CHINA'S FUTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22961, 12 February 1938, Page 16

CHINA'S FUTURE

OUTCOME OP STRUGGLE

MISSIONARY'S COMMENTS

SPREAP OF CHRISTIANITY

[by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Friday

"The present struggle between China and Japan is one of the greatest crises in the history of the human race and its consequences are incalculable,'' said the Rev. G. W. Shcppard, who has had long missionary nervico in China, in an interview to-day. "China will bo beaten on the battlefield," he added, "but her courage and tenacity will wear down the strength and exhaust the resources of Japan. Sooner or later warfare must give place to negotiation, and in diplomatic negotiations China is more than a match for her rival."

Mr. Shcppard, who has just retired after 15 years' service as secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society in China, has completed 38 years' service for the Christian churches of that land.'He has had an exceptional opportunity of corresponding with and visiting missionaries in all parts of the Far East and his long period of servico covers a most important epoch in tho histories of both China and Japan. Mr. Sheppard, who has knowledge of mandarin, was one of the revisers of tho Ningpo version of tho Old Testament.

Tribute to China's Leader Mr. Sheppard's chief interest is naturally in tho progress of the Christian religion among the Oriental peoples and he has been able to mark a great advance since the opening of this century in China. "China's great leader at present, Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek, is not only a great patriot and a w,ise statesman, but also a very earnest Christian," said Mr. Sheppard, "and in the National Government six of the principal administrative departments are presided over by men definitely of Christian character.

"The Christian Scriptures have become popular among all classes of people and in addition to the definitely religious effects of that circulation they have contributed much toward the production of the friendly attitude China, now shows toward other nations. Attitude of Japanese

"In Japan, too," added Mr. Sheppard, "notwithstanding the militant character of the Government and the aggressiveness of Japan's foreign policy, the great majority of the civil population has been so impressed with the general significance of the Christian message, and worth of Christian ideals that' the course of military aggression on which the nation is embarked is for them a source of great perplexity and anxiety. "It may be confidently stated that few individual Japaneso would defend or justify their nation's aggression. They seem driven on by the force of racial destiny and are held in the grip of a political system that leaves little room for individual conscience or even free personal opinion."