OCR Text |
Show PROGRESS OF CHINA AND JAPAN. The wonderful progress made in China has been emphasized of late by the Rev. Griffith John, a long time missionary of the London Missionary Society, who has been visiting in this country. Forty years ago it was a crime for a foreigner to learn the Chinese language or for a Chinaman to teach it to him, and though the Nanking treaty was made in 1812, when Mr. John went to China, twenty five years ago, there were only five places in the vast Empire in which a foreigner might dwell. The great interior was still closed, as none might go further than could be reached in twelve hours from a treaty port. The whole Empire is now open. Thirteen out of the eighteen provinces have been actually occupied by missionaries and their families, the Gospel has been preached in nearly all the principal cities and towns, and the Bible and many forms of Christian literature are circulated everywhere. Japan, however, rivals China in every sort of progress. The Government is determined to put the country, as to army, navy, education, railways, telegraphs, common schools, etc., on a level with England and America. The European postal and lighthouse systems are adopted. There are 3,500 post offices already opened. The number of letters mailed increases 50 per cent annually. There are already about forty lighthouses, and they are as well served as those of any nation in Christendom. And the statement is very significant that the Government is growing jealous of the expensive immunities of the nobles who receive pensions amounting to $11,000,000. It is levying a tax of 20 per cent on these incomes. |