CHRISTIAN ENGLAND by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 18, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 11.

"CHRISTIAN ENGLAND."

By M. C. W.

"CHRISTIAN ENGLAND" is often referred to as the pioneer nation in all missionary operations. She is now and then held up as a model by National Reformers, because she connects religion with the State. She is the "Christian" nation par excellence of today. Of course, National Reformers do not believe that England is radical enough or goes far enough in her legislative efforts to Christianize the world, but she has no Sunday newspapers, has strict Sunday laws, and such things go far to exalt a nation in the eyes of those would-be rulers. Still others besides this class believe that nearly all the missionary effort which has been put forth in Asia and her surrounding islands, has been done through the British Government, or with its co-operation.

It is doubtless true that many times the English Government has opened the way; many times she has protected missionaries; but her object has never been the Christianizing of the races nor the enlightenment of the heathen. English missionaries have gone to heathen lands by the score,—devoted men, some of whom have laid down their lives for the Master. But the effects of the Government's selfish policy has been seen in the blighting influences of rum in India and the opium trade forced on China.

In the February number of Our Day is an article entitled, "Pagan Idols of English Make," by F. Clement Ambrose, which reveals another dark picture of "Christian" England's dealing with the heathen. The writer truly states that for years missionaries were excluded by the East India Company; "and only within a life-time has this English wall to keep the Word out of India been broken down." Many of the idols of India are of English manufacture. The writer says:—

"It is not an unusual occurrence for an East India-man from Liverpool, just through the Red Sea and the shadows of Sinai, to touch at Madras and Calcutta, then tie up at Rangoon, at each wharf landing a missionary from her cabin, and unloading a crate of graven images from her hold."

That the gods which are "the work of men's hands" come of Christian parentage—nominally so, at least, is "one of the knottiest strings the mission worker has to unsnarl on her way to the pagan heart."

Mr. A. then gives what the native says to the lady teacher who would point him to the way of life, and which we give below in a little more readable English:—

"You English trade-men sell me a small wood god for two anna [four cents]—say him a smart god, deucy good fellow! Den you missionary folk tell me, No; wood god is a stick,—a poor stick,—true God is spirit—wonder power—he wrote a book, the book, Book of life! Now, how Tah Ding know which is white-faced lie—big man as sells lots of gods for rupee, or you queer little manning [woman] as give away God for no rupee, Book too, and smile when man take em?"

Many a ship which goes out from England is laden with Bibles and brandy! And this is the civilization which is Christianizing the nations of the earth! These are the factors which are to produce the millennium and usher in the ideal National Reform régime! Truly God is merciful and forbearing to withhold so long his wrath from the wicked of the earth, who profess his allegiance and cause his name to be blasphemed. The only power on which to depend, is His power. Dependence on the nations of earth is like leaning on broken reeds. England is no worse than other powers. None of them are Christian.