as spiritual benefits. Two young men had entered the preparatory school we have opened at Chu-Chia, one of whom stammered very badly, and the other from some throat affection had hardly any voice. On my representing to them that they must go home and leave the school, they pleaded hard to be allowed to remain, and they believed that the Lord would heal them of their physical infirmity, for "did He not," said they, "make even the dumb to speak!" and they "constantly prayed that He would heal them." This is no isolated instance: our churches have many such men; and I have lately heard of a devoted native pastor, in Canton, who is actually credited with having performed several cures by prayer and laying on of hands.

I

I sometimes find it profitable to make a little breach in the ordinary and approved method of conducting the service in the chapel, and on Sunday morning, at Han-Chia, after preaching on 2 Cor. v. 20, I asked the members to talk about the subject, and let me hear their views, and how far they understood my sermon. was greatly pleased to find how fully they had got hold of the subject, and not only could give the substance of the sermon, but each one used some very apt illustration to set forth the doctrine of reconciliation with God." One man very feelingly and graphically described a father sending a trusty friend to expostulate with a prodigal son, who is persuaded to return home and live a new life, and the tenderly affectionate reception the son meets with. Another man, who has had a good deal to do with lawsuits, instanced two neighbours who had a feud, but by the kindly negotiations of a go-between. have had their dispute amicably and justly arranged, and become true and loving friends. The service was thus a very interesting and profitable one, and all seemed to enjoy it much. At another service, held one evening in the Chu-Chia chapel, we had a most profitable conversation on the

Intercession of Christ." One young man advanced the notion that Christ prayed for those who were dead as well as those who were living, but he was immediately corrected by a young student. In this way, and by catechetical instruction, the attention of the people is kept alive, many

little errors are corrected, and much doctrinal and practical instruction conveyed to all who are present. But it is most refreshing to be in some of the prayer meetings with these poor people-such simplicity. such fervour, such directness of appeal to God for what they feel they want, and all presented through the availing Name, that one cannot doubt the earnestness of the people or the efficacy of their prayers.

PROPOSALS FOR UNION.

There is a Sect very prevalent in Shantung, and in some other places. called the "Mi-Mi-Chiaou," or Secret Silent Sret. This is the common designation by which they are known among the people. It is difficult to get acquainted with all their peculiarities as they seem to impose, a solemn restriction on their members against divulging certain doctrines and practices so that we have only a general idea of their tenets. Several of this sect have joined us at different times, and others frequently attend our services, among whom is the head, or leader of the Congregation for this particular district. I had often seen him at Chu Chia, and knew him to be an illiterate but respectable man. He, however, called upon me during this visit, with a rather novel and plausible proposition, namely: that he had been recommending his people to come over in a body and join the Ye-suChiao, or the Jesus sect-and that they had appointed a deputation of six or seven persons to wait upon me and here a statement of our doctrines that they might report to their Society, and if they were satisfied, would we be willing to receive them into our Church? I felt amused at the man's strange proposal, but told him I was quite prepared to receive his friends and talk with them about our doctrines, but their union with us depended upon their individual cordial acceptance of those doctrines. So, they came and we had a long talk, but of course the subject of union was not mooted during this interview. They listened very seriously and attentively to our statements, and Mr. Hu and I elicited from them some of the views they held. They deprecate all worship of idols but invoke the Genii, like the Taouists. They believe in Heaven

as the Ruling power, but have no distinct notion of a Personal Godthey believe in the immortality of the soul-that the good go to heaven when they die-that the souls of others are subjected to transmigrations. They strictly inculcate virtue. At their meetings which are held on certain days in the month at night, they have males and females present; they have no form of worship but sit in silent contemplation. So that, as they say, the soul becomes absent from the body, and some of them become entranced and hold communion with departed Spirits. (Spirittualist notion). Sometimes they are addressed by the leader, or some of the members on a moral subject. This was about all we could learn of them. They seem to be generally well conducted people, but the government suspects them as it suspects all secret sects, of seditious designs, and seeks to suppress them. Probably they may be in a little danger just now and would like to escape it by joining the Christians. I made no advance in the way of union not regarding them as orthodox. Had they been Bible Christians or Wesleyans, we might cheerfully have proposed and accepted terms.

Our preachers are labouring faithfully in this circuit, and with great acceptance among the people. We have also two good day-schools in

operation under competent and Christian teachers, with the view of helping the children of our poorer members to get the elements of education, and keeping them under Christian influences. We hope to obtain local subscriptions to meet the expenses of these schools, as we did last year. Our friends would like to have such a school at each station, but we cannot undertake the responsibility. It does seem to us highly desirable, however, to do something of this sort, that we may secure a better hold on the hearts of the rising generation, and a riper development of Christianity.

We

The work of the Lord in this. circuit still prospers, and though we do not see such progress as our hearts desire, there is much to excite devout gratitude and sustain hope. pray that the Spirit of quickening and revival, which is being so richly shed upon the Churches in England, may also visit us in China. We not only desire the conversion of the millions of theheathen in this land, but also the quickening of the native churches. In view of the vastness of the work to be done here, our hearts sink, and we would shrink from it in despair but for the glimpse we get of the Power on our side. "God is our refuge and strength."

J. INNOCENT.

"

During my visit to Laou-Ling Mr. Hu, our native preacher, showed me a vile picture which he and another man had taken from a showman at a country fair, and which was being exhibited in a peep-show. The scene is taken from the Tientsin massacre, but is not a delineation of that event. Its worst feature is the portrayal of a foreigner scooping out the eyes of a woman, and another cutting out the heart of a woman. These are in the windows of the cathedral, another part of which is in flames. There are a great number of Chinese officials of the highest grades, with their banners and men. The officers are directing the men in a bloody attack on a number of foreigners in

The

military dress, evidently French. The whole scene is revolting, but such as to excite the deep prejudices of the Chinese and rouse their vilest passions against Europeans. eye scooping, and cutting out of the heart operations, are so represented as to realise to the Chinese what is so often current in the wild rumours afloat respecting foreigners, and the fact that such pictures are shown about the country at public fairs, may account for these rumours being kept afloat.

Mr. Hu showed great courage on the occasion, for he went with the other gentleman on hearing of this show, and saw it for himself, they then seized the show and the man,

and threatened to send him before the magistrate. Fortunately some of the respectable people at the place sympathized with Mr. Hu and prevented any disturbance. The man begged them not to prosecute him, and others pleaded for him, so they ultimately let him go, minus this picture. They could not get his true name nor the name of the shop where he bought it, but were informed by him that he obtained it in Tientsin and that it was painted to his order.

Mr. Hu showed me this picture which measures 3 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches, and I brought it with me to Tientsin. I sent it to H.B.M. Consul here, with an account of the circumstances under which it was obtained, and suggested that inquiries should be made as to whether such pictures were being exhibited in the city and other places. Mr. Mongan said that it was one of the worst things he had seen, and determined to take action upon it at once. He convened a meeting of the Consuls and they have sent a joint letter to the Viceroy on the subject, which is all that has been done so far.

I have thought it right to give you this account as it may be brought under your notice in the public press or in some other way, and I have great satisfaction in thinking that we have now discovered one of the sources of the rumours and threatenings with which foreigners are constantly assailed and especially of the vile reports which greet us and our messengers when ever we go into the interior. Mr. Mongan intends

Conclusion of Mr. Bryant's letter.

That the converts are faultless, of course, no one will imagine; but that most of them are genuine, and are striving to walk in the way of life, and are thus "being saved", I think, an unmistakable fact, for which I rejoice with you, and bless God with you for His mercy and goodness, which is so manifest in this interesting work.

But of all the meetings which were held during my delightful visit to Chu-Chia, the great meeting held on Wednesday, Jan. 27th, was the most interesting. There were gathered more than 150 people, men

and

to lay the whole matter before Mr. Wade, H.B.M. Minister at Peking, and if anything more comes out of it I will let you know.

EXTRACT FROM THE "CELESTIAL EMPIRE."

IN reply to the joint letter of the Consuls to the Viceroy, setting forth the facts of the finding of the Picture representing the Massacre of foreigners by Chinese, a reply has been received which is everything that could be desired. Attention is called to the fact that on the occasion of former complaints, the Pictures were seized and the blocks destroyed, and a Proclamation issued by the Tao-t'ai. The present case is taken to be that of ignorant persons in remote and rural districts beyond the natural observation of officials. The Tientsin and Customs Tao-t'ai are ordered to send deputies to the place in question, (or where the picture was found) to join the local Magistrates in a thorough search for these pictures and the blocks, punishing offenders according to law. They are also to issue interdictory proclamations enjoining local officials to make inquiries, and to check idle rumours among rustic people, and this in the interest of the welfare both of Chinese and foreigners. If the subordinate officials manifest the least energy in the case, there is some reason to hope that we shall have seen the last of a style of painting which has never been popular amongst the foreign community.

women; thirteen of whom were candidates and were then baptized. and one hundred and five of whom partook of the Lord's Supper. It was delightful to see and hear the representatives from the more distant churches, such as San-Lieu-Chia, WuKwan-T'wen, and Yang Pan, &c. &c. Their accounts of the churches in their respective localities, though very simple, were very refreshing and cheering; and such a gathering, I doubt not, will prove of lasting good to all the Christians. The sense of strength which such a meeting is calculated to inspire in the minds of the people is, I believe, highly beneficial to all. And, let us hope, that

the words spoken by you and me, to that large and interesting gathering, will not fail, under God's blessing, to yield their quota to the ennobling forces which have been, and still are at work among those who are now being trained for immortality at Chu-Chia, and the other villages. The work going on there is certainly a sterling work; and its character calls for and deserves the best and closest attention of the missionaries of your society. There is, also. a wide sphere for extending the work. The villages in that district seem to be innumerable. They present a splendid field for evangelising efforts. The churches already formed afford a fine scope for Christian culture. And for the accomplishment of this great and glorious work, I should like to hear of your Conference appointing two missionaries to take up that work, and to reside among the people in that region. But they should be missionaries who have, like yourself, the heart and the ability to work-missionaries who will feel that their happiness in life is dependent on their preaching the gospel to the people, heathen and Christian. Yes, missionaries who have but one aim in life, and that aim to save the Chinese from sin, its power and doom, and bring them to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Here I must close. If the above hurriedly written remarks respecting the mission work at Laou-Ling can be of any service to you, you are at perfect liberty to use them. Go on, dear friend, in your incomparable calling. Faint not. Be not weary in your work. You have my warmest sympathies and most earnest prayers. May God abundantly bless you in the noblest work which can be found in God's universe.

"THE NAMELESS SECT" IN CHINA.

FOR Some time past there have been references, in papers printed in China, to a truly remarkable people known as "the nameless sect." They profess "an old religion, which "prevails more or less all over China." but especially in the province of Shantung. They are disliked and persecuted by the Chinese government and for a long time they have endeavoured to keep their believes and practices secret. They have shown

a friendly spirit to Protestant missionaries. Their religion is said to have come from the west. They do not worship idols; they practice virtue; and live in the expectation of a deliverer, who will also come from the west. At the close of their religious services they have a meal, of which "bread and wine form the greater part."

Who, or what, are these wonderful people? If the statements regarding them are correct, it is very probable that they are the remnant of the native church of China, as planted long ago by Nestorian missionaries. The Nestorians were very noble men, full of devoted zeal; and for nearly a thousand years, they preached the gospel over Southern and Middle Asia with marvellous energy and success. They exerted a most powerful influence in China from the seventh to the thirteenth century. If the remains of their once flourishing missions are to be found in this "religion without a name," it will be a discovery of thrilling interest. And if clear traces of them be found in China, possibly in other parts of Asia, the results of their missions may still be appreciable and important. The sword of the Mussulman may not have utterly devoured them amid the vast regions over which they put forth those untiring efforts which extorted the admiration of Gibbon. "The missionaries of Balkh and Samarkhand," says he, "pursued without fear the feotsteps of the roving Tartar, and insinuated themselves into the camps of the valleys of Imaus and the banks of the Selinga."-Record of the Free Church of Scotland.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHINESE
SUPERSTITION.

Ting Pao-chen, Governer of Shantung, reports on the marvellous intervention of the River Gods during important works at Chia-chuang. The embankments to be repaired are represented to have been a work of singular difficulty; the hearts of the officers and men engaged were dismayed at the danger to be surmounted, and even the Governor himself could not but confess to feeling considerable trepidation. On 18th of the 2nd moon, while at a total loss as to what measures should be