The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-01-01
ON MISSIONARY
INTERFERENCE
INTERVENTION OF MISSIONARIES
IN CHINA FOR THEIR CONVERTS
IN LAW COURTS DEPRECATED.

The matter of missionary interfer-
ence in lawsuits where native con-
verts are concerned, is now attracting
much attention in China. Several men,
prominent among Christian propagan-
dist, have expressed their views on the
subject, and the leading journal OF
Shanghai devoted a long article to it's
discussion on the 18th of last month.
Chinese officials complain very much OF
this abuse. They allege that, in con-
sequence of the arbitrary Intervention
of missionaries, the administration of
justice is disturbed and Christian con-
verts are enabled to perpetrate wrongs
which enrage their neighbors and are
largely responsible for the riots and
disturbances that take place periodical
ly 1t is probable that this charge is
exaggerated. A few instances of prac-
teal wrong actually suffered are much
more potential in moulding pubic
opinion than long years of freedom
from such abuses. DR., Griffith John,
for example, a venerable and universal
ly respected missionary, whose expert
ence dates back to e-Taiplng-rebel-
lion days, alleges that among ten thou
sand Protestant converts in central
China, not more than four so far as
he knows, are open to the accusation
of having traded on their Christianity
for purposes of litigation. But, it may
be retorted, the accusation has neN er
been strongly preferred against Prot
estant converts: it is the Roman Cath
olics that are said to be the chief SIN
ners. Well, in answer TO that Bishop
Nolonterl, Vicar Apostolic of Southern
Honan, comes forward and declares
that he and his coadjutors have often
published edicts disaVowing ability to
assist either Christians or their cate
chumens in temporal cases before law
courts; have warned the courts that
any plant not bearing European seal
may be rejected, and have actually
conveyed to local officials the names of
bad and litigious Christians Unless,
then, the evidence on the foreign side
is to be rejected altogether, we are
compelled to admit that these charges
are pressed too strongly by the Chi
nese. On the other hand, that the
abuse exists and that it causes great
umbrage can not be doubted for mo-
ment How is a remedy to be found!
In discussing that phase of the matter
the leading Shanghai journal makes
some interesting remarks. 1t insists,
in one paragraph, that since Chinese
officials are past masters in the art OF
Juggling with fictions, and never do
themselves more justice than when en-
gagged IN stuffing a few contdihg for
eign functionaries with the east wind"
therefore all they say on this subject
must not be taken as gospel truth"
No one can object to that reservation,
although the terms in which it is eX-
pressed can scarcely be called illus
trative of the dlscernment it prescribes
But when we come to read subsequent
paragraphs of the same article, we
find that our Shanghai contemporary
evidently believes not only that the
missionary aegis is thrown over ma
tive converts in judicial matters, but
also that such protection is essential
for in considering the recommenda-
ton that no missionary should be al
lowed to assist OF. cQuntenance his con-
verts in yamen cases, the NC. Herald
endorses DR.. Johns plea, namely, that
"if converts are understood to stand
entirely alone, as respects the yamen,
there will be no such thing as justice
for them in any part of China, for Off
Gals regard them as men who have
Joined the enemies of their country. |
and would soon consider ways and
means of getting them obliterated.'
Plainly, if DIR. Johns's belief be wide |
ly entertained among missionaries they |
must deem it a solemn duty to lend |
assistance to their converts in judicial |
affairs, and plainly If such assistance |
be one of the rewards of conversion |
litigious and intriguing persons will !
embrace Christianity for the sake OF |
the legal status it confers. Thus we |
find ourselves revolving in a vicious |
circle. If the missionary does not pro-
tect ais converts. Chinese officialdom /
will discriminate against them to theii |
ruin; and if he does protect them, he I
will a-lract a class of converts whose
ruin must necessarily be desired by .
officialdom, Most of the problems aris-
ing out of China's foreign relations .
partake of this insolvable nature when /