Southern Baptist Missionary Journal, May 1849

«ГОЙ if эдГЬ'.'1 .' ' IV/. .V : 1 w: ih’r ft'! SOUTHERN BAPTIST •gqfof»»*.. ‘i«« wsa an be^ MISSIONARY JOURNAL. YOL. III. MAY, 1S49. NO. 12. CHINA BELONGS TO CHRIST. China may be regarded on many accounts, as the most interesting mission field on the earth’s surface. Its immense population, and the homogeneous character of the people, invest with a peculiar importance, the efforts to send thither the ever blessed gospel. Great moral changes may not immediately occur, but when they do, we have reason to believe they will be in extent, suddenness and sublimity, such as will surprise the Christian world. It is possible, that these revolutions may soon take place. Elements are at work, which must even now be exercising an influence. We are satisfied, how¬ ever, that with respect to the true interests of China, more will depend on the influ¬ ence of the gospel than any other. To send out this leaven., the Christian world should be in haste. In connection with this view of the subject, we insert a passage from the admirable work of Mr. Williams. Referring tp some of the hopeful considerations in regard to China’s conversion, lie says: “Another ground of hope lies in the matter-of-fact habits of the Chinese, their want of enthusiasm and dislike of change, which arc rather favorable than. other¬ wise. The presentation and reception of the highest truths and motives the human mind is capable of, always excites thought and action, and the fear is of going too fast in the schemes of reform and correction, and demolishing the fabric before its elements are ready for reconstruction. The non-existence of caste, the weakness of a priesthood which cannot nerve its persecuting arm with the power of the State, the little influence religion has over the Chinese, the simplicity of the ancestral wor¬ ship, and the absence of all the enticing allurements of art, painting, gorgeous tem¬ ples, splendid ritual, gay processions, and above all, sanctified licentiousness, to up¬ hold it, and make it enticing to depraved human nature; the popular origin of the officers of government, and lastly, the degree of industry, loyalty, and respect of life and property characteristic of this people; all of these furnish some grounds for thinking that the regeneration of China will be accomplished, like the operation of leaven in meal, without shivering the vessel. “ The real grounds of trust as to the ultimate issue of this controversy, however, lie chiefly in the promises of the Bible. The progress of civil and religious liberty throughout the world has been greater since 1815, than ever before during the same period in its history. This progress has, generally speaking, been unattended with convulsions. Madagascar and Abyssinia have shut themselves up within their own ’i borders, refusing to allow the further dissemination of Christian truth; while in In¬ dia, Turkey, Egypt and North America, the power or fear of the Saxon race has restrained persecution. In China, this fear may also curb the arm of opposition. Tho purposes of God go on to their accomplishment in the way best calculated to glorify him ; and there, too, the wrath of man, which is likely to arise to oppose them, will be made to glorify him. He infinitely loves the тасе he has done so much to bless and redeem, and will direct all things to fulfil the end ho had in view