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WHILE the "mailed fists" are threatening China, the Crucified Hands bless her people. In these days of armed activity the gospel is heard with serious attention. We are kept in perfect peace. For this we are thankful. Sometimes tempted to be anxious, we remember that "our God reigns." Whatever political changes come, China's brightest day is yet to dawn. Politics in the East are only of special interest to us as they affect our work - the attitude of the people and the influence on the national character. That the anti-foreign feeling is changing to one of friendliness, is shown by many indications. Here are a few of the signs which encourage China's friends:

I. A DEEP AND GROWING THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE AMONG ALL CLASSES. For centuries there has been a mental famine in China. The reading and educated classes have lacked mental food. Their minds have been as potbound as a dwarf peach-tree, as cramped as their women's small feet. The people now understand the value of Christian and scientific literature, accurate and cheap classbooks, on every subject of value. The Emperor sends an order for a copy of every Christian book in the depots in Peking, and is himself reading the Bible. The Empress Dowager studies the New Testament presented by the Christian women of China. An Imperial Examiner at a re

cent provincial "M. A." examination gives "Noah's Flood" as a theme for competitive essays, and mentions the Old Testament as a reliable text-book. A Viceroy orders local examinations to include foreign works, one on astronomy, another on geography to be mastered.

2. THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF LATE

EVENTS.

Millions believe that China defeated Japan; but when known, the facts are astonishing! The "nation of dwarfs" to beat our great China! It revealed China's inferiority in all things save numbers. Troops massed in various centers could not be moved for lack of railways. Her men, badly armed and untrained, were no match for the keen "Jap." Her lack of leaders, patriotic and trustworthy, was painfully evident. The sham patriotism of the people is pitiful. "The Japs beat China !" "Bad thing for Li Hung Chang!" “The Russians are coming!" "Bad thing for the North!" "The Germans have seized Kiao-chau!" "Bad thing for the Emperor!" Nothing concerns the local Chinese, as long as his own skin is not touched. What would a Manchester man say if he heard that France had "annexed" Plymouth because two priests had been killed in Ireland? China is learning that her people are now one, and that she lacks all a nation should have. If the actions of the foreign powers arouse China to united national effort and reform, good will come out of evil.

3. THE GROWING SPIRIT OF TOLERATION. While the foreigner is not always welcome, he has to be endured for the sake of his knowledge. There are others, neither few nor uninfluential, who have an esteem for the European. Every missionary at some time or other has had opportunity of meeting officials and others in high position, and valuable help has been given on both sides. There is a missionary in

Higher Classes." Some of the older men regret that his plans are not on more evangelistic lines, rather than the mere social. Yet, rightly used, his idea is a good one, and likely to be of value. It is gratifying to notice the response of the national character to right advice, given in a kindly spirit. The man who can cultivate friendships with such lofty aims is doing good work for China. Many of our missionary friends have this privilege.

4. DISSATISFACTION WITH OLD METHODS.

Behind our home there is an oblong plain covered with turf, of several acres in extent. It is the military drill-ground. About one thousand men are drilled here daily by a general who sits in a house directing operations by a system of flagwagging, bombs, trumpets and drums.

The men were in three regiments, each with its own officers, banners, etc. The first regiment was foreign drilled, with Snider rifles. They went through their tactics smartly, forming squares to resist cavalry charging, retreating, etc., burning a great deal of powder, while they "saved their country" in fine style. The second regiment carried long spears and numerous flags. The principal performance was to poke up the foe and yell at him. These were valiant in their way; let us hope they were happy. The third regiment was a medley lot. One line was formed of "tigers," men in yellow canvas tights, armed with sword and shield. Their strong point of war is to tumble along head over heels, make ugly faces to frighten the foe, give yells of defiance and retreat. Another line had fishing nets to throw over their enemies, and daggers to keep them quiet when. caught. Others were armed with butchers' choppers, long knives, maces, etc. Truly a ragged regiment, and proud of themselves, as every military man is by nature and training. We thought while watching these. men, Such is China of today. Grasping

of her backwardness in everything, desiring to learn, yet having no faith in her teachers. As the nation, so the individual. So with the old superstitions and the new faith. Feeling the uselessness of the old religions, yet wavering, hesitating to let all go, and trust the Savior.

5. THE WILLINGNESS OF MANY TO GIVE UP OLD CUSTOMS.

Straws show the direction of the current if they do not show its depth. Viceroy Chang orders his two provinces to stop foot-binding, as a cruel, pernicious, and wicked custom. The Shanghai Tao-tai invites residents to weekly receptions and to dinners, for both sexes. A college for Chinese girls of good family and position supported entirely by native money. It is stated that the girls are to have unbound feet, and go to school "a la Hampstead." We may yet see Chinese ladies on bikes," attending lectures on "Woman's Rights."

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China's inland waters to be opened to outside navigation. Nanking clears out

some of her narrow streets and introduces carriages, jinrikishas, and shade trees. Wuchang follows suit. The electric light introduced into the most anti-foreign city of the most anti-foreign province of China. Chang-sha Chinese are building cotton mills, silk filatures, and match factories. Women and girls are flocking into them by thousands, many unbinding their feet to "get there"; those "useless cows" now are earning higher wages than their contemptuous masters. "Ghost of Confucius. What does it mean?" says the Chinaman. It means the bad old days are going, John, the good new ones come.

Chinese editors will learn the importance and dignity of their office and respect it. Missionaries have for many years made full use of the press, not only in the issue of Bibles and gospel-books, but a large and distinctively Christian literature has long existed, and is enriched month by month. Dr. Fryer of the Kiangsu Arsenal has devoted his life to the translation of scientific text-books, at the expense of the Government. The issues of the Tract Societies yearly go into the millions of copies. The catalogue of that noble institution, the "Presbyterian Mission Press " of Shanghai includes many hundred distinct publications. All these are read and valued by Chinese everywhere.

Three years ago the "Society for the Diffusion of Christian and General Knowledge among the Chinese" began its work. It is known among busy people as the "S. K. D." This society has a future of usefulness before it, and the more so if it be theChristian " rather than the "General" predominate. We welcome all workers in this great field, and this mission has a depot of the "S. K. D." publications here. We find these books are sold at a price beyond the means of the ordinary reader. They are good but expensive. In this they are a contrast to the issues of the Central China Tract Society," whose excellent books are always cheap enough for any workingman's pocket.

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Progress in China is largely owing to missions, but not entirely so. The Customs Service under Sir Robert Hart has been an object-lesson to the nation of official uprightness and honesty of administration. The work of such men as Dr. Fryer, translator to the Government, of Mr. Thomas Weir, Superintending Engineer China Merchants' Steamer Company, and other eminent foreigners in political or commercial life is having a profound influence on the development of China.

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ORE than one hundred years ago, in May, 1792, at a Baptist Association held at Nottingham, Eng., a young minister preached a sermon on this text. It was an expression of his intense conviction that the churches which he addressed should arouse themselves to a zealous effort to carry out the command of Christ: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." The two most prominent divisions of his discourse were: Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." So forcible was his appeal that one result of the sermon was to lead to the formation of a Baptist Society, Oct. 2, 1792, for Propagating the Gospel Among the Heathen. That society began at once the great enterprise which more than anything else has given a conspicuous influence and growth to the Baptists of England and America. Other denominations followed their example after those sturdy pioneers had blazed the path amidst poverty, ridi

cule and the greatest opposition of friends and foes. So that at present every consid erable branch of the Christian church in civilized countries has its body of workers and special enterprise in the great gloomy wilderness of heathenism. The first collection taken for the purpose of carrying out the idea of Mr. Carey's sermon was about $65 in our currency,- a large sum or a small one, according as we look at it from the standpoint of a new venture by a people not very much burdened with wealth, or as we compare it with the eleven or twelve millions now annually contributed for that work by modern missionary supporters.

The text is designed to encourage the down-hearted believers in the power of God and the glory of his word. The church, symbolized by Jerusalem, reduced to a mere remnant, is bidden to expect great accessions. She is exhorted to make vast her accommodations for her numberless children and the riches that they shall inherit,

not only of the holy stock, but even of the Gentiles. Such encouragement first given to the Jewish may be appropriated by the Christian church if only they show themselves by faith in the promises and by obedience in complying with their conditions, worthy of the privileges opened to them in Christ. At any time of spiritual unfruitfulness, on the strength of this promise, the church may expect great things from God when it shall attempt great things for God.

At the beginning of the century whose present year we number 1899, there were in the United States Baptists to the number of about one per cent of the entire population. Now our proportion is about six and one-half per cent of the whole. In point of numbers this is satisfactory. It indicates that God has blessed the Christian body with fruitfulness that has in the course of the century exercised faith by great undertakings. We have inherited from our predecessors two valuable legacies:

(1) A great example of faith and obe dience.

(2.) A great work to be completed. What shall we do with our inheritance?

I. Look at the courage of the missionary Baptists and Baptist missionaries who inaugurated the work of evangelizing a world lying in wickedness. How audacious their faith in God! How sublime their confidence in his promises! How disregardful their attitude toward immediate obstacles! They found the difficulties real enough when Carey and his associates were forbidden to sail in an English ship or preach the gospel under the English flag to the inhabitants of India. They found reason enough to discourage any but enthusiasts when Fuller, the first secretary, turned into the back street in London to weep at the callous indifference of the church to the misery of the world dying in darkness and despair. Conditions have not altered in this respect even now. We cannot yet carry on the work of extending the knowledge of God in the world on

mere "business principles." The impetus to such a work must come from the heart as it did from the hearts of the Baptists of the eighteenth century, and cannot be sustained by a spirit that is active chiefly in choosing committees to do our work for us and to carry the burdens we ought to bear ourselves. A generation that will sacrifice to the Lord only that which costs them nothing is too sickly and weak to do such a great work as our English and American Baptist Fathers dared begin. We could not do it if we had a private key to the vaults of the nation's treasury. There are other obstacles than that of mere expense to threaten this grand scheme of evangelizing the world. Benevolence that is so scanty that it can be systematized will never suffice for the work of making known the love of God to the millions who are dying in ignorance of it. Would that such a torch of love for Christ and lost souls as flamed in the bosom of Andrew Fuller might go from church to church and kindle again the fires on ten thousand cold altars. Mere benevolence will not suffice to complete a work that it required the most reckless faith and love and imprudent, uncalculating self-sacrifice to begin. Mercenaries cannot hold the fort that only heroes could win.

Let any of us who is fifty years old recall the character of the missionary interest that prevailed in the churches and local circles and larger societies when we were very young. Then it would seem as if the better half of every Christian service was rendered in carrying on the expansion of Christ's kingdom. Our fathers and mothers rejoiced to know that old barriers had fallen and that the idolatrous nations of the East had become accessible to the herald of the cross; they received these opportunities for enlarged work, greater endeavors, and heavier burdens as answers to their prayers, and were filled with gratitude at such new openings into the depths of Satan's kingdom as fill us rather with dismay.