CLY AN EMINENT NATIVE CHRISTIAN, Mr, Wan, Pastor of the London Mission Native Church in Hongkong, able statement Li Hung-chang in 1900 expressed his views with grest force and cleeeness on the charge that Christians were at the bottom of the Buxor troubles. These views, Llelieve. deserve: the careful attention of all thoughtful men and especially that of those who have a voice in the peace negotiations. I therefore translate the substance of his statement below. hai, LMth April, 1901.
A few yo there were inexperienced men in China forming Societies f the protection of our country, our religi four rece, creating anti judice and persanding men that in ten yerrsChina could be easily made one of th most prosperous of mations.—Besid of these new forces there were other pei manent one at work which were the chief root of our troubles. Let me_ briefly describe them.
Chinese officials and gentry as a rule are ignorant of foreign aflits, therefore they are very suspicious of foreigners and all who follow them, In the proclauations of Viceroys and Provincial Governors which are occasionally issued, professedly ty guarantee religious liberty to native Christians, the case is seldom stated without being capable of double interpretation. The Chim vernment stillappoiuts the fortnightly reading of the Sacied Edict which exhorts officials and people to stamp out heresies (distinct! 1 Christian.
before whenever anyone starts an tabou: the Christians it is readily the people, and it is a foregone conclusion by the officials that, whether the report be true or false, they must be somehow punished if they are Christians. Usually the missions ties enevurage their converts t" suffer patiently and to overcome evil with yond. But. occasionally the injustice is so intolerable that imissionaries in the interests of humanity appeal to their own governments in rheic behalf according to Treaty. Sometimes Chinese officials are then frightened that they settle up cases immediately. Seeing this, many good people
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.