October 1:1908,
FIFTY YEARS IN CHINA.
MISSIONARY JUBILEE 'IN “CÁNTON; †
REVIEWS OF THE HALF CENTURY.
KAT PODEM Fo
A public meeting in honour of the Rev. R. H. Graces, MD, D.D., missionary of the Southern Baptist Convention U.S.A., marking the com- pletion of half a century of residence and labour in South China, was held on Tuesday evening at the Canton Club Theatre. The unique occasion drew't large gathering of missionaries, particularly those associated with American bodies, to the Shameen, and the proceedings, which were of a most enthusiastic nature, were eloquent testimony of the general appreciation of the life and work of the guest of the evening. The speeches covering as they did a review of the last half century, were of more than ordinary interest. The Rev. Dr. Green presided and there were on the platform Rev. T. W. Pearce (Hongkong), Rev. C. A. Nelson (Congregra tional). Rev. R. E. Chambers (Baptist). Rev. C. Bone (Hongkong), Mr. R. W. Mansfield, H.B.M. Consul-General, Mr. Leo Bergholts. U. S. Consu' General, Rev. Dr. Wisner, Rev. Dr. Noyes, and Rev. Dr. Graves.
After devotional exercises, the Chairman said they had met together to take a brief survey of the past fifty years of the work in China and explained that all the addresses to be made tended in that direction.
Mr. MANSFIELD was the first speaker. His subject was "Fifty years of Diplomacy." He said-We have met to do bonour to one who has devoted the great span of half a century to the work of saving the souls and the bodies of the people of this vast city. During the some- what brief visits I have made during the past 85 years to Canton I have not had the privilege of more than a slight personal acquaintance with Dr. Graves but the deep respect in which the man and his work are held by both Chinese and foreigners here is a matter of common knowledge. I have been asked to say a few words on the subject of Fifty years of Diplomacy in China" but I doubt if there has been any. (Laughter). Webster defines the word diplomacy as "the science or art of conducting negotiations between nations particularly in Recuring treaties". The period of fifty years of which I am to speak fuoludes the signing of the Tientsin Treaty in 1858. The events which led up to that can only by a great stretch of imagination be characterised as diplomacy. The Treaty itself was secured by the capture and occupation of the city of Canton, And its ratification in 1860 by the threatened bombardment of Peking by the allied troops of Great Britain and France The Chinese officials with whom ministers and consuls have had to deal have generally shown themselves past masters in a certain kind of diplomacy, namely that of being profuse in promises where resistance appeared impolitic and in opposing the vis inertiae to all perform ance. In spite of partial failures, however, some advance has undoubtedly been made and certain well known Chinese officials have undoubtedly shown by their actions that they begin to recognise that the best form of diplomeoy is to obtain the best terms possible and having obtained them to carry out their engagements in spirit and in truth. It is a fact worthy of notice that the British ministers whose success has been most remarkable have almost without exception been men of long experience in the East. Among these the names of Sir Rutherford Aloook, Sir Harry Parkes, and Sir Ernest Batow stand out. Years of intercourse are necessary, as Dr. Graves no doubt can tell you, before the Occidental can begin to follow the tortuous working of the Chinese mind and to recognise the line of argument most likely to be successful in influencing it. Logic is generally propre
too,
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
ometal will of his own
differing little in principle
make a’TIRODO
yours and equally satisfactory" to you It emanates from him and his
several: At
is saved. | various parts of the world.
Graves deserved more than the
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Dr.
The European diplomatist is apt to forget that in China the principle of t'ung yung, that is | his anniversary • his Government ought to give compromise, is universal. Even in Chinese courts him^s^pension of $50,000 m-year={(Applause). of justice I have heard a magistrate say The
Rev. R. E÷OHAMBERS discoursed next on the evidence is quite clear that the money is due subject "Fifty years of Commerce, “some but the defendant is not a rich man, and in people might ask; Why put auch a topic on the this instance he has had very bad luck programme for this meeting? What has the To pay the whole amount of the claim would missionary got to do with commerce anyway ? impoverish him so I will give judgment for My answer is Much everyway. I recently one half the amount." Of course such fudg; read an article in one of the leading American ment is to our minds illogical and absurd but magazines and if we are to believe the writer the is there not perhaps a sentiment beneath it missionaries are a new type of commerce which is to be respected? A natural revolt destroyers. I am sure such a sentiment does against Shylock's claim for his pound of feel? not meet with approval in this audience. Some of the most successful merchants I have All of 08 agree *that missionaries met are adepts in diplomaoy of_the_tung yung | during the past fifty years have type. They have recognised the fact that to rendered many a service to the cause of invoke the assistance of the Chinese law courts commerc0. This service, as I see it, is two- is to exp se the defendant to a system of blood fold. The missionary disseminates
bis own sucking which often eventually leaves little country information concerning Chins and the in hand for the plaintiff to recover and Chinese, and he disseminates in China much the latter finds in the end that he would information concerning foreign countries. have got better results by timely compro- I don't hesitate to say that the missionary mise. The latest English treaty was a new has done a great deal, if not more than any departure. The negotiations were taken out of other agency, to raise up a body of intelligently professional diplomatic hands and placed in trained Chinese, intelligently friendly to the those of a successful business man, Sir James missionary and his work, and intelligently Mackay. A shrewd man, with a strong indivi- friendly to all things foreign.
There is duality, he was nevertheless lacking in knowledge a large number in this great empire who of the Chinese obaracter. Of the results of his have been made friendly by the work of negotiations I do not propose to speak. Any Dr. Graves and scores of others who have one reading the Treaty of 1944 and looking for lived here for a briefer period. The missionary's its fruits after two years can judge for him- bome is a veritable commercial museum. self. I should here_point out that diplomacy These homes are now scattered throughout this in Chins differs from that in Occidental empire, and thousands of Chinese have got their countries in one vital point, which cannot be first ideas of foreign articles in the homes of lost sight of. It is that of the quid pro quo. missionaries which are always open to Chinese, The western statesman who enters into both Christians and non-Christians. The negotiation with another state has always work of the miss onary helps to solve two up his sleeve some valuable consideration important problems. The first is the ores tion to offer in exchange for what he wants. It of wants, to increase wants already existing. may be a cession of territory, certain No Chinaman ever comes into a missionary's tariff advantages or non-interference with home without seeing something that he some cherished project; but there is always wants. That is a laudable feeling-within something. Now in negotiating with China certain limits (laughter). Such wants as these what valuable consideration from a Chinese make for progress. Then the missionary helps - point of view can the foreign diplomatist offer to solve the second problem-how to increase in exchange for concessions? The abolition of the earning capacity of the people. The mis- extra-territoriality? Impossible under present sionary makes those whom he influences more conditions! The withdrawal of any other of valuable members of society. They are made the hardly won privileges granted by the more skilful, their intelligeno is increased, their treaties? Equally impossible! Prospects of earning power is enhanced, and their plane of extended trade? The Chinese official does not living is elevated. It would not be difficult to consider foreign trade is necessary for the provide the China of fifty years ago with every- prosperity of his country! Retrocession of thing the people wanted, but since the foreign territory? Nearly always for political reasous agents have come in and the people have seen impracticable! This difficulty of finding a new things their wants have increased. I quid pro quo bas, unless rumour is altogether don't hesitate to say that the missionary wrong, been solved in certain cases by a liberai is an important factor in securing that result. use of secret funds. Such an unsavoury aspect In making them more intelligent members of the question it is better not to dwell on. A of society in Chins and thereby elevating change however appears to be dawning in them, the missionary has done a good work. China. Education is spreading, travelling Everyone of the tens of thousands of converts abroad and the study of foreign literature, are
scattered all over this empire are in a real senKO coming into high favour and a spirit of patrio- commercial agents. Their close contact with tism is gradually forming itself Wrongly the missionaries makes them want many things directed at present it may be, but the leaven is which they would not otherwise have desired there and is beginning to ferment. It will and they communicate their wishes to probably be a process covering many years but their friends and neighbours, so that we reform is in the air and will bear fruit. The have su ever widening circle which has Chinese will eventually realise that no nation se its start the messionary in whatever can isolate itself entirely from the rest of the village or town he may be located. Dr. Graves world and prosper. He will learn that what he has had a large share in this work, and a larger really requires is a strong and incorrupt share than most missionaries can hope to have, y government able to stand up for his rights but Although it was never in his mind to be a welcoming to the country foreign trade, trader or to be serving commerce-his aim was foreign inventions, foreign science, and always to make known the Gospel to the foreign capital, all of which will contribute Chinese he has rendered commerce. services to the material well-being of the massed When which are none the less important because they this time comes the gentle art of diplom 10y are incidental. But not only has the missionary hitherto practically non-existent will come to take helped commerce but commerce, has helped the place of gunboats and "mailed fists"in the the missionary. I am sure no one would more settlement of international questions, and it will gladly acknowledge this than Dr. Graves. He be apparent to all that the lives of med like Dr. said to me only a few days ago that the trader
missionary prepares the way for the trader. They mutually help each other and they are mutually indebted to each other. What obanges Dr. Graves has seen. We may come from Vancouver to Hongkong in eighteen days. It took Dr. Graves about as many weeks: to make his first trip. Now we may travel in magnificent and speedy steamships. -He came out in a sailing ship. A visitor to the
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2 dated, while appeal to the amour | Graves have not been lived in vain. (Applause), prepares the way for the missionary (and the
apt quotation from the classics Mr. LEO BERGHOLTZ said he fait highly bon. a great effect. A cardinal point, oured to be called upon within fifteen days of his is-as far as possible to avoid the arrival in Canton to give an address on "Fifty abealute. «ültimetum so 18 to leave a years of Government " in China. He felt it was loophole for the “saving of face." To lay down rather a big undertaking and he respectfully the exact and only method for the settlement begged to be excused. It was impossible ofen, carožis to arouse all the obstinacy and to study fifty years of bistory in China santuzouism of the Chinese nature, while often in ten
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days. He was happy, however, llie opportunity be given him the Chinese to have the pleasure of joining in the
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