The meeting was opened with Dr. Nevius in the chair. The minutes were read, and after correction adopted. On motion of Mr. Barber, Rev. W. B. Bonnell was appointed Corresponding Secretary for the Conference.
The Business Committee made a communication on the subject of a photograph, It was moved to appoint a Committee of All the animale the above wentioued dain three to inquire into the matter, and a and found to be healthy avd free fr have boc inspected three tinies during the past week motion to lay the subject on the table was Bubmitted, J Hy Aust, nap. lost. It was then voted to have the picture taken in three groups.
Dr. Ashmore presented the second report on behalf of the Committee on a Memorial to the Emperor, as follow:
"While we see no impropriety in the presentation of a simple memorial of congratulation such as was contemplated on debalf of ourselves and others enjoying treaty privileges in the empire, yet there appears to be such a divergency of opinion about the course to be taken, and various proprieties involved in the procedure, that we recommend that for the present further steps be not taken."
It was proposed That the Committee on a Memorial to the Emperor be consolidated with the Committee on the Relation of Christian Missions to the Chinese Government.
The motion was carried.
Dr. Kerr, on behalf of the Committee on Opium, then presented the report which had been reciammitted to them.
A long discussion upon this subject then ensued, and the report was uuterially ended and finally adopted in the fullowing form Whereas this Conference regards the rapid extension of the growth of native opium, in addition to the use of the imported drug, with profound alarm, and whereas the consequent vast, increase of the opium habit demands our wust serious and unremitting consideration, therefore resolved nee reatliru: and maintain our attitude of unflinching opposition to the opium trottie.
That we recommend all Christians a ty use every endeavour to arouse vpivion against the spread of this evil, and to devise means tu secure ay far as ay be its final suppression.
That we advise the formation of ese Anti-Opium Society, with branches at all mission stations, and' we recommend the appointuwent by this Conference of a Cowmittee of seven tu carry out this resum lation.
4,—That we have learned with alarm of the rapid increase in the consumption of morphia in China, that we find this increase is largely owing to the indiscriminate sale and consequent abuse of sv-called anti-opium medicines, and that we now, the suggestion of the Medical Missionary Association of China, urge all wissiouaries to discourage, and as far as possible prevent the sale of such anti-opium medicines as contain opium, or any of its alkulvids,—That we earnestly impress on all Christian churches throughout the world, the duty of uniting in fervent and continual prayer to God that He will, in His wive providence, direct His people' to such measures as will lead to the restriction and final abolition of this great evil.
6.—That we deeply sympathise with the efforts of the societies in Great Britain and elsewhere for the suppression of the opium trade, and recommend them to continue and increase the agitation for the suppress n of the growth and sale of opium.
It was voted that the Committee required by the report be nominated by the Committee on Nominations.
The report on Women's Work was then read by Mr. Barber.
Mr. James objected to the phrase "cannot take too d a stand" in the reference to four-binding. He thought that it might be possible to take too strong ground, the matter, and that unbinding the feet ought not to be made a condition of church membership.
A motion to amend having been made, Dr. Kerr said the meeting ought not to make a change in the ladies' report.
Dr. Hunter expressed his this view, and said that the subject belonged to the Christian Church in China.
Mr. Goodrich said the report was thoroughly admirable, and he wished for no change, Dr. Wherry called attention to the fact that the Presbytery of Peking had once made unbinding the feet @ condition
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.