581
Morrison Education Society.
•
Oct.
1
But what most dissociates the Chinese colonists from the great mass of the nation, is the fact that their children in those situations, having foreign mothers, know almost nothing of the language of their fathers. I have seen a group of 30 boys or more, from the age of ten to thirteen or fourteen years, of whom only one could speak a word of Chinese beyond the names of a few of the most familiar objects. In general, this language is as foreign to them as it is to us, and if they ever learn it, they must do it in the same way that we do. It is essential to the success of this Society, sir, that the pupils in its schools should be thoroughly versed in their own literature; otherwise they can never transfuse into it the knowledge which they derive from foreign sources, nor can they be respected among a people, where extensive literary attainments are the only way to eminence and distinction. It seems to me almost impossible, in ordinary circum· stances, that a boy born and brought up in a colony, should rise to a station of commanding influence in China. If he makes tolerable attainments in the dialect of his neighborhood he will do well.
I am sure that the members of this Society concur with me in the sentiment that the post for us is here; that our point of attack, all friendly as it is, should be in China itself and nowhere else.
The benevolent originators of this association were most judicious in determining to approach as near as possible to the Chinese with the blessings of education in their hands, to offer for their reception. Here in the name of the Society would I stand; by all laudable means endeavoring to convince them of the value of these gifts, and in this service, I am ready to toil until I die.
Mr. Dent then rose and said:-I have now to submit the following proposition for the consideration of the meeting, and I should do so with much more confidence and satisfaction if we had a fuller attend-
ance.
"Resolved-That the trustees be requested to take measures for the increase of the annual subscribing members, and the donations to the funds of the Society, and to procure an additional teacher, with reference to the prospect and desirableness of an extension of pupils."
The points embraced in this proposition would appear to fall with- in the province of the trustees, and under ordinary circumstances they certainly would, nor does it arise from any difference of opinion amongst us as to their desirableness, that we have not acted in the niatter. But the gentlemen of the meeting will recollect that the present trustees have retained office for the last two years from the necessity of the case-during that period they have not hesitated to