Faithful Chinese Christians Defy Idolatrous Worship

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1915

Faithful Chinese Christians Defy Idolatrous Worship

CHINA has recently furnished us with a duplicate of the experience of the other “three Hebrew worthies,” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, with the exception that the punishment inflicted is dissimilar; yet the brave stand taken by the three Chinese in opposition to the commands of the ruler of the nation causes one to believe that they would have been as stable in their determination as were the three Hebrews even if the punishment had been the same as that which was decreed upon them. The three faithful Chinese Christians are Admiral Li Ho, vice minister of the navy, Mr. Hsu Hua Ching, and Mr. Hsu Wen Chen, both clerks on the same board. These men, with all other officials of the army and navy, were ordered by the president of China to go to the temple of the war gods and participate in a ceremony of worship. The three named braved the displeasure of their ruler and remained away. The ceremony was repeated, and they were again ordered to participate. Again they declined. What punishment will be inflicted upon the admiral has not yet been made known. The other two have been summarily dismissed from the service. The Chinese president had determined that “a rule for one is the rule for all,” and there must be no exceptions. This is the same attitude that is taken by the National Reformers and their friends in this country. A Sunday law must be enacted for the nation, and all must conform, “a rule for one is the rule for all.” Admiral Li and his friends objected on the ground of conscience; and the Presbyterian Church, of which they are members, is praising their heroic Christianity. When Seventh-day Adventists object to “a rule for one” being “the rule for all” in the matter of a compulsory sabbath, we would be pleased to see them receiving the same approbation from their Presbyterian and National Reform friends.