The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-04-18


bic Society, says of recent visit to the north that
he was astonished to find how far-reaching the re-
form movement He found schools thirty or
forty in number and with from sixteen to twenty
thousand pupils which were teaching new and less
cumbersome form of writing. A newspaper was be-
ing issued in the character and many books Yet
a few years ago would have dared to sug-
gest change in the printed character Rev. Ar
mold Foster writes in the January number of the
Chinese Recorder of the in the provincial
capital of Wuchang, college and school buildings
have been going up in all parts of the city Large
vacant spaces that two three years ago open
ed to the public, have been fenced in for college
grounds. Book shops abound, in which maps, dia-
grams and Western school books etc, are on sale.
In fine depot maintained by the viceroy all sorts
of educational apparatus, from slate pencil to 4
manakin can be had at reduced rates. In the camps
new generation of men is being trained in habits of
prompt obedience and disciplined action, of which
their fathers knew nothing" And all this is taking
place greater less extent throughout the emu
pire. The Chinese awaking, too to the value OF
education for women. Whereas the mission schools
Tor girls have heretofore been the only organizeu
agency for the education of women now schools for
girls operated by the Chinese themselves are SPRING
ing up in towns and cities in all directions I'm this
whole movement, as in many other instances, the
work and method of missionaries are having their
leavenlng effect Until few years since mission
presses were the only places where school text books
were published. Now Independent Chinese publish
ing houses scattering text books by the millions
throughout the eighteen provinces, and they are on
all conceivable subjects language study mathematics
history the sciences, political economy evolution ag-
nostlclsm, and so Those who fitted to teach
modern branches, including graduates from mission
schools, are in demand at high salaries. The old
system OF literary examinations has passed away.
There Is no more significant sign of the times in
China The great provincial examination halls are
either being turned into schools or are neglected
relic OF the glory that is past l saw the one IN
Hangchow crumbling away, and told that it is
for sale whether there be knowledge it shall be
done away. There is a desire after the new and the
new, whatever it be, will mould the future destiny of
this empire.
6. Idolatry IS beginning to crumble Not that
superstition is losing its hold on any apprecable
number of individuals. Idolatrous practices prevail
more less in all Chinese homes that are not Chris
tan. But idoatry is losing its grip 1t is not an
uncommon thing to find thinking Chinese who dis
claim belief in geomancy and other superstitious
rites with the exception of ancestral worship. From
all quarters comes that temples being turn
ed into schools In some cases idols are by official
order being thrown in the canal by the cartoad In
Snchang, for instance the greater parts of two tenn
pies have recently fallen down and the people saw:
There Is no one to repair them now" In Dong
shang on Christmas day, which happened to be holi-
day also in the government school, students from that
school went into the city temple and wantonlv de-
strOyed idols to the value three or four hundred
dollars. Some wise shake their heads the peo-
pie in general laugh and the magistrate is powerless
because the act had the secret support of the chief
men OF the city. This is the spirit of restless change
that is abroad in the land The people are beginning
to dstrust the supposed gods that have bound them
IN fear for long centuries. What an opportunity for
the proclamation of the gospel
Z. The open door. While the commercial interests
OF the Western world demanding "the open door"
for trade in China there is no hinderance to the
preaching OF the gospel God has made the open door
Tor his people everywhere. Heretofore the rich and
the influential have merely tolerated the mission
aries. Now they taking them on to a social
equality with themselves and thus there is an op-
portunity to preach Christ in places that were closed
against his messengers before Jesus Christ is tho