Tt is really the work of missionaries that gives n feeling of satisfaction, were it not that certain converts indulge in complaints to too great extent. In the two prefectures of Siangyang and Tanyang the number of Protestant missionaries is much larger than that of the Roman Catholic, but the Catholic communicants and adherents are many more than those of the Protestants. Stretching from Siangyangiu north-west to the Shansi border there are altogether only about a dozen foreign Catholic priests, with the head quarters at Laoho-Kou. The number of Protestant missionaries in this same section is over on his body 70 wounds, which he has Seceived in different conflicts, beginning away back in his younger years when helped to suppress the Mohamedan rebellion in his native province of Yun-han, Some three years ago he was twenty men and thirty ladies, married or unmarried. Their headquarters are divided between Laghok'ou and Siaigyang, including Fancheng. The Catholic priests are of the Franciscan order and mostly Ttalian, while the Protestants in this region are mostly Lutheran, bol ing to Norwegian-American, Swedish-American, or Norwegian missions. Besides these are the China Inland Mission and Plymouth Brethren.
Outside of Lachok'ou, where the Catholic Bishop is located with a large cathedral, a large part of the Catholic constituency is found. back among the mountains, mostly in Kuching, Fanghsien, Paok'ang, and Yunhsi districts. One priest, Father Coles, an Englishman, is located over 100 li west of Kucheng, high up among the hills. The Protestant missionaries are located for the most part along the line ofthe Han. Their signal stations may be found from here clear up to the boundary between Hupeh and Shensi. In fact south of here, 90 li, at the city of chang, the Swedish-American Mission is soon to locate a family. East of here, 120 li, at Chaoyang, another family has located. Then -comes this city with Swedish-Americans, and Fanch'eng across the river with both Swedish-American and Norwegian-American Missions. Seventy-five li north of this city, on a hill just outside the village of 'T'zeho, stands the house of a Norwegian-American family Than 30 li further on, in the markottown of Tsiptingtien, is the how of another Norwegian-American family, though the family is now home on fur-Tough, and the work is left to native helpers. Following the river 7 city of Kuch'eng, is an American family of the China Inland Mission. At the great market town of Laohok'ou, is another American family of the China Inland Mis-ion, and two families, with over a dozen single mon and women, of the Norwegian Lutheran Mission. Ten li away is the district city of Knanghua with two maiden sisters from Ireland in the Chine Inland Mission and three persons of the Plymouth Brethren. Following the river upward from Laohok'ou, 80 i, is the village of Ch'inshaochiang, with " house standing out conspicuously from the top of a hill, where three single ladies of the Norwegian Lutheran Mission are studying the language. Some 90 li further on is the city of Chiinchou, with one Norwegian family, and 180 li beyond is the city of Yunyangin with another Norwegian family. This ends the list on the Han province of Hupeh, though there ato still 360 li before the Hupeh border is passed This shows a remarkable nent of mission work, for which duo largely to the energy of our Scandinavian friend In some other respects there is 8 difference between the Catholic and Protestant work. The Catholic work is touch older; some of the families of Converts having been in the church for over a hundred years. The Protestant work, beyond that which was inaugurated by. the China Inland Mission, has een pushed forward only within the Jiast™ flecade and more. "The number Catholic adherents is larger than the Protestant, but the name used by the Protestants, the Gospel Hall—Fu Yin -Pang,-—is well known by the people, owing ty the large number of important places occupied as mission stations for residence (cEtiw missionaries. The Catholic work Heonsists of the usual Church services, religious schools, a large orphanage jar Laohok'ou, colouising, and assistance ife adherents in what may be called Secular needs. The Protestants have, in Addition to regular services, which consist Jiargely of preaching, also many street-chapels for daily exhortation, schools, and Some medical work, There is one train
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.