The Missionary | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 2, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 46.

The Missionary.

WOMEN'S MISSION TO WOMEN.

THE Missionary Conference in London in 1888, while reviewing the present condition and future prospects of the Protestant missions in the world, gives special attention to the subject named at the head of this article. At the meeting held July 14, Right Rev. Bishop Baldwin, D.D., of Huron, in the chair, remarked: "We are gathered together here to-night for one of the most holy and blessed objects, to consider women's work amongst women. As the time of our blessed Lord's second coming draws near, we find that the Master is bringing out fresh energies, using new means, and putting into activity powers that have long been dormant; and amongst others is that great feature of modern Christianity, the noble mission of women to women.

"There is a sadness in all infidelity and rationalism, but it has been powerfully remarked that of all the sad sights that weary Christendom beholds, the saddest is to see a woman laboring under skepticism and under rationalistic views. Christianity has done everything for us, but who shall tell what Christ has done for woman? Look where he found her and see to what a place he has raised her. She rises to-day to realize that all the blessings she enjoys she owes to that Lord who took her feet from the miry clay and the horrible pit and placed her in the position that she now occupies."

In some respects mission work by women lies back of all missionary operations. If we only get the mothers, the wives, the daughters of the country, we have got the men. To whatever land you go the woman has her power, and of all heathen countries there is none where the woman has the same power as in China; notwithstanding all that has been said, or is being said, of the oppression and degradation of which we so often hear, hers is a most remarkable power considering the circumstances under which she is placed. Hence the necessity for the establishment and support of schools for girls in all that country.

At the meeting referred to one of the speakers who well understood the matter—had learned by experience—said: "I wish to emphasize that China of all other countries is the field for the mission of women. I am in the habit of saying that there is some backbone in Chinese men, and if I were to go on to say what I think of the women I should say there were several backbones in Chinese women. They have been the great force which has preserved the country. I say this without any fear of contradiction. They have been important factors in its political history, and they are important factors in social life. A woman when she comes to be a mother and a grandmother, is a power in the family and a power in the village or the town that it is almost impossible to overestimate."

Such is the testimony of a learned and experienced minister who had long been on the ground and studied the Chinese as they are at their homes.

He also insists that in order to success the missionary must learn the manners and customs of the people, and especially learn their language; and as anyone may see, this is easier and better done in their own country than anywhere else. There is no way of getting at the heart of a people except through their language, and for a woman, as for a man, there is no royal road; and, other things being equal, it is always better to learn it as it is spoken.—St. Louis Christian Advocate.