为祂作见证

shiyi18

Sl}£ JltissiottariL BY REV. J. Hudson Taylor.
(1890年在上海会议上宣读的论文）从最广泛的意义上说，每个基督徒都应该是一个
传教士。基督救赎了我们，让我们成为 "他的见证人"，并应 "彰显他的赞美。
那召我们出黑暗入奇妙光明的"。对于所有被救赎的人，他说："你怎样打发我到世上去，我也怎样打发他们到世上去。
我也照样差遣他们到世界上去。" 服务的范围可以是
服务范围可大可小，可在国内或国外；被召者可老可少。
患病或健康；但原则是相同的。我们被留在下面
我们被留在这里为祂作见证；无论我们在哪里，总是作见证，这既是我们的特权，也是我们的责任。但在更有限的意义上，有一些人被呼召离开他们的世俗职业，放弃他们的整个生命去做传教工作。这些人就是我们在国内和国外的牧师、传道人和传教士，因为这个领域是全世界。然而，在本文中，我们将只考虑那些被召到国外工作的人的情况，他们将在中国的一个或其他部门工作
传教事业的某一部门。即使如此，我们的主题也很广泛；因为中国不仅需要作为牧师和教师的受命传教士，还需要许多其他可能受命或未受命的人，从事文学和教育工作、医疗传教、传福音和巡回工作；此外还有其他一些人
此外还有一些人从事货运、印刷、商业等工作。中国的妇女和男人一样需要福音，而且需要各种资格的女工，而且毫无疑问，她们已经证明自己是最有用的。要详细考虑这些阶层的特殊要求，需要更多的时间，而不是现在可以提供的；但是不需要证明
但无需证明的是，忽视所有这些差异，并期望所有人都通过同样的准备，将是一个恶性错误。没有人
没有人期望每个牧师都用五年时间来学习医学
要求每个传道人学习完整的神学课程也不是更明智的做法。
明智的。中国正在灭亡。我们的计划必须足够全面，以便为神所呼召的所有人留出空间；必须有足够的弹性，以适应所有人；但也必须有足够的防范，以排除不适合的人。
但也要有足够的防范措施，以排除不合适的人，无论他们多么有学问，多么富有，多么有吸引力。一些广泛的原则适用于所有的中国传教士，我们现在可以考虑这些原则。
我们现在可以考虑这些原则。其中许多原则同样适用于其他地区的工人
诸如呼召、性格，以及在很大程度上甚至是服务的资格和训练。
I.
神的呼召。所有人都会承认，传教士需要得到上帝的呼召；但在呼召问题上存在着广泛的不同观点。
但在呼召的问题上存在着广泛的不同观点，而许多人根本就没有任何明确的观点。A
传教士如果在这一点上不清楚，有时几乎会受到大敌的摆布。当困难出现时，当处于危险或
时，他就会受到诱惑，提出本应在离开故土前就解决的问题。
这个问题在他离开故土之前就应该解决了：我是不是在我的错误的地方？
我是不是来错了地方？因此，没有什么问题比以下问题更重要了
以下问题。
i. 一个人如何自己判断他有上帝的呼召
奉献他的生命去做传教士？上帝之灵的运作是非常不同的。在某些情况下，有一种深刻的内在使命感，而在另一些情况下，则没有这种感觉。在许多情况下，人们非常渴望异教徒的精神启蒙，并渴望参与其中，但有时又
但有时也会对它产生极大的畏缩。建立在下述基础上是不安全的
在神圣呼召的问题上，建立在单纯的内在感觉上（尽管这些感觉可能很有价值），并不比建立在这种感觉上作为救赎的保证更安全。在这两种情况下，唯一安全的基础是神的话语。对于救赎，所有人都被呼召，但很少有人被选中；因为很少有人听从呼召并服从它。对于服务，每个神的孩子都被呼召，但许多人不听呼召；而许多听从呼召的
而许多人在健康、家庭环境等方面处于这样的地位，只能自由地考虑家庭工作。然而，另一些人在 "你们去吧 "的命令中认识到了神的呼召，并发现没有什么不可克服的困难阻止他们离开以前的工作。
困难阻止他们离开他们以前的工作。作为聪明的仆人，他们知道国内有很多见证人，国外确实很少，他们有充分的理由相信上帝会让他们为国外服务。他们有健康的身体，已经为自己证明了基督征服罪的爱和力量的能力，并且没有任何要求阻止他们去主可能需要工人的地方。事实上，他们强烈地感受到这个呼召，如果他们不为有需要的异教徒献身给神，良心就无法安宁。在这个呼召中，首先是圣言的命令，然后是智慧的冷静判断，有意识地想要服从，并跟随主耶稣的榜样。他们不是自己的，如果被派遣，他们将作为他的仆人去。他们知道服务将是艰巨的，往往是痛苦的，也许是明显令人沮丧的；但他们还是会服从召唤的。这与单纯的感觉非常不同。这可能会改变，但呼召仍然存在。许多人有一个伟大的愿望，但却从未被允许进入宣教领域。有些人凭着感觉而去，事后又后悔自己的错误。仅仅同情异教徒的精神和物质痛苦是不够的。仅仅是对异教徒的精神和物质痛苦的怜悯是不够的。上帝的命令，让人们的心和良心明白，上帝的爱，约束的力量，以及上帝赐予的使对外服务成为可能的设施，这些都是最重要的考虑因素，而且合在一起，是不可能误导的。在家的年轻基督徒一旦认识到为主工作的呼召，就应立即开始一些基督徒的服务，并勤奋不懈地进行下去。对于那些期待最终在国外服侍的人来说，这一点并不是不重要，而是更加重要。这样他们就能检验呼召的真实性，也能证明和发展自己的能力。漂洋过海的航行不会使任何人成为传教士或灵魂拯救者。在国内证明和发展他们的恩赐时，应同时为未来的服务做切实可行的准备；并采取适当的步骤，打开通往国外的大门，多多祈祷主会按他认为最好的方式和时间打开或关闭。一个工人不负责任何超出他能力范围的事情，他需要努力、精力和毅力；成功将在上帝的时间内到来。
2. 2.但其他人如何确定那些认为自己被呼召的人--可能是被呼召献身的人，是否应该被接受呢？大卫希望建造圣殿，这是好事；但上帝的旨意并不是让他这样做，尽管他被允许在很大程度上帮助这项工作。计划给了他，手段也主要给了他，他被用来督促所罗门进行建造；而且，除了为之付出大量自己的手段外，他还成功地刺激了他的子民对这项工作的极大自由度。因此，现在有些人可能会被引导去献身，他们不适合在实地工作；然而，他们可能会有负担，以便像大卫一样，他们可以成为帮助者和奉献者。但要回到这个问题，谁会被接受？一般来说，我们可以说那些具有合适的年龄、性格和资格，并且已经证明自己在家里是有耐心和成功的工人的人。上帝为他呼召的仆人所从事的工作部门赋予能力，而我们的问题仅仅是：是否有证据表明他们有能力在中国工作？即使在这一点上，也需要非常谨慎和大量的祷告。我在中国遇到的最成功的传教士之一，多次被审查委员会拒绝，而且不是没有理由。但他坚持不懈，上帝为他开路，他做了六七年最成功的工作，从此他被召去领赏。我们现在可以考虑
II.
这位中国传教士的个人性格。我只需说，他应该明确地得救，彻底地奉献给上帝，过着圣洁、一致的生活。这同样是
中国的百万人口。
他应该表现出自己是有用的，有帮助的，并且
至少在某种程度上，他的性格应该已经
影响和打动他人。但除此之外，传教士应该是无私的，考虑到并关注他人的感受和需要。
别人的需要。他应该有耐心，不是麻木不仁，而是能够冷静地忍受反对意见，并长期忍耐；他还应该坚持不懈，不轻易气馁。有了这一切，就需要精力充沛--在控制之下--并有力量去控制。
在这一切的基础上，还需要能量--良好的控制--以及影响和领导的能力。我不能不提成功的传教士的一个最重要的特征--没有种族的骄傲；因为没有什么能让我们为之工作的人感到厌恶，而且 "主抵制骄傲的人"。最重要的是，他有能力降低到他所要拯救的人的水平，并与他们成为一体。只有在他能做到这一点的情况下
才能使他们与他合一。"道成了肉身"；基督生在 "律法之下"；"他成为
"使他凡事与他的弟兄们相似"--何况是我们？
我们也是如此。他是 "神的智慧"，也是 "神的能力"；他给我们留下了一个榜样，使我们应该
踏上他的脚步。
III.
服务的资格。但除了他自己的性格之外，还需要某些服务的资格--身体的、精神的和心灵的。我将首先考虑其中最低的资格，因为即使是这样，也会把许多我们可能很乐意欢迎的人关在门外。
i. 体力方面的资格。这些资格应该与传教士所要工作的中国地区的要求相当。具备的条件包括
神经系统应能承受适应环境、学习和工作可能需要的任何隔离措施的压力。需要有相当好的消化能力，而良好的肌肉力量不仅本身很有价值，而且还能帮助我们更好地适应工作。
良好的肌肉力量不仅本身有价值，而且通过锻炼可以使整个系统保持健康。身体是主的；虽然不是娇生惯养，但应该为他好好照顾。性格忧郁的人，无法摆脱他们所受的压抑；贪图安逸的人，往往或多或少都有消化不良的情况；还有那些
的人，以及极易激动的人，都是在中国工作的危险人选。
在中国的工作。
对于女传教士来说，一个相当健康和有活力的体格
是非常理想的。有些人可能迟早会结婚，如果不能在婚姻生活的各种情况下保持健康，不仅
不仅她们自己的工作会受到阻碍，或者结束，而且丈夫的工作也会受到影响，或者他可能不得不离开这个领域。经过大量的经验，我们强烈要求在可能的情况下，女士们在婚前获得语言并适应环境是非常可取的。高度兴奋或歇斯底里的女士
歇斯底里的气质不适合这种气候。
2. 2. 心理素质。心智应该完全健全，不应该有遗传性精神错乱的迹象，否则中国就不可能出现这种情况。
遗传性精神病，否则中国不太可能出现这种情况。健全的判断力，在任何地方都是有价值的，在中国尤其如此；随时准备好的策略，能适应情况并使其达到最佳效果，在这里永远不会被淘汰。如果没有
这些资格的缺乏可能会使最好的意图和最
认真的努力。应始终寻求能力的证据。文化是非常
但有些人虽然在学校里表现良好，但似乎已经耗尽了他们的少量能力。
能力的储备。这样的人在这里没有什么用处。候选人应该有能力学习并成为任何可能需要的人。如果缺乏某些教育的优势，我们可以记住
传教士的学习和工作本身就是教育；如果有必要的能力，还可以提供非常有用的服务。
吸引力和领导力。有些人拥有一种难以解释的
吸引和影响的能力，这很难解释，但如果被圣灵使用，则是一种具有最高价值的天赋。这样的人一般都喜欢孩子，受到他们的喜爱和信任。儿童的本能
那些能与儿童打交道和为儿童工作的人一般都会成为好的传教士。在一些人身上可以看到明显的领导能力，这是最有价值的。如果完全没有这些恩赐，或与之相反
如果完全没有这些恩赐，或者与之相反，在接受中国的候选人之前，应该非常小心。
在接受中国的候选人之前应该非常谨慎。
3. 3.精神上的资格。当然，这些是极其重要的。不完美的身体健康或精神装备对成功来说并不是绝对致命的，但是一个真正的传教士必须是一个有精神力量的人。
但真正的传教士必须是一个有精神力量的人。要做的工作是一项属灵的工作，要对付的敌人是属灵的敌人。请不要以为，当他看到中国古老的文明、难懂的语言、强大的人数优势、种族偏见、中国人思想的物化
中国人的思想，以及鸦片和与外国人不友好的接触所造成的障碍，他已经调查了我们必须抗争的主要困难。不！我们的战争不仅仅是与这些
我们不是与血肉之躯搏斗，而是与在异教徒心中掌权的天上的恶灵搏斗。启迪他们的思想，甚至影响他们的良心，他们将保持不变，除非天父吸引他们，除非圣子使他们自由，除非圣灵使他们知罪并更新他们的心。
心。而这项工作，神通常会通过那些
灵。"他，就是真理的灵，来了以后"（约翰福音16，13）。
来到哪里？-来找谁？"到你们这里"（第7节）--他将做什么？他住在信徒里面，"要叫世人知罪、知义、知罪"（第8节）。此外，他还 "要引导你们明白一切真理"（第13节）。因此，传教士最重要的是要有属灵的心态。因此，通过与候选人进行属灵对话，并与他们一起祈祷，是多么重要的一件事。
那么，通过与候选人的属灵对话，并与他们一起祈祷，了解他们的属灵状态是多么重要。他们必须是圣洁的人，热爱圣言，以圣言为食，让圣言丰盛地住在他们里面；必须是祈祷的人，经常证明他们是有能力的。
祈祷的人，他们经常为自己证明它的力量。希望为永恒而活并决心这样做的人；在 "未来世界的力量 "下的人，对他们来说，看不见的东西是最真实和最令人满意的。他们必须是心中流淌着上帝之爱的人--不仅仅是爱上帝或知道上帝爱他们的人；而是在他们心中流淌着上帝对于灭亡灵魂的爱
他们不仅是爱上帝或知道上帝爱他们的人；而是在他们的心中流淌着上帝对灭亡的灵魂的爱，因此他们可以在他们的范围内做基督在他的范围内所做的事情，而且是通过同样的力量。这种爱，这种对灵魂的热情，不会被击退，也不会失败--在权宜之计上是肥沃的，在困难中是耐心的，在问题上是成功的--因为它是来自上帝，靠着他的力量。哦，为了这样的人--许多这样的人！无论多么高尚或多么卑微，他们都会成为我们的朋友。无论多么高尚或多么卑微，这样的人都是中国最需要的。哦，我亲爱的弟兄们，愿我们在这次会议上得到新的恩膏，重新喝下生命之水，而且比以往更深；以便从我们每个人--尽管我们是贫穷的空容器--流出活水，祝福中国这块干渴的土地 I IV.
训练。这里只需简单地提到训练的问题。神训练祂所有的工人，但往往以非常不同的方式。神的任何恩赐都可以通过适当的训练得到改善。
训练"。身体、思想、心灵和灵魂，都能从中受益。我们是不是太容易把我们对训练的想法局限于
智力？心灵训练不是更重要，但却更被忽视吗？我们的许多训练--迄今为止最重要的部分--必须留在上帝的手中，而且往往在候选人来到我们面前之前就已经完成了。
情况越是如此，问题就越令人满意。那么问题来了，我们所能提供的额外培训，何时、何地、如何提供？1. 1.何时？每当我们发现合适的男人或女人在某些重要的方面没有做好准备来做这项工作时，我们就应该在准备方面提供不足，或者至少指导他们获得必要的东西。但年龄是一个非常重要的因素；如果候选人非常年轻，或者刚刚信主，则特别需要培训；但如果已经不年轻了，而且不足之处也不是最重要的，把一个人长期留在家里准备，可能是不明智的。
2. 2. 在哪里？--在家里还是在野外？如果所需的训练是为了医疗工作、文学工作和翻译圣经，或
教育工作，就必须在家里进行大部分的训练。但只要可行，在这里进行大部分的训练就有很大的好处。传教士可以在掌握语言、适应环境和学习如何适应环境的同时学到很多东西。
中国的百万人口。
掌握人民的思想--这与理解他们的语言一样重要。在旧约时代，约书亚就是以这种方式在摩西手下接受训练的，在新约时代，基督的门徒也是如此。
在新约时代也是如此。保罗以这种方式训练他的同伴，没有什么方法比这更有效，只要它能被应用。
3. 侯--当然，这必须在很大程度上取决于所针对的目标
的目标。然而，我想说的是，无论是在家里还是在这里，属灵的工作应该始终与世俗的工作相联系；心灵的训练和精神生活的深化应该始终保持，不仅仅是在眼前，而是在最前面。让我们注意加深对圣言的认识，热爱圣言。
让我们注意到，加深对圣言的认识，热爱圣言，并实际运用圣言，伴随着其他任何可能被认为是可取的东西。
最后，让我们记住，上帝会继续进行训练的

我们不需要做这一切。对中国语言和文学的研究
研究中国的语言和文学和西方的经典一样是很好的精神训练；旅行和与人和事物打交道是很有教育意义的；让我们永远不要忘记，在我们训练的时候，人们正在死亡，在无望的罪中死去。不要让我们的训练给学生留下这样的印象：他是重要的代理人，圣灵的工作只是辅助性的；他的进步是最重要的，而异教徒的状况毕竟不是那么紧迫。基督警告说，我们的最高动机和目标应是通过改变许多他所祈祷的人，使悲伤的人成为快乐的人--"父啊，我渴望你所赐给我的人在我所在的地方与我同在，使他们可以看到我的荣耀"。



Sl}£ JltissiottariL BY REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR.
(A Paper read at the Shanghai Conference in 1890.) IN the broadest sense of the word every Christian should be a
Missionary. Christ has redeemed us that we should be "Witnesses unto Him," and should "show forth the praises of Him
who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light." Of all His redeemed He says, " As thou hast sent me into the world, even
so have I also sent them into the world." The sphere of service may
be large or small, at home or abroad ; the called may be old or young,
sick or well ; but the principle remains the same. We are left down
here to be witnesses unto Him ; and to bear witness always, wherever we may be, is alike our privilege and our duty. But in a more restricted sense, there are some who are called to leave their secular avocations, and to give up their whole lives to Missionary work. Such are our Ministers, Evangelists and Missionaries at home, as well as abroad—for the field is the world. In this paper, however, we shall only consider the case of those called to foreign work, who are to labour in China in one or other department
of Missionary enterprise. Even then our subject is a broad one ; for China needs not only ordained Missionaries as pastors and teachers, but many others, who may or may not be ordained, for literary and educational work, for medical missions, for evangelistic and itinerant work ; besides others
for colportage, printing, business, etc. The women of China need the Gospel as well as the men, and lady workers of varied qualifications are needed, and, beyond dispute, have proved themselves most useful. To consider the special requirements of each of these classes in detail would need more time than can now be given ; but it requires no
proving that to ignore all these differences, and to expect all to pass through the same preparation would be a mischievous mistake. No
one expects every minister to give five years to the study of medicine
to require every evangelist to take a full theological course is not more
wise. China is perishing. Our plans must be sufficiently comprehensive to make room for all whom God shall call, sufficiently elastic to be adapted to them all ; and yet sufficiently guarded to exclude the
unsuitable, however learned, wealthy, or otherwise attractive they may be. Some broad principles apply to all Missionaries for China, and
these we may now consider. Many of them apply equally to workers
in other lands, such as the call, the character, and to a large extent even the qualifications and training for service.
I.
The Call of God. It will be admitted by all that a Missionary needs to be called of God ; but widely different views exist with
reference to the call, while many have not any clear view at all. A
Missionary who is not clear on this point will at times be almost at the mercy of the great enemy. When difficulties arise, when in danger or
sickness, he will be tempted to raise the question which should have
been settled before he left his native land : Am I not in my wrong
place ? There are, therefore, few questions more important than the
following :
i. How is a man to judge for himself that he has the call of God
to devote his life to Missionary service ? The operations of the Spirit of God are exceedingly varied. In some cases there is a deep inward sense of vocation, in others this is absent. In many cases there is a great longing for the spiritual enlightenment of the heathen and desire to engage in it, but at times
there is as great a shrinking from it. It is no more safe to build on
mere inward feelings (though these may be of great value), in the matter of the Divine Call, than it would be to build on such feelings as a ground for assurance of salvation. The only safe ground in either case is the Word of God. For salvation, all are called, but few are chosen; for few heed the call and obey it. For service, every child of God is called, but many heed not the call ; and many
who do, are so placed as to health, family circumstances, etc., as to be only free to consider home work. Others, however, recognize God's call in the command, "Go ye," and find that no insuperable
difficulties prevent them from leaving their previous avocations. Asintelligent servants, knowing there are many witnesses at homeandfew indeed abroad, they have good ground for believing that Godwould have them offer themselves for foreign service. They have fairhealth, have proved for themselves the power of Christ to conquerthe love and power of sin, and have no claims upon them whichpreclude their going wherever the Lord may have need of workers.Indeed, they feel the call so strongly that conscience could not restwere they not to offer themselves to God for the needy heathen. Nowin this call there is first the command of the Word, then the calmjudgment of the intelligence, the conscious desire to obey, andtofollow the example of the Lord Jesus. Not their own, they will go,if sent, as His servants. They know the service will be arduous, willoften be painful, and perhaps apparently discouraging ; but they willobey the call nevertheless. This is very different from mere feeling.That might change, but the call would remain. Many have a greatdesire, who are never permitted to enter the Mission field. Somewho go on the strength of feelings afterwards regret their mistake.Mere pity for the spiritual and temporal miseries of the heathenisnot sufficient. God's command, brought home to the heart andconscience, God's love, the constraining power, and the God-givenfacilities which make foreign service possible, are considerations ofthe highest moment, and, taken together, are not likely to mislead. As soon as a young Christian at home recognizes a call to workfor the Lord, some Christian service should be commenced at once,and carried on diligently and perseveringly. This is not less importantin the case of those who look for ultimate service abroad, but rathermore so. Thus they will test the reality of the call, and also proveand develop their own powers. A voyage across the ocean will notmake anyone a Missionary or a soul-winner. While proving anddeveloping their gifts at home, such preparation for future serviceas may be practicable should be carried on at the same time ; andsuitable steps taken to open the door to the foreign field, with muchprayer that the Lord will open or shut, as, and when, He sees best.If the call be indeed of God, He will open the way ; and till he doesso, the one called may patiently and calmly wait. A worker is notresponsible for anything out of his power, Effort and energy andperseverance are required of him ; success will come in God's owntime.
2. But how are others to determine whether those who thinkthemselves called—and who probably are called to offer themselvesshould be accepted ? It was well that David wished to build theTemple ; but it was not God's will that he should do so, thoughhewas permitted to help in the work to no small extent. The plan wasgiven to him, the means were largely given to him, he was usedtourge Solomon to do the building ; and, besides giving largely of hisown means for it, he was successful in stimulating his people to greatliberality towards the work. So now, some may be led to offer whoare unsuitable for the work in the field ; and yet, they may have theburden laid upon them, in order that, David -like, they may be helpersand givers. But to return to the question, who shall be accepted? Speaking generally, we may say Those of suitable age, character, andqualifications, and who have already proved themselves patient and successfulworkers at home. God gives ability for the department of work to whichHe calls His servants, and our question is simply this, Is thereevidence of ability for work in China ? Even on this point great careand much prayerfulness are needed. One of the most successfulMissionaries I have met in China was repeatedly rejected by examiningboards, and not without reason. But he persevered, God opened theway, and most successful work he did for six or seven years, fromwhich he was called to his reward. We may now consider
II.
The Personal Character of the Missionary for China. I needscarcely say that he should be unmistakably saved and thoroughlyconsecrated to God, living a holy, consistent life. It is equally
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
desirable that he should have shown himself useful and helpful, and
that in some measure at least his character should have already
influenced and impressed others. But beyond this, a Missionary should be unselfish, considerate of, and attentive to, the feelings and
needs of others. He should be patient—not apathetic, but able to bear opposition calmly and with long-suffering ; he should be perse- vering also, not easily discouraged. With all this, energy—well under
control—is needed, and power to influence and to lead. I must not omit to mention one most important characteristic of a successful missionary—absence of pride of race ; for nothing so much repels those for whom we labour, and " the Lord resisteth the proud." Power to come down to the level of those he seeks to save, and to become one with them, is most important. It is only in so far as he
can do this that he will make them one with him. "The Word was made flesh"; Christ was born "under the law"; "it became Him
to be made in all things like unto His brethren " —how much more
does it become us ! He was the " Wisdom of God " as well as the "Power of God"; and He has left us an example that we should
tread in His steps.
III.
Qualifications for Service. But besides his own personal character, certain qualifications for service—physical, mental and spiritual are needed. I will consider first the lowest of these, because even it will close the door to many whom we might gladly welcome among us.
i. Physical Qualifications. These should be equal to the require- ments of the part of China in which the Missionary is to labour. The
nervous system should be able to bear the strain of acclimatization, of study, and of any measure of isolation the work may call for. A fairly good digestive power is needed , and good muscular strength is not
only valuable in itself, but as tending to keep the whole system in health by its exercise. The body is the Lord's ; and, while not pampered, it should be well cared for, for Him. Men of melancholy temperament, who cannot throw off the depression they are subject to; the fastidious, who are often more or
less dyspeptic ; and the highly excitable, are risky candidates for work
in China.
In the case of lady Missionaries a fairly healthy and vigorous frame
is very desirable. Some may marry sooner or later, and if unable to maintain health in the various circumstances of married life, not only
will their own work be hindered, or come to an end, but the work of the husband may suffer, or he may have to leave the field. After considerable experience, we strongly urge the great desirability of ladies acquiring the language and becoming acclimatized before marriage, wherever this is possible. Ladies of highly excitable or
hysterical temperament are not well adapted to this climate.
2. Mental Qualifications. The mind should be thoroughly sound, and there should be no taint of hereditary insanity, or China is not
unlikely to develop it. A sound judgment, everywhere valuable, is specially so in China ; and the ready tact which takes in the situation and makes the best of it, is never out of place here. The absence
of these qualifications may neutralize the best intentions and the most
earnest efforts. Kvidence of Capacity should always be sought for. Culture is very
valuable, if linked with capacity ; but there are some who, while they have done well in the schools, seem to have exhausted their small
stock of capacity. Such would be little use here. A candidate should have ability to learn and to become whatever may be, necessary. If some advantages of education have been lacking, we may remember
that Missionary study and work are themselves educational ; and if there is the requisite ability, very useful service may yet be rendered.
Attractiveness and Leadership. Some persons possess a power to
attract and influence which is difficult to explain, but is a gift of the highest value when used by the Holy Ghost. Such persons are generally fond of children and are loved and trusted by them. The
instinct of children does not often mislead them, and those who can work well with and for children will generally make good Missionaries. The power of leadership is seen in some in a marked degree and is most valuable. Where these gifts are wholly absent, or the
reverse of them is present, great care should be used before accepting
a candidate for China.
3. Spiritual Qualifications. These, of course, are supremely important. Imperfect physical health or mental furnishings are not absolutely fatal to success, but a true Missionary must be a man of
spiritual power. The work to be done is a spiritual work, the foes to be worsted are spiritual foes. Let no one think that when he haslooked at the hoary civilization of China, the difficult language, themighty power of numbers, the prejudice of race, the materialization
of the minds of the Chinese, and the hindrances caused by opium andunfriendly contact with foreigners, he has surveyed the principal diffi- culties with which we have to contend. No ! our warfare is not with
these merely—we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with wickedspirits in heavenly places, who reign in the hearts of the heathen. Enlighten their minds, affect their conscience even, and they will remain the same, unless the Father draw them, unless the Son set them free, unless the Spirit convict them of sin and renew their
hearts. And this work God will usually do through those who are
spiritual. "When He, the Spirit of Truth, is come" (John 16, 13)
come where ? —come to whom ? " unto you " (v. 7) —what will he do ? He, indwelling in the believer, " will convict the world of sin, of righte- ousness, and of judgment" (v. 8). And, moreover, He it is who" will guide you into all truth " (v. 13). Above all things, therefore, must the Missionary be spiritually-minded. How important it is, then, that by spiritual conversations with
candidates, and by prayer with them, their spiritual state should beascertained. They must be holy men, loving the Word, feeding andfeasting on it, having it dwelling in them richly ; must be men of
prayer, who have often proved for themselves its power. Men whowish to live for eternity and are resolved to do so ; men under " the powers of the world to come," to whom unseen things are most real and most satisfying. They must be men who have the love of Godshed abroad in their hearts—not merely men who love God or whoknow that He loves them ; but who have the very love of God for
perishing souls shed abroad in their hearts, and who hence can do in their measure what Christ did in His, and by the same power. Thatlove, that passion for souls, knows no repulse, never fails—is fertile in expedient, patient in difficulty, and successful in issue—for it is of God and by His power. Oh, for such men—for multitudes of them ! However noble or however humble, men so qualified are the great need of China. And, oh, my dear brethren, may we in this Confer- ence have a fresh anointing, and drink afresh, and more deeply thanever, of the water of life ; so that from each one of us—poor, emptyvessels though we are—rivers of living water may flow, to bless this thirsty land of China I IV.
Training. It only remains very briefly to refer to the matterof training. God trains all His workers, but often in very different ways. There is no gift of God which is not improved by suitable
training." The body, the mind, the heart and the soul, all benefit by it. Are we not too apt to confine our thoughts of training to the
intellect ? And is not heart-training far more important, and yet far more neglected ? Much of our training—by far the most importantpart of it—must be left in God's hand, and will often have beenaccomplished before the candidate comes before us : the more largely
this is the case, the more satisfactory the issue. Then come the questions, of such additional training as we can give, When, Where andHow should it be given ? 1. When ? Whenever we find the right men or women, in someimportant respect unfurnished for this work, it may be desirable to supply what is lacking in the way of preparation, or at least to direct them in acquiring what is necessary. But age is a very importantelement ; if the candidate is very young, or has been recently converted, training is specially indicated ; but if already not young, andthe deficiency is not of paramount importance, it may be unwise to detain one long at home for preparation.
2. Where ?—-at home or in the field ? If the training needed is for medical work, for literary work and translation of the Scriptures, or
for educational work, much of it must be done at home. But whereever it is practicable, there is great advantage in much of the training being done here. The Missionary can learn much while acquiring the language, while becoming acclimatized, and while learning to under-
CHINA'S MILLIONS.
stand the minds of the people—quite as important a matter as understanding their language. It was in this way that Joshua was trained under Moses in the Old Testament times, and the disciples of Christ
in the New. In this way Paul trained his companions, and no method is more effectual than this wherever it can be applied.
3. Hou - This must, of course, depend much on the object aimed
at. I would say, however, that whether at home or here, spiritual work should always be connected with secular ; and heart-training and the deepening of spiritual life should always be kept not merely in sight, but in the very front. Let us see to it that a deepening knowledge
of the Word, love of the Word, and practical use of the Word, accom- pany whatever else may be thought desirable.
Finally, let us remember that God will go on with the training

that we have not to do it all. That the study of the language and
literature of China is as good a mental training as that of Westernclassics ; that travel and dealing with men and things are highly educational ; and let us never forget that while we are training, men aredying, dying in hopeless sin. Let not our training practically impressthe student with the thought that he is the important agent and theHoly Spirit's work merely auxiliary ; that his improvement is theurgent thing, and that the condition of the heathen is not so veryurgent after all. Would that God would make hell so real that wecould not rest, heaven so real that we must have men there, Christ soreal that our supreme motive and aim shall be to make the ManofSorrows the Man of Joy through the conversion of many of thoseconcerning whom He prayed—" Father, I long that those whomThou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may beholdmy glory."