The following interesting letter appears in The Christian of the 29th of March last:-—
Six,—It is well known to all supporters of the London Missionary Society that it has for some years had considerable ditticulty in raising the funds that are necessary for carrying on its work in various parts of the heathen world, With an almost stationary income, it is very dificult for the Society adequately to extend its operations even in those countries where it already has representatives, and almost impossible for it to commence new missions in other lands which have in recent years been opened to European commerce. We have noticed lately in the home papers various suggestions for retrenchment in the Society's expenditure. In regard to these suggestions we do not now express an: opinion except this—that a long experience of life in China leads us to disbelieving altogether in the principle of reducing to the lowest possible point the salaries of missionaries. A missionary, male or female, may of course exist in China, and probably in other countries also, ona very small income indeed; but as regards the great majority of Europeans, if they arete live in health, to work of as missionaries, and to give their children a proper education, something more than the bare necessities of life is requisite. We cannot help thinking, however, that the work of our own Society and other societies might be very largely developed, not by reducing the rate of remuneration paid to salaried agents abroad, but by the addition of a band of entirely uxremunerated labourers to the ranks of missionaries who are supported by the Churches.
This is the matter we now wish to press on the attention of our fellow Christians la gland. We ourselves are prepared, if will join us, to forego the sala and various money allowances for person: needs granted by the Society to its missionaries, and we appeal to young men possessed of private means tu come out and unite themselves with us as honorary workers in the Hankow Mission of the London Society.
This is not the place to enter into details of our work, and of the opportunities that exist for its extension, It is enough to 8a} that the needs of this district cannot wel be overstated. Situated in the very heart ofa province containing many millions of people, Hankow presents one of the finest centres for missionary enterprise in the whole world. Almost at our very doors we have in the three cities of Hankow, Hanyang, and Wuchang, a town population that cannot be very far short of the population of Liverpool and Glasgow taken together, the country districts round about there are many other large towns and villages, and we long to see European evangelists stationed in various central positions throughout those districts, from which, with the lp of native Christians, each owe could quarters, Judging from the experience of work the region surrounding his own head-the past, there is no likelih that this work can ever be overtaken by the existing agencies either of our own or of other societies.
We therefore invite men who have an independent income, or men whose personal friends are able and willing to send them abroad, to come out and supplement, the way just described, and without any cost to the Suciety, the work that is being already done by the Suciety's missionaries in this neighbourhood. "Most of the English societies now represented iv China—our own as well as others—~ number some unpaid missionaries amonget their agents, We wish for all the missions, as well as for our own, a large increase of such workers. We think that an unmarried man of frugal habits would be able to live here on £100 per annum. Our desire is that every one coming to Hankow in connection with this scheme should if he wishes it be provided with free quarters. At present, however, we cannot definitely promise this in all cases, but we shall try to make arrangements whereby the expenses of house rent will at all events be reduced to as small a sum as possible. Should this letter meet the eyes of any medical men who are anxious to combine evangel liste work with the practice of medicine, we can promise them rare opportunities for usefulness here; and if the consciousness of having been able to do untold good to the bodies as well as the souls of men be not a sufficient recompense, they will find as the result of a few years' labour here such recompense as few medical men in England attain, A rule of the Society exists which forbids any of ite medical men to engage in private practice amongst Europeans. We are thoroughly convinced of the wisdom of this rule, and our District Committee is unanimous in thinking that it should be observed by honorary not less than by paid agents of the Society.
Our idea is that anyone who joins should live for the first year or two in Hankow, where he could study the language and become familiar with the work of the Missi after that, he could gradually feel his way to settling down in some of the country districts where we have converts, who form the nudens of a country church. We do not wish to ge for single men only. Married couples would also find a very hearty welcome and. plenty of work; but it essential that both husband and wife should be full of the missionary spirit, strong in health, and prepared, if need be, to put up with sume inconveniences. In view of all the contingencies connected with qartied life amongst Europeans in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.