Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-02-10
pailp ARGUS.
The Missionary risld.

H.
CARNATIONS now prosecuting missionary
work is not less than forty. One gets 40
idea Of what is being effected BY these
when II 10 remembered that in India, so
lately given up TO heathenism, there are
$4,000 boys and 10000 girls in Christian
schools.
A wonderful work is going on among the
Mohammedans Of Damascus. Not less
than three thousand Of them have indicated
more or less intelligent desire to become
Christians. They have regular prayer
meetings, and pray to the Lord Jesus
Christ that he viii reveal himself to them
ssSaviour, aud lead them into light and
truth. So says Mr.. wAldmeir, missionary
now residing 10 Syris.
Twenty-Five commissions were voted by
the Executive Committee Of the American
Home Missionary Society, a, their meeting,
on the 22d, making fOr,y-six appointments
in January. Among the newly commits
stoned were classmates from the Union
Theological Seminary, New York-Rey,
Mortimer Smith and Rev. Emerson G.
Wicks, who 20 TO Iowa. A new pioneer
station was taken 10 Lincoln county, Min
nesotA.
A son Of Rev. Rufus W. Clark, D. d.
has gone TO Yokohams, Japan, to teach
the English and French languages and
Natural Sciences. Upon his arrival he was
requested to sign a contract, one article OF
which forbade him to teach religion. He
objected, bu, was told that this was useless Is
ii had been prepared BY the Imperial Gov
ernment. Nevertheless he stood firm,au his,
manly protest was effecsusl. A native said
TO Mr.. Clark, "You have broken down
strong Japanese wall"
The signs Of change 10 Japan are such
as to excite surprise aud hope on the part
Of those who desire to see that land lioer-
allied and Christianized. The MikAdo
lately appeared in the streets Of Yedo,
driven in an English carriage, four-in-
hand, with only four running footmen. Sub
sequently he walked out unattended. An
Imperial order has been issued forbidding
those obeisSnces and ceremonies which
the law formerly required Of those who me,
the MiksdO face 90 face, or passed his Off
ciAl emblems.
The excitement among the people Of
North China about poisoned wells, aud
poisoned pills, is subsiding.. There are
those, however, who seem to foresee = terri
bic breaking up Of the Empire. PeculAton
insecurity, pride, Maudsrinisn, and opium
smoking are said 10 be looseniug the
foundations Of society and the prediction
is that I'VE are about to witness cAtSclysu
10 the East, in the midst Of which ChinS
will become prey for the freebooiers oil
Europe" This may be one of the WAYS ia
which opposition to Christianity Eill be ter
minated, and eGese institutions give place
10 better aud progressive civilization.
Another milestone, marking the progress.
Of Christian civilization 10 AsH, wa,
reached Dec. :. 1871, when Hon. wm. +
Dodge Of New York City laid the corner
stone Of the Syrian Pro,sstal, College a
Belrsi, syria. !, was fitting that Tho gen
tlemGn who has contributed so much to
wards this enterprise should be 80 honored
q, It's actual inception. Rev. Dr.. DAME
Bliss, the President Of the College presided
and the Scriptures we're read in ArAoic
Great things are 10 be expected from th'
planting Of this and kindred institutions IL
that quarter Of the world, and the Chris
iian public will watch their growth viii
the livelisst interest.
New Guinea, which is 1900 miles long
and three or four hundred broad, aud COZ
tAins not far from million Of people, ha
generally been summed BY western traders
though The French once had small
settlement on the southeast coast, Recen
explorations have turned attention to i
asa hopeful field for missions. Instead 0
being stunted aud fsrocious, as has beef
Supposed, the people are found to be fn'
set Of men, much superior to mos. Of tn
Aus,rslssiau AbOrigines. They are tall ant
stout, aud, so far as appears, veil bshave'
aud friendly. Some Of them hSvo the ligb
eopper-colored skins Of tho Mssyg. Il !
probable that the London Missionary Socie
~ will send missionaries 10 that island.
The English Government WAS prompt i
replying TO the memorandum on mission
sont by the Chinese Government TO The REP
rssoolstvss Of foreign Courts. Earl Gran
vile protests GgainS. the indiscriminai
nature OF the complaints preferred, AM
declines to enter into any new arrange
ments, or to impose any restrictions upor
one class o.. British subjects which would b,
likely TO subject the whole Brisilh communi
~ In China to constant interference in thei
intercourse with the native population
Against them the government has no jus
cause for complaint. The Esrl's despatch
Is frank, sensible and decisive" and vii
be likely to make an impression.