The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-06

AS a rule, we are not ready TO De-
lieve the miraculous stories of foreign
missionaries, and when listening re-
Gently to "foreign" missionary, we
promised that it would be long time
before we heard another of the same
kind. About the funniest, if not the
most absurd story that we have read
from any missionary, appeared few
weeks ago in the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian, where the statement
was made that the missionary, in In
dia, we believe it was, was 80 busy
taking in converts that he had not had
time to shave in two weeks.
When we are looking for something
to read in the religious press along the
line of fiction, pure and simple, we
read the missionary letters.
We find the following floating
around in the secular press, and being
among the first, if not the first, letter
of the kind, whose utterances we were
ready to accept as COMFORTING with
the conditions which it claims to rep
resent, we copy the same into the
Press and Banner:
NO Time to Fightee Mclean"
"a letter from Shanghai.)
Theie is rumor afoat that meddle-
some Uncle sam is sending over
troops, with hostile intent. But Chi
ma ignors the, ,manuever. She has no
patrlotism, whatever, no warlike in.
clination-except for the prowling Mis-
sionary, and no military ambition.
Her ueadliest weapon, the knife, is al.
ways in active service Topping off the
hesds of her own too numerous coun-
trymen.
tales that have recently reached Amer.
ica, che would like an opportunity OF
exercising the many idle troops which
swarm throughout the city, and battle
ships which line the shores of the
Philippines.
Nothipg but the actual sights seen
in China can convey AL accurate idea
of this intensely Interesting country
with it's multiplied millions, who in
supreme contentment carry on their
indescribable existence. 1t seems an
independent world, 80 long finished
and complete in its baIbaric customs,
that it is proof against progress or
modern Improvement. Canton, alone,
is over populated, and teens with Won
ders of past years. Flowing parallel
with it the river Chu kiang HUNS with
a busy throng whose homes are in rude,
little sampans, here they were born,
have lived their lives and brought up
their children. These, have uistincl
caste from the land dwellers who re-
gard them with contempt, and have
nick. k.named the "Shuey" or water.
fowl. THESE, Shuey, are said to be un-
der the special protection OF "Iien Hau
the Empress of Heaven" This god
dess is supposed to watch o"er those
who inhablt the waters. She is held
in great reverence by fishermen and
boatmen of all classes. Around her
temples and shrines, joss sticks burn
continually and her birth day is al.
tended with pomp and iestiViLy.
For bloodshed in China, Canton's
execution ground may truly be said 10
claim gruesome distinction among the
famous slaughter grounds of the
world. In this CORY field, eighteen
thousand men were executed III the
year 1855, and in 1856 nearly one huh
dred thousand men We're executed
Even when the Allies were, in the
last war, escalading the wall, Yeh con-
tinued the lively work of clipping OF
three or four hundred heads day. IL
Canton, women are beheaded from the
tops of houses which are built over the
river bank. Over this vast city Of over
three million inhabitants, the Romish
Cathedral dominates all other build
ings. It's two spires seem inappropri-
ate, but the customs and supersLitions
of the Chinese declare that with two
spires, one neutralises the bad effect
OF the other and that otherwise, it
would be extremely "bad Joss" to be
overlooked by building 80 ponder
GUS.
The farther one ventures into the in
terror of China, the greater the danger
and more in evidence, are cruelty and
superstition. Ifin some places there
is y tendency toward civilization and
humane rule, it is due far more TO
British influence in China, than TO the
work of missionaries. British bravery
and perseverance in opening foreign
trade in this benighted region, is more
than praiseworthy and although the
British are often misrepresented,
China's treasure stores are shared
with all corners, irrespective of race
and today in India, Honkopg, or any
British settlement, protection is Of
fered to all nationalities.
Energetic Southern Baptist In China
Near a remote village far up the
Chukiang River some ambitious tour
lists who represent the "A. S. B." set
tied themselves temporarily. Evident
ly they were bent more on seeing this
world than on preparing the China
man for q better one. Not 8 word OF
Chinese language could the 80 called
missionaries speak, nor could the ma
tives speak to them except in a few
words of "Pidgeon English" picked
up from stewards on the river steam
ers. The trumpet call of salvation
sounded, however, and the good work