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“...A Somali Man - - - -
Bazaar, Mombasa -- - -
Bridge of Boats, Ningpo - -
Christian Natives, East Africa
China Missionaries and their Wives
China Missionaries and Circuit
tendents - = = -
Fetching Water, Ribe- - -
Galla Woman - - - -
Grave of the Houghtons - -
Group of Pokomo Girls - “
In the Land of Darkness, 10,
Kinyika Hut - - - -
Ladies’ Missionary Picnic
1
Lamu - - - - -
Mission Group, Ribe - =
Missionaries in Jewish Russia -
New Church, Mazeras- - -
Superin-
, 40,
146
58
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Ningpo Preachers’ - - -
Pokomo Woman - - if 5
Portraits :
J. H. Phillipson
Wm. E. Soothill - 5 - -
Mrs. Stobie - - - -
Mr. and Mrs. Ormerod - -
Matthew Shakala - - -
Yasamine - - - -
Mrs. R. M. Ormerod — - -
W. H.C: Harris” - Me =
John Watson, D.D. - -
Harold Halliday = - - -
Miss Bushell - - = i
Rev. T. J. Cope - -
The Martyr Crown of White Lily, 110, 120,
140, 156, 170,
PAGE.
nN
nN
“...”
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Page 10
“...make Missionary Sunday a real
and glorious occasion—a day of the Lord!
CHINA DISTRESS FUND.
We thank most sincerely all the friends who
have responded to our appeal for £500. This
sum has been contributed, and every penny of
it will be needed. Not a few of our native con-
verts have lost all, and will have to make-an
absolutely new start in life, and but for the help
which this special fund will give that new start
would have been impossible. The blessing of
those that were ready to perish will fall on those
SECRETARY’S- NOTES.
who have given to this fund; many have given,
we have fullest proof, not out of their abundance, .
but out of straitened means.
What has been done has greatly cheered the
heart both of Mr. Soothill and Mr. Stobie.
DR. SWALLOW.
In a letter to hand, our good friend says:
“The American unmarried ladies are not
allowed to return to their Mission work until
conditions of peace between China and the Allied
Powers are signed. Our ladies keep to their
work, and are...”
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Page 20
“...whole or in part—seed for
harvests that shall be reaped. during the first haif
of the coming century. Among those who reap in
all parts of the world are Christian Endeavourers.
Most pathetic and inspiring is the story of the
heroine. Edith A. Coombs, a member at Carrs
Lane, Birmingham, who went out to. China in
1897. Verv arduous she found the work. In on¢
of her last letters, says the Christian Endeavourer,
these words occur: “I am glad I am where
I am: the’ difficulties are greater than. I
could have realized) but He that sent me is with
me.” And now she is with Him, for on June 27th
the mission premises were burned, and Miss
Coombs perished in the burning building. Her
associates in the mission were massacred next
day. A native Christian who escaped says that
she died in the effort to save a crippled Chinese
boy who had been left in the building. She had
herself emerged from the blazing pile, but, remem-
bering this lad, turned back in search of him and
was seen no more.
INDEAVOUR PAGE...”
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Page 21
“...|
FEBRUARY.
While the daffodils still waver
Ere the jonquil gets its savour.
—Alfred Austin.
MAPLE GROVE.
A True Story of Christian Persecution
in China.
BY J. W. HEYWOOD.
CuHapteR [.—FuNG-LING.
UNG-LING is the name of a Chinese
village, with which every Free
Methodist ought to be acquainted ;
for, within its walls, a battle was
fought between Truth and False-
hood, with the result that Chris-
tianity proved yictorious over the forces of
heathenism. ©
On the side of Christianity were ranged a few
illiterate farmers, members of the United Metho-
dist Free Church Mission, Wenchow. On the
oppressor’s side was power—literati and man-
darins being allied in the cause of idolatry. But
the cause of the lowly Galilean triumphed over
the haughty bitterness and cunningly-devised
schemes of the Scribes and Pharisees. “We are
more than conquerors through Him who hath
loved us.”
For who that leans on His right arm,
Was ever yet forsaken?
What righteous cause can suffer...”
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Page 28
“...24 GENERAL MISSIONARY
of the Openshaw branch, of which she is presi-
dent. Mrs. Galpin having been kept at home by
illness, Mrs. Swallow kindly spoke in her stead,
and read to the audience thrilling passages from
recent letters of Dr. Swallow. Miss Phythian
read a paper, written by Mrs. Heywood, of China,
on “Some urgent needs, and how they may be
supplied.” She drew special attention to the need
of native Bible women, and a training college for
them. Mrs. Truscott Wood gave a brief report of
the District L.M.A. work, and referred to the
state of affairs in our mission field. Much in-
terest was added to the meeting by songs and
pianoforte music, contributed by members of the
Openshaw branch. The collection was £2 ros.
* * *
= MANCHESTER SECOND, OXFORD STREET L.M.A.
A meeting was held at Oxford
SECRETARY’S NOTES.
GENERAL MISSIONARY SECRETARY’S
NOTES.
EAST AFRICA.
EV. W. G. HOWE.—Mr_ Howe re-
ports himself in good health, and
speaks cheerfully of the work on the
Ribe station...”
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Page 36
“...organize to help the evangelistic
services of February. Much may be done. Pray
incessantly, be prepared to distribute kindly-
worded invitations, think out the possibility of
being present at every service, and resolve, by
God’s help, to be there. Take a street or streets
under the care of your C.E., and visit every house
kindly, but frequently, until the Mission is over.
Sing through the streets, grouping by arrange-
ment with other societies in your locality, where
the town is worked on the principle of centres.
* * *
The Missionary Committee should remember
that one person dies every second without Christ—
have never heard of Him. That in China 924,000
will die during this month; that during the same
time 806,400 will pass away in India; that there
are 240,000,000 heathen in the world. Be sure and
arrange a bright. missionary meeting.
s * *
All should try to make the Rev. John Thornley’s
dream of one million more total abstinence pledges
become a reality.
* * *
He will gladly supply i...”
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Page 39
“...ILLUSTRATED LECTURES.
Mr. Charles Eastwood, treasurer of the Mis-
‘sionaries’ Literature Association, is doing excel-
lent service to the mission cause by the delivery
of illustrated lectures. He has procured hosts
of slides, representing our mission stations, and is
-doing all he can to increase the missionary income,
35
which he thinks ought to be £20,000 per year.
I am glad that when lecturing he does not neglect
the interests of the Misstonary Ecuo, of whose
merits he speaks i in terms very satisfactory to the
Editor. .
GENERAL MISSIONARY SECRETARY’S
NOTES.
EAST AFRICA.
71 UR heroic friend, Rev. C. Conster-
dine, in a very recent letter, says,
“When I wrote in September I was
a little low in spirit, but the facts
of the case remain the same. . .
Whilst on the spot I wish also to
emphasize, without exaggerating, the loss which
this mission ”—Tana—*“ has sustained, in the de-
cease of our late Brother Ormerod.”
The “facts of the case.” to which our good
friend refers are:...”
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Page 41
“...to believers. You
who are believers, do not injustice to those who
are not of the same faith. ‘Thus, constantly seek
to promote mutual benefit. If there are those who
do not seek to do this find them out, and charge
them with their fault, and I will punish them.
“VI. If there are those who seek anonymously
to fabricate evil against others (Christians), they
must be sought out, and their names be made
known, so that they may be punished. At the
present time China and Western nations are as
one. But believers remain subjects of China, and
ought to promote mutual peace. If such there be
who do not this, I will punish them.
“Thus, I have made known, one by one, the im-
portant things, that you may know them and, know-
ing, may fulfil your duties, so that I may not get
angry.
“Like as a father loves his son, so I love my
people, and have specially made this effort—not
fearing many words—so that I, in an especial
manner, might make known unto you these impor-
tant facts ; having to this end...”
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Page 55
“...made by the yellow-skinned martyrs
over yonder in China, in the face of starvation, tor-
tures, imprisonment and death, for the namie’s sake
of Christ, is not one whit less heroic than that made
by the proto-martyr Stephen, as recorded by Luke
in the “ Acts of the Apostles.” It behoves us as
Christian members and ministers to bear in mind
that God is living and working still, producing like
?
The people were struck -
~ no children, or only girls.
results from like causes; that the faith which in-
spired and sustained these martyred Christians in
Madagascar, China, and elsewhere is the same as
that which inspired and sustained the saints and
martyrs in the olden time, when they displayed
such heroism and performed such exploits as those
recorded for our instruction and encouragement
in the eleventh chapter of the “ Epistle to the
Hebrews,” and in the missionary annals of the
“ Acts of the Apostles.”
EDITORIAL NOTES.
CHINA.
aq), HE Editor has been favoured with the
| perusal...”
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Page 56
“...their wretched custom of all living to-
gether. The eldest son marries, brings his wife
home; the second, the third, do the same; three
daughters-in-law, one mother-in-law. You can
imagine that Christians might find it difficult to
live thus, then how much more heathen? When I
tell them of the English way of each making home,
“Why,” they say, “-you must cover your ground
with buildings, and have no country at all!” We
cannot praise God enough for keeping Ningpo
quiet ; few places in China are like it. Mission
work all going on as usual. Our Christians have
suffered no bodily injuries, but a great deal of
nasty talk and rumours have been about.
“What these people endure when they be-
come out-and-out Christians you home people
can scarcely realize. The taunts are dreadful.
“Vou have joined the red-haired religion, eat the
red-haired rice, then you are not a Chinaman any
longer; you are a foreigner, or red-haired man.”
When they won’t join in the ancestral worship they
are disinherited and...”
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Page 57
“...the scheme, with its details,
was referred for consideration to an important
sub-committee.
Through Rev. S. W. Hopkins, Mr. Andrew
Johnston, of Garston, has contributed £100 to
Free Methodist missions. Mr. Johnston is not
connected with the Denomination.
It is understood that Rev. G. W. Sheppard is
on his way home from China on a brief visit to
England.
Free Methodist services are being - held in
Japan. ‘The Chinese there have offered to pay
one-half the salary of a preacher, if one can be
sent.
A fully qualified man (whose name I withhold
for the present) had an interview with the Com-
mittee in reference to his proposed appointment
as medical missionary in China. The interview
was very satisfactory, and it is hoped that he may
go to Wenchow.
Rey. Robert Brewin received the cordial thanks
of the Committee for his interesting sketch of the
late Mrs. J. B. Griffiths, which first appeared in
the Ecuo, and has since been brought out as
a booklet by the Missionary Committee. It is
being...”
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Page 58
“...superintendent speaks
in great praise; on every hand by his ability and
devotion he is winning golden opinions for himself.
Most of the Circuits are reported to be in a
healthy and progressive condition. During the
past few years the income of the District has in-
creased £400. This says much, not only for the
people’s generosity and Mr. Proudfoot’s general-
ship, but also for the good work done by each
in turn .of those who preceded him as General
Superintendent of our West African Mission.
CHINA.
The news from China is very reassuring. . Dr.
Swallow says things are moving steadily and quietly
in the Ningpo District; a little difficulty here
and there in some of the villages.
Dr. Hogg, writing from Wenchow, says, “ The
people have not quite got over the scare, and are
a little shy in having anything to do with the
IN. EAST AFRICA.
foreigners ; although now, as the officials are very
friendly, we are recovering our prestige.”
Mr. Stobie, in a letter to hand, writes, “ You will
be pleased...”
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Page 73
“...anxiety to his friends.”
He was near the time of his return; wisely he
came away at once, and will be in England sore
weeks before this number of the Ecuo is in the
hands of our friends:
_ Writing of Mr. Greensmith, Mr. Proudfoot says:
* He is well, and working splendidly ! ”
CHINA.
Ningpo.—Dr. Swallow reports himself very
much better in health ; and, at the time of writing,
was leaving the city for a three weeks’ evangelistic
tour in the country districts.
nothing to cause alarm, there is much unrest in
many places.
It is with devout thankfulness that we are able
to report at last that we have received a definite
MISSIONARY SECRETARY’S NOTES. 69
offer of service from a doctor for mission work in
China. The offer has been accepted. For the
present we cannot give the name; but there is
every reason to believe that in the gentleman who
has been accepted we shall have not only a first-
class doctor, but a devout Christian worker, and
a true missionary. To us it is a source of thank-...”
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Page 77
“...in that little dark room by his lifeless
form I breathed the prayer, “ Let my last end be
like his.”
THE LAND OF DARKNESS.
A Story of Missionary Peril in China.
BY WILLIAM YATES.
“CA Jand of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the
shadow of death, without any order, and where the light
is as darkness.”—/od x. 22.
CHAPTER V.—A STRANGE COINCIDENCE.
i, OR more than a week. after their
arrival in Shanghai, the two ladies
were so prostrate with the terrible
privations through which they had
so recently passed, and the awful
scenes they had been compelled to
witness, that they were unable to see their rescuers,
~s9 as to thank them for their wonderful deliver-
ance.
But a week’s quiet rest and careful nursing
considerably restored them ; and’so, one morning,
they sent for them. When Ah Sing and Frank
reached the English Mission, where the ladies were
staying, they found a considerable gathering as-
sembled, all the English colony having been
invited to witness the interesting function...”
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Page 88
“...“The man we loved
is dead”; and they wept as orphans, but not as
though they had no hope.
Rev. E. Boaden and the General Missionary
Secretary (Henry T. Chapman), represented our
English Churches, and gave addresses.
Rey. William Williams died on May 4th after
a week of intense suffering aged 71 years, and
was buried in Tryddyn churchyard on May oth,
tgor. He sleeps amid the quiet and solitude of
the hills he loved so well, and in touch with the
people he served so nobly for so many years.
CHINA
Wenchow.—Mr. Stobie, in a letter now to
hand, says: “ We are all pretty well. The officials
(Chinese) are exerting themselves more than
ever, and are, I believe, really anxious to have
matters settled.
“My home for the last few weeks has been
constantly open to receive them, sometimes two
or three a day. To show how completely they
have turned round, the week before last one of
the highest military officers of the city provided
all the missionaries with a most sumptuous feast.
3 and last Thursday...”
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Page 89
“...own complex
tongue.
Ningpo.—While_ writing these notes a letter
arrived from Dr. Swallow. He reports Mr.
Soothill’s arrival and good health» He also for-
wards two resolutions adopted by the Ningpo
District meeting; one congratulating Rev. F.
Galpin on being elected President of the Annual
Assembly, the other expressing sorrow at the
departure from them of Mr. Heywood and family,
wishing them a safe journey to their native land,
a pleasant stay among their friends, and as speedy
a return to China as _ possible.
SECRETARY’S .NOTES. 85
having put into one.” One word of comment
would be to spoil the beauty and significance of
this testimony.
Tn a letter to hand, while we write, Mr. Proud-
fcot says: “I leave for York Chapel opening on ~
Monday; Mr. Greensmith goes too. I am thank-
ful for my continued good health.” Thank God
for this!
JAMAICA.
Mr. Bavin reports the safe arrival of Mr. Wynn.
At the time of writing, April 6th, he and Mr.
Wynn were just starting for Ewarton and St.
Anns;...”
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Page 91
“...to suffer during the terrible
crisis. Let them consider the millions of farmers
and farm labourers and wood:cutters who toiled
to supply China with food and fuel. Our mis-
sions in Eastern China were in the midst
of the rice-farmers; consequently, they (the
Free Methodist missionaries there) were most
familiar with the men who toiled barelegged
in the rice-swamps. “Then there were the other
workers, and the traders and shopkeepers—of ©
those there was a countless host, but none of those
had a voice in the destiny of their country. They
did not dare to speak, unless it was in silent
action. In that way thousands had already
spoken, even on their own mission stations, for the
majority of their converts were drawn from the
farming and working-classes. On their own mis-
sion stations they had between 2,000 and 3,000
men who had given themselves to the mission
cause, and many of whom had suffered for it.
It was to the interest of labour and trade to seek
for peace; consequently they had no desire...”
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Page 92
“...prayed and _con-
versed with her,-and, in that quiet
hour, realized more of the sorrow
and pain of a Chinese woman’s
heart than she had ever done
before, and, in her sympathy, she realized that
the Gospel of Jesus was fitted for the women of
China no less than for the women of England.
It may be that many in our Churches did not
place a very high estimate upon the work they
were doing in China among the women. It was
true that woman was not thought of so highly in
the Celestial Empire as in European lands, and
perhaps the incidents she had narrated respecting
these women did not touch them very closely, but
what did they think- about. the noble Chinese
men to whom: she had referred? They were
among the noblest product of our mission work
in the East. Her own deep conviction was that
the outlook was full of promise, a conviction that
was shared by a great Chinese authority—Rev.
STREET IN BOCAS DEL Toro.
upon our attention and support. He said the
missionary spirit was the embodiment...”
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Page 93
“...and Living-
stone must die for Africa before they can bring
it into the Kingdom of Christ. Mr. and Mrs.
Soothill and their comrades must, in a very real
sense, give their lives away before they can win
China for Jesus Christ. Men must die to redeem
others. And shall God do less? Is He exempt
from the operation of a law which governs all
the noblest activities of mind and heart? He
(the speaker) could not accept a God who lacked
the indispensable and imperishable crown of moral
greatness, the proof of love in sacrifice. “ God
forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross.”
This is our sanction and commission in misionary
enterprises, and the Church that is truest to this
ideal will realize the richest success.
(To be continued.)
THE LAND OF DARKNESS.
A Story of Missionary Peril in China.
BY WILLIAM YATES.
“A Jand of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the
shadow of death, without any order, and where the light
is as darkness.”’—/od x. 22.
Cuaprrer VI.—A Happy REUNION.
7] ADGE...”
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Page 95
“...Allied
Powers, Li Hung Chang, true to his character
as the wiliest and most unscrupulous man in all
China, is hovering and coquetting, and so, with
a feeble Emperor and a failing but pitiless
Empress, no one can yet say what the ultimate
end will be. '
But this at least is certain, that, despite the fact
that hundreds of missionaries have been mutilated,
tortured, and massacred; despite the fact that
thousands and, we fear, tens of thousands of
brave and faithful native Christians have been
foully murdered; despite the fact that mission
property of enormous value has been looted and
burned, the glorious task of winning China for
Christ will go on with ever greater vigour and
enthusiasm than ever. In all ages, and in every
land, the blood of the martyrs has been the
fruitful, seed of the Church, and in this new
twentieth century, upon which we have now
entered, the Church of Jesus Christ in China will,
from the seed which has been thus sown by fire
and sword, some day reap a rich and glorious...”
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