Note and Comment by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 1, 1912

Note and Comment

By Editor

The Chinese Revolution

It is apparent that the great revolution that has held China in its throes during the last two years has entered more deeply into the experience of the nation than a mere change of the form of government. It is believed by many that the revolution means the introduction of China into a new sphere of operation politically, socially, and religiously. The slavish superstitions regarding idol-worship are loosening their hold upon the minds of the people. It is to be hoped that with the increased openings for the Christian religion, the forces of the Christian church will rally to the call of duty, and improve the opportunities before them. The Record of Christian Work for May, 1912, speaks as follows of these changes coming to China as the result of the revolution:—

Forty years ago a curious psychic epidemic swept over China. Multitudes were taken with fear lest their queues should be cut off by aerial sprites. Now the queue can not disappear fast enough. With it the idol is also passing to the lumber-room of history. It has been remarked that in the whole revolutionary struggle no allusion has been made to the god of war by either side, although in the Japanese war twenty years ago, the war-god was given a place in the pantheon with Confucius himself. The references now are to the Highest. The iconoclastic movement is almost droll in its fury. Into the temples of Canton, revolutionists have pressed, and haled the Buddhas out into the temple courts. Here the wooden heads have been cut off from the wooden bodies in a formal execution.