, 1876-11-26
THE ROMAN CATHOLICS m CHINA.

decided, and the public mind being in a
ferment, each succeeding Sabbath should
bring quiet and rest. By way of renewed
efforts to soothe the public pulse, We once
more address ourselves to the question Of
Chinese religions, choosing for to-days theme
brief summary Of the work Of Roman
Catholic missions in China selecting this
Church because its work is the most impor-
tant in that country. The labors of the
early founders Of Catholic missions in China
were attended by many and extreme difficult
ties. MArrEo R1CC1 was one Of the earliest
missionaries, and he succeeded in attracting
the attention of the Emperor and considera-
ton for his religion by teaching astronomy
and Western sciences. In order to retain his
position at Court, however, he compromised
Christianity to such an extent as to cali
forth the most strenuous opposition from
bis own Church. 4 warm controversy arose
between the Jesuits, to whom R1cc1 be:
Emperor took sides with the Jesuits, and
granted federation to the new religion only
as they taught it.
In 1724, YuEo-CHNa, the Emperor, issued
an order prohibiting the propagation Of the
Catholic religion, and commanding all the
missionaries not required for scientific pur-
poses to leave the country, and IN era of per-
secution set in by which many Of them lost
their lives. After the execution Of the treaty
which opened the five ports, however,
Catholicism made great progress In 1916,
there were twelve Bishops, eight conductors,
eighty foreign missionaries, and ninety
native priests. The number of converts was
not far from 400, 900. In Sz-chuen alone
there were ffty-four schools for boys and III
for girls. There were six colleges for edu-
eating native priests, and the amount
Of funds received for them amounted
to $4,000. Under the protection Of
recent treaties, the missions of the
Church are now carried on openly and with
renewed activity. The number of foreign
priests has been greatly increased, also the
schools and asylums. Under the provisions
of the treaties, lands aud building-sites
which were taken away from them during
the period Of persecution have been restored,
thus furnishing them with additional means
for prosecuting their work. In seeking for
the secret Of Roman Catholic SUCCESS among
the Chinese, DR.. NEr1Ns says: "The CON-
pnratively large number of converts connect
ed with the Romlsh Church is readily &C.
counted for by the length Of time during |
which its missions have been prosecuted;
the striking resemblance between its doc
trines and rites and those of Buddhism; by |
the fact that very little knowledge or eyi- !
dence Of change Of heart and Life is deemed !
requisite to church membership; and |
the freedom accorded to native con.
Verts in allowing them to work !
IN Sunday aud TO conform in many respects
10 the superstidous practices Of their country
men," With regard to the future, the same
writer says: '@Roman Catholicism will no
4oubt have powerful influence in CO.
operating with other causes to subvert and
overthrow the existing systems Of idolatry;
nut we may not look to it to supply the
Chinese with pure, vital, and aggressive
It may spread rapidly at first,
nut it cannot bear the ordeal of FREQ dis
ussion, with which it must ere long meet
1t present, in SO wide q field, the represen-
atives Of the Catholic and the Protestant
Churches labor apart But when the in
|uence of 10th shall have extended, and the
eign Of Buddhism and Tauism shall have
asscd away, the struggle will ultimately be
4 the East, as in the West, between the
wo forms Of Christianity, Professionalism ar7
>nnnrv "