The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-21
CH|NA'S SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

A. 70 the present outlook in China
geY w r. Hamlet, a well known mis-
sionAry working In Soochow under
the Southern Baptist Convention, has
sonlc interesting views, lie says:
ssPositically, China's future Is uncer-
tain 1t cannot be doubted that she
nas made real progress toward de
ssocracy. though 1t remains to be seen
BOW far she will be able 10 adapt
Mill she has learned to present con
4tStions.
The economical and SOCIAL outlook
~ bright. For many years forces
nave been at work which have
Brought about the great social and
economic changes. as well as the poll
tscal changes which China has been
IA sAing through for the past i've years
A few years ago China was sleeping
giant. bound by ignorance and SUI
perstition to the past; today she Ia
e4svake and trying to shake OF her
shaekIes. She is seeking the best
ssiat Western civilization has to offer
av.srv year she Is sending scores OF
iser best young men and women 10
ssudy in foreign schools. They are
returning to become the leaders in
Ter religious civic and commercial
life.
"A few years ago China was back
9liIr. Der, and enjoyed none of the Inn
To-day there Is an entirely new situa-
zion She has a good telegraph sys~
TEN, extending to all important points
fiji tho republic, operated by the cen
trail government, and modern pos
tal system, which gives excellent ser
xdc.. She has over 5000 miles or ran
rpads and several thousand projected
which have been delayed only through
hack of funds, owing to internal dis
tnrhances and the European war.
"As a result OF railway develop
4neat large mining industries have
apened up, which promise to become
The greatest IN tho Orient, and per-
Iaaps in few years the greatest In
the world In every province modern
normal Industrial and academic
schools have been opened, and some
az them are doing good work In view
az the scarcity of we'll trained teach
ars.
1.-THE government Is at work on a
new and improved currency system
which will greatly improve CONNER
siaI ana Industrial conditions. Many
modern cotton and silk factories ar
u operation, and had been doing
vrof1table business until the outbreak
Of the European war.
"Since the revolution the standard
OF living has been raised, especially
In the cities. Many OF the younger
set who can afford It are wearing
Western clothes. building modern.
sanitary houses and living In western
@tyIe. The anti-foot binding and anti
opium moveru ents have been a most
Important and integral part of the re-
Gent great social and economic re-
forms In China As result or these
Movements, the physical and moral
ssaanfood Of China has been wonder
ynl,y improved. Many physical and
snoraI opium wrecks have been re-
claimed and new hopes and possibili-
sses have opened TO thousands who
Were hopelessly ensaved.
'In concluding this brief survey
III China's outlook, ! would not pass
eyer the part that Christianity has
taken in the great industrial. eco
y1oynic and social upitft OF China. For,
fndetd, II has been the underlying fac
tor I'm every movement for China's
1,etterment. Since the revolution the
ancient religions Of China have been
stirred TO the quick. and as Il result
1ave reorganized on a Hrmer basis
thai before.
e ut Is a fact that there has been
recent relapse into idolatry on the
saArt of many who were beginning 10
lose faith in their idols at the out
kTeak Of the revolution. But the
Meath knell Of these religions has
Sbeen sounded. They are dying under
the burning influence of Christianity.
All the truth they possess Is incor-
poraied in the truth Of Christ The
Chinese are beginning to see this. and
Are turning to the true God in larger
saumbers than ever before. They are
realizing too that Christianity has
something to offer that no other re-
Itgfon can giye--a new, transformed
Nte. There never were SO many
sArnest inauirers into the truth,
"But while China is 30 willing to
investigate the truth. we must remem-
her that already. the opportunity is
Elpplng away. Thousands OF students
ere welcoming foreign fads and philo-
kpphicai ideas destructive OF the faith
Al the gospel. If we do not counter
art this dtabolicai influence and give
them the truth, we shall lose the
Hxeatest opportunity that any Chris
{ EIhn people ever had to save whole
nation from infidelity and atheism.
let every Baptist consider his respon-
a4Afiity in this work and try to make
very sacrifice possible to meet the
Y osparAts need. |"