The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-07-05
Memorial of Protestant Missionaries to the
Foreign Ministers at the Court Of
Peking China.

The idea OF presenting memorial TO the foreign
ministers at Peking was first suggested to some OF
the missionaries by Admiral Rodgers, commander
of the United States squadron in the China seas.
The memorial was prepared in Shanghai, after
having been carefully discussed and made, as far
as possible to meet the views of all. 1t was then
sent to all the ports in China for signatures, and
finally sent to the foreign ministers at Picking. 1t
bears the signatures Of niuetenths of all the Pro-
testant missionaries in China, while few, Rev.
Mr.. Matter writes, have not been heard from. He
also adds that On its presentation to the American
minister, he said that he fully agreed with its sem
timentS.
The memorial states first our high apprecia-
ton Of the enlightened policy of the treaties of
1880, made by Christian nations with China,
in guaranteeing not only extended commercial priv
ileges, but also tu liberation Of the Christian re
gion with protection for those who teach and those
who profess it.
Second: That on the faith of these treaty slip.
ulatiOns, with the approval OF the representatives
of foreign governments, and with the concurrence
Of the Chinese Government aud its officials num-
bcrs Of missionaries have established themselves
10 various parts of China at places more or less
remote from the ports And at these places lands
have been bought houses built, schools estab
lished, and missionary operations have been fully
carried on for series of years, recognized by the
| Chinese Government and our own.
1hlTd: w @ nave viewed with regret and appre-
hension, within the past few years, the inaugura
| ton of different policy from that which made
| and sanctioned these treaties, and approved our
| missionary operations under them,-a policy which
would not insist upon the full aud prompt observ-
ance of the treaties, by the Chinese.
Lastly: We are prepared to expect as we doubt
not the Christian ambassadors who made these
| treaties, and the Christian nations which ratified
them were prepared to expect, that the Christian
| religion in working its way into the minds and
hearts, the family circles and social system of the
Chinese, will excite opposition and occasion trou.
| ble as our Lord predicted, and as has ever been
| the case in the collision of truth and error. But
we by no means admit that therefore the Christian
religion should not be preached aud taught to the
Chinese, or that therefore the Christian missionary
| misrepresents either the Church which has sent
him, or the country to which he belongs
In thus presenting the views above given, which
we believe to be in accordance with truth and peace
and right, as well as with the best interests of the
people among whom we live and for whom we Ia
Dor, our purpose is to set forth what we think are
good aud sufficient grounds upon which we earn
estly deprecate such course towards the Chinese
authorities as will allow them to escape from their
treaty engagements and as in other regards so also
in the license hitherto secured to Christian mis-
sionaries for their specific work To repudiate
them now, will, We deeply feel, be wrong to us
and TO those who send and sustain US, as well as
an injury to the great cause Of Christian civiliza
ton