It has been the privilege of the writer of this notice to be the guest of this honored servant of Christ; and he feels constrained to bear his testimony to the rare combination of qualities which have proved so fruitful of good in the field of missions. Were it needful to specify those qualities which were the most obvious and striking, the task would not be easy. The intellectual strength of Mr. Venn was certainly remarkable; but so was his knowledge of men; so was his wisdom; so was his magnanimity; so was his transparency; and so, preeminently, was his executive ability. There were two characteristics, however, which arrested attention at the outset. (1.) His catholicity was outspoken and decided. He rejoiced in the labors and the successes of all other missionary societies, provided only that they were honestly endeavoring to enlarge the kingdom of Christ. His whole course as a Secretary has confirmed this impression. He never authorized the least interference with the rights of other societies, but, on the other hand, invariably discountenanced and deplored every such measure. (2.) His spirituality was undoubted and refreshing. He believed in agencies, policies, methods. He formed his plans with singular care and foresight. But he felt that all human devices must utterly fail, without the presence and favor of the Chief Missionary. Hence he prayed much for missions; and his faith in their success never faltered. On the 16th of January, the Rev. J. Tucker, a former Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, was called to his final rest. He was associated with Mr. Venn for many years at Salisbury Square, after having proved himself a useful laborer at Madras; but he has been the Vicar of West Hendred since 1852. MISSION TO NORTHERN MEXICO. THE February "Herald" announced the beginning of a mission in Western Mexico, and a letter from Mr. Watkins, on a subsequent page, seems to indicate that the undertaking is full of promise. The Prudential Committee are now permitted to say, that they are about to commence operations in Northern Mexico, in circumstances which are peculiarly auspicious. It is generally known that Miss Rankin has been laboring in New Leon, and to some extent in other States, for several years, and that her success, in the face of serious hindrances, has been exceedingly encouraging. Wishing to place the work upon a secure and stable foundation as the American and Foreign Christian Union, with which Society Miss Rankin has been connected, can no longer carry it forward she has proposed to transfer it to the Board. On the 4th of March, therefore, the Prudential Committee resolved to accept the offer, gladly recognizing, at the same time, the wisdom, self-denial, and courage which she has exhibited, as also the signal service which she has rendered to the missionary enterprise. of An interesting sketch of her efforts is deferred to the next "Herald," for lack space in the present number; but as the friends of the Board will be anxious to know just how much the two missions are to attempt, a few words of explanation are deemed appropriate. The mission to Northern Mexico is to have its center at Monterey, in New Leon. Very soon, it is hoped, Saltillo will be made a permanent station, and a little later Durango may become another; in both of which cities the truths of the gospel have been proclaimed through the agency of Miss Rankin. Thus, with the Divine blessing, three States will have been occupied. A fourth on the north, Chihuahua, will receive attention as soon as practicable. The mission to Western Mexico has its center at Guadalaxara (or Guadalajara), and it will endeavor to work upward through Sinaloa and Sonora. A reference to the map will show that the two missions will operate in nearly all the region which borders on the United States. If it is asked why the Board does not select fields which are more populous and more influential; this is the answer : (1.) The providence of God has opened the way to the States which have been mentioned, and to none besides, with a clearness and distinctness which it is impossible to misunderstand. (2.) Other parts of the country will soon be possessed, if not already possessed, by other societies. Three or four denominations are even now in the capital; and they will naturally work outward to the most desirable localities. All interference with their plans should be earnestly deprecated. (3.) It is a fundamental rule of the Board to avoid a joint occupancy (with other societies) whenever it is practicable to do so. The importance of this rule is becoming all the while more and more obvious. MISSIONS OF THE BOARD. Mission to Mexico. ENCOURAGEMENT AT GUADALAJARA. STATEMENTS from the brethren recently sent to Mexico, respecting their journey to and reception at Guadalajara (where they arrived November 9, 1872), were published in February. Mr. Watkins wrote from that place January 1st:— "I have been introduced to the most influential men in the city, and without exception have received favor in their sight. December 13th I was introduced to Vollarta, the Governor of the State. He showed me every kindness in his power. Knowing my mission to Guadalajara, he voluntarily offered his services at any time that we might need them. On the 14th, I was for hours in the archbishop's house. Though he is a zealous advocate of the Romish Church, he was kind to me, conversed freely, showed me his library, which contained very curious and rare books, and also presented me with an inscription lately found in an old image, that I might copy it for myself, which I did as well as I could. Though he was kind, he did not offer his assistance, like all the other prominent men I visited, but about this time he took particular pains to warn the pupils in the Roman Catholic Seminary against Protestantism. By this precaution he accomplished but little for his own cause. Since then, one of the students has been inquiring what Protestantism means, and was advised, by an infidel, to read the Bible and learn for himself. "On the 15th I was invited to go and see a prominent lawyer here. He is a bitter enemy to the Romish Church, is the Superintendent of Public Instruction in the city, is a moral man, well beloved, favors our intentions, and is ready at any time to help us in doing good to this people. If there were any necessity for it, I could name many intelligent men of this place, whom I have spoken to personally on the matter, and who think and feel like the governor and superintendent in regard to our mission. The friends of the Romish Church are the same here as in every other place, therefore I need not say how they feel, and what they think of our cause. "We are able to thank God for giving us reasons to believe that the work which we seek to promote is already begun in some hearts. For instance a very in telligent boy of fifteen years, has recited his lessons in English to Mrs. Watkins since the latter part of November. When we first knew him he was a very earnest Roman Catholic. Besides pursuing his study of the English language, though working every day, he has found time to read the whole of the New Testament, and some religious tracts we loaned him. He now claims to be free from Romish superstition, and also to possess a regenerate heart. The lad is anxious for the salvation of his widowed mother, and she, on the other hand, is anxious for the soul of her boy, entreating him to go and confess that he has read the New Testament and become a Protestant. To-day, the boy, when he learned what was meant by Christian brother, asked me, with tears in his eyes, I your broder, Sir?' As yet this is the most encouraging case that we have met. "I should have mentioned that full three fourths of my time, at present, is taken up in talking with people on religious subjects, who come to our house for that purpose." Austrian Empire. UPPER AUSTRIA-HELPERS FOUND. who visited us in ing news. Pastor "At least two of the best Lutheran pastors in Upper Austria, and one in Styria, are ready to coöperate with us in the three most important departments of missionary work the training of evangelists, evangelistic work, and the dissemination of Christian literature. ... Mr. letter confirms us in the view that Linz should be the next station occupied. It should be occupied soon, if we mean to keep pace with the demands of the work. To awaken the hopes of these pastors, and then either disappoint them by delay, or let them start the work of evangelization and training of evangelists, without our having men on the ground to take hold with them, and so insure the adoption of the principles and methods which experience has sanctioned in other fields, would be very unfortunate." HUNGARY. A LETTER of some length from Mr./ "The great extent of Hungary, its large Schauffler, dated Prague, January 3d,' population fifteen and a half millions, presents various facts bearing on the the lack of religious element in the Magprospects of evangelistic work in different yar character, and the bad condition of the portions of the Austrian Empire. The Protestant churches combine to render following extracts show that the brethren Hungary a most destitute and needy field. on the ground meet with some encourage- If missionaries should go to that part of ment, and feel that there is an urgent call the Empire where Christ is least known, for more men from America, to join them and where indifferentism, infidelity, and in their work at once. immorality most abound, they certainly "From Upper Austria we have cheer- should go to Hungary. "We are not prepared to recommend the immediate occupation of Pest; but when we look at the map, and think of Hungary's spiritual destitution, and reflect that were missionaries on the ground today, it would be a couple of years before they would be fully ready to go to work in the three languages, — Hungarian, Slavic, and German, - we feel anxious to have a missionary force at least preparing for the work which is sure to open very soon." CALL FOR MORE MEN. "We are prepared to 'push things' by asking for eight men, and that is not pushing any too hard or too fast. When you study the map (I hope you have a good large one to spread out as you consider our call) and think of the thirty-five and a half millions of Germans, Bohemians, Silesians, Galicians, Hungarians, Rumänians, Servians, Croatians and Dalmatians, to whom the Lord gives us the privilege of carrying the Gospel; reflect that we must work against the dead weight of a generally corrupt Protestantism, and contend with a rapidly spreading materialism on the one hand, and with Popish bigotry on the other; that the native working force is yet to be created, and an immense amount of preparatory work to be done; does it appear extravagant to ask for eleven men, in all, to commence this work? Murray's last guide-book for Turkey (just issued) gives the population of Turkey, exclusive of Rumänia, Servia, and the African provinces, — i. e. the Board's mission field and Syria, as 27,300,000. Austria contains 35,500,000, all accessible to the missionary. When we ask for eleven men to commence missionary work which we pray may leaven this Empire, it is as though Turkey were a new field, all open to the Gospel, and it were proposed to station two men at Philippopolis, three at Constantinople, two at Erzroom, and two at Aleppo, and that to acquire, and labor in, the Turkish, Armenian, and Bulgarian languages, I think I need say no more in defense of our sobriety and moderation. "We are all deeply impressed I had almost said oppressed by the facts that we are engaging in missionary work right alongside of Protestant pastors, educated in German Universities, well posted in classical and theological studies; that we must contemplate the training of preachers who will eventually be called to pastorates alongside of these men; that we reside in the midst of civilized and cultured city society, where we must contend with skepticism and materialism; that alongside of the existing Protestant churches, we occupy a very delicate and difficult position; and that we are called, under such circumstances, to be a spiritual leaven, and start a new train of influences. In calling for new men, we desire only those who will add to our strength as a mission, by supplying those qualifications which we painfully feel the lack of. Much as we desire reinforcement, we would rather wait than have men come who would need to lean on us, for we can't afford to be leaned on. We need those who, by their true piety, strong faith, and sanctified acquirements, will be a Christian power in this land." Zulu Mission- Southeastern Africa. MRS. EDWARDS' SCHOOL. IN a brief letter from Inanda, dated October 23, 1872, Mrs. Edwards makes the following pleasant statements respecting the girls' boarding-school : "We have had enrolled forty-one pupils. There are thirty-eight in attendance at present. The term commenced on the 11th of July, and will close the 6th of November. Miss Lindley assists; two of the girls have relieved me of two classes; and Louisa Nembula has charge of the writing. "There is more religious interest at present than I have known at any previous time. A morning prayer-meeting is held daily, between five and six o'clock, and groups of three, four, or six, take a Testament and Hymn-book and retire to a quiet place for prayer after school closes in the afternoon. Three have expressed a hope in Jesus within two weeks. All excepting one have become Christians since they entered the school, and all but two attribute their awakening to the influence of the girls who entered the king dom before them. Some of these first girls are at their homes; two are married. "Of the girls now in school, seventeen, we trust, have passed from death unto life; and when we requested it of those who were troubled in their hearts on account of their sins, and who wished to forsake them and follow the Saviour, all but three arose. "The feature which is full of promise, to my mind, is the influence for good exerted by the Christian girls. They are talking and praying with the unconverted ones. I hope this is the dawning of better days. "The workmen are engaged on the new building, which we hope to occupy when we reassemble, the first of February. It is to be as plain as possible, but vines and flowers will soon hide any deformity. I wish you could see the hedge of roses just now in bloom. Cuttings of climbing rose were planted, no care has been bestowed since, and it now makes an impenetrable fence, is evergreen, and once a year delights the eye with its profuse bloom. One planted by the veranda is so beautiful that I am tempted out into sunshine and rain to admire it." European Turkey Mission. PROGRESS AT MERICHLERI. MR. HOUSE, one of the new missionaries, wrote from Eski Zagra, January 4th: "I snatch a few moments to tell you of a very interesting visit that Brother Bond and myself made to Merichleri a few days since. On Monday of last week two of the Protestants came to us from that village, with encouraging accounts of the progress of the work there, and bringing a letter from Demere, the only communicant in that place, saying that one man there wished to be admitted to the communion and have his child baptized, and that there was also a marriage ceremony to be performed in the Protestant community. "On Saturday Brother Bond and myself started for the village. As we drew near, we were met by three boys of the Protestant community, who had come out quite a distance to meet us. We reached the village just as the sun was sinking behind the mountains in the west, and soon reached the Protestant quarter, and in front of the new Protestant chapel and school-house were very warmly greeted by Demere and a goodly number of the friends. Afterwards we were conducted to the house of our host, where we were received in the most cordial manner. The wife of the host, the very woman who received us so pleasantly now, had once beaten one of the girls from our school (when it was in Eski Zagra), because she was a Protestant. "Saturday evening was pleasantly spent in conversation with such of the friends as came to our room, and in a short prayermeeting at the chapel. It would have greatly amused our friends in America, if they could have seen us that evening in our room, with our host and the friends who gathered around us. The room had only a mud floor, and over this was spread first matting, and then native carpeting, with here and there a pillow lying upon the carpet. There we all sat, Mr. Bond and myself as well as the friends, upon the pillows or the carpet, and we enjoyed the evening much. "The Sabbath was filled up with services. At about the usual time for morning service in our own land, we gathered in the chapel, and Mr. Bond preached. Gradually the little chapel filled up with men, women, and children, until quite a number stood around the door. I counted ninety-five, and probably did not count all the children. It was a pleasant sight, I assure you, to see such interest in the truth, and was doubtless doubly interest ing to me, as this was the first Bulgarian congregation I had seen. In Eski Zagra, you know, the people still hold themselves aloof from us. After the service we returned to our room, thinking it better that the examination of candidates should take place there, in a less public manner. The room, however, was almost filled with those who came to witness it. Instead of one or two, as we had expected, four presented themselves, and were examined by Mr. Bond, and Demere, whom we found |