The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-07-09
REV. SPEERS
ON CHINESE
QUESTION.
An Interesting Sketch Of the Chinese
as q Nation From Antiquity
to the Present.
CHINA MAY OYERRUN WORLD
And the Christian Nations Would
Find it Difficult to Stem the
Tide of Fa1attcism.

Yesterday morning, Rev. JOSEPH:
Speers. pastor OF the Second Presoyter-
ian church, preached most interesting
ana thoughtful discourse on the topic
"The Chinese Question, as 1t Relates to
the Gospel" which was listened to with
the greatest interest by the congrega-
ton. The speaker took rs his text these
words from Mark. 1G. Is: Go ye unto
all the world and preach the Gospel TO
every creature" Said Mr.. Speels:
"a study of the fulGllment of this
command is both attractive and in
structivc, on account Of the varied ex-
perlments and revelations made to us of
| the peoples Of the world to whom the
missionaries have. carried the gospel.
or a necessity the preaching Of the gos-
pei brings us into touch with all peo-
pies IL we have any interest whatever
lii the spread Of the kingdom OF Cod in
the world.
IAN Interest In the work OF missions
must not only prove edifying. but also
! lIISITuCllNSp DeCaQSC " ill- lSo
OF the cross of Christ is largely due n
knowledge Of the history of many na-
lions which have been closed against
not only the gospel but against the ma
lions whose God is the Lord.
mo nation holds i deeper interest for
Christendom to-day than the Chinese.
1t Is the subject OF worldwide discus
sion and bitter contention. The ma
tons stand aghast at the events trans
pring in that empire, and the Chinese,
knowing the bitter jeatousies and rival
ry existing among the powers, are TAX
| Ing advantage OF the situation 10 effect
ually close their doors against all for
eign intercourse.
ut Is the most exclusive and incom-
prehensible nation on the face of the
earth. AS we study the history OF this
| people we are forced to confess the
truth of 4 celebrated writer's state
ment. that. the Chinese constitute an
uality cannot be read In the light Of
| that of any other nation. The aspIra-
tions and modes of thinking by which
| we are ruled do not direct their aims.
They are keen and alert, but unwilling
to strike out on new lines, and slow to
be influenced In any matter. They are
suspicious, cunning and corrupt.
Among the things which they lack are
conscience and such an enlightened
public opinion as shall condemn wrong
and sustain right.
But are we to judge the Chinese by
the standard set forth by Matthew Ar
mold wherein he says: The revelation
which rules the world is the pre-emi-
ncnce OF righteousness If this be SO
may It not be laid TO the charge Of
Christendom that It has not given to
the yellow race very desirable object
lesson In this particular quality?
Do We Know the Chinesep
THE Chinese have been looked upon
by Christian civilization as heathens.
and yet 1t may be fairly asked, DO we
know the Chinese" After 200 years Of
commerce and trade with China, the
outside world finds itself confronted by
4 people, not ignorant by any means,
though grossly material and suparsti-
tious, yet withal intensely national and
fanatical, Il varitable enigma 10 those
who think they know them best
do we know them? II we would an
swer from what is now transpiring IN
that land we must answer no, but II We
would answer from what history. has
made known we answer. yes, Aud what
n history! Stretching back thousands
Of years before the Christian era began,
China stands to-day the oldest nation
in the world. defyfng the power Of all
other nations combined It stands
alone. unique In Its character peculiar
in its history and interesting In It's posi-
ton.
NO historian attempts TO give Il pre-
else date to the beginning of Chinese
history. 1t is buried in profound mys-
terry and obscurity. How, when or
from what place their forefa Tiers
reached CHINA Is mere speculation.
Some scholars claim their original home
10 nave neeA on the borders OF the Cas-
plan sea- others In the great Euphrates
pia'n' from whence they migrated TO-
ward the yellow river, following its
northern bank till they came to the
shahsi' where they made permanent
ssLii2mcnt upon It's fruitful plains.
here they ilourished' and grew IN NUM-