The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-19

finest in China. In addition to the
large buildings of the boys school
or Picking University" as is
called-and of tho girls school. there
are the residences of the missionaries
and the large church. The entire
grounds arc said to Ia larger than
any of the extensive legation grounds.
on which are housed not only minis
tiers and attaches, but n detachment of
legation guards as we'll Their i'm
pressiyeness is heightened by the
park-lil1e arrangement of tho attrac-
aries ~
This is the most criticized mission
compound in China. l have beard le-8
gationcrs, business men, travelling and
other missionaries speak Of 1t In terms
other than praise Most OF these
critics. it is fair to add. do not know
that all except two of the Missionary
families living In these attractive
homes have incomes independent of
their salaries.
The compound was enlarged imme-
dintely after the Boxer outbreak, when
the Chinese were in state of terror
and poverty. Tho ground was bought
at what ono of the Methodist missions
aries characterized as good Chinese
prices' the charge frequently made
that the property was looted" is UNI
founded.
Sizing Up the Denominations.
Reverting to the splendid equip
ment OF the Methodist mission at Pee
king, it has been noteworthy that
everywhere / have gone have found
the Methodist stations possessing the
best plants. Their work and their
workers arc better cared for than
those Of any other mission, so far as
I I have observed. Other missionaries
| have repeatedly spoken in admiration
/ II nnrSOnnllV I
that one great personality stationed
in city or a village is better than a
fine institution, but most missionaries
seem to think otherwise. 1t has also
been pointed out to me that, while the
Methodists have by no means furnish
ed the proportion of great men to
| China that have come from the ranks
OF the Congregational!sts, tho Presby-
4 terians and the British societies. they
have yet maintained a high average
/ or general fitness and efficiency AS
i one Presby terrain missionary said to
me; Have you noticed that you almost
4 never see q Methodist missionary of
whom you would say, because OF in
competence: HE should go lone? I
| do not recall one such In all China"
i Nor DO T.
In contrast with the Methodist. the
4 Presbyterians often under-man md
3 under equip tteir missions. They
seem to spread out too thin. Good
management would seem to advise few
4. er stations and stronger. For instance.
the Presbyterian Hospital at Picking Is
closed, because 1t was made dependent
y upon one man. and when lie fell sick.
the work stopped. Similarly, the Press
hyterian Seminary, which went 10
the union of North China educational
institutions must have made the Pres
byteriun workers blush for the inude-
quacy of their contribution TO this
great enterprise. One man, D.. Courte-
nay II, Fcnn, who still wins praise for
the display of the same qualities which
earned him fame as the miller OF the
Picking siege" Is bearing two mems
load in trying to make up for the short
comings OF his denominations in the
matter of the seminary,
IN appraising relative methods,
should say that the Congregationalists
are on a par with the presbyterians,
on "a little better. The Protestant
lip!scopn Church deserves only praise
for tho thoroughness and efficiency OF
its work. Wherever have touched II
+ IL have found excellent equipment, COM
lpetent and sometimes brilliant men.
and deiiniteness and grasp or condl-
tons altogether commendable. The
Southern Methodist missions likewise
leave a decidedly good Impression upon
an observers mind, The Baptist work
in China has been good wherever !
have soon Il. At every point the RIOS
man Catholic Church hutlail IS are
, finer than the Protestant, and their Or
/ phanages are consplcuously useful.
!, | (Cnpyright. 1901 by Josenh y. zBowlesA