We are glad to seo that a movement in the right direction has been lately made, in regard to missionary worl, at Foochow. Some of the native preachers have advocated that the Christian natives should support their own pastors; and if the principle be out, it ill be at once a proof of sin-y in the converts, anda step towards allaying the distrust with which the new religion is now viewed. Apart from the dislike which votaries of one creed usually manifest towards another, jealousy of the Foreign teachers and of their influence is well known to be a leading point in the mandarin dislike of Christianity. The idea of men travelling great distances and incurring heavy expense, for the simple purpose of propagandism, is so incompreliensible to the Chinese mind, that it is not surprising an ulterior motive is sought; the acquisition of political influence must be the real object, hidden under the cloak of religious proselytism! And the frequent interference of Missionaries on behalf of their converts, when these get into trouble, must tend to strengthen the surmise. If the obtrasion of the foreign element every point could be lessened, the jealousy of foreign teaching would no doubt be lessened correspondingly. A religion taught by foreign Missionaries, supported by foreign money, and trying to extend a quasi-protectorate over its converts, is one thing; a religion accepted, studied and supported by the Chinese people themselves, would be quite another. Even foreigners are generallyrathersceptical of the sincerity of adult conversions; and it i surprising that Chinese officials, instinctively jealous of foreign influence and intrasiou, should suspect an attraction beyond admiration for the uew doctrine, in the case of their countrymen whoenrol under its banners, As is usually the ease, there is probably much trath on both sides of this question. The brave persistence shown by many native converts during the recent persecutions, proves that sincerity must exist in some cases; but we incline, with the mandarins, to suspect tha presence of interested motives in others. The strongest test of sincerity that can be applied, is that suggested from Foochow. Instead of relying on teachers paid by foreign gold, let the native Christian communities support their own Church, and aid in its extension. The disciples of Confucius would still view with distrust a doctrine whose very existence implied change but they would be deprived of their great argument against it, if they found it resting on a popular instead of on a foreign basis, The endeavour to christianise China has now extended over many hundred years, with very fluctuating success; and we believe the main cause of reaction has always been jealousy of the Foreign influence which has been so gla apparent in the propagand this not the case, we fancy fan's contemptuous assent to mission ary teaching, on the ground that Confaclanism is too firm to be shaken, would be pretty generally agreed in. Buddhis is tolerated among the ignorant, who are incapable of appreciating. the cold philosophy of the classics; and the tenetsof Christianity are, toa superficial observer, not very different. That a barbarian doctrine, however, insulated by barbarian teachers and supported bybarbarian money, should be established in the land, is intolerable; the doctrine and its teachers ar both alike assailed, with all the violence of traditional hatred and jealousy. The Missions, however exist, and will certainly be sustained—though the question how far the members should be supported in their endeavours to travel and reside in the interior, is one of the most prominent in our China policy. Ifthe principle advocated at the Foochow Conference were adopted, the question would perhaps be simplified; but we fear Christianity has not lained a sufficiently firm footing in China, for the principle to be widely recognised and acted on. Foreign energy is necessary to push it forward; and foreign teaching, in the broadest sense of the word, is necessary to ensure its proper appreciation. The converts, however, can do much in proof of thei sincerity, by showing that, where they are sufficiently numerous, they are able and willing to support their own church establishment.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.