THE AUTHOR'S VIEV/ OF MISSIONS. 83 



Again, the custom of exposing the dead to be 

 devoured by wild animals, a sight which may be 

 seen by any traveller near Urga, where hundreds of 

 corpses 'are annually devoured by dogs and crows, 

 revolting to the rudest nature, but not so to the 

 Mongol, who coolly drags his nearest and dearest 

 relatives to this spot, and sees the dogs tear his 

 father, mother, or brother to pieces as unconcernedly 

 as though he were a senseless creature. 



Let this be a lesson to Christian missionaries in 

 these countries, not to teach the mere outward ob- 

 servance of religion, but to accompany their doctrines 

 with refining influences of civilisation and the culture 

 of a superior race. First wean the Mongol from 

 his dirt ; convince him that idleness and sloth are 

 vices and not among life's pleasures ; impress upon 

 him that God requires of every man good works, 

 and not merely a certain number of set prayers ; and 

 then, if you will, explain to him the forms of the 

 Christian religion. The new doctrines must not 

 only open his mind to a new spiritual and moral life, 

 but must effect a radical chanofe in his domestic and 

 social state. Then only will Christianity bear fruit 

 and throw out new shoots sowing good seed among 

 the rude untutored inhabitants of Monp-olia.^ 



о 



' [Col. Prejevalski's opinion seems to be that when the tree pro- 

 duces its fruits, then, and not till then, is the time to plant it. — Y.] 

 Geographically Mongolia of to-day comprises the extent of coun- 

 try from the upper waters of the Irtish on the west to Manchuria 

 on the east, and from Siberia on the north to the Great Wall and 

 the Mahomedan countries lying near the Thian Shan on the south. 



G 2 



