We are at last able to publish the famous "Missionary" Circular, of which we gave a sketch in the N.C. Herald of the 29th April and 12th May last; bat, with the fall text before us, find very little to alter in the opinion we then expressed of its merits, There are two difficulties—tokuow how far the Chinese are sincere in their professions, and how much credit is dae to the instances they bring forward of inconvenience which it is necessary to check. Assuming both these points in their favour, the despatch would command very general and complete sympathy. But we precisely cannot venture this assumption; and are driven, after careful perusal, to believe that the paper lacks complete frankness, and contains much exaggeration. Still, very few will contest its ability as a State Paper, or its value as a political exposition. Itis the ablest despatch we have yet soon emanate from Peking, and it will persuade Foreign Powers that at least some modifications are needed, in a system which excites so strong hostility and even gives room for such emphatic protest. his own country, and then no regrettable misunderstanding could occur." It has puzzled many to know why enthusiastic benevolence prefers tosclect objects of religious or material charity inFeojee erin China, instead of attacking the abundant. poverty and ignorance to be found at Home; but so it is; and the Roman Catholics especially look to the education of children as animportantmeansof spreading a knowledge of Christianity. Ifthey educated the children, in a liberal sense of the term, we should thoroughly go with them; bat we fear the instraction is too exclusively religious: Even as it is, however, they no doubt do great good; but the Chinese object that the mystery which surrounds their orphanages excites suspicion; declare that their own orphanages suffice; and ask that only Christian children should be taken in. This obviously counters the great object of proselytism, and will be strongly opposed; but to the most complete openness and publicity there can be no objection, and the Chinese will be right to insist on it, On the question of women entering churches, we have written elsewhere, and pass it by as comparatively unimportant. The next Art., IIT, however, is of a very different nature. It explains, we believe, one chief ground of the hostility that undoubtedly does exist, on the part of the Officials and Literati, against Missionaries. The argoments put forward point mainly to Catholics; but, as we have often urged, no very clear distinction is drawn. This article deals, then, with the oft-asserted grievance that Missionaries interfere on behalf of their converts, in cases of dispute with their officials or their neighbours, and so excite popular and official dislike.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.