An Evangelist In Asia

Press, Volume C, Issue 29524, 27 May 1961, Page 3

An Evangelist In Asia

; Earth’s Remotest End. By J. C. Pollock. Hodder and Stoughton. 330 pp. Index. Mr Pollock is a churchman of marked evangelical views. In recent years he has published two books which, although unpretentious in ; manner and style, have a considerable appeal. These were “Shadows Fall Apart.” the story of the Zenana Mission, and “The Good Seed.” which was reviewed in “The Press” last year. The present volume is a record of itravel and observations in Asia “from a Christian point of view.” During his 45.000.mile tour of the East he ’observed the work of missionaries and the condition of the national Christian churches. He also secured interviews with people of importance. perhaps the most notable being Mr Nehru in New Delhi and U Nu in Rangoon. Mr Nehru is described by the author as “a Hindu by name, a Christian in ethics, ’an agnostic at heart.” Certainly he spoke to Mr Pollock with more than usual amiability: but his answers to leading questions were marked by statesmanlike discretion. “India,” he said, “welcomes missionaries, provided they have some qualification doctors. nurses, teachers, and so on. They must not be just evangelists.” Mr Pollock adds that Commonwealth missionaries in India must have a “special endorsement” on their passports, which is not required of businessmen. When they go on furlough, they must secure a permit stating there is no objection to their re- ; turning to India. Mr Nehru said it was a formality, “just to keep a check on numbers.” When Mr Pollock remarked that it made missionaries feel insecure, Mr Nehru went on to talk of more general matters. In Burma. Mr Pollock found that certain aspects of ’British control were remembered with some gratitude. He enumerates these as “peace and just government, high standards of administra-

tion. ustice for which a long paus< was not required.” An elderly Burmese gentleman, encountered in Commissioner Road. Rangoon, remarked to the author, “British good. Their rule best.” The Cinderella of the Asian Church in Thailand—“the land of the Big Yawn.” There, to be a Thai is to be a Buddhist, and people feel that men of good will have too much in common to dispute about basic beliefs. "I am a good Buddhist, but I am a Christian, too.” There is, however, little knowledge of the Christian faith. Perhaps Mr Pollock enjoyed himself most of all on his travels, mainly by canoe, in the company of the Bishop of Borneo. “Water Rat in ’The Wind in the Willows' would love Sarawak—it is all messing about in boats.” This was a relatively prosperous region; but in Hong Kong with its overcrowding and poverty the mood was different. However, “in spite of defects of personality at any level, departmental rivalries or mixed motives, Hong Kong proves that a government in the East may still be actuated by Christian principles.” Christianity in Japan has to face many obstacles. First and foremost, Mr Pollock found, “the Japanese rejects Christianity as foreign because it was not born in Japan.” He immediately asks why he must accept Jewish scriptures and believe that someone born a Jew was the only son of God. Then again behaviour counts much more than belief. An action is not usually assessed as being morally right or wrong, good or evil. What counts is expediency. whether the result will be favourable or adverse. As a result of his tour, Mr Pollock is convinced that missions and the Christian churches in Asia are weighty factors in world affairs. He points to their work in promoting intellectual and social progress. Today this work is perhaps more important than ever. “Asia is on the march. The direction of that march matters to the world.”