The Heroic in Missions. By the Rev. Augustus P. Buckland.
(Isbister.)—Mr. Buckland tells some stories that the world should never suffer to be forgotten. The first is one eminent instance of "entering into another man's labour," and also a marvellous lesson of patience. This is the use which Mr. Buckland makes of it. In 1849, Mr. William Welton, a surgeon at Woodbridge, went out to Fuh-Kien. He was a medical missionary. For six years he laboured, for part of the time alone, but still holding on, though not a single convert was made. His health broke down, and he returned to England. Shortly afterwards, he died, leaving £1,500 to the work. There was a strong inclination at home to put an end to the mission, but a worthy successor to Mr. Welton was found in George Smith. In 1861, four converts were baptised. Two years later, George Smith died. He had been allowed to see the first fruits. There were thirteen baptised Christians and five catechumens at his death. Two years ago, there were 10,323 adherents. The other fields of mission work about which Mr. Buckland speaks are Japan, the African Lakes, the North-West of Canada, Bishop Horder, the Punjab, George Maxwell Gordon, the "pilgrim missionary," and the Niger, with the names of John Alfred Robinson, and Graham Wilmot Brooks.
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