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THE NEED OF MORAL REFORM IN CHINA

By Herman C. E. Liu

Mr. Liu is a graduate of the University of Chicago, now doing research work at Teachers' College, Columbia University.-ED.

China reached a very high stage of civilization ages ago. But during the last few centuries her progress has been exceedingly slow in comparison with that of Western nations.

In order to adjust herself to modern conditions, she has had to bring about many changes. Through the Revolution of 1911 her centuries-old monarchy was overthrown, and a republic was established in lieu thereof. Her ancient examination system of education through which many officials of the former monarchy had been chosen, has been substituted by popular education. Modern schools and colleges have been founded for the common people. Thousands of studetns have been sent abroad in order to acquire Western thoughts and ideas. Her military system has also been modernized. Many of her military leaders have had training in modern schools both at home and abroad.

With these important reforms she must bring about what may be called a moral revolution or reformation. On the one hand she must make adaptable to modern thoughts and ideas many of the valuable ethical and moral doctrines of her sages, that have regulated the conduct of her people for ages; and on the other hand she must introduce many of the worth-while Western ideals and principles of life.

It is only with these fundamental principles that she can hope to stamp out much of the selfishness, greed, and corruption that are existent among her people today, particularly her ruling class; and to substitute for them, honesty, self-denial, patriotism, and other attributes that go to build up noble citizens of a republic.

HUMAN BLINDNESS
By L. S. Loh

In the realm of scientific knowledge the world is in the juncture of a rapid progress. Witness the large number of sciences and scientific societies that are included in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which has just held its seventy-third meeting in the University of Chicago. In the place of seven or eight sciences a few years ago, there are today no less than seventeen separate sciences recognized by this Association. Even such philosophical study as education has lately taken on the scientific garb and formally assumed the title of a science.

This is one side of the picture. Turning from the side of "human knowing" to the side of "human doing,' what a contrast we see! It takes no powerful microscope to discover that the average people of today in their daily relationships are just as conservative, blind, prejudized and traditionally-minded, in a word "unscientific" as they have ever been. The great scientists told us that the basic foundations of modern science are: impartiality, objectivity, openmindedness, suspended judgment and verified conclusion. None of these great virtues of science as well as of human conduct has influenced us to any great extent in our thinking and doing, as will be proved by the following occurrences that have come to the writer's notice.

As a result of the recent Sunday School survey conducted by the Interchurch World Movement, it was revealed that the status of religious education for young people in this country at large is nothing but alarming. The churches are not paying one-tenth as much attention to it as they ought to. One means of remedying the situation would be to pay the Sunday School teachers as a basis of requiring some special preparations on their part for this important work. Thus a certain rich church in the state of Illinois was requested by the pastor to consider this proposition as a means of improving Sunday School instrucion. The matter was finally referred to the Boad of Deacons. Without the least hesitation this group of venerable people reached the following conclusion: "This church shall not pay its Sunday School teachers, because Sunday School instruc

tion is a voluntary service. To have our children receive their religious instruction from hired men-that is something we will be ashamed to do." The question that every sane person wishes to ask is: "What is the difference between paying the pastor and paying the Sunday School teacher? If the adults should have a salaried man to take care of their religious instruction why should not the children?"

(To be concluded.)

"IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE" Charles D. Hurrey

Occasionally one meets a critic who complains that "China is a beggar nation." "It is just one appeal after another for victims of famine, or plague or flood; what is China doing for the world," he inquires, "will there never be an end to these cries for help?"

Such critics are poor students of history; they are usually provincial nationalists with well developed miserly instincts. They do not recognize China's contribution to invention, literature and the moral and religious philosophy of the whole world. So shortsighted is their view and so hardened their hearts that they do not realize the significance of China's commercial possibilities or the spiritual achievements of her people.

It may not be out of place, however, to ask Chinese students. whether the spirit of giving is keeping pace with the pleasure of receiving, as far as the student class is concerned. After four years of study and other privileges in America, Europe or Japan, what is the attitude of Chinese students toward their own people and toward the people of the foreign countries in which they have studied. Too often we hear of students who have received much from their residence abroad, but who are not disposed to sacrifice or serve among their own people; they seem to feel above drudgery and hard work and sometimes declare that their government owes them a living. Such students are a menace to the welfare of any people.

Regarding the attitude toward other nations, I have no doubt that a majorty of Chinese students who have studied in Japan enter

tain feelings of suspicion and even hatred for the Japanese government. However, having received education from Japan, are they not morally obligated to give their best efforts toward helping Japan solve her vexed problems? Is there any solution to be found in continued social and commercial boycott? Are not the fruits of such spirit alienation of many good friends and a reciprocal feeling of hatred?

America is grateful for the friendship with Chinese which has been greatly strengthened by the returning students. The people of China are most generous in declaring that they have received much from the United States and the American people are not slow in recognizing the splendid response of those Chinese who were our fellow students a few years ago; they are to-day boosters of American education, missionary enterprises, industry and trade.

Toward Europe the Chinese have always looked for co-operation in certain lines of education and commerce. The ancient universities of England, Scotland, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland have to-day scattered throughout China their sons, of Chinese parentage. In the heart of these graduates there is love and respect for their Alma Mater and for European culture. A recent evidence of this esteem is the presence of fifteen hundred Chinese students in France.

What can China give to Europe? A labor battalion, two hundred thousand strong, bravely toiled on European soil during the war; generous gifts went forward from the Chinese people for Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. activities. Now European cuture is in danger of extermination through the starvation of students and professors. The World's Student Christian Federation is uniting the students of the world in relieving the suffering of students in Central Europe. Above the smoke of battle we see the majestic figure of Christ, and in the stillness that has followed the cannonading we hear Him say, "Love your enemies." "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Everyone admires the loyalty with which the Chinese students are contributing to the relief of the famine sufferers and we feel confident that these same students will join heartily with others in rescuing those who are perishing in Europe.

WHAT MAGAZINES SAY ABOUT CHINA

CHINESE SHALLOWS AND DEEPS

By John Foord

Asia, February, 1921, pp. 122-124

"In regarding China and the Chinese close at hand, the impression grows on the open-minded observer that we should make better headway in our efforts to help them if we brought to the business less of the consciousness of superiority . . . Young China has been, perhaps, a little too much disposed to relegate the old civilization and all its institutions to the dust heap. In short, the real Chinese is one with the head of a grownup man and the heart of a child, and the Chinese spirit, therefore, is a spirit of perpetual youth, the spirit of national immortality. . . . . The problem for the people of Europe is where to find an effective moral force that will make militarism unnecessary, and the contention is by no means without weight that they find this new moral force in China."

AN AMERICAN IN ASIA: VI. WILLARD STRAIGHT IN THE FAR EASTERN FINANCE

By Louis Groves

Asia, February, 1921, pp. 160-166

This article tells how Willard Straight tried to break down the Russo-Japanese control of Manchuria by building with BritishAmerican or American capital a railway paralleling the Japanese and M. R.

CHINA AND THE WEST

By G. T. Orme

The 19th Century and After, January, 1921, pp. 60-70

"It will be my object to probe rather more deeply into the nature and aims of this civilization which through some 20 centuries has held the affections and guided the lives of a quarter of the population of the world, itself unchanged the while by dissension within, invasion and even subjection from without."

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