New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-23
MR. poNEHoo AND THE CHINESE.

ms OBJECTIONS TO METHODS USED TO SECURE
THEIR CONVERSION TO ciiRisriANirY
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Ny attention has been called to an interview
between the Rev. Or. A. - Leonard and repre-
sentative OF your paper, In which DR.. Leonard
deals IN harsh criticisms on certain alleged
statements of mine IN regard 10 the possibility OF
the conversion of the chinese to christianity. 7
am no, missionary among the chinese nor have
ever been such, eithet NJ hone ~ abroad but am
Just IN ordinary Presbyterian pastor ~ iiiote than
twenty -nte yents' standing. NJ pi'sbusr Not haee
eter been abba vs. make a nasty itip to CHINA AZ
he espense 81 the Chmfeh and a. " these afe tbs
heeessafy qualifications fdf speaking 81 shs mat
ef ainl, that havh n6 frhi vs. be heafl
I heter said That n tihnaHian was hetent lhe
reNe, ~ ihe ,iesrei 90 'jf itensfH ih'lHa'ts hef
ili etef SAY mat foreign hilsslehs NeFe laliNfe
aW nel Responsible faf WAT has keAe ief'h ~
regard ia M oRinlans an This question bessing
iif ,eonans raFi9n iar hilFndns nR q Held on
which ha seems "a nsinuae that only those who
make their bread and hulier oui of u have any
right ia appear, | make hold to say thal. though
! have never seen the rhlnaman on his native
heath nor heard his religious experiences laded
out to me through the medium of an interpreter, |
have yet known hundreds OF Cinnamon Who In the
course of years, have sojourned In this city. And
while my relations with them have not been OF u
strictly missionary character | have had abundant
opportunities to inform myself as TO their religious
state, and sense enough 10 FORM my own con-
illusions to the results OF the missionary efforts
put forth for their conversion. All have ever
affirmed is that in my acquaintance with the
Cinnamon in this region | have never yet found
who gave evidence of thorough conversion to
Christianity. though | have known a large number
who have been In our Sabbath schools, and few
who have professed conversion.
| am only speaking for my city. and OF what
| have here seen; and though DIR. Leonard may
load me down with statistics showing what hes
been accomplished In the matter OF their evan
gezatlon In California In China. that can In no
way affect my statement to the condition CT az
fairs here | have not word to say against foreign
missions. work among the Chinese In
this country. II only 1t Is conducted In a sensible
and busnesslike way. What do condemn is the
coddllng methods which have been adopted In this
and other cities. which still declare TO be Vicious
and unprolhc OF good This thing OF putting a
young. inexperienced girl to sit alongside OF "A
Chinaman. Sabbath after Sabbath In order 10 teach
him read and write and eventually to bring
him to experience religion. IL 20 me unnatural and
disgusting In the extreme. TO say nothing OF the
disastrous results which have In many Instances
followed Put native workers among them ex-
perlenced missionaries. and | have no word OF
criticism; but 40 long as the present methods are
continued. have lit:e hope OF seeing any hopeful
converts to Christianity produced
Why have said a word on this matter will ex-
plain briefly. When the Cinnamon first came among
they were very roughly treated and often
thrown into prison for the most trinng offences.
As vce-president OF the Prison Society. was often
called upon 10 look into their cases. Gradually I
was recognized by them as their friend and de-
fender. and such has been my attitude toward
them to this day. In pleading their cause and
protesting against unjust legislation. especially in
that known the Chinese Exclusion act, often
brought down upon myself criticism, and
even many dire threats sent to II did
not drop the Chinaman and his cause. Hundreds
In returning 10 their homes have come 10 to
Drepare identification "a w
any Chinaman living, and have only their welfare
at heart If DR.. Leonard will come Pittsburg and
TO these people here, even though | have never
gone China | want to these strangers made
better by being brought in contact with our civza-
ton, but | have no sympathy with the coddling
methods which DR.. Leonard seems to lay 80 much
stress upon f. X. DONEHOO
Pittsburg, Aug. Is 1896.