Thi«  was  what  was  told  me  by  an  African  Missionary,  but  1  am  very  sorry  that
such  a  length  of  time  is  devoted  to  this  question,  for  there  are  many  others
vhich  should  have  been  discussed  in  this  Conference ;  one  for  instance  being  the
betrothal  of  infants  in  China,  which  is  a  very  important  question.
I  believe  this  question  has  been  neglected  too  much  by  some  Mission-
aries in  China.  The  Basle  I^Iissiou  had  very  much  difficulty
dt«ccastoff  this  question,  the  Mic^sionaries  not  being  unanimous.  I  will  ask  some
of  the  Chinese  Missionaries  who  may  speak  after  me,  to  give  us  their  opinions
upon  this  question.  We  have  always  to  bear  in  mind  the  various  customs  of
Tarious  natiooH.  We  have  difficulty  in  dcalinfj  with  them,  and  we  are  not  to  look
Co  e«e  wb^tJier  they  are  coiuucli  «1  with  idolatry  or  not ;  and  the  iKtrofhal  of
infanta  n,  i  believe,  connected  with  idolatry,  because  it  rules  in  their  ancontral
trorsliip  ;  so  we  ought  to  be  very  careful  as  to  allowing  the  betrothal  of  infanta  to


Qb  botn>th«l
afinfuiU.
*


78  M1S9I0NAKY  METHODS — (3)   SOCIAL  CUSTOMS.
any  whio  are  coimected  with  our  Churches,  because  much  mischief  might  accruet '
I  would  ask  you  to  give  ua  some  information  about  this  matter.
