The Atlanta constitution., 1898-10-03
The Christian Religion in China.

Twelve wears OF continuous residence
in China ought to be sufficient to enable
any person of obseryant mind to form
some idea Of the work which Christian
missionaries have accomplished in that
remote empire; and whatever testimony
one thus qualified to judge Of the sit
uatiOn In China might bring back with
him to this country would certainly APP
peal with deep force and interest to
Christian people.
But still greater credence must attach
to the views Of one who has been so
distinguished and experienced in the
diplomatic affairs of the east as eX-Unit-
ed States Minister Charles DENLY. This
worthy official has just returned home
after representing the United States
government at the court of Peking dur
ing three successive administrations
With exceptional opportunities for in
quiring into the facts by reason Of his
official position and yet at the same
time without any of the bias which
might naturally be imputed to the
over-zcalous missionary, eX-Mjnister
DENLY ought to be considered one of
the hest Of witnesses: and such he is
undoubtedly. This brief Introduction
opens the way for the statement which
cX-MiniSter nenby makes without the
least reserve to the effect that the in
hucnce Of the Christian religion has
already made phenomenal hcadWay in
China through the noble and patient
efforts of Christian missionaries, and
that the ultimate result Of the work
which has thus been started will be the
complete redemption of China.
This uneQuiyocal statement is well
calculated to gladden. the hearts OF de-
vout Christian people in the United
States who have long yearned for the
realization of the prospect thus glowing
" pictured. EX-Minister DENLY explains
that much of the progress which Chris
tian missionaries have made in China of
late years is due to the practical help
fulnoss which they have infused into
their spiritual labors. For example,
he saws that these Consccratcd men
and women have so equipped them
selves for effective work that they are
able to give secular as well as religious
instruction and to heal all manner of
diseases. With respect to this latter
rcnuisitc he SAYS that more scientific
and curative skill is to be found in the
ranks Of Christian missionaries than in
the whole medical profession Of China.
This ought to encourage the sending of
more medical missionaries not only to
China but to other countries as we'll,
Men are more apt 10 heed instruction
when it comes from the lips of those
who can do them practical good than
they are when it comes from the lips or
those who cannot But ex-Mirister
Dcnby goes on to say that christian
missionaries have established week
dav schools in China as well as Sunday
schools, and that such has been the
progress which they have made n purl-
fying the civilization and uplifting the
morals of China that every part of the
empire has felt In some measure the
benefit Of the influence thus shed
abroad. Before the advent of Christian
m ;ssionaries into China eX-Minister Den
by states that the bulk Of the empire
population was densely ignorant but
that today. through the agency OF these
anointed gospel teachers better condi-
tiOns prevail In brief, he declares
that the Christian religion has 2ccom-
pIished vast results in China. What
makes the prospect for the future eX-
ceedingly bright and hopeful is the fact
that there is today no part Of the en-
pire into which Christian mission trles
cannot go. This has not always been
the case. Ex-Minister DENLY says that
at present Christian missionaries have
more privileges in China than foreign
merchants lie says that foreign mer-
chants can establish themselves only
in one or more of the thirty-fye treaty
ports, but that every port IS open to
Christian missionaries. In view OF this
testimony. is it foolish to hope, despite
the antiquity of the religion of CHINA
and the hold which it has upon its wOr-
shpers that the day will at length come
when the Christian religion will dom
mate the empire?
FX-Minister DENLY since returning
home has been appointed to serve on
the commission charged with the in
vestigation of the war department. He
is one of the most intelligent and useful
of our public men, and never shrinks
from the performance of any duty which
he is called upon to discharge What
he says in regard to China will not be
without it's stimulating effect upon
Christian people in the United States.
Ofttimes depression and discouragement
settle upon Christian people because