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

22nd, 1911, shows the source from
which that leavening influence arises.
He says:
THE frequency with which the
contestants on both sides in num-
erous instances nave turned to the
missionaries for advice and direc-
ton is one of the surprises of the
present movement. Inded, in most
cases, the missionaries have been
the arbiters between the contend
ing parties, and both parties have
accepted their final judgment. The
fact that so great a revolution has
swept over China with SO little
bloodshed is due far more TO Chris
tian missionaries than the world at
large or even the Chinese as a whole
have yet realized. In general the
missionaries have occupied the safe
advisers to both sideg in tine crisis
"a position which is comforting
priceless benefits upon countless
Chinese"
This testimony to the strong and
benefcent influence of the missionaries
accords with what people who are in
formed about conditions in China have
known for many years. 1t mas been a
good whne since there was organized
at Shanghai The Society for the Diff
fusion of Christian knowledge in
direction Of DR.. Young ]. Allen, of
Georgia, and DR.. Timothy Richard, a
Baptist Missionary from Wales The
publications of that society have PEN
etrated almost every part of the Chi
nese empire, and they have been ca
gerly read by the most intelligent
classes.
They have REINFORCED the influence
of the numerous mission schools in
China and furnished instruction for the
students OF Western learning" When
Kang Yu Wei, the Chinese patriot who
led the reform movement of 1898, was
interviewed in Hongkong. the editor
of THE China Mail" said to him:
There has not been patriot in China
for hundred years, and now you sud
denly spring forth the embodiment of
the highest patriotism and wisest
craftsmanship. Where did you get your
information and inspirations" He re-
piled promptly and emphatically, IT
got my information and inspiration
from two men. One was Timothy
Richard, a British Baptist missionary,
and the other was Young j. Allen, a
Methodist missionary from America"
There were other patriots besides
Kang Yu Wei in China, although the
editor of the China Mali did not know
them; and there were other mission
aries, less prominent and influential
but not less faithful than Richard and
Allen, who were giving forth informal
ton and inspiring to the young Chinese
around them. Now all the world gazes
in wonder at the results which have
followed their tolls. While these he
roes of faith have ben pouring out
their lives for the redemption and en-
lighCenment of this populous empire.
there have been found in this christian
land of ours misguided men who have
censured and abused them. Some have
written and spoken adversely to them
from ignorance, not knowing the facts
in the case. Others have deounced
them out, of downright and unmitigated
meanness. Surely as events unfold.
like the things stated by Bishop FASH
ford, such unworthy criticism will
cease. If the critics nave not decency
enough to blush for their wicked words,
they ought now tC have at least sense
enough to keep silent.
But our concern is not with these
petty critics and mean criticisms. No
man of consequence has uttered such fol-
ly. Mr. DENLY, Sir Robert Hart Mr..
John w. Foster, Minister Conger and
other men of like haracter, have uniform
ly praised the missionaries in China for
their high services and noble self-sac-
narrow prejudices have spoken in dis
paragement and censure of them.
We need not care to answer these crit
les now. In the light of the era-making
events which are transpiring in the ORR
ent they appear too small for notice. We
should rather bestir ourselves to make
sure that the great harvest which has
come from the patient sowing Of the
good seed of the kingdom, which faith
full missionaries have been scattering
broadcast in China for so many labori-
Gus years, shall not be lost, or suffer
damage. The christian churches of the
world have not been confronted for cen
turtles by such an opportunity as that
now presented in China Something like
il, but by no means so great an oppor-
tunity, was presented in Japan about
thirty-five years ago. When the empire
of the MilSado began to emerge from
the shadows of ages a Presbyterian mis-
sionary was called upon to model the
educational systems of the nation. He did
his work we'll, modelling the system
after that of our own country. But when
the call was made upon the churches to
supply teachers for the new system
they made no adequate response, and
hence the schools OF Japan pas sed under
the influence Of agnosttc instructors
in a great measure. It would be a ia
Iamity to mankind If the same result
should now follow the revolution in
China. It is absolutely certain that mis-
sionaries viii be asked to advise about
the educational system Of New China
and this will be true whatever may be
the Anal form OF the government, wheth-
er strictly republican OF a constitute n
al monarchy, Steps should be taken at
once by the churches of christendom-
especially the churches OF the United
States and Great Britain, the mission