The annual meeting of the above named Society was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Municipal Council Board Room, The chair was taken by Mr. J. Purdon, Chairman of the Municipal Coun cil. Among those also present were Right Rev. Bishop Moule, Rev.
Rev. De. Edkins, Rev. W. Muieh Hodges, Rev. T. R. Steves Timothy Richard (Secretary), Messrs, Thorne, G. Jamieson, R. E. Bredow, W. H, Ponto, A. Keumure and J. Med:
The meeting having been opene prayer by Bishop Moule, he Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, observed that one of the p pal things in the rebore was the appoint of the Rev. Timothy Richard as secretary, Which appointment, as well as that of the Executive Commictee, would need eontirmation. Their thanks were due to the society of which Mr. Richard is a mem ing him to take up the duties of Secretary, and to him for undertaking the wor!
Richard was too well known tv need niendation from him (the speaker under his auspices the object of the Society would no doubt be well and fully carried out. That ubject, the dissemination of literature, was of incalculable value with a reading and thinking people like the Chinese; and if the Society accomplished only a tithe of the objects which their Secretary had set down, they might congratulate themselves very much. They could not hope to do a great deal in a day; all they could hope was that when they had passed away the seed they had helped to sow would bring forth a harvest which would be creditable to Western civilisation. Referring to the accounts, the Chairman pointed out that the comparatively large balance in hand was and it was carried.
The Rev, Dr. Edkins moved That this meet porters of the Society for th encourages the extension of the work in the preparation of much needed books and magazines for the jou of the Chinese on a ry of important subjects connected with their we id the ulation ing the Chinese officials, stuilents and others: and further, this meet: ing earnes: ly hopes that liberal assistance will en by foreigners and Chinese for the out of these important objects.
weaker said there were already ten or twelve provinces in which special efforts had been made to distribute useful litera-the students at the examina-tis work should be extended to all the provinces, and they ought, with the means at their disposal, to place such literature in the hands of the high otticials, who were more open now than ever befo to receive impressions for good. In addition to imparting knowledge of our religion, we have to teach the Chinese healthy polities and healthy social opinions, towards which work every one should try to do something.
The Rev. Dr. Allen, in seconding the motion, observed that there was far more implied in the efforts to reach the Literati, scattered over the provinces, than might, be thought.
China was supposed to be an autocracy governed om Peking. That was true in an adm 5 but Pekin, had to get its information in many cases from the provinces, and it was found that many i specially those affecting interna ins, were referred to officials the provinces. AtShanghai alone there were no less than three cullages in the city. On of these institutions had to do largely with international questions, which it took up for discussion from time to time. Large prizes were offered for essays on these subjects; and the essays were frequently tinted and placed on sale. The Wan wob Kung Puo (Review of the Times) was regularly subscribed for by the Tsungli Yamen and was read by Prince Ch'un during his lifetime; and from time to time the high officials had expressed opinions with regard to the subjects discussed in it. He thought they had reason to be encuuraged to continue this kind of work, The Right Rev. Bishop Moule moved a vote of thanks to the Executive Committee for their labours during the year and especially to the retiring Secretary, the Rev. W. Muirhead, remarking that knowing what it meant merely to read a Chinese book, he felt the labour of making one was very serious indeed. Ihe courage of the Executive Committee could not be too highly praised, and gratitude fur it could nut be too fervidly expressed, The Rev. T. R. Stevenson seconded the motion, and it was carried.
Mr. R. E. Bredon moved, Mr. Thorne seconded, and it was resolved, That the names of Mr. N. J. Hannen, Mr. G.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.