There are religious infractions of propriety, and they are
serious. The Chinese word for propriety is an ideograph made
up of two parts; one means to proclaim, or to reveal; the
other means a sacrificial vessel. That is, propriety in the
group of countries dominated by Chinese etiquette is a matter
of religion and so is not to be lightly regarded. But what
does one witness at the temples? Not infrequently one sees a
missionary stalk boldly into a temple. He may not take off his
shoes in Japan before walking over the polished temple floors.
Very possibly he walks up to the idol and familiarly pats him
with his ever-present cane. It is to the believer in those
faiths like taking hold of the Ark of the Covenant in ancient
Jewish times. We should remember that ridiculing the beliefs
of people is poor missionary policy. They are usually the best
that that country, or people, know. Let us not profane those
things which are held most sacred. We may argue against them
and reason about the unwisdom of holding them, but let us never
laugh at the religious views and practises of the non-Christian
world.--H. P. BEACH, “Student Volunteer Movement,” 1906.
(2671)