Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-13

he demand of New China for teachers,
The Chinese themselves will be ready
o provide the support of many thou
ands of teachers. Where are the men
nd women who will be ready to go?
70 have a paIt in the work of teaching
he rising generation of this great ma
ion will be participating in the most far
eaching and benign movement OF mod
rms times. Such an opportunity should
ppeal to the best impulses of the
hristian heart.
Concerning the magnitude of the OPP
for christian work IN China at
his time, Bishop Rasn1ord speaks in the
paragraph tsI;en fro the let
er already quoted:
Cur Foochow Conferece composed
of missionaries and Chinese preachers)
gave a reception to Genera SUNG,
the new military governor of the
Fuhkien Province and his Cabinet
during Conference week, exactly as
1T has received Representatives of the
Manchu government on similar occa-
sions in previous years. The most
dramatic incident in this reception
was a request by the president Of
the Board Of osts anil Communica-
tons for prayers fer thu Cabinet and
for General Sung, and the prompt
ness with which General Sung leaped
to his feet and bowed his head the
moment the request was made. I Of
fered brief prayer while all stood
at the close Of my remarks. The Rev.
MUONG SENG, one of the leading
Methodist preachers, says that were
our Church prepared with suitable
places of worship, we could receive
hundreds of thousands of people into
these churches and teach them the
Christian doctrine within the next
few months. I have been meeting
surprises ever since 1 came to China,
but have never been more surprised
than at the longing with which the
Chinese turn to us for help and in
struction in regard to the true God
and the true way of life IN the crisis
which is upon them. Indeed, were we
prepared to inaugurate 1t, am in
clined to think that a movement sim
liar to the Korean revival could be
successfully carried on in China in the
near future.
That the Bishop Does not exaggerate
he magnitude of the opportunity for
hristian EFFORT in China is manifest by
he response Of General Sung to the
ourtesy shown him by the Conference,
lie is reported as saying in part:
I greatly regret the necessity to call
you all in from your homes and
your stations, but wish to assure you
that it was for your own protection
and comfort. I am glad that here
I may speak what is in my heart
without reserves The Church is here
for the enlightenment of the people,
and I am glad that the Church Is
here to save the souls OF the Chinese
people. In this time of danger ana
dif1culty you can see how many good
men I have called from the Church
to help me We thank you for all the
good you have done, and not we
only should thank you but the 4OO,OOO-
600 people Of China. ask or you that
YOU Join with US for the uplift OF this
great empire.
when in all the Christian centuries
yas such an appeal ever before mace
Y heather soldier to the representa-
ives of the church of Christ? And he
tered no more than any and all of the
,ost enlightened men of his nation
yould have said under similar circum-
ances.
Surely the times call for the most
arrest, energetic, and powerful procla-
nation OF Christian truth to all nations.
he race Of man is moving towards life
nder governments of freedom. There
re now about twenty-five republics on
he planet. Since China has become a
epublic more than half OF mankind
We under the protection of republican
Constitutional monarchies
xist in Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Ger
lany, Austria-Hungary, Norway, Swe-
en-, Japan, and many smaller countries.
he autocracy of Russia has been forced
} accept parliamentary government in
art, as has been the case in Turkey
lso. Absolutism in government is
bout at an end throughout the whole
vorld But If the nations are to be
eet, they must be enlightened and
loral, or freedom win run to license
nd license run to ruin. Where's there
n adequate source to supply moral life
nough to sustain free governments
throughout the earth? If Christianity
annot supply such life. it cannot be
ound at all among men. Wherefore
hristian men in the interest of the
-orld's freedom, as well as out of re-
ard for the salvation of mankind, must
i've themselves to the spread of Chris
anity everywhere. Free government
annot survive in default of high NOR
lily, and a lofty morality is impossi-
le without a living faith. Mohammed-
nism, fConfucianism, Buddhism, Hindu
I'M, Shintoism-none of these, nor all
{ them combined can furnish a stable
nd enduring foundation for govern
rents of freedom to rest upon. A free
orld must be a Christian world, or it
Ill speedily relapse into bondage.
Just because Christianity is no more
revalent in China than it is, we look
Or unsteadiness in the movement for
republic. We need not be surprised
} see a long period of uncertainty and
isquietude. Permanent tranquility
ill be just in proportionto the preva-
nee of Christian truth and sentiment
nong the people, especially among the
lltng classes. Jesus Christ. the Prince
Peace, alone can command the peace
the world. Mankind must have the
eace of God, or no peace at all.