The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-22
BY Southern Missionary News Bureau,
Ida Clyde Clarke, Editor.


The effect OF the European war in
China is well described by w. w.
Lawton, one of the best known among
the southern Baptist missionaries. He
says:
1T Is twenty years ago since j
reached China. The Japanese Chinese
war was going on at that time. Since
then we have had the Spanish-Amer-
jean war and the Philippines. just
south of us, were part of the world
on which many eyes were turned. We
have had the Japanese Russian war
very near to us. We have had the
Boxer uprising. one of the most ghast-
ly sights imaginable. We have had
the revolution in China--ali these at
our doors Now comes this European
war and again China must he involved
because of the German possessions Of
Kaochow. which have, now gone into
japanese hands, How does the war
affect us? 1t makes the missionaries
think and it ought to make us pray.
But you probably are more interes-
ted In hearing how 1t affects our Chi
nese coworkers When an honored
professor leaves his chair to get into
the arena to draw blood and brave
death he will yet draw a crowd, but
his pupils are COMPOUNDED.
True we have not been preaching
preachers are Europeans and Aneri-
can. England, Canada, Australia, Ger
many, France--theSe with America are
the chief propagandists Of the Chris
tan religion In China.
Christians and War.
Now that these Christian nations,
all except America. are at war with
one another, what must our thinking
evaugeItats feel about the power OF
vol terl~ n ctr "a
war; Are not the rulers even counted
as Christians? Then why could not
thu war been prevented.
This Is time Of testing for many
who are preaching Christ among the
Chinese. Yor say our people at homo
are greatly interested to know If the
European war Is having and apprecia-
BILE effect on the work abroad.
The European war drove Germany
ed Shantunt In 1s14-the year of the
European war.
The work OF the Tmhan railway
from the coast to the extreme west
Of China was suspended because the
Befgtans who had the contract. could
no longer advance tho money.
Many other foreign loans for rail-
roads or other natinal work in China
were called in on account of the Eu-
ropean war.
China is being stimulated to effect
internal loans because of the inability
to consummate. foreign loans. This
will be a great boon to the nation.
Foreign commodities, like kerosene
oil and dress goods. are advancing
much In price, but China is resource
full and will subttitute.
America to Front.
america and her people are more 10
the front here. as elsewhere In the
world than before. but that advan-
war is over unless Americans can, by
honest dealings and straight living
establish their claim and hold theiI
position.
Upon the church the war will likely
have the effect of Fastening efforts
along the self-governing line. This
will be good II II Is not bad.
American Baptists have the double
advantage OF being American and Bap-
tists--doubtly democratic. But China
is not yet republic as many Ameri-
cans. nor are all OF our churches Bap-
lists, as we would fain have them.
Yet the wind Is blowing in the demo-
cratic Baptist direction. and If this
European war will only knock some
OF us to our knees, and some of us
out of the way into the trenches then
this war will bring about such chang
es In China that America and you Rap
fists over there will be proud In claim
ing kin with China and we Baptists
over here