has proved that it is financially practicable for working-class families to own and occupy homes within which a superior standard of domestic life may be maintained, but without which the general level of economic efficiency of the com

F

munity is bound to decline in competition with other communities where a superior standard of domestic living prevails as an integral part of social and economic policy.

London, England.

By the Rev.

OR the purposes of this paper it is necessary to explain that I use the word church in the sense of meaning a religious organization with a clergyman in its service, that being the only sense pertinent to the subject under consideration; and my purpose is to demonstrate that the theological seminaries have so swamped the Congregational churches with ministers that numbers are starving—at least five hundred without work-and, through the intense competition, salaries are lowered generally, so that at present cheap men are in work and better ones driven to the wall. It will be understood that I rely upon a law that is regarded as nearly absolute by all teachers of political economy the law of averages; it is obeyed by all successful business enterprises in the world, and I know no act of Divine Providence that exempts the Congregational church from its operation. Only by disregarding it, by counting dummy churches as live ones, can my conclusions be shaken in any degree.

Dr. Dunning, in a letter to me, made this statement, "That of the churches reported in the Year-Book at least one thousand had only a name to live." On examination I found that at least that number had never employed a minister, nor subscribed one dollar for ministerial support, nor had a minister in any official relation. My first assertion, then, is this: That the number of churches reported in the Year-Book must not be taken as the estimate of the number of clergymen necessary to man the churches fully. I hope that is very clear.

Where, then, can we go to find out the exact proportion of clergymen that should be ready for the service of the churches? And no question can be more easily an1. In the Year-Book of 1898 there statistical summaries for forty

Magee Pratt

two years, and they supply the information. It is too long a story to go over to tell the whole fact. This will suffice: that in the forty-two years the highest percentage of clergymen employed by the reported churches is seventy-six per cent. of the whole (I omit fractions), the lowest seventy-one, but the gross average is about seventy-four. For the last ten years seventy-four and one-half per cent. of the total number of reported churches have employed ministers. Again I assert that if you prepare a greater percentage of ministers, the excess must starve or beg if they try to live for their profession.

Now, how many ministers have we? A somewhat harder question to answer, but still possible within all needful limits. The number of churches will not answer the question, for of the 4,242 churches returned as having pastoral care, it must be remembered that through the country there are but six men to every seven churches, each man averaging one and one-sixth church in his care. That leaves 3,535 clergymen who are really wanted by the churches. The 1898 Year-Book reports total ministers 5,639, of whom only 3,577 are in work-a slight discrepancy; but some churches have more than one minister, and some ministers four or five churches, so that an exact statement cannot be made. We have thus left us an apparent surplus of 2,062 clergymen, and the task is to find out how many are available for church work in the pulpit and how many are retired, sick, or otherwise employed. In the May number of the "Hartford Seminary Record" the Rev. G. W. Winch makes a careful estimate and proves that there were in 1897 at least 3,957 clergymen available; his estimate I believe to be too low, for reasons which I will give. In 1898 there were added 164 seminary graduates, making a total of 4,121 clergymen wanting work, some

in and some out of engagements; but there is work for only 3,577, and that gives the 544 surplus men that I claim are above the capacity of the church to employ; but there are more. Mr. Winch took the State of Massachusetts for his basis of calculation, and in 1897 there were reported 256 without pastoral charge in that State. Of that number thirty-five were seeking settlement and twenty were sick. Can it be credited that Mr. Winch simply subtracted the thirty-five from the 256 and took the percentage as the sample of the entire country? Would none of the sick recover out of the 256? There are 108 in church work as secretaries, missionaries, etc. Has any other State the same proportion? I am convinced that if a careful census were taken it

would be found that we have at least 750 surplus ministers to date. Then, as it was the purpose of Mr. Winch's article to prove that more ministers were wanted, he had to do what the seminary people always have done, count all reported churches; while over twenty-four per cent. of them always have been and are without pastoral care.

My own suggestion is that the National Council appoint a committee of inquiry into the actual condition of things, and do what is necessary to find a cure. Not another student should receive a cent of money to further his seminary training. It destroys his virtue, it hurts the church and ministry.

Missionary Society of Connecticut,
Hartford, Conn.

Wing Sing was the Mission School's prize pupil, and his teacher found it difficult to conceal her pride in his cleverness, even though she realized that it would serve to increase the already considerable stock of self-esteem which the boy's bland countenance expressed. But it was Wing Sing who courteously offered Miss Trent his escort through the outskirts of Chinatown to the car on dark winter afternoons, and for this thoughtful attention she was truly grateful. He also often assisted his teacher in the office of monitor, for the exalted position which his thirteen years gave him in the estimation of his younger schoolfellows lent force to his stern rebukes.

Although Miss Trent made several efforts to cure Wing Sing of his conceit, she signally failed, for at every attack Wing's correct, suave answer completely baffled her.

The Chinese school which Mary Trent taught was composed of one ungraded class, from three-year-old tots to the big boys in Wing Sing's division, who ranged in age from ten to twelve years, and in learning from the alphabet to the Third Reader.

From the first, Wing had shown such a quick scenting of knowledge that Miss Trent often longed to turn a deaf ear to

stupid Hop Get, as he laboriously spelled out the lesson, and to lean back in her chair and listen comfortably to Wing's smooth recitations. It was natural, therefore, that Wing Sing was often chosen to read on visiting-day of the Ladies' Mission Board, and that he never failed to win their approbation.

But one morning the serene Wing Sing presented himself in the school-room with such an insufferable air of complacency that Miss Trent could scarcely restrain herself from inventing some excuse to humble the young Mongolian's pride. Her intentions were frustrated,. however, for Wing's examples were as correct as usual, his penmanship an excellent counterfeit of her own, and he read without stumbling.

Ah

He furthermore manifested his complete happiness by bestowing a patronizing smile upon little Ah Yun, who was drawing on his slate the grotesque figure of a great dragon with a cat's face. Yun glanced up from his work, and, noting the remarkable condescension of the much-revered Wing, sheepishly covered up the sketch with his sleeve and turned to his speller with a studious air. the smile did not give place to a frown, as Yun fully expected. Miss Trent noticed the little incident, and felt convinced that

But

What shall it be, Wing?" asked Miss Trent, turning around on the piano-stool. Dare to do light, Dare to be tlue,'" answered Wing Sing, confidently.

6.6

The metallic Chinese voices joined heartily in the hymn, the little ones piping out a shrill treble, and the older boys growling an imitation of the melody in the vicinity of an octave below the others.

"Oh, if they only will 'dare'!" murmured Miss Trent to herself. "But it must be so hard to be true,' in such homes as theirs."

She shuddered at the thought, for with it came the recollection of a wild-eyed creature whom she had seen, a few weeks before, dragged along between two policemen, one of whom held the highbinder's smoking pistol. Wing Sing had quickly led her away from the crowd and the terrible sight on the sidewalk, but she had seen enough to haunt her dreams for many a day.

Recoiling from the memory, Miss Trent obeyed an impulse to apply to her charges a little moral lesson.

"Luey Woon," she said, "if some one should wish you to join the highbinders when you are a man, what would you Say?"

Luey rose, with one hand on his desk, and promptly replied: "I say Teacher no likee; Luey not fight for Highbinder Tong."

.

Miss Trent smiled. I hope you will have a stronger motive," she said, half audibly.

Hop Get, what would you do if bad man gave you money to hide in a dark place and shoot his enemy?"

And slow, chubby-faced Hop Get answered cheerfully, after pondering a moment, "I say, Never learn shoot; chop wood for fader, rather use hatchet.'

Several pairs of black eyes twinkled. The older boys saw the comical side of stupid Hop Get's answer. They giggled in a smothered way, while Miss Trent

turned away her face to conceal her amusement.

But Wing Sing was solemn through it all. A troubled look came over him. He put down his book and gazed vacantly at the whitewashed wall, with its gayly lettered mottoes in Chinese characters.

Before dismissing the school Miss Trent made another attempt at her little

sermon.

"Luey, what shall we call that text ?” "All same Clistian doctline," promptly replied the boy.

With an approving smile, Miss Trent dismissed the children, and fondly watched the odd troop, with their thin little queues, pieced out with red and pink cord, bobbing behind them, as they all filed down the steps, wondering how much of the lesson of mercy had filtered into their hearts.

Wing Sing passed out with his usual respectful bow, but when he said "Goodby, Miss Tlent," he lingered for just an instant.

66

What is it, Wing? Do you wish to ask me something?"

"No, guess not, Teacher; good-by," he answered, edging off, and leaving his teacher looking rather anxiously after him. Hurrying down the street, he overtook Luey Woon.

"Luey," he began in a low tone, speaking in Chinese, “Luey, I am in trouble. Will you help me?"

Luey, only too glad to be taken into Wing Sing's confidence, quickly assented. "I will help you, Wing Sing, even if they cut off my head."

Wing. "Last night fader send me to China doctor's for blue powder-medicine to paint little brother's mump. When I come back, I stop to talk with boy at corner of Clukid Allee. When I say so long' to boy, I see big lat cleep down allee, and I go velly soft to sudden scare him. Lat lun long way, and I get 'way deep down Clukid Allee.

"Pletty soon I hear some one come down doorway, and I get 'flaid all of sudden. Then I hide in dark corner, and, quick, man come out and whisper, and they say this," and Wing lapsed again into Chinese.

"To-morrow night, when the big clock in the Christian church tower points to nine, you will wait at the second turning of the Crooked Alley, and when Ah Lee, the chosen victim of the Yee Soon Tong, comes gayly past to spend the evening opium-smoke with his friends of the Min Soon Tong, you will raise the shining blade, and the debt of the Yee Soons will be paid.

"Then you will cast away your knife and run quickly down the dark alley and over the housetop of Moon Toy, and back into the street, where you will idly mingle with the crowds who seek the man-killer. And when for many days the noise has died, you will come to the meeting-place of the Yee Soon Tong, where you will find smiles and gold."

doctline teach do what fader like. This morning I so happy, think Ah Lee get punish, make fader happy. Go to school, teacher talk about Clistian doctline, do good to enemy. Fader always say obey

teacher.

Now what I do?" And the usually self-possessed Wing Sing was the picture of distress.

"I do' know; bad both way," answered Luey, solemnly.

"If we do kindness to enemy," continued Wing, "must do it very quick. Five o'clock now," he said, glancing up at the old cathedral clock, which was rapidly ticking away the life of Ah Lee.

But if fader hear, he get velly mad, mebbe. He not like me get in highbinder fuss."

Luey had no further suggestions to offer, and Wing Sing went home in great dejection. On the way he passed Crooked Alley, but it looked quite harmless by daylight, and he endeavored to persuade himself that the tragedy would not take place. But he knew perfectly well that it would if Ah Lee kept to his usual custom. The Yee Soons were sure to carry out their part of the programme.

His father scolded him a little for dawdling on the way from school, but was mollified when his son read aloud, in a high pitched voice, his lesson for the next day. After the lesson his father held the book and slowly pronounced the shorter words, and Wing Sing spelled them. But he was restless and made several mistakes. Suddenly he interrupted with, "Father, is Ah Lee a very bad man?"

16

"Yes, my son," replied Fun Choi. Many years ago, in my native village, he did a very bad deed, as I have often told you. But it is right that you should ask once more, and once more I will tell you.

Wing Sing's conscience straightened out its painful kinks. At that moment he would almost have been willing to watch the hatchetman do his dreadful deed. But after supper, when he was permitted to go outside, his steps instinctively led him near Lee's door, and the influence of the mission teaching again assailed him.

While he watched, the door opened and Lee appeared and crossed the street to make a purchase at a fruit-stand. Wing Sing almost clutched the man's blouse as he passed him, resisting with difficulty the impulse to cry aloud a warning to the highbinder's prey, but the boy restrained himself with a subtle instinct of caution. He went home trembling with excite

man.

"Teachers are always to be obeyed," replied Fun Choi. "The teacher of my son is very learned, though she is a woShe will make Wing Sing an honorable man if he follows her wise counsel." With this oracular utterance ringing in his ears, Wing Sing again went out, this time doubly fortified to do his Christian duty.

Fun Choi was an indulgent father, and allowed his son to remain out-of-doors until half-past eight on summer evenings. It was ten minutes past eight when the door once more slammed behind Wing Sing. Lee's door was closed, and there was no light within. Perhaps by this time he was wending his way up the fateful Crooked Alley.

Wing's methodical brain for once was in a sad muddle, but he gathered his scattered wits to work on the only means possible. He first recklessly tore out a page of his greatly prized Reader, and, sitting on the steps of his father's shop, laboriously wrote a warning message in carefully formed English letters.

The letter read thus:

"Ah Lee, if you go to crukid allee tonight you big fool.

"You look out. Hatchetman Hide to Kill you. I hear him Talk. Your Bones never go back to China burying."

The fierce prediction in the closing sentence was inserted as a sop to that part of Wing Sing's conscience which sympathized with his father, although the

tone of contempt was not quite consistent with the good-fellowship of the warning.

With a beating heart, he watched for a lull in the stream of passers-by which would give him the opportunity to place the paper under Lee's door. A knot of curious tourists followed their guide around a corner, and the block for the moment was deserted.

Wing Sing quickly crossed the street. He had slipped but one end of the note under the sill when a sudden noise from within alarmed him.

It would never do for the son of Ah Lee's enemy to be caught in such an undignified act. Wing Sing, therefore, ignominiously took to his heels, and did not look back until he reached the shelter of his own premises, where, putting aside a corner of the old green silk curtain, he saw a light stream out into the street as Lee's door opened and the paper was picked up.

For an instant the door remained ajar, then it was quickly banged, the shutters closed, and the abode of Ah Lee gave no further sign of life.

Two days later Miss Trent was surprised to receive a call from a courteous, strange Chinese, who listened with interest to the exercises of the school, and, before bowing himself out, insisted upon leaving with her a little sandalwood box containing a twenty-dollar gold piece.

"From my flend to lady who teach her Chinaboys be kind to enemy," he said.

Miss Trent protested in vain. She saw that he would be highly offended if she refused, so she said: "Thank you very much. I will give it to the ladies of the Board, and they will use it to send other boys to school." But the man had gone while she spoke, satisfied that his errand was accomplished.

When Wing Sing returned from school that afternoon, he found his father rejoicing over the unexpected windfall of one hundred dollars, sent by an unknown hand.

On a strip of red paper were inscribed the Chinese characters which read:

"Suitable portion is intended for Wing Sing, the eldest son of the honorable Fun Choi, the studious youth whom his countrymen admire, and who writes his name so skillfully upon the white page of his study-book,"