The delightful grounds of St. John's College, the renowned hospitality of the College ladies, and a lively appreciation of the splendid' work.of the faculty, combined. to attract a largo number of well-Imown Shanghai residents to Jessfield on the occasion. of the closing exercises of that Institution on Tuesday. Very many Chinese friends of the students were also present.
During the serving of refreshments, the students, heated -by their excellent band, paraded on the Lawn in front of the build: ings, for an Inspection Drill. The Coi looking extremely workmanlike in their neat uniforms, and carrying. arms as to the manner born, went through a variety of military evolutions ins fashion which reflected the greatest credit upon the Drill Master and Officers. The student in command, Mr. Yan -Ang-sung, is to be commended. upon the soldier-like promptitude with which his commands were given and obeyed. The fact that this Inspection was conducted entirely by the students speaks forcibly not only of the excellence of their instruction, but Rae Sate Girection of a ssuest energetic bandmaster capacity to profit by the same. Under the
the band added to the enjoyment of this opening part of the proceedings.
College: Quatrazgle' for the closing exercises The company then adjourned to the
proper. After the..opening. bymn- and prayer, the President, the Rev. F. H. Pott, B: D., in the name of the masters and students welcomed the visitors to the College. He reminded' his audience that to-day they were celebrating the jubilee of the educational work of the American Church Mission in China. Fifty years ago the first Bishop Boone opened " small school in Hongkew. In fifty years that small school had made such progress as twas evidenced by the position of St. John's College to-day. This educational work was one of the most valuable aids conceivable to the evangelization of China, Daring its history the Colleze had sent out men to serve their country as scholars and officials
such a man as the Into Rev. Y. K. Yen, to and had: had the, privilege of producing whose sterling worth of character and great ability he was glad to testify. As the largest of American Universities, Harvard, hed grown from a Mission College for Indian students, so he hoped daring the next fifty. years St. John's would become a University of the empire of China. To this end he asked their friends to strive that their college might live to dissemmate light and truth." (Cheers.)
Sir Nicholas J. Hannen, who was received with loud applause, said he had need to apologise for inability to deliver an adequate address, His interest in educational work however was very wreat. The knowledge of education which was his had been acquired-as a man of the world. For himself, his best education had been received aprond. What he learned in Publi School and University life was chiefly fuential in what it enabled him to enquire elsewhere. From observation of lie and for the help of those who were nob prize winners he could say that men who had failed to gain the prizes of the schools were often those who-had won in after life the prizes of the world. School time was the time of the sharpening of the tools with which men carved their way to their life successes Here in school, they should earn to quicken their minds that they might be ready and able to work there, in the world. "What students chiefly learned was ability to adapt their minds to great and useful purposes. He was glad.to congra-tulare the president and staff on the e: cellent work of the College. In expressin hhis delight with the inspection they had witnessed he was led to observe that the cultivation of the body was a very necessary thing. He trusted that in their games they learnt the incalculable value of the Principle of association. Though he was afraid his speech might be likened to that of Lord Russell's of which Lord Derby said there was mit much that was new and much that was true, but that "what was new was not true and what: was-true was not new," yet he felt. it a privilege to thank the College authorities for the work they were doing. hose who were educating the youth of China were he believed shaping the resuscitation of a great nation. (Applause.)
The Rev. G. F. Fitch of the American Presbyterin Mission Press then delivered an address to the students in Chinese on the dangers of pride and the benefits of humid An adaptation of 'a classic Chinese. play ~The Beggar Prince," translated we understand by the Rev. F. H. Pott, was then presented by a number of the senior students. The performance was a highly meritorious one, and showed a high appreciation fon the part of the students of the niceties. of the English Language. To igle the name of any-of those taking part for especial. commendation were invidious when such a standard of excellence was attained.
The prizes gaitied during the session were then distributed to the successful students: by the President, who afterwards declared the College closed for the holidays. The meeting was concluded with cheers for -the masters-who in their-arduous task have merited and receive the gratitude of all who are interested in the regeneration and welfare of China.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.