The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-01-17

How II looks down upon the cradle and the
grave of centuries An the fruit OF one treo
unlawiully eaten struck the race with woe
and the uplifting OF another tree brings
peace 10 the soul. let the woodman spare the
tree and all nations honor II, n, through
higher teaching, we do not. like the Ceyion-
ese, worship II How consolatory that when
we no more walk under the tree branches on
earth we may see the ''tree OF life which
bears twelve manner OF fruit and yields her
fruit every month, and the leaves OF the
tree are for the healing OF the nations ~
Two professions I saw In Ceylon within
one hour, the fret led by Hlndoo priest, q
huge pot OF flowers on his head, his face dis
figured with hcly laceratons and his un-
washed followers beating as many discords
from whnt are supposed 10 he musical In
struments as at one time can be induced to
enter the human ear. The procession halted
at the door OF the huts. The occupants
came out and made obeisanco and presented
small contributions. In return therefor the
priest sprinkled ashes upon the children
who came forward, this evidently form OF
benediction. Then the procession. led on
by tho priest, started again. More noise
more ashes, more gcnuiiection. However
keen ones scnse OF the ludicrous, lie could
find nothing To excite even n smile In the
movements OF such n procession. Meaning
less. oppressive, squald. filthy. sad.
Returning To our carriage, we rode on for
few moments, and we came on another
procession, n kindly lady leading groups OF
native children. all clean, bright, happy,
laughing. They were n Christian school out
for exercise. There seemed as much 'rtelli-
gence. refinement and happiness In that reg
iment Of young Cingalese as you would find
In the ranks OF any young hilcs' seminary
being chapcroned on their afternoon walk
through Central Park New York, or Hyde
Park, London. The Hindoo procession H.
lustrntcd on asmall scnle something OF what
Hlndoolsm can do for the world. The Chris
titan procession illustrates on a small scale
something OF what Christianity can do for
the world. But those two professions were
only fragments oftwo great PROFESSIONS ever
marching across our world. tho procession
blasted OF superstition and the procession
blessed OF gospel light. | saw them In one
afternoon in Ccylon. They are to DO seen in
all nations.
Nothing is OF moro thrilling Interes. than
tho Christian achievements In this island.
The Episcopal 'hurch was here the national
church, but tdisestnblishmen, has taken place,
and since Mr.. Gladstones accomplishment
OF that fact in 1850 all denominations are on
equal platform, ani all Rre doing mighty
work. America is second to no other nation
In what has bcen done for Ceylon. Since
1916 she has had her religious agents in the
JaiTna peninsula OF Ceylon. The Spnuld-
ings, the Howlands. the Drs. Poor. the
Saunders, and others just as good and strong
have been lighting back monsters OF super
stition and cruelty greater than any that
ever swung the tusk or roGrod In the junglos.
The American missionaries in Ceylou
have given special attention 10 medical in.
struction and are doing wonders in driving
back the horrors of heather surgery. Gases
OF suffering were formerly given over 10 the
devil worshipers and such tortures inflicted
as mny not be described. The patient was
trampled by the feet OF tho medical atten-
dants. II Is only Of Gods mercy that there
Is n living mother In Ceylon. oh, how
much Ceylon needs doctors, and the mcll-
cal classes OF native students under the care
Of those who follow the examble Of the late
Samuel Fish Green are providing them. so
| that all the nl.viatlons and kindly minis
| tries and scientific Scumen that can be found
| in American and English hospitals will soon
bless all Ceylon.
In that island are thirty-two American
school, 2l0 Church OF England schools 23i
Wesleyan schools. 234 Roman Catholic
schools. All, the schools decidem most every
thing How suggestive tho incident that
| came TO me in Ceylon. In u school under
the care of the Episcopal church two boys
were converted TO Christ and were to be
baptized. An Intelligent Buddhist boy said
| In the school. Let all the boys on Buddhh's
side come 10 this part OF the room ,.1i al,
the boys on Christ's side go to the other
| part OF the room"
All the boys except two went on Buddha's
| side, and when the two boys who were to be-
baptized were scoifed at and derded one OF
them yielded and retired 10 Buddha's side
| But aiterward that boy was sorry that he
| bad yielded 10 the persecution, and when
the day OF baptism came stood up beside the
boy who remained firm. Some one said 10
| the boy who had vacillated III his choice be-
tween Buddha and Christ, "You are a
coward and not III for either side. :" but he
| replied, 81 was overcome OF temptation, bu,
repent and believe" Then botn bows were
baptized, and from that time the Anglican
mission moved on more and more vigorously.
| will not say which Of all the denomina-
tions OF Christians Is doing the most for the
evangelization OF that island. bu; know this
--Ceylon will be taken for Christ Sing
Bishop Heber's hymn.
What though the spicy brnczes
Blow soft over Ccylon's isle
Among the first places visited was n
Buddhist college, about 100 men studying 10
become priests gathered around the teachers.
stepping into the building whers the high
priest was insiructng :he class we were
apolegetc and told him We We're Americans
and would like TO Sea his mode OF teaching
II he had no objections whereupon he be-
gan, doubled up rs ha was on lounge, with
his right hand playing with his foot. In his
LEFT hand he held package OF bamboo
leaves, on which were written the words OF
the lesson, each student holding q similar
package OF bamboo leaves. The high priest
first read and then one OF his students rend.
A group OF rs finely formed young men as
ever saw surrounded the instructor The
last word of each sentence was inloned.
There was ia the whole scene an earaastness
which impressed me. Not able 10 under
stand word OF what was said, there Is
book OF language and intonation that is the
same among all races. That tho Blu idhis,s