Repeal the Anti-Chinese Legislation of May 5, 1892. month, and day, with other facts concerning his arri val in this country, together with certain particulars about himself. He must bring three unmounted photographis as prescribed, one for the form of application and one each for the original and the duplicate certificate of residence. It must be "a truo photograph." "If the collector or his deputies have any doubt in regard to the correctness of the photograph presented, they will refuse to receive the application and require a correct one." low easy to question the correctness" of a photograph. He must also bring with him "two credible witnesses of good character " to make the prescribed affidavits. The collector or deputy is sole judge as to their “credibility” and “good character." Often, because of the migratory habits of the Chinese, it is impossible to get these two witnesses-or, if obtained at all, at great expense-who must swear that they are "well acquainted" with the applicant, that "we know of our own knowledge that on the 5th day of May, 1892, he was within the limits of the United States, residing at -", and other facts about his arrival, residence, occupation, etc. If unable to furnish these witnesses "satisfactory to the collector or his deputy, his application will be rejected," unless by some other proof he can convince the Commissioner of Internal Revenue that a certificate should be given. In case of loss of the certificate & duplicate may be issued under the same conditions that governed the original issue;" with this new ob stacle, namely, the man must "establish to the satisfaction of the collector of the district in which the certificate was issued that such loss was without fault or negligence on the part of the applicant." Suppose the original was procured in San Francisco and six months later lost in New York, how is he to "establish" this, even after the expense of a journey across the continent for the duplicate certificate? 66 Merchants who are owners or part owners of a bona fide mercantile establishment are exempt from the operations of this law, though, for self-protection, they also may procure certificates of residence. This important act was rushed through the House, the previous question" being ordered, with but fifteen minutes' discussion on either side. The vote was as follows: In the House, yeas, 186; nays, 27; not voting, 115. In the Senate, yeas, 30; nays, 15; not voting, 43. The grave objections to this legislation are, that it is a new departure for this country to require certificates of residence; "it tags a man like a dog" on the "ticket-of-leave" system of Botany Bay; it puts the burden of proof on a man that he is not violating the law, thus reversing all principles of justice; it requires no affidavits or indictment charging guilt; it subjects a man at any time, or anywhere, to arrest at the discretion of a horde of officers; in many cases it makes exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, requirements concerning witnesses; it gives enormous 139 discretion to collectors and to deputies concerning the rejection of witnesses and applicants, with no appeal and no penalty if they abuse their power; it imposes heavy expense and much trouble to many in procuring the requisite evidence; it is barbarous in its penalties upon the innocent who may be unable to comply with its requirements; it presents the lamentable spectacle of a Christian nation breaking its treaty with a people whom we are endeavoring to win to the acceptance of the Gospel. The act, with its attendant regulations, is a dishonor to the United States; a breach of faith with China; a hardship and wrong to the Chinese here; a provocation to retaliation by China; a hindrance and menace to Christian missions in China of great proportions and promise; and, therefore, should be obliterated. In view of these things and in accordance with the expressed desire of officials of twelve great organizations, engaged in missions to the Chinese in this country and in China, a special conference on the subject was held at the Bible House, New York city, January 26, 1893. Representatives were present from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, The American Baptist Home Mission Society, The American Baptist Missionary Union, The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missious, The American Missionary Association, The Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church of America, The Seventh-day Baptist Missionary Society, The American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, The Evangelical Alliance of the United States. The Young Men's Christian Association, while representatives (unavoidably detained) of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Southern Baptist Convention, concur in the action of the body. The conference appointed a committee of seven to endeavor to secure the repeal of the obnoxious features of the act of 1892; and appointed the undersigned a committee on its behalf to make this statement to the American people, and to request the immediate and strenuous cooperation of editors, ministers of the Gospel, and others for the accomplishment of the desired result. What is done must be done quickly, as this Congress expires March 4, and the prescribed penalties take effect May 6. Wherefore, this conference, fairly representing the sentiments of at least thirty-five millions of the people of this land, does hereby most respectfully and earnestly petition our representatives in Congress for the repeal or essential modification of the hasty legislation of May 5, 1892. By order and on behalf of the conference, F. F. ELLINWOOD, S New York City, January 26, 1893. Commillee. TIDINGS FROM OUR MISSIONS. MISS ELSIE WOOD writes from Callao, Peru, on January 17, that on the previous Sunday afternoon, though it was very warm, there were more than ninety people in the Sunday school in Callao, and in the evening good meetings both in Callao and Lima. Dr. Wood had been sick, and had gone to the mountains seeking to regain his strength. Rev. J. Wier, D.D., Dean of the Anglo-Japanese College in Aoyama, Tokio, Japan, writes: "We have had a most successful term in Aoyama. The best spirit prevails. Our schools are larger than they have been in five years, and the class of students the best we have ever had. The students in our theological class are all picked men, and we have amended the rules for the reception of candidates, making it prac tically impossible for inferior men to enter." Dr. J. F. Scott writes from Tsun-hua, China: “I am well pleased with this place. We have a beautiful compound here, a delightful location, and a pleasant people to be with. Here are excellent oppor tunities for medical work. Dr. Hopkins has been remarkably successful and has gained a wide reputation, and he and his wife are highly esteemed by all. Good work is being done in the schools, and there are in attendance twenty bright, intelligent boys and nearly fifty girls." the horses are unhitched, and the binder that cost one hundred and forty dollars remains there for the space of eleven months and twenty odd days. The sun scorches and warps, the rains soak and bleach, and rust revels with unceasing industry. A little capital of labor invested in sheltering farming implements would prevent many golden meals going into the insatiate maw of capital. From what we sometimes hear we might infer that wealth is not capital till it reaches the sum of one million. The man worth one dollar is as absolutely a capitalist as the one having a million. The troublous and all-absorbing questions of labor and capital can be solved by a practical application of the principles of the "glorious Gospel of the blessed God." Solomonic wisdom points to sacred philosophy contained in the simple propositions: "The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all." The territory of this district bears the responsibil ity of having furnished some of the material for the production of a deadly battle on a small scale-a "hornet's nest" of grim death, a "whirlpool of conflict." Winchester thunderbolts purified the atmosphere miles around. A gold medal, studded with diamonds and bearing the inscription, "An Emergency Came and a Man Appeared," was given as a reward for cool and unerring marksmanship. Cof The Cherokee District of the Indian Mission Con- feyville has become historic. ference. BY REV. JOHN W. FOX. (The following are extracts from the report made by the Rev. John W. Fox, Presiding Elder of the District, at the last session of the Indian Mission Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.) THE Cherokee District comprises the Cherokee, Creek, Ottawa, Peoria, Quapaw, Seneca, Shawnee, Miami, and Modoc nations in the Indian Territory. The first two constitute the main bulk. The seven smaller ones are minor principalities. Making approximate statement, the area is twelve thousand square miles and native population thirty-five thousand. The whites may be equally numerous. Within the year past agriculture has developed most wonderfully. On every side the virgin soil has been turned into cultivated fields by the pale hand of enterprise and toil. In the early springtime the pilgrim of poetic turn sang of "sweet fields arrayed in living green." In midsummer he became jubilant when surveying yellow seas of waving grain. Soon every breeze brings to his ear the stirring clatter of binder and exciting hum of thresher. At this juncture we cannot forbcar referring to the questions of labor and capital. In so doing partisan spirit must let our sacred hours alone. When the last sheaf of wheat has been thrown out In a large majority of the charges revivals have taken place. Numerical increase may exceed two hundred. In age, the subjects of saving grace ranged from the child of seven summers to the gray-haired man of seventy-seven years. Visitors' Report of the Theological School at THE annual closing exercises of the theological school were held November 26. The examinations of classes were held November 22-25. Sixteen young men were graduated this year, after a thorough examination in from twenty-three to twenty-eight subjects, according to the class of diploma they had striven for. The public examination before the Board of Conference Visitors, conducted wholly by the visitors, was very creditable indeed. The candidates were questioned in discipline, exegesis, studies relating to opposing religions, doctrine, and languages, and stood the test very well. Visitors from three Conferences were present, and cach one of the sixteen young men were provided for. The demand for the graduates is so great that we could have given fifty good fields of work to which they could go to-morrow, had there been that many graduates. Several presiding elders were disappointed Help a Good Work in India. in not getting any one of these young men for their respective fields. Besides theological students, about fifteen young men trained in the normal department connected with the theological school were given certificates of qualification, and these, too, immediately found places waiting for them. Kind friends in America have added gifts to this school and made it gloriously possible for us to give these young men trained to the Church in India. To nothing so much as to this school is due the great work in India and the possibility of caring for the masses of converts now coming to Christ. One friend has given money for the new hall, to be erected immediately, and others have given for dormitories aud scholarships. The trustees are profoundly thankful to all such donors and pray that the Lord may add to their store and to their number. The great lack of the school is a qualified teaching staff. For the next generation this should be mainly European graduates of American and English theological institutes. Yet this school, with all its grand field of usefulness, is handicapped by the lack of professors. Three missionaries should give it their full time, but the mission has never, as yet, been able to supply it even two men. en. The trustees view with alarm the overworked condition of good Dr. Scott, and have earnestly begged Bishop Thoburn to give him a full missionary assistant. It remains to be seen whether the bishop can do so. The trustees are watching for a gift from some brother to supply the salary for this purpose, and condition it on a second and third professor for the theological school. Cannot Drew, Boston, Evanston, and other theolog ical schools unite to supply a professor for this school, as Ohio, Wesleyan, and De Pauw have guaranteed the salaries of two men in the Christian College? The trustees ask the question very prayerfully. Brethren of these institutions, consider it. N. L. ROCKEY, For Board of Trustees and Examiners. Help a Good Work in India. BY REV. S. P. JACOBS. OUR missionary at Kolar, South India Conference, the Rev. Ira A. Richards, M. A., calls for help. His letter contains facts of great encouragement and farreaching results. He says: "We have just recommended six of the men here for admission on trial at the next session of our Annual Conference. Have baptized one hundred and one persons this year, and have more inquirers." It will be remembered that this Kolar community, of about five hundred persons, with several thousand dollars' worth of real estate, buildings, and outlying farms, came into possession of the Methodist Episcopal Church two years ago, through the magnanimity of the highly esteemed owner, Miss Louise H. Anstey. 141 It was here that God so greatly blessed Mrs. Jacobs and me in the salvation of scores of natives, but for which fact the transfer of the community and property to the Methodist Episcopal Church would not have been made. So wrote the presiding elder, the Rev. A. H. Baker. All the glory to God! Therefore, knowing personally this community so intimately, and its relation to Kanarese Christians and communities in the missions of other denominations in the Mysore Territory and adjoining districts, I do most heartily indorse the enterprise presented in the letter of Brother Richards. The prevalence of the false doctrine of a nonforfeitable "standing" of a soul once justified, despite any subsequent sinning; of the continuance of the "two natures" side by side till death; and of the extreme view of the imputation of Christ's righteousness-errors fatal to genuine Christianity-calls for a clear statement of Gospel truth on those points. Brother Richards says: "We think the time has come for definite work with no uncertain sound. Brother Baker, my presiding elder, and two or three other brethren, have asked me to render Dr. Daniel Steelo's book, Antinomianism Revived, into Kanarese, to set these people right on doctrines, so they may be undeceived and begin to find the true meat of the word." Dr. Steele's book in Kanarese would be an unspeakable blessing to Christianity among the nine or ten millions of Kanarese in South India. Brother Richards says: "It will cost about $200 for an edition of five hundred, or $300 for an edition of one thousand. We have not the funds here to publish it. Could you among your friends there help us in this matter?" Yes. Let us give him $300 for an edition of one thousand. Let us remember that for two years the people in this part of India have suffered from famine. They received aid from abroad. Let us now help them to the bread of spiritual life by banishing the doctrines that hide from them the life-giving word of God. Please send your freewill offering for this cause to me at once. I will remit a receipt for all donations, and acknowledge in the papers publishing this call the several amounts sent me. Address me at Herington, Kan. Bishop Thoburn writes: "I heartily approve the proposal to print in Kanarese an edition of Dr. Steele's book on Antinomianism. With slight modifications to make it better adapted to a community of Indian Christians it will, I think, prove a very valuable book, especially at the present juncture. And I trust Brother Jacobs will be successful in the effort he is making to collect enough money to pay for its publication. The amount asked is very small, while the good which will result will not only be widespread, but abiding. I commend the enterprise to any of our friends in the United States who may see these lines." 142 Ilelp to Educate Hindu Boys and Girls. Help to Educate Hindu Boys and Girls. BY BISHOP J. M. THOBURN, D.D. DURING the last week in December the South India and Bombay Annual Conferences were in session in Bombay, and at a joint session of the two Conferences, where there were also visiting brethren from North India, I asked the question: "What is the lowest possible sum on which a boy can be kept in a boarding school and educated for a year?" In the neighborhood of Bombay, and perhaps two or three other large cities, prices are high, and the missionaries affirmed that very little, if any, further reduction could be effected, but throughout the empire gener ally it was thought practicable to undertake in perfect safety the task of keeping and educating a boy for a year for the sum of from $12 to $15; that is, at the present rate of exchange. I then asked another question. I said in effect: "If I give one of you brethren $100 will you be willing to undertake the education of ten boys for a year? You all know that it is much cheaper to keep a number of boys than each one separately. While you need $12 to $15 for each boy supported separately, would you be possibly able to keep and educate ten boys for a year for $100?" The reply was quick and emphatic, "We can." Then I said: "Go home and look up the boys; select only choice youths from twelve to fifteen years of age, and let us begin next month. We will tell our friends about it, pray for help, and put five hundred boys into the school immediately." At this point a visiting lady arose in the congrega tion and asked if we were willing to educate girls on the same basis. On receiving an affirmative reply, she stated that she would become responsible for the edu cation of one hundred girls and send the money from Australia. Our visitor, I have since learned, was a Baptist, but I mention the fact to show how such an emergency as this is appreciated on the ground where the necessity exists. Where the other friends are in this wide world who are to provide for these five hun dred boys I do not know, but never in my life have I felt more vividly impressed with the conviction that God was leading us than at the moment which I made the announcement that we would venture to receive and educate five hundred boys for the benefit, of our thousands of converts, and for the tens of thousands who will gather about us during the next few years. We do not propose to lift them above the simple style in which they have been born and brought up, but we do propose that they shall be clothed and fed with a sufficiency for their actual needs. We pro pose also to give them a thorough education; that is, a thorough education for persons living in India and in the kind of society in which they must live and move through all their coming days. We have a number of boarding schools for boys and girls in India, and propose to open four or five more at once. We are prepared to undertake the education and entire care of five hundred boys and five hundred girls for the term of three years. We will receive the boys "in blocks of ten" for $100 a year. Those who wish to support a smaller number will have to pay $15 each. In all this wide world, I venture to say, there is no educational institution of any possible grade that can make such a proposal as this. I put the facts before our friends in America, and any comment upon them would be superfluous. We do not propose this as a work of mercy, although it wil have all the elements of such a work, but as a great scheme for raising up educated men and women for God's work in this needy land, and at this extraordinary time, when our converts are increasing in every direction, and when new doors are opening almost every day. Money can be sent to me through Dr. J. O. Peck, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York. Industrial Education as Connected with the Pakur Orphanages. BY NEILS MADSEN, OF PAKUR, INDIA. WITH the exception of the suburbs of Calcutta, where there are a few rope factories, paper mills, and other manufacturing establishments (mostly, if not all kept by Europeans), I have not, in any of the towns along the line from Pakur to Calcutta, a distance of one hundred and seventy miles, seen one single manufactory of any kind. The same is truo when we travel in other directions. About twelve miles from here are the Santhal, or Rajmahal, hills. In the evening little fires can be seen blazing on the side of these hills, where the natives are smelting iron ore after their own primitive fashion. During all my travels I have only seen one iron and steel concern where the work is done scientifically, and that is in charge of Europeans. Doubtless there are vast resources in the country, but they are unde veloped and are likely to remain so as long as the present inactivity among the natives exists. Many native landlords, whose ancestors, not more remote than the late father, were wealthy and pow. erful, and who bore the title of Malin-rajah (great king), are to-day so deeply involved in debt that they are liable to bankruptcy at any time, and this merely because they pay little or no attention to their own estate, and hence are robbed and swindled on every side. One ryot told me some time ago, and it is a matter of fact, "My landlord never comes out on his lands and does not know what he has." Had the property belonged to a European, he would at least have been over his lands once a year. The natives, as a general thing, are also disinclined to invest money unless they are sure of gain, and few have patience to wait a few years before they realize a profit. Consequently the resources of the country are developed. Industrial Education in the Pakur Orphanages. Sometime ago I tried to get a carpenter to mend and make some common furniture, but in vain; if I required a tutor to teach me some vernacular I could get one readily. In my orphanages I am trying to give the needed instruction. We have an orphanage for boys with 27 inmates, and one for girls with 33. A short time ago I offered a first, second, and third prize to the children who within a certain time could commit to memory the twelve tribes of Israel, the kings and judges all the prophets, the twelve apostles, the speech Peter delivered on the day of Pentecost, and the speech Paul delivered at Athens. A boy whom I am preparing for the ministry, about fourteen years old, took the first; he recited the whole without any mistakes. A girl who will be married to one of my teachers took the second prize, and a little girl about eight years old, and whose name is Kunti, took the third. This little girl used to run about from village to village, where she could get some food, for she is an orphan. Finally the people of a village complained to the magistrate about it, and he asked me to take her into my orphanage, which I did two years ago; and within these two years, beginning with the alphabet, she has learned to read so well that she could obtain the prize. She is now ten years old. She is the little Kunti supported by the Sunday school children at Oakdale, Cal. It has been a serious thought with me for a long time what to do with all these orphan boys that have been committed to my care, and I have decided that those who will not develop into a preacher or teacher must have a trade. To give them a higher secular education, in order to prepare them for some profession, is not only very expensive, but almost useless, as the market is already overcrowded. In order to prevent them from becoming lazy and indolent, I have required them to work in the garden and compound for an hour or two every day; but such a method cannot continue. Something more definite must be provided. The heathen young men who have, or can get, nothing to do can always find a home with their parents or some relative, for the family joint system in Ilindu society is very clastic, but these boys are orphans committed to my entire charge, and I must so train them that they can support themselves in the future. We have either one of three things to choose between: 1. Provide them with a trade or occupation. 2. Make them parasites clinging on to the mission for support as long as they live. 3. Permit them to be vagabonds going up and down the couutry begging. We should do the first. I do not pretend to go in for it on a large scale, for that would take me away from my vocation as a Gospel preacher and would prevent me from paying the necessary attention to the development of an indigenous ministry. 143 But something in the line of industry is imperative. I propose that an instructor be placed at the head of each department and a monthly account be taken from each regarding the work done and the progress of the boys under his charge. If the boys, after being provided with a trade, can develop into something greater, the Church will necessarily be benefited by it. These boys, instead of turning vagabonds or parasites, will settle down in the different villages, working at their trade, and contribute to the temporal or spiritual prosperity of the Church. Being imbued with Christian principles from childhood, their homes in the different villages will be centers of Christian influence, and while making an independent living they can and will act as village pastors. I have already established a carpenter shop, where a few are learning carpentry. Others are learning gardening. I desire two things more: a loom for weaving cloth and a small printing press to teach some boys typesetting. By these trades they can make a good livelihood in India. ers. We have six boys already who are manifesting signs of grace and ability to become Gospel preachThese are getting a special training, and this is not confined to the theory merely, but also the prac tical part of it. We take them with us in the evening when we go to one of the neighboring villages to preach. In this manner they come to know the manner of presenting the Gospel and how to deal with the people. The boy who took the first prizo in the competition went with us on a tour for a few days and sold about two hundred Bible portions. To accomplish my plan in connection with this center of Methodistic operations in Bengal, the fol lowing things are solicited, and anyone who wishes to enjoy the privilege of giving any of them can do so by sending it either through the Missionary Society or else to me direct. 1. Some one to support a boy to become a preacher, twenty dollars a year. 2. Some one to support a boy who will learn a trade and become village pastor, twenty dollars a year. 3. Some one to support the carpenter who is teaching carpentry, five dollars a month. 4. Some one to donate a small printing press with types, costing about two hundred dollars. 5. Some one to donate a loom. 6. Any contribution toward the support of the orphanages will be thankfully received. A report will be published at the end of every year and sent to every donor. THE Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church mourns the death of its presi dent, Mrs. John Davis, who died at her home in Cincinnati, O, Feb. 10. She was the esteemed successor of Mr. Lucy Webb Hayes, who died two years ago. |
