|
With Compliments.
Wenchow, China.
1900
Kindly circulate.
"In the world ye shall have tribulation."
Jno. xvi. 33.
Printed at the American Presbyterian Mission Press.
Shanghai, 1901.
Methodist Free Church Mission,
'Wenchow, China, April, 1901.
The year 1900 will remain throughout all history as
The Black Year
of Christian missions in China. Within a few brief
weeks one hundred and thirty-four godly men and
gentle women of the Protestant faith, with their fifty-
two children, and many Roman Catholic priests and
nuns, were callously murdered with circumstances
of harrowing cruelty. It is not my purpose here
to enter into detail of their sufferings; that would be
heart-rending. One instance only will I give. Ic is
the account of a native Christian, an eye-witness of
one of these martyrdoms.
I, Yung Cheng, am a member of the Baptist
Church, and was baptised by Pastor Farthing eighteen
months ago. For some time previous to the massacre
I had been living on the Baptist Mission Societys
premises at T£ai-yueu-fu, having a sickness which was
being treated, and spending my time in study of the
Scriptures. When Dr. Edwards hospital was burnt
down I returned to nay home (June 28th). I returned
2
to the city, however, from Lou-pu, and was on the 8th
July at the village of Tie-tsun, about ten li S. E. of
Tai-yuen, about three in the afternoon, when I saw
Pastor Pigott, of Shou-yang, with his wife and son, a
gentleman (Mr. John Robinson) and a lady (Miss
Duval) and two girls (Atwater girls) going along in
two carts. They stopped at a food shop, and the sol-
diers who were accompanying them (I only saw seven
or eight) bought them some food. The two gentlemen
were handcuffed. I saw Mrs. Pigott feeding her hus-
band with small cakes and mien (a coarse vermi-
celli). Mr. Robinson fed himself, eating cakes only.
Mr. Pigott, recognizing me, asked where the pastors
were in T'ai-yuen-fu, and I told him all had been taken
to Chu-tou-hong, near the Governors Yaraen. Whilst
they were resting a short time, Pastor Pigott and Mr.
Robinson preached to the people who gathered round.
The people were much astonished, and said, You are
going to be killed for preaching, and yet go on doing
so. That night the whole party of seven were put in
the district prison.
The next day I was on the street near the
Governors Yamen. I saw a big crowd and went to
see what it was they were following. I found it was
the foreign pastors and their wives and children and
the Roman Catholic priests and nuns and some Chris-
tians. I heard people say they were going to be killed,
3
and I tried to get out of the crowd, but could not, so
stayed and witnessed with my own eyes the killing of
all the foreigners. The first to be led forth was Pastor
Farthing. His wife clung to him, but he gently put
her aside, and going in front of the soldiers, himself
knelt down without sayiug a word, and his head was
struck off by one blow of the executioners knife.
He was quickly followed by Pastors Hiddle and
Beynou, Drs. Lovitt and Wilson, all of whom were be-
headed with one blow by the executioner. Then the
Governor, Yu Hsien, grew impatient aud told his body
guard, all of whom carried big beheading knives with
long handles, to help to kill the others. Pastors Stokes,
Simpson, aud Whitehouse were next killed, the last
one by one blow, the other two by several. When the
men were finished, the ladies were taken. Mrs. Farth-
ing had hold of the hands of her children who clung
to her, but the soldiers parted them, and with one
blow beheaded the mother. The executioner be-
headed all the children, and did it skilfully, needing
only one blow; but the soldiers were clumsy, and some
of the ladies suffered several cuts before death. Mrs.
Lovitt was wearing her spectacles aud held the hand of
her little boy, even when she was killed. She spoke to
the people saying, as near as I remember: We all
came to China to bring you the good news of salvation
by Jesus Christ; we have done you uo harm, only
3
and I tried to get out of the crowd, but could not, so
stayed and witnessed with my own eyes the killing of
all the foreigners. The first to be led forth was Pastor
Farthing. His wife clung to him, but he gently put
her aside, and going in front of the soldiers, himself
knelt down without sayiug a word, and his head was
struck off by one blow of the executioners knife.
He was quickly followed by Pastors Hiddle and
Beynou, Drs. Lovitt and Wilson, all of whom were be-
headed with one blow by the executioner. Then the
Governor, Yu Hsien, grew impatient aud told his body
guard, all of whom carried big beheading knives with
long handles, to help to kill the others. Pastors Stokes,
Simpson, aud Whitehouse were next killed, the last
one by one blow, the other two by several. When the
men were finished, the ladies were taken. Mrs. Farth-
ing had hold of the hands of her children who clung
to her, but the soldiers parted them, and with one
blow beheaded the mother. The executioner be-
headed all the children, and did it skilfully, needing
only one blow; but the soldiers were clumsy, and some
of the ladies suffered several cuts before death. Mrs.
Lovitt was wearing her spectacles aud held the hand of
her little boy, even when she was killed. She spoke to
the people saying, as near as I remember: We all
came to China to bring you the good news of salvation
by Jesus Christ; we have done you uo harm, only
4
good; why do you treat us so? A soldier took off
her spectacles before beheading her, which needed
two blows.
When the Protestants were killed the Roman
Catholics were led forward. The Bishop, an old man,
with a long white beard, asked the Governor Yu Hsien
why he was doing this wicked deed. I did not hear
the Governor give him any answer, but he drew his
sword and cut the Bishop across the face one heavy
stroke ; blood poured down his white beard, and he
was beheaded. The priests and nuns quickly followed
him in death.
Then Pastor Pigott and his party were led from
the district gaol which is close by. He was still hand-
cuffed, and so was Mr. Robinson. He preached to
the people till the very last, when he was beheaded
with one blow. Mr. Robinson suffered death very
calmly. Mrs. Pigott held the hand of her son, even
when she was beheaded, and he was killed immediately
after her. The lady and two girls were killed also,
quickly. In all on that day forty-five foreign people
were beheadedthirty-three Protestants and twelve
Roman Catholics. A number of native Christians
were also killed. I did not see them all, but I was
told there were thirteen. The bodies of all were left
where they fell till next morning, as it was evening
before the work was finished. During the night they
were stripped of clothing and other things, such as
rings and watches. Next day they were removed to a
place inside the great South Gate.
All were surprised at the firmness and quietness
of the foreigners; none cried or made any noise,
except two or three of the children.
Our eyes well over with silent tears of sorrow
e
as we read of such suffering, yet our hearts throb
with feelings too deep for utterance as we realise
that, despite the luxury of these latter days,
Christian Valour is not Dead,
and the martyrs of to-day are faithful as those of
yore.
Not less loyal has been the conduct of the native
pastors and converts. Thousands, how many it is as
yet impossible to estimate with accuracy, have laid
down their lives ; thousands more have lost all save
their lives, and in many cases have suffered brutal
tortures. To dwell on the devotion of these brave native
brothers and sisters would be a tale too long for our
limited space ; they were dragged before idols, and on
refusiug to worship, were butchered, or suffered merci-
less outrages ; they wandered naked and homeless ; the
sky their roof, the earth their bed, friends and relatives
ceased to exist for them, their only safety that none
should know them. They are the glory of the Church,
and make the missionarys lonely life, sordid surround-
were stripped of clothing and other things, such as
rings and watches. Next day they were removed to a
place inside the great South Gate.
All were surprised at the firmness and quietness
of the foreigners; none cried or made auy noise,
except two or three of the children.
Our eyes well over with silent tears of sorrow
as we read of such suffering, yet our hearts throb
with feelings too deep for utterance as we realise
that, despite the luxury of these latter days,
Christian Valour is not Dead,
and the martyrs of to-day are faithful as those of
yore.
Not less loyal has been the conduct of the native
pastors and converts. Thousands, how maDy it is as
yet impossible to estimate with accuracy, have laid
down their lives ; thousands more have lost all save
their lives, and in many cases have suffered brutal
tortures. To dwell on the devotion of these brave native
brothers and sisters would be a tale too loug for our
limited space ; they were dragged before idols, and on
refusiug to worship, were butchered, or suffered merci-
less outrages ; they wandered naked and homeless ; the
sky their roof, the earth their bed, friends and relatives
ceased to exist for them, their only safety that none
should know them. They are the glory of the Church,
and make the missionarys lonely life, sordid surround-
6
ings, and wearisome labour more than worth enduring,
The Churches in the north of China are for the most
part devastated ; their buildings are utterly destroyed,
in many cases literally stone has not been left upon
stone, in some cases the very site cannot accurately
be discovered. It has indeed been a clearing of
the ground ; let us hope a clearing for a nobler,
a more majestic structure, though sore* hearts will
plan it with tear-blurred eyes. In the world ye
shall have tribulation,hutI have overcome the
world.
We cannot blame the Chinese over much for re-
sisting foreigners. Of course hatred of Christian mis-
sionaries exists, as it always has done among every
people, tribe, and nation to whom Christ has been
preached; the Jew first and afterwards the gentile.
To the Chinaman, Jesus Christ is still the stone of
stumbling and the rock of offence. But, when the
people as a whole are analyzed, we find at the bottom
that it is the few who hate, the many are indifferent,
and not a few pay honor and esteem. It, is like a storm
at sea; the thin surface is in tremendous uproar, the
vast depth below is undisturbed, indifferent. We can-
not blame the Chinese over much for resistance, for
some missionaries, happily seldom of the Protestant
faith, have sought political influence to the detriment
of the people, as witness the political status last year
7
wrung out of the unwilling Chinese government by the
Catholics. Moreover, European powers have been
persistently robbing the Chinese of territory for years
back, and partition stared Cliina in the face. And
again they are a superstitious and ignorant people,
and the rapid advance of civilization in the form of
railways, telegraphs, mines, etc., necessarily stirs up
antagonism.
But we can and do blame them for their barbarity ;
with the noble teaching of their philosophy, of whom
they are justly proud, and the remarkable civilization
of which they boast, nothing can excuse their dastardly
mode of action. There can be no excuse for the mon-
strous massacre of missionaries, nor for the inhuman
siege of the Legations, a siege that will be remembered
through all ages. That a handful of Europeans,
amongst whom were many women and children, en-
cumbered with as it seemed, aided by as events proved,
a mass of native Christian refugees, with insufficient
food, arms and ammunition, that such a handful
could hold out, during the terrible heat of sum-
mer, against tens of thousands of Chinas best troops,
led by her ablest generals, armed with the most
modern rifles and provided with the finest cannon,
was impossible. Yet the impossible happened, and by
the mercy of God the allied army, after long delay,
relieved the gallant defenders. The defences were
7
wrung out of the unwilling Chinese government by the
Catholics. Moreover, European powers have been
persistently robbing the Chinese of territory for years
back, and partition stared Cliina in the face. And
again they are a superstitious and ignorant people,
and the rapid advance of civilization in the form of
railways, telegraphs, mines, etc., necessarily stirs up
antagonism.
But we can and do blame them for their barbarity ;
with the noble teaching of their philosophy, of whom
they are justly proud, and the remarkable civilization
of which they boast, nothing can excuse their dastardly
mode of action. There can be no excuse for the mon-
strous massacre of missionaries, nor for the inhuman
siege of the Legations, a siege that will be remembered
through all ages. That a handful of Europeans,
amongst whom were many women and children, en-
cumbered with as it seemed, aided by as events proved,
a mass of native Christian refugees, with insufficient
food, arms and ammunition, that such a handful
could hold out, during the terrible heat of sum-
mer, against tens of thousands of Chinas best troops,
led by her ablest generals, armed with the most
modern rifles and provided with the finest cannon,
was impossible. Yet the impossible happened, and by
the mercy of God the allied army, after long delay,
relieved the gallant defenders. The defences were
8
the work of an American Methodist missionary, and
the ambassadors spontaneously give the missionaries
and the native converts the credit of saving the
situation.
This Insane Revolt
was the natural outcome of the Empress-Dowagers
reactionary policy in 1898, when the Emperor, because
of his desire for reform, was set aside. That his
famous reform edicts were not chimerical is evident
from the recent action of the leading viceroys, who
are now arranging a programme on lines almost
identical with his. The revolt has been at terrible
cost to China : tens of thousands of lives, a fabulous
sum of money, curtailment of her freedom, the dis-
grace of her Court, the flight of her supreme rulers,
the destruction of her most noted library, the desecra-
tion and sacking of her palaces, the destruction of her
capital, aud much more that none can yet estimate.
And while the crime of all this lies at the door of the
Empress-Dowager and a few high Conservative Minis-
ters, it is difficult to pass without remark the ignorance
of certain British officials who, having scant sympathy
with the uplifting of China, knew not when to take
occasion by the hand and make the bounds of free-
dom wider yet.
One good result of the war has been to stow the
thinking Chinese more clearly than ever the utter
9
effeteness of their present methods and the absolute
need for reform on a broad scale. If they would but
lay hold of the hem of Christs garment how speedily
their moral strength would be restored. The war,
strange though it seems, is driving many Chinese to
this same conclusion. China is
Nearer the Kingdom of Heaven
to-day than ever in her history, and how much she
needs it a few months sojourn in Christian England,
and a return to her corruption, has made over-
poweringly clear to me.
During my absence the great upheaval took place,
but the work was left in the hands of two capable
menthe Rev. W. R. Stobie and our native pastor,
Mr. J£, or Summer. They bore the burden and
heat of the day manfully; with unflinching front they
stemmed the torrent of revolt, and it was with heart-
felt gratitude that on my return a fortnight ago I
found the work in such excellent condition. Many of
our people have suffered cruelly, one of our preachers
was very ill and died of shock at the approach of his
persecutors, another was beaten almost to death, three
more valued local preachers died, many others endured
the harshest treatment, scores of homes were wrecked
and their occupants driven to take refuge where they
could, the Mission premises were crowded with
destitute refugees, in some districts no services were
9
effeteness of their present methods and the absolute
need for reform on a broad scale. If they would but
lay hold of the hem of Christs garment how speedily
their moral strength would be restored. The war,
strange though it seems, is driving many Chinese to
this same conclusion. China is
Nearer the Kingdom of Heaven
to-day than ever in her history, and how much she
needs it a few months sojourn in Christian England,
and a return to her corruption, has made over-
poweringly clear to me.
During my absence the great upheaval took place,
but the work was left in the hands of two capable
menthe Rev. W. R. Stobie and our native pastor,
Mr. J|, or Summer. They bore the burden and
heat of the day manfully; with unflinching front they
stemmed the torrent of revolt, and it was with heart-
felt gratitude that on my return a fortnight ago I
found the work in such excellent condition. Many of
our people have suffered cruelly, one of our preachers
was very ill and died of shock at the approach of his
persecutors, another was beaten almost to death, three
more valued local preachers died, many others endured
the harshest treatment, scores of homes were wrecked
and their occupants driven to take refuge where they
could, the Mission premises were crowded with
destitute refugees, in some districts no services were
10
possible for sis months ; bub amidst all these fires of
persecution the Christians bore themselves with an
admirable courage. Much against his will Mr. Stobie
was compelled, by consular commands, to leave with
the rest of the Wenchow European community and
seek a haven of refuge in Nitigpo or Shanghai. One
can imagine the pitiful plaints of the Christians, the
difficult position of Pastor Summer, and the painful
part Mr. Stobie was driven to fill. But Pastor Summer,
though only thirty-one years of age, showed a wisdom,
a courage, and a devotion worthy of the best records
of the Christian Church. A few lines from a letter lie
wrote me when things were at their darkest will best
reveal the character of the man :
I shall certainly remain at my post in Wenchow,
though I dont know whether my life will be spared or
not. If by the grace of God it be spared so much the
better for my body; if it be Gods will that 1 must
drink this cup, I am willing to do according to His will,
knowing that peace will follow. It is the next few days
that are most important. I have no time to write more,
except one word ; if anything of this kind should really
happen, I want to ask you to please help my little ones,
and I shall be unspeakably grateful.
As Mr. Stobie passed through the thick of the
Wenchow troubles last year I will ask him now to tell
his own story.
* *
11
At Mr. Soothills request I here introduce some
particulars relating to the disturbances whereby such
havoc was wrought last year in our Wenchow Church.
A brief geographical note inserted here will save repeti-
tion in the account itself. The head-quarters of our
Mission and of the China Inland Mission in this part
is the county town of Wenchow, which is situated on
the right bank of a river about equal in size to the
Thames. Thirty miles south lies the city of Ping-
yang, where dwell Mr. Grierson and his colleagues of
the China Inland Mission. About half way between
that city and Wenchow lies Jui-an city, where we
have a good work and possess some native property.
While we have a good deal of work quite close to the
city of Wenchow, yet most of it lies to the north and
west in the very large districts of Yob-ts'ing, Nan-chi,
Si-clTi, and Tsing-tien. Each of these circuits is
several hundreds of square miles in extent, and con-
tains mountain masses, affording secure harbourage for
many a marauding gang who are all too ready to leave
their retreats and fasten on the sheep in the Churchs
fold at such times.
It was not altogether a sudden outburst of fury
which assailed the Church here in June of last
year. For some weeks there had been premonitory
disturbances, and for quite a long time it had been
said that the ninth month, Chinese, or November,
11
At Mr. Soothills request I here introduce some
particulars relating to the disturbances whereby such
havoc was wrought last year in our Wenchow Church.
A brief geographical note inserted here will save repeti-
tion in the account itself. The head-quarters of our
Mission and of the China Inland Mission in this part
is the county town of Wenchow, which is situated on
the right bank of a river about equal in size to the
Thames. Thirty miles south lies the city of Ping-
yang, where dwell Mr. Grierson and his colleagues of
the China Inland Mission. About half way between
that city and Wenchow lies Jui-an city, where we
have a good work and possess some native property.
While we have a good deal of work quite close to the
city of Wenchow, yet most of it lies to the north and
west in the very large districts of Yob-ts'ing, Nan-chi,
Si-clTi, and Tsing-tien. Each of these circuits is
several hundreds of square miles in extent, and con-
tains mountain masses, affording secure harbourage for
many a marauding gang who are all too ready to leave
their retreats and fasten on the sheep in the Churchs
fold at such times.
It was not altogether a sudden outburst of fury
which assailed the Church here in June of last
year. For some weeks there had been premonitory
disturbances, and for quite a long time it had been
said that the ninth month, Chinese, or November,
12
was to be the period of the stay of Christianity in this
land. Christians and foreigners were then to be wiped
out. However Boxer fanaticism outran itself, and in
consequence the outbreak in the north was premature.
Terrible as the story is which has been written of
those events, yet if secrecy could have been main-
tained, the closing months of last year would have
witnessed a vastly more terrible massacre, thousands
of foreign residents and vaster numbers of native
Christians would have met their death.
The 12th of July was the day of the foreign
Exodus from Wenchow.
Not one of the thirty odd residents remained. Per-
secution began in the district of Ping-yang only a few
days previously. About a fortnight before that, how-
ever, our Jui-an chapel was attacked by a large mob,
infuriated, it was said, by the dearness of rice ; worship
was prevented, roofing and doors destroyed. So great
was the prevailing disorder that the city gates were
closed for two days. That damage was repaired by the
orders and at the cost of the local magistrate, yet ouly
a few weeks elapsed when the building was totally
destroyed and everything portable carried off. Indeed,
it was barely two weeks after that the storm raged
furiously south of that city, and three days after that
again it had spread up to and north of Wenchow
itself.
13
The following is an epitome of the translation
made by Dr. Hogg, of Mr. Summers letter to the
Consul, retailing the events which occurred here from
the 8th of July:
The prefect Chi, before receiving the seals of
office, made a tour through Piug-yang and Jui-an, and
issued proclamations to the Boxers to assemble and
receive rewards, thereby directly encouraging them.
They thereupon assembled, bearing flags, proceeded to
destroy chapels, houses of Christians, and to loot their
property, and caused the flight of the inmates. A
preacher (native of the C. I. M.) was seized by the
Boxers and his head hacked off in a cruel manner as
a sacrifice to an idol. Another Christian, fleeing from
his pursuers, was drowned in a canal. Another, sur-
rounded and despairing of escape, hanged himself to
avoid torture. The Boxers then moved on Jui-an,
destroyed the chapel, the houses of Christians, and
looted their property. On the north bank of the river
in Yoh-tsin, a military M.A. named Huang wrote
letters inviting local banditti to come, who burned the
chapel (U. M. F. C.) at Pei-ch1. The M.A. himself
assaulted a preacher and nearly gouged his eyes out.
(Dr. Hogg saw this preacher seven days after). He
was on the verge of killing him, but for the remon-
strance of his (the M.A.s) father. In that place
about fifty families (U. M. F. C.) had their houses
14
looted, and he extorted $3,000 as the price of their
lives. In Nan-chi the same rioting and pillage has
gone on. A baud came and threatened a preacher
(U. M. F. C.) who was lying seriously ill from malarial
fever, and the shock caused his death. These banditti
were bearing flags with the device, By Imperial com-
mand we exterminate Christianity. In Si-chi similar
scenes of violence and pillage of chapels and houses
have gone on; and at other places throughout the four
districts. These banditti entirely disregard the Taotais
proclamations, and no soldiers have as yet been sent to
the disturbed districts except to Ping-yang, which is
now quiet. This letter was written on the 23rd of
July, and so retails the events which transpired for
about eleven days after the Europeans had left
Wenchow. A few excerpts from my diary will amplify
the above epitome and afford an idea of the state of
matters subsequent to the date of the above letter.
July 3rd.Mr. Upward and Mr. Grierson (C. I.
M., the latter of whom had come up from the mouth of
the Wenchow river, where his honey-moon with his
bride had been broken up on the 2nd day on account
of the Boxer trouble) came along to my house asking
me to go with them to the Taotai, to request him to
take steps to put a stop to the rioting and threatening
which were going on at Ping-yang. Two of Mr.
Griersons preachers brought reports that the Boxers
15
of the neighbourhood had fixed a date for the burning
of foreign houses and chapels and the destruction of
Christians. As Mr. Upward had written the Taotai
the preceding day, and had been practically snubbed
by that official, I did not judge it wise for us to go
again, so they went to the Commissioner of Customs
instead, who decided to send a courier to Shanghai on
the morrow for a gun-boat, to ensure the safety of all
the foreign community in Wenchow.
July 4th.Heard that 500 native soldiers were to
be sent off this eveuing to Ping-yang. Mr. Soothills
servant having heard bad talk in the city advised me
to warn our community to be careful, as the roughs
were talking about attacking us. News to-day of a
church thirty-six miles away being surrounded by
Boxers, allowing neither ingress nor egress. Preacher
escaped at night and sent to Wenchow for help. Mr.
Compton, the consular constable, came over asking me
as to advisability of sending off courier to Ningpo
Consul for a gun-boat. Rumours afloat to-day saying
that Wenchow to be attacked on the Iffth instant,
foreigners killed, houses and chapels burned, to be
followed by an attack on Ping-yang.
July 5th.Our native pastor, Mr. Summer, back
to-day from Nan-chi, where he says the report is that
foreigners have all fled Wenchow, that the Boxers in the
north are victorous, that supernatural powers work on
15
of the neighbourhood had fixed a date for the burning
of foreign houses and chapels and the destruction of
Christians. As Mr. Upward had written the Taotai
the preceding day, and had been practically snubbed
by that official, I did not judge it wise for us to go
again, so they went to the Commissioner of Customs
instead, who decided to send a courier to Shanghai on
the morrow for a gun-boat, to ensure the safety of all
the foreign community in Wenchow.
July 4th.Heard that 500 native soldiers were to
be sent off this eveuing to Ping-yang. Mr. Soothills
servant having heard bad talk in the city advised me
to warn our community to be careful, as the roughs
were talking about attacking us. News to-day of a
church thirty-six miles away being surrounded by
Boxers, allowing neither ingress nor egress. Preacher
escaped at night and sent to Wenchow for help. Mr.
Compton, the consular constable, came over asking me
as to advisability of sending off courier to Ningpo
Consul for a gun-boat. Rumours afloat to-day saying
that Wenchow to be attacked on the Iffth instant,
foreigners killed, houses and chapels burned, to be
followed by an attack on Ping-yang.
July 5th.Our native pastor, Mr. Summer, back
to-day from Nan-chi, where he says the report is that
foreigners have all fled Wenchow, that the Boxers in the
north are victorous, that supernatural powers work on
16
the side of the Boxers, that shots cannot harm them
and their wounds do not bleed; even the very sand
becomes soldiers to fight against the foreigners. In
passing through Si-chi circuit Mr. Summer heard
similar reports.
July 6th.A preacher who lives three miles from
here, came in to-day telling me that at the village close to
his the Ko-lao-hui (rebellious society) men were sharp-
ening their swords in readiness for an attack on the
Christians, mentioning Sunday as a probable day. The
C. I. M. people have decided to suspend service ; but
the more resolute of our people in that neighbourhood
have decided to meet for worship as usual. Met the
Taotais deputy at the C. I. M. this afternoon. He
told us the Taotai was unable to help us, that the
Chen-tai (one of the military commanders) was in-
tensely anti-foreign, and that the Prefect would not act,
because he had not yet received the seals of office.
July 1th.Two of Mr. Griersons preachers (C. I.
M.) came up with disquieting news about Ping-yang
and the Boxers there, in consequence of which the
ladies decided to go over to the island (a small island
about a quarter of a mile long, about 600 yards from
north gate of city, in middle of river, and on which are
built the consulate and three other European dwellings),
in the evening for greater safety. Our ladies, after pack-
ing up clothes and food, joined them. Another mem-
17
ber came in who confirmed the report of the preacher
yesterday, and saying that the weaker members re-
solved to keep at home. To-day very many bad
rumours about Ping-yang and district. After seeing
the Sharmans and Mrs. Stobie over to the island, the
doctor and family having gone over after tea, I returned
and had prayer-meeting at 10 p.m. in the hospital chapel.
A dreadfully dark and rainy night, but about twenty
came to meeting, including two women, one of whom
engaged in prayer. When I got back to the compound,
I found three gentlemen awaiting me, who were living
together during this time at the house of one of the
Customs employees, armed with revolvers and shot
guns. They wished me to make my abode with them
for greater security, but I felt it necessary to look
after the property here as long as possible; so I passed
the night alone with two of the servants keeping watch.
Mr. Grierson offered to stay with me, but I thought it
was unnecessary, so having agreed upon signals and
rendezvous, they went home. To-day the Taotais
launch came in with bad news from the north. I also
heard that Prince Tuans edict for the massacre of
foreigners and Christians had been in Wenchow since
the 20th June, and the acting Chen-tai was wanting
to enforce it.
July 8th, Sunday.Took morning service at our
city chapel. About 200 people there, several outsiders,
17
ber came in who confirmed the report of the preacher
yesterday, and saying that the weaker members re-
solved to keep at home. To-day very many bad
rumours about Ping-yang and district. After seeing
the Sharmans and Mrs. Stobie over to the island, the
doctor and family having gone over after tea, I returned
and had prayer-meeting at 10 p.m. in the hospital chapel.
A dreadfully dark and rainy night, but about twenty
came to meeting, including two women, one of whom
engaged in prayer. When I got back to the compouud,
I found three gentlemen awaiting me, who were living
together during this time at the house of one of the
Customs employees, armed with revolvers and shot
guns. They wished me to make my abode with them
for greater security, but I felt it necessary to look
after the property here as long as possible; so I passed
the night alone with two of the servants keeping watch.
Mr. Grierson offered to stay with me, but I thought it
was unnecessary, so having agreed upon signals and
rendezvous, they went home. To-day the Taotais
launch came in with bad news from the north. I also
heard that Prince Tuans edict for the massacre of
foreigners and Christians had been in Wenchow since
the 20th June, and the acting Chen-tai was wanting
to enforce it.
July 8th, Sunday.Took morning service at our
city chapel. About 200 people there, several outsiders,
18
and thirty or forty women and girls among the
number. A very quiet meeting. One of our native
preachers took the afternoon service, to which the
doctor came over. Very soon a servant came with
startling letters from the island, urging our hasty flight.
The meeting was soon terminated, and we took our
leave, calling at the compound on the way for some
things. The Taotai wrote requesting the ladies
and missionaries to take his launch and go to Shang-
hai, as he said he was enlisting the Boxers to serve with
the troops up north. This was in agreement with
Prince Tuans edict. We did not avail ourselves of
the offer, but Customs and missionaries took refuge on
the island. Although the Nanking proclamation had
been received here, which was favorable to foreigners
and against the Boxers, yet the officials took no steps
to make it known. In the evening Mr. Sharman and I
came over to the service in the hospital chapel. Very
few there. 1 slept on the island that night.
July 9th.Steamer from Shanghai came in with
the new Consul, Mr. OBrien Butler, who at once call-
ed on the Taotai, letting him know the true state of
affairs. The Taotai was still vacillating, writing one
account to the Customs staff, whom he wished to
detain, as they were Imperial servants, and another
to missionaries. The Commissioner on hearing of this
duplicity at once ordered the Customs to be closed and
19
all to leave, and preparations for a speedy exit went on.
Mr. Sharman and I slept at the compound this night,
and all was very quiet.
July 10th.Two small Chinese war-junks took np a
near position to the consulate, saying they had orders to
protect us. The Taotai and other officials visited the
Consul, begging that the Customs staff be allowed to stay,
but insisting that missionaries must go. All day long
our native members came and went, and we had some
Sad and Tearful Scenes.
Mr. Sharman and I went over to the Hemp Market
Gate and had service. Had a crowded house, and I
had the opportunity of speaking to a very large number
of outsiders, who were very quiet; but on emerging
into the street the juvenile portion shouted and jeered
at us down to the boat till checked by some of the
members who followed close behind us.
July 11th.One of our preachers, accompanied by
some members, came in with a report that the Boxers
in force had been seen thirteen miles away from the city.
The Consul ordered all foreigners to sleep on the
steamer, anchored at some distance from the wharf.
July 12th.All sailed shortly after daybreak for
Ningpo and Shanghai.
July 13th.Arrived at Ningpo, where Sharmans,
my wife, and I stayed, the others going on to Shanghai
and Japan.
19
all to leave, and preparations for a speedy exit went on.
Mr. Sharman and I slept at the compound this night,
and all was very quiet.
July 10th.Two small Chinese war-junks took np a
near position to the consulate, saying they had orders to
protect us. The Taotai and other officials visited the
Consul, begging that the Customs staff be allowed to stay,
but insisting that missionaries must go. All day long
our native members came and went, and we had some
Sad and Tearful Scenes.
Mr. Sharman and I went over to the Hemp Market
Gate and had service. Had a crowded house, and I
had the opportunity of speaking to a very large number
of outsiders, who were very quiet; but on emerging
into the street the juvenile portion shouted and jeered
at us down to the boat till checked by some of the
members who followed close behind us.
July 11th.One of our preachers, accompanied by
some members, came in with a report that the Boxers
in force had been seen thirteen miles away from the city.
The Consul ordered all foreigners to sleep on the
steamer, anchored at some distance from the wharf.
July 12th.All sailed shortly after daybreak for
Ningpo and Shanghai.
July 13th.Arrived at Ningpo, where Sharmans,
my wife, and I stayed, the others going on to Shanghai
and Japan.
20
We made our stay in the Mission compound at
Ningpo; the Sharmaus spending about a week with Dr.
Swallow, after which they went to Japan. My wife
and I found a refuge for the next few weeks with
Misses Hornby and Abercrombie, and when the Shar-
mans returned from Japan at the end of that time we all
took Mr. Heywoods house, he and his family having
meanwhile gone to England on furlough. As I was in
hopes of making at least a monthly trip by steamer down
to Wenchow, to keep an eye on things, to dispense relief
and keep things going if possible, I thought it best to
stay on in Ningpo as long as that city was quiet, which
it proved to be all through. The following week Dr.
Hogg, by arrangement, went down, but as he deemed
it quite unsafe, and likely to be for a long time, he
left a supply of money for the present need of the
preachers and others, packed up some necessaries for
himself, and a few articles of furniture for us, and came
away by return steamer, going with his family to
Japan, where they stayed with many other missionaries
from China for the next two or three months. I did
not get down to Wenchow for about five weeks after
that, as Ningpo was for a good while very unsettled;
thousands and thousands of native refugees coming
weekly from Shanghai in anticipation of serious trouble
breaking out there. Further, consular permission was
refused for months to any of us missionaries to go back
21
to Wenchow, and the governor of the province had
requested all missionaries to withdraw to Hangchow,
Ningpo, or Shanghai. In the meanwhile I was able to
send letters to our distressed people in Wenchow by
every steamer, or about once in ten days, as well as
remittances of money, which were disbursed by Mr.
Summer, our young Chinese pastor whom I had left in
charge. His home is away up among the hills, nearly
fifty miles from Wenchow city, and for about half a
year he did not see his family. As he said in one of his
letters to me, night and day he had no rest, for not
only had he the whole of our mission thrown on his
hands, but for some time he had to look after the
Christians of the China Inland Mission in Wenchow
and those from Ping-yang, the leading native pastors
of which two missions had fled. In that letter written
to me in Ningpo on the 23rd July he says that of our
mission alone over 100 refugees from the country were
living in the hospital in Wenchow.
When I heard that the Customs staff had been
allowed to return to Wenchow and were living there
quietly, I felt it my duty to go there also, for I knew
I was as safe there as they; so on the 30th of August
I landed again in Wenchow. I cannot describe the
Joy of the Christians
to see me back. Some people seem to think the Chinese
unemotional, or at least uninfluenced to any great extent
21
to Wenchow, aud the governor of the province had
requested all missionaries to withdraw to Hangchow,
Ningpo, or Shanghai. Iu the meanwhile I was able to
send letters to our distressed people iu Wenchow by
every steamer, or about once in ten days, as well as
remittances of money, which were disbursed by Mr.
Summer, our young Chinese pastor whom I had left in
charge. His home is away up among the hills, nearly
fifty miles from Wenchow city, and for about half a
year he did nob see his family. As he said in one of his
letters to me, night and day he had no rest, for not
only had he the whole of our mission thrown on his
hands, but for some time he had to look after the
Christians of the China Inland Mission in Wenchow
and those from Ping-yang, the leading native pastors
of which two missions had fled. In that letter written
to me in Ningpo on the 23rd July he says that of our
mission alone over 100 refugees from the country were
living in the hospital in Wenchow.
When I heard that the Customs staff had been
allowed to return to Wenchow and were living there
quietly, I felt it my duty to go there also, for I knew
I was as safe there as they; so on the 30th of August
I landed again in Wenchow. I cannot describe the
Joy of the Christians
to see me back. Some people seem to think the Chinese
unemotional, or at least uninfluenced to any great extent
22
by the gentler emotions, bat that does not apply to
our native converts ; never shall I forget the night
I bade adieu to Mr. Summer ere we left Wenchow,
when we commended each other to God; the last
moments of our parting were too deep for words; we
could but look through our almost blinding tears the
wishes our tongues could not express.
For the next five weeks there would probably be
no foreign missionary, Protestant or Catholic, nearer to
me than at Ningpo, a distance of some 200 miles. On
my return I found about sixty refugees in hospital
and city chapel, persecution was still raging in Fan-chi,
Si-chi, and Yoh-tsing, and refugees were almost every
day coming in. The city of Jui-an was still lambent,
Boxer placards being put out a few days previously,
stirring up rowdies to kill the native Christians later
on. Some of the refugees called on me expressing
their gladness at my return and saying that the
presence of the foreign pastor was as that of the
Saviour amongst them; they then felt no fear and
could be brave. They pleaded with me not to go
away. Had prayers in evening with refugees in hospital
and chapel.
August 31st.The oldest member in our, Wen-
chow church, whose name, I believe, is first on our
books, called to see me. He said he was eighty-one years
old, adding in his quaint way, But I am born again.
23
September 1st.Sent card to Taotai, requesting
to visit him in the afternoon about the refugees. He
returned a message saying he was very ill and would
receive Mr. Summer and me on an unmentioned future
occasion. Had four men in to-day from Lin-z in Yoh-
tsing reporting that the Ko-lao-hui were collecting to
have three days theatricals, after which Christian
houses were to be attacked, uuless black-mail was
forthcoming.
September 5th.To-day at prayers heard there
were sixty-two refugees in the hospital and chapel.
Three members in from one of the islands at sea
reported very bad times. Yesterday the mob there
damaged the chapel, and Christians had to flee, one of
them being so badly beaten aud kicked as to be quite
lame. They had appealed for protection to the local
magistrate, who could do nothing for them. The mob
was restrained from further violence by a kindly hea-
then gentleman haranguing them and bidding them
wait for ten days to hear if there were news of the
city chapel being destroyed, then, if so, to go for the
chapel in their village, otherwise they might bring
serious trouble on themselves. Another member came
in this evening with news that another chapel in Yoh-
tsing circuit had been destroyed ; a mob of 300 or
400 people collecting, thirty or forty of whom parti-
cipated in its destruction.
23
September 1st.Sent card to Taotai, requesting
to visit him in the afternoon about the refugees. He
returned a message saying he was very ill and would
receive Mr. Summer and me on an unmentioned future
occasion. Had four men in to-day from Lin-z in Yoh-
tsing reporting that the Ko-lao-hui were collecting to
have three days theatricals, after which Christian
houses were to be attacked, unless black-mail was
forthcoming.
September 5th.To-day at prayers heard there
were sixty-two refugees in the hospital and chapel.
Three members in from one of the islands at sea
reported very bad times. Yesterday the mob there
damaged the chapel, and Christians had to flee, one of
them being so badly beaten and kicked as to be quite
lame. They had appealed for protection to the local
magistrate, who could do nothing for them. The mob
was restrained from further violence by a kindly hea-
then gentleman haranguing them and bidding them
wait for ten days to hear if there were news of the
city chapel being destroyed, then, if so, to go for the
chapel in their village, otherwise they might bring
serious trouble on themselves. Another member came
in this evening with news that another chapel in Yoh-
tsing circuit had been destroyed ; a mob of 300 or
400 people collecting, thirty or forty of whom parti-
cipated in its destruction.
24
I will content myself with these few selections as
taken from my diary. It is too full to transcribe
wholly, so that I must epitomise. Subsequently two of
the members of the island church were caught by the
mob, hung up in a temple to a beam for several hours
by the thumbs. Others were bound hands and feet
together behind and thus hung, nor were they taken
down till they had agreed to sign an I. 0. U. for con-
siderable sums of money. Some of these papers were
kept by their persecutors for several months, awaiting
the chance of being able to enforce their payment; yet
I kept the officials informed of these things for months,
but in vain, and it was only on my going to that island
last month that the chief agent in those persecutions
was compelled to give up those papers. Thus day after
day for nearly five weeks things went onan almost
continual stream of sufferers with
Endless Stories of Suffering
and extortion. From early morning till late at night
sufferers came to me from all parts, bringing children,
helpless infants or aged parents. These had to be
lodged, fed, and in many cases clothed. One old man
came many miles up-country who had lost all. He had
to sell his shirt on the road to get money to pay for
food and boat, and when he came to me he had only a
pair of thin cotton knickerbockers on, no upper garments;
no shoes, or stockings. A preacher came whose back
25
and chest were covered with more than a score of
wounds. Another came whose arm had been cut open
with a sword, another came with several wounds in
his legs and small bullets lodged in it. Another old
man who had come miles, and was in a perfect palsy
of nervous debility, had been attacked with an axe, and
his wounds were yet apparent. He, his son, and grand-
son of four years had been hung up; the two latter
were so completely knocked up that they were unable
to come down to the city. In one place an old Chris-
tian woman between sixty and seventy years of age
had been dragged hundreds of yards by the hair on
the ground and was nearly killed. Occasionally I had
to tend the refugees for malarial fever. On one
occasion while I was visiting a fever patient after
evening prayers in the hospitalhe was a tall young
fellow of twenty-five or soanother older Christian,
over fifty years of age and a local preacher from a
neighbouring village, came in and sat on a bed opposite
the patient. The villages from which these two men
came, are quite close and far up among the hills. Just
at that time the two clans were having a bitter feud ;
over 1,000 combatants being concerned. Hundreds of
them were armed with guns, and many were killed and
wounded. The old local preacher was telling me about
this, and when I asked where the sick man came from,
he told me and added that if they had not been
25
and chest were covered with more than a score of
wounds. Another came whose arm had been cut open
with a sword, another came with several wounds in
his legs and small bullets lodged in it. Another old
man who had come miles, and was in a perfect palsy
of nervous debility, had been attacked with an axe, and
his wounds were yet apparent. He, his son, and grand-
son of four years had been hung up; the two latter
were so completely knocked up that they were unable
to come down to the city. In one place an old Chris-
tian woman between sixty and seventy years of age
had been dragged hundreds of yards by the hair on
the ground and was nearly killed. Occasionally I had
to tend the refugees for malarial fever. On one
occasion while I was visiting a fever patient after
evening prayers in the hospitalhe was a tall young
fellow of twenty-five or soanother older Christian,
over fifty years of age and a local preacher from a
neighbouring village, came in and sat on a bed opposite
the patient. The villages from which these two men
came, are quite close and far up among the hills. Just
at that time the two clans were having a bitter feud ;
over 1,000 combatants being concerned. Hundreds of
them were armed with guns, and many were killed and
wounded. The old local preacher was telling me about
this, and when I asked where the sick man came from,
he told me and added that if they had not been
26
Christians, it would have been his duty to fight the
young fellow, but he went on, We are Christians
and dont do that sort of thing now. The blood of
Jesus unites us, Oh it is good, very good.
The most distressing experience of that time to
me was, when the persecuted people begged me to use
my influence in the yamen to get the officials to exert
themselves on behalf of the Christians. Almost daily
I was doing this, yet for months it was of little or no
avail. The magistrates shuffled and lied most outrage-
ously, sending me more than one letter saying that the
districts were all peaceful, the Christians were back
home, and need have no fear. Yet at that very
time the hospital was full of refugees, and repeatedly
when refugees tried to return home they had im-
mediately to flee. One case in particular was very
glaring. Several Christians went back home, were
immediately attacked again, and had to flee to the city
here once more ; one of them, a tall young fellow,
being stabbed just below the heart, and so deep that I
think the lung was affected, for he spat blood for a
considerable time. All the time I was in Wenchow
alone this sort of thing went on. I had regular preach-
ing services inside and outside the city; one time mak-
ing a trip of a few miles up-country and had a quiet
service. On September 19th I received a letter from
Consul Butler as follows :
27
Dear Sir : I understand that you have returned
to your station at Wenchow and are even meditating
making a journey into the interior. The Wenchow
missionary body will be informed by this Consulate-
General when they can return to that port. In the mean-
time I hope you will see the wisdom of at once with-
drawing either to Ningpo or Shanghai. I need hardly
say that the British government are not in any way
responsible for your safety while neglecting the advice
of its officers. I remain, etc.
My reply to that letter gave my reasons for the
step I had taken, pointing out that the Customs
staff, among whom was a lady and three young chil-
dren, were allowed to remain and were dwelling in
quietness, and expressed my hope that the Consul
might not think it was mere doggedness that led me
to stay on and accept the responsibility. However the
next steamer brought me a letter from Dr. Hogg, in
which he stated that two of our Wenchow China
Inland missionaries had interviewed the Consul in
Shanghai desirous of getting leave to come down, but
that it had been refused, and adding that the Consul
was very wroth at me for coming. That letter also
stated that the responsibility of my staying in Wen-
chow was retrospective. Hence as there had been
already frightful destruction of property, I felt I could
not incur that responsibility, so I interviewed Mr*
Summer, told him I had heard that the Consul said
if I stayed on, there could be no compensation for
28
losses. I told him that if the Christians preferred to
have me stay with them and risk the compensation, I
would stay ; if they did not care to take that risk, but
would rather I went away, I would go to Ningpo,
write to them periodically as before, and send re-
mittances as opportunity occurred. He considered the
matter, and some time after came and said it was
thought advisable for me to go to Ningpo; so on
October 6th, at night, I embarked for Ningpo. It was
late at night when Mr. Summer accompanied me
down to the steamer. Before parting we knelt to-
gether at the stern of the vessel, commending one
another to the mercy of God. It was not till the 1st
December that I returned to Wenchow for good, accom-
panied by Mr. Sharman. I had left my wife in bed with
our bonnie wee lassie ten days old. The steamer after
Mrs. Sharman came and joined her husband. Dr. and
Mrs. Hogg stayed on in Ningpo kindly caring for Mrs.
Stobie until she was well enough for them to bring her
down, and we were all back again in Wenchow to
spend the New Year together. As late as, and much
later than that, persecution was still being carried on
in some of the country districts, and about this time
we were engaged almost daily with the native officials
considering and settling the question of compensation.
It would occupy too much space to tell of the negotia-
tions between us and the Consul on the one hand and
29
the officials on the other. A statement of the great
portion of losses incurred and of the compensation
granted must suffice. I have room to mention only a
few of the most important places destroyed which are
either Mission property or rented by the Mission :
At Bah-chi, chapel burned down and goods
carried off; total loss of ... ... $451
At Lin-z chapel partially destroyed and looted 330
At Ung-yie 168
At Jui-an chapel totally ,, 570
Besides this some 200 or more private dwellings
were partially or totally destroyed ; in many cases all
the crops, furniture, cattle, and clothes of the Chris-
tians were carried off, and numbers more were left
unmolested only on paying considerable sums of money.
After the New Year had well turned, Mr. Wilkinson,
H. B. M.s Consul at Ningpo, who also acts for Wen-
chow, paid us periodical visits, and threw his whole
energy into the question of compensation. Doubtless
owing mostly to his careful and tactful management,
together with the manifest intention of doing justice
which characterized at least two of the leading officials
here who had recently been appointed, the Taotai
granted us the full amouut of compensation asked for
for foreign property, and we got a return in cash of
sixty-three per cent of estimated damage to property of
native converts. Yet beyond all this there was a
29
the officials on the other. A statement of the great
portion of losses incurred and of the compensation
granted must suffice. I have room to mention only a
few of the most important places destroyed which are
either Mission property or rented by the Mission :
At Bah-chi, chapel burned down and goods
carried off; total loss of ... ... $451
At Lin-z chapel partially destroyed and looted 330
At Ung-yie,, 168
At Jui-an chapel totally ,, 570
Besides this some 200 or more private dwellings
were partially or totally destroyed ; in many cases all
the crops, furniture, cattle, and clothes of the Chris-
tians were carried off, and numbers more were left
unmolested only on paying considerable sums of money.
After the New Year had well turned, Mr. Wilkinson,
H. B. M.s Consul at Ningpo, who also acts for Wen-
chow, paid us periodical visits, and threw his whole
energy into the question of compensation. Doubtless
owing mostly to his careful and tactful management,
together with the manifest intention of doing justice
which characterized at least two of the leading officials
here who had recently been appointed, the Taotai
granted us the full amount of compensation asked for
for foreign property, and we got a return in cash of
sixty-three per cent of estimated damage to property of
native converts. Yet beyond all this there was a
30
considerable amount of looting and destruction car-
ried on for which no compensation could be got, as it
occurred after the lists had been handed in to the
Consul, who could not see his way to ask the officials
to take it also into consideration. Nevertheless, I am
sure that the majority of the damage done has been
made good.
It goes without saying that numbers of converts,
especially more recent ones, relapsed through fear
during the period of persecution. Some have again
appeared at the services, while others have not again
approached us. But those who have had to bear the
bitterest trouble are, I may say, those who have en-
dured without fail throughout. In some cases pseudo-
Christians have endeavoured to make money unfairly
during the time when compensation was being talked
about; but I feel sure that not one of such cases has
managed to gain its end, aud the reports of the Chinese
magistrates who have gone to several districts to
investigate matters, have given our Church a
Splendid Reputation for Honesty;
in several instances the magistrates have themselves
quoted a somewhat higher figure for compensation
than we had put down.
I feel, as a Church, we have no little cause for
thankfulness that the number of those who have
fallen away is so small as it is. Yet now a danger of
81
another nature faces us. For the last few months the
officials have left nothing undone that could show their
willingness to show favour to the foreigners. This
gives what the Chinese call a great deal of face to
the Church and makes entrance into it more desirable
among large classes who have little sympathy with the
spiritual aims of the Church. Consequently it is not
surprising to find that in some parts the literati are
manifesting a greater interest in our religious gather-
ings aud attending our Churches. Last Suuday I wa3
up-country preaching at a village where we have a
Church, and I learned that three of the literati had
become believers and had been attending service for
about a month. Other places have similar reports. It
is quite possible that if the affairs up north are speedily
and satisfactorily settled by the civilized powers, we
shall soon see large numbers of the literary class
giving countenance to Christianity. Of one Chinese
graduate in one of our circuits here, a man in the
prime of life, I heard it reported that he said to Mr.
Summer lately : This is going to be the religion of
the future. May we missionaries have wisdom, faith,
and love, to direct such sentiments aright!
I will conclude this part of my work by giving
a brief account of the kind of meu we have to deal with
among the Chinese mandarins. The official referred
to held a post here during the stormy period of
31
another nature faces us. For the last few months the
officials have left nothing undone that could show their
willingness to show favour to the foreigners. This
gives what the Chinese call a great deal of face to
the Church and makes entrance into it more desirable
among large classes who have little sympathy with the
spiritual aims of the Church. Consequently it is not
surprising to find that in some parts the literati are
manifesting a greater interest in our religious gather-
ings and attending our Churches. Last Sunday I was
up-country preaching at a village where we have a
Church, and I learned that three of the literati had
become believers and had been attending service for
about a month. Other places have similar reports. It
is quite possible that if the affairs up north are speedily
and satisfactorily settled by the civilized powers, we
shall soon see large numbers of the literary class
giving countenance to Christianity. Of one Chinese
graduate in one of our circuits here, a man in the
prime of life, I heard it reported that he said to Mr.
Summer lately: This is going to be the religion of
the future. May we missionaries have wisdom, faith,
and love, to direct such sentiments aright!
I will conclude this part of my work by giving
a brief account of the kind of men we have to deal with
among the Chinese mandarins. The official referred
to held a post here during the stormy period of
32
last summer, and the matters related came under my
own notice. It is a typical instance of the kind of
thing that was common all the time I was here alone.
One of the four leaders of the Lin-z ruffians who
had partially destroyed and looted the chapel there,
besides blackmailing the Christians, was observed by
some of the latter to embark for Wenchow. They
followed him (after the destruction of the chapel) and
saw him enroll his name as a soldier in the city. Some
time after, upon receiving his sword, he went to a
post beyond the South Gate of the city. Notice of
this was given to Mr. Summer, the pastor, who request-
ed the magistrate to have him apprehended. He sent
off two runners (yamen messengers) to do so, when Mr.
Summer, seeing they were being sent without proper
credentials, reminded the magistrate that their efforts
would be ineffectual without written authority; yet
they were sent without it. The Christians accompanied
the runners and designated the man. His fellow-sol-
diers seeing their comrade apprehended, asked to
see the authority for so doing. None forthcoming,
runners and Christians were severely beaten and had
to return without the culprit. This was reported to
the magistrate, and the leader of those soldiers was
asked to apprehend the man. That officer said the
man had not been at the chapel which was looted.
The magistrate sent for Mr. Summer at three in the
33
morning and said that it was not that man who had
participated in the riot at the chapel; he was a soldier
and had not been off duty. Mr. Summer replied that if
ten menone being the man in questionwere dressed
exactly alike, the Christians would recognize him. It
was done; the ten men placed in a row and the offender
still recognized. Seeing there was no denying the
truth of the statements, the magistrate, a weak man,
besought Mr. Summer to take the matter out of his
hands, he was so frightened, and relegate it to the
county official.
In justice, however, to the weak officials of that
time, I should say that they were in an extreme posi-
tion. News here is so long in coming, and they did
not know who would overcome in the north. If the
Empress-Dowagers party, then officials at all lenient
to foreigners and Christians would have scant mercy
shown them ; if the foreigners were victors, then re-
tribution would as certainly overtake officials actively
inimical to foreigners. Had the Taotai of Wenchow
been as anti-foreign as were his colleaguesthe' Prefect
and Chentaithis city would almost certainly have
witnessed the murder of every foreign resident, and
perhaps thousands of Christians in this prefecture would
have testified with their lifes blood to the cause of
Christ.
W, R. Stobie.
33
morning and said that it was not that man who had
participated in the riot at the chapel; he was a soldier
and had not been off duty. Mr. Summer replied that if
ten menone being the man in questionwere dressed
exactly alike, the Christians would recognize him. It
was done ; the ten men placed in a row and the offender
still recognized. Seeing there was no denying the
truth of the statements, the magistrate; a weak man,
besought Mr. Summer to take the matter out of his
hands, he was so frightened, and relegate it to the
county official.
In justice, however, to the weak officials of that
time, I should say that they were in an extreme posi-
tion. News here is so long in coming, and they did
not know who would overcome in the north. If the
Empress-Dowagers party, then officials at all lenient
to foreigners and Christians would have scant mercy
shown them ; if the foreigners were victors, then re-
tribution would as certainly overtake officials actively
inimical to foreigners. Had the Taotai of Wenchow
been as anti-foreign as were his colleaguesthe' Prefect
and Chentaithis city would almost certainly have
witnessed the murder of every foreign resident, and
perhaps thousands of Christians in this prefecture would
have testified with their lifes blood to the cause of
Christ.
W. R. Stobie.
34
Our Churches have reason to be proud of Mr.
Stobie, and not less so of our native pastor, Mr. Summer.
Neither of them at any time counted his life dear to
him, and it is to them more than to any one that we
owe the safety of our Church here. The brightest
name in the record of last years disorder is that of Mr.
Summer. I left him as native superintendent minister
in the fullest confidence, and he has in no degree
belied that confidence. Greater devotion I have never
met. When all the missionaries had been withdrawn,
when other native preachers had fled, though his own
father repeatedly sent pleading letters that he, his
only son, would seek safety, he still remained stead-
fast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord. Had he sought his own safety, there is little
doubt that our people would have been panic-stricken
and their sufferings greatly intensified. His unwaver-
ing loyalty directly strengthened hundreds of our
people and indirectly the whole of the Christian
Church in the Wenchow county. The business of
the Mission is yet largely in his hands; he is far from
strong, and finds it a heavy burden; it is day work and
night work, worry and anxiety. He longs to lay it
down and begs me to relieve him of it and send him to
a circuit again where he may preach, teach, read, and
write; for he does useful work with his pen. But at
present we cannot relieve him. There is no other with
35
so many gifts to take his place. God does not give
many such to any one mission. We could pray Him>
and dofor more.
As to the
Hospital and Dispensary
the absence of Dr. Hogg during the latter half of the
year necessitated its temporary closing as a hospital.
But it was not any the less useful on that account.
For months it formed a retreat for scores of the
refugees. These have all at last returned to their
homes, and there is now every possibility for obtaining
patients that a doctors heart could desire. It is exceed-
ingly disappointing that notwithstanding the earnest
call of the general missionary secretary as yet not one
of our young men has offered for this noble work.
The College and Schools
had all to be suspended, but the former is again in
working order, and of the latter, three have recom-
menced. It is sad, it is discreditable, that up to the pre-
sent no schoolmaster is found willing to come out and lay
hold of this magnificent opportunity. Here we have
a college still in its infancy, but capable of almost
unlimited development and destined to have a most
powerful effect on the extension of Christ's kingdom
in the two large and adjacent counties of Wenchow
and Ch'uchow, and yet for three years our earnest
36
appeals have been made in vain. Surely, surely the
call will reach some good mans heart. It is the gold-
en opportunity of his lifetime and of our Churchs
history.
This report would be very incomplete without a
due acknowledgment, and I make it with feelings of
profound gratitude, of the wonderful and spontaneous
manner in which our brethren at home have given of
their substance to the suffering Christians here. It
was a noble sum
Sis Hundred and Ninety Pounds
and a worthy testimony to the sincerity of our Churches
interest in their distressed fellow-Christians, even
though they differ in colour and in speech. As no
claim was made on the local officials for the large sum
of money spent in relief it will readily be seen what a
strain this liberality has taken off the ordinary mission
fund, and how it has enabled us to deal in a spirit of
generosity, not only with the persecuted native Chris-
tians, but also with the native officials, upon whom the
heavy burden of compensation fallsa sum reaching
$25,000 for the Protestants and a similar sum for the
Catholics. The list of subscribers to the distress fund
is too long to insert here, much though we should have
liked to do so. It has already appeared in the Free
Methodist, and we can only ask those who showed our
people such kindness to be assured of our heartfelt
37
gratitude. Nor can we close this paragraph without
testifying to the generosity of our Ningpo colleagues
and their hospitality to our Wenchow exiles, and to the
charity of our Ningpo native brethren who, though in
danger themselves, did not hesitate to make a col-
lection for their suffering fellow-Christians in Wenchow.
Since my return my ears have been filled with tales
of persecution, of faithful endurance, and, thank God,
of much kindness shown by the heathen. Many are
the places where the
Non-Christian Gentry stood out Manfully,
and at considerable personal risk, against the lawless
Oppressors. Hundreds of Christians owe a big debt of
gratitude to men who intervened in their behalf and
who bore testimony to the excellence of the Christians
lives and the purity and nobleness of the Christian
truth. In some places these gentry are now beginning
to enquire more carefully into the meaning of Chris-
tianity. The Wenchow magistrate also proved himself
earnestly desirous of treating the Christians with equity.
He has lately been much in the company of Mr.
Summer, and has had light shed upon his darkness
that has astonished him. His present attitude is,
Almost thou persuadest me. May he soon be not
only almost but altogether. Before the up-
heaval our monthly sale of the Wan Kuo Rung Pao,
or Universal Magazine, was about a dozen; now it is
38
fifty-six, and most of the purchasers are non-Christians,
This magazine is doing more for the enlightenment of
China than any other single agency. It is published
monthly, gives the important news of the world, has
valuable articles on higher civilization, scientific pro-
gress, and other kindred subjects, but it is written from
the Christian standpoint and always contains an able
article on some branch of Christian truth.
A Poor Christian Woman
yesterday stood telling me the story of her sufferings
last year. As I looked at her I wondered whether the
martyrs of yore were as little prepossessing externally.
She was poorly clad, suffers from asthma, is homely iu
features, but something shone out from her eye that
spoke of a soul within that coul4 rise above the world.
Three times was she attacked ; all her poor belongings
were carried off or destroyed, her husband was driven
away and her very child torn from her arms. The ruffians
wanted to burn her house down, and the neighbouring
women in dread thereof passed by reviling her, tweak-
ing her ears, pulling her hair, saying, Now, you
see what youve brought on us. They had been
friendly before, but now their fears overcame them,
and they had not the heart comfort that was hers.
The rowdies not content with carrying off her things
brutally kicked her about the body, so that even yet,
39
six months later, she is not free from paiD. Late at
night she got her child back, but nobody would taka
her in, and she had to sit out in the open with no-
where to flee, the roughs had threatened to destroy any
house which should harbour her. Long after midnight
a neighbouring woman called to her in a soft voice
to come, and secreted her in her kitchen. The per-
secutors came again soon after in search and made a
terrible uproar ; think of her anxiety and that of her
kindly neighbour! At last, toward dawn, a canal
boat was heard passing; the neighbour woman went
and called quietly, and presently asked the boatman to
save the life of this woman. Fortunately he was a
man of kindly heart; he replied, Well, this is a night-
soil boat, not fit to sit in, but she can sit where I am
standing if she likes; bring her round to the city wall
and I will take her in. Thus were she and her child
rescued. She took off her jacket and gave it him, as
she had no money to reward him with. That same
day our splendid little Bible woman was attacked in the
same city, and had it not been for a gentleman who
called on me yesterday, and who threw himself over
her as the mob was attacking her, she would most
probably have been killed. He had the utmost diffi-
culty in saving her.
Another very unprepossessing old woman is our
Shiae-clTi Ah-mo.
40
She is Blind,
and for years did not leave her house. When she
became a Christian, however, her influence for good
became so marked that a Church grew up in her
house. Her son just manages to keep the wolf from
the door by diligently farming a little patch or two
of land. During the last few years so well-known
has she become that she has been much sought
after, and has often been carried many miles in a
mountain chair to distant villages to pray with the
sick. At least one other Church beside her own owes
its existence to her labours. When last years tumult
arose it was out of her power to flee, and a cousin of
her own became one of the principal participators in the
persecution in her own village. He and others seized
her by the hair of the head and dragged her, a blind
helpless woman, full length on the ground along the
rough roads of the village to the ancestral hall. The
skin was torn from her back and legs by this brutal
treatment, and there she was tied up aud threatened with
death. Fortunately some one interfered and prevent-
ed the fulfilment of this threat, and later she was
allowed to return to her wrecked home. Months later
the magistrate visited her village, which is away
among the mountains, made the persecutors restore her
things or buy new ones, insisted on her cousin repairing
41
her house and made him responsible for all that was
missing. In consequence he had to pay out all his
ready money and borrow into the bargain. Some time
after he met the blind womans son, who is also an
acceptable local preacher, and like his mother has a
wonderful gift in prayer, and with threats demanded a
loan from him. The son gently replied that he had no
money. But you have got things;, you must sell
them and give me the proceeds, the man blustered.
Well, uncle, replied the youth after a time, if
you really need the money I will try and borrow some,
but you know we are very poor. This gentle reply
so melted the heart of the other that the tears rose to
his eyes and he said, You are a better man than I
am ; I deserve all I got and more to it. I dont want
your money ; and theres the lamp for your services still
at my house. Go and get it and start your services
again. And the youth went and got the lamp, and
services were commenced again.
Another persecutor who was imprisoned for de-
stroying a Christians house and who was at our
request released from prison last week, himself brought
a dinner for eight to our local chapel last Saturday as a
thankoffering for our leniency, and insisted on its ac-
ceptance. He came to service on Saturday night, says
he means to become a Christian, and sent his family to
service on Sunday.
42
For six months a large number of our country
Churches were unable to meet; the fires of persecution
raged too fiercely for the conduct of public worship;
and though during the past few weeks almost all have
recommenced, the wideness of the field has prevent-
ed our obtaining satisfactory returns of membership.
For general guidance, therefore, we repeat last years
figures:
1S97. 1898. 1899.
Church members ... 911 1,065 1,234
Baptized during year 177 201 212
Probationers 600 720 2,500
Preachers and evangelists 16 17 IS
Local preachers ... 44 60 82
Congregations 62 70 91
Apart from the refugee fund, it is my pleasure
gratefully to acknowledge receipt of the following
sums :
W. S. Ayrton, Esq, formerly. H. B M.
Consul, Wenchow
Mrs. Etches, Leeds, for Bible woman, 4. 0.0
R. Vesey Stoney, Esq., Ireland ... 2. 0.0
Miss Shaw, Buenos Ayres ... ... 1. 0.0
Mrs. Sunderland, Leeds ... ... 0.10.0
Mr. Davies, Bristol, for Fung-ling ... 0.10.0
Sheffield ......................... 0. 2.6
}
£25. 0.0
43
Per General Missionary Secretary.
Bristol, Compton, Y. P. S. C. E. for
training native evangelist, etc.,
Newport, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Collinge,
Sheffield, Hanover, for educating
Chinese boy
Sheffield, Cherry Tree Hill ...
£14. 0.0
0.12.0
4.10.0
2. 2.6
£54. 7.0
W. E. SOOTHILL.
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