Article September 21, 1912 Issue

What is this,—China makes heavier demands for the...

Omaha (Neb.) Sunday Bee

What is this,—China makes heavier demands for the English Bible than the American Bible Society is able to supply? This is the word given out by that publishing house. The demand has been quickened since the fall of the Manchu dynasty, with which prejudice against western civilization is said to have disappeared. To get down to something like a tangible basis, let it be stated that the statistics of the Bible Society show that a year or two ago, before the Chinese republic came into being, five hundred thousand copies of the Bible were reeled off Chinese presses. Now the demand cannot be met. Evidently there is full warrant in the assertion that the Chinese seriously desire to find out what Christianity really is and cannot wait for the comparatively small number of missionaries to teach them. They wish to read it for themselves in this book, the manual of the Christian religion.

Recently a distinguished Japanese orator told an Omaha assemblage that no man is considered well educated in Japan who does not have command of the English language, and he added that the best educated Japanese are thirsting for a knowledge of the Bible. The Bible is used in the schools of Japan, but used for its historic, literary, and philosophical import more than for its religious effect. With these facts as to the Bible's spread in ancient lands before him, the churchman surely has ground for encouragement, no matter what local obstacles may arrest the progress of the church at home.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Some one has asked most significantly, "What do we live...
September 21, 1912
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit