Eev,  W.  McGregor  (English  Presbyterian  Mission,  Amoy) :  I  should  ako
like  to  «ay  a  few  words  upon  this  question  of  polygamy.  When  our  Lord
nminded  the  Jewi  of  the  original  iiutitution  of  marriAge,  I  believe  He  laM


t


64  inSSIONABT   METHODS — (3)   SOCIAL  CUSTOMS.
down  a  rule  which  is  to  be  the  rule  of  the  Christian  Church  in  all  ages.  If
we  are  to  admit  Chiistian  polygamy,  I  do<  not  see  how  we  are  to  exclude
Admit PoiTrmmy  '^'t^ristian  polyandry.  With  regard  to  the  question  of  dilierent
Polyandry  fulas  foF  thoso  wlio  are  already  married,  my  eJtperience  in  the
miutfauow.  Mit^Pionary  field  has  led  me  to  think  that  id  what  we  do  we
must  carry  with  U8  the  conscioDcea  of  our  Christian  converts ;  and  I  am
persuaded  that  if  we  have  one  rule  for  this  member  and  anotlier  for  tliat
member,  we  shall  not  carry  their  consciences  with  us.
With  regard  to  the  case  of  China,  whic^  I  know  best,  I  was  very  much
ama^jed  to  hear  a  gf^ntleman  who  has  b&en  in  China  saying  that  all  the  women
whom  a  Chinaman  has  iu  his  household  are  equally  wives.  The  Ohinose  recog-
nise Bimply  one  woman  as  the  real  wife — one  woman  an  the  mistrew  of  the

hoiis<.]iold  ;  there  is  a  second  wife  who  haft  quite  a  different  porition
wif/inciini!.  subordinate  to  her.     All  the  others  are  simply  concubiiiea,  bought

for  BO  much  money,  and  they  do  not  hold  the  position  of  wives  at  all.
