Title: The Story of the Church in China

Author: Arthur Romeyn Gray, Arthur M. Sherman

Publisher: Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society

Published: 1913

Chapter 3 Changing Attitude Towards Foreigners 1881-1884

“There was also a universal desire springing up in places like Wuchang, Hankow and Shanghai to learn the English language.  The alert Chinese in these places saw the opportunities a knowledge of English would bring for business with the English and American merchants resident in the foreign concessions in the port cities.  The Mission was wise enough to see and use the opportunity of making the teaching of English language in St. John’s College and Boone School a point of contact with the Chinese they wanted to reach.  Accordingly, a department of English was added to St. John’s.  This was an important step to take.  It has always been a debated question in Mission circles whether the introduction of English in the schools is a wise thing or not.  There were many things to be said on both sides of the question.  The principal objection to its use was that it attracted boys to the Mission simply for the sake of getting a language enabling them to secure good positions in the business world and that the schools would fail to supply native Christian workers as they would all be diverted to money getting.  There was this real danger and again and again missionaries have been greatly disappointed in having some promising young candidate for the ministry go off to take position with larger pay in post office, government or commercial employ because of his knowledge of English.  But, on the other hand, it brought a large number of young men to the Mission institutions, many of whom became converted and some of whom gave up cherished prospects of a business career in order to serve the Church they had come to love, although they had entered the school purposely to fit themselves for a commercial life.  Then again the teaching of English opened up such a wider reaching knowledge of the Western world to the student and especially gave the candidate in theology and medicine the access to so many valuable books that most of the Missions gradually have come to the point of having English taught in their higher schools, colleges and professional schools.”

Fascinating that even back in the 80’s (1880s) there was a desire to study English.  Interesting that the church and mission societies back then had a debate whether to teach them English or not and for the reason that some might go and do business!  NO!

Book found here.

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