THE 
 
 xMEDICAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY 
 
 IN CHINA. 
 
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THE 
 
 MEDICAL 
 
 MISSIONARY SOCIETY IN CHINA. 
 
 The great object of this Society, is to aid the Mis- 
 sionary of the Gospel, and the -philanthropist, in the 
 execution of their good works, by opening avenues for 
 the introduction of those sciences and that religion, to 
 which we owe our own greatness, by which we are 
 enabled to act a useful part in this life, and which fit 
 us for the enjoyment of a better life hereafter; and to 
 effect these purposes, it is necessary that a favourable 
 impression with regard to ourselves be first made on 
 the nlinds of the Chinese people. Much experience 
 of the habits and manners of this peculiar people, from 
 a long residence in China, has convinced me, that the 
 practice of the healing art atnong them promises this 
 desirable influence ; and as the Chinese evince the 
 greatest anxiety for the benefits which this science 
 affords, I cannot help urging the consideration of the 
 subject upon the missionary societies, and likewise 
 upon the evangelical comrtiunities of both England 
 
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 and America. It is true, that our Saviour’s great’and 
 last mandate is “ to preach the Gospel,” still, on giving 
 this command, he did not abrogate his former, “ to 
 heal the sick.” I would therefore with all deference 
 submit, that it is no deviation from his own plan, to 
 render assistance in relieving those evils which flesh 
 is heir to, especially if the attempts be made from a 
 conviction, that such benevolent deeds cannot fail to 
 be a means, which must ultimately tend to the propa- 
 gation of the truths of His gospel. Nothing has been 
 attempted in the medical line with the Chinese that 
 has not met with success ; the immediate effects have 
 been good, and when moral and religious instruction 
 shall be united with the healing art, who can say 
 where the influence of such a union shall end ? The 
 minds of this people must be gradually prepared for 
 the reception of religious and moral principles, and the 
 surest way to accomplish this, will be by showing 
 them the effects of these principles on our own con- 
 duct. They are not capable of understanding abstract 
 truths, but facts and actions speak for themselves. 
 The Chinese, from their manner of life, are the subjects 
 of innumerable diseases, the sight of which is daily 
 intruded upon those who visit the “ celestial empire ;” 
 and the subsistence of their lower classes is derived 
 altogether from manual labour, therefore the inability 
 to perform that labour is the most serious evil that can 
 befall them. The practice of medicine by the Chinese 
 physicians, is blended with childish superstitions; and 
 surgical aid cannot be procured even by tlie opulent, 
 
for the practice of surgery in any useful form is un- 
 known amoiiff them. The influence then of those 
 who restore them to the exercise of their powers is 
 easily accounted for ; and it is evident that this is a sort 
 of influence that is likely to be widely extended, and it 
 will now be seen that the course proposed by the me- 
 dical missionary society in China, hy its usefulness, 
 recommends itself immediately to their attention. 
 There is no doubt that inquiries will be made by the 
 Chinese as to the motives of such benevolent acts ; 
 when those who are engaged in this good cause will 
 explain that the real concern is not for the body wfliich 
 perisheth, but for that which is immortal ! It appears 
 to me that the number of medical practitioners might 
 be increased to almost any extent, and all find employ- 
 ment about Canton ; but other parts of the empire, I 
 foretell, will ere long be visited in the same way, and 
 doubtless with the same success that has attended the 
 eflbrts of those, who have practised around the walls 
 of that city. “The harvest is plenteous, but the la- 
 bourers are few.” With regard to the qualificatioas 
 of the medical gentlemen to be employed, the nature 
 of the work requires, first, that they be thoroughly 
 acquainted with their profession, and possess energy 
 and activity ; next, that they be religious ; and lastly, 
 that they be men who consider their own interest as 
 entirely subordinate, when compared with that of the 
 great cause in which they engage. I say religious, 
 because, in the course of medical practice, opportuni- 
 ties will occur, when a man piously disposed might 
 
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 inculcate religious precepts with great effect, although 
 he may not unite in his own person, the two profes- 
 sions of divinity and medicine ; a union which I 
 think objectionable, as the all-absorbing duties of the 
 active physician would leave him but a scanty portion 
 of time to devote to any regular form of religious 
 instruction : moreover the profession of medicine is 
 replete with responsibility, and requires unremitting 
 attention, and though individuals may be found who, 
 like my friend Dr. Parker, are competent to the duties 
 of both divinity and medicine, I do say from my know- 
 ledge of mankind, that such exceptions are rare. 
 
 “ Kara avis in terris.” 
 
 However, upon the Rev. Dr. Parker too much praise 
 cannot be bestowed, for besides being a pious minister 
 of the Gospel he is a very able physician, and does not 
 run a risk of injuring the cause by pretending to a 
 knowledge and skill in medicine which he does not 
 po.ssess ; and my remarks, in objection to a union of 
 the two professions, do not apply to men who, like him, 
 are competent to perform the duties of both ; but to those 
 missionaries of the Gospel who, possessing an imperfect 
 knowledge of the healing art, attempt to make it a 
 means of introducing themselves to the confidence of 
 the heathen, as by such men incalculable mischief may 
 be done, both to their fellow-creatures and to the cause 
 of religion itself I am so thoroughly convinced that, 
 by following up the plan laid down by the “ Medical 
 
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 Missionary Society in China,” results will be produced 
 far beyond any thing which has as yet appeared ; that 
 it will be one of those causes of which the effects will 
 be felt even before we have time to trace its progress, 
 that I ardently wish to see some pious, medical gentle- 
 men go out and join Dr. Parker in the fulfilment of so 
 praiseworthy an undertaking. The “ Medical Missiom 
 ary Society in China” will not appoint medical persons, 
 but will rely on those missionary societies in England 
 and America, which shall enter into its plans, to make 
 the appointments ; as it will tlms render such missionary 
 societies responsible for the selection of the individuals ; 
 and the “ Medical Missionary Society in China” will in 
 return be answerable to them, by receiving and point- 
 ing out the course to be pursued by those medical 
 gentlemen who are sent out under their auspices. Be- 
 sides, the “ Medical Missionary Society in China” fore- 
 sees that missionary societies will emulate each other 
 in the choice of good and proper men, as on their 
 selection its destinies are suspended. Should my 
 observations turn the attention of the missionary socie- 
 ties and the evangelical communities of England and 
 America towards forwarding the plan laid down by the 
 “ Medical Missionary Society in China,” I trust that the 
 day is fast approaching when the gospel of that glorious 
 Being whose mercies are not confined to either quarter 
 of the globe, will shine in full splendour over eastern 
 lands. 
 
 I now beg to recommend to those benevolent and 
 pious persons who possess sentiments in common with 
 
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 the members of the “ Medical Missionary Society in 
 China,” the perusal of Dr. Parker’s reports, published 
 quarterly in the Chinese Repository since F ebruary, 
 1836. The “ Medical Missionary Society in China” 
 has a house at Macao for the reception and care of 
 such medical gentlemen, as may be sent out to its 
 protection. 
 
 THOMAS R. COLLEDGE, 
 
 Senior Surgeon H. B. M. Service, 
 President of the 
 
 Medical Missionary Society, China. 
 
 Philadelphia, December 8th, 1838.