Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-04-29
cHINA's CALL FOR PRAYER
Action of Celestial Republic Sensation
Throuohout Christian World.

Action of Celestial Republic Sensation
Throughout Christian World.
Undersigned and unexpected, the cal
Of the Chinese government a weeE
ago for the prayers OF the Christian:
OF the empire, has set church circle;
throughout the world abuzz with in.
terest. This is something new on the
worlds horizon, says the Religious
Rambler. There Is no precedent fol
China's action. This Is the first time
that a non-Christian nation has off,
cially recognized the Christian church
in any such fashion. One can scarce
ly imagine the elation among the
Chinese Christians and the mission
aries. For the recognition comes not
as q condescending favor, but as ar
earnest entreaty for the help of the
prayers Of Christians in meeting the
governments new problems.
Within "a hours after the newspa.
pers had printed the extraordinary in.
telligence from. China, the official re-
resent all the churches, had taken
action. The chairman Of the commit
tee of Reference and Council Of the
Allied Mission board Of North Amer
lea, in cooperation with the Federal
council Of churches, issued call to
the churches of the land to share
with the Chinese Christians In OBJ
serving Sunday, April q, as q day
Of prayer for China in her special
emergency. The lay leaders Of the
missionary enterprise were in session
at Garden City at the time. and they
tried to get into touch with the presi-
dent to ask him to appoint Sunday,
the 9th, as a day Of prayer for Ameri-
can churches. Bishop Bashford, OF
the Methodist church, cabled from
China asking that his denomination
take this action. The occasion was a
wonderful synchronising Of the
thought Of Christian leaders. The dis
cerning men Of christendom have per-
ceived the tremendous significance OF
the action Of the Chinese govern
ment. .....
When one recalls that dozen years
ago the Peking government was doing
its best to exterminate Christianity
and the Christians were dying by the
thousands, 1t becomes apparent that
this present action Of the Peking
government, in calling upon the native
Christians to pray for 1t, is one Of the
most dramatic revolutions Of the wheel
Of events known within the memory Of
living men.
Proud and sufficient, devoted
to ancient ways and until within re-
cent months, calling all outsiders
foreign DEVILS" the Chinese have
made an almost incredible volt 3
spised Christians to pray for the gov
ernment, for its new officers, for its
recognition by the powers and for
its stable establishment.
The proclamation went to almost
unbelievable lengths in decreeing that
government officials all over the en-
pire should attend the prayer services
Of the native Christians on April u.
This means that the humble chapels
and churches Of the little bands OF
Christians, scattered throughout the
is provinces and three dependencies,
will for the first time, see the digni-
taries within their walls. Except in
a few Of the larger cities, there are no
pretentious Chinese churches. The
Christians have been the common
folk, often only the coolie class. Some
Of their meeting places are really too
small to hold all the officials who
must attend. The situation appeals to
ones imagination.
China is the land Of face" The
fact Of this governmental proclama-
tion 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 mis-
sionaries and foreign boards COM
bined. It means more to Christianity
in China than the announcement OF
q million dollar gift.
This Chinese regard for face" or
outward seemliness and recognition,
is what lent Importance Of President
Wilson's appointment Of John r. Mott
as minister to China Mr.. Motifs ap-
pointment, even though he did not
accept, has given face" to missions
both in China and in this country.
It accredited the Christian enterprise
and proved its standing and good re-
pute.
Not for a long time has anything
happened in the history Of the
churches that has centred the interest
Of all branches Of christendom upon
one theme as has this day Of prayer
for China. The newspapers have car
ried the tidings everywhere. In tens
of thousands Of congregations, the
action Of the Chinese government will
be the subject Of discussion and ser
mon; the Christians will be set to con-
sidering China and to praying for her
welfare. Missionary sermons by the
thousands will be preached as result
Of this call.
Various denominations, notably the
northern Presbyterian, are conduct
ing special China campaigns at the
present time for the raising Of large
sums to promote special mission work
in China. This unexpected develop
ment will do more to accelerate the
China campaigns than any scheme
that could be devised by the cam
paigners.
The fact that church people have
been set to talking about China and to
inquiring the meaning Of this gov
ernmental call for prayer Is an i'm
measurable contribution to the cause
of China missions. The soul Of most
missionary education in religious cir
cles is to set people to thinking and
talking about subject. The news
paper dispatches have done more In
a week for this end than the boards
could do in years.
The new administration of China,
as many signs have shown, is pro-
foundly influenced by the young men
educated in mission schools and IN
America. Yuan Shih Kai's secretary,
for instance, is ]. Wellington Koo, a
brilliant Columbia university man,
who has been heard at missionary
gatherings in this country. It was the
missionary influence that kept the
Marking assembly from making
bloody repulses upon the Manchu
troops.
One notable evidence Of the change
in the Chinese temper is the fact that
the Temple Of Heaven" where the
emperor used to go once a year to
worship heaven, and which Is one OF
the most beautiful and impressive
temples in all the earth, has Of late
been opened for Christian preaching
The high altar Of the temple has been
placarded with Christian Scripture
texts, and native preachers and for
eign missionaries have preached the
gospel from this most sacred shrines