leader of May the 8th on the German:
in Shantung referring to the persecution of Roman holies indirectly gested the possibility of an anti-Catholic movement in' China, Judging from the present state of some parts of the Yangtze Valley there is not only the bility but probability that, ere long, antipathy to Roman Catholic ris will result in some manifestation of ill-feeling that will seriously affect the position of the Roman Church in this Empire. If that time should come, whatever attempt is made to weaken her influence or destroy her power will not be the outcome of blind ignorance and superstition, but will be an act of retaliation on the part of mimy who have suffered much at her hands. The perseeuof Roman Catholics in one province h the ceaseless persecution by Romanists that is taking place all over China, Everyone knows that the history mission work in this Empire is written red—in the red bland of missionary by the red light of buming Why such a history? It is not sufficient to say the cause has been a religious one.
I hold. for a moment that Aifferences of religion and creed have in every case brought such things to pass. There have been times of fanaticism and superstitious fear when missionary and merchant have suffered alike. But the general testimony of many years serves to show that, owing to the peculiar action of one Church in China, dislike and hatred of the foreigner has been the result.
docs not become those who are work. ing for the elevation and_ improvement of the Chinese to show intolerance and bigotry and apparently malign one section of Christendom: but facts are stubborn things, and whilst all honour is given to ful workers of the Roman Church, the system of mission work plored in that it has brough upon alli.
Te may be said that the peculiar genius of the Roman Catholic Church has led to misunderstanding amongst the Chinese and, anznented by. the inherent dislike of throats of violence have been may account for much, but not all of the evil. The real reason is not content with administering to the spiritual and bodily necessities of the peo ple, the Roman Church has interfered too much in the internal politics of the Empire and has had too many fingers in the Imal She has resolved herself into factor for the defence of party The Chinese not exercising much discrimination have. shown their disap. proval, and wreaked their vengeanee_on wt Churches and on all classes. all judging from the actions of one section that the motives of all were sit Now the critical faculty has been brought into pi in many places where churches have been established for a considerable time, the Chinese differentiate between the various representatives foreign life. It is not casting any reflect tion on those who follow the various professions out here when they say that missionaries, as a class, are those who do good deeds and help to make men better. But the Chinese again discriminate between the Roman Catholic and other Church-workers. In spite of the good devils of the former their name is distasteful and held in reproach, This arises simply from the attitude taken by the Catholic Church towards party affairs, Those who renounce heathenism and he-come communicants are sure of legal influence aad help in the yemens. The morality of any case considered is not sufficiently taken into account, and often the sense of justice, which is the same in Heathen and Christian, is outraged, much to the detriment of the teaching that es before the Chinese a just and ichteous God. But not only are the members of this Church sure of foreign influence in their own affairs, but they are emboldened to enter unjust law-suits against others with the certainty of success. Coupled with this an undue amount of arrogance, a penchant for irritating peaceable folk, make the Roman Catholic member an object of disgust and hatred.
It has been the policy of most of the Protestant Churches in China to Interfere as little as possible in Inw cases and this is partly the reason why numerically they may not, be as strong as the Roman Catholics. It is safe to assume that the stricter the Church in this matter the fewer adherents it will have. The paucity of members in some missions has caused the workers much anxiety and their discouragement has been deep. But now the tide is turning. Hun dreds of people are seeking admission into th" Churches. Missionaries are. being. terviewed ed to open preach places here and there. Tt might Appeared at one time as though the spirit of reform had emanated from the Imperial Throne and moved the people to accept the religious teaching of the foreigner. But that reform lies bleeding under the the movement is still great as over, What. is the reason? AS may be supposed, not because of relish Wearied and harassed they desire entrance to order to obtain influ. ence and help in the yamens that will he at least equal to that exercised by the leaders. In other words, they are tryin to make the Protestant: Churches into opposition partis Many of them have learnt by this time that the policy is one of non-interference, but still, they can_use the name of a Church Una is protected by its national flag and_has a certain amount of prestige in the Empire that is all they desire at present. As members or adherents of that Church they meet their common fne.
Tt can be plainly seen then that the Protestant Missions of China will have to decide on their course of action. If these people are admitted, a few may become good Christians, the majority will rank a members of an influential political society It is probable, however, that knowing, the Churches do, the evil effect of politi interference, the door will be barred against all who come from secondary motives. What then will be the result? Thrown back on their own resources the incrcasi hatred of the Roman Catholics will b about a movement that will work mongst all who have share or lot portion of Rome. A force in the petty feuds and qu: place constantly between villa din and clan. Central of many of these stragsles that would he amusing were it not for rheic significance. They are only what guerilla warfare is to the pitched battle. The persecution of Roman Catholics in the West seems
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.