SOME FACTS RELATING TO CHINA

The Chinese Empire includes, besides China proper, Manchuria, Mongolia, E. Turkestan, etc., and until recently, Tibet. It is considerably larger than the whole of Europe, its area being estimated to be about 4,300,000 sq. m. The average width and breadth of China is about 1800 m. The highlands of the west are sparsely settled, but the central and eastern lowlands contain a dense population. The population of the empire in 1916 was estimated to be about 445,873,000, although some authorities believe that these figures should be reduced by 100,000,000 or more.

The southern part of China, including Canton, lies within the tropics; the northern section, in which lies Peking, has a climate like that of northern Europe, and its winters are Arctic; the central zone, in which Shanghai is situated, is generally temperate. In the northern province of Chihli (where our brother Kautto is laboring) the heat of summer is as intense as the cold of winter. One of the "wonders" of China is the great wall, built on the northern frontier in the 3rd century B. C., for defense against aggression. Its total length is about 1500 m., and military posts are still maintained at the chief gates and passes.

The history of China is intensely interesting, and, traditionally at least, goes back to about 2500 B. C. Along with the political history, China has also a varied and interesting religious history.* *See "The Christian Church in China," by Gustav Roll, which gives the main facts as to Christianity in China.* Originally monotheistic, according to some, the Chinese soon took up the polytheistic worship of heavenly bodies, etc., and ancestral worship was introduced at an early date. While not in itself strictly a religion, the philosophy of Confucius long guided the thoughts of the people as to morality, as well as (in great measure) politically. Confucius lived from 550 to 478 B.C., and his name is the latinized form of K'ung Fu-tze, meaning "the philosopher (or, master) K'ung." His philosophy was entirely earthly, never rising to any hope beyond the grave. His wise sayings largely molded Chinese character for good, and they constituted the chief form of learning in China until the recent introduction of western education.

Lao Tsze, who lived at the same time as Confucius, evolved a somewhat hazy philosophy which he called "Tao," or "The Way," from which was developed the religion of Taoism. Some of his tenets are thought to have been somewhat similar to Christian teaching, one being that we should meet evil with good. Confucius thought this to be very impractical, saying that evil should be met with justice.

Shortly after the beginning of the Christian era Buddhism was officially introduced into China, and after several modifications became distinctively the religion of the East. A sort of semi-amalgamation took place between Buddhism and Taoism, and to-day there is very little difference between the outward forms of each of them. Their adherents "ignorantly worship;" going to the temple, prostrating themselves, burning incense, and paying their fee, they return home with a sense of accumulated merit for salvation, priest and people being equally superstitious and unenlightened.

Mohammedanism, Mazdaism, and Judaism were all introduced in their turn, but none produced any lasting effect; although the first and last named may still be found within limited areas. A form of Christianity was also introduced about the 6th or 7th century by the Nestorians, under the name of the "Luminous Doctrine." In 781 the famous Nestorian Tablet, giving a rough outline of the object and scope of this faith, was set up. Later, possibly as a result of the travels of Marco Polo, a work was undertaken by men sent out from the papacy, but all this had come to an end by the year 1350. After the death of Francis Xavier, an Italian named Matteo Eicci labored in China for 27 years. This work continued long after his death, but finally conflicts between the Jesuits and Franciscans led to the proscription of Christianity by the emperor, and the banishment of missionaries and converts.

Modern missionary work in China began with Robert Morrison, of the London Missionary Society, who reached Canton in 1807. Others followed, but it is stated that in 1857 there were but 400 baptized Protestant Christians in the whole of China. It was about this time Hudson Taylor went to China, and with the establishment (in 1866) of the China Inland Mission the work spread rapidly. Liberty to embrace the faith was guaranteed in 1860, but various local outbreaks continued, culminating in the Boxer uprising of 1899-1900, in which 135 missionaries, 52 children, and perhaps 40,000 native Christians were killed. In 1907 the Jesuits at Shanghai estimated that there were about 1,000,000 Chinese Roman Catholics; the Protestants in that year reckoned, in all, 250,000 church members. The Chinese call Roman Catholicism the "Religion of the Lord of Heaven," and Protestantism the "Religion of Jesus."

A number of "Brethren" have been (and some are still) connected with the C. I. M., but about 1890 or a little later a work was begun in direct connection with the assemblies. This has grown, until there are now some 75 missionaries (not counting wives) in China, who are in fellowship with Open Brethren." About 7 years ago a work was begun at Taitowying by Mr. & Mrs. Albert Biggs in connection with our assemblies, but they gave it up after a few years This was then taken over by our brother Charles Kautto, who had gone out meanwhile to help them build a house. He has been laboring there ever since, and reinforcements are greatly needed. Mr. & Mrs Virgil Pennington now have it in mind to join him, and others may also go if the Lord so leads. This should call forth our fervent prayers on behalf of the work, and those who undertake it, and also an increased fellowship in "communicating of our substance." (See Heb. 13:16, at. Trans.)

There are also some 9 brethren and sisters from the assemblies in Germany, who are carrying on a work in Kiang-Su Province, aided by some half-dozen of the Chinese brethren. Let us pray that these also may be sustained in every way. R J L

THE BIBLE IN JAPAN

A most interesting report of the Japan Agency of the American Bible Society gives many striking facts and figures as to the circulation of the Word of God in Japan. This work was established in 1876. From 1890 to 1904 it was carried on in conjunction with the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the National Bible Society of Scotland. Since 1904 the country has been divided, the northern half being assigned to the American Society. During the year 1925 there were circulated by colporteurs and from the Central Depository, 10,506 copies of the entire Scriptures, 79,827 New Testaments, 804,304 Portions, such as Gospels, 2,230 for the blind-or a total of 896,867 copies of the whole or portions of the precious word of God. The British Societies in the same year circulated 263,088-or a grand total of 1,159,955 copies. The Lord be praised for this sowing of the seed, and may He multiply the seed sown and increase the fruits of righteousness.
This work of circulation of the Scriptures is more than self-supporting. Of course this does not refer to the original cost of printing the books.

The books are carried to hospitals, reformatories and prisons. The chief secretary of the Bureau of Justice was deeply interested, helping in the work of distribution, and becoming an interested reader of the New Testament, 11,940 Testaments were placed in 21 prisons. One governor of a jail writes in substance:"It gives me pleasure to communicate my appreciation of your grant of 439 copies of the New Testament to this prison. According to your request we will hand each inmate a copy. I am confident these books will create and nourish faith in the convicts for their own good and aid them in the keeping of law and order by which our empire will derive no little benefit." Another, a Christian governor of a jail writes:"Thirty men of the convicts are regular Bible class members." Receiving an unexpected supply of Testaments, he goes on to say, "They were greatly rejoiced, and their interest in the word of God has been deepened."

The work of Bible distribution was carried over to Saghalien, where large numbers were sold. Also in factories the colporteurs have had access not only for the sale of the Scriptures, but to speak to willing hearers who are gathered to listen.

Here is a letter to cheer the heart:"I hasten to write to you that one day, by chance, a copy of the Gospel of Mark fell into my hands. Reading it, a consciousness of an inspiration such as I have never before known, and gratitude toward God and personal gladness, issued forth from my heart. I have read that book over and over again, until now I cannot be satisfied with it alone, but feel I must have the whole New Testament. I searched the book shops of our town in vain.. .1 am sending 20 sen for which kindly send me the book immediately." May the Lord bless this work abundantly.

The following letters are all we have for this month, but we expect a number -will be on hand for the next issue:-

June 10th, 1926.

Yours of March 24th with invoices for goods came a short time ago. Thank you for forwarding same.

We are not yet located in our new building, but trust we may be able to move in another three months. Things do not move as rapidly out here as they do in America, and it is a good place to learn to exercise patience.

Mr. Searle is now rebuilding part of the front and back of the house, the rains damaged them to such an extent they were deemed unsafe. The grass roof now being completed will prevent further trouble of this kind, and in due course hope all our buildings will be erected, the Lord permitting.

Thank you for offering to purchase clothing, and we are discussing the advisability of buying them ready made. We thought better to have the material and make them here in the most economical way, for all who have clothes get the short shirts, so an over-all type would prove a real waste of material. If any of the Sewing Circles wish to make these it would be well to know this. We are working at our new vocabulary, using grammar from a neighboring station in the tongue of one of our brightest boys. In this way we have the English and Turnngoro, his native language, and he can give us the Kiviri translation, the tongue we are trying to acquire. We are very grateful for all these helps. Four or five chapters of John's Gospel are still having occasional corrections as they have been used as reading material at the schools. Again to-day were we brought to realize the great need of setting forth the message of salvation as it is alone in Christ Jesus. One sick patient inside of a week passed into eternity after a surgical operation here.

How few are the laborers in the harvest field. "Look," "Pray," "Go," are the words of the Lord,

C. DeJonge.

Beloved Brother:-

Genoa, Italy, June 26, 1926.

Since leaving Antwerp I spent a week in French ports; Bordeaux, Nantes and Dunkerque. In each port found open doors the first day, and that in spite of my lack of French. Through illness of brother Germain's children, he was not free to meet me, so went on to Bordeaux alone, later returning to the north to meet him in Nantes. It was a joy to meet him and see some of his labors for the Lord in that needy land. He was a comfort and cheer, and we had a good time in the Lord together. Nantes is a very small port, but brother Germain living near Bordeaux has had it laid upon his heart to give attention to that needy part, and (not to give any of his time much needed elsewhere in France) to pray and lay the need before the assembly in Bordeaux, expecting (D. V.) some one or two French brethren to understate that work there. As there is a large meeting in Marseilles he hopes to interest the meeting there also. He feels people throughout France can be reached through the men there.

In Dunkerque, France, I found the brother and sister in the Seamen's Mission real children of God, doing some work on the ships, but greatly hindered for lack of literature in foreign languages. They had but 300 tracts in French and Flemish on board. It seems, should the Lord enable us, real help could be given here by supplying literature to them and thereby reaching many vessels in that port where ships are close together.

From there I went to Calais; then to Dover, England, chiefly to see a Christian laboring among English troopships in Southampton, an old friend, who gave me every assistance and has taken it upon himself to go to perhaps six English, Scotch and Irish ports to investigate and see what is done, and what could be done, and he will seek to arouse local brethren to the need wherever it exists.

In London it was a joy to meet a Mr. Peet who visits vessels, and is responsible for certain docks. His work is the nearest to ours I found anywhere. Yet he told me that he is handicapped because of lack of literature, and could do more effective and better work had he tracts in various languages. To me it seems like an opening to have a share in this effort in London, and am waiting on the Lord for guidance as to what He would have us do.

Through a Bible Society in London I was offered 50% discount on Gospels for European ports, should it be the Lord's will to enable me to send some literature to some of the ports. Am to meet brother Hullweck in the morning. Found a wide open door here even, and got on ships easily. Expect to spend a day in Marseilles during the vessel's stopover, then, D. V., cross the Atlantic again.

Yours in the Lord's Name,

Oscar S. Zimmermann.