A Plea for China’s Educated Women
By Mrs. E. A. Laird
THE women of “new China” are clamoring for learning; and increasing numbers of the younger generation of the upper and middle classes are acquiring a knowledge of the characters. Among the former class, those who have not yet become brave enough to go out to school, have private teachers in their homes. Changsha has a normal school for women, which is run by private enterprise. The course proper consists of three years’ study of western (?) methods. One of the female teachers, who had been coming to the dispensary for treatment, invited me to visit this school; and in company with our evangelist’s wife, I was glad to do so. It is a boarding-school, and has enrolled about four hundred young women, both single and married. The faculty numbers about twenty-five teachers. The class rooms are well supplied with charts, maps, pictures, and other school equipment from Japan. Some Japanese women are on the teaching staff. During our visit, we had the privilege of listening to a most enthusiastic lecture given by a male teacher to the students in their auditorium. He dealt extensively with the relationship of Confucianism and Christianity. He insisted that these two systems with their teachings are practically alike, and whether one worshiped Confucius or Christ, there was no difference, except in name only. I do not know the speaker’s standard for Christianity, but it is easy to see that these people are unwittingly getting ready to join with the great federation movement when it comes near enough to their platform. Doubtless they will be received with open arms when the time arrives. This school is strictly non-Christian, and here is an army of bright young women being trained as agnostics. When once they have imbibed this spirit, how much more difficult it will be for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to reach them. But not only so, for they will go out as teachers of others. This is one school, in one province only. These people are intent on getting learning. If those who have the right method of education fail to step in and help them, they will gratify their desires by wrong methods, and thus be led farther and, farther away from God and the truth for these times. Dear sisters, does it not make your heart go out in sympathy toward these women as you contemplate these facts? Here are splendid opportunities for our young people who have finished their college course and now hold their diplomas. Surely some could make their way into these schools and into the hearts of the students, and thus “gently by the cords of love” lead them to Christ. Last year the writer was invited to teach art and music in this school. No doubt other lines would have been offered if I had been at liberty to go. Literature suitable to reach this class of people must be distributed among them. Our printing facilities must be increased so that present truth can be set before those in the heart of China, as well as the Chinese living in foreign lands; for example, America, Australia, Singapore, etc. Some of our good school-books might be translated and printed in cheaper style for use in the schools instead of the inferior kinds now used. We must have schools of our own both for girls and for young men, where they can get proper training, and a knowledge of the things which pertain to their eternal welfare. One sometimes longs to be able to do the work of five or six persons, as one sees the great need in every direction. There is no danger of getting lonely or homesick where the work presses so greatly on every side. Will you not pray for these people, that many may be led into this great light, and rejoice with us in the blessed promises of God?