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14 GENERAL REVIEW OF THE YEARWar conditions affect the northern Chinese very considerably, but notwithstanding, two additional native pastorshave been called, while a third was called last winter.As to the effect on non-Christians as hearers of thegospel, the war has been no appreciable hindrance. (Thisis also the opinion of many other missions.) Hearers are justas numerous as ever. Some are puzzled that Christiannations should be at war. Others think it is the non-Christian sections on each side who are to blame, and againothers are callous and indifferent. One missionary reportsthat the main war criticisms and difficulties have arisenfrom the attitude of a few of the Christian leaders themselves. Pastor Chu of Newchwang thinks that the war hastwo bad results :"(1) The churches will suffer for the want of new missionariesor through the absence of experienced ones.Educated Chinese who read the"(2) papers will be still moreprejudiced against Christianity. These men do not read the Bible,but they do observe the conduct of those who profess to follow itstenets, and the events in Europe tend to convince them that Christianity is a failure. But many others doubt whether the Chinese areinfluenced one way or the other."The London Missionary Society reports no reduction inthe estimates, and no changes of policy directly or indirectlydue to the war. There have been fewer recruits for theforeign field, but the work goes on as usual in all departments.The English Baptist Mission reports in a similar strain.The worst thing is the shortage of doctors.The Friends Mission, Szechiuan, reports that it has notbeen found necessary to make any radical changes. Curiouslyenough, this mission has had a larger reinforcement sent tothe China field during 1915 than ever before in one year.The Church of England Mission, North China, reportspractically no difference since the ar began, although threewrmissionaries have gone home for war work and no recruitshave come out.The Church Missionary Society reports that everythingcontinues as in times of peace, with only slightly reducedestimates.The English Presbyterian Mission says that the war hasmade very little difference, though they do not know how 7it