apply to them for protection. With a large and rapidly increasing body of Christians, such as we have at Amoy, the question is becoming for us serious one, and one that sooner or later must be tried: at present I fear we have little, indeed, to hope from those that are high in authority. It may be said you can exhort the Christians to patience and forbearance. We do so; and I would ask any one who knows anything of the history of the Amoy Mission, Have the Christians here not shown a noble example of patience The whole history of hundred miles. Perhaps this single fact may serve to show the friends of our mission, what a wide expanse of country is now being dotted over with our stations. We visited the mandarin, and were received most cordially and politely by him. We recounted to him the whole case, and asked him to interfere for the protection of our brethren. He promised to attend to the matter at once. We both staid on at Khi-boey to see what would be done. We had great fears that nothing would be done speedily, for we made our visit to the mandarin just five days before the Chinese and forbearance? New Year, a time when no public business the mission is one of great suffering and is transacted. To add to the complication we heard that there was to be a change of mandarins, and we feared that the one we had seen would be only too glad of this excuse to shift all the responsibility off his own shoulders to those of his successor. After waiting day after day and finding that nothing was done, another visit was paid to the office. The mandarin was absent, the officials made any number of promises, but this was all. On account of the pressure of our work in other quarters we felt that we could not afford to have two missionaries any longer at Khi-boey. I returned to Amoy; Mr. Douglas remaining for a few days longer. Last Sabbath I spent here, and now I am preparing for leaving for the Bay-pay region. Up to this date I have heard nothing from Khi-boey; but I am hourly looking for Mr. Douglas's return, or perhaps I may meet him on my way to Bay-pay. I should have mention, that on may way out I met the mandarin, and I spoke to him. I complained of the delay in attending to the matter. He expressed his regret at the delay, and stated that he had been very busy, but he would that very day attend to the business. Whether he has done so or not, I know not. His excessive politeness is not an infallible evidence of his sincerity. In the event of nothing being done by the authorities, I do not know what other step we can take. That oppression for Christianity is a direct infraction of the treaty we all know well; but although very little exertion on the part of our Pekin authorities would set matters right, we dread much the necessity of having to persecution, and it has been borne well and unflinchingly, and I doubt not it will be borne as well as it has been. But then, if we have a treaty at all, is it wise to allow this clause-this protection clause-to remain a dead letter? My dear Dr. Hamilton, we feel warmly-very warmly on this subject, and the force of circumstances makes us do so. God forbid that we should trust in any way to such fallacious things as political treaties for the spread of the Gospel: we do not for a moment entertain such views, but we do wish that persons at home should know the precise benefit we here derive from treaties. Before closing this letter, I may mention that we have received a strong and urgent call from Dr. Maxwell for me to go over and help him for a little time. I need hardly say that we all are grieved when we think of how he is left to grapple alone with all the work there, and if it were at all possible for any of us to go, we all feel that he should at once have the help he asks and needs. But at present we do not know well what to do. We need all our strength here, and more if we could get it, and we fear that no one can be spared to go. The call is before the committee and the Church, and I trust the Lord will open up the way for your being able speedily to send us reinforcements. Yours affectionately, LETTER FROM THE REV. C. Amoy, Feb. 26, 1866. that Mr. Swanson has already written | been that we have had to spend more time about the persecutions of some Khi-boey than ever before at Khi-boey (where our members. When he came back to Amoy I new room is pretty comfortable), watching remained at Khi-boey in order to try what over the members and preaching in the could be done; during that time I made villages around. two more calls on the Chang-poo mandarin, which was not altogether without effect, for two of the persecuted people had meantime been taken captive by their enemies, and through my visiting the mandarin they were released; a small part of the plunder was also restored, but the greater part of it is still held by the plunderers, and the subordinates at the office will not act. The mandarin himself has gone to Chang-chew-foo to meet and escort his successor; when he arrives the Christians will again enter a complaint at his office, but they seem to have very little hope of justice, as the subordinates at the office seem to be leagued together against the Christians. The poor people show a very fine spirit under their troubles, truly "meek and quiet; " and the attendance at the chapel has not suffered, perhaps rather increased. One good effect of these troubles has Another effect is, that we have had to visit Chang-poo city several times; on the last occasion I stayed with one of the helpers in an inn for four days, during all which time we had admirable opportunities of preaching both in the inn and in the streets. We found two men who have given up idolatry; one living within the walls, and the other in the east suburb. We may thus hope that the persecution at Kio-lai (the village where our poor friends live) may have as one result the evangelieation of Chang-poo city. This is a new field so strangely opened to us, in addition to those which we have previously mentioned. Is it not remarkable that at the two most distant points of our field, in opposite directions, we are thus drawn towards the cities of Chang-poo and Chin-chew? Yours as ever, C. DOUGLAS. INDIA. We are at length permitted to hear of a measure of progress in our India Mission, which we trust may prove the dawning of spiritual life in the hitherto barren district of Rajshai; and it is with feelings of thankfulness and hope that we have perused the following brief letters from the Rev. Behari Lal Singh. Behari does not state whether the baptisms recorded during the past year are of persons converted through the instrumentality of our mission, or merely of teachers from other places and their children, but we trust that of the inquirers referred to in his letter we may ere long have cause to rejoice over some as the first-fruits of the mission. LETTERS FROM THE REV. BEHARI | sway which the Prince of darkness exercised LAL SINGH. Rampore Bauleah, 27th February, 1866. MY DEAR SIR,-In looking over the Baptismal Register of the English Presbyterian Church at Rampore Bauleah, I find that there have been ten baptisms of children and adults. This is no doubt a day of small things, but it is not to be despised. No, considering the small means and agents placed at our disposal, and the uncontrolled over this district, we cannot but feel thankful for the pleasing change which has taken place. Still, I confess it is not what we would wish to see, for, go in whatever part of Rajshai we may, we have cause to say with the Psalmist, "Rivers of water run down mine eyes because they keep not thy law." A comparative examination of the present and past state of things in Rajshai will lead us to conclude that there are principles now at work which, when directed by the Spirit of God, will ter minate in the reformation of the people the means are scanty and the labourers and conversion of souls. Three years ago the Gospel was a strange and unheard of tale in this part of Bengal. Now hundreds, if not thousands, of our countrymen have been familiar with it. Three years ago there was not a single Christian school for the rising generation of Hindus and Mohammedans. Now there are a few Christian seminaries into which youths of all classes and castes crowd. Three years ago the idea of educating the degraded and enslaved females of this district was ridiculed. Now a few have been brought under moral and intellectual culture. very few. Yours very affectionately, BEHARI LAL SINGH. Rampore Bauleah, 5th March, 1866. MY DEAR SIR,-I mentioned to you that I had been more anxious about a single sincere convert than many nominal ones. If it were not so I would have baptized a good many; but dubious converts are only an accession of weakness and not of power, of vexation and not comfort. Hence our long delays and apparently little progress. Three years ago there was not a single I am glad, however, to state that I am church in which the Christians could beginning to entertain a good opinion of assemble for the celebration of divine worship, and the administration of ordinances. Now there is a church in which the exercises of public worship are conducted on the Lord's day. We have reason, therefore, to thank God and take Let the prayers of faith ascend from the Presbyterian Church, and then the harvest will be plenteous, even though| courage. some of the inquirers who have been under our instruction for some months, and that ere long we intend (D.V.) to admit two of them into the Christian Church by the sacred ordinance of baptism. Yours very affectionately, THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSIONS. | teaching! The highest attainment of unBY THE REV. ADOLPHE SAPHIR, B.A. ON moving the adoption of the Foreign Mission Report at the late meeting of Synod, Mr. Saphir gave a very impressive address on the duty of the Church in connection with its missions to the heathen. The following is the substance of that address:-I am sure we have read the annual report with profound interest, and with the feeling of gratitude to God for the blessing which he has graciously bestowed on our missionaries and their converts. While God is blessing the heathen through the Church, he is blessing the Church through and in the mission work. What would become of the nations, sunk in idolatry, were it not for the message of light and peace brought by the Church? We may also ask, What would become of our Churches were it not for the influence, invigorating and refreshing, of the mission? Of mission money it may be enphatically said, "It is twice bless'd; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes." (Applause.) It brings us back to first truths; and when we are brought back to first truths, we are likely to recover first love. How does missicnary experience confirm all Scripture aided reason was the altar at Athens, with the inscription, "To the unknown God!" and how appalling and sad are the pictures of heathenism in its manifold stages and developments! The history of missions shows us our entire dependence on the Revelation from above, the Day-spring from on high; and how clearly does it illustrate the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the enlightening and renewing influence of the Holy Ghost! We realize the treasure we possess when we send it to those who have never been enriched with it. What a glorious message we have to bring them! How majestic in its simplicity! We have become so familiar with Scripture truth, that there is some danger lest we forget its heavenly origin. The idea of God, so simple that our children can understand it, yet how sublime is it, and heaven-l.igh above the loftiest intellect!-the God whom the Scripture reveals; Spirit infinite and incomprehensible, and yet tender and pitiful as a father; known, loved, and trusted by babes, who call him Abba; King of Glory and Lord of Hosts, before whom the angels veil their faces, and yet condescending to number the hairs of our head; without whose will not a sparrow can fall to the ground, and So near, so very near to God, (Applause.) Oh, what a glorious message have we to bring to the poor and lost! And we have not merely the message; our missionaries have the presence of the Lord himself. He opens the hearts of the people, that they attend to the Gospel; he it is who appears unto them in the night of their discouragement, and says, "Fear not, I have much people in this place;" it is he who adds unto our Churches such as are in the way of salvation; and we are encouraged by the revealed will and purpose of God. He has permitted humanity to be separated into nations. The apostacy of the tower of Babel was the commencement of nationalities, and I suppose also of heathenism. The nations originated as idolatrous nations; but immediately alter Babel God chose Abraham, that in his seed all nations should be blessed with the knowledge and peace and love of God; and whatever view we may have of the great future, when the earth shall be full of the knowledge and righteousness of God, we are all of one mind and of one heart in this, that it is the work assigned by the Lord Jesus Christ to the Church to go and evangelise all nations, and to declare unto every creature the good news of the love of God. Clearly revealed is the purpose of God the Father, that from among all nations and kindreds a people is to be gathered by the messengers of the Gospel of peace. Emphatic and solemn is the command of our risen Lord, assigning to his disciples the honourable position of witnesses of himself unto the uttermost parts of the earth; as the promise of his presence is all-sufficient strength and encouragement to his followers. And when the Spirit constrains us, by the love of Christ, to consider the will of God and the legacy of our ascended Saviour, we know that in sending missionaries to the heathen we are in a good work, which God hath before-ordained that we should walk in it. (Hear, hear.) There can be no doubt that our alacrity, diligence, and zeal in the mission work is intimately connected with our spiritual condition. The more we realize that the Church is a heaven-born community; that Jesus is our exalted Lord and King; that it is he who said, " Occupy till I come;" the more will we feel that it is our duty and honour to promote the preaching of his Gospel wherever a door is opened unto us. The more we realize in our own souls and in our ministry that the Gospel is the power of God, and that in Jesus we have perfect peace with God, and a joy unspeakable and full of glory, the more hopefully will we look forward to the inbringing of many souls out of the night of ignorance and idolatry. (Applause.) And the more we have of the mind of Christ, who had compassion with the multitude, and wept over Jerusalem, and rejoiced over every sinner who was saved, the more will we love and pray, and continue patiently in this work of Christ. The petitions, "Hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come," are sincere and real in proportion as faith realizes the Father in Christ, and love lays hold of the little but world-wide "Our," and hope anticipates the heavenly influences of that Spirit which proceeds from the Throne and the Lamb. But although a revival of God's work will lay the foundation and prepare a willing people, special steps have to be taken to secure the deep and active interest of Christians in the work of missions. The ear of a spiritual Christian is ready to hear, but we must supply him with information. The heart of the Christian is ready to pray, but we must acquaint him with the trials and difficulties of the missionaries, and with the blessings and results of their labour. The hand of the Christian is ready to contribute, but we must point out to him the different wants and claims of our various enterprises. Even the most spiritual congregation requires to be furnished with missionary information. (Hear, hear.) And may it not be asked whether we ministers and office-bearers could not do more to keep the subject of missions and the history of our various stations more before the minds of our people? It is not sufficient to remember our missionaries and their work in our public prayers. The teaching of Scripture on the duty of the Church as a missionary society ought to be enforced from our pulpits. Many of us devote the Lord's-day on which the collection for missions is made to that topic, But I am inclined to think that more frequent reference, both to the Scripture teaching on this great point, as well as to the special history of our stations, is necessary; and what day can be better for such a purpose than the Lord's-day? (Applause.) The mission ought to be incorporated into our Church-thought and life; if I may so say, it ought to be in the very body and heart of the book, and not in the appendix, as it is in the very heart of the Let the Foreign Mission itself plead for the Jews. We send evangelists to China and India, and search the nations, and teach the nations who are without God and hope in the world, the truth as it is in Jesus. We bring to them Hebrew truths and Hebrew words. We speak to them of Jehovah, the only true God, and of Jesus, Messiah, the only Redeemer; we point them to Jernsalem, and to the Son of David, over whose Cross was written King of the Jews; we teach them to conclude their prayers y saying in Hebrew, "Amen, so let it be;" and even in the anticipation of the Heavenly glory, the triumphant exclamation of the believer is a word of Zion, Hallelujah! Unto the Gentiles we preach that salvation which is of the Jews. Let us not forget then the people who are at present in unbelief and blindness, but among whom there is even now a remnant, according to the election of grace, to be gathered ere the time comes when, seeing him, they as a nation shall exclaim, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Applause.) I feel I have not diverted your attention from the subject immediately before us. The great apostle of the Gentiles teaches us that love to Israel and recognition of their priority, and love to the Gentiles, fervent and self-denying, are intimately connected. For the time catholicity has for its centre, not Rome, but Jerusalem, which is the mother of us all. Lord's Prayer, and as every one who is baptized into the name of the Triune God is pledged unto the cause and work of missions by the very words in which Christ instituted baptisın, "Go ye into all the world." (Applause.) Sp ritual interest will manifest itself in liberal contributions. I am not descending now into a less elevated region. After the exhortation, "My beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," Paul continues, "Now concerning the collection." (Applause.) Christian liberality is a fruit of the Spirit, and our gifts no less than our prayers are presented by Christ and accepted by the Father, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. We look upon singing and prayer and the hearing of the Word as acts of devotion; but we ought to regard contributing to the cause of Christ an act of devotion likewise. It is to Christ we give. He in his just condescension needs our money. When he was an infant in Bethlehem, the wise men from the east brought gold-probably God sent the gold to supply the wants of the poor family, which the unexpected journey to Egypt must have occasioned. When Jesus went about teaching and doing good, he condescended to receive the gifts of the devoted women, who ministered unto him of their substance. And how beautiful was the love of Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, when he laid the body of Jesus into his own new tomb. It is the same condescension of Jesus now that says of our means, "I have need thereof." God is very merciful and very delicate, both in giving and in asking. He gives in such a quiet and unobtrusive way, that we often are not conscious of his (Loud applause.) bountiful hand. It is in order that thanksgiving may be more spontaneous and thoughtful. And he asks us to give to him of his own, even as a father knows the joy it affords an affectionate and grateful child to present him with a gift. Surely, when we THE Church will thank Mr. Donald give to the Lord, like David we feel that we Matheson for the valuable boon he has must praise him that we are able to offer so conferred upon her, in preparing so exwillingly, in the spirit of adoption and joy.cellent a manual of her mission to China. (Applause.) We have many generous Christians in our congregations; but all Christians ought to be generous. (Hear, hear.) Freely we have received, freely let us give. Last year, when I had the honour of speaking on this subject, I took the liberty of alluding to the Jewish Mission. I know that many members of our Churches take a deep interest in the evangelisation of the Jews, and I know from experience in my own congregation that there is a ready and liberal response to any appeal made on behalf of the mission to Israel. May I not express my earnest desire and hope that our Church will ere lang consider the propriety of having a Jewish Mission ? (Applause.) "The beam that shines from Sion hill The King who reigns in Salem's towers NARRATIVE OF THE MISSION TO He has supplied a want which has been ong felt and supplied it admirably. Hitherto, we have possessed nothing like a complete account of the origin and progress of the mission, while for information concerning the laws, usages, and notions of the Chinese, we have been dependent on the works of n iss onaries connected with other societies, many of which are large and expensive, and little known beyond a limited circle of readers. The consequence is, that our people, with some exceptions, are strangely ignorant of the circumstances of "Narrative of the M'ssion to China." By Donald Matheson, Esq. London: J. Nishet & Co. |