New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-12


Church of Russia would assuredly never have
given utterance to such opinions had he not
been fully convinced in his own mind OF the
truth Of his arguments.
MISSIONARIES AND SELF DEFENCE.
With regard to the question to whether
missionaries have a right to defend life by
means of force OF arms. some denominations
take one view about the matter and other d.
ametrically opposite Thus at the time OF
the anti-foreign outbreak in Uganda in the
early part OF 1897, all the Church of England
missionaries in that portion of Africa responded
10 the British Commissioners call for volun-
teers and took part in the fighting, and this
with the sanction of their Archdeacon and of
their Bishop. DIR. Hanlon. Indeed the latter
subsequently explained in writing in a letter
published by the London daily newspapers that
in crises of such character that which had
taken place in Uganda 1t was absolutely neces-
sary for every white in the country to
stand shoulder to shoulder and for missionaries
TO fight" with just much vigor and relentless
as laymen.
On the other hand, the Roman Catholic Church
strictly forbids its missionaries to bear arms or
TO shed blood in the defence of life. Council
after Council has reiterated this prohibition
taking the ground that secular and spiritual
arms must be kept apart. And 1t must be con-
fessed that If consistency is to be observed the
view taken by the Councils of the Roman Cath
Ole Church--a view Endorsed by many Protes-
tant missionary societies-is the only right one.
True. it is difficult for a married missionary.
whose wife and children living with him, to
turn a deaf ear to such an appeal that issued
by the British Commissioner of Uganda when
he declared that 1.-The existence of the pro-
tectorate and consequently of the missions, the
lives and honor of English ladies are at stake,
I have no hesitation in calling all British sub
jects to assist in the military operations. 1t
behooves all British subjects, whatever their
profession, to stand together until the troubles
at an end" 1t is difficult. too. for a mis-
sionary who has his family beside him to refrain
from firing his rife revolver when he knows
that by so doing he can save those dear to him
from death in it's most terrible form.
CLERGYMEN AS NON COMBATANTS.
But, on the other hand. the principle that the
Christian minister is a non-combatant is as
ancient the existence of the Christian Church,
and it is neither in keeping with the teachings
of the New Testament nor is 1t polite for
missionary to go armed since he can only expect
immunity at the hands of the races among
whom his lot is cast as long they
sured that his mission Is purely religious one;
that under no circumstance will he take the life
Of others; that, happen what may, he will shed
no human blood If convinced that he is the
bearer of nothing but words of peace the
tives may tolerate his presence among them, and
even lend an ear to his exhortatons. for
throughout Asia and Africa the unarmed
preacher, no matter what his faith or creed. is
regarded with certain degree of respect. and
If his doctrine seems preposterous he is
looked upon crazy, and as such under the
special protection of the supernatural power
whatever the latter may happen to be in that
particular place But let it once be known that
the Christian missionary goes armed, that he
meets force with force, and that he is prepared
&c offer resistance, then the natives will become
more than convinced that he is the asso-
ciate of the soldier and of the politician, of
those who aim at the conquest of their territory
and at the destruction of their independence.
REGARDED AS A POLITICAL AGENT.
1t is the existence Of a belief Of this kind in
the native mind that not only obstructs mis-
sioEary enterprise. but likewise renders it so
perilous in Asia as we'll in Africa. In China
especially il has become almost impossible to
disabuse the people OF the idea that the mission
airy is more Of a political than religious
agent. Nor this be a matter for surprise
since the missionary has been used poiti-
cal instrument in China by all the great Powers
in turn. 1t is bad enough, they say, that the
missionary should establish himself in the midst
Of a native community with the avowed pur
pose Of discTediting the local religion, Of sub
Verting local institutions. of changing the habits
of the people in everything, and with the
acknowledged object Of upsetting the result of
centuries of evolution. But when in addition to
this the natives are led by repeated experience
OF the past to believe that these missionaries are
after all mere political agents the advance guard
Of those who have designs upon their indepen-
dence and upon the possession of their country, 1t
is not asst onIshing that they should render them
selves guilty OF outrages often of the most ap-
DaIling character.
The United States Government publicly
acknowledged short time ago the TACT that it
spent at least a million dollars year in the
protection Of it's missionaries abroad, thereby
confirming in Oriental minds the conviction that
a close and intimate association existed between
the Administration at Washington and all Amer
lean missionaries This impression 1t is neces-
sary to remove If missionary work is TO be con-
tinued with any degree Of success Christian
missionary enterprise never f1ourished to such
degree in China during the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries. wnen the preachers of the
gospel were unsupported by Consuls and En-
voys when they had gunboats or cannon to
back them up, and when, realizing that the sue
of their undertaking depended on the de-
gree Of tact with which they treated the native
authorities they usually found in the latter pro-
tectors, and even friends. They managed their
cwn intercourse with the Chinese Governors
Viceroys. and even with the Imperial Court
without any interference or assistance on the
part Of the Government Of the land of their
birth, and success attended their efforts.
This goes to show that II the Asiatic races
were to be made to understand that conflicts
with missionaries would not be made the sub
ject Of subsequent demands for territorial COM
rensation, that foreign governments would have