The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-01-04

actors of great events that are immi-
nent and impending. The Importance,
the far-reaching influence and the
amazing rapidity of the transforms
eton now taking place in this country
viii be learned with surprise one day
by the big, uncaring world outside. In
the meantime, it is the once Of the
present investigator to show how
Christian missions have become in
wrought into every phase of Chinese
life. as a shaping influence.
Next to the relation between edu-
cation and missions must be men,
ttoned medical missions, that supreme
proof Of the altruism of the west with
respect to the east Here again the
magnitude of the material altogether
Iprecludes anything like a systematic
presentation of the subject. for medi-
cal missions are found In every part
of China, from port cities to remote
anterior towns. placing the healing
arts of the west at the service of the
suffering east, and thus winning the
confidence, respect and admiration of
the natives.
The Priestess' Severed Hand.
An interesting story of contrasts is
told in connection with the new
American Baptist hospital at Hanyang.
Where the imposing modern structure
sof gray stone now rises. outside the
city wall. there was formerly q little
temple of medicine. attended by lone
priestess. But the temple languished.
and TO win. the favor of the idol and
the people the priestess with the own
right hand severed her left hand at
the wrist. Now she wears the with
cred hand as an amulet around her
neck. Nevertheless her little temple
of superstition has given way to a
great temple of healing, where q
skilled missionary doctor ministers to
the sick of that teeming ancient city.
The magnitude of some of these
mission hospitals is beyond the grasp
of the westerner who thinks that all
big things are near at home. Not one
tourist in 10000 who touches Shanghai
knows that out by the west gate Of
the city is the Woman's Union hos
pital, in charge of DR.. Elizabeth Reif-
snyder, of Pennsylvania. which last
wear treated more than &C, 900 patients,
preaching to them all, as well as to
The crowds OF relatives and friends
who accompanied them. st. Luke's
hospital of the Protestant Episcopal
mission, in the same city, is in quite
4 the same class with it, and both are
institutions of which any progressive
city in Christendom would be proud.
Canton, the Chicago or New York of
China. has two notable medical insti-
tutfons in the Canton Medical college
and the E. A. Hackett Medical College
for Women. Both have hospitals at
tached. and the latter, in care of DR..
Mary Fl. Fulton, the only one of the
nort in the empire, has received the
highest official and public honors.
Everywhere l went in China l found
the missionary doctor. engaged In
manifestly noble work. and earning
the praise of all classes.
A Christian Newspaper for China.
Before l had got as far south as
shanghai the conviction had forced it.
elf upon me that one of the most
potent agencies that could be employ
ed by the missionaries, In the present
state of this nations development.
would be a liberal daily newspaper.
actually presenting the whole worlds
news. and at the same time main
Gaining a broadly progressive and
christian attitude There are men al
ready on the field. with a mastery OF
lxhe language, who are equal to this
vask When / reached Shanghai, /
gound the great Dr. Timothy Richards,
General secretary of the Christian Lit
erature society, bubbling over with
che same project. The scheme Is
rather outside the scope Of any one
hoard. yet it should not be difficult OF
realization.
Whatever may be the future Of the
nld-fashioned tract, the place of lit
orature in the modernization and
transformation of China is obvious.
- Of tremendous Importance. The
| vhole nation is giving attention to
reading. The work of the Christian
literature society has been vastly use
ful. The various mission presses,
notably the famous Presbyterian Mis-
sion Press, Shanghai, have been In
ealculably influential.
An instance Of the way Christian
literature is being read by all classes
a. shown by the wide circulation OF
MalIeck's Almanac. of which this year
more than 100000 copies were pur-
chased by individual Chinese. 1t Is
a. = anac somewhat after the fash