of any society under whose patronage they may labor.  Whatever be the decision of such society, they are still bound, in preaching the Gospel, to conform to their conscientious views of truth.  The only way to produce agreement among Protestant missionaries is not by authoritative decisions or even by compromise, but by producing evidence sufficient to convince the judgment.  We must have evidence.  In selecting men for China or any other heathen field, missionary societies should first examine whether they have mental ability to acquire the language of the people to whom they are going.  If they are deficient in this respect they should not be sent, and if missionaries on the ground are found deficient in this respect they should be recalled.”

The “term question” has not been settled to this day.

Jan. 22, 1852.  To Dr. Anderson.

“I made another effort to extend our influence by going out towards evening into the streets and selecting eligible situations from which to preach to those who would assemble.  In this manner I often had opportunity to publish the glad tidings more widely than we can do in our houses of worship.  I found much encouragement in this work.  If we had the physical strength we might thus preach day after day, from morning to night, and find multitudes ready to listen.”

WHAT IT COSTS A CHINESE TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.

In the same letter, speaking of ten converts received, he says:  “One of them was gaining a mere living from the profits of a small shop, in which he sold paper and candles to be used in idolatrous worship.  As he became acquainted with the Gospel, he soon found that his business was opposed to the doctrines of Christianity.  A hard contest ensued, but the power of the Gospel finally triumphed.  He gave up his business and with it his only prospect of making a livelihood and for some months had no other prospect before him and his family but beggary or starvation, except such a hope as God afforded.  Another held a small office of government, the requirements of which were inconsistent with obedience to the Gospel, but the perquisites of which were his only means of sustaining his family, including an aged father.  In his case the conflict seemed yet more fearful and lasted a much longer time.  We hoped that the truth had taken a deep hold on him, but we began to tremble for the result.  The love of Christ, as we trust, finally gained the victory.  He gave up his office, gave up his living, gave up the world, that he might find the salvation of his soul and confess Christ before men.  So also with the most of the others.  They were called to sacrifice their worldly prospects, in order to embrace the Gospel.  Christians in our beloved land hardly know what it is to take up the cross and follow Christ.  The ridicule and obloquy with which they meet, if indeed they meet with any, is not a tithe of that to which the native