Interesting Address at Conference of E.C.C.E. A.
The opening session of the conference of the East China Christian Educational Association took place in the Union Church Hall on Wednesday afternoon, the Rev. W. b. Nance, president of the association, being in the chair.
Addresses were givem by Dr. Fong F. Sec, Vice-President of the association, Dr. F. D. Gamevwell, general secretary of the Christian Educational Association of China, and the Rev. K. T. Chung, the latter bringing to those present a message from the Christian National Council of China, of which he is acting general secretary.
The Rev. E. H. Cressy, general secretary of the E.C.C.A.A., then outlined the new programme inaugurated in the Association, He referred to the appointment of a general secretary, the budget, study of the field, and various other problems faced.
In a lengthy address Prof. P. W. Kuo, president of the Shanghai College of Commerce and the National Southeastern University, who represented © the Kiangsu Educational Association, outlined the educational systems existing in China at the present time, and mentioned the progress that had been made during the past few years. The rapid advance of the primary school system was particularly to be noted. The middle schools had made very little, if any, progress, in' fact middle schools were the weakest On paper, said Dr. Kuo, higher education, i.e., colleges and universities had made large plans towards progress. These, however, were only partially developed. Vocational education was gaining headway, progress was noted in scientific education, and the education of women, was ginning a new era. A great change was before their very eyes, stated. The Sin-wen-hua (New Civilization) movement was growing very rapidly. This movement enthusiastically welcomed new ideas from the West, but at the same time renewed the study of old Chinese civilization.
It was necessary, thought Dr. Kuo, for Christian educators to keep in touch with the general trend of education and with various educational movements in China. Missionaries engaged in educational work, he' suggested, should cooperate in the education of the young and in the laying of the corner stone for the Republic of China, which, he thought, was a very noble task. (Applause).
The chairman announced that Dr. F. D. Gamewell, Miss M. L. White, and Prof. J. Anderson had been elected as members of the nominate ing committee, and Dr. P. W. Kuo, Miss C. A. Fullerton, and the Rev. J. W. Crofoob members of the committee on. resolutions.
Following a short business session, tea was served by the ladies of the Cnion Church,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.