The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-26
CHINA AND THE CHINESE.
Lec.:are Of Rev. n. Z. simmons 1t hicn-
mond College.

twenty wears Baptist missionary rom the
United States to China. In In the city. lie
preached at the First Baptist Church Sunday
morning to crowded house. AT night he
nreacbed at the Venable-street Baptist
Church. His subject at both churches was
upon his missionary work In China.
Mr.. simmons station is at Canton, China,
and his work has been grand one. Thou
sands OF heather Chinese have been con-
yerted under his able preaching.
Last night, upon the invitation Of the
chairman Of the faculty. he delivered an
address at Richmond College. His subject
was ''China and the Chinese"
THE CHINESE MANNER OF LIVING.
After a few preliminary remarks Mr..
Simmons proceeded to give minute de-
scripuon OF the Chinese. Referring to their
manner Of living the speaker SAID: 1.-The
Chinese are very supersttious race. They
build their hsuses very close together, but
do not build them even. Their object for
erecting them uneven1y is that they say IL
they are built smoothly the good spirit will
pass by and not visit them. Their streets
are very narrow, about eight feet wide. and
their residences have no yards, but are
built close up to the street. They always
live i'm towns, and have no country resi-
dences. Their houses ale built exclusively
of brick. for they have scarcely any timber.
"A number Of families always live in the
same house. and have only one entering
doorway. and never build house with
more than one story"
CANTON.
Continuing the speaker said:
"tant0n is a city of over a million and a
quarter Of inhabitants, and is scarcely six
miles long and only two miles wide, not
covering as much ground as Richmond.
There are some advantage, however. in haY-
ing narrow streets for they prevent all street
walking AT night Each night at = o'clock
the streets are closed. 4 gate is stationed
at each entrance, and those are closed, thus
preventing any passing at night.
At dark each evening all the business
houses and shops are closed ana no
work is done in the evening. In this they
set us good example, for they sleep az
night and work all day.
CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
Chinese government il based solely upon
education. Government positions are eX-
tended only 70 those who are what they con-
slider and term the tterdti. Their educa-
ton is very poor as general thing; very
few of the men can read their language in
telligently. and the women never have any
advantage Of education. The children go
to school seven or eight years and spend
most OF their time in memOrizing the
writings Of others and committing
the alphabet, which numbers over fifty
thousand words, without understanding
anything they m"moriZe. The majority OF
the people are very poor and are unable %
educate their children. Those who are able
10 educate themselves do it only with the
view Of securing a government position.
When student has attained the third de-
gree he is eligible ~ any office. When he
attains 10 the second degree he can secure a
position as Judge, and the first degree adj
mts him 10 the position Of magistrate and
aud other minor positions in the govern
mcnt. At school the Chinese stu
dent is required 10 write essays,
and is never allowed 10 express any
thoughts of his own. but must quote Chinese
writers, particularly the writings OF Con
fucius. who is regarded as the authority for
all education. In fact the great difficulty
with the Chinese, il that they look altogether
IN the past and never think of the future.
The number Of their graduates are limited.
The managers decide each year upon a
number 10 graduate. and when that num-
Der is counted, all others are cut Oh.
CORRUPT GOVERNMENT.
Their government il very corrupt. The
position Of Governor pays ia our money
about $4,000 and any man is willing To
pay $4,000 for it for three years, and they
always look over their receipts and see bow
much money they want, and average their
taxes accordingly.
THEIR MODE or MARRYING
is very singular. Their mothers and fathers
arrange the marriage for their children, and
they have no say in the matter. Marriages
occur from twelve TO twenty years old.
Men always buy their wives, who are con-
sidered ~ slaves. All the fathers bring up
the daughters for, is TO sell them and get the
money.
CHINESE WORSHIP.
The speaker then gave a description Of
the worship Of the Chinese. But all their
praying their idols, he never saw one per-
son come away with joyful counienance
or seemed 10 lie satisfied.
After Mr.. simmons had concluded his |
address he invited any person i'm the |
TO ask him any question about the |
subject, and ii would be gladly answered. |
Quite a number pr0pounded questions all /
Of which were promptly answered.