Morning Calm v.5 no.48(1894 Jun.)

THE MORNING CALM. No. 48, VOL. V.] " JUNE 1894. [PRICE id.

The Bishop's Letter. SEOUL: February 1894. DEAR FRIENDS, The New Year has come and gone. This year it fell upon the 6th, Shrove Tuesday. To allow our servants to enjoy the day with their families, Mr. Hodge and I spent it at the river-house, which is just now empty. We took some provisions with us, and had a very pleasant day. Never have I seen the roads so deserted. Generally all is bustle-the carrying coolies, bulls and ponies all jostling each other and making it difficult for the foot-passengers to thread their way through the crowded streets. To-day, once outside the city gates, not one beast of burden was to be seen, and in the three miles or more I only met about half-a-dozen people, who in their new clothes were bent on pleasure rather than on business. The shops were all shut, and never before did I feel in Corea as if it were a Sunday in England. The day, too, was quite lovely-as indeed, this whole month has been-with hardly a cloud in the sky. But the event of the month has been the ordination of Mr. Davies, which took place in the Church of the Advent on the second Sunday in Lent. At the beginning of the previous week, Mr. Trollope went from Kang-Hoa to Chemulpó to complete his examination, and on the Thursday they both walked up to Seoul. Mr. Doxat's house being unoccupied, I gave it to Mr. Davies, that for the remainder of the week he might enjoy the quiet and freedom from Corean teachers and friends which cannot be obtained at Nak-Tong. There, too, he was close to the Church of the Advent, and was able to take advantage of the frequent services which during this Lent we are able to have. Our custom has been to hold our ordinations at the hour of nine-"the third hour of the day"; but, as this was the first occasion of an ordination taking place in the new Church of the Advent, it seemed a pity to deprive our usual congrega-tion of English and Americans of their forenoon service. Accordingly, we changed the hour to half-past ten, when the sermon was preached (by me) from 1 S. Peter v. 2, 3. Mr. Smart had kindly come up from Chemulpó to help us with the   82 THE MORNING CALM. music, and added very materially to the devotion of the service by accompanying our hymns, the numbers of which (359, 156, 349, 554, and 315) I add for the pleasure which I know it will give to many of you to have them. Mr. Trollope acted as Archdeacon, and afterwards as Gospeller, assisting me, with Mr. Warner as Epistler, in the celebration of the Holy Communion. If I may answer for the rest of the congregation (which for us was large and representative) as well as for myself, I should say that it was a most helpful and encouraging service, which we all felt it a privilege and delight to be allowed to take part in. In the same week Mr. Davies left us for a long journey into the interior alone. He will be absent for a month or more, and will then settle down to work in Seoul, devoting himself chiefly to our hospital patients and the labour of study and translation which of course still continues. This brings me to a third event of importance which has to be chronicled this month-the arrival, namely, of our fount of Chinese type, con-sisting of upwards of 3,400 different characters, making a total of more than one hundred thousand pieces of type. The fount arrived in 32 boxes packed with the neatness which charac-terises all Japanese packing. You can imagine—no, I don't think you can imagine-how busy Mr. Hodge has been in getting all this mass of metal into its proper place. First of all, the cases have had to be made, and then each of them marked with the character which is to go into each box, and then the boxes have to be arranged in such a way as to enable the compositors to find readily any particular character they want. I calculate that it will take him over a fortnight to stow it all away. He is helped by two of our teachers and his four Corean apprentices. But he himself works harder than any of them, and always so good-humouredly as if he had nothing so very extraordinary to do after all. And yet it is undoubtedly a very heavy and difficult task, especially for one who knows so little Chinese as he does. Of course we are now reaping the benefit of the six weeks which he had last autumn with Bishop Scott's printing press in Peking. But there the type distributors were Chinese, and recognised the characters easily. Here the com-positors know very little beyond their own Corean alphabet, though, of course, like every Corean, they are familiar with a few of the best known Chinese characters. But three thousand ! You should see what odd shapes and patterns they make as an impression is taken of them in their blocks before they are sorted. And as soon as this type is stowed away the printing of the tract which we have been preparing will begin. The   THE MORNING CALM. 83 MS. is ready for the printer, and will be in his hands by Easter. After the ordination, Mr. Trollope and Mr. Warner returned to Kang-Hoa, leaving us to settle down into quiet Lenten ways. At the Advent we are having a reading every night after evensong, which, judging from the sustained attend-ance, seems to be helpful to our good people. I pray God that all our many prayers for each other may be answered, and that all our work may be owned and blessed by Him. May you all have a happy Easter is the sincere prayer of yours affectionately,

• C. J. CORFE.

P.S.-A telegram has just reached me from Mr. Davies, six days after his departure, announcing his arrival at Kong-Chyon, which is over 100 miles from Seoul, due south. Another tele-gram, on the same day, announced the arrival of Mrs. Bishop, the well-known traveller, in Fusan. Note. ANY readers of Morning Calm who would like to have a copy of the Third Annual Report may have one by sending to Mr. H. Harvey, 125 Vassall Road, S.W., enclosing penny stamp for postage. Association of Prayer and Work for Corea. ONLY one change in our list of Secretaries has to be reported this month. Miss F. B. B. Pedder, to whom we are very grateful for her work for us at Southport, has been obliged to resign her office of Secretary owing to change of residence. Miss R. G. Hague has very kindly promised to succeed her. On Rogation Tuesday, May 1st, the Rev. J. Dixon preached on behalf of Corea at Christ Church, St. Leonards-on-Sea, by kind invitation of the Rector. A Corea meeting was held at Findon in March, and addressed by the Rev. E. I. Crosse. Mr. Crosse (Henfield, Sussex) will be in North Devon in July, and is kindly ready to preach or speak for the Mission if our Secretaries or members there can secure invitations for him, with a view, not at all necessarily to obtaining offertories, but to giving information and arousing interest about the Church's work in Corea. The General Secretary hopes that by now all the Secretaries have received and circulated their Annual Reports. She is very sorry that, without her knowledge, some at least of the parcels have been sent out unprepaid. It is not wished that the cost of carriage or postage should be laid on the Secretaries, and she will   84 THE MORNING CALM. gladly repay it to any who will inform her of the amount due to them. With regard to the numbers of Reports, where the General Secretary has not heard from the Secretaries themselves on the subject, she has ordered to be sent to each Secretary a number sufficient for the list of names on the Locality Roll in her Register, and for the subscribers who are not members, with a few extra for distribution during the coming year. Should more be required, she will always be glad to supply them, and should too many have been sent in any case the surplus may be returned to her. But it should be remembered that, while the cost of printing a large number is little more than that of printing a few, it is by free circulation of the Report that interest in the Mission will be widely spread, and to do this is the duty of Secretaries of the Association. The General Secretary will be very glad to hear from any Secretary or friend of the Mission who would be willing to get up a Central Sale in the Autumn or Winter, to which the work done by individuals, or working parties where not even a small sale can be managed, may be sent. The Secretary of the Portsmouth Orphanage Branch wishes to thank the members of the Association at Truro for the parcel of work they have very kindly sent her for sale. M. M. CHAMBERS HODGETTS. hospital Naval fund. DUE notice having been given in The Times, The Army and Navy Gazette, The Broad Arrow, and Morning Calm, a general meeting of the members of the Hospital Naval Fund was held on May 2nd at the United Service Institution. The Chaplain of the Fleet was in the chair, and the meeting was opened, as usual, by reading St. Luke ix. 2 and St. Matthew xxviii. 18–20. The Honorary Secretary then read the following Report of the Executive Committee: - The Hospital Naval Fund in connection with Bishop Corfe's Mission in Corea was formed on December 6th, 1889, and the Executive Committee then appointed (with power to add to their number) has since carried on the work for which the Fund was established. After upwards of four years, they consider that their action during that period should be confirmed, and that some pro-visional changes which have been found desirable should receive the sanction of a general meeting of the members.   THE MORNING CALM. 85 The following are the details for which approval will be requested : From the commencement of the Fund, Admiral of the Fleet H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh was our President, and, as Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, graciously continues to take an interest in it by becoming a patron in conjunction with Captain H.R.H. the Duke of York. On the occasion of this change, a new rule was adopted by the Executive Com-mittee which provides that the Chaplain of the Fleet for the time being shall (with his consent) be President ex officio. It was felt that this arrangement would enlist the new generation of chaplains in the cause, and keep it more in touch with the Active Service. Another point which will require the confirmation of this meeting is the election of Deputy-Surgeon-General Wiles to be one of our Vice-Presidents. In order to preserve the purely Service character of the Fund, the rule was originally passed that, though contributions be received from other persons, none shall be admitted on the governing body except those connected with the Navy and Marines. But after Dr. Wiles' self-denying and most efficient organisation of the hospital work in Corea on our behalf, when he returned to England, the Executive Committee felt it a great privilege to have the advantage of his presence and advice, and was glad to mark this by making an exception to the rule and asking him to become a Vice-President. We feel that this meeting will join to their sanction of this their most grateful thanks for his generous services. The Executive Committee think it unnecessary, on the present occasion, to give a detailed account of the work which has been accomplished during the past four years. Full reports have been issued from time to time. Those preceding 1891 were embodied in the “First Report of Work in Connection with the Corean Mission." These reports are now published annually, and the third brings the history down to the end of the year 1893. This will soon be in the hands of all members. The accounts have been regularly and thoroughly audited at the end of each year, and the Committee have con-veyed the best thanks of the Fund to the Honorary Auditors. A short summary may, however, be given. Up to December 31st, 1893, the sum of £1,311 (most of it from the Navy) has been collected for the establishment and maintenance of dis-pensaries and hospitals in Corea. Of this, £829 has been spent (exclusive of expenses) on this undertaking. Nor   86 THE MORNING CALM.

does this represent all that the Fund has been the means of expending in the cause ; for the doctors have been able to earn money which has been devoted to the work. This has certainly quite equalled the amount of contributions, and the extent to which it has operated is evidenced by the fact that after the hospitals have been built and started, this money has almost sufficed to pay their current expenses. The expenses for printing, stationary, postages, naval exhibition, and advertisements have averaged about £17 per annum. On December 31st a balance of £413 remained on hand. Dr. Wiles paid his own expenses and gave his services gratuitously, but we have now to pay Dr. Baldock, his successor, 4300 per annum. The Committee has made itself responsible for this payment for three years ending January 1896 ; and, in view of the fact that the average annual contributions for the past two years have amounted to £246 only, the Committee feel that this balance is not too much to hold to meet present engagements without extending operations. There are now a hospital at Chemulpó under Dr. Landis ; two at Seoul for men under Dr. Baldock, in one of which the Sisters form the nursing staff ; and a hospital for women at Seoul under Dr. Louisa Cooke. There is also a dispensary at Mapu, on the Han, between Seoul and Chemulpó, which is visited by Dr. Baldock. Since the Fund was formed, the Chinese province of Man-churia has been added to the previous charge of Bishop Corfe; and having had experience of the medical work in Corea, he was anxious to open a hospital at Niu Ch'wang, and he asked if the H.N.F. was available for this purpose. But, in view of diminished income and increased liabilities, and also that the Fund was collected for operations in Corea, the Executive Committee felt that this was a question for a general meeting of the members to decide. The Executive Committee, from experience, are of opinion that Corea is as much as we can provide for. But if any of our friends are anxious to assist the work in Manchuria without diminishing their contributions for Corea, such additional subscriptions can be received and applied for this special purpose. Should a sufficient amount be thus forthcoming, a generous offer from a benefactor of £50 can be availed of. In conclusion, the Executive Committee would urge upon all the members of the Fund to increase their exertions, so that our income may be again brought up to our outgoings. Until this is done, the work cannot be developed to meet the increasing demands which its past success has made it the heir to. God has greatly blessed us, and has opened up greater opportunities of being fellow-workers with Him.   THE MORNING CALM. 87 We have, during the past four years, lost by death as many as fourteen of our original supporters, whose contributions had amounted to upwards of £40; but, remembering that God's work goes on though the workers change, we doubt not He will raise up others to take their place. The number of offertories from naval congregations evidence, among seamen and marines, an increased knowledge of, and a greater interest in, the mission-ary duty of the Church. Signed on behalf of the Committee- J. B. HARBORD, Hon. Secretaries. C. E. BAXTER, The following resolutions were then passed : - I. That the past action of the Executive Committee, as described in this Report, be confirmed ; that the rule be adopted which invites the Chaplain of the Fleet for the time being to be President ex officio ; and that the members express their thanks to the Committee for the exceptional election of Deputy-Surgeon-General J. Wiles as a Vice-President. (Proposed by Vice-Admiral P. H. Colomb ; seconded by Rev. J. Cawston, D.D., late Chaplain of the Fleet.) II. That the present income of the Fund not being sufficient for the work already on hand the members regret that they cannot undertake the hospital work in Manchuria ; but the Com-mittee will receive any contributions for that special purpose if they are additional to what is forwarded for Corea. (Proposed by Rev. J. C. Cox-Edwards, M.A., Chaplain of the Fleet; seconded by Commander G. C. Frederick, R.N.) III. That this Report be accepted and forwarded to the Editor of Morning Calm, with a request that it be printed in that Magazine. (Proposed by Rev. J. L. Robinson, M.A., Chaplain, Royal Naval College; seconded by Lieutenant R. Webb, R.N.) IV. That this first general meeting of the Hospital Naval Fund in England sends a message of sympathy and encourage-ment to our fellow-labourers in Corea, with sincere appreciation of their self-denial and earnest patience ; and this meeting pledges itself to renewed efforts for the support of the medical work, remembering the Lord's command "to preach the King-dom of god and to heal the sick.” (Proposed by Rev. J. B. Harbord, M.A., late Chaplain of the Fleet; seconded by J. R. Clark, Esq., M.A., R.N.) V. That the members of the H.N.F. desire to express their   88 THE MORNING CALM. thanks to the Council of the United Service Institution for the use of their theatre on this occasion, and for their kindness in allowing the Executive Committee to hold their quarterly meetings in the building. (Proposed by the Chairman ; seconded by Vice-Admiral P. H. Colomb.) With respect to Resolution II, on the day following the meeting, the Honorary Secretary received a contribution of £5 for Manchuria from a member who is an annual subscriber of £7 to the Fund for Corea. It illustrates what is meant by the word "additional," and it is hoped that this is the forerunner of many similar gifts from other members. J. B. HARBORD, Hon. Sec. H.N.F. Correspondence. GUERNSEY : February 16, 1894 DEAR MR. EDITOR, It is with no intention of departing from the modesty which Bishop Corfe has attributed to me in explanation of my past silence, that I now beg some of your valuable space. But it strikes me it may be of service to point out some of the diffi-culties, abroad and at home, which a Mission like that to Corea has to encounter. In speaking of the Mission to Corea, I include the work which is contemplated in Manchuria. Undoubtedly, one great cause for the dislike which the natives have to Chris-tianity is the conviction that the missionary is the representa-tive and emissary of a foreign Power. The reason is a political, not a religious one. China has admitted Buddhism and Moham-medanism within its borders; and Christianity would doubtless have met with the same tolerance, but for the dread of introduce-ing a foreign foe. In a conversation between a high Chinese official and the captain of a P. & O. steamer, the former called for a map and pointed out how much of the earth's surface in-dicated, by the red outlines, British possession; "and doubtless," he added, "the English would like to have China." I am afraid that the recent excited demands of some missionaries for gun-boat protection will strengthen this feeling. In Corea, at least, we can set an example of patiently enduring evil, “not answer-ing again," and it will be a great gain when we can prove that we came-not as a conquering race-but as people themselves conquered by the power of the Cross, the blessings of which subjection we would share with them. It is difficult for us in   THE MORNING CALM. 89 the West to understand the force of the conservatism which exists in the East, supported as it is by many centuries of an almost changeless form of civilisation and condition. Chinese and Corean thought is fixed and stereotyped by many genera-tions of teachers, and it will be long ere the contempt for what is foreign to it can be broken down. (Dare I trespass to say what a splendid opportunity presents itself at this moment in Manchuria, where thousands are finding a new home, pressed from crowded centres, and who, with their new surroundings, are in a fit frame of mind to welcome the good news we can offer them?) And other difficulties, alas ! have been created by the missionaries themselves. Zeal outrunning discretion, express-ing itself in hasty methods, raising obstacles to future usefulness, causing strife where there might have been peace. I speak of men declaiming a text, the sacred Name (!), before they have troubled to learn the elements of the language, of unmethodical itinerations, without thought of nourishing the seed sown, of violent denunciations of those held in veneration, and the like. We want immediate results, to hear the din of the battle, and cannot bear to wait while the future battle is planned and the fortifications are surely laid. And again, in England and in Corea, we want faith. On the one hand there is a feeling that in China, Corea, and elsewhere, evangelisation is almost hopeless ; on the other, there may be too great dependence upon the slower methods of those accessories to missionary work which doubt-less are valuable and helpful ; in each case, a want of faith in the power of the Gospel to convert souls, which must be paralysing to the work. I plead with you in England who are interested in the Corean Mission. Give the missionaries time, that by the study of the language and customs of the people they may make an adequate presentation of the blessed truths of our religion; and then believe that that power which has subjugated ourselves to the service of our Lord will not fail when it encounters the deep-rooted obstacles in the minds and hearts of Coreans and Chinese. And, moreover, pray that we missionaries may faithfully preach, not trusting in the enticing words of men's wisdom, but in Him who to some was a stumbling-block and to others foolishness. I must go on to speak of difficulties at home, though I fear you can hardly allow me more of your space. I fancy that the noticed want of enthusiasm for Missions amongst some at home is due to the doubts betrayed by ques-tions put to me, such as : “Are not the Roman Catholics already in Corea ?" "Are not the Roman Catholics excellent mission-   90 THE MORNING CALM. aries?" I will hardly delay to answer to both questions, Yes and No. What is more to the point, Mr. Warner will "personally conduct" in many parts of Corea, and Mr. Doxat will doubtless do the same in Manchuria, where, through many days of travel-ling in thickly populated districts, not a single Christian teacher is to be found. It behoves us, while thousands of souls are perishing—souls for whom we, as English people, have a responsibility on account of our commerce and influence ; souls, too, for whom Christ died -instead of waiting to settle whether any but the undivided Church can confer “Mission"; or whether we ought not to courteously acquiesce in priority of possession (in other words, to grant all that another branch of the Church, which concedes nothing, claims)—it behoves us, I say, to prove our claim to be part of the Catholic Church, by obeying the Catholic command, “Go, make disciples of all nations." In conclusion, let me say with all gratitude that the S.P.G. is doing all in its power—and with considerable keenness—to deal with what is to many an uninteresting work ; content to abide in patience and faith those results which many more impatiently and with less faith seek, and which are in the hands of God. Yours faithfully. JOSEPH H. POWNALL. CHEMULPÓ, COREA: March 2nd, 1894. DEAR SIR, No doubt some news respecting the school work here will be of interest to the readers of Morning Calm. From time to time the Bishop has referred to me and the school in his letters, but I have refrained myself from writing until the whole thing had been well tried, and after fifteen months we may be better able to speak of its work and worth. Your readers will already have learnt I did not take the school over until December 5th, 1892. After giving due notice in the settlement, only three presented themselves, one Japanese and two Chinese. Nevertheless, the number gradually increased, until the summer vacation, which began in July, when they stood at twenty-seven, fifteen Japanese and twelve Chinese. I enclose a photograph of a group of the students taken at the end of June 1893. A mixed school of Japanese and Chinese is no easy task to manage, for the jealous feeling runs very high, and thus it has made the school somewhat difficult to conduct, I may mention   92 THE MORNING CALM. that the Japanese refused to buy the photograph because the Chinese occupied a more prominent position in the group than they. With regard to the classes, however, I managed to arrange them by separating the two nationalities, and matters went well until the summer vacation. On October 2nd the school was reopened, and, with the excep-tion of some few who had returned to China or Japan, all came back. On the first day twenty-five attended, which number has not only been maintained but increased, as the following figures show: - No, on Register Oct. 25th, 1893 : Japanese 14. Chinese 11; No. of Attendances, 417 1 1 Nov, 25th, 1893: IS, 17 ; 4 07 9 Dec. 3oth, 1893: 25, » 5; 499 I have now commenced another year with a still further increase of Japanese. At the re-opening of the school in October last, I was glad to be able, through the kindness of the National Society, to adopt “The Royal Reader" Series as my class books for reading-a great improvement upon the former books (" American National Readers”) in many ways, and especially because the English Readers give one many opportunities of speaking about God to the pupils, opportunities which are wanting in the American books. This, indeed, is the only way which I have afforded me of teaching them anything about God, His dealings with man, and especially of the love of God and of His Son Jesus Christ. You will, I know, believe that such opportunities when they occur are never lost by me. For many years there will be a difficulty in persuading the Japanese to remain in this country to which they come for the purpose of trade or of finding work. Like the Chinese, they are ever returning to their own land. On Sundays I hold a Bible-class, which is attended generally by two or three (sometimes more). It would be easy to make this class larger were I to make it an opportunity of learning English. But I discourage this, and feel sure that the best results will, in the end, be attained by continuing this course. When I next write, I hope to be able to speak of the opening of more definite Christian work. I think a great deal of teaching here, as in England, could be done by means of the magic lantern. The lantern we have, but the slides we want ; and I hope we may before this next winter be able either to buy or beg some; but, as it is so well known how little money we have, perhaps someone will be good enough to assist us by sending a few slides, in order to help in this part of

  THE MORNING CALM. 93 our work. I ought to say we have a few slides, but they represent the Passion of Our Lord, and are not suitable for the class of men I have to deal with. I regret I have so slight a knowledge of the Japanese language, but, being occupied between seven and eight hours daily in school, I have, when the necessary duties are taken into account, but little time or energy left for the study of a language which requires one's whole time for at least the two first years. At the same time, I hope to be able to pick up enough of the language to do something towards helping on the work of the Mission of the Church of God. All work out here is very slow, and will remain so until the people come in contact with the Western commercial world, where ”time is money." Here, with these people, the motto seems to be “Never do to-day what you can do to-morrow," though this can hardly be said with regard to the Japanese, The trouble is rather, when having learnt but a little, they think they know all, and are quite independent. Let us hope that the Corean, if he is slow, will be sure also. I have already written a longer letter than I intended, but I trust the contents of it may, if useful, find its way to the readers of Morning Calm. I would ask them to continue praying for us and our humble work. Believe me, yours sincerely, WM. SMART. The Spirit of missions. NOW the most blessed Ninian, wholly unwilling that the devil, driven from the mainland, should take up his abode beyond the ocean and find a home in a corner of this island, in the hearts of the Picts, girded himself as a strenuous athlete to wage war against bis tyranny, taking, that is to say, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of love and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Strengthened therefore with such arms, and surrounded by the holy brethren as by a heavenly host, he invaded the principality of the strong man armed, that he might deliver innumerable souls led captive from his dominion. And thus, coming to the Southern Picts, constrained by the heathen blindness which enwrapped them to worship and bow down to deaf and dumb idols, he preached the truth of the Gospel and the purity of the Christian faith, God working with him and confirming the Word with signs following. The blind saw, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised, they who were afflicted of the devil were liberated. By the grace of the Holy Spirit faith was received, error was abjured, heathen temples were destroyed, churches were built. They crowded to the font of the saving laver, rich and poor, young men and virgins, old men with the children, mothers with their infants, and, renouncing Satan and all his   94 THE MORNING CALM. works and his pomps, were joined by faith, word, and sacraments into a nation of believers. They gave thanks to the most merciful God. Who had revealed His Gospel in the islands which were afar oft, sending to them the preacher of truth, the lamp of His salvation; Who had called them His people which were not His people, and her beloved which was not beloved, and her to have followed mercy which had not followed mercy. Then the holy prelate began to ordain presbyters, and to consecrate bishops, to dis-pose the other dignities of ecclesiastical order, and to divide the whole land into fixed pastoral charges. And having at length confirmed in faith and good works his sons whom he had begotten in Christ, and disposed all things as seemed necessary for the honour of God and the good of souls, saying farewell to the brethren, he returned to his own church. . . . Thus showing forth wonders and adorned with the highest virtues, the most blessed Bishop came at length with happy course to the day of his heavenly vocation. That day was to the holy man a day of exultation and joy, but to the people whom he ruled a day of tribulation and sorrow. He rejoiced, to whom heaven was opened ; the people wept, who were orphaned of such a father. He rejoiced, for whom an everlasting crown was pre-pared ; they were made sad, who saw their well-being endangered. Even such joy had been mixed with regret, for to leave them was grievous, whilst to be longer separated from Christ was intolerable. But Christ, thus con-soling the hovering soul, called him to Himself. And thus, although his outward ending did not show the signs of a martyr, that without which there is no martyrdom, the merit of a martyr, was not lacking. -From “Life of St. Nina" (ap. Pinkerton, “Scottish Saints,” i. pp. 25-35). Few who were present at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in St. James's Hall, on the afternoon of May 10th, will forget the profound sensation which was caused by the announcement of the death of the great Missionary Bishop in Central Africa. At the close of his speech, when the Archbishop of Canterbury stated that a telegram had just been received bearing the tidings that Bishop Smythies was at rest, a deep sigh seemed to come from all parts of the hall; and the whole meeting rose to its feet to join in the prayer of commemoration which His Grace then offered up. No other news has been received yet than the telegram of Mr. Travers, from Aden, stating that the Bishop had died on May 7th, and been buried at sea; it is supposed, however, that, being unwell, he had started from Zanzibar for the benefit of a sea voyage. One of his latest acts was the ordination of the Rev. Petro Limo to the priesthood ; and it is both pathetic and significant to read now, in Central Africa for May, that “the Bishop only gave the addresses [in the Ordination Retreat]. as he is suffering from an ulcer, and has to rest himself a good deal." Requiescat in pace.   THE MORNING CALM. 95 Bishop Blyth has received the firman from Constantinople sanctioning the erection of the proposed college at JERUSALEM with unusual despatch. It is only nine months since that the application for the firman was handed in at our Foreign Office, and there is no record at Jerusalem of the Sultan's authorisation being so speedily obtained. It has been usually heretofore a business of several years to get such a document through the straits of Turkish officialdom. The firman also, it is gratifying to state, is couched in most favourable terms, freeing the pro-perty from all taxes, both local and imperial. The reception of the firman will warrant the issue of a public appeal for funds for the erection of the college, which will be of the greatest possible value as a home for the Anglican Church at Jerusalem, and a centre for its operations in the East and in Egypt. -From the Guardian. The difficulty of work among the Telugus, and the extreme caution which is necessary before admitting them to baptism, are well shown in the following, taken from the report by the Rev. H. G. Downes of the S.P.G. Kurnool-Nandyal Mission : - “I must now mention two incidents which show the super-stition against which we have to contend. In a small village all the people wanted to join a short time back, so I said the idol stone must be thrown down. While the people were talking about it, the priest kicked the idol, saying, ‘What is the good of this? It cannot do anything.' And two days afterwards he died! The people who were talking of joining discussed his death at length, and in this they were assisted by the caste people. The decision arrived at was, It would not have mattered if he had thrown the idol down or merely left off worshipping it, but because he kicked it he died. In consequence of this, one or two families in that village refused to join ; and the people in another village a mile away, who had expressed their intention of joining, have decided to wait a bit. “In another village all the people were anxious to join, and would have agreed to the idols being thrown down, but just then a little child went near a lamp and its jacket was burned. This made some people undecided about giving up the idols. Two or three days afterwards I rode over to the village to see the people. They gave me up several idols and idolatrous ornaments which were used in procession ; but in what may be called the sanctuary of the temple was a huge stone idol, four or five feet high, and painted all over. This they would not allow to be thrown down. They promised to wall up the doorway   96 THE MORNING CALM. and not to worship it, but they insisted on its remaining there. It would never have done to agree to that suggestion. Had I done so, if an epidemic of cholera were to break out in three or four years' time, the people would most certainly attribute it to the idol, and many would go back to its worship; so at present nothing can be done about receiving this congregation." On the other hand, what could be more encouraging than this, from the same report?- “A few days ago I was talking to a Mahommedan magistrate, a highly-educated man, resident at Kurnool at present-a man who has to travel a great deal among the people, and can see whether Christianity does good or not. He blamed me severely because there are not more missionaries in the district, saying, ‘Christianity is the only religion which can raise up these poor people. Hinduism is useless for this. Though I am partial to Mahommedanism, that religion cannot raise them. This can only be done by Christianity.’ “When we find Mahommedans asking for Christian mission-aries to come into the district to evangelise the Hindus, how much longer will the Church of Christ neglect its duty in this respect?” The Venerable Archdeacon Shaw, of TOKYO, has lately come to England on furlough, owing to ill-heath, and the following laudatory account of him has appeared in the principal Japanese (and heathen) paper. That Japanese courtesy will lose no opportunity of saying gentle things is well known, but these are no mere formal words, and few things could be a more genuine testimony to the vast effect of his earnest work : - "Mr. Shaw has lived in Tokyo for more than twenty years, during which long time he has delighted in religious works as if it were one day. He has corrected errors, comforted the poor, and his life during these years has indeed been an example to all priests. His gentleness is well known to all. Who does not admire his virtues ? His wife, too, is loved and respected by all who have met her, whether foreigners or Japanese, and she has been a great help to Mr. Shaw in all his work. There are great numbers of Japanese who have been instructed and influ-enced by Mr. and Mrs. Shaw in their faith, and who will never forget their kindness and virtues. And there are a very large number of Japanese, both Christians and others, who admire, respect, and love Mr. Shaw and his family, and who feel deep sorrow for their departure."