OF THE <><:J FOURTH SESSION (> OF THE OF THE HELD IN PEKING, September 231'd-28th, 1896.

Transcription

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2 OF THE <><:J FOURTH SESSION (> OF THE OF THE HELD IN PEKING, September 231'd-28th, 1896.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS. I.-CONFERENCE DIRECTORY H.-IN MEMORIAM IlL-ANNUAL MEETINGS IV - OFFICERS V.-COMMITTEES I. Standing 2. Special 3. On Examination 4. Examination of Missionaries 5. To Preach Missionary Sermon 6. Visitors to Educational Institutions 7. Conference Stewards 8. Conference Claimants 9. Fraternal Correspondents Candidates for Examination VI.-ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM VI I.-CONFERENCE JOURNAL VIII.-DISCIPLlNARY QUESTIONS I X.-ApPOINTMEN TS X.-REPORTS. J. Presiding Elders 2. Medical 3. Peking University 4. Education 5. Self-Support.. 6. Report on Temperance and Anti-opium Epworth League 8... Woman's Conference XI.-OBITUARY... XII.-STATISTICS ; 76

4 Elders. DATE OF ARRIVAL.?\AME. POST OFFICE ADDR!SS Brown, Frederick Tien~sin, China Davis, George R Gamewell, Frank D. Pek'ing, Chi'~a Hayner, J. Fred 1890 H eadlancl, Isaac T Hohart, Willi,lm T. Tientsin, " 1867 Lowry, Hiram H. Peking Pyke, James H. Tientsin, 1880 Taft, Marcus L. Peking, 1890 Vel ity, George,\V. Tientsin, " 1873,\Valker, vvilbur F. Peking, 1883 CIl'(!ll Ta-yung Tientsin, 1883 Te Jui 189! '\Vang Ch'eng-p'ei 'Vang Ch'ing-yUn " 1892 Li Shao-wen " Shang Ch'ing-yiin " 1895 Lin Chi-lun 1895 Yang Ch'un-ho " Deacons King, H. E. Peking, China. J894 Wang Ch'ing-yii Tientsin, China Sun 'Chin-kao 189j Ku Ch'i " 1895 plan Chen 1895 Ch'en Heng-te Peking, " " 1895 Chou U siieh-shen Tientsin, 1895 Chang rai-lin " 1895 Ts'ui Wan-fu 1895 Liu Ma-k'e Peking, " " 1895 Ch'in Lung-chang 1895 Lin Mo-i Nanking, " " 1895 Hsii Tsun-ch'en 18g6 Hopkins, N. S. Tientsin, " 1896 King Te-lin. Peking, " "

5 2 Probationers. DATE OF ARRIVAL. NAME. POST OFFICE ADDRESS Wang Yueh Ch~ell Wei-p'ing Huang Wei-kang Yang Ch'ang-fa Chin Ch'eng Hou Tien Ko Ch'ing-yiin Tientsin, China. Peking, Tientsin, " Peking', Tientsin, " " " Medical ]\Iissionaries Curtiss, William H. Hopkins, N. S. Ts'ao, Y. K. Lowry, George D. N. Peking, China. Tientsin, Peking, " Instructors in Peking Universit.y. DATE OF ARRIVAL. NAME. POST OFFICE ADDRESS. Mrs. H. E. King Lowry, Edward K. Terrell, Alice Peking, China. "

6 3 " l\"!ut dead, ltt! golle before." AG~I NAME. ARRIVAL I D D' CONFERENCE IN CHINA. ATE OF EAfH. RELATION. I Leander W. Pilcher 1870 Nov. 24, S I Effective. La Clede Barrow 1893 July 24, J. F. Scott i\lay 28, Physician. " I I I

7 4 ~+-~nnttllt ~eetiltgs.('rf tl}-c ~o.t~-. otl1iult ~issilj~t OF._N_U_'_M_B_E_R_. 1 T_I_l\_fE_' I;:_P_L_A_C_E. 1 P_1_{_E_SI_D_E_N_T_' 1 SECRETARY. Organized I II IS Sept Aug. 28, 1872 Sept. I, 1873 Aug. 31, 1874 Sept. 8, 1875 " 7, 1876 Oct. 30, 1877 Sept. 9, 1878 " I, 1879 " 20, 1880 " 29, 1881 " 7, 1882 " 4, 1883 Oct. I, 1884 Sept.Io, 1885 Oct. 7, 1886 Sept.26, 1887 Oct. 10, 1888, IS, 1889 June 10, 1890 May 13, 1891 Apr. 27, 1892 Sept. 30, 1892 Sept.28, 1893 Peking " " Tientsin Peking " " Ca(\'ill Kingsley LN. Wheeler \Villiam H. Harris H. H. Lowry G."R. Da'~'i5 Isaac \Y. Wiley H. H. Lowry " u " " Thomas Bowman H. H. Lowry Stephen ill. luerrill Isaac W. \\-jley H. H. Lowry G. R. Davis Henry \V. 'Warren Charles H. Fowler Edward G. Andrews H. H. Lowry Daniel A. Goodsell H. H. Lowry Willard F.l\IallaJien Randolph S. Foster H. II. Lo\\'ry " " L. W. Pilcher W:'F. W~lker J. H. Pyke L. W. Pilcher J. H. Pyke L. \V. Pilcher O. W. Willits L. \Y. Pilchel " " J. 'k Pyk'e Marcus L. Taft " " " " " " L."W. Pil~her M~rcu5 L. 'Taft NORTH CHINA CONFERENCE. I SESSION. TIME. I PLACE. PRESIDENT. I SECRETARY. 1 Sept. 29, 1893 Peking Randolph S. Foster Marcus L. Taf 2 Oct. I, 1894 William X. Ninde 1. T. Headland 3 Sept, 20, 1895 Tientsin " John M. Walden " " 4 23, 1896 Peking Isaac W. Joyce " " "

8 Bishop Isaac 'V J oyre, D D.! LL.D., President. Isaac T Headland, Marcus L. Taft, Secretarzes. '1'0 lui, Li Shan-wen, Chi1lese Secretarzes. F Brown, Treasurer. J. H. Pyke, 'V T. Hobart, Illterpreters. l. Fred Hayner, ChIen Heng-te, Statzstzcal Secretaries. JlHSS101lS CJmrcil Exte1lsioll Bz'ble Cause....Sabbath Observance... EducatziJ1l,',Sabbath ScllOOls,Self Support... Temperance... Tract SoczefJ',,, hp'worth L~a,.fue -~~~--- &i. -Qrcmntitt.e.es+ 1. Standing. F. D. Gamewell, ChIen Heng-te. l. H. Pyke, Liu Ma-k'e. 1. T. Headland, Chang Pai-liu. G. R. Davis, Sun Chin-kao, Te lui. H.H. Lowry, Ku Ch'i, 1. T. Headland. N. S. Hopkins, 'Yang Ch'ing-yun. f I { Preszdz'llg Elders. J. F. Hayner, Liu Chi-hun, pian Chen, Yang Chullhie, Chou Hsiieh-shen. M. L. Taft, Shang Ch'ing-yun. F. Brown, Ch'in Lung-chang. H.,,E. King, ~'. ~. Lowry, Alice 1 eneii, Y. h.. fs ao.

9 To Prtl1t lllimetes On Estzil1ates Oflidal Corresjondent 6 2. Special. Isaac T. Headland, Te Jui, Marcus { L. Taft, Li Shao-wen. Presiding Elders, and Treasurer. l\1arcus L. Taft. l\tof1l111atiol1s t1lld t G \Y V' Y CI ' 1 A1l111VerSar), Programme j' en!)", ang 1 Ull- 10. R.. ~+D' ""1' I \V F. \V,tlker, Liu Ma-k'e, \Y T. evzs'loll 0 zsczr me... \ H b 'I' J.! () art, e Ul. R ecejtz(jil Church Extenszou Tract alld Stmda)1 Schools Publt.'shzilg House J. Fred, Hayner, ChIen Heng-te,.. e.. { \Y F \Valker. I \Y. F \Y<!lker, Te Jui, J. H. Pyke,..... Shang Ching-yun, W T. Hobart, ChIen Heng-te. f F. Brown, N. S. Hopkins, Ch'un- Lung-chang, \Yang eh'ing-yun,.... Marcus L. Taft. l IF. D. Gamewell, Marcus L. Taft,.... l Vv T. Hobart. 3. On Examination. For Ad11l'issioll Oil Trial; J. F. Hayner, P'an chen. Fli'st Year; G. \V Verity, Chou H-ueh-shen. &colld Year; Isaac T. Headland, ChIen Heng-te. Third Year; Marcus L. Taft, Lin Ma-k'e. Fourth Year; F. D. Gamewell, Li ShaD-wen. 4. To Examine Missionaries in Chinese Language. Flt'sf Yem'; \V. F. \Valker, Mrs. C. M, Jewell. &colld Year; G. R. Davis, F.D. Gamewell. Tllli'd Year; VV T. Hobart, N. S. Hopkins. 5. To Preach the Missionary Sermon. Te Jui; Alternate, Frederick Brown. 6. Visitors to Educational Institutions. The Presiding Elders and those whom they shall appoint.

10 Te Jui, J. Fred Hayner, 7. Conference Stewards. Chien Ta-yung, Wang Ch'ing-yun, F. Brown. 8. Conference Claimants. (See Minutes). 9. Fraternal Correspondents. Isaae T. Headland, Marcus L. Taft. 10. Candidates for Examination. In Studtes of Fourth Year.-P an-chen, Chien Heng-te, Chang Pai-lin, Tsui \Van-fu, Liu Ma-k'e. Cho~ H~i.ieh-shell, Ch'in Lung-chang, \Varlg Ch'ing-yii, Sun Chin-kao, Ku-ch'i. In Stttdtes of 17nl'd Year.-H. E. King, Kung Te-lin, In Studies of Second Year.-\Vang YUeh, Chien Wei piing, Huang 'Vei-kang, Yang Chiang-fa, CIJin Chleng, HOll Tien. III StudIes of First Year.-Yang Chiao, Chien Vii-shan, Wang Mao-yin, Chang Yii-eh'en, Hou Wan-yii, Liu Te-hsin. -::===~*==~: a.m., Love.Feast: a.m., &"1J p.m., Revtz'al Meetz 1/g. SUNDAY "Vang Ch'ing-) Un. Bishop. J. H. Pyke, VV T. Hobart,... { J. F Hayner, for the Entire Session.

11 8 FIRST DAY. N. S. Hopkins p.m., C011l111111Jl Oll... { Bishop,... G. R. Da\'is (alternate) p.m., Self-support.... '.30 p.m., Revival J.1feetz" l zg p.m., lihssz"olls. '.30 p.m., Re'ZJz'valllJeetz'lIg. Presidi Ilg Elders and... { A;;... istants SECOND OAY. I F. D. Gamewell Chien Heng-te p.m., Educaft'oll p.m., Revz"l}al J.lleeH1Jg THIRD DAY. H. H. Lowry, Ku Ch'i.... { 1. T. Headland FOURTH DAY G. R. Davis p.m., Sabbath ObsCJ"l/flllcc... Sun Chin-l{ao. { Te Jui p.m., Revt'valllfeetz1zg.... -~~ ==~J([.:::==:-

12 9 rr +-C!toltfereltCe ~ournal+ FIRST DAY f+k/ll/;, September 23rd, I896. Ope1l1ilg.-Tlte North China. COllference oflhemethodist Episcopal Church convened for its Fourth Anllual Session in Peking, at 8.30 a.m., of above date. Afler a half hour prayer service the Communion \Va" conducted by Bishq.p Isaac \V Joyce, D.D., LL.D., a"sisled by the presiding elders. Bishop Joyce read Isaiah, LUI chapter, afler which Matt hew XXVI, 17 if. was read by \V F vvalker. Roll.-Isaac T. Headland, Secretary of t he last conference, called t lie roll. The following answered to their names :- Brown, Frederick Sun Chiu-kao, Davis, George R. Ku Chlj, Gclmewell, Frank D. plan Chen, Hayner, J. Fred Ch'ell Hellg-le, Headland, I'aac T CitOIl HSl1eh-shell, Hobal t. \Villialll T. Ch~l1g Pai-lin, Pyke. Jallle!\ H. Ts'ui Wan-fll, Taft, Marcus L. Lin Ma-k'e. Verity, George \V. Ch'in Lung-chang, \Valker, \Vilbur F. Kung Te.lin, Ch'erl Ta-yung \Vang Y ueh, Te Jui Chien \Vei-p'ing, \Vang Ch'eng-p'ei Nehemiah S. Hopkins, Wang Ch'ing-yi.ill Hua"g Wei-kang, Li Shao-wen Yang Chiang-fa, Shallg Ch'ing-yun Chill Ch'eng, Liu Chi-Iu n Hou Tien, Yang Ch'un-ho Ko Ch'ing-yiin, Wang Ch'ing-y.ti Harry E. King.

13 10 The following (.fficers were elected by acclamation :- Ellgltsh Secreianes. ChzlJese &cl'etanes. Treasurer. Stattstical &l-tela1ji. Isaac T. Headland, { Marcus L. Taft, assistant. Te J ui, { Li Shao-well, assisi ant. F. Brown. J. Fred Hayner, { Chien Heng-te, assistant. On motion it was ordered that the sessions open at 8.30 o'clock, spending lhe filst half hour in prayer, alld close at 12 o'clock. On molion the Bar of the COllference was fixed to consist of the first six seals directly in front of the platform. On molion it was ordered that thefollowillg.missionariesnot mem bel s of the conference-be i1wited to take seats wit hin the conference limits, as authorized by the lah General Conference :- W H. Curtiss, M.D., Y. K. T!)'all, M.D., G. D. N. Lowry, M.D., Alice Terrell, E. K. Lowry. On motion J. H. Pyke and W T. Hohart were elected interprett rs. The following Sialld-i1Jg Committees were approved:- MzssirJ1ls J. H. Pyke, Te J ui. Church Exte1Jsioll W T. Hubal t, Chang Pai-lin. Bible Ca1lse _.. Marcus L. Taft, Chou Hsiieh-shen. Sabbath Observallce... VV- F. Walker, Lin Ma-k'e. SUllda)' Schools G. \V Verity, Pan Chell. Edllcati(m &If-Sttpport F. D. Game\\ ell, Ch'in Lung-chattg. I Temperallce Tract Cause Presidillg Elders, & Chien Heng-te. Te Jui, Lin Cbi-lun and 'Vang Ch'ing-lull. G. R. Davis, Wang Ch'ing-yiin. F. Brown, Liu Ch'i-Iun.

14 11 Committee Oil EPU'OI'th Leagtte.-J. Fred Haynerand Chien Heng-te were appointed a Committee on Epworth League. COl1ferellce Claima1lts' F1Wd.-A draft f'jr the l\fet hodist Book Concern Dividend, amoullting to $257 U. S. Gold, in favor of this Conference, was then ordered. COllj:rellCe Sfewards.-On Illotion t he following pet SOIlS were re elected a BJarJ of C01lference Stewards :- Te Jui, J. Fred Hayner, F Chien Ta-yung, \Vallg Ch'ing-yiin. Brown. Epzscopal Fuud.-Oll mution the Episcopal FUlld apportioned to this Conferellce to be rai.,ed amoullting to ;;;;4 U. S. Gold, was gi\ en into the hallds of the pre-siding elders. Course of Stud)' for Local Preachers.-Oll Illotion a comrnillee of three was appoilltell to arrange a Cuune of Study for Local Preachers. \V T. Hobart, G. \V Verity and Te J ui were appoined on this committee. Address of Bishop JO.YCt:.-Bi::.hop Joyce addressed the COllferellce ill regard tu his visit, and coi1\'eyed to them the good wishes and brotherly illtere-st of Bi:ohop Foss, who had been appointed to \'i::,it the Conference, but was unable to attend. Qlles/toll I3.-Question ] 3 was then taken up. (" Was the Characler of each Preacher examilled?" ) y. H l~)'ke's Report.-The name of J. H. Pyke was called, character passed, and he read his report. I,V F Walker's Re}ort.-The name of \V F \Valker was called, character passed, and he read his report in English. Commzliee 011 livorsii2j.-the following persons were appointed a Commitee on \Vorship:-\V F. Walker, Chien Heng-te, F. D. Gamewell. After announcements t he Doxology was sung; the Benediction pronounced by Bishop Joyce, and the meeting adjourned.

15 12 SECOND DAY &ptember 24t11, I8. OPemirg.-The Conference tlwt at the appointed hour, Bishop Joyce in the chair. The first half hl)ur was devoted to a prayer service, conducted by Lin Chi-lull. lj1z1zutes.-the minutes of the first day were read and approved. I3th QltcSfzoll.-The report of \V F '\Valker which had been presented in English at the close of the first session was then given in Chinese. Report of G. R. DaVlS.-The name of G. R. Davis was called, character rassed, and he presente:i his report of the Tientsin District. W T. Hr)bart's report.-the name of \V T Hobart was called, his character passed, and he read an encouraging report of the Tnsn-hua District. p" D. Game'Wcll's 1 eport.-the name of F. D. Gamewell was called, character pa~seci. and he read his report as Acting President of Peking University. Reports '!f Pastors.-The names of the followillg pastors were called, characten passed, and t hey made 01 al reports of their collecticll1s:- Te.lui, Li Shao-\\'en, Chien Ta-yiing, F. Brown, Isaac T. Headland, Yang Ch'un-ho, l\1arcus L. Taft, VI ang Ch'eng-p'ei, Liu Chi-lun, Shang Ch'ing-yun, \Vang Ch'ing-yulI, J. Fred Hayner, G. \V. Vt!rity, H. H. Lowry (absent in U.S.), Nich Chen-i (Missionary in Nanking). Pckz'lIg.. Jfedzcal Report.-The name of Vv H. Curtiss was called. He stated that the report of the medical work of the Ptking District would be read by G. D. Lowry. This was afterwards given in Chinese by Y K. Ts'ao.

16 13 TSltll hua llfedlcal Report.-An e1lcoul aging; report of the Tsun-hua l\ledi( al WOI k was presellted by N. S. Hopkills. Programme COJll1ll1"ttce.-OIl Jllotion a colllmitt ee of two, consistillg of G. \V Verity and Yallg Ch'un-ho, appointed to prepale standing committees and an allni\'elsary programme for t he next Conferellce. Reports of TV. F. lif. S.-On motion it was ordered to invite tbe ladies of the "\V F. M. S. to present a sulllmary of their repotls before this conference; G. R. Davis being appointed a comlllittee to cojl\'ey this invitation. After annoullcements the D"xology was sung, allj the Benediction pronounced by Bishop Joyce. --:0:-- THIRD DAY September 25th, z896. Opcllillg.-Conference convened at the llsual time, Bishop Joyce ill the chair. Tile prayer service was conducted by KuCh'i. llhmdcs.-the minutes of the stcond day were read and appro\'ed. lljemo1"ial Servzcc.-On Illotion, the hour 3 p.m., Sunday, was fixed for a service ill melllory of Dr. J. F Scott and Miss Annie B. Sears, to be collducted by "\V T. Hobart and N.S. Hopkills; MI~. C. M. Jewell being asked to prepare a paper in memory of l\iiss Sears. 5th Questz'oll.-" \Vho have been continued on trial?)j The names of the following persons were called, characters passed, and their examinations having been favorably reported they were advanced to tbe ~tl1dils of the second year. 'Yang Yiieh, Yang Chiang-fa, Chien "\Vei-p'ing, Chin Ch'eng, Huang Wei-kung, Ko eh'ing-yun, Hou Tien, N. S. Hopkins (continued in studies of 1st year).

17 14 7th Qzeestt'oll.-" Who have been admitted into full membership? " The name of King Te-lin was called, his character pas..;ed, and he was admitted into full membersbip, and elected to Deacon's orders. The name of H. E. King was called, his character pac::sed, and he was elecled Lo full membership. Kung Te-lill and H. E. King were called forward and asked the regular diciplinary question by Bishop Joyce, and were thus admitted into full membership in the Conference. 9th Quest/o1l.- ' \Vhat members are 111 4th year? " studies of the The names of the following persons were called, their characters passed, and they were ad\'anced to the studies of the 4th year:- pian Chen. Ts'in \Van-fu. Chien Heng-te. Liu l\1a-k'e. Chou H~iieh-shell. Ch'in Lung-chang. Chang Pai-lin. Ioth Qttestio1l.-The name of 'Yang Ch'ing-yii was called his character passed, and he was continued in the studies of the 4th year. The name of Sun Chin-kao was called, his character passed, and he was continued in the studies of the 4th year. The name of Ku Ch'i, whose case had been referred to the Presiding Elders at the last conference, was called, his character passed, and he was colltinued in the studies of the 4th year. 4th Queslt()1l.-" Who have been received on trial?" The names of the following persons were called, were presented to the Conference by Bishop Joyce, and questioned by the conference especially as to whether they used tobacco,

18 15 to which they all responded in the negative, after which they were received on trial as follows :- Yang Chiao. Chang I-ch'eng. 'Vang Mao-yin. Hou Wan-yii. Liu Te-hsin. On motion \V F \Valker was allowed to withdraw the name of Lu \Vall-l'ien, who had been recommended by the quarterly conference, on t he ground that he wished to remain as a teacher in school, and was not ready to enter upon the work of a pastor. II/h Qltes/iall.-"'Vhat others have been elected and ordained Deacons? I, (aj. None. (b). Under Missionary Rule.-N. S. H')pkiIlS. I2th Qltcsft'oll.-N one. 30th Quesltoll.-" 'Vhere shall the next Conference be held? " Peking. Conum"ttee O'~ Recejltoll.-0n 1110t ion t he pastors of Asbury Church and the Presiding Elder were appointed a committee on entertainment for the next Conference. Ce11tral COll(erfJllCe.-On motion it was voted as the sense of this Conference that we have a Central Conference, and that the other conferences and missions in China concurring, it meet in Committee 01t Resolttftoll.-0n motion a committee of three, consisting of J. Fred Hayner, G. W Verity and Ku Ch'i, were appointed a committee on resolutions. A1l110mtcemcllts.-Announcements were then made, th~ Doxology was sung, and the Benediction pronounced by Marcus L. Taft.

19 16 FOURTH DAY. S('jtember 26th, I896. Ope1l11lg.-Collference opened at the usual hour. The half-hour prayer service was conductt::d by \V T. Hobart. llizil1ltes.-the lliinutes of the third day were read and approved. Gel/eral COllferellCe Proposz"ti01Js.-Two proposit ions" for constitutiollal challgts of Discipline: Paragraph 67, Section 2" on "Eligibility" and" Equal Ministerial alld Lay Representation," having beell prtsellled to the Conference, were voted on as follo\\"s : Eligibt"/ifJl.-For a change, 23; against, 6. l!.ij1tal.j.1hllistaial and Lay ReprcSClltatlOll.-For change, 23; <lgainst, 7. Tlol1Ul1l"S COlljercl1ce Reports.-Very illteresting summarits of the reports of the \Voman's Conference were read by \V T Hobart. 011 motion il was ordered that these summaries be published in the Millutes. Stah'stieal Report.-The SI adsl ical Report presented by J. Fred Hayner showed a very mal ked i flcrease over last year, C011ference Trcasurc1"s Rcport.-The Conference Treasurer reported an increase on last year of oyer $700 U.S. Gold. C01ifercl1ce Stewards' Report.-The report of the Conference Ste\rards was presented by F. Brown. 1111'S.Pz7chcr.-This report was amended by a vote to send $100 U. S. Gold to H. H. Lowry in the United States, tp be given to Mrs. Pilcher in case no provision was made for her by the Detroit Conference. Report OIl llfzsszolls.-the report on missions was presented by J. H. Pyke, and in Chinese by Te Jui. a

20 17 On motion it was ordered that the Chinese report be printed in the Minutes. Church Extellszoll.-Report on Church Extellsioll was read in English by VI[. T. Hobart, and in Chinese by Chang Pai-lin. In Mr. Hobart's report it was recommended that one collection each month be taken for Church Extension. The report was amended by striking out this sentence Zllld was thus aqopled. Church Extells-/oll Conl17zz"tfee.-On Illotion the following persons were appointed a Church Extension Committee ;- \V F. Walker, Te Jui, J. H. Pyke, Shang Ch'ing-yUn, \V T. Hobart, Chien Heng-te. F. Brown, Ex-OtJiczo Treasurer. Bible Caztse.-Report on Bible Cause was presented in English by Marcus L. Taft, and in Chinese by Chou Hsii-shen. On motion it was ordered that the Conference meet on Monday, at 8 a.m. A1l1101t1lcenzellts.-After announcements the Doxology was sung, and the Benediction pronounced by J. H. Pyke. --:0:-- FIFTH DAY. Opemizg.-Conference met at 9 a.m. conducted by Chien Heng-te. September 28t1J~ I896. The Love Feast was After the Love Fea'St, which prepared the hearts of the members for the meeting which was to come, Bishop Joyce preached a powerful sermon on Luke v This was interpreted by J. H. Pyke and the power of the Spirit came upon preacher, interpreter and hearers alike.

21 18. O,.dillfltzOIl.-After the sermon the following persons were ordained. CERTIFICATE OF ORDINATION. ---~~~ -- This certifies that O'IZ the 27th day of Septenzber, A. D., I896, in the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Chu1>'ch, in Pek ng, China, I.ordained Nehentiah S. Hopki1zs, a1zd K U'lZg Te-li1z, Deacons in the Church of God. PEKING, CHINA, Septe1nbe'r 28th, [896. SIXTH DAY. September 28th, I896. Ope1lZ11g.-Conference mel at 8 a.m. The half-hour prayer service was conducted by J. H. Pyke. 1I1zimtes.-The Minutes of the fourth day were read and approved. Report of Sabbath Obsel'vance.-The report of the Sabbath Observance Committee was presented in English by V\T F. Walker, and in Chinese by Liu Ma-k'e. Rep01't 01l Sunday Schoo/s.- The report of the Committee on Sunday Schools was ~resellted in English by G. \V Verity, and in Chinese by plan Chen. On motion, these reports were adopted and the Ch~nese ordered to be printed in the Chinese Minutes. Report O~l Educati01l.-Report of the Committee on Education was presented by F. D. Gamewell, and in Chinese c by Ch'in ~ung-chang.

22 19 'On motion the reports were adopted, and the Ellglish -report was ordered to be printed in the Minutes. Repol~t Oil Self-Sllpport.-The report of the Committee -0'l1 Self-Support was read by \V T. Hobart, and in Chinese tbyte Jui. Report Oil Temperallce.-The Report of the Committee,on Temperance and Anti-opium was presented by G. R. Davis, and the Chinese was read by "Tang Ch'ing-yun. 011 motion it wa.; ordered that these l wo reports be,.printed into the Minutes. Report oj Tract ComlllzHee.-The Report of the Com,miUee 011 Tract Cause \ras presented in English by F. Brown,.and.in Chinese by Liu Chi-lull. Epworth Leag-uc.-TI,e Report of the Cummit tee on Epworth League \\ as presented by J. Fred Hayner, and the Chinese by Chien Heng-te I10! ion it was orjered that these reports be adopted and prillted ill the Minutes. It was advised that chapters be. established at all possible points on the work. Report of COJJlmittee Oil Local P,'eachers' Coltrse.-The.Report of the CUlllmittee on Course of Sl udy fo'r Local.Preachers was read by Te J ui. On motion it was orjered that this report be adopted.and ordered to be printed ill the l\finutes. On motion it was ordered that the Course of Study for.local Preachers as well as the conference course be printed in the Minutes and extra copies be printed in folder form. Bishop Joyce recommended lhat the members of the Conference.consider the matter of preparing Methodist books. Report 'of Oommittee fi)1l Stal1dz'llg COllZlllz'tiees.-The.Report of the Committee 011 Stand.ing Committee and..annh'ersary Programme was presented in English by G~ W lterity and ill Chinese by Ya.gg Ch'Ull-ho.

23 20 On motion this report was adopted and ordered to beprinted in the Minutes~ Tract alld SU1lday School Commit/ce.-On motion it was ordered that t he Committees on Tracts and Sunday Schools correspond with those Societies in America for the purposeof helpi'ng in that work here, and that the Ilame of Marcus L. Taft be added to those Committees, and that the Conference Treasurer be, ex-officio, treasurer of such funds. Reports of Illtermedt"ate Schoo/s.-Ordered t hat the Reports of the Intermediate Schools be made separately or included in the educational reports. Gt"rls' School Stutistics.-Ordered that the Statistics of. the Girls' Schools be included in our reports. Tracts.-Ordered that the Number of Tracts sold be' included in the Statistical Report. Prtlztil1g of llfz"mttes.-ordered that the Secretaries be a. committee to print the Minutes, and that the number of minutes printed be the same as last year. Committee 011 Dz"czplziJe.-On motion the following. persons were appointed to prepare a dicipline for 1896 :- \V F. Walker. vv T. Hobart. Liu Ma-k'e. Te Jui. MethodIst Publz'shillg H01lse.-Report of the Committee on a CellLral1vlethodist Publishing House was made by W. T. Hobart. Lommt"ttee OIl PltblishZl1g H01lse.-On motion a committeeof three, consisting of F. D. Gamewell, Marcus L. Taft and W. T. Hobart was appointed to correspond with the Book Concern at New York concerning the malter of establishi{1g a Methodist Book Concern and Printing House in China. Comnz ttee 01Z Resoltttz'olls.-The following Report or the Committee on Resolutions was presented by J. Fred., Hayner.

24 21 Whereas.-This session of our annual Conference has 'ceen the best in spirit uat influence and power that we ha\'e ever had. Resolved.-That we express our gratitude to God for his abundant outpouring of the Holy Spiri( and for His good providellce in sending us Bishop Joyce ill the fuilless of the Gospel; thal we thank BishotJ Joyce for his ull~iring and inspiring ministrations, and express our great pleasure in looking forward to Ids return to us next year; and that we will -con ti n ue t () P' a Y fll! God's richest blessi ngs upon Bishop and Mrs. Joyct!. Tkallks.-On motion of J. H. Pyke, a vole of thanks was accorded to the brethren and sisters at Peking for the kind and generous receplion they ha\'e extended to the Conference. lj:hmtles.-the Minutes of the day were read and approved. Adjolt'rllmellts.-Mo\"ed that after the singing of a hymn and prayer and the reading of the appointments the c mference stand adjourned. The conference sang" Blest be I he tie that binds," and was Iej in prayer by Bishop Jtlyce. ISAAC T HE.\DLA~D, Secreta I')'. I~AAC \V JOYCE, P,'est'1ellt.

25 22 The, North Chi l1a Annual COil ference of the lviet hodist Episcopal Church, held in Peking, Septelllber 23-28, Bishop Joyce presiding, Isa'lc T. Headland, Secretary. Post Offise of Secretary, Peking. I. 'Vho ha\'e been Received by Transfer, and frolll what Conference?-N one. 2. Who have been Re-admitted?-None. 3. 'Vho have been Received 011 Credentials, al1(~ from' what Churches?-N one. 4. Who have been Received Oil Trial?-(a) In Studies of First Year: Yang Ch'ao, Ch'en Yti-shan, 'Vang Mao-yin, Chang Yti-ch'en, Hou Vvall-yti, and Liu Te-hsin. (b) In Studies of Third Year: (Dis., ~ 162, l).-none. 5. Who have been Continued on Trial?-(a) In Studies' of First Year: Nehemiah S. Hopkins. (b) In Studies of Second Year: Wang Ytieh, Ch'ell \Vei-p'ing, Hu~ng 'Veikang, Yang Chiang-fa, Chin Ch'eng, Hou Tien, and Ko ehling-yun. (c) III Studies of Tnird Year: None. (d) In Studies of FIJUrLh Year: None. 6. Who have been Discontinued?-None. 7. Who have been Admitted into Full Membership? (a) Electe.l alld Ordained Deacons this year: Kung Te'-lin. (b) EleeleJ and Ordained Deacons previously: Harry E~ King. 8. What l\1embers are in Studies of Third Year?-(a) Admitted into Full Membership this year: Kung Te-Hn, and Harry E. King. (b) Admitted into Full Membership previousl y : None.

26 23 9. What Members are in Studies of FOUlth Year? plan Chell, Chien Heng-te, Chou H!)Ueh-shoa, Chang Pai-lin, Ts'ui Wan-fu, Lin Ma-k'e, Ch'in Lung-t:hang, 'Yang Ch'ingyii, SUIl Chiu-kao and Ku Ch'i. 10. What Members have completed the Conference Course of StuJy?-(a) Elected and Ordainell Elders this year: None. (b) Elected and Ordained Elders previously: None. 1 I. \Vhat others have been Elected and Ordained Deacons?-(a) As Lf)cal Preachers (Dis., ~ 162, I, 2): None. (b) Under Missiollary Rule (Dis., ~ 162, 4): Nehemiah S. Hopkins. 12. \Vhat others have been Elected and Ordailled Elders? (a) As Local Deacons. (Dis., ~ 165, 1): None. (b) Under Missionary Rule (Dis., ~ 165, 4): None. 13. Was the Character of each Preacher examined? This was strictly done as the name of each Preacher was called ill open COllference. q.. vvho have been Transferred, and to what Conft'rence? Note. NOlify other Bishops concerned of the transfers made.-none. IS. \Vho have Died?-None. 16. Who have been Located at their own Request?- None. 17. 'Vho have been Located?-None. 18. 'Vito have 'Vithdrawn?-None. 19. \VIIO have bee'j permiqed to vvithdraw under Charges or Complaints?-None Who have been Expelled?-N one. 21. What other personal Notation should be made?- None. 22. Who are the Supernumerary Preachers?-None. 23. Who are the Superannuated Preachers?-None. 24. Who are the Triers of Appeals?-N Olle.

27 What is the Stalistical Report for this year?-see Tabulated Statement. 26. \Vhat is the Aggregate of the Benevolent Collections as reported by the Conferen~e Treasurer?-$ Gold. 27. \Vhat are the Claims 011 the Conference Fund? $ Gold What has been Received on these Claims, and how has it been Applied?-$ Gold, which has been applied under order of the Conferenct:. 29. Where are lhe Preachers Stationed?-See Appointments. 30. Wh~re shall the Next COllferen~e be held?-peking ~~~---

28 25 ---~~--- LAN-CHOU DISTRICT.-J. H. Pyke, P.E., P.O., Tientsin. AIl-ko-chttflllg...'".. Ko Ch'ing-yiin. Cll'aug-lt"... Huang Wei-kang. Chetl-!Ztl-chell... To be supplied by Chang Tzu sheng. Ch'z'e1Z-atl... Ku Ch'i. Ch'tim-che'llg-)'tl1g...(To be snpplie,j). CIz'z'ett-wei... To be supplied by Yii Tso-chou. Ftt-1ltl1g... Tu be supplied by Wu Chi. HO-Ilatl-chat'...(To be supplied). I-atl... To be supplied by Kuo Ying. Lall-chou... P'a 11 Chen. Lao-h11g... (To be supplied). Pet:tat' ho... (To be supplied). Pet'-cht"a-Itim... _To be sllpplied by T'allg Chen-pang. Peu-ch' ellg... \Va n g Y iieh. Shatt-haz'-kttall... Te J ui. Shih-1JeTI chai.... Chin Ch'ellg. plan-chen. Principal Intermediate School at Lan-chou, Member of Lan-chou Quarterly Conference. PEKING DISTRICT.-W F. "'aliter, P.E., P.O., Peking. Ch'allg-p'z'llg-chou.... Hou Tien. Ratl-ts'ml... Ch'en Ta-vung. Meatlg-/s'lm... ('1'0 be supplied). Hsz'll-jao-ml... (To be supplied). Hteat'-lat'... To be supplied by Liu Ch'eng-mei. Kte-jJet'-k'olt... Yang Ch'ang-fu. Pa-chOIt... (To be supplied).

29 26 Pckillgj Ash1lr)' and} J. F. Hayner and Chien Ht'ng-te. Fellg--chc1l... Pekillg-Hita'rh shih.to be supplied. Peki1/~...-SotJther1t Oit)'. I. T. Headland, and Liu l\fa-k'e. Tiao HiJ-fotl and } To be su lied b "Vei Kuo-shull. Ko'rh-ch'ellg... pp Y Twzg-all... Chang Yii-ch'eng. Yallg.ke-chual1g... Kung Te-lin. Yell-Chtl1g-cholt... Ch'et~ \Vei-p'ing. YZl1lg-ch"'illg To be supplied by T'ien Wen-hsiang. PEKING UNIVEI~SITY. H. H. Lowry, Presidellt, (absent on leave ill U. S. A.). F. D. Gamewell, Acting President. I.;aac T. Headland and Harry E. King, Professors; F. D. Gamewell and Harry E. King, Melllbel~ of AsbUl y Quarlerly Conferencej- Isaac T Headland, "Member of Soulht!rn Ci4y Quarterly Conference. W. H. Curtiss M. D., Tung-jen Hospital t Souther n City DispeJlsary, and Pr ofessol s 111 Medical College Peking University.. Ge(.rgc D. N. Lowry, M.D., Tung-jell Dispensary and Hospital; W f'stem Hills Dispensary alld Proft!ssor in Medical College, Pe~ing University. Y. K. T~ao, M. D., Tung-jen H(lspital and Dispensary, and Professor in Medical College, Peking Universitr. Mrs. H. E. King, Edward K. Lowry ana Miss Alice Terrell, Professors in Peking University. Ch'in Lung-chang Prindpal of Intermediate SdIOOJ, "Mt!mher of Asbury Peking Quarterly Conference. Miss Hallie E. Davis (absent on leave in the U llited SI ates). TIENTSIN DISTRICT.~Geo. R. Davis, P. E. P. o. Tientsin. A1l-ch"t'a... ;... Liu Chi-lun and \VangMac-li~" Cht-1ltllg-cnOlt... Wang C'beng-pe'i.

30 27 Ch'ilt-p'i1Jg... (To be supplied). I { (To be supplied) by Fez-cit eug... Liu Chi-hsiang. Lz:t'all... ;... Hou Wan-Yii. Nau-kllllg & Wez':... ltsllm... Liu Te... hsin. r.' { (To be suppl ied) by ljwg...)lflllg ~.. Keto C'ltuan-shu. Hsia... chang... (To be supplied). Ta'~~allfit... Wang C'hillg-}ti. Tai'-ch'blg... SUIl Chiu-kan. Tie71tsi1l-lVesley & Fellg-chell.F. Brown, & Chou Hstieh-shen. "" West Ci'ty... M. L. Laft, & Yang Ch'tin-ho. TU1lg Ch'al1g-fu... "'... (To be supplied). Ttmg Pil1g-cho1t... Li Hsiao-wen. I (To be supplied), by Yell Shan... l Chang H:>ti-tu'llg. Intermediate SdlO01, Tielltsin, Fredt:rit:k Brown) Principal. AII-chia Intermediate School, Liu Chi... lull. Marcus L. Taft, Treasurer of the.mission. TSUN-HUA DISTRICT.-\V T. Hobart, P. E. P o. Tsun-hua 7.l'ia Tientsin. Fellg-/el1... Chang Pai-liu, 3. Pillg-au-ch'e1lg& LZ(l1lg-tztt-hoCh'en Yti-shan, 2. Sha-lzit-ho... Wang Ch'ing-) till, 4. L011g-yii... Yang Ch'ao,3. TSlt1l-huo Ci'ty... G. W Verity, 2. Tsull-hua Czrcui't... Shang Ch'ing-) till, 2. Yu-t'i'el1... T'sui \Van-fu, 2. N. S. Hopkins, M. D.; in l'hkrgeof Tsun-hua Hospital.. G. \V Verity, Principal of Tsun-hua Intermediate School. Nieh Chen-yib, Missionary to Central China.

31 28 North China Woman's Conference of the M.E. Church. * :.. PEKING. Prz"llcijal Girls' Boardzizg 1 Charlotie M. Jewell. School... i Prz"1lcipal Pn'mar)! Depart-,. ''::::olof.. ~~~~~:.. '!.~~':~:i:~ f Effie G. Yllung. IllfIr:~~:~.. ~:~... ~~~~~t~~~l.~~j.~~:} Mable S. Hayner. Medz'cal Work... ~... Anna D. Gloss, M.D. Cz'ty Day Schools, COUlltt")' I &hools and General ~ Anlla E. Steere. Eva1lgelz'stic Work... J Womo1l's Trazili1lf[ & Mary Porler Galllewell. City Evallgelist:c Work... Flora \Valker. Studellt of the Language.... Mary E. Shockley. --:c:-- 'TIENTSIN. Womall's Traim'llg &hooi,} Da)' Schools, Cott1ltry F 0 W'I Schools alld GClzcral rances. I son. E'lJallgdistic J-Vork /.'.:/' I l:r r k { M. Ida Stevenson, M.D... uca,zco '1'01'... 1\1 L B ary. arrow, M.D, et'ty EVfl1lD'eHsite Work { Maria B. Davis. o... Bdle G. Pyke. --:0:-- TSUN-SUA. f:h::;~~:'.. ~:~:~:.. ~~~~~~ I:~ } Ella E. Glover. Ills/rue/or 11 Ills/rt1111e11tal} F. B H k' s Mtest'c annie. op In Woma1l's Trami11g School ~ wtrf.~~~~~~~.. ~~.~~~~~~z.~~~~ r Frances ~V. Verity. J'Wedzcal Work alld Co tl1ltr)! t E-t G Te..( D una D ay S c rry,.. h 00 I... j Sujeyz,',delldeI1t of City Day) - &hool alld Situ/ellt of the ~ Miranda Croucher. Language... }. Student oj the LallgtUlgc... Gertrude Gilman.

32 29 I.-PRESIDING ELDERS. --:0:- LAN-CHOU DISTRICT. Three years ago the: principal stations on the Lan-chou District in conneclion wilh many other parts of Norlh China were visited by a most gracious and powerful revi val. The emotions of the preachers and members were deeply stirred and (almost) immediately they began to testify to others concerning the things th~y had seen, heard and received, and to urge them to seek the same joyous experience. During that year, however, very little impres... ioll seemed to be made on the people outside the Church, and the reports showed very little increase in membership. What were to be the results of this remarkable movement? Were they to be confined. wholly to the Church and to emotional manifestation? If so, what wa~ the good? The reports of the last two years answer these questions in a very gratifying and encouraging way. In 1893 the District reported 50 9 members and 144 probationers. In 1894, 554 members and 185 probationers - an increase of 86, which was not remarkable for a year of wide-spread revival influence. For the year 1895 the reports show 802 members, probationers 562. This year, if the reports are correct, Jhere are 1,223 members and 1,362 probationers. The gain in 1894 was 86. " " " 18 95,, 625 or 83%. " " " ,, 122 3" 9 0 %. The total increase for the three years is 1,932, or nearly 300%.

33 30 The gain in the contributions is almost equally encouraging, I hough still far from what it should be. T\vo years ago the people suffered severely from war, a nd worse from famine. Last year, peace was proclaimed and the people were blessed with a good crop. This year the han ests have been abundant and the people Illay be said to have fairly recovered. Last year t he missionary collection was Tls)~o. This year it is TIs = Gc:ld $ The conttibutions for all purposes last year wt::re Tls , this year '1'ls A beginning has been made by I he members to provide for the eli llcatioll of their cll ildren. In t he day schools a small fee (about 35 cents) has been lharged each scholar j the item is ~ll1all, but the aggregate fur 150 to 200 pupils is considerable and it is a begz 'l1lz"llg. The Intermediate (Boarding) School under the care of Pan Chen at Lan-chou has done good WOI k. At the beginning of the yt'ar, several boys (6) were sent to 1 he Peking University. At the Chinese New Year, six JlH'le wele transferred to the school at Tientsin. Their places ha,-e I'een filled by new boys,. luost of whom pay fur t hdr fuod in full, alld the remainder pay fol' the half (lr more. The Girls' School (Boarding) at An-kn-chuang, u.nller the lale uf Ko Ching-yuII, was continued this year. This is the third year of its exislence. The idea originated with Bro. K6 during the war and famine to save the girls (from the Sch'Ools in Peking and Tsull-hua) who could liut return that year, from stan'al iun or a life of ~hall1e and ruin. The rent of the buildillgs cost but little, and a part of that was paid by a member. Less th,an Tls.20 haye been spent on 'repairs; the rent of the \\hole properly is ollly about Tls.30. In the place there i~ the girb' school rool11 and sleeping rooms; :accommodation for the \V uman's Training Class of 10 to IS women; am'ell'sclassuf the samesizej a Day school of 23 boys; and a Chapel with a seating lapadty for nearly 20Q per..

34 ; besides these thereare looills for Preacher, Chapel Keeper and Tea.chers. The ladits ( f the \V.F.l\1.S. at Tsun-hua have been in full sympathy with Iht! management of the School. Indeed it was begun and has been carried on undert heir direction, and I he money (ror tile support of I he ~dlo()l) furnished by lhem. has been largely One dollar per month fllr each girl has been paid by them out of t he funds of I he S,,ciet)', also the teacllers'salaries, and wages of mal ro:" c<lok and watchman. The remainder of the f'xpellst's ha\'e bet'll met by t he parents and by contributi.ons of church llielllbers alld friends. The girls have been com fill tably fed alit! dnlia:d, a lid ha\'e done most exrellent work. Foreign supenisillll Ira; heen Ollt the qut'stiol1, except an occasional visil. The Presiding Elder has called occasionally during the term and has attended the ~el1li-anllllal examinations. This year l\fr~. Pan of Lan-eltou has also attended the examinations, and Dr. Benn took part ill the examinations at Chinese New Year. The examillers alld visitors were of Ihe opiniun tlrat they had seldom known pllpils acquit themselves with more credit. I \\Ollid IlIu~t re~1 eel/lilly call tile OIttenlion of the church to the de~ile of multiplying ~cllools of I his kind as fast as possible. Schoob in nati\'e buildillgs under native control, but under foreigll inspection wirll ollly a part of the money ful'ilished by the l\lissionary Sodetie~. These with two or three Central SdlOuls as at present for High Education, would be an almost ideal plan, and furnish unspeakable advantages to the long vppressed and degraded girls and women of China. There is still another movement to be mentioned in this connection. This year there have been in operation during the winter season in thecentralstations eight training classes. Four for men and four for women, with sixty to sevenly persons in attendance. These classes were under the charge of the Preachers and Bible Women. The mual studies were pursued and examinations held at the c1use of the term. An allowance was

35 32 made to each persoll for fuel and Jight, M1SS Wilsall providing for the women, the students or their friends furnishing the food. These classes are increa~ing ill number and attendance and in a,'ery short time should be entirely self-supporting. The work of the W F M. S. deserves more especial mention. Besides thegirls' Boarding School and the Women's Training c1as!'es there are L wo Girls' Day Schools taught by two women teachers and two Bible \Vornen; two of these ha\'e beell earnest and successful. There is a great demand for this class of workers, and we hope for a good supply at an early' date. It is greatly to be regrelted that a pressure of other duties and sickness prevellted the ladies of tlte W F. M S. visiling t he work all the Lan-chou District as often as they planned. This District,-ery much needs a resident mis5ionary, a lady fur \Vomall's work, and a physician. All this might be accomplished with a giant of $1,000 or $2,000 to fit up a house. MIS. P"an ~hould be mentioned here as one of the most tactful and successful,rorkel s on t he district. She has looked aftel." the bo) s in the boarding school and taught a class. She collducted a woman's class during the winter; site has gathered -in a large number of women who attend S.S. and Church; besides, she has itinerated not a little in the neighbouring villages and towns. About Lan-chou, a most interesting village work has been developed. One man was kept busy during the winter and spring holding meetings in villages near the city. In some of these there were no members, but someone who wanted to hear the doctrine invited the preacher to his house and gathered ill his neighbors and friends. For years the Chapel at Lan-chou has been too small for tbe congregations, and we have very much needed a new one. This year an L. at the right of the pulpit. The cost was less than $30. The increase in seating capacity two and half time

36 33 the number of dollars expended, besides caring for the school and the church in the city. Pastor plan has been an earnest and tireless itinerant, and has often relieved the presiding elder when he could not attend all t he meetings. At An-ko-chuang Ko Ch'ing-yun has been in charge. The church is in a healthy and prosperous condition. During the year, 79 adults and 17. children were baptized. THE GIRLS' BOARDING SCHOOL.-A class for men and one for women were managed by the pastor. I-AN.-Kuo Ying in charge. This brother has done good and faithful work and the church bas grown steadily. The total number of baptisms for the year is 79 CHEN TZU-CHEN has been supplied by Chang Tzu-sheng. At first, he was unwilling to go to his appointment but repented and went, and has done good work with encouraging results. PEI-CHIA-TIEN has been supplied by T'ang Chien-pang. This brother has been one of the most successful itinerant evangelists on the district. He carries his bed and a few necessary articles on his shoulder, and travels his circuit of thirty or more villages, preaching and praying in the families of members, or wherever be can. Brother T'ang is only an exhorter. We have long wanted to give him a local preacher's license. His gifts, grace and zeal, are recognized by all; but the examinations in the course of study stand in the way. He has read the books, but faints at the mention of an examination. Lai Chia-yen h,!s an assistant imitating his example, following him on his fortnightly rounds. They have kept the revival fires burning throughout this year, as web as the previous year. Formerly, both these men were well-to-do. One connected with the District ~agistrate's office, the other. the superintendent of 'a large secret society. When they went abroa d, it was usually on '

37 34 a well fed animal. The people are now astonished to see them making their rounds on foot, with a load upon their shoulders. They cannot understand a love for souls as a ruling motive. PEN-CH'ENG. This circuit has enjoyed real prosperity during the latter half of the year. The early part of the year the preacher was in a bad state of mind and made trouble, but repented and has had good success in his work. LAO-T'ING. We have not yet secured buildings at this place, and the work is at a standstill. CH'IEN-AN. Wang Yueh in charge. The largest increase in the whole district was at this place. This region seems ready for the gospel.,\ve ha ve but few workers, and these are not well trained. With a competent corps of workers, there might be a great in-gathering throughout all this fertile plain, and the gospel be carried into the regions beyond the Great Wall. CH'ANG-LI. Huang Wei-kang, preacher in charge. There has been some increase here. The preacher has been earnest and faithful. The opening is one of the best, but the Church has not prospered as in other places. Ko-po. A chapel has been rented here and there is some encouragement. T'AI-YING. There has not been much increase, but one whole society.that seemed lost has been restored. An opening has been made in new villages, and in the city itself; we have held our own and made a little progress.

38 35 SHAN-HAI-KUAN. Elder: Te J ui, pastor. Here little has been accomplished. Why, I cannot say. Street preaching has been maintained, and some probationers have been reported from the residents of the city. Recently a number of women have been coming to visit the preacher's family and to attend the service, so that the outlook for the Church seems a little more hopeful. CH'IEN-WEI. A building has been rented and fitted up for a chapel, :and the work seems to be growing. 'Ve are called to mourn the loss of Chi Liu-chung, exhorter, chapel-keeper, and one -of the leading men of the Church. When he was con verled, and with his wife and children baptized, he was one of the chief officers of the town. Up to the present time, he is the only convert from official life in the history of our Mission. SHIH-MEN-CHAI AXD HUANG-T'U-YING. Chin Cheng pastor. This is his first year. The Church has been fairly prosperous. Some new places ha\te been opened up; a large number of scriptures and portions have been sold. Fifty-five probationers have been received. At Huang-t'u-ying, the members made considerable repairs on their chapel, paying the cost by their own contributions. The needs of the work are a resident missionary; lady teacher to superintend the Girls' School and woman's work; a large and more efficient corps of native preachers; and men, full of faith and the Holy Ghost. The results of the year's labor show that God has been with the Church. Scarcely a quarterly meeting district conference or revival service has been held, but the presence and power of the Spirit have been clearly manifest. For all these things, we praise the Head of the Church, and believe we are on the eve of greater things. Respectfull y, J. H. PYKE

39 36 PEKING DISTRICT. The year on the district has been one of comparativequiet, though there has been, in nearly, if not quite all the charges, some persecution. The war did not allay all suspicion ()( the foreigner, or missionary work. The result has been tbe usual effort to hinder men from embracing the truth j: officials either actively participating in or winking at and encouraging the opposition. Persecution has assumed \'arious form.,. A Manchu was told by his superior that he must either renounce Christianity or lose his pension, and the latter was discontinued until he decided that he cuuld do better without Christ than without his silver and rice. One man.was badly beaten by roughs, who called him out at midnight to ask him how much devil's flesh was worth. Another man's house was broken into by them, who had forewarned him that something would happen if he did not pay them a fine for becoming a Christian. They carried off with other things some valuable deeds, and when one of them, whom the Christian recognized, was arrested and brought before themagistrate, he (the magist rate) attempted to compel the convert to compro mise by paying the thief a ransom for his deeds. Thi$ he refused to do, upon which the magistrate released the thief and dismissed the case. Runners from one magistrate's yamen broke fnto a member's house in the night, broke open his boxes, took the ready cash they found with some clothing,_ put the man in chains, and released him only on the interposition of a neighbour. A week or two lat~r, he was again seized and locked up in the jail and was rdeased pnly, because pressure,vas brought to bear on the magistrate himself. To the north-east of Peking, the missionary met with more than the usual amount of reviling, and, in one town was attack~d by a mob with pieces of brick and stoqe. Though such obstacles have been encountered, there has been

40 progress along mc;>st lines on which as a Christian body we are 'pressing toward the ultimate victory for man and God. At most points, there has been an increase in the membership. 'There is a growing intelligence in regard to the duties of the 'Christian life; Christ's power to save has been demonstrated ip the conversion of some notoriously had men. The native church has done better for the benevolences this year than usual. There has been more raised fur self-support than in other years. Let us look at the charges more in detail. Cn(lngj't'ng-cnou has had a good supply in the person of exhorter Liu Cheng-mai, who is an ulltiring worker. He would open the street chapel on market days, and if the people failed to come in, he went on the streets and preached where he found any to listen; on other days he visited neighboring towns and cities, preachi ng and hunting up inquirers and church members. His zeal aroused the Church to new life and,action, and has been blessed in winni ng new trophies for Christ. Two young men from the University spent the 'Summer on the circuit as assistants, and Bro. Liu speaks in high praise of their services. Dr. T'sao has made the chapel one ofllis dispensarits also, and has tlilus created opportunities for the evangelist ic workers. Hat/, T'su1l.-This is a large market town 40 miles south -qf Peking. It lies in a low plain adjourning the Hun or Yung Ting river. In August this stream broke through its banks.and damaged in the district of Yung-ching thirty, and in.that of Tung-an three hundred villages. In some of these were Christians. In one village the sounding gong at midnight awoke them,.~nd by the time they were ready to go, the water was nearly waist d~p and the mofuing found it nearly to the tops of their doors. Some fled to the river banks, other.s to the roofs oftheir houses. -One old man, who was formerly a teacher in the Peking Girls, Scbpol, esc~ped to.lhe roof of his house, ljut as no one came to his.r:elief, he was found some day.s later ly.ing -there dead of

41 38 starvation. Some of our people have fled, leaving the region altogether, their homes and' crops having been utterly destroyed. Most of those remaining will suffer billerly unless tht: Government or Christian charity reaches and saves them. The effect of the flood has been that Pastor Chien has been unable to find a number of his people, and the church is not numerically as strong as it was a year ago. Huang T's1tll.-This circuit has been supplied during the yt:ar by two young men from the Peking University. They were only able to make Sunday visits during the school year, but since then one of them has spent most of his time on the ground, and the circuit is in shape for aggressive work; three or four slumbling blocks were golten out of the way byexpulsion. The Society has moved into larger and cleaner quarters; a number have been received all trial; a number into full fellowship, and they are asking for a pastor to look afterthem. On my last visit to the circuit, I found a man with a broken leg who had hobbled four miles to the church in order to hear the preaching of the \i'\tord. Ku-pei-k'ou.-\Vhile this work bears the name indicated,. the centre of the circuit is in the city of Mi-yii-hsien. In thiscity we have good property, embracing a street chapel, a parsonage and quarters for a day school and teacher. Bro. Yang, a graduate of last year's class in the University, has had' charge; he also has. two assistants, one at Mi-yun, the other at Shih-hsia'h. The result of the year's work is a fine increase in church rnembership~ We regard this as one of our most inviting fields. Peking-Asbury and Feng-cke1Z. The evangelistic and' pastoral work of this charge has been with Bro. Chen Heng-te,". who has been assisted by Bro. Wei. The great work of this' year has beeu the removal of the old and the erection of the new church. This has been under the supervision of Bro. Gamewell, and too-much can hardly be said in praise of his

42 39 painstaking attention and great skill in bringing so near to completion at this Conference, what is doubtless the largest and best Protestant Church in the North, if not in all China. China Methodism is also deeply indebted to Bishop McCabe and Dr. Leonard for the loyal and royal way in which they have stood by us making it possible. May God bless them, Bro. Gamewell and all North China through this beautiful temple ~uilt to His Glory and for His Worship. During the time of the building of the new church, the congregation, especially during the school year, had to be divided, and four native brethren made a circuit of it, visiting each part in turn and preaching to it. During the year a native parsonage has also been built, Bro. Gamewell supervising. This had become a necessity as the property rented had tu be vacated for other uses and the native pastor must have a home. The charge has done well on the line of self-support as also for benevolences, having raised for all purposes more than $676.00, or Gold $536. \Ve must, however, call the attention of the Society to urgent need of immediate action in regard to Feng Chen Tang, our Street Chapel. There is no other such a dilapidated Street Chapel that I know of ill Peking. Its walls are lealling and the building became so dangerous that we dared not open it during the rainy season, for fear it would collapse and crush the congregations. It must come dow nand be re-built, else it is liable to come down of its own accord endangering the lives of passers by. Let us have a new Street Chapel. Hua'rh-shzn.-This is a well known place in the Southern City, where we hope to organize a new station, but up to the present time have been unable to consummate our purpose for lack of men and funds. Southern Ct1y.-This charge has had for pastors, Bros. Headland and Liu Ma-k'e. The evangelistic as well as real pastoral oversight has-been committed to Bro. Liu by Bro. Headland.,

43 40 I extract from Bro. H's report :-" The work in the Southern. City has probably never been more prosperous than during the past year. The congregation has been regular in attendance both on p~eachillg and Sunday School, and has been larger than we have ever known it before. Bro. Liu has been untiring in effort and the results have been good. The prosperity hcis not been to the congregations. The collections have all beep. better than ever ~efore. The missionary collection last year was $5 over the a.pportionment. This year they have raised twice more than last year, realizing $100." Three of the native brethren contributed $29.00 themselves. The charge is in good shape and hopefully faces the future. Talzg-an.-Bro. Chang Yii-ch'eng, a local preacher, has been the supply on this circuit; a large part of which has been under water for a month or more. Our people here with their brethren neighbors, as those on the Han-l'sun circuit, must suffer greatly before another harvest unless Christian and other charity saves them. Bro. Chang and his colleagu.e, all exh.orter at T'iao-ho-t'ou, have been, I think, diligent and loyal, and at one or two points, a number have united with the church Qn trial. Ymzg-ko-chalzg.-This has been for years a hard field, and this year has been the scene of some bitter persecution. It was in the town of Yang-ko-chang that the missionary was st.oned last April. However, in spite of the opposition, ther~ bas been progress, -and we believe there are better days ahea4 for the church and God's people here. Yelz-ch'z11g-choze.-This c;ircuit has been fav9red by the!clbors of one foreign and two native pastors ~his year. One of the latter was stationed at Yen-eh'ing-chou, the other at IIuai-Iai-hsien, fifty It apart. Both of th~s~ centres ar~ intportan~. Both pre~chers have ~casion for gratitude t9 God fpf the blessing which has attended them, sjnce both have witnessed signal victories for Christ. In Huai~lai two Hea9s

44 41 of Department ill the Magistrate's Yamcll, notoriously wicked men, were converted andjoined the Church. In Yen-ch'ing "chou and viciuity the magistrate has been conspicuously unfriendly. The church has moved steadily forward. Tl~e opportullities in this regiun are good, and the field, an open one for our workers since there are no other Protestant Missions working there. Bro. Hayner's ellthusia.;m has inspir~d his native colleagues, and Dr. T'sao's medical wurk has proven a strollg ally in combatting the powers of Darkness. The circuit reports a good Ilative Missionary Collection and a 1Strong mo\'e toward self-~.upport. YUllg-Ch'111g.-This circuit lies sollth-wf:st of the Hun river, with its centre in Nan-kuall. The brother supplying it had trouble wilh some of his members, which culminated in the expulsion of several. vve have good property here, a good day school and with a good strong lllan in charge, baptized of the Spirit; the church may yet become a light shinillg brightly in that darknes~. I desire to thank Gl)d for my OWl! health and the ability to attend Illy work. I have heen able to make all my Quarterly Meetings except the last olle at Han-tsun, which I -could not reach on account of the floods. An illspection of the statistics shows that t he District has raised for the missionary cause TJs or Gold $ j for sdf-support Tls or Gold $156.I6; for Church Extension Tls or Gold.$40.08; for other local purposes Tls or Guld $209.55, making a total for all causes TIs or Gold $ "There has" been an addition of 181 commullicants and 63 probationers, giving us a total iucrease of 254 souls. To the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be the praise. Resp.edf-ully subll.1.i.t-led, W. :F. WA~KER, P.E.

45 42 TIENTSIN DISTRICT. With anxiety and many misgivings we began work on this district at the earliest possible moment after the close of the last Conference. During the exciting year of the late war, one only of the many circuits had been visited; some had remained for a year and a half without foreign supervision. The native pastors had, despite the war and its exciting rumours, brought in from most of the circuits fair reports for that anxious year. A new work had been reported, which had never been visited by a foreigner. I was most anxious to be on the ground and see and examine what had been reported. The circuits within this district are, unfortunately, separated by great distances, always involving a large amount of most wearisome travels, and that, too, by native cart. This year, with new circuits added, more travel has been necessary. As I look back over the year, it seems as if the entire working season had been spent in cart-riding in the dust or mud, and altogether too little time had been spent in the direct oversight of the work. The Tai-ch'eng circuits have been visited four limes; those of Yen-shan, Hai-f'eng and Nan-kung thrice an:i the more distant ones in South-' estern Shantung twice. In three of the charges, we have held four quarterly meetings each. In the others, this had been an impmsibility. Some of our quarterly meetings have been times of great blessing and refreshing from the Lord. In most all of the charges or circuits, there has been a steady going forward on all lines, much earnest and faithful work being done Wesley Chapel and Feng~chen-t'ang. Brothers Brown and Chou in charge. Much faithful and systematic work bas been done, both in the domestic and

46 , 43 street chapels, with some good results. The \Vesley sabbath congregation is largely made up for a part of the year of those attending our schools. These schools ha\'i had a much larger attendance than ever before. During the winter there was a season of revival, greatly to the benefit of the church and particularly to a large number of women in attendance on the Woman's Training School. The sabbath school at \Vesley has been large, with an average attendance of 200 until the summer months. The boys of the Illtermediate School have had for the first time comfortable dormitories and suitable school r00111s. Tbis has been by far the most prosperous year in its history. A number of friends have been greatly interested in the school, and have contributed liberally for the support ofa number of the boys; most of the boys have made most commendable progress in their studies. This is entirely due to Mr. Brown's constant and most methodical attention. The Feng-chen street chapel has been regularly opened for chapel preaching: the crowds have been fairly good: the experiment of opening for evening services has been tried. These services promise to be more fruitful than those of the busiest hours of the day. Last November, our station was made glad by the return of Dr. Stevenson and Miss Wilson in greatly improved health. The' entire work of Tientsin has felt the benefit of their presence, experience and zea1. Dr. Barrow, in charge of the hospital and dispensary work of the Isabella Fisher Hospital, has had a most successful year. The city dispensaries and the work of visiting out-patients ha\'e been in the charge of Dr. Stevenson with a larger measure of prosperity than ever before. By considerable effort the nat i ve preacher's salary has been elltirely raised by local church. For missionary collection this charg~ raised TIs. 75 ; Self-Support, TIs ; Other Purposes, Tls.7I.92; Repairs, TJs.9I:IS; C.X., TIs Total TIs S=U. S. Gold -, $

47 44 West Gate Chapel and Tientsin Circuit. Our new c,hapel and dispensary premises were opened for wot:.k immediately after the close of last Conference. It is a pleasure to report that our fondest hopes for this liew centre for work have been more than realized. As a street chapel, it is admirable,-no better to be found in our Conference; a ful~ house can be had and held for hours at any time. During the winter months, many quiet and deeply interested listeners prove':i to be visitors in Tientsin, merchants and others. \Ve trust the ~.eed sown has fallen in good ground. The new chapel is a good place for sabbath congregations; men and women, many o,f whom have been earnest enquirers, and ha\1e entered the church -on probation. A most interesting work has been carried 0'.1 here by Miss Wilson among the women, as many as 50 attending her sabbath noon services. As a dispensary for women ~nd children, it is a remarkable success, Dr. Stevenson for weeks together reportipg over 200 at every clinic, the highest number for anyone day being 258. Above all many of these women have become deeply interested in the Divine Physician. This winter we ho.pe to open this chapel for evening services, w.hen we hope to reach many of the neighbouring business men, who seem well disposed toward us, but too busy to come.during the day. Pastor Yang, though 110t a very attracli,'e street preacher, has been very zealous in his work. There has been some prosperity in the small circuit altache,~ to this chapel. At Yang-lin-ching, where we have a little chapel, the membership is growing; Missionary Collection Tls.IS.75; Self-Support Tls.IO.IS; Church Extensiol) TIs.I Tai-ch 'eng Circ'O.it. Th.eent:i~e sta;ff of workjers jn. this region have been laboring collstantly,-preaching in the three street dl.p~"

48 45 on m,rket days; making tours; preaching and selling booksin all the villages and towlls in every direction within a radius, of 50 miles of Tai-ch'eng city, with the result that little classes of enquirers have been formed in many new places. Last year at Wang-chia-k'ou, where there was much opposition this year, quite a congregation of regular hearers has been gathered, 16 probationers added with many promising enquirers. I cannot say too much in praise of Bro. Hou Wan-yi, who has labored in the Li-t'an section of this circuit;, he has been tireless in bis work. In Li-t'an quite a class. of members have been gathered, where two years ago we had not a single one; neil her cold, nor heat, rain nor mud has hindered him. This part of the work has been formed into a new circuit with its own Quarterly Conference; next year we hope to add two more circuits. With a few more zealous men, we can soon gather a number of churches all through the large region extending from the bounds of the South P,eking District to,poo-i'ou and Ching-hsien on the Grand Canal, and from Wan-chia-k'ou and Sheng-f'ang to Lu chuang-yi on the great Southern Road. A Missionary Collection of TIs.I2.00j Self Support Tls N an-kung and Wei-hsien. This circuit, I am sorry to report, remains much the sameas last year. The same may be said of the Yen-shan circuitlittle or no progress. We have tried many and different men on both these circuits, but for some years there has been no fruit gathered. It cannot be that the fields are too difficult; other missions baye had success all about us. I believe thes~ missions in every case, with their well organized foreign staff, have simply overshadowed our work, for Lhey have had constant 'missionary supervision. Foreign stations with their school.,

49 46 hospitals and the constant presence and influence of the missionary to direct and strengthen the hands of the native helpers, zealous lady teachers and evangelists have been too much for our forces engaged. They can run and be strong, we weak, and can best crawl. Flam Nan-kung is reported a collection for missions Tls.3.o0, Self-Support Tls.2.45 j with no report from the Yen-shan circuit. The native preacher, who is not a member of Conference, for some reason did not attend our late district Conference, nor send me any written report of the present condit ion of his work. Last year, the name of Hai f'eng appeared for the first time in the last of our circuits: this work sprang up suddenly, just about the time the lale war begall. The work was reported as extending rapidly; 100 probationers were claimed. This country is in the extreme north-east of SiJan-tung, along the west coast of the Gulf of Pechi Ii. As soon la:.t Autumn as I could force a cart through the deep mud, I visited that region. In so doing, I had to cross directly through the large work of London Mission in Yen-shan and Ching-yiinhsien. The region is desolatej sea-coast soil very poor; water extremely bitter. I saw at once that it had been a mistake to report these people as probationers. They were ollly curious inquirers, for the great part anxious for material benefits. I had been to1d that the New Can nexion Methodists had no work in this county, but I found that Hai-f'eng city was only about 7 miles from Yang-hsill city, where our New Connexion friends.have very large chapel premises, with a membership of 500, and as many enquirers in the immediate, and that they also had members in Hai-f'eng, within a few It' of our new work. Moreover, I found this to be part of the territory yielded to this Mission by the London Mission a few years ago. I was on territory coming directly within the sphere of their influences, not more than 40 miles from Chu-chin, their Mission centre. The enquirers-some of them very interesting and intelligent

50 47 looking-i found all had been members of the Mi-mi-chiao, a noted sptritistic secret organization, and some of the women noted mediums; Mr. Chiao, the helper, had but newly come into the district. 'Ve could not decide whether there had been a split in this society or were these people leaving it for fear of official persecution. In order to do our work and give these people the knowledge of the gospel we secured a place ft)r chapel and helpers' residence in a large market town, and hoped for the best. In January I visited it again. A little later, just after the Chinese New Year: trouble began. A literary man, the former teacher of several of the inquirers, the head of the secret society, beg2l1l to dist urb his former pupils. One of our colporteurs became involved in the matter. Their houses, as well as his, were attacked. First, word had been sent them, and the men wil h th.eir families were away. The teacher and his band of followers wreaked their vengeance 011 the houses and furniture. The colporteur lost some clothing, dishes and considerable money. The helper and colporteur at once appealed to the count}-' magistrate. He promised aid, but did nothing. Later I went lo see him myself. He was pleasant and polite enough; acknowleged the wrong done the colporteur, and promised to see that all his money lost should be restored. A local proclamation, issued as well as these, I had secured through our Consulate from the Viceroy to compel the disturbers to be quiet: it has been the usual policy of delay. Our Consul took up the case, presented it to the Viceroy, and there the matter stands. I have neither heard final results from Consul nor from helper. Be<?ause of this delay, I learn that neady all have withdra\ln from us, saying the church has no power. I fear it is a case where victory would have.been more disastrous to us than partial defeat. When I found its relationship to the New Connexion brethren, I would have turned it over to them at once, but have de1ayed to do so because of this law-suit.

51 48 The Shantung Circuits. Our work to the south of the Yellow River in Western Shantung, comprising the An-chia, Chi-ning, Fei-ch'eng, Ning-yang, Lai-an and Tung-ping circuhs, I am glad to report as in a very flourishing condition. We have here an experienced and faithful corps of helpers i our work is extending. In the new circuits-fei-ch'eng and Yung-ning-we have gathered about us a large number of promising enquirers. In the older ones, large numbers of probationers have been added, with about 25 baptisms. At An-chia, we have some Mission property and several rented chapels; a fiourishinglntermediate SchooHor Boys; 137 baptised members and 2 I 5 enquirers. In the large city of Chi-ning-chou we also have good premisesa little church of IS members and 15 probationers. At Ningyang we have only rented premises, not at all suitable for our work; we could buy or mortgage but cannot rent better premises. We have worked at a disadvantage, still a little band of 15 have been gathered, several of whom are most interesting persons. At Tai-an-fu, which is situated 1,000 feet above the surrounding plain, at the base of Tai-shan, we have excellent property, a church of 68 members and 78 probationers; within the bounds of these circuits we have several schools, 225 members" 3 I 8 probationers and a large number of enquirers. Our work is established in a number of large cities as centres: a large field is before us, with an open door; territory now unoccupied to the east, north and west of us. There are,everal cities on the north of the Yellow River, with countless villages and towns about them, which we ought to enter and possess for our Lord. Both at T'ai-an-Fu and Chi-ning-chow, other societies have located strong stations with large forces of foreigners; and here again, though we are first and stron.gest now, we may soon be overshadowed by the same influences we have felt els.ewhere. N ow we lead, having a hold on the largest number of important centres of works; the largest and best

52 49 trained staff of native preachers i by far the largest membership; and have been longest OJ) the field. Heretofore we have been troubled because we were workingatadisadvantage,fighting at too long range. Now that others have come to close quarters, we must also no longer allow other foreigners to go where we have failed to go. Ours is the right, we must go with a strong force of foreigners, willing to deny themselves, full offaith and the Holy Ghost. Would that our society could at once send us force enough to enter the land with six earnest men! We must not wait until we can get so many. To that end we have asked in our estimates for two new men during this coming year and for funds sufficient to secure suitable nalive buildings, which will make comfortable homes temporarily. YAle are sure that some of the older brethren will be ready to lead as large a band as our society can send. The brother en the An-chia circuit has been O\?erworked with his care both of the circuit work and the Intermediate School for Boys, and must have help this coming year. These circuits report Tis , Missionary Collection; Self-Support TIs ; Chinese Expenses, Tis A total of TIs. 60.7o.=Gold :$ Total Missionary Coil.... Tis =Gold $ " Self.Support"... " =",, " Other Local Purposes " = II,,57.08 " Church Repairs... " = II,,72.34 " Church Expenses... " =",, $ ,v S. M. S. Isabella Fisher Hospital... Fees Tis = New patients treated in hospital Retreatments,,"... Patients treated on Country trips " " " " in Wards in their homes Tis G. $ G. $ ,934 13,088 1, Total 20,000

53 Members Probationers ,080 G. R. DAVIS, P.E..: * TSUN-HUA DISTRICT. The year has been one of quiet and diligent labor, whose ruits, we trust, will remain. All departments of the work have been carried on with~ut interruption. The boarding schools ale full to ovel flowing. We were glad to welcome Miss Croucher to aid Miss Glover, but she should have come two years before she did, for the ~lrain on Miss Glover of carryi ng on the school alone was too great and she broke down. Dr. Terry and Mrs. Verity came to the rescue, however, and the school was kept running. There are len day schools for boys 011 the district. Four for girls have been open most of the year; four others have been opened by school girls for the summer only. Mrs. Verity had a Womans' Training Class with twenty women for several months. Brother Wang had a Men's Training Class for three months also. Several of his pupils did remarkably well. The seed of the Gospel has been scattered with a liberal hand this year. There is a fair somewhere within the district every day in the year. So the Gospel is being preached somewhere in the district every day and frequently in several places at once. Soon after Conference, Bro. Pyke came and held meetings for eight days in Tsun-hua. The members seemed to be much revived j some quarrels were settled and a good beginning for the work of the year was made. Later on, extra services were held at three other principal centres, Yii. T'ien, Sha-liu-ho ~

54 51.and Liang-tze-ho. Those at the two former were much blessed. At the latter point, the members have a name to live, but most of them, I fear, are dead and not as much was done there, as we hoped for. The only new work opened during the year has been at Ting-ko-chuang, where we have a class of 20 members and probationers and a large Boys' School. This work began with a man named Hsieh, who came to the hospital for eye treatment. The Doctor was able to help his eyesight and better than that, his spirit ual eyes were opened, and he became an inquirer. He had been a gambler and a bad man generally, and the change in him was radical. Olhers, seeing the change, have been won to accept the Gospel. We ought to open work at 1"ieh-ch'ang and Tso-chia-wu on the east side of the district, at Lin-ts'ang and Ya-hung -eh'iao all the south, and Ma-shen-ch'iao on the west, but cannot until we can wilhdraw some aid from other places or get increased help from home. God's work halts, because His stewards are keeping back the gold that belongs to Him. Paul was careful lest he should hinder the Gospel of Christ.. Would that the church in this day were c~earof that charge! We have used a m~gic lantern sometimes this year. During the summer, we showed views two nights in the week in TSUllhua, and in this way have scattered the seed of the kingdom. Another year, I think, a week could be spent at each of the larger places, showing views and preaching every night. The Epworth League opened a night school during the winter at Tsun-hua, supplying a long-felt want. Several members made progress in learning to read. At Tang-yu a man and his son, about twelve years old, became probalioner~. The wife and mother opposed them~ -l!nd persecuted her son on the sly. After some time, the father' dropped back inlo his old ways and both he and his wife beat and persecuted the boy. But the boy stood firm. It looked park for him. Vve could only pray for him.,but now his

55 32 rriother has ceased to oppose him and I had I he pleasure of 'baptizing him a few weeks ago. Tile.church has been pruned of some dead branches, members, who had lost all interest and did not attend service. One of our largest school boys, of whom we had great hopes, was expelled fllr illlmoral conduct. The collections show an increase, but more pressure must be brought to bear in the matter of self-support. It will not grow much otherwise. The collections for all purposes amount to $ of which $ is for Missions. The increase of inembers and probationers is 91. The district seems in a healthy condition and ready for a vigorous ad rance. 'Vorking in the power and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we ought to see great things here in the near futul e_ Our needs are many. 'Ve need a new school house for the Girls' school and one for the Boys' school. We need new chapels at several points; we need more workers, both nati\7e and foreign, but most of all. we Ileed the Holy Spirit, filling us. all, workers and members alike. 'Ve need Pentecostal fire In all our hearts and then we shall see a Pentecostal church. While we may not get the chapels or the school houses, we may all have the Holy Spirit in His ful.nes5 for t he asking. Then God's cause will advance in spite of the world, the flesh and the devil. Respectfully submitted, W T. HOBART MEDICAL REPORTS. PEKING MEDICAL WORK. For the Medical Work accomplished during the past year in the Peking District, we have great reason to be

56 53 -thankful. We are glad to be able to report an increase in all phases of the work. During the year we have bee~ -enabled to hold two regular di:,pensaries: in addition to those of the preceding year. In November, Dr. Curtiss opened up the Disper.sary at :the Southern Cit y Chapel, making daily visits. On Sundays, fie assisted ill the Sunday School and Church work. In Februar y, Dr. Tsao :begall his country trips, spending 'h",lf his time away from the city and visiting Yen-ch'ing-chou, Ch'ang-ch'ing-chou, and Han-tsun. It was unfortunate that on early every day appointed for the dispensing of drugs was 'stormy, thus keeping away a large number who otherwise would have applied for aid. The illness of Dr. Coltman in the Fall nece'5sitated extra work in the l\ledical School. This vacancy was filled by Dr. Tsao, in addition to his own work, 'So that it was impossible to begin the country trips befor:e February. On October 31st, the clinic at the 'Vestern Hills was opened in the new building erected for the purpose. This 'was mane pc1ssible by the contributions from private sources, which amouted to $450.00, Every ten days since the openi'1g there has been a clinic of good size-the largest number.at anyone clinic being 154. The clinic is held each day rcontaining a four, as 4, 14, and 24. 'Vith the exception of two weeks during Chinese New Year the clinic in the Hospital has been carried on wilhout.inten uption every day, except Sundays. The great disadvantage of our work here is the location of the Hospital and Dispensary away from a main thoroughfare. Still there has been an increase in the number of patients over last year. -The crying need of the work here is for a suitable place. Our ~Ccolllll1odalion5 are poorer than any in China. During rainy season no jatt.'el1ts were adtllt.'ttt:d because we fearea.the walls wo~ld fall. As for, a hygienic localion, we could

57 54 not fare much worse, being right alongside of a drain which is reeking in filth. Cramp~d for room and suitable buildings,. we can only trust the time is not distant when things will, be different. In addition to the regular clillics, there are a number of private patients in different pari s of the city, and the number is constantly increasing. Dr. Tsao ilas by far the' largest number of outside ca1ls. The rule is to charge a fce of' TIs or TIs a visit, according to the distance. Had, the doctor been continually in the city wit hout the interruption of the country work, we doubt not the number of private visits would have been much larger lhan i.,t was. In addition to the regular medical work, each one has had. teaching to do in the Medical Department of the University._ The first year we had a class of eight, all of whom continue in the second year. There are two or three entering the class. begin ning this year. STATISTICS. New patients Return visits In-patients Private patients HOSPITAL DISPENSARY. 4,730 10, SOUTHEkN CITY DISPB.NSARY. Total New patients 2,135 Return vi!>its... 3,269 Total 5,404

58 New patients Return visits 55 WESTERN HILLS DISPENSARY. Patients COUNTRY DISPENSARY. Increase over last year of Fees from private patients Gold $ Increase over last year of Respectfully submitted: " Tsun-hua Medical Work. Grand Total ,. 13, W H. CURTISS, M.D. G. D. LmVRY, M.D. Y. K. TSAO, M.D. In making up another report of our work, looking through its records and recalling incidents of which no note has been made, we are encouraged by 1 he proofs we have of God's presence with U5 through the year, and the evidence that the influence of the medical work as an evangelizing and charilable agent, is widening. We are also assured by the experiences of the year, that with the Master's blessing our work can be the means of carrying the Gospel illto villages and hamlels remote from our centres of work, t hat could not be reached as well by any other methods. As our medical force consists at present of but one trained assistant and myself, I have looked forward to the return of Dr. Scott, as a time when I would be frf'e from the routine of the Hospital and Dispensary work to spend much of

59 56 my time in the country. But God has willed it otherwise. Dr. Scott, although with us but a short time, It;:ft an impress for good on the work, in which lie gave me his hearty co-operation and genial fellowship. As a natural development of our dispensing medicine at the country fairs.in our district, there has been an increasing call fat us to the smaller villages. Our work having become so welj known, it h:.ls seemed possible to begin this kind of work, and ins~ead of travelling long -distances to attend the fairs that meet on consecutive days at different places, to call at the sma11er places along the way and meet the fair when it comes in our cir9uit of travel. In this way, a new line of work has been opened and many warm friends made. The work in the Tieh~ ch'angvalley is particularly encouraging, with the prospect that it will soon be the centre of a good work. Many chronic cases in need of surgical treatmel1t have been seen and encouraged to come to the Hospital. The influence of village dispensing is having a most salutary effect on our work in convincing them that we have an interest in their welfare, and are not monst ers carrying kni"es in our sleeves, as current report would have us. That it needs courage and decision on the part of the patients to come to us, is shown in the story of a man who came from Ch'ien-an, a city 60 miles to the east of us. In four of the villages that he passed through on his way to us, they tried to induce him to give up the trip, telling him that it was now admitted by everyone, that we induced people to come to us for no other purpose than to cut out their eyes and hearts. "Stop with us," they would say, "and try our village doctor, a Illan of superior ability." H.e answered them, that he had informed himself about us and was going on. The last one, who tried to,stop him was the keeper of an inn, about 10 miles from Tsun -hua. The patient was much amused to see the inn-keeper himself apply for treatment a few days after he arrived. These men were with us.about two months.

60 57 One of them accepted Christ and left us a prayin g man. The other I think we can count as our frien::l. In the village, as in other dispensary work, we charge a ~mall fee, and present the patient wilh a book or tract with the medicine. We l~ave visited 186 villages and treated about 15,000 people in thi~ work. Were it possible to increase our force by the addition of two earntst medical men, a thousand vil.olages could be entered ill the coming year and multitudes would hear the 'Gospel for the first time. I am convinced that the time has collie for this kind of work. I am more decided in this opinion, as I find this aggressive movement stirs up decided opposition on the part of our enemies, who would have us.go slowly and quietly. The Hospital has always been our most encouraging field, and this year has been no exception to this rule. It has been a great pleasure to note the changes in the patients, as their suspicion and fear give place to confidence and trust. Dai~y meetings are held with them and many have here. learned tp pray, and all are encoutaged to talk freely. A short time ago, an old man said in one of these meetings, "I have lived to be 60 years old and have see'n things done here that I ne\'er heard.of before. There may be such kindness and sympathy in China but only by parents to children. If this work is not th~ outgrowth of a true doctrine, how did it come?" Thi" man received natural and I think spiritual vision while with us. The last thing he said to me was, "I have a mother 80 years old, I want to hurry up and get home to tell her about this new way." There have been 116 in the Hospital during the year, ~bout one half of whom were treated for eye-.diseases. Among the surgical operations performed was an amputation of the forearm, made necessary by the explosion of a gun. Being able to save his life after so serious an injury, was consid~-ed by hijilself and his friends a. great thing, but, when h.e saw the hook and joint I made him to take tht: place

61 58 of his lost hands, and he realized he could still hoe in the field and carry water, his delight knew no bounds. Wolves have been plenty and bold in this vicinity through the summer, and young children bitten by t hem were often brought to us for treatment; some of their injuries.were terrible in the extreme. Of the pat ients in t he Hospital, 27 left their names with us, asking to be taken 011 probation. These have been referred to different stations for examination. No doubt many of these ha\'e under-estimated the opposition that would be put in their way at home and may not be able to carry out their good purpose. But we hope there will be some among them who \ViII stand firm. The Dispensary has been opened every day for the reception of pat ients, with a good average attendance. These have all heard the Word and taken frolll us to t heir home a book of some kind. This work has been "sowing beside all waters. " Many of them ha\'e come a long distance, and will 110 doubt have much to say 011 their return home of what they saw and heard. During the past year our hopes for the work have been more nearly realized than in any other of its history. With the confidellce of the people gailled, and the blessing of God assured us, there will be increasing opporlunities to tell this people of Christ and His love. STATISTICS. First Visils to Hospital Dispensary iteturn " " Treated ill Village work I 1, ,374 15,147

62 59 For Entropion... Iridictomy Cataract... Paricentesis Ahd. Phymosis Tumors Removed Fractnres.. Amputat ions Hare-Lip... Resection of Rib Needles Removed Fistula \Volf bites Knife wounds Teeth extracted... Abscesses opened SURGICAL OPERA~ IONS. S Total Respectfully submitted, N. S. HOPKINS, M.D., Ph)'S'lC'l(l1l 'l1l Charge. --:0:-- 3.-REPORT OF PEKING UNIVERSITY The more settled conditions following the close of the war with Japan ha\'e been conducive to the adrance of our educational \vol k, and the past year has been one of encouragement. One result of the war has been a noticeable challge in the mental attitude of the Hteratz'toward Western learning, and fourteen of the; h~erati matriculated in our University during the first semester, Among this number were a Hs'lie Tsa'l~ a Chit jeu and a Chill Sht'h, r~presel1ling the three regular

63 bo classes of civil officials, and a Hall Lt"1l, representing the highest literary.class in the Empire. We mention these things, mindful that not many wise men after the flesh are called, and that our highest hopes are centered in those who now seem obscure, but these facts are encouraging, as showing the changed mental attitude of the bittered opponents of Chri~tianity in China, whose prejudices have so far yielded to the stress of circumstances, that they are willing to enroll themselves as.students in Peking University, an avowedly Christian institution. Some of their number have voluntarily attended Sabbath School. In June we graduated five students, two of whom have gone to the United States to continue their studies; one going at his own expense to prepare himself for educational work, the other going to prepare himself for the ministry. Of the three remaining students, one will come before the Conference for admi~sion 03 trial, and two are engaged as teachers in the Ulliversity. In March, Rev. H. H. Lowry, D. D., President of the University, left for the United States, accompanied by his family, as the first delegate of the North China Conference to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Miss Davis also returned to the United States, after six years of mmt faithful and effective service. Miss Terrc:1l after a long illness has quite recovered her health and we cannot speak too highly of her work in both the cla!ss-room, and for the spiritual w,elfare of our students. Mrs. King, Mrs. H. H. Lowry, up to the date of her departure for the United States, and Mrs. George Lowry have voluntarily given much assistanct:: during the yea", and Mrs. King has kin.dly taken the general supervison of the English Department for the coming year. We would mention with special apprt::ciation the cheerfal and laborious services rendered by M~.E.K. Lowry thro~ghopt the past year in connection with the accounts of the institutio~,

64 61 and the carrying on of the Industrial Department. The Industrial Department has opened a shop in the T'ai Chia Chang, and is I apidly getting on a fully self-supporting basis. The Medical Department has been in succe",sful operation, and the class has completed the work of the fir~t year. A much needed mannikin has been procured for t-his Department. In connection with the Medical Department, I may mention that our first graduate, Dr. Tsao, who afterwards completed his medical course in the United States, has received most appreciate letters from Dr. and Mrs. Sheffield of Tung-chow, who mal(e special mention of his skill and kindness while in attendance lipon Dr. Sheffield after the terrible injuries received by him last year. In grateful appreciation of the assistance received, I have made special mention of our voluntary workers, but our ot her teachers, both foreign and native, have rendered effective sen-ice and have g;iven me their hearty co-operation. In the Physical Department, considerable additions have been made, and during the present year, a physical laboratory course, in consonance with modern methods of teaching physics, will be given to our students. We believe that the manipulating of apparatus, that demands accuracy to the 2ho of an inch will be helpful in overcoming the Chinese tendency to " Ch 'a Pu To" and "Pu Ch 'a Shell ~10" (" It's not out much"; "Doesn't vary much"). An electric-light plant, with boiler, engine, feed water, purifier and dynamo, has been added during the year ~nd is in successful operation. Property valued at about 2,500 taels, lying to the east of the University Campus, and necessary to the com pletion of our plans, was purchased last,spring. We begin the year's work with our present facilities taxed to the utmost, and we hope that the time will soon come when the much needed colle~iatel building will be completed.

65 62 We do not report our difficult ies, for these emphasize themselves. "Vith increasing years and experience, we hope to meet them more successfully. Of the class that graduated in June, olle of the students who finally decided to teach ill connection with Christian work refmed a position for which he had first made application and which was offered him, the income of which would nearly four-fold his present income. This case has been several times repeated in the history of ou~, graduates. God is blessing our work, and we trust that among our students there is, with the increasing advalltages offered them, an increasing realization of their obligat iolls to God and to their fellow-men. Respectfully submitted, F. D. GA),IEWELL, Acting- Preszae1Zt Education. It is a great aid to our cause in China that the Chinese have a high appreciation of education, such as they conceive it to be. Within a short distance of where we are meeting are the Literary Examination Halls,,viLh accommodation for 15,000 stud~nts, the accommodations being merely'exposed stalls, 3 feet \Vide, 4 feet deep, and 6 feet high. To these, thousands of students come, some from the remotest parts of the Empire, undergoing great hardships of travel and greater hardships of examination, in order to gain a literary degree. There are signs that the conception of education ill China is undergoing a marked change. The Viceroys of several p~ovinces, notably of anti-foreign Hu-nan, have suggested that the 'Government establish schools for the study of Western Science and Mathematics, these subjects having' been added

66 63 to the examinations for a degree, though not yet actually demanded by the examiners. During the past year, the Tientsin University, a Government Institut ion, has been opened ill Tiel\tsin, and now has an enrollment of about 100 students. One of China's most dist inguisbed sons, a graduate of Yale University, said recently, in conversat ion wit h a member of your committee, that the younger men of China were in a slate of mental fe.rment, realizing that a change must be made ill education methods, and seeking light as to what the changes should be. It is important that the Christian church should recognize the crisis that is upon us, and should emphasize every opportunity for giving this education, which will be increasingly sought under Christian influences. The Peking University attempts to meet, to the extent of its ability, the need of the hour, and many holding literary degrees, who five years ago would have scorned contact with us, now come daily to us for instruction. As they come to us with their crude notions of knowledge and what it will do for them, we trust they may learn the most important of all lessons that, "The fecar of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Respectfully submitted, F D. GAMEWELL, Ch'zll Lung-chang Self-Su pport. Self-Support in this land presents the most difficult and most important problem we.have to face. Yet as our numbers increase, it will be possible. 'Vhat has been done already? 1. We are glad to report that somet~ii1g is being done on all our charges toward it.

67 64 2. In some parts of the work, contributions have been secured from parents toward the ed ucalion of children in the day schools. 3. Scholarships for the University at Peking and for the Boarding School at Tientsin have been secured fror11 friends, native and foreign, in China. 4- In the medical work, a small charge has been made for medicines in the dispensaries; in-patients have been required to pay for their food and out-patients ha\'e beeri charged for calls. 5. In accordance with the action of the Conference last year, tlte helpers' salaries ha\'e been re-adjusted on the basis of ability, usefulness and re~pollsibility. 6. According to the statistics for last year the contributions on the field were as follows: For Mission... For ot her benevolences For Self-Support... For Church building and repairing For local Church expenses For " extensiun " $600. III $1,326. The amount is from foreigners and natives combined Just how much is from each we do not certainly know, but probably the amount is about equal. This sho\\"s that something is being done. But on the other hand, by comparing the collection and membership for 1895 with those for 1891, it is seen that the membership has doubled, but the contributicms have advanced less than $100. We rejuice that the statistics for 1896 show an advance in contributions from the field of $713. What more can be done? Your committee would recommend-

68 65 I. That a regular contribution from every member and probationer, having any income, be secured toward the support of the Church. 2. That more be secured from the parents of children in our day and boarding schools. Many of them are able to pay. the board of their boys, and it pauperizes them in a measure not to ask them to do it. Scholars in the Anglo Chinese College at Foochow pay their board, and our boys ought to do the same. 3. That the aid, granted by the Conference towards support of pastors, shall diminish year by year at a definite rate, to be stated in advance. 4. That the letter on Self-Support from the Mission Boards at home be translated and freely circulated among our members. 5. That the recommendations of last year be renewed. 6. That if our appropriations for next year are cut, we explain it to the native church and ask them to make up the deficiency in their pastor's salary. J. H. Pyke, 'V'_ T. Hobart, Ch'en Heng-te, I W. F Walker, Te jui, Liu Chi-Iun, Commz'itee. G. R. Davis, Wang Ch'ing-yun, _-REPORT ON TEMPERANCE AND ANTI-OPIUM. GEO. R. DAVIS. There is nothing new or of special prominence to report from the great world concerning these important movements. Politics and commerce seem to be absorbing the mind of

69 66 t;he masses of the Christian lands in the 'Vest. For the moment, the friends of lemperance and enemies of opium seem,. but only seem, to be in the back ground.i-llone the less watchfui and determined; nolle the kss confident in the ultimate success in this great warfare of purity, righteousness and humanity, against these two emissaries of the devil. In China, We have ever before us the terrible effects of the use of opium. None but those, who are too ignorant to understand what they see or are wilfully determined not to see what the use of opium has done and is doing for this poor land, but have their hearts filled with sorrow over the deplorable condition of affairs, and are constrained to lift up their voices against all who wickedly connive at the ruin being wrought; China, bowed down and in bondage to the destructive opium habit, was the earliest home of the King of Evil-alcohol. The wise men found out, that God hath made man upright-that is, the first manbut they, his descendants, have sought out many inventions. Some of the invenlions have been for the great good of the race. Some of the most wonderful and berieficient have been stumbled: upon or into by men; the same is true of very evil invention. There are inventions manifestly by the direction of a Gracious HeaveIlly Father; others manifestly of the de.vil. Surely there is nothing more certain than that spirit of all evil was the directing agent when those old Chinese alchemists, in their vain seach after the elixir of immortality, stumbled upon the distilling of alcohol. Its whole history, through all the ages and th,roughout all nations, shows it to have been of the Qevil, especially given to the enslavement of the appetites and the destr~ct'ion of tile souls' ot men. Alcohol and opium are the most subtle, active and- powerful ministers of the Prince of Darkness now at work against the bodies and souls of men. The warfare against these enemies of our racs, humanely speaking, is hopeless. But thanks be unto God, it is not man" fighting in his own strength, but in the might of the Hoi,

70 61 Spirit, shed abroad in the hearts of God's children. The Day of Pentecost began the destruction of the wor~ and the overthrow of all the agents of the devil. To God we look for certain success. GEO. R. DAVIS, } WANG CH'ING-yUN. Comm'ittee Report of Committee on ~pworth League. There are two Chapters in Olar conference. Dr. Hopkins, the President of the Tsun-hua Chapter, reports a good year He notes two points well worthy of mention. A committee from the League goes every Tuesday to a n'eighbouring ~iliage to conduct a prayer-meeting in the home of a church-member The League has a free reading room, well lighted and heated, opened ev.ery evening by an educated Christian, who is ready to help those who come to read. They have also a circulating library. The literary committee of the Peking Cbapter this year provided a free lecture course. The Rev. G. O~ven and the Rev. S. Evans Meech, of the London Miision, gave valuable and well appreciated lectures on the Hundredth Anniversary of their mission, telling of God's victories in the South Sea Is., in Madagascar, and in India. The Rev. W S. Ament, of the American Board, gave a popular and instructive lecture on Western Sages, giving brief biographies of Luther, of Alfred the'great, and of Washington. The J\lnior League, conducted by Miss Davis, has been a great help; training the younger boys of the school in spiritual, things, and teaching them the A. B. c's of testimony and prayer. Regular prayer and praise meetings every

71 68 Sabbath evening are conducted by the members of the League in both the Tsun-hua and Peking Chapters. J. FRED HAYNER, CH'EN HENG-TE. 6.-SUMMARIES OF THE REPORTS OF THE WOMAN'S CONFERENCE. REPORT OF PEKING GIRJ.S' BOARDING SCHOOL. CHARLOTTE M. JEWELL, Prt1ldpal. The Peking Girls' Boarding School has passed another successful year. The names of one hundred and thirteen pupils were enrolled. There has been no forward move on the Ii ne of self support. The ground already taken has been held, and it is hoped to make another advance soon. Very commendable progress has been made by nearly all the girls. Much attention ha& had to be paid to mental digestion and assimilation, instead of memorizing such prodigious quantities. We have had no instruction in vocal music; but Mrs. Hayner has given several hours a week to a class in instrumental music. Our belo'\'ed Sai-na, now our native pastor's wife, has taught one and one half hour's each day. The patient sufferer, Yii Shan, passed triumphant1y away early in December. Among her last words was this message: "tell my patrons ill America that they did not spend their money in vain for me." A girl was taken from her mother and sold for a slave. Then the man who assisted the father in selling the child took her again. She was put in the boarding school till it would be safe for him to sell her the second time. Providential-

72 69 ly the man was driven into signing a paper, stating the pretext under which the girl was put in school. Various schemes were laid to entrap the child, but so far without success. A series of special meetings,. morning and evening, ran through the holidays at the Chinese New Year. Not only wai there harmony but a real spirit of fellowship and joy. After the evening services, the girls met in different rooms, where they -continued their meetings till a late hour. In writing to their friends, the object of these after meetings was thus explained: '" Some of us got the evidence tha~ our sins were forgiven; and God's peace in our hearts at the meeting in the church. When we came home, we had another meeting and prayed until others received." Report of Tsun-hua Girls' Boarding School. ELLA E. GLOVER, Przlzcijal. The school never opened with brighter prospects, than last year. Good progress has been made in studies by most of the girls. Both Mrs. Verity and Mrs. Hopkins have given regular instruction in instrumental music; and Mr. Verity has given lessons in reading music. A little advance has been made on the line of self support. In October, we were made glad by the coming of Miss Croucher, from Boston, to be an associate in the work. When the one appointed by the Conference was unable to.continue the work, friends come to the rescue, so the work went on. Two girls joined the church, on probation, during the year. Last fall, a time of great spiritual blessing came to many of our -number. Fourteen girls, having completed the course of study, have entered the Intermediate Department of the Peking High SchOOl..

73 70 Report of Tientsin Medical W or k. Physicz'ans-'in-chal#ge : DR. IDA STEVENSON and DR. MARY BARROW. The year has been one of increasing interest. In April, Dr. Benn returned to America; her place being filled by Dr. Barrow. The new East Gate Dispensary was opened with a few patients, but the number has increased to a fair attendance. The West Gate Dispensary, since its removal to a new locality and to new buildings, has prospered wonderf~,j1jy. A. better class of patients has been reached and the attendance hasgrown to two hundred. The dispensary is open twice a week. A large number have been led to attend the Sabbath services. as well. Many patients have also been treated in their homes. Religious services have been held every d~y \\lith the' house patients, and most of them have been taught to re~d somc:~ of the Christian books. Three country trips have been made to Lanehou and' Tai Ch'eng. STATISTICAL REPORT, TIENTSIN. No. of patients treated in the dispensaries... 4,934 " "re-treattnents... 13,083 " "patients treated in the country..... " "patients visited in their homes... ",,'Vard patients... Value of fees reeei\'ed... Tls;.. I68.7&

74 71 Report of Tsun-hua Medical Work. PI}ystc,jan-zlz-charge: DR. EDNA. TERRY. The daily attendance at the dispensary compares favourably with last year. While some cases of interest have been treated, many have been of more interest from an evangelistic, than a medical or surgical standpoint. One old lady, with a broken leg, who had a happy ~tay in the hospital, remarked on the foreign and native methods of treating fractures. In another case, a whole village was filled with rejoicing ov~r the result of an operation on one of its number. One country trip has been made in company with Mrs. Verity to Yii T'ien and Sha Liu Ho, with the result of large cro\vds pf patients and an increasing interest in the Gospel. STATISTICAL REPORT. No. of patients treated in the dispensary 1,228 " prescriptions... 3,788 " " patients treated in the country " " Ward patient~ 36 " " patients visited in their houses 60 " Report of Peking Medical Work. Physzcia12S-in-charge: DR. ANNA D. GLOSS, DR. MARION HEADLAND. The third year of the Methodist Hospital for 'Vomen and Children closes with a most encouraging outlook. The atte ndance and interest shown by t he Chinese b~ve : yearly increaseq, ur:til the work has quite out-grown it~ temporary quarters in the boardi ng school premises. Tb~ work has prospered in many ways, but the crowning

75 72 blessing of tle year ha~ been the gift of the beautiful hospital, built in memory of Mrs. Sleeper Davis, who visited North China some years ago. None, who carne under her sweet influence, can ever forget. " " " STATISTICAL REPORT. No. of Dispensary patients " return visits...., country patients... " house patients " "patients visited in their homes Value of donations and fees Tis. 2,55 0 5, Report of Peking, Tientsin and Tsun-hua Day Schools. Five day schoolrooms this past year have been filled with children, some from Christian families, and others from heathen homes. Progress has been made by most of the one hundred and twenty-five enrolled. Some out of the number have been taken into the Boarding Schools, and others are working wit h that object in view; still others would gladly enter, were it not that the requirements for admission would involve the unbinding of their feet, which their parents were unwilling to have done. Very few have the courage of one little girl, who took the matter into her own hands, saying to her molher, who remonstrated with her, telling her should she enter the school they could not get her a husband, "I don't want you to get me a mother-in-law, I will go to Tsun Hua and find one for ~yself." Another little girl felt that she had exhausted the store of knowledge in the catechism, when in answer to the question, "Is there any thing God did not make," replied, "Yes! the devil."

76 73 Report of the Training Schools of Peking, Tsun-hua, and Tientsin. The number of women taught in these three schools during the past year was sixty-four, and the progress made by the majority has been commendable. The studies ranged from the Christian Three-Character classic to the Old Testament History. On the whole, a spirit of harmony prevailed, and many of the women gave evidence to a quickening and deepening of their spiritiallife; mutual helpfulness characterized their lives during their stay with us. We are glad to note that many of these women in the hospitals, or wherever opportunity opened up the way, used the help that had been given to them through the Gospel of Christ. We are pushing self-support and to tha t end require that all women, who desire to :enter the Training Schools next year, defray their travelling expenses to our stations. There are four country training schools, all located in the district of which-lan-chou is the centre. They are under the direction of the pastor's wife, Mrs. plan, who by her extraordinary executive ability and devotion to the work, has succeeded in maintaining them with but very little pecuniary aid from the society. The forty women, who have been in attendance all through the winter, furnished their own food, with the exception of the fuel to cook it. The small item of lamp oil was also provided for from Mission funds. When the schools closed in the Spring, several of the women begged the privilege of continuing their studies entirely at their own expense. Tsun-hua District rejoices in seven little day schools established in as many villages. One is taught by the wife of the pastor-in-charge of that place and two by training schoolj women. The others are in session during the summer only, having for teachers pupils from,the Peking and Tsun-hua B:larding Schools. In one

77 yiu~ge, two sisters ~orked ~Qg~th~r, Qne teaching books and the other singing. In none of these country day schools, do the scholars, receiv'e any money or gifts. As it 'is t~cit1y understood, th~~ regular attendance, go'od scholarship and b~haviour will p~ rewarded by pro~otion to the boarding school~, when ~h.e prescribed cours~ of study is compieted~ thc? number of those eligible to sucp an estate is steadily increasin~, until ~he q~~tiod of thei~ disposal becomes quite a problem.

78 75 ] J.-QlbituRrl.J. DR. J. F. SCOTT. Dr. J. Scott graduated from Ohio We&leyan, in 1888, and came to the Mission Field in the fall of 1892, after completing his medical course in New York, and was appointed to Tsunhua. He entered on his work there with earnestness and diligence. His health began to fail in less than a year from his arrival. He laboured beyond his strength. In July, 1894, on his return from a medical trip to Lan-chou, he was taken with varioloid, to which he had,been exposed. From this he recovered in a measure, but was still in such poor health, that he was induced to take a health trip to Japan. There he was taken with severe hremorrhage and was ordered on to the United States. He lived quietly, but with failing health in Pasadena. He was married while there to Miss Lilian G. Hale, to whom we would extend our heart.felt sympathies in her bereavement Being elected to the General Conference, by the Electoral Conference of North China, he went to Cleveland and took part in its sessions. There he died on the last day of the General Conference. Faithful unto death, he now has received from the Lord, Jesus Christ, a crown of life that fadeth not away.

79 1111~1~lllfmllll]~I~lll~mllll~

80 STATISTICS OF THE NORTH 'CHINA CONFERENCE FOR ~.s:: 11 ~... ~.E~. 0..s... 'iii..2 ~..2 o 1'1 "C ~CI> p::: ""c.. "C>, "Cc "C "C~ :;:l: c ~.2 ~ ~p:::.!l0 0 -tl.~ (.J u '" -C ~ ~ c.:0 ~ ]-g... ::1 ~~ II) 0 ~~ '0 o~ gpo. Q () U U U ~* teking mf5trid:- Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold. Ch'ang-Ping-Chou.... Han-Ts'un..... Huang-Ts'un.... Ku-Pei-K'ou.... Peking, Asbury & Feng-Chen... " Huarh-Shih..... " Southern City..... Tung-An..... Yang-Ko-Chang..... Yen-Ch'ing.Chou.... Yung-Ch'ing..... tdbieni5in 8Ji5trid:- An-Chia..... ~~~~~~g.. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ning-Yang.... +~tinh'.~~.~.::::::::::::::::::::.:::::: Wesley & Feng-Chen..... West City Circuit..... Hai-Feng & Yen-Shan..... ~5Ult-~ua ~istrid:- $ $ $ $ $ $ $ '" I.go So... ' Ig Total [ LOO ; : Total ? »F~ng-Jiin..... Ping-An-Ch'eng..... Sha-Liu-He.... Tsun-hua City.:... :..... Tsun-hua Circuit..... Yii-T'ien... :..... Total.... lan-citltolt!fjistrid:- An-Ko-Chuang... :..... Ch'ang-Li..... Ch'jen-An.....,I-An.....L~n-Chou.... 'Shan-Hai-Kuan.... TotaL.... Four Districts. Total:--Thisyear " " " Last" Increase.... Decrease.... O.og I t , I.I ~,.f;I '" Presiding Elder's Contribution. If