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The World's Conversion
REPORT OF
MISSIONS INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE, INTERNATIONAL BIBLE
STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
AT ITS CONVENTION held September 1-10, 1911, the
International Bible Students Association appointed a Committee to tour the
world and supply an unvarnished report of the true condition of affairs in
Oriental lands amongst the peoples usually termed "heathens."
The proposition of a certain Laymen's Missionary
Movement to promptly collect $30,000,000 and immediately convert the world
naturally aroused the query respecting the possibility of attaining such
desirable results. No doubt existed that benevolent people would willingly
expend thirty million dollars, and much more, if the results aimed at could be
attained. On the other hand, many rumors had been reaching Europe and America
respecting the inefficiency of the Missions and Missionaries already in the
Oriental lands. These tales possibly had something to do with the falling off
of contributions to Missionary Societies. It is the thought of many, however,
that the secret of the curtailment of donations to various propaganda is the
same as applies to the home work of all Christian denominations. The secret is
that the masses of the people, as well as the wealthy, are rapidly losing faith
in revealed religion--in the Bible.
The Higher Critics in all of our Colleges and
Seminaries, and in the chief pulpits of Christendom, have for fifty years been
carrying on a subtle warfare against the Bible. Are we not now beginning to see
the fruits of [R5008 : page 123] their
labors in a general agnosticism? Many manifest their loss of faith merely by a
non-attendance at religious services, and by failure to contribute as formerly
to religious benevolences. Others are showing their agnosticism by joining Socialism,
which many believe is gradually leading them to atheism and anarchy.
Bible Students of the I.B.S.A. are very
generally of the opinion that the Bible teaches that nothing short of Messiah's
Kingdom in power and great glory can scatter the thick religious darkness in
the world--that nothing short of that Kingdom, as the "Sun of
Righteousness," can scatter the darkness that covers the earth and the
gross darkness that benights the heathen. These Bible Students very generally
hold that the Bible teaches that the Bride of Christ (the saintly few of this
Gospel Age) must be completed, and must by the First Resurrection be glorified
with the Redeemer and sit with Him in His throne, before the time will come
when Jesus shall enlighten the world.
In other words, "Jesus is the true Light
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." But, in Divine
providence, the world separates itself into two distinct classes. The first and
smaller class consists of those "Elect" who have the hearing ear, the
understanding and appreciating heart, and the willing mind to be the footstep
followers of Jesus, and thus to gain the great prize of joint-heirship with Him
in His Kingdom. To these the light of Truth comes now. To others, the
non-elect, it will come by and by, when, according to Divine promise, "All
the blind eyes shall be opened, and all the deaf ears shall be unstopped."
EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW
These Bible Students are very generally agreed
that the long-promised "Golden Age" of Messiah's Kingdom is near at
hand. Very generally they quote and rejoice in such Scripture promises as,
"When He shall appear, we shall also appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:4.) This appearing or revealing will
be to the world, respecting whom Saint
Paul writes, "The whole creation groaneth and
travaileth together until now,"..."waiting for the manifestation of
the sons of God." They quote and rejoice in the promise which declares,
"If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him." Gladly, therefore,
do they rejoice in tribulations and misrepresentations and whatever Divine
Providence permits, knowing that all of these things are working out for them a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory--in the Kingdom.
These Bible Students have come to very generally
understand that the Scriptures teach that Messiah's Kingdom must first
enlighten the world before, "Unto Him every knee shall bow and every
tongue confess to the glory of God." Hence, while sympathetic with all
good works, these Students are not expecting the world's conversion as the
result of Missionary effort, and are not disappointed that the eighteen
centuries of the preaching of the Gospel has not brought such a result.
A MESSAGE TO ALL NATIONS
The interest of these Bible Students in the
present status of missionary work centers in the fact that they understand the
Bible to teach that the preaching of the
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This journal $1.00 (4/-) per year in
advance. Entered at
Brooklyn, N.Y., Post Office as Second Class
Mail Matter.
[R5008
: page 124] Gospel
in all the world has been eminently proper, not with the expectation of
converting the world, but, as the Master said, to give a witness to all
the world, and to gather an elect few from all nations, peoples,
kindreds and tongues for membership in His Bride class--to sit with Him in His
throne during the thousand years, cooperating in the work of uplifting the race
as a whole.
Indeed, we understand that one of the principal
motives associated with the sending out of the Committee of Investigation was
to ascertain whether or not there would appear to be saints in those distant
lands, who, as yet, have no knowledge of "the Gospel of the Kingdom,"
and of the fact that we are now in the harvest time of this Age, and probably
very close to the dawning of the New Dispensation of Messianic glory. It was
with this in view that the Association privately authorized Pastor Russell, its
President, to spend as much as seven thousand dollars in publishing the Gospel
of the Kingdom in Oriental lands, provided in his judgment and in the judgment
of the Committee there were saintly hearts and minds in those lands likely to
appreciate the message and to be ripened thereby for the heavenly
"garner."
The Committee did not find the time at their
disposal sufficient to permit them to visit Burmah, Africa and Australasia. It recommends that another Committee be
appointed for that work, and that it have due consideration at the next General
Convention of the I.B.S.A. This Convention is announced to be held at Pertle
Springs, Chautauqua grounds near Warrensburg,
Mo., June, 1-8, 1912.
The gentlemen who have served on this Committee
are all earnest Bible Students. Their zeal in the matter of this investigation
may be judged from the fact that they not only paid their own expenses, but additionally
defrayed Pastor Russell's and all secretarial expenses. These gentlemen have
long been deeply interested in the propagation of the Gospel, both at home and
abroad. From the first we thought the Committee a remarkably fair one, and we
believe the Report fully justifies that opinion. While it tells some plain
truths, and lays bare some important facts, it is in no sense harsh or unkind,
but on the contrary, sympathetic.
So interesting is the Committee's Report and so
instructive that we have practically devoted one entire number of THE WATCH
TOWER to its presentation. We trust our readers will understand and appreciate
our endeavors. We are printing a very large edition of this number, believing
that it will be of interest to many outside our present list of subscribers.
All such are cordially invited to become subscribers, and to join with us in
the study of our Heavenly Father's Word in its own light--without the
"spectacles" of any denominational creed. We can supply a large
demand for extra copies of this issue, at 5c. per copy, postpaid, to any part
of the world. Tell your friends desiring these to address THE WATCH TOWER, Brooklyn, N.Y.
The committee's report follows:
THE HAWAIIAN
ISLANDS VISITED
Our first stop was at the Hawaiian
Islands. Our investigations were practically confined to Honolulu, the principal
city, but there we were in touch with the general [R5008
: page 125] situation throughout the group of thirteen islands. We were
astonished to note the degree of civilization manifested by the entire
population, composed of Hawaiians, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Koreans,
Portuguese and Americans. Of the two hundred thousand population, about seven
thousand are Americans or of Caucasian mixture.
Many of the natives live in very cramped quarters,
in what is termed "slum districts." These, nevertheless, are not so
much inferior to American slum districts as one might suppose.
We visited a "Settlement," a
philanthropic arrangement of very simple character in the midst of the poor and
for their assistance. It has a playground for children, swimming baths, a
gymnasium and entertainment room, a dispensary for simple remedies, a
kindergarten room, and alongside an apartment for the convenience of
consumptives, to whom advice is given respecting the care of their health and
the avoidance of the spreading of the infection to their families. The
gentleman in charge explained to us that the city of thirty thousand is divided
into eight districts, and that eight ladies visit these districts regularly every
ten days, and their compensation is from $90 to $100 per month. The sugar
planters and principal merchants consider it a good business enterprise to thus
safeguard the city against cholera, yellow fever and bubonic plague, and care
not that it is under Church control and so accredited.
We visited the Kakemhame School,
founded by Mrs. Bishop, a Hawaiian Princess, who became the wife of an American
Banker. Her estate maintains the school at an expense of $70,000 per year. Only
boys and girls with Hawaiian blood can enjoy the benefits. It is conducted on a
luxurious scale, but appears to be of a very practical character and bound to
exert a civilizing influence. The school has about 250 pupils, a neat little
chapel and the necessary appointments for literary and manual training. The
pupils look bright and healthy.
We also visited the Mid-Pacific Institute. The
boys' buildings are separate from those for the girls. The total number of
pupils was approximately 220, and about evenly divided between the sexes. They
have their board and lodging and schooling. A nominal charge of $1 a week is
made, but nearly all are charity pupils, we were told. They seem healthy and
happy. The classes were much smaller than in America. The grading is very
similar to that of our public schools, with the addition of excellent homing
influences and instruction for the girls in sewing, cooking, etc., calculated
to turn them out useful and helpful wives. Our best wish for American and
European children is that they could have as good a start in life as have the
pupils in the schools we visited here. Nearly all the teachers, male and
female, are American, bright and intelligent and above the American average. We
did not learn their rate of pay.
"NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO
SLEEP" THE NEAREST APPROACH TO RELIGION
We were rejoicing to think that such practical
arrangements had been made along humanitarian lines, and it was with
considerable surprise that we learned afterwards that nearly all this work is
included in the reports of the American Missionary Association and the American
Board of Christian Foreign Missions. Nothing connected with the schools gave
any indication of their connection with religious or missionary institutions.
The only statement of a religious service coming to our attention was that the
smaller children knelt by their beds on retiring at night and sang, "Now I
lay me down to sleep." [R5009 : page 125] Indeed,
we inquired respecting Christian instruction and were informed that the attempt
to give it would alienate the pupils and thus cause the disruption of the
schools. We were informed that chapel services are held on Sunday, and also
Sunday-school exercises, but that comparatively few of the children attend. The
only hope seems to be that the civilizing and educating of these children would
later on make them more amenable to Christian instruction.
Departing we were invited to speak a few words
of encouragement to the pupils of the girls' school. We sought to impress upon
them the advantages of their pleasant and comfortable surroundings, and we
connected these creature comforts with the Savior and the influence which
doctrine exercises upon the hearts of mankind who properly receive it. We
exhorted them to give Jesus a large place in their appreciation and affections.
Whether it was imagination or not, it seemed to us that about half of the faces
grew dark and scowly while we spoke, and we associated this impression with
what the teachers had told us respecting the opposition to everything
Christian. Nevertheless, they sang us their Hawaiian farewell song [R5009 : page 126] in the natural tongue, which
surprised us by its rich and musical qualities.
We visited the Y.M.C.A. in its new building. We
learned that its cost, $140,000, was subscribed in six days. It is conveniently
arranged for its purposes. In the basement are bowling alleys; on the ground
floor, the main offices, a cafe, a reading room, comfortable lounging seats, a
room for checkers, chess and dominos, and quite a large room for billiards. On
the next floor above is the gymnasium, which is evidently one of the prominent
features. Also on this floor is a large room for night school instruction.
Above the gymnasium, on the third floor, we understand, there is an auditorium,
and also a small room on the first floor for class purposes. The building is in
charge of very pleasant gentlemen, who treated us cordially.
It is our opinion that the work in Hawaii is a good one,
viewed from the humanitarian standpoint, but an utter failure viewed from the
standpoint of Christianization. So far as we could discern, faith in the
Redeeming blood of Jesus, in His resurrection and in His coming Kingdom have
never been taught. But alas! this is becoming too true in Europe and America and
amongst Christian people of all denominations. Only comparatively few any
longer sing understandingly, "In the Cross of Christ I glory."
A gentleman who had resided in the city for
forty-two years remarked that in his opinion the Hawaiians are retrograding,
are less reliable, less temperate and less moral than they were twenty-five
years ago.
REPORT ON MISSIONARY WORK IN JAPAN
We found the Japanese a very interesting people.
We traveled nearly seven hundred miles through Japan,
and visited various cities aggregating four and a half millions of population,
which is about one-tenth of the entire population of Japan. We found the people
industrious, peace-loving, polite and kind to each other, and towards
foreigners. Although our visit was in the holiday season, when, according to
their custom, over indulgence in liquor would be pardonable, nevertheless our
entire party, scattered for the purpose of wide observation, noted only twelve
intoxicated persons, and three of these were Europeans. Parental love and care
were in evidence everywhere. We heard not a harsh expression from parent to
child, nor to any one, and witnessed only one altercation, and it trivial.
Everybody seemed industrious, minding his own business, and happy. Our united
comment was, Would to God as favorable conditions prevailed in Europe and America! We
noted nothing resembling profanity, and upon inquiry were told that they use no
profanity, and that their strongest expression is "beka"--fool.
We did not, however, conclude that the
fretfulness, unhappiness, quarrelsomeness and rudeness and boisterousness
frequently in evidence in Europe and America are attributable to
Christianity. On the contrary, we surmised that Divine Providence had sent the
message of the Gospel in the direction of the more rude or combative race,
which received the letter and form of Christianity in a measure, without
generally entering into its spirit of meekness, gentleness, patience,
long-suffering, brotherly kindness and love. Our comment further was that if
the Japanese should receive the letter of the Gospel and its spirit they would
have less difficulty than the Europeans and Americans in the development of the
fruits of the Spirit, because naturally more disposed toward gentleness,
patience and brotherly kindness.
WHAT OF THE MISSIONARY EFFORTS?
These observations of the Japanese gave us the
keener interest in our investigation as to how much, if anything, Christianity
has to do with these conditions, to what extent Japan is Christianized, etc. Our
findings in the matter at Tokio will serve to illustrate. Our Committee
attended [R5009 : page 127] nine religious
services, besides the two addressed by Pastor Russell. The average attendance
at the nine meetings was 59, the smallest being 9, and the largest 250,
including the ministers. Two of these services were in the English language;
the others were in Japanese and addressed by Japanese ministers. One of the
sermons in the English tongue was along the line of Evolution. Although many
Japanese understand English they rarely attend preaching in that tongue. We saw
but one Japanese at the two English services and he, apparently, was a servant
in waiting. We were very agreeably surprised to note the deeply reverential
attitude of the majority of those attending the Japanese services, and that
fully two-thirds were males. We congratulate the laborers in this missionary
field on the devout appearance of the 431 Japanese worshipers observed by us at
the seven meetings referred to. Of course, it is impossible to tell accurately
the attitude of the heart from the outward demeanor, but reverential attitude
and attention should count for considerable.
ENCOURAGEMENTS AND DISCOURAGEMENTS
It was plainly evident that the Missionaries are
feeling a considerable degree of discouragement, nor can we blame them. So far
as we could learn their work made considerable progress until twenty years ago,
since which time a wave of unbelief has swept over Japan,
just as in Europe and America.
Today the Japanese minds, like the minds of their European and American
cousins, are full of interrogation points. In other words, the spirit of
agnosticism is more and more prevalent. It is affecting the Missions and their
work, and also affecting Buddhism and Shintoism. Although Buddhist temples,
recently built, are gorgeous affairs, and although a million dollars has just
been raised to build a new Buddhist temple near Yokohama, nevertheless, it is
admitted that Buddhism is on the wane--that the number who attend the temples
to pray and worship are fewer than formerly, and generally of the more ignorant
classes.
The present trend of the Japanese religious
sentiment is toward infidelity, doubt and atheism. An inquiry as to the
religious sentiment in three of the Japanese schools (University of Tokio)
recently showed the following religious census:
Christians, 4; Buddhists, Confucians and
Shintos, 17; noncommittal, 46; atheists, 60; agnostics, 282; total, 409. This
is a terrible picture, true also, we fear, of many colleges in America and Europe.
Christianity in Japan
is in much the same condition as in America
and Europe, in two respects. (1) A certain
number are true worshipers, devout believers, but they are few. (2) A larger
number associate for the advantages they gain in one way or another--as, for
instance, the privilege of night schools, Y.M.C.A. gymnasiums, etc., etc. There
is considerable sympathy for Christianity amongst those who are at heart
agnostics, and who class Jesus as a great teacher along with Confucius and
Buddha, but who see nothing and know nothing respecting His redemptive work.
These realize that Christianity has been helping on in the work of Japanese
civilization, and would be sorry to know of anything calculated to hinder the
work of the Missionaries. Christianity and all other religions in Japan are on
the defensive.
JAPANESE DEMAND PROOFS BEFORE
ACCEPTING DOCTRINES
The active minds of the Japanese know that
Buddhism cannot answer their questions respecting God and the future, and they
come to the Missionaries and native Christians with questions, for which they
have as yet received no satisfactory reply. In consequence, they are holding
aloof and saying, There is some good in all religions, perhaps, but apparently
all of them have more or less of error and superstition. We will take advantage
of the kindly interest of these foreigners in our welfare. We appreciate the
fact that they have invested millions of dollars in churches and colleges in
our land. We are confident they have done us good and helped to some extent to
break from us the shackles of religious superstition. We will attend their
schools and avail ourselves of their kindness, and endeavor to show a kindly
disposition toward them; but we do not believe in Jesus as a Savior; we merely
recognize Him as a great teacher. We think, therefore, that it is unnecessary
that we should be baptized. We see not how this would have anything to do with
our character. The fact of the matter is we believe we get as good moral
teaching from Buddhism as from Christianity. We will stand aloof, doubting if
there is any positive truth on these subjects. Thus it will be seen that the
attitude of the Japanese toward Christianity [R5010
: page 128] is very much the same as the general attitude of the public
throughout Christendom.
We should note that considerable educational
work is being carried on at Tokio by the Methodist brethren. Dr. Spencer
informs us that they have an attendance of about 350 girls and 550 young men in
their college. They seem to be well equipped. We could wish that the youths of
the middle and lower classes in Europe and America were as well provided for.
The Missionaries themselves appear to be an
earnest band, but considerably discouraged. And no wonder! Outsiders report
that they have considerable denominational conflict and jealous competition,
but that steps are now being taken for a general religious Federation. The
Missionaries freely admit that in their schools and other work it is necessary
to lay stress chiefly upon moral conduct and to say little or nothing about
Jesus' redemptive work and other doctrines--otherwise they would lose their
hold upon the pupils, who evidently attend the schools chiefly for the
educational advantages they offer. We repeat that the Missionaries of Japan
have our congratulations upon the work done years ago and our sympathy in
respect to the discouragement of the present, and the unfavorable outlook. What
the Japanese need is "the Gospel of the Kingdom," announcing the
second coming of Jesus as the Messiah of Glory, to rule, heal and instruct all
the families of the earth. Pastor Russell's sermons gave them more food for
thought than they had ever before enjoyed.
THE CONDITIONS AND OUTLOOK IN CHINA
At no place were we able to penetrate beyond 125
miles inland in the great Empire of China, of 320,000,000 people. But directly
and indirectly we visited and inspected the conditions of life in about fifteen
cities and villages, whose combined population was about 4,000,000. We saw many
sad sights and heard many sad stories, but also both saw and heard other things
which comforted and encouraged us.
We were specially impressed with the business
faculties of the Chinese, with their energy and general contentment, and, alas,
also impressed with the filthiness and unsanitary conditions in which we found
them in their large cities. Both young and old, male and female, work, and
apparently willingly.
China entire may be said to be revolutionized; few apparently have any sympathy with
the Manchu Dynasty, which has just abdicated. The remarkable thing is that the
revolutionists, hampered for lack of money, have been able to accomplish so
much and to have preserved order so well. True, lawlessness has in several
instances gained the upper hand; and, of course, it is still possible that the
entire social fabric may be destroyed. There is a reason, however, why this
seems improbable: For long centuries the various provinces of China have maintained a kind of local autonomy,
not unlike that of Canada
and Australia
in respect to the British. These provinces or states have long had states rights,
slightly after the fashion of the American Union.
MISSIONARIES IN CHINA
Without doubt missionaries have accomplished
considerable in China.
It is difficult, however, for the Chinese to differentiate between Christian
missionaries and Christian tourists, Christian soldiers and sailors, Christian
merchants and tradesmen and Christian clergymen who preach to such of these as
attend Divine service. Gradually, however, we believe they are getting a proper
focus upon the matter. We must sympathize with them in this; if we could put
ourselves in their places, how strange it would all appear to us! The aloofness
of the foreigners and the disdain with which they usually treat the natives is
quite unfavorable also to true Christian progress here. Moreover, although the
Chinese are aware that some good people are sending large sums of money in
their interest, building colleges and hospitals and churches and schools and
Y.M.C.A. buildings, with gymnasia, billiard rooms, bowling alleys, etc., they
find it difficult to harmonize this benevolence with the fact that foreigners
all conspire to keep wages at the lowest point--hindering as much as possible
any advance in prices or such improvement in conditions as would raise prices.
Under all these conditions it seems remarkable
to us that Christian missionary effort has accomplished so much as we perceive.
It seems the more amazing when we reflect on the Gospel message which
Christendom has had to offer, namely, that only the saintly few have the
slightest prospect of heaven, and that all the vast remainder of China's
hundreds of millions and their forefathers are doomed to an eternity of
torture.
But with all this handicap we found some Chinese
Christians who gave every evidence of deep sincerity. Some foreigners, however,
told us that they were merely "rice Christians." This may be true of
some, but we feel sure it is not true of all--nor even of a majority. Comparing
the native congregations with Christian gatherings in Europe and America, we
have every reason to believe that the comparison favored the Chinese. They
listen more respectfully, reverentially and earnestly than do the majority of
congregations in Christian lands.
THE OUTLOOK
The outlook is both favorable and unfavorable.
It is unfavorable in that China
is now coming under the influence of Higher Criticism, Evolution, etc.--not
from the missionaries, however, who seem to be more loyal to the Bible than are
the ministers of Christendom. This flood of infidelity is coming from Japan.
The slowness of the Christian progress in China of late may be judged from the report of
one Y.M.C.A. [R5010 : page 129] secretary
from America.
He said that in ten years the Association had succeeded in bringing only 25
persons into membership with the different Christian churches of all
denominations. And the Y.M.C.A., be it remembered, is chiefly a moral club
dominated by Christian influence --much the same as in Europe and America--and
apparently the chief recruiting ground for the churches.
So far as we were able to sense the situation
from the missionary viewpoint it is this: The influence of Christianity has
brought a measure of enlightenment to the Chinese which led up to the recent
revolution. The revolution itself is dominated by the Christian Chinese, partly
because they are the more intelligent. The solid front which Chinese religions
have heretofore maintained is breaking. Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism still
dominate the masses, but many are saying, We are non-sectarian; we take the
best of all these religions and admit that there are good things also to be
said respecting Christianity. The progressive Chinese of the revolutionist
party proclaim that henceforth China
shall be known as one of the Christian nations. By this they do not mean,
however, that the Chinese will be converted to faith in Jesus as the Redeemer of the world and their personal Savior, but merely that China recognizes that
the nations which call themselves Christian, are more wise, more intelligent,
less superstitious, better educated and better warriors than the nations which
recognize Buddhism, Brahminism, Taoism, Mohammedanism, etc. The statement,
therefore, simply means that the Chinese propose to adopt Occidental manners
and customs and, so far as possible, Occidental lines of thought.
DIFFICULTIES SHOULD BE PROMPTLY
REMOVED
But while the psychological moment for the
spread of Christianity would appear to have arrived, there is a difficulty. The
Chinaman is perplexed by the 600 different denominations of Christians and the
600 different theories of salvation which they represent. Once awakened to
thought he is more critical, if not more logical, than the masses of
Christendom in respect to what he will accept instead of the doctrines he
proposes to drop. He asks the missionaries all kinds of questions, the majority
of which receive no satisfactory answer. One of the principal difficulties is
on the subject of the Trinity--how there could be one God and He of three
different persons, or how there could be three different Gods and yet these three be only one person; and how the one God could be dead for three
days and raise Himself from the dead. The Chinese mind seems unable to grasp
this mathematical problem.
As between the Protestant Hell and the Catholic
Purgatory, the Chinaman is also perplexed. He wants to know where Hell and
Purgatory are located, and who knows and how he knows. He seems perplexed to
understand how a just and loving God should bring so many people into existence
for such a fate. While Christianity appeals to them in some ways, it repels
them along these lines; the poor Chinese are really in a quandary. The trend
amongst the more thoughtful ones seems to be to consider all religions as more
or less superstitions, useful merely for the control of the more degraded and
vicious.
In view of these limitations, the missionaries
now find it inexpedient to discuss doctrinal matters. Instead, the chief
attention is given to schools, colleges, hospitals, Y.M.C.A. privileges,
sports, etc. Their hope is that this beneficial influence may gradually attract
more and more the Chinese, and that thus will spring up a preference for
Christian methods and places of worship over and above [R5011
: page 129] those of other religions.
WHICH IS THE RIGHT SHIP?
One missionary likened the Christian church and
its salvation to a large ship: The passengers board the vessel in confidence,
trusting all to the officers, and do not study the maps, charts and compass nor
inquire particularly respecting the machinery. So all desiring to be saved, he said, should get into the Church and live and rest there contented, without
inquiring particularly into doctrines, trusting implicitly to the final
outcome.
But some of the hearers inquired, Which
boat--which church? Are there not many Christian boats, Catholic and
Protestant? Which one will surely be properly navigated and bring all of
her passengers to the heavenly port?
Such knotty questions are, of course, perplexing
to the missionaries, unused to such close reasonings in their own lands. We
sympathize with the missionaries, realizing that they are in a very difficult
situation. In conversation many of them manifested great earnestness and real
piety and deplored their inability to accomplish greater results along
religious lines. Others, a minority, we hope, seem to have a narrow and
hypocritical spirit. Sent to convert the heathen they would like to make such
reports as would please and not discourage those who sent them forth,
especially in view of the fact that the Home Secretaries write them that
donations are falling off and that encouraging reports must be made.
Much has been said respecting the fact that the
missionaries live in palatial residences and hold themselves so aloof from the
people whom they would interest that the latter discount all their professions
of love and sympathy. Having heard such reports we sought to determine whether
or not they were truthful, and, if so, the cause. We did find palatial
residences of ministers in Hong Kong and Shanghai,
but these were not, strictly speaking, missionaries who served the Chinese.
These ministers serve and are chiefly supported by Americans, British, Germans,
etc. (merchants, consuls, military officers, etc.). One of these serves the
Union Church in Shanghai
at $2,400 gold ($4,800 Chinese money) per [R5011 :
page 130] year. Of course, out of this he can well afford to live quite
luxuriously in China.
It is true that the missionaries also live in compounds, near the college
buildings, separate entirely from the natives. These substantial structures, of
course, must appear to the natives as palatial, greatly in contrast with their
own hovels.
But we have not the heart to blame Western
people for desiring to live according to their own standard when it is
possible. No doubt some of them would serve with equal zeal if they had nowhere
to lay their heads superior to the native house-boats on the river or the
hovels on the shore. As one of them very frankly said, The constant din and hum
of voices from earliest morning till latest night is very wearing upon the more
delicate nervous systems of Caucasians and calculated to bring on nervous
prostration, hence the better houses, purer air, better food, etc., may be
considered almost in the light of necessities. Nor can we suppose that those
who sent forth the missionaries and are paying their expenses desire them to
live on the same level as the Chinese, even if their health would permit. On
the whole, the average missionary seems to be doing in this respect about as
faithfully as the majority of Christian people and Christian ministers in their
home lands. So far as their clothing is concerned, we saw nothing that would be
considered extravagant, even though much superior to the poor toggery of the
majority of the natives.
THE RED CROSS SOCIETY
We have for years heard much of famines and
consequent pestilences in China
and these have usually been reported from practically the same district--the
valley of the Yangtse
River, which is navigable
by large vessels for 900 miles. There is no doubt about the distress; many of
the poor people are in a very pitiable condition. This is the third year in
succession in which they have suffered famine. Even the seed sown was lost by
reason of the great freshets. It is safe to say that two millions are on the
verge of starvation--many have already starved to death. Money and rice from America have
been poured into this district time and again, giving a moiety of relief, but
the cause of the trouble remains--the river conditions.
The American Red Cross Society, organized for
the preservation of life, and having as its President the Honorable William H.
Taft, sent engineers to look into the difficulties and to confer with the
Chinese Government respecting a permanent remedy. It has required time to make
surveys and for engineers to decide what is necessary. The matter had reached a
satisfactory conclusion and work was about to be begun when the revolution
interrupted. It is anticipated that the new government will take the matter up.
The engineer in charge, Mr. Jameson, informed us that he hopes to put to work
speedily on the necessary improvements 30,000 of the destitute, and thus help a
little in stemming the famine difficulties. While the matter is not under
missionary auspices, it nevertheless has, in the minds of the Chinese, a missionary
association and a helpful influence. Indeed, it is only along the lines of
higher civilization that any considerable work can be accomplished now in China.
Nevertheless, the Chinese are awakening and, like the Japanese, are wanting a
new religion, rational as well as reverential. Is it not the same in Europe and
America?
Pastor Russell addressed the natives on two
occasions. Considerable interest was manifested and Chinese reports of both
discourses were published, the publishers proposing to continue such
publications weekly after the manner of the American and British newspapers.
Something in his presentation seemed specially to strike interest and convince
many of his hearers. In response to an offer of free reading matter in English,
many addresses were handed in.
THE MORALS OF CHINA
The Chinese moral standard differs considerably
from ours, but they apparently respect their own; there is no obtrusion of the
nude and lewd. We saw no immodest dressing--nothing to suggest impurity or
licentiousness. Mr. Lerrigo, Secretary of the Canton Y.M.C.A., informed us that
the Chinese of the Association had recently purchased a moving-picture outfit,
but that they immediately objected to the immodesty of some of the pictures,
which would be thought all right in Europe and America. A censorship committee was
appointed, and every picture in the slightest degree immodest is eliminated. In
their Christian gatherings the sexes sit apart. When we sought for photographic
views representing the Chinese, their customs and homes, we found them all
modest, chaste. Vulgar, foolish and immodest pictures there were on sale, but
they were of European manufacture, and apparently sold to Europeans and
Americans. A missionary of thirty years' residence assured us that the moral
status of the people in general is quite good, excepting that of the Buddhist
priests.
UNITED STATES MISSIONS
Our visit to the Philippine Islands gave us a
greatly increased respect for the American flag. The change wrought in the
twelve years of American supervision of the Philippines is little short of a
miracle. Little did we [R5011 : page 131] suppose
that our Government had been carrying on so benevolent a work as we there
beheld. True, it is not a missionary work in the proper sense of that term, in
that it is not attempting to give the Filipinos religious instruction of any
kind. Nevertheless, the work is very similar to that which all Foreign Missions
are now attempting in Oriental countries--a work of education and moral and
social uplift, etc. The officers and soldiers whom we met were a credit to the
greatest nation in the world, including the Major General commanding the forces
of the Philippines,
the Civil Governor and those of the civil service officials with whom we became
acquainted.
When our Government took over the control of
these Islands from Spain
there were thousands of Jesuits and Friars in the Islands
in control of vast estates, but the people were ignorant. These friars still
own 95 per cent. of the property within the walled city of Manila, we were told. The Government rents
from them considerable property, paying $4,000 gold rent per year for one
building alone. Nothing has been done by the United States Government against
Catholicism; no Protestant denomination has been favored in any manner. Instead
a thousand American teachers were imported, of whom 800 still remain. These are
now supplemented by 6,000 native teachers. The Filipino thirst for education is
rapidly increasing. The Legislature has recently determined upon the erection
of 400 new school houses and the addition of many teachers. Do you have
compulsory education? we inquired. The answer was, It is unnecessary; we cannot
equip the schools rapidly enough as it is; we are obliged to run two shifts in
order to accommodate those who are anxious to learn.
An up-to-date hospital has been erected; it is
probably as complete as any hospital in the world, and its free dispensary has
the distinction of being sixth in the world's record of cases treated in a
year-- 80,000 cases last year.
Steam railways, electric railways, etc., with
modern buildings and a newly dredged harbor are rapidly increasing the business
interests and lifting the people from serfdom and peonage to intelligence and
good citizenship. [R5012 : page 131]
UNITED STATES TREATING FILIPINOS AS
AN ELDER BROTHER
To give an idea of the progress made, we note
the fact that at a meeting addressed by Pastor Russell there were present about
1,000 Filipino young men, ages from 18 to 30, who understand English, and who
gave the very closest attention. Following the address some 300 applications
for literature were voluntarily handed to Pastor Russell. This is in keeping
with the general manifestation of this people for knowledge along every line.
Another indication of their progress was manifested recently. A proposal was
made that a Y.M.C.A. for Filipinos be established. The American Central
Committee made an offer of $140,000, provided the Filipinos of Manila
themselves would raise $80,000. The amount was more than subscribed--$100,000
was contributed.
To our surprise, the Governor General and others
assured us that all of these improvements are being made by the Filipinos
themselves--at their own cost. The United States Government merely supervises
the matter through its representatives. The judges, physicians, nurses,
teachers, schools, are all paid for out of Filipino funds under our
Government's wise and economical management of their affairs; as an elder
brother doing for a younger. We felt proud indeed of the record. When we
contrasted the results here manifested and the benevolent methods used with the
selfish exploiting practices only too common, we thanked God that whatever the
blemishes of our Government and whatever its shortcomings, it has a record for
justice second to none ever made in this world's history, and that without
hypocrisy.
This fairness manifested by our Government is
telling upon the Filipinos, who at first misunderstood. It is also influencing
the large number of Chinese residing there. Indeed, the whole world is taking
notice; but alas! we fear that no colonizing nation is ready to follow the
example. The peoples of the Orient are practical and nothing could much more
commend to them the principles of Christianity than our Government's course.
Quite to the contrary, the operations and exploitations of European governments
have given the missionaries a very uphill work in what they have sought to do.
The very fact that these exploiting governments have backed up and protected [R5012 : page 132] the missionaries has had, we
believe, an influence derogatory to missions.
THE MALAY
PENINSULA
Your Committee visited Singapore and Penang
and had interesting and profitable experiences. The greatest missionary effort
in both places appeared to be under Methodist control. The work being done in
these two Malayan centers reminded us very much of what we have already
mentioned respecting the work in progress in the Philippine Islands. Like that,
it seemed to be chiefly a work of secular education, and quite successful,
although conducted along different lines. The Government subsidizes the schools
liberally, besides which a tuition fee is charged. In these respects we believe
the work less successful than that in the Philippines, where the education is
free, and where the Government provides the schools and teachers and cannot
supply them rapidly enough.
These Methodist schools in Singapore and Penang,
so far as we were able to learn, have 2,500 and 2,000 pupils respectively in
attendance, and with Government subsidization, are self-supporting. These
pupils are attracted from all parts of the Peninsula, and some from Siam and from Sumatra,
across the Straits. Naturally the expenses attaching to these scholarships must
reduce the number in attendance and confine it to the comparatively better-off
classes. In the Philippines,
on the contrary, the free schools and their teachers are scattered everywhere,
and all people, rich and poor, have educational opportunities. While,
therefore, we highly commend the work being done here, we still believe that
the American plan is the superior one. It is astonishing to note how anxious
the peoples of these parts seem to be to gain an education.
Inquiry respecting Christianity amongst the
students revealed the fact that a certain amount of religious matter is
introduced daily, in that the sessions are opened with prayer, and some of the
simpler Bible stories and parables are brought to the attention of the pupils.
Of course, only a small proportion of the entire attendance at these schools
ever take the full course of instruction, but we are informed that one-quarter
of those who do graduate profess Christianity, as preferable to the religion of
their birth, although they do not very generally join any of the Christian
churches. We were glad to learn that here, as well as in China,
prejudice against Christianity is rapidly breaking down, and that the Chinese
who predominate here prefer American and English teachers rather than their
own. Indeed, they are quite willing to pay good salaries for competent
teachers, who are in demand.
We did not have favorable opportunities for
contact with the native Christians, who are of many nationalities. We learned
with pleasure, however, that while they are few in number, they give evidence of
sincerity. Other denominations were represented as active, but in a much
smaller way, and much less successful than the work noted.
CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE IN INDIA
For centuries India
has been a missionary field--particularly the southern portion, and the Island of Ceylon adjacent. Tradition has it that St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles, visited Ceylon and Madras.
A cathedral to his memory stands in Madras,
covering, it is claimed, his grave. The legend is quite specific. We were shown
the cave where he was attacked by the Brahmins, but from which he escaped.
About two miles from it is what is termed Mt. Saint Thomas.
This is the place where, supposedly, he was speared to death by a Brahmin. Of
course, these incidentals may have belonged to some other man by the name of
Thomas, and centuries of time may have confounded him with the Apostle Thomas.
But that some man by the name of Thomas, a Christian Missionary, visited those
parts long ago could scarcely be questioned.
Additional tradition shows that at a very early
period Syrian Christians made a settlement on the southwest coast. They still
maintain an organization, and a church history running back from twelve to
fifteen hundred years, and they now number about a quarter of a million in the Province of Travancore, whose population is about
three millions.
The London Missionary Society, a Congregational
institution, has carried on a work in Travancore since 1806. They have had some
success, almost exclusively with the lower castes, some of whose forbears were
slaves. They claim now a church membership of ten thousand. Although Travancore
is one of the smallest of the India Provinces, we have given it prominence
because Christian missionary effort here appears to have reached a better
development than elsewhere, so far as we could discern. The natives are very
poor, but industrious, and apparently honest-hearted. The higher castes, which
adhere to Hinduism, seem not averse to Christianity, but reject it, because to
them it seems less logical than their own beliefs. The natives from the lower
castes, reached by the Gospel message, have certainly been blessed above their
fellows still remaining under the grosser superstitions and idolatry of
Hinduism.
Northward from Travancore and Madras we found evidences of missionary
activity, but they were newer and their successful work correspondingly less in
evidence. We were pleased, however, to note that some amongst the natives in
all parts give evidence of great sincerity and Christian devotion to the extent
of their knowledge of the Lord and His Word. These, however, of course, are
very isolated cases, just as this class of Christians is scarce in every part
of the world.
METHODS EMPLOYED TO INTEREST NATIVES
Various are the methods used by the Missionaries
to gain a hold upon the people of India, and to lift them from
idolatry and superstition. The college appears to be the most attractive bait.
There is a thirst for knowledge, even though it be less in India than
could be wished for. In only one locality did we hear of children being hired
to attend school by the payment of a trifling sum. We were told that for this
inducement the parents would compel [R5012 : page
133] the attendance of the children, but not without it. In various
parts of India
there are academies and colleges controlled by the Missionaries. These are
attractive to the young men, because of the educational facilities. The
students are not required to make any profession of Christianity in joining the
schools, but rather are assured that no attempt will be made to indoctrinate
them. These students, we are advised, come largely from the upper Brahmin
caste, influence with which is much coveted by the Missionaries.
Inquiry as to how Christian interest was
sustained amongst these young men brought the answer that the majority, after
graduating, scoff at Christianity, and claim a superiority for Hinduism. They
seem to catch in the schools the spirit of "Higher Criticism." We
cannot surely tell the mental attitude of these young men when they enter the
schools, because we know that the influence of the schooling in the colleges in
Christendom tends to similar unbelief in the Bible. Inquiry respecting the
status of the Protestant Missionaries on the subject of faith in the Bible
brought the report that many of them are Higher Critics and Evolutionists, who
no longer believe in the Bible as the inspired Word of God. It seems to be
conceded, however, that higher critical teachings are not conveyed to the
scholars in a public manner, but [R5013 : page 133] rather,
as in Christendom, covertly.
We found evidence of very sincere Christian
endeavor on the part of the Missionaries in the past, with some fruitage in
consecrated natives. We found the Missionaries of the present time earnest and
attentive to their work, but, like ministers of Christendom, they seem to have
had their spirituality sapped, devitalized, and, probably, by the same
influences--"Higher-Critical-Infidel-Evolutionary" theories. Only one
missionary did we hear of preaching eternal torture, and he was a new arrival
on the field. Contact with "heathendom" seems to fully settle in the
minds of all reasoning people that God never intended the eternal torture of
all except the comparatively few who put their trust in the redemptive work of
Jesus, and subsequently seek to walk in His steps.
SINCERITY OF MANY NATIVES EVIDENT
On every hand may be seen evidences that the
poor Hindus are as sincere at heart in their worship as any Christian could
possibly be. There is not the slightest sign that the devotions of the majority
are hypocritical--"to be seen of men." Although their devotions are
performed publicly, fearlessly, they are reverential and seem to be addressed
to some unseen god, even though crude idols are at times apparently used to
represent him, according to a philosophy which we are unable to appreciate.
However, when we remembered the terrible mental pictures of the Almighty drawn
by some of our creeds, and contrasted these with the ugly idols worshipped by
some of these poor peoples, we felt inclined to say that of the two the creed
idol was the more repulsive.
The Salvation Army has recently entered the
missionary lists in India.
Its sympathetic method of mingling with and aiding the lowest caste to better
ideas of home-life and cleanliness is commendable. If only their fifes and
drums called the people to hear of God's love, and the good tidings of His
provision for all in Messiah's Kingdom, what good they might accomplish! They
are making quite a show of success by attracting to their service young
teachers, "catechists," from other missions, by more liberal
allowances for their expenses.
MORE THAN EDUCATION NEEDED TO LIFT
NATIVES OUT
OF SUPERSTITION
At Benares we had a Christian native for a
guide, and he informed us that many of the poor people who were bathing in the Ganges, and hoping thereby to wash away their sins, had
been educated, some of them in Christian schools, so that quite a good many of
them were conversant with the English language. This surely was a very
discouraging discovery. It indicated that even more than education is necessary
to lift these peoples out of their deep-seated superstitions.
Missionaries and Christianity have frequently
been blamed with doing injury to the people. Many say, "You can trust a
native who has not professed Christianity, but beware lest you ever trust one
who has been Christianized --they are not dependable." It may be that
something connected with Missionary effort promotes dishonesty in those who
receive its benefits, but in our opinion the Missionaries and their methods are
less to be blamed than the Europeans residing in India and transient visitors.
Apparently the more consecrated people of Christendom remain at home. There can
be no doubt that the influence of the white man in a general way upon the
people of India has to a considerable extent been demoralizing, and this
demoralizing influence, exercised by representatives of Christendom, seems to
more than counteract the helpful influences of the Bible and the Missionaries.
The natives of lower castes look up to the whites, but find their disgraces
easier to copy than their graces.
In Madras
we became acquainted with a native Christian worker who was conducting a
temperance mission. We remarked that we had been greatly surprised to find the
natives quite free from the influence of intoxicating liquors, and that we were
surprised at his having a Temperance Mission. He corroborated our understanding
of the matter that Hindus and Mohammedans, who constitute the bulk of the
population, repudiate intoxicating liquors. He said that his labors were
chiefly amongst the young natives who were influenced by Christianity, and who
were rapidly becoming addicted to intoxicating liquors. We learned also that
amongst the Mohammedans there is a class increasingly numerous which, following
the example of the whites, are becoming skeptical of religion and
correspondingly dissolute in their [R5013 : page
134] habits. As for the whites, nearly all seem to use liquors and
tobacco. The irreligion and nominalism of the majority of the whites discount
greatly all missionary efforts.
A REVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE'S TOUR
The Committee traveled in India about
four thousand miles altogether--by railway, bullock-carts, automobiles,
pony-carts, jinrickshas, carriages, etc.
From the Straits of Malay our party came to the Island of Ceylon. We had some interesting
experiences in its chief city, Colombo.
A number of Bible students of that place met us on our arrival, and gave us
hearty greetings of welcome. Our fellowship with them was sweet, and three of
them subsequently accompanied us for a few days through the Travancore District
of India. Here in Colombo
a meeting had been arranged for in the Public Hall, to be addressed by Pastor
Russell. Although the hour appointed was early, the house was crowded, about
900 being present. Close attention was given, and at the conclusion of the
meeting many addresses were handed in for literature on Biblical topics.
Another interesting experience worth relating
was a visit by the Committee to the Lepers' Hospital on an island adjoining the
city. The hospital is presided over by an educated Indian of the Parsee faith,
who with great cordiality arranged for Pastor Russell to give an address
(through an interpreter) to the lepers. Many heard with interest, and amongst
them some inquired for literature.
TRAVANCORE
PROVINCE--INDIA
A full week was given to southwest India, and it
was worthy of it. Our first stop was at Russell-Purim, the principal point at
which Brother Davey for two years has let shine the "Gospel of the
Kingdom." Pastor Russell preached there twice through interpreters to
audiences variously estimated from two to five thousand. Nearly two miles from
the meeting place we were met by a thousand of the natives who escorted us to a
hastily improvised auditorium. A fife and drum corps preceded us, while behind
us came bagpipes, tom-toms and various musical instruments unknown to us. Many
of those who met us carried banners of welcome and marched ahead of our motor
car, while on either side were lined up others who greeted us, singing native
hymns of welcome. Our Committee was quite unprepared for such a reception, and
in the general din could merely express our appreciation by bowing to the
multitudes who walked and ran before, beside and behind us to the meeting
place, constantly joined by other hundreds on the way, and finally by thousands
who were waiting for us at the auditorium.
When we stepped upon the platform each member of
the Committee was presented with a garland of flowers, strung after the native
style. These were hung about our necks. To each of us was presented also a
bouquet of flowers handsomely arranged in a manner which, we were informed, to
the natives signified peace, love and good will. Next came fans and a glass of
cocoanut milk. It was following these experiences and refreshments that Pastor
Russell gave his address. Following the first address we were introduced to
some of the officials of the vicinity.
NAGERCOIL--MISSION
CENTER
Our next stop was at Nagercoil, where the London
Missionary Society has a college. We were kindly received by the Secretary in
charge, and, as per arrangement made in advance, Pastor Russell delivered an
address. The auditorium was crowded, as were the doors and windows, while hundreds
were unable to get within hearing distance. Natives constituted the audience,
except the white teachers. Amongst them, we were informed, were educated Hindus
as well as Christians, and nearly all were men.
TRIVANDUM--THE CAPITAL
The next stop was at Trivandum, the capital of
Travancore. Two meetings were held in Victoria City Hall,
which on both occasions was crowded to overflowing. We cannot, of course, know
to what extent the hearers received the message. It was quite manifest,
however, from their conduct, that some of the Hindus had come to sneer at
anything Christian. It was equally manifest that by the time of the close of
the meeting most of this disposition had faded away; the faces were
earnest--many of them markedly sincere. They heard the Bible defended and
Christianity upheld with more of an appeal than ever before to the Bible, as
well as to reason. Nearly 200 requested literature, expressing a desire to
study further the matter which they had heard-- some of them expressing deep
concern.
Five other less important places were visited
and meetings held ere
WE REACHED MADRAS
In Madras
we had very interesting experiences also. Three meetings were held in different
localities, all of them crowded. Nearly three hundred applications for literature
were handed in. It was while in this vicinity that we visited the Mount of
Saint Thomas, where, according to tradition, the Apostle Thomas, as before
referred to, suffered martyrdom by a spear-thrust at the hands of a Brahmin.
THE VIZAGAPATAM MISSION
We had an interesting visit to Vizagapatam,
which has a mission now under the control of the Canadian Baptists, having been
transferred to them by the London Missionary Society. A public meeting was held
in the chapel and we attended. The missionary and his wife were present, and
also two men and two women, native [R5014 : page
135] teachers or workers. It was Quarterly Meeting Day, and about six
boys and six girls repeated Scripture verses, committed to memory, in the
presence of an audience of about forty adults. These missionaries and
teachers-- yea, and all missionaries--have the sympathy of the Committee, for
we realized that they have a difficult proposition --an impossible one, so far
as the conversion of the world is concerned.
CALCUTTA--CITY
OF PALACES
Some of us journeyed from Madras
to Calcutta, while another passed through the
Mysore District to Bombay.
All of our experiences were interesting. We were impressed with the fact that
while the natives respect the whites as a superior race, they are perplexed
with some of their religious teachings, and inclined to think that many
professing Christianity are only partially sincere in professing such
beliefs--for instance, Mohammedans cannot receive the "Doctrine of the
Trinity." They accept our Old Testament Scriptures, but declare that these
forbid the worship of any but the one God. They therefore oppose Christians in
preaching that there are three gods, even as they oppose the Hindus for
preaching that there are five thousand gods.
All (Hindus and Mohammedans) are perplexed that
these superior whites should insist on justice, kindness and love and yet teach
that the Creator is devoid of these qualities--that He foreordained their
forefathers to an eternity of torture, well knowing what He was doing, and that
He has allowed ignorance to prevail in the earth over the masses of mankind,
while demanding knowledge and faith as a basis for salvation. They say, What we
already believe seems to us more reasonable than this. We have some bad gods of
our own, but none of them are so vicious as the Christian God is represented to
be. We also have kind and generous gods and merciful gods, and these teach us
that we must be kind and generous toward each other and towards even the brute
beasts. Why, they ask, should we leave our own faith, which is older than
yours, to accept your views, which are less reasonable, just and loving than
our own?
RELIGION NOT GENERALLY TAUGHT
Of course, missionaries find it very difficult
to answer such propositions. One result is that little is said about the future
punishment of unbelievers, etc. If much were said on these subjects, Hindu
children would not be allowed to attend the schools. To maintain a hold upon
the children, to be able to make interesting reports of the progress of their
work, and to seemingly justify their continuance in the work, the pupils must
be held on to. Religious instruction is generally avoided, except at times,
when it is optional with the pupils to attend.
Another matter connected with the schools should
be mentioned: Of late years, the Government has been fostering education by
giving liberal allowances to schools of a satisfactory curriculum. But the
Government requires that such schools, aided out of the public treasury, shall
be non-religious. The various mission schools of practically all denominations
are now competing for such Government patronage--to compensate for the falling
off of missionary donations. As a consequence these mission schools are
non-religious--purely secular--with merely a Christian influence attaching,
and, as already noted, this Christian influence is of late vitiated and
neutralized by an unbelief in the Bible, the fruitage of
"Higher-Criticism-Evolutionary" theories.
The critics of the Christian religion are, of
course, mainly from the upper castes. Those of the lower castes wonder much,
understand little, and seem to be in expectation of harsh language and ill
treatment, both from the whites and the higher castes of Indians. In all of our
journeyings we were impressed with the gentleness of the people as a whole, and
the evident affection of parents for their children. Only amongst those who
have been closely associated with the whites did we find the quarreling and
wrangling disposition.
In Calcutta
two meetings were held, addressed by Pastor Russell. Although the attendance
was not large, the interest was considerable, as evidenced by the fact that 170
handed in their names and addresses for literature.
We were informed that the advertising implied
that only the whites were invited, and if the natives had known that they would
have been welcome, crowds would have been turned away.
BENARES--"THE HOLY CITY"
Benares was our next stopping point. It is the Mecca of India. As a city it is said to
be sacred to more people of different religions than any other city on earth.
No attempt was made to hold a meeting there. The people seem more ignorant and
superstitious than at any other point visited. The principal interest here,
aside from the temples, which we did not visit, were the bathing ghats along
the shore of the Ganges river. To these
pilgrimages are made from various parts of India. They go down the steps into
the water, which to them is sacred; they bathe, pray the while, and finally,
before leaving, many of them fill little vessels with the "sacred"
water, which they carry home with them. It was particularly saddening and
discouraging to be told by a native Christian that many who go thither to bathe
have had contact with Christianity and modern education. It reminded us of the
saying of a Missionary in Japan,
namely, that one of the most discouraging features of his work was that some of
the members of his congregation who had professed Christianity for years,
nevertheless went annually to the Shinto temple to worship their ancestors.
LUCKNOW--CAWNPORE--AGRA,
ETC.
These places were interesting, each in its way,
but less so than places already described, with nothing specially worthy of
noting.
BOMBAY,
THE BEAUTIFUL
Our experiences at Bombay
closed this most interesting tour through India. Here Pastor Russell
addressed two very intelligent audiences, composed partially of whites, the
remainder being of high caste natives. Some stood and many, desirous of
hearing, were unable to gain admission. Here again many requests for literature
were handed in.
The next day on the pier, as we were departing
for Egypt, an educated native of the Parsee caste, who had accepted
Christianity, came to bid us good by, bringing with him a long garland of
flowers of sweet odor, which he hung about Pastor Russell's shoulders, and
presenting him at the same time with a very handsome bouquet in the form of a
scepter. He declared himself under lasting obligations for the assistance in
the understanding of God's Word afforded by the meeting of the night previous.
He also handed in his address for literature.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS ON INDIA
From the foregoing it will be noted that in the
Committee's estimation the true Christianity has made more advancement in the Province of Travancore than in any other. We believe
the readers of this report will feel a special interest in the people of that
Province. We tried to think of some little souvenir of that Province, and found
one which, we believe, will be generally interesting. It is the smallest coin
used in Travancore, and probably one of the smallest in value in the world,
about one-tenth [R5014 : page 136] of a cent
each. Yet in one sense of the word it is the basis of all monetary value, for
it is called "cash."
We have brought with us several thousand of
these from the Travancore mint--new. They are for the International Bible
Students Association classes. Each class desiring these souvenirs should,
through its secretary, send to the Brooklyn
office a list of names of its members desiring one coin each; thus each class
may be served at one sending--saving trouble and expense. These souvenirs will
be sent free, postpaid.
With deep gratitude to God for the privileges
and lessons connected with this world-tour of Mission Investigation, we
conclude our Report with a Categorical Summary, which notes the questions given
us for our guidance, and our answers thereto following each.
THE CATEGORICAL SUMMARY
I.--"Are
Foreign Missions conducted along Christian business lines?"
Ans.--As these
terms are generally understood, Yes.
II.--"To
what extent are the methods used successful in reaching the heathen peoples,
and in bringing them to Christianity?"
Ans.--The
success attained by Missionaries is small. We found Oriental Christians about
as sincere, intelligent and earnest as the average of church attendants in America and Europe;
and, as there, a very few who gave evidence of being consecrated to God and His
service.
But, viewing the question from the standpoint of
the present and future, rather than the past, our Report is different. The
present methods cannot be called successful, because Christianizing endeavors
seem pretty generally to have ceased! Present missionary endeavors are
almost exclusively along the lines of secular education. Although this is not
Christianizing work, it is, of course, a good work, for the poor Orientals
surely need education. [R5015 : page 136]
In your Committee's opinion, however, there is
less need for Academic and Collegiate education, such as the Missionaries
forward, than for Common Schooling. The Oriental, after obtaining higher
education, is spoiled for the common affairs of life about him, and aspires
only to teaching, clerkship and office holding, which are over-supplied. Unable
to get such employment, he is in trouble. He will not dig, and to beg he is
ashamed. But the general Common School education, your Committee believes,
could best be done by the Government, and along unsectarian lines, after the
method followed by the United States of America in its supervision of the
Philippine Islands. Christians, of course, would be the best for teachers.
III.--"What
are the teachings, and what are the inducements to accept Christianity, and how
enduring are the results?"
Answer.--There are
evidences of positive teachings in the past, but there is very little religious
teaching now being done, because the people would resent it, and keep their
children from the schools. We heard of instances where a small coin per day was
given to each child attending school; but, aside from the schooling, the
inducements offered by the Missionaries are chiefly social and medical.
Of late the natives are more and more averse to
a public avowal of Christianity, because with increasing intelligence come
doubts. The tendency of the times in the Orient, as in the Occident, is toward unbelief
in any religion. If a Missionary falls from faith in the Bible into
"Higher-Criticism-Infidelity," he may continue his office and
profession. But the Orientals have no such inducements to outwardly profess
what they no longer believe (except native teachers). Besides, these Orientals
are very honest in respect to their religious professions, except where
spoiled by contact with the hypocrisy of the whites.
IV.--"What
is the attitude of heathendom toward the Missionaries, and toward Christianity,
and what is the prospect of Foreign Missions becoming self-supporting?"
Answer.--The
Orientals are remarkably tolerant of all religions, but are often perplexed at
the Missionary competition and opposition of Christian denominations. The
higher castes consider the medley of Christian doctrines presented to them less
philosophical than their own. Their own, however, is not satisfactory, they
confess. But before exchanging for another they want to know that the change
will be for the better. The common conception, that all the peoples of India, China
and Japan
are heathen savages, is very erroneous. Their upper classes, or
castes, include some splendid characters of truly noble manhood, the moral and
intellectual peers of Europeans and Americans. Indeed, the masses of these
people are less vicious, less rude, more kind and considerate than are the
masses of Europe and America.
Drunkenness and outward immodesty are almost entirely unknown amongst the
Orientals.
Many of the congregations of Christians in Japan, China
and India
are self-sustaining. And in such cases the Orientals prefer to take over the
full control of all services, rather than to have the Missionaries take any
part. The native ministers come closer to the people than it is possible for
the whites to do. Habits and customs of life make it almost impossible for
Missionaries to live in the very simple style of the Orientals, and it would
not be reasonable to require it.
V.--"What,
if any, change should be made in the teachings and financial administration to
make the Foreign Mission work more successful?"
Answer.--The great
change necessary to make Missionary work more successful is for the
Missionaries to have and to impart to the people a more logical Gospel. To preach
to the millions of the Orient that God foreordained them to ignorance of the
true religion, and condemned all the generations of their forefathers, on
account [R5015 : page 137] of that
ignorance, to an eternity of torture is not logical, not loving, not just--not Gospel at all, when we remember that the word Gospel means "good-tidings of great joy which shall be to all people." The Missions would be much
more successful in reaching the hearts of those they would serve if they
presented the Gospel of God's loving provision of Messiah's coming Kingdom.
Although the doctrine of the Trinity corresponds
considerably with the teachings of the Hindu religion, it is, nevertheless,
difficult for those of other religions to fully accept it. They cannot understand
the matter of three Gods in one person, as some put it; or three persons in one God, as others put it. There is a simplicity and honesty
about these people that is commendable, and which refuses to confess that which
they do not understand. The message of Messiah's coming Kingdom, in which God's
will shall be done on earth, even as it is done in heaven, would, we believe,
appeal to large and increasing numbers of Orientals.
VI.--"What
hope is there for the conversion of the world during the present generation,
through the Laymen's Foreign Missionary Movement, with their proposed thirty
million dollars?"
Answer.--No one who
knows anything of Oriental conditions would have the least expectation of the
world's conversion during this present generation through the use of the thirty
million dollars proposed. Nor, indeed, if the sum were a thousand times that.
We would not, however, discourage the giving of money for Missions. Those who
give will be benefited by so doing, and undoubtedly every million spent benevolently
in Oriental lands will help to bring in the more extravagant civilization of
the West. It will increase the wants of the natives, and thus promote commerce.
As for promoting vital Christianity, we all know that this is not a purchasable
commodity.
As to whether the Western civilization will
really advantage the East is a question. The Orientals, economical and
industrious, are also contented, which is more than can be said of their more
favored brethren of the West. Nor can we claim that our Western civilization
would make them more honest and more truthful.
The very suggestion of the conversion of the
world is ridiculous to the peoples of the East--including the Missionaries. One
Methodist minister frankly said, "I had to come here and see for myself,
before I dropped the idea of the world's conversion, and the twin idea that all
the unconverted would suffer endless torture."
VII.--"To
what extent do the monies donated benefit the heathen, and could any
improvement along this line be suggested?"
Answer.--Our
judgment is that that portion of money contributed to Foreign Missions, which
reaches heathen lands, is wisely enough used for its intended purposes.
Whatever waste there is would seem rather to be in the machinery of
collections. One collector for such benevolent institutions told us that he was
allowed, as his salary, one-half of all that he collected. We know not to what
extent this principle obtains with other Societies. Each Society owes to itself
to institute a very thorough investigation into its own affairs, and to
ascertain what proportion of the funds received is ever forwarded to the
Missionaries.
Nothing in these remarks applies in any degree
to the Association under whose auspices this Committee went forth. It is well
known by us all that the International Bible Students Assn. is conducted along
most economical lines, and that all services in the home office are gratuitous.
We know nothing to suggest, except that the true
Gospel of salvation be preached--the Gospel of the Kingdom of Messiah.
Wherever Pastor Russell preached the soon coming of Messiah's Kingdom to
"Bless all the families of the earth," all classes heard with keen
interest. He quotes Scriptures relating to the coming "Golden Age,"
the lifting of the veil of ignorance and manifesting God's love to all men,
including those now sleeping in death. It seemed good to Mohammedans, Hindus,
Buddhists, Confucians--all. Many desired him to stay longer, but his time was
limited; instead he promised them literature, for which they eagerly handed in
their addresses.
Your Committee found no time in which to visit
Burmah, Africa and Australasia, and suggest
that it might be wise to send another Committee to investigate those fields.
In harmony with your suggestions, Pastor Russell
arranged for the publication of free literature in the six principal languages
of India,
viz.: Hindustani, Guiarati, Malayami, Tulugu, Marotti and Tamil. This work is
already under way, as is also a similar work of the Chinese and Japanese. The
entire cost of producing three million copies, and circulating them through
willing natives, will, he believes, be kept within the seven thousand dollars
authorized by the Association.
In conclusion, your Committee assure you that
they have done their very best to accomplish the purpose of their appointment.
They thank the Lord, and also the Association, for the great privileges enjoyed
in connection with the service.
C. T. RUSSELL, Pres.
Adj.-Gen'l W. P. HALL
F. H. ROBISON, Sec'y
J. T. D. PYLES
E. W. V. KUEHN
R. B. MAXWELL
DR. LESLIE W. JONES
W.T. R-5007a : page 123 - 1912r