Breaking Down Chinese Walls; From a Doctor's Viewpoint

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1908. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... do the chinese converts make sincere christians f I A wo mistakes are being made concern ing the type of Chinese who compose the rank and file of converts. Foreigners who are unfriendly towards Christian missions declare that there is not a sincere Chinese Christian convert, while supporters of Christian missions have received an impression that a convert from heathenism becomes at once a steadfast, enthusiastic, spirit-filled follower of Jesus Christ. Both parties are wrong. Opposers of Christian work in China are found among steamship officers, keepers of hotels and other business men whose own lives are inimical to Christianity. These men disparage the work of missionaries and say that they are living luxuriously in fine houses and doing more harm among the natives than good. Many sincere Christian business men are found in the mercantile centres of China who are loyal supporters of mission work, but it is a sad commentary on civilization that large numbers, who leave their own lands to engage in business in the Orient, have gone into voluntary banishment from their native lands, because their evil lives made living among old associates obnoxious. The spirit of restless adventure has led them to seek a place where they might cast morality to the winds. The influence of these men among the heathen is one of the worst obstacles against which missionaries must battle. It is not strange that such men see nothing in Christian missions worthy of their approval. But have Christians in the home land the right to expect that a Christian born out of heathenism shal...