On Thurkdsy (218t)' at ten o'clock the faculty and/atudeuts of St.' John's-College, together-with the friends of the students anid other visitors, assetnbled in the college chidpel. Among the visitors present were:—The U.S. Consul-General and Mre. Leonard, a Chairman of the Tigutsin Military "Academy, and Dr. V."P. Sivgotig, of the' Kiangnan "Arsenal.
After the opening prayer by the Re L. H. Pott'the students read their essays.
The firat essay was on The Advantages of Physical Culture."
The writer dwelt on ed. the benefits of increased physical vigour as Teading to great efficiency in both manual and intellectual Inbor. The next essay was on" Chinese Politeness" and was mainly occupied with the contrast between apparent and real politeness, and with the difference between China and other nations in politeuess.'The next essay was in Chinese, The last essay was by Zan Foh-kung and was on Advantages of Newspapers" and was as folios Among the many improvements which marked the dawn of the modern era, uews-papers may be classed as an important one, Tu nucient. times, everything had. to. be copied out by the hands of industrious moukein their monasteries, each leaf adding to the price of paper about fifty centa, thus making the: cust of the book very dear. But, at present, not only: books. that, had en so laboriously copied are multiplied rapidly, but even little events that occurred, far or near, are recorded on piece of paper which though it seems to be of little importance, is ut great service to the advancement of a country. The advantages of newspaper are, I thay say; the expansion of knowledge and the increase of wisdom. This may be exemplified in the case of the universal exhibition in America,. If there were no newspapers, how is it possible that uch an event could be made nown to the world in such " short time? By the all of the rapid distribution of newspapers, all-countries-noticed it, and each felt a great, interest in it, and ure trying to rival each other in the grand exposition, Many rich people will un doubtedly make voyages and pay their vi to the place when the exhibition is to be held, while the masses of people left behind can essd about the details in the new: papers. Those who go, after recognising th brilliant spectacle, will return possessing __|in their hearts emulous res, and these will serve as living new what they have observed. By of new: papers, people are things that did or will take place even at the Antipodes. So the knowledge increases wisdom, and wisdom is power, A further advantage is to lessen the terrible results of famines, drought and other calamity For instance, the recent earthqu Japan caused considerable damage: ae suffering to the people, but at" once telegrams were sent, and' the particulars were won related in the newspapers. Relief funds were formed and subsidies were liberally sent for the relief.of the afflicted "people. When the famine took place in Russia the need of the peasants was made known by the newspapers, and vast quantities of grain and money were given to the starving people, so saving 9 a great loss of life by starvation. Thus, the sympathy of one nation towards other nations is manifested, and from sympathy comes mutual love, mutual love gives peace, snd ponce brings happiness. This is largely accomplished by the existence of newspapers. The most important advantage of the newspapers in regard to political affairs is the right of criticising officials. In ancient lieval history, we see that kings were absolute, and did what their ambition and desires ed, and they amused themselves with every sort of extravagance and luxury, and were indifferent. to the sufferings and miseries of the people. High officers followed their example, and lower officers the same, thus causing confuse anarchy, and disorder. in their countries The people had to endure the yoke put on them, and no voice was heard in memorializing'the king, because they. dare not, for soon as their lips began to more off went their heads. Later on, évell.as late as James I. of England, who believed ia} mad the Divine right of "kings © and: the passive obedience of his subjects, this the-scaffold, asserted his belief that a 'Share ithe: shadow of in the.guvernment is nothing: pertaining, to the -people,. How. is it ti present'? If brutal Jaiis Were passed. or: auy unlawful deeds done -by. officials, ab once many, living mouths cry out" through. the newspapers and begin to and condemn them bitter newspapers, are, distributed anion; people,..the. whole mass excited the
standjout for a redress, and reform..: l the people are brought to.aclearer view. of what is. right or. wroug,, and, begin to practice thir. minds in judging; thinge; per-ug to the government. "The people are enlightened and all brought to civilizajseftl and wise citizens will. b izens that makes a country powerful, according to Martin Luther, who said, '<The prosperity of a country depends, not on the abundance of the: revenue, nur on the strength of its fortifications, uor on the beauty of its public buildings, but it: cou-sists in the tumper of its cultivated citizens, in its men of education, enlightment,: and character:; -here are to be found. its. true interest, its chief strength, its real power."
Ven, Archdeacon Thomson then awarded the prizes. The prizes were given as follows; for attendance, to the, two atudents in each class attaining respectively first and second rauk; for the best Chinese essay; for translation of Engligh into Chin-ere and vice versd; for esiuy in Chinese on a given'aubject from Scripture for. proficiency inthe Western sciences. He than addressed a. few. words to the winners of prizes, impressing on, them value of a prize. lies ie-worth. but in_ ite of victory, wot so much over othe as ofsvictory aid discipline over one's sel Bir. Purdon was. introduced, and spoke las follow It is something new in my experience to be addressing the students of a College, and I feel myséle totally, inadequate to compliment paid me by, the request to the task, but I did of, Ike' te decline. the make a few remarks upon Brisantiag the diplonias this morning, and T hive the of the East, of which this 'Colle example, Being " native' of the hemisphere I naturally elie civilization is' the midst "éonduch advancement and happiness of ree pursued by WY. in obtaining thin desired' end,, an blot can be pointed out...
'Yet Tdoubt not thro' the ages Ove increasing purpose ru And. the thoughts, of men are With the process of the sunt,
pushing this object'is to educato'the youths Undoabiediy the surest way' wfyacoomof a. nation, and itis in this: thet T-think St. John's Collegé: deserves'so inch praise snd all the encouragement' tHat-can be given to it.: I.had the good fortune to be present some, thirteen years.ago when the coruer.stone was laid, and all of us who assembled on that occasion mist' ucknowledge, from what we witness to-day, that the success attending the movement then started has been very: great, and to all those who have' been. instrumental: in -bringing this success about, the result- must, be most gratifying. To many who take a euperticial view' it may seem that western -ideds' have ade' little or, 20 itnpressiog: upor: this tales; is: the third of¢h cage the at country. They-are wrong. What;: for
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Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.