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100 years ago: Bolshevism and China

by
22 August 2025

August 21st, 1925.

IN THE current number of the American Spirit of Missions there is an interesting article on the present situation in China by the Bishop of Hankow. He says that the Chinese have been attracted to Russia and to the theories of the Communist because the Soviet Government gave up the privileges granted to the Government of the Tsar by various treaties, and treats China as it treats every other nation. International friendship begun in this way has been exploited to the full. There is a special school for Chinese students in Moscow. Many Chinese writers and lecturers are in the pay of the Bolshevists, and young China is unquestionably attracted by the doctrines of anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism and anti-foreignism. There are obviously two ways of countering Bolshevist propaganda. The other Powers should follow Russia and recognize the full independent sovereignty of China, and the growth of Christianity should be encouraged by aiding the development of a self-governing Chinese Church. The Bishop of Hankow says that Chinese Christians are increasingly dissatisfied with the predominating influence of foreigners in their Church life. “ They feel the need of expressing their own national life within the Church.” We fear that this will not be an easy task until the Chinese Christian throws off the trammels of Protestantism and learns his full privileges as a member of the Church Catholic.

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