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his boat was pelted with stones, and much hostility was displayed as he passed through the town. Of that I was not aware till afterwards. I stayed behind to see what kind of feeling the doctor's visit had produced. That night a crowd far more numerous and noisy than before gathered at the time of evening worship. As the evening advanced, the crowd and tumult increased. After exhausting my resources

adder. At last, having got some materiał arguments hurled at my head, it seemed best to try to dismiss the audience. In order to do this it was my habit to retire up-stairs. On my withdrawing, yelling, shouting, &c., commenced. By-and-bye, crash after crash was heard; then all kinds of missiles were thrown against the upper story. The street in front of the house was filled with a dense and excited crowd. Lamp, table, chairs, forms, stair-ladder, &c., were all carried out of the chapel and smashed to pieces. Stones, boulders of lime, tiles, brickbats, were hurled against

place is far into the town, through which a small stream, navigable by boats, flows. Many inquiries were made as to what our boat contained. Our boatmen always replied, "Nang"- that is, "Men," without specifying more particularly. On arriving at the landing near the place rented, the nationality was soon discovered, but too late to gather a crowd or make any concerted resistance. On arriving at the station, the house was soon crammed by a to still them, I found them like the deaf surprised and not over-friendly crowd of young men. Along with the native brethren I commenced worship with reading and exposition of the Scriptures; the audience was rather restless, being more inclined for uproar than for gravely listening. At last they could not restrain themselves, and I had to stop and dismiss them, inviting them back next day, and without much trouble the business for that night ended. Next day, and for several days, we had large crowds of people of all sorts, the greater part of whom looked both surprised and irritated, as they had imagined they were secure from foreign invasion. The the windows up-stairs. Some cried out, evenings, however, were the seasons for tumultuous gatherings. Wild young fellows, freed from their work, and under cover of dark, could venture to manifest their hostility without fear of evil consequences. Some nights we had magnificent opportunities, the power of the Lord manifestly going forth quelling the tumult and aweing the crowds. Seldom a night passed without at the same time malicious attempts being made by throwing brickbats, dust, &c., so as, if possible, to injure and annoy. Some would come forward as champions for idolatry, ancestral worship, Chinese sages, and attempt to bring Christianity, of which they knew almost nothing, into disrepute through the vices of foreigners.

Night after night there was more preconcerted opposition, and the stones thrown were better aimed. After I had been there a week, and thinking that it might be wise to withdraw for a short time, arrangements had been made for my leaving. Dr. Gauld paid us a visit with his medicine-chest, and as far as I remember had a good opportunity for healing. He left the afternoon of the day that he arrived. On leaving,

"Cut off his head!" One of the Chinese (A-Bun) came over the roof of a shed and got to me, and proposed going to seek the mandarin's aid. This I at once urged him to do. Meanwhile I knew not what all this would come to. That passage, Psalm lxv. 7, "Who stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people," was often in my mind during the evening. One of the shutters of the window up-stairs was driven open by the missiles thrown, and I stood at the back of it holding it closed. I cannot say I felt alarmed, though solemnized. By-and-bye a shout was heard, the crowd began to skedaddle (to borrow a significant word from our cousins), the discharge of brickbats stopped, several policemen from the yamun came upon the crowd from both ends of the street, seized some rioters, and the rest, not knowing well how feeble a force had attacked them, took to their heels. One of our lads scrambled into the upper floor to learn how it was with me, and tell what had been done. A ladder was borrowed from our neighbours. I got down-stairs, and found the chapel cleaned of everything, one of the doors broken up,

resolute in the service of Satan may have their eyes opened, and be turned from darkness to light, from Satan to God.

DIFFICULTIES AND PROGRESS AT
TOA-SUA-T'HAU.

I have been here for nearly three months and a-half, detained through the hot summer chiefly on account of another station that has at last been opened at a village called Toa-Sua-T'hau. The struggle to secure a place rented there has been the most severe, and trying, and long-continued that we have had in Tie-chew. The business is not quite finished yet; but two native brethren, Khai-Lim and K'hengHwa, have at last been installed in peaceful occupancy for the last ten days. This village is very wealthy and powerful, being the terror of the whole neighbourhood. It consists chiefly of one clan of the surname, Tang or Tan. Its population amounts to some 8,000 or 9,000 souls. It is distant from Yam-tsau about six miles, on the way to Swatow. We have long been looking to it, as for several years a number of the women have been worshipping God, having been instructed from Yam-tsau chiefly by Hang-Sim. As, however, this letter is very long, I must defer writing further till another opportunity.

and the floor covered with all manner of kung, that those who have become so missiles. Next a small crowd gathered to see what had been done; some to sympathize, some to be chagrined, and some to look out for booty. The yamun people did their work well, and made four of the rioters prisoners. Some counselled me immediately to decamp; however, I told them that, though I had made previous arrangements for leaving next day, I now felt it my duty to stay, and purposed remaining till this business was thoroughly -settled. That night I enjoyed a sound, refreshing sleep, and felt exceedingly buoyant in spirits. Next day we resumed worship as usual, morning and evening. I was doubtful about the propriety of evening worship, but Kau Ti-loh, a worthy old man, one of our members, and now in our employ, urged that we should go on as usual. The storm was over; it had spent itself; and since then things have gone on smoothly. I stayed other ten days, till the mandarin had got our case disposed of, and a proclamation issued to warn all the inhabitants against unruly conduct towards us. During these days the opportunities for preaching were often remarkably good, morning and evening. I may mention that I felt great satisfaction at the Christian bravery of the two Chinese referred to. They stood out and did their part nobly. Since that time I have been in this quarter, but I have no doubt Mr. Mackenzie and Dr. Gauld have been supplying information as to work in that neighbourhood. I think it right to state these particulars that the Church at home may be stirred up to give thanks for God's great mercies to us. Truly, he is a refuge in distress. Am-pow is now open. Oh! let earnest and continued supplication be made for it and Ung

Meanwhile I again earnestly solicit your prayers for us and our work; pray that we may get Christian teachers, a blessing on the schools, native assistants in number and quality such as we need.

Since I came here two people—a man and woman from Chin-Chung-have been baptized.

With Christian love, yours ever,
G. SMITH.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS, AND THE CHURCH'S DUTY RESPECTING THEM.

BY THE REV. WILLIAM KEEDY.

THE spirit of Christianity is eminently from the surrounding heathen, and the diffusive and benevolent. Its aim and germs of that wide expansion by which it object is the conversion of the whole world. was one day to bless the nations. Distinct Limited as was the Church under the old as were the announcements of this truth economy to one nation, it contained provision for receiving within its pale converts

in the writings of Moses and the earlier sacred writers, they are much more so in

the writings of the later prophets. from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts."

"For world, and that which must ever be the Church's great charter and authority, binding her by the most solemn obligations to the sacred and benevolent duty of seeking to evangelize the world. Jesus had died upon the cross; he had finished the work of man's redemption on earth. He had made his soul an offering for sin, and brought in an everlasting righteousness for all who believed in his name. A mighty conqueror over death and him that had the power of death, he had burst the barriers of the tomb, and come forth the first-fruits of them that sleep.

With the dawn of Christianity appeared the further development of the benevolent spirit of the scheme of redemption. When in the stillness of night the plains of Bethlehem were lighted up with a heavenly glory, and the peaceful shepherds were startled by the angel of the Lord announcing to them the Saviour's birth, that announce ment was made in terms which sufficiently intimated the merciful and catholic dispensation which was then inaugurated. It was good tidings of great joy" for all people; and as again restoring man to the Divine favour, and resulting at once in the promotion of the Divine glory and the welfare of the human race, it proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

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Good will to men; to all men ultimately. The predictions of this are not more numerous and cheering than they are clear and distinct. And these are gradually and certainly being fulfilled in the providence of God. They depend for this on his will and pleasure; and being the eternal purpose of his mind, we have the highest of all security that they shall be fulfilled. "Heaven and earth may pass away, but not one jot or tittle of my word, till all be fulfilled."

Our Divine Lord's wonderful ministry of mercy and active benevolence was not unattended by many circumstances which significantly intimated the universal spirit and intentions of his religion. Perhaps the very first man whom he received into the Church, and whose faith he so commends to all time, was a Gentile and a soldier-the Roman centurion. There is not a more touching and beautiful incident in his whole ministry than that of his interviews with the poor Syro-Phenician woman, whose simple faith in his power and mercy he so greatly extolled. These and similar instances of his universal love were like the streaks of early dawn on the distant horizon of that gross darkness and ignorance which then covered the earth, and were designed to intimate the coming day when, taking mankind into the bosom of bis universal love, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing under his wings, and the knowledge of God shall fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.

But we hasten on to the explicit announcement of our Divine Redeemer's intention in connection with his cause in the

After spending forty days going in and out amongst his disciples, the day came when he must ascend to his Father and their Father. Then leading them out to the Mount of Olives, and ere he ascended into heaven, he gave the Church her great and grand commission on which her duty and obligation are founded to prosecute the work of missions so long as there is an unsaved soul in the world. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. xxviii. 19). Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark xvi. 15).

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The rapid spread of Christianity in the first century; its splendid conquests; the wonderful spirit of faith and love and selfsacrifice which its disciples manifested, have won the admiration of all subsequent times. It is impossible that it could be otherwise. For nothing wins our affections and commands our reverence so certainly as earnestness and thorough devotion in a good cause. And why should not that same devotion and zeal belong to us? Like us, the first Christians were men, having similar difficulties, passions, and infirmities.

Three things specially marked the life and action of the early Christians.

(1) They believed profoundly in the truth. The vigour and capacity of their faith were great. They had no doubts. Christianity was to them the only faith that could save the world-God's salvation for the world.

(2) They knew the value of the truth from a personal experience of its saving power. Hence they longed to communicate it and make it the possession of others, of all men. They spoke what they knew, and testified what they had seen.

(3) They were a wonderful people for prayer. Their fervent convic ions of the Divine intention in reference to the world's conversion-of the fulness, freeness, and certainty of the Divine promises-did not in the least prevent them from the frequent, continued, and earnest exercise of prayer. Here, was their conquest-be

lieving prayer. They prayed because they believed; and their faith was increased and strengthened by prayer.

Ah, we wonder at their great work of faith and labour of love. Continents yielded to them. Gigantic systems of superstition crumbled and fell before them. Satan's kingdom was shaken to its centre by the word which they preached. But need we wonder when we remember the faith and hope with which they laboured; the fervent, believing prayer with which they invoked the Divine blessing on their labours; the deep and abounding spirit of brotherly love which prevailed in the Christian community?

But, alas! this spirit of earnest laborious evangelical piety ceased in the Church. The spirit of the world crept in. Philosophy, falsely so called, corrupted the purity and simplicity of the faith. A brood of heresies appeared even in the days of the Apostles, and in spite of the numerous cautions which these servants of Christ addressed to many parts, soon flooded the Church, marred her beauty, and destroyed her usefulness.

During the first three centuries there was a gradual declension. Like evening shades gathering thicker and thicker, until the blackness of midnight drew on, so heresy and strife ever increased. Piety grew fainter and rarer. Priestly pride and assumption supplanted the simple, spiritual ministry of the New Testament, until the dark night of superstition and ignorance covered the Church and the world. The stillness of spiritual death was only broken by an occasional voice, all too feeble to assert the progress of degeneracy or to make any deep and lasting impression.

The fifth century gave the Church one of the greatest uninspired men she ever possessed; a man who for genius, learning, soundness in the faith, courage in proclaiming the truth, and missionary enterprise, has never to our own day been surpassed. We refer to the renowned Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. God blessed his labours, made his voice heard to the awakening of a slumbering Church, and stirred him up to send forth heralds of the Cross, full of missionary zeal, to proclaim to a perishing world, "Salvation by the Redeemer."

gratitude of mankind-are to be regarded more in the light of recovering that which was lost, and restoring it again to its place, than of diffusing the Gospel over the earth.

The seventeenth century was the great epoch of creeds, when the Churches of the Reformation set themselves to reconstruct their faiths. The Synod of Dort, the Westminster Assembly, the Savoy Conference, and other assemblies of that kind, readily occur to the mind, and the systematic writers of England, such as Flavel, Owen, Baxter, Howe, &c., exhibited the genius, the sanctified learning, and pure practical piety of England's greatest theologians.

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The eighteenth century was one of cold formality and avowed infidelity. The English Deists - the fathers of German rationalism-were hard at work. The French Cyclopædists-infidels-were busily employed diffusing their blasphemous doctrines over Europe. The pulpit was giving an uncertain sound; Arianism or Socinianism was in too many cases its avowed or concealed doctrine; and the pew was sealed in formality and the torpor of spiritual death.

It needed the shock of the French Revolution to awaken a sleeping Church from her slumbers. This time God was in the earthquake. The awful blasphemies which the Revolution produced; the daring impieties; the utter contempt of everything sacred and divine; the attacks on the Bible, the Sabbath, and on all the peculiar and essential institutions of Christianitythese, propagated by wonderful zeal and by numerous agents in all the countries of Europe, roused the Church of God, called forth champions for the truth, and, above all, produced a counter-action, a missionary zeal of an opposite character-that of sending forth the Bible and the missionary to the ends of the earth.

It was well the Church adopted this method of defence. This is her true attitude and glory. This is her great work, on the faithful prosecution of which depends her life, and vigour, and extension. Her weapons are not carnal, but spiritual and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strongholds. Ah, it were well if she remembered this more; if all gave to missionary enterprise a larger place in their hearts, in their prayers, and in their labours. God is our defence. It is ours to labour for him-the hands to work for him; the feet to run for him; the head to think for him; and the tongue, from the experience of a living, loving heart, to

Then came the glorious reformation from Popery, when the truth was rescued from the rubbish of anti-Christian error and superstition, and the authority of the Word of God was vindicated as the sufficient and only rule of faith. The time, however, for missionary evangelistic efforts had not yet come, and the labours of Luther, Zwingle, Cranmer, and Knox-speak for him. labours so great, so disinterested, and suc- It may be said, then, that the history of cessful, as to entitle them to the everlasting modern missions dates from the close of

the eighteenth century, and comprises a period of some sixty years. To our Baptist friends, it is generally conceded, belongs the honour of being first in the field. The immortal labours of Carey and Marshman lay all the Churches under the deepest obligations.

All the Churches followed in this great Gospel work. From this period dates our great missionary societies-the London Missionary Society, chiefly conducted by our Congregational brethren; the Wesleyan Society, supported by a Church that is conspicuous and honoured among Churches for missionary zeal and success; the Church Missionary Society, commanding the wealth and influence of the land; the missions of the Churches in Scotland, carried on with so much vigour and so manifest a blessing in India and elsewhere; and that of our English Presbyterian Church, chiefly confined to China.

Names of the highest Christian renown connect themselves with all these societies. In no department of human labour have talents so conspicuous, piety so pure and fervent, zeal so inextinguishable, labourers so abundant, self-sacrifice so disinterested, been employed. Carey and Marshman, Morrison and Henry Martyn, Williams and Duff, with a host of others, are names of which the human family may well be proud, and which a living Church will hold in perpetual gratitude and admiration. In all that was pure in life, philanthropic in action, noble in soul, these great missionaries of the Cross will bear favourable comparison with the greatest and best of the sons of men. Of them emphatically it can be said they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.

And what has been the success of modern missions? Have they been a failure? Quite the reverse. Indeed, considering how partial has been the effort, and how the Church is only waking up to a due sense of her great, imperative, and solemn duty, it may well amaze us that so much has been achieved, and that to our feeble efforts the Lord has deigned to grant so great a blessing. Look at the conquests that have been won, and the victories that have been wrested from Satan and his hosts. Gradually, but certainly, hoary systems of idolatry are being undermined. Gospel truth has found its way into many a once dark and ignorant community, and now cheers and blesses many a once benighted soul. India, China, Africa, Islands of South Sea, are all coming under the influence of Gospel truth and institutions. Their darkness is being dispelled; Satan's kingdom is being certainly destroyed; the kingdom of Christ established; and the knowledge of God filling the whole earth.

God promises it, and he will do it; in his own time, indeed, and in his own way; but he will do it. Nothing could be more explicit and full in reference to the future of Christ's cause than the numerous promises of the Word which assert its universality. The veracity of Jehovah is pledged for this. All events are silently conducing to it. Jesus must reign until all his enemies are put under his feet, and then the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of God and of his Christ.

DUTIES OF PROFESSING CHRISTIANS. I. To labour for the success of the Gospel as for that in which they have the utmost hope and confidence. What we truly and earnestly believe impels us to action; what we believe feebly exerts but little influence upon us. Surely if there be a cause in the world which should engage all our affections, and call forth our every energy and hope, it is this. The greatest glory of the Divine character is connected with this cause; the highest interests, the immortal welfare of the souls of men, is intimately dependent on the success of the Gospel. Ob, listen to the cry of anguish which comes from the stricken heart of humanity all over the heathen world. Surely pity for their ignorance, compassion for their perishing souls, desire to achieve their deliverance, should move us to put forth every effort to leave nothing undone whereby the work of the Lord may be completed, and the conquest of Satan become so signal that it may be said the dark places of the earth are become the habitations of light, and truth, and purity, and joy, and Jesus reigns in every home and every heart.

II. To pray for the success of the Gospel. (1) For a blessing on the Gospel ministry as the great means and instrument of converting the world. (2) For all missions, home and foreign; for Sabbathschools, which connect themselves so intimately with the Gospel ministry; for young men's societies, which are founded and conducted on Christian principles; and for societies for distributing tracts amongst the neglected and outside population of our land. These and every other agency of a similar character have a claim upon our prayers. In our closets, in our homes, in our churches, in our social prayer-meetings, on all suitable and fitting occasions, let us fervently supplicate the Divine blessing and energy for all these and similar agencies.

III. To give of our substance for the cause of Christ in the world. This is the great test of sincerity. Mere words go for nothing. We must give generously and

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