CO129-018 - Others - 1846 — Page 295

with Europe-comparatively quiet isolation from foreigners- contiguity to the strongholds of Native science-local prox- imity to the second largest city in the empire-importance in regard to Chusan-central position in reference to the whole of China-and of future bearings of the most magni- ficent order on the evangelization of the surrounding Archi- pelago I cannot hesitate to pronounce the united Missionary Stations of Shanghai and Ningpo as presenting one of the noblest and most promising fields in the East.

I would point to the Map, and, after surveying their mutual compactness, their largeness of scope, and their central position amid surrounding regions, where one unexpected event of Providence may place millions of idolaters within reach of Christian philanthropy, can fearlessly and unhesitatingly challenge any spot on the Chinese coast, now open to us, uniting in itself so many facilities, as these two Stations on either side of the Bay, which forms the embouchure of the Tsien-Tang-Keang. Other circumstances also seem to invite us in that direction. The present openings in China, in reference either to dialect, native character, or provincial situa- tion, resolve themselves into three divisions-

1. Hong Kong and the City of Canton, together with Macao.

2. Amoy and Foo-chow-foo in Fokien.

3. Shanghai and Ningpo, contiguous to Yang-tsze-kiang and Chusan.

In reference to the First, there is much uncertainty, arising from the insalubrity and general failure of Hong Kong, and the rumoured improbability of its retention on the present scale. It would be next to useless for any Society to enter on a Mission at Canton in the present state of the popular mind, unless at least one of the Missionaries can already speak the local dialect. As an ample field lies before us elsewhere, abounding with superior facilities of every kind, I think it will be well to watch the course of events; and, for the present, at least, to leave Missionary endeavours in connexion with the Church of England at Hong Kong in the hands of the Rev. V. Stanton. I regret to say that he has experienced continued difficulties in obtaining a site for building, and I do not think

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there remains the prospect of obtaining scarcely a single suitable site in the Colony for any scholastic or similar Institution. It is also a problem which remains yet to be solved, how far present circumstances render the Missionary work here capable of that peculiar kind, extent, and scale, of operations contemplated by him. We may therefore from choice and necessity regard the zealous plans of our friend as a pilot-balloon, to indicate the current of future circum- stances. Should the Colony improve, and the Society with

its increasing funds, and, above all, that principal desideratum- a larger number of zealous, well-qualified Missionary labourers— wish hereafter to extend their Mission, it will be time enough to profit by the experience of others, and in the mean time to abide the issue of events.

In reference to the Second, we may hope to leave it also in the hands of the American Episcopal Church for the present. Dr. Boone, formerly of Amoy, is expected daily as Bishop with Six Clergy. Amoy will be one of the Stations as formerly; and an impression exists among us, that they will also occupy Foo-chow-foo. I am anxiously hoping to see Dr. Boone before my departure hence, and wish I could speak definitely of his plans in regard to Foo-chow-foo. Some un- certainty exists respecting that port. The unfriendly, uncour- teous spirit shown by the Native authorities to Mr. Lay, the Consul, and the firm and even menacing attitude which was necessarily assumed by the British Governor to compel a proper reception of the Consul into a fit residence in the City, speak unfavourably of the probable reception of a Missionary destitute of such official power, and deprived, by Lord Aberdeen's Circular to the Consuls, of any expectation of assistance in time of difficulty, except from a superhuman

power.

The Third consequently remains for our Society to occupy, and thus the whole line of coast is occupied by Episcopacy. Independently of these circumstances, it is a perfectly legitimate consideration for a new Society, just entering on so peculiar a Mission as that to China, to select a sphere of labour, where, cæteris paribus, there is a less amount of difficulty and delay on the onset. The varieties of the Fokien dialect, spoken respectively at Amoy and Foochow, are, from circumstances

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