Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-10-03
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3. 1878.


showing for the general efficiency OF
the organization. The reports Of the
officers were followed by reports from
the different constituent societies, CIV.
ing statistical information as to f.
nance. enrolment, the kind of work so
far accomplished and plans for better
and more extensive achievements.
These reports gave a very satisfactory
impression Of what Ia being done
throughout the organization as a whole
and the Presbyterial was well pleased
with the showing that was made. With
the reading OF the reports. the morning
ing hour had almost expired, and after
the singing Of hymn and the offering
Of short prayer, the convention took
a recess until ESQ p. m.
Rev. J. NJ. Blaine.
The afternoon session was opened
with devotional exercises conducted by
Rev. DIR. Gillespie, after which came
another especially interesting feature
Of the convention In the form Of an ad-
dress from Rev. J. M. Blaine, for sew
enteen years missionary Of the Press
byterian church in China. Mr.. Blaine
~
and told much about the history, hab-
its, customs. condition and religious
progress Of this interesting country and
people.
Most people regard China as never
changing country, he said; but this Is
q mistake, for many changes have TAX
en- place; but he went on to say that
China has been able to make but little
progress for many centuries except
through the influences that have been
brought to bear by other nations. How
ever two great changes have come about
that are Of tremendous significance,
involving the overthrow Of the Manchu
dynasty and the establishment Of the
republic, and the other bringing around
the edict ordering all Cinnamon to cut
on their queues. He told how the
wearing Of the queue was compelled
originally as q badge of submission to
the Manchu conquerors, how the peo-
pie rebeiled against the idea originally,
how they at length became reconciled,
and how they finally began to look up
on the queue as a distinction that car
ried honor. With the overthrow Of the
Manchu dynasty, however, the leaders
Of the new movement ordered the cut
ting of OF, queues, not only as token
Of the broken Manchu shackles; but as
uOliCc " luc WOTlQ VI n coming LOE-
ward into alignment with modern
Ideas, habits and customs. iee
Mr.. Blaine discussed Interestingly the
difficulties that had to be overcome In
the development of transportation fal
cilities and described the rapid strides
that the country Is now making In this
direction.
Although the Chinese are literary
people In sense, the speaker said, it
Is In very narrow sense, for ignor-
ance has been the great retarding In
fiuence. However there Is much head
way being made In this direction. and
the foreigners, against whom the bit
terest opposition had existed for gener-
ations are now being welcomed be-
cause Of what they have done and are
tional institutions and I'm showing the
higher and better ways Of living
Mr.. Blaine said that the new repub-
lican form Of government Is doing all
| It can to uplift and advance the peo-
pie; but as to whether Il will prove q
stable and successful government re-
mains to be seen At the present time,
however, the people are putting their
highest premium on character and
ability and trying to secure the leader
ship OF the ablest men, which includes
many who have had more or less train
Ing at the hands OF Christian missions
aries. ..ss So
he discussed at some length the
great opium evil Of the country, ana
told Of the reasons generally assigned
for II. the dull lives the people lead,
their poverty and the prevalence Of
disease. He gave 25.000,000 as an esti-
mate OF the number Of opium smokers
In China; but spoke highly Of the Of
forts that are being made by the new
government to stamp out this vice by
making its practice criminal offense.
Mr. Blaine spoke In high terms Of the
new governments sincere stand for res
iigious freedom, and In conclusion
pointed out the splendid opportunity
that this great country with Its team
Ing millions Of benighted souls, is of,
fering to the efforts Of those who wolld
do their part in helping to upbuild and
extend the Kingdom Of Christ on earth.
Rev. Donald Richardson.
The exercises last night were larRe-
ly attended and were opened with de-
votional exercises conducted by Revs.
F. Ray Riddle and John A. McMurray
after which Dr. Gillespie introduced as
the speaker Of the evening. Rev. Dom
aid Richardson, missionary to China. y
~
from things In other parts Of the
EARTH" said Mr.. Richardson, and the
Chinese customs are quite unique.
For instance, the American gentleman
keeps his finger nails short and clean.
while the Chinese gentleman wears his
long and pays little attention to ciean-
liness In America a man quarrels
with a neighbor and kills him. while
q Chinaman who quarreis with his
neighbor kills himself In his neigh
bor's front yard. The Chinese look at
things from different point OF views
but conditions in China now are such
as to bring JOY and hope. The dawn
is breaking In the country, the people
are awakening and new light is shin
ing in their faces.r IH. ,aa -
The speaker desired to bring sim
pie message In regard to China, and
he desired to call attention to four
great features in regard to China: A
great need. great opportunity q
great crisis and great responsibility.
The people are waiting for the word
of trist In this, the most needy mis-
sion field, and they are fainting so to
speak, on account Of the burden under
which they live. They need better boz
dies and better minds; but above all
they need to hear the story of Jesus
and his love. ~. Il .l,l b S..s,
{ In. speaking Of the opportunity for
service In. China, Rev. Richardson said
that while we Of the western world
had made much progress. China had
remained the same. He was unable to
say how tie political movement in
China was going to come out; but he
had all confidence In the great reli-
gious movement among the people,
Formerly they did not want mission
aries to come in; but now they ore
stretching out their hands to all for
eigners. He mentioned the circunl-
stance Of a number Of Buddhist priests
in one town who had requested to be
taught the Bible and declared that the
old superstitions were losing ground,
giving the world the greatest oppor-
tunity 1t has ever had to help China.
There Is also a great crisis In China.
Mr.. Richardson asserted. China wants
to learn about the west and its modes
and customs. The crisis lies In the
fact that China may become fascinat-
ed with western material elements
rather than with things pertaining to
spiritual life Chinese civilization Is
at the cross roads and It lies with US
as to whether the country shall be
Christian or anti Christian. II is a
crisis in the Southern Presbyterian
mission work and this work must
u n NJ Fnn-