The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-22
Rev. d. w. LaLec.
heur Tells Of His
Experiences.
At DEWEY STREET CHURCH.
Hs Has Sat Where Only
! Buddha Has Sat
Before.

Rev, D. w. LaLecheur, superintend-
ent of the Christian Missionary Alliance
work in China, Japan and Malaysia,
was in Worcester yesterday and in the
afternoon addressed a missionary mass
meeting at Dewey street Baptist church.
Rev. Mr.. LaLecheur bears the dis
tinction of being the pioneer mission
airy in Thibet.
He, represents the youngest but one
of the most prosperous missionary
works. The work is carried on by con-
tributions- received at Old Orchard and
New York and last year about $780, 900
was spent in the work. There are 1913
missionaries in China distributed be-
tween 40 and so stations. More than
goo missionaries are distributed by the
alliance in the missionary field of the
world
Rev. Mr.. LaLecheur was seen by a
Spy man in the evening and talked in
terestingly of his experiences in Thi-
bet. Accompanied by Rev. George
Shields of Toronto, he left Wuhu, Cen
trail China, April /, 1897, for Thibet. 1t
required nearly seven months unceasing
travel to reach their destination. Four
teen days were passed in crossing the
bet, and during those IA days the ira
1yelers were in the saddle Is hours of
every day. In crossing the desert, Mr.,
LaLecheur was stricken with a disease
much resembling Asiatic cholera, but
his life was spared When the two ira
velers reached the borders of Thibet
they were Joined by William Christie,
a young Scotchman, whom the alliance
had sent out three years previously
IL; I.
Christie had taken up his residence on
the borders of the province and learned
the language thoroughly, so he proved
indispensable as guide and interpreter.
The three men rode into the province
entering unknowingly through the rob
Der district. This place is infested by
bands of robbers who plumber and
murder for a living. They watch the
approach of travellers and caravans
from the mountain and when the dis
trict is reached the robber bands sally
forth and plumber, stopping at nothing
to accomplish their desire for gain.
Rev. Mr.. LaLecheur and his compan-
ions found themselves in the district
where many were murdered the previ-
Gus day, and about the corpses were
four bands of the robbers, numbering
40 men. Each one of the band was
armed with a long spear and IL was
necessary for the travellers to pass pc
tween two rows. Just before entering
the missionaries stopped for prayer
and then passed through unmolested,
the bandits ever showing reverence and
respect for the quiet teachers.
The first missionary station was es-
tablished at La Orange, monastery
centre, where Buddha, the god of the
province, was stationed. The human
idol learned of the presence OF the mis-
sionaries, and the next day called upon
them. condescending to receive them as
beings superior to himself. He escort
ed them to his temple home where, on
the throne, where nobody but a god OF
the province had ever sat, he placed
Rev. Mr.. LaLeeheur, the Buddha NM
self taking his seat ON the Lama,
which is usually occupied by the at
tendant to the god. On the third seat
the common priests were seated. BUD
dina gave Mr.. LaLecheur passport
through his realms. 1t was the only
one ever issued to a foreigner, and Mr..
JaLecheur carries it as a priceless
memento of his work. The passport
hears. four imperial stamps, and insures
the. bearer free access to the people and
country and pronounces the sentence of
death upon any man who harms or
even steals from the bearer
Mr.. LaLeeheur said he found the
people IN a pflnlllNe- Stdtet II WI my
the Chinese. before civilization improved
them. He said they are not greatly
unlike Americans, in their reception OF
foreigner. IT, as in this country. a
man enters a town with club in his
hand and reviewers protruding from his
boots, he won't travel far before he en-
counters a native with a club. the
reception depends entirely upon the at
titude of a traveller. AS soon as the
peoples fear wore away their hospi-
tality knew no bounds, and Mr.. LaLe-
cheur's stay in the province was
marked by pleasantries entirely
Mr.. LaBecheur left China in April,
49, to return to this country, and eX-
poets to leave in october. He has re-
ceived authority from Col. JohE Hay
secretary of state, endorsed by Presl-
dent Mckinley, to establish missiona-
ries in the Philippines. a request that
sevea years ago was denied by Spain
After he has established his work in
the Philippines. he will proceed to
China and direct the work there. He
expects to be away more than three
wears