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Medical Philanthropic Society.
JAN.
It is proposed that this Society shall stand in an intimate, though in its proceedings an independent, relation to the Society already formed in China; and that it shall extend its friendly coöperation, so far as medical assistance can avail, to all Missionary societies, in their labors in that quarter of the world. The individuals under the patronage of this Society will, in the first instance be sent to the institutions in China, for the sake of additional information, and will diverge from thence to their future spheres of labor, as circumstances shall direct.
The measures proposed to be adopted for the accomplishment of the objects of this Society (subject to the final decision of its direc- fors, when appointed by the members) are as follows :
I. To invite and send out pious and well qualified medical men to engage in this Christian labor, and furnish the means of their support.
II. To afford, under the superintendence of a medical committee, to young men, intended for missionary labors in China and contiguous countries, in connection with any Protestant society, such profession- al instruction as will qualify them for combining medical and surgi- cal benefits with their religious teaching.
III. To communicate to the public, by its Reports, such infor- mation as may enlarge their knowledge of the state of medical sci- ence among the Chinese.
The provisional committee trust that their object will approve itself to the best feelings of the friends of religion and philanthropy. It aims at communicating to the most numerous, and, in many respects, interesting portion of the human family, blessings which their pecu- liar social condition has hitherto kept them from attaining; and which, most probably, will still be long unenjoyed, unless the active benevolence of those whom they affect to despise, shall prove the means of introducing them. This office, the British nation seems especially called upon to undertake; and it appears to the friends of the proposed measure, that the present period invites it to make the needful preparations for the efforts without delay. It may reasonably be hoped, that the political differences between the two nations will shortly be terminated, and that a basis will be laid, in their adjust- ment, for a more amicable and dignified intercourse than has hitherto subsisted between them.