Amidst the forward movements now going on all over China, the old city of Ningpo is assuring her role with the rest of the large cities in the country. 'A number of forees are now working in concert to modernize this city of considerable importance. The local Y. M. C. A. is steadily working ahead with the programme of spiritual, intellectual, an} physical culture. In all its undertakings the public has repeatedly manifested its intense interest, as can be seen from the unusual support the Young Association has received since its advent some 20 months ago. It has gathered round it a ground numbering 8791 of earnest and progressive members who have committed themselves to the betterment of the conimunity.
The association English evening school with 116 students, too, is gaining great favour among tha merchant classes, as the instruc tions are given by some of the best teachers and the fees extremely moderate.
'Al few weeks ago, Mr. T. M. Van, editor of the pAmoctation Pro-ress' came to Ningpo at the intation of the Y. ME. A. and delivered a series of lectures on the "Betterment of the Society," "The improvement of—the " Family System," "The Self-betterment of the Young Men" and "The Econ-comical Tendency of the world and the Industrial Development of China." These lectures are listened to with exceptional interest.
In order to promote publio speaking the association got up) an oratorical contest among the various middle schools. Six of them took part and send their best' student speakers to compete for the possession of a beautiful cup presented by Messrs. L, T. Yuan' and M. D. Sung, two of the sustaining members of the association.
Besides this, the Y."M. 0. A. is busily engaged in organizing an athletic association among thd middle schools. Beginning with next term, a number of matches will be played and it is to be honed that. before long other classes wilt follow the example of the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.