Weihaiwei, May 97.
Admiral Sir Alexander Duff, eh, has yominated Commander _B. Edward-Collins, of H.M.S. Hawkins, while Mr. Wins ton Churchill, Secretary of State for the Colonies, has, in his despatch, appointed Mr. A. P. Blunt, cer Administering the Government, to the Anglo-Chinese Commission to preliminary scheme for the rendition of Weihaiwei.
Mr. Blunt has gone to Peking to consult. with Sir Beilby F. Aliston, K.c.m.c., 0.B., H.M. Minister, regarding the necessary details. who has been the hope of many people in this north country for many a day: and thanksgiving to G for delivering this province cut of the midst of many and great dangers, and sending His servant hither to preside over the destinies of this industrious, patient people.
At this service the Governor chose a text: "To him that knoweth to do good and dovih it not, to him it is sin," from James 4.17 and spoke very feelingly both for himself in the conduct of the great office to which he has been called and' for the people who were worshipping. God in the service with him. He referred to the fact that he was but an 11 year old child in the faith, having been converted in the first year of the Republic under Dr. John Mott and Wang, after treatment by a mission doctor who would take no money for his services, but directed him to_ God, who had cured him of a disease that Chinese doctors would only attempt for a great sum.
From that time he had' learned what God expected of those who knew Him in the way of doing good. As the doctor did good: for his patients so it was the soldier's place to do his duty -for the people who called him, and from the Christian standpoint many who are not Christians are quietly looking us over and judging us on the basis of our profession.
He could not but refer to the fact that many who despise the name "Christian" extol the lives of good Christians, and many a man who can read no book, much less the Bible, is reading Christ's life in the lives of His faithful followers, and is being constrained to welcome Christ from what he reads.
In conclusion, he exhétted all the Christians to live such lives that they would be instrumental in the work of saving the nation. This union service was a great illustration of the strength that comes from union. Let all work together for the common good, and he would ask that the prayers of the church be uttered for him in his work for. the province.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.