Tachienlu, Sept. 22.
Three Spanish friars are at present holding evangelist services in this border town, arriving from Fulin ten days ego, and were just in time to attend a Catholic Conference at the south gate. Apparently these three friars were on their way from South China to Chengtu, the capital of Szechuen. At Fulin they got into some kind of passport difficulties with the authorities so wired Bishop Valentin who advised them to come to Tachienlu. Arriving at Lenchi they met Pere Leroux, a young French priest, who came on with them to the city.
The Catholic Mission Conference finished two days ago and immediately the three Spanish friars commenced their evangelist campaign. The cathedral bell was set in motion announcing the services and—strange for Tachienlu—Catholic Christians were seen on the streets inviting the people to attend the meetings. We have not heard yet just what success attended the campaign. There is now, talk of-their remaining some time along the border and possibly visiting the French Mission stations around The Catholic Mission, almost from its inception adopted the policy of devolution, and there are Chinese priests and Chinese bishops, but there are some things, and these are the things that are causing much discussion, The question of nationalism, disturbing the nations of the world to-day, is slowly but surely seeking to dominate the spiritual realm, And the Chinese church is demanding that the voice of China shall say something to determine her future policy. These and other questions in their initial stages are not easily discussed and hands that have long held administrative affairs do not readily let them go.
Bishop Valentin, chairman of the conference, is a wise and levelheaded. Frenchman, and 30 year's Tachienlu.
The Catholic Conference is held in the autumn of each year and the priests are invited from the surrounding districts. This year Pere Doublet did not come down from Daofu as there has been considerable rain along the frontier making rivers and roads impassable. There were a number present, however, including Gratton, Valours, Lo Corre, Lerouz, Pezous, and others, including the three Spanish friars. The heavy rains left the roads in a terrible condition and landslides are reported along many of the highways.
Father Gratton
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.