306
Reports of Medical Missions.
JUNE,
1st. The notion of my healing powers was rated extravagantly high. Many came with the expectation of being cured at once, as if by some miraculous means, by a look, or a word. Or if they had no such thoughts, they entertained the opinion that I pos- sessed profound knowledge of the pulse. For nothing was more common than for my patients, especially the women, to place before me their hand, first the right and then the left, for me to feel the pulse, and then ask me, Doctor, what is my complaint ? When shall I be well? What is to be my diet? These were posing questions, and the reader can imagine the disappointed hopes of many, when honestly cold that this disease was beyond my skill, that that malady required some months of persevering treatment, that I could make no rash promises of certain cure in so many days, &c. This disclosure, and the subsequent discovery of the incurability of many of their chronic diseases, cooled down high expectations, and gradually lessened the number of applicants for medical relief. I am now seldom teazed with these questions, but a firmer confidence on the part of many is increasingly manifested.
2d. Many applied with some slight ailment to satisfy their curiosity, and to afford the man opportunity of passing a learned judgment on the foreign doctor's practice to their friends.
3d. The delay which many are subjected to, is otten not compatible with their views or their time. Those that come first, are first attended to. They must all take their turn; no difference is made, all are placed on the same footing, and receive equal
attention.
4th. Another cause is in the disinclination of some to hear what they call kong-shú, kong-kú, a discourse upon religious books and ancient customs; the erroneous idea generally prevails that we merely teach foreign doctrines which are unsuited for them as well as unnecessary, since they have the sublime doctrines of their own sages; the humbling truths of the Gospel are likewise distasteful to their self-righteousness.
In the year 1848, the female patients greatly out-numbered those of the other sex. This year it has been the reverse, the male having exceeded the female patients. Formerly there used to be noise, talking, and laughing during the religious exercises. This year there has been a pleasing change; the numbers have lessened, but the good order and quietness of those who attend are now habitual. The same remarks apply to the public service held every Sabbath morning. The congregations have diminished to 130, to 100, and sometimes to 80, and on wet days there are not over a dozen or two; but there is now, usually, as much order and stillness as in a country congregation in England.
We close these extracts with one from the concluding remarks of Dr. Hobson, and no additional observations of our own would increase the impression they are calculated to make, or strengthen the convic- tion that efforts like these deserve the encouragement of every friend of China and humanity.
On looking back upon the past sixteen months, there appears much to be grateful for. A missionary living with his family among a heathen population, and surrounded by so many that are viciously disposed,-the preservation ex- perienced of life and property, and the freedom likewise from all molestation and harm—are surely to be attributed to the gracious protection of God. Thou- sands of the poor and wretched have been healed of their sicknesses; many have received sight and hearing; pain has been assuaged; fears of a life of misery have been removed, and much suffering has been prevented by a timely ope- ration. The institution has proved a benevolent one, and is in some measure appreciated, we hope, by the multitudes who have received the gratuitous aid that it affords. To the afflicted poor (and for them it is chiefly designed) it has been, and it is hoped will be, an unspeakable blessing. Many faithful discourses have been preached; frequent religious conversations have been held, and thou- sands of copies of Christian tracts have been put into circulation.
But we yet wait to see any great results follow these endeavors. Two only out of the long list of patients have publicly confessed Christ to be their Lord and Savior. These, with a few hopeful inquirers after truth, may appear to be a very small and inadequate return for the amount of religious instruction im- parted; for, in addition to the regular attendance and cheerful assistance render- ed by Liang A-fah, the sick are now, and have been for some months past, favored with the faithful and impressive preaching of the Rev. W. Gillespie, who is well able to command their attention and excite an interest in the truths