A Winter in North China. By the Rev. T. M.
Morris. (Religions Tract Society.)—Mr. Morris and Dr. Fuller (who writes a brief introduction to the book) were commissioned by the Baptist Mis- sionary Society to inspect the condition of its missions in China. This inspection was to take in the stations in Shantung and Shansi. Incidentally, they observed what could be seen of the missionary work of other societies. This volume, originally pub-
fished in the columns of a local newspaper (not a very dignified proceeding, we venture to suggest), contains the results of their tour of inspection. The conclusion that the visitors came to was fall of satisfaction and hope. The work was on a large scale, and had better prospects than they had ventured to anticipate before starting. Of the native hostility to missions, of which so much has lately been heard in Europe, we are told but little in these pages. Of the amount of sacrifice demanded of a missionary in China, one sentence says volumes :—" From the time we left Tien-tsin," writes Mr. Morris in his preface, " until we came on our return journey to Pekin, we did not meet with a single foreigner except the missionaries." That implies a complete isolation of life which must indeed be very hard to bear. We should like to know what Dr. Fuller means when he writes that "this year marks the centenary of English missions." Surely English missions have attained a greater age than that ! The S.P.G. was founded in 1707, and from the first recognised as part of its duty the work of converting the heathen. Earlier than that-1648—the House of Commons passed a resolu- tion affirming this principle. Perhaps Dr. Fuller is " particular " enough not to recognise any mission as " Christian " except they are Baptist. But that is not the impression left by the language of his colleague.
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