STILL another year—a most eventful year—has been added to the millenniums of Chinese history. It is marked by tremendous events which definitely and solemnly predict great consequences affecting the spiritual and material well-being of this race. The world at large has experienced mighty changes during the past year, but in a pre-eminent sense China must be looked upon as having been the world's storm-center where a few very troublesome world problems have been settled, at least temporarily. In it all, let us believe and be thankful, men and nations have unconsciously been fulfilling the purpose of Him who "ruleth in the kingdom of men."
The War.
The great outstanding event in the far East during the past year has been the fierce struggle between Russia and Japan. No well-informed person can seriously doubt that in the final analysis China was the real cause of this war, she was the apple of discord, the bone of contention. The seat of the war was not only within the limits of the empire, but in the very home of the reigning dynasty. The grave fears entertained by many that China herself would be involved, were by no means fanciful or unnatural. This serious eventuality was, however, in the overruling providence of God, warded off; and while it is true the war spirit did in some instances assert itself, yet it remains a fact that outside the immediate theater of war operations, all business interests and missionary activity went forward without serious interruption.
For the present, the war clouds have passed out of the political heavens of the far East, and tranquillity again prevails after the furious storm. Humanly speaking, the after effects of this terrible struggle seem to promise peace, at least for the time being. By a series of unbroken successes, granted in the wise purpose of God to Japan, emphasized by the overwhelming defeat of the Russian arms at Mukden, and later by the annihilation of the Baltic fleet in the straits of Tsushima, the whole world has come to realize that new forces are at work in the Orient, and that new voices must be heard in the councils of the great powers. However it may effect the world commercially, it seems clear that politically China's integrity [[FIGURE]] and the world's equilibrium are guaranteed for some time. The Russian advance has been checked, China has been saved politically, and Japan has assumed the leadership of the far East. And all these results are made secure by the Anglo-Japanese alliance which followed close upon the termination of the war.
General Status of China.
The internal state of China has been that of general tranquillity, tho some local disturbances have taken place, arising from a variety of causes; in the main, however, evincing an anti-foreign spirit. The most serious of these was the massacre of five American missionaries at Lienchow, in the province of Quangtung, October 28. Riots at Amoy and Shanghai, in which something like a score of Chinese lost their lives, are painful reminders of the ill will engendered by the foreigners, either consciously or unconsciously. A wide-spread and bitter boycott against American goods, having its origin in Honolulu, if reports are reliable, has swept over large portions of China, especially along the seaboard, and is still vigorously prosecuted in some parts. No doubt, this is one of the after effects of the late war, and in a large measure indicates the spirit and aim of the Chinese people. China, deep down in her heart, wishes to be free of all foreigners.
Of calamity and distress, arising from natural causes, China has, during the past year, as in all the past ages, had her full share. Drought, floods, storms, have brought waste and destruction of property and life in different parts, tho perhaps not in a greater degree than in any former years.
Modern Ideas.
The past year has witnessed the passing away of China's age-honored educational system. That which more than any other one thing has made China what she is, has as it were been swept away with a single stroke of the imperial pen. No longer will literary degrees based upon the wisdom of the ancient sages entitle a man to civil or military office. A few years ago this change would have been looked upon as a sure step to the complete downfall of the entire Chinese economy. So essential a part of China's civilization was this educational system. But in these days of China's awakening, this whole matter has quietly been displaced by modern educational methods and subjects; and that, too, with the apparent consent of all classes. Examination halls, temples, and other buildings are fast being made over into public schools, conducted along modern lines both as to method and matter. Nor is this in one province or two, but in all the provinces of the empire. No less than thirteen, out of the eighteen provincial capitals have now colleges of Western learning. Not less than 10,000 Chinese students are in Japan pursuing advanced courses, while the coast ports have thousands of Chinese boys and young men all bent on the same object. These are facts full of meaning, and require no comment.13
Foreign Literature.
Foreign literature as never before is in demand throughout the entire empire. Journalism in China is of recent years, but at present no less than 150 daily, weekly, and monthly periodicals are issued in the ports; and inland cities are fast adopting this modern way. The literature pouring forth into China can indeed be called a veritable flood, which is exerting a mighty influence in leavening this great mass of humanity. The last report of the Defusion Society puts the figure at 2,361 as the actual number of different books issued within the last year. These books, let it be remembered, are modern, and deal with foreign subjects as contrasted with things purely Chinese. One thousand of these, published by Chinese houses as a commercial undertaking, deal solely with secular subjects. Of this thousand, 120 deal with the subject of war, being the largest number devoted to any one subject; 299 are by the Roman Catholics and deal mostly with religious topics from their own point of view; more than 600 are by missionary bodies or societies of allied purposes. China is a land of books, and now that she is casting aside the old, and eagerly turning to the West for something better, she should have a literature laden with the mighty truth of God. Here is a door of almost infinite opportunity swung wide open to us.
New Forces.
The hitherto latent energies of this race are asserting themselves in a variety of ways. The Times (English), in its issue of September 6, has the following editorial statement: "The war between Japan and Russia, its immediate and tangible results, and its probable and possible consequences in the future, are without parallel in the record of mankind." This war seems to have let loose a multitude of new forces. This is seen in the founding of military schools and academies, in the rapid extension of railways and the postal system, in the anti-foot-binding crusade, the increasing demand for modern education, and, perhaps most of all, in the pronounced efforts of Japan to conquer China commercially and intellectually. Very active Buddhistic propaganda is being carried on in several of the provinces of China under Japanese influence; and a large Japanese literature of very questionable character has recently found its way into China. Within the last year the Chinese Government has come to see as never before the value of railways, and, largely through the influence of the merchants of Hunan and Quantung the concession for the Hankow-Canton Railway, originally given to the Americans, but afterward practically bought up by the Belgium Government, has been redeemed by China for £1,350,000. By imperial edict a commission of Chinese is visiting Japan and western countries to study the government system and political economy of those nations, that China may intelligently advance with the modern world. Still another edict refers to an intention on the part of the Chinese Government to establish a representative parliament to come twelve years' time, and with this in mind a Chinese commission is to make a tour of the world to study the parliamentary systems of other countries.
Mission Work.
Fortunately this awakening on the part of China is not confined to material and worldly interests. The past year has witnessed an increased interest in the things of God. Missionaries of large experience testify that much of the prejudice of former years is fast passing away, especially among the official and educated classes. A constant stream of Christian literature is flowing to the different parts of the entire empire.
Manifestly this is a critical time for China by reason of the deep intensity that has laid hold upon the whole nation. The new forces that struggle for recognition have within themselves tremendous possibilities either for good or evil. This is China's day of visitation. The opportunities for carrying the truth are simply unbounded. How long this door of entrance will remain open no one can say. Every opening providence invites us, and every sign warns us, to enter upon this work without delay, and with no divided heart. What have you done, and what are you now doing, to answer this call?
