New-York tribune., 1901-08-25

Russia in Central Asia, especially in Thibet |
Every southwark advance brings her nearer to !
India the possession Of which is her ultimate (
aim.
Dr. Rijnhardt's book is a record OF a long So 4
5ourn and journey fun Of perils in the forbid
den land Of Thibet. 1t was a fatal journey. in
which Dr. Rijnhardt's husband was killed by
Thibetan robbers, and she was compelled to
turn back after arriving within about two hun
dred miles Of the sacred city Of Lhasa from
which foreigners are rigidly excluded. The
couple We're missionaries. and left their Ameri-
can home with the express purpose Of carrying
on their labors with lifelong sotourn in Central
Asia The story is one Of strange and manifold
adventures eliminating in the escape Of Dr.
Rijnhardt a woman alone from the hostile
Thibetans across the border into friendly China
Their first destination was Lusar near the great
Buddhist lamasery, or monastic community. of
hUmbum, in outer Thibet where they took a
house and began their ministrations their ac-
cess 10 the hearts of the natives being greatly
aided 10y Dr.. Rijnha-dts medical work. They
were even invited u visit the Kumbum com
munity, whore red rohed lamas gave them an
unexpected welcome, Here too they estab- (
l!shed themselves in the hearts of the natives hy
their services in the siege OF the during the
bloody Mahometan Instruction when they We're
invited 10 take up their residence for safety in
the lamasery. They formed a friendship, mu- .
fUaNy agreeable, with the "Kanpo." the head .
Of the community. the greatest Buddhist dgni- (
tary Of all Northeastern Thibet There are
amusing elmpses Of the Thibetan ideas Of occi-
dental medicine. on one occasion. in the midst
OF the carnage:
\ young farmer came 70 our door bringing On !
the end of a stick a human heart. saying that .
h. had been told We foreigners used parts of
the human body 10 make medicine OF. and he .
had brought us the heart OF a Mahometau Tor .
SAFE. expecting a larSe price lot H. ~ Was
SAID ~e never used any part Of the human body
Tor such purpose.
The anazsreut and CONSERVATION Of both .
TaHatans ana Chinese were unbounded when
The lasutrection having been suppressed, Mr. :
Ei-uhar9- went To the Nahometan quarters 10
1t.ar the Nahone-an wounded Thus was the
law f Christian kindness. impeliins love and .
mercy for ones enemies iiought l. their atten-
;ln pr Rijuhar1t Speaking from her MID ex-
},rs.,.c- says wise words Wh.n She declares that
il is NOT ;Ae part of Christian missionary to
assume an air OF I.Gicule ana contempt for the /
rs-el Is IDEAS and practices Of peoples less en-
l-f..e,ed than his own:
The work Of Christian missions is hindered by
auragoniZinG the non-ChrlStlan peoples through
doetnatic assertion Of doctrines ana the iallure
~ ne Christian missionary recognize and re
jo.ce in the great underlying truths Il all reAg-
lo-s.
KumhLm is especially noted as the site Of the
temple e TSOng X alta, the Luther ol Buddi4SiI4'
who introduced with his reforms ritual beaT-
ing remarkable RESENT rblances 70 the practices ot
The Roman ana Anglican Christians analogies
the origin of which forms an interesting prob /
lem for Christian scholars. Among the imposing
ceremonies generally sealed from Occidental
eyes that the Rijnhardts were privileged 10 see
was the butter god festival" when worship IS /
offered 10 the giant butter image # Buddha. ad-
rnlrabIy sculptured, aud surrounded by Other
fdeces Of butter art and irnumerable butter
lanlrs As for the lamas themselves in these
Ruddhist communities. they are a peeNish and
turbulent lot and the atmosphere Of holy uedl-
tarion and blssful calm with which the Bu -chlst
larnasery is supposed 10 be filled Is the atnos-
,lb-r.. Of An unirformed ard rose colored imag-
inalion."
tn door was standing WiGe open at Tankar, /.
further within the confines of Thibet and the
Piirbar9,s broke up their establishment at
Kilr,.flrn 10 enter new field Of work. Here,
"a, they were successful in forming friendly
relations with the people. and here they enter
,ain4a Captain Wellhy and sven Hedln at off /
f.-r4nr times. Thence they set out 10 VISIT the
,,,nderful lake OF Koko-nor and the nomads
who dwell about lis banks joNial people, fun
or laughter. clever in primitive manufacturing,
but much more stingy and dirty than any otheI