Srd Argust.
Une of the finest Martyrs' Memori-ala we have ever seen is in the churchyard of Stirling in Scotland. It was erected to the memory of those maidens who in the "killing" times of Claverhouse refused to conform, and were accordingly tied to stakes on the shores of Wigtonshire, and drowned by the rising tide. It is a wonderful work of art, but the maiden martyrs' truest' memorial is in those who follow in their step:
some practical way the principles for which the martyrs died can be emphasised and disseminated, we instinctively feel that such a memor-! ial would be most appropriate. Thu when Lord Kitchener returned victorious from the scene of General Gordon's martyrdom, he showed what was uppermost in his thoughts by proposing to erect in Khartoum a Gordon Memorial College, nnd ten thousand pounds for buildings and ninety thousand for endowment were nickly subscribed. Everyone felt that the idea was sensible and appropriate, for Gordon died for the cause of Soudanese enlightenment, and the Gordon Memorial College will continue his work.
As will be seen by the circular which we publish to-day in another column, a similar spirit is moving the missionaries of Shanghai to agirate for a national memorial to the martyrs of China, especially those who fell in 1900, A stone of some kind might have been erected on the Bund in which both Protestants and Roman Catholics might have joined, and as the circular states may yet he erected, but the Missionary Association has decided that the magnitude of the occasion calls for something more striking and useful, and the Hall and offices which they propose to erect are obviously confined by the nature of the case to the use of Protestants, (ne of the first questions which must be faced by those who propose to erect a large hall is the upkeep, and it seems to us that the Committee in casting round for tenants for its offices has done the natural thing is giving the first chance to the great interdenominntional Societies which, as the circular has it, are the servants of all. These societies may all be described as one of them was recently at a May Meeting in Exeter Hall, as those) fended societies which are the delightful centre of all mission-societies, the connecting link of all and the helpers of all." These are now supported by all the churches, and if all the churches give them a; permanent home, this will simply be an extension of the same principle.
The Hall itself will, we believe, be increasingly useful, and might well be made even larger than the Committee proposes, when we reflect that such places as Wenchow and Foochow have churches equally: large. The native Christian community is growing and the number of conyentions, conferences, mass-meetings, ete., is increasing. In addition to the offices and Hall, other rooms will be provided, "if funds permit." We presume this refers to the Missionary Library and Museum which the Misionary Association have recently de sider ated. We also note that the Educational Association is helping to prepare an educational exhibit for the St. Louis Exposition a part of which might find a home in. the building. In fact every part of the building might be made an activ agency in educating the Chinese in hose principles for which the martyrs. died, That their me-mary is worthy of such a monument is doubted by none. The copious evidences of their splendid fidelity which reached us in 1900-1901 have recently received fresh accessions in many interesting books, such as those by Professor Headland and Dr. Edwards of Shansi, and such a building as is proposed is the only sort of memorial which would comment itself to the approval of the Christian world, who will ultimately be invited to share in it.
As to the location, there may be a momentary feeling in some quarters that Shanghai is absorbing too much. Thus we have already absorbed the Methodist Publishing House, and the International Institute, The former is already in evidence, and we hope the latter will soon be an accomplished fact. But after all the centripetal tendency towards Shanghai cannot be helped. No one grudges London or New York the great hend-quarters of religions and missionary work, and we feel sure that no one {will grudge us the memorial Hall any more than we grudge London its Exeter Hall, or the £250,000 Me-thadist headquarters recently acquired. If we do absorb great enterprises we hold them in trust fur the benefit of all China.
The circular succinctly states the reasons in favor of the scheme, and we need nut repeat them here. We opine that the missionaries to wham the present circular is addressed will heartily respond, and that there will be many others who will wish the honor ofa brick or two in the Memorial Hall. The erection of this landmark will be a monument more lasting than brass, a "sermon in stone" which all may be proud of helping to preach. We wish the promoters abundant success.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.