Introduction

‘^ If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death,

“And those that are ready to be slain;

“If thou say est, Behold, we knew it not;

“Doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it?

” And He that keepeth thy soid, doth not He know it f

‘■’■And shall not He render to every man according to his works f”

(Prov. xxiv., II, 12.)

IT IS a solemn and most momentous truth that our every act in this present life — and our every omission too — has a direct and important bearing both on our own future welfare, and on that of others. And as believers, it behoves us to do whatsoever we do in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His name, and with earnest prayer for His blessing, the following pages are written: in His name, and with earnest prayer for His blessing, let them be read. The writer feels deeply that, as a faithful steward he is bound to bring the facts contained in these pages before the hearts and consciences of the Lord’s people. He believes, too, that these facts must produce some fruit in the heart of each Christian reader. The legitimate fruit will undoubtedly be — not vain words of empty sympathy, but — effectual fervent prayer, and strenuous self-denying effort for the salvation of the benighted Chinese. And if in any instance they fail to produce this fruit, the writer would urge the consideration of the solemn words at the head of this page, —” If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest. Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? and 2 ‘’’’Thy Kingdom Come!’’

He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? and shall not He render to every man according to his works?”

Very early in the course of His ministry, the Lord Jesus taught His people that they were to be the light — not of Jerusalem, not of Judea, nor yet of the Jewish nation, but — of the world. And He taught them to pray — not as the heathen, who use vain and unmeaning repetitions; nor yet as the worldly-minded, who ask first and principally (if not solely) for their own private benefit and need: “For,” said He,” vour Father knoweth what things have need of before ye ask Him. After this manner therefore pray ye: —

“Our Father which art in heaven,

“Hallowed be Thy name;

“Thy kingdom come;

“Thy will be done; as in heaven, so in earth.”

And it was only after these petitions, and quite secondary to them, that any personal petitions were to be offered. Even the very moderate one, “Give us this day our daily bread,” followed them. Is not this order too often reversed in the present day? Do not Christians often really feel, and also act, as though it was incumbent upon them to begin with, “Give us this day our daily bread;” virtually concluding with, “If consistent with this, may Thy name be hallowed too?” And is not Matt. vi. 33, “Seek y& first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be aalafei, unto you;” practically read, even amongst the professed followers of Christ, Seek first all these things (food and clothing, health, wealth, and comfort), and then the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Instead of honouring Him with the first-fruits of our time and substance, are we not content to offer Him the fragments that remain after our own supposed need is supplied? While we thus refuse to bring the tithes into His storehouse, and to prove the Lord therewith, can we wonder that He does not open the windows of heaven, and pour us out the fulness of blessing that we desire?

We have a striking exemplification of the manner in which we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, in the life and in the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. And when risen from the dead, ere He ascended on high. He commissioned His people to make known everywhere the glad tidings of salvation — full and free — through faith in His finished work. This duty He enjoined on us; enjoined in the most unmistakable form, and to the most definite extent; saying, “Go ye, into all the world, and preach the gospel to EVERY creature.” Grievously has the Church failed in fulfilling this command. Sad it is to realise that so near to the close of the nineteenth century of the Christian era, there are immense tracts of our globe either wholly destitute of, or most inadequately provided with, the means of grace and the knowledge of salvation.

Leaving other fields, however, let us concentrate our attention on the Chinese empire. Let us reflect on its great antiquity, its vast extent, its teeming population; on its spiritual destitution, and overwhelming need. Let us survey the efforts that have been put forth for its good, and contemplate the work which still remains to be done, ere the gospel is preached to “every creature” throughout this empire. And may the view we shall obtain give rise to devout gratitude to God for our own’ superior privileges, to humiliation before Him for our past want of earnestness in the dissemination of the truth, and to more strenuous efforts in future for China’s good.