The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1911-06-01
TIE Awalksaing a Chins
By EiixAfeth Hih,nsan

terial side of civilization has been re-
Gently gratified by the rapid develop
ment of South America and South
Africa. The burKhers are practically
self governing thanks TO the wise CO.
Ionial policy Of great Britain. Japan
also from \ hermit nation of half =
century ago, has become world power
presenting . formidable front to all
trespassers in the Pacific. 'China
Waking Up" has been the keynote of
every thing written about the Middle
Kingdom for the preceding decade but
this is a matter of history now for
Chira is awake! China formerly shut
in by the Great Wall. symbol Of iso-
lation; China. the stronghold of Con
fucian conservatism: China. oppressed
by the despotic rule of the "SOn of
Heaven becomes now China of the
open Door" China. the eager imbiber
of European ideas of science and rcli-
gion; China, fast gaining constitution
al government and altogether giving
promise of an unparalleled evolution
educationally, socially. economically
and politically.
The Educational awakening has con-
sisted in the breaking away from old
ideas and systems of learning. Under
the old regime. Ia Chinese boy spent
the first five years of his school life in
learning a thousand individual charac-
tiers or signs. He then began to mem
orize the ''Trimetrical Classics. a
book of ancient proverbs, and surnames.
He completed his classical course by
several prolonged examinations uncom-
fortably housed in the narrow examina-
ton cell-fortunate if his health was
sufficient TO tide him over this ordeal
Indeed on account of the rigidity of
these exams only few participators
are able to pass them: thus education
come to be regarded as the privilege
of gifteq few not as the right of all.
Now this classical system taught
nothing of the sciences: nothing of geo.
graphy or history outside of China:
nothing of mathematics in the higher
brances. Its main object was to enable
the student to write d learned essay or
a faultless poem and thereby to secure
the last decade China's education has
sioried in this very narrowness and in
the fac, that the learning which is offer
ed was absolutely free from the adul-
teration OF modern spirit. We cannot
ttiS as Il GOtlSVIs
vation- Advancement under such a
method was impossible. At last
Chinese officials preceiv.d this fact as
clearly shown by the Edict of 1905.
At one blow, the exclusively classical
and literary program was swept away,
made sacred though it was by the
traditions of unrumbered centuries.
and new system established similar to
that of European nations.
Foreign help and suggestion have
been welcomed: there has been an en-
thusiastic adoption of physical culture.
American professors have been offered
the presidencies of government school
of commerce, engineering and
agriculture which has been established
thru out the provinces. All of these
scientific innovations mark complete
revolution In the educational life of
China.
But all reforms, educational or
otherwise. have been bro't about thru
the religious missions acting as a
leavening force in the mass of this
eager yellow population During the
past thirty years the number of native
Christians has been increased by six
hundred per cent but bare tifures give
no expression of the tremendous NOM
entum which Christianity has gained
and which no statistical reports can
attempt TO exhibit.
In view of all these facts surely a
great and importan1 advance in Sc
cUlar religious education has been mad
in China, the weight of which advance
is a;tes,ed by the well know advice OF
our own stateman Geo Washington:
of all the habits he cautions.
(which lead to political prosperity, re-
ligiou ard morality are Indispensable
support He says further. Promote
then, as an object of primary import
ance, Institutions for the general def
fusion OF knowledge In proportion as
public opinion determines the structure
of a government it is essential that
public opinion shonid be enlightened. =
Social advancement in China has had
for its promoter, a great giant of in
tellect and hero of achievement. Viceroy
Chang who says IN little book of
advice to his peo pie
The first step of reform is to throw
away your opium pipes.
The second unhind the feet of YOUR
women
Opium makes our soldiers weak.
The crippling of women makes their
offspring weak
Superstition prevents the opening of
minds and keeps China poor.
The Chinese seem to have caught
Chanss impulse and are now fully com
nitted to progress along these social
lines mapped on; by him.
The Anti Opium war Instituted by a
decree recently passed by the govern
nlent, is being carried on With all pos
sible severity, Authorities state that
next after the change of base in edu-
cation. this brave effort to suppress
nouoral vice ranks as the most
brilliant in a long series of refomatory
movements,
The Natural Feet Society was start
ed some years ago by English mission
aries. on its tenth anniversary was
turned over into the hands of an in
tiuentisl Chinese organization which is
enthusiastically pushing it.
A still more recent and very not
able event has occurred in China Ry
imperial rescript the Chinese govern
nlent has abolished slavery throughout
81 ~.