REV. W. ARTHUR CORNABY* Acting Secretary of the Society for the Diffusion of Knowledge, Shanghai NTIL recent years, scholars of China UNTIL paid exclusive attention to their own ancient literature, consisting of (1) classics; (2) national records; (3) essays and memorials; (4) works of lesser philosophers and noted poets. Apart from the personal teachings of the missionary, a stream of Western thought began to pour into China through the journal started by Dr. Y. J. Allen in 1866. Tract societies were established, but their literature was largely in the popular, literary style, as distinct from the wen-li or Chinese-Latin style in which all the literature of China is written. Then it occurred to Timothy Richard and David Hill that something should be done for the scholars themselves. A new literature was needed, dealing not only with the salvation of the soul, but also with the salvation of the realm, and incidentally removing the prejudices which formed a bar to all mission work. In 1887 our society was formed, and Dr. Allen's magazine became one of its organs. The most needed books of the West have been translated many of them meeting with exceeding favor among high officials as well as the literati generally. Hardly more than one tenth of one per cent. of the missionaries, however, became exclusively literary missionaries. After the Boxer" upset " the whole body [* Mr. Cornaby, who writes for Dr. Richard as well as for himself, is the editor of the Chinese Christian Review and the Chinese Weekly, which is read by scholars, viceroys, governors and judges of the provinces.] Photo by A. F. Groesbeck A CHINESE METHOD OF CATCHING FISH May not e apostolic net, instead of the hook and line, be the symbol of future Chinese gospel work? of Chinese scholars turned toward the new literature; and Japan stepped in as a keen competitor. The " Diffusion Society" still stands high in the estimation of the scholars; but that it may take its right place in the new literary movement, it needs to be strengthened by $50,000 per annum. In the society's report for 1904 we find these pointed statements of conditions in China: A general impression seems to be gaining ground that Japanese civilization is better for China than that of Christendom. . . . While the nations of the world are spending more than five million dollars a day in establishing and equipping enormous armaments, they do nothing to promote universal education which should aim at lessening international friction. . . . One of the gentry, a non-Christian, advocated that as missionaries were experts in religion, they should be asked to superintend this work in the new government schools. There are in China gigantic undertakings of continental magnitude. With these we must keep pace. In 1904 the grand total of the new books and reprints was 30,681,800 pages. In addition to this perhaps five times as much has been sold in editions that have been published through piracy. But even through this means the truth was scattered as good seed. The welfare of all nations is bound up with the enlightened propaganda, which should be maintained worthily. Central China: Evangelism of the Press THE HE December issue told quite fully of this branch of the work. We will add a word. The Central China Religious Tract Society held its annual meeting this summer at Kuling. We present a few extracts from the report: God is moving in current history. All agencies, plans, purposes, and wide range of divine economy prove that we are living in a Kingdom whose trend is toward the fulfilment of the divine purpose. BISHOP ROOTS. The little vine has become (1905) a vineyard, whose fruit is the enormous sale of 2,500,000 publications (for 29 years, 23,442,394). — J. S. ADAMS. In 1858, the missionary could work only at a few treaty ports, and his itinerary was limited to 24 hours. They would, however, start out at midnight, travel until dawn, preach and sell books until evening, returning to the confines of the treaty ports within the prescribed twenty-four hours. JOHN. DR. GRIFFITH THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, SHAOHSING, CHINA, DR. JENKINS, PRESIDENT E NEW UNION IN EDUCATION NGLISH Baptists within three years have united with American Presbyterians, North, in a college and a theological seminary in the Shangtung Province. The Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists are now uniting in a college, a theological seminary and a medical school in Peking. The various divisions of the Presbyterian Church have. joined in a seminary. Simultaneously American Baptists have been effecting union in some lines of work. Five years ago the China Baptist Publication Society, Canton, was organized. February, 1901, began the movement for a union college and theological seminary. The purpose was (1) economy in buildings and equipment; (2) larger and stronger faculties, in short, better schools at less cost; (3) the welding eventually of the two divisions of the denomination in China into one. March 21, 1905, in New York City, a joint committee representing the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Executive Committee of the American Baptist Missionary Union agreed on a basis of union and approved of articles of organization for a union college and theological seminary to be located in Shanghai, each board to furnish $20,000 for the initial expenses. This movement so vigorously pushed on the foreign field was one of the factors in preparing for closer union at home, helping toward the consummation at St. Louis two months later. J. T. PROCTOR, Huchow, East China. A The New Education N imperial edict issued in China during the month of September abolishes the long-established system of examinations for the first and second degrees, and orders the establishment throughout the empire of primary and secondary schools as well as colleges. Western methods are to be employed. The plan is to be put into effect next year, after which time political preferment is to be based on work done. in course. It gives the pupils trained in our mission schools a great advantage. Bishop J. W. Bashford, after six months. in the empire, states his convictions in the Chinese Recorder. (1) The imperative need of moving speedily and with larger resources in our educational work. (2) Mr. T. Theodore Wong says, in China's In these perilous times when our national existence is threatened the young men of China feel their responsibilities. Hundreds have left their country of their own accord for those lands which promise to satisfy their longing for new knowledge and new learning. The government, too, has sent abroad thousands of young men with the hope that some day they may be of service to their country. From the latest information there are about four thousand Chinese students in Japan alone; over one thousand in America, mostly sons of Chinese residents; in the United States and in Europe there are over four hundred. Chinese "College Boys" DR. R. H.GRAVES, veteran missionary to China of the Southern Baptist Convention, upon returning to his field after quite an extended absence, is impressed with the many changes. We summarize: It used to be the ambition of the youth to appear scholarly, wearing a long gown and large spectacles; but now it is to be as soldierly as possible and with an erect bearing. There is an increasing desire to make China respected among the nations of the world. The desire for Western education is very strong and more than 2,600 " government students " are at school in Japan, while the opportunity for Christian schools of higher learning in Japan was never SO great. The Chinese are particularly anxious for scientific education to fit for making a living as doctors, telegraphers, engineers and merchants. The sale of good literature, including the Bible, is continually increasing. China needs our prayers and help more than ever in this transitional period. SOME OTHER BAPTISTS The English Baptist Mission HE English Baptists began work in the interior of China in 1875. The first church in Shantung was organized by Rev. Alfred G. Jones. A hospital, high school for boys, training institute for pastors and evangelists, museum for enlightening the people, and a girl's boarding school followed; and a branch work was started in the distant province of Shansi. In the Boxer year, all the members of the Shansi Mission were slain after untold sufferings and their little flock was scattered. The foreigners from the other two provinces made good their escape; but a terrible storm of persecution fell on the Christians, sparing neither life nor property. Since 1900 a gradual work of reconstruc tion has been going on. The staff in Shansi has been renewed, the membership rising from 200 to 700. In Shantung have followed (1) the development of the native pastorate, (2) a new effort in higher Christian education in conjunction with the American Presbyterian Mission. Two colleges, one for arts at Weihsien, the other for theology at Tsingchowfu, each with 120. students, are already in full working order; a third in medicine is about to be started. This is an interesting experiment; it is, of course, too soon to speak with confidence as to its future. One man has been sent to Tsinanfu, the provincial capital, for special work among students and officials. The total membership of the churches connected with the mission in Shantung is about 5,000, and these are divided into four groups or associations, made up of eighteen pastoral districts, each of which is wholly or partially responsible for the support of a trained native pastor. The whole church is bound together by an elected board of twelve natives and four foreigners, there being a common fund raised by weekly offerings, and an annual representative meeting of elders, deacons and pastors. REV. E. W. BURT, Shantung. The Southern Baptist Convention WE have four missions: 1. The Southern Mission, organized in 1845, has 26 missionaries and 3,183 native Christians. This has laid great stress for years upon the Bible training school, and is now reaping the result in large ingatherings. been begun, and a Medical work has college should follow The China Baptist Publication Society in Canton, only a few years old, soon. South China: Two Features EDUCATIONALLY a MR. GROESBECK new era has are opening schools of various grades under personal patronage, where English is taught. Villages also are organizing schools. Confiscation of Buddhist monasteries meets, in part, the expenses of educa tion. As a trained ministry, once advisable, is now indispensable, our educational missionary and projected seminary are suited to the needs of the new China. A new station is opened in Chowyang, a city of 300,000 inhabitants, with a million more within a day's journey. This county sends coolies, bankers and merchants everywhere, having a colony of 30,000 in Shanghai alone. Choosing such location is good strategy. A. F. GROESBECK, Chowyang. The second affects the public school system: Antiquated text-books and methods. have been displaced by up-to-date ones, and one day in seven, corresponding with Sunday, the schools are closed. The third is most noticeable in the changed attitude of missionaries and the native church toward lawsuits: Both are refusing to have anything to do with Chinese lawsuits.-W. F. BEAMAN, Kiating. Central China Mission: Progress and Need GENUINE growth and great opporgift. Note especially tunities have been God's gracious 1. Evangelistic: Signs of progress are many, including increase of suitable candidates for the ministry; service without remuneration; self-denial in giving; spirit of self-help; sense of responsibility; new converts won; eagerness to hear the Word. Needs are many; chiefly buildings such as a training school for evangelists in Hangyang and chapels at the outstations. 2. Educational: The weakest department so far; but with great opportunities. The future character, strength and influence of converts depend upon providing proper educational facilities. 3. Medical: Funds in hand for a new hospital soon to be erected; strategically located to render aid in case of frequent accidents at government arsenal and gun factories. It will render possible the training of corps of assistants in many things of practical interest in the life of the people. JOSEPH S. ADAMS, Hanyang. East China: Glimpses by a New TH Missionary HE increase last year equalled nearly one fourth of the church membership. Associational meetings show healthy churches reaching out to deal with missionary and national problems. Through Through the students' conference our young men will yet be set on fire. The academy and seminary have been made working parts of a coordinated school system. We untamed Baptists, the foreigners, have learned to pull together, the conference bringing solidity, inspiration and consistent progThe unification of our Baptist forces brings strength and cheer, a deepen ing sense of dependence on God, and a spiritual fellowship, promising larger blessings.-W. H. MILLARD, Hangchow. ress. MR. MILLARD (Further news on page 20.) Great Opportunity No country impressed me with its great missionary needs as did China. Great in numbers to be reached; great in the depth from which the people are to be raised; great in the barriers of stolid indifference; great in strength and worth of character of the people; great in opportunity, since they are turning from studying the past and seeking better things (two thousand Japanese were leaving Japan this fall to teach school in China); great in CHINA, THE "203 METER HILL" OF THE ORIENTAL PROBLEM The Japanese army captured hill after hill back of Port Arthur, but the Russians remained safely entrenched there until the all important "203 Meter Hill" which commanded the besieged city was stormed and taken, then they could hold out no longer. We may win victories for the gospel in other parts of the East, but until we have conquered China, the stronghold of the Orient is held by the enemy. The Chinese hold the balance of power through the great numbers of her population, through their strong characteristics, through their commercial supremacy throughout the East. To command the situation in the whole Orient we must take China.-A. W. RIDER, District Secretary. |