The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-01
MISSIONARIES IN CHINA.
New Methods Employed to Hold Ma
tive Converts.

New Methods Employed to Hold Ma
tive Converts.
Rev. J. Addison Ingle addressed the caa-
gregation of Trinity ProtestaPf Episcopal
Church, Third and Streets northwest,
last night upon the subject of missionary
work in China, in which he has himself
been engaged for a number of years.
Or. Ingle said that it was more than
eight years since he had the pleasure of
speaking in Trinity Church. and that he
had come back to tell briefly OF the work
in which he had been engaged
We consider ourselves in the mission
field. he continued, not as in private
capacity. but as acting for the welfare and
IN the interest of every Christian who has
at heart the conversion OF the heather.
If this interest IL to be permanent the work
must be reported. with the greater part
Of missionaries who go to China it is the
idea that the Chinese are to be approached
in churches. In most places this is the
method. We have given that UP some
time since. 1t is exceedingly wearying to
speak in a foreign language for an hour
or so TO a congregation who talk during
the whole time and when IL pleases them.
get up, so out. and probably never re-
turn.
My predecessor, Mr. Locke, found that
this church work did net pay. He changed
the entire plan to what it now is. the
change being FIRST made in the town OF
ilankow. Instead Of building missions We
rent Chinese houses at from 81 10 50
month When the buildings were built by
the missionaries the Chinese frequently
pulled them down but with their own
has ,-Bs e sg
different These houses are furnished in
regular Chinese fashion, with the seat OF
honor placed next to the secondary at
and a table OIL which tea is served in the
centre OF the room. a sign board outside
announces the purpose of the Institution.
and vhen a visitor enters. impelled either
by curiosity or the recommendation of a
friend who has already been received into
the fold, he is Immediately Offered the seat
CT honor. while his host native convert,
takes the secondary place.
The stranger often refuses the honor.
and a friendly encounter takes pacs be-
tween the host and his guest. the end being
;tat the latter is eventually Installed in the
place OF distinction He is thea handed a
cup Of tea and the conversation follows
the usual form Cf polite ceremony, which is
% thoroughly appreciated by every China
man. The result is taat the stranger is
made perfectly AZ home and he is invited
back, with the result that he is p-Oblbiy
taken into the probationary class. He
usually signifies his intention to do this in
the language: Honorable sir. I shall be
distinguished in joining your honorable
church In case OF general good conduct
this usually consumes a period OF eighteen
months, OF which six are devoted to tic
twelve commandments. When this period
: 40 T. ftlGy cd an
if his answers are satisfactory he is ad-
mitted as cBtecumen. He is thCn
grounded in The principles Of religion, and
al the end OF twelve months is put through
another examination II this is satisfac-
tory he becomes a Christian by the cere-
mony Of baptism, and is allowed TO occupy
a place among the Christians in tae
church. who arc SIT apart from the
heathens and prubationers.
"A general line Of good conduct IS eN-
pected of the probatiOners and converted
Christians, and if they have any special
vice they are warned against its indul-
gence. In The case Of a probatoner diso-
boying this warning his term is length
ened. and If he is a Christian be is made
to occupy the bench OF penitcncc, which IS
SET in a remote corner of the church among
the heathens.
The greatest anxiety to become Chris
/ ,ians il. as a rule observed among the
! probationers. and they flock in the mission
houses day after day. sometimes numbering
I as many ID 30 or 60 at a time. There Is
I TO less zeal displayed by the native in
! structoTs. who are kept busy all the time,
and who rarely receive what We would con-
/ slider an adequate amount Of rest. These
/ gentlemen receive salary OF $500 a
month part Of this they eNFend in
| charity, as a person can live comfortably
! in China on 1-2 cents a day. They have
! frequently refused 4 salary OF $50 or $40.
! which they could easily procure on ac-
| count of their knowledge OF English, in or
der to devote their entire lime to the mis-
sion"
Or. Ingle relajcG' some amusing anecdotes
! Of the aptness OF the Chinese in learning
! The moral doctrines Of Christianity.
/ In conclusion. Dr. lngic said that he
/ called uron all TO contribGt" to the good
work. and recommended that young people
/ Of beth sexes devote their Lives TO mission
wcil. in China. rs he knew Of no more no.
I nle aud Christian work.
/ Dr. Iugle discussed the same topic earlier
/ IN The day at the Church OF the Ascension.