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“...South America. The other
Chapels are on the islands.
« «■ *
Mr. Proudfoot has now been ten years in the
Mission field. He is staying on at considerable
risk to himself, till he can be relieved. Through
the appointment of Mr. Halliwell, I hope that his-
foot will soon be on his native heath. He looks
forward to spending some pleasant summer days-
in the heather, on the Ochil Hills in Scotland.
W'N a letter to
j, ■ the Mis-
si on ary
y Secretary,
dated Sep-
tember
1 8 9 5,
10th,
R e v.
James Proud-
foot describes
the condition of
affairs at Bocas
del Toro. The
excessive rains
had caused quite
an epidemic of
fever, greatly
interfered with
their religious
services, and
reduced the
church income
to a very fine
point. Happily,
the rainy season
was passing a-
way, and better
times seemed in
store. The day
school progress-
ed slowly, as
the children
were suffering
from whooping
cough, which
CHINA.
D r. IIogg
writes to the
Missionary Sec-
retary, congra-
tulating him on
his appoint-
m ent, a n d
giving...”
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“...Editor, dated Wenchow, Sep-
tember 27tli, 1895, Rev. W. E. Soothill refers to
the outrages perpetrated on Christian Missions in
China, specifying those in Sz-chuan, Fo-kien,
and elsewhere. He continues “Coming to this
district three months ago, the China Inland Mission
suffered a re-
verse at Ping-
Yang, 30 miles
.from here.
Twenty or
thirty houses
were wrecked,
their occu-
pants driven
forth, a n d
though com-
pensation has
been made in
part, they have
not been able
to re-build,
and Christians
have to put up
with great
■opposition.
* * * *
to
“As to our
■o w n w o r k,
F u n g -L i n g
was going on
splendidly, till
the Mandarins
putoutanotice
forbidding the
sale of land to
foreigners.
"These officials
have enormous
power, and
whilespeaking
suavely as man
can speak, are
all the time
doing their ut-
most against
us. They are
at the bottom
of almost all
the riots in China. Soon after this proclamation
■appeared, I received warning of the changed
demeanour of the people. Through the British
Consul...”
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“... yielded to
our delighted vision scenes of ever varying beauty.
It was part of Mr. Galpin’s mission to secure a
number of these views, to be reproduced on
lantern slides, to illustrate a lecture which you
may have the pleasure of listening to, and I can
assure you, beforehand, that there is a treat in
store. Each day our morning prayers were made
the occasion of a little service, which was generally
well attended, more interest being taken in them
this year than has been known before. The hill
people made up their minds to have nothing to do
with the “ foreigner’s religion.” But they cannot
resist the “joyful sound,” and already the Gospel
is “ half-way ” to many of their hearts. After
prayers came medicines, at times there was quite
a rush. Cases of ulcer, abscess, cancer, etc., were
brought for treatment, keeping Mr. Galpin busy
sometimes all morning. Dr. Grant, of the American
Baptist Mission, who was staying in our house,
had his hands full of interesting cases. One was
the case of...”
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“...plans whereby
a greater interest and sympathy might be created
amongst the younger portion of our Home Churches
towards us and our work. I am willing to write
a quarterly letter to any Sunday School or Christian
Endeavour Society, who would make known to me
their desire for such a letter. I would give the
latest news about our Wenchow Mission, seeking
to make the letter as interesting as I possibly could.
Through such a medium, I believe great good
might be done, and a greater sympathy begotten
towards Missionary labour.”
* * »
In the same letter, Mr. Heywood states his be-
lief that the official class is to blame for all the
trouble that arises in China about foreigners and
Christianity. “ The Foreign Office does not yet seem
to have grasped this fact. The sooner it is known
by Englishmen, the better will it be for all
foreigners in this country. The true culprits will
be brought to account for deeds that have made
the civilized world shudder.”
* * *
Mr. Heywood continues, “ I am sorry...”
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“...some Deputation work since he got home, not only
with comfort to himself, but great pleasure to the
Churches he has served.
BOCAS-DEL-TORO.
The Rev. T. Halliwell, has, ere this, I have no
doubt, safely arrived at his new sphere of work.
He wrote from Colon, saying he had had a
pleasant voyage to that port, and expected in four
days more to be at Bocas itself. The report of
Rev. J. Proudfoot of the progress of the work at
Bocas is most cheering. God is greatly prospering
our work on that Station.
CHINA.
It is with the utmost pleasure that I make
known the fact that we have received a cheque for
£200 for the “ Wenchow Hospital.” To our friend,
Rev. A. J. Walkden, we are deeply indebted for
his share in obtaining the money, and to the
donor, Mr. Dingley, we are profoundly
grateful. This sum will enable the Missionary
Committee to proceed at once with the urgently-
needed work of building and furnishing the
Hospital.
Several other friends had sent and promised...”
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“...for the
futherance of the Gospel.
* * #
The eminent Missionary, Rev. Griffith John,
has paid a visit to a number of places in the far
interior of China, and reports that the people are
willing to hear the Gospel. The hostile feeling-
created by the efforts of the Mandarins appears to
have passed away. Our own Missionaries con-
stantly attest that it is the ruling class which
excites and fosters enmity to “ the foreign religion ”
amongst the people of China.
* * *
A remarkable conversion has occurred on the
Congo. A chief who was held in great repute as
a fetishman, assembled the people of his village,
and told them he had become convinced that there
was one, and only one God. With the help of his
son he threw all his fetishes into the water. The
people wondered that father and son were not
struck down dead I Father and son then went to
the Mission station, and asked to be taught the
religion of Christ....”
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“...as class leaders. If so,
why should they be kept out of leaders’ meetings ?
Lord Jesu, when we stand afar,
And gaze upon Thy holy Cross,
In love of Thee and scorn of self,
Oh, may we count the world as loss !
'I'jlE ‘ l^ELI^IOU^’ LIFE OF WEpIejIoW.
BY J. W. HEYWOOD.
“ W^^IFENCHOW is the most ‘ jossy ’ (idol)
place I have yet seen in China.”
TnfivWl Such was the comment of one of
| H.B.M. Consuls stationed here. He
-J paq peen jn mOst of the open ports
of China, thus making his judgment one of weight
and value. There can be no doubt that the
‘religious’ side of the Wenchow people’s character
is more developed than is the case in many of the
large cities of China. Nor can the fact be
questioned that with the great majority of the
people their devotions are performed with great
zeal and earnestness.
The term 1 religious,’ however, may not always
be synonymous with those of “ righteousness ”
and purity ! This is true of the term as used
in this sketch of the devotional life of the
Wenchowese...”
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“...Three Precious Ones are the
Almoners to the departed spirits, who would other-
wise make serious trouble if they were not
remembered by their descendants.
This atten-
the
tion to the
needs of the
ghosts of
deceased
a n c e s t ors
for seven
generations,
does not be-
long to very
ancient
times. It
was intro-
duced in
China about
A.D. 733,
by Amdgha,
known by
the Chinese
as Pa i h
K’ung, the
Singhalese
B u d d h i st
who gave a
great im-
petus to his
religion
under
T’ang Dy-
nasty.
By ‘
festivals is
the religious
life of the
W e nchow-
ese nurtur-
ed. That
the people
should be in
gross dark-
ness and
superstition
is cause for
little sur-
prise. We
believe,
however,
that as a
Mission we
are doing
much to bring light and spiritual liberty to them.
Our hearts are full of hope despite the great
enemy we have to fight.
I have stood on the summit of a mountain in
Si Chi' as the moon has just been breaking. The
such...”
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“... coloured plates and diagrams,
either mounted, or otherwise ? They would be a
great boon I ” I have wondered, also, if some
friend would make the Mission a present of these
MOPOPHI CHURCH AND MISSION HOUSE, WESTERN AFRICA.
and Mrs. Abercrombie are very well indeed ; quite
as well as when in England, almost better from
their own reports. Mr. Abercrombie is very
diligently making himself acquainted both
with the Missionaries and their Stations. I am
sure he will be more than pleased to have a letter
from any of his friends in England.
CHINA.
The Chinese New Year has just commenced, and
all our Missionaries have commenced it full of
hope. All are in good health, except Dr. Swallow,
needful things; I have a notion they will, and
hence this appeal.
* * *
In the Doctor’s last letter, a most interesting
one, he says, what he greatly needs, is: “ 1.—A
good set of osteology, particularly a skull; 2.—A
set of anatomical and physiological plates, or
models.
* * *
There is a “ Medical Mannikin,” or...”
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“...74
HISTORY OF OUR HYMN BOOK.
urge all my friends to take every opportunity of
listening to Mr. Galpin, for I know that lie has
gone home prepared, as soon as health will permit,
in many ways to entertain and to impress both
heart and mind with the importance and
significance of the work of God in China.
tfijg'ToRy o? olTr jlyjvijI-BooK-
BY THE EDITOR.
2Vo. r.
THE BUSINESS OF SELECTION.
The
OMEN’S work, it is said, is never done.
This might equally be said of the
work of hymn-book makers. Many
questions cropped up besides those
already mentioned. Should a list of authors and
translators be given ; an index of first lines and of
subjects ? Should an index be prepared of hymns
suitable for special occasions? These, amongst
other questions, called for consideration,
book will show how they were settled.
I do not profess to have tabulated the precise
order in which questions arose for discussion and
settlement, for amidst all the discussions—or shall
I say conversations—the main question loomed...”
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“...he had long known, who accom-
panied him to China, where, after too brief a
course, she died.
Prior to his departure, a farewell meeting was
held in Grange Road Chapel, Bermondsey. The
meeting was held on September 16th, 1867, and
the report published at the time says, “ it was very
enthusiastic throughout.” The Missionary Secre-
tary was not present, but the Connexional element
was supplied by Mr. Joseph Chipchase, a member
of the Foreign Missionary Committee, a clear-
headed man, whose “ silver tongue ” and choice
diction, made him a popular speaker, and who had
long held a prominent place in the counsels of the
body. My colleague, at the time, was Rev. R.
Brewin, who, although he has never been a
Missionary, is a most zealous upholder of the
Missionary cause. These two brethren, with
myself, were the speakers on the occasion. Of
course, our theme was Mr. Galpin and Missions.
In saying farewell, Mr. Galpin gave an account of
his call to Mission work. The speaking being
ended, presentations...”
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“...in England.
He had married a second time when in China, but
this union “Could not continue by reason of
death.” His wife’s health failed, and she sought
her native shores, but she died amongst her friends
in Scotland. On
his return to China
in 1879, Mr. Galpin
was accompanied
by a lady whom
he had married, the
daughter of “ a
brothei’ beloved,”
who has long been
a tower of strength
in Lever Street
Circuit, M a n-
chester, and whose
“ bow still abides
in strengt h,”
though he has
reached a patri-
archal age. This
lady has proved in
all senses a help-
meet to Mr. Galpin.
Eleven or twelve
years of hard and
successful toil fol-
lowed, and in 1889,
Mr. Galpin again
paid a visit to his
native land. He
might have asked
to remain here, as
his wife and
children could not
return with him.
His labours in China, however, were invaluable, if
not indispensable, and at the request of the Foreign
Missionary Committee, he undertook to go out
alone to China for other five years. What he did
in that time,...”
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“...nearly thirty years’ service to Mission work in
China, yet his eye has not waxed dim, neither has
his natural strength abated, so I trust he has many
years before him of happy and useful labour at
home.
I will only say, in conclusion, that in my
judgment, our Connexion has been admirably
served by our pi-esent staff of Missionaries to
China. The reports which they send home from
time to time exhibit mental strength, religious
fervour, and spiritual success. Yet I apprehend
that the palm of tact, knowledge, and efficiency
would be awarded by themselves to their senior
brother, whose portrait I have the pleasure of
presenting to my readers, the Rev. Frederick
Galpin.
EDI'l'O^L plO'l'E^.
CHINA.
N a letter from Rev. R. Woolfenden to the
Missionary Secretary, dated Ningpo,
January 22nd, 1896, the writer refers to
the great loss the Mission has sustained by
the departure to England of Rev. F. Galpin. He
continues :
* * *
“ It may be we shall never meet him in China,
and I pray God to lay it upon...”
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“...and unbelievers, are all
the people of China, whom I shall equally protect.
You must mutually preserve peace, and not have
doubts, or be unwilling to listen to my words.
This is important, for I have specially put out
this proclamation to inform you.”
JAMAICA.
In a recent letter, Rev. R. E. Abercrombie
describes the condition of the churches in the
District as encouraging. “ The state of the
churches,” he
says, “ nu-
merically and
spiritually, so
far as I have
seen, it is
cheering, and
the prospect
good. The
people are
very poo r,
they cannot
raise large
o f
but
give
CONTENT CHAPEL, JAMAICA.
f
sums
money,
they
regularly and
liberally.” I
present my
readers this
month with a
cut of one of our Jamaica chapels.
AUSTRALIA.
Viotokia and Tasmania District reports an
increase of 65 full members, with 46 on trial.
The other District, New South Wales and Queens-
land, reports a small decrease of members, with
forty-six on trial.
SIERRA LEONE.
The Mendi Mission reports 70 full members and
490 on trial...”
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“...story of a little converted
China boy, who told his father, “ that when he got
him a wife, he did not need to get one with little
feet.” Cruel customs are yielding before the
march of Christ’s spirit. The following touching
incident is also given in Miss Hornby’s letter : “ A
fortnight ago there was a very bad case brought to
the hospital. A little boy was brought who had
three fingers shot off one hand, the thumb almost off.
I was dressing it one night, and doing all I could
to make him comfortable, when he took hold of my
hand and stroked it down his face. The boy’s
mother, who was standing near, a very determined
character, was greatly touched by this tender act
on the part of her own son; it touched a tender,
but latent chord, in her heart, which may one day
respond to the tender love of Christ. Truly the
work of Christ is not to destroy, but to fulfil.”
As Churches we have great cause for thankful-
ness to Almighty God for His grace on our work
in China.
BOCAS-DEL-TORO.
Rev. J. Proudfoot...”
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“...Lord,
how long ? ”
* * *
The Mission World has the following paragraph:
“ It is no exaggeration to say that the recent
persecutions of Christians in Armenia is more
terrible in its extent than any persecutions of
Christians which have taken place since Christianity
began. Never before have so many Christians lost
their lives in any persecution. And still the
gruesome slaughter continues, while the Christian
world forms a ring around Turkey, and says,
‘ Hands off, let no one interfere.’ ”
* * *
Rev. Dr. Rigg, of Westminster Training College,
and Rev. James Chapman, of Southlands, have
suffered utter defeat in the Wesleyan Committee,
called together by the President, to consider the
Government Education Bill. I cannot always
endorse the action of Price Hughes, but all Non-
conformists must applaud his stand on the
Education Bill.
* * *
The Wesleyans have suffered a severe loss by the
death of one of their most distinguished Mission-
aries—Rev. David Hill, of China. Mr. Hill, who
was a man of...”
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“...could understand how Dr. Coke, who was
sent out to Nova Scotia in 1786 but, owing to
severe storms, was compelled to put in to the
West Indies, was induced to commence a Wesleyan
Mission at Antigua. If I had been wrecked, I am
sure I should have tried to begin work at once.
We reached Shanghai on the 1st day of January,
1868, after a voyage of 105 days, arriving just one
day before the new clipper Spindrift, which
sailed from London two days before us.
At Shanghai we were taken by the captain to
his friend, the Rev. W. Muirhead, of the London
Mission, at whose house we were kindly entertained
for a week; during this time I learnt much that
was of great service to me in my future work, and
also had the pleasure of forming a friendship with
one of the most able of the English Missionaries
in China.
EDI!'OI^I£L ]WE$.
CHINA.
N a letter to the Missionary Secretary, dated
Wenchow, March 19tli, 1896, Rev. J. W.
Heywood writes : “ God is blessing us in
Wenchow with health and peace and
prosperity, for...”
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“...number 192,000 members, or the Church of Scot-
land, with its 630,000 members. Independency
in Scotland is a feeble plant.
* * *
The first Medical Missionary to China was Dr.
William Lockhart, who died at Blackheath a few
weeks ago, in his 85th year. He commenced his
ministry in China in 1838, while in 1861 he
commenced the first Protestant Mission in the
Capital, Peking.
* * *
The Annual Missionary Sermon of the Baptist
Union was preached this year by Rev. J. G.
Greenhough, M.A., Ex-President. It contained
the following solemn affirmation : “ We have been
elected, by all signs and proofs, to be the great
Missionary nation, and if we neglect that duty for
mean, base, selfish ends, our privileges will be
taken away. Our wealth will leave us when it
has done its work of corrupting us. By our faith-
fulness or unfaithfulness to the mission to which
we have been called, we shall be judged.”
* * *
In 37 years, the children of England have
collected £30,000 for the purchase or erection of
Missionary...”
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“...Great Britain and the hundred years old
Republic of America. Within the confines of this
mighty Empire, which covers an area larger than
that of Europe, are gathered together one-fourtli
of the inhabitants of the globe. It is the greatest
mission-field on earth. “ Of every four infants
born into the world, one first sees the light there.
To what instruction is it born ? Of every four
brides, one offers her vows there. To what
affection is she destined ? Of every four widows,
one is lamenting there. What consolations will
soothe her ? Of every four men that die, one is
departing there. What shore is in his eye ? ”
He knows not where to fix his dying gaze; un-
cheered and hopeless he passes into the shadow of
death.
The history of the religions of China is one long
record of ineffectual attempts to find God and to
devise means of salvation. Six centuries before
the birth of Christ, Confucius the Chinese sage, as
the result of profound meditation, founded a reli-
gion of morality. He was a...”
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“...Newcastle. Even he never set foot
in the interior of China, being obliged to confine
his efforts to the city of Canton. There he
laboured strenuously and patiently, preaching to
the people and translating parts of the Scriptures
into their tongue ; and yet, at the end of twenty-
CHINESE TEACHER, WENCHOW.
IV
their
i n
They
great
and
seven years, he only saw, as the result of all his
self-sacrifice, two souls brought to a saving know-
ledge of the truth. Small indeed did the results
of his mission appear, but he had laid the founda-
tion upon which others were to build. In the
year 1842 China was thrown open to the entrance
of foreigners,
and the oppor-
tunity was
early taken ad-
vantage of by
the Churches.J-j
In the year
18 6 4,
United Meth-
odist
Church
out
tlie
John
They
to-
O’-
their
. It
that
Free
sent
its first
missionary to
China in the
person of Rev.
W. R, Fuller.
In the follow-
ing year he was
joined by the
Rev.
Mara,
worked
getlier at Ning-
po until the
year 1 86 8,
when the Rev.
F. Galpin...”
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