China and the Missions at Amoy-1854 -Burns, William Chalmers

The staff at Amoy, of the English Presbyterian Church, consists of the Rev. W. C. Burns and Rev. James Johnston, with Dr. Young, who has just returned to this country in enfeebled health. Mr. Burns felt it necessary to accompany him home, so that Mr. Johnston is in the meantime left alone with the brethren of the American Mission and the London Missionary Society.The name of Mr. Burns is associated with that revival work with which the Lord was graciously pleased to visit Scotland fifteen years ago. An arrest was then laid upon Scotland fifteen years ago. An arrest was
then laid upon his setting out to the sphere of missionary labor to which at first he had devoted himself; and several circumstances have invested the mission with which he is now connected with a peculiar interest,
and entitle it to a large place in the hearts and in the prayers of the people of Scotland. Though the brethren in England had resolved upon the mission in 1845, and collections had annually been made in their
churches, yet no one could be found to enter upon the work; and having waited two years, many were convinced that it was time to turn to other quarters in search of an open door. Meantime Mr. Burns had
returned to Scotland in the close of 1846 from his labors in Canada, and saw no special call to continue in this country. After having made the state of China for some months the subject of much thought and prayer, the consideration of the openings which were then for the first time presented for preaching the gospel to its perishing millions, so pressed upon his spirit, that at last he felt constrained to give himself to the work to which the Presbyterian Church in England had solicited him; and quite unexpectedly he appeared at the meeting of their Synod at Sunderland on the 21 st of April 1847, saying, that he believed that it was the will of
God that he should go next to China.The Church, deeply impressed by the providence so marked and special, agreed at once to send him forth
on his way. He was solemnly set apart to the missionary work the day after; the Rev. William Chalmers of London, who was born in China, preaching on the occasion, and presiding at the ordination of the first
missionary sent out to that empire by a Presbyterian Church in Great Britain. The ordination took place in a church were Mr. Burns had often preached, and within the bounds of a Presbytery (Newcastle) where his
labours had been abundant and had been much blessed; and it is a notable coincidence that Morrison was connected with one of the congregations of the same Presbytery; and his sister was then still living in Newcastle, and worshiping in the same church in which he had been brought up. On the 7 th of June a meeting was held in London for the purpose of recommending the missionary to the grace of God for the
work where unto he had been called. It was held in London Wall Church, where that eminent servant of Christ – The Rev. Dr. Love, one of the founders, and the first secretary of the London Missionary Society –
was long the pastor.Mr. Burns reached Hong Kong in health and safety in November, where he remained two years and a quarter, devoting himself to the study of the language. In one of his letters he thus expressed himself: — “You desired that three doors might be opened to me, — the door of entrance into the language, the door of access into the country, and the door of admittance for the Lord’s truth into men’s hearts. The first of these has been opened in an encouraging degree already; and it now remains to seek by prayer and by actual trial that the other two doors may be opened also.” Within two months of his arrival he was enabled to read the Scriptures to the Chinese prisoners in the public goal, and even to address them briefly, so that they
understood; and while he remained at Hong Kong he made repeated tours of evangelization among the villages, with full liberty to make known the gospel of the grace of God, and meeting with scarcely any
obstacle. It had been the design of the Church from the first, to send forth two together to the work – in accordance with our Lord’s example; and Mr. Burns hoped that he would shortly be followed by others.
Accordingly, the Synod continued to look out for suitable agents, who, “next to evangelistic fervor, should have especial attitude in teaching.” But year after year, they had to report that their efforts had proved
unavailing; and it was at length only at the meeting of Synod in 1853 – six years after Mr. Burns had gone out – that another missionary was ordained – the Rev. James Johnston. In the meantime, Dr. James H. Young, who had graduated as a physician at Edinburgh, and resided for several years at Hong Kong, offered his services to the mission, and commenced his labours as Mr. Burns’ colleague on the 1 st of March 1850.Mr. Burns had in the meantime gone to Canton, where be found abundant opportunity of co-operating in the work with the venerable Leang-Afa, and other native evangelists, and also Mr. Roberts of the
American mission. How very encouraging it must have been for one from a far off foreign land to have been associated with the aged Chinese preacher who was in Christ before the Missionary was born.He continued there for a year and four months; and under date, June 19, 1851, thus writes: “I have been happy in finding as many opportunities of preaching the word of life among this people as I have had strength to overtake. I have been almost daily, and sometimes twice or thrice a day, thus employed.” And again: —

“Were the instruction of the young a work for which I had an aptitude, I would feel tempted to join him (Dr. Young, at Amoy) without delay, and I trust that some one of God’s servants, whose sanctified taste and
abilities lie in this way, may be soon drawn to occupy a field so open and promising. If you do not hear so interesting accounts from Canton, you must ascribe it in part to the defects of your correspondent, but sill
more it may be to the peculiar difficulties of this very important station – a station so difficult and important, that I believe no agent who is in any degree suited for it, and has a heart to love and labour for its proud and
suspicious people, should be hastily encouraged to leave it. Lately, in the view of leaving these premises, we have been keeping the preaching hall open every evening, and the numbers and interest have been more
than usual. Last Tuesday evening, when looking on an assembly of from fifty to sixty engaged listeners, while a native was addressing them before I did so, my heart said, “How can I leave these dear and precious
souls for whom there are so few to care? I can now tell them of the way of life with some measure of clearness and acceptance, and so long as God gives me standing-ground to gather and address them I must
go on to do so, leaving issues in His own hand with whom it is to bless and save.” Help us to maintain the combat in this great heathen city until its gates are opened to the King of Glory! Brethren, pray for us that
the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified.”But difficulties arose. No suitable place could be had to carry on the work, after leaving the premises referred to in the foregoing letter. The door was manifestly closed by God in His providence, and in a week from the date of the above, he left Canton, and proceeded to join his fellow-workman at Amoy.A signal blessing has attended the work at Amoy. Audiences of people have been easily collected, who have listened attentively to the word of life from the lips of the native evangelists and missionaries. The
inhabitants have shown the most friendly disposition, so that in his various tours through the villages, Mr. Burns has required only once to pay for his nightly accommodation, The Chinese, in their refusal to accept of any remuneration for lodging, have given a beautiful exhibition of kindness, for which we are bound to give thanks, remembering them in our prayers.A new edition of hymns, translated into Chinese, for use in worship, has been prepared by him, with the assistance of others. The Pilgrim’s Progress has also been translated, and it is hoped will prove useful.The progress of the work will be best gathered from the following extracts from letters which have appeared chiefly in the English Presbyterian Messenger: —

“Amoy, May 16, 1853. – Last month I had the privilege of paying a visit to Chiang-chew-foo, a large city in this neighborhood, at the distance of about forty English miles. We left Amoy on the morning of April 13,
and returned here on the 26 th , being absent about a fortnight, nine days of which were spent at Chiang-chew, preaching to large and very interesting audiences both inside and outside the city. A week or two before our going, two native Christians, of the American Mission here, had visited Chiang-chew, and preached to crowds for a number of days, with much encouragement; and as they were purposing to go again, at the
earnest desire especially of one of them, it was arranged that I should also go, although there was some reason to fear that, unless God should graciously open our way, there might be some unwillingness on the
part of the authorities to allow a foreigner to pay more than a brief visit, or to preach at large to the people. To avoid difficulty as far as possible, it was arranged that we should live on the river, in the boat which
carried us there, going on shore only to preach. On our arrival we immediately went on shore, and being at once surrounded by many people, we had a fine opportunity, within a few steps on our boat, of preaching the Word of Life, fully and without hindrance. We continued thus to preach on the bank of the river for three days, going upwards from our boat in the morning, and downwards in the afternoon, and addressing large companies for three or four hours at a time, until we had exhausted all the suitable stations near the river. We then went inwards, but still outside the walls, and at the very first station at which we preached, a man came forward and pressed us to go further on, and preach again opposite his house. This man the following morning came and was with us at worship in our boat; and when it began to rain, and our boat was more uncomfortable, the same individual opened his house to us, and here we stayed (making the man a small re-numeration) for five days; and going on from this as our headquarters, still inwards, we enjoyed the fullest liberty, both within and without the city, or preaching to large and very much engaged audiences. I do not think, upon the whole, that I have spent so interesting a season, or enjoyed so fine as opportunity of preaching the Word of Life since I came to China, as during these nine days. The people were everywhere urgent in requesting that a place might be opened for the regular preaching of the gospel among them; and I am glad to say that the American Mission here have already sent two of the members of the native church to open an outstation in this important and very promising locality. Since our return here there have also three individuals come here at their own expense, to inquire further into the nature of the gospel. The native Christians with me were the same with whom I went last year in making some visits to the neighbourhood; and I have pleasure in adding, that they seem to be moved by love to the Saviour, and to the souls of their fellow-countrymen, in giving themselves to this work.”

“Amoy, June 6, 1853 – You have no doubt heard something, and of late more than a little, about the present rebellion in China, as also about the profession of faith in the gospel by a number of the leaders in this movement. Many have been the rumors to this effect that we have heard during the last two or three years, but of late the matter has become evident fact by the visit of the Hermes steamer to Nankin, and the Christian books brought to us from thence. These books exhibit much acquaintance with the leading principles of Divine truth, although accompanied with some things that are erroneous and dangerous; and they are prepared in such a manner as to show that there are person among these insurgents who have both thought and felt on the great subjects of Scripture teaching. A part of the Book of Genesis printed among the insurgents is according to Gutzlaff’s version, and the language generally used, in speaking of the Divine Being, is evidently founded on his publications. What the issues of this movement are to be it is yet
impossible to foresee, but there is surely much to encourage the hope that all will work for the establishment of God’s kingdom among this people. Surely this is a time when much special prayer should be made for
china, and for those who, though wielding the sword of insurrection against the civil rulers, have yet the truth of God among them, and that conveyed in a very plain and practical form, though, indeed, also mixed
with errors that may prove in the end very noxious.

“You will be surprised, doubtless, also to hear that Amoy has been for more than a fortnight past in the hands of insurgents. These are not the insurgents of Nankin, but the insurgents of this immediate
neighborhood, who, though with no religious principle, have long been secretly leagued for the overthrow of the present dynasty, and have recently taken advantage of the times to rise as in a moment, and take
possession of this and some surrounding places. Should they be able to keep their ground, they design to fall in with the leaders at Nan kin. Amoy was taken by them on May 18, without bloodshed, as the mandarins and soldiers all fled; but on May 30 th , the Lord’s day, when the naval commander (who had been at sea on the 18 th ) attempted to retake the city with five hundred men, his troops fled at the first onset, and a
number of their officers were then killed. It is expected that another attempt on the part of the Government, but on a more extensive scale, will soon be made to regain Amoy; with what result it is impossible to foresee.
“The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles [Amoy is also an isle] be glad thereof.” “Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.”
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.””Amoy, October 13, 1853 – It is some time since I wrote you anything directly about the progress of the work of the gospel among us here, and, therefore, I now take up my pen to address to you a few lines. You are already aware that Amoy has been in the hands of a local body of insurgents for the last few months. The Government party have made several attempts to retake it, but as yet without success. The last of these
attempts (in which they still persevere, and with rather improving prospects of ultimate success) has placed us in the midst of war for a number of successive weeks. The missiles of death have been often falling thick around us, and have struck and injured more than one of the missionaries’ houses; and yet we are preserved in safety and in much inward peace. We have, indeed, cause in this matter to sing of mercy! The missionary schools under Dr. Young’s care and my own had been so much reduced in numbers by the unsettled state of things among us, that when, in July, Dr. Young removed from the premises he formerly occupied, both the schools were united in one under the roof where I live. When Dr. Young had the premises he formerly occupied, both the schools were united in one under the roof where I live. When Dr. Young had the
premises he formerly occupied, I had the use of the preaching hall there as often as I wished it, but never succeeded in collecting a good meeting there. Since he left these premises I have had no place to hold public
meetings, and about a fortnight ago I began to feel painfully that I ought to be doing more than hitherto in the way of preaching the Word of Life among this people. I accordingly made some efforts to obtain a place
suitable to be used as a place of meeting, and had hope of succeeding. I was, however, disappointed in this hope, and must have again delayed had not one of our missionary brethren, Mr. Doty, of the American
Mission, with his usual kindness, invited me to make full use of their chapel, which is near the place I live, and which, a great part of every weekday, is unoccupied, except by members of the native Church, who are frequently engaged from day to day, in collecting and addressing companies of the passersby. In consequence of this kind offer, so agreeable to my habits and feelings in regard to cooperation in the work of the gospel, I have been, during this week, holding daily meetings in the forenoon in this chapel, assisted by members of the native Church, especially by one in whom I have been long interested, and whom I have had the privilege of, in part, supporting as a colporteur, or exhorter, during the greater part of the last two years. Our meetings on each day of this week have been encouraging as to numbers, – from thirty to sixty, — and as to attention to the Word preached, — and as, in consequence of this place being in the hands of insurgents, there are many strangers here, going to and fro, the time seems very the time seems very favorable for scattering the precious seed.”When I wrote in May, I made allusion to an interesting missionary visit which I had paid, in company
with members of the native Church here, to a large city in this neighborhood – Chiang-chiu. I also mentioned that the American Mission here had the view of establishing, permanently, and outstation there;
and were about to send two of their native assistants there for that purpose. The sequel to this proposal, which is of a very affecting kind, and very different from what we had looked for, I have not yet mentioned
to you. About the middle of May, the native assistant, whom I have alluded to as cooperating with me here, went to Chiang-chiu along with another belonging to the same Mission, and rented, as a place of meeting,
the house of the man whom I alluded to in my May letter as having, in April, received us into his house, and taken some interest in our work. They had gone but two days when the local rebellion broke out in this
neighborhood, and had in Chiang-chiu but one Sabbath’s services when the insurgents reached that city. The man who had rented them his house took part with the insurgents, which led the native brethren to
remove their lodgings to another place, that they might not be involved. When the insurgents had got possession of the city but two days, in consequence of their shewing a disposition to rob and plunder, the
populace on a sudden rose en masse upon them, and put nearly all who were within the city to an instant death! How little did we suppose when in April preaching the gospel in these streets, that in the course of a
short month they were to be flowing with human blood! At the time of this awful massacre both the native brethren from Amoy were within the city; and as being strangers, from the same part of the country as the
insurgents, they were in imminent danger of being reckoned as belonging to them, and sharing in their dreadful end. The one who is now here early saw his danger, and with difficulty made his escape, by dropping from the city walls. The other, a native of Canton province, was more fearless, being in company with some friends engaged in business in Chiang-chiu. He also did escape at this time, although not without much danger; but having delayed to leave the city, as his companion wished him, and return to Amoy, he was the following morning, on a sudden, arrested by a band of the populace, and, despite all his friends could do, was dragged before the mandarin, and instantly beheaded! His companion having separated from him the day before this occurred, and with great difficulty made his way home to Amoy, it was several weeks before we heard of the affecting event. Nor was this all, — the man who had rented them his house,
having openly joined the insurgents, was seized in the street by the populace, and publicly beheaded! This was the melancholy end of one who, though not a man of good character among his countrymen, had a few weeks before welcomed us in our mission, joined us in all our services, and seemed to have, at least, the joy of a stony ground hearer, if nothing more. Since that time the people of Chiang-chiu city have been engaged, in almost constant fighting with the insurgent party; and although the insurgents have not been able again to recover the city, yet to the present hour it is so shut up, that almost no communication can be carried on between it and Amoy. The sufferings of its inhabitants have been, and still are, very great. A native of the city who had become interested in the gospel message, and who, as well as other two, came down to Amoy in April on purpose to hear it more fully, was also in great peril of being seized and put to death, like the others. His house was surrounded by armed men, and he only made his escape by getting through the roof,and running along the tops of the houses; with difficulty, after some weeks of wandering, he got here, and has remained under this roof since; it being still unsafe for him to return home.”

The following letter from Mr. Burns is dated Peculiar, (White Water Camp,) January 16, 1854: ~

“In a country market-town, the name of which I have given above, and with no better materials than a Chinese pencil and paper, I acknowledge your letter of November 8 th , which reached me here on Saturday
evening (the 14 th .) I left Amoy on the 9 th , with two members of the American Mission Church, on a missionary tour, and since then we have been in this place, preaching on market days to a few among the
thousands who then assemble to buy and sell, and on other days going out among the surrounding villages, which are many and populous. We are everywhere very kindly received, and our message is listened to
with attention, and, in some cases, we may hope, with profit. What we need is the power of the Spirit of God on the hearts of speakers and hearers, that so many may be raised from spiritual death to that eternal life which is found is believing on the name of the Son of God. I don’t know how long we may be out on this tour, but, if the Lord graciously give us strength, and open up our way, it is my desire to be much occupied
in going about among this multitudinous heathen people, who are indeed scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. This place is, I suppose, from twelve to twenty English miles from Amoy, about half way to
the city of Chiang-chiu, which we visited in April, on the banks of a considerable stream, which flows through a rich and populous valley, surrounded by an amphitheater of lofty hills. You have already heard
of the death of Mrs. Dr. Young. Her latter end was very peaceful, and, we trust, truly blessed. Dr. Young is thus a second time left a widower. He seems to be much supported; and I trust that, as his first bereavement
was an important means of sending him into the missionary field, this may be blessed to render him more useful in that field. He was proposing, when I left Amoy, to go on a medico-missionary tour to Chiang-chiu,
and I have since heard that on Friday last he actually set out. I am delighted at this, and pray that he may be enabled to persevere in a course of such visits to different places, which, if connected with some outward trial, are more certainly connected with rich spiritual blessings to ourselves, and to this people. He is, I believe, accompanied by several native Christians, and among others I have reason to suppose, by one
whom I have the privilege of, in part, supporting as an exhorted or rapporteur, but who did not on this, as on former occasions, come out with us. Those with me are employed by the American Mission as rapporteurs, and not at my expense. One of them was formerly the teacher of the school beside which I have been living at Amoy, but exchanged that for his present situation in the end of April last. The other is an interesting and very zealous man, whom I have accompanied before; I went specially at his instance to Chiang-chiu, in April, and now again he has come forward to prompt us to our present tour. This man was formerly a fortune-teller, &c, and now that he believes and publishes the gospel, he still retains, which good effect, something of the fortune-teller’s taking address, united to much Christian simplicity. I have said nothing as yet about our fellow-laborer, Mr. Johnston, who, as you have already heard, arrived among us just fourteen hours before Mrs. Young’s decease. We have had some pleasant intercourse since that time; but in the meantime, as you see, he is left alone, your only missionary in Amoy. He has got a good teacher, and is going on with the language, in which, in due time, I hope that he will be a proficient. He has also been
preaching in English on board the war-steamer now at Amoy. I am glad to see that you still think of sending another laborer to China. The harvest is indeed plenteous, and reapers of the Lord’s own preparing cannot be too much multiplied. The ‘Pilgrim’ has been well received by missionary brethren in different places, to whom some hundreds of copies have been sent to order. Five hundred were at first struck off, and at present 500
more are in the course of being made up. Formerly they cost eight dollars a hundred; now we get them equally good, and nearly two dollars cheaper.”

The following letter from Mr. Burns gives the most cheering tidings, and calls for thanksgiving and prayer
to God: —

“Amoy, May 8, 1854 – It is now exactly four months since I first set out this season on a missionary tour; and you are already aware that God so remarkably opened the door in the place to which we first went, that
we found it our clear duty to remain at that place as our headquarters for a longer period than we had intended – visiting the numerous villages and market towns within our reach, while we carried on regular
services at Pechuia, our central station. The work there was so interesting that we felt it could not be abandoned, but as we were anxious to extend our efforts to one to two central positions farther inland, it was
necessary that other agents should take our place in order to leave us free to go forward. Accordingly, when, two months ago, I returned from Amoy to Peculiar, an addition was made to the number of native
assistants, and leaving two of these to occupy Peculiar, I proceeded on the 9 Th of March farther inland in company with the two native Christian companions with whom I had originally set out on the 9 th of January
from Amoy. The place to which we first went is a market-town, somewhat smaller than Pechuia, named Bay-Pay (Horse-flat), and distant from the former place, across the hills, about seven English miles. To this
place we had been invited by several persons, and here we remained (well-lodged and free of rent) for eleven days, in the course of which we visited and preached at almost all the villages in the neighborhood,
from thirty to fifty in number. We were almost everywhere favorably received, and our message listened to with attention, although there were no cases, as at Peculiar, of persons coming out and declaring themselves
on the side of the gospel. While at Bay-Pay, we heard it reported that at Peculiar one family had publicly destroyed their idols and ancestral tablets, (the latter the dearest objects of Chinese idolatry,) and that
another man had closed his shop on the Lord’s day, refusing admittance to a person who wished to trade with him. Both of these reports, so interesting to us, turned out to be true.

“From Bay-Pay we proceeded four or five English miles farther on to Polanski (South bank Bridge.) Here we were on the sea-coast, I suppose about fifteen miles south of the entrance to Amoy harbor. We were
well received here also, and would have gladly remained for a week or two, proceeding still farther south, as we were invited to do, but our books, &c, were becoming few, and our lodging – which would have been
very comfortable had we had sole possession of it – being partly occupied by opium-smokers and gambler, we resolved, after a stay of only four days, on returning to Peculiar. On arriving, we found to our delight
that the work there had made decided progress in our absence. The two native Christians (members of the American Mission Church at Amoy) whom we had left in charge, seem to have been much aided in teaching
the people. The preaching room had been crowded every night to a late hour by from forty to sixty persons, and those who had from the beginning shown an attachment to the truth, had evidently advanced in
knowledge and earnestness of spirit, and resolved to obey the gospel at the risk of much reproach and opposition. In our absence the station had also had the benefit of a short visit from Mr. Dot of the
American Mission. After returning from our inland tour, we continued our meetings at Peculiar with much encouragement, several members of the native church in Amoy having successively come out of their own
accord to aid in the work. During the last two or three weeks, however, the aspect of things at Peculiar has been considerably changed; for while those on the side of the gospel seem to go on in a way that fills our
hearts with thankfulness, and our mouths with praise, a disposition has been shown on the part of others to interrupt our meetings, which has obliged us at night to hold them upstairs, and more privately. The state of
the weather also at this rainy season has prevented us from doing so much as before among adjacent villages. When I left Peculiar last Monday, it seemed that, including young and old, there might be about
twenty persons who have declared themselves on the side of the gospel, but some of these are children, and two or three are women whom we have not seen – mothers who have received the truth from their sons or
husbands. Among the number of those who are attached to the gospel are two whole families; a promising youth of twenty, early showed much decision, having, on the birthday of ‘the god of the furnace,’ taken his god
and put it in the fire. The idol having been but in part consumed, his mother discovered among the ashes a part of its head, and father and mother together beat their son severely; but some of the other Pechuia
inquirers having gone to comfort the young man, and reason with his parents, their views underwent so sudden and entire a change, that in a day or two afterwards they, with their four sons, brought out all their
idols and ancestral tablets and publicly destroyed them in the view of the people. The father I have two or three times met with, and he seems, along with his four sons, (an interesting set of boys,) to be in a
promising state of mind. The other family is that of a respectable cloth-dealer, whose shop is in the same street with our lodging. This family has passed through remarkable trails, which seem to have prepared
them for receiving the gospel on its first announcement, they having twice lost all their property by robbers; and on the second of these occasions having had their house burnt, to cover the robbers’ retreat – when the whole family were obliged to leap from an upper story, and yet escaped unhurt! They are a very interesting family, and having in one point shown more decision than I have before seen in China, having (while yet only inquirers) shut their shop on the last eight Sabbaths, even although two of these Sabbaths were market- days. The family adjoining our house is literally divided – two against three, and three against two. The elder brother and his wife, oppose, — they live by making paper images used in idolatrous processions, for burning to the dead, &c; the mother, second son, with the youngest, who is a mere boy, are on the side of the gospel. The second son formerly made images with his elder brother, but has now given up his trade, and has begun a general business in one half of the shop which they have in common. It is curious though to notice that on the Lord’s Day the younger brother’s side of the shop is closed, while the elder brother’s side remains open! This young man, when we were absent farther inland, went down to Amoy with the desire of being admitted into the visible church; and though he has not yet been baptized, the American missionaries, who examined him, were astonished and delighted by the evidence which he gave them of knowledge, repentance, and faith; and would have admitted him a month ago, along with ten others (Amoy people), had it not been that my two native companions, returning the day before to Amoy, urged the expediency of delay. As I do not propose, in regard to these people, to act differently from what I have always done – viz, confining myself to the work of teaching and preaching, and leaving the peculiar duties of the pastoral office to others whom I may in the providence of God be called to cooperate with, several other persons, eight in all, have gone down to Amoy to be examined by our American brethren, with a view to baptism. With most of these cases these brethren are most interested; and I have told them that I think the time is come when, for the good of the Peculiar people, they should take a more special charge of that place as an outstation. This they are in a position to do, having native agents whom they can employ; and, indeed, through whose labors especially it is (I only cooperating with them) that the work has been carried on there to its present point. They have been, as I wrote to you last year, anxious to open a station at Chiang-Chow city; but the door there is at present closed, and now in this near locality a door wide and effectual has been unexpectedly
thrown open. I this morning met with Messes. Dot and Magenta, for prayer and consultation on this subject; and, if the Lord will, they propose soon to go to Peculiar and take measures for the regular carrying
on of the work there as an outstation. Two native brethren are still there, having remained in charge when I return to Amoy, and when there is need for it I shall of course go out again; but without more airy
accommodation I will have difficulty, I fear, in remaining long there at anyone time, now that the hot season is again setting in.”

Regarding these encouraging tokens, Mr. Burns might well write in another letter, —”In my own circle of observation, I have hardly seen so promising an appearance of the coming of God’s kingdom since I came to China …. You will see, from what I have stated, that there is indeed much to encourage prayer and effort in behalf of this benighted people; and that we have also cause for admiring thankfulness to our covenant God and Savior. In my own experience, the Lord’s goodness is so great and
unceasing, that, while friends in Scotland may look upon me as an exile, I feel as much at home here as I would wish to do on this side of the Jordan.”

And again, in reference to the great and effectual door that had opened up in that vast empire, he says, —”I am glad to hear of the increasing interest taken among you in the great work of the generalization of
China. We need laborers of the Lord’s own preparing – simple, self-denied, and prayerful; and still more we need prayer – the effectual prayer of the righteous – the righteous in Christ Jesus.”Mr. Dot’s letter in the “American Missionary Herald” accounts of the work of Mr. Burns’ in Peculiar as followed: 

“By the urgent importunity of Chicagoan, one of our native Christians, who delights in a tour for preaching, Mr. Burns was induced to start with him and another brother, Tie-Choan, on such a tour. They
left this place the 9 th of January. Their only definitely plan was, to go with the gospel to some region where it had not been heard. They went, by boat, to a market town on the mainland, about fifteen miles distant,
called Peculiar (White-water Camp), which is a commercial center for an extensive region, full of agricultural villages. Here they intended to begin work, expecting, after a few days, at longest, to go forward, making
known the gospel message as they might have opportunity, and just where the Master might providentially lead them. But for two months continuously the brethren were shut up to this one place and the nearest
villages, in holding forth day and night the Word of life. Almost at the very first declaration of the truth, some persons were interested, and became earnest inquirers. From that time to the present the work has
been gradually gaining in importance. Mr. Burns has rented a small building, the upper floor for his dwelling, while the lower is a preaching place. This is visited by many persons, who come in on market
days from all the surrounding region for purposes of trade. There are twelve such days in each month. Public worship is held on the Sabbath and every evening, and is attended by a goodly number of apparently
interested listeners. Of a few, hope is indulged that they have really passed from death unto life. Numbers have renounced their idols. Some have burned and destroyed them. Others have given them to the brethren
to be thus dealt with. Two of our native brethren are constantly employed in connection with Mr. Burns.”In March, Mr. Burns and two brethren made a tour of some weeks further in the interior, visiting some
places to which they had been earnestly invited by persons who had visited them at Peculiar. While they were absent, two other native brethren continued the labors at the first place. At this time it was my
privilege to make a short visit there. I found such an awakened interest and spirit of inquiry as I had never before met with among Chinese. It did seem as if the Holy Spirit was at work. The most marked cases are of
young men of some education, and endowed with considerable zeal and energy. These are very active in efforts to awaken the attention of others. From the first there have been opposer to the movement, and
recently there has been manifested a disposition to annoy and disturb the public worship. There are firm idolaters there, and the spirit of persecution is not wanting.

“Mr. Burns thinks the time is near when it will be an incumbent duty to gather those who give evidence of regeneration into the Church. One of these has already been with us at Amoy, and was examined as to his
Christian experience and knowledge. Never in any instance have we met with a case among the Chinese indicating more clearly the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. He was not, however, then received into
church-fellowship, it being thought more prudent that there should be some delay.”For the administration of the ordinances and the pastoral oversight of the disciples there, Mr. Burns, looks to us. During the whole course of his ministry he has ever acted simply as an evangelist, and is
unwilling to do otherwise. It is this feature of the case, and the intimate connexion of our native brethren with the work, which brings us as a mission into so close a relation with this wonderful visitation of God’s
mercy. With our hearts and hands full as they are here in Amoy, we scarcely know what we are to do. Although those converts might be gathered into the Church here perhaps, yet for their own spiritual
interests and usefulness, the proper place is doubtless their native town. In this case, pastoral oversight will be needful. This would be exercised by Mr. Burns so long as he remains in the place. But his desire and
purpose are not to be tied down to any locality longer than he feels he has evidence of a special call. While this is the case, the most we could do would be only an occasional short visit. The burden of the work would
devolve of necessity on native brethren.