In presenting their Annual Report for the year 1870, the Committee of Managers of the Shanghai Female School Society congratulate the friends who ce-operate in this undertaking, on the satisfactory _position which this institution is beginning to assume.
Through the liberality of our President, the school has now a local habitation every way convenient and suitable for its purposes. The premises outside the West Gate of the city were first occupied at the beginning of May last; and since that time chapel-wing has been added, so that Sunday Services can be held, as well as Daily Prayers, and thus our Institution is becoming a virtual centre from which Christian influences may radiate through all the surrounding neighbourhood. This tendency has already shown itself in the establishment, close by, of a DaySchool and a Free Dispensary, which though not formally connected with our Society, yet give completeness to that comprehensive scheme of beneficence which we must all desire to see exemplified im our midst. A glance at the subscription list will shew that, although the number of Pupils has been increased to twenty-five, the funds have sufficed to meet all current expenses and still leave a balance of $315.98 in hand at the end of the year. As we have no reason to apprehend any falling off in the interest hitherto manifested, we recommend that the numbers be now filled up to thirty, as originally contemplated. There can beno risk in doing this, although of course our expenses will be proportionately increased, and there will be need of the services of an additional teacher. These points, however, may safely be left to the good judgment of our successors in office, to whom we hand over our trust with the confidence that the year will close with prospects as bright as those with which it opened.
As officers for the current year, the nominations are as follows President—Mrs. Butowax.
Laily-Visitors Mrs. Fearox. Mrs. Probst. Mrs. Sewarp. Mrs. N. Méttrr.
Treasurer Mr. R. J. Feanox Auditor Mr. D, Rew.
Trustees. Secretary Rev. E. W. Syte.
Many incidents of an interesting character have occurred during the past year, in connection with the individual history of the Pupils; but details of this kind can hardly be made the subject of a Report. Good progress has been shown in their studies, and much improvement is obserable in their general appearance and manners. In their studies, which are chiefly in the Scriptures, a marked advance has been made as to acquiring an intelligent understanding of what they read; and. to the duties of household work, including washing, cooking, care of wardrobe &c., some good degree of attention has been aid. "Three of the most promising are learning to read in English, and four are being taught the rudiments of music, so that they can lead the singing in the chapel. Knitting, crochet and plain needlework are taught; the children make up their own clothes, bedding &c., and something (about$11) has been realized from the sale of work they have done. Some little diiculty was experienced—especially about the time of the Tientsin troubles—in securing from the relatives the signature of those Bonds required by the 5th Rule of the constitution; but that has been overcome, and no serious hindrance need now be anticipated, unless it be from the dangers and embarrassments which spring from too much success. In a very few years we may expect that, instead of haying to seck for pupils, we shall be receiving applications from parents who are willing to pay a premium for the admission of their children into such schools as ours. Then it will become a practical question as to what steps should next be taken in the mental disenthralment of the "Daughters of China."
On behalf of the Committee of Managers, Evw. W. Syuz, Shanghai, 14th Feb.
Sveretary. 1871.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.