The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-12-14
WILL CHINA ESTABLISH
A STATE RELIGION

Keen interest obtains in all bodies.
Protestant and Catholic. in this country
ever the agitation TO write Confucianisnt
into the constitution, now in the max
ing. as the state religion Of China Ames-
lean mission boards having work in
China are receiving reports and sendir,s
them out widely. Added interest obtains
here because the leader of the movement.
Chen Huan-Chang, was educated at CO.
lumbia University. New York, and holds
from that university a degree Of doctor
Of philosophy. He is a member of the
Han-Lin. or National Academy Of Liter
allure of China. which holds according
to DR.. Chen, that IL the new China is to
be saved from political and moral an
archy. the historic faith must be legally
established.
Following closely the american method
of agitation. DR.. Chen has founded a So
ciety OF distinguished Chinese scholars.
and these recently held a convention at
the birthplace of Confucius in the. Shan
tung province. The movement led by this
former Columbia University student has
attracted the attention of Chinese Off
Gals, and President Yuan Shi-Kai has
issued an edict practically indorsing it.
His act led to the conference Just held
at Pekin. attended by leaders of all 9TH
er bodies. Christian. Islam. Buddhist. and
that they do not favor one of their re-
specive faiths to be made the state one.
but believe that a free church in a free
state the best plan.
1t is to be remembered that until the
overthrow OF the empire four years ago
Confusianism was the state religion, thg
Emperor being the head of the faith. and
its services being a charge upon the pub-
lie revenues. II is now simply fighting
for haf ad
mass OF the Chinese people are Confu-
cianists. and Christian leaders in this
country, speaking of ConfUcianism. say
il is immensely superior as a religion -
some others. and that it has done much
for the millions Of Eastern Asia.
The Christian forces in China. arrayed
against any State religion. number about
2250,oO0 In evangelical churches there
are 5.452 foreign missionaries. and $50
ordained and unordained Chinese pastors
and workers. There are also nearly 500
Christian school teachers, and the ac-
tual church membership is 10000. Cath
olics have in China Is bishops, 1.f75 for
eigu and 697 native priests. and 1.34S.O0O
communicate members. Bishop Bash
ford and Bishop Lewis, in the Methodist
Church; Bishop Graves, of the Episcopal
Church. and Rev. W. A P. Martin. of the
are among the leaders in this contest.
possibly to become historic. to keep a
provision continuing Confucianism as the
state religion out of the constitution of
China.
1t is reckoned in this country that the
attitude of President Yuan Shi-kai in the
past must have some bearing in the pres
emit controversy. He has for years main
tanned friendly attitude toward Chris
tianity and was one of the three vice
roys who interposed at the time Of the
Boxer uprising to protect missionaries
and native Christians from violence H9
has placed two nieces for education in
the Methodist school at Tientsin. and
has personally made liberal gifts to
schools of the London Missionary So
ciety. His portrait is on the walls Of
the last named society. as one OF ITS
foremost benefactors- In an interview
with Bishop Bashford not long since has.
stated definitely that IL was his conVlc-
ton that Christian ethics are necessary
to the building of a new China His re-
markable call of less than year ago
to the churches of Christendom TO join
in a day of prayer for the new Chinese
republic is fresh in the minds Of all '
Leaders in America most familiar with {
conditions say the outcome is exceedingly
doubtful. Parliament sessions have been
discontinued and President Yuan has as
sumed what amount to dictatOrial pow
ers. Dr. George Heber JoEes, OF the
Methodist foreign board, was for six
wears a fellow-townsman Of President
Yuan when the latter was Chinese repre-
sentative at Seoul, Korea DR.. Jones
says he does not dare predict.