Litchfield enquirer., 1858-07-22
RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF CHINA Corrtspondence of the Missionary Herald.


 When we look at the present attitude of this oyergrown empire at war with the CO., lossal power of the Czar on the north, and with the English and French on the south g strong revolutionary body, organized seven years ago, for five years past maintaining a central government in the old capital, Man. king, and holding control over population quite equal to the whole people of the United States numerous Mohammedan subjects, on the west, falling off from their allegiance l; many snd powerful tribes, in various parts of the provinces, setting at naught the imperial authority and, in addition to all these dis orders, the currency of the realm yititiated and depressed, with tens of thousands of the people in beggary we are constrained to be- lieye that the God of the whole earth is about preparing the way here for messengers of the churches to run to and fro, and quickly preach tho gospel of his Son to all the inhabitants in the Land of Sinim."
 Already, indeed, so far as our own observa- tion and experience go, we must say, that the way is open for itinerant laborers in all the re- gions round about Shanghai and Ningpo There is ready access to at least S0,00O,O 900 of souls, and there is only need now of preach CTS to proclaim the word in every direction.
 Nor are the favorable signs of the times limited to China In Japan, Cochin China, Siam, and many lesser kingdoms and states, there can be no doubt that Jehovah is pre- pairing the way for his own truth. As it is now in Western Asia, where but few years since Christians were outlaws, and stigmatized as infels or dogs, so it is beginning to be here. The prosecutors arm is weakened the oppres- sor's power is broken so that toleration is already decreed, and in no small measure en- joyed.
 In all these eastern kingdoms and empires, we feel persuaded the day has come when the gospel should be preached. If we rightly un- derstand Gods commands and promises, and the signs of the times, the call for laborers is now loud and strong here,-louder and strong CT, we think, than anywhere else in all the heather world. Thus thinking and so believ- ing, we speak accordingly. The old systems of idolatry and superstition, in all Central and Eastern, as we'll as in Western Asia, are about to vanish away. At the approach of truth, Christian truth, the infallible touchstone, they must crumble and fall. But who shall apply the test? Who will come and proclaim the truth-wh0?
 There are reasons which give great force and urgency to the call for more laborers in China reasons which exist in no other part of heathendom, in the same manner and de- gree. In no other empire is there such null titude of human beings no where else are there so many precious souls to be lost for ever, or be saved by the minstration of the gospel.
 Do not be surprised, then, that we renew our call for additional laborers. Let the young men in the churches know that here, in China, there is is boundless field, greater than all Christendom, in regions quite beyond those where other men have labored, or are now laboring. Let them know, too, that not only has toleration been decreed and proclaim ed, but that it is to be insisted on by the great est powers of the Christian world.
 In looking over the entire missionary feld " the world," we are compelled to say,-we say it with all respect and difference, but with out fear of contradiction, that China has not had its proper share of men and means The allowance has not been in proportion to the demand. And we mean not merely according to the exigencies of the case but the labor CTS for the Chinese are few in relative point of view, lesser fields receiving greater numbers Now while, in his providence, God is call ling on our brethren in Great Britain to carry the gospel of peace into their Indian posses. sions, is there no special call, in the same wise and good providence of our God, on Christians in the United States with reference to East ern Asia ? These people are our neighbors, our nearest neighbors. Who in the churches needs to be told what the gold of California has effected during the last twenty years, in drawing men and women westward, half way to China and shall gold effect so much, and the priceless soul-these millions of priceless souls-fail to draw into this harvest-feld the desired laborers :?
 \ 1t is our earnest desire, and our prayer te the great Lord of the harvest, that this mat ter of recruiting laborers for China may be taken into consideration, most solemnly and prayerfully, by every Christian in the United States, and especially by all in connection with the American Board The actual dc nsamd for laborers here is immense. How fal can, and shall, this demand be answered ?