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are sharing in is not a little helpful in keeping the mind alert and the ideal high. Yet the missionary in China cannot help feeling that no plans for the uplift of the empire will be thoroughly effective which fail to make use of a greater knowledge of actual conditions in regard to place and people than special commissioners who are without China experience can possibly give. In any plans for large develpement of work for the good of China the man on the spot commands the situation, and when he is backed by the large knowledge of the specialist something more effective than has yet been seen should result.

Meanwhile there is another element in the situation which may not be ignored. We refer to the Chinese government. Their point of view has to be both heard and considered.

The Ideal of Service.

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ONE of the pressing duties of the leaders of Christian thought in China is to preserve, by all the means within their power, the internal unity of the church militant. The failure of the church Catholic in Western lands to sustain full orbed, the complete ideal of service for the spiritual and social welfare of mankind, has resulted in the uprising of numerous organizations, loosely affiliated with the Christian church as such, drawing their membership chiefly from the church community, and upon these seems to devolve, by common consent, responsibility for certain forms of work which should be definitely Christian and an integral part of church service; for instance, temperance, civic righteousness, social purity and the like. In other words, the very existence of these societies as separate entities working for the cause of Christ in the world is, in itself, an evidence of the failure of the organized Christian community to meet the needs of the age.

In China the opportunity lies before us to give to every member of Christ's church a full knowledge of individual responsibility for the perfect obedience of the Christian man and the fulfilment of the whole law of Jesus Christ. It will be therefore a matter for regret if, at the outset of the church's career in this land, responsibility for any form of work is apparently to be delegated to a section of the Christian community, either within the church or affiliated to it by the formation of societies calling for a separate membership for special service, thereby lessening the sense of duty which the Christian profession must lay upon all followers of our Lord.

Deepen or
Diffuse?

EVERY suggestion which comes for the establishment of separate societies, the members of which bind themselves to a work which is the normal duty of every church member, should be carefully considered in the light of its possible influence on the common ideal. Evangelization is not the special duty of any one section of the church, or any society within it, but is a charge laid upon all, to each according to his several ability. Temperance and purity crusades may not be handed over to a coterie, however earnest and energetic, to the weakening of the sense of responsibility on the part of the rest; they are the plain duty of every disciple. There is an atmosphere of spiritual specialization abroad which makes for the efficiency of the few in the sphere of Christian service and the degeneration of the many. It is the general standard of service that tells most and finally after all, and at the present time we need in our Chinese churches intensification of spiritual energy rather than ramification. The help which specialists in Christian work coming from the home lands may render and which is to be thankfully received is the iteration of the duty of every Christian and the whole Church to every form of service which the ideal of the Kingdom contains.

More Con= solidation.

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MEANWHILE we are pleased to see that the work of federation and consolidation is making progress, though slowly, in some parts of the land. Recently we note in Shantung that the Anglican Mission, of which the Right Rev. G. D. Iliff is Bishop, has joined the Union Arts College at Weihsien in connection with the Shantung Protestant University, and is sending a representative of the Mission to teach in that institution. The University now comprises the Union Arts College in Weihsien, the Gotch Robinson Union Theological College in Tsingchowfu, and the Union Medical College in Tsinan. Originally embracing but the English Baptist and American Presbyterians, this now includes the Anglican Mission, and the basis of union has been amended so as to include other Missions in Shantung or neighboring provinces. Every work of this kind is a step in the right direction.

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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.

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The world just now is sadly in need of better service, but before this can be rendered there must be better

prayer. A low standard of prayer
means a low standard of character
and a low standard of service. Those
alone labour effectively among men
who impetuously fling themselves
upward towards God. In view of this it
is a comfort to feel that no earnest man,
whatever be the stage of his spiritual
development, can be satisfied with
his present attainments in the life of
prayer. Fortunately for us, here as
well as in other departments of life,
the ideal is always pressing itself
upon our notice and making the
actual blush with shame for what it
is. And it is just because this is so
that there is hope of better things.
The ideal beckons as well as con-
demns. What if long steeps of toil,
strewn with the stones of difficulty,
lie in between! God's home is far
up on the hills, and nowhere is He
so easily found as in a difficulty. As
has been said, prayer is quite the
most difficult task a man can under-
take, but it has this gracious com-
pensation that in no other duty does
God lend such direct, face-to-face
help. Man may speak wise words
about prayer, the church may bid to
prayer, but God alone can unfold to
souls the delicate secrets of prayer.
The best help is for the hardest duty.
the help that comes straight from the
Lord."
From "With God in the
World", by Bishop Charles H. Brent.

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PRAY

That the civilization of China may be so transformed as to make for the development, expansion and ennoblement of Chinese womanhood. P. 79.

That for the welfare of China a separate home for each family may become the rule, and that the center of each home may be the Christian wife and mother. P. 68.

That Chinese women may no longer be satisfied with the conditions that shut them in and the world out, or with jewels, money, novels, slaves, and gossip-but may learn the highest ideal. Pp. 79, 80.

That the spirit of patriotism, of reform and of heroic self-sacrifice

which is becoming apparent among
the young women of China may be
real and may be turned to true ends.
P. 70.

That Chinese mothers, wives, sis-
ters and daughters may become so
ennobled as to command the con-
sideration and respect of the men of
their households, and so be able to
influence them to higher and holier
lives. Pp. 69, 72.

That increasing numbers of children may daily be brought under Christian influence. P. 77.

For such resources as will make it possible for every new opportunity for work among women to be accepted immediately. Pp. 78, 85.

For increased numbers of women
missionaries of discretion and tact
who shall disarm criticism, avert
suspicion, and turn enemies into
friends. P. 73.

For more and more of successful
house visitation
P. 73.

GIVE THANKS

For the longed-for transformation that has come and still does come after the "long struggle." P. 80.

For the many homes that are centers of light and joy and for the men and women of transformed lives who make them so. P. 68.

For the willingness to endure hardship which has from the first characterized the women who have assisted in the task of evangelizing China.

P. 72.

For the hospitals, schools, and institutions for the afflicted, where the Chinese girls and women have been taught by the examples of consecrated Christian love and devotion. Pp. 74, 75.

That the young women trained in Christian institutions have been able so to approve themselves as to be held in high regard by their own people. P. 81.

For the encouragement given by the numberless instances of husbands who now provide instruction for their wives. P. 69.

For the many and great opportuni-
ties for Christian work in the homes
of both rich and poor. P. 76.

Will all missionaries remember in prayer throughout this month
the labours of the International Opium Commission.

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