Wo have been "rolling stones" this year, yet have "gathered moss" from every "nook and corner" visited. Winter in Shansi, summer in Weihaiwei, spring and autumn in Shanghai. Two quite distinct. spheres of privilege—one in the interior, and one on the coast; both fruitful' and gratifying. Another twelve months of journeying, sowing secd "beside all waters," evangelistic and school work, at home and abroad! And "spoils of war" from the army and nary that we delight to exhibit. We are reminded of the grand, old hymn, Walt, waft, ye winds His story, and you, yo waters, roll, Till, Tike a ea of glory, it' spreads from pole to pote"
'The year opened in T'aiynenfu, and a succession of adventures, journeys, funerals, and official conferences made a que three months' programme. We inspired with the thought that we should probably never pass that way again, and therefore did all the good we could' to all the people we could, in the quickest time we could. All the ruins of the Alliance Mission in Shansi were visited, and systematically settled for. Wo record with pride "the Chinese Government have kept their promises." Friends write us that beautiful cemeteries now crown the spots selected "in moriam the native Christians have been indemnified, and the property re~ stored and rebuilt. We had glimpses into a hundred official homes from south to north, and west to east; and these have been followed up with gifts of literature and art, that are expected to bear fruit. Our New York Board responded to our request for a "medal of honour" to be sent to Shen Tunho, and the finished story of our work as "religions plenipotenflaries" graces the pages of the history of the Church in China. Praise to whom praise is due. Some of the chapters of the story will always be personally of rare interest. to. us. The memories of that mountain land with its crystal atmosphere, and simple-hearted people, ud mandarins emerging into the light of truth, will never die. We never again expect to dine in a cemetery, with a Mongolian dust-storm blowing at the rate of 90 miles an hour, or have the privilege of transferring a newly-decorated temple from a beautiful hillside to make way for a martyr's grave: discourse at banquets with elaborately-robed mandarins fon absolutely new topics; be carried thousands of li in their sedan chairs, through diversified regions "white to the harvest nor besought to hold funerals on crowded thoroughfares in cities where none of our missionaries were martyred But we do expect to see harvests of golden grain from our winter sowing, Sthen we cross the river some sweet day into the Summerland. When we returned to Shanghai, one-third of a year had flown; and we hastened to overtake the work at home ere leaving once more for "fresh fields and pastures new." Ay we swept out into the mouth of the river, and up the coast, on the Chinese cruiser Haichi, in the midst of friends, for the Admiral and his staff of youthful officers made ws quite at home, we wondered what the summer would unfold of opportunities for service. As if in answer to our desires, and by special arrangement, the Coronation Fleet was swinging at anchor in Weihaiwei harbour ere many days had passed, and we were once more surrounded by the friends of the navy who have such a large share of our hearts and time. It was romantic in the extreme this island retreat, a gem encircled by blu waves of the sea, and towering mountains. What could be more enchanting than "cottage meetings by the sea?" Balmy days and cronings were full of delightful service, and the glow of health coming back without effort or th. While the crews and commanders of the battleships, pinnaces, and launches, were winning challenge cups," and prizes in "annual regattas," a "picked-crew" was speeding Gospel ship along; and mang a tug-of-war" resulted in victory for the King of Kings. The "Cornerman of the Snowdrop Minstrels" and other trophies—wandering bors,—inake heroes for thrilling tales of Missionary lore.
"Oh! methinks C hear the angel shout, Here comes an earthly bark!
She has found her way to Heaven, Though the way was rough and dark But she had a Light tp. guide hor, twas the bright and morning Star:
It has guided millions over, from that distant land afar!
Oh! what singing, oh, what shouting, when our ships comme sailing home!
They have stood the mighty tempest, they have crossed the ocean's foam.
They have passed o'er stormy billows, but. they now have gained the shor 'The anchor's They're eat last, the voy: 's safely o'er The work in Weihaiwei among the navy bors was as pleasant as we could make it; and it seems like a sequel to the work in' Shanghai. Two centres—a northern and southern capital for the summer campaign. Personal reminiscences are out of place in a city daily like the friends to know ish and American, Almost' every ship has its Band" and they are quietly "thro out the life-tine* to all in their reach. It is never difficult to obtain special "leave" for these men on shore, and their lives are steadily "bearing fruit" on board.
"Star of Peace!—to wanderers weary, bright the beams that smile on me, Cheer the pilot's vision dreary, far, far at sea.
Star of Hope, gleam on the billow, bless the soul that sighs for Thee Bless the sailor's lonely pillow, far, far at sea.
Star of Faith! when winds are mocking all his toil, he flies to Th Save him, on the billows rocki St Di safely wide hi ming the wander The Sore temptations long have tris hi far, far at sea."
There is a healthful spirit of competition on board most of the ships, to become the Banner Gospel Ship. The Goliath is quite a giant in her way: the Glory pressing forward to that desirable goal! "The Eclipse overshadowing her rivals! The Alacrity is "getting up steam and the Fearles's men are brave as lions. All are justly deserving of "Fame!"—the Ocean rides a monarch of the waves. The Albion floats the flag! The Argonaut. and Cressy, sister ships in rank and attainments; the Talbot, the tallest ship afloat; the Blenheim. Bramble, snd_Britomart, Whiting and Waterwiteh, Hart. and Humber, following in their train; and the dear old Arethusa and Pique, score the highest roll-calls of all! Our Americans are fewer numbers, but do honour to their country's flag.
Letters from "the Lord's Blue jackets," scores of them, testify to the Zood work on board ship, and, the many agencies at work in China on their behalf.
Our work, primarily, is among the English-speaking Chinese student class, and every one redeemed this year seems pearl of great price." As we review swiftly the meetings, finances, and souls won for God, this year, ths totals are not ax large as we wish they were but, perhaps, there is a larger story written between the lines. 125 have responded to God's calls, and 75 followed Him in inptism. A hundred sailor receptions, have been attended hi-weekly by representatives of the above-named ships and the U.S.S. Wilmington, Monterey, lena, Kentucky, New Orleans, and' Monadnock. 'Three thousand the average yearly attendance. The remaining time eyoted to the Chinese students, who are attending day and night schools, chapel meetings, etc. Our' bors' school will be removed to a building near, and a girls' school begun in our new home at the beginning of the year. The money received, in round numbers, from all sources this year, is $2,650, Nearly $250 hasbeen voluntarily offered by the students to cary on work in the interior and $300 from the sailors, "tributes of appreciation, host of students and sailors are assisting in the Foreign' Missionary Work of Beulah Chapel, and in Jerusalem, and Hunan. Bright accounts of the work in those centres reach ws from to time, We are about to visit the stations of the latter in Changsha, and Siangt'an, Hunan, where the work is carried on by our own students, pioneers at the front. A very bright little " finis" to the story is japanese Bible Class from the Tengwen College. Our Christmas gatherings will have to be held in advance, as we soon leave for the interior.
And our greetings to. one and all of our friends we desire, as last year, to extend throuch the cotrtess of the "North-China Daily News," with the old-time message from Holy Writ:—"Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom' nothing is prepared."
Yours in the Field, Mrs. J. Woopnenrr. hai, December, 1902.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.