'The old learning of China is not to be despised. I am sorry to hear that' modern. students are inclined to have something like a contempt for the ancient classics of China.
Your ideals of education have been changed, as it were, in a night. You are faced at once with new worlds of knowledge. to. conquer. But the old is not worthless, There is much in your ancient books that is of great value. Confucius and the ancient sages had much to say that we certainly cannot afford to neglect to-day.
The University which we are opening here today isa" Union Institution. It is being formed by ing together in a spirit of wholehearted friendship, with entire unselfishness of purpose, and no do-sire but to give what they have to the common store, I try to seo the vision of the future as it will be realized in the years to come, I picture a great University in Central China ministering to the needs of the great student population of this hub of China. I see it being joi ed and strengthened by other Christin institutions. see this example being followed by other colleges, not necessarily Christian, It may be a college teaching Confucianism, or a college teaching Buddhism. They will be welcome 30 long as they bring with them the guarantee of educational efficfancy and ideals of moral training. Until the wisdom of the East, combining with the wisdom of the West, shall make one mighty force for the making of citizens and rulers for the land. And wisdom is justified of all her children.
After Dr. Barber's speech the proceedings were closed by the singing of a Chinese national anthem, quests were entertained to tea in the two anterooms of the hall.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.