The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-14

Rev. J. II. Laughlin, n Presbyterian
missionary to China, who is in this
country for a few months, endeavor-
ing to quicken the missionary spirit
among Presbyterians, gave a most in
teresting talk last evening in the Green
Ridge Presbyterian church on mission
work in the Celestial kingdom, with
special reference to the Boxer move
ment. or rebellion, now in activity.
Rev. Mr.. Laughin comes from Chi
mlng-Chow, which is about 500 miles
from the present seat Of trouble. He
is. perhaps. as easy and as graceful a
speaker on missionary topics as has
ever been heard in this city, and
speaks from personal experience, ex-
tending over a period of fifteen years.
The Boxer or Ta-Tao-Hwei society,
the literal translation of which is Big
Knife society, was organized very near
Mr.. Laughlin's locality, he stated, and
was formed for the very honorable and
respectable purpose of suppressing the
banditti who have nourished in China
for so many hundreds of years.
This society,"" said he, "soon became
very popular and its membership rap
idly increased. 1t also became very
the power of the various local officials.
When it had become so powerful as
this, the criminal classes, the male
factors and the violaters of the law
began to seek refuge within it's ranks,
until now it is simply a band Of reck-
less adventurers.'
LATEST REVOLT OF BOXERS.
The latest revolt of the Boxers, he
explained. may be traced to the seiz-
ure by Germany. some two years ago,
of the port Kia-O-Chow, as an indem-
nifty for the killing of two German
Catholic missionaries. The Boxers i'm
mediately began a revolt ostensibly
against the Germans, but in reality
against all foreigners. They began
their operations openly and above
board, the government. to use a slang
expression, "winking it's other eye."
When Mr.. Laughlin left China, the So
ciety had a membership of 10000 900,
but it has now swelled to $4,000, 900.
The probable way in which their
trouble will end" said ne, "will either
be by the foreign powers taking con-
certed action in putting down the re-
bellion and then partitioning China, or
by the reform party overturning the
present government and putting down
the rebellion by means of the regular
| Chinese soldiery.
I'm either case it means greater op-
| portunities for the Christian church
| than have ever been dreamed of be-
fore. 1t seems to me that the hand Of
God may be seen in the temporary
overthrow of the emperor and the re-
| forms which he advocated and the
usurpation of the throne by the en-
press dowager. 1t seems as if God did
this, so that the Christian peoples OF
all nations might have a chance to pre-
pare for the golden opportunities which
are about to be opened.
1T is our business to get ready. The
| door Is opening now, and the only fear
l have is that it will open too wide
| and it will unless we buckle down to
! 1t and say, each and every one of us,
that we will do something for the saw
ing of this great empire for Christ"
REFORMS OF EMPEROR.
The reforms which the emperor pro-
vided for in edicts issued some two
years ago, but since repealed by or
der of the empress, were very nu.
merous and extremely radical. They
included: The construction of rail-
ways, the improvement of the civil
service system, the establishment OF
a national university, the dismantine
of temples and the establishment in
their place of schools, the establish
ment of a patent office and the en-
forcement of laws providing for the
protection of foreigners and especially
of missionaries.
Some few of these have already beer
adopted. The univerlty is an accom-
pljshed fact and several small railway
lines are in operation. Referring tC
the completeness of the telegraph
connections existing in parts of China
Rev. Mr.. Mclaughlin stated that H.
and his associates, over 500 miles from
the coast, knew of the American vic
tory at Santiago twenty-four hours af
ter it occurred.
The reform spirit is still alive, h,
believes, and it only needs a touch t,
give it life. He spoke most interest
ingly Of the many difficulties unde
which the missionaries labor and tn
great cut which tine yearly appropri
ations for their support have recent.
been subjected to. He dwelt espec
tally upon the excellent work bein
done by the physicians who assist tn
missionaries in their labors.
Several of these, he said, in the oh
scurity of China, are making reputa
tions which If they were in this coun
try would bring them in princely in
comes. He referred to one old physl
clan in particular who is sevent
years old and who has spent almos
his whole life in China. This man ha
performed successfully a certain dif