American Presbyterian Mission Many people consider missionary periodic cals uninteresting reading. Probably they are of the small boy's opinion who inzreply to the teacher's Iquery: " What is nutritious food?" replied "'Something to eat that ain't got no taste to it." The contents, however, of the Recorder before us are interesting and appetising. Even the second article, a sermon by the Rev. D. Goddard on Inter-dependencs of the past, and the present and the future," is good reading and the Rev. Gilbert Reid's style is always attractive. He leads off with a paper on "Seeking the best results by using the best agencies," and as an_ illustration of his style and argument we quote from page 457: Less than a century ago our fathers travelled about in post-chaise or on horse-back, and now and then in a chariot and four, but now inven-it brings together the furl, it collects the water, and lo! wheels begin to. revolve, and palaces, smoking-room, library, kitchen, dining-hall, bed-room, barber shop, go whirling over the land. The carriage and horse are still cherished, but for the greatest good in the shortest time science calls forth a Some of Mr, Reid's deductions are open ter energy."
to criticism; but his article is worthy of a careful perusal. Such a perusal is necessary to show how two apparently contradictory principles enunciated by him are in happy helpful accord. Mr. Reid huge doos not, of course, believe that the mandarins ought to be converted first he rather takes the position:—"In every place give the first attention to the persons of greatest influence and seek to Secure as much of their friendliness us sible. This influence may be due toa igh literary degree, or to some official position. It may come from being the Tichest man, or having the loryest estates. It may be because one is the head of a clan or the headman of a village. It may be because one is a good man, respected for his righteous deeds; or it may be because one is the worst man, feared by all for the evil he may do and the trouble he can bring. My one policy, when I was engaged in such work, was to become friends, if possible, with these men. If Thad. work in a certain district T would call on the magistrate or other oficial, explain my intention, secure a proclatnation for chapel or school, or at least bring about friendly relations. In the village itself I would send my card to the headmen of the village, make plain to them that I intended to force no one to enter our religion, neither did I expect that any one would be forced not to enter our religion; but that my wish was to let each man do as he pleased. I would also enquire who in that place was worthy, accustomed to leeds, and such an one I would seck out, trying to secure his ce-operation in my own effort to make men better. would also make the acquaintance of the school-masters and present to them suitable religious books. In this way while many of the converts were poor and despised, opposition was restrained by these men of influence. In one section impetus was given to our work through the friendship of an old man, who had the most power for ten miles around, who espoused our cause and afterwards joined the Church:" Such a principle might be extended to missionary operations, that those men should be chosen as missionaries who are capable of exerting the most influence, and so on.
Dr. J. A. Anderson gives an interesting account of the progress of missionary work in T'aichoufi. "We gather, front the figures given of the. China Inland Mission
the past thirty years thers have been 1,77 work in the Taichu district, that during baptisms, and"26'stations opened. _Particulars are given of the translating and printing work carried on by Mr. Rudland, of the romanising of the colloquial, the ployed. training of natives, and methods" enthe first instalment of a scholarly article by Mr. F. H. James, on "The Theism of China" (originally printed -in the.' New World") is reprinted -in this Recorder. Then a further contribution to missionary nonagesimal literature will be found in the report of Dr. Muirhead's address delivered at at recent conference on the earlier half of the past ninety years of missionary effort. The many who attended or heard of the conferences held last year in various centres will read with interest inthe educational department the Summary of the tour," reprinted from Mr. Mott's Strategic points in the World's conquest."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.