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Show Page three. monthly piling up, the divisions take form; loopholes of suspicion grow numerous; harmonizing is hard. Fortunately tie westerners in every place are realizing that the time for Chinese to carry responsibility is at hand. A tribe of quick-spirited ones are leading in the call "Open up the whole enterprise" and to "Pass over the responsibility". On this account the points of collision are becoming fewer day by day, Add to this what westerners are giving the most earnest heed to Chinese customs and the inner worth of proprieties; en this account the hateful things are fewer every cay. Among the"Chinese themselves are many divisions, breaking out in every place. Yet the longer responsibility is carried +hn P-r««+«,*. is the Heart-for Responsibility. The greater this Heart, the more these divisions will melt away cf themselves. In short, the black shadow of divisions seems to be almost passing away. 5. A Spirit for Wider Union. Our Kung Li Hui has never had the habit of dwelling by itself and declining to cooperate with ether churches. There was at one time the intent to enter the now "Church of Christ in China". Then^because the constitution of that body seemed to threaten the liberties of the individual Christian, our Kung Li Hui did not wish to make such an offering en a platter. Not the liberties of any person, nor of any group. We did not dare to do so; and we could not if we would. So the important enterprise cf Church Union seemed at.this point to come to an abrupt stop. On other sides the Kung Li Hui, according to its original nature of - seeking-1 elolowship--with good "will, "was""pushing ahead ardei/tly. " "in the work of the National Christian Council cf China, of the Various Christian Educational Associations, of the Nurses' Association of Cnina, and so on, we, and our Boards at heme, have given all the help we could. By many appropriations and personal gifts, by contributions in staff. Although this cooperative work is not such as to entitle us to boast or preen our feathers, yet it is enough to make us hopeful in our spirit and attitude. Most recently a new line of union and cooperation has appeared. It comes partly because men of high ideal;;; in cur group were lamenting in that the Church of Christ in China was blocked en creed and doctrine. They have turned to federation in local districts, with all Christian bodies. Avoiding the points of possible doctrinal controversy, they have wanted to start in en real union in work. There is a purpose to got real Unions ("Hsieh Chin Hui" - Join and Go Forward Unions) started in the cities and In the provinces; net to be involved in church polity or doctrine, but to seek fellowship in service. This hope and plan has become the line for present advance. Rather than seem to disregard at least some cf cur Christian neighbors, it would be far better to follow this line of progress for all. In Conclusion. We have seen in recent years these several bits of fortunate progress, coming as it were out of grcpings in our dreams, enough perhaps to give us assurance. But the progress or the years just ahead - shall we give those years ever to the same kind of accidental gropings? Or, shall we have principles to rely upon and follow cut, and secure a greater advance? We deeply believe that the Heart-forfeesponsibility is the mother of advance. In the years ahead, what is better than to try to get this half-opened pink.bud cf the"»Heart.for-Respossibility" to open its petals gloriously, and send its fragrance far, to bear full fruit? This purposeful progress - will it net bo greater and finer than progress which was like mindless clouds floating out from mountain gorges? H. C. CHANG, ROBERT E. CHANDLER. |