THE WEST CHINA MISSIONARY NEWS

Vol. XXXIX JUNE, 19.37 No. 6

LIST OF MISSIONARIES

On furlough Bishop and Mrs. flolden Mr. and Mrs. W . T. Jenkins Miss I.C.M . Parker Mr. S. W. Sherwood

About to return Rev. A. F. and Mrs. Lutley M ienchuh Rev. H. A. and Mrs. Maxwell Deaconess E. M. Stewart Miss A. E. Jones Miss H. G. Davis Dr. J. G. Billington Mienyang Rev. J. W . and Mrs. Duddington Miss M. Armfield Miss M. E. Goudge Miss Y C. Mannett Miss G. E. Belcher .Miss L. Whitworth

Tehyang Miss E. Fugl

Chong Cbiang Miss E. G. Elder

Hanchow Archdeacon and Mrs. Donnitborne

Sintu Drs. N. C. and J. Parfit (On language study) Chengtu Dr. J. H. and Mrs. Lechler Itev. F. A. and Mrs. Smalley Miss M. E. Streeter Dr. H. G. and Mrs. Anderson Miss B. Hensman Rev. D. N. Sargent.

Scattered through this number are extracts from a devotional service held at the last Conference at Mienyang, in January 1937. The service was led by Mrs. Gurney Barclay, wife of the Home Secretary for the Par East, who with her hushand was visiting West China at that time. 2

MISSION STRATEGY

J . H o l d e n .

To discuss even in the most superficial way the theme of Mission strategy and plans for the establishment of the Church is impossible without reminding ourselves of the Church’s raison d ’ etre, which is first, and foremost, the continuation and extension of the result of the Incarnation, as stated negatively by St. Peter, when he told the crowd in Solomon’ e Porch of the sending of Jesus, that they might be turned from their iniquities; or more positively by the Master Himself, that men might possess the life more abundant. W e need therefore to keep steadily before our minds as the purpose of all our plans and strategy the real integration of human per­ sonality and character —not only to repair the ravages of sin — but also to enable men and women to enter ever more fully into possession of the inheritance prepared for them by Him who “ has given us richly all things to enjoy” . Absorption in the actual work of the missionary, especially on its admin­ istrative side, is all too apt to cause forgetfulness of what may seem an obvious truth. Nor is it possible for us, whether in discussion or in prac­ tice, to deal with this subject, so to speak, in vacuo. The work of the Western China Mission is no independent venture or concern of a body of irresponsible individuals but an integral part of the activities of the Church Missionary Society, which was itself one of the chief fruits, in the Church of England, of the movement of the Spirit in the late eighteenth century known as the Evangelical Revival. Just as the Society itself has remained loyal to the great Christian truths, the recovery of which brought it into being, its agents with their Chinese colleagues in Szechwan will always emphasise the doctrines of grace, the supremacy of the Scriptures and the primary duty of individual and corporate witness, which have always characterised those who rejoice to be known as evangelicals. Furthermore plans cannot be formulated or implemented in forgetfulness of the fact that the work of the Mission is in the closest connection with the world-wide Anglican Com­ munion, that part of the Christian Church, which is at once Catholic and Reformed; and we shall seek to enter fully into our rich heritage in this respect and to conserve all its essen­ tial values, whilst gladly associating ourselves in practical fashion with the leaders of our church in the homeland, who have formally acknowledged the reality and efficacy of the MISSION STRATEGY ministries of the other Reformed Churches. And, to continue this phase of the subject, we shall seek to foster a corporate loyalty to that branch of the Anglican Communion known as the Chung Hwa Sheng Kung Hui, in one of the dioceses of which, that of Western Szechwan, the work of the Mission is wholly carried on. Through participation in the Triennial General Synod the bearing of a definite share of responsibility for its missionary district in Shensi, the faithful observance of its Canons and Constitution and in many other ways, we shall seek to secure for our people the rich benefits this na­ tion-wide fellowship affords, the reality of which may be illustrated by the transfer of the writer from another and distant diocese to Szechwan. The Missionary Society and the ecclesiastical body, of both of which we are an integral part, cannot be dismissed from the discussion without definitely stating the declared policy of the former and the hope and desire of the latter that there should be not merely the clospst cooperation between the Mission and the Diocese, the Western workers and the Chinese Church, but that they should function as an undivid­ ed whole. Both privileges and responsibilities must be shared and sacrifices be made in common to attain this ideal, which, it is gladly and readily acknowledged, is rapidly being attain­ ed, though not a little still remains to be done before some of our Chinese colleagues and fellow-believers realise fully all the implications of such a policy. Society and denominational loyalty will not cause us to be unmindful of the still wider affiliations we possess with the whole Christian Church in Szechwan and we shall seek to be in the future of greater service in the work of cooperation which so happily characterises the cause of Christ in this part, of China. In spite of financial difficulties, unfortunately all too common, we are seeking not only to maintain our present commitments in this respect., both of money and personnel, but, if possible, to increase them. We esteem it a privilege to share in the common endeavours in the, field of evangelism, medicine, training of Chinese leaders and higher education and shortly we hope to contribute more directly to the pro­ duction of Christian literature also, through the services of a missionary colleague. Elsewhere the general subject of Unity is dealt with; here it must suffice to say that, until the happy day arrives when our harmful and unnecessary divisions dis­ appear, it will be our sincere endeavour to prepare for it as far as is permitted by the fullest cooperation with our collea­ gues of other Churches and it may be that for ourselves, and for out Chinese fellow-christians a task certainly not the 4 MISSION STRATEGY easiest among many that are difficult, will be to prevent domestic self-sufficiency and an unrighteous satisfaction with things as they are in a divided Church. In recent years the essential responsibility of parenthood has been rightly emphasised and it is to be hoped that better and brighter children will be seen as a result. The necessity laid on those who bring into being spiritual children and churches is no less urgent to see to it that they are of such a character as not only to justify their existence but to be worthy in their turn to enlarge the Christian family. One feature therefore of our work, which is being given special attention and fostered is the responsibility of each individual Christian to undertake some definite form of Christian service, however humble and restricted, which will result in changed lives. Some daily act of witness, conduct of family worship it may be, membership of a voluntary evangelistic band, teaching a Sunday School class, helping in a school for illiterates etc.. all present potential fields of guided activity. And as for the individual Christian there should be specific responsibility, so also for the community W e are seeking therefore that, the normal growth into new centres should be as a result of -evangelistic effort on the part, of nearby congregations, who have made them their specific objectives. But as these new fellowships are formed they will demand leaders, for it. is obvious that, the stipendiary ministry, whether lay.or ordained, can never suffice to meet the demand made b y'th e success of such efforts. And so apart from the ‘ Bible Schools” , which have done such ex­ cellent work for many years in instructing neophytes in the faith, and which still continue, there is the successful ex­ periment of a lay leaders’ Training Class ably conducted by the Rev. H. A. Maxwell in 'Mienehuh, where not only is the opportunity given for suitable laymen to be fitted for strictly local leadership but where also the vocation to full-time service may be tested, before those with suitable educational qualifica­ tions are sent forward for fuller preparation. Not yet has there emerged any brother prepared to avail himself of the provision made in the recently promulgated Canon "O f Or­ dination in Special Cases” but it is our hope that, in this way the needs of a widely-scattered Christian community may in some degree be met by voluntary clergy. Although in a community which is almost unique in transcending nationalism— good or bad— as is the Christian Church, the Western missionary will probably always find a sphere of service, the fostering of Chinese leadership and the production of actual Chinese leaders must be regarded as the MISSION STRATEGY 6 main task of the Mission if not indeed the sole justification of its existence. As far as organisation therefore can assist in this, it is our aim so to organise the life of the Church that leaders may most, naturally emerge. In' Vestry, Parochial Church Council, Diocesan Committees and Synod, without distinction of race or sex, the fullest opportunity is afforded for the exercise of the true democracy, which is the natural training ground for leadership. And the concomitant, if not the pre-requisite of con­ trolling authority and leadership is responsibility, which will be shown largely in willingness for financial self-support. No problem therefore is more difficult of solution than this or more apt to give rise to ill-feeling and misunderstandings. It is not possible to deal with the details of our system. We are still at the stage of experiment. It will be enough to say that we are endeavouring to establish two leading principles, viz: that the proportion of self-support should be a sum agreed on after mutual consultation and that when once the responsibility is assumed, it should be actually borne. Much education needs still to be given patiently and perseveringly before our church enters fully into the joy of self-help and the consequent attainment of complete self-respect; but there is much to encourage and we may hope ultimately for success.

THESE LITTLE ONES.

“ Beware of despising one of these little ones, for I tell you that in Heaven their angels continually behold the face of my Father who is in Heaven.” “ Ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow, just as I had pity on you?. . . . From the heart, each one forgive his brother.” “ Taking a young child He set him in the midst, then threw His arms around him.” “ Taking the (little girl) by the hand, He said to her, ‘little lassie, wake up!’ Instantly the little girl rose to her feet, and began to walk.” “ One day came a leper covered with disease to Jesus, entreat­ ing Him. Moved with pity Jesus reached out His hand and touch­ ed him.” “ Peter climbed down from the boat, and walked upon the water to go to Jesus. B ut... .he grew frightened, and beginning to sink cried, ‘Master save me’. Instantly Jesus stretched out his hand and caught hold of him, saying, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt.’ So they climbed into the boat.” OH CHRIST, who didst lift Thy frightened one with a strong hand, and didst set him in a safe place, give us the grace to lift others out of fears into happy trust. «

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE C.M.S. WESTERN CHINA MISSION

V. H . D o n n i t h o r n e

The starting of the Western China Mission of the Church Missionary Society was the direct result of the revival move­ ments of the eighties, which culminated in the going out to China of the "Cambridge Seven1’ in 1885. Up to that time the C.M.S. in China had pursued a policy of concentrating on the regions adjacent to the centres which it had first occupied, viz: Hongkong, Foochow, Ningpo and Shanghai. Stirred by the accounts of the opportunities for the Gospel in the far west, where W. W . Cassels, one of the Seven” was commencing his historic missionary labours, the Rev. J. Heywood Horsburgh, a member of the C.M.S. Mid-China Mission, obtained permission from his society to visit Szechwan. Accordingly in the spring of 1888 he set. put for the west on a long tour of exploration, having as hia companions Arthur Polhill-Turner. (another of the ‘ ‘Seven” ) and Arthur Phelps of the C.l.M . A few months previous to this, Cassels had succeeded in renting a house in Paoning, and Horsburgh therefore com ­ menced his exploration of the province from that place. On his return to England on furlough in 1890 he set forth the needs and opportunities of that field with so much persuasiveness that'he obtained the Society’s approval to a new venture. As contemplated by Mr. Horsburgh, the new mission was to be organised on methods of extreme simplicity. It was to be carried on by purely evangelistic and itinerary work, and was not to be encumbered by any schools, hospi­ tals, or other institutional work. His ideal for the new mission is clearly seen in a few paragraphs of the appeal which he published during this furlough: ‘The Committee of the Church Missionary Society have sanctioned a scheme under which a little band of mission­ aries will, God willing, go to the province of Szechwan. This province alone has a population of probably thirty-five millions, and has an area more than three times the size of England. The little handful of missionaries (chiefly China Inland Mission) who are working so faithfully there have long been praying that God will send others into the vast needy districts of that province, which they are quite unable to touch. Szechwan is a very healthy province, and the BEGINNINGS OP THE C.M.S. WESTERN CHINA MISSION 7 people are, of course, quite as intelligent and civilized as they ■are near the coast. We hope to work on simple native lines, as do the China hi land Mission. W e shall have no foreign buildings, nor big institutions of any kind, but live in native houses, wear the native dress, conform as far as may be to native •customs, and «at (those who wil-1) t-he wholesome native food. W e shall be 'emphatically an evangelistic and itinerant ■mission.’ ’ Concerning this appeal the Church Missionary Society’s ■official organ has the following comment: ‘ ‘ It will be seen at ■once that Mr. Llorsbtrrgh’s plan is for a purely evangelistic and itinerant mission, entirely on simple native lines” . In so far as this plan has been proved to be-a good one, let ns not for a moment forget that the example fans been nobly set by the 'China Inland Mission; and let us humbly thank ’God for teaching us lessons through another Society. Perhaps we of the Clrurch Missionary Society have been too ready to ■worship -our own drag and net, and imagine ourselves perfect. At the same time Mr. Horsbnrgh's methods are not 'entirely those of the China Inland Mission. He is, in fact, far more revolutionary. He will employ no’ native agents; the 'China Inland Mission, like all other Missions, does ■employ them. He will have ‘ 110 foreign buildings nor big institutions” "; the China Inland Mission has one of the finest bouses in the Foreign settlement at Shanghai (as it deserves to have and, indeed, is obliged to h a w ) , 'and its English School at Chef00 is in every sense a great institution. He •says that two missionaries may, ’‘in ordinary circum­ stances’” , live on £oO -ayear, the China Inland Mission does not say so and its most devoted members find that with all ■economy they need more. Now the Church Missionary Society Committee have felt that God was calling them to -give Mr. Horsburgh full liberty to try his own plans, in his own way, and with helpers of the same mind. But they are not going to call on other brethren to work on the same Tines.” Accordingly -a band of volunteers, recruited to form a new mission on these revolutionary lines, set forth in the following year., 1891. The party of fifteen which composed this pioneer ex­ pedition was composed of the following members: The Rev, J. H. and Mrs. Horsburgh, with two children ; the Rev. 8 BEGINNINGS OF THE C.M.S. WESTEEN CHINA MISSION

Oliver M. Jackson; three laymen, Messrs. Phillips, Calluni, and Yardon; five single women, Misses Wells, Entwistle, Oarnett., Merten, and Lloyd; and three other laymen who came out at first as independents but were afterwards taken on to the C.M.S. staff, Messrs. Hickman, Knipe, and Beach, in the following year four other ladies left England to join the party; these were Misses Caswell, Snell, and Kelly. Of the original fifteen, twelve were still'in the field after twenty-four years. When the party eventually reached Sze­ chwan in the Spring of 1892 they found that their chosen field was anything but an easy one. For the next two years no member of the party was able to find, in any of the cities of this district, any landlord willing to risk the displeasure of the officials by renting a house to a foreigner. These pioneers of the Kingdom (of whom the world was not worthy), if they did not have to “ wander in dens and caves of the earth,’ 7 at least were compelled to pass their days in unsavoury native inns, 1o which the aforesaid eaves would have been esteemed luxury. Miss Wells, for instance, who has the honour with Miss Entwistle of being the first to obtain permanent residence in Mienyang, had first to endure the hardship of living for months in a native inn in the suburbs of the city. Their letters of this period show that the attitude of the ordinary people was everywhere friendly, but that nothing could be done against the opposition of the officials. When such experiences became too exhausting to be endured without some alleviation they were indebted to the hospitality of the C.l.M . in some of the few stations which that Mission had already succeeded in establishing in the northern part of the province. We thus find several of the- C.M.S. pioneering party making their temporary head­ quarters in Kwanhsien, and itinerating from that eentre. They were assiduous field-preachers and book-sellers. Even before 1894 we find that they had covered the district with their witness-bearing. W e find them, for instance, in Mien­ yang, in Anhsien, in Chongpa, in Sbib-ehwan, in Mowchowr even in far Songpan. Truly in those days they were great itinerants, always on the road, always giving out their mes­ sage, setting little store on the small comforts which ordin­ arily weigh so much with us. The wonder year, long remembered ns “ the year of openings” for the Mission was the year 1894. At the end of 1893 the band of missionaries was still homeless, still compelled to perpetual wanderings. Even at that date they were still reckoned by the home committee as belonging to BEGINNINGS OF THE C.M.S. WESTEEN CHINA MISSION 9 the Mid-Chinn Mission. In trying to establish a footing in city after city they had met with nothing but defeat. At lapt G od’s time came. The year 1894 dawned. “ The year 1894 opened, and the outlook was not any brighter. Still no C.M.S. station, no settled work any­ where! There was niy text, however, and God, of whom the word spoke, to count upon. Now listen! By January 26th, 1894, a house was obtained and taken possession of at Chong-Pa, which has been retained ever since. Siv-Tu followed a few weeks later. Mien-Chuh at the end of May; Mien-Chow at the beginning of June; and then, in ful­ filment, as it were, of the first text, Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness, God gave ns footing in another walled city,— A n -ffxitn , in the middle of December! At the beginning of the year not much as a lodging we could call our own anywhere in the whole district. At the close five walled towns ;ill opened, and missionaries living and at work in each one of them.” (Letter from Rev. J. H . Horsburgh, dated 1 Kwan- Hsien, Jan. 1894) In Jan. 1895, also, Mr. Hickman, who. on account of' his wife’s health had been obliged to leave the plain and seek a place in the hills, was able to rent a house at Shih-Chuan. The year 1894 is also remarkable as seeing the first con­ version. 'One dear wom an,” writes Mr. Horsburgh in the same letter, 'Lin Ta-niang of Miencheo, seems to be bright­ ly converted.” Miss Wells, writing from Miencheo on Nov. 2'7th, 1894, also speaks of the conversion of the same woman : ' But what we most of all praise God for is (we believe) the conversion of one woman. She was sent to us four months ago, in answer to prayer, and seems to be one like Lydia, whose 'heart the Lord opened’ ’ . She received the Gospel at once. “ All my life,” she says, 1 have sought- for the way to Heaven, and now, at last. I have found it.” It is early days yet, but there is every evidence in her life of a real change of heart.’ ' This woman was indeed, as events proved, brightly con­ verted. and remained a faithful witnessing believer all her life, leaving all her children Christians when she died. Of her two grandsons, one. Lin Tsen-I. was for many years a preacher, and when he died two years ago was the evangelist in charge of Feng-Ku-Tsin in the parish of Miencheo. The other grandson is the Rev. Lin Tsen- chih, now pastor in charge of Mienchuh. The rest of the story is one of gradual development from these beginnings. The ideal which Mr. Horsburgh had set 10 BEGINNINGS OP THE C.M.S. WESTERN CHINA MISSION before himself, of extreme simplicity in every part of the work, and a program of itinerating and evangelising by wide­ spread preaching of the word, to the exclusion of all forms of institutional work, was strictly adhered to for a time. But, gradually it was found necessary to widen the methods used. There were now children of Christians to be considered. It seemed impossible to leave them with 110 instruction at all; little better to compel them, if they wished instruction, to seek it in the inefficient and reactionary native schools, in which the curriculum consisted entirely of memory repetition of the classics. All through the ‘ nineties of last century, also, the attitude of the people of the province was hardening against the missionaries and the Christians. Fierce organ­ ised anti-Christian movements, like that headed by Yii Man- tse, began to sweep through the province. The position of the child of Christian parents in a non-Christian school was an unenviable one. The Mission found itself compelled by circumstances to start and develope its schools at Mienyang and elsewhere. Wherever they went in their itineration, the missionaries found themselves faced with a mass of disease and suffering unparalleled elsewhere; and some of them had knowledge and skill by which to relieve it. What could Christian men and women do in such circumstances but to make use of such medicines as they understood, and to open up small dispensaries to which such sufferers could come? In 1896 Dr. Squibbs arrived in the field and settled himself in Mienchuh, in the midst of a very thickly popula­ ted district, teeming with market towns and villages; and there he built a small hospital and commenced the first offi­ cial medical work of the Mission in West China. For many years, however (if the truth must be told) , the ideal of “ simplicity” , and the official discouragement of” “ institutional work” were an incubus under which the effec­ tive growth of the work was impeded, as compared with the C.M.S. missions in other parts of China, where from the first the essential institutions for healing and for training were emphasised and developed. In consequence, even to this day, the Western China Mission suffers from a lack of ade­ quate training institutions. V. H. D.

PULL OP GRACE AND TRUTH. Let us pray that those of quick understanding may be quick to sympathise with those of slower mind. Let us confess that we have often sinned through dulness of heart and lack of love. 11

REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS IN C.M.S. WEST CHINA MISSION,

G. E. W ells.

Reminiscencescrowd in upon each other. What can be «¡lid in a short article] I must begin with a -word about the Rev. J. H. Horsburgh, through whom the mission was begun. After his trip ’tip the Yangtze in ]S88 lie went home and •conducted a single-handed campaign 011 behalf of Szechwan. He issued a remarkable booklet “ DO NOT SA Y ’ ’ or "“ The Church’s Excuses for Neglecting the Heathen’’ , which was .not only read in Great Britain but translated into Continental •languages and widely distributed throughout the Dominions. Probably the -number of missionaries who heard the call during 1890 through Mr. Horsburgh -exceeded that of any •other 3 ear before or since. Under the auspices of the C.M.'S. Mr. Horsburgh got together a band -of worker? for Szechwan, to work on simple lines with no institutions and 110 Chinese workers paid with foreign money. Miss Entwistle and I were the first two to fbe acoepted. We were sent o ff-011 Jan. 9th 1891 to stay in Hangchow for language study until Mr. Horsburgh returned to China and could take as up river. In December of that jea r he arrived with his family and eleven other workers. W e two joi-ned them in Shanghai and all started up river, but two Europeans had just been killed by the mob in Wu-sfieh, and the consuls were opposed to young women •going into the interior. Passports were refused to us and we were held up in Chinkiang. The men went 0 11, and stayed in various C.I.M . stations. After three months we went by steamer to Hankow and from there toChungldngby native junk, which took: six weeks. Thi>ee C.I.M. recruits were with us and Miss Ida Roberts, afterwards Mrs. Cecil Smith, took charge of the party. Never .another trip lilt« that -one! Plenty of time then to enjoy the magnificent scenery, not as now rushed through by steamer or aeroplane. W e took long walks by the riverside and on Sundays when the boat stopped spent most of the day ashore. There was no on-e to say us nay and w-e did as we liked! The boat had the usual hair-breadth escapes but the rapids were ■declared to be not so dangerous as we anticipated. Needless to say we reversed that verdict in later days! The last stage of the journey - Chungking to Chengtu, was made, by chair overland and took ten days. Chair-travelling was more 'comfortable and generally speaking inns were better than in these days. 12 EARLY DATS IN C.M.S. WEST CHINA MISSION

The C.I.M . missionaries showed us unbounded kindness. Mr. Cassells - afterwards Bishop - arranged for the Horsburgbs and others to stay at S-in-tien-tzi for language study and Dr. Parry bad a courtyard rented for the ladies in Obengtii. It was quite impossible to get houses in the C.M.S. hhworked area, so we itinerated and stayed in irms for longer or shorter periods according to the reception we met with from the people. We started work by selling gospels and as vocabu­ laries increased we found ourselves more at home with the- people. The men went throughout the district as far as Longan, Songpan and Maoehow. As other recruits joined us, premises were found too small and a large courtyard was rented in Kuanhsien as temporary headquarters. When we had won the confidence of a few Chinese friends we tried to get bouses. What a problem! The people were superstitious and afraid. If we walked by the river it was to see golden lotus blooms deep in the water. If we climbed a hill it was to find the treasures hidden in the earth. It was well-known that foreign devils had evil eyes and could' see three feet into the ground and that they spirited children- away in order to extract eyes and hearts for medicinal purposes. W ho then would let a house to such folks? The literati did not want us for other reasons - they utterly despised the foreign barbarians. Most of the landlords willing to let were opium1 smokers who would do anything to gain a few lumps of silver, but they had relatives— particularly the ubiquitous uneles who always turned up as the transaction was nearly through and vetoed the whole thing. Often it was no use to try »gain in that place until the incident was forgotten. However, in> 1894 small premises were acquired in five cities, namely Sintu, Chongpa, Mienchow, Mienebu and Anhsien. Miss Garnet with a C.I.M. lady of some experience tried hard for T ’ongchwnn. After living in part of an inn for about three months they were turned out through a students’ demon­ stration. These youngsters so scared the landlord that on his knees he besought the ladies to leave. Miss Entwistle and I itinerated on the load between Mienchow and Sin-tien-tzi (near Paoning) during the spring of 1894. Then Miss Entwistle stayed in an inn at Mienchow whilst I went further afield. When I returned I found her keeping Sunday on a Saturday. She told me there had been a movement afoot to turn her out of the eity. The official sent along bis secretary who after seeing her, gave his verdict with great scorn— Only a woman! What can S h e do? Let her be.” In the June of that year, the landlord allowed us to occupy a few rooms for our own use. The shop. EARLY DAYS IN C.M.S. W EST CHINA MISSION 13 wns our Gnest-hall, the room behind it our living-room, a parage served as a kitchen and we slept in the loft. All light came from glass tiles and ventilation from holes in the roof. Our laundn— we wore Chinese clothes— hung in the sitting-room or on the street verandah and when we had a woman servant she slept on a bamboo couch in the sitting- room. Missionary friends called it the ‘ ‘Sardine .Box” . It was cleaned and whitewashed— a great improvement on our former lodging! In this place we had relays of women and children all day long, with men standing on the outside edge. When the strain became too great we took the after­ noons off for long walks into the country, but there too, the crowds would follow us out and come to meet us when we returned. Before long there were some genuine enquirers. Then God in His goqdness sent along our first helpei— a member of the Wesleyan Church at Wuchang. This man, whose name was Chang, was a scholar of the old School and a gentleman of notable personality. He had led the M an­ darin whose secretary he was, to some belief in Christ. The Mandarin paid for Hi bles, hynmbooks and drugs, so that Chang could act as his chaplain and carry on a dispensary. Our hopes were raised, but alas, the Mandarin’s relatives were too strong for him and before long he went back to all his old habits. Mr. Chang led our services for some months but we were not then allowed to employ paid workers, so he went to Chengtu as agent of the Bible Societies. lie bad a fascinating stall decorated with flags and pennons, texts, slogans, and by his original methods called forth much interest in the Gospel. He died in the employ of the American Kpi-copal Mission at lehang. A few remarks as to the personnel of the early mission­ aries. Miss Entwistle was a factory girl, but a remarkable one. Before she left home she had been accustomed to pray for China on Fridays far into the night, and all along the spirit of prayer stood out as the dominant feature of her life. She had faith to believe that God, having called her to the work, would give her the language in spite of educa­ tional limitations. She won the love and confidence of all with whom she came in contact. After only six years’ service she contraeted smallpox and died. Mr. Horsburgh wrote of her "O nly a simple girl, and yet what a loving, brave and powerful missionary” . Mi ss Lloyd after her first, furlough helped to nurse Boxer Kefimees in Hankow and Shanghai, and then got ill herself and died in 1900. Miss Acheson died early but in her short two years did a great work amongst boys and girls, for whom she had a great attraction. 14 EARLY DAYS IN C.M.S. WEST CHINA MISSION

Miss Mary Casswell who came out with her sister when she returned from furlough, died just a month after ¿ier arrival in Mienchow. Miss Digby and Miss Knight opened up work in the country at a place near Tsen-tao-ch’ang, into which village they moved after a mid-night visit from a hand of robbers. At Tsen-tao-ch’nng they soon had a promising work going, including day-schools for boys and girla. Among our first Chinese converts were the Iiev. Wu K ’eh-chang, whose children are well-known to us all, and his sister Mrs. Lin. The latter was an untiring worker and won many others. Her eldest grandson became a keen evangelist and the youngest is now one of our most promising young clergy. Keo Heng-en was sent by Bishop Cassells from Paoning to help with the m en’s work. He and Wu K ’eh-chang were two of the first Chinese in the district to be ordained. A word must be said for the faithful domestic servants of those days. They smoothed the way to friend­ ship with the people and stood by us magnificently in times of stress. One of them afterwards became an evangelist, another a much-loved Biblewoman. Her children are Mrs. Ch’en of Suilin and Mr. Wu Yuin-kwang of Mieuchuh. Six people were baptised in Mienchow in 1896. One of them became an evangelist, and the others were all valued helpers. One was a leading Buddhist. He bought a New Testament and with a number of his followers began to study the Bible. To his grief only a few followed on. He said, ‘ i led you astray because 1 knew no better: I give you the Truth and you reject it !” He was wonderfully used of God until he died. Two of his daughters and a grandson are now helping the Church forward. Another of those early converts became the Matron of the Girls’ Boarding School, which was started in 1908 with eighteen pupils. Her granddaughters, Pearl Chiang and her sisters, are well-known. ■Sweet Ruth Wan, one of the first to go through the Girls’ School and become a teacher, gave her heart to God during Mr. Lutley’s mission; and from then until her death exerted a wonderful influence with other young people. There were many others, but this paper is already too long. Methods of work changed as time went on. Da}7 schools were opened on our return from evacuation after the Boxer troubles in 1900. As yet there were no trained evangelistic workers so in 1908 a Bible School for Women was commenced and has continued ever since. As I look back oil the years through all the ups and downs and think of what was and what is, J see there is great cause to praise God for what ha* been done for the spread of His Kingdom in Western China, IB

A LIVING ORGANISM.

I I . A . M a x w e l l .

A group of men ami women have heard that they may enter into a richer kind of life if thejT know Jesus Christ. They are anxious to put this statement, to the test and come regularly to evangelistic meetings. Special classes are arranged for them, and after several months of instruction by, and contacts with, those who have this life, they are accepted by a pastor as Learners in the Church. The service is an impressive one. Promises are made that God alone will be worshipped, sin will be rejected, and that faith in Jesus Christ wili be established. It is an important step for them to take, and qualifies them for preparation for baptism. T w o books published by the Canadian Press, and are used in this preparation. Mindful of the fact that so many Learners'’ are inclined to look upon Christianity merely as a good, new, doctrine, due emphasis is laid upon the fact that Christianity is essentially a new life from God mediated through Christ, and every encourage­ ment is given to the learner to introduce this Christ to others. When there is sufficient evidence that this newness of life lias been received and is being related to every-day life, the candidates are then solemnly received into Church member­ ship by the rite of Baptism. The form of service is a transla­ tion of the Anglican form, t»o needs no description here. What does concern us iiowever is the status of the baptized members. Not only may they be prepared for Confirmation, which will doubtless take place when the Bishop of th^ Diocese next visits that centre, and which admits the Con­ firmee to Holy Communion Services afterwards, but they are also entitled to a vote in the Vestry Meeting, Let us look at this Meeting for a moment. There is an annual Vestry Meeting at which all Church members have the right to vote. The latter may number nearly two hundred in a city Church, or only a dozen in an isolated group of farmsteads. Wherever the Holy Com­ munion is regularly administered, there a Vestry Meeting may be held. This annual Vestry Meeting elects two Church­ wardens and a suitable number of sidesmen to act as m em ­ bers of the local vestry which meets once a quarter. Among other items the functions of the latter are; — (■a). ‘ 'To assist the pastor in fostering the spiritual life and evangelistic zeal of the congregation” . (b). “ Toelectannuallv delegates to Synod and quarterly 16 A LIVING ORGANISM delegates to the Parochial Church Counci], and to provide the expenses of such delegates” . ■ The pastor may have five other rural churches in his parish that need regular visitation and is dependent therefore on voluntary workers to leiid these services when lie himself is unable to be present. He is anxious also that these com ­ paratively small groups of Christians should constantly be reminded of the benefits they receive from, and the contribu­ tion they have to make to, the Church at large. Once a quarter therefore, delegates who have been elected at the annual Vestry Meeting, are expected to be present at the Parochial Çhurch Meetivg. . A glimpse at such a Meeting in sessio-n is of considerable interest, for it helps one to gain a rapid and fairly accurate insight into the state of the Churches represented. The pastor, whether Chinese or foreigner, is in the chair. From every congregation there is at least one representative other than the paid worker. If there are over twenty baptized Christians in the congregation two representatives may be sent; if more than fifty, three. Mienehu with its five rural churches therefore, will have a Parochial Church Council of about twenty members. Let us look at a few of the typical items on the Agenda; — («). Reports. (From local organizations and rural Churches). [b). Accounts. (Under this heading the local treasurer and tlie various delegates will report on any expenditures that have been incurred in respect of repairs, lighting etc., and the sums of money collected each Sunday, and once a month under The Envelope Scheme’ toward the self­ support fund which has been assessed by the previous Synod.) (e). New Year Evangelism. (d). Recommendations to Standing Committee of Synod regarding appointment of workers. The above reference to Synod leads one in natural sequence of thought to this most important of all Diocesan gatherings. As more than one article has appeared in the W . China News describing this annual meeting, all that is needed here is a glance at its constitution, functions, and mode of procedure. First of all, three days are set aside for the various Committees and Boards of Synod to discuss the business matter on their agenda, and make suitable recom­ mendations to Synod. There is; — (1). The Standing ( Executive) Committee, with fifteen A LIVING ORGANISM 17

111 embers representative of almost every type of Church activity, and that deals with such questions as the location of workers (foreigners included) , ordinations and salaries. (2). The Board of Missions, with twelve members whose responsibility is to foster the missionary spirit and work of the Church in the Diocese and to arouse interest in, and call forth financial and prayer support for, the missionary Church of the Sheng Kong iluei in Shansi. (3). The Finance Committee has nine members and its work is to administer the entire income of the Synod; make proposals regarding assessments and plans whereby they are to be met'; and prepare a budget for presentation to the Synod and the Missionary Society. (4). The Medical Board of Synod, with twelve or thirteen members, five of whom are non-medical, and having as its functions among other things;— The nomination to the Synod of suitable persons for appointment to the medical work of the Church, including evangelistic workers; the regulation of salaries; the allocation of the annual grant, from the Mission; and the making of recommendations regarding the development of the medical work of the Synod area. (o ). The, Education Committee, consisting of nine mem­ bers who have executive authority, subject to the approval of Synod, in all educational matters in the Diocese; to inspect the schools of the Church and to report to the Synod; and to make all possible provision for and to award bursaries to suitable candidates, and to determine the conditions under which these shall he held. (6 ). Religious Education Committee with nine members whose duties are to recommend suitable courses of religious instructions in the schools of the Church ; promote effective Sunday School work, Night Schools, the formation of Scouts and Guides, practical measures for the Christianization of the home; and to encourage and plan for the holding of periodical Bible Schools. After the spending of a Quiet Day on a Sunday, Synod formally opened the next day by addresses from Bishop Holden and Bishop Song, and then the recommendations, submitted by the above Committees are carefully considered. As is to be expected, most of the recommendations are accepted, hut it sometimes happens that even in major issues, Synod will express a contrary opinion. This has a salutary effect on the various Committees, and enables them at all times to think in terms of the needs and wishes of Synod, and not merely of any small group. After all the recommen­ dations have been dealt with in this way, and Synod itself 18 A LIVING ORGANISM has passed supplementary resolutions, it is then left to the various Committees to see that all the minutes are put into effect. The above Constitution of the Synod of the Diocese of West Szechwan was only established in-January 1936. If one may judge by the results of a year’s working, then it is safe to say that the Constitution is a sound foundation for the building up of a strong representative Church. And since the division of the Diocese later in 1936, and the formation of separate Synods in East and West Szechwan, it ought to bo easier to meet the needs, and implement the resolutions of, each body. ’ W e have now traced the process of admission to Church membership of a few men and women, and of the various groups and committees that they may in course of time rep­ resent, starting with the local Vestry and going on to Synod. It now remains for us to add that each Diocese is at liberty to send four of its clergy and four laity (men or wom en), as delegates to the General Synod which is held in some central place near the Coast every three years. Here Canons are enacted for the government and discipline of the Chung Hua ShengKong Hui, and matters are determined concerning the general welfare of the same. Perhaps in the not very distant future there will be some form of General Synod or Assembly that will represent all the Protestant Churches in China, and to which some of the people whom we mentioned at the beginning of this article, will find an entrance. We hope so.

WORSHIP.

Help us to how the knees of our heart, mind and soul. We kneel before Thee and none other, to join with all Thy saints in adoration of Thee: everlasting Father, wondrous Creator, Lord of life and light. We worship Thee and thank Thee for all things great and small; great mountains and plains tiny flowers and creatures towering clouds and little birds. We worship and give thanks for God’s creative work in the hearts and minds of men through all the ages for saints and sages for the lives of men and women and children known and loved by us. 19

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

J. D u d d i n g t o n A visitor who happened to be staying over Sunday at a C. M. S. compound asked the hostess if she was in charge of Children’s work. The question was inspired by the sight of u hundred or so children with a dozen youthful teachers gathered together in Sunday School groups in the compound. The reply was that voluntary church workers were chiefly responsible for the school. As a matter of fact the promotion •of effective Sunday School work in the Church is one of the functions of the Religious Education Committee elected annually at the Church Synod. Of course Sunday Schools have always started up in stations ‘occupied” b}7 missionar­ ies, but through the present machinery they become indige­ nous and church-centric, with more chance of permanence, ■co-ordination and efficiency. During the first year after the setting up of the R.E.C. the Sunday school work of the diocese increased 100 per cent. The committee was able to hold an ■eight days’ training class for Sunday School teachers, after which seventeen men and women went back to their schools with a new idea of the value, and increased understanding of the methods of their work. Other forms of lay leadership training also come under the direction of the R.E.C. for which a special grant is made by the Synod. The total budget for this year is $450, of which $.r>0 is contributed to the R.E.C. of the General Synod of the C.H.S.Iv.H. Other functions of this committee are to promote the teaching of illiterates, the formation of troups of Scouts and Guides, the formation of Christian Endeavour groups, and to recommend other forms of activity for Christian social welfare. Through the financial aid which the committee is able to give, Sunday Schools are supplied with adequate teaching materials, several flourishing night schools are being carried on, periodical short term Bible schools are held, and pastors and church workers arc supplied with Home Week literature, tracts on Public Health, etc. One pastor for instance has been sent open-air games material for his youth group, which meets weekly at the church. The funds at the disposal of the R. E.C. are made available from the self-support offerings of the diocese; any help given from the funds is supplemented by the local churches concerned. Some time ago the ' ‘ China Bookman” printed an article with the slogan “ Everv Christian a literature distributor.” It was with this in mind that literature was ordered from 20 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

both the C.L.S. and the R .T.S. for sale at the Annual meet­ ing of the Synod.,, We hope to do the same on it larger scale next year, and to warn delegates in advance to come prepared with money! Believing that a strong church must be a Bible reading church the R.E.C. has made itself responsible for translating and distributing, with the help of the Canadian Mission Press, the well known notes of the Bible Reading Fellowship. Finally the Committee is responsible for drawing up a definite syllabus of instruction for candidates for baptism and confirm­ ation, and for recommending suitable courses for religious instruction in the schools of the Church.

A P R A Y E R . 0 Thou who dost bind Thy Church together in the perfection and fulness of Thy grace and truth, give to those of us who fol­ low truth an increase of grace; and to those to whom gracious.- ness comes easy, give, O Lord, an increase of truth.

WOMEN IN THE CHURCH.

E. L. St e w a r t .

From the foundation of the Christian Church, the life- of that Church has been enriched by the service of women. It is quite clear from the Gospels that there were many women among the followers of our Lord, and when we come to the Chinch of the Apostles we find that women are prominent in its life. In the West the last half-century has shown a consider­ able advance in the ability of the Church to use and develop the gifts that women have to offer. In England such societies as the Salvation Army and the Church Army have done much to demonstrate the value of the contribution that women can make to the advancement of the Kingdom of God. In the Anglican communion women take a share in the administration of Church affairs on Parochial Church Councils, Rnridecanal Conferences, Diocesan Conferences and the central governing body of the Church known as the Church Assembly. Many women either as laywoikers or deaconesses are engaged in full time parochial ■ work or as specialists in certain departments. Some are Sunday School' experts and are employed by dioceses as Sunday School Visitors. Others, such as Church Army Sisters, specialize in evangelism. In order that the standard of women's work WOMEN IN THE CHURCH 21 may be high, eacli candidate is required to pass an examina­ tion in theology which may be in any one of four grades, and she must also qualify in at least one branch of practical work. In addition to lay workers there are now about 500 English deaconesses. In Germany the number runs into many thousands; some of whom are engaged in parochial activities, some are teaching; and out of the 90,000 qualified nurses in that country today, 52.0C0 are evangelical deaconesses who have been set apart to a life-long service. The emancipation which has given to Western women so wide afield of opportunity has now spread to their sisters in the East. Women missionaries have to a large extent led the way. In the West China Mission of the C.M.S. there is no separate Board of W om en's Work, but men and women are members of the same conference with equal voting powers, and all are eligible for election to Committees. From the beginning of the Chung Hua Sheng Kung Hui, Chinese women have taken their part in its life and activity, being equally eligible with men for election to the General Synod and all Diocesan Synods. The W om en's Missionary Service League, mentioned in another article, is an outstanding example of the way in which Chinese women have risen to their responsibility. Equality of educational privileges for men and women has brought with it a need for full time Chinese women workers of good education and training. Men seem keen that women should work with them on an equal footing. There is no suggestion of a woman’ s work being the same as a m an’s. Each has a particular sphere and a distinctive contribution to make, but each should have equal opportunity for service and equal recognition from the Church that sends them forth in the name of Christ. Besides the routine work of a parish, there is scope for workers as Sunday School experts. Many Churches would be greatly helped by a visit of two or three weeks’ duration from a specialist in Sunday School work, who could give demonstration classes and hold a short school for the train­ ing of teachers. Trained Mothers’ Union Secretaries (prefer­ ably married women) who could make similar occasional visits and give instruction on Christian marriage and mother­ hood, would supply a keenly felt need. Perhaps it could be part of the duty of the latter to keep the Clergy supplied with up-to-date lists of eligible young people, so that much of the present difficulty of arranging Christian marriages might be avoided. Some training in Hygiene and Child Welfare might be part of such a worker’s equipment. 22 WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

The great difficulties seem to be (1) the paucity oF educated women who are willing and free to spend their time in such work and (2) the question of finance. ' Perhaps the first need might be met by systematic -edu­ cation in all Christian institutions, and the persistent holding up of such work as an ideal of Christian service. Each Church might be helped to realise its own need and that of the whole Church. Deliberate evangelistic effort among students in Government Schools is a work for which the conscience of the clergy should be seriously aroused, and from among these students might be- drawn those who shall be our future leaders. Some method might be found for helping young girls either to earn a living or to continue their education between leaving school and the time when they are of an age to be accepted for theological training. Home study courses on the Bible and other subjects might be arranged for them and properly supervised during this period, by way of preparation for future work. Whenever possible, summer schools of one or two weeks’ duration might be held for girl students, where Christian teaching could be studied and Christian living shown to be relevant and practical. The difficulty of finance might be partly dealt with by such a body as the W om en’s Missionary Service League or its equivalent in other Churches. Every branch raises a certain amount of money each year for evangelistic work, and some of this might be set aside annually towards the support of well qualified workers and placed at the disposal of the diocesan synod or other governing body for the pur­ pose. This would enable the women in country parishes to look beyond their local interests and feel themselves one with the whole Church.

HIS HANDS AND HIS FEET. “They nailed Him to the cross. But Jesus was praying, ‘Father, forgive them’ ” . “ Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be to you!’ Having said this He shewed them His hands and His side; and the disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord.” Grant, 0 Saviour, that we may understand the mystery of Thy pierced hands and side, when we meet suffering in the lives of others or in our own lives. Lord Jesus, who didst stretch out Thine arms of love on the hard wood of the cross, that all men might come within the reaeh of Thy saving embrace, clothe us in Thy spirit that we, stretching forth our hands in loving labour for others, may bring those who know Thee not to the knowledge and love of Thee. Teach us to use our hands in work, in recreation, and in expression, to show forth Thee O Christ, that Thou niay’st be exalted, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God for evermore. 23

THE JOB 33ut, God, it won’t come right! it won’t come right'! I’ve worked it over till my brain is numb. The first flash came so bright, Then more ideas after it - flash! flash! I thought it some New constellation men would wonder at. Perhaps it’s just a firework—flash*! fizz! spat! Then darker darkness and scorched pasteboard and sour smoke. But, God, the thought was great, The scheme, the dream—why, till the first charm broke The thing just built itself while I, elate Laughed and admired it. Then it stuck, Half done—the lesser half, worse luck! You see, it’s dead as yet- a frame, a body--and the heart. The soul, the fiery, vital part To give it life is what I cannot get. I’ve tried — You know it! —tried to snatch live fire, And pawed cold ashes’! Every spark has died. It won’t come right. I’d drop the thing entire— Only—lean’t! I love my job. You, who ride the thunder - Do you know what it is to dream and drudge and throb? I wonder. Did it come at you with a rush, your dream, your plan? If so, I know how you began. Yes, with rapt face and sparkling eyes, Swinging the hot globe out between the skies, Marking the new seas with their, white beach lines, Sketching in sun and moon, the lightning and the rains, Sowing the hills with pines, 'Wreathing a rim of purple round the plains'! I know you laughed then, as you caught and wrought The first swift, rapturous outlines of your thought. A nd then— Men! I see it now. Oh, God, forgive my pettish rowi I see your job. While ages crawl Your lips take laboring lines, your eyes a -sadder light, For man, the fire and flower and and center of it all — Man won’t come rightl After your patient centuries, Fresh starts, recastings, tired Gethsemanes And tense Golgothas, he, your central theme, Is just a jangling echo of your dream. Grand as the rest may be, he ruins it. Why don’t you quit? Crumple it all and dream again! But no; Flaw after flaw, you work it out, revise, refine— Bondage, brutality and war and woe, The sot, the fool, the tyrant and the mob— Dear God, how you must love your job! H elp me, as I love mine. —Badger Clark. (The Christian Century). 24

EXPERIMENTS,

H . A. M.

It is clear from the West China News that several Churches are constantly making experiments. They take- suggestions from other Churches and apply them to local needs. And they try out met&ods they have devised them­ selves, and watch the results. Here are some of the experi­ ments that have recently been made in a Sheng Kong Hueii centre-, and a rough estimate of some of the apparent results. Two schemes that we have in mind for the future are also' briefly outlined. The Wayside Pulpit. This is a black-varnished notice- board with a raised, gold-tinted cross. On the right side are written in white characters the various meetings to be held during the week. On the left rs a1 space for pasting weekly a piece of coloured paper with some Scriptural saying written in clear bold style. The board is hung outside the Church early every morning. Judging by the number of people one frequently sees pausing to read its message, one would say that this method of preaching is weli-worth while. A IAbrary. This consists of about a hundred books, mostly of the Christian Literature Society type, whieh are kept in a locked box at one end of the Church. Every Sunday the box is opened to those who, at the end of the service, want to borrow or change books. The librarian, unfortunately, has- very little to do. Very few of the women in the congrega­ tion are interested even though there are suitable, attractive boobs for them to read, and the men are too preoccupied with their business and military-drill to give it much atten­ tion. Some of the younger and more educated men are greatly attracted at the present time by a form of literature with a ' ‘pink” flavour, that seems to have a wide sale in many centres. But does any Church in W . China find a a library worth while? If so how is it conducted? One would like to know. A Religious Discussion Class, for educated non-Chris­ tians. The class is held weekly in one of the m en’s houses, and includes Government officials and principals and teaehers in local schools. W e study St. John’s Gospel. A few verses are read and the non-Christians are encouraged to make comments on the passage. Chapter one, verses one to four­ teen, for instance, is under discussion. What does the word -Jit mean? From Chinese, English and Greek thought forms, we read into the word as much as legitimate, and then turn EXPERIMENTS 25 to the startling expression, ‘ ‘And the ill became flesh and dwelt among us” . Here an explanation on the part of one of the three or four Christians present, is obviously called for. Disscussion of a controversial or unimportant nature needs to be carefully avoided, but this we have not found very difficult. Seldom is a class held but that the claims of Christ upon our personal faith are made, and the social im ­ plications of the Gospel applied. Largely through the in­ strumentality of the class has one of the leading officials in. the city been led to receive baptism, and others are at the present time sincerely feeling after the Christ. It is also on account of the openings for evangelism in other directions, secured through these men, that the class has proved so valuable. Over a year ago we gained permission through one of these officials to preach in the local prison, and these weekly evangelistic meetings have been definitely fruitful in spiritual results. Again, A Hygiene Campaign was suggested. The Church and Hospital co-operated in a three days’ effort and the Govern­ ment gave it active support. All the main schools paraded for lectures in the morning; popular plays emphasizing some main truth in connection with public hygiene, were given in the afternoon; and the most important meetings were held in the evening, when all departments of the Government had representative speakers on the platform. It was an experi­ ment the first of this particular kind in the city, and like other Experiments revealed weaknesses. On a future occasion one would cut out the play-acting and have the lectures for students in the afternoons and leave the mornings free. Simple demonstrations of the care of a mother and her child before and after birth, were well worth while, and should be repeated. Prayer for Rain. This came as a suggestion from the Christian official mentioned above. Large notices were dis­ played in prominent places in the city, inviting people to come that evening to a ftjjjipi'fl' in the Church. Three short addresses were given, one a story from Chinese history IS) i another the account of Elijah and the famine in Samaria, and the third an account of a revival in Shantung in 1908 as a result of meetings for rain. Hymns and suitable prayers were introduced between the addresses, and the majority of those present took part most reverently. The Church was packed with about an equal number of men and women, and it was noticeable that some came to this service who do not come to the usual evangelistic meeting held on a Tuesday evening. The same night there was a. little rain and there have been slight showers since. We hope to hold a “ Thanksgiving Service” next Tuesday evening. 26 EXPERIMENTS

Meetings for Discussing Home Problems. These are now in process of being organized and are meant especially for the more educated non-Christian people. In others words it. is an attempt, to pass on some of the practical teaching of "H o m e W eek” to those outside the Church. Groups of leaders are being formed to lecture on, or give demonstra­ tions in Hygiene, Education, Amusements and Home­ crafts. Once again we are enlisting the active co-operation of Government officials and their wives and some of the school-teachers, and hope through them to give a higher conception of what home-life can be. Christian ideals will be stated and the hearers left to come to their own conclu­ sions. Efforts will however be made to establish further contacts with various people, and encourage them to come to a House-Party in the autumn of this year. One used House-Party” for lack at present of a better name. Bishop Song has promised to come here for four days, and during that time we hope he will address a party of people in this or some other house, but what the nature of these evange­ listic meetings will be, one has not yet been able to talk over with him.

JOY “ Take Joy home, And make a place in thy great heart for her And give her time to grow, and cherish her. Then will she come, and oft will sing to thee When thou art working in the furrows; aye, Or weeding in the sacred hour of dawn. It is a comely fashion to be glad; Joy is in the gi’ace we say to God” . Jean Ingelow.

THE GROWTH OF MEDICAL WORK AT MIENCHUHSIEN.

In 1896 Dr. \Y. Squibbs came to China. He was a man of exceptional ability. Before entering Medicine he had served his apprenticeship in a solicitor's office and had a well-trained mind. He wrote out his sermons in Chinese characters. He was persona grata with all the intelligentsia in Mienchuh. After a year or two out here he came to the conclusion that a padre had more opportunities of reaching the people than had the doctor, and so during the enforced inactivity of the 1900 Boxer Rising he was ordained. On ¡GROWTH OP MEDICAL WORK AT MIENCHUHSIEN 27

•his return he only saw patients intermittently, and spent much time in travelling round the district preaching. He left on furlough in 1908, and died at home from angina pectoris at the early age of thirty-six. After a gap of two years during which I was studying the language I was able to open work on a small scale and take in a few patients in 1910. In 1911 came the Revolu­ tion, entailing a further year’s d«lay outside the province, and it was therefore not until 1912 that areal start with medical work was tnad-e. ' On our return we began building, and encountered all the usual difficulties experienced by a pioneer worker himself entirely ignorant of building construction. J had to make myself the moulds for the bricks to ensure their being of the right size and shape, and then see that the brick-maker did not alter them to suit his own ideas. None of the workmen had ever seen a Western-stvle house, and though only two ■days distant from Chengtu, neither the head-mason nor the bead-carpenter thought it worth his while to make the trip into the Capital to see how things were done there. The •carpenters were constantly being caught driving screws home ■with an adzel However the buildings were put up and patients began to trust us and give us their confidence.. Thus we began to do our bit in helping-to break down ignorance and superstition, and of course the Gospel was preached both in the wards and in the out-patient department. Our Western nursing-shiff has suffered many changes — though not running a matrimonial agency, four out of the seven nurses who have worked in our hospital have left to be married. This has not been to the good of the Nursing School started by Miss Jago in 1924, butm owthat at last we have a nurse returning to us after furlough we are hoping for real continuity in teaching. Miss Jago began with four pupils and now we have over twenty. This year we ar-e trying to get our Nursing School registered with the Govern­ ment., rather an important thing for us, as we have now begun 1 lie plan of putting satisfactory graduate nurses in charge of Branch Dispensaries in the markets round our city. There are seventeen of these markets each with its own market-days, and each reaching a different population. These 'dispensaries are not meant merely to tie self-supporting, but to act as centres of -teaching and as an evidence of how 'Christianity does serve society. Each dispensary will open a night school, will encourage the people to come for Bible- -study, will give Public-health lectures and simple teaching of physiology and hygiene in the schoois, and will conduct 28 GROWTH OP MEDICAL WORK AT MIENCHUHSIEÎT

Sunday-services. Weekly visits will be paid by one of the- doctors and one of the pastors, to encourage him and keep, him in touch with the main work. W e also have it in mind later on to have refresher courses for these nurses. One- dispensary is already opened and is doing well. A second graduate is now having six months training in evangelism before being put in charge of the second of these branch dispensaries. W e launch these dispensaries; rent the property, supply drugs, etc., but we expect them to'be self-supporting and- gradually to refund all the monies thus lent. W e act in an advisory capacity, giving them freedom to express themselves in Christian service. Since 1924 we have had splendid help from our Chinese- colleagues. Doctors Hsiao, Y um , Ho, and W n, have cooperated grandly in the work of the hospital, and we are- most grateful to the West China Union University for help­ ing to produce such men. . The hospital has 100 beds, though the largest number of in-patients we have ever had on a single day is seventy two. As our work comprises both m en’s and women’s general hospital work, we have to have these extra beds for Isolation, Venereal Diseases, Maternity, elc. Last year we had just over 1050 in-patients, whilst the O.P.D. had over 16,c00 attendances. , For years we have desired to hand over more res­ ponsibility to our Chinese fellow-workers, and this is now being done through the Medical Board of Synod. This Board meets twice a year and has executive powers. It consists of Chinese, lay and medical, with a few foreigners as links with the home board. The findings of the Board are brought before the Synod for discussion and ratification, thus enabling the Church to take her share in the guidance of medical mission work. It is a joy after all these years to have at last a foreign medical colleague. Dr. Gresty Billhigton. He comes full of fresh ideas and enthusiasm to carry on the work already begun. With the help of Dr. Wu Ynin Ivwang, Sister Davis, and Miss Jones, he will be able to launch out and further develop the work. I cannot close without thanking God for the privilege of His use of us to build up this work, and for His protection over us through the many troublous times from which our district has suffered. Above all we would praise and thank the Lord for the souls known to us who have been won for His service through the work of the hospital. J.H.L. 29

THE MIENCHOW SCHOOLS V. C. M. Though C.M.S. missionaries had opened work in this district in 1893, only a few daj' schools had been opened by 1908, when Boarding Schools, one for boys and one for girls, was begun in the city primarily for the children of Christians. During the 1911 evacuation these boys and girls bore a Christian witness and the girls carried on a small day- school. In 1913 the boys moved to the new Hill School where 50 or 60 could be accommodated and some years later enlarge­ ments were made, providing for boys up to University en­ trance. The Senior Middle School had to be discontinued in 1926 owing to financial conditions. In 1913, land adjoining the W om en’ s Compoun-d was secured to extend the Girls School and again in 1922 the long block up to the East Street was secured and the latter part adapted for Lower Primary work, to be carried on as an addition and for teacher-training work. The inner buildings provided for 100 girls from L.P. to Senior Middle School. Strangely enough, on each occasion when a new block was ready for use, military conditions became so bad that the first use of the new rooms was as a refuge for the distressed wives and children of officials. The Boy’s School suffered a great, loss when the Principal, Rev. F. G. Watt, was murdered in 1923, but it. was carried on till 1927 when during the Evacuation, the soldiers took possession of the place and it passed into their hands. The Girls’ School had had to be closed at the same time but though the premises were occupied t>y Military, they were preserved, to some exlent, by the presence and courage of the school Factotum and a small group of women helpers. While the other Mission premises were'thoroughly looted, comparatively little was taken from the Girls School Com­ pound. From 1927 until 1929 a complete break took place in the work but in 1929 a new era began. Rev. S. H. Wu, B.Se., a former South Hill student, then teaching in the Science Department of the U.U., left that post to reopen the Mienchow School, now to be coeducation­ al, and using the Girls’ School premises. This almost im ­ possible task he carried through nobly in the face of very difficult conditions. The work of the Kindergarten, which attracted the small children of the Military officials, and the former reputation of the school combined with the capability 30 THE MIENCHOW SCHOOL and Christian patience of the Principal, all helped to over­ come the very active opposition to the Christian School. After more than 3 years of acute trouble, the school wag re-registered and the first recognised class of boys and gills graduated in 1932. The man who had been otir arch opponent was the magistrate of the city and it was his duty to preside at our Graduation ceremony and congratulate the School and the recipients of the certificates! Thus:were the tables turn­ ed on h im . In all outside ' Required” activities ‘ ‘ luh Teh” (The recognised name of the school) carries off a good share of the honours. Among its former pupils are to be found Pastors and Evangelists, Doctors and Nurses, Teachers and Post Office officials, Military and Civil Officers and Homemakers. The present School is full to overflowing in all its de­ partments. having this term, 98 in the Kindergarten, 254 in the Lower Primary, 64 in the Higher Primary, and 83 in the Middle School (Junior) bringing the total up to over 500 children. Coeducation, which was forced on us by conditions, has proved very satisfactory not only in chisswork but in extra­ curricular matters also. Teachers for the Primary School Sunday Schools and helpers in other evangelistic work are recruited from among the senior boys and girls so ‘ ‘ luh Teh” seems to stand for something worth-while in the Mission District.

NOTICE TO OMEITES Will all those planning to come to Omei this Summer send your orders for men and chairs as soon as possible - preferably before June 25th. We will be going to Omei about the 1st of July. If I have your orders, I can manage very well from Omei. If not, there is likely to be delay, disappointment and unnecessary expense. Your co-operation will be greatly appreciated. Leonard Bacon, Kiating. THE LAW OF LIFE. Good timber does not grow in ease. The stronger wind, the tougher trees: , The farther sky, the greater length; The more the storm, the more the strength; By sun and cold, by rain and snows, In trees or man good timber grows. . Where thickest stands the forest growth ' We find the patriarchs of both: . And they hold converse with the stars Whose broken branches show the scars Of many winds and much of strife — This is the law of Life. (Author Unknown) Recommended by Aunt Esther Lewis. Si

WOMEN’S SCHOOL MIENCHOW.

M. A.

The W om en’s School in Miencbow was opened in 1908 for the instruction of women belonging to Christian families, and for the preparation of Bible women. From the begin­ ning of the work, the school has been under the care of Miss G. E. Wells, She has taught and planned and watched it, grow through the years. The first1 students were older women,.and they came for very short periods. The aim of each one was to learn to read the Bible. Even this could not always be achieved. In spite of the lack of education and other disadvantages under which the women laboured, the school has supplied the church in this district with a band of women workers. Though far below the standard of education now required, they have been, and are still, faith­ ful and true workers. They have won many souls for Christ and have to their credit much patient teaching of the women members of the churches. As the years went on, it was possible to have younger women in the school and the type of education changed till it included the -Junior Primary course for those who were able to take it. (The old type of women still prevailed with a sprinkling of younger women.) Up to the present year about 4(i0 women have passed through the school. The present term has an enrollment of 43 scholars of whom 15 are Christians, or catechumens. Four­ teen are day scholars, but.that is because we have not room to board them. They represent various types, such as— poor country women, business people, young widows seeking a way ■out of their home difficulties, and military people. Their ages range from l;j-S8 yrs., and they are all doing the regular Junior and Senior Primary course. They nearly all have short, hair and big feet. They enjoy drill and games, or a country ramble, and are equal to marching in a lantern pro­ cession with the other school's of the town. From this school there is a regular flow of women into the Church. Christian services and scripture lessons are a part of the daily pro­ gramme and the non-christian scholars are pleased to join with us and attend their scripture lesson with interest. No account of the school wouid be complete without some refer­ ence to Mrs. Wei.' Coming into the school in 1919 already possessed of a little education, she soon proved useful as a Junior Primary teacher. Later on she was; accepted as a Bible woman, and now for several years has acted as school matron. She seems to know something about every woman 32 WOMENS SCHOOL MIENCHOW who applies, and just how to manage them I . To her wisp control we owe the smooth and economic management of domestic affairs. She has more than once stood guard over C.M.S. property and led the way in the re-claiming of this property after nine years of Chinese military occupation. In addition to the women students we have a family of 12 little children, who for various reasons have to come to school with mother. Most of them go to our Kindergarten each day. The wom en’s school is also responsible for mtieh of the local church’s work for women. W e supply teachers and train them for S. School work. 'They also help with the usual classes for Christians and enquirers and do some of the visiting both in town and country. W e are very crowded at present in these premises which are not quite suitable. We look forward to a_ day when the school will have proper buildings and be able to make fuller use of its opportunities to serve the women of the district.

THE MINISTER “ The minister or priest is not a superior order of spiritual be­ ing. . . In these days of at least partially-educated democra­ cies we must even be careful how hard we work the shepherd and sheep metaphor. An intelligent layman who is holding down a big job does not appreciate being reckoned one of his sheep by a not very intelligent parson who is not holding down his job too well. Christian ministers are not required to be little popes in their parishes, but servants and priests after Christ’s pattern. . A Minister has, however, to be a Leader in the making o f a forgiving Community,its representative in worship and the Spear­ head of its teaching and evangelistic Mission.” Archdeacon of Northumberland, International Review of Missions, April, 19S7

HAGIOLATRY. “ Theologians have commonly imagined that they are under obligation to make a complete isolation of the sacrifice of Christ from the heroic self-offering of other noble souls; and this has vitiated most of the classical attempts to produce a doctrine of the Atonement. Just so, a similar isolation of the divine sonship of Christ from the potentiality in other men ‘'to become sons of God” (John 1:12) has defeated the attempt to produce a satisfactory doctrine of the Incarnation. In the Catholic tradition, the popular reaction against these two errors of the theologians has expressed itself, in the one case in the doctrine of the merits of the Saints, and in the other in a veneration of them, which, in the popular religion, is all but polytheistic. Protestantism will protest in vain against these developments so long as it ignores the two-fold error against which this hagiolatry is a reaction” . B. H. Streeter, The Buddha and the Christ, p. 216. 33

THE WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SERVICE LEAGUE

As the title of the League indicates, it is one of the features of the work of the Church in which "the responsi­ bility of each individual Christian to undertake some definite form of Christian service” is being emphasised on the women’s side. The Aim of the League is summed up in its motto - Thy Kingdom Come, and more fully explained in the four promises set forth in the card of membership. In some such words as the following, each member accepts responsibility for service in connection with the spread of the Kingdom. “ In the strength of God I am willing (a) To pray daily for the extension of the Kingdom in, China and in all the world. ( b) To contribute money, or by means of handwork to help in the raising of funds. (c) To learn more of the work of Evangelism in other parts of the world. ( d) Myself to take part in the work of spreading the Gospel. Organization.— Each parochial branch of the League is organised under a Diocesan President and a General Secre­ tary, who by visiting and correspondence seek to co-ordinate the whole into one Diocesan League. This is in turn linked with the Central League for the whole of the Sheng Kung Hwei in China, which annually raises from the women of Church the sum of $15,000, for the support of work among women in the special Home Mission field of Shensi, or else­ where as some special need arises. Triennial meetings of the central League are held at the same time as the General Synod, when delegates from all the dioceses meet to report on their work and plan for fresh advance. In the diocese of Western Szechwan there are now eleven branches with a membership of about 300. Regular mission­ ary meetings are held once a month in most branches when courses of lectures are given from material prepared annually by the central League’s special committee. The subjects for the last three years have been: 1. “ The fruits of the Spirit,” as illustrated in the lives of some Chinese and ‘foreign” Christians in China. 2. Biographies of four missionaries in Africa: Raymond Lull. Apollo of the pigmy forest. Albert Schweitzer. Aggrey. 3. A Dream of the New China, shew­ ing changes that will result from the spread of the Gospel. 84 THE WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SERVICE! LEAGUE

In many of the branches there are also monthly meet­ ings of The Christian Home, where addresses are given, followed by discussion, on subjects connected with the train­ ing of children in such physical, mental and spiritual habits as shall help them from their earliest years to become living members of the Kingdom of Heaven. The service undertaken by individual members of the League is of varying kinds. Many teach in Snnday Schools and Night Schools or other classes for illiterates. Others form voluntary preaching bands to help the Bible woman in town or country evangelism. Some again lead Bible Study circles or prayer meetings, or help by looking up absent Church members. Some give time and energy to doing hand­ work which is sold at the annual Sale of work for raising funds. The money raised in this way, or by means of collecting boxes which are opened once a quarter, is used in many ways such as the following: — ]. For the support of mission work in Shensi. 2. For the Blind School in Chengtu. 3. Christmas gifts to Sunday School children. 4. Gifts of furniture to local churches. 5. Gifts to refugees and other poor persons. 6. Parochial ‘ self support” fund. 7. To buy tracts and for other expenses connected with evangelism. 8. Night Schools. As a prospect for the future, it is intended that any balance in yearly funds should be allowed to accumulate for the purpose of starting an industrial school or classes for the training of children of Christians in methods of self-support. E. H.

DR. STANLEY JONES COMES TO WEST CHINA The plans for this visit, Oct. 13th-22nd, as they have been outlined by the National Christian Council and modified by the Szechwan Christian Council inclnde the following: A two or three days’ retreat, in Chengtu before Dr. Jones arrives on the scene. Six days of program here in Chengtn, including one day of retreat with Dr. Jones; five days in which all Christian leaders will meet -with Dr. Jones each morning for a discussion of their primary task; five afternoons in which Dr. Jones will address student and teacher groups in the c ity; five afternoons in which the group of Christian leaders will continue to think through the problems which confront them in the Christianizing of West China; five evenings in which an open evange­ listic meeting, under the leadership of Dr. Jones, will provide an opportunity to bring many triends to a decision for Christ. (Contiued Next Page.) 35

BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.

The capital city with its scholars and lawgivers, its poli­ tical aspirations, its schools and University, its pride of tradi­ tion, its restless curiosity, its patriotic fervour was a natural starting place for the spread of the Gospel. New ideas start in the city and spread to the countryside. So that Chengtu with its great student population presents a stimulating challenge to any Christian organisation. The C.M.S. co-operates in the West China Union Univer­ sity, although its contribution in money and personnel is not very large. Just before the evacuation of 1927 a new Dor­ mitory had been planned, and during those months which looked as though they might mark the end of the Christian movement in Szechwan its walls were rising. There are now forty students in residence to justify that venture of faith. The Union Middle School has also a new Dormitory housing the same number of students. The chapel for this building was erected by money given in memory of C.M.S. missionaries who had lost their lives in Szechuan. In years gone by the Hostel for Government school students at Pi Fang Gai was the centre of this form of work; many influential men testify to the influence of the Hostel and of the men who acted as Wardens. Nowadays the Church is the starting point for this work. Bible Classes can be formed as often as people can be found to teach them. At a Bible School of ten w*;eks held last autumn over two hundred young men and women came to study the life of Christ and to hear a series of stirring addresses from Bishop Song. _ A student Christian is not more valuable intrinsically, but potentially for the future of the Church we need our Pauls, men who, possessing great worldly advantages, lay them all at the feet of Christ.

Two or r.hree days of intense program at Chungking for the Chris­ tian leadership of that end of the province. An earnest attempt upon the part or all of the churches to bring their leadership to these two central cities to receive the inspiration and help which these meetings will provide. The Chinese secretary of the Jones’ Campaign Committee is Mr. Wallace Wa.ng, of the West China Union University. The English Secretary is Kev. F. Olin Stockwell, of Chengtn. Any request for information addressed to either of these secretaries will be answered as quickly and fully as possible. ' Copies of “ The Christ of the Monnt” in the Chinese translation are now in the hands of these secretaries and may be secured from them. The price is 50 cents each, including postage. Copies of other books by Dr. Jones will be here late in the summer and Gan be secured at that time. 36 THE JOB AS THE NEW MISSIONARY SEES IT.

T h e Ch u r c h a s I see i t . After only two years in China it would be scarcely fitting or possible to deal critically with the Church of which I am so newly arrived a’ member. A casual glance shows much to deplore and much to admire. I feel however that perhaps such things should be family concerns, ‘hom e” -truths whe­ ther sad or happy. I prefer therefore to write more of the Church as I see it in the future rather than in the present, to consider it as a goal to be attained rather than as a current stage of growth. The aim of the ideal Church is to make disciples in every nation, to create a society of learners of Christ here and now, rather than a society of senior students who could be labelled as graduates in Christianity. The enlistment of such learners surely demands not so much a militant aggressive evangelism, as the steady permeation of all phases of life with the influ­ ence of these learners as they grow in their diseipleship. From such an angle the growth of Church membership means something very different from the planting of a West­ ern institution in Eastern soil. Such a Church is then the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, a community of Christ’s men. To meet together for mutual help, for study and prayer and worship will be a natural outcome of the friendship which their common faith creates. Like any old family has its traditions and its ramifica­ tions, it has its neighbours and its enemies. No man joins the family merely, for the shelter'or prestige it affords. No honest man joins the family of believers primarily for what he can get out of it, he cannot so learn Christ. Automatically arrogance and indolence outlaw the erring member. Unity there must be though uniformity would but take from the richness of the fellowship. The contribu­ tion of the traditionalist and of the prophet will both be honoured, but the Church as a whole will be bigger than any single phase of its life and thought. Extended by friendship, strengthened by discipleship, sanctified and unified in Christ, the Church cannot fail to be the light of the world, and the salt of the earth. The world” outside cannot unchanged enter its fellow­ ship, those who have eyes and see not, ears and hear not cannot appreciate the meaning of the mystery of its parables. It is not the Church which excludes, but the “ world” which excludes the Church. , j\ly highest ideal and hope for the Chung Hua Sheng Kung fluei is that it shall become a worthy part of the Church Universal which is the blessed company of all faith­ ful believers, the heirs of hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. B. H. THE JOB AS THE NEW MISSIONARY SEES IT 37

T h e I m m e d ia t e T a s k

It is interesting at the end of two years in China to sit down quietly and try to see what one’s future work is to be, to determine how one can be of greatest service to the church in China, to discover what methods will be most effective in building the Kingdom of God in this part of the world, it is not only interesting but absolutely essential that however long w:e have been in China, we should have a clear idea of what we are trying to do. It is, however, one thing to sit back in an armchair and visualise all this for one's self or even to meditate upon it on one’s knees. It is quite another thing to attempt to put down on paper one’s hopes and aspirations. If 1 were asked to sum up in one word what type of work I considered most vital, I would without any hesitation say evangelistic, but even as I said it, I should have some little doubt in my mind as to whether those who were listen­ ing to me would mean quite the same by the word as I did. W ords are excellent servants when well used. When badly treated, they are apt to take their revenge by refusing to de their proper work. The first question then is— why am I in China? What have 1 come here to do? My answer is to evangelise, which to me means to introduce people to Jesus Christ. The word can never mean merely street-corner preaching, though this may well be one of the methods which some people find most useful in evangelising. On the other hand it can never mean a general spreading of the Christian atmosphere. I have fear lest in spreading it, we should make it too rarefied for healthy breathing. The work Jesus did and which he called his followers to do was intensely personal. This type of evangelism can be done, of course, anywhere, at any time and should indeed be done everywhere all the time. The question arises, however, of the best ways of doing it. To me the answer here is through the Church, which, if you will forgive another definition, consists of the people who know and love Jesus and are seeking to introduce Him to other people. W hat more natural than that such people should love to worship together and should seek to encourage each other in the work. Therefore one of the most essential things if I am to accomplish the work I have come "out here hoping to do, is that I should help to build a strong church— a church with a burning passion for its Master, and a church in which every member is taking a share in the work to the best of his ability. Before our local 88 THE JOB AS THE NEW MISSIONARY SEES IT churches can reach this ideal, it is obvious thiat there must be a great deepening of the spiritual lives of the members. This is a task worthy of all the energy we can put into it; for while a slack Christian should be a contradiction in terms, we all know it is a possibility in fact. I must ask myself one more question. In this work of evangelism with its natural corollary of Church building, which class of “people is it most important to reach first? Personally I can have no hesitation in saying the students. It is obvious that any church, built on any theory whatever, must depend very largely on its educated and intelligent laymen. It is equally obvious that those churches which have a regular ministry, must have a constant supply of able and educated men as ministers— men with a deep knowledge of Christ and His^tnessage and also with the ability to pass on this knowledge to all classes of people. If the church is to become self-propagating it will be the men and women from the student class who will be the biggest factor in making it so. This suggests special stress on two types of work. The first is the reaching of all students, whether they be studying in Government schools or Mission schools, with the message of Christ. Such work involves patient teaching in Bible classes and the careful cultivation of individual contacts. The second type of work is the careful shepherding and guid­ ing of potential leaders and especially those who feel that they are called to full time service in the ministry. This attitude has certain definite consequences in the planning of daily work. It means in church work that emphasis is placed on Bible classes and visiting. It means that the Mission schools are to be linked as closely as possible with the life of the church and not regarded as separate spheres of work. It means in school the provision of set times of prayer, that the Christians may have opportunities for quiet prayer, and the running of Bible classes so that those who seek to know who Jesus was and what he taught may have the opportunity of doing so. And for me personally it means that while I would teach ordinary subjects willingly and to the very best of my ability, and while I would say play football in the spirit in which a Christian should, I should feel a week ill spent, which did not bring with it too some opportunity to speak of the One, who came that we might have life. D.N.S. 39

LEADERSHIP OF THE CHURCH. The Sheng Kong Huei in Szechwan has had three Western Bishops since the founding of the Church, and two Chinese Bishops who are still in office. The first bishop, William Cassels, was consecrated in 1895. He had been a pioneer missionary, chiefly in Sze­ chwan, for ten years previously, and knew individually and Joved the Christians of the first churches established. In the early days of the Diocese almost all the clergy, both Chinese and English, were ordained by him, often to the care of the congregations they had won. W ith this strong bond of Christian fellowship, the Diocese was like a large family and both Chinese and missionaries looked upon their bishop as a real “ father” in God. Bishop Cassels’ deep devotion to our Lord and his self-sacrificing life of arduous travel and work, and also his ceaseless prayer for his fellow-workers and the •churches in their care, were an inspiration to all his colle­ agues, who knew also the encouragement of his constant sym­ pathy and interest in all that concerned them and their work. In 1925 he had fulfilled thirty years as bishop, and passed on from Paoning to higher service. He was followed by a young man. Bishop Mowll had come out to China two years previously as assistant bishop. He steered the ship of the Diocese with no little skill for ten years through the troubled seas of the 1926 evacuation and the years of anti-foreign agitation, before he left China for the Archbishopric of Sydney. During these troubled years he showed rare gifts of insight and sympathy, and of in­ exhaustible patience in his dealings with the Chinese and their problems and difficulties. A disheartened and defeated worker would take up his work again with fresh hope and heart, and make good, after an interview with his sympathe­ tic and understanding bishop. He strengthened the hands of his fellow-workers in God, till the storms of persecution were over. He himself experienced the hardships of three weeks in the hands of brigands, with six other C.M.S. missionaries. He aimed at developing Chinese leadership for the diocese as rapidly as possible, and with this in view obtained the consecration of two Chinese assistant bishops, Bishop Ku of East Szechwan, and Bishop Song in the West. Realizing the importance of highly-educated leadership he worked towards the developing of the C.M.S. share in the work of the Union University and Middle School at Cbengtu. His time of service for the Diocese was short but fruitful, and he is remembered with affection and gratitude. 40 LEADERSHIP OF THE CHURCH

Bishop Holden took up the reins of office-in 1933. H e unselfishly left the Diocese of Kwangsi-Hunan, which he had administered for eleven years, to serve the Chureh in Sze­ chwan, and he has been indefatigable in his work for the past four years. In a very short time he had a thorough grasp of the work, and knew its strength and weaknesses. Under his leadership evangelism is receiving a fresh impetus, the Churches are being purified by needed discipline, and laymen are being encouraged to participate more actively in the work of the Church in general and in Synod in par­ ticular. Bishop Holden soon felt that it was impossible for one man to give efficient and thorough oversight to the grow­ ing work of so large a Diocese. He therefore planned for its division, and the two Dioceses of Eastern and Western Sze­ chwan. in which tie C.I.M. and the C.M.S. work respective­ ly, are now an accomplished fact. The two Chinese bishops continue as assistant bishops to Bishop Houghton and Bishop Holden. Bishop Ku and Bishop Song were consecrated in 1928. Bishop K u ’s headquarters have been at Paoning and Nan- cbung. He is a third-generation Christian of a well-connect­ ed Paoning family and before his consecration he bad been appointed Archdeacon by Bishop Cassels. He has conduct­ ed missions in past years in Western Szechwan and has been used to the literati and official”cl asses. He also has the gift of speaking so simply to country Christians that the dullest can follow his message. In the Western half of the diocese Bishop Song has been Assistant Bishop to Bishops Mowll and Holden. His com ­ bination of Chinese scholarship and Western knowledge have made him a valuable co-worker. Many of his missionary friends are his debtor and are grateful for his friendship and help. His personality attracts students, to whom he gives himself freely. Not only is he himself a leader but his home and Church are centres where future leaders of the Church may be found. In this glance back over the history of the leadership of the Diocese, the thought impresses itself on the mind that for each phase of its history, God has raised up the right 'man and given the right leadership for the times. Diver­ sities of gifts but the same sp irit.. . .differences of adm in­ istration. .. .but the same Lord.” G. M. 41

WHAT THE ANGLICAN CHURCH MEANS TO ME

H. G. A.

What follows is the point of view of a. very lay layman, and if representative at ail, only representative of very lay laity. I have been asked to say what I hold most precious in that branch of the Episcopal Church to which I belong. If I do so I do not mean to imply that what 1 praise is necessarily distinctive. 1 love my best friends not for the sum total of their attractions in comparison with other.-,''nor for any special virtues or charms, at least not consciously do I do so. 1 love them for themselves, and for the way in which their personalities meet the needs of my own. If I praise my friend it is not an intellectual assessment, but an emotional appreciation, and what I say about my own Church I do so largely from a similar approach. I love the Chuj'ch of my fathers for its breadth. In it I have fellowship with the fundamentalist, with the liberal evangelical, with the ritualist, i love it for its historicity, it was the Church of the Britons, of their Anglo-Saxon succes­ sors. and of the English peoples in the centuries which followed. I love it for its martyrs who still willing to suffer within its bounds have helped to redeem it from the tares which the Evil One has from time to time sown. Yes, I love it for the rugged protestantism which it has nurtured and in times of folly has thrust out to form new Churches which have challenged its imperfections. I love its ancient places of worship, hallowed in some cases by the acts of devotion of forty generations of wor­ shippers. Some of them centres of social work amongst the poor for decades past, some ministering to the transient day-time population who during week-days flock into their work in our great cities, some set like jewels in the sleepy country­ side. J love its ancient ritual which gives me fellowship with the generations who have gone before, and which helps me to share in contrition and praise and prayer with all those who are worshipping with me. 1 love its central com­ munion table and cross, and the placing of the minister and t'hose who help .in the conduct of the service. I love the different moods of its set services, and the most beautiful of all services its Holy Communion. 1 love its quiet and order­ liness and reverence. I love its familiarity. I love it' for its new democracy, rooted deeply in the traditions of the nation which is still the mother of demo- 42 WHAT THE ANGLICAN CHURCH MEANS TO ME craey. I love it for its delegated authority, and for the con­ tinuity this bestows on its whole structure. I love it for the great leaders in social welfare, and for the great leaders in thought it has produced and is still producing. I love it for its missionary enthusaism which has built up great organisa­ tions only second to those of the Roman Catholic Propaganda in size, ,and which truly represent every school of thought and every community in its make-up. Weaknesses? 'Yes many. What Church has not? Con­ servatism? Y esm uch,and often reprehensible. But a tre­ mendous awakening is row' stirring in its whole structure. Conventionalism? Often. But 1 see the same weakness in all the Churches with which 1 am acquainted, though it may take differing forms. In all its faults I have a share, and for them I have a responsibility. What a lover loves is the personality of his beloved, it is for her personality that I love m y Church. What place has my love for her in China? Have I come to build an Episcopal Church on the model I know so well in this ancient country? A thousand times N o! I see her as one of many Churches, the individual contributions of which are being fused into a greater whole, which for want of any better term I call the Kingdom of God. One limb of the all too loosely-jointed Body of Christ, which has still to be fitly framed together by that which each joint supplies. I see needed functions of that greater Church which only she can supply. Ut omnes unum sint, it is for that reason that I cling to m y loyalty and my love.

WEST CHINA UNION THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

The Board of Management will meet at the home of H. G, and Mrs. Brown Jnne 18th at 2.00 p.m. Will any who have qnestions in regard to the College send them to the nndersigned before that time. Homer G. B rown

THE NATIONAL OPTICAL COMPANY.

Ophthalmic Opticians 1914-1937 281 Nanking Hoad, Shanghai. Telephone 91224 25 Years experience in Evetesting, frame-fitting, lens-grinding and accurate prescription-work. Moderate prices and prompt service. Oar past work is proof of oar efficiency. 43

PREPARE FOR UNION OR PREPARE YOUR GAS-MASKS.

F r a n k S m a l l e y . Some people seem to have been so well inoculated with small and oft-repeated doses of “ Union” injections that now no stimulus is produced with the exception of a slight reaction in the form of irritation. Others have responded to treatment so well that they have become talkative enough to give them a sense of accomplish­ ment, while a number have taken an overdose and now sleep peacefully. Some, for deep-seated psychological reasons, fear the needle, but more still are so absorbed in the stretcher bearing work of their immediate locality that they have not realised the world-wide contagion threatening the Church as a whole—the anti-Christian world forces attacking a weakened Body—a dis­ united Church! There is a kind of “ It can’t happen over here” sort of attitude that Christians adopt when reminded that the Church disappear­ ed before the Mohammedan forces in Africa, that it was ineffec­ tive in Europe for many years, has been driven into corners in Russia and is struggling for its very existence in other lands. “ Divided we fall” seems to have no meaning for Christians. Confidence in the ultimate triumph of the Church of Christ is very good as long as we remember that we are part of that Church which is supposed to triumph. There are some of course who look forward hopefully to things going from bad to worse until some catastrophic act of God rescues the few survivors - so why worry about getting together to try to postpone the fateful day? In reeent years we have seen the spectaele of, an almost com­ plete change of psychological outlook on the part of a large nation that was considered very religious. Are we sure that the surviv­ ing nations are so much more stable psychologically that no anti­ religious fervour could burst out and sweep the nation off its feet while a powerless and divided Church finds itself unable to cope with the situation? _ They are making gas masks for babies-in-arms at home now. It is a death dealing epidemic that Europe is prepared for and we wonder how far the moral and ethical codes of the people who have to adjust those masks will stand the strain. The people who are faced with this horror will, in the day of their distress, follow any anti-Christ who offers them a Utopia free from Christians, Scholars and Capitalists who have betrayed them into the hell in which they find themselves. _ This must not be used for Pacifist Propaganda! Fear is one of the causes of war, and so we would defeat our own ends. We cannot preach “ the perfect love that casteth out fear” and yet try to use fear as a weapon to induce perfect love. But if we ever reach the stage of protecting our babies with gas masks from the “ terror that flieth by night” multitudes will blame and attack the Church, not because it was not Pacifist but because it had failed to meet a critical world situation. _ _ Sporadic attempts at the condemnation of war are like tying string round an over-heated boiler rather than releasing the steam or putting the fire out. The Church should be more concerned with the prevention of strife among men than with merely raising 44 PREPARE FOR UNION objections as to the kind of weapons used. The task of the Church is world wide, and a little medicine administered here and there will not take the place of a united attempt at diagnosis of the disease, of which war is one of the symptoms, followed by a united effort at “ Public Health Work” or “ Soul-Surgery”. Only a few years ago the condition cf China was described by the one word, '“Confusion”—and that confusion bore remarkable resemblances to the Christian Church It is extremely likely that, had China failed to unite, she would have been parcelled out among’ some of the nations. Surely the Lord speaks to us in par­ ables, but “ seeing, we see not, and fail to understand” . We have considered the question of Union on its very lowest plane—that of expediency, but from that point of view alone the need for Union is urgent, and the lack of it provides a spectacle which to the outsider looks even more ludicrous than it does to the Church member. But we are fed up with reasons for Union—most of us admit the reasons as valid but we don’t want to do anything about it if it means that we might have to sacrifice something such as some cherished ritual or cherished lack of ritual. Only through SACRIFICE can Union be attained; surely we can expect no other, for sacrifice lies right at the heart of our Gospel message. Suppose some of us get together and decide what we are willing to give up for the sake of Union. We might find that other bodies would ask us to retain some of the things we were prepared to give up, for it is no good uniting bodies that have nothing to contribute. But perhaps it is time we got more specific and said a little about our own Chureh in the frankest manner possible, though we touch on one or two points only that seem to be causes of misap­ prehension. The Chung Iiua Sheng Kung Huei, headed by its Synod, is making definite efforts towards union but one feels that most of the difficulties of Union are western, and since each of us is linked with a Church at home it may be as well to write as an Anglican. We have heard that Union meant joining the Anglican Church, but we have not yet met the Anglicans who thought so. It would be difficult to express the views of our Church on this great question, because those views are almost as diverse as those of the different “ Schools of Thought”, forms of ritual, or opinions on many other matters of faith and worship. In some cases the differences of opinion within the Anglican Church are greater than the differences between a section of that Church and other Chureh bodies. These wide differences of opinion and practice within our own Chureh are however indications of the fundamental fact that union is possible without uniformity, and is better without it. It is no good arguing against union on the ground of differ­ ences of opinion. We can produce all the differences of opinion that one can desire within one Church. But one hears a possible objector saying “But what about Bishops?” Again opinions differ within our own Church, but we know of “ Bishops” of other bodies who bear the innocuous name of “ Secretary” or some suit­ able equivalent who exercise far more authority than an Anglican Bishop does ( We are stil 1 being frank). A suggestion was sent to our recent General Synod in China by one of our members proposing that the Church should be run by committees. Evidently the man had never suffered from Com­ PREPARE FOR UNION 45 mittees or he would have proposed an additional clause to the Litany and asking to he delivered from them! A Bishop is a “Father in God” who acts as a counsellor to clergy and people and exercises jurisdiction in certain matters committed to him by the Church, but most matters are decided by “ the Bishop inSSynod” . In fact, so much is referred to Synod that action over many matters is very slow—the Church being too democratic for quick action. Most of the responsibility for the Parish Church rests on the shoulders of the Church Council; from that Council are elected members for the Diocese, and from thence to the National Assembly. But just as the Government of the United States recognises the rights of each State in many matters of jurisdiction, so the National Assembly does not encroach upon the prerogatives of the Diocese, nor the Diocese upon the Parish, nor the Parish upon those of the Minister. All are free to have periods of silent prayer during liturgical services, to use special forms of prayer, to eonduct a Fellowship of Silence or an extempore Prayer Meeting, to baptise by immer­ sion or by the pouring of water, to wear any kind of clerical collar — or none, to preach in the open air, to any Diocese or neighbour­ hood according to preference, to rely on “ the contemporary inspi­ ration of the Holy Ghost” as well as to learn from history and tradition, and so on. In fact, the outstanding characteristics of the Anglican Church are “ Freedom” and “ Variety” . But we must not make the Church look too attractive or you will either disbelieve us or swamp the Church, and we are not prepared for the latter alternative. More­ over we have to be willing to give up some of our freedom for the sake of Unity. With regard to the question of the relationship between Church and State there is some difference of opinion, though it is generally conceded, even by non-Anglicans, that the possible dangers of State control of the Church are now getting more and more remote. There may be some disadvantages in Establishment but one outstanding advantage has become apparent to us during the past month. Because of the close connection between Church and State the former is able to make the Coronation of the King a Ceremony of Religious Dedication. Here the State did not speak to the Church, except to make promises, but the Church spoke to the State in the Name of Christ. The Church, too, and not the secular powers, spoke by the King- in the name of all the people. In England we spoke of the Union Univei'sity as the nearest approach to Utopia that we had seen, and there exists a condition of affairs that makes us extremely happy. We hold our services together, pray together, and work together. We are doing things that can be done only through united efforts, and are perhaps a little blinded to the faet that more could be accomplished if the bonds of union were even closer. Moreover, we are a small body compared with the Churches at large and it is very difficult to spread that spirit of mutual love, sincere friendship, and coopera­ tion that exists here except by bringing individuals into our midst. What can we do that is practical? (1) Burn out-of date sectarian books. The raison d’etre for the separate existence of some Chureh bodies disappeared in the history of the last few decades and some people have not realised it yet. 46 PREPARE FOR UNION

(2) Learn more about other Churches. We shall find out a surprising number of things on which we are in agreement. (3) Try to sift out carefully those points on which we think we have a worth-while contribution to make to a Universal Church. That Universal Church seems to be the only possible world­ wide organisation with the exception of Communism that will unite men of different countries in face of the rising tide of exclusive Nationalism. (4) Decide on some of the things we are willing to sacrifice. If we are not prepared for sacrifice, cancel points one to three, think of the first things we thought of, multiply them all we can, and forget about Union. We might conclude our remarks with a quotation from the Chinese poet Li Bi (A.D. 656) “ Through sacrifice must new life be born, Though our sole reward be a crown of thorn’’

CHUNGKING NEWS

Miss J k an S t k w a k t Br mm Zcx seisqt Hello folks, this is station CHKG on the air from Chungking, Szechuan. I know that you will all be awaiting with interest the account of the Coronation celebrations here in this city, so stand by for the account of the week’s activities. Time will not forbid to speak of the many preparations for the numerous functions and the bard work that ,the members of the various committees put in but all thanks is due to those who helped to make the week’s doings a success, and verily they have their reward. The official ceremony is being held this morning at 10:30 in the Hsiao Shih Dze church when all the youth and beauty and flower of knighthood will gather in person to do honour to the King and Queen of England. Here they eome now, and as they arrive are ushered into the places reserved for them, They re­ present England, Franee, Germany, Japan, The United States, Russia, and Canada. Now Mr. Irish is taking his place with Mr. Walker and is leading the impressive service prepared for the occasion. Mr. Walker has finished his address just now and the strains of the National Anthem are dying away. The British Consul leads the way out and that part is done. We now will transfer the broadcast to the lawn of the Con­ sulate where all have repaired to drink the toast to the King. The rain is following the example of London at this time and falling gently but it will not spoil the good time I am sure. The lawn is very pretty with the dresses of the ladies and the uniforms and brass buttons of the gentlemen while the flags fly in festoons around the borders of the garden. After the toast, the guests are invited to a sumptuous luncheon where we will leave them to en­ joy the good time together . . . - Now we are listening in the Garden Party at Hwang Chin Miao Saturday afternoon and if you do not think it is hot just come and try it for a time. I see there are several centres of at­ traction now that the company has begun to come. Mr. J ones is the Master of the Treasure and the fun is to enter into the Trea- CHUNGKING NEWS 47

Sure Hunt and see if you are clever enough to work out the clues in the shortest possible time and get the grand prize. We vote to watch the others having a good time and we will drink tea, and wait for the ice cream. But I must tell you of the black horse that came along from the gunboat. Those two sailor boys certainly must have had a good bit of fun practising for this stunt, and do the children like it! They have another stunt too that they eall Aunt Sally, the art of throwing a tennis ball at a man who is wearing a black hat and trying to knock it off. And there are prizes too! Wait folks, till I try my luck. No,good but then I dont like candy anyway! Mrs. Mills the Consul’s wife has the floor now and she is giving the children Coronation medals. They are certainly appreciating them too, I will just stop now and let you hear the cheers that they are giving her. Hurrah Hurrah Hurrah Hip Hie Hurrah. There, who says children can’t yell! Now Mr. Jones is going to give the prize to the winners of the Treasure Hunt, Mrs. Morosoff and Mr. Barry. The lady gets it for it is a little white kitten all fixed up in a basket. But the other participants are not ■displeased for they each found a treasure at the end o f the hunt so it was worth while. The crowds are going and so must your reporter, to the next event of the week. The sailors have looked forward to this party for them and have been tuning up on their whist hands. There is a dinner first and then they all settle down to a real game that lasts all evening. These are the high lights of the notable week here in Chung­ king; we hope that the other friends have enjoyed the time too. We must not forget to say that we received a reply telegram from His Majesty. It was good of him to remember us, was it not? Signing off folks, look below for the personals. 1 Miss Constance Ward from Luchow was a Coronation week guest at the W.M.S. It is nice to be able to combine dentistry and pleasure when possible. Miss Mary Crawley stopped off in Chungking for the Corona­ tion week festivities on her way to Chengtu after a two months’ visit at Fowchow. Mrs. Sheridan of Tzeliutsing is at the Agency for a few weeks while also undergoing a dental course. ' She Was a welcome guest Bt the Coronation events of the week. Sympathy is extended to Mrs. James Endicott on the death of her mother Mrs. Austin the word of which reached here this week. Mrs. Austin will be remembered by a number of the friends, as she was formerly a year in this city with her daughter.

BEAMAN’S REST HOUSE, SHANGHAI. Address: - 382 Avenue Joffre, Shanghai. Cable Address:- Beamans, Shanghai. Telephone:- 82709 Dear Friends, I am compelled to leave China for home due to continued ill- health, and would like you to kno w that the home I have carried on for so many years will still be carried on by Mr. and Mrs. Fredk. J. T. Savage of Kiangsi, who will extend a hearty welcome to all travelling friends. The home has modern conveniences, including hot and cold water, reservations may be made, trains and boats can be met if desired, luggage attended to, and delivered at the home, with the minimum amount of trouble to the traveller, at reasonable rates, Yours very sincerely, W. F. Beaman 48

UNIVERSITY NOTES April 24th was a delightfully cool Saturday for the Field Day. So many students of the University and its associated Middle Schools took part that it was necessary to run off some of the events the previous afternoon. The meet was well organised with the assistance of the Athletics Director of Chwan Da University and some of the teachers from the Chengtu School of Physical Training. Friends College headed the list for the highest number of successes, and Hart College came second.

Dr. Harold G. Anderson has just returned from a three months tour of C.M.S. mission stations, and will be giving a talk over the radio on Tuesday evening, May 25th, on “Modern Medicine in Modern China” . President Lincoln Dsang is still in Shanghai, but is expected back at the end of May, so as to be in Chengtu in good time for end-of-term committees and functions. While in Peiping he met Mr. Lo Chung-sh.il and Mr. H. D. Robertson, and the three of them were entertained together several times. The Graduation Exercises will take place on Monday, June 21st; it is hoped that the Baccalaureate Sermon on Sunday, June 20th, will be preached by Dr. Stanton Lautenschlager of Cheeloo.

Leave of absence for one month has been granted to Mr. Hwang Mien, so that he may assist the Commissioner of Reconstruction with a survey of famine conditions in the North Eastern part of this Province. Mr. Li Ming-liang is being asked to prepara a report on famine conditions in the Ning Yuan Fu area, for Dr. Baker of the China International Famine Relief Commission.

The foundations of the new Hospital are now in, and we await permission from New York for the purchase of building materials. A further sum of $25,000 has been granted by the China Found­ ation for the purchase of equipment for the Hospital.

Professor Serge Elisseeff of the Harvard-Yenching Institute has been visiting the University for a fortnight. He addressed the Faculty concerning the work which the Harvard Yenching Institute hopes to do through this University, and gave a lecture on “Chinese Bronzes” before the West China Border Research Society, and through numbers of personal interviews established firm links of understanding between the University and the Harvard-Yenching Institute. Professor and Madame Elisseeff made a brief trip to Mt. Omei with Dr. D. C. Graham. Unfor­ tunately they were not favoured with fine weathe.r.

The following Minutes passed by the Cabinet at a recent meet­ ing may be interest; Entrance Examinations for students at a distance. RESOLVED to accept students who have passed their “Hwei K’ao” and the entrance examinations of approved Univer­ sities; each individual case being considered on its merits. Students transferring from other Universities. RESOLVED to accept the transfer into the Medical-Dental courses of students who have satisfactorily completed their UNIVERSITY NOTES 49

pre-Medical-Dental courses in approved Universities. In the case of those who have completed part of their University course in an approved institution, they should be examined informally by the Head of the Department concerned to decide upon the year of study they should enter. In both cases no formal entrance examination is required.

Will friends please note that the University’s telegraphic address has now been registered as “ HUATA” Chengtu.

The Fine Arts Department is making quite a contribution to the musical life of Chengtu. Apart from their weekly radic pro­ gramme, they have given concerts at the Spring Fair and in the Central Park - this latter in connection with “Famine Relief Week’' organised by the municipality.

THE SWEDISH ESTABLISHED CHURCH the Swedish established Church is so tolerant as to be able to to contain within its walls the Corigregationalists (113,000), the Baptists (65,000), and the Penteeostalists ( a recent movement (20,000). Out of a population of six and a quarter millions, the only important religious communities outside of the Established Church are the Methodists (15,000), the Jews (6,500), and the Ro­ man Catholics (¿¡.500). A few people have seceded, it is true, probably through Marxist influence, but the fact that ninety-eight and a half per cent, of the population is baptized proves that organized religion is neither dead nor dying” . Willson Woodside, New Outlook, Feb. 19th, ’37.

LAY PREACHING CHAMPIONED BY MOODY “We find a good many who are opposed to having the laymen preach; but the Word of the Lord is, ‘Let him that heareth, say Come’ ; and a layman can hear as well as if he had been ordained. If I saw a man fall into the river, do you think I should go off and get somebody to lay hands on me before I should try to pull him out? Would you have the Good Samaritan, on his way to Jericho, when he finds the man wounded and half dead by the wayside, leave the poor fellow there while he goes away to get some <:f his priests to ordain him?”

THEATER-GOERS SINGING HYMNS At the time of the religious meetings held in Dublin, Ireland, by Moody and Sankey, an effort to burlesque their work was met with marked disfavor. During a pantomine at one of the Dublin theaters, a clown entered and said, “I feel rather Moody.” His companion rejoined, “I feel rather Sankeymonious” . Upon this, the gallery hissed them and then, not content with a negative form of expressing respect for the Christian evangelists, someone started “ Hold the fort for I am coming,” and, according to an English journal, the whole assembly in the higher gallery joined in the chorus and the curtain fell until the hymn was concluded.

The sympathy of their friends in West China goes out to Bruce and Mary Collier on the death of their baby daughter, Lynn, on Tuesday, May 25th. 50

CHENGTU CITY NEWS. _ M bs. A. E. B est Dr. Roxy f.eiTorge, Secretary of the East Asia Conference Council of Rel igions Education, visited Chengtu city for about three week«. Dr. Lefforge itinerates in various parts of China., bat her first work was in Fukien Women’s College, where she was on the Faculty for eighteen years. The entire visit was kept busy with daily talks, conferences, personal interviews. Her wealth of experience and ability to use it for inspiration was a constant source of helpfulness. Miss G. Hodgman, Dean of the School of Nursing, P.U.M.C.. and Miss Nesbitt, [lead of me Dept, of Dietetics, P.U.M.C., spent ;i few days in Chengtu. They stayed at the Woman’s Hospital Resi­ dence. 'lhe city community attended a coronation service at Hart Col­ lege, on Coronation Day, and then spent the evening “ listening-in” to the broadcast over Mr. Plewmairs radio. A few stayed on until 2 a.m. next morning to hear the ICing’s speech. The wedding of Miss Edith Missen and Mr. Frank Meller took place at the C.l.M. Home on Maj’ 25th. It was a very pretty wedd­ ing. Rev. Douglas Sargent officiated. We wish them every happi­ ness as they return to their station, Suyung, in the ¿outh of the Province. We welcome Mr. Walter Jesperson to the C. I. \I., W. Szechuan District. H e comes from Alberta, and is to'join Mr. Kraft in Kiunglai for language stndy and later for work in Szechuan. Our community is losing two of its members this month, and Fang Dsen Ivai ladies two of their number. Miss Harrison who goes to Pengshien to take np duties there and Miss Annie Ward who pro­ ceeds on furlough. (Jur community will miss these two ladies from various activities. Miss Whitworth and Mrs. Donnithorne have been visitors at Mrs. Dechler’s. Dr. and Mrs. James from Tachienln, are visiting for a few weeks, for medical attention. Dr. C .K . Chu, secretary of the Medical Department, of Educa­ tional Bureau, Nanking government,— visited the Men’s Hospital dur­ ing the past week. Dr. Wu Dien Deh, Chief of the Quarantine Station at Shanghai, visited the Men’s Hospital quite recently. Dr. Wn is also one of the leaders of the Motor Expedition from Shanghai to Chengtu, via Kweichow and Yunnan. Mr. Alley, Grandmaster of the Masonic Order in the Philippine Islands, was a visitor during the month. Dr. and Mrs. Howard Jeffrey of Tsagulao, arrived in the city last week. Dr. Jeffrey is having an operation for appendisitis. Rev. and Mrs, Lntley, C.M S., have arrived this month to take over work at Pi Fang Kai, chiefly evangelistic and translation work. Thev will live at Pi F&iil' Ivai. . “ OTHER VISITORS. Mr. W. Lewisobn, from Peiping, during the month, correspondent to the North China Daily News, He drove his own car from Shanghai, via Lanchang, Kweiyang, Chungking, Chengtu, on to Sian. The trio from Shanghai to Chengtu was done in about ten days actual driving time, about 2275 tniles. Mr. E. S, Finney, lawyer from New York, visited the city; he came over on the Clipper ship. He made the trip from New York to Chengtu in nine travelling days. CHENGTU CITY NEWS 51

Mr. and Mrs, M. K. de G. Hopkinson of Hongkong, anti Mr. C. K. Boxer, motored from Canton to Yunnan, then by Eurasia plane to Chengtu. Mr. K. A. Kennedy of San Francisco, and Mr. Harold M. Bixly, were visitors. Mr. Kennedy came to China on the Clipper ship. Mr. H. L. Woods, C.N.A.C. pilot, of Shanghai; Dr. 0. C. Wilke, Shanghai; Mr. J. A. K. Powell, Naval & Military Club, London; Mr. Kdward C. Carter, Secretary Gen. Pacific lielations Institute, New York City; Walter Lehmann, Heidelbnrg, Germany; and Mr. J. J. Searles, Tryon, North Carolina, were visitors during the month.

THE WEST CHINA MISSIONARY NEWS

E ditor-Ho m kr G. Br o w n . Business M anagisr-M ks. E. C. L echi.kr. Subscription Rates. In China, Mex. $1.50 per annum, postpaid. Abroad, Mex. $2.50 per annum, postpaid; $1.10 in gold if remitted from U. S. or Canada, 4/6 if remitted from England. All matters concerning advertisements, subscriptions, reprints, ctc., should be addressed to: The Business Manager, W est China Missionary News, Cheng-- tu, China. All other communications should be addressed to— The Editor, West China Missionary News, Chengtu, China.

“ Smart Clothes Are Best Assets.”

HENG KONG - MY TAILOR

and

GENERAL OUTFITTER.

563 Szechaan Road, Shanghai, China,

W e invite all missionaries passing through Shanghai to visit our shop and inspect our goods which are of the very best quality. Reliable workmanship guaranteed. If you cannot come to visit us, please send us your measure and we will do our best to give you satisfaction. SIMMONS BEDS

We are now prepared to supply from stock the complete line of Simmons Beds including all models for both home and

Hospital use. Also, their complete line of

Mattresses, including “DEEP SLEEP” and

“BEAUTYREST” Mattresses. Beds, Spr­ ings and Mattresses supplied in all sizes.

A catalogue showing their complete line, together with prices and discounts will be forwarded upon request.

ASSOCIATED DRUG COMPANY

FEDERAL INC., U. S.A SHANGHAI.