Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-16
F OR EIGN MISSION S
EK-Secretary Foster Tells Of the Work in
the East


Ex-Secretary John w. Foster appeared
last night before a large audience at the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. at
the invitation Of the Washington city pres
oytery to talk about his observations in the
neid OF foreign missions during his recent
"Trip around the world. Mr. Foster read
from great volume OF notes, culiing out
the most interesting OF his memoranda 90
give his hearers clear understanding OF
the situation In the far east He noted In
turn all OF the oriental countries where mis-
sion work is being DONE and gave some in
teresting statistics concerning the advance
OF the Christian influence. The growth OF
the missions among the Moslems, he said.
is not great, but steady and encouraging
In the course of time the temporal power OF
Mohammedanism has been broken down
and little by little the millions OF followers
OF the prophet have been made accessible 60
the influence of the Christian Church. Il
have no doubt" said Mr. Foster. ''of th,.
ultimate triumph Of the crusade against IN.
Mohammedan church. 1 cannot speak with
certainty Of the date OF that triumph. but
II VIII depend solely upon the zeal OF the
home church."
The speakers view OF the condition Of
things In India was optimistic. though not
beyond the point Of reason. In that ''cita-
del OF paganism," he said. there Is n most
wonderful field. where the chances may now
seem 10 be against the Christian Influence
but where the work of evangellzation Will
II continued with persistence. eventually un-
defmine the entire social and religious
structure of the land. This is admitted by
the most advanced Hindoo thinkers who
nave been endeavoring 10 arouse a patriotic
Leenng TO counterfeit the Influence OF the
Christian church.
My first impression was one of djsan-
rointment that 70 little had been accom-
pllshed. Few of the Christian leaders would
admit that any progress had been made.
ST rlI 81 hs.
me 10 conclude that there is an apparent
advance toward the Characterization OF the
country. There has been great Improve
hent IN the moral and social conditions
and there have been some most important
reforms that are 10 be traced directly 10
the exposures made by the missionaries IL
there could not be a single conversion to the
ehurch recorded In India for the past cen
Jury these reforms alone would amply pay
LOT an that has been expended. The Chris
tlahs IN India now exceed the number OF
those In Rome at the end OF The first CEN
tury OF the Christian era"
Mr. Foster spoke of the price that the
common people pay for the adoption of the
christian faith. being thrown from their
caste ana ostracised. But much has been
accomplished through the impartial rule of
the Biltlsh government. which, IL not open-
~ Is secretly IN hopes Of the christianiza-
tlon or India. The railroads are slowly but
surely breaking down the caste system and
lhdla is slowly coming TO n great social
crisis that canr OF fail to helm her along
toward better conditions. At present there.
Is grave danger Of the establishment of a
sort OF Hlndoo Cnitarianism-a Christianity
without Christ. One native writer has
warned his fellows that they are ia danger
OF falling from the hell of heathcnism 10
the deeper hell off nhdelity." MIR. Foster
spoke at some length Of the small comforts
OF the missionaries, as contrasted with their
dlscomforts and dangers from the climate
ana The fatal surroundings, giving a touch
ing Instance of the heroism Of a voung
a shn hos
with leprosy, who has gone back 10 her post
TO die among the doomed people
fassing TO China, the speaker said that
tEefe Is the best field for Christian effort
for the barriers are being broken down on
every hand, and the countless millions Of
people are now more accessible than ever
he told OF attending a series Of revival
meetings held In north China, where great
enthusiasm was shown by the natives
There are some very advanced schools and
the field, which Is fertile. can never DE over
Gre wded by the home church
There is also fair success to be had I'm
C"rea, though at present the war Is hinder
ing the work. But eventually the civil
struggle will help the missionary work that
Is sure TO be carried into this country
There is a curious state Of things I'm
Japan, where there is some of the best ma
terial Tor this work to be had in all the
east. Remarkable progress has been made
by this nation In accepting the ways Of the
west, except as to religion. Japan IS max
ing the mistake Of accepting the result of
thIlsuahlty without taking the cause. But
that VIII surely come. Just now there is a
great revival OF native patriotism, owing to
the curious misconstruction that has been
put on the recent parliament Of religions
reid at Chicago. The native writers are
striving 20 show that America called this
parliament because il is dissatisfied with
Christianity, and seeks to know what there
is in Buddhism. There is even thought Of
a missionary movement TO convert America.
But what converts there are i'm Japan are
OF the upper class, and there are some of
the highest officials TO be found in the ranks
OF the native Y. NJ. &. A. At one meeting
of this association, held in Toxic there were
over twelve hundred native young men
present.
In conclusion, Mr.. Foster spoke Of the
duty Of the home church 10 give literally
and To support the missions The average
OF the Presbyterian Church yearly is only
- cents per member. while the Quakers
give annually about 81 each. IL this propor-
ton were applied to the Presbyterians that
church alone would give the board over
sion,W1. The sum needed is about s2ooO-
co.. annually