THE CHURCH IN CHINA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1521, 17 August 1912, Page 9

THE CHURCH IN CHINA.

A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT. A Temarkablo movement is now on foot in tho province of Shansi, in North China. In a recent Chinese newspaper full particulars are advertised of an independent Christian Church which is to be founded in tho capital, Tni Yuan Fu. The movement is said to bo altogether apart from foreign suggestion or control, being thoroughly Chineso and undenominational. The Christian Scriptures are accepted as tho only basis of doctrine. The advertisement gives a list of the originators, tho present Military Governor, the Civil Governor, tho President of tho Provincial Assembly, tho Vice-President, tho literary Chancellor, tho Intendant of Police, and other functionaries being amongst their number. The aim of the society is stated to bo tho propagation of tho Holy World-Saving Church, of Christ. While the start is to be mado in tho provincial capital, branches are to bo established' in all places near and far. The regulations cntor minutely into matters iift'ectiug income, Member.»'hip, discipline, etc. That which deals with tho hope of tho future may bo quoted at length:—"At tho present timo tho learning and culture of all countries in Europo and America vest upon the Christian Church, and tho peoples of these countries are free and independent. Our own countrymen ought to eomo together, and with one mind start an independent Church with no distinction between 'ordinary Chinese peoplo' and 'Christians' (such as there, has formerly been). They should eagerly give of their means for tho preaching of tho truth, and from henceforth exert themselves to break down the suspicion and dislike between 'ordinary Chinese people*' and 'Christians,' and to do away with the division between Chineso and foreigners,earnestly hoping that all within and without tho four seas will love one another as brethren, and bo obedient to the sacred teaching of Christ, regarding all with benevolence!" Should this movement prove to bo the formation of tho Chinese indigenous Church which the students of Christian missions desiderate, a great impetus to the progress of Christianity in the Far East may be about to develop.—"Christian World."