New-York tribune., 1900-04-23
PRESIDENT HEARS A MISSIONARY.
THE REV. J. II. LAUGHLIN. OF CHINA. AT
THE BRICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE BRICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Rev. J. II. LaughIin Of Chening Chow China,
preached at the Brick Presbyterian Church in the
morning. President Mckinley OF his hear
ers Mr. Laughn said he from the Province
of Shan-Tune. n territory about large Mis-
souri, but having 1900 of people instead of that
States population of 100000. 1t the present
storm centre of the Chinese nation. owing to the
large numbers of members of the incendary society
known here as the Boxers" He said he wanted
10 report that the missionaries had made wonder
full progress in China. And If that could be said
of China, the last place in the world TO look for
progress, idea could be mad of what had
been done in other lands He continued:
one reason for China's condition is that until
comparatively recent times she led the other ma
tions of the world In the paths OF civilization one
The wcrd China is unknown in China except as the
% IL n teaching 6g Engs r ye m IT to
preted as THE Midaie Kingdom They think they
nations merely dwelling on the edges, Their
most 6 recg @ term to beI face frged m
ward the rear. toward her once magnificent posi-
One he cmSg se Years
of a book edited largely by foreigners and ad-
toward soreners Wesen m earning and the
Of the reform edcts by he Empafor The mission
aries could hardly believe it possible The abolition
another That W was aboshing custom established
for You know China selects her public ,he 9f
home of civil service. But we missionaries & found
make the men selected best quaiifed administer
Poe or ABILITY to @aS quote from the old Chinese
masters
The next edict emptied the temples OF their
priests ard idols for the purpose Of turning them them
into schools for Western learning The fourth edict
next the Establishing Of the translation Board,
mssonaries Raiiways we're also to be established
OF course you know that most Of & these 1ret eGets
ideas and moderate progress. but her conduct has
hardly IS
mother but a sort of stepmother. She is supported
is that Of hHal pety. She also receives support
T0 from the on % Either 1 tnT o Of he
try into secusion; and six were executed DIT.
ish colony And my friends whatever may be our our
differences because of this S9er war thanK ao9 no9
roads and honest government. and many other
things that missionaries in heather lands can
Isut in spite of the repeal of the Emperor,s
them. Thc great university is established. At it's
and shonders nd over the rest Of us There are some
small railroads in active and successful operation
miles Is 10 be built by Belgian syndicate; and one
qf %f ne hd isf late Brce was the head That
IT IS backed by Americans means 1t will he a sue
Many additions have been made to the teeegraph.
stntnn here is an ofice employing twenty opera
! tell you it did US great good TO read Of
occurred Another great sign Of progress is the ex-
tension and organization of a Government postoffce
density of the millions Of the interior, who have
white man, unless perhaps, mis-
sionary 1t is -argely owing TO the absence of a
postof1ce. Now there is established series Of
postofices between Peking and Shanghai. and 1t
viii be spread all over the Kingdom. 1t is now pos
sible for to have three mails a week. where
under the olG system and with the aid of private
courier in addition we were unable 10 get mail
oftener than twice month. We can now send in
three days mail that formerly took twenty to reach
its destination.
No, fri ends the reform party and spirit is not
dead in China The refOrmers will triumph there
as surely as the sun rises. You may be asking
what has all this got to do with missionary work
You may think it is civilization and not missionary
work. Our reply is that the reform now possible
was made so by the work Of the missionaries
They paved the way. BY living with the people
they broke down the prejudice and are now batter
ing down the walls of ignorance. It is this igno
have dissipated and are battling We
have taught the Chinese to trust the foreigners by
trusting the missionaries. and after a while they
will learn TO trust each other. which they don't do
The Chinese are dociIe easily governed people
Give them a half good government and they will
remain peaceful. believe God is ruling in China
] believe II is His hand that is behind the En-
press Dowager arresting the temporary progress of
reform. The Christian world not ready
take advantage Of the great opportunities when
the Emperor issued his edicts and God has stayed
his hand until you at home here may be prepared
for the great responsibilities And. OH my friends.
what glorious destiny TO aid in saving a whole
nation