where my brother was holding the fort alone, and had long been praying for my arrival.

Ch'eng-Ku-hsien is a walled city of about forty thousand inhabitants, situated on the north bank of the River Han, a day's journey from the large prefectural city Hanchong-fu and about three months' journey from the coast (two thousand miles). This city Mr. Pearse, of the China Inland Mission, opened as a station in 1887, and was soon afterwards joined by my brother, Rev. Albert Huntley, who undertook the oversight of the work in a short time after his arrival, owing to the former's return to England with his wife and family, for their much-needed furlough. The station was reënforced by Mrs. Albert Huntley a few months later. It was my privilege to join these dear workers in January, 1891, and our small band was further strengthened by two sisters, the Misses Coleman and Harrison, in the spring of 1893.

wear

Our

The Lord's richest blessing rested upon this work from the first. We were all of one mind as to missionary tactics, ing the native dress, living in native houses, and keeping our home and table as simple as we could consistently, without running much risk on the score of health. appropriations for the station were not large, and we believe the work is not weaker but stronger because of the simple, natural way in which it has grown. Indeed, our aim has always been to build up a self-supporting and strong, native church. From statistics which I have before me, it may be seen that in December, 1889, there was one organized church with thirty-four baptized from commencement; there were no native helpers, no dispensary, no out-station, and no school. But at the beginning of 1894,

there were three organized churches with 107 baptized from commencement, one evangelist paid by native church, one evangelist paid by mission funds, eight unpaid native helpers, and a colporteur supported by private funds. There was also a dispensary with an attendance of about 4,000 patients during the year, four out-stations, and a school with two school teachers. From this time the work has steadily increased, and there are to-day in this district more than 150 Christians, who gather at the Lord's table to remember His death till He come." The methods adopted to reach the people may be briefly given under four heads:

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I. DAILY PREACHING

A large shop was rented on the main thoroughfare, which we converted into a street-preaching chapel; here foreign missionary and native helper, by conversation and preaching, sought to make known to these people the old, old story. We found it helped our work to have pictures painted by native artists, illustrating Gospel truths, and also folding scrolls upon which various texts and subjects were written. Thus through the eye as well as through the ear, the heathen were daily taught their need of a Savior. Sometimes the listeners would linger for hours, and often by intelligent questions would lead us to believe that they had grasped much of gospel truth, while many purchased tracts and Gospels, which were spread for sale on the stand before us, and carried the silent message away to their distant homes.

II. DISPENSARY

viate the sufferings of these ignorant and superstitious people. It also afforded us good opportunity for individual conversation with those who were made peculiarly receptive by kindness shown in medical treatment.

A man named Wang, living seven li away in the country, came one day suffering from an incurable disease. I told him his case

Idols

was hopeless, though by the perBurning their formance of a simple operation, and the administration of remedies, I could certainly alleviate his sufferings, and perhaps prolong his life. The operation was performed and the remedies administered, and the man drank in with intense longing the story of God's love in sending a Savior to die for poor sinful men. He became a willing learner, and soon gave evidence that he had passed from death unto life." The idols, which he had worshipped for years, were taken from his home, and brought by his wife to our Sunday morning service in the city; she set fire to them, and the native Christians stood around, singing heartily as the flames rose upward, Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Mr. Wang soon became too weak to come to town, and I

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Behind the preaching-hall we had a small dispensary, and though my medical knowledge was by no means extensive, it was a great privilege to be able to do much to alle

visited him in his home for several weeks. A day or two before he died, I sat by his side and was about to read a few verses from John xiv., but first remarked, "Wang

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the Lord spoke

ta-ie" (that was his name), these words to His disciples because they were in great sorrow." Pastor," he said interrupting, "I am not in great sorrow; my sins are forgiven, and I am going home to be with Jesus." A little later, a native Christian leaned over and asked what he remembered about the Fuh-in (happy sound-Gospel). The old man faintly whispered "Kiu-chu" (Savior), and quietly passed away to be forever with the Lord.

Is'ai-ta-ie was a farmer, whose wife had recently joined our little band. She was converted through and through, and Another her face was ever radiant with Bonfire an inward joy. This woman received bitter persecution from her husband and eldest son, the former threatening to cut off his wife's feet if she dared to enter our preaching-hall again. The native Christians, as they gathered at the usual prayer-meeting, were saddened as they heard this threat, but Mrs. Is'ai's face was as happy as ever; she had prayed for her husband and she believed God would hear.

I

Soon afterwards Mr. Is'ai was taken sick. He tried one or two native doctors, but was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse after taking their mysterious concoctions. He was recommended to see the foreign teacher in the city, and was told of many who had been healed by his remedies. He hesitated, saying, "I would blush to present myself before them. I have said such awful things about them." At last he yielded. shall never forget the day he visited us. After a long conversation with my brother in the preaching-hall, he seated himself in the dispensary. He seemed broken down with the kindness which we were able to show him, and we believe his heart was touched, too, with the Savior's love; anyway, he told his wife she could go to the meetings if she chose. Soon he came himself, and it was not very long before his idols were taken down, and we had another glorious bonfire, and

another doxology of praise, as we beheld one more turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven." After the usual probationary period, he received baptism, and continues with us to-day, a deacon of the church, and a valuable voluntary native helper.

III. ITINERATING

My brother and I would take turns to journey into surrounding districts, in company with a native preacher. The principal markets were visited over and over again, and in addition to the preaching of the Word, we were able to sell large numbers of Christian books and Gospels to the multitudes of people who thronged these busy centres. The out-stations already alluded to, in each of which to-day are planted independent churches, are largely the result of this work.

IV. NATIVE AGENCY

We praise God for a large number of earnest Christians, greatly desiring the salvation of others of these some eight or ten would meet at our house for Bible study on Monday evenings, and constituted our Preacher's class." It was pleasing to note the growth in grace, and the increase in knowledge of these earnest workers, and we relied largely upon them for the conduct of the services held simultaneously in seven different places every Sunday morning. Occasionally these helpers would be willing to accompany us on a preaching tour of two or three weeks, giving up their work for the time being, and receiving no remuneration from us, excepting their bare travelling expenses (six cents per day).

CHINA

Rev H. A. Kemp

CHAUCHAUFU, Dec. 16, 1896

We began our work around the wall inside, and gradually extended it in toward the centre, until we have now reached the most densely populated part of the city. We have preached in the courts of the yamens and in the open spaces on the streets. Thus far we have received respectful attention everywhere. When I look back two years to the time when I moved into this city, my heart goes out in thanksgiving to God, for He has wrought wonderfully here. At that time the spirit of hostility was evident on every hand. Now the people seem much more friendly. They seem to be getting rid of the idea that we are here, as they so often said, to spy out their land.

As to results of this street preaching, it has cleared up some of the conflicting ideas held in regard to the doctrine which we preach. A great many of the Chinese regard the entering the church as a means to worldly gain ; they think that if they have law-suits, or if a man owes them money, being in the church they can go to the foreign teacher and he will fight their law-suits for them successfully and intimidate their debtors into paying them. The attendance at the chapel has been increased by the street preaching. Some are asking for baptism. Great care must be exercised in taking them in, for they often say that they want to worship God, when what they really want is some worldly benefit.

I think that if we could have a preachinghall on some one of the densely crowded thoroughfares where we could preach and sell parts of the Scriptures and other religious tracts, it would be a valuable addition to our work. I hope that it will not be long before we shall have such a place.

Rev. T. D. Holmes

KINHWA, Oct. 6, 1896 Many encouraging features are seen in the church work. The people are awakening to the need of doing more to support their work. Lately one church that is doing fairly well made many excuses and said that they were

doing all they possibly could. Their preacher, who has a large family, begged me either to increase his salary or pay the rent on his house, where the church worships. I called the church together, showed them the unreasonableness of any one but themselves paying the rent on the building where they worship, told them that I could promise nothing from the Union that was urging retrenchment everywhere, but that I would out of my tenth help provide if they themselves would first subscribe liberally. Thus encouraged, they immediately started a paper. While some were glibly calling out the sums they would pledge, I reminded them that this was the Lord's work and no light matter, and that every cash must be forthcoming if possible. All solemnly promised to pay, and one brother emphasized his words by throwing a silver dollar on the table. In a few moments, with what I promised, they had enough to pay their rent for a year.

Candidates for the ministry. Early in the summer two young men applied to be sent to the school at Shaohing to study for the ministry. I tried to show them the gravity of the matter and asked the church to pray for them that they might be sent forth by the Holy Spirit. At the appointed time, with the preacher and elders of the church, we examined them. Their answer to one question impressed me with their genuineness. "How is it," I said," that you desire to be preachers, when in so many places young men are refusing to become preachers because the prospect of employment by the Boards is so poor; perhaps in a few years all these churches will be thrown on their own resources?" Their reply was, "We want to preach for the Lord Jesus, not for money.' I did not hesitate to recommend them to Mr. Jenkins.

At our last workers' conference, September 16, we considered this subject: "The Gift of the Holy Spirit." Though the discussions did not come up to what I wanted, I think before we separated each one felt the need of more Holy Spirit power in his work, and that all were living far beneath our privilege in that respect. As I wish to keep the matter of self-support prominently before them, I asked them at the next conference which meets in December to discuss the question of Scriptural Giving. To have the subject thoroughly treated and call out their best efforts, I offered first and second prizes.

HA

A NEW DAY FOR CHINA

AVE you ever been to Northfield to attend a Students' Conference? If you have you will instantly recall those days of

of Mr. Mott, under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association, was hailed as affording the desired opportunity, and preparations were carried eagerly forward.

There were several reasons which led those who had the preparation in charge to believe that God would greatly bless such gatherings. In the first place, before reaching China, Mr. Mott would have met the students of Australia, India, and Ceylon, and would have come to understand the Oriental mind as he could not have done when he first started out; he would thus be able to know better how to help them. Then, again, there were those to work up the Conferences who had been trained in that line, in America; there was, also, as has been said, a large number of missionaries and teachers who had been praying for such gatherings, and so were expecting a great blessing; another thing which was very helpful, was the fact that most of the students who would attend such a Conference were from evangelical institutions under missionary control. Last, but by no means least, was the great volume of prayer that was going up from the students in the land which Mr. Mott had previously visited, for God's blessing on his labors in China.

FOUR MAIN CONFERENCES

were planned to be held at Chefu, Peking, Shanghai, and Fuchau, with two subordinate ones at Tientsin and Hankau. The attendance surpassed the expectations of the most sanguine, there being in all 1,001 students and 2,883, including teachers, missionaries, foreigners, and others. The attendance represented forty institutions of learning and thirty-seven missionary societies, while many of the missionaries present were veterans in the service, greatly honored of God, who,