mother of one little boy here just
called him “ Doughnut,” and let him run. He wanted very much to come to
school, but it would n’t be Chinese for him to tease his papa and
mamma (just hear what a sigh your mamma gave when she read that sentence !),
so he sent a grown-up friend to plead his cause with his parents, and he was allowed
to come. Dear little fellow ! Though the bright eyes of the other boys can’t
see it, a dark, threatening cloud hangs over his head, and we look at him with
CHINESE CANAL AND BRIDGE
a wistful yearning, for our missionary doctor says he has a fatal disease and will
have only a short time for earthly teaching. Dear children with sweet Christian
mammas, will you pray for poor little Doughnut? Though his grandmother is
a Christian, his mamma doesn’t love Jesus at all, and how can she comfort his
little heart, going down into the deep valley ! Pray that the dear Shepherd
may lead him along so gently that, before he shall have found out that the road
is hard and steep, he will find himself inside the heavenly fold in the
Shepherd’s own blessed arms. One thing more. Ask God to take all these
bonny boys and girls of ours and make them, by and by, into teachers, preach-
ers, and Bible-women, who shall do noble work for Him.
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