paeiose an baer The Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal, Vol, XXIV, No. 4, Apeil, 1893. Phe Presbyterian Mission Press.
The April Recorder opens with the second instalment of Frederick Wells Williams' article on Chinese and Medieval Guilds. Some interesting facts are mentioned in connection with Trades Unions, for instance:
Fish-hook making at Wenchow is confined to men of that trade who belong to Fukien and no Wenchowese is allowed to acquire heart. Needle-makers allow only Taichow and Kiangsu men to work in the city of Weénchow. Tallow-chandlers and tin-foil beaters are cited as the two most truculent classes, owing to their sectional jealousy." These Trades Unions differ considerably from similar organisations in Europe where large factories, huge plant, the ferment involved in new systems, and the problems implied in the relations of capital and labour, are elements not so much known and felt in China, for industrial life in 'Asin is practically' where it was two centuriesago in Europe. The Unions in China "are concerned principally with the regulation of work and wages, discountenancing cheating,—for no one appreciates the money value of honesty in the long run better than a Chinaman,—resistance to unjust oppression from officials, arrangements as to apprentices and mutual assistance to members," The article is a valuable one, and Mr. Williams shows clearly how admirably adapted the Guild is to present conditions in the Orient, which reproduce past conditions in the Occident. He shows that, apart from its shortcomings, the Guild performs the invaluable service of keeping alive a of self-reliance and independence. It teaches the value of personal industry, integrity, mutual aid, and all the elementary' virtues of social existence, and wit capacity—within limits—for change and expansion it provides fairly well the mediation, needful for orderly and comfortable living. Whether the institution can withstand the strain involved in the introduction of industrial methods and new ideals from the West, remains to be sven.
Tu the next article we have a scholarly and emphatic counterblast against footbinding, by Dr. Faber. After speaking of the origin of the abuse, and the fact of the practice being contrary to the usage of chinese antiquity, the learned doctor enquires into the legality of foot-binding. He points out that "the Emperors of the dynasty now ruling over China have issued prohibitions against this unnatural usage without success. We learn from this fuct that it is against the will of the Emperor. As in China the published will of the Emperor is law to the country, this practice is consequently in defiance of the law of the country." The physical and moral effects, and social evils arising from foot-binding are pointed out, and all missionaries, and every one interested in the true welfare of China and the Chinese will do well to peruse D: Faber's remarks on the only true remedy, and the duty of the Christian churches in the matter. One of the most noteworthy items in Collectanea." is a protest against the use of the term "heathen" as applied to the non-Christian peoples of Asia. The Japanese sem sensitive over this we nder the heading "Annotated Scriptures," Dr. Chalmers of Hongkong deprecates the agitation raised against the printing and circulation of the Bible without note or comment. His opinion is that those who want to circulate the Bible with explanations (and who does not?) ma; explain and comment by word of mouth and in print to their hearts' content, so long as they find the funds somewhere else, and not in the Bible House.
In the article by the Rev. H. Loomis, on Evangelisation in Japan," it is cheering to read of Dr. Verbeck's labours in the island of Shikoku. So successful were these that counter efforts were made to draw the people away, and various methods were adopted for expressing hatred and contempt for the Christian religion. This is an indication how much Christianity is feared and how futile are the means employed to check its progress. It is said, however, that the best and most sensible of the people have no sympathy with such demonstrations, and in not a few instances such foolish conduct has led persons to inquire seriously into the truth of Christianity and eventually to their conversion."
"Wine from the Lees," (using the latter word in its best sense) might have been a suitable heading for the next a i which the Rev. G. T. Candlin of Tientsin treats of Chinese hymnology in general and there. J. Lees'new Sym book in particular. The writerinan able manner first shows the difficulties connected with hymnology in the Chinese language, and then points out how Mr. Lees has' surmounted all obstacles. As a good Chinese scholar, a persevering and enthusiastic: missionary, and' subject himself to the divine afflatus. Mr. Lees is eminently qualified for the work he has undertaken, and carried on so successsfullyand generously. Speakingofthe amount of work involved in the production of the hymn-book, Mr. Candlin points out that of 429 hymns, 348 were translated by Mr. Lees himself, and then gives with quiet humour some personal experiences of attempted hymn translations.
In the report of the Shansi Conference of Protestant Missionaries, is given the substance of discussions by members of the China Inland, English Baptist, and A.B.C.F.M. Missions, at a Conference held in Taiyuan Fu, from 29th September to 5th October of last year, The principal topics discussed were': Instructiok of enquirers and converts, itineration, volun-toryism and self-extension. Opinions on various associated questions were freely given, Whilst being duly gratefal for the amount of interesting information condensed into comparatively small compass, we regret that the compiler of the report should have striven for brevity at the expense of good grammar, Many of the sentences read as if they had been framed for economical telegraphic messages. Want of space forbids us noting the report of the Yunnan and Kueichow Convention and other interesting articles, The editorial comments are up to their usual high standard.
The Messenger, Vol. VI, No. 4. Shang-i, April, 1893, "The Presbyterian Mission a Fully two hundred years ago, Edmund Waller wrote "Could we forbear dispute and practise love, Wo should agree as angels do al 'The spirit of the past two centuries been, in many respects, more pugnacious than' angelic, and it would seem at first sight as if the April Messenger were desirous of still further postponing the angelic consummation in introducing the Termquestion in its first article, The article in question by the Rev. Dr. Faber is, however, instructive not destructive. This is partly explained Ly the fact of its appearing as one of the series of papers on the Manners and Customs of the Christians among the heathen, written some years ago for the purpose of making the German readers of the original articles somewhat. acqaninted with the difficulties of missionary work in China. Such a dispassionate presentation of the auore important phases ofthe erin question, by such an authority as Dr, Faber, worthy the attention of all missionaries—particularly the younger portion, who, while escaping the earlier and bitter fierce: ness of the forty years' dispute, may have failed thereby to fully grasp the force of th question, Whilst having strong convictions of his own, Dr. Faber's views are honestly presented. He pleads that the voices should be weighed, not counted, for nonsense usually' controls the majority. Such weighing, however, presupposes @ sound evangelical spirit,' thorough knowledge of facts, and an' experienced judgment. Dr. Faber says: "The desire to bring the pleading for, union, in this matter, revelation of God before the Chinese in one definite version, the desire to appear before the Chinese as the Church of Christ, though divided into many churches for
same true God in the same Spirit, the desire human reasons still all rorshippin the to impress on the whole nation of China the fundamental doctrine of only One God—should allow us no rest till we have united on the one term least misunderstood and most reverenced among the Chinese."
On page 53 are printed two interesting and instructive diagrams which are worthy close study. The first illustrates Reli-jon, which develops the most vital knowledge in regard to God and man. The second, on Education, has, in a systematic manner, arranged the order of study necessary to make an all The notes from Dr. as they are interesting, whilst in the China Inland Mission Notes are to be found some very encouraging items. First with regard to self-support and aggressive work by the native Christians, we find such fa "Ju one place (in Kiangsi) the Christians are not only paying the rent of a house in 'a market town 25 miles off, but are meeting the expense of maintaining the preacher to occupy the post there." Then at Taning the native church chose eight of their number and sent them out two and two, totakea
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.