CATHOLIO MISSIONARY FIELDS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 22, 30 May 1901, Page 7

CATHOLIO MISSIONARY FIELDS.

Iff the course of an address at the laying of the foundation stone of a school building at Lewisham the Cardinal-Archbishop of Sydney contrasted the position of the Church to-day with that of a century ago when religion was being trampled under foot. To-day they saw those countries which had been opposed to it coming round, and harmony and order everywhere established. This good feeling wu also observable on the missionary field, and especially in those island luiftuiona in which they were particularly interested. At no time in the world's history was there such harmony among the variouH missions as there was to-day. Even up to a little while ago there was strife, and missionaries belonging to another fold were wont to assail the missions of Holy Church ; but to-day. THST RECOGNISE THK ZEAL OF OUR MISSIONARIES, and in Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji, and other islands where missions are proceeding the best of harmony and concord pervade the various religious Orders. Only within the past three years a new mission had been opened in the Solomon Islands, and they had to-day in Sydney a missionary who had just come from there in a 19-ton outter with only eight black boys for a crew. The voyage of this intrepid missionary told them of the spirit that pervaded the mis* sionaries of our day. One of the island steamers quitted the Solo* mons just before Father Rouillao set sail in his cutter, and, learning that he was about to venture the passage, they told him that HE WAS PASSING TO CERTAIN DEATH and exhorted him to forego his plans. But to their great surpris* when their steamer arrived in Sydney Harbor they found the cutte* of 19 tons — in disrepair and manned by Father Rouillao and his blaok boys — had arrived several dayß before them. To show their appreciation of Father Rouillao's feat, those who were engaged in the yaohting line about Sydney Harbor determined that the docking and the necessary repairs of his boat will not cost him one penny, and they have organised a fund to carry out all the work that is essential, if they do not even fit him up with a new and larger vessel. It was sometimes alleged that Catholics were jealous of the laborn of others in the mission field. Thia was not so. Of conrse, if Catholics were attacked or abused they resented it. However, he was happy to say that there were many missionaries of other denominations who heartily co-operated with the missionaries of Holy Church in several of the fields of missionary enterprise. REFERRING TO THE RECENT MASSACRES, he regretted to say that the news of the past few days left them very little hope, and seemed to indicate beyond doubt that one of these devoted men has been massacred in New Guinea. The Rev. James Chalmers was not of the Catholic communion, but he was a genuine hero in visiting these islands. In facing the many hardships and dangers in order to accomplish his good work, he had shown a whole-hearted devotion and as much trne heroism as Livingstone, Stanley, and others in their explorations in Africa. Among the pioneer explorers of New Guinea the name of the Rev. James Chalmerß must always occupy a foremost and well-deserved place. To his friends and fellow-laborers he (the Cardinal) offered on behalf of the Catholic Church his heartiest condolences in their grief at the sad fate which had overtaken him. There was another country where similar disasters had overtaken missionaries quite recently. He referred to the great Chinese Empire. In describing the massacre by the Boxers the newspapers had much to say about the Protestant ministers who had become victims, but little to say about the great number of Catholio missionaries who had laid down their lives. No less than five Catholic bishops had been direotly put to death by the Boxers during that terrible period, aud three Catholio bishops had subeequently expired from the wounds and maltreatment they had received. And besides the Bishops no less than 218 Catholic missionaries had obtained the martyr's crown, and over 50,000 native Christians. There could be no question about the motive why they were put to death. An Australian correspondent, Dr. Morrison of the Times, told a story of a body of the troops of Japan, France, and England which went out to gather in and escort to a place of safety some of the native Christians. Just as they were passing one of the native temples they heard shrieks and cries within. Bursting in the doors they found a number of Boxers offering incantations before their idols AND SACRIFICING CHRISTIANS to appease these gods. At the moment the Boldieri entered the building some of the Christians had already been decapitated, whilst others were bound awaiting death. This inoident showed clearly what really actuated the Boxers in their attacks upon Christians. However, all seemed well for the future of China to-day ; peaoe was being restored, and the saying was verified that the blood of martyrs could not fail to bring benefit to a pagan land. He mentioned these facts to show under what a good augury Holy Church was entering on the new century.