Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-10-18

FOR HIS TEMPORARY ABDICA-
TION OF THE THRONE-PRO-
GRESS OF THE NATION.
Rev. DR.. Chalfant referred to in the
following article from last nights Pitts
burg Chronicle-Tele graph, was formerly
pastor of the Bridgeport and Martin s
Ferry Presbyterian churches, and is
remembered with love and sincere re-
spsct by hundreds of his former par
lshonlers in those towns, as well as by
many Wheeling people.
The Presbyterian Ministers Associa-
ton this morning was turned into a
reception to Rev. DR.. George w. Chal-
FAINT, just home from his seven months,
trip to China. Rev. DR.. George n.
Johnston sidetracked his paper on The
Ministry in order to give Dr. Chaltant
the right of way to talk on emma,
which he did in a most interesting
manner for over half an hour. DR..
Chalfant explained the causes OF the
present complications in the Chinese
empire.
No people in the world adore learn
ing, as they understand 1t, as GO the
Chinese, he said. For thousands OF
years they have had their elaborate
curriculum, through which Chlnese
students must plod their way be de-
grees. In the great university at Pc
kin there are 10000 stalls, like the
voting places at the Pennsylvania polls,
in which the students are shut up, one
in a stall, with nothing before him but
pencil and paper. In order to graduate,
while shut up he must write an essay
of several thousand words, made up
exclusively of quotations from the chi
nese classics, many of them 3,00O years
old. The essay is submitted to chi
nese mogul, who as absolute power IN
the case If the applicant passes, 1t
graduates his ancestors from way back
and gives him carte blanche to hold
high office, anything from a common
magistrate to the commander OF an
army.
An attempted innovation on this
hoary custom is what has made all the
disturbances in China to-day, DR.. Chal-
FAINT said. The young emperor, very
vigorous, progressive fellow, is iona
of modern literature, and especially Of
science He has his servants noslng
constantly into book stores of Pekln
for modsrn works on science. He pro-
mulgaoet. a decree that the students
should hereafter give in their essays
disquisition on chemistry and other
branches of modern science. This
caused an immediate uprising IN all
China, which is easily understood when
we remember the traditional venera-
ton of the Chinese for what is anti
quated. Before the storm of opposition
the young emperor has been compelled
practically to abdicate the throne for
time But all students of the situation
are confident he will return to power,
as China has taken a start in reforma-
ton, "and reformation never goes
backward" DR.. Chalfant says.
There is also decided demand for
improved trade relations with other
nations. They especially want more
intimate relations with the United
States. By counting them they find
\ tho set more nails in keg from the
Unl5selu6istes tbt2>they get from Eng
Germany. They get electrical
appaiVftttis from Pittsburg and use the
Westinghouse airbrake on their rail-
roads, which does not disturb the bones
of the dead Chinese, as did the old
time brake. They still go slow en- the
railroads but the start is made and
soon the empire will be crossed with
national lines.
DR.. Chalfant regards the Chinese as
the most wonderful people in the world
in many respects. They have splendid
physiques and look very different on
their native soil from the almond
eyed opium smokers of San Francisco
and New York. Shanghai Dr. Chalfant
regards as one Of the finest cities in
the world, up-tO-date in all respects.
They have asphaltum paved streets,
electric lights, street cars, the hnest
shops full of fine goods, and a large
population of accomplished followers.
The doctor went far into the interior,
where it was somewhat dangerous for
an American or European to penetrate.
He did not stop until he gazed on the
great Chinese wall which he saw start
at the edge of the water, cross gullies,
climb I'D the steep mountains and
stretch on far out of sight. The wall
ds imposing, massive, and striking
commentary on the characteristic eX-
clusiyeness and caution of the Chinese
people.
Dr.. Chalfant has two sons mission
aries in China, whom he visited at
their Respective oUdllOuAo' IN iiDNN
an address at the meeting of the North
ern Synod of China. With his long
beard, his venerable appearance, the
father Of two highly respected sons,
DIR. Chalfant at once got on a high
pedestal in the estimation of the Chin
eee. who have great veneration for the
aged. and for the father of boys. He
had many amusing experiences ON his
trip. For the most of the time the
doctor was accompanied by his wife,
who was carried on a Chinese palan-
ouin, borne by four strong Chinese.
She found it & novel but very comfort
able. if somewhat slow, mode Of trav-
ell. Although not in the best of health,
Mrs. Chalfant stood the trip well, but
both are glad to be at home, and they
thank God more than ever that they
are Americans.
There were many strange ministers
at the meeting this morning to hear
DIR. Chalfant, among whom were Rev
DR.. John A. Marquis, of Greensburg,
and Rev. Thomas c. Cooper, of Con-
gruity.