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A Christian
University.

Distinguish between the system and the men.

FOURTH DAY. classes in which the omission of prayer would be both noted and regretted by large numbers of the pupils. Reference has been made in the course of this discussion to the proposal for a Christian University. That proposal has been made in the interests of Christian education and with the best intention. But what would it mean? It would involve the withdrawal of large numbers from Christian influences, and it would mean still more the loss of the very class in whose interests the proposal has been made. Do you not think that the Christians are as intelligent in regard to their academical interests as the non-Christians? Do you imagine that they will separate themselves from the educational life of their country and retire to a separate University? You do not understand them if you suppose that they will readily consent to such a separation. They will go where their countrymen are; they will not consent to be divorced from the body of their educated countrymen. It is not for us to encourage any such withdrawal, but to strive more strenuously than ever to make those institutions, in which they and their educated non-Christian brethren share the same instruction, what they should be as instruments of a truly Christian education. We all have our views with regard to Government education in India. We all know that under the limitations which are imposed upon it, it is not able to do the work which an education which recognizes the spiritual needs of the people should accomplish for the people of India. But while we thus judge of the system, we ought to beware of using expressions which would throw a suspicion on the men who are engaged in it. Amongst them are to be found Christian men who are conscientiously and ably discharging the duties of their position who would naturally feel pained by any unjust reflections. It is the defects of the system with which we have to deal, and of these defects increasing experience brings increasing evidence. The Government itself recognizes the truth of the positiod. They have in fact appealed to others to take up a work which, from the necessary limitations imposed upon them, as a Government they cannot themselves hope to accomplish. Let me, in conclusion, express my own conviction, based upon a long experience of the work done in this College, that I do not believe that you will find in any department of missionary labour, work that is more spiritual in its aim and character than the work of Missionary Institutions. Every hour spent amongst the young men of these Schools and Colleges may be an hour of Christian service -a service that is fitted to call forth the highest spiritual sympathies of every Christian worker who knows his high privilege and his great opportunity. I thank God for the time and spirit of this discussion; I believe that all of us who are engaged in this work will have occasion to thank God for its results. As I have said in my paper, the question

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cess, knowing that we have the curflence and sympathy of car feceriss (Lates. The whole work is che; and suo All eneseni cess in any department does not deveni solely on the men in one work, who are engaged in it. We who are working acrg eduested yong men feel that the work is too great for us. We meet men who are our equals in intellect; it is solely e`r experience which enables us to teach them. We desire and air at the conversion of individuals, but we believe that there is a great movement in the whole class, which it was beyond our power to create, and will be almost beyond our power to control. And this is the work of the Spirit of God, in answer to the prayers of the whole Church. Knowing that the work is one, we must strive to More knowknow and understand each other's work better. Perhaps we lodge needed, educationists have been narrow, and shut ourselves off too much. It would be well if we all had to acquire the vernacular of the province we work in. I was for three years a preaching missionary in this city, and would go back to that work with pleasure, ` if I were not needed where I am. And I am thankful that I have learned the work and diffenities of those who labour among the less educated classes. On the other hand, it would be well if all missionaries took a livelier interest in our college work. The doors are open we welcome you to come and see it. For I am certain that the opposition to our work is based on ignorance. Once let a man come face to face with Opposition these young students in our colleges, and speak to them, and he the result of will never cease to be interested in them, and in the work done ignorance, for them. As has been said, to day's discussion seems to indicate a step in advance with regard to the appreciation of our work; and I can only repeat that it sends back to our homes with new cheerfulness and zeal, and with a strengthened resolve to bring all our teaching to bear on the turning of our students to God.

FOURTH DAY,

Industrial work should

XI.-INDUSTRIAL WORK.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

LARGE HALL-2 to 4-30 P.M.

J. MORRIS, Esq., Bombay, in the Chair.

The Chairman said:-We have for our consideration this afternoon-" Industrial work." I believe this is a subject which has often occupied the attention of Missionary Conferences; but it is a question of great be extended. interest and importance, because it has such a practical bearing upon the well-being of the Native Christian community, and is therefore bound to press itself to the front on an occasion like this. If one may express an opinion, I venture to think that Industrial work should occupy a more prominent position on this missionary programme, and should be looked upon as a part of educational work; and that any general movement for the establishment, on a practical basis, of industrial work in connection with Christian missions, by educating the Indian Church to look forward to such a work, will be a great step in advance, and will go a very long way towards helping the Indian Christian community into an honourable position of prosperity and true independence, and therefore relieve the missionary from many of the difficulties which he now experiences in the care of his converts. In this connection is it too much to hope that the missionary societies might be induced to stretch out a helping hand to that large and increasing community of domiciled Europeans and Eurasians, and by assisting them in such a scheme provide a body of trained men who, by the circumstances of their lives, are the most fitted to succeed in such a work under missionary supervision?

skilled labour.

Might not such an union tend to popularise the move, Forary Day, ment and raise up in India a great tradeguild which would eventually contribute to the prosperity of this vast community? I speak with difdence, as my experience is Demand for confined to this city; but, as a practical man, whose business has for many years brought him into contact with native artisans, I think there is an ever-increasing demand for skilled workmen; and I believe, generally speaking, that if an Indian Christian is a master at his trade, his religion will not be a bar to his employment, but that he may stand shoulder to shoulder with his Hindu and Muhammadan brothers in our labour markets, and I think that this applies not only to the arts, but to manufactures, and perhaps to agriculture.

FIRST PAPER.

By the Bev. L. J. FROHNMEYER, Basel Mission, Tellichery, Malabar :

I must begin with a testimonium paupertatis. The topic of Industrial Mission has been dealt with almost at every Mission Conference under different designations. In most cases it has been the Basel Mission which was selected to plead for mission tiles and towels; and looking over all these papers and the discussions attached to them, it seems that the ground is rather well trodden. It is somewhat humiliating besides to see, now and then, that in compliance with the word of our Lord, "By their fruits ye shall know them," such who know something of the existence of a Basel Mission, know it only by its industrial productions. As I am Principal of a Theological Jack of all Seminary and of a Normal School, besides Pastor of a congre- trades. gation, one may imagine the amount of satisfaction it gives me when I receive an order from Mysore or Calcutta to send half a dozen table-cloths. Should there be any want of enthusiasm for the mattter on my side, the post-scriptum Please, be sharp" ought to make my heart beat high. Some Muhammadan firm at Madras also never tires of asking me how much

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FOURTH DAY. commission I should be prepared to give for selling my cloths at the capital of the Presidency. I should feel sorry, if the impression in missionary circles were, that Basel missionaries cannot, and like not, to speak about anything else but of the centre and crown of their work-the Industrial Establishments. We are so far from boasting of our Industrial Mission that, as often as we are called to the platform, we appear there fully prepared, that objections will be raised against our Industrial Mission. We do not say: "Be our imitators!" We shall be satisfied, if our cause is fully understood amongst our fellowworkers, to whose sympathies we cannot be indifferent; perhaps our experience may also be of some use to those who work under difficulties similar to ours.

Missionary principles.

As to missionary principles in this connexion, I should think there is on the main no difference of opinion between us. That we have come out to India to win souls for Christ and to preach the Gospel to all nations of this vast empire, none of us will deny. We may go a step further and say what we consider to be not only one of many results we should like to achieve, but the deciding fruit of our work out bere is the spiritual regeneration to be effected by the Gospel. If any missionary could do purely spiritual work without being encumbered by anything like cares for the earthly subsistence of his converts, I should think him happy. Where these outward things can be settled by the people themselves; where the social surroundings are in perfect order, I am sure no missionary will care to mingle with the tremendous question; how man's soul and body should be kept together? On the other hand, I fail to understand how missionary work can be looked upon as a mere spiritual matter. Quite apart from the care for the existence of converts, there is so much of earthly and secular business necessarily connected with, and preparing for, the spiritual work, that to ignore this would do away with mission-work altogether? mission-work carried on in this world cannot shun the conditions and tasks of this earthly life. Even Christ did not restrict himself to purely spiritual work. He was followed by people who sought first of all for bread, and he did not send them away, Examples of St. Paul and the other apostles made it their common bond to remember the poor, and St. Paul travelled about not only as the great ideal of every missionary in general, but as the first

our Lord and St. Paul.

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