This body continues in session daily in Dr. Yates's chapel. There are thirty-one delegates present, including missionary Thirteen churches are represented, sent in letters giving an account of the state of religion and important statistics, These figures constitute an important item in the report of the meetings, and we shall give them as soon as they can be collected.
The question of self-support is the most important subject that has yet come before the body for discussion, "Though in the resolution coupled with self-government, self-support was the theme mostly dwelt upon by the numerous speakers who kept up the discussion through the forenoon, and continued it again in the afternoon. ' Not many now ideas were elicited, but some of the native pastors spoke of their willingness to suffer privation and hardship if they could seo the native churches self-snpporting, that is, no longer depending upon foreign aid. ' It must be evident that while these churches have but few number they all poor, the ordinances of reli cannot be supported without help from without any more than in the case of poor churches in Christian lands.
Of the thirteen churches represented in the Association one is in the province of Shantung, two in Kiangsu and ton in Chekiang. Dr. Crawford of Shantung brought in an elaborate report on church polity and government, which was undiscussed when the association adjourned.
18th Oct.
This body continued in session all day on Wednesday. Besides the regular delegates there was a good number present representing other denominations.
hho Rev. Dr, Dean of Bangkok having arrived came in during the forenoon session, and was welcomed to a seat beside the Moderater. Dr. Dean left the United States sim, and with the exception of a protracted home on account of ill-health he has period of century in mission work among the Chinese in this Empire and in Siam. He is the only one loft of the early missionaries to the Chinese, and ten years the senior of Dr. Happer, the next oldest, who is the senior missionary in China. Though he must be past seventy he seems hale and hearty, and gives promise of many more yeats of usefulness. His full head of white hair and long full white beard give him a venerable appearance, and as he moved up the aisle to take the seat offered him by the side of the Moderator the whole assembly arose as by a common impulse to show their respect for one honored by many years of useful labour.
Dr. DEax addressed the Association in substance as follows.—I have much pleasure in meeting a Baptist Association in China.
have organized seven churches among the Chinese, one in China and six in Siam. We have six churches with about five huudred members in Siam, where there are five preachers, four being ordained. We meet every year for conference, though we lave no Association organized as such. After so many years of association with the Chinese and labour amongst them, and having organised the first Baptist church in China, I feel much pleasure in meeting the Baptist Association in China, Though we speak a different dialect we have one faith, one Lord, and one hope. I wish yon all great fidelity in the Master'sserviceand look forward to meeting you all in the Kingdom of Heaven.—He closed this brief address with a benediction invoking a blessing upon the Association.
Dr. Crawford's paper on church govern ment, which was under discussion at the last session, came up again, and its discussion occupied most of the forenoon, It is a report of a committee appointed at the last meeting, and is an able document, setting forth the foundation prinples ut church government. It was ced that it should be discussed seriatim and printed in Chinese and English for distribution and consideration during the year, The Association adjourned yesterday afternoon to meet next year in Zavhying. The closing exercises were solemn and impressive, Among the subjects that received the attention of the body and not already reported, are the following Should polygamy be tolerated under any circumstances? Should Church members betroth their daughters to heathen?
Should Christians give up their shar ancestral estates? The importance of Church members contributing for the support of the Church.
Below we give the statistics referred to before Summary of Statistics of the Baptist Association.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.