TAKEN as a whole the Chinese are great gamblers, and devote much time to a very intricate form of chess. They also manifest remarkable skill in the construction and flying of various kinds of kites. But for physical sports, such as foot-races, baseball, football, swimming, and wrestling, the Chinese have little, if any, natural desire.
It is said that when this people first saw foreigners engage in recreative sports, such questions as the following were not unusual: "How much money do you receive for doing this kind of work?" "How much would you pay me to bat and chase the balls for you?" "Is this a kind of penance you are paying to your God?" "Are you doing this in order to store up merit with your God?" Or, on learning that it was merely for recreation or exercise, the questioner would doubtless remark, "How very strange that you would go to such great pains in doing so much work when you expect nothing in return."
IN CHANGSHA, CHINA
FIELD DAY IN HUNAN, CHINA
In view of all this, the athletic meeting of November 16, 17, in which all the principal schools of Hunan Province participated, was an event of more than ordinary interest. It was held on the large military grounds at Changsha, in the presence of tens of thousands of spectators.
The first day's program was as follows: Marching, military drills, dumb-bell exercises, wand exercises, hoop exercises, strength and skill performances, football, boxing matches, writing matches, lantern races, foot-races, music,—instrumental and vocal.
The skill with which many of these parts were performed would have done credit to many of our good institutions in Western lands. A well-drilled native military band rendered music at frequent intervals throughout the program, a large number of the selections being popular American airs. The program and its execution were truly a surprise to Chinese and foreigners alike. It is planned to hold such a meeting as this every five years.
It is said that Japan, in adopting Western civilization, has at the same time, instead of becoming more favorable toward Christianity, been drifting into infidelity; and the work of the Christian missionary is far more difficult in that land than it was ten years ago. China is awakening from her slumber of ages, and many of her best friends and most careful students predict that in this respect she will travel the same road over which Japan is now passing.
This being evident, the present is the time to place within the reach of our Chinese brethren and sisters, a knowledge of the everlasting Gospel. The present hour is one of inspiration. It demands the best and most consecrated service that the missionary can render. It calls for loyal response in the heart and life of God's children in the home land. It requires on the part of all, the faith that will overcome obstacles and difficulties. May this our day of opportunity, be signalized by the most earnest effort and devotion, blessed and quickened by the Spirit of God.
