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 574 General History of Europe 1043. The Missionary as an Agent of Imperialism. The way for imperialism was smoothed by the missionaries. There have always been ardent Christians ready to obey the command "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark xvi, 15). No sooner was a new country brought to the attention of Europeans than missionaries flocked thither along with the traders and soldiers. Missionaries not only have spread the knowledge of the Chris- tian religion, but have carried with them modern scientific ideas and modern inventions. They have reduced to writing the lan- guages of peoples previously ignorant of the existence of an alpha- bet. Their physicians have introduced rational methods of treating the sick, and their schools have given an education to millions who without them would have been left in complete barbarism. Finally, they have encouraged thousands of Japanese, Chinese, and representatives of other peoples to visit Europe and America and thus prepare themselves to become apostles of Western ideas among their fellows. The missionaries have also created a demand for Western goods and opened the way for trade. II. RELATIONS OF EUROPE WITH CHINA AND JAPAN 1044. Early Knowledge of China. The relations of Europe to China extend back into ancient times. Some of the Roman emperors, including Marcus Aurelius, sent embassies to the Chi- nese monarchs, and in the Middle Ages some missionaries labored to introduce Christianity into China. It was not, however, until after the opening of the water route around the Cape of Good Hope that European trade with China became important. Early in the sixteenth century Portuguese merchants appeared in Chi- nese harbors, offering Western merchandise in exchange for tea and silks. In 1537 the Portuguese rented a trifling bit of land in Macao, off Canton a post which they hold today. 1045. How European Business Men forced their Way into China. However, the Chinese did not welcome foreign inter- ference. Their officials regarded the European merchants as