Norwich bulletin., 1915-06-09

AA1~NA~ON-NN~@O there. We met hundreds of them and we found them both scholarly and spiritual leaders. One Is alderman In large city. One is the constant ad- wiser to the governor of the province: Many are trusted with large relief funds. It is surprising, and amazing to find the variety of their work and the ability with which they meet their many-sided problems. We were en- tertained constantly in their houses, where we realized anew their devotion and self sacrifice. l beg you not to let your faith be unsettled if your friend comes back from the east and tells you missions are accomplishing nothing. Probably she has only touch ed at post cities and knows nothing of the permeating, yes, penetrating work of the inland places. You and may visit New York again and again and never imagine the consecrated lives given to immigrants on the east side. Not long ago a young woman returned from China, saying she had lost all confidence in missions. Why? Because she had met 8 missionary on the steamer who was selfish. Her heinous crime was, believe, that she insisted on having lower berth. Now. we deplore selfishness in any one. most of all in a Christian, but shipboard the morality of the best of us sometimes lapsesi But is the standing of our U. S.Ngovernment se- riously impaired because one consul makes a blunder, or even does wrong? As whole cur missionaries do not call for a charitable judgment, but for unqualified admiration. And how badly we sometimes treat them! We expect them to work without tools, to run schools without adequate grants, and to perform operations with fingers stiff from cold. Oh, the pity of it, that we so often limit their use fitness!
 Splendid Native Christians.
 Another vivid impression is the splendid body of native Christians. l had imagined them small detached groups here and there. but as we look ed down on those great audiences at the time of the centenary we felt their power. The In dians are intensely religious and faces I shall never forget. The story of their sacrifices, their long journeys, their gifts to the Extension fund, read like the acts of the early apostles One little group of very new Christians walked from Barsi. 130 miles away, singing and preaching as they came this a country where Christ's name had never before been heard. Footsore and weary they were after five days of tramping, but their enthusiasm was undimmed. I wish every member of our Woman's Board could have seen the audience of 1500 on Sunday aft ernoon taking the communion, many of them converts within the year.
 Here in the country of rigid caste, where even a shadow defles, they were sitting sire by side, in memory of our Lord, one Father Then real to reach and to bless the outcast, for his own race is powerless to help him. In Vadalon, a royal wei come was awaiting us, half the vi1- lage coming down the road to meet us, banners, arches, garlands up to sweet music from instruments that must have dated from Gideon's time. At the church meeting the mayor, or patti, himself, a Hindu. made a touch ing address. We were blind ana now we see; we were lame, now we can walk; we were deaf, now we hear. All this has come to our happy village through the missionary. Not for 40 years has any lawsuit been carried to the courts; we take all our troubles to the mission compound for settle ment. It was at Vadala, when I had an unusual experience. A dear lit tie old lady seized my hand and said: "Oh, I thought I should see a Wo- mans Boarder of Heaven, but never dreamed of seeing you here"
 The Dark Side.
 Now from what had these great congregations come? The dark side of the picture was at Benaces, where there are millions of gods. but not one that speaks of love. Where the most unholy holy men, theinr faces smeared with ashes and curious caste marks. pursue you for hours with a begging bowl; where temples are filled with monkeys and peacocks and deer. Where women can be seen kneeling, before a sacred COW, putting garlands around her neck (Think of worship ping a cow!) Where there are thou sands of pilgrims, reaching, searching for the truth and finding-monkeys finding temples with indecent symbols and most immoral priests. If any of your friends are fascinated with the beauty of Hindu philosophy, ask them if they have been to Benaces and have seen there it's degrading effects on the masses of the people.
 At Calcutta is the great temple of Karlfn, the patron saint of the city, the huge crowds near her statue, swaying, groaning, crying-I shall al- ways remember those awful sounds, and also the awful sight in the tiny crouet, where the animals are slain, the pavement red with blood, for Kar- lin demands many goats! And thought of Hosea. For l desired
 
 knowledge of God more than burst offerings"
 Near Madusa we went to a. very sacred temple. Tirs, floor swimming with milk from cocoanuts, broken be- fore idols, the black upper spaces fill 01 with bats which swooped down upon our heads. Here the week before had come 100000 pilgrims, strained, fanatical faces in that huge procession, the greatest possible contrast to the audience in the Madura church, the women with fine, strong faces; women who had done great things for God, but they showed transforming power of the Christian faith. You can often tell Christian by the expression of his face.
 Dirt Everywhere.
 The Chinese people are more mate rialistic. Confucianism is only ethical. Taverism is a debauched religion and Buddhism bears but a slight resem- blance to the pure and sincere aSpira- tions of its founder. Hardly a priest knows the eight-fold path and the i'm morality in connection with the tenn pies is unspeakable. Here we find the greatest contrasts to the pilgrim crowds in India. At the large Confu- elan temple in Picking, the home of the sacred tablets, we saw not a single per oAo1or on