Just recently we have been having a series of conferences in this city, attended by foreigners and Chinese representing the Church organization in 17 counties In both the foreign and Chinese Conferences there was unanimity of opinion that in this part of Szechuan, at any rate, there has been serious moral and material' deterioration during the last few years. As evidence of moral deterioration, the recrudescence of opium growing and opium traffic, and the widespread return to opium smoking by all classes were mentioned. It was affirmed that, whereas in former days opium smokers were invariably ashamed to own their addiction to the habit, they now speak of it quite unblushingly and without any sense of shame. Gambling, wine drinking and immorality were also said to be much more common and prevalent than most people could ever remember. Many other things were mentioned, +6, the effect of these habits on the younger generation, and the lack of manners and respect in shools; and the Chinese conference appointed one of their number to prepare @ memorandum on manners, ete., for all our schools and recommended its wide distribution throughout the Province.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.