The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-27
Tho Chinese Case.

The outrages on foreigners In China are
committed by mobs whose incentive to vio-
lence is not easily discoverabe. unless 1t be a
spirit OF hostility among tho common peo-
pie toward foreigners generally. The Chris
tian missionaries are the special object Of
attack. not apparently SO much because Of
their religion Us because OF the methods by
which they propagate 1t, and doubt
less the old and ignorant suspicion
that they sacrifice the Chinese children
in their schools as part of their
religious rites has It's influence In provoking
the violence. This Islander stirred up the
Tentsln massacres twenty years ago. end
probably 1t had its origin in the unwise
practice OF some Of the European mission.
aries, who kept the routine OF their schools
from public observation, and the mystery
thus created gave chance for such sus-
piclon to grow in ignorant minds.
The educated classes OF the Cinnamon, as
represented by ono Of their number who has
lately published In Shanghai very striking
discussion OF tho missionary question: look
with contempt OH the Christian propaganda
In China 80 far as the religious results So
cured are concerned, and regard it otherwise
rs an impudcnt attempt to interfere with
the whole social and political system OF Chi
ma. Hosays worry truly that the missionaries
make no Roadway whatever among the cult
waited and educated people. "Only tho worst,
the weak, ignorant, needy. and vicious
among tho Chinese have been or could be-
converted" and these are governed by sor-
did considerations Ia accepting or pretend
ing to accept the religion OF the mission
aries. "When tho hope OF pecuniary re-
ward Is withdrawn" they "become worso
than tho worst OF the Chinese" for by cast
Ing aside tho religion Of their fathers
and tho Stata they have made them
selves "outcasts In tho midst Of their
own race and people," and arc always
ready for disorder. The association of the
educated class with Europeans. SO far from
drawing them to Christianity, tends to cul-
tivate In them complete religious skeptl-
cism. though tile nominal acceptance of tho
national religious system and the perform
anco OF certain religious exercises under 1t
may be part Of their Official duty. Simply
Us . religion and by itself. these people have
no cnmlty to Christianity. They care
nothing about 1t. for they are not
religious fanatics: but thoy are satisfied
that 1.-THE foundation Of their national faith
and culture" cannot "bear such super
structure as tho forms OF Christianity which
the missionaries bring into China" They
resent the enterprise as an attempt at q
complete and dangerous social revolution.
According to this Chinese writer. the mis-
sionaries, having been compelled to aclinowl-
edge the failure OF mere preaching as n
means OF conversion. have undertaken to
justify their employment by teaching
science and by multiplying charity among
tho poor and ignorant. the only part Of the
population they can hope to reach. II this
was really movement for Intellectual Ell
lIEhtenment. he declares that he would
desire for IL the support Of al good
men. because 1t would then DO connect
ing the East and the West by higher cur
rents OF thought" but tho missionaries, ha
asserts. treat with contempt tho science Of
China as vain superstition and yet destroy
thelr own science with contradictory Chris
tian superstition. They leave tho Chinese
In worse case intellectually than they were
in originally. Instead of onlightening them,
they befo9 their minds. says tho Chinese
writer. and their pretences that they are OLE
waiting the people intellectually arc false. 1t
is the "mass OF impenetrable darkness that
Gcos Uuder the name Of missionary publi-
cations IN China that causes the educated
Chinese To despise tho foreigners. II Is the
root OF the hatred OF foreigners among edu-
Gated Chinese. To use his words. they soc
that the missionaries. With the gupboats OF