the British mining population. Bishop Knight-Bruce speaks of the opening for mission work as one which has never been surpassed.

THE RUINS AT Zimbabwe. — Mr. Bent, who has for a long time been engaged in explorations at Zimbabwe, the noted ruins north and west of Umzila's old kraal, has made a full report of his investigations. The description given of the ruins shows their great extent and the skill and strength of the builders. Mr. Bent describes a wall thirteen feet thick and thirty feet high, running along the edge of a sheer precipice, itself ninety feet high. Some of the structures were for defence evidently, although it is difficult to account for some details of the plan. There are huge monoliths, decorated beams, long flights of steps, and narrow passages lead from one section to another. Some of these structures are evidently designed for worship. Mr. Bent does not regard the origin of Zimbabwe as Phoenician, so called, but its origin is kindred and "it is to be found in the mystic religions of the East which spread westward." There are abundant evidences that the work of smelting gold was carried on in this region in very early days. This part of Africa is of special interest to us, as it lies so near the section of Gazaland which we hope will be occupied by the East Central African Mission.

CHINA.

REMARKABLE CONVERSION. Dr. Corbett, of China, in The Church at Home and Abroad, reports a remarkable instance of a conversion occurring through the instrumentality of a picture; a conversion which led to the bringing to Christ of many persons. A Christian by the name of Chang was asked one day how he came to know the truth and to begin upon the Christian life. In reply he told the following story: Some three years ago a nephew of his who had been at school at Chefoo came to spend a vacation at his uncle's, and one day asked him: "Would you like to see your photograph two or three years from now?" Mr. Chang replied that he would, and the lad handed him one of his schoolbooks, pointing out a picture of an opium-smoker who was nearing his end. Mr. Chang was exceedingly angry and the boy took to his heels. At that time this man was an habitual smoker of opium, and had wasted his property, and though full of wrath he could not but see that there was a good deal of truth in the reproof the boy had given him in the picture. He could not get the impression out of his mind, till, much against his will, he read the book that contained the picture. After a terrible experience and struggle he broke off the practice, with God's help, and commenced a new life as a Christian. Mr. Chang then went to an uncle of his who was also an opium-smoker, and told him how he had been delivered from the curse. This man also became a Christian, and his wife and son and son's wife have recently been baptized. Others connected with the family have been reached and seem to be earnestly seeking a new life. So much from the work of a faithful lad who wisely used a picture.

MANCHURIA.

An interesting article is given in The Missionary Review of the World for February, by Rev. John Ross, of Moukden, concerning the way in which the gospel spreads in Northeastern China. A later communication from Mr. Ross found in the Missionary Record of the Scotch United Presbyterian Church is specially interesting, since it refers to the region in which the recent uprising occurred. Mr. Ross reports a tour taken prior to this uprising through Tieling and a number of towns throughout the northeast. The people were civil and friendly, and he found a number in almost every place visited who were ready to confess Christ and receive Christian baptism. In one place a list of thirtyseven applicants for baptism had been prepared. In another village near Taipinggow a company of inquirers was eagerly waiting for the arrival of the missionary and his friends, and when the carts came to the edge of the hill above the village, the crowd

below shouted, "They are come! they are come!" and the visitors were greeted with instrumental music, from flute, flageolet, and cymbals, and were guided to the house of one of the people. Mr. Ross narrates other remarkable incidents, showing that the people themselves become the disseminators of the truth as soon as they learn it. There has been very little evangelistic work done by the missionaries. It is certainly to be hoped that the insurrections which have taken place in this province will not interrupt the evangelical work.

KOREA.

THE same Mr. Ross, of Moukden, who reports work in Manchuria, sends to the Missionary Record of the Scotch United Presbyterian Church a striking account of an awakening in Korea. About a year ago a Korean from the city of Gangge, in Korea, came to Moukden, reporting to Mr. Ross that many people in his district were believers; that they had become so through the circulation for some years of a Bible Catechism prepared by the London Religious Tract Society. This Korean, whom Mr. Ross calls "Graduate Tsui," was a man of good character, manners, and earnestness. He came to Moukden to apply for baptism; other men followed him for the same purpose, and Mr. Ross had sent to Gangge to inquire into the character of the movement. A reply came in a letter from the mandarin second in rank in the city, who had before asked for some books on Christian doctrine. This mandarin sent his thanks for the volumes which he had received. He declares that he himself is earnestly studying them, and he reports that in three cities there were believers, and in Gangge itself there were over 100, of whom ten knew the truth well. In another 90; in another 150; and he reports that of these about one tenth were of thorough understanding. He desires earnestly that instructors should be sent them that they may learn of the truth. This is certainly a remarkable statement. Christian work in Korea is illegal, though it is tolerated. It is impossible for Mr. Ross to supervise this movement at so great a distance while caring for his work at Moukden. May the work not be hindered from a failure on the part of Christians!

Indika.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL.

Miscellany.

The Country and the People of India and
Ceylon. By John F. Hurst, D.D., LL.D.
With maps
and illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Published only by subscription.

This volume of 794 large octavo pages at once arrests attention by its beautiful typography and its abundant and attractive illustrations. And as one reads chapter after chapter he is amazed that a bishop, in the midst of his engrossing duties and conducting his investigations in connection with the toils of an episcopal visit to India, could have written such a book. Evidently Bishop Hurst has thrown his whole energies into the preparation of this volume, which is indeed a monument to his zeal and scholarship. Nearly all the chapters are based upon what he him

self has witnessed in India. Yet, in order to clearly present to his readers what he has seen, it was necessary for the author to dwell at some length upon matters of history. He, therefore, traces in a chapter of forty-six pages the history of India from the time of the great invasions down to the Marhatta wars. Other chapters give the story of Europeans in India, and of Protestant and Roman Catholic Missions, of the Mutiny and of other matters of historical importance.

But the great value of the book is in what it presents of the India of to-day: its geography, its government, its tribes, its people and their religions, its monuments, its languages, temples, and the outlook for its future. These and other points are so connected with personal

1892.]

Notes for the Month. Monthly Concert. - Donations.

SPECIAL TOPIC FOR PRAYER.

Notes for the Month.

123

That the obstacles placed in the way of Christian missions by reason of the sale and use of opium and intoxicating liquors may be removed; that Christian nations may no longer be involved in these traffics in ways which are acknowledged to be morally indefensible; that the people of India and China may be able to distinguish between the missionaries, who bring them the gospel, and the nations to which the missionaries belong, so that they shall no longer regard Christianity as responsible for the wrongs and woes connected with the opium traffic.

ARRIVALS AT STATIONS.

December 15. At Durban, Natal, Rev. George A. Wilder and wife, Miss Alice F. Stillson, and
Miss Agnes M. Bigelow, all of the Zulu Mission.

January 1. At Jaffna, Ceylon, Rev. Ernest A. Bell and wife, joining the Ceylon Mission.
January 9 (?). At Madura, Rev. J. P. Jones and wife, Rev. E. P. Holton, Rev. G. W. Wright,
and Rev. Willis P. Elwood and wife.

DEPARTURE.

January 23. From New York, Miss Fidelia Phelps, to rejoin the Zulu Mission.

DEATH.

December 12. At Shakopee, Minn., Rev. Samuel W. Pond, one of the early missionaries among the Dakota Indians. Mr. Pond went with his brother, Gideon H., having no connection with any missionary society, to the Dakota Country in 1834, and their labors were greatly blessed. Returning to the East, he was ordained and appointed a missionary of the American Board in 1837. His first station was at Lake Calhoun, now a part of Minneapolis. In 1847 he opened the station at Shakopee, where he resided until his death. He was released from his connection with the Board in 1854, He was born in Washington, Conn., April 10, 1808.

For the Monthly Concert.

[Topics based on information given in this number of the Herald.]

Affairs in the West Central African Mission. (Page 115.)

An inquirers' class and an installation among the Zulus. (Page 113.)

I.

2.

3.

The rebellion in China. (Pages 88 and 106.)

5.

Relief and evangelistic work, following the earthquake in Japan. (Pages 96 and 108.) 6. The Tokwa School of Sendai. (Page 111.)