The Washington herald., 1910-06-26
By Ex-ATTAcHE.

Among the many problems that figure
on the programme for discussion at the
great International Missionary Congress
which has been IN session throughout the
last few days at Edinburgh. a congress
in which every Christian denomination
was represented by delegates, there were
two that appeal in a very particular
manner to the layman.
They are, first Of all, the question as
to the right of the missionary TO defend
himself when In danger of death, that is
to say, the right to go armed.
The second Is as to whether Christians
and more particularly those engaged in
the propagation of Christianity. are en-
titled 10 destroy their own lives, or the
lives OF those associated with them. In
order 70 escape inevitable and certain
torture OF kind that only the fiends in
carnate of the Orient can devise
With regard to the controversy as to
whether missionaries have right 10 de-
fend life by means OF force of arms,
some denominations take one view about
the matter and others a Numerically OPP
poslte one. Thus. at the time of the
anti-foreign outbreak in Uganda. in the
early part of 1897. all the Church of Eng
land missionaries in that portion of
Africa responded 10 the British COM
missioner's call for volunteers, and took
part In the fighting; did so, too. with the
sanction Of their archdeacon, and Of their
bishop. Dr. Hanlon.
Indeed, the latter subsequently ex-
planned in writing, in a letter published
by the London daily newspapers, that in
crises Of such a character as that which
had taken place in Uganda. 1T was alb
solutely necessary for every white man
in the country 10 stand shoulder 10 Shout
der. and for missionaries to fight" with
just as much vigor and relentIessness
as laymen.
On the other hand. the Roman Catho-
lie Church strictly forbids its mission
aries to bear arms, or to shed blood in
defense OF life. Council after council has
reiterated this prohibition, taking the
ground that secular and spiritual arms
must be kept apart. And II must be con-
fessed that If consistency Is 10 be OBJ
served. the view taken by the councils
OF the Roman Catholic Church-a view
Endorsed by many Protestant missionary
True. It Is difficult for a married mis-
sionary whose wife and children are liy-
ing with him TO turn a deaf ear 10 such
an appeal as that issued by the British
commissioner of Uganda, when he de-
clared that as the existence Of the pro-
tectorate, and consequently the lives and
honor Of English ladies, is at stake.
have no hesitation In calling upon all
British subjects TO assist in the military
operations. II behooYes all British sub
iects, whatever their profession. TO stand
together until the troubles are at an
end"
And IL is difficult for missionary who
has hts family beside him to refrain from
firing his rife or his revolver when he
knows that by doing so he can save those
dear 10 him from death in us most horri-
BILE form
But on the other hand. the principle
that the Christian minister is a nom
combatant Is AZ ancient as the existence
Of tho Christian Church. and it is neither
in keeping with the teachings of the
New Testament, nor is it polite. for a
missionary 10 go armed. since he can
only expect immunity at the hands Of the
more or less barbarous races among
whom his lot Is cast as long as they
are assured that his mission is a purely
religious one, that under no circum-
stances will he take the lives OF others.
and that. happen what may. he will shed
no human blood.
II convinced that he is the bearer Of
nothing but words of peace, the natives
may tolerate his presence among them.
and even lend an ear TO his exhortations
For throughout Asia and Africa. the
unarmed preacher. no matter what his
faith or creed, is regarded with a Ger
tain degree Of respect, If his doctrine
seems preposterous. he is often looked
upon as crazy and as such. under the
special protection Of the supernatural
power. whatever the latter may happen
10 be in that particular place.
But let Il once be known that the
Christian missionary goes armed. that
he meets force with force, and that he
is prepared TO offer resistance-then the
natives will become more than ever con-