The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-25
LETTER RECEIVED
FROM Mr.. PRICE
He Tells Of the Terrible Crisis in
China.
MISSIONARIES ARE lNSAFETY.
The Central Government Is in Sympa
Thy With TIC Present Move
mcnt Against the
Foreigners.
MISSIONARIES ARE lNSAFETY Y.

Dr, James P. Smith yesterday received
letters from China from his daughter, Mrs
I}T. James +. Moods, and KEY. Z. Frank
Price. Mrs. Woods reports that nearly al
e. the missionary families 81 the South
eIla Presbyterian Church are safe in shahg-
i3al' and tHat some have gone 10 Japan,
and others VIII soon go
The letter from The Rev. p. Frank l'rice
: written june IIth, III Sinchans. since
mat date all or nearly ali the mission
arcs have withdrawn 10 Shanghai
M Price was born and reared IN ileh-
m@pd and has very many relatives and
iFienes ia this city who will be glad to
hear from HIM. His letter IS as follows:
wrote You last week, which letter /
nope went by The CoPtic, which was to
sail on the 18th, and which steamer also
was 10 take home on furIouch Mr.. Wood
bridge and his family, Of Chiukiang. This
VIII reach you, ] trust, by the Empress OF
China, which is scheduled to leave Sh3ng-
ha. on the &0th instant. The situation has
not mendcd- 1t has been pointed out that
disturbances in China have mostly occur
red in the summer. Of about thirty-fOuT
principal riots. large majority have
occurred In the months of June, July and
August. and OF the summer riots just
half have occurred in the month Of June.
This was mentioned before the present
troubles commenced. and we were warned
to be on our guard against this mid
summer madness. but the most pesstmistic
scarcely dreamed that things would come
10 such a pass as they have now. II was
mentioned by the Chinese at the begin
ming OF their present year that some I'M
usual calamity would fall in this year, as
they have a saying among them that a
year with an eighth intercalary month, as
has the current year. forebodeS evil; that
The Tai Ping rebellion began in such a
year. etc. OF course this was laughed off
by missionaries and native Christians as
being an idle superstition; but this time
the superstition has strangely hit. And
This closing year promises to be the most
momcntous year in the most momentOus
century Of the long history OF the Chinese
race. Just after the meeting, too, OF the
great missionary conference, great events
begin 10 take place in the largest mis-
s.onary field represented in that confer
ence. II Was on the list Of June, 1870 that
the famous Tien Tsin massacre took place,
which resulted in the murder OF twenty
foreigners, and which had an important
bearing on thu history Of Chna's relation
10 other Powers.
COMMANDMENT OF THEN TSlN-
1t was on the 2lst of this month that
Iien Ism WAS being bombarded by regu-
lar Chinese soIdiery with big guns, and
with terrible loss of property and life.
These are striking condolences, but We
may read deeper than that and reVerenuy
behold the unfolding Of the purposes Of
God in the redemption OF China, even
through blood.
1t has become more and more apparent
that the Central Government is in syTnpa-
thy with the present movement against
foreigners and that il is aiding and abet-
80, ~ General Mich WnD-
was eprimanded for fighting against the
Boxers. is now fighting with them. Prince
Tuau. who is the father Of the heir-ap-
parent; Is reported TO be at the head OF
the whole movement In Pektn. where the
foreign ministers, with their families. the
customs force, many missionaries reside
and refugee with their families, and 9th
ers. and the legation guards and the re-
lieving force under Admiral Seymour. are
all shut in without supplies in a hostile
city: from whom no news has come Tor
fourteen DAYS. and concerning whom the
worst fears are entertained
II is The Chinese regular troops who are
trying 10 slaughter all men, women ana
children In Ticn-Tsin. and wAo are feared
everywhere. The Government of CHINA mas
been baselv false to its treaty obligations,
and the only explanation seems TO be that
the reacuonary party are intoxicated win
the idea that they are powerful enough
to eSpal ana resist all foreigners; and as
for honor FOR honor.s sake, they know it
not.
ORIENTAL DUPLlGITY-
II Hung Chang is appearing upon the
scene. hat from bis published statements
there is more of astuteness and OF ofle1l-
.al duplicty, than Of candor and acknoWi-
edcemcut of his country's teachety, IN ms
view Of the situation.
Every mail brings fresh news of the
loss Of life and of property in the north
The suspense of not hearing from those
who are in great danger Is intense ana
the widest rIirnors are afioat in this sec
ton Business Is almost suspended III
Shanghai. a large volunteer force has been
organized there and every precaunon Is
being taken Some Of our missionaries
ure already in Shanghai. DR.. and MS
Worth had TO leave their station klauqulh
iur-iedly. on account Of trouble brewing
The viceroys of the river and coast pro-
yluces seem to be sincere in their endeaFo's
10 preserve peace.
4 good part OF our missionaries are quiet
IL al their stations with no apparent dan
ger near. SO far as 7 have been able 10
earn at this writing all Of our missionaries
are in safety One difficult thing to decide
at such a time is what to do. Our presence
at station has q reassucing effect ufoh
The native Christians, whereas our hurry
Ing away may often precipitate trouble
and invite destruction of mission property
and persecution of Chinese Christians
And. on the other hand. may not heed
less!y thraw away the lives that God has
given. and there are the little ones But
the wisdom that is from above is never
more available nor the peace of God sweet
or than at such a time. An a cheering fact
Is the steadfast faith of our 6efenceless
native Christians.
before this reaches You the whole OF