"Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war," was the stirring chorus whicl sounded the keynote of Friday evening's meeting. The Rev. P. F. Price was} 2 upon to open the discussion on the a's Spiritual Crisis the audience were prepared to listen to inspire ing thoughts and were to do what had never been done before for the uplifting of the people in this great Empire. The speaker said that there were three elements in the manifestation of this crisis.
1.—The Providence of God indicated the crisis. China alone of all the great nations of the earth remains unbroken. Providence has preserved the nation for four thousand years and more. Peculiar vitality has been the characteristic of this race; in spite of great plagues, and decimating influences ina has been preserved from political division. China to-day is a.unit. China has been preserved from many of the evils of the civilised world. There is very little intelligent antipathy to the work of the missionaries, such as has been met with in India and Japan. The progress of civilisation has been providentially prevented from being too rapid. The extremely rapid. introduction of civilisation brings countless evils in its train which may be averted if Christianity can keep pace with its progress, or rather precede it. China has been saved from Nestorianism, which is an additional providential blessing. God has saved China from Romanism taking a controlling place. God has most signally opened up the country to the advance of Christ's Kingdom. The ports were opened; at the very same time: workers were prepared and sent to enter the ports. Each successive step in the opening of the country has been followed by an outpouring of the Spirit of God and. God has granted a remarkable success inpouring of mien into the open doors. the work of the missionaries. Against greater odds the missionary has made no: more failures and has gotten more in return for the outlay than in the case of diplomacy and commerce. What has commerce and diplomacy to show Three wars and only about a score of ports opened money lost; and lives sacrificed. What have missions to show The whole country entered; foundations of true civilisation introduced and advanced by. the missionaries; thousands of men brought out of the darkness of heathenism into the light of a, true, noble life.
2.—The condition of the people is the second thing that shows the spiritual, crisis in China; physically the suffering that. undated by the Chinese is horrifying. There is no relief. that, has peep, offered them ug. Hhe mi igsionan fe is extremely strong. The Chinese are liars. Their moral system is a complete failure. What will meet the crisis?) Nothing but Christianity. From out of the decayed stump of Chinese life, must grow the new tree of Christianity.
3.—The problems of the Church isa third element in the crisis. There are problems to be met, such as the danger of a lack of union in policy. The honour of God is stake. It is against God that the nation is sinning. Shall we not rally to defend the honour of God? God has spared China, He loves China, He has commissioned us to tell them of His love. Shall we fail do it?
'The theine of the session qwa: 'After the opening devotional exercises con. ducted by the Rev..G!. Muson, the first address of the morning was delivered by the Rev. W. S. Sweet, on' "The Place of Prayer in our Work." He emphasised the portance of a prayerful attitude marder to ind the message which will be carried home the hearts of the hearers. A prayerful spite also brings a calm assurance of right in peril ity, and a contentment in results. The prayerful spirit gives a joyful heart, andaqitick ear. The speaker then referred to a few inspiring examples of prayers. Nehemiah, Esther, Peter, and the Lord Jesus Christ were quoted especially as those who wrought great things by prayer.
The Rev. J. C. Garritt, then spoke on "How to Pray." As the diver must have communication with the atmosphere above, so we must keep up our communication with the heavenly atmosphere. The Fatherhood of God is our charter of prayer. We can come to Him as children to parent. How should we pray? 1, Confidingly. 2,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.