Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-08-12
A CHINESE OPINION.
THINKS THE AMERICANS TRY
TO BE GOOD BUT FAIL.

THINKS THE AMERICANS TRY
TO BE GOOD BUT FAIL.
Thinks the Christian Religion a Model Code
of Morals. but It is Split Up Into Too Many
Creeds-he Sees the Difference Between
Precept and Practce-China Wonders That
American People Do Not Live Up to Their
Preachinss Taught to Other Psoples-It
Seems to Be More Manners Than Morals
That is the Underlying Incentive Of Every
Day Life" Turning the Other Check" is
Only Taught Their Neishbors. Like the
"Heathen Chinee.'
A very learned Chinaman has writ.
ten to friend in China expressing his
opinion about the Christianity in the
United States, and below will be found
few of his ideas:
"I have seen many OF the great
Western nations and observed their
religions. My conclusion is that none
make so general and united an attempt
to be what they consider good and
moral as the Americans; but the
Americans scatter their efforts like
shots fired from q gun, and the result
is multiplicity of religious beliefs be.
yond belief. / do not forget that
America was settled to afford an
asylum for religious belief, where men
could work out their salvation in
peace. If America would grant US
the same privilege and uot send mis-.
sionaries to fight over us, all would be
well. No one can dispute the fact
that Americans are in earnest; the
greater number believe they are right;
and that they possess true zeal all
China knows.
"The impression the convert in
China obtains is that the United
States is . sort of paradise, where
Christians live in peace and happiness,
loving one another, doing good 10
those who ill.treat them, turning the
cheek to those who strike them, etc.
but the Chinaman soon finds after
landing in America that this is often
conspicuous by its ABSENCE These
ideas are preached, and doubtless
thousands follow them, or attempt to
do so; but that they are common
practices of the people is not true,
There is great need of Christian mis-
sions in America as we'll as in China.
l told clergyman that our people
believed the Christian religion was
very good for the Americans, and we
had no fault to find with it, nor had
we the temerity to insinuate that our
own way was superior"
eff L were fancy free,' I should
like to lecture in America on the in.
consistencies OF the Caucasian. They
really challenge our own. Instead of
having one splendid church and de.
voting themselves to the real ethics Of
Christianity, these Christians have di.
vided irrevocably, and so lost strength
and force. They are 10 sense turned
against themselves, and their religious
colleges are graduating men to per-
petnate the differences. No more
splendid religion than that expounded
by Christ could be imagined if they
would join hands and, like the Con-
fucians. devote their attention not to
rites and theological differences. but
to the daily conduct OF men.
al asked New York lady at New
port il she had ever met Miss -, a
prominent Chinese missionary. She
had never heard OF her, and considered
most missionaries very ordinary per-
sons. This same lady, when some one
spoke about laxity OF morals, replied ::
IT is not more morals but manners
that we need And can assure you
that this high.church lady, model OF
propriety, judged her men acquaint-
ances by that standard. If their man.
ners were correct. she apparently did
not care what moral lapses they com.
mitted when out of her presence.
Briefly, l looked in vain for the re.
ligion in every. day life preached by the
missionary. Doubtless many possess
it, but the meek and humble follower
OF the head of the Christian Church,
the American who turned his cheek
for another blow, the one who loved
his enemies, or the one who was
anxious to do unto Others as he would
have them do unto him, all these,
whom 1 expected to see everywhere,
we're not found-at least in any num-
bers."
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