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“...THE
CHINA CHRISTIAN
YEAR BOOK
1926
(FOURTEENTH ISSUE OF THE CHINA "MISSION"
YEAR BOOK)
Issued under arrangement between the Christian Literature
Society for China and the National Christian Council of
China under the Direction of the following Editorial Board
appointed by the National Christian Council
Rev. K. T. Chung Dr. D. W. Lyon
Rev. E. H. Cressy Dr. D. MacGillivray
Miss Lily Haas Dr. J. L Maxwell
Rev. Carleton Lacy Dr. W. W. Peter
Dr. R. Y. Lo Dr. E. W. Wallace
Rev. E. C. Lobenstine Miss Helen Thoburn
EDITOR
Rev. Frank Rawlinson, D.D.
Editor, Chinese Recorder.
SHANGHAI
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE SOCIETY
J 926...”
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“...PREFACE
rpiiE China "Mission" Year Book appears tliis jrear as the China
JL "Christian" Year Book. This change of titte is indicative
of a change in emphasis. Up till recently., tlie Christian
Movement in China has, of necessity, been mission'-centHg. It is
now becoming China Christian-centric. This process of change
has not proceeded very far nor does it move very'fast when all
phases and types of Christian work in China are considered.
Nevertheless a new fulcrum for Christian work in China is being
placed in position. Adjustment thereto is proceeding as rapidly
as possible.
This year the Editorial Board has attempted to i nclude-more
articles of a general and survey type than formerly. Success in
this regard is not all that was planned or desired. Tile Christian
Movement is somewhat less coherent than it was a few years ago.
To this must be added the influence of the social and political
upheaval apparent everywhere but particularly in those centres
which feel most the impact of the West...”
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“...vice-principal with
Chinese principal ...' ...... ...... ... ... 423
Mills, S. J., A.B. (1911) The Present Strength, Distribution,
and Age of the Missionary Body.
American Presbyterian, North. Dean of Department of
Missionary Training, University of Nanking,'Nanking... 151
Rawlmson, Frank, M.A., D.D. (1902) Present Charac-
teristics of the China Christian Movement. Special
Problems in Evangelism. Some Books and Articles on
China (English). .
A.B.C.F.M. Editor, The Chinese Recorder and China
Christian Year Book ............ XIV, 116, 380...”
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“...Chinese Church itself,
is that the focus of Christian work in China has shifted.
The driving impulse of Christian work in China has until
quite recently had its source and base in the West. That
was unavoidable. The hope of those who have given
lavishly to set up the Christian Religion in China has been
that its moving impulse would find its center in China.
The process of centering Christian work in China has been
going on for a long time. It is not too much to say that
the events of the last year or two have made this hope a
reality. The fulcrum of Christian work in China is now in
China. It is true that until the inarticulate mass also puts
its hands to the lever it may wabble somewhat. Neverthe-
less the impulse to the Christianization of China is now
to some extent a Chinese impulse. The Chinese Church
is indigenous to the extent that the Christian impulse now
moves within the Christian Church in China, The Chinese...”
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“...Six characteristics of christian movement
Christian schools did decrease and the number in
government schools go up during the year. Intensively,
however, the work in Christian schools seems to have
benefited by the weeding out of a considerable number of
students whose lesser interest was studying and whose
major interest was agitation.
Ncw, Various and numerous educational organiza-
Regulations tions have passed resolutions anent the
position of Christian education. As a result
the Ministry of Education passed certain r_ew regulations
for schools which were intended to settle the position of
u private n schools, to which class Christian schools belong.
These new educational regulations embodied two major
aims. (1) The securing of educational autonomy, or the
control of schools in China by Chinese. With this
legitimate Chinese desire Christian workers generally found
it easy to get into accord. Having the majority of school
board members Chinese and having a Chinese president or
vice-president...”
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“...XXviii CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT
National Christian Council. This latter organization is
still assisted financially by the National Christian Council.
It has recently worked out a five-year program and most
of the anti-opium activities are now in the hands of this
Chinese organization.
Neither the Industrial Commission nor the National
Anti-Opium Association has yet succeeded in organizing
in any adequate way the forces within the Christian Church.
It is, however, true that Chinese Christians generally have
responded more freely to the Anti-Opium Movement than
to the movement for industrial reform. The raison d'etre
of the latter is more apparent to the Chinese than that of
the former, for to some extent anti-narcotic ideals are
indigenous. Christian industrial ideals, however, have yet
to be developed. So far it has been possible for Christians
to put forth effort along industrial lines in a small number
of centers only. For these reasons it is easier to secure
Chinese support...”
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“...to the
improvement of educational methods and second, in
regards to the increase of educational facilities. In all
this educational reorganization Christian educators are
taking a prominent part.
IncJ. The Anti-Opium Campaign now in the
Organizations hands of the National Anti-Opium Associa-
tion is embarking on a large scale educational
effort also. It is concentrating on the. building up of an
informed public opinion as the only means whereby this
evil can be effectually subdued. Within the year a
national organization has been set up for dealing with
the problem of leprosy in China, which has its own
Chinese secretary. Modern trained Chinese doctors are
also beginning to make their efforts felt. They have their...”
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“...the rapid
momentum now being attained by devolution. By "de-
volution I understand the passing over of Christian work
to Chinese leadership. This devolution, of course, is
appaiYear
i'Rook there was only one Chinese writer. In this issue
Nearly fifty percent of the articles are contributed by
Chinese-Christians. This growing expression and influence
of the (-Jhinese Christian mind is the most marked evidence
of the iapid acceleration of devolution now going on. In
South China, particularly in Canton and Swatow (among
the-Baptists), the Chinese Christian mind has become the
dominating factor. The necessary readjustments by the...”
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“...military
ft is not to summarize the political events
themselves or to comment upon them except as they have
to do with the Christian movement of the present day.
It may at first sight appear not a little absurd, if not
impertinent, for one whose work is done within the
shadow of the largest treaty port in China to attempt
the presentation of a topic having to do with China as a
whole. So it appeared to the writer when he was asked
to undertake the task: only the suggestion by the editor
of the Year Book that a questionnaire be sent to various
centres so that first hand information might be obtained,
overcame the writer's reluctance to undertake the sum-
mary. The main sources for the paper are, accordingly,
some forty-five answers received from more than a
dozen of the twenty-one provinces. In addition various
newspaper accounts, which have not always been accredited
at their face value, and certain materials which have
within recent months appeared in The Chinese Recorder
have been used...”
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“...a student of history, was to be found in
the ways in which writers from the same area would differ
in their estimates of, for example, the effects of the
disturbed conditions upon Christian work in their area.
The element of relativity was very strong as a rule; if
sweeping statements occur hereafter, the reader is advised
to bear in mind this introductory statement.
Effect on Christian Work in your area been
Religious Work affected one way or another by the political
situation during the past year? If so,
specifically how?
To judge from the reports current in foreign and
native newspapers and magazines, as well as the remarks
one hears constantly of the upset conditions to be found
all over China, one would expect that this question
would have been answered almost unanimously in the
affirmative. As a matter of fact more than one-fourth
of the replies indicated that religious work had been
affected very little or not at all. One writer from Laian
Hsien in Anhwei said: We are a small conservative...”
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“...CHAPTER II
MISSIONARIES AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGE
Harold Balme
Significant mos^ burning questions in China
jssae during the past year, in relation to the work
of missions, has been that of Treaty Rights
and Special Privilege. Until comparatively recent years,
this problem never came within the range of public
consciousness. The great majority of missionaries went
out to China with little or no thought that they would
be participants in special rights not usually accorded to
residents in a foreign country, and with no desire to
occupy a privileged position. Various factors have,
however, now helped to focus attention upon this question,
and the outcry against the unequal treaties", as they
are commonly called, is spreading through the whole
country. The Anti-Christian Movement, and other
kindred organisations, have openly attacked missions on
the score of their association with these treaties, and have
accused them of exerting a denationalising influence upon
their converts, whom they stigmatise...”
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“...missionaries and special privilege
3lb
1. That conditions in the interior are such that mission work
still requires, for its prosecution, the additional protection
afforded by the treaties.
Although usually stated in this form, the experience
of the past year would suggest that missionary work in the
interior, during a period of acute anti-foreign sentiment,
has not necessarily been more difficult or more dangerous
than on the coast, in fact it would almost appear as if
the centers where foreign treaty rights were most in
evidence have been the chief points of attack. Apart
from this, however, it is perfectly clear that neither
extra-territoriality nor any other special privilege has
provided immunity against such risk, and so long as
these non-reciprocal advantages continue to be a source
of irritation and resentment to a powerful section of
Chinese opinion, there is every reason to fear that they
may be more of a danger than a protection. The real
protection of missionaries and their...”
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“...to any
modification of this growing demand.
So long as these unilateral treaties remain, the special
privileges enjoyed by foreigners, to which China has no re-
ciprocal equivalent, will continue to be a cause of irritation
and resentment. The question of the advisability of resting
the special rights of missions upon treaties whose continued
existence is regarded by many Chinese as a sign of national
humiliation is therefore liable to become more acute,
rather than less, with each succeeding year.
3. That this vhole question of Treaty revision is a political
matter, in ivhich missionaries, by the nature of their
calling, should take no part.
This argument, in my opinion, fails to take sufficient
count of two important points.
In the first place, missionaries, like all other foreign
residents, are in actual enjoyment of these special
privileges, some of which are not even enjoyed by their
fellow-nationals; and now that their retention is challenged
by the public opinion of an influential...”
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“...
however, a question of expediency but of principle, and
where a spiritual principle is concerned, the Church in the
past has never been deterred by considerations of danger.
The fundamental question is as to whether the. surrender
of special privilege is the right and Christian course to
follow. It is in the strong conviction that this is the case
that the missionary organizations, and a vast number
of missionaries who share this view, have now taken
action.
tSee Appendix II, China Christian Year Book, 1926....”
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“...58
christianity in tpie treaties
15. United States, Treaty of 1908. At
"Forefga last' in 1903' in the Sino-American treaty
Rights." pp. that year, an express treaty right was
200-201 granted, not to individuals, but to Mission-
ary Societies" to rent or lease in perpetuity
lands and buildings for their missionary purposes in all
parts of the Empire. Article XIV of that treaty, after
repeating substantially the provision of Article XXIX of
the Treaty of 1858, provides:
"No restrictions shall be placed on Chinese joining
Christian churches. Converts and non-converts, being
Chinese subjects, shall alike conform to the laws of China,
and shall pay due respect to those in authority, living
together in peace and amity; and the fact of being converts
shall not protect them from the consequences of any
offence they may have committed before or may commit
after their admission into the church, or exempt them
from paying legal taxes levied on Chinese subjects
generally, except taxes levied and c...”
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“...for carrying on their good work."
MacMurry, 18. Memorial of the Ministry for Foreign
"Treaties and Affairs, and Imperial Rescript, in regard to the
Agreements." Revision oj th- Procedure Governing Intercourse
p*7*7 between the Local Officials and Missionaries.
March 12, 1908.
" A memorial was presented by the former Tsung
Li Yamen, enclosing five articles on the subject of
intercourse between the local officials and missionaries,
which was approved by an imperial rescript, dated Kuang
Hsu, 25th Year, 2nd Month, 5th day (March 16,1899),...”
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“...accordingly petition the Throne to cancel
the memorial of the Tsung Li Yamen. In future the
intercourse between the local officials and the missionaries
should be carried on as before, in accordance with the
treaties.
" When the Throne has approved this memorial, this
hoard will communicate with the different provinces
that they may issue instructions to have the memorial
observed.
"Reverently submitted to Their Majesties, the Empress
Dowager and the Emperor.
"RESCRIPT: Approved.
Kuang Hsu, 34th Year, 2nd Month, 10th day (March
12, 1908)
19. Chinese Imperial Edict for Protection of Missions>
October 1, 1917....”
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“...RELIGIOUS LIFE
Gilbert Reid
Timely Book ^ valuable book, dealing not only with the
Christian movement in China but with other
religious movements, and giving information applicable
to present conditions, is "The Quest for God in China "
by Rev. F.W.S.O'Neill of the Irish Presbyterian Mission
in Manchuria. This book is based on lectures delivered
by Mr. O'Neill at the Belfast Theological College in 1925.
Ant. During the last year foreign missionaries,
Movemsnts as distinct from Chinese Christians, have
experienced greater intensity of antagonism
than in any other year for the last few decades of the
missionary cause in China. If the antagonism is not
greater than that of past years, it has at least been more
wide-spread and has presented new aspects of thought
and action difficult of approach on the part of the
missionary body and the home societies. There has
been a mixture of opposition that may be described as
anti-Christian, anti-religious, anti-foreign, anti-imperialism
and anti-capitalism...”
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“...Mr.
S. A. Hardoon. A feature of Buddhism that has always
existed is meditation. Last summer a 11 retreat?? was
held at the home of a prominent Chinese merchant in
Shanghai. An East-Asian Buddhist Conference took
place in Tokyo. Buddhism has thus adopted the preach-
ing-hall idea of Christians, while retaining the "silence"
method inherent in both Buddhism and Taoism.
Buddhism as found in Tibet is of both the
Lamaof Southern and Northern schools but lacks
Tibet intellectuality. During the last year it has
secured renewed interest among the Chinese
and especially Mongols by the visit to Peking of the Tashi...”
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“...religions, though standing aloof from
those who are zealous and iconoclastic.
Mission to the examP^e mutual toleration, sympathy
Buddhists respect is that of the Mission to Buddhists
carried on in Nanking by a Norwegian mis-
sionary, Rev. Karl Reichelt. He left last year on a brief
furlough, but the work continues in the care of others
until his own return during the present year.
IsIam The Moslems in China, like the Buddhists,
have no national organization, but by custom
and tradition they are a compact body by themselves and
are zealous for the faith. A minority are inclined to be
liberal towards Christianity, more than to Buddhists and
Taoists, who are looked upon as idol-worshippers. This
liberal spirit during the last year has been counterbalanced
by a new form of exclusiveness, which is more political
than religious. As the Republic and its flag represent a
union of five races, of which the followers of Mohammed
are one, the idea has sprung up in different quarters of
insisting on a...”
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