measure.

with in other Mission fields. They have a sense of propriety and civility which, when they please, they can show in a most gratifying manner. At the same time, there are elements in their national character, in the very temper and form of their civilisation, which do not look kindly in application to foreigners. And we have been called to realise these in ample They are accustomed to esteem us as no better than barbarians and devils, and such are the epithets most naturally given to us by old and young, learned and unlearned. It partly arises from our living beyond the bounds of their own peculiar circle, and not sharing in the benefits connected with it. The surrounding nations or communities have always been considered as inferior to themselves, and, perhaps with a degree of reason, been designated accordingly. We have been classed amongst them, and have had to share in the appellations commonly assigned them. There may be other occasions for this state of things, but the case is so more or less in all parts of China. In view of it the reception given to us deserves to be noticed. From the first we have been familiar with these contemptuous and dishonouring terms. They were often addressed to us. We seemed to be known by no other titles, and they are among the people themselves our ordinary appellations.

Some were disposed to look upon us as missionaries with great curiosity. It struck them with surprise that we could speak their language, and were engaged in the laudable endeavour to do them good, and exhorting them to become virtuous and upright and honest in their dealings. This identified us in their estimation with their own good men, and our doctrine with their eminent sages. Nothing could surpass these, of course, and it was thought highly complimentary to place them and us on common ground. So excellent and true are these teachings of the venerated sages of China supposed to be, and so tenaciously held as a matter of course, that even in the perverted form they now assume they are never called in question, and our tenets are often represented as analogous when we are actively insisting on their perfect contrariety. While we are inculcating upon them the being and personality and worship of God, they will say it is very good, as we are teaching them to worship heaven and earth, which now form the highest conceptions of divinity in the minds of the Chinese. While we are enforcing the claims of Christ as the Lord and Saviour of mankind, they will acknowledge it is all very true, and that He was in the West what Confucius is known to be in their favoured country.

Others are impelled by curiosity to ask strange and ridiculous questions as to our manners and customs, our dress and appearance, our country and its productions, our language and literature, our Queen and government; and these have to be parried or answered in the best way possible. There are many also imbued with bitter hatred and scorn in regard to us and our teaching, because of our foreign origin and the Cross which it is ours to proclaim amongst them. These literati are so thoroughly impregnated with their Confucian ideas, that as we have the reputation of being opposed to them,

we are often met with an indignant scowl at their hands. They cannot tolerate us on account of the offence of the Cross, and in our public services we have frequent occasion to enter into deepest sympathy with the Apostle in this respect. There is no place, we believe, where his experience in the case of the philosophic Greek obtains so fully as in China at the present day.

But our reception has not been without instances of a painful kind. Especially in our missionary journeys into the interior we have not seldom encountered difficulties and trials that made us concerned as to whether or not we should escape with our lives. There are many ill-disposed and turbulent men in various parts who are always ready for an outbreak, and though restrained by the strong arm of law, occasions do arise for insurrection and trouble. The presence of foreigners often furnishes matter for an emeute, and it requires careful dealing when this disposition is apparent. Instances might be given of the peril and suffering to which we have been exposed in remote districts from the conduct of men of this stamp, who, in addition to the free use of the wildest epithets and threats, and yells of "Beat and kill!" have indulged in missiles of various kinds, regardless of the mischief and pain they were inflicting upon us. We are always liable to attacks of this nature, particularly in unknown and untried districts: and a missionary venturing as he ought to do into these regions, for the sake of preaching the Gospel, must be prepared for the most violent consequences. It is his not to count his life dear unto him, that he may finish his course with joy, and the ministry he has received from the Lord Jesus.

IV. THE RESULTS OF THE MISSION.

We cannot be expected to estimate these in any very proper manner. The calculation of influence does not depend on us, nor is it possible for us fully to enter into it. Our labours have been so widely extended, and exerted in such a variety of ways, that while we have endeavoured to do our duty, we must leave results with God. At the same time, it is gratifying to be assured that we have not laboured in vain. When the Mission was commenced there was almost universal ignorance of Divine things. The Roman Catholics had been at work for some centuries, but under such disadvantages, and they had prosecuted their labours in such a way, as availed little for the general enlightenment of the mass. Wherever we went, "darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people." In obedience to the Divine command, preaching was vigorously engaged in, and this has all along been the characteristic of our Mission. The chapels were well attended from day to day, and hundreds and thousands in this manner came to know the truth. Our itinerant efforts in the neighbourhood and the country were also carried on very extensively, and untold multitudes were thus made acquainted with the follies of idolatry and the tidings of salvation through Jesus Christ. Books and tracts were distributed far and wide, and numbers were supplied to the junkmen for transmission

to the interior. We have hope that by these means the Gospel has been diffused over a large region, and requiring only to be actively maintained, so that with God's blessing salutary results may be brought about.

In connection with our more stated labours, Churches have been formed in various directions, and notwithstanding the ordinary measure of trials pertaining to them, we have reason for thanksgiving and joy on their account. The cause made little progress in this way at first. Everything seemed so new and strange to the people, that they required time to overcome their doubts and prejudices, and respond to the calls and invitations of mercy. One of the first was an interesting case of a tea merchant, who was a devoted disciple of a recently-established Reformer, about 300 miles from Shanghai. He was a rigid Confucian, but differed in some things from the standard commentator in the native classics. There was much to approve in the moral character and earnestness of the disciple, who came under Christian teaching. In conversation on the subject he asked about the evidences of our religion, when the miracles in particular were adverted to. He looked sneeringly upon the whole, and said that the Bhuddist priests could perform things of the same kind to any extent, and their books were full of such stories. The experimental power of the Gospel was then narrated to him in the case of the missionary himself, to which he listened with the deepest interest. The tears were observed trickling down his cheeks, and he at once declared his acceptance of that which was capable of producing these results. Converts were gathered from various classes, both of men and women: some in good position and circumstances, others from the humbler walks of life. Scholars renounced their sceptical philosophy; common people abandoned the absurd superstitions and idolatries to which they had been accustomed; and in not a few instances persecution and trial had to be undergone for the faith of Christ.

Three of these literary men have been ordained, and appointed to the charge of native Churches in the city and the country. Several are also engaged in similar duties, though not as yet consecrated to the work of the ministry; and we have much satisfaction with the manner in which they discharge their trust.

Prior to the time when the rebellion ravaged the surrounding districts, we had a number of Mission Stations, which were prospering very well. Many of these have been broken up and left desolate, the converts having been scattered and the work unable to be resumed. At present we have seven places where services are regularly held, and with one exception where Churches have been formed. The most distant is 200 miles from Shanghai. The membership in all amounts to about 300, but the list on our books from the commencement is fully three times that number. We shall only say of many of them, that we rejoice with trembling in view of their Christian character and conduct and good hope through grace. We are gratified at what we see and hear in their case, considering the circumstances in which they have long been placed, and by which they are

surrounded. The Gospel has shown itself to be the power of God in their salvation; and the increase of their numbers, their holiness, their piety, is the object of unwearied solicitude and earnest prayer on the part of those who are placed over them in the ministry.

V. THE WANTS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MISSION.

It is easy to say that we need more men and means. This is an ordinary demand in regard to every Mission field, and there is no place where it is more urgent than China, in connection with the immense population and the wonderful facilities we enjoy for labouring amongst them. Would that our Christian young men in different Colleges laid this matter to heart, and considered the obligation resting upon them from the love of Christ, the vows of personal consecration which they have made, and the call addressed to them from China :- "Come over and help us." What earnest appeals might be presented to one and all on these grounds! But we forbear. Only let us say that there is nothing in the climate or the language of the country to operate as an impediment to young men of good health and abilities, in devoting themselves to this work. Many have entered into the field, and borne the heat and burden of the day. They have mastered the language in an available manner, and rejoice in the unequalled opportunities given them of preaching Christ and Him crucified to the heathen all around. They envy not the home pastorate: they regard it as a much higher honour conferred on them to stand in the forefront of the battle. They magnify their office, and plead that others would unite with them in the glorious work. Will none—will not many respond to their burning appeal? We might ask for increased resources at the hands of the Christian Church. The same claim is made from every quarter. We allow it, and simply pray that the whole case of Missions to the heathen world may engage the attention of Christians as it ought to do, and so there will be no occasion for contracted or diminished effort on the part of our various societies, as there is often reason for being.

But what is to be done? We submit our view of the matter. There are about 100 Protestant missionaries from different Churches in England, Germany, and America, labouring in China. These are scattered over a vast expanse of country from Canton to Pekin and the Great Wall. They are to a large extent separated from each other by denominational creeds and distinctions. While maintaining the utmost friendliness with each other, and often co-operating in religious efforts, they are necessarily dissociated; and being in many instances feeble in their respective Missions, they are unable to accomplish the work they might otherwise do. Without affecting the constitution of things at home in the slightest degree, could no arrangement be made more effectually to unite our forces, to conjoin our Missions in the field? Is there no possibility of more fully husbanding our strength, economising our resources, and extending our march into the inner wilds of heathenism? This would be the result of such a scheme,

and if Christian principle and charity burn warmly in our bosoms, if we are animated and constrained simply by the desire to spread the Gospel among our fellow-men, where is the difficulty of so far reconciling or merging our ecclesiastical differences? It would be a pleasing state of things in the view of the native converts. It would identify them with each other. It would place them in circumstances more easily at first to support a native ministry, and strengthen and sustain them in their profession of Christianity. Further, it would show the oneness obtaining among us in the sight of the heathen. It would illustrate to them the conjoint power and progress of our holy religion. And besides, it would bring about one desirable state of things, namely, that all the missionaries would be able to report home what was the condition of the native Church at such a place, its standing and character and prospects, instead of each Mission. being called to act on the selfish and individual principle of indicating its particular success and its own limited line of operation. By this means, also, missionaries might be advantageously sent to other parts of the country which are at present unoccupied, as a sufficient number would be left to superintend the more local and stated work, while others might: prosecute an evangelistic or apostolic course, for which, perhaps, they were better fitted, and so the glorious Gospel would be more abundantly preached in the regions beyond.

THE GROWTH OF A MISSION: CALCUTTA.

By the Reb. Edward Storrow.

In the last Quarterly Supplement an account was given of missionary work among the barbarous races of South Africa, Madagascar, and Central India; we will now narrate the progress of the same work under very different circumstances, and among an entirely different population.

Calcutta is the chief city in Asia. Bombay may have as much commerce, and one or two Chinese cities may have a larger population; but as the capital of our Indian Empire, as the residence of half-a-million people, close to whom live a million more, and the port through which almost all the export and import trade of the Gangetic Valley flows, with its population of at least eighty millions, Calcutta stands unrivalled. Its importance as a centre of Missionary effort was understood even at the end of last century, and the first Baptist missionaries would have settled there, doubtless, had the British Government allowed them to do so; but they never ceased, from the neighbouring Danish settlement which gave them refuge, to labour as far as possible for the conversion of the great capital itself.

The history of religion there since the days of the first missionary, Kiernander-who settled in Bengal on the invitation of Clive-of Henry Martyn and Dr. Carey, deserves to be written. We shall, however, in this