Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-22
WILSON FORESEES
CONVERTED CHINA

Washington. April 2I.-President
Wilson in an address at a meeting here
Tonight of the Potomac Presbytery OF
the Presbyterian Church pictured a Wis
ion of China awakened by the voice OF
Christ and furnishing n great momen-
tum in future to the moral forces Of
the world. He declared that as soon
as the unity Of China WAS realized its
power would como in the world.
shall we not see that the parts are
fruCtified by the teachings Of Christ? -
He asked.
The Presidents address was devoted
largely to incidents of his boyhood
when he assisted his father. a Presby-
terian clergyman. He had the risky
habit OF saying exactly what he
thought" said the President, "a habit
which I in part inherited and Of which
have had diligently to cure myself
'Isut he was the best instructor, the
most inspiring companion. | venture to
say, youngster ever had, and in facing
southern Presbytery cannot think Of
myself as the President Of the United
States. can only think of my
self as the sun Of Joseph p. Wilson, and
| only wish could claim some of the vi
tai connection with the church which he
could claim Because those who stand
outside OF the active ministratiOns OF
the church, 20 to say. get an illegitimate
usury from it. We do not seem TO add a
great deal to its capital. hut we do live
on Its Investments. We do live on its
great investments OF spirit
Before Mr.. Wilson spoke Warren r.
stuart. a missionary In China. had told
of the great importance OF the work for
Christianity being done there. The Presi
dent dwelt upon this in his address.
INFLUENCE or CHRIST.
When / think Of the great bodies Of
opinion which sustain the affairs Of the
world it seems to me that the heart and
nucleus of them is the principle OF
Christia nifty" he continued. And that,
therefore. the conservation OF that great
foundation OF all that is Just and right
eOus is one OF the most important things
conceivable. infinitely more important
than the things which those OF IFS do who
attempt to take some part i'm administer
ing the external affairs of the world:
and whom I hear men like Mr. Stuart
pleading for the means to introduce this
great influence into part OF the world
now for the first time feeling its con-
nection with the rest of mankind, now
first wakening to the possibilities of the
power that lies latent in it, ! wonde" II
II Is possible that the imaginations Of
Christian people will fail to take fire
"Why. this is the most amazing and
inspiring vision that can hc offered you.
this vision Of that great sleeping nation
suddenly cried awake by the voice of
Christ Could there be anything more
tremendous than that? And could there
be any greater contribution 20 the future
momentum of the moral forces OF the
world than could be made by quickening
this force which Is being set afoot in
China? China Is at present inchoate: as
nation it Is congeries of parts in
each of which there is energy. but whici
are unbound in any essential and active
unit. and Just as soon as its unity comes.
it's power will come In the world should
we not see that the parts are frnctihed
by the teachings of Christ?
but that IL quite apart from what |
had come TO say ] had not come to
speak on foreign missions I am not com
petent to speak on foreign missions 7 am
merely competent to utter my deep
allegiance to the things which are rep
resented by bodies Of people like ths
and tn express my thanks to God tha
as a youth and as man l have been
nar,uitiAd 10 baN@ sooia nart in 'h~'~."