day from early morning until late at night officials, graduates, business men and coolies kept coming to inquire concerning the worship of God. The interest kept up unabated during my stay there. We took the names of about one hundred who wished to become inquirers and who promised to attend the services regularly. These, of course, by no means represent the number of inquirers, but only those who without solicitation especially requested to be enrolled as regular attendants.

What is the cause of this turning towards the missionary, and the extraordinary eagerness to listen to the gospel we preach? Are there any elements of permanence in the movement? These questions naturally demand an answer at this time. I have, after many inquiries, answered them in a general way for myself. Those who are concerned in this movement may be divided into four classes, as follows:

I. Those who are alarmed at the present condition of China. These openly say that the Government is no good. They believe there is going to be a change, and they want to get ready for it. They very naturally turn to the foreign missionary for light and leading, and so become willing listeners to the truth.

2. Those who are anxious to be taught, or have their children taught, the "Western learning." They look to the missionaries to furnish them the opportunity for this. They are willing to follow the "doctrine" or assume most any responsibility in the way of belief in order to accomplish this end.

3. Those who have lawsuits on their hands and would like to get a little help from the foreign teacher. The Chinese are noted for their many and intricate lawsuits. The Catholics have helped some of these people in exchange for their becoming disciples, and so many think the Protestants will do the same. There is also a desire to pit Protestant against Catholic. national disturbances are of little consequence if they can only win their lawsuits.

Inter

4. Those who are carried along on the wave of public opinion, or else who through curiosity come to see what is interesting so many people.

These reasons are not very spiritual nor satisfactory, neither do they give much promise of permanent results, yet they are the best the people have to give, and are submitted to us, in most cases, without hesitation and in all sincerity of heart. The great thing is that the people are seriously listening. Much depends on what they hear. An opportunity such as seldom occurs is given to tell them the truth. It is being told rigorously and vigorously. Will not the Holy Spirit use the efforts put forth to convict some of them "in respect of sin and of righteousness and of judgment," and thus impart a certain permanence to the movement?

Of course there will be a falling away. The tide ebbs as well as flows. The true and the false will separate. Those who do not find "loaves and fishes" at every turn will soon be disappointed. But surely out of these hundreds some will be found to receive the truth in good and honest hearts. More or less satisfactory evidence of this already appears. To that end we labor and pray.

BY REV. GEORGE CAMPBELL, KAYIN

The most marked divine blessing seems to rest upon the work at Chin Pin, thirty-two miles north of here. The roll of those who wished to enter their names as regular attendants has grown from 100 to 120 names. Some of these 120 live too far away to come often, some doubtless repented of the step they had taken, but with all deductions I believe a good many will ultimately be gathered into the fold. They come from every direction and are of all classes: farmers, mechanics, boatmen, silversmiths, merchants, clerks, peddlers and scholars (two graduates).

One whole family has come outright, evicting their household gods and exhorting

Husband

their neighbors to do the same. and wife are indefatigable in testimony and exhortation. One of the graduates is an elderly man who has for years been a most zealous worshipper of idols.

The Chinese are clannish, and it is a marked feature of this movement that there

is a disposition to cleave off in sections from heathenism. They have but little idea of the nature and power of the gospel, but surely we ought to be thankful for the opportunity, when large numbers voluntarily put themselves under our instruction and ask to be taught how to serve God.

IT

T is eighteen months this day since the great earthquake. I have today followed for the first time (and no other white man has done it) for miles the main line of greatest disturbance. Even at this date the track of the breakage is a sight to behold. I have seen several lakes that were then formed; one of them is said to be where before was a hill; another was a nice plateau, over which a woman with her child was walking. Nothing has been seen of them since, and there is that lake of deep water surrounded by high hills to mark their resting-place. In following this road I found that the people of this village, knowing of my approach, had repaired the road for miles that I might reach here. It would have otherwise been impossible for my pony, on account of earthquake cracks filled with quicksands and on account of rocks.

I am entering the strongholds of these wild people.* I find here a fine open, clean hilltop upon which sits this village, and all about are cultivated lands. But the happiest part of all this journey is to find the hearty welcome and plain evidences that God is at work with these people.

The earthquake shocks still continue. There is an underground thunder, then a thud or a tremble or a tilt, and the thunder rolls away. We have had two or three such this afternoon, and I have not been beyond the reach of them for several weeks. These

shakes, however, now very seldom reach Tura.

When these shakes began there was not a Christian in this section, although they had often been able to hear of Christianity. They became anxious to know of God and last April a boy came here to tell them of Christ and to teach them what he could. I find a school of 26 pupils -15 boys and men and II girls; all have learned to read a little during that time. Eighteen read in second and third primers nicely, besides learning how to write, count, add and sing hymns, and, best of all, twenty-six of them including parents have recently put on Christ by baptism, the effects of which are apparent as you enter the place.

To see the effects of the earthquake among the rocks and river makes one stand aghast at His power. To see the effects of his presence in this most out-of-the-wayplace with this simple open-hearted people makes one's heart swell with praise of His loving kindness. I baptized seven in another village recently. I hope also to see another village who have recently come out from their darkness into the light of his love. As I go to bed I am hearing what to me is sweet music, the singing of Christian hymns by girls on the hillsides. When I arrived these girls, like deer, ran up and down these slopes to call together the people of the fields and surrounding hamlets.

BECAUS

ECAUSE our work is largely among the lower classes, or outcastes, it may be thought that no progress has been made among the higher classes. It is true, especially in this Telugu mission, that we have very few Christians from the high castes, and it may appear at times that very little impression has been made upon the majority of the people. Yet a close examination will reveal the fact that missionary labor has been and is having a wide influence upon the higher classes. There are signs that the gospel is permeating the land and undermining a great many of its religious customs and traditions. As an illustration of this, I give the following incident:

Last summer a man of the Sudra caste, a farmer, about fifty years of age, came to me for religious conversation. He had a Christian hymn book and a New Testament, was able to read, and had learned some of our hymns. He conversed intelligently, and I was soon convinced that he clearly understood the plan of salvation. He was ready to be baptized, but there was one obstacle; as he feared persecution if he became a Christian, he wished me first to assure him that I would employ him

as a preacher afterward in our mission; but though I had reason to believe that he was thoroughly in earnest, and would gladly have sent him to his people to give them the gospel, yet I could not tell him so before baptism, as I wished him to understand that he must be willing to renounce all for Christ, and even bear and suffer for him if necessary. But he could not understand it in that way, so went away sorrowful.

How did this man learn of Christ and his atoning work? He related the following story:

"When I was a young man a Lutheran missionary came to our village for the first time. He went first to the Malas and Madagas, and when he wished to talk to our caste our village officials would not allow him to enter our palem, because he associated with the outcastes. He was obliged to remain outside, but we children were allowed to see the white man,' and he talked to us. I never forgot his words. After some years I went to Ongole, a distance of one hundred miles, to see Dr. Clough, but he had gone to America. Then occasionally preachers came and I listened, so that I now believe it is all true."

From this we see that so short a time ago as thirty years the missionary was not allowed to enter a Sudra village.

How different today. A few months ago, while on a tour, I preached to the high caste people in every village which I visited, and was especially welcomed by the Sudra class, who always listen attentively and ofttimes gladly. Not only I, but my outcaste preachers stand in the bazars and preach to the educated Brahman, and are listened to with respect. In some places the Sudras invite them into their homes for religious conversation. So we are working our way into the hearts of this people, and I believe the day is not far distant when we shall number some of them among our Christians.

Last year I had the privilege of baptizing a man of this class, who came to me of his own accord, and said that he had listened to our preachers and believed our religion was the only true one, and wished to unite with us. He has proved steadfast, often amid sharp trials, caused by members of his own household.

It is almost impossible for us to understand the hold that caste has upon the

people of this land. It constitutes to them all that is highest and most sacred in their religion. Indeed, it is almost the breath of life to many.

Their traditions having been handed down from parents to children for centuries upon centuries, Hinduism is as dear to them as our religion is to us. It is one thing to tell them that they have believed a lie all these years, and that their "Shastras" and the teachings of their elders is false, but quite another thing to convince them. This we can only do by seeking to put forth our blessed gospel in all its purity and simplicity and living before them true and upright lives, for "By their fruits ye shall know them."

It is just this difference between the lives of Christians and their own which is shaking the faith of many, and could the Hindus who died fifty years ago come again to this land, I think they would be amazed at the great decline which Hinduism has undergone.

And so we work and labor and pray, believing that God is working out his own purposes, and that sometime the people of this land will come to the light of the truth.

MY DEAR BROTHER: It is indeed true, as you have been told, that some, perhaps many, missionaries make many and great mistakes in the beginning of their work. They make them all the way through, no doubt, but are more liable to do so at first on account of inexperience. This, in after years, they acknowledge with regret. But it is not to be wondered at. Everything is new and strange, and in many respects very different from what had been expected. It is almost painful to a returned missionary to find so little knowledge of the work abroad even among those best informed on the

makes a young man so liable to step aside from the wisest course in some of the many matters that claim his attention. He has at once relations with fellow-missionaries, with native Christians, with natives who are not Christians, with government officials and other European residents, and it is not to be wondered at that he should sometimes fail to say and do what would be best under the circumstances.

I appreciate your desire to avoid anything you would afterwards have reason to regret and cheerfully comply with your request to give you such hints as I can on matters

beginning" and write you something regarding your passage out. Voyages in ocean steamers are now so common that little can be said that is not familiar to very many, and I presume to you. And yet I can recall some experiences the repetition of which is by no means desirable and which possibly a few suggestions may help to prevent.

Missionaries, as a rule, travel in the first cabin. You will there meet quite a variety of people. There is always a number of cultivated ladies and gentlemen and you will agree with me that no one should excel a missionary in the matter of deportment. It is quite possible that some of our best young people have not enjoyed the benefits of the most polite society, but a proper use of one's ears and eyes will prevent anything like rudeness.

I call to mind a little book I once read, entitled "Don't." Taking up the style of this little volume, I would say:

Don't be too demonstrative in regard to your wife. A little incident may illustrate what I mean.

I once traveled with a party of missionaries among whom was a newlymarried couple. An elderly Scotch lady was among the passengers. One day something was said in her presence about these persons having just been married. Looking up in surprise she said, "I would na think ye had jist been merried, ye act so sinsible." It was voted a compliment.

Don't address or refer to your fellow-missionaries as Brother or Sister So-and-so. Simply Mr. Smith or Dr. Jones, and the ladies as Mrs. or Miss, is far preferable.

This is by no means being ashamed to own you are Christians, but only the display of a little common sense.

Don't talk on the subject of religion unless there is a very good opportunity. It is not a favorable place for evangelistic effort. It is seldom wise to hold a prayermeeting either in a public or private room on board a ship. The same may be said of any farewell service on a ship before sailing. It is doubtful if such is expedient.

Don't lecture on temperance. If asked to partake of liquor simply say, “No, thank you," and stop there. The same may be said of smoking, card-playing, or even gambling. Let your example be your only

protest.

Don't boast of America's greatness or talk of "American Institutions." Let those who wish to know concerning things American find out from some other source. Should a slighting word be used respecting your country by some impudent Englishman let it pass unnoticed.

Don't worry the captain or officers by questions about the working of the ship. They are usually too busy to attend to you and may be obliged to return what you might consider a slight.

If asked to conduct "the service" on Sabbath, read what is in the Book of Common Prayer, without note or comment. sermon is not desired.

A

In my next I shall say a few words on matters more missionary.

Fraternally yours,

OLD MISSIONARY.