The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1861-11-02
MONTHLY CONCERT.
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Missionary "reminiscences.

Twenty years ago the first war between
the English and Chinese, known as "the
Opium War;" resulted in the opening of
five important sea-ports to the commerce of
Western nations, and in the cession to Great
Britain of The island of Hong kong, with its
magnificent harbor, in the outer border of
the estuary of the Canton river. 1t is six
teen years since the memorable edict was
issued by the Emperor, tolerating Chris
tianity. The recent war has, we may say,
thrown the gates wide open to trade, travel,
and missionary labors; though for the time
being the prevailing anarchy, resulting from
the great rebellion in the heart Of the en-
pire, greatly hinders the enjoyment of these
advantages.
Annoy, the least of the five cities in popu.
lation, but the third in commercial impor-
lance nth Foreigners, having q population
80 300 lss something less aan three
hundred miles up the coastfrom Houg-kobg
in latitude twenty-five degrees North. II
is built on the Western, or inland side of 6
considerable island, which lies embOsomed
in capaciOus bay. The Southern half q
this island is trayersed by ranges Of lofty
naked hills, characteristic of at least the
whole Southeast coast of China) whose
peaks and ridges are crogned, and their
gorges encountered, by enormous piles O
huge, black, and weather-beaten granite
rocks. The scenery is often at once sombre
and picturesque to high degree. The
Northern half of the island is, for the mos
part, gently rolling, highly cultivated, anc
spotted over with innumerable villages
The inner harbor of Annoy, which is deer
and safe, and always crowded with native
shipping, lies between the Western front o
the city, and the billy and beautiful islet o
KO-long-su, q SPOT famous during the early
occupation of the place, and forever memo
rable in the history Of its missions, as thu
burial place of their dead. In smal
clump of bushes on its Western side, angel
witnessed and rejoced over, though con
eealed from the gaze Of men, and Of small
import in the esteem of the world, the cere
mony Of taking possession in the name o
the Lord. Kueeling there, whittier theJ
fastened Immediately upon landing, the la
mented David Abeel, and the present BishOI
Boone, of the American Episcopal Mission
implored Gods blessing upon their glorious
standard, about to be unurled in the sigh
of those multitudinous heather. Nor die
they ask in vain, though for some years
only few of the elect were gathered in
Of late years signal blessings have descend
ed upon the missions in that city and il
neighboriDg places, so that now severa
hundred members are embraced in thei
churches. 1.-THE Land of Sinim' has begun
both there and at Ningpo, to yield more
eIJ liz plymi5el tribute Of concerts .,
CHRIST. Is.
THE EXAMPLE OF THE MoRAvIANs-
They began their missionary labOrs in 1871
when they were small company of suffer
ing exiles, amounting to only some GOO
souls; and yet, within ten years, such was
their ardOr in this great cause, that they
had sent missionaries to St. Thomas, to st
Croix, to Greenland, to Surinam, to the Rio
de Berbice, to several Indian tribes in North
America, to the negroes in South Carolina
to Lapland, TO Tartary,t Algiers, to Guinea
TO the Cape Of Good Hope, and to Ceylon
Their present number, it is said, amounts tc
about 10000 souls, $50 of whom are mis-
sionaries, having under their care $4,000
converts. 1t has been computed, that had
other churches done their duty 10 the heath
en- as the Morayians have done, then, in
stead of having, on an average, one mis-
sionary to every 4O0,O00heathens, we should
have one missionary to every 1900 In
other words, the whole range Of the heather
world would have been under Christian
training.
And why should the Moravians be solitary
and single in this respect Can faith I'll
we have faith) not do in US what it did in
them2 Can love to Christ lie we have love
to Christi not lead US to similar results
Can the love of souls not sway us, as it
swayed the Moravians, who actually devoted
a fftieth part Of their entire community to
the work Of winning souls? Had we but
large portion of the Redeemer's spirit, we
should find both men and means more
largely at our disposal.
ABROAD AND AT HoME.-A gentleman
Who had been conspicuous in aiding a mis-