Pleas for Toleration against the Call of Treason: The 1890 Shanghai Protestant Missionary Conference and the Controversy over Chinese Rites

Authors

Joseph Seeley, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Shanghai Protestant Missionary Conference, Missionary Work, China, traditions

Abstract

On May 7,1890, a colorful assortment of Western Protestant missionaries, stationed in all corners of late Qing-dynasty China, gathered in Shanghai for a thirteen-day mission conference. Some came to the conference clad in native Chinese dress, complete with Manchu-style ponytails or queues, while others were dressed more formally in the proper Victorian garb preferred by their non-missionary Western counterparts. Regardless of perceived differences in dress or ecclesiastical affiliation in the multi-denominational assembly, all sought to enjoy what was later described by conference organizers as "an occasion of the highest social enjoyment... as well as spiritual profit." As over four hundred missionaries discussed and debated numerous issues relevant to the work of Christian proselyting in China, a "spirit of harmony" prevailed over the proceedings. This peace was soon broken, however, by the discord that erupted over one of the last papers presented for discussion at the conference.

Recommended Citation

Seeley, Joseph (2012) "Pleas for Toleration against the Call of Treason: The 1890 Shanghai Protestant Missionary Conference and the Controversy over Chinese Rites," The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing: Vol. 41: Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/thetean/vol41/iss1/9