To the Editor of the Norru-Cuiva Dairy News.
Sm,—A fow years ago the devotion of Pire Damien to his leper-tuck in Molokai, and his death among them there, stirred, not only in physicians and philanthropists but in the general public, " strong interest in the subject of leprosy, its prevalence in certain counties, its incurable nature, the sufferings of the lepers, and the possibility of alleviation. This interest is, perhaps, not so keen at present. But, happily for the lepers, there are Christin philanthropists whose concern dues not depend on the stimulus of an occasional martyrdom, but, sustained by the love of Christ and of men, is perennial.
Mr. Wellesley Bailey, thirty yours ago a Presbyterian missionary in India, moved by the scenes of misery hie had encountered there, svt himself when compelled by failing health to return home, to arouse among. Christians in Great Britain " practical terest in the efforts of Indian to relieve and comfort the lepers at their stations, It is computed that half-a-million of the population of India are lepers. From small beginnings Mr. Bailey's work expanded till "it became necessary to vest. it in_a responsible Committee. In 1887 this Committee, which jad been at work for ten years, was enlarged. Lady Dufferin becanie patroness of the Society, the Archbishop of Dublin, President; and xs Vice-Presidents it was joined by Lord Polworth, Sir Henry Ramsay, and Sir Menier Menier-Williams, and hy'representative members of the missionary societies of thy Church of England, the Presbyterian of Ireland, and the Congreg: alists. Mr. Wigram, Honorary Clerical Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, is the representative of the Church of England.
Main, whose medical missionary work is well-known and appreciated by many of your readers, has almost from his first arrival in Ching felt the desirableness of special treatment for lepers; who, though not so numerous here as in South Chinn are frequent enough to attract attention and whom it is difficult to treat in the general wards of a hospital without risk. During his recent furlough, circumstances made him acquainted -with a member of the committee just mentioned, through whom he learnt the existence of the society, and its willingness to assist existing medical missions in affording relief to lepers. The society, originally intended to help lepers in India, was already promoting similar charity able work in Burmaand in South China, Dr. Main laid his case before the Committee, which, in effect, granted him £200 to build and furnish a small annex to his hospital, and £50 a year for the maintenones" of about ten leper-patients, Soon after his return to us last Christmas the Doctor took steps to full the condition' of the grant, by erecting on a suitable site in the north-east. angle of his large compound, a detached and airy building, of one storey, facing south, and consisting of six wards exch containing two beds, a chape!, dining room kitchen and other offices, all Jooking on a walled courtyard 70 feet by 20.
Last Wednesday, being St. Andrew's Day, Dr. Main, who is 4 good Scotchman and not without a tinge of the missionary spirit and brotherly kindness of the Apostelic Saint, found it a suitable occasion for inaugurating this new effort to do good. All things were ready, five candidates for admission already, pot, and there was the prospect of soon filling all the available beds. Accordingly, besides the members of mission the C.M.S., the American ions in our city received from the Doctor a hearty invitation to attend a short service of prayer and praise at the hospital. The chapel is a small room intended, of course, only for the regular inmates. And known that if, as was vital, the invitations were numerously accepted, the proceedings would have to take place in the open air. The bright weather, happily, favoured such an arrangement, at least for the Chinese guests, whose wadded. clothes and thick-soled shoes enabled them to defy the cold. Seats intended to accommodate over a hundred and fifty persons were provided, and were all filled; the great majority of course being Chinese. Besides our own wiissionstaff, assistants, pupils and warses feom the hospital and medical school, and other native Christians, we had the groat pleasure of welcoming both missionaries and Christian Chinese from the American missions, as well native members of the China Inland Mission, The proceedings consisted of three short addresses, preceded and closed with prayers and hymns. Mr. Judson of the Northern: Presbyterian Mission' made the opening razer; and two natives (Dr. Bains hinese Secretary and one of his senior assistants) shared with me the duty of speaking. The Secretary, on behalf of the Doctor, gave a brief sketch of the origin and pecuniary positi of the undertaking. To what has been stated above, he added that the total cost of building and furnishing amounted to $1,500, without allowiu, anything for the site; 0 that the grant £200 had not by any means covered the outlay; and that therefore contributions would be welcomed to pay off the balance, and set Ube annual grant quite free for the maintenance and treatment of patients. The assistant gave a brief but interesting account of leprosy, its history illustrate from Holy Scripture, and its distressing nature from every point of view, especially its hopelessness; and he appealed to our sympathy as Christians, to strengthen the hands of those who were there attempting to alleviate pain, and brighten existence, whilst pointing the sufferers to a present Saviour and Comforter, and to health and life immortal hereafter. All was over in an hour, and at four o'clock the numerous native guests were refreshed with tea and abundantly provided by Dr, and Mrs, Main. Those who have seen the Hangchow C.M.S. Hospital will not need to be told that everything had been done that bunting, gilt-inscriptions, and bright flowers could to make the welcome and house-warming cheerful and friendly.
In asking you to insert this letter, T wish to extend to your readers the appeal of the two Chinese speakers on behalf of this new institution in Christ's name. Such pecuniary help is earnestly risked as may enable Dr. Main to afford relief to the lepers of this district to the full extent of his building. To some of your readers I think I may appeal. for the rarer and more costly gift of intercession on behalf of all the responsible workers in this truly Christian undertaking, Will
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.