China Preparing for the Final Battle by J. N. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 27, 1906

China Preparing for the Final Battle

By J. N. Anderson

J. N. ANDERSON

THIS is an intensely military as well as a commercial age. Despite all protestations of international comity and good will, and the many efforts to effect permanent peace among the world powers, the war spirit is mightily working in the hearts and minds of men in all the nations of the world. Nations which heretofore have stood aloof from the present-day militarism, are fast being drawn into this mad race. The following appeal by a body of missionaries in China shows not only the trend of the Chinese race in this direction, but also points out very clearly the baleful results that are sure to ensue. The strong and decidedly Scriptural position taken by this missionary society is well worth serious study and close imitation by all missionaries or Christian workers whether in China or elsewhere:—

AN APPEAL ISSUED BY THE COMMITTEE OF MISSIONARIES OF THE FRIENDS FOREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION, HELD AT CHENTU, MAY, 1906

“Believing that all war is contrary to the spirit of Christ, we view with grave concern the wave of militarism which is spreading over the Chinese empire at the present time. While we are well aware that all our fellow missionaries may not be able to go as far as we do in this protest against war, we still feel that this matter is one to which the missionary body should give a much more careful attention than heretofore; and we would urge all those who are working with us for the kingdom of God in China, to prayerfully consider the subject, in the light of the present movement and the revealed will of God.

“We are in this land as the representatives of the Prince of Peace, and with a gospel heralded with the message, ‘Peace on earth and good will to men.’ We come, moreover, to one of the most essentially peaceable nations in the world. Chinese greatness is built, in no sense, upon the feats of arms, nor is her genius a military one. Moreover, the true strength of any nation depends, not upon her efficiency from a military standpoint, but rather in the acceptance and carrying out of the principles of Jesus Christ. The awful curse that this spirit of militarism is to Europe to-day is sufficiently obvious to any one who has studied the economic situation. If China, too, is to enter into this military race, as indeed she seems to be doing, we believe that it will be a great setback to her religious and moral welfare.

THE MISSION HEADQUARTERS AT CANTON, CHINA

“When we consider the facts, we are compelled to ask the question as to whether it is right that we should, even in the smallest degree, identify ourselves with this military spirit. In a large proportion of the mission schools and colleges in China, there is, we believe, some form of military drill. We yield to none in our desire that the physical side of a boy's nature should be thoroughly developed. If, however, we introduce the use of weapons, real or imitation, we at once indicate that our objective is rather to train men to fight. To us it seems that to do this is not only not within our province, as missionaries, but is at once linking up the propagation of the gospel with an element directly opposed to the spirit of our Master, and we can not but feel that in this way a step is taken toward defeating the very object of our coming to China. Our earnest desire is that the missionary body may present a united front on this question, and use its whole influence in favor of that peace and concord between men and nations which is of the very essence of the gospel of Christ.

“Signed on behalf of the Committee of Missionaries,

“R. J. Davidson.

“Secretary.”

Canton, China.