The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-08-23
MISSIONARIES
What Protestants get in
China.
Candidates Are Usually Under Thirty
and Must be Quick at
Languages.

The present trouble with the Boxers
sionary, particularly the one in China,
prominently before the eyes of the
world. There are many things con-
nected with the missionary which are
not generally known. The Protestant
missionaries in China are among the
best paid of those in any part of the
world. While it is true, however, that
they receive more money than those in
most other countries, when the con-
ditions under which they work are
taken into consideration the pay is
found to be about equal to that else
where.
The cost of living, the social require
ments, and the climate are all consid-
cred in deciding the amount of salary
to be paid. 1t is intended that the
salary shall about cover necessary liv-
ing expenses. In the torrid zone, where
the clothing must be light and food is
easily obtained, the rate of pay is low.
One of the leading American societies
pays $3.50 to a man stationed in Micro
nesia, $500 to one in Africa, and $1,000
to every married couple going to Japan.
This society pays a trifle less to a mar
ried couple going to China than to those
accredited to Japan. Another society
has a graded scale, paying in China to
a single man per annum, the first five
years, $500; the next five years, 500,
and the next ten years, $500. After
twenty-five years of service he gets
5000. Married couples begin with $3.50
and are increased to $1,000, S1100 and
$1,000. A third society has a fixed rate
of $1,000 for married couples.
One society having a large number OF
missionaries divides the receipts of the
year pro rata. The leading societies al
low 500 a year for each child. Houses
are provided for the missionaries. One
missionary organization also provides
what it calls an outfit" at an expense
of from $500 to $500. This consists OF
furniture and clothing. Another soci-
ETY. provides furniture and the house
only. The houses would be considered
plain in this country, but in China they
are substantial when compared with
the houses of the natives. The houses
of the foreigners are placed in walled
Enclosures, called compounds, because
of the insanitary conditions prevail
ing.
The travelling expenses of the mis-
sionaries are paid by the societie:
sending them out. They have vaca
ton of year at intervals, determined
by the nature of the climate where the,
are stationed. In South Africa the ser
vice is from three ia five years 1t Il
dangerous to stay beyond five years
| In China they remain from seven t
ten years. AS the missionaries who re
| main in the harness until their useful
ness is past usually have been able t
save but little, If anything, from thei
income, provision Is made for thei
support when they are placed upon tn
superannuated list If they have no rel
atives or friends-to care for them.
| Care is taken in the selection of tn
candidates of those to go to the mission
| fields. They are examined as to thei
physical condition and their intel
/ lectual and religious qualifications. !
large percentage of those accepted ar
/ graduates from colleges, and man
have taken postgraduate courses
There was a time when the demand 70
missionaries exceeded the supply o
candidates, but within the last three o
four years, owing TO the "studen
volunteer movement, the number O
those desiring to serve as missionarie
has exceeded the demands Of tn
boards.
The candidates selected are usual
under 80 years old, as languages ar
best learned before that age, and eTor
is made to obtain persons who lear
languages with particular facility. LTh
| societies are not seeking married cou
pies for missionaries as much as for
European companions cannot be fount
The first year or two after the cand
dates arrival upon the field Is usual
spent in acquiring a knowledge of tn
language of the country to which he
accredited. In China it requires abor
year and half to obtain a workin
knowledge of the Language. Preachin
is one of the chief functions of the mis-
sionary, and he must seek out method
of attracting people to listen to hin
He must speak In the street square
and at the fairs If he can get an al
dience in no other way. One of the fir.
moves is the establishment of a scho,
for Bible instruction. The contribution
for foreign missionary purposes, a,
cording to the statistics prepared fl
the Ecumenical Council, the last We,
were as follows: United States, SIS. 4O3
GAS; England, $6,s43,O31. The world
total was SIT ,092.