The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-10
PEERS SON WILL
] TRY TO CONVERT
! CHINESE PEOPLE.
THINKS he HAS MISSION TO
cHRIsTIANiZE EMPIRE WILL
FOUND UNIVERSITIES SCION
OF LORD SALISBURY.

LONDON, Feb. 9.-To westernize
the east by means OF a Christian uni
versity in China, which will teach the
Chinese the principles OF good govern
ment and a knowledge of the gospel
Is the ambitious object OF the Rev
Lord william Cecils visit to China
next month.
The reverend gentleman. who holds
his noble title through courtesy. Is the
son OF the late Lord Salisbury, former
prime minister OF England. He Is
now the rector OF Hatfield, the historic
seat OF the Cecils. Speaking of his
proposed trip. Lord William said
II am going out rs the representa-
tive OF a very Influential committee,
composed OF Oxford and Cambridge
university undergraduates, 10 try TO
assist. if possible. al the foundation OF
IA religious, Christian and educational
university, which is intended 10 be
means OF bringing happiness TO the
millions OF Chinese now In misery, by
teaching them the principles or good
(. government and, what is more I'M
Lportant, by bringing a knowledge OF
the gospel to all.
"We hope that this university VIII
train the statesmen who Will guide
China through the difficult period or
awakening and reform which is before
her. Whether we can succeed or not
IN founding such an institution is III
Gods hands, but all we can say IS
that we have hope. and it is certainly
worth while by going out TO China 10
try to make that hope reality.
Desire for Education.
81 am going TO find out first OF all
the best town in which to start the
mission, and also whether II will be
advisable that the mission shall be
attached TO an existing institution
English or American-or wehther II
WILL be possible TO start one independ-
emily.
t"I understand that in China, at the
present time, there Is a real and
great desire for western education
but the western education which she
has received hitherto, especially al
Toxic, has been associated with such
materialistic teaching as to render IL
very demoralizing, and as such is nat
ufally disliked by all thoughtful Chi
nese Of all shades OF opinion.
ION the other hand there can be no
question that western knowledge Is an
absolute necessity, and our desire Is
TO assist in a great movement that has
all eady been made to give 10 China
western knowledge Associated with
Christianity
THE committee is interdenomina-
tional having representatives OF all
the leading denominations. To men,
ton a few names, there are Sir T.
Satow, the Rev. j. Carter. the bishop
OF Bombay the Rev Canon Foakes-
Jackson, the Rev. Or. Barber, and
about Is other well-known men.
There is no doubt that China Is
waking from her lethargy. but the re-
cent change in her policy may pro-
fUundly affect all our plans. The fall
Of the progressive leader Is like bolt
from the blue. and II is quite impos-
sible to try TO form an idea OF what
wide-reaching effect that may have.
Awakening Of China.
krOur plans may perhaps fail
through this change, not because they
have not been well conceived, but be-
cause we may find that. under The
existing circumstances, TINS Is not the
right moment for US to begin our
mission.
"There is no doubt that the awak-
ing OF China has been brought about
by the improved means OF commrnica-
ton with this and other countries. You
see, we have come nearer TO each
other, and are now only about 10 days
Journey away by the land route
through Siberia. am going TO China
that way, as it will save much val
liable time, and / am anxious TO get
there as quickly as possible. Then
shall be able to consider what Is best
TO be done.
1T is only within the last few years
that the eastern mind has changed
suddenly from an intense dislike OF
western ideas to a very much more
favorable attitude, 30 that now the
church has an opportunity. which IL
may never have again, Of winning that
vast nation to Christianity. | only
hope We may be successful"