Catholics in China

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 1, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 18.

Catholics in China.

Thirty years ago, before Protestant missions in China were of sufficient importance to the Chinese Government to be particularly noticed, when no such troubles menaced China or the nations as those thru which they are passing, the Chinese Government, thru Wen-Hsiang, said to be “the most liberal, fair, and open-minded minister that has ever been in the Foreign Board,” prepared friendly circulars to the French Government, in which they pointed out decided Roman Catholic aggressions inimical to the safety of the state. The Chinese believe that the Catholic Church has a political object in view. Here are some facts that look like it. The bishops “adopt the rank of a Chinese governor, and wear a button on their cap indicative of that fact, traveling in a chair with a number of bearers appropriate to that rank, with outriders and attendants on foot, an umbrella of honor borne in front, and a cannon discharged upon their arrival and departure.” The circular objects to the use of official seals as a mark of rank, and cites instances of their use, showing that these aggressions were “part of the settled policy of the church.” All these things are naturally repellant to Chinese pride, as Mr. Arthur H. Smith, in a very fair article in the Outlook of March 16, points out. This constant aggressive policy of the Catholic Church, the continual annoyance of local magistrates, has been a seed-sowing which is now bearing its fruit of Chinese hatred of foreigners. Would that both Roman Catholics and Chinese could see that these things are not of Christ. There is no politics, no striving after worldly honors, in true Christianity.