| Probably only a small number of Nestorian Christians entered Canton in the 8th and 9th centuries, and they left no permanent results.; The Chinese Empire being closed to all foreigners, except a small number of business agents who were permitted to reside in the Factories at Canton, only Morrison could at first maintain himself there as an employee of the East India Company. All other early missionaries were obliged to work among the Chinese "Diaspora" in the Straits Settlements, the Indian Archipelago, and Siam.; When the first treaty ports were opened in 1842 the several Ultra-Ganges missions were closed one after another and the missionaries moved into the ports. The London Missionary Society, the American Board, and the American Baptists continued their work at Canton, Macao, and Hongkong. New Societies to begin work in Kwangtung were those of the Church of England, the American Presbyterians, the German missions, the English Wesleyans, and the English Presbyterians. Canton remained only partially open, and both officials and the populace continued their traditional hostility to the foreigners. The German missions were the first to establish stations in the interior outside of treaty ports, and by the end of the second period (1860) they had at least as many baptized converts as all the British and American missions together. Several missionaries---Medhurst, Bridgman, Dr. Parker, and S. Wells Williams---distinguished themselves in diplomatic service for their countries during the years of war and of negotiating treaties.; The third period (1860--1895) was characterized by rapid expansion of mission work in Kwangtung and by the establishing of a large number of inland stations. The educational work culminated in the founding of Canton Christian College (now Lingnan University) in 1885, while the medical work headed up in the Canton Hospital.; The first fifty years of Protestant missions in Kwangtung were a time of experimenting with modes of living in a tropical and Oriental environment, as well as with methods of work. The revival type of evangelism with which the missionaries had come had to be exchanged for one resembling our modern religious education. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
