VICARIATE APOSTOLIC OF NORTHERN MANCHURIA Until 1898, the immense district of Manchuria formed but one mission. A decree of May 10, of that year, divided it into two vicariates apostolic; that of Southern Manchuria, composed of the province of Mukden, and that of Northern Manchuria, composed of the provinces of Ghirin and Tsitsicar. We hardly need remind our readers of what these two missions have suffered from persecution. Missionaries have been devoting their zeal to repairing the ruins. God has blessed their efforts. The following extract is taken from the long and interesting report for 1904 addressed by Bishop Lalouyer to the directors of the Seminary for Foreign Missions of Paris.

LETTER OF BISHOP LALOUYER, P. F. M.,

Vicar Apostolic of Northern Manchuria.

I am happy to forward the annual report of the labors of missionaries in Northern Manchuria during the year 1903-1904.

The total number of baptisms is 3199; of these, 1401 are catechumens under long probation; 53, adults in danger of death; 561, children of Christian parents, and 1184, children of pagan parentage. Besides there were 25 conversions from heresy.

Last year I congratulated myself upon the fine figures of 1007 adult baptisms, a number never before attained in Northern Manchuria. This year the number is larger; it is with the feeling of true happiness that I lay at the feet of Mary Immaculate the beautiful sheaf of 1454 baptisms of pagan adults.

In 1902, I traversed the province of Tsitsicar. In 1903, about the middle of October, I left my residence to visit the posts in the province of Ghirin and administer confirmation to a large number of neophytes. During this journey I went to see all the newly founded stations. It is impossible to describe the joy of the neophytes who

beheld their bishop for the first time. Everywhere a magnificent welcome was extended to me. May these outward demonstrations contribute to develop the movement of conversion which, thanks be to God, is spreading day by day.

During my pastoral journey I confirmed 1277 persons.

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The great distances between the stations of the province of Tsitsicar had prevented my gathering all the missionaries for their annual retreat before.

The situation is now very much changed. The Trans-Siberian crosses the mission and the long distances are done away with. A journey which formerly required ten to fifteen days can now be made in one day. In pursuance of these traveling facilities and the need I felt of consulting my missionaries upon several questions, I decided to call them together for their retreat in Kouang-chang-si and discuss with them the affairs of the vicariate.

January 9 was fixed for the day of opening of the spiritual exercises. When I arrived at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, all the missionaries had assembled, happy in their meeting after so long a separation. In the evening of January 9, the retreat began with the chanting of the Veni Creator, closing on January 12, with the renewal of the clerical vows. After two or three days devoted to the settling of several questions, each missionary returned to his post, his heart filled with renewed zeal.

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Alas! our joy was not of long duration. A short time after our separation, we learned that war had been declared between Japan and Russia. Our fears were great and the future seemed very sad. Having recourse to prayer, our supplications touched the heart of our divine Lord.

Until now, at least, our apprehensions have not been realized. Bands of brigands have crossed some of our districts, but the Blessed Virgin has watched over the apostles and disciples of her divine Son. Whilst the pagans have been robbed and massacred by the terrible "houng-hou-tse," our Christians have been spared. May the poor pagans, astonished by so extraordinary a protection, open their eyes to the light, renounce their powerless divinities, and recognize the God of the Christians, ever good to His children. Missionaries have profited by the unexpected peace God has granted them. The affairs of

administration are being conducted as usual. During Lent, the Christians faithfully fulfilled their Easter duty and the catechumens prepared themselves for baptism with all possible care. 1454 souls became children of God and His holy Church. The harvest is adundant; unfortunately, there are not enough laborers.

On my visit to Ou-kia-chan, last November, I was astonished to see the progress of evangelization in a country entirely pagan but a year before. It was a great pleasure to me to explain the truths of our holy religion to the neophytes, and I should have liked to prolong

MANCHURIA.-CHURCH DESTROYED BY BOXERS.

my stay among them, but I was obliged to continue my pastoral journey. After my departure, by the grace of God, the number of catechumens was perceptibly increased. The two schools were soon filled and Father Stoefller was obliged to refuse a large number who desired to study catechism. Young girl and women catechumens manifest an almost incredible zeal in learning Christian doctrine and prayers. The native Sisters who have charge of the school have done so well in

their instructions that the number of women and girls baptized in Ou-kia-chan exceeds that of the men. Two other schools for catechumens were opened in the midst of the winter at stations recently founded.

So many conversions could not fail to arouse the hatred of the devil and the brigands, his accomplices, did not tarry long in traversing the country, spreading terror and pillage everywhere. At two days' interval, they entered the city of Souang-chang-pu and pillaged the large town of Che-tu-chen-si. More than 600 soldiers set out to disperse them. Less brave than the robbers, they beat a retreat after having lost fifty of their number.

The bandits then planned to attack the post of Ou-kia-chan, but the intervention of the missionary saved the young Christian settlement. At the opening of the Chinese year, the catechumens, anxious to see their families again and persuaded that the roads were safe, left for their holidays. Several were captured by the brigands, but afterwards released.

War having been declared, the situation became more critical and most of the catechumens could not return to school. Bands of robbers continued to devastate the country, killing men and insulting young pagan girls and women.

The brigands had spared the Christians; the soldiers, however, found it easier and less dangerous to attack peaceful men than the robbers whom they should have fought. Our neophytes suffered much from their cruelty. Some were put to most horrible torture; others were robbed. It is said that one soldier seized a crucifix and broke it under his feet. One Christian was suspended from a beam and cruelly beaten. While they rained blows upon him, the soldiers mocked him, saying that if his head were cut off he would go to Heaven. The Christian only replied:

"Yes, I believe in God; you want my head; take it, but with my last breath I shall proclaim myself a Christian."

A friend who knew the leader of the soldiers had the poor victim liberated.

Father Stoeffler informed me of the doings of the Chinese soldiers, so I advised the viceroy of the matter. He, at once, gave orders to suppress such outrages. Inquiries were made, and the culprits will be severely punished. At the same time, an edict in favor of our holy religion has been published throughout the province. I hope that