Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-25
The Missionary Work Among
Chinese and Indians
Is Being Carried on by Devoted Band
Of Workers.
A Sig Crowd Warmly We'csmes the Big tx
Speaker 10 Minneapolis.

Il rest in the proceedings.
The report on the Chinese mission was
read by Rev. A. f. Dnuning, D d. of Bos-
ton, editor of the Corgre 4tionslst:
The 24th year of the Chinese missions of
the American Missionary Association on the
Pacific coast closes vi h 81 schools under
its care, most of them in California. Thir-
ty-four teachers have tsught 1901 Chinese
pupils. OF whom 1917 have been lead to cease
worshipping idols, and l63 have professed
faith in Jesus Christ.
These schools are scattered through the
cities and towns from San Francisco south
ward, 500 miles, TO San Diego, on the bor-
ders of Mexico.
The work done is hand-to-ha work, not
marked by waves of emotion, not blocked
by excited opposition. The teachers in
these schools patiently lead their pupils into
the know ledge of the English language and
American customs, and as patiently, step
by step, into the knowledge of the gospel
The meet the traditions of idol. and ances-
tor worship inherited from more than twice
as many as the Christian centuries. They
seek to recTeate consciences in bondage of
fear to evil spirits into consciences respon-
sive TO the will Of the one holy God.
The opposition to the work of these mis-
sionary teachers and converted Chiuamen
has no warmth Of excitement. On the part
of Americans it is mainly Indifference,
which sometimes sinks into the sneer of a
congressman or the oath of sandlot poiti-
clan, or else it is the expressed conviction
that no Chinaman is sincere, and that the
only aim of the pupils is selfshness 10
learn English or get work. Enough exam
pies are furnished to give as sharp a point
to these criticisms as goes with those made
against evangelisti2 movements in Christian
communities.
These teachers, then, do not find their re-
ward in money, nor in fame, nor in excite
ment of large gains in the number of con
veIts.
The converted Chinaman has not less
Chfistirn heroism than the American Chris
tian; there must be enough responsive
heruism in all the Congregational disciples
in the United States to make up the
amount of money needed to carry on the
work.
This work is not likely TO take on much
larger proportions. The number of Chi
uese in this country is slowly but steadily
decreasing, ard is now probably less than
100000. The immigrants come from one
province only, and that under British con-
troll. We have TO thiuk Of many of them
going back into heathen communities with
a faith rs inspiring as that which ami
mated the saints Of Caesars household,
TO whom tie apostle sent greeting. We
have to think Of the mission which
thos3 Chinese Christians in America sus-
tsin in Hong Kong. China, Uuly 10 years
Old yet, but already having a goodly num-
Der of missionaries, teachers ard pupils,
evargeIizing influences from our mission
in Amerlcs, working in the heart of the
old, st, darkest, greatest centre of Asiatic
heatheudom We have to think of the
present war between Cbins and Japan, with
It's unknown possibilities, with its amazing
certainiies OF breaking down cid and mighty
barriers and op ming the way for Western
civilization and TIE universal gospel. In
our Chinese mission God has set before us
an open door.
Repcfi on Indian Work.
The report on Indian work was presented
by tie chairman. Rev. Dwight NJ. Pratt of
Portland, Me. The substance of the re-
port was as follows: Churches here at
home that find the work Of conversion diff
cult and spiritual harvesting meager, may
we'll turn for inspiration to the Indian
churches of N,braska and the Dakotas,
where in some instances q, and even as
many as 46, new converts have been added
to individual churches during the year on
confession of faith.
Many Of our large city churches cannot
claim such large Sunday school as that at
Fort BeTthold, n. D., with its enrolment of
275 Indian children; or such proportionate
beneyolence az that of the Indian churches
which gave last year out of their poverty
$500, 5000 and 1915 respectively.
Where, under similar conditions among
our white populations, can we parallel the
church at Fort Yates. that in four years
has grown from a membership of l6 to 100,
and at the May communion added II more
converted Indians TO its enrolment?
Such spiritual fruitsgs in work so re-
Gently established is siDply marvellous. II
puts to shame the devotion, the benevolence,
the converting power of Congregational
churches fhfoug hout the land, and places
the Sork of ;iis association on the highest
level Of Christian ffectiveness.
An opportunity OF rare promise has pre-
sented itself in ,he young mission at Crow
agency, Montana. More than 5000 Indians
come under its immediate supervision. No
other evangelical Protestant mission has
entered the reservation.
The opportunity, in lis msgnifcence,
cannot be surpassed. The work of the
association among the Indisns seems TO be
demonstrating in a very marked way the
law of spiritual increase, "to bin that hath
all be given Every year shows accum-
ula,ing gains because of the annual acquisi
ton of power. The influence secured this
year makes enlargement possible rex. year.
The red msn is coming TO appreciate and
desire tie benefits that flow FROM Christian
isy and personal religion. The value of his
own manhood has dawned upon him 10 such
So extent that whole tribes are responding
10 Christian love and yizldiDg to Christian
truth Such is the ousloos everywhere.
II ia Ho'hing less tAsa appalling TO think
of closing schools OF dismis.ing missionary
teachers, Of SHIFTING the doors Of learning
IN the face of more than 400 expec Giant