Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1913-04-30
CHRISTIAN PssYERS FOR CHINA.
A Remarkable Request, A Natien Turns
Fian pagaalsm In a Day.

New York, April 27.-Churo he
in this city aid throughout tn
country joined today the Christial
Churches of Caina in praying 10
that Nation as requested by tn,
present Chinese authorities. Th,
response here was in connection
with a wcrld wide movement t,
heed she appeal from the new Re.
public, said to be the first tina
ever came to Christian forces from
a non.Chr:stian land.
Points specified by China as be
ing subjects for petitions wer'
the Chinese people, the Presiden'
to be chosen, she Constitution
and it's making and clean mer
wisely selected for members o.
iCongress. To this, in thiI
country. petitions we're added tina,
Christians of American birth nov
in China may oct wisely TOWARD
that country and that Christians
in America may be liberal with
i money and tolerant in spirit.
When one recalls that dozen
years ago the Peking Government
was doing it's best to exterminate
Christianity and the Christiane
were dying by the thousands ii
becomes apparent that this pres.
ent action of the Peking Govern.
ment, in calling upon the native
Christians 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.aufficient. devot-
ed to ancient ways ana until with.
in recent months calling all out.
siders e"foreign DEVILS" the
Chinese have made an almost in
credible "volte face" in calling
upon the late despised Christians
to pray for the government, for
it's new officers, for its recognition
by the Powers and for its stable
establishment.
The proclamation went to al.
most unbelievable lengths in de-
creeing that Government officials
all over the Empire should attend
the prayer services of the native
Christians on April. 81. This
means that the humble chapels
and churches of tie little bands
of Christians, sest sere1 through
out the .1S provinces and three de-
tendencies, will tor the first time
see the dignitaries within their
walls. Except in a few of the
larger cities, there are 10 preten-
tious Chinese churches. The
Christians have been the common
folk, often only the eoolie class.
Some of their meeting places are
really too small to hold all the
officials who must attend. The
situation appeals to ones imagi-
nation.
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 es.
tablish the "face" of Christianity
than any action that could pos
sibly be taken by all the misslon-
aries and foreign boards combin-
ed. It means more to Christian.
ity in China than the announce
ment Of million dollar gift.
The Chinese regard for "fsce,"
or outward seemlineas and reoogni.
! tion, is what lent Importance to
President Wilson's appointment
of John R. Mott as Minister to
China. Mr.. Motifs appointment,
even though he did not accept,
has given "face'' to missions both
in China and in this country. 1t
accredited the Christian enter
prise and proved its standing and
good repute.
Peking, April 27,-China's day
of prayer did not prove entirely
peaceful due to dissension over the
! five Power loan. The loan. which
is for $125 100000 was signed just
before daybreak, the Chinese and
foreign signatories having assem-
bled late last night to conclude
the details of a delegation from
the Senate and House of Repre-
sen tatives gathered outside the
British bank where the represent
atives of the Government and the
ive.Power group met. The vice.
president of the Senate acted al
spokesman for the delegation ano
when All opportunity was giver
him to confer with the signatories
he explained that the majority IL
the Parliament considered th'
loan illegal.
Since the dynastic days tn
question of loan has been dis
cussed in various forms and i
threatens now to bring about an
other revolution similar to tina
} caused by the Hu Kuang loan.