clear perception of the actual condition of Mohammedanism, that is, they ought to know the practical religion of the teachers and theologians as well as of "the people who do not know the law." Furthermore, these missionaries ought to study paganism, in order to know on what foundation Islam has been built in the Mohammedan population amongst whom they are working.

The principal thing is to show no fear of Islam. To take away forces from a mission to heathen in order to attack Islam, where it reigns exclusively, is not wise; a better plan is to meet Islam without fear at the frontiers of its territory, so as to prevent it from going beyond these frontiers to gain territory from Christianity. This is the method which is profitable to a mission to heathen as well as to a mission among Mohammedans.

A

XVII

ISLAM IN CHINA

MR. F. H. RHODES (China Inland Mission)

T the outset of this inquiry as to Mohammedanism in China, we shall do well to bear in mind

the very limited sources of information at our disposal. This complex subject is comparatively a new study; there are few authorities to consult, and in this field of inquiry there are no experts to whom we can go. Further, it may be noted, the sources of the available information are sometimes perforce of Moslem origin. This renders it highly desirable that several opinions should be obtained, if we are to arrive at a fairly correct view of our subject. This may be illustrated by the following example; in making inquiry recently as to the number of mosques, the answers concerning a certain city were as follows:-"seven," twenty to thirty," and "thirty-six." Careful investigation showed that the last number was the correct one.

The elaborate information collected by Mr. Marshall Broomhall for the Edinburgh Conference, and now embodied in his book recently published, has not been available for this brief paper. What is here attempted -a very inadequate effort it is true-is to throw stronger light on a question of real interest, and of deep importance to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and who pray for the coming of His kingdom.

To gain a clearer knowledge of Islam in China, and in order to be able to supply information specially requested, further recent inquiries have now been made;

the quotations that follow are from letters received in 1910 from able workers in some seventeen provinces in China. In the highest interests of the work, and lest their influence among the Moslems should be weakened, the names are not here recorded of those who have so kindly contributed very valuable information on this subject.

The Mohammedans in China are scattered over a very wide area; you can meet the followers of the prophet in varying numbers literally from north to south and from east to west! I cannot speak about Outer Mongolia, but in Inner Mongolia, in Manchuria, and in every province in China, you can find the followers of Islam.

The smallest groups of Moslems will probably be found in the three following provinces: Kiang-si, Cheh-kiang, and Fu-kien. In eleven provinces you will find the Moslems in considerable numbers; not only in the provincial capitals, but also throughout these provinces. These eleven provinces should be specially noted, and earnest prayer centred on these strongholds of Islam in China. They are as follows :

Chih-li, Shan-tung, Kiang-su, Sin-kiang, Kan-su, Shen-si, Sze-chwan, Yun-nan, Kwang-si, Ho-nan, and An-hwei.

The Mohammedan, in spite of all that has told disastrously upon him, is still to-day a power in China. His people, as one careful observer states, are “a very large element of China's mixed multitude." The opium that has demoralized and enfeebled so many has told heavily upon idolater and Moslem alike. The stern retribution meted out in bygone years aftermath of rebellion-has very considerably affected Islam in numbers and in wealth. But the Moslem in China has come through it all, has made a name for himself, and certainly well deserves the place he has won in the Celestial Empire.