The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-06
Distinguished Schoaf Took China
as His Theme
DAYS WORK IN CONFERENCE
Rev. James Thomas Is Seated-Pres,
ent Conference viii Probably Re-
move Four-Year Limit From
Terms of Pastors.


period spend by him in work among the
Chinese, the Methodist general confer
ence yesterday morning suspended the
rules In order to hear an address by DR..
Young j. Allen.
DIR. Allen took China his subject,
and intense interest was shown in every
word he had to say. The conference
valued his remarks so highly that at
their close this resolution was unani-
mously adopted:
Resolved, That the conference has
heard with pleasure and profit the im-
pressive and instructive address of our
distinguished missionary, Rev. Dr. Young
]. Allen: be it further
Resolved, That this conference and
our church are profoundly interested In
the great empire of China, and all its
people; be 1t further
Resolved. That this body respectfully
ask the authorities of our Christian coun-
try such Interpretation of the laws as
will not inflict an injustice or discourtesy
to China or Japanese merchants teachers
and others of low class who may be
sent to visit our territory and further
requests that dealings with the Orient
be inspired by due regard for the welfare
of these people, as well a safety of
our own land; be 1t further
Resolved. That a copy of these resolu-
tions be transmitted by the secretary to
the United States.''
Bishop Galloway Presided
Bishop Duncan called the conference to
order yesterday morning, but later yield
ed the chair to Bishop Galloway, who oc-
cupied 1t through the remainder of the
session.
The credentials committee early in the
session reported adversely on the propo-
sition to unseat Rev. James Thomas of
Texarkana.
A numbenssf Slner r,nffsJz spresented
by the various conferences for action.
A message of greeting from the Spar
tanburg, S. c., district conference was
read, and suitable response made.
recess was taken until II O'clock the
hour set for DIR. Aliens address, and
when the distinguished scholar appeared
on the rostrum he was warmly greeted.
His long, hoary beard and great bearing
lend him dignity that is well in keep
ing with his scholarly attainments. Speak
ing extemporaneously he said in part:
DR.. Allen Speaks.
Il come TO you today at the call Of the
conference. 1t has often been my privilege
to represent China, and often people have
thought I have been too warm a cham
pion of China and have asked what China
has done to merit such praise from
me.
Among the things China has done Is
to bring that great ancient nation down
to us today Rome, Babylon and As
syria are all gone. but China has come
down to us through all the ages not de-
pleted in territory or population. The
Roman empire was much smaller than
Is China. China has conquered all the peo-
pies round about her, and that is why
there are so many dialects. The Cantonese
who come to you today are not Chinese
except as a conquered people who have
assimilated the habits Of original Chinese
with her resources and riches China
stands today physically, commercially
politically, intellectually and in every way
one of the greatest nations in the world
What does China stand for now? China
today is a world question. So far as the
church is concerned China stands in the
very forefront China for Christ means
the world for Christ. The attention of
all the world-diplomatic, commercial and
regious-is centered on China today.
Present Relation to China.
what is our present relation to China ?
China is governed by the Manchu type
which conquered 1t in 1914 1t is we'll
known that another revolution Is con-
templated. This would be for the pur-
pose of restoring the government to the
Chinese. and 1t is hoped it will bring
about many changes and reforms that
would be radical and far-reaching.
THE coming of foreigners began new
era in China. The Manchu government
yn1 rio
body belongs to the throne. Foreigners
were looked upon as foreign barbarans.
Sometimes they have been given priv
ileges but never any rights. People are
never allowed to express themselves on
state questions and only recently certin
newspapers in China have been sup
pressed for talking too freely. Spys con-
stantly use their information to black
mail, so that the whole nation is in con-
slant fear of the government
Young Men Head New Movement.
'The young men of China today are at
the head of the new movement They
have been educated in our schools, ana
they feel that now is the time to speak.
The people are lining up behind them, and
they have let the throne know that they
will no longer submit so abjectly.
China for the Chinese is the watch
word of young China. The people demand
share in the government and In us ad-
ministra ton.
China has distinguished herself with
her civil service 1t has been In force In
China for a thousand years, and within
the past year the Empress has promul-
gated decree abolishing civil service. II
is a sign of the times. The people demand
equal opportunity in education.
Ancestor Worship.
'The religion of China today is ancestor
worship 1t provides for the worship OF
ancestors three generations back The
first born son Is the high priest In every
family. When this first born son joins
the church 1t creates commotion In a
whole community because they fear the
wra tn of the whole ancestry. The desire
for a son is the cause of concubinage r
China When the son is born he is giver
to the wife and the other woman relin.
qushes all claim.
.'Filia1 piety is the first virtue in the
empire. Here is where the work of the
fConfintIed IN Second Paool