Jan, 22, We have received a pamphlet: entitled "Constructive Activities of the Young Men's Christian sociations of China," the showing of which is so remarkable as deserve notice, especially in contrast with the destructive! activities of some other organiza.
us. Two objections to Y. M.
A. work in China may possibly] be raised at the outset: its avowedly Christian purpose may, be resented by those who hold that social reform proceeds best when kept distinct from religious the same factor-may'! justly claims that in view of the events of May 30, this statement: is of real significance. The following extract is a fair sample. After referring to the "distri bances, strifes and difficulties from without and within" which China has suffered and in "the torrent of new ideas and thoughts" the statement continues:—
The Young Men's Chi sociation placed in the mi ion, feels deeply jereased responsibility and] Gesires to reaffirm its aim and to adapt its programme more fully to meet the needs of the hundred million young men and boys of China. Tt has a duty which cannot be shirked to give leadership and ce-operation to both the student and labouring classes. The Young Men's Christian Association has stood for ideals of international friendship, equality of races and world harmony. We believe that policies of aggres-Wy sort, whether political, great of world friendship treaties negotiated during the hundred years between Chit the foreign nations have made for mach ill-feeling between Enst and West and are the underlying causes of many years of conflict and of the recent incidents in Shanghai, Hankow; Canton and other places. Wel nig the epecuiatory should conduct a thorough-going study and investigation of these difGeulties, create a proper public opinion regarding them and promote good relationships among the nations to prevent future wars and realize the highest ideals we have cherished.
jes are ours to emphasize what appears to us a most important pronouncement, If anybody retorts that the Chinese C. A. did not show this int in the turbulent days of last June (we do not say that it did not, but merely take a supposition), the answer is that the above is a new enunciation of policy, made on careful reflexion and when the general temper had largely subsided. In. keeping] with it is the following entry] under the heading "Training for Citizenship"
During the past year in China there have been many people in the country ready to stir up more trouble, but very few who have set themselves to the dificult task of getting the minds of the people centred upon constructive efforts for the good of the nation.
The very key note of this effort (the "good citizenship" campaign Which form a notable part, of the Y¥, M. C. Avs efforts) is the "turning of national shame into civie spi as Dr. Liu has put it things done within the nation thet erying for solution rather. that.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.