Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-10
CAUSE OF THE UPRISING
wOMAN.s VIEW OF BOXER TROUBLES
IN CHINA.
Mrs. Bryson Declares Chinese Wrath
Has Been SmOldcring Since
War With Japan.

disturbances in China. In part Mrs. Bry-
sen wrote: China and her people, and
the terrible tragedies enacted recently upon
those distant shores, form constant topic
of conversation and inquiry today.
Question l. What do you think was
the origin of the present disturbances in
north Gilman
. Answer. Ever since 1894 when China
was shamefully defeated by the Japan
csc. desire for revenge has smoldered
in the hearts of those Chinese who under
stoed how great was their humiliation.
Then, piece by piece, on various pretexts.
portions of their land have been claimed
by various European powers. Last of all,
and clearly evident to the Chinese man in
the street, is the way in which China is
being opened up by railways and telegraph
wires. and her practically boundless stores
of mineral wealth, which are only just be-
ginning to be tapped by foreign Synd1cateS
The ordinary native believes that the
sleep of his departed ancestors is disturbed
by the passage of the iron road. The tele-
graph wires, now stretching to the most
distant parts of the empire, they imagine.
disturb the spirits of the air. while mining
operations harass the spirits of the earth.
All these invisible beings will, they firmly
believe. take their revenge upon the living
bringing disaster and misfortune upon
them.
Among the millions of Chinese there are
always the usual number of ne er-d0-WeliS
VINO prefer TO earn Inelr DTeau %! easter
ways than honest toll. From this class
the brigands of Mongolia and the pirates
of the south are neutrality-suspicious. who
welcome general rising because in the
prevailing confusion they expect to enrich
themselves. There are others who belong
to the numerous secret societies with
which China is honeycOmbed. many OF
them truly, If ignorantiy, seeking after
better government. Among these are some
of the members of the White Lily sect. the
Vegetarians and the Big Sword Society of
Shantung. whose deeds of blood caused the
annexation of kiao Chow by the Germans
Many of these societies aimed originally
at the overthrow of the present dynasty
All believe that the presence of foreigners
is detrimental to their country.
Empress Expresses Sympathy.
on these people the empress dowager
saw fitting tools for the execution of her
purpose of clearing the land of foreigners.
and more than fifteen months ago she is
sued many secret edicts assuring them of
her sympathy and protection. The COM
mon people had become hopeless, for
famine due to the overflow of great river
banks, insufficiently protected, and in other
parts from long-continued drought. stared
them in the face. AT the same time the
purchasing power of the money became
less and less, while the necceSSa rieS of life
became dearer.
1T is clear that not one series of events
or one class of people is responsible for the
present state OF chaos IN emma. But the
empress dowager's hateful influence has
brooded over all the elements of dScord.
She believed that China's foreign trained
troops supported by the hordes of Boxers,
would set her free forever from the hated
dictation and encroachments of foreign
powers, and a variety of circumstances
playing into her hand. in her view and that
of her chief advisers, made the war cry
of the Boxers, Uphold the Ching dynasty
exterminate foreigners an aim easy Of ac-
complishment.
Question II. Is it true that the Chinese
hate the missionaries more than they hate
other foreigners, and are excited to deeds
of violence by their unwise and tactless
presentation Of Scripture TRUTH
Answer. 1t IS not true. The China
mans religion is not to him that sacred
thing which his faith becomes to a devout
European. 1t is entirely a matter of forms
and ceremonies, and he constantly remarks.
when speaking of the Christian religion.
that all beliefs are alike. We must wor-
ship heaven and earth. perform good deeds,
and that Is the end of it. they say.
The love of the Deity is an unknown
doctrine to Chinese ears; fear of the anger
of the gods compels their worship.
1t has been suggested that missionaries
have stirred up the anger of the people by
vivid pictures of the wrath to come and
the terrible punishment that awaits unbe-
levers. Yet nothing could be imagined
more terrible than the colored life size
plaster Hgures which in countless Taoist
temples throughout the length and breadth
OF China represent the punishment Of
hades
Here man is thrown upon bed of
knives, while another is sawn asunder; an
other is bound to a ed-hot braZen pillar
Friends are engaged in tearing out the
tongues. or eyes. or bowels Of others, while
various horrible punishments, the very
refinement of cruelty. are administered to
the diSobedient. Is it likely, then, that
suppOsing the missionaries did put in the
foreground of their preaching such terrors
as 1t has been affirmed they have done (by
Chinese otfic1als. who are quick to under
STAND now such accusations would be re-
celved by the public opposed to missions in
England) single Chinaman would feel
asgrieved about matter with which he
has been familiar from his childhood?
AS matter of fact, missionaries put
In the foreground the Heavenly Father
His gift Of His only begotten Son for the
worlds redemption, and nothing read
lily touches Chinaman's heart as this.
The punishment of sin. even in this pres
ent life, is too terribly apparent every
where In China to make it a strange thing
to teach that for all sin there is certain
retribution.
As to Inducements Offered.
Question III. What inducements do mis-
sionaries hold out to the Chinese to be-
come Christians? and are there many
hypocrites among professed believers?
Answer-There are no Inducements, but
the certainty of forgiveness of their sins
through faith in Jesus. and His constant
companionship along life's daily path.
The Christian convert is a marked man,
the butt of all the abuse which Is heaped
upon the name of foreigner. His house is
clear of idols, and this Is evident to all,
as every mans house is open to his neigh
boris inspection in China. He does not
keep the many idol feast days. Births.
deaths and marriages in his family are
stripped Of all their eclat from a native
point Of view. He is put to great incon-
venience in petty ways too numerous to
mention even in such simple matters as
the drawing of water and the cooking
of rice"
Mrs. Bryson denies that the Chinese
officials have a special antipathy toward
missionaries. and asserts that all the pro-
gressive men and those who desire
brighter future for their native land seek
constantly the help and advice Of mis-
sionaries, in secular matters, and that the
services of missionaries are constantly in
request by mandarins OF high position who
wish instruction in the English language
for their sons.
UNITY CLUB 1S71.
I'D