Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-07-23
THE CRISIS OF P[k|N'
The Subject Of An Excellent Sermon
DiScOlrSed By the Rev.
Austin
1T THE VANCE MEMORIAL CHAPEL,
AT Last Evenings Service--The Effort
Showed Deep Thought on the Part
of the Minister--An Interesting Phase
Of the Situation from the Outlook OF
the Church.

people imagine q VAIN
The foregoing text was chosen last
night by the Rev. c, B. Austin as
line of thought from which he deliy-
cred a most excellent sermon on the
general subject, .'Crisis Of Pekin, at
the Vance Memorial chapel. His dis
course showed deep thought.
In beginning, the minister said that
at the present time every ones atten-
tion is attracted to the many and
strange developments IN the Orient,
which have come in rapid succession.
The mind halts between fear and expec-
fancy to ascertain whether or not the
missionaries and ministers in China
have lost their lives. Back in the four
teenth century China was against Chris
tianity and the world. The Chinese
cannot longer be shut off from the out
side world. Owing to its vast popula-
ton, its strength, its wealth, its power,
the nation must have some world wide
duty. For years that famous wall has
proven a barrier to the other nations.
The wall was built by man, to shut him.
self off from his fellow man.
The events of the past few weeks
have finally reached just such situa-
ton as did the destruction of Jerusa-
lem. China and the outside nations of
the world are rapidly approaching their
crisis.
The overthrow of the Chinese would
mean much to the outside world. The
army and naval officers are interested
in it for the excellent opportunity Of
ferede for conquest. The merchants of
the world are interested for the oppor-
tunity afforded for commerce. But
there are still other things people gen
orally should be interested in-the
spread OF Christianity throughout the
world.
Every one is interested in that great
land owing to its past history. A ma
ton great and exclusive in the ex-
IRENE. A nation rendered most inter
esting in the story Confuscius, man
born 500 years before the coming of
Christ, who placed before the people
code to be followed throughout the
ages. A code that is interesting, be-
cause it contains so much that is at
tractive So China has found it inter
esting and attractive to enter into the
study and practice of the ethics of Con-
fuscius down through the ages.
The influence Confucianism has had
on the nations history has been at
tanned by the interest it commands. 1t
is code of morals rather than re-
ligion. All forms of life in China
spring from it.
The attention and interest of the
world has been attracted to China ever
since the Japo-China war. Ever since
that time China has thrown off its
lethargy and taken on a new national
ity. AT that time China saw she had
been weighed in the balance and found
wanting.
Japan, after her heroic struggle
against the larger nation, was defraud-
ed of her rights of conquest. When
China found herself in a pinch she APP
pealed to Russia, Germany and France
for intercession. Through the inter
cession of these nations, Japan was
defrauded of her rights But China,
three nations to which she appealed
for aid when in sore need. This has
brought her to the thought that the
lethargy must come go an end. All
these things have led up to the present
situation, but in the mind of the
speaker, there is greater power than
that of the European nations behind
the conflict
When the crisis finally arrived the
nations of Europe were unprepared.
Their wise men were nonplussed. They
did not anticipate the situation. 1t is
the crisis of Christianity. Doubtless it
may have been FASTENED by the Hispano-
American war and the war between
England and Africa; but it Is the
bringing of all nations into the sight
of God. China was weighed in the
balance and found wanting The ma
lions of Europe have been weighed in
the balance and found wanting. Who
ever shall prevail is to be determined.
The proof is in the calling of the ma
tions of the world to the judgment
seat, which hitherto has been denied
1t is contest to decide which shall
dominate, Christianity or Confucian-
ism.
Let us pray" said the Rev. Austin
in closing, that the nations will take
the matter to heart For there will
come a day on which it will be put on
heavenly record. Let US pray that
America may pass untarnished
through the experience. That her
high sense of honor may not be put
to shame. Deeper than all this. there
is a struggle going on between
fhaicn1 and pop+boicro T., out.