The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-10-04

GENERAL SURVEY OF THE WORK
OF THE AMERICAN BOARD, 1852.
BY REV. n. G. CLARK, d. D., SECRETARY.
The survey of the year presents much to
encourage the friends of missions. There has
been substantial growth at almost
every point throughol 1t the entire mission field,
and preparation for larger results in the near
future. The use of the Otis legacy has enabled
the Prudential Committee to supply what has
been judged best for the heslthful develop
ment of the work. Much more might have
been spent, much more has been asked for by
the different missions, in view of the almost
limitless opportunities on every hand, but the
Committee have felt it necessary, while sup
plying the most urgent needs, to keep in view
such scale of expenditure as may be sustained
in coming years. The enlargement is not so
much in the number of missionaries as in the
directions of higher Christian education, the
growth of an efficient native agency, and in
work among women.
CHANGES IN THE MIssIoNAR YFoRcE.
Only,three missionaries have been removed
by death the past year Rev. w. w. Bagster,
whose sublime faith, Christian earnsstness,
and self denying labsrs seemed likely to con-
tribute so much to thesuccess of the West Cen
trail African Mission; Mrs. Sarah E. Pierson, of
North China, and Mrs. Helen M. CLARK, of the
Austrian Mission, --women whose graees in
domestic life were only equaled by their singu-
lar devotion to the welfare of their sex in their
fields of labor. The number of deaths is less
than for many years, and is suggestive Of the
general healthfulness of the regions where
missionaries are located and of the care that
is taken to supply whatever is necessary to
their health and comfort. Nineteen, however,
including eight ordained missionaries and
their wives, have closed their connection with
the Board, in most instances because of the
health of some member of their families OF of
others dependent on them. Forty new mis-
sionaries have gone out for the first time,
including fifteen unmarried wemen. Twenty
five have returned to their several fields after
season of rest in this country.
MISSIONARY CHILDREN.
Mrs. Walker continues her valuable assist
ance in the care of missionary children.
Twenty five have been indebted to her for
care and assistance during the year, in ad-
dition to the regular grants for missionary
children authorized by the Beard as there has
been occasion. Contributions placed in her
hands fer immediate use, or added to the fund,
the income of which is to be placed at her
disposal, will do much to cheer the hearts of
the children, and to relieve the anxiety of
their parents abroad.
THE MISSIONS.
AFRIcA.-There is little to report of the
Zulu Mission. The native Christians are in
some sense on trial They are exposed to the
vices of European civilization and the demor-
alizing influence of heather customs in the
surrounding population. A more earnest
spirit Of conservation to Christ and deeper
sense of personal responsibility to lead a pure
life and to labor for the conversion of others
are indispensable to their growth in character.
They are also indispensable to any such CO.
operation with missionaries as has been hoped
for in opening the new mission into Umzilas
Country, fer which preparation has been
made.
The exploration attempted by MIR. Pinker-
ten, and further prosecuted by Mr.. Richards,
has revealed an interesting and healthful
countryawhen once reached, and one not very
difficult of access. The reception of the nis.
sionary by Umzila was as favorable to future
labors as could wen be expected. 1t is hoped
that the occupation of this new field will not
be long delayed.
The Christian public has been fully in
formed, through the columns Of the Mission
ary Herald, of the efforts made in Western
Africa. Many of the difficulties that seemed
necessarily incident to establishing missien
in Africa have been met and successfully over
come. The great loss experienced in the death
of MIR. Bagster has not disheartened his as
sociates, but has developed in them, if possible
a greater simplicity of faith, and humble
trustful reliance on God and his grace, such as
give assurance Of ultimate success. Mr.. Mil
Ter our colored brother, shows such tact, good
sense, and devotion to the work as to bind
him to his associates in the tenderest bonds Of
Christian fellowship. All seem to have beer
under special divine guidance, and have
gained, to an unusual degree, the good will Of
the natives.
TURKISH MISSIONS.
Despite many hindrances the year has beer
one of unusual prosperity in all branches O
missionary work. New churches have beer
gathered, over five hundred members received
on profession of faith and greater interes
than ever before has been shown in higher ed
ucation for both sexes. Seventeen new high
schools have been organized, largely through
the efforts of the people themselves, till now
AAsy SASts SSAOoAo duo oSlulttdllos nave
an attendance of nearly two thousand pupils
while between nine thousand and ten thous-
and children and youth are to be found in COM
mon schools. The establishment of colleges Il }
at Harpeot, and Aintab, of the "Home" al
Constantinople, and of theological semlnsrie
at other points, have done much to awaken an
interest in education. Hardly less is due to the
large number of Christian women from this
country devoted to Christian education and to
labor in the homes of the people.
In the Bulgarian Mission special interest at
tachss to the Training School at Ssmokov to
the native Evangelical Society working in
harmony with the mission, and to the relig-
ious press through which an influence is exert
ed far and wide beyond the immediate, per-
sonal labors of missionaries or native agents
The Bulgarians as people are making rapid
strides i'll intellectual and political progress
second only to the japanese. The next ten
years will do much to determine whether this
progress is to be merely secular or Christian.
In the Western Turkey Mission, including
Constantinople and what is csmmonly known
as Asia Minor, an unusual spirit Of inquiry is
manifest areng all classes. and better APP
probation of the missionary work, beth in
those who favor and in those who oppese it.
Natives who are indebted for all the education
they have to the agency of the Board. and
whose estimates of their own abilities or whose
views of mission policy are not fully concurred
in by the missionaries IN tho yrounJ -, h,, +b .