Evening star., 1940-08-25
Far Eust Mission
Work Suffers
BIZ Frederic J. Hnsktn.

countries, and involves large expenditures
and much personnel. This interest en-
braces missionary activities of many
Protestant and Catholic bodies and work
of foundations for the betterment of liv-
ing conditions in the Orient.
Missionary enterprises in Japan and
China began to suffer from the very
beginning of the conflict. Actual mis-
sionary work being done by all groups
was circumscribed, and work of many
schools curtailed. Even many hospitals
in China have been damaged by the
scourge of war. Claims for property
losses have been filed with the State
Department in Washington. and repeat
ed protests have been made to prevent
further damages, but scant attention has
been given to these solicitations
The surprising thing. and that which
augurs we'll for those whose unselhsh
interests are dedicated to better living
conditions in both countries, is that mis-
sionary and other efforts for betterment
have continued. Moreover, contribu-
tions to further the work have not
ceased, but in many instances due to in
creased suffering, financial assistance by
individuals and religious bodies has also
increased. There was from the begin
ming of the war feeling that missionary
effort, especially in the operation of hos
pitals in China, would be in greater de-
mand than in peacetimes.
Mission hospitals in China number
about 225, with total of more than 500
doctors and nurses. about half the num-
Der being Americans. With a total bed
capacity of 5000, caring for 200 900 in
patients annually, this particular type OF
work has meant much to the Chinese
people in minlstering to their wounded.
The Rockefeller Foundation since 1914
has played an important part in China
in the promotion of modern medicine and
public health. The foundation and its
affiliated bodies are contributing annu-
ally more than sl,30000 toward better
living conditions, while the Common
wealth Fund and the Milbank Fund have
made smaller but significant contribu-
tions
The first missionary from the United
States to China was Elijah c. Bridgeman,
who was sent in 1929 by the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions. From that beginning by one
individual more than 5000 missionaries
of all nationalities and creeds are now
doing work there. The majority of these
workers are citizens of the United States
and represent both Protestant and Cath
olic faiths.
The early missionary effort in China
was to preach the Gospel directly to the
people. Gradually this single effort was
enlarged so as to include teaching, med
tcal work and the operation of hospitals.
In recent years missionaries have assist
ed in the development of agriculture,
mainly because of the widespread FAM
ines from which China has so long suf-
fered
Missionary effort in China has resulted
in conversion of more than 100000 Chi
nese to some form of Christian religion,
and while the majority of these converts
are of the humber class, the revolution
of 1911 gave missionaries a great oppor-
tunity to reach the better educated
classes. Many government physicians in
China are graduates of mission schools
or have had part of their education in
these institutions. In appreciation of
this, the Chinese government has for
many years made financial grants to all
mission colleges
At the time the war started there were
approximately 700 students in q Prot
estant and Catholic universities. colleges
and independent schools of theology and
medicine in China, all of which were
either exclusively or mainly supported
the conflict with Japan began has greatly
decreased, largely because young men
have been called to serve in the army.
Missionary work in Japan followed that
in China by 80 years. Japans treaty
with the United States in 1859 guaran-
teed TO citizens of other countries living
in Japan the right to exercise their re-
ligious beliefs and in the same year
American missionaries entered that
country. However, prescription of Chris
tianity for japanese subjects continued
for about 10 years after the treaty after
which many educated Japanese met for
eigners and assisted them in their edu-
cational activities. Since military au-
thorities and the educated class of Japan
represent the same stratum of society,
this gave rise to independence of thought
and enabled missionary work to get on
solid foundation. The work has gained
in favor each year since.
There we're about l 500 missionaries in
Japan at the time the present conflict
with China began, and believers in Chris
tianity numbered some 250,0O0. At that
time there were nine missionary colleges
for men. with more than TOO students,
and nine for women. with an enrolment
of approximately 1000 Missionary So
cieties maintain several hospitals. But
like missionary work in China the pro-
gram has been disrupted and in many in
stances financial losses have been heavy.
Missionary interests in the United
States are spending about 50 900 900 an
nually in Japan, while the Rockefeller
Foundation in addition to its general
welfare work, has in recent years con-
tributed more than 81 100000 for the
construction and equipment Of school
of hygiene and public health in Toxic,
and similar amount to the college Of
nursing connected with one of the mis-