CHINA INLAND MISSION.

Northern Advocate, 8 May 1914, Page 11

CHINA INLAND MISSION.

PHENOMENAL PROGRESS.

(Contributed.)

Residents of Whangarei will have the privilege next Sunday (May 10) of listening to a representative of that wonderful and faith-inspiring mission known as the China Inland Mission. The Rev. Arthur Taylor comes with first-class credentials as an educationalist, as well as an earnest and successful missionary. The mission, which is popularly known as the "C.1.M.," was organised in 1865 by the late Rev. Hudson Taylor. He tells the early history of the work in his "Retrospect," which gives a vivid account of his wonderful faith in a prayeriearing God. All the workers and means to send them forth were given in answer to prayer. Since then the work has gone on with increasing strength. Needs have been met as they arose, till God's ai'ray numbers over 2000 workers. Mr T:iylor will have, no doubt, an interesting story to tell on May 10 in the various churches. The following account, reproduced from the "Supplement to China's Millions," indicates the great progress of the past ten years, and gives some idea of how the work is conducted:—

In any attempt to adequately aporer oiate what God has been pleased to do

in China through the ministry of the C.1.M., and how graciously He has continued to supply the funds in propor-

tion to the growing needs of the Mission, it is necessary to briefly survey

the progress made during a course of several years. To enable the friends of the Mission to do this, statistics 'have been prepared which illustrate

the work of the C.I.M. during the last ten years since the Boxer crisis.

The study of these figures can hardly fail to impress the thoughtful reader with the encouraingg progress made, and with the goodness of God in so faithfully supplying those spiritual and temporal blessings without which this work could not have prospered at all, but must have inevitably terminated long ago.

Though the attention of the reader is especially directed to the figures themselves, there are one or two observations which may, perhaps, not inapropriately be made. It will be noted that while the number of central stations has hot greatly increased, the average number of missionaries to each centre being less than five, the out-stations have advanced from three hundred and.nineteen to eight hundred and seventy-one, and the number of chapels from four hundred and seven-ty-six to, one thousand and seventyfour. These figures, clearly indicate how rapidly centres are being opened and established where native leadership becomes essential.

Again, while the number of missionaries has increased from , , seven hundred and sixty-three to one thousand and nine (in 1913 the number was 1040) the number of paid Chinese helpers in the Mission's employ advanced from five hundred and fortyone to one thousand four hundred and twenty, a net gain of eight hundred and seventy-nine. In addition to this, it must be noted that the voluntary Chinese helpers have advanced from two hundred to seven hundred and fifty-four. Thus, for every new missionary by whom the work has been reinforced during the last ten years, there have been added nearly six new Chinese helpers. Few figures couldi be more gratifying than these, for they prove, that the Chinese iQhlristians are seriously, beginning to understand the evangelisation of their own people. And since China's millions can only Ibe fully reached by a great increase of native agency, the fact that to an increase of thirtytwo per cent, in th,e missionary staff there has been given an increase of one hundred and ninety-three per cent, in the Chinese staff, is no small cause for joy.

Further, the communicants have increased from seven; thousand seven hundred and seventy-four to twenty six thousand three hundred and fiftyfour, no allowance being made for the many who during the ten years have gone to be with the Lord; and the schools for children of Christian par-

"I have a feeling as if there Is a

lamp in my chest, and such uncomfortable pains after meals. Yes, I know it is indigestion, but what can I do. I have been very careful over what J eat, but it's no use. I must see a $<tcloi, or try one of the advertised reme-

•diei for indigestion, like Baxter's P.i'is, winch I have heard are Tery good, and not unpleasant to take. They are sii yer-coated and only cost eightoenpence; while I think of it I will go and buy them now." If your chemist or storekeeper does not stock them, order by post direct from J. Baxter and Co. Chemists, Christchurclx.

ents have also proportionately advanced from eighty-three to three hundred and eight.

That, without any appeal for funds, God should have moved His people so to give of their substance that the income steadily increased with the increasing demands, is wholly inexplicable on any other ground than that our Father knoweth what things we have need of. Faith has been tested, self-denying economies have been practisd, but the unfailing faithfulness of God has always been experienced. To reduce living facts to cold statistics is to rob them of much of their throbbing interest, but no report could contain the full story of all that these few figures signify. God ilone knows how much the sowing in tears has meant before there has been us reaping of joy, and God alone knows how many tears have :been wiped away from heathen faces, how much sighing and sadness has been banished from heathen homes, how much life has been gladdened and death robbed of its terrors, and how great has been . the , joy in the presence of the angels of God over sinners who have turned to repentance.

Surely the toil of these years, the sorrow and suffering, the lives laid down in willing service, and all the self-denial of those who have contributed of their substance are not worthy to be compared with the salvation of immortal souls, and with the joy of Christ in seeing of the travail of His soul and heing satis-fled.

Shall we not pray that this progress may be more than maintained in the years to come, and that those funds which are necessary for the efficient development of such a growing work may be constantly supplied? And should not a consideration of these figures help us , again to raise our "Bbenezer" and to declare our trust in our "Jehovah-Jireh" -as we go forward in the sacrifice of service and of giving, iseeking to do yet greater 'things for Him who hath loved us and washed us from our sins , in His own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God? To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. COMPARATIVE STATISTICS. The following figures demonstrate the enormous advance made as between the years 1902 and 1911. inclusive:—'lncome from all sources in 1902 was £72,066, and in 1911 totalled £90,229, the latter sum including '£5700 for famine funds; stations, 190 and 221; out-stations, 319 and 871; chapels, 476 and 1074; missionaries* 763 and 1009; paid Chinese helpers, 541 and 1420; unpaid Chinese helpers 200 and 754; communicants living, 774 and 26,354; schools, 83 and 308.