September 4, 1895.]
the writer is not so conversant with his subject
as could be wished,
I
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
that something higher in duty or faith-exists to which to rise. But where is it ? what is it? (1)-It is assumed that the missionary be- When someone offers me something that is lieves that "the constant reiteration of Christian clearly "higher" than Christianity I shall be precepts produces Christian conduct." Now, as ready as the writer to rise to it, or to although acquainted with a number of mission- speak more carfully, to attempt the ascent. aries, I have not yet met one who would But till then? The fable of the dog and the concede that his hope for the regeneration of shadow suggests a more excellent way. the Chinese lies in such a mechanical delivery (6.)-It is assumed that before any attempt is of Christian teaching. What is believed, is what made to teach others, the teacher himself must an authority once stated an authority, by the have "succeeded in acting up" to the perfect by, who tested his theory by facts with a care "code" himself. But surely this is an unten and lifelong self-denial quite equal if not able position to assume. Probably the writer superior to those with which Darwin tested his has dealt with a Chinese despatch; may have theory of evolution-that "the Gospel is the ventured to help others to acquire Chinese. power of God unto salvation to every one that But would he claim to have perfected himself believeth." In other words the missionary's in this very cumbrous language? A teacher hope lies in the working of a higher Power than may instruct a boy that the gen. of lex is legis that of the mere reiteration of Christian precept. without knowing all the Latin authors by whom (2.)-It is stated that "the number of con- the word is used. Macaulay in a speech de- verts is far too small to keep pace with the in-livered at Edinburgh, once advised his audience crease of the population." At present this is to remember "Gulliver's adventures. First he probably so, though any reasonable man, is shipwrecked in a country of little men; and conversant with the position of Christianity in he is a Colossus among them." The application China, who remembers the ignorance and super- seems to me quite clear. stition of the crowd, the arrogance and deceit of the literati, hatred and dread of the man- darins, will think the progess fairly respectable. Moreover it must be insisted on that the number of baptized Christians by no means represents the results realized. A large and ever increas- ing number of the people are being favourably impressed with the beauty and utility of the truths preached. But the statement of the essayist assumes that the pace hitherto kept will be continued till Doomsday-which is by no means certain! Has he forgotten that half of Europe was reformed in half the life-time of a single preacher ? All of us hope and some of us believe that some day this will be repeated in China. At any rate, to deny the possibility is hardly wise.
(7.) The two paragraphs under review close with truthful words well put. To attain per. fection in the moral world is more difficult. The writer, however, ems to regard moral perfection, were it possible, as à desideratum for the Chinese. But will their subjugation accomplish it? Whether it would be wise for one or more of the Western Powers, in the cause of self-preservation, to give China the final stab in the heart," with as little delay as possible" is another question and is not here discussed. But would this act of greatest mercy secure the thing desiderated. By no means. Such a
course would doubtless confer many blessings onthe masses and would be hailed with joy by large numbers of them; but the regeneration of the heart cannot be effected by stabbing it. I have re- ceived to-day a letter from a British official, who speaks of the character of the Chinese in the Straits Settlements in no measured language. posi-Yet they are under British rule. Moveover, he would be a bold man who asserted that the Chinese in Hongkong are more moral than those who reside in inland towns and who have hardly ever heard of the Great Emporium of the East. No. The power that makes for moral perfec- tion is Divine, and not human; it is "a power of good" which seizes upon the heart and by its regeneration changes the whole life.
That power is to-day regenerating men who submit to the most corrupt of Governments, and is found wanting in others who live under Govern- ments the most benign!
(3.)—The North China Herald is bold enough to aver that the missionaries are the edu cators of the people in science." The article asks What preparation have the mis- sionaries had to place them in the tion of being able to educate the people in one or more sciences P" That is a fair question. The writer himself, however, in a previous paragraph, points out that the Chinese people are ignorant even of the shape of the earth or the movements of the planets round the sun." It will now appear that no special "preparation" is needed to teach elementary science. Most of us know that the earth is round, and can state the reasons for our knowledge both in English and Chinese. Indeed the knowledge of science obtained by a board school boy who has passed the sixth standard would place him at a considerable advantage over most of the Chinese in this regard. Moveover, there are men who are well able to teach both religion and science-say for example obstetrics. To-day a case has come under my observation in which a young Chi- [FROM THE CHUNG NGHI SAN PO”. nese Christian rendered such help in a man- It is said that H. E. Chang Chih-tung, Vice- darin's family that not only was he himself roy of Nanking, hearing that the Canton officers remunerated and belauded, but the doctrines intended to abolish the Naval College in of Christianity even seriously and sympa Whampoa, wired to the Viceroy of Canton a few thetically discussed. His knowledge both of re- days ago to the effect that the said college, ligion and midwifery was derived from mis-which was founded by him when he was Viceroy sionaries.
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(4)-But it is assumed that we cannot teach religion and science, because the "facts" of science are at variance with the facts tanght under the head of duty or faith." Now it does not appear quite clear how one fact can possibly "be at variance with another fact. A fact is "a reality," A truth.' What is meant, however, may be that the facts of science" are at variance" with the theories of duty or faith," or vice versa. Now whilst we admit that some facts of science may "be at variance with " some theories of faith, and even duty, I believe that it is generally admitted that science and duty or faith are not mutually exclusive. Some authorities on science have been known to dis- charge their Christian duties, and have even confessed some Christian faith. It is therefore possible for a missionary to enjoy the same elementary privilege, and to urge others to a like enjoyment.
(5)-It is asked “ why not" arise "from Christianity to something still higher" than Christianity. Herein lurks the assumption
Canton, August 29th, 1895.
CANTON NOTES.
44
C. BONE.
of Canton, will be of great utility to China in future and that it should not be brought to an end. It is said that the Canton officers have abandoned the idea of abolishing the college.
A few days ago the Magistrate of Pun-u issued a notification in response to a petition presented by an opium-divan keper named Kwang Hing to the effect that on the 30th July the divan was robbed by the opium smokers, who took an opportunity of shutting the door, then pointed their revolvers at the shopmen, and took away all the opium and other valuable things therein; but, as the opium divan is a place of refuge for people of bad character, it is no wonder that it should robbed, for the divan itself opened the door for the thieves; and that in future no opium divan is allowed to open at night time, and that if any one has been found to neglect this order he is to be severely dealt with,
The Commander-in-Chief of the Canton guard boats issued a notice to the effect that if any boat coolie is discovered sheltering any thief he is to be severely dealt with; and that if any one gives help or information to effect
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the arrest of any thief, he is to be largely re- warded.
A few days ago some soldiers were sent by the Magistrate of Nam-hoi to arrest two great cheaters who told the people that they were sent from Peking by a prince with the intention to monopolise the Waisan lottery, whose term will soon expire. They tried to induce people to go into partnership with them and induced them to advance money to make presents to the Canton officers and to meet other expenses. It is said that, a good number of people fell into the trap. When they were arrested and brought before the Magistrate, they were still dressed in official robes. Magistrate of Nam-hoi issued a notice telling those who were cheated by the men to send in their claims, so that the Magistrate might make them return the money.
The
The runaway General named Ng Kwok-wa, who was arrested by the order of the Canton officers some time ago for his cowardice and misconduct when he was in Formosa, was again brought forward for trial on the 22nd inst. The evidence was too weak to convict him and he will probably soon be set free.
On the 23rd inst. a man named Li Ku-shing walked along the streets in Canton with a parcel of raw silk. A soldier suddenly sprang forward and snatched the silk and ran away.
The man gave pursuit and with the help of some passera- by the soldier was arrested. The man wished to bring the thief to Kam Ling-tong, the Silk Guild. When the soldier-thief was dragged past the Wa Lam monastery, where there was a station of soldiers, his brother soldiers at once rushed out and set the thief free. The man then ran back to the Silk Guild and told what had happened, whereupon the people were in great anger and a large number went to the monastory to ask the soldiers to return the thief. The soldiers declined and, after some high words had passed, arrested three of the silk workers, accused them of making a dis- turbance, and sent them to the Nam-hoi Magis- trate. The silk workers were greatly incensed and closed all their shops and went on striks. They sent their complaints to the Magistrate, the Prefect, and the ovincial Judge, and on the 27th instant the athered about two thou- sand of their number go and complain to the Governor. The Governor was greatly surprised and immediately issued a notification to the effect that the Government was ignorant which side was in the right, the soldiers
or the silk workers; but the three silk workers arrested must first be set free and the Nam-hoi Magistrate must carefully examine the case. so as to bring it to the light. It is said that on the 28th inst. the military officer Li Ka-cheuk went in person to the Silk Guild to square the matter.
The Viceroy and the Governor of Canton have issued a notification to the effect that the missionaries are allowed by treaty to go to all places to carry on their work, and that if any one dares to ill-treat the missionaries he is to be severely dealt with.
HONGKONG.
It has been excessively hot during the past week, and everybody must be glad now that the last of the hot months has set in. The inquest on the body of the Chinaman found in Aberdeen Harbour has not yet been concluded, but the Magistrate has expressed the opinion that murder has been committed and that the body found is not that of the missing Customs gig- man. The Sanitary Board met on Thursday, and on the same day an interesting case- Wessel. v. Carlowitz and Co.--was heard in the Supreme Court. At the adjourned hearing verdict was given for the defendants, who, with- out admitting their liability, consented to pay the plaintiff's passage home. slight shook of earthquake on Friday! An important case affecting a compradore's bond has been opened before the Chief Justice; the Bank of China, Japan, and the Straits, Limited, are the plaintiffs, and the executors of the will of Cheung Kai are the defendants.
There was a
H.M.S. Redbreast, which arrived on Friday from Anping, will leave for India after docking. She was detached from the Indian station to join the China Squadron last year.