Gorst says that ``rapine, murder and a constant appeal
to force chiefly characterized the commencement of Europe's
commercial intercourse with China.'' There are many
men of high character engaged in business in the great cities
of China. I would not speak any disparaging word of those
who are worthy of all respect. But it is all too evident that
``many Americans and Europeans doing business in Asia are
living the life of the prodigal son who has not yet come to himself.''
Profane, intemperate, immoral, not living among the
Chinese, but segregating themselves in foreign communities in
the treaty ports, not speaking the Chinese language, frequently
beating and cursing those who are in their employ, regarding
the Chinese with hatred and contempt,--it is no wonder that
they are hated in return and that their conduct has done much
to justify the Chinese distrust of the foreigner. The foreign
settlements in the port cities of China are notorious for their
profligacy. Intemperance and immorality, gambling and Sabbath
desecration run riot. When after his return from a long
journey in Asia, the Rev. Dr. George Pentecost was asked--
``What are the darkest spots in the missionary outlook?'' he
replied:--


``In lands of spiritual darkness, it is difficult to speak of `darkest
spots.' I should say, however, that if there is a darkness more dark
than other darkness, it is that which is cast into heathen darkness
by the ungodliness of the American and European communities that
have invaded the East for the sake of trade and empire. The corruption
of Western godliness is the worst evil in the East. Of course there are
noble exceptions among western commercial men and their families, but