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GONTENTS.
PAGE |
A Curious Chinese Legend. By J. W. Hey-
wood + 5 Su = “ ~ 183
Address. By F.. Bavin - - - Sg)
A Great Book on Missions - - - - 187
Call. to Prayer; A. By Dr. R. F..Horton ~- 39
Children’s Portion. By the Editor. 14, 30, 46,
62, 78; 94, 110, 126, 142, 158, 191
China as a Mission Field. . By Richards Wool-
fenden - = a - - 135, 107
Chinese Pirates. By Lucy Soothill - - 17
Christian Endeavour Page. By Edward Abbott.
16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144, 160,
176, 192
Crisis in China. By W. E. Soothill - = 145
First Impressions of Africa. By B. J. Rat-
cliffe - = - - - - 132
Gallant Galla, The. By Charles Consterdine 169
General Missionary Secretary’s> Notes, 8 23,
38, 52,70, 131, 149, 163, 180
God’s Child. By William Yates - - - 119
His Second Probation. By W. A. Todd.
Chapter 1. Coals of Fire - - -> II
af 2. The Protection of Good-
ness. - - - Seva
35 3. Walls Have Ears . - =. 43
3 4. The Laugh of the Hyena 57
5 5. A Good Confession - STS
ss 6. The...”
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“...following articles
is, to repair to some extent this comparative
oversight, and to show what a debt of gratitude
and admiration the Christian Church owes to
the labours of Christian women on yarious,
mission fields, for the measure of success which,
under God, has keen achieved
It would, of course, be utterly impossible in
the space at command, to give an exhaustive
treatment of such a wide-ranging subject. All
that can be attempted is to give a few names
of women workers in the various Denomina-
tional mission fields throughout the world, as
typical of a numerous remainder that might be
adduced if the space at disposal was a portly
volume of 500 pages, instead of four compara-
tively brief articles.
Suppose then, in embarking upon this wide-
ranging topic, we take the largest mission field
first, viz., that of the vast continent of Asia,
with its teeming populations, hoary supersti-
tions, entrenched prejudices, and diversified
aspects of social and religious life. In our pur-
view...”
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“...unexcited emotion and unmoistened eyelids, he
must be possessed of a very peculiar mental
and moral condition.
Transferring our thoughts now from Burmah
to its great neighbour China, we come upon a
mission field that is rich in records of womanly
devotion and heroic service in the cause of
Christ. Of these we naturally give the pre-
ference in our admiring and contemplative
thought to those whose brows are encircled with
the aureole of martyrdom for the namesake of Christ.
It has been said that “‘ the conversion of the
heathen means the blood of many martyrs, the
sweat of many brows, the toil of many hands;
slow steps made good through infinite patience
and labour.”
MISSION FIELD.
Of the first-mentioned class—the martyrs in
fact as well as in spirit—we select as our typical
feminine example in China, the name of Elsie
Marshall, the gifted daughter of the Rev. J. W.
Marshall, the vicar of Birchfield, near Birming-
ham. Her joy, we are told, was unbounded
when a friend of hers...”
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“...WOMEN IN: THE MISSION FIELD. 3
iblessed and practical results. The excellent
girls’ school in Shanghai—the first of its kind
there—owed its establishment to her large-
hearted liberality and enthusiastic personal
‘labours for the cause of female education among
the Chinese. In the case of Mrs. Griffith John,
we have a typical example of the devoted mis-
sionary wife.. Being herself the daughter of
a missionary, she, of course, knew all about the
dangers, cares, and crosses which encompass a
missionary’s career. And there can be no
question whatever that much of the unflagging
zeal, and consequent encouraging success, which
her husband exhibited and enjoyed in the early
part of his remarkable missionary career, was
owing to the whole-hearted sympathy and con-
stant co-operation of his earnest, energetic wife.
Before passing away from the Chinese mission-
field, ‘a congratulatory word must be uttered,
en passant, concerning the noble part that has
been played in the past, and is still being...”
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“...4 OUR
EDITORIAL NOTES.
CHINA—NINGPO.
=o¢5] HAVE received from Miss Ethel
7es| Abercrombie a letter, dated Ning-
po, October 21st, 1899, which I
am sure will interest my readers.
| Miss Abercrombie writes :—
“Tt is always a great pleasure to me to get
FOREIGN
FIELD.
City Church. Mrs. Ah Kying, whose husband
first heard the gospel through being nursed at
the hospital years ago, went with me.
# % * %
In China a lady is never supposed to go out
alone, especially if she is under fifty, and once
or twice I heard people along the r-ad asking
if I were sixteen or seventeen.
Apart from considering Chinese etiquette, I
was very glad of the company of. Mrs. Ah
Kying—she is a pretty, pleasant, little woman,
and is very anxious to serve God.
* * * *
After quite a long walk through the city, we
got to the house of a Mrs. Vaen, an enquirer.
When standing at the door, the passers-by
ANGOLA TOWN SUNDAY SCHOOL, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE,
every month the “Echo,” and to read...”
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“...their doors were at once thrown
it will be somewhat of a trial if I have to»
return to Golbanti alone, but there must be
no Jonahs among us. I am endeavouring to
look over all our stations and out-stations, and
preaching where I spend the Sunday, so once
more I am getting changes of pulpits on these
days. I was pleased to find such a welcome
awaiting me at Ribe,
after an absence of a
year and eleven months,.
and such hearty greet-
ings and recognitions.
We have a very pro-
mising young mission
at Jibana, under the
care of a competent
young teacher. He is.
: “ there alone contending:
with the heathen dark-
ness.. He has a band of
seventy-five’ adherents;.
on the books, and a
daily attendance — of
thirty-four or thirty-
five at the services
This station is quite
worthy of a settled.
European. How I
should like to be placed:
there !”
| AN? APPEAL TO OUR
| YounG MEN.
“'To-me it seems a
great pity that more of
our young mien are not:
fired with a_ holy,
passionate enthusiasm
for our work...”
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“...cannot here discuss his
proposals for the future working of the Mendi-
land Mission, etc., but some information as to
past and present may be welcome.
* * *
There are thousarids of Mendis in Freetown.
Practically no Christian work has been done
amongst them, although Rev. J. D. Thompson
‘had attempted it, but, with little success at
first, but it is now improving. Mr. Proudfoot,
therefore, entered into communication with
George, the uncrowned king of the Mendis,
in Freetown, and was temporarily appointing
an agent who had long laboured in Mendiland.
In this work he hoped-to secure the active co-
operation of many young people not at present
actively engaged in Christian work.
* * 2
Mr. and Mrs. Proudfoot had been present at
the stone-laying of a new school in Murray
Town. Nearly £50 had been raised. As there
will be a deficiency on the- Building Fund, he
‘asks for the zinc roofing of the dismantled
Mission House at Tikonkoh, to be given to the
Murray Town friends. He thinks they well...”
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“...happy in-
of the “ Twentieth Century Fund,” the Presi-
dent does not, as we understand, intend to
suggest a week of self-denial.
CHINA.
In a letter recently to hand from Dr. Swal-
low, there is an item of special interest in
relation to Miss Abercrombie. He says:—
‘Miss Abercrombie has had her yearly exam-
ination. She has gone through the same course
of study as that prescribed for the Church.
Missionary Society. Candidate must read
Gospel of St. John in the Chinese characters ;
the first two chapters of the “Sacred Edict’ ;
and be able to translate both into English.
She passed a highly creditable examination.”
We do not wonder that the Doctor should
add:—‘ If strength and health be continued
to her, she will make a most efficient mis-
sionary.” Our own hope is that our dear
friend will render splendid service among the
women of China. Do not let us ever forget
Miss Abercrombie in our prayers.
As a Missionary Society, we are singularly
fortunate in our staff of missionaries...”
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“...how far the
people are in a settled state after the war,
fix on suitable towns for mission centres, and
present a joint report to the Missionary Com-
mittee, before any definite steps are taken to
re-establish the work so splendidly commenced
by the late general superintendent—Rev. W.
Vivian, F.R.G.S.—and afterwards carried for-
ward, up to the time of the war, by our heroic
friend, Rev. C. H. Goodman.
After Mr. Proudfoot and Mr. Goodman have
made their survey, both are to return to Free-.
Missionary Auxiliaries of the Leeds and Brad-
ford district have done splendid service durmg
their first year’s life. (1) They have contri-
buted some £13 9s. to the East Africa Famine
Relief Fund; (2) more than £100 in goods to
West Africa Bazaar, to be held in Freetown
early in the new year, the proceeds to. be
equally divided between the new Truscott
Memorial Church, and the re-establishment of
the Mendi Mission; and (3) some £13 in cash
for the same objects. To Mrs. Vivian, Mrs.
Grimshaw, Mrs...”
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“...have broken limbs been
the outcome. But the conflict has been none
the less real for all that. The fight has been
a sharp moral battle; the belligerents, some
of the school pupils; the casus belli,’ ungentle-
manly language and conduct.
Now, our pupils are mostly young men, and
“jackets dusted”
in the orthodox way; hence, the masters are
shut up to one method of dealing with them—
that referred to by St. Paul, when he said:
“JT persuade men.”
Compared with English boys, the youths of
China labour under many disadvantages. One
STUDENTS
of these is, they are not taught to keep their
lips. clean. Brought up in an atmosphere
tainted with impurity, no wonder that, under
a polished exterior, often lurks an unclean
mind. Fear of becoming Christians in spite
of themselves, deters many from entering the
school: but while there is no religious com-
pulsion, yet good conduct is @ sine qua non of
remaining there.
The trouble began in this way. A young
fellow called ‘“‘ Abounding Fragrance...”
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“...PT I
HIg SECOND PROBATION. 11
shown to be better than the ordinary schools,
well-to-do parents will jump at the privilege of -
sending their sons here; for, at present, the
opium-pipe, gambling, and vice, form the net
in which the gilded youth of China so easily
become enmeshed when away from parental
control.”
On being questioned, Abounding Fragrance
acknowledged that he had written the pro-
clamation, stated that it had been done in fun,
and that the aspersions on Aboundin
Ability’s character were absolutely unfounded.
He was seriously reasoned with, expressed his
contrition, and offered to make an apology in
the usual form of a feast. This it was felt
was not desirable. A demand was made of
him that he should, before the whole school,
acknowledge the untruthfulness of the state-
ments, and apologize to Abounding Ability.
This he did not consent to do, and on his being
called up at prayers next morning to apologize,
he declined ‘to do it in satisfactory terms. He
was given twenty-four...”
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“... By the
time he pulled himself up in his chair, a mission girl
made her appearance and cried, ‘“ Hodi!”
Permission was given to
approach, and with a half
shamed look the girl came
nearer.
“Well, Fanny, what is
your business with me?”
inquired Trevelyan. “What
is the reagon you are not
busy grinding for the even-
ing meal ?”
“The corn was made
into flour this morning.
bwana, and Monje has gone
for the water. The child-
ren will not hunger.”
“ Ngema!” was the mis-
sionary’s reply. He guessed
she had come to beg for
some favour, and waited
for her words,
“You said some strange
things at sikitint (service
this morning, bwand,”
asserted the girl.
“ What were they ?”
“You told us that Isa
said we must love our
enemies. It ishard for the
hen to loye the hawks which
swoop down and pick the
bones of its living chicks !”
Trevelyan was not at all
surprised to hear her utter
‘these words. Of all the
children and yonng people
on the mission station there
was none more thoughtful,
none who seemed...”
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“...her
voice.
With his mind still a little beclouded by the
mists of sleep, Trevelyan, at first, could see no
pasgible connection between her inquiry concerning
the wcrds of Isa and her request for a quantity of
Ind an corn. He looked at her, as she stood in all
the ibloom of her early womanhood ; his eyes
caug ht sight of a large scar on her left cheek, and
he thought he had found the connection. Then
Fanny endured a sharp cross-examination.
“Why do you want any mahindi ? You are one
of the mission children! You know you always
get whatever quantity is needed for the kitchen.”
“That is true, bwuna !”
““Tell’me, then, why you ask for a bag of
corn.”
“T do not want it for myself,’ answered the
girl, who was be ginning to get somewhat confused.
iT want it for some one else.” :
* You should hayes said so at first! I do not
know if I can give it to you! You must tell me
who sent you to beg on their behalf.”
“Nay, bwana, no one sent me. I came because
I knew you were so good. I want it for—”...”
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“...14 THE CHILDREN’S: FORTION.
THE CHILDREN’S PORTION.
TO THE CHILDREN OF FREE METHODIsM.
My Dar CHILDREN,
‘1 LMOST from the commencement of
the ‘‘ Missionary Echo,” I have
provided you with a “ Children’s
Page ” every month, for I was an-
xious to interest you in mission-
aries and missions. I do not
intend to give up this endeavour; but, instead
of one page a month, I will give you two pages,
and call them the “ Children’s Portion.” Al-
lowing myself this space, I hope to be able to
tell you much about the work that has been
done, and is being done, by other missions and
our own. As is natural and right, I will com-
mence with our own Society and its work. Our
oldest mission is
JAMAICA,
This is an island in the West Indies, which
has been in the. possession of England since
1655. It is more than half the size of Wales.
It as very hilly; and the Blue Mountains, which
run across it from east to ‘west, rise to the
height of 7,300 feet. Snowdon, the highest
mountain in England and Wales...”
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“...This
was thought a prudent step, and it proved very
providential, for they had not long been there
when the wind overturned all the buildings
above ground. Had they kept where they
had been, they might all have lost their lives.
Friends in England raised money to help the
Jamaicans—they are very poor—to rebuild
their chapels. In 1880 we had twenty-nine
chapels and preaching-rooms in Jamaica, now
we have forty-four. ‘“ Bear ye one another's
burdens, and thus fulfil the law of Christ.”
The next mission of which I will tell you is
BOCAS DEL TORO.
I take this, not because it was the next to be
established, but because it is connected with
Jamaica.
Bocas del Toro—which means the Bull’s
Mouth—is in the Republic of Colombia, in
Central America, or, more properly, South
America. The territory now known by this
name was formerly a Spanish Colony, called
New Granada. The people grew uneasy of the
Spanish yoke, and, after struggling’ for eight
years, became independent of Spain in 1819.
The Republic...”
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“...missions. The results
were gratifying, and the methods of trade quite
unique. One member purchased a pennyworth
of tea, and invited three friends to the cheer-
ing cups, who, in recognition of hospitality, paid
the hostess 8d. With this, she purchased an
apron, which she sold for a shilling. Continu-
ing to trade on these lines, this member handed
in, eventually, seven shillings and threepence.
Two members went into partnership, and
traded in egg-cups, an alliance which produced
£2 8s. for the mission fund. A junior member.
invested her penny in ‘sweets, and ‘her penny
grew to Is. 9d. Another bought flowers, and
Another,
who was not of a commercial turn, practised
self-denial in‘ the matter of luxuries, and sub-
returned a considerable amount.
scribed 5s. To crown all, the original donor:
of the pennies doubled the amounts returned
by the rest, and foreign missions will benefit
by this ingenious effort to the extent of £9.
The Walton Young People’s Society of
Christian Endeavour, Liverpool...”
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“...breathe, as I wended my way
through the dark, dirty, greasy, vile-smelling,
badly-lighted streets. It did not mend matters
that, stuck in the pavement all along were rows
of lighted incense, a very doubtful kind of
fumigation and illumination! From one door-
way was suspended a ball of lighted. incense,
a sphere of starry points, and the only pretty
thing to be seen.
Mrs. Stott, my kind hostess at the cottage,
also came up to the city about this time; thus
only two young ladies of the China Inland
Mission were left behind enjoying their holiday,
and in perfect safety; as we all thought.
It was during our absence that the “ sea-
robbers”? came. Hope Cottage is built on the
edge of a little, but steep and rocky promontory,
which juts out into the bay. Here, on a bright,
calm day, as many as 300 boats may be counted
dotting the surface of the water, their sails
resembling the wings of butterflies, black,
brown, or white.
The two young ladies went calmly to. bed as
usual, but in the dead...”
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“...that, so far as is
known, no lives were lost.
EDITORIAL NOTES.
HAVE the pleasure of presenting
my readers this month with an
interesting communication from
our veteran minister in the anti-
podes, Rev. T. Adams Bayley.
The facts that he narrates are
partly ‘autobiographical, and all are important
and instructive. I trust that. the reading of
this communication will lead many to ¢onsider
what they can do to promote Connexional
extension. Mr. Bayley writes on the subject
of—
HOME MISSION WORK.
“A few months since there appeared in the
Methodist Times’ this statement: ‘There
has been a marked return to the passionate,
enthusiastic evangelism, and the audacious,
progressive policy of John Wesley himself.’
{ read that statement with some surprise, but
with much pleasure. Living as I do, so far
from the Old Country, I am unable to judge
whether it is strictly correct; but I assume
it is so, and therein I rejoice.
I sincerely and earnestly hope that the
enthusiasm and. audacity...”
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“...went on until it became the prosperous
circuit it now is.
Why do I refer to these things?’ As matters
of boasting? God forbid! ‘I nothing have, I
nothing am. But I hope that it may stimu-
late and encourage some other brethren to
break up fresh ground, and thus extend the
Connexion, and with it the Kingdom of our
Master and Lora.
* * %
I am aware, however, that many of our
ministers have their time and energies so much
occupied by circuit duties that they have
small or no opportunities for mission work, and,
probably, some circuits are unwilling to allow
their ministers the necessary freedom from those
details to do it. May I then be permitted to
ask our local preachers to supply the needful
efforts. Much has been done in former times
by such in the work of extension. Let me give
two instances: 1st—~When I was appointed to
the Worcester circuit I found the city cause,
and three country places. . One of them,
Wichenford, eight and a half miles from Wor-
cester, was commenced, I was informed...”
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Page 26
“...
it must in some way have ceased to belong to
it. I very much regret that; but J feel
assured that there are some, perhaps many,
gathered safely home to the house sof our
Father above, who. were the fruits of this local
mission enterprise.
In a private note which accompanied this
interesting | communication,
Mr. Bayley says: “I hope
22 OUR FOREIGN FIELD.
“These last three or four months I have
been visiting some of our far country stations,
five of them being ninety to one hundred miles
from Ningpo.
I am planned out of Ningpo till January.
I hope to spend my Christmas with the Chinese
Christians.
While visiting one of our stations I met
you on the Missionary Com-
mittee have been Divinely
guided in regard to the East
African Mission. I daily.
make special prayer for it that
God may turn its captivity
like rivers of the South.” I
trust that readers in general
will do the same.
+ * *
EAST AFRICA.
A brief note I have received
from Rey. Charles Conster-
dine, dated...”
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