The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-08-01
Dean of Christian University
Says Christianity Is Spread
ing Among People.
REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF
GOVERNMENT IS PROMISED
Work of Missionaries Bears
Fruit to Extent That Is EX-
tremely Gratifying.

The Rev. l.. B. Ridgely. a. former resi-
dent of Salt Lake city but now or WI
Chang China, is visiting here for few
days He spoke at st. Paul's Episcopal
church Sunday morning. his subject be-
ing "The Changes Now Going On in
China"
Mr. Ridgely left Salt Lake about
twelve years ago and Is much pleased
with the progress and improvements
which he notes. His work In China has
been that of an instructor In the mis-
Sionary schools and colleges there. he be-
ing now dean of the divinity college Of
Boone university, at Wu Chang, China.
Mr., Ridgely reports this work as
agreeable and instructive. The Chinese
the better class, that Is. they arc the
class that is seeking an education, About
third OF the boys are Christians and
the remainder come from heather fami-
lies. The college faculty works on the
principle that religion viii stand cduca-
tion and that education tends toward the
uplifting of morality, whether the stu
dent Is a Christian or not. They find
that this system bears fruit. many OF the
boys becoming Christians after complct
Ing their course in college, while all OF
thom leave with much higher idea OF
morality. When asked If he found the
Chinese like white people Mr.. Ridgely
replied; "Ycs. like very good white peo-
pie
Educational System Changed.
The whole educational system of China
has just been changed. and officially
changed. New schools and colleges. mod
cled after those in America are being
established, still many of the Chinese
parents continue TO patronize the church
schools. because they say that the moral
atmosphere there is better The divinity
school OF which Mr. Ridgcly is dean.
Is conducted in English. and is. similar
to graduate school In this country. only
graduates from the collegiate department
being admitted.
Speaking OF the changes going on in
China. Mr.. Ridgely mentioned the pro-
gramme of the late empress dowagcr.
which promised representative govern
ment 10 the people OF China within ten
years from that time. which was two
years ago. He said that the provincial
assemblies. which met last October for
the first time. all asked TO have repre-
sentative government in less than that
time. although the conservative people
think that the time set viii be as soon
as the people are ready for such govern
ment,
Danger Of Revolution Remote.
There is NOT much danger of revolu-
ton because those who advocate il have
practically no organization and there Is
no unity among them, The young Chi
nesc are coming to disregard the teach
ings OF Confuclus and the old ideas and
customs which have been stumbling
block 10 them so long.
Speaking Of the government schools.
Mr.. Ridgey said that here were good
inducements offered for teachers the
main drawback being that the work is
more that of the beginner than that OF d
college man. Thus. college men go there
10 teach technical work and find that
they must first teach the rudiinents of
the English language.
Mr. RIdgely leaves for San Francisco
Monday and expects TO depart for China
on September Z.