The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-19
CHINA FAST BECOMING
MIRACLE Of MISSIONS
More Converts In Last Fifteen Years
Than I'm All the Years before.
Confidence Lost In Heathenism.

There have been more converts
made in China In the last fifteen
years than IN all the years before ="
This Is the surprising statement of
Bishop Wilson S. Lewis, for sew
eral years a resident of China. SUI
perintending part of the work Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in
that land The people has lost
confidence in heathenism." he con-
tinued: first, because western ideals
and school systems have shown them
that their religious views were unten-
able, Second. because in time of need
and under practical strain their re-
ligious systems have all broken down.
President Yuan Shi Kai was very
friendly to Christianity. He gave lib
orally TO the Union Protestant Uni
versity in Picking. Tho university.
built and endowed by the extra in
demnity money which the United
States returned, Is completely equip
ped with Christian teachers, though
1t Is government institution. Pray
er meetings are regularly held, and
ordinary instruction Is given a
Christian bent Recently one of our
missionaries went into province
where he was visited by the Gov
ernor, who reminded the missionary
that he had given him his education
as boy. and that he desired to Of
fer every possible cooperation that
he, as a missionary, might command.
That Governor Is now one of the
seventy advisers OF the President"
Are many of the officials Chris
uans?" he was asked.
while I was holding a meeting
&w,
fessed conversion" he replied. He
dent Yuan Shi Kali, and Is now the
secretary OF the seventy advisers.
The moro thoughtful people are
turning to Christianity a. the only
solution OF China's problems. The
war between Christian nations at
first staggered them; but now they
seem to recognize in 1t mans utter
helplessness and need for a vital re-
lig1on. Whenever / visit the capt.
tai OF q province, I am expected to
call upon the Governor. He soon re-
turns the call and confers with me
about many vital matters. The vast
Importance of our work in China lies
In the fact that the leaders trust
Christian missionaries, and come to
them for help in the solution of
present government problems
do you look for an unusual re-
vival in Gilman"
There never was so much inter-
est in the Christian religion as now.
In HinRhwa we are compelled to
hold three meetings a day In a build
Ing which holds 500 people. and to
refuse anyone the privilege OF at
tending more than one OF these
The Methodist Church has
been wise In putting two bishops into
China, for the demands upon Bishop
Bashford and myself are far beyond
what We can meet.
THE newspapers, magazines and
other periodicals in China have in
creased ten-fold in ten years. We
are putting much time and thought
on the educational system. China has
been too busy and too much unset
tied to formulate a system. We are
building school plan reaching from
the kindergarten through the high
school, hoping we may mark out the
way which China will ultimately fol-
low. This vast empire is certain some
day to become Christian, and no man
can have greater privilege than to
spend his life in this strategic time In
preparing China for that day"