Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-03-14
Dear Friends in Eltsrorth:

Chinaufu. China
Dear Friends in Elisworth:
You will be see ng good deal In the
papers concerning Chin ,nfu and the
Shantung province, so l thought you
would like 10 hear from some one you
know, who is here 1T the place OF action.
More than year ago the attention OF
the Christian world was called to the prov
ince of Shantung A German priest was
murdered and with amazing prom ptness
Germany avenged the murder by seizing
Tsin Tao, good port In Chino Chon bay.
Concession after concession followed, and
railroad WAS projected connecting us
with the coast and with Pekin, so we
really felt civilization was coming to us.
In fact, everything seemed to show that
Chinanfu was to become one OF the CEN
tres OF western civil ization.
However the presence OF the foreigner
has not been pleasing to the whole OF the
people, and society called the Ia Tao
Hui (big knife seetl has been steadily
gaining adherents Their avowed purpose
Is the determination OF the foreigners, and
not daring to attack the missionaries
themselves, they have attacked and looted
the homes OF the native Christians.
In one vicinity the American board
mission at P'ang Chuang was first made
to suffer, later the Catholics In our neigh
borhood, and finally our own Christians.
About sIxty-six OF our families have either
been looted or made to pay a heavy
ransom, The local officials, for the most
part. have rather helped than hindered the
Ia Tao Hui. The gentlemen here inter-
viewed the governor and he promised great
things, but did nothing. 1t Is rumored
that one OF his nephews was n leader OF
the rioters, so this Is not to be wondered
al. Finally they began to urge the gov
e-nor's removal.
Meanwhile, emboldened By the fact that
they were not punished, more footing WAS
done. The adherents OF the English
Anglican church, Southern Baptist, Eng
iish Methodist. American Methodist,
American Board and American Presby-
terians, all have suffered severely. cold
snap coming on has made 1t almost unen.
durable, for not only have the Christians
been turned out OF their homes, but their
wadded clothes and grain have been con-
fiscated
But this Is not all Just a few weeks ago
we were pleased To have with Us here in
Gilman Mr.. and Mrs. Brown, OF Lavan- fu.
The latter just out from England met here
younger brother, Sidney Brooks, young
Anglican clergyman, who is stationed
sixty miles from here. He went with Mr..
and Mrs. h own to Tai-an fu, and after a
pleasant Christmas with his sister started
early Saturday morning, Dec. 80, for his
own station. Although he knew the ia
Tao Hui were very numerous in this
vicinity. yet he felt il his duty to join his
colleague, who was alone in the midst of
the enemy Then, too, 1t seemed unlikely
that the rioters would dare attack an
Engiishnan
When next heard OF he ing led ,
with rope through his nose, through the
streets OF Fci Ching His own clothes had
been removed, and his body was protected
from the severity OF the weather by few
rags. Later, 1t is said, he was able to
escape from his prosecutors, only to be
followed and b4seiy murdered in gully
was severed from his body, and so far has
not been recovered. Thus one more
Christian martyr persisted.
Even before this, the old governor had
been recalled to Pekin, and Yuan Shi Kai
was appointed to tai Ike his place. He seems
determined to uucu the Instruction, and
has been active enough in these few days
to earn the title OF 1.-THE foreign devils
governor. He was one who proved
treacherous to the emperor, but in this
emergency he seems to want to deal fairly
with the Christians.
We feel safe here in Gilman. The rioters
have not come near the city, and already
the governor h,s given the impression that
he means to stand by the foreigners, it is
not proba BILE that we are in personal dau-
ger. Our fear Is for those who are in the
smaller places.
Had the fatal policy OF the old governor
earlier had check, this noble young life
might not have persisted. Mr.. Brooks
death has aroused the ministers at Pekin,
and their pressure has resulted in Tsung
II yamen order that every effort must be
put forth TO quell the instruction. 1t is a
pity that such active interference of the
powers must come aftec~a life has been
lost
OF course our work here is sadly inter
rupted. Our dispenssry has but few
patients in either depart ent. IL is not
safe to go out to the country work, but
bible class for men is being carried on
here in the city We hope this is but the
dark cloud that has the silver lining, and
that the blood OF this noble young martyr
will be the seed of the church.
Sincerely,
Jan. 4, 1900 MARY l.. BURNHAM.