I have been fortunate enough to secure 'a copy of the prospectus and rules of the, new Buddhist church, whose headquarters} have been established here in Canton. Perhaps some of your readers ate not greatly interested in these movements, but others at Yet within a nadle y develop into forces which pregnant with results. Those who have in-forests in China should ti fore be watchful. This movement here in Canton is but a part of the wider one of which 7 have seen reference in the native papers, and it would appear that up the Yangtze.
the movement, has more force than isible down here. There can. be least, the silent reformation now in process, and well-informed Chinese do not hesitate to affirm that such is the ultimate aim of the organisation. A rough translation of the leading ideas and purposes of this ngw church may not be without ("interest to some of your readers. One Gannet help. seeing hat: here wide field open to the enthusiastic workers, and it remains to be seen if Japanese life can revivily the dead Chinese Buddhism of to-day.
(2) The name shall be the Pun Un Buddist monastery of Chins. A site shall be secured here in Canton on which 'a new college shall be built. Afterwards affiliated branches shall be opened all over China.
(2) This Chinese monastery shall be! attached toa certain monastery in Japan.
All who conform to, and promulgate the new doctrines, shall rely upon the mis of the Japanese fish for protection.
(8) Root principles shall be followed the Paradise of Nirvana shall be held. Righteousness and kindness to all shall be preached.
(4) The essential spirituality of Bud-apism shall be taught, and its unchallenged able principles be glorified The aim shall be the salvation of benevolence be the resting-pisco the world by righteousness. Morcy and
of all, (6) The different sections of the Bud-<dhism shall be unified; moreover the many rules shall be renovated.
(7) Civil officials, business men, military folk, as well as priesta, if they keep the rules and conditions, shell be eligible for admission into the Church.
(8) There shall be " general and searching examination into the present condition of the Buddhist Charch in China.
(9) Tolerance for believers is the international law for all civilised countries. The aim of the Church therefore is to and not to haggle and attack the creeds benefit and save men by righteousness,
of those who differ from us.
(10) There shall be a determined effort to maintain universal principles and public daw; the intention; is to save the country and the age, All shall submit to the organisation and work righteousness.
It is interesting and instructive to notice that idols have been, as far as this document goos, utterly' abolished. No surer evidence can be forthcoming of the decline of the faith of the people in idolatry than the silence with which their presence is treated, and their assistance ignored. The propaganda of Christian missionaries, if it has done nothing else, has undoubtaarioualy undermined the faith of the thinking part of the people in idolatry. One would like to know how far Japan is committed to this movement, and how much more remains hidden than appears on the surface. We must wait and watch results.
The Canton-Hankow railway.
The same paper reported yesterday that the American government has sent Mr. Bash as a special envoy to China to attempt to settle the much-distracting question of the control of the Canton-Hankow railway. He has been some it appears, in Poking, and has been in consultation with the Foreign Office there, and also with seme of the Vice-Presidents of the several Boards. His aim is to induce China to consent to a joint control, with America. The recent antagonism of the provincial Viceroys has boon so datarmined and so bitter, that America cannot but sco that unless she vigorously Presses for some such an arrangement, she will lose her influence in the undertaking. Mr. Bash has further pro-seeded to Wuchang to see Chang Chibtung, and there on the spot discuss the matter with him.
The Native Christians keep Boxing Day.
It would surprise some whose interest is confined to their own business or to their own special pursuits, could they have soon the largest Christian church in Canton, on Boxing Day. It was estimated, by the native minister, that there wore not less th:
thousand persons in the building, which was packed to suffocation. The church was beautifully decorated by the Chinese themselves, who always show great ekill in the blending of colours, so that the effect is often very pleasing. The pro-which was prepared and controlled absolutely by the Chinese, was a Jong one, and took about four hours to work through—it was listened to till the end. The attention and behaviour of the audience were all that could be desired. The day is rapidly approaching when Christianity will no longer be hidden in corner, believed in by the pro-verbal coolies. As one looked out upon many of the congregation, one could see, by their rich dresses and their respectful attitude, that there were not a few of the well-to-do middle class there, and can anticipate the day, not far distant, when Christianity in the big cities, at least, will be a real force.
The French find Difficulties in getting Coolies.
1 think that I have already referred to the fact that the French have been trying to got coolies in this province for their railway down in Kuangchonwan, To-day an official edict has been issued here, in which workmen are asked to offer themselves for this work. It appears that the ordinary coolies will be paid $10 per month and the overlooker of each gave of fifty will receive $15. But the People are not anxious to go. I don't remember whether J told you of the serious mortality which has befallen those who have tried the work. The native Paper hero aays that they died off like flies, and thir ovate of affairs cooms to be well known to the. peopl way, and therefore they are not to risk their lives for the paltry sum of $10 per month. {¢ does not appear as if this judgment is an unwise one, Foreign Missionaries are Imitated.
In the street here in which I live, within the last fortnight, " commodiot room has been opened for the preaching of the sacred edict. Moreover, in the morning of each day there is free healing offered to all who seek it. Of course, this move is not new; but' the spirit behind it is fairly strong, otherwise they would not have opened. this hall in a quiet street like this. There is " Christian chapel situated here,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.