Mission Notes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 1, 1914

REV. WM. HAYNE LEAVELL, D. D., has been appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary from the United States to Guatemala. The Guatemala daily papers announce that he is a Presbyterian pastor of great reputation and learning, and also famous in matters of science and philosophy; that he comes from one of the best families in the United States, and is from the first rank of the typical citizens of the northern republic. The appointment of a Protestant clergyman to this Roman Catholic country is a new experience in diplomacy. The influence of a strong Christian gentleman may be a mighty factor in the progress of Guatemala, and may help to develop a still more friendly spirit between the people of Guatemala and the people of the United States, and may also help forward the cause of Christ.

A strange prayer meeting was reported in June, when the Buddhists, Taoists, and Mohammedans in Tientsin held an indignation meeting to protest against the slight placed upon their religions by the president when he asked the Christians to pray for the welfare of China. After a good deal of aimless discussion and mild vituperation, one of the leading men proposed that they show their patriotism by sinking their differences for the nonce, and holding a monster prayer meeting of their own. But they could not decide to whom the prayers should be addressed. A prominent Christian who had attended the meeting from curiosity, suggested that they unite in sending their petitions to Shang-ti, the term used in the Chinese classics for the "Supreme Ruler," and adopted by the Protestant millions as the Christian term for God. This suggestion being favorably received, the meeting soon changed in character, when fervent

prayer was offered by the few Christians present; but when the members of the other religions ventured upon extempore prayer, their efforts are said to have been sadly lacking in coherency and unction.