Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-09
The Orient and Christianity.
BY DR.. FRANK CRANE.
Copyright, 1913, by Frank Crane.l

If asked what is the most significant
world event of the last six months. |
would say 1t is the formal request of
the Chinese government that the Chris
tan people throughout that country and
all the earth unite in prayer for the well
fare of the new republic.
China is not Christian; only a small
portion of her people are of that re-
ligion.
1t is the first time in history that a
non-Christian nation has officially ac-
knowledged the faith of Christian peoples
by asking their prayers.
The various church boards in America
responded to the appeal. and last Sunday
petitions were offered up i'm our churches
for the success of the Chinese experiment
in self government.
The deep meaning Of this appeal from
China lies in its distinct recognition of
the power of Christian sentiment.
A similar act is that of a distinguished
japanese statesman who in the beginning
of the California affair expressed the
hone that Americans would grant them
treatment in accordance with the princi-
pies of Christianity.
Familiarity breeds contempt in little
minds. To many of US Christianity is SO
usual. so ingrained into our training and
custom, that we forget what Ii is. When
the orient wakes up and looks upon the
western scheme of life and faith it sees
in it the grand lines OF its imposing
structure and not its petty details.
The orient. from the outside. sees the
thing called Christianity not as We see
it, 1t perceives a lofty spirit of personal
conduct, high program OF HE, an IDEAL
plan for human society. In the perspec-
tive of distance the clash and narrowness
of warning sects. the intolerance and
seltishness of imperfect human nature
fade into the huge outlines OF astound-
ing altruism.
Most of all the deep piercing orient
sees the essential democracy OF Chflstian
principles and how the emphasis lana oy
Jesus upon the worth and dignity OF the
individual life is the real force behind
successful popular government
One-half of any religion is the people
who have it. Christianity plus the Latin
races means one thing. plus the Teutonic
and Anglo-SaXon another. Plus Amerl-
When Christianity shall have been
taken up by the orientals | think II VIII
produce a religion vastly in advance OF
our own. The eastern character is more
oe ir,f,a Die TO the theories of Jesus. 1t Is
wore simple more earnest. more imagina-
tive Ii has not that curse of getting-on
that cheapens and hardens the western
SOUL.
has been brought about by a touch from
,be east. The renaissance came from the
fan of t'onstdntinopie and the spread OF
Gre K learning through Italy. Always the
eae. mas reiuvenatad the west From the
orient came mathematics, philosophy and
a.: religions.
When Christianity shall. have been
fot1ad hack upon the Chinese and Jap
anese it Will produce a religion as Tar
in advance of the thing We call Chris
tian;ty as we are in advance or pagan
ism. c,,
Thu, missionaries invading China are
huildiny more wisely than they know
Eo,. If ever the orient becomes CHRISTIAN
II viii shame us. IL will simply and SIN
cer.iy follow the teachings of Christ we,
calling ourselves Christians. practically
.,ec,are that the principles Of Jesus Will
NOT work; that He was an impractical
d-e.,ler With our armies and prisons.
orr. worship of force. our distrust OF
,,,,,,an nature our laws OF inheritance
arr, n,,- i,gs. rlaut OF business prosperity
r,.th;ess,y grinding the humanites De-
neatl, its wheels of progress, We sheer AT
IA. snir.tual laws of Christ as an rides
cant dr.am.'' all the while giving MN iui-
some mouth worship
II rho oyienrais as they bid fair TO do.
ta.. the teachings of Christ seriously. ~
Is they that shall rule the future: Tor IL Is
not re violent and cruel but the meek
that shall inherit the earth.