CO129-531-10 Hong Kong University- encouragement of Chinese students to counteract American influence 30-5-1931 - 1-9-1931 — Page 92

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We have the widespread belief, then, that somehow or other,

there is enshrined within the Chinese Classical Language itself

all the virtues of the rage, and the neglect therefore of this

cult for it is a form of worship can only be at the expense

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of those virtues and qualities which are reflected in Chinese art,

and in the ceremonial of daily life; all these are, it is felt,

in danger of becoming extinct, if the old system with its emphasis

on ethical and moral principles is displaced. Such supporters of

the old doctrine would not agree then that the language study of

the past was either a mere fetish, or was barren in results.

They would argue that the law abiding ture of the Chinese,

their love of parents, their intense love of peace, their patience

capacity to endure hardship, and their industry were the direct

outcome of such study and the chaos in public life today, lack of

discipline and want of reverence for authority are the price that

is now being paid because of this disloyalty to end desertion of

the old learning. They would no doubt agree that science had been

sacrificed in the past, but would argue that the pattern of the

moral life. which was woven by the people through the study of the

old philosophers was something that gave purpose unity and quality

to the race, and more than compensated for the absence of mechanical

and scientific knowledge. If the clament demand of the Scientist

means the sacrifice, as on first view it appears, it does, of this

well woven pattern then the scientist is incurring a responsibility

which he must at least recognize and not shirk. His answer is

however, that it is the veriest nonsense to assert that the splen-

did qualities of the Chinese had any direct connection with the

old learning, or that the indiscipline of modern times is a neces-

sary concomitant of the new. The pursuit of scientific truth he

asserts is itself a moral training of the highest order for it

disciplines the mind by requiring strict observance of the facts

as they appear to the senses, and creates a reverence for law and