Manichaeism and, China: Missionary Mistakes The "Recorder" for this month contains a scholarly article om "Manichaeism in China" from the pen of Mr, T. A. Bisson, who was in China from 1924-28 as a missionary" of the Presbyterian Church. He is. now studying ancient Chinese re cords in America and bases his article on the work "Un Traité Manichéen" by Ed, Chavannes and P. Pelliot. Mani lived from 216 till 276 ap. "He was a Persian and proclaimed himself the founder of a new religion that was based on Zoroastrianism with a pronounced! mixture of Christianity, He was martyred by crucifixion, a significant indication that it was the Christianity in his theory that: made him obnoxious to the Persian authorities, Traces of his teaching: are still abundant in Chinese Turkestan and Central Asia, but once his religion disputed with Buddhism the place of pre-eminence: in China, Students of Chinese are: often amazed at the apparent traces of Christianity to be found Buddhism and in some of the traditions and customs of the people. Since the teachings of! Mani were known in China before the advent of Buddhism it seems. likely that much that savours Christianity was introduced at that: early date and, all unwittingly, the Chinese adopted much that "was Christian before accredited mis sionaries of the cross set foot in the country. This article will be road with interest by many who have been puzzled by these apparent:
ian doctrines found in rung Dr. K. A. Baird writes frankly on "Missionary Mistakes." Faithtuk are the wounds of a friend. Those Who never make mistakes never make anything and it would he astonishing if the great mi crusade in China had no gone astray. The first mistake: Dr. Baird calls attention to is the provision of secular education by Missions. The idea underlying practice was that scholars trained in Mission schools, even if they came from non-Christian. homes, would be.won for Chris~ tianity, 'This certainly did sometimes happen but, taken all in all, the scheme was not a success, Many: of the students educated in' Chris ian-schools developed a distinct: anti-Christian bins and the burden of Dr. Baird's article is that. missionaries, like cobblers, should: stick to their own job. The preach ig of the gospel, according to the: great commission, is the _missionary's marching orders. Wher" he obeys these he is not only obedient but, in most cases, suc ce ful. Bypath meadow is an inviting: but misleading side track. The article is worthy of earnest atten tion, A review of "Lo Triple Demisme de Suen Wen," by Pascal M, D'Elia, merits careful reading. It is exceed: ingly well done and the reviewer, B., is to be congratulated on doing: 4 piece of good work.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.