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1. OBJECT.—The China Inland Mission tvas formed under a deep sense of China's pressing
need, and with an earnest desire, constrained by the love of Christ and the hope of His coming-, to obey
His command to preach the Gospel to every creature. Its aim is, by the help of God, to bring the
Chinese to a saving knowledge of the love of Gob in Christ, by means of itinerant and localized work
throughout the whole of the interior of China.
2. CHARACTER.—The Mission is Evangelical, and embraces members of all the leading
denominations of Christians.
3. CONSTITUTION.—The China Inland Mission consists of a body of Missionaries labouring
in China, and of the members of the Home Departments of the Mission. The Missionaries are members,
not agents, of the Mission, and the direction of the work at home and in China is undertaken by one
or more Directors, those in China being themselves Missionaries.
The Mission, which was founded in 1865 by the Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, with the help and
co-operation of Mr. W. T. Berger, is carried on under the direction of a General Director, assisted
by those who at his invitation are associated with him in the conduct of the work. It has its Home
and China Departments, which all work in mutual co-operation.
In the management of the Home Department for Great Britain and Ireland, the General Director
is assisted, and in his absence is represented, by a Home Director ; he is further assisted by Secretaries,
and is advised by a Council. This Department receives applications from candidates, accepts as
probationers those who appear suitable, and facilitates their going to China. It does what in it lies to
promote missionary interest at home, and receives contributions for the work, which it remits Xo China,
retaining what is necessary for home expenses. In short, it manages the affairs of the Mission in the
United Kingdom.
In the management of the Home Department for any other country in which a Council has been
formed, the General Director is in like manner assisted and represented by a Home Director (if any) for
that country ; he is further assisted by the Secretary or Secretaries, and is advised by the said Council.
In case there should be no Home Director, the Genefal Director acts as such, and the said Council advises
him when present, and represents him when absent, about matters arising within its own sphere.
In the management of the China Departmerf, the General Director is also China Director, and
as such may be assisted, and in his absence is represented, by a Director or Directors, or by a DgptTty
Director. He is also advised by a Council composed exclusively of Missionaries, including among them
all the Superintendents of Provincial Districts, as presently described. This Department receives
probationers on arrival in China, admits to membership of the Mission those who approve themselves as
suitable, locates the workers, distributes the funds, and directs the operations of the Mission in the field.
The further arrangements in China may be summarised as follows :—
A Missionary-in-charge superintends each station or district, and directs the operations of those
residing and working in his district.
A number of these districts form together a provincial district, and over each a Superintendent is
appointed, who takes a general oversight of all the work within his district. In matters of gravity he will
generally call together the senior Missionaries in his district for prayer and conference.
The various Departments, besides managing the affairs of the Mission arising within their own
sphere, also mutually assist one another with advice in any matter relating to the general well-being of
the Mission.
4. SUPPORT.—The Mission is supported entirely by the free-will offerings of the Lord's
people. The needs of the work are laid before God in prayer, no personal solicitations or collections
being authorised. No more is expended than is thus received, going- into debt being considered inconsistent with the principle of entire dependence upois God. The Directors therefore cannot, and do not,
promise or guarantee any fixed amount of support to the workers. They seek faithfully to distribute the
funds available, and to meet the need of each worked In cases where a Director himself receives support
from the funds, the Council of the country in whiijh he resides will be responsible for the arrangements
as to the supply of his needs. Every member of thi Mission is expected to recognize that his dependence
for the supply of all his need is on God, Who called jhim, and for Whom he labours, and not on the human
organization.
While Candidates, therefore, when approved, may be assisted in their outfits for the voyage, may
have their passage-money paid for them, and may be supported in whole or in part by the funds of the
Mission, their faith must be in God, their expectation from Him. The funds might fail, or the Mission
might cease to exist; but if they put their trust in Him, He will never fail nor disappoint them.
5. EXPENDITURE.—The Home Departments are responsible for the disbursement of all
funds in their respective countries, for making the remittances to the China Department, and for
securing an annual audit, and the publication of an ibstract of accounts.