Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-11
AMERICAN BOARD.
IContinued from 1st page


In the Gilbert Islands, of the Pacific ocean,
British jurisdiction. upon the whole, is
found to be favorable 10 the peaceful and
effective prosecution of missionary WORK.
All problems Of past years connected WIN
missionary work in the Chinese Empire re-
main still to be solved, and some new per-
nlexities have been added during the cur
rent wear. 1t was inevitable that a. some
time the self-satistaction of the Cnlnese
Eupire and its rigid conservatism should
come into more or less violent collision with
the new spirit and movement that are
abroad among the nations. No one could
haze foreseen from what source this DIS
turhinp influence would arise; AMI 1T Is not
Of all strange that the neighboring empire,
which has so quickly responded TO western
Influences, should have been the occasion
of airing to it's depths the stagnant lie OF
This greatest Of the Oriental powers. IL mas
ever been the case that missionary interests
have been found to be most closely con-
nected with the movement OF poilucsi
event., and while as yet we can ~ no
means forecast tie result of the present
struggle, or the outcome thereof IN refer
ence 10 missionary work, there can be little
doult that Christian truth and CIVILIZATION
are To find a reader access into the very
center of Chinese life and thought and IN
stitntions. While, therefore, at the pres
ent moment anxieties can not be avoided as
to the personal safety of missionaries and
the security Of the institutions they have es-
tablished, beyond these present tumults
there is reason to expect great and cecl-
sive advantage soon to be realized IN Chris
tan work in behalf of this empire.
THE general interest Of the civilized
world in Africa and It's development con-
Times unabated, and the Christian effort 10
fill its dark lands with light and Its great
neoples with the Christian life remains, as
hitherto, the heart and living core OF that
movement. 1t is becoming more plain
every year that nothingis done to good pur-
nose in lifting up this long neglected CONT
nent into its appointed place IN the HE and
develop nent of the worlds at large nnless'
along with all political and commercial &C
tiyities, tie gospel is preached and its insti-
tutions established and its life awakened IL
the hearts of the pr op!e.
The Interference with Missionary work
which has resulted either directly or lndl-
rectly from the policy pursued by
the Turkish government hes been
fully reported to our own govern
ment at Washington; and we are
bappy to report the readiness with which
our repre- sensations in these matters have
been received. Not all the questions which
have arisen " hin the year have as yet re-
ceived a satisfactory solution. Some ques-
tions are at this very time pending which
involve ia a serious, almost in radical
way, the stability and success of missionary
work in the empire. There is occasion for
VIGILANCE, for prayer, and for unceasing eff
fort to secure right action on the part OF
our government and its representatives.
In more than LOO populous centers
force of 3. AL laborers foreign and native,
is preaching the gospel in twenty-six differ
emf Languages and conducting great
evanQelistic and educational enterprise. In
42l churches there is gathered a total mem
bership of 40, 1871, 3,055 of whom have
made profession of their faith this year. In
sixteen theological schools $50 students are
in direct training for the ministry; l2o col
leqes and high schools gather 1,6ll picked
youths of both sexes and prepare them to
reinforce the native agency, besides 81, 500
rnpils under Christian instruction and III
dnence in common schools. Medical ser
vice steadily expand, and broadens the area
of missionary labor the volume of Christ
ian literature widens and exerts deep and
stimulating influence.
The treasurer reported for the year end
ing August 81, 1894, as follows: