The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1897-03-26
FRIDAY
AN ASIA LETTER.


The following received by Mr.. and
Mre. Jas. Marks from their son-in-law
Rev. C. R. Calender. viii be OF general
interest:
CHIISd MAI, LoAs, Dec. 20. 1886.
The annual meeting OF Mission and
Presbytery has just closed, having been
in session two weeke. Tomorrow most
of the missionaries from other stations
start home. We have been assigned 10
Lakawn for one year, at the expiration
o THAT time we may be assigned 10 the
same station or TO another. The mis-
sion Meeting seems TO be like \ Metho.
dist conference where the place OF each
minister is determined. with this differ
ence-Methodist ministers are sent by
the bishop, workers in the mission are
sent by the whole body, after consulting
the preferences, and reasons for such, Of
individuals.
The difficulties multiply and the wo-k
becomes moie complicated each year
as forces increase both py missionaries
and ingathering oil native converts, some
OF whom are preaching the gospel. The
mex ting OF mission is conducted iu.> En-
giish, but the Fresbytery in the Lao
tongue There are six stations that con-
stitu.e the mIssion-Praa, Nan, Iakawn,
Lampoon, (now a snbsiation OF Ching
Mali Ching Mai, and Ching Hal, which
is new station TO se opened soon In
the whole mission are 25 missionaries, 3
OF whom are at home on furlough, and 3
others are going soon. As rule re-
turned missionaries return TO the Tor
eign held alter one years stay Al home
In this number have not included the
wives oi missionaries, but ordained min
listers. physicians ard lady teachers.
In the native ministry are s ordained
ministers and lieeniiates. In Ching
Mai Is theological ttaiHirg school for
the native ministry, in which there were
80 this year. Chieng Mai church has
membership OF over zoo During the
year just past about go were aided 10
the different ehurehes,I Is ia namber.
The North Laos Preshvtery has the
name Of receiving q greater ratio into
the church thar any other, whether IN
foreign or home land
! must express surprise al the good
time missionaries here have. Tennis 4
a common GANG for recreation and ex-
ercise, as also is hOrsebAck-riding. There
is scarcely no end 10 horses; they are
much smaller, however. than those q;
home. There are no wagous. ba, forl
short haustng ox-cArts are used. For
long travelling either horses or elephants
a-e used. Oxen. mules. horseE and eie
plants are used SIS pack animals, and
often men carry goods Of the missionary.
Ho1seS Of missionaries are large and
nne, as rule think they are better
than houses Of home missionaries Cli-I
m2tic conditions neeessiiate large rooms
and plenty ct them Bath ron1ns are at
taehed 20 al The honses, the hath being
s very important factor 10 health. In
short, the ioseign missionary Il provided
with comforts Of life essential 10 the pre-
serving Of health aud progress OF Gosi's
work. From she standpoint oE temporal
comfort do not see that we have saeri.
heed anything. Aside from the sepAra-
lion from relatives il does noi eeen 3
sacrifice. Whsn one considers that idfBe
mail comes every iSo weeks gif there is
any by which II he takes papers, he
may - IS we. ia!ormesi as those 3
home. This rews il 3 liisle leland .ime
and Mhen one thinks especially q The
rich blessings coEnirg from preaching
tsse goEpel and teaching and seeing scores
brought into the kingdom. besides other
temporal comforts which have been
mentioned. when one considers these
things it can scarcely be said ghat the
element ot seif-s4criiIce ought - 8ay
consider ably degree enszr fsse mlu6 essteF
ot them going or them who are leit ia
the home lie.i. think shs SELF sacEs-
fc.ng part Is On the side o! these Temaju-
ing =; home rather than ea that q the
one going. We are ga@d we hsve come.
and believe that Gods hand q lore Nil!
guide ne farther Aud cause Is 10 he
blessing in the Lao land.