But what of the feeling towards
religious missions?
Medical missions are recognised as a potent agency in overcoming
prejudice. They reach the heart of
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the people by ministering to their bodily infirmities; high officials
are among their supporters; and the Empress Dowager latterly showed a
disposition to give them her patronage. But how about the preaching
missionary and the teaching missionary? Are the Chinese hostile
to these branches of missionary work?
Unlike Mohammedan or Brahman, the Chinese are not strongly attached
to any form of religious faith. They take no umbrage at the offer
of a new creed, particularly if it have the advantage of being
akin to that of their ancient sages. What they object to is not
the creed, but the foreigner who brings it. Their newspapers are in
fact beginning to agitate the question of accepting the Christian
faith and propagating it in their own way, without aid from the
foreigner. That they would be glad to see merchant and missionary
leave them in peace, no one can doubt. Yet the influence of missions
is steadily on the increase; and their influence for good is
acknowledged by the leading minds of the Empire.
Said the High Commissioner Tuan Fang, in an address to the Mission
Boards at New York, February 2,1906:
"We take pleasure this evening in bearing testimony to the part
taken by American missionaries in promoting the progress of the
Chinese people.
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