T

HE treatment of disease by the Chinese is entirely empirical or unscientific, and their ideas of anatomy and physiology are amusing, absurd, or positively dangerous. According to their new school of thought, intelligence is conceded to be a function of the brain; but the emotions surely they at least emanate from the heart. The spinal cord is regarded as a kind of marrow; therefore the cord of the pig enters largely into the composition of tonic drugs. They do not dream that the blue lines seen on the back of one's hand are filled with blood, but regard them as a part of that system by which motion is produced; that the muscles are directly concerned in this process is hard to believe.

A statement that the pulse is dependent on the heart-beat caused an exclamation of surprise. The Chinese teaching is that if the forefinger is placed over the radial artery at the base of the thumb, and the second and third fingers at points about an inch apart and toward the elbow, the pulse under

mits a man to put ground glass in a patient's eyes, or, in the process of bleeding, to open a large vessel, thus almost instantly producing death, its humorous aspect gives place to something stern. Many, if not most, diseases are ascribed to the influence of some "wind" or "vapor." In order

these three fingers will indicate respectively, on the left side, the condition of the heart, the liver and the left kidney; on the right side that of the stomach, the lungs and the right kidney. What seems to me their most ingenious theory is that the digestion is dependent upon the action of the spleen, which beats against the end of the stomach and acts as a sort of churn!

Up to this point we might be content to laugh at such ignorance; but when it per

to permit the escape of this wind, needles varying in length from three to six inches are inserted under the skin, as many as from sixty to seventy having been thus inserted at one time into the skin of a man's head.

Counter irritation is a regal remedy. One patient, who consulted me for partial paralysis of one side of the body, showed numerous purple scars a half inch in diameter, four at the elbow, others on the back of the wrist and hand, and still others on the ankle, where he had been burned with a hot iron. Shaohsing, East China.

Medical Work in Kiating

UR medical work is

OUR work is

small scale, or perhaps I should say on a large one, as we have all outdoors to do it in. We do not advertise to attend the sick; but one after another has found out that we have some medicine and few days pass without a call. Yesterday morning a dear old lady came to the house. She first walked round outside looking in the windows, till I caught sight of her and invited her in. She was sick with fever and wanted medicine, and I did what I could for her.-MRS. F. J. BRADSHAW, Kiating, West China.

C

YAN you imagine a land without churches or Sabbath? Such is China. Every city has its temple to Confucius, every high mountain and beautiful vale its sanctuary to Buddha, and every street corner, every bridge, every mile in town or country its shrine to some god or hero; but there are no frequent times when people assemble to worship. Most temples have a day once a year when the people have a theatrical play and crowds come for their own amusement. On other days the Confucian temples are closed. Other temples are open daily, many without a priest and with only a few old women to count their beads and burn incense.

The children have no instruction even in idol worship except as they happen to hear from their elders. They go to school or work "every day and Sunday too" and their moral instruction is made up of bickering, cheating, scolding, reviling and theater going. Perhaps you think I have forgotten the ethics of Confucius. So have the Chinese. The schoolboys worship his memory and study his writings, but do not often put his teachings into practise.

Today, however, some in this vast land, instead of frequenting the temples for worship or amusement, attend the Christian services. As they pass along the country-side or through the village streets, they see everybody else at work.

From villages where there are several Christians and inquirers they sometimes secure a boat; and thus the happy party proceeds on its way.

If the Sabbath in question happens to be a communion Sunday, the members who live at a distance come on Saturday with their beds and sleep on the chapel floor.

On Saturday afternoon at the covenant or preparation meeting, only Christians and inquirers are present. If the weather is warm, many are barefoot, for our people are a poor folk. A few are dressed in the long gown of the gentleman. After a short expository discourse by the pastor, the business of the church is taken up. It may be to expel some erring member who has refused to hear the church. Perhaps it is to examine some who wish to become members of Christ's body. They are asked if they keep the Sabbath, abstain from reviling, and many other as practical questions. Some whose lives are in keeping with that of a disciple of Christ are received, to be baptized on the morrow.

Early on Sunday morning the Christians and inquirers assemble to learn to read the Bible and to sing, and all the time between services is filled in in this most profitable way. At ten o'clock a bell is rung and quiet is restored, for no one can learn to read except by chanting his portion. Then Sunday school begins. At this place, as the numbers are small, there is only one class. No one has to be exhorted to sing. Sometimes one wishes they did not consider it so much of a duty. There may be five who are making sounds that bear some resemblance to the tune, but the best that can be said of the other twenty-five or fifty is that they are making "a joyful noise."

"

After the Sunday school comes the baptism with not too respectful heathen spectators on the bank; but we are thankful if they only laugh. Then we all have dinner; rice and greens and salted shrimps and fish and r! No,

not that, but more rice.

said that as the devil did not come and consume the chicken it was very plain that he wanted only the essence of it; so after the ceremony was over the Chinese "fell to" and devoured the material part. Even one stolid deck hand, who seemed never to speak or smile, waxed eloquent as he tried to describe the scene. And so we saw a glimpse of the Chinese superstition of which some of us are daily learning more and more. - MRS. J. H. GIFFIN, Kiaying, South China Mission.

"

After dinner we assemble again and the pastor preaches. The sermon does not always evince a large knowledge of homiletics but is usually preeminently scriptural. The Lord's Supper follows, using Chinese unleavened steamed bread and the juice of stewed raisins. After singing a hymn the Christians go out, to live the life of the Saviour among the millions who love him not and will never know him except as seen in those who have eaten his flesh and drunk his blood. Pray for them! Pray for them that they may truly live His life.Shaohsing, East China.

Another Sunday Afternoon

S we sat on the upper deck of the

A China," Sunday afternoon, No

66

vember 20, we were surprised to hear coming from the steerage quarters the sound of fire crackers. These we had heard once before on the emperor's birthday and knew that it meant a celebration of some kind. First the crackers were fired, then package after package of "worship paper" was thrown to the breeze, floating on the water for some time. After this followed rice, wine and other eatables. On a table near the railing was a roasted chicken with chopsticks beside it.

Forty or fifty years ago a Chinese boat caught fire at that place and went down with all on board. Since then many boats which had Chinese crews have celebrated the event in this way. According to one theory the offerings are for the use of the departed spirits, but according to the second theory it is to appease the wrath of the devil who is supposed to inhabit that portion of the deep so that our boat might not be condemned to the same fate. They

Side Lights

A LONG WEDGE: The well-built railway between Hankow and Peking (a thirty-six hour run) has been completed and was recently opened with due ceremony. Telegraph and telephone are used in operating the road. The timetables are in French; weights are in the metric system; the fare is two cents (Mexican) for three fifths of a mile. In nothing is the spirit of the "new China more evident than in the building of railroads. The first one was built in 1876, from Shanghai to Wusung, only fourteen miles. No sooner was it completed than the government bought it and tore it up. In 1881 the Chinese themselves built a line in the coal region of the north. No foreign concessions were granted until 1895; but since then the work has gone on rapidly and will continue to be one of the mightiest forces in opening up the empire during the next ten years.

CHINESE IN AMERICA HELP: The work of the American Board in South China is particularly interesting, from the fact that the Chinese Christians in America do so much for it, especially in helping pay for church buildings.

NO WONDER that a missionary who attended a recent athletic contest between six large schools at Tientsin, North China, wrote that she was "hewildered" to recognize the strains of "God be with you till we meet again," played as the closing number of the musical program by Yuan Shi Kai's military band.

MISS ALICE ROOSEVELT's visit to the empress dowager of China stimulates anew American interest in one of the most remarkable characters in modern history. In the October Century Miss Katherine Carl began her story of life in the palace and the painting of the portrait of the empress dowager. It is the first intimate picture of Tze Hsi ever given the world. The interesting narrative has been continued in the November and December numbers.

organized in this city a year ago, several of whose members are from Mohammedanism. How comforting to hear the Lord's whisper amidst the howlings of the storms, "the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."- W. F. ARMSTRONG, Rangoon, October 30, 1905.

PRO

SOUTH INDIA

ROFESSOR L. E. MARTIN of Ongole is very much encouraged concerning the unusually large number of applications for university examinations, but regrets that the supply of teachers is very inadequate. The building preparations at Madira are progressing steadily. Mr. Kurtz reports a good interest throughout the field, and helpful workers' meetings, but owing to Mr. Thomssen's absence on furlough, he is overburdened with the additional oversight of the Bapatla field. ¶ Mr. H. Huizinga gives the attendance of our Ongole Sunday school, the largest in India, as 1,308 on October 15, saying it was not an unusual occasion.

Standing Alone for Years: Other Sudras

THE

HE quarterly meeting is just over and want to tell of the good times we have had. Mr. D. Narsiah of Ramapatam and Rev. A. Subbiah of Nellore came to help us, giving stirring addresses. On Sunday we baptized three, two Malas and a Sudra, the latter a village head-man. On Monday another Sudra surprised all of us by his clear testimony. He had come alone fifteen miles and had thought the whole matter out, not hesitating because of the possibilities of much trouble on account of his caste. After the quarterly meeting was over another Sudra came and we had the joy of baptizing him also. Again on Sunday last a Sudra woman was examined and baptized. She is the wife of the first Sudra convert who was baptized twenty-five years ago by Dr. Clough and who has remained true all these years. Next Sunday we hope to have several more Sudras. G. H. BROCK, Kanigiri.

THE

CHINA

South China Field

HE Ungkung field has made most commendable progress toward selfsupport. Last year the churches received

Photo by 8. A. Perrine

NAGA AND MONKEY, IMPUR, ASSAM

only $100 of foreign money and Dr. Carlin hopes that they will not need even that amount much longer. A home mission society has been organized, and generous contributions have enabled them to put at least three evangelists of their own into the field. This is the fruit of much painstaking personal work by Dr. Carlin.

TH

An Example in Multiplication

HE development of the work at Kiehyang, South China, illustrates the way the gospel plant grows and spreads. It is a good example of what the mission station is and stands for.

Central station established 1896; formerly an outstation in Dr. Ashmore's field. In 1896 the local church record showed a membership of twenty-two. The members at that time were poor and did not contribute toward the support of the local church. Today the local church has a membership of over 200 who not only support their own church work and school, but also maintain two missions in the city and two places of prayer, besides contributing toward the maintenance of the native missionary society. Working from Kiehyang as a center, sixty-two points in the Kiehyang field have been occupied. These have been divided into four classes:

1. Gospel centers 15. These have been developed into regular New Testament churches.

2. Mission centers aided from station appropriations 9. These are not yet regular churches; but nearly self-supporting.

3. Places of prayer - 26. In towns or villages where Christians have banded themselves together for weekly or nightly prayer meetings; to develop into mission centers and later into local churches.