THE KING’S BUSINESS CHINA INLAND MISSION By REV. F. A. STEVENS
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I N THE summer of 1888 Hudson Taylor visited the United States and Canada for the first time, by invitation of D. L. Moody, for Northfie'.d, and Dr. William J. Erdrnau, for the Niagara Bible Conference. As a result, wholly unexpected by Mr. Taylor, God stirred the hearts of His people to give of their money and their prayers,, and to offer personal life service, to such an extent that fourteen young missionaries sailed for China with Mr. Taylor; and a small coun cil, with Henry IT. Frost as secretary, was formed to. deal with other candidates and to represent the mission at home. It is eighteen years since this animal con ference was discontinued, and now, in an swer to much prayer and thought during several years, th e ; China Inland Mission has been led to convene a Jubilee Confer ence for missionary interest and Bible study in the same spot-—Old Niagara, Ontario. Because of the close connection of place and persons and history, the new Con ference, whilst entirely distinct, seems to be the natural heir to all the traditions and affectionate interests, of the old Confer ence. It has been delightful to receive cor dial responses from many of the old friends, and to meet them again on the opening day, June 15. Many memories of departed teachers and friends were recalled by those who had known and loved them. ■ The meetings continued for six days, and we realized a deep sense of being.gathered together to the Lord. * No discordant note was heard, and the fellowship among those assembled was very real. The attendance at some of the meetings rose to nearly 300, about half of these having come from places at a distance. Pittsburg, Philadel phia, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Montreal, Toronto, London, Los Angeles and many other cities were represented, and many friends who could not come sent messages of fellowship, congratulation and prayer. The Bible teachers were all members of
the Council of the mission, and among them we listened to the veteran, Dr. W. J. Erd- man, who at 85 is still vigorous and clear in his teaching ; his son. Prof. Charles Erd- rrian, of Princeton.; Rev. R. Â. Torrey, D.D., Dean of thé Bible Institute of Los Angeles ; Principal T. O’Meara, of Wycliffe College, Toronto ; Principal J. McNicol, of the Toronto Bible College; Dr. F. H. Farr, of Philadelphia, and others; Rev. Henry. W. Frost, the home director, presided throughout the Conference. The missionary speakers- were Dr. and Mrs. F. H. Judd, Dr. and Mrs. F. À. Kel ler, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wilcox, Rev. and Mrs. J. Vale, Rev and Mrs. F. A. Stevens, Mrs. Shapleigh and Miss Palmer. The location of the Queen’s Royal Hotel and the pavilion on a bluff overlooking the Niagara River and Lake Ontario; with the historic fort Mississariga, on the Canadian side, and Fort Niagara, at Youngstown, on the American, shore, contributed to afford an enjoyable holiday, along with the op portunities of blessing which- the Confer ence brought to us. From the first, it was felt that the Confèrence ought to be called again for next year, and a unanimous vote of the Mission Council (of which twenty members were gathered together) and then a unanimous vote of the whole Conference, confirmed this purpose. Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving to God as we come down from this high place of privilege and blessing. Offers Orange Grove A young man eager and desirous of ob taining training in the Bible Institute for service in the foreign field would dispose of a valuable piece o f orange land close to Los Angeles,' at very reasonable terms. Money derived therefrom will be used for definite training and field work. Address “Daniel,” care of .Superintendent of the Bible Institute.
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