CHINESE OFFICIAL ON MISSIONARIES.
The New York Independent of August 6 published an extended and interesting interview with his Excellency, Sir Chentung Liang Cheng, the new envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of China to this country. After speaking of the long and distinguished history of his own country and the changes that have taken place in the last generation, owing to the introduction of western ideas, he says:— “It is to this ancient land and to this conservative people that the heralds of the Christian religion have come, and, without a moment’s hesitation, it will be conceded that to them belongs the major part of the credit for opening China’s closed doors. The missionaries have penetrated far into the heart of the country and have invariably been the frontiersmen for trade and commerce. The unselfish devotion, perhaps in some cases tinctured with bigotry of sect, but, notwithstanding, a most admirable, unselfish devotion has characterized the labors of the missionaries of China. While in a state of progress the work must have seemed discouragingly slow, yet, looking at it as a whole, at this time the zealous and philanthropic boards of America and England who have sent out their representatives must see much reason for encouragement. The conservatism of the Chinese makes them slow in accepting any innovations, and it speaks volumes for the perseverance of the missionaries as well as for the excellent results of their endeavors that some twenty different denominations are working successfully throughout the kingdom. . . . The Chinese as a nation are eager for instruction, and perhaps this fact underlies much of the success of these missionaries. Many of the mission schools are of a high standard and command universal respect.” The minister speaks in appreciative terms of the work of the Young Men’s Christian Association and of the Christian Endeavor Society in China, and adds: “But that which undoubtedly, above all else, has made the way for the missions are the medical missionaries and the hospitals which they have established. The highest class of people patronize these foreign hospitals.” This will be interesting reading to those who, during the past three or four years, have seemed to take delight in declaring that missionaries are accomplishing nothing in China, and that they are despised by all classes, and especially by the educated. This unsolicited testimony from a Chinese of such rank and education as Sir Chentung Liang Cheng can not fail to have weight with all except those who reject all evidence that is in favor of the missionaries and their work.—Missionary Herald.