Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-07-11
VOL. XII.
The Conflict in China.
BY L. N. WHEELER, d. d.

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IA number of dismantled and converted
hulks, Ii he but seek information on the
subject he will learn that these huge and
unsightly floating structures are used for
the storing of opium from British India,
because tho authorities will not allow it TO
be otherwise than surreptitiously kept on
Chinese soil. Whatever apologists may
have TO say with reference to it, the
Chinese deplore the use of the drug as q
modern evil of gigantic proportions,
which has suddenly sprung up in the land
under the protecting shield of Christian
nations. Formidable gunboats and invatl-
| ing armies thundered ut the gates of
many seaboard cities and river towns,
| apparently with no other object than to
enforce an indemnity for the destruction
by the government of few thousand
chests of opium. which had been snug
gled into the country by English trauers;
and since that time the arts of diplomacy
and the forbiddin9 presence of vessels of
war at the various treaty ports nave been
relied upon to protect traffic legalized
under solemn protest by the emperor,
and everywhere recognized as opposed to
the welfare of the people and TO all the
best traditions of the empire.
IHc Vi
sailors, and adventurers in China tends,
on the whole, to confirm wide impression
through the country that ours is gross
and inferior morality. Not only are
intoxicating drinks and licentious pictures
imported under the protection of lawful
commerce and sold to native dealers, but
the vices they imply are known to be
practiced by men and women from the
west. Sailors fom ships of war and
merchant vessels frequently brawl and
fight in the streets of Chinese cities, and
are even turned out of the shops as too
vile and abusive to be tolerated. They
lie dead drunk in public places, to be
mocked at by passing crowds of sober
heathen. The crew of a tea ship from
England, during the last season, while in
Hankow, behaved like rowdies and com
mon thieves, to the terror of the commu-
nifty. A European circus recently pitched
its tent in Hongkong, and afterwards in
Shanghai, and for many weeks was
visited by thousands of the people, who
there saw such exhibitions of female
nudities as would not be tolerated in their
own theatres.
There can be no doubt that among the
ignorant masses, where the reputation OF
the foreigner has gone he is often regarded
in the light of being who possesses
vicious and satanic characteristics. His
well known custom of carrying Il heavy
walking stick is thought to he evidence of
set purpose TO smile barking dogs and
lnflict summary punishment on any per
son who may chance TO give him otfense
And it cannot be denied that many an
irrate westerner has used the club 10 defend
his heels, or assert his honor; and some
times when the necessity for so doing
was more imaginary than real. The
habit throughout eastern and central
China of applying to foreigners the epithet
yang kuei-t?e possesses deep meaning
1t signifies IA mingled feeling of supersli
sious fe.r, hatred. and contempt, arising
largely from n partial information which
proclams the evil deeds rather than the
virtues of men of our race. A philosophical
resident of China once declared his reso
luton to bear meekly the insult whenever
the Chinese called him "foreign devil
since SO many of his countrymen had
acted like devils!
1t is scarcely necessary TO say that
exceptions should be taken TO the above
heavy indictment in favor OF men in
mercanlie, professional, and diplomatic
circles, who have nobly represented our
Christian civilization in the Tar east. But
it is, nevertheless, true that missionaries
find among the most formidable diflicul-
ties to be encountered a prejudice against
us and cur religion, which, IN the absence
of better knowledge, is fully justified by
the facts in the case. Protestant mission
aries, unlike the propagandists Of Catho-
licism, have from the first been compelled
to meet this form of opposition.
We find out here, in this oriental west,
that many of the worst associations OF the
foreign name are comparatively unknown,
Notwithstanding that the fame OF horse
racing at the posts and of various immoral
practices has reached the cars of some.
But little, if any. of the Indian opium
came to this market. American and
British sailors do not reel in the streets of
Chunking and Chintu. A majority of the
foreigners who have visited these remote
provinces are known TO live vlrtuous
lives. The colporteurs and preachers of
the gospel travel freely in the most
populous districts, and meet with less OF
insult and more of encouragement than is |
common in other parts OF the empire.
There is marked absence ofsuperstitious
fear of US on the part of women and
children, plainly indicated by the fact
that they visit our mission compound in
large numbers. Roman Catholic missions
are probably more successful in Sze-c -chuan
than in any other province. These are
certainly hopeful indications, and they
are not least among the many things that
might be said commencing the west
China mission to the sympathy and gen
erous support of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The Rev. w. Scarborough,
superintendent of the English Wesleyan
mission at Hankow, says in recent
letter to me: you have a splendid tield;"
and that experienced missionary knows,
for he has Travelled it, and has been
impressed with a view of its wide extent,
its great Iced, and the provdential open
ng But we do not tlatter ours elves with
hope of easy conquest The god of this
world is strongly intrenched in the igno-
rance and vanity of the people. The
agents of Rome may throw obstacles in |
our path. Satan is doubtless ready to
hurl at us some fiery dart designed with
internal skill for our mortal hurt. These,
however, are not sources of discourage |
ment. They are powerful incentives TO
our best endeavors for God in these ends
of the earth. "For great door and
effectual is opened unto me, and there are
many adversaries.'
THE New YORK ELEVATED RAILWAY.
DR.. Rufus Gilbert, who designed the
Nau York r,otropOlitan olovatod 70 ilmav