MINU tWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING - Yale...

MINU

tWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE

NORTH CHINA MIS SION

OFTHB

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

HELD _!\'T PEKING, Sl~PTEMBER 4-9, 1883. I , I

I SHANGHAI~

PRESEYTERIAN :M:ISSI:ON PRESS.

1883

----r

MINUTES

OF THE

TWELFTH ANNUAL :MEETING

OF THE

NORTH OHINA MISSION

OFTH.B:


HELD AT PEKING, SEPTEMBER 4-9, 1883.

8HANGHA.I:

AMERICAN PRESBYTERIA.N Ml:SSl:ON PRESS_

18 sa.

NORTH CHINA MISSION OF THE


HIRA.M H. LOWRy-SU,perintendent.

MISSIONA.RIES.

Hiram H. Lowry, George R. Davis, Leander 'V Pilcher. Wilbur F Walker, (in U.S.)

James H. Pyke. Oscar W Willits. F"ank D. Gamewell. William T. Hobart.

ASSISTANT MISSIONARIES .

. Mrs. Parthie E. Lowry, ::Mrs. ::Maria B. Davis, Mrs. Mary H. Pilcher,

1\1:rs. Bt'lle G. Pyke. Mrs. Phena Willits. Mrs. Mary P Gamewel1. Mrs. Emily M. Hobart. Mrs. Flora M. Walke!', (in U.S.)

MISSIONARIES OF THE W. F. M. S.

Leonora A. Howard, M.D., Clara M. Cush III an,

Elizabeth G. Yates. L. Estelle Akers, M.D. :Mrs. Charlotte M. Jewell. Annie B. Sears,

NATIVE PREACHERS.

Ordlliuecl. Vh fen Ta-yung, T'e Jui.

Unordainf'd. Wang Chteng.ptei, Shallg Ch'illg-yiin.

Chao Chillg-jung, Wang ChCmg.yii,

Wang Chting-yiin.

Loeal preachers. Yallg Cll tun-ho, Chou Yell-fang,

Sung .1.

Li Shall-wen. Wallg CLih-llO.

4 MINUTES OF THE TWEL~'TH ANNUA.L HEETING.

Exhorters.

Li Licn-hsiao, Hsiang ~fing, Wang Pao-ttang.

OFFICERS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING.

Bishop Stephen M. ]\lerrill, Hiram H. Lowry, Leander W Pilcher, Shang Chting-yiin,

President. Superin tenden t. English Secretary. Chinese Secretary.

OFFICERS OF THE MISSION FOR 1883-1884.

Hiram H. Lowry, Frank L. Gamewell, George R. Davis, James H. Pyke,

President. Recording Secretary. Librarian. Historian.

H. H. Lowry, O. '\V~ Willits, W- T. Hobart ;-Committee on Estimates.

H. H. Lowry, O. ,\V ,\Yillits, F. D. Gamewell ;-Committce .on Building.

James H. Pyke, Ch ten Ta.-yung ;-Committee on Public Worship.

George R. Davis, Te J ui ;-Committee 011 School Examinations.

J. H. Pyke and Shang Ch~ing-yiin, to preach the annual sermon in Chinese, 1884.

,\Villiam T. Hobart, to preach the annual sermon In English, 1884.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

George Ritchie Davis,

Frank Dunlap Gamewell,.

J amcs~ Howell Pyke,

term expires, .1884

.1885 .' .. ..... .1885

HINUTES or THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 5

ABSTRACT OF DAlLY JOURNAL. FIRST DAY.

TCESDAY, Septembe1' 4th, 1883.

The Twelfth Annual meeting of the North China Mission of the ~Iethodist Episcopal Church, assembled for its first session in Asbury chapel, Peking, China, at 9. 45 AJ\I. of the above date.

Bishop Stephen ~I. 1\Ierrill in the chair. After singing a hymn, prayers were offered by Bishop l\ierrill and Rev. Ch'en Ta-yung. The roll was then called and the following responded to their names. H. H. Lowry, G. R. Davis, L. W Pilcher J. H. Pyke, F. D. Gamewell, W T. Hobart, Ch'en Ta-yung' , Shang Ch'ing-yLin, vVaug Ch'iug-yun, Li Shao-wen, and'Vang Chting-yii. Absent ;-'V F. 'Yalker (in the United States), O. 'V 'Villit~, 1e Jui, 'Yang Cll eug-p' ei, Chao Ching-jung, and Yang Ch'un-ho.

L. W Pilcher and Shang Ch'jng-yun were elected Secretaries to record the proceedings of the meeting in English and Chinese respectively.

The following Committees were elected, viz:-

On Temperance and Opium.-H. H. Lowry, Li Shao-wen, Wang ChCing-yun.

On Bl:ble Society lVo1'k.-G. R. Davis, Ch'en Ta-yung, Wang Chf,lIg-yu.

On Sabbat/~ ObSrJ1·wnce.-L. 'Y Pilcher, Te Jui, Shang Ch'ing-yun.

On Sunday Sclwols.-F. D. Gamewell, Wang Ch'ing-yun, Li Shao-wen.

On Educatio12.-H. H. Lowry, 'V.T. Hobart, Ohren Ta-yung, 0" Selj-suppOl't.-J. H. Pyke, Wang. Ch'ing-yiio, Cheen

Ta-yung.

6 MINUTES OF TH:! TWELFTH ANlfUAL MEJlTING.

The meeting proceeded to the examination of the character of the Preachers in the order of their appointments. The name of H. H. Lowry was called and his character was passed and he presented the*" Superintendent's report of the work of the year throughout the entire field.

The character of G. R. Davis was passed and he reported the work on the Peking Dilitrict as follows :-

" This includes the Northern city charge, the Southern city charge, the Tsun-hua circuit, and the Liang-tzli-ho circuit. The (Peking) northern city charge-consisting of Asbury chapel (in the ~1ission Compound) and Teng-chen T'ang (the chapel on the great street under the especial charge of lVang Clnng-yun) has not been blessed with any special signs of revival; nevertheless there has been steady growth. Our Sabbath congregations have been large and the Sunday School large and more interesting than during the preceding year. All the regular means of grace have been well attended. There has been great improvement in the music; so much so that it is a real ire at, after having visited other parts of the work, to return here and listen to tho singing, not that there is more spirit but somewhat more of an understanding! A series of lectures on scientific subjects, given during the winter, attracted large crowds from all classes of society. The street chapel work has been carried on by the native helper in a most efficient manner. The missionary collection for the year is $ 204.37, of which amount $ 43.28 .were contributed by the Sunday School. Resides this, $ 70 have been given toward self support and other purposes."

"On the Southern city charge we have labored at some disadvantage as, very soon after the last Annual Meeting, the native preacher, Wang Ch un-t' ang, was transferred to the Central China ~Iission and we have been obliged to supply his place as best we could from the training school. l'he chapel has been

• The Superintendent's Report is published in the A.nnual Report of the Misiionary Society, Ja.nua.ry, 1884.

IlINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANlIi~AL MEETING. 7

oponed regularly for street preaching but the audiences have not been very large; and the Sabbath Services have been kept up, but with very small audiences. In connection with the chapel there is a boys' school consisting of a dozen bright boys. 1'he missionary collection amounts to $ 11.25, of which $ 5.47, were given by the Sunday schools. About $ 4.00 have been contributed for self support."

"The Tsun-hua circuit takes its name from tho city of 'rsun Rua-chou one hundred miles directly east from Peking, beautiful for situation, with hills and mountains to be seen on every hand. This circuit has been under the charge of our very efficient and u.ble native deacon Te J ui. The circuit comprises three appointments. In Tsun-hua city the membership -has increased rapidly during the year. Our location, inside the south gate, is a fine one. The frequent market days, bringing large crowds into the city, give fine opportunities for street preaching and for distributing books and tracts. During the year a new chapel, mostly in native style of architecture, has been built on our premises, which is well adapted for both street preaching and for the more orderly religious services of the Sabbath day. Ten miles east of Tsun-hua is the Wang-shihchuang-tzti appointment where, in the house of Bro. Liu Rsi, the native preacher holds a service once a month. At other times the ~ervices are conducted by class leaders. The membership has not increased much during the year but the members themselves have grown ill the knowledge of divine things. Ten miles south of 'l'sun-hua is the N an-hsin-tien-tzii appointment where our work in that region found its beginning~ In many respects this is the most satisfactory and pleasing point to visit in all OUI' work. For many years the membership has been at a stand still, yet the few members there bear themselves in a most consistent Christian manner before their heathen .neighbours. There also the Sabbath is more strictly observed than elsewhere. To the south-west -of Tsun-hua, 15 miles, is the Liang Tzli-ho

8 MINUTES OF 'rUE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING.

circuit with W ang Ch~ eng-p· ei pastor in charge. The members of this circuit were dissatisfied because the last preacher, after having served his term of three years, was not returned to them. Against this feeling the helper has had to labor most of the year and the WOl'k has been greatly hindered thereby. At one time a large party seemed ready to leave the church, but the danger, I think, except in the case of a very few, has passed. The native pastor has been active and faithful in preaching the Gospel in the regions round about, visiting markets, fairs, and religious gatherings. On this circuit we have a comfortable parsonage, a convenient chapel, a membership of forty eight, besides five probationers and eleven baptized children."

Per motion, 1\'1. T. Hobart and Wang Ch(ing-yun were elected Committee on Statistics.

The name of Wang Ch<ing-ylin was called and he reported his work for the year. There being nothing against him, he was recommended for continuance on trial in the Detroit Conference.

The character of F. D. Gamewell being passed, he tendered a report of his work in connection with the Boys Boarding School which was ordered to be placed on file. See Repm·t on, Education.

W T. Hobart's character was passed and his report receiv.ed. The report told of his work in stUdying the language". was given in Chinese, and gave evidence of excellent progress.

W F. Walker being absent on leave in the United States, his character was represented by the Superintendent and passed.

O. W Willits being unavoidably detained at home, his character was also represented by the Superintendent and passed. In this connection Bishop Merrill announced that Bro. Willits, having been regularly elected to elder's orders by the Detroit Conference, was recently ordained by him in Tientsin. The following extracts, reporting the work on the Tientsin District are taken from the written report of Bro. Willits.

MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 9

" Tieutslll.-During the year there have been many changes in tho membership 011 this station, but the roll, as it stands now, shows twenty four members in full connection and fifteen probatoners including a child of the native preacher and nine boys from the day school. One of this number "a gate keeper on the mission premises, was converted during a series of nightly meetings held during the winter and the story of his conversion is a help to the soul. For a number of nights he asked for our prayers but had little else to say. Ho heard the simple story of God's love, the atoning death of Christ, and the witnessing seal of the Holy Spirit, repeated over and over. One night he came as usual but his face looked different as if lighted from within. The flowing tears were not from sorrow. "I was sitting," "he said," in my room thinking about what had been told me. I thought about God the Father, then I thought about the Son, then I began to think about the Holy Spirit; but as soon as I began to think about the Holy Spirit, it seemed as if he spoke to me and I knew that my sins were forgiven." In speaking of our native members, especial mention should be made of the earnest, humble piety of Bro. Li who, for so many years, has been our chapel keeper. One of his latest testimonies was that the grace given unto him was not of the body for he was constantly suffering himself and had much sickness in his family; neither was it worldly for he was a poor man; but the grace of God was expelling his faults and helping him to be a good man. Then there is Mrs. 'Vang, the Bible woman, who has never missed a service of any kind during the year. Her labors in the Hospital and in the houses of the people have been incessant; but there has been no harvest. At a recent Love-feast, she could hardly speak for weeping. "Truly," she said, "the preaching of the Gospel is difficult work." I tried to comfort her afterwards by reminding her that Paul might plant and Apollos water, but God must give the increase; but she went home sobbing "It is my sins; it is my sins. They are many, they

10 MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEEl'IKG.

are great." I would like to pay a deserved tribute to my C11'istiall cook. We would count it a sad day to exchange him for a heathen. What the future may reveal is, of course, unknown but, during the last twelve months we have found no fault in him and-what is unusual in Chinese servants-there has been sympathy, interest, and gladness in the sometimes arduous service he has been called upon to render. The native local preacher Li Shao-wen has been faithful in every department of Christian work. Early in the year he gave up the use of tobacco and has not touched it since. This is very little in itself but is an index of his sole desire to walk carefully and be an example to his brethren. He has proven himself industrious, spiritual minded, and possessed of much genuine courage. But the one faithful man, unemployed by missionaries, what of him? His bearing and conversation, together with the confidence expressed in him by the other native Christians are all in support of the ever deepening conviction in my own mind, that he is being taught of the Spirit, rooted and grounded in the Truth. One of his latest testimonies was that the Lord was helping him to do business as a Christian. Another time he said that, while he was not afraid of persecution, he was timid before men in the matter of testimony to the truth of the Christian religion. It was hard' for him to speak and he asked the prayers of tho church that God would increase his courage. The missionary collection of this charge amounted to $35.47 of which the Sabbath School contributed $12.45. In the way of self-support $40.30 were collected.

Teng-jzen Ci1·cuit.-At present, the membership on this circuit all lives in a village about twelve miles from the KCai-pting coal mines and c0D:sists of two in full connection and six probationers. Of the latter, one was a Buddhist Priest. The two in membership were baptized and received during this year and are father and son. The latter is a widely known physician, and every where he goes he carries his religion with him and urges its ,!?'l'oofs upon the attention of all his patients. Yung Chtun-ho,

MINUTES Q}' THE l'WELI!'TH ANNUAL MEETING. 11

Lae native local preacher in charge of the circuit, has been an exemplary Christian among the people and has certainly influenced many to think favorably of the Gospel. His ability as a preacher is limited but his life has been an eloquent sermon. During the year he saved half of one Quarter's salary ($8.60) and gave it to the church. The alllount constitutes the missionary collection from that circuit and is the largest gift made by a native Christian of our connection to any collection during our 1\Iission history.

Reported as one with this circuit, though many miles distant, is the work begun by Bro. Hsiang, a licensed exhorter, doing the work of a·colporteur. He found a former Peking church member, long ago dropped from the lists, and through him started a Society. On his rGcommendation I recognized the old member and received eight others on probation. An immediate request for money excited unpleasant suspicions, but it has seemed wise to hold the names and watch developments. Among much chaff there may be found some grains of wheat."

The character of Li Shao-wtm was passed and his report received; Yang Cll< un-ho, being absent, the examination of his character was, per motion, deferred.

The name of L. "\Y Pilcher was called and, there being nothing against him, his character was passed and his report received giving a statement of the work on the T'ai-an District, as follows :-

",\Vith a single exception, the native preachers on this District have seemed to do faithful work on their respective charges. But, particularly in those places where the work has been long established, the membership have settled into a condition of lethargy from which we have not been able to arouse them: They abstain from idolatrous observances and attend Christian services but their experience of the joys and comforts of religion, it is to be feared, is very superficial. They appear indifferent as to the conversion of their neighbours and, concerning their own spil'ituallife, are neither hot nor cold. Thi& fully

12 MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING.

describes the condition of the church on the Tlang-cllOlt circtttt and, with almost equal truth, on the An-cltia circuit where a number of the older members have been a little discontented and where scarcely any advance has been made though, on both ot these circuits, the administration of the native pastors has seemed to be judicions. On the TCai-an circuit, as constituted at the last Annuall\feeting, the membership was composed or a part of a single ramily and such it remains. The Preacher failed to secure a residence for himself on the circuit and has worked at a great disadvantage and with no appreciable results.

The greatest disaster befell the work on the C/tt-i12g-ho circuit when the native preacher was round guilty at unchristian conduct and was not only deprived of his license but was also expelled from the church. The effect upon the little company of Christians on that appointment can readily be imagined. Time alone will show whether we shall be able to recover our position in that vicinity.

Considerable encouragement was found on the Nan-kung ci'rcuit. During the winter an unusual spirit of inquiry seemed to pervade the communities about the village of Chiian-rh-li and many were received on probation. In the city or Nan-kung a very interesting class or intelligent men was organized and, such was the promise of the work, at the cLose of the Training School one of the students was sent there to labor.

Notwithstanding the discouraging aspect of affairs on this District, we are not discouraged. 1Vherever we travel we :find among the people a wider spread knowledge of the truth and a higher regard for ourselves and our message and we cannot but feel that God is preparing the hearts of this people for a time of religious awakening."

Per motion, the time and duration of the business sessions was fixed at from nine, A.M., to twelve, m. or each day until final adjournment.

Time for adjournment having arrived, the minutes were read, announcements were made, the Doxology was sung and the meeting adjourned with the benediction by Bishop Merrill.

MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH AXXUAL MEE'l'TNG. 13

SECOND D.AY.

",VEDXEsn.n-, Scptf'lIlbcr 5th, IH83.

The Annual :Uceting assembled at D o'cluck :\.:\1., Bishop lIerrill in the chair. 'The opeuing religious exercises were conducted by G. R. Da\'is.

A.fter the calling of the roll, the examiufltioll of the character of the Preachers was resumed. ~rhe Ilame of Clten Tn-yung' was called, his character passed and his report recei \'cd. It was announced that he was regularly elected to eltlers order':, by the North Indiana Conference at its last meeting, whereupon the A.nnual ::M:eeting voted to approve tho election and to request the Bishop to proceed with the ordination.

",Vhen the name of Chin Pao-shan was called, the Superintendent stated that, because of immoral conduct, he had been deprived of his license as a Local Preacher in the :Methodist Episcopal Church r.nd was afterwards expelled from the church by a properly constituted Committee.

Chao Ching-jung being absent, the examination of his character was deferred.

There being nothing against Shang Ch~ing-yi.i.n, his character was passed and his report received. On motion, it was voted to recommend that he be continued on trial in the Ohio Conference.

The character of ",Vong Ch'ing-yii and J. H. Pyke were severally examined and passed and their reports were received.

Rev. :Thfr. Scarborough, Superintendent of the Wesleyan :Thlission at Hankow and Rey. ~Ir. Smyth, of the Foochow Conference, being present, were introduced to the meeting and the former, by request, gave an account in Chinese of :Missionary work in and about Hankow as carried on by his own and other Missions.

The Annual lvleeting them took up the question of the renewal of Local Preachers' licenses; and the following were called, viz:-


Li Shao-wen, recommended by the Tientsin Quarterly Conference; "\Vong Ch'ing-yu, recommended by Peking (Tartar city) Quarterly Conference. The candidates having proven themselves proficient in their studies and possessed of gifts, grace, and usefulness, their licenses were renewed.

Rev. W S. Ament and :Mr. J ung (Chinese), fraternal Delegates from the North China ~iission of the American Board, were introduced to the meeting and, iu a few well chosen words presented the Christian salutations of that body. Being called upon, L."\Y Pilcher, appointed by the last Annual :Meeting to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Board J\Iission as fraternal Delegate, reported a most cordial reception and kindly treatment.

The question of grauting Local Preachers' licenses was taken up and Chou Yen-fong, Wong Chih-ho, and Sung I, each having been properly recommended by the Peking (Tartar city) Quarterly Conference and having passed their examinations in the studies required, were severally granted license to preach.

The names of candidates for renewal of License to exhort were presented as follows :-

Li Lien-hsiao of the Tientsin Circuit, Hsiang 1Ving of the Peking (Tartar city) Circuit, and Wong Pao-trang of the Tstangchou Circuit. Their characters were severally received and passed and, having the proper recommendations from their respective Quarterly Conferences, their licenses were renewed.

G. R. Dayis presented a verbal report of work done by a colporteur, named ~fa, in the Tsun-hua District and regions adjacent.

The time of the session haying expired, the minutes were read, announcements were made, the Doxoloy was sung, and the Meeting adjourned with the uenediction by Rev. W S. Ament.

MrXUTES OF THE TWELP'TII A:\XUAL MEE'l'lXG. 1[)

THIRD DAY.

rrIlCRSDAY, September Gt1I, 1883.

The Annual :Meeting assembled the thiru time at the usua.l

hour and place. Devotional exercises were conducted 1y Li Shao-wen.

The Secretary being detained from the ~Ieeting, J. II. Pyke was chosen to act pro. tem.

After the calling of the 1'011, the cases of the absent members

were taken up and the name of Te Jui was called. There being

nothing against him, his charactPl' was passed. It was announced that, upon the recommendation of the last ...:\.nnual :Jleeting, he was elected to elder's orders at th e last meeting of the N ol'th

Indiana Oonference. The 1Icding voted to approve this election

and to request the Bishop to proceed with the ordination.

,Vang Chreng-p(ei's character was passed and ho was

recommended for~continuance on trial in the Ohio Conference. The characters of Chao Ching-j ung and Yang Ohtun-ho,

were represented by the Superintendent and approved and their

licenses were renewed. After a most impressive address by Bishop Merrill in ex

planation of the :M:ethudist doctrine of Christian perfection, and

on the calling and obligations of the Christian ministry, F. D.

Gamewell of the' Newark Conference and "'V T. IIobart of the :M:innesota Conference were called forward to the altar and gave satisfactory answers to the Questions required in the Discipline

of condidates for admission into full connection. These brethren

were then, by vote of the 1tleeting, recommended to full membership in their respective Conferences.

Per motion the Pastor of Asbury chapel and the native

Preacher in charge of Feng-chen-ttang were an:ointed fraternal Delegates to the next Annual :M:eeting of the American Board

Mission.

1 G MINUTES OF THE T'iVELFTH ANNUAL MEETING.

Tue question was asked where shall the next Allnuall\Ieeting be held? 011 motion, it was determined to meet again in Asbury Chapel, Peking.

J. II. llyke alld Shang Ch ~ing-ylin, having been nominated, woro chosen to preach the Annual Sermons in Chinese at the next Annual l\Ieeting. III the sarno manner W. T. Hobart was chosen to proach the AllIlUal English Sermon.

The Past()l' of Asbur), Chapel and the native Preacher in charge of Feng-chen-t~ang were constituted the Committee on Public ",Vorship for the next Annual :Jleetiug.

G. R. Davis and Te J ui wero appointed Oonference Committee to attend the School Examinations.

V oied to elect a Committee on Woman's ""r ark. H. H. Lowry and L.",V Pilcher wore chosen as said Committee.

'I'lie ]\Iinutes were read, announcements were made, the Doxology was sung, the benediction was pronounced by H. H. Lowry, and the l\Ieeting adjourned by expiration of time.

FOURTH D.A.Y.

FRIDAY, September 7th, 1883.

The Annual :Meeting assembled for its fourth session at 9 o'clock A.M., and II. H. Lowry conducted the opening exercises.

After the calling of the roll, Reports of Committees were called for.

The Committee on Temperance and Opiwn reported per H. H. Lowry in English and thl'Ough Li Shao-wen, in Chinese. The report was discussed at some length and then adopted.Sec Report.

The Committee on ·Bible Society Work reported per G. R. Davis in English and through Chten Ta-yung in Chinese. The report was fully discussed and then adopted.-See Report.

The Committee on Self-support reported per J. H. Pyke in English and through Chten Ta-yung in Chinese. By request,

MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH L,,(NUAL MEETING. 17

Bishop Merrill addressed the ~I(>etiI1g on the importance of the subject and the report was considered ill a general discussion and then adopted.-See Report.

The Committee on Edltcation reported per"\V T. Hobart in English and through Chten Ta-yung in Chinese. The report was adopted. The report of the Committee on 1Voman's Work was called for and, on bohalf of the Committee, L. W Pilcher read the reports of the ladies of the 'Y.F.l\LS. on their work in the Girls' Boarding School, the Training School for Bible Women, Woman's Work ill Tientsin, and medcial work.See Rppol't.

The Committee on Suuda!! Scltools reported per F. D. Gamewell in English and through Li Shao-wen in Chinese. The discussion of the report elicited much information relative to the Sunday School work of the Mission which it was desired should be incorporated in the report. A. motion to recummit was passed and the report was returned to the Committee with instructions to return the amended report at the next session.

The minutes were read, announcements were made, the Doxology was sung, and the :l\Ieeting adjourned with the benediction by L. W Pilcher.

FIFTH DA.Y.

SATURDAY, September 8tlt, 18~3.

The Annual Meeting assembled again at the usual time and place. Devotional exercises were cond ucted by Shang Ch tingyiin. The roll was called and Wang Ch~eng-l/ei and Chao Ching-jung responded to their names, having been prevented by the floods from on earlier attendance upon the Meeting.

On motion, the Secretaries were constituted a Committee on publication of minutes.

18 MINUTES OF THE TWELF'l.'H ANNUAL MEETING.

Wang Ch!eng-p~ei and Chao Ching-jung were called upon to represent the condition of the work on their circuits.

The Committee on Sunday School Work presented their amended Report which was adopted.-See Report.

The Committee on the Observance of tlte Sabbath reported per L. W Pilcher in English and through Shang Chting-yiin in Chinese. The subject was fully discussed and the report was adopted.-&e Report.

The Committee on Statistics reported per "\V T. Hobart in English and through Wang Chting-yiin in Chinese. The report was accepted and ordered to be placed on file.-, See Statistics.

'The following Committees on Conference Examinations were announced by Bishop Merrill per H. H. Lowry, viz :-for Exhorter's License, F. D. Gamewell, Shang Ch!ing-yiin; Local Preacher's License, W T. Hobart, ChIen Ta-yung.

1st. Year O. ,\V Willits, Wang 011 ~,~ng:-pe~i.

2nd. " J. H. Pyke, 1'e J ui, Wang Ch~eng-ptei.

3 rd. " H. H. Lowry, Chten Ta-yung.

4th. " G. R. Davis, Te J ui.

Thf' following resolution was pre~ented and carried:Resoh'ed, that the sympathy and regrets of this meeting are

hereby extended to the Brethren who have been prevented by the floods from attending this Annual Meeting.

A vote of thanks to Bishop ~Ierrill, for the efficient and kindly way in which he has presided over the deliberations of the Annual Meeting, was unanimously carried by a rising vote; and he was requested to convey our most Christian salutations to the Churches and Conferences in the United States. This action of the }leeting was followed by the Bishop in a very feeling exhortatio the pleasant memory of which will long linger in the hearts of those addressed.

MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUA.L MEETING. 19

It was voted that after the religious services of the Sabbath, including the ordination services, the appointments be read and the Annual Meeting adjourn sine die.

The minutes were read, announcements were made, the Doxology was sung, Bishop ~Ierrill pronounced the benediction, and the Meeting adj ourned.

SUNDAY, Septembel' 91d, 1883.

By arrangement of the Committee on Public Worship, the services of the Sabbath were held in Asbury chapel and consisted of Love-feast at 9 o'clock, A.1.L, conducted by J. H. Pyke; the Annual Chinese Sermon, by G. R. Davis, at 10.30 A.M., followed by the administration of the Lord's Supper; and at 3 o'clock, P.M. 'a sermon by Bishop Merrill. The sermon of Bishop Merrill was followed by the ordination of W T. Hobart, Ch(en Ta-yung, and Tee J ui to elder's orders; the reading of the appointments; and pursuant to the motion of the previous day, the Twelfth Annual ]\ieeting of the North China Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church was adjourned, sine die.

LEANDER W Pn.CHEn,

Secretary.

STEPHEN ~L MERRILL,

President.

20 M1NUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING.

A P POI N T MEN T S FOR 1 883 -1 884.

HIRAM H. LOWRY,-Su.pel'intendent.

PEKING DISTRICT.-George R. Davis,-Mis8£onary £n charge. Peking Asbury O/wpel and Training Sclwol,-J. H. Pyke. Peking Peng-ch(en-i<ang,-Chten Tta-yung. Peking Southern Cit/! Oircuit,-W T. Hobart, Wang

Chting-yun, Sung I. C/t<ang-pting-clwu C£rC/tit,-to be supplied. X(sun-htta Oircuit,-T'e J ui. Liang-tzu-lLO Circuit,-Wang Ch teng-ptei. Boys' Bom'ding Scllool,-F. D. Gamewell,-PrinczjJal. Girls' Boarding School,-Clara M. Cushman, Annie B. Sears,

J\1:rs. O. M. Jewell. Training School fOl' Bible Women,-Mrs. M. P. Gamewell. Medical Wor/~,-to be supplied.

TIENTSIN DISTRICT.-Oscar W Willits,-Missionary in chat·ge. Tientsin ·Wesley Chapel, to be supplied. Tientsin East Gate Ohapel,-Li Shao-wen. Yu-tCien Ci1·cuit,-Oho'u. Yen-fang. Feng-fun Oircuit,-Yang Ch tun-ho. Lan-chou, Oircuit,-to be supplied. Isabella Fisher Hospital and Female Department of Viceroy's: D{spensary-LeonoraA..Howard,M.D., L. Estelle Akers M.D. Woman's Work, Elizabeth U. Yates, W. F Walker, absent

in U.S., on leave.

TtS.U-AN DISTRICT.-Leander W Pilcher,-Mis.sionfwy 1'n chm'g/}. T::;tang-chou Circtlit,-Shang Chting-yiin. Nan- kung Cil'cuit,-Ohao Ohting-jung. Oh}£ng -lw Oi1'cuit,-Wang Oh(ing-yii, An - chia Circuit,-Wang Chih-ho. Tta-i - an Oircuit,-to be supplied.


REPORTS OF COMMITTEEs. iff TEMPERANCE AND OPIUM.

I.-T/~e evil effects qf Alcohol.-As it is the product of the fermentation of grains and fruits, it is useless a.s food and ca.nnot sustain the body; but, on the contrary, it is destructive of the physical functions. The body is able to manufacture its own stimulants and alcohol only adds an excess of fuel and thus destroys the body. It injures digestion and confuses the mind. Noah and Lot by drunkenness came t.o disgrace and shame. Drunkenness always reduces the sick to poverty and those who are guilty of it can never be happy nor prosperous. Its evil effects are very great. John the Baptist would not touch it; the Saviour cautioned against its use; and the A.postle declares that the drunkard cannot enter heaven.

It is proper to take wine under medical advice, but when we are well it ought never to be touched. Those who are addicted to its use must despise the riches of hesven and we bereech you, brethren, to regard wine as poison and never touch it.

II.-Ophtm.-Opium has been in Ohina many years. It came from India and thence spread over the world. It receives its name from the flower of the poppy and is also called "foreign medicine." A.s a medicine it is valuable, but truly harmful when used in any other way. Now many take it with great pleasure. Princes and Ministers of State, officials and people delight in its use. Thus it threatens the prosperity of the empire. If those high in office use it how can they prevent the people from doing so?

It is injurious to the body, mind and soul of those who indulge the habit. Its evil effects are greater than those of alcohol. Our church must exert all its influence against its use. Not only must we not indulge the habit of taking it ourselves, but we must endeavor to put an end to the traffic, and this we believe to be in harmony with the Lord's will.

H. H. Lowry. } 'Vang Oh ting-yiin. Committee. Li Ohao-wen .

., This report; was prepared by the naCive preacher Li Shao.wen who presentil the subjeot from a. Chinese l)oil!t of view, (Sec.)


BIBLE SOCIETY WORK.

As there are agents of several Bible Societies operating in this and adjoining Provinces and as their object is to work in' harmony with the various Missionary Societies here represented, we have not employed many colporteurs in this work; yet, indirectly, every foreign ~fissionary and native helper is engaged in Bible distribution. As opportunity is afforded we all distribute Bibles, Tracts, and religious books, always selling, seldom, if ever, gIVing away. If given away the books are apt to be too lightly esteemed and recklessly destroyed, whereas if money has been expended :for them they are much more apt to be preserved and read. During the year we have employed two men in the

,distribution of Bibles and other religious books. One man, working out from the city of Tsun-hua, has been quite successful and has disposed of a number of books; not many copies of the New Testament but copies of the four Gospels, of Acts, etc. The other man was employed on the TsCang-chou circuit and has been only moderately successful. The native's are very anxious to procure copies of the Monthly Illustrated papers also the illustrated calendars but not so anxions to procure the foreigner' 8 Scriptures. We propose to use two men, at least, during the coming year and will further the work of the regular Agents thus employed to the extent of our ability.

G. R. Davis. } Oh ten Ta-yung. Oommittee. Wang ChCing-yu.

SELF-SUPPORT.

This question is one of vital importance and is so considered by all concerned. No church can be healthy and vigorous that does not do all it can towards its own support and for the propagation of the Gospel. It has been our policy to hold this constantly in view and to enjoin it upon the native church. The burden of supporting the church in this country must and will


be assumed by the native Christians at the earliest possible

moment. But we recognize the fact that we must come to this gradually. There must be a large increase in members alld spirituality before this idea can be fully realized. Our present membership is small, many are so poor that they are not only unable to contribute anything to the suppI)rt of the church, but themselves require some relief for their sufferings. Others are worldly minded and mercenary and are constantly expecting some temporal advantage from their connection with the church. Still allother class are in the employ of the Missionary Society or of the ~lissionaries and derive their income from the church.

Notwithstanding these difficulties, something has already been done in the way of self-support. In some So:·ieties the memhers have paid a part of the salary of the native preRcher; in others, considerable contributions have been made towIlI·d furnishing their chapels; in one or two .instances, small contributions have been made toward building their chapels; while the missionary collections have not only been respectable but, in some cases, astonishingly large, considering their numbers and ability. The year before last there was contributed for self-support $130.02 and for Missions $103.20 making a total contribution of $233.25; last year, there was given for self-i'upport $70.10, for building $10.00 for local purposes $-19.70, alld for lIissions $161.80 or a total contribution of $291.60; this year, the two Peking churches alone have given for :Missions and current expenses $283.53. Of course a large part of this has been given by the Missionaries themselves but the natives have contributed perhaps as much, or more, in proportion to thE'ir flbility. So that, on the whole, the outlook is not discouraging.

What can be done for-the advancement of thi~ cause? TIIP Committee have not been able to devise allythillg IE'W OJ' to

suggest anything more than systematic effort and diligf'I)ce ill what has been begun. It would be well fil'~t ; if every mem Ler of the Annual Meeting, foreign and especially native) could be

•

24 MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEE'fING.

fully persuaded of its importance and would faithfully urge it upon the (native) church, Second; let each Society contribute according to its a bility towar~ the support of the preacher and for the incidental expenses of its own chapel; and let this be kept constantly before the member . .;hip as a duty and privilege. It is possible we have not been persistent enough and have too often changed the object for which money was solicited. Third; let us be deeply religious and spiritual ourselves and labor to promote a spirit of revival in the churches and there will be little trouble to induce the peop1e to give liberally. Fourth; The Oommittee are of the opinion that it would be well for each Society to become at least largely self-sustaining and provide for their own pOQr before their is a show of contributing to Foreign Missions.

The recommendations of the Committee may be summed up briefly in two words, system and piety.

J. H. Pyke. } Chfen Ta-yung. Committee. "'\Vang Chting-ylin.

EDUCATION.

I.-We regard the education of Christian families as of the highest importance and we are glad that so much interest has already been shown in this department of work.

The Tral~ning School is intended as a direct preparation fro those who desire to enter the ministry. It has already furnished us with a majority of our preachers. During the past year there were six in attendance, three of whom have been recommended for license to preach and each of the others has been employed in some form of mission work since the clo1:le of the term.

Boarding Sclwol.-Thirty one boys have been in attendance on the Boarding School, four of whom have been self-supporting and several more partly self-supporting. The present rule is that no llew boys are received who will not furnish their own clothes. Instruction has been given in both the native Classics and Christian literature, the aim being to give the boys a good Ohristian education. A select number are studJing English.


It is hoped that a know ledge of English will prove beneficial in many respects. It will open to them vast stores of knowledge which must otherwise be forever closed to them; it gives them a wider range of thought; it stiumlates and compels thought. The new building furnishes good facilities for all the present needs of the school. The school year is divided into two terms and the examinations, held at the close of each, evinced good progress on the part of the scholars as well as faithful work of the teachers. The chief present need of the school is a good Christian native teacher. This want we hope will be supplied during the next year by a graduate from Dr. Mateer's school at Teng-chou-fu. We may reasonably indulge the hope that this school will be an increasing power for good in the future.

Day SchooZs.-Several day-schools have been in session during the year without much promise of results. Two of those held in the country have been given up. At Tientsin the school has given some encouragement and several of the boys have united with the church on probation. This class of schools has an important place to fill but we have not yet found the most successful method of conducting them.

Girls Sclwols.-We take special pride in the Girls' Boarding School which has been under the charge of Misses Oushman and Sears. Forty two girls have been in attendance and thirteen of these have been received on probation in the church. All the appliances and the government of this school seem well adapted to enable the girls to become educated women. Day schools have also been maintained with various degrees of success.

Training School /01· Bible Women.-This school has been in charge of Mrs. Gamewell who has given her time and best energies to it. Itjs in session during the winter months and is designed to train native women for Bible readers and Deaconesses. The past year there were six women in attendance and valuable results have already appeared.

.26 MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING.

Believing the educational work to be intimately connected with the progress of Christ's cause among this people, we commend it to the prayers and sympathies ot this Meeting and the church.

H. H. Lowry "I W. T. Hobart >Oommittee. Ch,en Ta-yungJ

II.-Rep01·t oj Pe"h'ing Boys' School by R D. Gamcwell. The new school building, which was rapidly approaching completion at the time of our last Annual Meeting was completed by the end of October. The building is admirably adapted to its purposes and anticipates the needs of future years. The main school room is equipped with foreign desks and maps and compares favorably with the better class of school rooms in America. It is to be hoped that these surroundings, in themselves, will not be without educational effect iff ifF. The course of study in the school has consisted of the Bible, the "Words and Acts of Jesus," Bible History, the Chinese Classics, and elementary work in English. At the beginning of the year, the morning hours were devoted to English, the entire school being engaged in its study from 9 to 12 0' clock. This was done with a view of searching out the most promising. After a short time a number were dropped from the English classes and, by the close of the year the number studying English had been considerably decreased. It is proposed to make English only a secondary consisderation and to limit the number to those who give promise of greatest attainment in its study. ifF ifF ifF. The Sunday School Lessons were always well prepared; p-reaching and Sabbath School services attended; also the Thursday evening prayer meeting, the daily morning chapel service and a prayer meeting in the afternoon conducted by the students themselves. We pray that,. during the noming year, God's blessing may rest upon teachers and pupils and that some harvest may be reaped from the seed sown.

MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 2'1

111.-Repm·t of Girls' Boarding School by Miss C. JJl. Cushman. Beginning school ill September with thirty eight girls, we closed in July with forty two, all but thirteen of whom returned to their homes for vacation. In their studies our girls have made satisfactory progress. The first class has assisted us in instructing the lower classes; themselves completing "Graves Parables" in wen-li and "Evidences of . Christianity" besides making good progress in Geography, Practical Arithmetic, and memorizing of Scriptures and Chinese classics. Other girls have done equally well in less advanced studies. We have had the pleasure of adding Mr. Chapin's Geography to our course of study and hope gradually to add other books, always giving special prominence to such as teach the principles of Christianity and help to comprehend God's Word. Five of our girls are supported by the New Connexion Methodist 1'tfission; the others have all been assigned to scholarships in the United States. The proficiency in writing is not only specially gratifying to their native friends but also to their patrons as most of them are able to write letters to those who support them. Beginning with last summer's vacation, thirteen of the girls have received instruction on the organ. The refining influence, the help in training the ear, the pleasant hours spent at the organ that might have been spent in idle talk and gossip, well repay the trouble of instructing them. Most of them have made such proficiency as to be able to take their turn in playing at morning prayers. We each spend a half day in school so that there is a constant presence of both a native and foreign teacher. Silent study is enforced and the same order insisted upun that we should desire in a foreign school. The exercises of the newly formed Literary Society have been creditable. The girls have had the pleasure of inviting girls from other schools to attend.

We now have so many large girls in school that we hire no sewing done. We find it is not desirable to receive very young girls. It is too much of a breaking up of the home life. Girls


come in their teens and soon outstrip the younger ones, who have been working two or three years. All the larger pupils are professing Ohristians. The atmosphere of the school is Ohristianized. A new girl is assigned to the care of an older girl who is sure to teach her to pray and the school rises en ~na88e against a girl who will not" say her prayers."

More than half of our girls are the children of Christians. Ov-er twenty of them have had their feet unbound. N ext to telling them of Jesus, perhaps the best thing we do for them is to take off the bandages that would make them hobble through life on crushed and aching feet. rrhe thing has ceased to be strange and preposterous and we mark with delight the growing sentiment in its favor among the church members. We thank God that he gave the noble ladies, who founded the school, broad and far-seeing wisdom that led the~ to establish the precedent of unbinding feet; and we thank Him to-day that he is allowing us to help Him to hasten on the day when, even in China, our sisters shall" run and not be weary, walk and not faint."

IV.-RepOJ·t of Training School jOl' Bible Women by Mrs. JJf. P .. Gamezcell. The school opened its second year in September, 1882, with six women present. Mrs. Wang, the helper's wife, came to recite once each day. In January Mrs. PCan disappointed many hopes by leaving, not to return. The remaining five women did well. They are to return for another year and two other women besides. These women represent all the -circuits but Ts~ang-chou. When set to work for others, to teach and exhort, they work well and patiently. With some guidance as to methods and choice of subjegts they will make valuable helpers in woman's work.


WOMAN'S WORK.

Christian work in China can never be either permanent or prosperous until the women are reached by the truth. The "\Voman's Foreign Missionary Society has made this department of work both possible and successful. More devoted or efficient laborers were never sent to any foreign field than those to whom this work has been committed in North China. We cannot more completely represent this work than by extracts from reports prepared by the ladies on the several in terests sustained by them.

Peking. Miss Cushman writes; "About three months ago the Sunday School class for outside women began to increase, and they showed so much interest that a meeting was appointed for them on Monday which has been continued to the present time. We often have more women than chairs but they give a glance at the matting and say it is cleaner than their k'angs and sit down on the floor very complacently. One particularly encouraging feature of the meeting is that so many come regularly and are learning hymns and some are learning to read. We are specially interested in some girls eighteen or nineteen years of age. The first day they came, we taught them one page of the Catechism. The next week, instead of having forgotten it, they had learned five pages in addition and, when asked how they had done it, said, pointing to one of their number, "Her father taught us." What better employment could be found lor a small official, or a big one either, when off duty than teaching girls our Catechism? This meeting has opened the homes and hearts of our neighbours. They receive us cordially and we have met with nothing but kindness and courtesy from them. The wife of the official referred to, said last week in speaking of the a wiuI disease (cholera) that is desolating the city; "Every day we sing over 'Jesus loves me' and it has not come near us."


Tientsin.-Miss Yates writes; "Immediately after the Chinese New Year a day school was organized in the Chinese settlement which has been a means of obtaining access to homes and thus spreading the knowledge of the truth. Since the opening of the school there have been nine women under daily instruction. Some of these have been taught in their homes and the others at the school-room after the close of the session. This work was discontinued in June on account of cholera and fever in that locality.

Through the Spring and Summer there have been in-patients in the Hospital, all of whom have received daily instruction. Those, whose condition would admit of it, have "!been taught to read and all of them have gained some knowledge -of the only true God and Jesus and Christ whom he has sent. 'The Bible woman has given daily instruction to the Dispensary !patients but their minds are so engrossed with thoughts of their 'Physical condition that they give little heed to what is said to :them while waiting for their medicine.

Through the year weekly prayer meetings for women and -children have been held in a private room with an attendance varying from five to twenty-five. After the first at July this :service was removed to the chapel of the Parent Society. The ·original plan was to hold there the established weekly meeting only, but the intere~t has warranted its daily continuance .and rendered it expedient to open the doors to a promiscuous .audience. The attendance varies from twenty five to fifty many of whom are children. There has been, without exception, Te~pectful attention and, in many cases attentive listeners. There have been several instances where the chapel service has been followed by invitations to visit homes and frequently the audience gathered in the court would nearly equal the number at the chapel."

Out stations.-Miss Cushman writes .. H One trip has been .made to the country where we found open doors and a cordial

MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETTNG. 31

welcome. There is a wonderful field for usefulness in the mud homes among the simple hearted country women who weary of their monotonous lives and listen so eagerly to the wondrous story; and sometimes we long for double lives that one may be given to the girls and one to these sisters "made like our own strange sel ves, with memory, mind, and will, made with a heart to love and a soul to live forever." Referring to this same trip, Dr. Howard writes; "a goodly number came to the mission premises (in Tsun-hua). They were very eager to get medicine and while I tried to relieve physical suffering, Miss Oushman told them of the great Physician. Some, too ill to come out, invited us to visit them in their homes and in every instance we were treated with confidence and respect." Mrs.' Gamewell, writing of the Training School for Bible Women said ;-"8cho01 disbanded and the women returned to their homes early in March. Two of the women and myself accompanied Mrs. Gamewell on a visit to the Ts~ ang-chou and Nan-kung circuits. The greater part of March and April was spent at these two points. With the two women, I spent a day in each church family on these two circuits."

Isabella Fisher Hospitat.-Dr. Howard writes ;-" With the exception of twelve weeks of the winter months, our mission Dispensary has been opened daily. Of this time I spent seven weeks in medical attendance upon Lady Li, and the remainder of the time on a country trip with Mrs. Davis and Miss Oushman. During this time Dr. Akers opened the Dispensary twice a week and visited out-patients when sent for. The whole number of patients tak€n care of in the wards during the year is ninety two; out-patients, nine hundred and three; Dispensary patients, eight thousand three hundred and fifty seven. No statistics were kept while in the c.()untry."

H. H. Lowry} C 'tt L. W. Pilcher omml ee.


SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

The Committee on Sunday Schools have to report that Schools are established in Peking in the Tartar and Southern cities, at Liang-tzii-ho, at Tientsin, at Y~-tien, at Shangchia-chai, at Chiian-rh-li, and at A.n-chia-chuang. A.t Peking the average attendance is 101 in the Tartar City and 14 in the Southern City; at Liang-tzii-ho 30 were enrolled; at Tientsin, 80; at Yii-t'ien, 20 ; at Shang-chia-chai, 20 ; at Chiian-rh-li, 40 ; at An-chia-chuang, 23.

There are reasons militating against the most successful Sabbath School work in the country stations. Some of the reasons are not far to seek. We would mention three which may be considered prominent. First; Illiteracy of the children. The children, not attending any day schools but spending their time during the week, and perhaps Sunday too, in collecting fire material and in helping at their homes, are unable to read and hence unable to study or make preparation for the Sunday School. Second: Illiteracy of parents. Third, as a natural consequence of the illiteracy of parents and of the Christians generally, there is difficulty in securing Sabbath School teachers.

In the present formative state of the church, difficulties arise which riper years and a few generations of Christians will meet. At present the source from which teachers must be drawn admits of only crude material if of any material at all. There is no such thing as a Sabbath School Literature, as we use the t~rm, but the Peking and Tientsin Sabbath Schools have a translation of the International Sabbath Lessons. The lessons for the year are the Berean Lessons for 1880. After the Peking and Tientsin Schools have finished studying these Lessons, they are used at some of the country stations.

The singing in the Tartar City Sabbath School has much improved during the year. We think that what seems to be a

MINUTES OF THE TW:I!JLFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 33

universal love of song, may, in China as elsewhere, be made an element of successful Sabbath School work. There ca.n be no doubt but that these hymns of childhood linger with their good influences in after years.

F. D. Gamewell I Wang Ch'ing-yiin ~ Committee. Li Shao-wen )

SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

The question of Sabbath observance is one of the most serious that confronts the missionary in a heathen land and its satisfactory solution seems too far in the future to afford us any comfort. In China the entire system of family, social, and business life rests on a basis in which a weekly period of rest constitutes no element. Those who have searched among ancient Chinese records, claim that they find evidence that, at one time and to a certain extent, an hebdominal division of time was known in China. But however interesting this discovery may be to some, it has but little bearing upon our subject as there is no claim made that one day in seven was ever a day of rest, and, at the present time, even this division of time is not remem bered or recognized.

The successful introduction of a "week" among the Chinese and the observance of a weekly recurring day of rest would involve a revolution of far greater magnitude than might, at first thought, appear. Throughout the empire, national Festivals and local fairs are held at certain widely understood and fre .. quently recurring inten"'a.ls and often fall upon the Sabbath. Then also the sentiment and universal practice throughout this vast nation of people are against the observance of the day. Moreover, for a man of ordinary means to close his place of business one day in every seven would be to insure his financialruin and for an employe in a heathen firm to ask rest from work on the Sabbath would be to court poverty. Added to the above

34 MINUTES OF TH!: TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING.

is the moral influence of most foreign residents in China which is decidedly opposed to the observance of the day. And even a large and respectable body of Christian missionaries openly teach that the keeping of the fourth commandment, though beneficial to both body and soul, is by no means obligatory. As a consequence thousands of Christians in China cease from labor on the Sabbath day only for so l rmg a time as will enable them to attend the chapel services.

It has been the practice of this mission to teach that when God said "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," He spoke for all time and to every people. Yet among our membership it has been estimated that not more than a third consistently and religiously keep the Sabbath. This statement may appear extreme in view of the fact that the observance of the Sabbath is with us made a test of membership. Still if the proportion be disputed, we cannot gainsay the sad fact that among our membership there is great laxity in practise and that the Sabbath is not to them all it ought to be. Among them very slight and often frivulous provocatious are sufficient to turn them away from the observance of the day fraught with so many blessings.

As ministers of Christ, commissioned to proclaim not only the Gospel of love but also the law of God, it becomes us to urge the obligation of the church in this matter most persistently and to insist upon a life and practise m()re thoroughly in conformity with what we believe to be the Divine command.

L. W Pilcher. } Shang Chting-yun. Committee. T(e Jui.


SUMMARY OF STATISTICS, 1882-1883.

Foreign Missionaries (one absent in U. S.), 8 Assistant Missionaries (one absent in U. S.), 8 Missionaries of the W F. M. S., 6 Native Ordained Preachers, 2 N ati va U nordained, 3 N ati ve Local, 6 N ati ve Teachers, 7 Other Helpers, 11 Members, 247 Probationers, 206 Average Attendance on Sunday Worship, 320 Adults Baptized, 25 Children Baptized, 5 No. of Day Schools, 7 No. of Day Scholars, 69 No. ot Sabbath Schools, 8 No. ot Sabbath Scholars, 399 No. ot High Schools, 1 No. ot Teachers in same, 3 No. of Pupils, 31 No. ot Theological Schools, 1 No. ot Teachers in same, 2 No. of Students, 6 No. of Churches, 9 Estimated Value of Churches, $14,800 No. of Halls and other places ot Worship, 10 No. ot Parsonages or "Homes," 13 Estimated Value of Parsonages, . $38,050 Value of Schools, Hospitals, and other Property, $13,100 Debt on Churches, Parsonages and other Property, $100 Collected for Missionary Society, $275.48 Collected for Self-support, $43.89 Collected for Church building and Repairing, 00.00 Contributed for other Local purposes, $240.60

W. T. Hobart. } C 'tt Wang Ch ling-yun. omm't ee.

GENERAL STATISTICS NO. I. ----------------------------------~--------------~--------~----------------------------------~-----------------------------------------------------------------------~--------------------~~.--

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CIRCUITS AWD STATIONS.

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'l'ients;n W csley Chapel and East Gate. ..,

Yii.t'ren Circuit. . ............................... .

:Fcug-jun Circuit ..................... , .......... ..

I, ...... II

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TS'allg-chou Circuit.. ............................ 1 26 39 2 3001' ,I 1 1 30

"Lun.chou Circuit ............................ , .... '

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I 8 I . I Ii ' 11 401 Nan.kung Circuit ................................. 1 3 10 1 Ii 1~ i I

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···:to:~·~::::::::::::::: ::::::::: ::: :::::: :: 1206,1247, 5,11,! 2.' ;;1, 1~.1$;·;~~0!~,!$.~;~01~;~, $l~~~"i3iol-~:~ i~, ~I S62.61, $275.58, ~----------------------------~~--~--~--~--~--~----~--~--------~----~----~----

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[I ...... I 1 I 1-/-1--(~C- $159.70, 1--'-- $124.79,

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II II lililiiliiill II 3 9002 10638 6627

GEN'ERAL ST-ATISTICS NO. II.

CIRCUITS AND STATIONS.

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