little liable to interruption, and as easy of access from abroad, as at any other location. It is probably preferable in all the respects I have named. Moreover, on the island, and on both sides of the river, with which it is connected by bridges, there is a population of several hundred thousand-all within half an hour's walk. Here we have selected a place of permanent location. A house has been bargained for at a permanent rent of about $9 per month, so long as we may choose to occupy it But, like almost all houses purely Chinese, it would not, in its present condition, be a comfortable residence, nor would it be consistent with a due regard to health for foreigners to occupy it as such. Could we have found a house in anywise suitable even for a temporary residence, it would have been satisfactory for us to have consulted with the Board before making a permanent location. But this was impracticable. It has, therefore, been thought best to improve the one we have selected. To do this will probably require an expenditure of about $500. Brother White will give you an account of the premises, and of the improvements contemplated. As there are no missionaries within the city proper, it seemed to us that an entrance should be made there. I accordingly made an effort, through my teacher, to obtain a house, and in October struck a bargain for one not quite finished, which, when completed, was to be rented to me for $4 per month. I was highly gratified at the facility with which this arrangement had been effected. In a few days, however, I learned that the neighbors were unwilling that the house should be rented to a foreigner. As we were quite unable to hold such intercourse with them as might be calculated to remove their prejudices, it was deemed best to release the owner from his contract. Some time after this I sent to inquire whether a room might not be obtained in a temple within the city, as such rooms had been rented to the foreigners connected with the English Consulate, though never occupied. A room was found, from which the priests in charge agreed to remove the idols. We paid a month's rent in advance, and employed a carpenter to make some small repairs; and, as is the universal custom here, advanced part payment. Here again we were thwarted. The officers threatened to punish the priests if they rented; and for the part my teacher had taken he was obliged to pay about $3. We did not think it right for him to suffer on our account, and therefore paid him back. On inquiring of the officers, we were informed that they had no objection to our residing within the walls, but that those who had subscribed toward building the temple were unwilling

that any part of it should be rented. The priest was compelled to refund the rent; but, as I had reason to believe that in good faith he had been at considerable expense on our account, I paid him $3. “There are half a million of people living inside the walls. By the treaty the whole place is open to foreign residents; and, though we have unexpectedly failed in our first endeavor, we entertain hopes, by prudent perseverance, of making a home among them. We deem this the more important, as there are already two missionaries besides ourselves on the island, and none within the city proper. My health is good, and I am permitted to enjoy rich spiritual blessings at the hand of my heavenly Father. I am endeavoring to acquire the language, and trust I am making some progress.

"It seems to be the opinion of those with whom I have conversed on the subject, that it is hardly advisable to establish English schools; and that even such as employ the scholars part of the time in English, are, by many, supposed to be of questionable utility. At all the schools where English is taught, it is usual to board the lads, and furnish them with books, as well as to give them instruction. Board, such as is used by the Chinese, is very cheap, probably not exceeding $2 a month for a boy. In addition, a Chinese teacher must be employed to instruct them half of each day in their own language. Another method recommended by some, is to employ a Chinese teacher, and hire a room for the accommodation of such day scholars as may choose to attend, and learn Chinese half the day, and study such Christian books as the missionary may direct the other half. The expense of such a school would be, perhaps, $12 or $15 dollars per month. Which would be best here, or at what time it would be proper to establish either, is yet uncertain. It is probable that within a year we shall be able to enter upon some plan for the instruction of the children. In the meantime, we shall endeavor to make a further acquaintance with the language and habits of the people. There is plainly much of idolatry here; but it does not seem to produce those exhibitions of cruelty which it does elsewhere. It sits, however, as a blight upon the soul. It deadens the conscience. It shuts out God, the only wise, and leaves no room for the Savior. What a field is this for missionary labor! We seem as a drop in the ocean amid the mighty tide of life moving around us. O that the Lord would send more laborers, and abundantly bless their labors in this land of moral death!"

We subjoin an extract from a joint communication of

brothers White and Collins on the subject of printing tracts and books in the Chinese language. All such information is very important to the Board, and cannot fail to be interesting to the friends of this new mission. The dispatches of our brethren, thus far, have been of a most gratifying character, containing much valuable information, and many useful suggestions, which cannot fail to exert a happy influence upon the deliberations and decisions of those to whose direction and care the interests of this mission may be intrusted. Every item of information, bearing directly or indirectly upon the interests and success of the mission, is peculiarly important at the present time. The following is the extract:

"In compliance with our instructions to purchase tracts for gratuitous distribution-no amount having been specified-we purchased of Dr. Ball about ten thousand tracts of various kinds, and received from him gratuitously, of the American Bible Society's publications, as follows: Matthew's Gospel, five hundred; of Mark, five hundred; Luke, one hundred and sixty; John, four hundred; the Acts of the Apostles, five hundred; all translated by Dr. Medhurst. These, we believe, were printed by Chinese, under the supervision of Dr. Ball, without a press. It is quite probable that Chinese printing can be done cheaper in this than in any other manner, and, in consideration of the comparative expense of material and labor, cheaper at this place than at either of the other open ports. In view of this, as also of the great danger, delay, and expense of transportation, from other ports, it is thought by the brethren of the American Board, as well as ourselves, to be decidedly better to have blocks cut, and printing done here, than to depend for supplies from abroad. Blocks for any considerable work can be obtained here, of the very best kind, at the rate of 80 cash per hundred characters-seventeen hundred and fifty characters for a Spanish dollar of 1400 cash, or sixteen hundred and fifty for a Mexican dollar of 1320 cash-as these are about the average rates of exchange. Blocks for the entire New Testament would cost about one hundred and thirty dollars. The translation of the Bible is now undergoing revision by several learned men at Shanghai, and, when completed, will probably be the most suitable version for circulation.

"So far as we are able to judge, it would be desirable that each missionary should be furnished with a good dictionary. Morrison's is everywhere spoken of as by far the best extant; though Medhurst's Dictionary of the Mandarin and Vocabulary together would answer a very good purpose. Williams' Vocabulary, and Pormases' 'Notitia Linguæ Sinicæ,' are also valuable aids. Bridgeman's Christomathy of the Canton Dialect, Medhurst's Dictionary of the Fuhkien, Williams' Easy Lessons-in a word, all books of provincial dialects—are of comparatively little use here."

The mission to China was reinforced by the appointment of two additional missionaries-Rev. Henry Hickok and Rev. Robert S. Maclay, who embarked for their field of labor in October, 1847.

20*

CHAPTER XI.

MISSIONARIES.

We have always entertained the opinion that, in the selection of ministers to take charge of destitute fields in our own and foreign countries, great regard should be had to experience and thorough theological training.

Whatever portion of the vineyard should be allotted to novices, this, most certainly, should have "master workmen, thoroughly furnished."

A well-trained Church may prosper under the ministrations of an unskillful and inexperienced minister-mission stations, never!

As far as we are able to judge, the Board have acted upon this principle in recommending, and the Episcopacy in appointing missionaries. The strongest forces have been stationed at the outposts of the Christian army; and though many of the most skillful and valiant in the ministerial corps have fallen at these posts, yet the zeal and ardor of the Church has not been quenched, and soldiers of the cross have volunteered to defend them, and make aggressive movements on "the strong-hold of the wicked one."

The Church has always found a supply for every requisition; and in all the ranks of the Wesleyan detachment there can always be found those, who, to all the openings of Providence, and calls of the Church, will promptly respond, "Here am I, send me."

Every destitute portion of our land among the whites, colored, and Indians, has been supplied with faithful, selfdenying missionaries. In Africa, South America, China, Oregon, California, and Germany, the Board have sent experienced and talented ministers to proclaim to their dying fellow-men the salvation of the Gospel.

For the purpose of securing uniformity in all the missions,