The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-02
No. Z.
HANecHow. CH1NA. Auaust. 1s74.

HANGCHow, CHINA, August, 1874.
We have seen the marked providence by
which our Church was called TO undertake
q mission to China; and now, if anything
we're needed to strengthen her faith, it will
be found in the no less marked manner, in
the striking providence by which her work
here has been helped and carried on. The
tokens of our Lords favor to this mission
have been multiplied, and many of them
could be fully appreciated only by those who
are 10 the field. But, there are some so con.
spicuOus and so singular, that no one who
considers them can fail to be impressed.
Suppose that when our Church was asked
20 begin mission here, it had been objected
thar the upper classes in this land were proud
and exclusive, and the officials sVerse to the
settlement of missionaries in the interior, and
on this account it was not we'll to send mis-
SiOnaries here. Aud suppose that in reply
10 this it had been stated, that if the Church
would but send men here, the Lord would
bring them to one of the largest cities of the
interior, the capital of one of the wealthiest
and most pOpulOus provinces; that in this
city BE would cause the highest officials of
the province to come forward, and invite rs
TO choose for ourselves 3 location: that on
this invitation the missionaries should select
the most eligible land in the city for their
work, and lay of as much Of it as they
thought good; that this land would then be
made over to them in fee-simple, and that
under official auspices the missionaries should
erect chspels and other buildings, procls-
nation being issued at the same time stating
the rights conceded in this thing. Suppose,
We say, a statement like this had been made
to our Church at the outset, would not every
OnehaYe said, truly, if the Lord will do this for
us we must know He wishes as to work there
If He does this, surely He will be with US
there to the end. And yet He has done
this. In the city of HangchOw all this came
to pass To the wonder of every Christian
in the province, the Lord showed our mission
this grace. As though this were not enough,
We we're in need at the same time of native
helpers. The Committee at Columbia called
on our churches to pray for Us in this thing.
Scarcely had the prayers been Ofered-be-
fore even the tidings of the call had been
brought to US across the ocean, two native
Christians, from unexpected quarters, Joined
our mission-One a preacher, the other a
teacher in the boys school. These men are
now with US. In HangchOw and in SOOchOw,
daily the word of salvation is preached to
not few, and time would fail US 70 tell Of
the manifold ways in which the Master
blessed be His name gives US His help.
He "lOsdeth us with benefits"
And now, we bring these letters to an end.
We are conscious how imperfeCtly we have
dealt with this vast theme, the work of Christ
among the Chinese. We know how many
things might be said, we have been forced to
pass By. And yet, We cannot close without
declaring again our deep conviction before
the whole Church, our Church is called
BY Christ to preach His gospel in this land
The work thus set before US, is one fitted tC
awaken the highest enthusiasm, the most de-
voted energies of Christian men. The day
is coming when the people of China shal
confess, with the voice of praise, that Chris
is the Lord. But how soon this day shall
come depends on Us. It depends on the full
ness and freeness with which the Church
gives herself to this work. The gospel mus
first be preached to every creature, and theI
oOmeth the end. By our slOth and self
seeking, We may retsrd the day of glory
By our zeal and diligence We may hasten i
on; and blessed, thrice blessed, are thOs
who in that day shall be found to have don
what they could. NJ. Il. q.