H.E. Lu Hai-huan was then introduced by the Chairman and addressed the meeting in Chinese. His remarks were translated into English by Mr. Wen Tsung-yao, as follows:
I feel if 1 great pleasure to be invited by the kindness of Timothy Richard to take the Bart in this meeting of the Society for iffusion of Christian and General Knowledge among the Chinese. At present the Chinese Government has ordered schools for Western sciences to be established throughout all the provinces in the Ewmpire as a means for producing men of ability and talents. But the number of Chinese who are able to study Western sciences in foreign languages is still very learned scholars from the West to teanclate small. We, therefore, solely rely upon
useful books into the Chinese language so that they may be used as text-books in all the new schools in China. In this way these institutions will he enabled to turn out men of ability and talents for the service of the country doubly fast.
is true that our young men can also got a Western education by going abroad. in that case they must first study a foreign language. Buta foreign language cannot be thoroughly mastered in less than five years' time. And when a foreign language has been thoroughly mastered, it will require as many years more to study the sciences, The pursuance of such*a course incurs more expense than families of moderate means can afford to spend. For this reason, the number of Chinese young men sent abroad for a Western education can never be satisfactorily large after all. Now, the principal aim of the Society for the Diffusion of Christian and General Know-Twig isto translate books for the benefit of the Chinese people. Already " great many useful books have, I" understand, been rendered into the Chinese language. By reading these books, the Chinese peo-lo will be able to acquire a knowledge of the Western sciences in their own tongue. In this way the time that. would otherwise be required to master a fore language as a preliminary to the study of sciences can be profitably saved. It: is therefore a erying necessity of the day to translate foreign books into the Chindse language.
Dr. Richard, Dr. Allen, and the other members of the S.D.C.G.K. are scholars}of exemplary conduct and profound learning, who are not only thoroughly conversant with the Chinese language, but also thoroughly understand the characteristics and habits of the Chinese people. They are, therefore, able to translate books in such a forcible and perspicuous style as to. make their readers understand -them without difficulty. Consequently all the Chinese literati are anxious to have social intereouse with these gentlemen. That a great many people in China know something about Western politics and Western civilisation to-day, is the direct result of perusing the works turned out by the S. D, ©. G.K., which is really a very important factor in the work of diffusing Imowledge among our people. The more books this Society translates the more extensively will the Chinese people read. And the saint result will be this: that our people will be so much enlightened as to be able to see and admire the high civilisation of the West and to treat foreigners as friends and live at peace with them. When such is the case it is a great Dlessing both to the Chinese people and to the Chinese government. I therefore take this opportunity to express my great appreciation of the good work which the S.D. C. G. K. has done and is still doing.
The report and accounts were adopted.
Mr. W. G. Bayne, Chairman of. the Municipal Council, moved the second resolution. He had an idea, when he came into the room, that he would be able to offer a few remarks that might be of some service. Since he had been in the hall, however, he had been impressed by the fact that, as he knew almost nothing about the society, it would be an impertinence on his part to say anything. At some future time he hoped to have another opportunity of addressing the Society, and to know more about it. He should make it, his business hereafter to follow its proceedings with the greatest possible care. Meantime he proposed with great pleasure the re-election of the following office bearers: President:—Sir Robert Hart, Bai G.C.M.G.; Vice-Presidents:—Mr. C. Addis, Mr. George Jamieson, C.M.G., Mr. J. J. Keswick, Right Rev. G. Moule, }).D., Mr. Cornelius Thorne, Rev. Griffith John, D.D., Rev. W. Ashmore, D.D., Bishop Moore, D.D.; Honorary Treasurer:—Mr. F. C. Heffer; Honorary Secretary:—Rev. Timothy Richard, D.D., LL.D., Ordinary Directors:—Rev. J. Y. Allen, D.D., LL.D., Rev. W. P. Bentley, M.A., Rev. Emnest Box, Mr. R. E, Bredon, Rev. W. A. Cornaby, Rev. J. Edkins, D. Mr. H. E. Hobson, Rev. Paul Kranz, Rev. D. McGillivray, M.A., B.D., Mx. W. Poate, Rev. F. L, Hawks Pott, D.D., and Rev. W. S. Walshe, B.A.
The Rev. G. Lambert Rees briefly seconded the motion, which was carried.
Mr. W. V. Drummond proposed the third' resolution, as follows:—" That the Dest thanks of the Society be tendered to its friends and supporters in Great Britain Aunerica and China for the continued interest manifested by them in the work of the diffusion of knowledge among the Chinese, and for the increased liberality which has marked their appreciation of the Society's efforts; bespeaking, at the same time, a proportionate extension of their assistance, financial and otherwise, in order adequately to. meet the increasing opportunities which invite and demand the attention of the Society." In the course of along address, Mr. Drummond remarked that the Chairman and Pastor Krantz had dealt so eloquently with the first branch of the Society's work, the diffusion of Christian knowledge, that, although he was
devote himself to the second barb more fully in sympathy with that, "he would particularly. First, however, {io would point to the official and general support the Society was receiving. In 1899 the Jocal contributions were $2,000; in 1900, an exceptional year, they fell to $178} in 1901 they recovered to $2,333, but. this year they had gone up suddenly. to $9,618. Home contributions were also "above normal; the figures for the last four year were: 1899 (including Sir 'T. Hanbury's $2,000), $15,200; 1900, $9,815; 1901 (including Mr. Budgett's £500), $17,000 and in 1902, $15,176. The local support, was a very valuable testimony especially as it included unprecedented gifts from high Chinese officials. No such contributions had been made since 1894, when Viceroy Chang gave Tls. 1,000, Nich Taotai gave $100, and H.E. Cheng $40.
Personal support given to the work also claimed attention and Mr. Drummond mentioned the self-denying labours of Mr. Sadler, Mrs. Foster, Mr. Ohlinger, Dr. Stuart, Miss Howe, Miss White, Dr. Macklin, Mr. Bentley, Mrs. Richard, Dr. Parker and Dr. Pott, Although the workers were few and the, feld large, yet the work
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.