Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 250

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Chinese Seminary. Batavia

APRIL.

prizes. At that examination the learners were required to repeat any given passage in the Four Books of Confucius, to explain it in the colloquial dialects, and then to write it off without looking at the ori- ginal; which if well done would present a tolerable proof of the ex- tent and accuracy of their acquaintance with the Chinese author. No prize was awarded unless these three things were promptly and correctly done, and though the boys had only a week's notice of the examination, they acquitted themselves as well as those whose atten- tion was solely directed to Chinese studies.

On the 2d of February, an examination was held in the English language, when the boys replied to a number of queries on Christian doctrine, displayed a familiar acquaintance with the general geogra phy of Europe, aud answered from memory all the questions in the English Grammar, published by the Irish Board of Education, regard ing the various parts of speech, from the article to the interjection, which could not be done without possessing a complete knowledge of the whole. They were also prepared with a treatise on natural his- tory, which they had committed to memory, and with some transla- tious of their own from Malay into English, which there was not time to hear. Several of the boys, however, were called up, and asked to read in an English book which they had never before seen, and this they did not only fluently and well, but rendered it at bidding into Malay, or gave the meaning of difficult English words by more fami- liar expressions, without hesitation. In arithmetic they have advanced to reduction of money, weights, and measures; and though their pen- manship is not elegant, they are ready scribes, having to write out in English a great part of what they learn. Their dispositions are do- cile and industrious, quarreling is seldom heard of, and theft is un- known. They have a full persuasion of the impropriety of worshiping idols, and say that they believe in the doctrines of the Gospel. The seeds of Divine truth have, however, been implanted in their minds, and may we not hope that their confidence in heathen systems will not only be shaken, but that by the teaching of the Holy Spirit they will be brought at no very distant period to see the importance of giving their hearts to God, and believing in his Son Jesus Christ?

The sympathies and assistance of a Christian and benevolent pub- lic are solicited in behalf of these interesting youths; such an under. taking, it is evident, cannot be conducted without expense. As far as the instruction is concerned we may look for aid to London Mis- sionary Society; but they expect, and not without reason, that while Their Board provides the means of imparting knowledge, the funds