Connecticut western news., 1900-07-19
1uhscrspsa~~ Aeceuus.
THURSDAY. JULY 19. 1900.
The Missionary Problem.

Inc massacre or nAtlSe cnrl6tlRDB anu of all foreigners in Pekin is terrible and deplorable affair. It again raises the old and often repeated question, ''Is it advisable to try and convert the heathen2" When we consider the dan. gers and privations that missionaries in all ages have endured-even where no massacres have occurred-it does not seem right and just for civilized and cd. ucated people to crucify themselves to convert-proselyte would be better word to use-the heathen whom thoughtful and broadminded people in this day and generation admit will not bs eternally punished for devoutly liv- ing up to whatever religion or light has been revealed to them. .. ... .#
 In missionary work the innocent al- ways suffer for the guilty. In othe, words. the greed of foreign nations is more or less responsible for the present war in China. It is not the purpose of the writer to review the events that have brought about anarchy and revolution in China. Suffice it to say the jealousy of foreign powers prevented measures being taken to nip the revolution in the bud. Tho consequence is thousands o. native christians in China have been slaughtered, hundreds of missionaries have been killed, the most horrible At- rocities committed, hundreds of Ameri- can and European soldiers and marines have been killed and thousands and tens of thousands of the allied forces will undoubtedly perish before law and order are restored. Thus we see the innocent must suffer for the guilty.
 In their natural condition heathens arc always moro devout worshippers than 70 called christians. Heathens even torture themselves fur their relig- ion-And who dares to say that such de- vout worshippers will be eternally lost.
 Missionary work would have more advocates and supporters were 1t possi- ble to teach the heathen all the "White Mans" virtues and none of his vices. But the commercial spirit always pre- cseds or immediately follows the mis- sionary. It is stated that few years ako vessel sailed for South Africa and it had on board one missionary and six hundred hogshesds of New England rum. The Chinaman who comes to America thinks he is fully civilized when he gets so he can ''swear like g 'Msllioan Man"
 Ths writer thinks that America is a better and far safer missionary field than China. If all the missionaries who have labored in China had labored here perhaps there would not have been such an alarming increase in prize fighting. gambling. vice, Sabbath breaking, pro- fanity, intemperance, theft, dedication, political dishonesty and treaohery, cor ruption in high places, and in low places divorce, murder, suicide, and the whole catalogue of crime.
 Human nature is the same the world over. and it is question whether for sign missionary work is beneficial. After countless years of missionary work in China, the "Heathen Chinse' rises up and massacres the missionary. Then all foreign nations rise up and swear vengeance. This vengeance ot course necessarily includes punishment of innocent persons. It is the old Mo saic law of an eye for an eye and tooth for tooth instead of the doctrine that Christ taught. But it is human nature to demand vengeance. and it will touch . responsive chord in the hearts of all whose friends have been massacred ir China.
 It would seem far better to discon tinue foreign missionary work than te extend so called christianity-or any other religion-by force of arms. Re lgion by force is progression back wards. What would America do if ths followers of Confucius, Buddha or Mo manned should attempt to force theil ~nI;~;nn r~op r,9