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Show 6 "How about the man who faces what he must With step triumphant and a heart of cheer, Who fights the daily battle without fear, Sees the hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering trust That God is God-that somehow, true and just, His plans work out for mortals; not a tear Is shed when fortune, which the world holds dear, Falls from his grasp; better with love a crust Than living in dishonor; envies not, Nor loses faith in man, but does his best, Nor even murmurs at his humbler lot, But with a smile and words of hope gives zest To every toiler. He alone is great Who, by life heroic, conquers fate." Faithfully, and sincerely, Myra L. Sawyer R. N. Tsinanfu, Shantung. August 5, 1931 Wl QUOTATIONS FROM THE PRESS THE TEHCHOW AFFAIR Sir,-Lest silence on the part of other members of the misionary community should be taken as concurrence „ith the recent statement of 27 missionaries of the American Board, I cannot refrain from saying that undoubtedly missionaries generally will condemn this despicable action by which under the thinnest disguise these signatories (though by the way they do not sign) sit in Judgment upon their colleague. What qualifies them to sit in judgment? Have they all in their dealings with the Chinese been ideally Christian? Can they so deceive themselves as to think that their action is in accord with the Spirit of Christ? - One recalls a sinner, taken in the very act, and brought to Jesus for condemnation by similarly self-righteous men and the Master's scathing words "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone": and one recalls what was said to the woman "Neither do I condemn thee". Is not the action of these self-constituted judges the very opposite of the spirit which Christ showed? It is said that this public announcement was not spontaneous but was demanded by Chinese associates, who no doubt hoped thereby to strengthen the Chinese case as against a foreigner. If that is so, the action is still more contemptible. And can any one doubt that such a mean-spirited attitude towards a colleague, who is much more troubled than his accusers by the unforeseen and unintended result of his action, will alienate decent-minded Chinese from a religion which has as its advocates such unbrotherly and uncharitable men? OLD MISSIONARY. Tientsin, July 30, 1931. Sir,-It was with feelings of intense disgust that I read, in your issue of to-day's date, the Statement published by twentyseven Members of the American Board Mission, and headed "The Tehchow Hospital Incident." No doubt most of us have long since given up trying to comprehend the motives that actuate Missionary Bodies, but, even so, the Statement in question is so unnecessary, so ill-advised, so mischievous, and so unchristian, that it cannot be allowed to pass without protest. In ordinary human relationships we are taught that "Friendship is virtue." It is one of the attributes that help to sweeten human life, and that sustains us through any trials and adversities we are called upon to bear. And this is especially true, or should be so, among members of a corporate body. The fact that one is a member of a group, of a society actuated by common motiyes, of a band of comrades contributing to the same end, carries with it the consoling thought that, however one may be regarded and misjudged by outside people, one can at least rely on one's own associates for understanding and support. It is unnecessary to recapitulate the facts of this incident that the Missionary Body rightly terms "most tragic and regrettable." These facts are well known, and completely exonerate Dr. Tucker. As far as the robber is concerned, he got his deserts, and, under similar circumstances, would have been shot without mercy by any of his own countrymen. As a man guilty of treachery to his own institution, caught in the act of robbery, and defying arrest, he has no claims on our consideration. There is, however, one man we can sympathise with, and that is Dr. Tucker. It is clear that he did all he could to avoid the taking of life, and without doubt he would have suffered the miscreant to get clear away rather than have had his blood on his hands, much as the robber deserved his fate. As a man of Christian principles equally as strong as those actuating the twenty seven missionaries "sojourning at Peitaiho." we can be sure that the Doctor has suffered extreme remorse, not for his act, for which his conscience must justify him, but for the tragic consequences of that act. Dr. Tucker has been the victim of a most cruel twist of Fate. Solely endeavouring to do his duty, making considerable sacrifice and running considerable risk to defend Mission property, scrupulously avoiding any act that would place the robber in actual peril, yet his shot must go astray with the unfortunate results known to us all. |