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The International Opium Commission.

THE International Opium Commission has completed its labours, and the test of its resolutions are now before the public. These resolutions show what is a matter of fact and was bound to be the case, that they are the result of a compromise between those who desire immediate and total prohibition of the use of opium and those who prefer the method of "progressively increasing stringency." The one great gain of the commission's work lies in its recognition that opium smoking is a matter for gradual but final prohibition, and also that it calls for a re-examination on the part of all countries of their various systems of regulation. Resolution 5, which deals with the question of morphine, is entirely satisfactory and should lead to the eradication of the most terrible danger which has threatened China in connection with the anti-opium movement.

While as much has not been accomplished as many had hoped for, yet it must be recorded, with thankfulness, that a great step forward is marked in connection with opium and drug reform by the findings of this commission. An international recognition of her sincerity in this matter, by the unanimous vote of the participating countries, is a great gain to China and opens the door to treaty revision in this respect as soon as this country is in a position to prove consistent progress throughout the empire in the suppression of the poppy. The issue is now in the hands of China. The whole of the resolutions were unanimously accepted and may not therefore be evaded by any of the contracting parties.

The fact that a missionary Bishop to the Far East presided with dignity and effectiveness over the proceedings of this important international gathering is one in which all his missionary brethren may find satisfaction, and which reflects no little honour upon the communion to which Bishop Brent belongs.

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JUST as we go to press important evangelistic services are beginning in Shanghai and Nanking; those in Shanghai being for foreigners and conducted by Mr. Newell and Evangelistic Mr. Dean, from the United States; daily services Services. being held in the Union Church during the week and a larger service in the Lyceum Theatre Sunday evenings. The services in Nanking are conducted by Mr. Goforth, and extensive preparations have been made for the same in harmonious effort by the different Missions, and in erecting a special tabernacle capable of seating one thousand or more.

The Sanctuary

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.-St. James v, 16.

For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.St. Matthew xviii, 20.

"Prayer is emphatically religion in action. It is the soul of man engaging in that particular form of activity which presupposes the existence of a great bond between itself and God. Prayer is, therefore, nothing else or less than the noblest kind of human exertion. It is the one department of action in which man realizes the highest privilege and capacity of his being. And, in doing this, he is himself enriched and ennobled almost indefinitely; now, as of old, when he comes down from the mountain, his face bears tokens of an irradiation which is not of this world."-Liddon's "Elements of Religion."

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For success in their main purpose of all such courses as now exist or may be established in the future.

That the importance of a sound knowledge of the Bible may be recognized for those who would intelligently begin or faithfully live the Christian life. (P. 127.)

That all obstacles that now prevent Sunday Schools in China from being developed, may be removed. (P.127.)

For all teachers in Sunday Schools, that they may realize the great privilege and responsibility of guiding the young in their religious life. (P. 128.)

For all Sunday School scholars, that they may in their youth so learn the way of life as to become firmly established in right living.

That all Sunday Schools may become great evangelistic agencies. (P. 131.)

That Christian people will be more faithful in sending their children to receive the teaching given in the Sunday Schools. (P. 132.)

That the Sunday Schools may be successful in storing the main facts of Bible truth in the minds of both adults and children. (P. 135.)

For an increased supply of books that will prove sufficient for the needs of systematic Bible study. (P. 142).

For the continued and ever extending usefulness of the Nanking Bible Institute. (P. 144.)

For God's guidance, that every missionary may work so wisely and well for the good of China and the Chinese that he shall commend himself to the approval rather than the criticism of fair-minded men. (P. 150).

That those to whom is entrusted the responsibility for the proposed Evangelistic Association may be guided to wise and right action. (P. 154.)

A PRAYER FOR THE YOUNG.

O Lord God, giver of all good things, who by thy Spirit's might dost confirm the first effort of feeble souls, encourage in the hearts of Thy children every good intent and carry them from strength to strength. Cleanse their consciences and stir their wills gladly to serve Thee, the living God. Leave no room in them for spiritual wickedness, no lurking place for secret sins; but so establish and sanctify them by the power of Thy Holy Word, that ever taking heed to the thing that is right, and speaking and doing the truth, they may find godliness their gain both in the life which now is and in that which is to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GIVE THANKS

For the wonderful advance in knowledge of Christian truth that is evidenced by quiet audiences in our chapels. (P. 136.)

For the good work done in the Nanking Bible Institute and the example set for similar "schools of the prophets." (P. 147.)

For the many Sunday Schools now at work, and for the growth that is taking place in this branch of the work.

For the work accomplished by the International Opium Commission in Shanghai.

Sunday School Work for Chinese Children.
Difficulties and Suggestions

T

BY DR. W. F. SEYMOUR

HE fact that Sunday School work in China on any large scale has been so long delayed, seems to indicate one of two things, either the missionaries working here have not looked on the Sunday School as a very valuable evangelizing agency, or else there have been very great obstacles in the way to prevent this kind of work being done.

As to the first supposition, it seems scarcely necessary to discuss it at the present time after the Sunday School has so abundantly proved its great usefulness in other lands. A sound knowledge of the Bible is universally recognized as of the utmost importance, either in intelligently beginning or faithfully living the Christian life. And this knowledge is what the Sunday School seeks to impart, and these the results it hopes to secure. Such being the case, and it being universally recognized that the earlier you begin and the more systematically you continue to train a child, the more likely he is to continue throughout life to follow the path in which you desire him to travel, then we all must admit the value of the Sunday School as an evangelistic agency and should seek to use it in our work. Some one has aptly said that if you want to make a boy a good man, you should "begin with his grandfather." The older missionaries have spent many years of patient effort in teaching Gospel truth in some measure to the fathers and grandfathers. The foundation work has been done, so now we have reason to expect great results from work among the children.

But still there are many difficulties in the way, of which we may briefly mention a few.

1. The belief, so long prevalent among the natives, that the foreigner can cast an evil spell over a child, or that he wants to get a chance to take his eyes out to make medicine with, etc., etc.

NOTE-Readers of the RECORDER are reminded that the Editorial Board assumes no responsibility for the views expressed by the writers of articles published in these pages.

2. The unwillingness on the part of parents and relatives that children shall learn anything of the foreign doctrine. 3. The fact that a great majority of the children cannot read.

4. Lack of properly trained teachers.

6. Lack of sufficient satisfactory lesson helps.

7. Lack of money to provide good helps and accessories. 8. Among church members, a lack of interest in Bible study.

Now what has been done and what can be done to overcome these difficulties?

1. As to the fear that foreigners will do the children bodily harm, that has already been overcome in many places by years of contact with missionaries and native Christians, whose patient continuance in well doing has won the confidence of the people. In newly occupied places this still has to be done, but under the present conditions should be brought about more rapidly than in the past. Anything which will win the hearts of the people will help on in this good work.

2. In some places it has already been shown that opposition to the children attending Sunday School vanishes away when the children come home with lesson leaves upon which is printed in simplest colloquial the lesson taught them, which the men in the family may read and understand for themselves, and also with bright colored picture cards which the women may stick up on the walls of their houses for decorative purposes.

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3. To get an idea definitely into the mind of a wholly untutored Chinese child is not an easy task. But it can usually be done if the proper methods are used. has been found by the writer that the primary lesson leaves published by the Presbyterian Mission Press are most helpful. A skillful teacher will first tell the story of the lesson in language the children can understand and then make the children learn the answers

as printed for the questions on the lesson. No matter if they cannot read. They can usually learn to repeat at least a part of the answers after the teacher and learn the golden text if it is not too long. Probably they actually get and retain much more by this method than when the teacher merely gives a long explanation of the Scripture passage being studied.

4. As to teachers, the Christian young men and young women in our high schools and colleges, with a little help

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from more experienced instructors, do very nicely. there are no schools to draw from, other church members must be pressed into service. If Christian cooks, table-boys, and others of a like grade are set to work in the Sunday School, they often become greatly interested and make very satisfactory teachers. A weekly teachers' meeting is very desirable under the leadership of superintendent or pastor, and the time is doubtless coming when genuine normal training will be given to many of our Sunday School teachers in China.

6. As to lesson helps, some very good ones have been printed in the past and others are being now provided by the Centenary Conference Committee. They should be of several grades to bring the best results, e. g., primary, intermediate and senior quarterlies or leaflets, and also a special series for the teachers. Last year some one prepared a most excellent edition of helps in Shanghai, which were practically a translation of Peloubet's notes. These are specially adapted to be of assistance to teachers, and it is to be hoped that if possible this translation may soon be again taken up by some one. For the north the lesson quarterlies prepared in Peking are most acceptable, and it remains to be seen whether or not they can be improved upon for that section. The kind of primary lessons we favor have already been described. They have been used in many places, not only for children, but for adults as well.

7. As to the money, some one is almost certain to provide for the printing of lesson helps, and the natives should be urged to give the amount needed to introduce them everywhere; their funds, when necessary, to be supplemented by those of the mission or other interested party.

8. Among church members earnest efforts should be made by both foreign and native pastors and other leaders to try to get all of the members to engage in some kind of Bible study. It might be well to examine them all annually on the Scriptures covered by the Sunday School lessons for that time and report to church or mission organizations those passing the best examinations and giving prizes or rewards of some kind to those who pass their examinations "with honors.” Some such system is being pursued in India with very good results and has been attempted for two years in at least one mission in China.

Now that the opportunities for Sunday School work are so great, the number of children needing instruction so enormous,

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