The Chinese Revolution by J. N. Anderson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 11, 1912

The Chinese Revolution

By J. N. Anderson

(Concluded)

J. N. ANDERSON

THE decisive factor making for the renaissance of China was, without doubt, the force of missionaries living and working on Chinese soil. The foreign missionaries (Protestant) with their Chinese helpers and institutional auxiliaries are represented by the following figures: 4,299 foreign missionaries; 11,661 Chinese ministers, teachers, and evangelists; 3,485 stations and out-stations; 3,146 schools of all grades and descriptions; 170 hospitals; 14 orphanages; 19 leper asylums; 11 institutions for the blind and deaf-mutes; 5 rescue homes for fallen women; 2 industrial homes; 1 insane asylum; 2,341 churches, with 278,628 members; and a Christian community of 750,000. About 47,000,000 copies of the Chinese Bible, besides millions of Scripture portions and Christian tracts, have been printed and circulated. This was the new wine that burst the old wine-skins. It was Jesus himself who said that he came not to bring peace to the world, but a sword; notwithstanding this, the religion of Jesus does not incite to rebellion; it respects any form of civil government and prays for those in authority. Christianity brought on the revolution in China in the sense that light displaces darkness because they are mutually exclusive.

The Political Significance of China's Revolt

In point of population China contains about one fourth of the entire human race, and so great a change as has come to the Chinese world can not fail to exert a mighty influence on the whole outside world. Next to the task of unseating the Manchus was the problem concerning the form of government new China was to have. The European powers favored a monarchy for the very obvious reason that the overturning of any imperial throne sends a foreboding tremor through every palace in Europe. That India and other Asiatic lands will be mightily moved toward popular government there can be no question. It will be a repetition of the influence Japan wielded after her victory over Russia, only on a much larger scale. China will speedily become a world power; and because of her vast population, her physical and mental vigor, and her inexhaustible natural resources, she must necessarily act a large part in the affairs of the world. In the light of recent events the very significant utterance of the late Secretary of State, John Hay, seems more a prophecy than a political forecast: "The political storm-center of the world has shifted steadily eastward from the Balkans, from Constantinople, from the Persian Gulf, from India, to China; and whoever understands that empire and its people has a key to world politics." And what would he have said had he known that in the present year China would add over four hundred millions to the ranks of the "people's" governments, making about one third of the world republican.

Its Missionary Promise

To the Christian, especially the one looking for the soon coming of Christ, this overturning of the Manchu dynasty and breaking up of the Chinese social order, is a distinct victory for him who is to be crowned "King of kings, and Lord of lords." Not indeed that the Chinese revolution was a step toward committing the political affairs of that state to Christ,—our Lord turned his back forever on worldly kingdoms,—but it does mean that in preparing the way of the King, mountains of difficulties have been removed, and "great and effectual doors" of opportunity have been swung wide open for gospel entrance.

A large percentage (some put it at seventy-five) of the revolutionary leaders are either Christians or favorably disposed to Christianity. Some of these men have openly expressed the desire to see the ranks of foreign missionaries largely augmented. Dr. Sun Yat-sen declared publicly that the republic would guarantee religious liberty; and one of Yuan Shi Kai's first utterances after his election to the presidency was that he was favorable to religious freedom.

Since the close of the Opium war, in 1842, the foreign missionary has gone into that empire under cover of treaty protection wrung from the Chinese government, along with other concessions, at the point of the bayonet. Nominal freedom to profess the Christian faith has been granted to the Chinese people; but despite this fact many officials have either actively or passively hindered the work, much rioting in all parts of the land has arisen from time to time, and persecution, at times petty and private and at other times public and violent, has been heaped on those who accepted the new faith.

These adverse conditions, we must believe, will be changed. Outwardly God's messenger and message will go free among the four hundred thirty millions of Chinese souls. But a vastly more important result of the revolution is the new door of entrance it has made to the minds and hearts of the Chinese masses. The removing of the Manchu incubus has rid

the Chinese mind of a paralyzing nightmare, and the next psychological step will be not only to welcome, but persistently and anxiously to seek, something with which to furnish its new, clean-swept house. It can not be hoped that China will be wise in all her choosing. And what a shame to Western nations that so many foreigners stand ready to exploit her and fill her with vices (tobacco, liquor, and opium). If ever China needed true, sympathetic, tactful friends, it is in this day of her unparalleled choosing. Did the messenger of God ever face such opportunities? Did he ever face such responsibilities?

Washington, D. C.