CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE CHARLES WILLIAM WASON COLLECTION ON CHINA AND THE CHINESE Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023068954 of Ike Sliautunq /Viissiotj-f: MISSIONARY Map of China ^ ^ PEKING/ i^ PAOTINGFU \f^o P 5HUNTEFU NANHSUCHOW» Al^^%- VK.1NINGPO ^ Veihsien CHILI O CHANGTEH •^o^^ MISSION HENGCHOW « CHAN6SHA. SIANGTAN CHEN CHOW cirrtTTH CH'i^^* LIENCHOW canto: .-O TELLOW SEA I.. glAM 'FEENCH •^ \ CHINA lUNG KONG ^M I^USSION CHINA SEA. Mor CHINA one-fourth of the woi Id' inhabitants live INBO re than China. China has 400,000 people to one doctor. The annual death rate is from forty to fifty per thousand. Only 6 per cent, of the school population is in school. China's new phonetic alphabet will unlock the doors of learning for hundreds of millions of people. With a written language of 40,000 characters only about one person in twenty had time to learn to read and write. The new alphabet has but thirty-nine characters. Christian missionaries have been influential in promoting the phonetic system. The Woman's Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. ISC Fifth Avenue, New York PEN PICTURE of the SHANTUNG MISSION CHINA THE BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS Department for Specific Work THE WOMAN'S BOARD OP FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE U. S. A. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City no Pen Picture of the Shantung Mission, China Mission Established— 1861 Stations in Order of Founding Tengehou 1861 Tsiningchou 1892 Chef 00 1862 Tsingtau 1898 Tsinanf u 1872 Yihsien 1905 Weihsien 1882 Tenghsien 1913 Ichoufu 1891 Outstanding Features Shantung Province has been the fountain of intellectual life in China, the home of Confucius, Laotse and other sages. Near the birthplace of Confucius is Taishan, one of China's five sacred mountains visited yearly by tens of thousands of pilgrims. The Mission is remarkable for the union work of the different missionary bodies both on direct evangelistic lines and in the Shantung Christian University in the capital city, Tsinanfu, which is an important center of higher education. The scene of frequent political disturbances and the special group of international problems affecting the relations of Japan to China. 3 other Protestant Missions Operating in This Field English Baptist Mission American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions American Southern Baptist Mission Church of England Mission Methodist Episcopal Mission China Inland Mission British and Foreign Bible Society National Bible Society of Scotland Young Men's Christian Association Young Women's Christian Association Location, Size and Population The Province of Shantung lies between the Yellow Sea on the east and the Gulf of Pei- ehihli on the north. It is about the size of the State of Missouri, or of nearly the whole of New England, and is one of the most densely populated sections of the Republic, containing not far from forty millions of people. One may journey con- tinually for five weeks in native fashion through the interior of this province and spend scarcely an hour in which multitudes are not in sight. The latitude of Shantung is approximately the same as that of Virginia. Physical Features The province has a great length of sea coast, broken by bays and promontories forming har- bors at Tsingtau, Chefoo and Weihaiwei. Through it flows the Yellow River, ' ' China 's Sor- row." Periodically overflowing its banks, this 4 river sometimes destroys houses, animals and men and buries the fields under a layer of earth on top of which new crops are raised. Industries Railways extend across the province in both directions and are used to their full capacity. There are large deposits of coal and iron, with some gold and copper. Shantung is said to have coal sufficient to supply the world for one thousand years. At present the main wealth is in exten- sive agriculture. Wheat, sorghum, beans, mil- let, peanuts, sweet potatoes, maize, cotton, silk, fruit and tobacco are produced in abundance. Historical Outline The Men Who Established the Mission. The pioneer missionaries were the Rev. and Mrs. S. R. Gayley, the Rev. and Mrs. J. A. Danforth, the Rev. and Mrs. John L. Nevius and the Rev. and Mrs. C. R. Mills. Within the first two years Mr. Gayley died of cholera and Mrs. Gayley returned to America with her children. Mrs. Danforth died and Mr. Danforth returned in ill health to the homeland. Dr. Nevius, who had previously been for eight years in the Central China field, now devoted all the energies of a sin- gularly gifted nature to the work in Shantung. Here until his death in 1893 he labored and, assisted by his colleagues, instituted the systematic itineration and country work which laid deep and broad foundations for the native Church. Dr. Mills was also spared to labor long on this field, ministering to the Chinese at Tengchou for three and thirty years, superintend- S ing numerous Out-Stations and country schools and training evangelists and theological students. He was a man mighty in the Scriptures and in prayer. Two other names of outstanding importance in con- nection with the early history of the Mission are those of the Rev. Hunter Corbett, D.D., and the Rev. Calvin W. Mateer, D.D. The work of Dr. Mateer was largely along educational lines. He founded the Tengehou Boys' School and later Tengehou College which, since 1904, has become a part of Shantung University, now at Tsinanfu. During the 44 years of his labors on this field, Dr. Mateer did much valuable literary work, preparing numerous text books and collaborating with other missionaries in the revision of the Mandarin New Testament. Meanwhile, for over half a century, Dr. Hunter Corbett went up and down the various fields of the Mission, opening Stations, organizing churches, preaching in the villages, "returning love for hatred, kindness for injuries and confidence for distrust, until through his life and work there was imparted some portion of the spirit of Christ to these millions." As these great leaders have one by one been with- drawn from the field other men and women of the same spirit and with the same faith have entered into and augmented their labors, some rendering many years of devoted service in this strategic part of the great Republic. Each new accomplishment of the Mission makes more evident the need and more urgent the call for further reinforcements that the ever widening opportunities for soul-winning may be embraced. "Through Much Tribulation." Almost from the commencement of its history, the Mission has repeat- edly known troublous times. In 1870, following the massacre of twenty missionaries in Tientsin, a wave of excitement spread over China, and the missionaries living at Tengchou were compelled to flee for safety to Chef 00. In 1 877, and again in 1889-90, Shantung was devas- tated by frightful famines. Dr. Nevius, known and respected throughout the entire region, organized re- lief, and with other missionaries, spent many months in the midst of the sufferers. Over $200,000 was distributed in 1890, giving aid to 150,000 sufferers. By this means Christianity was commended to many who had never heard of it and large accessions to the churches followed. In 1899 came fearful floods, by which thousands of people were drowned and hundreds of thousands ruined. Famine followed, then pestilence. Drought and caterpillars destroyed the crops. The unhappy people were only too ready to listen to the violent counsels of the Boxer leaders, who declared that the foreigners were to blame for all their troubles. Mobs gathered and riots broke out in many places. Decem- ber 31st, 1899, the Rev. Sydney Brooks, an English missionary, was barbarously murdered. This aroused the foreign residents, whose vigorous remonstrances obliged the government to make some pretense of repressing the disorders. Governor Yuan Shih Kai, afterwards president of the Chinese Republic, sent his troops to fight against the Boxers, kept back the proc- lamations coming from Peking ordering extermina- tion of all foreigners, and did all he could for the 7 foreigners' protection. If Yuan had been a man like his predecessor, I Hsien, who murdered so many mis- sionaries in Shen-si, probably very few of the mis- sionaries living at the inland Stations would have escaped with their lives. Thanks to Yuan, all the mis- sionaries in the province were able to reach the coast in safety, but the native Christians suffered terrible persecution and many were killed. Reorganization. The destruction so suddenly wrought was repaired with marvelous rapidity. All work was resumed and the churches and schools were rebuilt and refilled. An important task was to gather and reorganize the persecuted flock. By the exer- cise of extraordinary tact and patience, all indem- nities were settled without friction. The amount asked for by foreigners and Chinese was a small part of the real losses, and in some eases no claim was made. The wisdom of refusing indemnities was shown by the few eases where it was accepted by other agencies, the tax levied upon the community to cover the charges serving to continue the enmity against the Christians. Industrially and commercially the province was steadily developed by the Germans, who occupied as their sphere of influence the important seaport of Tsingtau. When the World War broke out, Tsingtau was captured from the Germans by the Japanese who sought commercial and military occupation of Shan- tung. At Tsinanfu, the capital, were located a wire- less station and a large military hospital and parade grounds. Much unrest and dissatisfaction were evi- dent among the people. Many parts of the country were overrun with robbers who sacked cities, kid- 8 napped the wealthy for ransom, and burned villages. In 1919, a pro-Japanese governor, shot a number of patriots who desired to free their province from for- eign domination. A boycott was inaugurated by the Chinese all over the country as a protest against the Japanese occupation. It was so effective as to lose for the Japanese several million dollars worth of Chinese trade. Development Notwithstanding these frequent disasters the work of the Mission has grown and prospered. Nine Sta- tions (1921) have been established; from which cen- ters evangelists, Bible women and other Christian workers have gone forth to minister throughout the province the Word of Life. The field has been sup- plied with elementary schools and institutions of higher learning; normal and theological schools and hospitals have been founded at the various Stations. Tengchou, the first point occupied by our Mission, has seen many vicissitudes but withal many years of fruitful service. The fact that the location proved in the early years of the Mission to be less suitable than M^as at first supposed led in part to the estab- lishment of the work at Chefoo. At this Station, long supervised by Dr. Corbett, the evangelistic work is highly developed. The Corbett Memorial Academy and School of Commerce carry on a long-established and highly important work. The ministries of this Station also include one of the best hospitals of north- ern China and the first School for the Deaf ever opened in the country. At Tsinanfu, the capital of the province, there was established in 1904 an institution of Christian higher 9 education which has developed into the Shantung Christian University on a broad international and in- terdenominational basis. This institution was founded and is conducted jointly by the English Baptist and the American Presbyterian Missions. Other Missions are cooperating in part, and it is hoped that ulti- mately the union may include all the Protestant Mis- sions of the province. The University embraces a Col- lege of Arts and Sciences, a Theological Seminary and a Medical College. It has also an Extension Depart- ment which makes a unique and valuable contribution to the social, educational and religious needs of the people. By means of its extensive museum, contain- ing striking models and instructive photographs, charts, and diagrams, this Institution seeks to en- lighten in all that makes for the progress and welfare of China. In one year nearly a half million people passed through the museum. The work at Weihsien Station has been aggressive and fruitful. The evangelistic campaigns conducted for many years have resulted in the opening of nearly one hundred and fifty preaching places (1921). Here a Bible and Normal School gives to its students — men who have had a common school and perhaps some high school education — two or three years of Bible training. These evangelists become the pioneers of new fields. An encouraging work for women is carried on. Through the agency of the Christian Endeavor Society, Bible Institutes and other means. Christian character is developed and workers are trained. Some of these go two by two through the villages teaching, preaching and visiting other women in their homes. 10 One of the isolated Stations of the Mission is at Ichowfu in the southern part of Shantung, sixty miles from the nearest railroad — a difficult but ex- tensive field ; yet the very difficulties have stimulated the Christians to sacrificial service. Progress has been made towards self-support and the development of native evangelistic effort. Here also emphasis has been laid upon the training of women evangelists and teachers. Next in population to the crowded capital is the city of Tsiningchou, an important business center where Presbyterian work has been carried on since 1892. Advantage is taken by the missionaries of the opportunities to preach the Word to multitudes as- sembling here in the City and outlying district. In addition to the regularly organized work of the Sta- tion, tent and street services are held at the time of special gatherings, gospels are sold and tracts dis- tributed. On such occasions special provision is made not only for the relief of sin sick souls but for the bodies of those ' ' holden with divers diseases. ' ' Many such returning to their distant homes tell not only of the cures wrought in their behalf but of the Great Physician of whom they have thus heard for the first time. Tsingtau, an important port on Kaio-chou Bay and a railroad terminus, was occupied in 1898. Owing to unsettled political conditions work in this strategic city has been much restricted but work in the coun- try field has been prosecuted with vigor and results have been encouraging. In 1905, a Station was established at Yihsien, an important trade center not far from the Grand Canal. 11 A special phase of the work here is the distribution of tracts and Bibles. Thousands of Scripture portions are sold every year and thus the printed "Word gets to the farthest corners of the field. In 1913, the Mission occupied Tenghsien in south- western Shantung on a main railway line. The mis- sionaries are encouraged by the presence of large groups of inquirers as new centers are opened and they long for more workers to teach the Way of Life to eager multitudes. Throughout the whole Shantung field much effort has been bestowed by the missionaries upon the pro- motion of the new government system of phonetic script — a simple method by which thousands of illit- erates who have neither time nor ability to master the Chinese characters may learn to read. Already gospels are issued in this script and there is an abundance of literature for those who wish to con- tinue their study. This one development of missionary effort alone carries with it untold possibilities in the furtherance throughout China of the great missionary aim — to bring men, women and children of China to the knowl- edge of the Truth as it is in Jesus. Note. For most recent statistics of the Shantung Mission consult the current Annual Eeport of the Foreign Board. October 1921 12