Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-24
CRITICISM OF MISSIONS RAMPANT
IN PORT CITIES.

aries concerning the evil lives of non mis-
sionary foreigners are as unfounded as
many of the criticisms which the latter
make of the missionaries. Investigation re-
veals the fact that in Tentsin more effort
is put forth in behalf of the moral welfare
of the Anglo-SaXon young men and for the
reclamation of those who have strayed, by
the non-mssionary residents than by the
missionaries themselves.
An interested critic could probably prove
the charges of narrowness, eXclusveness
and consciousness against many members
of the missionary body here, admitting the
noteworthy exceptions. All this might be
comprehended within the phrase, general
unfitness for missionary work in port
city. 1t is singular lack of perception on
the part of the mission boards in America
and Europe which often put in the open
ports missionaries who by social gifts, in
tellectual equipment and by temperament
least likely to do the most effective
work there, both among the natives and
the foreigners. No end of misunderstand
ing and Misrepresentation would be escaped
by a wiser method on the part of the
boards.
The frequently expressed policy of the
missionaries, that they have come to work
for the heather and not for Europeans. is
mistaken to the point of absurdity and
folly in case l ran across here. The
best single missionary enterprise In Tlent-
sin is the work of the Young Mems Chris
tan Association in the Chinese city proper.
1t is almost entirely self-supporting, so
greatly does it command the respect of
eminent Chinese, the Viceroy himself being
among the contributors All the work. in
Guiding the home of the missionary is in
big Chinese residence. with upward of a
hundred rooms. A school which has gov
eminent recognition and approval is main
tanned as well as a library and athletic
department. Some months ago the wife of
n nv n
gerouSly i'll. A messenger was hastily dis
patched to a physician in the foreign con-
cessions, who reported himself busy. CThe
journey by night into the center of the
tive city is not pleasant one) A mission
airy physician who, like all the other mis-
sionaries, lives outside the native city, sent
back word when appealed to: Il came to
treat the Chinese, and l cannot take other
PATIENTS
So after this experience. which might
have proved fatal to his wife, the associa
ton secretary, to avoid It's repetition, is
obliged to consider the possibility of sur
rendering his home amid the Chinese, where
he is doing notable work, and of taking up
his residence in the foreign settlement.
Probably such an extreme instance this
of the contention of the missionary, that
he came to work for natives and not for
foreigners, cannot be duplicated. But it is
nevertheless significant.
Since this article is dealing with mission
airy shortcomings, it is proper to tell the
story of a missionary rebellion which has
it's focus in Tientsin. In the southern part
of this province is an Independent I'M
dertaking called the South Chilli mission"
begun ten years ago by Rev. H. w. Houd-
| ing an American CongregationalSt. The
mission is not related to any church or de-
nomination. its support coming chiefly from
| independent city missions and from Congre-
gational churches in the west and middle
west of the United States Mr.. Moulding,
| it appears, has the gift of glowingiy por-
traying China's needs and last year he re-
ceived more than $4,000 for the work of
| his mission. During the past eight years
| he has brought out sixty-nine adult mis-
| sionaries, most of them coming at their
own expense and putting all their worldly
possessions into common mission fund,
| from which they could never withdraw
them.
Troubles in the mission have been almost
| constant, and now former members of the
mission are out in a.public circular, which
| they are sending widely to America, max
| ing various charges against the mission
| and it's head 1t is reported that the
American consul general is taking steps to
! require Mr.. Houlding to provide return pas
sage to America for his missionaries, since
| a number of them have become a charge
| on the consulate. For it appears, according
! to this circular, that Of the sixty nine mis-
I scionaries brought !Out three have died and
| thirty-eight have left the mission in dis
! satisfaction. Most of these have remained
| in China, in connection with other missions;
! some have gone into business here, and
| some have returned to America.
! The circular charges Mr. Moulding with
| lack of proper qualifications for leadership,
| with denying the missionaries voice In
| the management of the mission; with run
| ming a sort of absolute monarchy, all the
| property being in his own name, and with
| making representations concerning the
! work which are not borne out by the facts.
| The signers of the circular say that they
have made the mildest possible presentation
| of the real situation, and they hint at more
| serious evils. Some of the many stories cur
| rent here are ludicrous. One member of the
| mission was British, and liked his cup of
| afternoon tea The mission thought this
| wicked and sinful indulgence. When he
| persisted in the practice they held a mis-
| sion prayer meeting over him to show him
| the evil of his course! Another member
| was similarly disciplined for being too fond
| of peanuts! All this while grave evils were
| existing in the conduct of the mission.
\
One hears many stories in the east con-
| corning independent missions, without sub
stantial and responsible bodies back of
| them at home. Especially are tales told of
| the faith missions Jealous and unquali-
| fed enthusiasts come out on faith" and
/ the other missionaries and foreigners have
! to support them to keep them from starving