Morning Calm v.2 no.12(1891 Jun.)

Rectory of the Church of the Transfiguration. NEW YORK CITY. July 31, 1890.

Dear Right Reverend Brother :

My object in passing through America on my way to Korea, was that I might pay my respects to so many of my brethren in this country as possible, and from a personal interview with them, receive in return that encouragement which their sympathy would have given me. Unfortunately, however, it has been impossible for me to leave England earlier, and on arriving in America, I find that the time I have at my disposal will not allow me to come and see you. May I, therefore, write in very few words what I had in my mind to say ? I desire then to commend to your prayers and through you to the prayers of the diocese over which you preside, the Mission which the Church of England is opening in Korea. The fact that it is to be begun by a Bishop is sufficient to give us a strong claim upon your interest, especially as I and my clergy are strangers to the country and have yet to learn the language of the people. But I prefer to base my claim to your prayers on the closeness of the relationship which exists between the Church of America and the Church of England. I do not like beginning this work without soliciting from the sister Church all the help that comes from prayer-prayer both in your homes and before your Altars.   Should any of your flock be led to Korea on duty or pleasure, please assure them of the hearty welcome they will receive from me and my clergy. It will always be a delight to me to minister to them. It may interest you to know that a small magazine is published every month (price 5 cents a copy), to spread information about Korea and to furnish a brief chronicle of all the missionary work done by the Church of England and the Church of America. The magazine is entitled “The Morning Calm," and is published by Griffith & Farran, London, whose agents in New York are E. P. Dutton & Co. Praying that God may abundantly bless you and your diocese, I am, dear Right Reverend Brother, Yours very sincerely,

• C. J. CORFE,

Missionary Bishop of the Church of England in Korea.   MORNING CALM. No. 12, Vol. II.] JUNE 1891. [PRICE Id. The Bishop's Letter. Chemulpho : March 17, 1891.

DEAR FRIENDS,

A long interval has elapsed since I wrote last, and this owing partly to the irregularity of steamers at this season of the year, and partly to my having very little to say. Chinese New Year fell this year on February 9, and for a few days before this date, and for many days after, all business was suspended. Even Dr. Landis' patients struck work and gave him a short spell of rest, which he greatly appreciated. But his hands are now more full than ever. The dispensary is well attended every forenoon, and in the afternoon he walks to a village three miles distant to see a few sick people who are unable to be brought in to Chemulpho.

To all this he has added another burden. Early in the year some of the well-to-do Japanese begged him to teach them English. It seemed wise to embrace an opportunity so unexpec-tedly and spontaneously offered, and he consented to give them three hours every evening for a month. A class of between thirty and forty, all adults, was immediately formed, which has since been increased by six or eight Chinese. At the end of the month they wished the instruction to be continued for another month, and the doctor goodnaturedly consented. What is to be done at the end of this month, I know not. If the class is to be continued, the doctor will have to be considered, for the work is too much for him single-handed. The question then arises, must I supply him with an assistant ? You will see that this opens up several other important questions, questions to which as yet I have found no reply. In my next letter, however, I daresay I shall be able to tell you how we propose to deal with this very unexpected problem. The fact is, we ali felt we had come out here to learn, and are somewhat Startled at being asked so soon to teach. As to myself, I have spent the last two months here, and have availed myself of the quiet and regularity of the life to make an attack on the language. But I cannot report much progress yet, for I am naturally very slow in such matters. It is a good deal, though, to have been able to get the teacher without inter-ruption for so long a time. Mr. Small has been, with Mr. Warner and Mr. Peake, in Seoul, living at the little Mission House of the Advent. They, too, have had quiet and regular times, though latterly they have been busy getting the large Mission House at Nak Tong ready for occupation by the end of the winter. I am glad to say that Mr. Small and Mr. Warner went into residence there last week, and report it ready for Mr. Trollope and his party whenever they arrive.

I hope to be able to tell you of their arrival before I close this letter, for they are expected to-morrow by the steamer which takes this to Shanghai. My next letter, therefore, ought to be full of news. We greatly hope that we may all be together so as to spend a quiet Holy Week in preparation for Easter. The opening of this Mission House will be, in one sense, the opening of the Mission. The house was bought by me in England last July, but from one cause or another has not been able to be inhabited until now. It is large enough to contain all of us, with room to spare. There will, therefore, be a hearty welcome for any of you who may be coming this way (if you do not come all at once) and do not object to quarters in a Corean house. Dr. Wiles has opened his first dispensary at the Mission House of the Advent, and is on the point of opening the second, which he has built in the compound of Nak Tong. His hands, I need not say, are as full as ever. Both our doctors set us an admirable example of steady, patient, persevering work. With earnest prayers for a blessing on you all, I am always,

Your affectionate, C. J. CORFE.

P.S. - March 19.-Before closing, I am glad to be able to tell you of the safe arrival this morning of Mr. Trollope, Mr. Pownall, Mr. Davies, and Mr. Wyers. They were detained out-side for twenty-four hours by bad weather, but they look none the worse, and are in excellent health and spirits. The following are extracts from letters received from the Rev. L. O. Warner : - "Seoul, Corea, " February 1o. "Dr. Landis has begun English classes at Chemulpo, with 37 Japanese. They are anxious to learn English, and came to ask him if he would teach them. He thinks they are quick at learning so far, and he takes them every evening from five till eight o'clock. We are having a second spell of cold weather, and very keen winds, which blow right across from the high lands of Thibet. The blow lasts generally for about three days at a time, and then suddenly ceases on the fourth day without any apparent reason. The frost and cold have prevented men from getting to work at oil-papering the floors and papering the windows, &c., at Nak Tong, but we mean to try and have the house ready by the time the rest of our party arrive, but it is difficult to get Coreans to hurry." “February 15, 1891. “To-day we took a walk after service to a temple outside the city here, called “The Temple of Heaven,' a most interest-ing place. All the temple grounds are planted over with pine trees; a grove of splendid pine trees it is. One tree in particular, a very old fine grown pine, has huge spreading branches, the huge limbs of which have been trained to grow outwards in all directions, and are supported by wooden props underneath each one. There are several houses in the grounds, presumably occupied by attendants at the temple. The temple itself is open to the sky, being enclosed by low walls. In the centre of the temple enclosure are two raised platforms of solid stone, and over these a canopy is erected when the temple is used ; all around the temple are staples driven into the stone with a strong iron ring attached, to which the sacrificial animals are tied up. Bulls and swine are chiefly sacrificed, and also sheep. The animals must be black, without any mark or blemish, and at certain fixed dates they have a grand fête at the temple, and sacrifice numbers of these bulls and other animals. There must be more than forty of these rings. It would be a ghastly sight, I should think, to see the sacrifice of these quantities of animals. In a corner of the enclosure is a house which was locked and sealed, so we were unable to find out what was inside it. I was very curious to know, because I believe the sacrifice is offered to heaven, and not to any idol, but of this I am not certain. No Buddhist temples are allowed inside the walls of any city here, nor is a Buddhist priest allowed to live in any city, if it be known that he is such."

Note. Miss Day writes to us that she will be pleased to send (post free) to anyone who will send her 6d., a copy of the reprint of the Bishop's Letters. Her address is 2 Lorne Villas, Rochester. Miss Day has also a special reprint of Letter No. XII. (price id.), which appeared in the July number of 1890, now out of print.

Association of Prayer and Work for Corea

It is now just a year since Bishop Corfe's “Association of Prayer and Work for Corea" took definite shape, and began its work in the world on the lines planned and laid down in every detail by the Bishop himself, with the greatest care, and with high hopes for its future progress. There are now 1,441 members' names in-scribed on the muster roll of the Association, besides the 128 branch and local secretaries. Yet there are still many, no doubt, who read Morning Calm, many who are interested in the Mission to Corea, who do not belong to it. We appeal to them to join us. For the information of all into whose hands Morning Calm, with its ever-increasing circulation, may come, we repeat what is so familiar to all our members--that our Association is primarily a Prayer Association, and that it insists on the duty of daily prayer for the Foreign Missions of the Church, although the burden of no special office or collect is laid upon us, while its rule is the broadest possible -daily prayer for all Foreign Missions- with a special thought for Corea, so that it cannot clash in any way with other Missionary Guilds and Associations, but, on the contrary, their members are, in fact, its best members, as they are already more or less fully keeping its rule. Our sympathies and our interests are very wide; they embrace the whole world wherever there are sick and suffering, ignorant and sinning men and women for whom Christ died. We want to help them all. And then as to that special part of the heathen world which perhaps most of us members of this Association love the best. We know with far more clearness and detail than we did a year ago what our work is there. It is proved that there is a great work to be done for God in Corea. The news we receive thence month by month fills us with thankfulness and hope. Possibi-lities and opportunities seem to be presenting themselves to the Bishop with astonishing rapidity. And we who cannot go out to teach his Japanese in Chemulpo, or minister to his sick folk in the little dispensary in Nak Tong, Seoul, can pray about these openings for medical work, for nursing work, for educa-tional work, and all the other manifold energies of the Mission, which, by contributing to the funds of the Association, we shall also help to support. Let this be our constant and pleasant task, not to be laid aside, as much work will be, while we take our summer holidays, but rather more and more earnestly performed as greater need arises, and God will answer and bless our prayers continually, as He has already shown Himself most ready to do.

Education fund

I AM glad to be able to inform the readers of Morning Calm that a local secretary and treasurer for this Fund has been appointed in Guernsey (the place which the Bishop always hoped would be more especially connected with this branch of his work in Corea, being the spot where he himself was educated); there-fore in future you are asked to send your contributions for the "Education Fund" to Mrs. Nicolls, The Elms, Guernsey, instead of to me. EVA D. WILSON. The Royal Naval Exhibition and the Corean Mission. In consequence of the Bishop's close connection with the Royal Navy and the existence of the Hospital Naval Fund, a space has been allotted in the Royal Naval Exhibition to “Bishop Corfe's Mission to Corea.” The Exhibit will be found in the Howe Gallery, No. 4045 of Official Catalogue. The space available is very limited, and many of the pamphlets, sketches, and photographs are consequently not fully exposed to view ; but the following is a description of all the articles : - SMALL FRONT CASE : - No. I.-Central Position.-The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Translations into three languages used in Corea -(1) Corean ; (2) Chinese ; (3) Japanese. Lent by the British and Foreign Bible Society. (1) The New Testament in Corean-"the vulgar tongue." Translated in 1882 by the Missionaries of the United Presby-terian Church of Scotland, at Niu-chwang and Mudken, Rev. John Ross and others, and printed at the cost of the British and Foreign Bible Society. (2) The New Testament in Chinese Wenli (classical), “the literary instrument of the learned," analogous to what Latin was in mediæval Europe. The Chinese characters constitute the true writing or "great letters," opposed to the Corean alphabet-the women's and children's writing. (3) The New Testament, with map and references in Japanese Kanamajiri. The Japanese and Corean languages very closely resemble each other, pointing to the historic unity of the two nations. At present the Japanese element is very important, especially about Fusan.   No. 2.-The Right Rev. Charles John Corfe, D.D., Missionary Bishop to Corea. Consecrated in Westminster Abbey, Feast of All Saints, November I, 1889. (1) Two Photographs by Owen, 29 Catherine Street, Salis-bury. Lent by Rev. J. B. Harbord. (2) H.M.S. "Audacious" (in MIDDLE CASE). As flag-ship on China station, has paid several visits to Corea. Bishop Corfe, when serving in the Navy, was her Chaplain during 1874-79. He entered the Navy 16th July, 1867, and served till 30th Sep-tember, 1889, omitting years 1881-83, when he was Chaplain to the Bishop of North China at Chefoo. Lent by C. E. Baxter, Esq. (3) “The Book of Private Prayer for Seamen and Marines afloat." Drawn up by Rev. C. J. Corfe, Chaplain, R.N. Pub-lished by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. (Royal 32mo. paper cover, 6d.; limp cloth, Is. 9d. ; limp morocco, 2s.) Three copies sent by the S.P.C.K. (4) The Bishop's Rochet. The last appointment in the Navy held by Bishop Corfe was the Chaplaincy of Portsmouth Dock-yard. He was then ex-officio Honorary Chaplain to the “Royal Seamen and Marines' Orphan Schools and Female Orphan Home." There is now a “Portsmouth Orphanage Branch" (card on Rochet) of the “Association of Prayer and Work for Corea.” The children have lately worked this Rochet as a token of their affection for the Bishop. Sent by Miss Woodin, the Matron. No. 3.- Other members of the Mission, and the Mission House. (1) Deputy Surgeon-General J. Wiles (on the retired list). In charge of the Hospital Naval Fund. Photograph lent by Mrs. Gainsford. (2) Rev. R. Small, Priest ; Rev. L. O. Warner, Deacon ; S. J. Peake, Candidate for Holy Orders. In Photograph of a Room of the Mission House at Seoul. See (3). (3) The Mission House of the Advent, Seoul. Two small Photographs by Mr. Hillier, Consul-General. Lent by Miss Chambers-Hodgetts. The following description is extracted from one of Bishop Corfe's letters : - “This is the first property of the Mission opened in Corea. It is a Corean house standing in a compound close to the Con-sulate-General. The upper photograph gives a view of the west front. The black uprights are placed always 8 feet apart on all sides of a house, so that its size is measured by stating the number of the 8-feet square spaces, which are called “ kongs." The uprights are first erected, and then the horizontal beams placed. These mark the level of the floor. Underneath the floor runs the flue which heats the room ; the floor is of stone and cement, or rather mud pasted over with thick oiled paper. The hole for feeding the flue is seen in the outside wall under the last window to the right. There is another hole at the same level in the next wall through which the smoke escapes. The right-hand kongs are the church, the west window being seen. It stretches back at right angles for a distance of 4 kongs or 32 feet. In the centre of the building with the half-open door and the closed windows on the right and left is the room whose interior is depicted in the lower photograph. It is a 3-kong room, or 24 feet long. The black part of the windows is the glazed part; all the rest consisting of white paper pasted on a pretty framework of wooden lattice. The two kongs on the left are a bedroom. To the right is visible the beginning of another little building: this is Dr. Wiles' dis-pensary. On either side of the door, standing like sentries, are our cook and coolie, both Coreans, dressed from head to foot in spotless white-white, i.e., which is meant to be spotless. The photograph of the interior shows the roof vaulted like all Corean roofs. In the centre is Rev. R. Small; on his right the Rev. L.O. Warner ; and on his left Mr. S. J.Peake. Behind is a bookcase containing some of the Bishop's books. On the floor are four Corean mats, 6 or 7 feet square, thick and substan-tial. On right of room, the door (of woodwork covered with paper) has been opened (inwards) to allow the photographer as much light as possible. The stove in the room has been lent us by the photographer, the excellent Mr. Hillier. The kettle is a magnificent example of the species. Three times a day it sings on the top of that stove.”.

No. 4.-Prints and Maps of Corea and its Capital. (1) Two Prints of the City of Seoul. One looking west towards the Yellow Sea (from “Corea, the Hermit Nation," by W. E. Griffis). The second looking east towards the Central Mountains (from Bishop Corfe's “Monthly Letters "). Lent by Rev. J. B. Harbord. (2) “Life in Corea," by W. R. Carles. View of ConsulateGeneral Print of the Un-jin Miriok. The largest Miriok in Corea is at Un-jin, in Chhung-Chhöng Do, and is visible 15 miles off, being 64 feet high. These ancient colossal figures (carved in situ out of pinnacles of rock or large boulders) are called by the Koreans “Miriok,” which appears to be equivalent to the Chinese “Mi lê," or Buddha. The position of the hands and the mark between the eyebrows (the urna) point to its Buddhist origin. Map of Corea (placed in MIDDLE CASE) sent by Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

No. 5.-Publications, Leaflets, and Cards connected with Mission. (1) Bishop Corfe's “Monthly Letters” from November 1889 to May 1890. (2) The Morning Calm from July 1890 to May 1891. (3) Circulars and Reports of the Hospital Naval Fund. (4) Association of Prayer and Work for Corea ; Report, Circular to Secretaries, Pamphlet on Corea, Leaflets ; Children's Branch Card, Portsmouth Orphanage Branch Card. (5) St. Peter's Community, Foreign Mission Association, Leaflets and Prayer Card. (6) Other Notices of Mission, The Mission Field, January 1891; The Church Pennant, October 1889; Nurses' Missionary Association, Leaflet and Card. Two small Sketch Maps from cover of the Morning Calm show the position of Corea and adjacent countries, and the Mission Stations in Corea. THE MIDDLE CASE : — No. 6.—This contains several articles of Corean manufacture, illustrating the civilisation and customs of the people. (1) Articles lent by Lady Hart. —A very old Plate of beau-tiful workmanship, bronze inlaid with silver. A Cabinet used by ladies for toilet purposes. Three Bronze Tobacco-boxes inlaid with silver ; they are the shape of small chests, and are used generally by officials; they have large buckles at one end, by which they are suspended to belt of pipe-bearer Two Circular Tobacco-boxes such as are in ordinary use ; one has the figure of a deer inlaid, characteristic of Corea. (2) Articles lent by E. Fitzgerald Creagh, Esq., of the Im-perial Chinese Customs. —One pack of Corean Playing Cards and one set of Dominoes ; Corean cash. Mr. Creagh points out that the Corean cash are struck off from characters in the Chien-tzŭ-wên or “Thousand Character Classic” ; the Chinese cash bear the name of the reigning dynasty. Two Circular Pillow-ends, embroidered by Corean ladies, with characters meaning “Felicity” and “Longevity.” (These are placed at the top corners of the back-frame. We may regard them as greet-ings from Corea to the Bishop and his Mission, wishing them happiness and long life in their new work.) Photograph of a Corean Official, 3rd class, Prefect of Tê-yuan-fu (Gensan). Photograph of a Corean between two Japanese, the former in the old native costume, the latter in European dress which the Japanese have universally adopted. (3) Lent by Rev. H. B. Harper, Chaplain, R.N. — The ordinary Hat (kat or kat-si) worn by Corean men. A small specimen, the brim of a gentleman's hat being not unusually 6 feet in circumference. The fabric is of bamboo, split to the fineness of a thread, and woven so as to resemble horse-hair. It is then lacquered and becomes weather-proof, resisting sun and rain, but not wind. Underneath, a tight-fitting skull-cap envelops the head. In heavy rain the kat-no is worn over the kat; this is a cone of yellow oiled paper, usually kept folded up like a fan, thrust into the girdle of the dress. The large umbrella-like hat of bleached bamboo is worn by gentlemen in mourning. The hat is a distinctive feature of the Coreans, and all those here mentioned are depicted in accompanying sketches. (4) Lent by Rev. J. B. Harbord. —Writing Materials; Slab of Ink ; Ink-stone ; Brush-pens. The Ruler is square instead of round, thus furnishing the means of ruling equidistant lines. No. 7. — The Prints which have appeared in illustrated papers of Corea are (according to those well acquainted with the country) excellent, and it is with much regret that the space has not permitted a better disposition of them. The best thanks of the Mission are, however, due to the proprietors of the Illustrated London News and of the Graphic for their kindness in sending them. We recommend these sketches to those who wish to get a vivid impression of the people, and to whom these newspapers are accessible. (1) With the China Squadron: sketches in Corea. (The Illustrated London News, November 26, 1887.) A sheet from drawings by the Rev. R. O'D. Ross-Lewin, Chaplain, H.M.S. Audacious. —Pipe ; shoe; Corean hut at Port Elizabeth ; Corean raft at Port Hamilton ; Coreans inspecting a naval officer at Port Lazareff ; Coreans with umbrella-hats ; Corean watch-post in a field of pumpkins ; top-knot worn by married men ; un-married ; hut ; an incident at Gensan with Corean cattle, alarmed at seeing such strange beings as Englishmen. (2) With our Chinese Squadron in Corea, 1886-87. (The Graphic.) Sketches from drawings by C. W. Cole, Esq., Staff-paymaster, R.N. —February 12, 1887: Village on the Island of Sunhodo ; a Corean woman ; a Corean woman and child ; Port Hamilton (north end of harbour) ; bird's-eye view of Observatory Island, showing Royal Marine encampment, sketched from the Island of Sodo ; a Corean using a native plough ; Corean boy with hod ; Coreans employed on Observatory Island ; woman prostrate before a Corean temporary grave ; Vladovostock, Russian Tartary ; a Russian "aide" ; British fleet in the distance. April 2, 1887: Weathercock on the jetty, Gensan ; a minor Corean mandarin making a call, his chair-bearers wait-ing outside ; a Corean mandarin's trumpeters; small-pox on shore, no visitors allowed on board ; interested spectators; an intuitive knowledge that a ship carries rum and baccy (they do not ask for soap) ; herdsmen of the village dispersing, Shinpo ; watching the screw go round, Shinpo; the sinews of war, cash. No. 8. —Twenty-six Photographs of Port Hamilton and the Natives, taken by Naval Officers. Lent by Commander G. L. IV. Adair, R.N.—Panoramic view of Port Hamilton, Corea, showing British men-of-war and steam collier lying at anchor; English corvette lying at Port Hamilton, with trio of the rising genera-tion in the foreground ; British gunboat lying at anchor off Observatory Island ; slaughter-yard on the beach ; Boat Harbour, Observatory Island ; Corean house and group of natives ; building for torpedo store, Observatory Island ; group of natives with the artists who photographed them ; Coreans— youth and age ; “The Mayor,” a Corean in full dress ; the Hermit of Sodo Island ; group of Corean natives, taken by steering-wheel on board a British man-of-war ; Corean natives winnowing corn ; the love-birds, a Corean couple ; Corean youth carrying corn ; Corean native threshing corn ; a venerable Corean ; Corean natives pounding corn ; the only woman on speaking terms with the invaders ; farmyard of British fleet ; a son of the soil ; looking down on roofs of a Corean village ; temporary shelter for submarine telegraph and wooden house for operations ; boom constructed of wire-hawsers and timber for protection against torpedo boats, south entrance ; a Corean boat lying on beach ; forming wire-boom for protection against torpedo boats, northern entrance. (The Case at the back is specially devoted to this most interesting series of Photographs, besides part of the Middle Case, but we regret there is not room to exhibit all.) The Spirit of Missions. By the time this is published Bishop Tucker will (God willing, have reached England from Uganda to enlist men for the work there. In a letter recently received from him (from which the following extract is taken), he gives a wonderful account of the people:—“When I left Usambiro," he says, “I was just recovering from an attack of fever. So weak was I that I had to be carried into the boat. I was also nearly blind, owing to a severe attack of ophthalmia. Happily I am now able to give a very different account of myself. . . . But now how shall I find language to describe the wonderful work of God's grace which has been going on in the land? Truly the half was not told me. Exaggeration about the eagerness of the people here to be taught there has been none. No words can describe the emotion which filled my heart as I stood up to speak to fully 1,000 men and women, who crowded the church of Buganda. It was a wonderful sight! There, close beside me, was the Katikiro— the second man in the kingdom. There, on every hand, were chiefs of various degrees, all Christian men, and all in their de-meanour devout and reverent to a degree. The responses in their heartiness were beyond anything I have heard even in Africa. There was a second service in the afternoon, at which there must have been fully 800 present. The same earnest attention was apparent, and the same spirit of devotion. I can never be sufficiently thankful to God for the glorious privilege of being permitted to preach to these dear members of Christ's flock." A pathetic little account (from the Ceylon Diocesan Gazette) of the Bishop's visit to the Lepers' Asylum at Hendella will be read with much interest. Of the 208 patients, hardly one-third are Christians, and of these only about fifteen attend the services in the little Chapel of our communion. On December 22 last, the Bishop confirmed four of the patients, and afterwards celebrated the Holy Communion. Since the Dedication of the Chapel in 1887, the Bishop has always given them their Christmas Communion on the eve of the Festival : last year, however, he was forced to come two days earlier. The lepers are never so happy as when the Bishop visits them. Long before the day fixed, therefore, they began to decorate their beautiful Chapel, one of the inscriptions bearing the touching prayer of the poor sufferers, “May God bless our Bishop."

Of the candidates for Holy Confirmation two were youths of about 16, and the others old men of 55 or 60. One of the latter, Bastian, excited the sympathy of the outsiders in church by the pain he was evidently suffering ; he had to be carried into the church, and afterwards led by two persons to the Bishop's chair to receive the "laying on of hands." He has kept to his bed for some weeks, painfully and patiently waiting for the dropping off of the affected limb, which alone will give relief. At the close of the Confirmation Service the hymn “Thine for Ever” was sung, and then the Bishop began the Holy Communion Service. . . . The newly-confirmed made their first Communion together with eleven others, six of whom were their fellow-sufferers. After the Service the Bishop returned to the Chapel and wished the patients a very happy Christmas, taking the hand of each one-an act of kindly feeling which, as it is Very seldom done, at once wins the heart of the leper. One of them, a new arrival, at first withheld his hand when the Bishop was about to take it. “Won't you shake hands with me?” said the Bishop, kindly. “My Lord, I am a leper," was the sad reply. “I don't mind that,” said the Bishop, "if I don't hurt your hand” ; and grasping his hand the Bishop wished him a happy Christmas, and departed at a little after 10 A.M., having reached them before 8 A.M.

The following encouraging incident is told by the Rev. A. C. Laughlin in the Mission Field for May :—"Early in 1890 the Rev. C. King established a boarding-school for Bhil boys at Miri, some twenty-four miles from ’Nagar, in the Diocese of Bombay. (The Bhils are a class of professional thieves, who, however, are allowed caste prejudices by virtue of the terror they inspire.) They were fed and lodged in buildings on the Mission premises, and a woman of their own caste (a catechumen) engaged to do their cooking. However, like wild animals caged for the first time, they could not brook constraint, but again and again on one vain excuse or another ran away ; until, on Mr. King's transfer to ’Nagar, the boarding-school scheme was reluctantly abandoned for the time, especially as there was no Padri Sahib to overcome them and keep the peace ; for, though the lads had been made catechumens, the old Adam was very far from being tamed. The lads persisted in breaking bounds and coming to school according to their own sweet will ; whilst the cooking woman several times (after receiving some garments and pay in advance) betook herself home, basely leaving the culinary arrangements considerably out of gear. But here the interest of the story comes in. The leading boy among these wild Bhil scholars was one Bhozu, a bright, clever lad, but with a will of his own. It appears that when the school had been thus temporarily closed, Bhozu went to a neighbouring village (Kadgaon), where, practically unknown to us, he started a village day-school on his own account. Some three months subsequently the Rev. J. Taylor and I had occasion to visit Kadgaon to see what prospects there were of opening an S.P.G. school there. On our arrival we found Master Bhozu quite the master, the children arranged in a most orderly way, quite obedient to his least orders, provided with books, slates, and other impedimenta, the whole presenting a spectacle which, not only our own Christian masters, but even many a Government one might have taken many a serviceable wrinkle from. There was no school building ; still Bhozu had kept some thirty-six children, of all ranks and classes, together throughout the rains with no better accommodation than a swept place outside a village temple. Although he had not yet passed the vernacular fourth standard, he proved himself able to organise and carry on a day-school, and very satisfactorily too; and being a Bhil, a boy of ‘caste,’ he had gathered into his school, in less than three months, representatives of nearly every caste—a feat morally impossible for a low-caste teacher."  

Missionary Thanksgivings and Intercessions

Phil. iv. 6.—“In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” VOCATION TO MISSION WORK. O Lord, call many more to Missionary work— (1) by the words of Holy Scripture, (2) by the sermons of Thy preachers, (3) by the lives of devoted Missionaries, (4) by the death of Martyrs, (5) by Thy love in coming to save man, (6) by the utterance of Thy Spirit. Call (7) the young to aspire to the Mission work, (8) men and women to resolve upon it, (9) parents and friends to resign them to it. Enable them (10) to overcome the shrinkings of the flesh, (11) to break through the entanglements of the world, (12) to triumph over the opposition of the devil.

THE EPISCOPATE.

	Grant (1) to Bishops at home—zeal, devotion, liberality in furthering the cause of Missions, (2) to Colonial Bishops—wisdom, firm hold of the Catholic faith, self-denial, (3) to Missionary Bishops—support, guidance, health, (4) increase of the Episcopate throughout India, in South Africa, in Australia.

MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. Thanksgiving for—(1) increased support to the S.P.G., the C.A. Mission, the C.M.S., (2) all who are giving labour or substance for the cause of Missions, (3) blessings on the Corean Mission Association.

SPECIAL MISSIONS. Thanksgiving for—(1) the consecration of a Bishop for British Honduras, (2) blessings on the Corean Mission, (3) progress of the Church in South Africa. Intercessions for—(1) the new work in Mashonaland, New Guinea, Tientsin, (2) Priests for Madagascar, Japan, Burma, Borneo, the dioceses of Canada, (3) help and strength to the Bishop, priests, deacons, doctors in Corea, (4) guidance to the Archbishop of Canterbury in dealing with the Palestine difficulties.