(To THE EDITOR Or THE "Sprersros."1 SIE,—In your article-on Chinese
missions in the Spectator of September 22nd you imply that all those who object to see missionaries forced upon-the unwilling Chinese must of necessity, be agnostics. Will you permit me to state my objections , from a strictly Christian standpoint? In the "Sermon on the Mount" Jesus said : "Give not that which is holy IMO the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Again, referring to unwilling hearers, He said: "Whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city shake off the very dust of your feet for a testimony againat them." In face of these two express commands, .I fail to see how any professing Christian can , justify him- self. in forcing his religion upon the unwilling Chinese. What ,then ought we to do? Continue the present system, with this proviso. Before a missionary is allowed to teach or preach te the Chinese, let him obtain a permit from the Chinese Government or tie-Chinese local authorities. If he cannot obtain this, let him follow Paul's example at. Corinth, .and.ehake his- raiment, or if he pleases, the dust off his feet,. but ..go elsewhere, to labour in a more fruitful field. His dream will not then be disturbed by the reflection- that he -has escaped with his life and left his innocent congregation to massacred. This-counsel is .supirotted by all the teaching of history.. I tan recall no .inetance, of benefit. following Christian. teaching which is _backed by the power of the sword, except in those lierS:deubtful.._ cases where unbelievers have been exterminated wholesale,—but - "I have not so learned Chriat.".._It ,is . very poor economy to neglect the divine command, and attempt to force new wine into old bottles when thousands of new bottles are waiting to be filled.
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