The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-09-15
MISSION TO THE CHINESE.

PAVH~"AS
a civil and political point Of view. But the rel-
gious aspect Of that matter is also one OF unspeak
able interest. China has been for ages an almost
unknown land It's four hundred millions OF PEG
pie have been shut in from intercourse with the
world, or rather the world shut out from inter
course with them Of late years a wonderful
change has taken place. Treaties Of commerce
have been made with other nations, and restrie-
tons, partial or complete, have been removed.
They are now open for Missionary enterprise to
degree never known before. The Missions long
since or recently established can now be prosecuted
with appliances, and with a hOpetUlneSs which
should strengthen the faith and redOuble the et-
forts of the Christian Church. The disparaging
remarks about Missions to that country occasion
ally found in certain periodicals-sOme the off
spring of reconsideration, others Of in6dellty-are
unworthy of any attention except compassion to-
wards their authors. These sneers have marked
the course of such men whenever the Church has
been actively doing It's duty. The Saviour OF
the world did not make mistake, to be corrected
by the wisdom-falsely so called-of such men,
when he commanded his disciples to go into all
the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
Much has already been accomplished there, and
there is every reason to expect far greater sue
cess in the future-for the past has to a large ex-
tent been the work Of preparation. The Lord
bless all our dear brethren who have gone there
and elsewhere, and put it into the heart of the
Church to pray for them and sustain them in every
way.
But it is not the work Of Missions to China and
in China that we specially refer to now. It is
rather that of our mission to the Chinese as they
are coming to as. Here is opening field which
in its missionary aspects is likely very far to ex
eeed that of sending missionaries to China, That
the truth and Importance of this remark may be
made apparent let US consider
l. The advantages l,nder lcbich zee can reach
that people, ,ehea they enjgrate. They come and
are mingled with our own people, under all the
various occupations of society. They will become
merchants, mechanics, farmers, laborers in facto-
ries, on railroads and canals They viii become
domestic servants, and be directly witnesses Of
what goes on in our households. Now it is I'M
possible for them to be brought into such close re-
lations to our native population, without rapidly
learning cur language, and being brought under
the influence Of our opinions aud all the more
from the fact that they are known to be remark
ably quick witted people, aud that 1t viii be their
interest to become acquainted with whatever be-
longs to our social condition In this way they
must of necessity soon be made acquainted with
the leading facts and doctrines of the Christian
Egion Grant that much Of what they will see
and learn viii be the vices and wiokedness Of bad
people But after all this sad deduction, the IN
portant result must be as just stated. Now sup
pose million or many millions of these Chinese
brought to the United States within the next ten
years; we DO not think it is over estimating the
matter to say that far more could be done in the
work of personal eyangelizatiOn among them, than
has been done or win probably be done by all the
combined efforts of the Christian churches in Chi
ma itself But consider
, What ,0U Be the re-aetiag influence upon
China. 1t is a fact worthy Of particular notice
that the Chinese are thoroughly accustomed by
the structure Of their society, with the whole ma
ehinery Of associated action Societies of various
kinds are rami6ed over the empire. They can
therefore be quickly operated upon in the mass.
Another remarkable fact is that when they go to
other countries it is with the full expectation of
returning again to their native land, after they
shall have accumulated more or less of wealth.
1t is one Of the laws Of their societies that if they
are in foreign land their remains shall be carried
home, that their graves may be among their an
cestors This transportation Of the dead is now
constantly witnessed in California. The feeling
which prompts it is an intense one, growing out
Of their religious opinions and customs. The l5Or
ship Of ones ancestors, is well nigh UNIVERSAL the
duty is considered most sacred and it appeals to
one of the most deeply seated feelings of our ma
ture. Hence the desire of every one to be buried
where such hOnOrs may be paid at his grave.
Should there be a great emigration from China
to this country and continued for long time, it
may be expected that the custom Of returning
home will, after while, die away In fact its OBJ
servance viii be impracticable But while it lasts
consider the vast effect it must have in dssemiuat,
ing the gospel through that great empire. Every
man who returns viii communicate to thousands
such information as he has himself obtained And
as common education is almost universally diFuscd
among them, they viii while here be constantly
communicating with their friends at home by letter.
These suggestions might be enforced by many
facts and statements But glance at the case as
presented thus briefly is sufficient to satisfy intei
gent minds that should this emigration take place
as expected, it must open to our Christian people
such field for missionary enterprise as the world
has hardly ever beheld. 1t may be, in the wonder
working providence of God, his chosen plan for
spreading more rapidly his blessed gospel Of saliva
tion-Of sowing the precious seed of the kingdom
among four hundred millions of the human family
In this view how deeply alive should the Church
of God be, ready to embrace all the openings
as they present themselves and enter zeaousy
upon the work of bringing these strangers from
"the land of Sinim' to the knowledge of " the
truth as it is in Jesus -
As some evidence Of the encouragement to evan
geical efforts among this people we notice with in.
terest communication of the Rev. Dr. Elinwood.
of Rochester, New York. to the New York Fran
qelst, in which he gives the results Of special in
quires he has made in person concerning the Chi
nese in California He represents them to be al |
most universally quiet and inoffeusive, betaking
themselves readily to useful employments He |
thinks they win rapidly become Americanized.-
Sunday Schools are opening a new chapter in their
history. He quotes the following from the Rev.
Dr. Eells
The Chinaman has Just begun to find out that
the Christian churches are their friends. The |
usual plan is to employ teacher for every two or
three pupils. Even young lads and misses are in
demand to teach the alphabet and easy words
which for them, as well as for their pupils, is an
admirable drill. The interest aud doeilty of the