The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-05-15
AMERICA RESPONDS
TO CHINA'S STRANGE
CALL FOR PRAYERS
Unprecedented Action of the
Chinese Government Stirs
American Churches.
MISSIONS RARE PRESTIGE
Presence of Chinese Officials In Native
Churches Gives "Face" to Chris
tianity-There Is Politics
In II, Too.
lBy The Religious Rambler.l

(By The Religious Rambler.)
Undersigned and unexpected, the call
of the Chinese government a week ago
for the prayers of the Christians of the
empire, has set church circles through
out the world abuzz with interest. This
is something lew OF the worlds hori-
Zon. There is no precedent for China's
action. This is the first time that a
Christian nation has officially
recognized the Christian church in any
Such fashion. One can scarcely imagine
Inc citation among the Chinese Chris
tlans and the missionaries. For the
recognition comes not as a condescend-
ing favor, but as ar earnest entreaty
for the help of the prayers of Chris
tlans IN meeting the governments new
problems.
Within "a hours after the newspa-
pers had printed the extraordinary in
telligence from China, the official re-
llgious bodies in America, which repre-
sent all of the churches, had taken ac-
ton. The chairman of the committee
of reference and council of the allied
mission boards of North America, in
cooperation with the Federal Council
OF Church, issued a call to the churches
of the land to share with the Chinese
Christians in observing Sunday, April
II, as a day of prayer for China in her
special emergency. The lay leaders of
the missionary enterprise were in ses-
sion at Garden City at the time, and
they tried to get into touch with the
president to ask him to appoint Sun
day, the 9th, as a day of prayer, for
American churches. Bishop Bashford,
OF the Methodist church, cabled from
China asking that his denomination
take this action. The occasion was a
wonder synchronising of the thought
of Christian leaders. The discerning
men of Christendom ave perceived the
tremendous significance of the action
of the Chinese government.
What a Dozen Years Have Brought.
When one recalls that a dozen years
ago the Picking government was dong
Its best to exterminate Christianity and
the Christians were dying by the thous-
and, it becomes apparent that this
present action of the Peking govern
ment, in calling upon the native Chris
tians to pray for it. is one of the most
dramatic revolutions Of the wheel of
events known within the memory of
living men.
Proud and self-sufficient. devoted to
ancient ways and until within recent
months calling all outsiders foreign
devils" the Chinese I'VE made an al
most incredible wolfe face in calling
upo the lat~eiy-despised Christians to
pray for the government, for its new
officers, for its recognition by the pow
ers and for its stable establishment
What 1t Means to China.
The proclamation went to Amos I'm
b~elievable lengths in decreeing that
government officials all over tire en-
pire should attend the prayer serviC Is
Of the native Christians on April 81.
This means that the humble ctlapels
and churches of the little balids of
Christians, scattered throughout the is
provinces and three dependencies. Will
for the first time see the dignitaries
within their walls. Except in a few
of the larger cities. there are no ire
tentious Chinese churches. The Chris
tians have been the common folk, often
only the coolie class. SOM of their
meeting places are really too small to
hold all the officials who must attend.
The situation appeals to ones imagin-
alton.
China is the land of face" The fact
of this governmental proclamation and
the presence of these officials in the
Christian meeting places will do more
to establish the face" of Christianity
than any action that could possibly be
taken by all the missionaries and for
'eign board combined. 1t means more to
Christianity in China than the ans
nouncefnsnt of a $1,000, 600 gift.
This Chinese regard for face or
outward seemliness and recognition. is
what lent Importance President
Wilson's appointment of John r.. Mott
as minister to.8G1ina. Mr.. Motifs APP
cept, has given face. to missions both
In China and in his country. 1t ac-
rred;ted the Christian anterprisa ard
rLsrr- -. go.
lne IHecs opon america.
NOT fer q long tt'ne mas awning
h~appenetfEin the history of the churches
that has centered the interest of all
branches OF Christendom upon one
theme as has TINS day OF PRAYER Tor
China. The nave earned
the tidings everywhere. In tens of
of congregations. the action
of n Chinese government Will be the
subject OF discussion and sermon: the
Christians Will be set to considering
CHINA, and to praying for her Welsare, =
ermon by the thousand
VIII be preached as a result OF TINS call.
VARIOUS denominations notaoiy the
Northern PresDyteriahs, are conducting
special China campaigns at the present
time for4the raising OF large sums TO
promote special mission work In Chinsi.
Ihis unexpected development Will 90
more to accelerate the CHINA cam
paignSs than n Scherne that could he