Page:The Chinese Empire. A General & Missionary Survey.djvu/162

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106
THE CHINESE EMPIRE

inhabitants of Peking, in connection with the exercise of benevolence to the afflicted, will tend to conciliate their regard for foreigners." How wonderfully this expectation has been fulfilled was witnessed in the opening of the Union Medical College on February 13, 1906. Every one has heard of the contribution of Taels 10,000 by the Empress Dowager to the building of this institution. H.E. Na-tung, a member of the Inner Council, was specially deputed to represent the Empress on the occasion of the ceremonial opening of the College, and he was accompanied by a brilliant assembly of the highest dignitaries of the Court, by members of the various Legations, Sir Robert Hart, and other residents in the capital. H.B.M. Minister, Sir Ernest Satow, and Sir Robert Hart, both of whom were personally acquainted with the late Dr. Lockhart, paid a high tribute to the character and labours of the pioneer missionary to Peking, and first[1] English Medical Missionary to China; and called attention to the fact that his memory was being fittingly perpetuated by the golden letters inscribed on the central gable of the building, "The Lockhart Medical College."

The American Board Mission, commenced by Dr. Blodget, is now strongly represented in five centres of foreign occupation. These are, in their chronological order: Tientsin, 1860; Peking, 1864; Kalgan, 1865; Tungchow, 1867; and Paotingfu, 1873. Large country districts are vigorously worked from these head stations. The foreign staff includes 14 ordained missionaries, 3 physicians, 8 single ladies, 3 ordained native pastors, over 50 unordained preachers, nearly as many teachers, and about 40 Bible women and female teachers. Communicants in 1904 were 1822. The well-equipped college and seminary at Tungchow are the educational headquarters of this Mission.

The English Methodist New Connexion Mission occupies a most extensive field in the north-east corner of the province, following the line of railway towards Shanhaikwan.

  1. Dr. Peter Parker was the first: see p. 15, and The Medical Missionary in China, by Dr. Lockhart, pp. 121-122.