Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-27


occayinS faiths into the freedom and
lofiy ideals of the Christian faith and
hope. Consider the price that Christ
paid for us
But liz IL right to force Christianity
on people at the point of the sword?
Granting that they are worth saving,
granting that the presence of the mis-
sionary is one among number of
causes. have VIC right to DO any
thing in Christ's name that Will bring
on war? This is the way that some
people put it. Have we a right to
compel a people to admit Christianity?
II is an important question, but I
want you 10 notice. first OF all, that
H. is not fitted exactly TO the con6l-
lions that confront us.
England compelled China. by can
non. TO oDcn her doors to trade. but
no Christian nation has compelled
China or Japan TO give Christianity IL
free hand. They themselves have been
anxious TO gain Il certain standing In
the West. and have therefore granted
certain concessions to missionaries.
The missionary has simply sat down
before closed doors and waited till they
opened. And as for stopping our help
full and blessed work because riOtouS
men make n disturbance, that would he
cowardly. 1T is clearly the duty of
Chr istian Governments to help the
Chinese authorities put down the law
breakers. Let me use an illustrations:
assemble outside OF this church and be-
gin TO throw stones at 1t. who would
hesitate to call In the authorities? Do
they bear the sword for naughtf
II m American merchant, selling his
goods on the Yangtse or an engineer.
laying out n railroad. were injured by a
Chinese mob, our government would
ask OF the Chinese Government why 1t
did not protect him. and If such pro-
lection was refused would extort 1t as
part Of that great law of Justice that
unites the world. Why should not our
missionaries enjoy the same protec-
ton? All that he asks is the same
countcnance that is given to the for
ciBn trader-nothing more and nothing
lesS-and. indeed to tho minister at
home he only asks his government to
protect MIN by enforcing the laws that
apply to his case.
But how about the native converts?
We'll. that is a more difficult case, and
it need not be discussed now: but for
nv own part ! believe that in the cen
turtles to come one of the wonders of
tho students of history will be that the
Powers of Europe permitted the massa-
crcs in Armenia. International law has
for its end the restraint of wrong. It
is not to be erected into n barrier for
fierce and fanatical prosecutions. No
American will stand by and see a
brutal bully knock down a woman,
though she may be the bully's wife.
and I do not think that Christian
nation. if IL has the power to enforce
It's protest, and make effective it's In
reference. is transgressing the laws or
spirit OF our religion in interfering in
behalf of the oppressed even with can
non and Krupp guns. You surely would
not have us resort to the bow OF iona
than or the tavelin of Saul.
But that is not the question before
hi
do the heather rage? and hope that
| have made it plain that Christianity
is but one OF number of causes that
have provoked this outburst of wrath:
that its presence Is on the whole n
hopeful feature in the situation, and
its power an argument for the CON
tinuance of the mission.
1t is indeed vain thing to imagine
that few million rioters or all the
banded force of China can resist the
march of civilization with its mighty
agencies. The only hope of the Chi
nese is to lay hold of the faith Of
Christ. and by the aid of His church
His word and His spirit come through
this great transition without disinte-
grafton and degeneration as n race
whatever may he the political out
come. And it is even more vain
thing for one to call himself n Chris
tan and to count these people as
worthless. or the price OF missions as
too great, or that our civilization can
make its way into heathendom with
out the religion that gives it sweet
ness. ideals. atmosphere and moral
and spiritual life.
For my part. I firmly believe that
out OF all these disturbances God will
bring good. the progress of civilization
which gives greater comfort and JOYS
TO life, and the supremacy of the One
Faith. that Sweetens. dignfics and
ennobles existence and opens up
bright vista of hone. Let us have no
wild ebullit!ons OF hate against the
unfortunate, misguided Chinese: let us
ave no selfish repininr at the cost in
treasure and life: let us have no indo-
lent holding back: hut let us grid ur,
our loins and strengthen our faith and
give OF our substance that when these
waves of blood subside we may anchor
our ark upon the highest hills of China
and send over it's wasted lands the
message of life and of hope.