Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-18
But Little Difference in General
Situation Since Republic
Was Founded.
MORE LIBERTY, HOWEVER,
FOR THE MISSIONARIES
Views of Conditions There Expressed
by Elder Evans of Seventh
Day Adventists.

Something of the changes among the
Chinese people which have resulted from
and the progress made since the estab-
lishment of the Chinese republic was
given In an interview yesterday by Elder
l. H. Evans of Shanghai, China, vice
president of the general conference of
Seventh-Day Adventists for the Asiatic
division. who is attending the world 8
conference of Seventh-Day Adventists in
session at Takoma Park.
He said there was no such thing as
national feeling in China, although
changes for the better were to be seen
as a result Of the incoming of the re-
publican regime.
IAN observer would see no marked
changes in the general administration of
affairs since the Manchus were forced to
resign the administration of the Chinese
government and the republicans had TAX
en- the control. The reason for this is
that the empire is so massive and the
people SO numerous that one section of
the country cannot represent the entire
empire.
Most of the Chinese are illiterate,
therefore they have but the faintest ideas
of governmental affairs. They know little
of what Is going on in their own coun-
try.
LAS far as one can observe, in the in
terror there has no advance been made
In conditions that prevailed previous to
the revolution. One will observe, however,
that the queues of the Chinese in many
of the places have been cut, and their
dress has been modelled after the fashion
of Europeans. But so far as the great
mass of the people is concerned. the con-
dition remains as it was before the COM
ing in of the new regime.
Privileges to Missionaries.
Since the Boxer settlement the mis-
sionaries have been extended the privi-
lege of carrying their gospel work
throughout the empire. They are allowed
to travel in any direction they may de-
sire and preach wherever they can find
listeners. They are given protection by
the local mandarins. The missionary is
privileged character in China, so long
as he leaves political affairs alone, and
can preach the gospel In any community
unmolested. The government gives mis-
sionaries absolute protection and they
have the same liberty AS Is extended to
them here in America.
Elder Evans was asked: What is your
opinion was the object of the Chinese
officials in requesting the prayers of
Christian foreigners in behalf Of the ma
tiOnal government?
1T is difficult for a westerner to fully
understand all the workings of the ORR
entail mind. We are oftentimes wholly
unable to comprehend the object that un-
derlies the minds and actions OF the east
However, Yuan Shi Kai, president Of the
republic, and DR.. Sun Vat Sen and other
leading officials are very favorable to
Christianity. Some of these men nomi-
nally profess Christianity. / believe the
request of the Chinese officials for the
prayers of Christians to be sincere. al
though 1t is likely that there was some
political object behind it besides securing
the sympathy and cooperation OF Chris
tian people"
Chinese Idea of Christianity.
Elder Evans said that the Chinaman's
idea OF Christianity was very vague. The
Chinese have but little conception of the
real life of a Christian. but believe there
is good in it.
1.-The attitude of China is that it NAV
be in a condition TO receive the best from
all sources where material blessings may
be obtained" he said
1.-THE work of the Seventh-Day Advent
lists in China covers but brief period or
that country in 1901. From that time mis-
sionaries have increased their activities
and working forces, until at present there
are 100 native workers and about fifty
foreign workers I'm seven provinces
They have esta blished schools In va
rious places and printing and dis
tributing considerable gospel literature. |
They have done little along medical. mis-
sionary lines. but are planning Ia. open
hospital work In connection with their
training school the coming year. There
" . large interest throughout the entire
Held of China for missionary work. ana
there A. n great desire manifetsed on the
part ~ the chinese Ia be instructed W
the Christian religion.
The Chinese kunw nothing whatever
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