The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-19
For THE CENgg ssBHTERIAN.
CHINA AND Ife NTENNIAL.

hibition in PhiladesE sBy the mail which
has just arrived frs Gland we learn that
collection amount nearly 500 tons of
packages has beer Eith this view. A
large part of this rady been shipped
to this country, 81 Bmainder was soon
to follow ".
The space to bs bed by the Chinese
collection embrafs jtated, 1914 square
feet. 1t is situ5s . South Avenue, i'm
mediately oppesit Japanese collection,
thus giving CONVEX qpportunity to COM
pare the prOdncs: sStwo nations. This
space is divided several courts, the fit.
tings of which will be thoroughly Chinese.
The front entrance to the main court will
present the model of a famous specimen of
Chinese architecture, the Fukien clubhouse
at Ningpo, with all it's elaborate carvings
At each corner of the court is beautifully
constructed pagoda, Is feet high, while the
centre will be occupied with the principle
silk and satin stands Other entrances will
present various specimens of architecture,
while at some will be seen the triumphal
gateway, 80 familiar to the traveller in China,
known as the pei-lon. In rear of the main
court will be displayed fine collection of
old bronzes, etc., finished by Mandarin,
named Hu Taotai. This splendid collection
alone is valued at $4,000. Right and left
of this will be prominent stands for porcelain,
wood and ivory carvings, furniture, etc.
Among the porcelain will be collection Of
ancient ware from the city of Kiukiang; and
some beautiful enamels have been contributed
by Hu Quang yang, banker of Hangchow,
the city, it will be remembered, in which our
own mission is established. In rear of all
but still prominent, will be placed the hum
bier, but not less interesting articles of trade,
grains, teas, etc. The counters and stands
are to be covered with light-blue silk, bor-
bered with Aowered silk; while around the
pillars of the courts will be grouped speci-
mems of Chinese costumes from all parts of
the Empire.
Any one who reads the list of articles col
lected in China for this exhibition must be
impressed anew with the abundance of the
riches of the earth on which we live. 1t is
full, says the PSalmist, full of the goodness of
the Lord. The articles comprise silks and
tea of all kinds; bags, bamboo and bamboo
ware, cassia, lignea, camphor, chinaware,
earthenware and pottery; Goals; boots and
shoes cotton and cotton-seed; dyes, colors
and paints; fans of all kinds; grain, glass
ware, bangles, etc.. grass and grass-seed
and grass.cloth; hair, hemp, rope and twine
indigo; mats and mating; medicines, me-
tails (manufactured) musk, nankeens, oil of
all kinds, with petroleum from Hankow and
TamSui paper of all kinds, either in quires
or in small bales to show the method of pack
ing; preserves, sugars, rattan-ware furs
and skins; tobacco, vermicelli, macaroni,
wool; agricultural implements; pictures
and scrolls models Of boats and vehicles of
locomotion, ETC., etc. In preparing this
large collection for exhibition, the whole of
the workmanship is Chinese, not 80 much as
foreign nail having been used in the con-
structiOn even of the packing-cases and a
body of Chinese workmen having been des-
patched to Philadelphia for the purpose Of
fitting up the courts.
To US, however, the most interesting fea-
ture of this collection yet remains to be
mentioned. We mean the missionary pub
locations. Copies of these have been gather
ed up by Mr.. A. Wylie, the venerable agent
of the British and Foreign Bible Society in
China, and he accompanies them with a COM
plete and valuable catalogue in Chinese and
English. No one who prayS the Master to
send out His light and truth can fail to be
gratifed at the number of these publications.
They already reach LAS. They are the
beginning of Christian literature in China
To many an observer, no doubt, who inspects
the Chinese collection, these books will
scarcely be regarded in the display Of Orien-
tai splendor and wealth but to the reflect
ing mind they will be marked as indicating
the handspring of all the events which lead
up to worlds fair. God is in our day
bringing nigh to US the far-off ends of the
earth. He makes all His mountains way
and His highways are exalted. An exhibi-
tion for the world is planned now with as
much confidence as our fathers could have
shown in arranging for country fair. But,
in bringing this to pass, God has in view the
spread of Ills truth among all nations
Many shall run to and fro, He declared
through His prophet Daniel, and the Inter.
national Exhibition in Philadelphia will il
lustrate this; but the missionary publica.
tions which shall be seen there will evince
what He himself declared should be the OBJ
iect and end of all this, His energetic rule
knowledge shall be increased.
NJ. H. H.
ONE of the saddest conditions of human
creature is to read Gods word with vel
AL hI;odfo1doJ L