' % John T. Gouclw* lumber IN TOUCH WITH CHINA’S SCHOLARS A Problem An Experiment A Project By WM. WILSON, M.B., C.M. WITH PREFACE BY JOHN R. MOTT, M.A. SIXPENCE NETT. China Inland Mission. Founder: The Late Rev. J. HUDSON TAYLOR, M.R.C.S. General Director: D. E. rfOSTE. Home Director: THEODORE HOWARD. Assistant Home Director: W. B. SLOAN. Treasurer: ALBERT A. HEAD. Secretary: F. MARCUS WOOD. Editorial Secretary: MARSHALL BROOMHALL, B.A. Office: CHINA INLAND MISSION, NEWINGTON GREEN, LONDON, N. Telegraphic Address: “LAMMERMUIR, LONDON.” Telephone: 1807 DALSTON. Bankers: LONDON AND COUNTY, 21, Lombard Street, London, E.C. . All donations should be addressed to the Secretary. Cheques and Money Orders (payable at G.P.O.) to be made payable to the China Inland Mission, and crossed “ London and County Bank.” A T the time of the organisation of the C.I.M., i.e., in the year 1865, there were only 91 Missionaries in China, and these were located in fifteen cities on the coast line of the six maritime provinces, except one station at Hankow, on the Yang-tse. ■ Eleven vast interior provinces were without a single Protestant Missionary. The C.I.M. was formed with the special object of carrying the Gospel to these interior provinces. To-day, the Mission has stations and Missionaries in fifteen of the eighteen provinces of China proper. SOME STATISTICS. At close of first decade. At close of second decade. 52 75 52 Twenty-eight Churches formed. 225 “7 106 1.655 - 2,026 Missionaries . Native Helpers ... Stations and Out-Stations Native Communicants ... Total Baptized from Commencement At January, 1909 . 928 1,699* 975 * 21,000* 30,000* *These figures are approximate only : complete statistics for 1908 are not yet to hand. CHINA'S MILLIONS, The Organ of the China Inland Mission, is published monthly. It may be had direct from the offices of the Mission, or from Morgan & Scott, Ltd., 12, Paternoster Buildings, London, E.C., or through any Bookseller. Id. per month or Is. 6d. per annum, post free. CHINA INLAND MISSION, Newington Green, London, N. In Touch with China’s Scholars A PROBLEM AN EXPERIMENT A PROJECT By WM. WILSON, M.B., C.M. %ont»on; CHINA INLAND MISSION, Newington Green, N. MORGAN & SCOTT, Ltd., 12, Paternoster Buildings, E.C. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Preface. Introduction. Chapter 1.— CHINA’S RENAISSANCE. AVith special relation to the Educated Class. Chapter 2.—A RECORD OF A MENT. SUCCESSFUL EXPEL I- 1. The problem to be solved. Friendly intercourse with the Literati. 2. A Temporary Science Room. Keen interest shown by Students. 3. Lecture Hall and Museum. Daily crowded attentive audiences. 4. Students’ AA^orkshop— For Making their Apparatus. 5. ATsit to Chengtu. Great Educational Centre of West China. Chapter 3.— A FORECAST OF A HOPEFUL DEVELOP¬ MENT. 1. Removal to the Capital of the Province. In association with the Y.M.C.A. Appendix. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019 with funding from Columbia University Libraries https://archive.org/details/intouchwithchinaOOwils jQbB X. €^n@her X amber. - PREFACE. BY JOHN R. MOTT, M.A. p°R two thousand years the literati have wielded larger influence in China than in any other nation. They continue to dominate that land of largest possibilities in Asia. The stupendous educational changes now in progress there increase, rather than diminish, the importance of the educated classes in China, because the first generation of modern Chinese students will, more than any other one factor, determine the character of the New China. Until recently the educated classes have been comparatively unreached by Christianity. The methods employed by Dr. Wilson afford favorable access to these future leaders. It would be difficult to overstate the possibilities of the new work he contemplates, now that it is affiliated with the Young Men’s Christian Association—a movement which has demonstrated such marked ability to reach, for Christ and the Church, the students of the non-Christian world. Correction : On page 23, line 5, for “New York Committee” read “International Committee.” INTRODUCTION. an introduction to the following pages and a justification 1 for the scheme therein described nothing can be so helpful as to obtain a bird’s-eye view of the Chinese Empire at the present moment, and thus possess ourselves of a clear mental impression as to the mighty changes that have taken place in that land during the last few years. Changes unprecedented in scope and importance, whether we have regard merely to the outward visible developments along the lines of European civilisation, or to the abundant evidences of change and progress in the aims and aspirations of the leaders of the Chinese nation. To describe in detail these changes would require a volume rather than a chapter, and this would defeat the object we have in view, which is to focus the attention of the reader not on these changes in themselves, but on the wonderful opportunity they afford for the hopeful advance of missionary work into regions of importance hitherto almost inaccessible amongst the large and influential section of the people known as the literati, or educated class. A class, be it remembered, in China, whose influence on the nation at large is more pronounced than is that of the same class in any other nation of the world. The following pages may with convenience be divided into three chapters:— Chapter 1 .— Will be devoted to a brief summary of the most important changes that the last few years have brought about in China, commencing with those of a more general charac¬ ter and concluding with the revolution which has taken place in their whole educational system, bringing it largely into line with modern ideas in the West. Chapter 2.—Emphasises the fact so well known to all who have worked in China of the barriers which have so long stood in the way of any intimate friendly intercourse between the literary class of that country and the foreigner from the A\ est, be he missionary or merchant; and proceeds to describe in some detail the experiment made by the writer during the last five or six years, which has succeeded far beyond expectation in finding an avenue of approach to, and a most friendly relationship with, this important class of the population. Chapter 3. —Presents in brief outline the proposed further development of the work on the same lines, but under more favourable circumstances, and with a much wider horizon in con¬ sequence of moving from the comparatively unimportant prefec- tural city of Suitingfu to Chengtu—the Capital of the province of Szechwan, the largest province in China, and estimated to contain a population of over fifty millions. As the work here described embraces the subject of Elementary Science Lectures given to Chinese students, the opening of a Science Museum and Students’ W orkshop, it is obviously impos¬ sible to eliminate from such a record all reference to technical subjects. Vet the undue intrusion of such details might, to the general reader, detract from, rather than increase, his or her interest and pleasure in the perusal of such a record. On the other hand, there are, I have reason to believe, a very large and steadily increasing number of persons who, while primarily deeply interested in all missionary work, would feel a special interest in any effort to reach the educated class, and to whom any details bearing on the scientific features of the scheme would specially appeal. To suit the convenience of such two classes of readers, the following plan has been adopted :— All technical details, such as names of apparatus and instru¬ ments, have been avoided in the three chapters constituting the booklet, so that it can be read without distraction by the general reader, whilst for the sake of those to whom such details would be of real interest, a supplement has been published separately in which a few such details will be found, in addition to the particulars specified in the explanatory key under each of the illustrations. This supplement can be had by application to the Secretary of the China Inland Mission. 6 CHAPTER I. CHINA’S RENAISSANCE. A Brief Epitome of Recent Changes in China. r T'HE changes that have taken place in China during the last few years have been so vast in conception, far-reaching in character, and have withal been carried out in so practical and statesmanlike a manner that it has been well said 4 a parallel can only be found, if found at all, in the Renaissance, which ushered into being modern Europe—after the dense darkness of the Middle Ages.” Yet, great and far-reaching as these changes are recognised to be, not the least remarkable feature has been that they have been effected in the short space of eight or nine years—since the Boxer uprising of 1900—and many of these changes, and by no means the least important, have been accomplished within the incredibly short period of half a decade. For the sake of clearness let us summarise these changes under a few headings :— RAILWAYS.—At the beginning of this century, only 200 miles of railway existed in the whole of the Chinese Empire, whereas now 3,700 miles are in operation, 1,600 miles are in process of construction, whilst 4,000 miles are projected. A few months ago (Oct,, 1908), the writer had the opportunity, in returning to Shanghai after a seven years’ absence from the coast, of completing the last 150 miles from Chinkiang to Shanghai by rail, the line having only been opened during the year. On the testimony of an expert engineer, the writer was assured that in the laying of the line, the excellence of the locomotives and rolling stock, and the general management of the service, there was little to choose between this railway and the average lines in the West; and certainly the comforts of the corridor train, fitted with every convenience—dining cars, electric light, electric fans, steam heating, etc., etc., made it difficult to believe one was still in China. TELEGRAPHS.—The meagre telegraph lines of a few years ago connecting some of the Treaty Ports have now developed into many thousands of miles, and are in evidence in every province. Telegrams can now be sent to any telegraph station / in the world from any of the provincial capitals of China’s 22 provinces, and from many of the larger subordinate cities. A line is being extended westward to Tibet, so that soon Lhasa will be in telegraphic communication with Peking. POSTAL SYSTEM.—Within the last few years an Imperial postal service, as in the West, has been established, with its fully developed arrangements for transmission of letters, postcards, newspapers, parcels, and even postal orders. At the present time there are about 3,000 offices, with an average addition of two new offices every day of the year. NEWSPAPERS.—The solitary newspaper known as the “Peking Gazette” (which, by-the-bye, had the distinction of being the first newspaper ever published in the world) has now no longer the monopoly of the news in China, for Peking alone now possesses 10 dailies, one of which is a woman’s paper, edited and managed by women, and many of the larger cities of the Empire have their own dailies. Probably, in all, over 200 newspapers are published now for the one of 10 years ago. PRINTING.—Large printing and publishing houses are now to be found in China. As an instance, I may mention the Chinese Commercial Press in Shanghai, which I visited a few months ago. Ten years ago this started in a very small way with only a few hands. It now occupies magnificent buildings containing the most perfect printing machinery the West can produce ; and, on my visit of half-an-hour, I saw work going on in all departments: ordinary printing, stereotyped printing, lithographic work, multi-colour work and three-colour printing, casting of type, preparation of electrotypes, process block pro¬ duction, and mechanical engraving. The whole plant was driven by an up-to-date suction gas engine and gave employment to 800 men and women, and employed in the translation depart¬ ment alone a staff of 100 Chinese translators. Yet, from the Board of Directors down to the stoker, there is not a single European or American in charge of any of the work. Plere school books in Chinese are being turned out by the hundred-thousand for use in the recently opened Imperial Schools. Most of them well illustrated from up-to-date electro¬ types, and many, such as books on botany and zoology, being exquisitely illustrated with coloured engravings. ANTI-OPIUM MOVEMENT.—Whilst the above and many similar changes are calculated to foster the material advance of the people, perhaps nothing indicates so clearly the settled determination of the leaders of China for reform as the issue of the Anti-Opium Edicts. Though vested interests may in some parts constitute some obstacle to the immediate attainment of the end in view, the fixed determination of the Government and the 8 resolute action of many of the Viceroys and subordinate officials, together with the changed attitude on the part of a large portion of the people and the growth of a public opinion adverse to the habit of opium smoking, afford solid ground for hope that China will successfully battle with this gigantic evil. Since writing the above, news has reached us from China, dated Shanghai, Feb. 26, 1909, referring to the termination of the labours of the International Opium Commission, composed of representatives from twelve nations, and their first resolution declares to the civilized world “The unswerving sincerity of the Chinese Government in its efforts to eradicate the production and use of opium.” ANTI-FOOTBINDING.—Another of the surprises of the last few years is the wide extent of the agitation among the Chinese themselves for the abandonment of this ancient custom, and the formation all over the Empire of societies binding their members to its abolition. CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT.—Imperial edicts have decreed that within a few years time China is to be prepared for a Constitution, and the educated classes of China are keen in their desire for the attainment of this object. The above illustrations of changes, were they all that have occurred, would compel one to admit that this great Empire of China, with its four hundred millions of population, which has remained almost stationary for a thousand years, has made greater progress in the last few years than any other country in the world ; or, in the words of Mr. Mott: She lias made a more radical adjustment to modern conditions than any other nation in the same period of time.” Or if we desire to hear the testimony of one who has for 50 years been in the very closest relationship with China, its rulers and its people, we need only turn to the statement of Sir Robert Hart: “ During the first 45 years of my residence in China, the country was like a closed room without a breath of fresh air from the outside world. She was not conscious in the least of the existence of outside nations. During the past five years breezes from all parts of the world have been blowing through China.” EDUCATIONAL CHANGES.—But the changes to which I have already referred—great and far-reaching as they are are far eclipsed in importance by the marvellous changes that have come over China with regard to the whole question of education. Every missionary in China of more than a few years residence has had ample evidence of the intense conservatism of the typical Chinese student, who, in the absolute conviction that all knowledge worth possessing is contained within the limits of his Confucian classics, showed unmistakably in his manner, should he deign to stroll into your house or preaching hall, that he regarded it 9 as absolutely impossible for a teacher from the West to have anything to teach worthy of his attention. In place of this attitude, what do we now see? An Imperial Commission sent from China to Europe and America, not as a matter of courtesy, nor as a matter of curiosity, but to pains¬ takingly investigate the customs of other countries with regard to Commerce, Agriculture, Manufacturers, Education and Politics, and then to report to the Emperor with the view to the adoption of all that was deemed advantageous to the prosperity of the country. . . . And what is the outcome of this Imperial Commission and its laborious investigations ? tVe do not now refer to the decision to press forward all such matters as Army Reform, the institution of Military and A aval schools and colleges, the construction of railways, the extension of the postal and telegraph systems, the adoption of uniformity in coinage, weights and measures, the institution of a new Legal Code, and the abolition of examination by torture, etc., etc., 1101 even do we now refer to the edict for the speedy establishment of a Constitutional Government. But what has been the out¬ come from a purely educational point of view of the visit of the Imperial Commissioners to the W est ? The whole system of education has been re-modelled on Western lines, the examination halls in use for hundreds of years haA e been demolished, and in their places, schools and colleges, class¬ rooms and laboratories are everywhere in evidence, and are thronged by students eager to enter their portals in their quest for the “New Learning.” Chinese students are being sent in increasing numbers to Europe and America, largely at the Government expense. The numbers now to be found in the Colleges and Universities of the West amounting to over a thousand, while the steady flow of students to Japan rapidly rose in the course of three or four years till in April, 1908, they numbered 15,000. Nor did these students come merely from the sea-board provinces, for 650 were from the most westerly province of Szechwan ; and the largest number from any one province came from the central province of Hunan, which, moreover, until lately was notorious for the intensity of its anti-foreign feeling. And let it be remembered that these thousands of students have left their homes and their country to study in Japan and the West, not alone at the instigation of the Government, by whom their expenses would then be met, but a very large number of them have gone on their own initiative and at their own expense Considering, moreover, that the cost of living in Japan is foui or five times as much as in China, and in England and America ten or more times as much, it is evident that for the vast 10 majority of Chinese students such an experience, howe\ cr much desired, is an impossibility. We have met and conversed with scores of students who were so keen for M estern knowledge they would have started at once had they been able to meet the expense. Probably, for one student in Japan or the West, there are scores who would go had they the opportunity. Except for the men who have grown grey under the old regime, and who are incapable of taking in new ideas, it is no exaggeration to say that the thirst for Western knowledge is well-nigh universal. Our own limited experience, as recorded in the following chapters, affords a striking illustration of the present thirst for knowledge, where, for instance, in response to advertisements intimating a six weeks’ course of Science Lectures, 40 educated men arrived on our premises, having travelled in many cases three, four, five, six, and even seven days journey on foot, while the aggregate distance they had walked in coming and returning amounted to 6,000 English miles. Large numbers of books from the West are being translated into Chinese and are being printed in very large editions. These books are exposed for sale in all the important cities in China, and are being widely read. They comprise books on History, Biography, Travel, Mathematics, Political Economy and Sociology, and many branches of Physical and Natural Science. EDUCATION OF WOMEN.—Among all that is taking place in China at the present time, no change is more remarkable, and possibly none destined to exercise a wider influence on the nation as a whole, than the change with regard to the subject of Women’s Education. Until a few years ago it was the rarest thing to find, even among the upper class, a lady who could read and write; and among the poorer classes education of the girls was absolutely unheard of, or derided as utterly useless. Mission schools have in this matter led the wa), and fiom the commencement of mission work in China, schools for gills as well as boys have constituted an integral part of most Mission Stations. During the last few years, however, the Chinese themselves have vigorously taken up the idea of girls education, and from Peking downwards schools have sprung up to meet the lequiic- ments of girls in all classes of society. Without occupying more space, sufficient has perhaps been said to afford a mental picture of the tremendous changes that the last few years have wrought in both the material de\elop- ment of China and the attitude of mind of the educated and ruling classes toward Western nations and Western forms of civilization. 11 CHAPTER II. A RECORD OF A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT. i.—The Problem Awaiting Solution. Friendly Intercourse with the Student Class. HE Boxer Rising of 1900, re-invigorated by receiving the Imperial approval of the Empress Dowager, had for its object the expulsion of all foreigners from China, and the extir¬ pation of Christianity from the country. This uprising was finally suppressed by the combined action of most of the European powers together with those of America and Japan. During the few months of its existence it created a veritable reign of terror, and resulted in the massacre of 188 Pro¬ testant missionaries and some thousands of Chinese converts, and, fearing that the uprising would not be restricted to North China, where it began, to avoid greater bloodshed all Europeans and Americans in the interior were summoned to the coast. Along with many others, the writer took the opportunity of returning to England on furlough, and it was not until the end of March, 1902, that he was able to return to his Station in the City of Suitingfu, in the Eastern part of the province of Szechwan, and there resume the work so suddenly brought to a standstill. Spite of an absence of 20 months, the living-house, personal property and medical and surgical equipment were found, with insignificant exceptions, just as they had been left at the time of the sudden departure to the coast. Two or three weeks later it proved possible to purchase an adjoining property, which was in the course of a few months converted into a very suitable little hospital, and the ordinary work of the Station, such as had been previously carried on, soon began to resume its ordinary course. At this early date it was that the first signs were observable of the change gradually coming over the minds of the educated 12 This student had travelled 17 days’ journey in quest of scientific knowledge, remained for three successive courses ot lectures, made with assistance the apparatus shown here (60 articles), was then appointed by our Mandarin to give free science lectures to the people m a Buddhist Temple on the main street, and subsequently received an appointment in connection with a large school in Chengtu. Exhibition Set of Apparatus. Shows 90 pieces of apparatus suitable for illustrating lectures, made in the Science Workshop, from native material and by native workmanship. Then taken 10 days’ land journey to Cliengtu for display at the exhibition now held there annually. Group of Chinese Students. The above 40 students from a dozen different cities distant from Suitingfu *2, 3, 4, 5, 0 and even 7 days’ journey came in response to an advertisement intimating a 6 weeks’ course of science lectures. They had thus in coming and returning travelled on foot an aggregate ot 6,000 English miles. uml 1 ■nm - VSws»5f v «—wimii HBB Examination Halls, Past am* Present. No. 1. These examination halls were to be found in all the provincial capitals. Here students periodically assemble to undergo literary examination for the Civil Service. The halls here represented contain 20,000 cells. No. 2. Represents the same alter demolition in 1905 in consequence of the Imperial Edicts modernising the whole system of Chinese education. No. :j. Modern Chinese class rooms and lecture halls which are everywhere replacing these old examination halls. class of the Chinese, evidencing itself in their growing desire for AA estern knowledge; and the thought kept pressing itself on the mind of the writer: is it not possible to take advantage of this changed attitude of the people, and so at last get into friendly touch with this important class, which has always proved the most difficult to reach. With re gard to other classes of society, a large measure of friendly intercourse has long been possible, and as a natural consequence their traditional suspicion of foreigners has been increasingly removed; and so apart from the great numbers who have actually embraced the Christian faith, the people as a whole now assume a friendly attitude to the foreigner, and give little credence to the malicious stories which used to be so rife as to our nefarious object in coming'to their land and living in their midst. But, with regard to the educated class—and it is from this class that all officials spring—the circumstances have, unfortu¬ nately, been very different. Their intense conviction that all knowledge worth possessing in the interests alike of the individual, the family and the state, is contained within the limits of their ancient literature has erected an almost impassable barrier between them as a class and the foreigner, be he European or American, missionary or merchant. The inevitable consequence is, that shut out from all inter¬ course with the missionary, his traditional prejudices persist, his ignorance of their character and aim becomes stereotyped ; and while friendly relationship between the missionary and all other classes of society has been continually widening and deepening, this important class alone has remained entrenched in its ancient citadel of contempt, hatred and suspicion of every¬ thing pertaining to the foreigner from the West. How, then, while this barrier remains, is it possible that Christianity can reach and influence them. An avenue for friendly intercourse must first be found. This and this alone will lead to the removal of ignorant prejudice and anti-foreign feeling, and only thus can the way be prepared for them giving a hearing and a consideration to the spoken and printed message of the Christian revelation. The foregoing will place the reader in a position to understand how this newly aroused thirst for Western knowledge seemed to put into the missionary’s hand a key not hitherto possessed, capable, if rightly used, of unlocking this door and removing this barrier and permitting of a friendly intercourse and a kindly relationship with this class in question, which, as we have just maintained, is an absolute prerequisite to the missionary acquiring any spiritual influence for good and the accomplishment of his highest aim as a messenger of Christ. % 13 2 .—A TEMPORARY SCIENCE ROOM. Keen Interest Shown by Students. '"'HOWARDS the solution of this problem of finding an avenue of approach to the educated class, the first step taken was a purely tentative one, and consisted of fitting up a small ward as a Science Museum of a very elementary character—ranging round the room electrical and chemical apparatus, mostly extemporised on the place and so arranged as to illustrate some of the fundamental principles and practical applications of these branches of science. The walls were adorned with diagrams and statements in Chinese explanatory of the subjects dealt with. Within a short time of the opening of this small Science Room, it had been visited by hundreds of educated men, and thus had a very pleasant intercourse with them been established. They took a really intelligent interest in what they saw and heard, and subsequently visited us again, bringing friends with them; and in this way not only was the prejudice against us broken down, but we constantly had unrivalled opportunities of referring to the real object which brings us to their land. Very often the most encouraging religious conversation we had during the day was to a quiet, respectful group of these educated men, who were thus brought under the sound of the Gospel, which but for this Science Room they might never have heard. On one occasion, by special invitation on three successive afternoons, a number of men came on purpose to see the working of Marconi’s Wireless Telegraphy, and at the close to each one was given a Gospel and some Christian books. Our two highest mandarins visited us and spent three hours wishing to see and understand everything, also many other officials of lower grade, college principals and hundreds of educated men from time to time frequented this little Science Room. The experiment had succeeded, but only to prove the inadequacy of our accommodation, and the erection was at once commenced of a special building to combine the two functions of Science Museum and Lecture Hall. A few months later this was completed, and ere it was opened for use the kind liberality of friends in England had covered all the expense of the building. 3.—LECTURE HALL AND MUSEUM. Daily Crowded Attentive Audiences. PHE hall above referred to was completed in 1904, and just in ^ time for the great inrush of students from all the subordin¬ ate towns to our prefectural city, consequent 011 three sets of 14 examinations being held that year. This meant that for several months over 6,000 students would be in the city presenting themselves for their examinations, which constitute the portal to the Civil Service. As on each day the students from only two cities undergo examination, it follows that every day there are a large number free from such duties. These students soon heard from one another of the Science Hall, and for many weeks we had every day (Sundays excepted) crowded audiences morning and afternoon. The plan usually adopted was to commence by assembling in the preaching hall, where daily 60, 70, or more might be seen quietly and attentively listening, in most cases for the first time, to the Gospel, as the writer and his native assistant would take it in turn to preach. This meeting usually lasted half an hour, and was followed by an opportunity for purchasing Christian books, Gospels, tracts, etc., whereby the Word of Life has reached many distant homes. The proposal would then be made to adjourn to the Science Hall, and soon that room would be packed. Repeatedly have 150 been present in the morning and a like number in the afternoon. These lectures usually lasted an hour, and during the whole time perfect order and undivided attention characterised the audience. Many would remain after the conclusion of the lecture and ask questions evidencing real intelligence. Nor were these lectures devoid of suitable opportunities for turning their thoughts from these laws of nature, up to God, the source of all, and whose wisdom and power are so manifested in all creation. Often, during these lectures, was the suggestion made by the students themselves, that, on the conclusion of this examination, a progressive course should be given, so that those who wished to do so might have the opportunity to attend. Finding that a month’s interval would intervene between the two sets of examinations, such arrangements were accordingly made, and notices issued to that effect, advertising a month’s course of 26 lectures, each lecture to be of an hour’s duration, and the fee for the course to be three taels of silver (about 7/6). Twenty-two men entered their names, including two grown-up sons of our mandarin, paid their fees and received admission tickets. They proved themselves an ideal set of students, very regular in their attendance, generally coming an hour before the lecture, so as to have time to make sketches of apparatus, copy down diagrams, etc., and generally they would remain half-an-hour after the lecture, asking most intelligent questions. It was interesting to glance over some of their note books, and see what 15 excellent diagrams they had made of apparatus, and what lucid explanations they had appended. The closing lecture of the series consisted of a Lantern Exhibition, showing scenes in various lands—China, Japan, India, Africa, Madagascar, England—and ending up with several scenes from “ Pilgrim’s Progress.” Here, of course, we had a good opportunity of once again reminding them of the one subject of supreme importance, which alone accounted for our living in their midst, the desire by every possible means to spread abroad the knowledge of the Gospel, which alone afforded a true explanation of our Life here as a preparation and training for the Life beyond. Before we separated, a couple of Christian books were given to each student, and thus ended a month’s intercourse which the writer greatly enjoyed, and which in so many ways afforded opportunities of turning their thoughts from the wonderful laws of nature by which we are surrounded up to God, as the fountain of all power and wisdom and goodness and all real blessing and prosperity. This course of lectures was no sooner over than the higher- grade examinations commenced, and again daily audiences, first in the Preaching Hall and then in the Science Room, were the order of the day. Although the majority have come simply and solely to hear something of scientific matters, I very rarely saw any manifesta¬ tion of impatience, but, on the other hand, marked attention during the time we were preaching prior to adjourning to the Science Hall. It was about this time that it became evident that we were on the eve of witnessing great changes in their whole educational system, and it was widely believed that that year would see the last of the old regime of examinations, and that the new system of graduated schools would be introduced the next year. It was evident that with such a departure from their time- honoured system of education, there would be a steadily increasing desire to understand something of science in its principles and practical application; and thus we had every reason to anticipate a more and more extended use for our Science Room, and through it an increasing intercourse with the educated class, to whom, as to all other classes of the people of this great land, are Ave meant to be Messengers of God and Heralds of Eternal Life through our Lord Jesus Christ. During the folloAving year the changes above referred to as probable took place, and throughout the land in compliance with Imperial edicts, the old regime of education in vogue for hundreds of years disappeared as by magic. PrHate study gave place to the establishment of large schools and colleges throughout the 16 country, built and organised on Western lines. The huge examination halls hitherto to be found in all the provincial and prefectural cities, and consisting in each place of a vast aggregation of cells (numbering sometimes 20,000), were levelled to the ground, and the site was used and the very bricks were employed in the erection of the extensive well-built, well-lighted educational establishments referred to above. This sudden change from the old regime at once made itself felt in our Student work. No longer could we look for vast crowds of students flocking into our city, occasionally for periodical examinations as under the old regime, but the inauguration of the new system was entirely to the advantage of our work, as it only intensified the thirst for Western knowledge, for it was at once evident to all that there would now be a very great demand for Chinese teachers in these newly started Government schools, who had some acquaintance with science. The beneficial way in which these changes acted upon our student work and the modifications that our plans consequently underwent, may suitably form the subject of another section. 4.—Students’ Workshop for Making Their Own Apparatus. 1WT ANY of the students attending these lectures were tlieni- ^ selves teachers in private or Government schools, and others were looking forward to such a career, and as their interest in the lectures increased they naturally became conscious of the fact that, without apparatus and the means of experimenting, they would not be able to convey to others the knowledge they had acquired. It was specially with reference to the subject of Electricity that they rightly felt that apparatus constituted an indispensable element; but here, unfortunately, one had to show them that the cost of such things at home is so high as to be for the majority of Chinese students prohibitive, to say nothing of the extra cost of ocean and inland freight, and finally the inevitable risk of loss through wreck, or the damage done to delicate apparatus during the five successive transhipments and overland carriage ere goods ordered in England could reach us in the interior. At the same time it became increasingly evident that this question was no mere side issue of secondary importance, but vital to the whole scheme we had in hand, for on the answer to this question hung the practical utility of all our science teaching, and consequently 011 the one hand the continued prosperity, or on the other the speedy collapse of our student work. 17 If the intercourse was to be continued, it must be from the student’s consciousness of its value, and this largely depended on whether or not he could obtain apparatus wherewith he could obtain his knowledge to others as a teacher under the new regime. Much sympathising with their desire no other course seemed open but to personally come to their assistance, so I promised that if they would vigorously take it up, we would do our best to help them. The whole class enthusiastically agreed to join a practical course, so we extemporised a workshop, divided the 26 students up into batches of manageable size, arranged a set of 20 instru¬ ments which we could help them to make, drew up a schedule specifying which pieces each student wished to possess, making a grand total of over 4-00. The next step was to arrange for the class to meet in a month’s time, and in the meantime three joiners, a blacksmith and a tinsmith were engaged to do all the preliminary work, which naturally devolved upon such workmen. Copper wire was ordered from Chungking, and a kind of spinning machine was devised for covering the wire with cotton, and when all was ready the students assembled and forthwith commenced our first practical course of instrument making. Every instrument when completed was tested, then the owner’s name written upon it, it was stored in the gallery of the Science Hall till the whole number should be completed and all accounts duly settled. When this point was reached each student brought a servant, or hired a coolie, and 26 coolie loads of electrical instruments left our Science Room as the visible outcome of this somewhat novel experiment. Our intercourse with the students has been of course much closer and more intimate than was possible when only lecturing to them. Many of them we have come to know very intimately. Christian books have been put into their hands, and thus directly and indirectly they have been brought into contact with many influences, all favourable to the opening of their minds to the truths of the Gospel, against which the peculiar prejudices of their class erect such a formidable barrier. The foregoing account of these early experiences may with only slight variations be taken as descriptive of the delightful work of the subsequent years, where session after session a steadily increasing number of students attended these advertised courses of lectures. The experiment had succeeded, and the hope with which we had started had been realised far beyond our expectations ; we were enjoying the long desired opportunities for intercourse of a most friendly nature with the student class, and finding, most important of all, that it brought with it abundant opportunity for the highest form of Christian service. 13 But, it now became evident, that if this work was to go forward and the medical work not suffer, additional help must he obtained, and, in response to an appeal for such help, early in 1907 a qualified medical missionary of many years’ experience in China arrived and at once became responsible for the medical work. Able now to give more time to the students, the question presented itself how best to make the work more widely known and thus secure a steady attendance of students in sufficient numbers. This important question and its solution may best be considered in another section. 5. VISIT TO CHENGTU. Great Educational Centre of West China. I N the summer of 1907 circumstances came to the writer’s knowledge which were destined to have a very important bearing on the future of this student work. At the great city of Chengtu, the capital of the province of Szechwan, there had for a hundred years been held a great annual fair, and for the last three years this fair had been taken under the patronage of the Viceroy, and had been converted into an important institution corresponding on a small provincial scale to our International Exhibitions in that all subordinate cities of the province were expected to send up for competitive exhibition the best of their native materials, arts and manufactures. The head mandarin of our city had been reproved for the worthless character of the exhibits sent up on a previous occasion, and a number of our former students and the gentry of the city suggested whether a set of scientific instruments such as we had been turning out could not lie sent up to the exhibition, and as these were all made by native workmen from native material, and yet consisted of articles which from their scientific character would meet with much approval from the authorities, the repu¬ tation of our city would be restored. This proposal appealed to the writer for a different reason, inasmuch as no step that could be taken with the object of making these lectures widely known could be half so efiecti\ e as the exhibition of such apparatus at the capital of the province, where they would be seen by everyone visiting the exhibition, whether from the city or from the surrounding towns far and near. This scheme was accordingly at once proceeded with, the exhibit finally consisting of nearly 100 pieces, for while it was 19 desirable to include a set of instruments such as the students make where economy is considered rather than excellence of the material or costly finish, it seemed also desirable to send up another set, the very best we could turn out, using for this purpose the best material and workmanship available. This was accordingly done, and on February 10th, 1908, the writer set off with six coolie loads of apparatus, accompanied by his educated helper and workshop assistant for a ten days’ overland journey to Chcngtu. A suitable hall had been previously secured, 50 feet long and 'JO feet wide, and here a platform was erected the whole length of the building, and on this a lecture table of equal length duly draped in red cloth. All the instruments designed merely for exhibition were set out in one part of the hall, while 20 or 30 pieces of apparatus were arranged in single file along the table all connected by switches with batteries ready charged. The wall behind was well adorned with diagrams and an imposing red banner hung over the doorway intimating in large white characters that the exhibit was from Suitingfu, and consisted of scientific instruments made from native material by native workmen. For over five weeks with the exception of Sundays, the space in front of the exhibit was crowded from morning to night, and two or three times a day lectures were delivered (of course, iu Chinese) by the writer and his assistant, and the apparatus set working. A personal interview with the Literary Chancellor, the highest educational authority in the province, resulted in arrangements being made for the various Government schools and colleges to attend on fixed days and at definite hours, so that all might have an opportunity of seeing the apparatus and hearing the lectures. On many occasions we were visited by the scholars from two schools on the one day, and on some days three schools attended at hours previously appointed, the scholars from each school varying from 50 to 150 in number. The exhibit was visited by the Viceroy himself and all the highest military and civil authorities, whose offices were in the capital. This visit to Chengtu, with its population of 400,000, its scores of Government and private schools, and its more than 6,000 scholars, could not fail to impress one. Many of these schools and colleges I visited, as also the Imperial University, and everywhere found well-lighted, commodious class rooms and lecture halls, built after the Japanese model, a modification of Western colleges, but was everywhere struck with the signi¬ ficant absence of all facilities for teaching scientific subjects; no charts, diagrams or models were anywhere to be seen, and though 20 4 descriptive of the various exhibits Portrait Group of Y.M.C.A. Secretaries and Members of Committee, READING FROM LEFT To RIGHT. FRONT ROW NAMES Henry T. Hodgkin, M.A., M.H., Ch.B. Rev. Edward Wilson \\ allace, B.A., B.D. "William Wilson, M.B., C.M. MISSION I Y.M.C.A, 1 F.F.M.A. C.M.M. I Y.M.C.A. \ C.I.M. MIDDLE ROW NAMES MISSION Yang Shao Ch'uen Rev.J. L. Stewart, B.A. C.M.M. John \Y. Yost, B.A. M.E.M. Yang Pe Tong HACK ROW NAMES MISSION R. J. Davidson F.F.M.A Joshua Vale(Chairman) C.I.M. Robert R Service, B.S. Y.M.C.A George M. Frank C.I.M. Elrecls Williams, M.A. M.E.M. Names marked thus * are those'of the Y.M.C.A. Secretaries. INITIALS Y.M.C.A. F.F.M.A. C.M.M. M.E.M. C.I.M, NAME OI' SOCIETY IN FULL = Young Men’s Christian Association. - Friends' Foreign Mission Association. = Canadian Methodist Mission. — Methodist Episcopal Mission, = China Inland Mission. Names without asterisks are those of men composing the Y.M.C.A. Committee, and are representatives of the various Missionary Societies working in Chengtu. cases of scientific apparatus from Japan were to be seen in some colleges, they gave every evidence that they were never used, for the simple reason that they have, as yet, no teachers ac¬ quainted with such subjects. I had the great pleasure of making the acquaintance of one English and two American lecturers in the Imperial University, and was impressed with the splendid sphere of usefulness open to well - educated men of scientific attainments, fresh from our home colleges and universities, who, for Christ’s sake and the Gospel, would consecrate their talents to this work, which otherwise, if done at all, will be done by agnostics or materialists, and often by men from Japan or the West whose moral influence and example is all on the wrong side. The influence for good of a keen Christian man of recognised high educational ability in such a position is incalculably great, and in numbers of places in China at this day are to be found such openings, places truly of strategic importance. The foreign Secretaries of the Y.M.C.A. in China have in many cases been appealed to by the Chinese authorities for men to fill such posts, and it would be difficult for the Y.M.C.A. to do a better work, or a work of more far-reaching value, than that of introducing into such work well-educated scientific teachers, whose hearts were filled with love to the Chinese, loyalty to Christ, and desire for His Glory. 21 CHAPTER III. A Forecast of a Hopeful Development. T T has been the writer’s privilege for the last 26 years to be ^ working in China in connection with the China Inland Mission—a Society, as is well known, wide in its sympathies and interdenominational in character. In Chengtu is now to be found another organisation, also working on interdenominational lines, namely, the Foreign Department of the American Y.M.C.A. This Society has been working in China for over ten years, and has now most important work at Hongkong, Canton, Shanghai, Tientsin, Peking, Nanking, and Hankow. Similar work has recently been commenced in Chengtu, but here it is as yet in its initial stage, as the two secretaries, from England and America respectively, are largely occupied with the study of the language. Regarding Chengtu as a great educational centre it was rightly deemed advisable from the first that in starting the Y.M.C.A. here it should be with a special view to Christian work among the college men. To emphasise this interdenominational character, and to maintain the kindly sympathy of the various missions working in Chengtu, the Y.M.C.A. has a committee composed of two representatives from each of the four missions working in the capital, and two Chinese Christians. At a special meeting of this committee it was unanimously resolved to press upon the writer the suggestion that, while still retaining his full membership in the China Inland Mission, he should seek to be set free by this Mission for this special form of student work in connection with the Y.M.C.A. The Committee expressed a strong conviction that such science work would be of the greatest value as constituting one of the Y.M.C.A. agencies, for, while being the means of first gathering students together in the Y.M.C.A. premises, it would afford to all those workers seeking their spiritual welfare an avenue of approach, and an opportunity of manifesting a kindly interest in, 22 and a friendly intercourse with, these students, which is the prerequisite for acquiring any spiritual influence over them in heart and life. This proposal met with the very cordial approval of Mr. Mott and the New York Committee, and was at the same time received in a very generous and sympathetic spirit by the Director and Council of the China Inland Mission. Premises have now been acquired in the heart of the city of Chengtu, and are now being altered and fitted up in such a way as to make them suitable for all the various requirements of a well equipped Y.M.C.A. While these alterations are being attended to in Chengtu, I have the very great advantage of being in England on furlough, where unparalleled opportunities exist for acquiring practical information concerning all the more recent advances in science- interesting Christian friends in the new scheme—acquiring by purchase or gift all kinds of material useful in our future Science Museum, and when all this is accomplished and our furlough is over, we hope to return to China, revisit our former station, pack up all our Science-room models, apparatus, etc., send them on to Chengtu (all the way by water via Chungking), then ourselves take the ten days’ overland journey to the same place and commence our work, still, as before, in full membership of the China Inland Mission, but generously liberated by the Mission for student work in connection with the Y.M.C.A. And now in conclusion a few words may be added. In speak¬ ing of this special work in association with the Y.M.C.A., it has not seemed necessary to say one word as to the various agencies which go to constitute a well-equipped association. These are too well known to need a description—Bible classes, reading room, library, prayer meetings, lectures, social gatherings, possibly special classes for teaching English, gymnasium, and if desirable a hostel for the accommodation of students away from home. Nor again has it been deemed necessary to dwell upon the fundamental fact that in all thoughts, plans and prayers for the prosperity of the Y.M.C.A., these agencies are only regarded as of value in proportion as they subserve their ultimate purpose in bringing us as Christ’s followers and servants, into real kindly touch with these young men, that through our intercourse and friendship with them, they may come to know Him, who is the Light of the World, and through the Holy Spirit’s power may enter into that Life which is Life indeed, and thus be prepared for lives of Christian usefulness and influence in the important spheres which many of them must occupy in a very few years time. . . . Nor again has it seemed needful to occupy space in describing 23 at length all the many opportunities that this work affords for spiritual intercourse with the students. While living a month or six weeks on our compound they were day by day present at our morning family worship in Chinese, where, with our household, servants, patients and others, they heard the Bible read and expounded, and thus, for the first time in their lives, were brought into contact with the Gospel message of the Love of God, as revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ. On Sundays they accompanied us to the Morning Service, and in the afternoon were usually present at a special meeting I held for them. But of all the influences brought to bear upon them there is no doubt the best are the abundant opportunities for informal personal eonversation which any evening affords when you visit them in their common room. Here we were sure to find them usefully employed, writing out their notes, drawing diagrams, discussing the subject matter of the day’s lecture, and then, sitting with them, and first entering sympathetically into all these details, it is no difficult thing to lead them on in thought to the supreme purpose we have in view in all our intercourse with them, that the knowledge of the Lord, once revealed by Christ in Palestine, then spreading ever Westward in its victorious march, century after century, and now in these latter days, once again in steadily increasing volume, flowing towards the ancient civilisations of the Orient, should be proclaimed, heard, understood, and received in all its fulness, alike by rich and poor, wise and unwise, until in the East as in the West it became the herald of a better hope and the harbinger of a brighter day. “ This is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee, the only True God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” THE MARCHES OF THE MANTZE. \ 1/6 post free. By J. H. EDGAR 1/6 post free. (C.I.M. Missionary on the Tibetan Border). Preface by CECIL POLHILL, Esq. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. A book full of interesting information about a little known part of the Chinese Empire. MY FATHERS BUSINESS OR 1/6 net. The Life and Work of Agnes Gibson. By MARIAN H. FISHE. Preface by Rev. J. STUART HOLDEN, M.A. 1/6 net. ‘ No one can read it without wonderment, nor lay it down without praise—and prayer.”— Front the Rev. J. Stuart Holden’s Preface. 6d. net. DOCTOR LEE. 6d. net. By MARSHALL BROOMHALL, B.A. Preface by WALTER B. SLOAN. A Remarkable Story of a Chinese Christian Doctor. Neatly bound in cream cloth, with three-colour design. PASTOR HSI’S CONVERSION. 6d. net. By Mrs. HOWARD TAYLOR. Eight Chapters from “ Pastor Hsi, Scholar and Christian.” Neatly bound in cream cloth, with three-colour design. CHINA INLAND MISSION, Newington Green, London, N. MORGAN & SCOTT, Ltd., 12, Paternoster Buildings, London, E.C. ■ ■ a ' 1 1 - ‘J ■ -,y ■?*' $$• W>■ -^w$ . “•■• /. •,> v m ;• ; y •■ ■ \ • _ Price 10/6 Net. ATLAS of the CHINESE EMPIRE. (23 Maps in 4 Colours. Full opening, 13 ins. x 17$ ins.) With an Index to all the Names on the Maps and a List of all Protestant Mission Stations, etc. All Telegraph Stations, Protestant Mission Stations, Railways, Treaty Ports, and each City's rank, etc., are clearly indicated by separate marks or type. Specially prepared by Mr. EDWARD STANFORD for the CHINA INLAND MISSION. THIS ATLAS HAS RECEIVED THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE WAR OFFICE. The Royal Geographical Society's Journal says: “To all who are interested in China from a missionary point of view, or who are concerned with the commercial development of the country, this Atlas cannot fail to be of the greatest value. The maps are entirely new, and have been compiled with great care. The price of the Atlas, 10s. 6d., is remarkably low, considering the amount of time and labour the production has entailed.” The Peking and Tientsin Times says: “ For the next 10 or 20 years we may assume that this Atlas will be the accepted authority on Chinese Geography; and no Legation, Consulate, Customs House, College, Merchant’s Office, Missionary’s Office, or Editor’s Sanctum in the East, will be complete without a copy of this invaluable Atlas." The Spectator says: “ This is a very valuable addition to our knowledge of Eastern Geography—an incidental advantage, by the way, that we get from the work of Missions. We can know more about China than we do of France, which still in the ordinary Atlas is represented by a single map.” The Companion Volume to the Atlas, THE CHINESE EMPIRE. A General and Missionary Survey. Edited by MARSHALL BROOMHALL, B.A. Preface by Rt. Hon. Sir ERNEST SATOW, G.C.M.G. 500 pages of letterpress; 56 portraits of eminent Missionaries and other illustrations. Price 7/6 Net. SCHEME OF THE BOOK.— To give a succinct survey, Geographical, Historical and Missionary, of every Province and Dependency of the Chinese Empire. Dr. Eugene Stock says : “ I cannot conceive any book more complete in its own way than Mr. Marshall Broomhall’s Chinese Empire." Dr. Jas. L. Barton, Secretary of the American Board, says: “ I know of no book which has been written in recent years of more value to the student of Missions in China than this volume. It is the one that stands in my mind pre-eminently first.” Dr. James L. Maxwell, in "Medical Missions," says: “ We know of no work which gathers up and reveals to us, as this does, the fruitage of the last hundred years of Mission work in China." CHINA INLAND MISSION, Newington Green, London, N. MORGAN & SCOTT, Ltd., 12, Paternoster Buildings, London, E.C. WILKINSON BROS., uT 0 ., 1 -B, GREEN LANES, ft. -33158 i