Mission work is progressing finely in Changsha. Dr. Keller of the ©. 1. Mf. who came here in the early summer, is moving with good success. His daily service for the Christians, enquirers, candidates for baptism and his 0 household are spiritual meetings, and it is very encouraging to see the progress the new converts are making. The Sunday service is very well attended, his temporary chapel being far too small to accommodate all who wish to attend. On Saturday, 9th Novem ber he baptized'three men, tio of whom are natives of Changsha, the first fruits of his labours here. One was a proud Confacian scholar, the other formerly a small military oficial. Both are men of evident ability. Dr. Keller enjoys the confidence of the officials toa marked degree; they frequently seek his advice because, es one of them recently said in my presence, we can trust Dr. Keller and his assistants. Mr. Hampson, his colleague, is away on an evangelistic tour. Bir. Benj. Alexander, AL, is still anchored of the West Gate, where ite has been doisig good work for the past two years or more. He is really the pioneer missionary in Changsha, has sold thousands of tracts on the streets, and proached on nearly every vacant spnco of the city. Last winter he sold 4,000 copies of the Calendar issued by the ©.0.T.S. Add to this the vast number of tracts, portions of Scripture, etc., that he has sold in our city, the many sermons he has preached and the many enquirers he has laboured with and one gets a faint idea of the immense work he has been qui Going since he first set foot la Changsha several years ago. For months one of his assistants has been devoting his whol: tention to the tea shops and opium dens. Others will reap the benefits of Mr. A's faithful work. At the L. M.S. chapel outside the North Gate the work has been going on as usual; the evangelist in charge is looking forward with great pleasure to the visit of Dr. Grifith John, who is expected shortly. Dr. Dukes is located near the East Gate and is working along The Rev. C. Newtoa ing the Foreign Board of the Church of the U. S., intends to make Changsha the k ad quarters for their missionary operations in Hunan. Oothor workers will join him in the near future. The American Church Mission sent two native Caristians to our city with 2 view of locating h they were delighted with what they saw and are in favour of opening a station as soon as possible. I understand the Wesleyan Mission expects te locate here in the nea- future. The officials are very kind and el precaution to prevent any uncles Becurrences. The soldiers chat mission premises and accompany the foreign missionary wherever he goes will be withdrawn 23 soon as the people become accustomed to the foreigner. Mr. Dubs is the only foreigner here who does not wear Chinese clothing, and consequently is is followed by crowds of but the people are good-natured, and rarely offer to insult him vile epithets are only uttered in an undertone.
Missionaries increasing.
Tt is with great joy that we extend the hand of welcome to new missionaries who intend to locate in this province. here are yet many large cities and great centres of population unoccupied. True there are about 24 foreign missionaries living in Hunan now, but what are they in the midst of a, population of over 20,000,000. 'The C. I. M. has 7 missionaries in Hunan at present, the Cumberland Presby' (American) 5, the L. M.S, 3, the Ameri Presbyterian' (North) 3 (members of this mission are at Kuling and will join the station in the spring), the Protestant Methodists (American) 2, the United Esangelical Church (American) one (3 members of this mission are at Hankow and will join the station shortly), the German Reformed (American) one, the C. and "A. 1; this is quite a force of missionaries, and it is a sign of the times that of the foreign missionaries now located in Hunan 13 are from America; I hear that more are expected in the coming year. Never has the outlook been so bright as just at present. Not all the above mis-Bio: are effective for native work, but a goodly number of them are experienced workers. According to present indiextions the number of efficient workers will be increased the coming year; the societies already represented in Hunan will no Goubt send more missionaries and other Boards will locate new stations. Great care ought to be exercised by those whose duty it is to locate the stations that some tics are not crowded with missionaries while other large centres of population and influence are left unprovided for.
The Americans living here celebrated their nationsl holiday in the customary After the Praise Service there was the usual thanksgiving dinner. Inasmuch as it was impossible to have turkey with cranberry sauce and mince pie, our host, Dr. Kellez, had a Chinese caterer prepare an elaborate menu. It was a Feast of good things, and many pleasant called, Our first thanksgiving celebration ex] of the pest years were re-ju Changsha will linger longing the memory of the participants.
An Impostor punished.
The officials seem to be anxious to bring swift punishment upon any one who com-Sts an offence against the luw under the illustrate this. A man from Siazgtan guise of religion. recent case serves to came to our city, presented self to be an even pud launed to have charge of all the drenching chapels in city. Being a mea of some ability and a good talker he playing his among the unconve attainments and of his in! foreign missionaries. All time, but " murder 77 day of reckoning cam taller. he trio! to play with, was caught. His dull and justice overtook cangued and principal streets of with his offence plainly
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.