WILL CHINA EVER BE CHRISTIANISED?

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 March 1927, Page 6

WILL CHINA EVER BE CHRISTIANISED?

CRITICAL SITUATION OF 2000 MISSIONARIES. PESSIMISTIC PRONOUNCEMENT BY LEADERS (.Received Thursday, 7.30 P.m.) PEKING, March 16. Missionary endeavour,in China has reached a critical stage, possibly leading to an extensive curtailment as the result of restrictions ' imposed by the Chinese Nationalists. Several organisations, are-; contemplating abandoning their work altogether unless the recently promulgated regulations of the Cantonese' Government are .amended.

Representatives of foreign mission circles in Shanghai are leaving for Hankow to negotiate remedial measures.

The regulations which become effective on AP ril basically demand that all institutions within Kuomlntang jurisdiction shall be placed under Chinese control. Otherwise the doors will be closed.

A movement is afoot among the different organisations to unite to resist. Some have already evacuated, pthers are readjusting themselves to meet the regulations. More than 2000 missionaries of a total of 8000 in China are working in areas under Cantonese control. Many schools will be effectively eliminated by the new regulations which specifically state that Chinese must actively control them, as the president and board of directors shall consist of a majority of Chinese. No private school shall be allowed to compel students to participate in religious exercises.

Another regulations says that instruction of Kuomintang policies and principles must be added to the curricula of private institutions which must accept the orders of party headquarters, observing a weekly memorial service for Dr. Sun Yat Sen. and must participate in all mass movements.

Further, a fund must be deposited in a bank to be designated by the Education • Department regulations, which generally are irritating and aim at undermining the foreign mission movement.

Opinion in missionary circles in Shanghai is divided as what steps to take. Some suggest quitting, others are reluctant to leave millions of pounds’ worth of property. The chief concern exists in American circles, three-quarters of whom are suspended from activities and are sheltering in .coaht treaty ports. It is estimated that abandoned American mission property is valued at 100.000.000 dollars consisting of colleges, hospitals and homes chiefly in the Szechwan province. The majority were wrecked by the mobs and were originally built by contributions from the United States.

The majority of the missionaries are pessimistic regarding Christianity e*fet regaining its strong hold. The head of the largest tinted States' mission said: ‘T doubt whether we will ever Christianise China. After centuries oi effort and the expenditure of million? I see only failure. A? fast as Western ideas penetrate China as fast do the Chinese seem convinced the native religion is superior. Many Christian converts are reverting to Buddhism.

“Students educated in the United States are the most bitter foes of the Christian faith on their return to China. These preach the futility of spreading Christianity and urge their compatriots to adhere to tt-.eir ancient faiths.

“The majority of recent anti-Chris-tian riots were instigated by students. A wave of anti-Christianity has swept over the ports, and is extending to the interior. Refugees from the latter assert that mobs incited by Cantonese agitators have started to run out all foreigners. Five thousand missionaries, mostly British, have practically quitted operations. “Many missionaries are urging that China be granted cpmplete autonomy, hoping to gain prestige by a liberal attitude. But best informed people have their doubts.”