Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 94:376 (Oct 1937)
Article: The Present Crisis In China and Its Effect upon Missionary Work
Author: Robert Hall Glover

BSac 94:376 (Oct 37) p. 458

The Present Crisis In China and Its Effect upon Missionary Work

Radio Broadcast by

Robert Hall Glover

Home Director of The China Inland Mission
Conducted by Erling C. Olsen over Station WMCA,
New York City, October 28, 1937

Mr. Olsen: Dr. Glover, it is a pleasure to have you with me tonight on this Forum broadcast. You represent an honored missionary society. The China Inland Mission has had a remarkable career and has done a tremendous piece of work. As its Home Director, I am sure you and those associated with you are greatly disturbed about this war raging in the Far East between Japan and China-war that is none the less real and terrible because of its being “undeclared,” in keeping with the new fashion of the day. These two great nations of the yellow race, comprising together nearly one-third of the entire human family, are locked in deadly combat, while the rest of the world looks on with horror. The conflict, now in its fourth month, has already taken a ghastly toll of tens of thousands of lives and has involved destruction of property to the value of many hundred millions of dollars. And the end is not yet, for, far from showing any signs of abating, the hostilities are steadily increasing in scope and severity. Such a spectacle is deplorable beyond words to express, involving incalculable suffering and loss to both of the warring nations, and, unless Japan’s course of action is halted by some means, ultimately grave consequences also for the entire world. I do not know of

BSac 94:376 (Oct 37) p. 459

any more able to answer the question I am about to put to you-What are the merits of the situation as between Japan and China?

Dr. Glover: On this point I must speak guardedly and with self-restraint, for as a Christian missionary I love all classes and races of men, and bear vindictive feelings toward none. But it is only the simple truth, acknowledged by all who know the facts, that Japan is the aggressor, in having without just cause invaded a neighbor nation’s territory with the intent to seize by force and retain several of her richest provinces. But, when I thus speak of Japan, I do not mean the Japanese people, very many of whom are known to be against this war, nor yet that nation’s more worthy and reliable political leaders. Rather do I mean that small, but powerful, group of ambitious and unscrupulous war lords who have gotten the upper hand and are dictating Japan’s national policies. These Japanese militarists have become obsessed with an insatiate craving for expansion and conquest, with the ultimate aim of making Japan a great empire dominating the continent of Asia. Successive steps to such a goal are to be traced all through the years from Japan’...