The cross and the dragon ...

Front matter

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Preface

The Empire of China presents a country so vast and diversified, a people so numerous and peculiar; constant intercourse with people from other lands is opening up its inland domain so extensively ; while the studies and researches of scholars and specialists are unfolding such masses of information concerning the history, customs, and resources of the land, — that it is impossible, within the compass of a single volume, to take even a cursory glance at the whole ; the time has come when it must be studied in sections. In pursuance of this plan, the southern portion of the Empire, in one particular feature of progress, is treated of in the present volume.

Canton — or Kwong-Tung, as it is pronounced by the natives — means literally the Broad East; and Kwong-Si the Broad West.

The title of the book indicates the nature of its contents. The Dragon is the national emblem of China ; it plays an important part in political, literary, and social life. The throne of China is the Dragon Throne ; the national ensign is the yellow flag with a blue Dragon ; the scholar leaps the " Dragon Gate" when he passes a successful examination. The Dragon is seen in the earth and in the sky. In the earth he holds control of viii Preface,

the lucky and unlucky influences ; and it becomes a matter of great importance to find the " Dragon's pulse," which indicates the flow of good influences. Intervvoven with so many of their beliefs and customs, the Dragon becomes the symbol of all that is peculiarly Chinese, as the Cross is the symbol of all that is Christian.

From the many inquiries addressed to me, personally and by letter, before and since my return from Canton, I have become convinced of the desire on the part of many for some definite information about the work of missions in the south of China. My knowledge of the condition and prospects of the cause of missions in that part of the world also convinces me that it is important for the interests of all concerned that the Church especially should know as fully as possible what is being done there. To meet this demand for information, and to serve the cause with which I am identified, this volume has been prepared. My life in Canton has given me the fullest opportunities for observing every phase of mission work ; and however imperfect the presentation may be, the great facts of the extent, importance, and progress of the enterprise are not at fault. My aim has been to present the work as a whole, making no distinction between the various churches and societies engaged; but being connected with the Presbyterian Church, and being consequently more familiar with the details and incidents of its work, greater prominence may appear to be given to the operations of that particular mission. This arises, however, from no desire to exalt one above another, or to claim for one the glory of all. I endeavored to secure as much information as possible in the way of statistics, historical data, signifi-

Preface. ix

cant facts and incidents from all the missions before leaving China, and have conscientiously sought to present the work impartially as the great enterprise in which all are unitedly engaged.

I have consulted and frequently quote the works of Drs. Williams, Legge, Edkins, Eitel, and Faber on points connected with the Chinese systems of belief. In giving the names of places and persons, the Cantonese pronunciation has usually been followed, as being more intelligible to those immediately concerned.

B. C. H.

Princeton, N. J., Nov. i, 1884.

Contents

PAGE

Introduction xxv

Chapter I. The Broad East And Its Population

The city of Canton. — The whole country open ; its extent. — The great Delta. — Rice district. — Silk district. — Home of the emigrants to America. — West River. — Kwong-si. — Yunnan. — North River. — East River. — Early occupation of Canton ; its great importance I

CHAPTER n.

Travel by boats. — Kinds of boats used. — Advantages of boat travel ; gives greater access to the people ; is not expensive; a great convenience; a saving of strength; the safest plan. — Reception by the people. — Village life. — Market towns. — Cities and marts of trade. — Amusing episodes . i6

CHAPTER HI.

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE.

Love of antiquity. — Ultra-conservatism. — Anti-foreign feelings* — " Foreign devils." — Business capacity of the Cantonese. — Compradores. — Emigration. — Industry of the people ; their frugality ; powers of endurance. — No caste in China. — Clans. — Village with ten thousand of one name. — Feudal system. — The man who killed his mother. — Family life. — Younger must serve the elder. — Betrothal xii Co7itents.

PACE

and marriage. — Separation of the sexes. — Occupation of ladies. — Eating watermelon-seeds. — Foot-binding. — Domestic slavery. — Chinese houses. — House infested by evil spirits. — Wine-drinking. — Tea-drinking. — " Do you think I am an ox?" — Opium-smoking a curse. — Use of tobacco. — Gambling. — Vile conversation. — Boat people . 3 1

CHAPTER IV.

CONFUCIUS AND CONFUCIANISM.

A sketch of Confucius' life. — Lack of appreciation in his time. — Dedicates his work to Heaven. — His method of teaching. — His system of ethics. — The five relations and the five virtues. — The way of the superior man. — Standard works of Confucianism. — The Four Books. — Mencius, the second great sage. — The Five Classics. — Modern Confucianism. — Defects of the system. — A reformer needed. — The worship connected with it. — State religion. — Nonreligious character of the literati 62

CHAPTER V.

BUDDHISM IN CHINA.

Its origin. — Introduction into China. — Four principles. — Buddhistic Trinity. — Ten commandments. — Six paths of metempsychosis. — Its eclecticism. — Resemblances in the life of Buddha to the life of Christ. — The Western Paradise. — Goddess of Mercy. — Its influence decaying. — No enthusiasm. — Temples in Canton. — A luxurious abbot. — No charities. — Its introduction compared with that of Christianity 80

CHAPTER VI.

TAOISM.

Founded by Lo-tsz. — His relations to Confucius. — The "Canon of Reason and Virtue." — Extracts. — Taoism of the Han

Contents. xiii

PAGE period. — Early spread in Canton. — Deities worshipped.

— Present head of the Taoist sect. — It fosters the grossest superstitions. — The god of war. — The gods of the earth.

— The god of wealth. — Hong-Kung. — Worship in the City Temple of Canton. — Little shrine made famous. — Selfish worship loo

CHAPTER VII.

ANCESTRAL WORSHIP AND GEOMANCY.

Worship of ancestors the real religion of the Chinese ; its theory ; its form ; its effects. — Associated with other systems. — Special services for the dead. — Large sums of money expended. — Inseparably connected with geomancy. — Fung-Shui. — The geomancer's compass. — Wind and water doctors. — The Dragon. — Deadly vapor. — Secret arrow. — Choosing lucky sites for graves ; for ancestral temples ; for houses ; for villages. — Geomancy the foe to all progress. — Christian education the antidote . . . .123

CHAPTER VIIL FEASTS, PASTIMES, AND FOLK-LORE.

New Year's festivities. — Welcoming the Spring. — Festival of the Tombs. — Dragon-boat Festival. — All Souls. — Feast of the Seven Sisters. — Moon-feast. — Lantern displays. — Ta-tsiu to the god of fire. — Flying kites. — Ascending the Heights. — Midwinter feast. — Marriage feasts. — Guilds and their celebrations. — Chinese theatres. — Chinese music. — Beggars. — Folk-lore. — Unlucky words. — Signs and portents. — Charms and amulets. — The tabooed bell. — Cures for frightened children. — Evil spirits. — Divination. — Five generations in one house. — Memorial gateway. — Canton a fortunate place to live in . . . .152 xiv Co7itents.

CHAPTER IX.

A SKETCH OF CANTON MISSIONS IN THE PAST.

PAGB

Three periods. — Morrison and his work. — Leung-A-fah. — Dr. Bridgeman. — Dr. Williams. — Missions in the settlements to the south. — Restrictions in Canton and Macao.

— Preparatory work done. — Liberality of merchants. — Occupation of Hong-Kong. — Treaty of Nanking. — The second war and treaties of Tientsin. — Various societies in Canton. — Hostility of the Cantonese. — Question of residence. — Dr. Ball. — Schools and dispensaries. — Letter of Dr. Hobson. — The Tai-ping rebellion. — Sketch of Hung-Sau-tsiin ; his beliefs and methods. — Religious character of the movement. — Scheme to possess the Empire. — The path of conquest. — Disastrous ending. — Disappointed hopes. — Doubts as to the wisdom of England's course. — Period of uncertainty. — Favorable sites secured.

— Period of expansion. — Bi-monthly conference. — The term to use for "God." — Progress in different missions. — The " gods and genii " powder plot. — Local disturbances.

— Advance in the last decade. — Names of those long in the work. — The roll of the past. — Roberts. — Hobson. — Krolzyck. — Preston. — The mission cemetery 173

CHAPTER X.

PRESENT STATUS OF MISSION WORK.

The societies represented. — Number of missionaries. — Advantages of a large community. — Native assistants ; their efficiency. — Sabbath services in Canton. — Number of Christians. — Chapel preaching to the people. — Best time for such services. — Educational work. — Good influence of schools. — Incident of Yun-ha-teen. — Work of healing. — Special work for women. — Stations inland. — The Basel Mission on the East River. — Radiation of work from Canton. — Stations to the east. — Experiences at Shek-lung; Liu-p6 ; Pok-lo. — Stations in the Tsung-fa

Contents, xv valley. — Work in Fat-Shdn. — North-River stations, — Tsing-iin. — Lien-chow. — Flourishing work of theWesleyan Mission in Shiu-kwdn. — West-River stations. — Stations in the south and southwest. — Hainan opened. — Each station a centre. — Statistics. — Two classes of people, — Pun-ti and Hakka. — The Tartars. — The work firmly established 194

CHAPTER XI.

FOREIGN AGENTS.

Climate of Canton. — Houses. — Mode of life. — Social amenities. — Criticism of travellers. — First impressions.

— Study of the language ; its peculiarities. — Examples of blunders made. — Fluent speakers. — The written language ; not understood when read. — The field of activity opened. — The work of translation ; two lines pursued.

— Dictionaries. — Dr. Legge's edition of the Classics. — Mr. Faber's works. — Versions of the Bible. — Commentaries. — Mr. Selby's Life of Christ. — Text-books. — The use of the colloquial dialect. — Union version of the Gospels and Acts ; its advantages. — Attractions of literary work 213

CHAPTER XII.

PREACHING BY MISSIONARIES.

Importance of preaching. — How to preach to the native churches. — Narrative style. — Use of illustrations. — Stand-

' ard of intelligence. — Qualification of the preacher. — Importance of instructing the native Church. — Preaching to the heathen. — Chapels in Canton. — Various methods. — Use of passing events. — " The man burned at the altar."

— The unanswered prayer for rain. — Use of the Classics.

— Singleness of aim essential. — Use of blackboard for texts. — Interruptions from two classes of men. — Literary examination and preaching to students. — Opposition

XVI Contents.

PAGE

preaching-halls. — Evangelistic tours. — Christian services at out-stations. — Rudeness and insult. — Preaching under the banyans. — The first sermon in Chik-hom. — Experience at Lung-kong. — Preaching in temples. — Absurd beliefs. — Sale of books. — Luck of the land stolen. — Incidents of indignity. — Attractive scenery 233

CHAPTER XIII.

EDUCATIONAL WORK.

Primary schools. — Chinese type of boys' school. — Course of study. — " Canon of Filial Piety." — Examples. — Christian schools. — " Backing " the books. — Female education.

— The great Lady Tsao. — Methods in girls' schools. — Chinese teachers. — Boarding-schools for boys. — Female seminary under Miss Noyes. — Purely educational. — Sketches of native assistant teachers. — Religious influence in the school. — The prayer chamber. — The course of study. — The New Testament memorized. — The women's department. — The school held in high estimation. — Educating a native ministry. — Training-schools. — Presbyterian methods. — Courses of study. — German theological school. — Methods of the Wesleyan Mission ; of the Baptist Mission. — Private classes. — Classes at out-stations.

— Gospel of Matthew memorized in three days. — General influences. — The school a perpetual sermon. — Schoolboy assaulted. — Educational series of text-books 253

CHAPTER XIV.

MEDICAL WORK.

The great hospital. — Dr. Parker its first physician. — Dr. Kerr's thirty years. — Present property and location. — Name in Chinese. — Statistics of patients and operations.

— Branch dispensaries. — Diseases treated. — The class of people who come. — Miracles expected. — The girl whose feet came off. — Submission to operations. — Ignorance and superstition. — Chinese have no medical science. — Abb^

Contents, xvii

PAGE

Hue's experience. — Chinese dentistry. — Outside and inside treatment. — Native assistant surgeons. — Dr. So-tomeng's operations for cataract. — Capital operations. — Special demand for the physician. — Medical tours through the country. — Characters met. — Teeth extracted. — Instruction of students. — Certificates of competency. — Preparation of medical books. — Dr. Kerr's work in this line. — Religious work in the hospital. — Wesleyan hospital in Fat-Shdn. — Hospital in Canton not sectarian. — Opium-smokers cured. — Lepers. — Vaccination. — Good influences. — Incident of woman converted. — Thanks bestowed. — Rival Chinese hospital. — Good results. — Wide field. — Young physician needed. — Grand aggregate of good 271

CHAPTER XV.

WORK FOR WOMEN.

Position of woman a crucial test. — The conversion of the women the hope of China. — The work at present. — Ladies assisted by teachers and Bible-women. — Four sections of the work. — Meetings in connection with day-schools. — Visiting the houses. — Pathetic story of little A-Keet. — Among the women in the hospital. — The woman who believed, but knew nothing of baptism. — '* The house of the worshippers of Jesus." — Bible-women at out-stations. — Atsit at Liu-p6. — Mrs. Lee-Sam. — Fung-Kiu. —Visits to village schools. — Delegation of women. — The first visit to a house in San-ui. — Levee for women at Lien-chow. — Encouraging indications 292

CHAPTER XVI.

WORK FOR ORPHANS AND OUTCASTS.

Infanticide. — Girls only destroyed. — The practice in San-ning and San-hing. — Native foundling houses. — Number received annually. — Their treatment. — " Devil grannies."

b xviii Contents.

FAGB

— Slaves in families. — Traffic in young girls. — Mrs. Henry's orphanage. — Sketches of May-Yan ; Oi-keet ; Lock-tuck ; Tsoy-Shang. — The blessings of such work. — Berlin Foundling Home in Hong-Kong. — Supplies wives for native preachers. — A young man's rebuff. — The blind ; no systematic work for them. — Old people. — Work of the Baptist ladies. — Leper settlements. — Village near Canton. — Work begun for them. — Leper with a Bible. — Incident in Swatow 308

CHAPTER XVH.

NATIVE AGENTS.

Native pastors. — Churches need them. — Experience of missionaries as pastors. — Sketch of Kwan-Loy; converted in California. — Experience in Kau-Kong. — Reward for his head. — Twice mobbed. — His style of preaching. — Evangelists ; their methods. — Formal work. — Lack of originality. — Mak-Shui as an orator. — Discourse on moral paralysis. — Ch'an-Mung-nam's sermon: "In all things more than conquerors." — Au-Fung-chi's versatility. — Wong-Shing's dignity and force. — Lau-Wy-chiu rough and ready. — The Gospel bowl of savory broth. — Uen-Ngakok's heroic fidelity. — Ho- Kwai-tak's devotion. — Fidelity of assistants as a body. — The colporteurs. — The first Protestant Christian martyr. — School-teachers. - Confucian tablet worshipped in schools. — Village teacher the general scribe. — Influence of personal teachers .... 321

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS.

Charge of hypocrisy no longer true. — Their character. — Reception of applicants. — Varied religious experiences. — The school-girl. — The peasant woman. — The scholar. — Standard of qualification. — Request for baptism misunderstood. — Sad experience. — Instances of fidelity among those not well instructed. — Woman from the inte-

Contents. xix

PAGB rior. — Old peasant woman and her nephew. — Lack of a vivid sense of sin. — Moving scenes. — Simple faith. — Direct prayers. — Views of Providence. — Plague among the cattle. — The sick child. — Readiness to take part in services. — Fondness for singing. — Christian unity. — Influence of the term question. — Sectarianism in the background. — No organic unity. — Future creed and church polity. — Quarterly meetings. — Bi-monthly conference. — Practical subjects discussed. — Foot-binding. — Anti-opium sentiment. — No opium-smoker admitted to the church. — Education of children. — Zealous efforts 338

CHAPTER XIX.

TRIALS OF CONVERTS.

Courage to profess Christ. — Personal abuse. — Public placards. — Unreasoning hatred. — Trials in the family. — The mother's lament. — Young man chained. — Young man converted. — Opposition of his mother. — Opium-pipe handed to guests. — Baptism on a birthday prevented. — Lee-yen's experience. — Mo-Hing's troubles. — Foes in the household. — Paralytic deserted. — A Banner-man's trials.

— Engagement broken off. — Trials of women and girls. — Treatment at and after marriage. — A-Hung's feet bound. — Ejection from clans. — Lee-Keng-00's trials. — Injustice to Wong-Fook ; his daughter lost. — Loss of property. — Leung- Yem's misfortunes. — Kwan-Loy and his brother. — Shek-lin, the Christian contractor. — Loss of employment.

— Expulsion from guilds. — Exemption from idolatrous taxation. — Two cents refused and dollars lost. — Women in country districts. — Persecution at Chik-hom. — Claims

for sympathy 357

CHAPTER XX.

TESTS OF FAITH.

Character of Chinese Christians. — Conversion of opium-smokers and gamblers. — Lo-Look's Christ-like spirit. —

XX Contents,

Christian girl before the ancestral tablets. — Peasant woman's endurance. — Deaf and dumb man converted. — Victory over selfishness. — Knives crossed over the preacher's throat. — Stoned almost to death. — Prayer for enemies. — Faith kept. — Martyr spirits. — Moral renovation. — Koon-Yam-chook. — Tree blown down. — Trials in the past year. — Christian-Banner men tested. — Summoned to abjure their faith. — Official rebuked. — Lo-fu sold as a coolie. — Death of Christians. — Yam-a-lin and his aunt. — Elders. — Lau-Hing and Liu-Kiu. — *' Praise Jesus ! " 376

CHAPTER XXI.

CHRISTIAN GIVING AND SELF-SUPPORT.

Practical test. — Lack of systematic effort. — Poverty of the converts. — Isolation. — Heathenism essentially selfish. — Free gospel. — Idolatrous taxation. — Difference of motive. — A matter of education. — Two forms. — Giving in general. — Self-support. — Work in Second Church. — Colporteurs. — Church edifice. — School. — Native pastor. — Spirit of elders and pastor. — Church at Chik-hom. — London Mission Church. — Baptists in Tsing-uen and Tsung-fa, — Chinese Missionary Society. — Methods of contribution. — Printed forms. — Two principles. — Christians must not fall short of the gifts to false gods. — One tenth required. — Example necessary. — Missionaries must give one tenth. — Definite objects required. — Taking deep root. — Ashamed of prolonged infancy. — Lo-Kwdn gives one fifth. — A-fat gives four fifths. — The widow's mite. — Generous support indicated 393

CHAPTER XXIL

CRITICISMS OF TRAVELLERS, AND ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONS.

Work of missions viewed. — Three stages of thought. — Disappointment. — Despair. — Wonder. — Reports of travellers.

Contents, xxi

— Hasty visits. — Sources of information. — Indifference of residents. — A few liostile. — Some interested. — Ignorance of clergymen. — Criminal's skull, — Relation of missionaries to other foreign residents. — Mr. Darwin's observations. — Relations of Protestant missions to those of Rome. — Matteo Ricci's policy. — Comparison of statistics. — Church of the " Heavenly Lord " and the Church of Jesus. — Success in the past. — Cathedral in Canton. — Priests in Chinese dress. — No public preaching. — Mr. Kong's experience. — Works of merit. — Reception of members. — Worship of saints. — Political protection. — "Are you a French priest?"— Interference with Wesleyans in Ying-tok. — Distinguished converts in the past. — No hope of general prevalence under the present policy . . 410

CHAPTER XXHI.

TEACHING ENGLISH.

Not a new question. — English teaching in past years. — Not needed to aid mission work. — Chinese views of it. — Key to fortune. — Mercenary motives. — Signs of the times. — Political side. — Scientific side. — Independent minds. — The crust breaking. — Glorious future for China. — The question at present. — Higher education. — Real students.

— Knowledge desired for its own sake. — Men of progress.

— Cosmopolitan truth. — EngUsh language a conservatory of knowledge. — Liberal policy. — Native scholars' opinion.

— Shall we help them ? — Commendable desires. — Christian influence excluded. — Scientific works translated. — Peking University. — The practical issues 427

CHAPTER XXIV.

A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FOR CANTON.

Plans to pursue. — Not teach English in mission schools. — Missionaries cannot do it. — A central college. — Course of study. — Three points. — Bearing on the Church. — xxii Contents.

Training young men for pastors and teachers. — Need of higher education. — Advantage to medical training. — The present a time of transition. — Changes in the style of education. — Staff of teachers needed. — A great opportunity. — All truth is one. — No merit to accept a position of less influence. — Science from a Christian standpoint. — Evils of non-Christian education. — Teaching received on authority. — Highest form of mission-work. — Spread of science, — Its bearing on the Chinese. — Vigor of the race. — Day of wider knowledge. — Dr. Draper's opinion. — Not troe of the Chinese. — Six periods of intellectual expansion. — Struggle with Confucianism. — A literary people. — Extent of education. — Examinations ; number who pass. — Army of scholars. — Many agencies at work. — Telegraph. — Trend of outward events. — Fountain of knowledge. — Prospect of success. — Endowment needed. — Scope for talent. — Cup of learning. — Wide influence 439

CHAPTER XXV.

THE PRESENT OUTLOOK.

Each decade raises the standard. — Unclassified influences. — Imitation the highest commendation. — Decline of idolatry.

— Opinion of Chinese gentlemen. — Hidden disciples. — Father Tsun, "the Jesus man." — Old Mr. Wong. — Influence of preaching in Canton secured chapel in the interior.

— Hundreds of thousands who know. — Providential preparation. — The work in hand. — Scores of men needed.

— Work for five hundred. — The means inadequate. — China's claims on the Church. — Difficulties. — The great conflict. — Proportionate effort. — The islands of the Pacific. — Permanence of results in China. — Two great races.

— Providential indications. — Proportion of missionaries required. — Resources of Canton. — An acceptable offering. — The whole land reached in five years 458

Contents. xxiii

CHAPTER XXVI.

ADVANCE INTO THE INTERIOR.

PAGE

Special openings. — Shiu-Kwdn. — Entrance to Hunan. — Lien-chow. — Attractive surroundings. — Centre of important districts. — Hunanese. — Aborigines in the mountains. — Populous districts of Heung-Shan and San-ui< — Ko-chow. — Special features and claims of that section. — Hainan; history of its opening. — Friendly reception assured. — Size of the island. — Climate. — People. — The Les ; their history and character. — Language. — Providential opening and call for occupation. — Kwong-si. — Baptist mission at Ng-chovv. — Presbyterians at Kwei-ping. — Anti-foreign demonstrations. — Experience of English officer of Chinese army. — Present work of exploration. — Yunnan. — Expeditions in the interests of commerce. — Sparse population. The millions unreached. — Condition of the people. — Responsibility laid on the Church. — Call to young men. — Work to be done which no one else can do. — God's call to His people 469

Introduction

A GREAT, steel-gray river, full of boats kept noticeably neat, with families dwelling in them constantly ; a wide, rolling, green, fertile country, highly cultivated ; pagoda towers looking down through the windy sunshine on the passing steamers and ships ; a walled city of impressive size, of low brown and red roofs, fronted by swarming wharves, — this is the picture which rises in my memory as I recall my approach to Canton, where it was my good fortune to be the guest of the author of this series of searching and authoritative chapters on China.

In sedan chairs, through narrow but tidy streets, crowded with most typical Chinese forms, we visited Chinese temples, examination grounds, chief places of trade, schools, picturesque points of view, medical hospitals, preaching-stations ; and so my thoughts were filled with a multitude of novel and interesting images.

It was in moments of leisure, however, when I could sit down and question my host and guide, or cross-examine a score of his heroic co-laborers in his parlors, that I learned most. President McCosh's great and good name was a bond of sympathy between us, for my host was a recent graduate of Princeton, and full of enthusiasm for classical and philosophical study. I nevertheless saw my guide at his best when he opened the stores of his knowledge of that vast Empire to whose regeneration he had consecrated his life.

The puzzle of the Chinese mind, character, politics, social life, and religion, I, for one, have found no keys to unlock

XXVI Introduction, except the conversation and writings of missionaries who have studied these subjects for years at first-hand. I congratulate the reader of this volume on the opportunity it gives him of absorbing ripe opinions on high matters concerning which ordinary books of travel are poor authorities.

The historian Gibbon tells us that Rome, at the height of her power, governed only one hundred and twenty millions of men. China contains at least twice that number. The dawn of Occidental forms of civilization, the day-star of Christianity, begin to rise on these uncounted masses of human beings in their land of vast and varied resources. This book is a vivid picture of the holy breaking of the Light after an Oriental night. The obscure stars and the moon of Confucianism and Taoism and Buddhism and worship of ancestors have walked through the Chinese sky, but the unmeasured spiritual landscapes of the Orient have been without the vivifying influence of the sun. Their capacities to produce new growths under its stimulation are undoubtedly immense. There is no new and sacred sight open to the eyes of present generations better worth study than the rising of the unobscured orb of Christianity in the Far East.

JOSEPH COOK.

CHAPTER I.

THE BROAD EAST AND ITS POPULATION.

CANTON, as the scene of the first Protestant Missions to China, will ever hold a prominent place in the history of the Christian Church in the Far East. Its importance from a commercial, from a political, and from a literary point of view ; its great population and the accessibility of the people, together with its commanding situation with respect to the surrounding country, — make it one of the most promising and influential centres of mission work in the whole Empire. The city itself is a wonderful field for work, and might easily absorb the energies of many times the number of missionaries now in the whole province, and yet come far short of exhausting the possibilities of the field or improving to the utmost the opportunities presented. The vast population of the city, numbering probably not less than one million five hundred thousand, is daily augmented by the thousands that come in from all sides on business and pleasure. The city presents the appearance of a great hive, its narrow streets thronged with busy multitudes passing incessantly to and fro, intent

I

The Cross and the Dragon.

upon their various callings. They crowd and push and jostle each other, but are seldom noisy and seldom quarrel. It is the great emporium of the South; the meeting-place of many nationalities drawn thither by various motives ; the grand centre of influence for the whole vast region south of the Mei-ling Ridge. The field of our enterprise, however, is not confined to the city, but extends to the wide region that opens out in all directions from this central point. With the help of the map and a few lessons in geography, some conception of the situation and extent of the country may be gained that will be of much service to us as we study the work in detail.

The mission field of Canton, which we are to consider, does not include the extreme eastern portion of the province, which is separated from the middle and western portions by ranges of hills and mountains, and drained by a system of rivers that find their outlet near the port of Swatow. Another barrier in the shape of a difTerent dialect cuts ofif the people of that section from their countrymen to the west. In this region a flourishing work is energetically carried on by the English Presbyterians and the American Baptists, and we have but to refer to the reports of the Swatow Missions under these two societies to be assured of the hopeful prospects of the cause there.