ATTACK ON MISSIONS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 117, 14 November 1930, Page 9

ATTACK ON MISSIONS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, 10th November. Mr. F. T. Sung, Consul-General for China in Australia, is a Chinese of the newer school, and^he has earned the reputation for being the most outspoken man in the Consular services in Australia. He has crossed the authorities on more than one occasion, and as a result of his attack on missionaries in China he has now probably crossed the Church. When ho was invited to address the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Sydney, it was generally expected that he would speak of the good work done by the missionaries in China. On the contrary, he delivered an attack on Christian missions in China and declared that the anti-Christian movement in China was due to the presentation of Christianity by the missionaries. He first of all paid a tribute to the work of th© Presbyterians among his nationals in Australia, and then he commenced his denunciation of mission, work in China itself. "As you will notice by newspaper reports," he said, "missionary work in China is in a very precarious position. At this juncture, when the so-called 'anti-Christian' movement in China is arousing much anxiety and concern among the Christian churches of the world, I think it is opportune for me to bring to you a better understanding of tho real situation by briefly presenting to you the ease from the Chinese viewpoint. . CHRISTIANITY INCONSISTENT. "It is generally believed that the anti-Christian movement is tho direct outcome of Communist propaganda. This, however, is not the case. The main cause for dissension lies in the presentation of the Christian religion itself. To the Chinese mind the most bewildering thing about Christianity is the apparent inconsistency between its theory and practice. If we all belonged to tho one great fellowship of God, they argue, how is it that so many different sects exist among those professing Christianity? AVhy is it that there should exist between these different sects such differences of opinion, nay, even hatred and bitterness ut times? How is it possible, then, for Christianity to bring all peoples of the world together, when oven its stauncheat adherents are divided against each other? Sectarianism presents one of the biggest problems tho Christian Church in China has to face, furthermore, to the average Chinese mind every foreigner is a Christian, and by him and his behaviour Christianity is adjudged accordingly. It is needless to repeat the untold misery, injustices, and indignities that the- Chinese people have suffered at the hands of foreigners who have exploited the people for their own gain. "What view must they then take of tho Christian doctrine of the universal brotherhood of man? Is it to be wondered at that tho Westerner is represented in pictures as carrying a rifle in one hand and a Bible in tho other? The disillusionment has not been a pleasant one. China is at present undergoing a national revolution, and the cry to-day is for full recognition of her right to rule her own people. The refusal on the part of the missionary schools to register with the Ministry of Education, according to regulation, is tantamount to refusal to recognise the sovereignty of the National Government. Refusal to comply with the request that the three principles of tho people—which- are the inspiration of all modern thought in China to-day—should be taught in the mission schools is a further indication of the lack of sympathy of the Christian churches with the new National movement in China, of their lack of appreciation of tho new China, and their failure to adapt themselves to the trend of tho times. The. withdrawal of a great number of missionaries from the interior when Great Britain declared that the missionaries were no longer under her jurisdiction, but under the protection of the Chinese Government was considered as an insult to National sontiment. The great question of to-day is, will the Christian churches adapt themselves to the now conditions in China? If only the Christian churches could understand that Chinese viewpoint; if only they could appreciate the great problems that China is facing to-day, and, sympathising with her struggle for nationhood, hold out to her a helping hand in this her hour of need, and so prove to her the true brotherhood of mankind, Christianity will have gained a hold on tho hearts of tho Chinese people that will endure for all time. "Christianity's fato in China now hangs in the balance. It is for the Christian churches to decide before it is too late."

J!y special arrangement Router's world service, in addition to other special sources of information, i 3 used in the compilation of the overseas lntclllgenco published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and Ncir Zealand are reserved.