Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-26
WHAT INFLUENCED CHINA TO BE-
COME A REPUBLIC.

There can be no doubt as to the in
fluence of western civilization on public
opinion in China. also in Japan.
The principal question is however,
'To what extent is the Chinese affair
traceable to western missionaries"
From the earliest missionary movement
down to the year 1917 China has been
central figure in missionary interest.
The Christian churches have for years
been pouring missionaries into the ce-
lestial kingdom. The great propaganda
of faith in the, Catholic church was
equally prominent. Protestant socie-
ties. without exception, have kept mis-
sionaries in China and are still send
ing thousands of dollars annually to
convert the yellow skinned Mongo-
lians. The United States have been
furnishing medical societies over there,
more than fifty years ago, Germany,
Great Britain and Canada have been
equally diligent on this line of work
The influence of a good doctor here
at home is almost incalculable as a
preacher. We can have some idea there
fore as to the effect of their helpful.
ministrations in China to the ignorant
and poverty-stricken natives.
The money that goes into China from
Christian nations amounts to millions
every year. One denomination, the
Methodist, North and South, have tabu-
lated fifty millions sent to China since
the missionary movement began here
in the United States. The Congregation
alists report one hundred and nifty thou
sand annually through regular boards
with another hundred thousand in spe-
cial gifts. The Baptists of our coun-
try send as much as the MethodistS.
All this money represents Protestant ef-
fort.
Catholic contributions have been very
large but the amount is not generally
known.
THE SEX PROBLEM AND YOUTH.
There is a difficult problem that faces
every parent as to what shall be told to
young people on the origin of life-and
when 1t shall be discussed.
In the olden time, plan was pursued
to keep young people. girls especially
In al solute ignorance of this inGOted
subject. If any subject connected with
the sex problem was mentioned in the
family circle, the word went round
send those youngsters out-they must
not listen"
This policy turned over to the color
ed nurses-the curiosity of the young
ones-and they received just such in
formation as ignorance and superstition
afforded. When the children on the adj
vent of a new baby in the household,
asked the question. Where do babies
come from?" The general answer was
God made it," or the doctor brought
it," in his saddlebags, or the granny
found it in a hollow stump-or some
strange messenger had slipped it in the
cradle after dark when all good chill
dren were abed and asleep.
AS rule, 1t was the refusal of par
ents to satisfy the child's curiosity
which made them more curious than
they would otherwise have been and
more susceptible to the vulgar stories
and material out of which they formally
gained satisfactory. information.
1 have thought Of this matter many
times and have no solution to offer that
satisfies my judgment. Perhaps there
should be some printed text-written
with care and truthfulness, which the
anxious parent can give to a girl or boy,
when they arrive at the age, say of
fourteen-and where they will under
stand, that the origin of human life Is
one of a few things too sacred to be
gossiped about-among their various
companions. Surely there must be some
sensible method.