Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-06-03
China-Progress and Prospects.

The last number of the Christian
Work contains an article entitled Pros
poets at Canton written by the Bishop
of Victoria, who has charge of the
Church of England missions in China
We take from it the following passages
A recent visit to the city of Canton,
and opportunities of intercourse with mis-.
sionary brethren at this station, have in
duced me to date from this place des.
criptive account of missionary prospects
at Canton.
1t is more than nineteen years since
first visited this city, and the charge
which have been privileged to witness
in the popular disposition and the bear
ing of the local Chinese authorities is
very remarkable and encouraging to the
friends Of missions.
In 1874 we we're followed through the
streets by crowds vociferating most in
sulting words and threats, except in the
immediate neighborhood of the foreign
factories. Once or twice, when paused
for few moments under the arched gate
way of the city wall, the tumult became
so great, and the mob showed such mis-
chievous intentions, that | was glad to
effect a secure retreat from the threaten
ed violence, and never ventured to repeat
the experiment upon their forbearance.
To have entered inside the city we would
have been attended with the certainty of
severe bodily injury from the infuriated
rabble. The opprobrioas epithets ap-
piled to foreigners in the edicts Of the
mandarins served to fan the flame of
popular antipathy against the subjects Of
Christian nations.
Now, however, all this is changed
Wherever foreigner walks or rides be
hears no insulting words, and is free from
all annoyance. We are now at liberty
to visit every portion of the city and
suburbs, and missionaries are able to pur-
sue their work among the people without
let or hindranee. The Anglo French
occupation Of the city for four years en-
tirely removed all previous restrictions,
and rendered it impossible for the local
government to revert (even If willing to
do SOY to their former invidious exclu-
sion of foreigners from the city. All
this change has of course been the result
of political causes, and the severe lessons
received during the bombardment and
capture of the city.
am sanguine enough also to believe
that moral causes have had no slight
share in producing this favorable change
in the popular mind. At the present
time there are about twelve English and
American Protestant missionaries scat
tered over different parts of the southern
and western suburbs, who have their
schools and chapels in various localities
both within and without the city. Tho
the baptized converts do not probably
exceed in all one hundred and fifty per-
sons, there is a spirit of attention and a
willingness to listen 10 the preaching Of
the Gospel, which these brethren state to
be full Of encouragement at the present
time.
Among the proofs of the altered spirit
of the native authorities, it is interesting
to specify their marked advances toward
foreign officials. | was surprised some
weeks ago to receive, at Hong Kong,
from native interpreter, letter osten-
sibly written TO me at the request and on
behalf of The new Governor Of Canton
Province, informing me Of his recent
6itNdtlOu anu arrival al iuC SSab VI hiS
government, and amid the usual adulato-
ry phraseology of Chinese officials, invit~
ing the interchange Of neighborly offices.
| wrote to the British Consul TO autheu-
ticate the document who wrote to me
that the letter emanated from His Ex-
cellency, Kwo Sung Taou, the Footae,
or Governor Of Canton Province. Dur
ing my visit here, have paid this high
functionary visit, at his own official
residence within the city, at which inter-
view received the usual firing of saiutes
and other attentions, according to his
equals in rank. Three days after, he
returned my visit, by mutual appoints
ment, at the British Consulate.
An Irish girl at play on Sunday being
accosted by the priest, "Good morning,
daughter OF the Evil One" meekly re
piled, Good morning, father"
|
Write your name with kindness, love
and mercy on the hearts of the people
you come in contact with year by year.
and YOU will never be forgotten.