The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-26
Is IT PAYING Il

nee OF Snrlstihn oeNotlou hhu treasure ior
the results attained, probably find bone
OF. contention in the concrete in the
Chinese missions that the public is just
now learning much about by reason OF
the attention directed TO them by the
massaeres at Kucheng, and the general
discussion may be dropped i'm favor OF
the single question ''does it pay to try TO
Christianize the Chinese?''
A Presbyterian minister of Pittsburg,
Rev. Mr.. DoNEHoo, is strongly OF the
opinion that IL does net. He is, we be-
lieve, in favor OF foreign missions gener-
ally, but pessimistic with regard to the
work in China. His conclusion is based
on the record, and also on his idea, that
the Chinaman is not favorable subject
for the Christian worker. With regard to
the work among Cinnamon in America
he declares that al have never yet found
one who gave evidence of thorough con-
version to Christianity, though / have
known large number who have been in
our Sabbath schools and a few who have
professed convention - And IL this is so,
when Christianity is a preponderating in
fluence, the inference is that the self-sac-
rihce and the money devoted TO the
Chinese in China must be largely wasted
or could much better be expended
elsewhere.
In this connection we have at hand the
latest annual report of the Foo Chow
mission, made to the American Board.
AS has been evidenced OF all the Chinese
missions, the Foo Chow enterprise is
characterized by long self-sacrificing ser
vice in the part OF the missionaries. OF
the American missionaries, Rev. c. BALD
WIN, ID. d., and wife, of Bloomfield, N.
j., went to Foo Chow in 1s4s, only one
year after the establishment Of the mis-
sion, and therefore have served AZ years.
Rev. SIMON WOODEN and wife of Green
River, n. ", entered the service 30
years ago. Rev. JOSEPH Il. WALKER and
wife Of Princeton, Me-, have given 20
years. the best part of their life's prime,
to the work of this mission. These vet
erans have found that life In Chinese
boats and inns, in smoky lofts, preaching
house, inn and street, in conference with
the preachers, teachers and church men,
bers, in settling disputes, internal and ex-
ternal, work in debilitating foreign cli-
mate whiten the head and sap the life
blood early. Hence their appeal is for
!aborers and successors There are women IS
prayer meetings, Sabbath schools, Chris
tian Endeavor societies and wide evan
elistic work in Foo Chow and Shao-wu
and the country villages, far and near.
When Mr.. BALDWIN went to China the
number of Christians in the entire empire
was only IL. Now there are fully so, 600.
The field covers large regions in the Foo
Chow and Shao-wu districts, and the pop
ulation dependent on the mission for the
gospel is roughly estimated at 1000, 900
or over. The natural facilities for prose-
cutting work in certain large sections are
favorable. The people like to build on
plains and valleys, and are densely mass
ed in cities and villages with close con-
nections by waterways or stone-paved
roads. This renders them easy of access
in large numbers to the missionary.
The statistics OF the Foo Chow mission
up to date, are as follows: Five stations,
30 out stations, 80 missionaries, physi-
clans, 10 female assistant missionaries
1.-TWO OF them physicians), 6 native pas
tors, % native preachers, 40 native teach
ers, 10 other helpers, 25 churches, 926
members (313 Of them women), 172 re-
ceived on confession this year, theolo-
gical schools, 10 pupils; 2 boys high
schools, 20 pupils; one girls boarding
school, 20 pupils; one women's boarding
school, 2s pupils; 80 common schools,
672 pupils, ID of them girls; 1889 Sunday
school pupils, 2 hospitals, Z dispensaries,
2s,sls patients treated, 214,662 papers
printed; native contributions, q, 800 30.
DR.. BALDWIN reports IS members re-
ceived to the church during the year,
making a total living membership OF 200,
whereas ten years ago two were received on
confession of iaith, and the total men,
bership was but D.
We are not given the cost in money OF
these years of loyal service, but assuming
the reliability of the figures, it would
appear that, even in China, there is hope
for Dhrfottapffv and Ehr;.tg.. .,,s.,ga..