'The important place occupied by women in the rapidly developing activities of New 'Testament times, as well as the large share women bore in' the carly propagation.of Christianity in our home lands, with the efficient participation of the women of both Protestant. and Roman Catholic churches in modern benevolences, will naturally cause a thoughtful attention to be given to the subject treated first in the June Recorder: Woman's Place in the Church as taught in Holy Scripture." Mr. Judd, however, has hardly done justice to his subject or to the material he has brought, forward. His array of examples shows, however, how carly the note was sounded of wowen's emancipation from the thraldom 2 ancient customs, number of iniportant letters on the Peking A large amount of space is given toa
Blind Mission. The statements made by Dr. Dudgeon, and by the influential and representative Peking Committee, will do much to remove misconceptions, and estore a confidence which in" some cases had been shaken by too sweeping and, we fear, hardly friendly, corrections of misstatements or exaggerations of the merits of the system for which neither Mr. Murray nor the Peking Committee were responsible. The many and valuable testimonies given to the reinarkable success and advantages of the new system evoke a hearty admiration for the erseverince and ingenuity of the Rev. W.
Murray, with whose name the system is linked, and by which it seems likely to be known, unless, may be, the hearty advocacy and generous support of a, well-known lady traveller should cause it be. called the Cumming" system.
Chapter EX of Dr. Faber's "China in the Light of History," follows, and shows what a power for evil the eunuchs of the Imperial palace have been in the past. Carzon's Problems of the Far East," notice that the number of eunuchs surrounding the imperial person and harem is estimated ut from 8,000 to 10,000. With this chapter Dr. Faber finishes his sombre history and picture of the Imperial palace, and naturally asks:—'Would it not the best thing that could be done for China to rid her of this sink of iniquity Would it not prove a far-sighted policy to compel the Imperial Court to spend the enormous sums of money which are now rotting in this plague-spot in improving the means of communication by water an by high roads?"
In introducing Chapter X, "Ministers and Officials," Dr. Faber shows that "the impression left on the mind of the unprejudiced reader by the number of books about China, is, that the majority, if not all the State officials, must be exceptionally graj Jearned and intelligent men, as they have been able to pass the stiff State-examinations, and also that they are full of the wisdom and morality of Confucius; for this morality chiefly affects personal characters, causing men to act suitably in all conditions of life, and also causing unconditional obedience to the commands of superiors, specially of the Emperor. But Chinese history does not at all confirm this supposition. Really capable and trustworthy higher officials have been the exception, ins have been the rule." The majority seem to be satisfied with a ph enatic mediocrity. A number of examples follow, this month's instalment closing with the officials of the 16th century." The correspondence department is unusually full of special interest. In it is the Rev. J. L. Whiting's contribution on Appealsto the Civil Power." Curiously enough there follows an interesting communication from Minister Denby, showing how civil the representatives of the Powers can be.
The Messenger. June; 1896. "Shanghai American Presbyterian Mission Press.
In his references. to. pastoral, poetry, Ruskin showed that, exactly as hoops, and starch, and false hair, and. all that in mind and' leart these. things typify and betray,.. gained upon men, there was a necessary reaction in favour of the natural." And in the translation of the poems of the Tang dynasty in this month's Messenger we are inclined to see a somewhat similar reactionary, sentiment, expressing itself. In, her introduction to the translations Mrs. Elwin says:—If we enquire. what are the subjects of these odes'we find that war, wine, and women, which have been said to be the.three chief. inspiring themes for poetry arvong mankind in general, are often' not alluded to, especially the last mentioned, The parting of friends on' appointment to afiice isn fruitful theme in these odes; at times. also the expression of regret, at _not receiving appointment, and, monasteries or hermit, retreats, with their fair surroundings, are described with glowing terms of praise. Nature in her rural beauty is pictured with delicate refinement and poetical: insight.
entirely to still life,"" and human and Whilst the range of post i limited almost animal appearances and characteristics, with one or two notable exceptions, are seldom delineated or discussed, it i freshing to find indoor,. and f phlegmatic, students studding thei productions with reference to the lofty trees,' the brilliant..moon,' the borders of the sky,' sweet flowers'. scent," etc. It reminds us of the poetry written in praise of the country, by men who ved in coffee-houses and on the Mall," showing that the essence of pastoral pastry is' the
which is occasionally felt by a man who sense. of strange delightfulness in gris, has'seldom set his foot on it."
Whilst in the poems presented purity of thought and diction are conspicuous, it will De ditiicult for the Messenger readers to rightly appreciate the richness and beauty of the vein of poetry revealed. Mrs. Elwin has done her part well, and probably hus in. some parts improved on the original, still she must have felt the great difficulties that lie in the way of translating such a poetry into language 0 different. from that of the original. It is evident that the paper has been prepared for some Missionary Association, a fact thnt ought editors, to have been noted, or foot-noted, by the
"Once for All," by Mrs, Muirhead, and "In Perils of Robbers" by. the Rev. T. Heywood Hasburgh are hoti, interesting reading; S., in remarks stiggested by the wreck of the Onrco, has much that is interesting and sympathetic to give notes and comnients have a number of items from various native sources; telephic and other news are somewhat scrappy and. disconnected—in one case we note that an important sequel occurring within the month has not. been given, nor are the telegrams acknowledged. In' this month's instalment. of "Manners and Customs of the Christians among the Heathen" Dr. Faber treats of superstitions, as well as. of soothsaying and astrology. In "his suming up of the latter subject he shows that the native Christian must ' for conscience sake, not only abstain from fortunetelling and choosing days, but witness faithfully against all these superstitions. He can show due regard for the laws.of the land as well as other existing absurdities without doing. violence. to his convictions, and furthermore, the noted scientists, representative of secular knowledge, political economy, and diplomatic intricacies, might use their supprised influence to some practical. effect.and demonstrate to the advocates of missions that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.