New Forces in Old China: An Inevitable AwakeningBrown, Arthur Judson
History
New Forces in Old China: An Inevitable Awakening
Brown, Arthur Judson
China -- Commerce; China -- Foreign relations; China -- Politics and government; Missions -- China
THE real effect of the operation of the missionary
force is to be seen in the Chinese who have accepted
Christianity. As the commercial force is causing an
economic revolution and as the political force resulted in the
Boxer uprising, so the missionary force is developing a great
spiritual movement which is crystallizing into a Chinese Church.
Much has been said about the character of the Chinese Christians
and doubts have been cast on the genuineness of their faith.
It is admitted that they sometimes try the patience of the missionary.
But is the home pastor never distressed by the conduct
of his members? I am inclined to believe that the Christians in
China would compare favourably with the same number selected
at random in America. A Chinese laundryman posted on his
door this significant notice to his foreign customers:--``Please
help us to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy by bringing
your clothes to the laundry before ten o'clock on Saturdays,''
while in another place a Chinese servant left the morning
after a card party at which much money had changed
hands, stating to his mistress in explanation, ``Me Clistian;
me no stay in heathen house!'' The Chinese Christian does
not content himself with church attendance once a week when
the weather is pleasant or an attractive theme is announced.
He does not find himself in vigorous health for an evening entertainment,
and with a bad headache on prayer-meeting night.
There are of course exceptions, but as a rule, the Chinese
Christians worship God with regularity in all kinds of weather.
A missionary told me that the attendance at his mid-week
meeting was as large as at his Sunday morning service, that
every member of his church asked a blessing at the table, had
family prayers and tried to bring his unconverted friends to
Christ. If there is a pastor in America who can say that of his
people, he has modestly refrained from making it public.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account