CHINA AND CHRISTIANITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 76

CHINA AND CHRISTIANITY.

INFORMATION FROM T. Z. KOO. Mr T. Z. Koo made a tour in the interior of China in October, November and December last in order to make arrangements for a forward step in the Student Christian Movement and Y.M.C.A. work with which he is connected. The following paragraphs refer to his experiences during that recent tour. He first points out that during the tour he discovered many Chinese who had remained loyal Christians during the recent revqluntionary crisis in spite of great difficulties and dangers. “ I found in these (military) retreats also that more Chinese Christians to-day than in the past are trying to do their own thinking in religious matters whether it be on ritual, doctrine or church policy. All thi ? is a healthy sign that the shock of anti-Christian activities of the past few months has been largely overcome and that a body of men and women with a stronger and more vital spirit has risen in the Church to carry on the work.”

He goes on to say: “In my contacts with Nationalist leaders, of the former unreasoning prejudice against all things Christian, an attitude of appreciation of the motive and character of Christian work is growing up among them. During my visit to Nanking, we announced a public meeting to which were invited representatives of Labour unions, people’s organisations, farmers’ unions, etc., most of whom were antagonistic to Christian institutions. Much to our surprise, nearly 900 people attended the meeting. They went away from it feeling that these Christians whom they have been attacking are after all serving the common people along the very lines they have been talking about. People’s schools, work for street boys, citizenship training, vocational guidance, care for wounded soldiers, etc., are some of the features of our programme in Nanking, which particularly appealed to them.” In December last at a dinner to which the high officials of the Nationalist Government and other important men were invited, one of tho outstanding leaders, referring to the nation-wide programme of work carried on bv Mr Koo’s organisation, said: “The Nationalist Party has committed a grave error in decrying religion. A people cannot stand without moral character. The purpose of this work is to develop Christian character. Therefore, we should do everything in our noiyor_ to help maintain an institution of this kind in our midst.”

Mr Koo closes with the following words: —“ Outstanding words such as these and coming from such a source are a sure indication that the turning point is reached in the Christian situation in China. \Ve can look forward now into the future with confidence that better times nre ahead of us.”