But deplorable as is the view thus presented by the seven provinces where missionaries have longest laboured, the prospect furnished by the rest of the empire is still more distressing, as a very brief survey will shew.
THE LAST ELEVEN PROVINCES.
Kiang-si and Gan-hwuy.
Commencing with Kiang-si, which was first occupied by the American Methodist Episcopal Mission, and in which the C.I.M. has worked since 1869, there is a province twice the size of Portugal, and containing 15 millions of souls. It has two mission stations and five missionaries. Adjoining it, is the province of Gan-hwuy, rather smaller than England, and containing now some nine millions of people, and eight missionaries—four of whom are ladies. The C.I.M. worked there alone fifteen years; but at last one American missionary has come, and we hope that others will soon follow. Considering the work of the ladies as local, we find only nine men to evangelize these two large provinces, through which the Yang-tse passes, and steamers up and down daily convey their passengers. When will the 24 millions of these provinces hear the gospel of the grace of God?
Ho-nan and Shan-si.
In the north-west of Gan-hwuy lies the province of Ho-nan, as large as England and Wales, and containing 15 millions of inhabitants. Through God's blessing on the itinerant work of the C.I.M., several persons have been converted and baptized. A station, with one married missionary, resident at Ju-ning Fu, had to be given up for a time, through a local rebellion, and itineration resumed. Now there is a native helper there, and the prospect of re-opening the station. North of Ho-nan is the province of Shan-si, nearly as large as England and Wales. It was fearfully devastated by the famine, but still probably contains nine millions. It has now two stations and 18 missionaries (including four single ladies, and three young men who are acquiring the language). Ten of them belong to the China Inland Mission, and one lady, unconnected, works with them. About 300 converts have been gathered by them at their stations and out-stations. The two Baptist missionaries have also some converts at T'ai-yüen Fu. The American Board Mission have five missionaries, who will probably open some new stations when they are able. In these two large provinces, therefore, there are 24 millions of souls, and only fifteen men living and wording among them. Comment is needless!
Shen-si and Kan-suh.
West of Shan-si, and separated from it by the Yellow River, is the province of Shen-si, equal in extent to Holland, Saxony, Bavaria, and
