The Newtown bee., 1897-03-19
A Strange Land and a Strange
 People.


 People.
 THE AWFUL sUPERsTITIoNs AND FOUL
 DEGRADATION OF CHINA.-A LAND
 WHERE LOVE IS UNKNOWN, WHERE
 WOMAN IS DERPIsED, AND WHERE
 THERE IS NO HOME.-THE ALL CON
 oUERINa GOSPEL AND WHAT IT IS DOING THERE.
 It is safe to say that a clearer sketch of Chinese life and customs has never been given in so brief time as was that presented by Rev James H. Roberts, of the Not China mission unae1 the | Amnlcan Board, at the Congregational church, last Sunday. MT Roberts has for 20 years labored in that country, making his headquarters at Kalgan, heathful spot among the mountains. He is in thorough love with his work, having devoted to it his heart and life, and has no idea of abandoning it until the Great Master-wnrkman calls him home. He may return to his field in the autumn, leaving his three boys in this country to get an education in good schools, which are sadly lacking in China. The only regret to be expressed about his visit to Newtown is that the weather on Sunday proved so indictment that only small portion of the usual congregation had the rare privilege of hearing him, privilege that all would have most thoroughly enjoyed.
 The manner and the spirit of the man cannot be reproduced in words, but 8 few thoughts gathered at random from Mir Roberts. addresses may give some insight into the life of that strange land. The churches in this country are like Idynamos. The Lord gives the power the Mission Boards are the wires, and the missionaries at the front apply the power of the Lord and the churches. l The lDTInGTu W dll was bultl than 2l centuries ago. It is not made of brick, but of stones of all shapes laid together without mortar and rising with curved sides to sharp edge; so that .Dl $. Wells Williams, in his book, "Tht
 Middle Kipgdom," is right in saying tha the wall could be easily pulled to pieces : but could not easily be crossed. It ex , tends across country 1900 or 1,60I miles, running even to the top of higi . mountains; it's length, as the crov flies, is only 1,200 miles. The Grea i Wall was built to keep evil influences out of the country as much as it wal = designed to be protection agains enemies; for the people, who are very superstitious, believe that enemies com . from the north. The Chinese who com to America are almost entirely iron Canton; but these people are regarde as enemies by the people of Nortl China, for they are mongrel race. Tn degradation of the people, which is fear D ful, may be attributed to these causes early marriage, poverty, lack of educa tion, lack of Christian faith. Tn q people have no idea of cleanliness, an the filth of some of the cities is indes cribable. MT Roberts wife said
 "When I go into the home of Japanese
 am afraid that my shoes will soil tn
 floor but when I go into the home of
 Chinaman, I am afraid that the foo
 will soil my shoes" Education is tn
 possession only of the few. Practicall
 none of the women are educated; one
 tenth of the men may said t
 be educated fairly, one-tent
 more very poorly, and one out of severa
 which means he knows Chinese histor,
 and Confucian philosophy. One blacl
 mark that must always be score
 against the Chinese who are heather
 that they cannot tell the truth
 Marriage is not based on love. The re
 ligion of Confucius does not rest ol love; it's highest virtue is compassio of superiors toward interiors, and sut ! OFt anth fn hnn above them. The Chinese live withou o hope this is seen written on their facei :. The dying words of Tso Chung Tang, b , some thought to be the greatest ( modern gene rals, to his Emperor were |. "Ican do nothing furth CT for you. Tn most that can hope for is that my so, :. will pass into the body of horse and g s I can carry about your royal person, ( e guard your royal dwelling" Nearl , every Chinaman has three religions Confucianism, which is only system (
 moral maxims. with no doctrine of Go
 or soul or atonement or future awards
 Buddhism, which means salvatio
 through good works, and which send
 the Chinaman on long pilgrimages
 makes him turn the prayer-wheel, an sets him at lingering beads; Taoisn :, which tells how to drive out evil spirit.