The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-16
Lord Lawrence on Missions.

Moved by various criticisms On the result of
Foreign Missions, in connection with the Day of
lntercession observed throug bout the empire last
month, the late noble Governor General of India
has addressed to the Times letter which we ap-
pend. 10 simple, unlm FASHIONED language he
states his conviction, after an unusually wide and
careful observation Of facts that the Christian en-
terprise OF our Churches in that vast country,
where he spent nearly 40 years in close sympathy
with ITS people, is genuine has been owned of God
for much permanent good, and only wants In
creased agency with more power.
Writing to a secular paper. Lord Lawrence
scarcely touches the spiritual aspect of his suit ect
but we knO'o that he looks to the immediate grace
OF the Holy Spirit as indispensable for the prOv!d
ing OF true laborers, and for the conversion of
souls, and that he has faith in prayer to the Lord
OF the harvest. Always an evangelical member Of
the Church OF England, though in Calcutta he
often worshipped In or own "St Andrews" be
has long been In the ha5t, 10 his numerous Jour
neylngs, OF mixing the acquaintance of mission
aries OF all denominations, and Of examining into
their work. The words OF such man, on matter
OF which he is so competent to testify, carry pecu-
liar weight.
Among other things, he says:
Bearing in mind that general missionary effort
In lndla dates from 1873 and that even now mis-
slonarles are sent forth in such inadequate num-
bers that with few exceptions, only the large
towns and centres have been occupied (some Of
them with slngle msslonary,) it was scarcely to
Se expected that in the course Of sixty years the
$ of India would be utterly abolished; the
rather Is, that already there are so many
BILE Indications that Hinduism is fast
ID upon the affections of the people.
y TO be expected that the citadel
nder at the first summons, but there
spect, by Gods bl ssngS OF its being
=. last; and at this crlslsoi Lf:1ssA5fs<SorJ'
t important that the people should receive
instruction In the saving truths OF the gospel
But you say there is no human enterprise Of
such organization the missions of the Church Of
England which shows such poor results. Is this
indeed the case? 1t is very difficult TO estimate
the effects of moral and still less of spiritual work
Those of material operations are palpable to even
superficial observation. Not so in the other case
One must look deeply, one must understand the
people subject to such Influences before il is pos
sbe to estimate the effects which have been pro-
duced on their minds and characters. The nun
Der OF actual converts to Christianity in India in
Guiding Burmah and Ceylon, is not Insignificant
BY the latest returns which are trustworthy, their
numbers do not TALL much short Of 300 000 But
these numbers do not by any means give an ade-
quate estimate of the results OF missionary labor,
There are thousands OF persons scattered over La.
dla who, from the knowledge which they have ac.
CURED either directly or indirectly, from the dis.
semination OF Christian truth, OF Christian priuc-
pies, have lost all belief in Hinduism and Mahom.
mechanism, and are in their conduct Influenced by
higher motives, who yet fear to make an open pro-
feSson of the change in them, lest they should be
looked on as outcasts and lepers by their own
people. Such circumstances must go on influence.
ing converts until the time comes when their num-
bers are sufficiently large to enable them to stand
forth and show their faith, without ruin to their
position in life. Tile MssionarH