The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-10-28
From the Missionary for November
Presbytsry of Hangoaow.

1t will be remembered that the missionaries il
China were organized by the last Assembly into
Presbytery, which was to be called the Presbytery
| of Hangchow, aud that good deal of diversity O.
views prevailed in the Assembly in relation to tha
action A letter recently received from Mr. Hous
ton, of Hangchow, states that whilst the mission
aries at one time we're prepared to ask the Assem-
bly, to take this action, subsequent reflection, al
we'll as subsequent development of facts, led them
to the conclusion that the measure would be unwst
and inexpedieut. The reasons for not adopting
this measure, are set forth in the following extracts
of letter from Mr.. Houston, on the 23d of July
which, though evidently written without reference
to publication, are nevertheless, so welghty thai
they deserve the serious consideration of our PEG
pie. We ourselves are disposed to think that Mr.
Houston has furnished satisfactory solution tol
that xexed question, about the relationship which
should exist between missionaries and the presby
teries that may be organized by them in heather
lands, l. e., that they to sit IN those presbyte
ries as evangelists or corresponding members, to
give counsel and advice, but not to be members oil
those presbyteries. His views worthy, at least
of careful consideration. 1t is probable too, that
the missionaries will send up memorial to the
next Assembly, asking that the action of the last
Assembly in relation to this matter may be re.
scinded.
1T seems to us very doubtful, and remains to
be decided whether it is wise for the foreign mis-
sionaries to be united with the natives in presby
terry in China. As long as the foreigners are in
the majority in the presbytery, it is plain sailing,
for the body is then essentially foreign presbyte
~ But as the work progresses, the native ele
ment in the presbyery increases till at last it pre-
dominates greatly. There is, then, body of which
wo-thirds, say, are Chinese, and onethird foreign
ers This is about the present ratio IN the North
ery presbytery In this province. Now, all our PEG
ple in the South can appreciate the objections to
having two races combined in one presbytery. II
is true that the Chinese are superior to the negroes
and it might be said that the missionary bears a
sort of paternal relation to the Chinese converts,
which would tend to make presbyteria intercourse
easy But, on the other hand there is greater
resemblance between the habits of thought of the
white man and the black in our country, than be-
tween the white man and the Cinnamon here
and, as regards the paternal relations of the mis-
sonary, it must be remembered that the missona
res, who are fathers at first in presbytery. die
off and then the fathers of the Presbytery are Chi.
nese Such is now the case IN the Northern pres.
bytery here, and the Chinese who we're the asso-
cates of the early missionaries, look down some
what on the present race of missionaries as being
their juniors Here, then, we have two races
combined in presbytery, with the inferior race
still in contact with heathenism in the majority.
This seems to be state OF things which it is well
to avoid if practicable The grace ordinarily given
to men in the world does not seem to break up the
distinctions of race to such degree that China
man will not generally, prefer to vote with his
Chinese brethren, rather than divide with them,
and vote with his foreign brethren. 1t is, there.
fore, likely to happen in the Presbytery, that on
some questions the Chinese will stand as body on
one side, and the foreigners as a body on the
other. This happened more than once in the
Northern presbytery, and you will see, of course.
that it is thing to be deprecated l know that
this has been sore trial with our Northern breth-
rem. If the missionaries retained their simple
character as evangelists and only sat in the pres
byteries as corresponding members to advise and
instruct, this friction would be avoided. Again,
supposug case should arise affecting the honor OF
the foreign missionary. Would he be disposed to
submit his case to presbytery controlled by Chi.
nese converts, who are, in the very nature of the
case, comparatively immature Christians? think
not He could not feel that he was being tried by
his peers.
3D. Another reason why it is uDadvisable for for
eigners and natives to be joined in one Presbytery,
is that it tends to prevent the union of the native
Christians. 1t is evidently improper to perpetu-
ate here any difference not doctrinal, which may
exist in the churches at home; that is to say, all
the Presbytersns in one place should be led to re-
gard themselves as one body. Now, there are four
branches of the Presbyterian Church now opera,
ting in China-the English, Scotch, Northern, be.
sides our own. Where foreigners are united with
the natives in presbytery, the presbytery, OF