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Show JO NORTH CHINA MISSION In TIENTSIN now, practically the whole work is in the management of the Association; the Station Association is the Mission locally. How could it be effective other-riDvc wise, with one man representing the Mission ? With a new sense of confidence and freedom in the present, the Chinese workers now have their eye on the future. There is over a half of the region assigned to our Board, which we are not in any sense "occupying;" recognizing this, the- Association assigned one man to give half his-time to exploration and preaching in these sections, drawing careful maps, and locating the strategic centers which we must enter. And it was voted' that we aim and plan to add at least one fully trained preacher to-our staff within the next five years,-we have but five now. This increase is to come from growth in self-support merely; how gladly would we make further additions, of preachers and especially of school teachers, if the appropriations from America might be slightly increased. In one of the villages of the TIENTSIN field there is a substantial church building of the New England meeting-house-type, very cheering on the landscape to an Ameri- . ^XJ^lJ^ir can eye. However, the weekly services are held ARCHITjiC- . , ., ... ... , , . TURE now m o n e neighboring villages, and this church is hardly ever used. It is "too large to heat economically," "too big to keep in repair and equipment." and so on. But last spring the members on their own account got together and put up a chapel in the rear, in Chinese style, smaller and solidly built with brick: and here Ihey hold cozy and well-attended village prayer meetings. Behold Christianity becoming acclimated in China! |
