New-York tribune., 1907-06-15
CENTEN4RY OF MISSIONS.
Importcnt Conference at Shanghai
Discusses Federation.

The centenary missionary conference which was
held in Shanghai, China, April 26 to May S, is said
by those familiar with the history of missionary
work have been the greatest Christian gather
ing ever held in that Oriental country. According
10 The North China Daily News" which is pub
Ished in Shanghai. there 800 present. in
GLIDING the representatives Of eightythree different
societies and agencies working in more than five
hundred cities throughout the Empire Of China.
In addition to celebrating the centenary Of tho
beginning Of Protestant missions in China with the
arrival Of Robert Morrison in that country in 1907.
tFis conference the third in a series of mis-
sionary gatherings. OF which the first held IN
1877 and the second in 1890. At the latest con-
ference the attendance numbered only about four
hundred and fifty. and very few Of this number
were official delegates from the different societies
ten missionaries in t1c field were represented by
ass@' ] Of ana abda alt OF as the well ss ali @
sionaTies who haze worked IN China tWenty-five
Committees were appointed some time before the
Of the mission field in China These papers were
all printed in advance and We're not read at the
points being given ia order that the greater part
Of the time might be devoted to discussion of
resolutions based these papers. one Of the most
important Of these resolutions dealt with the union
Of all the denominations working side by side n
China Daily News" it declares IN Section 2 that
present divided front those outside and create
confusion by large VARIETY OF incoasistent teach
Christian Chinese, arc in danger Of being thus
ferences" The resolutions state the various points
upon which the denominations represented at the
conference differed. and concluded with this
sertion: We unite in holding that these excep-
tions do not invaidate the assertion of real
unity in common witness TO the Gospel Of the
grace Of Cod
In Section 4 Of the resolutions the delegates to
the conference respectfully submit TO the home
churches which have sent us to China the following
recommendations:
''(a) That they should sanction the recognition
churches planted by them to organize themselves
in accordance with their Views of truth and
duty suitable arrangements being made for the
due representation Of the missionaries on their
governing bodies until these churches shall be in
position to the full responsibilities of self
support and self-government.
''to) That they shall abstain from claiming any
permanent right of spiritual administrative con-
troll over these Chinese churches
Some OF the other topics discussed at the con-
ference were "rhe Missionary and Public Ques-
'''The Translation and Study of the Scriptures"
Memorials 10 the Chinese government We're also
discussed together with letters TO the Chinese and
home churches and resolution in regard to the
DR. Arthur H. Smith. who attended the confer
ence writing in THE Congregationast and Chris
tian World" says: The dominant note of the
conference has been that Of unity and progress. 1t
is the universal testimony that China is every
that the Christian church is ever increasing
power in Chinese communities. At the conference
there has been scarcely a discordant note struck
II was wonderful gathering, which marks mile
stone of the centuries in the great task of the
worlds conversion.