If converts experience that change of heart which is the essential of our religion, all other virtues will gradually group themselves around that. vivifying centre, and suitable non-essentials will increase and multiply. But the teacher himself, that is, the missionary, will we well to take a leaf from the pages of the past. Local customs need not be banned—popular pro-judices need not be tilted against, a noighbourhood's feelings in respect of site and style of buildings ought not to be hurt, and intervention in' matters litigated ought to be absolutely eschewed. Let the missionary content himself with making his disciples good men and good citizens, and let him leave it to the duly author: ised officials to interpret and apply the law, and administer their affairs in their own way. Individual Christianity has us many shades and degrees as men's faces, There are converts anu converts, but even the most gedly of them may give his neigh-hour just reason to take offence, and the most saintly among them may get involved in the meshes of the law. In such cases lot the missionary stand aloof.
The Way to Meet Persecution.
There is, too, such a thing as hypocrisy much better let the schemer get his deserts than burt a church's character by following sentiment into interference. You ask what is to be done when there is pow secution to be dealt with? First of all, I would advise the individual or the community to live it down, and as a last resort report the fact with ' appropriate detail and proof to the Legation in Peking, for the assistance and advice of the Minister. "Watch thou in all things, endure afilictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry!"
As regards recent occurrences in China, and more especially in and around Peking, you wish me to say whether there has been anything in the action or attitude of missionaries in respect of indemnity claims, punitive measures and looting to justify the scolding and abuse which some writers and speakers have indulged in. This opens up a very large question, and you will get different answers from every man you apply to. 80 many societies, congregations and individuals are concerned that. thorough justice could only be looked for by treating of each one separately. Neither the information at my command nor my time will admit of that, however, and T doubt if anything short of that would be convincing or satisfactory.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.