The Washington herald., 1912-08-18
A CHINESE STATESMAN AND
A CHINESE CHURCHMAN ON
CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA

In a fascinating interview printed
Sunday. August 4, in the London
Times and in the New York Times, the
President of the new republic of China
gave the first authorized statement of
his plans for the modernization of
China The article, which is copyright
ed, has this paragraph on the Presi-
dents view of Christianity, and the
work of its missionaries:
Presidents Idea of Missions.
II am asked how I look upon Chris
tianity. Although 1 am not a Christian
in name, am trying to follow its great
and noble doctrines in practice. Around
me, are many men who lean toward
Christianity; and some of them would
to-day come out openly if they were
not fearful they would offend and make
suspicious a large number of people.
Christian bishops and priests have been
coming to China for more than 100
years, and they have wrought much
good. But nine-tenths, yes, ninety-nine-
one-hundredths Of our people have as
yet no idea what Christianity is c.
means 1t will take time to teach them.
The governments place is not to teach
them, but it will not hinder their being
taught. Instead. It will encourage the
missionaries and protect them.
THE missionaries have made many
mistakes. but their greatest have been
the constant appeals to the representa-
tives of their country in Pekin when
any kind of danger threatened.
IF they will now appeal to the re-
public, and only the republic, they win
prevent many Observation-Disclosures I.
personally. while head Of the Chinese
nation, will guarantee them that protec->
ton which every foreigner has a right
to expect / cannot guarantee complete
freedom from annoyance. or from petty
wrongs, but can promise that offenders
will be punished II reports are made to
the proper authorities at the time of
occurrence.
Christianity and Progress.
II favor Christianity and Western
progress. but I hope neither will be
forced upon US. We are not entirely an
unenlightened nation. and we believe we
have some rights which the world at
large should respect. We are not mod
ern, though we hope to be. But mod
ernism can no more come to a people
in . day than education to a mon in an
hour at school. Nations to be good
teachers should be as the efficient school,
master. patient, kindly. not too free with
the rod, and. above all, ready TO show
good example"
Chinese Pastor Speaks.
In the International Review of Mis-
sions for July there is striking article
on the immediate task OF the church in
China by Rev. Ch'eng Ching-yi. pastor
Of a self-supporting church in Pekin and
president Of the Y. NJ. c. A. in that city.
The recent changes in the Middle King
dom have placed additional responsible
ties on the Christian church in China, he
reminds his Western brethren, and he
gives some valuable information with
regard to what is most needed at the
present juncture-
TT must not be forgotten that a new
China does not necessarily mean a bet
ter China" he says. 1T depends upon
the foundation on which the new gov
ernment will be based. The new form of
government needs a new type of men
men of life. Of principle, of courage.
otherwise the nation will remain in its
feeble and weak condition, and here
Christianity is called upon for assist
ance. Upon the new stage OF China's
reforms the Christian church aAs q largo